Read a good book that got me thinking:)

Well- I'm not going to try and pick up where I left off. A fresh start, with a description of a really well written book and my musings on the issues raised. Ayn Rand (2007) Atlas Shrugged London:Penguin Modern Classics (First published 1957) "All our stories are expressions of ourselves even when they purport to be accounts of aspects of the world. We are deeply implicated in the very grounds of our story telling" (Mair, 1989, p. 257). This is particularly true in the novel Atlas Shrugged; when one is aware of the life story of Rand and her escape from the world of the Bolshevik Revolution, and the Russia it created. The reader cannot help but see the condemnation of such a regime in her story of John Galt. The novel “envisions a world where ‘men of talent’– the great innovators, producers and creators– have mysteriously disappeared” (2007: back cover). These men (and women) have effectively been called out on strike by John Galt. He has observed a system where personal industry, inspiration and wealth are condemned, or at least subsumed, into the collective good. The story is about the struggle of one woman to save the world she knows, while struggling with the realisation that that world may not be worth saving. Although I began the post by quoting Mair’s suggestion about the role of the author in storytelling, just as pertinent in my reading of Atlas Shrugged was my background, and the biases and worldviews I have. Surprisingly in a book that I was reading for relaxation, I found myself having contradictory intellectual (and spiritual) encounters with the events and arguments as they unfolded. This was nowhere more apparent than within my Mormon preconceptions and ideas. On the one hand there are elements of the book, and John Galt’s arguments, that reflect my beliefs perfectly. Conversely, there are parts that seem to contradict my Mormon worldview and teachings of the Church. In the end, I realise they do not (and yet still do); but only after lots of thought and interrogation of the main themes. Immediately obvious and applicable to Mormonism are the importance of the mind, and the development of self. In addressing the nation John Galt declares: "Man’s life, as required by his nature, is not the life of a mindless brute, of a looting thug or a mooching mystic, but the life of a thinking being—not life by means of force or fraud, but life by means of achievement—not survival at any price" (p. 1014). This nature, within Mormonism, is as a child of God. A being created from/ with intelligence to strive to achieve. Galt continues: "Man cannot survive except by gaining knowledge, and reason is his only means to gain it" (p. 1016). From a Mormon perspective the gaining of knowledge is an eternal goal. This life (and the whole of the plan of salvation) can be seen to be about the acquisition of knowledge. In the same way intelligences progress to spirits, to mortality, to resurrection and godhood; so individual people progress in knowledge and experience in preparation for fulfilment in exaltation. "Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come" (D&C 130: 18-19). Arguing that the plan of salvation is about the accumulation of knowledge and truth: “provides an interesting perspective on eternal progression. There is apparently no end to learning and no end of things to learn” (Eyring H. 1967, p. 157). There are limits to the applicability of Galt’s speech within Mormonism; for him: "Man’s mind is his basic tool of survival. Life is given to him, survival is not. His body is given to him, its sustenance is not. His mind is given to him, its content is not. To remain alive, he must act, and before he can act he must know the nature and purpose of his action. He cannot obtain his food without a knowledge of food and of the way to obtain it. He cannot dig a ditch-or build a cyclotron-without a knowledge of his aim and of the means to achieve it. To remain alive, he must think" (p. 1012). While, as a Mormon, I would accept that knowledge is crucial to the way that we act it would be unacceptable to rely on the mind only. The mind can get a person so far, but only when it is coupled with the inspiration of the Holy Ghost (or possibly the Light of Christ) can a person hope for success in mortality (and eternity). Oliver Cowdery’s experience of translation illustrates this point; the necessity of exercising one’s mind and then involving the Lord: "But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right" (D&C 9: 8). These aspects of Galt’s speech are of intellectual and spiritual interest to Mormonism, but are of no particular challenge. However, the aspects of the speech, and the book, that challenge Mormon perceptions are concerned with the creation of a, Mormon termed, “United Order”. Understanding Rand’s background enables the reader to interpret the condemnation of such a system to be a reflection of the author’s views about Soviet Russia. However, from a Mormon perspective it raises questions about the viability of the law of consecration. In the book, the system of government begins in one factory, but then begins to extend to become enshrined in the laws of government. In a critique of the system Galt argues: "Then, one night at a factory meeting, I heard myself sentenced to death by reason of my achievement. I heard three parasites assert that my brain and my life were their property, that my right to exist was conditional and depended on the satisfaction of their desires. The purpose of my ability, they said, was to serve the needs of those who were less able. I had no right to live, they said, by reason of my competence for living: their right to live was unconditional, by reason of their incompetence. Then I saw what was wrong with the world, I saw what destroyed men and nations, and where the battle for life had to be fought. I saw that the enemy was an inverted morality-and that my sanction was its only power. I saw that evil was impotent-that evil was the irrational, the blind, the anti-real-and that the only weapon of its triumph was the willingness of the good to serve it" (p. 1048). These thoughts could have been condemned as the “rantings” of one man, who refused to help other people. But