ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL

photo taken tonight at the Birthday Party for our dog, Patch

"And the Lord was with us; and we did prosper exceedingly;
for we did sow seed, and we did reap again in abundance.

And we began to raise flocks, and herds, and animals of every kind"

2 Nephi 5:11

Tonight, my daughters threw a birthday party for our dog, Patch. He turned 2 today. The invited guests were our two other pets... our goldfish named Jaws and our guinea pig named Squeekers. It is the only day of the year that they are allowed to eat on the kitchen table. While having pets is alot of work... they can bring much to my daughters. Sometimes, it is only our pets  and not us as parents that can console them after they have had a hard day at school.

AWAKE AND ARISE

photo of my daughters balloon ride.

(A Christmas gift from Grandma and Grandpa.)

We consider that God has created man with a mind capable of instruction, and a faculty which may be enlarged in proportion to the heed and diligence given to the light communicated from heaven to the intellect;

and that the nearer man approaches perfection, the clearer are his views, and the greater his enjoyments,

till he has overcome the evils of his life and lost every desire for sin; and like the ancients, arrives at that point of faith where he is wrapped in the power and glory of his Maker and is caught up to dwell with Him. But we consider that this is a station to which no man ever arrived in a moment: he must have been instructed in the government and laws of that kingdom by proper degrees, until his mind is capable in some measure of comprehending the propriety, justice, equality, and consistency of the same.

Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 51

VIEW FROM ABOVE

photo taken from my daughters hot air balloon ride. on 10.01.2011

write more shortly

One Moment in Time: 11:11:11 on 11/11/11

ARMISTICE DAY: The Day of Remembrance

I decided to leave for an early lunch today. I left right around 11:00. I took the elevator down and the doors opened up on the 1st floor just at the precise time for me to see out the glass door the crosswalk countdown displaying the digital number 11. Synchronicity.

Thinking I would hike Ensign Peak, I instead decided to park my car and take a walk through Memory Grove. I found myself right in front of the World War Memorial at precisely 11:11:11. This is an important today.  It is called Armistice Day (or Veterans Day, as we call it in the U.S.), marking the end of World War I, when Germany and the Allied nations called for resolution on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. In many parts of the world, people take a moment of silence as a sign of respect for the 20 million people who died in the war. The plaque that I was reading was written on November 11th. Lots of number of 11's.

At that exact moment in Time.. I felt I was at the right place at the right time.

I looked at all the names of those who died from Utah form 1914-1918. Only one with the last name Christenson. His name was Royal. Interesting name. I need to do some geneology research with the help of my dad.
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Sidenotes:
In terms of astrology, we are currently transitioning into the 11th sign of the zodiac—the age of the Aquarius. ( I happen to be an Aquarius myself)  We are entering a time described as progressive and intuitive, a time ruled by technology, humanitarianism, philanthropy, nonconformity and idealism.


You may have to be a mathematician to get excited by the numerical tricks that 11—which is the sixth prime number—can perform: When multiplied by itself, the number 11 equals a palindrome every time—from 11 x 11 (which equals 121) to 1,111,111 x 1,111,111 (which equals a pleasing 1,234,567,654,321) and beyond. Not to mention that eleven is a very desirable hand in Blackjack, causing players to double down and increase their potential winnings.
…………………………..

APPROACHING SEASON OF WINTER

photo taken up Big Cottonwood Canyon on October 9, 2011

I am trying to learn more about how to add things to this blog. Currently figuring out how to upload music. This is some work in progress.  This is a song that I recently heard that I really liked.

