Elder Bednar speaks, in this video, about the impacts that Proposition 8 has on our countries religious freedoms. He calls it the tyranny of tolerance. Although it is immediately affecting California, this tyranny of tolerance will spread out quickly and be very bad. Watch the clip. I is only about 3-4 minutes.
http://www.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/media/mediaplayer.swf?media=http://broadcast.lds.org/newsroom/video/flv/bednar_edit02_150k.flv&type=FLV
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
Look at Massachusetts
Here is an example of what happens in the school system when same sex marriage is legalized. Notice how the parents were not notified beforehand and were unprepared to teach their children their family's views on the subject. The government was deciding what to teach the children, not the parents.
Here's the video
Here's the video
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
The Phantom Tollbooth
For any of you who haven't read The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, I recommend it. It's witty, charming, and clever. Also for any of you who haven't read it, I'll give a little background and actually quote the part that caused me to reflect on the activities of my days ...
A boy named Milo is on a quest to rescue a couple of princesses accompanied by a watchdog named Tock and a bug named Humbug. They have arrived into some mountains full of demons and have just had a very unpleasant encounter with one of the demons. Then (and I quote) "just ahead, leaning comfortably against a dead tree, stood a very elegant-looking gentleman.
"He was beautifully dressed in a dark suit with a well-pressed shirt and tie. His shoes were polished, his nails were clean, his hat was well brushed, and a white handkerchief adorned his breast pocket. But his expression was somewhat blank. In fact, it was completely blank, for he had neither eyes, nose, nor mouth.
"Hello, little boy," he said, amiably shaking Milo by the hand. "And how's the faithful dog?" he inquired, giving Tock three or four strong and friendly pats. "And who is this handsome creature?" he asked, tipping his hat to the very pleased Humbug. "I'm so happy to see you all."
"What a pleasant surprise to meet someone so nice," they all thought, "and especially here."
"I wonder if you could spare me a little of your time," he inquired politely, "and help with a few small jobs?"
"Why, of course," said the Humbug cheerfully.
"Gladly," added Tock.
"Yes, indeed," said Milo, who wondered for just a moment how it was possible for someone so agreeable to have a face with no features at all.
"Splendid," he said happily, "for there are just three tasks. Firstly, I would like to move this pile from here to there," he explained, pointing to an enormous mound of fine sand; "but I'm afraid that all I have are these tiny tweezers." And he gave them to Milo, who immediately began transporting one grain at a time.
"Secondly, I would like to empty this well and fill the other; but I have no bucket, so you'll have to use this eye dropper." And he handed it to Tock, who undertook at once to carry one drop at a time from well to well.
"And, lastly, I must have a hole through this cliff, and here is a needle to dig it." The eager Humbug quickly set to work picking at the solid granite wall.
When they had all been safely started, the very pleasant man returned to the tree and, leaning against it once more, continued to stare vacantly down the trail, while Milo, Tock and the Humbug worked hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after ------
... After what seemed like days ... Milo's new pile of sand was hardly a pile at all. ...
[With a magic wand Milo finds out that] ... at the rate they were working, it would take each of them eight hundred and thirty-seven years to finish.
"Pardon me, ... but it's going to take eight hundred and thirty-seven years to do these jobs."
"Is that so?" replied the man, without even turning around. "Well, you'd better get on with it then."
"But it hardly seems worthwhile," said Milo softly.
"WORTHWHILE!" the man roared indignantly.
"All I mean was that perhaps it isn't too important," Milo repeated, trying not to be impolite.
"Of course it's not important," he snarled angrily. "I wouldn't have asked you to do it if I thought it was important." And now, as he turned to face them, he didn't seem quite so pleasant. ...
"What could be more important that doing unimportant things? If you stop to do enough of them, you'll never get to where you're going." He punctuated his last remark with a villainous laugh. "I am the Terrible Trivium, demon of petty tasks and worthless jobs, ogre of wasted effort, and monster of habit."
... "But why do only unimportant things?" asked Milo, who suddenly remembered how much time he spent each day doing them.
