Mormon Bloggers

photo by Ricardo Chahad The symbolism and powers of light and darkness are no coincidences. A 2010 study found that people were more likely to be dishonest in dim lighting or when wearing sunglasses than in bright lighting or when wearing clear glasses. I believe it is more than just a result of feeling unwatched or hidden. Darkness is not only the absence of physical light, but also the absence of spiritual light. Darkness is the devil’s domain, his prime time for work, which is why we associate all things evil with the dark: sinful places are barely lit; terrible crimes happen at night; criminals usually dress in dark, concealing clothing. I think that is why we are often more shocked and offended when something wicked occurs in “broad daylight.” The findings of this study should prompt us to evaluate our own behavior in darkness and to eliminate it if it affects us. If we find that we are just as likely to commit the sin in light, then we need to take even... Read the rest of this entry »

photo by Steve Goodwin Instead of posting all the responses I got, I decided to write a follow-up discussion answering some of the questions people asked. When reading the comments, I was extremely disappointed in the immaturity others displayed. There are appropriate and inappropriate ways to voice our opinions. Only a couple people shared their views with maturity. My favorite comment labeled my blog a “bigoted hate site.” Tell me if that doesn’t shout hypocrisy! We should all be respectful of other beliefs. I know most people disagree with me and that is fine. I do not expect them to convert to my way of thinking; I simply want them to understand my point of view. And I am willing to hear yours too if you do so respectfully. Thank you. Older or infertile couplesWe are all supposed to strive for marriage, yet for some it does not happen until later in life when childbearing years are far behind. Other couples may be infertile and not able to adopt. These situations... Read the rest of this entry »

photo by Matt Cook It is known news that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) contributed much to stop gay marriage from becoming legal in California. However, most people do not understand fully why we are against it. I will address common questions concerning Mormons and their opposition to gay marriage. Are Mormons against gay people?No. As the expression goes, we “hate the sin, not the sinner.” That creed applies to any person struggling with sin, not just gay people. What we disapprove of is the homosexual lifestyle. There are members of our Church who are homosexual yet as worthy as heterosexual members because they do not participate in that lifestyle. Elder Holland said, “Let me make it clear that attractions alone, troublesome as they may be, do not make one unworthy. The First Presidency has stated, ‘There is a distinction between immoral thoughts and feelings and participating in either immoral heterosexual or any homosexual... Read the rest of this entry »

The following I share, upon request, as a Sacrament talk offered in my current capacity as Second Counselor in the Stake Young Women’s Presidency. “You Can Make It.” When I was a teenager, the thought occurred to me, “What if my parents meant well in raising me as a member of the LDS Church, but what if they were wrong, and the whole thing is some kind of fairy tale? How will I know if it’s true, and if it is, how am I doing?” Dallin H. Oaks spoke about the difference between testimony and conversion, “Testimony is to know and to feel; conversion is to know and to become.” As w/ most members of the church, my conversion process began in the manner described by Alma: 26-27. The answer to my question, “Is this the true Church?”, has distilled as it did for Peter: Matt. 16:17 “For flesh and blood hath not brevealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” As I have “proved” the Lord, my confidence in its truthfulness... Read the rest of this entry »

    God Is Your Loving Heavenly Father God is your Father in Heaven. He knows you personally and loves you more than you can comprehend. He wants you to be happy in this life and in eternity. To accomplish this purpose, Heavenly Father provided a plan called the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ [...]  Read More →

In various work environments have established safety policies and procedures. In my former place of employment, an employee had to be cognizant of his/her surrounding areas. If something went wrong, there are specific Lock Out Tag and Try procedures that must be performed in order to safely work on the machine, remove any fiberboard that [...]  Read More →

Introduction Westboro Baptist Church is at the center of another controversy. This time, it is over the tragic shooting that occurred in Tucson, Arizona. Why the notoriety of this particular group of people? They have been known to picket funerals – including Gordon B. Hinckley’s funeral. Many people are up in arms over the tactics and methodology [...]  Read More →

