What I'm doing this weekend

A war of words and tumult of opinions

Karen and I talked politics the other day while out walking the neighborhood. While we are decided on what we want to happen in this presidential election (and have already voted) we considered politics in general and how it often comes down to which party can outtalk the others—that speech is often what sways a lot of people one way or another. And then, we thought of Joseph Smith when he was looking for the right church when he was a young boy.

"In the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions, I often said to myself: What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be right, which is it, and how shall I know it?" (Joseph Smith—History 1:10)

We believe, as Joseph Smith did, that answers to life's questions, big or small, are often most satisfyingly and directly offered from communication with God through prayer. It is at times like these that I remember how blessed I am to have the gospel and spirituality in my life.

Man's prerogative

I just can't see myself holding up this sign.

A few days ago I read an article in The Salt Lake Tribune about a church that came to certain conclusions about divine punishment on America. While I don't have access to the original article, I found something similar here.

Later that same day, I read this appropriate statement in Jesus the Christ:

It is not man's prerogative to pass upon the purposes and designs of God, nor to judge by human reason alone that this person or that suffers disaster as a direct result of individual sin. Nevertheless men have ever been prone to so judge. There are many inheritors of the spirit of Job's friends, who assumed his guilt as certain because of the great misfortunes and sufferings that had come upon him.

Never mind the opinion of whether or not America is doomed. I just think Elder Talmage makes an excellent point.