"You have been sent to earth in this dispensation of time because of who you are and what you have been prepared to do!"
—Linda K. Burton, "Wanted: Hands and Hearts to Hasten the Work"
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Daily Message
Friday, April 29, 2016
New Area Leadership
As I was perusing the Deseret News today, I came across this chart with the new area leadership for the Church. I had to change it from PDF to JPEG to put it on my blog. Unfortunately this is as big as I can make it without going outside the text area.
Anyway check out the second counselor in the new Europe Area Presidency.:-)
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Alcohol-Cancer Connection
I often read Medscape.com. I get the e-mails daily. There have been several studies published lately about the link between alcohol and cancer. That link is well documented. Occasionally they have quizzes to test your knowledge. I love doing these. :-) I came across a quiz about the alcohol-cancer connection. I thought it would be a fun learning experience so I did the quiz. Of course I did quite well on it. :-) Anyway the following quotes are some of the facts stated after each question was answered on the quiz.
I found this information fascinating. I've posted most of the information from the quiz but I did leave out a few things which I didn't think people who weren't medically trained would understand. :-)
The studies from which this information was taken provides more evidence that the Lord's law of health, The Word of Wisdom, is more than just a commandment. Even when we don't fully understand Commandments, there are often unforeseen blessings associated with obedience to the Lord's commandments. This is just one small aspect of that. I'll bet most of the people who die from alcohol-related cancers don't realize that their drinking caused their cancer and subsequent death.
The statistics that jumped out at me most were the fact that up to 10% of breast cancer cases in the United States are attributable to alcohol consumption. That's a huge number. And nearly 6% of all cancer deaths are caused by alcohol consumption. And lastly the synergistic effect of alcohol and tobacco used simultaneously increases cancers by 14 times!
"According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, moderate drinking is up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.[4] Heavy drinking, in most studies of alcohol and cancer, is defined as two or more drinks daily for women or three or more drinks daily for men."
"Up to 10% of cases of breast cancer in the United States are attributable to alcohol.[5]Evidence suggests that the risk is elevated for both hormone receptor-positive and hormone receptor-negative breast tumors and is stronger among women who start drinking before their first full-term pregnancy.[6] Breast cancer risk accumulates across a woman's lifetime; however, the most rapid accumulation occurs from menarche to first pregnancy.[5] Although the mechanisms of alcohol-related breast cancer are not fully understood, alcohol consumed during adolescence and early adulthood is believed to play a role in breast cancer development.[5] Therefore, breast cancer prevention efforts should not only target midlife and older women but should also include adolescent girls and young women.[5]"
"Reports of a connection between alcohol, smoking, and cancer of the oral cavity began appearing in the scientific literature in the 1950s-1960s.[7,8] During that period, no explanation for this connection was offered other than the fact that smoking and drinking are related behaviors. It is now believed that the combined exposure to alcohol drinking and tobacco smoking results in a supramultiplicative synergistic effect that enhances the risk for these neoplasms up to 14-fold among persons who both smoke and drink heavily.[9] Alcohol is believed to act as a solvent for carcinogens in cigarette smoke and render the mucosa more permeable to these carcinogens.[10]"
"At present, the type of alcoholic beverage is not believed to play a role in cancer risk, but more evidence is needed."
"Research on breast cancer and alcohol to date has not identified a level of alcohol consumption that is completely risk-free. The risk for breast cancer is linear and dose-dependent in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. In one recent study, for each 10-g/day increase in alcohol intake, the hazard ratio for breast cancer increased by 4.2% (95% confidence interval, 2.7%-5.8%).[6] Even a single daily drink, on average, raises breast cancer risk, regardless of smoking, lifestyle factors, or other exposures."-- Medscape.com, November 23, 2015, Quiz: The Alcohol-Cancer Connection, Laura A. Stokowski, RN, MS.
The studies from which this information was taken provides more evidence that the Lord's law of health, The Word of Wisdom, is more than just a commandment. Even when we don't fully understand Commandments, there are often unforeseen blessings associated with obedience to the Lord's commandments. This is just one small aspect of that. I'll bet most of the people who die from alcohol-related cancers don't realize that their drinking caused their cancer and subsequent death.
The statistics that jumped out at me most were the fact that up to 10% of breast cancer cases in the United States are attributable to alcohol consumption. That's a huge number. And nearly 6% of all cancer deaths are caused by alcohol consumption. And lastly the synergistic effect of alcohol and tobacco used simultaneously increases cancers by 14 times!
Anyway here are the quotes from the article:
This quiz can be found on Medscape.com oncology section, November 23, 2015, Quiz: The Alcohol-Cancer Connection, Laura A. Stokowski, RN, MS.
"Recent data indicate that the proportion of cancers attributable to alcohol worldwide has increased. In 2012, alcohol consumption caused 5.5% of all cases of cancer and 5.8% of all cancer deaths.[2] This increase is believed to be driven by increases in the overall prevalence of drinkers and in the amount of alcohol consumed, particularly by women."
"In 2010, the IARC reaffirmed its opinion that cancers of the upper digestive tract (oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus) and liver are causally related to the consumption of alcoholic beverages. In addition, the evidence was considered sufficient to add colorectal cancer and cancer of the female breast to that list.[3]"
This quiz can be found on Medscape.com oncology section, November 23, 2015, Quiz: The Alcohol-Cancer Connection, Laura A. Stokowski, RN, MS.
"Recent data indicate that the proportion of cancers attributable to alcohol worldwide has increased. In 2012, alcohol consumption caused 5.5% of all cases of cancer and 5.8% of all cancer deaths.[2] This increase is believed to be driven by increases in the overall prevalence of drinkers and in the amount of alcohol consumed, particularly by women."
