Good News

Good News at Pebble Beach (and an ode to my wife)

2012-02-13T09:38:00.000-07:00

Phil Mickelson, probably my favorite golfer since as long as I can remember (he went to ASU--go Devils!), had a great golf day yesterday and won the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am for the fourth time. But the shocker--he credits his wife for the victory. I wondered how exactly he gave her the credit--she didn't drive off the tee, she didn't make greens or avoid sandtraps yet he credited her. According to this article Phil was "moping" when his wife, Amy, arrived to watch him play on Friday. Before Amy arrived Phil had hit 3 bogeys (he only had one other bogey the rest of the tournament). He was tied for 55th place after the first round (16 people ahead of him after the first round didn't even make the cut). So when Amy found her husband moping this is what she said to him, "Come on now, cheer up, let's go make some birdies." Mickelson said that her pep-talk "changed [his] whole attitude." He continues: "It was really an attitude change that she instilled coming out with her bubbly, positive attitude that got me going. I told her in the car that it wouldn't have been possible without that talk."
I, like everyone, have had times when I am "moping" and don't even want to make the cut. In those times I am grateful for a loving tender wife who joins me and encourages me to "go make some birdies." Phil says he couldn't have done it without his wife Amy and neither could I do what is expected of me without my wonderful wife Erin.
I am reminded of a talk I think of often by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland called "Remember Lot's Wife." I was sitting in the Marriott center when he gave the talk and it has impacted me since. He recounts:

'I remember one fall day—I think it was in the first semester after our marriage in 1963—we were walking together up the hill past the Maeser Building on the sidewalk that led between the President’s Home and the Brimhall Building. Somewhere on that path we stopped and wondered what we had gotten ourselves into. Life that day seemed so overwhelming, and the undergraduate plus graduate years that we still anticipated before us seemed monumental, nearly insurmountable. Our love for each other and our commitment to the gospel were strong, but most of all the other temporal things around us seemed particularly ominous.
On a spot that I could probably still mark for you today, I turned to Pat and said something like this: “Honey, should we give up? I can get a good job and carve out a good living for us. I can do some things. I’ll be okay without a degree. Should we stop trying to tackle what right now seems so difficult to face?”
In my best reenactment of Lot’s wife, I said, in effect, “Let’s go back. Let’s go home. The future holds nothing for us.”

Then my beloved little bride did what she has done for 45 years since then. She grabbed me by the lapels and said, “We are not going back. We are not going home. The future holds everything for us.”
She stood there in the sunlight that day and gave me a real talk. I don’t recall that she quoted Paul, but there was certainly plenty in her voice that said she was committed to setting aside all that was past in order to “press toward the mark” and seize the prize of God that lay yet ahead. It was a living demonstration of faith. It was “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). So we laughed, kept walking, and finished up sharing a root beer—one glass, two straws—at the then newly constructed Wilkinson Center.'
(Read the full talk here; see also a very similar talk from '83 here).

"It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make an help meet for him" (Gen. 2:18). How grateful I am that the Lord prepared a wonderful and loving help meet for me to encourage me to not go back, to go out and make some birdies, and to never give up.

Good News in Denver

2012-01-13T12:06:00.006-07:00

I know, I know--Tim Tebow is overdone. Tebow is more overdone that every song on Alanis' "Jagged Little Pill." I know. But since there is at least one week left in his season I'll highlight him just once.

Tim Tebow's weekly Sunday routine is our topic today. You're thinking, "Easy. Football. He probably wakes up at 8, is at the stadium by 10 for a noon game. Maybe there's a brief team meeting summarizing all the film they watched that week. Stretch. Warm-up. Play." Well I don't know about all of his football related Sunday routines but Rick Reilly has shed some light on some of his extracurricular Sunday routines (see full article here: http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/7455943/believing-tim-tebow ).

Reilly reveals that each week Tebow seeks out (does he seek them out or does he have a staffer do it? how does he find all of them?) "someone who is suffering, or who is dying, or who is injured, flies them and their families to the Broncos game, rents them a car, puts them up in a nice hotel, buys them dinner (usually at a Dave and Buster's), gets them and their families pregame passes, visits with them just before kickoff (!), gets them 30-yard line tickets down low, visits with them after the game (sometimes for an hour), has them walk him to his car, and sends them off with a basket of gifts." The article relates stories of the individuals who he meets with.

And here's the quote of the day from Tebow himself: "Here you are, about to play a game that the world says is the most important thing in the world. Win and they praise you. Lose and they crush you. And here I have a chance to talk to the coolest, most courageous people. It puts it all into perspective. The game doesn't really matter. I mean, I'll give 100 percent of my heart to win it, but in the end, the thing I most want to do is not win championships or make a lot of money, it's to invest in people's lives, to make a difference."

I know the analysts don't think he should win because his game is technically flawed but how can you root against this guy? I don't know all of his stats or exactly how he is flawed and why the analysts say he'll never make it as a quarterback--all I know is that I want him to succeed. I hope the best for him. Cause how could you root against Tim Tebow?

His comments make me think about what I can do to "invest in people's lives, to make a difference." I cannot financially fly out people with disabilities or buy them football tickets but there must be something I can do. What can you do?

Good News in the Olympics

2012-01-10T11:24:00.004-07:00

Many probably already know the inspirational story of Derek Redmond and the '92 Olympics. I hadn't until today. Derek, a supposed favorite for Olympic Gold, pulled up with a pulled hamstring in a semifinal heat of the 400 meter race at about the 250 meter mark. After assessing his injuries, he got up and began hobbling toward the finish line. Then comes the inspirational part: around the 100 m mark his dads fights off track officials and runs to help his son (for commentary from Derek Redmond himself, see the first video). Derek's father helped him across the line and they finished together.

The reason I found out about this is because of ESPN's article (http://espn.go.com/olympics/story/_/id/7445920/2012-london-games-derek-redmond-father-carry-olympic-torch) reporting that Derek's dad, Jim, will be a torch bearer for the 2012 London Olympics. Another family is highlighted toward the end of the article. Paul Mears, the father of a British diver who suffered a broken spleen during training, will also be a torch bearer.

So now for the quote of the day from the article: "The often unsung role that parents play throughout the lives of Olympic athletes in nurturing the values, dedication and commitment needed to become a successful Olympian is invaluable," British Olympic Association chairman Colin Moynihan said.

How grateful I am for families.
The Olympics always offer inspirational moments. I look forward to this year's events.

This video has a few documentary comments from Derek himself and from others.

A 30 second summary of the events.

If you want a good cry, here's a video made by a Christian likening Derek's experience to our mortal experience and the assistance that God will give us.

MS Ride

2011-05-18T12:30:00.002-06:00

http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/UTUBikeEvents?px=9585010&pg=personal&fr_id=15231

Hey Guys. I'm riding this charity ride and need to raise $250 in a month. Anything could help. Simply click on the link and you can donate there. Thanks for anything you can spare.

Good News in Chicago

2011-04-05T10:00:00.000-06:00

A 10-year old boy bought William "The Fridge" Perry's only super bowl ring. After learning that the Fridge had health problems he decided to give it back.

See video clip here.

