The Whole Future of Civilization

The Reading Lesson, Knut Ekwall

"The whole future of civilization depends on what is read to children before they can read to themselves." - John Jay Chapman

10 Blessed Blogs

Here is a short list of virtuous, lovely, of good report and praiseworthy blogs from which to gain edification, inspiration, instruction and enlightenement:


1. LDS Newsroom
2. FAIR Mormon Blog
3. The Soul and the City, Ralph Hancock
4. Sic et Non, Daniel Peterson
5. Mormon Scholars Testify
6. Forn Spǫll Fira, John Gee
7. Ether's Cave, Matthew Roper
8. Enigmatic Mirror, William Hamblin
9. Sixteen Small Stones, J. Max Wilson
10. The Millenial Star

Loeb Classical Library

Loeb Classical Library

Just as I was beginning to think that the everything virtuous, lovely, of good report and praiseworthy on the internet had already been mined and synthesized onto this blog, my dad informed me that the Loeb Classical Library is now available online.  Amazing!

“Here is 1,400 years of human culture, all the texts that survive from one of the greatest civilizations human beings have ever built—and it can all fit in a bookcase or two. To capture all the fugitive texts of the ancient world, some of which survived the Dark Ages in just a single moldering copy in some monastic library, and turn them into affordable, clear, sturdy accurate books, is one of the greatest accomplishments of modern scholarship—and one of the most democratic.”—Adam Kirsch

The Sura of Light

"God is the light of the heavens and the earth. A metaphor for His light is a niche in which there is a lamp placed in a glass. The glass is like a shining star which is lit from a blessed olive tree that is neither eastern nor western. Its oil almost lights up even though it has not been touched by the fire. It is light upon light. God guides to His light whomever He wants. God uses various metaphors. He has the knowledge of all things." - The Sura of Light, Qur'ān 24:35

A lot could be written about this verse, and much ink has already been spilt in reference to this verse. In fact, the Persian mystic theologian and philosopher Al-Ghazali wrote an entire book based on the ideas expressed in this verse.

The Sura of Light

The Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith

"To the youth listening today or reading these words in the days ahead, I give a specific challenge: Gain a personal witness of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Let your voice help fulfill Moroni’s prophetic words to speak good of the Prophet. Here are two ideas: First, find scriptures in the Book of Mormon that you feel and know are absolutely true. Then share them with family and friends in family home evening, seminary, and your Young Men and Young Women classes, acknowledging that Joseph was an instrument in God’s hands. Next, read the testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith in the Pearl of Great Price or in this pamphlet, now in 158 languages. You can find it online at LDS.org or with the missionaries. This is Joseph’s own testimony of what actually occurred. Read it often. Consider recording the testimony of Joseph Smith in your own voice, listening to it regularly, and sharing it with friends. Listening to the Prophet’s testimony in your own voice will help bring the witness you seek." - Elder Neil L. Anderson

Here is the testimony of Joseph Smith, recorded in my own voice.  It is true.

Meet the Mormons

Have you seen Meet the Mormons yet?  If so, what did you think?  If not, when will you see it?

After watching, and enjoying the film tonight, it occurred to me that I had just met (on the screen at least) some exemplary and exceptionally talented members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  And this is as it should be.  There are certainly many exemplary and exceptionally talented Mormons.

Without going into too much detail, the film Meet the Mormons is a Christ-centered, family focused, service oriented, and genuinely edifying production.  It is simultaneously warm, inviting, light-hearted and humorous.  The testimony of Christ, the Book of Mormon, and the basic doctrinal components of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were all unabashedly present throughout the film, though mostly implicit in the lives of the six families represented.  In short, however it may be received by national or international audiences, Meet the Mormons is a wonderful montage of biographies that pays homage to the vitality and vibrancy of a growing faith.

The beautiful scenery and the variety of personalities in the film accentuate the beauty of the subject matter.  From Alabama to Maryland, from Costa Rica to Germany, from Nepal to Utah, Meet the Mormons invites audiences to take a glimpse into the lives of some ordinary people, who, by small and simple things, have begun to make an extraordinary impact for good in the lives of others.

Meet the Mormons emphasizes the common ground that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints share with people of all races, ethnicities, religions and backgrounds without sacrificing the unique aspects of the faith.  It shows that each of us has an important piece to play in the symphony of life, and that each of us, with God's help, has the potential to play that piece inspiringly well.

Go see Meet the Mormons.

Mormonism, Liberalism, Conservatism

Mormonism, Liberalism, Conservatism

A Discussion with R. Davis & R. Hancock

BYU 250 SWKT

Which way?

R. Hancock

Introductory thoughts on The Liberal Soul: Applying the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Politics

The Meaning of “Liberal”
· Moral virtue, self-mastery, moderation
· “Liberality” expansive, open to others, communal

Liberalism in American Tradition combined these: Moral Self-Government

Moral self-government depends on shared morality of larger community
· Freedom requires limits, moral framework
· Freedom without limits is not freedom, but radical individualism

Conserving Liberalism
· American Liberalism became its own worst enemy by rejecting defining limits of liberty
· Liberal generosity of spirit severed from traditional moral foundations
· 2 rejections of the limits of liberty – limited constitutional government sacrificed to boundless confidence in bureaucratic state
· Liberty as moral self-government
· Relativism

Bob Dylan: “A self-ordained professor’s tongue…(Eric Clapton)”

The Reign of “Equality”
· Pierre Manent (the adjective “equal” has overwhelmed the noun “liberty”)
· Equality as spiritual ideal = perfect community, ZION?
· But removed from moral & religious context, equality has no content, no rudder

Liberalism as Equality minus Moral Liberty
· Modern liberalism vs. limited constitutional government
· MODERN LIBERALISM PROMOTES BOTH EXTREME INDIVIDUALISM AND EXTREME STATISM
· Zion grounds equality equality in moral & spiritual UNITY: ZION works from the inside out (the state works from the outside in)

Critique of The Liberal Soul
· Challenge is not that we have too much confidence in traditional morality
· Counsel from Apostles and Prophets clearly contradicts the New Liberalism
· E.g. Family Proclamation, Elder Oaks, Elder Christofferson, etc.

