In all our lives we face problems, struggles, a wall that impedes our progress. But does it really? As you see on the left the characters for crisis stand for a time of danger, but also a time of opportunity. It is just like the gospel, crisis are full of growing opportunities. And it is part of God's plan. Crisis causes us stress and that is a good thing. How so? It stretches us and helps us have the opportunity to rise above the natural man and become better. If the crisis causes us distress though, it is not so good. In class we learned about how families cope with stress and what makes one family be able to handle the same trial as another family well when the other family sees it as a end of the world crisis on their hands. Part of it is how much resources the family has and if they know about them and how to use them. Another big part is the family's perspective. If they do not have vision, a future goal in mind, then they perish. If they do not know who they are deep down inside, namely that they are a son or daughter of God, then they can be easily shaken over seemingly trivial things; because they think they have to deal with these crisis all by themselves.
Viktor E. Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and psychologist, writes a few of his observations and insights on how we can each choose how we react in a situation even though we didn't choose the circumstance that we were placed in-
"The way in which a man accepts his fate and all his sufferings it entails, the way in which he takes up his cross, gives him ample opportunity-even under the most difficult circumstances-to add a deeper meaning to his life. It may remain brave, dignified, and unselfish. Or in the bitter fight for self-preservation he may forget his human dignity and become no more than a mere animal. Here lies the chance for a man either to make use or forgo the opportunities of attaining the moral values that a difficult situation may afford him. And this decides whether he is worthy of his sufferings or not."
"Psychological observations of the prisoners have shown that only men who allowed their inner hold on their moral and spiritual selves to subside eventually fell victim to the camp's degenerating influences." ("Man's Search For Meaning" by Viktor E. Frankl; page 67;69-read also pages 73-80 to gain better insights and understanding)
When each trial or challenge comes our way, we have the choice to use it for our experience and help us grow personally or to suffer through it kicking and screaming and not learn anything. Or we may be tempted to run away and escape the real world and live in a world that doesn't exist, that fits all of our ideals and wants, but doesn't help us become the person who we truly wanted to be.
I was talking to my roommate about the dangers of individuals getting caught up in virtual worlds or stories, or other media to seek to escape the world more permanently. Games and stories are not bad but it is when it gets to the point that the individual begins to love their virtual world more than the world we live in. Their fantasy world becomes their real world. That becomes problematic to their health since the individual is constantly in the other world because they do not want to confront and live in this one. That in general makes it harder to live life if you don't ever face it.  So my question is this, and you are free to offer your insights below, how does one gets out of that? And how does loved ones help someone who is struggling on that?
I will close with this really neat scripture about struggles and challenges and how the Lord is with us at all times. This is in the Doctrine and Covenants (modern scriptures in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)  section 122:5-9
5 If thou art called to pass through tribulation; if thou art in perils among false brethren; if thou art in perils among robbers; if thou art in perils by land or by sea;
 6 If thou art accused with all manner of false accusations; if thine enemies fall upon thee; if they tear thee from the society of thy father and mother and brethren and sisters; and if with a drawn sword thine enemies tear thee from the bosom of thy wife, and of thine offspring, and thine elder son, although but six years of age, shall cling to thy garments, and shall say, My father, my father, why can’t you stay with us? O, my father, what are the men going to do with you? and if then he shall be thrust from thee by the sword, and thou be dragged to prison, and thine enemies prowl around thee like wolves for the blood of the lamb;

 7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.

 8 The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?

 9 Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.

 This is a delicate subject that I will handle with care due to the sacredness of this topic. Note from the title that this is focused on Marital and not just any intimacy. I will briefly share some research before I comment about Marital Intimacy.
 Research and good reason has shown that having premarital sex and/or having multiple partners decreases stability and satisfaction in the relationship (Robert H. Lauer and Jeanette C. Lauer's book, Marriage and Family: The Quest for Intimacy-eight edition, has some good chapters with bounds of research on the subject that is sited in more detail in the back of the book. Chapter 7 is a good place to start.). Among bad breakups and the risk of STDs (Sexually Transmitted Disease) there are long term consequences, especially for your children and future generations.
Unfortunately the media and some schools are not good resources for the rising generation to get this education. They seem to teach more on how avoid or minimize possible dangers and consequences of premarital intimacy instead of teaching teenagers how to establish healthy relationships with others. That education will do more to decrease these unhealthy socioeconomic trends that are prevalent in many societies than any other method.
Instead of going deeper into those topics though, I will talk a little bit about Marital Intimacy. I had a fun conversation with my freshman roommates about it. Their idea about Marital Intimacy is something that you have to jump into, similar to what the media portrays - a not thought through, in the heat of the moment act that gives short lived self-gratification. If I may be so bold that doesn't benefit anybody. My view is that intimacy can be pure, edifying, and a way to help each person become more loving, caring, compassionate, and patient in their lives. You can gain more Christlike attributes and become better spouses, parents, and friends to others as you have Charity in you relationship towards each other. I have learned that you should treat Marital Intimacy like a well prized expensive gift that you must slowly unwrap it together and discover the beauty inside of it. You don't need to feel rushed to open it right away, enjoy the experience. You are doing it for you and your spouse, not the world.