 It is by Brandon Heath entitled "Your Love"

“Wherefore, I now send upon you another Comforter, even upon you my friends, that it may abide in your hearts, even the Holy Spirit of promise; which other Comforter is the same that I promised unto my disciples, as is recorded in the testimony of John. This Comforter is the promise which I give unto you of eternal life, even the glory of the celestial kingdom; Which glory is that of the church of the Firstborn, even of God, the holiest of all, through Jesus Christ his Son”

D&C 88: 3-5

Christ is the Second Comforter. We don't talk much about this in church. The hope of seeing Christ face-to-face, of Him ministering to you personally, and of eventually receiving a promise from Him of eternal life in the celestial kingdom, is supposed to be the ultimate goal and aspiration of every true follower of Christ. That promise from Him of receiving your calling and election is something we don't talk much about either. However, you can read alot about it what Joseph Smith taught in the book, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith and/or The Words of Joseph Smith. Either one of those books would be great study manuals for the Priesthood and Relief Society next year.    

I read this quote today that I thought was interesting: 

"When a people collectively downgrades its expectation regarding the necessity of heavenly interaction during mortality, and adopts instead a religion with decreased expectations based on ordinances controlled by man, apostasy sets in and destruction, both spiritual and physical, appears on the horizon. The true standard, to which the Gentiles specifically are supposed to seek, appears to be the only expectation lofty enough to generate the faith required to overcome the world and to prepare for His second coming."

THE SYMBOL OF THE ROSE

photo taken of the roses I gave my wife after childbirth

I will write more, but in the meantime.. please click the following link and watch this.. 

http://vimeo.com/27920977

There is so much symbolism in the watching the flower "open" up to its' full beauty and potential. Amazing.

I really like the song too. It is violin music. I just recently learned that the violin is the one instrument that resembles the vibrations/sound of the human voice.

WHITE AS SNOW: Baptism and Blessing.

taken after my daughter Sarah's baptism and confirmation and

my daughter Eden's baby blessing on November 5, 2011

This morning, we woke up to a white world. It snowed. First snowstorm of the winter where the Salt Lake Valley received several inches on the valley floor. It was symbolic. Today I baptized my daughter Sarah, and also blessed our new born baby, Eden. The number Eight is very symbolic. It is the age that we baptize. Eight symbolizes Rebirth. Seven days of the week.. the 8th day start anew. It was interesting that there were 8 people who were baptizes along with Sarah today.

I really like the above photo my two daughter dressed in white… especially to see the image of the Savior in the background. The picture of my family against the backdrop of the white snow on the red dogwood shrub is also so symbolic. The shrub is related to the dogwood tree – The leaves of a dogwood tree turn bright red in the fall. The dogwood legend says that these red leaves symbolize the blood spilled at Calvary. The leaves turn red in response to the changing season, like many deciduous trees, but the Christian symbolism of the dogwood tree turns the red of the leaves into a remembrance of innocent blood.

HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY, SARAH!

Today is my daughter Sarah's Birthday. Born on November 3, 2003.

Daddy Loves you.

CHIASTIC DATE: 11.02.2011

 A new book cover design for my friend, Avraham Gileadi 

"My name is Jehovah, and I know the end from the beginning;

therefore my hand shall be over thee."

Abraham 2: 8 

A new friend of mine commented yesterday on my post that today was 11/02/2011... or 11022011. You can read those numbers from the end to the beginning and it would be the same. It is a chiastic structure. Just like the title of  this book by Avraham Gileadi, The End from the Beginning.  Normally we would say... the Beginning to the End. I have learned alot recently how history repeats itself. What will happen has happened before. We would do well to read and understand history, learn from the past to best prepare for the future... Or better yet, we can read the scriptures, especially Isaiah and the Book of Mormon prophets, who saw the future and has written about it in the past for us to read today.

11.1.11 ......SYMBOLISM OF ONE

Today is 11.1.11

The number One reflects new beginnings, and purity, so I thought is was appropriate to post this picture of Sarah who will be baptized this week. My daughter Sarah's birthday is in two days.. on 11.3.11. She will be turning eight. She will be baptized on 11.5.11 on the same day that her baby sister, Eden, will be blessed.

WORLD POPULATION: 7 BILLION

photo taken of our baby Eden at her first bath at home on October 20, 2011

.

Even before they were born, they, with many others, received their first lessons in the world of spirits and were  prepared to come forth in the due time of the Lord to labor in his vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men."