"In 2010, the IARC reaffirmed its opinion that cancers of the upper digestive tract (oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus) and liver are causally related to the consumption of alcoholic beverages. In addition, the evidence was considered sufficient to add colorectal cancer and cancer of the female breast to that list.[3]"
"According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, moderate drinking is up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.[4] Heavy drinking, in most studies of alcohol and cancer, is defined as two or more drinks daily for women or three or more drinks daily for men."
"Up to 10% of cases of breast cancer in the United States are attributable to alcohol.[5]Evidence suggests that the risk is elevated for both hormone receptor-positive and hormone receptor-negative breast tumors and is stronger among women who start drinking before their first full-term pregnancy.[6] Breast cancer risk accumulates across a woman's lifetime; however, the most rapid accumulation occurs from menarche to first pregnancy.[5] Although the mechanisms of alcohol-related breast cancer are not fully understood, alcohol consumed during adolescence and early adulthood is believed to play a role in breast cancer development.[5] Therefore, breast cancer prevention efforts should not only target midlife and older women but should also include adolescent girls and young women.[5]"
"Reports of a connection between alcohol, smoking, and cancer of the oral cavity began appearing in the scientific literature in the 1950s-1960s.[7,8] During that period, no explanation for this connection was offered other than the fact that smoking and drinking are related behaviors. It is now believed that the combined exposure to alcohol drinking and tobacco smoking results in a supramultiplicative synergistic effect that enhances the risk for these neoplasms up to 14-fold among persons who both smoke and drink heavily.[9] Alcohol is believed to act as a solvent for carcinogens in cigarette smoke and render the mucosa more permeable to these carcinogens.[10]"
"At present, the type of alcoholic beverage is not believed to play a role in cancer risk, but more evidence is needed."
"Research on breast cancer and alcohol to date has not identified a level of alcohol consumption that is completely risk-free. The risk for breast cancer is linear and dose-dependent in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. In one recent study, for each 10-g/day increase in alcohol intake, the hazard ratio for breast cancer increased by 4.2% (95% confidence interval, 2.7%-5.8%).[6] Even a single daily drink, on average, raises breast cancer risk, regardless of smoking, lifestyle factors, or other exposures."-- Medscape.com, November 23, 2015, Quiz: The Alcohol-Cancer Connection, Laura A. Stokowski, RN, MS.
The evidence is clear from this and other studies I've read that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption. "Everything in moderation" certainly does not apply to alcohol consumption especially when it comes to cancer risk. No amount of alcohol is safe to consume. The worldly philosophy of "most people drink" only supports my philosophy that "most people are idiots". Just because most people are idiots doesn't mean you need to be idiotic too. I've never understood why people would deliberately impair themselves and knowingly harm their bodies. But then again, I'm not an idiot.
That's my two cents.
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Mini Microbiology Lesson
People should be required to take a microbiology course at some point in their life. Perhaps it should be a requirement to graduate high school.
I find that people are vastly uneducated when it comes to microbiology. Especially pertaining to hygiene and etiquette.
So in light of my frustration with general lack of knowledge and/or lack of etiquette and hygiene, I have decided to do a quick little microbiology lesson on my blog.
With regards to the spread of communicable diseases -- focusing on airborne transmission, let's talk a little bit about coughing and sneezing.
I don't understand why anyone would not cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing. It's common courtesy. It is something that every two-year-old should be taught. I am appalled at the lack parenting nowadays when children are not taught common hygiene and etiquette practices. Everybody should know from the time they are able to understand language that they need to cover their mouth when they cough or sneeze and wash their hands!
I had an experience a couple of weeks ago where two elementary school age children sneezed and neither bothered to cover or even attempted to do so. One of them sneezed in the kitchen after all the food was set out and just after the blessing was said and before people started dishing up. So not only were 20+ people exposed to airborne pathogens, all the food was also exposed. Then, just a few minutes later the sibling of the guilty party sneezed 2 feet from me as she was conversing with me. Obviously these children were not taught simple hygiene etiquette. Apparently these children were raised by wolves. At least they acted as though they were. But I digress.
Coughs and sneezes contain numerous bacteria and viruses in tiny water droplets that are propelled throughout the room. Anyone in the room will breathe some of them in and potentially become ill. And those germs that aren't breathed in will settle onto surfaces.
Even though viruses are completely parasitic -- meaning they must be in a host to survive -- they can survive on hard surfaces anywhere from a few minutes to over a week. Most, however, can't survive past 24 hours. An unusual exception being the norovirus -- which causes diarrhea and vomiting -- which can survive over a week on hard surfaces. Most cold and flu viruses can survive only hours on hard surfaces. Even less on soft surfaces. But if you happen to touch a contaminated surface such as a door handle and then touch your face, you are infected. Very common. But if people would cover when they cough or sneeze, those surfaces are much less likely to be contaminated.
If you sneeze or cough into your hand the virus can remain on your skin for over an hour. Something like 40% of the viruses are still on your skin after one hour. Unless you wash your hands of course.
Bacteria can survive even longer. In fact, some bacteria such as Clostridium --which can cause such diseases as botulism (Clostridium botulinum) or tetanus (Clostridium tetani)-- can go dormant in spore form and can survive in soil for years. Clostridium difficile which causes intestinal illness can survive for up to five months.
Okay so back to coughing and sneezing. I was taught in medical school nearly 2 decades ago that coughs and sneezes travel 15 to 20 feet. Certainly enough to contaminate an entire room. I saw a study conducted by MIT that concluded that coughs and sneezes can travel 5 to 200 times farther than originally thought. Due to each droplet traveling on a gas cloud. All the more reason to cover your cough or sneeze!
