Top Ten Reasons Why I Rejoice and Mourn

This week I will leave my job at Seagull Book. I have been there since October of 2006. Ultimately, I am happy, but there are a few reasons to be sad.

Here are the reasons to mourn:

10. No Mini Missionaries.
9. No merchandising the books the way I like.
8. No sneak peeks at new releases.
7. No stickering.
6. No crazy insane product knowledge.
5. No more receiving.
4. No paycheck.
3. No free Mormony CD's.
2. No demos.
1. No Seagull 30% off list discount


But here are the reasons to rejoice.

10. Not being bound to a schedule.
9. No more awkward Seagull moments.
8. No more crazy people.
7. No more obsession over margin.
6. No more working alone.
5. No more stress over where the box for the porcelain figurines are.
4. No more organizing the hideous discount tables.
3. No more Downeast Basics.
2. No more Downeast Basics.
1. No more Downeast Basics.

Why Jesus Christ is Necessary for our Salvation

Ether 12:11
11 Wherefore, by faith was the law of Moses given. But in the gift of his Son hath God prepared a more excellent way; and it is by faith that it hath been fulfilled.

What is it about Jesus Christ that He is fundamentally necessary for our salvation? This question has been weighing heavily upon my mind lately, as I ponder theological quandaries. I have always asked questions, sought the answers, and eventually have been given the answer that is sufficient for the time being. This question is no exception.

The Law of Moses was fulfilled with the atonement of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, the giver of the law, satisfied the demands of justice with his death and suffering. The law taught obedience and faith, which is a principle of action. But why could we not be sanctified in the law alone? Perhaps Nephi said it best.

Behold, my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ; for, for this end hath the law of Moses been given; and all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of him (2 Nephi 11:4)

The Law of Moses points to Christ. All things in the Gospel eventually point to Jesus Christ. Through Jesus Christ, the grace of God is made manifest. And only through Him can we hope to become pure and clean before our Father in Heaven. He is our advocate with the Father. Through Him, there is hope. Therefore, let us center our faith in Christ.

Social Expectations in Utah

As I prepare to go out on my own, the mixture of emotions become more evident. I feel fearful, excited, and saddened that I am about to leave behind my home and family and attend school in Happy Valley. I will rarely see my current friends and peers in a concentrated environment. While I fear this change, I eagerly await the opportunity to meet other people and socialize in an entirely different situation.

Lately, many things have been weighing heavily on my mind. The most pressing, however, is the social pressure of Utah/ Mormon culture in Utah. This pressure mostly pertains to Mormon males who are approaching their 19th birthday. I have had two instances that have made me ever more aware of this pressure.

Several weeks ago, I attended a youth scripture day in my ward. Upon talking with some of the young women in the ward, I expressed my uncertainty regarding missionary service. One of them proceeded to note that "Every boy in our ward has to go. They just have to." I was not offended by this statement, I was just very displeased that I live in a culture that teaches us from the womb that we have to have such cookie cutter lives. Does this mean I dislike Utah culture? Not at all. If anything, it makes it more endearing in some odd way.

Now if only I could just decide.

BYU: Watch Out Here Comes Mr. Mormonganda

Yesterday was the last day for me to accept my USU scholarship. I decided against it. I just couldn't bring myself to accepting a scholarship at a school that I was less than keen on after my visit. The ice cream almost swayed me but in the end, I realized that USU was not the place for me.

So BYU, are you ready to handle Mr. Mormonganda? That's the real question.

Trust In The Lord

There are times in our lives that we find ourselves at a loss for words. As my last year of high school draws to a close, I feel that this is one of these times. It seems that life is passing right before my eyes. All of my high school friends and peers will soon be scattered through the state and nation. Most will attend school, work, travel or find themselves away from family and friends. It is weird to think that in 20 years, I probably won't remember half of the people that I talk to on a daily basis.
My ultimate decision still needs to be determined. Where will I be this fall? I feel my decision has been brought down to two main options: BYU or USU. Both have their clear advantages and disadvantages. One of them will lead to constant chastisement by some of my best friends, another will lead me to an excellent social situation but perhaps not ideal academics.

In the end, the only thing I can do is continue to plead for direction, and hope that somehow, I will know what to do.

My Second 1st Post

There is something therapeutic about blogging. I think the purpose of this blog has and will continue to change. Sometimes I think it might be nice to muse in a public forum without any fear of backlash from the people of which I speak. I will try not to speak ill of people, as I am trying to be a good Christian, but sometimes there are those instances where I cannot stay silent forever.

Today is a prime example. In Seminary, we had a very interesting discussion about the power of music. Being involved in a class where most of the people are Deaf proves to be tricky at times. Later, my teacher Sister Sweetheart (I adore this teacher but at times she is a bit too uptight for my tastes) proceeded to show us the journal of a young girl who died on Valentine's Day from spinal meningitis a few years ago. Needless to say, I found something troubling about several things. I don't know that I would want my journal to be the object of public scrutiny. This girl, while bearing sweet and reassuring testimony of Christ, also used gay marriage as a sign of the times. The most disturbing thing was the sentence that followed. She said "their feelings (referring to Gays and Lesbians) are just 'not right'"

While I do not necessarily support their lifestyle, I feel that in this life, we are not ones to judge how others rule their lives, and we must love others at all times and in all places. God must be our judge.