Rand’s most effective condemnation of the system comes from her description of how it was applied. Those who sought to apply it as the leaders became wealthy while all others were left to prove their “need” to be allocated their due by the voice of the people. It was at this point that, as a Mormon, I feel the condemnation was more of the people who ran the system. The links with Animal Farm are hard to miss; there was certainly the view among the factory and the people who ran America, in the book, that: “All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others” (Orwell, 1998, p. 90). If the system inevitably leads to abuse and inequality, how can I, as a Mormon reconcile it with the fact that the law of consecration is inspired of God? Section 42 of the Doctrine and Covenants outlines the principles of the United Order; and it is declared to be an “immutable” law. The caveat from the Lord is that “it must needs be done in mine own way” (D&C 104: 16). Interestingly, in light of Rand’s critique, this has not been able to be achieved yet. In the New Testament and in the early part of this dispensation, its practice was suspended (D&C 105: 34). One cannot help but suggest that the suspension of the United Order was because of the inability of people to live it in the Lord’s way. Section 104 indicates that there were issues with the way the certain people were trying to circumvent the organisation. The contrast of the Lord’s practice with Rand’s description is that the Lord was not willing to allow it to be abused, and so the order was disbanded. In Rand’s book the people who ran it were unwilling to let go of it, even when it was obvious that it did not work. While recognising the necessity of withdrawing from a system that is operating corruptly, there a number of concerns that I have with Galt’s (and Rand’s) philosophy. It seems that a survival of the fittest mentality is what is best for the world; as the fittest prosper and survive then so does the world. However, it seems that protection of the weaker is a natural result of the success of the strong. There is no such thing as charity, everyone pays their way. This misses the essence of what is involved in charity- that such actions benefit the giver and the receiver. Rand suggests a utopia where there is no concern for those who have less. Galt’s removal from society is not just at the expense of the corrupt, but also of the innocent. To what extent does our covenant, as Latter-day Saints, to bless the whole human family only extend to those who are deserving of it? The immediate answer is that the blessing (either of the spreading of the Gospel or through charity) should be given to everybody. We are not to judge who is deserving of our help; the Saviour set the perfect example as his atonement blesses the entirety of creation, without discrimination. At the time of writing there have been different political issues that could be applied to the requirement to not withdraw ourselves from the conflict but seek to bless the entire human family. Positively, the providing of relief supplies and infrastructure help for Japan and the victims of the earthquake and tsunami, have enabled the Church and Church members to exemplify the Gospel and the imperative to provide charity. The issue of the Ground Zero mosque has, however, raised questions about individual members’ ability to bless the whole world. Prothero has offered a humbling reminder to members of the Church: "When Mormons see Muslims as a group found guilty of the atrocities of September 11, 2001, they think "them" rather than "us," forgetting how Mormons as a group were found guilty of the atrocities of September 11, 1857, when Mormon vigilantes attacked a wagon train of Arkansas emigrants to the Utah territory, killing some 120 innocent men, women, and children" (2010). In withdrawing ourselves from the debate about a Mosque which has nothing to do with us we are missing the point of the Gospel. Seeking to assist others helps Latter-day Saints live their religion in their day to day lives, but also enables those of other religions to have opportunities to practice their religion (either in the service activity, or the resultant “better” society). The dialogue and activities provide further opportunities for a better world as believers are able to “build bridges of cooperation instead of walls of segregation” (Nelson, 1994, p. 71). The issue of the enforcing of a no-fly zone over Libya raises similar questions for the UN and the governments of the world. Why are we discriminating in the choice of conflicts that we involve ourselves in? I am not arguing the rights and wrongs of military action; I am however, suggesting that the same arguments that are used to intervene in Libya have been ignored in places like Zimbabwe and Guatemala. As Latter-day Saints we should bestow love and fight against evil wherever we find it. The governments of the world, are not held to this higher standard, but perhaps reflect the ambiguity and hypocrisy that is evident when we do not apply the principles of love and protection with equity and consistency. As a Mormon I find Rand’s book to be incredibly entertaining and thought provoking. It raised thoughts that I did not expect to find. However, she also uses language in a way that I have seldom experienced. To read the book as a piece of beautiful and engaging literature or as a timeless commentary on the world we live in are both good reasons to read the book. However, the best reason for me turned out to be the opportunity to enhance my faith and practice as I explored them in greater detail. Sources Eyring, H. (1967). The Faith of a Scientist. Salt Lake City : Bookcraft. Mair, M. (1989). Between psychology and psychotherapy : a poetics of experience . London: Routledge. Nelson, R. M. (1994, May). Teach us Tolerance and Love. Ensign, pp. 69-72. Orwell, G. (1998). Animal Farm: A Fairy Story. London: Penguin. Prothero, S. (2010, August 20). My take: Why aren't more Mormons supporting Islamic Center. Retrieved March 23, 2011, from CNN Belief Blog: http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/08/20/my-take-why-arent-more-mormons-supporting-islamic-center/ Rand, A. (2007). Atlas Shrugged. London: Penguin.

