Hey Everyone!
I have to say that many of the conversations going on in the blog are excellent. KEEP IT UP!!! Class participation--which includes blogging and reaching out as a way to help build an environment of learning--is a substantial part of your grade, and more importantly, your educational experience. EVERYONE should be posting some idea, epiphany, insight, connection, etc... EVERY WEEK at least. You guys are incredible. LET IT SHOW!!!
Hey everyone!
ReplyDeleteYOU ALL ROCK MY SOCKS! :D
hiya! so, if you read my post last night, ignore it.
ReplyDelete"Master your passion and your proud temper." from The Odyssey I think that this is a big part of what life is about getting passed your anger and physical passions. And finding happiness in the simple things, learning to be content, and to not try to change others but work on changing your selves.
ReplyDeleteBrooklyn those are words of infinite wisdom! So Awesome!
ReplyDeleteAnd hey I just want to publicly apologize to my simulation team because I completely failed them. Sorry Andrew, Joe, Kelsea, Tyler and Jonathon.
But anyways I just wanted to say that I got so much out of General Conference this weekend. I've never learned so much, it was astounding to me! I noticed so many of the iliad themes in the talks, from pride to gratitude and humility and everything. It was amazing, if you didn't watch all of the sessions read them!
Okay, and here is a thought I had while summarizing all my iliad notes:
ReplyDeleteWhat Life Is All About
Achilles did know that when terrible things happen, we should not let our lives fall apart, but morn and then continue onward, striving to keep our spirits up. And so he decides to have a celebration in Patroclus’ honor, and during this celebration an even deeper lesson is learned.
Chariot races, wrestling, boxing, running, spear throwing and sword fighting are all included in the celebration conducted by Achilles. Prizes are awarded, and the spirits of the whole army are boosted.
It was throughout these events that the true spirit of camaraderie, kindness, nobility and honor were seen. In the Chariot race, a man named Antilochus had been given the lesser of the horses to race, however through strategy had beaten Menelaus and won a mule for second prize. However Menelaus takes offense at Antilochus’ strategem and demands he be award the mule. It is wise to note that the mule wasn’t the focus of the dispute but the honor of winning and proving themselves, whereupon; “Antilochus answered, "Forgive me; I am much younger, King Menelaus, than you are; you stand higher than I do and are the better man of the two; you know how easily young men are betrayed into indiscretion; their tempers are more hasty and they have less judgement; make due allowances therefore, and bear with me; I will of my own accord give
up the mare that I have won, and if you claim any further chattel from my own possessions, I would rather yield it to you, at once, than fall from your good graces henceforth, and do wrong in the sight of heaven."
Here Antilochus is genuinely humble before Menelaus and handles the situation with grace, and in doing so displays his nobility and honor. However at the same time, because he did not take offense at offense the entire disposition of Menelaus is changed and becomes that of humility and kindness as well. The book records; “The son of Nestor then took the mare and gave her over to Menelaus, whose anger was thus appeased; as when dew falls upon a field of ripening corn, and the lands are bristling with the harvest- even so, O Menelaus, was your heart made glad within you. He turned to Antilochus and said, "Now, Antilochus, angry though I have been, I can give way to you of my own free will; you have never been headstrong nor ill-disposed hitherto, but this time your youth has got the better of your judgement; be careful how you outwit your betters in future; no one else could have brought me round so easily, but your good father, your brother, and yourself have all of you had infinite trouble on my behalf; I therefore yield to your entreaty, and will give up the mare to you, mine though it indeed be; the people will thus see that I am neither harsh nor vindictive." And so it was!
In their competition they had fun, pushed each other to their limits, and went away better men, it was all for sport. They found that the outward manifestation of being awarded a prize was not the true goal, but the wholesome prize found within. For competing gave them a chance to prove their daring, honor and character in a manner, (in great contrast to the war), void of the cost of death.
Just like this circumstance, our lives here are like a great competition where we are testing ourselves and finding within ourselves the nobility we posses. In all we do and how we react, we determine the person we are. Therefore it is our sacred duty to ourselves, to act in accordance with the kind of person we want to become, by emulating the great people we learn about and by filling our lives with service and love towards others!
Well as I have been studying like mad and living life these past few weeks I observed an interesting tendency us humans have. It was sparked from the Chariot Race in the Iliad when Antilochus is being counseled by Nestor on how to win the race with his inferior steeds.
