tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77966932011-04-22T01:18:20.852-04:00<br><br>Rustynoreply@blogger.comBlogger1061100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1118471377487712662005-06-11T02:28:00.000-04:002005-06-11T02:30:23.066-04:00

That's right. We're finally leaving Blogger. Please visit us at our new home at:http://www.nine-moons.comHope to see you over there.

Rustynoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1118295665872852902005-06-09T01:40:00.000-04:002005-06-09T01:41:05.883-04:00

In our American culture we like to rank things. Top 100 small businesses, top 5 greatest movies, New York's best doctors, all-time worst sci-fi movies, etc. I think that even within our Mormon culture we rank things. Top 5 scriptures on faith, favorite three mission companions, worst bishop, etc. I'll bet some of us even rank each other on such silliness as arrogance or humility. "He's the most

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1118165996666322282005-06-07T13:28:00.000-04:002005-06-07T13:39:56.676-04:00

In priesthood meeting we were discussing various "doctrine" when facial hair came up....again.Just three weeks ago the Stake President gave a talk at the Single Ward's conference telling them that they were to be clean shaven. Something to the effect that just because they are home from their missions didn't mean they were to change or let down their standards. It has been the policy in some

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1117749309579403702005-06-02T17:54:00.000-04:002005-06-02T17:55:09.586-04:00

A couple days ago my wife and I returned from Italy, where we were celebrating our 5th anniversary and my finishing grad school. Rome was cool, Florence was nice, but nothing came close to the countryside of Tuscany. We rented a car and took day trips to the little medieval towns that dot the landscape. The views were gorgeous. The houses and hillsides were straight from fairy tales. But the

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1117657702829928832005-06-01T16:23:00.000-04:002005-06-01T16:28:22.840-04:00

Over at the BCC Bob has posted about a humorous run-in he had with a home security salesman. This doesn't surprise me as all the home security and pest control salesmen of the world hail from Provo, Utah. What is it about door-to-door and pyramid selling schemes that attracts the LDS populace? I'll tell you: the sexy combo of polo shirt and khakis. And money. I must confess, I sold pest control

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1117232292956500122005-05-27T17:59:00.000-04:002005-05-27T18:18:12.986-04:00

Minimum wage in Utah is $5.15/hr. which is also the national minimum wage. In Washington state the minimum is $7.35/hr. That means for every two employees I can afford to hire in my business in Washington I can hire 3 employees in Utah. Can a Washington employee produce 50% more than a Utah employee? Can they be 50% more valuable to my company...as a minimum wage employee than one in Utah?

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1116697002748182712005-05-21T13:19:00.000-04:002005-05-21T13:36:42.753-04:00

It never ceases to amaze me at the change in modesty standards over the years. Years ago, far before my day, it was immodest for a woman to show her ankle. Men and women wore long sleeves and skirt/dress/pants to the ground. As hemlines went up and short sleeves became popular the standard changed. The church accommadated the changes by shortening the garment, from ankle length to above the

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1116220623654695132005-05-16T01:14:00.000-04:002005-05-16T07:02:05.690-04:00

Life is in flux right now. Two weeks ago I finished my thesis and last week I graduated. Last week I also got a new calling (though I will still be seminary teacher for the remainder of the school year). Naively my wife and I thought/imagined/hoped seminary would end and we'd have a relaxing summer (I said naive, my wife is girl's camp director). When the calling was extended we were a bit bummed

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1116007760178269002005-05-13T13:32:00.000-04:002005-05-13T14:09:20.226-04:00

I had a former employee stop by and we got chatting for a few minutes. She is a very conservative Catholic, no Vatican 2, Mass in Latin only....she makes Mel Gibson look like a bleeding heart liberal.Anyway, the missionaries stopped by and told her how wrong she, and the doctrines of the Catholic church are wrong. I took the president Hinckley approach and talked about common truths inviting

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1115742727454256302005-05-10T12:20:00.000-04:002005-05-10T12:32:07.566-04:00

I was talking with a non-member friend and posed a question I love to ask. "Why did God create us?"I have yet to find anyone outside the church that has an answer to this that makes any sense at all. This friend told me "Because God wanted fellowship." I've had several tell me that "God wanted to give us a chance." These and many other answers just don't cut it.What does a perfect God need?

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1115416481385619832005-05-06T17:48:00.000-04:002005-05-06T17:54:41.393-04:00

When I was a kid I said, "...a box of Book of Mormons..." Then my smart sister taught me that it's the "book" that's plural, not the "Mormons". So then I thought I was smart to go around saying, "...a bushel of Books of Mormon...". With this supreme intelligence in hand I once tried to correct a Mormon journalist when he printed "...an bundle of Book of Mormons..." He promptly corrected me and

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1115165362040186422005-05-03T20:04:00.000-04:002005-05-03T20:09:22.043-04:00

First off, thanks for the warm welcome, I appreciate it. And thanks for asking me to post, I feel special. I hope you enjoy and that much exciting discussion ensues. Though I’d like to note that I wouldn’t be caught dead at a math & science fair unless there was mucho free food, and that I’m a poor college student, ergo I have about 40 cents, which I’m not giving to anyone, ‘cause I’m saving up

Michelenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1115094026337194542005-05-02T23:41:00.000-04:002005-05-03T00:20:26.336-04:00

Without further ado we introduce you to Annie, our newest guest blogger (um, well, she's only our second...) Annie is 19 and will be a sophomore the University of Alabama in the fall. Her interests lie in history, English, art and right'n, though you might find her on Saturday at the local math & science fair.Annie is a Southern Baptist. Here at Nine Moons we are an equal opportunity blog,

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1114749486706347052005-04-29T00:33:00.000-04:002005-04-29T00:38:06.706-04:00

It's done. I gave my thesis presentation today. I think it went really well. Now starts the decompression (and sleep). I have some ideas that I've been wanting to blog about but haven't had the time to commit them to... the screen. But that will happen later. I'm going to bed.

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1114533257561075802005-04-26T12:33:00.000-04:002005-04-26T12:34:17.563-04:00

I've read many comments inside, but mostly outside of the Bloggernacle about how wrong Mormons are and how we've been deceived. These comments are usually laundry lists full of vitriol spelling out how wrong our doctrine is and that Joseph Smith was a liar. This is fine, as I have nothing wrong with people expressing their opinions. However, this has lead me to think to myself, "What if none of

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1113947095053100622005-04-19T17:43:00.000-04:002005-04-19T17:44:55.053-04:00

I recently had a conversation with a friend of mine about a certain cultural commandment we have in the Church. She tried to conclude the discussion by asking, "Do you believe that if you asked the Prophet whether or not you should do X, he would say yes?" I was therefore supposed to assume he would say no (which was the answer she was trying to get me to admit to). She was offering a litmus test

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1113793274860710172005-04-17T22:59:00.000-04:002005-04-17T23:01:14.863-04:00

For this project I'm working on I was shuffling through a bunch of my old mission notebooks and I came across a little Libreta El Quijote I had forgotten about. At some point on the mission I decided to write down every somewhat profound thought that came into my head. What follows is a little sampling:- Through time we can understand "why" God gives us certain commandments, but those reasons

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1113512282809185582005-04-14T16:38:00.000-04:002005-04-14T16:58:02.810-04:00

It never ceases to amaze me, everytime I visit Utah I notice how bad Utah drivers are!It was a joke when I attended BYU...quite a few years ago.I own a business in Utah and go there every month or so. It's still the same. Utah drivers are still terrible. They don't know what the speed limit is, they change lanes whenever without a signal, they follow too close and they cut you off!Is this

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1112993728814663992005-04-08T16:34:00.000-04:002005-04-08T16:55:28.816-04:00

Just for the heck of it, I thought I'd take you on a short tour of my life:(Spokane, Washington) The house I grew up in. I was there till I went to Ricks.(Rexburg, Idaho) I was at Ricks College for one year. Lived in Applewood (the ones that burned in 1996).(San Sebastian, Retahuleu, Guatemala) My first area of my mission.(Hunapu, Escuintla, Guatemala) Second area of the mission.(Chimaltenango,

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1112652058355093072005-04-04T17:53:00.000-04:002005-04-04T18:00:58.356-04:00

Today being the final game of the NCAA basketball tournament, I can't help but wonder if President Hinckley's recent remarks about gambling are relevant. I usually put down $5-10 in a pot (to make the tournament interesting, otherwise, it's a long McDonald's commercial). President Hinckley even went so far as to say (paraphrase), "I pay $5 to see a movie, I pay $5 to play poker. What's the

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1112250742133449632005-03-31T01:32:00.000-05:002005-03-31T01:32:22.136-05:00

Every day on my walk to the subway through my Brooklyn neighborhood I pass no less than three homeless people asking for money. On my way home I pass at least three as well (usually a different three). This doesn't count the ones I run into when I'm in Manhattan. This bothers me. A true disciple of Christ might be bothered by this situation because there is a child of God who is suffering. A true

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1111799832034513422005-03-25T19:55:00.000-05:002005-03-25T20:17:12.036-05:00

I was wondering if Cain and Lucifer could have had some kind of agreement in the premortal life?Cain because he received a body gets to rule over Satan in the end. I can understand that prinicple but is it only Cain, or do all those who "follow" Satan get to rule over him because they will have bodies? If only Cain then why? You're the first bad guy, so you get rewarded for being bad by being

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1111690522963448622005-03-24T13:49:00.000-05:002005-03-24T13:55:22.966-05:00

Again by preparing to teach the PofGP I have come across a question that has popped up in my mind before. Satan told Adam and Eve to use fig leaves to cover themselves, which they did. Later God makes coats of skins to cover them.The symbolism I’ve understood here is that the fig leaves represent our own attempt to cover our own sins. (Isn't it interesting that the fig tree was the only thing

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1111622446064113472005-03-23T18:57:00.000-05:002005-03-23T19:00:46.066-05:00

For those of you who missed this SNL sketch, I bring it to you commercial-free. I hope you enjoy it.

