Small and Simple

Small and Simple is Moving!

2007-01-19T11:42:00.001-05:00

That's right. With some help from Connor, I am finally making the jump to Wordpress. The new URL is:

www.smallsimple.wordpress.com
The site is up and running, go ahead and check it out. If you would be so kind to update your links to that site I would appreciate it. Let me know what you think of the look/feel/functionality of the new Small and Simple.

Thank you so much for your support here, and I hope to hear from you often at the new site.

Small and Simple is Moving!

2007-01-19T11:42:00.000-05:00

That's right. With some help from Connor, I am finally making the jump to Wordpress. The new URL is:

www.smallsimple.wordpress.com

The site is up and running, go ahead and check it out. If you would be so kind to update your links to that site I would appreciate it. Let me know what you think of the look/feel/functionality of the new Small and Simple.

Thank you so much for your support here, and I hope to hear from you often at the new site.

Leadership, Human Relations, Self-Confidence and 'Night in a Museum'

2007-01-18T11:33:00.000-05:00

My family went to see the movie 'Night in a Museum' last Monday. It was okay. Kind of a Jumanji meets Bill and Ted. What message there was in the movie had to do with leadership, self-confidence and human relations. I could not help but think of my Carnegie experience some more. A co-worker of mine, who took the course at the same time, frequently talks about how he has changed, and mentions his behavior in terms of 'before Carnegie' and 'after Carnegie'. It is much the same for me.

During the movie, I thought about how the five drivers of success all work together, and work for anyone in many situations. The five drivers of success are:

Self-Confidence
Communication
Human Relations
Leadership
Attitude

I put these in a list in no particulat order, but they should go in a circle of some kind, kind of like the spokes on a wheel. There is no priority to the list, and they all work together. It is actually difficult to separate them.

The method Carnegie uses to help people improve in these areas is a powerful thing. One learns specific things to do in each area. You hear and read about examples in each area. There are specific goals and commitments made for the week. And a two minute talk to the group about what you did, and what the results were. This continues for three months. I'd like to give a brief glimpse at these five areas, not as an expert, but one who is learning.

Self-Confidence

A vital thing. If you can not view yourself as a good person, who can be a positive influence on others, it will be difficult for you to accomplish much in life. I believe many of us, deep down, believe in ourselves. We may not admit it, but there is a spark there. By going out of our comfort zone and using proper techniques in communication, human relations, leadership and attitude, we can see positive results and build our confidence. Increased chances of success in all areas will then be available to us.

Communication

We can not expect to build friendships and be a positive influence if we do not communicate well. Communication is so much more than the words that are used. Our energy, enthusiasm, body language and facial expressions, are very important parts of what we communicate. Also communication is always a two way street. In many cases, true leadership and positive human relationships will only come when the other person does much, if not most, of the talking. You will then be in a position to know where the other person is coming from, and then be in position to be a friend and a positive influence. In time this will help your self-confidence, human relations, leadership and attitude.

Human Relations

So much in life revolves around the quality of our human relationships. I used to think human relations would just take care of themselves. They don't. We must actively do things to promote quality human relations if we want to be successful at much of anything. This is not being manipulative, it is taking responsibility for the quality of our relationships. So much of happiness and success in life will depend on what the quality of our relationships with others are. High quality human relations will increase our confidence, communication, leadership and attitude.

Leadership

Leadership is something that is difficult for me to define. To me, when one cares about the success of a project, a company, a group, more than his own personal success and ambition they are in a position to be a leader. Helping others to succeed is leadership. Helping others to improve is leadership. Being a positve influence is leadership. This often does not require a position of importance, a degree, a calling, or anything of the sort. The low man on the totem pole can be a leader. A friend can be a leader. A parent. A child. 'A little child shall lead them'. As one awakens to their potential for pure leadership - not just management - their self-confidence, communications, human relations and attitude will all improve. See a pattern here?

Attitude

For most of us, attitude is something that we can choose. What type of person do you want to be? For many, being a friendly, energetic, enthusiastic, pleasant, happy person is a matter of choice - and understanding what this type of person 'looks' like and acts like. As a man thinketh - so is he. As one begins to value and incorporate an improved attitude into their life, all other areas will be strengthened as well.

Success in many areas of life is often available for the taking. It is not really a competition with others, but a desire for something better for yourself and for those in your area of influence. I am so glad that I am beginning to wake up to some of these things. They are not natural for me. I am noticing subtle improvements in my life. I do not believe I have made a 180 degree change, but perhaps a 5 degree change. But it is encouraging to see how even minor improvements in these areas can have such a positive affect.

I hope this helps someone.

In Awe of Church Leaders and In Fear of Jesus

2007-01-10T22:03:00.000-05:00

One of my earliest memories as a member of the church came when I was about five years old. This was back in the day when families would go to church for Sunday school classes in the morning, and then return for sacrament meeting in the evening. We lived only about a block from the church, and I was walking home alone on a beautiful summer day.

Shortly after I left the building I became aware that someone was walking up behind me. I turned and saw Bishop Parkinson a few steps away. But I clearly remember that I thought that he was more than just a local bishop. I was pretty sure that this man was also Jesus.

The thought that Jesus was walking behind me, and getting closer, filled my little soul with great fear. So I fled. I ran home as fast as my little legs would carry me. I did not turn around or stop until I got home. What a relief to escape this bishop whom I thought was also Jesus.

I have not really given this early memory much thought. But now wonder why I would feel this way. It seems that I had a combination of two attitudes that might be good, or might be less than good. These attitudes are:

1 - An awe for church leaders.

2 - A fear of God.

It is good to have a healthy respect for church leaders. We should sustain them in their callings, and be grateful for their efforts. But Awe? This is an area where my attitude has changed quite a bit. About ten years ago I held church leaders, both local and general, in much higher esteem than I do now. Now they are just people, not much different from me. I do not have the nervous excitement during interviews and conversations like I used to. I don't get to meet many General Authorities, but it would not be as big a deal today as it would have been a decade or two ago.

It might also be good to have a fear of God. We are told to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. There are several scriptures about a proper fear we should have toward God. A common compliment many years ago might be that someone was a God-fearing person. What does it say of a five year old who wants to run away from the thought that Jesus might be coming. Would it be more appropriate that if I thought my bishop was Jesus that I would run toward him instead of away? This is another area where I have changed. I do not fear God as much as I once did. He loves me. His work is to bring to pass my immortality and eternal life. Why should I not seek his companionship? I have even thought at times that if it were time for me to step up to the judgment bar of God that I would do so without much fuss. I do not say this to brag about any great righteousness. I'm just not that afraid of Him anymore.

So, I am not currently in awe of church leaders, nor do I have a great fear of God. Is this progress?

On Baptizing Thousands

2007-01-04T20:10:00.000-05:00

I served in the Georgia Atlanta Mission in the mid 80's. We once had a visit from Elder Robert E. Wells who was a member of the Quorum of the Seventy at the time. For those who do not remember him, he had a very stern face and a big booming voice. He had a commanding presence, and could be a little intimidating.

During a meeting with a room full of missionaries, he asked a companionship that was sitting near the front to stand up. He asked them how many convert baptisms they had during the past month. They admitted that they had not had any. He asked about the previous month, and with some relief, they reported having one baptism. Elder Wells thanked them and invited them to sit down. He then posed an interesting question.

He asked what we thought might happen if Thomas S. Monson and Boyd K. Packer were to take a year off as Apostles and serve in the same area as the two missionaries he had questioned. How many baptisms might they have?

'50', said one Elder. '100', said another. 'Thousands', someone suggested. Many nodded in agreement. Certainly these great Apostles would have many times more baptisms than the Elders would have. Elder Wells then asked an interesting question: What would be the difference?

There was a few moments of silence as we thought about it. An Elder raised his hand and answered, 'They would have the spirit with them stronger than Elders would'.

'NO!', bellowed Elder Wells. He told us that missionaries can have the spirit with them every bit as much as Apostles do. What would be the difference?

A few moments more and a missionary offered, 'They would know the scriptures better than we do'.

'NO!", was the reply once again. He told us that if we studied as we should we would know the scriptures well enough to teach quite effectively, and that increased scriptural knowledge would not lead to more converts. What would be the difference?

A while later someone tried, 'They would work harder'.

'NO!", was loudly declared. These old men would not get more converts by increased exertion. Now come on, what would be the difference?

About this time we were stumped and intimidated. No one wanted to reap another 'NO!' from Elder Wells. But he was not about to let us off easy. He wanted an answer, and he wasn't going to go away without what he was looking for.

Finally a little Elder near the back timidly raised his hand and suggested, 'Maybe with the Apostles there the members would be more excited about missionary work'.

'Yeeeesssss', came the smooth and approving answer. We really felt the spirit then, or was it just relief?

Would more excitement and enthusiasm for missionary work among local members truly result in dramatic, long-term increases in convert baptisms? Is that all that is lacking? Are there really thousands of people in small towns across America, and the world, that are only kept back from eagerly joining the church because church members lack missionary zeal?

Typical Day in Kenya

2006-12-21T07:01:00.000-05:00

Dear Eric,

One of our typical activities is driving the young Elders to see their investigators
and to visit branch members. We have the only transportation(a Nissan pickup) and
the people we have to see are so widely scattered that it is the only feasible way.
We may drive 5 to 10 miles on a tarmac road, turn off on a dirt road for a mile, turn
off onto a track with bushes scraping the sides of the pickup, barely making it through mud puddles, finally getting out and walking a hundred yards and there is a mud hut where the Relief Society President lives!

She welcomes us, obviously very pleased with our visit, and invites us inside her home. Inside it is very dark and often quite hot, especially if the hut has a metal roof. She has a low table covered with a cloth she has embroidered, surrounded by a wooden couch and a couple of wooden chairs. She prepares a cup of hot cocoa for us as we watch the chickens come and go through the open door. All the children in the neighborhood gather around to see the visiting "wazungus"(white people) and want to shake our hands. A cow wanders past the door.

We discuss the gospel with her, perhaps giving a lesson to her daughter-in-law who is
visiting and is not a member of the church. She asks one of us to leave a blessing on her home, which we are glad to do. We part with many hand shakes and smiles and with tears in our eyes, stunned by her humble circumstances and her strong testimony and absolute dedication to the gospel. She walks two hours to get to church every week. That is two hours to church and another two hours back home! As we drive away we feel shame at the knowledge that if our circumstances were reversed we would probably not even be active members. Who is actually teaching the gospel here, she or us?

Thought you might appreciate this perspective.

Love, Dad and Mom

What You Don't Know (about me) Can't Hurt You

2006-12-19T14:26:00.000-05:00

I got tagged by Naiah, and am pleased to tell you five things that you may not know about me.

1. This is recent. I have just completed the Carnegie Course which is an intense 12 week training course in Human Relations and Effective Communication. At the final class, there was a vote at the end for which student was the best example of the Carnegie Principles. There was about 40 people in the class, and I won the award. I have come to believe that there are similarities between Carnegie principles and Christ-like character. This is the most meaningful award that I have ever received. When the results of the voting were announced I openly wept. I had not entertained any thought that I would win.

2. When I was in the fourth grade I may have been the best athlete my age in town. When I was in ninth grade, I couldn’t make my school sports teams. I had early dreams of being a professional athlete, and had those dreams crushed at a young age, and in an instant. This continues to be a downer on my self esteem.

3. I was voted the most outstanding music student in my high school. I received a small scholarship as the best music/academic student at Madison High School. I turned down a music scholarship to Utah State and went on my mission first. I later decided music was not going to be my career choice. I was a heck of a high school saxophone player.

4. I raised pigeons when I was young. I got the pigeons by sneaking out of the house at 2 in the morning and going to nearby barns and commercial buildings. I did this because at night you can shine a flashlight on a pigeon and it will just sit there. You can then pick it up and put it in a sack. My parents never knew until I told them several years later. It’s 2 a.m., do you know where your kids are?

5. I met my wife at Ricks College, and we got married in Colorado. On our way to the wedding, our car broke down in the middle of Wyoming. We had to hitch-hike to get to our wedding. We then had to return all our wedding gifts to pay for the repairs.

I would now like to tag Bradley, Bookslinger, and Tyler.

Baseball Grandma

2006-12-13T22:01:00.000-05:00

We once visited my grandparents in Blackfoot Idaho on a beautiful sunny day. I was about 9 years old. I got a little bored and decided to snoop around. In their shed I found a baseball bat and a ball, so I decided to play with them in the back yard. I would toss the ball up a few feet in the air and try to hit it. After a while I decided that what I really wanted to do was practice hitting a pitched ball. All I needed was a pitcher.

I asked my father, and he told me that he was busy visiting, and the answer was no. My mother gave a similar answer, as did my grandfather. I made these requests quite frequently, and often had positive results - just not this time. I then decided to ask grandma.

At this time my grandmother was probably around 70 years old. I really didn't know much, or understand much, about arthritis and osteoporosis. I just wanted someone to pitch to me. I asked grandma and she said okay.

We went outside and played. She pitched and I hit. She would then chase down the ball - sort of, and we would do it all again. After a while, if I remember this right, my parents came out and put an end to our arrangement. I received a mild scolding about begging grandma to play with me, which I may well have done.

It was not long after this that my grandmother's health got worse. This was inevitable. For the last several years of her life she couldn't get around very much. She spent her final years in what I imagine were constant discomfort and pain. I think of he sometimes, and I am much more likely to remember times like when grandmother and I played baseball together, than about the crumpled up woman in a wheelchair who could hardly move.

How do you want to be remembered? I think it may be good advice to treat others in the way you want them to remember you by. If you do this you will have a positive influence on all those around you that will bless your life and theirs.

Kenya: Getting Started

2006-12-07T11:37:00.000-05:00

My parents have arrived safe and sound in Kenya and sent the following email:

Dear Family,
Sorry for the delay in replying. We have not yet gotten our computer
connected to the phone line. The line had been disconnected and we are
having a problem getting it connected again. We are using a friend's
computer now. We will get back to you again as soon as we are connected.
All is going well and we are meeting some very interesting people and
seeing much that is strange.
Talk to you later.
Love, Mom and Dad

Sounds like a typical mission so far.

I also got this picture from the mission president (who happens to be quite familiar with LDS blogs). In the picture we have:

From left to right, President Gabriel Kandawala (Sikhendu Branch), Elder Nielson, Edward Ndung'u (son of Kitale Branch president), and President Martin Ndung'u. President Ndung'u had just presented your father with the hat he's wearing, to protect him from the sun.

My dad seems quite happy, which makes sense. He likes hats.

Elder/High Priest Transition

2006-11-29T21:42:00.000-05:00

If you must know, I turned 40 this month. Among the many things I have thought about as I crossed this milestone is the odd transition from being an Elder to being a High Priest. For now I am only an Elder. As far as I know I am the second oldest active Elder in our ward.

It was not many years ago when our little ward here in Michigan had no High Priest's group. The bishopric consisted of all the active High Priests in the ward. The stake presidency decided it was high time we had a High Priests group, and decided that every temple recommend holding Elder over 40 should be ordained a High Priest. Thus the group began.

For many the ordination to High Priest is accompanied by a calling to a bishopric, High Council or similar call. For others it appears to be simply a public acknowledgment of advancing years. Is there any advantage to being a High Priest?

Section 107 states that High Priests administer over spiritual things. That sounds nice. Certain callings require the one serving to be a High Priest. High Priests seem to be allowed to sleep during meetings without harsh penalties. I understand that High Priest group meetings can take off on all kinds of interesting tangents. I also believe that when one receives the Melchizedek priesthood he receives all of it. Is there that much difference between the two offices?

A few decades ago there were High Priests, Seventies and Elders all serving at the ward level. My impression of things at that time is that there was a division of responsibilities between these groups (possibly unwritten). The High Priests often took the role of redeeming the dead, the Seventies were the proclaim the gospel group, and the Elders tried to perfect the saints. Now with no Seventies, there is more of a sense that each group should be involved in every mission of the church.

Perhaps this is vanity speaking, but I think I would prefer that if I am to someday become a High Priest, that it is a necessity of some calling, other than somebody noticing that I am getting rather old. I would also prefer if it after my father returns from his mission (so he can do the honors), and before he ... can't. Fortunately, he is in good health and should live a long, long time - more.

Is being a High Priest all it's cracked up to be? Should there be a division in Relief Society with old sisters over there and young sisters over here?

Sending Parents on a Mission

2006-11-15T21:27:00.000-05:00

My parents went into the MTC this week in preparation for their mission to Kenya. In a way I feel like I am sending them on their mission. But why should this be? I am not funding their mission. And we have not lived in the same time zone for more than a decade. Sure we talk on the phone every few weeks, and send a few emails, but we can still do that after they leave. So why do I feel the way I do?

It may be that I have a sense of empathy for what they are about to do. My heart goes with them. Oh, how I wish I could observe them in action! Pictures and emails will be great, but not like the real thing. What an exciting time!

The retired geography professor and the local librarian, the long time stake presidency and bishopric member and the multi-term relief society president and young women's leader, the former peace corps workers returning to the same area after 45 years. A compelling call. The perfect call for the people, the perfect people for the call.

Have a good mission mom and dad.

To Humble A Giant

2006-11-08T21:30:00.000-05:00

How would I describe Brother Jim Drumm? Half man, half bear? That's probably pretty good.

If you have attended the Sturgis Ward then you have met brother Drumm. He is the big friendly fellow who gave you a hug. He is an equal opportunity hugger. It doesn't matter if you are black or white, old or young, male or female, attractive or ugly. You are going to get hugged, so you better accept it. And unless you tell him personally that you are uncomfortable with that you will keep getting hugged for who knows how long.

He has a good family. I have worked with each of his son's in the young men's program. The shortest is about 6' 4". The other boys are quite tall. All served honorable missions. A likable bunch.

Brother Drumm and I have served together quite a bit. He was the High Priest Group Leader at the same time that I was Elder's Quorum President. We have attended hundreds of PEC and ward welfare meetings together. We have worked with the missionaries, and home teachers, and service projects, and on and on. We make an odd pair. The big, bold, loud, confident, brother Drumm, and the little, skinny, quiet, cautious me. A bit of a Laurel and Hardy thing going on.

Brother Drumm seemed to know everybody. Names on the roster that to most were a waste of paper, were known to Brother Drumm. He likely had been to their house, knew their circumstances, knew their conversion story, and probably ate their cookies (although not necessarily with their permission). Brother Drumm could not be held responsible when food was involved.

He is thought of as a kind of spiritual giant in our ward. When people want a priesthood blessing with a little extra juice to it they seek out brother Drumm. He gives bold, dramatic, and very memorable blessings. I have assisted in several of these. He would declare the gender of a pregnant woman's child, he would cure, he would testify and prophesy. He has given lots of blessings, to many people. I have been beneath his hands myself.

He would bear his testimony on fast Sunday frequently, with an enthusiasm rarely matched. But his testimony last Sunday was quite different.

Brother Drumm is nearing retirement age. He had both knees replaced two weeks ago today. Ten days later he was in church, and made his way, with the help of a walker, to the front of the chapel. The gentle giant was not his normal self. He looked old. He seemed weak. He was in obvious pain. He had lost a lot of weight. He gave a very quiet testimony of gratitude. It was hard to hear the words even with the microphone.

I thought of the great local warrior, who has served so many so well. The many times we had laughed together at his stories of adventure. I was glad to see the quiet gratitude of the man who at times would shake the walls with a bold voice that at times could be mistaken for boastfulness. God seems to grant us the experiences we need to progress to become more like Him.

I hope the knees work out Jim. I wish to work with you some more like we used to. Get well my friend.

Mormon Leaders and Beards

2006-11-01T18:45:00.000-05:00

Many early leaders of the church had beards. Most of the prophets up to Joseph F. Smith had beards, as did many of the apostles. Joseph F. Smith and Lorenzo Snow had wonderful beards. They looked like the guys from ZZ Top!

A quick look at current church leadership will show a complete absence of beards. If I am not mistaken, I do not think you will find so much as a well trimmed mustache among the General Authorities. Instead of looking like members of ZZ Top, they look like sharp dressed men!

The company I work for has an interesting policy - no beards except during November. This policy supports those who hunt during this month. I am going to make an attempt at growing a beard this month. A friend of mine at work, who happens to be a branch president, said he would like to try but he can't. I asked why, and he said it was because he is a branch president.

Why is it that current Mormon leadership, apparently down to the bishopric/branch president level can not have a beard - or even a mustache? Is this strictly the case? I do not think it is scriptural, and I have not seen it in any manual. I am not sure if it made Boyd K. Packer's Unwritten Order of Things talk.

I also wonder this - When Christ returns, will he have a beard?

Interesting.....

Retention and the Parable of the Sower

2006-10-25T20:30:00.000-05:00

I do not have very many burrs under my saddle when it comes to the church, but in this case I would like to expose one in the hopes of removing it. It has to do with the retention of new converts.

I think it all started when I served as Ward Mission Leader and then Elder's Quorum President consecutively. I believe that President Hinkley's famous counsel on retention was made when I was a new Ward Mission Leader. My stake leaders at the time, whom I felt were over zealous in general, jumped on this counsel, and in their usual way were going to hold everyone with a stewardship regarding new converts to a high level of accountability in the three areas.

The three areas of need for a new convert are a friend, a responsibility, and nurturing by the word of God - according to President Hinkley. And if any new convert stopped coming to church it was assumed that the ball was dropped in one of these areas, and the ward in question was always at fault.

I do not dispute the wisdom of President Hinkley's counsel in this area, but I do believe that it only addresses one side of the street. The side of the responsibility of long-time local members. But there is another side of the street - in fact I believe this may be a three-way street if you can imagine it. The other sides involve the missionaries, and the new converts themselves.

This months Ensign is completely devoted to new members of the church. There is an excellent article called something like 'What Now?', which I believe is on page 24. I don't know for sure because I gave my copy to a recently inactive new convert in our ward. He and I have become friends of sorts, and I played pool with him last night. It is his favorite hobby. Anyhow, the article addresses the responsibilities of new members. Under the friendshipping section the author mentions that one of the best ways to have a friend is to be one, and suggests that the new member should reach out! Real friendships are always two way streets.

As I thought about resolving some of my issues with this my mind pondered the parable of the sower found in Matthew 13 among other places. Many have suggested that this parable is actually a parable about good soil. Most of you will be familiar with this parable so I won't review the parable in detail now. But it seems that this parable may be the Saviors explanation regarding retention problems involving his own converts. His own explanation of the parable seems clearly to express that the staying power of a new convert is mainly determined by the quality of the soil. The soil being the convert themselves.

My desire here is to recommend that as local church leaders we don't point fingers as much as we play blame-game guilt trips. We simply need to do what we reasonably can to help faithful, honest, and well prepared new converts make a difficult transition. I believe a lack of retention of poorly prepared converts who lack a deep commitment is nearly inevitable, and not necessarily evidence of an unfriendly, irresponsible, and uncharitable ward.

Spirit of Bloggernacle

2006-10-18T20:56:00.000-05:00

To the tune of Spirit of Radio.

Begin the day, with a friendly blog,
A companion unobtrusive.
Writes that post, that's so elusive.
And that magic Mormon makes you morning mood.

Off at your job, on an open break,
There is magic at your fingers.
And the spirit ever lingers,
Undemanding contact in your happy solitude.

Dial up modems crackle with life,
Bright monitors bristle with the energy.
Spiritual feedback on unlimited bandwidth,
Bearing a Pearl of Great Price,
Almost free.......

All this machinery making Mormon blogging
Can still be open-hearted.
Not church correlated
It's really just a question of your honesty
Yeah your honesty.
One likes to believe in the freedom of blogging,
But flattering comments, and sometimes guilty conscience
Shatter the illusion of integrity.

The words on the prophets were linked to the official website.
lds.org
It echoes with the sound of Intellectuals.

Atonement Theory - Parable of a Perfect Judge

2006-10-16T14:04:00.000-05:00

My father got me started on looking at the atonement as something that provides a perfect judgment based on Mosiah Chapter 3. I thought I might take a stab at expressing an atonement theory based on this. Other theories I have read express the perspective of the one seeking eternal life. I decided to write this from the perspective of one who is offering eternal life. Feel free to let me know what you think.

There once was a wealthy, wise, powerful and perfect man, who desired to help others to become as he is. He knew that with his help they could progress farther and faster than they could on their own. He also knew that he could not just give away what he had to someone who could not be trusted with that kind of freedom and power. So he decided to place those who desired to become like him under a period of probation, after which they would be judged by a perfect judge. The perfect judge would determine the quality of the inheritance.

This perfect judge would have to know everyone's circumstances perfectly. He would also have to know exactly what he would do in the same situation. This ability could not come easily. He would not only have to experience directly what many others experienced, he would also have to undergo an intense simulation that would cover every possible contingency.

After this perfect judge completed this experience, he would inherit everything that the wealthy, wise, powerful and perfect man had. Through this perfect judge, all who desired to be like him could potentially gain the same inheritance. Any who were untrustworthy, would receive a lesser inheritance.

Jacob over at New Cool Thang wrote a post about atonement theories here. He gave a list of questions that a theory ought to address. These questions (with answers) are:

Why was the atonement necessary?

To have a perfect judgment, and determine who has proven themselves to be trusted with a full inheritance.

Why was Christ the only one who could perform the atonement?

He was the only one who could endure the intense simulation.

Why would we have been hopelessly lost without the atonement?

We could not receive any inheritance without proving ourselves to the perfect judge, and we could not achieve it on our own.

What caused Christ to suffer?

The intense simulation caused him to suffer all of the pains, sorrows, effects of sin, limitations, etc. of all people. This was necessary for him to be able to apply a perfect judgment.

What did Christ suffer?

All things that everyone else may suffer during this probation.

What did Christ's suffering accomplish?

A perfect judge emerged from this suffering.

What is the meaning of justice and mercy?

All will be able to stand before a perfect judge.

What is the nature of sin and sinfulness?

To knowingly sin is to show that we can not be trusted. To continue in sin will result in a lesser inheritance.

How does the atonement satisfy justice?

All will be able to be judged by a prefect judge.

How did the atonement bring about the resurrection?

The inheritance is the quality of the resurrection.

How is the atonement related to forgiveness?

The perfect judge will determine if we have repented, or returned to a state of trust. This trust can be communicated through the spirit. Ultimately the final judgment will be a result of the level of forgiveness.

How is the atonement related to repentance?

An individual must show the Lord that he has truly changed, and can now be trusted.

How was the atonement efficacious before it was performed?

Repentance is changing to a state of trust with God. The acceptance of this change could still be communicated. The ends of the atonement will not be completed until after the final judgment.

How is the atonement related to the fall?

The fall initiated the probationary period, the atonement will ultimately be the judgment of that period.

How did the atonement make us free?
The atonement allows us to regain the trust of God, and provides an eternal inheritance for us. These things would not even be available to us without an atonement.

Well, I rushed through this pretty fast. Let me know what holes are left in this theory.

I Want to be a Missionary - Right Now!

2006-10-11T22:16:00.000-05:00

I was told that a brother in our ward went out knocking doors with his young daughter last Sunday afternoon. What do you think of the appropriateness of this?

The daughter is a real ham who loves attention. I imagine she was thrilled to do this, and it was probably even her idea. (I do not know this, but I would not be surprised). They went out with pass along cards and a Book of Mormon and were tracting the neighborhood just like missionaries. They apparently were not very successful.