ReplyDeleteIn this Chariot Race five heroes enter and use their best horses. Naturally Achilles’ immortal steeds are driven by his squire, while horses taken in battle and other horses of the best breeds are used, however Antilochus has no such advantages. However in his wisdom he decides that he must be as efficient and smart about the race as possible if he is to do well.
Now, Mom and I were talking about how I didn’t think I would be able to get all my school work done even if I had 2-5 more hours of study, but she imparted to me a lesson she had learned in college. Efficiency is directly related to our ability to accomplish the task. The more we are able to accomplish a task, the less we must do to succeed and correspondingly try, whereas the less power and ability we posses to accomplish that thing, the harder and more efficiently we must work to win. How true that is! Why then do we not continually do our best, and work as hard and as efficiently as we know how all the time? What an interesting facet of human nature, one that could easily be improved in our lives.
Alright this was too big to do in one post so this and the next post are one and the same.
ReplyDeleteThis is the main theme and message of the Iliad according to me:
The recurring theme in the Iliad is that of pride, courage, strength, power, leadership, daring, bravery, death, war, hatred, revenge and humility (every here and there), however Homer reveals the culminating theme and lesson we should learn from the book in the last chapter during King Priam and Achilles’ confrontation when Priam goes to ask for Hector’s body.
Of all the meetings in the Iliad, between heroes and gods, this last one is the greatest. These two men who have suffered and lost loved ones at the hands of each other, who have become subject to much misery and sorrow from the uncontrolled vices of the other, and who care not for the life of the other, meet in the end in peace and humility. It reminded me of the story Judge Beistline tells of a girl who’s life was thrown into depression when 4 teenage boys stole her car and desecrated her life’s work.
Music she had written while experiencing her father’s death, term projects and much more were destroyed as these boys out on a thoughtless rampage threw them out the window of her car, shattering her life and causing her to lose all hope. Since then she had given up on her degree, worked in a bar and had no life plans. During the prosecution each young man was tried separately, and during the last young man’s trial, this lady went up to testify to the court. As she emotionally related her suffering a hush fell on the assembly, and all of a sudden through the silence was heard a forceful gasp of realization and grief. The young boy then broke down in tears of bitter sadness as he came to face this woman and the deep sorrow and hurt he had caused her. He’d never taken a second thought about what he had done in that car, that day they had hijacked it from the grocery store parking lot, except for the fact that they had stolen and driven recklessly and put the lives of others in danger; he had never intended or known that he had hurt someone so deeply. I’m sure he thought to himself, “My Life...What have I Done?! I’m so sorry...” After his sentence had been given and the court adjourned, the young lady went and gave Judge Beistline a hand shake, and then looking over to the poor young man with his father next to him, she began to approached them. The boy still in sobs caught her eye, and as she took the last few steps towards him, without a word, she opened her arms and wrapped this young man in a hug of grief, comfort, and sincere forgiveness. Then the father took both of them in his arms and together they wept; pausing time and eternity itself, to mark this moment where one so innocently wronged gave her full measure of compassion and forgiveness, in Christlike love.
This scene played before my eyes as Achilles and King Priam met, and in a deeper form than outward expression, made amends and found respect for each other through the silent forgiveness accompanied by love, humility and understanding. Understanding that we are all human and are imperfect and make mistakes; understanding that in our heart of hearts our deepest desire is to love others. Amidst this battle field on the Trojan plain was seen the heart of the human soul.
In similar circumstances, on a glorious Christmas Day over 30 centuries later, it was seen again; yet in a different form, as British and German soldiers played soccer together between their two opposing trenches; trenches unable to separate these humans from their one common tie.
ReplyDeleteAlthough no effort to prolong and establish this momentary peace between the British and the Germans, as well as the Trojans and the Acheans occurred, could not it have happened? If everyone cared, if all could forgive, if we could just taste of the joyous peace, love and compassion readily offered to all who are humble, meek and lowly in heart, how different life would be. Yet is that not the human quest, when all is said and done, to seek after this?
The ultimate example of forgiveness, humility and love was shown by Christ our Savior as he atoned for our sins and died for us all. His suffering was unimaginably painful, however he did it because he loves each and every one of us. In Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-19 it says;
16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;
17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;
18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit-and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink-
19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.
His infinite atonement for our imperfections made it possible for all of us to return to Him again and bask in his love, and how magnificently powerful that is! There has never been a purer manifestation of love, than His.
