SiZ (Test): Book of Mormon

You Might Be a Mormon If...

You Might Be a Mormon If...

Finish this sentence! We know you've got some good ones.

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7opGWebKO6V5l7gX71hyphenhyphen6gAC9Q4ItsJF7hBKGUoNifH7Es86ndfRlmibgqTyzp5zvceIDjVz0ziy01EzhSJBxY2ITOOOsf8vcCyRZtGbofKbtJrIqvBkJeteKpBWJIHaFXiBchvUyWA/s1600/1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7opGWebKO6V5l7gX71hyphenhyphen6gAC9Q4ItsJF7hBKGUoNifH7Es86ndfRlmibgqTyzp5zvceIDjVz0ziy01EzhSJBxY2ITOOOsf8vcCyRZtGbofKbtJrIqvBkJeteKpBWJIHaFXiBchvUyWA/s400/1.jpeg" width="300px" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">You've most likely heard of the Broadway musical, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_Mormon_(musical)"><i>The Book of Mormon</i></a>, which raked in 14 Tony Award nominations. We haven't seen it, so we can't critique, but word on the streets is that <a href="http://www.mormon.org/">Mormon</a> or not, you either love it or hate it.</div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Mormons are sizzling HOT right now! (If you're Mormon and you know it clap your hands...but be careful you might burn yourself.) Barrington Stage Company is getting ready to present <i><a href="http://www.barringtonstageco.org/currentseason/index-detail.php?record=145">Mormons, Mothers and Monsters</a>. </i>That's right folks, its another musical comedy with Mormon in the title.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Popularity is a short ride. Like <strike>our good friend</strike> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005099/">Heidi Klum</a> says: "One day your in, the next day your out...Auf Wiedersehen." Who knows when Mormons will be back in style again, so we are thinking of producing a Mormon musical. Why shouldn't <a href="http://www.lds.org/">Latter-day Saints</a> get in on the Mormon Broadway action? Here are a few ideas we've tossed around. We'd love your thoughts on our play concepts and of course any new ideas would be greatly appreciated.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_mdCopwSISkcoKU6oeqOqHLdb5vUjH7l8oArYP-Nfr67aWxnDP99ZUAj8sE92gu3x7s7tKrCOno6KyC9wNRMUHDf3a9PqhQktJtAWZf4TUuBHCJkWx2HpsWGDxwNBYriDPpKzuqPImk/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_mdCopwSISkcoKU6oeqOqHLdb5vUjH7l8oArYP-Nfr67aWxnDP99ZUAj8sE92gu3x7s7tKrCOno6KyC9wNRMUHDf3a9PqhQktJtAWZf4TUuBHCJkWx2HpsWGDxwNBYriDPpKzuqPImk/s400/4.jpg" t8="true" width="260px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;">Twin sisters fall in love with the same <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missionary_(LDS_Church)#Returned_missionaries">RM</a>. Ultimatley, because Mormons do not practice poligamy, the young man is forced to choose. The jilted sister becomes green with envy (literally!) and resorts to various wicked deeds in hopes of keeping the happy couple from reaching their Temple wedding date. Is there a happily ever after in this Mormon fairytale?</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQqeAPJNn-QW1GLkxj8PYTT-VNgGb14d1m7fsRKgY0FcIM2Ek5X8wSiOkoCuw89hHJciLt9rVQWPEXmIRh5kK5EUbrSMImC6HMvc1kTVrQU48wHD4G9-gpP21w24uHNS5XWo_SJObcIw/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQqeAPJNn-QW1GLkxj8PYTT-VNgGb14d1m7fsRKgY0FcIM2Ek5X8wSiOkoCuw89hHJciLt9rVQWPEXmIRh5kK5EUbrSMImC6HMvc1kTVrQU48wHD4G9-gpP21w24uHNS5XWo_SJObcIw/s1600/5.jpg" t8="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;">Mary is an over zealous <a href="http://lds.org/pa/display/0,17884,4691-1,00.html">visiting teacher</a> who can't keep a companion for the life of her. Further, she refuses to set appointments with the sisters she teaches and insits on surprise pop ins. This play is filled with delightful songs such as; Just a Spoon Full of Sugar Helps the Lesson Go Down, Mary Go Fly a Kite and SuperMormonFragalisticPleaseDontDressAtrocious.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0w66pXtwxlW9oiWfQEbEA4e4asZXFGIE5PZ6TeK0WQRMnqREWVl4slQqIl-aNg_nTrUjf7Ms6QYZWJnxfg7n_IMRmvuWi5zurW5yCPWunaihs51CejA-ZVSFtKaM_yW_R5hZ19_TT_j0/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0w66pXtwxlW9oiWfQEbEA4e4asZXFGIE5PZ6TeK0WQRMnqREWVl4slQqIl-aNg_nTrUjf7Ms6QYZWJnxfg7n_IMRmvuWi5zurW5yCPWunaihs51CejA-ZVSFtKaM_yW_R5hZ19_TT_j0/s400/3.jpg" t8="true" width="286px" /></a></div><div align="center" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;">Brother von Trapp a Mormon widower with a lot of kids, grabs a container of <a href="http://www.sistasinzion.com/2009/10/cheerios-in-chapel.html">cherrios</a> and takes his family to listen to  <a href="http://www.musicandthespokenword.com/">Music and the Spoken Word</a> one Sunday morning. Amongst the hundreds of singers in the <a href="http://mormontabernaclechoir.org/">Mormon Tabernacle Choir</a> one voice stands out to him...Maria's. Maria is a lovely sister who loves nature and is always running through the hills, causing her to be late to choir practice. The other members of the choir decide that the only way to solve a problem like Maria, is to get her married, and Brother von Trapp seems to be just the right man. Guest appearance by <a href="http://mormontabernaclechoir.org/info/person?person_id=1">Lloyd Newell</a>.</div></div><div align="center" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaeQDgG66GB-TpdneXsRcFLyzG-afATDjC9n13kcl7jlXl0ZrBhGfkEpsL4EKb-qrbp0p0HctWdLy-51TjDP1AwCJVYn_rLKvfzFoP3u4nJIkFSVD8jan4z40ovV7f0adfqLVfq3V0XY/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaeQDgG66GB-TpdneXsRcFLyzG-afATDjC9n13kcl7jlXl0ZrBhGfkEpsL4EKb-qrbp0p0HctWdLy-51TjDP1AwCJVYn_rLKvfzFoP3u4nJIkFSVD8jan4z40ovV7f0adfqLVfq3V0XY/s400/3.jpg" t8="true" width="281px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you don't know this storyline, check it out <a href="http://www.sistasinzion.com/2011/04/diary-of-mad-black-mormon.html">here</a>. The idea would be to somehow make each diary entry rhyme, and then set them to music.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">See you at the Tonys!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Peace and Happiness,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Sista Beehive & Sista Laurel</div></div>

Another Mormon Musical

You've most likely heard of the Broadway musical, The Book of Mormon , which raked in 14 Tony Award nominations. We haven't seen it,...

Caption This!

We found this over at AkwardFamilyPhotos.com and we bet our bottom dollar they are Mormon . Ok peeps, caption this photo.

That Ain't Right!

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZaWDnOKOq2dbCPgQ5htZzBKPxWOqHV9SVThYUvGY7ae66uilkNs-tDu_aZfr7tAK-nW4mUiK5Q9Nk-nVrqWGC4yRyXf5aLK9vkDUXpQEQckmyAbnVusYau5LzxATc3bc9OrKvsOn6WM/s1600/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZaWDnOKOq2dbCPgQ5htZzBKPxWOqHV9SVThYUvGY7ae66uilkNs-tDu_aZfr7tAK-nW4mUiK5Q9Nk-nVrqWGC4yRyXf5aLK9vkDUXpQEQckmyAbnVusYau5LzxATc3bc9OrKvsOn6WM/s1600/1.png" /></a>Once we were visiting a Baptist church with some friends. The Pastor was giving a sermon on…well we aren’t exactly sure. At some point he began a tangent we like to call "That ain't right."<br /><br />It went a little something like this: If yo Priest lives in the big house and ya parishioners live in the po house, that ain't right! If the Reverend has a chef, and the congregation eats whatever's left, that ain't right! If ma Minister got a real nice suit, and all the church folk got holes in they shoes, that ain't right!<br /><br />Then he looked right over at us and said, if the Bishop got a BMW spinnin' on dubs (fancy rims) and the members drive a Pinto that needs a jump start and a shove, THAT AIN'T RIGHT! Whaaat! We looked at each other, we looked at the Pastor, was he for real trying to call us out for being <a href="http://www.mormon.org/">Mormon</a> in front of the entire congregation. <br /><br />Another time at a different church the Reverend was inviting people to come up to be prayed for. When no one was coming up on their own the Reverend decided to call for those who needed prayers. <br /><br />It went a little something like this: This young sister right here is 20 years old has three kids, two baby daddies and a one baby on the way, let us pray for her. Church this brother came into my office and said Reverend, I have transgressed. Church do you remember that he has been in AA? Well he has not been attending his meetings and just this morning he had a sip. Let us pray.<br /><br />This got us thinking how glad we are that the <a href="http://www.lds.org/">LDS</a> church does not have a portion of Sacrament meeting where we can share other peoples business or call people out. Can you even imagine it! You know that sister or brother in your ward that gets up every <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worship_services_of_The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints#Fast_and_testimony_meeting">Fast and Testimony Meeting</a> and tells all their business and we're all thinking TMI, TMI, TMI! Well imagine if they could tell yo business.<br /><br />It would probably go a little something like this: I just wanted to take this opportunity to share my testimony. I'm grateful for the Word of Wisdom and how it has been a protection to me and my family, let me be the first to admit that I struggle with the need to drink a diet coke occasionally, but it is nothing compared to the trials that Brother Brown and his family have to deal with because of his addiction to alcohol.<br /><br />I promised myself I wasn't going to do this, (as she starts to do the <a href="http://lds.org/pa/display/0,17884,4689-1,00.html">Relief Society</a> fan and cry) but I'm so grateful for Sister Leak, she is such an example to me of the type of mother I'd like to be to my children. I mean, she makes it look so easy raising all those children alone. I don't think I would be strong enough to send my children to their fathers (plural) homes knowing that they were being taught things there that are contrary to what we believe. But she has faith that things are going to work out and that Heavenly Father is aware of their needs and she has been right so far. She is such an amazing example of a woman of faith. I know that if I can learn to have faith like her, that Heavenly Father will remember and not forget me.<br /><br />Brothers and Sisters, as Bishop, I am shocked at the long pauses between testimonies. There are many of you here who have had your testimonies strengthened just this week. For instance you there Sister Jones, the Lord has blessed you, the DNA test could have gone the other way, but it did not. You and Brother Jones are now blessed with a family. Come up and testify of how God answers fervent prayers.<br /><br />Let's all take a deep breath and on the count of three say it together...1-2-3, That Ain't Right!!! Like our Aunty use to say, "If the Lord ain't talking about it, neither should you!"<br /><br />God is Great,<br />Sista Beehive & Sista Laurel

