I did it! I memorized all 13 Articles of Faith and successfully recited them to my husband on Christmas Eve. It took some nights staying up late, lots of prayers and listening to the primary songs over and over again. But I did it!
Since completing this goal, however, I have not begun another mental challenge and as a result I have found myself drifting into my old bad habit of negative thoughts. I must find a new mental challenge to turn to when my mind feels free to wonder on its own.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
Sportsmanship
Our friend Jim wrote a blog on the fans support of inappropriate comments made by Max Hall after the recent BYU vs Utah game. This brought up many concerns and feelings that I have regaurding some LDS people and their mistaken belief that cheating, yelling, swearing, physically or emotionally harming another is acceptable in the realms of an athletic contest. So I decided to look up some information on lds.org to get a clearer picture of what is expected of us in athletic contests.
The First Presidency has stated that: “Church sports activities have a unique central purpose much higher than the development of physical prowess, or even victory itself. It is to strengthen faith, build integrity, and develop in each participant the attributes of his maker.” (Thomas S. Monson, “Goal beyond Victory,” Ensign, Nov 1988, 44) President Monson in this article also points out that the gyms constructed in our meeting houses are paid for by the tithes of every member and every member should have the opportunity to play. I know in my wards several people would not play because of the contention and behavior from other participants.
We must remember that: “He that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.” (3 Ne. 11:29.)
It seems that a lot of poor sports believe that their actions in a athletic contest are constrained to that contest and as such are acceptable. However as pointed out here: “Sportsmanship is no different from fair play in life. When someone crowds into line at a grocery store, that person is a poor sport. We need to discipline ourselves and control our reactions in similar situations in sports.” (Kathleen Lubeck, “When the Whistle Blows: Preparing Good Sports,” Ensign, Apr 1985, 26)
I loved this comment made by Bishop Vaughn J. Featherstone in The Aaronic Priesthood Holder and Athletics : "Never want anything so badly that the person who has the power to give it to you can control you. This is true of athletics as it is in life. Integrity is vital."
This article (quoted above) gives some wonderful suggestions to wards and stakes about how to best promote sportsmanship:
1 - MUST HAVE BISHOP APPROVAL: In one stake “Bishops interview all players to make sure that they’re worthy to participate in the sports programs and that they understand the rules. Bishops fill out a roster of those who will participate, and the roster is turned in to the stake at our monthly meeting. If a player is ejected from a game for unsportsmanlike conduct, that player needs the approval of his or her bishop and stake president to play in future games. "
2 - ATTEND CHURCH MEETINGS: “We’ve also made it a policy in our region that participants in Church-sponsored sports attend at least two Church meetings per month,” said President Tingey. “That includes nonmembers.”
3 - SPORTSMANSHIP POINTS: Another stake stated: “We provide incentives for our players to be good sports by giving sportsmanship evaluations as well as game points for each game,” said Robert Reese, regional sports director. “A team must earn a certain number of sportsmanship points to be able to progress in the tournament.”
4 - CALL AND SET APART OFFICIALS: "We’ve found that the most successful sports programs have officials who have been called and set apart and supported by priesthood leaders.”
I wish and pray that these suggestions had been implemented in our ward while at BYU. I cannot tell you how many leaders in our ward recognized me and whom I recognized from my officiating BYU Intramurals. The vile actions and words that were delivered during games rocked me to my very soul. This is one circumstance that has definitely forced me to question how a person could act in such a way and feel worthy enough to attend the temple.
One individual received a unsportmanship card from me for saying vile comments about an official after the game. When I ran into him in our first meeting with the ward leaders of a new ward we were attending, he made the comment that it wasn't deserved as the comments were not made to the officials face. This makes me sick to my stomach.
As we are not all leaders, here are some other wonderful suggestions for fellow teammates to support good sportsmanship made by the Assistant Athletic Director at BYU in this article:
1 - DON'T LET A TEAMMATE HAVE BAD SPORTSMANSHIP: "Teammates need to express their concern to the player immediately, helping him to recognize that angry words are unacceptable."
2 - MAKE HONOR CALLS: "Honor calls are encouraged in Church sports and ought to be more prevalent at all levels of athletics. Officials cannot see all the action at once. Such honesty takes controversy out of calls, especially close plays, and makes officiating much easier."
3 - PRAY BEFORE EACH GAME: "A prayer before a game has a calming influence. It helps put the game in perspective and reminds players of the need for good sportsmanship."
I pray that somehow this information has helped you and can help many others so that the athletic games that I love may retain their integrity, and help build up our own integrity.
