Saturday, October 23, 2010

Rome Mormon Temple

Today ground was broken in Rome. This is likely in and of itself insignificant as ground is regularly broken there, but today the ground was broken to erect a house of the Lord. Temples are important to Mormons, as they are the place where covenants are made and blessings are received and where we can leave the hustle/bustle of this world to commune with God. This groundbreaking is especially exciting for the Saints in Europe.

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Sunday, March 29, 2009

New Mormon Music Press Release



MormonMusic.org
MORE GOOD FOUNDATION 560 South State Street
Orem, UT 84058
Phone (801) 705-5115
Press Release


Contact: Karen Merkley, Director of PR & Marketing
Phone: (801) 705-5104 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9 A.M. EDT, March 27, 2009

MORE GOOD FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF MORMONMUSIC.ORG

OREM, UT, MARCH 27, 2009– The More Good Foundation—non-profit creator of quality websites, social networks, and virtual communities facilitating peer-to-peer dialog between Mormons and friends of all faiths online– announced today its highly-anticipated launch of a new website scheduled for April 6, 2009: MormonMusic.org.

MormonMusic.org will provide a rich and flexible platform for online music lovers to stream, download, and enjoy both prominent and new or up-and-coming LDS musical selections—from jazz piano and classical guitar to inspirational vocals and seasonal choral numbers. First featured artists include Abe Mills, Jon Schmidt, Hilary Weeks, Kenneth Cope, Michael Dowdle, Jessie Clark Funk, Jenny Oaks Baker, Sam Payne, and scores more. In addition to these well-known Wasatch Front musicians, over 800 musical selections from newly discovered LDS singers and musicians worldwide, performing in their native language, are featured on the site.

While a couple other LDS Music sites stream music to listeners, MormonMusic.org is unique in its design, functionality, and intent. Features of MormonMusic.org, developed by Heather Newall, include user-generated playlists—topically, or by genre or artist; top-rated LDS songs, customized user profiles (with favorite albums, videos, most recently played songs); favorites-ranking; selected free downloads of prominent and newly discovered LDS music talent; LDS music news; and variable, embeddable playlists. The site will also highlight each artist, sharing not only their music and upcoming venues, but their lives and beliefs through personal biographies, photo and video galleries, and link-backs to the artists’ own websites and blogs.

This site signifies a significant milestone for the More Good Foundation in reaching out across media channels via MormonMusic.org. According to MGF President, Jonathan Johnson, “The vision is multi-dimensional. First, it is a way to extend the powerful, spirit-filled, expressive medium of music to those across the globe from Kiev to Quatar, some of whom may not have immediate or any access to affordable LDS CDs—providing them with some free downloadable selections of quality orchestral, instrumental, or vocal music streaming in their homes that might not otherwise be possible. Secondly, the site is intended to be a gathering place for friends of other faiths to have a glimpse into our lives and music. By getting to know our artists, listening to uplifting music and reading about their faith-infused lives, misperceptions about us as a people will likely be dispelled and doors opened to conversations about our beliefs.”

The More Good Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit, and is funded by individual donors interested in providing accurate information and quality multi-media content about members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints online.

For more information, please visit www.moregoodfoundation.org, or see contacts above.

-End-

Posted in Uncategorized

Friday, January 30, 2009

Fun day of Powder

 
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Great Day at Solitude Ski Area. February 2009.

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Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Fire Academy



I am very grateful to my wife and children for allowing me to indulge myself in my boyhood dreams and interests. What started as a preparedness exercise has become an outlet for boyish excitement and fun.

I have been enrolled in the RCA (Recruit Candidate Academy) Fire Academy at UVU. It is taught through the department of Homeland Security. I knew that the academy was structured as a para-military environment, but I didn't realize how difficult it would be to prepare for. I have enjoyed the challenging environment and the competition that others 10 years younger provide.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Motorsporting family




Heather and I started taking Brigham to races when he was one. He Saw Nicky Hayden win his first Moto GP race on his home track of Laguna Seca. Ever since we have taken every available opportunity to get racing in his blood. Lincoln Watkins, our friend from Alpine has helped make that dream become more of a reality. Lincoln, surprised Brigham and had a custom, race go cart fashioned for him. Here we are out at Miller Motor Sports Park for his first test run. It was here that he realized that the cart was his. Fun day and proud day for dear old dad. Mommy and Nelly were excited too.