Doctrine and Covenants 138: 55

A REMAKE and MAKING MEMORIES:

photos taken on our Daddy/Daughter Date on Friday, October 28, 2011

 This past weekend, I went on a daddy/daughter date with oldest daughter, Jessica. We went to a movie (only people in the theatre besides two other people.).It was a remake of a movie that I remember seeing when I was about her age. WOW... interesting to see how in a few years more profanity and provocative things have been put in our entertainment.

I will write more shortly.

EQUAL TIME..QUALITY TIME: Daddy Daughter Date

photos taken on our Daddy/Daughter date on October 21, 2011

equal: Having the same value, degree, being in just proportion

quality: Superiority of kind, Having a high degree of excellence

Both of these word have the root "qual"...meaning "degree of goodness". Lately much emphasis has been placed on the new arrival of our baby daughter, Eden. It is important that my other daughters recieve EQUAL.. and QUALITY time as well from their dad.  Since I have taken some time off of work to be home with our baby, I also took each of my older daughters out on a one-one daddy/daughter date . My daughter Brooke and I spent the day golfing (her idea :)) and then she wanted me to take her shopping. We had a great time. She played all 9 holes, drove the cart the entire time and did really well. I was proud of her. She is alot of fun to be with. I love her. She looks so much like my wife.

TRANQUILITY

photo taken today of Little Cottonwood Creek in Murray Park on October 25, 2011

 Tranquility: the state of being tranquil; calmness; serenity.

I went for a walk today. I have enjoyed this fall season... I am surprised that there are still alot of green leaves on the trees even though it is almost November. The weather has seemed different this year.

Having our newest daughter Eden has been such a blessing. Since she is still sleeping alot, our home has been very peaceful.  You wouldn't normally think having a new born baby would bring calmness and serenity to our life. Well for now, it has... Tranquility is a rare commodity these days. We will enjoy it as long as we can.

Tonight I was called to give a blessing to a friend who was rushed into the ER. He had cut his cornea in his eye. After the blessing all of us in the room felt peace..we felt tranquil that everything will be find. So grateful to feel peace in a world of chaos and uncertainty.

EDEN REBEKAH CHRISTENSON

photo taken of our new baby on October 22, 2011

"And Adam and Eve, his wife, called upon the name of the Lord,

and they heard the voice of the Lord from the way toward the Garden of Eden,

speaking unto them..."

Moses 5:4

THE PROCESS OF NAMING A CHILD

photo taken in the hospital after our baby was born on October 16, 2010

write more shortly

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER

I don't have my wife's permission to post photos of her shortly after she delivered, but hopefully she will forgive me. Personally, I think my wife looks amazing... it is true womanhood at it's best.

This is the definition of Mother found the "In the Guide to the Scriptures":

MOTHER: A sacred title referring to a woman who bears children.

Mothers assist in God’s plan by providing mortal bodies for God’s spirit children.

I AM A CHILD OF GOD... AND HE HAS SENT ME HERE

photo taken of our baby right when we brought her home from the hospital on

October 17, 2011

"For the Lord shall comfort Zion...

and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord.

Joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving and the voice of melody."

2 Nephi 8:3

We have been struggling to know whether or not to name our new daughter Rebekah or Eden. An interesting thing happened tonight in our family scripture study. We are in 2nd Nephi right now , chapter 7.  We turned the page tonight and the above verse jumped out at us in chapter 8.

HANDS AND FEET

photo of taken of my daughters hands and mine after the imprint of the

newest arrival to our family

Seems like I only have the time to post the photos.. so much to write, so much symbolism in the past couple of days. We are all so overwhelmed with joy. Hope to find some time this week.

THE MIRACLE OF LIFE

photo taken today on 10-16-2011 after the birth of our daughter

Born at 1:59 PM

7 pounds 7 ounces.

name still to be determined.

INTERCESSORY PRAYER

Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane looking up to His Father

The power of prayer. Thank you to everyone who has been praying on our behalf.  Lots to write.

