Ok it was brought to my attention I did the number one no no in blogging. I switched blogs and didn't even tell you guys. I'm currently at word press. Check it out.
http://justapunkkid.wordpress.com/ or just click on the title.
Jason Bentley is just a punk college kid who is attending Brigham Young University.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Sunday, April 12, 2009
What the Book of Mormon means to me
As I mentioned in the past I've tried to make one post about the Book of Mormon, or Mormonism in general becuase I was challenged to and inspired to in one of my religion classes at BYU.
I recently finished reading the book and thought I'd share some of my thought on it. The Book of Mormon is a book which has changed my life. It changed my life because it's the only book which I know the message is true becuase I have felt it by the power of the Holy Ghost.
What does that mean? Considering a lot of our cansual reading is usually done for fun, and many of those books, aside from being fun, amusing and entertaining, don't usually have any significant message it is odd to say "I know this book is true," or in other words, "I know the message of the book is true."
Some books in this world do have meaning. Philisophical books like Plato's The Republic, or Marx's Capital or Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations. Each of these books has a distinct and faily clear message. But how do you know which message is truth?
Another example is when you read a history book or a newspaper. History and current events have meaning. As you read different newspapers or different history books, you might find the same events covered in two different ways.
The Book of Mormon is a literal history of an ancient people who lived somewhere on the American continent. This people had prohhets who taught the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ himself visited them after his death, resurrection and ascension to heaven.
The message of the Book is that Christ lives. The authors of the book (which are many) testify that they know this with absolute certaity becuase they've seen him. It teaches that he was the literal Son of God sent to earth, the suffer, bleed and die for the sins of mankind, and conquer death by his resurrection, and that in and by his grace all mankind can be saved if they have faith in him.
That's the message. It is historicaly, philisophicaly, and spiritualy true. Though it is not a perfect book it is the most correct book on this earth and you and I can come closer to God by reading and obeying the teachings of God more than we can any other book. And that best part is that if you don't believe me you can read it for yourself and know.
That's how I can say I know the Book of Mormon is true. I have read it many times, prayed about it and felt myself get closer to God and seen the fruits of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Jason Bentley is just a punk college kid who is attending Brigham Young University.
I recently finished reading the book and thought I'd share some of my thought on it. The Book of Mormon is a book which has changed my life. It changed my life because it's the only book which I know the message is true becuase I have felt it by the power of the Holy Ghost.
What does that mean? Considering a lot of our cansual reading is usually done for fun, and many of those books, aside from being fun, amusing and entertaining, don't usually have any significant message it is odd to say "I know this book is true," or in other words, "I know the message of the book is true."
Some books in this world do have meaning. Philisophical books like Plato's The Republic, or Marx's Capital or Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations. Each of these books has a distinct and faily clear message. But how do you know which message is truth?
Another example is when you read a history book or a newspaper. History and current events have meaning. As you read different newspapers or different history books, you might find the same events covered in two different ways.
The Book of Mormon is a literal history of an ancient people who lived somewhere on the American continent. This people had prohhets who taught the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ himself visited them after his death, resurrection and ascension to heaven.
The message of the Book is that Christ lives. The authors of the book (which are many) testify that they know this with absolute certaity becuase they've seen him. It teaches that he was the literal Son of God sent to earth, the suffer, bleed and die for the sins of mankind, and conquer death by his resurrection, and that in and by his grace all mankind can be saved if they have faith in him.
That's the message. It is historicaly, philisophicaly, and spiritualy true. Though it is not a perfect book it is the most correct book on this earth and you and I can come closer to God by reading and obeying the teachings of God more than we can any other book. And that best part is that if you don't believe me you can read it for yourself and know.
That's how I can say I know the Book of Mormon is true. I have read it many times, prayed about it and felt myself get closer to God and seen the fruits of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Jason Bentley is just a punk college kid who is attending Brigham Young University.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Some Thoughts on General Conference
Perhaps my favorite message of the confernce so far has been Elder Hales talk of provident living. Recently I've been reading some of the Pauline epistles and in one Paul explains to members of the church that not only are the commanded not to steal, but the gospel requires them to live a higher law.
The law of Moses forbade stealing, but Paul encouraged the members to work and use their extra to feed the poor. Elder Hales talk seemed an eco of that Pauline admonition. Another talk which seemed to echo that sentiment was also President Eyrings talk when he pointed out that the Lord commands even those, like myself, who would not be considered "wealthy" (which I believe Websters Dictionary 2009 defines as "Any individual making over 250,000 dollars or an individual who recieved a bonus from a company who was bailed out with taxpayer funds.") but that all are encouraged to live modestly and to give graciously. Both men connected giving to finding true meaning and happiness in life.
