Who is Your Neighbor?

Sometimes laws are created in an attempt to legislate love. The problem with creating a law to legislate love, is that so long as their is a law on the books with the threat of retaliation for disobedience to that law, you can not know if love is the motivation for obedience.


Laws are a threat to freedom. It is our responsibility to control our own actions that laws are not needed. When laws are not needed then we will realize the power of freedom.



God gave us freedom knowing that failure was possible. He knew that we would make mistakes. With freedom comes a great responsibility. The responsibility to change, to become better, to improve our surroundings, to love our neighbor and expand our definition of who our neighbor is.
 Teach your children to become better than you and to love more. Encourage them to recognize their conscience that they may understand what is right and what is wrong from within, so that laws are not needed.

Why Use A Fly Swatter

Some people go through life with the attitude why use a fly swatter when you have a hatchet or a sledge hammer? They seem never to learn that they can do more good by treating others well than by trying to bully them into being what they want them to be, believe, or do.

 If what you have to say is good, you will not have to sell it, it will sell itself. If what you have to say is bad, not even the sledge hammer can make it look good, although some may be convinced just to save themselves the headache.

Don't Be Distracted By The Unimportant

Last Friday I was taking pictures at the pine wood derby. I thought that I had chosen the prime location sitting right at the end of the track. As the races began I started taking pictures. I got a few pictures in and I looked at what I had taken. They were out of focus and frankly quite uninteresting. I changed my position slightly and took some more pictures but it seemed the same results. I just didn't feel it.

 It wasn't until after the derby that I realized I was taking the wrong pictures. I should have been taking pictures of the boys. I began to imagine what the boys faces must have looked like as their cars came down the track. Oh, what pictures I could have taken.



It was then that I realized that when we focus on the wrong things life may seem out of focus and uninteresting.

When we make the unimportant the focus of our attention we tend to ignore the people who are important.

Feeling Strong May Be A Weakness

Sometimes when you feel the strongest is when you are the most vulnerable. Sometimes it is not the overwhelming temptations that are the hardest to resist. It is the temptation that comes when we are feeling good about our progress. 

We must enter a permanent state of humility before we can expect to be saved from our own humiliation. We must learn that our greatest strength comes as a gift from our Heavenly Father by obedience to his laws.

We Have The Power To Submit

Sometimes temptation seems like it would consume us and is greater than we think we can control, but it isn't. We have far more power than we realize. While our thoughts may run wild with temptation and it may seem our mind and body are completely out of control. Reality is this....We have the power to submit to the will of God, and in the will of God no temptation has power over us.

Be Your Best Self

Sometimes we try so hard to be someone that we are not in order to please others. When in reality we please no one and deny everyone the real us. Most often it is the real us that people are pleased to know anyways. Be Yourself... Be your best self.

Sometimes Things Get Broken Beyond Repair

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. And all the kings men and all the kings horses couldn't put Humpty together again....Sometimes the decisions we make leave others broken beyond repair. Of all the slow spiritual deaths you can suffer, addictions have to be the saddest. Avoid them as if your life depended on it.

Change My Heart First

If you force me to change my actions without changing my heart you have not changed anything. That is why jails are filled with repeat offenders.

If you change my heart my actions will follow, that is how Zion is built.

No Room In My Heart....When He Is There

There is no room for hatred when your Savior is in your heart. You can think to do no evil when the Savior occupies your mind. Loving God is an all or nothing deal. You can not say you hate this person or that person and say that you love the Lord. For when you love the Lord there is no capacity for hatred.

What-ifs Are a Fantasy

Stop thinking about the "What-ifs."  The What-ifs are a fantasy that not even the fantasized could live up to. Sometimes we have to realize that happiness is as much a habit of thoughts as is depression or anger. We have the power in our own mind to imagine that which is not and make it so, simply by believing. Your spouse is more likely to become what you believe, so believe what you want about them, rather than what you do not want.