Another thing to understand is that even though you are not sick -- "it's just allergies" -- doesn't mean you can't spread illness. You could be carrying a pathogen that perhaps you are immune to that you can still spread to others who may not be immune to that specific pathogen. For example, I was also taught in medical school that there are over 100 strains of the rhinovirus which causes the common cold. So once you get over a particular strain, your body produces antibodies to that particular rhinovirus and you become immune. But you can still keep getting the common cold because of the many different strains of rhinovirus to which you are not immune. And you can certainly spread any of them to other people. Even if it's one you are carrying but happen to be immune to because you had it before.
I also remember learning that for instance, the bacteria that causes strep throat -- Streptococcus pyogenes -- can be part of the normal flora for some people and it doesn't make them sick. But they can certainly pass it on to others who will then come down with strep throat.
So, my point is, you can carry pathogens and spread them to others without actually being sick yourself.
I could go on and on but if I say much more this won't be a mini lesson anymore. :-)
The moral of the story is the best way to prevent airborne communicable diseases is by covering your mouth when you cough and sneeze -- and washing your hands afterwards!
I didn't get into handwashing but that is the best way to prevent communicable disease. Wash your hands!
And please teach your children to cover their mouths when they cough and sneeze and to wash their hands! Simple hygiene. Simple etiquette.
That's my two cents.
I find that people are vastly uneducated when it comes to microbiology. Especially pertaining to hygiene and etiquette.
So in light of my frustration with general lack of knowledge and/or lack of etiquette and hygiene, I have decided to do a quick little microbiology lesson on my blog.
With regards to the spread of communicable diseases -- focusing on airborne transmission, let's talk a little bit about coughing and sneezing.
I don't understand why anyone would not cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing. It's common courtesy. It is something that every two-year-old should be taught. I am appalled at the lack parenting nowadays when children are not taught common hygiene and etiquette practices. Everybody should know from the time they are able to understand language that they need to cover their mouth when they cough or sneeze and wash their hands!
I had an experience a couple of weeks ago where two elementary school age children sneezed and neither bothered to cover or even attempted to do so. One of them sneezed in the kitchen after all the food was set out and just after the blessing was said and before people started dishing up. So not only were 20+ people exposed to airborne pathogens, all the food was also exposed. Then, just a few minutes later the sibling of the guilty party sneezed 2 feet from me as she was conversing with me. Obviously these children were not taught simple hygiene etiquette. Apparently these children were raised by wolves. At least they acted as though they were. But I digress.
Coughs and sneezes contain numerous bacteria and viruses in tiny water droplets that are propelled throughout the room. Anyone in the room will breathe some of them in and potentially become ill. And those germs that aren't breathed in will settle onto surfaces.
Even though viruses are completely parasitic -- meaning they must be in a host to survive -- they can survive on hard surfaces anywhere from a few minutes to over a week. Most, however, can't survive past 24 hours. An unusual exception being the norovirus -- which causes diarrhea and vomiting -- which can survive over a week on hard surfaces. Most cold and flu viruses can survive only hours on hard surfaces. Even less on soft surfaces. But if you happen to touch a contaminated surface such as a door handle and then touch your face, you are infected. Very common. But if people would cover when they cough or sneeze, those surfaces are much less likely to be contaminated.
If you sneeze or cough into your hand the virus can remain on your skin for over an hour. Something like 40% of the viruses are still on your skin after one hour. Unless you wash your hands of course.
Bacteria can survive even longer. In fact, some bacteria such as Clostridium --which can cause such diseases as botulism (Clostridium botulinum) or tetanus (Clostridium tetani)-- can go dormant in spore form and can survive in soil for years. Clostridium difficile which causes intestinal illness can survive for up to five months.
Okay so back to coughing and sneezing. I was taught in medical school nearly 2 decades ago that coughs and sneezes travel 15 to 20 feet. Certainly enough to contaminate an entire room. I saw a study conducted by MIT that concluded that coughs and sneezes can travel 5 to 200 times farther than originally thought. Due to each droplet traveling on a gas cloud. All the more reason to cover your cough or sneeze!
Another thing to understand is that even though you are not sick -- "it's just allergies" -- doesn't mean you can't spread illness. You could be carrying a pathogen that perhaps you are immune to that you can still spread to others who may not be immune to that specific pathogen. For example, I was also taught in medical school that there are over 100 strains of the rhinovirus which causes the common cold. So once you get over a particular strain, your body produces antibodies to that particular rhinovirus and you become immune. But you can still keep getting the common cold because of the many different strains of rhinovirus to which you are not immune. And you can certainly spread any of them to other people. Even if it's one you are carrying but happen to be immune to because you had it before.
I also remember learning that for instance, the bacteria that causes strep throat -- Streptococcus pyogenes -- can be part of the normal flora for some people and it doesn't make them sick. But they can certainly pass it on to others who will then come down with strep throat.
So, my point is, you can carry pathogens and spread them to others without actually being sick yourself.
I could go on and on but if I say much more this won't be a mini lesson anymore. :-)
The moral of the story is the best way to prevent airborne communicable diseases is by covering your mouth when you cough and sneeze -- and washing your hands afterwards!
I didn't get into handwashing but that is the best way to prevent communicable disease. Wash your hands!
And please teach your children to cover their mouths when they cough and sneeze and to wash their hands! Simple hygiene. Simple etiquette.
That's my two cents.
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
I Graduated! :-)
Went to my orthopedic surgeon on Monday for follow-up x-rays. It's been 10 months since my surgery and 17 months since the break.
The surgeon told me it's healed as indicated by remodeling. He said we can do pretty much anything that we used to do with it. Regular transfers, ranging, etc.
He actually apologized to me for not fixing it sooner. I thought that was nice. I did tell him that we did what we thought was right at the time.
