LDS blogs: Size Matters

I have read posts on an awful lot of blogs. When I first found the bloggernacle I read everything that came up on the Mormon Archipelago. I still put in a LOT more time reading other people's stuff than I spend in preparing and writing my own.....I probably shouldn't have said that. You can tell can't you?

Anyway, I have started to form an opinion about LDS blogs in general. I do not say these things to flatter or insult anyone. I am not going to mention any names or blogs in this. Just make some general observations. And what I have been thinking about lately, is that size matters when it comes to blogs. And it matters differently depending on what you want out of your LDS blogging experience. For purposes of presenting my thoughts I would like to suggest some categories, and make an assumption.


The assumption that I will make is that the reader is a member of the church, and is fairly strong and solid in the faith. I say this because I often feel there is an element in the bloggernacle of seeking for 'dirt' on the church at some level. If that is what you want, you will have some company and some sites that will be glad to fill you needs. I won't be giving any assistance, or any thoughts in this area for now.

One of the categories I will suggest will involve what those faithful folks might be seeking in participating on the bloggernacle as a reader and commentator on blogs. The categories are:

1. Quality of content.
2. Social interaction.

The other categories has to do with blog size, or type. The categories I will choose are:

1. Solo blogs
2. Small Group Blogs.
3. Large Group Blogs.

Again, I am not trying to anger anyone in this, and will not mention any blogs by name. So, now for my thoughts.

Solo Blogs

Quality of Content. Solo blogs are all over the map here. Some are fantastic, some are not. Many are inconsistent. If you are searching solo blogs for quality content you may have to do your homework. There is getting to be an ocean of solo LDS blogs out there. Finding a solo blog that you like can be quite a find.

Social Interaction. In most cases this interaction can be somewhat - dare I say - intimate in comparison. When someone comes by my blog I feel almost like they have stopped by my house. I feel like having them sit down and offering a glass of lemonade. I have also been made to feel that way when visiting solo blogs. For a chance of social interaction that may even feel like a type of friendship, it seems hard to beat visiting a solo blog.

Small Group Blogs

Quality of Content. Small group blogs seem more consistent in their content than the solo blogs. There are a lot fewer small group blogs, so finding some that you like will be easier than with solo blogs. Most small group blogs have contributors that are very similar to each other, and are kind of a tight group. If you get into some debate on a small group blog, you will likely deal with the whole group instead of an individual. Small group blogs seem like a 'team' in a very real way. Authors on these blogs probably feel a responsibility to keep the content quality fairly high because it reflects on the group.

Social Interaction. This is an area where small group blogs have a lot of potential. There often appears to be a meaningful friendship amongst the group which can be felt by visitors to the site. This friendship may well be extended to others. Some small group blogs actually want to be big group blogs someday, so not only will they be glad for your traffic, they may even invite you to participate with them if you make yourself known by your comments.

Large Group Blogs

Quality of Content. Large group blogs have a potential advantage here. They are well established with lots of contributors. Individuals can take their time in making posts because there are so many other contributors keeping things going. Because of all this expectations - I imagine are quite high. Large group blogs are large and popular for a reason. In general their contributors are quite good at what they provide. There are very few large blogs as far as I know. Checking them out and finding those you like is easy to do.

Social Interaction. This seems to be something lacking on Large group blogs. These are well established authors with a fairly large following. They don't really need you, and often will not have much time for you. It's hard to feel really welcomed when you are comment # 127. In fact, that sometimes feels like what you are - a number - comment #127. Visiting these blogs for the first few times can seem like going to a new high school, and showing up on prom night, with no date, and inappropriately dressed.

So there you have it. My general view of LDS blogs. Now, I have only been around for about 7 or 8 months, but it feels like much longer. Has your experience been different? What have I missed?

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My Grand Unified Theory of Everything

Let me begin by refuting my own title.

'My'

This is not really mine at all. It is bits and pieces thrown together, and in my view is a common general view by many members of the church. This is not all that original - if at all.

'Grand'

This is not really grand at all. It seems to be 'small and simple' to members of the church who discuss and ponder such things. In fact, this is of course quite an oversimplification.

'Unified'

I doubt that amongst the 'nacle group there will now be, nor perhaps ever be, a unified theory of things. This is not necessarily all bad. We all are waiting for further light and knowledge at some level.

'Theory'

Yep. File this under speculative theory, although it may not be as far off as some may suppose.

'of Everything'

Everything?!?!?! Well, not EVERYTHING.

So here we go........



A Grand Unified Theory of Everything

In the beginning there was everything. The elements and the intelligences already existed and always had. (D&C 93:33, Abraham 3:18) Not all intelligences were equal. Some intelligences were more intelligent than others. One was more intelligent than they all.

Intelligences have the ability to gain and retain knowledge, and they also have a will of their own. The intelligence that was 'greater than they all' was able to gain knowledge much more quickly, and much more thoroughly than any of the other intelligences. In time he began to gain the ability to control matter, and use it to serve his wise purposes and his perfect will. This continued until he gained a mastery over the universe, and thus became God. (See Rational Theology, Chapter 6)

God knew of the lesser intelligences, and knew that he could help them to progress and have the fullness of joy that he had. If the lesser intelligences could be directed and helped on their way, and they in turn could aid other intelligences to progress, then the work and glory and joy of God, and all intelligences, could advance in very meaningful ways.

