Well, in light of some recent events, I've lost a little more of the very small amount of respect I held for my current government... Don't get me wrong, the ideals and ideas that it was founded upon are beautiful, and good. but, well. It's image is in shambles compared to what it used to be.
To be honest, I want to just talk a little about tolerance, a very misconstrued idea in our current society. Tolerance when it is correctly had is a beautiful, and very necessary virtue, but when exaggerated or made to be bigger and more important than it is President Packer said it, "it transforms itself into a vice.". When you become too tolerant with sin and sinners, you allow a compromise with evil. When good compromises with evil, evil wins. Frankly, I'm sick of the flame wars between both sides on the issues at hand, it shows a gross misunderstanding of doctrine on both sides. Only by persuasion and love unfeigned? I better tell people they're dead wrong on the internet. I know, I know. I've done/do it too. What I'm generally more sick of, is the call to "show more tolerance, you bigot!!!" that the more liberal members of my church have been yelling (or typing) at the more conservative part when they begin to correct people with their ideas that are not in harmony with the teachings of the church.
Yes, as you can see, I am am biased, but being biased doesn't mean that I am on the wrong side.
I keep seeing people I consider to be "good members" of my church who metaphorically put their covenants on the line when they say such things as: (No. I will not identify the speaker/writer)
"I am very happy about the Supreme Court's decision. It is my prayer that the world will become more open and tolerant."
Another actual comment/status:
"Today is a dream come true for so many people, and just because this means that now gays and lesbians can be married, doesn't mean your life is shutting down if you don't support it. It means that everyone can be married, whether they're black, white, gay, lesbian- EVERYONE now has the option to marry the love of their life no matter who that is. Why would THAT make anyone upset or angry? Two girls or two guys being married doesn't do anything except spread love and happiness. Why can't everyone just see that? #LoveIsLove"
And another:
"God delights in diversity. You can see that in all his creations. I mean, for heaven sakes, we're talking about the guy who created the platypus (talk about someone with a confused identity!). And as we seek to be like God, let us delight in what he delights in. Let us delight in diversity. Let us delight in the sinner (aka everyone) who shows up to church. Let us delight in loving. #lovewins #bethechange"
And frankly, seeing this scares me, and reminds me of a poem By Alexander Pope:
“Vice is a monster of so frightful mien
As to be hated needs but to be seen;
Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace.”
Homosexual actions are just that, a damaging Vice. Having these tendencies is not a sin, but the acting out on the urges is. When you begin to accept a sin as ok, and even praise it as "good to be 'yourself'", you're opening the door to sin, and honestly, President Packer said it best: "The word tolerance is also invoked as though it overrules everything else. Tolerance may be a virtue, but it is not the commanding one. There is a difference between what one is and what one does. What one is may deserve unlimited tolerance; what one does, only a measured amount. A virtue when pressed to the extreme may turn into a vice. Unreasonable devotion to an ideal, without considering the practical application of it, ruins the ideal itself.". There is a major difference in respecting someone's actions who are of a different faith, and accepting them. To accept is to bring it in as your own. or as the dictionary defines it:
"1. consent to receive (a thing offered).
"he accepted a pen as a present"
2. believe or come to recognize (an opinion, explanation, etc.) as valid or correct."
We must not accept the sinful actions, nor should we tolerate them to the extreme, if one is seeking penance, tolerate mistakes. IF not, well. Tolerance can go too far, and will lead to acceptance. Once you accept a sin, you commit a sin.
If it is wrong in God's sight, it should be wrong in our's. If it is condemned by God, it should be condemned by us. After all, we are commanded to align our will with His.
Now let's talk about why I politically (and religiously) think that gay marriage is wrong, and why the idea is a plague.
Gay marriage should never have been legalized. Simple reasons:
1st reason: The SCOTUS should not have the power to affect laws. Plain and simple as that. Thomas Jefferson said it this way "“[N]othing in the Constitution has given [the judiciary] a right to decide for the Executive, more than to the executive to decide for them. Both magistracies are equally independent in the sphere of action assigned to them… the opinion which gives to the judges the right to decide what laws are constitutional, and what are not, not only for themselves in their own sphere of action, but for the Legislature & Executive also, in their spheres, would make the judiciary a despotic branch.”"
2nd reason: It doesn't fit into any definition of the word marriage. Simply dumb to say someone can marry when it isn't marrying, it's uniting...