· “A God who makes no demands…” – Christofferson

To love liberty truly is to embrace the true boundaries... To love liberalism well, one must love it conservatively

R. Davis

(For a prior discussion of his book, see here.)
Practical Political Scientist
Practical, Welfare, Economic State Liberalism – In Line with the Gospel
Church’s mission: “Care for the Poor and the Needy”
Government as a supplement to caring for the poor and the needy / Government is a tool
Church welfare system vs. Government welfare system - Complementary
Family and Community Resources / Church welfare system is a supplement
Enormous burden to the Church without the government
Goods: Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Grants, Loans
Embrace economic liberalism rather than opposing it
Ezra T. Benson (speaking as an individual, not espousing Church doctrine) / Cleon Skousen
We accept services from the government, but say that government is bad
Social Justice = Idea that we treat other people at an equal level, considering those who are most vulnerable to get the most attention, women, religious minorities, racial and ethnic minorities, homosexuals (LDS were considered a persecuted minority before)
How will government policies help the poor?  How do we balance the playing field?
“I am not being dogmatic… I have seen the opposite though.”
Diversity, celebrate political and other aspects of diversity
“Be sensitive” to those who are liberal
“Tone” – venue, time for political discussions
The Liberal Soul is an attempt to fill a hole… to show that there are other people that think differently (Left) – open discussions

Hancock and Davis

- Shared truths, common ground

- Both against extremist economic libertarianism (Glenn Beck, Cleon Skousen, etc.)

- Democratic Party and Republican Party (economic, and political)
- How can you be a Democrat and be LDS? (A question that Davis responds to in his book)
- Social issues
- Self-Reliance, moral self-government cannot be taught by government (Hancock)
- LDS are much too complacent about the pursuit of wealth as a way of life

Questions from the audience: 

- White middle class – tendency toward Republican party?
- Church welfare system is so effective, why? More effective than overarching welfare system by the government, too large, detached?
- Transparency in government?
- What do you think that the government or Church welfare systems could change to improve the care of the poor?
- Do you know of any particular points in the Republican platform that go against Church doctrine? Davis' response = Gun control, Republicans are willing to be neglectful of the poor

A couple of thoughts from Church Leaders that came to my mind:

- "Now, lest I be accused of proposing quixotic global social programs or of endorsing panhandling as a growth industry, I reassure you that my reverence for principles of industry, thrift, self-reliance, and ambition is as strong as that of any man or woman alive. We are always expected to help ourselves before we seek help from others. Furthermore, I don’t know exactly how each of you should fulfill your obligation to those who do not or cannot always help themselves. But I know that God knows, and He will help you and guide you in compassionate acts of discipleship if you are conscientiously wanting and praying and looking for ways to keep a commandment He has given us again and again." - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

- “Even with the universally accepted desire to help the poor and needy, the Lord concurs in our goal but warns, “But it must needs be done in mine own way” (D&C 104:16). Otherwise, in our efforts to help, we may actually hurt them. The Lord has taught us the need to promote self-reliance. Even if we are able to help, we should not give or provide what they can and should do for themselves. Everywhere it is tried, the world learns the evils of the dole. Truly God knows best.” - Elder Stanley G. Ellis
- “This peer pressure tries to change a person’s attitudes, if not behavior, by making one feel guilty for giving offense. We seek respectful coexistence with those who point fingers, but when this fear of men tempts us to condone sin, it becomes a “snare” according to the book of Proverbs (see Proverbs 29:25). The snare may be cleverly baited to appeal to our compassionate side to tolerate or even approve of something that has been condemned by God. For the weak of faith, it can be a major stumbling block.” - Elder Lynn G. Robbins

See here for Professor Richard Davis' follow up response in the Deseret News.
See here for a response by one who considers himself to be a Mormon Iconoclast.

Concluding thoughts:

-A lot depends upon one's view of human nature
-For an interesting prophecy from a non-authoritative source, see here

Hanging by a thread?

A Play Proposal

The young C.S. Lewis

"One might imagine a play in which the dramatist introduced himself as a character into his own play and was pelted off the stage as an impudent impostor by the other characters.  It might be a rather good play; if I had any talent for the theatre I'd try my hand at writing it.  But since (as far as I know) such a play doesn't exist, we had better change to a narrative work; a story into which the author puts himself as one of the characters.

We have a real instance of this in Dante's Divine Comedy.  Dante is (1) the muse outside the poem who is inventing the whole thing, and (2) a character inside the poem, whom the other characters meet and with whom they hold conversations.  Where the analogy breaks down is that everything the poem contains is merely imaginary, in that the characters have no free will.  They (the characters) can say to Dante only what Dante (the poet) has decided to put into their mouths.  I do not think we humans are related to God in that way.  I think God can

The not as young C.S. Lewis

make things which not only--like a poet's or novelist's characters--seem to have a partially independent life, but really have it.  But the analogy furnishes a crude model of the Incarnation in two respects: (1) Dante the poet and Dante the character are in a sense one, but in another sense two.  This is a faint and far-off suggestion of what theologians mean by the 'union of the two natures' (divine and human) in Christ.  (2) The other people in the poem meet and see and hear Dante; but they have not even the faintest suspicion that he is making the whole world in which they exist and has a life of his own, outside it, independent of it.

