Sliding Slowly into Atheism

Russell Ballard

2010-10-03T14:27:00.000-07:00

Autumn... fly fishing... trout... fisherman are skillful at deceipt. Lures are crafted by hand.

Artificial lures are used by Lucifer as well. His goal is to bring the misery of all mankind. Lucifer is clever and cunning. He lies and deceives to convince us that evil is good and good evil. Satan sought to destroy the agency of man.

Battle over agency continues today. Satan hopes we will falter so he can reel us in. He uses addiction to snare us. Addiction is life destroying. The addict cedes control to satan. It is hard to break free and regain independence. Nicotine, heroine, morphine, cocaine, alcohol, meth.

Story about a woman in a psych ward. Her problem started with the abuse of prescription pain killers. Drugs became her life.

This is happening all around us. More people die of prescription drug abuse than car accidents (????). One drink is the difference between addiction and sobriety. Do not let satan hook you.

I am not questioning prescription medication, but we need to carefully follow doses as prescribed by doctors and store them carefully.

Pernicious behaviours like gambling and pornography are rampant in our society. Any addiction relinquishes agency and forces you to become dependent. Gaming and TEXTING is addictive. Neglecting other aspect of lives. Addiction is a disease of the mind and the spirit.

There is always hope. Men are free to chose. (isn't this like the 5th time this scripture has been quoted. There is a way to spiritual freedom. It begins with prayer. Repent from sin. There is hope for the addicted, hope comes through JC.

Mervyn Arnold

2010-10-03T14:16:00.000-07:00

Dream about JS.. what have you done with my name. With the sacrament, we take upon us the name of Christ. We will have to account to JC for what we have done with his name. Proverbs says a good name is better than riches. The name of the just is blessed.

Memories about his parents leaving him a good name. They grew up in poverty. They left a legacy of good names.

Lehi and Nephi of Nephi 3 named after first parents. How will our names be remembered?

Lay hold on every good gift, and avoid the unclean thing. (He is really getting emotional.)

Freedom of choice comes with moral responsibility; we can't chose the consequences of our actions. Story about cow and wheat field. The fence is there to protect you. The cow died. (emotions again) The commandments and rules are for your own good. Obedience saves you!

Wickedness never was happiness. Rules are not restrictive but protective. HF knows that we will all make mistakes, but the atonement allows us to repent.

Monson is the prophet. Stand before the savior to report what we have done with his good name.

Jaira Mazzagardi

2010-10-03T14:07:00.000-07:00

Story about walk. Grandpa, what is sin? Intention of disobedience. It makes HF sad. Little by little, we can slip away from the right path. Bad things happen at night. Peer pressure.

Why must I stave off the boredom?? Why is it so hard?? This guy is pretty hard to listen to. The GA drone combined with the accent is particularly difficult.

Stay strong and make good choices. Come back. HF loves us. JC... blah blah. What is the Italian equivalent of blah blah???

Per Malm

2010-10-03T13:53:00.000-07:00

Story of Sweeden boulevard; hole in the trunk of a tree, hollow tree. Hollow yes, but empty, no. It was full of waste. Steel belt, steel wires. From a distance, it looked like the other trees, but it didn't have a solid strong trunk. The weakening did not happen overnight.

We can grow like trees in our capacity to be solid. It is through the atonement that we can have the strength to stand tall and strong. He invites all to come unto him.

Joseph F Smith, enter into knowledge and the love of god. We are not disturbed by every wind of doctrine or by the cunning of men. We do not ask any questions of anyone about it. They are welcome to their opinions. All doubt and fear must be cast out.

Peace of mind and heart, the result of learning and following. Firm hope becomes an anchor to our souls to become steadfast and immovable.

Earth life is short, and a day of probation and opportunity. Don't procrastinate. If we act contrary to the light, we will have bad feelings. We are reminded in this way of repentence. We should be anxious to act quickly.

Sin never brings peace.

Story about gma. The tree was eventually destroyed. Wow... lots of puns and ... just awful imagery.

Larry Lawrence

2010-10-03T13:42:00.000-07:00

Teens are under attack by the adversary.

Mutual theme for 2010: be strong and of good courage. Be not afraid.

The world needs courageous parenting. Imagine your child is on the train tracks and the train is bearing down. Challenges and temptations are coming at our teenagers with the speed of a frieght train.

Alma spoke directly to his son and explained the serious consequences of sin. Command thy children to do good; refrain from iniquities.

Don't ignore your bad feelings about children's activities. Gaming is just as addictive as drugs. When you take the easy way out, you may be enabling destructive behavior. Prematurely pairing off is dangerous and leads to physical intimacy. Satan wants this! It is vital that parents have the courage to intervene.

Sleepovers are dangerous!

Have family prayer, scripture study, and regular one on one interviews with each child.

Satan and his followers are striving to bring this generation down. God hears and answers the prayers of parents.

David Bednar

2010-10-03T13:26:00.000-07:00

Strive in our daily lives to recieve the Holy Ghost.

JS and Higbee were seeking redress for wrongs done to the saints. Mormons differ in mode of baptism and the HG. Third member of the godhead, bears witness, comforter, teacher, revelator. He is the messenger for and witness of. Power and the gift of HG. Power is the convincing witness and can come before baptism. Converts can aquire a witness of the church and of JS. The gift is bestowed after proper and authorized baptism. Repent and be baptised, then cometh the baptism of fire and the HG.

Paul & HG.

Baptism is introductory into the church, a holy ordinance, preporatory to the reception of the HG. It cannot be received any other way but righteousness. It is simple and profound.

Sincerely desire to receive the HG, invite the HG, faithfully obey god's commandments.

We cannot compell or coerce. We need to be gentle and tender. Make and keep covenants. Pray sincirely. Read the scriptures.

Everything gospel does intends to bless us with the HG.

Ugh, I'm bored again.

Tom Perry

2010-10-03T13:03:00.000-07:00

Conference from 25 years ago, Perry took his grandson up to the stand with him. We've allowed the conditions of the world to worsen. We have a respect for traditional values. Peer pressure has become more extreme. So much of what is produced is not inspiring; it is degrading. It has the potential of destroying the sense of what is right and wrong.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Except technology. Keep your body healthy and clean, be strong and resist temptation, trust in the lord. The stories in the scriptures will never grow old. They will teach you faith and confidence.

Lots has changed in the last century. It is a special blessing to receive the aaronic priesthood. April 29th JS received the priesthood. Translation proceeded rapidly with Oliver acting as scribe. Teaching of baptism in 3rd Nephi inspired them, so they prayed about it. Heavens opened and John the Baptist appeared to them to give them the Aaronic Priesthood.

D&C 107: Priesthood of Aaron is conferred upon Aaron and his seed, and it's an appendage to the Melchesdik. Boys have the keys of the ministering of angels. Blessings according to faithfulness.

Story about Aaronic Advisor; showing love and service.

Benson said, "give me a young man who is morally clean and goes to his meetings and earned his Eagle Scout, and I will give you a man who can perform miracles for the lord in the mission field and throughout his life. Teach your children at an early age the blessings of having the priesthood."

Build your lives on a foundation of truth and righteousness. The priesthood you bear is a special gift for the giver is the lord himself. Determine today that you will honor your priesthood. Prepare for your mission to declare the gospel to the world. God will pour out blessings on your head.

Thomas Monson

2010-10-03T10:33:00.000-07:00

This has been a marvelous session. Random stories... semi self-deprecating. Wow, a widow mention; I am so surprised. I visited a widow at midnight, how could I not come.

JC and his service. Luke 17: healing the lepers. Glorify god, the one leper returning to thank JC. Were there not 10 cleansed? Where are the nine? Giving thanks helps us feel god's love. Walk with gratitude and thanksgiving. Gratitude is a divine principle. Thank the lord in all things. God hates those who don't confess his hand in all things.

Be grateful for mercies and blessings. Contemplate our blessings. This is a wonderful time to be on earth. Gratitude is the parent of all other virtues. There is so much to be grateful for. Love overpowers jealousy and light drives darkness out. Money can't buy true happiness.

Stories about thankfulness. Count your blessings.

Gah, I'm already bored. But to be fair, it's a sweet and loving message.

Dallin Oaks

2010-10-03T10:13:00.000-07:00

Two lines of communication with god: personal and priesthood. All should understand and be guided by both.

In personal line, there is no intermediary. You can pray and receive answers through HG. We can be guided by this personal line, and it's the source of our testimony and personal guidance. It's an essential feature, and we can have a personal witness of the truth. Line is based on worthiness and taking sacrament to renew our covenants. Our belief is similar to Christains who don't believe in intermediary. Some members underestimate the power of the personal line. Some want priesthood leaders to make personal decisions. Family governance should be guided by personal revelation.

Personal line does not function independent of priesthood line. Right to continued access to god is predicated upon obedience and service. We can't communicate with god if we aren't in harmony with the priesthood line.

The devil is the father of lies and will try to make people think they are excused from following some commandment or counsel.

Priesthood line has intermediaries of JC, his church, and his leaders. JC can prescribe conditions for blessings of atonement. Covenants allow us to qualify for blessings after all we can do.

JC gave priesthood and established his church. Priesthood line is how god speaks through apostles and prophets. This is how we receive calls to service. Preaching the gospel, etc.

Sacraments are essential by one authorized and empowered by JC. Some members don't recognize priesthood line. They go their own way or direct competing organization. They mirror the modern hostility to organized relgion. That is rejecting JC who organized religion. Organization is essential to perfection of saints.

Voice of the lord servants is the voice of the lord. Two cautions: priesthood line doesn't supercede the need for a personal line. We need both lines. Priesthood line can't function unless we are worthy and obedient. We can be cut off from his presence.

History shows us the importance: JS couldn't translate when he was angry or upset. Story of JS asking Emma's forgiveness before he could translate (maybe he should have asked forgiveness for polygamy and cheating on her with more than 30 other women and using his imaginary priesthood authority to exert power over women and offering them his imaginary salvation by the woman's complicity in him wanting to bone teenagers).

Chile earthquake story. Missionary work.

Mary Cook

2010-10-03T10:03:00.001-07:00

Through atonement, we can be forgiven. Ruby story. How to be a virtuous woman.

We must be examples of believers. Each of us can be good example. Faith and Purity.

Faith. Actively strengthen your own faith. When JS was a young boy, he learned about faith from Lucy Mack Smith. JS followed his mother in her righteous examples.

Satan and his conniving ways tries to pull us away from god. If we don't hold fast, we confuse our children. Your message must be clear, and you have to live with exactness. Your actions are essential to their faith.

Purity through atonement of the saviour. Ratith repentence and baptism. We teach that baptism is agreement to obey god's commandments. We have to give up activities that prevent us from honoring god. Strength of youth can guide youth. There are many blessings to obedience.

Standards of gospel are at odds with standards of the world. We need to be careful with media we invite into our homes. Internet keeps us from interactions with others. We must properly clothe our bodies because they are temples and gifts from god. No revealing or tight clothing.

Story about wedding reception where there was virtue.

Word to the youth: thank you for your righteous example.

Story about Stake Standards Night. She observed the virtue of her aunt. You can be an example of faith and purity. Strengthen your testimony daily. You can start today for others to follow. Testimony of plan of happiness... May we each start today.

Jay Jensen

2010-10-03T09:49:00.000-07:00

Jensen didn't have a testimony of his own. He lived on the borrowed light of the testimony of his parents. He prayed to know for himself. Heavenly father, are you there? He came to know that God and JC are real. He didn't hear a voice.. he knows like we came to know: through the HG.

Awake and arouse.

Gift of HG is the greatest gift given to man, given to every faithful person. It is the third member of the godhead. He knows all thing. Roles are to teach and testify of the father and son. He reveals truth and leads to do good.

Monson follows saviours example. Don't ignore a spiritual prompting. Sometimes there isn't anyone to minister in time of need. HG can comfort.

Grandchild with birth defects story... Baby died. Assurances from HG came and a brought a peace.

Revelation influences testimony of BOM. The HG reveals it's truth and divinity. Four cornerstones of Gospel: restoration, first vision, BOM, and JC.

Book of Mormon and First Vision. Life of JS and Nephi are parallel. (I wonder why that could be???) Missionaries invite truth seekers to start in Nephi; there is a clear message that HG comes to everyone.

Take away the BOM and where is our religion? We have none. Our testimonies of BOM assures us that this religion is true. Behold, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.

HG is real. He is guide and teacher. Testimony of the church of LDS.

Boyd Packer

2010-10-03T09:29:00.000-07:00

Young people, prophets are shown what to do. When the keys were restored, priesthood authority can be in every home. 15 years ago, church issued family proclaimation. It is a revelation, members should read and follow it. The first presidency proclaims that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of god, and family is central.

Commandment to multiply and replenish the earth has never been revoked. Men are that they might have joy. Men are free to act. Our agency is more powerful than the adversary. We can give away agency, but it can't be taken. The devil can't make you do it; he has no power (you have no power over me, David Bowie!).

The gift of mortal life is a supernal blessing. In giving life, we come close to being like our father in heaven. Procreative power is the key of the plan of happiness. Know ye not that ye are the temple of god and the HG dwells in you?

Isn't it beautiful when people freely chose to obey????

Love between husband and wife brings lifelong fulfillment. If you don't have this blessing in mortality, you will have it in the world to come. Only have sex in marriage. You are free to ignore commandments. Adversary is jealous of lifegiving power. He wants us to pervert the life giving power.

Pornography is like unto a plague trying to invade every home. This plague kills spirituality. It disrupts relationships, but the priesthood holds all power. If one is obedient, the priesthood can erase addiction. Parents, be alert. Standard and moral conduct will protect us from satan.

Any relationship not in harmony with principles of the gospel is WRONG. (So, that's anything that's not heterosexual married missionary style. No homosexuality, no feminism, no masturbation, no touching before marriage, no marriage other than temple wedding, there is no light but that of the LDS gospel. Good God, what ARROGANCE!)

Kitten in class story... Is it a girl kitty or a boy kitty?

Laws can legalize immorality. The laws of morality are as immutable as the law of gravity.

To legalize that which is basically wrong or evil is unacceptable. We are determined to stay on course. We will hold to the gospel. We can't help others misunderstandings. We lose our way when we disobey. I the lord am bound when ye do what I say. Every soul in the prison of sin can repent. The adversary cannot hold you if you use the key of repentence.

Priesthood power can remove sin and can unlock our habits and free from addiction. It can heal over past mistakes.

He who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven and lord does not remember. The lesson is don't look back; forget your repented sins. Delete unworthy thoughts.

The Second Coming

2010-10-03T09:25:00.000-07:00

WOW. Enough of this nonsense. The focus on the apocalypse made me think of Yeats. I love this poem, and it more closely reflects my uncertainty in the saving power of institutionalized religion, and indeed in religion in general. If there is a god, I certainly don't need some intermediary of a church to negotiate my experience with Her :)

I also like the world becoming more secular. I thinks it's progress. Even if religion persists, the fact that humanity can question and formulate alternatives to the oppressive and damaging religious influence of the past is progress in and of itself.

The Second Coming

Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.

Surely some revelation is at hand;
Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi
Troubles my sight; somewhere in sands of the desert
A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,
Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it
Reel shadows of indignant desert birds.
The darkness drops again; but now I know
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?

Henry Eyring

2010-10-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

He is honored and humbled to speak to saints and friend. He prayed in preparation to learn about our personal needs and what message the lord wanted him to give.

God knows you individually and sends direction fitted to you. God wants us to know: Oh that I were an angel, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of god and cry repentence unto every people. Repentence and the plan of redemption.

For behold the lord doth grant unto all nations to teach his word. Yea in wisdom... lord doth counsel in wisdom...

His errand for today; god sends messages and authorized messengers to his children. We should go out and obey his consel. He wants us to trust him. Those who lost the blessing of mortality lacked trust in god.

Lack of trust in god has persisted. Jonah, Neiman, Peter...

(He's quoting a lot of scripture. Repentence seems to repeat in this conference. That and the apocolyptic mindset... like, "the second coming is at hand. Surely some revelation is at hand.")

We can take courage from the fact that Peter came to trust. Young Nephi stirs in us a desire to obey commandments no matter how hard. I will go I will do the things the lord commands. I know the lord provides a way he wants me to obey. Be still and know that I am god.

My heart is filled with gratitude for revelation. For Eyring, it begins with JS story. Prayed with complete trust, asking what to do to be saved. Pillar of light descending... JC is son of god and sent him to save us. Testimony in JS leads to trust in the leaders of today.

Trust in god in Eyring getting out of debt. Mortgage paid off..his family still listens to prophets words.

Blesses communities as well. Old woman convert to the church... only member of church in her family and in her city... she was presidenet of branch relief society. In the great depression, she asked her neighbors for old clothes and gave them washed and pressed to men seeking work. Lord called one tiny woman who did what he wanted her to do.

God does not rule in nations but he is mindful of them. Story about mayor of a foreign city. Church brings harmony and prosperity.

People speaking at conference are called of god.... God's words shall not pass away... you show your trust in god when you listen and then go and do whatever he asks. God's word is in every sermon, prayer and song at conference.

God speaks today through chosen servants in the LDS church. Testimony in Monson...

Richard Scott

2010-10-02T14:34:00.000-07:00

When faith is properly understood, it has far reaching effects. Symphony of joy and happiness. Exercise of faith is vital to happiness. Faith in JC is central to salvation. Faith in prophets. Truly, faith is a principle of action and power. Faith is a building block of creation. JC exercised faith under the direction of HF.

Faith in the future is demonstrated by a couple sealed in the temple. When challenges come, they will find ways to overcome them.

We become what we want to be by being what we want to become. We change by doing. Righteous character is the most valuable. It is more important than anything else. How well did we use this priviledge of mortality. Only you can destroy yourself through disobedience.

Transgression erodes character. We must make consistant right choices. When acted upon, our faith will be confirmed.

Faith is based on trust in god... on obedience to his commandments... sensitivity to HG... courageous implementation of promptings of HG... Faith is things hoped for and not seen. You will not get a witness until after a trial of faith. Each time you try your faith, you will receive confirmation of the spirit. You will be lead to solutions. God will not always reward you immediately, but according to his eternal plan. Be thankful that sometimes god lets you struggle for a long time. That causes your faith to increase and your character to grow.

Worthy character will help you recognize and obey the spirit. Making JC central lays a good foundation. Your happiness and salvation requires many correct decisions. Eroding influences of sin and transgression... carefully craft your character.... it is an object of great beauty and priceless worth, but it can be damaged in an instant. It can endure for eternity. Material things do not produce happiness or lead us to exaltation. Inner strength gives life direction. Inner power can be permenantly resistant to sin and transgression. Obedience strengthens your character; a measure of your progression.... you get what you pay for... it's true for spiritual matters as well.

Testimony is not emotion; it is the essence of character made out of correct decisions. A strong testimony gives peace and comfort. Obedience.... testimony grows from understanding truth... nurtured by living those truths with faith... secure confidence that promised results will be obtained.

Satan causes havoc. The devil will not triumph. He can't take anything away from us. He cannot quench faith or take away testimony. He has no power in and of himself to destroy us.

God causes faith to mold character... strong character is consistent correct choices. The more your character is fortified, the more you have the power of faith.

Four principles for peace and happiness:

Faith in lord JC
Repentance
Obedience
Selfless Service

Don't become discouraged. Hold tightly to the rod. May the HG prompt you to make good decisions.

Neil Andersen

2010-10-02T14:18:00.000-07:00

Faith and courage in your lives. It's a remarkable but challenging time. We have dangers ahead. Take heed. Beware, lest ye be deceived. No one is immune from the influences of the world. Disciples who followed the savior would not accept that he was the son of god. Will ye also go away?? Absolutely not, not me, I will never leave him.

The question makes us think about our own vulnerability. Life is no spiritual picnic. We get baptised with joy and anticipation... we take his name upon us. We don't want it to be brief. The road of discipleship is not for the faint of heart. Whosoever will come after me, take up his cross and follow me. There are challenges as we follow the savior. These refining experiences bring a deeper devotion.

Some we love and admire slip from the straight and narrow. How do we stray? How do we develop strength? Become as a little child. Believing heart.... submissive... meek, humble, patient. This is the mighty change of heart.

Two words signal danger ahead: offended and ashamed. Doth this offend you? Offense comes in many costumes. When we are disappointed or unanticipated difficulties or we make mistakes and feel unworthy. We learn of something spoken 150 years ago and it bothers us. We are ignored or underappreciated. Each very real to us at the time (OMG, are we minimizing doctrinal issues???).

When Parley Pratt in 1835, he was judged unfairly. JS counselled that he walk it under his feet. In 1830, Fredrick Williams was baptised. He gave and became a leader. In 1837, he made serious mistakes. In consequence, his former standing was taken away from him. Whatever his personal weaknessess, he renewed his loyalty to the lord. In 1840, he asked forgiveness. He was forgiven.

Offended has a corrosive companion called ashamed. The tree of life vision speaks of noble souls who get to the tree of life, then are ashamed at the mocking of the people in the great and spacious building. Finger of SCORN. The mocking represents the pride and wisdom of the world. Nephi heeded them not, but other's courage faltered. They were ashamed and were lost. As disciples of christ, we stand apart from the world. We may feel uncomfortable. Monson warns that our testimony must be firm otherwise we can't withstand challenges. Heed them not. God hath not given us the spirit of fear. We never leave the lord.

In Ukraine, being public with faith took courage. It could mean difficulty, including losing his job. Go forward with faith, unashamed of the gospel.

Do I have to be so different? Can't I love Christ without keeping the law of Chastity?? DO I have to go to church on Sunday? If you love me, keep my commandments.

As members, given so many blessings, we cannot compare what we are to those who are given less.

The lord said, thou mayest chose for thyself. As you chose not to be offended, you will feel his approval. Will we understand everything?? No, put it on the shelf.

I'll never forsake! Perfection does not come in this life, but exercise faith and keep your covenants. Testimony will keep you safe. Feast daily on the word of Christ. Pray and listen to HG. Whatever challenges arise, we never leave JC.

Will ye also go away? To whom shall we go? We believe and are sure that thou art that Christ.

Gerrit Gong

2010-10-02T14:09:00.000-07:00

Missionary son at MTC... mother gave her son home made bread. Thank you notes about the bread.

We love our missionaries. We are eternally gratful to the first missionary. Temple covenants brings blessing to each generation.

