tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13351181998377320882024-02-19T00:36:37.312-08:00Michael's Thoughts and IdeasMichael Worleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078136075924935280noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335118199837732088.post-67151625667553797802017-09-19T22:23:00.000-07:002017-09-19T22:25:06.570-07:00On Bigotry and Fake News<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="cji4b" data-offset-key="bjmbf-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "SF Optimized", system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.12px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span data-offset-key="bjmbf-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">The term "fake news" is to freedom of the press what the term "bigot" is to freedom of speech.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="be8d7-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Before I explain, let me be clear: there is both real bigotry and real fake news.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="26nc8-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">1. Let me explain about bigotry first.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="amfdc-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">When you call someone a bigot, it makes it harder for them to engage on equal grounds. ("You're a bigot!" "No, actually, I'm not..." isn't productive.) </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="9grog-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Worse, labeling someone a bigot groups them with other people. Suppose Joe supports non-discrimination ordinances for LGBT individuals with sensible religious exemptions, but opposes same-sex marriage and efforts to coerce religious individuals to act in violation of conscience. (This happens to be my position. But the merits of my position is not the point here.) Calling Joe a "bigot" ignores the efforts he might takes to defend LGBT rights, lumping him in with, for example, the Westboro Baptist Church. I hope we can see the problems with this.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="3vv5d-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">There are ways to critique Joe's position, and I'm not faulting people who do so. I'm just saying the term bigot should be left out of it.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="c1d60-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">2. The term "Fake news" is in essence same story, just used by largely different people. When you call something "fake news" it is hard to engage with the term on equal grounds. It puts the burden of proof on the reporter to support every fact in the story. Plus it is designed to end a discussion, not start one ("You're quoting CNN? Such fake news." won't lead to "Well, CNN is actually right this time..." </span><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.12px;">How unconvincing is that after being called fake news).</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="2pcce-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Worse, calling something "fake news" groups them with other people or groups. CNN does post more against Trump than for him. And they occasionally get things wrong. But calling CNN fake news lumps it in with news sites that categorically or exclusively publish lies-- there are some sites and sources that will ONLY post frauds. We can't talk about these sources if people are trained to think they are no different than CNN. They are NOT.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.12px;">And, yes, CNN does publish some truth, which must be grappled with, even if it is a biased recitation of the truth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.12px;">There are ways to critique CNN's reporting and I'm not faulting people who do so. I'm just saying the term bigot should be left out of it.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="9mq0j-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">So by all means, critique Joe (and me). Critique CNN. But think long and hard before you use the terms "bigot" or "fake news."</span></div>
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Michael Worleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078136075924935280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335118199837732088.post-53216633370205258362016-05-29T09:05:00.002-07:002016-05-29T09:07:46.413-07:00Two indications of positive LDS church growth<br />
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One narrative about the my faith is that it is too "conservative"/"pious"/"rigid" for modern society, and that, for this reason, activity rates in more liberal/secular areas are declining. (See Footnote 1). Let me suggest that, contrary this narrative, the LDS Church has shown an increased success in going 'to the rescue'-- that is, helping those who have left church activity feel Christ's love through the institution of the church, and return to full fellowship.<br />
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Two sources confirm this: First, the number of stakes being created each year has been high worldwide for the last several years, and appears to be accelerating this year. Second, Elder Cook said in April 2015 that the number of resignations is at historic lows, and John Dehlin (hardly a church supporter) agreed with him.<br />
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1. One robust measure of activity rates is the net number or new stakes created. Given the consistent requirements for the creation of new stakes, such as having a certain number of male active temple recommend holders (to fill callings), we can use this statistic as a proxy for the activity rates that go unreported to the public:</div>
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<tr><td><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Year</span></td><td><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Net number of stakes</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">2010</span></td><td><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">31 (probably an outlier)</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">2011</span></td><td><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">50</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">2012</span></td><td><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">59</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">2013</span></td><td><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">46</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">2014</span></td><td><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">63</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">2015</span></td><td><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">60</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">2016 (through 5/28)</span></td><td><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">33</span></td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />See the right sidebar of <a class="vglnk" href="http://ldschurchgrowth.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #336699; text-decoration: none;">http://ldschurchgrowth.blogspot.com/</a> for more details about these statistics.<br /><br />The chart above demonstrates that, if present trends hold, the church is on track to have a net gain 55 stakes or more in the last three years-- and quite possibly more than 65 this year (depending on the rest of 2016). This three year period is higher than the previous three-year period. Individual years are subject to a whole host of variables, but 3-year trends can be seen as more significant. As church growth via convert baptisms has not been increasing, the only way such growth could be accomplished is through increased reactivation and retention.<br /><br />And this growth is worldwide. If you look at the two-and-a-half year time period that I mentioned, you get the following increase in stakes, sorted by area.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Area of the World<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Net number of stakes, Jan. 2014-May 28, 2016<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Net number of stakes, Jul. 2011-2013<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Utah<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">12<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">7<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">North America (but not Utah)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="padding: 1pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">46<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="padding: 1pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">20<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Central and South America <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">33<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="padding: 1pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">30<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Africa<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">38<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="padding: 1pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">24<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Asia<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="padding: 1pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">17<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="padding: 1pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">20<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Europe<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="padding: 1pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="padding: 1pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">10<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Islands<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="padding: 1pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">7<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="padding: 1pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">16<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /><br />This shows, of course, that there is substantial-- and increading church growth in Africa. However, another story is the continued growth in North America--particularly outside of Utah. With convert baptisms as low as they are, this provides evidence that reactivation and retention rates in North America have increased, indicating that fewer individuals are leaving the church.<br /><br />2. In his April 2015 Conferene Talk, Elder Quentin L. Cook commented<br /><br />"<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 28.8px;">Some have asserted that more members are leaving the Church today and that there is more doubt and unbelief than in the past. This is simply not true. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has never been stronger. The number of members removing their names from the records of the Church has always been very small and is significantly less in recent years than in the past.</span><span style="line-height: 0px;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 28.8px;"> The increase in demonstrably measurable areas, such as endowed members with a current temple recommend, adult full-tithe payers, and those serving missions, has been dramatic. Let me say again, the Church has never been stronger. But, “remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.”</span><span style="line-height: 0px;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 28.8px;">We reach out to everyone."</span><br /><br />John Dehlin, a former church member, commented on Elder Cook's statement by saying:<br /><br />"<span style="color: #1d2129; line-height: 19.32px;">I spoke with someone today who has access to LDS Church activity rates. Their position is that the number of total active members globally is higher than it has ever been, and continues to grow (even if at a slowing rate)...and in that sense....Elder Cook was telling the truth when he said that the church is stronger than ever. I actually believe him."</span></span><br />Thus, the data about stakes above matches what those who have access to more complete figures are saying about church growth.<br /><br />---<br style="line-height: 20px;" /><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Both of these sources indicate activity rates and retention rates are rising-- not falling-- in North America.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Footnote 1: <span style="line-height: 20px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 20px;"> I am using these terms somewhat stereotypically, and won't quarrel with you if you explain that my faith is, in actuality, quite liberal/progressive. But I think the stereotypes are well enough entrenched to make them.</span></span></div>
Michael Worleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078136075924935280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335118199837732088.post-62991904894170360042016-03-23T21:06:00.000-07:002016-03-23T22:20:02.286-07:00"And All Was Well": Writing my own footnote 15.<br />
In 2011, I began law school. As I began, I had goals. One was to be a constitutional lawyer. The other was to be a human being, and figure things out about life, serve in my church, and maybe even find my wife. I was told, of course, that you needed the top grades in order to be a constitutional lawyer. Those well-versed in my life will note challenges I faced in other aspects of my life in 2011, and on through the present; others will not.<br />
