FHGuide: Get Started

FHGuide: Get Started  



This is an amazing resource for those of you who have never used a guide for your research.  But if you need a plan or would like a review, then this is for you.

In addition, it is FREE.  Since this is one individual's "baby", he has provided a place for donations, if you find the guide useful or want to encourage efforts like this one.

Take a look and let me know what you think.  

Responses to the President's Arguments for the Nuclear Deal | RealClearPolitics

Responses to the President's Arguments for the Nuclear Deal | RealClearPolitics



I found this article to illuminating and useful.

There Will Come A Day in Your Life

Hopefully, more than once this will happen to you, and you will wonder if the dews of heaven have distilled upon you:

You will be listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on BYU TV, (after all you missed church and you are trying to feel a little bit better about yourself), and this does help...

You will find you are wanting greater spiritual strength as you listen to the program and realize that there is a part of you that really is hungering for greater truth and light...

Not even a sweet potato biscuit will taste as good as knowing that you have been fed by the Spirit.

But, I do believe that first, you have to "hunger and thirst after righteousness"; [for they who hunger and thirst], those are the ones who shall be filled.  (Matthew 5:6, Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are they who...").

The only thing in this world worth striving for, the treasure that we should be seeking, the sweet invitation of the Spirit to partake of Christ's love and light--HOW ARE WE SEEKING IT?  Or rather, how are we not seeking it?

Where is our faith?  Do we focus on our weaknesses to the extent that we forget there is One who is stronger than us?  That's my tendency.  I concern myself with so many things and distractions, that I forget that it is in my weakness that I need the Savior.  When I wake up with insufficient strength, spiritual and physical,  to get ready for church, do I just give up, or do I kneel and ask the Savior to assist me?  I need to seek His help, His strength.  Faith will take me there.  

What is your counsel, your ideas, that will lead you to having faith,  and lead me to asking for help when I need to ask for help?  

When there is a cloud hanging over your head (of any type), what leads your vision to be directed toward Heaven and Divine Help?!!

The answers are in part, timeless, well known to all of us.  But, there are other answers that must come from reflecting on our unique challenges and reviewing what actually happens when we feel unable to move our spiritual feet.  Gathering both kinds of answers are something that we can do to move forward.
------------------
Links:

•  https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/robert-e-wells_christ-focused-beatitudes/

The Many Reasons We Rely Upon Our Clutter : zen habits

The Many Reasons We Rely Upon Our Clutter : zen habits



I especially need to read articles like this and/or follow some of the suggestions, here.  I'm torn between dealing with one item at a time and just chucking the whole bit.  Clutter is Me.

The Resonant Words, and Wisdom, of "Silent Cal" | RealClearPolitics

The Resonant Words, and Wisdom, of "Silent Cal" | RealClearPolitics

"... the accumulation of wealth cannot be justified as the chief end of existence.”  So said Calvin Coolidge. 

Chief Justice Roberts said this, 

 "If you are among the many Americans—of whatever sexual orientation—who favor expanding same-sex marriage, by all means celebrate today’s decision. Celebrate the achievement of a desired goal. Celebrate the opportunity for a new expression of commitment to a partner. Celebrate the availability of new benefits. But do not celebrate the Constitution. It had nothing to do with it."LINK

Use the Internet to Learn and Refresh Your Bank of Knowledge

Knowledge is Money?  Right?  Actually, knowledge is a lot of things. 
You never know when it's going to come in handy.  Maybe learning the
geography of the world isn't what you'd call essential knowledge, but I
really don't want to call it trivia, either.  You see, I'm very poor in
my knowledge of the geography of the world.



I'm good at word games, less adept at jigsaw puzzles, and more challenged by math and science than any other subject.  So, to release my stress, once in a while, I decide I'm going to learn something about this world we live in.  Learning where places are is interesting and gives me the smallest edge when I'm watching world news or reading online.  I'm not out to impress someone and I learn by rote, mostly.  Maybe I won't be able to recall everything, but if my mind needs sharpening, I know right where to go.  

Links:

• 10 Top Reasons- Why Geography?
• Value of Learning About Geography
• Learn Anything

Time to Let Go a Little and Relax!

