Mormon Bloggers

1. It would have been ineffective. The six to seven million American Saints are simply too few to have any significant effect on a network or its advertisers. Unless your target is a convenience store in Toelle, an LDS boycott is not going to count for much.
2. Boycotts would make us look like the kind of right-wing Christians who are seen as irrational by the general society–and who would be the first to send each Saint to the stake for ‘heresy’ if they could. These people are not our friends. They are seen as extreme in American society. We should not do things that make us look like them.

The LDS Response Should Take the Form of Education

Several media critics, viewing advance screenings of ‘Outer Darkness,’ wondered what all the fuss was about, stating that they did not see what there was in the Temple ceremonies that was worth keeping secret. Essentially, they–and the general audience–did not get it. This works in our favor, by creating an opportunity for the Saints to educate our non-LDS neighbors in several ways:

• First, we can explain the meaning of the temple ceremonies, in general terms, as the promise of eternal life, and the preservation of the family unit in the eternities. These are new concepts for most people; it may make sense to them that such blessings–unprecedented in their own experience–should involve ceremonies that are extraordinarily sacred, too sacred for casual depiction.
• Second, we can explain, again in general terms, the spiritual significance of aspects of the temple that may strike the public as unusual. Temple clothing is akin to the clothing worn by the clergy of the world on special occasions (as many Christian clergy wear special Easter vestments); we reserve our special vestments for the temple, a special place, rather than for a special time on the calendar.
• Similarly, if the matter arises, we can explain in general terms that we do not have ‘secret handshakes’ of identification such as are found in various fraternal organizations. Rather, we do have symbols of the covenants mentioned above, in which we pledge ourselves to the highest standards of behavior. We keep these symbols confidential because they are sacred, not because we have scary secrets to keep from the world.
• Third, continuing in this vein, we can explain that the temple ceremonies do not contain “secrets” as the public understands this term. We have no special knowledge to keep from the world, nothing about the location of Atlantis or the Holy Grail. Rather, we reserve our ceremonies for those who are spiritually ready to participate in them, to accentuate the sanctity of the occasion.

Let’s be ready, the next time around.

I was recently approached by my Ward to do a couple of paintings to hang in the Young Women room. We settled on the Provo Temple because it is our district temple and the Salt Lake Temple because it is on all of the Young Women literature. I also felt that because the paintings were for the Young Women that they should also include all of the value colors.
As a result from doing these paintings I have had several requests for prints. Which will soon be available in the next day or two, both fine art paper and canvas. I have found a place online that will do prints on demand, framing and ship to anywhere in the world. Also as a result the gallery owner that represents my original paintings, Rive Gauche Gallery, www.rivegauchegalleries.com, now would like me to paint 5 Temple paintings for him. Which I am now working on. The 5 I have chosen to do are the first 5 temples, Kirtland, Nauvoo, St. George, Manti and Salt Lake. Yes another Salt Lake Temple (the 3rd one so far). I’m going to paint the paintings less architecturally accurate and more emotionally and spiritually charged. The first 2 I am currently working on are the Salt Lake Temple (the canvas is 30 inches by 40 inches) and will be titled “Mountain of the Lord” and the Nauvoo Temple (the canvas is 48 inches by 60 inches) and will be titled “The Phoenix”.

A great idea is to save your liquid laundry soap containers. When they are empty (or nearly so) fill with water and then label them as “soapy water”.

Store for a future emergency when water pipes burst and you need to wash your hands etc.
Or — take them camping if you’d like.

This is a simple way to adhere to the old pioneer adage:
Use it up
Wear it out
Make it do
or Do Without!

On Sunday we had a combined meeting with the men and women (usually we split up into separate classes the third hour) to discuss preparedness, from food and water storage to financial preparedness.

I especially enjoyed the man who spoke on finances and the humorous way he presented it, also adding that his segment wasn’t a discussion, but a lecture due to time.  The way he said it was funny, but to the point.  He pointed out the many ways we justify spending money on what we really can’t afford such as:

• This vacation will bring our family closer together.
• If we buy this game console, we can play Guitar Hero and it will make our family closer.
• Our grade school children might need to contact us any minute of the day, so let’s get them a cell phone.
• If people see that I have a big house, snow mobiles, jet skis, etc., they will think I am a good example.

