And Now for Something Happier...

Enough with that uber depressing bit of self-wallow.  So I've decided something.  I've decided I'm going to be a Scriptorian.  Without the education.  I'm going to be self taught.  Basically, I've decided I'm going to read all the scriptures and all the commentary on the scriptures I can find, and then I'm going to blog about it.  Because I think it would be peachy keen.  And it would keep this blog from being a serious downer, because let's face it: we all have hard times, and I have found in my little life that I always feel so much better after I read the scriptures.

 For example, I don't like that we don't have a lot of money.  I like to shop.  I'm not like a Shopaholic, or anything serious like that, I just really enjoy the alone time and trying on clothes and feeling new.  I don't feel exhilarated by finding a deal, I don't like making my own laundry soap or bath wash, I don't particularly like the veggies I get from Bountiful Baskets (Bok Choy?  Really?  When is a 3 year old going to eat anything called Bok Choy?), and I don't like cheap shoes.  Granted, sales are great.  I shop sales, but I don't get my jollies from it.  And I don't enjoy couponing.  I can't figure it out, because it's stupid for me to buy something I never use, simply because I can get .30 off two.  I know, I know, you fit your menu to the coupon.  I've heard.  Guess what?  I don't want to.

So.  I feel like this a lot, and it has a tendency to get me depressed, but then I read the scriptures.  There is a lot of good things about poor people in the scriptures.  "Blessed are the poor who are pure in heart" (D&C 56:18).  "...the poor and the meek shall inherit the earth" (D&C 88:17).  And that's not including the B of M, the Bible, and the Pearl of Great Price.  We poor people must be pretty great.  That's not to say that rich people aren't, because when poor people are righteous, they always get more money, and then comes the pride, and then the humbling, and then it starts all over again.

So I figure, I'm poor now, I'm trying really hard to be righteous, so, according to scripture (and history), I should be rich at some point in the future right?  And then, all I have to do when I hit that point is to make sure I give a lot of my money back to the poor and be even MORE righteous (because when much is given, much is required), and avoid that whole pride-humbling-riches-cycle thing.  And go shopping somewhere in there, because, as we all know, "men are that they might have joy" (2 Nephi 2:25), and shopping brings me joy.  Now, when I think of all that, I don't feel so bad, because, according to the scriptures, I'm pretty great because I'm poor.  And, according to the scriptures, I'm going to be rich someday.

That thought makes me happy, and I've decided that I would like to write weekly posts about my insights on the scriptures or Gospel principle I've been studying or whatever.

Now, I don't want everyone to think that I'm teaching doctrine here, or that I'm treating the scriptures irreverently, because I'm not.  I'm just having a little fun to keep my spirits up, and underneath all the joking, there is truth--both physical (money) and spiritual (faith).  And I believe that Heavenly Father wants my life to be joyful.  I don't think that money will make me happy,  but I do think that money will give me more options in my life, and alleviate a lot of stress.  So there you go.

My point here, though, is that scriptures and the Gospel help me choose to be happy.  So I have decided I'm going to blog about those happy moments as I strive to educate myself more on the doctrine.

I want to be perfectly clear, and read this a couple of times:  I am not an authority on Mormon Doctrine.  I'm not proposing here that everything I think, feel, or write on this blog is Mormon Doctrine.  This, quite simply, is going to be The Gospel According to Sarah, so take it for what it's worth--not a lot.

I love the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  I admit that the unique culture of Utah has its challenges, but it also has its rewards, and I'll probably write about both.  Therefore, if you choose to comment, I am going to lay out a couple of rules, and they apply to Mormons and Non-Mormons alike:

1.  No being mean.  Period.  I don't care if you're being mean to me or to another commenter.  No Meanies.  I'm serious.

2.  No Mormon Bashing.  I, being a Mormon, tend to like them and will defend them.  This is my blog, and I will say what I want.  If you want to Mormon Bash, do it on your own blog.

3.  Discussion, questions, challenges, and counter points are encouraged.  However, I would ask that you phrase your questions in a way that will facilitate discussion, not defensive arguments.

4.  I have the right to delete your comments.  These posts are meant to be uplifting and light-hearted, and I WILL NOT tolerate meanies.

5.  I have a sense of humor, and sometimes that comes across when I analyze scripture (as seen above). I am not trying to be flippant or blasphemous or disrespectful.  I'm just trying to be me.  So, if your comments are to tell me that I'm not righteous enough, I'm not interested.  Don't waste your time.  I'll delete you.

So.  I don't really think anything I have to say will be important enough for my posts to be a big deal or whatever, and I'm pretty sure that everyone who reads my blog won't need these rules--I don't know any meanies.  I'm just laying them out there.

I don't really have a plan for what I'm going to read, or when I'm going to read it, but I hope to make it a weekly post, so tune in.  Maybe in the future, I will have some sort of syllabus.  Until then, remember: it's okay to be poor.  Just keep working hard and being righteous so that someday you will be rich.

P.S.  Because of my new feature, I will start moderating comments, just to keep everyone from being a Meanie.