Airports

So it's been a while since I last posted. OK, a long while. But I thought I would start it up again by illustrating some of my observations while flying this past summer:

1. It's "lavatory" not "laboratory". Yeah, I just found out too.
2. Why do the EXIT lights obnoxiously glow while you're in the air?
3. How come the flight attendants get to walk around right now? I know if there is turbulence I can balance better then that woman in the skirt.
4. I swear I heard the dog from UP when being warned to "watch my step" on the giant treadmill thingy.
5. Conversations with those Bluetooth headsets are very entertaining. People think they are magically thrown into the Room of Requirement when they pop those things in their ears. Unbridled laughter and even hand movements like they're giving a speech are all part of the beautiful scene. How are we ever going to know who is crazy now?
6. What's a male stewardess called? "Stewart"? "Stewartor"? "Stewarton"?
7. Turn to your left and stare at your neighbor. See what happens. You're breaking about 10 social norms.
8. Someone brought a goose on a plane for "moral support". What would you do if a goose head popped out under the seat in front of you and began to quack proudly at your feet?
9. You know how sometimes you forget the day you fly out and you come a day later so you need to buy a new ticket because the old one was nonrefundable. Ya ... uh ... neither do I. That would be pretty dumb, wouldn't it. uhh... haha....
10. How many times have you looked through the SkyMall Magazine and been tempted to purchase the Harry Potter wand or Anduril, the sward of Aragorn?

Modern Day Prophets

"Come listen to a prophets voice, and hear the word of God." These powerful words from a hymn invoke deep feelings of gratitude and amazement. Twice a year, the leaders of our church address the world in our General Conference. This weekend marks the 179th semi-annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I firmly believe that God has blessed us with a living prophet in the same sense that Moses, or Isaiah was a prophet. We have Apostles and even Seventies again on the earth. The priesthood, or power and authority to act in God's name, is back on the earth.

Think of that for a moment! If what we believe is true, would you not be curious of their message?

I am so grateful that the heavens are again opened. True, God has always aswered the heart-felt prayers of His children; but, the mantel of priesthood authority to govern the organization of Christ's church has not been found on the earth since the first or second centuries.

What do these prophets and apostles say to us today? The current prophet, Thomas S. Monson, just spoke on the path that brings unconditional peace in this world and everlasting happiness in the world to come. His recipe is rather simple: study the scriptures (the word of God) daily and to pray to God fervently. I know that this guidance yields fruit.

To view or read more of God's word please visit: http://lds.org/broadcast/gc/0,5161,8584,00.html

The Peace of The Temple

As I hugged my good friend in the Celestial Room of the Salt Lake Temple after receiving his endowment, I was filled with the deepest sense of peace and gratitude. We were in--I firmly believe--the house of the Lord. Every corner, hallway, ritual, and room of that building draws a visitor closer to the true owner of the building.

Our temples are edifices that naturally cause our hearts and minds to transcend the temporary things of this world. I can go to the temple and be taught pure truth, feel nearer to my Heavenly Father, and receive guidance in my life. I love attending the temple.

The temples in our LDS culture stem from ancient traditions of God's people. We believe even Adam and Eve worshiped the Lord in similar ways as we do today: "And he [God] gave unto them [Adam and Eve] commandments, that they should worship the Lord their God, and should offer the firstlings of their flocks, for an offering unto the Lord" (Moses 5:5) Moses and the children of Israel, obviously practiced temple worship within the famous traveling tabernacle of the time. Later Solomon's temple provided the same temple worship. Though we do not perform sacrifices as did our predecessors, because Christ's sacrifice was the "great and last sacrifice, and then shall there be, or it is expedient there should be, a stop to the shedding of blood; then shall the law of Moses be fulfilled" (Alma 34:13).

We go to the temple to worship the Creator of All Things and to learn how to become more like our Savior and our Father in Heaven.

During His earthly ministry the Savior would often teach in parables using metaphors familiar to his audience. He would use analogies to enable the honest-of-heart listener the ability to understand the core concepts of his teachings while protecting the insincere from being accountable for these deeper meanings.

