I was studying in 1 Nephi 6 this week and was struck by the timing and simplicity of Nephi's "mission statement" as found verse 4. "For the fullness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham...and be saved." That's it. Nephi had just finished recounting his families departure from Jerusalem, the beating he took from his brothers in a cave, his solo special op to get the plates from Laban and his fathers reaction to "searching" the plate. Then before he jumps into commentary on his own ministry he stops to write about the "fullness" of his intent. That got me thinking about the fullness of my intent and how simple (but not easy) the idea of a single principle can be in focusing our lives. Nephi's calling and election were made sure at this point (20ish years after as he's recouting the narrative) so the fullness shifted from his own "coming unto God" to that of bringing others.
The idea of fullness of intent is a powerful one. Take some time and think about your "intent." Is it full? Is it important? Does it encompass all, some, or none of what you really think you're here on earth to accomplish?

I was recently going over the April Conference edition of the Ensign, and came across a talk, and a concept that made me stop in my tracks. In Elder Pearson's talk on faith, he teaches (reteaches?) that faith and fear cannot coexist. Like never before I realized that when, in those quiet moments I have to myself, if I feel "afraid" then I can't fully exercise my faith. In the few short weeks since I read that talk I've noticed a certain increase in my spiritual power as I take note of things that previously caused me "fear" I can now take to my knees and "faith" myself into action. Faith really is "small and simple" but it's finding out how we can harness it, each in our own individual and personal ways that makes the difference between optimizing our mortal probation and just living.

On Government, Budgets, and Priorities

Somewhere in the National Security Act of 1947 that created the Air Force there is a fine print addendum that requires Air Force bases to put the golf course in first and if there is money left put in a runway. That's why the Air Force doesn't have aircraft carriers.

The problem with that joke is in the current government budget crisis it's not funny because there is about as much nonsense flying (and sticking) around the halls of Congress and various statehouses around the country. It seems pork, not priorities, is driving the decisions of our government.

"We also need priorities. Our priorities determine what we seek in life. " - Dallin H. Oaks

Elder Oaks gave a masterful talk in 2001 on priorities and expectations the Lord has for his Saints as it pertains to time and property. He said: "The ultimate Latter-day Saint priorities are twofold: First, we seek to understand our relationship to God the Eternal Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, and to secure that relationship by obtaining their saving ordinances and by keeping our personal covenants. Second, we seek to understand our relationship to our family members and to secure those relationships by the ordinances of the temple and by keeping the covenants we make in that holy place. These relationships, secured in the way I have explained, provide eternal blessings available in no other way. No combination of science, success, property, pride, prominence, or power can provide these eternal blessings!"
As Latter Day Saint voters and citizens we need to make sure that the decisions we make as voters and citizens reflect the priorities the Lord has made known through His Apostles. We need to ask "is this government decision/program going to facilitate or at least not inhibit any action I might take to align my priorities with the Lord's?" Is the government accurately reflecting my priorities of public safety and the widest possible benefit to the citizenry or does it merely redirect/redistribute revenue towards special interests, some of which may hold views in direct opposition to morals we hold as eternally significant? (ie same sex marriage).

We seem to be awash as a country and as a government in a sea of competing priorities, and instead of making the prioritization decisions we continue to count all government activities as equal. If we don't/won't come to our collective senses we run the very real risk of not having the resources we need for those core government functions for which we are organized.

As one who genuinely embraces technology solutions that help to do things I enjoy and free up time so I can do other things that need to be done (or that I also enjoy) I'm constantly baffled by the technophobes out there that continue to rail against technology, specifically social networking applications like Facebook and Twitter. I made a comment this morning in seminary about how nice one of my student's hair looked and when I turned around to write something on the blackboard she "twittered" to all of her friends that her seminary teacher wished her a "happy hair day." The story within the story is that we have a no cell phone/no texting policy in class (a stake rule) but I know she did it in class because we "follow" each other on Twitter (a microblog application). I get texts and emails almost daily, and often throughout the day from my students, each an opportunity to be a force for good in their lives. My opportunities to influence start at 5am and don't stop until after 10pm every night (usually the last time I check Facebook or my Blackberry). I believe strongly that the Lord expects us to use all of the knowledge and capabilities we have (technological and otherwise) to magnify our callings and build the Kingdom. Take a minute an ponder whether or not there isn't some instrument you use, or might use more of to magnify your callings. You may be be surprised!

