Analysis of Awesome

Something I've said quite often in the past is that something is awesome. It can be in a variety of contexts, used to describe a person, an object, or an event. For me, it has some special meaning that takes it beyond the simple "throwaway" compliment it can become in some vocabularies. There was one point in my life that I really remember defining in my mind what it has come to mean to me.

The chore we were discussing was the dishes

One afternoon, my younger sister and I were talking. We have two more younger siblings, and since she was older and more responsible than they she was asked to do yet another chore (or so it felt to her). As we are all want to do at times, she complained a little at this extra duty and I happened to overhear her. I remembered times in my childhood that I was in the very same situation, given more chores because I was able, willing, and responsible enough to do them. I then said something like this: "[Sister,] you are awesome. Now I know that that word comes off as a kind of meaningless word, but I really mean it. You are doing the work that another is not. You are doing the hard thing. You are not shirking, and so you have been asked to do more. This extra work is not something demeaning, it is not an insult. It one of the truest compliments you can receive. You are being told that you are awesome every time you are asked to do more. So stand up tall, square your shoulders, and think not of the drudgery that is before you. Think of the awesome that is in you."

Awesome doesn't just mean "cool" or "neat." Awesome is the description of inspiring awe, being a better you, and surpassing the normal standards of the world around us. It should be our ultimate goal. In the end, this is what the gospel of Jesus Christ is about. Not restricting us, not punishing us for our misdeeds, and not whitewashing all of us to be the same shade. The gospel is about making us awesome with the help of Christ. We are given commandments to let us know what to avoid and what will help us. We can learn about why there are consequences for our actions, using the momentary pain of a mistake and acting to be better because of it. I testify of the power of change, of the love our Savior has for each of us, and how that means that we can be awesome. Be motivated, think of the potential that is in you, and don't back down!

Imperial March

Dun dun dun Dun dudun, Dun dudun!

You are watching a classic sci-fi film, and suddenly a familiar series of notes come on. You know what these notes mean; they are the sounds that accompany the main villain, the bad guy that sends shivers up your spine, the driving force of evil in the film. You can't do anything about it; you are a simple viewer, without impact to the way the story plays out. After all, the film has been filmed, the end was several decades ago, and you are there to enjoy events as they pass before your eyes.

Obviously, a movie is not what our life is like. We have the option of action, we are the self-controlled agents of our lives, and the end is yet to be seen. Also, we don't hear ominous motifs whenever something significant happens. Or do we? Is there something that can warn us of trouble, encourage us towards good, and change the mood of the scene? Have I led you in the right directions with questions yet?

There is definitely something (or rather someone) sent to help us in life. Our Father in Heaven loves us, and wouldn't want us to struggle blindly, so the Comforter has been sent to guide us. When he wants us to know that something is good we will be able to feel of the fruits of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23, just as when the movie wants you to recognize the good guys. Likewise, the lack of these fruits or the presence of their opposites such as hate, misery, or confusion can warn us of bad situations just as the Imperial March warns us of the presence of Darth Vader. This concept is what Moroni asks us to listen to in Moroni 10:3-5, not just the words of well meaning yet human missionaries (like myself). Try it out!

Canon and Zombies and Scripture

Another zombie, with a different
requirement for destruction

A little while ago, another online missionary (which means he also has a blog and a Facebook) wrote a post about zombies that I highly recommend reading, especially if you are a well cultured and interesting person. After reading that (or before) I'd invite you to go about halfway down the post and read something he said: "There's two ways to kill a zombie: Crush the body or remove the head. It's as simple as that." The purpose of today is to expound on this statement, and perhaps why it's not quite as simple as that.

