Dan Brooks's Blog, page 10

Meditation: An LDS Practice

I meditate daily. It has changed my life by helping me be more at peace even in struggle and hardships. Being more peaceful has helped me maintain a more spiritual nature.
I count 1-10 and repeat until my mind becomes quiet or at least less noisy. I have a much easier time of it since I've been doing it for so long, my mind becomes quieter easier and much sooner.
There is science that shows that prayer and meditation have the same effect on the brain and body.
Here are the parts of the brain forming neural circuts that are involved when one meditates and contemplates God or prays:
Occipital Parietal Circuit:Identifies God as an object or personality outside of oneself.  Children see God as a person and that is likely due to not being able to process abstract spiritual ideas.
Parietal Frontal Circuit:Establishes a relationship between you and others, God included.  It puts God outside of yourself and allows you to experience His presence.  So if you decrease activity in this area you diminish the boundaries between you and God as well as you and others.  You begin to feel a sense of unity as a result.
Frontal Lobe: This are creates, intergrates and brings to fruition all your ideas about God.  This includes the logic you use to evaluate your religious or spiritual beliefs and belief systems.  It also intellectually attempts to answer the big questions, the who, what, when, where and why’s of spiritual and religious beliefs and questions.  The frontal lobe also controls everything we are conscious of, our sense of logic, reason, our attention, language skills and voluntary motivation.
Thalamus: Gives emotional meaning to God and the ideas you have surrounding Him. The Thalamus produces a holistic sense of the world and seems to be the key organ in making God real in an objective sense. The thalamus sends sensory information to all parts of the brain and gives a sense of meaning.  It gives you a sense of what ultimate reality may be.
Amygdala: When stimulated to excess God seems overly authoritative and punitive and fear results and this suppresses the frontal lobe’s ability to logically think about God.
Striatum: This area inhibits the amygdale and allows the feeling of safety to become prominent during prayer or meditation or in being in the presence of God.
Anterior Cingulate: This area seems to allow you to experience God as a loving and compassionate entity.  It decreases fear, guilt, anxiety, apprehension and anger by suppressing the activity of the amygdala.  Prayer and meditation specifically strengthen the anterior cingulated.
Parietal Lobe:  This are controls your sense of self, thus when its activity decreases you are then able to feel oneness with others, the universe and God.  This area is more active during everyday life in those who pray and meditate frequently and when one prays or meditates activity diminishes resulting in a sense of oneness.
The circuit activated by meditation according to the studies found in the book What God does to your Brain, is as follows:
Pre-Frontal Cortex > Anterior Cingulate > Bsal Ganglia > Thalamus.
This may be because during meditation and prolonged prayer we become more focused and alert (PFC), more empathetic and socially aware (Anterior Cingulate), and have more control over our emotions (Basal Ganglia). This then affects our sensory perceptions of the world (Thalamus), and all this information is then relayed to all other parts of the brain.
Friar John Main, Friar Thomas Keating and Trappist monks describe a type of meditation specific to Christianity and Keating updated and modified a fourteenth century text The Cloud of Unknowing:
“It brings us into the presence of God and thus fosters the contemplative attitudes of listening and receptivity.  It is not contemplative in the strict sense, which in Catholic tradition has always been regarded as a pure gift of the Spirit, but rather it is a preparation for contemplation by reducing the obstacles caused by the hyperactivity of our minds and of our lives.”
Keating called his simple meditation “The Centering Prayer.”
The techniques of Christian meditation came to an apex in the twelfth century by Guigo II, a Carthusian monk who categorized four levels of meditation or four types: Lectio (slowly reading scripture), meditation (contemplating the deeper meanings of scripture), oratio (spontaneous prayer), and contemplation (wordlessly focusing on God’s love).And here we have scripture which tells us of meditation in the Bible.   "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are
   noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever
   things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is
   any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these
   things." (Php 4:8)

    Paul clearly teaches us to "meditate on these things", and   "meditation" is certainly a Biblical subject:    Isaac meditated in the field at eventide - Gen 24:63    Joshua was charged by God to mediate "day and night" - Josh 1:8    The "blessed man" in Psalms 1 is one who meditates - Ps 1:1-2    David became wiser than his teachers through meditation - Ps 119:99    Paul commanded Timothy to "meditate on these things" - 1Ti 4:15  How does meditation bring us closer to the Lord?

