I believe this embodies the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ-
23.11.09
The Scrabble Parable and Gifts from God
I found the greatest eternal truths in the game of Scrabble the other day. My wife and I were playing and my mind quickly thought upon the things of the Gospel and life in general.
While playing Scrabble you receive a certain amount of letters. These letters are given at random and are given to you to use the best you can. When you use the letters you are given more, so as to always have a fill of what you need in order to play the game.
Winning doesn't matter. Just as in life you can play your hardest or try your darndest but you still might lose everything. What matters then is that you do play. Sometimes I found myself not wanting to put down some letters for fear that I might give another an advantage or for fear of looking dumb and not getting enough points.
But with some I am not well pleased, for they will not open their mouths, but they hide the talent which I have given unto them, because of the fear of man. Wo unto such, for mine danger is kindled against them.
And it shall come to pass, if they are not more faithful unto me, it shall be taken away, even that which they have. -Doctrine and Covenants 60:2-3
Part of the foundation of the United States is that "all men are created equal" and that every man may be free to pursue life, liberty and happiness. But, we are not all endowed with the same gifts or abilities or even timing as to be equal in greatness. In Scrabble you may think of a great word but just not have the letters or you may have the letters and someone else takes the word or uses it in a way that makes it impossible for you to do the same. This constant change happens in life. Each day we may find familiar surroundings but have different opportunities. We may have different ideas and use time differently. The Lord is aware which is why He asks of us to not fear or hide the talents which we are given. Use it or lose it. We may wait to do something once we are assured a great return but this is not the way to gain favor with the Lord. We must play the talents we have and play them to the maximum or they will turn to our demise.
At the end of Scrabble there is a rule that whatever letters you can't play will be taken away from your total score. I think this same condemnation applies to us in eternities. "But wo unto the rich, who are rich as to the things of the world. And behold, their treasure shall perish with them also." -2 Nephi 9:30
"For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it; or whosoever will save his life, shall be willing to lay it down for my sake; and if he is not willing to lay it down for my sake, he shall lose it." -Joseph Smith Translation Mark 8: 37-38:37
The gifts you have are meant to be played and thats the reason they're given. Not for points to win, or money to be lifted up in pride, but, to be played, to show gratitude toward God, for giving them. As the scripture says "if laborers in Zion labor for money, they shall perish."- 2 Ne. 26: 31
While playing Scrabble you receive a certain amount of letters. These letters are given at random and are given to you to use the best you can. When you use the letters you are given more, so as to always have a fill of what you need in order to play the game.
Winning doesn't matter. Just as in life you can play your hardest or try your darndest but you still might lose everything. What matters then is that you do play. Sometimes I found myself not wanting to put down some letters for fear that I might give another an advantage or for fear of looking dumb and not getting enough points.
But with some I am not well pleased, for they will not open their mouths, but they hide the talent which I have given unto them, because of the fear of man. Wo unto such, for mine danger is kindled against them.
And it shall come to pass, if they are not more faithful unto me, it shall be taken away, even that which they have. -Doctrine and Covenants 60:2-3
Part of the foundation of the United States is that "all men are created equal" and that every man may be free to pursue life, liberty and happiness. But, we are not all endowed with the same gifts or abilities or even timing as to be equal in greatness. In Scrabble you may think of a great word but just not have the letters or you may have the letters and someone else takes the word or uses it in a way that makes it impossible for you to do the same. This constant change happens in life. Each day we may find familiar surroundings but have different opportunities. We may have different ideas and use time differently. The Lord is aware which is why He asks of us to not fear or hide the talents which we are given. Use it or lose it. We may wait to do something once we are assured a great return but this is not the way to gain favor with the Lord. We must play the talents we have and play them to the maximum or they will turn to our demise.
At the end of Scrabble there is a rule that whatever letters you can't play will be taken away from your total score. I think this same condemnation applies to us in eternities. "But wo unto the rich, who are rich as to the things of the world. And behold, their treasure shall perish with them also." -2 Nephi 9:30
"For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it; or whosoever will save his life, shall be willing to lay it down for my sake; and if he is not willing to lay it down for my sake, he shall lose it." -Joseph Smith Translation Mark 8: 37-38:37
The gifts you have are meant to be played and thats the reason they're given. Not for points to win, or money to be lifted up in pride, but, to be played, to show gratitude toward God, for giving them. As the scripture says "if laborers in Zion labor for money, they shall perish."- 2 Ne. 26: 31
21.11.09
Gordon B. Hinckley's Warning on Pornography- "A Tragic Evil Among Us"
As I offer concluding remarks I rather reluctantly speak to a theme that I have dealt with before. I do it in the spirit of the words of Alma, who said: “This is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance” (Alma 29:9).
It is in that spirit that I speak to you tonight. What I have to say is not new. I have spoken on it before. The September issues of the Ensign and Liahona magazines carry a talk I gave some years ago on the same subject. Brother Oaks has touched on it tonight.
While the matter of which I speak was a problem then, it is a much more serious problem now. It grows increasingly worse. It is like a raging storm, destroying individuals and families, utterly ruining what was once wholesome and beautiful. I speak of pornography in all of its manifestations.
I do so because of letters that come to me from broken-hearted wives.
I should like to read portions of one received only a few days ago. I do so with the consent of the writer. I have deleted anything that might lead to disclosure of the parties concerned. I have exercised limited editorial liberty in the interest of clarity and flow of language.
I quote now:
“Dear President Hinckley,
“My husband of 35 years died recently. … He had visited with our good bishop as quickly as he could after his most recent surgery. Then he came to me on that same evening to tell me he had been addicted to pornography. He needed me to forgive him [before he died]. He further said that he had grown tired of living a double life. [He had served in many important] Church callings while knowing [at the same time] that he was in the grips of this ‘other master.’
“I was stunned, hurt, felt betrayed and violated. I could not promise him forgiveness at that moment but pleaded for time. … I was able to review my married life [and how] pornography had … put a stranglehold on our marriage from early on. We had only been married a couple of months when he brought home a [pornographic] magazine. I locked him out of the car because I was so hurt and angry. …
“For many years in our marriage … he was most cruel in many of his demands. I was never good enough for him. … I felt incredibly beaten down at that time to a point of deep depression. … I know now that I was being compared to the latest ‘porn queen.’ …
“We went to counseling one time and … my husband proceeded to rip me apart with his criticism and disdain of me. …
“I could not even get into the car with him after that but walked around the town … for hours, contemplating suicide. [I thought,] ‘Why go on if this is all that my “eternal companion” feels for me?’
