My mom will be happy to read this. She loves David McCullough’s John Adams. Actually, she just likes David McCullough’s books. I read a selection of the book for American Government class. This selection was titled “Colossus of Independence.” Since I’m not actually in the class, I sort of did the assignment backwards, and read the piece after watching the movie. But it didn’t matter; both were still very vivid illustrations of the events surrounding the birth of the Declaration of Independence.
In high school, and even college, history classes, the emphasis is often on the overall movements and themes of a time, rather than on the specific people who were the driving force behind these movements. I enjoyed spending time focusing on one man who led the energy of revolutionary America into a tangible document and action.
John Adams not only worked with congress to formulate the idea of a full break with England. McCullough vividly paints a picture of a man who knew what the inevitable action would be and led the country to the point of decision. Watching the movie, I saw his realization of the unavoidable outcome turn into realization that he would have to act as the catalyst toward this outcome.
Overall, I really appreciated this insight into a man who did so much for our country. I wish we studied the people rather than the process more often. This sort of glimpse into an influential life shows how we too can become great. It is normal every day people who change the world. John Adams was a poor author. Thomas Jefferson was a weak speaker. These men had great weaknesses, but they became great leaders. Now I really want to go read more biographies and come to understand what makes leaders truly great. First on the list: John Adams by David McCullough.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
A Marvelous Work
“A marvelous work.” Such an interesting phrase.
In the LDS church, we use it so frequently I sometimes doubt we actually comprehend what it means. This is not a phrase coined by men; rather, it came into use through divine inspiration and revelation from God to men. In my view, this sheds a whole new light on the phrase.
God created so many wondrous things. Mountains, oceans, children, birds. There is so much grandeur in the creations of the Almighty, that it seems quite a high standard to be considered “marvelous” in His sight. The greatness of the world is not referred to as “marvelous” as far as I am aware. Instead, a small, simple book, the Book of Mormon, is termed “marvelous.” When looking at this comparison, it throws a vivid vision of what the Book of Mormon means in an eternal perspective.
Without the Book of Mormon, the works of God would falter and the plan would not progress. Without the Book of Mormon, the world would be a waste. Without the Book of Mormon, there would have been no Restoration as we know it, and the church of the devil would reign. Without the Book of Mormon, all else is empty of meaning or eternal purpose. Therefore, the Book of Mormon is truly “a marvelous work.” It not only is a strong point in its own right, it is also the piece of the plan that ties it all together.
When God declares that “a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men,” He is not merely saying that the Book of Mormon is important to the plan. He is saying that it is pivotal and vital to the plan of eternal salvation. When I see the Book of Mormon from this perspective, it is no wonder that the declaration of its imminent emersion into the world is repeated so often in the early chapters of the Doctrine and Covenants.
I’m skimming back over the chapters where this declaration opens the revelation. In section 4, the overall theme is missionary work, in section 6 as well, along with instruction on revelation. These two themes dig deeper into how the Book of Mormon can become a pivotal force in the history of the world. As missionaries spread the gospel, they bring the Book of Mormon to nations and multitudes that had previously not had this knowledge or source of comfort. We all understand this pretty well. But when it’s put in conjunction with the verses about revelation, a new meaning unfolds.
When combined with revelation, the Book of Mormon is not just a source of knowledge and comfort; it also becomes a source of power. The power of the priesthood is explained to us through the Book of Mormon, as are gifts and talents possessed by all. These gifts and talents, if used in a righteous manner, become a power to those who wield them and for the benefit of those they are used for. All who come in contact with someone who has prayerfully studied and understood the Book of Mormon will be changed for the better. This power is the life-changing force that God was anticipating when he declared “a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.”
In the LDS church, we use it so frequently I sometimes doubt we actually comprehend what it means. This is not a phrase coined by men; rather, it came into use through divine inspiration and revelation from God to men. In my view, this sheds a whole new light on the phrase.
God created so many wondrous things. Mountains, oceans, children, birds. There is so much grandeur in the creations of the Almighty, that it seems quite a high standard to be considered “marvelous” in His sight. The greatness of the world is not referred to as “marvelous” as far as I am aware. Instead, a small, simple book, the Book of Mormon, is termed “marvelous.” When looking at this comparison, it throws a vivid vision of what the Book of Mormon means in an eternal perspective.
Without the Book of Mormon, the works of God would falter and the plan would not progress. Without the Book of Mormon, the world would be a waste. Without the Book of Mormon, there would have been no Restoration as we know it, and the church of the devil would reign. Without the Book of Mormon, all else is empty of meaning or eternal purpose. Therefore, the Book of Mormon is truly “a marvelous work.” It not only is a strong point in its own right, it is also the piece of the plan that ties it all together.
When God declares that “a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men,” He is not merely saying that the Book of Mormon is important to the plan. He is saying that it is pivotal and vital to the plan of eternal salvation. When I see the Book of Mormon from this perspective, it is no wonder that the declaration of its imminent emersion into the world is repeated so often in the early chapters of the Doctrine and Covenants.
