This project has been effective in many ways, however we see a few ways that it could be improved in the future.
First we would have liked to become more familiar with everybody's essays. This could be done by allowing more class time to share our work with others. This would have improved the sharing process because we would better know who we could share with and what we have to offer the people in our lives.
It would have been helpful to have a more cohesive end goal in mind when we started the process. If we went into the process with the idea of sharing meaningfully with other people it would have changed how we would have started our essays.
The addition of The Book of Mormon content into our essays felt limiting to the writing process. If we were able to include The Book of Mormon in ways other than connecting our essay to a story we feel we could make a stronger and deeper connection. That aspect of the essay wouldn't read as forced if we could have more freedom to make it meaningful for us.
The five second video would have been more effective if it was separated from the group and placed with our essay instead of strung together with the rest of the class. Another aspect of the videos that could be improved is individualizing the backgrounds. That would improve the personalization of these videos. The videos could be more dynamic if pictures, or other content were added in, so it wasn't only a talking head. This could create more interest in actually reading the essay underneath the video.
With the goal of sharing our essays in a meaningful way in mind, it would have been beneficial to develop a sharing plan from the start. If this was created in the beginning of the process we could have focused more on developing our essays and sharing plans to work together.
Sharing our class blog at the beginning of the semester could be helpful in developing consistent readers. If we shared our blog posts throughout the semester on social media people might become more interested in what we are doing and the stories we are developing. This could lead to more people reading our final product.
We experimented with humor in reading and writing in that genre. We felt we could have developed a better sense of writing in other genres through having specific prompts to work with throughout the semester. Having specific prompts would have provided a better venue for experimentation with our essays and would have allowed students to figure out what genre they work best in.
This project has so much potential to do good in the lives of the student's writing and in the lives of those who they share their writing with. We think it has done a lot of good in our lives and hope that the adaptions we have suggested will yield even greater results.
Showing posts with label Posted by Ryan W. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Posted by Ryan W. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
It's Been A Long Day
The closer you are to someone, the harder it is to lose them. When I found out I had lost someone close to me, it was one of the hardest moments of my life.
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Mormon Undertones
In writing a fictional story or any piece of literature, one always needs to have the opinions of the audience in mind. One of the main things that influences how successful a piece becomes and how the audience receives it is the mindset that the author has while writing it. That is especially true for mormon literature, as much of the world does not understand or is not familiar with our religion. Mormon literature seems to be almost frowned upon, when the author makes blatant references to the mormon church, people will generally have a different opinion of the book.
The amazing thing about fictional mormon literature is that the author can tailor it to his needs, whereas a non-fictional piece of literature cannot be changed as much to fit the religious background of the audience. For example, sharing a personal story about conversion to the church or a principle can be a scary thing, putting your feelings out on the line. With fiction you can share your story but possibly change it to fit the general feeling you want the reader to have. Also, the author can change the story to add a lot of mormon influence, or a little, or not even mention the mormon church directly at all. Fiction allows the reader to become more immersed in the story, and the the author can introduce themes about the church in a more subtle undertone.
In the book, "Will Wonders Never Cease" by Douglas Thayer, the author chose to introduce the church in a more up front way, and that was his choice to make it a prominent theme throughout the book. This allowed him to slip in ideas about serving missions, baptism and conversion easily throughout the book. While some prefer this more in your face method, others may prefer to leave it as a more subtle undertone throughout their work.
The amazing thing about fictional mormon literature is that the author can tailor it to his needs, whereas a non-fictional piece of literature cannot be changed as much to fit the religious background of the audience. For example, sharing a personal story about conversion to the church or a principle can be a scary thing, putting your feelings out on the line. With fiction you can share your story but possibly change it to fit the general feeling you want the reader to have. Also, the author can change the story to add a lot of mormon influence, or a little, or not even mention the mormon church directly at all. Fiction allows the reader to become more immersed in the story, and the the author can introduce themes about the church in a more subtle undertone.