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These challenges left me needing a great deal of faith. I found comfort in a story President Uchtdorf told in the October 2011 general conference:<br />
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"Let me share with you a personal experience that may be of some help to those who feel insignificant, forgotten, or alone.<br />
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Many years ago I attended pilot training in the United States Air Force. I was far away from my home, a young West German soldier, born in Czechoslovakia, who had grown up in East Germany and spoke English only with great difficulty. I clearly remember my journey to our training base in Texas. I was on a plane, sitting next to a passenger who spoke with a heavy Southern accent. I could scarcely understand a word he said. I actually wondered if I had been taught the wrong language all along. I was terrified by the thought that I had to compete for the coveted top spots in pilot training against students who were native English speakers.<br />
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When I arrived on the air base in the small town of Big Spring, Texas, I looked for and found the Latter-day Saint branch, which consisted of a handful of wonderful members who were meeting in rented rooms on the air base itself. The members were in the process of building a small meetinghouse that would serve as a permanent place for the Church. Back in those days members provided much of the labor on new buildings.<br />
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Day after day I attended my pilot training and studied as hard as I could and then spent most of my spare time working on the new meetinghouse. There I learned that a two-by-four is not a dance step but a piece of wood. I also learned the important survival skill of missing my thumb when pounding a nail.<br />
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I spent so much time working on the meetinghouse that the branch president—who also happened to be one of our flight instructors—expressed concern that I perhaps should spend more time studying.<br />
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. . .. For my part, I enjoyed being an active part of this tiny west Texas branch, practicing my newly acquired carpentry skills, and improving my English as I fulfilled my callings to teach in the elders quorum and in Sunday School.<br />
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At the time, Big Spring, despite its name, was a small, insignificant, and unknown place. And I often felt exactly the same way about myself—insignificant, unknown, and quite alone. Even so, I never once wondered if the Lord had forgotten me or if He would ever be able to find me there. I knew that it didn’t matter to Heavenly Father where I was, where I ranked with others in my pilot training class, or what my calling in the Church was. What mattered to Him was that I was doing the best I could, that my heart was inclined toward Him, and that I was willing to help those around me. I knew if I did the best I could, all would be well.<br />
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And all was well."<br />
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At the end of the story, President Uchtdorf dropped a footnote, footnote 15: "Dieter F. Uchtdorf graduated first in his class."<br />
<br />
What a comforting story that was for me as a young law student. I often wondered what I would put someday in my own footnote 15 about my law school experience. Would it match his, only with my name inserted in place of his? What would life hold in store for me? Would I be able to do work in my area of interest, religious freedom?<br />
<br />
Well now I have a start to my own footnote 15, formed from the same principles that led to President Uchtdorf's footnote 15: trusting in the Lord. It is a much longer footnote, but I hope it conveys how richly blessed I have been since 2011:<br />
<br />
Michael T. Worley met the future Alizabeth Worley on December 11, 2014. On October 6, 2014 they were married, and their first son <Name redacted> Worley, was born on March __, 2016. Michael is able to work from home, thus maximizing his time with Alizabeth and <N.R.W.> (not his real initials).<br />
<br />
After being told for years that he would have to leave his beloved Provo to practice constitutional law, Michael and Lizzie are living in Provo. Michael routinely assists more seasoned litigators on briefs for the United States Supreme Court. In his first case ever in Federal District Court, Michael and his senior partner won on constitutional law grounds. Michael routinely represents clients of many religions and is working to defend religious freedom.<br />
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<br />Michael Worleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078136075924935280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335118199837732088.post-55444621792133717292016-03-05T10:37:00.000-08:002016-03-05T10:43:22.045-08:00In the long run, all is well: A case study in LDS Church Growth (Glendale, California)Being from California, I am not ignorant of the trends that make it difficult to raise a family in California if you are debt-avoidant and socially conservative (spend five minutes on Zillow and latimes.com if you doubt this assertion). But I also served a mission in California, so I am acutely aware that God loves the people of California greatly.<br />
<br />
So when my stake at the time, the La Crescenta California Stake, was combined with its neighbor to the south, the Glendale California Stake, many assumed it was a result of the socioeconomic conditions which disfavored families from moving to the Glendale area. They were probably right, at least to some degree (Spanish speakers in Glendale attend a different stake, and I don't know how big/small those wards are, though I once heard that they were big from one source).<br />
<br />
When the two stakes were combined in 2006, the Glendale Stake had <b>5 units </b>(four family wards and a singles' ward), that were quickly combined to be <b>3 units </b>(two family wards and a singles' ward). This was sad, but it reflected the size of the LDS Church in the Glendale stake.<br />
<br />
Here is the miracle: since these stakes were combined in 2006, the Glendale area has added two new units-- a Filipino ward and a Single Adult ward, bringing the Glendale area back to the original <b>5 units</b> it had prior to the stakes combining, and presumably reflecting a larger presence of the LDS Church in Glendale. This doesn't mean Glendale will get a stake again--LDS Church leadership generally splits stakes when they have 11-14 units and given the history involved I suspect the leaders will want to wait for any proposed split to yield 7 units in one or both stakes, which may not be forthcoming.<br />
<br />
But this growth does mean the church in Glendale is stronger than it was.<br />
<br />
It may seem like a small thing-- two new wards in a decade-- but to me it these new wards a reminder that God loves his children. While world conditions may seem to disfavor religious observance through organized religion, and many stereotype California as being very secular and not socioeconomically friendly to families, God is still finding a way to bring thousands of Californians to him via his restored church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.<br />
<br />
It is indeed true that:<br />
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The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.-- Joseph Smith</h1>
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As always, these thoughts are my own, are intended to help, but do not reflect the position of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.<br />
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Thanks for reading,<br />
Michael</div>
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<br />Michael Worleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078136075924935280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335118199837732088.post-32697349991491678182016-03-01T09:26:00.002-08:002016-03-01T15:22:19.384-08:00Obedient but not judgmental: A lesson from Fast SundaysIn my faith, one Sunday a month church members fast. In conjunction with what we call 'Fast Sunday', a sizable chunk of the worship service ("sacrament meeting") is devoted to members sharing their feelings about the church in a pseudo-"open mic" setting. No lay member is asked to bear their testimony; the member chooses for himself or herself whether to speak.<br />
<br />
Church leaders have <a href="https://www.lds.org/church/news/first-presidency-letter-testimonies-in-fast-and-testimony-meeting?lang=eng">instructed</a> that these meetings are designed to help many members "express a brief, heartfelt testimony of our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ, and the truths of the restored gospel." This is done "so that more members may have the opportunity to participate."<br />
<br />
All that is pretty standard. But much of the time, some church members will either not be brief or not be focused on their testimonies when speaking in fast and testimony meetings.<br />
<br />
Let me suggest today that we should follow strictly the instructions of the church leaders regarding how we personally should bear testimony. I also believe that local church leaders should emphasize this counsel as needed.<br />
<br />
But I would like to suggest that when we, as lay members, are the listeners during the fast and testimony meeting (which will be the majority of every meeting), we avoid thinking about this counsel as we listen to others' testimonies. True, we can and should lead by example and share these principles in appropriate settings, but that doesn't mean that we should think about it while others are bearing their testimonies.<br />
<br />
Why am I suggesting that we avoid thinking for a time about counsel from the prophets? My feeling is that when we remember this counsel when listening to other testimonies, we will inevitably "grade" others' testimonies for being too long, too short, or too tangental. When we choose to "grade" such testimonies, we will be judgmental of their efforts to bear their testimony. When we do this, I suggest that we are more likely to zone out and miss important truths from their testimonies. <br />
<br />
In a mortal world, elements of truth-- even important core truths-- can be delivered in imperfect ways. The church's missionary program-- powered by imperfect teenagers and young adults-- is an example of this: investigators learn important truths of the gospel in ways that are inevitably less than ideal. Likewise, a part of attending fast and testimony meeting is learning important truths from imperfect individuals.<br />
<br />
Just as in Fast and Testimony meeting, I believe throughout our lives, as we strive to adopt standards of conduct in keeping with the doctrine of Christ and the guidelines of his leaders, we should remember to not judge those who may not be following the doctrine and guidelines in the ways that we think our best.<br />
<br />
As always, these thoughts are my own, are intended to help, but do not reflect the position of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading,<br />
MichaelMichael Worleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078136075924935280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335118199837732088.post-66259816209788627282016-02-15T07:21:00.001-08:002016-03-10T21:32:13.935-08:00Gambling away the Supreme Court<div class="" data-block="true" data-offset-key="3nvgh-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span data-offset-key="3nvgh-0-0">It is an insult to politicians that are flip-floppers to call Donald Trump a flip-flopper. As a Casino owner, he is a bona fide dice-roller, making what he would do in office a complete gamble.
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<span data-offset-key="cc5ri-0-0">Consider just six of his many positions on who he likes to be Supreme Court Justice.
Die side 1-Trump would <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/videos/2015-08-26/donald-trump-the-full-with-all-due-respect-interview">appoint his sister</a>, who has held that the Constitution protects the practice of partial-birth abortion.
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<span data-offset-key="cc5ri-0-0">Die side 2: Justice Thomas is the <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/videos/2015-08-26/donald-trump-the-full-with-all-due-respect-interview">best</a> Conservative Justice.
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<span data-offset-key="cc5ri-0-0"><br /></span><span data-offset-key="cc5ri-0-0">Die face 3: Justice Scalia was <a href="http://www.redstate.com/streiff/2016/02/14/video-donald-trump-slams-justice-scalias-opposition-affirmative-action/">wrong</a> on affirmative action</span><br />
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<span data-offset-key="cc5ri-0-0"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Die side 4: “Justice Roberts turned out to be a <a href="http://lawnewz.com/high-profile/what-donald-trump-has-said-about-what-kind-of-justice-he-would-appoint/">nightmare</a> for conservatives . . .I’m going to appoint people that have great reputation that are great within the legal profession.”
