Kelly is the mother of 5 adorable kids--4 boys and a girl. The girl came in a package with a boy (twins).
Kelly is married to a charming young man who lives and breathes computers. They are also guardians for three nieces and a nephew.
She is active in the community having served as PTA President of a local elementary school,
on the board of the Salt Lake Mothers of Twins, as a district round-table trainer with the Cub Scouts, as a volunteer for Sidelines (a support network for Women on bed rest during pregnancy) and she and her husband are active in the LDS Church.
Salt Lake LDS Temple Centennial with a full 3D model of the building in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah.
This Single Image Stereogram was done at the 100 year anniversary of the building's completion.
"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer,
who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea,
his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to
drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation,
a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."
A friend of mine teaches at Utah State University. He gave his students an assignment to come up with some songs that they would consider their "life" trak and write it. They also included with their paper a CD of the songs that were chosen.
I decided to do it as well.
These are songs that mean something to me in a real way. At some time or another most of these songs have been written about by me on this blog. I believe that the first song has not been used, but that is a mere oversight. So, I include in here the posts that describe these songs, and where necessary, a bit more about them and how they apply.
Collin Raye--In This Life
Though I have not written about this song in the past it does not mean that it has any less significance in my life. I have met many people in my life who may not be present in my daily life yet have previously been a significant part of it.
For every mountain I have climbed Every raging river crossed You were the treasure that I'd longed to find Without your love I would be lost
Let the world stop turnin' Let the sun stop burnin' Let them tell me love's not worth going through If it all falls apart I will know deep in my heart The only dream that mattered had come true In this life, I was loved by you
I cherish the memory of their love...whether present or not.
I have never been a fan of Hannah Montana. In fact, I have been known to roll my eyes when the youngsters around here get giddy at the sound of her name. But my heart has been tugged on by a song by the very same Miley Cyrus.
I think about my oldest son. I think about the mountains he seems to have in front of him. I think about the mountains I keep climbing. I think that perhaps when I have completed the task before me that I will be able to relax or to take it easy. But there will always be something else...not because someone else puts it there, but because there will always be another mountain I'm gonna want to make it move.
The Climb lyrics Songwriters: Alexander, J; Mabe, J;
I can almost see it That dream I am dreaming But there's a voice inside my head saying "You'll never reach it"
Every step I'm taking Every move I make feels Lost with no direction My faith is shaking
But I gotta keep trying Gotta keep my head held high
There's always gonna be another mountain I'm always gonna wanna make it move Always gonna be a uphill battle Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there Ain't about what's waiting on the other side It's the climb
The struggles I'm facing The chances I'm taking Sometimes might knock me down But no, I'm not breaking
I may not know it But these are the moments that I'm gonna remember most, yeah Just gotta keep going
And I, I got to be strong Just keep pushing on
...
Keep on moving, keep climbing Keep the faith, baby It's all about, it's all about the climb Keep the faith, keep your faith, whoa
John Denver--Country Roads
Almost Heaven One night while watching and listening to some music videos on Youtube I was taken back, as I often am, to some place in the past. I have been accused of being nostalgic and even hopelessly romantic. I am likely guilty of such. There are previous blog entries right here on Paperclippings as evidence--especially when music is involved.
Such was the case that night--as I listened to John Denver's Take Me Home, Country Roads. I was transported to a hill in the midst of the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwest Virginia--a mere rocks throw from West Virginia. It was the summer of 1988 and I was among a small gathering of people in the backyard of some local folks when someone pulled out a guitar and began to play. As the lyrics filled the air, I was swept up in the moment.
Almost heaven, West Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River Life is old there, older than the trees Younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze.
All around me were those mountains and I could feel the antiquity of the land as the wind blew gently through my hair. I felt like I belonged to this place.
Country roads, take me home To the place, I belong West Virginia, mountain momma Take me home, Country Roads
Ahh... Life is good!
Lee Ann Womack--I Hope You Dance
This one reminds me all the time of getting out there and just doing...being active and living life. I once asked my husband how it was that he knew how to do so many things. His response was that he just did them. I have taken that to heart. But I also realized that I had already started to do that to a degree.