His mother was converted my missionaries in Hawaii. Faithful church members helped the new convert. Each convert needs to become a fellow saint. Blackberries when red are green.

Primary children sing: I love to see the temple. Youth pledge to receive ordinances of the temple. Each human being has divine nature and destiny. The temple allows families to unite and us to go back to HF. We can give children roots and wings.

Succession of generations and family relationships. Stories about his ancestors back to first dragon Gong.... In temple mirrors of eternity, we are children to our parents and parents to our children. Mortality's great lessons....

Savior is father and the son... Savior knows how to succor us. Descended below all things... can carry our sorrows. With his stripes, we are healed. Savior sought only to do his father's will. World pursues enlightened self interest, but we cannot save ourselves. Only atonement can swallow up death and anger and loneliness and heartbreak. Things go wrong even when we do our very best. When we always remember him, he can stand with us. His faithfulness is stronger than death. Savior draws us to him and to HF. We can trust HF in mercy and harmony.

We can change. As we reach out to each brother and sister, we bless generations. There is faith and no fear. I am persuaded that neither death nor life can separate us from the love of god. God lives and will wipe away all tears. Hosanna....

Kevin Duncan

2010-10-02T14:00:00.000-07:00

Summer of 1847, BY declared that this is the place. Early members of the church has tremendous adversity, hardships, and now they were at the right place. Winter of 1848 was harsh... frozen feet. Spirit of uneasiness. Saints didn't want to build homes because they thought they would go somewhere better. They didn't want to waste their seeds in the desert. People wanted to go to California for riches and a better climate. BY said, "this is the valley that god appointed for the people." Here we are. Here we will stay. Remarkable promises about kings and the temple.

History has shown that every prophecy BY DECLARED HAS COME TO PASS (REALLY??? come on, my NOM brothers. Find me something BY said that didn't come to pass).

Blessing of being lead by living prophets. Prophet and president receives god's word for members and the world. We sustain the leaders. It took faith to follow the prophet in the 19th century, just like today. The world is full of theories about every subject. It is easy to get caught in looking to the arm of flesh. As members, we have access to the source of truth: god. We have access to the words of the prophets on any subject. What has god taught us about education and happiness through the prophets. Teaches might seem outdated or unpopular, but god always reveals his will unto the prophets.

The word of god or the prophets is the same. Our salvation hinges on following the prophet. 14 fundamentals of following the prophet.

The prophet is the only man who speaks for the lord
Living prophet is more important than standard works
The prophet doesn't require earthy credentials
The prophet tells us what we need to know
Can receive revelation on any matter
Can be involved in any civil matters
Educated have a hard time listening to the prophet
Follow the prophet and be blessed; reject them and suffer

May we have the wisdom to follow the counsel of the prophet. They are called of god. There is no safer way to approach life and protect our salvation.

Richard Edgley

2010-10-02T13:46:00.000-07:00

We live in a great time, but Satan is active. Moroni warned JS, and the fulfillment is evident. The attacks continue today. The reality of the savior is challenged and dismissed as weak and uneducated. The restoration is challenged. This may cause confusion and doubt. Our faith in god and our hope in the future... we can chose our reaction...

When our doctorines are challenged, we can chose how we react. I suggest a choice of peace and protection. That choice is faith. Be aware that faith is not a free gift. It doesn't come as dew from heaven. Come unto me... action verbs. They are choices. Chose faith over doubt over fear.

Alma 32 about a series of choices to preserve faith. Choose... action. Awake and arouse and experiment and exercise and desire and work and plant. Don't cast the seed out by unbelief. Only then will faith swell in your breast. We are responsible for our own faith and also our lack of faith.

I don't know details about atonement or creation. Details are unimportant. They are mysteries to be revealed in heaven. I know the important things are the plain and simple truths. (OMG>>> SERIOUSLY!?!?! THis is a DIRECT ATTACK against detractors or people who want details. You say the BOM is a actual history then PROVE IT!! OMG.)

Let us chose faith. If you have doubt, then just pray. If your testimony is insecure, exercise a particle of faith. If you do god's will, you can know the truth. Just obey. When intellect comes into conflict with doctrine, still believe. We won't receive a witness until after a trial of our faith. Just read the scripture and pray and everything will be fine.

TALKS LIKE THESE ARE WHY THE MORMONS BELIEVE THAT APOSTATES JUST NEED TO PRAY AND WE ARE LAZY AND WEAK AND EVIL!!!

Faith solves all problems, and Edgley has personally seen it. Faith allows peace and working through struggles. Because of faith, doubt can become assurances.

It is the best of times. When we chose faith, then we use I know. I have planted the seed and nurture that to a perfect knowledge. Testimony the JC is the redeemer, and JS was a prophet of god to restore complete and true gospel. Monson is the lord's prophet today. The choice of faith is yours and mine.

Quentin Cook

2010-10-02T13:32:00.000-07:00

CD made for his birthday with songs of hope from WWII. Bombing of London started the day before Cook was born, so he was named after the radio announcer. When the lights go on again all over the world: title of the song. The lamps are going out all over Europe... bombing raids so black outs were instituted. Song reflected the hope that light would be restored.

Those that understand the light of Christ, the connection is clear. The light of JC allows all mankind to know good from evil. Satan tries to destroy agency. As LDS, we need to preserve light and protect our families from assult on MORALITY and RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. We need to seek light and truth, and blackout pornography. It's a weapon of MASS MORAL DESTRUCTION. Decadence... black out evil from our lives. Otherwise we will have devestating moral explosions. In the world but not of the world. FHE and scripture study are essential.

Make our homes holy places and we will be protected from evil. We should be a source of light in protecting our communities. Let your light so shine... a time of plenty and an age of doubt. Spiraling desent into EVIL. How could ye have rejected that Jesus???

Cook is optimistic. Light and truth will be preserved. Some observes believe in a global revival of faith. There is a common moral foundation that transcends differences. People are still respectful of moral values.

Opinion leaders reject an objective moral order. But the majority of people aspire to be good. Light of Christ informs their conscience. Packer taught that Light of Christ is a source of inspiriation that EVERYONE has. This is why people support morality. It's a minority that wants evil... judgement of god comes when the majority wants evil. Religious arguements must have an equal space in the public square. It benefits society because people feel accountable to god.

Honesty is a principle founded in a religious belief. (ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? THAT IS A BASIC TENENT OF JUSTICE... one of the first things that CHILDREN are able to recognize. Lying or NOT lying has nothing to do with religion. WOW. So... only people who believe in god are honest. Mother Fuckers.) ONLY RELIGION TEACHES FAITHFULNESS IN MARRIAGE VOWS.

Honesty should be value even by the faithless.

Role of religion in treating all of god's children as brothers and sisters. Religios people rescue others from abuse. The slave trade was abolished through the religious. The religious defend the institution of marriage and abolished slavery. The vast majority of LDS were opposed to slavery. JS got a revelation against slavery. It was OUR commitment to equality that underpins our beliefs. We should support people of character. All voices need to be heard in the public square.

Moral foundation of our doctorine can be a beacon light to the world. DO everything we can to presesrve light in our communities. JC is the true light of the world... prepare for Second Coming.

180th Conference--- Robert D. Hales

2010-10-02T13:06:00.000-07:00

Letter from a friend about gospel related conversation. Friend didn't understand what mormons mean by agency (because it makes no sense). Agency is the ability and priviledge god gives us to act for ourselves and the responsibility for our actions. We are free to choose liberty and life or the captivity and death of the devil. The hymn "know this that every soul is free" teaches this.

What we know about agency: before we came to earth, we were presented with the plan of salvation and progression. Our agency was an essential element of this plan. Without agency we can't progress, but with agency, we can chose wrong. This is why we need a savior to redeem us through repentance and atonement. After HF presented the plan, satan wanted to redeem everyone and have all the honor. This plan was rejected by HF because it would have denied us agency. Then JC exercised his agency by subsuming his will into the will of HF. Because of lucifer's rebellion, there was a war in heaven (hello Milton plagarization). We all had the chance to chose between JC and Lucifer in heaven, and 1/3 chose wrong. Lucifer was cast down and his angels with him. They lost the opportunity to have a mortal body and progress. The only power satan has is to tempt and try us. They want to make us miserable and make us disobey HF. We chose to follow the savior once, and that's why we are here on earth. If we make the same choice to follow HF here, we will have a great reward in the eternity.

Eternity is at stake. Throughout JC's life, he showed us how to use our agency. He obediently chose to do his father's will.. not by my will, but by thine will. He chose to love his enemies on the cross. Through his choosing and actions, JC was left alone by HF, then he endured to the end. Though he was in all points tempted, LIKE US, he exercised his agency to be the savior. By his perfect life, he shows us that PURE OBEDIENCE is our ONLY FREEDOM.

Job lost everything, but he was still faithful. Mary and Joseph obeyed and preserved JC. JS followed Moroni, and the restoration was acheived. In our mortal journey, we have to remember when we don't keep commandments, our opportunities are reduced. Your spiritual progress will be stopped.

Story about varnishing a wooden floor. He worked his way into the room, so he had no way to get out... painted himself into a corner... stuck. Whenever we disobey, we are captive to our choices. Tho we are spiritually stuck, we can repent. It is more work... refinishing. Returning to the lord isn't easy, but it is worth it. Obedience protects our agency. By following the WOW, we avoid poor health and addiction. Obey getting out of debt. Hold FHE and scripture study.

By our righteous choices and actions, we liberate our children from darkness. The world says that we should eat drink and be merry. Others embrace secularism.

Scriptures teach that we have agency and our righteous agency leads to eternal progression. King Saul and Samuel... harken thou unto the lord.... Smite Amulek... Saul practiced selective obedience and brought back cattle and stuff... Saul said he followed the lord... Saul blamed others.... Obey the lord... to obey is better than sacrifice (is this the BOM???). Saul confessed his sin because he feared the people. Because he didn't harken with exactness, he lost the opportunity to be king.

Are we harkening with exactness to the voice of the lord and his prophets, or are we practicing selective obedience???? (WOW... just WOW. This is a kick in the face for those who think they can chose what they believe.)

Invitation to come back for sinners... Life eternal knowing god and JC... testimony that they live. When we exercise agency in righteousness, we shall be prepared for the second coming. May we continue to follow him like we did in the beginning.

Jeffery Holland

2010-04-03T14:33:00.000-07:00

YW greeting him at airport. Recently divorced because of unfaithful husbands because of porn.

Global cesspool, crater in your brains forever. Infidelity begins with pornography. It's not just a problem with men (wow... admitting female sexuality. I am impressed). Cell phones, video games, ipods can have porn.

Root is lust. Most deadly of the seven deadly sins... spirit destroying. It's a sin because it defiles the holiest relationship of marriage. Separate yourself from that which can harm you. Flee from it, get as far away as possible.

Seek help, talk to bishop. Pray without ceasing. Filters on computers, self control is the only real control. Turn of indecent shows. It dulls spirituality.

More than one man has been saved from sin by remembering the faith of his mother, wife, or child. Make sure you have welcome thoughts by invitiation. Let will be your reason. Cultivate spirit of the lord. Keep clean art, music and literature. Go to temple as often as circumstances allow... temple arms you.

(Editor's note: I am so bored of these pornography talks that I had a hard time paying attention. In my opinion, pornography only becomes such a huge issue when sexuality is so repressed and there is no allowable way to be a sexual person. When you deny a part of yourself to the extent that you can't masturbate, you can't touch yourself at all, you aren't ALLOWED to wear what you want, what's comfortable... when sexuality is dictated by asexual geriatrics... when female sexuality is demonized... then of COURSE you are going to have people who go nuts with something that is so easy to hide initially. If the church allowed a healthy comfortable view of sexuality, the "pornography problem" would be virtually eliminated.)

5th speaker

2010-04-03T14:16:00.000-07:00

Driving car in rain... standing water ahead. Appeared to be safe, but the sign prepared him for hazard.

Early warning signals. Financial and labor market indicators... natural disaster warnings. We are also blessed by spiritual early warning signals. Noah alerted. Savior was spared thru angelic warning to go to Egypt.

WOW... evils and designs of conspiring men... revelation of WOW. Spiritual warnings should lead to increasingly vigilant watching. We will be warned, we need to be watching with all perserverence. Guidance of HG.

Read and talk about BOM
Bear testimony spontaneously
Invite children to act and not just be acted upon

Parents who do this faithfully will recognize early warning signs and can help their children.

BOM contains fullness, and lord himself testified it to be true, keystone of our religion. Central focus on Christ and the clarity of BOMs teachings. BOM most correct. Unique, confirming witness of HG. Parents can observe children in BOM study, youth of all ages respond to the distinctive spirit of BOM.

Bear testimony, HG is messanger, power of HG allows us to know truth of all things. Result of revelation: sincere heart, real intent, faith in Christ. Testimony also brings responsibility and accountability. Communication...

Invite children to act... Doers, not hearers only. Act in accordance with correct principles. Parents have responsibilty to help children act. A child is never to young to take part in this pattern of learning. As parents, we teach how to fish, become spiritually steadfast. Encourage children to act, learn by doing. Spiritual exertion, not just passive reception.

4th speakr... of the 70

2010-04-03T14:07:00.000-07:00

Story about sportsman.... flying with more weight than possible... the plane stalled and crashed. Ground effect: air is compressed.

Like the two sportsman, we believe that there must be an easier way, something that will accomodate us. Only STRICT obedience brings blessings, and disobedience is dangerous. Safety lies in keeping the commandments. We disobey because 1 it does not apply 2 it is not important, or 3 it is too difficult.

Story of Jeraboam... disobedience, mixture of good and evil.. Partial or selective compliance with god's laws fails to bring blessings.

Washing in the Jordan river to heal. Nahmen... no matter what prophet asks, obedience will bring blessings. No matter how trivial or unimportant we think they are.

Lehi... obedience brings peace.

JS taking 116 pages... Martin Harris. Lord said no. Plates taken from JS. When the lord commands, do it. This should be our rule as well. The lord's response is sure: obedience = eternal life. He honors those who serve him.

Obedience gives us confidence, potential to be like savior and return to gods presence.

3rd speaker

2010-04-03T13:58:00.000-07:00

Express gratitude, testifies of prophet. Monson saves others, people are faced with calamities and are in need of help. There are natural disasters everywhere. Church is reaching out with humanitarian aid, fast offerings. Literal helping hands. Remember the poor and needy and sick and afflicted.

Focus on hands that help and save spiritually. Many need spiritual help, less active memebers... we invite all to come unto christ. As a new convert, I experienced spiritual rescue. I grew up in Japan... surrounded by mountains. At 17, he met the missionaries. The elders had something wonderful, they were diligent and filled with light. I wanted to become like them. I listened and decided to be baptized. My parents opposed, but he got permission and was baptized. He was lonely in college and strayed from the church. Got a postcard from someone back home that invited him back to church. Helped him realize he had lost something important. He remembered Moroni's promise. He wasn't praying with all his heart.... when he prayed and was filled with the spirit.

He made a commitment to repent and faithfully follow. He served a mission out of gratitude to church memeber who rescued him. Blessed with 4 children, it was his resuer who married him.

Leaders who take time with members and serve... teach the gospel... examples of helping others, testify, loved by many. Follow counsel of prophet out of free will, joyfully. The lord will help us save others and help others.

2nd speaker

2010-04-03T13:39:00.000-07:00

Prisoner, open the king of England's eyes. Burned at the stake... condemned. William Tindale who published the bible in English. If god spares my life, boy who drives the plough will know more of the scriptures than the pope himself. Direct access to the scriptures threatened the authority of the church.

Tindale had to live in hiding, sacrificed to do his translations. Authorities burned the copies. Scriptures in English began to be publically available. Tindale sacrificed to bring the word of god out of obscurity, and others who copied the words.

Importance of scriptures. Alma entrusted records to Helaman, scriptures enlarge the memory of the people, bring to knowledge of god. Preserve the records, so god can show forth his power. Save and exault god's children. Brings us to repentance. Help us always remember the lord, remind us of what we knew in premortality, teach us about epic people and events.

Help us not forget what others have learned. Without it, we will forget our purpose. Scriptures are key to knowledge and redemption. Without scriptures.. spiritual ignorance.

Bible and other scriptures are readily at hand, but people won't open the books. Scriptures are the standard for distinguishing truth and error. It will unmask sin. Help us realize divine potential. Scriptures condemn moral relativism and Korihor's teaching. Scriptures teach there is a divine moral code. Many today would dispute the seriousness of immorality. Some say that god's love is permissive, there is no need for repentance. They immagined a Jesus who wants social justice but makes no demands on their behavior. God's commands are protection, real happiness is repentance and forgiveness. Integrity, responsibility, charity... blessings come from honoring true principles. If scriptural truths are abandoned, decay is close behind. Nothing is left to sustain societal institutions.

Scriptures fill our souls with faith in god and Jesus. Faith in atonement and ressurection, come to know true god. Word of God is like a seed. Faith doesn't come merely from study or ARCHEOLOGY OR SCIENCE OR MIRACLES. (wow... OMG... the BoM is true. The fact that no archeology supports it and it makes no sense in what we know from science just CONFIRMS THAT IT"S TRUE) faith comes from the witness of HG... feast upon the word of god.

Spiritual accounts of others strengthen our faith. We hear and take courage from scriptures... young boy prophet... JS.HG bears witness of the father and the son. The spirit verifies the scriptures, ponder and pray.. they are revelation and will bring revelation. Words of prophets from General Conference, which the LORD CALLS SCRIPTURE (so, how does the apologetic argument, "he was speaking as a man," work?). Never in history has a people been so blessed with holy writ. HOw incredible. With this blessing, the lord is telling us that we need the scriptures more than people in any other time.

Scriptures tell us all things we should do. Testimony of the father and the son as they are revealed in scriptures.

1st speaker

2010-04-03T13:25:00.000-07:00

Meetings about missionary work. RS would prepare dinner so they could meet with the SP. 2 families asked RS if they could serve dinner. Opportunity for mothers to teach. Special to watch children to respond to mothers' instructions.

I recieved training from my mother. Like Nephi, I was born of goodly parents. Notes from mom's RS notebooks represent hours of preparation by mom, diligent and thorough in her presentations for her class. She overprepared, but no preparation was ever wasted. What she didn't use in her class, she used to teach her children. Mom was an effective teacher in RS, but her best teaching was in the home. More time at home, she wanted to be an example of diligent church service.

Value of teaching children when they are young. Mother recognized that parents are responsible for education of children, make sure it is what HF wants us to learn. He was quized to make sure that they had correct learning outside of home. Desks in the kitchen so they could learn while mom did household duties. Mother taught secular and spiritual lessons. Supplemented school work, and would practice RS lessons on her kids. Memorizing scriptures and AoF. Mind will become weak if it's not constantly exercised. She did not believe in idle thoughts, even when engaged in physical labor.

Times are different today. Times my change, but a parent's teaching must never be devalued. The most central is parents teaching children in the home; values, morals, ethics, faith. The influence of the adversary is widespread, trying to destroy the family. Teaching in the home is a sacred responsibility. Train up a child in the way he or she should go. Parents are entrusted with the care and development.

Parents act as central cast members in their children's lives. Commandment of the lord: bring up children in light and TRUTH (like... historical accuracy?? Hmmm). Family home evening and meals as a family. Consistant, persistant. Force for good in the world. Happiness, peace and prosperity are found in the teaching of children in the home. Duty of parents to teach saving principles of the gospel. (He's kind of berating here. If your kids go astray, it is your own damn fault.) You must teach at the cradleside. Teach by example and by precept.

Leaders of the church think about improving teaching a lot. We believe in the immense power of teaching. Most effective thing to improve teaching in the church is improve teaching in the home. There are a lot of resources; there is no such thing as overpreparation.

Provide for physical and spiritual needs, observe commandments of god. Fathers preside in love and righteousness. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture. Help one another as equal partners. Principles apply to both parents but are critical to the work of the mother. Fathers are usually away at work, so teaching rests on the mother. Ideal isn't always possible, but it is divine the role of women.

Destructive influences trying to mislead.. storms of unbelief and dispair are swirling around children... onslaught of wickedness. Protect our children from worldly influences.

God has entrusted us with parents with his children. It is our sacred duty to do our very best.

Membership numbers

2010-04-03T13:23:00.000-07:00

13,824,000

At least they aren't claiming 14 million yet. It is just a matter of time. I want the total number of resignations! When are they going to start giving us that. Or at least say, "we have evaluated the resignations and find that they are all evil apostates who were deceived by satan or just lazy or wanted to sin... or read anti mormon literature. Remember, you need to obey."

Accountability of funds

2010-04-03T13:20:00.000-07:00

Disposition of Tithes, expenditure of funds.

Counsel is comprised of leaders of the church. Auditing dept has been allowed complete access... is independent of operations and departments, is composed of CPAs and professionals. Based upon the audit, everything has been recorded and administered correctly.

We have audited ourselves, and we find that we are good.

Sustaining the Leaders

2010-04-03T13:06:00.000-07:00

I don't get this. It seems like... is it a real sustaining if you can't disagree? Also, is it a way of making sure that at any point, someone can say, "you sustained them. You have to obey them." I don't know... I just don't like it. I know, surprise surprise: an evil athiest doesn't like the proceedings of the church. But still, I don't understand the point. Perhaps I am too cynical and it is merely a simple way of alerting the membership of changes in the structure. But if we can't disagree and we have no say... it seems fairly pointless.

I also love the passive voice: it is proposed. By who? We all know that it is the prophet (allegedly) who makes all these decisions. It just seems like it would be better in active. Like, "Thomas S. Monson proposes..." or better, "the lord proposes..." Would that be too much assigning responsibility? Like, if he turned out to be a child molester, the passive voice does not assign blame: it was just proposed, we don't know whose idea it was.

Also, lots of Latino names... I guess the whole idea of racial equality is slowly trickling up.

I don't like how the Primary and Relief Society presidency are all women. I mean, I'm glad they are in leadership, but the leadership positions make it clear where women are welcome and valued; not over men, but over other women and children. And god forbid a man serve in a Primary Presidency. That's not his role. It's a woman's role that is with the children.

General Conference--April 2010

2010-04-03T13:03:00.001-07:00

I missed the first session. Damn work (guess I can't complain when I make the schedule, eh?). I did catch some of it... a talk by a gentleman who insisted that the world is corrupting the idea of womanhood by valuing women only for thier sensuality and sexuality, while the ONE TRUE church values women based only on their ability to nurture and be mothers... um... correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't being a mother and the ability to reproduce a part of sexuality? Isn't the church doing exactly what it condemns "the world" for?

