Molecular Thoughts

There is a book entitled The Messages of Water written by Japanese author Masaru Emoto. In this book, Emoto discuss studies he has conducted that show the effect that words, ideas, and music have on the aesthetic appeal of water molecules. His experiments consisted of exposing water molecules to specific words, music, or ideas, allowing the molecules to freeze, and then examining the molecular structure with microscopic photography. Emoto experimented with words such as love, gratitude, evil, and hate. He also tested different music such as classical versus rock. For Example:

The picture on the left was taken after the water molecules had been exposed to heavy metal music.

The picture on the right, however, was taken after water molecules had been exposed to folk music.

Why is it that the aesthetic appeal of the second pictures is so much more pristine and beautiful? Why is it that the fragile structure of water can be disturbed by certain words and feelings? It's interesting to note that the human body is approximately 70% water... I wonder what effect our thoughts have on our bodies? In our church we have been counseled by the prophets to have clean thoughts, listen to wholesome music and watch uplifting movies. It seems as though scientific evidence comes a little late, but eventually backs up exactly what we believe. Maybe we're on to something...

Water isn't the only element this experiment has been tested on. Certain plants have been seen to exhibit certain positive and negative characteristics when exposed to specific words or thoughts. Energetic interchanges seem to exist between all forms of life; but does this come as much of a surprise when we know who our maker is? Of course there is an energy in all things.

In the book The Secret it discusses these same principles. If you haven't read it, do so, and keep in mind the similarities between the ideas discussed in it and our religious beliefs. They are very similar, however, it discusses the energy in the world and our relationship with it. It talks about the power of affirmation and things like "Can someone really heal them self of something as terrible cancer simply by thinking they can?" I believe that's possible...

Our words and thoughts have tremendous power; do we fully understand that power though?

Metaphors for Scriptures

Did you know that the scriptures testify of themselves? All throughout the scriptures prophets speak of their importance. For example: 1 Nephi talks about the iron rod as being scripture - "the iron rod is the word of God, 'twill safely guide us through" (hymn 274). Therefore the iron rod is a metaphor that directly means 'scripture'. There are 7 incredible metaphors for the scriptures that directly show the importance of scriptures study. 

1. The Liahona = scripture (1 Nephi 16:10, 26-29) If you recall, the Liahona was a type of compass that Lehi's family used to guide them through the wilderness to the promise land. Had Lehi's family been disobedient, the Liahona would not have worked and they would have wandered in the wilderness with no progression and eventually would have led to death. If the Liahona is a metaphor for the scriptures and the promise land is eternal life, we can conclude that the scriptures guide us to eternal life. Without them we will not progress to the celestial kingdom and ultimately die spiritually.

2. The Iron Rod = scripture (1 Nephi 8:19-20, 23-24) In Nephi's dream, he saw the iron rod leading to the tree of life. He also saw mists of darkness surrounding the rod, and a filthy river following along a strait and narrow path. If the iron rod represents the word of God, these versus in 1 Nephi tell us that the scriptures keep us from temptation and darkness, help us stay on the path, and ultimately lead to the tree of life - Jesus Christ. Without the rod/scriptures there is no way for us to stay on such a narrow path that leads to Christ. You cannot leave the rod/scriptures without also leaving the path. If we do not have the rod, we will wander in darkness, drown in the river, or get swept up in the worldly mansion - ultimately leading to spiritual death.

3. Manna = scripture (Exodus 16) After the Israelites fled Egypt, they wandered through the wilderness and eventually began to murmur for bread. The Lord answered their prayers by having manna rain down from heaven. Just like any food, manna provided the Israelites with strength and nourishment. Therefore if manna is a metaphor for scriptures, we know that the scriptures give us spiritual strength and nourishment. Without food in the literal sense we will die, so without spiritual food our spirit will also die.

4. Lamp = scripture (Psalms 119: 105) "The word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path". In a very simple way, this verse tells us the obvious, we need a light to show us where to go. Therefore if a lamp is a metaphor for the scriptures we know that the scriptures illuminate our path and show us where to go. If we were wandering in darkness without a lamp we would eventually get lost, have nowhere to go, and die. So, without a lamp/scriptures we will in time, die spiritually.

5. Water = scripture (John 4:14) A Samaritan woman came to a well where Christ was resting having traveled from Judea. He asked her to give him a drink and she was surprised that a Jew would speak to someone of her social status. After questioning him, he told her "whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst". Immediately she asked to partake of this water and then went back to the city to tell others. Water quenches thirst. Therefore if the water in this parable represents the scriptures, we know that the scriptures quench our thirst for knowledge. Without water we will die, therefore without spiritual water, we will die spiritually.

