We Give Thee But Thine Own

I'm a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormons. Each Sunday, I discuss some things related to my faith and what I believe. Regardless of your own beliefs, I hope this gives you a chance to get to know me and my religion a little better. For previous installments, click here.

I give ten percent of everything I earn to the Church. It's called tithing, and we're all expected to give a full ten percent. These funds help build up the church throughout the world, whether it's for actual buildings, or in financially supporting the activities of its members. 

By paying tithing, Church members show their gratitude to God for their blessings and their resolve to trust in the Lord rather than in material things. They also help further the work of the Lord in the earth, blessing others of God’s children with the opportunity to learn of Him and to grow in the gospel. 

This isn't a new principle. Even in the Old Testament, we read in Malachi 3:10 :

 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

I'll be honest; it's not always the easiest principle to follow. I could think of many other things I could do with that money. Yet, I feel that it is blessed me. At the very least, being a full tithe payer allows me to attend the temple and when I am faithful in paying every month, I feel like I'm still okay financially. Personally, I am grateful for the opportunity to give an honest tithe and thank the Lord for everything He has given me.

Baby we could sleep in

You guys, I think I'm turning into my dad.

Now, I love my dad, but I don't want to be the person who sleeps until 8:45 AM on a Saturday morning and then thinks to myself "Oh my gosh, I'm soooo lazy!"

I mean, seriously? A month ago, I would sleep in that late on a workday. Funny how that attitude changes so quickly, at least for me. I would have gotten up earlier if Cabeza or A$ were going to be at the gym today, but I was on my own this morning and it was nice to sleep in a little after getting to bed so late last night. (So late = 11 PM.)

Later today, I turned into the person who thinks "Guh. I've only worked out today, had a protein shake, fixed a pair of shorts, and showered/dressed? That's it!?"

Friends, it was noon-thirty. Really, there was still plenty of time left in the diem to be carpe'd.

Tonight, I'm going bowling for a birthday celebration. I'm actually worried that I'm not going to make it the entire evening, because we're not going until 10 PM, which is my goal bedtime most days. In fact, I haven't been out that late (as a starting time) since I started being a morning person, but in the 26 years and 9 months previous, I'd be all over going out that late. (Granted, during 18 of those years, I did require parental permission.) And after a lower body weightlifting session this morning, my first shift on my feet for 5 hours at The Dairy Godmother (for fun and extra clams) this afternoon, and bowling tonight? I'll be lucky if I'm able to move tomorrow.

Please send a foot masseuse, and don't mind the girl sleeping in lane 9.

Come listen to a prophet's voice

I'm a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormons. Each Sunday, I discuss some things related to my faith and what I believe. Regardless of your own beliefs, I hope this gives you a chance to get to know me and my religion a little better. For previous installments, click here.

This week's Sunday post is coming a little bit early, and not just because it's April Fool's Day. This weekend, we are gathering as an entire church to listen to General Conference. Of course, gathering as entire population of over 13 million people in one place is rather impossible, so we're meeting together in a worldwide broadcast at church buildings and in homes via radio, television, and internet. In five two hour sessions over two days, members will hear counsel from President Thomas S. Monson and each member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, as well as other General Authorities and auxiliary leaders of the Church.

We believe that President Monson and the rest of the Quorum of the Twelve are truly modern day prophets, seers, and revelators, according to the same organization of the Church that existed in the time of Christ. Their counsel from the Lord is regarded as modern day scripture.

I'm looking forward to watching Conference this weekend, and the semi-annual excuse to wear pajamas during church (if you're watching at home) is only part of it. I'm actually posting early this week to invite you to join us. There's more information about the broadcast schedule here, or you can just watch it on your computer here. You can even follow along on Twitter via the #ldsconf hashtag. Tune in for all 8 hours of public broadcasting (the Saturday evening session is for the men only and broadcast exclusively at chapels; the women have their own sessions in September) or just 20 minutes. You can see our beautiful Conference Center and hear the amazing Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and listen to talks from the senior leadership of the Church, both men and women, to hear what we're all about as Latter-day Saints.

If you can't participate this weekend, the video archives and transcripts will be online soon. They're already up for every Conference since 1974.

And if you tune in during the intermediate hymns, know that I'm singing loud and proud right with you!