Meh, what do I know?

Wine and whining

2009-11-13T22:38:00.000-08:00

Oh my dear and fluffy lord. Are you kidding me?

So, I'm going on a cruise, which is great. However, getting to the cruise involves a lot of flying, which I am not a huge fan of. This particular flight is a red eye. Last time I did a red eye, I slept for 6 hours AFTER I got off the plane. This trip, I don't have the luxury; I have to sleep on the flight.

I got to the airport early. Not like super early or anything. This is the SLC airport. If you get here more than an hour early, you are asking for mind numbing boredom, and you deserve everything you get from irritated homeland security. So, it's an hour before my flight. When I get to the gate, I realize it is an hour and a half before my flight. Ok. Fine.

All I really want is a glass or two of wine. I could sit back, relax, listen to my college lectures on Augustine. But no restaurants are open. OK, it is 11:30, but in an airport? Isn't airport on its own weird time, just like it has its own twisted sense of a fair price? There has got to be a restaurant open; maybe not in MY concourse, but in A concourse. So I go into the News & Books store where there are two women (why you need two employees there is beyond me). And I ask to the women whose question is "are you ready to pay?" No, I'm not ready to pay. You can plainly see I hold nothing in my hands.... whatever. I ask, "Is there anywhere in the airport that I can get a glass of wine?"

The answer: No. Not anywhere in the airport after 9.

AFTER NINE??? What, after that it's bed time? I mean, I can see having a cut off, theoretically, but NINE????

So, I'm irrationally upset about the whole thing. I have to think that in major metropolitain areas elsewhere, a grown ass woman can get a glass of wine in an airport without regard to time. I have got to believe that there are laws not dictated by the moral majority. I have to believe that the church is slowly losing control of the government in Utah. Because if I don't believe all that, it makes me feel like I am back in the church, my actions being monitored by Big Brother, whether I like it or not.

Free internet doesn't even make up for it.

Todd Christofferson

2009-10-04T14:44:00.000-07:00

(does it even matter anymore? I am apparently not as up to battling the banality as I usually am.)

Relaxing morals. Blah blah, blah blah blah.

Joseph Sitati

2009-10-04T14:34:00.000-07:00

First time I seen a black speaker. Ever. Has their ever been another? I don't think so. Does this mean that the revelation that black men were to be servants in heaven is not in effect anymore?

Grateful for keys... living prophets that denied black men the priesthood? That still carry this intolerance forward in lingering doctrines about lack of faith, in discrimination against homosexuals and women?

Mike Ringwood

2009-10-04T14:25:00.000-07:00

Easy to believe the word of god? Saved by seemingly insignificant things. Easiness to believe will bring outpouring of spirit.

Dale Hendlen

2009-10-04T14:14:00.000-07:00

Heart transplants; some people get lax with their meds. Ultimate operation is the spiritual mighty change of heart.

Obedience brings spiritual change of heart. Our hearts have become hardened. Body tries to reject changed heard. Extended metaphor, it's all like a bad allegory.

Man, I think this is the end of my blogging this conference. Cannot. Take. Any. More.

Brent Nielson

2009-10-04T14:04:00.000-07:00

Go ye therefore and teach all nations, and baptize them. April 6, 1974, SWK, Nielson got called to Finland... landmark address, SWK outlined his vision to teach all nations. Invited members to lengthen their stride, every worthy YM, serve a mission.

Son went to Russia St Petersburg mission. Fulfilling dad's dream. Rising generation is the fulfillment of prophecy... gospel will visit every continent. 13.5 million members. Saviours call is to rising generation: here am I, send me. There is no greater work.

Heavens are open, god speaks today. Go on a mission. Give us money, and you will be hungry for two years with inadequete healthcare (I think I am sick of the platitudes and ridiculousness).

Quentin Cook

2009-10-04T13:48:00.000-07:00

Perilous times when people think there is no personal responsiblity, just self gratification and pleasure. In the church, however, we believe we are brother's keeper. Jews got together: 2 different reasons people engage in acts of kindness--right thing to do and others will reciprocate, serve our fellow man because that's what god wants.

LDS undertake welfare because we believe god wants us to do it. Accountability, love god, obedience to the unenforceable. We want to please HF, not because someone forces us to obey. Freedom to chose our course, we are accountable for that agency. Great significance in our doctrine; stewardship not limited to stuff, but bodies, minds families, properties. Looks to poor and needy.

Stewardship of self/families and for poor/needy.

Story of ranch: spring of water. Help grandmother carry water. Grandfather disappointed because spring water was polluted. Violation of trust; he had not protected spring. Virtue and chastity are not safeguarded, morality not respected. Instructed us that the wellspring of life to be kept pure (so, fornication is like cow poo?). Teach god's standard of morality. Impure violates his standard, cannot look upon sin. Some attempt to rationalize away their conduct. What happens in a certain city stays in a certain city. When we realize we are accountable to god... we see rationalizers as little children. We can't fool saviour with rationalization. Thru saviours atonement, all can repent, but it is difficult. He who has repented, the same is forgiven.

Families: physical safety, immerse children in gospel. Religious observance in the home is as important as food, clothing and shelter. Even in difficult economic times, OUR members donate genereously to help poor and needy. Bishop warned him that some members will respond to every call. Sister Sarah who serves (OMG poor old people in the church). See that all these things are done in order... we should be diligent.

Saints all over the church providing christlike service. The church can quietly and quickly and WITHOUT FANFARE (really?) respond to needs. Thou shalt be like a spring of water. Review your stewardships.

Jeffery Holland

2009-10-04T13:11:00.000-07:00

Song is the ultimate surmon. Prophesies regarding the last days talk about large scale disasters; economic or political upheavel. Latter day destruction that is personal, warning more applicable inside the church. Even those of the covenant could be deceived by the enemy of truth. Heart as center of faith, center of loyalty and values, men's hearts shall fail them.

HF knows all these dangers of soul, gives counsel and protection regarding them. BOM begins with parable of life, hope vs. fear. Lehi's dream a difficult journey becomes more difficult by mists of darkness. The mists descends on ALL the travelers, on the elect and the weaker ones. Successful travelers resist all distractions: taunts and other paths. Protected pressed their way forward continually holding the rod of iron.

Beheld redeemer of world and the sick healed, devils cast out. Power of christ will counter all troubles in all times. it is the safe harbor god wants for us. Message that BOM begins with, and how it ends. Only true way.

JS and Hyrum started for Carthage: thou hast been faithful, thou shall be made strong, end up in the mansions of my father. Farewell until we meet at the judgement seat. Ether 12. Everlasting testimony that these two brothers died for. Holland has Hyrum's copy. JS bore testimony to his guards of BOM. (Testators??? Also, died in a gun fight. For the record) Would these men blaspheme before god if they had ficticiously created? (they could have believed it. Straw man arguement. Holy pathos)

Legions die, they bore testimony of BOM... in this hour of death, these two men would enter the presence of eternal judge in book, brand them as imposters and charlatans. THEY WOULD NOT DO THAT. They were willing to die (didn't seem so willing to me when they fought back) Examined, attacked, denied, deconstructed, like no other book in any religious history. Failed theories had been born. Spalding. None of these frankly PATHETIC ANSWERS. (WOW< ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME??? volume does not equal truth. These theories have adequetely explained the BOM. Better than the whitewashed history parroted by the church. Bloody hell, I hate the fear mongering). Must accept BOM. If anyone is foolish enough to reject 531 pages with literary and semitic complexity (rolls eyes. He can't be serious, can he??) Such persons have been deceived. If they leave this church, they must do so by CRAWLING over BOM to do so. It is a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, a barrier to unbelievers. Witnesses testified to their death that they had seen and angel and handled the plates (um... are these the same people that distinguished between "spiritual" eyes and not physical eyes? I think they are). I wasn't there to see the BOM (god, this is godawful. Seriously), my testimony of this record and the peace it brings is binding as if I had seen it for real. I witness unto the world. I LIE NOT> GOD BEARING WITNESS OF IT. My testimony given today under oath and office recorded by men on earth and angels in heaven. I declared to the world in the most straightforward language that BOM is true, the JS brought it forth, given to bring home. My witness echos that of Nephi: harken unto these words and believe in christ. If you shall believe in christ you shall believe these words for they are the words of christ, all men shall do good. Christ will show you with power and great glory that they are his words.

God always provides safty to soul. Remember declaration by Jesus: whoso treasureth my word shall not be deceived.

Thomas Monson

2009-10-04T10:38:00.000-07:00

Greets us with love in heart for gospel and for us. Grateful for priveledge to stand before us.

Story about article. Poor family, hard childhood, "what did you do for someone today?" Children determined to do a good turn everyday. Expectation that siblings would help others. Inner desire to help others. Grew up to be a succesful and benevolent doctor. Giver gets more than the recipient.

Needs of others are ever present. Each of us can do something to help someone. By love, serve one another. Serve others=serve god. Who saves his life shall lose it, who loses his life for my sake shall save it. We must lose ourself in service to others. Without that, we have no purpose. Otherwise we shrivel. Those who serve others grow and flourish.

McKay: man's greatest happiness comes from losing himself for the good of others. Those who cry out out "is there no balm in gilead?" It is intention of each member to help those in need: it is a baptismal covenant. How often have you intended to help, but day to day has interfered. We become so caught up in the busyness of our lives. We have immersed ourselves in the thick of thin things. In the grand scheme of things, some things don't matter.

I have wept in the night for the shortness of sight... etc poem. Lift his children. We may lament at our own situation: what can I possibly do? What is the ideal gift that members worldwide could give to prophet: find someone to serve. He received cards and letters telling Monson how they had served. Warm fuzzies=act of service. He received many gifts. It isn't easy for those who are young to understand the loneliness of old people. (wait, is he talking about himself and the other GAs?)

Help can always be found in RS. Priesthood groups served too. He was grateful when he spent hours reading these gifts; lives have been blessed. Matt 25: "come ye blessed, here is the kingdom prepared for you. I was hungry and you gave me meet, stranger and ye took me in, sick and ye visited me. When did we do these things? Inasmuch as ye have done this unto the least of these my brethern, ye have done it unto me."

May we ask ourselves: what have I done for someone today? Hymn. Come unto JC and he will give you rest.

Russell Nelson

2009-10-04T10:23:00.000-07:00

Grateful for modern communication, allows us to use rapid exchange of information. Wireless phones for communicating quickly. Opportunity to access information directly from heaven, without cost. Ask and it shall be given you... etc.

Provide personal revelation is extended to all. It sounds too good to be true, but it is true. We must be always ready to receive. Keep pencil and paper to capture impressions.

Have firm faith, deep desire, sincere heart, real intent. You really intend to follow divine direction. Study matter diligently. "study it out in your mind, then ask if it will be right." D&C chapter 6. Part of being prepared is to know and obey teachings of lord. 10 commandments. Some revelations given for unique circumstances. God's pattern of teaching through prophets means he will bless prophets and those who heed prophetic counsel.

Paul: natural man receives not things of spirit. Spiritually discerned. Change from natural man to devoted disciple is huge. Natural man is an enemy to god, unless we yeild to spirit. Become a saint thru atonement, become as a child, submissive.

Story about change in a man. Father was not a member, son was in the Stake Presidency. Nelson praised him for having a son. The day will come you will want this son sealed to you: when that day comes, I will perform that sealing. 6 weeks ago, he saw father again. When his hearing began to fail, his body was changing, time was limited, lost his hearing. He became converted. (ie, conversion comes through big changes in life. Is this using fear tactics to convert? I can't tell)

After such a conversion, there can be more spiritual refinement. Discern means to sift, separate or distinguish. It is a supernal gift, allows you to see things not visible. Bishops have it. Sisters may view trends in the world, and see those that are shallow and dangerous. It is the right of those holding positions to obtain the word of god to carry out god's purposes. None of callings are for gain, but are given to fulfill purposes of HF. We seek to carry out will of god.

To receive revelation: develop faith, hope, charity, love, eye single to god's glory, godliness, diligence. Ask and you will receive, knock and it wil be opened. Revelation is always compatiple and doesn't contradict his doctrine. Lord is merciful unto those that FEAR HIM, honor those who serve me. Great shall be their reward. I will reveal to them all mysteries.

Revelation need not come all at once. I will give line upon line, precept on precept. They shall learn wisdom, unto him that receiveth, I will give more. Prophets describe that veil is taken from their minds, eyes of my understanding were open, spirit rest upon me.

Every member merits personal revelation. God lives, Jesus is living Christ. This is his living church, we are blessed today because Monson is living prophet. Harken and heed his prophetic counsel (how do we tell when he is talking as a man, and when it is prophetic? I dunno).

Ann Dibb

2009-10-04T10:12:00.000-07:00

(is it just me, or does she look fake? And also sound fake. OMG, I would hate her in real life)

Bridge workers in Canada. She is fascinated. They had safety equiptment, but chose not to use it. SHE IS WAY TO HAPPY DESCRIBING THIS SAD STORY. OMG. There are many lessons to be learned from this incident. We feel like we are going through scary times in our lives: loss of employment, disappointments. We may question our abilities in our church and family callings. Dangers that we live with today, INCLUDING SOCIETIES TOLERANCE OF SIN. These are as real as falling to CERTAIN DEATH. My life isn't perfect; we all deal with challenges. It is pretty scary.

Scrirptures talk about oposition. We learn and grow by overcoming. Monson has endless confidence in HF and us. We are entitled to HF blessings. We do not walk alone. We have guidance. He realizes your devotion. HF has not left us alone during mortality. He has given us all safety equipment we need. Prayer, scriptures, prophets, HG. It may seem cumbersome and unfashionable to use these safety measures. We must all chose to use it.

Another key piece of safety: rod of iron. Hold on to it to safely find way to eternal life. Lehi's dream: vision of mortal state and dangers. Mists of darkness, caused many to lose their way. Press forward, catch hold of rod, press their way forward, continually holding fast to rod. Partake the fruit of tree of life. We learn that we must take hold of safety railing. It is beside each individual strait and narrow. Nephi promises that if we hold fast, we will never perish. Adversary cannot overpower us to destruction.

Read again the full accounts of this vision: study and ponder. We are invited to get a grip. We must hold on tight and never let go. It isn't always easy. We may let go because of peer pressure or pride. We are leaving our safety equipment behind. Many can be lost, wandering in strange roads. We may find that we are also wandering in strange roads. It is always possible for us to find our way back through atonement and repentance, recommit to strong grip on iron rod.

Saviour has extended an open invitation to repent, hold on, and don't let go. Exhorts us with all energies of soul: keep his commandments always. Use safety equipment that he has provided us. We are led by living prophet of god. SHE IS HIS FUCKING DAUGHTER??? ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME??? UM< CAN WE SAY NEPOTISM??? I WONDER HOW MUCH THAT POSITION PAYS? Wait, do female positions get paid? I know that priesthood holders do, but maybe that's another measure of the mysogyny. Irritating.

David Burton

2009-10-04T09:59:00.000-07:00

Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly.

Story about 12th b-day: 13th articles of faith. Thirteenth is the hardest, remembering orders of virtues. Personal traits we call virtues. Form a foundation of a christian life. "ITY" Integrity, civility, fidelity... etc. Ity virtues: means quality, state or degree of being. Personal traits of virtue are in steep decline. Road rage is evidence of this, or politics, fidelity and honesty have been replaced with greed. Crude language and immodest dress; poor sportsmanship. Many people without personal responsibility; people blame bankers. We need not be a part of the lack of virtue. If we abandon virtues, consequences will be disasterous. Family will be impacted, THERE WILL BE ANARCHY!!!!! There will be PLAGUES, SATAN WILL REJOICE!!!!

We must stand tall and project ity virtues. Starts in the home with parents examples. Poor example gives licsence to expand, hypocracy destroys credibility. We need to be honest. Story about practicing piano. Story about grandson. Accountability, responsibility. Parents should remain steadfast. Faust said that integrity is the mother of many virtues: firm adherence to code of moral values. Integrity is light from discipline, strength of diety within us. Without integrity, we cannot maintain other virtures.

Monson said that most people will not commit desperate acts if they are taught honesty and integrity is more important than revenge and rage. Lost batallion of WWI, lost tribes of israel. Forgotten Carols, virtuous traits cannot be forgotten or set aside. If virtues are lost, eternal relationship could be jeapordized. If we practice virtues, we can FOIL SATAN. Now is the time for us to join in rescuing that which is virtuous, lovely, praisworthy. Our communities will be improved, we will be strengthened.

HF expects us to exercise integrity, fidelity, charity, generosity, morality, humility. OMG WITH THE ENDING> IS HE KIDDING??? GOOD LORD, ability, opportunity, responsibility. I just threw up in my mouth a little.

Tom Perry

2009-10-04T09:45:00.001-07:00

Mormon miracle pagent. Before pagent, talked to cast members, cast of over 800 people. Organization was an inspiration. 15000 people in attendance; thrill to see army catch the vision of the story of the restoration. We love to attend a temple session; there is a special spirit in these older temples. It was an emotional experience. As we progressed through session, he could hear early pioneers pride in their building. We performed this labor under our own power.

Ronald Regan: I don't want to go back to past; I want to go to past way of facing the future. Legacy of faith, courage, ingenuity the pioneers have left for us. Embracing the gospel was a complete change of life for them. They left behind everything to journey into the wilderness. This is the place: vast desert wasteland. With firm faith in god and leaders, pioneers went to work. Brigham Young had them leave their home again to spread out and settle other parts of great basin.

History: 1849, BY called saints to journey south to build new communities in desert wastelant in Manti. On the hill, a temple would be built. Some years passed, citizens began to be anxious. We'd better get busy and build it. Diligence of the workmen. Hinkley said that he's been to great buildings of world, but none feel like these pioneer buildings.

Past can provide better way of facing the future. Story about carpenters from Norway who were to build a roof; hadn't built roof, but built ship. Used lessons from the past to meet the challenge. Doesn't matter if it's right side up or upside down.

There are eternal principles that are everlasting. We as members have SPECIAL ACCESS AND INSIGHT, esp as we listen to spirit and hear the prophet's voice. We know how important these our in our lives. Pioneers couldn't face future without these, and neither can we.

He that preacheth and that receiveth are edified together. When we receive blessings and got the name of christ, we accepted the OBLIGATION to share the gospel with others. Church turned the missionary programs upside down; ward mission plan. Progress is made at an ever increasing rate. Missionaries are successful. We have discovered that ward based missionary work is way better. Recieve discussions in member's home. We can directly experience sweet blessings, members become more inclusive as we ponder who we can share the gospel with. Missionary work is more than tracting: members who introduce an investigator, anxious for happiness of investigator. Full time missionaries do most of the teaching, but members must share their testimony. We must prepare ourselves to teach basic gospel principles. This will strengthen members.

Restoration
Plan of Salvation
Gospel of JC

How prepared are you to give witness and testimony, to play supporting role to missionaries? May we all learn both the lessons taught by ship building. Principles and truths of past can help us face future; we can share what we know with others to help them. If we share the gospel, other people will be happy. GOspel of JC is true. It has been restored, has all truths, plan for us to live and follow him, gospel of JC is divine way for us to face our future.

Henry Eyring

2009-10-04T09:28:00.000-07:00

Blessed to speak with us. Different as we are, we share a desire to become better than we are. There may be a few who may think they are good enough, and a few who have given up, but we must expect to become better as long as we live.

Revelation about when we will meet the savior. Moroni: pray unto the father that ye may be filled with this love that he has bestowed upon all true followers, that you may become the sons of god, that we may be like him and purified. Any believing LDS is an optimist. We believe that thru living the gospel, we can become perfect.

Children's song: I'm trying to be like Jesus (is this really about eternal progression? Isn't it about WWJD? It's not about on to eternal perfection, the honest and faithful will go). Kids not just singing, they were declaring their determination. Kids have no doubts, expect to succeed. It is not a hope; it is a commmand. We need to all feel like that. Saviour prepared the way thru his atonement.

Love is motivating principle by which lord leads us, our perfect example. We must be filled with love of god. It is the first and great commandment, and love of others is at the heart of our capacity to OBEY HIM. Jesus used child as example of perfect love. Family is example of ideal setting. Greatest joy and greatest sorrow in family relationships; putting welfare of others above our own. Sorrow comes from selfishness, in the absence of love. MAN AND WOMAN to make sacred covenants, put welfare of other at the center of their lives; hold the needs of children as equal to their own.

Family can be together forever. Sealed in the temple of god, linked to posterity. Whether family will be together depends on the choices each family member makes; satan wants misery in this life and the next. Choices that would assure you that there will be no empty chairs.

Pray for love that allows you to see good in your companion, make weaknesses seem small, soften the sorrows.

Mother's final illness, father gave her comfort. Hospital set up bed in her room. Walked to work and back to hospital. It was a gift of god to him to love more.

Saviour is perfect example of persisting in love. When nephites rejected his invitation. How oft will I gather you as a hen, if you will repent and return. Prodigal son story. Kids will feel your love drawing them back. To the faithful parent who honors temple sealing. Tho some may wander, soon they will feel tentacles drawing them back to the church (KICKING AND SCREAMING PROPHECY :) Jesus reaches for them with you.

Honor thy father and mother. You owe parents life. Even if your life isn't lengthened, your quality is improved. True love of others. Increasing power to love; you have had evidences that you are becoming more like Jesus. Feeling like a little child. How you feel when you are trying to be like Jesus. Jesus asked for the children to come unto him. Peace of a pure little child. When you were baptized, washed clean like a little child. He heard the voice of god. Approval of HF, felt it in your family when you acted in forgiveness. These moments can come more often. Your childlike obedience will bring happiness to you and your family. Promise in 3rd Nephi: All children taught of the lord for peace. You can have peace that you felt as a child. Promise is true: peace I give to you. He leads us and beckons us to follow.

Way lies through faith and enduring thru love. Father lives and loves us, and he loves the saviour. JS was prophet of restoration; this is the COJCOLDS. Ordaninces will allow us to be better. I leave you my blessing.

Boyd Packer

2009-10-03T14:42:00.000-07:00

Father supplies means of communicating. Everyone provided with light of christ with hope and guidance. Restoration began with first vision. Restoration brought knowledge of premordial existence. We are children of god, spirit body in earthly tabernacle. We are temples of god with spirit of god in us. We are part of the plan of happiness. Lucifer and his followers were cast out. Lucifer rebelled against god, made war, makes war with people of god. Use our agency wisely. Otherwise we will yeild to adversary. Through atonement, we can be washed clean. Spirit of christ given to every man to know good from evil. That which enticeth to do good is from christ.