President [David O.] McKay said, “We don’t take sufficient time to meditate.” I get up early in the morning … , five o’clock, when my mind and spirit are clear and rested. Then I meditate. You can come closer to the Lord than you imagine when you learn to meditate. Let your spirits be taught by the Spirit.8

"We pay too little attention to the value of meditation, a principle of devotion.... Meditation is the language of the soul. It is defined as 'a form of private devotion, or spiritual exercise, consisting in deep, continued reflection on some religious theme.' Meditation is a form of prayer.... 

"Meditation is one of the most secret, most sacred doors through which we pass into the presence of the Lord." 2

The above quotes about meditation are from David O. McKay. We as Latter Day Saints are advised to meditate. We can enjoy the ample blessings from meditation as Latter Day Saints without worshipping any God other than our own. God is the author of all truth and if a thing is healthy and beneficial how are we to not partake of that which offers us blessings of health and communion with God. We know the benefits and effects are the same as with prayer so we still pray but add meditation to our spiritual regimine.

Meditation may seem like a foreign practice but it has been practiced by billions of people over thousands of years. It can help you as it helped me. I used to be so rageful on the roads but after meditating daily over these last few years I rarely get angry while driving and am no longer prone to being reckless because of it. My wife and I argue less and we are more productive in moments of friction because I am less reactive and more peaceful.

Meditation has completely transformed me for the better. And anyone can do it and partake of a similar transformation. Because it is not in learning how to be peaceful that one becomes peaceful. True transformation happens in the moment and meditation has helped me be present in the moment. And it can help transform you the way it has me.

Limiting Jesus

Many feel there are things God would not do. But I have always thought God is limitless and can accomplish anything. People say that God would not command that we murder His children. And I agree. But I think when we categorize God or Christ then in some ways we are limiting them to fit within the confines of our minds. Some of us may be right and others may be wrong but I think it's a mistake to limit God.
A Jewish argument against Jesus being God is that God could never fit His infinite self into human form. But that argument is limiting Gods' power and abilities.
For me when I ask what Jesus would do I think of His description of the two greatest commandments and His one and only new commandment we see in John:

36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matthew 22:36-40

So love of God and love of ever one of His children is the foundation on which everything else in the gospel is predicated.

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:34-35

So for me an act or words that live up to the ethos of love are the Godly solutions to every occasion. And speech and actions that run contrary to this ethos are unGodly and unChristlike.

But don't take my word for it, I submit for your approval a talk from April 2014 general conference:

"We cannot truly love God if we do not love our fellow travelers on this mortal journey. Likewise, we cannot fully love our fellowmen if we do not love God, the Father of us all. The Apostle John tells us, “This commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.”3 We are all spirit children of our Heavenly Father and, as such, are brothers and sisters. As we keep this truth in mind, loving all of God’s children will become easier.

Actually, love is the very essence of the gospel, and Jesus Christ is our Exemplar. His life was a legacy of love. The sick He healed; the downtrodden He lifted; the sinner He saved. At the end the angry mob took His life. And yet there rings from Golgotha’s hill the words: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do”4—a crowning expression in mortality of compassion and love.

There are many attributes which are manifestations of love, such as kindness, patience, selflessness, understanding, and forgiveness. In all our associations, these and other such attributes will help make evident the love in our hearts."

Love: The Essence of the Gospel by Thomas S. Monson

These ideas and ethics are what I consider to be Godly. Whereas the Deuteronomy idea of rape being okay as long as the victim marries her rapist and pays off her father in silver. That is for me completely out of line with the God I have come to know.

And there are other passages that make my skin crawl but most of us disregard them as we do many other disturbing commandments like forbidding pork for example.

But I still cannot rule out something being Godly because I may be wrong but God will always be right. I can't fully appreciate the mind of God because I am not His equal. None of us will know for certain, we must go on faith and love.

It is hard to tell sometimes what is of God and what is not but the limitations of our mind only limits our understanding of what is Godly. I think the deeper we dig the clearer these answers become.

All we are called to do is love one another as Christ loves us and to let our faith lead the way. Our ideas of God only limit what we can understand, God has never been limited by our concepts of Him. 

I know love, forgiveness, acceptance and understanding are Godly but I can't say for certain what else may or may not be of God. I just have ideas and faith. For me, that's enough. And I think if we remove the limits we confine our ideas of God with, we can open ourselves up to more light and further knowledge.

