Enjoy!!

Most Correct Book

In this episode, we read and talk about the title page and Book of Mormon Intro… etc. Enjoy!

Enjoy!!

PnP: Book of Mormon 1

We decided to start a bit of a series, but not by topic as before. Listen and weep. Wait, that’s what you say in a competition… or whatever. Plus I’ve got to remember to avoid cliche’s like the plague.

Here’s a link to the totally AWESOME blog we mention in the podcast:

Flooding the Earth with the Book of Mormon

Seriously, check out this blog. It will give you so much motivation to go and share the gospel with the people you meet. I SO wish I could do this. Wait… I could… okay, so I so wish I WOULD do this!

Enjoy!!

Repent of Our Selfishness

In 1995, Elder Neal A. Maxwell gave an AMAZING talk about overcoming selfishness. I swear every sentence is a home-run. Anyway, Jenni and I read and discussed his talk, and we hope you learn as much as we did!

Enjoy!!

Kiddoes

Jenni and I have decided to try focusing the podcast on various topics, instead of having many podcasts on one topic – just to see how that goes.

This time we focused on Children

James E. Faust:

If parents do not discipline their children and teach them to obey, society may discipline them in a way neither the parents nor the children will like. Dr. Lee Salk, child psychologist, said: “The ‘do your own thing’ trend has interfered with people developing close and trusting family relationships. It tells people that they are neurotic if they feel a sense of responsibility for the feelings of other family members. People are also told to let all their feelings out, even if it is very hurtful to someone else.”

(Special Section Families, U.S. News and World Report, Inc., 16 June 1980, p. 60.) As Dr. Salk states, this is, of course, patently wrong. Without discipline and obedience in the home, the unity of the family collapses.

Anne G. Wirthlin:

Recent research on the development of a child’s brain has revealed new insights into how and when a child learns. I quote from a recent study: “From birth, a baby’s brain cells proliferate wildly, making connections that may shape a lifetime of experience. The first three years are critical” (J. Madeleine Nash, “Fertile Minds,” Time, 3 Feb. 1997, 49).

Anne G. Wirthlin, “Teaching Our Children to Love the Scriptures,” Ensign, May 1998, 9

Anne G. Wirthlin:

When first we love the Lord with all our hearts, then we can lead our children to Him in all of our interactions. They will grow in their devotion to the Lord as they see our devotion to Him. They will understand the power of prayer as they hear us pray to a loving Heavenly Father who is there listening and answering our prayers. They will understand faith as they see us live by faith. And they will learn the power of love by the kind and respectful ways that we relate to them. We cannot teach truth to our children apart from the trusting, caring relationships that we have with them. President Howard W. Hunter said, “A successful parent is one who has loved, one who has sacrificed, and one who has cared for, taught, and ministered to the needs of a child” (Ensign, Nov. 1983, p. 65).

Anne G. Wirthlin, “Touch the Hearts of the Children,” Ensign, Nov 1995, 81

Neal A. Maxwell:

Children often have the “thoughts and [the] intents of [their] hearts” focused on the Master. Though not full of years, such children are full of faith! Too young for formal Church callings, they have been “called to serve” as exemplifiers, doing especially well when blessed with “goodly parents” (1 Ne. 1:1).

Just as the scriptures assure, “little children do have words given unto them many times” (Alma 32:23). For example, the resurrected Jesus revealed things to the Nephite children, who then taught adults and their parents “even greater” things than Jesus had taught (3 Ne. 26:14).

It has been a privilege to seal several adopted children to Nan and Dan Barker, now of Arizona. Some time ago Nate, then just over three, said: “Mommy, there is another little girl who is supposed to come to our family. She has dark hair and dark eyes and lives a long way from here.”

The wise mother asked, “How do you know this?”

“Jesus told me, upstairs.”

