Economic Crisis- Reflections from an honest journalist,

Here's a reflection of a really honest writer from the N.Y. Times, Edmund Andrews:

My Personal Credit Crisis

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/17/magazine/17foreclosure-t.html?_r=2&ref=magazine&pagewanted=all

Phil Kesler: Testimony of a Friend

Today I read the testimony of one of a friend and former roommate at Utah State-

Phil Kesler.

He passed away the eve of February 11th after bravely battling cancer for about two years.

Phil was my roommate for 3 years, from the summer of 1996 until the summer of 1999.

He was a faithful friend to all that he knew, and faithful to his God.

I have a lot of good memories- his honesty, kindness, frankness, patience, musical talent (on Sunday mornings we all rested in the beautiful hymns he played on his piano in the living room of our townhouse).

Sometimes some of us (Phil, Mark, etc.) would stay up late in our apartment in North Logan and would just chat, enjoying a late, peaceful night sharing thoughts on the Gospel, life, dating, etc.

Heidi, a long-time neighbor and friend, married Phil several years later. They now have a beautiful daughter. What a lucky woman. They are both great examples to me.

I truly enjoyed reading Phil's testimony and am grateful Heidi shared it. I remember that he often would study his scriptures at the kitchen table, recording his thoughts in a large notebook. I think of that often.

Amen Phil!

Thanks for all you give.

Love, your brother,

Loren

p.s. Read the last several posts from Heidi here:

http://bamamoma2.blogspot.com,

especially,

NOT the Only One

Phil the Brave

More here from Phil's friends and acquaintances:

it stays with us

Another Angel

Remembering Phil - by Jill Bearden

Tribute to Phil

Voice Male web site

Drawing on other's words - updated links

Know your faith!

Impressive!

Know what you believe:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles_of_faith/2009/03/mormon_tv_harva.html

http://vimeo.com/2120177

Mormon Temples

You may have heard a lot in the news recently about the Mormons (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) and their belief in temple worship. Like Frank Moore Cross, professor of Ancient History at Harvard, states in the following video:

"Someone who does not know much about temples, and Mormons building temples, should be directed to the Bible."

The Old and New Testament are full of descriptions of temples and their purpose. Of course, since the coming of Jesus Christ and the fulfillment of the Mosaic Law, temples serve a different, although identical, or parallel purpose: providing a sacred place where we can go to make an offering to the Lord.

The Savior asks us to come unto him and live as He does. His joy is fulfilled in our desire to seek others' welfare as we commhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifit ourselves to God's work and glory: "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." - Moses 1:39

Primary resources on temples:

The purpose of temples and see temples around the world.
More questions? See the FAQ page.

The power of Women

I received an e-mail recently that had an article on the correlation between the safety/security of women and the relative peacefulness of the nations in which they live.

I quote from the BYU news release:

The researchers spent seven years building a new database that covers 260 factors regarding the treatment of women in 174 countries. Then they used that data to show a statistically significant relationship between the security of women and peacefulness of nations.

This research is available at http://womanstats.org and boasts that is has "the most comprehensive compilation of information on the status of women in the world."

Valerie Hudson is the project's lead.

I further quote from the article:

"We suggest that the root of what we call national security may actually lie in a very unusual or unexpected place, and that is the treatment of women in society," says lead author Valerie Hudson, BYU professor of political science. "We offer what we consider to be fairly strong preliminary empirical evidence based on our new database that this is a viable alternative hypothesis."

The researchers compared their findings regarding the treatment of women with commonly held explanations for peacefulness: levels of democracy, levels of wealth and identity of the civilization. The association with peace was strongest with the treatment of women.

"If you used all four variables to try to predict state peacefulness, the one that would give you the best predictions of the four would be violence against women," Hudson found.

Hudson and her co-authors acknowledge that the relationship they observed can operate in the other direction, that is, state insecurity and violence can exaggerate the insecurity of women. And they say much further research is necessary before their results can be considered authoritative.

Of course this is stating the obvious, but think about it- the nation who values and seeks the security of womanhood is the most peaceful... why would it not be so? Seek the security of women, and the family, and the security of the nation will follow.

So, when we're told to be especially nice to girls, we'd better listen...


But what about the men? What effect do they have on a nation? How about this article, entitled "Bare Branches" compiled by the same team, that is forecasting major problems for China, a nation with a culture that values male children over female. They will apparently be faced with 30 million surplus men in about 10 years...

Chinese leader Hu Jintao, reviews the troops... this will be quite a task in about 10 years...

Get out of the car!

This one is self-explanatory...


How many times have you approached the wrong car in the parking lot, thinking it was yours?