Wow, that title in and of itself sounds highly controversial. You could spend forever on this subject, but I will only address a few things that I learned for right now. The title of this post will be addressed last.

This lesson in class was one of the most well educated responses I have heard about this subject one way or another. We looked at the research and discussed what factors play in this subject, how people become homosexual. On one research that has been done by Dr. Daryl Bem, a social psychologist and professor emeritus at Cornell University, has been quite extensive. I decided to simplify his theory by making a visual aid to help all of us better understand what he is getting at. (Hopefully it works) This is my first Prezi, so nothing fancy.


I will make a comment on the Gay Identity bubble - I am addressing the example used "That is why everyone treated me weird, I am not strange, I am just Gay." In fact they were not strange at all, just unique and liked different things. By making themselves put on the Gay identity in turn unintentionally puts themselves at risk. Many of them unconsciously hinge their whole self-worth, their whole selves on this identity and lash back, sometimes viciously, because they are trying to protect themselves. They think that people are attacking them, the very thing that defines them. I don't believe either party wants Gay to be a defining thing but that is what it seems to happen from what I have observed. Unfortunately both sides of the issue at hand gets harmed and the people who has chosen the Gay identity still feel like an outcast, strange and unwanted. Having this new identity didn't help solve their intimacy crisis as one would have hoped.
I will end on the last thing we learned in class. Our teacher asked the class what traits that a typical Gay man has, and wrote them on the board as we offered suggestions. A communicator, expressive with their emotions, sensitive, artistic-creative, fashion oriented, has an eye for design-beauty, etc..
He then asked what woman wouldn't want that in that sort of man. He asked if the women in the class would raised their hands if they would love their husbands to be able to communicate better, to be sensitive and more expressive with their feelings, creative, etc. We raised our hand for each one.
He then asked the class who we thought of as he was writing these attributes on the board. I must have been so enthralled with pondering this process that I didn't come to the same conclusion as fast as others. They said "The Savior, Jesus Christ". 
All the characteristics and attributes that they had gained in their experience, hard as it may be, is what the Savior has. We all know that the Savior is sensitive and expressive, when Martha and Mary was mourning over their dead brother Lazarus, he wept and mourn with them before he raised Lazarus from the dead. He didn't call them silly or stupid for being sorrowful and stride in and raised Lazarus from the dead. He listened and wept with them. (John 11; 11:32-35) 
There are so many more examples I could name and I know that you can find some as well; but you get my point. You can gain so much from the trials that you face, whether that be from struggling with same sex attraction, trying to get the motivation to exercise, trying to repent, battling cancer, the possibilities for your trials are endless! All of us don't like trials though, but we grow the most from being uncomfortable and having to stretch and try ourselves. Some people have very hard trials in life but I know that with the Savior's help it is all worth it! We can become more like Him everyday! :)
  

What do you think?
We learned about Social Class and Culture and how it effects families in class one week. We took a tail dive into a big discussion of the effect of class has on the family. Among one of the movies that we watch, the Tammy's story is the one that jumped out for us. I will paste it below. While watching this it was hard to see how they were stuck in that social class because they didn't have the knowledge of the resources available to them. It was also sad to see how one of the sons was obsessed about his appearance since he was ashamed of his family's circumstances; adopting a more shallow attitude of judging people based on their looks. The sad thing is, all of us do that to some extent. Unfortunately it reinforces this boy's belief, tying his self worth to what he looks like.
Among other videos we looked at the upper class and they seemed unaware of the existence of this class and was more focused on how they look compared to other people and comparing other people and the things they had and/or the way they act. I will post another video of an engaged couple from two different social classes (Trouble in Paradise). As with the social class that Tammy is in, they are more focused on surviving and sometimes have lack of a vision due to the lack of knowledge of their resources to that they have to achieve their goal. Both ends of the spectrum of the social classes do not foster the ideal environment for family growth and it diminishes Human Capital since neither class is looking out of their worlds. Social classes segregates us into groups and promotes pride throughout the groups and limits our progression in societies (4 Nephi 1:23-26 pg. 466-467 in the Book of Mormon shows an example of that). In that way we limit ourselves by making us not open to socialize with all classes. If all social classes will not judge each other and work together it will make the world go round. For instance, if someone from Tammy's class could bring ideas to the table, those ideas could be made to invent things that no one has thought about before. But only if those people can get into a good position to share their ideas, if they can't it won't come up to make a better world. Take for instance J.K. Rolling. She has so many publishers reject her idea of her Harry Potter book. If she had quit, or if no one gave her that chance to share her ideas, then the world will not be a better place. I am saying it is a better place because she helped millions of kids gain of love of reading. She helped kids know that there are worlds beside what is on there T.V. :) All of us get blessed when we share our talents. We will all be less blessed if J.K. Rolling, or J.R.R. Tolkien, or C.S. Lewis (and many, many, more) didn't get the chance to share their talents.
What talents can you share?
Now, going back to Tammy. If she doesn't have the resources to realize her dreams how can she attain them? By us. All of us, no matter what class we are in, can reach a loving hand one towards another and lift each other up. In Tammy's case, all she needs is someone that knows a bit about cars and that will open up a whole world of options for her and her family. That is why we share our gifts and skills, to bless the lives around us. All of us have something to offer and to bless.
Now, back to the question, 
What talents will you share?
You may have thought of someone while you were reading this, if that is the case go out and serve them and help lift them up! A simple card, mowing the lawn, fixing a car or chair, the opportunities are endless! If you haven't thought of someone I invite you to go out and make a new friend. Who knows? You might be the answer to someone's prayer.