"If we don't try, then we won't do, and if we don't do, then we'll never know." I'm not sure if that's a direct quote but that's what sticks in my mind from counsel that Pres. Monson gave the world a few conferences ago. I love to try, and because I have such an understanding and incredible wife and the love and confidence of my kids I get to try a lot of things.
And I usually am blessed with the time, energy, and tenacity to put in the all nighters and just get'r done. But sometimes, it's just not enough. I had a just not enough moment today when I sat down with my thesis advisor and mentor to discuss my initial hack at my thesis. I thought it was pretty good. He though it was a pretty good effort. Oops. I prayed long and hard for a soft heart going into the discussion and was blessed, but the sting, the sting of almost is a pretty foreign concept in my brain. I'm usually wired pretty tight, but this time, nope. Afterwards I felt exhausted. I mustered the will to hit the bricks on a run and was fortunate enough to spend most of my run on the sand of Monterey Bay. As I walked I felt the frustration and embarassment of coming up short go farther out with every set of waves. In mortality, sometimes, it's an almost. That's what the atonement is for, that's why we need the gap-filling power of grace. While I still don't like coming up short, I was taught by the Spirit that coming up short is part of what life is about, and sometimes, the lessons we need to learn come by "almost" experiences, and not just success and failure. The key, to life and "almosts" is perspective. If we've got an eternal perspective, fueled by faith in Christ and faith in self, almost is just another chance to shine in a different or more expansive way, mentally, physically, or spiritually.

Acts and Ambition

This morning in seminary we recapped the book of Acts specifically focusing on the character of Paul. As we unpacked all the traits Saul of Tarsus "brought to the fight" it occurred to me that Paul was a very ambitious man. Ambition, the drive to create, to become, to extend and overcome was, and continues to be a critical characteristic of the Lord's servants.
The ambition I'm talking about isn't the desire for rank or power, it's the impetus for actually getting things done that too often fails us as we struggle through mortality. In an era of almost ceaseless entertainment and diversion, the fight for ambition can be especially brutal. While I am by no means a man of great achievements, many people have asked me in the past few months how I was able to work full-time, go to law school in the evenings, teach seminary and help my wife with the work of raising five little kids. I never had a good answer until I studied the Acts and the life of Paul. Paul did what he did because he started and knew "finishing" was not up to him, it was up to Him. The Lord will cover a multitude of our errors and gaps if we will just start. He's not going to start for us, but he will sustain our efforts if we're His in focus and effort.

25 Random SaintsandPatriot Facts

In the spirit of the current Facebook meme of publishing 25 "random" facts about oneself:

1) Mormons make really good public servants because we can keep secrets and always bring jello.
2) Mormons make really bad coffee, mostly because we don't like to make it. Postum on the otherhand...somebody get Starbucks on the phone, we may have the solution to their slow down.
3) When we say "when I was overseas/down south, back east/out of the country for two years" I mean my mission. You're supposed to know that and ask me more about it.
4) All Mormons play basketball. It's in the Doctrine and Covenants somewhere.
5) All Mormons dance and play the piano (see rule above).
6) Yes all these kids are mine, and yes they were all "planned" whatever that means.
7) Military wards are like regular wards except it's ok not to know anybody's name because you either just moved in or they did.
8) Mormon cops just love it when you use your temple recommend to get out of a ticket (I have this on good source).
9) We listen to little streams. Give.
10) We all don't go to BYU or love the Jazz. Many of us will never talk to you again if you make that assumption.
11) We single-handedly kept the SUV market going a good 7 years after its prime.
12) Mocking Mormon celebrities is encouraged, mocking Mormon leaders will get you kicked off our friends list.
13) Porter Rockwell was right.
14) The Tricare happiness continuum swings up sharply after your second kid and a quick calculation of what copays would run you for perscriptions alone.
15) Mormons do make excelent desginated drivers, but lousy liars so consider that next time you ask us to drive.
16) Yes I am calling home again, and yes it's to the same/only wife.
17) Odds are I do have a cousin in UT but no I don't know an Osmond.
18) "Hey do you know (insert random Mormon you knew in high school)?" really does sound as dumb as it sounds unless we went to high school together in which case yes I did.
19) When we say we have church for three hours on Sunday we're not including commercials because there are no commercials to TIVO through.
20) We marry early for the same reason everyone gets married. For the attention.
21) Yes we know Harry Reid is a Mormon and a Democrat. They even let him speak at BYU...one time.
22) We don't wear "magic" underwear and it really does sound that stupid when you ask about it.
23) It's not "Joe Smith" or "that gold book" the same way it's not "Marty Luther" or "the bible thingy."
24) We do have more grain in our crawl space than most African nations. Not sounding so stupid now is it?
25) We know where we came from, why we're here, and where we're going. We also know we're going to have a good time while we're at it.

Hanks' Un-Apology

Tom Hanks has a quick publicist who probably had the same reaction my seminary class did when they found out Woody put his Andy-tagged boot in his mouth "NO WAY!"
Way. Here is his well coached (and I'm sure PR proofed) "retraction:"
"Last week, I labeled members of the Mormon church who supported California’s Proposition 8 as “un-American.” I believe Proposition 8 is counter to the promise of our Constitution; it is codified discrimination. But everyone has a right to vote their conscience – nothing could be more American. To say members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints who contributed to Proposition 8 are “un-American” creates more division when the time calls for respectful disagreement. No one should use “un- American” lightly or in haste. I did. I should not have.

Sincerely,
Tom Hanks.