Die side 5: Trump would '<a href="http://lawnewz.com/high-profile/what-donald-trump-has-said-about-what-kind-of-justice-he-would-appoint/">consider</a>' appointing a judge who would overrule the same-sex marriage ruling.</span></span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="cc5ri-0-0"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="cc5ri-0-0"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Die side 6: Trump <a href="http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2015/oct/07/club-growth/trump-supports-eminent-domain-abuse-says-conservat/">supports</a> the liberal decision <i>Kelo v. United States </i>and laws that would restrict <a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865642538/In-our-opinion-Trump-unmatched-as-a-candidate-in-blatant-contempt-for-basic-1st-Amendment-freedoms.html?pg=all">religious freedom</a> in violation of the First Amendment.
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<span data-offset-key="cc5ri-0-0"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Each of Donald Trump's comments represent both inconsistency and ignorance about the Supreme Court that is inexcusable for someone who is seeking to have the power to appoint Justices to the Supreme Court. First, No one should suggest appointing anyone pro-choice if they hope to get the Republican nomination-- yet Trump did. True, Trump admires Justice Thomas, but this does not explain whether his admiration will translate lead him to appoint a judge who yet opposes his views on affirmative action, eminent domain and religious freedom. Third, Trump wants to appoint people of great reputation to the Supreme Court-- and yet slams Justice Roberts (who had such a reputation). Last, Trump's statement that he would 'consider' appointing a judge who believes our Constitution does not require same-sex marriage is inadequate.
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<span data-offset-key="cc5ri-0-0"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="cc5ri-0-0"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have focused on Trump's statements prior to Justice Scalia's passing, because they paint a more credible picture of how Trump really feels than statements made in the heat of the campaign.
The choice could hardly be clearer: Republicans must not vote for Trump if they value the Supreme Court. </span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span data-offset-key="cc5ri-0-0"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It should not be a surprise that a vote for a casino owner is a gamble. With Supreme Court nominations on the line, we have no time to gamble.</span></span></span></div>
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Michael Worleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078136075924935280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335118199837732088.post-17446674037931102852016-02-09T17:07:00.000-08:002016-02-09T17:07:29.967-08:00Statement regarding Donald Trump's victory in the New Hampshire primaryToday, the world lost. Civility lost. Religious freedom lost. Mexicans lost. Christians lost. Muslims lost. Glenn Beck, Matt Walsh, Russell Moore, Jeb Bush, Mitt Romney, and many other voices that condemned Donald Trump all lost<br />
<br />
In New Hampshire, at least, Loud voices won. Anger won. Fear won. <br />
<br />
Rather than be upset at these events-- returning anger with anger-- let us direct our energies towards re-educating our fellow Americans-- whatever their political views-- in the doctrines that made America great. Civility, religious pluralism, family values, all played a role in making America, like many other countries, great.<br />
<br />
I do not deny that Donald Trump's appeal is rooted in dissatisfaction with many people presently in power. It is simply a universal truth, however, that one's actions-- even radical actions-- should not be based in anger, fear, and bullying absent a clear, thoughtful vision of the future. When this happens, the solution is worse than the problem.<br />
<br />
Donald Trump's bullying plays to both anger and fear. While the problems with the political system that Donald Trump supporters mention are real, the proposed solution (Trump) is, almost unquestionably, worse then those problems. His solutions are purposefully vague.<br />
<br />
And if I'm wrong and the world wins by Trump's candidacy, the reason that the world wins is almost certainly an accident: neither Donald Trump's positions and attitude now nor his positions he held before he ran for office will solve the problems Trump's supporters raise. And, to the extent Trump's positions would 'solve our problems,' the solutions he suggests are completely opposed to my values.<br />
<br />
If Donald Trump is good for our nation, it is because he'll completely change his mind and heart once elected.<br />
<br />
If this election has shown anything, it is that Donald Trump is an expert in manipulating individuals. Only education, not politics, is likely to starve his support. His campaign only works as long as people don't understand the value of religious freedom, cultural diversity, differences in opinion, and civility in society, regardless of how much anger they may feel.<br />
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May we all go forth to educate others.<br />
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There may be exceptions to these broad conclusions I have drawn above. For example, if Donald Trump means what he <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/donald-trump-op-ed-my-vision-for-a-culture-of-life/article/2581271">published</a> in the heat of the Iowa campaign about abortion and judge-made law, and if he makes such issues a priority in his administration, we could have a landmark restoration of what he called a "culture of life."<br />
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I am skeptical he will keep his word on this issue (his publication 10 days before the Iowa Caucus seems very opportunistic), but, if he wins and does keep his word, I will applaud the positives that will come out of his presidency, just like I have about past presidents that I did not vote for.Michael Worleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078136075924935280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335118199837732088.post-26532221036132762222016-01-29T06:25:00.002-08:002016-01-29T07:17:57.301-08:00Mourn With Those that Mourn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38;">We sometimes forget to read scriptures in absolutes. For example, take this one, where Alma explains the consequences of taking upon us the Name of Christ:</span><br />
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"And it came to pass that [Alma] said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;</div>
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"Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—"</div>
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Note Alma did not say "mourn with those that mourn, so long as you agree with their worldview" or "mourn with those that mourn, so long as their mourning is based on confirmed information." The command here makes no such exceptions.<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><span style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">(To be sure, one will mourn different events to different degrees, but that is true of any commandment. See Mosiah 4:27)</span></div>
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I choose this morning to reaffirm the LDS Church statement from yesterday mourning reports of deaths in the LGBT Community.</div>
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Yes, reports conflict about the number of deaths; Indeed, <a href="http://www.sltrib.com/lifestyle/faith/3473487-155/suicide-fears-if-not-actual-suicides?fullpage=1">the Salt Lake Tribune</a> reports that the Utah Department of Health weighed in and said there was not a large spike in the suicide rate, and no suicide they investigated was related to the policy. (They did not release figures about the proportion of suicides that were in the LDS Community or the LGBT community.)</div>
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But the Church statement clearly says that they are "mourning" even these unconfirmed reports. And, given Alma's counsel, how could they do otherwise:</div>
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"Every soul is precious to God and to the church, and the loss of life to suicide is heartbreaking[.] Those who are attracted to others of the same sex face particular challenges and pressures in this regard, both inside and outside the church. We mourn with their families and friends when they feel life no longer offers hope."<br />
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<span style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is not in any way a policy change by the LDS Church: it is simply a reflection of what Alma teaches. (Indeed, I stand by my previous statements defending the LDS Church Policy.)</span><br />
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There is hurt and there is mourning today. There may not be names of those who died and we may never know until heaven the true figure.</div>
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But today we can "mourn with those that mourn."</div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">As always, these thoughts are my own, are intended to help, but do not reflect the position of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">Thanks for reading,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">Michael</span></span><br />
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One of my favorite classes at BYU law school was from an individual who was active in reaching out to those struggling with testimony concerns. One of the things he would tell his class again and again was "there were gold plates." In other words, he was acknowledging the genuine concerns that those who struggle have. However, he articulated that no problem with the Church could change what he considers facts: that Joseph Smith, Jr. translated gold plates that contained a record of the Nephite civilization.<br />
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Now, to be sure, this isn't the only aspect of a testimony that is important. We learn both in the Bible and the Book of Mormon that the 'fruits' of the gospel are an additional source of verifying its validity. The gospel is a gospel of peace and comfort, and produces many other positive outcomes during mortality that are too numerous to cite her.<br />
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But as these fruits surely do not prevent hart times, even 'trials of our faith.' As the hymn 'How Firm A Foundation' and the third verse of the hymn 'The Lord is my Shepherd' emphasize that the gospel's very design is for 'through the deep waters,' 'through fiery trials' and 'in the midst of affliction.'<br />
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These fights of affliction are surely one reason hearing testimonies of the restored gospel are so important. Being reminded by the Holy Ghost and our peers of the truthfulness and value of the restored gospel encourages us amidst the trials that confront others.<br />
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In light of the importance of bearing testimony, for this weeks contribution to the "General Conference Odyssey," I want to share a <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1971/04/a-witness-and-a-blessing?lang=eng">testimony</a> by President Joseph Fielding Smith from the Tuesday Afternoon Session of the April 1971 General Conference:<br />
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"To all that has been said, may I now add my personal testimony of the truth and divinity of this great work and leave with the faithful Saints in all the world my blessing.<br />
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I say to you, and to the whole Church, and, for that matter, to the whole world, that a gracious and loving Father has in these last days spoken again from heaven to his servants the prophets.<br />
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His voice has been one inviting all men to come to his Beloved Son, to learn of him, to partake of his goodness, to take his yoke upon them, and to work out their salvation by obedience to the laws of his gospel. His voice has been one of glory and honor, of peace in this life, and of eternal life in the world to come.<br />
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I know that God lives and that he sent his Only Begotten Son into the world to work out the infinite and eternal atonement.<br />
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I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that he received from his Father the power to ransom men from the spiritual and temporal death brought into the world by the fall of Adam.<br />