Jason Bentley is just a punk college kid who is attending Brigham Young University.
The law of Moses forbade stealing, but Paul encouraged the members to work and use their extra to feed the poor. Elder Hales talk seemed an eco of that Pauline admonition. Another talk which seemed to echo that sentiment was also President Eyrings talk when he pointed out that the Lord commands even those, like myself, who would not be considered "wealthy" (which I believe Websters Dictionary 2009 defines as "Any individual making over 250,000 dollars or an individual who recieved a bonus from a company who was bailed out with taxpayer funds.") but that all are encouraged to live modestly and to give graciously. Both men connected giving to finding true meaning and happiness in life.
Jason Bentley is just a punk college kid who is attending Brigham Young University.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Just a Quickie
Just a little thought from some of my reading in Hebrews. It's one of my favorite epistles. I love in particular how the Apostle Paul begins his letter by explaining the graduer of Christ. He explains that he was the Son of God, that it was by him that all the worlds were created and that there was nothing created but by him.
But after examining Christ's power and majesty, he then focuses on Christs humanity. Paul writes, "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."
It is always incredible to try to imagine how the creator of the universes came down volutarily and lived the humblest of lives and truly submitted to the will of the Father.
Jason Bentley is just a punk college kid who is attending Brigham Young University.
But after examining Christ's power and majesty, he then focuses on Christs humanity. Paul writes, "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."
It is always incredible to try to imagine how the creator of the universes came down volutarily and lived the humblest of lives and truly submitted to the will of the Father.
Jason Bentley is just a punk college kid who is attending Brigham Young University.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
A Thought on Big Love
The HBO show big love has caused a stir due to decision to include in an episode a scene in which one of the main characters goes through a temple session. As a reaction many LDS saints have threatened to boycott sponsors of the show.
Understandably those not of the LDS faith are slightly perplexed by what is considered a pretty dramatic reaction. HBO feels that they used the scene in good taste and claims it didn't wish to offend anyone and many others ask what it is that Mormons have to hide.
First, what goes on inside Mormon temples, though not discussed Mormon's themsleves outside of the temple, are by no means secrets. Obviously the U.S. government is not going to allow a religion with millions of members across the United States go into a secret place where no one knows what goes on inside. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints disclosed a fairly detailed discription of what takes place in temples to U.S. library of congress years ago.
Plus, prior to a temples dedication anyone can enter to see for themselves what it looks like. Although these temple "open houses" (as they are called by Church members) don't teach about ceremonies which take place inside.
So a logical question to this is why? Why not simply let everyone know what takes place inside? Why the secrets?
To reiterate my first point, technically no part of the temple ceremony is secret. There is a discription in the library of congress as well as a number of other books which do objectively discuss temple endowment sessions. But despite the fact that this information is available you LDS neighbor probably isn't going to sit down and go through the "play by play" of what they do in a temple.
They will probably instead give a general overview of what takes place. But why be so vague? Why not just go into detail and that way nobody has any questions?
And that is the real question. Not why do Mormons keep secrets but why is it that when something isn't secret Mormons still are reluctant to go into great detail?
This is a difficult question to answer. I suppose the closest thing I could compare it to would be a very emotional experience. These emotional experiences I am speaking of could be a whole array of different possibilities.
It could be when you had your first child, falling in love, having a special moment with a family member, perhaps you had a best friend that you shared a lot of experiences and yourself with. Even though others may be aware of these events often times to go into great details with others makes one feel a little odd. And for there are just some experiences we as human beings don't just walk around sharing becuase of how special and inexplicable these experiences are.
At times perhaps we will talk about these experiences in more detail, but generally its with someone who has been through a similar experience. (i.e. had fallen in love, recently had a child, had a relationship to a best friend similar to you.) It just generally feels instictively odd to us as human beings to share experiences which to us are so special and wonderful which others may laugh at, not care about, be confused or perhaps even creeped out and offended. We as human beings genrally have topics which aren't secrets per se, but we just don't go into great detail with any given person.
