Mormon Notes: Choose Not to Be Offended

I really think that 'taking offense' is an interesting thing. I've done it. In fact, sometimes I still get offended. And, while you could rarely tell me this in the moment, I recognize that this is my choice. I will take responsibility for the emotions that I choose to feel. Because I realize that taking responsibility for ones actions is a hard thing to do, I have a lot of respect for people who do it themselves.

As you may be aware, the topic of this post comes from the November 2006 Ensign article by Apostle Elder David A. Bednar. I mentioned his article in my last post and just wanted to expound upon it today. He said,

When we believe or say we have been offended, we usually mean we feel insulted, mistreated, snubbed, or disrespected. And certainly clumsy, embarrassing, unprincipled, and mean-spirited things do occur in our interactions with other people that would allow us to take offense. However, it ultimately is impossible for another person to offend you or to offend me. Indeed, believing that another person offended us is fundamentally false. To be offended is a choice we make; it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us by someone or something else.

Making choices is really an important part of God's plan. As a youth, I learned the importance of choosing happiness over sadness. In life, there are constantly things that can influence our choices, however, we are ultimately left with the consequences of those decisions. Just something to think about.

BYU vs. Utah [She's a long one]

Oh boy. That's about all I can say right now. Oh boy.

Tonight was a crazy night for college football rivalries. All across America, football teams vied to take keep their inter-university pride. Being a Kiwi, I'm honestly surprised at how far some fans go in their intense support of their team, or Alma mater, by launching physical and/or mental attacks. Many of you reading this post are aware of the BYU vs. U of U rivalry. Well, that's really where I should begin.

Honestly, when it comes to football and rivalry--people go crazy in Utah! Fans from BOTH sides of the rivalry cross the line sometimes. Saying things and going places that I would never expect from any person of upstanding character (no matter what your religion, political affliation, or team). However, my biggest pet peeve about the situation is hypocrisy. Don't be hypocritical and don't start proclaiming support from senior members of the LDS Church (Yes, the LDS prophet, Thomas S. Monson, went to Utah--but he is now the BYU Board of Trustees Chairman. That makes him a supporter of both universities).

Also, let's not be absolutely naive and think that one set of fans is perfect. Ute fans have done things I don't agree with, and so have some Cougar fans. I'm sorry that some people have been hurt in the process. 

Finally, this brings me to Max Hall's comments tonight after the game. First off, I would actually call Max my friend. And, regardless of what someone else says about the man, that will remain the same (just think, if I listened to all the things people told me about someone else, I'd probably have no friends...ha ha).

Anyway, the comments themselves are his opinion and I think everyone recognizes that. However, I've heard A LOT of reasons why this displayed poor sportsmanship but I haven't really heard any for Max's side of the argument. Give the man a break. Rivalry and football aside. What if someone did something physically hurtful to you or your family? What if you or your family were verbally abused? I'm not condoning or deriding what he said, I'm just hoping that you can take a look at it from another side.

At the end of the day, you might decide that none of this matters. You can still choose to be offended and create an additional inflammatory Facebook group about the subject--that's your right. However, make sure you recognize it is a choice to be offended. This talk (and subsequent excerpt) from apostle Elder David A. Bednar might help you understand:

One of the greatest indicators of our own spiritual maturity is revealed in how we respond to...the potentially offensive actions of others. A thing, an event, or an expression may be offensive, but you and I can choose not to be offended—and to say with Pahoran, 'it mattereth not.'

Mormon Notes: Do you have room for the Savior?

Here's an amazing song to think about as we enter the Christmas season. It was written by my friend's mother. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. You should listen to the words...

Busy busy busy...

So, I was told once that my Senior year would actually be pretty chill. I have no idea who told me that, but they were wrong. Ok, I know that I've taken on a few things, but really? How was I supposed to know that I would be busier than I was last year? I have barely had time to breathe this week. My roommates thought I didn't come home the other day and have been wondering if I've even been in town.

Oh, I've been here alright. Ha ha.

There are a few things on the horizon that mean I won't be able blog very often, but, I'm ok. Just trying to keep my head above water, that's all.

Come to this concert...

Mormon Notes: Provo Tabernacle

President Clark Monson, the Prophet's son, conducted and presided over our Stake Conference today. It was really neat. And, although there were a number of great talks with principles that I will endeavor to apply into my life, I was caught wondering about the building we were in.