VIA DOLOROSA

photo taken of another Angela Johnson's statues at Thanksgiving Point

I will write more shortly..... still patiently waiting for my wife to go into labor.

THIS IS MY BELOVED SON.....HEAR HIM

photo of the Angela Johnson's statue of the First Vision taken on October 10, 2011

The Father telling his son Joseph Smith to do just one thing...

HEAR HIM (Jesus Christ).

"It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound.

When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages,

whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air.

One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other

—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him."

Joseph Smith History 1:17

Other times in scripture when we hear the few words spoken by the Father. He is always introducing and/or pointing to Jesus Christ and tellling us to hear, listen, and follow Him.

"This is my beloved Son: Hear Him."

Luke 9:35

"Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,

in whom I have glorified my name—Hear ye Him."

3 Nephi 11: 7

"And lo, he heard a voice from heaven, saying,

This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear ye Him."

JST Matthew 3:46

"If so be that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus."

SUBMISSION TO THE FATHER

photo taken of Angela Johnson's, sculpture entitled "Oh, My Father"

located in the gardens at Thanksgiving Point.

"And when he had sent the multitudes away,

he went up into a mountain apart to pray:

and when the evening was come, he was there alone."

Matthew 14: 23

 Yesterday, My wife and I were able to go to a private showing of 15 statues all depicting the life of Christ down at Thanksgiving Point Gardens. The unveiling to the public will be this Saturday. The exhibit is called The Light of the World Garden.

Until I can post a picture of our newborn baby, (which we are still patiently waiting for her arrival)  I will be posting some of my photos that I took of the sculptures. It was truly a beautiful experience to see and also hear the insights about each of the sculptures from the artist.

For those who want to attend the unveiling it is this Saturday, October 15th, 2011 at 1:00 at the Thanksgiving Gardens.

TRIAL, TRAIL, TRAVEL, TRAVAIL, TRAVEIL.

photo taken on October 8, 2011 of my wife's and my hands forming a heart
on top of our hope to be soon to be delivered baby.



"And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered."
Revelations 12:2

There is nothing more sacred, more God-like, then being part of the creation process and witnessing a Son or Daughter of God enter into mortality. The woman’s body is truly a “temple” and the portal between heaven and earth. I have been studying the word “trial” lately and the importance of going through trials. There are a lot of words that are similar. I like this sequence of five words:

trial, trail, travel, travail, traveil.


We all go through personal trials.. it is like our personal trail to walk on. Walking on this trail, we travel. Usually it is a difficult journey. Women go on this journey when in labor, and we call this “being in travail”. Each of us, as we seek the Lord must go through what I call traveil.


TRA: means to “go across”, “over”, or “through”

VAIL: come from root word (valere) means to be strong , to be of worth, power, strength, to be of use or service, to be of value or worth

TRAVEIL… (to go across, or over or through the veil)

Interesting side note: In the New Testament, child-bearing has been always expressed by the word “travail”, but in the early editions, the word “travel”, (meaning to make a difficult journey), and “travail”, (meaning to suffer (childbirth) were both spelled the same.

When you travel or “in travail”.. you are moving from point A to point B.. never to return as the same person again. The birth process is very similar to the rebirth process that we all need to go through. All of us evidentially need to be spiritually reborn again. We read about this process over and over again the Book of Mormon.

 Going through the process of travail/traveil requires submission., natural childbirth being the ultimate submission. To claim victory, one must go through the process of casting and placing everything on the altar. Surrendering all. There is a cleansing effect in this submission.. and to not fight the pain, or the process that is might cause.

We see the example of Christ in Gethsemane.. The Atonement was made possible because Christ DID NOT FIGHT IT or RESIST IT. He was a perfect clean vessel. He did not want anything that would block or take away the pain. When on the cross, we read that the soldiers offered him vinegar.. I learned recently that it possibly could have been his mother Mary who brought this “vinegar” (or special wine mixture) that when partaken of, it would help with the pain. (THIS VINEGAR MIXTURE IS WHAT THE WOMAN WOULD DRINK WHILE IN CHILD LABOR TO EASE THE PAIN. HIS MOTHER WANTED TO EASE HIS PAIN SO HE WOULDN'T HAVE TO SUFFER.) Christ refused THE DRINK BECAUSE HE KNEW HE NEEDED TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS AND FEEL IT ALL.