Perhaps throughout our lives, we have been misled or have come to misunderstand how to find joy; but as we learn and grow and humble ourselves, more, and more of this joy, this Pure Love of Christ is imparted to us. We saw in the Iliad how pride, power, lust, greed, revenge, hatred and malice bring sorrow and the down fall of many a good man, and perhaps Homer was not even attempting to portray this, but simply give an accurate relation of the story. However as one continues to study stories, history and life today, a common conclusion can be drawn. Above all the goodly powers we seek after, powers of strength, might, courage, bravery, daring, leadership, and will, Love, Pure Love, is the greatest of all!
I really enjoyed the simulation today! A shout out to all my group members for doing such a freaking awsome job! you guys were amazing and really pulled it together at the last minute, and did a spectacular job!
ReplyDeleteSo...........I just finished the Odessey, and it was amazing! I just really felt like I could relate to him, and he was inspirational about how to deal with things in my life right now. Its all about perseverance!
i love our assignment for social leadership! it has been an amazing experience! definitely has brought me closer to God:) i got to experience something awesome!i cant wait to share it with all of u!!!
ReplyDeleteJeremy, World Lit
ReplyDeleteWow David, not sure what else to say... I'm blown away.
One thing I found while reading your thoughts is that you always put a positive interpretation on things. I see Menelaus being a prideful bigot who is only pacified because Antilochus is a better man than I, and you see brotherhood.
Repeatedly in your past post's you have illuminated the "virtues" of some hero or other that I saw only as a villain. It makes me wonder: Am I too harsh or are you just deluded?
If you are deluded is it bad to see people's actions in a better light than is realistic? Don't I always argue (to myself and at least once here on the blog) that realism is overrated and inclined to make the world a worse rather than better place?
I certainly have a lot to think about now, I can always count on you guys for that much, Thank You, and keep posting!
Nathan,
ReplyDeleteYou question asking what the subject is for the Peer Reviewed Essay #1 for World Lit is a good one. The answer is simple. It can be on anything related to the class or to world history. It ought to be on a subject of human nature, philosophy, literature, government, etc... Expound and elaborate on some key point we have discussed or that you have learned from your reading.
Although you may have specific assignments in the future, this particular paper is open as discussed above.
Dr. Groft
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteJeremy, World lit
ReplyDeleteTyler,
If all you intend to do is restate the same argument again and again while ignoring all arguments made against you, then I don't see any reason to continue this discussion. I have already answered what seems to be your only argument, as has David before me. Unless you have something new to say, I will now consider the matter closed.
A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be. ~Rosalynn Carter
ReplyDeleteThis quote is exaclty what our mentors (the great leaders) are trying to do for us…take us to the place we "ought to be”, take us to the knowledge and wisdom that we need to gain.
However, this truth does not help when you have a crappy week and all you want is to sleep and stop reading! I get that…entirely. But, I also know that if I do the work, or at least do all I can to get it done, then I will get to where I need to go…even if sometimes, I really really want to stop the journey...So I guess my advice is simply this, trust that you are headed in the right direction and just keep walking, slow and steady, until the day is done. ;)
-Layne Wixom, Social Leadership
i love our writing workshop we have on mondays! lis is my first essay i wrote for it!
ReplyDeleteSelf Worth:
Everyone makes mistakes. It is a basic human frailty. The book, “The Scarlet Letter” is a perfect example of making mistakes, but also on fixing them. I have learned three very important lessons from Hester Prynne. To forgive yourself of your sins, to be confident, strong and proud, and discovering self worth.
We are living in a time where people think they have to do “good deeds” to get into heaven, and when we sin, we think there is no longer any hope for us. When the truth is, we need to learn to forgive ourselves of our sins, and when we do, so will God. Its not an easy task to forgive yourself, and it might take a lifetime before you do, but when you accomplish this, there is not a greater feeling. In the book, it took Hester Prynne 7 years to forgive herself of her sins. Reverend Dimmesdale and her are sitting in the forest, when Hester reveals the sin she has done. After some regret, she realizes that what she did was right, and that she is forgiven.
Confidence is defined in the dictionary as, belief in oneself and ones powers or abilities. It is so easy to say, but for some people its very hard to do. Why do we care so much about what other people think of us? This is something I can sometimes struggle with. When Hester Prynne first stepped out the front door of the jail, with the letter “A” on her bosom, there was no sign of disgrace. She stood in front of the crowd and looked so beautiful and confident. She did not care what others thought of her. That was a very powerful moment.
