YOLO!!

You only live once, so go out and live it up! Right?

People tend to take this philosophy and use it to justify any and all impulsive, sensual behavior. However, because of the truths I've learned as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I believe that we only live forever once (so.... YOLFO, I guess).

Why is this an important distinction?

Does this imply that we have an unlimited amount of time to "get it right"?
If so, what incentive is there for working so hard to avoid mistakes that often appear to be so pleasurable?

I specifically have sexual purity on my mind today. Why do I want to save physical intimacy for marriage?

Thesis: Because God's work and glory is to bring to pass the "immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39) through the family unit, the true joy that can be experienced through physical intimacy can only be experienced when we exercise this gift in harmony with God's purpose. 

It is essential to understand our purpose if we are to understand the purpose of physical intimacy.

Our ability to create life is truly a gift and great responsibility given to us from God. To have a body capable of procreation is a miraculous ability that comes after and increases intimacy between two people. Intimacy and sex are not the same thing. Charles, a single, 28 year-old man, is used to exemplify this in Lauer's "Marriage and Family". Charles was living up his single, promiscuous lifestyle when he realized this and tried to change:

"I'm in a kind of limbo right now. I have dated some women, and I am starting to develop a relationship with one that I think may lead to what I need. In any case, I know that I can't let sex be a deterrent to intimacy anymore. I know what I need. And I know that I can't get it in a one-night stand."

Physical intimacy is the ultimate "physical touch" (see RAM post). It is the ultimate physical commitment to someone. Then why should it proceed the promise to be with someone for life and for eternity? Commitment and self-control are lacking in pre-marital sex. God cannot bless us with divine joy under such conditions. We deny ourselves of joy, contentment, peace, and satisfaction when we refuse to deny ourselves of this "pleasure" prematurely.

This, I believe, is the difference between physical intimacy outside of marriage and within marriage: pleasure vs. joy

President Spencer W. Kimball, the 12th president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, further explained the organization and purpose of marriage saying, “The Lord organized the whole program in the beginning with a father who procreates, provides, and loves and directs, and a mother who conceives and bears and nurtures and feeds and trains. The Lord could have organized it otherwise but chose to have a unit with responsibility and purposeful associations.”

Men and Women were designed to work together from the beginning. Our work is based on the Lord's plan for the family-- His plan for our happiness and salvation. In uniting ourselves with that perfect plan, we come to understand the sanctity of our procreative powers as well as the joy that those powers bring when they are used appropriately.

"We can all agree that kids are better off when they are in Scouting . . ."

This statement has been repeated several times through press conferences, interviews, and official statements by the Boy Scouts of America. Many are agreeing. Many are disagreeing. 

In case you're not sure what I'm referring to . . . On Thursday, May 23rd, 2013, the Boy Scouts of America National Counsel took in roughly 1400 votes concerning their policy about youth who are openly gay. Regardless of their sexual orientation, all youth will now be able to participate in the program. The decision will be officially implemented January 2014. Their policy on leaders remains the same. (The LA Times provided a nice, brief summary) 

I find myself conflicted in how to react to this change in policy. Scouting is a wonderful program that has changed thousands, even millions of lives. My dad has proudly participated in the program for most of his life from youth to leader. Though, as a girl, I've never been a boy scout (weird, right?), I've seen the good that it has done for my father and the young men that I know. It is an invaluable program. Many are questioning what BSA stands for now, though. 

Does this change in policy fundamentally change what Scouting is? What it stands for? Have they really bent their principles and "marred their image" as some have suggested? I'm not sure. It depends on who you talk to. So... I started researching. My research is based on a variety of sources that I found reliable and helpful, but I am genuinely interested in your sources and opinions. I think that this policy change is a historical event that we should take interest in whether or not we are involved with Scouting. It is based on an issue that is causing conflict in families and, thus, society. Please feel free to share your thoughts. Respectfully, por favor. 

Here are some of the things I've taken into account and questions I've asked: 

A Los Angeles Times article quoted two men opposed to the change, saying:

"Frank Page, president of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, issued a statement: 'We are deeply saddened that the voting delegates of the Boy Scouts of America overturned their constitutionally protected expressive message that homosexual behavior is incompatible with the principles enshrined in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. ... Our sadness for the Scouting organization as a whole cannot be overstated.'"

"Jonathan Saenz, president of the Austin-based conservative advocacy group Texas Values, which organized a protest outside the annual meeting, called the vote a 'tragic decision' that showed the Boy Scouts had “chosen to place sex and politics above its timeless principles.'"

Was this an alteration of the principles Scouting was founded on? Has it compromised the morality of the program?

To read the full statement from the Boy Scouts of America, visit their webite, but this is a portion of it:

 "The Boy Scouts of America will not sacrifice its mission, or the youth served by the movement, by allowing the organization to be consumed by a single, divisive, and unresolved societal issue. As the National Executive Committee just completed a lengthy review process, there are no plans for further review on this matter."While people have different opinions about this policy, we can all agree that kids are better off when they are in Scouting. Going forward, our Scouting family will continue to focus on reaching and serving youth in order to help them grow into good, strong citizens. America's youth need Scouting, and by focusing on the goals that unite us, we can continue to accomplish incredible things for young people and the communities we serve."

CNN quoted the 103-year old organization saying, 

"The resolution also reinforces that Scouting is a youth program, and any sexual conduct, whether heterosexual or homosexual, by youth of Scouting age is contrary to the virtues of Scouting,"

Matthew 22:37-40 says:

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, this is the first and great commandment.
“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” [Matthew 22:37–40.]

