Stealing from a Sunday School lesson I had today.
One of the points in the lesson was to "Rely on the Spirit rather than the wisdom of the world".
The teacher was talking about balancing secular and spiritual learning, and how secular learning can be either a blessing or a stumbling block for us. We should not think that because we know so much when it comes to secular knowledge that we don't need Heavenly Father in our lives anymore. Some may think that because they know so much, there is no place for God in their lives because they have everything figured out; for "when they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not... But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God" (2 Nephi 9:28-29). We should allow for great knowledge as well as the influence of God in our lives. We can apply principles from secular knowledge to religious knowledge, and vice versa. An example that he provided really shed light on the matter, and I loved the analogy.
The teacher explained how in high school calculus he would occasionally not understand problems on his homework and concepts he was learning in class. He attributed this confusion to not completely understanding a previous concept or principle that the teacher taught.
He likened that to us as members of the church learning the things of the gospel.
We wouldn't come to the conclusion in calculus that since we don't understand something or it doesn't make sense in our minds that calculus and every concept and lesson therein has to be false. We would go to the teacher with a desire to learn more so that we can understand that which is confusing to us.
So it should be in the gospel. If there is something you are struggling with, or don't quite understand, don't give up just yet. Study it out in your mind. Ask questions. Pray about it. Read the scriptures. Visit mormon.org. The Lord wants you to gain answers. He wants you to have faith. Those members of the church in your ward are there for support, to help you along in your journey here on earth.
And you should do likewise. If someone you know is struggling with questions they may have about the gospel, be a friend. Be their support. Because the time will come when you need someone to lean on, too. With every little bit of knowledge learned, principles of the gospel start to make more sense.
And when you diligently study and do your homework on a regular basis, calculus won't be that hard either.
Sunday, August 30, 2015
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Sunlightenment
Regression of the process towards the poem:
HEAVEN FEELS
Brightly shines the sun on the south side. Nestling myself in the V
Of the red brick wall, I've
Been here before. I know what's in store. Instantly I my spirits soar.
Free from the cares on my mind. I'm high
On the balcony, hidden from the passerby.
The warmth overtakes me, a feeling of ecstasy I can't deny.
The feeling
So serene, I lean
Back in my chair. Maximizing exposure. Resting my head on my own shoulder
I feel bolder
And close my eyes. And I wonder why
I haven't made the time in recent days gone by.
Taken advantage of the fair weather, and then I remember
Since December my warmth has been severed.
Short days of paltry sun, happiness gone.
Wondering when winter solstice would be done
And there would be warmth.
It's here now, and back in my spot on the south
Side I laze.
Feeling the rays on the pale skin of my neck, my leggings black.
Visible through the lids of my eyes, I let it take me away and I
Am swallowed up in the bright
Bliss and imagine for a moment in time that I've learned to fly
And float away in the light.
And I know this is how
Heaven feels.
Paragraph form:
The south side has the most sun. That's the rule of thumb. I love the south. It represents warmth and happiness. Sunshine beats down in the corner of the brick wall. I've been here before. Safe from the wind. Safe from the traffic of passserbyers. Safe. Warm. I lean back in my chair against the headrest. Turn my head so my cheek rests on my shoulder. Stretch out to maximize sun exposure. I hold still. Still as can be. It feels warmer this way. Closing my eyes, I feel the rays beat down through my black leggings. On my black combat boots. On the bare, pale skin of my neck. I let it take me away and I am swallowed up in the bright bliss. Imagining I am floating away. This is what heaven feels like for sure.
A light breeze fans my face. Blowing my hair to cover my cheek. I frown. I wonder for a brief moment if the sun is highlighting my hair. Turning it a lighter shade of auburn. The color of my hair is one thing I love about myself. Shaking my head to remove the hair, I once again feel the rays beating down on my cheek. Stay still. The clack of heels sounds in the distance. Self conscious, I sit up and pretend to scroll through my black phone screen. Glance up. Look down. They're gone. I lean my head back once more and embrace the quiet humming of the air handler. Thinking back on dinner. Sitting with three siblings and a wife. The love of family is incomparable. Laughter. Smiles. Sleeptalking. Sleepwalking. Snoring. Hiccups. Cantaloupe. Almonds. Does my family miss me. Someone else approaches. Pretend texting. My phone makes a reflection on the concrete from the sunlight. Remembering past dinners. Sunlight reflecting off silverware. Onto ceilings. Onto walls. Onto faces. Into eyes. Make him stop. Confiscated butter knives. A bell tolls in the distance. Signaling the hour. I lose track of the tolls. Have they set it an hour ahead. I wonder. Daylight Savings. Yesterday this would have been five o'clock. Today it is six. Thank heaven for later daylight. The breeze blows again. I peer at the ball of sun. Getting lower in the sky. Air becomes cooler. Homework awaits. Life calls. Ending the 30 minutes of listless thinking. Too short. Too long. Too long since it has been warm enough. Too long since I last slept in the sun. A new resolve to celebrate the little things.