And that would be my closest analogy to why we members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are a little annoyed with HBO's choice to air the episode. I believe that HBO had good intentions and by no means is trying to make a mockery of what is sacred to me. But here are a few things to consider:
1) Ceremonies performed by Mormons in temples are very symbolic. Unless someone is explained what the ceremony is and means it would look a little odd, and turn, once agian, something which is considered so special that Mormon's don't discuss it much out side of the temple into a specticale. It seems highly unlikely that as part of the episode of Big Love that there is going to be a segment trying to help viewers understand why Mormons do these ceremonies and what the ceremonies mean. Without explaining either what is sacred to me will be made to look wierd. Perhpas unintentionally, but it look wierd either way.
2) The temple itself is a very peaceful and spiritual place. It is impossible for viewers to understand how it feels to be inside a temple. It is a very peaceful and spiritual place. It's a place where I and others go to pray, feel God's love and learn about our purpose on earth. So once again, viewers will not be able to understand what is going on becuase they will not be able to have the experience of being in a temple.
I suppose both of the reason why so many Mormons are annoyed with HBO's decision to air the episode is in short it will make, what to us, is a very spiritual, special moment of worship into... well entertainment. Since afterall that's what television is.
On a personal note, I am against boycotting (not just on this issue but in general as well.) People don't usually respond well to threats or force and boycotts are both. HBO has a right to air the show. No law was broken. So I would hope you understand that although I support their right to free speech I would hope that in the future such controversies could simply be avoided by perhaps keeping in mind the thoughts and feelings of others.
Jason Bentley is just a punk college kid who is attending Brigham Young University.
Understandably those not of the LDS faith are slightly perplexed by what is considered a pretty dramatic reaction. HBO feels that they used the scene in good taste and claims it didn't wish to offend anyone and many others ask what it is that Mormons have to hide.
First, what goes on inside Mormon temples, though not discussed Mormon's themsleves outside of the temple, are by no means secrets. Obviously the U.S. government is not going to allow a religion with millions of members across the United States go into a secret place where no one knows what goes on inside. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints disclosed a fairly detailed discription of what takes place in temples to U.S. library of congress years ago.
Plus, prior to a temples dedication anyone can enter to see for themselves what it looks like. Although these temple "open houses" (as they are called by Church members) don't teach about ceremonies which take place inside.
So a logical question to this is why? Why not simply let everyone know what takes place inside? Why the secrets?
To reiterate my first point, technically no part of the temple ceremony is secret. There is a discription in the library of congress as well as a number of other books which do objectively discuss temple endowment sessions. But despite the fact that this information is available you LDS neighbor probably isn't going to sit down and go through the "play by play" of what they do in a temple.
They will probably instead give a general overview of what takes place. But why be so vague? Why not just go into detail and that way nobody has any questions?
And that is the real question. Not why do Mormons keep secrets but why is it that when something isn't secret Mormons still are reluctant to go into great detail?
This is a difficult question to answer. I suppose the closest thing I could compare it to would be a very emotional experience. These emotional experiences I am speaking of could be a whole array of different possibilities.
It could be when you had your first child, falling in love, having a special moment with a family member, perhaps you had a best friend that you shared a lot of experiences and yourself with. Even though others may be aware of these events often times to go into great details with others makes one feel a little odd. And for there are just some experiences we as human beings don't just walk around sharing becuase of how special and inexplicable these experiences are.
At times perhaps we will talk about these experiences in more detail, but generally its with someone who has been through a similar experience. (i.e. had fallen in love, recently had a child, had a relationship to a best friend similar to you.) It just generally feels instictively odd to us as human beings to share experiences which to us are so special and wonderful which others may laugh at, not care about, be confused or perhaps even creeped out and offended. We as human beings genrally have topics which aren't secrets per se, but we just don't go into great detail with any given person.
And that would be my closest analogy to why we members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are a little annoyed with HBO's choice to air the episode. I believe that HBO had good intentions and by no means is trying to make a mockery of what is sacred to me. But here are a few things to consider:
1) Ceremonies performed by Mormons in temples are very symbolic. Unless someone is explained what the ceremony is and means it would look a little odd, and turn, once agian, something which is considered so special that Mormon's don't discuss it much out side of the temple into a specticale. It seems highly unlikely that as part of the episode of Big Love that there is going to be a segment trying to help viewers understand why Mormons do these ceremonies and what the ceremonies mean. Without explaining either what is sacred to me will be made to look wierd. Perhpas unintentionally, but it look wierd either way.
2) The temple itself is a very peaceful and spiritual place. It is impossible for viewers to understand how it feels to be inside a temple. It is a very peaceful and spiritual place. It's a place where I and others go to pray, feel God's love and learn about our purpose on earth. So once again, viewers will not be able to understand what is going on becuase they will not be able to have the experience of being in a temple.