BEAUTIFUL CREATION

photo taken yesterday of my wife on October 8, 2011

41 weeks pregnant at age 41

"For the time is at hand; the day or the hour no man knoweth; but it surely shall come."

Doctrine and Covenants 39:21

WE ARE PATIENTLY/ANXIOUSLY WAITING....

The original set arrival date was October 7th.

DAY OF ATONEMENT: Yom Kippur

photo of wild flowers taken up Big Cottonwood Canyon

Summer 2011

(I will finish writing more.. but at least this is a start.)
I have not had very much time lately to write what I want and need to on the past couple of posts. Yesterday was my wife's due date. We have had some special experiences in the past couple of days awaiting for my wife to go into labor. We realize that it must be hard to say farewell and say goodbye on the otherside to come down to mortality. We are patiently awaiting and want the baby to come when she is ready.

Today is an important date for many religious people. It is Yom Kippur and it is the holiest and most solemn day of the year for the Jews. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. It is traditionally observed with a 25 hour period of fasting and intensive prayer.

I choose this photo to represent this day. The colors of Red and White are symbolic of the Atonement, Repentance and receiving Forgiveness. Also interesting that the traditional sacrament would be the color of the wine, and the unleavened bread.

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Sidenote: We went to a sealing today at the Salt Lake Temple of a good friend. The above painting is in the waiting room. I particularly like the colors used:  red of Mary and white of Christ.
Symbols:
Red= Myrrh, Blood, Female
White= Frankincense, Light, Male

THE SYMBOLISM OF THE TREE

photo taken of a solitiary tree on the west side of Utah Lake

taken on October 2, 2011

And I, the Lord God, planted the Tree of Life also in the midst of the garden (of Eden),

and also the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

  And I, the Lord God, caused a river to go out of Eden to water the garden;

Moses 3:9

"Come unto me and ye shall partake of the fruit of the Tree of Life"

Alma 5: 34

I will write  more shortly

IF ANY MAN HEAR MY VOICE...

photo taken on top my 3rd hike summit looking over at

Lone Peak on September 24, 2011

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing;
and knowest not that thou art wretched,
and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich;
and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed,

and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear;
and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice,
and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame,
and am set down with my Father in his throne.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith

Revelations 3: 17-22

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROOKE!

October 5, 2011

Today is my daughter's 11th Birthday.

Happy Birthday Brooke!

The word Birthday appears three times in scripture. I particular liked this one in Genesis 40: 20:

"And it came to pass the day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday,

 that he made a feast unto all his servants:

and he lifted up the head of the chief butler

and of the chief baker among his servants."

Sounds like it was quite a party.. complete with birthday cake, since the chief baker is mentioned. :)

THE JOURNEY TO THE SUMMIT

photos taken in sequence of my third hike on the Fall Equinox

September 24, 2011

.."And in the morning, rising up a great while before day,

he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed."

Mark 1: 35

I have selected 15 photos from the 3rd hike I climbed on the weekend of Fall Equinox..  I set my alarm clock to wake up 3:04 AM. Exactly 12 hours from when the Fall Equinox began.  (Sidenote:The 3 hour period from 3:00 to 6:00 AM is called the Fourth Watch in the scriptures) There is much symbolism and significance to this time period.)

All of these photos are important to me. It has  been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. One will look at these photos and see only a couple of words, but for me.. there are thousands.  I was going to post the photos individually, but opted to put together a montage... It is best for me to remember in one glance some of highlights of my hike.  They are in sequence... beginning the hike in complete darkness with only the stars to light my path.. and the light that I carried with me.

