No Coincidences

Tag: contention

  • The Social Dilemma (Netflix)

    The Social Dilemma (Netflix)

    What is truth?

    How do we know?

    If you haven’t watched The Social Dilemma on Netflix, watch it as soon as possible.  Could end up being the most important documentary of our generation.  Given that we are the generation of documentaries, that would make it the most important documentary ever.

    Why is this documentary important?  Because it’s real and it’s happening now. 

    What will be the downfall of America?  Have we given Civil War enough consideration?

    Let’s do a quick thought experiment.  What happens if Donald Trump wins the election this November?  There will be 165 million mad people.  Mad enough, maybe, to protest, riot, and maybe fight.

    What happens if Joe Biden wins the election in November?  There will be 165 million mad people.  Mad enough, maybe, to protest, riot, and maybe fight.

    Of course, 165 million people is an exaggeration because not everybody is this passionate, or angry, or inflamed about the upcoming election.

    Let’s call the number 30 million on each side.  Sound much better?

    Why is this happening?  Why are people always so angry?

    There is an increasing gap between what we would deem the “center.”  Center of anything.  Not overly passionate about one side or the other.  I’m not just talking about politics.  I’m talking about anything.  The middle is gone.  The “hear the other side,” “hear them out,” “hear their opinions,” are disappearing.  We’re turning into a world of people who think we know everything while not knowing anything.

    So much from The Social Dilemma gave me an intense feeling of anxiety.  One statistic mentioned was that a study showed lies are spread on the internet/social media 6 times more quickly than truths.  What happens if a lie always has a 6x head start on the truth?  What happens is what we’re seeing happen.  Contention.  Hatred.  Vitriol.  Anger.  Confusion.  Aggression.  Fighting.

    This brings me to the most important point.

    What is truth?

    Can we even know what truth is?

    Truth is a concept society is starting to wonder exists.  How do we find something our society is starting to believe is a myth?

    This is where I turn off all my non-religious friends, but I would ask my non-religious friends:  What is your truth?  What do you turn to when everything around you is chaos, and confusion, and darkness?

    I don’t say this to spread the divide more.  I say this to invite others to find truth and make that truth love-based at all costs. 

    I love God because He loved me first.

    What is truth?

    God is truth. 

    He’s my truth.  Maybe He isn’t yours.  But you must find a truth to hold to dearly.  This truth must be centered on love.  We’ve seen what hate-filled “truth” results in.

    How do we survive in an age of disinformation?

    What do we do to protect ourselves?

    I think first we follow all the suggestions given during the credits of The Social Dilemma documentary.  I will list those here and then add my own suggestions.

    1. Uninstall apps from your phone that waste your time.
      • Hint: most of them.
    2. Turn off notifications.  Especially for anything that vibrates your leg that doesn’t provide an immediate and important alert you need to see at that moment.
    3. Use a search engines besides Google.
    4. Never watch a video recommended to you anywhere:  Facebook, Youtube, etc.  If it’s not something you went there to search for and to watch, just don’t watch it.
      • Wayyyyy easier said than done (but let’s all try!)
    5. Use a Chrome extension to remove recommendations.  Below are some options.
    6. Before you share anything online, fact check, consider the source, do the extra research (make sure it is GOOD).
      • If it looks like it’s designed to push your emotional buttons, it probably is.  Don’t share it.
    7. You vote with your clicks.  If you click on clickbate you’re perpetuating the problem.  Reward GOOD material.
    8. Get different kinds of information.
      • If you are on Twitter, add people who have different opinions from you.
      • Talk to people in the real world about real issues.
      • When you find enough people in the real world to talk to, delete your Twitter.
    9. Delete the social media accounts you really don’t need, that you don’t feel are healthy, that are taking you away from life.  Delete it and embrace the freedom!
    10. Get out of the system.
    11. The World is beautiful.  Live.