I suppose both of the reason why so many Mormons are annoyed with HBO's decision to air the episode is in short it will make, what to us, is a very spiritual, special moment of worship into... well entertainment. Since afterall that's what television is.
On a personal note, I am against boycotting (not just on this issue but in general as well.) People don't usually respond well to threats or force and boycotts are both. HBO has a right to air the show. No law was broken. So I would hope you understand that although I support their right to free speech I would hope that in the future such controversies could simply be avoided by perhaps keeping in mind the thoughts and feelings of others.
Jason Bentley is just a punk college kid who is attending Brigham Young University.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Reading above the lines
(Not as funny as the Car Czar, but hey, I tried)
It’s a pretty cliché to hear a friend say, “Oh, the book was so much better than the movie.” So I stopped reading books. Movies are becoming dull, repetitive and senseless as it is, I don’t need books to ruin it for me now!
Recently I’m applying that same philosophy to newspapers. The news story is never anywhere near as exciting as the headline. It’s too… well detailed, true and boring.
But you don’t have to read the fine print in the newspapers to know this country is headed for hard times. If fact, in many cases the headlines say it better themselves.
The Deseret Morning News ran a Bloomberg story under the headline “Schwarzenegger to ax thousands”. Wow, that’s when you know the economy is bad.
I suppose it kind of makes sense. Pelosi originally tried to use millions of federal dollars for contraceptives to stimulate (among other things) the US economy. I mean if there are less people then the government (in theory) spends less.
Apparently Schwarzenegger not only liked the idea but jumped at the opportunity to grow a stache a play the real life part of Jack Torrace. “Heeeeeerreee’s Arnie!”
Well, it’s either that or Governor Schwarzenegger is axing down thousands of trees in hopes that the state will cut billions out of their annual energy forest fire cost.
But never fear tax payers! The Salt Lake Tribune says, “Matheson tackles Tax Reform at summit”. Well it’s about darn time. Politicians talked a lot about Mr. Reform for some time, and how much the Little Guy needs him. But Mr. Reform was ever so elusive.
But not anymore! Congressman Matheson apparently used his Mormon b-ball skills to tackle the nimble Tax Reform before he could get away. I hope he gave him a wedgie and put him in a headlock (like the woman who ran down a car burglar a few weeks back) that’s how we roll here in Dutch oven state.
And just how vicious is it getting out there? The tribune also reported “Marriage bureaus nationwide, in Utah shoot down same-sex couples”. That’s awful!
I thought California was the only state that was considering cutting back on population in order to cut spending. (Of course it were California it would have read “Marriage bureaus ax down same sex couples.”)
I fully expect this excessive use of violence to reignite the gun control debate. Families of the victims and perhaps victims who were just severely wounded will be marched up to testify that guns of the horrific atrocities done to them by the gun industry.
Of course the NRA will think of some catchy slogan like, “guns don’t people, marriage bureaus kill people,” to their defense.
Jason Bentley is just a punk college kid who is attending Brigham Young University.
It’s a pretty cliché to hear a friend say, “Oh, the book was so much better than the movie.” So I stopped reading books. Movies are becoming dull, repetitive and senseless as it is, I don’t need books to ruin it for me now!
Recently I’m applying that same philosophy to newspapers. The news story is never anywhere near as exciting as the headline. It’s too… well detailed, true and boring.
But you don’t have to read the fine print in the newspapers to know this country is headed for hard times. If fact, in many cases the headlines say it better themselves.
The Deseret Morning News ran a Bloomberg story under the headline “Schwarzenegger to ax thousands”. Wow, that’s when you know the economy is bad.
I suppose it kind of makes sense. Pelosi originally tried to use millions of federal dollars for contraceptives to stimulate (among other things) the US economy. I mean if there are less people then the government (in theory) spends less.
Apparently Schwarzenegger not only liked the idea but jumped at the opportunity to grow a stache a play the real life part of Jack Torrace. “Heeeeeerreee’s Arnie!”
Well, it’s either that or Governor Schwarzenegger is axing down thousands of trees in hopes that the state will cut billions out of their annual energy forest fire cost.
But never fear tax payers! The Salt Lake Tribune says, “Matheson tackles Tax Reform at summit”. Well it’s about darn time. Politicians talked a lot about Mr. Reform for some time, and how much the Little Guy needs him. But Mr. Reform was ever so elusive.
But not anymore! Congressman Matheson apparently used his Mormon b-ball skills to tackle the nimble Tax Reform before he could get away. I hope he gave him a wedgie and put him in a headlock (like the woman who ran down a car burglar a few weeks back) that’s how we roll here in Dutch oven state.
