Friday, July 29, 2011
Salem Days
I just wanted to announce that (for better or worse), I'll have a booth at Salem Days in two weeks. That's Salem, UT. That's where I grew up, so I thought it might be fun. If any of you are in town, stop by!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Poetry -- Cares
So I decided to post a poem or two here every once in a while. It isn't particularly related to the scriptures, but it is religiously based. This is one that I wrote partly in high school and partly on my mission.
Cares
When all the world no longer cares
And far from home I be,
When I am out and caught unawares,
Who will look after me?
The Lord my God is always there,
A true and constant Friend.
So come what may, I’ll never fret;
He’ll see me through the end.
Cares
When all the world no longer cares
And far from home I be,
When I am out and caught unawares,
Who will look after me?
The Lord my God is always there,
A true and constant Friend.
So come what may, I’ll never fret;
He’ll see me through the end.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Recommending to God
Behold, thou knowest the wickedness of this people; thou knowest that they are without principle, and past feeling. . . Behold, my son, I cannot recommend them unto God lest he should smite me. But behold, my son, I recommend thee unto God, and I trust in Christ that thou wilt be saved; and I pray unto God that he will spare thy life, to witness the return of his people unto him, or their utter destruction; for I know that they must perish except they repent and return unto him. - Moroni 9:20-22
I happened to read this verse as part of my daily scripture study the other night, and it reminded me of a thought I had a while ago. This is an epistle from Mormon to his son Moroni, and he uses the word recommend rather curiously. This is a bit of speculation on my behalf, but I find it pretty interesting that Mormon seems to be judging the worthiness of people -- both the Nephites in general and his son Moroni in particular.
Of course, being a prophet Mormon was the presiding priesthood leader of his day. I draw a parallel with our presiding local priesthood leaders -- bishops, who also judge the worthiness of the people of their jurisdiction and issue them recommends to enter the temple. Notice the parallel I'm noticing?
With this in mind, Mormon's words should bring us new understanding of what it really means to hold a temple recommend. It isn't a "ticket" to enter the temple. It's our priesthood leader literally recommending us to God as worthy candidates of the blessings of the Lord. I suppose that's one reason why it's important to be worthy of temple recommends even if we can't actually attend the temple for a particular reason, such as if physical distress prevents us from leaving the house or if we live too far away from the temple to actually attend (which thankfully doesn't apply to nearly as many people in the world anymore). I hope we all remember the sacredness not just of the temple but of our temple recommends.
I happened to read this verse as part of my daily scripture study the other night, and it reminded me of a thought I had a while ago. This is an epistle from Mormon to his son Moroni, and he uses the word recommend rather curiously. This is a bit of speculation on my behalf, but I find it pretty interesting that Mormon seems to be judging the worthiness of people -- both the Nephites in general and his son Moroni in particular.
Of course, being a prophet Mormon was the presiding priesthood leader of his day. I draw a parallel with our presiding local priesthood leaders -- bishops, who also judge the worthiness of the people of their jurisdiction and issue them recommends to enter the temple. Notice the parallel I'm noticing?
With this in mind, Mormon's words should bring us new understanding of what it really means to hold a temple recommend. It isn't a "ticket" to enter the temple. It's our priesthood leader literally recommending us to God as worthy candidates of the blessings of the Lord. I suppose that's one reason why it's important to be worthy of temple recommends even if we can't actually attend the temple for a particular reason, such as if physical distress prevents us from leaving the house or if we live too far away from the temple to actually attend (which thankfully doesn't apply to nearly as many people in the world anymore). I hope we all remember the sacredness not just of the temple but of our temple recommends.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
During My Commute
I have about a 30 minute commute to work, which makes about an hour that I spend in the car every day I go into the office -- if traffic is good, anyways. As many of you probably know, there is a bit of construction going on with I-15 in Utah County, so the speed limit is 10 mph lower than it normally is. Of course, that doesn't seem to stop very many people from going their previous speed. But with speeding tickets so high, it seems most slow down. Although, in some cases, if a vehicle drives past and is already going that speed... well, it would seem that the cop would get them first, so they go that fast too.
I was imagining what would happen if a highway patrolman pulled over the second car -- the one following the original speeding trespasser. They would probably be outraged that the cop didn't pull over the first driver, right? Well, I know that I would. Maybe I've gotten the wrong mentality, being on the wrong for so long. But ultimately, the speed limit is the same for everyone, and just because someone else goes fast doesn't give others permission.
But then I thought... perhaps the cop would be doing the second driver a favor. I know I got a stern look from a cop once and I've been a bit slower and safer ever since. Maybe a speeding ticket would be a pain in the wallet, but if it makes the driver slow down, then it's all the better. And perhaps the first driver is beyond saving. Maybe they'll keep driving way too fast until they end up killing someone. And then no amount of slow driving will compensate.
