The Principle of Indirection

Brother Brent Top suggested that the scriptures teach a concept he calls “the principle of indirection,” where I believe he means by the word indirection a roundabout way of obtaining something desired.  He referred specifically to this scripture as an example of this principle: “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it” (Matt. 10:39).  In other words, if you want to have true life, seek to lose it in the service of others.  A verse in the JST puts it this way: “Whosoever will save his life in this world, shall lose it in the world to come.  And whosoever will lose his life in this world, for my sake, shall find it in the world to come” (JST Matt. 16:27-28). Focusing on obtaining an enjoyable life in mortality by seeking the things of the world ultimately results in losing those things, but focusing on serving the Lord and renouncing worldly interests will result in gaining far more than we gave up. 

               This “principle of indirection” is seen in several other scriptures.  For example, the Savior told His disciples, “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted” (Matt. 23:11-12).  Luke recorded a similar saying this way: “He that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve” (Luke 22:26).  If we want to be great, we must focus on being humble and serving others.  In the Book of Mormon, Jacob taught his people about obtaining riches by focusing on God: “But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God.  And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good” (Jacob 2:18-19).  The Lord said this a different way in the Doctrine and Covenants: “Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich” (D&C 6:7).  Both of these passages teach us that if we want to be rich we should focus on the things of God, and then riches will be given to us, namely the ability to help the poor and ultimately eternal life. 

               The story of the widow of Zarephath from the Old Testament to me embodies this principle of indirection.  She was nearly out of food during the famine at the time of Elijah.  When the prophet arrived at her house, he surprisingly asked her to feed him.  She responded, “As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die” (1 Kings 17:12).  Elijah promised her that if she would give to him first, she would have enough for herself.  “And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.  And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah” (1 Kings 17:15-16).  By serving someone else she was given more than enough for herself.  This is I think symbolic for us—the more we turn away from trying to directly satisfy our own needs and instead focus on meeting the needs of others, the more our own wishes will in the end be met.  If we seek to serve others and put that ahead of our own desires, we will find that “without compulsory means” those needs will in time be miraculously met.