Rubbish week!

This week has been half term for everyone in our house..... everyone except me:( I've been working every day (and in work four of them) and while I have got lots of work done I have missed spending the break with Ruth and the children- one day I left at 7am and returned at 8pm- this job was supposed to help with the family. I know it generally has- it just means I need to get better at planning my holidays and make sure I take at least two days every time the children have a week off.

Other than that- it's been busy- dentist (a trip with six people!!!), a new tyre (great news!) and other bits and bobs. We have our Stake Conference in a couple of weeks so I've started planning the two talks I need to deliver that weekend; this time is slightly different too because Ruth is speaking in the Saturday evening session.

Bizarre family prayer- normally our morning scripture study and family prayer takes place at 705 before I leave for work, but this week no one else has wanted to get up- so I join in by phone- it's then I realise how much activity there is during this morning devotional. I can hear Martha and Gideon making strange noises- and moving around- it's strange when I'm there in person it seems completely normal and reverent- amazing when one sense is taken away (sight) how much the other compensates.

An eventful weekend...

...began on Friday evening with Stake 5 a side football (this is where all the Churches in the area send one or two teams to play 5 a side). Ruth thinks this is where people who don't play football for a year skirt the boundaries of sanity by running round football pitches for a night (after this year's I might begin to agree with her). In the first minute of the first match my friend Pete overextended and tore his achilles tendon (5 hours in a&e and a cast for 6-8 weeks). In the third match I made an amazing save (with my face)- it hit with such impact that it blurred my vision in my right eye (if only I wasn't already blind in my left one!!!). I went off, because I couldn't see the bottom half of my visual field! I tried to wait it out- but it wasn't going so 1/2 hour later I had a blessing (crouched in the dark outside the fire exit) which seemed to calm me and ease the blurriness (though there was still a bit). Stupidly I thought I'd play another match- and did... decided it wasn't a good idea and waited for it to settle. I think everyone thought I was fine apart from a bit of blurriness, but inside I was panicking I would lose my vision. It got to where only baout 10% of my vision was blurry- so I drove home (I know- another stupid decision), where I got a bit upset while telling Ruth she had to take me to a&e. 2 hours later and I was discharged- all was fine (I didn't have a detached retina as one person suggested and I worried about).

There was a slight bit of comedy in my visual field test- I was asked to read a chart- but the Dr had sat me in the wrong chair (underneath the mirror)- so it was like reading Russian- she said not to worry, just read it backwards!