I think the Lord sometimes works in the same way. We may ask, as did Job, "Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?" It seems that the Lord sometimes chastises us when others are running amok completely unchecked. It might not seem unfair... after all, wasn't the other driver speeding first? But a little chastisement can help us stay on the path we should. Indeed, we should be grateful that the Lord chastises us, for perhaps He is saving us from recklessly driving too fast until we crash or hit someone.
"For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." - Hebrews 12:6
I was imagining what would happen if a highway patrolman pulled over the second car -- the one following the original speeding trespasser. They would probably be outraged that the cop didn't pull over the first driver, right? Well, I know that I would. Maybe I've gotten the wrong mentality, being on the wrong for so long. But ultimately, the speed limit is the same for everyone, and just because someone else goes fast doesn't give others permission.
But then I thought... perhaps the cop would be doing the second driver a favor. I know I got a stern look from a cop once and I've been a bit slower and safer ever since. Maybe a speeding ticket would be a pain in the wallet, but if it makes the driver slow down, then it's all the better. And perhaps the first driver is beyond saving. Maybe they'll keep driving way too fast until they end up killing someone. And then no amount of slow driving will compensate.
I think the Lord sometimes works in the same way. We may ask, as did Job, "Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?" It seems that the Lord sometimes chastises us when others are running amok completely unchecked. It might not seem unfair... after all, wasn't the other driver speeding first? But a little chastisement can help us stay on the path we should. Indeed, we should be grateful that the Lord chastises us, for perhaps He is saving us from recklessly driving too fast until we crash or hit someone.
"For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." - Hebrews 12:6
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Free Book Giveaway
I just thought I'd alert you all to the fact that Walnut Springs Press is giving away free copies of my book, Messages from the Scriptures. It's super easy; all you have to do is leave a comment on this blog post: http://walnutspringspress.blogspot.com/2011/07/free-book-friday-giveaway-messages-from.html.
Friday, July 15, 2011
I've been featured...
Okay, so here is my blog post that is totally about me and my vanity. My publisher, Walnut Springs Press, has recently profiled me on their blog. There's like an interview-type thing and a bunch of pictures of me. You should check it out: http://walnutspringspress.blogspot.com/2011/07/get-to-know-you-monday-jeff-baker.html
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Be Ye Therefore... Graphic on Gospelnomics.net
So good ole' James V. has tweeted me a few times. I talk like I actually know him, but I don't. I just think it's funny to talk like that. But he really has tweeted me, and he's a fan of Messages for the Scriptures on Facebook. And I think it's about time that I give a little shout out for a graphic he shared with me.
It's on Gospelnomics.net. I've read a few of the blog posts there, and they're really good. I highly recommend.
The graphic that he shared with me is based on Matthew 5 and 3 Nephi 12. This is it:
It's on Gospelnomics.net. I've read a few of the blog posts there, and they're really good. I highly recommend.
The graphic that he shared with me is based on Matthew 5 and 3 Nephi 12. This is it:
It's really cool. It makes visualizing Christ's Sermon on the Mount (or at the Temple, in the case of 3 Nephi 12) so much easier. You should take a minute to look at it, but you should really do it at the original blog post.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Peter's Denial
So on Sunday, we discussed the Crucifixion and the events directly leading up to it. One of the things we talked about was Peter's denial of knowing Christ. There were a few varying opinions as to whether that was bad or not. One brother brought up Pres. Kimball's talk about it called "Peter, My Brother" (or something like that... I may have got the word order wrong). I read that talk several years ago and thought it was fantastic.
In any case, regardless of how people felt about it, I thought it was important to make the distinction between denying Christ and denying that he knew Christ. That's pretty different, and nowhere do we read that Peter denied Christ. He did, however, deny that he knew Him. And then one sister made a comment that we do the same thing. We may not deny Christ, but sometimes we deny knowing Him by how we act. I thought it was profound.
Are there times in my life when I would be ashamed if someone approached me and asked if I was Christ's friend? Would I feel regret over my current actions or conversation? I wish that I could answer in the negative, but I know there are times in which I would realize what I was doing was not what a disciple of Christ would really do and that I was denying knowing Him by what I doing. I hope we all can do a little better.
In any case, regardless of how people felt about it, I thought it was important to make the distinction between denying Christ and denying that he knew Christ. That's pretty different, and nowhere do we read that Peter denied Christ. He did, however, deny that he knew Him. And then one sister made a comment that we do the same thing. We may not deny Christ, but sometimes we deny knowing Him by how we act. I thought it was profound.