So you won't find "sorry" or "misjudged" or "wasn't quite thinking straight" in there, so by my marks it's a qualified statement of clarification more than an apology. "I should not have" is simply not going to cut it for me--it indicates neither remorse nor humble acceptance of error. It may placate some, but I'm going to chalk this one up as "scoffing" in the "attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers" (1 Nephi 8:27-28). I'm glad he said something, but it's what he didn't say that shows what he really thinks.

Hope and New Starts

The best thing about clean starts is they are psychologically free from the baggage that might have otherwise encumbered how we think about the future. As I listened to Pres. Obama's inaugural speech this morning I felt the collective hope that he has for our nation in light of the current challenges we face. I think he genuinely wants what every president before him has wanted, a shot at making things work...his way. From what I've seen so far, his way includes persuasion, it includes consensus building, and it includes challenging people to do things they have not done before, perhaps in ways that have not been done before. He is my president, and I wholeheartedly support him in his efforts.

Pres. Obama does have challenges before him though, political and otherwise. I think the principle challenge he will face is to change the way many MANY of his supporters view the government. Whatever time he spends managing expectations with those who think big government spending and quasi-accountable leadership is going to solve the same problems it created will be time well spent. I am reminded of an interesting quote about friends and choices "You start to lose friends the minute you have to make choices." Until now the choices Pres. Obama has had to make are incomprehensibly minute compared to the choices he faces in the next four years. I hope, and I mean that in every sense of the word, that our "rock star" President, has some rocks of his own, that he is prepared to steel his back, open his ears, and use his highly effective rhetoric to help America, and Americans turn inward and ask "what can I do differently that will help America?" Repentance, a turning away from what has ailed us, and turning towards that which blesses and secures is the way ahead. That Barrack Obama can get us turning inward is the audacity of my hope.

Forrest Runs His Mouth on Un-American Mormons

Tom Hanks must have gotten some meth in his box of chocolates. The actor, film maker, and producer won't likely be invited to remake Mr. Kruger's Christmas or teach Constitutional Law anytime soon based on his latest display of anti-Mormon blather/ignorance:

“The truth is this takes place in Utah, the truth is these people are some bizarre offshoot of the Mormon Church, and the truth is a lot of Mormons gave a lot of money to the church to make Prop-8 happen,” he told Tarts. “There are a lot of people who feel that is un-American, and I am one of them. I do not like to see any discrimination codified on any piece of paper, any of the 50 states in America, but here's what happens now. A little bit of light can be shed, and people can see who's responsible, and that can motivate the next go around of our self correcting Constitution, and hopefully we can move forward instead of backwards. So let's have faith in not only the American, but Californian, constitutional process.”

The truth actually isn't that the "a lot of Mormons gave a lot of money to the church to make Prop-8 happen." The truth is a lot of Californians, and a lot of Mormons gave a lot of money to a lot of different organizations in order to participate in the American political process.

La Shawn Barber brings up a great point in his recent blog that while 70% of blacks voted for Prop-8 Hanks seems to have withheld his "un-American" status from them.
Probably a smart move Forrest.

Did Tom actually call Mormons "Un-American?" Not really, but I got the picture. I'm not sure what he actually was hoping to get across with this nonsense. Perhaps pandering to his Hollywood crowd (of course tossing a wink to Mel Gibson "you know what I'm talking about Mel") but c'mon. He's making money hand over fist on a dramatization of modern polygamy (he's a producer of Big Love on HBO) and ignorance sells. You know what doesn't sell for me though? Half baked civics lessons and "facts" celebrities regurgitate from PerezHilton. Tom, get yourself a Dr. Pepper and book a TransPacific flight on FedEx. Wilson would be ashamed.

Give Said the Little Stream--Mormon's Give it Up For Charity

I've heard and read quite a bit the last few weeks about how we're starting 2009 under a cloud blah blah blah. I just don't see it that way. Sure the economy could be better, we've got critical infrastructure older than McCain and a President elect who's biggest pressure decision was to put Sen. Clinton out of her misery or let her implode (he chose putting her out of her misery by the way). My point is SaintsandPatrtiots have never had more to be grateful for, or more reason to be optimistic. There are HUGE challenges all around us, in our homes, in our units, in our communities, and yes, especially in our nation. But we're given opposition "in all things" in order to grow--and I think the recent hullabaloo over Proposition 8 and the flack the church (and members in CA) took are opportunities to distinguish ourselves from the pack, and be seen and heard by the elect.
Two recent stories have gone, and will go underreported, even among LDS communities. First, the Economist (best source of news in print by the way) reported on the robustness of the economy in UT, compared to the rest of the west. Mormons work really hard, and value education, and it's getting noticed. Who wouldn't want to be associated with that?
Second, a recent Oxford study published a great report on how Mormon's give the most money to charity (see chart). The study suggest we give both at church and to other charities because of our structured (tithing) and unstructured (concern for others). Who wouldn't want to be associated with that?
People ask a lot of introspective questions around New Years. Be aware of this, and pay special attention to the Spirit as you interact with others you think may be looking for answers as to "what it all means." Don't give into the doom and gloom, don't even give it the air time in your mind or speech that it gets everywhere else. People will notice, and the opportunity will come to talk about how you know what you know, and why you live what you live.