Good News in Provo

2011-03-02T10:58:00.000-07:00

While the expulsion of Brandon Davies from BYU basketball roster hurts badly and rubs salt in the wound left by Harvey Unga, this video at least shows that we get some good publicity from this.

I think it is pretty cool to see the sports critics commenting on how BYU made the right move and that our adherence to our honor code is admirable.

See the video here.

Good News in Provo

2011-02-18T16:12:00.002-07:00

I had the chance today to present a paper at a symposium on BYU campus. Below are some of my sources for that presentation.

See President Bush congratulating the Giants here.
See a mini-documentary on Greg Gadson by ESPN here.
Here is the abridged 15 minute version of the video I was going to show at my presentation.

Good News on Ellen

2011-02-04T11:09:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine, Spencer, was on Ellen yesterday and had a pretty cool experience. Spencer and his wife Hilary's daughter had a stroke either in the womb or shortly after birth. So their lives have been a little different since she was born. Ellen was able to help out a bit by helping Spencer and Hilary pay their parents back and by sending their parents on a cruise. Then Ellen gave Spencer and Hilary a new car. Watch the clip here.

Good News in Penn State

2011-01-31T16:58:00.000-07:00

In honor of Joe Paterno's 400th win at Penn State, Nike donated $400,000 to Penn State's libraries.

What a better way to honor a great!

See full story here.

Good News in the Blogosphere

2011-01-25T05:53:00.001-07:00

Perhaps this is more of what Elder Ballard had in mind when he encouraged us to share the gospel on the internet:

http://www.salon.com/life/feature/2011/01/15/feminist_obsessed_with_mormon_blogs

In this post a woman who describes herself as "a young, feminist atheist who can't bake a cupcake" asks herself "Why am I addicted to the shiny, happy lives of these women?"

She then talks about how she enjoys reading mormon blogs for the escape of it all. She says that mormons simply seem so happy. She acknowledges that obviously life is not always as perfect as we portray it in our blogs but that she is grateful for the uplifting nature of these blogs. Reading these blogs has made her ask herself if perhaps the feminist movement has gone too far and that perhaps marriage and raising a family really could bring true joy into her life. She concludes:

"But the basic messages expressed in these blogs -- family is wonderful, life is meant to be enjoyed, celebrate the small things -- are still lovely. And if they help women like me envision a life in which marriage and motherhood could potentially be something other than a miserable, soul-destroying trap, I say, 'Right on.' I won't be inviting the missionaries inside for hot cocoa now or ever, but I don't plan on stopping my blog habit any time soon."

I am grateful for these mormon mom bloggers who uplift others through their blogs and therefore reflect well upon the Church.

Bad News in Provo

2011-01-22T18:55:00.000-07:00

This post is a rant.

This is my plea for all Mormons to stop making themselves, and therefore other Mormons, look like idiots.

At BYU-Hawaii's commencement in December of 2007 Elder Ballard made the following statement:

"May I ask that you join the conversation by participating on the Internet…to share the gospel and explain in simple, clear terms the message of the Restoration," Source

Since then the web presence of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has increased dramatically for the better. Whereas before then, I am told, if I were to search "Mormons" 9 of out 10 results would be anti-Mormon websites. Now, such is not the case. The Church and its members have gone to great lengths to improve the image of the Church on the Internet and therefore, throughout the world. In response to Elder Ballard's plea, one of my professors, Dr. Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, now mission president in Birmingham Alabama, required all of his students to keep a blog, hence the beginning of this blog, detailing their experiences with the New Testament. I found that experience to be very enjoyable and it got me to maintain an LDS presence through a blog. I am sure other professors and other individuals have done similar things.

In the midst of the LDS Church struggling to maintain a positive web presence there are those within the church who do more damage than all the anti-Mormons combined. In mid-December, I think, this video surface on the internet.

This video was made by BYU's own Divine Comedy and perpetuates the type of myths (I am here using the meaning of myth as rather than something that seeks to explain, the more modern use of the word as something that is simply untrue) that show to the world that Mormons are backwards and weird. For an excellent response to the video, with which I agree with every word, see here. This article is titled: "How Stereotypes Stay Alive At Byu." The writer goes on to show how many of these stereotypes, that we laugh at, perhaps aren't even true. One of the commenters gave the example of Green jello--he says "I've lived in Provo for 25 years and haven't seen [Green Jello]." This is a great example of something that we like to laugh at but is in reality perpetuating things that may not even be true about our culture. Perhaps they were true at one time but they are not true today. A friend of mine also agreed with the article and said, "[Watching the video] was like opening the fridge and finding week-old leftovers." Nothing in this video is new and nothing in this video is funny.

I grew up in Gilbert, Arizona. As most know this town is now, more than it was while I was growing up but not by much, a highly mormon populated town. And I loved growing up there. I heard these same stereotypes about BYU/Utah while I lived there and therefore BYU was never in my educational plans. I attended Arizona State University for a year before leaving on my mission and I loved it there. On my mission, like many others, I felt directed to apply to BYU, secretly hoping I wouldn't get accepted so I could return to ASU. I was accepted and I have loved it here. But upon moving here I was afraid of running into the types of stereotypes that I had heard about growing up. To my surprise and delight I didn't find any of this to be true. Yes, perhaps girls get married a little young but not the day they get to BYU. In fact, as anyone who knows anything about BYU would know, freshman girls aren't even asked out on dates ever. I was shocked as I was dating a freshman to hear that she and all of her friends had maybe gone on one date that semester and that that was normal. There goes that stereotype. I as well have not seen any green jello here in Utah. In short, I have found Provo to be a wonderful place to live and study. In fact, the only thing I don't like about Provo is those who make fun of Provo and act as though they are too cool to live here. This place is wonderful and does not manifest the stereotypes that are said about it.

Today I saw another video showcasing Mormons. This time it is freshman boys living in the dorms dancing along to a Katy Parry song (no, Katy Parry is not Mormon nor is she related to Elder L. Tom Perry).

I can't think of a better way for these pre-missionaries to prepare for their missions. I am sure that this is the type of image that Elder Ballard had in mind.

If you are unsure or wonder about the effect that these videos have on the larger, non-mormon population all you have to do is read the comments made by those not of our faith concerning the videos. See here for their thoughts on the Divine Comedy video.

After seeing this latter video posted on facebook I made the comment: does this make anyone else HATE mormons? or just hate being a mormon? or just hate people who make mormons look like idiots? all the above. morons.

Then the girl who posted it replied with wow alan, you are such a charmer! yes, it is ridiculous. but it's all in good fun. and you don't have to be mormon to make a moron of yourself.

If these guys really want to make a video of themselves with Katy Parry in the background then hey, that's fine. I guess they couldn't get a date so they did this instead. But can they keep it to themselves? Why must they post it on the internet? I think they fail to realize the damage that idiotic videos like this make. We have to realize that anyone who goes to BYU is almost an "authority" to the outside world. We literally represent the church and when we do stupid things like this then it makes the church look stupid.

You may have heard me say before that I hate Mormons. And I do. But I love members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--and there is a difference. Let us be followers of Christ rather than people simply mixed up in the culture of a religion. And let us not make ourselves or others look like morons. I don't blame those who judge the church based on our own marketing.

