KEEPIN IT REAL.

I don't care if he looks like a vampire. Fareed's solid.

2012-02-06T23:04:00.000-08:00

I originally posted this blab on facebook as a status update but, seeing as I haven't been bloggin, I figured it was long enough to parlay into a blog post. As found on my facebook:

***

A little Paulitickin -- more fanatical ravings from your favorite Mesa AZ Pinko Commy ;) :
I think Mitt Romney is one stand up brother. I think he could end up doing some good for the country if elected Pres. However, one of my biggest complaints about him is his foreign policy. He continually makes comments reminiscent of G.W. Bush advocating unilateralism, force, and interventionism (see the video as well as a bunch of others on youtube). Goin around flexing our muscles in everyone's faces isn't going to fix anything.

I've got no problem recognizing and being okay with the fact that we are one of the world's super-powers and have a moral obligation to be very engaged in global issues and conflict. However I'm far more partial to Obama's "soft power" approach -- recognizing that certain things we've done in the past have greatly diminished our moral authority in the world and also that, as Zakaria puts it, "the age of America's singular dominance, its unipolarity, has ended." This isn't on account of some "decline of America" but rather due to "the rise of everyone else." I think Zakaria's right -- the world has changed.

Continuing to act as if we're the world's only hope -- even if we are -- isn't gonna get us anywhere with the rest of the world.

It seems to me that in an increasingly globalized society, we've got to engage the world in a more diplomatic, less-hard-nosed way. That isn't to say that we've gotta be sissies -- we've just gotta realize the reality of the global situation and our changing role in it and be willing to adjust.

Whether we like it or not, if the world is a basketball team, the U.S. is seen by the other players as the egotistical star who is continually taking a go-it-alone, me-me-me, ball-hogging approach to the game, and dictating to all the others exactly what they need to do or else. Obama and the State Dept. under Hillary Clinton have gone a long way in trying to change this. I like it -- I think it's a big step in the right direction. And needless to say, I'm concerned about what seems to be Mitt's almost diametrically opposed stance.

Zakaria argues (and in my mind quite convincingly in light of the facts -- again, watch the video):

"Mitt, . . . chest-thumping triumphalism won't help you secure America's interests or ideals in a world populated by powerful new players. You can call this new century whatever you like, but it won't change reality."

Foreign policy is a big deal in my mind and it's been pretty overshadowed by all the economic talk. And perhaps rightly so -- the current state of the economy certainly is a huge deal. I like Fareed's take though and I think Mitt and the people of the United States ourselves would be pretty wise to at least consider it.

You don't have to agree with me -- I'm just another armchair politician. But check the video. At the very least, Fareed oughta make you think :).

***

Fareed Zakaria is definitely keepin it real. He's one of the few talking heads I turn to for thoughtful analysis of political stuff. He da man.

link to said video (cuz I don't know how to upload to my blog): http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/05/zakaria-its-a-new-world-mitt/?hpt=hp_t2

Mohandas K. Gandhi on Keepin It Real.

2012-01-08T22:24:00.000-08:00

A very special person in my life, knowing I'm a nerd and love to read religious-type stuff and to try to "seek out of the best books words of wisdom," gave me a book on Mohandas Gandhi for Christmas. So far it's given me hours of solid reading and wonderful inspiration and wisdom to think about. I watched the movie Gandhi at a really tough time of my life several years back and was pretty taken with the man and his life and what he was able to accomplish. He and his actions have rung true to me ever since. He truly was a "great soul." Anyway, I've been reading this book and lovin every minute of it. A few little gems of wisdom I found quite thrilling and figured I'd pass along to ya'll:

"It is the duty of every human being to look carefully within and see himself as he is, and spare no pains to improve himself in body, mind, and soul. He should realize the mischief wrought by injustice, wickedness, vanity, and the like, and do his best to fight them."

"The goal ever recedes from us. The greater the progress the greater the recognition of our unworthiness. Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment. Full effort is full victory."

"What is life worth without trials and tribulations, which are the salt of life? . . . I want you all to treasure death and suffering and to appreciate their cleansing and purifying character."

And the kicker:

"I know the path. It is straight and narrow. It is sharp as a razor. I rejoice to walk on it. When I slip, I weep. God's word is, he who strives never perishes. I have implicit faith in that promise. Though, therefore, from my weakness, I fail a thousand times, I will not lose faith."

Also love this one which was the very last bit of narration in the movie:

"Whenever I despair, I remember that the way of truth and love has always won. There may be tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they may seem invincible, but in the end, they always fail. Think of it: always."

Ghandi was keepin it real. Anyone would be wise to emulate his simple life of devotion to Truth and to God.

Saul Goode Attempts A Modest Musing on Modesty

2011-11-22T17:18:00.000-08:00

Step #1: WATCH THE VIDEO:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WtzIcz7MOkc

Step #2: INDULGE A BROTHER IN A RANT.

***Paul steps on the soapbox***

Very, very interesting. Ladies, please don't take this as some narrow-minded Mormon (meaning me, not the speaker of this video -- he's Catholic) trying to browbeat you into following some dogma. The science backs up the idea of modesty.

Do you want to be looked upon by men as some tool or object to be USED and EXPLOITED . . . as a means to an end . . . as "not fully human?" The science seems to prove that when you go scanty, that's what happens.

Or do you want to be seen for what you truly are -- an actual human being . . . a woman who has a BRAIN, a SPIRIT, and limitless potential? Then respect and hold sacred the beauty of your body :). Makes sense to me. Especially in light of this study, I think how you dress says a lot about you as a person and a lot about how much respect you do or do not have for yourself.

This is NOT to say that men get a free pass on issues of morality and modesty. I think it's obvious that men have objectified women since the beginning of time. That crap's gotta stop. But to say modern women themselves haven't contributed to the problem in the way they've been dressing especially since the 60's or so would be ridiculous. From Susan Fiske, author of the study:

“I think [the study] does relate to the effects of having pornography and sexualized images of women around and in the media because they spill over into how people treat women in general,” Fiske said, adding that these images may dehumanize women and encourage men to see them as objects. “You have to be aware of the effect of these images on people,” Fiske explained. “They’re not neutral. They do have an effect on how people think about other women.”
http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/2009/02/17/22773/

At various times, as is inevitable in the lives of thinky nerds like me, I've allowed myself to wonder if the men I sustain as prophets, due to their focus on spiritual matters and pressing issues of church organization, might be a little "out-of-touch" with the more modern issues of today's society. I wonder if their teachings might be a little dated or if they command in too many things. Whether or not it's right for me to entertain such thoughts, when I come across stuff like this little video, my faith in modern prophets and their counsel to us folks of the modern world -- including what many folks would call "prudish" and "repressive" counsel on modesty and clothing -- is strengthened.

***Paul steps off the soapbox***

Step #3: GIVE IT A THINK.

Another one of my main men and a true King of Keepin It, Mr. C.S. Lewis, "The Weight of Glory," and, as always, a brother's musings on said topic.

2011-11-13T21:38:00.001-08:00

I was reading "The Weight of Glory" by C.S. Lewis tonight and came upon some excellent thoughts that only Clive Staples could come up with. His ability to distill some of the most weighty, philosophically profound, and theologically complex theories and ideas into easily understood and practical principles for day-to-day living really does amaze me. He not only engaged in profound and deep thought and commentary on Christ's gospel ... he took the teachings and doctrines -- some of which, for me, can be quite hard to grasp -- and made them real and meaningful in a practical way. For me, as much as I like to learn, become informed about, and think and consider on Jesus's teachings, if I'm not making them an integral and governing part of my day-t0-day life, there's really no point in studying them. That's why I appreciate guys like Lewis. As Neal Maxwell said, "... discipleship requires all of us to translate doctrines, covenants, ordinances, and teachings into improved personal behavior. Otherwise we may be doctrinally rich but end up developmentally poor." ("Becoming A Disciple" From the June 1996 Ensign) In other words, it's important to me to not only KNOW and be familiar with Christ's teachings and to be conversant in them, but also to do my best to put my money where my mouth is ... to try, however imperfectly and failingly, to be a true disciple not only in word but in deed. In a few words, TO BE KEEPIN IT REAL.

Anyway, the passage that really impressed me tonight (and it's one of his most famous) has to do with man's ultimate glory and potential and goes as follows:

"It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship . . . There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations -- these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit. . . . Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses"

In thinking about this, I realized that day after day, it is these immortals -- my neighbors -- who I mistreat, ignore, judge, and offhandedly dismiss. It's something I think everyone does. Sometimes I do it with out even thinking. Sometimes it's willful. I don't know why I struggle so much in looking at others with a soft eye and seeing them as Christ does. I wanna do better at treating all with love, compassion, and mercy. Not just the ones who I feel deserve it, or the ones who I feel need it, but even those who, at first look, I'm compelled to do so with a narrowing of my eyebrows. I am just as undeserving of mercy and love as the obnoxious ASU frat boy. He has the self-same potential as I do to become, in some sense or another, a god (small "g"). I pray for the power and inspiration to see others as Christ does: as eternal beings with truly limitless potential, children of a Heavenly Father, and, most importantly, as my fellow pilgrims and brothers and sisters trying to get through life here on this Earth.