Self Worth And Love

Sin is more like a crust of ignorance we wear around a divinely created soul. Between western religions and eastern religions there is a fundamental difference in outlook.
Western religions promote a deficiency model. That model relies on outside supernatural help to attain salvation. It's as if our leaders were saying that we are so broken and sinful that we can't help ourselves we need outside help.
Whereas the eastern model relies on an understanding of humanity at its core being divine and perfect but the illusionary world is what contaminates us. It is that understanding of the world being an illusion that confuses us and causes us to forget our divine nature.
We forget the world and all that which comes with it is an illusion but our divine truth is what's real.
We can have that self realization and shed that crust of ignorance to become clean in our new realization.
When one bases their intrinsic worth based on outside influences one loses sight of who they really are. We lose sight of our divine worth when we are constantly seeking the approval of others rather than getting to know ourselves and our true worth.  As well as communing with God and developing a personal relationship with Him rather than depending on others for that knowledge.  
And we can develop a personal relationship with God and an understanding of our true worth and true nature through prayer and meditation. Which can aid in scripture study.
It's not that we shouldn't rely on friends and family for help and insight, it's that we should never allow others to determine our worth or place in the world or in the world to come.
I personally always relied on others to determine my worth and place in the world. Which was especially toxic because I was routinely and consistently put down, teased and embarrassed by my "friends." And I would fly into depressive and even rageful episodes because my every word and deed was never good enough for anyone I was around, family included.
Every mistake was never forgotten or forgiven. I was mocked anytime I was around them. The boyfriend of one of these friends even said I wasn't being treated like a real friend. He said spending time watching how they treated me was like watching them kick a dog.
I was treated horribly and mocked for not being mentally ill (which I am, I am schizoaffective which is co-occurring schizophrenia and bipolar.) but simply too weak to handle life. Classy as these people were my mother was the punchline to many jokes on a daily basis but their mothers were to be respected.
I could not truly heal until I was in a better circle of people. And when I learned to rely on my healthy relationships I did better. But the ultimate lightbulb moment came through a personal relationship with God that I cultivated through daily prayer and meditation.
I eventually let go of those toxic "friends" and no longer allow anyone but God to determine my value or worth. Sometimes I miss my old friends, we had good times sometimes, but for the most part I just feel better and continue to feel valued because I'm not being constantly and consistently undercut and mocked.
We would all do better, we would all feel better if we stopped thinking of ourselves as broken or flawed. And start thinking of ourselves as divinely created, eternally loved and always valued.
My wife and step children make me feel more valued than I ever have been. I have healed greatly but still have scars that even my families love hasn't healed yet. That will require self love on my part to fully heal. But I am on my way. So it's a start.

Modesty Rhetoric

"Judge not according to appearances but judge righteous judgement." John 7:24

According to Jewish interpretation for thousands of years righteous judgement means giving the benefit of the doubt. See Mishna avot 1:6. Recently a Lone Peak High School student was slut shamed for her dress not meeting the dress code.  Her mom is a lawyer and said the dress code says nothing about sleeves being required.  But the further point is the modesty rhetoric that in order for women to respect themselves and others they need to dress to a certain standard.  Which is the same line of thinking that lead to women wearing burkas and veils to hide their bodies, that women must feel shame if they are "too sexy." And if they get raped it is their fault for leading men on.

Many may think that no one would say that but I know several women who were told that they must have done something to provoke their attack, by Bishops, Stake Presidents and their friends and family members.  The result is that they, even decades later, cannot wear anything that isn't super modest.  Even though they put on a good facade, they feel insecure and broken inside and often rape victims suffer from PTSD due to the trauma or repeated traumas over several years. 

Victims don't just suffer during the abuses, the suffer every time they are asked "Are you sure you didn't lead them on?"  Or "Well, what were you wearing?"  As if that justifies or explains anything.  Maybe this is why the use of Prozac and other similar drugs are so high in Utah.  And Utah's rape cases are well above the national average but keep in mind that less than 10% of rapes even get reported with even less getting prosecuted.  So while it may seem like a dress code issue, there is far more than that in play.

Jesus said this:  
 
"But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." Matthew 5:28

Jesus did not say that if you look upon a woman with lust, she needs to dress more modestly.  I have also heard men and women say that if a woman is dressed "immodestly" she is objectifying herself.  Which proves those men and women don't quite understand what the word objectifying actually means.  The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as this:
"to treat (someone) as an object rather than as a person."

We are taught by Jesus not to judge in the sense of being judgmental.  We need to discern or make judgement calls but we need not be judgmental and condemn others.  Jesus taught that if we want mercy we need to be merciful, that if we want forgiveness we must forgive, and that if we expect these things from God we must extend these things to our brothers and sisters. Our bodies are beautiful and creations of God, there is nothing inherently sinful about them.  The dirtiness and sinful attitudes toward our bodies are projected on to them, they are not inherent.  God creates nothing inherently evil or sinful.  And just because a young girl or woman does not meet your standards of dress and modesty does not mean there is anything sinful about them, it means they have their own standards.  If it's not your body, you have little to nothing to say.

