Pearls & Perfection Pending

I've been thinking about life lately.  And people.  Life is about people.  Good ones, bad ones, dumb ones, favorite ones.  People are the best and worst part of everything.  Whenever something goes terribly wrong, or you get really, deeply hurt, it usually has to do with something someone said or did to you (or didn't say or do).  The most memorable, treasured moments in our lives involve those we love best.  Our saddest and happiest times generally revolve around relationships and experiences with (or with a lack of) other people.   President Monson teaches that people are most important, "Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved." I remember reading a 7 habits book by Sean Covey (son of Stephen Covey) when I was younger, which talked about relationship bank accounts (RBA).  Every single interaction we have with any person, known or unknown, is a deposit or  withdrawal  in that relations...

I read an article today that's been floating around the internet.  It made me think.  It was written by an LDS bishop about the lessons he has learned by simply listening to the people who seek his guidance as their local spiritual leader.  I was humbled by the many significant statements he made about his lessons learned, and found these especially insightful: I have learned that we believe it is a strength to conceal weakness. I am a major culprit of this one.  Not just weakness, but every undesirable attribute.  Why is it so natural to pretend all the time and put up such a fake front? I have learned that it is easy to want others to overlook our flaws as we expect perfection in them. Sorry, Honey. I have learned that it is hardest to show compassion and grant forgiveness to those closest to us. True. I have learned that to deal with life’s pain most of us choose one of the following: alcohol, drugs, pornography, or spirituality. This, I think, was...

" We get nearer to the Lord through music than perhaps through any other thing except prayer." -J. Reuben Clark, 1936 I believe that is true.  The majority of my most significant life events, especially those that have increased my testimony, have had something to do with music.  Take a peek at some of my favorites. Perfect Love I Know That My Redeemer Lives O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Nearer My God to Thee Nessun Dorma Don't Give Up Hourglass Come Thou Fount As I Am My Kindness Shall Not Depart From Thee He (II) Rob Gardner A Little More Like Thee

Introduction Chapters 1-2

David is teaching the New Testament this year in seminary .  I haven't done a great job so far, but when I get the chance, it is fun to keep up with where he is teaching in my personal studies.  I am currently trying to read from Acts to Revelation along with a study help book that goes along verse by verse offering additional insights.  I love some of the ideas the authors wrote about in the preface.  They outline some of the doctrines in the New Testament which were misunderstood or misinterpreted by early Christian councils and lost in some cases to many Christian churches.  Some of these doctrines include: -God the Father and Jesus Christ are separate and distinct beings -Jesus Christ is the literal son in the flesh of God, our Father -The sweeping power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ -The nature of the Abrahamic covenant -Premortal existence -Faithfulness in our first estate -Agency -Accountability -The reality and opposition of Satan -Pries...