The Ethics of an Election

Here are my thoughts this election.  Not to convince or smear, but to clarify...

Image Credit: https://stgirl.wordpress.com/

Bias and Division

Firstly, a self examination of three questions:

1. Do you find it easy to believe the bad things about the candidates you oppose, and hard to believe the bad in the one you're currently supporting?  If so, perhaps you're not as unbiased as you think.
2. Can you articulate your position on the majority of the key issues of the day?  And if so, can you express why, that is to say: can you identify the principles? 
3. Is your motive in arguing someone with the opposite view based on your desire to compare ideas, or to prove the other person wrong? If it's the latter, perhaps you're promoting division more than understanding.

Whew!  Now that the quiz is over, let's consider a few trends this election season:

AoF 1: The God Who Knows Us

This posting is part of a series of studies of principle and application of the Articles of Faith.

News has changed a bit since the Garden of Eden.  Today we turn on the TV or open a browser to get our information and learning.  A handful of millennia ago, the protocol was: 1) build an altar, 2) offer prayer, 3) wait on heavenly messengers (and a fourth step that I'll mention later on).

Here's the problem: we've lost site of God.  Adam and Eve pined after truth - they knew the Father and the Son.  They yearned for teaching and for reconciliation.  We yearn for fast food and for YouTube videos of cats.  We live in a world saturated with information that is seldom validated, and the information we seek too often distracts more than it guides.  More than ever we have to ask ourselves if the First Article of Faith is true for us.  Is it true for you?

10 Things I Loved about Elder Bednar's YSA Fireside

Here are the 10 things that stood out to me about Elder Bednar's 2-hour Q&A session with the Bay Area YSA. 

Discussion after the list.

The List

1.  Most of us worry too much.
1. Many of Elder Bednar's answers included the "don't worry about it" phrase.
2. Elder Bednar made forts in the dirt of the Oakland Temple construction pits.
1. He's a local to the bay area, and while his parents were setting up for weddings/activities at the large stake center now adjacent to the temple, young David could be found playing in the dirt.
3. "There are no jammies".
1.  Our culturally-induced perspective of eternal families is biased by mortality.  We see "eternal family" as a mom, dad, and a few little kids fresh out of the bath, in clean, good-smelling jammies.  We imagine each family in their own little hut. 
2. The "welding link" spoken of in D&C refers to the entire family of Adam and Eve.  "There's only one hut."

A Tribute to Mamma Sweet

This is my mom:

Hard to believe, huh?  She barely looks a day past 22.  But 38 years ago last month, she gave birth to Sarah Rupert Wilson (not pictured) and ever since has been wiping butts, making meals and teaching principles.  She has been the epitome of motherly love, so below is a list of 38 memories of my mom.  Let me preface the list with the following acknowledgement:

To understand Mamma Sweet, you have to know that she chose to live the "highest of all callings, that of a wife and a mother in Israel".  Her decision to serve and teach constantly sustains her greatness - which is in direct contrast to those who forgo family to chase a career or some other selfish dream.

Testimony Stock - What's Yours Worth?

"My testimony took a 20% hit when I moved to Provo."  "Her testimony stock went up three points when she got her mission call."  "Their stock tripled after being sealed."  ...What is "testimony stock" and how do we get more of it?

tes-ti-mo-ny stock    noun
plural testimony stock
Could refer to:

1. volume of tears cried from pulpit each Fast Sunday (in cubic centimeters): SPIRITUAL TEARS
2. number of generations your family has been in the church: SPIRITUAL PEDIGREE
3. current state before the Lord: OIL IN LAMP
4. the prestige of your calling (in stewardship head count): SPIRITUAL POSTER-CHILD

Ok - so clearly the third is the only real definition.  And that "oil in the lamp" reference could be an entire post on its own...

AoF: Articles on the Articles

The Articles of Faith summarize the beliefs of the Lord Jesus Christ's restored church.  Recently in General Conference, we were encouraged by Elder L. Tom Perry to study the Articles of Faith:

I tend to study better when I either plan to teach what I study, or when I write about it.  That being said, I intend to do a series of articles on the Articles for these three reasons:

1. Elder Perry just recommended it.  (Twice, actually:  Elder Perry with more hair in 1998.)
2. I need to structure my scripture study habits better for 2014.
3. I see too much garbage being posted and propagated online.  My method of combating the nonsense is to offer clarity.  What better way than to echo the gospel?

I am currently re-reading Elder Talmage's "The Articles of Faith", and my posts will coincide with my sequential progress through that book as well as my collection of other references and revelation.