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I know that the Lord has set up his church and kingdom on earth for the last time; that in this latter-day kingdom are found the power and authority of the holy priesthood; and that this church administers the gospel and makes its blessings available to all who will believe and obey.<br />
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I am not unmindful that there are good and devout people among all sects, parties, and denominations, and they will be blessed and rewarded for all the good they do. But the fact remains that we alone have the fullness of those laws and ordinances which prepare men for the fullness of reward in the mansions above. And so we say to the good and noble, the upright and devout people everywhere: Keep all the good you have; cleave unto every true principle which is now yours; but come and partake of the further light and knowledge which that God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever is again pouring out upon his people."<br />
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I add my testimony to that of President Smith's. Jesus Christ died for our sins, and lives today. Joseph Smith was properly authorized to restore his church, and there were gold plates. We are led by living prophets today who communicate with God. This church is true.<br />
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As always, these thoughts are my own, are intended to help, but do not reflect the position of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.<br />
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Thanks for reading,<br />
Michael<br /><br />Other posts regarding this session of General Conference:<br />
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<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" dir="ltr" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid #ccc; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; table-layout: fixed;"><colgroup><col width="704"></col><col width="820"></col></colgroup><tbody>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"The Path Out of Shadows"]" style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><a href="http://difficultrun.nathanielgivens.com/2016/01/12/the-path-out-of-shadows/">The Path Out of Shadows</a></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"http://difficultrun.nathanielgivens.com/2016/01/12/the-path-out-of-shadows/"]" style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"A Pattern to Live"]" style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><a href="http://www.jrganymede.com/2016/01/12/a-pattern-of-life/">A Pattern to Live</a></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"http://www.jrganymede.com/2016/01/12/a-pattern-of-life/"]" style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"LDS Conference April 1971 \u2013 A Really Round and Hairy Look at Honesty"]" style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><a href="http://www.sixteensmallstones.org/lds-conference-april-1971-a-really-round-and-hairy-look-at-honesty">LDS Conference April 1971 – A Really Round and Hairy Look at Honesty</a></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"http://www.sixteensmallstones.org/lds-conference-april-1971-a-really-round-and-hairy-look-at-honesty"]" style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"The Shaded Areas of Our Testimony/"]" style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><a href="https://symphonyofdissent.wordpress.com/2016/01/11/the-shaded-areas-of-our-testimony/">The Shaded Areas of Our Testimony</a></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"https://symphonyofdissent.wordpress.com/2016/01/11/the-shaded-areas-of-our-testimony/"]" style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"A People Blessed by Revelation"]" style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><a href="http://patheos.com/blogs/soulandcity/2016/01/a-people-blessed-by-revelation/">A People Blessed by Revelation</a></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"http://patheos.com/blogs/soulandcity/2016/01/a-people-blessed-by-revelation/"]" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Eyes to see"]" style="background-color: #f1f1f1; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #666666; font-family: 'Open Sans'; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><a href="http://mormonwoman.org/2016/01/12/eyes-to-see-ldsconf-odyssey/">Eyes to see</a></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"http://mormonwoman.org/2016/01/12/eyes-to-see-ldsconf-odyssey/"]" style="background-color: #f1f1f1; color: #666666; font-family: Open Sans; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"You Have Entered the Twilight Zone"]" style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><a href="http://difficultrun.nathanielgivens.com/2016/01/12/you-have-entered-the-twilight-zone/">You Have Entered the Twilight Zone</a></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"http://difficultrun.nathanielgivens.com/2016/01/12/you-have-entered-the-twilight-zone/"]" style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; color: #0073aa; font-family: Open Sans; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Liminality and Shaded Areas, Unborrowed Light"]" style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><a href="http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2016/01/liminality-and-shaded-areas.html">Liminality and Shaded Areas</a>, <a href="http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2016/01/unborrowed-light.html">Unborrowed Light</a></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2016/01/liminality-and-shaded-areas.html, http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2016/01/unborrowed-light.html"]" style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">, </td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"He Lives, and there were gold plates!! (General Conference Odyssey: April 2015 Tuesday Afternoon)"]" style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><a href="http://comfortablyanachronistic.blogspot.com/2016/01/eyes-to-see-and-ears-to-hear.html"><br /></a></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"http://michaelsthoughtsandideas.blogspot.com/2016/01/he-lives-and-there-were-gold-plates.html"]" style="background-color: #edf4ff; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; color: #888888; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><a href="http://comfortablyanachronistic.blogspot.com/2016/01/eyes-to-see-and-ears-to-hear.html">Eyes to See and Ears tol Hear</a></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"http://comfortablyanachronistic.blogspot.com/2016/01/eyes-to-see-and-ears-to-hear.html"]" style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Michael Worleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078136075924935280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335118199837732088.post-37718162539736381792016-01-10T10:01:00.000-08:002016-01-10T10:01:18.168-08:00Praying for the gospel to be preached to all nations: What has happened since 2008?In October 2008, President Thomas S. Monson gave members of my faith a challenge with a promise:<br />
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"Brothers and sisters, our missionary force, serving throughout the world, continues to seek out those who are searching for the truths which are found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Church is steadily growing; it has since its organization over 178 years ago.<br />
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It has been my privilege during the past six months to meet with leaders of countries and with representatives of governments. Those with whom I’ve met feel kindly toward the Church and our members, and they have been cooperative and accommodating. There remain, however, areas of the world where our influence is limited and where we are not allowed to share the gospel freely. As did President Spencer W. Kimball over 32 years ago, I urge you to pray for the opening of those areas, that we might share with them the joy of the gospel. As we prayed then in response to President Kimball’s pleadings, we saw miracles unfold as country after country, formerly closed to the Church, was opened. Such will transpire again as we pray with faith."<br />
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In October 2009, President Monson <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/welcome-to-conference?lang=eng">reiterated</a>:<br />
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"I would ask that your faith and prayers continue to be offered in behalf of those areas where our influence is limited and where we are not allowed to share the gospel freely at this time. Miracles can occur as we do so."<br />
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I am unsure to what degree this counsel has been heeded by the members of the church. However, just as when missionary work began in Eastern Europe in the years following President Kimball's request, we are now seeing miracles occur as the gospel is being preached in nations such as Vietnam, Turkey, Pakistan and India.<br /><br />Each of these countries have moderate to severe restrictions on religious freedom, as explained more fully in this <a href="http://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/USCIRF%20Annual%20Report%202015%20%282%29.pdf">report</a>. Yet each of these countries have a growing LDS population.<br /><br />I am not suggesting that these four countries are the only countries where the Lord has provided miracles to open doors to missionary work. Indeed, we should view every baptism and every mission call as a miracle. Rather, these four countries provide some of the examples that I am most familiar with of increased missionary activity in countries which have historically had limited LDS influence since the end of 2008.<br />
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<u>Vietnam</u><br />
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Due to the sensitivity of relationships with government officials in Vietnam, little is known about the status of the church in Vietnam when President Monson gave his remarks in 2008. We do know, however, that in 2010, a <a href="http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/statistics/unit/hanoi-vietnam-district/">district</a> was organized in Vietnam for the first time. We also know that in 2014, the government of <a href="http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-reaches-milestone-vietnam">Vietnam</a> recognized the church as a religious institution.<br />
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Most miraculous of all, in 2016 the church <a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765683196/LDS-Church-announces-3-new-missions-2016-mission-president-assignments.html?pg=all">began</a> the process of organizing a mission in Vietnam. This mission is scheduled to open prior to the traditional opening of new missions this July.<br />
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The church in Vietnam is small, and may well remain small. But to once again have a mission formed in a communist country is a miracle<br />
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<u>Turkey and Neighboring countries</u><br />
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Missionary work in Turkey began in 2012, as missionaries in a mission in Bulgaria reportedly were called to begin preaching the gospel in Turkey, centering in the four branches that have been long-established in Turkey.<br />
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To the <a href="http://ldschurchgrowth.blogspot.com/2015/04/central-eurasian-mission-to-be-created.html">shock</a> of church growth observers, the first mission was <a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865627110/Central-Eurasian-Mission-to-be-created-in-July.html">created</a> in Turkey just three years later. Covering Turkey and Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, this mission represents a bold attempt to share the gospel in not just Turkey, but in several other countries where the church has not had a large presence.<br />
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Early reports indicate that the five branches that were in place when the mission was formed have grown to seven, with additional organization in place to provide assistance to LDS Members not living close to these seven branches.<br />
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<u>Pakistan</u><br />
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As Elder Ronald A. Rasband recently <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RonaldARasband/photos/a.178374785698400.1073741828.167753940093818/476543035881572/">reported</a>:<br />
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"Since I returned home from my recent trip to Pakistan, my thoughts have lingered on the fervor and dedication of the first-generation members in this country. The last Apostle to visit this country was Elder Dallin H Oaks in 2007. At that time, there were 2,000 members and seven branches. Today, only eight years later, there are 4,000 members, 13 branches, and three districts. The Church is truly growing across all the earth."<br />