A friend of mine, she gave specific examples about saving money on food and storing food.  She said for items she’ll probably never use, but has just in case, she hides those way under her kids’ bunk beds.  You can’t see it and it’s behind the drawers underneath where all that unused space is.  But what I appreciated most was that she named specific places to save money without needing a membership to Costco.  I just renewed ours, but sometimes I wonder if it’s really saving us money.  I can see how it would save for a lot of things, but they don’t have sales on staple items like flour and sugar whereas Cash and Carry does.  But the trick is, you have to go there to see what’s on sale for the month.  I’ll definitely have to check it out.  She said they’re having a sale on chicken for about $1.49 per pound.  It’s a 40 pound bag though, so that makes it a little more complicated, but you could split it with a friend (or three).  That is an awesome deal. 

It was emphasized again how we need to have savings, live within our means, and if we can’t afford our rent, move.  If we can’t afford our house, sell it.  If we can’t afford our car payment, sell it.  If you have to have debt, it should be very limited such as having a mortgage, but you still have to do what you can afford.  With schooling, you have to use a lot of caution too.  He suggested we save cash for cars.

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule and everyone’s situation is different, but for the majority, you can find a way to reduce expenses.  We are the exception when it comes to being a one car family.  My husband is in construction and is required to drive a truck around and it’s absolutely necessary that I have transportation during the day.  But we are trying to change our situation so we won’t have to pay for gas anymore with the position my husband is applying for.

We need to have food storage for emergencies and we’re not talking doomsday, but for riding out unemployment, guarding against inflation, and during natural disasters that could make transportation difficult.  We’ve had some instances recently with floods and certain items disappeared when truckers weren’t able to get through due to floods in one area and avalanches on the passes.  There wasn’t a way to deliver to a lot of areas anymore, which luckily passed within a week, but think if something more long-term happened. 

Another practical solution my friend offered was hiding water or some food storage behind the couch.  Just pull it out a little bit from the wall and no one would know it’s back there.  It’s great what we can all come up with when we put our heads together.

Has someone ever recommended a book to you? Did it make any difference who recommended it? Did the recommendation influence your feelings toward the book? Ponder the following recommendation given the writings of Isaiah: “And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah.” (3 Nephi 23:1). This instruction was given by the Savior to the Nephites, but the commandment to “search these things diligently” forms a challenge that continues for us today. Isaiah had a wide perspective of God’s workings with His children. He understood the power and principles of the Zion society and saw their application for his day and for the future. While strengthening the spiritual of his own day, he prophesied of the establishment of Zion for those who would be called to carry it out. The first part of his writings contains many references to this great event.
The book of Isaiah is a compilation of the prophet’s writings, possibly even an abridgment of some of his work. Chapters 1 through 39 deal with the ministry of Isaiah, and chapters 40 through 66 with his visions and revelations of the future. Chronological order is not always adhered to; therefore each chapter should be examined carefully within its own historical context.

NOTES AND COMMENTARY ON ISAIAH 1–12(part 1)

Isaiah 1:1. “The Vision of Isaiah”

Great prophetic insight to the problems of the world in which he lived and into the challenges of the future came about through the revelation (“vision”) the prophet Isaiah received. The kings, the times of these kings and their people, and the prophet Isaiah’s labor with them are discussed in Enrichment F.

Isaiah 1:1–9. Rebellion against the Lord

“Israel’s rebellion is evidence of the highest degree of sin” (Sidney B. Sperry, The Spirit of the Old Testament, p. 175). Jehovah had nourished and brought them up as children (in Egypt and the wilderness), and now in their adulthood (in the promised land) they had turned against the Lord. Their affliction is like wounds or sores that have not healed. The totality of their rebellion is illustrated by the references to head and heart, to the whole person from foot to head. In other words, the spiritual cancer had infested the whole body of Israel. Little spiritual health was left in the nation. That was why the land would be left utterly desolate.

Isaiah 1:4. “Holy One of Israel”

This sacred title of the Savior appears about thirty times in the writings of Isaiah but only twice in Jeremiah, once in Ezekiel, and three times in Psalms. It is not used elsewhere in the Old Testament, except in 2 Kings 19:22, which is Isaiah speaking. The Book of Mormon prophets Lehi, Nephi, and Jacob used this expression thirty-nine times, only four of which are passages from Isaiah.

