18 min. And I have about 50 songs in my head at once. They range from Hands Down to Adreinne, but on top of them all I hear “I hope you don’t mind, I hope you don’t mind, If I put down in words- How wonderful life is, now You’re in the World.”

lol. *update next morning*
My weekend thus far: Friday morning I had swim practice . . . swam with VARSITY! lol. Not that that means anything. Cause it doesn’t. Our team this year is so good. So good, there aren’t a lot of open spots for people like me on the varisty team. I’ll get more “playing time” on JV . . . anyway . . .

Lunch at my aunt’s house in Naperville was interesting . . . wasn’t home too late. My grandparents then invited me to come to dinner at Dragon Inn- the best chinese food ever! Lol, but still, it’s family, so I tried to call Ashley and see if we could find an excuse that would rescue me from relatives that night, but I couldn’t get a hold of her.

So instead, we hung out today! lol. Went with a bunch of people to dinner, and then to the gymnastics factory! And then we watched Mulin Rouge at Ashley’s house. Fun stuff. Well, g2g . . .

P.S. oh yeah- 18 min. to Ashley’s — look what motivation can do.

This was really freaky! I filled out this e-mail, and it definately worked (well, most of it . . . some was a little off). I hope 10 people read this soon . . . Try it out for yourself:
Don’t read ahead…just do it in order! It takes about three minutes…it’s worth a try

First..get a pen and paper. When you actually choose names, make sure it’s people you actually know and go with your first instinct.

Scroll down one line at a time…and don’t read ahead or you’ll ruin it!

1. First, write the numbers 1 through 11 in a column.

2. Then, beside numbers 1 and 2, write down any two numbers you want.

3. Beside the 3 and 7, write down the names of members of the opposite sex.
NO LOOKING AHEAD…OR IT WON”T TURN OUT RIGHT!

4. Write anyone’s name (like friends or family….) in the 4th, 5th, and 6th spots.

5. Write down four song titles in 8,9,10, and 11.
GO WITH YOUR INSTINCT PEOPLE!!!!

6. Finally, make a wish.

1. 24
2. 30
3. Ashley
4. —
5. Jeff (Weggs)
6. Mary
7. (it’s a secret)
8. Why don’t you and I
9. You and I both
10. Iris
11. Hands Down

1. You must tell (the number in space 2) people about this game.
2. The person in space 3 is the one that you love.
3. The person in 7 is one you like but can’t work out.
4. You care most about the person you put in 4.
5. The person you name in number 5 is the one who knows you very well.
6. The person you name in 6 is your lucky star.
7. The song in 8 is the song that matches with the person in number 3.
8. The title in 9 is the song for the person in 7.
9. The tenth space is the song that tells you most about YOUR mind.
10. and 11 is the song telling you how you feel about life

NOW…send this to 10 people within the hour you read this…IF you do..your wish will come true. If you don’t it will become the opposite.

So . . . where did I leave off? I never really explained Monday. It was the first day of my Senior Year Swim Season. I have so many mixed feelings on that. It didn’t help that I was still reeling from Sunday. I. I can’t wait to go to BYU. I want to go there now. I want to leave here and be there. I want to escape this . . .

Tuesday evened it out to . . . tryed to talk to Ashley, but somebody didn’t tell her *cough Mary Neichel* lol. Something happened Tuesday. I know it did, I just can’t remember.

Wednesday was great. I had so much fun drawing in AP . . . letting the week out. And then after a long day, I went over to Ashley’s. We watched X-man 2 There were a lot of people there- lol. It was good to see Ashley. Coming home while blasting Gavin DeGraw I found a new route that without cops or traffic was 23 min. That’s 7 min faster! lol. That makes Ashley 7 min closer!

Thanksgiving. Hmmm. I’m not sure what to think. I was kinda in a bad mood. It was my last Thanksgiving living home. There’s really just 2 big holidays really until I get to leave! Just Christmas and Easter. lol. I feel crazy.

Played football this morning. I suck. But Andy was there The Dork said he wasn’t coming, and then bam. There he is! yAy! for Andy!

Dinner was just our family- all 8 of us. Well, plus my Aunt. 9. Smaller than most years, my parents wanted to start me in a habit of being at home for holidays. I just got back from seeing Elf with my two brothers. We ran into some BG2ers. Good stuff. I’m done.

*later:*
It’s strange to be figured out in 10 seconds. Even stranger by who . . .

Are Latter-Day Saints Christians? by Daniel Embree

Because members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (commonly referred to as the Mormons) are different from traditional Catholics and Protestants, many have mistakenly believed that they are not Christians. To them I would point to the principle Christian Doctrines as they are presented by Jesus himself and his apostles in the Bible.

The term Christian was first spawned in 43 A.D. at Antioch, Syria. Though the term was probably created contemptuously, Christ’s disciples adapted the term as a fitting title. Before the term was created (and after) the members of the original Church of Jesus Christ were referred to as saints. In fact, the Bible refers to them as Saints more often then it does Christians. Is is any surprise that the members of Christ’s Church in these modern, or latter, days would likewise be known as Saints?
(see Romans 1:7 and 1 Corinthians 1:2)

Let it first be made clear that the Latter-Day Saints believe in Christ (the same Jesus who was born in Bethlehem to the virgin Mary). The first article of faith (an explanation of LDS belief) states that “We [Latter-Day Saints] believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in his Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.” One who believes in Christ and acts accordingly, is a Christian be definition; what then prevents members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from being Christians?

When Paul was brought before Agrippa, he was permitted to describe himself to the court as a Christian. His explanation, found in the 26th chapter of Acts, is one of the best descriptions of Christianity (in fact, the Agrippa himself was almost converted). He includes in his speech the following principle Christian doctrines:

The Atonement of Jesus Christ (vs. 23)
Forgiveness of Sins (vs. 18)
Resurrection (vs. 8, 23)
A Witness of the Savior (vs. 13-16)
Conversion
Obedience (vs. 16)
Missionary Work (vs. 16)
Belief in the Prophets (vs. 27)
(see Acts 26)

If members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are truly Christians, then they would accept all of those doctrines.

The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the center of Latter-Day Saint belief. Every other doctrine, ordinance, or practice is an appendage to it. The third article of faith (an explanation of LDS belief) states that “We believe through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.” Latter-Day Saints believe that Jesus was the Christ, the begotten Son of the living God, that he suffered for our sins, and that his eternal sacrifice makes our salvation possible. The Mormons believe that the Atonement of Jesus Christ was a crucial part of God’s plan around which the Gospel revolves.

The Atonement allows us to be saved through repentance. Latter-Day Saints believe that one may receive a forgiveness for ones sins when one repents. Without the Savior’s sacrifice and forgiveness, we would not be able to become clean, and no unclean thing can dwell with God.

Latter-Day Saints also believe that after Jesus Christ was crucified, he was resurrected. The Church places a great deal of emphasis on the resurrection. Like the first Christians, Latter-Day Saints believe that all men will be resurrected as a direct result of Jesus’ own resurrection.

The Apostle Paul was a witness of the Savior, Jesus Christ. Latter-Day Saints likewise bear witness that Jesus is the Christ. The witnesses of Jesus Christ in latter days parallel the witnesses of Christ in the days of the early saints. Mormons believe that as long as Christ’s Church is on the Earth, God will bring among his saints witnesses of Jesus Christ. They teach that everyone can receive a personal witness of Christ through the Spirit; Latter-Day Saints believe that through sincere prayer to Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost will make manifest the truth concerning Jesus Christ, his church, and his scriptures.

The key to Paul’s teachings lie in his conversion; his conversion provided the foundation of his testimony and his actions. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints likewise teach that all people (member and nonmember alike) should be converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Conversion is a principle based off the witness of the Holy Spirit, which testifies in the heart and mind that Jesus is the Christ. Many Latter-Day Saints often describe that witness as a burning in the bosom that ideally brings about a change of heart.

Once converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, one grows to love the Savior. He declared “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). A key principle of the Gospel is “obedience to [its] laws and ordinances” (A of F 3). Mormons make sacred covenants to keep the commandments of the Savior and obey God.

Another key concept of the Christian Gospel is missionary work. Literally meaning “good news,” the gospel brings all Christians, including Mormons, great joy. Because it makes them so happy, they want to share its message with all the world; in fact, they have been commanded to do so. Latter-Day Saints are commanded (as all Christians) to spread the good news. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has over 66, 000 worldwide missionaries; in fact, all young men are commanded to serve a mission, most often at the age of 19. Member missionary work is also encouraged, and thus the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints increases exponentially, currently adding a million members every three years (the current population near 12 million).

The final Christian belief that Paul shares in Acts 26 is in the prophets. Like the rest of the Christian world, Latter-Day Saints believe in the prophets, recognizing their authority from God and honoring their teachings. Latter-Day Saints believe that as long as God’s church is on the Earth (and that has been since Adam), he will speak to his servants, the prophets.

Christian Doctrines are also summarized in the 6th chapter of Hebrews. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints teaches all of the doctrines listed, which are:

repentance (vs. 1)
faith in God (vs. 1)
baptism (vs. 2)
laying on of hands (vs. 2)
resurrection of the dead (vs. 2)
eternal judgment (vs. 2)
an oath (covenant) for confirmation (vs. 16, 13)
(see Hebrews 6)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints also contains the following key parts of the first Christian Church:

Apostles- just like the first Church had apostles, the restored church has apostles. When apostles died in the New Testament, new ones were called to fill the vacancy in the quorum of 12. Latter-Day Saints believe that Christ Church should always have 12 apostles, for “also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute” (Luke 11:49). Latter-Day Saint apostles and prophets, including Joseph Smith, have been persecuted and martyred just like the ones of old. (see also 1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 2:20 and 4:11)

Baptism by Immersion- Latter-Day Saints are baptized following the example of Jesus Christ. “Except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God” (John 3:5). (see also Matthew 3:15, Acts 2:38, 10:28, and 22:16)

Authority from God- the 5th Article of Faith states that “We [Mormons] believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.” This is just like the practices of the original Christian Church. As the Apostle Paul told the Hebrews, “no man taketh this honour [priesthood] unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron” (Hebrews 5:4). The priesthood is then described in chapters 5 and 7. The authority Latter-Day Saints profess is passed the same way it was in the primitive church. (see also Matthew 16:19, 10:1, Acts 6:5, 13:3, Ephesians 4:11)

Miracles- Latter-Day Saints believe that God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (see Hebrews 13:8) and that because he was a God of miracles in the Old and New Testament eras, he is a God of miracles in these modern eras and will be forever. Mormons witness countless miracles wrought by faith, and continuously see the Lord’s hand in their lives. (see also John 3:2, Acts 6:8, 1 Corinthians 12:10, 12:29, Hebrews 2:4)

Persecution- the followers of Christ have always been persecuted, and Latter-Day Saints are no different. They have fallen victim to genocide, massacre, scorn, torment, forced migration, etc. just as the early Church of Jesus Christ. (see also Acts 8:1, Romans 8:35)

Prophets- “And God hath set . . . in the church . . . prophets” (1 Corinthians 12:28). Latter-Day Saints believe that in every dispensation God will talk to his servants, the prophets. Even as Israel (God’s covenant people) and the early Church of Christ had prophets who testified of Christ, the Church in the latter-days has prophets who testify of Jesus Christ. Again, since the Lord is the same today as he was yesterday (see Hebrews 13:8), it makes little sense that he speak through prophets yesterday but not today. (see also Matthew 21:26, Luke 1:70, Ephesians 3:5, 4:11)

I have listened to this song like 200 times tonight . . . and for no particular reason. It’s just a wonderful song.

So, you asked me who Jesus Christ was. Honestly your question surprised me. It surprised me because I sometimes forget that people’s perceptions of the Christ can be different. My testimony of Jesus Christ comes from three main sources or experiences that I have had.

My first experience with the LORD I don’t remember. I believe that before I was born I existed as a spirit child of God, and that before I was born I testified of Christ. My mother has often told me stories about how when I was really little I would cry at night saying that I “missed Jesus.” As a child I had a basic understanding of Christ. I loved him, and I knew that he loved me.

My next big experience with the Lord Jesus Christ came when I was 12 years old. I chose to be baptized when I was 8, so I had a pretty good understanding of the Savior, but it wasn’t until I was 12 that I discovered one of the most important relationships between Christ and His disciples. I spent a week at a camp in Nauvoo Illinois. The town has major historical importance to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which was headquartered there until it was driven out of the United States. There is a special feeling in that place, and I felt it very strongly when I visited the Carthage Jail. There, in 1844 the Prophet Joseph Smith was killed by a mob. I remember being so touched when I went there. I prayed to the Father in Jesus’ name, asking Him if Joseph Smith really was a Prophet. The feeling that swept over me intensely assured me that he was indeed a Prophet of God. The knowledge was sweet and clear, like a divine euphoria. It is through that feeling in my heart and mind, the voice of the Holy Ghost, that I am able to believe in Christ.

You probably wonder why knowing that Joseph Smith was a Prophet helped me know and believe in Christ. Well, first of all, it taught me that God the Father answers prayers. If that is so, then all you have to do to believe in Christ is ask the Father. Second of all, it taught me that the Book of Mormon was true. Since the Book of Mormon is another testament of Christ, Jesus would have to be real for the book to be true. Perhaps most compelling of all is Joseph Smith’s own personal witness of the Son of God. I know with out a doubt that when Joseph was 14, God the Father and his Son Jesus appeared to before him to answer his question. I believe that Joseph saw them, two distinct personages. Later in his life and after another experience, Joseph Smith and Sigdney Rigdon testified, “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony . . . which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father— That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 176:22-24) To that I add my own testimony, that Jesus does in fact live, that He is the only begotten Son of the Father in the flesh, that He is our advocate with the Father.

My third experience with Jesus Christ is really just the relationship that I have now with him. Since that is very personal, I’ll just focus on a few things briefly. I believe in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I’ve witnessed its miracles in my life and the lives of others. I believe that through that Atonement all mankind may be saved by obedience the ordinances of Christ’s restored Gospel. I believe in repentence when we fail to live up to our covenants. I believe in the Scriptures, I know that they testify of Him. I believe that as we serve others, we really serve Him. I believe that we have reason to rejoice in Christ, and I strive to do so. He loves me, and I love him. I guess that is Christ to me. He is Jesus, the Jehovah, God of the Old Testament, Lamb of the New Testament. He is the Creater of all things, and He is our personal Redeemer. And He is my friend.

See Also The Living Christ

What a wonderful weekend . . . Friday night turned out to fun . . . the Priest/Laurel/Single Adults activity was wierd. So wierd that it now turns out that it wasn’t supposed to happen whoops. It’s ok cause only 1 priest (mwa) and 4 laurels showed up . . . lol. so
bouncy ball + icecream + tracting song + bald singles hitting on laurels = 7:00-8:30

After the activity Ashley and Neichel came over to my house and we ate pizza , and then James and Neichel went to pick up Greg’s custard for Sis. Cook while Ashley and I met up with them at the Cooks house. We tried to watch Mulan there, only their tv was haunted by “bob” who kept randomly and obnoxiously turning the tv off. Then we went home.

Saturday morn I had swim practice than did some yard work then tried to get Niechel to figure out what they were doing then . . . “In the car I just can’t wait, to pick you up on our very first date. Is it cool if I hold your hand? Is it wrong if I think it’s lame [and] dance? [I really] like [your sexy] hair Would you guess that I didn’t know what to wear? I’m too scared of what you think. You make me nervous so I really can’t [speak] . . .” (I had to make some modifications to blink’s lyrics )

So Ashley and I went to Olive Garden, but the wait was too long, so Ashley and I went to bd’s Mongolian Barbeque. Good stuff. . . so after that we were going to meet up with Mary and Niechel and Megan and Garrett at Chimpy’s, but they weren’t done eating, so Ashley and I decided to see a movie instead.

We saw Radio, and it was awesome! Now’s not the time to soapbox on why I thought it was so awesome (well you see, the message fit in with Church teachings . . . ) It was really good and I had a really good time watching it with Ashley.

After the movie we met up with the group at Caribu Coffee (for Hot Chocolate) and that was lots of fun. It was fun to be talking in a group (even if Mary and Megan decided to have a party in the bathroom) and sharing gum and laughing and being stupid cause I am so good at that and getting away with it and . . . *sigh* I felt happy.

As I was taking Ashley home we realized that we still had some time, and so I suggested we find a park, and so she led me to Grays Lake. The actual lake. lol so we went walking on this path and it was one of those beautiful moments where the rain stopped and the fog clung to the inside of our lungs, warm fog, not cold. I loved the lights, orange and white and yellow and blue, that stretch over the lake in rippling streaks. The lake itself was a deep motionless and gray, reflecting the sky and the black skeletal trees perfectly. It was all so still, like liquid silver caught in time, unmoving in the mysterious shroud of fog. A nearby road created just enough hush for it to be silent. Clouds covered the sky, but if you looked closely they weren’t just dark gray and dreary, they were pink and blue in splotches, and it was beautiful.

As we returned to my car we stood there gazing at scenes from a movie: the lake and its beauty, two eerie buildings lit by a hazy gold light, a dim foggy wood, a dark house with a creepy van. We started to scare eachother talking about the scary guy who lives in that house and the murder that took place in my cul-de-sac and the creepy shape inside the creepy van that seemed to move everytime a car drove by and the kinds of things that happened on eeie, beautiful nights like that. It was thrilling.

Ashley and I went on another walk around this hill. All of a sudden as we walked past the woods something moved under the foilage - we thought it was a person and it scared us to death, you should have seen us! I clutched Ashley so tightly in her white feather coat . . . we think it was a dog, but man I thought it was the crazy sex-offender who lives in that dark house.

So the rest of the walk we held onto eachother so tightly I thought I would hurt her. It was such an eerie night with strange shapes that seemed to move around us and shadows and streetlights and red windows and some wierd guy watching tv standing up in his open garage. We made it back to the car safely , and “I will always remember the sound of the stereo, The dim of the soft lights, the scent of your hair, That you twirled in your fingers, And the time on the clock when we realized it’s so late, And this walk that we shared together. The streets were wet and the gate was locked, So I jumped it and let you in” to my life. And I’m so glad.

Driving home I felt so happy. Even in those awkward moments when I didn’t know what to say, I was happy. Even when we just sat there and sang along to the stereo, I was happy; even when I was scared out of my wits, I was holding her and was happy. And I hope that I will be happy again soon.

I am so excited for tonight, so I wrote a poem for creative writting . . .

Tide

Your white shirts glows like a
Deep seafish luring its prey.
And I follow.
We walk along the beach to our swing.
Footprints dot the moonlit sand,
like the stars aligned.

Gently I push you on the swing.
Legs pump out and in, like our hearts
Throbbing to the ocean’s rhythm.
The moon pulls your hair with an invisible thread.
I am mesmerized by it- rising, falling, rising,
Like the tide.

I think that I can push you far enough to touch the moon,
Steal its power in your fingers
Snap the thread, and down it will cascade to us.
Then our hearts will swell with its frenzy
Manifest in love-sick voices.
By our command the ocean will bow,
And to our love throb.
We will erase man’s footprints.

I rest my hands on yours and gesture to the open sea
“That, sweet girl, that is ours,” I say,
“Every pearl, every star, every coral palace is ours to wander.”
I kiss the salt off your lips, and in
Night’s silence,
Our cheeks flush.

Alright . . . field trip yesterday was awesome!!! I knew it would be a good week.

I had to leave seminary at 6:45 and boarded the bus for WhiteWater. The bus ride there wasn’t horrible, a lot of my friends went on the trip. Anyway, we got there and it was a pretty nice campus. It was just like Stevenson only everybody smoked. It was disgusting! And there were like 50 frat/soriety houses surrounding the campus. So, um, that made me want BYU like NOW.

First of all, no smoking at BYU. PERIOD.

Second of all, no Fraternities! That got me thinking. Why are frats so popular? Because I think that they provide absolutely crucial experiences for college life (doesn’t Satan love to mimick God. . . makes sense). So why do I want to go to BYU where there aren’t frats? Because that’s one of the few places I can get those crucial experiences without joining a frat . . . details:
Needs:
1. Brotherhood 2. Ceremony 3. Duties, Responsibilities, and Leadership opp. 4. Identity 5. Parties, friends, gatherings 6. A specific group to associate with

Frats fulfil them with:
1. membership 2. ceremony, but often using alcohol and often perverting symbolism (the whole satan mimicks God thing) 3. Leadership opportunities 4. Identity 5. Frat Parties, and all associated with them 6. alliance to specific Frat

BYU fulfils them with:
1. Church membership 2. Temple Ceremony, sacred and divine 3. Callings 4. You get to be a witness of Christ (not that you can’t do that elsewhere) 5. Ward activities, devotionals, “mormon parties,” etc. 6. the Ward!

there is tons of overlap . . . the difference is the source, and the fruits of the labors. One creates fun dependent on drinking and others, the other creates fun dependent on the ability to feel the spirit i.e. righteousness

OK. DONE with discourse on Frats and the Church

So I went to these writing workshops and read a lot of sucky writing from other schools. Some good stuff too, but not too much.

Lunch was great at KFC . . .

And then we went Thrift store shopping!!!!! I bought a blue tie with big white polka dots. How hot is that! I’ll wear it Sunday. More talking and hanging out with Jackie (Happy Birthday), Jamie, Ben, Zach, Mellisa, Lauren P, and many others . . .

Then my work was judged and they really liked it, and though I didn’t win they want me to get it published so yeah.

Bus ride home was really fun . . . made fun of bad poetry :-/ played a modifyed question game, Jori declared herself “Danny-sexual”, and many more interesting experiences.

So . . . so far it’s been a . . . I’m not bubbly anymore still happy deep inside, but surfacefully I’m kinda . . . blah. (weather?) But I should be really happy because last night . . . (Heather would be proud) . . . ok, new goal, stop elipsing . . . I just have to get over this slump I’m in. (It’s cause my house is haunted and my family is under attack by an unidentified foe. Why won’t anyone tell me what’s going on?!)

Don’t ask.

This week is going to be awesome though. Sunday I was still on cloud 9 from the dance. Monday I was still on cloud nine from talking to Ashley. Today is late arrival. Tomorrow I have a field trip. Thursday I can get excited for Friday. Friday there’s a Priest/Laurel activity. Saturday I get to do something with Ashley . . .