"The events surrounding the translation of the Book of Mormon can be pieced together from the recollections of a dozen or so contemporaries.... The story that emerges from their accounts is perplexing. The Mormon sources constantly refer to the single most troublesome item in Joseph Smith's history, the gold plates on which the Book of … Continue reading
Month: November 2013
This Thanksgiving morning, I'm grateful that God has a plan, and part of that plan is creating incredibly strong, honest, and integrated individuals as I see depicted in this movie. It is not easy to change things, but like Jackie must have discovered, being good, in all its forms, makes change possible. 42
"...Dopamine strengthens and reinforces the new connections that are being made in the brain while an activity is undertaken. This in turn acts to encourage the individual to repeat the activity again so they can feel that pleasure once more." I take this to mean any activity which releases dopamine could be considered "addictive" depending … Continue reading
This has been a favorite scripture for years, particularly with my service to youth. "Be men"! "21 And now that my soul might have joy in you, and that my heart might leave this world with gladness because of you, that I might not be brought down with grief and sorrow to the grave, arise … Continue reading
We seem to have fewer face-to-face connections with people, and many more digital ones. I wonder if digital connections can't at times be a bit more like junk food. Learning how to share ourselves more deeply may become as important in our social health as eating vegetables is to our physical health. I think that's … Continue reading
Large oxen aren't necessarily as powerful as a well-unified pair. “...the little oxen had better teamwork and coordination. They hit the yoke together. [They] jerked forward at exactly the same time and the force moved the load”. I'm grateful for a spouse who is willing to hit the yoke in a unified way. Look … Continue reading
Purity is likely closely related to the scripture term justification. But sanctification is something more, a becoming holy. It is something deeper. I'm not quite sure how to describe it, but I sense it is real. " 29 And we know that all men must repent and believe on the name of Jesus Christ, and … Continue reading
I heard a quote once from Eisenhower that said something like, "What we think is not as important as what we feel." A similar quote by Masami Atarashi, a management expert in Japan is that "Humans are convinced by logic, and moved by emotion." Nurturing our emotions is critical to movement and progress.
Fasting brings us closer to God. I liked these reasons listed why Muslims fast. I do it for many of the same reasons: "The most important consideration in undertaking a fast, as in any act of devotion, is to seek nearness to God, and seek His pleasure and Forgiveness. This itself generates a spirit of … Continue reading
We each have a responsibility, no matter our position in life, to care for our own spiritual needs "Leaders prepare themselves spiritually as they keep the commandments, study the scriptures and the teachings of latter-day prophets, pray, fast, and humble themselves before the Lord. With this preparation, they are able to receive inspiration to guide … Continue reading
Kip on Character 