In the book, "Will Wonders Never Cease" by Douglas Thayer, the author chose to introduce the church in a more up front way, and that was his choice to make it a prominent theme throughout the book. This allowed him to slip in ideas about serving missions, baptism and conversion easily throughout the book. While some prefer this more in your face method, others may prefer to leave it as a more subtle undertone throughout their work.
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
It's Been A Long Day
"It's been a long day," I thought as I arrived home from work to my parents house after a double shift at my job, where I consoled upset customers over the wrongdoings of the company I work for. Stress enveloped me, mental exhaustion plagued me like a cloud of mosquitos that wont let up. The only thing I had to look forward to, as I slid the dead bolt open with my ice cold key, was Yuki, her excited squeals as she heard the front door open caused me to let a smile loose from my pursed lips. Forgetting about the day, I picked her up and held her close, relishing in the constant companionship of man's best friend.
As I set her down I realized that the house was dark, most of the lights turned off by whoever had last left the house. I was alone, and thankful for it, as I would enjoy the prospect of time to myself to ponder and relax. I moved to the couch, ignoring the decorations that I had seen so many times before. My mothers careful placement of pictures, cabinets, chairs, vases and other decorations always gave me an unconscious feeling of calm and clarity. I felt at home, and slowly released the woes that I had planned on dumping out on my unsuspecting parents. As I turned on the TV, not really intending to watch it, I thought about how happy I was to have a home such as this one to come home to. How much I appreciated the fact that I had a family that loved me and would do anything to protect me.
While watching a show I wasn't paying attention to, and not really caring about a whatever show was on, I felt a sudden vibration in my pocket, alerting me to an incoming call. It was my sister Taryn, I hadn't talked to her in a solid week or two. I missed her and wanted to see her, it had been 8 months since I last saw her, and guilt for not calling her more welled up inside my chest. I pushed the "answer call" button and heard my sisters familiar high voice.
"Hey Ry!" she said.
"Hey Tar whats up?" I retorted.
"Oh nothin just called to see how you're doing. I haven't heard from you in a while," replied my sister.
As we spoke, we slipped slowly into our old jokes, talking to her always made it feel like we were younger again. Made me remember the days she drove me home from school, the times we would sit on each others bed and talk for hours. I had forgotten how much I loved my sister. As we talked, I realized I no longer cared about my day, about each screaming customer that seemed to make it their first concern to put me down personally, or about the driver that cut me off on the drive home. All I wanted to do was exactly what I was doing. It was bliss, or so I thought.
While I explained to my sister the woes of my day, I heard the distinct sound of the garage door opening as metal grated on metal, signaling the arrival of one or both of my parents. This did not stop the conversation I was having with my sister, yet after 10 minutes of conversation I still hadn't seen hide or tail of my mother or father. However, their absence was short-lived as heard the door leading to the garage open and close, signaling what the news of the night. My mother slowly rounded the corner, and I instantly recognized the look of confusion on her face.
"Hold on a minute," I told my sister, "Whats wrong Mom?"
"Grandma Norma is gone." She replied.
"Gone like we cant find her, or gone as in she died?" was my response.
"She's gone gone." came the dreaded reply.
"Tar, grandma Norma died...I'm gonna have to call you back."
I didn't know what to say to my mother at that point, the look of shock on her face combined with the felling of utter amazement in my mind made my senses slow, as I attempted and failed to comprehend the news I had just received. Grandma is gone.
My comprehension of what was going on was further interrupted by my mothers explanation that "Your father is very upset, he's been at Grandma's house all day trying to work things out with your uncle. When he comes in, just comfort him and don't ask any stupid questions, you know how he gets when you do that."
A few moments passed, as I resumed my attempts at fathoming what was going on, and then my father walked the same path into the house as my mother had just done. Without acknowledging either of us, he sat down at the kitchen table. I had no idea what to say, and no idea how to say nothing. I couldn't imagine the feelings he was experiencing, but that's the experience that follows death, confusion. After a few minutes, something clicked in my dad's head and he began to explain what had happened. He drew it out, suspending my emotions as delicately as a spider hangs its web from a flower, and when he reached the climax, the web came crashing down under the weight of a thousand rain drops.
Grandma was dead, and it was self-inflicted.
