The Sublime Roundabout

I finished the Book of Mormon last Thursday AM. It was a bit of a rush to the end, so I didn't get to write as much about the last little bit as I would have liked. But there are just a couple of last things that I would like to make note of before I return to my regularly scheduled ramblings... 1. The cycle. Righteousness invariably leads to prosperity. That's good. We all want to prosper. Sometimes (usually) this prosperity leads to excess - arrogance, pride, class-divisions, etc. This is sin and it separates us from God. This sin leads to even greater excesses and wickedness, which further separates us from God. As we are separated from God, we start to lose focus of what's important and the Source of all goodness in our lives. This leads to destruction, which can lead to humility and repentance. This is righteousness. And the cycle begins anew. The way to break the cycle is to remain in humility regardless of circumstances. It is to remember one's brethren like one...

I recently read a book by James Michener called "The Covenant" about South Africa. It seems that the Afrikaans people - mainly of Dutch decent - set out exploring the frontier in much the same way that the pioneers did in the American West. They came under attack from local tribes and when they did they would go into "laager" or defensive position. They did this by circling their wagons and lashing them together. Then they filled in the gaps both under and between the wagons with impenetrable mats of thorny vines. In these gaps they also positioned their strongest fighting men. In this way, the few people inside could marshal their resources, conserve food and energy, and defend themselves from a much larger and more aggressive attacking army. The image above is wrong, by the way. The wagons are too far apart, allowing easy penetration into the interior. Also, notice the direction most men are facing - towards the fire. This is wrong because it obscures one's ni...

In the Book of Mormon, whenever it refers to "power and authority" that is a direct reference to the Holy Priesthood. The Priesthood is the power and authority of God given to man to perform ordinances and other sacred rites in His name, serving His children as He would do himself. The crowning authority of the Priesthood is the sealing power. Those who have been called to exercise this power are called "sealers." While the keys of sealing are only vested in one individual at any time (the Prophet and President of the Church), he shares responsibility for sealing with those who are thus called in an effort to extend these blessings to all those who desire them. And what are these blessings? While the sealing power can be used in temporal ways, the highest use of this power is to seal families together forever. Thus, in our temple marriage and sealing ceremonies, couples and families are not sealed "until death do you part" or "for the duration of your...

I have written much by way of my feelings about certain passages in the Book of Mormon. I want to make a few things clear in case there is any question lingering in anyone's mind about exactly how I feel about this miraculous book. It is the word of God. It was translated by the gift and power of God. It brings people who will read and ponder it's message closer to God. It helps people understand better the gospel of Jesus Christ and His role as Savior and Redeemer. It provides hope for people who are struggling with questions of faith. It provides strength for those who are weak. It is a powerful book, with the power to change people's lives in dramatic and very intensely personal ways. It is true. It is what it claims to be. All that that statement implies is also true and what it claims to be - the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true Church of Jesus Christ in these, the latter-days. Those who learn to apply the principles taught in this Book will find...

So I'm a little behind. I've got two weeks left and almost 200 pages left to go. I could finish it all in one day of steady reading, listen to it on mp3, or just keep on... I think I will keep on until the last minute and then just hurry and finish it all off. It's been an interesting experience...

Reaching Pulling Washing Teaching Helping Showing Listening Knowing Forgiving Trusting Angelic Sweet Kind Loving Mother.

Please see this article/story: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124303324 This one grabbed me this morning. So much of what we do in life is meaningless. Yet there are men and women in the world who are grateful for every second because the next one may be their last. These men and women bravely step in front of the evil and terroristic people in the world and deny them access to the rest of us. We cannot ever understand the sacrifices, nor can we ever fully express our gratitude. But we can start by remembering. We can start by waking ourselves from our apathy and insulated comfort, looking around at the world around us. We can start by becoming stronger ourselves, overcoming our baser natures and helping to create a world where hate and violence are not only unwelcome but not tolerated. In the meantime, our interests will continue to be protected and defended by incredibly selfless, brave, and amazing individuals who are prepared to give their all in the cause of ...

We are at war. The enemies awake, nor does he sleep. We must MUST! be vigilant. We must take upon us the armor of God: Loins girt about with truth (moral purity) Breastplate of Righteousness (protect our hearts) Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace (missionary work - share the good news!) Above all, the shield of faith (all of the fiery darts are thus quenched) Helmet of salvation (intelligence, wisdom, knowledge) Sword of the Spirit (the only non-defensive (?) item we are to take - it is the Word of God, which is Jesus Christ). Praying ALWAYS with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and WATCHING thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for ALL Saints. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places..." (Ephesians 6:12).

There are some essential characteristics of what a man really is. In a world where these things have become less important, less valuable, perhaps it is good to occasionally remind ourselves of what good men should be like and how they should act. The disintegration of the family lies primarily with the fathers and the lack of responsibility they show towards their wives and children. Our homes have become overrun and it is time to take them back. Men must arise from the dust and shake off the chains with which they are bound. We are men. We have divine potential and great responsibility. We must rise to the occasion. Moroni was a man who did just that. Some of the characteristics listed by Mormon in these chapters are: 1. He was a strong and mighty man. While physical prowess or ability is not essential, having a healthy body is vital to being able to have the Spirit with us in our lives. This is the main reason why the Lord gave us the Word of Wisdom - to avoid pitfalls and remain cl...

Liberty. What does this mean to you? Ability to do whatever you want? Rights of ownership, property, worship, assembly, etc? What if those things were taken away from you? What if you were put in chains, thrown behind walls? What if your family were taken away from you? What if your home and physical comforts were removed? What if you were tortured, starved, or otherwise deprived? And ultimately, what if your own life were forfeit? Would you lose your liberty? The truth makes us free. (John 8:32) Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6) I am not suggesting that we surrender everything in a reckless effort to abandon our comfortable life. What I am suggesting is that perhaps we put too much stock in things that can so easily be taken away. What cannot be taken away is our convictions, our faith, our knowledge and experience, and our love for each other. These are the things of the Spirit that cannot be removed by others' actions or force.