Good News in Norfolk

2011-01-19T17:55:00.001-07:00

When 8-year-old Elizabeth Hughes's mic went out while she was signing before an Admirals AHL game last week, fans did an admirable job by helping the young lady finish the song. Well, all except for one woman who could be heard cackling, but she was quickly drowned out by the rest of the crowd.

See full story here and another here.

Good news in Canada

2011-01-06T10:28:00.000-07:00

These three video clips are Tom Brokaw's mini documentary concerning towns in Newfoundland who helped out bigtime during the 9/11 crisis. They opened their homes, churches, meeting halls, gave food, shelter, medicine and more for strangers whose planes landed unexpectedly in their town. A great example of the good things of the world. I believe any town in any country would act in the same way.
To view videos see here, here and here (sorry for the weird source--it's the only place I could find them).

Good News in Cleveland

2011-01-05T11:20:00.002-07:00

I'm going in a new direction with my blog for now at least. With this blog I will try to highlight all the good things in the world. Many people think this world is all bad and that we should constantly try to be in the world but not of it. While we must be careful about what we let into our lives, I believe that there is much good out there in the world. Hopefully, I can show that with this blog.

My first example is a heartwarming story from Cleveland. A homeless man with a handwritten sign has been offered a job by the Cleveland Cavaliers for his radio voice. Read the ESPN story here.

Watch a video of him here.

I am grateful for inspiring stories in "the world."

We're Engaged!!!

2009-11-07T13:40:00.002-07:00

Well, this may be a little late, as we have been engaged for a while now, but alas, here it is. My beloved Erin and I are engaged to be married on December 19, 2009 at the Manti, Utah Temple. We are so excited and can't wait to start our lives together. We will be having receptions in Orem and Gilbert. Everyone is invited. In Orem it will be on December 19th from 7-9 at 950 West 1240 North Orem, Utah. In Gilbert it will be on December 26 from 4-6 at 1100 N. Cooper Rd. Gilbert, Arizona.

Again, we are so excited to be married and look forward to seeing all of our loved ones there. Really, everyone is invited.

As for me, I am so grateful to be marrying this beautiful woman. She continually helps me to be the man I should be and helps us to grow stronger in our faith together. She truly is everything, really everything, I always hoped I would find in my Eternal Companion. I love her so much and am grateful that the Lord has blessed me with her.

Drinking Fountains

2009-10-29T11:53:00.002-06:00

Most of the time two drinking fountains are placed next to one another. This is normal. But how often do you actually see both of them being used at the same time? I just went to fill up my water bottle and used the small drinking fountain to do so. Then, a young lady felt the need to wait for me to finish before she drank from the big fountain. I just don't get it. Why are there two in the first place? Don't make me feel bad because you don't know how to use a fountain. So, in closing, please just use the drinking fountain as it was intended. Both can be used at once and it is not discourteous to approach a drinking fountain while someone is drinking from the adjacent fountain. The end.

EFY Birthday

2009-08-09T20:33:00.003-06:00

I wasn't originally signed up to work this past week at EFY. I had had my first week off from EFY and went back to my research job on BYU campus. And i loved it. My job is so fun. And my office is crazy. I love it. We even had a birthday party for Harry Potter on July 31 cause that's Harry's birthday. And we all dressed up. I was Draco Malfoy. I wish we had pictures. I even brought a wand and did spells on people. I need a little more work on my spells cause they didn't actually do anything but it was still fun.
Well, halfway through that week I was contacted by EFY saying they needed more counselors in Provo but I told them to use me as a last resort. I told them this because I really was loving being back at my other job, going on 6 dates a week, and it would be my birthday that week. Nonetheless, I eventually accepted to work the week.
And I am so glad that I did. I don't have favorite weeks--I really don't--I'm not just saying that to not offend one of my EFY kids--I really don't have favorite weeks. But this was one of the best. They were definitely the funniest. We never stopped laughing. Ever. So funny. It was just great.
And then Thursday came. My birthday. At EFY, Thursday is the spiritual day--we have a musical program centered on the Saviour, a testimony meeting--the whole day is devoted to spiritual things. And it was my birthday. I told my kids that if I had to work EFY during my birthday then I would want my birthday to fall on Thursday cause it is my favorite day. And it truly did turn out to be the best day. One of my co-counselors told her girls that it was my birthday and so they wrote me little notes and even made me a shirt. They all signed it and even wrote my nickname of the week (Captain Infinity) on the back of it. It was such a fun day.
Many of my youth shared their testimonies. And it was an amazing day. An amazing week. I am so glad I was able to work this week and get to know these amazing young people. I thank my youth for coming because my testimony is strengthened from theirs. And I know I can do it if they can. And I love them so much.
I missed out on some things to do EFY this week. One of them was my family reunion. I have only missed 3 years my whole life--2 were on my mission, another was last year while I was selling, and this year makes a fourth. My mother revealed to my family that her cancer recently returned. I would have loved to be there to share that moment with them and be there with her.
Usually my other mom takes me shopping for school clothes on my birthday and I am laden with gifts--some monetary, some not.
I missed out on these things this year. Friday night came and I realized I should have been in a tent eating mexican food. Saturday night I should have been singing in the talent show at the reunion. And I could have been with my family.
But instead, I was with 28 youth. Who I love. Who I have incorporated into my spiritual family.
Hopefully, something I said or did or something touched one of these youth and perhaps even changed their life for the better.
All I know is that my life was changed for the better.
And I am grateful for that.

Summer of EFY

2009-08-06T16:25:00.002-06:00

A summer full of EFY. What amazing experiences. I took a twin prop plane connecting from Phoenix to Flagstaff. Yeah—I flew to Flagstaff—I bet you didn’t even think that was possible. I love airports. I don’t know why. It bugs my friends when I have a flight at 7 or so and I ask to leave at 3 in the morning. I tell them it’s just to make sure I make it on time because I have missed some flights in my days. But really it’s just so I can bathe in the climate of the airport. Airports always remind me of past loves. Missing flights to Alabama. Missing flights to Florida cause we just can’t find the Vegas airport. Being fed homemade sweet and sour chicken while she chips my tooth and sends me on my way. Then she sends a text that says I miss you already. Airports just have a different feel about them. Sometimes I feel high class when I’m in an airport wanting to strut my stuff and show everyone that I am one of the elite that flies to my destination. But at other times I just want to sit in a corner and watch. Watch the people going by. Look at what they’re wearing. Overhear single sentences of conversations and make up the rest in my mind. Imagine where this person is from and the things he has seen. I love airports. Getting my shoes shined. An airport shoe shine lasts at least a month—with wonderful permanent benefits. But, most of the time when you’re in the airport you are either leaving home or coming home. Maybe that’s why I love airports so much—the suspense of seeing someone you haven’t seen in too long—after receiving text after text “Can’t wait to see you—pick you up at the airport.” The airport. Yes. Pick me up at the airport. Home is anywhere you are with the one you love. Or with people you love. Love is coming home.
A summer full of EFY. What amazing experiences. You think your life is hard? You think you have gone through trials? Try sitting in a testimony meeting with a bunch of 17 year olds and hearing what they are going through. And they still come. They still come to church. They still come to EFY. One young man’s father simply walked out a few months ago. That happens?! You hear about it on TV but that happens in real life?! And in a Mormon household?! Another’s parents just separated. Someone’s dad died last year. Her family adopted three children after fostering them for a year and after their mom died in a car crash. They’re just kids. But they have such strong testimonies and desires. And it makes me think: if they can do it, at their age, with their struggles, I know I can do it—I don’t struggle with anything even nearly as trying as their trials. But they still come. And so can I.

