Tuesday, October 14, 2014
I Face Upward
In my religion we have a General Conference twice a year. One in October and one in April. In this General Conference, or conference as some members of my church might address it, is a time for us and others who want to join in can listen to Prophets and Apostles. This past October conference a leader asked a question, "Where do you face?". After I re-watched the talk it started churning some wheels in my head. Many people think "Mormons" or Latter-Day Saints are a peculiar people. And they would be right. We are. We strive to live a life pleasing to God. We try, with much difficulty at times, to live as best as we can. The world often has many pleasing temptations out there, but we know where we should face. I love God, he is my Heavenly Father. Just like my Earthly Dad I try to please him because I carry his name.
If my Earthy Father warned me about anything I try with great caution to remember and do as he told me to do. For example, I live in Idaho and coming from Tennessee there is not much experience with Snow, so my dad told me before I left how to slow down in the snow by pumping my breaks to stop so as not to skid across the roads. I have many times taken this advice and it has saved me from accidents. Just as my Heavenly Father has told me in the scriptures what to do to be safe, I make sure to follow with great persistence. I want to live with My Heavenly Father someday, just as much as I love my Earthly Father. I am grateful to have someone up above watching over me constantly and knowing that I can and will continue to Face Upward .
Monday, August 25, 2014
A Mormon's Message
This is the kind of love I want. A Mormon's Message
I worked at a restaurant this summer and it opened to my eyes in the sense of the world. There would be conversations I was appalled were even being thought of much less being spoken out loud. The jist I got from all of there blunderings, was love. They didn't love like the love we dream about as a little girl. They see it as lust. When I get married to whomever it may be and whenever it may be. I don't want an instant love, and when I am finished throw them away. I want one that will not judge, but help. I want one that will grow over and over again, everyday. I want one where we get mad and frustrated, so we can love and talk on a deeper level. I am ready for a forever love, not one of instant gratification.
I worked at a restaurant this summer and it opened to my eyes in the sense of the world. There would be conversations I was appalled were even being thought of much less being spoken out loud. The jist I got from all of there blunderings, was love. They didn't love like the love we dream about as a little girl. They see it as lust. When I get married to whomever it may be and whenever it may be. I don't want an instant love, and when I am finished throw them away. I want one that will not judge, but help. I want one that will grow over and over again, everyday. I want one where we get mad and frustrated, so we can love and talk on a deeper level. I am ready for a forever love, not one of instant gratification.
Monday, May 5, 2014
Clarity for an Otherwise Murky World
Alright, I have many "old lady" rants and many soap boxes places here and there. Many people may call me old fashion, and you know what that is alright. Because at least an old fashion doesn't have to pay much to keep up with how fast the world is changing. I was on facebook today and one of my most precious friends posted this on his wall.
"During my time in the social world, I have tried to be as helpful as I can with my friends and family and I always listen to what they have to say. One thing that many of my friends, especially girls, come to talk to me about are their relationships. Many, many of those times, those relationships are romantic and they want my opinion on a date or situation that happened (just saying though, I’m NOT Hitch). But, there is a troubling trend that I have seen and heard. It is the prevalence of “One Night Stands” and/or “NCMOs” (non-committal make outs). Basically, where two people simply decide to make out or commit an act to “satisfy an appetite.” Some would even say that such an act constitutes a “conquest.”
Many of you are probably thinking right now, “Well, what’s wrong with that? I don’t see anything wrong with it.” I have to voice my opinion though that there is something wrong with it. People get hurt by stuff like this. Not just one, but a whole slew. Word spreads around to others and you get a reputation. Most of the time that reputation is less than flattering. Also, think of your self-esteem. How do you feel afterwards? Do you feel proud? Do you feel worthy? Do you feel like a “man?” Basically, I feel, if you think that it is okay to commit such acts like this, than you are saying it is okay for a spouse to cheat on their significant other. It is okay for someone to be taken advantage of. It is okay to take someone’s feelings, play with them, toy with them, and then when you are done, you simply leave it by the road side, ready to be collected into the garbage heap.
