Interesting

I had a ton of things to say about all that went on this past week with Elder Packer's talk, but I lost the desire to spend the time to type it all out.  Basically, as usual, I tend not to jump on either extreme's band wagon.  The worst thing in the entire situation is when people don't treat those they disagree with civily.  Unfortunately that is happening way too often and I think overshadows the issues at hand.

Anyway, while I was looking up some info on a couple GA's, I noticed their bio's have how many children they have had.  Although it is totally up to the individual and you can't judge another and how many children they do or don't have, I couldn't resist noticing the following trend...

Average number of children to the seven most senior GA's (excluding President Monson to keep the numbers at seven and seven) is 6.4 while the average for the seven least senior GA's is 3.7.  One of the things I learned in my sociology minor that stuck out the most to me was how we as LDS people tend to follow the nation trends very similar, just at different levels for most things.  For example, when the average family went from four to two, we went from eight to four (or some other similar numbers).  We drop when the country drops, but just at different numbers.  Here are the stats...

Monson 3

Q12

Packer 10

Perry 3

Nelson 10

Oaks 6

Ballard 7

Scott 7

Hales 2

Holland 3

Bednar 3

Cook 3

Christofferson 5

Anderson 4

Everyone but Monson

Packer 10

Perry 3

Nelson 10

Oaks 6

Ballard 7

Scott 7

Hales 2

Holland 3

Eyring 6

Uchtdorf 2

Bednar 3

Cook 3

Christofferson 5

Anderson 4

Averages

First 7 = 6.4

Last 7 = 3.7

Be Aware

This post is off the cuff so pardon me for not delivering it in a very articulate manner....Not many members know that Joseph did the majority of his translating of the BOM via a seer stone in a hat.  Sometimes learning about church history facts such as this can be bothersome to one's testimony, and understandably so.  If your understanding of the translation process is as depicted in the majority of Church art, you are fairly incorrect. 

As a seminary teacher and one who is very aware of church history warts (or potential warts) I try to teach in such a way that the students become aware of these things in a normal, comfortable manner.  Last week I taught the translation process and no one batted an eye when I mentioned the above translation fact.  Now, if someone tries to blindside them in the future this fact in a faith discouraging manner, they will already know and be prepared.  While working on one of next week's lessons, I came across the following verse that never stood out to me like it did today and relates well to this issue.  

D&C 38:30 I tell you these things because of your prayers; wherefore, treasure up wisdom in your bosoms, lest the wickedness of men reveal these things unto you by their wickedness, in a manner which shall speak in your ears with a voice louder than that which shall shake the earth; but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear. 

I feel bad for those whose church history learning was out of sync and created some cognitive dissonance for them when the more accurate information was learned.  I know I've been there a time or two.

I am a...Muslim?

Check out this cool video.  Does the format look familiar...?

9/11 Happened to Us All @ Yahoo! Video