The problem I see for myself on the Internet is this false sense of accomplishment. Inside our minds we can look back on our actions and that inspires us to do something that will make a difference. Online, its a false sense because online its this world that is created, like a video game where you think by posting something you have somehow accomplished something but back in real life, the day to day daily grind, you haven't accomplished it. There are exceptions of course. But, in the blogosphere, the twitterverse, the facebook world, we are diminished in our participation. Not that participating makes us worse but when we start to really believe in the persona we're creating online is something more than it is. If I have a million hits, or book deals, or people that I am connecting with then that is something but updating statuses, giving a new tweet for nobody, and generally blogging about crap doesn't equal a life.
Life is in the doing. We act, therefore we are. To not be is to not do. So, as we are doing great things we must remember that in a video game or online the chances of life being lived is greatly diminished.
Right now, I feel I've accomplished something. Its a personal breakthrough, but nonetheless will be vain, if I do not have a greater resolute to walk the walk. I feel like the difference here is similar to the difference that is between the pundit and the politician. One is just a critic and one is actually striving to practice what they believe. The critic although may be giving a performance or artistic showing in their critique, they pale in comparison to what they actually contribute to the world. The performer actually is the one who puts themselves out there, who acts. Without acting or doing we are just a shallow two dimensional image of what we want people to see. As thin as our computer monitors.
The narrative in our minds shouldn't be the updates on Facebook, the Tweets, the blogs, but the achievements of being the real person we want so desperately for others to believe we are online. We have to balance our ideal selves with reality and strive to live up to this great challenge that is living our lives.
The Lord has counseled us many times through prophets that we must live for Him and we will have a life. An eternal life. Its a very rigorous time for us to deal with identity as we have a seemingly endless amount of outlets for affirmations today. Our need for validation and expression is a not completely centered around narcissism but definitely can lead to it, as we start believing the images of ourselves we create online.
Many experts are convinced though that this generation is somehow all about ourselves and entitlements. I believe its not our fault if it is true. We have a bombardment of advertisements trying to make us align our identities with our the capacities of our checking accounts. We have constant huge personalities thrown at us that have no substance behind them; reality T.V. stars, Donald Trumps, Lady Gagas, and whoever the press want to milk for headlines that week or whatever we decide we want to look at. In this atmosphere we all want to have our opinions heard as much as others opinions are thrusted upon us by the media and advertisements. Ads tell us to be happy we should do this, while those that are seemingly happy do nothing but model in front of us with their status symbols on their clothes and faces. Its a world where status is everything, a world where this amount of pressure from society leaves us innocuous toward what will truly help others and ourselves feel happy.
We are going through a phase of experimenting with our emotions and technology and there is still so much humanity world. To sum up some of my emotions on this concept-
29.5.11
Retired pastor knows why people don’t like Christians any more
Retired pastor Kirk Minor remembers a time when working with his church was centered around people, and not rhetoric – and he’s wondering where those days went.
“We’re finding more and more that there are a lot of people out there doing a lot of talking and protesting and bellyaching, but fewer people actually walking the walk,” said Minor, author of Journey Across The Tiber: My Many Rooms. “We have extremists protesting funerals of gay soldiers, pundits decrying the use of abbreviations for the word Christmas and activists campaigning for prayer in public schools. These are all very divisive issues, and have little to do with the good works the Bible wants the faithful to perform.”
Minor bemoans that the Bible has become a book with which to bludgeon people.
“Too many people are using religion as a sword to fight those with whom they disagree, instead of as a plowshare to help their fellow neighbors tend the land and form a community,” said Minor, who retired as a United Methodist Church pastor after 23 years.
The key to reversing the trend, according to Minor, is to use actions more than words, and for people of faith to quietly go about the good works and charity that is at the essence of the Bible’s teachings.
“Shouting louder than the other guys only results in more shouting, which never gets anything done,” he said. “The key is to go about your life, as one of the faithful, and to make sure you actually do at least one thing each day that reflects the faith in which you believe.”