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Hobby, Love or Passion?



I consider Motorcycling to be a hobby, but some would argue that it is more than that for me. I remember early on in childhood, wanting and wishing for a bike. Not one that didn't make any noise or only went as fast as you could peddle, no, I wanted one with a motor that made noise and went fast.
With a Father who made his career out of giving tickets to people who go fast, the idea of me having a motorcycle was merely a dream that I would have to wait to realize. I am now on my sixth bike. I did respect my parents wishes and waited until I was out of the house to own one.
I am currently riding a Honda VFR Interceptor. It is now ranked as my favorite bike that I have owned or ridden. A great all around scooter. I will highlight on my blog some trips and rides that I have been on and will highlight some future trips as well. If you ride drop me a note.

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Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Christ, the Atonement and His Relationship with His Father



06-24-2008
Christ, the Atonement and His Relationship with His Father.

4 years ago I contemplated the miracle of childbirth and fatherhood. With new found emotions and feelings never before felt, I realized that a very real void had just been filled. My marriage, up to that point seemed fulfilled and at times joyous; thus I did not understand that I was incomplete. I didn’t realize or know that I was not filled full.

The birth of my son and later that of my daughter, reshaped my perspective on this and many other things. I began to be more full, or complete in my way of thinking and my approach to life. My eternal perspective was one area profoundly affected by this experience.

I remember as a missionary memorizing a scripture that spoke of our eternal nature and Sociology. It stated that “the same sociology that exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with glory, which glory we do not now enjoy.” At the birth of my children I experienced joy beyond that, which I had previously felt. It helped me conclude that Adam falling and the subsequent joy to attend could be found in the “man might be” portion of Moses 1:39. As my children came to be, my joy became full, in a way that I had never experienced joy before. The newness of joy came with the newness of many things to come.

As a new Father, I felt close to the scriptural references of Fathers and Son’s. I was most profoundly affected by the relationship of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. As a new father I wanted to be party to every event in my son's life, both great and small. I wanted to be there at each of his milestone successes. I did not want to miss his first word or his first step.

My love and new found devotion for him also created new found fears, never before felt. What happened here? Where did this love and concern come from? I knew that something had changed in me. I found changing diapers and waking to provide for my son’s needs in the middle of the night, though at times inconvenient, was overshadowed by my desire to fulfill his dependency.

I seemed consumed for a time, by the thought of something tragic or harmful happening to him. The thought was more then I could stand. I even went so far as to become medically trained as an EMT and Fireman, in hopes that I could attend to his needs when the time arrived. The greatest fear I possessed was the fear of being unable to provide for him or for him to ever think that I would abandon him in his time of need.

During this time and while studying the scriptures, I began to note the many times in which The Father was visibly involved in the life of His Son. I noted also that Christ who is the first born in the spirit, was also the first and only earthly born of the Father in the flesh. As I am very interested in the future and purpose of my first born son, so it appears The Father is interested in the future and mission of his son.

There have been many times in my son’s young life where I have heard the pleas for comfort in the middle of the night or cries for help after he had fallen and skinned his knee. The thought of turning from my child in his time of need is simply an impossible thought. It is my moral and legal responsibility to provide for him. Beyond that, it is my love for him that would prevent forsaking from ever occurring.
(2)
Beginning before the birth of the Savior, Mary and Elizabeth received special witnesses of the divine nature of those special little ones they would mother. There is nothing that suggests that the Baptist’s and Christ’s divine missions or origin was withheld from them. I would like to think it was the contrary. It is my feeling that Joseph ,the adopted father of Christ, cared for and assisted in rearing the Savior here on earth. It is also my feeling that the Savior had a direct relationship with his Eternal and Natural Father, our Father in Heaven.