One of my favorite parables He gave was that of the good shepherd. In it he teaches us the difference between a shepherd and a hireling. "I am the good shepherd" the Savior says, "the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd," he continues, "whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep." (John 10:11-12)

What was the Savior teaching us here? Well to answer that we need to look into the motive of both parties. The shepherd is driven by His pure love. His love is blind, endless, patient, hopeful, and faithful. His love is not contingent upon the immediate circumstances the sheep or he are in. Nothing, including approaching wolves, will change his converging love for the sheep. However, the hireling's commitment to the sheep was menial. His impetus for watching the sheep was all selfishness, whether it was for money, possessions, or even for a returned favor. His love has no roots; therefore, he "leaveth the sheep, and fleeth."

One of the principles we can glean from the parable is how to found lasting relationships. With friends, family or our romantic partner, we can and need to be like the Good Shepherd and not like the hireling. So many friendships and marriages unfortunately shatter. Children grow up almost expecting to go through more than one marriage. Siblings all over the world don't speak to each other. Though I don't claim to understand the complexities and pains of those that struggle with these issues, I do have a testimony that if we turn to the Savior and become more like him we can mend and progress every relationship.

The Sacred Rule of Law

Do we have any respect for rules anymore? What is law or order or integrity to our society? I fear when faced with the answers to these questions. As the product of the parents who grew up in a whatever-goes era, my fellow Generation Y has been instilled with a very diluted sense of these vital ingredients to a healthy civilization.

In a nation where most children grow up without a stay-at-home mom, and where the parents don't really parent their children, how could there be any order in the next line on the pedigree chart? How many parents have lowered their standard of morality to the point of helplessly discussing forms of safe sexual intercourse instead of abstinence? Sometimes I think the very first word most of my generation learned was "NO!" and--in the fear of getting slapped with the flabby arm of P.C.--their parents didn't discipline their children.

Will it get better? I think that conclusion is completely contingent upon us, the rising generation. If we don't teach our children truth and have a sense of order and law in our homes, the failure in the failure/success ledger will lean overwhelmingly left in not too many years.

Abraham Lincoln vehemently warned against the ills of mobocracy, the disregard of the rule of law. An immanent fall of a civilization follows the desecration of the rule of law by it's populace. For proof of this process I turn you to the Bible and all of its examples, to Rome, to France, to Germany and a myriad of other examples.

We must sustain the rule of law and infuse this unshakable belief to future generations. I have an optimistic outlook on the good faith of my peers to carry out this vital effort.

Specializing Our Time

One of my favorite pastimes is painting. I have noticed that my best works have been the product of focus and purpose of the selected colors individually and separately. When I tried to mix too many colors together, a drab gray would result. Too many times I would have to throw away the entire batch of paint because of a horrible homogenization.

In connection with the Lord’s counsel to “seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom” (D&C 88:118), I have tried to embrace the teachings of Adam Smith’s revolutionary book, A Wealth of Nations. Just like painting, Smith taught that people, communities, or even nations should focus on a task (a paint color): specialize. As each person correctly specializes in a specific product, service, or activity (paint color), the individuals and community as a whole (the entire painting) is far better off than without specializing. In interest of your and my time, I will avoid delving into the mathematical “economiracle” that proves this theory. For that evidence I will appeal to Smith’s A Wealth of Nations.

Too often we find ourselves running around like a chicken with our heads cut off. Why; because we try to accomplish too many different things at the same time. Let me explain. How many times do you sit down on the couch trying to finish your homework while your friends are chatting about you? Amidst the half-hearted effort to stay focused, your friends begin IMing you on both Facebook and Gmail. To add to the cacophony, your roommates begin a conversation with you. Does this sound familiar at all? And do you get anything accomplished during those times?

I would guess that most of us desire better time management skills. I believe Smith's principle of specializing can solve this prevalent dilemma.How? It’s simple. If you're a student, ask yourself which hours you can most effectively study. Naturally you should exclusively focus on studying during those hours. Then split up the time you spend with friends, the time you use emailing people, and anything else on your plate. If we avoid mixing our activities and instead segregate our endeavors, we will be able to be more effective and efficient in all of our pursuits. A wise man once told me, "Give 100% to whatever you are doing during the day." I think these principles of Smith can help us find more piece and success in our lives.

You Are What You Hear

Yesterday I had an interesting experience while doing my homework. I decided to listen to some music from Pandora.com while tackling my assignments in an attempt to arouse my dwindling faculties on a “Friday Eve”. The music was not inappropriate by any means, but it also wasn’t uplifting or edifying either. I found myself getting irritated while my mind seemed to connect with idle or even negative thoughts.

