YOUR DESTINATION: Where do you hope to land?

photo taken at the Dallas Fort Worth airport prior to our plane taking off on June 4, 2011

Destination: The purpose for which any thing is intended or appointed; end or ultimate design.

The Destiny of Man and Destiny of the Earth

The planet on which we live, created by God through Jesus Christ to be used by man during his mortal probation. Its final destiny is to become glorified and exalted. The earth will become an eternal inheritance of those who have recieved celestial glory. They will enjoy the presence of the Father and the Son.

HEALING POWER OF THE SUN: symbols from "Tangled"

photo taken on an afternoon hike on the Summer Solstice on June 21, 2011

"But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings."

Malachi 4:2

Last weekend my family and I watched the movie, Tangled. It is a modern day adaptation of the early 1800 German children's story of Rapunzel. I was amazed at the symbols found within this animated movie. The basic story begins when a drop of the sun  falls to the Earth. Where the drop lands, a magic golden flower grows antd to those who find it the flower has the ability to heal the sick and injured. Mother Gothel finds the flower and hides it. The selfish woman uncovers  that when she sings to the flower, she rejuvenates and never gets old. Centuries pass and a kingdom is raised in the place where the flower is hidden. When the beloved Queen is about to have a baby, the expected royal mother gets sick and the only hope to save her and the unborn baby is to find the magic flower. But Mother Gothel does not want to share the sun's gift and keeps the flower hidden. However, the spot is found and the magic of the golden flower heals the Queen. When the Queen's daughter Rapunzel is born, she receives the healing power from the flower and Gothel abducts her to use her magic hair to stay young. Gothel raises Rapunzel as a daughter, without cutting her hair and locks her in a height tower in an isolated area. She keeps Rapunzel far from other people, telling that it is for her own protection. The King and the Queen celebrates the anniversary of their beloved daughter releasing lanterns to the sky, and Rapunzel dreams on leaving the tower to see the floating lights from the outside world.

All through the movie there is symbolism of Christ versus Satan, good verses evil, control versus freedom, selfishness versus charity.

the sun image from the movie, Tangled, a modern day version of the German fairy tale Rapunzel.

LIFE ETERNAL: to know the only true God and Jesus Christ

A Higher Perspective... seeing the Eternities.

Photo taken on our flight taking off from Dallas, Texas on June 4, 2011.

"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God,

and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."

John 17:3

Today is June 27...  the anniversary of the martydom of Joseph Smith, Jr.

June 27, 1844 marked a turning point for the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 167 years ago, Joseph was attacked and killed by a mob which happened to include some he considered "friends".   Here are a few lines that I read on my friends blog..."Although Joseph Smith revealed many, previously unknown things, his ministry was devoted primarily to bringing others into fellowship with God. The ordinances, scriptures, revelations, and teachings restored through him were to instruct us on how to reconnect with God. This is the role of a true messenger. It is to bring others into harmony with God. When someone delivers a new message that does not include knowledge about how the audience may come to God themselves, then the primary intent is always to make others dependent on the messenger. It is vanity. It is prideful. It is to call attention to themselves in an effort to place themselves above their fellow man, and interject themselves between the person and God. It is priestcraft."

Rejuvenation from Paradise in the Panhandle

photo taken on Lido Beach in Florida on June 10.=,2011

REJUVENATE: to make young again, to give new vigor, to restore to an original or new state.

My family and I just recently returned from one of the most beautiful beaches in Florida. In fact, one of the beaches we went to was just recently ranked the Number 1 beach in the United States for 2011. Siesta Key Beach. I will post more pictures in the coming days of our trip.

 There is nothing like white sand, warm crystal blue water, and beautiful sunsets to bring peace, solace, and rejunventation back into the mind, body and soul. It was hard to come back to reality... but grateful for the memories.

"SUN STAND STILL"... summer solstice

photo taken on Lido Beach in Florida on June 10, 2011

Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power;

and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God,

and for his arm to be revealed.

Doctrine and Covenants 123:17

The summer solstice occurred today at 1:16 p.m. EDT (17:16 GMT), the time the sun is at the highest point possible in the sky. In the Northern Hemphisphere, June 21 is the longest day of the year and marks the official beginning of summer. Solstice is derived from Latin words meaning, "sun stands still." Wherever a person is on the earth today, solstices occurred at the exact moment across all global timezones. Even though on June 21 is the day that the Northern Hemisphere receives the most sunlight in 2011, it is not necessarily the hottest day of the year. Since it takes several weeks for the earth to release the heat from the sunlight, the hottest days in summer are usually in July or August.

In this picture we see the sun, the red sky with water below, and a descending bird. All very symbolic imagery.