I do believe C.S. Lewis keeps it real to the fullest possible extent. Through reading his essays and books, he has inspired a fellow brother to search his soul, dig deeper, and to try better to put his money where his mouth is -- to be a doer of the word and not a hearer only. It's through this process that I've come to truly know Jesus Christ. As long and as hard as I've often tried to read about, study about, pray about, and comprehend Him and His message, it's only really been through taking action and trying to become more like Him by, as Neal Maxwell mentioned, "translat[ing] doctrines, covenants, ordinances, and teachings into improved personal behavior" that I have come to any personal knowledge of Christ. I do indeed try to become more like Him. Every day. And every day I fail. But, as cliche as it may sound, in one sense, it's the journey that is important-- not necessarily the destination. Becoming a disciple is a developmental process. It's a frustrating, soul-stretching, and sometimes agonizing process, but also the most exhilarating and important endeavor of my life. It's my own personal feeling that as I continue to stretch myself, as I reach out across the headlong deficit between where I am and where I want to be, as I recommit daily to living a more Christ-like and Christ-centered life, and, most importantly, as He continues to unfailingly reach out to me, in this deficit is where the Atonement takes place. He is always reaching out and as I am willing to reach out to Him through a sincere effort to live a life of love, humility, concern for my neighbor, and of consecrated discipleship, His grace and mercy and love slowly, even imperceptibly, make me into what He would have me be. This developmental process is the purpose for which I feel I/we are here on Earth, the ultimate goal of such a process being to become like Christ: "For when he shall appear, we shall be like him" (1 John 3: 2). It's my most sincere desire that I can one day, through his grace, be just like him.

Blogging on Sunday seems to have the effect of me bearing my inmost personal convictions. Maybe for the sake of the half-of-a-half-dozen folks who do read my blog and who are getting tired of all this personal/spiritual stuff, a brother oughta try to start blogging sometime during the week. Alas, Sunday seems to be the only day your very own Saul Goode finds the time (or maybe it's the energy) to really reflect and get down to life's nitty gritty. And the nitty gritty is the only thing that really inspires a brother to blog. At any rate, this is the second post in a month -- unprecedented in the history of Keepin It Real Blog Inc. That oughta stand for somethin.

My man Eugene England and "Why The Church Is As True As The Gospel"

2011-11-06T23:23:00.000-08:00

After I read the Good Book at night, I always enjoy reading some essays and commentaries on it, or at least on something having to do with spirituality or the gospel. Tonight I reread one of my favorites by my main man Eugene England (#1 Mormon writer EVER), "Why The Church Is As True As The Gospel." If I had to point to one writer who has, more than any other, really stimulated my mind and heart when it comes to things of practical spirituality and Christian discipleship, Eugene would be that writer.

Anyway, I think about how many times I've heard folks say, often times in response to someone griping about how they've been treated at church or by a fellow member, something to the effect of, "Well, the 'gospel' is perfect. The 'church' on the other hand, is imperfect cuz it's made up of fallen and imperfect human beings" -- that the Church is still true, DESPITE the human imperfections found in it. England argues quite the opposite: that the "church" is every bit as true as the "gospel" -- that the Church is true NOT DESPITE it's imperfections, but in fact, BECAUSE of it's imperfections. Sounds paradoxical and even nonsensical, but I love the idea and have found it to be quite true in my own experience. Here are just a few of the many passages from the essay that I so dig:

****

--One cliché Mormons often repeat is that while the gospel is true, even perfect, the Church is, after all, a human instrument, historybound, and therefore understand- ably imperfect—something to be endured for the sake of the gospel Nevertheless, I am persuaded by experiences and by my best thinking that, in fact, the Church is as “true,” as effective, as sure an instrument of salvation as the system of doctrines we call the gospel—and that is so in good part because of the very flaws, human exasperations, and historical problems that occasionally give us all some anguish.

--Martin Luther, with prophetic perception, wrote, “Marriage is the school of love”—that is, marriage is not the home or the result of love so much as the school. I believe that any good church is a school of love and that the LDS church, for most people, perhaps all, is the best one ... not just because its doctrines teach and embody some of the great and central paradoxes [of human existence] but, more important, because the Church provides the best context for struggling with, working through, enduring, and being redeemed by those paradoxes and oppositions that give energy and meaning to the universe.

--Just before his death, Joseph Smith, with prophetic perception, wrote, “By proving contraries, truth is made manifest.” By “prove” he meant not only to demonstrate logically but to test, to struggle with, and to work out in practical experience. The Church is as true—as effective—as the gospel because it involves us directly in proving contraries, working constructively with the oppositions within ourselves and especially between people, struggling with paradoxes and polarities at an experiential level that can redeem us. The Church is true because it is concrete, not theoretical; in all its contradictions and problems, it is at least as productive of good as is the gospel.

--There is constant encouragement, even pressure, to be “active”: to "have a calling” and thus to have to grapple with relationships and management, with other people's ideas and wishes, their feelings and failures; to attend classes and meetings and to have to listen to other people’s sometimes misinformed or prejudiced notions and to have to make some construc- tive response; to have leaders and occasionally to be hurt by their weakness and blindness, even unrighteous dominion; and then to be made a leader and find that you, too, with all the best intentions, can be weak and blind and unrighteous. Church involvement teaches us compassion and patience as well as courage and discipline. It makes us responsible for the personal and marital, physical, and spiritual welfare of people we may not already love (or may even heartily dislike), and thus we learn to love them. It stretches and challenges us, though disappointed and exasperated, in ways we would not otherwise choose to be— and thus gives us a chance to be made better than we might choose to be, but ultimately need and want to be.

****

Whenever I come back and reread any of England's stuff, I find my testimony and belief in God, as well as what I believe to be His Church, strengthened. It's like the Good Book in that I find new answers, insights, and inspiration each time I read stuff like this and it makes me wanna share it. Hence this little note.

If you dig these little excerpts as much as I do, check out the whole essay:

http://eugeneengland.org/wp-content/uploads/sbi/articles/1999_e_004.pdf

Eugene keeps it real like few other brothers do.

A coupla interesting articles by a gay man and a formerly gay man as well as some musings by Mr. Saul Goode.

2011-07-06T15:49:00.000-07:00

I've recently come across some super interesting articles dealing with the ongoing issue of homosexuality, how it's caused, and whether it can be reversed. It's an issue I got pretty interested in back a couple of years ago with the California Prop 8 and Arizona Prop 102 campaigns. At any rate, just like so many social/political issues, it's a TOUGH one with no easy answers as far as I see it. It gets so complicated with so many opposing religious and secular viewpoints and strongly held feelings and opinions and emotions and judgements that sometimes it just flat out makes me sick. Anyway, here are two articles that shed some interesting light on the issue, mainly the controversy of whether gay/lesbian folks can change their orientation. The first is by a former gay rights activist, Michael Glatze who claims to have re-oriented himself sexually and is now an Evangelical Christian. And when I say gay rights activist, I mean a pretty hardcore activist editing and publishing gay/lesbian magazines, organizing and leading gay rights groups, etc. The second is an article by Benoit Denizet-Lewis, a friend of Glatze's from his gay activist days who remains gay and remains part of the movement. As I tried my best to read with an open mind (complete objectivity is rarely possible especially in such polarizing issues as this), both articles had some quite compelling, even fascinating arguments so I thought I'd pass em on.

I'm quite aware of how much pain and anguish gay and lesbian people go through as they struggle with their own sexuality, especially in my own church and community. I know of and even know personally some various individuals from various Christian churches and denominations who have and are struggling to reconcile their unaccountable and even unwanted sexual urges with the rather clear condemnation of homosexual practices taught by books they fervently believe to be Holy Scripture. These are folks who, through no fault of their own, find themselves physically attracted to members of their same gender. For some it's due to childhood abuse, for others it seems to be due to some other traumatic life event, and for some it even seems to be inborn. Each individual situation is quite unique and I don't feel that it's up to me or anyone else to dictate to another why they feel this way or what they should feel. Some have chosen to struggle against their same-gender attraction. Of these, some have sought psychiatric and spiritual help and have felt they have overcome it and now lead married heterosexual lives while others for whatever reason have not been able to overcome it and have chosen a life of celibacy rather than go against what they believe is God's law. Some I know have become convinced that homosexuality is simply the way they are wired, that it is an integral part of who they are, and that to attempt to change it -- even if change was possible -- would be to deny their very selves. No matter how these people have chosen to live their lives, I respect them as courageous individuals who are capable of making their own decisions, often times at great personal cost.

Those who choose to fight rather than give into what seems to them to be a natural urge and temptation often have a lifelong burden to carry -- a lonely, woefully misunderstood burden especially within my own belief system (I'm LDS) as well as Christianity at large. There are many who appear to be misinformed or even willfully ignorant of the issues surrounding homosexuality and who continue to view homosexuals as some kind of voluntary perverts who just need to flip a switch in their mind and quit indulging in dirt and filth. As far as folks like these are concerned, homosexuals need only to "get with Jesus," or "just pray your gay away" and a lot of other extremely ignorant, offensive, and insensitive remarks. Like I said, I've come across some who have successfully sexually re-oriented through fasting, prayer and counseling. But as I've read more, probed deeper, and tried my best to become educated, it seems situations like those are the exception rather than the rule. Often times homosexual urges, even after long sleepless nights and calloused knees, are a lifelong burden to carry.

