I was at a friend's house the other day and we were talking about Jesus. I could tell sh had a long way to go before she came back to our church and she was searching in a lot of places for her testimony and relationship with Jesus. Her study is focused on the bible and books from random people who have thoughts on the subject. I think she wanted me to agree with their words; and they weren't wrong, they just didn't have the total package. However, I could tell she needed to start from ground 0, even though she had been raised in the church, she never got the good news of the gospel and so many of her thoughts were twisted and her testimony of Christ was non existent.
One thing we talked about was that every religion believed that they had the true priesthood. This got me to thinking was there a way I could trace the authority of the priesthood through the ages. I think I did after a few days of looking. I was going to write her a letter, but I don't know how in that it may be too deep for her and not what she is looking for right now anyway.
As the Prophet Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon, he found mention of baptism for the remission of sins. On May 15, 1829, he and his scribe Oliver Cowdery went into the woods to inquire of the Lord concerning baptism. As they prayed, “a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light.” This messenger was John the Baptist, the prophet who had baptized Jesus Christ centuries earlier. John the Baptist, now a resurrected being, laid his hands on Joseph and on Oliver and conferred upon each of them the Aaronic Priesthood, which had been taken from the earth during the Great Apostasy. With this authority, Joseph and Oliver were able to baptize one another. (See Joseph Smith—History 1:68-72.),
Now I knew how the priesthood got to this time after being off the earth for so long, but I wated to trace it back as far as I could. I searched more. Later in JSH and in DC they tell of Peter, James, and John giving them more keys to the priesthood. I wanted to know where they got it so I went to the new testament. PJ &J were given the priesthood by Jesus directly right before the end of his ministry. Peter, James and John were translated in the same set of passages. Later those men gave it to Joesph smith and oliver cowdry
How did Christ get the priesthood?
The keys of the priesthood are the right to preside and direct the affairs of the Church within a jurisdiction. Jesus Christ holds all the keys of the priesthood pertaining to His Church. He has conferred upon each of His Apostles all the keys that pertain to the kingdom of God on earth. The senior living Apostle, the President of the Church, is the only person on earth authorized to exercise all priesthood keys.
In the old testament in Numbers it records the lord giving special duties to the Levites and the Aaronites. They were also held to different standards and punishments.
he also called someone to be a prophet to lead and guide his people as in Amos 3:7 During Old Testament times, God followed this pattern by appointing prophets such as Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Moses to establish His Church among the people. As part of this pattern, the prophets gave priesthood authority to additional worthy men as priests and teachers to help in the Church.
Exodus28-29, Hebrews, and Article faith 1: 5 all tell how a man is called to the priesthood. I found a seminary lesson that teachers about it.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Missionary Mania
Our stake is on the missionary push. As a teacher, you wouldn't think I was shy, but inside, I am. It seems also impossible that I could be because I am loud and opinionated. But, see the things I am loud about, are not things about ME, the me that keeps private about the serious, personal stuff.
ONe of my personal things is my belief-I really feel like we are pushing our religion on everyone around: members, inactive, non, the dog the cat, whoever we can lay hands on. I have this mental picture of big smiles, off beat outfits, singing, and clasped hands. Maybe a cross between sound of music and the brady bunch band.
If we're happy, we should want to share what makes up happy with the world. However, being from the mission field, I know that people are in different progress stages and the big push seems like we are discrediting all the good others do in the the name of Christ because it isn't also done in the name of TCoJCoLDS. I felel we are discrediting other's journey because they are not currently including LDS as part of their journey. Who am I to say that the ministry of sister Teresa was not quite what the lord wanted just because she was not LDS. I know she was amazing, but there are everyday people who are help so many out there and they are not LDS. I don't know how to reconcile myself with y perception of the hardcore push with my belief that good people are guided were they are supposed to be LDS or not.
I see others and I think that I am not on fire for God, nor do I feel sad for others who don't believe the same way I do.
I feel guilty, shame, anger, and I am tired of the push. Even when I hear those who give the non aggressive method of missionary work, I still feel I am not doing enough. I am thinking about not going to stake conference because my view of it will be a 2 day training of how to be a better member missionary. I am so not up for that, yet I don't want to stay away. I am not about to go rouge, my core testimony is not weak.
Yesterday in class one of my LDS students was complaining that she was asked to do yet another thing for stake conference and she was feeling overwhelmed. I got really made for her. Didn't those who asked her know she was all readying speaking, her personal life was a mess, and she has a lot going on at school? I wondered why they would push her to the edge like that. It seemed so inconsiderate. She wouldn't say no, because she was taught not to. This got me to thinking that girls don't have enough practice saying no, and that gets them in trouble in the dating world. I told her that she had the right to ask if they knew her schedule and to pray about it before saying yes. She sighed and wouldn't agree with me.