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1111366602255364012005-03-20T17:59:00.000-05:002005-03-20T19:56:42.256-05:00

I have a question that I have struggled with at times since my mission. All of us have gone to Sunday School or Priesthood or Relief Society and heard something we know is not true, or is not correct doctrine. This most often comes through comments or responses to questions asked by the teacher. Sometimes it comes directly from the teacher and on rare occasions it comes from a member of the

Bretnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1111122439504018752005-03-17T23:39:00.000-05:002005-03-18T00:07:19.506-05:00

Recently added to the Mormon Archipelago is Outer Boroughs, a blog published by none other than my very own bishop, Chris Williams. Having been on somewhat of a hiatus, he now promises to enter once more into the fold and post more often. His most recent post is a nice piece on being a convert. Another one of my favorites is Is God A Musky? Good stuff.(Okay Chris, this fulfills my half of our

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1110827169558862262005-03-14T14:05:00.000-05:002005-03-14T14:06:09.560-05:00

Last week between seminary, work, homework, class, homework, seeing our best friends leave New York forever, homework, and homework, I've been following an interesting post at Millennial Star about parenting and media. Geoff B makes some interesting points as he lays out his children's television-viewing schedule (none hours a week). There have been some interesting comments as the post is still

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1110571604966101172005-03-11T14:49:00.000-05:002005-03-11T15:14:43.503-05:00

Is it me, or am I just not looking in the right places?The Old Testament is one of my favorite scriptures. I'm teaching a PofGP class and slowly going through Moses / Genesis right now. I've found from the reading I'm doing that there isn't the in depth verse by verse commentary of the O.T. by any competent (or incompetent - for that matter) L.D.S. scholars. I'm not talking about the "normal"

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1110490897789085992005-03-10T16:28:00.000-05:002005-03-10T16:41:37.790-05:00

The second area of Nine-moons is to laugh at Mormon culture....My wife is big on the "Color Code". There are reds - strong, always need to be right, seek for status people, Blue - self righteous, detailed oriented people, Yellow - self centered party, have fun people, people, and White - laid back easy going, peace at any price people.I'm a classic red, my wife is a classic blue. That

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1110406682070380532005-03-09T17:16:00.000-05:002005-03-09T17:18:02.080-05:00

Having grown up in a conservative Mormon home, my perspective on the environment was as follows: don't smoke, don't litter, global warming is a left-wing conspiracy, and there is plenty on this earth to spare. Whenever anyone suggested that our generation is depleting the ozone or that we were using up the earth's resources, I'd smugly laugh it off and think, "They don't know God's feelings on it

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1110394070433825152005-03-09T13:38:00.000-05:002005-03-09T13:47:50.436-05:00

My wife and I attended the temple last night. Considering my previous post and the comments I listened more carefully than usual.A question arose in my mind as we were proceeding with the endowment. When Adam was given the first token of the Aaronic Priesthood, in the Garden, why was it called that? It makes more sense to call it the "First token of the priesthood", since the Aaronic

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1110306238957612862005-03-08T13:14:00.000-05:002005-03-08T13:23:58.956-05:00

Last night while teaching the P of GP to the single adult group one of the sisters asked a question I have pondered before. She asked what would have happened if Adam had partaken of the fruit first?First, would Eve have been "smart" enough to realize the situation and partaken also?Second, would Adam and Eve's consequences for partaking been different? Would Adam have been put in subjection to

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1109902706655050082005-03-03T21:14:00.000-05:002005-03-03T21:18:26.656-05:00

Okay, the Great and Marvelous Mormon Archipelago is up and cookin'. To make your life easier, we have created this page for quick access to some of the best Mormon blogs in the 'nacle. Enjoy!

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1109874802612813292005-03-03T13:32:00.000-05:002005-03-03T13:33:22.613-05:00

Is all scripture really scripture? Do we or should we put the same value on all scripture?I guess by definition scripture is scripture, but I have a hard time giving the same value to different scripture. For example, Psalms (written by an adulterous king - not a prophet), Proverbs and Ecclesiastes (written by another king - not a prophet), Esther - nice story, Joseph Smith history - fantastic

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1109715170117299722005-03-01T16:59:00.000-05:002005-03-01T17:12:50.120-05:00

I have often wondered the difference between what we do to our children and what we would call radical religious sects do to theirs.When I think of radical religious sects I think of the Branch Davidians (David Koresh) and the People's Temple (Jim Jones). Their members were so caught up in following their leader that they were willing to die with and or for them. The children in these groups

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1109222809996455662005-02-24T00:24:00.000-05:002005-02-24T00:26:49.996-05:00

For me, studying and teaching The Book of Mormon feels like sitting cross-legged under a cozy warm blanket, cuddled up on a soft bed with hot cocoa in hand, watching the snowflakes fall silently outside my window.The Doctrine and Covenants feels like sitting on a semi-hard couch, legs crossed with a root beer and chips.The New Testament has the feeling of me standing barefoot on cold concrete,

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1108578900033522912005-02-16T11:36:00.000-05:002005-02-16T13:35:00.070-05:00

I apologize that this isn't a post like we normally have (plus it's kind of covering some things we've discussed previously) but I could use all the help I can get. I wrote a paper for class a couple of years ago on Mormon Folklore and how though it has changed over the years since the organization of the Church (basically from mystical, three Nephite stories to more Priesthood power type

Bretnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1108146275608085542005-02-11T13:15:00.000-05:002005-02-11T13:24:35.610-05:00

I know this quote is long but I have read it many times trying to fully understand it's impact on me personally. I thought I would share it."We do not always receive inspiration or revelation when we request it. Sometimes we are delayed in the receipt of revelation, and sometimes we are left to our own judgment. We cannot force spiritual things. It must be so. Our life's purpose to obtain

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1108068525596642072005-02-10T15:48:00.000-05:002005-02-10T15:51:41.840-05:00

What happened to you T&S? When I first started reading the blogs in July of last year, I could barely look away from your pasty beige pages. Pouring over Joe Mormon's insights on the Gospel was a revelation to me. This was the Sunday School class I'd always wanted. You MC'd discussions on all those things I thought, but never said. We talked about R-rated movies, Mormon politics, polygamy, BYU

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1108059773878266482005-02-10T13:06:00.000-05:002005-02-10T13:22:53.880-05:00

J. Stapely at the Splendid Sun blog got me to thinking about prayer, so here's a couple of thoughts: Why do we always "chicken out" in our prayers by saying "if it's God's will, then such and such be done"? I also twitch a bit when someone is saying a prayer and always say that such and such "might" happen. My immediate reaction is "it might happen anyway so why pray for it?" Both points

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1107902778069540372005-02-08T17:35:00.000-05:002005-02-08T17:46:18.070-05:00

Whenever I have taught S.S. it has frustrated me to never have enough time. I think we should change the meeting schedule to 1 hour for sacrament meeting (enought time for the Sacrament and 1 0r 2 GOOD speakers), 1/2 hour for priesthood (enough time to conduct business and a short spiritual thought) and the remaining hour and a half for S.S. We need more time for better in depth study of the

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1107814938193155762005-02-07T17:10:00.000-05:002005-02-07T17:22:18.193-05:00

If God already knows us so well and He knows the end from the begining then why should we expect Him to intervene on our behalf? This earth and earth life kind of reminds me of a game that you wind up and just let it run down. God created this earth for us and allows it to be peopled in a manner He has set forth. Much of who we are, our personality, attitudes, spirituality etc was formed in

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1107454749997517442005-02-03T13:55:00.000-05:002005-02-03T13:19:09.996-05:00

Our agency certainly is a good thing, right? It just ticks me off sometimes how we are left to use it. I see a big dilemma. Example: I have a choice to make, I'm told to study it out in my own mind then pray and I'll either feel good or I'll have a stupor of thought. Sounds easy. My choices each day can vary from choosing which can a veggies to buy at the store to whether I should invest

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1107308952660948072005-02-01T20:38:00.001-05:002005-02-01T20:59:41.463-05:00

It's official, we are now part of the Mormon Archipelago. After weeks of negotiating, I'm happy to report that Nine Moons will be soon catapulted into fame and glory untold. Hold tight... Actually, the timing of this is funny. While the new group blog Millennial Star was forming, the MA was coming together as well. However, at this point we will remain "just a few bloggers offering a little

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1107239047115402442005-02-01T01:18:00.000-05:002005-02-01T01:24:07.116-05:00

On Kulturblog I just posted a brief outline of my thesis project that I've been working on all year. Please go here to see why I haven't written as much for this blog as I'd like. Also, please comment, I'd love any feedback.

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1106775970244165422005-01-26T16:45:00.000-05:002005-01-26T16:48:52.306-05:00

During my first year of seminary we studied the Old Testament. At the beginning of the year my teacher put a chart on the wall on which we'd write the different names of God that we'd encounter while reading. Included were names such as Alpha/Omega, Banner, Shepherd, Sheild, King, Anointed One, Rock/Foundation, etc. The list was sizable. However, there's a problem: the Bible is really, really old

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1099967402425936132005-01-23T18:45:00.000-05:002005-01-23T20:44:25.826-05:00

The subtitle to this blog states that one of the reasons it is here is to laugh at Mormon culture. It has done just that to a great extent and it has been a very enjoyable part of posting and commenting on this blog (and I know, it's been far too long since I've posted!). As with all cultures, we have many quirks and conundrums that, when viewed with objectivity, are really quite silly and

Bretnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1106355062646044402005-01-21T19:47:00.000-05:002005-01-21T19:51:02.646-05:00

I'm honored to even be among all these nominees. I really didn't expect this. Thank you to my father, my brother and my sister for their constant labor and support. I couldn't do it without you. God bless America. (now go here and vote for the best blog stuff of the year)

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1105493249879391252005-01-11T20:26:00.000-05:002005-01-12T10:05:49.436-05:00

As someone in the business of corporate branding, I'm forced to look at a corporation for what it is: a bunch of people providing a service or product trying to make money. From there we build their story. Depending on the service/product and the company, the story differs. David, the graphic designer, drives to work in his Volkswagon listening to David Byrne. Wearing all black and drinking his

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1104807248635592992005-01-03T21:52:00.000-05:002005-01-03T21:54:08.636-05:00