As a believing Mormon and a sincere-as-I-possibly-can-be yet imperfect Christian, I believe that mortality is a life of temptation and trial for each one of us (take a look at the first few chapters of Genesis) and that it is our individual privilege and right to give our burdens and our sinful temptations and our guilt over to God and to thereby be renewed. We will all be faced with unique, personalized temptations and trials. It seems some, for myriad different reasons peculiar to each individual's situation, are meant, in the infinite wisdom of a Supreme Creator, to shoulder this unique burden of homosexual attraction. My heart goes out to people I know who, like Michael Glatze, sincerely try to live their life in accordance with what their Scripture tells them, even when it seems to go against what their body and their sexual urges seem to be telling them. Theirs is a tough, and many times, lonely road and I admire their courage and conviction. My heart also goes out to those I know who have rejected Christianity and embraced the gay/lesbian lifestyle due in no small part to the ignorance and bigotry displayed by some who claim to follow Him who preached unconditional love and charity for all. To them I'd like to say that you are some of the most sensitive and kind people I've ever known and although I may disagree with your lifestyle and how you choose to conduct yourselves sexually, I absolutely love you as my fellow sojourners here on the earth and as my literal brothers and sisters of a loving Heavenly Father.

As you can see, these couple of articles kinda turned on the blogging/facebook note-writing juices in a brother's mind. I'm grateful to both Michael Glatze as well as Benoit-Denizet Lewis for writing such thought-provoking articles and I respect and revere each of their viewpoints. Glatze comes off pretty strident at times but I'm willing to chalk that up to simple passion and deep feeling for what he's writing and I admire that. Lewis seems quite sensitive and thoughtful and offers a unique perspective and insight into what it means to be homosexual. It's a difficult thing these days to say what you really and truly feel without getting mean and bitter. These two dudes, although at times in each article the divisiveness and bitterness became apparent, largely succeeded at such a goal. Folks on both sides of every divisive issue engage in so much bitterness and rancor that to find two dudes brave enough to thoughtfully and (mostly) civilly lay out what they think and the reasoning behind it is rare. The sad thing is that each side continues to malign, vilify, and willfully misinterpret the opposite side's position (look at the comments on each article). I'm so sick to death of folks like O'Reilly and Olbermann and others who do just that but I've rambled too much as it is so I'm done. I promise.

Feel free to opine at will if so desired.

Oh, and here are the links to the articles:

Glatze:

http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=56487

Lewis:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/19/magazine/my-ex-gay-friend.html?_r=2&pagewanted=all

And thank you to John Dehlin for originally posting the articles. He's a good good dude and I wouldn't've found em without him!

Just a quick Easter message from your very own Saul Goode.

2011-04-24T12:19:00.000-07:00

I've been prepping a quorum lesson here today but I figured I wanted to take a quick second to let some things loose out into the blogging world that are the closest to my heart.

I've never been one for effusive parading around of one's beliefs but on this particular day I'd like to testify of Jesus Christ, His Gospel of FORGIVENESS, HEALING, REDEMPTION, and LOVE for all of His children throughout the Earth. Through frequent thought, prayer, and meditation on Him, His mission, His teachings, and the inspired words of the scriptures, I have come to experience His grace and Atonement in my life and I try the best I can on a daily basis to be a true disciple of His. Through Him and Him alone I live and have my being and am forgiven of my sins and I can commend Him and His Gospel to ANYONE seeking healing of the broken heart, redemption from guilt and sin, and a #1 buddy and partner in life.

A few classic scriptures that have been on my mind this week, and then what I feel to be a truly inspired song recorded by my homegirl, Alison Krauss, and written by a committed Christian who also happens to be Alison's guitar and banjo player, Ron Block:

Psalm 147: 3

He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

John 13: 34-35

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Matthew 5: 43-46

Yehave heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; . . . For if ye love only them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

Helaman 5: 12

Remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation . . . which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

2 Nephi 25: 26

And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

Luke 9: 23

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Matthew 11: 29-30

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

"A Living Prayer"

In this world I walk alone
With no place to call my home,
But there's one who holds my hand
Through rugged roads, through barren lands.
The way is dark, the road is steep,
But He's become my eyes to see,
The strength to climb, my griefs to bear.
The Savior lives inside me there.

In Your love I find relief,
A haven from my unbelief.
Take my life and let me be
A living prayer, my God, to Thee.

In these trials of life I find
Another voice inside my mind.
He comforts me and bids me live
Inside the love the Father gives.

In Your love I find relief,
A haven from my unbelief.
Take my life and let me be
A living prayer, my God, to Thee.

Take my life and let me be
A living prayer, my God, to Thee.

--Ron Block (from Alison Krauss's wonderful album, Lonely Runs Both Ways)

a link to a truly marvelous performance of said song by Alison and her band:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6qTv771Sus

Just a quick Easter message from your very own Saul Goode.

Some random thoughts. You know... what blogging people do.

2010-10-01T00:23:00.000-07:00

I guess I'll blog. It's been a while and I know the people who read this thing -- both of em -- have probably been pulling their hair out in impatience. The problem is I don't ever really know what to blog about. I guess I'm just a lazy blogger. But it's late and I should be in bed dreaming of court cases and the functions and limitations of the judiciary and all that school bullcrap but I took a stellar nap this afternoon that went waaaaay to long and consequently woke up a little bit ago bright eyed and bushy tailed as hell, so, to the comp I rolled, cracked my knuckes, and here I am. Gettin my blog on.

I've been pretty thinky lately. Sometimes I enjoy just sittin and thinkin. In fact sometimes I wonder if I enjoy it too much. Thinking things over in endless detail is a heck of a lot easier than actually DOING. I've always tried to make a point of being a "doer" and following through on thoughts that I have and stepping out of my neat little mind and taking risks. I think I do pretty well at it actually. Yet I know sometimes I probably spend a bit too much time mulling things over and thinking things out. I guess it's just the way I am. But the fact is it's always funner and more exciting when I jump out of my own little world and actually engage the world, and especially the PEOPLE, around me. I'm sure it's something everybody struggles with. I've been getting better at it. I enjoy it.

Life is one crazy deal no doubt about it. I find out almost on a daily basis how little control I have over things. That's never been a hard thing for me really. Flying by the seat of my pants and just rolling with the punches has always come kinda natural to me. Most of the time anyway. Some things come along and sock you in the kisser so hard that you don't know up from down. But overall I'm able to find quite a bit of serenity and acceptance as far as all the things I can't control.

However, the last couple years I've been trying to take more of a responsibility for what I CAN control. I've been planning a lot more. I've been trying to wake up earlier and get the day goin and not rolling out of bed at the last possible second. (Sometimes I kinda suck at that one.) I've been trying to manage my time and quit wastin as much of it as I have in the past. As liberating as it is to just go with the flow of things and roll with the punches, I've found it's just as liberating and empowering to plan and to assume more control of what you are able to. Not that I never did in the past, but I get crap DONE these days. Going with the flow has always been a lot more second-nature to me but as I've learned to take more responsibility of the few things that I CAN control, I find a lot of fulfillment.

I'll always be a laid-back easy-going type. Being that way is a good thing and one of my strengths. Rarely is anything too big of a deal. I don't fly off the handle about crap that happens. First name Saul, last name Goode. But learning to be a bit more pro-active has brought a new dimension to life that wasn't completely there before. Needless to say, I DIG IT. I've got a plan, I know what I want in life, I'm gonna pursue it confidently. At the same time I'm gonna, as my man Bob Frost said, "Let what will be, be." Life isn't gonna be a party all the time and I'm gonna have to continue to roll with the punches. As far as I can see, it's a balance between the two opposite poles. A blog I read one time quite a while ago seemed to articulate this point pretty nicely:

"Keepin it real, as far as I'm concerned, is all about keepin perspective, realizing that life's not a party but an adventure, bein who you are but not takin yourself too seriously, rollin with the punches and havin fun whenever you can, all while goin confidently in the direction you choose. KEEPIN IT REAL."

Dang if this guy didn't have stuff figured out.

Anyway, it's late and past a brother's bedtime.

Some more of life's musings to turn loose into the blogging abyss.

I oughta post more pictures on here. Most hardcore bloggers litter their page with photos and pithy comments pertaining thereto. I on the other hand don't even have a dang camera. But, my dad does and he takes photos galore so I looked in his iPhoto thing and found some classics.

I'll post a picture of the individual who keeps it more real than anybody I know, the one and only, the lone and singlehanded security staff of the Garns compound, my dog and my DOGG (there is a difference yet in this particular case the 2 terms coincide), Augustus M. Garns:

Just keepin it.

THE NIB: Total stallion, committed Marmon, and intellectual baller.