The mother noted, “We don’t have an upstairs,” but quickly sensed the significance of what had been communicated. After much travail and many prayers, the Barker family were in a sealing room in the Salt Lake Temple in the fall of 1995—where a little girl with dark hair and dark eyes, from Kazakhstan, was sealed to them for time and eternity. Inspired children still tell parents “great and marvelous things” (3 Ne. 26:14).

Benjamin Ballam is the special spina bifida child of Michael and Laurie Ballam. He has been such a blessing to them and many others. Also spiritually precocious, Benjamin is a constant source of love and reassurance. Having had 17 surgeries, resilient Benjamin knows all about hospitals and doctors. Once, when an overwhelmed attendant became vocally upset—not at Benjamin, but over stressful circumstances—little three-year-old Benjamin exemplified the words of another Benjamin about our need to be childlike and “full of love” (Mosiah 3:19). Little Benjamin reached out, tenderly patted the irritated attendant, and said, “I love you anyway.” A similar episode occurred recently in an Israeli hospital, where little Benjamin, going through a necessary but very painful procedure, used the same loving words to reassure a physician. No wonder, brothers and sisters, in certain moments we feel children are our spiritual superiors.

Neal A. Maxwell, “‘Becometh As a Child’,” Ensign, May 1996, 68

Elder M. Russell Ballard

“The most important work we can do is to help God’s children come to a full understanding of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. This I know to be true…”

(Ensign, Nov. 2000 pg. 77 – 2^nd to last sentence)

Barbara B. Smith:

It might be a temptation for a working mother to plan special outings and play times as the so-called “quality” time she has with her children. But many are aware of the danger this poses in giving them a distorted picture of life by using all their time together in recreation. It is important for children to see the balance that is necessary between work and play. They need to know that special events are more meaningful when daily routines are established and when assigned duties are completed.

One grandmother helped her grandchildren learn this truth. When they came to her house she was careful to have jobs they could do together; then afterward, they played a game. Then another task was followed by another game. The children learned, as she hoped they would, the relationship between work and play and the comfortable sense of playing after work is completed.

Barbara B. Smith, “‘Her Children Arise Up, and Call Her Blessed’,” Ensign, May 1982, 79

Patricia P. Pinegar:

The blessings of parenting and helping to care for children are many. President Hinckley said: “Of all the joys of life, none other equals that of happy parenthood. Of all the responsibilities with which we struggle, none other is so serious. To rear children in an atmosphere of love, security, and faith is the most rewarding of all challenges. The good result from such efforts becomes life’s most satisfying compensation” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1994, 74; or Ensign, Nov. 1994, 54).

Patricia P. Pinegar, “Caring for the Souls of Children,” Ensign, May 1997, 13

Elder Harold G. Hillam:

Many, perhaps most, adult members of the Church, however, find themselves in a position to teach in a more direct manner. Leaders, parents, and called teachers have the specific responsibility to constantly improve their teaching abilities so they can prepare, train, and edify those who fall within their stewardship. President David O. McKay reminded us that “the proper training of childhood is man’s most important and sacred duty” (Gospel Ideals [1953], 220). The Lord has made it clear that parents shall “teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord” (D&C 68:28).

There is power in the doctrines of the Church—hence the need for us all to be ever learning and constantly fortifying ourselves spiritually. President Hinckley has said: “The forces against which we labor are tremendous. We need more than our own strength to cope with them. To all who hold positions of leadership, to the vast corps of teachers and missionaries, to heads of families, I should like to make a plea: In all you do, feed the Spirit—nourish the soul. … I am satisfied that the world is starved for spiritual food” (“Feed the Spirit—Nourish the Soul,” Improvement Era, Dec. 1967, 85–86).

Harold G. Hillam, “Teachers, the Timeless Key,” Ensign, Nov 1997, 62

Anne G. Wirthlin:

President Kimball shared vivid memories of his home when the family knelt before meals to pray, their chairs turned back from the table, dinner plates upside down. He remembers night prayers at his mother’s knee. He said, “I feel sorry for children who must learn these important lessons after they are grown, when it is so much harder” (Edward L. Kimball and Andrew E. Kimball, Jr., Spencer W. Kimball, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1977, p. 31). Home can be an oasis in the world. It’s a place where every child has a right to feel safe.

