So when asked in his profile for additional information - this guy "Wi" states the following:
Currently, my parents really want me to seriously start looking for a long-term life partner.
Wow! Sounds like a great guy!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
i fought the wall and the wall won
So this morning, I was driving to my brother's house. Somehow, i decided to be really anal about the dog hair on my black t-shirt. I few moments after glancing down to take the hair off - I ran into something. It turns out it was the curb - but worse! In a 3 block radius, the only thing on the curb - is what I hit - I hit a brick post office box. YEP!! Doesn't sounds too scary since it is just a PO Box - but umm... took out the right side of my car and I am still waiting on the estimate.
It's been a fun few weeks. The more I think about this accident, the more I wonder... I really think that I was driving in a dream state. I haven't really slept in 2 weeks (well a year but worse in the last 2 weeks). I've been really sick and was finally going to go to the doctor today and an acupunturist. I've never tried acupuncture - but it can't hurt right?
Anyway, I hit the box and turned the corner to park and go make my peace with the owner... All I could think was "is this a bad dream?" I really felt like I was going to wake up anytime - and soon- .
So, I've decided I really was just a little out of it - especially to be that anal about a dog hair.
Well, let's hope that the car isn't totaled :).
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Foundation of Stone....
I read something in October that disturbed me and made me question what I really really believe. The "fact" that I read disturbed me so much that I really did think that if that fact was fact - that it meant the church wasn't true. I couldn't reconcile this thought. Every time that thought came to me, I would think of instances and experiences that I could not doubt. There are many gospel doctrines that I completely believe in and even some that I feel like I could say I know.
I came across the "fact" when i was researching some church articles. At first, I didn't realize I was on an anti-mormon (former mormon's) site. It was a blog article and I have to admit I was intrigued by the man's story. The man tells about how he had doubts but always shoved them to the back. This man was on high councils, in bishoprics and other leadership positions, and yet he didn't technically believe. This fact bothered me because it just sounds hypocritical to me. This man struggled with some "facts" about the church and finally decided to leave. When he listed the "facts", there was one that disturbed me above all others and I couldn't shove it out of my mind.
While I questioned - "what does this mean for what I believe?" In the long run, and retro-spectively, I'm actually really glad that this happened. This event has made me ask if I really believe in the gospel. I have to say that in recent years, I've already made the distinction that there is a difference between the church and the gospel. To me, the church can be more cultural than gospel based. So I make a point of saying I believe in the gospel. But, come October, I questioned whether I really would believe in that any more. The reason for this is - the "fact" was so foundational that it meant that if x=true then g=not true. I couldn't handle that. The more i thought about all the things I did believe - I couldn't question or doubt those things.
At the same time, while i had read this "fact" on a blog. I was scared to research this fact - because I wasn't sure where I would find the answers. I wanted to find the answers through LDS sources, to minimize the emphasis and bias from anti-lds sites and writers. I really was scared to research this fact because then I would know whether it was true or not. And if it was true - then I would need to figure out how much of the gospel I believed in and make a decision of what I was going to do about it. I've already said this - but it scared me. I was sick inside for days.
I finally tried searching lds.org last week. I couldn't find anything based on the key words I was looking for. Today, I did a search online (google). I knew I was taking a chance with this.
I have found my answer. I'm still reading through the REAL facts - but know that the "fact" I originally read in October has definitely come from a skewed source. I know that there are LDS Scholars and experts who have answered and reviewed this "fact" and determined why people are saying what they say.
The best thing that came out of this experience is that I was able to affirm what I do believe. I also am grateful for the doubt. The doubt made me question. The doubt made me wonder and think. I don't know that I've been questioning as much as I should have been. I think I was coasting along the last few years, based on what I've learned and read - but not really gaining any more depth to my testimony.
I have a testimony - I KNOW that there is a God and his Son, Jesus Christ, died for us. I KNOW that we have the gift of the Holy Ghost and that there is a Spirit that helps lead and guide people. As a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I know that I can have the Holy Ghost with me at all times, provided I live correctly.
I believe and know many foundational principles of the Gospel. I'm grateful for this foundation and knowledge that was able to lead me through the doubt.
It's okay to doubt, it's okay to question. It's what Moroni 10:3-5 tells us to do. Figure it out, pray about it, ask for ourselves. Only then will we know whether the principles taught through the book of Mormon and church leaders are true.
Prop 8 comments
A letter from a seminary teacher in California. (also see the article/note from Orson Scott Card: http://www.mormontimes.com/mormon_voices/orson_scott_card/?id=5002)
Almost all of his students in high school, received some kind of bullying, as a direct cause of their beliefs on Prop 8.