One of the many wonderful things that my mother instilled in my brain at a young age is that we often must do the right thing, even when we don't feel like it. I've often interpreted that to mean, "...even when we don't see any harm in not doing so." I am sometimes very good at studying my scriptures every day, praying with my wife and alone, participating at church, preparing seminary lessons,

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1104258692468281142004-12-28T13:10:00.000-05:002004-12-28T13:31:32.466-05:00

I've been teaching the Gospel Doctrine SS class for 2+ years now. I love it. Teaching is my favorite "job" in the church. I especially appreciate the preparation, I learn so much more than anyone else, I need the motivation, and I grow a lot whenever I teach. Teaching is my first love, church administration is my last love. I purchased 2 new books on D&C and Church History, two of my

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1103740737805265572004-12-22T13:28:00.000-05:002004-12-22T13:38:57.806-05:00

Here it is almost 2005. Gowing up I always thought the end of the world was coming around the year 2,000. If you go by all the theories, the 1,000 year dispensations etc. we should now be in the Millenium. Remember the big deal everyone made over Y2K? Well, when is the end coming? If we count the years, we are overdue. If we count the seeming wickedness we're overdue. Obviously God must be

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1103222166056634112004-12-16T13:19:00.000-05:002004-12-16T13:36:06.056-05:00

Obviously Christ wasn't born on December 25th. Almost all of the traditions we celebrate at Christmas are founded in pagan rituals, or miss-readings of the scriptures. I asked myself the question, "If that's the case, then why celebrate Christmas?" Sure there's the answer about good will, peace on earth, the spirit of giving, and we don't want to have our neighbors think bad of us if we don't.

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1102948550328599252004-12-13T09:27:00.000-05:002004-12-13T09:35:50.330-05:00

For anyone who doesn't know, there is a great new blog discussing all things pop culture called kulturblog. I've been signed on as a contributer (though I need to renegotiate my paltry salary) to write about all things design (though my schedule has allowed me to only write one article). It's a great site to catch up on movie reviews, music reviews, Broadway insights, design stuff, and Pokemon.

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1102749158192098252004-12-11T02:12:00.000-05:002004-12-11T02:12:38.193-05:00

I'm tired. I'm sitting here at my desk (where I've been for the last 18 hours) getting ready to finally go to bed. I've been working through this proposal book for my thesis (which is basically everything that I've done all semester compiled into a book) and it's due on Tuesday. I've been getting little sleep (going to bed at 2:00, getting up at 6:00 for seminary), am overloaded at work, and

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1102529708817714392004-12-08T13:07:00.000-05:002004-12-08T13:15:08.816-05:00

It never ceases to amaze me at how much Mormon Folklore there is out there. Why is that? Do we have a need to "embelish" or even create stories to make us feel good, or is it to increase our faith? Some have been in the church for years (see the blog on the Sealed portion of the Book of Mormon). Where do they come from, why and WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ONE?

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1102359129535605292004-12-06T13:36:00.000-05:002004-12-06T14:03:20.350-05:00

In studying for my SS lesson this past week the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon brought several questions to my mind. If we take the Mormon folklore that 1/3 of the plates were sealed then that would mean we are missing about 150-200 pages of text. (our current B of M has a considerable amount of footnotes which obviously are not part of the original, so I estimate the entire text part to

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1102025180905723172004-12-02T16:52:00.000-05:002004-12-02T17:06:20.906-05:00

Why is that men get in trouble for leaving the toilet seat up and women don't get in trouble for leaving the toilet lid up? Maybe women just leave the lid up in public, at home things are different. I would say that 9 out of 10 women who use our facilities leave the lid up. We are a retail bridal store and it doesn't matter if it's mothers or the brides, they all do it. As a man, leaving the

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1101925550639857932004-12-01T13:10:00.000-05:002004-12-01T13:25:50.640-05:00

Rusty's blog and the comments got me thinking. When someone calls upon the Elders to annoint and bless them what happens? If you read James the sick person is the one who needs to do the calling. And the sick person is healed because of their faith. And if they are healed their sins are forgiven them. When Christ healed he healed, forgave their sins, and told them that it was their faith

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1101706389311090582004-11-29T00:32:00.000-05:002004-11-29T00:33:09.310-05:00

There is a practice in the church we are very familiar with: anointing with oil for the healing of the sick. This, of course, is done with olive oil. Sometimes. Someone I know very well (and regular readers of this blog might know as well) recently confused this practice with that of Mary in John 12:3, "Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus,

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1101320543943101232004-11-24T13:43:00.000-05:002004-11-24T13:22:23.943-05:00

Being a business owner I continually run into problems/challenges. My wife and I own a bridal store. We just completed hiring 3 new employees. For the first time we used a little different evaluation process which included an application meeting. All the applicants came, filled out the application, took an oral spelling test, gave a 1 minute presentation as to why we should hire them, took a

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1100830880139275852004-11-18T21:04:00.000-05:002004-11-18T21:36:01.643-05:00

My wife hates liars. We just fired an employee who was caught in several lies. My wife can't stand being lied to. Here's my problem. I was talking to another of our employees. She told me that she doesn't get along well with my wife. So when my wife and I were talking I told her what this employee had said. She reacted to this...or should I say over-reacted to this. I told her it was obvious