It is the second point which is most relevant. For the Christian story is that Christ was perceived to be God by very few people indeed; perhaps, for a time only by St Peter, who would also, and for the same reason, have found God in space.  For Christ said to Peter, 'Flesh and blood have not taught you this.'  The methods of science do not discover facts of that order." C. S. Lewis, The Seeing Eye, pp. 231-232

A Divine Analogy

"Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God because He said so.  The other evidence about Him has convinced them that He was neither a lunatic nor a quack.  Now of course the statement cannot mean that He stands to God in the very same physical and temporal relation which exists between offspring and male parent in the animal world.  It is then a poetical statement.  And such expression must here be necessary because the reality He spoke of is outside our experience...
A man who is both a good son and a good father, and who is continually urged to become a better son and a better father by meditation on the Divine Fatherhood and Sonship, and who thus comes in the end to make that Divine relation the norm to which his own human sonship and fatherhood are still merely analogical, is best receiving the revelation." - C.S. Lewis, The Language of Religion

C.S. Lewis Says No to Drugs

C.S. Lewis

"Finally, in all our joys and sorrows, religious, aesthetic, or natural, I seem to find things (almost indescribably) thus. They are about something. They are a by-product of the (logically) prior act of attending to or looking towards something. We are not really concerned with the emotions: the emotions are our concern about something else.  Suppose that a mother is anxious about her son who is on active service. It is no use going to her with the offer of some drug or hypnotism or spell that would obliterate her anxiety. What she wants is not the cessation of anxiety but the safety of her son (I mean, on the whole. On one particular wakeful night, she might, no doubt, be glad of your magic.) Nor is it any use offering her a magic which would prevent her from feeling any grief if her son were killed: what she dreads is not grief but the death of her son.  Similarly, it is no use offering me a drug which will give me over again the feelings I had on first hearing the overture to The Magic Flute. The feelings, by themselves- the flutter in the diaphragm- are of very mediocre interest to me. What gave them their value was the thing they were about.  So in our Christian experiences.  No doubt we experience sorrow when we repent and joy when we adore.  But these were by-products of our attention to a particular Object." - C.S. Lewis, The Language of Religion

The Simple, Naked Truth

"All I want is to get the simple, naked truth, and the whole truth...

...If Jesus Christ was the Son of God, and John discovered that God the Father of Jesus Christ had a Father, you may suppose that He had a Father also. Where was there ever a son without a father? And where was there ever a father without first being a son? Whenever did a tree or anything spring into existence without a progenitor? And everything comes in this way. Paul says that which is earthly is in the likeness of that which is heavenly, Hence if Jesus had a Father, can we not believe that He had a Father also? I despise the idea of being scared to death at such a doctrine, for the Bible is full of it."

-The Prophet Joseph Smith, June 16, 1844

184th General Conference Notes

184th General Conference Notes

Saturday morning

• President Monson:

- Radio, television (1949)
- temples (170)
- missionaries (88,000)
- members (15 million +)

• President Boyd K. Packer:

- genealogy story, TG in the scriptures: Jesus Christ
- general conference, 94 languages, 100 + countries, 3,000 stakes
- atonement, grace, mercy, guilt erased, deep reverence
- spiritual strength of individual members
- unity, battle against evil, we need every one

• Lynn G. Robbins:

- which way do you face?
- Isaiah – fear ye not
- remember the right order of the 1st and 2nd commandments
- Joseph Smith and Martin Harris – persuasion of men
- courage of Daniel, Esther, Mormon, Moroni, Nephi
- “courage” – C.S. Lewis
- “hit bird flutters”
- déjà vu
- the Savior always faced His Father
- Korihor was deceived
- the Savior pleased His Father
- Jesus Christ is the only person who never forgot which we he faced

• Cheryl A. Esplin:

- sacrament
- turn the heart and will to God
- Christ’s enabling power, healing and cleansing power
- Grace
- Self-evaluation

• Chi Hong Wong (Cantonese):

- rescue
- effort to bring people to be healed
- physical and spiritual healing, “their faith”
- assist the Lord in His mission of saving souls

• Elder D. Todd Christofferson:

- Henry V
- entitlement culture, blaming God, government, others, etc.
- “The real manifestation of God’s love is His commandments”
- grace – enabled to develop a Christ-like character, willing agreement
- justice and mercy
- Christ came to offer repentance
- moral relativism
- resenting the law of gravity does not prevent the person who steps off of a cliff from falling
- personal responsibility is a gift
- accountability for talents, abilities, etc.
- story of man who wanted corn husks removed

• President Dieter F. Uchtdorf:

- worlds without number
- a century ago only the Milky Way Galaxy could be seen
- new instruments, Hubble telescope
- focusing Celestial light
- greater light, glorious vistas
- modern technologies would be mocked by prior generations
- the Lord’s work of light and truth
- the Savior is the way
- 1. study the scriptures with a sincere desire to discover truth 2. consider, ponder, fearless, grateful       3. ask Heavenly Father 4. do God’s will, real intent, test them in your own life
- Apostle Paul – natural man receives not the things of God, things spiritually discerned
- readiness to receive more light, depth or height
- not for perfect people, but for being perfected in Christ
- no sign saying your testimony needs to be “this tall”