Self worth comes from within. If you don't respect yourself, how can you expect others to respect you? When you don't have self worth, people can stomp all over you and make you feel like dirt. If you don't respect yourself, you can get hurt, into trouble, and people will use you. Self worth is so extremely important to have. Hester had a lot of self worth. When people talked about her or made fun of her, she didn't care. She was never hateful towards the people who hurt her, and she never let anyone “use” her. To have a characteristic like self worth is beautiful.
Everyone makes mistakes. “The Scarlet Letter,” teaches people to forgive themselves of their sins, to be confident, and to discover self worth. There is so much we can learn from this book. As the great author Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote:-
“ON A FIELD, SABLE, THE LETTER A. GLUES”
that's awesome! but I have a question (who are you??)
ReplyDeleteSo I have been posting on the September blog :P and just thought that everyone was taking a break from the blog but, as it turns out I was just on the wrong week :P
The Simulation was AWESOME!!!
great job group!!!!!
I LOVED the Odyssey I noticed that is is divided into three parts
1. the beginning Telemachus and his problems also odyssey leaving Calypso's island and meeting the Phoenicians
2. Odysseus actual adventures (before calypso)and him returning to Illus also Telemachus trip and return
3. Telemachus and Odysseus meting and plotting revenge on the suitors
though it seems like it would be the smallest the third part is actually the biggest I think also the part which you would expect to be the biggest (2) is in fact the smallest
I just thought that this was interesting
Well Jeremy, you bring up an interesting thought there.
ReplyDeleteI would say that perhaps the bad in people sticks out to you, and good sticks out to me. However people are not just good or bad, we all have a mix of both, but the concentration of each solute differs for every solution, and I admit that we should recognize and honestly try to see both sides of each person.
When I read the books, I find it very helpful to note the good things in people as well as the effect that their characteristics bring about; wether they are leaders, courageous, brave, smart, wise, humble, just, forgiving, understand and ultimately happy and at peace in their lives. I just find it important so I can draw from them and apply the good things they do. I mean thats why I read books now.
However not to overlook or seem demeaning of your style, I acknowledge and agree that it is also important to note the bad and undesirable characteristics that are seen as well as the good. Then we can view the big picture by the contrast, gaining enlightenment from the great men, and acquiring caution against the bad.
If I seem to gloss over the bad aspects of the characters, I deem it only because I feel the good things are worth learning from and remembering, for how can we be bad if we are good? That sounds quite close minded and out of touch with reality, I guess I just like being positive. But I will try to note deficiencies and be more critical, because I would not want to lull myself into insecurity by conceiving all humans as having pure motives and overall goodness. Although life would be very pleasant if that were the case.
Jeremy World lit
ReplyDeleteHmm, I see an interesting opportunity here...
David,
If being positive consists of seeing the good in others, why would you want to see the bad? By seeing only the good in people you accomplish many things of great worth. Let me see if I can persuade you.
The first thing you accomplish is to cultivate good in your own mind.
Good counsel it is to watch what thoughts/sounds/images you let into your mind. In Doctrine and Covenants section 121:45 it says: "Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God". By recognizing only the virtues in the people around you, you reduce the amount of time that you are thinking of vice and the process goes: Thoughts, words, actions. Remember the lesson of Saruman who, by delving to deeply into the Enemy, was caught in the snare of his own wisdom, and became a smaller copy the very evil he was sent to fight.
Secondly, you lift up those around you.
When you see people as being good. Better, perhaps, than they think themselves to be even, you exert a kind of pressure on them. Call it positive peer pressure if you will. They know how you see them (at least in part), you betray it in the way you react to them. When you talk to them, when they show up somewhere you didn't expect them to be, your tone of voice when you say hi, whether you even do say hi, your smile, your body posture and dozens of other small indicators all send them messages with information on what you think about them in your, suddenly, not so private thoughts. When you think well of someone they pick up on it and instinctively try to live up to your expectations feeling shame if they don't. But if you think badly of someone they can instinctively try to live up to that too. Your bad opinion also gives them an excuse they can use to justify their actions to themselves.
Third and finally, you brighten your own mood and consequently, the moods of all those who come in contact with you.
