Relief Society Lesson -- Courageous Parenting

Courageous Parenting
Larry R. Lawrence
Of the Second Quorum of the 70
October 2010 General Conference

In these last days, what the world really needs is courageous parenting from mothers and fathers who are not afraid to speak up and take a stand.

“Parenting is not a popularity contest” -Elder Joe J. Christensen

“Sometimes we are afraid of our children—afraid to counsel with them for fear of offending them.” -Elder Robert D. Hales

Young people understand more than we realize because they too have the gift of the Holy Ghost.

It’s so important for husbands and wives to be united when making parenting decisions.

It is vital that parents have the courage to speak up and intervene before Satan succeeds.

"When morality is involved, we have both the right and the obligation to raise a warning voice.” -President Boyd K. Packer

Consider five fundamental practices that have the power to fortify our youth:
1. family prayer
2. Family scripture study
3. family home evening
4. family dinner together
5. regular one-on-one interviews with each child.

One of the most effective ways we can influence our sons and daughters is to counsel with them in private interviews.

Satan and his followers are striving to bring this generation down; the Lord is counting on valiant parents to bring them up.

Jimmer's Spiritual Side

Fredette About It

It’s a sad day. The Jimmer show is over. BYU lost to Florida in overtime in the Sweet 16 last night. I’m actually surprised at how close the score was considering what an off night BYU had. Nobody’s shots were sinking. Even the easy layups were missed. Yet it was tied at the half and also at the end of regulation. BYU put up a good fight, but in the end they lost. Sometimes things just don’t go your way. Jimmer was three for 15, or only 20% for three-point tries. But it wasn’t just Jimmer. The team as a whole did not play well. And that’s just the way it goes sometimes.

It is sad to see BYU’s best chance in 30 years end. It certainly was fun to watch the Jimmer do his stuff. He still made two or three amazing shots yesterday. Even on a bad day. And like Jimmer said in the postgame interview most people didn’t expect them to even get to the Sweet 16 after the adversity the team faced this year.

So, despite the abrupt end to a spectacular season, and the end Jimmer’s college basketball career, I am extremely proud of their accomplishments. Not only because of their obvious talent and hard work. But because of their individual values and standards, in honorably representing BYU and everything it stands for. As was mentioned in a recent sports article, if every college basketball player was held to the standards that BYU basketball players are held to, there wouldn’t be any college basketball players, except for BYU.

It’s refreshing to see a team excel because of their talent and work ethics. Despite not having the “most talent”, or best recruits. It’s refreshing to see an excellent basketball team without tattoos defacing their arms. It’s refreshing to see a clean cut, earring-less basketball team do well. It’s refreshing to see a university enforce rules and put morals and the welfare of its students above money and fame.

A recent news article I read called BYU “America’s team” partly because Jimmer is the best college basketball player this year, and partly because BYU’s ethics elevated college sports. Even if they wouldn’t admit it, a lot of people were rooting for the cougars.

So, despite the fact that Jimmer and the crew didn’t reach the elite eight, or the final four, or the national championship game, they are still winners. In my mind, Jimmer and the rest of the BYU basketball team are heads and tails above the rest.

In the end, basketball is just a game. And Jimmer and the boys know that.

That’s my two cents.

Gonzaga got Jimmered!

It was an awesome game. When BYU is on nobody can beat them. Jimmer was amazing tonight as was the rest of the team. All the media reports I read here in Washington were not giving BYU a chance against Gonzaga. That's what made the victory even more sweet. Gonzaga got Jimmered. BYU taught them how to Jimmer.

I'm not really a basketball fan but I jumped on the Jimmermania bandwagon when I saw the game against San Diego State University about a month ago. SDSU got Jimmered that day. That was before the much talked about suspension of one of BYU's star players because of an honor code violation.

I grew up in BYU's backyard and was a big BYU fan during my growing up years. I did not attend BYU but I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints and therefore a BYU fan by default.

I think it's awesome that a bunch of clean-cut, tattooless, college kids with values can make it to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament. Especially since nobody gave them much hope after losing one of their star players to honor code violation suspension.

Now, go teach Florida how to Jimmer!

That's my two cents.