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1100548248849205522004-11-15T13:53:00.000-05:002004-11-15T14:57:44.236-05:00

As long as I'm going on about the BOM and GD class, here's something else that got me thinking this week. In 3Nephi we find that the Savior promises 9 disciples their wish. The wish was that "that we may speedily come unto thee in thy kingdom". Jesus tells them they are blessed are desiring this and then tells them that after they are 72 years old "ye shall come unto me in my kingdom and with me

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1100544798338387772004-11-15T13:26:00.000-05:002004-11-15T14:56:41.766-05:00

I've always grown up with the idea that right after the savior visited the people in Bountiful, they all lived in peace and righteousness for 200 years. As has happened many times this year, I find when I'm preparing my G.D. lessons old BOM teachings are not quite correct. It hasn't been that I've been taught wrong, it's we have quite a number of "mormonisms" that just aren't really true. I was

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1100209114465138292004-11-11T16:37:00.000-05:002004-11-11T16:38:34.466-05:00

After years of anticipation, Halo 2 was finally released this Tuesday. (For those who don't know what this is, it was one of, if not the most anticipated video game release of all time. It is a "first person shooter" game where you walk around with guns and kill as many aliens as you can.) Across the globe celebrations were held in honor of Master Chief and the Covenant. The minions were truly

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1099974777138118882004-11-08T23:30:00.000-05:002004-11-08T23:32:57.136-05:00

About a month ago I wrote a post about a crazy commitment given by a bishop. My take was that the bishop's council was a bit kooky. In the comments I was called to repentance at least once and no less than three people vowed they would never return. I think they were offended. And frankly, that offends me. Before I went to BYU I had never been exposed to such large scale offense-taking. The

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1099431453234886842004-11-04T17:52:00.000-05:002004-11-04T19:55:33.746-05:00

I'm a Mormon (yes I am!) and in being a Mormon, I strongly believe in making and keeping covenants with the Lord. It is one of the foundational doctrines of the church and central to our ability to become like God. Because of this, I take my covenants very seriously. We make quite a few covenants in this life including the ones mentioned in the title of this post and I do not want to mess them up

Bretnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1099332970445291612004-11-01T13:13:00.000-05:002004-11-01T21:35:05.816-05:00

Rather than continuing the comments on the previous blog I think Amy touched on something I have said many times. "God gets more blame and more credit than He deserves."

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1098831899966852942004-10-26T18:51:00.000-04:002004-10-26T19:09:55.966-04:00

How do we determine why we are "suffering" the trials we are going through? A very smart Bishop (Fox) once told me that there are 3 reasons we suffer trials. #1 S*#t happens (my words not his). The rain falls on everyone. It is just part of this life, some get more than others just as a matter of being here. #2. As a direct consequence of our own actions. #3. God gives us certain trials to

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1098405958040066752004-10-21T20:26:00.000-04:002004-10-21T20:55:18.626-04:00

We all have spent literally thousands of years in the premortal existence, maybe more. There we were taught, we had associations with others, interactions, discussions etc. We developed enough that God knew what we "deserved", "earned", "qualified for" when coming to this earth. How much of our personality, how much of the "real" me was formed there? I think a lot. More than we would normally

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1097731750335066562004-10-21T01:06:00.000-04:002004-10-21T02:07:12.966-04:00

Two Sundays ago I listened to a talk on temple work and I took another look at this question again that I have pondered for a few years now. Why are we in such a hurry to redeem the dead? I mean, I understand the importance of the work and of going to the temple as often as possible; at least for ourselves. I just do not understand why we are told to hurry up and get as many names done as

Bretnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1098161201691193032004-10-19T00:46:00.000-04:002004-10-19T00:48:53.226-04:00

I teach seminary here in the Park Slope ward in Brooklyn. There are four students that come regularly. Soon there will be three (one family moves to Florida in a few weeks). That leaves me with two from one family and one from another. These are good kids and are well supported by their solid families. It makes me very grateful for the support that I had as a teenager. Here's the problem: there

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1097815695574704252004-10-15T00:45:00.000-04:002004-10-15T08:08:20.230-04:00

It appears that pornography is rapidly ascending to the top of the list of problems within the Church. I fully expect them to add it to the list of questions for obtaining a temple recommend, followed by countless hours in Sunday School and on the blogs discussing what exactly “pornography” really is. Not one to back out of an unpetitioned discussion, the following are my thoughts on the topic.