Jujitsu for Lovers

2009-05-03T00:18:00.003-06:00

Jujitsu is a martial art that originated in Japan in an attempt for an unarmed person to combat armed and armored opponents. The basic idea in Jujitsu is to use an opponent's strength for your own benefit. Therefore, if you try to punch me, I can dodge it and use the force of your own punch to throw you to the ground.

The same principle can be applied in relationships. Although relationship partners should not be viewed as "opponents" and hopefully we aren't punching each other, we can indeed use our partner's strengths to our own advantage.

Example: I went on a date recently. It was fun. We went to Spark Restaurant Lounge. I highly recommend it. So good. Amazing. Anyways. Something you need to know about me is that one of my "strengths" is food. I love food so much. I love dining. I love being out with someone, enjoying the atmosphere and food. A snag: the young lady I was with doesn't find joy in food. Of course she eats but only because she has to. This is appalling to me. Never before have I met someone who doesn't love food. But here's the point and how to use jujitsu in a relationship: I love food. She doesn't. That's not the point. She doesn't even have to eat the food but just be there and share in the joy with me. In fact, the best date of my entire life, with someone I care for so deeply, was enhanced by the food and location (that night was "Tsunami" in Draper [or maybe Sandy, I can't remember], its a sushi joint) and we grew closer because of the food and atmosphere and often remember how wonderful a night we had together that night. And it was largely because of the food. Now, you're thinking, "Great, she sits and watches you eat. That sucks." Well, if you don't like food then yes it might feel like that but here's the point: All the joy I receive from eating amazing food and being in great atmosphere is transferred to whoever shares it with me. Therefore, using my "strength" of food, one can grow intimately close to me just by sharing it with me. Of course, cooking for me would be great too and again, the point, whoever shares the food with me gets all the credit for how good it is. Jujitsu for lovers.

Another example: Another one of my "strengths" is that I am very competitive. I have never, ever, ever, ever (i didn't have enough evers memorized) let a girl win. Its just not who I am. I must have missed that day in class. I just won't let someone win. Boy or girl whatever it is I'm going to try my hardest to win. Well, this could grow tiresome to a girl who continually gets beat by me cause I'm good at everything (I hope you can sense the obvious sarcasm). But honestly recently I have beat a friend of mine in bowling, air hockey, and i can't remember what else but she hasn't beat me at anything. Kinda sad. Kinda not fun for her, right? K, now here's the point. Here's how to play Jujitsu for lovers. Instead of continually trying to beat me, cause you never will, use my strength to your benefit--instead of being my opponent, by my teammate--find a game, or something where we compete for a common goal rather than against each other. Therefore, all the joy and fun I find in competing and winning will be directly transferred to whoever shared that experience with me--my teammate. Jujitsu for lovers.

This principle can be applied in an infinite amount of ways. It is best applied when both partners look for how they can use the other's strengths to their advantage. One of the best advantages of this is that the person who's strength you are using for your good feels like it is all about him and enjoys the time in the spotlight. Again, both partners should look for ways to use jujitsu so it doesn't become one sided. Again there are many ways to apply this principle. I would love to hear more. Please reply with your ideas, rebuttals, and suggestions concerning Jujitsu for Lovers.

P.s. Remember, when you do jujitsu, you usually end up wrestling on the ground :) --so there's a little motivation for you.

A Few of My Favorite Quotes

2009-03-29T12:33:00.009-06:00

These are some of my favorite quotes. I hope you will find them intructive.

Whate'er thou art, do well thy part.

No misfortune is so bad that whining about it won't make it worse. --Jeffrey R. Holland

Love is the ultimate and highest goal to which man can aspire. --Victor Frankl

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. --Jesus

Men, take care not to make women weep, for God counts their tears. --Thomas S. Monson

A lover sees his mistress’ defects as Special Beauties. --Horace

True love is not so much a matter of romance as it is a matter of anxious concern for the well being of one’s companion. --Gordon B. Hinckley

Love is what you go through together. --James Thurber

Friendship is like the eating of a pomegranate! One savors the seeds and is sustained by them. Who gives a though to the rind? --Milton Steinburg

Two people can do all things they propose all long as one of the two people is God. --Carlos H. Amado

Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments. --Jim Rome

God does not require that I succeed, only that I do what I can. --Mother Teresa

Enrich your life with the beauty around you. There is such an abundance of it. --Richard G. Scott

I can do hard things. --Elaine S. Dalton

The God who gave us each day as a treasure will require an accounting. --Henry B. Eyring

Life isn't always fun--do it anyway. --Terrie Farnes

Sign your name to it. --Dave Crozier

True manhood is defined in our relationship to women. --D. Todd Christofferson

1 + God = Enough --Virginia H. Pearce

Some Things I've Accepted...

2009-03-05T20:30:00.003-07:00

1. The Morning Ride will always be cold.

2. My leg will always hurt.

3. I will never be able to give to charity as much as I would like to.

4. I will never be able to serve as much as I would like to.

5. Life just isn't fun sometimes--do it anyway.
6. There are some places on earth I just won't see. This might be the hardest one.

7. Greek will always be hard.

8. I'll never be as smart as I want.

9. I'll never get to read all the books I want.

10. I'll never get to read the scriptures as much as I want.

11. I'll never get to spend as much time with the one I love as I want.

Ham and Cheese on White

2009-02-21T20:40:00.003-07:00

Wow. Why? Why is it so good? I'm just running out the door so I needed something quick so I whipped up a ham and cheese on white and so good. So simple. So good. I'm way too easy to please. If you want to know how to get on my good side follow the example of the ham and cheese on white.

My New Business

2009-02-21T20:26:00.001-07:00

So...I decided to finally start up my business. Its been in the works for a while and now its almost off the ground. Check out my blogsite at provosweddingpianoman.blogspot.com
tell your friends. have fun. get married. get me.

I feel like I'm in a Movie!!!

