Video Sunday

Differences of Opinion

There is a little primary election about to take place in our state next Tuesday for the Republicans.  Two candidates are running for our state legislative seat.  Another two are running for US senate.  Both races are getting ugly.

And I am a registered independent.

Because the primaries here are closed, I am unable to vote next week unless I change my party affiliation, just for the primary.  Well, no republican around here is worth that feeling that I have sold myself off to the predominate party.  So I am interested in what happens--let's be honest here.  Republicans seem to rule the local world.  What they decide affect me.  But there are principles here that I wholeheartedly disagree with in these races.

One that came up yesterday was that a member of our stake, using our ward member emails, is emailing me very negative messages about the candidate that I will choose to support when the time comes that I can vote (in November).  I support him because of his stand for public education issues that I believe in. 

Her emails, as passionate as they can be, are not the truth as I have researched it.  She is so convinced that the State Common Core standards are some kind of Obama-administration-led conspiracy theory to take over and run our local schools.  The most curious part of this camp is that the majority of folks who so passionate declare these falsehoods are in the charter school or home schooling vein.  They don't even have their kids in mainstream public education, and therefore, the common core does not apply.  So of they get their way, parents who are not the majority of the public school students will be making choices for the students for whom they have not stewardship.

The other very disturbing thing, to me at least, is that these people seemingly have very strong testimonies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which, as I understand and believe, relies heavily on an individual's right to choose for himself.  But they want to deny me that choice for my own family.  Just like the Sex Ed bill that tried to remove the "opt out" choice for parents in favor of teaching only abstinence.  luckily for my mental health, the governor was wise enough to veto that one on the premise that parents should get to choose for their own kids.

The other disturbing part of this is the idea that one candidate is more "righteous" than another.  That is not what that little "r" after their name means.

I just want it to be over.  Waiting for the presidential election until November is unsettling enough, but this kind of neighborhood brawl waiting to happen just makes my stomach sick.  And makes me less enthusiastic about the Strawberry Days parade...where these holier than thou candidates will certainly be  this weekend.

Do Your Homework Before You Shoot Off Your Mouth

Recently a friend posted this essay on Facebook.  I liked it well enough that I would like to share it with you.  I agree with her.  I just wish those in the media's spotlight would do their homework before they mouth off about something that is hurtful to many and wrong above all.  This essay is from Heather Pack:

It seems that every time a Mormon runs for public office, the question as to whether the LDS faith is cult arises. I thought that before I quickly say, "Of course we're not a cult." I'd do some looking to find out what a cult actually is defined to be. A quick Google search of "define cult" yields too many definitions to list here. So I thought I'd use the most common ones as my criteria for determining whether I'm a member of a cult. These are my own opinions and do not represent the official views of my Church.


1. In religious cults the leader is the central focus of belief. In mainstream religions, God is the central focus. The head of our church is Jesus Christ, that's why the official name of our church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

2. Cult recruitment includes deception and concealment of identity and requirements of affiliation. Mainstream groups use no deception and new members are fully aware of the teachings and expectations before they make a commitment. Official missionaries have black tags that identify both their legal name and the name of our church. When proselytizing they are required to have these tags in plain view. In order to be baptized, a new member must answer a series of questions so that it is clear they understand the teachings of our Church.

3. Cults use mind-control techniques and forms of hypnosis to indoctrinate followers. Emotional needs are exploited and people are held psychological hostages through peer pressure, guilt, and fear. Mainstream groups do not resort to unethical means to persuade members. I have never been under hypnosis or had mind-control techniques used on me. I learned the doctrine by reading scriptures and modern-day revelation. I have never felt peer pressure, guilt or fear to join or to continue my membership in the Church.

4. Leaders of cults make their own rules and laws which are often contrary to the rules and laws of society. They often reframe criminal acts (cheating, lying, stealing, even murder) as the will of God. Mainstream groups uphold and value the laws of society. One of our Articles of Faith states, "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law."

