My media plan is only to use the internet for school purposes, no facebook or snapchat for two whole weeks. I have e books on my phone and plan only to use my phone to read my books. I am also doing no tv as well for two whole weeks. I will listen to only church music in the car since I don’t have an Ipod.

6/1/2016- I spent 25mins reading my book on my phone during my lunch hour at work. Once I got home I read for an hour before bed. I did not turn on the tv nor did I check facebook. I only used the computer for school work and shut it down promptly when done

6/2/16- I spent 3hrs on my pad reading my book on my day off. I did have family over and we played phase 10 for several hours. I did not watch tv nor did I check facbook nor did I play any games or apps on my phone. I did get all my home work done accordingly. I spent two hours daily doing homework.

6/10/16- I am finding that I don’t miss tv or facebook but I do spend every free time reading my books on my phone or pad sometimes to the point where school work, work, and family interactions suffer or take a back seat. I have spent several hours by myself reading my book and while I do enjoy the peace and relaxation it brings I need to put some distance between me and my e books.

6/13/16- I find work enough distraction from reading my book 24/7 that and school of course. I am still keeping with no tv, facebook or otherwise media and I find I am grateful for the distance for it frees up my time to spend with family and friends. I do spent several hours between work and school reading though I find I miss it during the day when I am doing other things.

• What did you learn throughout the course of this project?

I learned how addicted I was to tv, computer, facebook etc although I feel like I replaced that addiction with my book reading obsession. I find that simplifying your life brings the spirit in greater abundance in your life. I feel less confined, less obligated to spend hours in media usage instead I spend it with family and friends. I realize how easily you can become distracted by worldly things and only by distasting yourself from those distractions do you realize how much they took over your life

• How would you adjust the project in the future? I wouldn’t ebooks on my phone or pad but actually go to the library and get the real book.
• What are your goals for maintaining this provident living habit? I have printed out my plan and put in everywhere in the house and have friends and family reminded me of them each day so I will always be aware of my progress
• How can this specific habit bless your life and the lives of your friends and family members? This plan will help me spend more time with those I love and strengthening our relations instead of me being in the same room on my phone ignoring them. I am actively participating in all family situations and that helps me be actively engaged with those around me.

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you have covenanted to be honest in your dealings with your fellowmen. For many in the world, and maybe even for some members of the Church, however, business is business and church is church— suggesting that there may be a difference between church honesty and business honesty. Describe how the terms “unequal distribution of wealth” and “economic virtue” relate to you as an individual Church member. Reflecting on your own work and church experiences, describe how you strive, and think others should strive, to show integrity on a daily basis. Be sure to provide some specific examples (either hypothetical or real) to demonstrate your ideas.

We don’t get what we don’t earn.

To me “unequal distribution of wealth” means people have more money than they need while others don’t have enough. People get upset knowing others have more money than them and so they complain and try to get more money through not so good methods. There will never be an equal amount of money among the social class. There are people with money who oppress those with their wealth yes but people oppresses people anyway with and without money. In my mind people have the opportunity to improve their quality of life with their own power? Everyone has the means to be successful if they apply themselves in the right way with the right motives. In my mind you don’t get what you don’t earn. For example there was a time I was jealous of a friend who had great job and boyfriend and I was like why couldn’t that be me? I realized she was applying herself doing what she could do to reach her goals while I was sitting on my couch doing nothing. If you want to change your life or circumstances then apply yourself. In my mind everyone has the power to change their life using the right means and values.

Virtue is virtue whether it’s temporal or spiritual. We all need values or beliefs that define our lives and character to live the best life possible. “Economic virtue” means to me is the ability to make money righteously and ethically without comprising your values and beliefs. You can be successful in life without comprising what you believe in and without breaking the law. For example there is no example to embezzle millions from your own company or take money from charity donations etc. You can make money honestly without taking from others. Unfortunately In today’s world there is a lot people who have the sense of entitlement that clouds their judgement. In my mind if people were less worried about what they don’t have or comparing themselves to others they can realize they can achieve whatever they want. If people just were patient and willing to work hard for what they want they can get eventually. It’s when people want to do the shortcut get rich fast schemes they get into trouble.

Knowing all this I strive to show integrity by being honest with myself and others. I believe that by keeping my standards in all my dealings with man has helped me be successful in life. For example I don’t lie or cheat in all things I am first and foremost honest with myself. There is no difference between church honest and business honesty. Honesty is honesty in all aspect of your life. It’s the way you live your life when no one is watching that matters.  I also believe knowing your own capabilities and not going over your own limits. So in conclusion if people get over their own sense of entitlement and jealously they can accomplish all they want in life. In fact humility is true strength and power to change your life

The religion clauses in the First Amendment have been challenged many times in the United States Supreme Court. How does understanding Thomas Jefferson's Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom and Dallin H. Oaks, "Religion in Public Life" help us define religious freedom and what our role is in protecting it?

The American people have the right to freedom of religion and they have the right to defend that freedom.

“The preservation of religious freedom depends upon public understanding of and support for this vital freedom. It depends upon the value the public attaches to the teachings of right and wrong in churches, synagogues, and mosques. Believers and nonbelievers must be helped to understand that it is faith in God—however defined—that translates religious teachings into the moral behavior that benefits the nation.” As members we understand that the United States needed to be a place without an established state religion in order for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to be founded, but that doesn't mean that religious beliefs and their influence should subsequently be banned from public life.”

People today have the right to know their rights so when confronted with issues regarding religious freedom they can be properly prepared.

The founding fathers came to America for religious freedom and defended that with their lives in the revolutionary war. So it only makes sense that people today need to be educated in their civil rights. So they can know what is and not a violation of their civil rights.

The definition of religious freedom is Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a re dress of grievances. So to me that is saying the people of the right to worship the way they choose without the government dictating what they can or can’t believe. It’s also the right of every American to defend the freedom to worship for that is the freedom this country was built on.

So in conclusion the separation of church and state gives the people the right to worship the way they choose. The founding fathers build this nation on the bases of freedom of religion. So it makes sense people of today need to be educated on their civil rights so they can defend the right to free worship. The separation of church and state gives the people the confidence knowing the government can’t force their own religious practices on them. Separation of church and state also protects the people from being oppressed or abused for their religious practices or killed in the name of religion.

• The United States as a “Light Unto the World”

I believe the United States was to become a refuge and sign of new life for those emigrating from foreign lands. I think the lord knew his people would need a place where they can live and worship freely so he inspired people to explore new lands which eventually became the United States. I firmly believe that United States was discovered and organized by the hand of God to give his people the best environment to learn, teach and live the gospel of Jesus Christ. Just like the scripture says that the gospel of Jesus Christ and its members are a light unto the world so is the United States for they all bear witness of Gods power among the children of men. It’s no coincidence that people migrate to the United States for refuge and freedom that their mother countries don’t give them. The lord made the United States different from all other nations so its people can have freedoms no other country has.

• The United States as the “Proper Host Nation for the Restoration of the Gospel.”

The United States at the time was the only country with the freedom of worship. There was no dominant faith like catholic or protestant like in most Europe countries at the time. In fact it was the religious oppression that brought immigrants to the United States because it was a blank canvas. Europe was the dominant powers at the time which create hindrances for the lords servants to restore the gospel of Jesus Christ

• The Doctrine of an Inspired Constitution

I firmly believe that the lord was behind the creation of the Consitution. I think the lord knew what his people needed to flourish in life and in the gospel so he inspired men who saw a need for change and gave them the tools to accomplish it. I know the constitution isn’t word for word direct revelation. However for the most important parts the lord was there. If we look back on the human existence you can see God’s hand shaping, guiding and leading his people to where they need to be to truly flourish in life and in the gospel.

using the scriptures to meet life challenges

Choice 1: Philippians 1–4. Find Solutions in the Scriptures to Life’s Challenges
For each of the following common challenges, write the counsel from Philippians that you would use to resolve it:

• People sometimes argue and complain over petty matters in church meetings or throughout the week (see Philippians 2:1–8, 14–15)

2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. We as members need to love and support each other despite our weaknesses and not take offense over trivial things. We need the spirit of love and unity in order to have the spirit of the lord in our meetings. we need to love others despite their weaknesses

• Many youth feel that their parents’ testimony is sufficient for them. Since they have good parents, they rely on them for all their spiritual strength (see Philippians 2:12–15 and institute student manual commentary for Philippians 2:12, “Work out Your Own Salvation with Fear and Paul told the Philippian Saints, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). Some people incorrectly use this verse to support the idea that we are saved by our own efforts and not by the grace of Jesus Christ. However, Paul was not telling the Saints to work in order to earn salvation. Instead, as Paul pointed out, the Saints should live the gospel so that the saving work God was already doing within them would be manifest in all they did (see Philippians 1:6; 2:13). Our efforts to work out our salvation are possible only because of the Lord’s grace within us" We cannot rely on our parents testimonies our whole life because there comes a point in our lives where we will experience a trial of faith and we wont have our parents testimonies to save us. We can use their testimonies to build the foundation of our own testimonies but we have to do the rest on our own. We need to experience our own conversion, we need to seek a personal relationship with the lord. We need to make the decision to believe and act on faith, An investigator is considering joining the Church, but his family will no longer associate with him if he does (see Philippians 3:7–16; 4:13).
• How is this writing assignment an example of the principle taught in 2 Nephi 32:3?
  8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ
• ,3 Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.First both these scriptures are saying that if we rely on god he will guide us on the right road. people may enter and leave our lives but god will never leave us, he is always there to love and support us. Converts family members may oppose their membership in the church and even leave their lives but there is always a chance for them to come back, for their hearts to be softened and understanding opened but regardless the lord will be with us no matter what. relying on the saviors love and atonement can keep us spiritually strong and faithful in trials and tribulation. paul and nephis message is the same, rely on the lord and he will tell you all things you should do.

Diversity in unity

 So we, beingmany, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

 9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

We as diciples of Christ are all given different gifts, abilities, talents that helps serve the lord at our best. We as a people are diverse and individual which the lord highlights for he uses our individuality to help others. Some people think everyone needs to be the same to be equal or included but I personally think if everyone was the same there would be no growth or individuality. we as a people are different for the sole purpose complementing each other, working together to grow, expand etc. the lord delights in our individualty and uniqueness for he made us that way on purpose to fulfill the purposes of our creation. Its our responsibility to figure out what our talents are and develop them so we can use them in serving others and serving in the church. if we don't utlize our abilities we will lose them just like if we don't nurish our testimonies we will lose our testimony.

light of christ

corthinans4;66 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

 This scripture reminds me of how everyone is born with the light of christ guiding them to truth. Light of chirst is prepatory to recieving the holy ghost. the light of christ can help those seeking truth find the light of the gospel. The light of christ is a gift to all born on this earth to guide us back to god. the light of christ along with the holy ghost can open our spirituality more fully to recgonize teachings of christ more readily. We are creatures of light and spirituality so its important to strengthen our spirituality through the light of christ and holy ghost

the power of unity

1corinthians1:10
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

So this scripture stood out to me during me reading for it reminded me of the importance of unity within the church. So at this time the new converts were arguing over doctrine, practices etc which destoyed the sprit of unity they had when they were first baptised. It reminded me also how sometimes you've been in the church so long you forget why you became a member. Well due to their arguments they lost sight of what made them join the church in the first place. Faith in the lord Jesus Christ. They had felt God's love and had spiritual confirmation of what paul taught was true and were baptized and happy.So thankfully paul reminded them of their faith in Jesus Christ and not worry over trivial things and do what he taught them. Yes I can see the strain they were after paul left, they were brand new converts left to run the church which was like asking the imposssible but they did it the best they could and paul helped as much as he could from a distance. Now here in modern times this scripture reminded of division of churches, doctrine, practices and even divisions within the church which breed confusion,strife and resentment. I truly believe when we as diciples of christ are united in our faith and our love for each other our spirits are magnified and our power for food increases 10 fold.

The power of change Acts 9,13-18
So this week as I read through Acts I was quite impressed with Saul's conversion. I realized I never knew Saul was later known as Paul the apostle.So when Saul is first introduced he went around persecuting the church. Acts 8:"As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison."Not only that but he was going to the high priest for lists of the saints to put them in prison.Acts9:2 "And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem." So right now he is doing all he can to pervert the church of God. Then something unexpected happens, Jesus Christ appears unto him and personally asks him why he is doing what he does.
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
This is the beginning of his conversion and the start of his new life as an apostle of the lord.Now there were those who were skeptic of his miraculous change of heart but they were proven wrong when they saw his sincere change of heart. That is what faith in Jesus Christ does it gives you a new heart and new life as his diciple. It always amazes me how far Gods love for his children go for none are turned away. God doesn't see us as we are now but who we can become for we can always become something or somone better with Gods help. Paul was an amazing missionary he helped thousands of people change and repent just like he did. That is the gospel of Jesus Christ, the power to change, for its never too late to become who we were meant to become. I feel like I have gotten to know both saul and paul personally this week and am impressed by both men for they both instruments in the lords hands.

The acts of the apotles

Well another semeter has started at byu Idaho and I am studying the new testamment, Mainly acts through revelations. So this week I studied acts 1-8, 10-12. So what was the main theme of these scriptures? What was taught? The main theme was missionary work. Jesus Has acended into heaven after his ressurection and charged his apostles to teach the gospel and keep his church going. They bore powerful testimony of Chirsts divinity, they spoke boldly against sin. They called and ordained apostles and sent them all over to preach the gospel.Here is a short summary of what the apostles taught the people,
1.Calling and ordaining of the apostles.
2. Conferring the gift of the holy ghost by the laying on of hands
3. Christs death and ressurrection
4.propheys of the second coming
5, testimony of Christs divinity
6. Repent and be baptized by the proper authority and recieve the holy ghost.
7. testifies of the latter day gathering of israel
8. gospel preached to the gentiles
9. martydom of stephan
10. peter and john imprisoned
11. Missionary work.
This list is just a small part of the apostles efforts in teaching the gospel but its clear to see missionary work was the main objective in this scriptures

Money management

1. In chapter 2, Poduska talked about family rules that regulate our perceptions and behaviors in all areas of family life, including the management of money. What are some of the specific rules stemming from your family of origin that have influenced your perceptions or philosophy about the purpose of money and how money is to be managed?

So I was raised by a single mother who told us readily that money was in short supply. My mother taught us to be frugle and only buy what you need. Although she would save up and splurge for things my siblings had to have. She taught us not to spend money on things of no worth. She taught us to put 10 percent into tithing and into savings to build up a fnancial reserve. Yes there were times mom bought us things to compensate for her working all the time but that is human nature. We never went without and lived comfortably with one income.Yes there were times I resented not having nice things and bought them with my own money when I was employed. Despite my teenage frustrations my mother taught me to respect money and to spend it wisely.

unity in marriage

The Savior of the world, Jesus Christ, said of those who would be part of His Church: “Be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine” (D&C 38:27). And at the creation of man and woman, unity for them in marriage was not given as hope, it was a command! “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Gen. 2:24" Elder Henry B Eyring.

So how can we follow this command to be one with our spouses? This qoute tells me that oneness and unity is not only the same but ordained by God. Complete unity in marriage blesses us yes but spiritual unity will give us the power to create a spiritual haven in their home. Elder Eyring spoke of the sacrament prayers where we promise to take on us the name of Jesus Christ, to always remember him.He spoke of the power that comes into our lives and hearts to help us cultivate unity in the marriage relationship. If we put Jesus Christ first in our lives he will support us in all we do and bless us in our marriages and family life.

The best example I have of unity in marriage is my grandparents. There has never been a time where they were divided. Yes they disagreed on certain subjects but always were a united front in dicipline, teaching, correcting. Some family members say oh well grandpa just lets grandma do whatever she wants to avoid a fight. That is not true, they understand what their relationships is a partnership, they complement each other and the spirit of love and understanding is in their home and relationship. Yes no relationship is perfect but when we apply the atonement into our lives and relationships we can become one in spirit, in thought, in deed for our hearts and natures are changed. When we apply the atonement into our lives we truly can change for the better and everything that was broken before will be healed.I know when a couple truly loves each other and follows Christs teachings they can become oneflesh.

sexual relations

"Sex is For Procreation and expression of Love. It is the destiny of men and women to join together eternal family units.In the context of lawful marriage,the intimacy of  sexual relations is right and divinely approved. There is nothing unholy or degrading about sexuality in itself, for by that means men and women join in the process of creation and in expression of love" President Spencer W Kimball    Sexual relations is a intimate relationship not easily discussed. If Your a latter day saint you probably heard of what not to do in regards to sexual relations for example prematrial sex, fondling, pornography which is important to know don't get me wrong. Sexual sins are very serious so we must take the prophets council seriously. For this post I want to focus on Sexual relations in the marriage relationship. I love this qoute by President Kimball for he clearly stats that sex in the marriage relationship is beautiful and divine. There is no need to fear sex or be ashamed of proper sexuality in the marrage relationship. I myself am not married so I don't have personal experience to pull from but I can add my voice to the divinity of the sexual relationship in marriage.Satan has distorted the sexual relations between men and women. He has made it dirty,casual, dark, unholy. He has taken the divinity out of the act and warped the sexual desires of men and women. I personally think the more educated we are in sexual relations between husband and wife the less fear and anxiety we will feel towards sex. Its okay to ask questions about sex and be informed through the correct sources otherwise we will learn from the wrong sources. In my house growing up we didn't talk openly sex, I don't think my mom knew how to address it. So unfortuntaly tv, books and media taught me about sex and I went to my mom with questions and she had to give me the right information of sex. The more knowledge you have about something the more confident you are regarding that subject. The more educated we are about the correct use of sexual relations in marriage the less likely we are to have negative feelings toward sex. Satan wants us to feel dirty, ashamed, scared of our sexuality but not the lord. The lord created us to be sexual beings for the purpose of bringing children into the world in the marriage relationship. As long as we keep our sexaulity in the bounds the lord has set we will be open and confident in our sexuality in the marriage relationship. Sex isn't bad or sinful, as long its in the marriage relationship. nor is it always easy.If we follow the lords teachings toward sex and keep it in the marriage relationship our marriages will be blessed and the negative aspects toward sex will dissappear

Charity never faileth

Charity never faileth

"Love for Christ, Love from Christ, Love like Christ"

 This qoute is from H, Wallace Goddards book called Drawing Heaven into your marriage.

He was talking about charity in the marriage relationship.

So what is charity? The scriptures describe it as the pure love of Christ. I also would add that it is also loving as Christ loves. How do we develop charity?  in my opinion serving others helps us to develop charity.

"Charity is first and foremost the redemptive love that Jesus offers all of us.It is the love from Christ" I love this qoute because it shows the depth of Christs love for us. It also shows us that charity is a divine quality, one step further to perfection. So how do we show love for Christ?
 In my opinon the best way to show my love for christ is by being obedient. Living the gospel faithfully and by developing a personal relationshp with him.Prayer and scripture study is crucial because if you don't talk to him or read about him you won't know him. Now loving like Christ is an opportunity for us to show charity to those we love. When we apply charity in the marriage relationship we begin to see our spouse through Gods eyes. There is a spirit of love and harmony in the home and your spouse can feel your love for them. Goddard spoke about couples who let the lord guide their relationship the quicker worldly problems faded away. When we develop charity for someone your able to see past their imperfections and see who they can become, what your relationship can become. Charity in marriage will endow the couple with greater power to resist the natural man. Marriage is a heavenly institution which means we can call down the powers of heaven to save our marriages. God has given us everything we need to be successful in marriage and in life in general. We were not sent here to fail.

Agency and Anger

Jenni Northcutt  (3 replies) 6/16/2015 3:26 PM Agency and Anger  A cunning part of Satan's strategy is to dissociate anger from agency, making us believe that we are victims of an emotion that we cannot control. We hear, “I lost my temper.” Losing one’s temper is an interesting choice of words that has become a widely used idiom. To “lose something” implies “not meaning to,” “accidental,” “involuntary,” “not responsible”—careless perhaps but “not responsible.” “He made me mad.” This is another phrase we hear, also implying lack of control or agency. This is a myth that must be debunked. No one makes us mad. Others don’t make us angry. There is no force involved. Becoming angry is a conscious choice, a decision; therefore, we can make the choice not to become angry. We choose! These quotes are from Lynn Robbins Anger and Agency that stood out to me.So as you guessed it I will be talking about anger.So for me I tend to get mad quickly and easily that I am not proud of. In the past I used these same exuses, blaming the person who did me wrong. I always said I'm not patient enough or I'm too sensitive but in the end it was all an exuse. Its hard to take responsiblity for a trait your not proud of but needs to be done so you can live in full reality. The beauty of self dicipline is that over time we can overcome these expolosive behavior. I know for me once I have calm down I feel guilty, shameful, sorry, regret. Anger has never made me feel good about anything or anyone. Anger doesn't benefit anyone but itself. Yes anger and frustration are normal emotions we all experience but when those emotions run wild it becomes an problem. The church teaches everything in moderation and that includes emotions, thoughts,actions, words everything our lives entail.This talk definitely put me in my place but I needed to read it. The beauty of the atonement is that everything we have done, felt, said, experienced can be made right. The lord can teach us self mastery if we let him. We can choose joy and understanding instead of anger, resentment. I have a long way to go controlling my responses to people and choosing not to get angry but I am confident with the lords help I can achieve my goal. When we let go of anger, we are freeing ourselves from destructive cycle anger puts us in.

Pride

WEEK 07 DISCUSSION BOARD

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Discussion Board Posts

Based on your thoughts and insights from the week’s reading material, create a rough draft of the blog you intend to post to your online marriage blog and post it to discussion board so that other students in your assigned group can react to it before you post it to your online blog. Think of the discussion board as the work room where students teach one another and work together in order to increase the depth of learning and to prepare blogs that will help strengthen marriages. The discussion board is one of the primary learning tools for this course. Hopefully students will use it for its intended purpose. The effectiveness of the discussion board is dependent on the quality of interactions among students within a given group.

Initial Post: Due by Wednesday before 11:59 PM – As noted above, the rough draft of your post for your marriage blog is to be submitted to the discussion board no later than Wednesday evening. You will want to give group members as much time as possible to react to your post, so if possible submit it before Wednesday evening.

Second Post: Due by Friday before 11:59 PM - After the initial post of your rough draft, you are to read the rough draft posts from at least three other group members and react to what they have written. You are encouraged to respond by: posing good questions that further learning, sharing thoughts from a different perspective, building upon the comments of others, sharing an example that illustrates a principle or concept discussed by another member, sharing thoughts on how a principle could be applied, or by linking the comments of other group members to class readings or ideas learned in other classes. Especially pay attention to the context of what is written. Do the explanations from other students make sense and do they provide the background information needed to understand the principles?

Evaluation of Discussion Board Posts

Two times during the semester, your discussion board posts will be anonymously evaluated by your peers in your group using the "Discussion Board Grading Rubric," which is to be completed through I-Learn. This rubric is posted on I-Learn under “Discussion Board Peer Review” in weeks 6 and 12. You are entrusted to be honest in your evaluations. Assigning a student higher marks than what a student has earned not only does a particular student a disservice, but is dishonest.

Peer evaluations will be based on the following criteria: (Worth 24 points each; 48 points total)

• Preparation
• Consistency
• Depth of Feedback
• Helpfulness

If you would like to refer to a more detailed description list of instructions for this activity, please refer to the Discussion Board for Week 1.

 

Jenni Northcutt 6/9/2015 9:22 PM Pride  Pride is a very misunderstood sin, and many are sinning in ignorance. (See Mosiah 3:11; 3 t::,el . 6:18.) In the scriptures there is no such thing as righteous pride-it is always considered a sin. Therefore, no matter how the world uses the term,we must understand how God uses the term so we can understand the language of holyThe central feature of pride is enmity-enmity toward God and enmity toward our fellowmen . Enmity means "hatred toward. hostility to, or a state of opposition .• It is the power by which Satan wishes to reign over us." These are quotes from Ezra Taft Benson's 1985 General conference talk Beware of Pride so you can tell this week topic is  on pride. So as Ive pondered on pride I asked myself what does pride mean to me in my life? So for me personally I never felt like I had an issue with pride but at that tme I didn't have a clear understanding of pride. I love these quotes for they do bring clarity to prides definition but I do believe pride manifests itself differently in each person. For me personally I realized for me pride manifests itself in spiritual apathy.Which totally took me by surprise I just thought I was weakness of mortality but that wasn't the case. I realized that by being apathic I was embracing the natural man instead of putting him off.When I was apathic spiritually I wasn't turning to God to help me nor was I trying to help myself. When we have an opportunity to turn toward God and don't its a manifestation of pride. Now I did not enjoy discovering this about myself but How can you fix something you don't know about?  So now that I can recognize those tendencies toward pride I can correct them through humility and repentance. Everyone experiences pride in different ways like I mentioned but the solution is universal repentance and humility.Now I know pride isn't something people like to discuss or hear about in church. Whether we like hearing it or not pride is a real threat we are facing in this world and needs to be dealt with.Unfortunately we aren't in a postion to live in ignorance for pride will come up and slap us in the face if left unchecked. Now I am only speaking from my experience with pride. My experience showed me in the long run you only hurt yourself and those you love.Pride destroys everything and everyone in its path. What can we do prevent from being a casuality of pride? Rely on the atonement of Jesus Christ to soften our hearts of stone through humilty and repentance.

Loving Kindness

1. As you think about the principle, turning toward one another, and the following verse of scripture, what thoughts come to mind? D&C 64:33 – “Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.”

 When I pondered this question loving kindness kept coming to mind. Serving your spouse daily in small ways that show your love and appreciation. When I think of turning toward one another I envision a  couple focused on each other in word, in thought, in deed. They find joy in serving their spouse and getting to know them on a more personal level. I truly believe it doesn't take a lot to make your spouse feel valued and appreciated. All it takes is genuine interest in your spouse.No act of love or service goes unnoticed by the other, they see it and respond in kind.Now I am not married but I can testify of serving those you love.This week I focused on serving my siblings and my mother since I am not married. These principles apply to everyone and anyone, you don't have to be married to turn towards someone you love. Now My loved one didn't shout praises to my name for serving them but they recognized my intent was to show them love and responded in kind. I find great joy in serving others for it helps me see them as God sees them and that strengthens any relationship.

 Serve out of genuine love and interest for your spouse and see your love go stronger, affection grow sweeter, friendship longer lasting. When you put your spouse before yourself only good things will happen.

Nurturing your relationship

"our greatest joys and sorrows in this world are in our family lives" by President Eryring. I love that qoute because to me simplifies all the complicated thoughts,emotions, experiences that occur in family life.    President Eyring spoke of praying for stronger love to love your companion with. It takes great humility to pray for someone you maybe frustrated with but by the end of the prayer your frustration can be eased. When you start praying for your companion you start to have a change of heart towards your spouse. You can't change your spouse but you can change your behavior and thoughts of your spouse. Just like with a broken heart and contrite spirit Jesus Christ can heal broken hearts due to marriage conflict. I do believe focusing on the postive attributes of your spouse helps you to remember all the good times you had together. Remembering the good times can help bring back those good feelings toward each other. Nurturing your respect and admiration for each other can be like rediscovering each other. Ether way focusing on the postive things your spouse does will lessen your negative thoughts or frustration you may have towards them. At the end of the day you have to decide if your marriage relationship is your highest priority and if it is then you must do all you can to keep that relationship strong.

Positivty vs Negativity

I truly believe positivity comes from the lord and negativity's from the devil.I see positivity as the light and negativity's the dark. In my experience negativity weighs you down, emotionally, spiritually and physically. Eventually you start to believe the lies and your self worth is no more. Relationship expert John Gottman says couples who have a strong friendship are able to weather the storms of married life. He also spoke of emotionally intelliegenence being a key factor to successful marriage.So for example when your healthy emotionally, have a strong bond or friendship, they might have more postive interactions over negative reactions. When you fill your marriage with light it thrives. For example praying together, reading your scriptures, serving each other, spending quality time together, going to the temple would bring postive thoughts and feelings toward  your partner.  I truly believe in love and sacrifice as the foundation of a happy marriage. When you find a system that works for you as a couple then any conflict can be revolved. Negativity doesn't just destroy marriages but people as well. I truly believe when you choose your partner above all else and treat them as you'd treat yourself your marriage will succeed

Covenant Marriage

The temple has always been sacred to me growing up.  I was taught I could be married for eternity in the temple. The temple is the lords house and endows members with power from on high. I loved Bruce Hafens talk covenant marriage and how he described the differences of contract and covenant marriage. Contract marriage is  a piece of paper uniting the couple till death due them part while a covenant marriage is eternal. He also decsribed  a couple might begin a contract marriage but can turn it into a covenant marriage through faith, obedenice and sacrifice.The attitudes toward contract marriage is different from the attitudes regarding eternal marriage. People think that they can enter into a marriage and end it at will. They do what feels good for a time then move on to somethng different. Some might say well if it doesn't work out we will just get a divorce. They expect to divorce at some point because that is what is happening in the world. Marriages crumble at any given moment so people enter into marriage already thinking to the end. While couples who enter eternal marriages see it as a beginning with no end. They realize marriage is hard but are committed to making last. They see getting married as a privialge, blessing, they revere marriage. When your looking ahead to the end, you sabatoge yourself and the marrage for in your heart its already over. 
Single, married, young or old the temple is open for any worthy member seeking further enlightenment on their journey. The more you learn of the temple the more you learn of the eternal marriage relationship. Growing up getting married in the temple was my fairytale. Just having the knowledge marriage can be forever comforted me when those closest to me were divorcing. To the lord there is no higher honor than a family sealed through the holy priesthod.I had the privilage to witness a sealing or temple marriage ceremony and it truly was the most beautfiul thing I had ever witnessed. The couple getting married had prepared themselves phycially spiritually to be joined forever and neither of them were thinking about getting out of it. God was with this couple throughout the whole ceremony everyone could feel him there. We truly saw a gilmspe of heaven that day witnessing the love the couple shared for each other and the lord. The lord truly blessed this couple and approved their marriage. God is doing the same for all his children all around the world who are entering eternal marriages. That experience made me want a sealing of my own just as powerful as this couples were and we can attain that if we are faithful.
 When we gain a true understanding of this principle we can  get a small glimpse into the love god has for his children.There is no higher honor, or calling, nothing more sacred,pure, noble, than being sealed in the temple for eternity for when we do that we put ourselves in gods hands and we will never let us fall