2009-02-03T22:09:00.002-07:00

Have you ever had one of those moments that you just wished was captured on camera? I don't mean the time you tried to jump 42 cars on your dirt bike but times when you're like, wow, I feel like I'm in a movie! When everything just seems perfect and you can almost hear the theme song music and you can even feel it. But the most indicitive aspect of feeling like you're in a movie is that you never want it to end--you want to stay there forever in such a picturesque scene.
I have been blessed to have a few such events in my life.
One happened a few months ago (I'm just remembering this now). I had just finished a test at the testing center which I felt very good about and I was walking on that road towards the JSB. I'm kinda a rebel and so I was walking in the road. It was fall. And suddenly, as I'm walking under a large tree, the wind began to blow. Not a crazy, get in the storm shelter wind, but just enough to frazzle your hair. At least enough to blow leaves off the trees. Because, as I was walking, the leaves began to fall around me almost like a dust devil but a leaf devil and I kept walking and there were leaves and they were following me keeping me trapped in their leaf devil and there was wind and me and I felt like I was in a movie. It was marvelous. I wish someone at least would have snapped a picture of it. In fact, there were two guys that saw it and, when the wind died down, he said, "Man, that looks like it came straight out of a movie!" I said, "I know! Did you get that on tape?!?" Of course he didn't but how cool would that have been!
Today I was walking to my car from the HFAC to the Marriot parking lot. As I sang some Latin song and walked along I was engaged in an activity that I call snow kicking. It's really fun. It works like this: walk closely to the snow banks where all the snow has been plowed. Then, find pieces of snow that look like they'll easily detach from the rest and you kick them. Hard. Now, a few precautions: first, well, you want to try for an upwards kick to get the snow as high in the air as possible. But you also want to make sure that you don't kick it at someone. That happened today and I felt kinda dumb. I guess kinda like I was in a movie but a movie where I play Napolean Dynamite or something--not a role I'm looking to fill. You also want to make sure that the piece of snow you kick is not in fact ice. That's very painful. I did that today too. It was like I was in a spoof movie where I'm the spoof. So that's how you play. The idea is to get as much snow in the air as possible and if you're lucky an icy piece about the size of a hockey puck may remain which you can kick along, watching the trail of water it leaves behind like a comet with a bladder problem, until you reach your car. This is what I do for fun when I'm too lazy to pull out my Hebrew flash cards. I know I'm weird. But the point of all this rambling (you will find yourself snow-kicking and when you do you will think of me and laugh at yourself and look around to see if anyone else is watching) is this: as I was walking to my car today and snow-kicking and after I starred in all those undesirable films, I kicked a piece of snow high in the air and everything went into slow motion. The snow spread across the street in all directions--all I could see was snow! It was like it was snowing--it got in my eyes in my hair--everywhere! Then, as I thought the movie clip had ended and life went back into real time a piece of snow fell from the sky and landed right in front of me. It was a moment. I was the only one around to view this masterpiece but that was fine with me. I had my moment and it was great.
The other day Emily and I went and saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. It was a very good movie and it was just so good to be with Emily on such a relaxing day. As we walked back to the car with our arms around each other's waists I looked at her beautiful face. The veiled mountains with their low flying clouds served as a perfect backdrop for such an angelic visage. And it was then that I thought "I feel like I'm in a movie." And I never want it to end.

Today

2009-01-24T19:28:00.003-07:00

Today is a drizzly day. A get your hair wet on the way out to your car day. Today is a sounds day--swishing through puddles sound, cars making the water getting thrust to and from the pavement sound, rain darting the naked trees sound, rain pelting aluminum cars sound, people scurrying for shelter sound, shelter from the sugarplums and gumdrops in aqueous form. Today is a do nothing day. It's a hot rolls in the oven smell day. It's a hot apple cider day. It's a hot apple cider smell mingling with the orange rolls in the oven day. It's a chick-flick movie day. Today is a sit on the porch swing day. With the one you love day. It's a sit on the porch swing with the one you love and do nothing day. It's a sit on the porch swing with the one you love and a blanket and read a book day. A feel the cool rain in your face day. It's a cuddle and take a nap on the porch swing with the one you love and a blanket after reading Benjamin Button day. And be completely One.
I guess today's just not my day.

My Throne

2009-01-23T14:48:00.004-07:00

What is it about a bathroom stall that I find so liberating? There's just something to having the bathroom all to myself--I'm King of the Bathroom! But it can't be just any stall--no it has to be one of those handicap stalls that are real big. Can I get a ticket for that? But really I could spend hours in here just reading a book or catching up on a long list of forgotten texts--all with my pants around my ankles. So relaxing. Or perhaps chat with mom. The possibilities really are endless. You could even admire all the decorations to look at in here. Have you ever noticed how ecclectic they are? Some old things, some new. Some classy, some crude. I like to read the writing scrawled by some disrespectful youngster no doubt and then when I come across a word I shouldn't read I'm jolted into feeling guilty like I'm the one who wrote it. In my throne room there is a brand new toilet paper dispenser from Kimberly Clark that is so new that you can almost still smell the new plastic smell. That is, if not for all the other smells in here. But that's why I like to come in here alone--while classes are in--not too smelly. Oh, the smell good thingy just spurted. I wonder what would happen if it lands on me? Would I smell like "Mountain Rain"? "What's that new smell?" "Oh that's my new cologne, "Mountain Rain". I got it in the bathroom. Like it?" So there's the new stuff like that but then look at the handle locker thingy--its says "Knickerbocker" on it and looks like it was made in the 1950's. Sometimes I think its ornaments like this that really make a bathroom--just give it that umph that it needs. The little something that just says "stay in me for hours". And so I do. I'm reading Count of Monte Cristo right now. And I'm the King of the Bathroom. That is, until someone walks in...

Fight!!!

2008-12-09T00:09:00.002-07:00

"You have to fight for a testimony! You have to keep fighting!"
President Spencer W. Kimball, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, 75.

"Thou Wilt Deny Me..."

2008-12-07T20:10:00.003-07:00

In the New Testament we read of when Christ prophesies that Peter will deny him thrice. Peter vehemently denies saying that he would die before he would deny the Christ. Flash forward only a few hours and we find that Peter does indeed deny the Christ and then, when hearing the cock crow, goes out and weeps bitterly.

Many have used the passage found in John 21 where the Lord asks Peter three times if he loves him to show that the Lord wanted to give Peter as many chances to show his love for him for as many times as he denies him. And then Christ reaffirms Peter as the leader of the Church on the Earth. Undoubtedly, Peter must have felt relieved and knew that Christ loved him at that moment.

Dr. Holzapfel has taught us that Christ knew that Peter would deny him as he did and yet he still loved him. Christ knew it before Peter denied him, during, and after. Christ knew it before he made the prophecy, during, and after. And yet, at all times, he still loved him--before, during and after.

Today I slept in. I was supposed to go to church. I even had the lesson in Sunday School. But I was too lazy to get out of bed. I missed taking the sacrament. I missed bearing my testimony. I missed church. And I felt horrible for it all. I felt as if I denied the Christ.

Then I realized this: I have felt God's love for me in the past so strongly that I can never deny it. I know He loves me. Then I realized that God is not fixed to time but is rather an Eternal Being. Therefore, if he loved me then, then he still loves me now--even after I denied the Christ. No matter what we do, he will still love us. When Christ entered the Garden he knew I would skip church today yet he still decided to die for me. The deal is not off. He still loves me.

Museum of Art

2008-12-02T21:48:00.009-07:00

Last month Dr. Holzapfel took us to the Museum of Art on BYU campus and had a curator show us around a little bit--highlighting particularly the pieces in the religious art section.

The curator spoke briefly on symbolism. This first piece has always been one of my favorites because of its many rich symbols. It is called "Our Saviour Subject to His Parents at Nazareth" by R.A. Herbert. It is worthy of study.

But my favorite piece is this next one. It is by Ron Richmond and is called "Exchange no. 8". This piece speaks, no--shouts, to my soul. A good friend of mine, knowing my love for this piece, purchased a 3' x 3' print of it for me and I have hung it on my wall in my bedroom as a constant reminder.

This is what this piece says to me. Feel free to share your feelings as well.