5. Cults separate and alienate people from family, friends, and society. Mainstream groups value healthy involvement with family, friends and society. Our religion teaches the opposite of this. Our view on the family and society is best outlined in a document titled, "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" Which can be read here: http://lds.org/languages/proclamations/Proclamation_35602_000.pdf

6. Cults are self-serving, often amassing financial fortunes for the leaders at the expense of the followers. In mainstream groups, leaders serve the people and contribute to the welfare of society in general. My church is well-known for its worldwide humanitarian efforts. The leaders of our church may be independently wealthy, but no leader has become wealthy from serving in the Church.

7. A relatively small group of people having religious beliefs or practices regarded by others as strange or sinister. As of October 2010, 13.8 million people in the world were members of the LDS Church--13.3 million are Jews. So relatively we are not a small group of people. Our religion is well-respected by other religions and people around the world. Being accused of being a cult is definitely the exception, not the rule.

Hot-Dog-A-Thon

Sadly I have no pictures to go with this post.  Wasn't thinking fast enough last night.

This was the second annual Elder's Quorum Hot-Dog-A-Thon.  It is basically like an ice cream truck experience, but with hot dogs.  Hot dogs made by our elders' quorum, on a BBQ grill, in the bed of a pick up truck, that drives up and down the streets of our ward.

The guys driving honk the horns and cub scouts run to every one's doors and knock, and invite you out for a hot dog.  So it is free dinner, and some fellow shipping as well.

I think it is a brilliant idea, and certainly makes me laugh.  But this IS the same ward that brought us the EQ's Potato Derby too, so what should I have expected but fun?

An Unlikely Visit

One of our favorite local burger joints here in town is called The Purple Turtle.  They have great shakes, and the best fish and chips this side of the pond.

The best part of the Turtle is that our family friends own and operate it.  They hire some of the best high school kids I know.  And it is right here in our front yard.  They advertise special coupons and discounts on Facebook too. 

Yesterday our friend, Steve the Turtle Guy, texted a note to Dear Friend Taffy--while I was with her-- that they had just had a special visitor.  President Thomas S. Monson, president and prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints had just been in for lunch.

He ordered a cheeseburger, fries and a freeze.  His body guards were with him, of course, and kept him from being mobbed while he ate his lunch.

This morning on Facebook, several of the kids who work there had posted that yesterday was 'the best day ever at work' because they got to see the prophet--up close and personal.

I guess this is just a little perk of living in Utah.  And, of course, living here near the super yummy, semi-famous, one of a kind Purple Turtle.  Not that I needed a prophet's endorsement to enjoy a fish 'n chips lunch.  But it doesn't hurt.

Supercalifrajlistikexpialidocius!

Boy did we have a great weekend here this weekend. It was crazy, loud, tender, proud, spiritual, fun, filled with family and friends, and not quite as we expected. These kind of weekends never are.

My parents came to town on Thursday night. It has been many, many month since they were here last. It was great to see them. And a little startling too. You know when you see your parents and you suddenly realize they are mortal and won't always be with you? I had that wake-up call this weekend. But it was so good to see them, and have them here with us.

Friday was The Boy's birthday. The day itself was crazy--a quest to the big city in search of some dialysis product my dad had accidently left at home, that he needed each night they were away from home. Luckily a kind woman at a dialysis center in Salt Lake said she had some and had enough for their whole trip and THEN didn't even charge us for them. I love seeing the good in people!

Then, mission accomplished, we grabbed dear friend Taffy for a visit to the temple where we did some work for her family members. It was pretty neat being in the temple with my own parents, sitting in proxy for other daughters with them as proxy for other parents. It was a tender time for me.

That evening we went to dinner all together for The Boy's birthday. He ate like a horse...or a pig, whichever eats more. But it was good company and good food.

Then Saturday there were errands to run, chores to do, cake to be picked up at Costco, preparations to be made and even some down time to nap or watch a movie. Check, check, check.

Sunday, was spectacular. And it began with a 7 AM meeting for me. Our Stake Youth Committee is about 7 weeks away from a Youth Conference we haven't even got definitively planned yet.