By criticizing others, even in the confines of your own mind, you can easily irritate yourself without the other person even knowing they crossed your thoughts. When you criticize someone to yourself you do so either out of irritation that they are not better, or to glory in the fact that they are imperfect (perhaps because you don't like them). In the first instance your mood is ruined by angry irritation (He knows better than to swear!, She needs to stop bullying people!); and in the second instance, you bring your thinking down to the level of the devil, for is it not his goal to make everyone "miserable like unto himself" (2 Nephi 2:27). On the other side of things, when you see the good in someone, it lifts you up (Wow, that was a really nice thing to do!, or, "That guy's a good guy!") you feel inspired and you bring your emotions closer to joy and happiness, which inspires and uplifts anyone who lays eyes on you, and especially anyone you talk to, your emotions show whatever you may think, they show.
So, in conclusion, by seeing the good in others you purify your thoughts, words, and actions; you exert positive and constructive pressure on others to do what is right; and you make, not only yourself, but those around you, happier. Seeing the worthy things you can accomplish with a positive approach to the attributes of others, perhaps you will rethink your decision to try and see their negative points.
I just finished the Odyssey (: I really liked it and marked it more than I have any other book there is a lot of good stuff in it. I am excited to discuss it in class!
ReplyDeleteit was last Monday, but the simulation was so cool guys!!! Good job to everyone and yay for discussing the Odyssey today!
ReplyDeleteYAY!!!! yes the Simulation was AWESOME and the odyssey was awesome too!
ReplyDeleteYes Jeremy! That was so good! I agree completely and have believed that for a long time. It is important to understand and realize the reality of evil around us, however you are so right in that we must hold on to and strive to see the good. Only then can we always uplift those we come in contact with, yourself and the lives of all! Thats just so great! Wonderful Man. :)
ReplyDeleteLayne, I love the quote you gave about being a leader, and the a Great leader and how they both lead the people. So True!!
ReplyDeleteSquid28, about your comment of Self Worth, I know of a scripture that goes right along with that, you may already know it but its Doctrine and Covenants 18: 10-16.
To Meg the Conqueror and Sarah Hardy: Thank you so much for guiding our group in the World History Simulation, you guys are great leaders. And Everybody, in our group, and in the other groups all did AMAZING!! Thank you all for what you said and the spirit you brought into class.
Ok, lastly I just wanted to point out something said in Heroes of History, page 139: "The aristocrats who had been deprived of their wonted powers could not be mollified by his (Caesar's) pardoning their past resestance; It is Difficult to Forgive Forgiveness." Just a thought to leave with you - you don't have to comment - Why is that?
what was the topic, or is there one for the writing assignment Friday?
ReplyDeletethe topic is: something having to do with anything we have read or discuses in class
ReplyDeleteAlright Jeremy, I think I finally got it!
ReplyDelete-Observe how good character is developed; in doing so we will be able to draw from within ourselves the divine goodness we posses from birth. We do not care to know how bad character is cultivated, for is that not just the process of losing the character we have developed and shaped? Although it is important to realize there is evil out there and we can let it consume ourselves, we must beware of how it is introduced, and not necessarily study and indulge in the workings of it for that only impedes and drags us down.
Do you agree?
David,
ReplyDelete"Observe how good character is developed; in doing so we will be able to draw from within ourselves the divine goodness we posses from birth."
Say rather the potential of divine goodness, and yes I agree.
"it is important to realize there is evil out there"
Yes.
"and we can let it consume ourselves"
This wording doesn't convey (what I assume is) your meaning very well.
Could we say "and it could potentially consume us" instead?
Although it is important to realize there is evil out there and we can let it consume ourselves, we must beware of how it is introduced, and not necessarily study and indulge in the workings of it for that only impedes and drags us down.
Yes, I think.
This sentence isn't very clear, but I think you mean: We need to be aware of the existence of evil so we can avoid it, but we shouldn't try to learn about the methods and details of it's workings as they will tend to start showing up in our own thoughts and actions.
Is that (roughly) what you meant? If so I agree.
I'm Aurora from the Social Leadership class.
ReplyDeleteI was commenting to say that as I am reading the comments that the rest of you have posted, it's making me think. Although not all of you are in my social leadership, and I'm not reading the same things as you, I am kind of understanding, and I'm learning from your comments. Thanks for you insights because they're strengthening the people reading them :)
As I am doing my assignment #3 for Social Leadership, I have been thinking about what a big impact one person has on the world. And even just a small act of kindness can make such a big difference. The kinder you are, the bigger difference it is. It reminds me of the Butterfly effect, or the Ripple effect. What we are doing is being observed by someone, even if we may not know it. :)
so i suppose i should post. i really need someone to call (assignmenmt 2 PerLed) so if you are looking for a partner too, PLEASE let me know! i am really looking forward to the meeting tonight. it would be nice to get off the computer every once in a while:)
ReplyDeleteare we supposed to have our proposal for assig. three done by friday? i am getting really lost in the leadership class:)
anyway, just thought i'd say hi.
well, I am frantically finishing my essay for tomorrow :D
ReplyDeleteI have been pondering as to what makes a hero, the difference between a legend and a hero, and what IS a hero...