To me this amazing piece tells us that Christ will always conquer Lucifer. It tells me that good will always triumph. It prophesies of Christ's Millennial reign and ultimate kingship. This piece tells me that Christ can and will always blot out sin. That purity is stronger and more desirable than sin. This piece reminds me that, as exciting sin may sound, cleanliness will always be the path of those of God. This piece encourages me to be clean, to pray always that I may conquer Satan. This piece reminds me that, when I am clean, I have all power over the adversary and cannot be tempted in any way. This piece reminds me that the pure in heart shall see God.

This piece is special to me because of its deep symbolic nature and its allowance for all to draw what they may from it.

I am grateful for art throughout all times, those inspired to create it, and to the Lord from whom all inspiration flows.

"Love One Another as I Have Loved You"

2008-12-02T21:10:00.002-07:00

Today in class Dr. Holzapfel pointed out that in John 13:34-35 Christ elevates the law from the Levitical Law as found in Leviticus 19:18: "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord." to a higher law "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." Christ is not asking us to love each other as imperfect humans but as He loved us.

Now, here's the rub: We imperfect humans are incapable of loving one another as Christ loves us unless we become perfect as Christ. We cannot show perfect Christlike love until we are perfect and Christlike. Therefore, this commandment, is actually a call to become perfect, to increase in Charity, increase in Christlike attributes. If we are constantly striving to love one another more perfectly we will be constantly striving to be more perfect until we will be blessed with this perfect love--this perfect love that never faileth.

An Obvious Comment:

2008-10-18T19:05:00.005-06:00

K--So I know pretty much everyone already knows this but I just realized it for the first time this week as I walked on the grounds of the temple.

I think every temple has a theme--kind of like a motif that is used throughout the temple that is peculiar to that temple. Kind of like Beethoven's Fifth Symphony has the da, da, da, Da..., repeated throughout in different keys, different rhythms--it's a motif that is followed throughout the piece. I believe temples do the same thing. Of course the overall theme for every temple is Eternal Life, Holiness to the Lord, House of the Lord, etc., but I have found that each temple has a specific way to drive this feeling home to the worshiper.

The Provo Temple is one such temple. Again--I know everyone already knows this but I thought it was wonderful as I viewed it for myself this week. The theme of the Provo Temple is a fountain. The architectural design itself is that of a fountain with a pool on the bottom and a stream of water ascending towards the heavens. Throughout the temple this motif is repeated. Most obvious is the fountain directly in front of the temple that makes a shape identical to the building itself. Inside the temple all of the chandeliers are shaped like a fountain. I wish I could include a picture but I better not. Therefore, the repeated motif in the Provo temple is a fountain.

The spiritual implications are obvious: "Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. " John 4:13-14. "For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light." Psalm 36:9. "And it came to pass that I beheld that the rod of iron, which my father had seen, was the word of God, which led to the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life; which waters are a representation of the love of God; and I also beheld that the tree of life was a representation of the love of God." 1 Nephi 11:25. "Wherefore, I, Moroni, am commanded to write these things that evil may be done away, and that the time may come that Satan may have no power upon the hearts of the children of men, but that they may be persuaded to do good continually, that they may come unto the fountain of all righteousness and be saved." Ether 8:26.

Jesus Christ gives living water. Whosoever drinks of the water that he gives shall never thirst again.

By placing the fountain motif throughout the temple, every time a worshiper sees the motif he is reminded that Christ is the fountain of all knowledge, righteousness, and eternal life. And that He can be found within the walls of the Holy Temple. Only in and through Him can true Joy, both in this life, and in the next, be found.

A Quick Thought...

2008-10-18T18:50:00.003-06:00

In Matthew 18 we read the passage where Peter asks Jesus about forgiveness and how many times he should forgive his brother. His answer to Peter was "I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:22). This adds up to 490 times.
If the Lord requires us, imperfect humans, to forgive (either the literal 490 times or the more likely figurative infinite amount of times) how many times will He, a Perfect God, forgive us?

Today is probably the best day of my life

2008-10-09T23:40:00.005-06:00

Think back on the greatest day of your life...I will give you a few seconds or minutes...really think back...the greatest day of your life thus far...

Memories are flashing through my mind: winning state in the 4x800 my senior year was pretty great, baptizing the Lia family in Florida was amazing, ooh! I won the spelling bee in 5th grade--that was cool, I've gone on some pretty fun bike rides and hikes in the mountains through the fall leaves, but what is the best day ever..?

You probably have similar memories running through your mind. Can you pick just one?

For me it's hard to pick just one. Maybe impossible. Probably like trying to pick your best friend--I don't know--I have so many--who would be my best friend? Or like picking your favorite Beatles song--now that is just impossible!

Now, just pick one day--whether it was the best day or one of the best days--just pick it. And think about it. Remember the entire day: do you remember what you ate for breakfast? do you remember travelling on the way to whatever it was that made it the best day? can you still smell the air? Maybe you can. Maybe you can't.

But think about this: when you woke up that morning did you know it would be the best day of your life?

Probably not.

Therefore, today is probably the best day of my life.

If every day is the best day of your life what a wonderful life, right?

Because you never know if today really will be the best day of your life. You just wake up to your alarm every day never knowing what it holds for you.

Today is probably the best day of my life.

And tomorrow will be even better.

Following the Leader--Who's Following Who? And Why?

2008-09-30T22:15:00.007-06:00

In this brief entry we will discuss why John had such a large following and why it was so difficult for his following to follow Jesus.
As we read Luke chapters 1 and 2 we find the annunciation, birth, and childhood of both John the Baptist and Jesus, respectively. As we seek to understand why who followed who it is important once again to place the stories within the context: who was around for the miracles surrounding John's birth? What were the events like? As we will see, it was the practicing Jews who saw and heard the miracles of John's birth whereas it was poor shepherds who knew about Christ.
The entire story culminating in John's birth and subsequent ministry, compared to Jesus', was much more fantastic: his father, Zacharias, was performing his duty as a priest, when he tarried longer than normal and came out of his officiating the priestly class "perceived that he had a vision" (Luke 1:22). The suspense of why he took so long must have captured the other priests and people at the temple this day. This was not a usual event. As we fast forward nine months we find this elderly couple in the temple eight days after the birth of their miraculous baby boy. The simple fact that this elderly couple brought forth a son was astonishing to those within the temple. And then there was the drama of naming the boy: Elisabeth first says his name is to be John, as Gabriel commanded, but there was no John in their lineage so they assert that his name shall be Zacharias. When they consult Zacharias he affirms that it is to be John. I don't understand why he and his wife agreeing on a name was so shocking but the next part undoubtedly was: after Zacharias showed his faith and belief in God by naming his son John his tongue is loosed in front of all those at the temple--he went 9 months without speaking one word but then upon naming the babe his voice comes back to him and he is able to speak. The crowd must have been astonished: "And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea. And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him." (Luke 1:65-66). This surely was no ordinary boy. While the crowd is astonished Zacharias "was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied" such things that the promises made to Abraham would now be fulfilled, that they would be delivered out of the hands of their enemies, that John would be the prophet of the Highest, and that he would prepare the way of the Lord. This surely was no ordinary boy. And there were many witnesses of his miraculous birth. And these witnesses were the priestly class within the temple. To reiterate, the events surrounding John's birth, as witnessed by the influential, were earth shattering: first, their interest was piqued at Zacharias' tarrying in the temple; second, the elderly conception amazed those at the temple; and, third, the naming drama along with the healing and prophesying of Zacharias all led the leaders in the temple to keep an eye out for what this babe would become. Therefore, when they find him teaching in the desert, it is easy to follow him because of the miracles and prophesies surrounding his birth. The fact that he is the prophet of the Highest is normal and expected to them because it was prophesied many years before he begins his ministry. Now we turn to Luke 2 to see the events surrounding Jesus' humble birth. By Divine Design Jesus' birth was indeed humble and did not create a large stir among the influential as John's did. Let me be frank and affirm that of course Christ's birth was Divine and miraculous and never parallelled but the point is who witnessed it and who spread it abroad? He was born and laid in a manger, according to Luke, and the first witnesses were shepherds. All of the sudden while they are tending their flocks an angel comes and tells them of a babe who will be a Saviour and how they can find him. Then the angel becomes a multitude of heavenly hosts singing praises of such a miraculous birth of such a miraculous babe. This event surely made a lasting impact on the Shepherds and one can imagine that not a single day of their lives went by that they did not reflect on such a singular scene. And so with haste they made their way to find the boy. Again, let us remember that these are shepherds in a far away city of Bethlehem--they are not the priestly class in Jerusalem who control the temple. The shepherds spread the news in their humble circles and the people "wondered at those things" (Luke 2:18) whereas "All they that heard" John's story said "What manner of child shall this be!" (Luke 1:66, emphasis added).

Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple on the eighth day and were so poor that they could not offer the full sacrifice of a lamb as proscribed in the Law (see Leviticus 5:6-7) but rather the lesser of two turtledoves. While in the temple miraculous events occurred but again we must think of the implications that they had among the influential: Simeon, a man, not a priest or rabbi, or anything special as we can see from the narrative, prophesies in vague terms of the divinity of Jesus' mission. The fact that Simeon was a just man and "the Holy Ghost was upon him" (Luke 2:25) can show us that he was probably not influential among the apostate ruling class and therefore his words would not have taken much affect.

Next, Anna approaches the babe and echoes Simeon's prophesies. Anna is a woman. A widow. Of the tribe of Asher. Again, not a very influential person.

In short, the birth of Jesus was nothing miraculous in the eyes of the influential Jews of the day. True it is that a few years after his birth Herod was scared by some rumors but they were never affirmed by witnesses. Also, Herod was Herod and wasn't really in great standing with the priests and non-Herodian Jews.

Therefore we find John baptizing in the wilderness and droves of devout, orthodox Jews flocking to him for they have waited so long for this miraculous babe to mature. He points to Jesus and says 'follow him' and the people think, 'who is that? You are the one who comes from a priestly family, who had miracles attend your birth, who is the prophet of the Highest. Who is he? What family does he come from?'

On the other hand, it is very easy for the poor to accept Jesus for they have heard in their circles about angels announcing a heavenly birth and the coming of, not only a Christ, but a Saviour.

Therefore we see that John's success among the influential Jews was a result of his miraculous birth and the witnesses thereof, whereas Jesus' humble ministry among the poor was a result of his humble birth.
(Art courtesy of LDS.org)

Prepare Ye The Way of The Lord--Luke 1:17

2008-09-30T14:54:00.006-06:00

Luke 1:17 is a very interesting passage of scripture: "And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
Here we have the angel Gabriel announcing to Zacharias in the temple that he will have a son. In so doing he makes some very interesting prophecies. The first is a quotation from Malachi 4:5-6. In so doing Gabriel is declaring that Zacharias' future son, John, will fulfill the prophecy of Malachi that a prophet will come with the Spirit of Elijah and turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and vice versa.
But the prophecy that I will focus on most come from the last line of verse 17. Gabriel says: "...to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." This does not quote from Malachi but rather Isaiah 40:3 : "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God."
Many have used the fact that John often quotes Isaiah 40:3 (cf. Luke 3:4, etc.) to draw parallels with the Essene yahad at Qumran. In the Rule of the Community we read "And when these become members of the community...they...shall go into the wilderness to prepare the way of Him; as it is written 'Prepare in the wilderness the way of...make straight in the desert a highway for our God'." (1QS, 8:25-30). Therefore, many say that John's use of this scriptural passage comes from his upbringing, after being adopted by the Essenes.

I assert no opinion either way and have leanings to different schools of thought on the idea. Here I simply assert an under-researched possibility. That is that Gabriel quoted Isaiah 40:3 when announcing that he would be born. Is it reasonable then that Zacharias and Elisabeth would have told John of this--this miraculous vision announcing his own birth and that John would have latched on to such a scripture--especially after an Angel "that stand in the presence of God" (Luke 1:19) said that he himself would fulfill this prophecy? Indeed we know that his parents passed on this prophecy to John for we read in the Benedictus of Zacharias "And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways." (Luke 1:76).

Therefore we see the possibility that John clung to Isaiah 40:3 not from the upbringing of a radical Jewish sect but rather from prophecies regarding his own life--even from his own baby blessings of sorts. Indeed, more research would need to be done, but we see that this scripture is not only vital to the Essene's but also to Gabriel, Zacharias and therefore, John.

(above picture is courtesy LDS.org and shows the Essene community at Qumran)