The Image of Our Legacy

The images we share with others only tell part of what we feel when we think of loved ones. Memories are a powerful tool to remind us both of the mortality and the immortality of man. The memories that we share with our children create the legacy that our children will share with their children and their children for generations to come. Choosing between life and death is not a mortal decision but an eternal consequence to the decisions we make in mortality. 

The Value Is In The Fruit

Sometimes it is hard to tell just by looking at things why something is bad, but the value of a plant is the fruit it bares. Just because something looks or sounds good does not make it good. In fact many weeds look very attractive, but when they are left alone they steal nourishment from the good plants and leave you nothing in return. Many times weeds come up and look harmless or mimic the look of a good plant, once they are established they take over by overwhelming us. Often times it is only a very few actual weeds, but the bulk of them when unchecked leave us hopeless to battle them. Weed the garden of your life, remove the unproductive thoughts and actions that cause your spiritual, physical and emotional distress.

A Winning Attitude Trumps The Trophy

Winning is important. It helps us feel accomplished and successful. However, what is more important is how we win. With victory comes the spoils, but when we exercise our victory in gloating or causing others to shrink in shame we may lose more than just friends. Competition helps us to exercise our ambition, and hopefully teaches us the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie. Always thank those with whom you compete . Learn from those who beat you. Never forget that winning or losing does not make you a winner or a loser. For often times you learn more by losing than you do by winning. Losing hurts, but being a bad sport kills. A winning attitude trumps the trophy.

Freedom Is A Moral Responsibility

In declaring our independence many lives were at stake not only those who fought on the battle field. but their future generations as well. Not only their generations, but generations of immigrants that would come here from that day to this. Not only is Freedom not free, but it carries with it a responsibility to be moral. Without that responsibility there is no freedom worth fighting for. With that responsibility freedom is worth living, fighting, and dying for.

Creativity Is The Spice of Life

The complexity of the feast is what makes it work. Sometimes to know what is about to happen will keep you from doing something you might really end up liking. Life is meant to be a sampling of many experiences. Some just have to cram as much as they can into it. Nothing wrong with it, it just might not look good to others. But then again as long as it is legal, ethical, and moral....Enjoy! Creativity is the spice of life.

If Bad Is So Bad Then Why Does It Feel Good?

Sinning is not bad because it will feel bad when your doing it. Sin is bad because of it's consequences. This is why bad habits are hard to break. While you are sinning it may give you a rush or a feeling of euphoria followed by a sinking feeling inside. Then when we want to correct our actions it is hard because we want to think that we found happiness in the sin, but every time we sin we feel bad afterward. The longer we go the harder it is to connect the consequence with the sin. Eventually you forget that you ever felt good and good becomes bad and our natural sensors of right and wrong start going backward. Sin feels good, but it detracts you from even greater feelings and greater pleasures because it leaves you feeling unsatisfied, but willing to settle for less than your potential.

Hypocrite Or Not It Is Your Responsibility

Calling someone a hypocrite does not take away your responsibility to do what is right. No one has to answer to God for another person. You alone will be responsible for what you do or what you do not. It is not wise to use another persons bad example to keep you from doing what you know you should.

My Cluttered Mind

If you could see inside my mind you would find quite the clutter... Pieces of thoughts strewn from one end to the other, a whirling derby, a smorgasboard of words that sometimes makes sense. Sometimes it tastes good, sometimes it doesn't, but it keeps me entertained. But alas you only get to see what I consider my treasures.

Learning To Live With The Mistakes Of Others

Sometimes in life we plan on growing strong and tall together, but along the way our dream may be broken. Sometimes it is because of what we do. Somtimes it is because of what we don't do. Othertimes it is someone else's bad decision. Whatever causes it we must not allow it to stop us from growing. Learning to adapt to the situation gives us an opportunity to breathe life into a new dream... A bigger dream.

When we learn from others though they may be dead and gone we still gain nourishment from their existence. Live as though every dream is possible if you work hard enough, just remember the biggest dream of all is love and care for your own family. Everything else is secondary and inconsequential.

