| THE CUTTING ROOM FLOOR By Clark Smith <[email protected]>, EFY speaker, ESPN cameraman Shooting camera at a live sporting event for television is a passion of mine. I love being part of the crew of cameramen positioned with state-of-the-art equipment, capturing all the action from several different angles. For some extreme sports the venues are quite remote, so we gather all the footage on videotape and return to our studio to edit the program for airing at a later date. This process allows us to look at all camera angles, pick the ones we like best, and cut out the shots we don't like. Filmmaking and live television are very similar to life. Imagine that Heavenly Father has a crew of Angels filming and recording each of our entire lives on this earth. They catch all the action, from all angles, in all places, at all times. Their job is just to record it and save. You are the writer, actor, and director of your life's film. Heavenly Father has provided some assistants to help you make wise choices for each scene (i.e. Parents, Bishops, Advisors, Teachers, Good Friends, etc.) We can get the script from the scriptures. The plan of salvation becomes the screenplay. You can follow the screenplay by reading from the script every day and be guaranteed success or you can adlib away from the script and be completely on your own. The Lord said "I the Lord am bound when ye do what I say, but, when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." (D&C 82:10) After we die each of us will watch of our footage with Jesus Christ, our final Judge. Anyone who knew us will be invited to attend the screening -- grandma & grandpa, mom & dad, brothers, sisters, bishops, friends, cousins, seminary teachers, your spouse, etc. Are there scenes in your film that you'd like to edit? The Lord has given us the ability to leave unwanted footage on the cutting room floor. This ability to edit is a gift given us through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, it is called Repentance and it is the 2nd principle of the gospel. The Lord has made this beautiful promise to those who repent "Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more." (D&C 58:42) The opportunity to edit and the forgetting of footage properly left on the cutting room floor are gifts given us undeservedly by our Savior Jesus Christ. Repentance requires sorrow for sin, abandonment of sin, confession of sin, restitution for sin, obedience to all the commandments, and recognition of the Savior. (See Richard G. Scott, "Finding Forgiveness", Ensign, May 1995) But just because we can, doesn't mean repentance is easy. If you edit properly it's going to be painful. A broken heart and contrite spirit can hurt. But thankfully for all, repentance is possible. True repentance brings true joy. (See Alma 36:20,21) Some people think that they can party now, (see 2 Nephi 28:8) have some unclean fun, and then just edit out the bad scenes through repentance and be as good as new. They misunderstand. You will be better off in the long run by avoiding sin in the first place. Listen to what Elder Richard G. Scott said about planned repentance: "The thought of intentionally committing serious sin now and repenting later is perilously wrong. ... Premeditated sin has greater penalties and is harder to overcome." (Richard G. Scott, "Making Right Choices", Ensign, Nov. 1994) If there are scenes in your movie that may require a talk with your Bishop, call him. If in doubt, seek him out. He will lovingly and confidentially help you "edit" your film. "This life is the time for men to prepare to meet God." (Alma 34:32) "Deathbediting" just doesn't count and besides, we never know when the Producer will say, "that's a wrap", and call us home. Since no unclean thing can enter the kingdom of heaven, and to take full advantage of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we best do some serious editing now. |