The Rear Window

Quote of the day~ from Hitchcock's "The Rear Window" which I am watching for Civ. as a blog...

"Nothing has caused the human race so much trouble as intelligence."

Ha! What's great is how often this is true. And what's ironic is how often it is so not true.

Go figure.

Exodus

Throughout history (don't you just love that intro? it's usually my cue to take a nap... haha!), God has commanded his people to make certain exoduses. Adam & Eve made a symbolic exodus when they "left" the innocence and harmony of the Garden of Eden to take on the "real world" and corresponding agency. Noah made a type of exodus with a few family members and the world's zoo when they left society and survived via boat. Lot and his wife were commanded to leave Sodom & Gomorra. The classic exodus story involves Moses leading the Hebrew slaves out of Egypt and into freedom from oppression. Lehi led his family out of Jerusalem when the Lord commanded it. And of course, our pioneer ancestors mustered the courage to trek across North America to the Great Salt Lake Valley-- because the Lord commanded it.

Now, I live in the twenty-first century. The state of the church and the state of our everyday standards are extraordinarily different from the relatively similar daily circumstances that our native ancestors faced. Advances in technology and industry have yielded exponential progress. Times have, indeed, changed. I haven't been asked to make a long trek across an arduous landscape, but I am asked to make symbolic exoduses of my own. Sometimes I rise to the challenge and heed the call; sometimes not. I'd suspect that, in part, we'll be judged by how we responded to the Lord's command for us to do something uncomfortable, unpopular, or just plain difficult. If we don't respond as well as we ought to one time, we should repent, get back up, and give it a stronger go the next time. My testimony is that, no matter who we are or what age we live in, be with the Hebrew slaves of Moses' day or the latter-day saint pioneers chronicled in D&C section 136, I know that God is with us to guide us, strengthen us, and protect us as we make our personal exoduses. We can do it! "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phillipians 4:13). And the reality is, not only can we do it-- we must.

The Crandall Printing Museum

This week our D&C class went to the Crandall Printing Museum in Provo, Utah. I didn't know it existed. It was a neat experience to learn about the exact type of printing press Gutenberg invented. As I sat through the two hour lecture, all I could think over and over again was, Gutenberg was a genius. Gutenberg was a genius. Gutenberg was a genius. He was. Everything in our world relies on printed text. Every field is affected by and dependent upon it. Science. History. Medicine. Literature. Architecture. Politics. Religion. Every aspect of my life is affected by the printed word. It was an extraordinary achievement and, as the museum's curators and historians explained, it paved the way for the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

As explained to us, the Catholic Church first asked Gutenberg to print copies of the bible. In the 1700's, the American Revolution relied on the press to publish documents like The Declaration of Independence, The Federalist Papers, The Constitution of the United States, and others. The printing and distrubtion of Thomas Paine's "These are the Times that Try Men's Souls" rallied our troops and helped propel us to victory of strong British forces. The museum's historian shared a quote from Paine's work that I first read while in AP US History my junior year of high-school. I find it powerful:

These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.

-Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776

I think the story of Gutenberg is an example of how God is involved in inspiring men throughout history-- even during the Dark Ages. Spiritual and secular things are seldom, if ever, distinct. At least, I believe that God created everything in the universe. His influence on medicine and music is no less than his influence on Sunday sermons. I'm grateful for Gutenberg, and I'm grateful that his invention brought about the printing and distribution of the Book of Mormon. It is the word of God.

Livin' for the Weekend!

Thoreau would scold me for this title.

But yes, for the first time in a while, I'm livin' (and workin') for the weekend. I take off to NYC (my favorite city ever!! actually it's tied with SF, but still...) in just over 48 hours. I'm excited about the trip, but I'm so preoccupied with all my schoolwork that adrenaline has yet to set in. Hopefully it's coming down the pipe SOON. I need it to help me get through the next two days worth of work! I took two exams yesterday; now I'm onto three essays + additional prep for the MUN competition. Wish me luck! :)

God Still Speaks

Today, the blog prompt poses this question: "Why were some of Joseph Smith's Nauvoo sermons recorded as scripture?"

Some of the prophet Joseph Smith's teachings were recorded in the Doctrine & Covenants because we believe God still speaks to and reveals important teachings to the prophet on the earth, just like he did to Isaiah, Nephi, Peter, and others. One of the fundamental beliefs of Latter-day Saints is that we have a living prophet on the earth today, just as in days of old. We believe that God, although unchangeable, continues to provide revelation (just like he did in biblical days) and guidance to his children on the earth. Article of Faith 9 explains this: "We believe all that God has revealed, all that he does now reveal, and we believe that he will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the kingdom of God." The true gospel of Jesus Christ was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith, which, in essence, "re-opened" the heavens. Although I believe that God's children living in the dark ages could and did still communicate with him, the priesthood of God was not on the earth, and as such, there was no prophet of God on the earth.