You Can't Go It Alone

There is a temptation to think that you can go through life on your own. You may think that you don't need others, but when things get tough you realize that there is a purpose for families. God knew what he was doing when he put us together. Those who try it alone don't know what they are missing or are too miserable to realize they are missing anything. Count your blessings if you have a family. If you don't, find someone nice to adopt you. You will not regret the experience of being a part of a good strong family, so if need be make it so.

Respectability Edifies All

Respect is like a two person tight rope act. When one does not cooperate it is almost impossible for either to look respectable. When you act with respect towards others you do yourself and others a great service, becasue if you truly believe in what you are doing then respect will edify all involved. If you believe in your message their is no reason to deedify your cause with disrespectable behavior.

Grandmas Are Love

Grandmas are love. Grandmas give us something not even our mom and dad can give us. Grandmas give us wisdom without consequences. Grandmas often times say the same things that moms and dads do but they say it in a nice way. They understand that mom and dad in the heat of battle don't always know what to say or do to help their own children. Grandmas know that a little candy or a cookie and some juice always makes things better. They are our cheerleaders on the sideline of life. And Grandmas just know how to scramble eggs better than anyone else.

Open Hearts And Open Minds

The hardest thing for people to read is the heart of another. But it is in the heart where disagreements are understood and differences are reconciled. When you posture yourself with contention you deny yourself the opportunity to open your heart to others and you make others uncomfortable opening their hearts to you.

Contention closes doors that might other wise be open. Contention is like a bull in a China shop it may be excited to be there but no one else is excited it is there. Kindness begets kindness and understanding begets understanding. Be willing to admit your wrongs and you open a door that may prove to be life changing.

Life Is Hard, Blessings Are Good.

Life is hard. There is little that is easy, even when you are playing you want to play hard or life becomes boring, and that is hard live with. Once we realize that it is just a part of mortality that we can not get rid of then we start working towards enjoying the work of it.
Don't always try and do the minimum or that is exactly what you will get. Try and out do yourself and you will find that your blessings will exceed your expectations. Work hard for others and you will find others will work hard for you. Spend your money wisely and money will find its way back to you. Use your time wisely and you will find you have more time to do what you like.

Preparing For Battle Against Your Adversary

Knowing your enemy is almost as important as knowing yourself. As in any competition you want to study your opponent, not to empathize with them but to learn how to counteract their moves and how to exploit their weaknesses. There is a tendency with some to think if they do not know the counteraction for their enemies move that they must be on the wrong side. Most often there is a counteraction, they just have not discovered that action yet. Getting a grasp on the fundamentals of the truth will counteract all evil until you can get the answers you are looking for. Do not be discouraged in your quest. Be ever vigilant in your preparation to battle your Adversary by seeking the truth of all things.
The truth will expose the lies the adversary tells to entice you into dangerous territory. The truth guides you and  strengthens you against temptation. Understanding will bring you peace in times of battle and calm in times of chaos.

Let Your Feet Guide You

There is little that feels better than to lift your feet off the ground after a long hard days work. When the Lord says come and enter into my rest I imagine a the weight on my feet being removed and a feeling of peace resting upon me. Let your feet guide you to that place where the Lord can give you rest and I believe your burdens will always be lighter.

Get Back In The Saddle

When we give into temptation sometimes there is a brief moment of calm followed by a nagging consciousness of falling short of our mark. Stand tall and get back in the saddle, we must never give up on ourself. We can only win if we continue to move forward.

A Mothers Love

The influence of a mother can change the world one generation at a time.

When You Know Who You Are

I believe when we truly understand the gospel of Christ and embrace it, our very thought process changes. Sometimes it is subtle, but for many the very light inside their soul clicks on and it shows in their very countenance so much so that you may not even recognize them if you knew them before. Because when you know...really know who you are, you begin to act the part.

