Twilight

Unfortunately, I won't be posting any pictures for a while. While I was reading the other day, Mindie found Layne in the computer room on top of the desk poking his little finger into the lens of our camera. Nothing is safe anymore! So, the lens cover is now stuck and the camera will no longer work. I guess we will have to see if we can get it fixed.

The last two weeks I have been obsessed with the Twilight series. For those who don't know, it is a series of four, soon to be five, books about a vampire family and a teenage girl who falls in love with one of the vampires. I have never read a vampire story before, and I must confess, there were some things that were a little weird. Overall, I really loved the books. Incidentally, the fifth book is published in part on the author's website. For any enthusiastic fans who have read the first four books, but not the fifth, you can find it here.

Stephenie Meyer is especially good at fleshing out her characters. They are very real to the reader. Because of this, I found myself crying, laughing, and worrying right along with them. I couldn't help but notice how, even in their most desperate hour, waiting for death, none of the characters ever considered saying a prayer.

This is not a criticism of the characters-- I don't want any hate mail-- it is just so different from what I would expect. After all, they are a very caring, compassionate, ethical group fighting against the blackest of fiends. Why shouldn't they implore the powers of heaven on their behalf? Were they afraid? Did they think they were unworthy? I don't know. Seeing the world through their eyes, I could see death as this terrifying black chasm before them. Without faith and an understanding of their creator, how could they face such a chasm? It opened my eyes to the fear that death holds for people who do not know what I know. It makes me wish I could share it with them that they might be able to look with some peace into that chasm, some understanding of what lies beyond this world.

One of the students in my primary class was baptized and confirmed last Sunday and I was invited to speak about the Holy Ghost. My testimony of the Holy Ghost and what a difference this gift has made in my life was strengthened. The Gift of the Holy Ghost is such an incredible blessing. The Spirit sustains religious conviction and helps us cast out doubt. He can reveal to our minds what lies beyond this life and give us courage to resist temptation even within the shadow of death for ourselves and our loved ones. What an incomparable gift!

I imagine to myself what I would feel if I did not have it. I would wander from church to church, satisfied for a time perhaps with the doctrines taught, but never for long. Reading the Bible over and over for understanding that at times might enlighten my mind, but never totally answering the questions burning in my mind. What is God like? What does he think of me? What lies in store after this life? No one to answer to these most vital questions. Only through that incomparable Gift of the Holy Ghost can He begin to unravel these mysteries. Only after years of study and prayer, can such understanding be earned, but it is available. The Gift is available to all who will receive it.

Mankind has always had such questions, and God has always stood ready to answer them. Joseph Smith was one who asked God such questions, and he received answer after answer from God. Unlike others who have claimed to speak for God, he did not insist he was the only one with a claim to divine revelation, he taught that it is available to all. He was right. There are many who would speak ill of Joseph Smith, but they are misinformed. He was a prophet of God and those who contend against his church fight against God Himself. I know that Jesus Christ lives, and he loves all of us. He wants us to seek to know him. He wants to reveal his secrets to us. The question is, do we want to know? If so, how badly?

Closet Cyclone

Forget Hurricane Ike. The only natural disasters here at our house are man made-- or kid made I suppose. Devin used the ladder to his bunk bed to access the clothes hanging in his closet. He took most of them off of their hangers too, so it made a nice long project for me to get them all hung up again. This particular episode along with one a couple of days ago where he emptied his dresser drawers, lost Devin all privileges. He has had to earn them back with good behavior.

Moonstone Rosebush

The Moonstone rosebush that has struggled so much finally had it's first blossom. It is doing really good now and we hope to see more flowers this fall.