Joseph's Smith's teachings are just as pertinent, holy, and divine as those written by Noah, Malachi, and Moroni. It makes perfect sense to me that they would be included in our scripture. The church has grown and expanded, and we no longer insert every prophetic teaching into our quads, but we consider the words of God's prophets and apostles, no matter the age they lived in, to be scripture of God.

I have a testimony that not only does God speak to his prophet, but that he can speak to each of us. As children of God, we have the right to communicate with him-- a right provided by him. This right is a tremendous blessing in my life. Heavenly Father communicates with his children through the Holy Ghost. If we pray and study and come unto him, he will answer us in whatever form we need. We will feel the Spirit. "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16).

I am so grateful for the knowledge that I am a spirit daughter of God-- the greatest, most loving being in our universe. Of course he communicates with us! Of course he listens to us, just as my loving mortal parents listen to and care about me. The heavens are open. God's spirit and priesthood power are on the earth today-- this is truly good news! As we pray and seek out Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ, we often find that they have been there all along, prepared to strengthen or comfort us. A favorite scripture of mine comes from 1 John: "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us" (verse 14). That's the confidence I have in him, too.

One last quote, from a favorite~ Ralph Waldo Emerson:

Teach that God is,
not was.
Teach that God speaks,
not spake.

Blah Blah Blah

This is how I feel about our government right about now:

And my personal fav:

Standing in Holy Places

Because my Doctrine and Covenants Class is part of BYU's Honors Program, I've had the opportunity to incorporate the Joseph Smith Papers into my regular reading. The University provided the books on a check-out basis (I think they run around $200- that'd be a whole lot for a student to devote to a two credit class, don't ya think?). Anyway, I appreciate the generosity of the Honors Program because reading from this incredible book has increased my testimony. Last night I studied revelations originally recorded by Orson Hyde-- my great-great-great grandfather. My eyes teared up a bit (mind you-- I'm not much of a crier) as I looked over a copy of his exact hand-writing. His cursive was gorgeous! I appreciate this line in my heritage because it reminds me of how my ancestors have taken the gospel AND the church seriously. My grandparents in the Hyde Family always magnified their callings and went out of their way to build the kingdom. In fact, it's fair to say they devoted their lives to building the kingdom. I appreciate their example, and was humbled to see just how much my grandfather Hyde did to help record messages now contained in the Doctrine & Covenants.

On page 382 of the papers, we read about what the saints should do as they prepare for the coming of Christ. The Lord offers this simple, sure command: "Stand ye in holy places and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come." I've heard this over and over through the years, but it's much more than a rhetorical phrase. This is literal, and it's possible. As wickedness increasingly expands over the earth and penetrates ever deeper, it is easy to rationalize a lowering of good morals in conjunction with that. But the Lord tells us to "be not moved," and we know that he doesn't command us to do anything outside our capacity. Outside our comfort zone? Often, yes. But he always provides a way for us to accomplish what he has commanded us to do. Nephi said it well: "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them" (3 Nephi 7). We may not be prophets, but we can do it too.

So, standing in holy places-- that's usually likened to being as righteous as we can, attending the temple often, being in places where the Holy Ghost can accompany us, and so forth. All of these are wonderful and things I should strive for more earnestly. But I wondered how this particular command could be likened to what our prophet, President Monson, has emphasized in his recent General Conference addresses. He has encouraged us to be more loving, and to be charitable.

I am from Northern California, and as many of you know, we are really fond of the gorgeous redwood trees that blanket our mountains. Redwood trees can only be found in this region of the world. Are you familiar with the story of the redwood tree? Let me give you a quick synopsis. I think that, of the many wonders we find in nature, the redwood tree is a tremendous example of what it means to stand in a holy place that is rooted in fellowship and charity.

Redwood trees are mammoth (not to mention BEAUTIFUL) and stand hundreds of feet tall. If you've ever seen them, you know their size and strength is just stunning. Most are very old. Some had been living for nearly a century even before Christopher Columbus discovered the continent. But they're battered-- scarred by fire and vicious wind storms and lightening strikes alike. It seems they are so filled of life that nothing can kill them. So what's the secret to their success? They always grow in clusters-- in groups called groves. The might and majesty of the tree does not lie in itself. You see, for every foot in height the tree grows vertically, the redwood tree sends its roots not down but three times outward to intertwine with surrounding roots. After a few hundred years, their roots are so tightly woven with one another that no tree could ever fall down. It is upheld by the strength of its brothers and sisters.

