Thinking Out Loud

A Blog? I don't really want to do that. Who cares about my thoughts anyways? Other than my Mom.

This was my reaction to Sister Steadman's announcement that we would be creating and maintaining blogs this semester. 

I have come to see how blogs can be a powerful influence for good in the world. There are many people with humble blogs who use them to encourage good, clean living. Blogs are a great way to spread the good news of the gospel. Blogs can put something positive into the world to counteract all of the negative that is on the internet. Blogs can also encourage people to be better. They can be funny and entertaining and help people to realize that they are not alone in their experiences. 

I used to think of blogs as somewhat narcissistic, but I have come to see the immense value of blogs. They can be a great tool for networking. They are a wonderful way to keep in contact with family and friends far away, and a great place to post pictures. 

There are so many different kinds of blogs. My blog is pretty simple and has mostly been my musings about different things I have read or encountered this semester. My blog is not very educational or even very exciting. It is simply thoughts. Just like my title, they are thoughts that I think to help me feel a little bit better about life and remember how wonderfully blessed I am!

Although I do not know if a long term blog is for me, I have developed a respect for those who do have the courage to put themselves out there and share their experiences. I also admire the dedication; it takes discipline to write a blog consistently! 

Love is spelled F A M I L Y

I enjoyed how Women's Conference was completely centered on family. My favorite talk was Sister Carole M. Stephens. She was real and candid in her approach to the subject of family.
Sister Stephens started her talk by quoting the primary song "The Family is of God" and structured her talk on this song. She outlined her talk using the four lines from the song and expanded on each one. She was able to include all ages as her talk surrounded a primary song, but also addressed some of the more mature elements of life.
Sister Stephens built her Ethos by quoting from The Proclamation and from Modern Apostles such as Elder Scott.
She also build pathos by telling stories. I enjoyed the story she told of being in Chile and asking the older woman, whom she was visiting, how many grandchildren she had. The story brought warmth to my heart as the women's daughter explained how her mother was grandmother to everyone in the neighborhood.
Sister Stephens brought a feeling of  honesty to the talk when she addressed many of the ailments in the world today and admitted that many of them had not been her trials to face in this life. She conceded that while she may not understand, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ do.
She also quoted the prophet Joseph Smith from the book Daughter in My Kingdom. This was a great way to build unity with the sisters as this book is meant  primarily for the Relief Society.
Sister Stephens also built her ethos while inspiring pathos as she quoted from the scriptures. She was able to reiterate the importance of her message by using the words of Jesus Christ.
Sister Stephens even incorporated a bit of logos in to her talk as she spoke of the blessings which do come from studying the teachings of the Savior.
I am grateful for Sister Stephens, her love, her honesty, and the sacred topic that she spoke on.

"We shall Overcome Some Day"

Imagine being slapped hard across the face. You are shocked and stunned. The skin on your cheek blossoms into a bright red color and stings as if a hundred tiny needles are piercing through your skin. The pain and humiliation are increased as water springs to your eyes in response to the pain. Would you, in return, turn your other cheek toward your attacker and allow them to strike you again? Would this make you feel small, pathetic and powerless? Or, would it make you feel empowered? Would you instead choose to raise your fists in defense of yourself, refusing to allow such an assault to repeat itself? Now imagine you saw a family member, a spouse, a sibling, a child, undeservingly treated with such derision. Would your response change?
Looking back on the Civil Rights movement is heartbreaking and inspiring. It is disturbing to see how corrupt and confused so many white people were. It is devastating to see pictures of young children, imbued with hatred from their parents, carrying racist and hateful signs. It is disgraceful to think of Jim Crow laws ever having a place in the United States of America. However, it is inspiring to see how people responded to these injustices and never gave up despite the odds. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X each responded differently. Martin proclaimed, “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of it’s creed…” While Malcolm declared, “No, I’m not an American. I am one of the 22 million black people who are victims of Americanism… I don’t see any American Dream; I see an American nightmare.” Martin saw the peace and brotherly love inspired by Jesus Christ, which would come to rest upon all black and white people eventually. Malcolm saw the disorder and suffering which tore his family apart and drove his mother insane. Martin saw the inequality as something to be overcome with love; Malcolm saw the disparity as something to be overcome with force and violence if necessary. Martin was prepared to turn the other cheek. Malcolm was not going to allow any white man to slap him across the face. Each of these men were great men who, through their understanding, their faith, their unfailing diligence, and passion for the cause of freedom helped the Civil Rights movement see great success in the United States of America.