Perfect communication through spirit. Following baptism into COJCOLDS, comes gift of HG that comes as feeling. Pure intelligence spoken to the divine, communicate through spirit, thoughts, feelings, promptings.

Get up and move your carriage. Move your mule.

Lord will tell in mind and heart by HG. The voice of lord will come into your mind. You can know the things you need to know. Keep that channel of your mind clean and free from clutter of the world.

In WWII, in China. On wrong train, put off in countryside. Had to walk back to city. Pump the car, bud, you be careful. Pray for safety, not uncommon in the church, part of revelation HF provided for us. Adversary will try to convince you that you aren't worthy to pray. Those who have bodies have power over spirits.

Keep your mind clear, your mind is in charge. Think of a hymn. When Cowdry failed to translate, he took no thought but to ask. Come to Lord with something, and ask if it is right. learn to pray always, pray and do something. Thy will be done. You will not be free from negative things; that's what we are here to learn on earth.

Scriptures promise there is no temptation but that which is common to man, not tempted above that which you are able.

Thomas Monson sustained first. He needs our prayers, has a tremendous load. Called of god and set apart. May the lord bless us to sustain him, let lord bless him.

Neil Anderson

2009-10-03T14:26:00.000-07:00

He is humbled by serving with his teachers. This has been a time of fervent prayer. He has felt his love, testifies that he lives, that this is his holy work. We love Monson. Monson hugged him, he felt like a little boy being held by father. He thought of lord's invitation to be wrapped in his arms, arms of mercy are extended. Blessed are those who come unto me.

Arms are mighty, holy, mercy, safty. We have all felt these spiritual arms, forgiveness, love and comfort. Lord desires that we come unto him and REPENT.

When we sin, we turn away from god; repentance is turning back. Repentance isn't chastisement, it is loving and beckoning, reach up, change, keep commandments. We rejoice in the blessing of repenting, shapes how we think and feel.

There are many degrees of worthiness and righteousness, but we all need to be forgiven.

Faust grandma refilling woodbox. Regreting sins of omission. If you remember and regret something little like that, we shouldn't be surprised that we remember our sins. Lord will forget our forsaken sins, requires times, allows residue of mistakes to rest in our memory. As we repent and forsake, we are in the process of receiving forgiveness. We will feel anguish and guilt subside.

Those who are repentant, but cannot find relief, keep the commandments. Healing requires time. Consel with your bishop, he has power of discernment. Do not procrastinate repentance, it is never to late to repent in this life. Repentance blesses our family and posterity. Repentance always means greater happiness.

Anderson has felt power, and healing hand. His divine gift removes guilt and brings peace. He loves us, we are members, turn away from our sins.

Kent Watson

2009-10-03T14:17:00.000-07:00

In response to JS inquiry, no one can help in work unless he's full of love. We must be temperate in all things. What is temperance? Restraint. Refraining from anger, not losing one's temper. Divine attribute of JC, it is a spiritual gift.

Temperance increases strength. Increased spiritual strength has self mastery, control anger, vanity and pride, protect ourselves from addictions, seek peace of mind. Peace of mind and happiness doesn't come from excess. We live in an impatient and intemperate world. It is like the community of religions in JS time. All their good feelings were entirely lost in strife of words and contest about opinions.

We need self control. Peace of mind comes from faith. Happiness comes from obeying commandments. JC was the most temperance. Saviour taugh that we should repent and become as child, come to our brothers, JC's kindness will not depart, be patient in affliction, govern your house in meekness. We can be comforted because JC was afflicted, but opened not his mouth (WTF? WE SHOULDN"T TRY TO CHANGE THINGS?). JC had enough self restraint to think of others. In humility, he said, glory be to the father. Finished preparation unto children of men.

He testifies of gospel to Asia. It is like the first latter-day saints of yesteryear. We are a fraction of 1% of the world population.

Temperence is available to us all.

Tad Callister

2009-10-03T14:06:00.000-07:00

New testament: Oh thou of little faith, cut off ear, denied knowing saviour. If that is all you knew, you would think he was a scoundral, but it was really Peter.

Magnify minor weakness of prophet JS. He was the lords annointed to restore gospel. 4 fundamental truths: god and son are separate and distinct beings. JC following own will under different name?? That's silly. Bible confirms JS discovery.

Father and son have glorified bodies of flesh and bone. Death hath no dominion over JC. His body cannot be separated from Spirit cuz Paul said.

God still speaks to man, heavens are not closed. Does god love us today like he loved the people then? Does god have same power, do we need him as much? If god is the same, then god does speak to man today, like JS testified.

CHurch of JC was not then upon the earth. There were parts of the truth. There had to be a falling away before the restoration, line upon line. JS doctrine of teaching to dead. Restoration of biblical truth. Christ and spirit when into lower world to teach. There are multiple heavens.

JS put all pieces in place so people could understand purpose. Lord defined it clearly that this generation has word thru JS. Can we accept angels and visions of JS. Were there not angels in biblical times? JS saw visions because he was instrument in god's hands. Some are willing to set aside gospel truth because they GET DISTRACTED BY SCIENTIFIC OR HISTORICAL INFORMATION. EXCHANGE FAITH FOR MESS OF PORRIAGE. There will always be an intellectual crisis lurking on the horizon. Faith will provide our foundation.

Where would we go to find truth? JS restored all keys and powers. It is not found in any other church or philosophy of man, or thru intellectuals. Salvation is only found in one place, in our true and living church on faith of whole earth. JS is prophet of restoration.

Jorge Zeballos

2009-10-03T13:57:00.000-07:00

I would that you should be perfect, as I am, as your father in heaven is perfect. Declare with authority that JC is model to be followed. This seems impossible at first. Appears possible when we realize we are not alone. We have powerful help available.

Heavenly father helps us. Always willing to forgive errors and weaknesses. He provides us consequences, atonement. JC was obedient to do father's will. Lord revealed to JS, if you keep my commandments and endure, you will have eternal life. We will be with father and families forever. Isn't this the greatest incentive? In the restoration, the lord said, serve with might mind and strength so you will stand blameless before god.

Blessings come to those who give all. Blessings subject to faith, obedience, and diligence. Lord doesn't expect too much. To be perfect encourages us to be our best, and realize our potential. He knows our capacities and limitations. The challenge to be perfect is for everyone. Man cannot run faster than he has strength. Win the prize thru diligence. God cannot accept less than our best. Let us always give the best we can.

Do the best we can in families and callings. Nothing is possible without atonement, we owe JC. We have to do our part; it is by grace we are saved after all we can do. Let us do all within our reach. Partake worthily of the sacrament. Do the best we can as spouses, parents, callings, in sharing the gospel, in rescuing those who have drifted (WTF? I AM NOT A DRIFTER).

Perfection can appear impossible, but saviour assures us it is possible. Gospel has been restored, JS restored church, we have prophets to direct us on road to return. Monson called, he is a prophet.

Robert Hales

2009-10-03T13:41:00.000-07:00

Grateful for god and jesus and HG, living prophets. We live in a time when darkness of secularism is getting better; belief in god is attacked. Atheism is spreading. As members, we declare that we believe in god.

WHy is belif in god so important? WHy is it important to know god? WIthout god, life would end at grave, and life would be purposeless, valueless, meaningless, no right or wrong, no responsibility. Without god there would be no immortality or eternal life. If you seek meaning, he offers witness that god lives. Some may ask, "how can I know for myself?" We believe in testimony of prophets, believe in HG. From their testimonies, we know god created man in his own image. We look like god. Imagining god in form of man is idolotrous, but god himself said that we are created in his image. God taught that him and JC created together, but are separate and distinct. Eloheim is plural because of JC. Have a physical presence, behold I see the son of man on the right hand of god. Father and son have voices. Adam and Eve heard it. God has face, stand, converse. GOd and JC have bodies, and corresponding parts. Brother of Jared saw the finger of god. This body is the body of my spirit, but I will appear in the flesh. Father and son have feelings for us. God wept. They are immortal, glorified and perfected beings.

JS story. 14 years old, asked and recieved, in faith, nothing wavering. Joseph knelt in the grove. Pillar of light, two personages... etc. From this singular experience, and others, JS bore witness of the coporeality of god. Each of us have agency to chose. Article of Faith, let all worship how where and what they may. How do we know what really is true? We can know by HG, personage of spirit, teach us all things. We must be careful not to constrain his influence. When our outlook is dominated by skepticism and irreverence, the spirit cannot be with us. We are then the natural man, who cannot recieve the things from the spirit of god. Natural man is an enemy to god, unless he yeilds and becomes as a child. If we don't yeild to HG, we stand in danger. If you ridicule the saviour, or mock the believers, Korihor story. Listen carefully: thou hast had signs enough. Don't seek after signs. He admits that he always knew there was a god. You might not understand all his ways, but the light of belief is in everyone, light of christ. COme, believe testimony of prophets, pattern is clearly taught by prophets. Cultivate diligent desire to know. Ponder, let evidence soften our hearts, heed call to search scriptures, then we can ask HF if these things are true. Most of us will not see god AS THE PROPHETS HAVE, but we get thoughts and feelings, will give us knowledge that he lives. This is our quest. If you cannot remember believing in god, or if you have ceased, seek a testimony of god know. It will give you strength and peace, it is eternally worthwhile. With your testeimony, you can bless everyone around you. Knowledge of god is greatest gift and greatest love.

If you seek him in humility and diligence, your witness will come, and you will know blessings.

Dallin Oaks

2009-10-03T13:23:00.000-07:00

God's love and commandments are shown in all the blessing of the gospel plan. Best blessings reserved for those who obey.

Example: YA living with partner, tells children they should accept him. If you really love me, you wouldn't force me. Person violating commandments wants to say that parental love overrides commandments.

IT DOES!!!! Parents love us anywhichway. Right???? God loves us, even when we sin. WHAT IS HE TALKING ABOUT???

People don't understand the nature of god's love. Love of god does not supercede is laws and commandments. Same should be true of parental love and rules. Nothing can separate us from god's love. John says that "god so loved the world..." "god spared not his son, but delivered him up for us all." Greatest evidence of his love for us... love is the greatest reality.

God's love=god's laws. People hope that his love is unconditional... those who understand that his laws are invariable. Mercy cannot rob justice. You cannot get mercy unless you obey his commandments. God instituted laws so people could advance. GOd's love is so perfect that he requires us to obey. We can't be perfect without obedience. God's wrath is evidence of love.

Gifts to those who disobey; universal resurrection, mortality, rain, sun, we all get gifts even when we are disobedient. Women recently returned to church activity: god is always there, tender mercies, to angry to see.

God's choicest blessings contingent upon obedience: law all blessings are predicated; any blessing is conditional upon obedience. Justice, mercy, balance. God cannot forestall agency; it is fundamental to gospel plan. God can't protect you from others; it would destroy his plan. God's love can't supercede his commandments.

Not everyone that says Lord will be saved; only those that do the will of father in heaven. Law is not changed to accomodate popularity. That which breaketh the law, abides in sin, cannot be sanctified by anything. They will remain filthy still.

All kingdoms have a law given. Final kingdom is assigned by law to qualify us for eternal life. In teaching their children, parents can apply these principles. Parents provide things to children contingent upon their obedience. Does parental love allow alcohol in their home? If an adult child is living in sin, should we ignore or let them feel disapproval? Both extremes are inappropriate. You need heavenly guidance. Parents should go out and rescue the lost sheep. We need to rescue our lost sheep. Continued loving concern. Remember that who lord love, he chastens. Real love for sinner will cause confrontation. Does not support self destruction.

Breaking commandments WILL impact loving family relationships. Lord will cause division. We do all that we can to avoid impairing loving relationships. Endure the reality that loved one's straying will detract from our happiness. We need to understand god's love and god's law.

Sustaining Vote

2009-10-03T13:17:00.000-07:00

I don't know; this always kind of irritates me. It's like the appearance of democracy without the messy fairness of democracy. If the church was really a democracy, there wouldn't be the nepotism. If there was really a democracy, church members would know what happened to their tithing money. Members would be able to VOTE if they wanted THEIR money spent on a mall. Members would be able to turn down callings with impunity, or at least without being chastised by local and general leaders.

I also think it is super lame that general authorities are authorities for life. Old people, senile people, sick, dying, geriatric people should not be leading the church. People without all their faculties. I guess I could say men, not people, because it's not like women are even important enough to mention by name in this kangaroo sustaining vote.

And then they have the gall to thank members for something they have no say in.

Dieter Uchtdorf

2009-10-03T10:25:00.000-07:00

Church is continually growing and becoming better known. There are still negative sterotypes, but most see honest and hardworking who don't smoke or drink. We attend church every Sunday for three hours, children sing about streams that talk and want to be sunbeams.

Of all the things we want to be known for, are there attributes above all others to set us apart as disciples?

How do we become true disciples of JC? Savior provided answer: if you love me, keep my commandments. Those who receive Christ, walk with him. There are so many commandments; keeping track of them can be a challenge. Deluding purity of divine truth; what works for one person becomes an expectation. Eternal principles can get lost within labrynth of good ideas. JC chastised for attending to minor details while neglecting weightier matters. Is there a compass for prioritizing? Yes, saviour revealed the way. Greatest commandments: love god, and love neighbor as thyself. We have a compass for direction for our lives and our church.

Love is the great commandment, it ought to be at the center of our family, callings, livelihood. Love is healing balm, repairs rifts, unites, power of friendship, tolerance, respect, overcomes divisiveness. Warms our lives with divine hope. Should be our walk and our talk. Love as JC loves us, our confusion clears. We walk joyfully as disciples of Christ. We have better relationships, take joy in obedience. Why should we love god? He doesn't need us to love him. He is not diminished without us. He is all powerful independant of us. We need to love god. What we love determines what we seek, determines what we think and do, determines who we are and who we will become.

We are god's spirit children, we have vast capacity to love. What and how we love defines us as a church. Love is the defining characteristic of disciples. Love is source of highest bliss and heaviest burdens. You will find the love of wrong things and the heart of sadness. Greatest of good things is god. HF gives us much more than we can understand.

Jehovah created this world. God watches over us, gives us joy, peace, knowledge... shephards us, rejoices with us, answers our righteous prayers. Offers promises glorious and existance forever. Progress to fullness of joy. Promised us all that he has. We should love him. We love him because he first loved us.

Why does HF love us? He has an infinite amount of love for you. God does not look on outward appearance or fame or rich. We are incomplete, god loves us completely, perfectly, god's love encompasses us. He loves us because he is filled with love. We are his children. Even those who are flawed, rejected, broken. Great love to love proud selfish arrogant wicked. Regardless of current state, we have hope. Infinitely compassionate god desires that we draw near to him.

How can we increase our love for god? Approach him more closely. We must seek that which is imperceptible. Heaven seems distant; scriptures offer hope. Search for him with all your heart. Not just offering prayer; we keep his commandments! If we don't obey him, all is in vain. If you say you love god and don't follow his commandments, you are a liar. Align our thoughts and actions with gods word. Become more pure and holy, walk in righteousness. Earnest desire to become like him because we love him. We can become born again and cleansed by blood of god. Enjoy the words of eternal life.

Don't get discouraged if you stumble. Don't dispair if you don't feel worthy all the time. Try to walk in righteousness, learn, study the words of prophets, listen to the father, do what he asks. Try and keep on trying, until what is difficult becomes possible. It will become habit and a real part of you.

How can we hear fathers voice? Pray in the name of Christ. He speaks to us everywhere. The scriptures have his voice. Listen for his voice in this conference. Listen for his voice in temple and at church. Listen for his voice in nature and in the spirit, in laughter of child, in words of a hymn. God will lead you on a course to the pure love of Christ. As we draw near to him, we become more holy, filled with light. It leads us out of darkness and towards greater light of HG and the veil can be thin.

Why is love the great commandment. HF love is the core message of plan of happiness, active through atonement, greatest expression of love. Saviour was clear about everything hanging upon principle of love. If we love fellow man, all else will fall into place. Divine love transports words into scripture. Factor that turns compliance into dedication and consecration. It is the divining light, fills us with life meaning and wonder, the measure of our faith, altitude of our discipleship.

God lives, knows and loves you, hears your prayers, knows your heart, filled with love for you. What attribute should define us as members of the COJCOLDS? Let us be known as a people who love god and love our neighbor as ourselves. When we understand and practice this everywhere, we will begin to understand what it means to be a true disciple of JC.

David Bednar

2009-10-03T10:09:00.001-07:00

JS recieved revelation to set families in order. Become more diligent and concerned at home.

Express love and show it!
Tell those that we love that we love them. Sincerely and frequently. Love your eternal companion, express love to children and to parents. That love should be reflected in our actions. We strive to know more and do more of what we know is right. I love you: say it, mean it, show it.

People around us must know how much we love them. We will never regret affection or kindness; we will regret its lack. Expression of love in testimony: spouse and children should not be hearing of love at church. It should be regular and routine. If expression of love is surprising, we need to be more diligent.

Love and action is talked about in scriptures: if you love me, keep my commandments. Our love is reflected in thoughts, words, and deeds. Security and constancy in love is a blessing. Nurtures and sustains faith in god. Casts out fear. Desire of every human soul.

Bear testimony and live it!
Bear testimony at home of those things we know to be true. Doesn't need to be long or eloquent. Don't need to do it just at F&T. We should do it at home: testimony of god and restoration. When was the last time you bore testimony to family?

We all know we should bear testimony; not always reflected in what we do. We can feel unsure, awkward or embarrassed. Do more of what we know is right. Bearing testimony: bear it, mean it, live it. Declare and live our testimonies. Saviour instructed saints in Kirtland. What god says we should do. Our testimonies are proclaimed and lived best in our own homes. Overcome fear of bearing testimony. Create opportunities to bear testimony. As we profess truth, we invite HG to confirm our words. Power of testimony comes from revelation, conveyed by HG. It is a blessing, provides direction, generates light, source of eternal perspective, enduring peace.

Be consistent!
Regular family prayer, scripture study, and FHE. Kids bicker. Won't always yield immediate results. As a family, we were consistant. Understanding specifics isn't the goal. The goal is the consistency of intent. Painting of wheatfield. Vast collection of great number of strokes. Seamingly unrelated and uninteresting. Move away from the canvas to see the landscape. Ordinary creates captivating and beautiful. Each episode of prayer, study, and FHE is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. Produce an expressive masterpiece. Small and simple things can result in significant spiritual results. Lay foundation of great work, become more diligent and concerned in own homes.

Many of the saviours harshest rebukes directed toward hypocrites: those that say and do now. Hypocrasy in our lives causes greatest distruction in our homes. Children recognize hypocrasy best. Undermines foundation of a great work. We need to be and become more consistent. Be an example of the believers.

As we seek the lords help, we can reduce the disparity between what we say and what we do. We can become better at home, learn live and love gospel of JC. Family is central, man and woman (homophobic plug there. Any other marriage is NOT ordained of god). We will never be left alone. God and JC live, know us and our circumstances. They will help us.

Russell Osguthorpe

2009-10-03T09:58:00.000-07:00

When he was a mission president, his son had to go save some lives. Saves children from awful diseases. Missionaries save spiritual lives of those they teach. We are saved when we are taught, when we recieve and act upon it. Save lives by sharing the gospel. Teach principles, invite others to use that principle, bear witness of it. Key doctrine, invitation to action, recieve promised blessings. Teaching. No greater call. Prepare to teach, draw upon spirit as you teach.

Lessons on selfless service, invite people to action. close the manual and open eyes, ears and hearts to the message of god. Close the manual and invite others to live the gospel. We don't pour info into members; we want to inspire others to live gospel principles. Moroni taught JS that god had a work for him to do; JS name would be known throughout the world. We are all teaching future leaders of the church, invite learners to do the work god has for you.

We all have a part in the program. He forgot the words for primary programs. When a call comes, YOU ACCEPT IT, no matter how inadequate you feel. Leaders will help you prepare. Teachers can save lives.

Aim High! Stretch yourself, reach higher. Invitation to serve, do better. Teachers should have a work for us to do. We should live gospel principles.

Russell served a mission in Tahiti. Had to learn French and Tahitian. He was on the verge of giving up. Heard a voice, old Tahitian woman. Understood that the old woman wanted to teach hom Tahitian. Their meetings helped him learn the language. She had confidence in him. Taught him the first principle of the gospel: FAITH. You have to rely on the lord. She helped save his mission and his life.

Teach by persuasion, kindness, longsuffering, love, virtue. The HG was with them. Teacher inspires others. Do you prepare then teach. Do you focus on a key doctrine of restoration. HF and savior. When inspiration comes, close manual. Express confidence in them so they can't refuse invitation. Learning and teaching are not optional in kingdom of god. We will gain eternal life, gain a testimony. No one can be saved in ignorance.

JS opened this dispensation, he asked questions, got answers, taught. Monson is lord's mouthpiece. He learns and teaches just like Joseph. Teaching saves lives.

Whitney Clayton

2009-10-03T09:43:00.000-07:00

Walked at dawn thru Peru. Saw man carrying firewood, steadied load with a rope around his head. Leaned forward, and walked deliberately. He made 2 or 3 round trips with the load. That memory has become meaningful. How long could he carry such burdens?

Life gives us burdens. People struggle with burdens that tax our souls, they can continue for years. 3 Sources of burdens: natural products of world in which we live... natural disasters. Others are imposed on us because of others: sin, incorrect traditions, crime, gossip, unkindness. Others are because of our own mistakes and misdeeds: burden of sin. Failure to keep the commandments.

No matter what burdens we have, HF loves us, and adversity can help us return to him. This life is but a small moment, if we endure it well, god will exalt us.

Burdens provide opportunities to practice virtues. You can yeild to enticings of holy spirit. Become as a child. Submissive, meek, full of love. Burdens = Blessings. They can be disguised.

Example: Adam, cursed shall be the ground for thy sake. Work is a burden and blessing. Teaches us lessons thru sweat.

Example: Alma saw poverty can humble people, make them ready to hear the word. That's why missionaries convert the poor.

Example: Nephites softened by war, forced to be humble. Social and political disorder can humble us, motivate us to heavenly shelter.

Example: JS was persecuted for experience.