Then, I met everyone at home and we visited with our stake patriarch for The Girl to receive her Patriarchal Blessing. He was so kind and so warm and so sweet. It was easy to feel the Spirit as we visited all together with him and he and his good wife spoke of their mission in Russia and how much they loved the Russian people. then he proceeded to give her the most beautiful blessing, full of promises and gifts, and reaffirming all the things I loved about her. Awesome. Truly.

Then church was pretty good and following church, The Boy was ordained to the office a teacher. All his six male cousins were able to stand in the circle for that. It was tremendous to see that. He also received a lovely blessing at the hands of his dad, Genius Golfer.

After that we all came back to the house for a luncheon. The cousins entertained themselves and had a great time together--they always do! Lots of visiting and a little relaxing. Then a few got scout uniforms on and we all headed back over to the church for The Eagle Court of Honor.

We filled the Primary room with friends and family and neighbors! The support was great and The Boy was presented with his Eagle Rank. The Girl had prepared a slideshow to share, but we had a few technical difficulties. Cousin Bryce helped out The Girl, after good neighbor Russ saved the day with a laptop loan, and even though the songs were out of order, the slide show went off and everyone was able to see what The Boy had done in scouts and for his project.

We ended the day with cake and some clean up and came home. We put our feet up for a little bit and just relished the day.

You know, there aren't many days that good in this life. But this one already is a treasured memory for me. My family was there, we are healthy, the kids were doing great things, the Spirit confirmed all the good things we felt and I headed to bed. Just as soon as I'd done that, the news broke in that Osama bin Laden was dead.

Wowzer, what a day!

Calling All Bedlam-ites!

I guess I'm getting my own "bedlam-ites" together tonight for Family Home Evening.  I'd like to say we'll be discussing something inrecedibly deep and profound.  Instead, I believe we are trading out our 72 hour kits and checking to see if the emergency clothing still fits.  Hey, that was my plan from last week, before conference.

Off the Rim

It is not only March Madness across this great nation of ours, but it is also tournament time for Church Basketball season.  For some reason, the Young Men who play in these tournaments (and their parents, coaches, siblings, even some grammies) have been more mouthy than I recall in the past.  It may be that I was able to help out with four games last night and then watch The Boy play in one this morning.

There has been a long standing joke that Church ball is the only brawl that starts with prayer.

But today I heard another one, even better:  The war in heaven was set off by a church basketball game.

To top it all off, I read this article in the Deseret News yesterday.  Timely, and true.
http://www.deseretnews.com/blog/76/10011651/Vais-View-Organized-church-ball-not-worth-it.html

New Year. New Time.

Today, after two years of 9 AM services, we get to go to church at 11 AM.  Usually the two congregations that meet in our building switch time slots each year, but last year we got word that a third congregation could potentially move in with us, so all the services were intentionally kept to the same times until the move happened.  The move never happened.

So, happily we shift this year to the later time for meetings.  May I tell you?  It was terrific to sleep in today until 9:30!!  Especially after the cousins camp out here Friday night where the boys never went to sleep and also apparently lost their abilities to whisper.

Whatever Happened to Unbiased Journalism?!

This is a link to an article that has been simmering in my head this past week.

http://beta-newsroom.lds.org/article/context-and-controversy-KUTV-handbook

Maybe because we live in the backyard of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' headquarters, and the Church has a strong history and steady following here, we hear about Church related "news" on our regular news reports on TV.  That, in and of itself, is a little weird to me.  But it is what it is.

But I am getting awfully tired of hearing only about the supposed anti-gay agenda of the Church's leadership.  Or the slanted view that Church teachings are causing gay people to want to commit suicide. 

I am not saying that there are some young people, in particular, who identify themselves as gay who find the teachings of the Church uncomfortable.  But if they are reading the Bible at all, this anti-gay-behavior teaching is, or at least should be, across Christianity.  The Bible spells it out pretty plainly.  As it does for other issues like, oh, I don't know, adultery, or fornication--that is pre-marital sex, or even spousal and child abuse.  These are not issues solely reserved for Mormon leaders to preach about to their people.  All Christianity should be vocally opposed to them.