Musings on a Man with No Name

As a missionary it was so easy to believe in forgiveness for those whom I taught. I knew that the Lord would forgive them for any misdeed they committed before they obtained the gift of the gospel. I also knew that they would be forgiven by the Savior as they continued on a path of righteousness and strived to live the gospel. I felt great conviction when I bore testimony of these truths to investigators and members. Sometimes however, it is difficult to extend those promises to myself.

The Lord comes to the Brother of Jared in Ether 2:14 and speaks to him for three hours. The Lord chastens him for his forgetfulness. The brother of Jared repents and the Lord forgives him with an admonition to not sin anymore. Sometime it is hard to come to the Lord with repentance. Sometimes feelings of unworthiness or embarrassment prevent us from going to Him. There are times when we know very well not to do something and yet we do it, not only once but we make the same mistake over and over again. How could the Lord want to forgive us when He has seen our repetitive nature? It reminds me of overeating or indulging in treats. It tastes great while we savor the food and treats, we feel sick by the end, promise ourselves that we will never eat that much or a specific food again, and eventually eat the very same food in the same quantity!

The Lord is always ready to forgive though. He is waiting with open arms and in some instances even comes to us. I love the words of the Lord in the book of Isaiah which read, “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.”(44:22) The Lord comes to us and asks that we return to Him.

We  do not have to carry the burden of regret of guilt. We can return to the Lord because He has come to us and redeemed us. We can find peace and be tools in the Lord’s hand as we regularly repent and strive to be better.

Only 266 more Days!

Christmas is my most favorite time of the year! I enjoy the whole season. Christmas music starts to play in October, and the longer the decorations can be up, the better. I love the feeling that permeates the air. It is as if everyone is a little bit happier and a little bit kinder. Cheer and charity seem to be far more prevalent at this time of year. The anticipation of Christmas morning is a feeling which is difficult to replicate. As I was growing up my family had the privilege of taking Christmas to a family who had very little. The family was dealt a hard hand in this life. They were struggling to make it from day to day. Christmas would not be an option for them. Every year we gathered gifts, gift cards, and food to take to them on Christmas Eve. Our family looked forward to this tradition every year. The anticipation for taking Christmas to this family was often greater than the anticipation for our own Christmas morning.One year when we went to visit them we found the house dark with no lights or tree. We left and went to a near by store where we were able to pick up a tree and lights to decorate it with. Seeing the joy and anticipation on their faces every time we arrived at their house was a beautiful gift and often my family drove home with silent tears falling over our cheeks.

Christmas has been a time of anticipation from the very beginning. 3rd Nephi speaks of the people looking forward to the birth of Christ and watching for the signs of his birth. I think that the anticipation of Jesus Christ is what creates the irreplaceable feeling I so enjoy at Christmas time. Whether people realize it or not, the joyful prospect of the night which celebrates the coming of the Messiah causes all to be more merry and bright. I am grateful for the birth of our Savior and the opportunity we have each year to celebrate it. The music, the lights, the gifts and opportunities to serve are all ways in which Christmas helps us to anticipate the coming of the Savior.

Eternal Lessons from a Four Year Old

There is much confusion and strife in the world surrounding the death of young children. This is a horrendously heavy burden to bear, made even more so by the prospect of never seeing them again. This idea is perpetuated by the theory that only those who receive baptism will be received into Heaven and those who do not will be cast out to Hell. The immense pain of knowing that you will never hold that precious baby, never hear them cry or coo, and never watch them grow up, is heightened by the fear that their little soul is lost to Hell. The restored gospel brings with it so many tender revelations. The Book of Mormon contains a revelation regarding small children who have passed away before receiving baptism. "Little children are alive in Christ because of the atonement." (Moroni 8)

I find this doctrine so tender and sweet. Of course the Lord would not condemn small children to Hell after they have passed on before obtaining the ordinance of baptism. The fact that the false doctrine of small children needing baptism is so pervasive is morose. Having never had first hand experience with this doctrine or situation, it became prevalent and far more real to me when I read a short book titled Heaven is For Real. The book is written by a Pastor, whose son, at the time was just four years old, visits Heaven while undergoing an operation  in the emergency room. In the few months following the operation the son begins to slowly tell his family of the experiences he had while in heaven. One day he tells his mother that he has a sister, other than the one on earth with him. The mother is shocked and tells him that this is true.  She explains to him that she had a baby who died while still in her stomach. Her son, calmly and rather nonchalantly, let’s her know that the little girl whom she lost is up in Heaven and is waiting for her and the Pastor to come and raise her. His mother is overcome with emotion as she learns that the sweet baby girl she loved is not lost forever but is instead saved in Heaven, waiting for her parents arrival.