Anne G. Wirthlin, “Touch the Hearts of the Children,” Ensign, Nov 1995, 81

Elder Joe Christensen:

“Remember family prayer every day. With schedules as they are today, you may need to have more than one prayer. Sending your children out of the home without the spiritual protection of prayer is like sending them out into a blizzard without sufficient clothing.”

Elder Joe Christensen, Ensign Nov 1993

Enjoy!!

Light and Truth

Enjoy!!

Music and the Knowledge of Good and Evil

Music, Art, and Media Series

Ezra Taft Benson:

We seek that which is praiseworthy, lovely, virtuous, and of good report; and we salute Beethoven, Shakespeare, Rembrandt, and Michelangelo. In due time, we will also have more of our own giants–particularly great father-patriarchs and noble companions and mothers of men. There is certain music heard and art seen and clothes worn on this campus [BYU] that must pass away–not because the styles change but because our standards will be improved.

When individual actions of some Church members disturb you, here’s another principle to consider. This is the principle of stewardship. As the kingdom grows larger, more and more responsibilities have to be delegated and stewardships handed out. Men respond in different degrees of valiancy to their stewardships. God is very patient and long-suffering as he waits for some of us to rise to our responsibilities. He usually gives a man a long enough rope and a long enough time either to pull himself up to the presence of God or to drop off somewhere below. But while God is patient, no puny arm of man in his stewardship can long impede or pervert the work of the Lord. The mills of God grind slowly, but they grind ever so finely.

Because God has given men their agency, there will always be those who will misuse it. The gospel net draws in the good and the bad, the best and the worst–the worst because the devil, before the final cleansing, puts some of his followers within the kingdom in order to try and destroy it. We have some of them within the kingdom today, and in due course their number shall be known. Time has a way of taking care of all things, of elevating the good and bringing down the bad. If we see things going on within the kingdom that disturb us, we might first resolve if the matter falls within our stewardship. We then might go to the person or people involved. If it is of such a nature that we think it should be called to the attention of higher authority, then we can, in a kindly and quiet manner, take the necessary steps at the proper level.

To publish differences we may think we have with the leaders of the Church, to create strife and division, is a sure road to apostasy. Our task is to stick with the kingdom, not to let anything or anybody disaffect or sour us toward that great gift which Christ has given us–his church.

The Church is true. Keep its laws; attend its meetings; sustain its leaders; accept its callings; get its recommend; enjoy its blessings.

Jesus Christ–Gifts and Expectations, Ezra Taft Benson, BYU devotional, 10 December 1974

Moroni 7:12-17

12 Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.

13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.

14 Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil.

15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.

16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.

17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.

18 And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged.

19 Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ.

We’d write out the whole good spirit vs. bad spirit chart deal here, but formatting it in a blog would be a nightmare, so here’s the link to the whole talk he gave!

Investing for Eternity, John H. Groberg BYU devotional, 15 June 1982

Popular Music Guidelines

Music, Art, and Media Series

Larry Bastian, “Popular Music Guidelines,” Ensign, Apr 1974, 37

Have you ever wondered why things like beat, rhythm, and intensity are mentioned by the brethren as things to be aware of when are choosing what type of music to listen to?  I have, and this talk addressed that very well.

Enjoy!!