27.5.11
A Life with God
So, lets get a few things straight as to our purpose-
God's purpose as stated in Moses 1:39 is: to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
In John 17:3 it states that life eternal is to know God. Which is echoed by Doctrine and Covenants 132:24
In John 17:3 it states that life eternal is to know God. Which is echoed by Doctrine and Covenants 132:24
A few other definitions, along with that of eternal life is:
to be spiritually minded 2 Nephi 9:39
believe in him, and to endure to the end 2 Nephi 33:4
believe in him, and to endure to the end 2 Nephi 33:4
We can draw more conclusions on what eternal life means by the constant reference to it by the prophets and the Savior. Basically, its heaven. A life with God.
So, from God's purpose we can deduce our purpose. If He is working to bring us back, then we must also be working, to return back to our heavenly home.
Very simple, really, but very demanding in execution. We must keep the commandments, and there by doing, repent of our wrong doings. To repent we must value eternal life more than our burdensome sins.
The invitation is clear, that we are invited to "the feast" with the Father, in His many mansions. We are only to arrive if by the sacrificing of ourselves, for His will. By giving up our will for His, we give up the reward of our actions, for His reward. Whether we do good openly as a beacon of light or secretly under dark of night, we are rewarded openly.
The invitation is clear, that we are invited to "the feast" with the Father, in His many mansions. We are only to arrive if by the sacrificing of ourselves, for His will. By giving up our will for His, we give up the reward of our actions, for His reward. Whether we do good openly as a beacon of light or secretly under dark of night, we are rewarded openly.
I've never regretted keeping the commandments. The Holy Ghost doesn't ever give you a feeling of regret. By we are keeping the commandments, we are entitled to the fruits of the Spirit, as mentioned in Galatians 5:22. None of these fruits are bitter but are as Lehi accounts in his dream of partaking of the fruit- I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit. (1 Nephi 8:11-12).
Keeping the commandments with real intent gives you this joy. Keeping the commandments with an absence of sincerity, gives you an absence of great joy. Not keeping the commandments separates you further from God, as Adam and Eve fell, so we all have fallen from God.
The way back to God is Jesus Christ as we all have sinned, He redeems us of our mistakes, as we follow His example. I know that God lives, and that the way to happiness and eternal life is through the following of Jesus Christ.
22.4.11
Why are we here?
We left the throne of God for this. A planet thats heating up with not only pollution but corruption. A place so evil that altruism is crucified, power steps on the meek, and lust for gratification rapes purity and innocense. Why did we leave? Why did we choose this path? It was probably the smartest thing we did up to that point. We chose to come to the Earth to be endowed with a knowledge and power that could only come through this experience, this trial of faith, this refiner's fire, this probation.
Its pretty bleak but the good far outweigh the bad. The bands of death were broken by the Savior. The good news is preached from prophet to prophet of the glorious day of the Lord. We have so much to shout hallelujahs for as we are given a chance at eternal life and at-one-ment with God. "And this is life eternal, that they may know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent" (John 17:3).
As the prodigal son left home and came to himself after adventuring the bleakness of the world, we too must come to ourselves and return to our Father in Heaven. We are in the same state of that prodigal son. As we return to God we are forgiven for our sins and blessed with a great joy and peaceful state, away from the dark and dreary world. As the parable shows, the family is the brightest part of this dark world.
The heart of everything we do is to promote the happiness and betterment of our souls. "Men are that they might have joy" said Lehi. President Packer recently said in a talk that the "ultimate end of all activity in the church is that a man and his wife and his children can be happy at home." So, we get to keep the commandments as they are precious to our happiness and betterment.