"Think of all the trouble it saves," the man explained, and his face looked as if he'd be grinning an evil grin -- if he could grin at all. "If you only do the easy and useless jobs, you'll never have to worry about the important ones which are so difficult. You just won't have the time. For there's always something to do to keep you from what you really should be doing, and if it weren't for that dreadful magic stuff, you'd never know how much time you were wasting." (end of quote)
So after reading this portion of the book I paused to ponder:
Wherefore do ye aspend money for that which is not bread? and your blabour for that which satisfieth not?
How often do we help Satan with a "few small jobs" simply by not being at our original task of "rescuing the princesses" or in a sense, striving for exaltation? Why do we sometimes spend so much time doing the unimportant things, especially when they eternally can't satisfy?
I'll just leave my pondering at that and let you ponder the rest.
A boy named Milo is on a quest to rescue a couple of princesses accompanied by a watchdog named Tock and a bug named Humbug. They have arrived into some mountains full of demons and have just had a very unpleasant encounter with one of the demons. Then (and I quote) "just ahead, leaning comfortably against a dead tree, stood a very elegant-looking gentleman.
"He was beautifully dressed in a dark suit with a well-pressed shirt and tie. His shoes were polished, his nails were clean, his hat was well brushed, and a white handkerchief adorned his breast pocket. But his expression was somewhat blank. In fact, it was completely blank, for he had neither eyes, nose, nor mouth.
"Hello, little boy," he said, amiably shaking Milo by the hand. "And how's the faithful dog?" he inquired, giving Tock three or four strong and friendly pats. "And who is this handsome creature?" he asked, tipping his hat to the very pleased Humbug. "I'm so happy to see you all."
"What a pleasant surprise to meet someone so nice," they all thought, "and especially here."
"I wonder if you could spare me a little of your time," he inquired politely, "and help with a few small jobs?"
"Why, of course," said the Humbug cheerfully.
"Gladly," added Tock.
"Yes, indeed," said Milo, who wondered for just a moment how it was possible for someone so agreeable to have a face with no features at all.
"Splendid," he said happily, "for there are just three tasks. Firstly, I would like to move this pile from here to there," he explained, pointing to an enormous mound of fine sand; "but I'm afraid that all I have are these tiny tweezers." And he gave them to Milo, who immediately began transporting one grain at a time.
"Secondly, I would like to empty this well and fill the other; but I have no bucket, so you'll have to use this eye dropper." And he handed it to Tock, who undertook at once to carry one drop at a time from well to well.
"And, lastly, I must have a hole through this cliff, and here is a needle to dig it." The eager Humbug quickly set to work picking at the solid granite wall.
When they had all been safely started, the very pleasant man returned to the tree and, leaning against it once more, continued to stare vacantly down the trail, while Milo, Tock and the Humbug worked hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after hour after ------
... After what seemed like days ... Milo's new pile of sand was hardly a pile at all. ...
[With a magic wand Milo finds out that] ... at the rate they were working, it would take each of them eight hundred and thirty-seven years to finish.
"Pardon me, ... but it's going to take eight hundred and thirty-seven years to do these jobs."
"Is that so?" replied the man, without even turning around. "Well, you'd better get on with it then."
"But it hardly seems worthwhile," said Milo softly.
"WORTHWHILE!" the man roared indignantly.
"All I mean was that perhaps it isn't too important," Milo repeated, trying not to be impolite.
"Of course it's not important," he snarled angrily. "I wouldn't have asked you to do it if I thought it was important." And now, as he turned to face them, he didn't seem quite so pleasant. ...
"What could be more important that doing unimportant things? If you stop to do enough of them, you'll never get to where you're going." He punctuated his last remark with a villainous laugh. "I am the Terrible Trivium, demon of petty tasks and worthless jobs, ogre of wasted effort, and monster of habit."
... "But why do only unimportant things?" asked Milo, who suddenly remembered how much time he spent each day doing them.
"Think of all the trouble it saves," the man explained, and his face looked as if he'd be grinning an evil grin -- if he could grin at all. "If you only do the easy and useless jobs, you'll never have to worry about the important ones which are so difficult. You just won't have the time. For there's always something to do to keep you from what you really should be doing, and if it weren't for that dreadful magic stuff, you'd never know how much time you were wasting." (end of quote)
So after reading this portion of the book I paused to ponder:
Wherefore do ye aspend money for that which is not bread? and your blabour for that which satisfieth not?
