Meditations on Meditation

This week is final exams at school, or as I like to call it, Judgment Day. It's where I reap the just rewards of a semester's worth of procrastination.

This semester has been no different. I'm not as prepared as I would have liked. On Monday evening, I had my first final, in contracts. Contracts is one of my weaker subjects; I didn't do well the first time around. I was really nervous about this exam, but by 5:00 pm (for a 6:00 pm final), I realized that I was as prepared as I was going to be.

My favorite spot on campus to meditate is in the garden behind Mission Santa Clara. There is a statue of Christ with a Latin inscription of Matthew 11:28-30, which is one of my favorite scriptures. I went over there and began to (silently) pour my heart out to God. I explained how nervous I was about this exam, and how I realized that if I mess this second chance up, I won't get a third chance. I pleaded for divine help and promised I would do better and work harder in the future. (I was completely sincere in that promise.)

Afterward, I stood there for a while and felt the Spirit wash over me. I was reminded of promises the Lord has given me regarding my education. I was reminded that even though I could have theoretically done more this semester, I did enough, and that I would be able to remember what I learned this semester and also what I learned my first time in law school. I felt confident and at peace.

I went in to take the exam. As the test began, I read over the fact pattern, and information suddenly began to flow. It was amazing. I knew that some of the information was stuff I had studied, but much of it was direct inspiration. I was able to concentrate for the duration of the exam, which is something that is often difficult for me. (I'm easily distracted.) At the end of the exam, I was exhausted, but I felt like I did well enough.

I don't know why I got that extra help. I'm sure there are people more deserving, and I know there are more pressing concerns in this world than my grade on a contracts exam. I'm just grateful that God was mindful of me.

Tomorrow I have my torts exam, which I'm less concerned about. Then I'm done for a month. I'm really looking forward to the time off.

Happy Thanksgiving

In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

I have much to be thankful for this year. When I count my blessings, I realize that God has richly and abundantly blessed me.

1. Against all odds, I got accepted back into law school. Not only did I get back into law school, but I got into a school considerably higher ranked than the one that kicked me out the first time around.
2. At a time when many good people are out of work, I still have a job.
3. I am reasonably healthy, and my loved ones enjoy good health, too.
4. I have a sweet and loving cat who brightens my day.
5. I'm part of an intellectually and spiritually uplifting community online composed of my fellow saints.

There are too many blessings to number; these are just a few. Have a happy Thanksgiving, and please remember to count your blessings!

In His Name All Oppression Shall Cease

One nice thing about being a musician is that Christmas music starts early. I usually begin rehearsing around early September. A few weeks ago, I was practicing one of my favorite Christmas songs, O Holy Night. The third verse hit me with tremendous force.

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.

The part that stood out the most to me is the line “And in His name all oppression shall cease.”
There have been people through history, and even unfortunately in modern times, who attempt to use the name of Christ to oppress the children of God. People who are doing this are in violation of the commandment against taking the name of Deity in vain.

On the other hand, much social progress has resulted from people acting in the name of Christ. Preachers were among those advocating voting rights for women, the abolition of slavery, and the civil rights movement. Christ Himself during His mortal ministry spent His time among the downtrodden and oppressed, offering them hope and redemption.

There is still suffering and oppression in the world. Some of our brothers and sisters are still enslaved. This Christmas season and beyond, let those of us who call ourselves His followers work to fulfill the promise that the name of Christ stands for freedom from oppression.

The Bloggernacle First Ward

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Matthew 18:20

I'm ill today, so I unfortunately didn't make it to church. While sitting at home in my pajamas, valiantly trying to keep my germs to myself, I decided that I would attend the Bloggernacle First Ward. I'm grateful that we have the opportunity to gather together virtually in Christ's name. It's no substitute for actual church services, but it's a nice way to spend the occasional sick day.

The opening hymn was Press Forward Saints, with Geoff J at New Cool Thang as chorister.

Sam MB gave a review at By Common Consent of a book containing sermons of Jeffrey R. Holland.

TheFaithfulDissident exhorted us at Feminist Mormon Housewives to make room for our fellow saints with differing views.

In other news, my legal writing and research paper is due tomorrow evening, so I'll be reappearing on the blogs after that's over with. I've got some good posts coming up, so keep reading! Have a great Sunday!

Two Quick Notes

I'm taking a brief break from my blogging hiatus to deliver two quick notes.

1. To churches who choose to get involved in political discussion: Your behavior, while a constitutionally protected exercise of your right to free speech, is tacky.

2. To protesters who picket houses of worship: Your behavior, while a constitutionally protected exercise of your right to free speech, is tacky.