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This growth-- a doubling of members due to missionary work by faithful Pakistani brothers and sisters, including at least 11 full-time missionaries, is remarkable in the country where Osama Bin Laden hid for years and that, as I noted above, struggles with religious freedom issues. This is a miracle.<br />
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I mention the following with extreme caution: early, unverified reports indicate that Pakistan may receive a Stake in 2016. Of course, church leaders will work with governmental officials as growth in Pakistan continues to ensure Pakistani laws and customs are respected as the church grows in Pakistan.<br />
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<u>India</u><br />
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To be brief: the church in India in 2008 had no stakes. Today it has two stakes, with progress being made to form a third in the coming years.<br />
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This set of miracles are only a few of the of many miracles that are prophesied to take place in order to take to gospel to every nation before the second coming. We should continue periodically add to our prayers a desire to have both individual opportunities for missionary opportunities and, as President Monson counseled us, to open the doors more fully to missionary work in all nations of the world.<br />
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Thanks for reading. As always, these thoughts are my own, are intended to help, but do not reflect the position of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.<br />
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Thanks for reading,<br />
MichaelMichael Worleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078136075924935280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335118199837732088.post-83629817295480986252015-12-21T19:53:00.000-08:002015-12-21T19:53:04.547-08:00Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: A Parable of Priorities.This story begins in church one Sunday morning in early December. At the Elders' Quorum (men's) meeting, I learned that Lizzie's and my church, which had been starting at 10:50 AM was going to start at 8am the coming year.<br /><br />Lizzie loves going to church, but I knew that going at 8am was going to be a challenge. At the time, Lizzie was taking some medication which made her really drowsy, particularly in the mornings. But we accepted the change and left for our Christmas break.<br />
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Christmas this year was with my family in Anaheim, California--famous for the Happiest Place on Earth, Disneyland. I say "happiest place on earth," but truly, that is a disputed matter: if you like to avoid crowds of people, Disneyland at Christmas is a risky vacation if you want to ensure marketing strategies are correct summations.<br />
<br />To be clear: I love Disneyland. As one example, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in the dark is awesome!<br />
<img height="320" src="http://publicaffairs.disneyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/9T3A8125.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" width="247" /><br />
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So, on this trip to Disneyland, my parents bought us some early morning passes. I love mornings nearly as much as Disneyland, and I would have deeply enjoyed running through turn-styles at 7am with a tired but energetic wife, and catching a few rides with her before the crowd hit (Indiana Jones! Space Mountain!). <br />
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My career in romantic idealism aside, I didn't seriously consider acting on my strong emotion for one simple reason:<br /><br />I care more about church than Disneyland. A lot more. Given how tired Lizzie had been because of the medicine, I decided to not pressure her to get up early for Disneyland, because I knew that the more mornings she spent up early for non-important reasons (Disneyland), the harder it would be getting up for the important reasons.<br />
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So we ended up doing our big Disneyland date on a Saturday night instead of a Friday morning. And we ended up going to church at 8am every Sunday until we moved North and changed wards (congregations).<br />
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As I prepare to be a parent, I hope I'll remember this story. When I get geared up to help my child do things: baseball tryouts, ballet, playing Tic-tac-toe with me-- or even go to Disneyland with me and shooting targets on the Buzz Lightyear ride-- I hope to never pressure my child to enjoy something good at the expense of enjoying something better.<br />
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As Dallin H. Oaks once said:<br />
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"We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families."<br /><br />Yes, this is true, even if I have to forgo a blissful 7am ride on "It's a Small World" with my Eternal Companion so it will be easier for her to enjoy church later.Michael Worleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078136075924935280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335118199837732088.post-27854387018844144412015-12-15T07:00:00.000-08:002015-12-15T07:37:50.717-08:00God's plan to exalt his children (April 1971 General Conference)I hope it doesn't come as a surprise to anyone reading this that The Church of Jesus Christ's views on morality are becoming increasingly unique. I also hope it isn't a surprise that for many it is difficult to defend such views to those not of our faith.<br />
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It is important to remember that Latter-day Saints view their moral standards differently then those not of our faith do. In April 1971, for example, Bishop Victor L. Brown gave a talk called "The Meaning of Morality." In it, he opened his talk on standards such as chastity with a discussion of the Plan of Salvation:<br />
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"First, we should understand who we are. Before we were born, our spirits dwelt in heaven with our Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ, who is our elder brother. We were faithful to him during that period of our existence. Had we not been faithful, we would have followed Satan as did one-third of the hosts of heaven. This would have prevented our coming to this earth as mortal beings, which was necessary if we were ultimately to attain eternal life and return to the presence of our Heavenly Father. We were faithful, and we are here in mortality with all the potentiality of exaltation."<br />
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More recently, several apostles (Elders <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/why-marriage-and-family-matter-everywhere-in-the-world?lang=eng">Perry</a>, <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/why-marriage-why-family?lang=eng">Christofferson</a>, and <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/we-believe-in-being-chaste?lang=eng">Bednar</a> in Conference, and Elder <a href="https://www.lds.org/ensign/2015/10/the-plan-of-salvation-a-sacred-treasure-of-knowledge-to-guide-us?lang=eng">Hales</a> in a recent Ensign article) have all used the Plan of Salvation in explaining the church's stance on marriage.<br />
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Allow me to suggest that one reason the commandments are seen differently by the world and by the Church and its leaders is that, in the church, commandments are like glue:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LDS standards of morality are like glue.</td></tr>
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Why is glue an appropriate analogy for LDS moral standards? Glue enables us to hold things together. The plan of salvation is held together by the commandments. Just as you can't build a model airplane without some sort of adhesive, so families and the plan of salvation are held together by "covenants of chastity" that the prophets teach us. See the Family: A Proclamation to the World. As Bishop Brown stated in his talk: "Infidelity and promiscuous sex activity destroy the basic, vital institution of the family, which in turn destroys all that is good in life."<br />
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For Latter-day Saints, moral standards hold the plan of salvation together. These moral standards enable the plan of salvation to operate. To Latter-day Saints, they are the glue that holds the plan together. This is why the church insists on high standards of conduct for church membership and fellowship: the commandments enable us to be bound and stuck to Christ and Heavenly Father (See D&C 82:3).<br />
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The world views the commandments of morality in many different ways. Some people view the commandments as a brick wall, keeping people from happiness. Others view the commandments as a good idea for some, but not for others. Still others view the commandments as one of many paths to a happy life (these people will sometimes question why we emphasize our own path and not validate the paths that others take). (Feel free to comment below on other ways that the world views standards of morality.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some view the commandments as a brick wall keeping us from happiness</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Others view the commandments as one of many paths leading to a happy life.</td></tr>
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These views are important, and there are doctrinal explanations of the plan consistent with these views. (To give two of many examples, one might <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/10/blessed-and-happy-are-those-who-keep-the-commandments-of-god?lang=eng">say</a>: "don't be too critical of the barrier. It's the only thing that is keeping you from being devoured." or <a href="https://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/36035_000_25_livingchrist.pdf">say</a>: "His way is the path that leads to
happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come.") But when those not of our faith still don't agree with our views, we should remember that we are talking about commandments as glue in a much larger plan, some are talking about commandments as a boundary or road that may be less essential to salvation then glue. (Again, I don't mean to be simplistic here, feel free to comment with other ways to view the commandments.)<br />
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Speaking of the commandments in the context of the plan of salvation helps us Follow God's plan and gain joy. Speaking of them without the plan runs the risk of making something as essential as glue look sticky, arbitrary and even harmful. (To be sure, many people understand the value of glue without seeing an example of its application, and so with the commandments).<br />
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As always, these thoughts are my own, are intended to help, but do not reflect the position of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.<br />
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Thanks for reading,<br />
Michael<br />
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Other blog posts this week discussing the Third Session of the April 1971 General Conference:<br />
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<a href="http://difficultrun.nathanielgivens.com/2015/12/15/love-fervently"><br /></a>
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<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Love Fervently"]" style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><a href="http://difficultrun.nathanielgivens.com/2015/12/15/love-fervently">Love Fervently</a></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"http://difficultrun.nathanielgivens.com/2015/12/15/love-fervently"]" style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><a href="http://www.jrganymede.com/2015/12/14/bites-from-the-april-1971/">Bites from the April 1971 General Conference</a></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"http://www.jrganymede.com/2015/12/14/bites-from-the-april-1971/"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd"]" style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><a href="https://symphonyofdissent.wordpress.com/2015/12/14/dear-to-the-heart-of-the-shepard/">Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd</a></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"https://symphonyofdissent.wordpress.com/2015/12/14/dear-to-the-heart-of-the-shepard/"]" style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Deep Down Inside Us There is Good"]" style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><a href="http://goodgazette.blogspot.com/2015/12/deep-down-inside-us-there-is-good.html">Deep Down Inside Us There is Good</a></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"http://goodgazette.blogspot.com/2015/12/deep-down-inside-us-there-is-good.html"]" style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Betty Friedan and Bishop Brown"]" style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><a href="http://admin.patheos.com/blogs/soulandcity/2015/12/betty-friedan-and-bishop-brown/">Betty Friedan and Bishop Brown </a></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"http://admin.patheos.com/blogs/soulandcity/2015/12/betty-friedan-and-bishop-brown/"]" style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Why I support Friends of Scouting"]" style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><a href="http://mormonwoman.org/2015/12/15/why-i-support-friends-of-scouting">Why I support Friends of Scouting</a></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2," http://mormonwoman.org/2015/12/15/why-i-support-friends-of-scouting"]" style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
