Am. Gov. #2

I love the musical 1776. I had the opportunity to go see the show performed professionally 2 summers ago with my parents in Sacramento. We laughed and cried with John Adams as he tried desperately to bring about the independence of the American colonies.
In the back of my mind I always doubted the historical accuracy of this beloved musical. I always assumed that the writer needed a central figure to base the story around, and so he chose John Adams for his hero. I knew the subplot with Rodney from Delaware was fairly accurate, because my mom is from that small state, and glows anytime she can boast that Delaware is considered the first colony to join the union. Aside from little assumptions like that, I never really took the time to find discrepancies between what really happened and what was portrayed.
In my American Government and Society class, however, we have been learning about what really happened to bring about the signing of the Declaration of Independence. I was delighted to discover that John Adams really did play a large role. I was surprised to find out that the actual voting took place on July 2, 1776, and most of the signatures were given a month later. I was still impressed with Dickinson's willingness to serve in the militia even though he did not feel that signing the Declaration of Independence was the right thing to do.
The main thing I have learned in my limited study of the birth of our great country, is that the people involved were great people. They were heroes, to be sure, but they were still people. They were courageous, but they had fears and worries, and families, just as we all do. They were people who did great things. And I respect them for that.

NT #2

My parents did a really good job raising 5 kids. The more I think about it, the more I realize how impossible it might have been sometimes and the more gratitude I have for their patience. One thing my parents really emphasized was family scripture study. Every night after dinner we would move from the kitchen to the living room and read at least 4 pages a night from one of the four standard works . Starting with my dad and moving counter-clockwise we would take turns reading, ten verses at a time.
I learned a lot during those study times. It's where I learned to read. I can recall sitting on my dad's lap, watching his finger follow along with the words being spoken. When it got to my turn, he would whisper the words into my ear, and I would repeat them louder, until I could recognize the words by myself.
I also learned to sit reverently during these times. My mother's head must have ached after some of the most trying study periods, mainly when we were younger. My brothers and I often tried to make each other laugh and would get sent to our rooms. We also had competitions about everything like who could say "amen" first, after the last verse was read. Those lasted until my parents explained, once again, the importance of being reverent and how, although fun and not necessarily "wrong," spiritual experiences can sometimes be missed in times of inappropriate joviality.
I also learned the importance of continual studying. We would read through the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Old Testament and New Testament and then start over again, and again, and again. My parents taught me that there is always something more to be learned.
I am so grateful that they taught me diligence in studying the scriptures. So now, when I am in Sunday school or in my New Testament class, I don't think "Oh, I've already studied this chapter, I can zone out." Instead, I have been taught to constantly look and listen for the insights I missed before.

Am. Gov. #1

Not only did my roommate and I watch the President Obama's inaugural address last week, but I also got to study it in two of my classes. I was very impressed with President Obama. No matter what your political views are, you must admit that he is a good speaker. It is very nice to have a president that we will be able to quote for his inspiring words of patriotism.
I think what I liked best about the address is that it did inspire hope. Amidst a blizzard of dismal predictions and pessimism, it was relieving to get lost in rays of optimism and hope. I was also impressed with his call to live American ideals. The ideals upon which our nation has been built. Obama's historical examples and is address overall really made me proud to be an American.

Post #1

I am enrolled in a New Testament class here at BYU. I was walking home after class yesterday, periodically taking time to crunch the snow that lines the pathways, feeling a little down on myself. After all, I have been studying religion--more specifically the gospel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 19 years. So why in the world am I still stunned and amazed by basic principles? I will hear some insight about some topic like faith, and it will be so obviously true, that it makes me wonder why I never thought or heard of it before. Have I just not been listening? Was I just not ready?
Then I realized that it's probably not set up to be learned in 19, 25, 100 years. And frankly, I'm glad about that. If you could master every principle in a mere 19 years, what else would there be to do? It would kind of be boring for the rest of eternity. I am so grateful that we can continuously gain knowledge and learn and progress. And that there is enough knowledge to be gained, there are enough skills to be learned and there is enough progress to be made to last us for a very long time.