Saturday afternoon 

• Elder Dallin H. Oaks:

- New commandment, simple, but difficult, legacy of love
- intercessory prayer, leaven
- no disputations, contention of the devil
- loving kindness, firmness in truth
- “bigots” and “fanatics”
- public discourse: examples of civility, disagree without being disagreeable, be wise in explaining, no contention, Golden Rule
- members not allowing children to play with children of other faiths?
- politics – no personal attacks, show civility for differences of opinion
- *kindness is powerful, love enemies
- live peacefully with others, love of God and of all men (2 Ne. 31:20)

• Elder Neal L. Anderson:

- Joseph Smith, good and evil spoken of him
- defectors always tell more about themselves (Elder Maxwell)
- offer kindness, bless them that curse you
- private and public character unimpeachable
- good tree -> good fruit
- be strong in your own testimony first (adjust your own mask first)
- 1. Find scriptures in the Book of Mormon to share with others 2. Read the testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith, record it in your own voice
- know brother Joseph again

• Tad Callister:

- Ben Carson, math, Yale, Sonya, Detroit ghettos, too much TV, neurosurgeon
- Library
- parents, teach the doctrine of repentance

• Jörg Klebignat:

- personal interview with Jesus Christ, restoring spiritual confidence, eliminate Satan’s lies that try to separate you from God
- apply Atonement, 1. Take responsibility for your own life, and your own spiritual welfare 2. Take responsibility for your own physical well-being, body and mind, healthier diet, spirit in charge 3. Embrace voluntary obedience, Abraham Lincoln – do good, feel good, “causualness never was happiness” 4. Become really good at repenting, happy, joyful repentance, don’t procrastinate, 5. Become really good at forgiving, no excuses or grudges, 6. Accept trials, acknowledge and face your weakness, please God

• Eduardo Gavarett (Español):

- Yes Lord, I will follow Thee
- Jesus is the Good Shepherd
- Sacrifice
- Enoch, walking with God
- Come unto Christ, inner change
- Feed the desire to be a better disciple of Christ
- Knowledge -> perseverance -> action

• Elder Jeffrey R. Holland:

- compassion to the poor
- “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me”
- bless the poor, poor in heart, poor in condition, impoverished and disadvantaged, homeless
- “foxes have holes”
- “God is not overly preoccupied with percentages”
- Mother Theresa, done what she could
- All beggars, King Benjamin, obtain and retain a remission of sins
- President Monson – slippers
- Do what we can

• Elder L. Tom Perry:

- come to know Jesus
- Matt. 13
- 2 Ne 32
- Let us be certain that our example sustains the Lord’s plan
- example, parents
- mother, women who make the house a home
- no price tag on the role of mothers – Hinckley
- father, most important calling in time and eternity
- capture teaching moments
- Helaman 5:12

Priesthood session

• Elder Quentin L. Cook:

- Counsel about decisions
- Law, Schulz cartoon, Lucy, failure to catch the ball
- Decisions determine destiny
- Rise above rationalization
- Refuse evil, choose good
- Dating
- Ordinary decisions, workaday world, moderation, balance, wisdom
- Evil: pornography, digital cruelty, video games, foolishness\
- *Arthur Brooks – fake lives
- “Will this make you a better person?”
- foolishness, obsessed with every new thing
- intellectual pretention
- Paul on Mars Hill - > Athens (no church, no epistle, no return)
- Athletics, Merlin Olsen (14 consecutive Pro Bowls)
- Strive for greater discipline
- Goals, seriousness of purpose
- Valiant, celestial
- Good, better, best

• Craig C. Christensen:

- gain own testimony, like Alma
- hunger and thirst after righteousness
- redwood trees -> various stages of development
- constant nourishment\
- Alma 32, more experiences with the Spirit

• Dean M. Davies:

- medicine, science, technology
- wars, disasters, earthquakes, disease
- vigilant and valiant
- Philippines typhoon Hyann
- Carpentry, plumbing
- “open thine hand wide”
- fasting (Cf. Elder Holland)
- Isaiah 58
- industry, thrift, self reliance
- become more like the Savior

• President Dieter F. Uchtdorf:

- “Is it I?” beginning of wisdom and lasting change, beginning of personal revelation
- dandelion weed in lawn vs. lawn full of dandelion weeds
- cast the beam out of thine own eye
- bank robber with lemon juice on his face
- evaluate our own performance, see ourselves as we truly are
- we overestimate the value of our own performance, and underestimate the value of others
- blessing and opportunity to improve ourselves
- outside vs. inside
- hearts, self-justification and narcissism
- look inside your hearts
- people becoming disengaged from Gospel principles
- where is my treasure? Rooted and grounded?
- Dedicate time and creativity in bringing happiness to marriage
- Look deeply into our souls
- Examine life, see ourselves clearly
- Blindness to our own human weakness, blind
- How can we shine the pure light of the Gospel into our souls? The words of the prophets, ancient and modern, are an effective mirror
- Broken hearts and teachable minds
- “Yes, my son. There are things that I can help you with.”
- Humble yourself before God

• President Henry B. Eyring:

- Aaronic priesthood
- Preparatory, probationary state, prepare to meet God
- Show me does more than tell me
- “Our success in the priesthood will come in proportion to how much we love”
- increase of love -> love was already there in the first place
- God honors potential: “Upon you my fellow servants”
- Trust

• President Thomas S. Monson:

- the Bismark
- indestructible? Circling without rudder
- harness energy
- undeviating purpose
- lighthouse of the Lord

Sunday morning

• President Eyring:

- Revelation
- I will go and do

•  Elder Russel M. Nelson:

- prophets
- sustaining prophetic authority
- pray for the prophet, defend his good name
- prophets, seers and revelators – 15 men, unanimity
- governance of the Church

• Carol F. McConkie:

- one prophet
- “as if from mine own mouth”
- Elijah and the widow of Zarapheth
- Will, wisdom, timing of the Lord
- Following the prophet is always right
- Proverbs 3:5
- The words of the prophets are like manna to the soul
- Only prophetic wisdom

• Elder Robert D. Hales:

- final testimonies of the prophets in each dispensation
- eternal life – know God the Father and Jesus Christ
- personal revelation
- beauties of God’s creations
- not as I will, but as Thou wilt
- the Father and the Son
- pattern in the scriptures of testifying of the Father and the Son as distinct
- united in purpose, equally dedicated in bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man
- Joseph Smith
- seek a testimony of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ, by the Power of the Holy Ghost
- Remember, remember (Hel. 5:12)

• James J. Hamula:

- Passover meal, sacrament
- no more animal sacrifice
- spiritual death passes over
- Gethsemane, Calvary, Arimathea’s tomb
- sacrament in the America’s
- the sacrament needs to become more holy and sacred to us
- resurrection, with whom will we live after we die
- remember the body and the blood
- sequence of bread first, and then blood
- no unclean thing can dwell in the presence of God
- Alma the Younger
- washed their garments in my blood
- repent, recommit
- receiving anew the Spirit, cleanses from sin and transgression
- the most important event in time and eternity is the Atonement
- remember and claim the blessings of this supreme act of grace
- remember and live the doctrine of Christ to be sanctified and faithfully endure to the end, grace for grace, in the same way that Jesus did
- deeper desire and more earnest purpose

• President Thomas S. Monson:

- Abraham 3 – prove them herewith
- Agency, experience, good and evil, bitter and sweet
- Decisions determine destiny
- He did not send us here without direction and guidance
- Perfect example of Jesus Christ
- “Come follow me” “The works that ye have seen me do” “What manner of men ought ye to be?”
- endure to the end
- walking as He walked, not just where He walked
- Jesus walked the path of disappointment
- “O Jerusalem”
- Jesus walked the path of temptation, but resisted, and did not succumb
- Jesus walked the path of pain, Gethsemane, Calvary
- Opportunity lost, power misused, loved one’s choices
- D&C 29 – agents unto themselves
- Bitter sorrow, but also great happiness
- We with Jesus can walk the path of obedience
- “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams”
- We like Jesus can walk the path of service
- Jesus walked the path of prayer
- The Lord’s prayer * and the prayer in Gethsemane
- Be merciful, humble, righteous, pure in heart, peace makers, stand up bravely for our beliefs, let our lights shine, be morally clean in thoughts and actions, more important to lay up treasures in heaven, parables, good Samaritan, talents, lost sheep
- Strive to place Christ at the center of our lives
- No other choice in life can make us what He can
- Gustave and Marguerite Walker – home was a heaven on earth, Spirit radiated
- Proverbs – ponder the path of thy feet
- The Savior’s example provides a framework for everything we do
- His path will bring us safely home

Sunday afternoon

• Elder M. Russel Ballard :

- Colorado River - safety instructions: 1. stay in the boat 2. always wear a life jacket 3. always hold on with both hands

- challenges, physical and mental health issues, dashed dreams and hopes, crises of faith

- Lord's help: boat, supplies, life jackets, experienced river guides

- 1. stay in the boat: ship Zion (Brigham Young), calm weather, whaling boats, drowning, God is at the helm

- How do we stay on the old ship Zion?  Continuing conversion, increasing faith in Jesus Christ, regularly / Can ye feel so now? / Experienced river guides = apostles and prophets, local leaders

- mission presidents, keep eyes on the leaders of the Church, never follow those who think they know more than Heavenly Father and his prophets

- Church leaders do not live in a bubble / they travel the world and visit leaders of nations and religions, as well as the humble and poor ("out of a bubble more so than most people")

- "We're not out of touch"

- 2. Always wear a life jacket, and 3. Hold on with both hands - counsel and direction of the prophets are like a spiritual life jacket / become men and women of sound understanding

- "The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 121).

- Satan tempts us to become distracted from the simple and clear teachings or questions and doubts

- Bear one another's burdens, all people, including Church leaders

- stay in the boat, use life jackets, hold on with both hands, avoid distractions

- if any has fallen out of the boat, we will seek you, find you, and pull you back

• Elder Richard G. Scott:

- Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, transgression, opposition, sickness, sadness, joy, knowledge of good and evil brought into the world
- tried and tested, agency, accountability, peace, turmoil
- the Savior, Atonement to help with every difficulty we experience in mortality
- struggles with temptation, pain and sadness - purpose in being tested, tried and stretched
- sometimes we are more aware of the negative things in mortality than the positive things
- there must be opposition in all things
- we must take time to actively exercise our faith to invite the positive, faith filled
- tools -> habits -> peace
- 4 tools (evaluate your personal use of each tool, and how to make better use of each one of them): 1. prayer - converse with Heavenly Father, and family prayer 2. scripture study - feasting on the word of God, is more important than anything...  Do it!  Challenges are an important part of mortality - scripture study develops strong faith, peace, and understanding of God's grace 3. weekly family home evening - not just an after thought... don't let anything else become more important than the time together at home, strengthen family bonds, and talk to each other, and have a "marvelous time together" 4. go to the temple... no more peaceful place than in the temples of God, use temple recommend often, schedule a regular time to be in the temple, ponder the ordinances, pray and seek to understand their meaning "The temple is one of the best places to learn about the Atonement of Jesus Christ" - challenges help us to become more like our Heavenly Father, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ helps us to endure them well