Survey for Scott

I have a friend that is conducting a survey for his M.B.A. at Utah State. Visit the following link if you'd like to answer his 10 questions on preferences for computer operating systems:

I am conducting a research for a class and wondering if you may be able to take a 10-question survey. Go to this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=rK9SFol2HQWufhDkq9Ie4g_3d_3d to complete the survey. Once you're done, do you think you can forward this survey's link to people that might be interested? Thanks.
--
Fei "Scott" Jiang

Utah's Economy

Utah is not an island, and the economy has caught up to us a little more as we've gone into 2009, but here is a map showing what the unemployment rate was in October:

I was sent this article in November published in "The Economist" that discusses the reasons why Utah's economy hasn't suffered as much as other states' have as of late. I found it interesting:

http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12480476

It is true that Gov. Huntsman and Mayor Godfrey (Ogden) have been very aggressive in attempting to grow business here in Utah. Lots of tax breaks and incentives for the companies that have chosen to either relocate or expand in Utah recently.

"Hundreds attend Global Warming Protest"

"Hundreds attend Global Warming Protest"

A co-worker sent this to me. I thought it was funny.

It causes me to reflect on caring for our earth. My thoughts on this are, global warming or not, we need to care for our earth. It is our home. It deserves the best and I feel that there is a lot we can do to improve our use and investment into renewable energy sources.

To me the idea of "energy independence" goes far beyond drilling for our own oil and independence from oil-producing nations. It means every family having a simple solar system on their homes, being able to be independent from the grid when the power goes out, thanks to a battery that can run furnaces and several florescent bulbs inside, that recharges each day when the sun comes up.

It also means that during really sunny days that the electrical meters on homes are turning backwards, generating more power than their home needs and putting it back into the power grid. That is the way things ought to work.

This same principle applies to finances, food, and so on... ever heard of a garden and food storage?

"And it came to pass that Enoch looked upon the earth; and he heard a voice from the bowels thereof, saying: Wo, wo is me, the mother of men; I am pained, I am weary, because of the wickedness of my children. When shall I rest, and be cleansed from the filthiness which is gone forth out of me? When will my Creator sanctify me, that I may rest, and righteousness for a season abide upon my face?" - Moses 7:48

What a lovely name!

A friend, Scott, showed me a little website a few days ago that will help you to learn a little more about names. It is called "What a Lovely Name." I looked up my name and found out a little more about it:

Loren

Americanization of the German name Lorenz, a variant of the Latin name Laurence. Ultimately taken from the Latin word "laurus," meaning "laurels".

Alternates: Lorin

Tags: American, calm, gentle, independent


That was nice, but I took a few minutes and looked a little further:

Meaning of "Loren"
English name
In English, the name Loren means- Variant of Lorin: Variant of Laurence: From the place of laurel trees. Famous Bearer: conductor Lorin Maazel (born 1930). Other origins for the name Loren include - English, American. The name Loren is a unisex name and can be used for a boy or girl name (male or female).

English Meaning - Variant of Lorin: Variant of Laurence: From the place of laurel trees. Famous Bearer: conductor Lorin Maazel (born 1930).

Origin - English

Scouting Monument

Ambitious Eagle Scout Project in Woods Cross:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705273328,00.html

Anyone wanting more information about the project can contact Ron Smith, Tommy's father, at (801) 688-2633.

The Angel "Gabe"

Recent story about a young man who listened to the Spirit in order to help someone in need:

http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/56349/Boy-Scout-hero-follows-the-Spirit.html

"It's a wonderful feeling to know that you served the Lord and that you really helped save these people's lives," Gabe said. "It's a feeling like none other. It's a really tremendous feeling."

Christmas Parlor Games

Here are some fun parlor games published by Carma Wadley in the Deseret News. Great for when everyone gets together!

There are writing games, a reindeer word scramble, a drawing game, and many more!

Joy to Everyone this Christmas

Here's a great little slideshow created by the BYU Department of Fine Arts:

Vocal artists are Jenny Jordan Frogley and David Osmond.

This is found at http://www.joytoeveryone.com and the movie and/or soundtracks can also be downloaded at http://www.joytoeveryone.com/en/download.htm

The Family and Proposition 8

Proposition 8, the proposal in California to define marriage in the state's constitution as limited to a man and a woman, has been a very hot topic as of late.

In late November I read an interesting article from the LDS Newsroom on Proposition 8. It includes pleas from individuals on both sides of the issue to maintain civility and clarity. Especially awesome are two letters written by Catholic Bishops from the Sacramento and Salt Lake Diocese, both of which are linked from the above article. I would recommend reading the article and both of the letters.

CLERGYMAN: Mahwage. Mawage is wot bwings us togevah tooday. Mahwage, that bwessed awangement, that dweam wifin a dweam ... And wuv, twu wuv, will fowow you foweva. So twesa your wuv –

PRINCE HUMPERDINCK (interrupting): Skip to the end!

