My Frustration With Electoral College System

I have vowed that I will not post anything here or on Facebook about the outcome of the 2016 Presidential election  concerning who ended up as President, as it would serve no point.  I would, however, like to write down my frustrations with the electoral college system.  I have been listening to all kinds of discussions about the pros and cons of the system and why it was formulated in the first place, blah, blah, blah.  I can't speak to every aspect of the system, but I can say why it personally drives me nuts.

Living here in Utah,  the electoral college representatives are going to give their votes to the Republican candidate pure and simple. I still feel it my civic duty to vote regardless.  For quite a few years I have voted for the Democratic candidate and I feel like my time filling out my ballots were wasted.  Then this year, it is looking like Clinton, when all is said and done, will have won the popular vote by at least 2 million.  Trump still wins because of the electoral college system.  This is the fifth time in our country's history that the candidate who won the popular vote lost the election.  I am sure there are many people in many states who are in the same situation as I am.  I just WANT MY VOTE TO COUNT FOR SOMETHING!!! It seems to me that every person's vote should count the same, regardless of whether they live in a small state, a large state, a red state, or a blue state.  

MOTHER'S DAY: What Shall We Do As Women?

Today I was reading a talk by sister Nell F. Marriott titled "What Shall We Do?"
On this Mother's Day I would like to share some of her talk as I contemplate myself as a woman of God, a daughter, a wife, a grandmother, and a sister.

The Lord's church needs Spirit-directed women who use their unique gifts to nurture, to speak up, and to defend gospel truth.  Emma Smith (wife of the LDS prophet, Joseph Smith) once declared, "I desire the Spirit of God to know and understand myself, that I might be able to overcome whatever of tradition or nature that would not tend to my exaltation."

Love is making space in your life for someone else who needs it.

With the help of the Holy Ghost we can create an emotionally healing place for the discriminated against, the rejected, and the stranger.  Orson F. Whitney wrote, "All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently...purifies our heart...and it is through...toil and tribulation, that we gain the education...which will make us more like our Father in Heaven."

In reference to building the Kingdom of God through teaching and testifying of Christ, Julie B. Beck stated, "The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life...it requires a conscious effort."  Our high responsibility is to become women who follow the Savior, nurture with inspiration, and live truth fearlessly.

These wise words gave me pause to be grateful to be a woman of faith at this time and in this place.  I pray I will always make space in my life for someone else who needs love.  I pray I will study, pray, and grow so that I will be worthy to receive the personal revelation I need to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and all those whom He brings into my life. For 'when you are in the service of your fellow being, you are in the service of your God'.

The Writings of Paul

April 24, 2016

Lately I have been reading some of the writings of Paul in the books of Acts and Romans.  Acts is an interesting account of Paul ( or Saul of Tarsus), and his conversion and his missionary travels.  The first seven chapters of Romans were a bit heavy treading, requiring the use of a good study guide to help me understand Paul's language as he speaks primarily to the Jewish converts who still want to hang on to the Law of Moses and have a difficult time understanding God's grace through the Savior.

It was with welcome relief that I read Romans chapter 8 this morning, a straight- forward chapter about how we are blessed with peace and joy as a result of following Jesus Christ.  Of course I have always been familiar with verse 28, and grateful for it's uplifting message.  Verses 38-39 bring additional peace to the hearts of all believers.  Nothing can separate us from the love of God, our eternal Father and Heaven.  As we heed His direction through the Holy Ghost, we will be given strength to endure all that is asked of us, while experiencing the 'peace that passeth all understanding'.

TEACHING, A SACRED CALLING

From my journal, February 28, 2016

I was touched this week by an article in the Ensign, written by President Monson, about teaching.  I don't know if I can adequately express how important my Sunday school students are to me.  I feel that teaching teenagers about the gospel and striving to help them gain a testimony is the most sacred of callings.  I remember how much I wanted to understand God at that age when questioning seems to be very common.  The  following words by our prophet are most inspiring to me.

"In the Church, the goal of gospel teaching is not to pour information into the minds of God's children, whether at home, in the classroom, or in the mission field.  It is not to show how much the parent, teacher, or missionary knows.  The aim is to inspire individuals to think about, feel about, and then do something about living gospel principles.  The objective is to develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and to become converted to His gospel."