.Michael Worleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078136075924935280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335118199837732088.post-2986194535220834062015-12-09T19:14:00.000-08:002015-12-09T19:14:47.428-08:00Merry Christmas! A time to calm down and learn of Christ<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">My thesis today is that we should learn to put aside various political and social controversies and focus on the gift of the Savior of the world this Christmastime. My first pupil is myself (see photo):</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJGBNe5YSuNaLvce2KxYrKIBlgGgfs9SkrkEovp_XVpN27k3F-FQBsQn3K4f5RjCMtDXpCB4WnXmIKgltzmAXFuil0VgeFlkJ-2oIrWAX-RNy3BSZMRWkKrQ8hN1d3YFKkWiXNjQIDVg/s1600/Photo+on+12-9-15+at+7.21+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJGBNe5YSuNaLvce2KxYrKIBlgGgfs9SkrkEovp_XVpN27k3F-FQBsQn3K4f5RjCMtDXpCB4WnXmIKgltzmAXFuil0VgeFlkJ-2oIrWAX-RNy3BSZMRWkKrQ8hN1d3YFKkWiXNjQIDVg/s640/Photo+on+12-9-15+at+7.21+PM.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">(Art by the adorable Alizabeth Worley (C) 2015)</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Today Elder Dallin H. Oaks gave a <a href="http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/elder-oaks-christmas-address-byu-management-society">talk to the BYU Management Society</a>. In it, he discussed both what Jesus said in his time on earth, and what he, so far as we know, did <i>not</i> say in his time on earth:</span></div>
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"Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of the Son of God and also to remember His teachings.<br />
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What did Jesus teach the people of His day? And what did He not teach? Ponder this contrast. Perhaps it will have the impact upon you that it had on me when I first heard it about 50 years ago.<br />
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What did Jesus teach the people of His day? The people He taught were in slavery to Rome. Yet he did not teach them the military arts or activities they could use to free themselves from the yoke of Rome. He did not even teach them the principles of civil government. He said, “Render … unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21).<br />
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Infant mortality was high in the society in which He lived and life expectancy was low because of a multitude of diseases. Did He teach them the principles of health? There was much hunger at that time. Did He teach them ways to improve agriculture or nutrition? The whole world needed His message, but He said He was only sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And what He taught them was how to live their personal lives."<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #252525;">This hits home with me. There are many problems in this world, and there were many in Jesus' day. And yes, Christ's teachings today do address select issues (think religious freedom or child trafficking). But what is the core of Christ's teachings? Christ himself answered this question:</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: times, times new roman, serif;">"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. </span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">This is the first and great commandment. </span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: times, times new roman, serif;">And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #252525; font-family: times, times new roman, serif;">So, I ask myself, where do Facebook debates over controversial topics come into play? Certainly, one can state one's stance on many political issues on Facebook as an expression of love for God or our fellow man (whether or not the stance is based in religious dogma). But is spending hours debating these issues with people who have different world views than us really showing a love for God. Likewise, when we look at polls or news articles about our topic of concern, are we celebrating Christ or doing what the Romans in Paul did: spending our "time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing?" (Acts 17:4).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: times, times new roman, serif;">So, let us have a Christmas season about Christ, and pick up tangential issues only at times that we are sure we will not detract from Christmas (a tall order, see the photo above). As Elder Oaks said, so I conclude:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: times, times new roman, serif;">"</span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">Latter-day Saints are uniquely qualified to celebrate the mission of Jesus Christ throughout the year. We have the gift of the Holy Ghost, whose mission is to testify of the Father and the Son (see 3 Nephi 16:6). For that reason, we have a duty to testify like the shepherds, who, 'when they had seen [what the angels described], they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child' (Luke 2:17).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: times, times new roman, serif;">We know whom we seek and we know why. We are children of a Father in Heaven who declared, 'This is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man' (Moses 1:39). And our Savior—the Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Lord God of Israel—is fundamental to that work.</span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">"<br /><br /></span><br />
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />As always, these thoughts are my own, are intended to help, but do not necessarily reflect the position of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.</div>
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Thanks for reading,</div>
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Michael</div>
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</span></span>Michael Worleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078136075924935280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335118199837732088.post-72883880803765698482015-12-08T03:04:00.000-08:002015-12-08T09:19:07.145-08:0058 years of General Conference: What can we learn?/Messages on morality, religious freedom, and the Sabbath from 1971<This post uses terminology that will be unfamiliar to an audience that is not very familiar with the LDS Faith. Please contact me if you wish to learn more about my faith or visit mormon.org.><br />
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So a group of bloggers have decided to read one session of general conference a week, beginning with the April 1971 Conference and going until they run out of conferences. The work product of such is a set of blog posts, which will be published once a week. At the rate they have chosen, they will be able to post blog posts each week for the next 13 and a half years without repeating a session, posting thoughts on the April 2029 Conference in August 2029.<br />
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I am timidly joining the effort. I say 'timidly' because I am mortal and will prioritize my family, my own spiritual scripture study priorities (email me if you want to know about those), and other related priorities over an ambitious goal of 716 blog posts in a row. I also will periodically blog on other topics as I have done in the past week (see my posts on the First Amendment and Donald Trump supporters, American Universities, and Optimism as examples). Facing this plethora of priorities, I use the word 'timidly.' Links to the contributions of other blogs are included at the end of this post.<br />
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That said, today I have time to post, so here goes....<br />
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This week, I am focusing on a talk by Elder Mark E. Petersen from the Saturday Afternoon Session of the April 1971 General Conference" entitled "<a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1971/04/warnings-from-the-past?lang=eng">Warnings from the Past</a>." My goal in this post is modest: I will pull out four quotes from it and elaborate on why they are applicable to our day. I will also draw on more recent talks to find parallels between his message and more modern messages. In Each example I illustrate-- morality, religious freedom, and the sabbath, the topics Elder Petersen raise are more apparent concerns than ever before.<br />
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1-"Our moral collapse is appalling, but surprisingly, many attempt to justify it. Within recent weeks one of the highest officials of a leading Christian denomination publicly announced that he favors premarital relationships between young people, and his speech was carried internationally by the Associated Press."<br />
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This first message-- about disregard for the law of chastity-- resonates well with our day. In October, President Thomas S. Monson said something <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/10/be-an-example-and-a-light?lang=eng">similar</a>: "We will certainly stand out as we make choices regarding morality—choices which adhere to gospel principles and standards."<br />
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Elder Petersen's talk emphasized how Latter-day Saints stand out among Christian denominations in our choices regarding morality. We likewise stand out today: many religious and some Christian denominations openly <a href="http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/07/02/where-christian-churches-stand-on-gay-marriage/">support</a> same-sex marriage, which is at odds with the LDS Plan of salvation, as well as most orthodox readings of the Bible. In addition, pornography (which is, in essence, digital satisfaction of the same desires that used to cause fornication or adultery) is widely viewed among Americans. The problems Elder Petersen discussed have simply grown in the last 44 years.<br />
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2-Elder Petersen said: "[W]e virtually make a criminal of a schoolteacher who would bring a Bible into the classroom or who might ask the students to recite the Lord’s Prayer. So far have we lost our sense of values!<br />
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Some Americans protest reference to the Almighty in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, while others would eliminate “In God We Trust” from our coins."<br />
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Elder Petersen's reference to religious freedom concerns are messages we hear today. In April 2015, Elder Hales talked about religious freedom in important <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/preserving-agency-protecting-religious-freedom?lang=eng">ways</a>:<br />
"There are four cornerstones of religious freedom that we as Latter-day Saints must rely upon and protect. The first is freedom to believe. . . .The second cornerstone of religious liberty is the freedom to share our faith and our beliefs with other. . .The third cornerstone of religious liberty is the freedom to form a religious organization, a church, to worship peacefully with others. . . . The fourth cornerstone of religious liberty is the freedom to live our faith—free exercise of faith not just in the home and chapel but also in public places."<br />
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It is interesting that each of the examples of religious freedom Elder Petersen talked about were regarding the Fourth cornerstone that Elder Hales talked about. While, to be sure, most attacks on religious freedom are pointed at the first cornerstone, today some are not. For example, it took the U.S. Supreme Court to protect the right of churches to have the right to have full discretion in hiring their own ministers. <br />
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As Elder Hales is speaking to our day, it is possible we will see more attacks on other pillars of religious freedom in the future. While the message of both Elder Hales and Elder Petersen focus on religious freedom, Elder Hales talk is more specific.<br />