Below is part 2 of the documentary.
 I know that the Family is Eternal. In the family we grow and sometimes get frustrated and grow some more and have a lot of joy. The Family is so important to our society and in our lives. In fact it is the most important thing in the world. I can think of countless of my fondest memories and it always included my family. From board games where we were offered to buy a hippopotamus burger or to stay at the Ivory hotel (Animalopoly) to building snow sculptures of Chess pieces, to playing Pokemon with Sam and Emily, to even those mountainous weekly cleaning festivals , I will always remember those. Experiences at home has been the most joyous and best growing period in my life. I know that you gain an understanding of the gospel the best when you get to learn and apply those Gospel Principles at home. And living those gospel principles brings joy and peace into our lives.
I love my family. We have a lot of fun times and we all have really great ideas and incredible talent making snow sculptures. :)
How is your family amazing? Share below!

This last part of the Documentary focuses on the importance of the family and while I watched it for class I was reminded of "The Family: A Proclamation to the World". This is true, I want to add my testimony to this proclamation. 

We watched this documentary in preparation for one of our classes today. It talks about the declining population of the world and the importance of families. It reminds me of the good old days of Sociology!

I am so thankful that God is in control of all things and that He loves us very much. I love Nephi's show of faith as he tells his brothers "...let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord; for behold he is mightier than all the earth, then why not mightier than Laban and his fifty, yea, or even than his tens of thousands?
Therefore let us go up; let us be strong like unto Moses; for he truly spake unto the waters of the Red Sea and they divided hither and thither, and our fathers came through, out of captivity, on dry ground, and the armies of Pharaoh did follow and were drowned in the waters of the Red Sea." (1 Nephi 4:1-2 in the Book of Mormon)
I always think of what my dad has told me while I was serving my mission, he said "You think God was going to lead Israel to the Red Sea and say 'whoops my bad! I didn't see that coming. I guess you are on your own.' and not help them cross the water? God doesn't do that to us. He doesn't lead us halfway there and not help us get the rest of the way back to Him." That is why a Savior was provided. We can always rely on Jesus Christ and his Atonement and get through the most worrisome and stressful hard times in our life. The Savior's Atonement can change us to overcome anything, even though our circumstances don't change, we change, and that is because of Him. I am so thankful for that.

He has made this earth with us in mind and has made no shortcuts or spared anything, He made it for us and we have no need to worry about running out of anything that we stand in need of. In Doctrine and Covenants 104:17 it says:
"For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves."

I love these scriptures that talks about the power of God and His love for us, his children.
So you have no need to worry about over or under populating the earth! :)
So what do you think of the documentary?

Hello! My name is Lindsay Gale and I love this video (if it doesn't show up look up on LDS.org or Mormonchannel.org and search for "You Never Know") that talks about Mothers, or Parents in general whose influence is great even if some days they don't feel like it! I am sure all of us had those days before, even if we are not parents yet, having that feeling of inadequacy. One thing I am sure of is that we are not without help, the Savior is there for us. He can strengthen us and help us expand of use of time to do the most important things that day. Who knows what those small acts of service for our family, friends, and acquaintances really do? We are spreading little and big miracles all over the place if we sincerely and prayerful seek those opportunities out. We are all God's children, let us lift each other up. I invite you to make a goal to do one (or more if you got one down) act of service each day. Ready? Set? Go!