There is always a space between the ideal as taught by the gospel and where we are now. Some are more painfully aware of this gap than others. But it is in this space where grace operates.
Book review: “Humility: The Journey Toward Holiness” by Andrew Murray
Brought back memories of filling out the Preach My Gospel Christlike attributes assessment and reaching the humility section. If I rank myself highly, I'm like the guy who says "I am the humblest person I know." But-- if I give myself all zeros, then I'm just doing it to prove I'm humble!
Book review: Paul Tournier’s “Guilt and Grace”
These past few weeks, I was feeling very world weary from the constant back and forth of sharp criticisms, ad hominem attacks, and gross exaggerations that is Twitter. There is very little effort to provide any nuanced approach. Then I began to notice the few accounts that were made to provide daily quotes by various... Continue Reading →
Post-conference thoughts
It's been a few days since the end of conference, giving me enough time to piece together a few of my thoughts. I haven't had time to completely read through all the talks yet, so I may do a few follow-up posts with some more in-depth thoughts on specific talks or themes. But wow! What... Continue Reading →
Perfecting the saints without perfectionism
Last week, I wrote about the Sunday School lesson I taught to the youth on the importance of commandments. This week, my co-teacher continued the discussion. The lesson was technically titled "How can I help others understand my standards." I was thinking how I would teach such a lesson, and I would have centered it... Continue Reading →
Why commandments?
I teach the 16-18 year-old Sunday School class in my ward/congregation, and September begins a discussion on the commandments. I gave a lot of thought on what to share this week, and I decided to do a compare/contrast setup with common secular views of commandments with the religious rationale for commandments. Perhaps I was waning... Continue Reading →
C. S. Lewis’s secret system in “Chronicles of Narnia”: Book review of “Planet Narnia”
Planet Narnia was a Goodreads recommendation based on my Favorites shelf that is clearly dominated by the works of C. S. Lewis. I haven't read a book by C. S. Lewis for a good two years now, and I was wanting to rekindle some of the spiritual insights I had gathered while reading his works.... Continue Reading →
You reap what you sow: Stephen Covey’s Spiritual Roots of Human Relations
I first heard of "The Spiritual Roots of Human Relations" by Stephen Covey from an Institute teacher at the University of Utah. The lesson itself has faded from my memory, but the title of the book stuck with me. When I later was inspired as a returned missionary after reading "The Seven Habits of Highly... Continue Reading →
That twice-blest gift: On giving and recieving mercy
I wish you all a beautiful Sabbath Day! I am sharing with you my remarks from sacrament meeting this morning on giving and recieving mercy in our lives. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they than mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the... Continue Reading →
“Nothing will take them out of the circle of our family’s love”: Tom Christofferson’s book on being Mormon and gay
I have been waiting in anticipation to read Tom Christofferon's book That We May Be One ever since it was announced. Tom Christofferson is the brother of the LDS apostle D. Todd Christofferson. He is gay, and spent 19 years married to a same-sex partner outside the Church. Now as a member in full fellowship,... Continue Reading →