I don't know about you, but this sort of creeps me out.

Hope for Sustain'd

2006-10-09T14:59:00.000-05:00

For the benefit of some family and friends who read Small and Simple but do not venture into the LDS web log community I would like to briefly describe Sustain'd. Sustain'd is a web site that ranks posts according to sustaining votes. One can go to Sustain'd and see what posts have been sustained and how many times they have been sustained. It seems a neat way to catch the highlights of what is going on.

Some may have noticed a 'Sustain This!' button on the bottom of my posts here. This is an easy way to sustain one of my posts and thus recommend it to other readers. If you click this button you will be asked to type in a user name and password of your choice, and then you can click on the word sustain in a small blue/gray box to add your sustaining vote. So I would encourage you to click on this button anytime you see it on a post that you like - here or elsewhere. It can be a great way - in addition to giving comments - to support your local LDS blogger. It is a bit of a Taboo for an author to sustain their own posts. I did this once mostly to make sure that the button was functioning properly, but I most likely will not sustain any more of my own stuff. I will leave that to the reader.

Now for what I hope Sustain'd will do for the LDS web log community (bloggernackle).

I hope that there are a lot of people out there who are a lot like me who have more time to read blogs from all over, and that they will 'sustain' the good ones in this way. This would be a great help to me. I am certain that I miss a lot of good stuff out there.

I also hope that this will keep good posts alive for a long time. I sometimes marvel at how quickly good posts fade into oblivion. Like stories in yesterdays newspaper they become discarded. A good post with lots of sustaining votes can stick around for quite a while it seems.

I hope this goes a ways towards removing some of the clannish nature of blogging. It appears to me that the bloggernackle is loosing some of it's community feel. It is getting quite vast. It seems to me that something must bring it together in some way or the term bloggernackle will loose any meaning whatsoever. I am not really sure that sustain'd or anything else will be able to do that in a long-term and meaningful way. But I am hopeful.

As a Man Thinketh

2006-10-04T20:19:00.000-05:00

There is a familiar phrase in the scriptures that says 'For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he'. (Proverbs 23:7) I am now wondering how literally to take this.

I am in the midst of taking a 12 week Dale Carnegie training course called 'Effective Communication and Human Relations'. My company is sending me to this course to help develop some leadership skills. This course promises all kinds of things, and they are mainly based in self confidence. In the reading assignment after the first week, I came across an interesting suggestion. Mr. Carnegie suggests that if you need self confidence, and you don't feel you have enough, act as if you have self confidence. He claims that this can be a very powerful way of gaining self confidence. I suppose that if you can convince yourself to act and behave in a certain way, and good results come from it, that this will reinforce the mindset and behavior.

I think I have seen this in some people. They think they are smart, they act smart, people perceive them as smart. Heck, they may as well be smart. And nobody knows their actual IQ. In many ways this will be every bit at good as being smart. And as long as your actual lack of intelligence is not so severe as to be obvious, you will pull it off.

I wonder if this can work for a testimony in the gospel, or some aspect of it. I have heard it said that if you want a testimony of a principle, then live it. So you act as if you have a testimony of something by being willing to change your behavior for a time. And if there are some favorable results, then this behavior and testimony are reinforced. This approach may work for things like the Word of Wisdom, Tithing, Sabbath observance, etc. Act as if you believe in these principles for a while, and you may eventually find that it is not an act.

Might we see this type of 'act' in the church at times in terms of perceived righteousness? I mean, someone could think of themselves as righteous, act righteous, speak of righteousness, and people might perceive them as being righteous. Heck, they may as well be righteous. And nobody really knows their actual level of righteousness (except God). And as long as your actual lack of righteousness is not to severe, you might pull it off.

This post might rub some people the wrong way. I am still trying to sort some of this out. Is the scriptural statement literally true? 'For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he'.

Worlds Without Number (9) THE END!

2006-10-02T14:17:00.000-05:00

Worlds Without Number (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)

Lyda told Tom about the discussion that she had about the church. Tom listened with much interest. This church seemed to teach the same basic principles that that his church did on earth. It seemed to have the same organization. It also had a slight variation of the same name. All of these things worked to strengthen the beliefs of both Tom and Lyda. They spoke of how ironic it was that Tom had to travel all this distance to get his religious beliefs stirring again, and to be part of the conversion of Lyda.

Lyda embraced Tom again, and she expressed how sad she was going to be when it was time for Tom to return to earth. She told him that she had been hoping to find the right man, and now that she thought she had found him, he was just going to leave - never to return. Tom knew this was his chance.

Tom told Lyda that he was falling in love with her, and that he was considering not returning to earth at all. He explained how the ship was able to return on its own, and that there was nobody on earth for him to return to. Lyda questioned if he really wanted to give up his life, and his home planet, to remain here with her. He firmly answered that he did, and that it was no sacrifice at all. Lyda told Tom that she did love him, and that having him stay here with her would make her very happy. Their kiss was an expression of love and commitment. They both understood that this decision was a very significant one. Unexpressed doubt or reluctance would not do. They both knew their lives were going to make a fundamental change for the better.

The practical mind in Tom began working again in a few minutes. He asked Lyda if the government would allow him to remain on this planet. Lyda laughed. She said that from what she had gathered, the government was trying to find ways to convince Tom to stay as long as possible. The technology of the ship, and Tom's knowledge of it, was very valuable. She imagined that if Tom was willing to stay, that any necessary arrangements would easily be made.

The arrangements were made. Tom would be given a position in the space program, and well paid. The ship would remain on the planet for several months to allow scientists to gain as much knowledge of the technology as they reasonably could. Tom would assist as much as he was able.

Lyda was eventually baptized, and she and Tom were able to attend church together. Tom was able to come and go anywhere he pleased. Arrangements were made for their wedding. There were temples available for that sort of thing.

Eventually the day came to send the ship back to earth. Lyda offered one more time to allow Tom to change his mind. Of course he didn't. As they watched the ship leave the planet, Lyda asked if he had any regrets. Tom said, 'I only wish my parents were here to see this. This would make my mom very happy. She would have liked you.'

Lyda asked if he were given a chance to leave this planet to go to another inhabited planet if he would like to go. Tom said that he wouldn't be interested, he was pretty sure what he would find. More of God's children, working out their salvation, the same as on other worlds - worlds without number. Besides, Tom now had better things to do.

The End.

So, what do you think?

Worlds Without Number (8)

2006-09-27T20:50:00.000-05:00

Worlds Without Number (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

Lyda would not come in this morning. After a long talk with Tom last night she had decided to talk with her friend about the church she belonged to. Tom was very interested to find out about this church. He had instructed Lyda to ask about a prophet, and twelve apostles. He wanted to know their beliefs about God, the Savior, and the Holy Ghost. He wanted to find out what they taught about faith, repentance, and baptism. He told her about many things to look for that would be similar to the beliefs and practices of his church on earth. Lyda had agreed to find out. The previous evening had been very interesting and enlightening to her. The idea that a religion on one planet would be nearly identical to a religion on another was curious. What would that mean? She agreed with Tom, that if a religion were 'true' on one planet, it ought to be essentially the same on another.

During the morning Tom spent his time studying these new scriptures the best he could. He was still struggling picking up many of the words he came across. He had to do a lot of guessing from the context what the words were.

He tried to find out if there was any mention of the birth of the Savior. He could find none whatsoever. Had he missed it? He found several examples of prophets who taught about the atonement. One even prophesied about the crucifixion. This prophet testified in such detail, that Tom had to assume that he saw the crucifixion take place. How did that happen? Was he somehow transported through time and space to be grated a view of it? Was there some method of 'playback' as if the event were recorded somewhere? Tom read the passage where the Savior visited the planet again. It read so much like what he remembered of Third Nephi in the Book of Mormon. It seemed apparent to Tom the same Christ that was born on earth was also the Savior here. Did that seem reasonable? Perhaps the people on both planets were all children of Elohim. Or maybe Christ was the Savior for all planets.

Tom then looked for a story of a flood, similar to the events experienced by Noah. He could find none. Had he missed it? His reading skills were lacking. Was a flood necessary? He had heard some speculate that the flood was like a baptism for the earth. That always seemed strange to Tom. Could a necessary flood be a future event on this planet?

Tom looked up many things. He found many answers, and many questions. Many things seemed quite clear, a few things seemed confusing. Some of his previous religious opinions had changed, some became stronger. Overall it was a huge boost to his testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The similarities between these scriptures and what he had on earth served to reinforce each other. And Tom made a commitment never to take his religious beliefs for granted again. He decided to pray.

He kneeled by his bed and began his prayer. Tom had never prayed quite like this before. It was a prayer of praise. His thoughts soared as he spoke of the greatness of God. His works have no end. All we have is his. Who can know the extent of his kingdoms, powers, and glories? Worlds without number! An image of God filled his mind. The image was similar to paintings he had seen, yet it was quite unique. He felt the complete acceptance of God. He received a forgiveness of his sins. He felt encircled by the arms of his love. A love that was shared by numberless children, on countless planets, throughout the immensity of space. He basked in the spirit of the moment for several minutes. Then the image changed. It was Lyda. She was dressed all in white and looking even more happy and pleasant than she usually did. Tom did not want to go back to earth. He wanted to stay here, with Lyda. Would she feel the same? The ship was quite capable of returning to earth without Tom. It was programmed to do so automatically after a long period of time. He could send all the information gathered. Who would care if he did not return? There was nobody for him there. Tom felt so right about this. Would Lyda feel the same way? His mind was wandering now, and he closed his prayer.

Lyda had said she would try to come back in the afternoon, depending on how the visit with here friend went. Tom could hardly stand it. He paced the room. His thoughts were of Lyda, of staying on this planet, and wondering how Lyda felt about him. She appeared several years younger than he was. Tom's age was a bit ambiguous. It was hard to say how old he was. As old as he felt he supposed. What would she see in him? If Lyda could not return his love, he may as well go back to earth. If she did, he simply would not return. He just needed to find out.

Finally a knock came at the door, and in came Lyda. She looked more serious than she normally did. Tom asked how it went. She told him that everything was just as he had said. A prophet, apostles, faith, repentance, baptism by immersion, priesthood, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Everything was in place. She then got even more serious.

'Tom, I want to get baptized'.

'That's wonderful!' Tom exclaimed, and ran to Lyda and embraced her tight. She embraced him back. This was a good sign. Very good.

Worlds Without Number (7)

2006-09-24T20:00:00.000-05:00

Worlds Without Number (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Tom sat nervously in his usual chair. He was very eager to see what the scriptures on this planet would be like. What if they were significantly different? What if they were nearly the same? Either result would be fascinating. He mentally kicked himself once again for not bringing any scriptures with him. He had not read the scriptures regularly for several years, and the 'powers that be' on earth apparently had not thought this information was important. For most people on the earth at the time Tom left, religion was thought of as a superstition at best. But that was not much excuse for Tom. He could have brought the content of the scriptures with him without adding anything to the payload of the ship. He just had not thought it was important enough to bring along. What a fool he had been.

The familiar knock was made at the door, and Lyda entered the room. Today she came with only one book, 'The Sacred Words From God'. They greeted each other warmly, and Lyda took her usual chair at the table.

'Looking forward to this?', Lyda asked with her usual pleasant smile.

'Is it that obvious?', Tom replied.

Lyda replied that it certainly was. She observed that this was a very large book, and aked Tom where they should start.

'In the beginning', Tom suggested. Lyda raised her eyebrows, wondering if Tom was expecting her to read the entire book. 'OK', she said, and opened the book to start reading.

'In the beginning...', Lyda paused and looked at Tom.

'You have to be kidding me!' Tom shouted. He quickly scooted his chair as close to Lyda's as he could. They read through a creation story similar to the creation stories Tom remembered. He could not remember for sure, but the creative periods appeared to be in the same order given in the Bible. There was a garden, a man and a woman (with different names), a tree of knowledge, a tree of life, the whole thing. Very similar to what Tom remembered.

Tom leaned back in his chair, with his hands behind his head. 'This is crazy!', he exclaimed. Lyda asked what was so crazy. Tom explained that there were books that people on earth believed were also words of God that had a remarkably similar creation story in them. Why would there be such similar stories in this book? Lyda shrugged and said it was probably a coincidence. Perhaps there were similar myths about how each planet came to be. 'Not this similar', Tom protested.

Lyda asked if she should keep going. Tom suggested looking in the index for something like 'Jesus Christ', or 'Savior', or 'Son of God'. Lyda found something that sounded promising. She started reading some of the references. These references began to make it clear to Tom that they were on the right track. Lyda read one reference that really caught Tom's attention: 'The Savior appears to the believers'. 'Go there!', Tom nearly shouted.
Lyda smiled at Tom again. She placed her hand on his. 'You are pretty excited about this I see.' Tom chuckled to himself. He was rarely this enthusiastic about things. Lyda was seeing a rare behavior from him.

Tom explained, 'Lyda, if my religion is true on my planet, then it would be true here as well. The God of my planet would be very much like the God of your planet. Who knows? Maybe they are the same God. If this appearance of a savior to believers is what I think it is, it will be the most remarkable and wonderful event I could imagine. I have to know.'

Lyda could tell that Tom was serious and sincere. She gave his hand a squeeze as she released it, turned to the reference and started reading. She read of a group of people who had gathered together discussing the signs that the prophets had given which had come to pass. And that as they were talking a voice came from above which said: Behold my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him.

Tom put his head in his hands, and shook his head slowly. 'Should I go on?' Lyda asked. Tom nodded and said yes.

She read about the Savior announcing to the people who he was. He eventually invited the assembled people to come to him. Tom interupted, 'let me guess. He is going to invite them to thrust their hands into his side, and feel the prints of the nails in his hands and feet'. Lyda asked what that was all about, and Tom explained. Lyda stared at Tom for a moment. 'Read! Read!' Tom instructed.

Lyda read on, and it was just as Tom had predicted. Lyda looked at Tom. She looked as if she had seen a ghost. Tom looked the same way. Lyda continued and read about the calling of twelve apostles. She read of the savior teaching about repentance and baptism. The savior then began the familiar sermon on the mount. Tom would finish the familiar phrases after Lyda read the beginning of them. He did it without looking at the text. Lyda asked how he knew about this.

'It's true Lyda. It's all true'. Tom had never said anything with more conviction in his life.

Worlds Without Number (6)

2006-09-20T17:53:00.000-05:00

Worlds Without Number (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

The next two weeks brought a near continuous and intense language training. Lyda was an expert teacher, and Tom a gifted student. They were now able to have simple conversations with each other. Now that Tom knew the basic structure of the language he progressed rapidly.

But language study was not the only thing going on during this time. Tom had been allowed to go to his ship and retrieve some clothing and personal effects. He met with people he had assumed were scientists at the ship. With his limited language skills he tried to explain how it all worked. It was no easy task. These scientists were understandably very interested in the technology. Tom hoped that they would not take the whole thing apart and not be able to get it back together. He would hate to be stranded here. Or would he?

Another group of people met with Tom and Lyda to view the contents of the 3D image projector. Again, explanations were difficult. There had been quite a bit of excitement when the observers discovered that many of the animals of earth appeared identical to animals found on this planet. From what Tom could gather they didn't have anything like a giraffe or an elephant, but many other animals they did have. What might that mean? Similar evolutionary patterns with variation? God placing a set of animals on one world, another set somewhere else with the two sets being similar but not exact? Who knew?

Tom had also been allowed to launch one of the flying drones one night. This drone would reach a low orbit and be able to map the planet with great detail in a couple of days. He was also able to set a rover out on the grounds of the compound to take the various readings and samples it needed. Tom was glad for the cooperation thus far. Apparently he was no longer viewed as any threat.

For Tom the best part of the whole experience was meeting Lyda. He had grown very fond of her during this time. He was a bit disappointed in himself for flirting with her occasionally. Tom was not a flirt by nature, and it was unprofessional of him. It just came out. He even asked her if she was married once. When she told him that she wasn't he wanted to give a simple acknowledgment, but with his current language ability he had apparently said something like 'wonderful' instead of 'I understand'. His mistake was really no mistake at all, and he imagined that Lyda was aware of that. She was a very perceptive individual who seemed to be able to read body language as well as she taught spoken language.

It was nearing the end of their studies for the day, and Tom decided to ask some questions he had been wondering about. He asked Lyda about religion on this planet. Lyda gave him the names of a few of the religions on this world. She tried to tell him some of the basic beliefs, but confessed that she was not a religious person. She did not know much about these religions and had a difficult time explaining what she knew to Tom. They had not studied many religious terms. She asked him if he was religious.

Tom explained that for much of his life he had been very religious, but with his profession keeping up on it was very difficult. He confessed that deep down his beliefs were quite strong, but that he had not participated in his religion socially for a long time. Lyda asked about his religious beliefs. Tom's mind went blank for a moment. What should he say? What could he say? He decided to try to express some of the Articles of Faith. He tried to sketch out the Plan of Salvation. He expressed the basic ideas of the atonement. And it happened again, just like on his mission, he taught beyond his language ability. His mind seemed so clear. He thought for certain Lyda had been touched by the spirit as he testified of Christ. She asked how he was able to explain this so well, and Tom just shrugged.

Lyda had this far-off stare in her eyes. Tom asked what she was thinking. She said that she had a friend that had similar religious beliefs to what Tom had expressed. Tom was excited by this and asked if he could meet this friend. Lyda said that was unlikely. The government had decided to keep Tom a secret from the general public, at least for now. Tom asked if this friend would have any scriptures in the best way that his language skills allowed. Lyda said that this friend had given her a book called, 'The Sacred Words from God'. Lyda had not read it, but still had it. Tom asked her if she could bring that in, and Lyda thought that she could. She had not had to justify any of the other books that she had brought. She would bring this book with her tomorrow.

Tom was excited to see what these scriptures would be all about. What would they be like? Would they have a creation story? A flood? An Abrahamic covenant? A virgin birth of a Savior? Baptism? So many questions. Tom had not learned to read very well yet He would need Lyda to read for him. But that would not be so bad. If this friend was a member of the church he hoped , Lyda needed to learn what 'The Sacred Words from God' had to say anyway.

Worlds Without Number (5)

2006-09-18T18:59:00.001-05:00

Worlds Without Number (1) (2) (3) (4)

Morning came with a bit of a surprise. There was a light knock on the door, which then swung slowly opened, and in walked a woman. She was the first woman he had seen since his arrival on the planet. Her look and dress gave the impression of intelligence. Her facial expression and body language showed enthusiasm and confidence. Tom also couldn't help but notice that she was young and quite pretty. She carried a few books, and placed them on the small table along the far wall of the room. She then walked up to Tom and shook his hand. She smiled at him very pleasantly and said a few words slowly and clearly. Tom had no idea what she said but listened closely. She pointed to herself and said 'Lyda'. She paused for a while and said 'Lyda' again.

Tom knew what was going on. She was going to be his teacher. Tom was thrilled. He said, 'Lyda' just the way she did. He then pointed to himself and said, 'Tom'. Lyda repeated his name and smiled pleasantly again. She gently grabbed him by the arm, and lead him to the table and motioned for him to take a seat, which Tom eagerly did.

Lyda showed him the books that she had brought. These were books that might belong in an elementary school. Lots of pictures, and few words. For about an hour Tom learned basic colors, shapes, verbs, and numbers. Lyda would help him say very simple sentences, and Tom would practice. The lesson was going very well. It was difficult with no base language that they had in common. Lyda showed him a picture of a person eating, and had him say the word for it, which Tom did. She then said what Tom assumed to be something like 'Tom hungry'. He repeated it just like she said it. She said 'Tom hungry' again, and Tom repeated it. A couple more times. Tom thought he might be pronouncing something wrong and tried a few more times. Lyda laughed, and then Tom finally got it. Then Tom laughed and pointed to his stomach and said 'Tom hungry!'

Lyda stood up and offered Tom her hand. Tom took it and she lead him to the door. She opened it, and down the hall they went. Tom with his poor fitting white jumpsuit, no underwear and bare feet, walking down the hall still holding the hand of his beautiful and competent teacher. He felt a little silly, but for the first time on this planet he felt more like a guest than a hostage.

The strange pair entered what was obviously a small cafeteria. There were a few people there talking and eating, but everyone stopped as Lyda and Tom entered the room. Everyone stared at them. Tom felt a little embarrassed, but Lyda walked on with the same confidence and optimism she had shown all morning.

They got their food and found a place to sit down. Lyda had Tom say the name of the foods he ate. The food was different from what Tom was used to, but he was hungry enough to eat about anything. Lyda taught him how to say just about everything that there was in the cafeteria, and Tom soaked it all in.

After they were done eating they returned to Tom's room. They cracked open the books and worked on the new language all afternoon. The long day of intense language training reminded him a bit of his training prior to leaving for his mission to China. Eventually Lyda got up and said something that Tom thought meant, 'Good-bye, I will see you tomorrow.' And Tom said something which he hoped was along the lines of 'Tom will be happy'. He probably said it wrong or awkwardly, but was rewarded by Lyda's pleasant laugh again. When she left Tom admitted to himself that this was the best date he had had in years. At least to him it was.

Tom turned back to the books. He knew that the sooner he learned the basics of the language the sooner he could seek some cooperation to complete the purposes of his mission, and he was eager to learn all he could about this planet. And besides, he had a teacher to impress.

Worlds Without Number (4)

2006-09-13T17:16:00.000-05:00

Worlds Without Number (3)
Worlds Without Number (2)
Worlds Without Number (1)

Tom was escorted to a small room which resembled an examination room at a doctor's office. The group that escorted him immediately began removing his protective clothing, and placing it into a large container. They did not stop until Tom was completely naked. Tom did not resist. The container was sealed after all of Tom's clothing was placed inside. The leader took the 3D holographic display, and the group left him alone. The room had a glass window in it, and as Tom looked through it he saw the faces of the planet's inhabitants for the first time. They appeared perfectly and completely human!

In spite of his nakedness Tom walked directly to the window, almost to the point of pressing his nose against it. Sure enough, two eyes, two ears, a nose and a mouth. If he did not know better he would assume he was on earth. After a few moments he tried to motion with his fingers his observation that he and his hosts shared the same features. While the observers did talk and comment to each other, they did not appear to share Tom's interest in charades.

Tom felt a large amount of air movement in the room, which became a strong wind. It blew his hair around, and he had to brace himself to keep his balance. After several seconds the air movement and the associated noise stopped. The people that were watching him left the window area and in a few seconds entered the room. Perhaps he had been pronounced clean.

They guided Tom to the middle of the room and had him sit on the examining table. Tom was poked , prodded and scanned for several minutes. They took a sample of his blood and saliva. One of the people handed Tom a small cup, and with the shameless efficiency that only a scientist could muster, pantomimed peeing in the cup. Perhaps they were more interested in charades then they initially appeared.

Once they had all the information they wanted they left the room and closed the door. A few seconds later an individual returned, and handed Tom a plain white jumpsuit type garment. Tom gladly put it on. One size did not necessarily fit all. The individual left and Tom was alone again.

Nearly an hour passed when a small group again appeared at the window. They were obviously talking about Tom. He was getting a bit nervous, and wondering what would happen next. This small group left the window area, and the door opened. They motioned for Tom to follow them, and he did.

They lead him to what looked like a small one-room apartment. One member of the group showed him around, and attempted to describe the room. After a few words, he seemed to realize the futility of his description and stopped giving it. After a few awkward moments the group left him in his new home. What now?

Tom began to review his eventful day. He had been met initially by what he guessed were military men of some kind. There had not been any obvious media presence - did the general public know he was here? The planet seemed to be a couple of centuries behind earth in their technology, but they weren't fools. They had taken reasonable precautions with him.

But these were human beings! Just like him! The thought brought him an unexpected relief. Tom had imagined being met by all manner of strange creatures. But the fact that this planet was inhabited by human beings was fascinating. What did that mean? Do evolutionary processes generally yield common results that are more likely than others? If the human beings were the same, would the plants and animals be the same as well? Surely not everything in this world would be the same.

Does the fact that there are humans here prove that God exists and creates men in his own image? Were these people children of God? Children of Elohim? Would there be Christianity here? Would the 'church' be here? Would they have a prophet? What of their scriptures - if they had any? Would there be a creation story similar to Genesis? A fall? Would they have their own savior - or would Christ be their savior as well?

What are they going to do with me?

Tom laid on what seemed to be the bed, put his hands behind his head, and stared at the ceiling. Why were his thoughts so centered on religion? It had been a few years since he had thought much of it at all. But no matter how much he tried to focus on the real purpose of his mission, his mind would go straight back to the religious implications of what was happening. Was the church true? If it was true on earth, would it not also be true here?

His mind raced for hours. He did not sleep much.

Worlds Without Number (3)

2006-09-11T22:08:00.000-05:00

Worlds Without Number (1)
Worlds Without Number (2)

The hibernation chamber automatically began bringing Tom back to a conscious state. The painful tingling in his arms, legs, hands and feet would continue for hours. His muscles would take longer than that to regain most of their strength. Tom would not return to full strength until after he spent some time at full gravity, or better yet, full gravity in a gym. Waking from hibernation was often the worst part of any trip. He told himself that this would be the last trip he would take. He was getting to old for this. He should settle down and get his life back. Maybe get married, and raise a family. Maybe go back to church. He had contemplated retirement after his previous mission, but this trip was to good to refuse.

Tom floated about the cabin of the ship, checking all the systems. Everything appeared to be normal. He looked out the windows and could make out the planet that must be his destination. From here it looked remarkably like earth. Tom used the ship's instruments to learn what he could about the planet. It was slightly smaller than the earth. Over the next few hours he was able to learn that there was an atmosphere, and water, and that the temperatures would be bearable. So far so good.

The ship had been able to use the repeating signal from the planet to make whatever course corrections that were needed. This made Tom's job a bit easier. He would not need to take manual control of the ship until after he entered the atmosphere. From there he would need to select a place to land. This could be a bit tricky, depending on whether he was going to have some type of a reception waiting for him. Over the last several days the ship had transmitted the same repeating signal that was being sent from the planet, back at the planet. This was the best that Tom could do to call ahead. Would the signal be received? If not he would have to pick a likely spot on his own.

After the ship entered the atmosphere, Tom decided to steer for one of the larger continents that was on a convenient approach angle. And then, off in the distance he saw what appeared to be several airplanes headed directly for him. He slowed way down and waited to see what they would do.

The planes resembled pictures Tom had seen of military aircraft from earth from about 200 years ago. Not exactly alike, but similar. They looked fairly sophisticated, and seemed to have some type of weapons available. Tom hoped they would not be necessary. His ship had no weapons of any kind, and Tom probably would never use them if he had them anyway. He was definitely being escorted. One of the pilots appeared to have tried to communicate with Tom, but he could not know how to reply. The ship was still sending out the repeating signal that had been received on earth years earlier.

Tom followed the lead of the pilots to a large, somewhat deserted looking, runway that had a couple of boring buildings nearby. He began to wonder if he were being taken hostage. Tom's ship did not really need the runway, and settled easily near where the planes had stopped. The sensors of the ship let him know that the air was fine - very similar to earth. He looked out the windows, and saw what appeared to be several human-like beings surrounding him. He could not tell for sure what they looked like, because they all appeared to be wearing protective clothing with some type of respirator. Tom knew that was very sensible, they did not want to risk exposure to any contaminants that might be present. Tom put on his own protective clothing, and grabbed the holographic display. The rest could wait for later - hopefully.