Isaiah 1:8. What Is a “Cottage in a Vineyard”?

When the vineyard and the cucumber crops were ready to harvest, small booths, or huts, were built in the fields so the owner or his servants could watch over the harvest and protect it from thieves or animals. These huts were generally crudely made and hastily erected. After the harvest, they were abandoned and quickly became dilapidated and forlorn relics of the harvest. Jerusalem was to be like that—once proud and useful, but now, through her own spiritual neglect, an empty and forlorn relic. (See Edward J. Young, The Book of Isaiah, 1:55–56.)

Isaiah 1:9. “Left unto Us a Very Small Remnant”

The prophetic declaration promises the preservation of the lineage of Judah for future time. Paul cited this passage in this same context (see Romans 9:29; Isaiah 10:22).

Isaiah 1:10–15. The Hypocrisy of Insincere Worship

These verses do not mean that the Lord rejected the law of Moses, particularly the performances and ordinances of the law. The condemnation here is of the hypocritical fulfillment of the Mosaic offerings and feasts. Israel misused these religious activities because they fulfilled only the outward requirements and did not worship with full purpose of heart, turning their worship toward the Savior. (See Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 58–59; Young, Book of Isaiah, 1:61–62). To refer to the people of Israel as Sodom and Gomorrah (v. 10) vividly depicts how deeply the people had sunk into sin and depravity.

Isaiah 1:16–20. Call to Repentance, Promise of Forgiveness

In the midst of a scathing denunciation of the house of Israel, the Lord reminded them that they could be saved as a nation if they would truly repent. This scripture is often used to encourage individuals to repent and seek forgiveness, but it was originally given to a nation, not a person. President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote:
“This is not an individual promise, but one to a rebellious nation. No matter how many prophets the Lord sent to Israel and Judah, and how many times he pleaded with them, all through their history they were rebellious.
“Here we find a promise that if they would return to the Lord, their past sins would be forgotten, and he would again receive them as his people and bless them abundantly, and they should continue to be his covenant people.” (Answers to Gospel Questions, 2:180.)
Nephi, however, said that he took the words of Isaiah and “did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning” (1 Nephi 19:23). Certainly this beautiful promise, though originally given to Israel as a nation, can be “likened” to individuals. Elder Charles W. Penrose applied Isaiah’s promise from the Lord to all who meet certain requirements: “Now here is the pattern: Those who believe and repent must be taken down into the water and be buried from their old lives, must put off the old man with his deeds, must be buried in the likeness of Christ’s burial and raised up again in the likeness of Christ’s resurrection. Then, when they come forth from the water, if they have believed, repented, and been baptized by a man sent of God to baptize—then, ‘though their sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.’ They are cleansed, they come forth to a new birth, they are born of the water, and every time they partake of the holy sacrament they witness to God that they will continue in his ways, and walk in his paths, that they have put on Christ, and that they will remember him to keep his commandments in all things. Now when people are thus properly cleansed, and purified and made white, like unto newborn babes on entering into the world, without blemish or spot, then their tabernacles are fit to receive the Holy Ghost.” (In Journal of Discourses, 22:91.)
President Joseph Fielding Smith suggested that the washing mentioned in verse 16 could be baptism (see Answers to Gospel Questions, 1:51). From the Book of Mormon it is known that Isaiah taught baptism at least one other time (see 1 Nephi 20:1).

Isaiah 1:19–20. A Blessing or a Curse

This same conditional promise and warning was given to the Saints of the latter days (see D&C 64:34–35).

To be continued…

(from CES Old Testament manual)

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In the quest to Simplify Our Lives we each try to let go of non-essentials and hold fast to those things which matter most.

This short and powerful Video Clip by Prophets and Apostles — reminds us why we are to “set aside the things of this world and seek for the things of a better.”

I love these great men. They are ‘see-ers’ who know what is ahead as they have been given the gifts of prophecy and of revelation. Their mission is to warn and forewarn. We cannot, in the end, say that we did not know.

As I study the signs of the times, the prophecies of the last days, the Constitution of our Land, the Holy Words of God, I am reminded again and again how much He loves his children and desires to bless them. His only request is for us to come unto Him, to obey His commands, and to do the things that He has asked us to do. In this way He is bound by eternal laws – to bless and strengthen us. He would really like to be able to do that.