Here is the text of a letter he sent:
In the aftermath of the recent election, we may find ourselves oddly on the defensive regarding our support for the Yes on Proposition 8 cause. Our young people have been especially subject to mean-spirited comments by high school friends and teachers. We have nothing to be ashamed of. We did nothing wrong. In fact, we did everything that a civic-minded American can and should do. I have put together a few facts that help me to appreciate our position better. For example:
1. Mormons make up less than 2 percent of the population of California. There are approximately 800,000 LDS out of a total population of approximately 34 million.Mormon voters were less than 5 percent of the yes vote.
2. If one estimates that 250,000 LDS are registered voters (the rest being children), then LDS voters made up 4.6 percent of the yes vote and 2.4 percent of the total Proposition 8 vote.
3. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) donated no money to the Yes on 8 campaign. Individual members of the church were encouraged to support the Yes on 8 efforts and, exercising their constitutional right to free speech, donated whatever they felt like donating.
4. The No on 8 campaign raised more money than the Yes on 8 campaign. Unofficial estimates put No on 8 at $38 million and Yes on 8 at $32 million, making it the most expensive non-presidential election in the country.
5. Advertising messages for the Yes on 8 campaign are based on case law and real-life situations. The No on 8 supporters have insisted that the Yes on 8 messaging is based on lies. Every Yes on 8 claim is supported.
6. The majority of our friends and neighbors voted Yes on 8. Los Angeles County voted in favor of Yes on 8. Ventura County voted in favor of Yes on 8.
7. African-Americans overwhelmingly supported Yes on 8. Exit polls show that 70 percent of black voters chose Yes on 8. This was interesting because the majority of these voters voted for President-elect Obama. No on 8 supporters had assumed that Obama voters would vote No on 8.
8. The majority of Latino voters voted Yes on 8. Exit polls show that the majority of Latinos supported Yes on 8 and cited religious beliefs (assumed to be primarily Catholic).
9. The Yes on 8 coalition was a broad spectrum of religious organizations. Catholics, evangelicals, Protestants, Orthodox Jews, Muslims -- all supported Yes on 8. It is estimated that there are 10 million Catholics and 10 million Protestants in California. Mormons were a tiny fraction of the population represented by Yes on 8 coalition members.
10. Not all Mormons voted in favor of Proposition 8. Our faith accords that each person be allowed to choose for him or herself. Church leaders have asked members to treat other members with "civility, respect and love," despite their differing views.
11. The church did not violate the principal of separation of church and state. This principle is derived from the First Amendment to the United States' Constitution, which reads, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof?" The phrase "separation of church and state", which does not appear in the Constitution itself, is generally traced to an 1802 letter by Thomas Jefferson, although it has since been quoted in several opinions handed down by the United States Supreme Court in recent years. The LDS Church is under no obligation to refrain from participating in the political process to the extent permitted by law. U.S. election law is very clear that churches may not endorse candidates, but may support issues. The church as always been very careful on this matter and occasionally (not often) chooses to support causes that it feels to be of a moral nature.
12. Supporters of Proposition 8 did exactly what the Constitution provides for all citizens: they exercised their First Amendment rights to speak out on an issue that concerned them, make contributions to a cause that they support and then vote in the regular electoral process. For the most part, this seems to have been done in an open, fair and civil way. Opponents of 8 have accused supporters of being bigots, liars and worse. The fact is, we simply did what Americans do -- we spoke up, we campaigned and we voted.
Hold your heads up high -- you did a great job on this most important cause. We will have more opportunities in the future to participate in our democratic process. Let's remember the lessons learned and do an even better job next time.
These are my personal opinions and thoughts; any errors are mine and in no way reflect official church policy or doctrine.
Thanks,
Kevin Hamilton
Almost all of his students in high school, received some kind of bullying, as a direct cause of their beliefs on Prop 8.
Here is the text of a letter he sent:
In the aftermath of the recent election, we may find ourselves oddly on the defensive regarding our support for the Yes on Proposition 8 cause. Our young people have been especially subject to mean-spirited comments by high school friends and teachers. We have nothing to be ashamed of. We did nothing wrong. In fact, we did everything that a civic-minded American can and should do. I have put together a few facts that help me to appreciate our position better. For example:
1. Mormons make up less than 2 percent of the population of California. There are approximately 800,000 LDS out of a total population of approximately 34 million.Mormon voters were less than 5 percent of the yes vote.
2. If one estimates that 250,000 LDS are registered voters (the rest being children), then LDS voters made up 4.6 percent of the yes vote and 2.4 percent of the total Proposition 8 vote.
3. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) donated no money to the Yes on 8 campaign. Individual members of the church were encouraged to support the Yes on 8 efforts and, exercising their constitutional right to free speech, donated whatever they felt like donating.