3rd reason: It's gay. It's a sin. And don't you be screaming "Separation of church and state!" at me, because that doesn't mean what you think it does. As the government allows gay marriage, it unites with the church of humanism, putting Man in the place of God. The Government should not display any sort of affiliation with any religion.
4th reason: The government should not officiate in marriage what so ever... It's just not kosher, government should be over all citizens as a whole, not individually, and definitely not with such an intimate decision and relationship as marriage.
Why? this foul and damaging principle is fueled by the incorrect idea that "you can choose your sexual orientation". You may not be able to choose who you are attracted to, but your orientation is determined by your sex. If you are male, your counterpart is female, and vice versa. "But, you should be yourself! don't hide who you are!". That argument is as stupid as it is flawed. No, you shouldn't be yourself, you should strive to be better than that. Be like God! And frankly, if you should be yourself, why are pedophiles evil for finding children attractive? Simply put, because God said so, that's why.
"'For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.' Moroni 7:16.
Each of us must stay in condition to respond to inspiration and the promptings of the Holy Ghost. The Lord has a way of pouring pure intelligence into our minds to prompt us, to guide us, to teach us, and to warn us. Each son or daughter of God can know the things they need to know instantly. Learn to receive and act on inspiration and revelation.
Of all that I have read and taught and learned, the one most precious and sacred truth that I have to offer is my special witness of Jesus Christ. He lives. I know He lives. I am His witness. And of Him I can testify. He is our Savior, our Redeemer. Of this I am certain. Of this I bear witness in the name of Jesus Christ, amen." -President Boyd K. Packer
God lives, and as He lives we have the option to learn and know what is right and wrong, whether or not we do is up to us.
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Friday, June 26, 2015
A short (not short) introduction.
Hey, I am Joshua. I'm currently 22, a very active Latter-day Saint (aka Mormon), I am a podcast host and this last April I was diagnosed and (WARNING: Cliche) blessed with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.
To begin my introduction, I guess I'll start out with the natural start. The creation of the Heavens and the Earth... Just kidding, but I will share this link to my beginning, and with it a shout-out to my sister for dumping so many wonderful compliments on me, despite me having been an obnoxious teenager at the time of her writing this
I think that's enough of an introduction of me growing up. I'll add this to my intro, though. I haven't really overcome the "awkward teenager" phase. My mind still goes blank around pretty girls, and I generally avoid people I don't like. Oh, wait. Everyone stays away from people they dislike? Well, then. I guess everyone is awkward, which means no one is... ANYWAY.
Now my more recent story. It took about 4 1/2 - 5 months to finally get a diagnosis.
I went partially blind. Well, sort of. I woke up one morning and realized that I couldn't see normally. It was as though I had looked into an extremely bright light on one part of both eyes. So, it took me a little while (of it getting worse, too) before going to an eye doctor. They found massive blind spots. Well, not blind spots exactly, from my research (NOT webMD) they are called Scintillating Scotoma.
They are next to my focal point on the left hand side of vision, both eyes. They extend from there to halfway up my visual field, all the way to the edge of my peripheral vision. So, obviously I couldn't drive anymore as I couldn't see oncoming traffic. I was without my pizza delivering job. The regular eye doctor referred me to a retinal specialist and his name was Dr. Aldridge. He said that my eyes are completely healthy, and in perfect condition. It's in my brain. So, he referred me to go get and MRI (what he said) but he actually sent me in for an MRA. He did say that he expects it was just a severe migraine that caused damage. back to the MRA.
That's where they use an MRI machine to look at the blood vessels. It came back completely clean, and normal. so, they scheduled me for a regular MRI. By the time the results came in, I noticed that my blind spots were no longer blind, but discolored. So I started driving again, and delivering pizza again. This may have been due to me being sick with a cold, and such. This happened over Christmas, so I guess you could say that I was given a very interesting Christmas gift?
The results came while delivering one morning, I got a call outside of some random guy's house, and they came back abnormal... I was told that they found "spots", I had to go get another MRI a few weeks later, and doctor Aldridge is referring me back to Dr Sharp who will probably refer me to a Neurologist. They found an area of tissue, I don't remember what he called it, in my brain, a spot you could say. The hospital doctors/radiologists gave a preliminary diagnosis, it as either Optic Neuritis, Multiple Sclerosis, or a stroke. Dr Aldridge still thinks it was a migraine that caused damage. The stroke would have showed up on my first MRA, so it's very likely not that.