6. Sword = scripture (Ephesians 6: 11-18; D&C 27:18; Helaman 3:29; Jacob 2:8) Quite often the scriptures tell us to "put on the armour of God." D&C explains what each piece of armor represents.
helmet of salvation
breastplate of righteousness
loins girt about with truth
feet shod with the gospel of peace
shield of faith
sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Of all the armor listed, the only offensive piece is the sword. Everything else helps protect us from the enemy but the only element that helps us fight and defend the truth is the sword. If the sword is the scriptures, then the scriptures help us fight against the powers of the devil. Also, we know that a sword can heal. If you take this in the literal sense, a sword or knife, is what has enabled modern medicine to heal millions. In Jacob it states that the word (scriptures) healeth the wounded soul. Without the ability to fight the enemy or heal, we will die both physically and spiritually.

7. Seed = scripture (Alma 32:28, 37-38, 41-42) "Faith is like a little seed, if planted it will grow" (children's primary song book). We are told if we plant the seed of the gospel in our hearts and nourish it, it will grow. Well what will it grow into? A tree that will bring forth good fruit. Fruit that is most precious and sweet, white above all that is white, and pure above all that is pure - does this sound familiar? The Tree of Life, even Jesus Christ? If we 'plant' the scriptures in our hearts Christ will grow and dwell within us. Of all of the reasons that scripture study is important, I can't think of a more powerful one that having Christ dwell within us. In a world swept up by the cunning and evilness of the devil, what better way to withstand him than to have our Savior with us at all times?

The new testament is not just an account of Christ life and teachings, the Book of Mormon is not just the keystone that holds our religion together and sets us apart from other Christian faiths, and scripture study is not just something we are encouraged to do because the prophet said to. The scriptures guide us to eternal life, lead us to Christ, give us strength, illuminate our path, quench or thirst for knowledge, allow us to fight the devil and defend the truth, and allow Christ to dwell within us...

Guilty Pleasure

What's my guilty pleasure?? Chocolate? Okay yes, guilty. Chocolate is definitely a weakness of mine - put any combination of chocolate and caramel or chocolate and peanut butter in front of me and there is no hope. However, I'm actually going to talk about a better, healthier, more exciting guilty pleasure of mine. One that makes me smile just thinking about it.

running.

Yep. You read correctly. I am absolutely in LOVE with running! Why? This question has actually been weighing on my mind all week. (Well, in all honesty, Tanner asked me in his most recent letter why I have taken such a liking to running, which has caused me to contemplate the true reason).

I started running when I moved down to BYU but I was never very serious about it - only going a couple times a week and not running hardly at all when it got colder. Then I picked in back up again that summer. I began thinking, "Maybe I'll train for a marathon or something". But I soon realized how far fetched this idea really was and let it go. However, I continued running. More as a form of relaxation than exercise.

I love nature and feel that we can be connected with it in a way, and running outside allowed me to make that connection. It gave me an opportunity to enjoy what was around me, to "slow down" from my busy life and breath. 

After Tanner left I had a lot more free time; time I spent running. What's a girl to do on a Friday night when her boy has left? Run. When I moved up to Weber I was most ecstatic about being able to find a new trail to run on (you can only run on a relatively flat, straight trail for so long and enjoy it (the legacy trail by my house)). When it got colder I realized I was right the down the street from the Weber State gym - free to students. Bomb! :) 

I used to have something against treadmills. Why not be outside enjoying nature, breathing fresh air? However, I have had to overcome that for it is much too cold to run outside. But believe it or not, I have absolutely fallen in love with treadmills. I can set the speed and completely zone out, letting the treadmill pull me along. I let the music from my ipod consume my thoughts as I stare at my feet in the mirror while the beat of the music and my step synchronize. Before I know it an hour has passed. 5.5 miles of track. 671 feet in elevation. 

I think running is my replacement for dancing. Why did I dance? I loved being one with the music. Letting all thoughts disappear as the music ran through my veins, the moves and notes following the same crescendo and decrescendo, my dress flowing gently across my skin as I moved, a thin saber or blunt rifle spinning with me and around me yet with a strong forceful appearance, and allowing the energy of the music to match the energy of the dance and portraying that to the audience. It doesn't get any better than that. I can't dance anymore. But when I run I get to let the music consume me again. My steps match the beat of the music once more. My breathe is synchronized with each move I make just like it did when I danced. 

Maybe all that is just my romanticized view of the world, but what's wrong with that? I LOVE RUNNING! Who knows, maybe I will end up running a half marathon this summer - but for now that is just an idea. I'll just enjoy the running for now...