I Believe in God

From The Reading Woman's Calendar

"The ability to know right from wrong is based on the truth that there is a right and a wrong, a universal standard of ethics that applies to everyone everywhere. One reason for today's decline in moral values is that the world has invented a new, constantly changing, undependable standard of moral conduct.

"Now individuals consider 'good' and 'evil' adjustable according to each situation. Some wrongly believe there is no divine law, so there is no sin. The world has to come back to the basics of divine virtues that have been taught since the times of the ancient prophets."

---Dieter Uchtdorf (Utah Valley University, Oct 28, 2008)

Ten Moral Changes I've Observed:
(for good and evil)

Back in the day...

1. Highly regarded people used the "N" word and nobody called them on it.
2. Girls who got pregnant were sent to live with an aunt, came home without a baby, and although everyone knew, nobody said it out loud.
3. The word pregnant was thought vulgar. Polite women said, "I'm expecting."
4. Swear words and the Lord's name in vain were never heard on TV.
5. Stores were closed on Sundays.
6. Nobody's parents condoned pre-marital sex.
   
7. Gay meant happy. Many teenagers didn't even know about homosexuality.
8. The neighbors could spank you if you needed it.
9. Couples who wanted to live together got married first.
10. People did lots of wrong things, but, back in the day, they knew they were wrong.

It's unsettling to feel shifting sands under my feet. Sadly, many in our society feel we have to make life up as we go along. Some would say there's no such thing as a solid foundation. I know there is.

I'm glad I was taught that a loving God gives us laws, not to restrict us, but to protect us. A good parent gives a child rules to keep him from danger. "Don't play with matches, you could get burned." "Don't run into the street. You could get hit." "Wear your seat-belt." You might not be in a car accident . . . but you might. It's wisdom to follow the rules and hopefully avoid difficult consequences.

Similarly, God's laws weren't given to take away our freedom. Quite the opposite: they safeguard our freedom. A tantrum with cries of "It's not fair . . . everybody else is doing it . . . you're mean" might wear down a mortal parent, until he stretches or changes the rules. Our Heavenly Father is used to tantrums. Because His laws are based on eternal truths, He doesn't adjust them to accommodate a fit of temper. The laws are laws, not just somebody's opinion. And God's laws are always consistent.

A prophet said, and children sing, "Keep the commandments. In this there is safety; in this there is peace." As I count my blessings, I'm grateful I know this is true.

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TravelinOma will be featuring random holiday posts for the rest of the year.
January is the start of something new . . .
Don't miss it!



Graduation Announcements:

1. Two Extra Credit prizes have been awarded to Hannah at Sherbet Blossom, and Jenny at Formerly Phread for recruiting the most students to School Days. Congratulations!
   
2. Everyone who has completed every assignment for every class wins a prize. (You're on the honor system.) Email me your name and address by midnight Nov 20th, and I'll send you your prize. Write Honorary Degree in the subject line.
   
3. Everyone who has done most of the assignments (grade yourself) gets a Graduation Certificate. Email me your name by midnight Nov 20th, and I'll email you your certificate. Write Graduate in the subject line.
4. Everyone who came to class fairly regularly gets an Associate Degree. Email me your name by midnight Nov 20th, and I'll email you your certificate. Write Associate Degree in the subject line.
   
5. Graduation Ceremony Wednesday, November 25th. Prizes will be mailed that day, too.

My email is martyhalverson at comcast.net (use the at sign.)

YAY!!!

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