Conclusion: Freshman '15

Not the Freshman 15 you were most likely thinking of. I however, was referring to the year 2015.

Wow, it's crazy how fast this semester has gone by. Thinking back on all that has happened, so much has changed. I have changed. I have learned so much about myself and this is only the beginning. My classes have been so good. The professors here at BYU are so amazing and yes, the assignments have pushed me out of my comfort zone. I know how to write long papers, "think anthropologically," find deeper meanings in the scriptures, how to be healthier, and how to better understand myself. College has sparked a desire of learning that before wasn't at all the same. 

I started this blog with the word of "NEVERTHELESS." This word is more powerful than I originally thought. This word is used often in the scriptures. It basically means that whatever is preceding the word "nevertheless" doesn't get as much emphasis as what comes after the word. For example, "Life is hard, nevertheless, I can overcome. That means that I CAN OVERCOME is more important in that sentence. When I chose the title Nevertheless BYU, I wasn't sure what to put in front that had less emphasis. I decided that a lot of words could be put there, but that wasn't the point. The point is that BYU comes last and whatever is in front doesn't mean as much. All I know is I am so grateful to be here and to have all the opportunities that I have been given. I am so thankful for a God that loves me enough to let me be here in my life. I am so thankful to keep learning and growing here at BYU and to use what I learn here as a stepping stone for things to come.

Here's to the beginning of the rest of my life.

Boys vs. GIRLS

Dear Diary,

I don't understand. Where had I not been clear? I said I wanted a study break, not that I DIDN'T want one. Was that not obvious enough? He was the one who texted me first, obviously that was intentional. WAS IT NOT? Did he accidentally think he was texting someone else and then eventually realize that it was me? It even showed that he "read" the message. What was he trying to do, play hard to get or something? I thought things were going just fine from the way he acted on our date last week. Does he not feel the same about me? What if he started talking to another girl, but just sent that text out of habit? All the thoughts in my head were making me sick. I can't believe I fell for this! Was I really this naïve? Did he think he could honestly pull a fast one on me? I remembered the way he was looking at my friend Rebecca. Suddenly the dots are connecting! He did at least think she was cute, especially the way he looked at her the other day. I knew it! It has been almost 2 hours! By this time I was over him anyway. He is not worth my time anymore . . .

I am never speaking to him again. In fact, I'm going to convince my parents to move out of state. I don't think he remembers what my brother looks like. Maybe I'll post a picture of us, so he'll think I'm dating someone else. That for sure ought to make him jealous. What if that doesn't work? Maybe I'll just go egg his house or something. Yeah, that should work too. Well, I'm off to see if we have any in the fridge. I'll probably write tomorrow.

Yours truly.  

Dan: groggily glanced at the clock on the wall, rubbed the sleep from his eyes, and realized that he had accidentally fallen asleep.

On The Road to Emmaus

Here is something I learned about through study and in a conversation with a friend:

The dear friends of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, appeared early in the morning on the sacred ground of the sepulchre. Upon their arrival, they discovered the stone was rolled away from the tomb. When they entered in, they “found not the body of Jesus” (Luke 24:3). Two men in shining garments spoke to the disciples inquiring, “Why seek ye the living among the dead?” The disciples and friends bowed their faces to the earth in fear, but they remembered the words, “He is not here, but is risen.”

Two of them that same day traveled to the village of Emmaus. As they were walking, they talked about the things that had happened that day. While they communed together another man traveled with them along their way. This man was Jesus Christ, “But their eyes were holden that they should not know him” (Luke 24:16). When they arrived closer to the village, Christ “made as though he would have gone further” (Luke 24:28). The two men constrained him, wishing that he would abide with them. “And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them” (Luke 24:30). As soon as he blessed and broke the bread of sacrament, he vanished out of their sight. They then turned to one another and asked, “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened unto us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32). Jesus Christ walked with them and they didn’t even recognize it was him until they felt the burning in their hearts.