“I did go on, but zipped a protective shield around myself. I existed for other reasons than my husband and found joy in my children, in projects and accomplishments that I could do totally on my own. …
“After his ‘deathbed confession’ and [after taking time] to search through my life, I [said] to him, ‘Don’t you know what you have done?’ … I told him I had brought a pure heart into our marriage, kept it pure during that marriage, and intended to keep it pure ever after. Why could he not do the same for me? All I ever wanted was to feel cherished and treated with the smallest of pleasantries … instead of being treated like some kind of chattel. …
“I am now left to grieve not only for his being gone but also for a relationship that could have been [beautiful, but was not]. …
“Please warn the brethren (and sisters). Pornography is not some titillating feast for the eyes that gives a momentary rush of excitement. [Rather] it has the effect of damaging hearts and souls to their very depths, strangling the life out of relationships that should be sacred, hurting to the very core those you should love the most.”
And she signs the letter.
What a pathetic and tragic story. I have omitted some of the detail but have read enough that you can sense her depth of feeling. And what of her husband? He has died a painful death from cancer, his final words a confession of a life laced with sin.
And sin it is. It is devilish. It is totally inconsistent with the spirit of the gospel, with personal testimony of the things of God, and with the life of one who has been ordained to the holy priesthood.
This is not the only letter I have received. There have been enough that I am convinced this is a very serious problem even among us. It arises from many sources and expresses itself in a variety of ways. Now it is compounded by the Internet. That Internet is available not only to adults but also to young people.
I recently read that pornography has become a $57 billion industry worldwide. Twelve billion of this is derived in the United States by evil and “conspiring men” (see D&C 89:4) who seek riches at the expense of the gullible. It is reported that it produces more revenue in the United States than the “combined revenues of all professional football, baseball and basketball franchises or the combined revenues of ABC, CBS, and NBC” (“Internet Pornography Statistics: 2003,” Internet, http://www.healthymind.com/5-port-stats.html).
It robs the workplace of the time and talents of employees. “20% of men admit accessing pornography at work. 13% of women [do so]. … 10% of adults admit having internet sexual addiction” (“Internet Pornography Statistics: 2003”). That is their admission, but actually the number may be much higher.
The National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families states that “approximately 40 million people in the United States are sexually involved with the Internet. …
“One in five children ages 10–17 [has] received a sexual solicitation over the Internet. …
“Three million of the visitors to adult websites in September 2000 were age 17 or younger. …
“Sex is the number 1 topic searched on the Internet” (NCPCE Online, “Current Statistics,” Internet, http://www.nationalcoalition.org/stat.html).
I might go on, but you, too, know enough of the seriousness of the problem. Suffice it to say that all who are involved become victims. Children are exploited, and their lives are severely damaged. The minds of youth become warped with false concepts. Continued exposure leads to addiction that is almost impossible to break. Men, so very many, find they cannot leave it alone. Their energies and their interests are consumed in their dead-end pursuit of this raw and sleazy fare.
The excuse is given that it is hard to avoid, that it is right at our fingertips and there is no escape.
Suppose a storm is raging and the winds howl and the snow swirls about you. You find yourself unable to stop it. But you can dress properly and seek shelter, and the storm will have no effect upon you.
Likewise, even though the Internet is saturated with sleazy material, you do not have to watch it. You can retreat to the shelter of the gospel and its teaching of cleanliness and virtue and purity of life.
I know that I am speaking directly and plainly. I do so because the Internet has made pornography more widely accessible, adding to what is available on DVDs and videos, on television and magazine stands. It leads to fantasies that are destructive of self-respect. It leads to illicit relationships, often to disease, and to abusive criminal activity.
Brethren, we can do better than this. When the Savior taught the multitude, He said, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8).
Could anyone wish for a greater blessing than this? The high road of decency, of self-discipline, of wholesome living is the road for men, both young and old, who hold the priesthood of God. To the young men I put this question: “Can you imagine John the Baptist, who restored the priesthood which you hold, being engaged in any such practice as this?” To you men: “Can you imagine Peter, James, and John, Apostles of our Lord, engaging in such?”
No, of course not. Now brethren, the time has come for any one of us who is so involved to pull himself out of the mire, to stand above this evil thing, to “look to God and live” (Alma 37:47). We do not have to view salacious magazines. We do not have to read books laden with smut. We do not have to watch television that is beneath wholesome standards. We do not have to rent movies that depict that which is filthy. We do not have to sit at the computer and play with pornographic material found on the Internet.
I repeat, we can do better than this. We must do better than this. We are men of the priesthood. This is a most sacred and marvelous gift, worth more than all the dross of the world. But it will be amen to the effectiveness of that priesthood for anyone who engages in the practice of seeking out pornographic material.
If there be any within the sound of my voice who are doing so, then may you plead with the Lord out of the depths of your soul that He will remove from you the addiction which enslaves you. And may you have the courage to seek the loving guidance of your bishop and, if necessary, the counsel of caring professionals.
Let any who may be in the grip of this vise get upon their knees in the privacy of their closet and plead with the Lord for help to free them from this evil monster. Otherwise, this vicious stain will continue through life and even into eternity. Jacob, the brother of Nephi, taught: “And it shall come to pass that when all men shall have passed from this first death unto life, insomuch as they have become immortal, … they who are righteous shall be righteous still, and they who are filthy shall be filthy still” (2 Ne. 9:15–16).
President Joseph F. Smith, in his vision of the Savior’s visit among the spirits of the dead, saw that “unto the wicked he did not go, and among the ungodly and the unrepentant who had defiled themselves while in the flesh, his voice was not raised” (D&C 138:20).
Now, my brethren, I do not wish to be negative. I am by nature optimistic. But in such matters as this I am a realist. If we are involved in such behavior, now is the time to change. Let this be our hour of resolution. Let us turn about to a better way.
Said the Lord: “Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.
“The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever” (D&C 121:45–46).
