The Temple, Marriage & Kids

Lately, this topic has been pressing on me. The world is rapidly changing, not just on the issue of same sex marriage, but we seem to have soured on marriage, monogamy and having kids altogether. I will freely admit, I've taken a great deal of pleasure in joking about these subjects and do feel somewhat guilty. I know its not all bad as humor is some of the best and most powerful catharsis for dealing with stress, but what I'd like to share this morning is crucial.

Last week during EQ, the instructor challenged us to take something from the lesson and make a note, send an email or text... ANYTHING to get us to apply what we were learning. Here is what I texted my wife (aka the Boss) on the fly and I believe by inspiration.

9. As distances allow, regularly attend the temple with your wife. Your children will then better understand the importance of temple marriage and temple vows and the eternal family unit.

https://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-ezra-taft-benson/chapter-15-the-sacred-callings-of-fathers-and-mothers?lang=eng

Next, while pondering my Sunday school lesson "How can I explain the importance of marriage and family to others?" I noticed the new September Ensign had showed up and the following article was referenced on the cover:

The Temple and the Natural Order of Marriage - by Elder Bruce C. Hafen

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2015/09/the-temple-and-the-natural-order-of-marriage?lang=eng

Needless to say, it caught my attention. I will admit that sometimes I get bored with gospel study, talks and articles. I know that repetition is God's way of letting me know about critical messages and I feel the spirit when I study, ponder and pray. But this talk was a genuine feast of learning for me. I'm not going to elaborate on it. I'll leave that between you and the Spirit. But I cannot recommend it enough as the winds of change blow in our society today (Eph 4:14). I know that what Elder Hafen taught is true and is a timely message from God. I am going to be better about my joking regarding marriage and children. They are everything to me and ultimately a symbol of my testimony of Jesus Christ. Here is the full talk given at J. Ruben Law School if you are intereted.

http://jrcls.org/clark_memo/sections/f14/CMF14_Hafen.pdf

My Wife DESTROYS Hanging Lake

Flashing my wedding ring to show people my celebratory mood. 

Recently, my wife has become quite the running enthusiast. She has lots of nifty outfits, a belt with water and tons of supplements that I've never seen before. As a general rule, we almost never exercise together. So I was unprepared for her demonstration of fitness during our 16th anniversary retreat in the Mountains.

I set a brisk pace knowing she is now a champion of cardiovascular activity and didn't want to bore her. This is a popular hike and the trail is packed. So during a stop due to the line, I encouraged her to just run to the top thinking she would politely decline in a grandiose show of humility or admit that would be ludicrous. I was wrong. She took off at an unimaginable pace up the steep trail and I didn't see her until I reached the top despite my best efforts go as fast as I could.

Needless to say, she was appropriately smug when I rounded the corner panting and wheezing. My husbandly swagger took a considerable blow. I was starting to get nervous about her finding me pathetic so I decided to show her my best stuff at the waterfall.

I'm a maniac, MANIAC!! 

We also fawned over some rodent on the trail. There are gratuitous videos of this critter in the link below.

Doomed. 

I also ran down the trail in a fit of stupidity to show I could at least win one leg of the hike. Good thing I didn't kill myself. Here are some shots of my hike on the Rim Trail in Snowmass Village for posterity.

Snowmass Village from the Crest of the Rim Trail. 

My old man would have loved this. 

Here is the rest of the hike and my excursion on the Rim Trail in Snowmass Village.

https://goo.gl/photos/aYSfsxrdyfLkg8af6

Mt. Rushmore & Ice Cream?

The fam and I decided to assault Mt. Rushmore due to some work I had going on in Gillette WY. I've always wondered if it was worth the trip. Based on what we saw... I'd say probably not. BUT... If you did some camping and soaked in all of the surrounding sites and attractions, yes.