That Ain't Right!

Once we were visiting a Baptist church with some friends. The Pastor was giving a sermon on…well we aren’t exactly sure. At some point he be...

Caption This!

If this were a MORMONAD what would the caption be?

Stake Dance Wars

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9apbwKJvI7cFqfNqPMIgzIsWEO-hQVKKFpYclWFBnl3eFnbDzIQFwOcH94kxyKJeh1jlAAq5j-FCwU0wbkaTVXvzTkl5RhAtwEQv3d8XmDqsojIPkutGS_gkLEnkW0wytXEiywOQJew/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9apbwKJvI7cFqfNqPMIgzIsWEO-hQVKKFpYclWFBnl3eFnbDzIQFwOcH94kxyKJeh1jlAAq5j-FCwU0wbkaTVXvzTkl5RhAtwEQv3d8XmDqsojIPkutGS_gkLEnkW0wytXEiywOQJew/s1600/4.jpg" /></a>I attended a very diverse <a href="http://www.lds.org/">LDS</a> <a href="http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Stake">stake</a> where I was <a href="http://lds.about.com/od/organizationsauxiliaries/p/church_callings.htm">called</a> to work with the <a href="http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Youth">youth</a>. Our stake was diverse in age, racially, culturally, economically, socially, you name it. Many blessings come from being surrounded by people who are different from you, yet all having common ground as brothas and sistas in the Gospel.<br /><br />Minus the out-of-whack hormones, I enjoy working with the youth. However, there is one youth activity that can get a little crazy when working with a diverse group...a stake <a href="http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Dance">dance</a>. Somehow I always find myself on music duty, which means sitting next to the DJ, keeping the girls from flirting with him and maintaining the requests list. If you think that sounds easy, you don't know how wrong you are.<br /><br />First issue, age, there could be a ninety year old sister serving punch and cookies and the youngest teens at an LDS dance are usually fourteen. What happens is: dear sweet Sister 1920's shuffles over to let me know that she finds the music too loud. Then Brother So-and-so wants me to translate every rap song because he can't understand what they're saying. Another sister comes by and asks that we try not to play so much rock music, it makes the boys jump in to each other and it's dangerous.<br /><br />Then there are the kids. The black kids inform me they came to the dance to get crunk (have a good time), but they can’t because the music is whack (bad). The DJ plays a hip-hop track. The Hispanic kids stop by to let me know that they want to <em>really</em> dance, and you can't <em>really</em> dance to what the DJ is playing, please, please, play some Bachata (a form of music and dance that originated in the Dominican Republic). The DJ obliges. <br /><br />Some of the Asian kids want to get a break dance battle going, so could the DJ hit’em with a tight (cool, hip, amazing) beat. The Polynesian kids would like to chill (hang out, relax) to something mellow. The DJ plays a little something-something with ukulele in it. A group of white kids come over, like (a word spoken in between each word in a sentence, usually used by teenage girls) do you like have any like High School Musical.<br /><br />By now the DJ officially thinks <a href="http://www.mormon.org/">Mormons</a> are crazy (there goes any chance of converting this dude) and he can't wait to get out of here. Play some Beach Boys and the leaders are on the dance floor, but the kids are a united front and clearly on strike. The girls say there are not enough slow dances the boys say there are way too many.<br /><br />It’s the end of the night, there are no satisfied customers. I tell the DJ to put a <a href="http://www.michaeljackson.com/">Michael Jackson</a> song on. The dance floor fills up. Leaders know his music; the kids are poppin’ n lockin’ (urban dance style associated with breakdancing). Finally everyone is happy. Brother so-and-so is boogieing this way (what now, he can’t possibly need me to translate Michael Jackson). In between his spazmatic dance moves, he tells me that he likes Jackson 5, but The <a href="http://www.osmonds.com/">Osmonds</a> are better. <br /><br />Now I’ve had it, the DJ announces last song and asks me what he should play. Everyone seems to be pretty happy with Michael Jackson, so I figure we stick with Michael and end the night on an up swing. “How about <em>"Beat It"</em>,” I say. Here’s to hoping they all get the hint. ;-)<br /><br />God is Good,<br />Sista Laurel

Stake Dance Wars

I attended a very diverse LDS stake where I was called to work with the youth . Our stake was diverse in age, racially, culturally, econo...

A Different Kind of Saint

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtABfnTysTYgEtct74boFzAqNVgdZRXq-y8zXh-wSBo5OddaxtPT4OfEnFugL71VFf0rVNZEiOdXqVhZEmQV24fqo2jOfjTrh_14J6nXYL256jFzTXFsw5dztL_myhbr2O6I8lRnSCTcI/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtABfnTysTYgEtct74boFzAqNVgdZRXq-y8zXh-wSBo5OddaxtPT4OfEnFugL71VFf0rVNZEiOdXqVhZEmQV24fqo2jOfjTrh_14J6nXYL256jFzTXFsw5dztL_myhbr2O6I8lRnSCTcI/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a>Being a convert to the <a href="http://www.lds.org/">LDS</a> faith, I am very blessed to have had the opportunity to develop a love for His word. While I have a firm testimony in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I really enjoy going back to my family church, the Pentecostal church, to listen to the preachers and to allow the music to fill my soul and testify to my spirit. I love gospel music and one of my favorite artists is Ms. <a href="http://cecewinans.com/"><span style="color: purple;">CeCe Winans</span></a>. One of her songs <em>"Alabaster Box"</em> is a story that I think many of us can relate to:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>"The room grew still</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>As she made her way to Jesus</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>She stumbles through the tears that made her blind</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>She felt such pain</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Some spoke in anger</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Heard folks whisper</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>There's no place here for her kind</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Still on she came</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Through the shame that flushed her face</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Until at last, she knelt before his feet</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>And though she spoke no words</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Everything she said was heard</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>As she poured her love for the Master</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>From her box of alabaster"</em></div><br />As a teenager I was given a beautiful cross necklace by one of my relatives. I had no idea that wearing it to the LDS church would create such a frenzy. The reaction that I received from other members especially the adults was very hurtful, and if I didn't have a steadfast testimony in the Gospel, I might have left the church. I couldn't understand why they continued to tell me "We don't wear crosses." Who was "we?" And why don't "we" wear crosses? Umm, when I got baptized that wasn't one of the things that the missionaries said we couldn't do.<br /><br />For those members who have a long family history in the Church, who come from what some members like to call “Pioneer stock” it must be difficult to deal with converts that march to the beat of their own drum. Yet, still manage to stay in rhythm with the rest of the saints. Does it really matter if some people take the Sacrament with their left hand?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>"And I've come to pour </em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>My praise on Him</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Like oil from Mary's alabaster box</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Don't be angry if I wash his feet with my tears</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>And I dry them with my hair</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>You weren't there the night He found me</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>You did not feel what I felt</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>When he wrapped his love all around me and</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>You don't know the cost of the oil</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>In my alabaster box"</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />We all at some point find ourselves searching for His image in our countenance. A few years ago, I was wandering through a store in an area with a predominantly white demographic, and noticed a picture of Jesus Christ. It was an image of Jesus portrayed as a black man. I grabbed the picture and found myself in the longest line ever. Being short on time I put the picture back with the intention of returning for it when I had more time. </div><br />When I returned I found that all of the copies of that particular image were gone. I inquired as to how I could order a copy of the image only to have the sales clerk disappear to the back room and return with a copy. I inquired about why the picture was in the back and was told that the image of Christ was offensive to some of the customers so they were told to pull it.<br /><br />It doesn’t shock me that white people tend to gravitate toward images of Christ that favor them, just as people of color may gravitate to the images of Him that look the most like them. We all want to feel that we were indeed created in His image.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>"I can't forget the way life used to be </em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>I was a prisoner to the sin that had me bound</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>And I spent my days </em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Poured my life without measure</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Into a little treasure box</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>I'd thought I'd found</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Until the day when Jesus came to me</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>And healed my soul</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>With the wonder of His touch</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>So now I'm giving back to Him</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>All the praise He's worthy of</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>I've been forgiven </em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>And that's why</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>I love Him so much"</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The message is: My relationship with the Savior is personal. The way I choose to worship and show gratitude for what the Savior has done for me may be different than what you were taught, but that doesn't place less value on me in the eyes of my Savior, does it? I'm really grateful that as a youth I was taught in a church that encouraged and pushed me to figure out for myself the type of relationship that I wanted to have with God, Jesus Christ and my earthly brothas and sistas. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm happy for the example of the <a href="http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Following_the_Brethren">Brethren</a> and the way they LOVE people. All people. They seem to embrace the people and the cultures they come in contact with. I've even witnessed them singing and clapping along while they listen to a gospel song, Negro spiritual, or giving an Amen, and I often wonder...what is it that they know that the rest of us don't. </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>"You don't know the cost of the oil in my Alabaster Box"</em></div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kfVwIARBZW8?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="425"></iframe><br /><br />Your Sista in the Gospel,<br />Sista Beehive