Father's Day: King of the Jungle

photo taken of lion on a safari ride at Animal Kingdom on June 11, 2011

Yesterday was Father's Day. A day we honor our fathers.. the "king" of the family. We know that no king can be powerful unless he has a loving, strong, and nurturing "queen" by his side. The Lion has been a symbolic image in scripture for the Lord, (as well as the Lamb). In modern day literature from CS Lewis in the Chronicles of Narnia, Aslan is the lion which has many similarities to a Savior figure. Christ as a lion is not the ruthless, stealthy, powerfully aggressive, bent on defending its turf, seeking to devour and destroy. But, instead as a symbol for controlled, majestic power and strength.

We know that the day will come in the Millenium that the Lion will lay down with the Lamb. An animal that is once feared, will be one that can be seen playing with babes.
  
I wanted to share something personal since unless I post it on this blog, I tend to not find the time to write it in my journal.. but recently had a dream about a lion. I will write more shortly.

Extreme Contrasts a month apart: from Hogans to Castles

photo taken of a hogan (traditional home of the Navajo people) on May 12, 2011

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photo taken of Cinderella's castle at DisneyWorld on June 12, 2011

“All that can not stand, must be shaken.”

Before I left for my trip to Arizona I listened to an audio recording by Lance Richardson, a LDS author of the book, The Message, which talks about his near death experience. In addition to writing his book, Lance did extensive research on the oral history and latter day prophecies of the Native American Indians.

Most fascinating to me was the Hopi Indians oral history. The Hopi’s believe that they did not migrate to this land but came in ships, arriving in what is now Central America. They were a bloodthirsty people, continually at war with their brother tribes. Then came a time when they decided to change their ways. They buried their weapons in the ground, and make a covenant to not shed blood any more. Because they had such a long history of violence, their enemies did not believe their change and came upon them, slaughtering them. But as they saw their sincerity in their conviction, that they would not lift up their swords to defend themselves, many of their brothers joined with them. They moved to a new location further North and their brother tribes made a pact with them to protect them, and they in turn gave them food. They eventually moved North until they came to where they are today. ( The 3 Mesa Arizona reservations) Also in their history… the 'Messau' appeared to them and taught them skills of living and told them prophecies of the future.

The Hopi’s describe dire latter day prophecies of three 'shakings' that are obvious references to World Wars I, II and III. The third shaking would not happen if the people turned to God, learning from the first two; but if not, it would be far worse than either the first or the second. The first two were as if with 'one hand,' while the third shaking would be 'with both hands.'

There were several signs that they were given just prior to the Third Shaking. One of which would be that they would be able to hit a button and light would appear in their hogans. (Electricity)

All of this background story leads me up to an experience that I had on my trip. I was able to meet a Native America man and he took me to his hogan (house) seen in the above photo. He made a special point to tell me that just recently a power line was brought out to their remote home. Fulfillment of one of the signs prior to the third shaking. I contrast this with the rest of the world who basically live in a “fairy” tale like living in Cinderella’s castle of an “all is well” mentality. So many signs around us point to an interesting/distressing events all around us…some days it feels that the earth is starting to be shaken for the third time.

COMMUNICATING THROUGH SYMBOLS AND PICTURES: HOPI

photo taken on May 11, 2011 of Hopi artwork painted on interior of the watchtower

I will be taking about a 2 week break from posting anything.

WITH GOD, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE

photo taken on May 11,2011 overlooking the Hopi Reservation

I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men,

save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing

which he commandeth them." -

1 Nephi 3:7 

With God, I can do anything.

Without God, I can do nothing.

This photo has deep meaning for me. It is posted as a reminder to me that the above scripture is true.

SET APART... Higher Ground.. A MESA

photo taken on May 11, 2011 Eastrigdge of Grand Canyon looking towards Tuba City in Arizona

"But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself:

the Lord will hear when I call unto him."

Psalms 4:3

The term "mesa" is used throughout the United States to describe a  flat-topped mountain or hill.  Is is a physical place that is "set apart" from and higher than the surrounding area. A mesa ( Spanish and Portuguese for "table") or table mountain is an elevated area of land with a flat top and sides that are usually steep cliffs. It takes its name from its characteristic table-top shape.  The largest mesa in the world is considered to be the Grand Mesa  located in western Colorado near Montrose.

PREDICTIONS versus PROPHECIES

Photo taken of the Wasatch front snowcovered mountains and full lake at Liberty Park.

 Today is June 1, 2011. 

Hard to believe school is out this week and summer has begun, mainly because it just snowed a couple of days ago. Looking up at our mountains, it looks like winter and the snow pack is dangerously still deep for this time of year. It is not a matter of if it will flood in the valleys, but when and how much damage will occur.
Even though many are predicting that there will be alot of flooding in the next month. Will is really happen.. or is it just an educated guess, a prediction. Then the thought occured to me... what is the difference between a prediction and a prophesy.

A prediction is a statement about the way things will happen in the future, often but not always based on experience or knowledge. Anyone can make a prediction.

A prophecy is foretelling future events and make a divine declaration of an events to come. It is a process in which one or more messages that have been communicated to a true prophet are then communicated to others by this true prophet. These prophecies  involve divine inspiration, interpretation, or revelation of conditioned events to come.