Popopopopular

Music, Art, and Media Series

Lex De Azevedo, A Closer Look at Popular Music

Here’s a link to the LDS film site we mentioned in the podcast: http://www.ldsfilm.com/

Here’s a list of popular LDS artists – most of which were not around during the “I’ll Build You a Rainbow” era.  Not to diss the song or anything, but it’s definitely an oldie.  All of the musicians listed here have at least some LDS-themed music.  This list is not comprehensive, but these are some of the leaders of their genre:

Pop
Katherine Nelson
Jenny Jordan Frogley

Rock
Greg Simpson

Contemporary
Mindy Gledhill
Hilary Weeks
Cherie Call
Jenny Phillips

Folk/Bluegrass
Ryan Shupe & the Rubber Band

Folk/Pop
Peter Breinholt

Country
Jason Deere

Pop/Soul
Alex Boye

New Age Piano
Paul Cardall
Jon Schmidt

Pop/Classical
George Dyer

A’Capella
InsideOut

Classical Instrumental
Steven Sharp Nelson
Jenny Oaks Baker

Julie de Azevedo – We had to throw her in here because she’s Lex de Azevedo’s daughter AND we LOVE her stuff!

Chas Hathaway – Sorry, had to!

Enjoy!!

Popcorn and Pop Music

Music, Art, and Media Series

Lex De Azevedo, A Closer Look at Popular Music

Is pop music of the devil, and classical from heaven?  Is it really so cut and dry?  Tell us your thoughts!

Enjoy!!

Flexing of Instincts

Music, Art, and Media Series

A of F 13

We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Ezra Taft Benson:

Remember Elder Boyd K. Packer’s statement: “Music, once … innocent, now is often used for wicked purposes. …
“In our day music itself has been corrupted. Music can, by its tempo, by its beat, by its intensity [and I would add by its lyrics], dull the spiritual sensitivity of men. …
“Young people,” Elder Packer goes on to say, “you cannot afford to fill your mind with the unworthy hard music of our day.” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1973, pp. 21, 25; or Ensign, Jan. 1974, pp. 25, 28.)
Instead, we encourage you to listen to uplifting music, both popular and classical, that builds the spirit. Learn some Read the rest of this entry »

Enjoy!!

Enjoy!!

Worship Through Music

Music, Art, and Media Series

Dallin H. Oaks, Worship Through Music, Ensign Nov 1994

Remember the story we told a couple weeks ago about Heather, who could not speak, but communicated with her eyes and wanted to tell her family about her favorite hymn?  Well, on the Mormon Channel, they did an interview with Heather’s mom, and she mentioned that story!

Enjoy!!

The church has a few a few official podcasts, and one of them is called, Everything Creative. They can be found by going to the Church’s Mormon channel.  The first episode of the Everything Creative program is both fantastic and fitting to our Music, Art, and Media series.  So Enjoy!

Enjoy!!

Enjoy!!

Hymns and the Spirit

Music, Art, and Media Series

The Nourishing Power of Hymns, Jay E. Jensen

Sorry for the double music player deal.  It was kind of a mistake, but the top one is an arrangement Chas did of If You Could Hie to Kolob.  The Second one is the podcast.  Oops.  Silly thing is, we don’t know how to fix it.  Oh, well, it’s all here, so enjoy!

So… anyone who can tell us where the name Kingsford came from (Kingsford is the original name of the tune that we now use for the hymn If You Could Hie to Kolob), then you can have a free copy of the Sheet Music and the MP3 of Chas’s original arrangement of the tune, which you can listen to by clicking “PLAY” (or by listening to the top player deal).

Chas has written a number of other hymn arrangements on his music blog.

Enjoy!!

Enjoy!!

Hymnology

Music, Art, and Media Series

Bible Dictionary: Music

The Nourishing Power of Hymns, Jay E. Jensen

Matt 26:29-30

But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.

And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

D&C 25:11-12

And it shall be given thee, also, to make a selection of sacred hymns, as it shall be given thee, which is pleasing unto me, to be had in my church.
For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.

Richard G. Scott:

Good music, especially sacred music, makes spiritual things more understandable. It is edifying and conducive to willing obedience. It prepares emotions for response to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Stay away from the poison of evil music.