Why the Confederate flag won't come down in South Carolina anytime soon - LA Times

Why the Confederate flag won't come down in South Carolina anytime soon - LA Times



This issue is being revived as a way to assuage the feelings of folks who are angry.  Yes?  No?  The issue being revived to remove the flag from the property has become a point of political correctness.  Yes?  No?



The fact is that the flag doesn't fly over the South Carolinian statehouse.  It flies over a Confederate Memorial.  Does the flag represent a real historical context with the Memorial?  Yes.  Should all Confederate Memorials everywhere be denuded of the Confederate Flags?



Now, no doubt there are some South Carolinian's who wish that history could be changed.  There are some of us who regret that the War Between the States was fought.  But we cannot change history, or if we do, the lessons of history will be lost and forgotten.  



Real families suffered.  Real people died.  Real blood was spilt.  Studying the history will disturb you.  As it should.  Hopefully, by studying the history, you will realize what a horrible thing war is.  Hopefully, you will discover that sometimes it is difficult to say who the good guys are.  War is a complex issue and happens when a set of circumstances and actions come into conflict and remember the phrase, "Follow the Money"--it really applies.  Money = Power in the small minds of those who are in positions of influence, sometimes.

Every GOP Candidate Who Called for the Confederate Flag to Come Down Showed They Can’t Win the Election

Every GOP Candidate Who Called for the Confederate Flag to Come Down Showed They Can’t Win the Election



Here's a ploy that the Democrats utilized to show the inability of Republican candidates to engage in politics in a positive manner.  The issue is not the South Carolinian Flag.  The issue isn't South Carolina and the issue certainly isn't how flying the flag connects to the atrocious act of a 21 one year old radical.



The issue is:

• The history of the Democratic Party in South Carolina and how it has nurtured a climate of division.
• The history of the Republican Party in Southern politics.

 My own personal belief is that Mitt Romney did, indeed, make a gaffe by taking the bait in the ploy.  As have others.  We (conservatives) have no cause to be defensive.  See also:

• American Thinker blog article: The Democratic Party's Long History of Rascism
• A Brief History of the Democratic Party
• The Rascist History of the Democratic Party

President Clinton sent 20, 000 troops to protect the white citizens of Europe's
Bosnia, but sent no troops to Africa's Rwanda to protect the black citizens
there. Consequently over 800,000 Africans were massacre

During the 2003 Democratic Primary debates, the Rev. Al Sharpton, said the
Democrat take the black vote for granted and treat African American like a mistress.
They [Democrats} will take us to the dance, but they don't want to take us home
to meet mama."

- See more at: http://historynewsnetwork.org/article/3554#sthash.JeDNXQxK.dpuf

President Clinton sent 20, 000 troops to protect the white citizens of Europe's
Bosnia, but sent no troops to Africa's Rwanda to protect the black citizens
there. Consequently over 800,000 Africans were massacre

During the 2003 Democratic Primary debates, the Rev. Al Sharpton, said the
Democrat take the black vote for granted and treat African American like a mistress.
They [Democrats} will take us to the dance, but they don't want to take us home
to meet mama."

- See more at: http://historynewsnetwork.org/article/3554#sthash.JeDNXQxK.dpuf

Sultan Knish: Whatever Happened to John Kerry

Sultan Knish: Whatever Happened to John Kerry



This column echoes some of my thoughts re Kerry.  Is he still a key player in the Democratic scenario?  Is he going to frame his service as Secretary of State as a peacemaker and man about Europe?

Two Memorial Day Weekend Books for Busy Latter-day Saints | Meridian Magazine

Two Memorial Day Weekend Books for Busy Latter-day Saints | Meridian Magazine



I am blogging this so as to remember that I want to read these two books.   And here is why:

New perspectives can be self-perfecting, leading to heightened understanding of our own obstacles.

Or so writes the author of this brief, but not short,  review, Ashby Boyle. 



I am all about looking for new perspectives. 



One book is about the Apostle Paul or else a delivery of two diverse attitudes about Paul's theology.  Salvation with or without works?  I wonder if the treatise includes the amazing works of Paul and his mission?  Will have to read the book to find out.



The other recommended read is regarding the late scientist, Mormon educator, and theologian, Henry Eyring, Sr.'s book, Reflections of a Scientist.  Did Eyring come to his faith through intellect, despite intellect, or because of intellect?  A question I will consider when I have read the material. 



