Grandma Wilcox's Funeral

It was Grandma Wilcox's funeral.  I've been to services for various people before, but this was my first time being there from the viewing to the graveside services.  It was quite an experience.  I've never lost anyone so close to me.  There were a lot of emotions and thoughts.  I wished I'd been able to call her one more time, visit her one more time.  But then I realized I would probably have always felt that way.  

It was strange to spend a few days talking about life and death, reflecting over her entire existence, her posterity, her future.  It was hard to come home after that and face life.  To think I need to keep on keepin' on for 60 more years.  To think I'm already about 1/4 of the way through my life.  I think it's good to focus on the eternal perspective, but it was strange to think of life and death as so close that it seemed nothing in between is very significant.

In a way, I suppose that's true.  But the other thing that's been on my mind is how influential people's lives are.  I think of the way things happened, choices my predecessors made, and how they affect me. How my life would be different if they had chosen differently.  How my posterity will be affected by me and my choices are important; not just for me, but for them too. I need to keep on going, not just for me, but for all who will follow in my path.  Heavy stuff, but good to think about once in a while:) I'm just grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and temple covenants.  I know I will get to see Grandma and all of my ancestors again:)

Me and Chris

Family is forever:)

Party Hearty: Mormon Style

Harry and Ron are disappointed, because they've been told you can't have a fun party as a Mormon.

"My name is Michelle and I like to party." 

No really, though, I do, just minus the drugs and alcohol:)  At BYU some people think you can't have fun without drugs and alcohol.  Why do they attend this school?  I don't know.

One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone says a variation of the following:

"I hate Provo, there's nothing to do."

"I hate Utah, there's nothing to do."

"It won't be fun if we're not drunk."

"My hometown was waaay cooler than anything here because..."

Maybe I have a little Utah pride? Yes. If you're not a boring person, there is plenty to do here. I love having fun and I don't like it when people try to rain on my parade.  Also: call me Molly Mormon, but I personally have more fun when I'm in an environment where I am comfortable and don't have to constantly be on my guard.

Let's be real. People have known balloons were fun since the 1800's.

VIRGIN Jello shots:) Still fun. Don't knock it till you try it.

Who needs drugs and alcohol when you have this face?:)

Silly string is CLASSIC fun.  There's no denying it.

Dancing whilst totally sober. Fun.

ROOTbeer pong. Challenging. Competitive. Fun.

"Red Solo Cup. I fill you up (with a nonalcoholic beverage). It's time to party."

Food and drink.  Always fun.

These people look like they're having fun.

World Religion

Ai!!!! I am so happy.  I randomly read a scripture about two months ago and then I kept thinking about it all day and I couldn't find where it was again:(  I was sitting in institute today and we were reading the scripture right above it and I happened to glance at my friends phone and read it:

Alma 29:8 For behold, the Lord doth ^agrant unto ^ball nations, of their own nation and ^ctongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he^dseeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lord doth counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and true. 
LDS.org

I loooove this scripture.  I took World Religion at BYU with Dr. Keller and he really stressed this point; that God gives truth to all His children.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has the fullness of the restored gospel, meaning the priesthood authority to perform ordinances like baptism and make eternal covenants, like marriage.  

Sometimes we get into the bad habit of saying we're the only true church.  This is a pretty offensive way to persuade people to come unto Christ.  This scripture has the right perspective:  that God gives to every nation His word, in His wisdom, all that He seeth fit that they should have, in a way that is just and true.  

What does that mean?  It means Buddah was inspired by the same God who inspired Joseph Smith.  If you think that is a bold claim, try reading some of the Buddah's teachings and see if the Holy Ghost doesn't testify that they are true.  Try looking at the Koran.  Sikhism.  They are all what God instructed righteous people to do in the proper time and place.  Of course, we know there will be a time when the fullness of the gospel has sounded in every ear, and as people receive fullness of the gospel, they receive the blessings of making and keeping sacred covenants.

I've been thinking a lot lately about living according to what you know.  I think that people who have grown up strong in the church often don't subconsciously realize that not everyone has the same understanding of eternal truths.  Yes, everyone knows the basics of morality, but to really understand them is a different story.  

Sometimes it may seem like people are amoral, when in fact, they live more strictly by their moral code than you live by yours.  There are so many stories of people who get converted to the gospel and start living impeccably righteous lives.  In fact, maybe they always did what they thought was right or okay, and now they just have more knowledge about what exactly is right and okay.

Think about that before you judge someone. There is no way to be a flawless person in this life, but there are a million ways to be a good person:)