There is much significance to photo number 8. The Center photo of the sun rising. The Sun rays forming an X, a chiasm. Tender Mercies

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Footnotes:

Photo 1: Start of hike in Darkness: only stars visible, no moon, Orion was very prominent in sky

Photo 2: Light increased as I climbed higher, increase of light once the moon appeared over the horizon.

Photo 3: Reached what I thought was the peak and could see the signs (red color) in the sky that the time was close...Unfortunately I could see there was one more peak Ineeded to climb to reach the summit. Left everything behind in order to hike it  in time before the sun rose.(except for my camera)

Photo 4: Almost the top of the higher peak and surprised to see what appears like a train .. which was used to mine silver. The train and tracks only could go so far. Journey then becomes individual.

Photo 5: The depths of a deep cave near the peak.. darkness, fallen, and  unable to see the bottom. Symbolic of the descent, Garden of Gethsemane

Photo 6: Five Metal Nails. Symbolism of the crucifixion and the five wounds.

Photo 7: The Cross.

Photo 8: Passing the Cross, reached the top and experience the sun rising in overwhelming glory.

Photo 9: The Peak.. full sunlight rising from the east

Photo 10: Looking back at the view of the peak from where I left all my belonging.  (3 white peaks)

Photo 11: Sacred ground.

Photo 12: Dead Tree, no growth, no life.. symbolic of the adversary and Serpent-like. No more power.

Photo 13: The change of the aspen leaves to a gold color.

Photo 14: The sparrow. A symbolic bird in the scriptures.

Photo 15: Lone Golden-leaf Aspen Tree rising above the other unchanged green-leaf trees

GROUP LESSONS vs PRIVATE TUTORING

photo taken of 13 petal sunflower on Hike #2 on September 23, 2011

"Even before they were born, they, with many others,

 received their first lessons in the world of spirits and were prepared to come forth

in the due time of the Lord to labor in his vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men."

Doctrine and Covenants 138: 56

Yesterday concluded the 181th General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We were taught collectively as a body of members of the Church by our leaders who have the the responsibility and authority to lead us in these latter days. I consider the semi-annual  conferences to be a world wide "group lesson" to each of us. I am grateful for the inspiration and counsel given.

Two words have been on my mind lately. Inspiration vs Revelation.

Is there a difference? If so, what is it?

Inspiration: a divine influence directly and immediately exerted upon the mind or soul. 

Revelation: Something revealed, especially a dramatic disclosure of something not previously known or realized. A manifestation of divine will or truth.

What we receive collectively in the conference talks is what I would call INSPIRED counsel. However, in these latter days,  we have been counseled and the scriptures teach us that each of us can (and need to) receive personal REVELATION or "private tutoring"

  Just like in learning any new sport, musical instrument or academic subject.. one learns more and quicker through private tutoring than from group lessons. The same principle applies to spiritual learning, especially when the tutor is the Master Teacher.  

We need to be like one of the 5 wise virgins who have recieved the truth, and been not decieved because they have taken the Holy Spirit to be our guide. When we are sincere, doubting nothing and with faith, we can be personally tutored by the Lord and recieve answers to our questions. We can have a relationship/friendship with Him. In this process we will be able to recognize His voice, and He will recognize ours. By establishing this relationship with Him, we will not hear the words at the last days, "And I never knew you, depart from me" (even if we have done wonderful works in His name.)

HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT

photo taken of a white butterfly hiding in plain sight on top of the mountain

on my 2nd hike on September 23, 2011

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee,
O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent,
and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
Luke 10:21

Quite often times things are hidden in plain sight. We either do not have eyes to see or we don't look close enough. In the above photo is a white butterfly. At first glance, it might be difficult to see. However, it is directly in the middle of the photo. Once I saw this butterfly on the top of this mountain, it  flutter around me. It seemed to be full of joy that I noticed it.

I was able to take this additional picture of this butterfly seen below when it landed on these golden wild flowers. The change from caterpillar to the emergence of butterfly is the greatest change in the animal world.The Butterfly is a universal symbol of change, resurrection, and transformation.