Value in suffering at hands of others. Bearing up under our burdens can develop our empathy. Bear one another's burdens. Baptismal covenants require it. Mourn and comfort. Helping others will ease our own burdens, helps us stand on holy ground. Inasmuch as you have done this to the least of these, my brethern, you have done it unto me.

Saviour offers us strength, support, deliverance.

Community Helam. Only god could deliver. They were slaves with tasks and taskmasters. People poured their hearts to god. Obedience to god, they were delivered in stages. Eased their burdens so they could stand as witnesses. God visits his people in their afflictions. Lord strengthened them. People submitted cheerfully and with patience. Be of good comfort, lord will deliver. Saviour offers us deliverance from our sins. JC suffered according to the flesh so he could deliver. Christ suffered so we don't have to. We can have forgiveness. Who repents will find mercy.

Peruvian man is the image of us all. As we turn to god, he will help us, forgive us, and bless us. Let us submit cheerfully and patiently to the will of the lord.

Viki Matsumori

2009-10-03T09:33:00.000-07:00

She's in the primary presidency.

Story of missionaries, HT, YW impressed to stay home.

How do missionaries know to stop by the house of someone who has prayed? They are guided by influence of holy ghost. Members of church are guided by the spirit. Each person can recognize spirti. We can learn better by listening to other's testimonies, and be in a good environment. We have to help other people understand, especially our children: classroom, home, missionary discussion. Spirit of Christ is for everyone, constant companionship of HG is only for worthy members.

Spirit doesn't dwell in unholy temples, let virtue garnish our thoughts. Prophets teach that god will tell us in heart and mind, HG will dwell in ourhearts. Peace, hope, joy, light. It feels like sunshine.

It's not always easy to discern them at first. Sometimes you can be baptized with fire and the HG and know it not. We need to share our experiences. There are some that are too sacred to relate. However, we need to share what we can to help others. She waited to feel different when she got baptized and confirmed: she felt no different. It wasn't until the day after at F&T, when she heard someone's testimony, she felt a flood of warmth. Peace, distinct feeling of HF being pleased.

Some places are easier to feel the spirit: temples, church. We need to produce environment at home and church where the spirit is comfortable. Spirit is a still smal voice. We need quiet in our lives. Be still and know that I am god. Still time each day to feel spirit, away from technology. Technology apparently blocks the spirit.

Environment at church. Leaders do more than teach: they facilitate whisperings of spirit to each memeber. Help them recognize and get spirit. Spirit feels like being wrapped in a blanket. Less actives will be inspired by these lessons. Let's get our less actives back to church. When we understand whisperings, we will be able to hear, and know what we should do. We will know how to live the gospel. We will be guided and protected. We will feel HG witness to us.

God lives, loves us, knows us, hears us, answers us. Christ is savior, atone-er. Testimony is firm because of HG.

Richard Scott

2009-10-03T08:47:00.000-07:00

Necesity of being dependant on the spirit to guide us. Seek personal inspiration in big decisions. What can we do to enhance our communication with the spirit? What are the barriers. God knows that we have to seek divine guidance.

Power beyond your own capability. Use it consistently for your peace and happiness. There is no simple formula for spiritual guidance. Exercise faith in God and JC. If we got guidance whenever we asked, we'd become weak. Strength comes thru struggle. Confidence in Holy Ghost become stronger. Impressions you feel become more certain. Spirituality: inspiration to know what to do, and power or capacity to do it. These come together. Nephi: I will go and do. He knew the spiritual laws are god answers, spiritual direction, exercise faith.

One sunday he attended meeting in NM. Mexican priesthood leaders are so eager to share the gospel, sharing with the members. Sincerity, intent and love. Scott was deeply touched. He recieved personal revelation about the principles taught that day. As each impression came, he wrote it down. he was given precious news he deeply needed to be a better leader. The exact words are sacared.

Sunday school class in our ward, educated leader presented his message. The instructor had purposely chosen obscure references and unusual examples. He did not seem as intent on communicating principles. In that environment, specific inspiration began to flow: how to become more effective communicator.

Record powerful impressions: evaluate them for accuracy.

Scott prays, feeling of peace, thank for guidance from god, is there yet more to be given, further impressions, ponder, pray, repeat. Lather, rinse, repeat. Is there more?

He recieved precious, specific personal direction. Seek always for guidance.

These experiences aren't isolated. Principles of communication with god. If you don't respond and apply the promptings, god will stop revelation. The lord reveals truth when you are not actively seeking it. The lord will not force you to learn. You have agency to authorize spirit to teach you. Exercise and you will be more perceptive to guidance.

Spirit can be masked by strong negative emotion. You can't have grape and jalepeno at the same time. Strong emotions overcome delicate promptings of holy spirit.

Warning: satan tempts to block spirit. Satan is after you. He will convince you that you cannot recieve revelation. He will use PORN. Onslaught of porn, vicious, corroding, destroy marraige. FEAR MONGER< FEAR MONGER. TV, computer, movie, writing. It's addictive and damaging. It is potent. It will destroy your mind and heart. Seductive tantalizing, immoral destructive. You need help to overcome. Begins with curiousity, stimulation, justification, false idea that it does no harm, expirimentation, trap closes.... vicious. Participation in porn is manifestation of unbridled selfishness. How can a man not think of his wife? Nephi: devil will pacify and lull them to carnel security, carefully down to hell.

If you are ensnared in porn, overcome it now. Pray for help, be patient and obedient. Porn can begin with youth. Take preventative action. Bishops and SP need to tell people about it. Have patience to be lead by the spirit. Be sensitive to feelings.

Lord can speak to your mind and heart. Impressions can be general feelings, or it can be clear and unmistakable, spiritual dictation. As you pray with fervor, humility, gratitude, you can be consistently guided by HG. Crucible of his life? (How the hell is his life a crucible?) Savior can help you resolve your challenges.

Conference weekend

2009-10-03T08:45:00.001-07:00

Once again, it is time for General Conference. I am on pins and needles. What will they talk about? Global warming? The need for religious and ethnic tolerance? Charity? World hunger? Darfur?

I would wager they will talk about pornography, tithing and temples. More than once. Oh, and how righteous the mormons are.

Baptism

2009-08-31T20:06:00.000-07:00

This weekend my niece got baptized. She is eight years old, and therefore deemed capable of making spiritual decisions of eternal consequence. She was beautiful, looking very much like her mother. Baptism means two new outfits; my niece is every inch a girly girl. Her mother made her the baptism dress, and she bought a frilly white gauzy thing for after. In a home where new clothes are rare, this means a lot.

She was beautiful and excited. The speakers kept on talking to her about choice, and her confirmation blessing talked about all the choices she will make. Two thoughts on this:
a) How can an 8-year-old make choices with eternal ramifications
and
b) How much choice can there be when it is your ONLY choice growing up in a TBM family?

I left the church when I was 22, and that was a choice that I could only make while living 3,000 miles from my believing family. It was difficult to cut through everything to what I wanted. All that year, I would do these meditating exercises where I would get to the core of me. I would take away what school had taught me, what society had taught me, what my family wanted, what my church wanted (that one was always last, and the most difficult to cut through). When I got to the core of me, I was happy. I was a happy idiot.

Describing this to my mormon roommate was an exercise in futility. She kept on insisting that THIS was my testimony, this is what god wanted me to find: the happy, obedient idiot.

The Influence of Righteous Women, p. 4

2009-08-20T21:13:00.000-07:00

In September's Ensign, the church did something special. I know they don't want their women to feel left out or neglected or unappreciated.

The article starts out with all the women in the scriptures: the mothers, the wives, and the "ideal wife" in Proverbs. Uchtdorf mentions that all our women, "grandmothers, aunts, mothers, and friends" are so important in the lives of our youth. Without the mothers, the church would die. Women need to stand strong for that which is correct. Hinkley then lays out what exactly women can do:
Stand for righteousness in their homes
Teach in their classes
Voice righteousness in their communities

So, a woman's role is relegated to home, church, and carefully controlled community activities. Women need to be an example, not by fulfilling themselves, but what they watch and how they dress.

Also, a woman has a unique and feminine identity that encourages women to develop their abilities. How do women develop themselves? College? thinking? working? doing that which they chose to do?

No.

You serve. In relief society. In young womens. In primary. Oh, and in private. You can care for the poor and sick, teach children, serve missions.

The gifts of women are so diverse (look how many ways you can serve!).

The article states that "Latter-day saint women are encouraged to acquire an education and training that will qualify them both for homemaking and raising a righteous family and for earning a living outside the home.... IF THE OCCASION REQUIRES."

I hate that caveat. It's on everything about women... get an education, if the situation requires. You should only work outside the home, if it is absolutely necessary. And throw in with the ever-present caveat stories like the one from LAST month's issue of the Ensign: a women has to BEG heavenly father for FORGIVENESS for wanting to work outside the home and getting PISSED when she comes home from work and expected to do all the child care and cleaning when her husband apparently does jack shit. SHE has to ask for forgiveness and pray to god that she can be back home full time.

So, women's purpose is "to make life sweet today, to give contentment to the heart today, to bring salvation today." Especially in the FLDS church, there is a huge emphasis on staying sweet. It's not as pronounced in mainstream mormonism, but you can bet your ass it's there.

Also, the article says things like "as you live up to this mission, in whatever life circumstance you find yourself--as a wife, as a mother, as a single mother, as a divorced woman, as a widowed or single woman..." it's like a fucking hierarchy... and like your value is determined by relation to either husband or children.

MY GOD!!! So, SO irritating. Articles like these appear in every publication of the church, on a regular basis. But the church isn't misogynistic. Riiiiight....

Polygamy: Take II

2009-08-09T11:51:00.000-07:00

There is a lot of disagreement in the church about what polygamy is, how it should be practiced, whether or not it was righteous, if it is for everyone (see here and here)

There is a reason that of questioners of mormonism, it is the women who are hit the hardest by polygamy. Men overwhelmingly are not bothered by the doctrine of polygamy: they don't mind that for the first 70-80 years of the church, polygamy was preached as absolutely necessary to exaltation. Many men think "why would a man want the headache of more than one wife, and the accompanying jealousy, infighting, backbiting, etc." So they can disagree with polygamy on principle, but not beyond that.

Women, on the other hand, feel polygamy on a visceral level. Women can empathize with other women being put in a situation where they HAD to bow to their husbands to such a degree that they had to share him, not question the nights when he slept with his other wives, work within a vicious hierarchy, operate under the knowledge that they could be "given" to other men if deemed necessary or appropriate by the "prophet." Even good faithful mormon women don't think about polygamy more than absolutely required (correlation helps with this: no one talks about polygamy, so no one has to think about polygamy). I have heard faithful mormon women say that they are grateful that polygamy isn't something that is required of them, and if it were, god would strengthen them.

On online support groups, men who are trying to get sympathy from believing wives are always advised to push the polygamy issue. Nearly every woman, no matter how believing she is, can get riled up about the blatant disregard of women's rights, and/or feelings. Men are generally convinced by logical arguments about the historicy of the Book of Mormon, or something equally logical.

It just really bothers me that the church doesn't talk about it, and because they don't, there is no consensus on any of these issues. You can't even talk about it because mormons can always come back with "that's not right. That's not what we believe." And you can't really argue it, because NO ONE knows what is mormon doctrine, not even the mormons.

I just wish the church would be clear, so that tearing it apart would be that much easier. Maybe the fact that nothing that they believe is clear proves that it is not true; who wants to follow a god who is confused about what his people should believe?

July

2009-08-01T11:36:00.000-07:00

So, July was apparently a total loss for blogging. I guess I didn't have much interaction n with the church during that time, or nothing incensed me too much. Oh, except for two things:

#1)
I went to a ward party. And OMG are those things dour or what??!? My brother had made dutch oven brisket, and the only way I could have some is if I followed him down the street to the park. There were cars lining up and down the street. One of the men in the bishopric had a hat with a fan built in. God, those are awful.

I didn't socialize. I got my food and sat by my family. I am still falling under the radar, after my brother told the first counselor that I think I am an agnostic. I hope that being left alone holds.

#2)
There was an incident in the church plaza where two homosexual men kissed and got thrown out of the plaza. It is fine to have private property where you dictate everyone's actions; but then it cannot be a public thouroughfare. I just want the church to make up its mind. It's just more bad press for mormonism.

Introduction to the Young Women's manual

2009-06-28T09:38:00.000-07:00

I think that teaching girls that they are less than boys is damaging. I think that putting all girls into a one-size-fits-all box creates a culture in which girls do not have all the knowledge and information that they should. I am not saying that the church doesn't do this to everyone accross the board. I'm not saying that the church doesn't have other damaging aspects. I'm not saying that the church is all bad for every female everywhere.

What I'm trying to do with this young women's series is demonstrate a systematic approach on the part of the church (whether it's conscious or unconscious, whether it's god directed, or man made) to delegate young women to a very specific role. The party line is that the church values women the same as men, that women might even be more righteous, that women can have a career and education.

I disagree. I don't think the practices or the materials of the church advocate a variety of values or lifestyles. I think it is constricting, and anyone who doesn't fall into the 'right' pattern is subject to self and institutional guilt.

Find the complete unaltered text here.

Elder M. Russell Ballard counseled, “Teachers would be well advised to study carefully the scriptures and their manuals before reaching out for supplemental materials. Far too many teachers seem to stray from the approved curriculum materials without fully reviewing them. If teachers feel a need to use some good supplemental resources beyond the scriptures and manuals in presenting a lesson, they should first consider the use of the Church magazines”

Of course, no manual would be complete without an admonition to not read other sources. The church is heavy into control of information; if you don't find what you need in the approved cirricula, you are not looking hard enough. And if you HAVE to go outside our counsel, use this pre-approved and carefully edited alternative.

Unit teaching involves repetition, in-depth study, and learning about related principles until they are understood and applied daily. They are serious about the repetition. You will learn how to be a better homemaker 20 times in the year.

Lessons:

Living as a Daughter of God

There is a song about being a daughter of god, admonishing that if we only remembered who we were, we would "walk tall" and "be strong," and other vaguely positive things. And if you are a daughter of god, you don't want to disappoint him; I imagine heavenly parental guilt is epic.

Fulfilling Women’s Divine Roles

Read: Motherhood. Be a wife and a mother. Your divine role is not to be self-actualized, it is not to be happy: your goal and path is wife and mother. Period. End of story.

Contributing to Family Life

Read: support your husband. Because you can't have a family if you are not a wife and mother. See above.

Learning about the Priesthood

...which is more important than anything you have. Woman are taught to read the male culture but not the other way around.

Sometimes a young woman may give the correct answer in her own words without turning to the passage of scripture. When this occurs, ask additional questions to get her to read the scripture; for example, “How did Paul say it?” or “What additional insights can we gain from this passage?” Before you can get the young women excited about searching the scriptures, you must become excited about them yourself. Prepare yourself through in-depth study, prayer, and meditation on those passages you expect class members to read and discuss.

This very nearly made me shit a brick. I checked the young men's manual, only to find nothing remotely similar. Make sure that the young woman knows that what she thinks, how SHE says things, is not as important as an authority greater than herself.

Lesson Application. This is a suggestion for a specific plan of action, assignment, or goal to help each young woman use the discussed principle in her life. (When appropriate, you could provide time at the beginning of the next class period for the young women to share their experiences. You may stimulate this brief exchange by saying, “Last week we talked about ______________. Did you try it? How did you feel about it?” If the young women do not respond at first, you may say, “I tried it, and this was my experience.” By sharing your positive experiences, you can help the young women learn how to apply the principles in their lives.)

Please help us to take this lesson and apply it in our daily lives....

The best way to help each young woman is to help her learn and live the gospel. President Marion G. Romney counseled: “Learning the gospel from the written word, however, is not enough. It must also be lived. As a matter of fact, getting a knowledge of the gospel and living it are interdependent. They go hand in hand. One cannot fully learn the gospel without living it. A knowledge of the gospel comes by degrees: one learns a little, obeys what he learns; learns a little more and obeys that. This cycle continues in an endless round. Such is the pattern by which one can move on to a full knowledge of the gospel” (“Records of Great Worth,” Ensign, Sept. 1980, p. 4).

Short Creek/Colorado City/Hilldale

2009-06-27T12:40:00.000-07:00

The city so nice, they named it thrice. Short Creek is a little town right on the border between Utah and Arizona filled with fundamentalist mormons. It has recently become more popular because it was the home of Warren Jeffs for a while, and Under the Banner of Heaven talks a lot about the town and beliefs.

My boyfriend thinks mormonism in general is fascinating, and fundamental mormonism is beyond imagining, so we took a road trip down to southern Utah. We drove through a lot of nothing to get there (stopping off in Hurricane to visit their history museum), and turned off the main road just to drive around. Mark immediately pulled out his camera and started taking pictures.

Each house was oversized, like obviously oversized. And all were unfinished: an unpainted wall here, a partially built add on there. It's something to do with the taxes... you can't tax and unfinished house, so every building in Short Creek is perpetually under construction. The walls around the houses (compounds?) were all at least 10 feet tall. Some even looked like fortresses.

Mark stopped to get gas, and I took a perverse pleasure getting out and cleaning the windsheild IN A TANK TOP. I also went inside to get a drink, and it wasn't until I was walking out that I saw the sign: no shoes, no shirt, no service--T-SHIRT MINIMUM.

We stopped at the local eatery to get lunch, and this time I threw on a sweater. I respect the fact that a shoulder apparently sends the FLDS into a frenzy of lust. Mark got a Navajo taco (his first time eating one. Crazy New Yorkers), and I got a club that was A LOT of sandwich. We spent some time people watching.

The most obvious thing is the amount of skin that is to be covered. The fundamentalist mormons didn't alter the garment of the holy priesthood since JS originally designed it, so their underwear goes to their wrists and to their ankles. It used to be that children and those not yet married could get away with to the knees and t-shirts, but some over-zealous prophet (Rulon? Warren?) decided that children too must be modest. This means that in the heat of the Arizona/Utah sun, men are in button down long sleeve shirts, and the women are in long skirts with pants (PANTS!!!) underneath.

The next most obvious thing is the hair. All women wear a single braid down their back, with a bump in the front. The higher the hair, the closer to god. The women all have the same look, and even the young ones are carrying children (their kids, or younger siblings? It's hard to tell).

It was commodities day, so families lined up at the local (church? community center? watering hole?) to gather things like food and toiletries. Oversized vehicles filled the street in front of the area, and bored children tried to entertain themselves or escape the heat.

The city of Short Creek is surreal for a lot of reasons, not the least of which that a half step to the right, mormonism could be fundamentalism, and I could have been one of those women.

Young womens values part 5: Choice and accountability

2009-06-27T08:23:00.000-07:00

With my new-found atheist viewpoint, I find this value the most ironic. Perhaps the most foundational tenents of the gospel is obedience, be ye as a little child. Submit to god (read: the church) as a child submits to his father.

The idea of choice and accountability actually goes against practices in the church. THe church is designed to take those choices away from you: you make the choice to be in the church, and you never have to think about another decision ever again. The answers are already laid out. There is no extenuating circumstances that allow you to drink alcohol; no reason for you to drink coffee. You CANNOT be alone in a car with a member of the opposite sex from the ward (even if you are both grown-ass adults). Every decision possible has an answer; if you don't have an answer, consult your bishop, and he will get on his batphone to god and tell you what to do.

The church teaches it's members this polarized, absolutest value system, but follows a flexible, situational morality itself. Members are accountable to the extent that any given priesthood authority decides they are; the church, however, is infallible. Any "sinning" member will be brought before a court of love (read: kangaroo court) to be tried and sentenced, their eternal soul hanging in the balance. In this court, priesthood authorities can ask whatever questions they'd like, probe for more information, bring in any witness who recognizes their authority, confer, exclude the accused, ignore the accused, disregard proof, find someone guilty based on their discernment and the spirit that god gives them. That doesn't work both ways--members are not supposed to ask questions, look into the history, inquire, probe, test, analyze, read, study, draw conclusions based on evidence. I was told that facts don't convert you: the spirit converts you. You can't reason yourself into the church. I always heard (and said, god help me), "if I wasn't born into the church, I never would have converted. God knew me well enough to put me into the church so that I could be a believer and be saved."

Mormons are required to disclose financial information; the church hasn't disclosed finances for half a century. The church demands money from its members, but access to the church welfare system can be as fickle as the bishop's mood. The church feels free to take time, talents, money from its members, based on the needs of the church; members are not allowed to chose what works in their life and what doesn't.

The church teaches that one size fits all. There is one path, one way, one life. It's the straight and narrow, praying to god, following jesus' example. THere is no concession made for culture, situation, preference, learning styles, etc etc etc. The church points out that the church is the perfect democracy, discriminating against no one because everyone is treated the same. Or they are discriminating against everyone equally; I'm not sure this is a strong position to argue from. There is no choice, no catering to the needs of the people. The members are there for the church, for the spiritual/temporal needs of the church, not the other way around.

In the church, you can really turn your mind off. This has been the most apparent to me as I go back with my new perspective:

I am 22, called as the stake single's representative. I joke that it is because if it wasn't my calling, I wouldn't go. I hate it.

I walk into sacrament meeting, walk past the wooden benches filled with screaming kids, interchangeably blank women, men in their suits getting their back scratched by their loving wife/girlfriend. Kids pass notes or color or lay on the floor or glaze over at the monotony. I go to the raised stand, where only the bishopric regularly sits (if there is a woman on the stand, she is either there for a time-bound purpose like giving a talk, or she is the chorister or pianist. Men lead the meetings; women lead the music... under the direction of the men).

I sit down, and look out over the congregation, trying to catch someone's eye; it's harder than I expect. People tend to look anywhere but the speaker, do anything but listen. During my talk, all my jokes don't even get a courtesy laugh (apply your sin screen both regularly and liberally).

I sit in my young single adults class. The teachers are young and rich and righteous, displaying all the necessary children and financial success. He will eventually become a bishop. The answer to every question is pray or obey the prophet or read your scriptures or pay your tithing or listen to the spirit. It's a running joke in the church, that read your scriptures and go to church are always the answer; no one thinks about the disturbing implications of the undeniable pattern.

The answer is never to do things differently; the answer is to do it MORE. If you find the temple ceremony disturbing or uncomfortable, go do a session more often, every week until you get spiritual enlightenment from it. If you don't believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet, read the Book of Mormon until you do. If you don't believe in the prophet's mandate that you not watch rated R movies, don't watch rated R movies until you get a testimony of it. If you don't believe that your priesthood authorities can mandate your sexuality, accept their sexual mandates until you do believe it. "You will never get a testimony of something until you do it."