So God developed a method or plan for the progress of the intelligences. These intelligences could receive a measure of knowledge and power with certain terms and conditions. If the intelligences were willing to covenant with God that they would meet the terms and conditions, then they would receive the knowledge and power they sought. If they were successful in meeting these terms and conditions as promised, they could then receive more knowledge and power. And this would continue until the perfect day. (D&C 50:24) With knowledge and power come responsibility. Those who showed that they could not be trusted with the knowledge and power they received would not be able to progress unless a forgiveness was granted by God.

Since not all intelligences are equal, the results of participating in this plan would also not be equal. Some would progress farther and at a higher rate than others. Provisions are made that intelligences are allowed to progress as they will. God ultimately will determine the amount of knowledge and power that an intelligence will receive. And all of this progress of the intelligences under this plan exceeds that progress that they would ever have made without the assistance of God. Those intelligences that become like God will be able to assist in the work in ways similar to what God does. Those who do not become like God will assist in lesser ways.

This plan will continue as long as there are elements and intelligences in the universe. 'For man is spirit. The elements are eternal, and spirit and element, inseparably connected, receive a fulness of joy.'

OK. Let me have it. How screwed up is this?

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Fullness of the Gospel review at BofJ

I have made a few posts recently at BofJ that I have been neglecting to give links for here. For my family members and friends who read Small and Simple, but don't venture out to other blogs much I am glad to provide these links.

Fullness of the Gospel: The Fall

Amish Letter of the Law

Golf Tip

Stewardship

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World's Greatest Dentist

As many of you know, I grew up in Rexburg Idaho. There is a family in my current ward in Michigan who has two daughters attending BYU Idaho in Rexburg. The other day the father of the family asked if I know of any dentists in Rexburg. I was pleased to inform him that the greatest dentist in the world lives and works in Rexburg Idaho. The man's name is R. Lane Ward. And he is the greatest dentist in the world.


He was the bishop of my youth, and so I have a fondness for him. I have lived in a few different places, and every time I go to a new dentist, they look in my mouth and comment on the quality of previous dental work. Nearly every dentist I have ever been to has made a similar compliment.

My wife's father was out of work for nearly all of her teenage years. One of the things the family had to do without was dental care during this time. When my wife and I got married she had not been to a dentist in years. One morning she woke up with a lot of pain in a tooth. After a few days we decided to send her to this dentist. He called me after the appointment and told me that I should have looked inside my wife's mouth before I married her. I thought he was being funny. He was not. My wife needed two root canals, seventeen fillings, and wisdom teeth removed. All of it was highly recommended.

We did not have insurance that would cover this. We were extremely poor college students who did not come from wealthy families. This was a fairly large scale financial tragedy for us at the time. But what else was I going to do? We decided to go ahead and figure out how to pay for it all later.

The work was done, and we went to the office to work out the bill and payment. His daughter was working as the receptionist. Dr./Bishop Ward gave her a list of the work he had done, and she punched calculator keys like mad. When she was done and hit the equals button, the man grimaced. This was not a good sign. He told her to give us the student discount. She gave him a puzzled look, and he nodded to her. She clicked a couple of keys and hit equals again. He told her that since we were both students that she should give us another student discount. A few more clicks.

'Again', he said.
Click, click, click.
'Again'.
Click, click, click.
'Again'.
More clicking.

After about one dozen student discounts, a figure was arrived at. The hundreds of dollars that were saved, when given our pathetic financial situation, was one of the most charitable acts I have been privileged to receive. Dentists in many towns comment on the quality, (and sometimes amount!) of the dental work my wife has had.

So, this individual in our Michigan ward called this great dentist in Rexburg. The dentist saw his daughter that day. Wisdom teeth will be removed this Friday. I am sure the procedure will be successful.

If you ever happen to be in Rexburg, and need quality dental care, (or know someone who does) I am pleased to recommend that you visit Dr. R. Lane Ward who happens to be the best dentist in the world. I am not sure what his current policy on student discounts is, but you will receive the very best care you could ever get. Tell him Eric Nielson sent you. He may have a story or two to tell.

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I'm Turning Into My Dad!

A few people express that as they grow older, they find themselves turning into their parents. In many ways I see myself turning into my dad.

I find myself being interested in many of the same things he is interested in. I am finding we have a similar attitude and approach to the gospel. I say the same kind of jokes he did, saying them over and over for years just like him. Basketball and chess. A certain 'no-nonsense' in formal settings, a certain silliness when informal. A kind of social inhibition at times. Pursuing amateur writing on gospel topics. A desire for a simple life. We have a lot in common.

I have been influenced by many in my life. But there is only one mortal individual that I see myself turning into. And that is my dad.

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Is Ambition a Christlike Quality?