There is a painting of Christ on a bench in the middle of a beautiful park. Across the bench is a teenage boy. The boy had a pack and a bed roll beside him next to a bench. It seemed as if the boy was far away from home. This painting struck me because I have always seen Christ with the little innocent children, but what about a struggling, imperfect teenager? It touched me so deeply, thinking about how lost this boy must have felt. I pictured myself on this park bench, weary and far from home, from a heavenly and earthly home. The Savior of the world would take the time to sit next to me with nobody else around. I felt so overwhelmed thinking about the time he would spend listening more intently than anyone I have ever known would. He would not only sit with me, but He would cry with me as I cried, laugh with me as I laughed, and hold me when I needed to be held. He takes time specifically for you and for me. Just as with the two men traveling to Emmaus, we sometimes fail to recognize the Savior walking beside us during our times of trouble until we are looking back at our experiences in retrospect. I hope more than anything that I can recognize the Savior’s presence alongside me. I want to allow the Savior to be more involved in my life because he is not only my Savior and my redeemer, but my friend.

His Mirror

Since I am a Freshman in college, I thought it would be fun to throwback to my freshmen year of High School. I wrote this for a school writing contest. I might or might not have won first place. ~ENJOY~

Other girls flirting through show and tell pomp,

Riding the fast track when all signs read slow.

Tying knots,

Instead of bows,

Expecting no others to survive.

Rolling their eyes at the compliments,

-Expectantly dropped coins-

In their little piggy banks.

Here I was,

Causing no wide-eyed double-takes.

No tragic legend: “Trail of Tears,”

Strewn about with bloody hearts.

Peering behind a clouded vision,

To what my reflection had become.

Unrecognized by no one,

Not even myself.

In my dreaded hour of despair,

Tender arms enclosed around me tight.

He cupped his hands around my chin,

Tilting me towards the mirror He held.

I discovered a light illuminating my features,

A priceless beauty became the whisperings in my head.

The sun with all its magnificence,

Fit snugly into the palm of my hand.

The years came knocking,

Waving goodbye in time.

Through friend or foe, trial and error,

I never used my own mirror.

Clutched in both hands, with all my life and soul,

Was the mirror He gave me.

Throughout the battle field of life,

I’ll never let go.

In a place after life,

Amidst an endless line of people,

All waiting for our actions to call us home,

I was reunited with those other girls.

Upon their waited turn,

They averted their gazes,

Fumbling with their fingers to untie the hard-driven knots,

That had been carefully tied.

Gaping into their little piggy banks,

To find themselves hopelessly broke.

The worldly beauty pointed and laughed,

Shedding the masks that covered those girls,

Each taking a closer look at the small-fine print,

Leaving them no promises kept.

They each took a turn gazing into His mirror.

With brimming tears and fear in their hearts,

They each saw a girl beaming back.

But, they sank to their knees,

For looking into the mirror,

They didn’t see themselves as they were,

Only what they were meant to become.

I calmly realize that it is my turn.

I stare deeply into the mirror I had clutched,

For I had seen a girl I recognized.

I saw myself as I was,

Smiling right back.

COOKING 1010101

How to make Cougar Cakes

Disclaimer: No people were harmed in the making of this video.

I've never been the class clown or anything, but when my roommate Jessica suggested we have an act in the ward talent show, we knew it should be funny. We spent a few days planning out what we wanted to do. If anyone knew what we started out brainstorming, they wouldn't have guessed beforehand what we ended up doing. We only performed the real act twice. Once was for the auditions and the second time was for the real thing. It was super intimidating because when we performed for the ward activity specialists, they simply looked at us bewildered, not even a chuckle.

The day of the talent show we were put towards the middle of the program. The closer we got to our act, the more we were freaking out because Brian hadn't showed up yet! He was taking a chemistry test and nobody had heard from him for hours. They ended up putting our act toward the end until he finally showed up. Thankfully he did because we didn't know of anyone else who would be willing to get their face dunked in a milky, cake mix, egg soufflé.