    For Families:

    1. Don’t give devices to your children.  Don’t allow them on social media.  Just don’t.
    2. Minimal screen time.
      • Set a limit and stick to it.  It was suggested to ask your child what they think is a good amount of time to spend looking at a screen each day.  Your child will often give a reasonable response.
      • Create that limit and then give rewards for going under it.  Set a 7 hour per week limit for screen time and your child spent 6 hours?  1-hour reward is a bowling trip or mini golf outing.  I used to love incentives like these as a kid.  I hope kids still do.
    3. No devices in the bedroom a set amount of time before bedtime. This will also help with sleep because you’re removing blue light which signals to your brain that it’s time to wind down.
      • Here’s a suggestion – read a book instead of your phone!
    4. Treat Social Media how Latter-day Saints treat dating – not before 16.

    Here are my suggestions.  If you can- delete it all.  Just do it.  I can almost promise you’ll feel better within a couple weeks, after the withdrawals stop.

    Me personally, I have a Facebook.  I use it so I can share my blog.  It’s good to have.  I see the use.  I’m working on limiting my scrolling down my timeline to zero and especially not watching suggested videos in my feed.  Suggested videos inevitably lead me to watching video after video of garbage material.

    Another thing that has helped me a ton has been moving the Facebook app from my main page.  I have it on page two.  That way I’m not constantly slapped in the face by that addictive, dopamine-igniting red alert symbol.  I have my Gospel Library on my home screen and if I find myself instinctively (or robotically) looking at my phone I do my best to open the scriptures and read those instead. 

    I understand all these things are easier said than done.  It’s not easy to delete social media.  It’s not easy, I get it.  I’m right there with you.  Technology is so good.  It can be used for so much good.  Why don’t we start using it for good again? 

    That brings me to my last point.

    My final and most important point.  What can we do to make a difference:  Share GOOD stuff. 

    Emphasis on GOOD MATERIAL.

    By good material I don’t mean you like it, or it tickled your fancy.  I mean it is GOOD.  It is wholesome.  It is kind.  It doesn’t make you explosively emotional but makes you feel gentle in your emotions. I mean good as in the good guided by the spirit.  I mean good as in loving.  I mean good as in spreading positivity. 

    I’m guilty like everyone else.  I see a post from the Church, and I scroll right through.  The AI (artificial intelligence) involved sees that (how scary is that?!).  They know I scrolled quickly past something GOOD.  We each need to make a conscious effort to spend time on the good stuff.  Read the good stuff.  Watch the good stuff.  If you don’t have good stuff on your Facebook timeline, use AI for good!  Go to google and search for Jesus Christ, the scriptures, conference talks, missionary messages.  You know how when you search for that cute new jacket for winter and there are suddenly cute winter jackets on your timeline?  Works the same way for good stuff.  Search for good stuff.  You’ll see more good stuff.  Spend more time with the good stuff. 

    This is how we can combat and fight the echo chamber of hatred.  This is how we remove political polarization.  This is how we remove lies.

    In the steps above I mentioned fact-checking what you share.  How about this? Spiritually check what you share.  Stop.  Say a prayer.  Ask yourself if what you’re sharing is spreading goodness, positivity, or love. If not, it can be deleted.

    I often pray before I write, and I often pray before I share what I write.  I always hope what I write is guided by something bigger and better than me. 

    Spiritually check everything you do online.  Is this making me a better person?  No.  Get it out of here.  Could this make someone’s day, bring a smile, alter someone for the better – SHARE IT. 

    This is what we can do.  This is how we can make a difference.

    I don’t ever say like and share on my blog posts because it’s become such a stupid thing to say.  But we need to say it for the things that deserve it.  Maybe we should change it to “LIKE AND SHARE GOODNESS.”

    So, if you think this was worth reading, did something positive for you, or helped you in any way, please share it.

    We can all do our part by sharing goodness.