A Different Kind of Saint

Being a convert to the LDS faith, I am very blessed to have had the opportunity to develop a love for His word. While I have a firm testimo...

Can Mormons Dance?

We get this question a lot from some of our non- LDS readers, CAN MORMONS DANCE? If you are asking if we are allowed to dance, the answer...

Lions and Tigers and Bedlamites, Oh My!

<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7vi0J0Ln0pIiI-eG66R0MMELboVbrmfbuHjTaWp0IAl9v_v80Bmk1jzyFSXlBFT7B3bRtpLTigdoN0N6IM0Xg05yDnEklWFzExDawU9TitT6fZ9URbMhu7z6DLFIrhImLlufZaU8o_4/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7vi0J0Ln0pIiI-eG66R0MMELboVbrmfbuHjTaWp0IAl9v_v80Bmk1jzyFSXlBFT7B3bRtpLTigdoN0N6IM0Xg05yDnEklWFzExDawU9TitT6fZ9URbMhu7z6DLFIrhImLlufZaU8o_4/s1600/1.jpg" /></a>First things first, we can’t say enough about how wonderful April 2011 <a href="http://lds.org/general-conference?lang=eng">General Conference</a> was this past weekend, we felt saved, sanctified and Holy Ghost filled! Now let’s get to <a href="http://lds.org/church/leader/jeffrey-r-holland?lang=eng&query=elder+holland">Elder Jeffrey R. Holland</a>! When Elder Holland made that hilarous remark about trying to hold <a href="http://lds.org/hf/fhe/welcome/0,16785,4210-1,00.html">Family Home Evening</a> inspite of the bedlam in a house reigned by little "bedlamlites," he had us rolling (urban translation, rolling: laughing extremely hard). The word Bedlamites is definitely getting added to the Mormon dictionary, right next to Nephites and Lamanites. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">Bedlamites will now be the beloved word used to reference rambunctious children; it will be the loving way Primary teachers refer to their unruly pupils. Sunbeams and Bedlamites will probably now be interchangeable. We can see the t-shirts that Desert Book will start selling; “My Bedlamite is cuter than your Bedlamite,” “Lions and Tigers and Bedlamites, Oh My!” “Todays’ Bedlamite’s are tomorrow’s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_thousand_stripling_warriors">Stripling Warriors</a>.” </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now, when we looked up bedlamite on Dictionary.com, (we were checking to see if the Church had copyrighted it yet, LDS folk get things done quick, fast and in a hurry) it said, and we quote “Bedlamite: an insane person; lunatic.” Yup, Elder Holland just politely called ya kids crazy!</div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Is there anyone out there who knows the art of politely telling it like it is better than the <a href="http://www.mormon.org/">Mormons</a> do? If you aren’t <a href="http://www.lds.org/">LDS</a> and a young man was to tell you that you’re daughter has a sweet spirit, you would probably be so flattered. Well don’t be, cause that means that boy thinks her personality is nice and all, but he’s not really feelin' her in the looks department. I know you can’t believe it, but that is what that sugar-coated comment actually means.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">ESPN writer, <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/rick-reilly-go-fish/post/_/id/869/rick-reilly-mailbag">Rick Reilly</a> recently wrote an <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/rick-reilly-go-fish/post/_/id/869/rick-reilly-mailbag">article</a> about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmer_Fredette">Jimmer Fredette</a> that some Mormons were upset about, this is what Rick had to say about the hate mail: “The best hate mail in America comes from <a href="http://www.byu.edu/">BYU</a> fans. Even when they're spitting 20-penny nails, they're still incurably nice. Alabama fans will write hoping you die a slow, painful death, staked to an anthill while your mom watches, but the worst a BYU fan will say to you is that you're not going to heaven.”</div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">That’s how we roll. We LDS like to L-D-S (Let’em Down Sensitively). Rick Reilly, take a lesson from the Mormons next time you’re talking about Jimmer’s fans say something like, "I can’t believe all the Bedlam those BYU Bedlamites are causing", it may go over a little better. On the real, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's talk was excellent, you can catch it <a href="http://lds.org/general-conference/watch/2011/04?lang=eng&vid=883477018001&cid=10">here</a>. And just in case some of you still don’t believe us about the phrase “sweet spirit,” here’s the lyrics to the song “Sweet Spirit” by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sons_of_Provo">Sons of Provo</a>.</div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gJp9e0bFHQU?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="425"></iframe><br /><br />God Bless,<br />Sista Beehive & Sista Laurel

Lions and Tigers and Bedlamites, Oh My!

First things first, we can’t say enough about how wonderful April 2011 General Conference was this past weekend, we felt saved, sanctified ...

Proverbs or Proverb?

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7l2cGpfaQbG2xI3tGxTS3Pzz6CBs0ZxWO0SO-Rr44gH4JK0z7RZhDVS3S2PtGupO0xIKJUm3dy7O0bQtwpP7twKAZn6wP5mniQxynadltAig5NFuP_DOxW293uMWHcR5MfiNiQGDym-M/s1600/2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467881006888481026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7l2cGpfaQbG2xI3tGxTS3Pzz6CBs0ZxWO0SO-Rr44gH4JK0z7RZhDVS3S2PtGupO0xIKJUm3dy7O0bQtwpP7twKAZn6wP5mniQxynadltAig5NFuP_DOxW293uMWHcR5MfiNiQGDym-M/s320/2.jpg" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>I come from one of those families where scripture is used to scare you straight. I used to wonder how parents ever expected kids to like reading the scriptures if they were always associated with punishment. I mean, no wonder my siblings and I didn't want to wake up for early morning scripture study. Go stand in the corner, Go sit in the corner, Go kneel in the corner, Go to your room (ok, so I was a bit of a trouble maker, but that's not the point) and take your scriptures with you.<br /><br />*Side note: I don't know how I ended up loving to read, but it's one of my favorite things to do, even though I had to do it when I was in trouble at home. Even at school I had to read the dictionary for punishment...hmmm well I guess that explains my excellent vocabulary.<br /><br />Anyway, there was one verse in the Bible that I couldn't stand when I was younger. I had never read it, but I had heard it quoted by numerous parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors, teachers, and random old ladies watching me make mischief. It's one of the scariest scriptures known to children-kind, yes, that's the one. If I've heard it once, I've heard it a thousand times: "the Bible says; spare the rod, spoil the child."<br /><br />To me it seemed like every adult I knew, had this scripture memorized. I naturally assumed that while we children were being told to memorize the Articles of Faith in Primary, grown-ups we're being told to memorize "Spare the rod, spoil the child," in adult Sunday school. Even my school Principal had a big paddle nailed above his door. The Principal loved mallard ducks, he had wooden ducks on his desk and one Christmas my mother found fabric with mallards on it and she made him hand towels out of it. Well, even that giant wooden paddle above his door had a mallard duck in flight on it. I never wanted to be sent to his office, because I figured that a paddle with a duck on it meant he liked paddling kids just as much as he liked ducks, and if that were the case...well, you get the picture.<br /><br />After hearing this scripture for the thousandth time, I decided to do a little research. The first thing I did was search high and low for the scripture, and after searching every Bible nook and cranny, I couldn't find it anywhere! I did however find this:<br /><br /><em>Proverbs 10:13 In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding. </em><br /><br /><em>Proverbs 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. </em><br /><br /><em>Proverbs 19:18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.<br /></em><br /><em>Proverbs 22:15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. </em><br /><br /><em>Proverbs 23:13 Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. </em><br /><br /><em>Proverbs 23:14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell. </em><br /><br /><em>Proverbs 26:3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back. </em><br /><br /><em>Proverbs 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. </em><br /><br />Yikes! I had a million questions. Who was this Mr. Proverbs? What had I ever done to him? Why doesn't he like children and what could I do about getting his advice removed from the Holy Bible? It took some time, but I finally I found out that the book of Proverbs was actually written by King Solomon. Well you must know how I felt about dear old King Solomon. Turns out that King Solomon was well known for his wisdom, and while I had to admit that with 700 wives and 300 concubines he probably did know a thing or two about raising children, I still wasn't happy about his scary scripture verses. Then another thing happened, I learned the definition of the word proverb (probably while I was in a corner at school reading the dictionary). A proverb is a short, popular, wise or profound saying. So get this, around the year 1662 a man by the name of Samuel Butler had a poem published that had some lines in it that went a little something like this:<br /><br /><em>Love is a Boy, by Poets styl'd,</em><br /><em>Then Spare the Rod, and spill the Child.</em><br /><br />Also written as:<br /><br /><em>Love is a Boy, by Poets styl'd,</em><br /><em>Then Spare the Rod, and spoil the Child.</em><br /><br />Apparently spill in this context means spoil. Well, well, well, didn’t I feel smug and what did you think I did with my new found knowledge the next time some grown-up said “Spare the rod and spoil the child” to me…. that’s right brothas and sistas…. I did absolutely nothing! Why, you ask? Well, do I look crazy to you? I just sat in the corner with my Bible thinking, ain’t that a shame, grown folks don’t even know the difference between a proverb and the book of Proverbs…. um, um, um…so sad, think they quotin Bible, but they quotin Butler!<br /><br />Hallelujah Holla Back,<br />Sista Laurel<br /><br /><a href="http://www.myfreecopyright.com/registered_mcn/BT8QW_3GY41_YKT8E" title="MyFreeCopyright.com Registered & Protected"><img alt="MyFreeCopyright.com Registered & Protected" border="0" height="38" src="http://storage.myfreecopyright.com/mfc_protected.png" title="MyFreeCopyright.com Registered & Protected" width="145" /></a>