Original scattered thoughts:
A light breeze fans my face
bell tolls in the distance
the stiller I am, the warmer the sun
reflect on siblings at dinner
south side
peer at ball of sun
too long. sun. outside. warm, nap.
reflections on the concrete
hair covers my face. highlights
happy family. smiles
does my family miss me
daylight savings
keeps getting cooler
life calls
HEAVEN FEELS
Brightly shines the sun on the south side. Nestling myself in the V
Of the red brick wall, I've
Been here before. I know what's in store. Instantly I my spirits soar.
Free from the cares on my mind. I'm high
On the balcony, hidden from the passerby.
The warmth overtakes me, a feeling of ecstasy I can't deny.
The feeling
So serene, I lean
Back in my chair. Maximizing exposure. Resting my head on my own shoulder
I feel bolder
And close my eyes. And I wonder why
I haven't made the time in recent days gone by.
Taken advantage of the fair weather, and then I remember
Since December my warmth has been severed.
Short days of paltry sun, happiness gone.
Wondering when winter solstice would be done
And there would be warmth.
It's here now, and back in my spot on the south
Side I laze.
Feeling the rays on the pale skin of my neck, my leggings black.
Visible through the lids of my eyes, I let it take me away and I
Am swallowed up in the bright
Bliss and imagine for a moment in time that I've learned to fly
And float away in the light.
And I know this is how
Heaven feels.
Paragraph form:
The south side has the most sun. That's the rule of thumb. I love the south. It represents warmth and happiness. Sunshine beats down in the corner of the brick wall. I've been here before. Safe from the wind. Safe from the traffic of passserbyers. Safe. Warm. I lean back in my chair against the headrest. Turn my head so my cheek rests on my shoulder. Stretch out to maximize sun exposure. I hold still. Still as can be. It feels warmer this way. Closing my eyes, I feel the rays beat down through my black leggings. On my black combat boots. On the bare, pale skin of my neck. I let it take me away and I am swallowed up in the bright bliss. Imagining I am floating away. This is what heaven feels like for sure.
A light breeze fans my face. Blowing my hair to cover my cheek. I frown. I wonder for a brief moment if the sun is highlighting my hair. Turning it a lighter shade of auburn. The color of my hair is one thing I love about myself. Shaking my head to remove the hair, I once again feel the rays beating down on my cheek. Stay still. The clack of heels sounds in the distance. Self conscious, I sit up and pretend to scroll through my black phone screen. Glance up. Look down. They're gone. I lean my head back once more and embrace the quiet humming of the air handler. Thinking back on dinner. Sitting with three siblings and a wife. The love of family is incomparable. Laughter. Smiles. Sleeptalking. Sleepwalking. Snoring. Hiccups. Cantaloupe. Almonds. Does my family miss me. Someone else approaches. Pretend texting. My phone makes a reflection on the concrete from the sunlight. Remembering past dinners. Sunlight reflecting off silverware. Onto ceilings. Onto walls. Onto faces. Into eyes. Make him stop. Confiscated butter knives. A bell tolls in the distance. Signaling the hour. I lose track of the tolls. Have they set it an hour ahead. I wonder. Daylight Savings. Yesterday this would have been five o'clock. Today it is six. Thank heaven for later daylight. The breeze blows again. I peer at the ball of sun. Getting lower in the sky. Air becomes cooler. Homework awaits. Life calls. Ending the 30 minutes of listless thinking. Too short. Too long. Too long since it has been warm enough. Too long since I last slept in the sun. A new resolve to celebrate the little things.
Original scattered thoughts:
A light breeze fans my face
bell tolls in the distance
the stiller I am, the warmer the sun
reflect on siblings at dinner
south side
peer at ball of sun
too long. sun. outside. warm, nap.
reflections on the concrete
hair covers my face. highlights
happy family. smiles
does my family miss me
daylight savings
keeps getting cooler
life calls
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