How could any man wish for more? These supernal blessings are promised to those who walk in virtue before the Lord and before all men.
How wonderful are the ways of our Lord. How glorious His promises. When tempted we can substitute for thoughts of evil thoughts of Him and His teachings. He has said: “And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.
“Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you” (D&C 88:67–68).
To you deacons and teachers and priests who are with us tonight, you wonderful young men who have to do with the sacrament, the Lord has said, “Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord” (D&C 133:5).
To all of the priesthood the statement of revelation is clear and unequivocal: “The rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness” (D&C 121:36).
Now I know, my brethren, that most of you are not afflicted with this evil. I ask your pardon for taking your time in dwelling on it. But if you are a stake president or a bishop, a district or branch president, you may very well have to assist those who are affected. May the Lord grant you wisdom, guidance, inspiration, and love for those who so need it.
And to all of you, young or old, who are not involved, I congratulate you and leave my blessing with you. How beautiful is the life that is patterned after the teachings of the gospel of Him who was without sin. Such a man walks with unblemished brow in the sunlight of virtue and strength.
May heaven’s blessings attend you, my dear brethren. May all of us reach out to any who need help, I pray, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Gordon B. Hinckley, “A Tragic Evil among Us,” Ensign, Nov 2004, 59–62
It is in that spirit that I speak to you tonight. What I have to say is not new. I have spoken on it before. The September issues of the Ensign and Liahona magazines carry a talk I gave some years ago on the same subject. Brother Oaks has touched on it tonight.
While the matter of which I speak was a problem then, it is a much more serious problem now. It grows increasingly worse. It is like a raging storm, destroying individuals and families, utterly ruining what was once wholesome and beautiful. I speak of pornography in all of its manifestations.
I do so because of letters that come to me from broken-hearted wives.
I should like to read portions of one received only a few days ago. I do so with the consent of the writer. I have deleted anything that might lead to disclosure of the parties concerned. I have exercised limited editorial liberty in the interest of clarity and flow of language.
I quote now:
“Dear President Hinckley,
“My husband of 35 years died recently. … He had visited with our good bishop as quickly as he could after his most recent surgery. Then he came to me on that same evening to tell me he had been addicted to pornography. He needed me to forgive him [before he died]. He further said that he had grown tired of living a double life. [He had served in many important] Church callings while knowing [at the same time] that he was in the grips of this ‘other master.’
“I was stunned, hurt, felt betrayed and violated. I could not promise him forgiveness at that moment but pleaded for time. … I was able to review my married life [and how] pornography had … put a stranglehold on our marriage from early on. We had only been married a couple of months when he brought home a [pornographic] magazine. I locked him out of the car because I was so hurt and angry. …
“For many years in our marriage … he was most cruel in many of his demands. I was never good enough for him. … I felt incredibly beaten down at that time to a point of deep depression. … I know now that I was being compared to the latest ‘porn queen.’ …
“We went to counseling one time and … my husband proceeded to rip me apart with his criticism and disdain of me. …
“I could not even get into the car with him after that but walked around the town … for hours, contemplating suicide. [I thought,] ‘Why go on if this is all that my “eternal companion” feels for me?’
“I did go on, but zipped a protective shield around myself. I existed for other reasons than my husband and found joy in my children, in projects and accomplishments that I could do totally on my own. …
“After his ‘deathbed confession’ and [after taking time] to search through my life, I [said] to him, ‘Don’t you know what you have done?’ … I told him I had brought a pure heart into our marriage, kept it pure during that marriage, and intended to keep it pure ever after. Why could he not do the same for me? All I ever wanted was to feel cherished and treated with the smallest of pleasantries … instead of being treated like some kind of chattel. …
“I am now left to grieve not only for his being gone but also for a relationship that could have been [beautiful, but was not]. …
“Please warn the brethren (and sisters). Pornography is not some titillating feast for the eyes that gives a momentary rush of excitement. [Rather] it has the effect of damaging hearts and souls to their very depths, strangling the life out of relationships that should be sacred, hurting to the very core those you should love the most.”
And she signs the letter.
What a pathetic and tragic story. I have omitted some of the detail but have read enough that you can sense her depth of feeling. And what of her husband? He has died a painful death from cancer, his final words a confession of a life laced with sin.
And sin it is. It is devilish. It is totally inconsistent with the spirit of the gospel, with personal testimony of the things of God, and with the life of one who has been ordained to the holy priesthood.
This is not the only letter I have received. There have been enough that I am convinced this is a very serious problem even among us. It arises from many sources and expresses itself in a variety of ways. Now it is compounded by the Internet. That Internet is available not only to adults but also to young people.
I recently read that pornography has become a $57 billion industry worldwide. Twelve billion of this is derived in the United States by evil and “conspiring men” (see D&C 89:4) who seek riches at the expense of the gullible. It is reported that it produces more revenue in the United States than the “combined revenues of all professional football, baseball and basketball franchises or the combined revenues of ABC, CBS, and NBC” (“Internet Pornography Statistics: 2003,” Internet, http://www.healthymind.com/5-port-stats.html).
It robs the workplace of the time and talents of employees. “20% of men admit accessing pornography at work. 13% of women [do so]. … 10% of adults admit having internet sexual addiction” (“Internet Pornography Statistics: 2003”). That is their admission, but actually the number may be much higher.
The National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families states that “approximately 40 million people in the United States are sexually involved with the Internet. …
“One in five children ages 10–17 [has] received a sexual solicitation over the Internet. …
“Three million of the visitors to adult websites in September 2000 were age 17 or younger. …
“Sex is the number 1 topic searched on the Internet” (NCPCE Online, “Current Statistics,” Internet, http://www.nationalcoalition.org/stat.html).
I might go on, but you, too, know enough of the seriousness of the problem. Suffice it to say that all who are involved become victims. Children are exploited, and their lives are severely damaged. The minds of youth become warped with false concepts. Continued exposure leads to addiction that is almost impossible to break. Men, so very many, find they cannot leave it alone. Their energies and their interests are consumed in their dead-end pursuit of this raw and sleazy fare.
The excuse is given that it is hard to avoid, that it is right at our fingertips and there is no escape.