Saturday passed in a blur (no pun was intended because the blurriness has dissappeared by Staurday morning), we had Pete and Sara round for dinner (the missionaries had cancelled through illness); I went to chaperone a youth dance in the evening; and then it was Sunday.

I was due to speak for 20 minutes as the final speaker at Church.. I was left with 3 minutes... so I took 3 minutes (which a couple of people complained about- I should have gone on), I feel it important that sacrament finishes on time. The Bishop was very apologetic... I was a bit fed up at one point, but then decided as I was talking about the Holy Ghost it might be beneficial to have it with me and so quickly repented:) I actually changed some of my presentation at General Priesthood last night to utilise some of it. I used 2 Nephi 4: 25 to talk about the enhanced vision the Holy Ghost can provide if we utilise it (and then used D&C 76). A fun weekend

Where does time go?

It's a week since I posted, and I thought it was just yesterday! Things don't get much quieter- all the children's activities continue- report cards for the middle two yesterday- both of them did remarkably well- Gideon was a bit worried before Ruth opened the envelope. Eleanor decided to be a bit of a rebel today and wear a bit of mascara to school- less than a month and my baby girl's 12.

We went to our Bishop and Liz's house for dinner on Sunday- we ate and talked lots. The children played so nicely together- Martha was moaning all the way home that she wanted to stay at Lucy's. Even though he's only been Bishop 10 days I'm grateful for all he does- it's not an easy call- and being a bishop's wife is much harder. I guess I am in a privileged position, as I was involved in the process of calling him, and felt a witness of the Spirit as we forwarded his name to the First Presidency. I also got that same witness though when he was called.

Change tack altogether- I was at work until about 8pm last night- there was an Intercultural drama workshop run by the Professor of Drama Education and a Japanese lady. The students (and me- I went because of the Shinto link) were taken through a piece of process drama (I'd not seen this before) and explored the space between life and death, and aspects of spirituality. It was amazing- there were so many links with what we do in RE- maybe for the first time I can see a really good use of drama in RE (beyond act out this story we're reading). I'm looking at starting a Master's course in RE next year and am trying to create some modules for students to do- maybe I'll do RE and the Arts as one of them- don't have to decide until Christmas- but I have to make them appealing so people will want to do the course (it's for me to teach and run not study for).

A busy weekend

My goodness- this weekend went in a blur- home from work on Friday to Gideon's birthday part- 8 boys all aged 7 or 8- man are they loud! All the old favourite games came out- fluffy bunnies; cereal box; the flour game; the chocolate chopping game and so on. It was possibly the loudest 2 hours of my life. Then came the clean up and a collapse in the chair.

Up at 530 on Staurday morning to catch the bus to catch the train to London. Funnest event of the day- getting stopped by the police at 530am to see if I was alright/ a terrorist/ a drunk- who knows why? Boy- was the meeting long. meanwhile Ruth took Eleanor to dance festival, Gideon to taekwondo (he passed his grading with flying colours), then cleaning Gideon sick up from the car, then to Morrisons, then to Costco and home to make tea!!! Think I got the better end of the deal.

Sunday- I was due at Church at 915am. We had a new Bishop called today, and I needed to interview and call his two new counsellors- that was really nice. Rob Lord is our new Bishop- he and his family are really nice and good people and I look forward to him being my, and my family's new Bishop. Couple of interviews after Church, a short meeting with Bishop Lord then home- back out 1/2 hour later to set up for Gideon's baptism.

Wow- what an event was that- there were over 100 people there (family, friends, ward members)- we had invited a number of people who are not members of our Church and over 20 of them came- it was really nice that they could share the evening with us. It was such a nice service, with great talks (Pete and Vicki); songs (Liz and Primary) and it was just so lovely. It is always an honour and a privilege to baptise and confirm people; but probably doubly so when it's your own children. As we stood in the font and watched people file in- and then with each of the ordinances we felt so close to each other as a family and to the Spirit.

Home and bed!!!!! An amazing weekend- but one whose busyness we don't want to repeat too soon. Having said that- the week so far just seems a continuation of that with work, activities, meetings and the like!

Trying again

Why do my good intentions usually come to naught? I'm going to try and be better at this, even if it is just a couple of lines every other day. Lots has happened since last I wrote- I now have a new job at the University of Chester training RE teachers- I work with post graduates training to be secondary teacher, and undergraduates doing a BEd degree. I am about 6 weeks into it and so far am loving it.