Everything up to that moment had been understandable, Grandma always had poor health. The car crash that left one leg an inch and a half shorter than the other had caused her serious pain for the last forty or so years, and left her with a serious limp. It made sense that she would have passed possibly due to some malady related to that accident. No, that wasn't the cause. I couldn't think, speak or move. I listened as my dad drew the picture for me, but refused to believe him, couldn't believe him, and the only thing I could say was "You better call Taryn and tell her too, she will be wondering what's going on."
That was it, I couldn't stand to sit there and hear the words of that conversation hanging from the rafters in my brain. I had to be alone, so I went to my room and picked up the only thing I believed could bandage my open wound, a book. This book that had helped me in so many other occasions, and I knew right where to go, Alma Chapter 40 in the Book of Mormon. This chapter that I had used so many times to help others understand what happens after death, now brought me an inkling of hope, knowing I would see my grandmother again. Although I had this knowledge, it did little to quell the sadness that coursed through my heart. I still was overwhelmed with then news I had received, and laid down to reflect on what had happened.
"It's been a long day," I thought, as my soft wet pillow cradled me to sleep that night.
As I set her down I realized that the house was dark, most of the lights turned off by whoever had last left the house. I was alone, and thankful for it, as I would enjoy the prospect of time to myself to ponder and relax. I moved to the couch, ignoring the decorations that I had seen so many times before. My mothers careful placement of pictures, cabinets, chairs, vases and other decorations always gave me an unconscious feeling of calm and clarity. I felt at home, and slowly released the woes that I had planned on dumping out on my unsuspecting parents. As I turned on the TV, not really intending to watch it, I thought about how happy I was to have a home such as this one to come home to. How much I appreciated the fact that I had a family that loved me and would do anything to protect me.
While watching a show I wasn't paying attention to, and not really caring about a whatever show was on, I felt a sudden vibration in my pocket, alerting me to an incoming call. It was my sister Taryn, I hadn't talked to her in a solid week or two. I missed her and wanted to see her, it had been 8 months since I last saw her, and guilt for not calling her more welled up inside my chest. I pushed the "answer call" button and heard my sisters familiar high voice.
"Hey Ry!" she said.
"Hey Tar whats up?" I retorted.
"Oh nothin just called to see how you're doing. I haven't heard from you in a while," replied my sister.
As we spoke, we slipped slowly into our old jokes, talking to her always made it feel like we were younger again. Made me remember the days she drove me home from school, the times we would sit on each others bed and talk for hours. I had forgotten how much I loved my sister. As we talked, I realized I no longer cared about my day, about each screaming customer that seemed to make it their first concern to put me down personally, or about the driver that cut me off on the drive home. All I wanted to do was exactly what I was doing. It was bliss, or so I thought.
While I explained to my sister the woes of my day, I heard the distinct sound of the garage door opening as metal grated on metal, signaling the arrival of one or both of my parents. This did not stop the conversation I was having with my sister, yet after 10 minutes of conversation I still hadn't seen hide or tail of my mother or father. However, their absence was short-lived as heard the door leading to the garage open and close, signaling what the news of the night. My mother slowly rounded the corner, and I instantly recognized the look of confusion on her face.
"Hold on a minute," I told my sister, "Whats wrong Mom?"
"Grandma Norma is gone." She replied.
"Gone like we cant find her, or gone as in she died?" was my response.
"She's gone gone." came the dreaded reply.
"Tar, grandma Norma died...I'm gonna have to call you back."
I didn't know what to say to my mother at that point, the look of shock on her face combined with the felling of utter amazement in my mind made my senses slow, as I attempted and failed to comprehend the news I had just received. Grandma is gone.
My comprehension of what was going on was further interrupted by my mothers explanation that "Your father is very upset, he's been at Grandma's house all day trying to work things out with your uncle. When he comes in, just comfort him and don't ask any stupid questions, you know how he gets when you do that."
