The Heavens Are Still Open!

The Conference Center in Salt Lake City, UT
directly across the street from Temple Square

General Conference is coming up, and for those of you that are unfamiliar with LDS culture, it's a pretty big deal.  "The reason I say “big deal” is because, for Mormons at least, we believe that this is an opportunity for us to hear counsel from people whom we believe are influenced by, and often speaking on behalf of, God"(via Paul Robichaux on Wordpress).

What sets us apart, I think, is that we believe that the "heavens are still open" and that God still speaks to his people on the Earth just like he did in biblical times.

The 9th of our 13 Articles of Faith reads:

We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

Just talking about it makes me happy. :)  As a matter of fact, I'm headed up to Salt Lake City to see them in person with my girlfriend and a few good friends this weekend.  I have a few days to prepare.

Speakers like Thomas S. Monson and Dieter F. Uchtdorf tend to inspire me to want to be a much better person.  I will definitely post my thoughts here about Conference after the weekend.

Gary Johnson: The Quip Heard Around the World (Well, Sorta)

Ok I'm gonna bite.  I just recently saw the most recent GOP Presidential debate, and I actually enjoyed it (parts of it anyway).  My candidate, Gary Johnson, was actually on the stage!!! *gasp*  Throughout the entire debate, the moderators tried to give as much fair time to each candidate to answer questions from Youtubers around the United States--However, Rick Perry and Mitt Romney's faces took up most of the screen for the night.  There were some good zingers, one-liners, and innovative ideas presented.  This lineup is by far much better representative of the Republican party than last election.  I think that there is a very good chance that the GOP will produce a winner this time around.

Anyways, for those of you that have not seen the debate yet, here is the full, nearly 2 hour debate:



For those that could care less about watching the whole thing, feel free to read this basic overview of the debate, with enough political jabs and enough gut laughs that could make someone as stiff and frumpy as the Queen of England smile.  (like this)

Letter to Kayla (2003)

     For those of you that don't know me, I first became converted to the church when I was 18.  A large portion of my conversion came through independent study of all sides of the argument, (including the sides that were not favorable towards the church).  So I am no stranger to Antis, their "arguments" and false arguments, and the hatred that is associated with it. That being said, you have a brief background of where this letter came from, and you have a basic understanding that this came from a very significant and important time in my life.

     The following is a letter that I wrote to Kayla, a young girl that I had never met before, except on a religious forum around the month of August or September 2003. On the thread, people were asking mormons seemingly innocent questions about the church at first, but it quickly turned into a lively debate between 3 or 4 anti-mormons and several regular mormons (including me).  I still remember some the things that they wrote about the church and it's teachings really shook me, and other members that had read the thread. I remember the casual member would occasionally come in, defend the church for a few posts, and then post something to the effect of, "wow, I never knew that about the church, I should really rethink my religious preference..."