2010-07-07T20:23:00.000-07:00

Tonight I was nerding it up as usual, re-reading one of my favorite essays by Hugh Nibley, "Zeal Without Knowledge" and I've gotta throw some excerpts from it out into the blogging abyss for anybody who might be interested. He's talking about what he encounters as a teacher at BYU and the intellectual and spiritual arrogance he's a witness to. It was written in the late 70's and first published in the summer 1978 issue of Dialogue (it was in a bunch of my dad's back issues that I first found it) but is just as relevant today and not only to folks at BYU but to all members of the church. In fact the attitude he addresses and talks about is probably only MORE prevalent now than in his day. I see it in others, I see it every day just dealing with different folks at work and school, I see it every Sunday at church, and, what's most unsettling, I see it in myself. Give it a look and tell me what you think. I think he's spot on.

Nibley's well-known inside and outside the Mormon world as one of our best scholars and defenders of the faith but this essay shows a different side of him -- that of cultural critic and rallier (probably not a word but who cares?). The footnotes are still embedded in the text but I'm not ambitious enough to go through and remove em. And in case you were wondering, since you can't click on the footnotes to get the source of the quote, most of the quotes he uses are from Teachings of The Prophet Joseph Smith or the Doctrine & Covenants. To get the full citations and stuff go to the link to the full essay below. This is only a small part of the whole essay so if you wanna read the whole thing, which I recommend to all wannabe armchair Mormon scholars like myself, you can go here:

http://emp.byui.edu/ANDERSONKC/Zeal%20Without%20Knowledge.pdf

And without any further worthless musings from yours truly, let's let my man Nib get it on!

Take it away, Nib:

Our search for knowledge should be ceaseless, which means that it is open-ended, never resting on laurels, degrees, or past achievements. "If we get puffed up by thinking that we have much knowledge, we are apt to get a contentious spirit," and what is the cure? "Correct knowledge is necessary to cast out that spirit." (23) The cure for inadequate knowledge is "ever more light and knowledge." But who is going to listen patiently to correct knowledge if he thinks he has the answers already? "There are a great many wise men and women too in our midst who are too wise to be taught; therefore they must die in their ignorance." (24) "I have tried for a number of years to get the minds of the Saints prepared to receive the things of God; but we frequently see some of them . . . [that] will fly to pieces like glass as soon as anything comes that is contrary to their traditions: they cannot stand the fire at all . . . . (25) [If I] go into an investigation into anything, that is not contained in the Bible . . . I think there are so many over-wise men here, that they would cry 'treason' and put me to death." (26) But, he asks, "why be so certain that you comprehend the things of God, when all things with you are so uncertain?" (27) True knowledge never shuts the door on more knowledge, but zeal often does. One thinks of the dictum: "We are not seeking for truth at the BYU; we have the truth!" So did Adam and Abraham have the truth, far greater and more truth than what we have, and yet the particular genius of each was that he was constantly "seeking for greater light and knowledge."

The young, with their limited knowledge are particularly susceptible to excessive zeal. Why do it the hard way, they ask at the BYU, when God has given us the answer book? The answer to that is, because if you use the answer book for your Latin or your math, or anything else, you will always have a false sense of power and never learn the real thing. "The people expect to see some wonderful manifestation, some great display of power," says Joseph Smith, "or some extraordinary miracle performed; and it is often the case that young members of this Church, for want of better information, carry along with them their old notions of things, and sometimes fall into egregious errors." (28) "Be careful about sending boys to preach the Gospel to the world," said Joseph Smith. Why? Certainly not because they lacked zeal, that's the one thing they had. The Prophet explains: "Lest they become puffed up, and fall under condemnation . . . beware of pride . . . . apply yourselves diligently to study, that your minds may be stored with all necessary information." (29) That is doing it the hard way. Can't the Spirit hurry things up? No--there is no place for the cram course or quickie, or above all the superficial survey course or quick trips to the Holy Land, where the gospel is concerned. "We consider that God has created man with a mind capable of instruction, and a faculty which may be enlarged in proportion to the heed and diligence given to the light communicated from heaven to the intellect . . . but . . . no man ever arrived in a moment: he must have been instructed . . . by proper degrees." (30) "The things of God are of deep import; and time, and experience, and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts . . . stretch as high as the utmost heavens." (31) No short-cuts or easy lessons here! Note well that the Prophet makes no distinction between things of the spirit and things of the intellect. Some years ago, when it was pointed out that BYU graduates were the lowest in the nation in all categories of the graduate record examination, the institution characteristically met the challenge by abolishing the examination. It was done on the grounds that the test did not sufficiently measure our unique "spirituality." We talked extensively about "the education of the whole man," and deplored that educational imbalance that comes when students' heads are merely stuffed with facts--as if there was any danger of that here! But actually, serious imbalance is impossible if one plays the game honestly: true zeal feeds on knowledge, true knowledge cannot exist without zeal. Both are "spiritual" qualities. All knowledge is the gospel, but there must be a priority, "proper degrees," as he says, in the timing and emphasis of our learning, lest like the doctors of the Jews, we "strain at a gnat and swallow a camel."

Furthermore, since one person does not receive revelation for another, if we would exchange or convey knowledge, we must be willing to have our knowledge tested. The gifted and zealous Mr. Olney was "disfellowshipped, because he would not have his writings tested by the word of God," according to Joseph Smith. (32) Not infrequently,Latter-day Saints tell me that they have translated a text or interpreted an artifact, or been led to an archaeological discovery as a direct answer to prayer, and that for me to question or test the results is to question the reality of revelation; and often I am asked to approve a theory or "discovery" which I find unconvincing, because it has been the means of bringing people to the Church. Such practitioners are asking me to take their zeal as a adequate substitute for knowledge, but like Brother Olney, they refuse to have their knowledge tested. True, "it needs revelation to assist us, and give us knowledge of the things of God," (33) but only the hard worker can expect such assistance: "It is not wisdom that we should have all knowledge at once presented before us; but that we should have little at a time; then we can comprehend it." (34) We must know what we are doing, understand the problem, live with it, lay a proper foundation--how many a Latter-day Saint has told me that he can understand the scriptures by pure revelation and does not need to toil at Greek or Hebrew as the Prophet and the Brethren did in the School of the Prophets at Kirtland and Nauvoo? Even Oliver Cowdery fell into that trap and was rebuked for it. (D&C 9.) "The principle of knowledge is the principle of salvation. This principle can be comprehended by the faithful and diligent," says the Prophet Joseph. (35) New converts often get the idea that, having accepted the gospel, they have arrived at adequate knowledge. Others say that to have a testimony is to have everything--they have sought and found the kingdom of heaven; but their minds go right on working just the same, and if they don't keep on getting new and testable knowledge, they will assuredly embrace those "wild, enthusiastic notions" of the new converts in Kirtland. Note what a different procedure Joseph Smith prescribes: "[The] first Comforter or Holy Ghost has no other effect than pure intelligence [it is not a hot, emotional surge]. It is more powerful in expanding the mind, enlightening the understanding, and storing the intellect with present knowledge, of a man who is of the literal seed of Abraham, than one who is a Gentile." (36) "For as the Holy Ghost falls upon one of the literal seed of Abraham, it is calm and serene; and his whole soul and body are only exercised by the pure spirit of intelligence." (37) "The Spirit of Revelation is in connection with these blessings. A person may profit by noticing the first intimation of the spirit of revelation; for instance, when you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas . . . thus, by learning the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation." (38) This is remarkably like the new therapeutic discipline called "biofeedback."

The emphasis is all on the continuous, conscientious, honest acquisition of knowledge. This admonition to sobriety and diligence goes along with the Prophet's outspoken recommendation of the Jews and their peculiar esteem and diligence for things of the mind. "If there is anything calculated to interest the mind of the Saints, to awaken in them the finest sensibilities, and arouse them to enterprise and exertion, surely it is the great and precious promises to . . . Abraham and . . . Judah . . . and inasmuch as you feel interested for the covenant people of the Lord, the God of their fathers shall bless you. . . . He will endow you with power, wisdom, might and intelligence, and every qualification necessary: while your minds will expand wider and wider, until you can . . . contemplate the mighty acts of Jehovah in all their variety and glory." (39) In Israel today, they have great contests in which young people and old from all parts of the world display their knowledge of scripture and skill at music, science, or mathematics, etc., in grueling competitions. This sort of thing tends to breed a race of insufferably arrogant, conceited little show-offs -- and magnificent performers. They tend to be like the Jews of old, who "sought for things that they could not understand," ever "looking beyond the mark," and hence falling on their faces: "they needs must fall." (Jacob 4:14.) Yet Joseph Smith commends their intellectual efforts as a corrective to the Latter-day Saints, who lean too far in the other direction, giving their young people and old awards for zeal alone, zeal without knowledge--for sitting in endless meetings, for dedicated conformity, and unlimited capacity for suffering boredom. We think it more commendable to get up at 5:00 a.m. to write a bad book than to get up at nine o'clock to write a good one--that is pure zeal that tends to breed a race of insufferable, self-righteous prigs and barren minds. One has only to consider the present outpouring of "inspirational" books in the Church which bring little new in the way of knowledge: truisms, and platitudes, kitsch, and cliches have become our everyday diet. The Prophet would never settle for that. "I advise you to go on to perfection and search deeper and deeper into the mysteries of Godliness . . . . It has always been my province to dig up hidden mysteries, new things, for my hearers." (40) It actually happens at the BYU, and that not rarely, that students come to a teacher, usually at the beginning of a term, with the sincere request that he refrain from teaching them anything new. They have no desire, they explain, to hear what they do not know already! I cannot imagine that happening at any other school, but maybe it does. Unless we go on to other new things, we are stifling our powers.