CLERGYMAN: Have you the wing?


I feel that it is important for each of us to ask ourselves and study out in our own minds why we believe what we believe. The following thoughts probably began as a teenager, evolved as I served an LDS mission, attended college at Utah State, and continue as the battle rages regarding the definition of marriage and family:

After every argument is heard regarding the definition of marriage, etc., I always come back to one very simple set of ideas:

• We (people) are important. You and I are more important than we can even fathom. We tend to love our freedom, or agency (most do, anyway). Many individuals have both lived and died to grant and protect freedom.
• We (people) are the product of a man and a woman. Regardless of your parents' level of commitment to each other, it was a man and woman that are the source from which you and I sprang. Due to these origins, it is natural for me to promote this idea of family, for it is within this idea of family- the traditional family- that people come. This idea of family is powerful, it creates life, and generates the opportunity of "freedom" for another generation. How wonderful it is when parents are committed to one another and their children!
  
• Any idea, lifestyle, choice, or organization that denies, limits, or minimizes the traditional family, or opportunity for children (like you and I) to be born and enjoy the opportunities of life, liberty, and happiness, must be questioned. Does it not make sense that if an individual truly loved their own freedom, their very existence, and was truly grateful for it, that they would need to acknowledge the man and woman who made this gift and opportunity possible for them? Is it not true that pursuing or supporting any idea, lifestyle, choice, or organization that limits, minimizes, or neglects the idea of children is contrary to the nature of freedom, giving, and life itself? Is it not true that if we seek a relationship that does not generate what we were given- life- that we essentially deny it to others?
  

On the surface it is clear why individuals view same-sex marriage as a "right." Almost any choice could fit into that category of being one's "right", although we could quickly rule out choices that infringe upon the freedoms of others (theft, violence, murder, etc.). But it is this very idea- the idea that our choice restricts the freedom of others, that is the reason that same-sex marriage is a poor choice. It does not preserve freedom, but just seeks its own, and as it is pursued- becomes the end of that very idea.

More thoughts...
It is interesting to see individuals promote same-sex marriage, civil unions, etc. They perceive that others have "rights" that they are denied. They act as if they are being overlooked, neglected, or robbed of privileges that should be available to them. The truth is that those opportunities are available to them and can be theirs if they choose. They seek to change the rules, redefine marriage for everyone, as if the definition of the marriage relationship or "gender" are now ours to define and change, regardless of how things work naturally in the real world. Hello! People are born to men and women! Not only are men and women unique and necessary to produce life, but they are also unique and complementary as they fulfill their roles as parents as they raise their children. Traditional marriage is pro-choice, pro-life and pro-freedom, is it not? Choose what you may for a relationship, but don't redefine it for others!

Lifestyles other than traditional marriage, whatever they may be, tend to be selfish in nature in that they exclude or delay a future generation from the life and liberties that we now have. Those actively pursuing or promoting "alternative" lifestyles need to understand that if their forbears had espoused- and lived- by these same ideas of rights and freedom- that they, the following generation, probably would not exist.

Love gives and does not take. It seeks the benefit of others and not self.

Why do individuals defend the traditional definition of marriage? That's easy- they are FOR people. They are FOR children. They are for the freedom of OTHERS. Others like you and I will not continue to exist without the idea of traditional marriage.

Choosing to pursue or support anything other than the traditional marriage relationship is an end in and of itself. What makes it even more significant for those that believe is the fact that marriage relationships can be eternal.


On another note...
How should "The Princess Bride" been different? Wesley, under his guise of the Black Pirate Roberts, should have swallowed his pride and simply asked Buttercup why she had not waited to marry her true love, instead of accusing her of what he perceived to be "bailing out" on her. But of course if this had happened we would have skipped out on all of the adventures that followed- falling down the hill, the fire-swamp, ROUS's, etc. :) I guess I am wont to run through fire-swamps and battle rats of unusual size instead of just getting to the point of love and marriage as well. :) I apologize if there are any typos in this post or any incomplete sentences, etc.

Financial Wisdom

I have not read his book, Crash Proof, but it sounds like Mr. Peter Schiff could see what many of us could see coming. I really felt like the home prices around me here in Utah, as well as my own was a false, blown-up bubble that would pop. It was unhealthy, unsupported growth.

I can remember practicing in a combined choir with Brian Weston and Lynn (I can't remember his last name) when a guy next to me was asking what I thought of the government's deficit spending. I remember telling him something to the effect that anybody or any organization who continues to go into debt further and further will one day have to pay the consequences. I can remember being discouraged at the fact that the government was not balancing its budget. I am not a financial wizard, nor the world's greatest budget-keeper, but I know I feel better when I save my money and am able to make sound investments. Many of us in the U.S. have borrowed way too much and it is now coming back to bite us.