So why do we only hear the negative?  What about those folks who identify their same-sex attraction but choose not to act on it?  IS that frustrating?  I am sure it is.  But, I'd imagine, it is the same kind of frustration for them as it is for my darling single girl friends who choose to be celibate because they haven't found a decent man to marry and share that part of their life with yet.  Still, those virtuous and valiant women are going about their work, with school, careers, extended families and friends making a positive difference.  Sure they get frustrated.  But I haven't ever heard of one such woman who chose suicide over life, however frusted they are.

Why do news agencies rev up so much on this biased side of this issue, among others?  Do they sell more papers, air time, commercial endorsements?  People are already talking, so they needn't stir much up to make that happen.

I just thought--especially in light of this particular article--that there was not much real news in that particular event for anyone other than local church leadership.  It is a new handbook of instructions.  This was prepared to help us perform more efficiently in our callings, within our stewarships, and to become better disciples of Jesus Christ.  Yet, the media warp it to another anti-gay standoff, unrecognizable from what I saw sitting in the meeting myself.

It is just another point of frustration for me.  And I find myself less and less willing to put up with this kind of journalistic mismanagement.  Too bad they can't stick to telling the real news and not making the reporting of it a polarizing shot.

You Just Never Know

I opened my email this morning and found a friend request message from Facebook. Low and behold, this friend was a guy I went to the prom with when I was a freshman*. (I know; there is a story there, particularly in light of my calling to the Young Women's program where we try to teach the girls not to date until they are 16. I am the "what not to do" example in this case.)

John had just graduated and was assistant coaching the boys soccer team. I was the stats girl for the team and we doubled with John's sister Michelle and her boyfriend, one of the soccer players, Scott. You with me?

We were all good friends and had a great time. We ended up back at John & Michelle's family home that night to watch a movie, but instead we all fell asleep. John finally got me home, and it was like 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning. Ooops.

He was the kindest person, ever. Very polite, good to his parents and sister. Always had something nice to say. And didn't make it weird even after unfortunate prom.

Of course, I confirmed the friend request. I was delighted to think he had looked me up, after all these years.

I popped over to his facebook page and left a message that I was glad to hear from him and how was his family, etc. It made me smile. Then I found the bigger surprise.

John has joined the church! Our church. There are pictures of him and his family (he has seven kids) in front of the Nauvoo temple and another set from a road trip to Palmyra and Kirtland. How cow! Who'd have thought?

The world is a small place. And the influence of the Gospel can have a powerful effect in your life when you are ready for it. I just know John is still as nice a guy as he was 20+ years ago when we went out that once. And I hope the Gospel has only enhanced his happiness. Not matter what, I am smiling all day today just thinking about him.

*EDIT--A former HS classmate commented that I was actually a Sophomore when I attended the Prom with John in 1985. Apparently it was too much math for me to figure that correctly. That would have made me a freshman the year he was a senior, but still not old enough to date. Just wanted to set that straight with you.

I've Been Recycled!

Like a good pile of newspapers or a trash bag full of aluminum cans, I find myself today, recycled.

Our Stake Young Women presidency was released yesterday. We knew it was coming for several months, but it was at an early morning meeting yesterday when we got the word that the change would happen that day.

So, they read our names as we were released, and I had about 15 seconds to breathe freely before my name was read again as the 1st counselor to the Stake YW President, again. I knew that it was coming for only about a week and a half, but I was prompted to feel that I would still be serving in the YW in the stake since about camp. Since I had that confirmation, I was simply glad not to be called as the president. I'll happily serve again as a counselor.

So, nothing much has changed in my Church responsibilities. I'm still serving with three wonderful women, supporting 6 congregations worth of YW leaders and teachers, and worrying about and loving approximately 150+ young women aged 12-18 in our stake.

Instead of the recycling the trash scenario, I suppose I should look at it more as you only take the time to recycle something of value--otherwise it isn't worth the saving and collecting and dragging it down to the recycling place. I just hope my value to these good sisters is apparent to them and I am worth the saving and collecting and dragging.