The reason I often spend weeks preparing a lesson is so I can find ways to lead our discussions and stimulate thought in such a way as to help my students truly become converted.  I want them to know there is a place for them in the gospel of Jesus Christ, regardless of where they are on the path of faith and discipleship.  This weighs heavy on my heart every day.

REPENTANCE; MAKING CHANGES IN OUR LIVES

Read a great article on something we have been hearing sermons on for oh so many years.  It's easy for us to minimize the need for change in our lives.  We often hear, "Well, I can't change, it's just the way I am", or "just live and let live".  However, Galatians 6:15 and other scriptures remind us that change is an important aspect of the Christian life.  Jesus was born at a time when the law of Moses guided the religious life of the nation of Israel, focusing on outward performances on specific actions that were either required or forbidden.  The Pharisees taught that if you kept all of God's commandments which dealt primarily with outward actions, then you would be righteous.

Then along comes Jesus Christ who turned all those notions upside down.  He focused on the inner attitudes and the condition of one's heart which would then motivate us to living righteously.  In our day we may find ourselves falling into the trap of doing all the outward things in our religious life that makes it appear that we are on the right path:  attending church, paying our tithing, living the Word of Wisdom.  Parables in the New Testament relating to the Pharisees remind us that becoming comfortable with our commandment keeping can stunt our spiritual growth and progress.

2 Corinthians 7:10 teaches us that "godly sorrow worketh  repentance to salvation".  Paul stressed that in the life of a disciple of Christ, "all things must become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17).  As we look inward in a desire to become more like the Savior we might ask ourselves questions like, "Am I impatient, negative, fearful, critical, self-centered, controlling, light-minded, lustful, cynical or lazy?" The Atonement of Jesus Christ can not only cleanse us of sin but also help us overcome the inner weakness that comes from being a natural man.  The book of Ether in the Book of Mormon reminds us that "if men come unto me I will show to them their weaknesses.  I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them".  Having faith in Him involves believing that He can reach deep enough to change us in ways we need to change, if only we come to Him with a submissive heart, desiring to become new creatures.

The world would have us focus on a change in behavior, but we know that it is the change in heart that must come first, a change of heart leads to a change in behavior.  It's not just what we are doing, it is who we are becoming.  What a wonderful blessing to know that over time (and sometimes it requires a long time) if we are humble and teachable then the Lord can use the Holy Ghost to help us become new creatures.  The Lord has everlasting patience and we need to be patient with ourselves as we journey toward becoming more and more Christlike.  Line upon line, precept upon precept.....

UNDERSTANDING THE FALL OF ADAM AND EVE

February 14, 2016

I have been re-reading the book, "The Infinite Atonement" by Tad Callister in preparation for teaching a Sunday school lesson next month on the Atonement.  I read this book years ago and it has been rewarding to skim over it once again. The atonement is complex and one could spend a lifetime exploring the details of it.  One of the chapters talks about the Fall and how it has been misunderstood by many.  I wanted to make note of some of the principles of the Fall that I am grateful to understand better as I study more.

In speaking of the conditions before the Fall, Callister talks about Adam and Eve finding themselves subject to 4 basic conditions-- 2 positive and 2 negative.  

1. They were immortal, not subject to pain, disease, or death.  Speaking of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, God said, "In the day that thou eatest thereof thous shalt surely die" (Genesis 2:17), implying that in the interim, until such an event should occur, Adam and Eve would enjoy a state of immortality.  This was positive.

2. Adam and Eve walked and talked in the presence of God.  This was also a positive. The Prophet Joseph Smith spoke of those glorious days when "God conversed with Adam face to face.  In His presence he was permitted to stand, and from His own mouth he was permitted to receive instruction.  He heard God's voice, walked before him and gazed upon His glory, while intelligence burst upon his understanding."  It is hard to imagine a more idyllic setting in which to reside.  

