I'm confused. No wait, I'm not because "confusion is of the devil." I do not want to support the devil in my life.
They tell me that to have the life I should have I need to start doing those things now. What if I am just confused about the life that I want right now? Who are "they"? Are "they" the same people that preach that the atonement is for all sins, no matter what. Repent, come unto Christ. The message I sometimes get from them is that I can either change who I am or live a damned life. If God loves me no matter what, and Christ atoned for all of my sins, then why are "they" telling me that my life is damned if I don't change who I am?
Can I do that? Can I be ME and still be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints? Wait, who am I? If I was a better member wouldn't I be more like "them"? No.
Who I am? Jean Val Jean from Les Miserables asked this very same question, right before he left his past and become a new man. "They" searched and searched for prisoner 24601, a condemned man. But that condemned man, with all of his wrong doings, had done so many good things in his time on the run. "They" thought Val Jean should be imprisoned, a slave, for the crimes he had committed against God. Val Jean found Gods mercy (he went straight to the source so to speak.) He gave his life to God. God forgave Val Jean for his wrong doings even when "they" would not.
So who am I? I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father. I know this with all my heart. I know I'm not perfect. I know I screw up, lots more that I like to admit sometimes. I hate this phrase, but I am human. I'm not using that as a justification of my sins, I'm saying it because its true, and God knows it. I have a testimony. I know the gospel is true, but I also know that everyone else is human also. I know the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. I know that I have my agency, and that "they" cannot tell me what my life should be like. I know that I am not damned because of my imperfections. My imperfections might be the very things that save me.
Am I confused about the kind of life I want right now? No. I want the life I have. I want to be happy with who I am. My life is far from perfect. But I am not suppose to be perfect, and that is just fine no matter what "they" say.
Life Love Laughter
:)
Monday, June 16, 2014
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Same-Sex Marriage
I am a Marriage and Family Studies Professional/ Clinical major. Because of this and other things I have strong family values. I am also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and have very strong religious views. I also believe that people should be accepted for who they are, just the way they are. Each to his own. But when a persons individuality threatens my religious believes, I struggle with that. Let me explain.
I am not against homosexuality. That is not the issue at hand. The issue at hand is the legalization of Gay/Lesbian marriage and the effect it will have on one of the main reasons that this country was formed: Religious Freedom. We cannot give the government control over this. Gay marriage activist are fighting that this is their right as Americans, that it is unconstitutional. The constitution was written primarily for religious freedom, the legalization of gay marriage takes that away. In 2008 when prop 8 first came out the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints made a stand on their view of prop 8. The article is entitled "The Divine Institution of Marriage." This article is part of the reason why I am bringing up this issue and why I take the stand that I take.
This debate brings up so many questions! What is marriage? Why is it so important? Why do we need to fight to protect marriage between one man and one woman? I study these questions and others of the like on a daily basis. In the articles below they answer these questions. In the CNN article a quote that I think perfectly defines marriage would be "The act that makes marital love, makes new life." Marriage it not just about laws and making it known that you are married, it is about new life. It also brings up the point that if you just make it into a statement of who your companion is then why not allow groups of people to marry? Marriage is more than a contract, it is a covenant to become better and to bring new life into the world.
In the second link it says "Government recognizes marriage because it is an institution that benefits society in a way that no other relationship does." The paragraph under this talks about how marriage between man and woman produce new human life. It is a relationship of one of a kind. Jame Q. Wilson is quoted in this paragraph and he brings up a very good point; "Marriage is a socially arranged solution for the problem of getting people to stay together and care for children that the mere desire for children, and the sex that makes children possible, does not solve." Redefining marriage is a hinder to the already suffering family.