NAILS OR LEGS?

 A jabbing pain was piercing my thigh. I wanted to cry out in agony as the intensity began shooting up my leg. I stifled my cry, not wanting to attract any attention. Without looking down, I grabbed around the tender area of my thigh, hoping to relieve the fiery tension. I was scared to discover what was hurting me so badly. I eventually worked up the courage and I looked down and noticed a long nail protruding out of my leg. How it got there, I had no idea. The moment of confusion and bewilderment was drown out by all the agony. All I knew was I wanted the pain to stop. How could I get this nail out? I thought of all the most convenient ways that I could accomplish this task. What would be the easiest? The less time consuming? Or create the least about of mess or pain?

I knew this wouldn't be an easy task because my leg would simply have to go.

If there is a nail in your leg, don't cut off your leg. Simply, take the nail out.

If there is something in your life that is hurting like a nail in your leg, don't be irrational. Cutting off your leg might seem like a solution, but there are other ways to solve the problem. 

One less leg hurts worse.

Personal Narrative: Kisses or Cards

The stench of sea salt permeated my Great Uncle Craig’s Dodge. It was just Uncle Craig and me driving to his brother’s new home in a tucked away corner in Soldotna, Alaska.
We drove up the thick black pavement scanning the meticulously trimmed grass and flowers. The landscaping was absolutely stunning as if we had stumbled upon the lost Garden of Eden. The truck came to a halt and I slid out, went around to the back, and yanked out my waterproof dry-bag crammed with clothes and toiletries because I knew we were spending the night. Entering their home, the smell of noodle soup came wafting in to the front room as my Aunt Kathy stood in the kitchen stirring the soup with a large wooden spoon. I immediately felt conscious of my greasy hair, my salt-plastered clothes, and the smell of fish on my hands from a few days of fishing on the ocean.

Fellow Homo Sapiens

"Weekly Email to my family: November 24 - 29th

It was sooo good to see you all this week! I arrived on Tuesday night at Farmington Station where Mama-cita and Papa-saun came and picked me up. I raided the food in the fridge that night. 

I must have been either exhausted or my bed was just soothing but I slept until Thursday.

On Thursday, hahahah just joking I didn't sleep that long, but it sure felt like it. Wednesday I got some HW done, just motivating myself with dinner at 6:30. We ate at Famous Daves with Tawnya and Buster Bob. That was a real treat! The food was delicious, not to disappoint, but it's the company that I enjoy the most. We could eat at McDonalds for all I care, (as long as we played on the toys). Perfect way to begin the break.

Torie and I holding the pups not cows

Thanksgiving was really good. We ate at Guy's and Carol Ann's place. The food was delicious for sure, plus we got to hold the baby pups that were only a week or so old. It was so cute that when we came home, Mom made us thanksgiving dinner as well so that we could still have leftovers for dayzzz. YAY. That night Tor, Mom, and I did ourselves a little Black Friday adventuring. We may or may not have ran a red light at 1 in the morning. Don't worry... it wasn't at a scary spot and we are all safe. Just be aware that Mom likes songs by Adele, so she started to sing along forgetting we were at a stop LIGHT not a stop SIGN. Good thing she's okay that Tor and I can tease her :P

Friday was another chill day, doing homework and such torturous things. We did go as a family to see Mockingjay Part 2, which was actually pretty good!

#cliché Mormon girl pic

Saturday evening I got to go on a fun date with Brien and his two brothers and their dates to dinner and see the lights on temple square. We ate at a place called Blue Lemon in City Creek. The food was very flavorful although they didn't know I was eating there, otherwise they would have made larger portion sizes.

Today in church we had an awesome sacrament meeting! We got to hear from the parents from all the missionaries in our ward. I am really happy for all the missionaries and the changes they are making in their own lives as well as in the lives of those they teach. I am especially proud of my sister because she was amazing even before she left. 16 days. NBD. (no big deal) 

Knock Knock?

Who's there?

FedEx.