How often do we help Satan with a "few small jobs" simply by not being at our original task of "rescuing the princesses" or in a sense, striving for exaltation? Why do we sometimes spend so much time doing the unimportant things, especially when they eternally can't satisfy?
I'll just leave my pondering at that and let you ponder the rest.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Standing for Truth and Righteousness
So I know that I have strong opinions and strong emotions at times, but I need to share my thoughts for a minute. I know that we all are aware of the Proposition 8 that is on the ballot in California. We know that it is an important issue, but I don't know if we really grasp the severity of it. I recently returned from a visit to see my family in CA and I have found out a lot. Everyone in the stake my parents are in is asked to participate in walking the precincts. There will be a state-wide fireside in two weeks where they'll address the issues of the importance of protecting marriage and family.
There are many consequences that we'll definitely not like if the Proposition fails. If you want to read more, you can read some I've included here. It is a very serious issue for the future of our religious freedom/liberties as well as marriage and family. I have been shy at times, and have not known how to stand up for things or to what extent, but I have definitely realized that this time we cannot waste time. We need to stand up and protect our rights, religion and families. If the First Presidency of the Church will send a letter to the wards in CA as well as all the other states, telling us to do all we can in support of this Proposition, that should tell us to figure out how we can help.
PROTECT OUR FUTURE!
There are many consequences that we'll definitely not like if the Proposition fails. If you want to read more, you can read some I've included here. It is a very serious issue for the future of our religious freedom/liberties as well as marriage and family. I have been shy at times, and have not known how to stand up for things or to what extent, but I have definitely realized that this time we cannot waste time. We need to stand up and protect our rights, religion and families. If the First Presidency of the Church will send a letter to the wards in CA as well as all the other states, telling us to do all we can in support of this Proposition, that should tell us to figure out how we can help.
PROTECT OUR FUTURE!
Six Consequences if Prop 8 Fails
So my mom was telling me about the different things she's found to share with people as she walks the precincts in CA promoting affirmative votes for Proposition 8. The following list was given by the Yes Coalition to those walking the precints.
1. Children in public schools will have to be taught that same-sex marriage is just as good as traditional marriage. The California Education Code already requires that health education classes instruct children about marriage. Therefore, unless Proposition 8 passes, children will be taught that marriage is between any two adults regardless of gender. There will be serious clashes between the secular school system and the right of parents to teach their children their own values and beliefs.
2. Churches may be sued over their tax exempt status if they refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their religious buildings open to the public. Ask yourself whether your pastor, priest, miniter, bishop or rabbi is ready to perform such marriages in your chapels and sanctuaries.
3. Religious adoption agencies will be challenged by government agencies to give up their long-held right to place children only in homes with both a mother and a father. Catholic Charities in Boston already closed its doors in Massachusetts because courts legalized same-sex marriage there.
4. Religions that sponsor private schools with married student housing may be required to provide housing for same-sex couples, even if counter to church doctrine, or risk lawsuits over tax exemptions and related benefits.
5. Ministers who preach against same-sex marriages may be sued for hate speech and risk government fines. It already happened in Canada, a country that legalized gay marriage. A recent California court held that municipal employees may not say: "traditional marriage", or "family values" because after the same-sex marriage case, it is "hate speech."
6. It will cost you money. This change in the definition of marriage will bring a cascade of lawsuits, including some already lost (e.g. photographers cannot now refuse to photograph gay marriages, doctors cannot now refuse to perform artificial insemination of gays even given other willing doctors). Even if courts eventually find in favor of a defender of traditional marriage (highly improbable given today's activist judges), think of the money-your money-that will be spent on such legal battles.
And think of all the unintended consequences that we cannot even foresee at this time. Where will it end?
1. Children in public schools will have to be taught that same-sex marriage is just as good as traditional marriage. The California Education Code already requires that health education classes instruct children about marriage. Therefore, unless Proposition 8 passes, children will be taught that marriage is between any two adults regardless of gender. There will be serious clashes between the secular school system and the right of parents to teach their children their own values and beliefs.