ONe of my personal things is my belief-I really feel like we are pushing our religion on everyone around: members, inactive, non, the dog the cat, whoever we can lay hands on. I have this mental picture of big smiles, off beat outfits, singing, and clasped hands. Maybe a cross between sound of music and the brady bunch band.
I see others and I think that I am not on fire for God, nor do I feel sad for others who don't believe the same way I do.
I feel guilty, shame, anger, and I am tired of the push. Even when I hear those who give the non aggressive method of missionary work, I still feel I am not doing enough. I am thinking about not going to stake conference because my view of it will be a 2 day training of how to be a better member missionary. I am so not up for that, yet I don't want to stay away. I am not about to go rouge, my core testimony is not weak.
Yesterday in class one of my LDS students was complaining that she was asked to do yet another thing for stake conference and she was feeling overwhelmed. I got really made for her. Didn't those who asked her know she was all readying speaking, her personal life was a mess, and she has a lot going on at school? I wondered why they would push her to the edge like that. It seemed so inconsiderate. She wouldn't say no, because she was taught not to. This got me to thinking that girls don't have enough practice saying no, and that gets them in trouble in the dating world. I told her that she had the right to ask if they knew her schedule and to pray about it before saying yes. She sighed and wouldn't agree with me.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
like a pink icicle
When I was in about 7th grade, I had pretty much finished growing. although now I would kill for the size I was; then I thougth I was a giant. Bigger than most all other classmates, I stood out.I remember being weighed in 7th grade and my weight was said out loud, 120. The heavest in the room. I am sure my large and in charge teacher would have killed for 120, I would now. So, It was about this time I got a new coat from my grandmother Butler. It was pink and white. It was a horror to keep clean, which is how she rolled. "beautiful" yet inappropriate things for her grandchildren. Now I see that she came from a different time; a place where maids and others took care of the small details. why not have things that are hard to keep up? Someone will take care of it. I am sure I looked like and "angel" in it; if angel was every synonymous with giant pink and white girraffee. Then I saw this ugly pink and white coat. it was puffy, and long, and it stood out.I hate puffy sleeves. I hated long coats too. For a kid who felt like she stood out for some many other things: being Mormon, being tall, being poor, having parents who were educated, living, we lived in the Concho of New Boston, Texas, we had a big family (for the area)... you name it. That coat was just an example of all the things i was trying to do to fit in.
I am sure some of those feelings were real, and some were exaggereated as all growing teens do to themseves. But that coat, Oh I hated it so badly badly. I tried everthing to wear it out, to break it, to ruin it, to make it go away. I don't remember ever having another coat: we were broke and you don't get a new anything until the other was worn out, and I had stopped growing so why get a new coat.
I don't have pictures of another coat.So I can't prove I was deprived, nor can my mom prove I am exaggerating. Yet, I do remember finding a red wool plaid Mom made while she was in college. i was a freshman at BYU and still had the pink coat. 4-6 years later! The red one was not a perfect match, It was not fit for me as I am wider in the shoulders and arms than she was, but I was willing to wear that coat instead of the pink nightmare.
Somewhere in college, maybe still at BYU, maybe at NAU, I finally got the green coat. I don't love it now, but still own it and like it better than the pink icing.
Maybe the pink coat is the reasons why I own so many now: the green, the black long church, the US Homes blue, the brown carheart that scott bought me, the red, the hunting, the brown, and others that are technically Scotts, but I took over. Adn then there are the many jackets and sweaters. I could always use another.
Now days, I could care less what I have on, for the most part. I even have embrased scarves and beanies. Two things I Never wanted on my body. Why.. I think then I felt they made me more noticible with the pink coat so I froze rather than stayed warm. The pink coat started a chain of events that ended in me trying to be cool to the point that I never was warm in the winter.
watching the Goldbergs toniht reminded me of everything ugly from the 80/90s. Good by and good riddance pink coat. but am thinking the Pea Coat I just saw on a comercial needs to be the next addition to the family of coats I have...
I am sure some of those feelings were real, and some were exaggereated as all growing teens do to themseves. But that coat, Oh I hated it so badly badly. I tried everthing to wear it out, to break it, to ruin it, to make it go away. I don't remember ever having another coat: we were broke and you don't get a new anything until the other was worn out, and I had stopped growing so why get a new coat.
I don't have pictures of another coat.So I can't prove I was deprived, nor can my mom prove I am exaggerating. Yet, I do remember finding a red wool plaid Mom made while she was in college. i was a freshman at BYU and still had the pink coat. 4-6 years later! The red one was not a perfect match, It was not fit for me as I am wider in the shoulders and arms than she was, but I was willing to wear that coat instead of the pink nightmare.