Our Savior Jesus Christ was truly a giant among men, standing in all the holiest places. But when we read about his ministry and life in the New Testament and Book of Mormon, his love and charity are emphasized most. The scriptures also teach that no matter how excellent we are in any number of religious fields, that if we "have not charity, [we] are nothing." I believe the redwood trees are a fine example of how we can stand tall and stand in a holy place if we are loving and reach out to those around us. When we couple this charity with obedience and faith, we will be immovable.

March Madness!

Yet another reason to love March. The list is infinite. And this guy called Jimmer-- wow. He was sure impressive last night.

Some photos from the BYU vs. Utah game earlier this semester (we won):

My roommate Natalie, our neighbor Ali, and myself

Ran into my friends AJ and Nate from MUN. Go team.

So. Many. People.

Almost there...

Oh of course. the Creamery "Blimp." :)

GO COUGARS!!

Storybook Winter Evening

I know I complain about the erratic Utah weather, but sometimes I am pleased to eat my words. :) Last Thursday night was one of those times. I was in the kitchen making cookies (circa 6 PM) when I noticed the most stunning winter horizon I have ever seen. Ever. I hated the blizzard we battled earlier that day, but this sky was sure worth it.

Some snapshots:

I wish that winter dusk could be with me forever. It was truly beautiful.

The Prodigal Son

I got this image HERE.

Well, last week my D&C class visited the MOA (like I mentioned in last week's post) in lieu of regular lecture. Besides the general point that I believe art often testifies of Christ, I really appreciated a painting of the prodigal son-- a story from the new Testament. In this depiction, I noticed many elements that demonstrated the father's forgiveness. He steps down to the base of the stairs, he reaches for and clings to his stripped son, who can't even look into his father's eyes. But the father is so willing-- even wanting-- to accept his son back into his home and into his kingdom. He loves him. I know that this is how our Heavenly Father feels about us. We may be spotted, stained, stripped; he will help us become clean, through our Savior Jesus Christ. If we ever doubt the power of God to forgive our sins, besides praying for that testimony, we should think about this story and others in the scriptures. Heavenly Father is merciful and forgiving. EVERYONE who feels godly sorrow and has a change of heart is invited back onto the path that leads to eternal life. We're all headed home. I am so grateful to Heavenly Father-- for his compassion, love, and mercy. I only comprehend a small portion of his love for me, but that which I understand is very, very great. It is beautiful, and it gives us cause to rejoice!

James Weldon Johnson wrote a fantastic poem about the prodigal son. It basically recounts the story, but with rhythm. If you're into poetry (or are an English Major like me :) ) I suggest checking it out. Read it at: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/archive/poem.html?id=179017.

All Things Testify of Christ

This blog will focus on revelation recorded in the Joseph Smith Papers on the 27th and 28th of December, 1832 (D&C 88). Most of us are familiar with this beautiful section~ it contains many verses that are frequently quoted and is especially known for detailing the three degrees of glory, as well as the second coming of Christ. The range of doctrine discussed is also quite large, and for this reason I want to focus on something that I have thought about frequently as of late, and that is the way that "all things testify of Christ." Because they do. Everything does. I know for me it's easy to get preoccupied, hyper-focused, or just plain apathetic, and I lose my sense of awareness and sensitivity to things lovely and things spiritual. But when I do pay attention (and even sometimes when I don't), I notice that everything does testify of Christ. So, I am going to reflect on a few of the places I noticed his spirit throughout my day today (March 3, 2010):

1) I walked out of my apartment at 9:40 AM and immediately noticed the marshmallow-like cumulus clouds hugging a bright blue sky. What a beautiful day! Christ created this earth; everything beautiful in nature is a manifestation of his hand, and his spirit.

2) My Honors D&C class (that's the class I write these blogs for) toured the MOA; particularly, the current religious exhibit. As we studied different works of art, ranging in topic/subject from the idea that Christ is the bread of life to a woman mourning his death to the prodigal son to the resurrection. As a humanities department major, and as a life-long lover of music, I think I have always been sensitive to the way art, music, and literature testifies of Christ.

3) A really kind friend went out of their way to make me feel special and feel loved. I knew she was acting in Christ's behalf, and I felt his spirit working through her to help me be happy.