He congratulated me on graduating and I don't have to go back! :-)
Here are the x-rays from April 18, 2016
Hip hip hooray! It's been a long road but I'm so thankful it finally healed and I didn't lose my leg.
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Answered Prayer
Yesterday while we were driving to my doctor's appointment we stopped at a stoplight just a few blocks before the office. While we were stopped waiting for the light to turn green we heard a huge crash. It was loud enough that it sounded like someone crashed into the back of us. But we didn't move. So mom looked in her rearview mirror to see the car behind us was rear-ended.
My guess would be someone looking at their stupid cheating machine not paying attention. The amazing thing was that the car behind us wasn't pushed into the back of us causing a multi-car pileup. I consider it a miracle and answer to prayer that that didn't happen. Considering the violence of the crash and how loud it was, it really was a miracle that we didn't get hit.
That morning, before we left, we said a prayer and blessed our breakfast as usual. In that prayer we asked Heavenly Father to protect us during our travels that day. I firmly believe that if that prayer hadn't been offered that morning that we would have ended up like the car behind us. Heavenly Father must have sent angels to push against the car behind us which prevented it from hitting us. That's the only logical explanation as to why we didn't get hit.
Prayer is real. Miracles are real. Heavenly Father hears every single prayer offered up to Him. Some are answered immediately, some answers are delayed, sometimes we don't recognize the answer, sometimes the answer is no but Heavenly Father does hear and answer every prayer.
Yesterday was just another indication of our Heavenly Father's presence and of His love and concern for us in His immediate answer to a simple prayer.
I'm grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who hears and answers prayers.
That's my two cents.
My guess would be someone looking at their stupid cheating machine not paying attention. The amazing thing was that the car behind us wasn't pushed into the back of us causing a multi-car pileup. I consider it a miracle and answer to prayer that that didn't happen. Considering the violence of the crash and how loud it was, it really was a miracle that we didn't get hit.
That morning, before we left, we said a prayer and blessed our breakfast as usual. In that prayer we asked Heavenly Father to protect us during our travels that day. I firmly believe that if that prayer hadn't been offered that morning that we would have ended up like the car behind us. Heavenly Father must have sent angels to push against the car behind us which prevented it from hitting us. That's the only logical explanation as to why we didn't get hit.
Prayer is real. Miracles are real. Heavenly Father hears every single prayer offered up to Him. Some are answered immediately, some answers are delayed, sometimes we don't recognize the answer, sometimes the answer is no but Heavenly Father does hear and answer every prayer.
Yesterday was just another indication of our Heavenly Father's presence and of His love and concern for us in His immediate answer to a simple prayer.
I'm grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who hears and answers prayers.
That's my two cents.
Sunday, April 17, 2016
His Day
I received an e-mail this morning from The Church asking me to share my feelings about the Sabbath day with the world.
Since I don't do Facebook or other social media, I'm going to blog it.
Sabbath Day observance or in other words what you choose to do on the Sabbath day is probably the best indicator of your level of conversion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is indicative of the strength of your testimony of Jesus Christ, and of your level of commitment to following His Commandments.
Is the Sabbath just another day to you, like any other day of the week? Is it just a day to self- indulge and have fun? Is General conference weekend a day off from your Church responsibilities where you can go play? Or do you get excited about sitting at the feet of apostles and prophets and learning what the Lord wants you to know? Do you rearrange your schedule to be able to watch all sessions of conference live? Or is the reason you get excited for conference perhaps because it's a break from Church? If you are ready for church, dressed in your Sunday best, with clean well coiffed hair and intending to go to church and you find out you can't go -- do you shed tears of sadness or jump for joy at the opportunity to skip church? Do you look for every excuse to not attend?
Even if you do attend, regardless of the reason you went, how do you treat the rest of the Sabbath? once you get home from church is it just another day with television, yard work, or indulging in whatever your favorite activities are? Or do you try to honor the Lord's Day by choosing more Sabbath appropriate activities such as preparing church lessons, doing family history work, perhaps catching up on your scripture study, etc.
If you are a single parent or perhaps married but your spouse can't help with the kids at church because of callings -- do you rationalize not going to church because you don't get anything out of it anyway because you have to sit in the foyer with crying babies or unruly children? Or because it's just too hard to get all of the children ready and to church on time?
It is every parent's responsibility to teach their children correct principles and gospel doctrine. The scriptures make it very clear that parents will be held accountable for teaching their children.
Doctrine and Covenants 68:25 "And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents."
Since I don't do Facebook or other social media, I'm going to blog it.
Sabbath Day observance or in other words what you choose to do on the Sabbath day is probably the best indicator of your level of conversion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is indicative of the strength of your testimony of Jesus Christ, and of your level of commitment to following His Commandments.
Is the Sabbath just another day to you, like any other day of the week? Is it just a day to self- indulge and have fun? Is General conference weekend a day off from your Church responsibilities where you can go play? Or do you get excited about sitting at the feet of apostles and prophets and learning what the Lord wants you to know? Do you rearrange your schedule to be able to watch all sessions of conference live? Or is the reason you get excited for conference perhaps because it's a break from Church? If you are ready for church, dressed in your Sunday best, with clean well coiffed hair and intending to go to church and you find out you can't go -- do you shed tears of sadness or jump for joy at the opportunity to skip church? Do you look for every excuse to not attend?
Even if you do attend, regardless of the reason you went, how do you treat the rest of the Sabbath? once you get home from church is it just another day with television, yard work, or indulging in whatever your favorite activities are? Or do you try to honor the Lord's Day by choosing more Sabbath appropriate activities such as preparing church lessons, doing family history work, perhaps catching up on your scripture study, etc.