The reader should know that I write these posts of my own desire, and that my opinion in no way represents that of the Church.  The resources I use are church approved, however.  I'll do my best to provide reference links to the quotes of interest.

The Price of Indecision

Indecision has cost me three kids.  It cost my company $20k.  And it costs a lot of people a lot of happiness.  Let me explain:

Indecision has its roots in fear.  We don't want to take a wrong turn, buy the wrong car or marry the wrong human.  So we wait.  And somehow, we're convinced (subconsciously at least) that waiting will help.  As though we'll magically become wiser through no experience at all.  Well - unless you count Netflix as experience...

Divine Nature: The Truth About Us

Two things tend to get us in trouble: arrogance, and abandonment.  For guys, it tends to be the first.  For ladies, the latter.  But even for guys, our arrogance is only skin deep.  We put on a show when there's a crowd, but when nobody is around... we succumb to abandonment.  Self abandonment is perhaps the most frequently used psychological weapon in the devil's armory.

The Allegory of the Waterski

Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a lot like learning to water ski.  It seems to me that many people understand some of the basics principles, but they never really "pop out of the water".  And many people tend to live in a half-committed way their entire lives. 

I've been thinking about water skiing, as I recently went with my brother's family.  My brother and his wife are quite formidable skiers, and I felt like I had to represent myself well, or I might be kicked out of the family.  Here's a picture of Adam cutting - so you get the idea...

When a person learns to slalom ski, one of the most difficult maneuvers is getting up.  The boat and the skier have to both be in sync.  I've been thinking of the two parts a lot and how they relate to the gospel.  Let me see if I can paint an appropriate picture...

1. The skier is in the water.  The boat circles around to bring the rope, and then waits in neutral.  Nothing interesting is happening here except the skier is usually freezing, and the flagger is typically bored.
2. The boat is put into gear, and tension is on the line.  The skier aligns his body and ski to the direction the boat pulls.  He prepares himself for pulling up by balancing himself, keeping his weight back and his center of gravity low to the ski.  
3. The skier yells, "hit it!" and the driver punches the throttle.  The skier is pulled forward and has to fight to keep his ski in front of him - waiting out the time it takes him to plane out on top of the water.  This is the most difficult part. 
4. Finally planed out, the boat driver slows the boat back to the desired speed, the skier stands upright on the ski, fixes his shorts and begins to signal back to the driver whether or  not the speed is ok, etc.
5. Once the skier is up and the speed is established, the driver and others in the boat signal to the skier about upcoming waves and turns.  Meanwhile the skier takes opportunity to cut back and forth when the water is smooth.  Someone loud is usually taking pictures.

That's about it for a successful attempt to get up.  An unsuccessful one involves a lot more humiliation, wasted fuel, and shoddy advice.  But for this analogy, we're focusing on the successful attempt.  The boat represents the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  The skier represents each of us. 

Let's talk about the first stage - floating.  In the great lake of life, many people are just floating around.  The rope is continually being brought to them, yet they don't seem to know what to do about it.  Some hold on, and as soon as the boat is in gear, they let go, or they get dragged in a ridiculous manner with the ski stretched out behind them.  To them, religion just doesn't make any sense - they have no real interest in it.  These people are either content to float, or they're too easily discouraged and they're unable to align themselves with the Lord.  Occasionally they wonder what they're doing here with a life jacket and ski - but eventually they'll stop wondering - chalking the uniqueness of the state to Paley's watch argument or some other theoretical rubbish (Hugh Nibley gives an interesting analysis of the argument <-- an="" enjoy="" intelligent="" link="" nbsp="" p="" person="" this="" will="">
I like the differences between stages two and three.  It seems to me when the Lord tries to teach us something, or when we're due to enter the next phase of life - He trolls us for a while.  He only puts the boat in gear.  So we feel a slight pull in our lives - in one particular direction.  But, being the good boat-driver that He is, He waits for us to align ourselves before he pulls faster.  Sometimes we never align - and we get stuck in the trolling stage of living the gospel our whole lives.  Notice that we have to align ourselves before we can say "hit it" in a way that will yield a response.  Some are unbalance and skewed when they yell, and then they wonder why there was no response from the boat. 

Then there are those who are consciously attempting to follow the Lord.  They're the ones who line up with the boat and yell "hit it".  Some will succeed in planing out, but most don't - especially when they're new to skiing.  This is the real test of the trial - it's not the slight pull.  The Lord uses that slight pull to simply get our attention.  Once we're committed, He begins the real test.  And many have the rope ripped right out of their hands at this point.  Too many don't stabilize themselves enough to follow the Lord at the pace He requires. 