Oh, hey, you can just leave it on the doorstep. :)"

Darlings and Popsicles

Weekly email home: November 16 - 22nd

"I hope you all have had a good week because I surely have! On Monday for FHE we had a Thanksgiving feast. This meant that each apartment brought some sort of food and pretty much the whole ward got together to enjoy it. It wasn't like each dish could feed everyone, but out of all the options, everyone for sure had a good variety. I was dying because I considered it dinner and we didn't start until close to 8! But, it was totally worth the wait, plus I am even more excited to have Thanksgiving!:)

We also had cleaning checks this week and for sure those are ridiculous. We had a few things we needed to clean like a sticky spot on the counter and we needed to dust the vents in the bathroom with a q-tip. Don't worry I took one for the team and got that one done, so don't worry I still have a place to live. 

Pretty much the rest of the week I got some good homework done, including writing my anthropology essay, which really draws a lot of brain power in writing. I secretly really enjoy working on it because it helps me to practice sounding really smart on paper. 

Jessica and I made breakfast for dinner, it was fantastic. You all didn't know I could eat 2 french toast, 2.5 eggs, 2 blueberry muffins, 4 pieces of bacon, and a tall glass of Orange Julius, but now you do. Later that evening, my friend Brien came over to proofread my anthro. paper. He gave me some good tips and helped me know what I could change so I could more accurately follow the prompt. Also that night I went with Brien, Sarah, and Jessica to the music practice room. Jessica would play the piano, songs like, "The EFY Medley" and other church songs that we would all sing to. I would sing Soprano, Sarah would sing Alto, and Brien would sing Bass. I really love a lot of things about college, especially being able to change things about myself to be more about myself. Let me explain...In high school, none of my friends knew I could sing opera or that I had crazy voices, but here at college a lot of people know. Sometimes in high school, it's hard to change what people envision you as because they have known you forever, but here I can act like I am super confident in my singing abilities and no one would know the difference. I like being able to practice being who I want people to see me as instead of what they knew me as. I'm still the same person, but now I feel like the person I was around my family - crazy, funny, and quirky - is me a lot more of the time. Anyway, I'll get off my soap box now. I just am super excited to take choir next semester so I can become a better singer!"

Jessica and I

Jessica and I are like a married couple. You know how I mentioned we make dinner together? Well, that is a common occurrence. We also ask each other questions like, "What do you want for dinner?" "When will you be home?" "Who were you with?" "What were you doing?"

Here's a Little Anthropology for ya

Here it began. I needed to write a paper for my Anthropology class. Not only that, but I needed to sound smart. One thing I discovered as I began to type was big words just kept popping into my head when I needed them. I knew that was from the readings we have to do everyday for class. The key to sounding smart is to read smart words and then be able to regurgitate them.

Culture is the physical, mental, emotional, and social aspects of a particular demographic as is interpreted in mortality. Anthropology can be most accurately described as an attempted mediator between various cultures. An ethnographer is a student of cultures, portraying their learnings through scientific definitions. Although these findings are not a direct translation between cultures and display complexities far beyond comprehension, the initiative it takes to overcome barriers between demographics is key to unlocking the viability of a lifestyle. There are many dimensions intimately thriving on any aspect of a culture. In order for an “outsider” to attain understanding, they must be willing to entertain the possible validity of a way of life. Each of us is born into a particular culture, “…a set of cultural glasses that each of us wears, lenses that provide us with a means for perceiving the world around us, for interpreting the meaning of our social lives, and framing action in them” (Monaghan, Just, 2000, p. 38). Our interpretation of the world is deeply characterized from when, where, and how we are raised. In the culture of Mormonism, children and families strive to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. Men are commanded to serve away from their homeland and teach about Jesus Christ for a period of two years. Women can optionally serve, in like manner, for a period of 18 months. Without the prior knowledge of the physical, mental, emotional, and social implications of a young women and man in context, this cultural phenomenon would not be universally understood on any spectrum of differing societies.