It is difficult for me to imagine the intense pain of losing someone and having no hope of seeing them again. The Plan of Salvation is such a blessing, especially in times of loss. With the restored gospel, we not only have a knowledge that there is life after death, but we also know that those children who pass on without receiving baptism will be safely received home to Heaven. This knowledge can bless not only my life but those around me who may not have the same beliefs.

Heaven on my Mind

When I think of Heaven I picture Jesus Christ with His arms out stretched. He is welcoming me home. I picture the Christus statue but as a real person. Fourth Nephi describes a Heaven on earth which was created after the visitation of Christ. The book makes it clear that some things have to be in place for this heaven on earth to be established. The people have no contention. They are all living according to the commandments of God. They are meeting together to worship and are constantly drawing themselves closer to God by reading the scriptures and praying. It is clear that the people are working hard and being productive. The Lord is prospering them because of their hard work and their strict adherence to His word. The people are able to have all things common among them because they are working so hard, there are none that are lazy or leaching. The scriptures also say that the people have the love of God in their hearts. This is the cause of the disappearance of contention and sins. Such a society is hardly imaginable. It would be an incredible society to behold and to be apart of.

When I think of Heaven on earth I think of my family. I have been blessed with a loving family. When I am with my family I feel warm and at home, no matter where we are. In family we can find unconditional love. We can be ourselves without the fear of being judged. We can feel safe and secure.

I think that the Savior has given us families so that we can participate in a heaven on earth. This may not be the family one is born in to. IT may be the family they begin. It may also be their family that they find within a congregation or group of people. It may be a simple family made up of a person and their dog. The Lord loves His children and wants them to experience joy and happiness in this life. He knows that one of the best ways for us to do this is through experiencing rich and fulfilling interpersonal relationships.

Once Upon a Time...

The Demise of a Fairy Tale

I had never seen such a handsome face in real life. Not only was his face out of a Giorgio Armani ad, but his body was perfect. His muscles rippled under his T-shirts; the light fabric laying softly over his angel wings. One day fate dealt me a lucky hand-we were both in the break room with no one else around.

“Hey, what ethnicity are you?” I asked.

“Mexican,” He responded in a confused tone. “Why?”

“Because you are beautiful! Your dark skin, your complexion, you’re just beautiful,” came my hurried reply. “I mean handsome,” I corrected, worried he may take offense to the feminine term.

“No beautiful works for me,” he grinned.

I had never before in my life talked to a stranger that way. The butterflies, who congregated in my stomach after the interaction, left no room for embarrassment .

It was not long before he asked for my number. I suppose the male ego can’t really resist a girl who gushes over him and tells him how beautiful he is. I had never been so excited for a first date in my life. I spent plenty of time prepping and primping, trying to make sure that my beauty would be equal to his. The date was everything I hoped it would be. He was incredibly handsome and smelled divine. He was cute, despite having spoken English since he was a child he still made mistakes with the language. He was a perfect gentleman, opened every door. He was protective, stepping between me and sketchy looking man on the way inside one of the destinations on the date. He had the whole date planned-a relief when one has become accustomed to men picking her up for dates and asking what she wanted to do. I was intrigued by him right away. He was so very different than me. He had been born in Mexico and moved to the states when he was four. He was an avid soccer player, and from what I could tell (from stalking the videos of him playing on facebook) quite good. He came from a completely different culture and language than me. There were small things that caught my attention. His parents were divorced. He still lived with his mother, and it appeared she depended on him for everything. He was not attending school and had no specific plans for his schooling. However, I brushed these aside.