The difference between those who succeed and those who fail is their level of patience.  While in the second stage, they feel like "this isn't so hard - I can handle this".  They don't feel like they need any significant life change - thinking that the 1-2 mph drag they're experiencing is the full effect.  So they commit.  Maybe they got baptized.  Maybe they go to the temple for the first time.  Perhaps they've accepted lessons from the missionaries.  Or maybe they're like me and they're finally getting their heads around the idea of dating and marriage.  Whatever phase of life we're on - there's a difference between testing the water and jumping in - the difference between trolling behind a boat and holding on for dear life after vocally committing to the Lord.  Some feel that the boat pulls too fast - forgetting that they're not the ones in control of the throttle.  They can only decide to align, balance, commit, and wait out the process that changes them from a fish to a skier. 

Those in the fourth stage begin to have confidence before the Lord.  They discover the importance of staying in constant communication with Him, and they look to Him for any upcoming changes (choppy water, turns, obstacles, etc).  These are those who are committed, and they're keeping their covenants.  They're enjoying the ride, and they're at peace.  They've discovered an appropriate relationship with the Lord.  They know their place - and they rely on the boat to get them through. 

Finally, there are those who are constantly improving their talents - those who cut hard.  They're the ones who have the most fun throughout life.  Their experiences are hard, and the water isn't always smooth - but their joys are the deepest, and their rewards are the most valuable.  They inspire others everywhere they go - regardless of what stage the others are on.  Joseph Smith said "the nearer man approaches perfection, the clearer are his views, and the greater his enjoyments".  The driver can feel the skier cutting - as it pulls on the boat pretty hard at this stage.  The driver doesn't need to check up on the skier as much here as he does for the person who only reaches the fourth stage.  He can feel where they're at and what they're doing.  The driver knows he can steer the boat wherever he wants, and the skier will perform admirably.  Think of the Lord's Apostles or any of His modern disciples.  He can plop them anywhere on the earth, and they'll do His work well.  Trust between the Lord and his disciples is solidified at this level. 

The final analogy from this waterskiing allegory is getting back in the boat.  You see - whatever stage a person reaches is proportional to their joy.  A person who nearly pulls up grins a little bigger than his friend who didn't manage to get that far.  And a person who reaches the fourth or fifth stage seems to enter the boat cloaked in respect.  Not only is the joy the richest during the ride, but when the skier returns to the boat, his joy is full if he performed to his full ability. 

Whichever stage you're currently at - remember the driver is patient and the boat always has enough power to get us through.  We'll fall when trying to pull up.  We'll struggle to cut.  We'll get swallowed by the choppiness of the waves at times.  But if we align ourselves to the Lord again, balance our lives so we can focus on Him, and have patience as we learn to pull up, we'll eventually reach the point where we perform more admirably.  We'll have that peace that comes in this life and in the world to come - fullness of joy on the ski and when returning to the boat.  D&C 59:23

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

I gave a talk last Sunday about the Power and Blessings of the Resurrection. I managed to over-prepare, and ended up blending three different talks last minute. Needless to say - my thoughts were somewhat garbled, and though I managed to explain one or two principles, I left a lot of ideas unmentioned.

 Before my talk, I asked a friend of mine if he'd come along. He told me he'd be in Sacramento all day, but asked if I'd type up my talk. So one of the three preparations was an attempt to type it up. It didn't work very well. My method of speaking doesn't jive well with scripted paragraphs as much as it does bullet points.

So to express a few things I missed from my talk, and to give my friend something typed, I figured I'd mention a few points about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ here. As blogs seem to never die - there are things that I purposely won't mention here, to protect their sacred nature. However, if you're well informed and manage to read this with the aide of the Holy Ghost, I'm sure you'll pick up a lot between the lines.

Time Takes Time

I once received a phone call from a missionary.  At the time, I was on my mission too - and I had stewardship over this particular missionary.  The phone call was a regularly scheduled event - a means to account for the day's progress.  But this phone call was different.  I've reflected on it for years now.

This missionary was one of 11 kids.  He was really hard working, really dedicated.  He and his companion had been doing well, but had not seen immediate success.  Meanwhile, my companion and I were enjoying a relative harvest.  It seemed strange to me how this young missionary broke down on the phone that night.