Suppose a storm is raging and the winds howl and the snow swirls about you. You find yourself unable to stop it. But you can dress properly and seek shelter, and the storm will have no effect upon you.
Likewise, even though the Internet is saturated with sleazy material, you do not have to watch it. You can retreat to the shelter of the gospel and its teaching of cleanliness and virtue and purity of life.
I know that I am speaking directly and plainly. I do so because the Internet has made pornography more widely accessible, adding to what is available on DVDs and videos, on television and magazine stands. It leads to fantasies that are destructive of self-respect. It leads to illicit relationships, often to disease, and to abusive criminal activity.
Brethren, we can do better than this. When the Savior taught the multitude, He said, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8).
Could anyone wish for a greater blessing than this? The high road of decency, of self-discipline, of wholesome living is the road for men, both young and old, who hold the priesthood of God. To the young men I put this question: “Can you imagine John the Baptist, who restored the priesthood which you hold, being engaged in any such practice as this?” To you men: “Can you imagine Peter, James, and John, Apostles of our Lord, engaging in such?”
No, of course not. Now brethren, the time has come for any one of us who is so involved to pull himself out of the mire, to stand above this evil thing, to “look to God and live” (Alma 37:47). We do not have to view salacious magazines. We do not have to read books laden with smut. We do not have to watch television that is beneath wholesome standards. We do not have to rent movies that depict that which is filthy. We do not have to sit at the computer and play with pornographic material found on the Internet.
I repeat, we can do better than this. We must do better than this. We are men of the priesthood. This is a most sacred and marvelous gift, worth more than all the dross of the world. But it will be amen to the effectiveness of that priesthood for anyone who engages in the practice of seeking out pornographic material.
If there be any within the sound of my voice who are doing so, then may you plead with the Lord out of the depths of your soul that He will remove from you the addiction which enslaves you. And may you have the courage to seek the loving guidance of your bishop and, if necessary, the counsel of caring professionals.
Let any who may be in the grip of this vise get upon their knees in the privacy of their closet and plead with the Lord for help to free them from this evil monster. Otherwise, this vicious stain will continue through life and even into eternity. Jacob, the brother of Nephi, taught: “And it shall come to pass that when all men shall have passed from this first death unto life, insomuch as they have become immortal, … they who are righteous shall be righteous still, and they who are filthy shall be filthy still” (2 Ne. 9:15–16).
President Joseph F. Smith, in his vision of the Savior’s visit among the spirits of the dead, saw that “unto the wicked he did not go, and among the ungodly and the unrepentant who had defiled themselves while in the flesh, his voice was not raised” (D&C 138:20).
Now, my brethren, I do not wish to be negative. I am by nature optimistic. But in such matters as this I am a realist. If we are involved in such behavior, now is the time to change. Let this be our hour of resolution. Let us turn about to a better way.
Said the Lord: “Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.
“The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever” (D&C 121:45–46).
How could any man wish for more? These supernal blessings are promised to those who walk in virtue before the Lord and before all men.
How wonderful are the ways of our Lord. How glorious His promises. When tempted we can substitute for thoughts of evil thoughts of Him and His teachings. He has said: “And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.
“Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you” (D&C 88:67–68).
To you deacons and teachers and priests who are with us tonight, you wonderful young men who have to do with the sacrament, the Lord has said, “Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord” (D&C 133:5).
To all of the priesthood the statement of revelation is clear and unequivocal: “The rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness” (D&C 121:36).
Now I know, my brethren, that most of you are not afflicted with this evil. I ask your pardon for taking your time in dwelling on it. But if you are a stake president or a bishop, a district or branch president, you may very well have to assist those who are affected. May the Lord grant you wisdom, guidance, inspiration, and love for those who so need it.
And to all of you, young or old, who are not involved, I congratulate you and leave my blessing with you. How beautiful is the life that is patterned after the teachings of the gospel of Him who was without sin. Such a man walks with unblemished brow in the sunlight of virtue and strength.
May heaven’s blessings attend you, my dear brethren. May all of us reach out to any who need help, I pray, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Gordon B. Hinckley, “A Tragic Evil among Us,” Ensign, Nov 2004, 59–62
Internet Porn: Worse Than Crack?
Internet Porn: Worse Than Crack?
Ryan Singel 11.19.04
Internet pornography is the new crack cocaine, leading to addiction, misogyny, pedophilia, boob jobs and erectile dysfunction, according to clinicians and researchers testifying before a Senate committee Thursday.
Witnesses before the Senate Commerce Committee's Science, Technology and Space Subcommittee spared no superlative in their description of the negative effects of pornography.
Mary Anne Layden, co-director of the Sexual Trauma and Psychopathology Program at the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Cognitive Therapy, called porn the "most concerning thing to psychological health that I know of existing today."
"The internet is a perfect drug delivery system because you are anonymous, aroused and have role models for these behaviors," Layden said. "To have drug pumped into your house 24/7, free, and children know how to use it better than grown-ups know how to use it -- it's a perfect delivery system if we want to have a whole generation of young addicts who will never have the drug out of their mind."
Pornography addicts have a more difficult time recovering from their addiction than cocaine addicts, since coke users can get the drug out of their system, but pornographic images stay in the brain forever, Layden said.
Jeffrey Satinover, a psychiatrist and advisor to the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality echoed Layden's concern about the internet and the somatic effects of pornography.
"Pornography really does, unlike other addictions, biologically cause direct release of the most perfect addictive substance," Satinover said. "That is, it causes masturbation, which causes release of the naturally occurring opioids. It does what heroin can't do, in effect."
The internet is dangerous because it removes the inefficiency in the delivery of pornography, making porn much more ubiquitous than in the days when guys in trench coats would sell nudie postcards, Satinover said.
Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kansas), the subcommittee's chairman, called the hearing the most disturbing one he'd ever seen in the Senate. Brownback said porn was ubiquitous now, compared to when he was growing up and "some guy would sneak a magazine in somewhere and show some of us, but you had to find him at the right time."
The hearing came just days after a controversy over a sexually suggestive Monday Night Football ad that has many foreseeing a crackdown on indecency by the Federal Communications Commission.
It is unclear what the consequences of Thursday's hearing will be since it was not connected to any pending or proposed legislation.
