I wanted to put up one of my favorite stories about Joseph Smith on June 27, in honor of his martyrdom in 1844. However, I wasn't online that day. So I'm putting it up today. I wish I had been able to be there.
Elder Parley P. Pratt (1807–57) recorded an occasion when the Prophet’s extraordinary teaching ability influenced thousands in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: “A very large church was opened for him to preach in, and about three thousand people assembled to hear him. Brother Rigdon spoke first, and dwelt on the Gospel, illustrating his doctrine by the Bible. When he was through, Brother Joseph arose like a lion about to roar; and being full of the Holy Ghost, spoke in great power, bearing testimony of the visions he had seen, the ministering of angels which he had enjoyed; and how he had found the plates of the Book of Mormon, and translated them by the gift and power of God. He commenced by saying: ‘If nobody else had the courage to testify of so glorious a message from Heaven, and of the finding of so glorious a record, he felt to do it in justice to the people, and leave the event with God.’
I admire his courage. The more I read and study his life, I am consistently hit by two things:
1. His conviction
He would do what he believed God commanded, no matter what the consequences.
2. His lack of hypocrisy
I look at my life and see many times when I do not fully practice what I profess to believe. I do not see that with Brother Joseph.
A quick note, for context's sake: For me, personally, the most important thing that God accomplished through Joseph Smith is that through his works - such as his teachings and sermons, the restoration of the Priesthood, the translation of the Book of Mormon - he allowed me to know more about Jesus Chris and His atonement.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
I have some downtime at work, which means I've maybe watched some YouTube clips of great BYU sports moments. Only 78 days and 2 hours until BYU football starts again!
The best clips are the ones with the radio announcers in the background.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDAj0y3JEJ4&feature=related
I thought about putting up links to all of them, but I don't think that would be appropriate. So I'll just put up one which I thought was kinda funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvqDXDMnnsg
It kinda reminds me of the afternoon where I watched the Denver Broncos beat the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII on YouTube. The whole game.
The best clips are the ones with the radio announcers in the background.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDAj0y3JEJ4&feature=related
I thought about putting up links to all of them, but I don't think that would be appropriate. So I'll just put up one which I thought was kinda funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvqDXDMnnsg
It kinda reminds me of the afternoon where I watched the Denver Broncos beat the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII on YouTube. The whole game.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
"Do you have children? If so do you take them along to your "worship" sessions? If they are below the age of 18 do ask them if they want to go?"
I saw this question in the comment section of a pretty negative article in an online UK newspaper about the LDS church. As is wont to happen after an online article about the LDS church, the commenters below are filled with a combination of people that say the church is bad, and then people that say the church is good. I do enough online browsing that I don't usually read any of it, because it's all the same.
This question hit me, however. One commentor had stated that one of the chief tenets of LDS doctrine is that man is free to choose, and this was given in response. On the surface, it brings up a good question. If one is brought up in a faith, is that "indoctrination"? I was raised in the LDS church - was I indoctrinated? Did I ever really have a choice? Was I free? I am going to raise my daughter and any future children in the LDS church. Am I, by doing so, limiting their freedom?
The answer is an unequivocal no! I am not limiting their freedom. The simple fact of the matter is that they are going to be "indoctrinated" by whatever influence comes their way. It's my responsibility as a parent to see that those influences are the ones that are going to make her happy.
I see a simple choice - Do I let the media "indoctrinate" Clara? Do I let her value system be dictated by pop magazines, by television shows, movies? No. That does not bring happiness.
So I sing primary songs to Clara as she falls asleep, we read the scriptures as a family daily, we have family home evening weekly, because I love her and want her to be happy more than anything, and this is the best way that I know of to ensure that she is that way and that she will be that way as she grows and matures.
I saw this question in the comment section of a pretty negative article in an online UK newspaper about the LDS church. As is wont to happen after an online article about the LDS church, the commenters below are filled with a combination of people that say the church is bad, and then people that say the church is good. I do enough online browsing that I don't usually read any of it, because it's all the same.
This question hit me, however. One commentor had stated that one of the chief tenets of LDS doctrine is that man is free to choose, and this was given in response. On the surface, it brings up a good question. If one is brought up in a faith, is that "indoctrination"? I was raised in the LDS church - was I indoctrinated? Did I ever really have a choice? Was I free? I am going to raise my daughter and any future children in the LDS church. Am I, by doing so, limiting their freedom?
The answer is an unequivocal no! I am not limiting their freedom. The simple fact of the matter is that they are going to be "indoctrinated" by whatever influence comes their way. It's my responsibility as a parent to see that those influences are the ones that are going to make her happy.
I see a simple choice - Do I let the media "indoctrinate" Clara? Do I let her value system be dictated by pop magazines, by television shows, movies? No. That does not bring happiness.
So I sing primary songs to Clara as she falls asleep, we read the scriptures as a family daily, we have family home evening weekly, because I love her and want her to be happy more than anything, and this is the best way that I know of to ensure that she is that way and that she will be that way as she grows and matures.
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