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3-"The Almighty provided that we should observe a sacred Sabbath each week. We have flouted this law to his face, and most of us have turned his holy day into one of pleasure or of “business as usual,” and yet the Sabbath was given as a symbol of allegiance to our Creator."<br />
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This third message by Elder Petersen is also emphasized in our day by all of the Apostles. As then-Elder Russell M. Nelson put it last April, "[f]aith in God engenders a love for the Sabbath; faith in the Sabbath engenders a love for God. A sacred Sabbath truly is a delight."<br />
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While I'm not sure whether public sabbath breaking is much more common now than in 1971, I'm certain keeping our internal lives in harmony of the spirit of the sabbath is harder than ever with the many distractions we get from technology.<br />
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To sum up: each of the messages Elder Petersen spoke on remain applicable today. The world may seem very different than 1971, but many of the problems remain the same. Our Goal, as always, must be to reform our personal lives as a way of dealing with our changing world. God's core commandments will not change as time goes on, so the answers to the world's problems will remain the same.<br />
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As always, these thoughts are my own, are intended to help, but do not reflect the position of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.<br />
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Thanks for reading,<br />
Michael<br />
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Other blog posts this week discussing the Second Session of the April 1971 General Conference.<br />
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<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" dir="ltr" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 0px solid #ccc; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; table-layout: fixed;"><colgroup><col width="567"></col><col width="820"></col></colgroup><tbody>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Good Timber Does Not Grow At Ease"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><a href="http://difficultrun.nathanielgivens.com/2015/12/08/good-timber">Good Timber Does Not Grow At Ease</a></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"http://difficultrun.nathanielgivens.com/2015/12/08/good-timber"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"The Adiabolist, or Jihad of the Heart"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><a href="http://www.jrganymede.com/2015/12/08/the-adiabolist-or-jihad-of-the-heart">The Adiabolist, or Jihad of the Heart</a></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"http://www.jrganymede.com/2015/12/08/the-adiabolist-or-jihad-of-the-heart"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"LDS Conference April 1971 \u2013 The Sexual Revolution and Entertainment Media"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><a href="http://www.sixteensmallstones.org/lds-conference-april-1971-the-sexual-revolution-and-entertainment-media/">LDS Conference April 1971 – The Sexual Revolution and Entertainment Media</a></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"http://www.sixteensmallstones.org/lds-conference-april-1971-the-sexual-revolution-and-entertainment-media/"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Being Slow to Anger"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><a href="https://symphonyofdissent.wordpress.com/2015/12/08/being-slow-to-anger/">Being Slow to Anger</a></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"https://symphonyofdissent.wordpress.com/2015/12/08/being-slow-to-anger/"]" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Warnings from Warnings from the Past"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><a href="http://goodgazette.blogspot.com/2015/12/warnings-from-warnings-from-past.html">Warnings from Warnings from the Past</a></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"http://goodgazette.blogspot.com/2015/12/warnings-from-warnings-from-past.html"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"\"Satan\" - Moral Agency and the Problem of Evil"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/soulandcity/2015/12/satan-moral-agency-and-the-problem-of-evil/">"Satan" - Moral Agency and the Problem of Evil</a></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"http://www.patheos.com/blogs/soulandcity/2015/12/satan-moral-agency-and-the-problem-of-evil/"]" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Creativity and Celebrating Success vs. The D.F.T. File"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><a href="http://mormonwoman.org/2015/12/07/creativity-and-celebration-of-success-vs-the-d-f-t-file/">Creativity and Celebrating Success vs. The D.F.T. File</a></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"http://mormonwoman.org/2015/12/07/creativity-and-celebration-of-success-vs-the-d-f-t-file/"]" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"The General Conference Project: Controlling the Hulk, Believing the Devil, and Cussing GAs"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><a href="http://difficultrun.nathanielgivens.com/2015/12/08/the-general-conference-project-controlling-the-hulk-believing-the-devil-and-cussing-gas">The General Conference Project: Controlling the Hulk, Believing the Devil, and Cussing GAs</a></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"http://difficultrun.nathanielgivens.com/2015/12/08/the-general-conference-project-controlling-the-hulk-believing-the-devil-and-cussing-gas"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Michael Worleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078136075924935280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335118199837732088.post-5713862356482824322015-12-04T21:46:00.002-08:002015-12-04T21:46:29.940-08:00The state of the American university: a lack of discourse between differing points of viewTonight I ran across an intriguing gadget. This <a href="https://www.crowdpac.com/games/lookup/universities">website</a> by CrowdPAC studied the donations of faculty members of 148 Universities and ranked them on a political spectrum, from 10 points Liberal to 0 (evenly divided) to 10 points Conservative.<br />
<br />
I found two disturbing trends in this data.<br />
<br />
1. There were a total of nine or ten conservatively-donating universities. The other 138-139 had liberal donations.<br />
<br />
2. There were no more than six universities in the middle half of the spectrum (between five points liberal and five points conservative).<br />
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<br />
Obviously, the sample of universities was self-selected by the website, so we may not be getting a whole picture here, However, assuming this site acted in good faith in its cross-selection, we are forced to face a disturbing trend: Most American universities cater to ideologies that are more liberal than the American public as a whole.<br />
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Now, some will not be alarmed by this; they will say that liberals have more truth and thus that it is proper that Universities largely be run by liberals. While this may be true in some respects, for reasons I may someday explain more fully elsewhere, it is not true with respect to the subjects of my expertise-- family policy and legal matters. There are things to be learned from both sides of the aisle on these matters. I suspect the same is true in other matters.<br /><br />Having dealt with the argument that the liberal state of Universities is proper, let me address concerns I have about this study. First, knowledge is gained not just from those who worship at the feet of political ideologies, but from those who find wisdom to be gained in all ideologies. Indeed, from an LDS Perspective, Elder Dallin H. Oaks has <a href="https://www.lds.org/ensign/1987/02/criticism?lang=eng">said</a>*:<br />
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"Those who govern their thoughts and actions solely by the principles of liberalism or conservatism or intellectualism cannot be expected to agree with all of the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As for me, I find some wisdom in liberalism, some wisdom in conservatism, and much truth in intellectualism—but I find no salvation in any of them."<br />
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There is much lost when we don't raise up as teachers and other leaders those who find wisdom in all ideologies, who are able to find the good in other points of view. Thus the lack of moderate universities that have a variety of viewpoints is problematic.<br /><br />A related concept is that Universities become less of a forum to hear strong arguments with views from opposite sides of the spectrum. If universities are dominated by liberal thinking, it is harder to engage with the best arguments of conservative thinking. I attended law school at a more conservative law school, but was pleased that the school made a point of regularly inviting liberal guests to visit the school. Sadly, there are instances (such as <a href="http://www.stanforddaily.com/2014/03/12/gsc-denies-funding-for-controversial-anti-lgbt-event/">this one</a>) where universities have not declined to invite speakers with certain points of view by characterizing the views as unacceptable (never mind the views of the speaker are shared by 40% of the nation and the majority of the world's populace).<br />
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In short, as we listen to others, we learn and grow. Sadly, the state of the American University is making this difficult in the academic setting.<br />
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As always, these thoughts are my own, are intended to help, but do not reflect the position of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading,<br />
Michael<br />
<br />
<br /><br />*Elder Oaks is the only apostle I know of who has said this. As such, his statement may not constitute the doctrine of my faith.Michael Worleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078136075924935280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335118199837732088.post-72183245905134482952015-12-03T09:37:00.001-08:002015-12-07T17:43:17.278-08:00A plea to Trump supporters: Learn what the U.S. Constitution requires about religious freedom<br />
<img alt="Image result for donald trump" class="rg_i" data-sz="f" jsaction="load:str.tbn" name="PbtXUjwXv_ToCM:" 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Update 12/7/2015: Donald Trump has proposed to prevent muslims from entering the USA by any means. If this religion-specific fear-based rhetoric became law, it would violate the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses<br />
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Religious Freedom is inherently a minority-protecting prospect. It was the religious minorities who fled England; it was these minorities who were the Pilgrims, the Shakers, the Quakers, the Catholics, etc., that colonized our nation.<br />
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Based off the experiences, in our Constitution, we protect religious freedom in these words:<br />
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"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"<br />
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This means, of course, that the U.S. government can't require the whole nation-- or any one individual--to be Catholic, or Latter-day Saint, or Muslim, or any other faith. But it also means that the government can't forbid anyone from attending a faith of their choice. And, by the same token, the government can't make a benefit available to one religion but not others, or revoke benefits from one religion, and not others.<br />
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On January 20, 2017, a man or woman will raise their right hand and say: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States." This person will be our president for four or eight years, in all likelihood. No matter who he or she is, we should pray for them.<br />
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Now, there are many, many things required of a President, and I am not suggesting any one flaw or asset that any one man or woman has should be dispositive of a vote for this position in a complex world. To be clear: A vote for any candidate for President today is a good faith vote, and no one should be condemned or ridiculed for any vote. This is equally true in cultures such as my home state of Utah, where many Democrats are unfairly ridiculed.<br />
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But that doesn't mean that voters do not have an obligation to learn the qualifications required for President, and vote for a President who will uphold their ideas of good government. In fact, as American Citizens, we are asked to uphold the Constitution too. New American Citizens are obligated to take an oath to "support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic[.]"<br />