Just before my senior year in high school began I decided that I was going to enjoy that year. I was going to make it a point to say hi to everyone in the halls and to find some way to compliment them as I passed them. I gained so many friends and had the most enjoyable year. It does not mean I was free from heart ache, but I was living life to the fullest.
As an adult I have made it a point to be involved. I have been a PTA President at a local elementary school. I have served on the board of the Salt Lake Mothers of Twins. I currently serve on the district cub scout round table staff and am the Council PTA President over 9 local elementary PTAs. People ask me how it is that I know so many people. I know so many people because I have served along side them.
When opportunities come my way, I do not hesitate to jump right in and dance.
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder, You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger, May you never take one single breath for granted, GOD forbid love ever leave you empty handed,
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean, Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens, Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance, And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance, Never settle for the path of least resistance Livin' might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin', Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin',
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter, When you come close to sellin' out reconsider, Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance, And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
Mike and the Mechanics—The Living Years
When given the opportunity, you might say, to say one last thing to someone who was once a friend, this song came to my mind very powerfully. I had only one chance and I had to get it right.
Crumpled bits of paper Filled with imperfect thoughts Stilted conversations I'm afraid thats all we've got.
You say you just don't see it He says it's perfect sense You just can't get agreement In this present tense We all talk a different language Talking in defense.
Say it loud, say it clear You can listen as well as you hear It's too late when we die To admit we don't see eye to eye.
So we open up a quarrel Between the present and the past We only sacrifice the future It's the bitterness that lasts.
So don't yield to the fortunes You sometimes see as fate It may have a new perspective On a different day And if you don't give up, and don't give in You may just be okay.
Say it loud, say it clear You can listen as well as you hear It's too late when we die To admit we don't see eye to eye.
It was with these words that I realized I no longer held any hard feelings. It was about forgiveness.
In the mid to late 1980s a young 13 year old girl in my neighborhood was found dead in some bushes not far from her home. Her throat had been slit. When the news hit the next day it didn't sink in much. I wasn't paying much attention to the story and didn't recognize her name.
Later that day I was watching the news when they showed her picture along with the story. Not only did I know her, but she was the younger sister of a girl who had gone to school with me. It was then that I was hit with a powerful feeling of grief for the girl and her family. This was just too close to home.
Sometime in the next couple days I heard a song on the radio that seemed to speak to the occasion. I heard Mike and the Mechanics singing "All I Need is a Miracle".
I said "go if you wanna go, Stay if you wanna stay" I didn't care if you hung around me I didn't care if you went away
And I know you were never right I'll admit I was never wrong I could never make up my mind I made it up as I went along
And though I treated you like a child I'm gonna miss you for the rest of my life
All I need is a miracle, all I need is you All I need is a miracle, all I need is you All I need is a miracle, all I need is you
I never had any time And I never had any call But I went out of my way just to hurt you, The one I shouldn't hurt at all
I thought I was being cool Yeah, I thought I was being strong But it's always the same old story You never know what you've got 'til it's gone
If I ever catch up with you I'm gonna love you for the rest of your life
All I need is a miracle, all I need is you (all I need is a miracle) All I need is a miracle, all I need is you (all I need is a miracle) All I need is a miracle, all I need is you
From that day on whenever I heard that song on the radio I was swept back to that day when I saw that young girl's face on the TV screen. I can totally forget about her and about the song. Then I will hear the song on the radio and I see her face and remember.
Michael Buble—Lost
For me, this song speaks of the need to be there for one another. We are not alone. If you want to have friends...be a friend.