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1097373059307422262004-10-13T23:14:00.000-04:002004-10-14T01:30:11.940-04:00

Rusty's post on a Bishop with a questionable leadership move got me thinking about this whole thing we call the "commitment Pattern." It has been taught to us since we entered the YM/YW program and then had it drilled into our lives as missionaries. Even those who haven't served recognize how it works. It is a simple pattern that anyone can follow to get others to take action. Normally, we try

Bretnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1097613230782094622004-10-12T16:19:00.000-04:002004-10-12T16:33:50.783-04:00

In SS this week we talked about prayer, where, how, vain repetitions etc. I have since thought more about my own prayer and manerisms. A few years ago while visiting the Church Museum in SLC I noticed a picture of a sacrament meeting. The brother blessing the Sacrament is kneeling behind the table with both his arms raised to the square while praying. I thought how curious. In different

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1097360809549287732004-10-09T18:13:00.000-04:002004-10-09T18:26:49.550-04:00

Here's part of an article I just ran across. "While we all want to save endangered fish, there is a lot of waste in the fish program. A good example: In August, Bonneville Power Administration was forced to spill water at the upper Columbia River dams for fish. Since this water was spilled it could not be used for power generation. The approximate cost of this spill was $38,000,000 to

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1097254455158597502004-10-08T13:40:00.000-04:002004-10-08T12:54:15.156-04:00

There are two businesses selling virtually the same products, one located 1/2 mile from my home and one located 2 miles from my home. The one that is located 2 miles from my home is closed on Sundays, the other is open 7 days a week. Otherwise they are virtually the same. As a "good Mormon" should I go out of my way to shop at the store 2 miles away? Since it is closer and I can walk there,

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1097128010662762702004-10-06T23:45:00.000-04:002004-10-07T01:50:41.303-04:00

In the church we often talk about light and truth and how to obtain it. During this time we occasionally attempt to differentiate the truths of God from the philosophies of men. The intent here is to distinguish truth from truth. Specifically, which truths are "absolute" and which ones are "relevant?" A whole discussion could be made on how those two terms should be defined. However, for our

Bretnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1096949314168202922004-10-05T01:05:00.000-04:002004-10-05T19:33:19.480-04:00

I’m distracted. And a bit peeved. I’ve been working on a post for some time now. It has great spiritual significance to me and have been formulating it in a way that I hope makes sense for those who might read it. However, tonight something has come up. It has almost zero spiritual significance to me (and most members for that matter) and I am barely going to spell check this thing before

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1096582303754162132004-09-30T18:07:00.000-04:002004-09-30T19:28:52.180-04:00

In contemplating the Latter-day Saint’s admirable tendency towards saving money and being frugal (a value that can apparently overshadow regard to “no outside food and drink” movie theater signs!), I bring up another interesting phenomenon: abuse of governmental programs by Church members. An upscale apartment complex in our Midwest college town has been dubbed “Little Utah” in local LDS

Amynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1096519171466862852004-09-30T01:27:00.000-04:002004-09-30T00:39:31.466-04:00

For the two of you who read this blog and are not in my family, let me introduce my sister Amy Jones as a guest blogger (or permanent, it's not like I'm going to deny her the almighty "privelege" of posting here). Being the peacemaker of our rather raucous family we will no doubt be calmed, cautioned, and humbled by her elegantly simple words. Buena suerte, Hermana Cleepstone!

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1096391900244069462004-09-28T13:00:00.000-04:002004-09-28T14:02:42.343-04:00

I've owned $1.00 admission movie theaters all over the U.S., literally from New York to California. I presently own one in Utah. Of all the theaters I've owned the one in Utah has by far and away more people who "sneak" food and drinks in without paying. It is clearly posted "No outside food or drink" and yet these Mormons bring in everything from sandwiches to 2 liter sodas. They answer "yes"

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1096396409587702502004-09-28T12:32:00.000-04:002004-09-28T14:33:29.610-04:00

Through careful study I've come to the conclusion that judgment Day will be very simple and concise. From my lifetime experience in the church, I've decided the Lord only needs to ask one question to see if we are worthy to enter the Celestial Kingdom...How many chairs did you stack? If you think about it, there is more to this question then meets the eye. The answer tells a few things about you.

Bretnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1096135219501793702004-09-25T13:41:00.000-04:002004-09-25T14:00:19.503-04:00

It keeps happening! I've read, studied, and taught the BOM for years. While preparing this week's SS lesson I discovered that what I was taught and assume was right is wrong! I was always taught the right after Christ was crucified and resurrected in the old world he appeared to the people in the new world. 3 Ne. 8:5 tells us that the signs of Christ's death happened in the 34th year, first

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1095727485106457922004-09-20T20:31:00.000-04:002004-09-20T20:44:45.106-04:00

My wife has been fasinated with the color code for years. We are now reading the book together to supposedly help us better understand each other....and change for the better. It has helped me to understand me, and her better. It has helped me to understand our motives better too. Now the change part!! I'm a status seeking, always right red. I like who I am, I like being a red. My wife is

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1095298818942809292004-09-15T21:37:00.000-04:002004-09-15T21:40:18.943-04:00

I've always "loved" the reactions people give when you say that. And then give them some examples like: God can't lie. God can't be unjust. God can't create a rock so heavy He can't lift it (that's one of my favorites). Got any others?

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1095267363125554282004-09-15T13:49:00.000-04:002004-09-15T15:26:01.906-04:00

I came across this website and couldn't tell if I was supposed to be laughing or feeling the Spirit. I especially like the juggler. I can't help to think that these are early sketches of Greg Olsen paintings.