A few moments passed, as I resumed my attempts at fathoming what was going on, and then my father walked the same path into the house as my mother had just done. Without acknowledging either of us, he sat down at the kitchen table. I had no idea what to say, and no idea how to say nothing. I couldn't imagine the feelings he was experiencing, but that's the experience that follows death, confusion. After a few minutes, something clicked in my dad's head and he began to explain what had happened. He drew it out, suspending my emotions as delicately as a spider hangs its web from a flower, and when he reached the climax, the web came crashing down under the weight of a thousand rain drops.
Grandma was dead, and it was self-inflicted.
Everything up to that moment had been understandable, Grandma always had poor health. The car crash that left one leg an inch and a half shorter than the other had caused her serious pain for the last forty or so years, and left her with a serious limp. It made sense that she would have passed possibly due to some malady related to that accident. No, that wasn't the cause. I couldn't think, speak or move. I listened as my dad drew the picture for me, but refused to believe him, couldn't believe him, and the only thing I could say was "You better call Taryn and tell her too, she will be wondering what's going on."
That was it, I couldn't stand to sit there and hear the words of that conversation hanging from the rafters in my brain. I had to be alone, so I went to my room and picked up the only thing I believed could bandage my open wound, a book. This book that had helped me in so many other occasions, and I knew right where to go, Alma Chapter 40 in the Book of Mormon. This chapter that I had used so many times to help others understand what happens after death, now brought me an inkling of hope, knowing I would see my grandmother again. Although I had this knowledge, it did little to quell the sadness that coursed through my heart. I still was overwhelmed with then news I had received, and laid down to reflect on what had happened.
"It's been a long day," I thought, as my soft wet pillow cradled me to sleep that night.
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Character Character Character, Ether's Way
My section of the Book of Mormon is from Ether 9 to Ether 15
Example #1: Character Building
Within my section there is a lot of character building around the main characters in the story, Ether and Coriantumr, while little else is said of other, less important people around them.
Example #2: Plot
In Ether 9:23-25, there is very little plot. It goes through about one hundred years of kings in two short verses, and tells nothing about what has happened in the kingdom during that time. This occurs several times within my section.
Example #3: Dialogue
On a very broad scale, there is almost no dialogue within the chapters of Ether 9 to 15.
Example #4: Imagery
In Ether 14: 1-2 there is very vivid imagery when describing the lack of trust between even family members. I like the phrase "Wherefore every man did cleave unto that which was his own, with his hands, and would not borrow, neither would he lend; and every man kept the hilt of his sword in his right hand, in the defense of his property and his own life and of his wives and children."
The account I read was from Amanda Nikky in her post Heartache and Near-Death Scares.
One of the main things I drew between the two pieces was that in all times there are pains and hardships, such as the struggle between the two Jaredite factions, or with Amanda and her mother, even though it doesn't explicitly state what occurred.
Another similarity that I saw between the two is the fear of being alone, in my section Ether goes into hiding and is completely alone without his family or friends. That is a different type of feeling alone than Amanda expresses when she says "anxiety of being alone and about my mom."
The last similarity I saw was the character building between the two. Amanda gives a specific trait about every person she encountered in her story, and the main people in my BoM section have very descriptive character traits.
Example #1: Character Building
Within my section there is a lot of character building around the main characters in the story, Ether and Coriantumr, while little else is said of other, less important people around them.
Example #2: Plot
In Ether 9:23-25, there is very little plot. It goes through about one hundred years of kings in two short verses, and tells nothing about what has happened in the kingdom during that time. This occurs several times within my section.
Example #3: Dialogue
On a very broad scale, there is almost no dialogue within the chapters of Ether 9 to 15.
Example #4: Imagery
In Ether 14: 1-2 there is very vivid imagery when describing the lack of trust between even family members. I like the phrase "Wherefore every man did cleave unto that which was his own, with his hands, and would not borrow, neither would he lend; and every man kept the hilt of his sword in his right hand, in the defense of his property and his own life and of his wives and children."
The account I read was from Amanda Nikky in her post Heartache and Near-Death Scares.
One of the main things I drew between the two pieces was that in all times there are pains and hardships, such as the struggle between the two Jaredite factions, or with Amanda and her mother, even though it doesn't explicitly state what occurred.