There are so many articles and so many resources to read from on this topic. Today the supreme court with decide weather they are going to pass prop 8 or not. I hope that as they make this decision you to will also be able to make a educated decision on your thoughts on this topic. I know there is so much I could cover in this, but I have tried to keep it vague for many reasons. I hope you find these articles interesting and I hope your pray for the supreme court to make the best decision possible.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/20/opinion/george-gay-marriage/index.html?hpt=hp_t3
http://s3.amazonaws.com/thf_media/2013/pdf/bg2775.pdf?utm_source=RTA+Heritage+Marriage&utm_campaign=winstorg&utm_medium=email
I am not against homosexuality. That is not the issue at hand. The issue at hand is the legalization of Gay/Lesbian marriage and the effect it will have on one of the main reasons that this country was formed: Religious Freedom. We cannot give the government control over this. Gay marriage activist are fighting that this is their right as Americans, that it is unconstitutional. The constitution was written primarily for religious freedom, the legalization of gay marriage takes that away. In 2008 when prop 8 first came out the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints made a stand on their view of prop 8. The article is entitled "The Divine Institution of Marriage." This article is part of the reason why I am bringing up this issue and why I take the stand that I take.
This debate brings up so many questions! What is marriage? Why is it so important? Why do we need to fight to protect marriage between one man and one woman? I study these questions and others of the like on a daily basis. In the articles below they answer these questions. In the CNN article a quote that I think perfectly defines marriage would be "The act that makes marital love, makes new life." Marriage it not just about laws and making it known that you are married, it is about new life. It also brings up the point that if you just make it into a statement of who your companion is then why not allow groups of people to marry? Marriage is more than a contract, it is a covenant to become better and to bring new life into the world.
In the second link it says "Government recognizes marriage because it is an institution that benefits society in a way that no other relationship does." The paragraph under this talks about how marriage between man and woman produce new human life. It is a relationship of one of a kind. Jame Q. Wilson is quoted in this paragraph and he brings up a very good point; "Marriage is a socially arranged solution for the problem of getting people to stay together and care for children that the mere desire for children, and the sex that makes children possible, does not solve." Redefining marriage is a hinder to the already suffering family.
There are so many articles and so many resources to read from on this topic. Today the supreme court with decide weather they are going to pass prop 8 or not. I hope that as they make this decision you to will also be able to make a educated decision on your thoughts on this topic. I know there is so much I could cover in this, but I have tried to keep it vague for many reasons. I hope you find these articles interesting and I hope your pray for the supreme court to make the best decision possible.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/20/opinion/george-gay-marriage/index.html?hpt=hp_t3
http://s3.amazonaws.com/thf_media/2013/pdf/bg2775.pdf?utm_source=RTA+Heritage+Marriage&utm_campaign=winstorg&utm_medium=email
Saturday, November 17, 2012
The Second Coming
This post is long past due. I hope this can bring some hope into someones life, and maybe a little more understanding for some.
Growing up I was always terrified of the second coming. I didn't want it to come. I knew a lot of bad things were going to happen and I knew that life would be different. I was enjoying myself. I wasn't making good choices and I wasn't living a life that I should have been living. I didn't want life to be different. I wanted to grow up the way I wanted to, I wanted a family and I wanted to raise them in the church but not necessarily strong members. I didn't want the second coming to come because I thought my freedom would be taken away. I hope that in writing this I can help who ever reads it to understand that your freedom will not be taken away, it will be greater when Christ comes again. Do not make the same mistakes I made in thinking that life is going to suck when Christ comes. It is not going to suck, it is going to be the most awesome thing you could ever imagine.
There are many signs that we learn about from the scriptures. Wars, rumors of wars. The world is literally basically going to fall apart with earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, you know the whole works. It is going to be scary. But it says in the scriptures not to worry! We are not suppose to be afraid. We need to have faith. We need to pray for strength to make it though these hard times. Christ will comfort us. We need to prove to him that we will be faithful and that we will stand up for what we believe no matter what. We have to endure to the end. The end will be tough, but if we do not have strong testimonies it will be much more tough.
There are many questions that we have that Christ answers in the scriptures. We need to study those answers. They will not only help our testimonies grow but if we pray about them they will help us to feel at ease with the second coming. I Hope this has inspired you to strengthen your testimonies, to look deeper inside yourself to understand why you believe what you believe. Don't live for today only, live to make your life a life that you can smile about.