Something that everyone needs to remember is that we are children of our Heavenly Father. There IS a God, He is the father of our spirits and he wants the best for us. He has given us all a body. We can do what we wish with this body. But, if we treat it right, we can receive great blessings in this life and the life beyond. A scripture from the Bible reads, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” (2 Peter 1:3) We have been given life. We are called to be 1.) Glorious and 2.) Virtuous. We glory in things that are right, things that are good. The dictionary defines Glorious as having, worthy of, or bringing fame or admiration. Think on “worthy of.” If we have violated something; a rule, a law, a commandment, than we are not worthy. If we have violated someone’s virtue, than we are definitely not worthy of Glory. Virtue is such a precious gift. It is something that makes us pure, good and capable of being loving towards others. Taking away someone’s virtue or allowing us to surrender our virtue causes such pain, to us personally, to our friends, and to our Father in Heaven.
There is the saying “Nice guys finish last.” Many say this because they are of the opinion that you have to “take charge of your woman,” or “she wants that ‘bad boy.’” I have had that “Nice Guy” moniker on my chest for a long time now. I used to resent that title, and I still kind of do. However, I am a better man for it. I treat everyone I meet with respect and dignity. I respect a woman’s virtue and am always mindful of her honor and dignity. This is called, “chivalry.” They say it is dead. It isn’t. I am glad that I and many of my friends still practice this so-called, “lost art.” I am proud that there are still men who respect a woman’s virtue and self-esteem and vice versa. I will not surrender my honor as a man so that I can have a short time of pleasure. Because that can result in long term pain. I may be single, I may not have that girl that loves me for who I am, but I will not stop being a worthy priesthood holder and a good honest man just so I can have my kicks! Those girls that do see it in me and others like me are out there and hopefully, one day, they will see that. I am proud to be known as the “Nice Guy.”
People, I implore you. Be honorable in your relationships. Hold back those animalistic desires for NCMO’s and “one night stands.” They are only pleasurable for a moment and they can cause long-term pain, regret, and sorrow. Do good always. Let virtue garnish they thoughts. You are all children of God; act accordingly. Do not disappoint Him. If you do good things now and stop behavior such as this, than you will receive some of the greatest rewards you will ever see in your life."
- John Hogan
I most have to agree with him. Many people in the world are unaware of what they are getting into. They act on sudden urges rather than just taking time to think. We have to bridle (restrain or control the action or movement of something.) our passions. So many of us in this world today want instant gratification. NOW is not enough for us...we want everything when we want it. I once heard a lady tell a group of women she waited 20 dates until she kissed her boyfriend (who turned out to be her husband later on) she knew what she was wearing, where they were, and the date and time. She became emotional upon telling us the story. It was powerful and beautiful, who else wants that? Some would say it is a fairytale, some would say it is old fashion. Well pass me some knitting needles and call me Grandma, but we need more hope that there are good men out there. Above proves their not all pigs! Thank you for listening to your elder!
"During my time in the social world, I have tried to be as helpful as I can with my friends and family and I always listen to what they have to say. One thing that many of my friends, especially girls, come to talk to me about are their relationships. Many, many of those times, those relationships are romantic and they want my opinion on a date or situation that happened (just saying though, I’m NOT Hitch). But, there is a troubling trend that I have seen and heard. It is the prevalence of “One Night Stands” and/or “NCMOs” (non-committal make outs). Basically, where two people simply decide to make out or commit an act to “satisfy an appetite.” Some would even say that such an act constitutes a “conquest.”
Many of you are probably thinking right now, “Well, what’s wrong with that? I don’t see anything wrong with it.” I have to voice my opinion though that there is something wrong with it. People get hurt by stuff like this. Not just one, but a whole slew. Word spreads around to others and you get a reputation. Most of the time that reputation is less than flattering. Also, think of your self-esteem. How do you feel afterwards? Do you feel proud? Do you feel worthy? Do you feel like a “man?” Basically, I feel, if you think that it is okay to commit such acts like this, than you are saying it is okay for a spouse to cheat on their significant other. It is okay for someone to be taken advantage of. It is okay to take someone’s feelings, play with them, toy with them, and then when you are done, you simply leave it by the road side, ready to be collected into the garbage heap.