Word to Nib for keepin it real.

More Paulitickin. Thoughts on the new AZ Immigration Bill -- for whatever it's worth.

2010-04-30T20:22:00.000-07:00

"I will not back off until we solve the problem of this illegal invasion. Invaders, that's what they are. Invaders on the American sovereignty and it can't be tolerated." --Russell Pearce, sponsor of SB1070

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88125098

Russ Pearce AIN'T keepin it real. He's outta line with this statement and so is his recent law. In my personal experience with many illegal immigrants, they're not "invaders" -- they're humble, honest, and compassionate human beings looking for a better life for themselves and their families. They're some of the best people I know. Yeah, I've known some who are dirtbags but they're few and far between. Anyway, I know plenty of white U.S. citizens who are dirtbags too. But to Pearce, Arpaio, and folks like them, any Mexican who is here illegally (and in some cases even those who are here LEGALLY) SEEMS to be automatically stereotyped as a wetback criminal slime ball who has only come here to "invade" on us and our way of life. Not cool. I realize that Pearce and the Arizona Republican Legislature probably came up with this law out of a real, and, in my opinion, justified frustration with the Federal Government who for the last 25+ years has turned a blind eye to its constitutional power of securing the borders. President after president, house after house, and senate after senate have willfully ignored the issues of immigration. They've all been a bunch of sissies who were unwilling to touch it for a bunch of stupid political reasons. So, due to national politicians being a bunch of can't hack it panty waists who are afraid to do what needs to be done, our borders are woefully unsecure and porous which is frustrating and even dangerous to border states like us.

The problem is that just across the wire in Mexico, there are people living in abject poverty and in some cases constant danger-- cardboard huts for houses, little food, no work, cities run by drug lords, corrupt police and politicians, and the list goes on. These folks hear about the U.S. and the prosperity, the job opportunities, the quality of life, and say to themselves, "Vamanos carnales! Let's get outta this hell hole and see what we can do in the 'land of opportunity!'" They get to the border and find there's a swampload of bureaucratic hoops to jump through, papers to show that they don't even have or have ever even HEARD of, and a timetable of months to sometimes YEARS to even get STARTED on the pinche process of naturalization that'll take even longer. So, when they hear that they go a few miles east or west and walk across the desert, jump a few fences, or swim a river to get to the "promised land" and on their way to prosperity, they say to themselves (and in my opinion understandably and even RIGHTLY), "Screw it! I'm gettin across this stupid border anyway I can so I can get to Mesa AZ to work with Pablo Garns that guero vato loco at Garlock Custom Contracting and start makin some serious dough of 8 bucks an hour!" I can't find it in myself to blame anyone who does this. It's like lining people up 50 yards from bags of gold, putting a 3 foot high picket fence between, and saying, "Alright, folks. You're not allowed to casually hop this fence, grab a bag of gold, and enjoy it." (And come on -- who WOULDN'T want to dig holes and sling drywall mud side by side day in and day out with yours truly?)

The problem I have with Russell Pearce, our Republican Congress, and their SB 1070 is that it targets these good people who come here for a better life. It DOESN'T secure the borders, it DOESN'T target the human smugglers, it DOESN'T target the drug smugglers, it DOESN'T target the fools who DO come here to raise hell -- it targets, without any type of scrutiny, the honest, unassuming, hard-working Mexicans who are here because they saw the opportunity for a better life for themselves and their family and, God forbid, THEY TOOK IT. And what's more, it's targeting them using stereotypes and racial profiling at best, out-n-out bigotry at worst. It has the potential to tear apart families and in the end create even MORE resentment between Mexican and white populations. Rather than addressing the problem AT IT'S SOURCE -- the PINCHE BORDER, Pearce and the legislature are targeting INDIVIDUALS and doing it in a wholly unsatisfactory way.

I'm afraid I get fired up about this (as you can clearly see). Some folks might say, "Come on Paul, you're just trying to make this personal, to tug at our heartstrings, to make us FEEL." I'd hope so. It IS personal for me. I know many immigrants, legal and illegal, who, like I said above, are the most humble, loving, intelligent, honest people, who would give you their last sopapilla, but who stand to get harassed and screwed for just trying to live their damn life in the United States. It's personal to me and it's even MORE personal to them. In my experience, these folks are just happy to be here and happy to be alive. To Russell Pearce and the legislature, these folks are just happy to be here ... as well as happy to "invade" and leech off of us and purposely make our lives as miserable as they can. I don't know Russ Pearce and he may be a fine dude and I honestly don't think he's a "bigot" as some have called him, but that's what this bill is saying to the millions of Hispanics in Arizona. I understand the frustration he and others and MYSELF have with the Federal Government and its inability to do what it's expressly supposed to. But let's not take out on those who are here, most of whom, as I've said before and you're probably tired of hearing it, are GOOD PEOPLE. Maybe the only good thing that comes of this hoopla about the Arizona bill is that maybe Congress'll finally get some backbone, get up off their culos, and get some immigration reform happenin.

I usually try to keep pretty quiet and to keep my own counsel about stuff like this -- to more or less KEEP IT REAL-- but sometimes my mind erupts and that's when I end up soundin off on a facebook note and my blog. If you find any value in what I said, or if you disagree in any way, lemme hear it. This is why I put this stuff out -- in the hope that folks can continue to think about stuff and have some enjoyable, informed, even heated discussion. If I come off overly strident or mean-spirited, I apologize. I AM passionate about stuff but I TRY my best to be reasonable and fair in my judgements. Sometimes I'm afraid I don't succeed but I do try. This is stuff we can talk about and discuss and I love talking and discussing as long as we keep cool heads and realize that just because we might disagree on stuff, it doesn't make ANYONE a moron, a retard, evil, etc. As my man Ralph Emerson said, "Let me never fall into the VULGAR mistake of feeling persecuted whenever I'm contradicted." So -- whatchu think?

Steve Walker -- Testimony, Truth, and Keepin It Real

2010-03-03T18:45:00.000-08:00

I've recently come across an essay that is so bad to the bone and so reflects my thoughts on what we mormons call "testimony" that I've just gotta share it. It's by a Professor out of BYU named Steve Walker. He talks about his mormon testimony and the how and why of his personal belief. I ran it by Old Al, The Garns Paterfamilias, and other than being very enthusiastic about it, he said that Steve Walker is the source of one of my favorite quotes: "Life's a crap sandwich and I take the biggest damn bite of it that I can every day." I thought Al had come up with it but no -- he ripped it off Steve Walker. I knew I liked this guy. Anyways, the essay's real interesting, thought provoking, and all around dope -- and not just because he's a professor of literature although that's what first drew me to it. If this brother ain't keepin it real, then I don't know who is. Here are just a few of his thoughts that I thought were pretty sweet:

"Truth is the stuff that features transparency, doesn’t get nervously defensive, fears no questions. We can recognize truth by its open arms, its open invitation to investigation."

"I’m anything but naive about how vulnerable faith can be to fact. A BYU classmate left the Church when she found out about the Mountain Meadows massacre. My two best friends at Harvard, after reading a 1968 Newsweek article about the Church’s stand on blacks, would have nothing more to do with anything Mormon, especially me. My favorite brother-in-law lost his faith when a high councilor scammed him with a Dream Mine investment. My ten-year co-author drifted away from Mormonism into agnosticism as his researchings lead him into some of the dark sides of Church history. My closest faculty colleague, a friend whose life featured the most dramatic healing miracle I’ve witnessed, disavowed his belief because 'poststructuralism makes more sense.'

Maybe it’s some kind of intellectual defense mechanism with me. Maybe I just lack imagination. But seeing from an inside perspective the things that have soured the faith of my friends—intelligent friends, goodhearted friends, big-souled friends whose views I not only respect but admire—seeing up close and personally the precise evidence that has eroded the faith of my friends has somehow enhanced my faith.

If that appears to you to be in any way heroic, the result of determined orthodoxy, think again. I suspect the enduring strength of my faith has more to do with realistic examination of the evidence than with any sort of moral stamina. And if my faith seems to you hardheadedly mulish or lightheadedly Pollyannaish, think again again. I suspect the resilience of my faith has more to do with honesty of doubt than with ignoring negative evidence."

"Faith can be a kind of clinging to certainties, a theological Linus’s blanket. But to me faith is at its best a refusing to close any doors to potential truth, however hard the winds of possibility may blow. That might be just my natural contrariousness; I’m a born professor, a person who naturally thinks otherwise. I find myself more conservatively orthodox in Boston than in Provo, more spiritually engaged teaching English than teaching seminary.