3.  The third condition was a negative.  Adam and Eve were in a state of innocence, without a full knowledge of good and evil, and thus unable to experience a fulness of joy.  Lehi describes this condition: "And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were after they were created; and they must have remained forever, and had no end...Wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin" (2 Nephi 2:22-23).  This was an obstacle to their individual development and progression.  Without complete knowledge of good and evil, Adam and Eve could not exercise their full moral agency.  John Fiske, a Harvard philosopher, grasped this dilemma:  "Clearly, for strong and resolute men and women an Eden would be but a fool's paradise.  How could anything fit to be called 'character' have ever been produced there?...We can at least begin to realize distinctly that unless our eyes had been opened at some time, so that we might come to know the good and the evil, we should never have become fashioned in God's image.  We should have been the denizens of a world of puppets, where neither morality nor religion could have found place or meaning."  Eden was a way-station, not a destination.  It was a temporary resting spot in the journey of life.  One could not expect to become like God in the Garden of Eden any more than one could expect to drive from Los Angeles to New York while in neutral.  Except for the tree of knowledge of good and evil, there were no challenges, no temptations, and no obstacles in that quasi-heavenly setting.  Accordingly, there could be no progression.  They were temporarily stuck in a world of spiritual sterility. (This makes me think of how much we love little babies. They are so sweet, so innocent, and so completely dependent upon us. This is fine for a while, but we want for our children to have the opportunity to grow, learn to walk on their own, speak like us, learn and progress into adults.  Sure, it can be painful to watch them fall and make mistakes, but we know that as their parents it is the only way for them to grow.  We want for them to someday become fully aware adults,  not remain babies forever.  Likewise our Heavenly Father knows we need to experience the good and the bad, the happy and the sad, to become spiritually mature.)

4. The fourth condition was also negative.  As long as they remained in this garden state, Adam and Eve would have no children, no joy in their posterity.  What a devastating drawback.  Under these conditions they could not obey the divine command to multiply and replenish the earth, which was the foremost design and object of their married life.  

I am grateful that Adam and Eve were willing to transgress in order that the full plan of salvation and eternal happiness could be brought forth for us all.  Satan thought he was being so clever when he tempted Eve to partake of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thinking this would doom her and Adam to eternal damnation.  However, Satan did not understand the wonderful plan of redemption by Jesus Christ and did not understand that His Atonement would not only bring the principle of repentance and forgiveness to us but through the power of the resurrection, we too would be given immortality once again.  When Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden and became fully mortal, they could then have children, and they would understand the opposites we need to experience here on earth (good and evil, pleasure and pain, happiness and sadness) in order for us to grown, progress, and become more and more like our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ as we make good choices in this temporary life on earth.  Yes, Adam and Eve, and consequently the rest of mankind, would have to forego for a time being able to speak face to face with our Heavenly Father, but because of the atonement and resurrection of Christ, through faith in Him, we can someday return to our heavenly home for all of eternity. God did not leave us with no direction; He gave us prophets and scriptures to teach and guide us.   Jesus extends his loving arms to all people in all circumstances, waiting to bring them unto Him, forgive their sins, and wash them clean, teach them of His ways, and prepare them to return to their God.  Satan may have power to tempt us during our time on earth, but in the end he will be overcome by the plan of salvation and the goodness of Christ, never to have power over us again.  When Christ returns to the earth once again, Satan will have to utter the old cliche, "Curses, foiled again".  

WHAT REALLY BRINGS US HAPPINESS?

There was a great article in the Ensign magazine this month about what we can learn about happiness from the Book of Mormon.  Even for those not of our faith, these principles hold true in our lives.

1.  WHO DO WE HANG WITH
    A major source of our happiness is our social circle.  Are we spending time with those who are uplifting and positive?  Do we spend time with those who have similar goals and philosophies of life?  Have you ever struggled with having a friend who you loved, but their negative attitudes about life tended to bring out the worst in you, causing you to become more critical and judgmental of others?

2.  DO WE WALK THE WALK AND NOT JUST TALK THE TALK?
   Mosiah encourages us to "Consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God". (Mosiah 2:41)  Mahatma Gandhi said, "Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony".  I found in my own life that the hardest times for me were when I knew certain things to be true, but I was not living in alignment with those principles.

3.  LEARN TO WORK HARD
   Work is a critical factor in obtaining happiness.  President Monson has counseled, "God left the world unfinished for man to work his skill upon.  He left the electricity in the cloud, the oil in the earth.  He left the rivers unbridged and the forests unfelled and the cities unbuilt.  God gives to man the challenge of raw materials, not the ease of finished things.  He leaves the pictures unpainted and the music unsung and the problems unsolved, that man might know the joys and glories of creation."  The exhilaration of being creative and the feeling of accomplishment that often accompany hard work brings happiness.