Can't believe it's over I watched the whole thing fall And I never saw the writing that was on the wall
If I only knew Days were slipping past That the good things never last That you were crying
Summer turned to winter And the snow it turned to rain And the rain turned into tears upon your face
I hardly recognized the girl you are today And god I hope it's not too late It's not too late
'Cause you are not alone I'm always there with you And we'll get lost together Till the light comes pouring through
'Cause when you feel like you're done And the darkness has won Babe, you're not lost When your world's crashing down And you can't bear to fall I said, babe, you're not lost
Life can show no mercy It can tear your soul apart It can make you feel like you've gone crazy But you're not
Things have seem to changed There's one thing that's still the same In my heart you have remained And we can fly, fly, fly away
'Cause you are not alone And I am there with you And we'll get lost together Till the light comes pouring through
'Cause when you feel like you're done And the darkness has won Babe, you're not lost When the world's crashing down And you cannot bear to crawl
I said, baby, you're not lost Mmm yeah yeah, yeah yeah I said, baby, you're not lost I said, baby, you're not lost Ooh yeah yeah, I said, baby, you're not lost
and finally,
Tim McGraw-- Live Like You Were Dying
This song goes back to the thoughts associated with "I hope you dance". In early 2006 a good friend had just learned she had breast cancer. She had just turned 40.
In the words of Tim McGraw---
"He said I was in my early 40's, With a lot of life before me, And a moment came that stopped me on a dime...."
My mantra for life is to live life to the fullest, forgive everyone, be a friend and don't forget to appreciate God's wonders. Life is short.
I have never been a fan of Hannah Montana. In fact, I have been known to roll my eyes when the youngsters around here get giddy at the sound of her name. But my heart has been tugged on by a song by the very same Miley Cyrus.
I think about my oldest son. I think about the mountains he seems to have in front of him. I think about the mountains I keep climbing. I think that perhaps when I have completed the task before me that I will be able to relax or to take it easy. But there will always be something else...not because someone else puts it there, but because there will always be another mountain I'm gonna want to make it move.
The Climb lyrics Songwriters: Alexander, J; Mabe, J;
I can almost see it That dream I am dreaming But there's a voice inside my head saying "You'll never reach it"
Every step I'm taking Every move I make feels Lost with no direction My faith is shaking
But I gotta keep trying Gotta keep my head held high
There's always gonna be another mountain I'm always gonna wanna make it move Always gonna be a uphill battle Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there Ain't about what's waiting on the other side It's the climb
The struggles I'm facing The chances I'm taking Sometimes might knock me down But no, I'm not breaking
I may not know it But these are the moments that I'm gonna remember most, yeah Just gotta keep going
And I, I got to be strong Just keep pushing on
'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain I'm always gonna wanna make it move Always gonna be a uphill battle Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there Ain't about what's waiting on the other side It's the climb, yeah!
There's always gonna be another mountain I'm always gonna wanna make it move Always gonna be an uphill battle Somebody's gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there Ain't about what's waiting on the other side It's the climb, yeah!
Keep on moving, keep climbing Keep the faith, baby It's all about, it's all about the climb Keep the faith, keep your faith, whoa
For those who are LDS this picture will be somewhat familiar. Someone sent me this picture of Captain Moroni and his Title of Liberty with a current day twist.
Whether you believe in the Book of Mormon or not...these words are fitting.
Alma 46:10-13
10 Yea, we see that Amalickiah, because he was a man of cunning device and a man of many flattering words, that he led away the hearts of many people to do wickedly; yea, and to seek to destroy the church of God, and to destroy the foundation of liberty which God had granted unto them, or which blessing God had sent upon the face of the land for the righteous’ sake. 11 And now it came to pass that when Moroni, who was the chief commander of the armies of theNephites, had heard of these dissensions, he was angry with Amalickiah. 12 And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole. 13 And he fastened on his head-plate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land—
Reasons LDS Church is supporting California Prop 8
From the LDS Church Newsroom:
"At the request of the Protect Marriage Coalition, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is making arrangements for them to call friends, family and fellow citizens in California to urge support of the effort to defend traditional marriage. The coalition has asked members of the many participating churches and organizations to contribute in whatever way they can to the effort to pass Proposition 8."
See video snippet for the reasons we back this proposition.
The following came to me via an email group of LDS moms. Permission was given to share this. This issue is not merely a change in who can or cannot be married.
Read on. Mr. King says it better than I can.
I know this list is mostly for Moms, but I'm an attorney Dad who needs to weigh in on this issue, particularly for those not in CA who might not be well informed, or those in CA who feel 'the [LDS] Church has over-stepped its bounds.' It has not.
