on the rim

Today for our fifth Sunday lesson, the Bishop taught about covenants, and how they blend with callings.  In the event that there is a person reading that is not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, let me explain the concept of callings. With the exception of a very small number of leaders who lead and administer the church from Salt Lake City, UT, the ministry of the church is carried out by lay members of the church in various positions.  These callings are issued by the appropriate level and authority.  They vary from being called to serve as a Nursery leader, to a Bishop of a ward, (local ecclesiastical leader, and unit, comparable to a parish), and all the way to the top of the Church.  People don't serve in whatever position because they sought it out, they serve because we believe that they are called of God by authority.  That includes the current head of the Church, Thomas S. Monson.  People are called in, and given the ca...

A year ago, I started to write, mostly for myself, but for friends to read what I am thinking.  I do ramble at times, and have tried, and mostly failed to focus the writing.  It doesn't matter, I am writing for me. I have unintentionally hurt feelings, sometimes harshly.  For that I ask forgiveness.  That has never been my purpose.  However...I need to write, to give digital ink to thoughts that I feel are important.  I have evolved over the year, spinning off a political voice, to separate from my spiritual feelings.  It doesn't mean that my politics are not influenced by those feelings, on the contrary, they are intertwined to a great extent, as it was with the founders. I think often of those pioneers that traveled west.  Whether they were heading to Oregon, California, or a persecuted people heading to the Great Basin.  As I drive along I-84 and 86, I can't help but imagine the trials, and the physical exertion those heading west must...