Then he asked how the spots were doing. I told him that they had improved, and were just odd colors. He said that means that the brain is trying to heal itself, and that is very good. But it does mean that MS is more likely the cause of the issue in the first place... Very interesting, no?
I had an appointment with my Neurologist, Dr. Groves. He went over the results of the MRI with me, and mapped out the road to diagnosis. In the following couple of days I got a call to do another MRI, blood work, along with a lumbar puncture. He clarified what they found, and gave me a copy of the doctor note findings. This was in February. They found two "white" sections of damaged tissue. A lesion 7 millimeters long is the smaller, and he said it probably caused no symptoms. The other is 3.3cm by 2cm by 2.8cm spot, that is in the right Occipital Lobe next to the Occipital Horn of the right lateral ventricle. (the spot is a focal area of hyper-intense T2 and FLAIR, whatever that means)
The tests are part of looking for MS and maybe something called optic neuritis. Looking back I chuckle at this. "Why?" you ask? Because it was both. MS causes Optic Neuritis.
He asked if I drive, and he looked slightly alarmed when I said I'm a pizza delivery driver. He then asked if I feel safe doing that, and I explained my situation about how the spots are blueish now. He recommended reducing stress and the amount I drive. Ha, Right.
Well, to make this really long story shorter... I had a miserable time because of the silly spinal tap, I developed a spinal headache and man. I didn't get it taken care of. I was miserable for the better part of a week.
The results of the 2nd MRI showed several more lesions typical of MS, and so in late April, after yet another MRI, Dr Groves let me know. "Yeah, basically it's safe to say that you have MS". I was prescribed Tecfidera and went on to live the happy life I live.
Why is this a blessing? Well, for one thing, the issues I've had are not permanent. My blind/blue spots are no longer noticeable without thought, my second attack has faded, which affected my memory. It was one of the weirdest things that I've ever experienced, seriously. At times I would just completely forget a word. occasionally I would completely forget why I walk into a room. Actually that happened on a daily basis, more or less. Then some times I would completely forget why I said something, what I said, how I said it, etc. Strange.
But, that's faded. (I think? Hehehe) Back to why it's a blessing. Christ lives! And these things that have happened to me has reiterated just how much He is truly with us. He is absolutely watchful, ever mindful. He is good, trust in Him, learn of Him, and I can promise you that as you learn of Him he will calm the storms in your lives. He will be your Foundations when the trials and quaking begins. You will not be shaken! The Lord will not allow you to fall. He is ever there, waiting for you to reach out to Him. That is how He is with me. I love life, and despite my restrictions, things are wonderful. I began an MS diet soon after diagnosis, it's my own modified version of the modified Paleo Diet by Dr. Wahls
Obviously, this changed a lot of life plans. Like becoming a pilot. It made me realize just how much I am fascinated by brains, and medicine in general. Having optic Neuritis basically removed the option to fly as a career, but that's completely fine with me. I've since began the long road to becoming a Neurologist myself. I'm currently studying at UVU with plans to transfer to BYU. And, man! Life is just great!
Never forget how beautiful life is, because it simply is.
To begin my introduction, I guess I'll start out with the natural start. The creation of the Heavens and the Earth... Just kidding, but I will share this link to my beginning, and with it a shout-out to my sister for dumping so many wonderful compliments on me, despite me having been an obnoxious teenager at the time of her writing this
I think that's enough of an introduction of me growing up. I'll add this to my intro, though. I haven't really overcome the "awkward teenager" phase. My mind still goes blank around pretty girls, and I generally avoid people I don't like. Oh, wait. Everyone stays away from people they dislike? Well, then. I guess everyone is awkward, which means no one is... ANYWAY.
Now my more recent story. It took about 4 1/2 - 5 months to finally get a diagnosis.
I went partially blind. Well, sort of. I woke up one morning and realized that I couldn't see normally. It was as though I had looked into an extremely bright light on one part of both eyes. So, it took me a little while (of it getting worse, too) before going to an eye doctor. They found massive blind spots. Well, not blind spots exactly, from my research (NOT webMD) they are called Scintillating Scotoma.