ThanksGIVING

On Friday, as we all know, I was able to come home to help out with the Fundraiser for the people in Mexico and Kenya. I felt it was such a blessing to see how there are amazing people out there that want to make a difference. I was so proud of my Mom and Dad especially. I could see all the hard work and effort they put into everything and I literally felt so proud to be their daughter. They are the kind of people that I hope to someday become, but for sure the list didn't end there. 

I talked to a lady who was Carrie Grubb's visiting teacher that came to support her, which made me want to be a better visiting teacher. 

It meant a lot to me that Chaney my friend from High School  came, which made me want to be a more supportive friend.

 When Aunt Jan came down to help us out, it made me want to be a better family member. 

When Aunt Tawnya mentioned in her text to me that her and Buster Bob heard about our event and made a donation, I knew their donation would be generous and it made me want to be willing to give like that. 

Seeing my younger siblings, Tavis and Torie and how much they were involved made me want to just squeeze them to death because I just miss them so much and I'm so proud, especially knowing what other kids their age would be doing on a Friday night. 

I wish that more people would have come! But, the ones that did and were involved, are the ones that not only put in effort for themselves, but their effort made up for the lack of the other people. I am so happy and so honored to be a part of the lives of the people that are exceptional and do more than what they are asked to do. I hope and pray that no matter where I'm at and what I am doing in life, I will always do the same.

Hold Back the River

My feet were planted firmly, my arms pressed tightly against the blue wall. It seeped through the cracks of my hands. A slight tension in my lower back ached accompanying the beads of sweat pooling with the escaped liquid.

The river seethed, tore, and griped at my stance. It flaunted its power, looked down upon my small quivering frame, and told me if I guessed its name, the flow would stop and my worries would vanish.

I thought about my life and the pressures I had been withholding the release of. The battles I had been fighting, the emotions pent up inside, and the fears I had been suppressing, had all came to mind in the pinpointing of the name. I took careful consideration of each possibility. Temptation, because there seems to be a never ending trickle. No, that wasn't it. I thought harder. Fears, because I couldn't see what was around the next bend in the river. No, not it either. I couldn't come up with anything else. Maybe it was something obvious? Doubt, what I was feeling because I didn't think I could withstand much longer.

All my guesses were wrong. I could no longer hold back the river. The surge of a mighty wave suddenly washed over me, no longer could I withstand the pressure. I slipped mercilessly under the water, sinking in the depths.

My thoughts were fuzzy as the air escaped my lungs, I guess there are just things I can't... suddenly it came to me.

Control.

If there is something in your life that you are fighting against that you can't control, STOP IT. Focus on what you CAN control and change that.

Physically Dirty, Spiritually Cleansed

Often times the sacrament isn’t given the necessary importance it deserves. In Alma 5:19 it says, “I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?” 

If a person was to be physically dirty, like coming home from trek for example, do they ever feel guilty for wanting to take a shower? The answer is usually no. Getting rid of the accumulation of sweat and dirt feels relieving! The sacrament is a similar cleansing, except for our spirits. How come we sometimes feel guilty to repent? Or even when we are dirty, why don’t we have that same urgency to repent? The sacrament usually is only 15 minutes long, a similar time frame for taking a shower. Do we partake of the sacrament, but don’t turn on the water? We need to desire the sacrament with the urgency as if we were physically dirty because we are equally spiritually dirty. We need the sacrament so that we may look to God with a pure heart and clean hands. The sacrament is real because our Savior, Jesus Christ atoned for our sins. It is by Him and through Him that we can become clean. 

SOLDIERS

It’s interesting how we classify our Grandparents as inferior in knowledge about the ways of the world simply because they can’t work a remote or set up a voicemail. Do these things constitute knowledge? Does the fact that they can’t work e-mail, Facebook, or smart phones imply that they don’t know how to make it through life successfully? No.

The posing question that I have chosen to research is, “How did the WWII draft affect families?”

