A Gospel of Love

While some of these thoughts have been on my mind lately anyway, a friend's Facebook post prompted this discussion. It appears that there are many Christians of various faiths who believe that God hates sinners and will only love them when they have cast away their sin. It made me sad hearing that. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). No one on earth is without sin. I am so grateful for a gospel that teaches that God loves all of His children!

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved" (John 3:16-17). God so loved the world. Not the prophets only, not the righteous only, not the Christians only. God so loved the world.

It is true that God does not condone sin: "the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance" (Alma 45:16, Doctrine & Covenants 1:31). But that does not stop Him from loving us, from opening His arms to us, from waiting for us to repent and return to Him. I imagine His feelings must be much like those of earthly parents, who feel sorrow when their children go astray, but who never stop loving their children. If God is unchangeable, and He so loved the world, surely He still so loves the world!

The atonement is the ultimate example of love. Jesus Christ laid down His life to redeem us from our sins. He was perfect. He had no need to repent, because He had no sin. But He made it possible for us to repent, to progress to return to Him.

The atonement makes forgiveness possible. It makes grace and mercy possible. Not only can I be forgiven of my sins, but through the power of the atonement I can find the strength to forgive myself and others, to progress each day, to do things that I could not do alone. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13).

This gospel is one of peace and love. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that He is my Savior, and that He knows and loves me as an individual. I am so grateful for the power of this love and for the strength and the hope that it gives me.

Oh, the workings of the subconscious mind!

I can't figure out why I keep having such weird dreams lately. Okay, so at least one or two of them were quite enjoyable--until I woke up right in the middle (not to my alarm!) and never did finish. Others of them have been rather bizarre.

Take last night for example. In my dream, I was on a day outing with my family. We were going to a museum or some such place, only it was out in the middle of nowhere. However, they had promised it wouldn't take all day, and that I could be home in time for dinner, because I had a date that night. I was excited to spend the day with my family, but I was really excited about going on a date with this particular guy.

Needless to say, something happened (I'm not really sure what), and there was no way that we were going to make it back. (That couldn't have anything to do with being out on the middle of nowhere, could it?) I pulled out my phone to text him and let him know I wouldn't be back in time and see if we could reschedule. However, as I pulled out my phone, I got a text from him...

The text said that someone (I was convinced it was his grandma, though I don't think the text actually said that) had fallen on her hand, "and whenever she falls on her hands..." I never did find out what happened when she falls on her hands, but judging by this statement, this was not the first time it had happened and there was a common result every time. Huh. In any case, he had to be with his grandma, so he was texting me to call off that night's date and reschedule. I was extremely disappointed about the date not happening, but I was also relieved not to feel stressed about getting back in time and to know that I would still get a chance to go out with him another time.

And that's about where the dream ended. Weird, huh? Any ideas as to what it might mean? (If anything...)

I have a dream...

I've been thinking this morning about what this holiday means, whether we call it Martin Luther King Day, or Civil Rights Day. In particular, I can't help thinking about the main message of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech ("I have a dream" begins at about 12:13). It seems to me that his main point was extending freedom to all citizens of the country, hoping for a better world for his children than he had known himself.

Isn't that every person's dream? Don't we all hope and pray that our children, born or unborn, will know a better world and greater opportunities than we have known? Today is not about winning rights for any one race. It is not about competition between races or individuals. It is not even about celebrating one man's dream. It is about humanity. It is about understanding that we are all one race: children of God--a God who loves us and desires our happiness. It is about learning to love one another, to look beyond the outward appearance, to see ourselves and others as God sees us. It is about becoming united for the common good, even as we celebrate our differences.

This dream for humanity has not yet been fulfilled. It is certainly better than when this speech was given, nearly 50 years ago. But the day must yet come when we will all join hands, as brothers and sisters, without regard to color, religion, size, shape, etc., and sing together, "Free at last! free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!" We need to be able to say, as Thomas Jefferson penned so many years ago, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." We need to mean it. The blessings of liberty must, in God's due time, be extended not only to our children, but to all children, to all people. Remember that the God "inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile" (2 Nephi 26:33). We, too, must open our hearts to receive all people as children of God.

Blizzard... or not!

I think everyone enjoyed the "snow day" feeling yesterday: coming home early and staying home, nice and warm, watching movies, reading, etc. The predicted blizzard was not nearly as bad as they made it sound, though. We got a few inches downtown, most of it by 8:30 last night. There were white-out conditions for a short time, but certainly not all night like the weather people wanted us to believe.

However, there is no question that it was an arctic storm! I was so grateful to get a ride to work this morning, and as I walked home after work, I felt like Lucky from 101 Dalmatians: "My tail is froze, and my nose is froze, and my ears are froze, and my toes are froze!" It was definitely a man who determined that women working at the church offices should wear skirts every day... I don't mind it in the summer, but skirts in the winter are NOT FUN! Oh, well. Even so, my nose was probably the coldest part of me when I got home.

