OUR PRIVILEGED PLANET

Last week Karen and I watched a documentary called "The Privileged Planet" I wasn't sure what to expect but it turned out to be very interesting and spiritually moving.
The documentary was put together by a couple of scientists that have examined our planets place in the universe. they embrace the concept of intelligent design and refute the theory of evolution, this intriguing video puts forth the premise that Earth was created not by a series of random events but by a "creative designer" who knew exactly what he was doing. Several proponents of intelligent design, including philosophers and scientists, share their views about this controversial theory and provide evidence that supports their premise.
It is very in depth look at all that had to take place in order for this planet to be habitable by life as we know it. they then point out that the planet is also in the perfect location in the solar system for us to discover and learn of the rest of the universe.
At the close of the video I almost expected one of them to bare testimony of the plan of salvation.

Not only has God provided for us a perfect place to live and be tested, but the perfect place to learn of His wonders. God wants us to understand His works that we can gain a greater testimony of His miracles, and His love for us.

Check out the video, it is available at Netflix.

BIG ROCK CANDY MOUNTAIN; FYI

Driving down highway 89 in central Utah, you will pass the Big Rock Candy Mountain. Have you ever wondered what significance if any this place has to the old hobo balled of the same name?

Well the song was first recorded in 1928 by "Haywire Mac", and again in 1949 by Burl Ives, but it has been recorded by many artists throughout the world. It is probably best known today for its use in the soundtrack of the 2000 movie O Brother Where Art Thou? (One of my all time favorite movies).

Shortly after the release of the original recording in 1928, some local residents, as a joke, placed a sign at the base of a cluster of some brightly colored hills a short distance from Marysvale, Utah, naming it "Big Rock Candy Mountain". They also placed a sign next to a nearby stream proclaiming it "lemon Springs" The names stuck and the location is currently home to the Big Rock Candy Mountain Resort.

I remember as a kid stopping here when ever we went to southern Utah. We would by rock candy and there once was a sort of "zoo" there with foxes, coyotes and rattlesnakes.

LEHI'S DREAM OF THE TREE OF LIFE

The youth of church have been challenged by the general Young Men and Young Women's presidents to read the Book of Mormon at least 5 minutes a day.

As a bishopric we have challenged the youth of our ward, along with their leaders, to read 6 and 1/2 minutes a day. Our goal is to read a total of 1,000 hours by the end of the year.

Accepting this challenge I have been trying to read the Book of Mormon each day.

Sunday night while doing my reading I happened to be reading Lehi's dream for perhaps the 99th time in my life. There was one passage that made a very strong impression on me as I read the story of the dream it was I Nephi 8:28

"And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed,

because of those that were scoffing at them;

and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost".

My heart bleeds for those who have tasted the fruit and then because of the influences of the world or peer pressure or the scoffing, become ashamed of the things they know to be true and fall away.

It is not enough to just taste of the fruit and then go about our lives. We have to hold tight to the rod. We have to continue to feast upon the word of God, every day for the rest of our lives.

I pray everyday for my family and for my ward members, that we might all remain strong, endure to the end and do all that we can do to build our testimonies and those of our families.

Today Karen and I took the day of and toured the new Draper temple. what a beautiful edifice that has been built and will soon be dedicated to the Lord. The new temple is filled with gorgeous art work and murals. beautiful furnishings and stain glass windows. Nothing is to good for the Lord's house.