I did a little researched about what specifically a white butterfly symbolizes. White butterflies symbolize a soul of a child. They are believed to be signs of good luck or angels watching over you. 

GENERAL CONFERENCE WEEKEND

photo taken on September 23, 2001 of both church office buildings

It is General Conference Weekend. Fall 2011

October 1-2 , 2011

Interesting story in the yesterday's  Deseret News:

HEADLINE: "It will be business as usual for General Conference"

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700183698/It-will-be-business-as-usual-for-general-conference-in-the-Mormon-Moment.html

WHEN HEAVEN AND EARTH MEET

photo of the Ensign Peak Monument taken on September 22, 2011

"And the end shall come, and the heaven and the earth shall be consumed and pass away,

and there shall be a new heaven and a new earth."

Doctrine and Covenants 29:23

The square is a symbol of earth and the four corners, the circle is symbolic of heaven.  This transition or point of contact from earthly ways to spiritual ways is seen in this pillar monument on top of Ensign Peak. It also represents a place where earth meets heaven.. since this was a location that the early Saints where given the temple endowment.

TWO TRAILS: AFFLICTIONS or ADMONITIONS

photo taken on my hike up to Ensign Peak on September 22, 2011

  

TWO DIFFERENT LIFE PATHS

COMPARISON OF THE LIFE OF  NEPHI AND ENOS

Nephi describes his life's learning as

 "having seen many afflictions in the course of my days,

nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days."

I Nephi 1:1 

Enos describes his life's learning as having been raised

in the "nuture and admonition of the Lord."

Enos 1:1

 Nephi draws attention to "afflictions' first, then to having been "highly favored". In contrast, Enos draws attention first to "nurture", and second to "admonitions". Nephi could see the overriding hand of Providence in the afflictions he endured. He acknowledges God's hand in all that he suffered. He was the better for having passed through his life's ordeals. God's hand in Enos' life was more gentle. He needed admonition, as we all do. However, he was perhaps a more willing student, or a more optimistic personality than Nephi.

Whatever accounts for this difference, Nephi's formula includes "afflictions" first, and God's "favor" second, while Enos follows the formual but adopts "nurture" first, and only secondly "admonition."

The above photo show two trailS side by side. Both going to the same direction and to the same destination. Both are uphill. However, the one on the left looks more difficult, steep, and with more weeds. The path on the right looks more gentle, and steady, clear, without as many obstacles. 

Nephi's path on the left? Enos's path on the right?

RECLAMATION IN PROGRESS

photo taken on September 22, 2011 of original trail leading up to Ensign Peak

RECLAMATION is the process of reclaiming something from being lost or from a less useful condition. It is a act of recovery as well as a restoration. It also could be said that it is the process of rescuing something from error and returning it to it's rightful state.

Last week I climbed to the top of  Ensign Peak, the first of my three hikes. What appears to be the "original" path taken by the early saints to the top is now closed. A sign states that the trail is under reclamation.  A barb wire fence is placed in front of the trail which controls people from ascending to the top of the peak on this original path. The now acceptable path detours the hikers farther away, which makes the hike much longer to reach the top. It does not appear that any work is currently being done to "reclaim"or improve the path.. but instead, weeds are growing over and covering up the trail. I think the desired result is to the erase away this trail.... to forget about it, dissolve it.. not necessarily to "reclaim" the trail.

In the photo, you can see to the right of the sign, a large wood pole that is leaning up against the fence. It looks like some adventurous hiker has used the pole to climb over the barbwire fence and hike on this original trail. Not sure what price needs to be paid for doing this. Most will never do this, since we are obedient to the rules and regulations set up by laws of men.

For the past several weeks I had been reading a 500 page book. I brought the book up with me on the hike and finished the last 50 pages on top of the mountain. It is ironic that the book speaks about the need for reclamation in our lives.