Recent events in my life have caused me to think about ambition in a deeper way than I had before. So, first a definition from the Yahoo dictionary:

Ambition
An eager or strong desire to achieve something, such as fame or power.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English ambicioun, excessive desire for honor, power, or wealth, from Old French ambition, from Latin ambiti , ambitin-

I have spent most of my life thinking of ambition as a negative quality. I view it as similar to greed, covetousness, and selfishness. Something that is to be avoided. Something that has no place is the church, in the workplace, or in life.


A few scripture verses that express my feelings about the quality of ambition are from D&C 121:36-37

The rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness. That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our VAIN AMBITION, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.

With the above scripture, and all the talk about humility, meekness, being childlike, etc., hopefully you can see why I have always looked on ambition as a bad and dangerous thing.

In the workplace, ambition can be readily seen. I would feel that in an ideal world simple personal ambition would be undesirable and would have no place in the workforce. This is a naive thing to hope for. Ambition will always exist in the workplace, and in some ways may even be encouraged. Personal ambition in an employee can be a motivating tool for managers and business leaders to use, perhaps to meet their own ambitious ends.

I also like the example of military leaders like George Washington and Moroni who looked forward to a simple life after the war, and not necessarily to take advantage of their fame to seek personal gain. Moroni wrote, 'Behold, I am Moroni, your chief captain. I seek not for power, but to pull it down. I seek not for honor of the world, but for the glory of my God, and the freedom and welfare of my country.' (Alma 60:36)

There appear to be those, however, who may view ambition as a good quality in a person. Something that you may hope that your own children may develop in order to be successful in life. Can ambition be a christlike quality in the church, workplace, and life? Was Christ ambitious?

A few thoughts on this come to mind. In the council of heaven Christ says, 'Here am I, send me.' He does not say something like - Well Father, if you like Lucifer's plan, perhaps you should send him. Nor does he say - there are many noble and great spirits here, perhaps you should send them. He doesn't even say - whatever you think is best. He says here am I, send me. Looking at it objectively, from the outside, is this not an ambitious thing to say?

Also during his life Christ says, 'Come follow me.' Does this not assert a leadership model for him, a followership for others. Sure he is right, and he is the Savior after all, but was he not also ambitious in a way when saying 'come follow me'?

We are not perfect. We are not the Savior. But should we at times assume a bold, confident, assertive, even ambitious approach to things? Should we be seeking for power and influence in the church and in the workforce? Is ambition something to be admired, emulated, and developed? Is it something to be loathed, avoided, and repented of?

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Personal Conflict

A large part of my job currently is project management. I did not apply for nor campaign for such a thing. I believe it was mainly because I was doing a good job being an engineer, and part of a project team, so they asked me to start leading project teams. The thought of being in charge of people, and sharing the responsibility for what they do and how they do it is quite distasteful to me.


But is there not a priesthood or church calling parallel here? When we accept the priesthood or a church calling are we not agreeing to take a stewardship or accountability of others? Do we literally become responsible, even eternally, for the behavior of those we are called upon to lead. Jacob in the Book of Mormon seemed to think so. I posted on a passage from Jacob that has to do with this subject at Blogger of Jared here.

For the remainder of this post I might generally describe a situation I am currently going through.

I have been asked to lead a team in the development of a new machine line for our company. It is a large and difficult project, and very high profile. Expectations are extremely high. I am working with an engineer who was assigned the role of the software engineer. His primary task was to write the computer control program for the machine. This is a difficult job to do, and he has a lot of experience and talent for this type of work. But he doesn't want to do this type of thing anymore. What he wants apparently, is my job.

He has a mechanical engineering degree, and wants to change his job description and tasks in the worst way. So in large measure, instead of writing the computer code, he is being hyper vigilant in evaluating the mechanical aspects of the machine and my management of it. He is spreading his opinions to any who will listen, and at times appears to be doing all he can to paint a negative picture of it.

I believe that he is being sincere in that he really believes that the company would be better off, as well as this project, if he were a mechanical designer and a project manager. And by raising awareness to possible problems perhaps he will open up opportunities for himself. For the betterment of all.

This has all brought about a high level of conflict between him and I which at times has been unbearable for me. I am trying to be objective about things, but this has been one of the most difficult times of my career. Any advice?

Anyway, to make myself feel better I would like to dedicate a song that reminds me of this situation. It's 'What You're Doing' by Rush.

Well, I see you standin' there
With your finger in the air
Everything we do, you wanna leave it up to you

Who do you think you are?
You think you are a star?
Tryin' to run the town
Always tryin' to put us down

Well, you think that you're right
You think you're out of sight
Tell me something, mister
Why'd you have to make us so uptight?

Well, you say you've been tryin'
You know that you're lyin'
I think you need some groovin'
Who do you think you're foolin', now?

Well, you better start changin'
Your life needs rearrangin'
You better do some talkin'
Or you better do some walkin' now

Yeah, you think that you're right
You think you're out of sight
Tell me something, mister
Why'd you have to make us so uptight?


Hopefully I'll get over this and be back to normal soon.

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