Proverbs or Proverb?

I come from one of those families where scripture is used to scare you straight. I used to wonder how parents ever expected kids to like rea...

I Wonder if Heaven Got a Ghetto?

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzocNR4vd14P5U-k5hGQg4pW5lkTJkknK3vU7zLmuYNZyOgWLK9eQLqIalw2sdZP9eacHBf5aGqJFXB3nw5oqitm6gCgzjPNRgXb8ouN_fGFyX9qvcULg-uDBCtmuyOBwEOyrnawrWZSA/s1600/1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464899041263274146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzocNR4vd14P5U-k5hGQg4pW5lkTJkknK3vU7zLmuYNZyOgWLK9eQLqIalw2sdZP9eacHBf5aGqJFXB3nw5oqitm6gCgzjPNRgXb8ouN_fGFyX9qvcULg-uDBCtmuyOBwEOyrnawrWZSA/s320/1.jpg" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 266px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 274px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> I was visiting with a few of my girls the other day, and one of our sistas who isn't LDS commented that she appreciated the VIP Heaven that we LDS folk have, you know the three Heavens, she said, because I just don’t think I want to be in the same Heaven as my Mother. (I've probably had that thought a few times myself.)<br /><br />While engaged in this conversation, another sista bore her testimony about the three degrees of glory.<br /><br />Renee Ebony Miller: <em>When I was a child, Tupac had a popular song out where he asked the question, “Does Heaven have a Ghetto?” That struck a cord with me in my childhood, so much so, that I asked my Mother the very same question. She explained that her belief was that, in Heaven the Lord would want us to be comfortable, and because paradise was different to every person, it was entirely possible that Heaven did have a Ghetto. My mother and I always thought that this was something we would have to wait until we got Heaven to find out. So, when at the age of 14, I started taking the missionary discussions and Sister Butterworth told me about the three degrees of glory, the Celestial, the Terrestrial, and the Telestial Kingdoms. I knew the church had to be true, because Heaven had a Ghetto. It was also interesting to know that the Lord would answer a childhood question of mine. Plus in VIP Heaven (Celestial) you can go visit people in the other degrees of Heaven, but they can't come visit you! For example, my family in South Central can't come visit me in Beverly Hills, but I can go visit them in South Central. Yes, Heaven got a Ghetto/Trailer Park.</em><br /><br />Of course our non-LDS sista was now even more curious so we broke it down for her.<br /><br />Telestial Kingdom: This is the place for those who don't know how to follow the rules. If you don't know how to abide by the law, you might end up in the Telestial Kingdom. In the Telestial Kingdom you are stationary. It’s not prison, but a similar concept. You can make collect calls to your friends and family in the higher Kingdoms, you can beg for a visit, and they’ll come if they want to. No passing contraband from the other Kingdoms to the people in the Telestial Kingdom. It’s nothing like the Penitentiary (not that I know what that’s like), It’s nicer, more like where Martha Stewart went. You don’t have to visit through the glass, no one is going to shank you, and you don’t have to worry about your celly snitching on you. While it’s not quite lock down, it’s not all roses though, because you don’t get to leave. No outside visits, no leaving your Kingdom.<br /><br />Terrestrial Kingdom: This is like a "middle class neighborhood". In this neighborhood, there are people who are good, kind, and who actually tried to live a decent life. They tried to do right, and still recognized that Christ was the Savior, yet didn't develop a personal relationship with God the Father. Now this place is much nicer than the Telestial Kingdom. You’re not rolling in a Lexus, but you do get a bus pass. There’s nothing wrong with public transportation, shoot, a bus pass is a privilege, cause that means you get to travel! You can visit all your friends in the Telestial Kingdom, however, that’s it though, cause your line doesn’t run up town.<br /><br />Celestial Kingdom: Now this is what Brigham Young was talking about! This is the place! This is an all access pass. This is the Kingdom that you inherit if you have lived up to all the covenants that have been required of you In this neighborhood, you really do get to leave your doors unlocked and everything is fine. If your address is 2438 North Celestial Boulevard, then you have arrived. The best part about living in this neighborhood is that the "Stationary" and "Bus Pass" friends and family can't just stop in and case your house. No one can try to make you feel bad because you have nicer things than they do They have to call and invite you to visit them... and you got the free agency to say we’re not available. Now what I hope is that we have caller I.D. in the Celestial Kingdom, for just in case we don't feel like answering the phone.<br /><br />But then we had to drop the BOMB…the Celestial Kingdom has a VVIP! So if you should be one of those who has earned a mansion in the Celestial Kingdom, don't be shocked if you look around one day and find there is an area that is sectioned off, with Porter Rockwell guarding all of "us" VVIP folk. Please don't think I can get you in, chances are I barley got in myself. However I will tell Jesus, Joseph Smith, Mother Teresa, Gandhi, my Mama and my Daddy that you said hello.<br /><br />Peace & Love,<br />Sista Beehive<br /><br /><a href="http://www.myfreecopyright.com/registered_mcn/BT8QW_3GY41_YKT8E" title="MyFreeCopyright.com Registered & Protected"><img alt="MyFreeCopyright.com Registered & Protected" border="0" height="38" src="http://storage.myfreecopyright.com/mfc_protected.png" title="MyFreeCopyright.com Registered & Protected" width="145" /></a>

I Wonder if Heaven Got a Ghetto?

I was visiting with a few of my girls the other day, and one of our sistas who isn't LDS commented that she appreciated the VIP Heaven ...

