Stride the Planets

"Men’s souls conform to the society in which they live, with very few exceptions, and when men come to live with the Mormons, their souls swell as if they were going to stride the planets." (Hyrum Smith, 7 April 1844, HC 6:300)

Gilbert Mormon Temple: A Rare Glimpse by Local TV Station

Here is a series of news videos on the Gilbert Temple and temples history in the LDS faith.

Moving from Why to How

Bro Erickson, our Sunday School teacher asked us "Why do we need to know the purpose of the creation?" He said that when he doesn't know the purpose he spends a lot of time asking why. After he knows why the activity is important, it's ultimate purpose, he starts asking how.

So before we know the purpose of life we can spend a lot of time on why. Once we know the purpose of life we start asking how we can accomplish it. Once we know that we are here to prove that we will be obedient to the guidance of God we can move to the question of how we can do it.  How is it that I can follow Light God gives me? How can I avoid unnecessary pain in my life and those around me?  How can I receive the joy the Lord has in store, waiting to bless me with?

Having Character or Being a Character

I love this quote.

Some enjoy being a character: Letting their eccentricity define their personalities. It is always easier to be a character than to have character. After all, getting attention is not as important as getting wisdom. The asserting of self is not as important as serving others. Yet for some, getting attention is their way of validating their worth. 

Furthermore, focusing on being a character keeps us from directing our lives toward becoming the men and women of Christ by emulating his character. 

Those with sterling character (always in short supply) are invariably the high yield and low maintenance individuals who deflect attention from themselves to others, just as both of the two great commandments encourage and direct. It is too bad if seeking the spotlight diverts us from worshiping the Light of the world. Character, after all, is the composite of what we carry into eternity. It is not only portable but eternal. There is no limitation on such luggage. ("Whom the Lord Loveth" by Neal A. Maxwell, pg. 13-14.)

Three Reflections on Same-Sex Marriage in Utah

I don't find anything that I disagree with in this article by James Goldberg.  Following are some short snippets that sum it up for me.

I see myself as an heir to a long legacy of Abrahamic values, and I believe those values have blessed the world far more than they have harmed it.
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I believe that a culture of marriage ought to be built around customs of procreation and child-rearing within the relationship between husband and wife.
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the following three principles will be continue to be challenged in different ways and that affirming them will continue to have utility:
Principle #1. Biological parents will be accountable to their children; children have a right to responsible biological parents.
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Principle #2. Fatherhood and Motherhood still matter as distinct roles. Communities succeed when they find the proper balance of guidance and flexibility in preparing the young for these vital roles.
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Principle #3. The link between sexuality and procreation is not incidental.