I’m skimming back over the chapters where this declaration opens the revelation. In section 4, the overall theme is missionary work, in section 6 as well, along with instruction on revelation. These two themes dig deeper into how the Book of Mormon can become a pivotal force in the history of the world. As missionaries spread the gospel, they bring the Book of Mormon to nations and multitudes that had previously not had this knowledge or source of comfort. We all understand this pretty well. But when it’s put in conjunction with the verses about revelation, a new meaning unfolds.
When combined with revelation, the Book of Mormon is not just a source of knowledge and comfort; it also becomes a source of power. The power of the priesthood is explained to us through the Book of Mormon, as are gifts and talents possessed by all. These gifts and talents, if used in a righteous manner, become a power to those who wield them and for the benefit of those they are used for. All who come in contact with someone who has prayerfully studied and understood the Book of Mormon will be changed for the better. This power is the life-changing force that God was anticipating when he declared “a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.”
Sunday, September 20, 2009
The Confusing Thing About Roommates
They may seem harmless. Or even worse, wonderful. They may also seem like a terror. Who knows! Don't let the first few weeks decide anything for you. Give it a month or two. Then accept what it is. You can't change them, you can only change you. If you aren't doing anything wrong, don't let them affect who you are as a person. Just try to get along. If you both do your best, it will work out.
And if it doesn't.... well, don't forget that this will only be one year, or semester of your life! Next year, it will be better. Don't allow one moment of now envelope and doom your forever. You have eternity to have fun and wonderful companions in a dorm, apartment, or home. The hard times right now will teach you something that will make you better. I promise. It's happened to me, and it still will. Every year, I'll grow a little more, and hopefully someday that eternal roommate will show up, and I won't have to worry about this again!
And if it doesn't.... well, don't forget that this will only be one year, or semester of your life! Next year, it will be better. Don't allow one moment of now envelope and doom your forever. You have eternity to have fun and wonderful companions in a dorm, apartment, or home. The hard times right now will teach you something that will make you better. I promise. It's happened to me, and it still will. Every year, I'll grow a little more, and hopefully someday that eternal roommate will show up, and I won't have to worry about this again!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Connecting the Verses
Currently I'm in several religion classes. I'm taking Doctrine and Covenants with Ari and we are taking from Brother Holzapfel. Once a week, I go to a special studies class on Revelation taught by Brother Draper. Finally, for my students, including Book of Mormon. The story about the 116 pages is a wonderful illustration of how God uses all his resources to keep his plan on track. Lessons from all 3 classes connect to this, and were constantly coming to mind as I read.
After Martin Harris lost the pages, God's first revelation to Joseph reassures him that "The works, and the designs, and the purposes of God cannot be frustrated, neither can they come to naught (D&C 3:1)." This pairs with a command God gave to Nephi, centuries earlier, to explain how and why he prepares his plans to be fail-safe. Anciently, Nephi wrote and Mormon retained through abridgments not one, but two records of the early Nephite and Lamanite history.
For God to have this ability to back up his plans, he has to have perfect knowledge of time to come. In the Book of Revelation, the script is in a surreal time because God sees what was, what is, and what will be in one eternal now. This does not mean agency is non-existent; it simply means that God sees where our agency will lead. In D&C 5:32, God tells Martin Harris what will happen if he fails to humble himself. This does not mean that Martin will choose that path, it only means that God knows the outcome of the choice.
Reading this, and seeing the connections makes it clearer to me what D&C 3:2 means. "For God doth not walk in crooked paths, neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither doth he vary from that which he hath said. therefore his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round." God travels in a straight and narrow path, but that path encompasses the complete and "eternal round" of all time. He creates His plans within the framework of this path, then puts them into action in a world that exists in all time. We, the people who walk this path, only see a moment of now, and a sliver of what was, but our lives play into the eternal glory of all that is, was, and is to come. Although we cannot see it, God's plan is interlaced everywhere, and what may seem like a small choice (keeping two records) may create a major difference in some other time (a second version kept uncorrupted).
After Martin Harris lost the pages, God's first revelation to Joseph reassures him that "The works, and the designs, and the purposes of God cannot be frustrated, neither can they come to naught (D&C 3:1)." This pairs with a command God gave to Nephi, centuries earlier, to explain how and why he prepares his plans to be fail-safe. Anciently, Nephi wrote and Mormon retained through abridgments not one, but two records of the early Nephite and Lamanite history.
For God to have this ability to back up his plans, he has to have perfect knowledge of time to come. In the Book of Revelation, the script is in a surreal time because God sees what was, what is, and what will be in one eternal now. This does not mean agency is non-existent; it simply means that God sees where our agency will lead. In D&C 5:32, God tells Martin Harris what will happen if he fails to humble himself. This does not mean that Martin will choose that path, it only means that God knows the outcome of the choice.
Reading this, and seeing the connections makes it clearer to me what D&C 3:2 means. "For God doth not walk in crooked paths, neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither doth he vary from that which he hath said. therefore his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round." God travels in a straight and narrow path, but that path encompasses the complete and "eternal round" of all time. He creates His plans within the framework of this path, then puts them into action in a world that exists in all time. We, the people who walk this path, only see a moment of now, and a sliver of what was, but our lives play into the eternal glory of all that is, was, and is to come. Although we cannot see it, God's plan is interlaced everywhere, and what may seem like a small choice (keeping two records) may create a major difference in some other time (a second version kept uncorrupted).