One thing is for sure, I will be glad for the day when our latter-day faith takes media from the foreground of its concerns as if millions were asking us to explain, defend, or justify our beliefs.  Who is the target of that media buzz?  The membership themselves?  Thoughtful, sincere individuals will seek the truth and we will not hide it from them.  The light on the hill is not the press, the Internet's light shining through the night, nor the didactic tweet of member trolls.  That Light on the Hill is Jesus Christ, our Savior, as represented by our example and our living of the basic truths of His gospel.

Microsoft Word - Why Should I Visit the Family History Center.docx - Why-Should-I-Visit-the-Family-History-Center.pdf

Microsoft Word - Why Should I Visit the Family History Center.docx - Why-Should-I-Visit-the-Family-History-Center.pdf

This is an excellent article!  I think even a family history consultant on the Family History Staff would agree with my estimation.

If you do choose to read this article, expect to learn more than you expected about research, about having a dedicated place to go and do your family history, (dedicated times, as well), and about the value of having other people listen to you talk about your genealogy.  Not just your challenges and brick walls, but they will listen to your triumphs and care!  And then there's the old maxim about: "Two heads are better than one".  

Butterfly Laughter by Katherine Mansfield

In the middle of our porridge plates
There was a blue butterfly painted
And each morning we tried who should reach the
butterfly first.
Then the Grandmother said: "Do not eat the poor
butterfly."
That made us laugh.
Always she said it and 

always it started us laughing.
It seemed such a sweet little joke.
I was certain that one fine morning
The butterfly would fly out of our plates,
Laughing the teeniest laugh in the world,
And perch on the Grandmother's lap.

» The TPP Will Make You A Debt Slave Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!

» The TPP Will Make You A Debt Slave Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!



Making cash extinct is a way for government to tract what you spend, where you spend, etc.

Not exercise, but movement

Health and Mobility are my desired companions.  I want to be able to get about, just in case there is a good reason to do so. 

For example, tonight I am catching a ride to an activity in a city 40 miles away.  My fifty-year old son and his younger wife, along with my grandson, Torin, are in a one-act play.  The event is actually a series of seven, one-act plays.  You will laugh, perhaps, that I consider the ride over, the time I spend there, and the ride back to be an exertion that merits any consideration in my daily list of challenges.

Getting out of my current domicile is essential to my goal for mobility and at the same time, I must have mobility to get out and about.  "Get out"? you ask.  As if someone is holding me prisoner.  I hold myself prisoner, sometimes.  Tonight will be a "leave", a "pass", that I will award myself.  I will enjoy the plays.  I will enjoy the company; I will not miss my Monday night TV shows. 

In preparation, I have run a couple of errands.  Reasons to get up, get dressed, not sit on my bum all day or take a nap.  The errands are exertion, this morning.  The walk out to the car, getting in and out of the car, going in the K-Mart and picking up a necessary medication, acquiring a smattering of snacks for the "trip" tonight...these are all exercise to me.  Mobility choices. 

I "made" myself go to Chick Fil-A, after the K-Mart jaunt; I needed protein, after all.  My first meal of the day is consumed after noon, but then, as my friends who know me well, will tell you, I slept in this morning. 

My final stop is the produce market where I spend $5.67 for 4 pieces of fruit and a tray of blueberries (not yet in season for our local area, but available through the auspices of Dole and their tropical reach, maybe).

For many years, my mother didn't have to attend exercise classes.  She was a busy bee at home and in the community.   She hung her clothes out on a clothesline, she worked in the yard, she fed the family, mended and sewed and in general, kept herself fit because she was raised/reared to be this person.  Then she "celebrated" a birthday that put her over the hill.  We kids left home and there wasn't as much to do that engaged her attention.  And pounds were threatening to decimate her wardrobe.  My mother was nothing if not well dressed (at least when she went out in public).

So mother and dad purchased a membership (lifetime) at the local YMCA, (now defunct).  Mother, true to form, wasn't really into exercise per Se, but she was interested in dancing.  She faithfully attended Libby McSheehy's aerobic dancing//jazz-er-size and fought for the rest of her life the battle of the bulge.

I'm not my mother's child in energetic first responding to weight gain and mobility.  I realize that it cost her something, that she displayed courage, was the original commitment maker, and that she was so far beyond me in self-discipline it makes my feeble efforts to keep moving, pale beside her example. 