Are there times in my life when I would be ashamed if someone approached me and asked if I was Christ's friend? Would I feel regret over my current actions or conversation? I wish that I could answer in the negative, but I know there are times in which I would realize what I was doing was not what a disciple of Christ would really do and that I was denying knowing Him by what I doing. I hope we all can do a little better.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Sample from the Book: Personal Purity
Occasionally I've been posting samples from the book Messages from the Scriptures. These samples aren't actually in the book, but they are paragraphs that were originally written for it. (Several were taken out before publishing to reduce the page count and therefore printing costs.) Even though they aren't actually from the book, they are good examples of the kinds of things you will see when you read it.
As I child, I was intrigued by the story of the devils and the swine: “So the devils besought [Jesus after he had cast them out of two individuals], saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters” (Matthew 8:31–32). The story is a bit bizarre. Of course, there may be several lessons that can be obtained from this short and unusual passage, but perhaps one of them relates to the Law of Moses, where it is stated, “the swine, . . . he is unclean to you” (Leviticus 11:8). The story might be symbolic that the impure are susceptible to the devil’s influence. It is essential to maintain personal purity. Isaiah said, “be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord” (Isaiah 52:11). We must avoid sin at all costs. Indeed, those “having their garments made white, being pure and spotless before God, . . . [can enter] into the rest of the Lord their God” (Alma 13:12). And of course, our “garments [can be] washed white [only] through the blood of the Lamb” (vs. 11).
Personal purity will help us avoid the influences of the devil and return to live with God.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8)
As I child, I was intrigued by the story of the devils and the swine: “So the devils besought [Jesus after he had cast them out of two individuals], saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters” (Matthew 8:31–32). The story is a bit bizarre. Of course, there may be several lessons that can be obtained from this short and unusual passage, but perhaps one of them relates to the Law of Moses, where it is stated, “the swine, . . . he is unclean to you” (Leviticus 11:8). The story might be symbolic that the impure are susceptible to the devil’s influence. It is essential to maintain personal purity. Isaiah said, “be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord” (Isaiah 52:11). We must avoid sin at all costs. Indeed, those “having their garments made white, being pure and spotless before God, . . . [can enter] into the rest of the Lord their God” (Alma 13:12). And of course, our “garments [can be] washed white [only] through the blood of the Lamb” (vs. 11).
Thursday, July 7, 2011
How People Appreciate "Messages from the Scriptures"
So the books have been on the shelves for a while, and I've had a few copies even earlier that I gave to some family members. I don't hear back from a lot of cases, but I thought I'd share a few that I thought were interesting.
My sister lives in Virginia. I sent her a copy of the book since I gave one to my other siblings. A week or two ago, she sent me a message on Facebook telling me that she couldn't continue reading it because her mother-in-law had borrowed her copy. I think her mother-in-law still has it, and last I heard she's really enjoyed it.
One of my best friends lives two blocks from where I live. We've been friends since 7th grade. His wife texted me a few weeks ago explaining that she had ordered a copy off of Amazon but that her husband didn't know. (He was getting it for Father's Day.) She asked if I would sign it for him. Of course, I did. When I next saw them about a week ago, he proudly declared that he has a signed first edition. Heh heh... yep, he does. I think he probably has the first copy that was ordered from Amazon, actually. I'm guessing they bought it almost right after it was made available.
I went camping last weekend with some of my extended family. My younger brother was there with his wife. They had forgotten to bring any scriptures, so since they couldn't have scripture study they read Messages from the Scriptures instead. I thought that was pretty nifty, and it's true that the book has plenty of scriptures lined throughout every page. I'm glad that they were able to read that... but hopefully they'll remember to bring their scriptures next time so they can get it right from the source. As much as I hope Messages from the Scriptures helps others enhance their personal scripture study, there is of course no substitute for actually reading the scriptures themselves.
This last example comes from Tammy, a woman I've never met. I wouldn't even know that she bought my book except that she left a comment on a post here on this blog. I let her speak for herself by directly quoting the comment she left: "I bought your book tonight for a friend. I will have to go buy her another because I read the whole book tonight and highlighted tons!! I loved the insights. I know it takes great effort and sacrifice to write a whole book and just wanted to say thank you for doing so. I highly recommend your book. :)"
My sister lives in Virginia. I sent her a copy of the book since I gave one to my other siblings. A week or two ago, she sent me a message on Facebook telling me that she couldn't continue reading it because her mother-in-law had borrowed her copy. I think her mother-in-law still has it, and last I heard she's really enjoyed it.
