Beneath the Wraps

          Once a week a devotional was offered at the main building on campus when I attended Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho.   During the week, the devotional was offered for purchase at the bookstore.   It was also broadcast on the local campus radio for those who did not desire to attend the conference but wanted to listen. Some of these I had recorded myself as I would be engaged in other activities - like doing dishes - and wasn't giving my full attention.             Such was the case of the last devotional offered in May 1982 (I believe).   The speaker was Paul H. Dunn.   As it was the last week and the tape might not even be recorded for purchase, nor would I be in Idaho to make the purchase.   It was such an awesome devotional.   I think the broadcast said to destroy any recordings of the session - but I'm not sure - that part didn't get record...

            A couple of weeks ago we had the missionaries come over for dinner.   As we were talking, one of elders made the comment that several people don't see us a family oriented church.   I took the opportunity to explain to him why that might be.   Though there is a strong emphasis placed upon the family - even the definition according to the proclamation (see here ) seems discriminatory.   We're not all like that.   The average family doesn't fit the mold. The proclamation gives us an ideal that we are supposed to strive for.             When I wrote this post , I referred to a couple named Juleen and Al Jackson.   I mentioned how I'd been under the impression that Juleen had believed that the show should have focused more on their story (or families of similar living) rather than explore those that didn't quite fit into the mold of "Mormon living"   - she DID NOT say it that wa...

LDS Church says children of same-sex couples cannot be members " It feels like they are extending an olive branch and hitting you with it," said Wendy Montgomery, who is Mormon and has a 17-year-old gay son. "It's like this emotional whiplash." I didn’t realize that “Any Day Now” was R rated when I had reserved it at the library – or I probably wouldn’t have checked it out. But it was in my possession and thus I chose to watch it.   I gave a brief synopsis of the plot in the post found here.   I thought it to be a spoiler to reveal what happened to Marco towards the end of the show.   Seems symbolically fitting to me that the Church’s latest act of discrimination will end the same.   Keep in mind this post also – for the policies of the Church aren’t representatious of the gospel.   I think Wendy Montgomery was accurate in her quote from this news story.    How dare they.   Why must the Church be so dis...

I remember hearing a story about a child visiting grandparents – noticing that “grandma” is much taller than “grandpa”.   One day the child asks why grandma had married when there was such an obvious height difference.   The grandma responds with, “Your grandpa and I fell in love sitting down, and by the time we stood up, it was too late.” Often there are people look for a partner in which to share a life.   Sometimes they base their interests on appearance or personality.   And then there are others who develop a love without even trying.   And sometimes the situation may seem challenging if acted upon – some may accept the challenges while others choose not to go there due to an orthodox view of race or religion.   Others may accept the challenges that they face and try to make a go at it.   Sometimes the constant battles will make a couple stronger.   Sometimes it ends up tearing them apart. Recently I watched a movie called ...

         I don’t know if I had met Kelly prior to the being called to serve on the activities committee.  The first activity I remember being involved with was a “food storage/budgeting made-fun activity” Kelly played Betty Barker and I became the emcee who drew the names of contestants and invited them to “come on down”.          Even then she was struggling with the Church and her family life – desiring to connect the two but feeling torn with her beliefs.  Her husband showed no sign of ever wanting to be involved with the Church or even anybody who belonged to it.  Perhaps Kelly wasn’t even active when they met but gradually came around with a desire for having God and direction in her life – perhaps not necessarily the “Mormon Church”          That was five years ago.  And she continues to battle with herself and her maintaini...

fund raisers seem necessary for raising money for different causes charities   one may go from door to door seeking collections usually with product that no one wants or can afford   or doesn ’ t like       parties at both ends feel emotion     the recipient fells bad that he can ’ t contribute       or feels anger towards the very idea of having walked across the room to open the door to something he may not even believe in           or resentment because he has purchased the product when he knows it could have been used more wisely                the seller (or cause promoter) either gives up because she is discouraged that no one wants to buy   or else she continues but with an attitude full of regret and resentment and ...

I wouldn’t say that I’m a “friend” of scouting I think Hannah is the one who made the announcement that “you are not an acquaintance of scouting, but a “friend” of scouting”   “No I’m not,” I thought.   I have truly never been a friend.   I’ve actually had regrets about it. I think the scouting program is a great program for those who truly want to be involved.   I guess the thing that has always bothered me the most about scouting is all the hoopla and fuss that seems to go with it.   It would be fine if there was an equal amount of hoopla given to those not even associated with scouts – if that is what’s desired. (Some of us don’t like hoopla and fuss; my brother Patrick and his oldest son truly loved scouting and were heavily involved.   My brother Corey and nephew Brian appear to have reached a point where they almost loathed it) The boy scout program was adaptedby the LDS church in 1913 and cub scouts were adop...