I had no idea this place was so big on Thomas Jefferson and his ice cream recipe, but shoot... it sure got me to drop $20. See the photo in the album for marketing campaign.

https://goo.gl/photos/vFqcpTxA9UNbZLVLA

Mario Maker & DUNGEON MASTER

"True happiness comes from the joy of deeds well done, the zest of creating things new." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

 

"God used beautiful mathematics in creating the world." - Paul Dirac

Hello friends. Yesterday I saw something that looked genuinly interesting for the Wii U - Mario Maker. http://supermariomaker.nintendo.com/#/home

I like Mario, but I've always preferred Zelda. There are a host of people who think so as well and are pining for a similar concept for that franchise. Metroid? The possibilities are vast. Of course, some smart people have already figured this stuff out for Zelda. Check it:

http://www.zeldaclassic.com/what.php

Yeah. We'll see how long before that site is shut down. But it sure sounds cool. 

 Until next time folks. Happy creating and Shigeru Miyamoto (宮本 茂) bless.

Dead Man Walking

On Friday, I entertained two Elders from the Mormon Church of the Saints of the Last Days who were about to die.

In Missionary lingo, we refer to going home at the end of our two years as "dying." We also refer to the companion we had at the time as "the one who killed me." See  this prior post for an example of this usage. http://fletchword.blogspot.com/2014/08/circle-of-reign.html

Typically, we have minimal advice for actual dead men walking other than deathbed repentance. However when a missionary is "dying" their life is just getting started. If I could go back and give some words of wisdom to myself and these two Elders here are some key points:

• Fundamentals: Continue to study your scriptures, pray sincerely, attend church, temple and magnify your callings. Follow the Prophet. Hard to be led astray when these things are part of your life. 
• Mission Goggles: This is a real thing. When you get home and especially if you are going to Mecca (Provo), practically every girl you see is going to look like a super-model. This is perfectly normal and nothing to be ashamed of. Give yourself six months before seriously dating anyone. You need some time to re-adjust and it will make you less creepy to most women. Trust me, ask any woman who has been single in this environment and they will confirm. 
• Career: You probably still don't know exactly what you are going to do with yourself. Don't stress. Finding yourself in your 20s is The American Way. You've started finding yourself by serving the Lord. Now build on that and don't be afraid to pursue what you are truly interested in. Continue becoming your best self and the right career will find you. 
• Porn: Yeah, I said that. Its a challenge before and after your mission. Getting married doesn't make it much easier either as the taboo of sex "seems" to have been lifted. Understanding the Atonement and keeping no secrets is critical. If you can't have a frank discussion about this topic and how its impacted you with your parents/Bishop or especially your fiancee (near the time of proposal or before) then I would say that is a bad sign and get help. Like it or not, this is something that shapes our culture and views about sexuality and cannot be ignored. Walking in the light and in the open can be painful at times. But this is better than suffering in the shadows and hurting those around you. 
• Marriage: I came home with the goal of being a bachelor until 25. Naturally, I wound up married almost one year to the day after I got home. 
• Those who want to get married and pursue it like a career often wind up single into their late 20s and 30s. 
• Don't sweat marriage, have fun and focus on school/career and you'll be sealed before you can say "I wanted her to be an 8 cow woman." 
• Don't Rush: Life is a journey, not a destination. Its okay to live in a crummy apartment with no money and shop at thrift stores. In fact it will teach you humility and give you an appreciation of things later in life. You also don't have to get married and have 5 kids under the age of 8 and make 200K+ per year. This is just keeping up with the world and is not a path to happiness. Do things for the right reasons. Charity. What kid want to say I'm here so my parents could feel less guilty? Your spouse and kids will thank you for being motivated by Love and not the Jones. 
• Keep Serving: When I got back, one of the hardest things for me was transitioning from a life of 24/7 service to what seemed like a very selfish life. School, marriage, kids, career, it all seemed so self-centered. But I've learned over the years that helping others be happy along the way has been one of the keys to happiness. Yes, it will be different; but think of it as serving on a more personal level, without any pretext or obligation. 
• Faith is a Choice: Nothing will ever be perfectly explained and your testimony may come under fire. As Elder Holland says, 
• "...hold fast to what you already know and stand strong until additional knowledge comes...In this Church, what we know will always trump what we do not know. And remember, in this world, everyone is to walk by faith...So be kind regarding human frailty—your own as well as that of those who serve with you in a Church led by volunteer, mortal men and women." 
• https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/lord-i-believe?lang=eng

Well, that's about all your Sesame Street attention spans can handle. Good luck and enjoy the ride!