The old saying, “you are what you eat”, I believe, has parallel implications to that which we hear. As illustrated in this picture of a baby listening to music with sad overtones (from a study performed by BYU), one cannot deny the direct affects of the music a person chooses to hear and their soul (http://byunews.byu.edu/archive08-Oct-babymusic.aspx).

Music is much more than mindless noise. Music is physical, emotional, and mental. Music is energy—a vibration—which glides through the air until it plucks the eardrum, translating the movement into music. Good music seems to physically massage, mentally inspire, and emotionally caress. It’s as if light is infused into the spine when uplifting music is ingested.

The Lord even said, “For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me” (D&C 25:12) If one who is perfect extols good music, should not we all embrace it?

While typing this blog I performed an experiment. Initially, I had on mainstream pop music. I was easily distracted, unmotivated to finish this blog, and very slow to progress in this assignment. However, after switching to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart my experience was completely different. My mind felt quicker, deeper, more efficient, and I was at ease. I submit this dichotomy can be seen with most people.

Now, as a disclaimer, let me say that I believe there are many times that fast, clean, exciting music is merited and even helpful in life. For example, while working out, “bumping” Bach probably wouldn’t get the blood pumping. As said by King Solomon, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

Why Are You So Happy?

Many critiques of my faith assert that we must breath different air than the rest of the world, as we seem to be so happy all the time. Indeed, the bastian of the LDS community, Provo, UT, is coined as "Happy Valley". Why is this so? How can we be so happy?

May I first explain that our espoused faith does not create a miraculous antidote to all unpleasant events or even tragedies. In fact, the ongoing principle of our faith is to "endure to the end". If life was easy while living our faith, why would we be counseled to "endure". I think the difference from a life of faith and one without it is the vision of what lies around the corner.

We believe as Paul that "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." (1 Corinthians 2:9).

I marvel at marathon runners who can seem to get themselves to run for literally hours each week to train for their competition. For the longest time I couldn't understand them. How can they go through that torture and why on earth do they seem to enjoy it? "Are they all masochists" I would question. However, after starting training for a triathlon, I have been able to understand their impetus for being so physically active. The answer is hope: a vision of the future that, through great effort, will be realized. If you can retain constructive thoughts of finishing a marathon and the glory that it will bring, then wouldn't you be motivated to run every day?

Now translate that to something much, much, (really, infinitely) bigger. Jesus Christ promises us the "Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him" (D&C 84:38) if we follow his commandments. For eternity! We can know that "that same sociality which exits among us here with exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory, which glory we do not now enjoy" (D&C 130:2). Wouldn't you be happy if you realized that by simply doing your best to follow the Savior you could have these blessings?

I have a certain knowledge that through obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ we can be endowed with boundless blessings in this life and literally unfathomable gifts in the life to come. What is there not to be happy about?

Not The Fulness at First

I think that many misconstrue the principal that Christ taught concerning perfection. Too often we look like this lady to the left. To be perfect, as the Lord commands us, can seem overwhelming at best. The impetus for this post is to unveil the truth of His directive (to become perfect), especially to my fellow harsh self-critics.

First, if we are to become perfect, we should naturally be interested in observing the road of one who has reached perfection: Christ. Luckily, Joseph Smith received a powerful revelation concerning the progression of the Savior. Doctrine & Covenants Section 93 teaches "And he received not of the fullness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until he received a fullness; And thus he was called the Son of God, because he received not of the fullness at the first." (D&C 93:13-14)

The Lord learned "line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little" (2 Nephi 28:30) until he reached the fullness of knowledge, light, and truth. I find it interesting that in the New Testament, Christ gave the directive to "be ye therefore perfect even as my Father which is in heaven is perfect "(Matthew 5:48). In contrast, as the Savior visited his followers on this continent he said, "therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I or your Father who is in heaven is perfect." (3 Nephi 12:48)

He did not add himself to the equation of perfection until after his resurrection, after mortality. Though Christ never sinned, not even once, he did not reach "the fullness" of light and truth in this life. The point is, even with a flawless track record, we will not reach the fullness of perfect in mortality. Spelling out this principle is not an attempt to induce mediocrity or a sort of asceticism but to increase hope and bring perspective to the loving commandment to become perfect. Stop and ponder how much the Savior loves, trusts and sees in you if he gives us such a commandment.