    You can join the discussion and learn more about the Social Dilemma documentary at TheSocialDilemma.com

    I think this is important and I think it should be something we all start thinking about.  Let’s start thinking about it.  Let’s start doing our part.

  • Satan’s Story

    Satan’s Story

    Who is Satan?

    I believe a careful reading of different scriptural records gives us a picture of Satan’s progression and tells us how he ultimately ended up cast down.  There will be a lot of scriptural references here (duh).  If you follow the story something becomes pretty clear about Satan.  There’s a major revelation I learned about Satan that I never understood, and I don’t think many church members know.

    Before I start I want to mention, my interest in studying Satan is the opposite of my interest in studying Christ, but helps with the same purpose.  I think it’s good to study Satan to see how he fell and to avoid the behavior he exhibited that led him there.  Through his story you see examples of pride, unrighteous ambition, anger, envy, jealousy, bitterness, selfishness, along with many other negative attributes.  All of Satan’s attributes are the direct opposite to the traits of Jesus Christ.  Ultimately Satan became a being of darkness.  He rejected all light.  Many around us reject light and I think as we understand Satan and understand his motivations (to tempt, enslave, and control us) we are better suited to withstand him.  With that, we begin. 

    Satan’s story starts in the Book of Moses chapter 4:1-2:

    1 And I, the Lord God, spake unto Moses, saying: That Satan, whom thou hast commanded in the name of mine Only Begotten, is the same which was from the beginning, and he came before me, saying—Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor.

    2 But, behold, my Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning, said unto me—Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.

    Here we see what I believe is well known to Latter-day Saints.  Heavenly Father asked, “who will I send?”

    Satan came forth and responded, “Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor.”

    Christ said, “Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.”

    We know what happens here, though it isn’t said in these two verses.  Christ is chosen by the Father.

    Prayers to our Heavenly Father, in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ Amen - Home | Facebook

    Now we’re going to jump to a new book of scripture to continue Satan’s story.  Abraham 3:24-28 reads:

    24 And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell;

    25 And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;

    26 And they who keep their first estate shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever.

    27 And the Lord said: Whom shall I send? And one answered like unto the Son of Man: Here am I, send me. And another answered and said: Here am I, send me. And the Lord said: I will send the first.

    28 And the second was angry, and kept not his first estate; and, at that day, many followed after him.

    In verse 24 – “one among them that was like unto God” – clearly refers to Jesus Christ.  He is speaking to “those who were with him.”  He goes on to talk about the first and second estates of man, of us.  Verse 27 is where it gets important.

    Verse 27 – The Lord (Jesus Christ) said, “Whom shall I send?”  Note that Christ is following the same pattern He learned from His Father. “And one answered like unto the Son of Man.”  This is Adam, the first man, or Michael as he was known in the premortal existence.  Adam said, “Here am I, send me.”

    Still in verse 27 – “And another answered and said: Here am I, send me.” – This will prove to be Satan.

    “And the Lord said: I will send the first.”

    Now the critical verse 28:

    “And the second was angry, and kept not his first estate; and, at that day, many followed after him.”

    So, it is clearly put forth here.  I always thought Satan rebelled at Christ being chosen by the Father, and maybe he did in his heart.  If you read Moses chapter 4 straight through that is how it seems.  But when you read this story sequentially, we see what actually happened.  Christ was chosen by the Father.  Christ is essentially now leading the “project” under the direction of Heavenly Father.  He is standing with others helping in the work.  He follows the Father’s pattern and asks who will be the first man.  Here Christ chooses Adam over Satan.

    This adds a dimension to my understanding of Satan.  A couple things of note.  First, we know from the beginning Satan wanted the glory and wanted all of God’s children to return to heaven (see Moses 4:1).  When he is passed over, he doesn’t openly rebel yet.  When Christ is choosing who will be the first man, it’s possible Satan still saw a way to foil God’s plan and have all the honor given to him.  He would go down as the first man and he would refuse to fall.  If Satan went as the first man and refused to fall, man could never choose and therefore could never sin. If man couldn’t sin, there would be no need for a redeemer, there would be no choice, repentance, or progression. Satan would bring everyone back to heaven and in so doing destroy their agency.  I think this was his plan.