The first two weeks were a bit odd- I was nomadic for 10 days with no office (I was waiting for someone to move out), then setting up the office and getting ready for the students to arrive. This really was the clam before the storm- three weeks of teaching 830- 4pm. Ok, so I may not have been on my feet for that long but it sure felt that way. I have a group of 24 who have just gone out on their first placement (first day back in University tomorrow)- so we'll see how they got on!

I have delevered sessions on "What is RE?"; "Spirituality in the Secondary School"; "Pedagogies of RE" and the list could go on. I am really pleased with the feedback that I seem to get from them- especially as some of them are modelling teaching techniques that I hope they use in the classroon- a far cry from my University days of sitti ng listening to a lecture and taking notes.

Family life has moved on too- Eleanor started secondary school and after a bumpy couple of weeks seems to be enjoying it- she's joined teh choir and is singing at the Young Voices Concert at the MEN arena in December. Martha has started playgroup two mornings a week and loves it; Abi is in Year 5 and continued the family tradition of representing the school in the book quiz (all 60 Y5 students attempt a quiz and the top 4 get chosen for the team). Gideon turned 8 two days ago and is preparing for his baptism on Sunday.

And Ruth is the glue that holds all of these different activities together. Thoughlast night showed her fallibility for once:- we were without children for an hour (Martha in bed; the others at Faith in God at Church). Ruth can't find her phone- it must have fallen off Eleanor's lap when she got out of the car at dancing class. We turn the car upside down- I go to the car park and search every inch of it using my phone as a torch (inclding under every car); go into the pub to see if it was handed in; search the car again. Get home an hour later- go upstairs and it's in the en suite!!!

Back to work

I am absolutely shattered- I know that the nature of work is a similar routine each day; teaching is always different every day but the monotony of getting up at the same time, walking out of the door (often when everyone else is still in bed) and then coming home at similar times (though I know not as late as other jobs) sometimes gets me down. I don't know how people with office jobs cope- at least I have interesting children to break up the day. My timetable at the moment is mainly sixth form (16-18 year olds) and I love teaching them- bizarrely my timetable has become more psychology than Religious Studies but I'm actually enjoying it. RE is still my first love though.

I had the most incredible headache for most of work yesterday which wasn't helped by having to clean out the office fridge because a bottle of milk had been left in there since March. We had a meeting after work to decide on the curriculum next year (in light of the fact that we're having our time cut in years 7-9). I am really fortunate to work with lovely people who make work a lot easier.

Dash home- Abi to dancing- Ruth and Abi home- me to Stake PEC and a meeting with the High Council- Home at 10pm. The meeting was really good- we discussed planning for Helping hands this and next year. I gave a presentation on the Teachings for our Time topic for this month- it's using three talks about the Temple (mainly Elder Scott's). the presentation was in preparation for the hIgh COuncil talks which follow the same theme. I came across a quote from Elder Gary Stevenson of the Seventy that reflects a discussion Ruth and I have been having over the last few weeks as we search for artwork for our walls:

Recently, in a stake conference, all present were invited by the visiting authority, Elder Glen Jenson, an Area Seventy, to take a virtual tour of their homes using their spiritual eyes. I would like to invite each of you to do this also. Wherever your home may be and whatever its configuration, the application of eternal gospel principles within its walls is universal. Let’s begin. Imagine that you are opening your front door and walking inside your home. What do you see, and how do you feel? Is it a place of love, peace, and refuge from the world, as is the temple? Is it clean and orderly? As you walk through the rooms of your home, do you see uplifting images which include appropriate pictures of the temple and the Savior? Is your bedroom or sleeping area a place for personal prayer? Is your gathering area or kitchen a place where food is prepared and enjoyed together, allowing uplifting conversation and family time? Are scriptures found in a room where the family can study, pray, and learn together? Can you find your personal gospel study space? Does the music you hear or the entertainment you see, online or otherwise, offend the Spirit? Is the conversation uplifting and without contention? That concludes our tour. Perhaps you, as I, found a few spots that need some “home improvement”—hopefully not an “extreme home makeover.”