2. Churches may be sued over their tax exempt status if they refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their religious buildings open to the public. Ask yourself whether your pastor, priest, miniter, bishop or rabbi is ready to perform such marriages in your chapels and sanctuaries.
3. Religious adoption agencies will be challenged by government agencies to give up their long-held right to place children only in homes with both a mother and a father. Catholic Charities in Boston already closed its doors in Massachusetts because courts legalized same-sex marriage there.
4. Religions that sponsor private schools with married student housing may be required to provide housing for same-sex couples, even if counter to church doctrine, or risk lawsuits over tax exemptions and related benefits.
5. Ministers who preach against same-sex marriages may be sued for hate speech and risk government fines. It already happened in Canada, a country that legalized gay marriage. A recent California court held that municipal employees may not say: "traditional marriage", or "family values" because after the same-sex marriage case, it is "hate speech."
6. It will cost you money. This change in the definition of marriage will bring a cascade of lawsuits, including some already lost (e.g. photographers cannot now refuse to photograph gay marriages, doctors cannot now refuse to perform artificial insemination of gays even given other willing doctors). Even if courts eventually find in favor of a defender of traditional marriage (highly improbable given today's activist judges), think of the money-your money-that will be spent on such legal battles.
And think of all the unintended consequences that we cannot even foresee at this time. Where will it end?
You See What You Look For
My current calling is in the Young Women's program. I have 1 Laurel, 2 Beehives, and 13 Mia Maids. Yes, 13 Mia Maids. The bulk of the girls are 14 and 15 years old and they go to four different high schools. And there are three of us referees... I mean leaders.
We have had so much drama in the last couple of months and I would dare say I have had enough to last my entire life time. I do not deal well with drama.
The problem is they are being so mean to each other. This all started about mid-August as they all went back to school. My sweet girls being mean to each other. At times I just sit in our meeting, looking at them, pondering the situation, and wondering how on earth they can be so mean, gossipy, and fickle. Now I know people can be mean and others may just need to get a back bone, but these are 14 year old girls. I truly think the hardest two years of any young woman's life are age 14 and 15. Seriously. Its a make or break time of life. Shopping is in, you have to listen to the right music, wear the right clothes, and popularity is all the rage. If you ask me, I would say, "Who cares?!" Well, its a big deal when girls aren't coming because of the way they are treated when they do come.
So what do you do?
I've asked many different people what they would do in my situation and have spent countless hours praying over this. This is what I have learned.
I have great young women and I love them all very much. When I look at each of them, I can see in them so much potential. These are outstanding young women. I see the talents they have, the traits they can share with others, I see their testimonies, and I also see many insecurities.
So why is this not working?
In all my conversations, one in particular struck me the hardest. These girls are nit-picking each other, degrading each other, and finding reasons not to like each other. That is what they have learned to do! My challenge then as their leader is to teach them and guide them to look for the good in the other young women. Never before has the phrase "What you look for, you will see" meant so much to me. These girls are looking for negatives in other people, and they are seeing it.
Now I know how to remedy the situation.
Its all about coming up ideas and activities that help them see good things in each other. We are going to do a compliment box on Sundays where they pull a piece of paper out of a box. On the piece of paper is another girl's name. They write a sincere compliment on it and put it back in the box. Then, I pull the paper out, have the girl stand up, and read the compliment. It has been very well received. A little plug: any other ideas you can add?
The moral of the story is this. You see what you look for in people. Everyone we meet has good things to offer and everyone we meet has shortcomings. And thank goodness for that because I would not want a million different "Me's" running around. I have learned so much about myself and the kind of woman I want to be from this experience. If you want to see good in people and look for the good in people, that is what you will see. I love the gospel!
So go out and give some compliments today!
We have had so much drama in the last couple of months and I would dare say I have had enough to last my entire life time. I do not deal well with drama.
The problem is they are being so mean to each other. This all started about mid-August as they all went back to school. My sweet girls being mean to each other. At times I just sit in our meeting, looking at them, pondering the situation, and wondering how on earth they can be so mean, gossipy, and fickle. Now I know people can be mean and others may just need to get a back bone, but these are 14 year old girls. I truly think the hardest two years of any young woman's life are age 14 and 15. Seriously. Its a make or break time of life. Shopping is in, you have to listen to the right music, wear the right clothes, and popularity is all the rage. If you ask me, I would say, "Who cares?!" Well, its a big deal when girls aren't coming because of the way they are treated when they do come.