The First Presidency has stated that: “Church sports activities have a unique central purpose much higher than the development of physical prowess, or even victory itself. It is to strengthen faith, build integrity, and develop in each participant the attributes of his maker.” (Thomas S. Monson, “Goal beyond Victory,” Ensign, Nov 1988, 44) President Monson in this article also points out that the gyms constructed in our meeting houses are paid for by the tithes of every member and every member should have the opportunity to play. I know in my wards several people would not play because of the contention and behavior from other participants.
We must remember that: “He that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.” (3 Ne. 11:29.)
It seems that a lot of poor sports believe that their actions in a athletic contest are constrained to that contest and as such are acceptable. However as pointed out here: “Sportsmanship is no different from fair play in life. When someone crowds into line at a grocery store, that person is a poor sport. We need to discipline ourselves and control our reactions in similar situations in sports.” (Kathleen Lubeck, “When the Whistle Blows: Preparing Good Sports,” Ensign, Apr 1985, 26)
I loved this comment made by Bishop Vaughn J. Featherstone in The Aaronic Priesthood Holder and Athletics : "Never want anything so badly that the person who has the power to give it to you can control you. This is true of athletics as it is in life. Integrity is vital."
This article (quoted above) gives some wonderful suggestions to wards and stakes about how to best promote sportsmanship:
1 - MUST HAVE BISHOP APPROVAL: In one stake “Bishops interview all players to make sure that they’re worthy to participate in the sports programs and that they understand the rules. Bishops fill out a roster of those who will participate, and the roster is turned in to the stake at our monthly meeting. If a player is ejected from a game for unsportsmanlike conduct, that player needs the approval of his or her bishop and stake president to play in future games. "
2 - ATTEND CHURCH MEETINGS: “We’ve also made it a policy in our region that participants in Church-sponsored sports attend at least two Church meetings per month,” said President Tingey. “That includes nonmembers.”
3 - SPORTSMANSHIP POINTS: Another stake stated: “We provide incentives for our players to be good sports by giving sportsmanship evaluations as well as game points for each game,” said Robert Reese, regional sports director. “A team must earn a certain number of sportsmanship points to be able to progress in the tournament.”
4 - CALL AND SET APART OFFICIALS: "We’ve found that the most successful sports programs have officials who have been called and set apart and supported by priesthood leaders.”
I wish and pray that these suggestions had been implemented in our ward while at BYU. I cannot tell you how many leaders in our ward recognized me and whom I recognized from my officiating BYU Intramurals. The vile actions and words that were delivered during games rocked me to my very soul. This is one circumstance that has definitely forced me to question how a person could act in such a way and feel worthy enough to attend the temple.
One individual received a unsportmanship card from me for saying vile comments about an official after the game. When I ran into him in our first meeting with the ward leaders of a new ward we were attending, he made the comment that it wasn't deserved as the comments were not made to the officials face. This makes me sick to my stomach.
As we are not all leaders, here are some other wonderful suggestions for fellow teammates to support good sportsmanship made by the Assistant Athletic Director at BYU in this article:
1 - DON'T LET A TEAMMATE HAVE BAD SPORTSMANSHIP: "Teammates need to express their concern to the player immediately, helping him to recognize that angry words are unacceptable."
2 - MAKE HONOR CALLS: "Honor calls are encouraged in Church sports and ought to be more prevalent at all levels of athletics. Officials cannot see all the action at once. Such honesty takes controversy out of calls, especially close plays, and makes officiating much easier."
3 - PRAY BEFORE EACH GAME: "A prayer before a game has a calming influence. It helps put the game in perspective and reminds players of the need for good sportsmanship."
I pray that somehow this information has helped you and can help many others so that the athletic games that I love may retain their integrity, and help build up our own integrity.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
LDS Gems
Today I have been in the most melancholy mood. It began last night and I have been praying earnestly for the cause or purpose of it. I know yesterday I spent a good deal of energy being jealous which I am happy to say I overcame through prayer and personal revelation. But my "blue" mood still continues. I began looking on lds.org for some sort of help. I was reminded that I need to continue my personal goal of memorizing the 13 articles of faith ... I have through Article 4 down but have since forgotten my goal.
I found a section on the website called LDS Gems. The message for today came from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland:
"you can have sacred, revelatory, profoundly instructive experience with the Lord in any situation you are in. Indeed, let me say that even a little stronger: you can have sacred, revelatory, profoundly instructive experience with the Lord in the most miserable experiences of your life—in the worst settings, while enduring the most painful injustices, when facing the most insurmountable odds and opposition you have ever faced."
Just reading this quote gave me peace and comfort. I still do not understand my mood, but it has waned for the time being so I am grateful.