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Given this background, findings of a recent <a href="http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2015/PPP_Release_NH_120315.pdf">poll</a> in New Hampshire are deeply disturbing. Bear with me while I explain the results:<br />
<ul>
<li>Supporters of the Republican polling leader Donald Trump were asked whether Islamic churches (Mosques) should close in the United States. (The question was worded without mentioning whether the Mosques were of the sort that may encourage terror). A plurality of 49% agreed. </li>
<li>They were also asked whether Muslims should be banned from buying certain kinds of guns. 52% agreed, even though only 20% supported such a ban on sales of these guns to any American. </li>
<li>Last, they were asked whether there should be a database of Muslims in the United States. (again, the question was worded without respect to immigration status). 53% agreed.</li>
</ul>
With perhaps one exception, supporters of no other Republican candidate shared these views.<br />
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<br />
{Edit 12/7: Donald Trump has embraced these very views today.} See this Deseret News <a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865642538/In-our-opinion-Trump-unmatched-as-a-candidate-in-blatant-contempt-for-basic-1st-Amendment-freedoms.html?pg=all">article</a> for some commentary on that point. That is beside the point of this article, however.<br />
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The point is that these Americans should know better. The policies they support clearly violate the First Amendment, and possibly other constitutional provisions as well.<br />
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It is obvious where these views come from: a fear of terror. Of course, I oppose terrorism, and I don't deny that many terrorists claim to be Muslim. It is hard to wake up every day with a fear of a war or a terrorist attack, especially so soon after the horrible events in Paris and San Bernardino.<br />
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However, most Muslims are not terrorists, and we have ways of preventing terror that don't require us to trample one religion.<br />
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Regardless of our situation, Constitutional Rights-- including the freedom of religion-- must operate even when we are afraid. The very worst time is the time that we must follow the Constitution.*<br />
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To those who sympathize with or agree with the Trump supporters who participated in the poll I mentioned: please reconsider your views. Study history-- what our nation did to Japanese during World War Two, what our nation did to Latter-day Saints in the 1800s, and the reasons why people came to America in the first place. Get to know some people who are from the Middle East. Learn about American Muslims who are defending the Religious Freedom of Christians. (For example, <a href="http://www.becketfund.org/staff-members/asma-uddin">Asma Uddin</a>) and other committed American Muslims (Saba Ahmed, Sohaib Sultan, Faatimah Knight, and Suzy Ismail, among thousands of others).<br />
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Please don't make all religious minorities less safe by undercutting the First Amendment because of an oversized reaction to your legitimate fears.<br />
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As always, these thoughts are my own, are intended to help, but do not reflect the position of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.<br />
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Thanks for reading,<br />
Michael<br />
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*I am grateful to the author of the "Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice" books for putting a similar point in her novels.Michael Worleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078136075924935280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335118199837732088.post-66991736766894406352015-12-02T15:01:00.002-08:002015-12-02T15:06:32.991-08:00Staying Hopeful in a Turbulent World<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century schoolbook";">ISIS. Global Warming. Shootings. Political divisiveness. Refugees. Religious
Freedom (or the lack thereof). Family values (or the lack thereof). Drug
abuse.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "century schoolbook";">And the list goes on...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "century schoolbook";">These are the
headlines that 2015 will be known for. For most people, there is something on this list to worry about
(please comment below if none of these things worry you, and I will see you get
mental health advice ASAP). In addition, some of these are
troublesome as a matter of LDS Theology, and, of course, some are especially troubling to
those who are negatively impacted by in a more specific way by these problems (my best to you).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "century schoolbook";">In
some ways, 2015 is an archetype of mortal life more generally. As President
Boyd K. Packer once explained, mortal life is like a stage production that “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "century schoolbook"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">has many plots and sub-plots that interweave, making it difficult
to figure out who relates to whom and what relates to what, who are the heroes
and who are the villains. It is further complicated because you are not just a
spectator; you are a member of the cast, on stage, in the middle of it all!”
(“The Play and the Plan”)<br />
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I am not immune from these trends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
personally am concerned about several of the items above, as those familiar with
my writing prior to starting this blog can attest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />But as I’ve observed men that I sustain as prophets and apostles want to do what Elder Jeffery R. Holland once <a href="https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/jeffrey-r-holland_times-trouble/">described</a> as 'attack[ing] double-digit depression' not just in the abstract, but when discussing these very topics we rightfully find disturbing.<br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "century schoolbook"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A few examples:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "century schoolbook"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In 2011, following a
description of many of the moral evils we face (including the sexual revolution
and the ills to family values facing us), <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/stand-in-holy-places?lang=eng">President
Monson</a> said: <br />
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“My brothers and sisters, this—unfortunately—describes much of the world around
us. Do we wring our hands in despair and wonder how we’ll ever survive in such
a world? No.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "century schoolbook"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In 2014, while speaking
about another one of the fears I mentioned—religious freedom—<a href="http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/transcript-elder-dallin-oaks-constitutional-symposium-religious-freedom">Elder
Dallin H. Oaks</a> said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "century schoolbook"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Despite the legal
challenges and seeming momentum of efforts and trends against free speech and
free exercise as they apply to religious motives, religious speech, and
religious organizations, I am optimistic in the long run. I am like the
character in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific, who sang:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "century schoolbook"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">‘I have heard people rant
and rave and bellow<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "century schoolbook"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That we’re done and we
might as well be dead,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "century schoolbook"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But I’m only a cockeyed
optimist<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "century schoolbook"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And I can’t get it into my
head’ ”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "century schoolbook"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elder Oaks is referencing
here a wonderful song called ‘cockeyed optimist,’ which I like to play
regularly:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/p0DusO6ipLw/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p0DusO6ipLw?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "century schoolbook"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "century schoolbook"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And in 2015, <a href="https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/evening-with-a-general-authority/2015/02/helping-with-the-real-issues?lang=eng">Elder
Jeffery R. Holland</a> added his own prophetic optimism:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "century schoolbook"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“So, if you haven’t
noticed, I am bullish on the latter-days. In nothing could I have more faith
than I have in God the Eternal Father; in Jesus Christ, His Son; in their
redeeming gospel; and in their divinely guided Church. So, what do we owe our
students in this? We owe them a comparable testimony and a life ‘of good
cheer.” ‘The Savior asked for that so often that I personally consider it a
commandment. However, worry and fear and pessimism and fretting can destroy
anyone’s good cheer—yours and that of the people around you. So put a smile on
your face, and cherish every day of your life!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "century schoolbook"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">These statements of
optimism are one of many reasons that I try to be optimistic about the
future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being extreme in our worries
doesn’t help anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This does not mean
we should deny that we should deny problems exist—or, at the other extreme, be apocalyptic.
Rather, as Elder Oaks taught us at this past <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/the-parable-of-the-sower?lang=eng">April
Conference</a>, when addressing concerns we should strive to “be moderate and
measured in criticism and seek always for the broader view of the majestic work
of God.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "century schoolbook"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My hope is that these blog
posts I write—and more generally, dialogue among the American populace—will embrace
the optimistic and measured approach that our prophets outline.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century schoolbook";"><span style="line-height: 12pt;">As always, these thoughts
are my own, are intended to help, but do not </span><span style="line-height: 16px;">necessarily</span><span style="line-height: 12pt;"> reflect the position of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "century schoolbook"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
Thanks for reading,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "century schoolbook"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Michael<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Michael Worleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078136075924935280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335118199837732088.post-60651233615156354662015-12-01T18:24:00.001-08:002015-12-01T18:38:05.876-08:00Hello!<br />
<br />
I'm Michael Worley. I'm an attorney who works in the field of religious freedom. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I take a unique view on marriage and religion. I'm married to my wife, Alizabeth.<br />
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Anyways, feel free to look around. If you have questions about me, ask on this post. You may not get an answer, but please ask anyhow.<br />
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Disclaimer: All thoughts on this blog are my own. No statements of mine should be construed as offering legal advice, and the Rules of professional Conduct limit my ability to offer legal advice publicly in any case. While I will discuss the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I do not speak for the church.<br />
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Thanks for stopping by!<br />
MichaelMichael Worleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078136075924935280noreply@blogger.com0