Carlos A. Godoy (Portuguese):

- moments of great decision
- Elder Uchtdorf, errors in a few degrees
- will the blessings promised in your patriarchal blessing be fulfilled?  look at blessings of future and evaluate how you are living in the present
- changes necessary... decisions between what is good, better and best
- how can we ensure that we are making the best decisions?  1. consider our options with the end in mind (eternal perspective)
- I have a work for thee Moses, my son, lead the Children of Israel
- Lehi, dream - his mission to lead his family to the promised land
- The Prophet Joseph Smith completed his mission of restoring all things
- What does the Lord expect from each one of us?
- 2. Be prepared for the challenges that will come, the best paths in life are rarely the easiest... are we willing to pay the price?  Leave our comfort zones?
- seek additional education
- we are children of Almighty God, and he has a plan for us
- God wants us to grow and achieve our potential
- expand your knowledge both intellectual and spiritual
- 3. Share this vision with the people we love - our choices influence others
- just because things are going well doesn't mean that we shouldn't consider if there is something better

• Allan F. Packer:

- forgot to take the cover off of the hatchet: lesson, distracted from other things

- seeking the Kingdom of God leads to joy and happiness

- frequent small corrections are easier and less painful than large corrections

- qualifying for exaltation is like traveling to a different country, we don't set the requirements

- the Church helps, but cannot do it for us

- God set the requirements for exaltation

- spiritual passports, stamps

- changes that will help us all be better prepared

- "The ultimate end of all activity in the Church..." - Packer - living the Gospel in the home

- renewed emphasis on family history and temple work - an offering in righteousness, a book

- we without our ancestors cannot be made perfect, neither they without us

- don't fight the change, embrace it - for our deceased ancestors and ourselves

- welding together of families

- Hymn - rise up O saints of God

• Hugo E. Martinez (Español)

- "He who serves in some things is good for something..."

- The Savior focuses on the individual

- remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God

- personal ministry = discovering needs and then attending to them (first observe, then serve)

- President Monson - service, the good samaritan, go and do thou likewise

- water, personal ministry

- recognize the voice of the Master, be a good example, under-shepherds, weak and simple, fishers of men

- work for the dead, keep a journal, hearts of the living toward the living, and toward ancestors, linking the family in eternal bonds, become saviors on Mount Zion, instruments in God's hands

- in marriages and families, friends, and fellow man, true disciples of Jesus Christ

- inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these...

• Larry S. Kacher:

- rip tide experience in Oman
- Europe - skiing... came to Provo, Utah - current of the Lord, Gospel current
- where do we turn for answers?
- "Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter?"
- little children... accept the simple truths of the gospel
- honest inquiry
- we must never think that our choices influences only us
- don't rely only on secular knowledge to answer questions
- live the Gospel every day, a pattern of love and harmony, respect for the priesthood
- create a strong, steady current of righteousness
- are the currents we choose to follow important?  Do our examples matter?
- Are my decisions firmly planted in the rich soil of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
- never trifle with sacred things

Elder David A. Bednar:

- to people who are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ
- devoted disciples = valiant missionaries
- "Go ye therefore and teach all nations"
- not trying to sell you a product, no prizes or bonus points, not seeking to increase the numerical size of the Church, not attempting to coerce, we are inviting, pray to know
- I already believe in Jesus.  I'm not sure if God exists.  ?  Bring all that you know is good, true, praiseworthy.  Come and see.  Does it enlarge and enrich?
- 88,000 full time missionaries
- not just a sense of spiritual duty, but a reflection of how important these truths are to us
- why so forthright?  Family experience - 2 boys, injury- cleansing and soothing, parable
- it's not unusual to share with others things that have helped us
- The Book of Mormon, Lehi's dream, fruit sweet
- Enos - my soul hungered
- importance of experiencing in our lives the Atonement of Jesus Christ
- absolute truth exists - testimony
- awkward, abrupt, relentless... simple desire to share these eternal truths
- come and see

• President Thomas S. Monson:

- gratitude, thanks

- strengthen the feeble knees

- honesty and integrity

- examples of righteousness, lights to the world

- become more valiant disciples

Battlefield

Why does love always feel like a battlefield?  This is why:

"The men and women, who desire to obtain seats in the celestial kingdom, will find that they must battle everyday." 

- Brigham Young

Gilead

It looks like Marilynne Robinson is still at it.  It might be time to refresh my memory of Gilead and to delve into her other works.  

A Fitting Description of the Holy One of Israel

"But surely the most sublime, the lengthiest and most lyrical declaration of the life, death, and atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ is that found in the 53rd chapter of Isaiah, quoted in its entirety in the Book of Mormon by Abinadi as he stood in chains before King Noah. Abinadi was, of course, a prefiguration, a type and shadow of the Savior, a fact that makes his moving tribute to Christ even more powerful and poignant (if that is possible) than when Isaiah wrote it. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been invited to seek everything that is 'virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy,' a fitting description of the Holy One of Israel as declared by Isaiah and Abinadi in their testimonials of him." 