Growing up I was always terrified of the second coming. I didn't want it to come. I knew a lot of bad things were going to happen and I knew that life would be different. I was enjoying myself. I wasn't making good choices and I wasn't living a life that I should have been living. I didn't want life to be different. I wanted to grow up the way I wanted to, I wanted a family and I wanted to raise them in the church but not necessarily strong members. I didn't want the second coming to come because I thought my freedom would be taken away. I hope that in writing this I can help who ever reads it to understand that your freedom will not be taken away, it will be greater when Christ comes again. Do not make the same mistakes I made in thinking that life is going to suck when Christ comes. It is not going to suck, it is going to be the most awesome thing you could ever imagine.
There are many signs that we learn about from the scriptures. Wars, rumors of wars. The world is literally basically going to fall apart with earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, you know the whole works. It is going to be scary. But it says in the scriptures not to worry! We are not suppose to be afraid. We need to have faith. We need to pray for strength to make it though these hard times. Christ will comfort us. We need to prove to him that we will be faithful and that we will stand up for what we believe no matter what. We have to endure to the end. The end will be tough, but if we do not have strong testimonies it will be much more tough.
There are many questions that we have that Christ answers in the scriptures. We need to study those answers. They will not only help our testimonies grow but if we pray about them they will help us to feel at ease with the second coming. I Hope this has inspired you to strengthen your testimonies, to look deeper inside yourself to understand why you believe what you believe. Don't live for today only, live to make your life a life that you can smile about.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Religion class- I hope yall get something out of it!!
- Review Matthew 14:22–33. Identify in writing what the reaction of the Apostles was when they first saw the Savior walking on the water toward them. They were all a little scared and didn't really know what to do.
- What did Peter’s
response indicate about him? I think it indicated that he needed a sign in order to believe it. Once he had that sign he did believe it, until he got scared again, and then he began to sink into the water. I think we can really apply this to our own lives.
- According to Matthew
14:30, why did Peter begin to sink? He saw the wind boisterous, and was afraid.
- What did Peter do when he began to sink? What word in the verses describes the expediency or the timing when Jesus responded to Peter’s request? He said to the Lord "Lord, please save me!"
- Read Doctrine and Covenants 88:67. Write a paragraph describing what principle from this verse relates to what Peter did to successfully walk on the water. How can this same principle be applied to your life to assist you in walking over the storms of life?
Peter had his eye single to the glory of God, which made it able for him to walk on the water. He was filled with the light. He believed in his Lord and savior. I know that if I believe and if I have his light then I will also be able to accomplish the hard things in my life.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Parables!
So I am taking this amazing religion class and each week we have a an assignment that we have to do, and we can choose how to do it! One of the choices is to write in your blog! SOOOOO I am going to be writing in my blog a lot more now! I am super excited! The best part.... Its all going to be spiritual!! Well unless I update it about life... which I need to do any way!! But for now this post is just about what I learned this week about parables!
This week in religion we learned about parables. The thing
that I liked the most was that in the bible dictionary we learn that a parable
relates to life as it is, not as it should be. It is also interesting to me
that a parable can relate to a person in exact proportion to that persons faith
and intelligence. It makes me wonder where my faith is. I already know I’m a
super genius, so it all depends on my faith. ;) I’m real humble to. When I read
the parables that we studied in Matt. 13 this week I want to get the most out
of them. I want them to understand them to the best of my ability what Christ was
trying to tell me when he said this. I want to understand what he was trying to
convey so that I can be a better person, a better disciple of Christ. Christ
only spoke in parables. Conference is this weekend and even though our prophets
don’t speak in parables, there is always an underlying message in what they are
trying to say. How we perceive what our prophets are trying to teach us again
depends on our faith and our intelligence. This again makes me question what my
faith is. I am so excited for conference and I hope that I can get the most out
of it. I hope that my questions will be answered and that I can a better person
spiritually, and again a better disciple of Christ.
Friday, July 20, 2012
First off I would just like to apologize. I realized today that my blog is a little boring. I have had the same background the whole time... and I don't even change my writing any more. SORRY! But I'm kind of over it. Although, I would eventually like to post a few more pics! So maybe someday. I guess I'm not real sorry because I do just write in this blog so that I can write my feelings and write about what I go through in my life. So enjoy. Especially this next little bit because yes I have started a new chapter in my life and I am THRILLED about it!
