Entitled The Politics of American Religious Identity: The Seating of Senator Reed Smoot, Mormon Apostle by Kathleen Flake.
It was originally begun as a dissertation, which explains why while only on page 17 we've run into quite a few words even I don't know the definition of. Time to pull out the dictionary. This should be fun. I'll let you know how that goes :)
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Friday, October 1, 2010
PofGP chapter 2 & 3
Talking about the creation of the earth, we read the words "And God saw that it was good" -referring to all his creations at the time he made them. I thought about a few of my friends who struggle with people who put them down, thoughts of self-doubt, and wondering if they're evil people because of the hurt that 'they inflict' upon others.
I know, I've been in a relationship where it was up to me to make them happy, and if they weren't, I had major guilt. But at the same time I felt horribly trapped in what that person's expectations of me were.
I thankfully was able to find peace and break away from that relationship. It took just under two years to do so though.
As we were reading this morning I thought "If only those who are struggling KNEW how much their God loves them, how worth it they are to him. HE MADE THEM, and simply by that fact they are, & have to potential to be, perfect & good & awesome. If they could see that, they would have no doubt how wonderful they truly are. They would be able to face those people with peace in their hearts. A peace that no one on earth can give you. And be a stronger person, through God."
Wouldn't that be amazing?
I know, I've been in a relationship where it was up to me to make them happy, and if they weren't, I had major guilt. But at the same time I felt horribly trapped in what that person's expectations of me were.
I thankfully was able to find peace and break away from that relationship. It took just under two years to do so though.
As we were reading this morning I thought "If only those who are struggling KNEW how much their God loves them, how worth it they are to him. HE MADE THEM, and simply by that fact they are, & have to potential to be, perfect & good & awesome. If they could see that, they would have no doubt how wonderful they truly are. They would be able to face those people with peace in their hearts. A peace that no one on earth can give you. And be a stronger person, through God."
Wouldn't that be amazing?
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
We've started into the PofGP
Yep, it's true. After a recent meeting with our bishop we yet again realized we need to both be better about reading God's word everyday.
So this morning we got up & read.
As Sam was reading the 1st chapter of that awesome book, I thought about how awesome it will be when we die & all of the sudden all of the memories we had from before the veil, will come back to us. Isn't that an AWESOME thought?
We always hear about 'angels from the other side' being at great events here on earth. Well where was I when Christ was born? Or when Joseph Smith recieved his first vision? Or when my parents were sealed for time & all eternity? Or when my great-grandfather was shot & killed? Or when the Savior came as a resurrected being? Where were you in significant parts of your family's history?
We'll finally have the chance to know. And all of the sudden, dying doesn't seem so intimidating & freaky.
So this morning we got up & read.
As Sam was reading the 1st chapter of that awesome book, I thought about how awesome it will be when we die & all of the sudden all of the memories we had from before the veil, will come back to us. Isn't that an AWESOME thought?
We always hear about 'angels from the other side' being at great events here on earth. Well where was I when Christ was born? Or when Joseph Smith recieved his first vision? Or when my parents were sealed for time & all eternity? Or when my great-grandfather was shot & killed? Or when the Savior came as a resurrected being? Where were you in significant parts of your family's history?
We'll finally have the chance to know. And all of the sudden, dying doesn't seem so intimidating & freaky.
Friday, September 24, 2010
D & C 56:14
Behold, thus saith the Lord unto my people- you have many things to do and to repent of; for behold, your sins have come up unto me, and are not pardoned, because you seek to counsel in your own ways.
This scripture stood out to me today. How many times do we think 'oh I've got this under control, I know what to do' when in reality we don't. Somehow along the way we've broken that sacred trust between us & God. Wasn't this the same God who in Alma 34 is the God we are supposed to cry to over EVERYTHING?
And yet somehow we think us buying a car doesn't entail needing his blessing and guidance (I'm speaking from personal experience here) and now it seems to just come back & kick us? -- Car buying is NOT a pleasant experience, let me just tell you. Major headaches this past week.
We have lots of things to repent of in the simple fact that we have not asked God's counsel & blessing on our activities.
Wow.
This scripture stood out to me today. How many times do we think 'oh I've got this under control, I know what to do' when in reality we don't. Somehow along the way we've broken that sacred trust between us & God. Wasn't this the same God who in Alma 34 is the God we are supposed to cry to over EVERYTHING?
And yet somehow we think us buying a car doesn't entail needing his blessing and guidance (I'm speaking from personal experience here) and now it seems to just come back & kick us? -- Car buying is NOT a pleasant experience, let me just tell you. Major headaches this past week.
We have lots of things to repent of in the simple fact that we have not asked God's counsel & blessing on our activities.
Wow.
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