There are many doctrines that distinguish us from other churches. But, one that is great is the idea that we take very seriously the linking of family relationships. We build great temples that are marvelous in design but the inner part is the most impressive as it deals solely with spirits. We don't go to the temple for any physical benefits, only to use our physical presence for a spiritual purpose of linking families together from generation to generation. It is the whole purpose of an atonement being needed by the one and only God to bring us into His presence. Christ was one with His Father at all times. From birth to death to resurrection, He was not one of us but we can be linked to His greatness through our faith and love for Him and the great family that is mankind.
David O. McKay said that no amount of success outside the home can compensate for a failure inside the home. Our great reason for working and all these activities in our lives should be centered around building a strong bond with God and His children. Those that carry these relationships have many waiting beyond the veil to meet them. Just as temple would be vain without the inner beauty of spiritual ordinances, so would we without these connections to God and our families.
Jacob 5 is a huge allegory of an olive tree field. When it is growing righteously it yields great fruit and when it is growing wild it yields wild fruit. It is an example of keeping the righteousness in our lives from generation to generation, showing signs of fruit and increase over time. This is the work and glory of God, to bring to pass the immortality of men. God is not one to judge us by our possessions but by our priorities. We need to see those in view as not property but our priority. We can't let this time of probation and preparation go to waste on fruitless endeavors that prove vain with time. The Lord is the way to happiness and eternal life.
Its pretty bleak but the good far outweigh the bad. The bands of death were broken by the Savior. The good news is preached from prophet to prophet of the glorious day of the Lord. We have so much to shout hallelujahs for as we are given a chance at eternal life and at-one-ment with God. "And this is life eternal, that they may know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent" (John 17:3).
As the prodigal son left home and came to himself after adventuring the bleakness of the world, we too must come to ourselves and return to our Father in Heaven. We are in the same state of that prodigal son. As we return to God we are forgiven for our sins and blessed with a great joy and peaceful state, away from the dark and dreary world. As the parable shows, the family is the brightest part of this dark world.
The heart of everything we do is to promote the happiness and betterment of our souls. "Men are that they might have joy" said Lehi. President Packer recently said in a talk that the "ultimate end of all activity in the church is that a man and his wife and his children can be happy at home." So, we get to keep the commandments as they are precious to our happiness and betterment.
There are many doctrines that distinguish us from other churches. But, one that is great is the idea that we take very seriously the linking of family relationships. We build great temples that are marvelous in design but the inner part is the most impressive as it deals solely with spirits. We don't go to the temple for any physical benefits, only to use our physical presence for a spiritual purpose of linking families together from generation to generation. It is the whole purpose of an atonement being needed by the one and only God to bring us into His presence. Christ was one with His Father at all times. From birth to death to resurrection, He was not one of us but we can be linked to His greatness through our faith and love for Him and the great family that is mankind.
David O. McKay said that no amount of success outside the home can compensate for a failure inside the home. Our great reason for working and all these activities in our lives should be centered around building a strong bond with God and His children. Those that carry these relationships have many waiting beyond the veil to meet them. Just as temple would be vain without the inner beauty of spiritual ordinances, so would we without these connections to God and our families.
Jacob 5 is a huge allegory of an olive tree field. When it is growing righteously it yields great fruit and when it is growing wild it yields wild fruit. It is an example of keeping the righteousness in our lives from generation to generation, showing signs of fruit and increase over time. This is the work and glory of God, to bring to pass the immortality of men. God is not one to judge us by our possessions but by our priorities. We need to see those in view as not property but our priority. We can't let this time of probation and preparation go to waste on fruitless endeavors that prove vain with time. The Lord is the way to happiness and eternal life.
18.4.11
Spiritual experiences, although life changing, are quite easily lost in the fray of the white noise and distractions of our lives. Those sacred things get lost and forgotten so fast. We can't hold on to the river that is the Spirit of God, that comes and goes in our lives, but we can follow it. We can study God's commandments, stories of faith, try to connect and have a real give and take relationship with God, seeking always to do His will knowing that He knows whats good for us.