**in announcer voice** FOR ALL THIS AND MORE!!! TUNE IN TO: "WORLD LITERATURE!!!"
this is my first try at the new way of writting papers so do not me too harsh! haha well I enjoyed writting it anyway so here it is.
ReplyDeleteMaster Your Passion and Proud Temper
Life is made up of many things, things to ether over come and master or things to enjoy. Anger is one
of the things to overcome, passion is one to master for without passion life would have no purpose.
Anger overrules commonsense and leaves no room for the inner self to lead, passion is sometimes blind
but is inspiring and motivating. To master oneself is the hardest task of all but reaps the greatest
reward. In each person liys the ability to achieve self mastery.
Anger is one of the most popular emotions it can control and motivate choices, it has the ability
to cloud and take away the more gentle and forgiving part of the human coconscious. Anger is the
product of fear, to fear is to not trust, to not trust is to have no faith and without faith there is no hope.
Therefore to overcome anger trust is the central key. Trust that everything will come out alright in
the end, trust that there is a purpose behind everything that happens.
Passion can be a fools companion as in when a man seeks after something blindly simply because he
in a manner of speaking lusts after it to give him enjoyment or pleasure. A passion for life, for creating
and building that is the passion to seek and when found hold to. Everyone inside has a desire to create
to build and to become better. Build on this desire and turn it into a passion and nothing can stop what
will come from it.
Self mastery is an essential part of progression to control our selves truly is a God like trait. Man is
given his agency and according to what he thinks dues and gives he is judged. The greatest reward a
person can have is to know that they have concord themselves and are in control of their own life and
where that life is going. Self mastery is possible and it is a prize worth wining.
So to summaries anger is created by fear and is controlled by trust, it can blind the better side of
anyone. Passion gives life propose and can be a strong influencer for good but also for evil it is a choice,
it all depends on what is most wanted out of life. To gain self mastery is what life is about to learn to
control our thoughts, actions, emotions, and how to treat others the way they deserve to be treated. It
is worth the fight!
ahh it ruined it ): it is all messed up that makes me mad! oh well ):
ReplyDeletethat is AWESOME Brooklyn!!!
ReplyDeleteI love that, there in anger and then there is self mastery one can be used to go somewhere fast but it won;t go where we want to go (anger)
whereas self control inspiration and faith may not get us anywhere as fast but it will get us to the thing we TRULY want
I loved it :D
thank you! you just made my morning!! (:
ReplyDeleteI just want to say that class today (world history) was amazing. There were so many different things in that document I wish we had more time to discuss it. And I will definitely be sharing that document with my parents.
ReplyDeleteKelsea McBrayer (World History)
Oh my goodness! I just found the October thread! durf! So my brain officially dropped out of my head, and I missed the meeting last night so I was watching it today and wow! That was awesome! I am making myself a quota now, and not only do I plan to make it, but I want to surpass it by far! It really helped me get my day started and I am going to push myself so hard now.
ReplyDeletemy name is Seth Farr and I am from social leadership
ReplyDeleteI finally got my google account set up so I can post now,
who all thought that 'the light at the end of the tunnel is not a train is not a train was helpful? I know I did! I really related to the success cycle, I can see when I was in the excitement phase and for SURE that I am in the dissatisfaction phase right now, thanks all you mentors!
That was a great class world lit. Those essays were great! I thought it was incredible how themes in the ancients work were so applicable to those of the modern era. Even though in history classes and such they are titled as different situations they have a lot in common. The essays on hubris and the Greek focus on that as one of the most damaging vices to society was were very thought provoking. good job world lit!
ReplyDeleteHAHA! Christal, the EXACT same thing happened to me!!!! I did not find the October thread till Tuesday or something... :P
ReplyDeleteI missed the Light at the end of the tunnel class so will have to watch that recording on friday...
but I heard the Satisfaction cycle lecture last year and LOVED it! it helped me out SO much earlier this week I was Definitely in dissatisfaction phase but I finally started outlining and did my essay and I am pulling out into the transition phase because I did more work...