Ramon Floid Warner

Mr. Ramon Floid Warner,

You are hereby ordered for induction into the Armed Forces of the United States and to report at Fort Douglas, Utah at 12:30 on August 7, 1944.

My Grandpa, out of High School was inducted into the US Army through the draft. After returning home at the end of the war, years later, in January 1949, he wrote about his feelings for my Grandma Eloise, “I never felt about a girl as I felt about her a very peaceful and comforting feeling. Sure seems good to be living close to God and trying to live his commandments, I don’t know when I’ve been happier. The more I’m with Eloise the more I’m sure she’s the one for me. I hope and pray some day we will be happily married. I would like to spend the rest of my life trying to make her happy.”

They were married in the Manti Temple on June 19, 1950. Shortly after, in January 1952, my Grandpa enlisted in the Army. He wrote:

“Eloise and I both found it very difficult to be separated while I was training at Ft. Benning Ga. Tawnya was just a year old and it was our first real long separation. The following is something I wrote to Eloise from Ft. Benning on February 23, 1953. ‘I think of all the fun we’ve had together, up in Salt Lake City and Pacific Grove. How restricted we were when Tawnya little, but we still had fun. We will really be able to enjoy ourselves in the future. We will have everything a young couple could ask for. Enough money to be comfortable on, a nice car, a sweet little girl, and especially one another. Faith in the Lord, the Church, and the love and faith we have for each other.’ ”

He sent this poem to Eloise dated February 29, 1960. “Each night I take my pen in hand to write a page of two, but what’s the use of writing when I’d rather be with you. I say the weather is fine these days, cool, but nice and clear, And in between the lines I mean, I wish that you were here. I tell you I’ve been busy, but nothing else is new, And all the time I’m thinking how much I’m missing you. So when you get my letters, just skip the writing part and read between the lines instead, I wrote them with my heart.”

Today, there is a similar draft where God calls His soldiers.

Tena Fitzgerald

Sister Tena Fitzgerald,

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Houston, Texas mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months.

You will report to the Mexico Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, June 18, 2014. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish language.

Having decades of experience, my Grandpa should be one my most valuable resources of information, support, and confidentiality because he knows exactly what it feels like. Don’t be like me and wait until your teacher asks you to write a research paper on your ancestors, because it might be too late to ask. 

My Wood Pulp Investigation

Research: a diligent and systematic inquiry or investigation into a subject in order to discover or revise facts, theories, applications, etc.

Paper: a substance made from wood pulp, rags, straw, or other fibrous material, usually in thin sheets, used to bear writing or printing, for wrapping things, etc.

This is what my assignment refers to. The only problem I am having is I don't have a fact, theory, application, or an "etc." that I feel inclined to systematically inquire about in a thorough investigation. Creating a substance made from wood pulp, rags, straw, or other fibrous material seems like a more probable occurrence as I'm waiting for a revelatory idea to announce its presence. I suspect if I keep typing the answers will come. Perhaps they will creep up my fingertips and puncture my brain. 

How hard can this be? I just need to find something meaningful and jump on the boat and just go for it! There obviously are endless topics and vast resources, I should totally be able to think of ONE thing.

My diligent systematic fibrous material assignment - 1
Me - zip.

Here's to Forever

Salt Lake Temple

Dear Eternal Companion,

“Is his or her attitude, language, and conduct what you would like to live with every day?”
                                                                                                                                       - Elder Robert D. Hales.

Yes, I want to be with you every day. Elder Uchtdorf stated, “Exaltation is the goal. Discipleship is the journey.” Upon hearing the word exaltation, the air was forced out of my lungs. It was as if my living room had become the focal point of the entire universe. I panted heavily, with quivering methodical breaths. I have heard this word for years, but suddenly it gemmed perfectly with all my questions. I knew I wanted an exalted marriage, but it suddenly became a reality.

I have lived my life preparing for one, but soon I’ll need to find you. Elder Hales’s voice echoes in my head, “Are your goals compatible? Do you share the same feelings about the commandments, the Savior, the priesthood, the temple, parenting, callings in the Church, and serving others?”