Far more is at stake than whether same-sex couples can formalize their relationships - the absolute fact is that they can under California law, whether or not Prop 8 passes. The Family Code says there shall be no difference in the rights of registered domestic partners under California Law - so they already have every right California can give them. The only thing Prop 8 denies them is the term MARRIAGE.
The underlying goal of those same-sex marriage is not supporting those relationships, it is totally about undermining established religion and those who espouse moral standards. The goal is to make California a hostile environment for those of faith, as San Francisco attempts to be. As I recall one City Councilman put it [paraphrased, and I wish I could now find the story I read so long ago]: 'Established religion and those who belong to it have no place in San Francisco and should go elsewhere.'
Note the Church that lost its tax-exempt status because it would not perform gay marriages. Note the doctor who was sued [despite referring to another doctor who performed the procedure] over refusal to artificially inseminate a lesbian couple and was then told by the Judge 'find another line of work.' Note that the Catholic Church can no longer arrange adoptions in Massachusetts since they will not do so for same-sex couples. Note that marriages of all kinds have declined catastrophically in foreign countries that have allowed same-sex marriage for years.
Know that there are couples waiting until after the election to approach the LDS Church to be married there, but have already drafted the legal complaint in order to attack the Church in Court for a refusal to perform the ceremony. Know that California law requires that same-sex marriage be taught to children in school on the same basis as heterosexual marriage.
This video was brought to my attention by fellow members of my faith. We may not always see eye to eye with those of the Catholic faith but this video is something I feel strongly about passing along. To those who agree with this....please get out and vote this November.
I just got myself a cheap little mp3 player. I have had a desire to get out and walk in the mornings and having some music to accompany me would help motivate me to walk more. I gathered a number of favorites from my computer and downloaded them to my new player.
Among the songs I added to my player were a few Josh Groban Christmas songs. Now if you have never heard him sing a carol or two you are definitely missing something. I could listen to them year round. In fact, when his Christmas CD came out last fall, I quickly got a copy for myself and began listening to it OVER and OVER...it was still only November.
About the time that I got this CD a good friend sent me a book...a very good, very difficult, very heart wrenching book, in the hopes that I would read it and enjoy it as he had.
Well, as it happened, I found myself reading that book, Give Us This Day, while listening to this new Christmas CD.
Fast forward to today. I am listening to the tunes I have just downloaded to my new mp3 player. As The First Noel and Angels we Have Heard on High by Josh Groban start out I am suddenly thinking of that book I read last fall. Many of the same feelings I had as I read that book come flooding back to my mind and heart.
"...The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator." Alma 30: 44
All of these pictures were snapped by me--except the last one--which is of me with my twins when they were just wee ones.
At this Easter I wish to share a poem that was written by my husband's Great-great- great-Grandpa Parley P. Pratt. This was put to music and included as a hymn in the LDS Hymn books.
Jesus, once of humble birth Now in glory comes to earth Once he suffered grief and pain Now he comes on earth to reign
Once a meek and lowly lamb Now the Lord, the great I Am Once upon the cross he bowed Now his chariot is the cloud
Jesus, once of humble birth Now in glory comes to earth Once rejected by his own Now their King he shall be known
Since the passing of LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley I have read many articles and seen many pictures in tribute to this great man. But today I listened to a tribute that brought tears to my eyes. I share that with you now.
I wish I had had the opportunity to shake President Hinckley's hand as well though I did get some pictures of him. I was attending a Relief Society (LDS Women's organization) Conference in the LDS Conference Center when I remembered I had my camera in my purse. I pulled it out in time to capture this cherished picture.
Gordon B. Hinckley was indeed an influence for good in my own life.
On January 27, 2008 Gordon B. Hinckley, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints died at the age of 97. As members of that church we had expected he would not be with us much longer. At each LDS General Conference we wondered if this would be his last. In April 2007 he said, in one of his addresses:
"My beloved brothers and sisters, I am pleased with the opportunity to speak to you. I thank each of you for your prayers in my behalf. I am so very deeply grateful to you. In my 49 years as a General Authority, I have spoken well over 200 times in general conference. I am now in my 97th year. The wind is blowing, and I feel like the last leaf on the tree.
