I have quit Smoking... I hope.

It has now been two weeks since my last cigarette. As of this moment the withdrawals and mood swings have been very easygoing, which allows me the feeling this attempt it will be successful. Although this endeavor is different as at the core as it is not being forced upon me by some shame I feel. The desire to quit has been with me for sometime now, however addiction has prepared countless excuses for me to justify my actions. The greatest of these was my wife, as she is too a smoker. Having thought on occasion when she quit then I would also, as quitting even as one of us still smoked would only result in failure.

Two weeks ago while in sacrament meeting I declined partaking of the sacrament, lowered my head and began to commune with God. Eight months ago I began actively attending church again and this has been my SOP each time. During the week I try and remember to pray, although most times it is in vain, which makes this ten minute period when the priesthood passes the sacrament special to me. As this time is the only real time he and I are able to talk.

I was chitchating with him concerning my own personal issues with the economy, employment, and desires. When out of the blue my thoughts turned to the family sitting to my left. This family has a small child with a brain tumor; the child is on the last available treatment for his condition as all others have failed. This family is being supported by the members of the ward for things like food and basic finances as the cost of medical treatments have taken there toll. My thoughts then shifted to the family seated behind me which I have grown close too. They have seven children, with the housing market and economy they have been unable to pay their homes mortgage for nearly five months. I then began to consider what these two families must be enduring and I began to silently cry.

Looking inwards again my own issues became insignificant. I lowered my head further and closed my eyes tightly trying not to draw attention to my tears. I composed myself and reflected on my own hardships. I was filled with happiness for the hardships bestowed as I have been given the power to endure all things which I will be confronted with in this life. There is nothing in this life that you or I will ever be confronted that we can not overcome if you stand sure. I am genuinely finding the happiness and meanings in my obstructions they are now no longer a fear, I am comforted in my trails. It seems so cliché yet it was a personal revelation to me. This week I have seen a change in myself that I only hope others see in me as well. Since this happened I have not had the desire to smoke it was not a planned event, I just stopped.

Advice

I have found the best way to deal with people is to continue doing what you want to do in life. If they are worth anything you will see they too are on a parallel path with you in this existence. If they are not give them the head nod and keep on keeping on as you and they are destined for different setting. If you’re a freak like me; it takes us a little longer to clear the trash from our path however stand sure. Try not to let life get you down, be kind to those you meet and love yourself enough not to allow someone else to make you feel worth less than you are.

Wish me luck.

I am tired of praying for strength. I feel each time God honors my request in the forms of trials which indeed make me stronger. I now feel strong enough so I am going to ask for wisdom from here on out.

Obamas stimulus package

As for the stimulus package of Obama's I had to personally look into what it actually was. From what I have learned Obama will not release one lump sum to the people as the government feels if it was done in this way people would save the money and not spend it. The plan is to release the stimulus slowly over the next two years in twenty dollar increments. Each month for the next twenty-four months the government will deduct a total of twenty dollars less from the taxes we pay from each monthly payment from our employers. This way money will slowly bleed into the economy, with the stimulus being as little as ten dollars a pay period the populace will be more inclined to spend rather than save.

Simply, this is not the government giving us a stimulus package. It is merely the government taking less from us than they normally deduct in the guise of taxes. Allowing us to keep a little more of the money we earn and somehow we thank them for it.....

Beer:

D&C 89:17 Word of Wisdom,

17. Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain.

The revelation suggests that barley-based mild drinks (such as beer) may be permissible. As recently as 1901, Apostles Brigham Young, Jr. and John Henry Smith argued that the revelation did not prohibit beer. However, LDS Church leaders now teach that consumption of any form of alcohol, including beer, violates the Word of Wisdom. -wiki


I thank my sister; she being the only person whom has dared even step to the plate. I have too come to the conclusion from the past two months studies the rejection of alcohol we LDS take is bred from one generation to another, without the direction or revelation through our Prophet from God. Since alcohol is an addictive substance many members have decided it is better to not have strength of conviction and to deprive others and their children from personal growth as they feel it is for the betterment of those they care for. This eerily reminds me of Satan’s original plan to make us all do the correct things without the gift of freewill.