I have been a disfellowshiped member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints for the past two years 3 month. This past Wednesday I was able to be reinstated into the church and I would just like to share the wonderful spiritual experience. I will not share the sacred feelings and such, but I hope that my story will be able to change someones life, or maybe just get them thinking.
The past two years have been a bit crazy. I had to decide who I really wanted to be and what I really wanted to do with my life. I am still so confused about many things, such as what I will do for a career, but as far as my religion goes. I know who I am. I am a daughter of God. I KNOW this. And because I know this I know what I can do with my life, what I deserve out of life and what I have to do to receive those blessings that I am entitled to. My father in Heaven LOVES Me! And I love him to, I hope that my actions and my thoughts prove that. I know I am not perfect, I still make many mistakes, but each day I try.
There is no greater happiness than the happiness that you can receive through the gospel. This gospel holds all the truths for life. Although, its not just going to hand them over, you still have to search and find out for yourself. Which is what I have done. It took me 22 years to read the Book Of Mormon the whole way through. But I did it. And my life has been blessed greatly because of that. That book comes from God. It is prove that Christ did come to the Americas, and that He will come again.
I am so grateful for all the blessing I have received and I love my religion. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
As for the rest of life right now, Next week the in International Dance and Music festival! And I am SOOO excited!!! I am hosting Russia and my house, and I work with the performances. Its going to be a SUPER busy week! But I look forward to it! Well I hope life is great for everyone!! Have a GREAT day!
-H. Dawn
I have been a disfellowshiped member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints for the past two years 3 month. This past Wednesday I was able to be reinstated into the church and I would just like to share the wonderful spiritual experience. I will not share the sacred feelings and such, but I hope that my story will be able to change someones life, or maybe just get them thinking.
The past two years have been a bit crazy. I had to decide who I really wanted to be and what I really wanted to do with my life. I am still so confused about many things, such as what I will do for a career, but as far as my religion goes. I know who I am. I am a daughter of God. I KNOW this. And because I know this I know what I can do with my life, what I deserve out of life and what I have to do to receive those blessings that I am entitled to. My father in Heaven LOVES Me! And I love him to, I hope that my actions and my thoughts prove that. I know I am not perfect, I still make many mistakes, but each day I try.
There is no greater happiness than the happiness that you can receive through the gospel. This gospel holds all the truths for life. Although, its not just going to hand them over, you still have to search and find out for yourself. Which is what I have done. It took me 22 years to read the Book Of Mormon the whole way through. But I did it. And my life has been blessed greatly because of that. That book comes from God. It is prove that Christ did come to the Americas, and that He will come again.
I am so grateful for all the blessing I have received and I love my religion. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
As for the rest of life right now, Next week the in International Dance and Music festival! And I am SOOO excited!!! I am hosting Russia and my house, and I work with the performances. Its going to be a SUPER busy week! But I look forward to it! Well I hope life is great for everyone!! Have a GREAT day!
-H. Dawn
Friday, April 27, 2012
OH LIFE!
Life is just so great right now! I love my job, but I love the days that I have off so I can spend them with my parents. I have been helping my mom with the garden and the orchard and with transplanting raspberries. We also put in a raspberry patch so we are going to have a LOT of raspberries! I'm quite excited!
It has been interesting because I am the only one home, so I have to do things I normally wouldn't. Like fix sprinklers. Which is less hard than I thought it would be :)
Also I bought a scooter! It is super legit! Its just a little black 150cc. But it is retro so its super cool!!! :) Although I don't have my motorcycle licence, and they haven't sent me my paper work so its not registered yet so basically I only ride it around my block. I love riding it though, it is just so fun! I also enjoy just going for a bike ride! I love riding my bike! I ride it to work when it is warm, and just go on short bike ride occasionally! So fun!