Actually my health is quite good, despite all the rumors to the contrary. Skillful doctors and nurses keep me on the right track. Some of you may go before I do. However, with my age in mind, I wish to give you my testimony of the basic truths of this work."
The following Conference in October, 2007 he said:
"We look forward to seeing you again next April. I’m 97, but I hope I’m going to make it."
In June 2004 President Hinckley was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, by President George W. Bush. He was among a handful of others to recieve such honor that year. Others receiving this honor in 2004 include: Other 2004 honorees include journalist Robert Bartley, politician Edward Brooke, historian Vartan Gregorian, National Geographic Society Chairman Gilbert Grosvenor, cosmetics mogul Estee Lauder, actress Rita Moreno, ophthalmology researcher Arnall Patz, journalist Norman Podhoretz and economist and banker Walter Writon as well as actress Doris Day, golfer Arnold Palmer, Pope John Paul II .
"As the 15th president of the Church, leader of more than 12 million members, Gordon B. Hinckley met and greeted heads of state abroad or at home. And he ventured where no other church president had, on the national media scene.
'Mike Wallace of "60 Minutes" said he asked, "President Hinckley, would you, is it conceivable that you might be persuaded to do a profile for 60 Minutes, of yourself? He said, 'I see no reason why not, Mike.'" 'A couple of years later he was the guest on "Larry King Live."
'"We never speak negatively of other churches. We say to people, you bring all the good that you have and let us see if we can add to it," President Hinckley said." KSL.com
I will miss our dear Prophet. Through the years of his service to the LDS Church I join millions who have grown to love and admire this man of God. We will also miss him greatly. But he has been reunited with his dear wife, Marjorie Hinckley.
I recently sat down to read a book that was highly recommended by a good friend. I don't know that I would have ever picked this book to read, myself, but as it was given to me I felt I ought to read it.
The book I am talking about is Give Us This Day by Sidney Stewart. It is the true story of a survivor of the Bataan Death March.
It took me a couple days to get past the first page or two, but then I was drawn in with a vengeance. It took the better part of a day to read the remainder of the book. I could not put it down. But OH how I cried!
I was warned that it was a hard read. It is most definitely NOT for the faint of heart. The night after I read it I could not sleep. My mind simply would not be quiet. It had too much to talk about and discuss with me.
It is an incredible story. I was profoundly moved by the underlying story of faith that carried this man through this horrendous experience.
Thank you, jb, it was/is a really good book!
"Sometimes, son, men know not what they do. They cannot help sometimes when they lose faith in themselves, sometimes even in God. But God is just. Your God is a just God."
---Father Cummings
Suddenly I felt stronger again. I reached over and touched [my friend's] body. It was growing cold now. I looked down at his face. It was strange to me that I had not noticed how very thin he had become, how sunken his cheeks were. He had suffered, he had wanted to live. He had been good, always kind and good. I looked up, closing my eyes, and I could feel God about me. I knew that God forgave him.
Christ's own words came to me like whisper:
'My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me!'
All at once I knew that God had taken [him] home. God was good. ----excerpts from Give Us This Day
I had avoided going out to the stores on Black Friday and the next day. My hubby and I spent those days with some dear friends, instead.
The following Saturday, December 1st, I entered the foray of Christmas shopping. I really wasn't looking forward to it and still don't relish the idea of going out to complete the job. However, on that Saturday, I woke to find 4 inches of snow on the ground. I don't really like driving in it, but I LOVE snow.
I went through the Christmas jar we have for the kiddos to enter suggestions for what they might like for Christmas. Among the little papers that made requests for things like a football or a basketball hoop or a new bike I found this piece of paper that made my heart melt.
For those who may not be familiar with my family, my hubby and I are the legal guardians of 4 youngsters who have not lived with their parents for 3 1/2 years. This is their 4th Christmas with us.
