My daughter is seven years old. We have been reading the Gospel Principles manual for a while now. Today, after reading the first part of Chapter 16: The Church of Jesus Christ in Former Times, there was a question to answer. Why does the Church of Jesus Christ need these six features? (Those features are, Revelation, Authority from God, the Church Organization, First Principles and Ordinances, Ordinances Performed for the Dead, and Spiritual Gifts.)

This was her answer:

Without spiritual gifts you would’t be able to have visions, prophesy, or perform miracles. Everything gets out of order without the Holy Ghost.

Without the Holy Ghost we wouldn’t know what to do. The Holy Ghost is the Spirit and you can’t have Spiritual gifts wihout the Holy Ghost.

If we never taught the spirits of the dead they’d never hear the Gospel and never get to accept the Gospel. How can you accept something you don’t know about? That’d be a little silly. It wouldn’t make sense.

If we didn’t have authority from God we wouldn’t have revelation or the church organization. It would be like we had nothing, no church.

(edit: here’s the link to the lesson we read: LDS.org – Sunday School Chapter Detail – The Church of Jesus Christ in Former Times)

My name is Hazel Davidson and I was asked to give a talk about Jesus Christ always obeying Heavenly Father.

Jesus Christ always obeyed Heavenly Father, by following the “My Gospel Standards.”

Jesus remembered his baptismal covenants and listened to the Holy Ghost.

Jesus was honest with Heavenly Father, others, and himself.

He sought good friends and treated others kindly.

He dressed modestly to show respect for Heavenly Father and himself.

He only read things that were pleasing to Heavenly Father.

Jesus also only watched things that were pleasing to Heavenly Father. For example, even though there was
no TV, he did NOT stand by and watch a woman get stoned for her mistakes.

Jesus listened to music that was pleasing to Heavenly Father.

He used the name of Heavenly Father reverently and did not swear or use crude words.

He kept his mind and body sacred and pure, and did not eat or drink things that were harmful to him.

Jesus did those things on the Sabbath that helped him feel close to Heavenly Father.

He chose the right.

Jesus was worthy to go to the temple and served a mission the last few years of his life. He followed Heavenly Father’s plan for him, by becoming our Savior.

He was a child of God, just like us.

He knew Heavenly Father loved him, and Jesus loved Heavenly Father.

He prayed to Heavenly Father anytime, anywhere.

I had a personal experience, that I feel bad when I don’t follow Heavenly Father, but I know I can work hard and repent when I make a mistake. I am trying to follow Jesus.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Note: The “My Gospel Standards” used was the 1997 version found here (scroll down a bit. We didn’t notice there was a change. The current one can be found here.

Sometime in the following month of May, my husband showed me an Anime Music Video (AMV – an unofficial, fan made video of a Japanese animated series or movie set to music that the fan felt fit the anime, or theme). The anime was one I had never seen or heard of before (my husband gave me a single sentence synopsis). The video was set to music I had never heard before.

When the music began, with the image of a blond boy bandaged up with a bleak expression, I felt . . . anticipation. Something was coming. The lyrics spoke to me as I watched the images of the characters in the act of moving forward or struggling or being in a pensive state. Yeah, I was downcast, lost in my own tragedy, bubble wrapping myself against the pain, stagnant in my sorrows. Inert. I could relate. Then, the chorus came in. “So, let go, let go. Jump in. Oh, well, whatchya waitin’ for? It’s all right. ‘Cause there’s beauty in the breakdown. So, let go, let go. Just get in. Oh, it’s so amazing here. It’s all right, ’cause there’s beauty in the breakdown.” I was hit with a flash of a gale-storm but instead of being ripped to shreds and scattered in pieces I was buoyed up. A life giving flame coursed through my body, starting at the navel, simultaneously moving to the top of my head and down to my toes, back to my navel, the two forces colliding, moving upward, and enveloping my body. My heart pounded in syncopation to the music. It was as though the voice of God was speaking to me, sending me a message. The world changed, it was just me, and the message – the music and the images on the screen. Oh, something good was going to come out of all this sorrow. I needed to let go, and plunge myself into life despite all the uncertainty and fear. What was I waiting for? For things to magically get better? Fool girl, were you letting fear rule your life, again? There was still something amazing to be had in my life, even now. But I would never find it if I stood still. I needed to move; not in any direction, but forward, giving it my all.