If you have high standards of modesty, that's great but you have no right to project your body image hang ups on anyone else. It is a matter of being hyper judgmental in so far as modesty rhetoric is concerned.  And Jesus had nothing good to say about people being judgmental, for example: 

 
7 Judge not, that ye be not judged.

2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Matthew 7:1-3

Scripture is clear and so are the teachings of Jesus. For me these are easy to understand and follow because the more often these teachings are followed the easier it becomes to follow them moving forward. I am deeply upset by the highly superficial and shallow judgments I have seen in reaction to these incidents. Just because some women dress according to standards other than your own does not mean they are objectifying themselves.

I don't understand why it's so hard to not be judgmental and shallow.

I think we should have the freedom to live, worship and dress according to the dictates of our own conscience rather than according to the dictates of the modesty police.

Women who do not meet overzealous standards are guilty of no crime, but how did Jesus treat a woman who was?  A woman who had committed a sexual sin was not slut shamed by Christ, Christ lead by example not by force as Satan is want to do.

 "4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." John 8:4-11

Jesus was without sin, yet He did not cast a stone.  Why?  Why did He save her life and then forgive her?  Because He saw value in her above her sins, above her standard of dress, He saw her worth as a daughter of God.  And so should we, regardless of how a person dresses, or speaks, or their profession.  
Standards of dress change with each generation. So why do we treat modesty circa 1950 as if it is an eternal principle? 
Women who dress immodestly according to Utah culture have not sinned they have merely offended the delicate sensibilities of self appointed modesty police.
We are taught to love one another as Christ loves us, not to judge one another as Satan does.  It is Satan who shows us the perfected standard of Christ and then counts the ways in which we fail to live up to that standard.  Whereas Jesus gives us His grace.  And so we should give our grace, our forgiveness, our mercy to one another as Jesus did and does for us.
 

Leaders And Members Of The Church

I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by him. I am fearful they settle down in a state of blind self-security, trusting their eternal destiny in the hands of their leaders with a reckless confidence that in itself would thwart the purposes of God in their salvation ... Let every man and woman know, themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates, or not. This has been my exhortation continually." ~Brigham Young (JD 9:150)

“We respect and venerate” (the prophet), but “we do not believe that his personal views or utterances are revelations from God.”
~ Elder Charles W. Penrose, Millennial Star, 54:191
 
“Sometimes traditions, customs, social practices, and personal preferences of individual Church members may, through repeated or common usage be misconstrued as Church procedures or policies. Occasionally, such traditions, customs and practices may even be regarded by some as eternal principles.”
~ Elder Ronald Poelman, 1984 General Conference

Not every utterance or personal view of General Authorities is scripture or revelation but these quotes ring very true for me and hit very close to home these days. 

 Blind obedience, thinking that modesty rhetoric is of God and thinking that when the Church discriminates against the LGBT community it's called "Religious Freedom" but when they are criticized for that discrimination it's called "Persecution" is flawed logic and honestly quite disgusting. And it doesn't fool anyone outside of Utah.

I have disagreements with our current leadership but I do love the Gospel and our members but loving others as Christ loves me is a personal goal that often seems impossible but the more I do the easier it becomes.  And there is much to be gained from LDS doctrine.  But there is much explaining to do with regard to the Priesthood Ban and Polygamy plus Joseph Smith marrying other mens wives(polyandry) but for me I see no reason to throw the baby out with the bathwater.  I like the take on Christ we have, but I just adore studying Christs' teachings and deeds because that is the person I feel we are to emulate rather than the arm of the flesh as we are taught to avoid in scripture.

We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God as Paul said.  So flawed men and women are all God has ever had to work with, with the exception of Christ.  He does His best and we do ours.

So for as many problems I saw with the recent news conferences and interviews with Church leaders, there is progress and I will trust that the intentions are pure.  I will say an apology for Prop 8 would have gone a long way in healing the rift that was caused and in healing the pain resulting from it.  But it seems as though apologies are considered a sign of weakness because it acknowledges mistakes were made.  Because that's the message being sent.

Or if they do those mistakes are forgiven, but we have a herd mentality when it comes to policing our own in regard to bare shoulders, facial hair, or drinking coffee because it's a hot drink so the word of wisdom says you can't but you can totally drink hot chocolate, that doesn't count as a hot drink.