We met at the end of August. A few weeks later we were going steady and not long after that he told me that he loved me. I was in a whirlwind of adoration for this man and infatuated with being in love for the first time. He cared for me so tenderly and sweetly. When we were together he devoted himself to me and my needs. We would sit and talk for hours, sharing our deepest thoughts. We would laugh and play together. After only a few short months we began to wonder what marriage to each other would be like.

The red flags that had caught my attention on our first date and at the beginning of our courtship were constantly looming over me. Instead of not being serious enough to deserve attention or smoothing themselves out as I had hoped, the problems became exacerbated as our relationship progressed. He struggled between wanting to please me and maintaining his loyalty to his mother. As the only son, he recognized that his mother had come to rely on him too heavily and had cajoled him into filling not only the role of son but that of husband as well. He was tied to her apron strings in an unhealthy way. Having come from a family where neither parent received schooling past high school, his education was of little importance to him. He had a good job which could lead to a career and which left him plenty of time to pursue his passion for soccer. This passion was not one that persuaded him to try to play collegiate or move to professional, but one that did take up plenty of time and money as he played in small clubs around the area.  He also knew that the things I was asking of him, moving out on his own, obtaining an education, deciding his goals with soccer, were good and healthy expectations. He would tell me how these were the things he wanted as well. These words from him were enough to calm my stresses for a little while each time. I constantly tried to convince myself that his words were true, despite the fact that his actions proved otherwise.

“Hey, I am ready for you to pick me up,” I said happily as I admired my newly manicured nails. He had dropped me off and told me he would pick me up when I was finished.

“Hey, actually I am still with my family and it looks like it will be a while. We are about to go and have dinner.”

Crestfallen and confused I said, “Okay, so when will I see you tonight?” It was the night before my birthday and we had planned a dinner date.

“I don’t really know how long this will take so maybe I can just call you later.”

I began my walk home from the nail salon. Once home I waited for the call. It never came. Later that night my phone buzzed. I picked it up to see a text from him. I hadn’t finished reading about how he was still with family and would just see me the following day before I chucked the phone across the room in frustration. It was clear that his loyalty to his family far surpassed any loyalty he had to me. I was never welcome at these activities and as much as it pained me to admit it, I knew that a wedding gown and the exchanging of rings would not change that. Even though I knew that I was second to his mother and his sisters and would probably always be, I naively gave him the benefit of the doubt. How could a man so breathtakingly handsome, so unfailingly chivalrous and who told me he loved me, not keep his word?

When Christmas came we had been dating for four months. We were in innocent and ignorant love. I foolishly saw him as the man I thought I knew he could become. He said the things he knew I wanted to hear in a desperate attempt to keep me by his side, but would do the exact opposite in order to maintain his relationship with is mother and keep her content. I was flying home to California for Christmas. I was disappointed that I would have to fly back to Utah on Christmas day due to work commitments but excited when he assured that he would be at the airport to pick me up. As I boarded the plane, I received a text from him wondering if I could ride the train back and reassuring me that he would be at the train station in Provo to pick me up. Upon my arrival in the hustle of bustle of Salt Lake International Airport I realized that the train was not running due to the national holiday. After further inquiry I discovered that there was no public transportation and that I would have to wait three hours for the next shuttle to depart to Provo.

“Hey, are you back?!” he asked excitedly when he answered the phone.

“The train does not run today because it is Christmas,” I replied.  There was a moment of silence on the other line.

“Oh… Well, can you find another way?” he inquired.

“Not really,” I said in frustration as I explained the predicament and the three hours I would have to wait before any shuttles would be leaving.

“Oh, well, take the shuttle and I will come see you when you get home.”

Hearing my frustration and tears on the other end he began to explain how he was with family and they were all about to go see a movie for which they already had tickets. I barely heard or understood him as I stood in the crowded airport, tears of disappointment running down my face. I hung up the phone, went into a bathroom stall, and sobbed uncontrollably.

The relationship lasted only three more days. I am embarrassed to say that it was not I who broke up with him. It took me a long time to come to the realization that he was not the fairytale I had built up in my mind; love does not conquer all.

The doorbell rings, I open to see the man I am currently dating on the doorstep.  In his hand is a lovely bouquet of flowers, despite the absence of a special occasion. He is tall, built like a bear, and strong. While he doesn’t turn heads or attract second glances the way my last boyfriend did, he is dependable, a friend to everyone he meets and always has people laughing with his quick wit and humor.