That is all.

Around the Bloggernacle - Volume 6

I'm still here, really. I've been commenting a lot on other blogs lately, but I haven't had much to write here. My final project for my legal writing and research class was distributed last night, so I'll be taking a brief blogging hiatus until I turn it in on the 17th.

Here's a sampling of interesting recent posts:

Feminist Mormon Housewives has a post asking for information on whether or not the mommy wars exist.

Times and Seasons has a post discussing what to do when ward members have a different interpretation of church practice.

Segullah has a post on Sabbath observance.

Bay Area Bloggersnacker

I went to the JRCLS fireside last night, presented by Kaimi. It was a logical discussion of In re Marriage Cases that was free of the emotionalism and vitrol so common on the topic. I found the presentation to be fair and balanced in addition to being educational. After the fireside, the attendees had pie for dessert. I had a chance to meet Kaimi and cchrissyy. There may have been other bloggers there, but I didn't meet any. I don't know if anything went on after pie because I jetted out early due to the longish drive back home. Plus, I'm fairly shy. If I'm doing public speaking, talking in a class or business setting, or among people I know well, you can't get me to stop talking. However, if you get me in a situation where I'm among people I don't know, and where I have to mingle, I freeze like a deer in the headlights.

Around the Bloggernacle - Volume 5

School has kept me swamped, so I haven't had time to write. Here's a sampling of blog posts I've found interesting lately.

Ronan has written a post at By Common Consent about the Latin phrase Ad maiorem Dei gloriam, translated as "For the Greater Glory of God."

KC Kern wrote at Mormon Matters on The Mormon Trinity.

Zenadia wrote at The Exponent on the topic of being an endowed single woman.

And, last, but not least, there's a Bloggersnacker tomorrow evening in Walnut Creek, CA. Kaimi Wenger is going to be putting on a fireside sponsored by the J. Reuben Clark Society analyzing the recent California Supreme Court decision in re Marriage Cases. It will be held at the Overlook building in Walnut Creek. (Address info can be found at lds.org)

Meeting Mom

I have several cousins who are adopted. They love my aunt and uncle and consider them their parents. They are in every way a part of the family, just as those who share a genetic link. That being said, they have each come to a point where they begin to wonder about their biological parents. They want to have a relationship with them, even though they don't wish to replace their adoptive parents.

I have an eternal longing that is similar. I love my Father in Heaven. He has been an ever-present force in my life. However, I long to know my Mother. Who is She? What is She like? What does she do? Did She have a hand in creation? (I believe She did, but I don't know.) What does Her eternal state have to say about what mine can eventually be? Why don't we know more about Her?

I have wondered for several years, but I have been afraid to ask the questions. I get the impression that the subject is somewhat taboo.

I placed this longing on the back burner for a while, but General Conference brought it back to the forefront. On Sunday morning, the choir sang one of my favorite hymns, #286 Oh What Songs of the Heart. The fourth verse particularly struck me.

Oh, what songs we'll employ!
Oh, what welcome we'll hear!
When we kneel at our dear Savior's feet.
And the heart swells with joy
In embraces most dear
When our heavenly parents we meet!
Oh, what songs we'll employ
As the heart swells with joy,
When our heavenly parents we meet!

I was reminded that one day I'll get to meet Her. Before I do, I want to know more about Her. Once again, the fear cropped up. As I was driving to school today, I was pondering. James 1:5 came to my mind. We often focus on the part that promises askers that wisdom will be given liberally. However the part that stuck out to me was that when someone seeks wisdom, God "upbraideth not".

I'm going to ask my Father, who I know, for an introduction to my Mother, who I don't know. I'm confident that I will get a warm and loving response. I'm looking forward to the results.

General Conference

I love General Conference. It's like a twice-yearly holiday. I'm usually not a fan of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, but there's something about them singing the hymns with gusto that just says conference to me.

I haven't gotten to see Saturday's talks yet because I have to work on Saturdays. I downloaded the sessions to my iPod to listen to on my commute. Sunday's sessions were quite good. I especially liked President Eyring's talk on Sunday morning. It seemed to me that building Zion was a theme for the conference.

I watched the Sunday morning session online, but it kept buffering, so I decided that online wasn't going to work for the afternoon. I planned on going to the church to watch the afternoon, but my parents invited me over to their house. I headed over to my parents' house, watched the afternoon session, and we had dinner. It was nice. I especially liked having someone to discuss the talks with. As a teenager, I was the only active church member in my family, so it's nice now to be able to have family gospel discussions.