Wednesday, October 3, 2018

Twin Sisters: Truth and Lies


The Naked Truth - "Truth coming out of her well", by Jean-Léon Gérôme, 1896
"Truth coming out of her well", by Jean-Léon Gérôme, 1896

One hot summer day twin sisters Truth and Lies went down to the well for a refreshing drink. Lies suggested to Truth that they cool themselves in the water, so both undressed. While Truth was bathing in the water, Lies got out of the well and took the clothes that belonged to Truth and dressed herself. Lies paraded herself through the streets of the city dressed as Truth. Many of the people were impressed with Lies. Lies was so splendid and beautiful. She looked and sounded wonderful. But she was wearing perception only dressed as Truth.

When Truth stepped out of the water and found her clothes had been stolen, Truth had to make a choice. She saw the garments Lies had left behind. Truth said to herself, "I'd rather walk around naked than to walk around as Lies. I'll just have to be what I am; the naked Truth".

But Light, knowing both Truth and Lies, could discern between the twins. He found the sisters in the public square. One being honored with praise, the other ridiculed and scorned. Light exposed Lies, removing the perception clothing her. He revealed the false sister, who was nothing more than the ugly truth.

Light is the best way to discern who is Truth and who is Lies.

May Truth prevail, no matter how uncomfortable it makes the public. Perception is not always reality.

I shared this on Facebook, but my bishop at the time found the classical artwork depicting this parable offensive.  Rather than talk to me himself he called my husband and had him tell me to take it down.  Originally I had thought to share it here on my blog 03 October 2018.  We are now five years later 01 March 2023.  I still think the parable rings true, but back in 2018, my context was much more relevant. 




Saturday, September 29, 2018

Awwww...YA!! Phantom of the Opera!



General Conference, for REAL

I voted YES! Don’t worry. I don’t expect many people to know what for! Super excited for Preserving The Hope of Zion over the next two days!! 😁
As for current events? No comment. I’ve found it’s better to say nothing at all rather than to oppose mob mentality. No matter the issue. Politics. Religion. Race. News. Rumor.
I don’t need that kind of drama. So my choice is to share what’s virtuous, lovely, of good report or praiseworthy.

Thursday, September 27, 2018

Sunday, September 23, 2018

First overnight to Reno

Michael and I went to Reno for our very first overnight away from the kids to see MY very first concert ever!!! Rob Bailey from The Thompson Twins (I.e. Pretty in Pink songs), The B52’s, and Boy George and Culture Club (ahhhmAzing!!)
We stayed at the Silver Legacy which was also pretty fun!! Gotta love the casino buffets!










Friday, September 21, 2018

Rick Koerber gets convicted



This is LONG overdue! Now, if only the victims could be reinstated. 😥

KSL, File Utah real estate investor found guilty of fraud in $100 million Ponzi scheme

Sunday, August 19, 2018

Elle goes river rafting






Thursday, July 26, 2018

When Nursing is a Sin

KTVU is reporting a story of a woman who was reprimanded for breastfeeding in church. 


I have been stripped of the blessings of the temple for breastfeeding my child at church.

Here is the full story:

My bishop told me some members have complained  and he wants to protect the young men and porn addicts in the church from seeing my breast while nursing. (I don't cover or hide and most of my breast is exposed while nursing). I then told him only God himself could get me to back down. We ended it at that. This was 3 weeks ago.
Then, a few days ago, I received a request to meet with the Stake President and also get my Temple  Recommend renewed.
At this meeting, the Stake President told me that in guidelines for the youth booklet, called The Strength of Youth, it talks about modesty and this means I need to cover or hide while nursing. I fought it and asked if it talked about breastfeeding in this specific booklet (which it doesn't). He again reverted to modesty. He said it is my fault and my problem if the men see me breastfeeding and think bad thoughts.

The whole meeting was very contentious and was not derived from the spirit but of the devil. He then said that since I am not heeding to his counsel as a Priesthood Leader, he was not going to renew my Temple recommend. He also said if I breastfeed without covering again in church that they would kick me out of the building.

He also turned to my husband and said "You choose. It's your wife or your religion."
He chose me. I left angry and upset with him, with my bishop and with my ward members.
Since then I have done quite a bit of research. I have also contacted an Elder from the Quorum of the 70 and he basically agreed with the Stake President and deferred the matter back to my local leaders. He is telling me to support him anyway, despite this obvious exercising of spiritual abuse and unrighteous dominion.

I have contacted an attorney who is pro-breastfeeding and knows the law. She seemed very interested in helping me, as these actions of these church leaders are unethical, immoral and inhumane. 



In response I drafted an open letter to female leaders in the church:

Jean Bingham, Sharon Eubank, Reyna Aburto, Bonnie Codon, Michelle Craig, Becky Craven, Joy Jones, Lisa Harkness, Cristina Franco

Dear Sisters,

I read today that a young mother was denied a temple recommend for breast feeding her baby without a cover in the church foyer during sacrament meeting.  I hope that you, as a mother, would understand the precarious and vulnerable position that all mothers of the church now find themselves in.  Please use your unique calling and influence to edify the brethren on breastfeeding, which they cannot otherwise relate to.  Your perspective is needed that the hearts and understanding of fathers may be opened.  Please persuade the brethren to make a statement, that it can be a well-known church policy: mothers are welcome to openly breastfeed their children in the Lord’s meeting houses, without shame, judgement or a requirement to stifle their baby under a blanket.  It is important, beautiful and sacred to breastfeed a child.  Many women will never have that privilege.
As this story flies like wildfire through social media it puts all of our sisters in an awkward position.  It makes women of the church look like subservient victims of an abusive patriarchy.  This perception compromises our ability to share the truths of the gospel with our friends and neighbors.  Women of faith know that nursing is God’s own design for nourishment and bonding between mother and child.  For a stake president to judge that a mother openly feeding her child is a serious moral sin and is unworthy of entering the Holy Temple is tantamount to ecclesiastical abuse.  No man should deny a woman saving ordinances because their imperfect cultural biases are not sustained.    
The true church of Jesus Christ is not led by unrighteous dominion.  Please ask that the brethren instruct our local leaders so that no mother feels like a sinner for nursing their child.