Thinking is not required in regurgitation, but there is nothing else required by the church. You don't even have to be able to articulate it; you just have to do it. It wasn't until I stopped paying my tithing that the church came to find me.

This follow the prophet mentality isn't something outdated; it is something that is taught in general conference every session:
Watson--
>>Sometimes we may not always be able to immediately find the desired way before us, but the wisdom of those who have gone before, coupled with the wisdom of those who are with us still, will be our guide if we let them have the reins.
>>Important admonition has been given in general conferences of yesteryear and will continue to be expounded by those who have the wisdom of ages past, which allows our hearts to burn within us. It will be in following such counsel that we must be strong, never give up, and endure to the end.
>>“You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may contradict your political views . . . [or] your social views. It may interfere with some of your social life. But if [we] listen to these things, as if from the mouth of the Lord himself, with patience and faith, the promise is that . . . ‘the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory’.”

Teixeira--
>>like other faculties, our consciences may become inert through sin or misuse.9 If we become desensitized to the things of God in our lives, we too lose reception of the signal needed to guide us. Keeping the commandments is our best assurance to maintain a strong signal with the Divine.
>>as we abide by the teachings we have received, we will make good choices, we will not be lost, and we will reach our eternal home...

Stevenson--
>>As Church members, we have recently received counsel from modern-day prophets which, if followed, will turn the doors of our homes more fully towards the temple.
>>the Lord has established standards through His servants, the prophets.

Oaks--
>>Some say “I didn’t learn anything today” or “No one was friendly to me” or “I was offended” or “The Church is not filling my needs.” All those answers are self-centered, and all retard spiritual growth.
>>when anyone obtains any blessing from God, it is by obedience to the law on which that blessing is predicated.

Snow--
>>First, follow the prophets. Listen to and abide by the counsel of the Brethren. Prophets often raise a voice of warning but also provide steady, pragmatic counsel to help us weather the storms of life. In the opening section of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord reminds us, “Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same” (D&C 1:38). Prophets help us confront the changes and challenges we constantly face. The popular Primary song “Follow the Prophet”reminds us of this important principle: “We can get direction all along our way, if we heed the prophets—follow what they say” (Children’s Songbook, 110).

Then mormons have the gall to say that mormons can think for themselves, that they are encouraged to pray and receive their own revelations. Mormons will tell you that there isn't an emphasis on following the prophets, that they make their OWN choices instead of the choices and decisions already laid out for them. Mormons will look right at me and say, "you think that the prophets try to dictate your decisions? Well, that's because you lost the spirit and you are wrong and an apostate. I make my own decisions."

Choice also plays into this elitist mindset (please see CTR posts here and here). Mormons believe that they are a choice people. Jews used to be chosen, but now that chosen status goes to the mormons. They are the best of the best, the generals of the war in heaven. If we could just remember who you were, you would never chose to sin.

Mormons don't see that their teachings about satan reflect very closely the practices of the church. Mormons see satan's great sin NOT as wanting to be like god (the great miltonion sin), but his desire to take away our choice. Satan wanted to MAKE us all obey god so we would all go back to heaven. This was unforgivable and satan was cast out.

There is one lesson that my father loves to teach. He calls a smart, punk-ass kid up and has him look at a pair of handcuffs. Asks the kid if he could get away. Smiling and scoffing for his friends, he says of course. Dad has the kid lay his hand in the cuffs; what about now? Yes. Dad half closes the cuffs. Now? Sure. Let's the metal touch metal surrounding the kids wrist. How about now? Yes. One click: now? Yeah. Another click: can you still get out? It might hurt a little, but yes. Dad slams the cuffs closed, and twists the kid's arm up behind him. Dad asks the crowd: when did I have him? Various answers are shouted from the crowd, and from the humbled kid trying not to whimper, trying to look tough while he is helpless. I had him when he chose to come up here.

That is how satan gets you. He is conniving, and he has you at your FIRST bad decision. Another object lesson involves the thread: same thing, just with wrapping thread around your hands, showing how after so many bad decisions, the sheer accumulation makes it impossible to escape. That's how addiction is evil: it takes away your decisions, mimics satan's plan. Satan is behind all addictions.

Yet mormons cannot see that same inability to choose inherent in my general conference quotes above, in their practices, in everything they do. The scriptures say that where two people get together in the name of god, god is in the midst of them; I say that wherever two or more mormons gather, there in the midst is an analysis-free zone, reflecting in the blankness in their eyes, the ability to not listen, but to say "pray and follow the prophet" when called upon for an answer.

Young womens values part 4: Knowledge

2009-06-26T16:40:00.000-07:00

The glory of god is intelligence.

Mormons believe that before we existed in the pre-existence (a Miltonion place where we all floated around in our endless being), we were all intelligences. Mormons who are accused of being anti-intellectual point to the church owned schools, the high level of education of their leaders, the scriptures that advocate you to "seek ye knowledge out of the best books." Mormons can give you any number of general conference talks that say that you should go to school, educate yourself, "children will never recover from the ignorance of their mothers." Etc, etc, ad nauseum.

The church has this very divided view on knowledge. On the one hand, knowledge is good. In the stairwell at the BYU library, there is a quote that says "search ye out of the best books." The church teaches that "the glory of god is intelligence." Boys (sometimes, but not often, girls) are encouraged to go to school and get an education. When Joseph Smith got the first vision, he did so because he "lacked wisdom" and so asked god.

At the same time, too much knowledge is bad. After all, who determines the "best" books? I was told when I was in grad school that I shouldn't read that which disagrees with the church. Like what? Archeology that says the earth is older than 6,000 years? Evolutionary works? There is, after all, a lot that disagrees with the church.

Knowledge is also placed in opposition to, and greater than, faith. When you bear testimony (the act of getting up in front of others who believe as you do, and reaffirm your mutually held beliefs, you always say you "know." I know that god lives, I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet, I know that Thomas S. Monson is the prophet today.

However, there is another side to the story (I have a very personal relationship with that other side. I couldn't read that which disagreed with the church for a full year after I decided church was not for me. The thought of reading things about the church that were not approved and correlated filled me with an inexplicable dread. I was literally made sick). Mormonism has always had an anti intellectual streak. A country mile wide streak.

It begins innocently enough: it begins with feelings. You are taught that good feelings equals god telling you it's good, and bad feelings is god telling you it's wrong. Or that good feeling is satan trying to pull you away, and bad feeling is godly guilt so that you can repent. From the time you are very little, you are taught that feeling trumps all, trumps fact and history and your brain and your soul. It doesn't matter that Joseph Smith was a lying pedophile: I feel that he was a true prophet of god. It doesn't matter that the fictionalized history of The Work and the Glory says NOTHING about the polygamy that was rampant in the church, and the lies and the struggles and the contradictions and the unhappy women and children resultant from horny men claiming revelation and god and holiness in their desire to bed multiple women: when I read the book, I feel good, so it must be true. This is the "I know" of mormonism.

That means that when you are presented with facts, facts that contradict your "knowledge" of the gospel, you feel bad. When presented with court documents of Joseph Smith being a convicted con man, you feel bad. When you read that all the "explanations" of polygamy are deeply flawed, you feel awful. When you research the Pearl of Great Price, and hear what Egyptologists say about it, you feel personally attacked. You feel your world coming apart. And that is just god's way of telling you that it is bad and untrue, and you should pray more and pay your tithing, and put all that disturbing stuff out of your mind.

I did. I did for a long time. I would defend the church. I believed that polygamy really didn't matter. I believed that my bishop knew better than I did. I believed my search for knowledge was going to lead me straight to hell. I believed that I was the problem, that I was a sinner for even daring to ask the questions.

Of course, my belief was reinforced by centuries of anti-intellectual reinforcement:
What is true is not always useful
The three greatest threats to the church are feminists, homosexuals, and so-called intellectuals
Once the prophet speaks, the thinking has been done
Do not speak evil of the lord's annointed
Follow the prophet
When they are learned, they think they are wise and harken not unto the counsels of god
Lean not unto thine own understanding
Knowledge in the church is the most important kind
If you want to know about mormonism, ask a mormon
Don't read things that disagree with the church
Don't associate with apostates
People only leave the church because they're offended, because they want to sin, because they are weak

I hated going to church. I hated the banality, the repetition. I hated being spoon-fed the same thing when I craved knowledge, analysis, something more than the same things I had been hearing my whole life. I taught the women's class once: I have always been a teacher, and I am good at it. I didn't do anything radical, but maybe I was a bit too outspoken, a bit too analytical, a bit too interested in getting participation from others instead of letting them slip into the comfortable coma that is familiar to anyone who's sat through a mormon meeting. I was released from my calling before I could teach another.

Knowledge is good, but if it causes you to question, then satan can get you. Knowledge is good, as long as you don't ask too many questions. Knowledge is good, but bow to the will of your preisthood authority. Knowledge is good, but don't share it if it looks bad for the church. Knowledge is good, but keep it to yourself. Knowledge is good, but don't read books/websites that disagree with the church, that will cause you to fall away. Knowledge is good, but your testimony is so fragile.

At BYU, there were things that you couldn't talk about. Feminism, homosexuality, anti-mormonism, huge chunks of science, of analysis, of anything negative. Don't engage in fault-finding, don't be stiff-necked, brass-browed.

I was never one to control information, but I somehow made it make sense in my head: the fact that I could analyze for school but not the church. Never the church. Don't think too much about the church, because, after all, doesn't it feel right?

Knowledge is good, but make sure you you sit down and shut the fuck up.

Polygamy

2009-04-09T22:06:00.000-07:00

I was told today that polygamy was never doctrinal, despite the fact that it is in the DOCTRINE and covenants. I was told that finding it in D&C 132 is all interpretation and false. I was told that it was just a mistake on the part of some imperfect men.

I don't know whether to laugh or to cry.

HAHA~sob~HAHAHA~sob~HAHA~sob~HAHAHAHAHA~sob~HAHAHA.

Young womens values part 3: Individual worth

2009-04-06T18:41:00.000-07:00

Worth in the mormon church is evaluated in very specific ways. Worthiness is evaluated yearly and sometimes more often.

I am 12, excited to go to the temple for the first time. Finally I get to do baptisms for the dead. I have to get a recommend so I sign up for an interview. I wait in the hallway of the church with the other pre-teens, all nervous, all restless, all confused and hormonal and crazy, as we are one-by-one collected into the bishop's office.

I don't know the bishop. I know his daughters, who are all stuck up. I know that my 16 year old sister doesn't like him, but she doesn't like anyone who tells her what to do. I know that he is a pharmacist. I know that he is at the church every night, and all day Sunday.

Finally, it is my turn. The bishop is running late, so I am going to have to beg a ride home again. The office is small and cheerless, dominated by an enormous dark desk flanked by two tall file cabinets. I imagine him at the grocery store, looking down on people from the pharmacy. He is looking down on me now over his wire glasses. I sit in the chair in front of his desk, my feet not touching the mauve carpet.

He asks me to offer an opening prayer. I say something banal about getting home in safety. As he starts the interview, I can see his impossibly long legs splayed under the desk, his suit pants just a little too short. As he fixes his gaze on me, I remember all the stories I know about the power of discernment, and how god tells the bishop if you lie. Lying to the bishop is lying to god himself. The bishop is your friend. I squirm uncomfortably.

The questions start out simply enough. Do you believe in god, and his son jesus christ? Do you believe that Joseph Smith restored the one true church to the earth? Do you sustain your priesthood leaders? Yes, yes, yes.

Then came the serious questions: do you obey the commandments? do you follow the word of wisdom? do you obey the law of chastity? I remember lessons about moral purity in things like petting and necking. I wonder what pleasure is derived from putting your necks together. I say I keep the law of chastity. I'd know if I were petting, right?

I hope desperately that he won't ask about touching myself, which I definitely do. I have heard that he only asks the boys. He doesn't ask me directly, but he looks at me severely: if there is anything you need to repent of, confession to the bishop is a necessary part of the repentance process. Do you know the steps of repentance? I force a smile, repeating the steps, and wonder again about the discernment.

He says the closing prayer, blessing that I will be diligent and obedient. I walk back into the hall with his signature, my pass into the temple, into the house of the lord. No unclean thing can enter.

I wonder fervently if I am unclean. I don't know the word masturbation, but I know from the lessons in church that I am doing wrong. I wonder if repenting to god is enough, but I keep running into the correct, true list of repentance:
1. Sorrow
2. Confession
3. Ask forgiveness
4. Restitution
5. Promise to never do it again
I confessed to god, but it is clear at church that confession is to the bishop. I ask god but the heavens are silent.

If you repent, but do it again, failing in step 5, all those past sins you confessed for come back. I always fail at step 2 and 5. But I dread not being able to take the sacrament. My whole family would know. I dread the public shame and resolve, again, to keep my hands off myself, and contemplate how many sins have come back to me at my last slip up. Rumor had it that the temple workers had the power of discernment as well. I hope I won't get kicked out. Six months to my birthday and the next worthiness interview.

D. Michael Quinn

2009-04-06T16:44:00.000-07:00

I have been reading Quinn lately. The first book of his I read was Mormonism and the Magic World View, which is a great read, but very DENSE (and I have a graduate degree in literature). His information is well documented and exhaustive.

Quinn begins every book by revealing his bias. He was excommunicated some years back (he says it was for homosexuality, but it is no secret that he and the leaders of the church were at odds for a long time about his published work-- his work that held academic honesty above faithful history). He states, and the beginning of each book, that he is still a believer; that his studies in history have only reinforced to him that men are fallible; that other religions have similarly pocked histories; that he is not welcome in the church, but he'd like to be. Even knowing all that he knows about the church, even knowing about its obfuscating the truth, knowing every document that the church changes for purposes of protecting the faithful and lying for the lord, Quinn still believes. He similarly asks his readers to look on the history of the church with an eye of understanding, maintaining that you can keep your faith, that there is faith to be found.

This kind of stuff makes me all warm and fuzzy, it really does. It makes me want to meet Quinn to tell him what a great guy I think he is. It makes me feel well about all the "lies" I was told in the interest of a faithful history because my leaders didn't know any better. It makes me like the church despite of what it does to improve on the truth. It's the same feeling I get looking at those who stay in the church because they see the good, all those seminary teachers or sunday school teachers who will go against the grain to make you think. My BYU professor who risked discipline for teaching us gender studies and queer theory in a lit class, because he thought it was important. I think it takes courage and understanding, both of which are not native to me.

Here's my problem with it tho, and I think I've said it before: the church LIES about it. I don't care how they couch it in terms of milk before meat, in terms of preserving testimonies rather than destroying them, in terms of "well, no one really knows what went on in history anyway," in terms of lying for the lord, in terms of line upon line and precept on precept. The church's editing of history is well documented; it is prevalent. It is EVERYWHERE. And to those who expose the truth, they are PUNISHED. This is not like a slap on the hand; this is ripping people's lives apart, excommunicating them which is the same as spiritual death, the worst thing that could happen to a person in that theology.

The church is actively and constantly hiding its history. Fawn Brodie wrote a book that was historical accurate and not always favorable to Joseph Smith. And now the archives are closed. With each passing year of analysis, information gets more and more inaccessible.

There is something to be said for honesty, for transparency. This is like being in a relationship with an individual who lied about all their past sexual relationships, all their run ins with the law, all their crazy family history. And then got mad and yelled at you when you said, "Really?"

There is something to be said for "Here's the truth. There are good things and bad things, like with life. We apologize where we've been wrong. We admire those who pointed our errors out to us. Take it or leave it."

That's what historians like Quinn do; that's what new order mormons do. But it is not enough, it is not right, until the church stops punishing those who seek after the truth.

Thomas Monson... again

2009-04-05T15:35:00.000-07:00

Heart is full, conference is great. We are so blessed to listen to prophets. We are more determined to live the gospel. Thanks for being here and speaking and singing. Yay musical talents! My soul delighteth in the song of righteous, and we will be blessed. We will remember this forever, and it will be printed in the Ensign. Study the message, then apply them in your life (but members aren't required to follow the prophet, right).

We love the apostles. Aren't we great? Aren't we committed? Aren't we leading the church well? Aren't the leaders of the church (all men) great? Women aren't even mentioned AT ALL. We are apparently not thanking any of them.

May we strive to live closer to the lord. Pray always. Love your children, pray for them so they will withstand evils of world, that they will grow in faith. Hopefully, they will be mormons. Kids, tell your parents you love them. A word of caution: we live at a time when the adversary is using everything to snare us in his web of deceit to take us down. Bad pathways lead to destruction. Things can be used for good or evil. Internet has PORN. Stay away from the internet, unless it's the church's website of priceless resources. But holy shit there are people using the internet for evil. PORN. Stay away from porn; it destroys the spirit. Everyone everywhere, but especially the young people, stay away from porn. Don't become trapped. The internet is for porn. If you have looked at porn, stop it. Get help, go to your bishop. Change your life. Go back to the straight and narrow. Chose today who you will serve, as for me, I will serve the lord.

We have built temples, and we're gonna keep doing it. Go to the temple for peace. Be dedicated to gospel and temple. We are so privileged. We can be sanctified there. The greatest service is temple work. We don't know who they are, but they would thank us. We are saviors on Mt. zion. Savior gave his life, just like we do in the temple for those who can't be saved without us. We do humanitarian work for you, even if you are not a mormon. Go Restoration! Go blessings for me! Go blessed people. We have knowledge that god lives. May you always nourish your testimony for protection. I am your servant, and I just wanna serve you and god. Let's go home safe. Love ya! Remember me in your prayers. May the lord bless us.

Amen.

Tom Perry

2009-04-05T15:18:00.000-07:00

Story about driving accident. How did that sheep get up on the mountain? Weird.

As members of the church, sometimes we are missing in action. There is no substitute for members spreading the gospel. Members must spread the gospel because it works. We must be member missionaries. Missionaries can't do it alone, but they are not as successful as members. It is our JOB to spread the gospel. We know who is lost from the church.

Three objectives for us to spread the gospel to those who NEED OUR HELP. GOOD GOD, HELP THE LESS ACTIVE!!! Warn your neighbor. Ward missions are the greatest. Half of the people in the US and Canada don't know about the mormons. Craziness. Non members interacting with faithful members have accurate info about the church, and people have a positive attitude about mormons. Mormons teach and preach and are the best ever, but our missionaries spend time finding people instead of teaching. They are underutilized because we don't find enough people. Why aren't we helping. We are missing golden opportunities to grow the church. We should be earnest in bringing the light of the gospel to everyone searching.

People are scared for their families and changing values. We should invite them to come with us. The lord's gospel is on earth and will bless lives. Gospel is centered on atonement (I thought it was on Joseph Smith and BoM). Only those in the gospel can be saved thru faith and repentance and holy ghost and enduring. All mankind is invited to be rescued and join us. Missionary message is strengthen by restoration. We have a living prophet. We have the priesthood. All of us need to teach this message to everyone. We must spread the holy ghost like a deadly virus. We have to testify and warn our neighbors.

Missionary work is the responsibility of each of us. Open our mouths. The field is white. THRUST in your sickle ;) Open your mouth, open your mouth, open your mouth. (I think I just made that dirty) God is with us. Kingdom of heaven is at hand. Here's what you should say: declare belief in christ, enjoy gift of eternal life. Tell the story of the first vision (which version again? did Smith see Moroni or god? How old was he again?). Oh, and testify of the Book of Mormon, how it's way better than the bible. The BoM is convincing evidence that Joseph Smith is a prophet of god (snicker snicker). If the BOM is true, then Smith restored the truth of god.

Shepherd destroys wolves. Listen to the shepherd. We are sheep, follow the good shepherd. We are all like that trapped ewe. Ewe are trapped without god saving you. God will look for ewe. Beware inactive members because we will find ewe. Probably with homemade cookies on your doorstep and clever sayings designed to draw ewe back to church. How can ewe resist? Ewe cannot rescue yourself. Wouldn't ewe hate to be lost? Find the sheep!

We are god's children. Be a member missionary. If you bring people back to god, you will be happy. Bring people back. Where are the people. Find them and bring them back to church.

Amen.

Michael Watson

2009-04-05T15:08:00.000-07:00

Farm story. It is hard to find the way, but we should trust in the wisdom of others. Give up the reins to your own life to those who OBVIOUSLY know better than you. We can be guided by prophets and scriptures. The word of god guards against deceptions. The prophets proclaim the truth. Search the D&C because it will all be fulfilled. THE LORD HAS SPOKEN. Prophets are the same as god. Picture montage of prophets.

God's word shall not pass away but will all be fulfilled. General conferences should be followed, be strong, never give up, endure.

Counsel of god:
Question is asked, answer given, promised blessing.
Give heed to prophets. You might not like it. It doesn't matter if it contradicts what you think, you should still follow god and he will bless you. Follow the prophets.
The prophets say follow the prophets. Well then, we should totally do it!
Inappropriate literature is wrong. Prophets are not men just guessing.
There is a miracle of forgiveness and god will forgive.
Brethren take turns praying. Book of mormon is the most correct, and will bring man nearer to god than any other book. Look unto Jesus and endure to the end.
Live with ever more attention to the life of Jesus. Go to the temple for covenants. Be temple worthy.
Joseph Smith was great prophet and saw first vision, and received answers from god. Temples are important.

Monson has re-emphasized that the human family depends on the mormons. We sustain Monson, and he is resounding voice to widow. He exemplifies the pattern of the LIFE OF CHRIST. Monson is lord's mouthpiece. FOLLOW HIM. God speaks thru his prophets. Lord reveals secrets to prophets.

Amen

Jose Teixeira

2009-04-05T14:57:00.000-07:00

Another non-white guy speaking. We are truly a universal church.

God's work is to bring about immortality and eternal life of man. God has given us gifts to help us. Spiritual gifts are blessings and abilities to help us navigate our lives towards eternity. As long as we comply and repent, we can be forgiven. We can succeed and live with god again. We are not alone.

Choice is a gift that can transform our lives. We should choose wisely. God will not stop us from choosing wrong. That which is of god will make us want to do good, everything else is bad. We should do good CONTINUALLY. Our free agency must be used well.

GPS navigates us like god does. Oooo, this guy is PORTUGUESE. Our church is STRONG in Europe! It is hard to navigate the stormy seas of this life, but with GPS we have simultaneous answers. How is our spiritual GPS? It also has a warning voice. It takes time to reconnect with god. We can always know right from wrong, it is a natural capacity. Holy ghost can become useless if we sin. Our lives depend upon the decisions we make. Good choices lead to happiness, while wrong choices drag us down to sadness. We can choose to be more like god and inherit promised blessings.