Another similarity that I saw between the two is the fear of being alone, in my section Ether goes into hiding and is completely alone without his family or friends. That is a different type of feeling alone than Amanda expresses when she says "anxiety of being alone and about my mom."
The last similarity I saw was the character building between the two. Amanda gives a specific trait about every person she encountered in her story, and the main people in my BoM section have very descriptive character traits.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Clarity is Key: David A. Bednar
General conference is always one of the better times during the year, when I was younger, it was mostly because it meant I didn't have to get dressed in my sunday clothes and go to church. Now its because I get to listen to the lords mouthpieces here on earth, the prophets. This past conference was no different. One of my favorite speakers and apostles has always been Elder David A. Bednar,who has been an apostle since 2004, and has now given 20 General Conference addresses. This conference his talk entitled "Come and See", was directed to a very specific audience, those who are not members of the church. While Mormon vocabulary is typically difficult to understand for non-members, Elder Bednar was able to effectively communicate his intentions. While directing his attention to non-members of the church, he also was able to keep a light air about his talk, including personal stories and humor to help establish a good relationship with his audience, yet still kept a serious overtone throughout.
I also looked at another of Elder Bednar's talks called "The Windows of Heaven." Elder Bednar is very consistent in stating who his intended audience is and clarifies that he speaks to all members and especially families who are struggling with the concept of Tithing. While not as light and joking as his other address, this one keeps in tune with Elder Bednar's serious overtone throughout. Even though he chose this route, he knew why, in stating he was speaking to the members of the church, he knew they needed a more serious talk in order to better understand the concept he was trying to explain. One significant similarity throughout his talks in general, is that they are very structured and have a direction, which many others' dont do with their speeches. Elder Bednar's ability to structure and direct his talks is why they can be appealing to all.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Power from the Pulpit
After many years of being an active member of the LDS church, I can say that one of my favorite speakers has and always will be Jeffrey R. Holand of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. From powerful, even punishing, phrases, to loving inspiration, Jeffrey R. Holland knows how to drive home a point, and do it well. In analyzing his address titled "Of Souls, Symbols and Sacraments," many of his best speaking traits are shown. One of his best speaking traits is that of being blunt, bold and not skirting around the truth. Holland is earnest and gets his point across without leaving room for confusion or error.
In this talk, Holland follows with his classic theme of "hit them where it counts so they wont forget it." In speaking of the problems that face the audience he is addressing he states that, "Our soul is what's at stake here-our spirit and our body...the purchase price for our fulness of joy-body and spirit eternally united-is the pure and innocent blood of the savior of this world." Right before this he was speaking about the growing problem of sexual immorality in the current generation. Straight from one serious topic, to a hard-hitting sentence about repentance and the pain we cause the Savior when we sin such as fornication. Somehow, in spite of this heave topic, he manages to keep a light air about his whole tone. Its an amazing feat.
He is a master of speaking, he knows just what to say to help you recognize the folly of your ways, and then brings love back into the equation to help you want to change, not make you do it, but make you want to do it. The last part of his talk demonstrates this perfectly when he says, "If some few of you are feeling the 'scars...that have come to you in places where you ought not to have gone,' I wish to extend to you the special peace and promise available through the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ." This is what helps Elder Holland to be one of the most powerful speakers of our time, and helps so many of his messages to strike a chord in the hearts of all that hear his voice.
In this talk, Holland follows with his classic theme of "hit them where it counts so they wont forget it." In speaking of the problems that face the audience he is addressing he states that, "Our soul is what's at stake here-our spirit and our body...the purchase price for our fulness of joy-body and spirit eternally united-is the pure and innocent blood of the savior of this world." Right before this he was speaking about the growing problem of sexual immorality in the current generation. Straight from one serious topic, to a hard-hitting sentence about repentance and the pain we cause the Savior when we sin such as fornication. Somehow, in spite of this heave topic, he manages to keep a light air about his whole tone. Its an amazing feat.He is a master of speaking, he knows just what to say to help you recognize the folly of your ways, and then brings love back into the equation to help you want to change, not make you do it, but make you want to do it. The last part of his talk demonstrates this perfectly when he says, "If some few of you are feeling the 'scars...that have come to you in places where you ought not to have gone,' I wish to extend to you the special peace and promise available through the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ." This is what helps Elder Holland to be one of the most powerful speakers of our time, and helps so many of his messages to strike a chord in the hearts of all that hear his voice.