Any sacrifices that we must make in order to follow His ways — will be worth it in the end. This I know of myself – independant of any other person.

Watch this short and powerful video clip from Prophets which teach us to prepare for the days ahead.

We have been warned and forewarned.
The Lord desires to bless us but can do so only if we are obedient to His instructions.

As I ponder and study about the times ahead (some of which we are already in) I am grateful for the peace which has come by way of the Holy Spirit and from my own personal preparations.

“If we are prepared, we need not fear”.
But…we need to be prepared!!!

Here’s hoping that we are all doing so!!!

Last Saturday, I went to the Young Women’s session of General Conference. In case you don’t already know what Young Women’s is, it’s a program for girls in the Church who are ages 12-17. I had fun going to the Young Women’s Conference this year. First, we met at the church. Then we drove up to the conference center. The conference center is a large building that has a huge room where Thomas S. Monson speaks, and about 20,000 people could sit and watch it happening live. I felt excited and honored about getting to go. Other people who can’t go to the conference center itself could watch it on TV.

This was my first time watching General Conference actually inside the building. I was sure not to lose my seating ticket. We were in the balcony, and it was sort of hard to see the speakers’ faces if it wasn’t for the two giant screens showing what the cameras were picking up. I think that they have those so that everybody could see the speaker.

The talks were mainly on virtue. I feel that virtue is as important as faith. Without virtue, then I believe that the whole world would be in an absolute disaster. Hearing the talks helped me make a high goal to try to be virtuous and to get married in the temple. I want to get married in the temple so that my future husband and I could be sealed not only for a lifetime but forever and ever. I’m going to be extra careful to choose the right guy (or Mr. Right) and my future husband should also be virtuous in order to be sealed together. Unless you are virtuous, you can’t get sealed in the temple.

Then the prophet spoke. It was thrilling, and at the same time, I was thinking, “Could it be true that I’m hearing the prophet speak?” but I bear my testimony that Thomas S. Monson is the Latter-day Saint prophet today.

I have several favorite parts about going up. Hearing the speakers, hanging around with my friends all the way up and all the way down (but not inside the building, because it would disturb the others trying to listen to the speakers) though we were able to communicate before and after the meeting officially got started and finished.

I bear my testimony that I know this Church is true, and if we all try our very best to be virtuous, we will have blessed lives.

(This picture shows my Young Women’s president, my teacher, and me.)

On Sunday we had an excellent lesson on hope based on a talk by Elder Uchtdorf.  What I learned from that talk is that hope isn’t just a feeling but action too.  He talked about a time at a train station where his mom lost track of him and his siblings, causing them to risk being separated.  Rather than falling apart, she ran all over the station looking for them and was successful.

We talked about how useless it is to fall into despair.  I shared the story of how my husband’s bag of expensive tools fell out of his truck and he came home looking ill.  In his mind, there was no way he would get them back and his first instinct was to call the insurance company and see if he would cover them.  He was sure someone dishonest would find them and sell them. 

I told him, “You don’t know that.  There is also the possibility that a good person found them and even if it is someone dishonest, they can change their mind.”  I immediately put out an ad online about the lost tools and remembered the police station has a lost and found department.  At that point, they were closed, but we weren’t going to sit and do nothing.  I actually thought back to that talk during that moment.

I told the kids we were going to look for Dad’s tools for Family Home Evening, first starting with a prayer.  I had our youngest son pray that whoever found the tools would take them to the police station.  After that, we retraced my husband’s steps with no luck, but the following morning I called the police station and sure enough, someone had just turned them in.

The cops were grateful because they didn’t even have to process the paperwork due to my prompt call.  I was grateful for this opportunity to show my kids how important it is to hope and to have faith, also showing them the power of prayer.  I don’t know if this wonderful man would have taken it to the police anyway, but I thought it was pretty cool that we knew where to look and he knew where to drop the bag off. 

Later I wrote to our local newspaper to ask them to do a story on what a great thing he did for us because it was Thanksgiving time and I thought it would be appropriate.  Instead, they printed my letter, after which the police called and gave me his contact info after he saw the letter too.  I was able to thank the man who knew that this bag of tools was our livelihood.

