An Unexpected Journey

It's a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no telling where you might be swept off to.

- Bilbo Baggins

  Our life on earth can be a strange one. We sometimes find ourselves in odd places and situations, and it can be hard to keep your feet. If there is one thing you can expect from life, it's the unexpected. What do we do when life's straight paths begin to curve? How do we keep our feet?

  One of my favorite books is The Hobbit. The Hobbit is the story of Bilbo Baggins, who is a very successful and comfortable person, who likes nothing more than sitting in his house and eating great food. Bilbo hates adventures, the very thought makes him feel uncomfortable. But one day an adventure falls in his lap, full of danger, mystery, and a whole bunch of dwarves. And to his own surprise Bilbo takes it!

  Sometimes we feel like Bilbo Baggins; We feel comfortable and content with the things we have, and we don't want anything to change.  Though if we never change then we never grow! We don't always find ourselves coming home to 13 dwarves and a wizard eating all your food, but sometimes life throws us an opportunity and we need to take it. Leaving the comfort of our homes, or jobs, or our circle of friends can be hard; but when nothing is ventured, nothing is gained. 

  Bilbo found life-long friends, a pile of gold, and joy in his unexpected journey. Who knows what you'll find on yours! If we can recognize these adventures when they happen, and take advantage of the opportunities God gives us, we will find our own lasting happiness. Who knows! You may even find your own pile of gold, or maybe even find some friends, a long the way.

This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now.

- Thomas S. Monson

Dedicated to Chris "The Degn" Petersen

Jurassichastity!

  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
  And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it. (Gen 1:27-28)

  We have a powerful and sacred gift to create life, and it was entrusted to us by our loving Father in Heaven. In whose image we were created. One of the very first commandments given to us was to have children, to multiply and replenish the earth. This is a big deal, this is Gods very power of creation given to us. When used properly it can bring so much joy into our lives, but when used improperly it can lead to so much sorrow.

  In the movie Jurassic Park a group of scientists try to create their own life. They clone dinosaurs for a theme park they are making and try to play God. They abuse the power of creation and it quickly leads to a dangerous situation that they were not prepared for. As a result of their toying with things they did not fully understand several scientists were killed by the dinosaurs they themselves made. While our choices may not lead to velociraptors eating Samuel L, Jackson, they may have serious consequences of their own.

 "I was overwhelmed by the power of this place; but I made a mistake, too. I didn't have enough respect for that power and it's out now. The only thing that matters now are the people we love: Alan and Lex and Tim. John, they're out there where people are dying."  -Dr. Ellie Sattler

  This privilege that God gave to man is not something to be taken lightly, but that isn't to say that it's bad! Within the bonds of marriage and with a full understanding of the importance it has, the ability to bring souls into this life is a beautiful and holy thing. But outside the bonds of marriage and with no thought of the consequences of our actions it can ruin relationships and even lives.

   Just don't forget whose power it is, and to treat sacred things like sacred things. Be chaste, and have a nice valentines day.