Friday, September 26, 2014
Coriantumr's Character
1. Form Analyzed
I decided to look at characters, and their traits, specifically Coriantumr
2. Passage Analyzed
I analyzed within my section (Ether 9-15) specifically Ether 13:15-20 because there are many phrases referring to Coriantumr
3. Annotated Text
4. Breakdown / Listing of things found:
-Bad connotations toward Coriantumr
-Unrighteous as a king
-Unrighteous following, intent on destroying Coriantumr
-Learned in the ways of war
-Unrighteous sons and daughters
-Unrighteous Generation
-Coriantumr is unwilling to repent
5. Interpretation:
These short passages really help us understand who Coriantumr is as a ruler, as well as a family man. While most all of the people mentioned are unrighteous and a fallen people, there can be some good things said of Coriantumr. "The sons of Coriantumr fought much and bled much." We can infer that he was at the very least, a good father, and his posterity would fight to protect or at least to help him. Being able to see somewhat how Coriantumr conducted his life is relieving in light of all of the wars and bloodshed that follow. Another interesting thing to note is that God does give him the chance to repent, and see the errors of his ways. Whether this means God is good, or maybe alludes to the fact that Coriantumr isn't as bad as he seems is not readily apparent.
6. Connections / Questions:
Are all major characters in the Book of Mormon, even the bad ones, inherently good? From this question come many thoughts such as were Laman, Lemuel and even Laban good people? From this I believe we can introduce a bit of our beliefs as Latter-Day-Saints and say that deep down, every person is good, but due to agency and bad choices, that good part is not readily visible.
While not expressly stated in the book, we can infer or guess that most every character has some part good in them, and we know that at a young age they were good people. The other thing I have mentioned already, is that God loves us all, and wants us to be good such as when he gave Coriantumr the chance to repent. This overlying theme appears multiple times within the book.
I decided to look at characters, and their traits, specifically Coriantumr
2. Passage Analyzed
I analyzed within my section (Ether 9-15) specifically Ether 13:15-20 because there are many phrases referring to Coriantumr
3. Annotated Text
-Bad connotations toward Coriantumr
-Unrighteous as a king
-Unrighteous following, intent on destroying Coriantumr
-Learned in the ways of war
-Unrighteous sons and daughters
-Unrighteous Generation
-Coriantumr is unwilling to repent
5. Interpretation:
These short passages really help us understand who Coriantumr is as a ruler, as well as a family man. While most all of the people mentioned are unrighteous and a fallen people, there can be some good things said of Coriantumr. "The sons of Coriantumr fought much and bled much." We can infer that he was at the very least, a good father, and his posterity would fight to protect or at least to help him. Being able to see somewhat how Coriantumr conducted his life is relieving in light of all of the wars and bloodshed that follow. Another interesting thing to note is that God does give him the chance to repent, and see the errors of his ways. Whether this means God is good, or maybe alludes to the fact that Coriantumr isn't as bad as he seems is not readily apparent.
6. Connections / Questions:
Are all major characters in the Book of Mormon, even the bad ones, inherently good? From this question come many thoughts such as were Laman, Lemuel and even Laban good people? From this I believe we can introduce a bit of our beliefs as Latter-Day-Saints and say that deep down, every person is good, but due to agency and bad choices, that good part is not readily visible.
While not expressly stated in the book, we can infer or guess that most every character has some part good in them, and we know that at a young age they were good people. The other thing I have mentioned already, is that God loves us all, and wants us to be good such as when he gave Coriantumr the chance to repent. This overlying theme appears multiple times within the book.
Friday, September 19, 2014
Miltons and Shakespeares
"We will yet have Miltons and Shakespeares of our own. God's ammunition is not exhausted. His brightest spirits are held in reserve for the latter times," said Orson F. Whitney.