Maybe the pink coat is the reasons why I own so many now: the green, the black long church, the US Homes blue, the brown carheart that scott bought me, the red, the hunting, the brown, and others that are technically Scotts, but I took over. Adn then there are the many jackets and sweaters. I could always use another.
Now days, I could care less what I have on, for the most part. I even have embrased scarves and beanies. Two things I Never wanted on my body. Why.. I think then I felt they made me more noticible with the pink coat so I froze rather than stayed warm. The pink coat started a chain of events that ended in me trying to be cool to the point that I never was warm in the winter.
watching the Goldbergs toniht reminded me of everything ugly from the 80/90s. Good by and good riddance pink coat. but am thinking the Pea Coat I just saw on a comercial needs to be the next addition to the family of coats I have...
Sunday, December 8, 2013
modest vs inappropriate
I was reading a blog today from a woman who is very angry at the modesty lesson given in primary. The way she described it, I would have been mad too, if for no other reason than it is my job to set the standards of what is and is not modest.
Why? Because it doesn’t match the standards of the time/place/situation. And people in
those places shouldn’t have to be subjected to it. It isn’t about making that person responsible for our behavior, it is about respecting the people around you, and their right not to be bombarded with that kind of talk.Modesty, I believe, is the same type of behavior, in the sense that it doesn't just affect yourself, but those around you against their will. Sure men could just have more control, but that's not the point here. And if you don't get that, then anything else I could say about this probably won't change.
We talked about modest and chasity today in adult Sunday school. I am not sure the teacher got across when he was wanting, but the comments were pretty good. and most of them were from women. what does member of any group when they find that they don't agree with one part of the group, but by and large most things are ok. or even more personal, when one doesn't agree or like a leader (and it doesn't seem to change).
those that are over zealous do have a place, they are the ones who get the rest of us to do anything. as image though, I have a hard time being about them...
Why? Because it doesn’t match the standards of the time/place/situation. And people in
those places shouldn’t have to be subjected to it. It isn’t about making that person responsible for our behavior, it is about respecting the people around you, and their right not to be bombarded with that kind of talk.Modesty, I believe, is the same type of behavior, in the sense that it doesn't just affect yourself, but those around you against their will. Sure men could just have more control, but that's not the point here. And if you don't get that, then anything else I could say about this probably won't change.
We talked about modest and chasity today in adult Sunday school. I am not sure the teacher got across when he was wanting, but the comments were pretty good. and most of them were from women. what does member of any group when they find that they don't agree with one part of the group, but by and large most things are ok. or even more personal, when one doesn't agree or like a leader (and it doesn't seem to change).
those that are over zealous do have a place, they are the ones who get the rest of us to do anything. as image though, I have a hard time being about them...
struggling with the little miracles
over the last few months, our stake has asked us to pray for little miracles. I think the little miracles they are asking about are connected to missionary work.
I am really struggling with this for many reasons. One, having grown up it the "field" in the deep Bible south, my ideas of missionary work do not match the zealous outreaching of those here in the west where Mormons are in the majority. I really feel one should be delicate when approaching others. this brings me to, two: that our missionaries are extremely pushy. they asked my student teacher for names, and it seems just out of his hat, of people they could teach. these missionaries didn't even know the town well enough to know that I, the cooperating teacher, the principal, and everyone at the high school but 4 were lds- they kept asking about us. . the four that are not, three are very strong Catholics who have grown up with us SJ Mormons all their lives. if those people would ever consider changing, it would take a long building relationship. yet, they kept pushing him to name someone, just anyone. I am first offended that the missionaries didn't take the time to know of the lds people in town. I am angry to be pushed to name people who have not even been friends with me enough for me to have those kind of conversations with, kobolds be mortified if my name was dropped when calling and trying to get into the doors of my un ready acquaintances. third, I don't understand the push. fourth, I don't want to be a "bad" Mormon, but i don't want to be a part of the zealous push.
I don't know what to do about this. I want to serve The Lord. I don't want it to seem like I only want to do it when it is convent for me, although that would be nice, but I don't agree with or understand the push...
I really don't know,what to do. I am not about to make new friends just for a secret ulterior motive of getting them baptized. I don't make friends well and don't like to,hang out with people, so I would not do it just to get someone to be Mormon. my only solution right now it to pray about what to do for me and my family. other than that, I gots nothing... except to avoid the missionaries for now.