Now my husband is losing hope of getting this fantastic job he wants and I reminded him of that story.  It’s been quite the wait hearing about a second interview, but the county is known for taking a long time to hire people.  I’m choosing to hope.  I do believe it is a choice.

Say what you will about housework (which is a necessary evil, in my book), but it does free the brain to roam.  Here’s my latest thought–and probably over-stating the obvious, but:

In my very first blog post, I remember I was thinking about “how good do I need to be” to make it to everlasting life, to live with our Father in heaven… I eventually came to the realization that it is our task here on earth to be as good as we can possibly be.

This past Friday, I learned what can happen when my brethren fail to follow that principle…

I knew I would have a conversation with my parents about my conversion to the Mormon Church. I had mixed feelings about the conversation – I knew I needed to have it for a variety of reasons, but I also knew how strong their feelings were on the matter. I had read much of the Book of Mormon, and had sought out much more information beyond that, both in the Church and on the Internet, through the use of Google. I thought I was pretty well prepared to answer questions that they might have.

As it turns out, the most compelling arguments my parents had against the religion were ones for which I had no defense. These primarily concerned my parents’ own experiences interacting with Mormons. I have apparently been very fortunate in the majority of Mormons I have encountered in my adult life. A surprising number of my friends are Mormon (and I certainly didn’t seek out Mormons as friends – I just enjoy being around good, wholesome people). My Mormon friends have always treated me with respect and I have seen great virtue in their actions and the way they have treated others.

My parents, on the other hand, have seen an entirely different picture. And they seemingly haven’t met ANY “good” Mormons.

Stories I heard ranged from the distant past, when my sister was young and babysitting. She had been babysitting for a family for some months when one day they asked her “What ward are you in?”. She asked what a ward was. That was the last babysitting job she had from them. Clearly, these people had trusted my sister enough to have hired her many times over many months. Why then, would they apparently stop hiring her based on nothing more than her not being Mormon? I told my parents that I didn’t think this was right, that the Church teaches us to treat others how we ourselves would want to be treated. I explained that I had seen NOTHING that indicated that we should seek out only those individuals in the Church for our goods and services. The fact is, however, nothing I could say would prevent my parents’ having seen how this one Mormon family had treated my sister.

My Father told me of people at his work that had hired someone because they were Mormon, even though they were not qualified to do the work, and even though others that WERE qualified, had applied. Again, there was nothing I could say or do to prevent this experience in my Father’s life. It went against everything I have learned in my reading of the scripture, but yet, a fellow brother in the Church apparently did this and my Father witnessed it.

My parents told me of businesses that had apparently been completely boycotted by Mormon people. These were apparently thriving businesses that had done well until it was discovered that the owners were not Mormon. Supposedly, the Church then requested that its’ membership no longer go to those businesses. Again, this seemed completely counter to everything I had read in scripture and that I had seen from my own Mormon friends. No matter what I said, I could not erase or fix these experiences in my parents’ lives.

My parents explained that they were confused as to how I could be seeing such a vastly different experience in the Mormon Church than they had seen of its membership. They asked if I had experienced good in the Church, why was it that they had not seen any.

To these questions, there are no true answers. I explained to them that not everyone in an organization follows the precepts of it. They knew the truth of this, even from their own Catholic Church. But that doesn’t change the apparent fact that their experience with every Mormon they have encountered has been a bad one.

The best solution to this problem that I can see is for me to live as close to Jesus teachings as I can. I need to be the example of the Church that my parents haven’t ever seen. I pray that they will encounter others in the Church that are also good people, but I have no direct control over that. I intend to bring them to Church functions when I can, but they are inherently cynical and will judge those people as being on their best behavior.

I cannot fault my parents for being judgemental of the actions of our Church’s membership during the week (ie, not on Sunday). How better to know what people believe than to see how they act when they think no one is looking?

We must all remember that whether we think anyone is looking or not, we walk with Jesus always. He sees everything we do, he sees how we treat every soul we encounter, he knows our every thought. We owe it to ourselves to be honest in our actions – to do that which we know in our hearts is right.

If we treat others, Mormon or not, with kindness, we treat Jesus with kindness. We are ALL brothers and sisters, Mormon or not.

If we treat non Mormon people negatively, we treat Jesus negatively.

And… we reap what we sow.