To Acquire Knowledge and the Strength to Use It Wisely, BYU devotional, 23 January 2001

Merrill J. Bateman:

Elder Merrill J. Bateman:
This story concerns a young girl, the fourth child in a family of six children. Her name is Heather. Three of the children, including Heather, suffered from a rare disease called glutaric acidemia. In each case, the onset of the disease occurred during the first year of life when an enzyme attacked the brain, causing paralysis. The disease results in acid forming in the muscles similar to that which occurs following a period of intense physical activity. The problem faced by the children was that Read the rest of this entry »

Enjoy!!

Parable of the Spoons

Dating and Marriage Series

F. Burton Howard, “Eternal Marriage,” Ensign, May 2003, 92

If you haven’t read or heard the parable of the spoons, I think you’re in for a treat. Elder Howard does a beautiful job teaching that if you want something to last forever, you’ve got to treat it differently.
So get a date (spouse if applicable), pull up a chair, (or car, or chore, or whatever), pop up some corn, and listen to the last episode of our dating and marriage series. Next week we start the series on music, art, and media!

Jenni and I have had so much fun working on this podcast together that we decided to attempt to write a book together on the topic we’ve been discussing. We don’t dare to make any promises, because we don’t know all the ins and outs of preparing a book for publishing (especially with permission issues and copyrights, since we’ll share talks and quotes written by others), but we would like to try.

What do you think of our idea? Should we write a dating/marriage book? What would you like to see included in it?

P.S. Last week’s trivia was: what on earth is flotsam and jetsam? The answer is – in common use, a collection of miscellaneous items of little importance. But originally it meant little floating bits left over from a shipwreck. There’s more detail on Wikipedia, but I’ll let you go there on your own if you want.

Enjoy!!

Marriage and Dating Series

Gordon B. Hinckley, “What God Hath Joined Together,” Ensign, May 1991, 71

President Hinckley:

“I am satisfied that a happy marriage is not so much a matter of romance as it is an anxious concern for the comfort and well-being of one’s companion”

(From this talk)

We briefly mentioned Gary Chapman’s book, The Five Love Languages.  We highly recommend it.  It basically helps couples identify what makes their spouse feel most loved, and isn’t that one of our major goals?  Anyway, we enjoyed it and recommend it to everyone.

Enjoy!!

Dating and Marriage Series

Here’s a link to the talk we share:

Spencer W. Kimball, “Oneness in Marriage,” Ensign, Mar 1977, 3

Here’s a link to the talk Jenni mentioned – it’s a fun one, we recommend it!

Barbara Jacobson, “Granola Crumbs and Paint Cans,” Ensign, Jun 2009, 10–11

Here’s a link to the article Suzane Smith mentioned to us in an email: Top 50 Mormon/LDS Bloggers

Thanks, Suzane!

Enjoy!!

“Love”ly Quotes

Dating and Marriage Series

John H. Groberg:

Several months after I regained my strength [after starvation following a hurricane], we were caught in another violent storm, only this time at sea. The waves became so big they flipped our small boat over, throwing the three of us into the raging, churning ocean. When I found myself in the middle of a tumultuous sea, I was surprised, scared, and a little upset. “Why has this happened?” I thought. “I’m a missionary. Where is my protection? Missionaries aren’t supposed to swim.”
But swim I must if I wished to stay alive. Every time I complained I found myself underwater, so it didn’t take long to quit complaining. Things are how they are, and complaining doesn’t help. I needed every ounce of energy to keep my head above water and make it to shore. Having earned my Eagle Scout Award, I was a pretty confident swimmer, but over time the wind and the waves began to sap my strength. I never quit trying, but there came a time when my muscles simply would move no more.
I had a prayer in my heart, but still I began to sink. As I was going down for what could have been the last time, Read the rest of this entry »

Enjoy!!

The Parable of the Treasure

This is the last week to vote for the next series, so put in your votes before next Friday!