The simple reason it's not so simple can be summed up with the word "canon." In fiction, the canon is the official rules, occurrences, people, and facts of the related works. So, when Elder Whitlock referred to the two ways to kill a zombie, he was drawing from a certain canon wherein the rules were as such. On the other hand, I normally draw my zombie canon from the works of Max Brooks, which includes the Zombie Survival Guide. This work of fiction (we hope) has extensive details into the hows and whys of zombies, and I personally think it is a great read. However, the canon for this book is that the only way to kill a zombie is to destroy the brain (if the head is simply removed, it can still bite). This is a clear and obvious difference of opinion, which can easily be resolved by saying the canon is different and going our different ways. That is perfectly fine in the world of fiction. This is not quite as easy to say in the world of religion.

Canon is classically used to describe what is official in a church (be it Catholic, Ecclesiastic, and sometimes Mormon). This extends to the holy scriptures; what is canon is accepted as truth, while what is not canon just doesn't carry the same weight. What do Mormons consider canon? The simple answer can be found in the Articles of Faith numbers 8 and 9, which I'll summarize here: the Book of Mormon, the Bible (correctly translated), and the continuous revelation given by God's prophets are canon. We believe in an open canon, not confined to the pages of books written in the past, just as the Apostles of old and the original Christians did (if they didn't, where did the New Testament come from?). I testify to you, humble reader, that this canon, and the Church it supports, has blessed my life and will bless yours. As I've suggested before, give it a read and try it out yourself.

Ordinances and Ordnance

My brother, me, and a big bullet

Ordnance is a term for military hardware used to hurt other military things. More accurately, it refers to military equipment in a general sense, but I came to learn of it through the US Army Ordnance Museum while it was in Aberdeen, MD. Thus, my early exposure to ordnance involved tanks. Tanks and bombs and coastal defense guns that shot shells longer than I am tall. It was a treasured opportunity to walk around, read the plaques that were up, and just see the awesome that is in modern military power. Of course, it also afforded my mom a time to send the kids out of the house with my dad and have a relaxing Mother's Day afternoon.

Ordnance can cover many things, ranging from the things that shoot to the things that are shot, the things that move to the things that keep them moving. It is a broad term, and if you are like me and fascinated by things that explode it can hold your interest for a while.

An ordinance is a term used in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints quite often to refer to the sacred rituals including the Sacrament, Baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. They require a proper authority, or the priesthood, in order to be performed correctly and be valid. This authority can only be confirmed by the laying on of hands by one who currently holds that authority, and was restored to Joseph Smith through the same method.

Ordinances can also cover many things, from weekly Sacrament to sacred Baptism. They are the keys to eternal life. They are what separate the true church of Jesus Christ from others, because of the authority that is required. They are the biggest change available to you today and can bless your life with peace, happiness, and comfort that comes with following Christ.

The biggest similarity between these two words is the sound. Ordinance has a single extra letter. Yet with that extra letter it also carries such importance. Don't take my word for it; read the Book of Mormon and ask to know if it's true. God would only reveal such a document to somebody called to do so; acceptance of the Book of Mormon is acceptance of Joseph Smith as a prophet and the LDS Church as the true church of Christ on the earth. I've learned this for myself, and I know I am a happier person because of it. Now it can be your turn.

Thermite: Introduction

Every time I see another missionary's blog and there is an analogy or some other comparison, I think of something I once heard. While comparing Mormons and our culture to other "normal" people, the situation was brought up of accidentally killing the family cat. Normal response: "That's so sad!" Our response: "There's a lesson in this!"

It just goes to emphasize how amazing the Gospel can be. Almost anything in the world can be related to some principle or aspect of it. To begin what will likely be quite a few of these comparisons, I've chosen something rather fascinating to the "guy" in me. Thermite.

Usually composed of two simple ingredients, when properly mixed and lighted it can reach absolutely amazing temperatures. As you can see in this and many other videos out there, not much can withstand the power of lighted thermite. It burns at temperatures up to 2500°C, can't be smothered (by lack of oxygen. Only by lack of heat), and is just awesome!

A thermite reaction is made up of three things (for my comparison): rust, aluminum, and ignition. Two of those ingredients are common and can be acquired without too much worry. The ignition is a bit trickier, but if you know where to go it becomes a little easier. I'll go through one by one, each item in a separate post to get this comparison straight.