I've been staying up too late this week, but it's been fun. Wednesday or Thursday I went to my first Christmas party. I have a friend named Jen who's going to work for a cruise ship for six months and wanted to have a Christmas party before she left. I didn't get home until after midnight. Then Friday night I went to a friend's birthday party and we hung out until about 1AM, before going to another friends, where I stayed until about 3:30. I slept in Saturday, so I got most of that sleep back, but still, I was tired. Then Saturday night we went to go see the new James Bond movie (good flick, but I'd have to watch it a couple of more times to get it all), went to IHOP afterwards, and then to a friend's house after that. Left at 1AM. Then had Ward Council at 9 AM the next day.
So I didn't quite catch up on my sleep like I like to do on the weekends. But I'm not too exhausted now.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
The Rainy Magic at Magic Mountain
I went to visit my family last weekend and we went to Six Flags Magic Mountain to celebrate both my niece's 18th birthday and my brother's 28th (he can't be 28 already, can he?). Even though the forecast said it would clear up early morning, it ended up raining off and on throughout the day. That normally would have scared off a lot of people from attending, but evidently there were a number of school groups there, and because of the weather, each big ride only had one train going, so it was a little slow. We only got to go on three rides the whole day.
But we had a lot of fun, and it was so good to be together with the whole family (well, many of my family - my sister and her husband, as well as her oldest son, weren't there and neither were my brother and sister-in-law in Utah). I always enjoy hanging out with my niece and nephews!
But we had a lot of fun, and it was so good to be together with the whole family (well, many of my family - my sister and her husband, as well as her oldest son, weren't there and neither were my brother and sister-in-law in Utah). I always enjoy hanging out with my niece and nephews!
Imagine this scenario
The year is 2016. The Church has requested our assistance yet again in defending traditional marriage, making it the fifth time since 2000 that we've been asked to do so. After successfully passing Prop 8 in 2008, we have had to endure two other propositions on the ballot trying to reverse it. There is an increased scrutiny on the Church, people who in the past have given a lot of money are complaining that they keep being asked to help out, and some have fallen away from the Church, including some prominent Mormons. Would that shake your faith?
In reading some online responses from KSL about a certain prominent Mormon that may or may not have followed the counsel of the Prophet, somebody mentioned again that in the final days, we will go through a refiner's fire and there may be many that will fall away from the Church. I remember hearing that a lot growing up, and I could never understand how that could happen. What could make so many people be upset with the Church. What could make so many once faithful members fall away?
Then this Proposition 8 thing happened. Now, everyone of course is free to vote how they choose, and the Church has come out saying 'Voting choices by Latter-day Saints, like all other people, are influenced by their own unique experiences and circumstances. As we move forward from the election, Church members need to be understanding and accepting of each other and work together for a better society.' So I don't want this to sound like I'm bagging on everyone who disagrees with the Church. However, some of the arguments I saw Church members make that support gay marriage got pretty close to being outright defiance, and some comments had me worried if that person, if pushed enough, might fall away completely from the Church. I worry about some of them if we encounter further measures like Prop 8. I also worry about those that might get worn down over continued fighting for traditional marriage and other moral issues, who might start complaining that they've given enough and might turn angry towards the Prophet and Church leaders for asking more from them.
As we are faced with continued moral challenges that we are asked to support (and they will continue to come), I hope that I will not be put off, but will listen to the will of the Lord in all he does. I pray for the understanding that comes from the Lord.
I don't know whether this might be the issue that causes many to break away from the Church. I hope it isn't. I hope that it never comes true. I love my Church family, both in my ward now and those that have ever been in a ward with me, in my Stake, or attended BYU with me. I'd hate to think of any of them leaving. I hope and pray that we can all follow the Prophet and pray about every important decision that we face in life.
In reading some online responses from KSL about a certain prominent Mormon that may or may not have followed the counsel of the Prophet, somebody mentioned again that in the final days, we will go through a refiner's fire and there may be many that will fall away from the Church. I remember hearing that a lot growing up, and I could never understand how that could happen. What could make so many people be upset with the Church. What could make so many once faithful members fall away?
Then this Proposition 8 thing happened. Now, everyone of course is free to vote how they choose, and the Church has come out saying 'Voting choices by Latter-day Saints, like all other people, are influenced by their own unique experiences and circumstances. As we move forward from the election, Church members need to be understanding and accepting of each other and work together for a better society.' So I don't want this to sound like I'm bagging on everyone who disagrees with the Church. However, some of the arguments I saw Church members make that support gay marriage got pretty close to being outright defiance, and some comments had me worried if that person, if pushed enough, might fall away completely from the Church. I worry about some of them if we encounter further measures like Prop 8. I also worry about those that might get worn down over continued fighting for traditional marriage and other moral issues, who might start complaining that they've given enough and might turn angry towards the Prophet and Church leaders for asking more from them.
As we are faced with continued moral challenges that we are asked to support (and they will continue to come), I hope that I will not be put off, but will listen to the will of the Lord in all he does. I pray for the understanding that comes from the Lord.
I don't know whether this might be the issue that causes many to break away from the Church. I hope it isn't. I hope that it never comes true. I love my Church family, both in my ward now and those that have ever been in a ward with me, in my Stake, or attended BYU with me. I'd hate to think of any of them leaving. I hope and pray that we can all follow the Prophet and pray about every important decision that we face in life.
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