And just how vicious is it getting out there? The tribune also reported “Marriage bureaus nationwide, in Utah shoot down same-sex couples”. That’s awful!
I thought California was the only state that was considering cutting back on population in order to cut spending. (Of course it were California it would have read “Marriage bureaus ax down same sex couples.”)
I fully expect this excessive use of violence to reignite the gun control debate. Families of the victims and perhaps victims who were just severely wounded will be marched up to testify that guns of the horrific atrocities done to them by the gun industry.
Of course the NRA will think of some catchy slogan like, “guns don’t people, marriage bureaus kill people,” to their defense.
Jason Bentley is just a punk college kid who is attending Brigham Young University.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Charity Never Faileth: The Book of Mormon on love
One of my favorite scriptures of all time is 1 Corithians 13. In this chapter Paul gives his great discourse on charity or love. (Depending of course on which translation.) I grew up with an old King James version of the Bible, and was always familiar with this word charity being used in this chapter.
As I got older and started reading different translations of the bible I discovered a great many which used the word love instead of charity. As someone who speaks two languages it made perfect sense. There are some words that either don't translate directly or could translate to have more than one meaning.
Well this year I'm taking a new testament class and just a few weeks ago we discussed this chapter. My Proffessor, Dr. Draper, put a number of words on the board which in greek could be translated to the english "love". The words stergos, eros and agape.
Stergos: An emotional bond between people who share something in common. This word could be used to discribe the love between family and really close friends.
Eros: A desire to possess. When people fall in love, this is the word the which they would use in greek.
Agape: A word that was actually hardly used initially because it had such a vague meaning. To the greeks the word originally wasn't very strong or specefic which is why the Christians (in this case Paul) took it and made it their own. It connotates love for everyone. Not just for ones peers, or people who treat us nice, but even the people who mistreat us.
That's why this word for love is sometimes translated as charity. Certainly love and charity are nearly synonomous. But charity seems to carry a conotation of giving without being able to get repayment. Hence, when you help the poor it's considered a charitable act whereas loving your family isn't considered charity.
The Book of Mormon also helps us understand what this agape, charity, and/or love really is. The prophet Mormon who lived during one of the most vicious, violent, and vendictive eras of manking gave perhaps one of the most sublime sermons on love.
At the climax of his discourse he states, "Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him."
So agape, or in the biblical tense love, or as some translations have it charity is the pure love of Christ, which is the greatest of all and endures forever. Mormon finishes his discoure explaining how we can obtain this kind of love by saying, " Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen."
So it can be had by all of us who follow him sincerly and pray to the Father with all energy of heart to obtain it.
Jason Bentley is just a punk college kid who is attending Brigham Young University.
As I got older and started reading different translations of the bible I discovered a great many which used the word love instead of charity. As someone who speaks two languages it made perfect sense. There are some words that either don't translate directly or could translate to have more than one meaning.
Well this year I'm taking a new testament class and just a few weeks ago we discussed this chapter. My Proffessor, Dr. Draper, put a number of words on the board which in greek could be translated to the english "love". The words stergos, eros and agape.
Stergos: An emotional bond between people who share something in common. This word could be used to discribe the love between family and really close friends.
Eros: A desire to possess. When people fall in love, this is the word the which they would use in greek.
Agape: A word that was actually hardly used initially because it had such a vague meaning. To the greeks the word originally wasn't very strong or specefic which is why the Christians (in this case Paul) took it and made it their own. It connotates love for everyone. Not just for ones peers, or people who treat us nice, but even the people who mistreat us.
That's why this word for love is sometimes translated as charity. Certainly love and charity are nearly synonomous. But charity seems to carry a conotation of giving without being able to get repayment. Hence, when you help the poor it's considered a charitable act whereas loving your family isn't considered charity.
The Book of Mormon also helps us understand what this agape, charity, and/or love really is. The prophet Mormon who lived during one of the most vicious, violent, and vendictive eras of manking gave perhaps one of the most sublime sermons on love.
At the climax of his discourse he states, "Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him."
So agape, or in the biblical tense love, or as some translations have it charity is the pure love of Christ, which is the greatest of all and endures forever. Mormon finishes his discoure explaining how we can obtain this kind of love by saying, " Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen."
So it can be had by all of us who follow him sincerly and pray to the Father with all energy of heart to obtain it.
Jason Bentley is just a punk college kid who is attending Brigham Young University.
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