“You look absolutely beautiful!” he exclaims.

“Thank you,” I respond bashfully.

As he puts his phone away for the night he says, “Tonight I am with you, and there is no where else I would rather be.”

Reflections on a narrative

It was hard to choose a story to write about for our narrative assignment. In fact, that was the hardest part of the paper. I explored ideas in my head and even met with Sister Steadman to explore ideas further. As I tried to think of learning experiences I had many cross my mind, and finally I chose a rather recent one. When I decided to write about a past relationship I was a bit nervous. Was this really something I wanted to share with others? I felt vulnerable writing this story. However, it ended up being rather therapeutic. When I sat down to write the first draft of the paper I wrote the whole five pages in an hour and a half. It felt good to write and get it all out. As I revised the paper multiple times I continued to learn and grow from the experience. I am glad that I chose to write about this time in my life. I learned more through writing about it and experienced even more closure.

Look Sister Steadman! No hands!: Research Blog

We are writing a research paper in English class. The idea of writing ten pages is daunting in itself, so finding a topic I am interested in has been a journey. We are to write on a family story, does not matter how far back, and make a claim about something in that story. My Mother's parents are both still alive and the only grandparents whom I am close to. I began to try to think of some of their stories about which I could write a research paper. I thought about writing how my grandmother had come back to the church after choosing not to attend for years and the subsequent baptism of my grandfather. I remembered last fall when we celebrated Papa's (my grandfather's) 80th birthday and we sat around hearing stories from his life. I then chose instead to write about my Grandfather's upbringing in Texas. Papa Perry is a little racist in his thoughts and attitudes... and when I say a little, it could be an understatement. I am writing about growing up racist and the influences that cause racist  attitudes in an individual.



"Well,if Papa grew up racist and now at eighty years old he still is racist, can racism ever be eradicated?"
"That is a great question and one that is very intriguing. It is difficult to think that we can ever overcome racism when it is being taught in home."
"So what?"
"It matters because racism is detrimental to our society but many who are racist don't even realize that they are. Especially the older generation. It matters as a study when the question of racism in the United States being eradicated is brought up. It matters because Papa Perry has a pure and loving heart, but has been indoctrinated from birth that black people are less than white people, and others like him are being taught the same thing."

A Manley Daughter

Growing up as the only girl in a family with four brothers is wonderful. I would highly recommend it. I adore my family. I may be biased but I think I have the most wonderful family in the world.
I have two loving parents who's love is unconditional. They support us kids in all that we do and believe in us, often more than we believe in ourselves.
My father is strong and tender. He gives bear hugs, messages my scalp, hold me while I cry, is endlessly patient, is a master smoothie maker, works hard, and is the righteous leader of our home.
My mother has given her entire life to my father, me and my siblings. She is selfless and has sacrificed a great deal in order to always be there for our family. There is no doubt in any of our minds where my mother's priorities lie. She makes funny jokes, sends sweet texts, watches Twilight in the theatre and doesn't laugh (I told her to be serious despite the corniness), has long girl talks and buys me Lucky Charms when I come home. She is my best friend.
My four brothers are the best and mean the world to me. They are strong, funny, intelligent, well versed in politics, athletic, protective and all around studs.
I am so grateful for family. I know that I am very blessed to come from a solid family, especially in a world where the family unit is deteriorating rapidly.
I hope to one day raise my own family. My mother hopes that for each of us kids too as she would love to have grandchildren,  a hope which she does not try to hide. When I am a mother I hope that I can embody many of the attributes that I so admire and love in my own parents.

Science in the City

I enjoy cities because there is so much to do. Salt Lake is no exception to this. The Malls are, of course, some of the highlights, Hogle zoo is entertaining, Jazz games are exciting, and there is the Clark Museum.

If you are looking for a little science in your life, pop in to the museum where you can sit back, and watch a few different films.

I enjoyed watching Exploding Universe. The movie is shown in a dome theatre so it as if the universe is surrounding you. The film goes from through the creation of the universe from the perspective of the big bang theory. It showed how the entire universe came about from small protons. These protons, with neutrons and electrons, eventually formed atoms. The elements which were created eventually formed stars, galaxies, and our earth. The earth then evolved until it became inhabited with life.