I am so glad it is starting to get warm! I am trying to organize a group of people to go hiking tomorrow! I hope we can get people to come!! :) We are going to go hiking and then possibly to some hot springs! I LOVE SUMMER TIME!!!
This week I got a letter from Jesse on Tuesday, a letter from Parker on Thursday and a letter from Morgan on Friday. I just love those boys! And I love that they are on their missions! They are such good kids! BEST MAIL WEEK EVER!!! :)
So my parents and I have started playing cards after dinner on some nights! Its great fun! We usually just play hearts, but sometimes I try to teach them a new game and sometimes it works but sometimes it doesn't! Like "Burn" and "Golf" they somewhat understand, and we can occasionally play! But I tried teaching them "The game is Mow".... it didn't work so well! they hated it!! HAHA!!! :)
The conference issue of the Ensign came in the mail today!!! I LOVE conference! I am so excited to read and study the talks! I love the Gospel! I was once in a really dark place, and even now I sometimes have bad days. But because of the Atonement I have felt more joy and happiness and love than I think I probably ever deserve! Heavenly Father loves me so much and I know this for a fact! And I love him! And I am so grateful for the sacrifice that his son made so that I can feel that happiness and love! I love reading and learning something new from my scriptures everyday! (Its better than shufflin' ;) ) In Romans 5:19 is talks about how one obedient person can lead many to righteousness. I hope I can be that obedient person, I hope I can be a light and an example! I LOVE this church and I know what making the right decisions can lead to. I love you all! Even if I have never met you! I LOVE you because Christ loves you, and I just want to be more like him!
Welp that's my life dudes and chicks! I hope everything is great for ya'll!! More later!!!
-Hailey Dawn
Life is just so great right now! I love my job, but I love the days that I have off so I can spend them with my parents. I have been helping my mom with the garden and the orchard and with transplanting raspberries. We also put in a raspberry patch so we are going to have a LOT of raspberries! I'm quite excited!
It has been interesting because I am the only one home, so I have to do things I normally wouldn't. Like fix sprinklers. Which is less hard than I thought it would be :)
Also I bought a scooter! It is super legit! Its just a little black 150cc. But it is retro so its super cool!!! :) Although I don't have my motorcycle licence, and they haven't sent me my paper work so its not registered yet so basically I only ride it around my block. I love riding it though, it is just so fun! I also enjoy just going for a bike ride! I love riding my bike! I ride it to work when it is warm, and just go on short bike ride occasionally! So fun!
I am so glad it is starting to get warm! I am trying to organize a group of people to go hiking tomorrow! I hope we can get people to come!! :) We are going to go hiking and then possibly to some hot springs! I LOVE SUMMER TIME!!!
This week I got a letter from Jesse on Tuesday, a letter from Parker on Thursday and a letter from Morgan on Friday. I just love those boys! And I love that they are on their missions! They are such good kids! BEST MAIL WEEK EVER!!! :)
So my parents and I have started playing cards after dinner on some nights! Its great fun! We usually just play hearts, but sometimes I try to teach them a new game and sometimes it works but sometimes it doesn't! Like "Burn" and "Golf" they somewhat understand, and we can occasionally play! But I tried teaching them "The game is Mow".... it didn't work so well! they hated it!! HAHA!!! :)
The conference issue of the Ensign came in the mail today!!! I LOVE conference! I am so excited to read and study the talks! I love the Gospel! I was once in a really dark place, and even now I sometimes have bad days. But because of the Atonement I have felt more joy and happiness and love than I think I probably ever deserve! Heavenly Father loves me so much and I know this for a fact! And I love him! And I am so grateful for the sacrifice that his son made so that I can feel that happiness and love! I love reading and learning something new from my scriptures everyday! (Its better than shufflin' ;) ) In Romans 5:19 is talks about how one obedient person can lead many to righteousness. I hope I can be that obedient person, I hope I can be a light and an example! I LOVE this church and I know what making the right decisions can lead to. I love you all! Even if I have never met you! I LOVE you because Christ loves you, and I just want to be more like him!
Welp that's my life dudes and chicks! I hope everything is great for ya'll!! More later!!!
-Hailey Dawn
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)