Tom emerged from the ship, and was met by a large group of 'people' who were each holding what looked to be some type of gun, and pointing it toward him. Not the most friendly reception he had imagined. He instinctively raised his hands. After a brief moment Tom timidly said, 'I come in peace, take me to your leader.' He could not help but smirk at the uselessness of his words. One of the group, who appeared to be the leader, motioned to a few others. They came up to Tom, and grabbed him by the arms. A few others circled around behind with their guns ready. With another motion by the leader, the whole group escorted Tom to the nearest building. Tom wondered what he had got himself into.

Worlds Without Number (2)

2006-09-06T20:00:00.000-05:00

(Note: This is chapter 2 of what I hope is an enjoyable series that will be a kind of LDS based sci-fi short story with doctrinal issues considered. Please feel free to offer suggestions, comments, or constructive criticism)

Worlds Without Number (1)

The countdown had begun. In several minutes the ship would launch on the first journey to what was assumed to be an inhabited planet. A trip that would take a few decades to complete. All systems had been checked thoroughly several times, and all Tom could do was wait and think.

The last few weeks had been spent in intense preparation. Rare spare time was spent avoiding the media, and answering repetitive questions when he could not. He had been asked to speculate several times about what he might find when he arrived. For some reason they thought since he was the astronaut that he ought to know. He had avoided making any public speculations, but private curiosity forced him to consider the possibilities.

The scientific part of Tom wondered about what evolutionary processes would produce on a different planet. Even minor differences in climate and planetary events could dramatically change the evolutionary path of an entire world. The very thought of documenting an entire planet of entirely new species was very exciting to Tom, and he smiled to himself as he considered it. Would he be safe? And what of the intelligent life? Wouldn't it be fascinating if the intelligent life on this planet was completely different from human beings?

The religious part of him had other thoughts. Tom had not been an 'active' Mormon for a long time. His line of work made that sort of thing nearly impossible. He still generally believed many of the teachings, at least those he could remember. He had served a mission, and received his endowment in the temple, but had never married. His devotion to his education and his career choice had made that unlikely, and even unwise. While he had not given religion much thought over the recent years, the religious implications of what was going on had not fully escaped him. The media questions had helped make sure of that. Now he thought -- Wouldn't it be fascinating if the intelligent beings on this planet were human beings just like us? Children of God? What if all the plants and animals were just like the ones we have on earth? He chuckled at the thought of a group of PhD's trying to explain that.

Just a couple of minutes left. The image of his mother came into his mind. Of all the people in his life that he had missed, he missed her the most. What would she think of all this? Just then he imagined his mother asking, 'Aren't you going to pray, Tommy?' He scoffed at the thought at first. He had not prayed in a very long time. Why should he start now? The thought nagged at him. Tom knew that he was being monitored, and did not want to be heard, or appear to be praying. He started a silent prayer in his mind. At first it was quite routine, but increased in sincerity and feeling as he went on. He felt a peaceful calm that had been missing for quite a while. He also felt that what he was doing was important, and was what God had intended. His mind and body relaxed, and the ship started to move.

'Wish I was going with ya,' a voice from the control center said.

'I could use the company,' Tom replied, 'I just don't have room for anyone else.'

People had often asked why only one astronaut usually went on these missions. Weight and room were two primary reasons. Tom knew that in many cases even one astronaut was often not necessary. The rovers and the flying drones were quite capable of mapping an entire planet and gathering the regular data in just a few days without any help. The astronaut was often along for the ride just in case something didn't work properly. Being a good technician was often the most important function an astronaut served. Even that turned out to be unnecessary much of the time.

The earth was now left far behind, and Tom went through the complete checklist one more time. When it was completed, he prepared himself for the hibernation chamber and pressed the 'sleep' button. The next several years would seem like minutes.

Worlds Without Number (1)

2006-09-05T05:38:00.000-05:00

Tom was excited to go again. He was now accustomed to traveling to distant planets. The speed that the ships were able to go made what used to be impossible, just a few years out of your life. The unfortunate part was that life on earth proceeded at the usual rate, and when one returned from the first mission, friends and family were a generation older - or long dead. That sacrifice had been made long ago. There was now little to keep him from making another trip. Why not? There was little else for him to do.

But this trip would be completely different. All the other missions were to dead planets, and everyone had known that. These planets provided little or no breathable air, no trace of water, ridiculous temperatures - no chance of life. But SETI had finally found what it had been looking for all this time. A signal. A simple repeating mathematical signal from deep space. It was perhaps the most exciting communication that anyone on earth had ever received - and not just to those that find mathematical patterns exciting. This was the most sure sign of intelligent life there could be. Better than evidence of water or atmosphere - Mathematics, and the ability to communicate it over vast distances.

Tom had been through all kinds of training for this mission. An obscene amount he had thought. Sure, there had been significant upgrades to the ship he would be on, but the rest really all boiled down to 'I come in peace, take me to your leader'. Why did it take weeks to learn that? Tom would be taking a few 'artifacts' from earth, and a holographic projection display that would provide 3D images of plants, animals, people, and the geography of the earth. The images were full color and about as lifelike as one could imagine. Hopefully a holographic 3D image would be worth 1,000 words in an unknown language, with an unknown culture, to an unknown - species?

One of the reasons Tom had been selected for this important mission was his almost supernatural ability with languages. He had first developed this talent in his youth. His father's military career had taken the family all over the world. In his youth, Tom had become quite fluent in German and Japanese, along with his native English. He liked languages, and his mother had encouraged him to keep up on this knowledge and ability. In high school he had added Spanish and French. And then while serving a Mormon mission he had mastered Chinese. It all came so naturally to him. Many members of his faith had told him how blessed he was because of his 'gift of tongues'. He embraced this talent and made the most of it. His experience as an astronaut, his ability to pick up new languages, and the fact that he was here, made him the perfect choice.

Because he really had no family or friends to speak of, saying good-bye was not an issue. Who would he say it to? He had very few affairs to get in order. And the last few days before the launch seemed terribly long. He had become a bit of a celebrity because of all this, and even though much of the public would not live to learn the results of the mission, the excitement of what was going on was intense. Tom had become quite a loner, and was uncomfortable with all this attention. He was beginning to look forward to a few days of happy solitude, and several years of deep hibernation, as he prepared for this historic trip. He had never been an 'alien' before.

Support Your Local Mormon Artist: Kent L. Turner

2006-08-30T19:49:00.000-05:00

There have been a lot of posts recently regarding Mormon Artists. I just happen to be related to Kent L. Turner (my wife's brother) who was recently awarded an Artists Choice Award at ebay. You can view some of his stuff here and here. He is a very talented guy. Feel free to leave comments for him here if you like. He is aware of my blog, but has never commented yet. Or better yet bid on some of his art.

He has expressed his approach to art and I am going to cut and paste it for your enjoyment.

The Art of K. L. Turner

I am an active artist whose mediums include, but are not limited to, oil and acrylic painting, pencil, pen and ink, oil pastel and sculpture. My chosen genres are very broad, from fantasy and abstract to landscape, impressionism, and nature.

My ID reflects the many different genres of art that I like to create. Although most artists by necessity develop a single style that their clients can look forward to seeing from them, or even have different "periods" where their style evolves over time, I choose to express all of my creativity and not chain it to a single genre or style. I create whatever the mood strikes me to create- sometimes it is light and inspiring, sometimes it is dark and disturbing and sometimes it is just plain whimsy. Although the genres and mediums vary widely, to the observant viewer there are subtle yet powerful cohesive elements to all of my works. Hopefully at least one person will appreciate each piece I have to offer.

How can I create art that covers such a wide range of emotion and style? In order for me to answer this, consider first this quandary:
There is a perception in the art world that an artist must specialize in a style or genre of art in order to portray it well. How can an artist really represent truly beautiful, inspirational pieces if they also offer dark and disturbing work? Is it possible for them to really know beauty if they have such darkness in their soul?

Human experience is a lesson in pain, pleasure, joy, agony, peace, and strife. We cannot experience gain without first having loss. I would further submit that nobody can truly appreciate joy without knowing the feeling of grief.

Therefore it is not a hindrance, but actually a requirement for an artist to understand calm in order to accurately represent vitality, darkness for light, chaos for order, death for life and grief for joy. My works represent the broad range of experiences that I have learned and grown from. If I were to limit my artistic creations only to the light or only to the dark, then my work as a whole would suffer.

Africa and Temples

2006-08-28T21:12:00.000-05:00

I noticed that the church has announced the completion of a temple in Finland here. The article mentions that there are 5,000 members in Finland. 5,000. Pretty impressive huh? The article also mentions that there are now 10 temples in Europe. Countries like Norway, Belgium, Denmark, and similar countries have memberships about the same as Finland - 5,000 or so.

With my new curiosity regarding Kenya following my parents' mission call, I couldn't help but notice that Kenya has 6,000 members, and that the nearest temple is in South Africa. With the number of years we have been sending missionaries to Scandinavian and European countries, one would think that there would be more than about 5,000 members in these countries, and that there would be fewer missionaries and temples given the lack of converts and numbers.

Does it not make just as much sense in terms of numbers and geography to have a temple in Kenya as it does to have a temple in Finland? What am I missing?

I make a similar case for missionaries at Blogger of Jared here.

John and Sharon Nielson to Serve Mission

2006-08-19T09:13:00.000-05:00

I just got word of this today, and I am leaving on vacation today as well. I have no time and will probably not see comments for a week. But I wanted to get this out now.

My parents put in mission papers a couple of weeks ago, and received their call to the Kenya, Nairobi, East Africa Mission. I do not know any other details than that. There experience in the peace corps and knowledge of Swahili may have been a factor in the call. Who knows?

Congratulations Mom and Dad!!!!

A Father's Lullaby

2006-08-14T20:23:00.000-05:00

There have been several baby announcements on the bloggernacle in recent weeks. I congratulate all of these families and wish them the best.

I have had four children of my own, and have spent several late nights, pacing the floor, with a screaming baby. On one of these nights I composed a poem that I have come to call 'A Father's Lullaby'. I think it captures much of the feeling of a tender parent during such nights. I hope you enjoy this poem, and that some of you parents might sing it to your lovely infants as you attempt to comfort them. I am pleased to share this with you.

A Father's Lullaby

by Eric Nielson

Go to sleep,
You little creep!

The End.

I Have a Gun, in Fact I Have Six, But That's OK...

2006-08-09T20:25:00.000-05:00

Those of you who stop by Unofficial Manifesto once in a while like I do will recognize my title here as a slight modification to the subtitle for their blog. I don't know quite how to take their subtitle. Are they gun owners who love God, or are they mocking those who own guns and claim to love God? I'm not quite sure which it is.

But I have a gun, in fact six. And I love God. On my own I probably would not have purchased these guns. My father in law was a gun enthusiast who had dozens, if not hundreds of guns. He made sure each of his children had an assortment as part of his will. But, after having them for a while I now quite like them. I am glad we have them. I have shot most of them at a local conservation club. There is something about the kick of a gun, the sound of the shot, the smell of the gunpowder that gets to me in a pleasant way. We have taken the young men from our ward out to shoot a few times, and even brought the young women out once.

My father in law was a bit of a lecturer, and I think I have an understanding about why he had so many guns from conversations we had. These reasons include:

Self Defense

I am always surprised about how seldom this comes up in gun control debates I have heard and read. It seems to me that law abiding people who live in a free country should have the right to reasonable self defense. My wife grew up near a large city and happened to live close to a prison. Her father took personal and family self defense very seriously. I find it a compelling reason to allow people to own a gun if they choose.

Self Reliance

My wife's father would hunt occasionally. It can be a potential way of 'obtaining food' for your family in times of need. If it were not for political correctness, I would imagine that many would recommend a firearm as part of emergency preparedness.

Conspiracy Theories

Yes, I think my father in law went in for some of this stuff. Seriously though, he felt that society was not on as firm a foundation as many others believe. He believed that it would not take much for a terrorist attack to happen (well before 9/11), or that government and law enforcement could become corrupt. He felt that a potentially armed citizenry was an important check on government and that gun ownership was part of responsible citizenship.

Enjoyment

My father in law shot often and well. He competed in state and national marksmanship events. There was something about the kick of a gun, the sound of the shot, the smell of the gunpowder that got to him in a pleasant way.

So I have some guns, and I am okay with that.

Baby Shower Expert

2006-08-02T20:28:00.000-05:00

My wife is quite a woman. I wish you could meet her. Chances are that if you did meet her you might go away thinking that you found your new best friend. She has that effect on a lot of people. She seems to have a special talent for helping those who might otherwise not have any friends.

One of the unexpected results of this is that if there is someone in our ward who ought to have a baby shower, but probably won't get one, my wife either steps in and does it or gets asked to do it. Over the years my wife has become a bit of an expert on baby showers.

A few years ago she created a web site called showers deluxe. It is a free site with ideas for games, gifts, recipes, etiquette, etc. It has had nearly half a million visits so far. It is not exactly a blog, but does have a guest book.

Anyway, she created this web site using html code with some help from a brother of hers. Yes, I am bragging a bit, but not about myself.

So if you ever need to host a baby shower and would like some ideas this would be a good place to go. My wife's name is Becky, and she does read my blog sometimes. Partly to humor me. Feel free to leave her a comment. She will get it eventually but may not respond. Hope somebody enjoys the site and finds it useful.

I Want a New Blog (Huey Lewis Parody)

2006-07-31T22:33:00.000-05:00

He he he.

I may be dating myself a bit here. There was a popular band in the 80s called Huey Lewis and the News. One of their songs was 'I Want a New Drug'. This song was going through my head the other day and I substituted drug for blog (I need to get a life). I wondered what the other lyrics might be like if changed a bit to address LDS blogs. As it turns out about half the lyrics I left as original - they seemed to apply quite well. They turn out to be a anti extremist approach. What do you think of the hypothetical blog that is described here? Does an LDS blog like this exist? Any recommendations? Hopefully Small and Simple and Blogger of Jared match this somewhat. What do you think?

I want a new blog - one that won't make me sick,
One that won't make me question my testimony,
Or make me feel dense and thick.
I want a new blog - one that won't hurt my spirit,
One that won't make me bored to death,
Or make me want to spit.

One that will make me righteous,
Knowing what to do.
One that makes me feel like I feel when I'm with you,
When I blog with you.

I want a new blog - one that can spell,
One that doesn't just waste my time,
Or condemn me to Hell.
I want a new blog - one that won't go away,
One that won't keep me up all night,
One that won't make me sleep all day.

One that will make me righteous,
Knowing what to do.
One that makes me feel like I feel when I'm with you,
When I blog with you.

I want a new blog - one that says what it should,
One that won't make me feel to bad,
One that won't make me feel to good.
I want a new blog - one with no doubt,

One that will make me righteous,
Knowing what to do.
One that makes me feel like I feel when I'm with you,
When I blog with you.

He he he.

Hope you enjoyed that.

Small and Simple

2006-07-26T20:53:00.000-05:00

There have been several who have made attempts to evaluate and define their own blogs and the bloggernacle lately. I might join in the throng, and sort of evaluate and define this little blog. I might start with the name.

I had just found the Mormon Archipelago and started making a few comments here and there. I was kinda proud of myself. What a great thing I had found. I had no idea about blogs really. I had assumed that all of you had written your own html code from scratch to create these things. Surely I was amongst faithful geniuses. Why would so many people go through such an effort? I had never entertained the idea that I would ever have my own blog. Such a thing was surely out of my reach.

I was then talking to a friend of mine in my home ward, who has since moved, about what I had found. I talked with him because I knew he was a web site guy who did some web site design professionally. He apparently knew all about the bloggernacle. I began to wonder if he might be able to put a blog together. Maybe in a few months we could put something together. He then told me that he had his own blog, and that setting one up was incredibly easy. Once he told me about blogger I began to realize that I might be able to have my own blog that day. Wow.

I then realized that I would need a name for the blog. Small and Simple. It just popped into my mind. I knew that would be the name. Decision time over. What should it look like? What shall I post on? The whole thing flooded into my mind in milliseconds. So why Small and Simple? I don't know. It just popped in there. It was not strategic, it was not planned. I just knew. I am not claiming revelation on this. I don't really think God cares whether I have a blog or not, let alone what I name it. But it felt right.

I set up the basic blog that evening. It was a snap. I was so naive I did not even check to see if the name was taken. As far as I know it wasn't. I haven't heard anybody complain that I stole it. It seems odd that it wasn't already being used.

Since then I have felt the name fits me and this blog quite well. I'm a small and simple guy. I way 150 pounds, not exactly intimidating. I live a very simple life. I have a very simple testimony. I have a tendency to simplify things - even oversimplifying at times. I don't think I am a very complex person. I think Small and Simple fits. I also think the name should serve as a reminder to me to keep my expectations low. This will probably never become a wildly popular site. Visits and comments will probably always be somewhat low. I think that is probably all that any solo blog that comes along can hope for now that the bloggernacle has grown so much.

At present I don't see Small and Simple changing very much. My pace is slowing some. Part of that is my participation at Blogger of Jared, I generally post there once a week. If that participation continues to grow this blog may become more and more personal.

I am hoping that those who have read some of my posts here do not feel that I have wasted their time. This is getting a little long itself. I think this experience has been good for me. I hope there have been and will continue to be benefits for others as well. If you have read this whole thing you deserve something. I'm not quite sure what it is though.

See you around.

The Prophet Hall of Fame

2006-07-24T22:00:00.000-05:00

I am a sports fan, so I often fall into that type of thinking. So I hope you don't find this inappropriate, but I thought today about what it would be like if there were a Prophet Hall of Fame started. And if so, who would get in on the first ballot. The way this works in many sports halls of fame is that there are a certain amount of people who get to nominate proposed members. Anyone who is on a certain percentage of the ballots (say 75%) gets in. Anyone with less than that does not get in. If I had to vote on who would get in to the Prophet Hall of Fame I would nominate:

Joseph Smith
Yes, he would be my first choice. The head of the last dispensation - enough said. No it's not. The First Vision, THE vision (D&C 76), translating the Book of Mormon, all those revelations in the D&C, The KFD, a martyr to boot. Are you kidding me? The stats just jump out. And then there is the statement that Joseph has done more for the salvation of men than anyone save Jesus. Joseph Smith is a sure first ballot Hall of Famer.

Moses
Moses has to get in. Leading the children of Israel out of Egypt, all those miracles, parting the Red Sea, the 10 commandments, the burning bush, serpents on a stick. Get out of here! Moses has to be on your list.

Abraham
The grandfather of the whole house of Israel. Heard of the Abrahamic covenant? The sacrifice of Isaac. Gotta go with Abraham on this.

Isaiah
Prophecies Galore. If you get quoted that often by Christ and other prophets you must be doing something right. Great are the words of Isaiah.

Nephi

Yep, Nephi. Look in the BofM index under Nephi and you see the term 'great prophet'. As far as I can tell nobody else in the BofM gets 'great prophet' billing in the index. Getting the brass plates, getting asked to build a ship to cross the ocean and all he wants to know is where to find ore. Ore! I'm an engineer, and I would be asking a lot more questions than where to find freakin' ore. The interpretive vision of the tree of life, jedi-like shock powers. Great prophet indeed.

Well, there is my top five for my initial ballot. Feel free to give your own ballot and nominate your own Hall of Fame Prophets. Go ahead and argue with me about my selections. Feel free to list more than five if you wish, but remember that part of what makes the Hall of Fame special is who is not in.

A Tale of Two Bishops

2006-07-12T20:34:00.000-05:00

I know two particular men who served as bishops in the same ward consecutively. I served in callings that allowed me to attend PEC and Ward Council and Welfare meetings with both of these bishops, so I was able to see them in action up close. I will call them Bishop X and Bishop Y. In many ways they could not be more different from each other.

Bishop X was the perfect image of a bishop. He really looked and acted the part. He always seemed to have a way of saying and doing exactly the right thing all the time. He was very cautious and deliberate in all of his decisions. He had a way of studying it out in his own mind very thoroughly. When he called someone to a calling the general reaction would be something like a firm head nod by the members of the ward. A logical choice. The right person for the job. Exactly who I would have called.

Bishop Y was not exactly what you would expect from a bishop. A very good man of course, worthy in every way, including being worthy of admiration and respect. But he did not necessarily look like a bishop. He was a little unpredictable in what he might say and do. Rarely seemed to have a plan. But this did not stop him from taking action. He had a way of flying by the seat of his pants so to speak. When he called someone to a calling, there might occasionally be a gasp or two heard. Not all that logical of a choice, maybe even one of the last people you would think to call to such a position.

Again, I want to say that I have total respect and support for both bishops. I also should say that some of the unexpected callings that were extended by bishop Y worked out quite well, some worked well enough, others were disasters. The same could be said perhaps of the callings extended by bishop X however.

The differences between these two bishops to me is quite obvious and striking. It makes me wonder which one was following the spirit of inspiration more? Bishop X (the cautious, thorough one, who always wanted to do the right thing), or bishop Y (the one who appeared to wing it at times).

There is the 'study it out in your mind' scripture in D&C 9, and there is 'being lead by the spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do' in 1 Nephi 4.

With the differences so obvious, which one was more likely following the spirit, X or Y? Could two approaches that seemed so different both be inspired from the same source? Could bishop X be planning and thinking to much to be inspired sometimes? Could bishop Y be just doing the first thing that comes to mind and not patiently seeking inspiration? Let me know what you think.

(There may be a couple of people out there from this ward who know exactly who I am talking about. Please do not mention names or even guess. The last thing I want to do is stir up any trouble. I hope to maybe learn something about church leadership and seeking inspiration from this.)

Bloggin' Man (A Rush Parody)

2006-07-10T22:09:00.000-05:00

The following are modified lyrics to "Workin' Man" by Rush. I have been using my lyrics whenever I listen to this song or when it goes through my head. It says a bit about what I feel about blogging sometimes.

Bloggin' Man

I get up at 7 yeah
and I start to blog at 9.
Got no time for livin' yeah
I'm bloggin' all the time.

Seems to me, I could live my life,
A lot better than I think I am.
I guess that's why they call me,
The bloggin' man.

They call me the bloggin' man,
I guess that's what I am.

I get home at 5 o'clock,
And I make myself a float, but first the root beer.
Always seem to be wonderin'
why there are no comments on here.

Seems to me I could live my life,
A lot better than I think I am.
I guess that's why they call me,'
The bloggin' man.

They call me the bloggin' man.
I guess that's what I am.

LDS blogs: Size Matters

2006-06-28T22:50:00.000-05:00

I have read posts on an awful lot of blogs. When I first found the bloggernacle I read everything that came up on the Mormon Archipelago. I still put in a LOT more time reading other people's stuff than I spend in preparing and writing my own.....I probably shouldn't have said that. You can tell can't you?

Anyway, I have started to form an opinion about LDS blogs in general. I do not say these things to flatter or insult anyone. I am not going to mention any names or blogs in this. Just make some general observations. And what I have been thinking about lately, is that size matters when it comes to blogs. And it matters differently depending on what you want out of your LDS blogging experience. For purposes of presenting my thoughts I would like to suggest some categories, and make an assumption.

The assumption that I will make is that the reader is a member of the church, and is fairly strong and solid in the faith. I say this because I often feel there is an element in the bloggernacle of seeking for 'dirt' on the church at some level. If that is what you want, you will have some company and some sites that will be glad to fill you needs. I won't be giving any assistance, or any thoughts in this area for now.

One of the categories I will suggest will involve what those faithful folks might be seeking in participating on the bloggernacle as a reader and commentator on blogs. The categories are:

1. Quality of content.
2. Social interaction.

The other categories has to do with blog size, or type. The categories I will choose are:

1. Solo blogs
2. Small Group Blogs.
3. Large Group Blogs.

Again, I am not trying to anger anyone in this, and will not mention any blogs by name. So, now for my thoughts.

Solo Blogs

Quality of Content. Solo blogs are all over the map here. Some are fantastic, some are not. Many are inconsistent. If you are searching solo blogs for quality content you may have to do your homework. There is getting to be an ocean of solo LDS blogs out there. Finding a solo blog that you like can be quite a find.

Social Interaction. In most cases this interaction can be somewhat - dare I say - intimate in comparison. When someone comes by my blog I feel almost like they have stopped by my house. I feel like having them sit down and offering a glass of lemonade. I have also been made to feel that way when visiting solo blogs. For a chance of social interaction that may even feel like a type of friendship, it seems hard to beat visiting a solo blog.

Small Group Blogs

Quality of Content. Small group blogs seem more consistent in their content than the solo blogs. There are a lot fewer small group blogs, so finding some that you like will be easier than with solo blogs. Most small group blogs have contributors that are very similar to each other, and are kind of a tight group. If you get into some debate on a small group blog, you will likely deal with the whole group instead of an individual. Small group blogs seem like a 'team' in a very real way. Authors on these blogs probably feel a responsibility to keep the content quality fairly high because it reflects on the group.

Social Interaction. This is an area where small group blogs have a lot of potential. There often appears to be a meaningful friendship amongst the group which can be felt by visitors to the site. This friendship may well be extended to others. Some small group blogs actually want to be big group blogs someday, so not only will they be glad for your traffic, they may even invite you to participate with them if you make yourself known by your comments.

Large Group Blogs

Quality of Content. Large group blogs have a potential advantage here. They are well established with lots of contributors. Individuals can take their time in making posts because there are so many other contributors keeping things going. Because of all this expectations - I imagine are quite high. Large group blogs are large and popular for a reason. In general their contributors are quite good at what they provide. There are very few large blogs as far as I know. Checking them out and finding those you like is easy to do.

Social Interaction. This seems to be something lacking on Large group blogs. These are well established authors with a fairly large following. They don't really need you, and often will not have much time for you. It's hard to feel really welcomed when you are comment # 127. In fact, that sometimes feels like what you are - a number - comment #127. Visiting these blogs for the first few times can seem like going to a new high school, and showing up on prom night, with no date, and inappropriately dressed.

So there you have it. My general view of LDS blogs. Now, I have only been around for about 7 or 8 months, but it feels like much longer. Has your experience been different? What have I missed?

My Grand Unified Theory of Everything

2006-06-26T21:48:00.000-05:00

Let me begin by refuting my own title.

'My'

This is not really mine at all. It is bits and pieces thrown together, and in my view is a common general view by many members of the church. This is not all that original - if at all.

'Grand'

This is not really grand at all. It seems to be 'small and simple' to members of the church who discuss and ponder such things. In fact, this is of course quite an oversimplification.

'Unified'

I doubt that amongst the 'nacle group there will now be, nor perhaps ever be, a unified theory of things. This is not necessarily all bad. We all are waiting for further light and knowledge at some level.

'Theory'

Yep. File this under speculative theory, although it may not be as far off as some may suppose.

'of Everything'

Everything?!?!?! Well, not EVERYTHING.

So here we go........

A Grand Unified Theory of Everything

In the beginning there was everything. The elements and the intelligences already existed and always had. (D&C 93:33, Abraham 3:18) Not all intelligences were equal. Some intelligences were more intelligent than others. One was more intelligent than they all.

Intelligences have the ability to gain and retain knowledge, and they also have a will of their own. The intelligence that was 'greater than they all' was able to gain knowledge much more quickly, and much more thoroughly than any of the other intelligences. In time he began to gain the ability to control matter, and use it to serve his wise purposes and his perfect will. This continued until he gained a mastery over the universe, and thus became God. (See Rational Theology, Chapter 6)

God knew of the lesser intelligences, and knew that he could help them to progress and have the fullness of joy that he had. If the lesser intelligences could be directed and helped on their way, and they in turn could aid other intelligences to progress, then the work and glory and joy of God, and all intelligences, could advance in very meaningful ways.