And then, of course, there are the hazards of walking on iced-over walkways. My apartment complex complied with the new city ordinance--the steps and walks immediately in front of both buildings were beautifully cleared this morning. However, the path around City Creek Park was not cleared--nor was it this afternoon. It's a path that sees almost constant foot traffic, which means that after a full day it is packed-down ice rather than snow. I wonder what can be done about it... Surely if there is a city ordinance, the city should also be expected to comply!

Anyway, as beautiful as the snow is, it is COLD. High was about 17 today, overnight low will be in the single digits. Hello, Winter! I'm so grateful for heat in my apartment. The winter wonderland is beautiful, but it's too cold for anyone to have to be outside!

More information...

Based on other articles (like this one) and hearing from at least one friend who has already seen the movie, I have decided that I will go and see Harry Potter, after all. It does not sound like what the articles at the end of last week made it out to be. I feel comfortable with choosing to go, still... and I'm excited about it again! :)

I thought about deleting Sunday evening's blog post, but I think I'm going to leave it. It's not because I want to "eat my words," but rather because the opinions I expressed are really the way I feel about any movie. Nudity has no place in the entertainment I choose. If it had turned out that there was a nude scene in the movie, I would have chosen not to see it, as I would with any other movie. This does not mean I would judge others for seeing movies I choose not to see. It simply means that I know what I need to do and/or avoid for my own happiness and peace of conscience.

Thanks to those who have shared further information. I really am excited to go Saturday evening! :) And I'm grateful for supportive family and friends!

Taking a Stand... So long, Harry Potter :(

I received some disappointing news this evening from some friends and confirmed it on deseretnews.com. Apparently Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, pt. 1, contains nudity in two scenes (neither of which actually come from the book). More information is contained in the article 'Potter' scene is worrying some families, from which I will quote in my post.

One person says, "I think we put too much of a negative association with the human body, and people get naked every day. You take off your clothes to take a shower I just don't see the problem with it." The director, David Yates, talks about one of the scenes being "very tender."

So, yes, it may be a problem that there is such a negative association with the human body. Yes, there is beauty in the human body. Why? Because not only were we created by God, we were created in God's image: "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness... So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them" (Genesis 1:26-27). Of course our bodies are beautiful! But for the same reason, they are also sacred. They are not intended to be put on display. I will save my body for the man I marry, and for no one else. I would expect him, whoever he may be, to do the same. On the same token, I have no desire to see a man's body, in life or on screen. I was bothered by the fact that Daniel Radcliffe chose to expose himself in other venues, but was it really necessary to pull that into the Harry Potter movies? No!!!!

I also find it bothersome that with two nude scenes, the movie is still only PG-13. What?!?!?! Seriously?!?!?! One person in the article says he hopes parents will leave young children at home. Honestly, I would have hoped that without the nudity involved. The storyline is intense and certainly not intended for young children. But I do not even entirely agree with this man. If parents feel strongly enough to want to protect their children from these scenes, what business do they have watching them either? Sorry if that sounds harsh, and I won't judge those who choose to see it still, but the more I've thought about it tonight, the more I realize that I can't go. I'm disappointed. I was really looking forward to seeing it. But I'm not going. End. (Don't worry, Marla, I will pay you for the ticket. I just can't go. I can't support this, and I can't do that to myself.)

Now I've said it. I'm frustrated, and I'm disappointed not to see the movie. But I feel better. And, really, there are better things I can do with my time than to corrupt my mind with one director's idea of a "tender" scene.

My Testimony : Happy Birthday, President Uchtdorf!

I responded several weeks ago on Facebook that I would do this, and I really have wanted to do it! I'm not sure who first suggested it, but many people were going to take the opportunity to share their testimonies in some form today, in honor of President Uchtdorf's birthday. So here are a few of my thoughts.

Most importantly, I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live and that They love each of us. I know that Jesus Christ atoned for my sins so that I can return to Him and become like Him someday.

I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I know that we have a living prophet today, President Monson, and also living apostles. I know that the prophet speaks for Christ, that the words he speaks are true, and that as we obey, we will be blessed both physically and spiritually, especially in that we will invite the presence of the Holy Ghost into our daily lives.

I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet--that he is the prophet of the restoration. I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Him. I know that he translated the Book of Mormon, through the gift and power of God. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, that it is the word of God.

I am so grateful for temples. I know that because of the restored gospel and the priesthood power on earth, that we can be sealed as families, for time and for all eternity. I know that God's plan is truly a plan of happiness.

I know, also, that every person can know these things for himself (or herself) through the power of the Holy Ghost. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.