Acting Mormon

A couple of years ago <a href="http://www.kirbyheyborne.com/">Kirby Heyborne </a>, an LDS actor known for his work in LDS films such as <em>The R.M</em>, <em>Singles Ward</em> and The <em>Best Two Years</em>, did a beer commercial for Miller Lite. He received some backlash from the LDS community for appearing in the ad. Some called him a “sell out” others questioned his “personal ethics and faith.”<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vlbFUMUokRw&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vlbFUMUokRw&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />In response to the scrutiny, Heyborne said this in an interview with <a href="http://mormontimes.com/home/">Deseret News’ Mormon Times</a>: "I'm a temple-worthy member that loves his wife and kids, and fulfills his calling at church and does his home teaching. And yet I'm going to play characters that might have moral dilemmas, or do a commercial -- or whatever it is --because my job is the way that I provide for my family." Heyborne also released this parody:<br /><br /><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FqKmokqwd6I&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FqKmokqwd6I&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOCkFxZiDrCgEK9KyxIKDdba0FmfjJwuKKZDKy9OETbiF2GPdGUzh4b2MjE1sOmGLpWJ7xmlqBvOylI1ZpujKs-somc31nF-kOuuIZhYdhEHH03Y1vPpcX8KZoj-LVTpY2c7SfMALCgE/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441544329887683074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOCkFxZiDrCgEK9KyxIKDdba0FmfjJwuKKZDKy9OETbiF2GPdGUzh4b2MjE1sOmGLpWJ7xmlqBvOylI1ZpujKs-somc31nF-kOuuIZhYdhEHH03Y1vPpcX8KZoj-LVTpY2c7SfMALCgE/s320/1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a> Recently a group of 12 LDS women posed for the <em>Hot Mormon Muffins: A Taste of Motherhood</em> calendar. Though Chad Hardy, the calendars creator says that his calendar was “created as a vehicle to create dialog and deliberately debunk the subservient stereotypes of women's roles within the Mormon Church,” criticizers called it immodest, sleazy and even pornographic.<br /><br />Calendar cover girl and mother of three daughters, Tami Roberts, in an Idaho Falls, Local News 8 interview said, "I don't see what the big deal is. I think it's kind of campy and fun.”<br /><br />Hot topics such as these remind me of when I was younger, having lived in an area that was predominantly non-Mormon, I was often told by my parents that I needed to set a “good example.” What exactly did they mean by that? Well, I was told because I was the one of the few members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that many of my friends and family members knew, I should act in a way that showed others that I was a follower of Christ. As a Latter-day Saint I am always quite conscious of the eyes that may be upon me. I cringe at even the thought of the instances when I have behaved poorly, and a witness to my un-Christ-likeness finds out that I am Christian and LDS.<br /><br />As a kid it’s hard to be a good example all the time, and as an adult it is even more complex. Children are following their parent’s rules, but as an adult there is no one that says to us, “Because I said so.” Religious leaders, politicians, actors, models, celebrities and all other public figures are scrutinized more so, because they are in the public eye. The whole world is often privy to their words and their actions. Is our scrutiny fair?<br /><br />Are there exceptions? Would the LDS community have felt differently if Kirby Heyborne had portrayed a beer-drinking investigator of the LDS church or drunk King Laban of the Book of Mormon? Can "Hot Mormon Muffins” of today still be effective Young Women Leaders of tomorrow?<br /><br /><em>Mosiah 29:12: Now it is better that a man should be judged of God than of man, for the judgments of God are always just, but the judgments of man are not always just.</em> It is not my desire to be an unjust judge; you know what the Bible says, “let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” (Did you hear that…all the rocks just fell out of my hand?)<br /><br />This is what I have come to realize, however unfair it may seem, my personal actions can and often do have an affect on how others view my faith.<br /><br />Sidenote: I thought about auditioning for next years “Hot Mormon Muffins” calendar (not really), but then they would have to call it Warm Mormon Muffin-Tops (really)!<br /><br />An imperfect follower of Christ,<br />Sista Laurel<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.myfreecopyright.com/registered_mcn/BT8QW_3GY41_YKT8E" title="MyFreeCopyright.com Registered & Protected"><img alt="MyFreeCopyright.com Registered & Protected" border="0" height="38" src="http://storage.myfreecopyright.com/mfc_protected.png" title="MyFreeCopyright.com Registered & Protected" width="145" /></a>

Acting Mormon

A couple of years ago Kirby Heyborne , an LDS actor known for his work in LDS films such as The R.M , Singles Ward and The Best Two Years ,...

Woe is Me

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPaU6QxL_kEuS9OWJDP92nkl3MZKW-7tilBftUG5Vn_G3l_U6U0doze-sQ8p9AdgoRVw1E7GZT6gM1iWC24AinDdMGuK1pxQfd9FTg3iiNReSa9-tERU5uCQgELMWYx54m_qI9mgsZj6s/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPaU6QxL_kEuS9OWJDP92nkl3MZKW-7tilBftUG5Vn_G3l_U6U0doze-sQ8p9AdgoRVw1E7GZT6gM1iWC24AinDdMGuK1pxQfd9FTg3iiNReSa9-tERU5uCQgELMWYx54m_qI9mgsZj6s/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a>Do you know Job? Have you ever been so consumed with your problems and personal concerns that it seemed there was no immediate relief in sight? Well, these past few months I have been going through some growing pains, which I have spent more time laboring over and stressed about then I care to admit. I'm usually a pretty faithful and positive person. However when I'm going through those dark alleys of life, I can get a little paranoid and crazy. I was feeling judged and misunderstood by people I trusted. Family relationships that I thought were secure were being altered due to exaggerated stories and some out right lies. I had almost reached that point of insanity where I begin asking myself if God had turned on me, I wondered if He was out to get me. I was feeling a little like Job. I know it's a bit of an exaggeration (yes, it must run in the family).<br /><br />No, I didn't have seven thousand sheep burned because fire fell from Heaven. The Chaldeans didn't fall upon my three thousand camels. I don't even know what a Sabean looks like, so they sure didn't touch my asses or my oxen. I can't even imagine nor do I want to think about losing my entire family in a tornado or anything else. Nevertheless I was feeling like I was experiencing one trial after another with no safe haven or form of protection. While I was traveling down this road of self pity, feeling sorry for myself, I did what most of us were taught to do, I searched the scriptures for answers.<br /><br />Why, why, why did I do that? Have you ever read Job? OMG'ness, Job had it all! He was referred to as a just and perfect man. He was blessed with great riches, and was respected by everyone in the community.<br />God loved Job, He trusted Job, He knew Job. Now this is where the story takes on a unique shape. All this was taking place during a time when the sons of God would go and present themselves to God our Heavenly Father; you know I was a little shocked to read that Satan was among them. Yep, when the sons of God presented themselves Satan (our brother) was among them. Side note: Satan had a personal relationship with God even after he got the boot!! The thought of this was so deep, I have a whole blog dedicated to the topic. To make a long story short, Satan was given the green light to tempt and to try Job. He could touch all that Job had, yet he wasn't to touch Job.<br /><br />Job was a man who faced some terrible and depressing situations. His children were killed. His servants were killed. His livestock destroyed. All of this happened in one day. A messenger went to Job to tell him that the Sabeans took away the oxen and asses and killed all of his servants except the one delivering the message. While the servant was delivering the message, another servant came, to tell Job, that all of his sheep were burned. While he was still speaking another servant came with a message that the Chaldeans took all of Jobs camel and had killed his servants. As if that weren't enough, Job received another message that must have been devastating. Job was informed that there had been a tornado and everyone was killed -- the servants, all of his children (7 sons and 3 daughters), there was one surviver - a servant the one delivering the message. Job's response to the events that had happened that day was:<br /><br />Job 1: 21: Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." With everything that Job endured, he blessed the name of the Lord.<br /><br />As for my situation ... Yes! I did feel "salty" and ungrateful among other things. Just when I was ready to stop feeling sorry for myself, I allowed Satan access. But that was then. I'm going through my own trauma, not as severe; nonetheless, no less traumatic. I'm entitled to my feelings! Right? If you said Amen to that, you need to run to the nearest priesthood leader, pastor, reverend, somebody, anybody (more righteous then you) and get a good long blessing.<br /><br />Some of us would think that would have been it. God won (of course) Satan lost, the end. However, Satan wasn't done with our brotha Job. Not wanting to admit he had lost, Satan again went with the sons of God to present himself (still I'm shocked). The Lord's response was: Job 2:3-6<br /><br />3: "And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and bescheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause."<br />4: "And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life."<br />5: "But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face."<br />6: "And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life."<br /><br />What? Did the Lord really just give Satan permission to do whatever to Job, except kill him? I'm so happy this wasn't a movie! I would have been that annoying person talking back to the movie screen. Unbelievable! Why Lord, I really hope the Lord don't have that kind of faith in me.<br />Job was then struck with painful boils on his entire body. He said his brothas and friends were estranged from him. Family and friends had forgotten him. His servants wouldn't answer his calls. Children even despised him and talked about him. His breath was strange to his wife (I know what you are thinking, and I'm gonna pray for y'all ). Talk about a fall from grace. Job had lost everything and I’m sure he was tempted to completely give up and turn his back on God. His wife even told him to just curse God and die because he was in such a pitiful state. But Job didn’t do that. While he did go through a time of complaining and questioning, he never gave up on God. Wow, what to say? My life ain't so bad, actually my life is good and I am blessed. Even in his moments of self pity, he didn't really complain. I wish I could pretend that I wouldn't have been in a full on windmilling (you remember those fights you and your little sistas and brothas used to have back in the day) kind of fight -- with the Lord. I'm not even going to tempt the Lord and ask for the type of faith that Job had ... because that Brothas and Sistas would mean that I would have to go through something similar to what Job went through.<br /><br />I know that we all go through life's storms. I know that we are having the experiences that we are supposed to have. Who didn't want to be Job prior to him going through his version of the garden of Gethsemane? Who would have traded places with him when he was going through the refiner’s fire? Who stood with him during his moment of hell? We all want to have what Job had, yet we wouldn't have wanted to go through what Job went through.<br /><br />Yes, I'm clear! I'm not going through anything remotely close to what Job went through. I know that I was having a moment, now, it's over. My Sistas and friends stood with me during my trials (I probably shouldn't even call what I've experienced a trial or test). I know that I am loved! I know that God is real! I know that my relationship with Him is real! And, I know that He knows me. He knows me!! I know me. He knows me because I'm having the type of experiences that I can live with, and not those of Job. I know that He loves me because in my moment of insanity I was reminded that He had provided for me an umbrella, a shelter from the storm, Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. Part of Jesus' atoning love and sacrifice was that during moments of loneliness and hopelessness we would remember to turn to him. There aren't any quick fixes, but through him all things can be restored beyond what even we can imagine.<br /><br />Your Sista in the Gospel,<br />Sista Beehive<br /><a href="http://www.myfreecopyright.com/registered_mcn/BT8QW_3GY41_YKT8E" title="MyFreeCopyright.com Registered & Protected"><img alt="MyFreeCopyright.com Registered & Protected" border="0" height="38" src="http://storage.myfreecopyright.com/mfc_protected.png" title="MyFreeCopyright.com Registered & Protected" width="145" /></a>

Woe is Me

Do you know Job? Have you ever been so consumed with your problems and personal concerns that it seemed there was no immediate relief in sig...