My reflections on my own son caused me to reflect further on the relationship of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. It seems clear to me that the Father relished in the Son’s momentous occasions. The Saviors willingness to be willing and obedient is the highest honor that the Father could receive. He uses the sweet term of beloved when speaking of him. It is not hard for me to use that word when describing my own son. The Father also knew something that I do not. He knew what the future would hold for his Son.

If I knew that my child would suffer in grave and agonizing ways and that his life would be shortened, how would I respond to my son? Would I make him more comfortable and what would my time spent with him be like? Would I strive to help him become stronger knowing what the future would hold? Would I reveal to him his future for fear that it would destroy him? Would I be willing to allow him to suffer?

These were natural thoughts that were provoked during my time of study. I read and watched the Father provide for the Son. Instruction started early. His mission was made clear. The Savior communed with His Father for strength as he fasted and prayed. His Father did not turn away. He provided for Him when He struggled or suffered.

I have read that "the Savior descended below us ALL". I wondered how is ALL to be defined? Does ALL mean ALL or does ALL mean those who have dwelt on earth? The Savior died that ALL mankind may be saved. Here or elsewhere.

During the Saviors final moments after such great suffering, wherein an angel was sent to comfort Him, the Savior yet faced his most difficult mortal moments. The loss of blood the Savior would have received during his scourging and during gethsemane would have killed most men.
The Savior’s spiritual senses were amazingly Keane. He felt and commented about losing virtue, when the woman touched his garment in faith. He relied on His Father’s spirit to help him carry on. As he was aware of the loss of virtue, He was just as aware of the withdrawal of the Father’s spirit while on the cross.

Eloi, Eloi lama sabachthani” MY God, My God why has thou forsaken me? (Matt. New Testament) This statement seems sudden and came as a surprise. This seems also to be unfamiliar to Him. Many have asked the question, why did God withdraw or where did he go? Why on the cross and not before? Is there a reason?

As a Father myself, I cannot bear the thought of turning away from my child in his or her time of need. This must have been the greatest trial for the Father and the Son. I have often thought more of the Savior’s visible sacrifice and less of the Fathers hidden sacrifice.

Why did the Father withdraw for a time? Was it an accident or did it fulfill a part of the Saviors mission. I cannot answer this for sure, but I do know that the Savior descended below us all. The Saviors statement that “it is finished” came after the withdrawal of the Fathers spirit and before he commended his spirit into his Fathers hands, which immediately followed this shocking revelation.

Satan has been cut off and will be forever. Satan’s hollowness and emptiness fuels his anger and bitterness towards all things righteous. This form of lonely suffering appears to be the most difficult for both the Savior and Satan.

I do not believe that God that Father withdrew himself by accident. The Saviors physical suffering was not greater upon the cross. He was tortured and suffered tremendous agony before ever reaching Golgotha. I believe there is a reason for this brief withdrawal, a reason that was necessary before the Saviors mission would be complete or “finished”.

Those who have chosen to deny the Christ or those who will never inherit a body, have been cut off from the Father’s presence. It could be suggested that in order for the Savior to truly know how to succor his people, and to truly descend below us all, His mission would not be complete until he felt the loneliness of the withdrawal of the Fathers Spirit. As evident in Christ’s suffering, the withdrawal of the Fathers Spirit seems to be more then he could bear. Eloi, Eloi Lama Sabachthani, My God, My God, why has thou forsaken me? The Savior would shortly utter the words “it is finished”. After letting out a cry, he gave up the ghost and commended his spirit into His Fathers loving, comforting and spirit filled hands.

I am grateful to the Savior and to our Father in Heaven for completing the atoning mission. I am also grateful that he allows us to understand through our associations the love that the Father and the Son have for us. I cherish the Fathers spirit and its influence on me and my family. I would be lost and lonely without it. I am grateful that the Savior descended below me and I have felt of His succoring balm in my life.

I know that God lives and that Jesus is the Christ. I know that they stand together glorified, the Fathers glory in the Son and the Son’s in the Father. I pray that I may be more mindful and appreciative of the great sacrifice given to me and my son, to my wife and my daughter.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Jonathan J. Johnson

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