The Enoch Letters By. Neal A. Maxwell

This is a fictional telling of the city of Enoch. Elder Maxwell has an a amazing way with words. His analogies are sometimes abstract and make you utilize your noggin (heaven forbid). They are real "last puzzle pieces" as I like to call them. You know when you begin a puzzle and... 5 hrs later... haha... you hold that last piece in your hand? You already know what the big picture is and the last piece doesn't matter in that aspect, but as you press it in you receive this head to toe big sigh and smile kind of satisfaction as you sit back and relish in the COMPLETE ness. There is a chapter where he is telling Omner why there are no dissenters in the City of Enoch and he infers that, "would a child who had learned to walk go back to crawling simply to prove that he could." They had learned a grander way to live life- through loving service, sacrifice, and faith.

This really is a phenomenal story. There are so many interwoven doctrines. It has dispelled any hesitancies I have ever had about living the Law of Consecration. It has given me a new perspective on how we develop our individuality through the gospel. It is not something that turns us into automated androids. "Those who worship the Creator are creative" I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about the concept of Zion. It was previously entitled "One Heart". Read it. Do it. It's not too long. Pinkie Promise.

Summary: (courtesy of Deseret Book)

"Readers of the scriptures have long marveled at the account of the city of Enoch and its translation. What was their society like? Suppose ancient records had been kept and were made available to us today. What lessons might they contain? Elder Neal A. Maxwell tells the story of Enoch's ministry and the glory of his Christ-centered society through the eyes of a man called Mahijah, who urges his friend Omner to move to Zion before it's too late. Mahijah's imaginary letters provide a vivid portrayal of life in the city of Enoch, whose inhabitants the Lord called Zion, "because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness." (Moses 7:18)

General Conference Artwork

Family Reunions

I’m laughing right now… And I am maybe crying a little bit. This is why- We just got back to our hotel from my Grandparent’s 50th Wedding Anniversary dinner and I am SO embarrassed haha. Let’s just say my family was a little less than well-behaved. Noah was licking, yes, LICKING his plate, Talmage wouldn’t keep his pants on, Josh, who is really proud of his newfound talent in juggling decided that the dinner rolls would be the perfect thing to practice with, and Cannon stuck his lollipop in my hair. In addition to dinner we took family pictures. Have you ever tried to get 9 kids to smile at the same time for a family picture? Someone is ALWAYS picking their nose, crying, pouting, running away, has their shirt untucked, blinking, or pulling a goofy face. I think the picture lady took like 750 and then gave up.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

“To express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven.”
-President Thomas S. Monson

Freedom
Family
Friends
Faith...

Your my satellite.

Just Do It

I always loved running... it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs. Most people don't understand running. I don't blame them. The concept of it all is rather bewildering. I near forgot the implicit joy that comes when my feet strike the road. My faith and love for running was renewed tonight as it was the first time i had picked up my nikes since the "incident". Being terrified of something you have a passion for is a serious judo chop to the solar plexus, if you will. But fear is only as deep as the mind allows and thus i am done running from my love.

Recipe for shin splints: kick off your shoes, head for the park and run till your lungs feel like they are going to blow to kingdom come. Highly enjoyable.

Welcome to the World and Cognition of my Ingenious Mind

I move out of my house in 33 days... not that i'm counting... though, i can't speak for my parents :). I am about to embark on a much anticipated adventure of independence. That is why i have chosen to start this blog, so that you can follow me into this unknown land of laptops, dating, and dish washing. Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire. Launched into a whirlwind of secular and spiritual enlightenment, I brace myself for the best and worst. Come what may and love it.