On this little piece of paper from the Christmas jar I read, "I want to live with my mom and dad." Of all the gifts this young lad could ask for he had included that request.
Although I could not grant that request of this young boy I kept that thought in my head as I headed out into the snow and traffic. Shopping was a pleasure. I enjoyed looking for just the right gift for each person.
Upon returning home, however, I found the kitchen to be a mess and a headache was coming on. I knew I didn't have time to rest due to friends coming over that evening. So, I slipped my new Josh Groban Noel CD into the player. Somehow, listening to some good Christmas music made my task of cleaning so much easier.
Later on that day my family and I attended a church Christmas party. It was set up as a journey to Bethlehem. We were given tokens we could use to "buy" our food and such. We sat on blankets in the hall as we watched a simple production of THE Christmas story.
As we gathered with friends that evening in our home I felt grateful for all the good things that had brought the spirit of the season to my heart.
For as long as I have known of Senator Harry Reid I have been on the opposite side of political issues. But, as the highest ranking Mormon elected in the United States, I had some respect for him. I say, "HAD" because I no longer have any respect for him WHATSOEVER!
On October 10, this year, Harry gave a speech at Brigham Young University. The next day I read some of the quotes that came from that speech. I was troubled by what I read. This is a guy, as I said, who is a member of my Faith. Yet, he had the audacity to tell the students, in attendance, that their leaders were leading them down the wrong path--AT the Church's own university.
“People in the (Mormon) church have to understand there are issues more important than abortion and gay marriage.” Said Reid.
“These people [Church leaders] have taken members of the church down the path that is the wrong path.” Reid also said.
Then I saw this column (forwarded by my mother) on the subject. This is when I learned of some of the rest of what he said.
The columnist said, "On the campus of the Mormon university, the most senior elected Mormon in the country called evangelicals “anti-Christian.”
Does that mean he believes that they are collectively the anti-Christ? Is he completely ignorant of the biblical import of that word? Is he so politically and religiously intolerant that he would pass such condemning judgment on an entire class of people?"
My deepest apologies to my fellow Christians (from whatever denomination they come from) for Mr. Reid's remarks.
During an Interfaith Conference on War and Peace in Salt Lake City the idea was presented that Mormons (members of the LDS Church), who are deeply patriotic, won't protest the war in Iraq because it would be unpatriotic to speak out against the Bush administration about the war.
It is true that members of the LDS faith tend to be patriotic. One of the Articles of Faith, written by Joseph Smith, states, "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law." Members of the faith also believe that this land was set aside as a land of promise.
But, for the most part, they do not blindly follow the POTUS simply because he is the leader of this country.
Case in point 1: Harry Reid. Reid, a Democratic Senator from Nevada, is a member of the LDS faith and a PROMINANT opponent of said war.
Case in point 2: Since most of the LDS membership tend to be conservative they were not likely to be very supportive of a POTUS like Bill Clinton.
Case in point 3: In Utah, where the majority of residents are LDS, Bush's "No Child Left Behind" law has been highly disliked.
The Conference does point out:
"The LDS Church has taken no official position on the war in Iraq, Birch said, leaving its members to make up their own minds regarding the justification of the war. The invasion and occupation of Iraq has been renounced by nearly all major Christian denominations, he said, with the exception of the LDS Church and the Southern Baptist Convention.
That leaves people to speculate as to the reasons for the LDS Church's silence. The practice of church leadership has been to not make a statement on a particular topic unless there is unanimity among the church's First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Birch said."
The LDS Church usually takes a neutral stand in regards to politics unless it involves an issue that will directly affect the Church and its values.
Brian Birch, an associate professor of philosophy and director of the religious studies program at Utah Valley State College, added.
"In a democracy, we can renounce war and proclaim peace," President Hinckley said. "There is opportunity for dissent. Many have been speaking out and doing so emphatically. That is their privilege. That is their right, so long as they do so legally.
"However, we all must also be mindful of another overriding responsibility, which I may add, governs my personal feelings and dictates my personal loyalties in the present situation."
President Hinckley later added, "It is clear ... that there are times and circumstances when nations are justified, in fact have an obligation, to fight for family, for liberty and against tyranny, threat and oppression."