I found a section on the website called LDS Gems. The message for today came from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland:
"you can have sacred, revelatory, profoundly instructive experience with the Lord in any situation you are in. Indeed, let me say that even a little stronger: you can have sacred, revelatory, profoundly instructive experience with the Lord in the most miserable experiences of your life—in the worst settings, while enduring the most painful injustices, when facing the most insurmountable odds and opposition you have ever faced."
Just reading this quote gave me peace and comfort. I still do not understand my mood, but it has waned for the time being so I am grateful.
Monday, November 30, 2009
No More Facebook
Yesterday in church our Bishop played the talk by Elder Bednar given at BYU-Idaho. I apologize but I cannot find it nor remember the name of it. It was discussing appropriate use of media and virtual realities.
My Bishop asked us to have a prayer in our heart as we listened and be close to the spirit. So I said a quick prayer and focused very intently on the speech. What a wonderful talk it was! So many elements of it stuck out to me. One being that if we deny a prompting or do not do something Heavenly Father would want us to do, then we invite Satan.
Another was the statement that what we do in virtual worlds (i.e. video games, chat rooms etc) is still a reflection of our heart and spirit. So if we sin in them, we sin. This has given me the strength to push to clean out our video games and movie collection.
He talked about the importance of our bodies and how we should not put them in jeopardy for fun or a thrill experience. He also discussed virtual relationships. While it seemed to be more in line with men and women forming unhealthy virtual relationships online, I felt strongly about the "virtual friendships" that have begun to rule my life.
My thoughts came to Facebook. For me I know that one issue I have with Facebook is the amount of time I spend on it. So I have worked at this and a couple of month ago eliminated all the games from it. Then last month I told myself I was not aloud to get on it while at home. I have been very proud of these steps that I have conquered.
While listening to Elder Bednar I felt that the relationships I care most about with my close friends and family have turned into "virtual relationships." I do not talk to those I care most about on the phone or even in email. I talk to them online in one line phrases on Facebook. I realized that the friendships and relationships with those I love is far to important to be watered down by Facebook.
So I made the decision yesterday to give it up. When I woke up this morning I was physically sick about it. I did not want to give it up. I began to list more and more reasons for leaving ... avoiding gossip, cultivating real relationships, focusing better at work ... etc.
I was late going in to work because I was rolling around in bed having horrible dreams and feeling so sick. I got into work and deactivated my account. All day since I have been having withdrawal symptoms. Yes from Facebook! I get sick when I think about it, and long to sign on again. In fact I did once just to make sure I closed my account but alas, all I have to do to reactivate it is to sign on again! So giving it up is even harder because I can at anytime sign on again.
I wish to have real relationships with people, be able to call them and get together. I hate the awkwardness that arises sometimes when you meet up with a friend who you only communicate with over the Internet. My friendships and relationships are too important for that.
So this was my decision, and it is right for me. It is incredibly difficult but right for me. I am following the guidance of the Spirit and keeping focused on the eternities before me and my family. That is what gives me the strength to walk away from things of this world and focus on what really matters.
My Bishop asked us to have a prayer in our heart as we listened and be close to the spirit. So I said a quick prayer and focused very intently on the speech. What a wonderful talk it was! So many elements of it stuck out to me. One being that if we deny a prompting or do not do something Heavenly Father would want us to do, then we invite Satan.
Another was the statement that what we do in virtual worlds (i.e. video games, chat rooms etc) is still a reflection of our heart and spirit. So if we sin in them, we sin. This has given me the strength to push to clean out our video games and movie collection.
He talked about the importance of our bodies and how we should not put them in jeopardy for fun or a thrill experience. He also discussed virtual relationships. While it seemed to be more in line with men and women forming unhealthy virtual relationships online, I felt strongly about the "virtual friendships" that have begun to rule my life.
My thoughts came to Facebook. For me I know that one issue I have with Facebook is the amount of time I spend on it. So I have worked at this and a couple of month ago eliminated all the games from it. Then last month I told myself I was not aloud to get on it while at home. I have been very proud of these steps that I have conquered.
While listening to Elder Bednar I felt that the relationships I care most about with my close friends and family have turned into "virtual relationships." I do not talk to those I care most about on the phone or even in email. I talk to them online in one line phrases on Facebook. I realized that the friendships and relationships with those I love is far to important to be watered down by Facebook.
So I made the decision yesterday to give it up. When I woke up this morning I was physically sick about it. I did not want to give it up. I began to list more and more reasons for leaving ... avoiding gossip, cultivating real relationships, focusing better at work ... etc.
I was late going in to work because I was rolling around in bed having horrible dreams and feeling so sick. I got into work and deactivated my account. All day since I have been having withdrawal symptoms. Yes from Facebook! I get sick when I think about it, and long to sign on again. In fact I did once just to make sure I closed my account but alas, all I have to do to reactivate it is to sign on again! So giving it up is even harder because I can at anytime sign on again.