I am really struggling with this for many reasons. One, having grown up it the "field" in the deep Bible south, my ideas of missionary work do not match the zealous outreaching of those here in the west where Mormons are in the majority. I really feel one should be delicate when approaching others. this brings me to, two: that our missionaries are extremely pushy. they asked my student teacher for names, and it seems just out of his hat, of people they could teach. these missionaries didn't even know the town well enough to know that I, the cooperating teacher, the principal, and everyone at the high school but 4 were lds- they kept asking about us. . the four that are not, three are very strong Catholics who have grown up with us SJ Mormons all their lives. if those people would ever consider changing, it would take a long building relationship. yet, they kept pushing him to name someone, just anyone. I am first offended that the missionaries didn't take the time to know of the lds people in town. I am angry to be pushed to name people who have not even been friends with me enough for me to have those kind of conversations with, kobolds be mortified if my name was dropped when calling and trying to get into the doors of my un ready acquaintances. third, I don't understand the push. fourth, I don't want to be a "bad" Mormon, but i don't want to be a part of the zealous push.
I don't know what to do about this. I want to serve The Lord. I don't want it to seem like I only want to do it when it is convent for me, although that would be nice, but I don't agree with or understand the push...
I really don't know,what to do. I am not about to make new friends just for a secret ulterior motive of getting them baptized. I don't make friends well and don't like to,hang out with people, so I would not do it just to get someone to be Mormon. my only solution right now it to pray about what to do for me and my family. other than that, I gots nothing... except to avoid the missionaries for now.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
sometimes it is enduring the dull
I have had ups and downs in my spiritual journey, often in the same day. but I had a though in church today about enduring the slump. where nothing is wrong,just not high. I think so many times we feel if we are not singing in the car high, then something is wrong. but boring is not wrong, it is the daily grind. I do think we can as a family have prayer and scriptures better. yet, I am not thinking about that so much as the repetitive busy work necessary of life. just working quietly getting to point a to point b isn't exciting, fun, or even. sinful.
Then later, I was watching Kelsey put a hair clip in her hair and getting frustrated and almost put my hand out to help her, but I waited. I wAtched her, I let her struggle. her hair bow was not important so much that if she didn't get it right she would be lost. in fact, as long as she was content with her results, it was fine with me.
I thought if she asked, then I would help, but the longer I thought about it the more I wondered if I should help her at all. was the struggle success or fail-was the important thing?
My mind wandered to the two issues that have made me crazy for the last few years, my weight and my house remodel. both are not where I want them to be, and I don't know why. I work on them both off and on. I don't make them a rigorous priority, but if fugu red that the level of work I have should pay off a little more. but maybe not. maybe, like Kelsey I need to struggle with the situation and my attitude and the effort I put for are the actual lesson to be learned, and not the end results of something perfect.
Then later, I was watching Kelsey put a hair clip in her hair and getting frustrated and almost put my hand out to help her, but I waited. I wAtched her, I let her struggle. her hair bow was not important so much that if she didn't get it right she would be lost. in fact, as long as she was content with her results, it was fine with me.
I thought if she asked, then I would help, but the longer I thought about it the more I wondered if I should help her at all. was the struggle success or fail-was the important thing?
My mind wandered to the two issues that have made me crazy for the last few years, my weight and my house remodel. both are not where I want them to be, and I don't know why. I work on them both off and on. I don't make them a rigorous priority, but if fugu red that the level of work I have should pay off a little more. but maybe not. maybe, like Kelsey I need to struggle with the situation and my attitude and the effort I put for are the actual lesson to be learned, and not the end results of something perfect.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Homemade Hummas
A few months ago I decided I was sick of paying 5 dollars for a little thing of humus. I looked on line to find a recipe and was successful. the problem is, no store sells or even knows what tahini is. I was at a road block. Then I found out that it is fancy pants sesame seeds. Bought 2 different kinds in the Mexican spice area. They have it at Bashas and I am sure Safeway.
Then I sat on it because I got worried that I would mess it up. Didn't pay the extra price for hummus, didn't make it- so went without.
My sister came by with hummus and I couldn't take it anymore so broke out the seeds, my frying pan and my blender and went to town. Hubby turned up his nose each time he walked by.
Today I have my first batch. I think I over cooked the sesame, and needs more salt. Other than that, it is ok. I will have to try it out on Nikki to see. Total cost? .25 1 lemon, 1 pkg of sesame, 1 can of chickpeas,. 69 1 tsp of salt, 1/4 cup of oil, water,paprika, 2 cloves of garlic.
Then I sat on it because I got worried that I would mess it up. Didn't pay the extra price for hummus, didn't make it- so went without.
My sister came by with hummus and I couldn't take it anymore so broke out the seeds, my frying pan and my blender and went to town. Hubby turned up his nose each time he walked by.
Today I have my first batch. I think I over cooked the sesame, and needs more salt. Other than that, it is ok. I will have to try it out on Nikki to see. Total cost? .25 1 lemon, 1 pkg of sesame, 1 can of chickpeas,. 69 1 tsp of salt, 1/4 cup of oil, water,paprika, 2 cloves of garlic.
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