Traditionally, Tabernacles are mentioned in the Bible and serve a certain purpose related to the worship of God--this use in modern times has been taken over by temples. However, in most large Utah towns, the Tabernacles are used as a "multipurpose religious building, used for church services, conferences, and as community centers."

The Provo Tabernacle "was built in 1883 by the LDS Church. It is a marvel of craftsmanship with outstanding brickwork and lovely stained glass. The Tabernacle plays host to numerous cultural events each year." So, since 1883, I wonder who has actually stepped foot inside the building. I couldn't find anything, can you?
 

Obama and the NZ Prime Minister

An interesting news item popped up on my FB feed today. While this was probably not very newsworthy to most Americans (given the fact that I have not heard or read about this on U.S. TV and Newspapers), Obama meeting John Key, the NZ Prime Minister, is a pretty big deal. No joke. New Zealanders, in general, really love Barack Obama. When he was elected, I received texts and messages expressing elation from all over the world.

In fact, my mother was surprised by the negativity expressed on one of my friends FB status updates about President Obama. I'm not sure that international people totally understand the partisanship that exists in the United States. No other political system really can compare to the United States Government. I can draw comparisons, but they don't do it any justice.

Needless to say, Obama met John Key and everyone was happy about it. Also, I read articles like this because I want to understand how much Obama really knows about New Zealand. You know what I mean, how offensive would it be if a world leader introduced himself to the President and he didn't know who the heck they were? Pretty funny.

Hilarious...

And the presentation turned out to be hilarious by the way.

My Group

Teachers in the Marriott School love group projects. As a result of group work, I've learned a lot about myself and dealing with others--it's been good. This semester is no exception. However, I feel like my Supply Chain group is hilarious too...we have a bunch of inside jokes and, well, we just laugh often.

Anyway, last night we decided to put the following photo into our presentation under the title "Coming to a decision..." It represented the mental anguish we went through while trying to decide what to do for the case.

We are missing a few members, but this was us after hours of analyzing a case for our class presentation. Pretty hilarious if you ask me.

Tim Tams

Just a quick plug--Smiths in Provo sells TIM TAMS! Yes, that's right. They were $3.50 USD per packet, but, they were there! I just thought you all should know that. Here's an ad that begins to do it justice...

And we're back...

So, yesterday it was officially one week since I last posted (and I did it). However, I didn't blog last week because I was completely and utterly swamped with tests and classes. I had intended to write a short update, but, just didn't get around to it.

Now that tests are over, I'm finally getting back to a sense of normalcy. I am, however, going to step up my study of the LSAT; this is because I will be taking it in less than one month, and I need to substantially improve my scores. Rest assured, I've got a long way to go. This means, as far as updates are concerned, they might be few and far between this month. A bit of a change for the past couple of months. Who knows, I might feel passionate about things--then you'll get a post or two.

Mormon Notes: Indexing

The core beliefs of the LDS church are stated in the three-fold mission,

(1) Perfect the Saints, (2) Proclaim the Gospel, and (3) Redeem the Dead. One of the ways that the church really helps to "Redeem the Dead," is through indexing. Indexing is a simple process that converts old hand-written records (census, other church christenings etc.) into readable, searchable documents. Anyone in the world can sign-up to help do this, in fact, it's encouraged!

I'm actually sitting in an Indexing (also known as Extraction) Meeting right now. Click here and you'll be connected to the official website designed to help "Redeem the Dead." For all of you budding genealogists, this website is an amazing tool that literally helps to save lives. Pretty easy if you ask me.

Mormon Notes: Be Grateful.

Fall + November = Thanksgiving in America. Thanksgiving is a holiday that stems back to the early days of the nation and really is a nice time to be around here. Many families have a number of tasty traditions and family activities. However, the most important would have to be in the "Thanks" part of the holiday's name.

I'm sure you've all heard of President Gordon B. Hinckley's "6 B's." During a fireside address given on 12 November 2000, he said,

"Walk with gratitude in your hearts, my dear friends. Be thankful for the wonderful blessings which are yours. Be grateful for the tremendous opportunities that you have. Be thankful to your parents, who care so very much about you and who have worked so very hard to provide for you. Let them know that you are grateful. Say thank you to your mother and your father. Say thank you to your friends. Say thank you to your teachers. Express appreciation to everyone who does you a favor or assists you in any way."

 I love gratitude. This really is an important thing for us to do. President Hinckley's counselor, James E. Faust, also said, “A grateful heart is a beginning of greatness” (Ensign, May 1990, 86). I'm not sure that I can say much more about this--that hasn't already been said. Love ya.