I am hoping to get into production phase befor mid terms last year it took me until the very end of the fourth semester to get into it but if I get into it now I will do awesome at midterms...
sadly once you do midterms or finals it usually bumps you back to either the excitement phase or the dissatisfaction phase again...
I Really liked the essays given in WL and I liked the document we went through in WH
also ALL of the Projects are awesome!!!
speaking of projects I am going to finalize mine in like 45 min!!!
now I can end this endless rant...
/rant
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletehere is my essay
ReplyDeleteTyler Gwynn
Andrew Groft
World History Class
7 Oct 2010
Reason & Revelation
Equal Partners
One must find balance between reason and revelation to lead a balanced , virtuous life.
Some might ask, “Is there a balance between reason and revelation?” Yes ,there is a balance between reason and revelation. Others might ask, “Is revelation more important than reason?” or “Is reason more important than revelation?” Through pondering, research and simple asking one could find a balance. That balance is reason and revelation are equal partners and to leave out one makes the other incomplete.
A people cannot rely on reason alone, nor can a people rely on revelation alone. Both must used with wisdom and treat them as equal partners. Our life becomes out of balance if one is put above the other. Some might argue that this is sacrilegious because religion should be the most important thing in our lives. But if we did not think highly of reason, what would mankind be? Mere animals and than what good would religion be? Mankind would have no use for it since they would be animals. Reason is what made us to want and need revelation.
In Doctrine and Covenants 109:14 it reads “....seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom, seek learning even by study and also by faith.” Now what is reason? Reason is logic. To use logic, we study problems out and reason through the problems. The word study could be substituted with reason. How do we get revelation? We have to have faith to get revelation. Than the word faith in this scripture could be substituted with revelation.
Abraham Lincoln said “.... Take all that you can [from the Bible] upon reason, and the balance on faith and you will live and die a happier man.” Human reason, if not held equal with revelation, is incomplete. Ancient Greece valued reason above revelation. Homosexuality became the way of life for most Greeks. The customs of Ancient Greece, for the most part, prohibited women from getting an education. The men of Greece turned to other men for discussion on academic subjects, so it seemed reasonable for the Greek men to turn to other men to satisfy their carnal desires. Homosexuality leads to the gradual down fall of a society by causing the death rate to rise above the birth rate.
Thomas Jefferson said “ Reason and free inquiry are the only effectual agents against error.” What does Jefferson mean by free inquiry? Inquiring is questioning anything. So we could question and reason to find error. Whom should we inquire? We can inquire man or we could inquire Heavenly Father. For the most part, if we inquire man, we would be receiving reason. But who has all power and is all knowing? Who could see the beginning to the end? Our Heavenly Father can. So isn’t it reasonable that we should inquire to Heavenly Father for revelation? I am not putting words in Jefferson’s mouth. This is just the way I interpret Jefferson’s quote.
It is my firm belief that reason and revelation go together as equal partners. If reason is held in more esteem in a society than revelation, then morality decreases. If religion is held in more esteem than reason, than religion is not complete for reason is what makes a man want and need revelation.
THAT IS AWESOME!!!
ReplyDeleteI loved that essay...
I suppose that I should post mine here...
Jonathan Peterson World Lit. Essay
ReplyDeletePart 1
Considered by many to be the deadliest sin, pride has an empowering effect, which is hard to overcome. Looking back we can find excellent examples of both of those whose pride has been mastered and others who have permitted this sin to infiltrate their character. Pride arrives wrapped in packages to both individuals and social societies knowing this, the great question is how do we overcome the pride of both the individual and society?
Firstly, how does pride affect the individual? In order to find pride in the individual it is necessary to understand what pride is. Ezra Taft Benson stated. ‘The central feature of pride is enmity-enmity toward God and enmity toward our fellowmen.’ The enmity shown to God can only be because pride allows men to believe that they have accomplished wealth, wisdom, fame, etc… without the help of a divine being.
Caesar’s destruction was his pride. When he first decided as emperor to appear in the senate on the Ideas of April, his wife Calpurnia pleaded with him to remain at home, but when Caesar’s ‘dear friend’ and soon to be assassin Brutus asked, ‘what is this, Caesar? Are you a man to pay attention to women’s dreams and the idle gossip of stupid men, and to insult the Senate by not going out?” Thus the dictator because of his pride in himself went and became the assassinated.
