The danger of changing Christ

While it is not new to present alternate depictions of Jesus Christ, there is always one that seems to stand out as a little off in either the spirit or details of the depiction. I am sure that the Diocese of Brooklyn New York had the goal of bringing people unto Christ with their latest ad campaign, but at some point you are not really bringing people unto Christ, you are bringing them unto something compromised.

"Jesus, the original hipster."  First of all, I am not sure what they mean by "hipster" as that term seems to be a bit too fluid a concept in today's vernacular for me to know just what they are saying. At perhaps that is the danger. While the message of Jesus Christ's gospel is universal, that does not mean that Jesus follow trends, or is himself a changeable being that "fits in."

I feel that there is a danger in seeking to change the image of Christ to fit perceptions, or to mold his actions to fit the idioms of the world. Much of Jesus's teachings was about bucking the world, and about bringing our lives in line with the principles that governed his mortal life, and in becoming one with the character and work of the Lord-- not the other way around.

Does God change; no. Does his message need to fit the time and place in which the people live--yes, within reason. But to call Christ himself a hipster seems to miss the boat in my opinion.

GENERAL CONFERENCE 2013 PETITION: Change Hymns to Hers

I have noticed that many, let's call them progressives (as that is how they wish to be called), have made arguments and presented them forward to the leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in an effort to get them to change perceived policies or practices. Lately, the topics seem to center around feminist positions of wearing pants to church on sunday, but most poignantly, a petition to have women pray in General Conference. These groups have received some publicity for their causes and their blogs, so I figure I would get in on that action and start my own petition or movement of thought through this internet thing that is the source of all information.

I think that we need to change the name of the songbook that we sing from each sunday, and at other meetings of the church to be change from being called Hymns, to be called Hers. After all, it was Emma Smith in D&C 25 that received instruction to organize the songs into a collection. It is predominantly women who conduct the music and play the organ and piano in sacrament meeting, and in the primary. So, if you agree with this change, share this post on facebook, on your blogs, and make sure your bishop and stake president hear your voice loud and clear.

(The next "logical" step would be to make the hymnbooks available in pink with proceeds being donated to breast cancer awareness.)

What's missing in America?

Yesterday President Obama signed an executive order regarding guns and regulations of guns. Why is that so significant. Executive orders have been signed before, gun regulations have been put into play before, so why is this so news worthy?

One could argue it is due to the recent shootings at schools and the public outcry for tighter regulations as a solution to see these incidences reduced or eliminated. But why this shooting? Why now? This is not the first or worst shooting in our nations history at a school, nor was it even the first shooting that month.

Any opinions will be given as to why this executive order is noteworthy to the media and to the general public. I believe answer is that this order came in a time and in the manner it did as a sign to the faithful of what is kissing from the America. God is kissing from America, and the more God disappears from America the less we will have any liberty to enjoy.

I was listening to a new podcast, The Good Word, that features LDS Authors and their writings. The guest on this episode was Timothy Ballard, author of The Covenant. In the interview the author shared his position that liberty is the way to growth and development. You cannot force people to improve or to be better. It is contrary to logic and the gospel and plan of salvation to limit freedom. I won't go into how that ties into his book, but I encourage you to listen to the episode should you be interested. Sufficient to say, the book shows that throughout the history of the United States, there are evidences of individuals achieving greater levels of freedom and deliverance when we follow the principles of this covenant. When the people have forgotten God, they lose their freedoms.

When I see an legislation, or in this case and executive order, that significantly reduces the clear and distinct natural rights that come to each individual through simply being alive, rights articulated through the constitution, I look to how we as a people are not keeping this implied national covenant. How are we measuring up to principles of honesty, and charity? The over simplified answer is, we are not. While many are doing so individually, the nation as a whole are not.

I am concerned particularly with Barack Obama's administration as it is his administration that seems to be finding more and more ways to impose laws and regulations that have taken more and more rights away from citizens. Here are few of the rights that American's have lost since his presidency:

- The right to buy or not buy health insurance (which opens the door to the federal government making other commerce mandatory)
- The right to own a gun has been infringed (opposing a clear reading of the 2nd amendment).
- The right to home ownership (this is a backdoor kind of thing that would take an entire other article to prove, but it surrounds the bailouts and how many people lost their houses due to the banks being bailed out of bad loans.)
- The right to practice free religion and to operate a business with a free conscious. (This is primarily around the Hobby Lobby story with mandating birth control in insurance plans, and so on.)
-Extension and enlarging of The Patriot Act.

These are the main bullet points, but the idea is clear. Fewer and fewer choices are truly free to be made. Even decisions about what we can do with our own bodies with regard to health care is being mandated. Ultimately, regardless of temporal cost, or secular opinion, the nation is being led down a path of fewer choices.

What is missing from America is a love of freedom, which, in many ways, can be seen as a love of God, the granter of true and lasting freedom.

Constructive Thoughts: What Matters Most

This morning my Facebook page blew up. I am sure your page did as well.

The vitriol I have seen since the concession and victory speeches last night has been staggering.

Actually, no. Saddening is a much better description.

I could weep and wail and gnash teeth about things that happened in various races in various places. I would suspect that any 50% of the people in the country could do the same thing. Some of what happened actually makes me a bit less proud to be an American. Honestly.

But what makes me really regret being an American is the vitriol. Being lumped in with that crowd is embarrassing. Truly. As I have pondered my situation and the situation of my fellow countrymen and women, I was prompted to re-read something. When I did, I felt both hope and humility enter my heart and mind.

I want to share with you the following words, said stronger and more eloquently than I could say them.

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Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. . . .

Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family. One day each of us will run out of tomorrows. . . . Our realization of what is most important in life goes hand in hand with gratitude for our blessings. . . .

“For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift.” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:33)

 . . .

Despite the changes which come into our lives and with gratitude in our hearts, may we fill our days—as much as we can—with those things which matter most. May we cherish those we hold dear and express our love to them in word and in deed.

In closing, I pray that all of us will reflect gratitude for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His glorious gospel provides answers to life’s greatest questions: Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where does my spirit go when I die?

He taught us how to pray. He taught us how to serve. He taught us how to live. His life is a legacy of love. The sick He healed; the downtrodden He lifted; the sinner He saved.

The time came when He stood alone. Some Apostles doubted; one betrayed Him. The Roman soldiers pierced His side. The angry mob took His life. There yet rings from Golgotha’s hill His compassionate words, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34.) . . . Let us follow Him. Let us emulate His example. Let us obey His word. By so doing, we give to Him the divine gift of gratitude.

Brothers and sisters, my sincere prayer is that we may adapt to the changes in our lives, that we may realize what is most important, that we may express our gratitude always and thus find joy in the journey. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

~Thomas S. Monson, Finding Joy In The Journey, Ensign, Nov. 2008. (Emphasis added.)

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That would be my prayer as well, for all of my friends and readers... not just today, but every day, let us pause and consider what matters most in each of our lives and let us express gratitude to He who has given us what we have.

I wish to express my humble gratitude to my Father in Heaven for the many blessings that I have and continue to receive from His hands. I also wish to say "thank you" to my friends, family, and readers for all you have brought and continue to bring to my life.

God bless you all, and God bless the United States of America.