The Dalai Lama is often conflicted between Buddhist doctrine and science but he often errs on the side of science.  How great would it be to consult with sex therapists and psychologists, who are experts in their field, to deal with sexual issues for church members rather than having members be at the mercy of an uneducated lay clergy?  Or caring as much about the welfare of the Earth as we do about who we think created it?  

Let me be clear, I have my criticisms of the Church leaders but I have consideration for them too.  I appreciate the progress has been made with regard to mormonsandgays.com and in the recent push for LGBT nondiscrimination laws. And in the calls for civility in discourse and disagreements on the matter.  I just find it ironic given Prop 8.  But it is progress and we must celebrate every small victory because we never know how many we will get.  I would rather praise baby steps than condemn missteps because I think positive reinforcement is healthier and thus more productive.
But what are we losing as a faith community when gay people marry civilly? I see no erosion of any religious freedoms other than to decry those whose lives are different from our own. You can't discriminate and then cry foul when you are called to the carpet for discriminating.
Elder Oaks, who is married, matter of factly says "It's not uncommon to remain celibate for life."
But the phrase is "Men are that they might have joy." It is not "Men die that they might have joy." I dislike the idea that a spouse awaits you in the eternities if one is faithful. Will it be 72 virgins perhaps? I think trying to ensure that you decide who gets married is wrong but gay people aren't trying to outlaw heterosexual marriage so how are religious liberties in jeopardy?

We don't have to like or agree with everything someone, or an institution, says or does to love them.  But love heals and discontent destroys.  So whatever disagreement we have we ought to remain civil.  We can disagree without being disagreeable as Elder Oaks once said.  Because if one side losses both sides have lost.  This isn't a sport, no one side can win without sinking the other.  We sink or swim together. However we progress, we do it together, friend and foe.  We are taught to love our enemies, not to despise them.

Jesus called a Canaanite woman a dog, He called Pharisees a brood of vipers. But once the Canaanite woman proved her faith, Jesus used His and because of her faith her daughter was healed.  Whereas the Pharisees simply went quiet after having been corrected.  We can correct errors without condemning our opponents.  And that's a lesson for us all I think.

Team America: Carpet Bombing The Middle East

Just when I thought I could not be anymore traumatized by my feed on facebook, I found this on it:

"So, with ISIS beheading everyone, journalists, tourists, etc, I only have one question to ask the world leaders.

You say it's unacceptable, and demand, from Jimmy Jihad, to release the hostages.  Why hasn't the machine of war and liberty began spooling up and carried its happy ass to Iraq and f*cked these a**holes up?

How hard is it to shut this madness down?  Send in the B-1b's, the B-2's, the remained B-52's (the bombers and the band!), send in the A-10's, and carpet bomb the ever living f*ck out of the province.  Just fire everything.

Treat it like a cancer.  If you can't treat it, cut it the f*ck out.

Can't treat Islam.  Cut it the f*ck out.  I don't care that there are good Muslims.  I know that there are.  But it's purely an intolerant and violent religion.  The Murder non-believers.  They attack, almost exclusively, non-combatant targets.  Their justice systems are so f*cked up that a woman who is gang raped is the one who is punished, while the men walk free.

Just nuke the f*cking place already.  I'm sick of seeing it plastered all over the news feeds.

And, World leaders?  Inaction is a great weakness.  You have the authority.  So act.  Cure the cancer that is the Levantine province.  Including Syria, but not Turkey."

I think that international politics is a bit more complicated than Halo or Call of Duty, his only military or political experience. So its not as cut and dry as he seems to think.  

Now how does one respond to someone so stupid as to advocate carpet bombing because they don't care about the good men, women and children that will die in the carpet bombing and turn around and say that terrorists are bad but carpet bombing is totally cool.  This person has the same mentality as ISIS fighters because they dehumanize their enemy, they think that indiscriminate killing and murder is ok as long as the people dying are your enemies or even their neighbors because hey, you can make an omlette without breaking a few eggs, right?

Terrorist's indiscriminate murders are bad, but America's indiscriminate murders are totally cool! Go 'Murica!

He went on to tell me he knows all about Islam and how real Muslims are, but when I asked him if he'd ever bothered to read the Koran he said "I have too much self respect to read religious texts."  And "Every religion is the same." On top of "The bad always outweighs the good."  With regard to the misdeeds of those with faith yet murder in the name of 'Murica is totally fine and does not diminish us in anyway, he seems to think.

The stupidity! It hurts!! An expert on Islam and every world faith who has never read the sacred texts of any faith??!!