So God developed a method or plan for the progress of the intelligences. These intelligences could receive a measure of knowledge and power with certain terms and conditions. If the intelligences were willing to covenant with God that they would meet the terms and conditions, then they would receive the knowledge and power they sought. If they were successful in meeting these terms and conditions as promised, they could then receive more knowledge and power. And this would continue until the perfect day. (D&C 50:24) With knowledge and power come responsibility. Those who showed that they could not be trusted with the knowledge and power they received would not be able to progress unless a forgiveness was granted by God.

Since not all intelligences are equal, the results of participating in this plan would also not be equal. Some would progress farther and at a higher rate than others. Provisions are made that intelligences are allowed to progress as they will. God ultimately will determine the amount of knowledge and power that an intelligence will receive. And all of this progress of the intelligences under this plan exceeds that progress that they would ever have made without the assistance of God. Those intelligences that become like God will be able to assist in the work in ways similar to what God does. Those who do not become like God will assist in lesser ways.

This plan will continue as long as there are elements and intelligences in the universe. 'For man is spirit. The elements are eternal, and spirit and element, inseparably connected, receive a fulness of joy.'

OK. Let me have it. How screwed up is this?

Fullness of the Gospel review at BofJ

2006-06-26T21:37:00.000-05:00

I have made a few posts recently at BofJ that I have been neglecting to give links for here. For my family members and friends who read Small and Simple, but don't venture out to other blogs much I am glad to provide these links.

Fullness of the Gospel: The Fall

Amish Letter of the Law

Golf Tip

Stewardship

World's Greatest Dentist

2006-06-21T20:20:00.000-05:00

As many of you know, I grew up in Rexburg Idaho. There is a family in my current ward in Michigan who has two daughters attending BYU Idaho in Rexburg. The other day the father of the family asked if I know of any dentists in Rexburg. I was pleased to inform him that the greatest dentist in the world lives and works in Rexburg Idaho. The man's name is R. Lane Ward. And he is the greatest dentist in the world.

He was the bishop of my youth, and so I have a fondness for him. I have lived in a few different places, and every time I go to a new dentist, they look in my mouth and comment on the quality of previous dental work. Nearly every dentist I have ever been to has made a similar compliment.

My wife's father was out of work for nearly all of her teenage years. One of the things the family had to do without was dental care during this time. When my wife and I got married she had not been to a dentist in years. One morning she woke up with a lot of pain in a tooth. After a few days we decided to send her to this dentist. He called me after the appointment and told me that I should have looked inside my wife's mouth before I married her. I thought he was being funny. He was not. My wife needed two root canals, seventeen fillings, and wisdom teeth removed. All of it was highly recommended.

We did not have insurance that would cover this. We were extremely poor college students who did not come from wealthy families. This was a fairly large scale financial tragedy for us at the time. But what else was I going to do? We decided to go ahead and figure out how to pay for it all later.

The work was done, and we went to the office to work out the bill and payment. His daughter was working as the receptionist. Dr./Bishop Ward gave her a list of the work he had done, and she punched calculator keys like mad. When she was done and hit the equals button, the man grimaced. This was not a good sign. He told her to give us the student discount. She gave him a puzzled look, and he nodded to her. She clicked a couple of keys and hit equals again. He told her that since we were both students that she should give us another student discount. A few more clicks.

'Again', he said.
Click, click, click.
'Again'.
Click, click, click.
'Again'.
More clicking.

After about one dozen student discounts, a figure was arrived at. The hundreds of dollars that were saved, when given our pathetic financial situation, was one of the most charitable acts I have been privileged to receive. Dentists in many towns comment on the quality, (and sometimes amount!) of the dental work my wife has had.

So, this individual in our Michigan ward called this great dentist in Rexburg. The dentist saw his daughter that day. Wisdom teeth will be removed this Friday. I am sure the procedure will be successful.

If you ever happen to be in Rexburg, and need quality dental care, (or know someone who does) I am pleased to recommend that you visit Dr. R. Lane Ward who happens to be the best dentist in the world. I am not sure what his current policy on student discounts is, but you will receive the very best care you could ever get. Tell him Eric Nielson sent you. He may have a story or two to tell.

I'm Turning Into My Dad!

2006-06-19T20:20:00.000-05:00

A few people express that as they grow older, they find themselves turning into their parents. In many ways I see myself turning into my dad.

I find myself being interested in many of the same things he is interested in. I am finding we have a similar attitude and approach to the gospel. I say the same kind of jokes he did, saying them over and over for years just like him. Basketball and chess. A certain 'no-nonsense' in formal settings, a certain silliness when informal. A kind of social inhibition at times. Pursuing amateur writing on gospel topics. A desire for a simple life. We have a lot in common.

I have been influenced by many in my life. But there is only one mortal individual that I see myself turning into. And that is my dad.

Is Ambition a Christlike Quality?

2006-06-12T20:21:00.000-05:00

Recent events in my life have caused me to think about ambition in a deeper way than I had before. So, first a definition from the Yahoo dictionary:

Ambition
An eager or strong desire to achieve something, such as fame or power.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English ambicioun, excessive desire for honor, power, or wealth, from Old French ambition, from Latin ambiti , ambitin-

I have spent most of my life thinking of ambition as a negative quality. I view it as similar to greed, covetousness, and selfishness. Something that is to be avoided. Something that has no place is the church, in the workplace, or in life.

A few scripture verses that express my feelings about the quality of ambition are from D&C 121:36-37

The rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness. That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our VAIN AMBITION, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.

With the above scripture, and all the talk about humility, meekness, being childlike, etc., hopefully you can see why I have always looked on ambition as a bad and dangerous thing.

In the workplace, ambition can be readily seen. I would feel that in an ideal world simple personal ambition would be undesirable and would have no place in the workforce. This is a naive thing to hope for. Ambition will always exist in the workplace, and in some ways may even be encouraged. Personal ambition in an employee can be a motivating tool for managers and business leaders to use, perhaps to meet their own ambitious ends.

I also like the example of military leaders like George Washington and Moroni who looked forward to a simple life after the war, and not necessarily to take advantage of their fame to seek personal gain. Moroni wrote, 'Behold, I am Moroni, your chief captain. I seek not for power, but to pull it down. I seek not for honor of the world, but for the glory of my God, and the freedom and welfare of my country.' (Alma 60:36)

There appear to be those, however, who may view ambition as a good quality in a person. Something that you may hope that your own children may develop in order to be successful in life. Can ambition be a christlike quality in the church, workplace, and life? Was Christ ambitious?

A few thoughts on this come to mind. In the council of heaven Christ says, 'Here am I, send me.' He does not say something like - Well Father, if you like Lucifer's plan, perhaps you should send him. Nor does he say - there are many noble and great spirits here, perhaps you should send them. He doesn't even say - whatever you think is best. He says here am I, send me. Looking at it objectively, from the outside, is this not an ambitious thing to say?

Also during his life Christ says, 'Come follow me.' Does this not assert a leadership model for him, a followership for others. Sure he is right, and he is the Savior after all, but was he not also ambitious in a way when saying 'come follow me'?

We are not perfect. We are not the Savior. But should we at times assume a bold, confident, assertive, even ambitious approach to things? Should we be seeking for power and influence in the church and in the workforce? Is ambition something to be admired, emulated, and developed? Is it something to be loathed, avoided, and repented of?

Personal Conflict

2006-06-05T20:12:00.000-05:00

A large part of my job currently is project management. I did not apply for nor campaign for such a thing. I believe it was mainly because I was doing a good job being an engineer, and part of a project team, so they asked me to start leading project teams. The thought of being in charge of people, and sharing the responsibility for what they do and how they do it is quite distasteful to me.

But is there not a priesthood or church calling parallel here? When we accept the priesthood or a church calling are we not agreeing to take a stewardship or accountability of others? Do we literally become responsible, even eternally, for the behavior of those we are called upon to lead. Jacob in the Book of Mormon seemed to think so. I posted on a passage from Jacob that has to do with this subject at Blogger of Jared here.

For the remainder of this post I might generally describe a situation I am currently going through.

I have been asked to lead a team in the development of a new machine line for our company. It is a large and difficult project, and very high profile. Expectations are extremely high. I am working with an engineer who was assigned the role of the software engineer. His primary task was to write the computer control program for the machine. This is a difficult job to do, and he has a lot of experience and talent for this type of work. But he doesn't want to do this type of thing anymore. What he wants apparently, is my job.

He has a mechanical engineering degree, and wants to change his job description and tasks in the worst way. So in large measure, instead of writing the computer code, he is being hyper vigilant in evaluating the mechanical aspects of the machine and my management of it. He is spreading his opinions to any who will listen, and at times appears to be doing all he can to paint a negative picture of it.

I believe that he is being sincere in that he really believes that the company would be better off, as well as this project, if he were a mechanical designer and a project manager. And by raising awareness to possible problems perhaps he will open up opportunities for himself. For the betterment of all.

This has all brought about a high level of conflict between him and I which at times has been unbearable for me. I am trying to be objective about things, but this has been one of the most difficult times of my career. Any advice?

Anyway, to make myself feel better I would like to dedicate a song that reminds me of this situation. It's 'What You're Doing' by Rush.

Well, I see you standin' there
With your finger in the air
Everything we do, you wanna leave it up to you

Who do you think you are?
You think you are a star?
Tryin' to run the town
Always tryin' to put us down

Well, you think that you're right
You think you're out of sight
Tell me something, mister
Why'd you have to make us so uptight?

Well, you say you've been tryin'
You know that you're lyin'
I think you need some groovin'
Who do you think you're foolin', now?

Well, you better start changin'
Your life needs rearrangin'
You better do some talkin'
Or you better do some walkin' now

Yeah, you think that you're right
You think you're out of sight
Tell me something, mister
Why'd you have to make us so uptight?

Hopefully I'll get over this and be back to normal soon.

Mid-Life Crisis

2006-05-22T20:25:00.000-05:00

I am going to be turning 40 this year. That is old. I think about this once in a while, and wonder what kind of an affect this will have on me. I am told this is a time when some have a mid-life crisis.

I was asked a few weeks ago by a coworker when I was going to have my mid-life crisis. In one way I took it as a compliment. Perhaps he saw me as someone who appeared to be reasonably happy, and had not seen me depressed for a significant period of time. At least he saw no obvious evidence of a mid-life crisis. The wikipedia defines a mid-life crisis this way:

A mid-life crisis is an emotional state of doubt and anxiety in which a person becomes uncomfortable with the realization that life is halfway over. It commonly involves reflection on what the individual has done with his or her life up to that point, often with feelings that not enough was accomplished. The individuals experiencing such may feel boredom with their lives, jobs, or their partners, and may feel a strong desire to make changes in these areas. The condition is also called the beginning of individuation, a process of self-actualization that continues on to death. The condition is most common ranging from the ages of 35-45, and affects men more often than women.

I really don't feel a mid-life crisis coming on, any more than usual. I am quite prone to self-evaluation, perhaps more than is healthy. When my coworker asked about my mid-life crisis I told him that I already had it. When he asked when, I told him it happened when I was about 15.

As a young boy, I fancied myself to be quite an athlete. When I was about 9 or 10 I was perhaps one of the best athletes for my age in my town. I was a pitcher and shortstop on my little league teams, I was a leading scorer on my basketball teams, and I was the fastest guy on the football team. The idea of being a professional athlete was more of an expectation than a dream in my naive mind.

By the time I was in 9th grade I was no longer one of the best athlete in town. I may have had some quickness and coordination, but not the strength to go with it. I also lacked a fierce aggressive nature. I gave up on football by then - I was only going to get myself hurt. I understood that being really tall was an advantage in basketball, and I wasn't all that tall. Baseball was my last hope.

The day I got cut from the JV baseball team was one of the worst days of my life. It felt so unjust (some would agree, but that is another story). I went home as a failure, and laid on my bed and cried. This was not an angry tantrum. There was much more to it than that. I had grown to see my value as a person in terms of athletic ability. Now the one thing in life that I thought I had some talent in was gone. I not only was not great, I was not even very good. I was without worth. I realized that my life would not be a life of realized dreams, but a life filled with responsibilities and obligations largely spent doing something that was not my first choice. My fragile self-esteem was gone. What on earth would I do? What did it matter?

Kids get cut from school teams all the time. The dream of being a professional athlete is a common one. Was my experience that much different? I don't know. I fell so fast. My dreams were ripped off like a Band-Aid unexpectedly. I was not prepared. But on that day I got cut I knew that life was in many ways going to be dreary and routine. I had no alternative but to accept it. My goals and dreams up to that point were never going to happen, so I better get on with an average life in a practical way.

Maybe I will still have a mid-life crisis one of these days, but the lowered expectations of life from being cut from the team may make the crisis less severe. Any suggestions for what to do during this typically difficult time of turning 40? Perhaps it will be no big deal.

I Blog, Therefore I Am

2006-05-17T20:32:00.000-05:00

I have expressed a few times why I sought out and found the bloggernacle. But ultimately I was not content to be a commenter only. And when I found out how easy it was to start a blog I had to pursue it. I had slightly different reasons to desire to be an author on a blog. In a small way, I think I felt like Alma felt when he wrote the famous verses:

O that I were and angle, and could have the wish of my heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people! Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth. (Alma 29:1-2)

You see, I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the church. I really believe this stuff. I believe it leads to peace and happiness in this life, and eternal life in the world to come. And I desire to have a voice in it!

Now, my voice may not be the voice of thunder. Perhaps a little more like an annoying chirp of a cricket. But what voice I have I want to share. My life prior to blogging, and at many times during, is a bit unsatisfying in this area.

It has been nearly three years since I spoke in Sacrament meeting. That may not seem like a big deal to some, but I am an extremely active member of a small ward. There are perhaps 20 active families in this ward. A simple rotation would result in a sacrament talk at least once a year even with figuring in testimony meetings. So I wonder what is going on. Our bishop is a wonderful man, but he does tend to fly by the seat of his pants - so to speak. I suppose he may not keep very good track of things like this. So I don't feel I have much of a voice there lately. I have born my testimony more often, but I feel obligated to keep my testimonies short and basic. I don't want to take advantage of open mike Sunday.

Our Gospel Doctrine teacher is another wonderful man. But I find myself making fewer and fewer comments in his class. He has a way of making the 'material' more important than the discussion - very frequently saying we need to move on. He also has a tendency to look for very specific answers and being dismissive of anything else. It has been weeks since I have made any comments in class. He is always a well prepared teacher, and I am sure many enjoy his lessons, but it is not a prime participation opportunity to me.

I serve currently as the Teachers Quorum advisor. Unfortunately I have had to many times where a well prepared lesson just doesn't fly with the teenage boys. Because of this my preparation and teaching have become very basic. It seems my voice here is not outwardly appreciated much.

So now I have this blog, where I can publish whatever I want. It sometimes makes me feel like I have a voice. It appears that sometimes people like and value what I have to say. Other times it feels like my posts are just an annoying cricket chirping in the midst of a thunder storm.

Chirp.

Or worse yet ignored.

......................

Is my desire to have a voice simply vain? Am I guilty of what Alma says in the next verse:

But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted me. (Alma 29:3)

I'm afraid that if I look to participating in the bloggernacle as a way of feeling like I have a meaningful voice, I am headed for frequent disappointment. Posts that appear to go ignored, and comments that seem to be dismissed, might lead to unsatisfying results. Should any of us desire to have a voice in the church/gospel? Is this a righteous desire or a sinful one?

A Genealogy of my Mothers

2006-05-15T20:06:00.000-05:00

I have been one of many who have been blessed with goodly parents. This Mother's Day weekend I have been thinking a little about my mother and her influence on me. I must admit it is a little difficult to break it down into specifics. On one hand I might well say that there is nothing in my life that was not profoundly influenced by my mother. On the other it is difficult to take all of that and specifically point to things which were directly a result of her influence. I hope that makes sense.

Sometimes you hear people say things like, 'my mother always used to say ....' and then some profound thing would follow. What did my mom always used to say to me? She always used to say, 'It has to be somewhere!' when I would be looking for something, which was often. She also used to say, 'If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all'. What did I get from these fairly common statements? Plenty.

'It has to be somewhere', suggests that I needed to look a little harder for the thing myself. One of the characteristics that it appears my siblings and I have in common is a type of self-reliance. We are all pretty independent creatures. We all had jobs of various sorts from our teen-age years on. We are all fairly responsible people now. Even my siblings that went through, and continue to go through, challenging times there is almost always a level of personal responsibility that eventually comes through. We have become a family who takes responsibility for our own lives, our own happiness, and not blamed others or looked for excuses. If we need to 'find' something, especially if it was our fault that it was 'lost', we 'look' for it ourselves. It has to be somewhere, and we can't expect someone else to come to our rescue.

'If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all', is some of the most underrated advice that has ever been given. My mom was not judgmental, nor was she a gossip. She always looked for the good in people, especially in her children. The Mormon creed is 'mind your own business' (did you know that? A future post!). This creed I believe has a similar message to teaching correct principles and allowing people to govern themselves. My mother was a good example of this. I think my siblings and I learned some valuable lessons from my mothers influence in this area. I hope it shows.

I have mentioned a time or two that I have some pioneer heritage. It just so happens that this ancestry goes through the line of my mothers. I would like to someday get enough information to give a couple of paragraphs on each of these women in this chain. For now I will give a simple genealogy of my mothers.

I was raised in the church by my mother, Sharon Louise Pendlebury, born 7/29/1940 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

She was raised in the church by her mother, Inez Louise Spori, born 10/06/1908 in Rexburg, Idaho.

She was raised in the church by her mother, Martha Ellen Middleton, born 2/22/1889 in Ogden, Utah.

She was raised in the church by her mother, Martha Ellen Fife, born 7/24/1866 in Riverdale, Utah.

She was raised in the church by her mother, Martha Ann Bingham, born 1/29/1850 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

She was raised in the church by her mother, Martha Ann Lewis, born 2/20/1833 in Franklin, Kentucky.

She was married to a man named Sanford Bingham who joined the church in 1833 in Concord Vermont. I have made a post on the life of Sanford Bingham at the Blogger of Jared here.

Anyway, thanks Moms.

Dead Animal, Belly Up

2006-05-10T21:16:00.000-05:00

The vacations of my youth usually consisted of a long ride in a crowded car to destinations that were not exactly glamorous. And spending long hot days in a VW van with black vinyl seats with not much to distract the mind had the effect of driving everyone insane. One particular vacation had us in Butte Montana with the tourist attraction of a copper mine as the goal. I'm not kidding.

The level of insanity was such that for fun we decided to pronounce Butte Montana like Butt Motna. And continue to pronounce the fine city that way to this day. This is what we did on long trips without DVD players in the car.

When we finally got to the copper mine it was closed. Like Wally World was when the Griswalds arrived in the movie 'Vacation'. We all sort of stood there staring at each other wondering what else to do besides pronounce Butte Montana as Butt Motna. Just then a mysterious old lady walked up. The place was closed, there were no cars in the parking lot besides ours, and no other buildings for miles around.. We all mentally asked three questions:

Where did she come from?
Why was she here?
Where is she going?

She walked towards us with the purpose of an individual who has an important message to give, and boy did she have one. Her EXACT words were:

'There is a dead animal, belly up, in the dumpster. Frank says it's a badger. I don't know what it is.'

And with that she went on here way, to somewhere. Over the years I have thought about this message a lot. I would like to provide the following analysis.

There is a dead animal

The descriptive word 'dead' is clear and unambiguous. This animal is not sick or wounded, nor is it asleep. It is dead.

Belly up

No mention of the orientation of the other body parts is given here. The relative positions of the head, limbs and tail are assumed. The belly however is facing up with respect to the ground. The use of the phrase 'belly up' has a literary quality as well. 'Belly up' is commonly used to describe the death of an animal, usually goldfish and the like.

in the dumpster

This phrase is actually quite useful. A near exact location is given. The preposition 'in' is especially precise. The animal is not under, near or around the dumpster, but 'in'. 'In' is short for 'inside'.

Frank

Who the heck is Frank? We're from out of town! We don't know any Frank. But the important thing is that she assumed that we did know Frank. In her 'world' perhaps everyone knows who Frank is, and saying Frank the General Manager of the mine, or Frank the garbage man who empties the dumpster, or Frank the local forest ranger, or Frank my nephew was simply unnecessary in her view.

says it's a badger

'Says' is an interesting word here. It appears that Frank is quite certain. Frank doesn't guess it's a badger, he doesn't think it's a badger, he says it's a badger. And of course the singular article 'a' is helpful. Combined with the above 'animal' it is certain that there is not a couple of badgers, or a group of badgers - no herd of badgers. A solitary beast.

I don't know what is.

There is some doubt apparently. Maybe this Frank doesn't know what he is talking about. Even though he said it was a badger, he could be wrong. This old lady is not necessarily convinced. This last phrase also served as an abrupt end to the announcement. There was a tone of finality to it. This woman was not here to answer questions. This was no press conference, nor was it a social call. She was simply delivering her important message and then going on her way. Wherever that may be.

Our family sort of looked at each other and perhaps inwardly giggled. We did not want to be impolite, but the whole thing was kind of odd. I do not remember if we spoke any words, there was probably no need. We all know there was only one thing to do. Go to the dumpster and have a look for ourselves. We walked to the dumpster and peered in. Sure enough there was a dead badger-like animal that was belly up in the dumpster. The old lady was right, and apparently so was Frank. We looked around and the old lady was nowhere to be seen.

How does this compare to the vacations or your youth?

Comparing reincarnation to the Plan of Salvation

2006-05-08T21:00:00.000-05:00

Geoff has been posting regarding multiple mortal probations (MMP) again. Recently he issued a challenge to find a model that answered certain questions better than his MMP model. This post is my oversimplified response to the challenge. But first I will begin to point out that I believe some of the terms Geoff uses in his descriptions are a bit misleading. I am not sure whether this is intentional or not. This begins with this theory being called multiple mortal probations, when it is really just a modified version of reincarnation. But reincarnation would be to easy to dismiss thus the new name.

Geoff also gives the impression that there was this teaming horde of 19th century apostles who openly and clearly taught reincarnation, presumably as opposed to teaching the plan of salvation. One of the quotes he gives I will duplicate here.

We have come here to become inured to work-to build temples, and improve upon the elements that God has placed around us, that we may become more skillful tomorrow, through the experience of to-day. What I do not to-day, when the sun goes down, I lay down to sleep, which is typical of death; and in the morning I rise and commence my work where I left it yesterday. That course is typical of the probations we take. But suppose that I do not improve my time to-day, I wake up to-morrow and find myself in the rear; and then, if I do not improve upon that day, and again lay down to sleep, on awaking, I find myself still in the rear. This day's work is typical of this probation, and the sleep of every night is typical of death, and rising in the morning is typical of the resurrection. They are days labours, and it is for us to be faithful to-day, tomorrow, and every day." (Journal of Discourses 4:329) (Heber C. Kimball

My take on this quote is that it at most speaks of a series of probations, namely pre-exitence, mortality, and the spirit world. Saying that this describes a cycle of possibly endless mortal probations is a stretch that would impress plastic man.

So, in response to Geoff's indirect challenge, I would like to offer my model and compare it to his. My model can be simply outlined like this:

Preexistence
Creation and Fall
Mortality
Death
Spirit World
Judgment and Resurrection
Degrees of Salvation

Now many of you might be saying, 'Hold on there Eric. We know you are this wild and crrrrrazy guy, but this is going to far. You are thinking way outside the box here. You're making my head spin. Where do you come up with this stuff?' Okay, so I'm feeling a little sarcastic today. Of course this isn't my model. This is known as the Plan of Salvation. Perhaps you have heard of it. It is outlined in the new Preach My Gospel Book that the missionaries use on page 54, so it is pretty official.

Geoff would characterize this plan as the 'My Turn on Earth' model. Again a bit misleading. He could just as well call this plan the Plan of Salvation as taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. But the My Turn on Earth model is so much easier to dismiss because of the juvenile and commercial image it brings. So removing the terms Geoff chooses to use I would like to compare reincarnation to the Plan of Salvation.

One of the area's Geoff questions in the plan of salvation is what to do with the idea of God creating previous inhabited worlds. Who inhabited these worlds? Geoff speculates that we inhabited these worlds during a previous mortal probation. Apparently future inhabited worlds will also be inhabited by us during a future mortal probation.

What does the plan of salvation say of these inhabited worlds? Well nothing directly. It appears to me the most reasonable assumption would be that these inhabitants would be our spiritual brothers and sisters. Geoffs natural response might be - why split us up? Perhaps there is wisdom in limiting the number of people and duration of a world - I don't know. But spiritual siblings inhabiting these planets is a reasonable answer. Whether it is complete or true, it is reasonable.

Another one of Geoffs objections has to do with a permanent final judgment which may result in being assigned to a lower degree of glory than the Celestial Kingdom. His objection seems to be two fold, that God will make a mistake and assign someone to a lower kingdom who would have qualified for a higher degree of salvation if only given more time and opportunities, and what do you do with all these people? Geoff suggests an infinite number of penal colony planets where these exiled souls will dwell in misery with other reprobates for all eternity with no death.

In Geoffs version of reincarnation, those who are not exalted will be sent to planet after planet with a new mortal body. This process of probation after probation would continue on and on until the soul was either exalted or destroyed both body and spirit to be recycled as new intelligences. There would be no lower kingdoms per se. Geoff appears to believe that free will and time will lead someone eventually to exaltation or eternal extinction. This seems an odd result for someone who loves free will as much as Geoff. Freedom of choice and equality do not go together. In a free economy, there is a wide range of financial results mainly based on the desires, abilities and choices of those who participate. Would it not be the same in eternal things? Would not some souls choose to be average? Or above-average? Would God not allow that to be? Why force exaltation or extinction as end results?

Geoff is fond of insulting those who disagree with his theories as being deceived by creedal christianity. Perhaps turnabout is fair play. But is this result not right down creedal Christianity's alley? Heaven or Hell. 100% or 0%. Does this view not rob the beauty of revealed truth regarding degrees of salvation based on the choices of those who chose to participate?

The Doctrine and Covenants describes the Telestial Kingdom as being beyond all understanding. Brigham Young said it was beyond anything that John Wesley ever imagined (Discourses 391). The Telestial Kingdom is salvation. It is a degree of glory. And there of course is room for stars that differ in light from each other. Perhaps there is a wide range of glory that has been described in the revelations in a simplified way. Perhaps the separation and distinction between kingdoms is much less than we realize. But simply viewing the Telestial Kingdom as being somewhat better than an isolated penal colony planet is a significant answer to Geoffs objection.

I guess I answered the second part first. Oh well, the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Geoff wonders if God would close the doors of exaltation on someone who would then later on repent, change, and eventually qualify for a promotion following the final judgment. Answering this is easy for some, hard for others. Those like me who view God as having perfect judgment are willing to put complete faith in this judgment secure in the belief that God will not make any mistakes there. That those who would qualify have qualified, and those who don't never will. Those who do not trust that God is capable of such perfect judgment would not be comfortable with this. The answer that God is capable of perfect judgment after the pre-exist end, mortality, and spirit world, and perhaps the experience of Jesus in the Garden (Mosiah 3) is a reasonable answer to this problem. Is God capable of perfect judgment or not?