Brownback, a conservative Christian, is also scheduled to be rotated off the sub-committee in the next session.
When Brownback asked the panelists for suggestions about what should be done, the responses were mild, considering their earlier indictment of pornography. Several suggested that federal money be allocated to fund brain-mapping studies into the physical effects of pornography.
Judith Reisman of the California Protective Parents Association suggested that more study of "erototoxins" could show how pornography is not speech-protected under the First Amendment.
The panelists all agreed that the government should fund health campaigns to educate the public about the dangers of pornography. The campaign should combat the messages of pornography by putting signs on buses saying sex with children is not OK, said Layden.
However, as the panelists themselves acknowledged, there is no consensus among mental health professionals about the dangers of porn or the use of the term "pornography addiction."
Many psychologists and most sexologists find the concepts of sex and pornography addiction problematic, said Carol Queen, staff sexologist for the San Francisco-based, woman-owned Good Vibrations.
Queen questioned the validity of the panel for not including anyone who thinks "pornography is not particularly problematic in most people's lives."
Queen acknowledges she can name people who have compulsive and destructive behavior centered on pornography, but argues that can happen with other activities, such as gambling and shopping.
Queen also criticized the methodology behind research showing that pornography stimulates the brain like drugs do, saying the research needs to take into account how sex itself stimulates the brain.
"There's no doubt the brain lights up when sexually aroused," Queen said.
Queen too would like to see more money devoted to research on sex, but thinks it is unlikely that researchers on either side of the divide are likely to receive large grants any time soon.
Studies intended to show the harmful effects of pornography must contend with ethical rules prohibiting harm to human subjects, while sex researchers have a hard time getting any funding, unless their study is specifically HIV-related, according to Queen.
Ryan Singel 11.19.04
Internet pornography is the new crack cocaine, leading to addiction, misogyny, pedophilia, boob jobs and erectile dysfunction, according to clinicians and researchers testifying before a Senate committee Thursday.
Witnesses before the Senate Commerce Committee's Science, Technology and Space Subcommittee spared no superlative in their description of the negative effects of pornography.
Mary Anne Layden, co-director of the Sexual Trauma and Psychopathology Program at the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Cognitive Therapy, called porn the "most concerning thing to psychological health that I know of existing today."
"The internet is a perfect drug delivery system because you are anonymous, aroused and have role models for these behaviors," Layden said. "To have drug pumped into your house 24/7, free, and children know how to use it better than grown-ups know how to use it -- it's a perfect delivery system if we want to have a whole generation of young addicts who will never have the drug out of their mind."
Pornography addicts have a more difficult time recovering from their addiction than cocaine addicts, since coke users can get the drug out of their system, but pornographic images stay in the brain forever, Layden said.
Jeffrey Satinover, a psychiatrist and advisor to the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality echoed Layden's concern about the internet and the somatic effects of pornography.
"Pornography really does, unlike other addictions, biologically cause direct release of the most perfect addictive substance," Satinover said. "That is, it causes masturbation, which causes release of the naturally occurring opioids. It does what heroin can't do, in effect."
The internet is dangerous because it removes the inefficiency in the delivery of pornography, making porn much more ubiquitous than in the days when guys in trench coats would sell nudie postcards, Satinover said.
Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kansas), the subcommittee's chairman, called the hearing the most disturbing one he'd ever seen in the Senate. Brownback said porn was ubiquitous now, compared to when he was growing up and "some guy would sneak a magazine in somewhere and show some of us, but you had to find him at the right time."
The hearing came just days after a controversy over a sexually suggestive Monday Night Football ad that has many foreseeing a crackdown on indecency by the Federal Communications Commission.
It is unclear what the consequences of Thursday's hearing will be since it was not connected to any pending or proposed legislation.
Brownback, a conservative Christian, is also scheduled to be rotated off the sub-committee in the next session.
When Brownback asked the panelists for suggestions about what should be done, the responses were mild, considering their earlier indictment of pornography. Several suggested that federal money be allocated to fund brain-mapping studies into the physical effects of pornography.
Judith Reisman of the California Protective Parents Association suggested that more study of "erototoxins" could show how pornography is not speech-protected under the First Amendment.
The panelists all agreed that the government should fund health campaigns to educate the public about the dangers of pornography. The campaign should combat the messages of pornography by putting signs on buses saying sex with children is not OK, said Layden.
However, as the panelists themselves acknowledged, there is no consensus among mental health professionals about the dangers of porn or the use of the term "pornography addiction."
Many psychologists and most sexologists find the concepts of sex and pornography addiction problematic, said Carol Queen, staff sexologist for the San Francisco-based, woman-owned Good Vibrations.
Queen questioned the validity of the panel for not including anyone who thinks "pornography is not particularly problematic in most people's lives."
Queen acknowledges she can name people who have compulsive and destructive behavior centered on pornography, but argues that can happen with other activities, such as gambling and shopping.
Queen also criticized the methodology behind research showing that pornography stimulates the brain like drugs do, saying the research needs to take into account how sex itself stimulates the brain.
"There's no doubt the brain lights up when sexually aroused," Queen said.
Queen too would like to see more money devoted to research on sex, but thinks it is unlikely that researchers on either side of the divide are likely to receive large grants any time soon.
Studies intended to show the harmful effects of pornography must contend with ethical rules prohibiting harm to human subjects, while sex researchers have a hard time getting any funding, unless their study is specifically HIV-related, according to Queen.
20.11.09
The Experience vs the Accomplishment
I've realized I've had a lot of experiences. I once did stand up comedy, I've been a security guard in the graveyard shift by myself, I've been to the ocean, I've flown in an airplane, I've seen Washington D.C. etc. I could go on and on, as most of us could. Have they all taught me something? Overall, no. Have they been good? Overall, yes. Should I stop asking questions to myself and then answering them? Probably.
As by the title you can see where I'm going with this blog. Experiences are great, but I think accomplishments are greater. Accomplishments are always experiences but not the other way around. This subject has been on my mind lately because I feel inclined to do more accomplishments in my life than experiences. The brethren in the church leadership have said-
I am so thoroughly convinced that if we don’t set goals in our life and learn how to master the technique of living to reach our goals, we can reach a ripe old age and look back on our life only to see that we reached but a small part of our full potential. When you learn to master the principle of setting a goal, you will then be able to make a great difference in the results you attain in this life. -M. Russel Ballard
Looking back, I can see all my experiences vs accomplishments and can easily assess that I learned a great deal more from my accomplishments. This is because none of my accomplishments came without work and determination. But, my experiences often came and left without any real effort on my part, and left me with little more than a story or a quip.