“It gains the more it gives. And it rises with the fall.” Oh, right, where did my unselfishness go? I needed to find it again, and engage in selfless acts of service. And not just any selfless acts of service, but to the man I proclaimed to love, but had forgotten to show it. Right. Duh. Love is a verb. “So hand me that remote, can’t you see that all that stuff’s a sideshow.” Huh. Distractions. Too many distractions. I was overly involved in science fiction clubs and forums and other such things that took up most of my free time. It was all exacerbating the difficulties in my life, my marriage. Yes sir, Lord sir. Get rid of the distractions, get rid of the things that prevented me from attending to the things that matter most. “Such boundless pleasure, there’s no time for later, now, you can’t await, you’re own arrival, you’ve twenty seconds to comply.” The good things in life were again punctuated, but with admonishments to not stupidly procrastinate. Patience, procrastination and idleness are three very different things. I was stuck in the last two. I needed to gain the first, and to do so I needed to act, and soon. As in, now. Yet, I needed to be patient with the people around me. Calmness and serenity while moving forward.

These thoughts barreled into my mind at great speed, all at once, with the passing of each lyric and the oh so important images that accompanied the song. The blond boy, bloodied up, seemingly beaten, yet smiling in conviction. A gentle kiss, eyes reflecting determination, dire life situations, bloody battles with internal and external adversaries. The contrasting images of happy and content moments with those of great adversity and afflictions coupled with moments of simple human pain and rage; these all accentuated the lyrics. The music supported the message with its rhythms and percussion, driving the message deep into my heart, my spirit, my very soul, becoming an integral part of my entire being. The chorus kicked in again, and oh, I could let go, and jump in and remember that there was beauty in the breakdown. There’s beauty somewhere in this mess. I only had to change my vantage point to find it. And oh, it’s all right. Everything would be all right. Somehow. Images of seemingly impossible foes flew by, but there was a smile, and the foe was beaten back in dismay. The lyrics changed to simply repeating, “hey now” driven by the bass line in the music. It was as though I was being given a moment to digest what I had learned, and was flooded with contrasting images again, and a few darker ones, as though stating, that there was an unseen adversary in my midst and that I had to be aware of it. I needed to remember it, always. I could not let my guard down. I needed to constantly watch my thoughts, my words, my deeds.

The chorus sang again. The same blond boy only younger appeared, standing alone, gazing at the backs of those who ostracized him. An overlaid image of him angry and defiant, and yet, still determined, another of him sitting alone on a swing, of the swing being empty, of him standing and crying, alone. Oh, yes. I intimately knew those feelings, along with anguish and despair and fear and hopelessness. But the lyrics were telling me it was amazing here on earth, in this world, right now, and that there was still beauty, still something worthwhile in life beyond the practical, beyond just one more day. And then there was the boy again, working hard, overcoming such great obstacles. He, and others depicted, endured pain, physical and emotional. But they never gave up. They never relented. And I knew I could do that too. I knew then that there was beauty in all adversity. That blessings would come out of all dark times if I would let go and jump in, without reserve. Without fear. And that if I endured well, armed with trust and faith in the Lord, the fiery darts of hell, the great darkness, would not harm me or mine.

The music mellowed out, tapering off, yet giving a feeling as though life was still going on. The last image was of the blond boy happily running towards people who seemed to care for him. He was no longer alone, and he was all right. I was breathless in my astonishment at this revelation given through song and animation, inundated by the greatness of the message. My soul rejoiced. Grateful tears stung my eyes. I was in awe that I was given the blessing of this message. It was another testament of hope; and there was hope. I knew it. But I had to do my part to make that hope a reality, and I could. I would. . .

. . . I did. I took the lessons of the moment and vigilantly applied them. If I hadn’t permanently internalized the message of the moment, along with a few other epiphanies, the most significant successes in my life would not have come to pass. Life would be harder, fraught with more tears and heartache and stress. . .

. . . The moment was mine. Mine and mine alone. So when the world returned to what it was with me standing in my room, my husband sitting in front of me facing the computer screen, all I could say, albeit a bit breathlessly, was, “Wow, that was amazing. I have to see that anime now.” The message was for me so that I might salvage the most important thing in my life from the wreckage. My family.

Note: My husband and I got back together two years ago, much to our daughter’s delight. The anime was called “Naruto” and the song was called “Let Go” by Frou Frou.

2: I am writing a novel. Nope, you don’t get to know what it’s about. ;P

3: My first spiritual experience happened when I was two years old. 

4: I want to learn three languages. Japanese, German, and Spanish. I only want to learn Spanish because I will need to know Spanish to be better able to help Spanish speaking kids.

5: I got my ears pierced in the beginning of 2007 at a real tattoo and piercing parlor in Marysville. I want to say it was called Cherry’s Tattoo and Piercing. . . I’ve also only had my license since August 29, 2008! I love being able to help my family and others more extensively now!