The Roll of Father

Father means so many things. To my son Spencer, who is adopted, He has learned a lot about this. You see before he came to this mortality he lived with his Heavenly Father. He came into this world thanks to his birth father, and then he came to us where I became his father through the process of adoption. Then on October 31, 2009, Spencer decided that he was ready to be born again into a new family, that of Christ. So, now Christ is the father of his Eternal life. Each father has a roll to play, each father has contributed to who Spencer is, and each father wants him to succeed...to reach a new level of good. Each father has made sacrafices just for him. And each father will continue to guide him through his life. And each father will watch with interest how Spencer teaches his own children how to be better than himself.

Judge Me Not

You may paint me as you see me, but your broad brush does neither of us justice, do not expect me to recognize the image, for you can not put my soul into your picture. Judge me not for my imperfections for my only perfection is knowing I am not.

Reaching Up To God For Answers

To abandon ones faith is far more serious than to abandon ones beliefs. While our faith must be based in God the Eternal Father and His Son Jesus Christ, our individual beliefs may vary according to the knowledge we receive from our Father in Heaven. Some things we may think are significant, and they are, but with a slight variation here or there. God gives us the knowledge we need as we need it. Sometimes he asks hard things of us so that we must approach him in prayer to receive those special witnesses. But when we do lack wisdom he admonishes us to approach him. He does not ask us to rely upon our own wisdom or the wisdom of any man. He says, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." James 1:5
There is no man who can give you the answers that God himself reserves as his right to give to you. It is His relationship with you that matters most to Him and the only way you can have that relationship is by talking to Him. As your faith is increased your beliefs may change until your beliefs and your faith are one with God.

No Greater Relationship

It makes sense to me that marriage is a religious experience and ceremony, because it requires Godly actions to maintain and keep a marriage together. That is only hard when we refuse to listen to those natural urges to want to be good to each other and for each other. As God is my witness, there is no greater relationship a man and woman can have than the one they have together with God.

How Do You Win In Politics?

Labeling is like throwing a general net to convict many with a single finger print. At best it is unfair and at worst you may end up convicting yourself.
Labeling someone politically is like two people playing two different games on the same board with two sets of rules while thinking they are playing the same game.
The blame must be placed not on the players but those who arranged the game. The only way the game can really be played fairly is if the players come together and create common rules and ignore those who continue to try to arrange the games.

Leaving A Better Legacy

Our children are a good reason to overcome our past and present "giants." Whether your children know what your giants are or not they will recognize that you have the spirit of overcoming and will observe and learn for themselves. Leave them a legacy of becoming better.

Your Destination Determines The Path You Should Take

The path we take really does determine not only our destination but what we see along the way. Sometimes we get carried away thinking that everything has to be hard. I do not believe that is true. I believe that the hard part is getting off the trail and finding our way back. As long as we are on the trail life is good.

Respect Starts at Home

Knowing how to get married is not nearly as important as how to truly be married. The greatest gift a mother and father can give to their child is to show them how to truly be married. I believe that youth disrespect adults based more on their observation of their personal adult relationships than on any other sinle factor. Give your spouse respect and love and your child will sooner or later respect you.

Obedience Leads to Understanding

When temptation strikes it usually strikes hard and fast. Obedience to the laws of God leads us to understanding the laws of God. Justifying the breaking of those laws leads us to questioning those same laws. Obey and prosper or disobey and flounder.

Who You are Shows.

It is hard to know who we are until we are on our own. The influence of our parents is unmistakable, but it takes time to germinate and grow. Find your furtile ground and then let God do the rest. It won't take long before we all know who you are.

Who You Are Matters

Knowing who you are does matter. When you know who you are you will know that you have a direct link to the source of truth. You do not have to rely upon the arm of flesh to seek the answers you are looking for. When you learn that you are a child of God, you realize that your destiny is to become like unto your father. For every child is an embryo of their own father and mother. When you know who you are you will not despair, but will realize that all trials are for your experience and training. You are a Child of God and knowing that does matter.