But that doesn't mean people who oppose the war aren't faithful members of the LDS Church, Birch said.
As a member of the LDS Church it is my decision to either support or protest the war. I base that decision on my own personal view of the issue.
Whether I support Romney or not for President, this here tells me a lot about his character...his convictions. He is not going to back away from something that he strongly believes in just to get elected.
(KSL News) Last night [June 5th] the Republican presidential candidates squared off for their second debate.
And, as has happened in the past, Mitt Romney had to defend his membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"I also believe there are some pundits out there that are hoping I'll distance myself from my church, so that it will help me politically. That's not going to happen," he said.
Romney got a solid round of applause after making that statement.
There are far greater things than being President of the United States.
In a recent conversation on another blog the topic of Good and Evil was discussed. I bring this subject here for more discussion. I invite anyone who would like to discuss their views of Good and Evil. In this discussion there is no right or wrong answers.
I always like the take on evil by Thomas Aquinas. He basically stressed that evil was not a 'thing' or even anything necessarily personified by a spirit being or a physical being. His claim was that evil is the absence of good. In other words, if a person accepts his or her responsibility (and the joy) of living to the good as much as possible, then the place for evil is very small indeed.
This argument was primarily aimed at the dualist theologies in which the creator God created both good AND evil. If there is not a real thing, good, that is pursued, then the absence of good is ipso facto evil. In this understanding, one cannot really embrace evil as much as one 'avoids' good.In the case of a complete madman, I think Thomas would have argued that he was impaired to the point that he did not know the value of pursuing the good. To your point, John, then this guy cannot be demonized in that sense. That does not mean that the responsibility is not his, and his alone, it just means that we cannot guess what the Maker's judgment will be.
I think Milton's Lucifer falls under this category rather well. The absence of loving the supreme God is to love the self as supreme instead. That, the sin of pride, is considered by Milton as the chief of all sins. That was why his Adam fell from grace, as he was tempted and fell from grace by wanting his own good rather than that of God.
John, along the lines of evil being the absence of good...Darkness is the absence of Light. I can agree with that.and James, I agree that we cannot know the judgement Cho will face. We do not know what motivated this young man to commit such a heinous act.
Also, I do not believe that God created Good or Evil.
Though it may have elements of "deism" my belief is that God is involved in our lives so far as we will permit.I believe that God IS good. I also believe that He allows evil to be present to allow us to choose between good and evil. If we are forced to choose good, are we really good?
Pardon my reference again to the Book of Mormon, but it is key to formation of my understanding or rather belief of the nature of God and good and evil.
"For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so...,righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.
Wherefore, it must needs have been created for a thing of naught; wherefore there would have been no purpose in the end of its creation. Wherefore, this thing must needs destroy the wisdom of God and his eternal purposes, and also the power, and the mercy, and the justice of God.
And if ye shall say there is no law, ye shall also say there is no sin. If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. And if these things are not there is no God. And if there is no God we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore, all things must have vanished away.
And now, my sons, I speak unto you these things for your profit and learning; for there is a God, and he hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon.
And to bring about his eternal purposes in the end of man, after he had created our first parents, and the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and in fine, all things which are created, it must needs be that there was an opposition; even the forbidden fruit in opposition to the tree of life; the one being sweet and the other bitter.
Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other.
And I, Lehi, according to the things which I have read, must needs suppose that an angel of God, according to that which is written, had fallen from heaven; wherefore, he became a devil, having sought that which was evil before God. "
I present this as my personal beliefs on the subject and by no means expect anyone to see it as I do.I like this debate.
That is the basis of deism, in a sense. It is not the hard deism of Thomas Jefferson, where God creates that world and then steps away to watch his creation run like a clock. There is a link between this line of thought and that of Aquinas. Thomas would not agree that God allows evil to exist, per se. He would agree that God allows us a free will so that we can choose between Him and hell, so to speak.There is a difference between definitions of evil. One person may say, why does God allow disease and hunger, floods and earthquakes?