6: I have an Associate’s in Science Degree in Early Childhood Education obtained from Yuba College, 2008. I am working towards my Bachelor’s in Child and Adolescent Development with the intent to get a teaching credential so as to keep my options open. I want the choice to do Kindergarten as well as Preschool.

7: I am always having to explain why I need to discuss with my husband what I am doing with my time, especially when it takes me away from him. How horrible, I’m being polite and considerate to a man who works hard to take care of his family! (Note sarcasm)

8: I used to have night terrors. I even remember some of them.

9: I have always felt a connection with the Earth. So much so I used to say she was mine. “The Earth is mine.”

10: I loved going to Girls Camp. It really hurt one year when I had to stay home to go to summer school. But, I did everything I could the following year not to go to summer school, even going so far as to take night classes.

11: I love reading, especially science fiction, fantasy and learning books. Graphic novels count (aka comics). 

12: I reference movies and TV shows. I used to say (and still do occasionally), “Well, if you wanna be a Polyanna about it. . .” This confused my husband since he never saw the movie Polyanna. One day he finally got fed up with that phrasing and asked me why on Earth I keep saying that. For the record, I hated the movie when I was a kid. I didn’t even finish watching it. Never managed to try it out again. Now I say, “you’re being Monkish.”

13: I always give people the benefit of the doubt. This causes people to believe that I am far too nice. 

14: I gave a good friend of mine a cucussion once. The scary part, I held back some so I wouldn’t really hurt him. . . Oops.

15: I believe everyone would benefit from a Statistics course.

16: I never buy my husband presents for his birthday or Christmas, or any other event. I do something artistic for him. Unfortunately, since last semester was brutal I am now behind two gifts! WAGH.

17: I waited for years to have a music calling. I never said I wanted one because I figured that I would get it when the time was right. I am now the Relief Society Music Director. I get to pick the hymns for RS and do the five minute music time/spotlight! Yay!

18: I used to have three imaginary friends as a kid. Laurence Theodore Dreamberry (a boy), Ratty (a rat), and Tree Star (a fairy). 

19: I enjoy making dinner for my family.  Sadly, most people see it as a burden. It’s only a pain sometimes. 

18: I still have the first Christmas present my husband ever gave me. I still have a couple of roses from the first bouquet my husband gave me. I still have my wedding bouqet, mostly, due to bad cat behavior. 

19: My Mom gave me a flutter pony when I was about eight or nine years old. I still have it. And my siblings wondered why she chose to give it to me and not them. I lost my Medley My Little Pony when I was about the same age. Years later I was able to find a replacement at a garage sale, and then bought myself another one on ebay. I remember looking around for that pony at the store we went to. I suppose some other kid nabbed it.

20: When I was in 9th grade, I did this art piece that was very bright and golden in color. It was so very different from my normal dark tones and hues I would use. Someone stole it while I was outside participating in PE. 

21: I have written a few piano pieces but I can’t sight read music to save my life. I don’t even consider myself a pianist because it’s that bad. 

22: Someday I would like to have rats as pets again. They are the best pets ever. Don’t tell my cats that. Though, they’re really close, just about equal. But, when it comes to my pets as members of the family, I love them all equally, but differently. No two cats, and no two rats are the same!

23: I want smack the people who believe that environmental issues are liberal propaganda. To what end, I have no idea, but oh, they believe it. Those crazy liberals actually want to take care of the planet they live on. Nevermind the fact that it’s the only one we’ve got!

24: I miss the Jehovah’s Witnesses that would come by on Fridays. I haven’t seen them all month. This makes me sad. 

25: Someday I would like to get in touch with Tasheena (sp?) again. She used to live with us when my family lived in Florida. She had a big impact on me. She helped me be aware of the feelings of all living things around me. She was Native American.

Okay, now that I’ve given you the run down on the Plan of Salvation/Happiness I hope you have a better grasp of the Mormon belief system on families.

With this in mind mortal families are to reflect our eternal goals. Homosexual marriages would not represent a divine marriage. It would also frustrate their ability to accept the Gospel and consequently their ability to attain their divine potential. Homosexuals can be members of the church but they are required to abstain from homosexual sex (heterosexuals are required to abstain from sex as well until they get married, and sometimes they never get married). Thus it stands to reason that if you’re married to someone of the same sex you would not be able to get baptized unless you were to divorce. It’s a lose-lose situation. You wouldn’t be able to accept the Gospel and thus not be able to fully take care of your own individual salvation, let alone obtaining exaltation and a forever family. Or, if you do get divorced so you could accept the Gospel your family is now broken, heart ache and pain would abound, and likely resentment would fester in your soul, especially if there are children involved. No one wins.

