Church urges us to blog

This article was emphasized at our stake conference last week. It's interesting for one of the Apostles to encourage the use of a blog. I don't mind so much posting on this one because I keep it anonymous and don't add much in the way of personal details. I am concerned about cyber-predators and have not yet reached a level of comfort of sharing a lot of personal details to anyone with computer access. Of course, blogs can be created with limited access too.

LDS Newsroom

Another policy of the Church's that I find curious is the push to house all the missionaries in members' homes. Maybe it's just that my experience with living with members on my mission was a bit awkward, but I think having the missionaries in their own place is productive and allows them to unwind a bit and be themselves for a couple of hours each day. I understand, though, that the Church is concerned with the rising cost of housing in this country. However, I'm fine with raising the monthly cost of the mission. I say that without having kids old enough to serve yet!

A little understanding

As I was driving home from seeing a movie the other night, I was struck by how sometimes I can feel the plight of the fictional characters and sense their pain. It maybe fake and some director designed the scene to tug at one's emotions, but it made me understand a little about how the Savior can comprehend our struggles. I almost came to tears (which I hardly ever do) in the car thinking about how much the Savior can love me even when I don't understand everything going on in my life. He does. He comprehends. He loves. The Atonement is designed to take away all this life's pains, sufferings, as well as sins. Alma 7: "11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people."

I think for most that the Atonement won't take away those pains in this life. We still have to deal with the effects of the pain throughout our lives and we can learn from it. Yet we should look forward to the day when we will be completely healed by Jesus.

A little confession

One of the things that disgusts me is when I start fantasizing about my friends. Mostly, I fantasize about handsome strangers, but occasionally my thoughts stray to those I care about. I suppose in a way it could be flattering because sex is one way to express affection for someone. However, in this situation, such expression would destroy families, inspire guilt, and do much more harm than those few minutes of pleasure. This is one of my reasons I've never told any of my friends. I don't want them to ask if I fantasize about them or have them constantly wondering if I'm checking them out or have any ulterior motives for my actions.

It happened again the other night when I had a couple of friends over to watch a movie. I looked over and those thoughts hit. I want to enjoy being with guy friends and not worry about SSA. Mostly that's true and I don't think about SSA when being with friends, but there are times when I can't block those thoughts. Fortunately, I've never acted on them with another man.