Teach Me How to Jimmer

Lyrics: Teach Me How to Jimmer By Feel-Good Music Coalition

Verse 1: Mighty Quinn

(Hey Mighty Quinn) Wassup? (Can you teach me how to Jimmer?)
Well sit back and relax and just let this thought simmer, cause it seems that these days even Utah fans be gushing, and a you, you, you, you’re all man crushin. (ok)
Jimmer Fredette, (hey) Nuttin but net, crazy in a daze, no defense can faze, 30 footers he raises, always amazes,
nuttin but praise, T.J. taught him in phazes.
Boy is the truth! (how do you know?) Cause Nelly said it, he’s the real King James (what should I do?)
Just Fredette it.
P.O.Y.’s comin go handle your business, supposedly the best, whatchu talkin about Willis?
Don’t be talking trash cause ya know that he’s a winner so Tre’von, Dairese, Kawhi, and Jiggy (GET JIMMERED!)
Even Wild Bill be blushin like a Portly Pirate Poet sayin (I’m in love and I just don’t care who knows it!)

Verse 2: KMC (Kalin Curran)

His mother named him Jimmer, he likes to bring the hammer, he kinda does a shimmer, he’s not much of a jammer, rise and shout they sing, he’s got you on a string,
he’s not much into bling , except for CTR rings,
Stopping, poppin, dudes blowing your mind,
Droppin dimes or even just getting to the line,
No comeback needed when Jimmers on the floor,
he’s ahead of the game fans storming the court,
Fellas think they can stop him talkin trash now you got your wish,ball don’t lie what you just heard was a swish,
nothing comes out when they moving their lips,
just a- just a- just a- just a bunch of Jimmer-ish.
They all love him, man woman and child,
Cause the 40 point games it be driving them wild,
best believe he’s getting 50, nifty, with a shifty flow,
Houston -Vegas -Provo welcome to the Jimmer show.

Verse 3: Definit (Sean Curran)

Jimmers in the game now ya really wish you wasn’t,
Now he’s hittin treys – Fredette about it cousin,
numbers don’t lie can’t bet against a winner,
Even Vegas sinners put their money on jimmer,
the fears in your eye so step aside junior,
Ricky Bobby couldn’t handle this cougar,
put you in a stretcher best believe you’ll need a suture,
Flying down the court somebody yell shooter!
Forget mountain dew I’m all jacked up on jimmer,
best scorer in the world check Kevin Durants twitter,
Coast to coast who loves him the most, huh?
Chuck Norris even has a Jimmer poster
32 your my hero yes yall heard me,
Superman sleeps in a (what) jimmer jersey,
now what I’m about to say just might sound crazy,
can you be the surrogate for my baby?

Verse 4: Young Sim (Simeon Lawrence)

Look I know I’m a UTE fan but let me get a few bars,
Never been a hater I admit he’s a true star.
Hardly agree when it comes to red & blue.
But on the real you could catch me doing the Jimmer too.
Fade away, jumpshot, off the pick, nice arch -
6’2″ guard he could take you off the dribble,
Probably shouldnt foul his free throw is official,
You could probably slow him down if you good with the officials, and 1 calls man i hardly heard the whistles,
So the fans – upset water bottles to the refs.
And im a keep it real, best guard in the west.
(WEST?! POY man, Jimmer Fredette)

Commentary on Elder L. Tom Perry's CES Fireside

I watched the CES fireside last night with Elder L. Tom Perry. I forgot I was going to post a reminder to everybody that it was on yesterday. Anyway, I'm just going off memory here but the thing that stood out to me from his talk was when he mentioned that nowadays most people will say they are spiritual instead of religious. They don't want to be tied to a specific religion. And if a principle of faith fits in with their lifestyle that they will abide by it. But if not, then they will toss it aside.

Anyway, that's what I got out of the fireside last night. Now for my commentary. You know, I have to put in my two cents. :-) After all, that's the name of my blog.

I think that is true, the part about only abiding by a principle of faith/commandment if it fits in with their particular lifestyle, even in the Church. How many times do people listen to General Conference and if something is mentioned that does not fit in with their lifestyle, such as mothers should not work outside the home, or President Packer's talk which caused such an uproar, they discard it or even protest it?

For some reason, people think they are somehow excluded or immune from obeying the commandments when it doesn't fit their lifestyle. For some reason that particular commandment does not pertain to them.

How many "active, good, strong members of the Church" pay good money to sit in a dark theater and be bombarded by profanity, promiscuity, violence and lies all in the name of entertainment? How many times have we been told in general conference and otherwise not only to avoid R-rated movies but to avoid anything that drives the spirit away? Which, in my opinion, is basically any movie that Hollywood puts out, or any television drama, sitcom, talk show, etc.

Why do we think the Prophet's/apostle's counsel doesn't pertain to us? Are we somehow immune to Satan's attacks on our spirit, while others are not? I don't think so. And if you think you are, you are a fool.