I’m not trying to pull intellectual rank on disbelievers. Nor do I think they’re insincere, or self-deluded. The last thing I wish to suggest is a stereotype of those who see faith differently than I do. But I can’t help noticing a definite pattern among the people I know who’ve lost their Mormon faith. The pattern is not what we tend too simplistically to think—not sin leading to rationalization. Nor does the faith erosion I’ve observed result from standing so close to the secular evidence as to be burned by it. In every instance where I’ve seen faith lost I was at least as familiar with the negative evidence as the friends for whom that same evidence triggered disillusionment.

The pattern in every loss of faith I’ve observed is not overreaching into too much learning. It is, rather, uninformed expectations. It is an insistence on perfection in anything religious that sets up overidealizing believers for inevitable disillusionment. Far from being too much learning, the consistent cause of the loss of faith I have seen is in fact too little learning, or learning too late. Every person I know who’s lost faith has been a true believer of the straight arrow Eagle Scout “best two years of my life” missionary variety until the messy facts caught up with their faultless ideals.

That theological naivete may explain why, as Tennyson has it, “there lives more faith in honest doubt, believe me, than in half the creeds.” It’s certainly why my personal faith is deeply invested in the facts of my secular academic discipline. I find God sometimes in church. I find Him more often in scripture, still more often in nature. I find Him a lot in people. I find Him surprisingly often in literature. I don’t expect others to find Him where I do, to share the spirituality that is so real to me in my academic discipline—it’s too intricately and idiosyncratically integrated into the most personal dimensions of my personal testimony. But that spirit is very real to me."

--For the rest of his essay without my slicing and dicing, check this: http://mormonscholarstestify.org/601/steve-walker

I share this out of a pretty intense frustration that I've had for quite a while: that so many folks out there see mormons (and often times theists i general) as a bunch of self-deluded, willfully ignorant, intellectually dishonest bumpkins who close their ears to any contrary argument, anything that might challenge their beliefs, anything that might make them uncomfortable -- who throw their heads into the ground like an ostrich whenever someone questions --however honestly -- how they could be so arrogant to say, "I know this church is true." Folks sometimes seem to jump to the automatic conclusion that anyone (and in my limited experience, especially any mormon) who ascribes to any kind of organized religion must be an ignoramus, a weak-minded fool who can't deal with the realities of life and needs some linus blanket of false security.

I can't help but be somewhat sympathetic to this view as for quite a while I shared it. I was a thoroughgoing closet doubter for 5 or so years of my life. During that time, in my mind, the mormons I knew -- including my closest friends and family-- were, at some level, unthinking, deluded, uninformed, yet absolutely sincere folks who tried to do the right thing but just didn't get how ludicrous their beliefs were. As much as I thought I WANTED that same security and depth of feeling that they enjoyed, I couldn't bring my rational mind to believe it.

Obviously I am now a very active, card carrying, believing mormon, but how I got there is a different story and a long and complicated one that doesn't need to be told here. Suffice it to say that I struggled long and hard and as honestly as I possibly could for what I feel is now a firm, if in some ways slightly unorthodox in some people's view, testimony of the church I belong to. And the church and belief system that I accept, have faith in, and pattern my life after is one not of the willful ignorance of an ostrich with its head buried in the sand, but an open, inclusive, dynamic, always growing and evolving faith -- the type of faith spoken of by Walker and advocated by Joseph Smith time after time in his writings and discourses. An ACTIVE faith that fears no challenge or honest inquiry, is not reactionary or defensive toward anything or anyone that sincerely questions it, indeed a faith that is open to enlargement and refinement, a faith that embraces all Truth no matter where it comes from, a faith of which honest doubt, analysis, careful weighing of alternative views (what Joe Smith called "proving contraries"), and rigorous questioning are all an integral part. In my view, this is what Joseph Smith spoke of when he said, "One of the grand fundamental principles of Mormonism is to receive truth, let it come from whence it may" (Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 199) and is backed up time and again in other places:

We should gather all the good and true principles in the world and treasure them up, or we shall not come out true Mormons.
-- Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 316

“Mormonism is truth; and every man who embraces it feels himself at liberty to embrace every truth: consequently the shackles of superstition, bigotry, ignorance, and priestcraft, fall at once from his neck; and his eyes are opened to see the truth, and truth greatly prevails over priestcraft... Mormonism is truth, in other words the doctrine of the Latter-day Saints, is truth. … The first and fundamental principle of our holy religion is, that we believe that we have a right to embrace all, and every item of truth, without limitation or without being circumscribed or prohibited by the creeds or superstitious notions of men, or by the dominations of one another, when that truth is clearly demonstrated to our minds, and we have the highest degree of evidence of the same.”
--Letter from Joseph Smith to Isaac Galland, Mar. 22, 1839, Liberty Jail, Liberty, Missouri, published in Times and Seasons, Feb. 1840, pp. 53–54;

I want to see truth in all its bearings and hug it to my bosom.
--(HC 6:477.)

This idea of open inquiry and need to have an ever-expanding faith is spoken of further by one of my heroes and a member of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, Hugh B. Brown when he said at a BYU address in 1969:

"You young people live in an age when freedom of the mind is suppressed over much of the world. We must preserve it in our Church and in America and resist all efforts of earnest men to suppress it. … Preserve, then, the freedom of your mind in education and in religion and be unafraid to express your thoughts, and insist upon your right to examine every proposition. We are not so much concerned whether your thoughts be orthodox or heterodox as we are that you shall have thoughts."

--to read more of Elder Brown's talk, go here: http://unicomm.byu.edu/president/documents/brown.htm

This is the type of faith I accept and, in my view, is the type of faith embraced by Joseph Smith and countless others like Hugh B. Brown. In my view, however limited that view may very well be, Mormonism in principle is a religion of dedicated truth seeking, open inquiry, of "proving contraries", of finding God and Truth not only in church and inspired writings like The Bible, The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, etc. of which are my PRIMARY sources of truth, but also in great literature, sacred writings of other religions, inspired philosophers, in Nature -- more or less EVERYWHERE. My faith in Mormonism is one that I at least TRY to keep informed -- with my being such a book nerd, I doubt there's any contrary theory of the origins of Christ, Joseph Smith, or the LDS church that I haven't heard and tried to honestly consider --, a faith that does not fear and indeed invites questions and challenges to it, a faith that I've deeply investigated (tried to anyway), poked, prodded at, a faith that I doubt often.

I realize that this puts me at odds with some folks in the church who like to package Truth and testimony and put it in a neat little box where it can always remain static in absolute truth and certainty. In one sunday school lesson I was reamed by a few people who were appalled at a comment I made that the world outside the church has a lot of truth to offer us and that we should be open to it and embrace it -- that we shouldn't be afraid to read sacred texts of other religions like the Bhagvad Gita or Koran and appreciate them and the truth that they offer and not just arrogantly rest on the truth we feel we have. These folks were flabbergasted at my idea that we, as mormons, could find ANYTHING of value in other religions and philosophies. Those type of people are in the church and they do drive me nuts but in my experience they are few and far between and, if nothing else, they keep things fun!

Some might get their underwear in a knot that I used the words "faith" and "doubt" in the same sentence without dubbing them absolute opposites or because I said that mine is a faith that I've often doubted. But I'd say that faith and doubt are in no way mutually exclusive. At least for me. Doubt is a big part of my faith -- something that tempers it, keeps it honest. In my limited experience, as I've reached out to God in faith, much doubt has come. Doubt seems to me to be faith's natural biproduct. And it absolutely can erode and kill faith if taken at face value. But, if doubt is looked at as a natural progression in the process of faith, it can be and absolutely is a positive thing. As I exercise faith and then wrestle as honestly as I can with the doubt that inevitably comes, I find my faith ultimately strengthened. My doubt challenges my faith and in so doing tests it and tries it but the faith only comes out stronger in the end. As my man Eugene England put it, "doubt is not a sin ... or a virtue ... but a condition, a condition that can be productive if it leads one to seek and knock and ask." And as Professor Walker says (although I could never claim to be as smart and as informed as he is), "I suspect the resilience of my faith has more to do with honesty of doubt than with ignoring negative evidence."

Through this process of open inquiry, exercising faith, honestly doubting, and ultimately trying to reconcile faith and doubt, I have come to a firm and unshakeable belief and faith in Jesus and his gospel. Do I still doubt? Yeah. I do. At the end of the day, I simply choose to believe. And doubt continues to be that opposite pole on the continuum, that "opposition in all things" which, rather than destroying my faith, strengthens it and allows it to transcend the knowledge I thought I had before.

Mormonism is a religion that, I would argue, REQUIRES its members to be open, honest, informed, and investigative toward other faiths and belief systems as well as their own. There may be some of us who take the ostrich's head in the sand approach but I do not believe that is the ideal to which we are to live. Mormonism is a religion that embraces all truth and, as a mormon, a believer in Christ's gospel as taught by Joseph Smith, and a sincere yet imperfect disciple of Christ, I feel bound to, as Paul the Apostle said, "prove [meaning test, honestly consider, analytically weigh] all things" and to "hold fast to that which is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21). An open, informed, inclusive faith free of the narrowmindedness, dogmatism, and overidealization spoken of by Walker is what I think God expects of not only mormons, but of all folks.

