Am. Gov. #6

An interesting thing about early American history is that there was a strong attitude of "It's obvious that I, and my people, should have liberty," but then a strong denial of liberty to others who were different. As people of all religions, blacks, and women have gained more and more equality, it has seemed more and more obvious that this is how it should be.
It seems like a lot of the time, if not every time, people engaged in war (from armed conflicts to mere disagreements) will spend a lot of time finding differences between themselves and the enemy. The crusades, the Catholic-Protestant conflicts, even the current war in Iraq all involve people throwing out names and looking for way to be better than others.
What is it in people that makes them look for differences in others and hate them for it? Why do we not see others as they really are: people? Why would people fight for liberty for themselves and then turn around and deny it to others?
I think that if people would be able to stop looking for differences (in religion, in clothing, in culture, etc.) then conflict would happen less, and greater liberty would ensue. There would be more trust, less wars, greater happiness, less fear.
I guess the real question is: how do we, as a country and as a world, arrive at this state of mind? And how can we be an example to others of trust and reconciliation?

NT #6

What is the most important lesson we could learn in life? This is one of the most interesting questions I have ever thought about. The answer is really subject to opinion, as people place importance on a variety of things.
To me, however, I think the most important less you can learn is who you are. It is so important to understand our divine heritage. I think if you can understand where you came from, that you are a child of God, and that you have such glorious potential! I think if this lesson is learned, then all other good teachings will fall into place.
I grew up singing "I am a child of God" and I heard every single primary, Family Home Evening, and Young Woman's lesson on divine heritage. I was told it so much growing up, that I never really thought about it. I merrily skipped along life giving my "primary answers" when asked, and never really wondered what it meant to be a daughter of God, and therefore only comprehended it on a very surface level.
When the identity crisis of adolescence hit, I felt so uprooted and lost. I remember the day I really understood this concept. I was at girls camp, and we had a devotional on "The Royal Within." Suddenly it hit me what everyone had been trying to tell me my entire life: I am a daughter of God. I am royal. Heavenly Father loves me, not just as a painter loves his artwork, but as a father loves his child.
I love this aspect of the gospel, the good news, I love the fact that we are all children of our Heavenly Father.
That is what I think the most important lesson we can learn on life is, anyway.

NT #5

I have rather struggled to think of something to write about this week.
I can think of things that might be interesting to me, but somehow I feel that they would be of little interest to others, or I do not know how to relate my thoughts in an articulate manner.
I have this problem in my classes sometimes. I will think of something to say, but I never know if I will be able to articulate my thoughts, and by the time I have figured out how to saw what I want to, the class discussion has already moved elsewhere. It's not a problem in conversation; you can clarify and ask questions and re-clarify until you understand what the other person is saying. I think it's just in situations where I know I will not be able to re-explain what I have said if the other person does not quite understand.
Thinking along these same lines, I think that is one of the challenges of teaching the gospel. I think there are a lot of feelings which come with learning the gospel. Feelings and words are parts of two very different categories, and trying to explain feelings using words is like sticking a square peg into a round hole.
I am always very impressed with people who can invoke strong feelings in others with mere words. People who can move others to action by speaking to them. Even books that move people to tears or laughter- evidence that they are feeling something. I think the New Testament has this quality. If you study the New Testament, really study it not just skim over the words, then I believe the Holy Ghost can enter your heart and somehow fit the square words into round feelings.

Am. Gov. #5

What brilliance the drafters of our Constitution had! They did the impossible: secured state rights while constructing a strong national government. They produced federalism.
And the anti-federalists! Because of their protests, we have the Bill of Rights. That is also a wonderful document, in my mind. Because of it, I can meet with whomever I want. I can attend church where and when and with whomever I want. I can say what I want to say. I have the freedom to put onto this blog whatever I feel like putting on it.
I think the Constitution--complete with the Bill of Rights--is a brilliant document.
Last year I took an American Government class for my high school. I'm sure many high schools did this, but we each got our own copy of the Constitution, and we got to highlight sections, and make notes in the margin. I still have mine and I was looking through it recently. And I just think it is so great that a girl from a small town in the middle of nowhere can have access to her own personal Constitution of the United States. Anyone can read it, anyone can have a copy of it! It's right next to me, as I type, and there it is! The framework for the government of the United States of America.
I just think that's awesome.

AM. Gov. #4

I love the book by Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities. I am reading it again for my Civilizations class, and I love seeing my old friends the Mannettes, and Mr. Lorry, and Sidney Carton. Although I know the book has been criticized because the characters are all connected through a series of unbelievable coincidences, that is precisely why I love it. I love how the characters, no matter how small, always come up later on in the story.
During our analysis of the book in my civilizations class (we are looking for causes and justifications of war) someone mentioned that the French Revolution was largely influenced by the American Revolution. I had heard this before and kind of shuffled it to the back of my mind again until I was reading for my American Government and societies class.
As I was taking a closer look at the American Revolution, I realized how much of a difference there was between that one and the French Revolution. The French Revolution was so much more horrorific, it's incredible. Even the difference between how we declared Independence. America, with the signing of a document explaining why revolt was necessary; France with the storming of the Bastille.
In America, it was largely the upper-class that took charge and laid a foundation for a country that would strive to minimalize the differences between classes. In France, the aristocracy was hunted and beheaded.
From America, we remember noble George Washington. Of France we learn of the terrorizing Robespierre.
What was the difference? Why the differences? I still do not have all the answers, mainly just observations so far. But I will continue to look and ponder upon the differences between the American and French Revolutions.

