A Life Unexamined...

One of the most famous sayings by Socrates is, "An unexamined life is not worth living." Or so we are told, since Socrates himself didn't write anything. I agree completely. However, I also believe that a reflected image of that statement is equally valid: A life not lived is not worth examining.

We, as a society already accept this as fact. Do we bother to examine or emulate the lives of those who live out their lives without the spark of life - those who breathe and function, but who do not live? No, we only reflect upon and study the lives of those who have lived life and left a legacy.

This doesn't mean someone who is famous, or even important. But they lived for more than just being alive. One great example is Joshua Terry, one of my wife's ancestors. Let me share with you some of the ways that he lived.

Joshua Terry was converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and at the age of 22, made the trek across the plains of the United States to the Salt Lake Valley. Just out of his teens, he walked - not rode - over 1500 miles - because of what he believed!

He later became a pioneer to Idaho and Wyoming. Along the way, on freezing in a storm he found shelter in the hollow of a coffin shaped rock. Later that night, he was visited by a bear which crawled in for shelter as well. The two slept side-by-side, and their shared body heat kept Joshua alive. In the morning before daylight, the bear left him unharmed.

Later, he was found almost dead from starvation by an old Indian woman and her son, who nourished him back to health. During his recovery, the young Indian brave spit in Joshua's ear, saying that he hoped that someday Joshua would come to understand their language.

Upon reaching Wyoming he became fast friends of the famous trapper-explorer, Jim Bridger. Bridger. One day, not long after, Joshua was out on the range, hunting horses to tame. As he stood on a hill scanning the valley below, he heard a great rushing sound and turned to see that he was surrounded by Indian warriors.

They took him captive and decided that they would scalp and burn him. In preparation for the event, the Indians danced around him with frenzied voice, throwing their tomahawks at his head. At the height of the "festivities" one brave, the leader of the war party, drew his knife and advanced on Joshua, prepared to take his scalp.

Just then, another band of Indians was seen coming around the hill. The chieftain of this band was none other than the young brave who had spit in his ears years ago. The young chieftain went into council with the other warriors. He was finally freed from his bindings, but was imprisoned in one of the tents under close guard. During this time a young girl had the task of bringing him food and water, and they became friends.

Her and the young chieftain told Joshua that the Indians were planning to attack the Mormons. They told him that he was to warn Brigham Young, and that he only had a few moons to get to Salt Lake City and back. Alone and on foot, he was sure he would never make it in time. But, halfway along the way, there was his Indian friend with horses and supplies.

He made the journey in time, and the message he brought back to the Indians from Brigham Young pleased them so much that they gave Joshua his freedom and a short time later he married the Indian girl. One time, he was bitten by a rattlesnake and not expected to live. In grief, his wife ate a poison root because she didn't want to live without him. She died, and he recovered to go on alone.

Such is a life worth examining. With all of his wanderings and difficulties, many in this day and age would call such a man a vagabond and worthless. However, nobody can deny that he lived. He did what he thought was right and pushed through great difficulty along the way.

Living life means that you look forward with hope and faith from one day to the next. You accept the challenges that come your way as part of being alive. You face them as best you can, and you do the best you can do. Sometimes, this isn't good enough - Joshua couldn't save his Indian bride. Other times, it contains the seeds of greatness.

Joshua later became a leader of the community of Draper, Utah and his son became Mayor and later the most respected man in South Salt Lake County. His house still stands today as a visitor center and historic site.

The unexamined life may not be worth living, but the life unlived is certainly not worth examining - with the exception of examination for the prospect of change. This is the miracle that all of us can enjoy - the ability to change.

Yesterday I watched my son walk across the stage at  BYU's Marriott Center to received his diploma. During that ceremony, a young girl in her twenties also walked across the stage to receive her diploma - followed by her mother who also received her diploma! It is never too late to do that which you have always wanted and desired to do.

Live life. Love life and be worth examination and emulation.