speaking in church

So I recently had to give a talk in church on personal revelation, so I had been doing a lot of thinking about that as a result. In my religion class we were talking about how the Book of Mormon came about and how Joseph Smith was able to translate it by revelation. One of the ideas that I liked most about this was the comment that Joseph Smith was given different aides in his translation to give him the confidence, but that he did not really need them.
Joseph Smith obtained the plates along with the Urim and Thummim, which were there to help him do the translations. In reality Joseph didn't need this, and by the end he didn't have to use them in the translating process, but it was there to give him the confidence he needed to know that he could do what was asked of him (translate the plates). It focused his faith and was a comfort more than anything.
I started to think how often are we given things that give us the confidence we need, but aren't necessary beyond that. When you learn to ride a bike often times your parents will run along side you, making you believe they are holding onto you, when really you are doing it by yourself. Or my roommate Rachel and I are playing on an intramural volleyball team and as we walked to our game I noticed she didn't bring her kneepads. She responded that she doesn't need them because she can dive in such a way that they aren't necessary, but they are only there to make sure she is not afraid to hit the floor. Sometimes I walk in to take a test and I need my calculator on my desk just as a comfort, when often times it isn't even needed. Just having it there makes me more confident in my performance.
It's kinda weird how psychological we can be sometimes... but it's just how we are!! ....or at least how I am! :)

families...

In my religion class there was a point brought up that I found very interesting; it was the difference between salvation and eternal life. I had never really thought about the differences of the meaning of these words were before, so I found it intriguing. It was said that salvation is a personal question. It is the chance to be saved as an individual, whereas eternal life was something to be achieved by a family. Although we may have eternal life as an individual, I like the idea of thinking of it as something to work towards as a family. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be with our families and loved ones even after our time here on this earth is spent. The knowledge that there is more than just this life on Earth is rather comforting. I remember attending my grandmother's funeral a few years ago and sitting there as everyone was happy for her. We mourned for our loss, but we rejoiced that she had gone on to a better place and could be with her husband once more. We knew that she was happy and that her death was not the end. It was comforting to know that I could see her again after my time here on Earth has passed as well. Contrary to this, I attended a funeral for a girl my senior year in high school. She had been a freshman, and had been camping with her family and friend but when they were playing in the river, the rushing current swept her away and her body was found a couple of weeks later. Being a student body officer, we tried to do all we could for her and her family, and a candlelight vigil was held in her honor. I remember attending this and feeling truly sad. I had barely known the young girl, but I could feel her loss and I felt for all of her loved ones who were all truly mourning. They didn't have this knowledge that they could have the opportunity to see and live with her once more. This made me so sad for them, yet so grateful that I have this knowledge. I wish everyone would know and take advantage of the opportunity to be sealed to their families for time and all eternity, not just until death do you part. I'm so grateful for my family. I love them so much and I don't know where I'd be without them. They are the best!

Museum visit...

So for my Doctrine and Covenants class we had to go visit a Museum here in Provo that basically demonstrated how books are published, with an emphasis on the early publication of the Book of Mormon. I had been to a very similar museum in Palmyra, New York a few years ago, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it! In Palmyra I recall being blown away by all of the time and work that went into getting a book published back then. Although the facts were fascinating then, I found the Crandall Museum to be even better because they demonstrated each step so you could really experience and understand exactly what went into each book.
The whole concept of a printing press is truly remarkable and the fact that anyone could imagine any of that up just blows my mind. I couldn't believe that they had to make their own molds for each letter, and then had to insert every letter individually into the correct place in order to spell out whatever they needed. On top of placing every letter one by one into the correct place, they also had to insert it upside down and backwards. Now that would be a real trip for me, I'd never be able to do it!
Part of one of the pages had been misplaced at one point and therefore those letters were removed and put in a pile off to the side. While I looked over the 16 pages that they could print each time, I was in awe that so many letters went into each page. Even though I found it remarkable, I obtained a true appreciation for it as I sifted my hand through this pile of misplaced letters and was able to see exactly how many letters each contained.
This whole process seemed to be very tedious and time consuming, but yet the Book of Mormon was published in practically no time. Printing 5,000 copies of this book should have taken a lot longer than it did, so I strongly believe that they received extra help and strength. I think that our Heavenly Father blessed them to perform their duties/work faster than they ever could have done on their own because the printing and producing of this book was so important. The Book of Mormon was crucial to the restoration and the spreading of the gospel.
After visiting this museum and seeing what went into producing the Book of Mormon, I gained an appreciation for the evolution of mass producing and for the improvements we've made over time, but better yet, I gained an appreciation for the Book of Mormon. Seeing the assistance that was given to those men to get this published just reaffirmed how important that Book is and how important it is that everyone have a chance to read it. I think this is why we have published it into so many different languages now.
Sorry, kind of a long post, but if you get the chance, I would definitely recommend going and checking the Crandall Museum out. Definitely worth it!

hopping on the bandwagon...

So I guess it was about time I picked up with the trends and created a blog like so many others do. I've never been very good at keeping these kinds of things updated, nor do I really have tons to say, so I guess we'll just have to see how it goes this time!