As pride progresses important restraints begin to be lowered allowing for greater leeway for character flaws. This is emphasized by the first characteristic of pride, idleness that leads to lifestyle of carelessness and wasteful living. Benjamin Franklin Said. ‘Idleness and pride tax with a heavier hand than kings and governments.’ When laziness takes its toll characters soon become selfish and self-centered. To view this properly a look in the characters of Laban and Lemuel (the brothers of Nephi) show Idleness, which is turned to selfishness. Laban and Lemuel begin with disobedience to God and His laws this soon leads a hatred for Nephi, whose righteous and humble example is contradictory to those of his brothers. Because the two brothers hatred for Nephi, the brothers split to two separate nations with Laman and Lemuel’s people become the Lamanites an idolatrous and lazy people while Nephi’s people being Nephites are hard working and moral. These two nations will fight continually till the Nephites are completely destroyed. Allowing pride to consume their character, Laman and Lemuel lead a life that negatively affected generations to follow.
Jonathan Peterson
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Next, Societies have always been vulnerable to pride and many have fallen because of it. An excellent example to this being Rome whose society could not with stand the great pride which soon lead to their destruction. At the peak of its power, the Roman Empire had developed its dominion from Tarraconensis (Spain) to Mesopotamia (Turkey)! This empire had risen like no other! Its might had defied all! This mighty Republic had stood and was expected to stand to any threat, but as the society began to boast, they began to create the atmosphere of pride. Quickly enough nations within and without began separating and dividing leaving a shell of a once proud empire huddled around hopes of the future. Inspecting the individual pride problems, Laziness and immorality where key problems, these can also be tied to societies.
‘The idleness of princes and the faithlessness of ministers will ruin an empire, although founded upon the blood of ever so many brave men.’ These words spoken by Niccolo Machiavelli express exactly how Rome’s might fell. The great historian and author, Will Durant supplies knowledge of the Romans Senators when pride had consumed their lives. ‘Senators and business magnates competed in luxurious display, while revolt brewed in provinces and men starved in the slums. Senators lounged in bed till noon.’ He then continues. ‘Eating was now the chief occupation of upper-class Romans: “everything good.” Said Metrodous, “had reference to the belly.’
Rome also had a significant problem with morality. They no longer obeyed God[s] rather they began to follow the pride of their passions, which left them unbridled to moral codes. Durant observed. ‘Despite increasing competition from women and men, prostitutes were plentiful. Adultery was common, and women divorced their husbands as readily as men their wives.’ Rome’s decay gradually fell upon them because of their pride.
So, now we ask how do individuals and societies overcome pride? Humility. When humility is shown by the individual and society, people prosper and worry only about building rather than destroying laws and commandments.
Hey everybody,
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Gabe
so... I have been catching up on outlining (sheepish grin) :)
ReplyDeleteand I was at the part about abraham and it doesn't even mention Isaac or Ishmael!!!! it says and I quote
" Abraham's oldest son, Jacob, we are told wrestled with god..."
Abraham's OLDEST SON WAS NOT JACOB!!!! his oldest son was Ishmael! of course his COVENANT son was Isaac but that doesn't really matter
HE DID NOT MENTION EITHER OF THEM... silly Mr. Durant... :(
anybody have a reason why? or is it a typo? or what?
Nate, Great catch! Wow!
ReplyDeleteWow Tyler and Jon, your essays were awesome! Great job with them!
ReplyDeleteWhat exactly are we supposed to write our mid-term essay's on in literature?
ReplyDeleteJohn, World Lit.
Choice
ReplyDeleteAndrew Greenman
A man is defined by his decisions. He becomes the man he chooses to be. What happens when man doesn’t know what he wants to be? He looses purpose. When a man looses purpose, the consequences, good or bad, of his choices do not seem important to him. He sells his divinity for temporal pleasure.
Life is about progress! Nature has given us examples of this in its very existence. A seed, planted, with the right nurturing can grow to a tree a million times as big as that seed. We can’t be perfect, but through progression we can inevitably become perfect. Progression comes down to choice, and choice alone. A choice is simply a decision to hold your ground as you take a step forward, or to back off leaving a portion of your virtue behind. Virtue is a fruit of good choices and also a tool to make better choices. Immorality, the loss of all morals, is a vice, a vice that befalls bad choices; and further, makes it harder to progress in life.