Keep the Focus
Like sandcastles to the ocean waves, we cannot keep our sins from God. Lucky for us, God doesn't seek retribution. He seeks the happiness of His children. In essence, the Lord seeks our salvation. Repenting, though, is quite difficult. The steps of repentance are easier to follow if we realize that the end result will be worth it. How do we maintain this enlightened view of our time of probation and preparation?
We have to remember Christ. The sacrament prayer spoken every Sunday in LDS chapels around the world echo the same sentiments for blessing the bread and water:
O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.
O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this water to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.
The focus of our lives must be Jesus Christ or we will not be able to endure to the end. Our repentance process will plateau and we'll increasingly cover our sins. Darkness creeps in when light diminishes.
We have to remember Christ. The sacrament prayer spoken every Sunday in LDS chapels around the world echo the same sentiments for blessing the bread and water:
O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.
O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this water to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.
The focus of our lives must be Jesus Christ or we will not be able to endure to the end. Our repentance process will plateau and we'll increasingly cover our sins. Darkness creeps in when light diminishes.
10.4.11
Downloading Honesty
Today, the lesson was on Honesty. Being somewhat prideful in my honesty, I was sure that I'd have no problem with this one. Each lesson can be like going to the dentist to find out you have cavities and going through the process of yanking those suckers out. Well, I found out that "copying music, movies, pictures, or written text without the permission of the copyright owners is dishonest and a form of theft" and felt bad. Mainly because I always have downloaded music. I always would burn mix CD's for other people. I've probably burned over 200 mix CD's in my life.
So, you can imagine that I didn't like the sound of this strange new doctrine called Honesty.
Upon learning about honesty, I felt impressed by some ideas concerning revelation. It seems that revelation isn't necessarily downloading something new out of nowhere but rather learning about something new that had been there all along, hidden to me by my ignorance.
This idea of revelation leads me to understand then that all truth is available and there but that we just aren't ready or seeking enough to receive it. All these great things are hidden to us. Revelation is the key to great things being thrust upon our lives and we just need accept them to live happily ever after. Its a great puzzle that comes together with every piece revealing one giant truth. This truth is there all along and will be there forever. This truth frees us from the burdens of sin's entanglement. This truth lights our paths and gives us hope. This truth is the firm foundation where on if men build they cannot fall. This truth is Jesus Christ.
I had the misfortune of seeing the light on the subject while reading chapter in the Gospel Principles book. This seemingly small detail wasn't mentioned in the class but just in text.
I had always thought this was a grey area that wasn't specified by the Church as to whether it really constituted as stealing, seeing how me having a copy didn't take away from the original person who bought it. But, of course this life of crime had to come to an end eventually.
Growing up I often heard stories of people getting arrested by SWAT teams for downloading the new Britney Spears. Once it was a 70 yr old grandma, another time a 12 yr old girl. The music industry was trying to make an example out of people. But, I wasn't afraid. I continued to download music. This isn't one of those doctrines that will be hammered into our minds every conference talk like tithing or pornography. But, it's still now an "official church stance" on the subject to which my grey area is now dispersing into the black.
I'm relieved by this revelation, to be honest. There was always a sliver of doubt concerning it for me. Now, I can put it aside and move on. I used to feel a false sense of accomplishment when I'd get that new album on my iTunes. But, just like the junkie, it was always one more fix that I needed next.
Upon learning about honesty, I felt impressed by some ideas concerning revelation. It seems that revelation isn't necessarily downloading something new out of nowhere but rather learning about something new that had been there all along, hidden to me by my ignorance.
This idea of revelation leads me to understand then that all truth is available and there but that we just aren't ready or seeking enough to receive it. All these great things are hidden to us. Revelation is the key to great things being thrust upon our lives and we just need accept them to live happily ever after. Its a great puzzle that comes together with every piece revealing one giant truth. This truth is there all along and will be there forever. This truth frees us from the burdens of sin's entanglement. This truth lights our paths and gives us hope. This truth is the firm foundation where on if men build they cannot fall. This truth is Jesus Christ.
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