Looks aren't everything

Looking at pornography is like swimming with jelly fish. It may look attractive but once you are in the middle of it you will get stung and it could be spiritually fatal.

Why is it so hard to do what is right?

I think we all want to do what is right to one degree or another. It is not that difficult to want to do the right thing. However, when it comes time to actually do what is right it often takes courage.
Sometimes the fear of hurting someone causes us to fear doing what is right. Other times we just don't feel like we know how to do what is right. That is when we have to learn how to practice.
Practice doing the right thing with little things, then when the big things come along you will know why you need to do what is right. And knowing why you should do what is right is the most import thing to know when it comes to doing what is right.

A Covenant Family

As we get older the more we realize the importance of family. This will be more evident as the basic family unit is torn apart by society. The strength of your family will give you greater comfort and courage when you have to make hard decisions. It may at time seem that you are fighting against your own family at times, but when you are on God's side you will be assured that you are fighting for them not against them. The covenants we make with our Heavenly Father must be considered sacred and we must protect them. Families can be together and they will if you remain true to who you are.

Being Happy

Sometimes we think if we get what we want we will be happy. But that only works if what we want is right. Life is about learning to like what is right. We are constantly being tested, and sometimes we are going to make mistakes. The atonement of Christ will give you hope. That does not give you an excuse to make mistakes, but should give you hope that your mistakes will not eternally doom you to a warm and not so comfortable place. Being good, will lead you to being happy no matter what has or will happen in your life.

For My Boys

My son has informed me that he has been reading my blog and has requested that I use it more often so I have decided that I will use this opportunity to expand upon some of the thoughts that I have been using for my statusi on facebook. I will also be adding some of my pictures that I have been taking as I celebrate what is right with this world. I hope that you enjoy!

Spring Bee

I Believe in Americans

The United States of America has been blessed, not because of its government, but because of her people. We are not like any other nation. Some have called us cocky and arrogant, and in someways we are. However, we are also giving and caring. We have taken our place at the top of the world not by stepping on others so much as setting a standard for others to reach. We as a people are quick to help where help is needed. We the people of the United States of America, not the government, but we we the people have donated billions of dollars to nations who have suffered catastrophic disasters. We have donated food and supplies to others whose own governments had turned their backs on them. And when we have seen that our own government was not able to deliver goods to people in need we have found ways to do it ourselves.The scriptures tell us that the Spirit of God is the Spirit of Freedom. This nation was founded on Freedom and its people will not allow those freedoms to be destroyed. Many have underestimated us, I pray that our Government does not. There is a voice that whispers to us that something is wrong. Our spirit is wrestless but we are unsure what we can do. Thus far we have not noticed the effects of our freedoms being stripped from us personally, and we have in the past been able to disregard those voices that have warned us, but instinctively we know it is coming. We know the scriptures and the prophets have predicted such a time, but we have always said, "not in my lifetime." Many of us have believed that the walls of Jericho could not come down. All is well in Zion, yet that nagging feeling continues to eat at us. It is time! we have been awoken. The alarm has gone off and the snooze has gone through its final cycle. It is time to look beyond the benefits of comfort and understand the difference between a right and a privilege. We must come to realize that we can not change the laws of nature. We can have compassion, but we must never place our responsibility on the government. What makes America great is that we come together to protect eachother with personal sacrifice. We can ignore the wealthy if they choose not to participate, it is their choice. We have placed so much emphasis on the value of money, when true value lies within us. It is knowing who we are, and knowing that we have the freedom to experiment with our talents. If money loses its value what can you trade for food, or housing, or whatever you need? Americans are resourceful. That is in our blood. That is who we are.Our ability to reason has come down to name calling if we can't explain our position logically. We have been dishonest with ourselves. We have allowed Congress to use their credit card and spend us beyond our credit limit. How is it that it is okay for Congress, yet if we do this it is bad? We as Americans can disagree, but unlike many parts of the world we do not have to have civil war in order to be heard. Thank God for the freedom of speech. We do not have to believe exactly the same to respect eachother. We can be wrong in our opinion and not be jailed. We were born to be free, but we must know what that means or we will follow natures trail of disintigration. The greatness of America is not in What her government does, it is in what her government does not do. It is not in what her people don't have to do, it is in what Her people do.