Friday, September 11, 2009
African Slavery - An Insight
In American Government with my Freshman Academy, we were given this prompt to blog about. Imagine that you live in Africa and have been captured by a slave trader and are being shipped across the Atlantic. Write a 500-750 word personal narrative on recording what your thoughts and experiences might be along your journey. As I read it, I almost decided to NOT blog along with my students. Then I told myself that I don't care if it's hard, it'll be good for me. I tell myself that sort of thing a lot, and I almost never regret it.
My mother is gone. And my father. I pray they are safe at home. My little brothers and sisters are safe. All except one. I was told to take them to safety when the white men were seen. But the littlest girl, she is only 3, was not with us. I went to look for her, and that is when they got me. I do not know what is happening at home. I only know I am in this empty ship, and cannot see because of the dark. Others are here too, but not many. Only a few of us will suffer.
It has been days now. More and more people have been brought. The food gets less by the day, and sometimes I don't get any because I am so far back in the pack. They have taken all our clothes. That way they fit more of us in. I cannot move. I hurt all over. Men and women crowd around. When no one fit anymore, the white men closed the lid. We don't get out. We can't. Under us, the water rolls, and I can tell that we are now sailing. I do not know where we are going, only that no one ever comes back from wherever it is.
The crowding is less. Not by much, but they throw the dead over the side. Each body gone gives us room. And we don't eat, so there is no more desire to move. But I still hate it. The old woman beside me is dead. The white men have not noticed yet, and she stinks. I will not say anything though. If I draw any attention to myself, I do not know what they will do. Maybe whip me, or worse. I might even be killed if they are in a bad mood. Who knows, maybe that is a better option then this life. I am lucky to be on the top level. I was on the bottom at first, but I snuck up higher a few meals ago (I cannot count days, I rarely see light.) Now I can breathe just a bit more. But we are more likely to be hit for the slightest sound.
Finally we are out. Naked, chained in rows, we sit on the deck. I do not know what will happen now, but it can never be as horrible as what I just left. I would prefer anything to the living hell of that ship. I'll never sail again.
My mother is gone. And my father. I pray they are safe at home. My little brothers and sisters are safe. All except one. I was told to take them to safety when the white men were seen. But the littlest girl, she is only 3, was not with us. I went to look for her, and that is when they got me. I do not know what is happening at home. I only know I am in this empty ship, and cannot see because of the dark. Others are here too, but not many. Only a few of us will suffer.
It has been days now. More and more people have been brought. The food gets less by the day, and sometimes I don't get any because I am so far back in the pack. They have taken all our clothes. That way they fit more of us in. I cannot move. I hurt all over. Men and women crowd around. When no one fit anymore, the white men closed the lid. We don't get out. We can't. Under us, the water rolls, and I can tell that we are now sailing. I do not know where we are going, only that no one ever comes back from wherever it is.
The crowding is less. Not by much, but they throw the dead over the side. Each body gone gives us room. And we don't eat, so there is no more desire to move. But I still hate it. The old woman beside me is dead. The white men have not noticed yet, and she stinks. I will not say anything though. If I draw any attention to myself, I do not know what they will do. Maybe whip me, or worse. I might even be killed if they are in a bad mood. Who knows, maybe that is a better option then this life. I am lucky to be on the top level. I was on the bottom at first, but I snuck up higher a few meals ago (I cannot count days, I rarely see light.) Now I can breathe just a bit more. But we are more likely to be hit for the slightest sound.
Finally we are out. Naked, chained in rows, we sit on the deck. I do not know what will happen now, but it can never be as horrible as what I just left. I would prefer anything to the living hell of that ship. I'll never sail again.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Blog Renovation!!!
I've been considering making some major changes to my blog, and I now have motivation. For my work at Freshman Academy, I attend class with my students. One of their classes is led by Dr. Holzapfel, my D&C professor. He asks his students to keep a weekly blog relating to what they learn in class. Therefore, I will be posting for D&C. At the same time, I will try to post for my students' American Government class as well.
At the same time, I will try to talk about what it's like living off campus, and being an experienced college student at BYU. It clearly talks about my perspective, but I want to try to help other students succeed. Right now I live in an all-girls apartment just below the hill south of campus. It's a very different experience from the dorms, but I think it's pretty fun. As the year goes on, I will talk about what's hard, what's easy, and such not in my life.
Oh, and I'm totally going to make a new layout and style too!! Super fun! :D
At the same time, I will try to talk about what it's like living off campus, and being an experienced college student at BYU. It clearly talks about my perspective, but I want to try to help other students succeed. Right now I live in an all-girls apartment just below the hill south of campus. It's a very different experience from the dorms, but I think it's pretty fun. As the year goes on, I will talk about what's hard, what's easy, and such not in my life.
Oh, and I'm totally going to make a new layout and style too!! Super fun! :D
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