My greatest accomplishment was probably being called as a missionary for the church, to go to San Diego, learn Spanish, and teach the word. This wasn't just sitting on the street corner and shouting random things about God, this was work. We had to go door to door, with an unknown companion, talk in a foreign language, to foreign people, about a religion foreign to them and have them actually accept a life changing message. We kept records of people we taught, how many lessons we taught, how many people we talked to, what their doubts were, and then report all this to authorities above us. This wasn't just preaching, it was a organized effort that required 24 hour vigilance and not only that you had to know what to say and how to say it in another language and I could go on. Was that an experience? Hell yes. Was it an accomplishment? Yes, but I regret not doing more.
As by the title you can see where I'm going with this blog. Experiences are great, but I think accomplishments are greater. Accomplishments are always experiences but not the other way around. This subject has been on my mind lately because I feel inclined to do more accomplishments in my life than experiences. The brethren in the church leadership have said-
I am so thoroughly convinced that if we don’t set goals in our life and learn how to master the technique of living to reach our goals, we can reach a ripe old age and look back on our life only to see that we reached but a small part of our full potential. When you learn to master the principle of setting a goal, you will then be able to make a great difference in the results you attain in this life. -M. Russel Ballard
Looking back, I can see all my experiences vs accomplishments and can easily assess that I learned a great deal more from my accomplishments. This is because none of my accomplishments came without work and determination. But, my experiences often came and left without any real effort on my part, and left me with little more than a story or a quip.
My greatest accomplishment was probably being called as a missionary for the church, to go to San Diego, learn Spanish, and teach the word. This wasn't just sitting on the street corner and shouting random things about God, this was work. We had to go door to door, with an unknown companion, talk in a foreign language, to foreign people, about a religion foreign to them and have them actually accept a life changing message. We kept records of people we taught, how many lessons we taught, how many people we talked to, what their doubts were, and then report all this to authorities above us. This wasn't just preaching, it was a organized effort that required 24 hour vigilance and not only that you had to know what to say and how to say it in another language and I could go on. Was that an experience? Hell yes. Was it an accomplishment? Yes, but I regret not doing more.
19.11.09
What Do the Scriptures Say About Money and the Poor?
1 Timothy 6:9
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
Luke 12:15-34
And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the
heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Alma 31:28
Alma 1:30
And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need.
2 Nephi 9:11
But wo unto the rich, who are rich as to the things of the world. For because they are rich they despise the poor, and they persecute the meek, and their hearts are upon their treasures; wherefore, their treasure is their god. And behold, their treasure shall perish with them also.
1 Cor. 10: 24
Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.
James 1:10-11
But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the agrace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
4 Nephi 1:3
And they had aall things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly bgift.
Doctrine and Covenants 104:15-16
And it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine.
But it must needs be done in mine own away; and behold this is the way that I, the Lord, have decreed to provide for my saints, that the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low.
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
Luke 12:15-34
And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the
heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Alma 31:28
Behold, O my God, their costly apparel, and their ringlets, and their bracelets, and their ornaments of gold, and all their precious things which they are ornamented with; and behold, their hearts are set upon them, and yet they cry unto thee and say—We thank thee, O God, for we are a chosen people unto thee, while others shall perish.
Alma 1:30
And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need.
2 Nephi 9:11
But wo unto the rich, who are rich as to the things of the world. For because they are rich they despise the poor, and they persecute the meek, and their hearts are upon their treasures; wherefore, their treasure is their god. And behold, their treasure shall perish with them also.
1 Cor. 10: 24
Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.
James 1:10-11
But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the agrace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
4 Nephi 1:3
And they had aall things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly bgift.
Doctrine and Covenants 104:15-16
And it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine.
But it must needs be done in mine own away; and behold this is the way that I, the Lord, have decreed to provide for my saints, that the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low.
17.11.09
Heroine
I have a friend who is on Heroin. It never occurred to me that the name also means the feminine hero. What a strange name for a drug. But, drugs are strange. She was a missionary. She taught the gospel. She lived a pure life. She has tons of friends and loves life. Heroin is threatening to take away all the things that are important in life. She has a real good friend. My wife. They were companions and served will all their heart, might, mind and strength. Right now she needs to do that more than anything to fight Heroin. How sad. How unbelievably unfortunate. Heroin never quits. Once it has you, it won't ever let go. All a person can do (in my humble, educated opinion) is grow stronger than the addiction.
What is a hero? A hero is someone who is stronger and needed in a time of weakness or vulnerability. What is Heroin? Its a life sucking villain that eats your fabric of sanity away with each barrier you try to shield yourself from it.
I'm so sad. She was brilliant last night as we had Family Home Evening. She was laughing and looked like a lot of fun but I know on the inside there was this beast, that couldn't wait to get her away from her loving friends and punish her soul by stretching the hole that heroin has punched. This beast is Satan. I feel no need to differentiate the two- Heroin and Satan. For they are one in purpose- to ravish and destroy all that is sacred and good in your life and replace it with an unquenchable fire of despair and pain.
Tonight my friend is in withdrawals. I can see on her face that these are not simple cravings. The look on her face says she is drowning, burning, choking, crying, dying, stinging, harrowing and losing. Why did she fall? That doesn't matter. All that matters is how we're going to catch her. We love her. I imagine God thinking the same things about our (although minor in comparison but gigantic when compared to divinity) missteps and tumbles. He probably sees the future of our behavior on a scale more defined then we ever could and it penetrates His heart all the more. "If only they'd look to the Savior" He says. If only we'd look to the arms that are continually stretched forth before us. Then we'd understand.