NT #4

We have spent the last little while in my New Testament class looking for ironies in the gospel of Mark. One irony, for example, is that women witnessed the death of Christ (Mark 15:40), they witnessed where he was buried (Mark 15:47) and they witnessed the empty tomb (Mark 16:4-7). They knew where He was buried, so it is not like they went to the wrong place. Women could not testify in court in the first century. The irony is that Christ chose as His witnesses, the ones who would not be able to testify in court.
As I was studying my scriptures today, I tried to look for some more ironies. I found one that I think might have been touched upon in class, but it finally "clicked" for me today. In John 15:13 it says, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man layeth down his life for his friends." I have always read this as I was typically taught it: It shows how much Christ loves you because He died for you and He considers you His friend. A strict self-application.
That is all good and well, but today I applied it to others besides myself. I thought about how, on the night He died, those who should have been His best friends turned away from Him. Judas Iscariot, Peter, the rest of them. He layed down His life for His friends, just as they were denying Him. And He was also dying for all the people who contributed to His death, from the people who voted for His crucifixion to the one placing the nails. They brought to death the one who was dying for them.
What irony!

Am. Gov. #3

I love our country. I love being patriotic. One of my favorite days of the year is the 4th of July. We start out the day by going to the community parade with my Grandmother. We go a little early to set out chairs so we have good seats. After the parade my dad takes us into the foothills and we go hiking, enjoying the beautiful landscapes of our country.
We always finish the night by going to the local college to a spot in the grass where my father has claimed a spot for us with a blanket in the wee hours of the morning. There are hundreds of families laughing and playing together as they wait. We listen to the band and play cards and eat food and just have a wonderful time being together.
At a certain part of the night, the band plays all the songs of the armed forces. Veterans from each branch stand when their song is played and everyone applauds. At the end, the band director announces that it is time for the countdown. Everyone quickly gathers with their friends and families and we all count down from ten together. At the end, the most wonderful display of fireworks fills the night sky. Without fail, it leaves everyone with wonder.
"ooh's" and "aah's" fill the air, mixing with the crackles and poppings of the explosives. Sometimes you can see the trail of smoke the fireworks leave, and smell the gunpowder.
It's a wonderful time. But today I wonder how often I think of the founders of our nation during this time. I've been reading a lot about the events that lead up to the Declaration of Independence lately for my American Government class. I am fascinated by their stories, but do I remember them on Independence day? Right now, I am deciding to take a little time each 4th of July to remember those who have gone before to make this country great for me. I will especially remember the heroes of the American Revolution. I will remember why we are celebrating, and I will be grateful.

NT #3

The last time I really studied the New Testament--beyond a chapter here or there--was my Junior year in high school. I had the unique opportunity to be studying something from all four standard works on a daily basis: We were studying the Doctrine and Covenants in my early-morning seminary class; My family was studying the Old Testament together every night; I was answering yet another challenge to read the Book of Mormon and reading from that every night; and I had the wonderful privilege of being in Savior of the World- a production about Jesus Christ.
One thing I love about Savior of the World is that it does not really focus on the life of Jesus Christ. The first act ends with His birth, and the second act begins with His death. Mainly you see the effect His life had on others.
The production itself affected my life in several ways. My father was put in charge of directing it. It was such a time-consuming task that he said he would only direct if his family could be involved; That way, he would not have to spend so much time away from home. I had little desire to actually be a part of the show, but I couldn't very well sabotage it by saying "no I won't do this." So I agreed and took a very small part in the chorus. Since I had felt rather pushed into the whole ordeal, I regretfully did not have the best attitude.
Slowly though, as I began to understand a bit more about the show, and as I finally saw the scriptures coming to life before my eyes, Savior of the World began to mean so much more to me. I learned things then that somehow seem obvious to me now. For the first time I was really amazed at how humble and submissive Mary was. How understanding Joseph must have been. I became aware of how important the resurrection would be to people who had lost loved ones.
Many of these lessons became ingrained into my head, where I can now recall them and talk about how wonderful it is. Savior of the World has kind of drifted into the back of my head now, a wonderful memory that I rarely remember. Even when I am studying the New Testament, I don't automatically think of Savior of the World, it's usually when someone says "remember when?"
Some moments have stuck. The real things that have stuck with me, and will never leave, are the feelings I associate with the New Testament. The Spirit that was present during the performances, and during our conversations about the gospel. The testimony I gained of Christ's atonement, and the gratitude I feel towards Mary, Joseph, all of Christ's supporters, and especially the people who took the time to record the gospel. The good news. These things I will have always.