This experience of critical inquiry, of "proving contraries", of "examining every proposition" from every possible angle, has been the most difficult, agonizing, yet exhilirating and soul-expanding process of my life. It's made me a better person, made life a whole lot more interesting, and most importantly, brought me to a knowledge, however imperfect it may be, of Jesus Christ and his gospel that I didn't have before. I've come to learn in some small degree of his love for me and for ALL folks. It's only gonna keep going and as I continue to honestly seek Truth, "let it come from whence it may," I will find it. And that in it, I'll only find Him more and more.

What started out as sharing a pretty sweet article I found turned into a wannabe philosophical treatise on faith and belief. Funny how stuff works. I started typing and got involved and couldn't really stop. So there it is for whatever it's worth to anybody. If you've got some thoughts on the matter, by all means pray tell. I love talking about stuff. Lemme know what you think -- whether I'm an idiot, a wannabe, a dolt -- whatever.

I'm aware at how crudely thrown together these posts are and how short they fall in areas of punctuation and narrative flow and all that other crap my lit profs are always harping on me for. But, what I would invite them to do,as well as anybody else that has a problem with my lack of writing skills, is get on their knees, wait til I assume the position, reach up with their teeth, and take a big mouthful of my Russell Athletic gym shorts.

Steve Walker -- he's keepin it real.

Getting Back to the Bush

2010-01-19T14:40:00.000-08:00

Behold, all these are kingdoms, and any man who hath seen any or the least of these hath seen God moving in his majesty and power. (D&C 88:47)

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today;

And give us not to think so far away

As the uncertain harvest; keep us here

All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,

Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;

And make us happy in the happy bees,

The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird

That suddenly above the bees is heard,

The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,

And off a blossom in mid air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,

To which it is reserved for God above

To sanctify to what far ends he will,

But which it only needs that we fulfill.

--"A Prayer In Spring" by Robert Frost

This last month or so on break from school, I've thrown all the academic bullcrap to the wind and JUST LIVED BABY. I’ve been able to take pleasure in the flowers and ALL of the natural glories spoken of by my man Bob in his masterpiece, "A Prayer In Spring." I rolled out to my uncle's ranch in Kearney AZ and rustled me up some doggies (cattle to the layperson), wrangle some cowponies, and take in some of God's glories ahorseback. As oldtime cowboy and all-around stud Roy Rogers once said, "The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man." Amen. AMEN INDEED. I've always loved gettin out and gettin back in touch with what existence on earth really is -- what H.D. Thoreau described as "living deliberately." I'll take it to the grave that the people who are happiest in life are those who find time at least now and then to reestablish close contact with the Land, to get clear of all the bullcrap that's come from modern technology and get back to the basics; to feel what it means to be just a regular old human being, free on the earth, stompin up a hill at sunset to take in some of God's glories, maybe pausing a quick minute to thank Him for how wonderful it all is. The more I’m able to get beyond all of my mindless staring at flashing lights on a screen, of listening to someone yap in my ear through a cellphone, or of sifting through status updates on facebook, and GET OUT and experience the world, the more I’m able to appreciate and enjoy life and what it has to offer.

Of course modern technology is a wonderful thing. I don’t want anyone to get me wrong. I appreciate it and use it everyday. It’s played a huge role in countless things. Yet I think we've lost something as we've become more and more disconnected from nature and the Earth through technological advances. In my understanding of Christian theology, there is a deep and intrinsic connection between man and the Earth. Adam and Eve were put into the garden of Eden and told to dress it and keep good care of it (see Gen. 2:15, Mos. 3:15). Man was made from the dust of the Earth: "for out of it wast thou taken; for dust thou wast, and unto dust shalt though return" (Mos. 4:25). I could go on and on and wax all philosophical one this point but suffice it to say that there is a deep, even spiritual connection and relationship between man and the Earth he walks. And modern technology has in a way encouraged us to separate ourselves from the land and take for granted our relationship with it, reducing it to an OBJECT to be used and exploited rather than lived with and enjoyed. I think my man John Steinbeck put it real well in one of my all-time favorite books, The Grapes of Wrath, using a tractor to represent technology and how it's encouraged the viewing of land as a THING:

"There is a warmth of life in the barn, and the heat and smell of life. But when the motor of a tractor stops, it is a dead as the ore it came from. The heat goes out of it like the living heat that leaves a corpse. Then the corrugated iron doors are closed and the tractor man drives home to town, perhaps twenty miles away, and he need not come maybe for weeks or months, for the tractor is dead. And this is easy and efficient. So easy that the wonder goes out of work, so efficient that the wonder goes out of land and the working of it, and with the wonder the deep understanding and the relation. And in the tractor man there grows the contempt that comes only to a stranger who has little understanding and no relation. For nitrates are not the land, nor phosphates; and the length of fiber in the cotton ns not the land. Carbon is not a man, nor salt nor water nor calcium. He is all these, but he is much more, much more; and the land is so much more than its analysis. The man who is more than his chemistry, walking on the earth, turning his plow point for a stone, dropping his handles to slide over an outcropping, kneeling in the earth to eat his lunch; that man who is more than his elements knows the land that is more than its analysis. But the machine man, driving a dead tractor on land he does not know and love, understands only chemistry; and he is contemptuous of the land and of himself. When the corrugated iron doors are shut, he goes home, and his home is not the land."

The land IS so much more than its analysis and I’m willing to opine with Steinbeck that the brother who can see the Earth as such and who has established a connection with it has a little bit more going for him than the tractor man who can’t. Yet, as I go through the day to day of the 21^st century world, I find myself becoming more and more disconnected from the earth and my relationship to it. This connectedness is something I’ve felt strongly in the past as a kid walking through the forest around our family cabin in Utah but, like I said, seem to have lost. I remember sometimes being in absolute awe at the beauty and glory of what I saw and experienced, and sometimes just quietly sitting and enjoying it with my Grandpa. As much as my buddies like to make fun of me for saying it, being alone out in a forest can be, and is for me as well as many others, a spiritual experience. Some of my deepest and most profound moments of soul-searching have taken place there. Wise brother once said, “Forests were God’s first temples.” Tell me just hangin out in a place like this ISN'T inspiring:

--The Cabin, UT

To wax religious on ya'll, one of my favorite little details of Joseph Smith’s First Vision is the fact that he deliberately chose to retire to a grove of trees to pray and to figure things out. In my mind this isn’t due to the simple fact that a grove of trees was the only place he could be alone in as big of a family he had. I like to think that Old Joe was driven to the grove by an instinctual connection he had preserved within his spirit between himself and the Earth –he intuitively knew that within the quiet stillness of a stand of trees, he could seek, and ultimately find, God. He said at a later time in a letter to Emma, his wife, during one of the many times apart they had to endure, “I have visited a grove which is just back of the town almost every day, where I can be secluded from the eyes of any mortal and there give vent to all the feelings of my heart in meditation and prayer.” Although he never comes out and says it outright, Joseph knew that there is something special about getting out into the woods and reconnecting with yourself and God. I’m wholeheartedly with him. If the forest’s good enough for Joe, it’s good enough for me.

My buddies never will let me live down all this tree-hugger philosophy. Next time I make an appearance at a gettogether with the marrieds (everyone’s married besides me, Cox, and Rick), I can pretty much count on a sarcastic “Hey John Denver, how’s that rocky mountain high comin?” or “Ladies and gentlemen, now arriving at the party, Mr. Al Gore!” type of greeting. The fact is I’ve learned to embrace the fact that I’m a sap and a hopeless romantic. The “relation” that Steinbeck speaks of is still there for me -- for whatever reason. The mountains remain, to me, “more touched by wonder and possibility than anything I have since known” (A River Runs Through It baby.). I leave this humble, lonely, and seldom read blog with what in my opinion is one of the most profound passages of modern literature:

"But when I am alone in the half light of the canyon, all existence seems to fade to a being with my soul and memories. And the sounds of the Big Black Foot River and a four count rhythm and the hope that a fish will rise. Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs. I am haunted by waters."

--once again, A River Runs Through It baby!

Although he’s talking about fly fishing and rivers, Norman Maclean’s sentiments describe better than I ever could attempt, exactly how I feel when I’m just hangin out on my own in the bush. As John Denver said, "You can talk to God and listen to the casual reply." The words are there -- under the rocks and on every leaf of every tree. As my man Bob Frost so eloquently put it in the poem at the beginning of my post, the man upstairs has:

“Sanctified [the earth] to what far ends He will,

But which it only needs that we fulfill.”

Whenever I make the effort to “fulfill” His sanctification of this Earth by going out and experiencing its wonder and beauty, I feel flat out wonderful. Call me a sap, but that’s the fact of the matter.