- Jeffrey R. Holland, Christ and the New Covenant, p. 89-90

Master of Lightning

Geniuses are fun to learn about.  In fact, you probably wouldn't be able to read this blog post or to watch this documentary had it not been for the dapper Serbian-American inventor Nikola Tesla. Enjoy. 

Science and Religion are Compatible? Inconceivable!

"Pray to the Lord for strength,"  Nacho Libre admonishes Esqueleto, his less corpulent tag-team wrestling partner.  Esqueleto's response might as well be canonized as the first article of faith for the religion of secularism: "I don't believe in God.  I believe in science."

But what does science mean?  Just like Jefe's understanding of the word plethora in ¡Three Amigos! there seems to be something lacking in the conventional understanding of the Latinate word. The Sicilian in The Princess Bride may have been using the word inconceivable correctly, but if Inigo Montoya questioned him, what's wrong with a little skepticism regarding the authority of Esqueleto's god?

Etymologically speaking, science is "what is known, knowledge (of something) acquired by study." From the Latin scientia, science is "knowledge, a knowing; expertness," or from sciens (genitive scientis), "intelligent, skilled."  The present participle scire means "to know."  This word probably originated from the Latin scindere, meaning "to cut, divide."  Thus, one possible definition of science is the process of cutting, dividing, separating truth from error, and knowing.

If our understanding of the word science is imperfect, the same could also be true of our understanding of the word religion.  Like Groucho Marx said, religion is simply the opium of the people, right?  Isn't religion the root cause of all of the world's problems, including war and suffering?  What does religion really mean?

"When a baby is born," Elder Russell M. Nelson recently asserted, "the umbilical cord is doubly ligated and severed between those two ligatures. A ligature is a tie—a secure tie. The word religion comes from Latin roots: re, meaning 'again' or 'back to,' and likely ligare, meaning 'to tie' or 'to ligate.' Thus, we understand that religion 'ties believers to God.'" (Let Your Faith Show)

In other words, we need to know what science and religion actually are before we can postulate that they are two completely irreconcilable things.  

Best Trilogy Challenge

I have had the pleasure of reading some good trilogies, for example: Aeschylus' Oresteia, Dante's Divine Comedy, Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, and C.S. Lewis' The Space Trilogy. I have also had the pleasure of watching some good movie trilogies, for example: the original Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Back to the Future, and The Dark Knight trilogy.  But I recently came across a trilogy that, if read, understood, and applied universally, would completely change the world for the better.

If you are seeking for further light and knowledge, might I recommend to you Elder David A. Bednar's new trilogy: Increase in Learning, Act in Doctrine, and Power to Become.  These three edifying, enlightening, and powerful books build upon each other and reveal a pattern for Christian living.  You may have enjoyed many great trilogies before, but this trilogy has the potential to change your life for the better.  I guarantee that you will not be disappointed.

    

The Crowning Glory of Man

"What is the crowning glory of man in this earth so far as his individual achievement is concerned? It is character—character developed through obedience to the laws of life as revealed through the gospel of Jesus Christ, who came that we might have life and have it more abundantly [see John 10:10]. Man’s chief concern in life should not be the acquiring of gold, or of fame, or of material possessions. It should not be the development of physical prowess, nor of intellectual strength, but his aim, the highest in life, should be the development of a Christ-like character." - President David O. McKay

"When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power." - President Ezra Taft Benson

"No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God . . . and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in heaven." - Elder Orson F. Whitney

"We consider that God has created man with a mind capable of instruction, and a faculty which may be enlarged in proportion to the heed and diligence given to the light communicated from heaven to the intellect; and that the nearer man approaches perfection, the clearer are his views, and the greater his enjoyments, till he has overcome the evils of his life and lost every desire for sin; and like the ancients, arrives at that point of faith where he is wrapped in the power and glory of his Maker, and is caught up to dwell with Him. But we consider that this is a station to which no man ever arrived in a moment." - The Prophet Joseph Smith

"When you climb up a ladder, you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the gospel—you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. But it will be a great while after you have passed through the veil before you will have learned them. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave." - The Prophet Joseph Smith

"To get salvation we must not only do some things, but everything which God has commanded. Men may preach and practice everything except those things which God commands us to do, and will be damned at last. We may tithe mint and rue, and all manner of herbs, and still not obey the commandments of God [see Luke 11:42]. The object with me is to obey and teach others to obey God in just what He tells us to do. It mattereth not whether the principle is popular or unpopular, I will always maintain a true principle, even if I stand alone in it." - The Prophet Joseph Smith

"I made this my rule: When the Lord commands, do it." - The Prophet Joseph Smith

The Fulness of Mine Intent

"For the fulness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved.

Wherefore, the things which are pleasing unto the world I do not write, but the things which are pleasing unto God and unto those who are not of the world." 

- Nephi, Son of Lehi

I Pity the Fool!

"An effort must be put forth to learn the gospel, to understand it, to comprehend the relationship of its principles. The gospel must be studied, otherwise no test of its truth may sanely be applied to it. That study must be wide, for the gospel is so organized that in it is a place for every truth, of every name and nature. That study must be constantly continued, for the content of the gospel is illimitable.