He has self respect just none for any of the 1.6 billion Muslims, or 2 billion Christians, 500 million Buddhists or any one of the 84% of the world's population that has faith.  He's smarter than all of them because he doesn't believe in God.  I don't care if he does or doesn't, but his lack of repect for those of faith and total disregard for their lives is what I find dangerous, toxic and unacceptable thoughts and feelings especially from my younger brother. Yes I grew up with him, babysat, and wasn't the best older brother but I did my best, but I feel that I have completely failed if this is how he feels now.

But I understand the mindset, my was sickeningly similar when I was in the Army.  It was a post on war from Rock Water at puremormonism.blogspot.com that finally cracked me and started me on the faith journey I have been on since.  And Dr.King said "Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend."

So I know I can talk some sense into him, I just don't know how.  His views are bigoted, his mind is narrow and all the facts and evidence in the world is useless in the face of someone who refuses to concede that they may be wrong, facts are useless in opening minds when the mind is closed.  A mind can only be opened from the inside out.  One converts themselves, no one else can convince them but them.

"You can murder a hater, but you can't murder hate.  You can murder a murderer but you can't murder murder."  Dr.King

Anger will not convince my brother, snarky comments will not, so what will? I'm asking because I want ideas, I want to know what I can do to open my brothers mind so that he gives others the respect he demands from the world he looks down on.

This is not the only example of his bigoted views, only the most recent.

He thinks he's intellectually superior to those with faith, he loves his homeland yet despises the homelands outside of his own.  But you beliefs don't make you superior to those who disagree.  Your beliefs don't make you a better person, your behavior does.  And his is appalling. But I am my brothers' keeper and I am desperate to open his mind and show him why it's morally correct to respect people who are different from yourself, to respect everyone and stop making broad generalizations of people based on race, gender, nationality, or faith. To stop saying "F*cking n*gger!" When he stubs his toe.  He uses racial slurs as swear words.  The deprogramming will take time but I don't even know where to begin or even how to begin. 


Please comment on the blog or on the facebook thread to let me know I really need some help.  Logic doesn't work and neither has emotional arguments.  Which given his irrational hatred he should be more likely to be moved by but it's as if he only narrows his mind further in light of evidence he is wrong.  I'm at a loss.  Honestly I feel crushed that this is the *man* my brother has become.

It's not that he needs fixing as much as if someone as wayward as me can open my heart and mind to everyone, even my enemies, then he can open up and become a better person than he is now.

The Word Of Wisdom: Commandment Or Not?

Many people have said that the Word of Wisdom is a commandment yet the actual revelation says otherwise: 
Verse 2 says"To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and willof God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days."
To explain how the revelation from God says one thing yet leaders say another Ezra Taft Beson said this: "In 1851, President Brigham Young proposed to the general conference of the Church that all Saints formally covenant to keep the Word of Wisdom. This proposal was unanimously upheld by the membership of the Church. Since that day, the revelation has been a binding commandment on all Church members."
So Brigham Young can turn a teaching into a commandment? We can take out covenants on behalf of the dead but how can we turn a teaching that God said was not a commandment and turn it into a commandment?
No one person can turn anything into a commandment but God. And He was clear that the word of wisdom was given "Not by commandment or constraint."
But here's what really happened with Brigham Young in 1851; This is what was reported in the Millenial Star: 
"President Young rose to put the motion and called on all the sisters who will leave off the use of tea, coffee, etc., to manifest it by raising the right hand; seconded and carried.
"And then put the following motion; calling on all the boys who were under ninety years of age who would covenant to leave off the use of tobacco, Whiskey, and all things mentioned in the Word of Wisdom to manifest it in like manner, which was carried unanimously."

"The evidence is that Brigham Young regretted his earlier call for the young men and women to commit to stop using these substances, for it appears that many caught up in the fervor of the moment were unable to keep their resolutions for very long. Years later, President Young made this statement:

"I will not call upon you to make a covenant to do this, for some might break their covenants, and that would be a sin."

Even a Prohpet cannot turn a teaching of God into a commandment. I am the only person that can make a covenant between myself and God. No one, not even a Prophet, can do it for me or anyone else who is living.
Up until 1912 wine was part of the sacrament until the temperance movement swelled to the point that the sacrament prayer switch water from wine. Wine of your own make is what the word of wisdom dictates should be used for the sacrament.

That inasmuch as any man drinketh wineor strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him.

6 And, behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make.

It seems as though a teaching of God became a commandment of men. Perhaps it was a matter of keeping up with the Jones's and religiously one upping each other.