One of my best friends lives two blocks from where I live. We've been friends since 7th grade. His wife texted me a few weeks ago explaining that she had ordered a copy off of Amazon but that her husband didn't know. (He was getting it for Father's Day.) She asked if I would sign it for him. Of course, I did. When I next saw them about a week ago, he proudly declared that he has a signed first edition. Heh heh... yep, he does. I think he probably has the first copy that was ordered from Amazon, actually. I'm guessing they bought it almost right after it was made available.
I went camping last weekend with some of my extended family. My younger brother was there with his wife. They had forgotten to bring any scriptures, so since they couldn't have scripture study they read Messages from the Scriptures instead. I thought that was pretty nifty, and it's true that the book has plenty of scriptures lined throughout every page. I'm glad that they were able to read that... but hopefully they'll remember to bring their scriptures next time so they can get it right from the source. As much as I hope Messages from the Scriptures helps others enhance their personal scripture study, there is of course no substitute for actually reading the scriptures themselves.
This last example comes from Tammy, a woman I've never met. I wouldn't even know that she bought my book except that she left a comment on a post here on this blog. I let her speak for herself by directly quoting the comment she left: "I bought your book tonight for a friend. I will have to go buy her another because I read the whole book tonight and highlighted tons!! I loved the insights. I know it takes great effort and sacrifice to write a whole book and just wanted to say thank you for doing so. I highly recommend your book. :)"
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Not Enough to Be Members
In fast and testimony meeting two days ago, a recently returned missionary stood up and bore her testimony. One of the brothers before her had bore his testimony and mentioned how grateful he was that we live in a land of liberty... the United States. (It was the day before Independence Day, so I suppose everyone's thoughts were on that.) But this returned missionary had just returned from Peru. And she mentioned how grateful she was that we are all members of God's restored church. But then she went on to say that it isn't enough to be members -- we must be saints.
That is how we officially refer to ourselves, as saints, so it makes sense that we should live according to the title. In Spanish, santo is the same word that means "holy." Do we live in a way that we are holy? I hope we all do. And if we don't, we can always strive to do better.
That is how we officially refer to ourselves, as saints, so it makes sense that we should live according to the title. In Spanish, santo is the same word that means "holy." Do we live in a way that we are holy? I hope we all do. And if we don't, we can always strive to do better.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Every Idle Word
Matthew 12:36: "Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment."
Last night I was working a little later than I normally would in order to meet a deadline I had. Almost everyone had gone at this point. In fact, I thought everyone had gone, but it turns out that a few people were still around (though I'm not sure why). While I work on a floor with approximately 50 people or so, I'm in an office with four people that are on my team specifically. But due to the vents and such, we can hear what's going on outside of our office uncomfortably well. So last night, I just happened to hear two individuals outside of my office completely and utterly badmouth my team.
It was one of those moments when my blood started to boil. "What? We don't know what's really going on in the company? We don't understand what's really important? We're completely disconnected?" I wanted to go out there and let them know that they were the ones who didn't understand. But I didn't. Instead, I just said goodnight when I left. I could tell they didn't realize I had heard everything they said.
It's still frustrating to me today, but it refreshes a good point. Have you ever heard it said that you should only say things about people if you were comfortable if they were listening? Some times those people are listening. And quite frankly, it just isn't worth it. Many bridges can be burnt that way.
It's often those who are closest to us that bring up the worst comments, I think. I know there have been several things I've wanted to say to my wife... but I know that if I do, I will never be able to take them back again. You can apologize a million times, and you can even be forgiven, but you can't change the fact that the person heard them.
It's important to be nice... to always be nice.
Last night I was working a little later than I normally would in order to meet a deadline I had. Almost everyone had gone at this point. In fact, I thought everyone had gone, but it turns out that a few people were still around (though I'm not sure why). While I work on a floor with approximately 50 people or so, I'm in an office with four people that are on my team specifically. But due to the vents and such, we can hear what's going on outside of our office uncomfortably well. So last night, I just happened to hear two individuals outside of my office completely and utterly badmouth my team.
It was one of those moments when my blood started to boil. "What? We don't know what's really going on in the company? We don't understand what's really important? We're completely disconnected?" I wanted to go out there and let them know that they were the ones who didn't understand. But I didn't. Instead, I just said goodnight when I left. I could tell they didn't realize I had heard everything they said.
It's still frustrating to me today, but it refreshes a good point. Have you ever heard it said that you should only say things about people if you were comfortable if they were listening? Some times those people are listening. And quite frankly, it just isn't worth it. Many bridges can be burnt that way.
It's often those who are closest to us that bring up the worst comments, I think. I know there have been several things I've wanted to say to my wife... but I know that if I do, I will never be able to take them back again. You can apologize a million times, and you can even be forgiven, but you can't change the fact that the person heard them.
It's important to be nice... to always be nice.
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