Many other elements of my day testified of Christ, but these three immediately came to mind. He is all around us, working through the influence of the Holy Ghost and, of course, through the light and love of Christ. Jesus Christ is my Savior and Lord-- the Redeemer of all mankind.

D&C 88 explains that he is coming again, and he is. He will come. He's coming soon. His gospel is true, and is fully in force on the earth today. The gospel has been restored through the prophet Joseph Smith. This is truly good news! To learn more about his gospel, visit http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/.

When Christ comes, we will have cause to rejoice. I noticed a painting in the MOA that seemed to capture the spirit of that celebration, but perhaps in a less than obvious way. This painting struck me; it pulled at my heart and at my curiosity. It's a fascinating depiction of the joy we will feel when our spirits and our bodies reunite:

Brian T. Kershisnik, Resurrecting 2009.
(an article that discusses this painting, as well as others currently featured in the MOA at BYU, can be found HERE)

Lastly, Christ explains in Section 88, as he does in many other passages of scripture, that if we don't have charity, then we don't have anything. Until he comes, he admonishes us to stay near to him through prayer and worship, but even more importantly through service and compassion. This is certainly something I need to improve on everyday, and fortunately for me, Christ set the perfect example. He is real. He knows us. He loves us.

All things testify of Christ.

Think Spring

THINK SPRING.

March is a fabulous month. It really is. Today, Provo is sunny and springy. What a great way to start the month! March is hopeful and reminds me that winter does end. Hallelujah! Long live March! There's so many reasons to love March, especially this year...

a) I turn 20!
b) I get to travel to NYC with the BYU Model United Nation's Team!
c) March Madness!!

And then there's the good stuff happenin' in March every year, such as:

a) Mom's birthday! She's the greatest.
b) It's the official month of Women's History, the Red Cross, Nutrition, and many others!
c) The first day of spring!
d) THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING!

Hehe. :) Yeah, you could say I love March...

Liberty Jail

When Joseph Smith was held as a prisoner in Liberty Jail in Missouri for five months, his isolation allowed him to contemplate his relationship with God. There he was-- all alone. Or so it appeared. He was without his wife, without his children, without his close friends and fellow priesthood holders, and yet, despite all this, Joseph Smith recognized that God was with him, supporting him in his darkest trial. Being human, Joseph had questions about what was going on and why he sometimes felt alone. He wanted to know how long his suffering would last, why it was happening, why now-- the things we all ask when we are faced with a challenge. Now, I recognize that it's important to avoid comparing our challenges, but clearly this was a difficult test. I can't even fathom the pain, both emotional and physical, that Joseph Smith endured. I have no comprehension of just how difficult those five months were. But I do know everything I need to about his faith and character, because at the end of five excruciating months, the prophet Joseph Smith emerged as the greatest version of himself yet, and that is because he relied on the Lord.

During his time in a nasty, isolated jail cell, Joseph's primary concern was his prayers-- he wanted to know that his prayers were heard and acknowledged by God. He understandably felt abandoned. He asked, “Oh God, where art thou?” Even the prophet needed some confirmation that, although he felt sad and alone, that he still had the accompaniment of God. And sure enough, he did. Joseph’s experience in Liberty Jail surely taught him hundreds of important truths, but from an observer’s standpoint, that which I most readily see from this story is that Joseph learned: a) his prayers were always heard—even when it didn’t feel like it, and b) as a son of Heavenly Father and the prophet of the Lord’s church, he was absolutely capable of receiving personal, timely revelation. I am so grateful for the prophet’s example of faith and endurance. He truly exercised hope and steadfastness in his trials.

Each of us is asked to make sacrifices or overcome challenges, just as Joseph Smith was. I think that sometimes we are inclined to compare our challenges—what seems “toughest,” the most painful, the most impossible, etc. But in my first semester at BYU, religion professor Tod Parker shared a quote with our New Testament class that meant a whole lot to me. As stated by President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve in the October 1980 General Conference:

"We may foolishly bring unhappiness and trouble, even suffering upon ourselves. These are not always to be regarded as penalties imposed by a displeased Creator. They are part of the lessons of life, part of the test. Some are tested by poor health, some by a body that is deformed or homely. Others are tested by handsome and healthy bodies; some by the passion of youth; others by the erosions of age. Some suffer disappointment in marriage, family problems; others live in poverty and obscurity. Some (perhaps this is the hardest test) find ease and luxury. All are part of the test, and there is more equality in this testing than sometimes we suspect."

