"Are Mormons Christian?" part 1

So is the question stated by many a religious philosopher, teacher, and anyone who cares enough to ask. Mormons certainly believe in Christ, but are they Christian? There have been many arguments for and against.

What brought this up you might ask?

Well, I have found a new hobby of looking up anti-Mormon propaganda to try to understand what arguments and logic people use to "prove" The LDS church is a hoax. For me, I have been raised in the church, gone to Primary and Sunday school, learned the lessons and gained a testimony for myself that this church is the only true and everlasting church.  Because of that, It is hard for me to completely understand why and how people don't believe. And that bugs me. A LOT.

So I have been surfing the web the last few weeks, looking for anything of worth about why people dislike the LDS church so much. A very common topic I found was if Mormons are Christian. I guess Mormonism has been at the front of everyones minds lately, with Mitt Romney running for president earlier this month, and The Broadway play 'The Book of Mormon: The Musical' (which I hear is horribly mocking of the LDS religion) made by the same creators of 'Jersey Shore'.

This has the basic story line of the play, if you are curious.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_Mormon_(musical)


I also found this article from the New York Times that was written by a Member, stating that he is Mormon, but not Christian. it is a pretty short article- I suggest reading the whole thing. It really get's your mind thinking.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/13/opinion/im-a-mormon-not-a-christian.html?_r=0

Before I leave, I want to make one thing CLEAR: I am NOT trying to convince you to abandon the LDS church. I am not trying to instill doubt of any sort. This is just simple studies sprouting from a teen's curiosity to understand. 

Just in case I get sued :) 

What a quote :)

So, I was wondering if I could just make this my motto... It's so perfect! I don't know what you think, but I think it screams 'Alyssa'. 'Cept for the guy with a scarf. I am not a guy with a scarf, if you weren't aware. 

Poetry... what a prospect

So, I have decided to take up poetry. Not sure this is such a great idea, but you never know til you try, right? I should probably study some professional writers to further my education and give me a core to base my unique poems off of......... maybe next week. Here is my first attempt!

SISTERS

A friend will let you cry on their shoulder when things get tough. 

A sister will help you find the beauty in the adversary.

A friend will cheer you on as you fight your battles.

A sister will be fighting right beside you, watching your back.

A friend will show you how to fly.

A sister will help you build your wings.

A friend will call you when you are having a bad day.

A sister will be over to your house- tissues and chocolate in hand.

A friend will tell you you need to shape up your life.

A sister will lead by example.

C.S. Lewis

There is just something about C.S. Lewis that I love. Of course the fact that all his writings are from a Christian point of view, but also I think it is his writing style. He is able to take big, complicated and often overwhelming things and state them clearly and bluntly. This really relates with me because that is how I think. Everything has to have a meaning, a point. It all has be explained clearly so there is no room for doubt. My mind usually longs for proof and evidence for everything. C.S. Lewis has a way of satisfying those things when I read his books. 

Right now I am reading Mere Christianity. One word: AMAZING. I highly suggest reading it. I can't really explain the entire book, but it has basically (so far) talked about how Christianity is the only logical explanation of moral standings and such, using plain logic and natural facts that we all agree on. I particularly like it because I have always been secretly looking for logical proof that Christianity is the way to go. I mean, I of course believe in Christ and what He has done for all of humanity, but there was always a tiny little nagging at the back of my mind searching for more solid proof- and here it is!

One of my favorite quotes:

"I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: 'I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God.' That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic -- on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg -- or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse."

                                                                             - Mere Christianity, pg. 52

(I also suggest The Screwtape Letters) 

My little sister Abi and I, on our girls day. We washed dishes (exciting), drank cocoa (yum) and baked cookies (more yum). Oh, and took strange pics. She is the most darling 6 year old!  With a little attitude no less! What a blessing <3

????

Sorry, don't know what was up with my last post... I guess it just wanted to be white. Can't blame it, I'm pretty white myself :)

** TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES!! **

A Psalm of Life

Dear 8th grade teacher, will you forgive me for hating you when you made me memorize this? It is now one of my favorite poems.