If you are a single parent or perhaps married but your spouse can't help with the kids at church because of callings -- do you rationalize not going to church because you don't get anything out of it anyway because you have to sit in the foyer with crying babies or unruly children? Or because it's just too hard to get all of the children ready and to church on time?
It is every parent's responsibility to teach their children correct principles and gospel doctrine. The scriptures make it very clear that parents will be held accountable for teaching their children.
Doctrine and Covenants 68:25 "And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents."
Even if you feel like it's useless, it's imperative that you take your children to church and teach them by example that church is where they should be. That is what the Lord has commanded. Actions speak louder than words.
I personally feel that attending church is a privilege that many of us take for granted. It's easy to take it for granted when you can just hop in your car and go. But when you have to rely on other people to get you there, you appreciate what a privilege it is to be able to go every time you get the chance.
Is one day out of seven too much to ask to dedicate to the Lord when He has given His all for you and me. Our Savior not only died for us but suffered more than is humanly fathomable to save us from death and sin. Without His sacrifice, none of us could ever overcome death through resurrection or sin through repentance. What He did for me, what He did for you is incomprehensible and unimaginable. It is the ultimate gift. Is He asking too much of us to dedicate one day out of seven to Him? Is three hours a week at church too much to ask?
Having served a full-time mission I can tell you that when you are in the service of your God, there is nothing more satisfying. Serving Him and Our Father in Heaven full-time was a sacred privilege that I am so happy I was blessed to receive. Serving Him once a week is a privilege we all have -- if we choose to take it. Serving Him and dedicating one day a week to Him will provide similar satisfaction and happiness.
A very important part of our Sabbath day worship is the opportunity to partake of the Sacrament. This is something we also tend to take for granted. Every week we have the opportunity to renew our baptismal covenants by partaking of the Sacrament. In doing so we rededicate ourselves to serving the Lord. To me it's like recharging our spiritual batteries. It is something we need every week.
Several years ago I decided to try to honor the Sabbath day more fully by not watching any television on Sunday. Except for General conference reruns and devotionals. I testify that by so doing my spirituality has increased dramatically.
A good way to honor the Sabbath is to live the way full-time missionaries live. I look at my mission rules that I lived for 18 months such as no television, no music except uplifting music, no movies, focus on the Lord's work, study the gospel -- on our missions we studied the gospel two hours a day. Every day. One hour of personal study and one hour of companionship study. Perhaps that would be a good Sabbath day activity. One hour of personal study and one hour of family study.
Full-time missionaries dedicate their entire lives to serving the Lord and doing His work for a short period of time. 18 months-2 years. If we live like missionaries even one day a week how much closer will be to our Savior? Even just implementing one or two of the mission rules in our lives could make a huge difference.
Doing our best to follow our Savior in observing His Day the way he has asked us to will not only bring us happiness and satisfaction but will also bring us closer to Him. We will be more in tune with the Holy Ghost and better able to make righteous decisions.
That's my two cents.
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Stupid Cheating Machine!
Smartphones are the worst invention in the history of mankind. When people get a smartphone they become like zombies. It's like the old sci-fi movies where alien invaders infest the earth with bugs of some kind and despite people's best efforts to run and hide they get bitten by the bugs and their brains are taken over by the aliens.
The only difference is instead of running and hiding from the brain commandeering bugs/aliens people actually pay good money to voluntarily get bitten and infested and let the smart phone control their lives. Unfortunately, that scenario is even too far-fetched for Hollywood to come up with. Yet it's reality.
Common sense says run and hide. But people don't. They pay a good portion of their income to carry that little bug around with them everywhere they go as if it's an appendage they can't live without. It controls their life. It beeps, they jump. Looking down, pushing buttons... tap tap tap. It becomes their brain. Without it they know nothing. Nobody knows anyone's contact information anymore. It's all in their phone. If their phone is dead they can't contact anyone. They don't know the number. Good thunder, I still remember three of my childhood telephone numbers. And a few other people's numbers including my grandparents. Nowadays, people can't even call their spouse, parents, or children if they don't have their smartphone. Because they don't know the number!
Their smartphone even tells them where to go and how to get there. :-) Nobody knows how to read a map. Nobody needs to. Just type in your smartphone and it will tell you how to get there. Turn by turn. I got very proficient at reading maps on my mission -- it's a lost art now. :-(
Sadly, people seem to value their smartphone more than their life. Case in point -- someone who is deathly scared of a dog holds their smartphone in the air high above their head when the dog approaches instead of following natural instinct which would be to protect vital organs and head/face. It's unbelievable how much people value their smartphone. It's like they can't live without it. They would rather fully expose their abdomen by raising their arm for a perceived vicious animal to rip out their guts and livers than to risk having said animal harm their smartphone.
It is so unbelievably ridiculous to me that seemingly intelligent people exhibit such idiotic behaviors to protect their addictions. Yes, the smartphone itself is an addiction. It also feeds other addictions such as pornography/sex addictions, social media addictions, gaming addictions including gambling, etc. And many of those addictions lead to self-destruction and destruction of families.
Take your life back, quit being a zombie allowing your smartphone to rule and control your brain, throw your smartphone in the river and never look back. :-) I guarantee you your life will be much better. I have never owned a smartphone or even a regular cell phone in my life and I am the King! :-)
Smartphones are stupid cheating machines!
That's my two cents.
The only difference is instead of running and hiding from the brain commandeering bugs/aliens people actually pay good money to voluntarily get bitten and infested and let the smart phone control their lives. Unfortunately, that scenario is even too far-fetched for Hollywood to come up with. Yet it's reality.