Let Us Remember and Not Forget

Let us remember and not forget that there are many who walked an uncomfortable path so that we could walk a more comfortable one. We are grateful for all of the people who made sacrifices so that we could have the freedoms that we have. It is our hope that you will enjoy our post today. Remember to honor those that made great sacrifice, especially those that sacrificed with their lives. Remember the Church Leaders are doing all that they know to do serve the needs of all our the Brothas and Sistas, around world. As Service is an important part of all faiths and religions especially in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Let us not forget that today is "Not a day off but a day on". A wonderful site is <a href="http://actsoflove365.blogspot.com/">Acts of love 365. </a><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PbUtL_0vAJk&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PbUtL_0vAJk&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="http://www.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/media/mediaplayer.swf?media=http://broadcast.lds.org/newsroom/video/flv/PresHinckley_April_2006.flv&type=FLV">President Gordon B. Hinckley on Racial Intolerance</a>

Let Us Remember and Not Forget

Let us remember and not forget that there are many who walked an uncomfortable path so that we could walk a more comfortable one. We are gra...

Alex Boye Wants Jesus to Walk With Him - Part 1

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizheq6e-u48M6UEHWfA6MqB48ysfdDOBIfkoemHCSumMss0RUJfcmvbbbhaq5WcK1keWBkwlvMHEaEJCI9dg-_maY56D6KGJukrjnn2Ps2b_sI41_LKyE4yt-TpKM4SV5VAomfQOrXPrY/s1600-h/ab.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426690691008016642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizheq6e-u48M6UEHWfA6MqB48ysfdDOBIfkoemHCSumMss0RUJfcmvbbbhaq5WcK1keWBkwlvMHEaEJCI9dg-_maY56D6KGJukrjnn2Ps2b_sI41_LKyE4yt-TpKM4SV5VAomfQOrXPrY/s320/ab.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 214px;" /></a> Are you there? Yes, I’m here. The phone begins to ring. Hi Alex, It’s Sista Beehive and Sista Laurel. What’s up, how are you, he says. Wait a minute Sistas, he says in that smooth British accent, just let me turn down the M.J. I got blastin. He’s in the car; no doubt on his way to a meeting or a rehearsal, <a href="http://alexboye.com/">Alex Boye </a>is a busy man! The three of us casually chat for a few minutes and do some catching up.<br /><br />So Alex how long have you been with Motab (<a href="http://www.mormontabernaclechoir.org/">Mormon Tabernacle Choir</a>), Sista Beehive asks. Three years now, I did the auditions and they asked me to report on January 6th. They said there are only two reasons you shouldn’t be there: either you're dead or on your honeymoon. I was neither so I showed up. That’s where I did the orientation of the choir school. You can’t miss it, if you do, you’re done, it’s over. So I did that, then it’s the exam, I was admitted into the choir and off to choir school. Choir school is about three months long. Man, it was hard-core, intense, but a good experience for me. It’s three nights a week, something like 12 hours a week. Choir school is where you are prepared to be in the choir. There’s one starting now, with about seventy-five new members.<br /><br />What did you do before the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Sista Laurel asks. Hustle around trying to get girls, just being an idiot, you don't want to know! Oh really, we say, he has us intrigued. So can you share a pick up line you used to use back in the day? He does…it’s bad. We’re not gonna do a Brotha like that and tell you what it was…furthermore we suggest he stop telling people he ever said it. Fortunately, someone was nice enough not to hold it against him. We know his wife; she’s great. Sista Beehive for some reason suggests that he start a dating school. Sista Laurel knows that he would have to issue everyone refunds.<br /><br />I was watching the video of you singing Rocka My Soul, says Sista Beehive. I could have sworn I saw you poppin and trying to break it down. Alex is laughing hysterically. Some one once bet me that I couldn’t moon walk across the Tabernacle stage he says. We think he was trying to reverently take on that bet. But we’ll let you be the judge.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="266" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NcIK5tQOq3Y?feature=player_embedded" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="320"></iframe></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left">I saw a couple of choir members getting into it and bobbing a little says Sista Laurel. You know they like to move, he says. Any time we sing a spiritual or anything a little more ruckus, the other members always say to me, it makes us want to move. I think the choir is trying to appeal to a larger audience, a younger and bigger market. One of the managers said to me that they want to sell millions of records, they don’t want to just sell thousands. Speaking of the choir’s appeal, how does Motab fare with the Grammys, asks Sista Laurel. I know they have a Grammy, she says, how many?<br /><br />Just the one he says, in 1959 for Battle Hymn of the Republic. We are shocked. Does the choir submit all their albums for nomination we ask? Yes they do he says. They actually submitted I Want Jesus to Walk with Me, which was one of the songs I did with the choir. That was heart warming to me. It was evident that they do want to appeal to a larger audience, of all the songs they could submit they sent a Negro Spiritual. We didn’t win anything for it, but it really meant something to me even though nothing happened.<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="266" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jrVTuskdCgo?feature=player_embedded" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="320"></iframe></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left">Tell us some of your experiences traveling with the choir, Sista Beehive asks. You know there are people who come twenty to thirty miles with their families, some half-broke just to see the choir. There was a family who did that and then they drove to the next place we were performing. Many people do it. The choir’s response outside the State of Utah is very different, people turn up, and the closest they can get to the choir they will drive or fly to get there.<br /><br />When I was a little older than sixteen I saw them in England. I only went because someone hooked me up with a ticket. I just didn’t think that me a kid who listened to Hip Hop and Motown would even connect with this music. Prior to seeing the choir my Bishop and everybody at church had been asking, Alex, are you going to go on a mission? I just couldn’t say yes to them, I had one foot in that world and one foot in the secular world. Well anyways, I went to the concert. And it changed me, I felt the spirit so strong, and I knew I was going on a mission. That’s why I tell people, don’t sweat, you’ll feel the spirit. It truly is the Lord’s choir. I’ve had the Spirit testify of that on many, many occasions. That’s why I’m still here. I have ADHD, I don’t stick to things for too long. Even my Mother says, Alex it has been three years and you are still in the choir. That’s a great testimony, says Sista Beehive, especially for those who say Mormons don’t musically sound like us, it lets them know that the spirit can still speak to you even through the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.<br /><br />Who is in charge of teaching Motab rhythm and how to clap, asks Sista Laurel. No one he says laughing, it’s a free for all. Some get it and some don’t. So tell us, what is happening with your solo career, Sista Laurel says. Well, I like the way Sister Gladys Knight said it, “I want to bring a little more chocolate to the vanilla.” As members of the Church we deserve to have every style. If you go to an ice cream store you would be mad if you go in and they only serve one flavor. You would say I’m going to Baskin Robins where they have pistachio and rocky road, bubble gum, all that. We do deserve variety, that’s what I look forward to. I want to be a part of that store. I just want there to be some of my flavor. I’m not saying that I’m the answer. You know when I realized that, that I wasn’t the answer and started trying to be a part of the team, I felt the spirit more in my music and people felt the spirit more through my music. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />Anyways, I love that Motown flavor Smokey Robinson and the Temptations, Motown that’s where I developed a love for music. So I did a Motown album, my original songs, just with that style and feel to it. Cause I get sick of the stuff that’s out there today. I wanted to do some good solid music, but the strangest thing happened to me when I was working on this album. I had a really strong impression to do a hymns album, I wasn't interested and I kept fighting the feeling. I thought I don’t want to do that, nobody has asked me to. I was doing the Motown album and I kept getting a feeling of guilt, so I finally went to the studio and chose some hymns. I had eight songs and I needed three more and I couldn’t think of what songs to do. I was just stuck there. I get a phone call from Elder Ballard. His secretary says, he wants to speak to you. I’m thinking, there's only two reasons an Apostle calls someone.... (<strong><em>to be continued</em></strong>) <a href="http://www.sistasinzion.com/2010/01/alex-boye-wants-jesus-to-walk-with-him_16.html" target="_blank">READ PART 2 HERE</a><br /><br />The Mormon Tabernacle Choir will be singing Negro Spirituals during Music and the Spoken Word on Sunday, January 17, 2010. To find out more about how you can attend or listen to this broadcast visit: <a href="http://www.mormontabernaclechoir.org/info/matsw">http://www.mormontabernaclechoir.org/info/matsw</a>. </div><div align="left"><br />To Learn more about Alex Boye visit: <a href="http://www.alexboye.com/">http://www.alexboye.com/</a> or <a href="http://www.facebook.com/alexboye.music">http://www.facebook.com/alexboye.music</a></div><div align="left"><br /><br />Your Sistas in the Gospel, </div><div align="left">Sista Beehive and Sista Laurel<br /><br /><a href="http://www.myfreecopyright.com/registered_mcn/BT8QW_3GY41_YKT8E" title="MyFreeCopyright.com Registered & Protected"><img alt="MyFreeCopyright.com Registered & Protected" border="0" height="38" src="http://storage.myfreecopyright.com/mfc_protected.png" title="MyFreeCopyright.com Registered & Protected" width="145" /></a> </div>

Alex Boye Wants Jesus to Walk With Him - Part 1

Are you there? Yes, I’m here. The phone begins to ring. Hi Alex, It’s Sista Beehive and Sista Laurel. What’s up, how are you, he says. Wait...

