MoSop on a Nature Walk
Recently I have been taking nature walks during my lunch hour. Not only has this been refreshing to my mind and body, but also to my soul. I started carrying my camera with me on these afternoon adventures, and ended up with quite a collection of photos! Looking at them has filled me with gratitude for this beautiful world we live in. I realize more each day just how much we owe our Savior, Jesus Christ. He has truly given all light, life and hope to this amazing earth. Thinking about it fills my heart with joy. And naturally, I wish to share it. Thus, I have created a video for you to enjoy these images (all but 3 are my own). The music is Mack Wilberg’s arrangement of the Hymn “There is Sunshine In My Soul Today“.
Have a wonderful, sunny day!
The attached video is based upon a true story, and I feel is worthy of sharing with my readers. The Government of the Republic of Macedonia’s Ministry of Education & Science created this thought provoking clip. It was used as part of a social advertising campaign aimed at promoting religious education. The Headline for this commercial reads:
”Religion is knowledge, too.”
The concept is clear. The lack of light brings darkness. One of the great Latter-day Saint (Mormon) prophets of this century spoke on evil just one month following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Here were his words regarding evil:
” [As] wonderful as this time is, it is fraught with peril. Evil is all about us. It is attractive and tempting and in so many cases successful. Paul declared:
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come…Having a form of godliness; but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Tim. 3:1–5).
We see today all of these evils, more commonly and generally, than they have ever been seen before, as we have so recently been reminded by what has occurred in New York City, Washington, and Pennsylvania…. We live in a season when fierce men do terrible and despicable things. We live in a season of war. We live in a season of arrogance. We live in a season of wickedness, pornography, immorality. All of the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah haunt our society. Our young people have never faced a greater challenge. We have never seen more clearly the lecherous face of evil.
And so, my brothers and sisters, we are met together…to help and lift one another, to give encouragement and build faith, to reflect on the wonderful things the Lord has made available to us, and to strengthen our resolve to oppose evil in whatever form it may take… Our strength is our faith in the Almighty. No cause under the heavens can stop the work of God. Adversity may raise its ugly head. The world may be troubled with wars and rumors of wars, but His cause will go forward.” Gordon B. Hinckley, Oct. General Conference, 2001
This video gives a simplified introduction to Mormon Temples. Learn the history, purpose and what takes place inside - all in just 3 minutes!
Find out more about Mormon temple worship at LDS.org/Temples
Read fun facts and see beautiful photos of Mormon temples around the world at LDSChurchTemples.com
Watch an indepth documentary about Mormon Temples
Learn more about Mormon belief at http://mormon.org/
This past weekend I was archiving files on my computer, and I discovered some photos I took in July 2008. One image in particular has captured my attention. If a “picture is worth a thousand words” then this one certainly tells a beautiful story. It symbolizes all that I am personally thankful for – evoking words such as:
God. Family. Home. Country. Freedom. Worship. Life, and Eternity.
I remember that walk. It was a beautiful late summer afternoon. I lingered, and eventually the light began to fade. As I walked past the cemetary, I happened to turn and look back toward the LDS Temple nestled on the hill. At that moment, I saw the rays of the setting sun shimmering through the American flag, and the temple prominently settled in the background. I snapped a photo. At some point I downloaded the image to my computer, and then forgot about it. Until today.
This photo makes my heart swell with gratitude. I am grateful to our forefathers who sacrificed everything, including their very lives to build a country where men and women would be free to worship according the dictates of their own conscience. Through their courage & determination, and with divine assistance, they made that dream a reality. Likewise, I am grateful for my Mormon ancestors who sacrificed everything, including their very lives, to build a haven in the West. They desired a place where they could worship according the the dictates of their conscience, and raise their children free from persecution, terror, mob violence and fear. Through their courage & determination, and with divine assistance, they made that dream a reality.
If those pioneers and forefathers could have seen into the future, to our day, what would they have thought? Certainly, they could be amazed at how our nation has grown, and at our advances in medicine and technology. They could marvel at all of our modern conveniences, our tall buildings and rapid transportation. However, perhaps they might see something less impressive, and disconcerting. They would see that beyond all of our surface comfort and wealth, there lies a collective soul in bankruptcy.
Where is our courage and determination? How are we safegarding the religious freedoms they fought so hard to establish and preserve? What personal sacrifices are we making on behalf of our future generations? What legacy are we striving to leave?
In general, as 21st Century beings, we have become so distracted by our “pursuit of happiness”, we seem to be forgetting the things that matter most.
Bishop Burton
The current conventional wisdom is that more is better and less is usually undesirable. For some, the pursuit to acquire more of this world’s goods and services has become a passion. For others, more of this world’s wealth is necessary just to sustain life or raise living standards to a minimum level. The unbridled desire for more often has tragic consequences…
It is hard to say no to more, when you can afford to say yes. Parents are rightfully anxious about the future. It is difficult to say no to more sports equipment, electronics, lessons, clothes, team participation, et cetera, when parents believe more will help children thrive in an increasingly competitive world. Young people seem to want more, partly because there is infinitely more to catch their eye. The American Academy of Pediatrics estimated that American children see more than 40,000 commercials a year. – Bishop H. David Burton, – “More Holiness Give Me” Oct. 2004
One of my favorite hymns was penned by the revered Evangelist composer Philip Paul Bliss (1838-1876), entitled “More Holiness Give Me“. It is found in many congregational hymnbooks – including the Latter-day Saints. The song is written as a plea to heaven for a list of virtues.