Beware of Government Complexity

When the government said it is complex they mean one of two things. First, They have not figured out how to hide the money yet, so they are buying time. This is why they like lawyers to create laws. Lawyers (not all) but many are trained in the philosophy that if you lie then you better lie enough that you loose who ever is trying to follow you or until they die. Then you can indoctrinate their children. Second, "You are to simple to understand that government does not have rules or standards. If you want to hold someone accountable make it your churches, because we don't answer to God or man. So, if you really want the answer see my lawyer." Which takes us back to the first meaning. Rules of the Economy1. Get out of Debt- Debt takes your power and gives it to another, don't do it. Spend less than you bring in and save some for the future. If everyone did this from house to house and business to business there would be no need for bailing anyone out. If you are in debt. Get out! Use everything you have to get out. sell everything you can. Make your children nervous they might be next. But get out of debt!2. Get rid of the idea of Credit. If you grow too fast it is just as unhealthy as staying the same or going backward. If you can't pay cash don't buy it. A business should be run like a home. A home should be run like a business. And Most of All Government should be run like our home. Credit falsifies the value of everything. If we only bought what we could afford with cash, prices would reflect a true market value. Research and developement would be paid for by the rich who can pay the higher prices to have the latest and greatest paving the way for us middle and lower class workers to pay the level market value.3. Be Honest. An honest days work for an honest days wages. To inflate the value of a job is no less dishonest than underpaying someone for the job they do. Both the employer and the employee have a responsibility to eachother to be honest. Do not inflate the value of your product nor under rate it. If we are honest we can grow in a healthy way. If we don't we will always deal with economic bubbles. 4. Employers would do a great service by helping their employees get what they want through the process of increasing the value of their service. If an employee desires to own his own business an employer might want to teach him how to get started. Ask for a royalty based on his success giving him incentive to teach him well. An honest value given and honest value recieved. 5.You are never too big to fall. We as American's are cocky, arrogant, and extremely resourceful. Every once in awhile it is good to clean house. Get rid of the garbage and clean up the yard. When a big company fails it warns the little ones to tight down the hatches and straighten up their practices. It also gives opportunity for smaller healthier companies to fill in the gaps. When you bail a company out no one learns. And the ones who are hurt the most are the honest businesses. To bail out a business that has not not practiced sound financial decisions, including paying employees too much, should not be bailed out. This is a reward for bad behavior. While honest businesses are punished for good behavior.6. Remember Americans are tough. We may not like hard times, but we can take care of ourselves. When we get kicked in the butt we will fight back. If we are allowed to hit bottom we learn from it, and we will survive and thrive or we will die trying. True strength comes from knowing that you have power to do what you need to do, and doing it. If you are never allowed to do what you have to do, then you will never be strong enough to do what you need to when you no longer can rely on help. 7. The enemy of poverty, racism, sexism, or discrimination of any kind, is freedom and truth. It takes time, but an atmosphere of freedom allows truth to reach the hearts of the people but when it does they as individuals will not have room for prejudice or hatred. There are many, though they live in an atmosphere of freedom have no spirit of freedom in them and therefore do not understand. And what they do not understand, they fear. 8. To implement Socialism is like trying to help a butterfly emerge from its cocoon by cutting the cocoon so the butterfly doesn't have to fight to get out. The butterfly that doesn't fight to get out, doesn't fly and ends up starving to death. It is not always pretty, some caterpillars never make it to adulthood for many reasons, but trying to garauntee success for everyone is a sure way of making it so no one succeeds. Keep it simple. If it is not simple it is likely not truth.