Its no use to condemn the sins of others unless we can help the sinner. What do we gain by the sins of others? There is not a clean conscience in the convicting of another. There is not time for the blame game if you love them. Its not a time to point fingers but to stretch out hands in love and friendship. As we strive to help others, we are bettering ourselves. As we try to blame others, we are only diminishing ourselves. I don't blame my friend for doing drugs, although it would've been easier for her if she didn't, but that doesn't matter now that she is on the ropes and getting kidnapped by her addiction. I don't wish to walk away with clean hands and a cold shoulder. Think of the parables the Savior taught- How many good samaritans were there? Just one, out of how many that just passed the dying soul on the ground? Or what about the Prodigal son, whose father welcomed him home from running away, with open arms? In both cases, the person who was righteous didn't care how or why the person was in the condition they were in. They only thought to love and restore them to life. Is it not the same with God? Is it not the same with you?
The thing that most amazes me about this whole ordeal is that my friend ran away for so long from dealing with the addiction. When we run away from a problem, we feed the problem. She has tried so many times before and lost everytime. The addiction whipped her butt. It will continue to whip her butt. But, she has decided to face it. Its going to keep beating her but she can be sustained, she can endure and she will triumph. She will. Heroin has only got her physically. Tonight, she showed that it doesn't quite have her spiritually, because she has faced the biggest opponent that everybody has to fight sooner or later- PRIDE. If we let pride grow it will be all the harder to knock out but if we continue to humble ourselves we won't have to wait until our whole life is on the line to keep pride in it's place.
Her name isn't important because we all are similar to her in this battle. We all have to face our pride and our sins. Its the same fight. Its easier to win if we decide to train for it beforehand. If we wait till its too late we might not make it. I know my friend will make it. She is a hero. A real heroine.
Update: After a few more ravenous events and hardships she has gone through rehab and by all accounts is getting better everyday.
What is a hero? A hero is someone who is stronger and needed in a time of weakness or vulnerability. What is Heroin? Its a life sucking villain that eats your fabric of sanity away with each barrier you try to shield yourself from it.
I'm so sad. She was brilliant last night as we had Family Home Evening. She was laughing and looked like a lot of fun but I know on the inside there was this beast, that couldn't wait to get her away from her loving friends and punish her soul by stretching the hole that heroin has punched. This beast is Satan. I feel no need to differentiate the two- Heroin and Satan. For they are one in purpose- to ravish and destroy all that is sacred and good in your life and replace it with an unquenchable fire of despair and pain.
Tonight my friend is in withdrawals. I can see on her face that these are not simple cravings. The look on her face says she is drowning, burning, choking, crying, dying, stinging, harrowing and losing. Why did she fall? That doesn't matter. All that matters is how we're going to catch her. We love her. I imagine God thinking the same things about our (although minor in comparison but gigantic when compared to divinity) missteps and tumbles. He probably sees the future of our behavior on a scale more defined then we ever could and it penetrates His heart all the more. "If only they'd look to the Savior" He says. If only we'd look to the arms that are continually stretched forth before us. Then we'd understand.
Its no use to condemn the sins of others unless we can help the sinner. What do we gain by the sins of others? There is not a clean conscience in the convicting of another. There is not time for the blame game if you love them. Its not a time to point fingers but to stretch out hands in love and friendship. As we strive to help others, we are bettering ourselves. As we try to blame others, we are only diminishing ourselves. I don't blame my friend for doing drugs, although it would've been easier for her if she didn't, but that doesn't matter now that she is on the ropes and getting kidnapped by her addiction. I don't wish to walk away with clean hands and a cold shoulder. Think of the parables the Savior taught- How many good samaritans were there? Just one, out of how many that just passed the dying soul on the ground? Or what about the Prodigal son, whose father welcomed him home from running away, with open arms? In both cases, the person who was righteous didn't care how or why the person was in the condition they were in. They only thought to love and restore them to life. Is it not the same with God? Is it not the same with you?
The thing that most amazes me about this whole ordeal is that my friend ran away for so long from dealing with the addiction. When we run away from a problem, we feed the problem. She has tried so many times before and lost everytime. The addiction whipped her butt. It will continue to whip her butt. But, she has decided to face it. Its going to keep beating her but she can be sustained, she can endure and she will triumph. She will. Heroin has only got her physically. Tonight, she showed that it doesn't quite have her spiritually, because she has faced the biggest opponent that everybody has to fight sooner or later- PRIDE. If we let pride grow it will be all the harder to knock out but if we continue to humble ourselves we won't have to wait until our whole life is on the line to keep pride in it's place.
Her name isn't important because we all are similar to her in this battle. We all have to face our pride and our sins. Its the same fight. Its easier to win if we decide to train for it beforehand. If we wait till its too late we might not make it. I know my friend will make it. She is a hero. A real heroine.
Update: After a few more ravenous events and hardships she has gone through rehab and by all accounts is getting better everyday.
Benefit of the Doubt
Everybody is a little good and a little bad. Sometimes it seems easy to make someone out to be a bad guy, when they're not all bad, and likewise good, when they're not all good. Why do we wish to label others and judge them? Its easy. Its easier for our minds to label people, so we know how to treat them or to stay away from them. We do it to have control. But, we don't know so much.
We don't know what others are really thinking or what they are capable of doing but the Lord does. The Lord knows us best and gives us time to repent and do good.
Alma taught, "There was a space granted unto man in which he might repent; therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God; a time to prepare for that endless state which has been spoken of by us, which is after the resurrection of the dead" (Alma 12:24). God has granted us chance to repent and be righteous. Should we not give others a chance as well?
Nephi said, "I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things" (1 Nephi 11:17).
He also said "And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do" (1 Nephi 4:6).
I think the only judgment we can truly trust is that of the Spirit. By following the Spirit we have safety in the Lord. We will be given the wisdom we need and the intelligence to manage all the crazy situations or crazy people we encounter. In the church you always hear people saying things similar to Nephi saying "I don't know why I did it but I had a feeling and was prompted" and oft times it comes to fruition that it was for the best.
Thus, its crucial that we look at others as our brothers and sisters and not enemies, for our only true enemy is sin, not the sinner. For if we hate the sinner we must hate ourselves for we are all imperfect and sinful in God's eyes. But, God sees us for who we are and thus gives us a chance to do good. Amen.
We don't know what others are really thinking or what they are capable of doing but the Lord does. The Lord knows us best and gives us time to repent and do good.