How do we best do this?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, who has had a strong, long-standing relationship with BSA, said in a statement April 25th,

"The current BSA proposal constructively addresses a number of important issues that have been part of the on-going dialogue including consistent standards for all BSA partners, recognition that Scouting exists to serve and benefit youth rather than Scout leaders, a single standard of moral purity for youth in the program, and a renewed emphasis for Scouts to honor their duty to God. 

"We are grateful to BSA for their careful consideration of these issues. We appreciate the positive things contained in this current proposal that will help build and strengthen the moral character and leadership skills of youth as we work together in the future.” 

From what I can understand, BSA has moved to try and have a positive influence on all youth who have a desire to be involved in Scouting, whatever their beliefs or sexual orientation. I believe their intent was good. I'm just not sure what the implications of this action are? Where is this leading? Or is it strictly something that's trying to benefit the youth of America? 

We are all children of a God that loves us unconditionally. This does not mean He endorses all activities. For me, I keep asking the ultimate Christian question: WWJD? What would Jesus do? 

What do you think? What implications does this have for the youth? For the parents? For families? For America?

Now that's classy...

This is the land of opportunity! Opportunity to do what?
       Well, today I'm taking the opportunity to express myself in the most jumbled, confusing, non-            grammatical way possible, because that's what I love about America. We can do that.

Recently in my Family Relations class, we discussed social class and the effect that it has on families. What kind of range in values, perspectives, attitudes, resources, and opportunities is there? How does this effect a family?

"The American Dream", as it probably should, has taken some heat lately. In a land that promotes increase, progression, improvement, and idealism. Many of our citizens are not feeling the endless American possibilities working for them. The U.S. Census Bureau has found that 1 in every 6 Americans is now living in poverty. Over 146 million of our people are either "poor" or "low income". Twenty percent of American children are living in poverty. One out of every three children live in a home without a father.

These statistics are only a small taste of the economic issues in America, but even they seem to be hard to swallow. It's difficult to watch people suffer. It's difficult to watch people be indifferent to that suffering. In all the overwhelming difficulty that the media lavishly spreads across its headlines,

                what can we do about it?


So Today, I don't actually want to discuss statistics.  I want you to think about them and (if you so choose) watch these clips from the documentary "People Like Us: Social Class in America" to learn more about how social class divides the American people and often American families.

o   WASP

o   Belles

o   Friends in low Places

o   Joe Queenan's Kitchenwares Tour

o   How to Marry the Rich

o   All you need is Cash

o   Gnomes are Us

o   Trouble in Paradise

Today, I want to focus on the positive. I want to see the bright side of America.

The media has us convinced that we're hopelessly and helplessly falling apart. Are we? We might be? They say statistics don't lie. But what truth are they telling? What action are they calling us to?

Focusing on the negative has done little more for us than rile up politicians, news reporters, and citizens. The government is always to blame. When did the government-- meaning the suits in Washington D.C.-- become America? When did we become unaccountable for the current state of our nation?

We are America. It's about time we started acting like it.
               The first amendment in the Bill of Rights:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

What wonderful freedoms we have! What wonderful opportunities that simple amendment allows us! We have the freedom to assemble together, openly exchange our thoughts and opinions, print those thoughts and opinions for others to read, and create change within our government-- within OURSELVES. 

We are the government. It's about time we started acting like it. 

                  Gandhi wisely stated the bright side: 

“If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. … We need not wait to see what others do.”

The Bright Side is: We can change. Acknowledge the poverty, the suffering, and faults of our society. Then proactively change the world by being a better individual. Give someone who's frowning something to smile about. Share your bounty with those who go without. Provide those who are distressed with another route. Enlighten other's souls when their light has gone out. . . . Yep, that was cheesy rhyming, and I liked it.

There is good in this world. 

There is hope for us. 

There is hope for our families. 

There is hope for America. 

Are our circumstances who we are? Whether that's upper class, middle class, lower class-- no. Have some more human class today. Look at the bright side. Change. 

              Now that's classy.

Family is

love, unity, strength, hope, tears, laughter, joy, sorrow, hugs, kisses, punches, apologies, support, respect, fun... but mostly love 

This is me. 

This is my family.  

My family is my home. 

Home is with my family.

The school where we learn to learn 

  The playground where we imagine and discover 

    The sanctuary where we confess and confide

       The work environment where we sweat and struggle

          The laboratory where we experiment and fail

             The jungle where we adventure and endure

                The business where we risk and gain

                   The garden where we toil and grow

                      The fortress that withstands and makes free

                         The shelter that provides and protects

                            The center of our existence.

               WHY?

The Importance of Family

L. Tom Perry 

of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

April 2003

"We need to make our homes a place of refuge from the storm, which is increasing in intensity all about us. Even if the smallest openings are left unattended, negative influences can penetrate the very walls of our homes."

My own family is... futuristic. How futuristic? Only heaven knows. I've spent my life learning about families. I mean... I grew up in one. A fairly functional one- as families come. I should know everything, right? Maybe not... What do I want to be a part of my family? What don't I want to be a part of my family. I am really in the midst of my pre-family adventure. I'm learning what success in the family means. Why do we need families? What purpose do they serve? What purpose should they serve? How do we fulfill these purposes? Ultimately, What makes a family whole? ¿Una familia entera? As I explore the idea of familial unity and wholeness, constructive feedback, comments, and critiques are welcomed. 

Consider this the ribbon cutting, the ceremonial snip, of my "Familia Entera" adventure via blog.

                                 

                                                  *snip*