So what do you do?
I've asked many different people what they would do in my situation and have spent countless hours praying over this. This is what I have learned.
I have great young women and I love them all very much. When I look at each of them, I can see in them so much potential. These are outstanding young women. I see the talents they have, the traits they can share with others, I see their testimonies, and I also see many insecurities.
So why is this not working?
In all my conversations, one in particular struck me the hardest. These girls are nit-picking each other, degrading each other, and finding reasons not to like each other. That is what they have learned to do! My challenge then as their leader is to teach them and guide them to look for the good in the other young women. Never before has the phrase "What you look for, you will see" meant so much to me. These girls are looking for negatives in other people, and they are seeing it.
Now I know how to remedy the situation.
Its all about coming up ideas and activities that help them see good things in each other. We are going to do a compliment box on Sundays where they pull a piece of paper out of a box. On the piece of paper is another girl's name. They write a sincere compliment on it and put it back in the box. Then, I pull the paper out, have the girl stand up, and read the compliment. It has been very well received. A little plug: any other ideas you can add?
The moral of the story is this. You see what you look for in people. Everyone we meet has good things to offer and everyone we meet has shortcomings. And thank goodness for that because I would not want a million different "Me's" running around. I have learned so much about myself and the kind of woman I want to be from this experience. If you want to see good in people and look for the good in people, that is what you will see. I love the gospel!
So go out and give some compliments today!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Proposition 8: Defining Marriage
The November elections are shaping up to be a really big deal! There is much controversy through both the Democratic and Republican National Parties. Voters must decide if the biggest issues are sex, race, qualifications, religious links, character, the economy, drilling for oil, the war in Iraq, and many more. In three states, Arizona, California, and Florida, a constitutional amendment is being proposed that will define marriage between a husband and wife. Since this is my blog and I have strong opinions about all of the aforementioned items, I would like to share a few thoughts.
First and foremost, I believe that traditional marriage is critical to the survival of our Country. It provides an arena where children can be raised with love, patience, and respect without fear of abuse in any form. I also believe that both the father and the mother are essential in teaching their children the role of the man and woman in society and how each should be treated. Fathers have a huge impact on the social development of their daughters and likewise mothers impact their sons.
Morality in our country has decreased immensely, children are being born out of wedlock, parents are single, abortion is rampant... all due to the lack of strong marriages. Our country has one of the highest rates of divorce in the entire WORLD. I believe allowing same sex marriages will eventually lead to the further decline of our society (as has already been proven in other European countries).
I fully support the proposition to define marriage as between a man and a woman. Please if you agree with this proposition, take a stand on it and get the word out. It is a BIG DEAL.
The church to which I belong, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which generally remains neutral in political issues, has also taken a definite stand on this issues. They have published a great article titled, "The Divine Institution of Marriage" that is a great read. It also makes for a good Family Home Evening lesson if you need one.
Please vote this November 4th, 2008!
First and foremost, I believe that traditional marriage is critical to the survival of our Country. It provides an arena where children can be raised with love, patience, and respect without fear of abuse in any form. I also believe that both the father and the mother are essential in teaching their children the role of the man and woman in society and how each should be treated. Fathers have a huge impact on the social development of their daughters and likewise mothers impact their sons.
Morality in our country has decreased immensely, children are being born out of wedlock, parents are single, abortion is rampant... all due to the lack of strong marriages. Our country has one of the highest rates of divorce in the entire WORLD. I believe allowing same sex marriages will eventually lead to the further decline of our society (as has already been proven in other European countries).
I fully support the proposition to define marriage as between a man and a woman. Please if you agree with this proposition, take a stand on it and get the word out. It is a BIG DEAL.
The church to which I belong, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which generally remains neutral in political issues, has also taken a definite stand on this issues. They have published a great article titled, "The Divine Institution of Marriage" that is a great read. It also makes for a good Family Home Evening lesson if you need one.
Please vote this November 4th, 2008!
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