Now a prediction. Geoff will not be swayed in the least by any of this. He will continue to claim that no model addresses these issues as well as his version of reincarnation. Perhaps he is really on to something. Perhaps he is just being stubborn. I'm sure that I am not in the least qualified to speak on this important topic. If I have screwed things up or been unfair let me know the error of my ways. But just because Geoff will dismiss all of this does not mean that there are not reasonable answers to his questions.

'Brother' and 'Sister' as a Title

2006-05-03T21:10:00.000-05:00

I was born and raised in the church in an area that was nearly 100% Mormons. I grew up with the idea that we always called adults 'Borther' or 'Sister' so-and-so whenever we talked with or referred to them. I assumed that this was simply an acknowledgment of the fact that we have a belief in everyone being spiritual children of God, and that therefore we are all spiritual siblings. I felt that the only reason we might not call an adult who was not a member of our church 'Brother' or 'Sister' is because they wouldn't understand it, and we wouldn't want to look odd.

While I was on my mission I observed that the other missionaries would withhold the title of 'Brother' or 'Sister' from their investigators when referring to them to local members. It was not until after they were baptized that the missionaries and the members started in with the whole brother and sister thing.

Is this just being stingy? Not allowing someone new into our club until they have passed some initiation ritual? In a way perhaps it is. A type of club membership where a ritual is required prior to being accepted. There is a scripture that I feel addresses this.

And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for you say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters. (Mosiah 5:7)

Does this address the issue? It does not appear that King Benjamin was specifically talking about baptism, but I believe it applies to the covenant made at baptism very well.

We believe that all of us are spiritual brothers and sisters, being children of God, regardless of our religious beliefs. But once we enter into a covenant in the spirit of what King Benjamin was talking about, we become spiritually begotten sons and daughters of God. And then receive the title of 'Brother' and 'Sister'.

I like this custom of the church. To me it teaches a respect for those who have made and kept covenants. It also is a way of teaching children respect for adults. Kind of a ma'am and sir type of thing. I hope as we respectfully refer to each other by the honorable titles of 'Brother' and 'Sister' that we will think about why these titles are significant and meaningful.

I wonder, however, about what people who are not members of the church might think of this title we use? Do some feel left out about not being given the same respectful title? Should we not be so stingy with it?

What's in a Nickname?

2006-05-01T20:22:00.000-05:00

I have always had a kind of fondness for nicknames. To me they often seem like a term of endearment, and if you are a fun and socially accepted person, I figure you probably have had some kind of nickname at some point in your life. Most of my life has been spent without a nickname. Just plain old Eric.

My sisters would call me Erk once in a while (pronounced like and synonimous with irk). This was a little less than endearing however. When I was in the band I picked up the nickname of OOOOOT. This is a bit of a long and stupid story, so I will spare you of it. But a Tenor Saxaphone player in a Jazz band almost has to have some nickname.

A group of people from work put together a pickup softball game last weekend. It was organized as an old guys against the young guys game. A quick glance at my profile will reveal that I am 39 and thus squarely on the old guys team. The people who organized this thing decided that everyone who was on the rosters should have a nickname. So they wrote down all the known nicknames, and assigned nicknames to the rest.

There may be those of you who think you know me fairly well through this blog thing. Any guesses at what nickname my co-workers came up with for me?

Well, they came up with Eric 'No-Nonsense' Nielson.

No-Nonsense?! This is right up there with No-Fun Francis isn't it?

So what's in a nickname? Why No-Nonsense? Is it because I am a rare Mormon in Michigan who is known not to drink or smoke? Bit of a 'goody two-shoes' thing? I also wonder if it is because I take my job somewhat seriously, and as an occational project manager I am often pushing things to make schedule.

I told my wife about my nickname and she observed that No-Nonsense is a brand of panty-hose. Great. Eric 'Panty-Hose' Nielson. That's just what I need.

So does 'No-Nonsense' fit me as a nickname? Are nicknames a good thing? What nicknames have you had?

If Only They had the Gift of the Holy Ghost

2006-04-26T20:48:00.000-05:00

A few years ago I was serving as a ward mission leader. I was talking with one of the missionaries about one of their investigators. He was expressing a little frustration, among the issues that were discussed, the missionary observed that the investigator:

Was not reading anything in the Book of Mormon.
Was not praying about what they were being taught.
Was not willing to attend any meetings.
Was not keeping any of the regular commitments.
Etc., etc.

Then the missionary said something like, 'if only they had the Gift of the Holy Ghost, I know they would make a great member of the church'. I thought this was an odd thing to say. I have always felt that the Gift of the Holy Ghost was a blessing that was given to those who have done the things which lead to the receiving of the Holy Ghost. That if a person had faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repented of their sins, were baptized, lived righteously, etc., then they could enjoy the Gift of the Holy Ghost to influence their lives.

I have never felt that the Gift of the Holy Ghost itself really changed people. More that people who changed themselves in positive ways might enjoy the influence of the spirit. Of course the spirit needs to be felt to some level to motivate such change, but God is the judge of the sincerely of those who seek to know his will, and can bless peoples lives accordingly.

It seemed to me that this missionary might view the Holy Ghost as being something like a gorilla, who firmly grasps you by the neck and 'influences' you to do all the things that you should do. I tend to look at the Holy Ghost as being something more like a butterfly, and that if you do the things you should, and be in the right places, and say the right things, and do the right things, then it can gently influence you. Any harsh words or actions can chase the Holy Ghost away, and until we repent and change ourselves He may not come back.

There are however some examples of people who appeared to be somewhat compelled by the spirit to change. Paul and the Sons of Mosiah appear to be examples of this. These individuals appear to have been grasped firmly by the neck by the spiritual gorilla in a momentous event that they themselves did not appear to seek. In fact, these spiritual events appear to take place in the midst of a wicked life.

So I admit to being a little confused by this. Does the Holy Ghost change people sometimes, or do people that change themselves receive the Holy Ghost?

Dammit Jim! I'm an Engineer, not a Theologian!

2006-04-24T19:37:00.000-05:00

Some of you may recognize the title as a play on the familiar phrase that was frequently given by Doctor McCoy on the popular television show named Star Trek. This post is an attempt to draw some parallels between my career as an engineer, and my approach to living the gospel as a member of the church.

As an engineer I apply the laws of science and the language of mathematics to solve practical problems. This does not make me a mathematician or a physicist. I know and can apply algebra, trigonometry, calculus, and an occasional differential equation when I have to. But there are higher level mathematics that I have yet to learn or have a real need for in my career so far. As far as physics, give me Newton's laws. F=ma and its variations. I have little use for the theory of relativity or a unified theory of physics to get my daily tasks done.

As a member of the church I am familiar with the basics of the plan of salvation. I know about and have applied the first principles and ordinances of the gospel. I generally keep the commandments and hope to endure to the end. I have received the ordinances of the temple and hope to someday experience eternal life. This is not to say that I am an expert, or even well read in philosophy or theology. I do not have a good grasp on the jargon, or argument patterns in these fields. And I really don't feel that I personally have troubling questions that demand answers at the moment from a theological standpoint.

An engineer however, might come across a problem sometime when the regular mathematics and physics he uses are not sufficient to solve the problems he faces. He then would need to do more research, and stand on the shoulders of those who went before to gain some additional insight to his problem. It would be helpful for this engineer to be at least somewhat prepared to do this research. The better prepared he is with the laws of science and the language of mathematics the better he will be at gaining the additional knowledge he needs.

Does it not make sense then for the small and simple member of the church to seek to be somewhat familiar with the philosophical and theological thoughts of others so that if and when questions do come they are somewhat prepared for them?

I am considering obtaining an introductory book on philosophy, something on a freshman in college level, and perhaps buying McMurrin's 'Theological Foundations ...' book, and also perhaps Ostler's 'Mormon Thought ...' books. Is it a beneficial thing for a common member of the church to become familiar with this type of thing? Will it lead to better understanding and deeper faith?

I have made a similar post on Blogger of Jared here.

Revelation for your Blog?

2006-04-19T20:49:00.000-05:00

We sometimes speak of the right to receive revelation in the church. We believe that Gordon B. Hinkley is a prophet and has been called, sustained, and set-apart for this calling. We believe that he has received priesthood keys which allow him the privilege, right, responsibility and authority to receive revelation for the entire church. The First Presidency and Quorum of Twelve Apostles and other General Authorities have also been called, sustained, and set-apart for their callings. They either have, or act under the direction of those who have, priesthood keys and also have the privilege, right, responsibility and authority to receive revelation as the act in their calling.

On the local level, Stake Presidents are given priesthood keys, and are called, sustained, and set-apart for their callings. They therefore have the privilege, right, responsibility and authority to receive revelation as they serve in their callings locally. Likewise bishops are given priesthood keys, as are Elder Quorum Presidents, Teachers Quorum Presidents and Deacons Quorum Presidents. These individuals, their presidencies, auxiliary presidencies, officers and teachers who serve in the church, are all called, sustained, and set-apart in their callings. They act under the direction of those who hold priesthood keys and have the privilege, right, responsibility and authority to receive revelation as they serve in their callings.

Getting this so far? I know its a little repetitive, redundant, and repetitive. It's a literary style I am using to drive the point home. Effective isn't it?

Also individuals and families have the privilege, right, responsibility and authority to receive revelation for their own lives and the decisions they make. This is personal revelation, and it does not require priesthood keys or being called, sustained or set-apart. It just is. But it is intended to be personal.

So what about a Blog? As far as I know none of us have been given priesthood keys in regard to our blogs. We have not been called, sustained or set-apart for this. It is not a calling. So is it personal? Once we publish this on the Internet is it no longer completely personal. Do we have any claim on the privilege, right, responsibility and authority for revelation for our blogs?

I admit that I sometimes ponder and pray about my blog. Not always, but sometimes. I have at times felt inspired about what to write and how to right it in the vauge, general way the spirit often seems to work. Do I imagine this? Do I have any right to revelation for my blog that I publish without priesthood keys and without being called, sustained or set-apart?

Missionary Practical Jokes

2006-04-17T21:07:00.000-05:00

So Eric, were you ever convicted of a federal offense on your mission?

Convicted? No. Never convicted.

I was in the midst of training a new missionary, and one morning was taking a shower, minding my own business. All of a sudden my greeny came into the bathroom and dumped a large bowl of ice cubes into the tub. I was faced with a quick decision. Either jump out of the tub wet and naked to my companion's laughter, or stay in the tub like a martyr and finish my shower ankle deep in ice cubes. I took the martyr route.

As I finished my preparations for the morning I began wondering how I might get back at this whipper-snapper. I looked around, and saw his bottle of scope mouthwash sitting on a shelf right next to my bottle of Mennen after-shave. I observed that they were exactly the same color. Hmmmm. I dumped out a significant portion of his mouthwash and replaced it with the after shave. And waited.

Sure enough when he was about done getting ready the sure sign of gagging, yelling and spitting could be heard. Next to a golf ball hitting the bottom of the cup after a putt, or the net snapping after a jump shot, this was one of the sweetest sounds I have ever heard.

The game was on.

Over the next couple of weeks a practical joke war waged in our apartment. Most of them have since been forgotten. I am a little competitive, and I was determined not to lose. News of transfers came and I was going to be headed out. Then I got an idea. A wonderful idea. T terribly, horribly, wonderful idea. I would temporarily transfer his mail.

It was perfect. There was a stake missionary who lived not far away, I could forward it to him. I would just pick up two mail transfer forms. One for me and one for him. A forged signature, and victory would be mine. I admit to having a spiritually guilty feeling as I was doing this. Something like 'DON'T', or something. I don't know, it was to good not to go through with. So I did it.

Time went on, and I had mostly forgotten about the whole thing. A few months later I bumped into my trainee at a zone conference. I came up to him all smiles, 'hi, how ya doin?' He did not seem at all pleased to see me.

'You don't know how lucky you are Nielson', he said something in his expression - resentment or anger. 'What do you mean?' I asked, really not knowing what he was talking about.

He told me that I had forwarded his mail without telling anybody, and that it was a federal offense. When he went to the post office to get things straightened out they asked him if he wanted to press charges. Wouldn't that have been something? He could have 'won' big time. But he didn't.

I don't know what would have happened if he had pressed charges. Post office people tend to take this stuff seriously sometimes don't they? Could I have been sent home? Or to jail? A large fine? All three? Yikes. I consider this the dumbest thing I did on my mission. Elder Howell, if you are out there somewhere, I'm sorry for the whole mail thing. And thanks for not turning me in.

So if anyone asks me if I was ever convicted of a federal offense on my mission I can say:

Convicted? No. Never convicted.

There is another dumb missionary story about somebody else that I tell here.

Friends

2006-04-12T21:34:00.000-05:00

Right now I can break my life into two halves. One half being a youth, and one half being an adult. A few of the experiences that I have had lately have caused me to think about friendship, and how my ideas about friendship have changed in my life.

When I was young, friendship usually meant fun. My friends were the people that I had fun with. The people I played ball with (any ball), the people I would watch movies with, the people I would have over to play Risk and order pizza with, these were my friends. They were also people that had an unconditional acceptance of me. Even if I did or said something dumb or embarrassing, they would stand by me. If they laughed you could tell it was the 'laugh with' kind. There were also times, in awkward social situations (which for me is pretty much any social situation) my friends were people that I could stand by. It is amazing how having somebody to stand by makes such a difference.

There was an intensity to these friendships of my youth. And even though I don't keep touch with many of them as well as I should, I will always think of them with much fondness. I had quite a group of very good friends.

'When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. ' (1 Cor. 13:11)

As an adult life gets pretty busy. Most of every day is filled with responsibilities of some kind. Not much time for fun. I have my wife and my children, and there is a level of friendship in these relationships. But those relationships are of a different sort of which I am speaking, aren't they? Certainly one should be a friend with one's spouse. But is it not healthy to have friendships in addition to this relationship?

It seems the older I get the less friendships I have. And in comparison to the friendships of my youth, the bar has been significantly lowered. Not that the quality of the people are lower, but the quality of the friendship seems lower. Not the intensity of youth. Not the fun. I have co-workers now. Ward members. Neighbors. Sure we are friendly, but are we friends? Really friends? I find myself wanting to protect the word friend. I don't really give it freely. I have been spoiled with high expectations from my youth.

I love to golf. Most of the time I golf alone. I'm busy, everyone is. I'm a little old for 'can Joe come out and play'? I watch sports, often on TV. Usually alone. I'm not shedding tears - I'm not that emotional. It's just the way it is. It's more practical.

That brings me to the bloggernacle. Are we friends? Are we having fun together, doing something we enjoy. Do we stand by each other? Do we laugh 'with'. Are there people I can stand by when I feel awkward? Sometimes I think the 'friendships' I have here are about as real - maybe more - than the friendships I currently have in real life. Sometimes I think these 'friendships' are just one step away from having imaginary friends like a small child might have.

This is not a 'HELP!' This is a 'what do ya think?'

Chess and the Gospel (by John Nielson)

2006-04-06T21:00:00.000-05:00

Chess has often been used as a model for war and geopolitics. It has also been used as a broader model for life and practically everything in it. Thomas Henry Huxley made a remarkable statement that exemplifies the lengths to which this model has been stretched:

The chess-board is the world, the pieces are the phenomena of the universe, the rules of the game are what we call the laws of nature. The player on the other side is hidden from us. We know that his play is always fair, just and patient. But also we know, to our cost, that he never overlooks a mistake, or makes the smallest allowance for ignorance. . . . My metaphor will remind some of you of the famous picture in which Retzsch has depicted Satan playing at chess with man for his soul. Substitute for the mocking fiend in that picture a calm, strong angel who is playing for love, as we say, and would rather lose than win--and I should accept it as an image of human life(Huxley, 82).

Others have commented on the use of chess as a religious model. Larry Evans, an American International Grandmaster, says that “. . . some authorities believe it was meant to glorify God by reproducing a small-scale model of the universe”(Evans, 12).
There are some striking parallels between chess and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. First, to win in either one, players must “endure to the end.” It takes much pondering, effort, repentance, and sacrifice to be successful in either. After playing beautifully through most of the game of life, or chess, it is still possible to fail near the end. Recall King David’s ghastly blunder following his exemplary youth in ancient Israel. After losing to an inferior player, Latvian chess master Nimzovich jumped up on the table and shouted in frustration, “Why must I lose to this idiot!”(Time, 7/31/72, 35).
If one pushes any analogy to extremes, it breaks down. This is true of the chess/gospel analogy as well. Chess is not life, nor is it the gospel. There are a few parallels but they do not touch at every point. The intense competitiveness of chess is, or should be, absent from the gospel. We do not play against each other in the gospel. We struggle against our own weaknesses and against temptation. But even imperfect analogies are useful if they focus our attention on aspects of things we might otherwise overlook.
As I develop the chess/gospel analogy, I ask the reader to make an adjustment. Rather than thinking of the game as played between two human opponents, I ask that, unless otherwise stated, you think of the game as between yourself and Satan. He is the adversary, the powerful opponent. He is the evil one who is trying to defeat you in the game of life. Fortunately, it is an unequal struggle--you have the Lord on your side, giving you advice on the best moves. Furthermore, the Lord is a Universal Grandmaster, a better chess player than Satan. He knows the end from the beginning. Even after the war in heaven, Satan still “knew not the mind of God” regarding the plan of salvation(Moses 4:6). Nevertheless, even though Satan is an inferior player, he can still beat us if we insist on making poor moves.
There is a fundamental truth common to both chess and the gospel life: Consistently good moves lead to victory, bad moves lead to defeat.
This law is inexorable, there is no escaping it. Good moves in the gospel life follow the “iron rod,” the laws and commandments of God; good moves in chess follow sound principles, powerful strategy, and winning tactics.
There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated---And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated (D&C 130:20-21).

Someone once asked Bobby Fischer, eccentric American World Champion in the early 1970's, if he used psychology to defeat his opponents. I have been unable to find an reliable reference but as I remember it, his reply was, “I don’t believe in psychology, I believe in strong moves.” Some of his opponents were made nervous and jittery(and therefore did not play well) by his presence, his persona, his antics. However, when they lost, they lost because their moves were not as good, not as strong.
Perhaps this is a reason chess(and the Church?) is not very popular in this world. It has no element of chance in it. You cannot win by a toss of the dice or a turn of the cards. One does not win by being lucky. Winning comes from playing well, better than your opponent. A strong opponent pounces on every error and exploits it. Chess is very unforgiving of mistakes and errors. If one makes a serious error in chess, one must quickly repent of it, gain some compensating advantage, or the game is lost.
The same is true in the gospel life. We are told in what is, until properly understood, the most chilling statement in all scripture, that “. . . the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance”(D&C 1:31). Further,
men . . . are . . . judged according to their works, according to the law and justice. For behold, justice exerciseth all his demands, and also mercy claimeth all which is her own; and thus, none but the truly penitent are saved. What, do ye suppose that mercy can rob justice? I say unto you Nay; not one whit. If so, God would cease to be God(Alma 42:23-25).

There is no possibility of deceiving the Lord and somehow getting into heaven unworthily. Likewise, there is no possibility that an inferior player can conceal, throughout an extended series of games, his limited ability against a strong opponent in chess. While the Lord never blunders, strong chess players sometimes do. Therefore, they will sometimes lose single games against inferior players. But they will virtually never lose a whole series of games against weaker players.
O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name(2 Nephi 9:41).

Of course, here is a major difference between chess and the gospel. In life we have a Savior, the atonement, forgiveness on conditions of repentance.
And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance.
And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption(Alma 34:15-16).

In chess, there is no savior. You cannot take back a move once it is made(you can on your next turn to move, but then it may be too late). Also, you must suffer the consequences yourself if it is a blunder. No one will pay for your sins for you. Even in the gospel life, as in chess, there is no forgiveness for unrepented sins. This, I believe, is the meaning and intent of the chilling statement quoted earlier. The Lord cannot look upon unrepented sin with the least degree of allowance. We cannot shoot, lie, smile, cheat, finesse, or beg our way into heaven. We can only get there, or gain a victory, by making good moves. Huxley, in his analogy between chess and the universe, placed god on the other side of the board as our chess opponent. Recall that he put the point this way: “The player on the other side (God) is hidden from us. We know that his play is always fair, just, and patient. But also we know, to our cost, that he never overlooks a mistake, or makes the smallest allowance for ignorance”(Huxley, 82).
We cannot pretend to be either a good chess player or a good Christian. It does no good to just go through the motions. Moroni said that “. . . if [a man] offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing. For behold, it is not counted unto him for righteousness. . . . for God receiveth none such”(Moroni 7:6-9).
There are many people who believe that God is so merciful and compassionate that he cannot bear to condemn the sinner. They believe he will, in the final judgement, forgive all, or punish very lightly. The Book of Mormon calls these ideas “false and vain and foolish doctrines” (2 Nephi 28:7-9)
As mentioned previously, chess is not a very popular game. This is especially true in the U.S. Perhaps because it demands such concentration, study, and effort to become a good player. Also because mistakes against a strong player, or a computer, are never overlooked. Most people learn the rudiments of the game, play a few times, get beaten badly, and give up, never to play again. New chess players apparently need as much fellowshipping, encouragement, instruction, and experience as do new church members if they are to stay with the game. Most new players do not get much encouragement and so most do not survive.
We seem to have a revolving door at the entrance to life in the Church. People enter through baptism but often understand the gospel imperfectly. The demands of activity, the many meetings, the new terminology, the steep learning curve with new volumes of scripture, may discourage many new members. Without a deep understanding of the gospel, they soon exit through the other side of the revolving door into the more comfortable world of inactivity. Worldwide, only about 50 percent of the membership is active. So, although there about 12 million members, only about 6 million are active. And for every member, worldwide, there are about 540 people who are not members.
There are also certain parallels between the qualities of a good chess player and the virtues of a good Latter-day Saint. This may strike you as surprising since chess players are often characterized as aggressive and ruthless--at least in their over-the-board play. Not everyone, however, approaches the game as a matter of cut-throat competition. Grandmaster David Bronstein says that in his philosophy of chess, having fun should be the object. He also characterizes chess as a game played with someone, not against them(Rostedt, 32).
However, there are some kinder and gentler virtues, common to chess players and Latter-day Saints. One is patience, to be able to wait until the end of mortal life, or the end of a long game, for the payoff. Another virtue held in common is empathy, the ability to see things from another’s point of view. Fred Reinfeld, a well-known American author of chess books, says he has leaned a great deal from chess: “. . . how to be patient, how to bide my time, how to see the other man’s point of view, how to persevere in unpromising situations, how to learn from my failures”(Reinfeld,v).
In the list of virtues in Section 4 of the Doctrine and Covenants, at least the following have some common application to Saints and chess players: “knowledge . . . patience . . . brotherly kindness . . . charity, humility, diligence”(verse 6).
Knowledge and patience, even diligence, are obviously good qualities for both, but what of the others? Brotherly kindness, charity and humility seem to be of little service to chess players. But in real chess games, when one’s opponent is another human being, and especially if one expects to play the same person more than once, there is a definite value to elementary chess courtesy. Learning how to both win and lose gracefully becomes a goal for most lifelong players. Kindly congratulating one’s opponent on a good game when losing, and humbly accepting victory without boasting, goes far towards smoothing a potentially tense conflict situation at the end of games. It makes the continued enjoyment of the game possible. Not every chess player or Church members, of course, really practices these virtues.
It is the precision and order of both chess and the plan of salvation that is most striking. In each there are rules, laws, rewards, punishments. If we learn the rules, obey the laws, make good moves, we will receive the rewards and avoid the punishments in both.
The rewards for good moves in chess and life are just as sure and certain as are the punishments for doing evil. Nephi states this as clearly as anyone.
The gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost. And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive.
And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.
Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life (2 Nephi 31:17-20).

If we lose in chess, we cannot blame anyone else, though many will try. One grandmaster said, “I’ve never beaten a healthy man, they all claim to be suffering from something.” But despite this unfortunate human tendency to shift the blame to others for our chess defeats (or the dim lights, the unusually small board, the stuffy air, the poor sleep we had last night, the flu, etc.), we have lost because we made some poor moves.
At the 1992 chess rematch between Fischer and Spassky, chess journalist and Woman International Master, Cathy Forbes, asked Bobby Fischer if he would play a casual game with her. Surprisingly, he agreed to play a quick game and pulled out his pocket set. Following is her account of what happened.
Without, of course, wishing to make excuses, I can truthfully say that I almost never play on a pocket set. Not if I can help it, anyway. Overuse, moreover, had eroded the flat representations of this set, particularly the bishops, down to barely intelligible squiggles. “I’m at a disadvantage here,” I complained.
“Yeah, I’m used to this set,” he agreed. One the other hand, he did let me have White . . . but perhaps I should have taken a leaf from Bobby’s own book and insisted on perfect playing conditions for this important game?(Forbes, 26).

She blundered and had to resign on the twenty-seventh move. But her excuses had already softened the blow to her pride. Still, she lost, not because of the overused pocket set, or overworked bishops, but because she had blundered and Fischer had not.
The same is true in the gospel. If we do not gain exaltation we cannot blame our parents, our bishops, our neighbors, our friends, our enemies, or anyone else. We make our choices and we take the consequences. According to Samuel the Lamanite, “Whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto himself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold, ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free”(Helaman 14:30).
Some people were born into broken homes, or they were molested or abused as children, or they were always very poor, or they did not get an education, or they were systematically discriminated against because of their ethnic background. While all of these unfortunate circumstances, or others, make life here on earth very unjust and unequal, they will all be overcome eventually in the moral economy of God. He has said that “. . . unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required; . . .(Luke 12:48).
The converse is no doubt true as well. Those who have suffered much injustice and deprivation in this life will be compensated(the Lord speaks of some being “recompensed at the resurrection of the just.”)[Luke 14:14] in the next until all have an equal opportunity to hear, accept, and live the gospel or reject it. Then, if we perish, we can blame no one but ourselves.
The analogy between chess and the gospel, and the scriptures quoted above, may make God seem harsh, judgmental, strict, unmerciful, wanting to condemn every sinner for the slightest infraction. This is not true. God does not want to condemn anyone. But many people condemn themselves. As Jesus said, “O Jerusalem . . . how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” (Matt. 23:37).
God will forgive every repentant sinner, he has prepared a kingdom of salvation for everyone except the sons of perdition, his arms of mercy are extended to all. But he is a god of justice and cannot forgive unrepented sins.
It is more satisfying to play good chess with a worthy opponent, one who is just as strong, or stronger, than oneself. It is also more satisfying to serve a God who is unfailingly just, but merciful to the penitent. How unsatisfactory it would be to believe in an unstable God, who forgave capriciously, or one with no standards, who forgave everyone of everything. Actually, that kind of God is no God. If mercy were to rob justice, “God would cease to be God” (Alma 42:25).
Doing the right thing(or making the right move), at the right time, for the right reasons is what makes both chess and life beautiful and rewarding. Either, or both, can be frustrating and disappointing when we do the wrong thing(or make the wrong move) at any time.

Works Cited
Evans, Larry. Chess Catechism. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1970.
Forbes, Cathy. “Bobby Fischer, the Holy Grail--A Balkan Odyssey--”Chess Life, March, 1993, 26-27.

Huxley, Thomas H. Science and Education: Essays. New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1896.

