#3: Some thoughts on General Conference

Now that I have had a few days to think about it, here are a few of my thoughts from General Conference:


1. Elder Ian S. Ardern's talk about not wasting time was superb. In fact, I think it was my favorite talk of the whole conference. His talk was actually the reason I decided to start this blog. In particular, when he said, "I know our greatest happiness comes as we tune in to the Lord (see Alma 37:37) and to those things which bring a lasting reward, rather than mindlessly tuning in to countless hours of status updates, Internet farming, and catapulting angry birds at concrete walls. I urge each of us to take those things which rob us of precious time and determine to be their master, rather than allowing them through their addictive nature to be the master of us."

His words hit me personally and deeply.  I'm not saying that I waste tons of time, because that's not true.  I'm actually quite good about how I spend my time.  But I do DESIRE to waste lots of time.  Although I rarely do it, there is probably nothing I would rather do than sit down and play Nintendo for an hour each night.  I love to be entertained.  In fact, I live for it.  


But, as I listened to Elder Ardern's talk, I realized I needed to change.  And I knew that I COULD change.  As a result, I am now really trying to change the focus of MOST OF my free time from playing, relaxing, and checking Facebook to learning, serving, and blogging.  Trust me, I will still play, and I will love every minute of it.  But I'm going to work to change my desires so that I don't LIVE for it anymore.  


I was so impacted by Elder Ardern's talk, that as I listened to it, I felt like Grand Moff Tarkin was shooting the Death Star laser directly at my Alderaanian heart....but in a pleasant way that made me want to start using my time more wisely, rather than in a painful way that blew my planet to bits.  

This is Grand Moff Tarkin, firer of the literal Death Star laser (painful).
This is NOT Elder Ian S. Ardern, firer of the metaphorical Death Star laser (pleasant).

2. I always love it when my aunt Elaine S. Dalton speaks.  She is always so funny and cheerful at our family picnics.  Okay, so I'm lying.  She's not my aunt, but we are related in the sense that "we are all children of God".  Close enough for me.

Aunt Elaine

3. Elder Tad R. Callister gave a great talk about the relationship between the Bible and the Book of Mormon.  At one point in the talk, he put up a picture of a white circle representing the Bible.  He then connected it with a blue line to another white circle representing the Book of Mormon. It reminded me of this picture, although there was only one of them.

Q-Tips and/or figurative representation
of the Bible and the Book of Mormon

4. I am really glad I was at Priesthood Session on Saturday night, rather than watching the University of Utah v. Washington football game.  That's all I'm going to say.


5. Overall, I felt that General Conference was wonderful.  It is always uplifting and makes me want to try harder to be a better person.  In case you are interested, you can view, listen to, read, or download any General Conference talk at http://lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2011/10?lang=eng.


Until next time, stay righteous, my friends.

#2: A wee bit about me.

As I mentioned before (and as the non-wookiee part of my blog name would suggest), I'm a Mormon (also known as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints).  Always have been.  Always will be.  Being a Mormon is fantastic.  Now I know you may be thinking, "Pffffff. Being a Mormon is lame.  You guys don't drink, you don't have pre-marital sex, and you have to go to church every single week.  That doesn't sound so fantastic to me.  I'd rather be sailing."

Well, before you go sailing, I want you to hear me out.  Here are five of the reasons why being a Mormon is fantastic.

#1 reason why being a Mormon is fantastic:  Jesus Christ lives and leads this Church.  He is my Savior.  He is your Savior.  He is our perfect example and greatest friend.  My strongest desire is to live with Him again someday, and because of what He did for me, I really can.

"Divine Redeemer" by Simon Dewey

#2 reason why being a Mormon is fantastic: We have a prophet on earth today, President Thomas S. Monson.  President Monson may be 84 years-old, but he's sharp as a tack.  He is literally Christ's representative on the earth.  He knows exactly what guidance the world needs.  I love and admire President Monson, and I know that he lives what he preaches.  Case in point, a few years ago, I had major lung surgery.  Guess who came to visit me, despite his busy schedule?  Yup, President Monson.  He has 13 million other members of the Church to worry about, but he took the time to come and visit me.  I gladly proclaim, "We thank thee, O God, for a prophet" (LDS Hymns, 19).

President Thomas S. Monson

President Monson visiting me when I was sick as a dog.

#3 reason why being a Mormon is fantastic:  I'm married to this little lady, Diane.  Diane is a Mormon.  And she's a hot Mormon.  Odds are that I wouldn't have met her and she wouldn't have married me if I wasn't a Mormon too.  That should be reason enough for any sane guy.

Diane is the best wife in the world.

#4 reason why being a Mormon is fantastic:  I'm the happiest guy in the world.  Being a Mormon makes you happy.  As I mentioned above, we have commandments we try to live by (like not smoking, paying tithing, and using our time wisely to serve our fellowman).  Some people may view these commandments as being restrictions, intended to suck the joy out of life like a mosquito at the beach.  Well, I see the commandments with an entirely different perspective.  The more we obey the commandments, the more we will be free from addicting and harmful behaviors.  The more we are free from addicting and harmful behaviors, the more we will be in-tune to the promptings of the Holy Ghost.  The more we are in-tune to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, the more peace and comfort we will feel.  The more peace and comfort we feel, the happier we will be.  See?  It makes sense.

#5 reason why being a Mormon is fantastic:  Being a Mormon is like being a Jedi.  Let me build the analogy first.  In order to be a Jedi you have to sacrifice and obey strict Jedi-type laws, but as a result, you get to carry a lightsaber, you can enjoy performing mind tricks on stormtroopers, and you can move things around just by waving your hands.  Now you may say, "Whoa, whoa, whoa.  Sith get to do those same things and they are totally evil."  Well, that's true.  BUT have things ever worked out in the long run for a Sith?  Palpetine was wrinkly and got thrown off a cliff by his best man, Vader had no real limbs and had worse lungs than I do, and Darth Maul is "halfing" a bad day.  Clearly, being a Jedi is the way to go.  Now, what does this have to do with being a Mormon?  Well, Mormon's also have to sacrifice and obey the commandments, but as a result, they are blessed with peace, happiness, and hope for the future (and maybe a lightsaber if they know where to find one).

Until next time....stay righteous, my friends.

#1: A wookiee. A Mormon. A Mormon wookiee.

My name is Steve.  I'm a Mormon.  I'm a husband. I love Star Wars.  And I've decided to start a blog.

This is a wookiee.

This is a Mormon.

This is a Mormon wookiee.

I will post again soon.