I want us to set goals with each other, with the greatest one being an exalted celestial marriage. I don’t need chocolate, roses, or poems. I want scripture study, prayer, and testimony. I don’t need a wealthy career, a nice car, or new clothes. I need family priority, children, and temple Saturdays. I don’t need TV, hobbies, or a big house. I need long talks, your time, and a Christ-centered home. I want service, not vacations. I want covenants, not promises.

As we date we’ll talk about goals. I’ll show you my list and you’ll pull out yours. Our wants will become our goals, which will become our reality. I’ll be with you in heaven with eternity in our future and I’ll find unspeakable joy in saying, “I love being with you every day, exalted.”

Two Trees

Picture this: Two Trees.

The tree of life and the tree of knowledge are doorways. 

The tree of knowledge was the doorway to life on earth. After partaking of the fruit from the tree of knowledge, Adam and Eve were able to start having children, thus opening the door for all of humanity. 

The tree of life is the doorway leading back to Heavenly Father. Our goal on earth is to hold fast to the rod, so we can make it to the tree of life.

Each doorway, however, has to be opened. 

The doorway to earth is opened by women. Women have the privilege and responsibility to bear children, opening the way for all of humanity. In an equal manner, men have the priesthood, which allows everyone to make it to the tree of life. We can’t pass through both doorways without both men and women in their equal roles.

I felt the spirit so strongly confirming what I already knew about the divine roles of men and women. I felt a sense of happiness and peace from knowing -- this is an eternal bond. I know this isn’t the best way to word it, but I couldn’t help but think, “This is the most romantic thing I have ever heard.” There seems to be no other form of happiness as great, as having someone who needs you as much as you need them. The fact that you are each reaching for the same goal, to help and lift each other. This is such a beautiful aspect of the Plan of Salvation. I am so thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who gives us so many blessings of “never being alone.” Whether it’s your spouse or Christ only, they are both there every step of the way.

Rhetorical Analysis

One of the most significant facts about us may be that we all begin with the natural equipment to live a thousand kinds of lives but end in the end having lived only one. (Geertz 24).

Rhetorical Analysis Recipe

1 c. topic sentence.
2 Tbsp. of evidence.
360* for 10 minutes analyzing evidence.

If you want to be a success at writing a rhetorical analysis, you would be wise to follow the procedures mentioned above. I started out with a quote, which is NOT a good idea. But, I did that on purpose. If the only thing you read was that quote, then good job, you got the gist.

REAL Topic Sentence: The purpose of this life is to learn how to make small decisions and it is with those that we determine our destiny.

Evidence:      [Insert previous quote.]

Analysis: I often think about the experiences of my past life...

I could have been a dancer, gymnast, or tap-dancer, but instead I chose to play sports.
I played basketball, volleyball, softball, soccer, and ran track.

I could have been an actress, a performer, or a choir girl, but instead I took art lessons.
I paint, draw, and watercolor with pencil, acrylic, and pen.

I could have been shy, quiet, or reserved, but instead I'm a people-person.
I would rather be with a stranger, than be alone.

I could have gone to Weber, Dixie, or USU, but instead I chose BYU.
I had the chance to live a thousand types of lives, I could have, but if not I wouldn't be...

Yours truly,
ME


Geertz, Clifford (1965). The Impact of the Concept of Culture on the Concept of Man. In John R. Platt (Ed.), New Views of the Nature of Man (pp.16-29). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

You'll Have the Force

Writing for me has been more about quantity than about quality. For years I have spent Sunday afternoons recapping my week as a dedicated journal writer. I have always loved to write, but I don't consider myself by any means John Greene or Nicholas Sparks.

Learning about "Mindful Writing" has opened up my limited view of writing. It is no longer about words on a page or sentences in a line. It is about the structure and art of forming a coherent thought or argument. The structure, I consider, is a lot like a battle plan with the intent to blow the reader away. (No pun intended.) There are tactics and devices used to maximize the quality and power of a piece. As part of the plan, there are six interconnected forces in a rhetorical situation.