Marriage and Dating Series

Boyd K. Packer, “For Time and All Eternity,” Ensign, Nov. 1993, 21

Boyd K. Packer:

The Parable of the Treasure

Once a man received as his inheritance two keys. The first key, he was told, would open a vault which he must protect at all cost. The second key was to a safe within the vault which contained a priceless treasure. He was to open this safe and freely use the precious things which were stored therein. He was warned that many would seek to rob him of his inheritance. He was promised that if he used the treasure worthily, it would be replenished and never be diminished, not in all eternity. He would be tested. If he used it to benefit others, his own blessings and joy would increase.The man went alone to the vault. His first key opened the door. He tried to unlock the treasure with the other key, but he could not, for there were two locks on the safe. His key alone would not open it. No matter how he tried, he could not open it. He was puzzled. He had been given the keys. He knew the treasure was rightfully his. He had obeyed instructions, but he could not open the safe.

In due time, there came a woman into the vault. She, too, held a key. It was noticeably different from the key he held. Her key fit the other lock. It humbled him to learn that he could not obtain his rightful inheritance without her.
They made a covenant that together they would open the treasure and, as instructed, he would watch over the vault and protect it; she would watch over the treasure. She was not concerned that, as guardian of the vault, he held two keys, for his full purpose was to see that she was safe as she watched over that which was most precious to them both. Together they opened the safe and partook of their inheritance. They rejoiced for, as promised, it replenished itself.
With great joy they found that they could pass the treasure on to their children; each could receive a full measure, undiminished to the last generation.
Perhaps some few of their posterity would not find a companion who possessed the complementary key, or one worthy and willing to keep the covenants relating to the treasure. Nevertheless, if they kept the commandments, they would not be denied even the smallest blessing.
Because some tempted them to misuse their treasure, they were careful to teach their children about keys and covenants.
There came, in due time, among their posterity some few who were deceived or jealous or selfish because one was given two keys and another only one. “Why,” the selfish ones reasoned, “cannot the treasure be mine alone to use as I desire?”
Some tried to reshape the key they had been given to resemble the other key. Perhaps, they thought, it would then fit both locks. And so it was that the safe was closed to them. Their reshaped keys were useless, and their inheritance was lost.
Those who received the treasure with gratitude and obeyed the laws concerning it knew joy without bounds through time and all eternity.

Boyd K. Packer, “For Time and All Eternity,” Ensign, Nov. 1993, 21

Enjoy!!

Interview with Engagees

Dating and Marriage Series

Special episode!  We got an interview with my brother, Jake, and his fiance, Robyn.  They’re getting married in two weeks, and we talk with them about how they met and how they decided to get married.

We did mention one scripture:

D&C 82:10

I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.

Enjoy!!

Love, Love, Love!

Dating and Marriage Series

Arianne B. Cope, “The Eight-Cow Ring,” New Era, Oct. 2004, 37

“And the Greatest of These Is Love”, Gordon B. Hinckley

Jeffrey R. Holland:

Husbands, you have been entrusted with the most sacred gift God can give you—a wife, a daughter of God, the mother of your children who has voluntarily given herself to you for love and joyful companionship. Think of the kind things you said when you were courting, think of the blessings you have given with hands placed lovingly upon her head, think of yourself and of her as the god and goddess you both inherently are

JRH, Ensign May 2007

Marvin J. Ashton:

After a night of intense pain and suffering, one morning a husband stricken with a terminal illness said to his wife with great feeling, “I am so thankful today.” “For what?” she asked, knowing well his difficult and trying situation. He replied, “For God giving me the privilege of one more day with you.”

Marvin J. Ashton, “A Voice of Gladness,” Ensign, May 1991, 18

Boyd K. Packer:

And if you suppose that the full-blown rapture of young romantic love is the sum of the possibilities which spring from the fountains of life, you have not yet lived to see the devotion and the comfort of longtime married love. Married couples are tried by temptation, misunderstandings, separation, financial problems, family crises, illness; and all the while love grows stronger, the mature love enjoys a bliss not even imagined by newlyweds.
Participation in the mating process offers an experience like nothing else in life. When entered into worthily, it combines the most exquisite and exalted physical, emotional, and spiritual feelings associated with the word love. Those feelings and the lifelong need for one another bind a husband and wife together in a marriage wherein all of the attributes of adult masculinity are complemented by the priceless feminine virtues of womanhood.
That part of life has no equal, no counterpart, in all human experience. It will, when covenants are made and kept, last eternally, “For therein are the keys of the holy priesthood ordained, that you may receive honor and glory” (D&C 124:34), “which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever” (D&C 132:19).
But romantic love is incomplete; it is a prelude. Love is nourished by the coming of children, who spring from that fountain of life entrusted to couples in marriage.

“The Fountain of Life,” Eternal Marriage Institute Student Manual.

Ezra Taft Benson:

Had Abraham loved Isaac more than God, would he have consented? As the Lord indicates in the Doctrine and Covenants, both Abraham and Isaac now sit as gods (see D&C 132:37). They were willing to offer or to be offered up as God required. They have a deeper love and respect for each other because both were willing to put God first.

(Ezra Taft Benson, “The Great Commandment  Love the Lord,” Ensign, May 1988, 4, emphasis added)

We’ve been doing a series on dating and marriage. We are approaching the end of this series, and are almost ready to start another. What subject should we cover next?

Enjoy!!

Dating and Marriage Series

Some Things we have Learned–Together, by Jeffrey R. and Patricia T. Holland

Joseph F. Smith:

“I want the young men of Zion to realize that this institution of marriage is not a man-made institution. It is of God. It is honorable. … It is not simply devised for the convenience alone of man, to suit his own notions, and his own ideas; to marry and then divorce, to adopt and then to discard, just as he pleases. There are great consequences connected with it, consequences which reach beyond this present time, into all eternity, for thereby souls are begotten into the world, and men and women obtain their being in the world. Marriage is the preserver of the human race. Without it, the purposes of God would be frustrated; virtue would be destroyed to give place to vice and corruption, and the earth would be void and empty.”

“Chapter 20: The Eternal Union of Husband and Wife,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, 173

Elder Boyd K. Packer:

“The single purpose of Lucifer is to oppose the great plan of happiness, to corrupt the purist most beautiful and appealing experiences of life: romance, love, marriage, and parenthood.”

BKP Ensign Nov 1993

and…

I love this…

Joseph Smith:

“There has been a great difficulty in getting anything into the heads of this generation.  It has been like splitting hemlock knots with a corn-dodger for a wedge, and a pumpkin for a beetle . Even the Saints are slow to understand”

(History of the Church,  6:184)

Enjoy!!

Dating and Marriage Series

“Of All Things,” New Era, Oct. 2004, 42

Be sure your courtship reflects the patterns you want in your eternal marriage.
—President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985), “Live for the Future,” New Era, Nov. 2002, 12.

A Prophet’s Love Story

As a boy, President Gordon B. Hinckley lived across the street from Marjorie Pay. She first caught his eye at a ward social when she gave a reading. Their first date was to the Gold and Green Ball, a Church dance. At that time, Gordon went to the University of Utah and Marjorie was a senior in high school. They became good friends, and their friendship later turned to courtship.

When the time came, Marjorie supported Gordon in his decision to Read the rest of this entry »

Enjoy!!

Dating and Marriage Series

So now that you’re deep in the dating game, how do you decide WHO to marry?  As mentioned again and again by prophets, this is likely the most important decision you will make in your life!  So how do you decide?  Leave your thoughts in the comments, or email us at popcornandpodcasting@gmail.com

Thomas S. Monson, “Whom Shall I Marry?,” New Era, Oct 2004, 4

Spencer W. Kimball:

“Soul mates” are fiction and an illusion; and while every young man and young woman will seek with all diligence and prayerfulness to find a mate with whom life can be most compatible and beautiful, yet it is certain that almost any good man and any good woman can have happiness and a successful marriage if both are willing to pay the price.
In selecting a companion for life and for eternity, certainly the most careful planning and thinking and praying and fasting should be done to be sure that of all the decisions, this one must not be wrong. In true marriage there must be a union of minds as well as of hearts. Emotions must not wholly determine decisions, but the mind and the heart, strengthened by fasting and prayer and serious consideration, will give one a maximum chance of marital happiness. It brings with it sacrifice, sharing, and a demand for great selflessness.