Iranian ship convoy moves toward Yemen, alarming US officials | TheHill

Iranian ship convoy moves toward Yemen, alarming US officials | TheHill



The Iranians are sending America a message.  A bold and open action that says, "We are calling your bluff, America".   

Sultan Knish: The Deconstruction of Marriage

Sultan Knish: The Deconstruction of Marriage



It is Satan (and those who get tricked by his lies) who want us to become slaves, ideological dummies, with our souls a clean slate that can be imprinted upon by others. 



WE should support those who believe in family, in the institution of marriage, and in the right of the individual to not only have religious beliefs but be able to express them and live them without fear of recrimination or persecution.

Baking Liberty of Conscience into the Cake

Baking Liberty of Conscience into the Cake



When the shoe is on the other foot, or should I say when the potholder is on the other hand?  The whisk, whatever.

Freedom of Association Is Burned at the Stake in Indiana

Freedom of Association Is Burned at the Stake in Indiana



First Amendment guarantees freedom of association, right?  Read this article and see how that God-given or "natural" right might be compromised by those who are protesting the law that is already in place in 18 states and that Obama voted for in Illinois.

How movies move us...

I recently re-watched a couple of movies that I enjoyed the first time I had seen them.  I wanted to see them again and see if I could squeeze a little more out of them, a little better understanding of the story and more enjoyment.

Movies are not like books.  A physical book that we've purchased or borrowed, is like a deep pool that will wait on us to discover and/or re-discover.  We can stop reading, turn back a few pages and review, if we don't quite see the scope of the story.  If we don't "get it", we can read more carefully or choose to read another book.

With a movie, the story plows on, cutting a trail through you, proceeding merrily along its way and you hope you caught the dialogue.  You can go to the theater and see the movie six times or whatever if you have the money or a copy of the movie.  I choose carefully, what movies I watch, knowing that the images and "FX" are likely to imprint themselves on my mind in ways that a book can't do. 

Keep this thought in mind as you conduct your personal pursuit through the amazing wealth of entertainment offerings: What deserves your attention, time, and commitment?  Will the ride be so remarkable that you will want to read a book twice or watch a movie again?

I'm sure that part of the answer to that query depends on what your are looking for when you reach for external sources of entertainment.  Do you want relaxation, stimulation, political commentary, or just a good, well-written story that is crafted to make you suspend your reality?

I'm not a movie watcher in the sense of seeing a lot of movies; it's difficult for me to sit still unless I have traveled to a dedicated place, such as a movie theater.  Sometimes, there's no one at home and a movie comes on television and I'm ready to dig in for the entire time, with a snack nearby...

Such was the case when I settled down in my recliner and watched those two movies (on different days).  First movie I re-watched was "Julie and Julia". 

I can't believe that the movie came out six years ago!  When I am watching, I often have my computer in my lap (a laptop) and if I have a question, I can zip over to Wikipedia and read that Meryl Streep and Amy Adams had co-starred in two other movies.

The other movie that I recently watched was "Seabiscuit"; it is a story set in the relatively recent period of time and don't let it fool you into thinking it's just another horse story.  Horse lovers will enjoy the movie, I think, but the courage and grace of "Seabiscuit" rubs off on the people, too.

What's a movie you'd like to watch again?  What movie makes you want to go and read the book?  What movie inspires you write in your blog or rethink your dream?  Which character do you admire? 

Are movies always true to the story?  Enrich your life and have some fun.  See a movie soon! 

Movie Issues and Recommendations, Movie Reviews, etc.:

• No rated "R" for me

• The LDS Church and "R" rated movies: another view.

• Fifty Best Movies for Kids

• Mormon Guy Movie Reviews

• Movies That Stand the Test of Time?  You Decide.

Enjoying TV

The Mentalist

The Pursuit of Liberty

People who do violence, who terrorize those that are unable to defend themselves, need to know the following with certainty:

1.  They will be tracked down and found.
2.  They will face the rule of law, or the law of the land.  They will be held ACCOUNTABLE.
3.  The hope that their sentence will be commuted when they get old and sick or that they will have a hope of being set free through a prisoner exchange should be crushed by knowing that those who love peace and value freedom will not ever let it happen.