Exigence, Kiaros, Rhetor, Purpose, Genre, and Audience

I want to give a quick synopsis of each.

My friend Hiram taught me a valuable lesson on exigence. He explained that a particular girl in our FHE group had mastered this tactic. Exigence is the invitation to speak. This girl knew exactly what questions to ask to get a guy to talk. She would break the ice and draw them out of their shell. As soon as they were out, she would suddenly lack interest. But, it was the first initial invitation that keep the guys coming back. Now, if that isn't a battle plan, I don't know what is.

Simplistically stated, kiaros means the right timing. Writing is not only a process, but an art. It requires the author to artistically communicate their point of view at an appropriate time when the audience is most likely to receive it.

Rhetor has a lot to do with what you are taught as a kid. Think before you act. In this case think before you say something. This in itself is quite eloquently stated.

Females are experts at purpose. In writing, this is what you are trying to achieve by what you say. The reason females are excellent at purpose is for the sake of the concept: "a question behind a question." For example, if we were to ask, "What are you doing this weekend?" We might be trying to see if the recipient remembers this weekend is her birthday, an anniversary, or a special event. In a more personal experience, while at a football game, my date and I came upon the subject, for lack of a better term, "courting rudeness." I told him a story about how a guy, while walking with my friend and I, asked for her number in front of me. I mentioned, that a few minutes later, almost out of pity (or in his mind), politeness, he asked for my number as well. While telling the story I mentioned how inconsiderate this experience was. A few minutes after telling the story he turned to me and said, "That was about me, wasn't it?" Yes, yes it was.

If you have ever read a book in your life, or watched Netflix, you understand genre. This includes fiction, non fiction, bibliography, or action, romance, and comedy.

Think of this joke for example, "What is the difference between the MTC and prison?"..."In prison you can have visitors." Nearly everyone I know, including myself tries to come up with some sort of joke before speaking in sacrament meeting. In order to do so, you have to come up with something appropriate, funny, and relatable to the ward. If you understand who your audience is, all your jokes will be funny.

When you incorporate these six steps in writing, also known as interconnected forces, you will have the force. In writing, obviously.

Go Ye Unto All the Earth

Our bodies allow us to experience our life on earth in a deeper, more God-like way. “Our physical bodies create depth.” (Things as They Really Are – Ensign June 2010). Elder Bednar explains that we have feelings, urges, and tendencies that we are born to master. Our time on earth is brief and needs to be utilized so that we can return to our Heavenly Father in a more perfected form. Satan, however, has attempted to manipulate our feelings, urges, and tendencies in a way that wastes our time through misuse of social media. Whereas, in his talk “Sweep the Earth as a Flood,” he highlights the positivity and the righteous influence that these technologies can likewise have in our lives as well as in the lives of others.

            The Plan of Salvation requires us to live in a reality that is hard, trying, and often discouraging. Elder Bednar in his address, “Things as they Really Are,” warns us of “digital distractions, diversions, and detours,” that often feel more secure when faced with the alternative of reality. Satan has bombarded our lives with social media, TV, music, and video games to distract our minds and hearts from our true purpose. In contrast, illustrated in his talk “Sweep the Earth as a Flood,” God has provided technology as a way to communicate and send uplifting messages to the world. Through use of technology in missionary work, it can touch the lives of individuals who would not have otherwise heard about the gospel.

            As summarized from Joshua 24:15, “No man can serve two masters,” describes the two conflicting uses of technology in Bednar’s talks. We can’t be a part of the flood of the gospel when we are wasting our time on temporary satisfactions. In the talk “Sweep the Earth as a Flood,” we can spend time posting pictures, quotes, and messages of hope, as well as focusing our time on building lasting relationships with people we love. In our united effort we can reach the billions of people on social media sites and together prepare the world for the second coming of Christ.