4. The No on 8 campaign raised more money than the Yes on 8 campaign. Unofficial estimates put No on 8 at $38 million and Yes on 8 at $32 million, making it the most expensive non-presidential election in the country.
5. Advertising messages for the Yes on 8 campaign are based on case law and real-life situations. The No on 8 supporters have insisted that the Yes on 8 messaging is based on lies. Every Yes on 8 claim is supported.
6. The majority of our friends and neighbors voted Yes on 8. Los Angeles County voted in favor of Yes on 8. Ventura County voted in favor of Yes on 8.
7. African-Americans overwhelmingly supported Yes on 8. Exit polls show that 70 percent of black voters chose Yes on 8. This was interesting because the majority of these voters voted for President-elect Obama. No on 8 supporters had assumed that Obama voters would vote No on 8.
8. The majority of Latino voters voted Yes on 8. Exit polls show that the majority of Latinos supported Yes on 8 and cited religious beliefs (assumed to be primarily Catholic).
9. The Yes on 8 coalition was a broad spectrum of religious organizations. Catholics, evangelicals, Protestants, Orthodox Jews, Muslims -- all supported Yes on 8. It is estimated that there are 10 million Catholics and 10 million Protestants in California. Mormons were a tiny fraction of the population represented by Yes on 8 coalition members.
10. Not all Mormons voted in favor of Proposition 8. Our faith accords that each person be allowed to choose for him or herself. Church leaders have asked members to treat other members with "civility, respect and love," despite their differing views.
11. The church did not violate the principal of separation of church and state. This principle is derived from the First Amendment to the United States' Constitution, which reads, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof?" The phrase "separation of church and state", which does not appear in the Constitution itself, is generally traced to an 1802 letter by Thomas Jefferson, although it has since been quoted in several opinions handed down by the United States Supreme Court in recent years. The LDS Church is under no obligation to refrain from participating in the political process to the extent permitted by law. U.S. election law is very clear that churches may not endorse candidates, but may support issues. The church as always been very careful on this matter and occasionally (not often) chooses to support causes that it feels to be of a moral nature.
12. Supporters of Proposition 8 did exactly what the Constitution provides for all citizens: they exercised their First Amendment rights to speak out on an issue that concerned them, make contributions to a cause that they support and then vote in the regular electoral process. For the most part, this seems to have been done in an open, fair and civil way. Opponents of 8 have accused supporters of being bigots, liars and worse. The fact is, we simply did what Americans do -- we spoke up, we campaigned and we voted.
Hold your heads up high -- you did a great job on this most important cause. We will have more opportunities in the future to participate in our democratic process. Let's remember the lessons learned and do an even better job next time.
These are my personal opinions and thoughts; any errors are mine and in no way reflect official church policy or doctrine.
Thanks,
Kevin Hamilton
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Good Quote - don't know where it's from
I saw this today but don't know the source....
"After a while you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul, and you learn that love doesn't mean leaning and company doesn't mean security, and you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts and presents aren't promises, and you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes open, with the grace of an adult, not the grief of a child. You learn to build all your roads on today because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans. After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much. So, plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers."
and from a guy's blog page: I like it and really do love the fall! It's just nice to see a guy likes it too....
So, if you like walking where the only sound is the sharp crackling of the dry leaves fallen around your feet, if you like cold mornings and warm afternoons, if you like outdoor movies where you need a blanket and a friend to snuggle with, if you like the changing leaves, and the sound the wind makes through them just before they fall, if you like ghost stories around a fire pit, if you like the feeling of needing someone in your sleeping bag because it’s cold, if you like to watch the sun rise late over the mountains that surround you, and then see it set behind shimmering trees on the horizon… It’s like being alone with the person you love – the solitude and solace – I want to meet the person who, like autumn, is all about experiencing the beauty that surrounds us…
"After a while you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul, and you learn that love doesn't mean leaning and company doesn't mean security, and you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts and presents aren't promises, and you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes open, with the grace of an adult, not the grief of a child. You learn to build all your roads on today because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans. After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much. So, plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers."
and from a guy's blog page: I like it and really do love the fall! It's just nice to see a guy likes it too....
So, if you like walking where the only sound is the sharp crackling of the dry leaves fallen around your feet, if you like cold mornings and warm afternoons, if you like outdoor movies where you need a blanket and a friend to snuggle with, if you like the changing leaves, and the sound the wind makes through them just before they fall, if you like ghost stories around a fire pit, if you like the feeling of needing someone in your sleeping bag because it’s cold, if you like to watch the sun rise late over the mountains that surround you, and then see it set behind shimmering trees on the horizon… It’s like being alone with the person you love – the solitude and solace – I want to meet the person who, like autumn, is all about experiencing the beauty that surrounds us…
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