Common sense says run and hide. But people don't. They pay a good portion of their income to carry that little bug around with them everywhere they go as if it's an appendage they can't live without. It controls their life. It beeps, they jump. Looking down, pushing buttons... tap tap tap. It becomes their brain. Without it they know nothing. Nobody knows anyone's contact information anymore. It's all in their phone. If their phone is dead they can't contact anyone. They don't know the number. Good thunder, I still remember three of my childhood telephone numbers. And a few other people's numbers including my grandparents. Nowadays, people can't even call their spouse, parents, or children if they don't have their smartphone. Because they don't know the number!
Their smartphone even tells them where to go and how to get there. :-) Nobody knows how to read a map. Nobody needs to. Just type in your smartphone and it will tell you how to get there. Turn by turn. I got very proficient at reading maps on my mission -- it's a lost art now. :-(
Sadly, people seem to value their smartphone more than their life. Case in point -- someone who is deathly scared of a dog holds their smartphone in the air high above their head when the dog approaches instead of following natural instinct which would be to protect vital organs and head/face. It's unbelievable how much people value their smartphone. It's like they can't live without it. They would rather fully expose their abdomen by raising their arm for a perceived vicious animal to rip out their guts and livers than to risk having said animal harm their smartphone.
It is so unbelievably ridiculous to me that seemingly intelligent people exhibit such idiotic behaviors to protect their addictions. Yes, the smartphone itself is an addiction. It also feeds other addictions such as pornography/sex addictions, social media addictions, gaming addictions including gambling, etc. And many of those addictions lead to self-destruction and destruction of families.
Take your life back, quit being a zombie allowing your smartphone to rule and control your brain, throw your smartphone in the river and never look back. :-) I guarantee you your life will be much better. I have never owned a smartphone or even a regular cell phone in my life and I am the King! :-)
Smartphones are stupid cheating machines!
That's my two cents.
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
My Comment
I normally don't comment on news articles. But I read an article today in the Deseret News about how parents play a key role in preventing underage drinking. Basically the story was about how parents have a huge influence on whether their kids will drink alcohol or not. Then I read the comments at the end of the article.
Most stupid comments I laugh at or ignore. But for some reason I felt I had to defend a commentor who was being attacked by another commentor.
I will attach the first comment by Brent T. And then the comment by impartial7 which I felt the need to reply to.
One thing I didn't mention in my comment-- Why do people always have to bring religion into everything? Especially when they're trying to justify bad choices. The article even mentioned that it wasn't about morality but scientific evidence. Obviously impartial7 is trying to justify his own bad choices. Albeit in a very bad attempt. These kind of attempted rebuttals are always disjointed and nonsensical.
That's my two cents.
Most stupid comments I laugh at or ignore. But for some reason I felt I had to defend a commentor who was being attacked by another commentor.
I will attach the first comment by Brent T. And then the comment by impartial7 which I felt the need to reply to.
- Oldest first
- Newest first
- Most recommended
Brent T. Aurora CO
Aurora, CO
Disclaimers --I'm LDS, but a convert who didn't consume alcohol before I became LDS and wouldn't do so even if I weren't. It has no appeal to me. Any crackpot studies or justifications for its use are wrong. Alcohol use is a vice; its consumption a sign of weakness. There is great hypocrisy in seeing manufacturers sponsor it along with messages of moderation, designated driving and treatment centers for its dependency.
That said, two thoughts. First, yes, we're best served it seems by postponing behaviors in adolescents that have dire consequences. But second, if kids shouldn't be doing something, then adults shouldn't either. And I cringe every time some public service message or effort or study seeks to tout and justify the idea "wait until you're an adult" (to do something stupid).
But then, as a person who never saw any value (beyond the human urge, it seems, to follow the lemmings) in inebriation, and further only sees drinking as the pathway to being incapacitated to drive or protect oneself from predators, to addiction, misery, hangovers and embarrassing behavior, apparently I'm just an oddball with a strange opinion.
That said, two thoughts. First, yes, we're best served it seems by postponing behaviors in adolescents that have dire consequences. But second, if kids shouldn't be doing something, then adults shouldn't either. And I cringe every time some public service message or effort or study seeks to tout and justify the idea "wait until you're an adult" (to do something stupid).
But then, as a person who never saw any value (beyond the human urge, it seems, to follow the lemmings) in inebriation, and further only sees drinking as the pathway to being incapacitated to drive or protect oneself from predators, to addiction, misery, hangovers and embarrassing behavior, apparently I'm just an oddball with a strange opinion.
Impartial7
DRAPER, UT
@Brent T;
"Alcohol use is a vice; its consumption a sign of weakness."
Really? Most world leaders drink. Most strong Pro athletes drink.
Many very intelligent people drink. In fact, Albert Einstein, arguably the smartest person ever, took a drink every once in a while. Here's what Einstein had to say about religion
“The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honorable, but still primitive, legends.”
"Alcohol use is a vice; its consumption a sign of weakness."
Really? Most world leaders drink. Most strong Pro athletes drink.
Many very intelligent people drink. In fact, Albert Einstein, arguably the smartest person ever, took a drink every once in a while. Here's what Einstein had to say about religion
“The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honorable, but still primitive, legends.”
Here is my comment:
drbarbiedpm
GRAHAM, WA
If what Impartial7 said is true, then obviously Einstein wasn't as smart as everybody thinks he was.
Alcohol is a known carcinogen in addition to its many other well-known deleterious effects. I agree with Brent T. when he claimed that alcohol is a vice and those consuming it are weak.
I've never understood why anybody would want to deliberately impair themselves with alcohol or any other medically unnecessary drug.
Just because--according to Impartial7 -- "Most world leaders drink. Most strong Pro athletes drink. Many very intelligent people drink." Doesn't change the scientific evidence that drinking alcohol is harmful.
