The idea of a temple is and always was a place where the divine and human are connected. It is a place where God’s presence dwells. Mormon temples are special sanctuaries where revelation, service, and peace prevail. This is a wonderful video that speaks about the history and value of the temple.
Mormons, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, still build temples. Friends of other faiths can tour one of the temples before it is dedicated, including the newly built Draper, Utah temple.
Sometimes spiritual impressions are simply a nudge.
Standing in Smith’s check-out line after picking up a few groceries early one morning, an impression landed and lit as gently and clearly as a firefly on my hand on a summer’s nite. The thought was this: “Pick up a rose and leave it on Tina’s doorstep.” Though it came crisply and seemed to crowd out other thoughts, I found myself, in a matter of seconds, in quick rebuttle-as if I had something to defend.
“But,” I thought, “there’s not even anyone in the flower department this early.” And I added a second objection: “Tina’s probably not home anyway.” As I engaged in this silent monologue, I realized that I’d nearly trampled the voice I had come to treasure, and I thought, to trust. Read the rest of this entry »
Ever see yourself as Adda in ABug’s Life …the up-and-coming queen bee–frenetic, anxious, and breathless–trying to be in control of her destiny and never quite feeling so? Or how about Rabbit in Pooh Party? Let’s rewind the tape on that onefor a moment. Here’s Rabbit–preparing for a party, following a predetermined “schedule”–an air-tight list of things to do which he believes to be the guarantee to a successful party. He seems to be stressing over his lengthy list, tacked up by the bathroom mirror, as he pours over it while brushing his teeth! Poor Rabbit–In the process of striving for the perfect outcome, he completely destroys any chance of it! Over-focused on the end, he is unsurprisingly oblivious to the immediate–and intermediate–needs of those around him.
We watch Pooh standing at the kitchen table, assigned to bake a cake, struggling to decipher the recipe, dumping salt in the bowl instead of sugar–his pleas for help drowned out by Rabbit’s pacing and the incessant ticking of his watch. After blindly egging Pooh on, Rabbit chastises Piglet for innocently putting up Halloween decorations instead of birthday-party-appropriate ones–missing any opportunity to teach or encourage the sensitive party novice.
Moreover, we observe Tigger reprimanded for having just a little too much fun, not wiping windows to just the right rabbit-cadence. Funny, Rabbit is so intent on micro-managing yet, in more ways than one, he’s not “managing” at all! And then we’re hit with Rabbit’s telling remark, when challenged by Piglet for his synchronized behavior: “Fun? Who said anything about having fun?” Trying desperately to be in control, Rabbit forfeits it, and loses joy in favor of a miserable but all-too-comfortable mindset and mania.
Glenn has shared his conversion story to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes innocently but erroneously called “The Mormon Church”). This YouTube clip gives a portion of his story.
I just shared the DVD of Glenn’s story with my two daughters, and found it powerful. He is real; he went from an abyss to a place of light he never knew possible. He went from poverty of perspective and place to a rich peace and powerful vision.
I’ve met Glenn, and sat with him in his studio, had lunch with him professionally in an NYC restaurant. I’ve heard him talk, watched him ask for tap water, talk about his passion for the gospel of Jesus Christ, his desires to do justice to the message he knows is true while on the air and while off the air. He is a good man unabashed and inspiring, and Tania is an amazing tower of light and strength as well.
Hope you enjoy hearing from Glenn on this video. To learn more about Mormonism, visit mormon.org or moregoodfoundation.org (Our Sites).
Standing in Smith’s check-out line after picking up a few groceries early one morning, an impression landed and lit as gently and clearly as a firefly on my hand on a summer’s nite. The thought was this: “Pick up a rose and leave it on Tina’s doorstep.” Though it came crisply and seemed to crowd out other thoughts, I found myself, in a matter of seconds, in quick rebuttle-as if I had something to defend.
Ever see yourself as Adda in A Bug’s Life …the up-and-coming queen bee–frenetic, anxious, and breathless–trying to be in control of her destiny and never quite feeling so? Or how about Rabbit in Pooh Party? Let’s rewind the tape on that one for a moment. Here’s Rabbit–preparing for a party, following a predetermined “schedule”–an air-tight list of things to do which he believes to be the guarantee to a successful party. He seems to be stressing over his lengthy list, tacked up by the bathroom mirror, as he pours over it while brushing his teeth! Poor Rabbit–In the process of striving for the perfect outcome, he completely destroys any chance of it! Over-focused on the end, he is unsurprisingly oblivious to the immediate–and intermediate–needs of those around him.