    Christ wisely chooses Adam to be the father of all and lead the human race into mortality.

    It’s at this point we see Satan has had enough.  He’s been passed over once by the Father. Now the one who took what he believed to be his rightful spot is choosing to pass him over as well.

    Verse 28: “And the second (Satan) was angry, and kept not his first estate; and, at that day, many followed after him. – Emphasis added.

    Was Satan part of Heavenly Father's original plan?

    Here we see Satan’s rebellion.  Here we see he leads “many” away.  Before we continue with Satan’s story, I feel it’s important to remind you:  Congratulations!  If you’re reading this, you kept your first estate and are in the process of keeping your second estate.  Keep it up and you’re promised to “have glory added upon (your) head for ever and ever” (Abraham 3:26).

    Back to Satan. 

    Our story picks back up in Revelations chapter 12.  I’ll be using the Joseph Smith Translation as it makes everything so much clearer. 

    The first part of Revelations 12:4 reads:

    “And there appeared another sign in heaven; and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth.”

    The great red dragon is obviously Satan, and here we see he drew away one third of the children of God after him. He and his followers were cast down to earth.

    Revelations 12:6

    “And there was war in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought against Michael;“

    Michael (Adam) and his angels fought against Satan and his angels.

    Verse 7 tells us that Michael and his angels (who might be us!?) prevailed.

    Revelations 12:8

    “Neither was there place found in heaven for the great dragon, who was cast out; that old serpent called the devil, and also called Satan, which deceiveth the whole world; he was cast out into the earth; and his angels were cast out with him.”

    Here we see the official result.  There was no more place found in heaven for Satan, his followers, and their rebellion against Christ, which meant rebellion against God.  Satan’s plan was foiled.  He was not chosen to be the redeemer of man and he was not chosen to be the first man where he could foil God’s Plan of Salvation.  He was cast down, in bitterness.

    In conclusion, it doesn’t appear Satan rebelled at the outset. He was conniving and always looking for another way to enslave us, God’s children.  I mentioned it earlier but every person on this earth already chose Christ.  We were not fooled by Satan.  We are here. 

    How did Satan get one third to follow him?  I think if we carefully consider this question we can come up with some likely possibilities.  There were many in the premortal existence that maybe didn’t properly prepare for this life, our second estate.  When the time came to be tested, those who didn’t prepare would be fearful.  We knew that some would fail to reach the Celestial Kingdom, and those among the host of heaven who had not used their agency to prepare well for mortal life were likely cognizant of that fact. From there it would be easy for Satan to convince some that they would fail, and they should therefore follow him.

    Secondly, I believe Satan’s focus in the premortal life would have been to doubt Jesus Christ and his ability to redeem us.  I believe Satan would have told many that Christ would fail, and then what?  They would all fail and never be able to return home.  I believe Satan likely attacked Christ.  This would also be an attack on the ability to repent.  Satan would have told those who didn’t use their agency well premortally that they wouldn’t use their agency well in life, that they wouldn’t repent, and change, and improve, and would ultimately fail.  It’s the same tactic Satan uses today.

    I invite everyone to hold firmly in your heart, remember, you chose Christ already.  You were valiant already.  You were brave already.  You may have already fought Satan in heaven with Michael. You won.  You are still fighting Satan today and you can still win.  Remember that he is the father of lies, and Christ is our salvation.  Look to Christ, keep your faith in him, keep repenting, keep changing, keep looking to Christ and we will all return to Him again. 

    I know that Satan is never giving up, just like he never gave up in the premortal life.  Just like in the premortal life we will prevail.  We have Christ on our side.  With Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father on our team, we cannot lose.

    Was God the Father the literal father of Jesus Christ?