Be forewarned: This essay contains references to masturbation and other sexual acts.  Once again by assignment, I examine the social impact of a controversial book first published over forty years ago, at the height of the sexual revolution.  I’ve noticed a trend among most of the short stories and books that we have considered this year in our American Literature classes: many of them contain material that would be considered to be shocking or offensive to more conservative readers.  Portnoy’s Complaint is no exception.  In fact, if Ginsberg hadn’t broken the indecency barrier with his poem Howl a decade earlier, I am certain that Philip Roth would have been charged with breaking some sort of obscenity law.  As it was, attempts were made to prohibit the distribution of the book in some countries and many U.S. libraries banned the book as too vulgar.  Of course that was in 1969.  Today it is considered an American classic. I would like to address in this essay just what it... Read the rest of this entry »

Food . . . we can’t live without it, but many times I think we wish that it wouldn’t taste so good or look quite so appetizing.  I know that for me I have always enjoyed eating a good meal.  And as I was reviewing Elder Jairo Mazzagardi’s talk from this past General Conference, I kept thinking about food and how it can totally apply to the idea that Elder Mazzagardi discusses.  His talk is entitled “Avoiding the Trap of Sin,” and he says, “We must be alert because small choices can bring great consequences, just as going to bed early and waking up early have great consequences.  Doctrine teaches us, “Arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated.” Those who go to bed early wake up rested, with the body and mind invigorated and blessed by the Lord because of obedience.”  He clearly illustrates how little things can make a huge difference in our lives each day, and to me, this ties perfectly into our eating habits and food... Read the rest of this entry »

To continue on with my posts about the talks from this past, most recent General Conference, I have chosen another talk to continue to apply to myself, and I hope that you will all be able to get something out of it as well!  The talk that I have chosen today to reflect on is by Elder Patrick Kearon from the Priesthood Session of General Conference.  I got to hear this talk in person since I had the chance to go and sing in a choir from the MTC for this session, and it was also an amazing experience to be there and sing as well as listen to the talks of men called by God in person.  If you would like to read more about this experience, just take a look at High School Musical 4: Prophets and Apostles! Elder Kearon’s main message was about how we will make mistakes throughout our lives, but we can always be cleansed and become pure through the sacrifice of our Savior Jesus Christ.  He started off by telling a story about one time when he was young, and he didn’t... Read the rest of this entry »

Once every four years (sometimes more often when we talk about Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail, see D&C 121, 122, 123), the story of Job is bashed about in Gospel Doctrine class.  For us it happened again today. I’m not sure why it is, perhaps it’s just a Mormon thing, but whenever Job’s name comes up the great debate begins again — was Job a real guy?  Did God and Satan really have a conversation about him?  Or was the book of Job a metaphor?  I’m not certain it matters to anyone, but I believe we’ll see Job again in the spirit world someday.  There, I just settled it. The book is a real problem for a lot of people on many different levels.  Books have been written, symposia have been held, articles have been authored, and each attempts to resolve this “great and holy mystery” without success.  The debate was enjoined and renewed again today. There are a host of “problems” associated... Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve noticed from personal observation that gay couples tend to be happier on average than heterosexual couples and single people.  I’m sure I could do some research to see if this observation is borne out in the research.  For the moment, let me presume the positive correlation exists.  Could the elevated happiness be due to the liberation that comes from rebelling openly against the social norm of heterosexual orientation?  Is there a hit that comes from being openly authentic?  Do smokers get a similar hit for the same reason? (tangent- it seems LGBT folks smoke much more than the general population) We’re all deeply flawed.  “For all have asinned, and come short of the glory of God.”  Though everyone sins, and probably in quantity*severity that collectively fits a normal distribution curve, not all sins are equally hideable.  For instance, pornography, lying, and fraud are easier to cover than homosexual behavior,... Read the rest of this entry »