Here is just one paragraph from a recent study,"Our study suggests no overall benefit from alcohol consumption. Alcohol consumption has been linked to more than 60 medical disorders and represents the third most important modifiable risk factor for death and disability." -- Medscape.com, Alcohol Ups Mortality and Cancer Risk; No Net Benefit, Veronica Hackethal, MD, September 24, 2015
If you want to drink alcohol, that's your choice, but don't try to justify it.
That's my two cents.
Alcohol is a known carcinogen in addition to its many other well-known deleterious effects. I agree with Brent T. when he claimed that alcohol is a vice and those consuming it are weak.
I've never understood why anybody would want to deliberately impair themselves with alcohol or any other medically unnecessary drug.
Just because--according to Impartial7 -- "Most world leaders drink. Most strong Pro athletes drink. Many very intelligent people drink." Doesn't change the scientific evidence that drinking alcohol is harmful.
Here is just one paragraph from a recent study,"Our study suggests no overall benefit from alcohol consumption. Alcohol consumption has been linked to more than 60 medical disorders and represents the third most important modifiable risk factor for death and disability." -- Medscape.com, Alcohol Ups Mortality and Cancer Risk; No Net Benefit, Veronica Hackethal, MD, September 24, 2015
If you want to drink alcohol, that's your choice, but don't try to justify it.
That's my two cents.
- 1:39 p.m. April 12, 2016
That's my two cents.
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Brandon's Baptism
Yesterday was a very special day for our family. My nephew, Brandon, was baptized! Brandon had lots of family there to support him. His cousin Richie baptized him and Grandpa confirmed him. They both did a great job and Grandpa gave him a beautiful blessing.
It was nice to see Brandon so happy and excited. He is a smart little boy and made a very wise choice. I'm so proud of him!
Brandon with Grandma and Grandpa -- all smiles. :-)
It was nice to see Brandon so happy and excited. He is a smart little boy and made a very wise choice. I'm so proud of him!
Group shot
Brandon with Grandma and Grandpa -- all smiles. :-)
Brandon with Richie who baptized him and Grandpa who confirmed him
Brandon with cousin Richie in their baptismal whites
It was a lovely baptismal ceremony and afterwards we had a barbecue at our house.
It was a gorgeous day with perfect weather. The morning was wonderful and peaceful. Baptisms are always delightful and Spirit filled. Then we continued the theme when we got home and had a nice family home evening lesson by Lisa. She did a wonderful job.
The food was good, typical barbecue fare. And we had chocolate mint softserve for dessert -- as per Brandon's request.
After that it was all downhill. We had a four wheeler wreck which decommissioned the four wheeler. :-( Hopefully it can be fixed with a few new parts. Several of us came down with a lesser-known condition called *Monster overload!*
Thankfully it's a temporary condition and most people recover fairly quickly once the stimulus is gone. :-)
Anyway, I'm so proud of my nephew, Brandon, for choosing to be baptized. And I'm thankful for good family members who are willing to help and are good examples to not only Brandon but everybody.
Congratulations Brandon!
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Spirituality Is Healthy and Innate
Quotes from an interesting article in the Deseret News, April 4, 2016:
"It is not a matter of opinion, it is scientific fact that there is nothing as profoundly protective against the most common forms of suffering in adolescence as a strong personal spiritual life."-- Lisa Miller, professor and director of clinical psychology at Columbia University.
"Starting with biological puberty, youths experience a "surge" in both spiritual capacity and curiosity, said Miller, director of the Spirituality & Mind Body Institute at Columbia and author of "The Spiritual Child: The New Science on Parenting for Health and Lifelong Thriving." When that surge is nurtured and encouraged, adolescents are 80 percent less likely to abuse substances, 60 percent less likely to battle depression and girls are 70 percent less likely to engage in "sexual risk taking."
"Even before scientific studies published in peer-reviewed journals provided clear evidence of the impact, Miller said she saw daily in her clinical practice that children who had a spiritual relationship with a higher power ..."had an entirely different course of recovery than a child who had no connection to a higher power."
"Cultivating a spiritual nature is not adding something that's foreign to children, either. "Spirituality is part of our core human endowment. This is from science," she said, noting that two-thirds of Americans embrace a faith tradition, while about 30 percent say they "feel spiritually connected" but have no faith tradition. For a small number, religion is about heritage but not religion.
"Children come with a spiritual compass. "Every child knows right from wrong. It may be irresistible," Miller joked, "but they know." They like prayer and ceremony. They relate to all living creatures, see family as a "spiritual event" and accept life and death as a continuum. That all shows spirituality is native — about 30 percent heritable — then life choices determine its future.
...
"Researchers see a hunger for meaning and spiritual questions that begin to surge from middle adolescence to emerging adulthood across cultures, Miller said. Teens who see their daily experience in a spiritual way walk a different life than those who do not; it's a healthier life that's less likely to derail.
...
"MRI images show that a sustained spiritual life over time increases cortical thickness in the brain. Cortical thickness is associated with high IQ, while depression and Alzheimer's disease are associated with cortical thinness, she said.
"Studies in India, China and the United States found that people who are spiritual feel interconnected and see love "as a force and not just an emotion," she said. They are altruistic, serving others and sharing, among other things."
-- Deseret News, April 4, 2016, "How your children's spirituality can help them overcome some of the most common forms of suffering"
"It is not a matter of opinion, it is scientific fact that there is nothing as profoundly protective against the most common forms of suffering in adolescence as a strong personal spiritual life."-- Lisa Miller, professor and director of clinical psychology at Columbia University.