The movie was very interesting from a scientific point of view. It showed giant stars detonating to become supernova. It also talked about black holes and illustrated supermassive black holes and the havoc they can reek. The movie depicted super volcanoes and showed how they have helped in transforming the earth into a life bearing planet.  The movie also showed how the earth continuously changed even from the beginning of it’s creation. The meteorite which struck the Yucatan peninsula and caused the extinction of the dinosaurs was portrayed.

The end of the film returned to the small proton that began the universe and is still an elementary particles which continues to have a role in our universe. Exploding Universe suggested and showed how out of devastation comes creation. It seems to be the circle of life as well as the circle of the universe.  

The Race Car of Cats!

My favorite animal is... you guessed it, the Cheetah! They have been since I was a child. I used to write reports and make posters with pictures I cut out of National Geographic about Cheetahs. I did this purely for myself. They were not even for an assignment. Here are some of the things I have learned about these gorgeous cats in my life.

Cheetahs are some of the most beautiful cats that roam the Savannas. The fastest of big cats, they race through the tall grasses like bullets. They are born athletes, built for the chase. However, the cats and their homes are in grave danger of extinction and destruction. Cheetahs live in Sub-Saharan Africa. While they used to roam other parts of the world, their numbers are now declining. Female Cheetahs often have three cubs at a time who will stay with her for the first twelve to eighteen months of their lives. The male Cheetahs will often live together while the females will separate off on their own. Unlike some of the other big cats Cheetahs do not roar but they are quite vocal. Cheetahs are built to run and have characteristics which make them the fastest cat. They hide in the grass, camouflaged, awaiting their prey. When the time is right they dart after the prey, knock it down and suffocate it with a death bite to the neck. Unfortunately, these magnificent cats face extinction due to hunting, bottle-necking, and their habitat being destroyed.

Cheetahs are extremely beautiful cats whose bodies are built for speed. They are long, thin and lanky which makes them excellent sprinters. Their bodies are specifically designed to race quickly for brief distances. This assists them in catching prey that many other wild cats are unable to (Mammals: Cheetahs). The Cheetah’s build is more similar to that of a greyhound rather than typical cats. They have small heads perched on top of their athletic bodies. Black spots decorate their golden yellow coats as well as their tales which are long and often have rings of black on them. Black tear marks run down from their eyes to the corners of their mouth. These are thought to be a natural protection from the glare of the sun, much as a football player would do.

Unfortunately, every time I go to the Zoo the cheetahs are always sleeping or hiding in the grass. I can't imagine how amazing it would be to see one in action!

I've got the world on a ... screen?

Elder Bednar is very intellectual. Sometimes when I hear him speak I get a little lost. I suppose this is because his intelligence far exceeds that of mine own. That is not a hit to me, I am just not at his level quite yet.
He gave an address at Brigham Young University Idaho to young adults in the Church titled 'Things as They Really Are'. This was a fascinating address in which he warns about some of the dangers of social media and different cyber activities. This address made it clear that despite the General Authorities being older and having grown up in a different time, they are not out of touch. Many of the things he shared were surprising. It is discouraging to hear the drastic number of people who are addicted to gaming or who are allowing their virtual life to take over their real life.
Elder Bednar warned, "I raise an apostolic voice of warning about the potentially stifling, suffocating, suppressing, and constraining impact of some kinds of cyberspace interactions and experiences upon our souls." I am grateful that Heavenly Father loves us and sent His apostle to warn of the dangers of something that can seem harmless and fun.
A couple years later Elder Bednar later gave an address entitled 'To Sweep the Earth as with a Flood'. Conversely this address talked about utilizing social media as a great tool to share the gospel. The address was given at BYU Education Week where the audience was quite a bit older then the young adults he spoke to previously. This was evident by his explanation of what certain social media sites were and what they could be used for. He said, "I exhort you to sweep the earth with messages filled with righteousness and truth." Social Media is a non invasive way to share our beliefs and to share the joy of the gospel.
These were two talks that I understood. Both of these talks are relevant to everyone. All can be more cautious to spend their time wisely and not allow distractions of any sort to become consuming or addicting. All can share the gospel online through a plethora of social media sites. Although evil and smut pervade the earth we can counteract it by sweeping the earth with beauty and truth!