Something that everyone needs to remember is that we are children of our Heavenly Father. There IS a God, He is the father of our spirits and he wants the best for us. He has given us all a body. We can do what we wish with this body. But, if we treat it right, we can receive great blessings in this life and the life beyond. A scripture from the Bible reads, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” (2 Peter 1:3) We have been given life. We are called to be 1.) Glorious and 2.) Virtuous. We glory in things that are right, things that are good. The dictionary defines Glorious as having, worthy of, or bringing fame or admiration. Think on “worthy of.” If we have violated something; a rule, a law, a commandment, than we are not worthy. If we have violated someone’s virtue, than we are definitely not worthy of Glory. Virtue is such a precious gift. It is something that makes us pure, good and capable of being loving towards others. Taking away someone’s virtue or allowing us to surrender our virtue causes such pain, to us personally, to our friends, and to our Father in Heaven.
There is the saying “Nice guys finish last.” Many say this because they are of the opinion that you have to “take charge of your woman,” or “she wants that ‘bad boy.’” I have had that “Nice Guy” moniker on my chest for a long time now. I used to resent that title, and I still kind of do. However, I am a better man for it. I treat everyone I meet with respect and dignity. I respect a woman’s virtue and am always mindful of her honor and dignity. This is called, “chivalry.” They say it is dead. It isn’t. I am glad that I and many of my friends still practice this so-called, “lost art.” I am proud that there are still men who respect a woman’s virtue and self-esteem and vice versa. I will not surrender my honor as a man so that I can have a short time of pleasure. Because that can result in long term pain. I may be single, I may not have that girl that loves me for who I am, but I will not stop being a worthy priesthood holder and a good honest man just so I can have my kicks! Those girls that do see it in me and others like me are out there and hopefully, one day, they will see that. I am proud to be known as the “Nice Guy.”
People, I implore you. Be honorable in your relationships. Hold back those animalistic desires for NCMO’s and “one night stands.” They are only pleasurable for a moment and they can cause long-term pain, regret, and sorrow. Do good always. Let virtue garnish they thoughts. You are all children of God; act accordingly. Do not disappoint Him. If you do good things now and stop behavior such as this, than you will receive some of the greatest rewards you will ever see in your life."
- John Hogan
I most have to agree with him. Many people in the world are unaware of what they are getting into. They act on sudden urges rather than just taking time to think. We have to bridle (restrain or control the action or movement of something.) our passions. So many of us in this world today want instant gratification. NOW is not enough for us...we want everything when we want it. I once heard a lady tell a group of women she waited 20 dates until she kissed her boyfriend (who turned out to be her husband later on) she knew what she was wearing, where they were, and the date and time. She became emotional upon telling us the story. It was powerful and beautiful, who else wants that? Some would say it is a fairytale, some would say it is old fashion. Well pass me some knitting needles and call me Grandma, but we need more hope that there are good men out there. Above proves their not all pigs! Thank you for listening to your elder!
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Guns loaded and pointed at you...what will be your answer?
Tonight I saw a movie that reopened my eyes, it was called the Saratov Approach. It was about two missionaries who were serving in Russia and were kidnapped and held for ransom. SaratovApproach . As I sat in the theater watching them get beat, shoved, blind folded, and handcuffed. Christ came to mind when he was going through the Atonement. Standing up as a Christian is NEVER easy. I don't know what I would do at gunpoint, but they never denied Christ and his saving/ loving power, even for the evilest of villains, God loves us. When I decided to go on a mission or even before, when I decided to join the True Church TheChurchofJesusChristofLatter-DaySaints . I signed up to protect Gods good name and stand beside my Savior even through teh hardest of times. Am I willing to do that at all costs? Even lay down my own life is necessary? If bullet was loaded and pointed at my head, and I was asked if I was a Christian, would I answer yes?
would you?
....
No doubt about it. Christ endured much more than a simple question and a tease from Satan. He endured EVERY TORTURE known to man and prevailed and gave me the option of Eternal Life. Pain-free sin-free and love beyond measure. Christ is alive in each one of us, if we but choose to let him in.
would you?
....
No doubt about it. Christ endured much more than a simple question and a tease from Satan. He endured EVERY TORTURE known to man and prevailed and gave me the option of Eternal Life. Pain-free sin-free and love beyond measure. Christ is alive in each one of us, if we but choose to let him in.
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