Another gift is the capacity to believe others. God reveals plan to the prophet. People who follow prophets receive blessings. WE CAN ALWAYS TRUST THE PROPHETS. Follow the prophet, follow the prophet, follow the prophet. We get direction by following the prophet. We should follow the prophet.

God is mindful and communicates with prophets to guide us. Our testimony will be stronger if we follow the prophet. We can reach our eternal destiny. We have been taught by follow the prophet, he guides us. Abide by the teachings, obey so that we can make good choices.

Amen

Gary Stevenson

2009-04-05T14:46:00.000-07:00

Story about the farm. We are never lost when we can see the temple.

Temple will provide direction for you and your family. It will help you not get lost in mists of darkness. King Benjamin said that doors of your tent should be toward the temple. We must follow prophets wards to face temple. Visit the temple more often, replace leisure activities with temple service. Live worthy to attend the temple, even young people. Young children should go visit so they can TOUCH the temple. If we touch it, it will touch us (good touches, presumably).

Temple defined in bible dictionary: most holy, only home is comparable in sacredness. Our homes should be a house of the lord. Take a virtual tour of your home. Let's all close our eyes and do that. Blah blah, refuge, home, temple... images. Our homes should be like the temple. Are we embarrassed about anything INAPPROPRIATE? Good god, I hope not. Do we have outward signs of righteousness like pictures and music and scriptures so that we can show everyone else how righteous we are. Are you righteous?

The lord has established standards. We should establish standards so our homes can be temples, and so that we can push young members further and further away. The hemorrhage of young mormons must continue. Eternal nature of family linked to the temple. Ordinances of temple make our families eternal. Say the word temple over and over again so that we can be more righteous. Add holy temple, so that it can always be capitalized. Home holy temple home holy home temple. Holy temple home, batman!

I love to see the temple, I'm going there some day. I will prepare myself while I am young, this is my sacred duty. I will promise to obey, a family is forever.... primary song. Temples unite families and link us forever into exaltation. temple holy home temple home holy holy holy temple holy home.

You are never lost when you can see the temple. Living prophets are great!

Amen

David Bednar

2009-04-05T14:30:00.000-07:00

Preparing for temple service should be central. Teach relentlessly about temple and the importance. We need everyone to go to the temple all the time. Use frequently your temple recommend.

Holy ghost bears witness of truth. Joseph Smith said that our purpose is to build temples so that we may attain highest ordinances (cough polygamy cough). We must gather everyone to the temples to be saved and not wasted. When we baptize, our eyes should be on the temple. Everyone baptized needs to go to temple, which is the most important, otherwise people are wasted.

We do not witness that we take upon us the name of christ in the sacrament. We witness to our willingness. Something else must happen before we take his name upon us. Baptism contemplates the temple. Temples are houses built unto god's name. Temples arm us with power of god. Everything leads to temple, and we pledge to keep his commandments so that we can go to the temple. temple temple temple TEMPLETEMPLETEMPLE!!!

Power of godliness in temple, blah blah blah, power of god, blah blah priesthood.

Look how many temples we have! Satan is mad! We have opposition from enemies of the church from temple building. We have had this antagonism before. Why do people fight against us? The bells of hell are ringing against us, tribes of hell are against us, but we are victorious. Faithful saints are STRENGTHENED by adversity because we are under promise of the lord. Nothing can stop us now. Take that, devil!

What do we learn from temple presidents? The protection available thru our temple covenants. We must make ACCEPTABLE offering of temple attendance. If we rush thru, it is not the same. No weapon forged against god can prosper, wicked are weak, faithful saints are supermen, blah blah. If you smite the righteous, god's gonna get you. Saints will be delivered.

The adversary will rage, but if we go to temple to get name and standing, we will be protected for all eternity. This will save your family. Satan will try to thwart us because he is JEALOUS of lord's house and our blessings. Lucifer hates that.

Temple encourages us to help others. Just look at the history of Brigham Young being a bastard... I mean, directing others to help the needy, but profiting himself. Take courage because god is on our side. Temples are everywhere, be edified and take refuge. God will gather his people in temples (then maybe the temples will take off like rockets to heaven).

Please, young people, go to the temple. Individuals within the sound of his voice that have not gone to temple. FOR SHAME! Make preparations so that you can go to the temple, and don't let those dumb things like THINKING stand in the way of going to the temple. What about those who haven't returned to the temple? Repent and go to the temple. Do you hold a recommend? You should! Fire of covenant will burn in the hearts of faithful. You must hold name and standing in lord's holy house. Lord directs us, and directs his anointed servants.

Amen

Dallin Oaks

2009-04-05T13:34:00.000-07:00

Mormons are unique in their selfless service through missions. Aren't we special. Older couples go to serve strangers, young men and women delay work and education to serve. This is unselfish service, and so is temple work. The same unselfish service is given in our stakes and wards and branches. ALL are uncompensated.

It's not easy to give up our personal desires. A young missionary wrote home, saying he was wasting his time. His father said, "forget yourself, and go to work." Lose yourself in the lord's service. He who serves others grows and blossoms. BYU student days should include service to others. Jesus was characterized by service. How many people have you helped. You can't love the lord until you serve him by serving his people.

Another way of serving is the sacrifice that parents make for children. Fathers and mothers adjust their lives to serve. In today's world, this gap is widening. Some people chose pets instead of children. We are glad that LDS couples can serve the lord by bearing and rearing children. We don't ask "what's in it for me?" Unselfish service. We don't want to give into worldly ways.

Latter day saints are uniquely committed to service. We sacrifice and consecrate our time and talents for others. Mormons are also renowned for their ability to work with others. We have unselfish cooperation for the common good: helping hands.

In recent elections, LDS has defended marriage by INFRINGING ON THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS. Isn't it wonderful? Isn't it marvelous. Latter day saints are in great demand for high skills and unselfish sacrifice.

Members are willing to sacrifice because of our effective church organization or what outsiders MISTAKENLY call blind obedience, but that is not the reason. Our skills come from our faith in the lord jesus christ and our covenants. Unfortunately some latter day saints fix their priorities on the standards and values of the lord. Satan wants to sift us like wheat. We who follow Jesus should be precious and different. We shouldn't fear man more than god. We shouldn't want praise of the world. We establish the lord's standards, not to follow the world's. We have a different destiny and obligation, and must fit ourselves to it.

Immodest dress, you can't be a life saver if you look like all the other swimmers on the beach. When we seek praise of world we are rejecting saviors teaching. Fall of man had to do with BEING LIKE GODS which is exactly what the mormon church teaches. Arrogance is suffering. There is nothing other than god which will make us happy.

A selfish person is more interested than pleasing man, esp himself, than pleasing god. Such a person is disconnected from covenant promises from god. In contrast, if we love and serve, we remain connected to covenants. Sacrifice is now out of fashion. This is the ME generation; what's in it for me? Entitlement is WRONG, feeling like you are owed something. Entitlement is selfish. We shouldn't seek to elevate ourselves because it separates us. Blessings are contingent upon obedience.

Greed is evident in multimillion bonus of corporations. It also caused widespread borrowing and consumerism. Gambling too is ruining the world.

Values of the world teach it's all about me, which is contrary to eternal progress, contrary to Jesus' plan. We should be all about what we can become: gods! Mother Teresa was selfless. Lose our lives in service to others.

We should apply this in our attitude of attending church. All the excuses for not attending service are selfish and retards spiritual growth. Not going to church is SELFISH. We should go to church each week to make a positive difference in people's life. Any lack of commitment in going to church, or thinking the church does not fulfill our needs, or that we do not like the people at church is selfish and wrong and evil and all your fault.

Amen

Young women theme

2009-04-05T11:22:00.000-07:00

I have an ongoing series about the young women values, but I have not actually introduced the topic. Bad writer, bad bad. So, the mormon church is enamored of lists, especially for the young people. You have lists of goals to do, goals accomplished, all carefully correlated and neatly packaged. You have lists of tasks:
Sunday meetings 3-5 hours
Wednesday mutual 2 hours
Friday dances 3 hours
Firesides 2 hours
You have lists that you write for qualities you want in your eternal companion, topped by a strong testimony in the church and a willingness to follow the prophet. Lists all provide information about eternal progression but cannot measure or dictate internal spirituality. However, these lists are for everyone. Everyone must do the same things in the right order to be saved.

One of those lists is the young women's theme, chanted every week in wards throughout the world. The fact that it is chanted, not read, takes away the need or ability to think about it or analyze it. All the young women, ages 12-18, stand together, and repeat together the theme. This next bit is taken from the church's website:

Young Women Theme

The Young Women theme helps each young woman understand her identity, purpose, and destiny as a daughter of God. Young women and their leaders repeat the theme during Sunday opening exercises and at other Young Women gatherings. Additional words or themes repeated in conjunction with the theme are not necessary or appropriate.

We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him.
We will "stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things,
and in all places" (Mosiah 18:9) as we strive to live
the Young Women values, which are:
Faith
Divine Nature
Individual Worth
Knowledge
Choice and Accountability
Good Works
Integrity and
Virtue.
We believe as we come to accept and act upon these values,
we will be prepared to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred covenants,
receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation.

Notice the church's own preface says that additions are not necessary and should not be a part of it. My young women's posts are taking each of these values, and the new one virtue, and examining what young women are being taught and how I think these values are destructive in the lives of the members.

Retrospectively, the chanting of the theme really creeps me out. I remember that I had it memorized before I even went to young women's. My older sister had a poster of it in her room, and I would lay on her bed, and look at the poster from my unique-upside-down angle and read it over and over. When I finally went to young women's I didn't need to read it, I never tripped up. I repeated it loudly and proudly, pausing and breathing at all the right moments.

Now I see that chanting impedes thought. Rote learning and memorization has nothing to do with analysis, with critical thinking. And chanting also reinforces group think and conformity. If someone is off step with the repetition, the overwhelming majority will get them back on track. When you chant, you breathe in unison. There is a tug, a cadence, a pattern, and you are in line with it, or you don't exist. Dissenting voices cannot be heard (which seems to be an overarching theme of the church itself).

The conformity, the group identity is reinforced by the words themselves. WE are daughters (collective we. No individual relationship sought or condoned. Daughters collective, also presents women in a subservient role as both woman and child) of our heavenly father (not only an authority in the family, but a cosmic authority) who loves us and we love him (ethos argument, appeal to emotions. This is how you interpret the religion, spirituality through emotions, what feels right) We will (firm future, collective backed up by other mormons) stand as witnesses of god (other witnesses from the book of mormon. The job description of witnesses seems heavy, but in practice, there is equivocation. The "witnesses" of the book of mormon and the gold plates said they saw a vision with their spiritual eyes. How much of a witness is that? Members believe that the prophet talks with god face to face, but the present prophets never say that, equivocating under the guise of "it's too sacred to talk about," the same equivocation that makes the masonic temple rites secret. Prophet's witness of god is no more than the testimony warm fuzzy feelings of the average member) at all times and in all things and in all places (by quoting scripture here, you are invoking a deity. It is the fallacy of authority. Perfection is expected and there is no room for failure. Expectations are all encompassing. Members are commanded not to equivocate) as we strive (again with the collective effort, collective salvation. I remember a lesson that pictured members of the church as mountain climbers tied together: one falls, we all fall. We can't go on with inactives. We are saved together. Reactivation of failing members, hunting down those who have strayed is absolutely necessary) to live the young women values (internalization, everything at church must be followed. Young women values should become an active part of your life, something not just repeated, but lived).

Thomas Monson

2009-04-05T10:25:00.000-07:00

Express love, and humbled by opportunity to address us. In the last six months, there have been signs of bad things, economy is worse, financial outlook is grim. Moral footings of society continue to slip. People who are moral are ridiculed. Wars, natural disasters, misfortune.. it is easy to become cynical or fearful. If we dwell on only what is wrong, we are screwed.

Let's focus on our blessings as members of the church. God hath given us the spirit of power and love, not fear. No one makes it thru life without problems. We are here to learn and grow from such events. We will suffer and grieve, but adam fell that men might be and men are that they might have joy.

How can we be of good cheer? Lord will stand by us. History of the church in this dispensation has lots of experiences of those who struggled but remained steadfast by making gospel central. This will pull us through. It will enable us to meet our challenges, emerge victorious.

We face difficulties, but faith will prevail. Gospel gives us strength. Three examples of faith.

His ancestors listened to missionaries, and they were converted. Story story. Blah blah. Gathered to Zion, sold everything, came to US. Son became sick on journey, it was hard. Son died because they decided to come to zion, bu they had faith in gospel. Your children are not as important as following the prophet. Be happy cuz god has overcome the world. Aren't we happy that our ancestors came to zion and followed prophet. Let's all thank god.

Second story about a pacific island. Story story, blah blah. Blindy McGee, depression until he learned about the gospel. If you bring your life into compliance with church, you will have joy. Sacrifice for blessings of priesthood. You shouldn't care what god does, as long as it is his decision. Light of our life should be the gospel. We won't walk in darkness if we follow god; we are not alone. Hand of god is most safe.

Third story about Prussia. Story story, blah blah, Ezra Benson, tour of europe to visit LDS there. Sacrifice, story, blah blah. Faith in god and in gospel of LDS church. Struggle, fear, story story. Child died. But as long as we have faith in the church and follow the prophet, we will press on. Keep obeying. Then another child died, and she dug a grave. But still she obeyed. Wait, there goes another kid. But we are following the prophet. Now baby is dead. Tug at our heart strings. She lost whole family, every child, all her things. But GET DOWN ON YOUR KNEES AND PRAY. We must still be grateful to and praise god. Jesus suffered way more than we have, eternal life, blah blah. But she reached the church, her destination. She was starving, but bore testimony that she was happiest because Jesus died for us. She knew that if she was faithful and obeyed, she could go to celestial kingdom. Story story, blah blah. If you endure, you will inherit kingdom of god. You will have joy.

Monson says that we will have measureless blessings. As long as we remain true to the gospel, we will be comforted and joyful. Keep the commandments. Nothing in this world can defeat us. Fear not, the future is as bright as your faith. God answers prayers. Christ redeemer.

Amen.

Jeffrey Holland

2009-04-05T10:06:00.000-07:00

Message intended for everyone, but directed to those who are alone or abandoned. Those longing to be married, or those without spouse or children. Savior shouldered the burden of salvation alone too. Life of Jesus was way worse, we cannot complain.

Judas betrayed him for 30 pieces of silver. Story story, blah blah. Could ye not watch with me one hour. Story story, blah blah. Read new testament. Crucifixion. Divine withdrawal, my god, why hasn't thou forsaken me? Died spiritually and physically so he would know what it was like for us. Story story, blah blah.

I guess I am really an apostate when stories of Jesus don't move me. Like, not even a little bit. God will always be with us; yeah, so what? No one was there to help or uphold him; meh.

We are never alone cuz christ atonement. We will not be comfortless. Father and Jesus will abide with us.

These scenes of christ's lonely sacrifice must never be reenacted by us. Jesus should not walk alone again, he shouldn't have to confront sin without aid. He should not see unresponsive onlookers. Hey, maybe they are talking about MY indifference. Kick ass!

May we stand by Jesus in all times/things/places, just like the young women's theme. He has stood by us.

Amen

Barbara Thompson

2009-04-05T09:57:00.000-07:00

Be fixed in your purpose, for satan will try you. Jesus is nigh you, his arm is sufficient tho demons suppose. No matter what happens, Jesus can save. We can gain eternal life.

Increase in faith, strengthen families, serve god's children. Satan will tempt and try us, but lord will strengthen us. Jesus loves us, we are children of god. Mormons always know this. Only thru christ can we be saved. We have to pray always. We must go to temple. Different family situations. We have children, or not have children. No mention of homosexuality or deviation within the proper mold.

We can strengthen families by holding fast to the iron rod. The word of god will keep us safe. We must always be faithful. Pray together, brainwash 4 year olds into belief. We must serve each other.

Wards help and serve each other. Visiting teachers, high priests, go serve each other.

Steven Snow

2009-04-05T09:43:00.000-07:00

We too need to get on with our lives. We don't seek or welcome dramatic change, but change comes. It is natural as we make our way thru our journey. Too often we are reluctant to enter the next stage because we are fearful or lack faith. How can we best prepare for change?

First, follow the prophets. Listen to and abide by their counsel. They provide advice to help us through. It is the same from the prophets or GOD. Prophets speak for god. Follow the prophet (so what is this, speaking as a man bullshit???).

Second, keep an eternal perspective. Change and challenge is a part of gods plan. This is a test, this is only a test. We will see if we will follow god. It needs be that there is options, otherwise there would be nothing, except a sucking black hole. We will grow as we make righteous decisions.

Third, have faith. Move forward daily with faith. Dread can creep into our hearts, but faith and doubt cannot coexist, for one will dispel the other. We must exercise faith, it is how we learn and progress.

Fourth, be of good cheer. It is easy to feel despondent and forgotten. God is with us and will not forsake us. The next time you are tempted to groan, you might try to laugh instead. A good sense of humor can soften the bumps.

Every worthy young adult knows the importance of choosing a spouse. Because that is the most important thing in a singles life.

How do we deal with unexpected setbacks? See the list above.

Pioneers are example. They created new life out of nothing, but gradually things improved. Ups and downs in their lives. The saint went on a mission; I wonder if it was to find more places to practice polygamy. He was called on another mission to the south. Robert Gardner Jr. accepted calls even when it is not convenient. We should all accept calls, and be inspired by stories like that.

Amen.

Neil Anderson

2009-04-05T09:30:00.000-07:00

He knows that Jesus is the Christ. There is no man with more love than Thomas Monson. His love is like the sunshine at midday (kinda creepy). Love from lord and prophet as he was called. The lord will shape the back to fit the burden laid upon it. We are all nobodies. If you ever forget it, the lord will remind you of it instantly, and it won't be pleasant.

How wonderful you are, the great family of believers in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. The lord has blessed his family. Never have I seen any personal positioning, any pursuit of power. They just love Jesus. (Oh, yeah. They get no money, no compensation. I remember. We are not supposed to know about them getting paid for their position. The one true church is not supposed to have paid clergy. Are the members of the quorum of the twelve really not in it for the fame or adoration?)

These are the last days, the days of the gathering. The voice of the lord will go to the whole earth. We are blessed to bring the gospel to others. Purpose of restoration is to be a light to the world and a standard to the people. Our responsibility is not trivial, we have to keep covenants as a badge of honor. Modern day pioneers who have heard the voice of the lord, and follow the gospel. They are willing to sacrifice for what is right and true. They are holding steady in their course toward eternal life.

We are not alone in our desire to do good. There are good people in other faiths. Father loves all of his children. We must not shrink from what is uniquely found. Only here is the priesthood of god, the Book of Mormon, prophets of god to bring guidance from heaven, the sealing power. We should not feel superior, but should make us more humble to plead for the lord helps. We should not be timid in remembering that this is lords church and nothing shall overthrow it.

We proclaim our savior and redeemer and we owe him everything. He asks us to come unto him. Believers shall live, apostates shall die, etc etc. Monson is a prophet.

Amen

Deiter Uchtdorf

2009-04-05T09:06:00.000-07:00

Uchtdorf is the only member of the quorum of the twelve who is not from the American west, Utah or Idaho. His accent is fun to listen to, and my brother thinks he's a bit of a new order mormon. He certainly has a lot more energy than the members of the quorum who are 80 and 90 and have one foot in the grave. He also seems to talk more about Jesus than the others. It actually sounds like a christian topic.

Jesus gave us his gospel, the key of knowledge, atonement, hope, joy, confidence, even in peril and sorrow and uncertainty. People are worried about the future and their livelihood. There is personal misfortune and sadness. The world is not bashful in offering answers to problems. People run from one idea to the next to answer burning questions of their souls. People are looking for something new; new theories fade, but are replaced by new solutions. These worldly options contain elements of truth, but all fall short of lasting change we seek in our lives. Hollowness remains, we are still looking.

In contrast, the gospel of jesus christ has the answer to all our problems. It is not complicated or hidden. It doesn't come from men at all, springs from creator of universe who knows all truth. Gospel is a divine gift, ultimate formula for joy and success. When we hear gospel, we are happy.

Faith and repentance lead to baptism, where we covenant to follow christ. We want to lead purified and holy life. The baptism of fire, gift of the holy ghost, the comforter. The more we are filled with spirit, the more we extend ourselves to other. We are peacemakers, we help others, having grace and patience. These are the first steps along the true way of life. This is the way of the follower of jesus christ.

This is not a quick fix or an overnight cure. It is hard to keep testimony strong and vibrant. There are things you can do. We have to stay with it, endure. Apply and reapply the divine gospel principles, make them part of our normal life. It grows like a plant. Alma compared the word of god to a seed, and it grows gradually. We must have patience and be diligence. We can tell the seed is good because it grows. We cannot receive fullness of blessings if we neglect the tree. Seed must be nourished with great care. Only then can we partake of the fruit that is perfect and pure.

Walk the path of discipleship. It is our willingness to accept gods will. It is not enough to speak of Jesus Christ, we can't just surround ourselves with symbols of religion, it is not a spectator sport. It is not enough to watch. We have to do, it's not a second hand religion. We can't just observe the good that others do.

First step is right here. We don't have to prequalify to take that first step. You don't have to be educated or perfect or well mannered. We can walk this path of discipleship today. Express our desire to be close to god. Serve the lord by serving others. Actively participate in your ward. Contribute to your family. Have a temple recommend, read the scriptures, have Family Home Evening. Be grateful for restoration, book of mormon, priesthood.

Those who have left the path can come back. It is always right and the right time; it is never too late. You are not inadequate for not being BIC. Lord needs your abilities. The church needs you. Let us remember on this palm sunday that the gospel has the power to fill any emptiness, heal any wound. It is hope and faith and trust in the lord.

Church has the fullness of the gospel, to face the challenges of our day. Jesus lives.

Editor's note: you know, I don't really have problems with this talk. If you want to talk about Jesus, that's better than worshiping Smith.

April Conference

2009-04-05T09:02:00.000-07:00

For those who don't catch on so quick, my posts yesterday and today are notes from listening to the General Conference for the church of jesus christ of latter day saints. My notes include what the speakers say, and also clarification from me.