This statement from Orson Whitney is true in all aspects. Many latter-day-saints have become literary giants. In reading "Added Upon" by Nephi Anderson, I would say he was one of them. This is purely opinion, but many would say that the act of stepping forward, putting your beliefs on the line, now that is being a revolutionary. Orson Whitney also said, "All must be preached to... and whither we cannot go, we must send; where we cannot speak we must write; and in order to win men with our writings we must know how and what to write." Half the battle then is getting the word out, being bold enough to share what we know to be true. Nephi Anderson did that.
Many church members know what its like to share our beliefs with others, we have served full time missions, we have talked to a neighbor or a friend about the gospel, and we know how hard it is. We know the difficulty arrises from what people with think of us. We ask ourselves, "What if they reject what I hold so dear to my heart?" What would you do if someone you love rejected something you love so dearly? It would be like giving your best friend a puppy, and them not accepting that gift.
So, to go along with what Orson Whitney said, we need to do all we can to spread what we know to whomever we can, and that is exactly what Nephi Anderson did with his novel, "Added Upon."
This statement from Orson Whitney is true in all aspects. Many latter-day-saints have become literary giants. In reading "Added Upon" by Nephi Anderson, I would say he was one of them. This is purely opinion, but many would say that the act of stepping forward, putting your beliefs on the line, now that is being a revolutionary. Orson Whitney also said, "All must be preached to... and whither we cannot go, we must send; where we cannot speak we must write; and in order to win men with our writings we must know how and what to write." Half the battle then is getting the word out, being bold enough to share what we know to be true. Nephi Anderson did that. Many church members know what its like to share our beliefs with others, we have served full time missions, we have talked to a neighbor or a friend about the gospel, and we know how hard it is. We know the difficulty arrises from what people with think of us. We ask ourselves, "What if they reject what I hold so dear to my heart?" What would you do if someone you love rejected something you love so dearly? It would be like giving your best friend a puppy, and them not accepting that gift.
So, to go along with what Orson Whitney said, we need to do all we can to spread what we know to whomever we can, and that is exactly what Nephi Anderson did with his novel, "Added Upon."
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
My Nighttime Escape
Throughout my life, I have been enthralled by literature. In school I succeeded in writing, english and other language classes, although I didn't enjoy it. What I really liked about literature, were my nighttime adventures. These consisted of getting lost in literature. Lost in a book.
From the time I was got my first Harry Potter book, to the last novel in the Eragon series, I would go to bed around 10:30, and read till the late hours of the night, losing my own identity in the stories I would read. I especially loved the genre of fantasy and science fiction, things that seemed so awe inspiring to me. It was then that I really learned to love reading, and learned to put myself in the novel.
Unfortunately, these nighttime escapes haven't withstood the test of time. I haven't been able to continue this routine throughout the years, although I wish I could have. Now my reading consists mostly of textbooks and the Book of Mormon. As I devote more and more time to reading the Book of Mormon, it surprises me that the same feelings I got while reading as a kid would return, and I could escape into the novel. The Book of Mormon is something that has shaped my literary knowledge and my life, more than anything else in the world, and it contributes more to my life daily than most anything else.
While I have some knowledge of literature, I still have much more to learn, and definitely many more pieces of literature to read.
From the time I was got my first Harry Potter book, to the last novel in the Eragon series, I would go to bed around 10:30, and read till the late hours of the night, losing my own identity in the stories I would read. I especially loved the genre of fantasy and science fiction, things that seemed so awe inspiring to me. It was then that I really learned to love reading, and learned to put myself in the novel.
Unfortunately, these nighttime escapes haven't withstood the test of time. I haven't been able to continue this routine throughout the years, although I wish I could have. Now my reading consists mostly of textbooks and the Book of Mormon. As I devote more and more time to reading the Book of Mormon, it surprises me that the same feelings I got while reading as a kid would return, and I could escape into the novel. The Book of Mormon is something that has shaped my literary knowledge and my life, more than anything else in the world, and it contributes more to my life daily than most anything else.While I have some knowledge of literature, I still have much more to learn, and definitely many more pieces of literature to read.
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