We do not want our homosexual brothers and sisters to have to face this sort of situation, and we do not want homosexuals marriages to be seen as a viable alternative because we love them, because in the eternities it is not a viable option at all. The idea of supporting homosexual marriage here on earth goes against the grain of our belief system regarding eternal families and how that works.

However, we also firmly believe that we have the right to choose. We each have our free agency, and thus homosexuals have the right to choose the homosexual lifestyle.

I am hoping I have made myself clear enough on this subject. I promise you the general Mormon stance against homosexual marriage has nothing to do with bigotry, or wanting to feel superior. It is straight up our belief system that families are ordained of God and are formulated in a semi-specific way.

I remember working with a homosexual man when I worked at the Game Keeper. I only found out he was gay because I asked him if had an S.O. and he said maybe. I later asked him who the lucky gal was. It was funny, I heard him say, “the moment of truth” and he mouthed some words or said them too softly for me to hear, so I said, “say again?” and leaned in closer to hear him say, “I’m gay.” So I immediately switched gears to who’s the guy and life went on. It was great working with him, I hate it that we lost touch (dude, if you’re reading this contact me, I hope life is going good for ya.). Anyway, we got on this very subject, and it was after prop 22. I explained these same beliefs to him that I have to you, and it was like the light bulb turned on. I remember him saying, “ohhhhh, so this marriage thing is a big deal to you guys.” Yes, yes it is. We’re not trying to be mean, it’s what we believe.

Sure, you’ll find a bigoted Mormon, or one who’s condescending towards others, or those who have difficulty knowing how to love the person and hate the sin. If you happen upon one of those, just know that is something they have to personally work on. Judge not lest ye be judged, as in, we’ll be judged on the same basis we judge others. Sucks for them, eh?

Most Mormon’s are not filled with hate but with love. One must understand the point of view that we are coming from. We see homosexuality as a moral issue, not a political issue. We also see it as an eternal issue. Ever since our inception we have had a firm belief that the family is a sacred and eternal unit and is ordained of God. We believe that families can be together forever.

To help you understand our position I must give you the run down of The Plan of Salvation & Happiness. Before we came to earth we lived with our Heavenly Parents. Our spirit bodies were limited. There were things we could not experience, growth that could not be attained, if we had stayed in those bodies. A plan was devised, and Heavenly Father talked to each of us about it in council meetings. This plan advocated free agency, leaving each of us the freedom to choose between good or evil and to have power over our own lives. However, in order to do this we would need to be in a fallen state, or a state of spiritual amnesia. We would also need a Mediator, someone who would pay the price for all our sins, our mistakes, otherwise justice would be without mercy.

Jesus, our eldest spiritual brother volunteered to do this. Lucifer volunteered as well, but not to do the same thing. Lucifer said that he would force all of us to choose righteousness so that no one would be lost. Lucifer also wanted [i]all[/i] of the glory. A war broke out, not one of death, but of words and of spiritual and physical growth. Lucifer and one third of the hosts of Heaven lost and were banished from Heaven.

Two thirds of the hosts of Heaven stuck with Heavenly Father’s plan. Every single person born on Earth is a part of that two thirds. We gained a body for our spirits to reside in, while Lucifer and his followers did not. We were sent to Earth to live. Lucifer and his hosts came here too.

Jesus Christ came to Earth, atoned for our sins and conquered death. Christ’s sacrifice has three parts. First is that every single soul that has been born will be resurrected. After we die our spirits are separated from our bodies. Our spirits then await the return of Christ in the Spirit World. Upon Christ’s return our spirits will be reunited with our bodies. We will never die. This is given to all as an unconditional gift. Everyone will receive the gift of immortality no matter what.

Salvation on the other hand refers to being saved from spiritual death as well as physical death (which again is a free gift just because our Heavenly Father loves us). To be saved from spiritual death one must develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and live the laws and ordinances of His gospel. Repentance, baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost are all done individually.

However, that is not all. There is exaltation, and that is a family matter. Before I go further on this I must explain that we believe there are three degrees of Glory, or three heavens. After Christ returns and we are judged of our works here on Earth we are sent to the appropriate heaven for us. The Celestial Kingdom is the highest degree of Glory and that should be our goal. This is where we can be with our families for eternity.

To achieve exaltation one must take care of individual matters first, and be worthy to enter the Temple where sealing ordinances take place. There we are not only sealed as husband and wife, but parents and children can be sealed to one another and indirectly as grandparents, aunts and uncles. Through these ordinances our families are united forever. No man can achieve exaltation without a worthy woman at his side and vise versa.