A taste of Texas in P-Town

Utah is a difficult place to get used to, and I can't say that I have. Although, to be honest, there are parts of me that never want to. Being born and raised in Southern California I may be inflicted with a little bit of pride (little being an understatement). I will take the year round summer over the four seasons, the beach over the mountains, and the diverse population over Mormon country any day. However, Utah does have a plethora of delicious restaurants that you can not find in California. There seems to be restaurants every where in Provo and Orem. You can get almost any kind of food you want and from any country. I recently visited a little hole in the wall Joe's Café, and here is what I thought.

If you are craving a taste of the South in a clean and fun environment, then look no further than Joe’s Café. Upon entering, you will find Joe himself at the grill, preparing authentic Southern food. The feeling of family is palpable; Joe’s wife takes orders and runs the register. While waiting in line, you will be serenaded with classic hits from African-American artists playing over the speakers. The walls are lined with pictures of Joe, with his infectious smile, standing beside happy patrons. Posted on the walls leading to the register, are positive reviews about Joe and his café, which you will wholeheartedly agree with by the time you have finished your dining.  No matter which meal you and your family stop in for, I know that by the end of your visit you will agree, he ain’t no ordinary Joe!

So, while Utah is drastically different from my beloved home town, I can admit that it is home to some great restaurants, Joe's café being one of them!

I once heard...

People fear what they don’t know. Ignorance about any certain subject causes anxiety and often leads to irrational judgments. Why do people jump to conclusions so quickly? Why do we need to categorize and judge others? While it is frustrating to be judged we are often unable to parlay that into our own lives and not judge others. One of the subjects least understood and therefore greatly judged is religion. As a Latter Day Saint there are many times that others will misunderstand, misconstrue or purposely misrepresent our beliefs. This can be a great opportunity to help others understand the “Mormon” religion better. However, it can also be hurtful or frustrating, especially when people are immovable in their opinions.

Mormons have been frequently in the spotlight lately. When the Broadway musical ‘The Book of Mormon’ came out I saw many friends posting pictures of their playbills to show that they had gone to see the show. It was a great opportunity to now read the book and assure them that the book was even better than the play!

It is good to remember to show the same courtesy to others that we expect. We should be careful to not judge others harshly when we don’t understand their beliefs or positions.

The story of Lehi and Nephi in the Book of Helaman is an example of people misunderstanding and being quick to judge. Some believe Nephi is a prophet, others believe is a God and others just want him dead. We are not usually subjected to such drastic judgments but it is important to remember to be patient with others.

The Lord Jesus Christ was also judged and misunderstood. Some saw Him as a nice teacher, some as a King, and others wanted Him dead. I know that the Lord wants us to be patient and strive to understand one another before we jump to conclusions. I am grateful for His loving example. I know that He will strengthen us, both to know how to respond to misunderstandings regarding the Church of Jesus Christ and to be more understanding of others who may differ from us in beliefs or ideologies.

"To all who come to this happy place..."

"Welcome! Disney land is your land." ~Walt Disney

Disneyland, also known as the happiest place on earth, is one of my favorite places. I love to go to Disneyland with my family. The rides are so fun (not too intense or scary), the food is delicious (if you have spare change), and the atmosphere is unlike any other. I could spend all day in Disneyland and never even go on a ride. There are so many fun nooks and crannies in the park to explore. I enjoy going to the artist studio and being taught how to animate one of Disney's most beloved characters. It is also fun to go watch Steve Martin talk all about Disney and the creation of the park. Another great stop is Captain EO, watching Michael Jackson dance and sing in order to save the planet.

Disneyland is such a happy place and a wonderful destination for families. Growing up in Southern California, I often had a year pass and would go regularly. My favorite trips with the family were to the beach and to Disneyland.

California Adventure is also a don't miss! The best ride is Soaring Over California, where you glide through some of the most famous spots all over the state of California. The scenes are breathtaking, the music is magnificent and the special effects are top notch! This is is the only ride I have been on that people consistently clap at the end of.

If you ever have the chance to visit Disneyland I encourage you to go. Make sure to get some park hopper tickets and be prepared to have a wonderful time at a very happy place.

I say a little prayer for you...

"When I was first called as a General Authority nearly 50 years ago, we lived on a very small plot of ground in Utah Valley that we called our farm. We had a cow and a horse and chickens and lots of children.