Reinfeld, Fred. The Complete Chessplayer. Greenwich, Connecticut: Fawcett Publications, Inc., 1953.

Rostedt, Charles. “Bronstein Visits Chess Palace,” Chess Life, March, 1993. 32.

Standard Works of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Lost Temple Recommend

2006-04-05T21:03:00.000-05:00

Some spiritual experiences I have had are a little to special or sacred to share publicly. Other experiences are of a lesser sort, and I am not completely certain that they are spiritual experiences. I made a post once on auras, one on bibliomancy, and one on fixing a game which turned out to be an answer to my child's prayer. Some may think these are coincidences or something else. I tend to look at these as spiritual experiences, but because they are not exactly part of my testimony I am glad to get comments on them, for better or worse.

This is another one, and probably the last, of these types of experiences. It involves losing a temple recommend.

We live about a three hour drive from the nearest temple. When you consider driving there, doing a session or two, getting something to eat, and driving back it can kick the heck out of a day. And when you consider what to do with small kids it can be a challenge to go often. We are hesitant to ask someone to baby sit all day for a chance to go, so we get a little creative once in a while.

We had arranged to go to the temple with another family who had kids about the same ages as ours. We were going to go together, and one couple would go in the morning when the other couple would take the kids somewhere for breakfast or something, and then we would switch for a second session. We would then drive home together.

We wanted to leave early and so were preparing the night before. My wife asked if I had my recommend at about 9 p.m.. I knew right where it was. There is a small bookcase in our bedroom, and on top is a dish that I put keys and change in. My temple recommend was in that dish right on top. I had seen it there several times in the last couple of days. I went to get it, but I could not see it. I looked very thoroughly because I knew it was there. But no luck.

My wife and I searched and searched. We eventually looked 'everywhere'. To try and be funny and ease my tension I even looked in the fridge, the freezer, the bathtub, the oven. This was getting very frustrating, and it was also getting late. During this time I went back to the dish on the bookcase over and over again. I was sure it was there, but could not find it.

In my frustration, I sat down on the kitchen floor, with my back against the wall, and my head in my hands. I was at the end of my hope of finding the recommend. The practical engineer in me started to think. It was to late to try to get another recommend. I did not know what the policy or resources were at the temple for people who show up from a long distance with no recommend. Just showing up without it is not my style ya know? What do I do? Baby sit all eight kids myself? In Chicago? yuck. Maybe I should just watch the kids at home, with the games and the TV. That made sense. I could cook them a couple of meals, watch some videos, go to the park. This way my wife and the other couple could go in one vehicle. Have a nice quiet trip with adult conversation. My wife would like that. That would be nice. Yeah, that's what I should do.

I called my wife who was still looking and told her what I was thinking. She was ready to give up looking also. When I was through explaining my plan she looked at me in that way and asked 'you sure?' I nodded. She helped me up off the floor and we walked together to the bedroom. We walked past the bookcase. And there, in the dish, right on top, in plain sight, was my recommend. Exactly where I knew it was but could not find it before.

My kids were all asleep, my wife is not at all the practical joke type. I have positively no explanation for this. The dish was shallow and mostly empty. The top of the bookcase was not cluttered. I have no idea how this could have happened. The spiritual romantic in me wants to think of this as a little test God put me through. Once I 'passed' I was allowed to find the recommend. Perhaps he had the recommend hidden from my view in some way. Perhaps he had it removed and then replaced. Perhaps I am an unobservant fool.

What do you think? Does stuff like this happen?

Which Direction to Face

2006-04-03T21:02:00.000-05:00

When we serve in a church calling, one way to look at that calling is that you are to represent the Lord to the people you are serving. Boyd K. Packer passed along this counsel in one of his famous (and some might say infamous) speeches.

Elder Lee had agreed to give me counsel and some direction. He didn't say much, nothing really in detail, but what he told me has saved me time and time again. "You must decide now which way you face," he said. "Either you represent the teachers and students and champion their causes or you represent the Brethren who appointed you. You need to decide now which way you face." Then he added, "Some of your predecessors faced the wrong way." It took some hard and painful lessons before I understood his counsel. In time, I did understand, and my resolve to face the right way became irreversible.

The entire talk can be found here.

This has caused me to think about 'leadership' and 'management' in the church. I had these thoughts again during President Hinkley's talk in the Priesthood session of conference. I have made a post about this on Blogger of Jared. You may read my post here.

Some do not like this talk by Elder Packer. I happen to think he is close to the mark.

Anti-Mormon Literature Response

2006-03-29T21:05:00.000-05:00

I have lead a pretty sheltered life as far as anti-Mormon literature is concerned. I grew up in a place where everyone was a member of the church. It wasn't until my mission when I really came across much of it for the first time. I mocked it as being pretty much 'National Inquirer' level stuff. After I got home from my mission I found out that a friend of my father's had left the church and started an anti-Mormon newsletter. He sent us one, and I took the liberty of writing a rebuttal. It was kinda fun - perhaps the blogger in me was already started. The newsletter really only strengthened my testimony because of the easy explanations I found, and besides this guy was always a bit of a nutcase.

Last Saturday two events occurred that will forever change my view of anti-Mormon literature and the effect it can have.

The first event happened that morning at work. Another engineer who was my cubical neighbor had quit and Friday was his last day. On Friday night he built what seemed to me to be a monument to himself out of several empty coffee cans in the shape of a pyramid on his desk. He had a few copies of his resume laying around, a farewell letter from himself, and a bunch of 'Jesus is Lord', and 'Jesus Saves' pictures that he had drawn all over his office. And then I noticed on his keyboard an anti-Mormon pamphlet with the words 'The Truth Shall Make You Free' written on a sticky note. With the very small number of Mormons at this place, I felt that the pamphlet was mostly left for me. Why would he feel the need to do this as part of his good-bye? I had felt that we had gotten along quite well. This is the aspect that changed my view of anti-Mormon literature. The content had not changed, but this time it came from someone I had considered a friend.

I took the pamphlet off his keyboard and was about to throw it away. As I thought about it I decided to respond to it. He left it for a reason right? The bloggernacle is wearing off on me, so I got his personal e-mail address of his resume and decided to send a rebuttal. I tried to be constructive in my defense, so if there was a sincere truth seeker inside him it could be helpful. But I kind of doubted it would have much of an effect. I wondered if I was doing the right thing the whole time.

On Monday he sent a reply to me. He made a few additional Mormon jabs, but overall it was a positive reply. He apologized for leaving the pamphlet behind. He the did something I did not expect. He testified to me of his religious beliefs. I had never really experienced that before. I had people tell me I was deceived lots of times. I have heard people say simple things like 'Jesus is Lord' before, but nothing like what I would consider a positive and meaningful testimony. This is part of what he said:

You see Eric, I am a Christian. That means i Beleive Jesus died for my
sins and the sin I was born with. I have asked him to forgive me for that
sin and he has covered it with his atoning blood. I believe the thief on
the cross was forgivien and lives in heaven with Jesus even though he didn't
do any good works. All the good works we do are like filthy rags to God.
All he wants is my life, all of me.

Of course there are some things here that I have a problem with, but after this, I had no more desire to debate. I thanked him for sharing his religious beliefs, let him know there were no hard feelings, wished him well, and clicked send. I thought of the many times I was only getting into contention on my mission when I decided to just bear a simple quick testimony and try to leave on good terms, and now it had happened to me. I hope that I didn't mess things up and that we really did part on good terms.

The second event was that on the same day my oldest son received an e-mail from a friend at school that was basically a cut and paste of anti-Mormon statements. My son is 13. I am thinking about calling the boys parents to see if they would mind if we sent a reply and going through the issues with my son as a learning experience. I'm not sure what is best here. Is it better to try and respond to this stuff, or just throw it away. Anti-Mormon literature is different when it comes from a friend.

Fullness of the Gospel: Life Before Birth

2006-03-27T21:41:00.000-05:00

I have been a little bit surprised that there have been so few comments on the improvement to the Ensign the last few months, particularly the addition of 'The Fullness of the Gospel' series. This is a series explaining the basic beliefs of the restored gospel, doctrines unique to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

In the February Ensign the article was titled, 'Life Before Birth'. The first part of the article expressed how important it was to have a knowledge of the doctrine of pre mortal life. Boyd K. Packer is quoted as saying, 'When we understand the doctrine of pre mortal life, then things fit together and make sense'.

I would like to review the important aspects of the preexistence in this article.

Our intelligence has always existed, and had no beginning.

At some point spirit bodies of matter were created for us, and we became literal spirit sons and daughters of heavenly parents.

We have the potential to become like Him.

We come to earth without memory of our prior existence.

These items seem very 'small and simple', but it is amazing how many things fit together and begin to make sense if we keep these simple things in mind as we discus other aspects of the gospel. The above items have been very important to many of my recent posts and comments.

I have been studying a little about the preexistence and found a great article from the January 1989 Ensign and I am making a post based on this article on the Blogger of Jared here.

My Second Honeymoon with the Bloggernacle

2006-03-22T22:41:00.000-05:00

Some of you may remember me writing a post called 'My Bloggernacle Honeymoon is Over' about two months ago. At the time the initial excitement about finding the Bloggernacle was finished and I was questioning the value of the entire experience up to that point. I was sincerely at the verge of ending the experience and doing something else with my small amount of free time. I was expressing two areas of value at that time - the value I was getting from the Bloggernacle and the value I was contributing to the Bloggernacle.

Well, it has been two months, a very long time in Blog years, and I am still as 'active' as ever, maybe more so. What has helped me decide to stick around? Actually, several things.

I received quite a bit more response than I ever imagined. Some from very unexpected sources. It made me aware that even though comments were low, I was not as ignored as I thought. Since then I installed a site meter. This allows me to see how many people visit the site. When I don't post for a few days visits go down to single digits, when I post something visits may go up to between 50-100. So it appears to be a legitimate thing. Don't tell me if it is not.

I received lots of good advice. One piece was from Stapely who said to write for yourself. Since then I have looked at this site as a type of open journal. I have never kept much of a journal, even on my mission. Perhaps this will be part of the record I leave behind. Perhaps my kids will one day find this of value to them.

When I first found the MA, I tried to read everything from everybody. Yes, I am serious. Since then I have become much more discriminating about what I read. There are a handful of sites that I read pretty much everything they put out. A few sites that I read stuff that catches my eye. And a few sites I may never read again, depending on the guest blogger. This has perhaps lowered the total value I get because of good stuff that I miss, but has greatly increased the value per hour.

Then I was asked to guest blog at Blogger of Jared and to become a permanent part of their group. This was unbelievably flattering to me. I confess to sometimes feeling a lack of acceptance in this Blog world. Much of that comes from issues within me. But this invitation came from out of the blue. I am not a real-life friend or relative of either Wade or Ryan. It appears they felt I had something of value to contribute. What an honor for me.

I admit that I was a little worried about the 'orthodox' label that BofJ was going through at the time. And that perhaps that label was a dirty word on the Bloggernacle. Perhaps any negative perception of that label would reflect on me. I have decided not to worry about it and just be myself and see what happens. Besides, I am a fairly conservative dude who is very supportive of the church and its leaders anyway.

I have been pleased with my experience at the BofJ and here. I have decided to do both. I am very excited about the whole thing and look forward to the experience.

So, I think going on a second honeymoon with the Bloggernacle is a good idea. Where would you like to go?

Goals, Gimmicks, and Guilt

2006-03-20T21:40:00.000-05:00

Any of you who have followed my posts and comments know that I look at the church through a very positive lens most of the time. I do believe that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true, and that the church is true as far as it is administered properly. And it should really be of no surprise to anyone that it is not always administered properly, in fact I think it would be unrealistic to expect anything else.

I do have a short list of gripes at times, and among them is the occasional behavior of local church leaders when the first get a little authority (D&C 121). I have seen a familiar pattern a few times. Goals, Gimmicks, and Guilt.

Set high performance goals on the group you are called to lead, create a few gimmicks to get people to do what you want, pass out guilt if goals are not met. Seen this before?

Ok. rant over. I saw a nice post by Keryn at PonderIt that I recommend here. She talks about the virtues of sitting through boring meetings. There is something Christ-like about supporting people in their callings even if they are not doing all that well in them.

The church is on the right track however. I have made a guest post at Blogger of Jared about what qualities the church looks for in leaders. It does not include goals, gimmicks, or guilt. Read about it here.

Doctrine Regarding Root Beer Floats

2006-03-17T21:39:00.000-05:00

The youth and youth leaders in my home ward appear to have chosen root beer floats as the refreshment of choice for their activities. That suits me fine, I love 'em too. I don't expect to have any problems in the spirit world knowing which side is paradise. It is the side with the root beer floats.

There is a problem however with the way that the root beer floats are made. I have been quite surprised that local leaders have not stepped in to rectify the situation. I did a quick search at lsd.org and other sources, and was disappointed that the doctrine of root beer float making has not found its way into authorized sources. Those who are in tune with the spirit, however, will recognize the proper procedure when they consider the options. The proper procedure for root beer float making is as follows:

Pour some root beer into a glass.
Add some ice cream.

Any deviation from the above sequence is not in harmony with the spirit. There is some symbolism to this sequence when we consider the first ordinances of the gospel. Baptism of course is represented by the root beer. The white ice cream symbolizes the holy ghost. If Bruce R. McConkie were alive today, he would probably make other methods of making root beer floats as the eighth heresy.

People who violate the above order (such as putting the ice cream in the cup first, and then the root beer) are on a slippery - or should I say frothy - slope. Well might it be said of them, verily they have their reward. That reward is a life filled mainly with froth and little substance.

Beyond the obvious symbolism previously mentioned there are practical considerations as well. Placing the root beer in the glass first is the only method of reliably controlling the root beer to ice cream ratio. Other methods can lead to disaster.

This may seem like a minor indiscretion, and it is. But if not corrected can lead to other, more serious sins such as having ice cream and cake at a birthday instead of cake and ice cream. Or worse yet, pie.

Please spread this message to all you know. A lifetime of joy can replace a frothy probation for someone you care about. I think I am going to run to the store now. I have a good idea what we are going to have as a treat for family night.

Are you a Minister?

2006-03-15T18:45:00.000-05:00

I have had the privilege of being the home teacher for Paul and Dawn Rooyakkers for about 10 years. I do not remember missing a single month. Much of this is because they are very accommodating with their schedule, and because if the end of the month starts creeping up they call ME to arrange a time. Wonderful people. I have been their only home teacher during their entire marriage I believe.

When they had their first child there were some complications, and Dawn needed a surgery after the labor was over. I do not know the details, but she was told that it was possible for her to have more children, but not as likely.

Several years went by without a much desired pregnancy. They eventually asked me to give them what turned out to be a series of priesthood blessings in the hopes of having more children. This was a little awkward for me because I knew there was a possible medical reason for them not being able to have children. They wanted a possible miracle, and hoped that I could be the voice of such a miracle. I was pleased to do this for them however, and after some prayer and fasting gave them each a blessing.

I particularly remember the blessing given to Paul. As I laid my hands upon his head I clearly felt the words, 'You may bless him with anything he wants' enter into my mind. What a privilege it is to give such a blessing! I was able to give them a bold, confident, positive blessing.

More years passed with no pregnancy. They eventually began the process of pursuing adoption. During the time of filling out papers, and everything else involved the sought for blessing came, and they were pregnant. A few tear filled testimonies of gratitude graced our testimony meetings, and lessons, and visits.

The pregnancy went well and the time for delivery came. I got a call from them in the middle of the night. The labor was not going well, and they asked if I would come to the hospital and give them a blessing. It was not an emergency, just a stubborn labor. I was so honored that they would think of me at such a time as this. Dawns father had died by this time, and Paul is the only member in his family. I was glad to get dressed in my Sunday best and get to the hospital.

Because of the late hour, the hospital was closed, and I had to go in through the emergency room doors. When I came in a nurse at a desk near the entrance asked if she could help me. I told her that a couple from our church was having a baby, and the labor wasn't going well, and they had asked me to come and give them a blessing. Keep in mind this is Michigan. The nurse asked if I was a minister. Without hesitation I said yes.

She immediately stood up from her chair and said to come with her. She lead me to the OB area. She told the nurses at the station there that I was a minister and had come to give the Rooyakkers a blessing. The OB nurse also immediately stood up and lead me to the room. I was not used to being treated like a minister! I was able to assist Paul in giving his dear wife a blessing, had a quick chat, and left the labor to the professionals there.

Thankfully everything went well and there is now a very active little boy named Christian Alexander Rooyakkers. And by the way, he has a sister on the way apparently.

I have thought at times if I was perhaps a bit deceptive in saying that I was a minister. I am sure that what the nurse meant was a minister like the local Baptist minister, or Methodist. But as a home teacher I have a calling to minister to the needs of a small group of families. My flock. I teach, preach, expound and exhort the gospel of Jesus Christ. I administer to their wants and needs as appropriate. I am a minister to them.

If you are a good home or visiting teacher, may god bless you for your efforts. If you are not doing well with such an assignment, and want a chance to experience a little pure religion in you life, get up and do your home or visiting teaching. You are a minister. Start acting like one.

Choosing Free Will over Determinism

2006-03-13T21:38:00.000-05:00

I read with interest the Fullness of the Gospel series on Agency which addresses free will. This has caused me to contemplate the lyrics to a great song called 'Free Will' by my favorite music group RUSH. The lyrics to me seem to take one through the process of naive free will, to determinism, to choosing free will over determinism, or what may be called enlightened free will. Those of you who know me a little know that these are words I barely even know. I am like a fish out of water here, but I would not mind increasing my understanding of this type a thing, at least a little.

Does this song not suggest that we have the ability to choose not just our actions but our view of life? Is choosing free will in itself a defining moment of taking responsibility for your actions? Is this the type of choice all of us made in the council of heaven, and the same type of choice made in the Garden of Eden.

I may not know much about philosophy, but I will choose free will. I would be glad to read any straight forward thoughts on my comments here or the lyrics to 'Free Will'. I realize that parts of this song may imply an atheist conclusion, but hey it's just a rock song. The important part to me is the choice of a free will approach. A choice which I have made.

Free Will, by Neil Peart

There are those who think that life has nothing left to chance,
A host of holy horrors to direct our aimless dance.
A planet of playthings,
We dance on the strings
Of powers we cannot perceive
"The stars aren't aligned -
Or the gods are malign"
Blame is better to give than receive.

There are those who think that they were dealt a losing hand,
The cards were stacked against them - they weren't born in Lotus-Land.
All preordained-
A prisoner in chains-
A victim of venomous fate.
Kicked in the face,
You can't pray for a place
In Heaven's unearthly estate.

You can choose a ready guide in some celestial voice.
If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.
You can choose from phantom fears and kindness that can kill;
I will choose a path that's clear-
I will choose Free Will.

Each of us-
A cell of awareness-
Imperfect and incomplete.
Genetic blends
With uncertain ends
On a fortune hunt that's far too fleet.

For those about to Speculate

2006-03-11T08:43:00.000-05:00

I have made another guest post. This one is about the Holy Ghost maybe getting a body. If you read beyond the words, you may find that the post is as much about my view of proper speculation that the speculation itself. You can read my post here

With the Saints: 2B or not 2B

2006-03-09T11:59:00.000-05:00

I have been honored with an invitation to guest blog at Blogger of Jared. I will be posting there for a couple of weeks, and see what happens from there. I have made a post with the above title than can be viewed here.

Everything I Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

2006-03-08T12:12:00.000-05:00

I learned a very important lesson during my days in kindergarten. A lesson that has application to every area of life. Hopefully I have learned it well and can always remember it. Consistent application is the key.

I went to an afternoon kindergarten class that was about 2 or 3 blocks away from home. I usually walked both ways. One beautiful day my mom told me that I needed to hurry to school or I would be late. She instructed me not to delay on my way. I tended to be a relatively obedient lad, so I walked quickly to the school.

About half way there I came upon a girl about my age who was riding her bicycle in the street. As we were passing by each other she fell onto the road. It was not a vicious fall, but she was crying pretty hard. She looked up as I was walking by and asked through her tears ‘Can you help me?’

As I considered the situation, the thought came to me – this is just like those stories they tell in primary! What should little Eric do? Deep down inside I knew what I should do. But instead I said, ‘I can’t help you. I’m going to be late for school.’ And off I marched, leaving the girl crying in the road. Quite a guy huh?

I had about a block and a half to walk and think about this event. I knew I had chosen wrong. At a five year old level I realized that I had let blind obedience get in the way of following the spirit. I had let duty get in the way of doing the right thing. As I went down the steps that lead to my class I resolved that I was always going to do what I felt was right, regardless of what anyone else said. Even if it was my mom.

As I have reflected on this experience, I have realized that at that moment I was not much better than those who passed by the robbed and beaten man in the familiar parable of the good Samaritan. Perhaps they were late for a meeting themselves. I have not worried myself to much about this because I was only five and not yet to the age of accountability, so as far as I can see this sin is may parents problem  Sorry mom and dad. You know how it is. I have my own little no-accounts!

Doing what you feel is right regardless of the circumstances is not always easy. I hope I can always stick to the resolve I made that important day on my way to kindergarten.

Mortality as a Final Exam

2006-03-05T18:24:00.000-05:00

There may be those who view this life as a test which will only include a list of do's and don'ts that occur in this mortal life. And if you have enough check marks in the proper column you're in good shape. I do not agree with this notion. Certainly I believe in the commandments and the ordinances, yet I feel that the final judgment will mostly come down to who you are, what you have become, and the progressive path you are on. But even those who agree with this more-or-less so far, may feel that this mortal life is the only criteria, or period of time, that this test will be evaluated on, thus neglecting the pre-existence as a part of who we are, and what we have become.

I chose the term final test for this post to express the idea that our journey through the plan of salvation may be similar to taking a college class with a semester worth of homework, reading, lab work, quizzes, tests, semester projects, etc., and an important final test at the end. This may be more similar if the final test is a very practical, hands-on type of test. If you follow this so far, this would mean that preexistent spirits, on the verge of coming to earth are not idiot infants, but intelligent, mature, capable beings who have made a remarkable amount of progress so far, completing a 'semester' worth of course work. They have learned much and are now ready to take one last practical final exam before receiving their grade or judgment.

If this is a nearly correct way of looking at things, then it may give us a better perspective of how we should work out our own salvation. I also think it answers a few questions. I believe that once we reach the end of our journey and look back we will discover that the path of our existence was more of a smooth continuous path with not so jagged transitions from intelligence, to spirit, to mortality, to spirit world, to a resurrection of glory. One stage leading into the next as a continuation.

There is some scriptural based evidence for significant preexistent progress that I would like to review. This includes:

Jesus as a spirit child of Heavenly Father gaining God hood status prior to being born on earth.

A group of preexistent spirits being referred to as being 'Nobel and great' (Abraham 3:22-23)

Children who die before the age of accountability being celestial (D&C 137:10)

One third of the host of heaven being cast out as a result of the war in heaven (D&C 29:36-38)

The first three go together in my mind. Christ and a certain number of spirits were all noble and great prior to coming to earth. For many of them coming to earth may have been a type of technical necessity. Christ needed to fulfill his role as savior, but his status as a God was never in question based on his preexistent progress. There may have been a huge number of noble and great spirits that may have included all children who die before accountability kicks in. The last piece of evidence I state shows the other side of the spectrum. It appears some spirits may have 'progressed' in the wrong direction to such an extent that they were not even allowed to participate in the plan of salvation. A type of judgment has already occurred for them, having failed the prerequisites for the course.

It seems to me that we existed for a very, very long period of time as spirit beings. It appears we had agency, intelligence, memories, etc., at that time. It is evident that significant progress, even to the status of god hood, was possible during the pre-existence. All that experience and progress has gone into who we are, and will be part of our final judgment. Which leads me to believe that this life is like a type of practical final exam which is a continuation of where we had progressed to prior to entering mortality.

Atonement as a Process (by John Nielson)

2006-03-02T21:22:00.000-05:00

The Atonement of Christ as a Process rather than a Single Event

Many Latter-day Saints, perhaps most, think of the atonement as a single act of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. as he took upon himself the sins of all mankind, suffering great agony such that he shed great drops of blood from every pore. Some expand it to include his suffering and death on the cross since it is said that he died for us. McConkie believed that it "took place in Gethsemane and at Golgotha"(Mormon Doctrine ). Others may expand it further to include his burial and resurrection since it is said that "he lay down his life that he might take it up again" and that "he died that we might live."

I suggest that we should expand it even further to include not only Gethsemane and the Cross but his resurrection and his subsequent Ascension into heaven where he took his place, once again, on the right hand of God and resumed his premortal role as the Great Jehovah. He then became the "Eternal Judge of the Quick and the Dead"(Moroni 10:34). Even now, according to the Book of Mormon, he sits at the Judgement Seat of Christ, judging all men according to the deeds done in the body as they appear before him, each in turn, at some point following their deaths on earth.

I was led to this view by three major considerations: (1) Profound discomfort over the traditional explanations which have God the Father, the embodiment of Eternal Justice, punishing an innocent being, Jesus, for the sins of the guilty, and letting the guilty go free and somehow being satisfied by this that justice had been done. Further, that an innocent being could literally become guilty of the sins of others simply by saying that he accepted their guilt. I found it difficult to get beyond the fundamental point that the guilty are guilty and the innocent are innocent regardless of any claims to the contrary. Actually, I think that Jesus took upon himself our sins, not in the sense that he became guilty of them as Martin Luther taught, but in the sense that he took responsibility for them to see that justice is done in regard to all human sin; (2) Atonement literally meaning at-one-ment or human beings becoming at one with God spiritually, seemed to require human involvement through such things as exercising faith and offering to God some evidence of sincere and humble repentance rather than becoming one with God solely through a single act of Jesus in Gethsemane; and (3) The Book of Mormon repeatedly describes the atonement of Christ as a long process of faith, repentance, baptism, the sanctifying effect of the Holy Ghost, enduring faithfully to the end of one’s life, keeping all the commandments of God, and after all of these steps being forgiven by the power, authority, and grace of Jesus Christ and being perfected in him(Moroni 10:32), reconciled to God(at-oned) and welcomed, guiltless, into his celestial kingdom(2 Nephi 31:17-20 and 3 Nephi 27:14-20). Or, if we have failed to take these essential steps, being cast out into a lesser kingdom, not having become "at one" with God.

How is eternal justice actually accomplished? At least the following steps in the process would seem to be important. The repentant sinner makes whatever restitution he can to those he has sinned against. If he is unable to make full restitution to the innocent victims of his wrong-doing, the Lord makes up the short-fall by compensating the innocent with blessings in the resurrection(Luke 14:14). So justice is achieved in the process of judgement by rewarding the righteous, punishing the unrepentant, compensating the innocent victims of sin, and forgiving the penitent, and only the penitent (Alma 42:--). It is a logical process, not an incomprehensible, magical act.

Thus, the atonement is a process, not a single event. It brings together, not only the suffering and death of Jesus and the shedding of his blood, but his resurrection, his ascension, his role as Eternal Judge at the "pleasing bar of the Great Jehovah," and our own faith, humble repentance, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, receipt of the Holy Ghost and his sanctifying influence, endurance to the end of our lives, and keeping all the commandments of God. Only after all these steps are taken does the Savior's power to forgive us our sins and to hold us guiltless before God and pronounce us "at one" with him have their full effect.