4.  SHARING WHAT WE HAVE
   Multiple studies have shown that time spent serving and money spent on others have a direct impact on our happiness.  Kim Benjamin told his people, "I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritual and temporally, according to their wants."  (Mosiah 4:26)
 
5.  BEING A PEACEMAKER
   Contention and happiness are polar opposites---one leads away from the other.  Jesus said, "He that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention." (3 Nephi 11:29)  Often contention arises from impatience.  President Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught, "Impatience is a symptom of selfishness.  It is a trait of the self-absorbed.  It arises from the all-too-prevalent condition called 'center of the universe' syndrome, which leads people to believe that the world revolves around them and that all others are just supporting cast in the grand theater of mortality in which only they have the starring role."  Our homes need to be places of peace and support.  Gordon B. Hinkley invited us to "cultivate the art of the soft answer.  It will bless your homes, and it will bless your lives."

We are reminded in 2 Nephi 2:25 that "men are that they might have joy".  God wants for each of us to find and choose happiness in our lives.  Taking to heart the principles above I believe can help us in achieving that goal.

THE MIRACLE OF FORGIVENESS

From my journal today, February 2, 2016

I read an inspiring article in the new Ensign Magazine today called "Forgiving My Ex-Husband".  The woman who wrote the article was in her early 40s when her husband divorced her, left her to finish raising their teenagers, and to work a full-time job.  She describes the incredible feelings of pain, rejection, and resentment she felt.  I personally cannot imagine going through that experience myself.

I have watched this same scene playing out with friends or loved ones.  Our daughter has watched this with LDS friends of hers.  Their seems to be two general reactions and outcomes to this type of situation.  With her friends she has mostly seen the wives become bitter, angry, and they get mad at God for what they are experiencing, feeling that since they were living the Gospel they shouldn't have to be subjected to such heartache and pain. They often turn from God and leave the Church.  They allow Satan to fill them with hatred and resentment. Now this isn't to say that you wouldn't naturally feel extreme anger and betrayal in such a situation.  The question is, how to deal with it.

Then there are those, like the author of this article, who do just the opposite and seek for the Lord's guidance and solace.  They look to the example of the Savior and studied how He dealt with rejection and betrayal by even His closest disciples.  With God's help this woman was able to forgive her ex-husband, and not belittle him before their children.  In time she forgave him and even though he had remarried, they developed a friendly, positive relationship as they shared in rearing their children.  It surely was the most challenging experience of her life, but she saw it through, finding new peace and joy in her life.  I am grateful to be reminded of how much our Father in Heaven loves us, is aware of our needs, and how with His help we can go through anything and come out victorious.  

OH THE COMPASSION AND THE LOVE

In Third Nephi 17 Jesus appears to the Nephites and is teaching them and the 12 apostles in the new world.  After instructing everyone to return to their homes to think about His words, He becomes aware of how much they desire to yet be with Him.  He exhibits His tender feelings of love for these people by having them bring all of their sick and afflicted so He can heal and bless them.  Jesus weeps as He does so.  Next he calls for the children to be brought before Him and again He blesses the children and heals those in need of help and does so tearfully.  What an astounding picture of the Savior, so completely filled with compassion, love, mercy and affection.  Oh that I could develop even a fraction of that unconditional love for others.

FAITH OF OUR FATHERS

January 9, 2016

I was reading in First Nephi about God coming to father Lehi and showing him the future of Jerusalem when most of the Israelites will be carried away into Babylon as a result of their wickedness. As with most prophets, he was not believed by those to whom he prophesied.  God warns him to take his family and leave Jerusalem and go into the wilderness, much as with Moses and the Israelites, taking only their basic provisions and leaving all else behind.  So I started wondering if I would have been willing to follow.  When I was a junior in high school my dad was preparing to retire in southern California and he and my mom were going to move to a rural town in Nevada.  When I found out the high school in Nevada held it's prom in the gymnasium instead of a place like the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, I said forget it.  My dad worked an extra year so I could remain in my home town before he retired.  Then I thought about the early Mormon pioneers who kept having to leave their homes, farms, businesses, etc. and move from place to place because of their faith in the restored Gospel and their prophet, whether it was Joseph Smith or Brigham Young.  They had the same kind of faith which Lehi and his family did back in 600 B.C.  I might take some occasional flak for being a Mormon, but I have never had to exhibit the kind of faith my predecessors did.

