This sort of follows Don’s last entry. How I understand it, we were all distinct and authentic individuals in the pre-existence, children of Heavenly Father. I imagine we had friends, positions, we took classes. We may have dated, but I doubt it. We probably just hung out like the singles today. I wonder what sort of entertainment we enjoyed in those heady, pre-mortal salad days. Was there an equivalent to TV, sports, iPad? Did we watch the “Historical Documents” of other universes? Did we play practical jokes, or even know what sarcasm was?

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Just a quick question. How much does/did the pre-mortal existence influence who we are, where we are, and what we are doing?

There’s a lot of talk this morning about scientists’ creation of artificial cells, synthetic life, man-made DNA. The hyperbole is being swapped like spit in a dark classroom during a stake dance. This is no surprise to me: I was around when the Bay City Rollers were supposed to be the next Beatles.

While some of the fanciful predictions are pleasant enough (eliminating pollution, the creation of biofuels) what concerns me is how some are saying this breakthrough is a blueprint for making organisms that will ensure physically and mentally perfect offspring. No more congenital diseases, no more mental disabilities, no more physical deformities. Now, as wicked cool as that sounds, are there accompanying spiritual repercussions?

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One of the things about being raised dye-in-the-wool Catholic is, you never say life is unfair. Seldom, if ever, do you not get something good you deserved, and never do you get something bad you didn’t have coming. It may not be clear what it is, but you could take it to the bank. If I bumped my head on the low-hanging light fixture in the dining room, it was definitely reproof for something. Catholics– real Catholics– bear their misery with wistful sighs and Gaelic ballads (I hear cattle on the hill with no one there to tend them …). You just keep trying not to be bad, and roll with the punches. “It was meant to be” covers a myriad of circumstances.

However, when I think of the rules of Mormon gospel living, I think of a formula that’s supposed to be more controllable. D&C 130:20-21:

“There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated— And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.”

Or, as Scotty exclaimed with his impassioned brio: “Ye cannae change th’ laws of physics!”

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Today I was assigned to speak in the Sacrament Meeting in one of the Spanish wards in our stake. I stunk it up. Badly. Like, my baby’s diapers level of stink. I’d like to use the excuse that it’s been 12 years since I’ve spoken to a large group of people in Spanish, but that’s not true. It’s my second time, my first being a few months ago at the Spanish branch in Staten Island, which went pretty well, considering. But today? Unbelievably bad. (more…)

Rusty’s post about rating his companions made me think again about my own mission companions and missionary experiences.  I went back and re-read the journal I kept during my mission and was astounded at how little I actually mentioned my companions. (more…)