Yet the same standards have not been upheld as in the instance of "no caffeine" that many members adhere too. As the Prophet said no hot drinks, then later on it was defined by the Prophet to be no tea and coffee. Yet without the preaching’s of the Prophets some LDS members say decaffeinated coffee and herbal teas are ok as they do not contain caffeine. My thinking on the matter is the Prophet said tea and coffee, am I to question the Prophet? As mother and father used to tell me, once the Prophet says something the discussion stops.

The Word of Wisdom is not a commandment, yet members must adhere strictly to the Word of Wisdom to be baptized and for entrance into the Temples. These examples I have given of LDS indecisions or misconceptions of the meanings of use of alcohol, tea, and coffee only serves to shock me given that adherence to the Word of Wisdom is necessary for the keys of Heaven.

I find it shocking that members would zealously argue and become heated over personal interpretations of church doctrine rather than take what the Book of Mormon and what the Prophets have said and just love it. I am personally still not living many aspects of the Word of Wisdom, however I am progressing and that is all the action that is required. I am grateful that the only actions I will have to answer for are my own and that I do not have to do anymore than inform others and allow them to govern themselves.

Pursuit of Answers

Yesterday in Elders quorum we talked about indecision and how it is better to make a choice even if it ends up being the wrong choice. If you do not make a choice, time will choose for you. This discussion reminded me of our Father in Heaven’s gift of free will. We here on earth all thought it was important and the correct plan. This idea has shown me that allowing time to decide for us is a waste of the Lords gift of free will.

With my pursuit of answers regarding the question of beer and the Word of Wisdom, some have said that is not the way faith works. I defend my faith, and I feel I have a very strong faith. I find it remarkable how some feel following what men say blindly is what they should do. We were given the scriptures so that we may learn and make choices of our own. Last week I again posed my questions to members of my ward, this time it was my entire Sunday school class.

I came back this week hoping to have some answers to my question, only to see that no one had bothered to look into it. One lady said that her interpretation of mild drinks meant beverages like milk and cool-aid. I almost could scream as the reference to mild drink in the Word of Wisdom referred to drinks made of grains. I can only assume this sister feels milk and cool-aid are made of grain. I contacted two missionaries from the MTC hoping again that maybe the people I have asked just do not have the knowledge of the teachings to know the answers. Yet after being transferred to a third missionary I was no closer to a truth. I am going to write the prophet to ask him in the coming weeks.

Temptation is Needed

In the weeks leading up to New Years Eve I had questions about D&C 89:17 and the reference to mild drinks being made of barley. I have talked to the elders’ quorum president and the first councilor in my ward. They both advised me to rely on the words of the prophets. I took their suggestions and began to search out the words of the prophets. After several trips to the churches website to search through church doctrines I have not found a real answer.

I have gone back to those men in my ward and told them what I had found, and not found. They too said they were interested and that they would look into my questions personally and get back to me. It’s going on three weeks now without either one of them approaching me with any information. So I know pose the same question to anyone out there whom might help me understand what is meant by the mild drink made of barely. If you do find something you ought to check the original date it was said. I have found at least one apostle whom has said beer and alcohol are bad that has become prophet.

I have read where the apostles have prompted against the consumption of beer, and alcohol. When referencing “beer and alcohol” it seems if there is some type of difference made between the two. Is not beer alcohol? There is made reference in D&C 89 of wine and strong drink as not to be good. When I have mentioned the mild drinks made of barley, some members have made reference to non-alcoholic beers which you can find in stores. We know what defines a strong drink, and taking from that meaning of a strong drink to define a mild drink is rather straightforward. To be a mild drink it must not mean this is a reference to a non-alcoholic drink as then it would not be mild.

These members have also said that “It’s better not to be tempted” to them I say this. All temptation is of the Devil and not of God; adversaries cannot overpower those who hearken unto the word of God. This being said, I believe that you should not seek out temptation as it will surely find you wherever you are. When you are tempted remember that it is needed and ask God to strengthen you and give you the wisdom to overcome. Temptation is a nessary part of life and be thankful that you have been tempted. (James 1:12, D&C 29:39)