Let me just give you an example that one of my family members shared with me. Certain members of a Young Women's presidency were overheard discussing a certain television show in which a bachelor dates a bunch of different women, including "overnight dates" and then selects one woman to marry.

Basically, this show teaches that promiscuity is not only acceptable but good. Not only that, but it also teaches that we should use people, then reject them. Amongst other horrible things that the show teaches. Anyway, these members of the Young women's presidency were talking about a certain episode and what happened after the "overnight date" and what this bachelor should do and who he should pick and so forth. One of them made the comment, "I don't know why more people don't watch this show". All of this being said in front of the young women to whom these leaders are supposed to teach correct principles and be good examples.

I find that to be totally reprehensible and abhorrent behavior by these young women leaders. But this example illustrates my point that people, including church members, will only abide by principles of faith/commandments that fit their lifestyle. The saddest part of this whole story is that these particular leaders of youth apparently saw nothing wrong with their behavior because they were in the house of the Lord at a Young women’s activity, as they were discussing the scumbag show in front of the girls.

As a tribute to the youth of the Church, let me tell you what one of the young women who overheard the conversation of her leaders later said/did. This young woman was so disgusted that she literally walked away so she wouldn’t have to continue listening. And said, in a disgusted voice, “They’re talking about The Bachelor!”

Let me just leave you with a couple of quotes from Elder Perry's talk. (The transcript is not available yet so I obtained these quotes from a summary article written on DeseretNews.com)

"As I look to the future — as I look at your future — I pray that you will step forward and assume your responsibility of preserving the noble heritage of the past," he said. "I pray that in a future day you will be known as 'The Greatest Generation.' Your war is different. I am full aware that your challenge will be much greater than ours. We knew our enemy on the battlefield. They were shooting at us. The enemy today is more sinister. He does not always confront us in head-on battle. Instead, he hides in almost every device known to man."

"My young friends, as you see the weakening of Christian faith in society your own faith must become even more firm and sure. You are the generation the Lord has saved for this day," he said.

As our world becomes more evil, and Satan becomes more sinister and deceptive, I hope we can all remain strong in our values, and stand up for our beliefs, and defend truth.

That’s my two cents.

Honor Code

BYU’s basketball team is ranked third in the nation. They were on track to become a number one seed in the NCAA tournament. But unfortunately, one of their students who happens to be a star player on the basketball team was suspended for the rest of the season because of an honor code violation. As result, the basketball team lost to an unranked New Mexico team on Wednesday. I personally think it had more to do with the mental stress of losing their friend/teammate and all of the national attention that has been brought to the team because of the mistake of one young man.

I am purposely not mentioning the young man’s name. Because I think his name has been dragged through the mud enough. But I applaud him for owning up to his mistake and admitting to his wrongdoing. From what I’ve read, he seems remorseful, and will hopefully be able to get through this hard time and go through the necessary steps to stay at BYU and be on the basketball team again next year.

BYU did not disclose what this young man’s honor code violation was. But of course, certain “sources” disclosed to the media, specifically the Salt Lake Tribune, what the specifics were and it’s been dragged through the media circuit.

I understand people’s curiosity. And the fact that most people in this country see nothing wrong with what this young man did to violate the honor code. For this young man’s sake, I wish the details of his transgression had not been disclosed. I’m sure he’s suffering enough without having the national media jump all over this story.

I do find it refreshing that most of the news articles I have read have applauded BYU for sticking to their values, even though it will likely cost the university a lot of money.

Even though most of the people writing the articles are not LDS, and would personally not abide by BYU’s honor code, most agree that BYU is correct in treating this athlete as they would any other student who violates the honor code.

I did not attend BYU. But I am a Mormon. And I fully understand the honor code that every student must sign at the beginning of each year of their schooling at BYU. Everybody makes mistakes and unfortunately for this young man on the basketball team, this particular mistake couldn’t have occurred at a worse time. Not only for the school, and the basketball team, but for him.

For every choice there is a consequence. Our choices not only affect us, but many people. In this case, it has drawn national attention. BYU will most likely not fare as well in the NCAA tournament as they would have before the honor code violation suspension. Not because they lost a star player but because of the media circus and mental distraction to the remaining players on the BYU basketball team.

But, in the end, basketball is just a game. BYU’s integrity and consistency in upholding the honor code is more important than money or the fame and glory of doing well in a basketball tournament. Although it may appear that BYU is treating this young man unfairly, he knew what was expected of him when he signed the honor code to attend BYU. And it would be detrimental to him, if he did not have to pay the consequence of his mistake. Hopefully he will learn from this experience and become a better person.

That’s my two cents.