Studying the Book of Mormon

Currently, I am taking a Book of Mormon class. I thought the first exam started this week, so I studied up for the exam. I love the material. I very much appreciate the wonderful messages and points made.

After studying for the exam, I then went to the college testing center take it. I found out I misunderstood the schedule and the exam is a week later. Part of the bright side is I got somewhat ahead on my Book of Mormon class material. Additionally, since I spent a significant portion of my time on it this week, I decided to post this blog about some of my Book of Mormon related media use.

Every day, or to be more specific, on about 99% of days, I read some of the Book of Mormon, and have done so for many years now. Since getting married about two years ago, I've done so with my wife on about 98% to 99% of those days. 

I feel reading from the Book of Mormon blesses my life greatly. I do it because I know the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is true. Thanks, in large part, to me reading the Book of Mormon, I know my Heavenly Father loves me; I also know my purpose, God's plan for me, where I go after this life, and how I can live with my family forever, through time and all eternity. Reading the Book of Mormon helps me better understand the gospel, know it is true more fully, live the gospel and keep the commandments of God better; and helps me to be much happier than I would be otherwise.

I love the scriptures. I love the Book of Mormon! I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ!!

Once Upon a Time Season 3 (and some of my TV History)

So I don't watch TV much; I've probably averaged around 20 hours or less of TV per year for the last eight years, and I don't think a lot more than that for the prior several years either (perhaps 50 hours per year). Since marrying two years ago, I've watched a few shows of Psych and CSI with my wife when she watches them, and occasionally see short pieces of the shows while she has them on. Or I see pieces of movies (I don't remember Disney movies very well it seems) while I'm in the waiting area for pregnancy appointments or baby appointments (we have one baby with two more coming very soon, and I've gone to almost every one of these appointments).

Recently however, my wife and I moved into a new house and eventually checked out the DVR, which was set to record Once Upon a Time shows. We let ourselves get “hooked” on season 3 (the one they just finished that involves Neverland). This week, we decided to finish the last two episodes of the season that we hadn't seen yet, so now we've watched the entire season (around ten or so espisodes).

My thoughts on the show, or season 3, are that it's quite interesting, pretty creative, and a bit dark. I particularly noted the dark aspect when watching one of the first shows in the season while my baby, who was nearby playing, started to cry, I'm pretty certain because of the “dark music.” There certainly was a dark aspect about it; it comes with trying to represent the darkness. That dark aspect made me question if we should really be watching the series, if it was deceptively harmful, but I decided it was OK. Perhaps my curiosity got the best of me; I didn't spend too much time worrying about it because it did not seem to be harmful to me.

What I like about it are the creativity and ideas, and that it gives my wife and me some interesting things or ideas to talk together about. What if this, or what if that? How would that work, or how do you think that will work? It seems like...

I Started Blogging :)

I spent awhile during the latter half of this week becoming somewhat familiar with blogs.  I created my blog account, posted an intro. blog, customized my blog some, and looked over and adjusted the settings some.  I feel it was helpful to get a good start on becoming familiar with blogging, and will help me continue to learn about and become familiar with blogging. 

This start on blogging may lead to my continued use of blogs beyond the class, (whether writing my own blogs, looking at other people's blogs, or both) but at the very least, it is educational and helping me fulfill my class requirements.  :)

Reading Terms of Use Agreements and such

Last week and this week, I spent awhile carefully reading the terms of use and privacy policies (and closely related content) of Google, Google+, and Blogger/Blogspot.  It was fairly interesting to me.  I find it interesting to see what they have to clarify and say in these things to protect themselves from legal issues and “thievery,” while also protecting their users and keeping their products appealing.  It's also important to me to know my rights, what's appropriate, and, since it's my belief that we should obey our country's laws here in the U.S.A., to have confidence that I'm following the law.  This is largely due to my belief in the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which includes the Articles of Faith.  The 12^th Article of Faith states, “We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.”

There is pressure on me NOT to always read terms of use agreements, (and associated content) due to how long and difficult they often are to read (thankfully, Google's is well made and, relatively speaking, very reasonably short), and due to my unusually significant, chronic lack of time.  On the other hand, my religious beliefs persuade me to read them, with a little added persuasion from a comment I once read.  The comment said something along the lines of, “Terms of Use Agreements, things that are just like the Bible. Everyone says they agree with them, but very few actually read them.”

Despite the cost to me in time spent, I now can use, and have confidence that I am using, Google and Blogger correctly.  :)

Blog Intro.

Welcome.

If you're here regarding a media class, then you're in the right place.  My actual name is not associated with this blog, thus allowing me to speak more freely with less concern about the public availability of my private content.  Also, I am new to blogging; if there are issues with or relating to my blog, I apologize. 

Thanks for visiting.  :)