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1095207827855116932004-09-14T20:04:00.000-04:002004-09-14T20:23:47.856-04:00

I think the "brethern" have avoided answering this question, and probably for good reason. Does life begin when the spirit enters the body, or does life begin at conception? We all recognize the fact the the embryo, depending on it's stage of development, can move, feel pain, is sensitive to music and much more. Does that mean its spirit has entered into its body? Many parents have been

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1094794797940696382004-09-10T01:39:00.000-04:002004-09-10T08:25:09.613-04:00

There is an interesting phenomenon in the Book of Mormon: almost every time it describes a prideful person/people, it also slips in a line about how they wear costly apparel (do a search for “apparel”, the results are staggering). Whether it is the cause or the result of their pride, expensive clothing seems to be the whipping boy. Strangely, The Book of Mormon is much more silent on matters of

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1094322347448157432004-09-04T13:13:00.000-04:002004-09-04T14:25:47.446-04:00

We all agree that God is bound by eternal laws. We all agree that blessing are predicated based on obedience to laws. That being said, then when I obey a law I get the blessing, when I break a law or commandment I either get a "punishment" or the promised blessing withheld. Does that mean then I get what I deserve? I earned it? (this obviously doesn't refer to the atonement which I didn't /

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1094161341101267052004-09-02T17:19:00.000-04:002004-09-02T17:42:21.100-04:00

Bret's post and a recent conversation got me to thinking. I've done it and I hear it all the time. "I'm glad for the choices I've made because they helped make me what I am, and have brought me to such and such point in my life." To me this is almost a fatalist point of view. "No matter what I choose it's ok because it makes me what I am." I think God loves us so much that he will help make

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1094079538435784332004-09-01T16:56:00.000-04:002004-09-01T19:21:22.063-04:00

When Adam partook of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil he learned a very simple, however complex truth: "There must needs be an opposition in all things..." (2 Ne. 2:11) In order for him (and in turn, all mankind) to experience one thing, he had to experience the other. Virtue/vice, health/sickness, pleasure/pain, light/darkness, etc. All of us know this principle to be true

Bretnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1094052368143267832004-09-01T11:25:00.000-04:002004-09-01T11:29:34.520-04:00

One of the clients of the design firm where I work is Planned Parenthood. Per my request, I don't work on any PP project. That, however, doesn't mean I don't hear their ideas and thoughts that are put forth. Of those ideas, the concept of "Choice" is, of course, paramount. It is this idea that our principal pushes the most, that it's not about abortion, it's not about sex, it's about the divine

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1093891606812882132004-08-30T14:37:00.000-04:002004-08-30T15:04:10.116-04:00

The first presidency message in the August Ensign has an interesting statement by President Faust. He says: "The priesthood is held in trust to be used to bless all of God's children. Priesthood is not gender; it is blessings from God for all at the hands of the servants He has designated." What does he means the priesthood is not gender? Does that open the door for the possibility that women

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1093643232112985282004-08-27T17:30:00.000-04:002004-08-27T17:47:12.113-04:00

I was preparing my talk on revelation (thank you all for your comments) and got thinking about the Holy Ghost. Who is he? He's a spirit, we know that. Is he one of God the Father's spirit children....our brother? If so how does that work? Does he have special powers given to him that the rest of us didn't have so he can carry out his mission? Did he volunteer in the premortal council like

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1093496550578064532004-08-26T01:01:00.000-04:002004-08-26T01:02:30.580-04:00

Joseph Smith says in Lectures on Faith that in order to have faith in God unto salvation, three ideas must be present in our minds: 1) The idea that God exists. 2) That the course we are living is in line with God’s will. 3) A correct understanding of His attributes and characteristics. Namely, omnipotence, omniscience, love, justice, mercy, he changes not, he cannot lie, no respecter of

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1093368386342815142004-08-24T13:22:00.000-04:002004-08-24T13:26:26.343-04:00

My wife and I get to talk in Sac. Meeting on Sunday. Our subject is Revelation. She is going to talk about personal revelation. She has a lot more experience in that area than I do. I thought it would be interesting to answer the question "What is the most important revelation?" I've got an idea on what direction I want to take this, but I thought some feedback would be helpful. And if the

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1093305318138215372004-08-23T19:40:00.000-04:002004-08-23T20:50:56.186-04:00

I'm no physics expert. I don't understand quarks, strings and those other advanced Einstein stuff. Hopefully I understand enough to at least ask the question. I think, according to Einstein, to be subject to time or the time domain you must have mass. It's all tied up with the speed of light, gavity and mass. There was an experiment done where a jet plane with an atomic clock flew west from a

Donnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1093222300026595452004-08-22T20:46:00.000-04:002004-08-22T20:51:40.026-04:00

I just installed the HaloScan comment code so that you don't have to sign in to make comments on this blog. Hopefully, this will encourage more people to leave comments. However, by adding this code to the blog, I have somehow eliminated the comments of the previous posts. If you would like to view those comments, please click on the title of the post to the right and the comments are available

Rustynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796693.post-1092938919764752582004-08-19T13:41:00.000-04:002004-08-19T14:15:21.216-04:00

Shortly after attending a Stake conference and hearing one of the Stake presidency give a talk on business, businesses and ethics I was scheduled for a temple recommend interview. As "luck" would have it I was interviewed by this member of the Stake presidency. After finishing the regular questions I asked him about his talk. Being in the movie theater business and being open on Sundays and

Donnoreply@blogger.com5