Young women values part 2: Divine nature

2009-04-04T15:54:00.000-07:00

Mormons are told that they are children of their father in heaven, that they are the most righteous children of heavenly father. They are told that they have the ability, nay the responsibility, to become like him. Mormons are "gods in embryo," and thru righteousness, they can expand in power and glory until they become gods.

With girls, it is a little different. Girls are divine too, have the ability to become... well... hmm... There is a heavenly mother, but girls are not encouraged to be like her. Girls are not encouraged, and actively discouraged, from learning, talking, feeling about her. Heavenly mother is apparently too holy, to sacred, to be sullied by our words or touch. God loves his wife (wives?) so much that he won't even allow us to speak her name.

It is also the consensus that the power of god is the priesthood, that it will be the men off creating worlds, setting new tests for their new worlds, sacrificing an innocent son after the perfect pattern of Jesus Christ, sending plagues and sufferings, teaching their children a lesson, cultivating someone to play devil so that righteous purposes can be brought about.

Women, the ruling queens, the goddesses, will be with their sister wives (the first 5 prophets of the church said that you have to have at least 3 wives to get into heaven. It is what "celestial marriage" and the temple and the garment is all about. How can we trust Joseph Smith on everything else but disregard everything he taught about polygamy?) having endless babies. After all, those spirit babies don't incubate themselves.

So, a girl's divine nature is to be silent, child-bearing, and her own children cannot even SPEAK of her, on pain of excommunication.

Thomas Monson

2009-04-04T14:59:00.000-07:00

We mourn Worthlin has died, but he is carrying on work from other side of the veil. We have called Neil Anderson to fill vacancy in quorum of 12 apostles. Thank you for sustaining vote. Anderson takes his place with 12 on the stand. Excitement joy joy.

Monson traveled to Mexico to rededicate renovated temple. Event in Aztec stadium. 80k spectators. 80 minute display of music and dance. We were filled with spirit of the lord.

Draper temple in south salt lake valley. 600k visited the temple. 335k at dedication. Such a big church. Spirit of the lord was there. We will dedicate Oquirrh temple. We look forward to temple dedication because we can reevaluate our own performance. We can do better.

The church is doing very well. Work of the lord is moving forward. 53k missionaries. We are teaching all nations and baptizing them. We are grateful for missionaries and for their sacrifices to serve. We have volunteers in non-proselyting who further the work of the lord. We are thankful for free service. Perpetual education fund is moving forward. 35k in program to train to improve their skills. 18k have finished. They now increase their income by 3 or 4 times. What a blessing. Program is inspired.

Thank you for your faith and devotion, for your service in wards. It is service that allows lord to accomplish his purpose. Thank you for kindness to Monson and for your prayers. He feels your prayers.

Now we are anxious to listen to message so we can be taught and inspired and have determination to live the gospel. Speakers have sought heaven's help as they give their message.

Russell Nelson

2009-04-04T14:35:00.000-07:00

Call to apostleship comes from the lord. Prophet submits to lord. Has power. Our prayers follow patter of Christ. We learned how to pray from him. Lessons from lord's prayer.

Lord's prayer is twice in NT, and once in BoM. Clarification, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who... suffer us not TO BE LEAD into temptation. If you forgive others, lord will forgive us. God wouldn't lead us into temptation.

Hallowed be thy name... reverence. Thy will be done. Daily bread, we need spiritual nourishment from the bread of life. He who comes to Jesus will never hunger. We must take sacrament worthily. Spiritual sustenance from sacrament. Acknowledge gods power. Amen solemnly affirms prayer. Audible amen is solemn declaration. Avoid vain repetition, follow the pattern, but don't memorize and recite. Pray for god's help as we strive to live righteous.

Prayer of intersession, for his disciples. John 17 prayer: lifted eyes to heaven, father, glorify thy son, so I can glorify you. I have finished the work. They have received the word. They have believed in my divinity. I pray for them.

We learn how keenly Jesus feels his role as advocate. We should feel responsibility to obey and endure. In BoM, people were joyful at hearing Jesus pray. Blessed are ye because of your faith. Now behold my joy is full. Jesus pled for unity. Lack of contention. Jesus must be in us, we must be one. We can pray for unity, one heart, one mind with lord's annointed (apostles). If we really care for others, we should pray for them. James taught that we should pray for each other, cuz prayer availeth much.

You must always pray to father in Jesus' name. Thank you for the holy ghost, pray that we might have holy ghost. We have been given holy ghost because we believe in god. Companionship of the holy ghost is so important we should pray for it. Holy ghost is a vital source of good.

Prayers are enhanced by song or fasting. Plea for wisdom in fasting. There is such a thing as overdoing fasting, so we should be wise about it. We shouldn't do TOO much or unnecessary. Watch the length of prayer, should not be unscheduled sermon. Public prayer should be short supplications or brief declaration of gratitude. Special pronouns. Use respect thee thine thy. Helps us to be humble to enhance our prayers. If you are humble, lord will answer.

Prayer begins with individual initiative. If you hear Jesus' voice and open the door, he will eat with us. We must pray in the name of Jesus. Council with lord in all thy doings. Be full of thanks to god. then we will be lifted up at last day. Don't cease to pray in your heart. We kneel in family prayer, personal prayer, blessings on food. Pray with faith and trust in god. Plead like Jesus that god's will be done.

Jesus is our redeemer. Our will should be swallowed up in the will of the father. Why would you have a will of your own. Glory to god. Thy will be done. Let us pray that lord's kingdom will go forth. Let us apply lessons of lord fervently.

Amen.

Richard Scott

2009-04-04T14:19:00.000-07:00

Temples are great. We have to sacrifice to go to the temple if we are mature. We will be blessed by covenants of temples. Speaking heart to heart, not mincing words. Those who sacrifice to go to temple far away, but when a temple is close, we don't go. Convenient temples aren't attended. Make a plan to go to the temple. Don't allow anything to interfere with going to the temple. We can't take temple for granted. Scott goes to the temple once a week. Oh righteousness righteousness. It will change our lives.

We should participate in all the ordinances, and make goals to go to temple. What could be more important than going to the temple and watching a three hour movie you have seen before, and being washed and anointed on naked parts of your body by an old person. Wait, wait, they took that out of the holy and unchangeable ordinances.

Going to temple will lead to understanding. You must give thanks thru prayer for all the blessing that come from the temple. Remember how much temple means to you. Make time for temple, don't be in a hurry. Participate in ALL ordinances of temple. Take off your watch. LISTEN to the ordinances that you have heard before. Pray that those for whom you are doing the posthumous ordinance for will accept the ordinance even if they were a faithful Jew or Catholic during their life. They NEED TO BE MORMONS.

Sealing is not enduring unless you are worthy. You have to be worthy for blessings. You have to be sealed in the temple as a couple. You can't go to real heaven unless you have new and everlasting covenant of marriage WHICH IS POLYGAMY. Unless you are a polygamist you cannot go to heaven. Look it up, that is what the scripture is about. D&C 132. Spirits are WAITING for us to do their ordinances in the temple. Spirits are in chains if we don't work in temple.

We should be joyous to go to the temple. Polygamous misogynistic bastard Brigham Young had interactions with a woman without marrying her (so they say). I don't believe it. We are god's chosen, and we have joy by embracing gospel.

If someone dies, don't ask why. It's gods will. What does he want us to learn. Don't complain. Thank god. Don't murmur. We have opportunity to overcome. God provides miracles to those who have faith. But even if he doesn't, we should praise god. As long as children are born in covenant, they are saved. Those who are not under the covenant will NOT be with their parents in heaven. Unless you go to the celestial kingdom, you won't be with your family. You can only take comfort if you go to temple and get sealed. Make sure you pay your 10% so you can go to the temple. God is in control. We should never complain if we are living worthily. If we are complaining, it must be because we are not living worthily.

It's difficult to have people die, but I don't complain. We can feel others thru the veil. As long as we keep temple covenants, and live worthy to obtain blessings, we have no reason to worry or feel despondent. Is that another destructive D like from the last talk?

Temple is a blessing. We have sealing authority for the eternities. Lord restored the gospel thru Smith by stealing Masonic rituals. This is the work of the lord. This is his church. 12 apostles are witnesses of god, testify of atonement.

Amen.

Wait, is this a NON WHITE man speaking?

2009-04-04T14:10:00.001-07:00

It is, it is! Wow, the mormon church is so multi cultural. We love people even if they don't speak perfect English and aren't white and delightsome.

Children born under the covenant will be saved. Children not born under the covenant will NOT be with their families forever. Unless you are sealed in the temple, unless you are righteous, you cannot be with your family forever. Blessings are based on righteousness, blessings are not just given, you must earn it.

God is the only source of comfort amidst adversity. Jesus says we shouldn't fear.

Faithful families can deal with bad things happening. We live in a world of loss, but you have to have a good attitude, this is when you need to obey and love and be loyal to god. You have to understand the prophets words. Death is not a tragedy; sin is a tragedy. THIS is why in the famous book "the miracle of forgiveness" Kimball says that a parent would rather see a child DEAD then sexually unclean. God, I hope that all sexually unpure children would commit suicide in the attempt to gain forgiveness, so their parent's wouldn't have to suffer.

Christ suffered agony, so we suffer agony so that we can understand. Christ suffered all Gethsemane. Christ trembled and had unimaginable agony. But we must partake, we must submit to a sadist god. Like Joseph Smith wanted god to come to him, but god comforted him by saying peace: your suffering is a second, but god will exhalt thee. Even tho Smith was in jail for being a lying, pedophiliac, adulterous bastard. But god still comforted him.

As long as you build your house upon a rock, it will not fall. If you hear god's words, but don't follow, then you are an idiot. And your house is on sand. Your house will fall. We will have rain and floods and beatings whether you are righteous or not. We have to face and endure.

Thomas Monson is prophet. We must obey to be blessed and comforted.

Amen.

Rafael Pino.

Kevin Pearson

2009-04-04T13:58:00.000-07:00

Faith

The need for faith in our life-- faith is an action, faith is correct understanding, we must obey to have complete TRUST in his SERVANTS. This means that we should have faith in the church leaders. We need to cultivate spiritual gifts, because without faith, we are nothing. Have you taught your children your faith? Faith comes only thru OBEDIENCE. Obey, obey, obey. Righteous, obey, get more faith. More obedient will give you more faith. There is no such thing as relative ethics. We must be EXACTLY obedient in ALL things, including the small, simple things. Holy ghost acts upon the light of christ within us, then we will desire to know. Faith grows as we obey. OBEY, obey, obey. Then we can have belief. Faith is a principle of power thru OBEDIENT behavior. Personal righteousness is a choice, yields spiritual power. You can see it in people's lives. If you don't see it, they must not be righteous. Focus, being steadfast, continually holding fast, obey even amidst the mists of darkness. This is powerful.

Opposition is free will. We can act for ourselves, so that's why satan can tempt us. All things are possible to him that believest. Help thou my unbelief. Fear cannot coexist with faith. Disbelief is destructive. Disbelief will destroy your life. Eliminate sources of doubt. Don't allow doubt to control you. Don't consistently focus on faith-erroding things. That is satan pulling you down.

What are your personal tendecies that are pulling you down. Six destructive Ds. Doubt is evil and bad and wrong and negative, and comes from lack of confidince. Discouragement, decreased effort, weakened desire, not following the spirit. Despair. Distraction is against faith. Satan will use these bad habits. Lack of diligence, the willingness to follow god. Disappointment. This path leads to DISOBEDIENCE. GOOD GOD NOT DISOBEDIENCE. We are all doomed.

We have hardened our hearts, are beyond feeling. We must have faith, we must chose to obey. We need greater spiritual power. Faith brings power from jesus. God lives and loves us as long as we obey. christ will save us if we obey president monson. Because he lives, we can have hope if we have faith and obey. As long as our houses are righteous, and have faith and don't doubt, everything will be sunshine and kittens.

Amen.

The mormon church DOESN"T teach that other religions are going to hell

2009-04-04T13:52:00.000-07:00

So says Quentin Cook. Despite the doctrine that says that mormons will become gods, and that everyone who does not become a god is damned, or stopped in their eternal salvation. Despite the fact that Joseph Smith history says that all other religions are false, that they draw close to god with their lips, but their hearts are far from god. Despite the fact that a protestant minister was portrayed as a servant of satan in the temple ceremony until the 1990s. Despite the fact that mormons are taught that their church is the ONLY true church on the face of the earth, that all other churches are false.

But as the one true church, we are also perfect in our benevolence and courtesy towards all those other wrong minded religions who believe false and silly doctrines. Aren't we so righteous?

Quentin Cook

2009-04-04T13:44:00.000-07:00

Stumbling blocks to faith. What a shame that some people don't believe in the truthfulness of the bible. The bible that has been edited and shown to be not a literal history. The bible which is myth and fantasy and allegory and prejudice and metaphorical and ... and ... and...

OF COURSE the bible is not true in the strictest sense of the word. Of course there are people who disbelieve it and don't base their lives on it because they have studied how the bible was created, what things are wrong with the bible. They see how the bible does indeed condemn homosexuality, but it also CONDONES a FATHER allowing his DAUGHTERS TO BE RAPED AND KILLED. Yes, that is just what I want to base my life off of.

What about the book of mormon? I mean, it hasn't been retranslated and changed, right? RIGHT? Well, not exactly. The book of mormon states that black skin is a punishment from god for unrighteousness, and if you are righteous enough, your skin will turn white. It teaches that god thinks killing is ok, as long as you really REALLY need a book. It teaches that submarines predate WWII, indeed, they were contemporary with the tower of babel, as was glass.

So, why don't I base my life and morals and ethics on these inspired writings??? Well, I can't imagine.

The pride cycle

2009-04-04T13:34:00.000-07:00

Elder Ballard talks about the pride cycle. I remember learning about this in Sunday school. When we are righteous, we are blessed. When we are blessed, it is with monetary wealth. When we have wealth, we become prideful, then we are punished. Then we repent and are righteous. Then it begins again.

This whole concept is based on a faulty premise that baffles the rest of christianity, a principle that is central to mormon doctrine. Monetary blessings come from righteousness in mormon theology. In the rest of christianity, money is the root of all evil, and Jesus says a rich man has a snowball's chance in hell of getting into heaven.

But in mormonism, it is all different, based, perhaps, on the fact that the founding prophet Joseph Smith was raised a poor boy and always after money. That is completely understandable. I was raised hungry, and what I want in life is stability, a job that pays me money, a bed to sleep in instead of the floor.

Joseph Smith, however, took it a little bit further and made money his goal. He lived off the finances of the church, like Brigham young did after him. Even tho the book of mormon says that Prophets, like King Benjamin, should NOT live off the people. Smith took advantage of the people, lived very well in Navuoo, took advantage of others with the Kirtland bank. Smith didn't even pay for the printing of the Book of Mormon: Martin Harris did that.

Money DOES NOT mean you are blessed of god. Being poor does not mean god is punishing you. However, looking at the make up of the first presidency and the twelve apostles, it is clear that those righteous enough to lead the church are wealthy and white and successful and from Utah. Well, except for Uchdorf, who is white and wealthy and successful and from Germany. What diversity.

Auditing department

2009-04-04T13:23:00.000-07:00

I never thought I could be so bugged when I have been out and away from the church for the better part of three years. Unfortunately, conference always brings it out in me.

During conference, we have an unknown man get up and read a letter from the church auditing department. They tell us that this unknown department is independent from all other areas of the church. This mythical auditing department, populated (we are told) with capable and certified individuals, have access to all financial records of the church. (I find this hard to believe since the church hasn't been open with its finances for the better part of a century.) The auditing department has evaluated the finances of the church based on policies that are unknown, and procedures that any member of the church do not have access to.

Why are the church finances all fine and righteous? Because an unseen and unknown "department" of the church tells us so through a letter read in general conference!

Keep in mind that in recent years, the church has done a lot of back peddling, saying "not everything said over the pulpit is doctrine or true." So what is? Reminds me of the song, "Jesus loves me this I know, for the bible tells me so." It stretches credulity to imagine that the only historical record we have of Jesus should be the source of all knowledge. How do we know that Jesus exists? Well, the bible says so! How do we know he died for our sins? The bible says! How do we know the bible is true? Well, silly, the bible tells us it's true!

So, how do we know the church isn't spending BILLIONS of dollars on a fucking MALL in downtown Salt Lake while faithful saints are paying their tithing and going without and suffering in this economic downturn? Well, silly, we know that the church is spending their money righteously because they say so! Well, then, I guess I was stupid to even ask.

Young women values part 1: Faith

2009-03-26T15:04:00.000-07:00

"Faith is belief in things which are not seen, but which are true." --Bible dictionary

In my college class, I taught freshmen about begging the question. Contrary to popular belief, it does not mean "it's as if the issue is begging us to ask this question!" It means a circular logic, a conclusion inherent in one or more of the premises.

I remember sitting in my mia maid class, discussing faith. The teacher said that we could not have faith in things like UFOs, because it's simply not true. Faith is belief in things which are not seen, but which are true. I tried to argue that if UFO fanatics believed it was true, than it was still faith. My teacher was a bit upset with me as I argued the definition, and she assured me that faith can only be in true invisible things, like god.

We also discussed how we could not have faith if we had a perfect knowledge. The prophets no longer had faith in god because they had a personal knowledge of him. I was also told on a number of occasions that the reason there is not incontrovertible proof for the Book of Mormon is because then god would take away faith from us. It is necessary for us to believe WITHOUT that knowledge. "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed." The act of faith without knowledge is necessary for our salvation, a kind of benevolent gnosticism.

Faith is belief in things which are not seen, things like history, things like the testimony of others. Faith that Joseph Smith is a prophet, faith that the Book of Mormon is true. These are the two most important cornerstones of our religion. Invisible but true. The problem is the church asks more: belief in things which are not seen and demonstrably false. The Book of Mormon can be proven false on several different fronts, linguistic, historical, biological. Joseph Smith has been proven dishonest, misleading, and self-serving. So, faith is irrational belief in the face of overwhelming contrary evidence.

Entitlement

2009-03-22T15:48:00.001-07:00

The idea was popular in 17th century England: the Protestants must be right because they suffered so much. Truth in Areopagitica, a political tract by Milton, is hewn into a thousand pieces and scattered to the four winds. Not only is Truth tortured, she is Truth BECAUSE she is tortured. Martyrology goes hand-in-hand with an apocolyptic mindset: the end is coming because -look!- everything is so bad.

The worst thing about the concept of martyrology is the sense of entitlement it grants to its proponents. I'll use the mormon church as an example, just because I am so intimately aquanted with it. Mormons are, from birth, imbued with the sense of being a peculiar people (just as a side note, the word peculiar comes from an English tax, and that which was taken was understood as "belonging to the king"--see, do you see how it connects?), a fact that they are proud of. Different is good and essential. Don't you see what a horrible place the world has become?? However, the problem comes in opposition to the accepted and sanctioned mindset. It doesn't matter what is proposed to followers of the mormon church; the fact that there is such a huge "anti" mormon movement PROVES that the church is true. If it weren't true, people wouldn't devote their lives to arguing against it. There is no way to argue with a position like that. No matter how articulate, convincing, and/or aggressive opposition becomes, the faithful gather together in the sure knowledge that what they believe is true because there is so much loud evidence to the contrary.

Cougars don't cut corners

2009-03-22T15:47:00.001-07:00

From my time at UCF:

So, today I walked across the grass on campus with a smug sense of satisfaction. My building is right next to the parking garage, but the sidewalk does not cut a direct path; it kinda sneaks over at right angles instead of just making a diagonal beeline for my office (inconsiderate sidewalk builders). While I see other people cutting through the grass (and really, it's an aggrandizing stretch to call it such. Florida doesn't have grass; we have greenish weeds of various colors that make their hetrogenous way across open spaces, mostly covering the ground. Or in really ritzy areas, you have this astroturf looking stuff that feels... wrong... in some unfathomable, turning the world on its end way), I can't walk on the grass becauseI couldn't while I was at BYU. Each and every time I did--I think it was twice--I got the speech from one or more pedestrians that "cougars don't cut corners," --the cougar is the mascot-- referring, no doubt, to the fact that BYU is known for its moral code and general uprightness (as my friend pointed out today, however, cougars do in fact cut corners. Wildcats don't follow clearly designated walking areas). So, I felt a little naughty, like I was getting away with something, as I made my precarious way through the grass, avoiding things like small holes and squirrels. But it felt good. And I think I will do it again.

CTR part 2

2009-03-22T15:46:00.001-07:00

This choice is also inherent in the fact that you are a mormon at all. The church teaches that those who are here on earth chose to keep their first estate, that is, they chose before coming down to earth to follow god. And those who are members of the church are the ones who chose the most right in the pre-existence.

The T stands for the. While this might not seem like something I could spend my time analyzing—never underestimate my powers of over analysis!—it is actually the most important word in the whole initialism. In my first waitressing job, we had a whole hour and a half of training where we went over the restaurants mission statement. Our mission statement had something to do with good food and better service, but my manager spent the most time on the fact that we didn't want to be one of the best restaurants in the area; we wanted to be the best restaurant in the area. No namby-pambying around for us. The definite article in both my old job's mission statement and also the religious initialism designates both primacy and supremacy of that which follows. The church acknowledges no relativism. There is not any "everyone finds different paths to god" or "I don't believe like you do, but your life makes you happy and that is great." Oh no. The use of the definite article removes any wavering, any luffing. There is no other right. There is one right that works for each and every individual on the face of the planet. (Non members often comment on the uniformity—physical, psychological, spiritual—of members.) There is one baptism, one church, one method of worship. And that which is not the right is wrong.

The R stands for right. I could make a deviation here into the political right of both the church and its policies and practices, but I won't. Not only am I not politically inclined, but I think that may be a stretch, even for new historicism. The right is that which members of the church are striving for. And as I discussed earlier, there are not rights: there is one and only one right. That right makes it possible for all the girls in your class to set the same set of five goals for that week. That right makes it possible for everyone in every circumstance to be required to fulfill the same obligations. All must pass through the same portals, both in the mortal world and the world to come.

The predominance of this right also makes it unnecessary to explore, explain, or analyze either its limits or its alternatives. Members are neither encouraged nor permitted to intellectually explore the bounds of the right; the nature of the right is all-encompassing, and it therefore has no bounds. There is nothing outside the right of the church, so you are not to look. Anything that is said outside the right is wrong and is satan trying to deceive you.