P.P. Bliss
The virtues expressed in “More Holiness Give Me” fall into several groups. Some are personal goals, like more faith, gratitude, and purity…Others center on adversity, [such as] patience in suffering, and strength to overcome…The rest firmly anchor us to our Savior…more blessed and holy; and more, Savior, like Thee. More of these virtues is better. Less is not desirable.
As I gaze at my photo, I can hear this hymn clearly in my mind. There is a certain line that particularly stands out…”More Freedom From Earth-Stains“… I offer a prayer in my heart for my family, my country and its citizens whom I love so much, and for the entire world to receive More Freedom. Oh, how I pray we will seek more of holiness, and we will turn to the One who can cleanse, heal and protect us in this time of great need. The truth is undeniable:
More Holiness offers More Freedom.
An Arrangement of Phillip Paul Bliss’ hymn by Michelle Willis. Performed by the BYU-Idaho Womens Choir, directed by Kathryn Ricks Willis.
A Mormon Message for everyone running the race of life.
This 4 minute video is well worth watching, from both an historical and religious perspective.
Created by DefendingMormonism
You’ve heard the rumors about Mormons. “Polygamists”, “Not Christian”, “Utah Cult”, “No Coffee”…. etc. But are they true? This MormonsMadeSimple video separates the myths from the facts.
This week the LDS (Mormon) Church finally graduated to the quintessential level of new media use. Yes, the rumors are true! The Public Affairs Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints has launched a blog.
Although the site includes a disclaimer that things “should not necessarily be viewed as official statements of The Church“, they certainly could not have designed it to look any more official (and dare I venture, more than a tad boring) than they have. However, I give them a pass. Blogs are living, breathing, continually morphing and developing offspring. I should know. My baby’s undergone several reconstructive surgeries already in her brief lifetime, and there will undeniably be more.
As first-time parents, PA is typically feeling overprotective and hiding their newborn’s comment boxes. But, one step at a time. There’s always room for improvement and growth. For now, the most important thing is that they have given birth to a healthy bouncing blog. A Hearty Congratulations All Around!
MoSop extends her official welcome to NewsRoom Blog. I have no doubt they will become an important contributor to Religious conversation in the global Blog-o-sphere community. I look forward to watching the direction and subject matter of their posts, and resulting [monitored] conversations [hint hint].
UPDATE Aug. 21: Check Out MormonNews Facebook
[conversations allowed 
]
This past Saturday the moment of truth finally arrived for our family. It was time to bid goodbye to our oldest child as she begins College. In my earlier post entitled “Don’t Turn Around“, I spoke about the bitter-sweet experience it is to watch a child grow up, and accept the circle of life.
I didn’t know exactly what to expect on Saturday. Would I bawl like a baby? (as many predicted) Would I go home, crawl into a fetal position on her bed and refuse to come out? Or, would I actually cheer? (as one jovial brother-in-law suggested).
College Or Bust
In the end, I certainly didn’t cheer. But, I didn’t cry, either… (misty-eyed doesn’t really count, right?). The day was long and eventful. It involved packing the car to it’s extreme capacity, an extended road trip, an unfortunate encounter with a friendly but stern Highway Patrol officer, and several hours at our final destination. We helped our new Freshman get her Post Office Box, move into her dorm room, buy books and supplies, make several trips to the local Walmart, and eventually have our “last supper” together. Our daughter’s joy and excitement was infectious. She chattered non-stop about all of the upcoming events planned on campus that weekend. The day her mother had secretly dreaded was the same day that she had been dreaming about for years. (Funny how that usually works between parents and their children).
After driving back to her apartment building one last time, we stood on the sidewalk exchanging hugs and kisses and giving last-minute parental warnings and advice. It didn’t take long for Daughter #1 to extract herself from this familial frenzy, and make her way up the steps to her new ‘home’. She turned, waved, and yelled: “Just remember, Mom! It’s not like I’m DYING!”
We all smiled and chuckled. We waved one more time. She went into the building and closed the door. Her father, sister, and I got into our car and drove away. Clean and simple. No problem.
It was true, after all, I thought. It’s not like she’s dying. It’s not like she’s even out of reach. I don’t have to wait even two minutes to hear her voice I if want, let alone months, thanks to T-Mobile. I don’t have to wait for a message to arrive by mail, I can just shoot off a quick text. We could even talk to each other face-to-face if I figure out how to use Skype. So, there really shouldn’t be any emotional drama sending a child to college in the 21st Century at all. It’s almost like they’re still right there!
Almost.
But not.
I suppose the bottom line is that although our child is not dying, the way things have always been up until that moment we drove away without her has – for all intents and purposes – “died”. Or, in more pleasant terms, “passed on”. My experienced co-workers and friends who have forged this path before offered their matter-of-fact words of wisdom:
“Nothing’s ever really the same once they move out”.
“They seem more like visitors when coming home”.
“They always forget to tell you where they’re going and when they’ll be back.”
According to these bastians of wisdom, the college child also frequently forgets to call home, and avoids telling details about parties or other late night activities. This is all aparently part of their right of passage to grow up, gain new confidence, form new friendships and ideas, and solidify their independence. As parents, we hope that the wisdom we have shared and lessons we have taught will be retained. As devout Latter-day Saints, we hope the core values of faith, scripture study, church attendance and prayer are planted deep in her soul. We hope she will turn to God daily. We cannot be with her now to guide and protect – but we know He can. We hope she will treasure the spiritual things which we know can bring peace and strength. For over eighteen years her father and I have been exerting all our effort preparing her for this moment. I guess we forgot it would really come. But it did. She has officially received her wings to fly, and must chart her own course.
Every family must experience this. It’s our turn now.
Ready or not, here we come.