I believe in the blessings of health promised to those who follow the word of wisdom in terms of its do's and don'ts. But I do not believe this teaching is or ever really was a commandment.

I believe God knew what He was doing in revealing this teaching the first time and that no revisions were nessecary or made, not by God at least.

What amazes me is the lengths many LDS in Utah go through to push the Wird of Wisdom on those who aren't even Mormon. Jews have Kosher but the don't make bacon illegal or force you to buy it in over priced state stores.

Killing In The Name Of God

We should never believe a person who says that God has sanctioned the murders they commit. They are trying to justify what most know to be wrong. It happens in scripture and my reaction is the same as when terrorists declare their terror sanctioned by God. Which is to ask "How can we love our enemies as Christ loved us if we murder them?" How can the Prince of peace sanction murder when He himself took no lives, He gave His life to God instead.
In America things are different. We give one group preference and priorities over others.
So when the KKK burn a cross in front of a black family's house, Christians across the nation and globe are not required to explain that this act is not reflective of Christs teachings, we know it isn't. When Christians bomb an abortion clinic not every Christian is condemned for the act.
But we do not grant the same courtesy to the 1.6 billion Muslims across the globe when an infinitesimally small fraction of Muslims act out in violence in the name of God, which by the way Christians have also done and still do.
Why is it incumbent upon Muslims to condemn every attack as if they are responsible if they do not?
Do us Mormons have to condemn the child sex abuses of Warren Jeffs because we are an LDS sect as well?
Atheist or more specifically Anti-Theists like Richard Dawkins will say religion is inherently violent but this is wrong and it misses the point entirely. Human nature is violent and it is religion that seeks to tame the natural man because the natural man is an enemy of God.
As the Dalai Lama said something like, religion is about controlling oneself not controlling others.
Controlling others is about power and when one can't control others one can kill them and thereby gain permanent control.
No terrorist attacks are in alignment with God's will however you perceive that will.
If you correct a fool they will hate you. If you correct someone wise they will appreciate you. And many of these fools let their anger turn them to turn towards terrorism for answers. For financial support or for the glory gained by becoming a martyr.
Martyr is misused in this case because Biblically it refered to those who died for God, not to those who murder in the name of God.
All Muslims are not terrorist just like not all Muslims are Arab. Not all Christians bomb abortion clinics. 
I found a deeper understanding of Jesus, the prophet of love, in the Koran that she'd a new light on what I already understood. I glimpsed a tradition that traces its lineage to a shared origin. I read the passages that spoke of a people who sought to know God, to understand Him and to do His will as best they could.
And since we are talking about differences I though I would quote you one of my favorite passages:
And We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it. So judge between them by what Allah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth. To each of you We prescribed a law and a method. Had Allah willed, He would have made you one nation [united in religion], but [He intended] to test you in what He has given you; so race to [all that is] good. To Allah is your return all together, and He will [then] inform you concerning that over which you used to differ. Koran, Sirah 5:48.
The Koran has ugly passages in it just as the Bible does but we out not throw out the baby with the bath water. We ought to find truth in it whoever we can.
Joseph Smith said this about truth; “Mormonism is Truth… One of the grand fundamental principles of Mormonism is to receive truth, let it come from whence it may. (Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 199)
Later, Joseph bolstered this sentiment with this statement, “We should gather all the good and true principles in the world and treasure them up, or we shall not come out true Mormons.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 316). 
But truth and facts are useless without an open mind. One has to understand that they may be wrong and that truth is hidden all around us in any movie, book or even in religions outside of the one true church.

Both Mormons and Muslims read the Old and New Testaments as the word of God but we both use another book of scripture thought to be God's perfected word as scripture to correct errors in the Bible. For Mormons the book of scripture considered the perfected word is the book of Mormon but for Muslims it's the Koran.  We are different which must be understood and respected but we are also similar each having faced discrimination and murder for professing what for some are heretical beliefs.  Our similarities must also be understood and respected.

This photo is Muslims protecting Coptic Egyptian Christians through a human chain.
What if we were to judge not according to appearances but give then benefit of the doubt? What if we were to spend as much effort on loving each other as Christ loved us as we do on judging others?

The One True Church

I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be an atheist, but I cannot conceive how a man could look up into the heavens and say there is no God.