One Saturday, I was to drive to the airport for a flight to a stake conference in California. But the cow was expecting a calf and in trouble. The calf was born, but the cow could not get up. We called the veterinarian, who soon came. He said the cow had swallowed a wire and would not live through the day.

I copied the telephone number of the animal by-products company so my wife could call them to come and get the cow as soon as she died.

Before I left, we had our family prayer. Our little boy said our prayer. After he had asked Heavenly Father to “bless Daddy in his travels and bless us all,” he then started an earnest plea. He said, “Heavenly Father, please bless Bossy cow so that she will get to be all right.”

In California, I told of the incident and said, “He must learn that we do not get everything we pray for just that easily.”

There was a lesson to be learned, but it was I who learned it, not my son. When I returned Sunday night, Bossy had “got to be all right.”

The story of President Packer and the family cow is so sweet to me. President Packer’s son prayed with pure and innocent faith for the Cow to be alright. The circumstances were such that President Packer thought it irrational to pray for the cow’s well being and knew that Bossy Cow’s time on earth was coming to an end. As people grow older it is extremely difficult to maintain that childlike faith. In Alma chapter 58 the Nephite armies are in dire circumstances. They are heavily outnumbered, they are not receiving support from the government, and have little to no provisions with which to wage war. To say that the situation was desperate would have been an understatement. One could well have thought that this situation was one in which it was irrational to pray to God. However, with sincere hearts the Nephites did pray. The Lord’s tenderness is evident as He speaks peace to their souls. When I was a child we lived in a cul de sac full of children. All of the children would gather in the street or front yards to play games together. There was one neighbor on the street that did not like this arrangement: Mr Black. Mr. Black was an older gentleman, crotchety and unhappy.  He would honk his horn and rev his engine at the playing children. He would take any toys left in his yard, and squirt kids with the hose that came too close to his house. Our family decided to pray for him, that he would have a change of heart and be more kind and gentle. As time went on nothing changed and he soon dropped out of our prayers. I was very young at the time and consistently prayed that Mr. Black, “could be a friend”. One day there was a knock at the door. There was Mr. Black, standing on our porch, having come to apologize. He did not apologize to any other neighbors on the block. The Lord answered my innocent prayer, and changed Mr. Black in to a friend. Whether it is a cow, an army, or a grumpy old man, the Lord will answer faithful prayers and fill our souls with peace.

~Small and Simple means~

“So be kind regarding human frailty—your own as well as that of those who serve with you in a Church led by volunteer, mortal men and women. Except in the case of His only perfect Begotten Son, imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but He deals with it. So should we.” This was a gentle reminder from Elder Holland in a conference address. It is so easy to get down on ourselves and think we are not good enough or judge others the same way. Sometimes we may see ourselves as insignificant. But the Lord says that “by small and simple means, great things are brought to past.”

It is the same with missionary work. The lord mainly uses young men and women as his missionaries. The Lord’s grace and mercy is exemplified in His calling of Corianton to declare His word. The Lord uses Heavenly beings to preach His gospel, but also uses less than worthy mortals. The Lord wants all of His children to receive the blessings of the gospel. It was a blessing to be able to participate in the work for the living as a full time missionary and it is a blessing to continue that work without a name badge. It is also a blessing to be able to serve in the Temple and do work for those who have passed on without receiving the blessings of the gospel. Just as the Lord has redeemed all of us, we are able to participate, in a small way, as saviors by acting as proxies for those who have passed on.

I have always found the notion, that only those who hear and accept the gospel while on the earth will be received into Heaven, grave and morose. This idea does not coincide with God being a just and loving God. I am grateful for the love Heavenly Father has for His children. Because He loves us He has provided His son as the Savior for all mankind. He is not concerned with when His children were born. All souls are precious to Him. This is clear by many parts of the restored gospel, such as, a living prophet, Priesthood, and all of the ordinances done in the Temple.

"When we put God first, and all other things will fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives."

Life can become so overwhelming at times. The stresses we feel during the day seem as if they will engulf us. School, work, serving, maintaining health, building relationships, keeping in contact with family- we often feel that we do not have time for it all. There are just not enough hours in the day!

President Ezra Taft Benson's council found in the title of this post can be helpful. When we put God first we have the promise that He will tenderly lead us by the hand. We can not accomplish everything on our own, but walking hand in hand with God we can succeed in every aspect of our lives.