Jun

12

Disconnect Generations = Screwtape Letter 27

Filed Under Education and Love for Learning, Favorite Books, Genealogy to Family History to FamilyLearn, Home, Family and Church | Leave a Comment

In C.S. Lewis’ Screwtape Letters, Screwtape, one of the devil’s servants, writes his nephew about the importance of disconnecting each generation from all others.

“It is most important thus to cut every generation off from all others; for where learning makes a free commerce between the ages there is always the danger that the characteristic errors of one may be corrected by the characteristic truths of another. But thanks be to Our Father [the Devil] and the Historical Point of View, great scholars are now as little nourished by the past as the most ignorant mechanic who holds that ‘history is bunk.’

Jun

9

Does God Help Entreprenuers

Filed Under Business Ideas, Resources, Principles, etc., Home, Family and Church | Leave a Comment

Paul Allen asked a fascinating question today on his blog: Does God Help Entreprenuers?
He continued:

Someday I want to write an entire book on this subject.

It fascinates me to look back in history, to read the biographies and autobiographies of inventors and entrepreneurs, looking for acknowledgment of divine influence in their work.

Over the years I have read and heard many stories from innovators who believe that God gave them an idea, or helped them through a problem, or guided their efforts to find solutions.

Some entrepreneurs are actively religious, attending churches, synagogues, or mosques; others are “spiritual”, connecting with Divinity in their own way, through prayer, nature, or meditation, or in other ways.

I intend to start asking many of my entrepreneurial friends, with all kinds of religious views, if they believe God has helped them, and if so, why and how? If I get enough good material, I’ll publish it sooner or later.

Here is my response to his thoughts:

Paul, a few years ago, I began to feel that everything that is good in this world is INSPIRATION or IMITATION. We either receive inspiration from another source not of our own or we imitate those who have. I believe that more everyday. I’d be happy to share a few of the many ways in which God has helped and inspired me in my work when you need content for your book. I’ve been keeping a list of the significant turning points for FamilyLearn as a result of inspiration that I can’t claim. I look forward to your findings and your book.

May

9

Morning run and scriptures

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Sasha Pachev and are going running together this morning after I studied the scriptures. I submitted this entry on my new PDA on the way to Sasha’s house. These morning runs and study bring life and joy to my day. Life is beautiful.

May

5

Home Teaching Study

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Kent Burgraff, Sean Gill, Luke Ray and I have been studying ways to increase the number of families we visit home teaching. We brainstormed last Tuesday about it and Kent read a book called “Home Teaching with Purpose and Power” by Richard J. Marshall. I asked Kent if I could borrow the book and read it this week. It’s fantastic. I’m recording important references and stories here for quick access:

President Ezra Taft Benson’s Talk
“There is no greater Church calling than that of a home teacher. There is no greater Church service rendered to our Father in Heaven???s children than the service rendered by a humble, dedicated, committed home teacher.”

Apr

30

LDS General Conference Scripture Citation Index

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LDS General Conference Scripture Citation Index offers cross referencing to General Conference talks that cite specific scriptures. Seems like a great study resource.

Apr

27

Mormon Temples

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I’ve learned that there will be a Mormon Temple near my home town in Idaho. It will be in Twin Falls Idaho. I never thought I’d see the day one was built so close to my home town. Yes, I’m Mormon (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints). For more information on Mormon Temples, you can visit About.com.

Feb

2

Symbolism of Olive Oil

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I loved this article on the symbolism of the olive and olive oil.

Jan

23

Hispanics in Utah

Filed Under Home, Family and Church | 2 Comments

Elder Winkle spoke at Stake conference this morning and cited some statistics about the growing hispanic population in Utah.

1985 - 35,000
1995 - 45,000
2005 - 270,000

The question is, what brings all these people to Utah? Many would assume it’s because they’re members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but, to my surprise, only 8 percent of these people are members of the Mormon church.

Rather exciting. I love these people because of my association with them while serving a mission in Coahuila, Durango and Zacatecas in Mexico.

Yesterday I had my inspection done at C & A Auto. The place, though slightly older and out of shape, was run well and they had me in and out very quickly. Hispanic run and owned businesses are popping up everywhere.

Though my neighborhood doesn’t have very many hispanic families, there must be someway to become better friends with this growing group of people. I feel like we’re living in two separate worlds and I don’t like it. These folks took such good care of me when I was in Mexico and I feel it’s my privledge to reach out to them as they come to Utah.

Dec

2

An Evening of Friendship

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Fuller Theological Seminary president and Beliefnet columnist Richard J. Mouw apologized to Mormons for evangelicals’ tendency to distort the truth about Latter-day Saints’ beliefs. This article has really jump started a discussion between a good friend of mine from Penns, who is evangelical, and me about our beliefs. It’s strengthened our friendship. Thank you for the apology Richard J. Mouw. That was a very Christian thing to do. I will, as a member of the LDS church, strive to show the same courtesy and understanding to you and your faith.

Sep

28

Oppose Evil

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I’ve created a specific page for information on President Hinkley’s Oppose Evil article for friends and family.

keep looking »