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WE BELIEVE IN BEING POSITIVE

As I was reading the Ensign Magazine this morning I was touched by a short article regarding happiness and cheerfulness.  Neal A. Maxwell once described cheerfulness this way, "A deep trust in God's unfolding purposes--not only for all of mankind, but for each of us as individuals."  The article went on to say that we will all face challenges as they are a natural part of mortality, but we don't have to be weighed down by discouragement and sadness.  We can put our trust in the Lord and be positive.  In John 16:33 it states, "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world".  Richard G. Scott shared, "I witness that with faith in the Savior and obedience to His teachings, happiness never ends, but sadness does."  To me it comes down to this:  Do I REALLY believe God has a plan for mankind and do I REALLY believe He has a plan for me?  If I do, then I am free to chose happiness and cheerfulness, knowing that good can be found in all situations if we allow Him to reveal it to us.  As faithful believers we actually have no right to be going around with a long face, moaning about how the world is going to Hell in a hand basket, repeating the negative half-empty attitudes so many would have us believe in. If father Lehi and his son Nephi could find joy (and they did) in spite of the fact that they had family members who actually sought to take their lives from them, then what are we griping about????

IT'S ALL ABOUT ATTITUDE

First Nephi 1:1  Our Relief Society is doing a 40 day study of the Book or Mormon.  In the very first verse of First Nephi we learn so much.  Nephi reflects on his life then begins his record.  We see that Nephi has suffered many afflictions and challenges BUT nevertheless he recognizes how blessed he has been and gives thanks for great spiritual understanding.  He has seen the tender mercies of a loving Heavenly Father.  His older brothers,  Laman and Lemuel have been through many of the same experiences and challenges, yet they never seem to recognize the mercies of God and are always ungrateful and angry.  The difference in attitude makes all the difference in the life of Nephi, and God is able to use him in great ways due to his willingness to serve God and mankind.

Likewise we see this in our daily lives.  There are those people who make lemonade out of lemons when challenges come their way and there are those who simply become sourpusses.  Some deny personal responsibility for their actions while others take responsibility and seek to help everyone else along their path.  None of us escape sadness and hard times in this life, but as for me, I choose to yoke myself to the Lord and be happy in the midst of hard things.  Today I saw a great poster on Facebook.  Jesus is walking along the beach with his arms full of luggage, and He says something like, "I've got your baggage, come along and follow me."  That says it all.

KEEPING ON THE PATH OF DISCIPLESHIP

January 1. 2016

Seems like I see more people wandering off the path of discipleship these days.  Lots of distractions and temptations out there for us all.  We have lots of lessons at church about the basic things we need to do to remain on the path, but reading a recently published article,written almost 100 years ago by Melvin J. Ballard, gave one clear-cut piece of advice that rings so true to me.

"...No man goes away from the Church and becomes an apostate in a week, nor in a month.  It is a slow process.  The one thing that would make for the safety of every man and woman would be to appear at the sacrament table every Sabbath day.  We would not get very far away in one week--not so far away that, by the process of self-investigation, we could not rectify the wrongs we may have done.The road to the sacrament table is the path of safety for Latter-day Saints. "

I would say that this is true for all Christians, regardless of the denomination.  Different churches probably partake of the sacrament more or less often than others.  In the LDS Church we take the holy sacrament every single week.  In fact, it is the focus of our Sunday worship service, which we call sacrament meeting.  Partaking of the sacrament helps us to remember and be grateful for the Atonement Christ made for us.  It affords us the opportunity to renew our baptismal covenants every Sunday, to remember our covenant with God to follow the example of Jesus in all we do and say with the promise that in turn we will have His Spirit to be with us.  It is a time to reflect on mistakes we have made during the past week, to repent, and to ask God's forgiveness and help in doing better for the next week.  It means starting with a clean slate each week.  

I would really be interested in comments from any of you reading this who may not belong to the LDS Church and hear what taking the sacrament means to you.  How often do you take the sacrament? It's been a really long time since I took the sacrament at the Baptist Church, or the Episcopal Church, and my memory of it is pretty foggy.