Those things, in Thomistic thought, are better represented as accidents of nature than evil. The reason is that nature presents trials to us as well, but these are not brought about, necessarily, by any kind of rational or irrational choice. They happen because nature exists and nature is based on rude survival.True evil, as you also represented, is based upon the choice of a being that has the ability to choose. God, being all Good, is one choice. One can choose God or "Not God." The reason that that is evil is that all things that are "Not God" are by definition, evil.
This is the basis of salvation. If a person were an object that is truly evil, then there can be no forgiveness of sins. God cannot forgive an earthquake because an earthquake is acting out the natural forces of nature. A lion eats what it kills because it must. Humans, on the other hand, are the only creatures that are truly capable of choosing between a good and a "not good," so there is still room for a redemptive act.
"One person may say, why does God allow disease and hunger, floods and earthquakes?"
How we deal with adversity is another part of the equation. Do we turn bitter or do we rise above. Many have turned against God for things that have 'happened' to them by way of nature.While at the same time, many have become great because of the choice they made to make lemonade out of lemons.
"True evil, ..., is based upon the choice of a being that has the ability to choose. God, being all Good, is one choice. One can choose God or 'Not God.' The reason that that is evil is that all things that are 'Not God' are by definition, evil."
Exactly!I also agree that Mankind are the only ones who have the ability to choose between these two dichotomies.
That's not some profound theological mystery that takes a lifetime of exegetical study to glean out of The Bible. It's spelled out quite plainly in the first book (Genesis): Live in this paradisical utopia (i.e. Eden) under One Rule and nothing bad will ever happen. Choose to break the One Rule, however, and you're on your own (and don't blame God for what happens).
While I was serving as an LDS (Mormon) missionary in Virginia many years ago the other lady missionary I was serving with had to go in for an eye doctor appointment. We arrived at the eye doctor with our name tags on. We didn’t go anywhere except on our preparation (laundry) days without our name tags.
A few days later we got a call from this eye doctor telling us that he wanted to meet with us to discuss a matter of religion. We both got the feeling that he wanted to Bible bash with us. We felt strongly that we should leave our scriptures in the car.
As we entered his office he asked us to sit. He then proceeded to tell us that because of our belief in the Book of Mormon and in Joseph Smith he could not in good conscience treat my missionary companion. He told us that because our religion teaches that faith is more than just an acceptance of Jesus Christ that we were children of the devil and we should change our ways or we would be going to hell.
I was reminded of this event recently as I have posted comments on a few blogs. As I have used verses from the Book of Mormon to back up what someone else has said or to demonstrate why I believed something I have been met with a myriad of responses. I have been told things that I believe—or think I believe that have little to do with what I actually believe. I have, on an occasion or two, been told that Joseph Smith got the Book of Mormon out of a hat. That last one has got to be the most bizarre. Do people really believe that he did that or are they just passing on something they heard?
As we were reading after meeting with the eye doctor that day in Virginia I came to some verses in the Book of Mormon. This gave me my view of all of this.
2 Nephi 33: 10-12
And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good.
And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye—for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness.
And I pray the Father in the name of Christ that many of us, if not all, may be saved in his kingdom at that great and last day.
In the end it will be Jesus Christ who will judge whether we have followed his teachings or not. It will be Christ who will say whether the Book of Mormon is the word of God or not.
As for me, I believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God as much as I believe the Bible to be the word of God. I believe that it was written by people in ancient America who came from Jerusalem 600 years before Christ. I believe that if God could help the children of Israel cross the Red Sea on dry land that He can teach a man to build a boat to cross an ocean—just as He told Noah how to build the ark.
I believe, as the scriptures say in John 10: 16, “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”
I believe that God is no respecter of people. We are all His children and that we are not alone. He has not left us to stumble through this life without His help. I know for myself that He has guided me in my own life. He has given me direction in the things that I should do. God has not stopped talking to his children. It is only when we stop listening that His word fails to get through.
For those who are LDS this picture will be somewhat familiar. Someone sent me this picture of Captain Moroni and his Title of Liberty with a current day twist.
Mountain Lake Road (Pembroke, VA)