"Starting with biological puberty, youths experience a "surge" in both spiritual capacity and curiosity, said Miller, director of the Spirituality & Mind Body Institute at Columbia and author of "The Spiritual Child: The New Science on Parenting for Health and Lifelong Thriving." When that surge is nurtured and encouraged, adolescents are 80 percent less likely to abuse substances, 60 percent less likely to battle depression and girls are 70 percent less likely to engage in "sexual risk taking."
"Even before scientific studies published in peer-reviewed journals provided clear evidence of the impact, Miller said she saw daily in her clinical practice that children who had a spiritual relationship with a higher power ..."had an entirely different course of recovery than a child who had no connection to a higher power."
"Cultivating a spiritual nature is not adding something that's foreign to children, either. "Spirituality is part of our core human endowment. This is from science," she said, noting that two-thirds of Americans embrace a faith tradition, while about 30 percent say they "feel spiritually connected" but have no faith tradition. For a small number, religion is about heritage but not religion.
"Children come with a spiritual compass. "Every child knows right from wrong. It may be irresistible," Miller joked, "but they know." They like prayer and ceremony. They relate to all living creatures, see family as a "spiritual event" and accept life and death as a continuum. That all shows spirituality is native — about 30 percent heritable — then life choices determine its future.
...
"Researchers see a hunger for meaning and spiritual questions that begin to surge from middle adolescence to emerging adulthood across cultures, Miller said. Teens who see their daily experience in a spiritual way walk a different life than those who do not; it's a healthier life that's less likely to derail.
...
"MRI images show that a sustained spiritual life over time increases cortical thickness in the brain. Cortical thickness is associated with high IQ, while depression and Alzheimer's disease are associated with cortical thinness, she said.
"Studies in India, China and the United States found that people who are spiritual feel interconnected and see love "as a force and not just an emotion," she said. They are altruistic, serving others and sharing, among other things."
-- Deseret News, April 4, 2016, "How your children's spirituality can help them overcome some of the most common forms of suffering"
It's no wonder I am so smart! The cortical thickness of my brain must be unparalleled. :-) If I had a scan of my brain they would say, "I have never seen a cortex wich those guts." :-)
All humor aside, this is just another example of science proving what smart people like me already know -- that spirituality is innate and healthy for human beings. We are all born with the light of Christ. And living a sustained spiritual life actually makes you smarter! This goes right along with my blog posts recently about sin making you stupid. I've seen it firsthand. Now there is actual scientific evidence in organic brain changes based upon individual spirituality. I find this kind of stuff very fascinating. I love science!
So, the moral of the story is: do what is right, keep the commandments, and stay close to the Lord and you will be much smarter than those who don't. I am living proof. :-)
That's My Two Cents.
All humor aside, this is just another example of science proving what smart people like me already know -- that spirituality is innate and healthy for human beings. We are all born with the light of Christ. And living a sustained spiritual life actually makes you smarter! This goes right along with my blog posts recently about sin making you stupid. I've seen it firsthand. Now there is actual scientific evidence in organic brain changes based upon individual spirituality. I find this kind of stuff very fascinating. I love science!
So, the moral of the story is: do what is right, keep the commandments, and stay close to the Lord and you will be much smarter than those who don't. I am living proof. :-)
That's My Two Cents.
Sunday, April 3, 2016
Righteous Leaders
Having just watched General Conference this weekend I feel such gratitude for righteous men who dedicate their lives to serving the Lord and His Church and those of us who are members of the Lord's Church.
It's nice to know that there are strong, righteous men who are willing to lead, teach, and serve. This conference was even more special knowing that my uncle is now amongst the ranks of those elite men. It is such a sacred responsibility they take upon themselves and I am grateful to all of them who are willing to do such.
Watching those men (and women) as they spoke with such confidence and tenderness, I couldn't help but feel their love for me, and my Savior's love for me. It's such a contrast to everything else surrounding me and us in this world.
I especially loved Elder Holland's talk -- even though I missed most of it :-( -- I can't wait to watch it again. It's nice to know that trying counts. :-)
I really love Elder Holland and all the first presidency and quorum of the 12. I feel like I know them personally even though I have never met any of them.
Watching General Conference is such a privilege. I wish more people understood how lucky we are to sit at the feet of apostles and prophets and listen to what the Lord wants us to hear. Seems like most people take it for granted or consider conference weekend a break from church. Such a shame.
I'm looking forward to watching this conference again many times over the next six months. I'm so grateful for the restored gospel and for righteous leaders.
That's my two cents.
It's nice to know that there are strong, righteous men who are willing to lead, teach, and serve. This conference was even more special knowing that my uncle is now amongst the ranks of those elite men. It is such a sacred responsibility they take upon themselves and I am grateful to all of them who are willing to do such.
Watching those men (and women) as they spoke with such confidence and tenderness, I couldn't help but feel their love for me, and my Savior's love for me. It's such a contrast to everything else surrounding me and us in this world.
I especially loved Elder Holland's talk -- even though I missed most of it :-( -- I can't wait to watch it again. It's nice to know that trying counts. :-)
I really love Elder Holland and all the first presidency and quorum of the 12. I feel like I know them personally even though I have never met any of them.
Watching General Conference is such a privilege. I wish more people understood how lucky we are to sit at the feet of apostles and prophets and listen to what the Lord wants us to hear. Seems like most people take it for granted or consider conference weekend a break from church. Such a shame.
I'm looking forward to watching this conference again many times over the next six months. I'm so grateful for the restored gospel and for righteous leaders.
That's my two cents.
Friday, April 1, 2016
Calamondin Marmalade
Yesterday Dad and I made calamondin marmalade from calamondins off our tree.
We didn't have enough fruit so it's mostly jelly. :-)
But it looks pretty anyway. :-) And it doesn't taste half bad.
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