They are next to my focal point on the left hand side of vision, both eyes. They extend from there to halfway up my visual field, all the way to the edge of my peripheral vision. So, obviously I couldn't drive anymore as I couldn't see oncoming traffic. I was without my pizza delivering job. The regular eye doctor referred me to a retinal specialist and his name was Dr. Aldridge. He said that my eyes are completely healthy, and in perfect condition. It's in my brain. So, he referred me to go get and MRI (what he said) but he actually sent me in for an MRA. He did say that he expects it was just a severe migraine that caused damage. back to the MRA.
That's where they use an MRI machine to look at the blood vessels. It came back completely clean, and normal. so, they scheduled me for a regular MRI. By the time the results came in, I noticed that my blind spots were no longer blind, but discolored. So I started driving again, and delivering pizza again. This may have been due to me being sick with a cold, and such. This happened over Christmas, so I guess you could say that I was given a very interesting Christmas gift?
The results came while delivering one morning, I got a call outside of some random guy's house, and they came back abnormal... I was told that they found "spots", I had to go get another MRI a few weeks later, and doctor Aldridge is referring me back to Dr Sharp who will probably refer me to a Neurologist. They found an area of tissue, I don't remember what he called it, in my brain, a spot you could say. The hospital doctors/radiologists gave a preliminary diagnosis, it as either Optic Neuritis, Multiple Sclerosis, or a stroke. Dr Aldridge still thinks it was a migraine that caused damage. The stroke would have showed up on my first MRA, so it's very likely not that.
Then he asked how the spots were doing. I told him that they had improved, and were just odd colors. He said that means that the brain is trying to heal itself, and that is very good. But it does mean that MS is more likely the cause of the issue in the first place... Very interesting, no?
I had an appointment with my Neurologist, Dr. Groves. He went over the results of the MRI with me, and mapped out the road to diagnosis. In the following couple of days I got a call to do another MRI, blood work, along with a lumbar puncture. He clarified what they found, and gave me a copy of the doctor note findings. This was in February. They found two "white" sections of damaged tissue. A lesion 7 millimeters long is the smaller, and he said it probably caused no symptoms. The other is 3.3cm by 2cm by 2.8cm spot, that is in the right Occipital Lobe next to the Occipital Horn of the right lateral ventricle. (the spot is a focal area of hyper-intense T2 and FLAIR, whatever that means)
The tests are part of looking for MS and maybe something called optic neuritis. Looking back I chuckle at this. "Why?" you ask? Because it was both. MS causes Optic Neuritis.
He asked if I drive, and he looked slightly alarmed when I said I'm a pizza delivery driver. He then asked if I feel safe doing that, and I explained my situation about how the spots are blueish now. He recommended reducing stress and the amount I drive. Ha, Right.
Well, to make this really long story shorter... I had a miserable time because of the silly spinal tap, I developed a spinal headache and man. I didn't get it taken care of. I was miserable for the better part of a week.
The results of the 2nd MRI showed several more lesions typical of MS, and so in late April, after yet another MRI, Dr Groves let me know. "Yeah, basically it's safe to say that you have MS". I was prescribed Tecfidera and went on to live the happy life I live.
Why is this a blessing? Well, for one thing, the issues I've had are not permanent. My blind/blue spots are no longer noticeable without thought, my second attack has faded, which affected my memory. It was one of the weirdest things that I've ever experienced, seriously. At times I would just completely forget a word. occasionally I would completely forget why I walk into a room. Actually that happened on a daily basis, more or less. Then some times I would completely forget why I said something, what I said, how I said it, etc. Strange.
But, that's faded. (I think? Hehehe) Back to why it's a blessing. Christ lives! And these things that have happened to me has reiterated just how much He is truly with us. He is absolutely watchful, ever mindful. He is good, trust in Him, learn of Him, and I can promise you that as you learn of Him he will calm the storms in your lives. He will be your Foundations when the trials and quaking begins. You will not be shaken! The Lord will not allow you to fall. He is ever there, waiting for you to reach out to Him. That is how He is with me. I love life, and despite my restrictions, things are wonderful. I began an MS diet soon after diagnosis, it's my own modified version of the modified Paleo Diet by Dr. Wahls
Obviously, this changed a lot of life plans. Like becoming a pilot. It made me realize just how much I am fascinated by brains, and medicine in general. Having optic Neuritis basically removed the option to fly as a career, but that's completely fine with me. I've since began the long road to becoming a Neurologist myself. I'm currently studying at UVU with plans to transfer to BYU. And, man! Life is just great!
Never forget how beautiful life is, because it simply is.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)