Notes - YSA Fireside w/ Elder Oaks

Since I've moved out to Roseville, CA, I've had two meetings with members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presiding.  A few weeks ago - Elder Andersen came to the Roseville Stake (of which the Roseville YSA ward belongs) for a special stake conference of sorts.  And just two days ago, Elder Oaks came to do a YSA fireside for all the single kiddos in the region.  He came with the Presiding Bishop, Bishop Stevenson.  We've had a stacked deck out here for speakers.

While I should have taken better notes during the Elder Andersen meeting, I was on uncle duty, and mostly my notebook was filled with outlines of small hands and drawings of random animals and trucks.  For the YSA fireside, however, I did take some notes - and I figured I'd post them here for whoever may be interested.  The quotes that I have here are as I best remembered as I wrote my notes - there may be slight discrepancies.

Section 88 and the Effect of Change

It's fascinating to me how the Lord manages to teach us timely lessons but only as we're ready.  He never casts His pearls before swine, and so it is with His teachings.  It's only when we're prepared to receive light that we realize it has been surrounding us all along, and that the Lord, the source of that light, has been waiting for us to recognize it.

I've been out of my comfort zone for the past fortnight-and-a-half.  Being in California means warmer weather, strange roads, smaller YSA wards, and more insight from family I haven't seen as often.  But to me, it also represents a time for considerable self-reflection.  Any change in my surroundings seems to have that effect upon me.  And right now, several changes are underway.

In Keeping an Empty Cup

So I've been in Roseville, California for the past week or so.  Several interesting things have managed to fill my mind since my arrival.

I met two people out here last week who I randomly started talking to about the gospel.  I don't believe it is any easier to talk about religion in California than it is in Utah, but rather I think I'm so dependent on the people around me now that I've become significantly more friendly.  Ironic it is how one's friendliness is indirectly proportional to the number of friends who surround him.  Perhaps that is why the Lord is constantly pulling us out of our comfort zones?

The Hosanna Shout

In light of the Brigham City Temple dedication service coming up this Sunday, I thought I'd do a little reading up on the Hosanna Shout.  In my life, I've only participated in the Hosanna Shout a few times as it's quite the rare occasion that permits its use.

The Hosanna Shout has its roots in the Old Testament.  The ancient Feast of the Tabernacles consisted of a choir that sang psalms including phrases similar to our "Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna, to God and the Lamb!"  Rather than waving white handkerchiefs as we do now, they waved palm branches.  The symbolism is the same.  It's a plea for peace and a prayer for salvation - particularly to send the Savior.  Anciently, a priest would pour water from a golden pitcher as the gathered waved their branches to the psalm.  The picture of water represented the sending of the Savior from heaven to earth. [Old Testament Student Manual]

SEOcial 2012

I've just spent a fair bit of time reviewing SEO (Search Engine Optimization).  For those unfamiliar with the term, think of it as online marketing.  Rather than getting people into a store, you're getting people to a webpage.

Background:  SEO is tricky!  It changes every time Google updates their search algorithm.  Each update effectively pulls the rug out from under all these online marketers.  But it's a worthwhile game to get into.

I'm on a clip of the Jonathan Ross Show in the UK

Remember that Chad Hogan party we quickly pieced together a full band for?  It's about to hit the air in the UK.  It'll be on BBC One and will air as a 6-part mini series.  To prep for the show, Kevin Bridges went on the Jonathan Ross Show - and you'll see a clip of us playing at the party.  

Start watching from 4:00 in...

I'll post again and let you know when they air the full episode.  You should see a scene where he introduces our band.  The bass drum head has Bryce's old band name on it - as we hadn't swapped out the head back then - so Three Weeks is his old group.  Wood is the new group:  www.WoodLiveMusic.com

Wood - Music Videos

Ever since Al Gore created the internet, we've been able to reach audiences that would have otherwise been impossible.  So our new quest as Wood is to produce some quality videos of originals, cover songs, and even proper music videos of the originals we plan to put on our upcoming albums.

Here's our first cover video - an acoustic version of The Killers' "Human"

The Art of Spiritual War

Sun Tzu was a legendary general in China during the middle of the Zhou Dynasty.  He wrote the book, "The Art of War", that contains 13 key strategic points to winning in battle.  Think of it as the 13 Articles of Faith for army generals.

I bring up Sun Tzu because I've had a couple of questions that I felt were blog-worthy recently, and one of the points Tzu brings up links the two questions.

TV in the UK

This week will be one for the record books.

Last Saturday I got a message from my friend Jason Hogan.  He mentioned some strange thing about his younger brother Chad Hogan and about a Scottish comedian named Kevin Bridges.  He asked if I wanted to be the band for some party...

Here's the connection between Kevin Bridges and Chad Hogan: