I love the Crandall Museum! I have been many times and everytime I have a great experience. The men presenting the history of printing put on a fabulous show. They really help you understand the magnitude of the invention of the printing press.
The presentation begins with a demonstration of the Gutenberg Press. This is the press that was made in Germany when scribes were trying to figure out how to speed the process of transcribing the Bible. It is fascinating how Gutenberg was able to figure out how to create a solid, long-lasting ink, a fabric that would absorb and keep the ink, a metal that would properly mold into the correct letter shape, and a machine that made the combination of everything possible. It is interesting that the scientists of ancient times were able to figure out ways to produce things that have since been tested using the modern technology of our day and we have found them to be the most effective means to use to create their desired outcome. This is true of the Gutenberg Printing Press. All of the resources used to create the press, tools and other items required for printing are still the best things that would be used today, if we still printed in that fashion. I believe that the Lord inspires individuals to find the most resourceful items. Even more than that, I believe that Heavenly Father knows the abilities of individuals and places them in a situation where they can reach their full potential, fulfill all that is required of them, and be in a place where they can find the things they need to truly succeed in what they were created to accomplish.
This leads to the creation of the Book of Mormon. The men of the Crandall Museum also explained how the Book of Mormon was published. It is interesting that Joseph Smith just happened to be near one of the only printing presses in the United States right when he needed to print mass copies of the Book of Mormon. I know that Heavenly Father knows so much more than we do. He knew that Joseph needed to be in a certain place at a certain time so he could fulfill the commandments of the Lord. The printing process had been refined from the first Gutenberg Press and the men at the Grandin Building were efficient in organizing and printing the pages of the Book of Mormon. They printed it in remarkable speed, considering that they not only copied the words from manuscripts to type, but they also punctuated the entire text. Never had any book been completed so quickly and efficiently. I think it is a fabulous notion that angels were attending them as they were putting the text together. I know that the Lord blesses us in so many ways and He sends His messengers to help us along to fulfill our righteous desires. I know that because Heavenly Father helped to move His work along by inspiring one man to invent an important tool, others to have the great printing skills, others to lead and delegate responsibilities so that everyone can give of their talents, He can lead us and help us to accomplish the tasks He desires us to complete and we too can help to build the kingdom of God in our day!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
The Gathering
How has the gathering of the Saints to Zion (Utah) affect me today?
My ancestors are included in the group of pioneers that traveled across the rocky terrain to Utah. They were commanded by Brigham Young to settle in the areas of Canada and built the church there. I feel very fortunate to be able to look back on the faithful examples of my ancestors. I am so grateful that they were diligent in obeying the Lords commandments and followed the teachings of the gospel so they could pass that heritage on to me. I need the gospel everyday of my life. Without it I am lost and would not know where to turn when I need divine help and miracles.
The miracle of defeating the threats associated with the rugged country my ancestors crossed reminds me that Heavenly Father is aware of His children and that He does bless us with abilities and accomplishments we could not do without His divine assistance. I have witnessed various miracles in my life. Miracles that could not occur unless a loving Father in Heaven answered my plea by interfering with the cosmos and creating a way for me to accomplish the certain task.
It is amazing to know that so many groups have traveled with unwavering faith in God to guide them along their course and He has always followed through as long as they remain true to their part of the bargain. This is something that applies directly to us in our day. We are all traveling along the journey of life and we are required to also "walk by faith". As long as we remain true and faithful to the commandments of our Heavenly Father, He will continue to lead us along the path with perfect direction. It is only when we lose sight of His commandments that we wander on unknown paths, leading to places lacking security and divine protection. Everyday we need to renew our faith, trust in Heavenly Father and follow the spirit. The church is true! Heavenly Father does love each of us and wants us to return to live with Him again by treading the path He has paved for us.
My ancestors are included in the group of pioneers that traveled across the rocky terrain to Utah. They were commanded by Brigham Young to settle in the areas of Canada and built the church there. I feel very fortunate to be able to look back on the faithful examples of my ancestors. I am so grateful that they were diligent in obeying the Lords commandments and followed the teachings of the gospel so they could pass that heritage on to me. I need the gospel everyday of my life. Without it I am lost and would not know where to turn when I need divine help and miracles.
The miracle of defeating the threats associated with the rugged country my ancestors crossed reminds me that Heavenly Father is aware of His children and that He does bless us with abilities and accomplishments we could not do without His divine assistance. I have witnessed various miracles in my life. Miracles that could not occur unless a loving Father in Heaven answered my plea by interfering with the cosmos and creating a way for me to accomplish the certain task.
It is amazing to know that so many groups have traveled with unwavering faith in God to guide them along their course and He has always followed through as long as they remain true to their part of the bargain. This is something that applies directly to us in our day. We are all traveling along the journey of life and we are required to also "walk by faith". As long as we remain true and faithful to the commandments of our Heavenly Father, He will continue to lead us along the path with perfect direction. It is only when we lose sight of His commandments that we wander on unknown paths, leading to places lacking security and divine protection. Everyday we need to renew our faith, trust in Heavenly Father and follow the spirit. The church is true! Heavenly Father does love each of us and wants us to return to live with Him again by treading the path He has paved for us.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
An Elect Lady
I am a student minoring in Women’s Studies so section 25 of the Doctrine and Covenants really strikes a familiar chorus with my current interests. This section is a revelation from Jesus Christ to Emma, His daughter.He counsels her in various ways and many of the commands that He gives opens the mind of a woman’s role in the 1830’s.I feel that I can relate with this revelation in many ways because I too am a woman and I feel that I have a purpose to fulfill other than just take care of my family and raise children.
My first memorable encounter with this passage was at the end of my mission. I had served my Savior for about 18 months and was enjoying the spiritual environment of the Celestial Room in the Washington DC Temple. I said a prayer asking Heavenly Father to help me know what He would have me do when I arrived home and no longer had the responsibility of being a full-time missionary. Immediately after praying, I opened the scriptures to this chapter and began reading. I inserted my name in place of hers and applied it to my life. I love how Jesus Christ refers to Emma as His daughter and then as an “elect lady” I believe that phrase is special because women have a tendency to downplay themselves, and Christ’s reference to a woman in that context shows just how much He loves women and knows of their special nature and role. I found a lot of comfort in the next verse also which states, “Murmur not because of the things which thou hast not seen, for they are withheld from thee and from the world, which is wisdom in me for a time to come.” This applied to me while I was on my way home because I had a lot of trials awaiting me when I arrived home. My family was experiencing various problems and I had been preserved from being around that while on my mission. I felt I could relate to Emma because she was always experiencing some kind of grief and heartache for various reasons, much of which she did not understand. Her example of strength and endurance helped me through my transition and I was able to handle the changes with much less murmur.
I find this to be applicable in everyday life also because we will never know the future. We do not have the wisdom that God has and we will never fully know what to expect. In response to that, we can either murmur and be upset, or trust in God and allow Him to guide us through the unknown journey of life. I believe that life is much more enjoyable when we choose to accept our lives for what they are and be happy despite the challenges that may seem unbearable. Emma is such a great example of female leadership in the church. She is the woman that paved the way for all female leadership in a time when female leadership roles were unheard of in not only religion, but most everything in the United States. I know that Heavenly Father placed Emma where she needed to be so that we can look up to her for the efforts that she made and the role she played in leading the women of the Lords true church.
My first memorable encounter with this passage was at the end of my mission. I had served my Savior for about 18 months and was enjoying the spiritual environment of the Celestial Room in the Washington DC Temple. I said a prayer asking Heavenly Father to help me know what He would have me do when I arrived home and no longer had the responsibility of being a full-time missionary. Immediately after praying, I opened the scriptures to this chapter and began reading. I inserted my name in place of hers and applied it to my life. I love how Jesus Christ refers to Emma as His daughter and then as an “elect lady” I believe that phrase is special because women have a tendency to downplay themselves, and Christ’s reference to a woman in that context shows just how much He loves women and knows of their special nature and role. I found a lot of comfort in the next verse also which states, “Murmur not because of the things which thou hast not seen, for they are withheld from thee and from the world, which is wisdom in me for a time to come.” This applied to me while I was on my way home because I had a lot of trials awaiting me when I arrived home. My family was experiencing various problems and I had been preserved from being around that while on my mission. I felt I could relate to Emma because she was always experiencing some kind of grief and heartache for various reasons, much of which she did not understand. Her example of strength and endurance helped me through my transition and I was able to handle the changes with much less murmur.
I find this to be applicable in everyday life also because we will never know the future. We do not have the wisdom that God has and we will never fully know what to expect. In response to that, we can either murmur and be upset, or trust in God and allow Him to guide us through the unknown journey of life. I believe that life is much more enjoyable when we choose to accept our lives for what they are and be happy despite the challenges that may seem unbearable. Emma is such a great example of female leadership in the church. She is the woman that paved the way for all female leadership in a time when female leadership roles were unheard of in not only religion, but most everything in the United States. I know that Heavenly Father placed Emma where she needed to be so that we can look up to her for the efforts that she made and the role she played in leading the women of the Lords true church.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Articles and Covenants
Section 20 of the Doctrine and Covenants has been titled as the "Articles and Covenants". This section discusses various topics that are relevant to the establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It begins by giving a brief history of Joseph's spiritual help in obtaining, protecting, translating, and bringing forth of the Book of Mormon. Next this section describes the creation of Adam and Eve, their fall, the need for an Atonement and the role of Jesus Christ. After teaching of the need to repent and follow the steps of appropriate baptism, it goes on to explain the duties of the different priesthood callings. This section also provides the exact phrase that is accepted by God to perform baptisms and bless the sacrament, which is a renewal of the covenants made at baptism.
I found it very interesting that after this revelation had been given, God commanded the missionaries to bring a copy of it with them as they shared the gospel with others. It makes sense that when establishing new branches, the leaders would need a handbook of instructions to help them know how to set up Jesus Christ's church in the way He would have them do it.
Something that impresses me about the church is how the Lord went about organizing it. I have learned from the few business classes I have taken that there are certain things to do when organizing a business that can easily be franchised. One thing is that the job descriptions need to be laid out so anyone can that fills the position can understand their duty. This is done in Section 20. That is just one example of many business tactics that are easily found in the Doctrine and Covenants. Jesus Christ is not only our Redeemer and example of a variety of virtues, but He is also the greatest CEO! I love Him and learn so much from His great example everyday!
I found it very interesting that after this revelation had been given, God commanded the missionaries to bring a copy of it with them as they shared the gospel with others. It makes sense that when establishing new branches, the leaders would need a handbook of instructions to help them know how to set up Jesus Christ's church in the way He would have them do it.
Something that impresses me about the church is how the Lord went about organizing it. I have learned from the few business classes I have taken that there are certain things to do when organizing a business that can easily be franchised. One thing is that the job descriptions need to be laid out so anyone can that fills the position can understand their duty. This is done in Section 20. That is just one example of many business tactics that are easily found in the Doctrine and Covenants. Jesus Christ is not only our Redeemer and example of a variety of virtues, but He is also the greatest CEO! I love Him and learn so much from His great example everyday!
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