I wish to have real relationships with people, be able to call them and get together. I hate the awkwardness that arises sometimes when you meet up with a friend who you only communicate with over the Internet. My friendships and relationships are too important for that.
So this was my decision, and it is right for me. It is incredibly difficult but right for me. I am following the guidance of the Spirit and keeping focused on the eternities before me and my family. That is what gives me the strength to walk away from things of this world and focus on what really matters.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Closing Remarks
Closing Remarks by President Monson :
"We live at a time when many in the world have slipped from the moorings of safety found in compliance with the commandments. It is a time of permissiveness, with society in general routinely disregarding and breaking the laws of God. We often find ourselves swimming against the current, and sometimes it seems as though the current could carry us away."
"We live at a time when many in the world have slipped from the moorings of safety found in compliance with the commandments. It is a time of permissiveness, with society in general routinely disregarding and breaking the laws of God. We often find ourselves swimming against the current, and sometimes it seems as though the current could carry us away."
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Moral Discipline
Moral Discipline by Elder D. Todd Christofferson is a wonderful talk on the importance of moral discipline.
I loved the line "Mere wanting is hardly a proper guide for moral conduct " as a woman he was quoting said. This perfectly sums up my feelings on society and its judgement of what is right and wrong. So silly to me.
He defined moral discipline as " the consistent exercise of agency to choose the right because it is right, even when it is hard." I know that is what defines us as people ... what we do when no one is looking, how we act in difficult situations ... that is who we are. Society tells us it is ok to do or act in various ways because we are angry, jealous, or upset. It's not okay.
I was just thinking last night how I was taught that if someone hits you, you hit them back. How stupid is that? How did we learn this? Jesus taught us NOT to hurt those that hurt us, but rather love them. Somehow society says it's okay to do the wrong thing in certain circumstances, and its even encouraged and expected. How stupid.
We as parents and people with Gospel knowledge must raise our children with the strong hand of love and guidance as shown by Jesus Christ. We cannot let society and its distorted views teach our children. We must set our best example and stay strong and love our children through teaching and expecting the best from them.
I loved the line "Mere wanting is hardly a proper guide for moral conduct " as a woman he was quoting said. This perfectly sums up my feelings on society and its judgement of what is right and wrong. So silly to me.
He defined moral discipline as " the consistent exercise of agency to choose the right because it is right, even when it is hard." I know that is what defines us as people ... what we do when no one is looking, how we act in difficult situations ... that is who we are. Society tells us it is ok to do or act in various ways because we are angry, jealous, or upset. It's not okay.
I was just thinking last night how I was taught that if someone hits you, you hit them back. How stupid is that? How did we learn this? Jesus taught us NOT to hurt those that hurt us, but rather love them. Somehow society says it's okay to do the wrong thing in certain circumstances, and its even encouraged and expected. How stupid.
We as parents and people with Gospel knowledge must raise our children with the strong hand of love and guidance as shown by Jesus Christ. We cannot let society and its distorted views teach our children. We must set our best example and stay strong and love our children through teaching and expecting the best from them.
Blessings of the Gospel Available to All
Blessings of the Gospel Available to All by Elder Joseph W. Sitati : while reading this talk I began to ponder ... if Heavenly Father hadn't made the promise that there would be no more great floods, as in the time of Noah, to rid the world of the wicked ... would we be here today? And I know the answer to be yes as we are all spirit children and born into this world righteous and good with the Spirit of Christ within us ... but perhaps the world wouldn't be so bad.
If there were floods to wipe out the wicked (which is not the case now with natural disasters) would we still have pornography, abuse, and other grievous and horrible sinful actions on Earth? I don't know. I know that as the time of Christ's return gets closer the wicked gets stronger and the world " call{s} evil good, and good evil" (Isaiah 5:20). It is such a confusing and difficult time to live in.
Remember back to the days when showing a belly button on TV was considered immoral and forbidden? It's seems like nothing these days is out of bounds to show on TV or discuss. It's so sad. We have this amazing technology but the evil that has infiltrated it makes me want to shut it off and stay away from it.
If there were floods to wipe out the wicked (which is not the case now with natural disasters) would we still have pornography, abuse, and other grievous and horrible sinful actions on Earth? I don't know. I know that as the time of Christ's return gets closer the wicked gets stronger and the world " call{s} evil good, and good evil" (Isaiah 5:20). It is such a confusing and difficult time to live in.
Remember back to the days when showing a belly button on TV was considered immoral and forbidden? It's seems like nothing these days is out of bounds to show on TV or discuss. It's so sad. We have this amazing technology but the evil that has infiltrated it makes me want to shut it off and stay away from it.
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