Far too long

Okay, so I have more than just slacked off on this blog for quite some time.  For that, I apologize to anybody that might be interested and to myself.
I wanted to talk about selfishness versus selflessness today.  Using pop culture, the Sith are selfish while the Jedi are selfless, but what does that really mean?
To me, being selfless means putting the needs of others ahead of your own.  Like the father of a family with very little to eat being the one that goes without when there isn't enough to go around.  Or the woman that sacrifices her dreams of becoming a famous singer to become a mother and spend more time caring for her children than caring for herself.
On the other hand I picture a selfish person as only "looking out for number one".
While it is human nature to take care of yourself and ensure your own survival, is it not also part of the human experience to help others?
If you help others when you gain nothing in return, that seems clearly selfless.
If you only help others when you yourself would also benefit, is that selfish?

What do you think?  Does selfishness versus selflessness have anything to do with a belief in some God or higher power?  Are those who are, or at least seem to be, selfless only that way because they fear God?

And what about God or whatever higher power you believe in?  Is/are He/She/they selfish or selfless?

I believe that God is selfless and puts our needs ahead of His own.

General conference

Hasn't been much activity here for a while, my fault mostly, but I'm trying to get the ball rolling again.



Here's a link for the latest general conference talks. Lots of good information no matter what religion you practice or even if you don't practice any religion at all.



http://www.lds.org/conference/sessions/display/0,5239,23-1-1207,00.html

Mormons are lazy

Last night I heard something that bothered me a bit. A co-worker of a relative of mine is under the impression that Mormons are lazy and it would seem is quite adamant about that. I've been pondering it since, and while I believe that everyone has their right to their own opinions and beliefs, I also believe that everyone is entitled to know the facts. So, here they are:
There is a certain man who lived in Georgia at the time of hurricane Katrina, who now lives just down the road from me and I know him well. After Katrina kit, President Hinkley requested that every able-bodied man in that part of Georgia pack up their trucks with supplies and head down to help, instructing them that they would be gone for a week. Every one of those men answered that call and packed up what food and supplies they could and headed off. Just before reaching their destination, they stopped at a restaurant to get a meal, understanding that it would likely be the last hot meal they would be able to enjoy for a week's time. At that restaurant, they met an 80 year old woman; The doors of her home were both blocked by fallen trees and the only way she could get in and out of her house was by crawling through a broken window. She was at the restaurant because she had nowhere else to go. These fine men spoke with her and learned of her situation, then promptly gave her a ride to her home and used the chainsaws they had brought with them to clear her doors and made certain that she was taken care of. They spent the week helping as many people as possible, arising early and retiring late each night.

I could easily fill a very thick book with similar stories. Mormons are not lazy. People are lazy. And people come with a variety of religious beliefs and backgrounds.
I also feel the need to point out that anybody who considers themselves to be a man or woman of God cannot harbor any contempt for their fellow man; Their fellow brothers and sisters, children of God all of them, regardless of religious beliefs or practices.
Men of God tend to know the Bible well, so I am certain the co-worker mentioned earlier is well aware of these passages:
Luke 10: 25 - 37
1st John 4: 8

Believe what you will, that is your God-given and country-protected right, but know the facts.

Ooops

Wow, can't believe I forgot to come back and post the link.

Here it is:

http://lds.org/conference/sessions/display/0,5239,23-1-1032,00.html

I found it very enlightening.

General Conference

It is that time again. The time when the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints share their knowledge and guidance with anyone willing to listen. I have found it enlightening and uplifting thus far and there's still one more session to go.
I will post likes to all of the talks later in the week once they have been made available and encourage all to take a quick look. Regardless of your chosen religion, if any, there is some excellent advice on living within your means and caring for your neighbors. Everyone can benefit from such information.

Some background

Well, I didn't mean to wait this long for my next post, but better late than never.

I wanted to start off with a little background about the origins of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Here are some of Joseph Smith's words from when he was just a child. Please note his description of how things were at the time and compare them to your own surroundings in the present day.

Here are his words:

Some time in the second year after our removal to Manchester, there was in the place where we lived an unusual excitement on the subject of religion. It commenced with the Methodists, but soon became general among all the sects in that region of country. Indeed, the whole district of country seemed affected by it, and great multitudes united themselves to the different religious parties, which created no small stir and division amongst the people, some crying, 'Lo, here!' and others, 'Lo, there!' Some were contending for the Methodist faith, some for the Presbyterian, and some for the Baptist.
For, notwithstanding the great love which the converts to these different faiths expressed at the time of their conversion, and the great zeal manifested by the respective clergy, who were active in getting up and promoting this extraordinary scene of religious feeling, in order to have everybody converted, as they were pleased to call it, let them join what sect they pleased; yet when the converts began to file off, some to one party and some to another, it was seen that the seemingly good feelings of both the priests and the converts were more pretended than real; for a scene of great confusion and bad feeling ensued; priest contending against priest, and convert against convert; so that all their good feelings one for another, if they ever had any, were entirely lost in a strife of words and a contest about opinions.

Long time, no post

Been quite some time since I posted anything here, had quite a lot going on with work and haven't made the time to write content for this blog.
Anyway, I feel bad about that and want to post some more stuff out here to share with whoever feels inclined to read it. Also, if anyone else has anything they'd like to post, let me know or just leave comments to speak your mind or share your various beliefs.

I'll be posting some information on some of my own beliefs a little later on and invite anyone to post comments on them.