Shame On You!!

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIOU1szkAklpY7RVhHNHED6TFb7N4xIIqt85lVmXls69YnJSpoX57dUN3zacR_Fy1Aa438G8e8hts0Ua0uLpOtytI-P3vNxrmk1wo8hVSawo7py5vdH1bpbpKXvvhsULK8PdlWpY_-3I/s1600/shameful.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405145596189916642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIOU1szkAklpY7RVhHNHED6TFb7N4xIIqt85lVmXls69YnJSpoX57dUN3zacR_Fy1Aa438G8e8hts0Ua0uLpOtytI-P3vNxrmk1wo8hVSawo7py5vdH1bpbpKXvvhsULK8PdlWpY_-3I/s320/shameful.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 209px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 150px;" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="color: #ff6600; font-family: times new roman; font-size: 130%;"><em>Anonymous - November 15, 2009 4:09 PM </em></span><br /><br /></div><div><span style="color: #ff6600; font-family: times new roman; font-size: 130%;"><em></em></span><br /></div><div><span style="color: #ff6600; font-family: times new roman; font-size: 130%;"><em>How can you be black and be such a supporting member of an organization that was officially racist until 1978? And still teaches to this day that the Curse of Cain is manifest in black people?<br /><br />Shame on you.</em></span> <br /></div><br /><br />We know that this isn't typically done, and if this post makes any of our readers feel uncomfortable we apologize.<br /><br />Many of our Brothas and Sistas get this question regularly, this is our post for today, we wanted you - our readers, Sistas and Brothas to share with us your response. It was originally posted in the comments section of "It's Not My Turn To Pray". We responded, but felt that we needed to address this issue in a direct, yet sensitive manner.<br /><br />We'd like to hear your response, to our "Anonymous Brotha/Sista". As we will prayerfully try to articulate our individual feelings and why we feel the way we do about our membership in the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints. We will post our individual feelings/testimonies tomorrow. Thank You<br /><br />Be Blessed!<br /><br />Sistas Beehive & Laurel

Shame On You!!

Anonymous - November 15, 2009 4:09 PM How can you be black and be such a supporting member of an organization that was officially racist unt...

Nelly's Not The Prophet!!

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator" align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tgetCrLLkZ2p93OtSzLcAWR5zw0-4J3RTcAk-KEAyh53J5dYWJMv71kM7ASo-VUvmX9SlRhpuJjp2wUShM-V4DuGNIeuFM458xHKvvTeHey3ZAleGk0zlt4CebmCZ-nnEGz5HHLTuREb/s1600-h/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 1em; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: left; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em; cssfloat: left"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tgetCrLLkZ2p93OtSzLcAWR5zw0-4J3RTcAk-KEAyh53J5dYWJMv71kM7ASo-VUvmX9SlRhpuJjp2wUShM-V4DuGNIeuFM458xHKvvTeHey3ZAleGk0zlt4CebmCZ-nnEGz5HHLTuREb/s320/2.jpg" vr="true" /></a><br /></div><p>Brothas and Sistas, Nelly is a rapper not the Prophet! When he wrote the song: IT'S GETTING HOT IN HERE - SO TAKE OFF ALL YOUR CLOTHES, that was not a revelation and he was not taking to us. Really I should just say sistas cause the brothas are keeping their clothes on (even the pre and post mission clothes from 5 years ago... Shout out to brotha Stephen L , I kinda got your back, I said KINDA) :). Now this is something that ya'll won't hear at General Conference. Why you ask, cause the General Relief Society President is more like Aunt Bea and less like Madea. However, there's a few members of the church that are like **Madea and if you ever have the opportunity to meet them you will gain an immediate testimony of modesty, or want to leave the church.<br /><br />I know you're wondering how I know all this, and if I've had the opportunity to meet such refreshingly honest women... Well, let's just say I have a testimony of modesty! Yes, it was baptism by fire! No, there are no pictures! Yes, I feel blessed and highly favored! Yes, my feelings were hurt! No, I didn't leave the church. Yes sistas all is well in zion... Now!<br /><br />Stop trying to make things sexy that aren't. If a police woman walked up to my car to give me a ticket dressed the way some of the female officers dress for Halloween, I would have her arrested for sexual assualt. Nobody wants to see a pregnant nun, or stripper L.D.S. Missionary, it ain't cute! Sistas let's stop trying to make stuff sexy thats not sexy! Nurses, really? A maids costume? If your answer is yes, don't be surprised if your husband expects you to clean in that. When did animals become sexy? Animals... Really? Some of the most profound things I've learned in my adult life I've learned from my Madea. Who would probably tell us not to let Halloween turn nice housewives into modest hoes.<br /><br />It's time for us to return back to basics! Where being an animal meant being fully clothed. Dressing like a nurse meant if you walked into a hospital they'd put you to work. And dressing like a maid meant you looked like you could clean places where dirt and dust collected, not that you were trying to collect other peoples husbands. Sistas we have got to stop trying to look like "sexy teens", so that our teens won't be trying to look like "sexy women". We are all beautiful, and some of us really do have "sweet spirits". It's time that we once again proclaim, "I'm Mormon, I can't". No, let's switch that "I'm Mormon, I won't". I won't dress immodest, I won't be the Naughty Angel, no matter how heavenly it might seem. I won't embarrass my whole entire church by going on Dr. Phil (my own personal issue thought I'd throw it in). Sistas I'm not trying to throw ya'll under the bus, I'm just saying we have gotten outta control. Lets save something for our husbands in the privacy of our own homes. There's no need for us to try to solve all the unsolved mysteries of Halloween. Our new motto should be we are "treats not tricks" . Please stop telling folks " I'm a dead swimmer" so you can wear a bikini (Renee)!<br /><br />We don't really want our dear Prophet to have to address this issue again. Asking us how we went from being Celestial Wholesome Queens on the 30 of Oct., to Naughty, Naked, and Obscene on 31 of Oct. What a difference a day makes! I don't want President Monson calling Madea. Don't be fooled, the LDS Church has a couple different versions of Madea! Trust me, we got a Madea that speaks every language, even suburbia. What are your thoughts on Halloween? All caution has a cost - "I'm taking my garments off"!! Or does being modest make you spiritually strong - "I'm keeping my garments on"!<br /><br /><br />** (Mother Dear = usually grandma, sometimes an older woman in the community not always related. Almost always Black) is about to educate ya'll without putting you through the public humiliation. </p><p>Sista Beehive</p><p><br /><a href="http://www.myfreecopyright.com/registered_mcn/BT8QW_3GY41_YKT8E" title="MyFreeCopyright.com Registered & Protected"><img alt="MyFreeCopyright.com Registered & Protected" border="0" height="38" src="http://storage.myfreecopyright.com/mfc_protected.png" title="MyFreeCopyright.com Registered & Protected" width="145" /></a> </p>

Nelly's Not The Prophet!!

Brothas and Sistas, Nelly is a rapper not the Prophet! When he wrote the song: IT'S GETTING HOT IN HERE - SO TAKE OFF ALL YOUR CLOTHES, ...