It is a paradox that men will gladly devote time every day for many years to learn a science or an art; yet will expect to win a knowledge of the gospel, which comprehends all sciences and arts, through perfunctory glances at books or occasional listening to sermons. The gospel should be studied more intensively than any school or college subject. They who pass opinion on the gospel without having given it intimate and careful study are not lovers of truth, and their opinions are worthless." - John A. Widtsoe

"It is our privilege to be as wise in our generation as the children of this world; and not only so, but it is our duty to be as wise in our generation as the children of this world. We have the true light and knowledge, and we ought to know as much as the philosophical world, or as any other people on the earth. We ought at least to know as much about politics as do the political world, or as do any other people. I expect that we do; and if we only apply our minds in the proper time and channel, we know as much about the Christian world as do any other people, and we ought to know as much about the whole world as do any other people. In fact, we ought to know more upon all those matters than any other people; for we are privileged with far superior advantages, through faith and obedience to the Gospel." - Brigham Young 

Joseph Smith and the First Vision: Transparently Sincere and Matter-of-Fact

This evening some friends and I attended a fireside with special guest speaker Elder Marlin K. Jensen, emeritus general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Church Historian.  His message was of necessity brief, but it was also inspiring and instructive. Drawing from the scriptures, episodes in Church history, and personal experiences, Elder Jensen expounded upon the wisdom of acquiring a broad view, and a godly perspective concerning things as they really have been, as they really are, and as they really will be. (see Jacob 4:13) Although LDS scholar Terryl Givens has stated that, "Elder Marlin Jensen has done more to further the cause of Mormon history than any person of the current generation," Elder Jensen himself modestly confessed that he is "not an expert," and that his own work in field of Church history "comes more from yearning than from learning."  Echoing the advice of other Church historians, Elder Jensen counseled the audience "not to study Church history too little."

Elder Jensen also suggested that the study of Church history is like putting together the pieces of a puzzle, and that a wise assembler of puzzles begins with the corners and the borders.  He cautioned the members of the audience to avoid, as much as possible, the error of presentism, or in other words, the propensity to impose modern day perspectives on interpretations of the past.  He commended the work that is being done in Mormon Studies in places such as Claremont College, Utah State Univeristy , the University of Virginia, and Durham, England, and admonished Church members to trace the origins of their own testimonies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

As part of this admonition, Elder Jensen referenced the work of the poet, author and former professor of English at Brigham Young University, Arthur Henry King.  In his excellent and edifying book The Abundance of the Heart, King recounted the story of his conversion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ:

"I am glad that the first thing they [the missionaries] did was to give me the pamphlet on Joseph Smith’s vision. The style of the Joseph Smith story immediately struck me. He spoke to me, as soon as I read his testimony, as a great writer, transparently sincere and matter-of-fact. . . . When Joseph Smith describes his visions, he describes them not as a man who feels that he has to make the effort to persuade. He simply states what happened to him, and does it in a way that gives it credence. I am in this church because of the Joseph Smith story; my fundamental act of faith was to accept this as a remarkable document." (Arthur Henry King, The Abundance of the Heart (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1986), 25.

Like Elder Jensen and Arthur Henry King, I too trace the roots of my own testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the transparently sincere and matter-of-fact account of the Prophet Joseph Smith. On occasions too numerous to mention, the power of Joseph Smith's simple story has penetrated my heart and the hearts of those with ears to hear.  I know that it is true.  In answer to his humble prayer for wisdom, Joseph Smith saw God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.  After this experience, Joseph Smith wrote of his affinity for the Apostle Paul, who was also persecuted for sharing the story of his vision:

"So it was with me. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation." (JS-History 1:25)

    

Christianity and Culture

In a brief and excellent essay entitled Christianity and Culture, C.S. Lewis provides an answer to the question "What is the value of culture?"  Here follow a few highlights from the text to prompt discussion:

• "If a Christian found himself in the position of inaugurating a new society in vacuo he might well decide not to introduce something whose abuse is so easy and whose use is, at any rate, not necessary.  But that is not our position.  The abuse of culture is already there, and will continue whether Christians cease to be cultured or not.  It is therefore probably better that the ranks of the 'culture-sellers' should include some Christians- as an antidote.  It may even be the duty of some Christians to be culture-sellers." (The Seeing Eye, p. 27)

• "On these grounds I conclude that culture has a distinct part to play in bringing souls to Christ.  Not all souls- there is a shorter, and safer, way which has always been followed by thousands of simple affectional natures who begin, where we hope to end, with devotion to the person of Christ." (The Seeing Eye, p. 31)

• "Most men must glorify God by doing to His glory something which is not per se an act of glorifying but which becomes so by being offered.  If, as I now hope, cultural activities are innocent and even useful, then they also (like the sweeping of the room in Herbert's poem) can be done to the Lord.  The work of a charwoman and the work of a poet become spiritual in the same way and on the same condition." (The Seeing Eye, p. 32)

• "The salvation of souls is a means to the glorifying of God because only saved souls can duly glorify Him.  The thing to which, on my view, culture must be subordinated, is not (although it includes) mortal virtue, but the conscious direction of all will and desire to a transcendental Person in whom I believe all values to reside, and the reference to Him in every thought and act." (The Seeing Eye, p. 35)

• "The tendency is easily observed among children; friendship wavers when you discover that a hitherto trusted playmate actually likes prunes. But even for adults it is ‘sweet, sweet, sweet poison’ to feel able to imply ‘thus saith the Lord’ at the end of every expression of our pet aversion. To avoid this horrible danger we must perpetually try to distinguish, however closely they get entwined both by the subtle nature of the facts and by the secret importunity of our passions, those attitudes in a writer which we can honestly and confidently condemn as real evils, and those qualities in his writing which simply annoy and offend us as men of taste." (The Seeing Eye, p. 41)

• "There is no neutral ground in the universe: every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counter claimed by Satan."

These are some highlights, but I recommend a perusal of the entire essay.