Hold on Loosely, but Don't Let Go II

2006-03-01T19:05:00.000-05:00

Hold on Loosely, but Don't Let Go.

I have another thought on this principle, completely different from the last.

I have never had any problems with regards to anti-mormon literature. The only problem I have is that it seems to affect other people sometimes. I have tried to think what makes me immune so far. I think it partly has to do with holding loosely to many aspects of the gospel without letting go.

There are a few anchors to my testimony. Existence of God, divinity of Jesus Christ, atonement, resurrection, scriptures are things that I cling to tightly. Almost everything else in the gospel I hold on loosely, but don't let go. With this approach strange statements attributed to Brigham Young, historical problems with the Book of Mormon, Lamanite DNA issues, etc. have little to no affect on me. I don't have all the information, and don't know anyone who does. Why get bent out of shape because of this stuff? Things held in your hand loosely typically will not get bent.

It seems there is some wisdom here, even though I may not have expressed it well. If anyone has any quotes, scriptures, or thoughts on this I would be glad to hear about them. This is a new idea for me.

Hold on Loosely, but Don't Let Go

2006-03-01T17:30:00.000-05:00

Hold on loosely, but don't let go.

Many of you will recognize this as a couple of lines from a great classic rock song by .38 special. If you want to review the lyrics try here. From my understanding of the context of these lyrics they are womanly advice about relationships. I see this type of approach in the proper application of priesthood leadership in D&C 121 when it talks about the proper way to have power and influence in the lives of those around you. I also see some similarities to the thoughts my father posted on Creative Quietude. I feel that I witnessed this approach used successfully with my parents during the period of inactivity in the church of my brother that lasted about 12 years.

My brother and I got along quite well. He is six years younger than I am, but during the growing years the apparent gap was not as large. I was a skinny little kid, and my brother was big, strong and athletic for his age. We were able to play together most of the time more like friends than brothers.

When he was about 16 he decided to stop going to church. I talked with him recently about this and the reason he gave for this was that of feeling he would not live up to the expectations of the church and felt a little guilty about it. He didn't like the feeling so decided to stop going. There were no doctrinal issues apparently. His feelings were very strong. Many parents in this situation might panic. They may say something like - as long as you live in my house you will go to church. My brother said that if this would have been said to him at the time he would probably have left home. This could have caused a great divide that might make coming back more difficult.

After my brother got married, had a couple of kids, and started thinking about what he wanted his life to be like, he eventually decided it was time to go back to church. So he did. Just like that. No big apologies or explanations necessary, no large amount of pride to swallow. He felt good when he came back, and in a few months was ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood and took his wife and kids to the temple. His return has had a profound impact on me. Don't give up on people. I am so glad that my parents granted him the space he needed, and had the patience and love to allow this to happen. What for years may have seemed like a failure may very well have been exactly what was intended to happen all along.

So hold on loosely, but don't let go.

Soul Mates

2006-02-26T20:34:00.000-05:00

Naiah wrote a touching description of her marriage on the occasion of their anniversary here. It is well written, and I could never write something like that if for no other reason that a fear of sounding 'sappy'. Reading this got me thinking about my own marriage.

I have what I feel is a very good marriage. Significantly better than what I suspect most marriages are. We understand each other, support each other, accept each other, love each other, yada, yada, yada, we have a good marriage. Hopefully that doesn't sound to sappy. I think I'm going to use sappy a lot today. I'm not certain my marriage is perfect, but what is? For example...

My wife and I were watching TV together a few weeks ago. She was watching some sappy made for TV chick flick (the worst kind) probably on lifetime. And during commercials she would switch it to a basketball game I was interested in probably on ESPN. When we were watching the show on lifetime I would make good natured cracks about how sappy the show was. And when we were watching the game she would make cracks about how meaningless and stupid sports are. This went back and forth for some time. Then my wife looked at me, and I looked at her. Our eyes met and we just stared at each other. Was she fed up? Is she mad? Is she about to say 'I love you', should I kiss her? What? She finally broke the silence by saying rather flatly.

'We aren't exactly soul mates are we'.

She could hardly keep a straight face, and I fell to the ground laughing. Maybe this is something that you have to be there to understand, but with our playful banter preceding this it seemed very funny at the time. Every time I do or say something that I feel might embarrass my wife I picture her saying the same thing again.

Do you have to be 'soul mates' to have a good marriage? Is there even such a thing as soul mates?

Spencer W. Kimball gave a classic talk on marriage which you can read here. It contains this quote on soul mates.

While marriage is difficult, and discordant and frustrated marriages are common, yet real, lasting happiness is possible, and marriage can be, more an exultant ecstasy than the human mind can conceive. This is within the reach of every couple, every person. Soul mates are fiction and an illusion; and while every young man and young woman will seek with all diligence and prayerfulness to find a mate with whom life can be most compatible and beautiful, yet it is certain that almost any good man and any good woman can have happiness and a successful marriage if both are willing to pay the price.

The Spirit and Jazz Solos

2006-02-23T12:20:00.000-05:00

And now for something completely different.

Once upon a time I was a saxophone player in high school. I did symphony band, pep band, and an early morning jazz band. Jazz band was by far my favorite. I had heard the local high school jazz band as a kid and had longed to be there.

If you're going to play a sax in the jazz band you eventually need to be comfortable doing improvised solos. This can be a little bewildering at first. As a sophomore just starting out I was hesitant and a little lost. It eventually got better.

I never became a real 'student' of music. I didn't memorize all the chord structures, but I know the basic parts of those structures. I would keep in my mind certain notes to play and certain ones not to play, but not a whole lot beyond that. Mostly it came down to having a feel for the music and the instrument, and playing with some confidence. Improvisational Jazz solos became one of my favorite things in life. After a concert we would often have a 'jam session' in the band room, often more impressive than our concert performance. A nice beat, a cool walking bass line, and guys with horns taking turns letting it all out. Not a bad way to celebrate. Many would linger for nearly an hour to listen and participate.

Is there not a type in this thing? Nephi told us he was lead by the spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which he should do. 1 Ne. 4:6

When we are following the spirit is it not in a way improvising? By learning the basics of the gospel, knowing ourselves (the instrument), and living with faith (confidence) we can become good at following the spirit.

Creative Quietude (by John Nielson)

2006-02-20T11:27:00.000-05:00

"Creative Quietude" in the Doctrine and Covenants

by John D. Nielson

Lao-Tzu, the Chinese Taoist philosopher, taught a principle known as "Creative Quietude" through which one could accomplish great things without appearing to strive excessively for them. In his own words, "The way to do is to be"(Smith 1958, 181-184). Or, if one simply is the right kind of person, and waits calmly, things will almost automatically happen as one desires. An example of the contrast between this way of thinking and our own typical approach is found in the clearing of a body of muddy water. The American Mormon puts in a pump, some pipes, a filtration system, works hard, and actively does something to the water to purify and clean it. The Taoist quietly sits down on the bank and waits patiently for the sediment to settle out by itself.

Section 121, verses 45-46, reads a great deal like creative quietude to me. According to those verses, if we are simply "full of charity towards all men" and "let virtue garnish our thoughts unceasingly" or in Lao-Tzu’s terms, be charitable in our feelings and virtuous in our thoughts then the following things will "automatically" happen:

1) "Then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God;"

2) "The doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven." (Without apparent effort)

3) "The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion."

4) "Thy scepter [shall be] an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth."

5) "Thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever." (It just happens)

So there are two contrasting ways to approach living the gospel. First, and most common, by earning our reward through effort, striving, struggle, a battle against Satan and our own weaknesses. "Teach me all that I must do to live with you someday." As if one had a list of requirements to be checked off: tithing, word of wisdom, attendance at meetings, working hard in a church calling, doing your home/visiting teaching, doing temple work, raising a large family, for LDS men, magnifying their priesthood, and for LDS women, baking bread and bottling peaches. The mental image one gets of this approach is of a striving, straining, busy, guilt-ridden, working worrier. Even though it is true that we must "work out our salvation," it is wearisome to think of it in that way.

A second approach is like creative quietude in that it comes to you without apparent effort, or worry, and with a great deal of inner calm and peace. It should be clearly understood that creative quietude is not the same as just doing nothing. It consists of quietly creative actions that may go unnoticed because they are mostly inner attitudes, thoughts and feelings. It is a state of being. For Christians it it predicated upon absolute faith in the Savior when he says,

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart [an inner attitude]: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matt. 11:28-29).

The Lord seems to suggest here that we will find living the commandments of God easier, lighter, less burdensome, even restful, after we learn of him and become humble, meek, and lowly in heart. There is an element of creative quietude in the Lord’s approach.

How much more joyful living the gospel would be for most Latter-day Saints if we could only apply the principle of creative quietude! But how can we apply this principle? There are commandments that must be obeyed, meetings that must be attended, callings that must be diligently pursued. Yes, of course, but maybe there is an easier and lighter way.

Most of us have had feelings of weariness in Church service, have talked of burn-out, have wished the Church would just leave us alone for awhile. However, if such feelings are deep and chronic, perhaps we have not fully "come unto Christ" so as to find the burden "easy" as Jesus does, or have not developed far enough spiritually to "glory" in the work as our Father does (Moses 1:39). We become "weary in well-doing"(D&C 64:33) when we try to live like someone we have not yet become. The truly charitable and virtuous person does not grow tired of, nor feel pressured by, nor resent doing acts of charity and virtue because they express his very nature.

Most of us have learned well the truth that being follows action. "If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself," said Jesus(John 7:17). Or, "When ye obtain any blessing from God it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated"(D&C 130:21). But few of us have learned that the reverse is also true: Action follows being. If we are able to get our hearts and minds in tune with the Lord of the Universe, so that we are confident in his presence, then right action will flow spontaneously. As we become more charitable and virtuous in our feelings and thoughts then acts of charity and virtue will follow naturally and easily. Much of getting ourselves in tune with God is an inner process of faith, prayer, meditation, pondering the scriptures, a humble responsiveness to the influence of the Holy Ghost, and may be done quietly, calmly, privately, and without apparent effort or outward show of activity. We can even sit down quietly on the shore of a lake to do it. Notice that in D&C 121:45 it does not speak of charitable or virtuous actions but of being full of charity towards all men, an inner attitude or feeling of pure love, and of garnishing our minds with virtuous thoughts, also a quiet inner process. This quietly creative approach to religion is one most of us have not tried yet.

Perhaps if we ever do truly become Christ-like, really do have charitable feelings and virtuous thoughts, then not only will the promised blessings in the Doctrine and Covenants "distil upon our souls as the dews from heaven" and flow unto us "without compulsory means," but we will glory in the work of exaltation, enjoy our opportunities to serve, find the yoke easy and the burden light, not suffer burn-out and will have learned to use the principle of creative quietude--"the way to do is to be."

Reference: Smith, Huston. The Religions of Man. New York: Harper and Row, 1958.

My First Guest Blogger: My Dad!

2006-02-18T10:42:00.000-05:00

My father has sent me an article he wrote a few years ago that I will be posting in a day or two. Allow me to tell you a little about my dad first.

My father, John Nielson, grew up in a partially active family in southern Utah. Somehow he made it through the ranks of the Aaronic Priesthood and served a mission in Australia. He went to college at BYU, the University of Utah and University of Indiana earning a Master's degree in Geography. He and my mother served in the Peace Corps together and taught school in Tanzania Africa for a few years. His career was spent teaching Geography and a few religion classes at Ricks College. He received grants that allowed him to spend time in Brazil, Pakistan and the Soviet Union as part of his career development. He served for about six years in a bishopric and about nine years in a Stake Presidency. He has served in many other callings, recently as High Priest Group Leader and Gospel Doctrine teacher. He has done quite a bit of writing including the text book that was used for his geography class. He is an avid chess player and occasionally plays in state tournaments. He started a chess club in Rexburg Idaho and wrote a weekly chess column in a local newspaper.

As you will see he can bring an interesting world view to the gospel, and I am very pleased to introduce him to you. I am certain that you will find his article quite interesting, and I look forward to your comments.

Big Dumb Guy

2006-02-14T20:49:00.000-05:00

You would never guess to look at me, but I am a big dumb guy. Not on the outside, but on the inside. And it is what is on the inside that counts. No, I didn't forget Valentine's Day. Let me give you an example.

About a year ago I had an interview with our Stake President. An EQP PPI thing. He asked about my oldest son who was 12 at the time. I said he was fine. He asked what he was good at. And my mind went blank. The question caught me off guard. This is where the big dumb guy inside started thinking.

I thought of how I would like to say that he is a big strong kid who is doing well at sports. But that wasn't true. My son is a small skinny kid with no interest or aptitude in sports. I thought of how I would like to say that he is a really smart kid and does well at school. But that wasn't true either. He's not terribly smart and really struggles in school. He has to work hard just to get C's. My mind scrambled in this awkward 10 seconds of silence as I tried to come up with something I could say about my son. I put down the big dumb guy inside and really started to think. Not about what I wanted my son to be, but who he was. Then I knew exactly what to say about him.

'He is the most Christ-like person I know', I said. And I meant it.

So many of the characteristics that we attribute to Christ my son has in abundance. The character that great men strive their entire lives to build exists in my boy. He is kind, nice, obedient, eager-to-please, sympathetic, even empathetic, sensitive, charitable, etc., etc. That is what he is good at.

I am grateful for a son who is giving me important things to be proud of. I hope that I can be more aware of his less obvious talents. I hope that I can help him overcome his weaknesses. I hope that he can take his talents, which are somewhat passive in nature, and become an able husband and father himself.

Amazing Grace Lyrics

2006-02-11T10:45:00.000-05:00

An elderly lady in our ward died last week. My wife was her visiting teacher. My wife sings quite well, and this sister asked if she would sing the song 'Amazing Grace' at her funeral when she died. My wife did this, and did a fine job. In order to get the music and lyrics for this song we had to borrow a protestant hymn book. It made me wonder why this hymn is not in our hymn book.

In 1985 there was new edition of the LDS hymn book. Several songs were added, but not Amazing Grace. Since it is one of the most famous and most beloved Christian hymn in the world, there must have been an obvious reason that this hymn was not added to our hymn book at that time. Unfortunately that obvious reason escapes me at the moment. Any ideas? I wondered if there was anything in the lyrics that makes this hymn doctrinally incorrect. I have included the lyrics in this post below:

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me...
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be...
as long as life endures.

When we've been here a thousand years...
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise...
then when we've first begun.

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see

What is so wrong with these lyrics? I see that it emphasized the grace aspect of salvation. We know that grace is an aspect of salvation (2 Ne 10:24, 2 Ne 25:23). I suspect the reason this hymn was not added to our hymn book is because it symbolizes the idea of salvation by grace alone even though the lyrics don't say that obedience to commandments and ordinances are unnecessary. This hymn gets mocked sometimes, but when it is beautifully sung, like my wife did at the funeral yesterday, it is a wonderful hymn.

Should Baptism Requirements be Raised?

2006-02-09T08:44:00.000-05:00

In the March 2003 Ensign Gordon B. Hinckley is quoted as saying that the biggest problem that the church faces is rapid growth. This startled me a little bit. With all the possible things that he could have said, I would not have thought rapid growth would be the biggest problem. It seems evident to me that what the church is trying to do is accommodate that growth. Action in the other direction (limiting growth) seems almost unthinkable.

One of the things this has caused me to think about over the last couple of years is if the church should raise the requirements for baptism. There has been talk of raising the bar for missionaries, but apparently not for converts. I served for a couple of years as a ward mission leader in Michigan. From my faulty memory, this is what I remember being the requirements for baptism:

Attend church at least twice.
Have all the missionary discussions.
Pass a simple interview conducted by a missionary.

I believe that is it. If not that is close. The mission president at the time added a requirement that if there was a word of wisdom problem that the investigator had to quit the habit for one week successfully prior to baptism.

There are some members of the church who get upset by seeing people get baptized, show up for a couple of weeks, and then never be seen at church again for whatever reason. Some feel that if there were higher requirements for baptism that this lack of retention would go away. I admit that I had similar feelings during my time as ward mission leader and again as an Elders Quorum President. Part of the reason I felt that way is because I was being held partly accountable for this lack of retention. There may be some in the church that feel bad about the lack of retention because it makes the statistics look bad and makes home teaching less manageable. There are others who feel that for someone to make a covenant as serious as baptism and then not live up to that covenant is worse than not being baptized at all.

One of the problems with the above requirements is that minimum requirements have a nasty way of becoming standard procedure. Let me give one example. The Elders in our ward found an investigator on Thursday who had a smoking problem. They taught him the first discussion but also committed him to stop smoking so that he could be baptized the following Sunday. They taught him the second discussion on Saturday and committed him to be baptized the following Sunday. He came to church on Sunday and that is the first anyone in our ward had ever seen or heard of the guy, and the missionaries announced he was going to be baptized next Sunday. He got the rest of the discussions and was baptized after first being introduced to the church 10 days prior. He had no friends or relatives in the church, and never fully kicked his smoking habit. He slid into inactivity but would show up once in a while. I provided rides to church for him for a while until he started declining the ride. He was a nice man (he died of cancer a few weeks ago). Was he better off for being baptized? I think so.

Is this type of thing a problem? We baptize for anyone that we find a name for in our family history without knowing at all what their level of readiness is, and always chalk that up to a good deed. Why is it different with a live person who agrees to be baptized? Is it because of the personal commitment they are professing to make? Is the only problem the poor retention statistics and the guilt that sometimes comes with it? The Lord said to go into all the world and teach the Gospel to every creature. He also gave some requirement for baptism in scripture:

D&C 20:37 is good, but also look at D&C 20:68-69. There should be sufficient time for understanding. Also the investigator should show some level of godly walk, works and faith.

So, should the requirements for baptism be raised? Should we start having bishops (those that have discernment) do the interviews instead of missionaries? Or are things fine the way they are. I personally would like to see baptism requirement raised a bit for the sake of those making the commitment.

Auras: Am I Seeing Things?

2006-02-01T11:36:00.000-05:00

I see live people.

This may seem like a strange thing to admit, but confessing to possible psychological problems has not been a problem for me in the past. But there are times when I see what I might describe as an aura around people. This only happens to me a few times in a year, and then only during things like a really good sacrament meeting talk or similar circumstance. This aura appears to me as a soft white glow which outlines a person. Am I a nutcase or am I experiencing some type of spiritual gift? I do not bring this up to boast of any great spirituality. But I have not really heard about things like what I am describing as an aura as being legitimate gifts of the spirit. Am I off base here?

I tried to do a search at lds.com and did not come up with anything very specific. I searched through the usual things (Mormon Doctrine, Gospel Doctrine, Teachings, Discourses, etc.) and did not really come up with anything. Some of the best references I found came from the Book of Mormon Index which referenced a few biblical passages as well.

Mosiah 13:5 says that Abinadi’s face shown with exceeding luster even as Moses’ on mount Sinai.

Helaman 5:36 says that the faces of Nephi and Lehi did shine like the faces of angels.

There is also the language of Matthew 5:16 which says to let your light so shine. Might this at times be a literal thing?

I have also heard of times when the face of Joseph Smith would shine occasionally when he spoke, but do not have a reference for that yet.

Some of the purposes of spiritual gifts are given in D&C 46. Among these are that we may not be deceived. They are not given for a sign but are for the benefit of those who love God and keep His commandments, and those who seek to do. I feel that when I see this aura it lets me know that the spirit is at work with the speaker and with me.

So is seeing an aura about people a spiritual gift or just plain goofy?

My Bloggernacle Honeymoon is Over

2006-01-30T21:33:00.000-05:00

My bloggernacle honeymoon is over, and I find myself wondering if I have made the right choice in participating here. But just because the honeymoon is over, it does not necessarily mean I want a divorce. But I find myself evaluating the choice that I made.

I do not think I am feeling sorry for myself, and I am not using this to fish for any flattery or compliments. I am simply wanting to asses the value of this experience overall. There have been a few individuals express a similar feeling in recent days which has caused me to think about this even more. I imagine this happens quite often on the bloggernacle, with new 'converts' considering going 'inactive' after only a few weeks or months. I hope this does not cause to many to roll there eyes saying 'not again'. Judging by the mammoth amount of comments my posts usually generate I imagine the sound of crickets in the distance being the most likely result. Again I don't think I am feeling sorry for myself, just evaluating.

I first sought out 'mormon doctrine discussion' on a yahoo search, and after sorting through a lot of anti stuff came across the New Cool Thang. I did this search because I was bored with the church curriculum, the Ensign, and most conference talks. I did not disagree with anything I heard, I just wanted to think a little more deeply about the gospel than I was. Reading some of GeoffJ's stuff really got me excited. This lead me to the MA. I found out that a friend of mine in my home ward cruised the bloggernacle as 'The Narrator' and had a blog called Traveling Shoes. He showed me how easy it was to start your own blog on blogger.com. I made a few posts and requested to be included on the MA. To my great surprise I was accepted. That day was one of the most exciting days I have had for years. I really thought I had made it! It makes me chuckle a little thinking about it.

In comparison to most of the members in my home ward I thought of myself as a bit of a liberal loose cannon, and I looked forward to a more open discussion of doctrinal topics. Imagine my surprise when after a while I found that compared with many on the bloggernacle I am a very strict, conservative, by-the-book guy. Instead of making wild speculative posts, I found myself making safe, simple, feel-good posts. Probably a little like a poorly written Ensign article. Or maybe more likely the New Era or Children's Friend :). Perhaps every bit as boring as what I thought I was trying to get away from.

I feel that I have benefited from my involvement here. This experience has turned me to the scriptures, and prayer, and thought more than I had in the past. But often in an indirect way. At times it was to counteract the posts and comments I came across, not inspired by them. Often my testimony was strengthened because of what I viewed as obvious 'wrongs' expressed on the bloggernacle that I felt I knew were 'wrong'. I sometimes like reading anti-Mormon stuff because it is usually so lame that it strengthens my testimony.

This is not to say that there are not positive and valuable posts and comments here. There have been times when I have been inspired, and uplifted, and improved by what I have read. Unfortunately these times are more rare than I would like. And I wonder if the time spent sorting through the rest is worth it.

I also wonder about the value of my contribution. I feel a little like an island in an archipelago that perhaps doesn't need much of a name. And that my value here could be measured by the amount that the ocean rises when I make a fist and stick it in. And that if I were to close up shop, the level that the water lowers when I remove my fist from the ocean would roughly be how much I would be missed. Again, I am not shedding any tears here, just trying to evaluate the value of my contribution that I esteem as slight. I sometimes flatter myself to think that perhaps the MA needs as many 'true believers' as it can get to provide a balance. But if what members wanted was simple 'true believer' stuff they could get that from the Ensign. Why would they come here? Perhaps for an interactive version? I don't know.

I am seeking inspiration, understanding, enlightenment, self-improvement and ultimately eternal life. I am a true believer in the Church. Would a person like me be better off spending their spare time somewhere else? Is there more value at the bloggernacle than I am giving it credit for? Have I done any good in the cyber-world today? Is there ways to make my experience here more worthwhile?

The Spirit World, Our Next Home

2006-01-28T15:18:00.000-05:00

I was doing a little studying about the Spirit World and come upon an outstanding article by someone named Dale C. Mouritsen. It comes from the January 1977 Ensign and can be seen here. Why do we not have this kind of stuff in the Ensign today? Maybe we do and I don't notice. The article is 7 pages long and for those who don't want to read the entire thing, or would like an opportunity to comment on the article I would like to provide a small and simple review of the highlights.

There is a quote from Joseph Smith that says that saints should study about life and death 'more than any other subject' and that 'if we have any claim on Heavenly Father for anything, it is for knowledge on this important subject.' (Teachings p. 324)

There are several after death experiences repeated in this article. These experiences were reported by modern day prophets and apostles and their families and provide some interesting perspective. One of the experiences comes from Heber J. Grant. He apparently had a wife die, and then later had two sons die. Prior to his second sons death he had a dream about his wife returning with a messenger to take the son to the spirit world. Just prior to the boys death he and his then current wife felt the presence of the mother of this boy and were greatly comforted . This brings comfort to me as well. I often wonder about going to the spirit world and wondering where to go and what to do. This article let me know that there will be people waiting for us, and that there will be much good to do when we get there.

The article provides a great scriptural reference for the spirit world of Alma 40:11-13.

It appears that the primary work done in the spirit world may be missionary work. The spirit world is referred to as a prison for some. This article states that it is chiefly a place of learning and waiting. Presided Lorenzo Snow made what I find a thrilling statement regarding the Spirit World. He believed 'that when the gospel is preached to the spirits in prison, the success attending that preaching will be far greater than that attending the preaching of our Elders in this life. I believe there will be a very few indeed of those spirits who will not gladly receive the Gospel when it is carried to them. The circumstances there will be a thousand times more favorable.' (Millennial Star 56:50) I greatly look forward to this. I sometimes believe that our Heavenly Father will win his battle with Satan not just on principle but in numbers as well. I hope this is true.

In terms of location, Joseph Smith taught that the spirit world is very close to us. (Teachings p. 326) Brigham Young taught that the spirit world is on this earth (Discourses p. 376)

Ella Jensen visited the spirit world and was then raised from the dead by Lorenzo Snow. She recalled that 'Some [spirits] inquired about their friends and relatives on the earth. Among the number was my cousin. He asked me how the folks were getting along and said it grieved him to hear that some of the boys were using tobacco, liquor and many things that were injurious to them.'. (Improvement Era, October 1929, p.974) Joseph F. Smith said 'Indeed our deceased loved ones are greatly concerned about our well-being and happiness and can be appointed, when there is a need, to bring messages of warning, reproof, or instruction to us'. (Gospel Doctrine, p.436) I have felt that this is the case for our ancestors having an interest in us. It appears that the veil works both ways, but can be open according to the will of God. Perhaps there is also a perfecting the saints work going on in the spirit world as well, including mortal saints here.

Apparently there are no infants in the spirit world. All who reside there are in adult form as men and women.

Some worry about children who die but do not get sealed to anyone in the temple. But it appears that normal relationships that can lead to eternal marriage and sealing are part of 'life' in the spirit world. Melvin J. Ballard made this amazing observation:

'You mothers worry about you little children who have died. We do not perform sealing for them. I lost a son six years of age, and I saw him a man in the spirit world after his death, and I saw how he had exercised his own freedom of choice and would obtain of his own will and volition a companionship ...' (Sermons and Missionary Service of Melvin J. Ballard, p.260). I have not thought much about this previously, but it certainly makes sense. It seems to me that the preexistence, mortal life, and the spirit world constitute what may be a continuous probation.

Wilford Woodruff raised his wife Phoebe from the dead and reported this:

'her spirit left her body, and she saw it lying upon the bed, and the sisters weeping..... two messengers came into the room...One of the messengers informed her that she could have her choice: she might go to rest in the spirit world, or, .... she could have the privilege of returning to her tabernacle and continuing her labors upon the earth. .... At the moment that decision was made the power of faith rested upon me, and I administered unto her, her spirit entered her tabernacle...(Leaves From My Journal, 1909, pp.59-60).

I was very excited to read such an outstanding article, and I highly recommend it for anyone who seeks a greater understanding of the spirit world. I would be glad to read your comments.

The Game Works

2006-01-24T12:27:00.000-05:00

I want to brag about my wife a little bit.

My second son (age 9) got a computer game for Christmas that he just loves. The other day it stopped working and gave some ‘fatal error’ every time he tried to play it. He asked me if I could fix it without loosing any of his saved games. I fiddled with it a bit but thought the only way to fix the problem was to uninstall and re-install, so I put off doing it.