Don't Make Us Do the Sheri Dew

Ok guys, I hate to pick on you, but you make yourselves such easy targets. I don’t know what it is, but some of the worst pick up lines I have ever heard come from Mormon men. Maybe it’s because they don’t drink, does drinking give you swagger? Every time I hear “My <a href="http://mi.byu.edu/publications/jbms/?vol=3&num=2&id=59">Liahona</a> is pointing at you?” I throw up in my mouth, just a little. Come on are you serious, and that doesn’t even sound right. If the ratio of men to women at BYU weren’t 5 women for every 1 man, no one would be getting hitched. <br /><br />MoMen you have seriously got to find some swagger and find it fast! LDS women are getting savvy. We’re not supposed to drink caffeine, but we know how to DO THE DEW!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398102327930927490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjJLBvWuiFfkW-N53DFJfN75pFznv-4wYToEb1r8hDefiiclKkAigbfCfJO3ERcOy2trJJAQu5I1eDsRRrB0r7GcbiZz1nqyZg2XvPoZh-ZRK2dS9d9nZAn69pkAQ1yWs3wtDgBvzAM0/s200/1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 200px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 142px;" /><a href="http://deseretbook.com/auth/14/Sheri_L_Dew">Sheri L. Dew</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 2003, she was described as <br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">“the most prominent single LDS woman right now”.<br /></div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnx1pwhSqghqvZyGkEVtGbtKZXJ5F2LulIkFe5GDQIQz6iZrq_DWcf7YOrBPqoYpUMqfekcIjTP3-WMC9u5Uel0on2ybgdcpWodSLybdx0nwTEFW87rE9xOSRx0S6hr3Xliek_InHXOTk/s1600-h/1.jpg"></a><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398102335575309026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbbPW3wZdiKPR59KFK2gOPw3TKz7fT3QBBJ8ZFJLr6fvooJgp12cl1Cg09t_XhPFREjKypPiDPOsj_5WCZSdV-_plVj61LGT1OCkQ2Q6GD8hj3FWofcI27sN6LX7eGMPy8Osjqm-NVOw/s200/2.jpg" style="display: block; height: 146px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" />Now this is a Sista who is not having it, those rusty pick lines are not working on her. She can do bad all by herself. <br /><br />Look boys, going on a <a href="http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/basic-beliefs/membership-in-christ-s-church/missionary-work?gclid=CL2U9amE450CFRhfagodNTyx3g">Mission</a> is nice and all, but I don’t care how cool you thought those clothes were two years ago, they are not in style anymore. Step your game up Brothas! Stop going to dances and saying how grateful you are for <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/gs/h/9">Martin Harris</a>, cause if it weren’t for him we would be <a href="http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=9bbb0f9856c20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=e36d5f74db46c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD">116 pages</a> further apart. Stop telling us you found a way for women to hold the priesthood, and then trying to get us to hug you.<br /><div><br />Now ladies, you know why they keep doing it? Cause some of ya’ll are giggling and acting like it’s cute. STOP! That’s why you end up married for 10 years and your man is still wearing his <a href="http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/basic-beliefs/glossary/glossary-definition/missionary">Missionary</a> suit.<br /><br />Ok guys, so you have now been officially schooled. We don’t want to hear it! D<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CdxNVKFZFOCpaiS6_uXcsMcQihqjkosBbniIoZvMr10Li81SinJrxqo_Li4SuXl9wc4Ni5ibkag2AYwogXIRrARQLh9NTF47ExrpBrAHH3GwMDBttVwoDCC1iwom8WUq-0kS0gkP3SQ/s1600-h/1.jpg"></a>on’t tell us you recognize our name from your patriarchal blessing, that when you came to church you knew you would feel the spirit, but you didn’t know you would see an angel. We don’t want the gift of tongues bestowed upon us, and yes we do obey the <br /><a href="http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/basic-beliefs/glossary/glossary-definition/word-of-wisdom">Word of Wisdom</a> even though we are SMOKING…Hot.<br /></div><br />And Sistas, next time a fella steps to you and says some crazy ish like “If our bodies are a temple, where can I get a recommend to yours?” You better tell that fool he ain’t worthy!<br /><br />What are the worst pick up lines you've heard? MoMen don't be shy, which ones have you used? Are any of these lines actually working? Are you an RM who still wears their pre-Mission clothes? How long can a Missionary suit last?<br /><br /><div></div>Sista Laurel<br /><div></div><br /><a href="http://www.myfreecopyright.com/registered_mcn/BT8QW_3GY41_YKT8E" title="MyFreeCopyright.com Registered & Protected"><img alt="MyFreeCopyright.com Registered & Protected" border="0" height="38" src="http://storage.myfreecopyright.com/mfc_protected.png" title="MyFreeCopyright.com Registered & Protected" width="145" /></a>

Don't Make Us Do the Sheri Dew

Ok guys, I hate to pick on you, but you make yourselves such easy targets. I don’t know what it is, but some of the worst pick up lines I ha...

Testimony By Invitation Only

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCywzLyJpi84oyk5Ls1icPYl6513syMk4d7Ikxn0gnslTtFMk_WsDe_jBGM8BGJG1Fvy3UpOINYKjqnu2VTpPSCOw_rxe03zCwtVAJAVyA6Vew4x-qC1znGBG2dwX830v1-AqdABw_K6g/s1600-h/4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397359570753896210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCywzLyJpi84oyk5Ls1icPYl6513syMk4d7Ikxn0gnslTtFMk_WsDe_jBGM8BGJG1Fvy3UpOINYKjqnu2VTpPSCOw_rxe03zCwtVAJAVyA6Vew4x-qC1znGBG2dwX830v1-AqdABw_K6g/s200/4.jpg" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> I was once at a testimony meeting where a General Authority was visiting. A man stood up and said. "What do I need to do to be a G.A.? What do I need to do to be the first "Black Prophet"? Yes, he did! Yes, I laughed (not out loud). Yes, I wish I had a "Pink Panic Button" I would have pushed it as soon as he turned to look at the G.A. cause I knew it wasn't going to be good. It was wrong on so many different levels.<br /><br />If I had the Priesthood, testimony meetings would be run a little different. Yes, they would still be highly emotional. However, members would be able to bare testimonies by invitation only. There would be instructions on what a testimony is and how one should bare it. There would be a mandatory time limit on how long a testimony should take. Stories are acceptable, however, they would have to pertain to the testimony and must be a testimony that will strengthen members of the congregation. There would be consequences for those brothas and sistas that are always breaking the rules. I would call it the "Pink Panic Button".<br /><br />Although women are more emotional then men, we are less confrontational. I would never embarrass another brotha or sista by standing next to them and whispering in their ear that what they were saying was inappropriate, even if it was. Nor would I tug on a skirt or pant leg to let a person know that they've gone over the allotted time. I would simply push the "Pink Panic Button".<br /><br />When the pink button is pushed the floor underneath the speaker opens up and the speaker takes a wild slide ride that leads to a room where they would have to read the article where President Monson talks about building a strong testimony, until church was over. On second thought, I don’t want the priesthood, I just want to get the "Pink Panic Button" implemented fast!<br /><br />Sista Beehive<br /><br /><a href="http://www.myfreecopyright.com/registered_mcn/BT8QW_3GY41_YKT8E" title="MyFreeCopyright.com Registered & Protected"><img alt="MyFreeCopyright.com Registered & Protected" border="0" height="38" src="http://storage.myfreecopyright.com/mfc_protected.png" title="MyFreeCopyright.com Registered & Protected" width="145" /></a>

Testimony By Invitation Only

I was once at a testimony meeting where a General Authority was visiting. A man stood up and said. "What do I need to do to be a G.A.?...

Saturday's War

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUaePQKyKaLIGwGVgiH8qL8UBWzx8qgZr_nDiJI1BwfUpk_TQpIh4XUtKzgzIy2Z61-wXQ9jJOX8tlhyphenhyphenM1Wb5jYAJbU7M1JJDXR81sPl3OIUP3JCoDnI_DAgH8511eghPWXal21Wfb4s/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397358167513566338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUaePQKyKaLIGwGVgiH8qL8UBWzx8qgZr_nDiJI1BwfUpk_TQpIh4XUtKzgzIy2Z61-wXQ9jJOX8tlhyphenhyphenM1Wb5jYAJbU7M1JJDXR81sPl3OIUP3JCoDnI_DAgH8511eghPWXal21Wfb4s/s200/3.jpg" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 133px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Saturday is a special day, it's the day we get ready for Sunday.... For years we've all been striving (or should have been striving) to use our Saturdays to prepare for Sunday. I must admit that I haven't always felt eager to prepare for anything except Christmas and maybe a few birthdays... maybe. However, as I've taken on this particular challenge I find it extremely difficult to remain patient.<br /><br />My boys have a way of sneaking odd objects into our home without me finding out until it's time for me to do the laundry. In the boys room, I found a home made shank... I would like to think it's a B.O.M. weapon, and that my son was thinking like a "strippling warrior", however, I know it's just a product of our watching too much "Gangland" on the History Channel (T.M.I.).<br /><br />Anyways, I've become my mother... No Saturday morning cartoons until your room is cleaned, and you have what you're wearing to church out on your bed. With all the moaning and groaning I find it difficult not to take it to the next level of insanity. "What are you complaining for when I was your age we didn't have TiVo. When I missed a show I had to wait for a rerun!!" Don't get me started with the many memories of how things used to be... Remember when kids were afraid to talk back? Wow, I just had to save myself, I almost gave a shout out to "the good old days" which would have officially made me and my mother the same person. I'm not really there yet.<br /><br />I don't know if the suggestion to use Saturday to prepare for Sunday was to encourage family togetherness, or just really to be prepared for Sunday. I don't know if the Brothern realize that families all across the world are at war on Saturdays and on most Sundays some mothers shouldn't even look at the Sacrament tray lest they should catch fire and turn into ashes. I don't know how many more Saturdays I can keep my cool without having a "Drop Kick Me Jesus" moment! Brothas and sistas, the warring has got to stop, I'm in need of a treaty - any suggestions? Help keep a sista outta jail...<br /><br /><br />Sista Beehive<br /><br /><a href="http://www.myfreecopyright.com/registered_mcn/BT8QW_3GY41_YKT8E" title="MyFreeCopyright.com Registered & Protected"><img alt="MyFreeCopyright.com Registered & Protected" border="0" height="38" src="http://storage.myfreecopyright.com/mfc_protected.png" title="MyFreeCopyright.com Registered & Protected" width="145" /></a>

Saturday's War

Saturday is a special day, it's the day we get ready for Sunday.... For years we've all been striving (or should have been striving...