I believe these words are powerful, and so true. Each of us faces challenges. While some may appear “harder” than others, I think we should try to remember that no one escapes testing. Everyone is tried. Every test is difficult, and in spite of our varying challenges, we do share one very important thing in common—something Joseph Smith clearly understood: the way for us to overcome our trials, no matter what they may be, is to rely on the Lord. He is always, always with us.

Baptism for the Dead

The doctrine of baptism for the dead is an essential part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We believe that God gives all of his children the opportunity to receive his message and to manifest their discipleship through entering the waters of baptism. Because not all of God's children have the opportunity to do this in mortality (while living on earth), God gives them the opportunity to receive the gospel even after death, and a living person then is baptized, physically, on behalf of the deceased individual. There's a few fundamental things I want to point out about this very simplified explanation:

1) All of this centers around the concept of agency-- the idea and LDS belief that all men and women are free to act for themselves. God doesn't force anyone to do anything. People have choice. Of course, sometimes another person's agency affects our lives, meaning that sometimes things happen that weren't brought about by our own choices. However, we still maintain the right to respond to whatever circumstances or struggles we come across. This makes total and complete sense to me because I believe in a God who is fair. He doesn't pick and choose favorites (neither do my mortal parents). He loves us all the same, and loves us so much that he gives us the right to choose what we want for ourselves.

2) The discussion on baptism for the dead also highlights an even greater idea-- the Plan of Salvation. Essentially, baptism into Christ's church is a critical step in our eternal progression. God has a plan. He sent us to earth to receive a body and to exercise our agency (to choose good, or to choose evil). We live on earth, but when we die, our existence is not over. We will be resurrected (as was Christ), we will be judged, and we will receive an eternal increase in one of three different kingdoms or degrees of glory (1 Corinthians 15). Because we must be baptized to receive eternal glory and live with God in the celestial kingdom, he will provide us with the opportunity to be baptized-- whether that opportunity comes in mortal existence, or after.

Thus, baptism for the dead provides all people-- ALL of God's children-- with the opportunity to accept his gospel and his will. Baptism is a physical ordiance, so those who choose to receive the gospel in the spirit life after death are not officially received into the kingdom until someone performs the ordinance on their behalf (someone living on earth). Although baptisms are performed for those who have passed on, performing that act does not impede upon their will and free choice in any way-- it is still their decision to receive it, or not.

Joseph Smith received this revelation about baptism for the dead as he mourned the loss of his brother, Alvin, who had died before being baptized. Knowing that salvation came only to those who are baptized, Joseph was greatly troubled for his brother's soul. The Lord gave Joseph this revelation, now Doctrine & Covenants 137, to comfort him and help him know that his brother was okay. People who die without receiving the gospel are provided that opportunity in the next life, and children who die before the age of accountability (eight years) are not damned. This also makes sense to me. "We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgressions" (The Articles of Faith). Latter-day Saints have a view on original sin that differs from most Christians. Although we believe in the reality of the fall (of Adam and Eve), we do not believe that we will be punished for their transgressions. The fall was an essential part of the plan of salvation-- it brought about our agency. It ushered in mortality. And consequently, children who die before the age of eight (when they can get baptized) are not punished. Instead, they are assured exaltation and everlasting life with Heavenly Father. Again, this makes absolute sense to me. The God I worship, a fair and loving God, gives his children-- all of them-- the opportunity to choose to be part of his church. And if they die before the age of accountability, they did not have that opportunity and thus will not be punished for having not received that opportunity.

Well, I love this doctrine. It makes sense to me, and I have a testimony of it. I know that Heavenly Father loves each of his children. I only comprehend a little tiny portion of that love, and even that small portion I understand is so great that it fills me with joy! Heavenly Father is so wonderful. His son, Jesus Christ, provided the way for us to be forgiven and to grow through the gift of his Atonement. This is part of our eternal progression. I believe that baptism is the first principle and ordinance of the gospel, and that choosing to become part of God's church was just about the greatest choice I ever made.

A hymn that explains how I feel when I think about everything God has provided us and how much he loves us is "How Great Thou Art":

O Lord my God,

When I in awesome wonder

Consider all

The works Thy Hand hath made,

I see the stars,

I hear the mighty thunder,

Thy pow'r throughout

The universe displayed;

And when I think,

That God his son not sparing,

Sent him to die,

I scarce can take it in.

That on the cross,

My burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died,

To take away my sin.

When Christ shall come,

With shouts of acclamation,

And take me home,

What joy shall fill my heart!

Then I shall bow

In humble adoration

And there proclaim,

"My God, how great Thou art!"

Then sings my soul,

My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art!

How great Thou art!

Then sings my soul,

My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art!

How great Thou art!