The next day my wife, who is not very computer literate, put in the CD and started looking at the files on the CD. She saw an exe file and decided to click it. Doing this caused the exe file to re-install itself. This fixed the problem and my son’s games were still saved. This is something that normally my wife would never ever even consider doing.

When my son got home from school my wife told him that she fixed the game. His eyes lit up and he said that he had prayed and prayed really hard that his game would be fixed when he got home from school.

This little computer game is not very important, and in some ways he may have been better off having a break from it. But getting an answer to a sincere prayer was important. I am grateful to a boy who believes in prayer, I’m grateful for a wife who I believe was influenced by the spirit, and I am grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who can help even with very small and simple things.

The OT - still valid after all of these years

2006-01-14T20:55:00.000-05:00

An author at another site asked a question on one of his posts requesting scriptural evidence on a topic but did not want anything from the law of Moses. I would assume that this would include any scriptures that would date prior to the crucifixion. Bad assumption? This would throw out the entire Old Testament, the PofGP and most of the BoM. Why would we neglect these books of scripture? Are they invalid? As Paul might say - God forbid.

When it comes to principles and beliefs, I feel that if something was right and good in the OT then it is still right and good today. If something is wrong and evil in the OT then it is still wrong and evil today. The commandments are still the commandments. Certainly much of the rituals that were performed and the punishments have been changed, but truth is still truth regardless of its source.

With the Old Testament being the book of study this year in Sunday School, this is a timely question - Is the Old Testament still a valid book of scripture? I would say the answer should be a firm yes. And if we are seeking scriptural support for our beliefs we should include references in the Old Testament with all the other scriptural sources.

Family Home Evening: Plan of Salvation

2006-01-10T12:10:00.000-05:00

This past week in Sunday school classes for the youth we discussed the Plan of Salvation. It reminded me of an important family home evening my family had when I was a boy.

I was about 14 years old, and was just getting old enough to start understanding some things, but still young enough to listen. My father was teaching us the Plan of Salvation with the similar circles and stick figures that we typically see. When he was done he asked me what I thought about the whole thing. I replied that I would probably end up in the Terrestrial Kingdom.

He asked why I thought that and I replied that I didn’t think I could ever be good enough to be in the Celestial Kingdom, but was probably not bad enough to end up in the Telestial. He took a few moments to teach me a few things. During this he referred to a scripture in the D&C. I do not remember for certain but I believe it was this one:

And as many as repent and are baptized in my name, which is Jesus Christ, and endure to the end, the same shall be saved. (D&C 18:22)

That night my father convinced a simple young man who was struggling with some self-esteem issues that he could return to live with God. That eternal life was well within my reach. I believe this was one of the shining moments of my father’s life, and may have made an eternal difference in mine.

To anyone who might read this simple blog, I hope you can feel that eternal life is within your reach. I am certain that it is. Through the atonement of Jesus Christ we can inherit all that the Father hath. If I don’t meet you before, perhaps we can meet there. I look forward with hope to that time.

Judge Not

2006-01-06T12:34:00.000-05:00

I have a sister who decided to serve a mission several years ago. Her mission call was to Spain which is exactly where she would have chosen to go. Unfortunately there were problems with her Visa and she was sent to Mexico City instead. I was very pleased with her decision to serve a mission. I felt that she had some good teaching talent and a good testimony as well. She was very quiet and introverted and I thought the experience of going on a mission would be great for her.

A few months into her mission she started having some problems. She went to a doctor who misdiagnosed her problems as depression. The medication she was given made things worse and she ended up coming home from her mission early. When she got home she was able to get the help she needed. What she was experiencing was panic attacks. Through some proper medication and coping techniques she was able to get on in life quite well. She graduated from college, got married, had kids, and seems to be doing quite well. I am sincerely happy for her.

At the time she came home (I had previously served a mission) I wondered how she could have let this end her mission. I questioned her toughness, testimony, motivation, etc. I kept these feelings to myself. I wanted to be supportive but did not know what to say or how to say it so I basically kept my mouth shut. If you can’t say something nice….

Now for the rest of the story.

A few years later I was a senior in college. It was one of the most stressful times of my life. We had our first child – stress (stress was not the child’s name of course). I had finals coming up – stress. I had a senior engineering design project that wasn’t going well – stress. I had no job lined up after graduation – stress. And on, and on. Then I started having problems.

When I got in stressful, social situations, and sometimes at random, I would become convinced that I was going to be sick to my stomach. These feelings were so strong and real that I would run for the nearest garbage can or restroom. This even happened during an important college exam. It started ruining my life, and I felt that if something wasn’t done that I may not be able to finish school or be a good provider for my family.

So I went to a doctor who thought I had an ulcer and gave me ulcer medication which didn’t help. I went to another doctor who gave me pills that he gives to women with morning sickness which didn’t help. I eventually began to wonder if perhaps I was having the same type of problem that my sister had, so I went to the psychological services center at the University of Idaho. It was one of the hardest appointments I ever had to make.

I was diagnosed with panic attacks, and with some coping strategies I was able to get along pretty well. But it brought new meaning to the idea of judge not, that ye be not judged. The very thing that I had judged negatively for my sister’s experience had happened to me. No matter how smart you think you are, or how well in tune you think you are to human nature, you do not know what it is like to be someone else. What possible criteria do we think we have to pass judgment on anyone?

Best Chapter in Scripture? 2 Nephi 2

2006-01-04T08:48:00.000-05:00

My favorite chapter in all of scripture so far is 2 Nephi 2. I first started considering this chapter as my favorite when Hartman Rector Jr. (remember him?) came to my mission and spoke. He opened up some time for questions and an Elder asked him what his favorite chapter in the scriptures was and without hesitation Elder Rector gave 2 Nephi 2 as his favorite. He also said that many general authorities would feel the same way. Since that time I have read this chapter several times and have convinced myself that this may indeed be the best chapter in the scriptures. I would like to provide a small and simple review.

This chapter appears to be a final conversation, and perhaps even a fathers blessing, from Lehi to his son Jacob. As such I believe there is a special feeling associated with this chapter.

We learn that Jacob must have been a visionary man, much like his father since Jacob had visions and had seen Christ in his youth.

This chapter has great explanations regarding the atonement of Jesus Christ, and supports the idea that a significant part of the atonement was to allow Christ to provide a perfect judgment (see verses 6-10 and here.).

This is the chapter that explains the law of opposites, and that there must be opposition in all things. How often have we heard that idea stated? This law of opposites provides a fairly compelling argument for the existence of God. And also provides some of the logical conclusions that must be drawn if one believes that there is not a God.

This is also a great chapter on establishing free agency as an eternal truth with great statements like ‘free to act for themselves and not be acted upon’. GeoffJ at the Thang quotes this quite a bit I would not be surprised if he would rank this chapter among the best as well.

I like the wording of verse 17 where it seems that Lehi is making a logical speculation about the fall of Satan. Would this concept have been in the brass plates? Or was Lehi making a speculation that turned out right?

We get some of the best and most clear doctrine regarding the fall of Adam in this chapter in verses 18-25 with the often quoted phrase – Adam fell that man might be, and men are that they might have joy. Again a frequently quoted verse.

Lehi ends this with a statement that lets us know that he was purely motivated since he had no other object except for the welfare of your souls. I think the same could be said of all prophets.

To me this is pretty compelling evidence that 2 Nephi 2 has to be considered among the best chapters in all of scripture.

I AM A CHILD OF GOD

2005-12-30T12:37:00.000-05:00

I thought I would devote a post to addressing something that a month ago I would not have thought would need to be addressed among a group of Latter-Day Saints. That topic is the belief that we a literally the spirit children of God. Apparently there are some who use a few phrases from Joseph Smith and their own ideas about the nature of God to claim that the Father child relationship between God the Father and man is not a literal spirit relationship. I personally feel that this relationship is a literal one and that it is the doctrine of the church that this relationship is literal.

Since statements from Joseph Smith seem to carry the most weight with many who appear to hold a non-literal relationship view I will start my case with him. In Teachings (p. 48) we find this:

Who but those who have duly considered the condescension of the Father of our spirits, in providing a sacrifice for his creatures, a plan of redemption, a power of atonement, a scheme of salvation...

Brigham Young appears to be even more direct on the subject. From Journal of Discourses we have:

Our Father in Heaven begat all the spirits that ever were, or ever will be, upon this earth; and they were born spirits in the eternal world. Then the Lord by his power and his wisdom organized the mortal tabernacle of man. We were made first spiritual, and afterwards temporal. 1:50

He is our Father; he is our God, the Father of our spirits; he is the framer of our bodies, and set the machine is successful operation to bring forth these tabernacles that I now look upon in this building, and all that ever did or ever will live on the face of the earth. 13:250

From Joseph F. Smith, 'The Origin of Man', (Improvement Era, Nov. 1909 p. 78) we get:

All men and women are ... literally the sons and daughters of Deity ... Man, as a spirit, was begotten and born of heavenly parents, and reared to maturity in the eternal mansions of the Father, prior to coming upon the earth in a temporal body.

From our current prophet we have the familiar The Family: A Proclamation to the World which states:

All human beings - male and female - are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny.

Now from the scriptures I quote Acts 17:29

Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

And for me the clincher, Romans 8:16-17

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ ...

For me this is where it all comes together. After all the statements from prophets and references in scripture, what does the spirit say. To me the message from the spirit is clear and unmistakable. I AM A CHILD OF GOD!

Boy Scouts VS Duty to God

2005-12-24T12:05:00.000-05:00

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has used the Boy Scout program as its young mens program and activity source for a very long time. I remember President Benson calling it an inspired and inspiring program. Other prophets and church leaders have given tremendous support for the Boy Scouting program. But as the church grows to be more international is it getting to be time for the church to move away from Boy Scouts of America and develop its own program for young men? Is the current Duty to God program phase one in just such a change?

I grew up in the church and participated it the cub scout and boy scout programs of my ward. I was never really a gung-ho scouter, but I had a reasonably good attitude most of the time and was will to participate at least passively in these programs. By doing this I got to the point were I was 16 and only lacked my Safety merit badge and an eagle project to complete the all important eagle scout award. About this time I started having other interests and really did have the feeling that boy scouts only met the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood and the gospel of Jesus Christ in at best a very indirect way. I also observed many of my piers who did earn their eagle scout award and were thought of as outstanding young men. But as a pier I knew things that perhaps even parents did not. Some of these young men had all kinds of problems in their lives in terms of Word of Wisdom, chastity, and other issues. So because of these things I basically quit on the scouting program.

Now I have four boys of my own, and my oldest is 12. I have a couple of decades of the parental side of scouting staring me right in the face. There will be a lot of time and effort in my family to help our sons be successful in this program. I am very concerned that much of this effort will be inefficient because it will only meet gospel and Priesthood goals very indirectly. I would love to see the church more fully develop the Duty to God program as its primary program for young men and move away from boy scouts. Is there any chance of this?

I would like to review the stated purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood and see how the Boy Scout program meets these purposes. The purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood are:

Become converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and live its teachings.
Give meaningful service.
Prepare to live worthily to receive the Melchizadek Priesthood and temple ordinances.
Prepare to serve an honorable full-time mission.
Obtain as much education as possible.
Prepare to become a worthy husband and father.
Give proper respect to women, girls, and children.

For the purposes of having a shorter post, I will say in general that the Boy Scout program only meets many of these purposes in a very indirect way, with little or no doctrinal foundation. The Duty to God program, while perhaps not yet fully developed, already does a better job of meeting these purposes in a direct and meaningful way. I hope for a time in the near future when the church will move away from the Boy Scout program and fully develop and implement the Duty to God program in its place. In a way I wonder if this is already happening. Do you feel like this might happen? Is this already going on in other parts of the world outside the United States?

Trials of Single Adults

2005-12-22T11:40:00.000-05:00

Once upon a time I was able to catch a brief glimpse as to what life may be like for a Single Adult in the church.

Where I live the Stake Center is about a 1 hour drive away. During Stake Conference it is common to have a Priesthood Leadership meeting at 4 pm, have a break until 7 pm, and then have the adult session of conference until 9 pm. Often in our ward a group of men that are going to attend the first meeting will drive up together. And our wives will come up and meet us at the Stake Center at 6. Then husbands and wives will go out to dinner somewhere and be back at the Stake Center at 7.

On this occasion my wife was not going to come up, and so I was going to be on my own all night, but I still was part of the carpool going up. Ironically the Leadership meeting was about meeting the needs of Single Adults in the Stake. A pretty good meeting as I recall. When the meeting was over, all the men from my ward went out of the chapel, met their wife, and went out quickly to eat, leaving me all alone without a ride at the Stake Center. Nobody even offered me a ride somewhere.

I was not angry at all. I may have done the same thing. I chuckled at the situation. Here I had just had instruction on meeting Single Adult needs, and then I was placed in what I would imagine to be a typical Single Adult situation. So a sat in the chapel, pondered the messages that had been given, read my scriptures for a while, and went hungry. Nobody even said a word to me. I caught a ride with one of the couples, deciding I might need to be more proactive if I wanted a ride home. Again not a word about dinner was said.

I hope that I can be more aware of the Single Adults around me in the church and be a little more open with my friendship and include them when I can.

The Liahona: A Hymn I Wrote

2005-12-16T19:43:00.000-05:00

That's right, I wrote a hymn about two years ago called The Liahona. Feel free to put it on your piano and play it if you like. I would be glad to get any feedback anyone has about it. You can hear the music here. I sent it in to the Ensign (how naive can I be?) and of course they don't have time or space for that sort of thing.

I wanted to write a hymn about the Liahona because as far as I know there wasn't one. We have a hymn called The Iron Rod, but no Liahona. Figures.

Writing this hymn was a good experience for me. I spent a couple of Sunday afternoons writing down every term, definition and phrase that I could find in the Book of Mormon regarding the Liahona. I then planned out the lyrics in what seemed like a logical sequence. I spent a few days picking out the music on our piano, writing down notes on paper. I then came across a shareware composing software and put it on the computer. After I was finished I submitted it to our bishop and requested doing the song as part of a sacrament meeting. On the weekend of my #2 son's baptism, when my parents came, a quartet performed the song in our sacrament meeting. It was a special moment for me.

Anyone else ever tried their hand at writing a hymn?

What do People Want in a Church?

2005-12-14T21:33:00.000-05:00

I was having a conversation with a couple of men from my work when they started talking about a new church that they had joined. Apparently they had both joined the same church (I am guessing some protestant variety) at about the same time very recently. I was very interested in what they had to say and was expecting to hear some kind of conversion story. The things that they mentioned that they liked about this church were quite interesting.

What appeared to be the most important thing to both of these men was that the church was very 'laid back'. They mentioned this several times. I eventually concluded that what they meant was that the church was very light on doctrine and even lighter on practice. I would guess that if this church had a motto it would be 'come as you are, leave as you are'.

Another aspect of this church that was talked about was that the church conducted a youth service at the same time as the main congregational service. This meant that there were no kids under 10 in the main service.

Another thing was the band. This church had a band. They thought it was funny that they had hymn books in the church yet never used them - the band took care of all the music.

The last topic I can remember is they liked that the entire time spent at church was about 45 minutes.

During all this description I kept my mouth shut and listened. I thought about telling them that my church was quite heavy on doctrine and even heavier on practice. I thought about telling them that mormons had lots of kids and that they are all in Sacrament Meeting screaming their lungs out. I thought about telling them that we have no band and did a lot of singing. I also thought about telling them that our church services take three hours and that is just the beginning of the demands on your time. I didn't say any of this. It was probably my finest missionary experience - keeping my mouth shut.

But how disappointed I was in their reasons for joining this church. Not a word about prayer, or truth, or spirit. Nothing at all like a testimony let alone conversion. I have to say that I am much more impressed with the conversion stories I generally hear in our church than what I heard out of these two men.

My Testimony - Blog Style (I hope)

2005-12-13T21:53:00.000-05:00

I am still feeling my way in this Bloggernacle thing. One thing that I have noticed is that there do not appear to be any testimonies posted. Why is that? Is it because they are such personal things that you don't want someone picking apart? Is it because bloggernacle is no place for a testimony to be? I am not sure. So at the risk of publishing something that might be in an inappropriate setting I will make what may be the last attempt I make at publishing a testimony. This will not be an emotional experience for me partly because I am an engineer and as everyone knows (except for most of the engineers I work with) engineers do not allow their emotions to control them.

My testimony has three anchors to it for now. One is a belief in the existence of God. One is a belief in Christ as a savior. And one is a belief in the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. Is there a difference between a statement of beliefs and a testimony? I may be using some of the wrong words here, but of course that is not necessarily the point (perfect wording).

My belief in God is something that for me is a somewhat self evident thing that I feel that I have always had. Perhaps it is a spiritual gift to me. I feel the same way Alma did in his conversation with Korihor. (Alma 30 I believe). He says that I have all things as evidence that there is a God, and you (Korihor) have no evidence that there is not a God. Things that are mentioned is the earth and its motion, the words of all the prophets, among other things. I have never had a shred of doubt about the existence of God. I see him in everything.

My belief in Christ as a savior is a bit different. This is based on some profound 'religious experiences' that I have had. Some of the most spiritual experiences that I have had have come during the repentance process. Because of these experiences I have had I feel that I can say that I know that Jesus is the Savior and has the power to forgive sins. This also strengthens my belief in the existence of God and the ability we have to communicate with Him. This aspect of my testimony has required effort, patience, humility, obedience and faith.

My belief in the Book of Mormon as the word of God is sort of a combination of the two other anchors in how it came. For me, even casually reading it gives me a sort of self evident truth acceptance. (is that a sentence?). I have had such good experience in reading it that it is impossible for me to understand how anyone could read it sincerely and not acknowledge that there is great value in the book. But to say that the book is good only would show a complete lack of understanding of what it is claiming to be. One way or another Joseph Smith produced that book and it is either a complete fraud from front to back or a translation of sacred writings. I must conclude that it is not a fraud and therefore points the way to the restoration of the gospel.

So there you have it. Now by saying this I do not say that everything in the Mormon church is perfect. I sometimes drive a wedge between the gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed by Him, and the church as administered by small and simple people.

Why did I post this on my blog? I don't know for sure. I just felt like I should.

Just What Was Satan's Plan Anyway?

2005-12-11T21:51:00.000-05:00

During the council in Heaven Lucifer presented his own plan in opposition to our Heavenly Fathers plan. He claimed that not one soul would be lost and that all of the glory would be his. But as far as I know of there is really no mention of how he would accomplish this. Have I missed something? There have been many who have said that his plan involved forcing us to obey all the commandments and receive all the ordinances. I wonder if this is an assumption.

I saw a small book once at an LDS bookstore in Chicago that addressed this question. I just quickly read the back cover and flipped through the book quickly and decided not to buy it. This book (I can't remember the author, it was not a GA)made the claim that forced obedience was not Satan's intention at all. The assumption made in this book is that his intension was to remove the commandments and take away any accountability. At first glance this appears to me to be more his style. He has spread that notion to people for a long time.

I believe both 'methods' are speculative Since I have not found any direct scriptural explanation. In a way it may not matter at all since neither method would work, but it may give us more insight into how Satan prefers to operate. Does anyone know about the book I am talking about? Does a no accountability / no sin method make more sense than a forced obedience method for Satan to propose? It certainly makes sense to me.

One of my Heros: Dale Murphy

2005-12-10T08:33:00.000-05:00

I've always been a sports fan. I grew up in the early days of cable television, back when it meant you had 12 channels. One of those channels for us was WTBS, and I spent many summers watching Atlanta Braves baseball in the early 80's. During this time the Braves were often pretty bad, but there was one bright spot - Dale Murphy. His coming up to bat was often the most exciting thing about the Braves. My mom probably felt that there must be about 20 Dale Murphy's on the team because every time she asked me to do something I would say something like, "just a minute, Murphy is up next". He was easily my favorite person in the world at that point, and I had no idea he was LDS until an uncle of mine told me he was.

When I was waiting to receive my mission call, I was wondering about all the possibilities of where I might go. My father was a geography teacher who had served a mission to Australia, served in the peace corp in Tanzania Africa, had visited Brazil, Pakistan, and the Soviet Union on fellowship grants so I had some yearning to go somewhere special. When I took the language aptitude test the brother who administered it told me that it was one of the highest scores he had seen, and that I would probably go somewhere like Japan. When my call came I found out that I was being sent to Atlanta Georgia. I was disappointed at first but then thought that I might be able to meet Dale Murphy. Which I did on several occasions.

Brother Murphy is an impressive individual who is an outstanding member of the church. His wife is impressive as well. I understand that he has since served as a mission president in Boston. One of the highlights of my mission is having him shake my hand and say, "Hi Elder Nielson". It was not until later that I realized that I did not have my name tag on that day (forgetful me).

Now for the sports. Why is Dale Murphy not talked about more as a standout mormon athlete and as a potential Hall of Famer in baseball? I realize that his statistics are borderline for the Hall of fame in many areas, but he is often not even in the discussions for the Hall of Fame. Only he and Roger Maris have earned MVP honors twice and not been selected to the HofF. And Murphy was a better all around player. He also had 5 gold glove awards, and was a 7 time all star. He played during a time when 400 home runs was considered a lock for the HofF, and he hit 398. He was also a rare 30-30 man. All this makes him a borderline member I believe, and if character issues are important enough to keep Pete Rose out of the Hall of Fame, shouldn't outstanding character be able to get a borderline HoFer in?

I wonder if the media is keeping him out. When women were first allowed to go into locker rooms apparently Brother Murphy protested because of privacy/modesty issues. His form of protest was to not give interviews to anyone inside the locker room. The sports media is kind of fickle, could this be part of the reason he is not getting more support for the Hall? Is there something we could reasonably do to get more support for Dale Murphy in terms of Hall of Fame induction?

Flipping through the Scriptures

2005-12-09T10:40:00.000-05:00

A couple of years ago, we had a high councilor visit our ward and suggest the we should occasionally just flip open the scriptures to a random spot and start reading. He promised us that if we did that we would be able to read something that will be very meaningful to us as a means of revelation to us (or words to that effect).

Normally I would feel that this is a bunch of hogwash. I would feel that way because of two reasons. One is that many people are so desperate for something - anything - that they could find meaning in flipping open a cookbook at random and start reading. There have been people I have known that I am sure would find deep spiritual meaning for themselves in just such an experiment. The other reason is that the scriptures are pretty good. And that if you read about any chapter in the scriptures there is bound to be something of value there.

Well, shortly after this high council visit I found myself waiting for an interview or something, and decided that while I was waiting I would try this experiment. Mainly I wanted to prove it wrong instead of right. So I was about to flip open the scriptures when I stopped and thought - what if I decide what it is that I would like to read about before I opened the scriptures instead of after. That would be a better test! So I thought about what I would like to read about.

I first decided that I would like to read about patience in prayer. At the time I had been praying for a blessing from the Lord for a long time, and was wondering how long I should wait for Him to bless me. I then thought about being a United States citizen. At the time I had been reading some things that brought out many criticisms people had made about the United States. I am very proud of my country and consider it the best country in the history of the world, and was wondering if I was justified in feeling that way - I would like to read about that. And then I thought of one other related thing. This was happening when the United States was first starting its operations in Iraq. What is the will of the Lord concerning one country going to war with another country? How should I feel about what we were doing in Iraq? I would like to read about that as well.

So with these three items in mind I decided to flip open my triple combination somewhere in the middle and start reading. My thumb stopped on D&C 98 and I began to read. At the first of this section we read:

1 VERILY I say unto you my friends, fear not, let your hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks;
2 Waiting patiently on the Lord, for your prayers have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, and are recorded with this seal and testamentÂthe Lord hath sworn and decreed that they shall be granted.

Wow, that was pretty good. That answered item #1 so I kept reading. A few verses later we read:

5 And that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me.
6 Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land;
7 And as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this, cometh of evil.
8 I, the Lord God, make you free, therefore ye are free indeed; and the law also maketh you free.
9 Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn.

Amazing! I was really feeling something at this point. I continued and found this:

32 Behold, this is the law I gave unto my servant Nephi, and thy fathers, Joseph, and Jacob, and Isaac, and Abraham, and all mine ancient prophets and apostles.
33 And again, this is the law that I gave unto mine ancients, that they should not go out unto battle against any nation, kindred, tongue, or people, save I, the Lord, commanded them.
34 And if any nation, tongue, or people should proclaim war against them, they should first lift a standard of peace unto that people, nation, or tongue;
35 And if that people did not accept the offering of peace, neither the second nor the third time, they should bring these testimonies before the Lord;
36 Then I, the Lord, would give unto them a commandment, and justify them in going out to battle against that nation, tongue, or people.
37 And I, the Lord, would fight their battles, and their childrenÂs battles, and their children's children's, until they had avenged themselves on all their enemies, to the third and fourth generation.
38 Behold, this is an ensample unto all people, saith the Lord your God, for justification before me.

Are you kidding me?! All three of my predetermined issues were all directly answered in one section of the D&C. I had never experienced anything like that before. It taught me the God is in control and can even guide where my thumb happens to stop while flipping through the scriptures. This was a great experience for me. You should try it sometime.

Atonement of Christ provides a perfect judgment

2005-12-08T14:21:00.000-05:00

There is a common and popular analogy given about the atonement, perhaps most prominently by Boyd K. Packer. The analogy is the debtor/creditor model. In this analogy a man goes into debt and then can not make the payments. The creditor then demands justice by payment or else the debtor will lose his possessions and go to prison. The debtor asks for mercy so that he can keep his possessions and not go to prison. Christ then comes along and pays off the creditor and sets new terms for the debtor which can be met. Overall this is a good analogy, but I have a problem with it. That problem rests on the question of who is the original creditor?

Some may think that the original creditor is Heavenly Father. This leads to believing that God has laws, and if these laws are broken then someone must suffer for it. Heavenly Father apparently doesn’t care much who does the suffering, as long as there is suffering. There are apparently many members who believe this, but I have a problem with it.

Some may think that the original creditor is Satan. This leads to believing that when we break God’s laws that we somehow become the hostages of Satan. Jesus then pays a price, to Satan, to ransom us from his grasp. The hymn ‘I Believe in Christ’ by Bruce R. McConkie has lyrics that suggest this. Again I have a problem with this.

I happen to believe that the analogy that was given by Dallin H. Oaks is a superior analogy to the debtor/creditor. His analogy is more of the mentor/intern, Father/Son, Teacher/Pupil type. Once the mentor decides that the intern has developed the proper characteristics and knowledge then the intern (or son or pupil) can graduate and become independent. This puts Christ in the position of the mentor and us in the position of intern. Since Christ is the perfect judge of character we are in good hands. I believe the atonement allowed Christ to know what would otherwise be unknowable and allows his to be a perfect judge. There is some scriptural evidence of this in Mosiah 3.

7 And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.
8 And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary.
9 And lo, he cometh unto his own, that salvation might come unto the children of men even through faith on his name; and even after all this they shall consider him a man, and say that he hath a devil, and shall scourge him, and shall crucify him.
10 And he shall rise the third day from the dead; and behold, he standeth to judge the world; and behold, all these things are done that a righteous judgment might come upon the children of men.

Elder Oaks analogy, and others like it, combined with this scripture from Mosiah offer me the best explanation I have heard about what the atonement was, and what it means to me.