Riding an Ass and Running the Gauntlet

2008-09-20T09:59:00.011-06:00

Mark 11-12: This passage is loaded with doctrine and teaching lessons that would take a long while to completely treat. Therefore, for the purposes of this entry we will focus on the context in which Jesus teaches and strive to create a seamless narrative that explains a rational sequence of events. Indeed, when we place scriptural accounts in the proper context we have greater understanding to their depth.
Mark 11 begins with Jesus telling his disciples to fetch a colt and bring it to him. They did so and Jesus rode the donkey into Jerusalem. This event would later come to be called the Triumphant Entry. The gospel accounts differ slightly concerning the entry but the important part is there was an entry and that the people, when they saw him cried, saying, "Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest." One may wonder why the fanfare. Why did the people in Jerusalem erupt such sacred words in unison when some man from Nazareth rode a donkey into town? Jesus' purpose is to testify that He is the Son of God. That He is the Christ. The more I read the more I realize that His main testimony is of his Divine Sonship. We will see this twice more in our passage. (see Mark 12:10-11, 35-37). Therefore, because his mission is to testify of his sonship he purposely fulfills prophecy. We read in Zechariah 9:9 "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." Therefore, by entering the city by riding a colt Jesus is declaring his Divine Sonship. He is quoting Zecheriah and silently saying "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: for behold, I, thy King cometh unto thee: for I am just, and bring salvation; I am lowly, and ride upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." He is declaring his Divine Sonship. To this declaration, the war-torn, oppressed, tired Jews, shout Hosanna! Blessed! Their day has come. Prophecy has been fulfilled and salvation in nigh.
This triumphant entry, especially since it was during passover week, could not have set well with the chief priests and rabbis--especially since He not only declared himself King of the Jews but also fulfilled prophecy--one more item marked off the checklist of events Jesus must do during his Mission. A checklist which, I'm sure, the scribes, namely, were checking often.
After the triumphant entry Jesus briefly entered the temple and retired to Bethany for the night.
The next day Jesus curses a fig tree. Then Jesus cleanses the temple. In the gospel narrative it says he cleanses the temple and then teaches about the sanctity thereof. We get the feeling that a certain time has passed, that order has been restored. We do not see a fanatical Jesus throwing tables and at the same time yelling "MY HOUSE! THIS IS MY HOUSE! MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER! NOT A DEN OF THIEVES!!!" Rather, we see a stern Jesus who, yes, does, according to the narrative, even overturn tables--in other accounts we even see him binding cords together and using them as some form of a whip. So yes, we see a stern Jesus cleansing--in the most potent form of the word--the temple. He was using straight bleach--none of this wal-mart generic cleaner solution. He cleanses the temple but then we get a feeling that some time has passed--that order has been restored: "And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves." He taught. He didn't scream or yell. But rather, standing at the appointed place, as was his custom, he taught those who had ears to hear. And he quotes scripture. Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11. This is a perfect example of Doctrine and Covenants 121:43-44 where Christ reproved with sharpness but then showed forth an increase of love. He is effectively saying, "You see what I just did. I forcefully cleansed this house of its sins. But I do so only because I love this house. Because I love my God. And strive to keep His commandments. You're familiar with the scriptures. Then why is it so hard for you to keep them?"
Again, two days in a row, the scribes and chief priests, understandably have reason to be furious at this Jesus of Nazareth. Who is this man? And who does he think he is? That he can tell us what to do in our temple?!?!
Therefore, the gauntlet:
Jesus leaves the temple, goes back to Bethany, teaches an important lesson about the now-withered fig tree, and comes back into Jerusalem the next day.
Let the gauntlet begin.
"As he was walking in the temple..." Jesus did not even get through the threshold before vipers were lying in wait for him. Not just any vipers though--it says the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders--quite a strong pack of vipers. (Do snakes go in packs?) And understandable and obvious was their first question: "By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?" Or, as found in the Modern Farnes Version (hereafter cited as the MFV) "Who in the world do you think you are!?!? We're not even letting you in our temple until you tell us why in the world you think you can tell us what to do in our temple! In the past week during our passover you have blasphemously ridden the sacred ass into the city and thrown out our moneychangers! Don't you know that we need the money to renovate the temple?!?! Don't you know that we're not rich these days and the temple can use all it can get?!?! Hello!!! We're vassals!!! Who do you think you are!??!" And Jesus, calmly I like to think, simply stumps them by pitting them between the honor of their god and between the honor of the people. He retorts, "The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?" For if they answer "from heaven" then they must accept Jesus as Divine, for John testified of him. But if they answer "of men" then they offend the many who were devote disciples of the Baptist. Jesus sidestepped that one. The score: Jesus 1, those who fight against the Lamb 0. But, there are more safeties waiting to tackle him in the backfield.
It is interesting as we watch Jesus run through this gauntlet that continues into chapter 12 that we notice who is asking the questions and what their group stands for. The last challenge came from the high priests, scribes, and elders and their question was concerning authority. Because that's the the buzz word for the high priests, scribes and elders: authority.
Jesus takes opportunity to teach the parable of the wicked husbandmen and then, after forming his own scripture, quotes their scripture saying "The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes." This quotes Psalm 118:22-23. Psalm 118 was part of the Hallel--a group of Psalms that were very well known so his declaration here cannot be misunderstood. Again here Christ is declaring his Divine Sonship. He says, again according to the MFV, "When I was YHWH I sent many prophets to your fathers. But they killed them. And so now, my Father has sent me--His Only Begotten Son--and, you know what, you're going to kill me too. And what will my Father be left to do? But destroy you? And--you know the scripture in the Hallel--I am the stone which the builders rejected--thinking it of no worth--but I will become the head of the corner the head of the Kingdom and you will see it." No wonder they "sought to lay hold on him". His boldness knows no bounds.
So now its the Pharisees' turn--they're just as angry at this Jesus as anyone else--so they question him: Should we give tribute to Caesar or God? I think they picked up on his teaching style when he pitted the chief priests against God and the people for now they do the same to him. If he says God then he, as a vassal to the Roman empire, will be in trouble. But if he says Caesar then he, as the son of God, will contradict himself.
It is interesting that it is the Pharisees that ask the question concerning how to live a Jewish life in a corrupt world. This was their buzz word. They are separatists who disdain the Roman empire and all that it represents. And so they ask Jesus his opinion. Again he sidesteps their trap by telling them to render to God that which is God's and to Caesar that which is Caesar's. Jesus 3, Lamb haters 0.
And now the Sadducees, immediately after, come to ask him about the resurrection. The Sadducees don't believe in the resurrection and this is their buzz word. This is much like modern-day religious groups find one point of doctrine and cling to it. For example, Seventh-day Adventists (who I deeply admire in many ways--especially for their strict dietary code) cling to the Seventh-day. You can be speaking about anything completely irrelevant to the sabbath day and somehow they will bring up the sabbath day and how it must be on Saturday. Mormons do this as well (the Mormon buzz word is authority among others and see how long you can speak to a mormon missionary before he quotes Hebrews 5:4 when you say you have already been baptized) and have their answers that never change and always give the same old scriptures and answers as a reply. I would say all religous groups do so. The Sadducees did this as well. They found what they thought to be a inpenatrable problem with the doctrine of resurrection and they just can't wait to spring it on Jesus and make him look dumb. They referred to Levirite Marriage as instituted in the Law. Seven brothers all marry the same woman after each dies and all left her with no children. Therefore, in the resurrection who's wife is she? Jesus answers this question masterfully basically saying that all are alive in God and in Christ and there must be a resurrection because God isn't a God of dead things but of the living like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Again Jesus 4, everyone else 0.
Now the scribes again this time questioning the finer things of the Law. Which is the greatest commandment? To this Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6:5.
And then, my favorite line, at the end of the gauntlet, with Jesus running up the score to 5-0 the narrative reads, "And no man after that durst ask him any question."
Therefore Jesus takes opportunity to teach. Again we have a feeling that some time has passed and that this is an orderly setting as was his custom. Again he teaches and testifies of His Divine Sonship. He says (MFV) "How can the anointed one be the son of David? For David calls the anointed one Lord and how can the one who he calls Lord be his son?" Here he is implying that He is who David called Lord and he is the anointed one.
We see here that the narrative states that the common people hear him gladly. So now he teaches the common people to beware of the hypocrisy of those who ran him through the gauntlet. He also teaches about giving all to the Kingdom. He then leaves the temple--never to return.
These two short chapters give us amazing examples of Christ's teaching methods--how he always found opportunity to teach, showed love, and quoted scripture to answer those who oppose him. One lesson is that we must read scriptures within their context. When we do so we realize that this sequence was not just random people asking him polite questions, but a calculated, malicious, premeditated attempt at his veracity and also his life. In these short chapters, just days before the end of his mortal ministry, we see the futility of kicking against the pricks and fighting against against the lamb for we know that all of our worldly wisdom will not disprove the Divine Sonship of Jesus the Christ.

(picture courtesy LDS.org)