So, extracting the quotes used by your very own Saul Goode to illustrate his tree-hugging points, this week’s King of Keepin It Real is actually a TRIFECTA of kings – THREE kings to be exact – all writers and masters of the pen. Think not, “We Three Kings of orient are” but, “WE THREE KINGS OF BUTT-KICKIN LIT.” And there you go. Bob Frost, John Steinbeck, and Norman Maclean. I guess this is why I’m an English Lit. major – I can’t ever stop quoting these fellas and talkin about their stuff. If anyone gets a chance to peruse some of the profound poetry and prose of these literary tycoons, by all means do so. Bob Frost. John Steinbeck. Norman Maclean.

Hats off to you, brethren.

Bob

John

Norm

Lindsey Graham-- Keepin it real in the Carolinas.

2009-07-28T17:34:00.000-07:00

Saul Goode proudly presents this week's King of Keepin it Real:

Senator Lindsey Graham (R) South Carolina

Alright, so he looks like Montgomery Burns in this picture but the dude is a player. He's a classy player. I've tried to follow the confirmation hearings of Sonia Sotomayor over the last couple weeks on NPR (Yes, NPR. All you Fox Newsers can eat my shorts ;)). Other than yawning a lot and wishing she'd give a straight answer to a straight question (that's the way all appointees pretty much since Bork have handled themselves in the hearings), I was struck with how classy, how judicious, and how discerning Senator Graham was through the course of the hearings. He asked good, probing questions, including direct questions about her "wise latina" statements and other controversial things she's said. The thing is, unlike other Republicans on the Judiciary Committee (Jeff Sessions in particular), he demonstrated a sincere desire to understand Sotomayor and her judicial philosophy. Where Sessions was just being straight up antagonistic and engaging in political grandstanding, Graham was actually engaging in a dialogue with Sotomayor. He was able to put all the political bullcrap aside and get to the heart of who Sotomayor is, why she should or shouldn't be appointed, and how she would judge as a member of the Court. He was thoughtful and honest in his questioning which was so refreshing after hearing Sessions blow a lot of meaningless partisan smoke.

Graham ended up voting for her confirmation today-- the only Republican on the Committee with enough sense and wisdom to do so. The ultra-conservatives for months had been trying to paint Sotomayor as an "activist" who would "legislate from the bench" and a whole lot of other unfounded propaganda. Graham was the only Republican on the committee who was able to see through all the partisan bullcrap and see that Sotomayor is eminently qualified and would judge wisely and "from the mainstream" as he put it even if she would reach different conclusions and decisions than he would.

I always like to see politicians who aren't afraid to break free from the ridiculous Washington partisanship when they feel compelled to do so. Graham did today with his vote for Sotomayor and he hasn't been afraid to do so in the past on issues like immigration, detainee interrogations, and the gang of 14. And it's true that he may have done it for purely political reasons. But that's impossible to know for sure and from listening to him through this whole thing, he seems pretty sincere in his opinion. To me at least. And that's all you can really go on. Although I can't know anything for sure, he certainly seems to me to be KEEPIN IT REAL. So right on, South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham.

Bringing up politics is always risky business and I of course don't expect everyone to agree with my being down with Senator Graham and what he did today. And I don't mean to be makin a bigger deal of it than it is-- after all it's just one measley little confirmation vote. I guess I was hurtin in my quest to find something to write about on the blog. Maybe I got desperate. Maybe I'm just tired of this stupid foot hurting and I'm looking for anything to get my mind off that fact that I'm WORTHLESS these days. Who knows.

I'd love to hear what anyone may have to say whether you agree with my ramblings or not. I don't have all the answers and I don't claim to be a well-informed authority on all things political though I do make an effort to keep up with stuff. My feelings on Sotomayor are pretty consistent with Senator Graham's-- I don't agree with her on everything but she's got judicial SKILLZ and that can't be argued about. So, WORD to all my g's who might be wasting their time reading the ramblings of your very own Saul Goode. Har har.

Hip hoppin on the harmed hoof and this week's king of keepin it real--J.L. Chamberlain

2009-07-23T18:29:00.000-07:00

I busted my foot up about three weeks ago playin basketball. Went up for an effortless windmill finger roll but came down funny and strained some tendons or something but at least it's not broken. I was afraid it was on account of it's swelling up so much in one little spot on top of the foot that it looked like a little golf ball was growing out the top. But it isn't broken so ya know, saul goode.

Yet it ticks me right off. Due to the said injury, my high-profile career at Garlock Custom Contracting as Plumbah Numbah One is on hiatus. I'm tryin to keep my bad self busy with books, applyin to the honors college at ASU, hassling my mother, etc. but it's hard not to get bored when most everything you like to do involves being on your feet or using your feet in some way. What's more is I was goin to the gym 4+ times a week to get my Bodypump on, I was shreddin the trails on my bike, heck I was even RUNNING. Needless to say, I was gettin into tip top shape.

And now here I am three weeks later havin to sit around all day to let this blasted foot heal. A fine kettle of fish. I'm gettin a little impatient. I have to wear this funky boot that only reinforces my status as a fashion disaster. I was hopin I'd get one of those sweet Robocop-style walking boots but no, I get the Nephite wooden sandal. I try not to wear it to social type stuff cuz when I do all I get is hounded by folks. Not that I'm bitter or mad about it-- that's just what happens when you're wearin a funky boot. When I see some dude with a nice shoe on one foot and a funky boot on the other, the automatic first thing I say to him is "My man, what happened to the foot?" He then has to rehash the same story he's told to hundreds of people already that day. It begins to wear on a brother.

It makes me walk with a pretty noticeable hitch in my stride so I feel like a true gangsta. All I need is a soundtrack to my life consisting of a bit of Mary J. Blige, Bone Thugs 'N' Harmony, maybe a little Chuck D and Flava Flav...

But anyway, I've been able to read a thoroughly dope book since I've been takin it easy here. It's a biography of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain called In The Hands of Providence: Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain and the American Civil War. If you've ever seen the equally dope movie, Gettysburg, you know Colonel Chamberlain as the hero of Little Round Top. The guy was a phenom. Grew up on a farm in Maine, went to Bowdoin College, was gonna be a minister then decided to be a professor of Literature and Language there at Bowdoin. The Civil War breaks out and he figures he'll give up his chalkboard for a musket and becomes a soldier. After generally whooping butt in the war including being awarded the Medal of Honor for his and the Twentieth Maine's stand on Little Round Top at Gettysburg (they pretty much singlehandedly saved the Union Army from getting totally annihilated), getting wounded 6 times, and being chosen to have the honor of formally receiving the Confederate's full and unconditional surrender at Appomatox, he went on to serve four terms as Governor of Maine and for years after that served as President of Bowdoin College. I mean, the guy DID IT ALL-- Academics, soldiering, politicking, back to Academics-- all while maintaining a great marriage and family. A true renaissance man.

This might not sound all that cool or interesting to some, but I love reading history and learning about historical figures like Chamberlain. I'm always amazed at the ordinary people who've come before us who were just goin on about their business, not assuming anything, keepin it real, but who when called upon, stepped on up, rose to the occasion they were called to, and made such a huge difference in the world. It's so cool to learn about em and what they had to say and to see what we can learn from em.

Anyway, I don't know if anyone at all reads this besides my daimies the Garners and Liz Lagerstedt, but blogging is cool if not for any other reason than just having a place to express yourself. Even if nobody reads this thing at all, it's worth it to simply be able to sound off about stuff. Kinda like a diary except it's public.

There's post #2. Hip hoppin around on the harmed hoof and my man JLC-- this week's King of Keepin it Real.

Paul's a blogger baby.

2009-07-20T23:49:00.000-07:00

I've seen some blogs out there and I figured "Hey Paul, you're a nerd. It's about time you jumped on this thing." And my foot is in disrepair these days so I'm just chillin and takin it easy a lot lately so jumpin into the blogging world seems to make sense. We'll see how this thing goes.

I don't even know what's legal in the blogging world as far as what you post or what you say or whatever so this'll be an adventure. I guess at some point I'll get into some of my deep and profound musings on life, love, cereal flavors, philosophy, politics, what it means being a white 23 yr. old young pipsqueak of a man in today's world, and all that stuff. But maybe this could be a good thing. It's just hard for me to take myself seriously in the blogging world because:

#1. I don't have a bunch of cute little babies to post pictures of.

#2. I'm not all that clever.

#3. I'm not all that gushy with my thoughts and feelings and I don't enjoy broadcasting myself to anyone much less the whole friggin internet.

#4. I don't take myself seriously enough to really think that people actually give a rat's behind for what I have to say.

#5. I'm not all that techy or computer savy. It took me a month to figure out facebook.

#6. It's a girl thing. I really don't know of one dude my age who keeps a blog.

and the list goes on. Nevertheless, I'M DOIN THIS THING.

"Keepin it real": The title of my blog and, really, a way of life. Keepin it real, as far as I'm concerned, is all about keepin perspective, realizing that life's not a party but an adventure, bein who you are but not takin yourself too seriously, rollin with the punches and havin fun whenever you can, all while goin confidently in the direction you choose. KEEPIN IT REAL. BECAUSE THERE AIN'T NO RUST ON THE HAPPINESS BUS.

Well, that's an introduction. The more I think about it, this could really be fun.