An address from President Gordon B. Hinckley has been a great guide to me in my life. It is entitled, To the Boys and To the Men, and was given in November of 1998. I include what is to me the most significant excerpt:

Now, brethren, I should like to talk to the older men, hoping that there will be some lesson for the younger men as well.

I wish to speak to you about temporal matters.

As a backdrop for what I wish to say, I read to you a few verses from the 41st chapter of Genesis.

Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, dreamed dreams which greatly troubled him. The wise men of his court could not give an interpretation. Joseph was then brought before him: “Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river:

“And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow:

“And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed. …

“And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine: …

“And I saw in my dream … seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good:

“And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them:

“And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: …

“And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, … God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.

“The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one. …

“… What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh.

“Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt:

“And there shall arise after them seven years of famine;

“… And God will shortly bring it to pass” (Gen. 41:17–20, 22–26, 28–30, 32).

Now, brethren, I want to make it very clear that I am not prophesying, that I am not predicting years of famine in the future. But I am suggesting that the time has come to get our houses in order.

So many of our people are living on the very edge of their incomes. In fact, some are living on borrowings.

We have witnessed in recent weeks wide and fearsome swings in the markets of the world. The economy is a fragile thing. A stumble in the economy in Jakarta or Moscow can immediately affect the entire world. It can eventually reach down to each of us as individuals. There is a portent of stormy weather ahead to which we had better give heed.

This counsel has guided me in many decisions. I am thankful for a prophet who just simply wanted us to live wisely, both spiritually and financially.

And now, just for fun, here is an excerpt worth watching that my brother Andrew showed me today. Note how Mr. Schiff is almost mocked by some of the other investment advisors because of his opinion:

Sweet!

50 Greatest Experiences

For the past several years I have carried around in my scriptures a sheet of paper listing the beginnings of what a either a teacher in a past Sunday meeting encouraged us to to do: Create a list of 50 of your greatest experiences so far in your life. I do not remember who it was, but have resolved over this Thanksgiving weekend to finish this list that I started, and then record them in my journal.

I express my gratitude for the individual that extended this challenge and for some of the great examples of journal-writers in my life: Wilford Woodruff, Kenyon Platt, and Annie Weber.

Abraham Lincoln's "Proclamation of Thanksgiving"

Let's go back to 1863 and use this proclamation from President Abraham Lincoln to reflect on our own blessings...

Proclamation of Thanksgiving

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

A PROCLAMATION.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theater of military conflict; while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battlefield; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.

I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed,

Done at the city of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States the Eighty-eighth

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

By the President:
WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State

Mitt on motorcars

From my brother Andrew:

In an Opinion page editorial in today's [Tuesday's] New York Times, Mitt Romney says "Let Detroit go Bankrupt!" If this radical non-political pandering spinal fortitude behavior persists, I will quit my job and work full-time on Mitt's 2012 campaign.

Way to go Mitt!

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/19/opinion/19romney.html?_r=1&hp

~Andrew



A teaser...

If General Motors, Ford and Chrysler get the bailout that their chief executives asked for yesterday, you can kiss the American automotive industry goodbye. It won’t go overnight, but its demise will be virtually guaranteed.

Without that bailout, Detroit will need to drastically restructure itself. With it, the automakers will stay the course — the suicidal course of declining market shares, insurmountable labor and retiree burdens, technology atrophy, product inferiority and never-ending job losses. Detroit needs a turnaround, not a check.

Cool toys...

When I was a kid one of our favorite toys were the two Nerf Men we got for Christmas one year. We threw them all over the house. They were probably confiscated to prevent damage because I don't remember much more of them. Maybe they were so much fun we didn't do our chores. Or maybe my dad made good on his threat that he'd "cut it in half if you throw it in the house."

Anyway, I read an article on Monday in the Deseret News about toys. It highlighted a blog, The Toy Snob, kept by Nicole Bradley that reviews creative, aesthetic, classic-type toys. I took a peek and found a toy that I almost bought for my nephews last year- the Automoblox cars:
You can drive one of these for just $32 plus shipping from a great on-line game and toy store, Fat Brain Toys. They have great deals on pretty unique games and toys. The article also talked about the purpose of toys. I remember that a lot of our play as children was invented and much of it took place outside. I remember spending hours driving our Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars around a dirt hill with my brothers and friends.

These Automoblox cars come apart and even come in smaller versions ($10) and in sets of three for $26. Pretty cool.

The mini-cars:

I had better get married and have a kid so I can get some of these... for the kids, of course.