Book of Mormon Musical

A  great article in the Washington Post. Click on link:
A Latter-Day Saint view of Book of Mormon Musical

I really didn't think much of this musical when it came out. I thought it was interesting that someone would spend 7 years writing and making fun a religion.  Not just any religion, but one that was persecuted in its early years and still has many people trying to bring down its doctrine.  I guess it is easier to laugh at someone who is different, than to accept them. Of course many just classify this as entertainment.  Just as Michael Otterson, the author of the article, stated, I choose much better entertainment than something that has "over-the-top blasphemous and offensive language."
I feel that if we, as a church, responded to everything that makes us look poorly, that is all we would do.  Since the earliest days of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we have had to defend our right to worship, as well as our own lives.  So a musical poking fun at our missionaries, our religion, isn't worth making a scene about.  We, on the other hand, are taking advantage of this sudden "fame".  How many people will now know about Mormons? The Book of Mormon? Missionaries? Whether negative or not, Our nation has been exposed to Mormonism in a big way.  One thing that could happen, will happen after seeing this musical or hearing about it by word of mouth, is they will search it.  Many will search the teachings, the doctrine out of fascination and curiosity.  That is always a good thing.  Not that millions will flock to our churches, begging to be baptized, but at least they will have some kind of knowledge of our World.  They will see the many good things this church does for millions of people throughout the world.  They will know that we are good people, serving God in our way, trying to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Of course I know there are those that will take the negative and run with it. 
So for now, I will  not grab a picket sign and protest this musical because one way or another, people will hear about Mormonism.  When the time comes that we might lose our right to testify of our Church, and worship freely, THEN I will stand up and protest.  I will stand for what I know to be truth. 
For now, I will stash this musical with all the other media that I will not see or support because it is not "benevolent, virtuous, good report or praiseworthy". 

 

Living...

Living, breathing, growing, blooming, are all part of Life. Rain, snow, wind, hail, sunshine, heat, fire, are the elements in which we all obtain the ability to grow and bloom.  Those elements can become extreme, and hanging on to breathing and living seems too difficult to do sometimes. Just when those days seem to be fading, another element gets thrown in and all of a sudden the damage of past elements seems to linger and makes the new one seem so much larger and can be just as devastating.
Having a great husband has been such a blessing to me.  He has been my rock throughout our 20 years of marriage, my stability, the one who I can hold on to during the hardest days of my life.  There are times where I have to back away to stabilize us both.  As I stated above, sometimes there are strong elements that come while still recovering from previous ones.  That is what this upcoming week brings to myself and my dear husband.  Unfortunately, sometimes there is nothing that we can say or do to help each other.  We have to separate ourselves (not in a physical sense), find the place where we can hunker down and deal with everything on our own.  That seems pretty harsh, you may think, but in reality there are times where space is needed.  Trials in our lives come in many different ways, some that others can see and often come to help, but many of them are not obvious and the only way to fight through them are alone, on our knees. Ones personality also affects dealing with life.  Some would never let someone else in to protect them from the hurt and pain, or feel like it is something they need to accomplish alone. 
Here we are, facing the week of (our son) Marcus' would-be-20th-birthday, with other major developments that could determine a huge change in our lives, again.  The stress is tough, and we both deal with things so differently, that space may be a more peaceful place for both of us.
This week will come and go, then we will press forward like we always do, making us stronger.  We will grow once again and bloom together because that is what a real, loving, eternal marriage means. Love requires work and this earthly life is a test.  My best friend, my husband, and I made sacred covenants in the Holy Temple, under God's authority here on earth, that we would love each other forever.  We will conquer all that we face here on earth, with the Lords help, then we will be the people we need to be to love each other eternally. We will live together forever with our extended families and precious boys in the presence of our Heavenly Father.  No greater joy will there be for us.

Future Writer!

 Tall Tales by Jackson, 3rd Grade, age 9.

Being the youngest in the family, Jackson tends to feel left out, always "too young" to be included with his older brothers, even though height and wieght-wise he is neck and neck with his older brother, Noah (3 years older).  Sometimes to get noticed you have to be loud, over dramatic and especially outspoken. 
Toward the end of the school year his 3rd grade class wrote their own Tall Tales while studying classic ones in class.  Jackson's imagination is not laking in anyway.  He has a vivid one and it shows in his personality.  He has often written short little stories while sitting in church.  For someone who has a hard time focusing (maybe a little adhd) he sure likes to write. 
Take time to read his Tall Tale and you will realize that he adds what is going on around him to his imagination.  As far as the 1972 date, I have no clue why he chose that year. 
I love my Jackson, his love of life and adventure keeps me focused on what is important.  Now if only I can find the energy to keep up with him, that would be wonderful!