It is amazing how quickly one can hike to the top of the peak by hiking on the original trail. :)

x3....THIRD TIME'S A CHARM.

photo taken on September 22, 2011

of graffiti at the base of the trail to hike Ensign Peak

We have all hear the phrases..."The third time's lucky." or  "the third time's a charm".

There is a common belief that the third time something is attempted is more likely to succeed than the previous two attempts. But why is the third time lucky?  In doing some research I came across a piece of history that under English law, anyone who survived three attempts at hanging would be set free.

 However, It seems more likely "x3" is a belief that, having had setbacks, we ought to persevere and not give up. This is enshrined in the phrase 'try, try and try again'. Three seems to be the right number of times to try. Two isn't enough but four is too many.

Think of every time you've seen a movie or drama in which a character tries to unlock a door with an set of unfamiliar keys. The first key fails, the second key fails - it is always the third that works.

Personally the number three has had significant meaning for me lately. The past couple of blog post (and the next several ones as well) will be photos I have taken on three different hikes that I climbed over the weekend. Seeing this graffiti sign of x3 at the beginning of my first hike was a confirmation of the importance for me to do this hikes.  Also in the above photo, there is additional symbolism. The times sign or "X" is the symbol of a chiasm. The color blue is also important, as well as the three dots forming an inverted triangle pointing down.

WATCHED LIKE A HAWK

photo taken of a hawk that continued to circle around me on September 23rd

on Fall Equinox in the hills above Salt Lake Valley

the hawk flying above the Salt Lake Valley

It is rare to see a hawk flying freely over the metropolis of Salt Lake City. I am fascinated with such occurences. I think it is meaningful and symbolic. This particular hawk followed me and circled around me for quite sometime. Below is some information that my friend sent me after he had seen four hawks flying and circling in a clockwise direction the same day.

Attributes and symbolic meanings of the hawk:

• Attention
• Vision
• Power
• Energy
• Leadership
• Intensity

We take these symbolic meanings from observing the hawk in nature. The hawk has tremendous vision. Their eyesight is phenomenal and a key factor in their incredible hunting abilities. Here the hawk is a message for us to keep our eyes (both physical & spiritual) keen on the areas that most require our attention.

We derive the essence of power, energy and intensity just by visually appreciating the hawk. Consider its powerful beak and impressive talons. It’s steely stare and intense focus also contribute to the power the hawk holds. As such, the hawk asks us to be aware of the power each of us has over others.  The hawk is associated with the sun. It shares the same the attributes summed up by fire and sun. Attributes such as brilliance, clarity, energy, and unification. Also hawks represent our yearning for freedom.

TRANSITION FROM DAWN TO SUNRISE

photos taken at dawn (above) and then sunrise (below)

 on September 24, 2011 with Lone Peak in the distance

 

Dawn is the time that marks the beginning of the twilight before sunrise. It is recognized by the presence of weak sunlight, while the sun itself is still below the horizon. Dawn should not be confused with sunrise, which is the moment when the leading edge of the sun itself appears above the horizon.

The duration of the twilight period between dawn and sunrise varies greatly depending on the observer's latitude. Dawn may easily be determined by observing a piece of thread. When the color of a thread can be determined, changing from black to the thread's distinctive color, the 'crack of dawn' has occurred.

Autumnal Equinox:

photo taken up in the mountains today in Big Cottonwood Canyon on Sept 24, 2011

I came across this quote this week. I found it profound.

"For our day, (the last days), the Autumnal Equinox is very significant. The Spring Equinox is associated with life, birth, beginnings, restoration and newness. The Autumnal Equinox is associated with death, closing, judgment and endings. We live on the cusp of the end times. Though there remain a great many things to be done, our era is the time when history is about to close out.

Observing the Vernal, Autumnal and Solstices was something done from ancient times, in ceremony and in ritual. Whole cities were built aligned to the cardinal directions of the compass and the lights of heaven. The lights of heaven were given to us first as "signs" and secondly as "seasons." Don't let them pass by unnoticed. Otherwise you note less than even the plants and the animals whose life cycles and behavior acknowledge the passing of such events."