We believe that, and I quote since this says it best methinks, “All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each [of us] is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose” (1). “[Gender] in large measure defines who we are, why we are here upon the earth, and what we are to do and become. For divine purposes, male and female spirits are different, distinctive, and complementary. … The unique combination of spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional capacities of both males and females were needed to implement the plan of happiness” (2).

“The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally. … The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. “(1).

(1) “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Liahona, Oct. 2004, 49; Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102
(2) “Marriage Is Essential to His Eternal Plan,” Liahona, June 2006, 51; Ensign, June 2006,

When it came time to give it, I was there, and I whispered her own words to her since she’s only five and can’t read quite yet. Hazel spoke clearly and was able to remember long strings of lines as I whispered them and was even able to remember the last part of a line without my promptings. I thought that was cool. She also did not freak out. She was a bubble of confidence.

Now without further adeiu, here is Hazel’s talk given today, 8/24/08.

“I was asked to give a talk about how I will show my faith in Jesus Christ by being baptized and confirmed.

Faith is believing. I believe the teachings of Jesus Christ.

He teaches us to be good and helps us be good by giving us commandments.

Getting baptized is showing God that you want to be a better person and repent every day.

The [Holy] Spirit guides us and comforts us and after getting the gift of the Holy Ghost, it will be with us forever, for all days, and teaches us the truth.

We always have to keep the commandments, forever.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.”

[] added because it was written but not actually said.

God interjected, “$70.”

I responded, “$70? No way it’s $50.”

“$70.”

“What? How can it possibly be $70?”

“Check again.”

A bit frustrated I did the math and sure enough, wonder of wonders, I owed God $70 bucks. So, I said to him, “Oh, sorry, you’re right.”

I got no words after that, but I had this feeling that he was patiently amused by my silly arguement. He’s God! He knows everything! DUH he’s right!

And yes, the conversation really went like that.

Hymn mediums to use
-the computer/internet
-MP3 players/iPods
-CDs/tapes

Learning/Memorizing
-for uplift to sing out loud or to yourself
-listen to music only CDs as well as music with voices to mix up to help you learn them and be familiar with them
-pick one you’ve never sung before and learn it
-announce a hymn in RS and then sing it without books at the end of the month
-practice with child/grandchild or alone
-if you play an instrument try learning a new hymn per month
-have kids who are learning to play an instrument learn hymns on that instrument
-conduct yourself for better practice
-memorize all hymns so you can be hands free for all songs

Sing/Read/Hum/Listen to them while
-in the car (eliminate road rage. . .)
-doing chores
-cooking
-getting ready for church
-doing finances
-playing games
-surfing the internet
-getting ready for bed
-before/after scripture reading
-brushing teeth in morning/evening
-quieting squabbles
-set as ring tone
-set as alarm clock
-feeling you’re tired
-feeling you’re angry
-feeling down/sad/sick/blah

Family Home Evening
-Family devotionals
-Open/Closing
-Learn a new hymn
-Ask children for the favorites
-Pick a hymn, study it and corresponding scriptures
-Read the Friend and find hymns to go with the theme.
-Pick a hymn to learn and listen it all week until it is learned
-Read as poetry
-Learn a primary song with children (teach them, or learn it together)

Other personal and family use
-Use as background music for any daily task
-Hum throughout the day and think of the words
-Sing blessings on the food
-Personal devotions, write your own hymns or verse
-Carry a small hymn book in purse or car
-Sing primary songs and hymns as lullaby’s to kids

Other musically wholesome ideas and thoughts
-The hymns makes a person more spiritual and makes you feel good all day.
-Listen to the tabernacle choir and other spiritual music on Sundays, you may find that you’ll enjoy it so much you’ll listen to it during the week as well.
-Take the family to symphony concerts
-Open your heart and feel the beat.
-Listen to and feel sounds of the environment
-There is a song/hymn for every subject, if you can’t think of or find one make it up!
-Put out instruments to just be played with.
-If a hymn is going through your head, look it up, as it may be trying to tell you something.
-Get a hymn book for yourself and when you hear a hymn you like mark it in your book, even if you can’t read the music you’ll be able to ask someone else to help you learn it.
-Learn the mechanics of music to further appreciation through understanding.

Free hymns and primary songs at www.LDS.org

Go to lds.org → Gospel Library → Music
Music will give you the options to obtain the MP3s themselves for download or listen to them via the interactive music player.
Resources will give you learning helps with special needs and becoming familiar with the hymn book.
Learning Materials will help you teach others and help you learn more about music.