True Principle

This semester I decided to follow the counsel of what I consider to be scripture. On December 27, 1832, Joseph Smith received a revelation from God. Joseph was in Kirtland, Ohio when he received what is known as Doctrine & Covenants Section 88. The 124th verse reads, “…cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated.” (D&C 88:124)

I have a testimony of the blessings of this revelation. I know that by retiring and arising early has amazing benefits both spiritual and physical. Last semester in school, I had a very demanding schedule. I was at the beginning of a challenging program and I was working for the first time while concurrently going to school. Staying up too late was my biggest weakness. I watched my clock turn to 1:00 a.m. or 2:00 a.m. more often than not and I wasn’t waking up as early as I would like. I was regularly exhausted, incoherent, and unengaged in my daily activities.

This semester, however, I made it a goal to hit the sack earlier each night and to wake up earlier than before. I have seen monumental dividends from this shift. Not only have I been able to conquer my regular obligations more efficiently but I’ve been able to fit in much more enjoyable activities in my schedule because of this. For example, I’ve been able to begin training for a triathlon this summer with my increased time and energy. Indeed, “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.”

I know that this principal is true. Because I have tested this principle in my life, I know it is true. Through these same means I have come to know that Jesus Christ lives, that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God, and that the Book of Mormon is revelation from God. I invite all to test out these things as well that they may know the truthfulness of these things.

Life Is Beautiful

This morning, as I ran out the door, I was greeted with the sharp bites of cold attacking every ounce of me in the 9-degree weather. Walking quickly seemed to make things worse as the bitter breeze sped up as well, mocking me in my valiant effort to get warm. I was cold. While walking was juggling thoughts of the day's demands and recounting a challenging experience I had just experienced the day before.

Sulking in pathetic misery I didn't even notice the beautiful sunrise chisel the silhouette of the majestic Rocky Mountains before me. I did not pay attention to the warm smiles of people passing me. In short, within this vacuum of self pity, I shunned any positive perspective of life.

Yet, the day got warmer and I cleared my hurdles one by one. I went to class and performed very well on the assignments issued. I enjoyed a productive meeting with my study group and attended an inspiring lecture. I eventually felt good about everything. In retrospect, I was blessed to appreciate the beauties and blessings of the day juxtaposed to my earlier trials.

Though this is somewhat trite I think it illustrates a major principle in our lives. We forget reality way too often. True, life brings us bitter cold valleys but only on the path to bluffs of ecstasy. I believe in the words of the Savior as he said, “For after much tribulation come the blessings” (D&C 58:2–4).

The momentary inconveniences of life only heighten our conveniences, the pains develop the joys, the fears buttress the faith, the losses make the gains vibrant. Indeed, life is beautiful in every situation when viewed through the lenses of reality.

Mormon: What do I believe

I distinctly remember an experience I had in my sophomore year of high school. At the end of math class, on the last day before Christmas Break, a friend and I were discussing our plans for the upcoming respite. I inquired of her Christmas traditions, I think. Then she said something like, "What are you doing for Christmas? Oh wait, you're Mormon, you don't celebrate Christmas." Dumbfounded, I asked her for her foundation for that misunderstanding. She then assured me that I didn't believe in Christ or in Christmas.

After ingesting the comment, I did what anyone would do after hearing a ludicrous statement: I laughed. I then attempted to explain to her my belief and devotion to Jesus Christ. I'd like to begin this blog with a similar end in mind, to express my beliefs and knowledge of the Savior.

While a missionary in the New England area for two years, I spent every waking moment trying to teach others of the love and blessings that Christ can bring. I watched the miraculous metamorphosis of dozens who embraced that which I have come to know as truth. I believe everyone on this earth is a child of a loving Heavenly Father; further, I believe that Christ, through his perfect life and selfless suffering, the Atonement, we can get rid of guilt and shame, have peace in this life, and live in eternal happiness with our families after this life. Think about that. When attempting to comprehend these blessings, I am overcome. He loves us infinitely as depicted by this picture.

With Christ, we can say with a sound mind, "Come rain, come death, come pain. Add prolonged blessings, add loss, add poverty." Yes, I am a Mormon, and I know that Christ is my Savior and yours. Jesus Christ himself named this organization with His name: "For thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" (D&C 115:4).

I hope this blog will be mutually beneficial for those who read and respond and for me.