Abraham LincolnI don't look at the sky and feel small or insignificant. I look up in awe as I think about how the elements and particles that make up my mind and body were made in the belly of stars.
We are more than parts of the universe, we are the universe. But we alone can realize the scope and breadth of the natural world and the universe beyond.
We are self realizing beings but we can also understand the universe in a way no other life form on this planet can. We are unique. We are the fruition of the grand design of the universe.
I can't look at the night sky without my mind moving to God. 
But between each one of us and God stands a religion or church that for some stands in the way but for others serves as a conduit to Him.
Our church leaders are fond of saying that we are the one true church on Earth. But what does that even mean? I think for some it means our Gospel narrative is completely and unequivocally correct.
But to say that in terms of the church itself being true is false. It is false because an institution is neither true or false. That would be like saying BYU is the one true university on Earth. It makes zero sense.
It's also harmful to think there is no religious or spiritual truth anywhere else. Joseph Smith didn't seem to think his church was the sole receptical of religious truth.
Joseph Smith said this about truth; “Mormonism is Truth… One of the grand fundamental principles of Mormonism is to receive truth, let it come from whence it may. (Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 199)
Later, Joseph bolstered this sentiment with this statement, “We should gather all the good and true principles in the world and treasure them up, or we shall not come out true Mormons.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 316). 
We are supposed to continually seek as Jesus taught and to seek truth wherever we may find it as Joseph Smith taught.
To think that we know it all already or to only consider something as true based on who said it, ie church leader, rather than consider what was actually said, is foolish. Closing ourselves off to spiritual nourishment because it doesn't agree with our dogma can result in our spiritual growth being stunted.
The problem with Mormons and Catholics is this: Catholics are taught that the Pope is infallible, but no one believes it. Mormons are taught that the Prophet is fallible, but no one belies it.
I have gained insight into myself, my family and my faith through meditation alongside prayer that many balk at simply because it's not a traditional LDS practice. There is so much to be gained! Why not try it out? 
Studying other world religions has helped me deepen my faith rather than cheapen it as some have claimed.
I keep studying, I keep seeking, I keep meditating, I keep praying because that is the only way I have ever found answers.
There is a difference between nationalists and patriots. Patriots love their homeland while nationalists despise the homeland of others.
And it is the same with people of faith and religious nuts. People of faith love their God yet appreciate the faith of others of different faiths. But religious nuts despise the faith of others. Most people are people of faith but many produce religious nuts rather than spiritual fruits.
On Earth we only have each other, sisters and brothers, children of God. We are taught to love God and to love every one of His children. We must treasure what we have, we must treasure each other. But we can't do that by being exclusionary. We can only do that by being inclusive.
And I find the one true church rhetoric to be exclusionary. Saying "This is what I believe..." Is much more positive a way to discuss religion than saying "My church is the only true church so your church is false."
We can deepen our own faith without discounting or degrading the faith of others. Whatever God you believe in, we all came from the same one. So we all deserve the respect due to a child of God even if we differ with regard to anything but especially our faith.

The Eternal Source Of Living Water

The Gospel has been handed down for centuries from one generation to the next. And like a fresh mountain spring waters flowing from its source on a mountain down to the valley below as it passes from source to end it accumulates toxins, dirt, bugs, and animal droppings and urine.
What I'm saying is that as the Gospel passes from one generation to the next we accumulate dogmas and doctrines with no scriptural basis, like the curse of Cain doctrine for example. Or that men must wear a white shirt and tie to pass the sacrament or a prohibition on facial hair or long hair as we depict our Savior as having.
So how do we sift through what we have now to discover what is truly eternal?
Jesus taught using the metaphor of living water to explain this:

7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

8 (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)

9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?

12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?

13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:7-14

Jesus responded to Satan tempting Him by saying "Man cannot live on bread alone." And this is true, we can only last 3 days without water so what kind of life can we have without that living water?

And if we can develop a spring of living water welling up within us then the source of that living water is within us. Just as Jesus said The Kingdom of God is within you. The source of the Gospel can come to us and blossom out of us into the world and we can build up the Kingdom of God on Earth as it is in Heaven.

By bringing the source to you one can better discern what is and is not important, and what is true by both study, prayer and personal revelation.

Jesus further added to His metaphor in John 7:

37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

Water is refreshing, water is essential to life and I believe living water is also essential to not just our spiritual life but to our Earthly life as well.

Our bodies are 70% water. God is living water, He is the source. He is as essential to our spirits and to our lives as water is to our bodies. But the Kingdom of God is within us and we can develop a spring of living water inside us. We can bring God to us. Then we can bring God to others by showing the how to bring up a spring inside them as well.

Then we will learn from the source for further light and knowledge and we will then have no need of hand me down doctrines with no scriptural basis.