Sinscerely, Your not-so humble student :)

A Psalm of Life

BY HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,

   Life is but an empty dream!

For the soul is dead that slumbers,

   And things are not what they seem.

Life is real! Life is earnest!

   And the grave is not its goal;

Dust thou art, to dust returnest,

   Was not spoken of the soul.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,

   Is our destined end or way;

But to act, that each to-morrow

   Find us farther than to-day.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,

   And our hearts, though stout and brave,

Still, like muffled drums, are beating

   Funeral marches to the grave.

In the world’s broad field of battle,

   In the bivouac of Life,

Be not like dumb, driven cattle!

   Be a hero in the strife!

Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant!

   Let the dead Past bury its dead!

Act,— act in the living Present!

   Heart within, and God o’erhead!

Lives of great men all remind us

   We can make our lives sublime,

And, departing, leave behind us

   Footprints on the sands of time;

Footprints, that perhaps another,

   Sailing o’er life’s solemn main,

A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,

   Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us, then, be up and doing,

   With a heart for any fate;

Still achieving, still pursuing,

   Learn to labor and to wait.

K-pop

I have this new-found obsession with Korean music (k-pop). Well, as new-found as last August is. For some reason, it is extremely entertaining and catchy, even if you can't understand anything they are saying. It is kind of annoying when they get stuck in your head but you can't remember the Korean words they were saying so it just plays the same tune over and over and over in your head and it won't go away.... anyways! It is really fun when you can remember the words and people ask you to pick your favorite song to sing at a karaoke party- just stand back and look in awe at their star-struck faces as you spout a string of funny sounding words you don't even understand. PRICELESS.
I have a few particular songs that hold a lot of personal meaning to me. Some because of memories, what I was doing/thinking/feeling the first time I heard the song, and some because of what they are actually saying and how it has influenced me as a person. I like to look up the English translations to my favorite songs and see what they are actually saying. You would be surprised, I haven't found any with bad language or that talk about immorality- you don't see much of that in U.S. modern music ( another reason I choose it over our country's music).

Here are some lyrics from one of my favorite songs FACE by Nu'est (English translation)

If you look down on people, it’s bitter

There’s nothing to see below
There’s no one
Even if you jump, you’re just a flea
Even if you demand, you’re just a spot in front of me

This is a story about a dwarf and giant
But it`s gonna end just like David and Goliath
Keep up with my pace, if you can
Don’t lag Wil E.Coyote cuz I’m Road Runner, fast!

This song talks about bullying and how it is meaningless and empty. Earlier in the song it talks about how it doesn't matter what people say, you need to keep fighting and you can't stop for anything. This, along with many other songs, has strong moral standings- something I really admire in k-pop. 

Sierra and I have a blog on k-pop and a Facebook page if you wanna check them out. For the Facebook page, just look on my wall in my "likes". Here is the link to the blog:
 http://k-popdomination.blogspot.com/

Hello everyone!

Hey guys, welcome to my blog! I saw all my friends starting blogs, so I thought, why can't I? (good moral to live life by, right? :P) I should probably tell you a bit about myself so some of my posts will make more sense.

My name is Alyssa Rose Hokanson

I am 15 (I bet you didn't know that)

At this moment I take classes online and a few co-op classes, I also take seminary at the local High School

I have 6 siblings: 2 brothers and 4 sisters (they are all simply adorable)

I love anything artistic, particularly painting, sketching, dancing, self-defense, music, and making accessories

I love public speaking and debating (I told you I was weird!)

I love love LOVE reading (even though I rarely have time for it lately)

I have a deathly fear of lobsters. Yes, LOBSTERS. They are creepy! *shiver*

I've been in love twice in my entire life

I love Mexican food- well, pretty much everything about Mexico. The food, culture, music, people, colors, excruciating heat, Mexican sodas, and of course the memories I have there!

Enough for one post? I think so.