Alma taught, "There was a space granted unto man in which he might repent; therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God; a time to prepare for that endless state which has been spoken of by us, which is after the resurrection of the dead" (Alma 12:24). God has granted us chance to repent and be righteous. Should we not give others a chance as well?
Nephi said, "I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things" (1 Nephi 11:17).
He also said "And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do" (1 Nephi 4:6).
I think the only judgment we can truly trust is that of the Spirit. By following the Spirit we have safety in the Lord. We will be given the wisdom we need and the intelligence to manage all the crazy situations or crazy people we encounter. In the church you always hear people saying things similar to Nephi saying "I don't know why I did it but I had a feeling and was prompted" and oft times it comes to fruition that it was for the best.
Thus, its crucial that we look at others as our brothers and sisters and not enemies, for our only true enemy is sin, not the sinner. For if we hate the sinner we must hate ourselves for we are all imperfect and sinful in God's eyes. But, God sees us for who we are and thus gives us a chance to do good. Amen.
Sacrifice
“The Important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are;
For what we could become”
- CHARLES DUBOIS
“Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” (Matt. 19:16).
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. (Math 19:21-26)
When God asks us to pay tithing, its not so the church can have money. When God asks us to fast, its not so we can lose weight. When God asks us to do anything, it is for us to remember that it is God we serve and not lesser gods like money, food or ourselves. When we ask God for help, He asks us to give up worldly things, so He can give us heavenly things. If we reject His commandments, we are rejecting His help. If we aren't giving anything to God then we are giving our hearts to the gods of this world and what a poor substitute that is, for the God who created all things.
For what we could become”
- CHARLES DUBOIS
“Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” (Matt. 19:16).
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. (Math 19:21-26)
When God asks us to pay tithing, its not so the church can have money. When God asks us to fast, its not so we can lose weight. When God asks us to do anything, it is for us to remember that it is God we serve and not lesser gods like money, food or ourselves. When we ask God for help, He asks us to give up worldly things, so He can give us heavenly things. If we reject His commandments, we are rejecting His help. If we aren't giving anything to God then we are giving our hearts to the gods of this world and what a poor substitute that is, for the God who created all things.
5.11.09
Joy of Creation
I think one of the most challenging things to anyone is how to create a life for ourselves that makes us happy. The scriptures talk about this all the time.
"...men are, that they might have joy." - 2 Nephi 2:25
The reason we're here is to have joy. I find for me the greatest joy I can have is by creating. Who hasn't felt that sense of satisfaction after following a recipe and having the brownies actually taste good? Or who hasn't wrote something for school and worked over the details and then felt good after the teacher wrote a little smiley face? I'm an absolute addict to making art- http://eldigitalartist.blogspot.com/. Its not work for me because its a pleasure, a joy. If we look around the world or just at ourselves we can find plenty of things we've created that stir up a sense of joy in us. But alas, there is "opposition in all things" (2 Nephi 2:11). Sometimes by seeking to create happy lives we fill our lives with mundane or trite things that can't give us that satisfaction of joy of creation to our souls.
Satan always offers poor replacements for the real thing. We might think we can create happiness in ourselves by buying it. This is false, we can't replace sincere love for a sincere paycheck. We might think to eat food to fill an emotional void. This is false. Sure, we might be satisfied and a little plump for a bit, but that feeling soon subsides and we're stuck in the same predicament we were in before (only maybe fatter and more in debt). You can't fill your spirit with material things. You may fill your time with temporal things, but, the Lord warns "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal." (Math 6:19)
Of course, the Lord has the remedy. He says "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it." (Mark 8:35). From the things we create, we are expanding who we are. We are giving our life unto others and thus gaining it. Joy comes from the person we create in ourselves.
When I take a picture (or photoshop a picture, as the case may be) I exercise who I am and am showing a little piece of who I am. There is a quote that says something along the lines of "everything you create or do is a self portrait." How can we excuse ourselves from our creations? We cannot. We are bound to them, just as parents are to their children.
What role is the Lord in our creating? He is the Creator. We are a lineage of celestial heritage. He gave us the creating powers we enjoy. Remember the scriptures say we are that we might have joy. Lets now talk about how this joy is not acquired. The scriptures say "Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness." -(Alma 41:10). Wickedness never was happiness but it sure is fun, right? Yeah, I have a scripture for that too-
And there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God—he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God.
Yea, and there shall be many which shall teach after this manner, false and vain and foolish doctrines, and shall be puffed up in their hearts, and shall seek deep to hide their counsels from the Lord; and their works shall be in the dark.- 2 Nephi 28:8-9
Notice the doctrines of Satan (and unhappiness) are always vanity centered, consuming for the self, the fleeting things of the world, the fads, the momentary bliss, the trivial, the meaningless and the crude things that flatter our pride, feed our appetites and build up defenses against creating and growing as people. That, is the big difference between the Lord and Satan. The Lord offers us an eternal perspective of joy, while Satan only offers whatever feels good now. On the one hand we are to create, while on the other only to consume to our appetites. We all need to consume, of course, but the problem is when we seek to consume the temporal to our eternal appetites, upon doing that we will be left with an emptiness (once we find out what temporal really means in the eternities). So, the problem with wickedness and why it was never happiness is simply because its fleeting, and destructive to our eternal progress. Its filling our souls with the short lived as a replacement for the eternal life Christ offers.
"And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son." -1 John 5:11
To acquire the eternal joy (eternal life) of the Lord, we can't buy it, we can't sell it, and we can't obtain it through deception or manipulation. We can only create it. By following the Creator, Jesus Christ.
"I am the way, the truth, and the life" - John 14:6
"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." -Psalm 51:10
Surely the Lord cares more about us that we know and wants us to have joy, for that is the measure of our creation.
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?...For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. -Matt 6:30-33
In other words, worry not to surround yourself with comfort in this life, for the Lord will comfort you and give you what you need to live in this life and the next, if you will put Him first.
"And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true." -Mosiah 4:12
Living a Christlike life, faith in Christ, faith in His commandments, doing the things God would want us to do with a pure heart, forgiving, loving your neighbor as yourself, seeking treasure of heaven, turning the other cheek, being humble, being thankful, being virtuous and true, all these things exemplified in the Lord are how we can follow Him and have joy in our creation, or a real and eternal life.
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