Many of the TV screen shows and stories of fiction end with marriage: “They lived happily ever after.” We have come to realize that the mere performance of a ceremony does not bring happiness and a successful marriage. Happiness does not come by pressing a button, as does the electric light; happiness is a state of mind and comes from within. It must be earned. It cannot be purchased with money; it cannot be taken for nothing.

Some think of happiness as a glamorous life of ease, luxury, and constant thrills; but true marriage is based on a happiness which is more than that, one which comes from giving, serving, sharing, sacrificing, and selflessness.

First Presidency Message,    Oneness in Marriage, By President Spencer W. Kimball

Ezra Taft Benson:

Remember, young men, the importance of proper dating. President Kimball gave some wise counsel on this subject:
“Clearly, right marriage begins with right dating. … Therefore, this warning comes with great emphasis. Do not take the chance of dating nonmembers, or members who are untrained and faithless. [You] may say, ‘Oh I do not intend to marry this person. It is just a “fun” date.’ But one cannot afford to take a chance on falling in love with someone who may never accept the gospel.” (Miracle of Forgiveness, pp. 241–42.)
Our Heavenly Father wants you to date young women who are faithful members of the Church, who encourage you to serve a full-time mission and to magnify your priesthood.

Ezra Taft Benson, “To the ‘Youth of the Noble Birthright’,” Ensign, May 1986,  43

Enjoy!!

Dating and Marriage Series

Love: is it a NOUN, or a VERB?  You choose.

Lynn G. Robbins, “Agency and Love in Marriage,” Ensign, Oct 2000, 16 – be sure to go to this one so you can see the nifty charity chart.  And while you’re there, read the whole thing!

And here’s the little sampler:

Ryan Carr, “At the Top of My List,” New Era, Oct. 2004, 48

So what’s on your list?  Share, comment, tell us what you want in a spouse …and no, this isn’t intended as a dating classifieds site

Enjoy!!

Dating and Marriage Series

In this episode we finish the talk Agency or Inspiration–Which? by Elder Bruce R. McConkie.  Also, we answer last episode’s trivia question: “How many years was it from the time in the Book of Mormon where “There was not a living soul among all the people of the Nephites who did doubt in the least the words of all the holy prophets,” until the storms came at Christ’s death?

Enjoy!!

Dating and Marriage Series

Don’t we all wish it were that easy?  Wouldn’t it be nice to just be told “That’s the one!  Now go ask him/her out!”

So how much of this decision comes from revelation, and how much comes from preference?  In this episode, we continue discussing the talk by Elder Bruce R. McConkie called Agency or Inspiration–Which?

So get a date, pop some corn, and enjoy!

Enjoy!!

Dating and Marriage Series

Agency is an essential part of love – not only in the choice of who to love, but the choice whether or not to love.  This subject will take a few podcasts to cover, but there are some great quotes and talks here.  Dating is filled with so many choices… so choose wisely!

Agency or Inspiration–Which? by Bruce R. McConkie

Here’s the Tom Anderson Story we shared.  This story is also read on a talk by Barbara W. Winder.

I made a vow to myself on the drive down to the vacation beach cottage. For two weeks I would try to be a loving husband and father. Totally loving. No ifs, ands or buts.
The idea had come to me as I listened to a Read the rest of this entry »

Enjoy!!

First of all, how do you like our new home? We like it!!

For this podcast, we break out our General Conference notes and share some of our favorite Read the rest of this entry »