Churchy things to blog about

I was just listening to the Colbert Report and thought this interview was interesting. It's Bishop N.T. Wright of the Anglican Church (in a snazzy pink shirt) talking about his new book which is apparently about an "ancient dogma" regarding heaven, resurrection, and a "new heaven." He basically talks about the importance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in terms of how it effects our afterlife and that after we go to heaven for a time then everything will be "recreated." Just watch it. It's obviously a lot to fit into a short interview, but in terms of what we are taught in the LDS church I just found it interesting.



I find interviews and conversations like this to be so interesting. It strengthens my testimony and reminds me what I believe in and why I believe in it. It makes me more confident in my knowledge of the gospel as well. I know that the church is true! I know about the plan of salvation. I know that we have a Heavenly Father who still offers us revelation and scripture and speaks to us through the prophet, Thomas S. Monson. I know that Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and I'm so thankful for the blessings that experience gives me in my life today. It really is so amazing.

Last night at institute we were reading the end of Matthew chapter 3 and the Joseph Smith Translation of those last verses. This is right after Jesus is baptized by John. The JST clarifies the account in Matthew and describes the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost in three distinct forms - three different personages appearing in three separate states all for one, unified purpose. He also had us read D&C 130:22 which he likes because it is the most clear description of the godhead available and it can open up a conversation that directly leads to sharing the story of Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove.

There was also a non-member in our class last night (there are actually quite a few this summer, which has added so much to the class) who was raised in another religion. She really seemed to embrace everything the teacher was saying - even though it got kind of deep. It's amazing to sit and watch her ask questions and see how excited she is about all of this and to be able to relate some of it to what she has been taught the rest of her life. She told me that going to her previous church was just how she was raised. That's what her family did. She didn't really feel any strong connection to the faith or feel like she belonged there. But she seems so genuinely eager to learn about the gospel now. It's fun to see and it's fun to talk to her about it. Her outlook is so new and refreshing.

Now Featuring...Saucy and the Photo Booth

I made a new friend last night. His name is Sauce...or Saucy. He is Krissie's new MacBook (which is made by Apple...Apple Sauce....Sauce. I'm a terrific namer of objects). After institute last night, Krissie pulled ol' Saucy out of his fabulous and tres posh digs and we walked down memory lane. We were laughing at photos of us from Europe and at our Camera Game photos.

Krissie and I love the Camera Game. We started it in Paris which makes it even cooler. You basically just take the camera and aim it at yourselves and start making faces and arbitrarily pushing the button. It's amazing. Fantastically amazing. Krissie and I probably have over 100 photos of us from multiple playings of this game. A hotel bed in Paris, Louise's couch in Dunton Green, the train to London, a BYU apartment couch, a BYU apartment kitchen, my friend Sean's house on New Years Eve, and now the stake center have all been venues in this adventure of ours.

Let me tell you. You are never hotter than when you play this game. Last night, however, we hit a new dimension...the photo booth on the mac book. Now we had "effects" to play with. Just wait till I get those pictures to share. Christy joined in on the fun and at one point we were laughing so hard I admitted to C and K that I peed a little. We had to control the laughter after that and on the way home we had laughter hang overs. I love laughing like that. So that's my happiness for the week. Laughing. A lot. and my friends who laugh with me. They are awesome.

Abraham

I didn't want to go to institute tonight but I went. We were studying Abraham chapter 1 in the Pearl of Great Price. We read the first 19 verses and began chatting about them. Our teacher wanted us to pull out some of the trials Abraham was facing in his life and how he reacted. First of all, everyone around him worshiped false idols. Sacrificing to those idols was a common practice. Abraham was next on the chopping block, so to speak. Those are some pretty big things to deal with. We went on to talk about Abraham's faith, the power of the Lord, and how Abraham's experience in chapter 1 prepared him for his experience with Isaac later in his life.

My favorite part was Abraham 1:15-19. The terminology used is amazing; so personal and heartfelt. Abraham cries unto the Lord for deliverance and the Lord "hearken and heard" him and "the angel of his presence stood by" him. In verse 18, the Lord tells Abraham, "Behold, I will lead thee by my hand, and I will take thee, to put upon thee my name, even the Priesthood of thy father, and my power shall be over thee." (emphasis added) How powerful to be reminded that the Lord really is that close and that attentive to us, especially during our times of trial. This is something I know, but often forget, especially in the midst of a situation.

I don't want to recount the entire lesson, I mostly am just happy that I went and heard this particular lesson. The main concept wasn't new and a lot of the discussion wasn't really new for me either, but it was something I needed to hear and talk about. It is good to be reminded that my Heavenly Father is there to take my hand and walk with me through whatever trial I face and that every trial has its purpose, if only to remind me to trust more in the Lord and humble myself before him and ask for this support and guidance.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is amazing. The Church is true.