Federalist Papers

I've read some of it, but it hasn't completely captured my interest. For me it's more of a long-term project to read in bits and pieces. And by long-term I mean more than a month. ;-) It might be better to read in conjuction with the anti-federalist papers (over time) because they were debating/responding to each other. At least, that's what I've heard.

Federalist

I'm reading it!  I'm almost halfway through.  But, it's a book I think you can read and overlap with another book.  So if we start reading Robinson Crusoe, I'll still join along.  I have lots to comment on with the Federalist.  I'm not liking the format of the Essential Federalist (the copy I have) because it's just a bunch of quotes all pasted together, so complete thoughts don't seem to always be formed.  Still, it's been good for me to branch out. 

I guess you can say dog training is similar to country shaping?!?! 

Federalist Papers

I've read about twenty dog training books this month. Does that count?

Welcome back!

And congratulations! As far as I know we're still reading The Federalist Papers. At least I finally finished the introduction. Anybody read further?? Anyone? I just ask because if no one is reading it, then maybe we should move on. However, if people are still reading it, I'll continue too.

I'm Back

Hello all! Well, I am finally back into the swing of life... I think. My daughter is two months old now and I am just now begining to feel like I can accomplish stuff on my to do list. Anyway, I am excited to start reading again.
Which book is for June? Are we still reading the federalist papers or was that may?

Zion

I did the same thing in preparation for that talk I mentioned before.  It really is quite an enlightening exercise and I'm glad you're learning so much.  You know, it's funny any time I'm studying and come across a quote or verse about love I think, "Andrea probably loved that one!" or "Andrea would really like that quote."  Funny!  The biggest thing I learned from the heart exercise revolved around the word "esteem" as well.  Esteeming ourselves above or below others AND esteeming others' opinions above God's opinion.  That's where the heart became the center for me.  What do I feel in my heart and making that feeling the same as what God would have me think or feel.  I have one particular child who I have worked diligently with on the whole "hard-heartedness" thing.  We've studied that idea in length together and then it's a simple reminder for both of us when she (or I) are in that more hardened state of mind.  Anyway, just my thoughts on your thoughts.  Thanks for sharing!  JULIA

Pure Heart

One of the challenges in the heart book is to read all the scriptures in the topical guide under "heart." I'm almost done and it has been a very interesting/enlightening experience. I've learned a few things (or solidified a few things).

First, the term "pure in heart" doesn't just pertain to morality/virtue. In fact, and this is probably because of my age, but what stood out to me most is that pure in heart means lots of things including motivation/desire.

For example, Proverbs 17:22, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he . . ." or Hebrews 4:12 which says that God is a ". . . discerner of the thought and intents of the heart" with "intents" here linked to "motivations" by a footnote. How about James 4:8, " . . . purify your hearts, ye double-minded." It is saying that hypocrisy or the desire to do something other than what we are doing rests in our hearts. God can see our intentions as clearly as our actions. I'm pretty sure those with pure intentions, those with a strong desire to do right, receive grace and get counted among the pure in heart despite mistakes.

Pure in heart can also be connected to turning to the Lord (softening your heart), turning away from the Lord (hardening your heart or losing your desire to obey and believe), embracing the commandments, feeling the joy of the Atonement, being taught by the Spirit, and communing with God. I didn't realize that in the scriptures our spirituality or spiritual health is all talked about through the word "heart." Obviously, the scriptural heart is the center of all things spiritual while the physical heart can, arguably, be the center of our physical health. More symbolism?

These scriptures are amazing in their range. 1 Samuel 7:3, ". . . prepare your hearts unto the Lord." In other words, if you want to be taught by the Spirit, you have to purify your life.

1 Samuel 16:7, ". . . for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearane, but the Lord looketh on the heart." The Lord cares about our spiritual health.

Ezra 7:10, "For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it . . .." Clearly, Ezra's motivations/desires were pure and he wanted to follow belief with action. (Did everyone else know there was a biblical Ezra and I'm just not much of a scriptorian?)

Proverbs 17:22, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine." Our joy in the Savior is rooted in our "heart."

Proverbs 17:3, "The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but, the Lord trieth the hearts." To the Lord everything is spiritual, but we forget that sometimes. All trials are a test of our desires/beliefs/faith/willingness to obey, and all those other things that are rooted in our hearts.

Isaiah 51:7, "Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law . . .." This one seems important. If our spiritual center is our heart, then the commandments had better be emblazoned there, with the requisite desire to follow through. If only a few commandments are imprinted on our hearts or if the commandments are only resting there, then it will be easy for our hearts to harden.

Ezekial 11:19-20 says something like, "God will take out my stony heart and give me a heart of flesh." Or, God will help me want to believe and then to believe.

Matt 6:21, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Matt 11: 28-30, "Come unto me and I will give you rest/all ye that labor/for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest (that was a paraphrase)." Jesus is meek and lowly in heart because his desires/motivations are perfectly aligned with Heavenly Father. He isn't kicking against this commandment or this one or why isn't my life going the way I planned. Also, His motives are completely pure--He just wants to help us. When we go to him we find rest because there is nothing of competition or angling. He loves us purely and unselfishly.

Luke 24:32 says that we feel the Holy Ghost in our "hearts." If we want revelation, if we want confirmation, we have to fix our hearts. Romans 10:10, "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness . . .."

John 12:40, "Let not your heart be troubled." If we've given our hearts to the Savior, we need to let a lot of worry go. If we're asking for and receiving revelation, our lives will go where they should. We might feel sorrow, but we shouldn't feel fear.

Acts 2:37, "pricked in their hearts." Our conscience also lives in our "hearts."

Acts 4: 32, "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart . . .." " . . . because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Romans 5:5. Ephesians 3:16-21, ". . . that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend . . . and to know the love of Christ." When we are pure in heart we want to take care of others and our ability to feel love and give love increases.

I have no summary remark. I haven't finished reading all the scriptures yet, but seeing my "heart" as my spiritual center helps me visualize whether or not it is healthy and open, or shut down. Good stuff.

Interests

Reading, reading, reading...
Playing and coaching basketball
Cooking(new interest due to new dietary needs)and Nutrition
Strengthening relationships around me
Ice Cream
Traveling anywhere I have money to go
Museums and Zoos
Hiking and camping
Singing in choirs, solos, anything and anywhere I can; especially in the car :)
Genealogy and Family History stories(are they the same?)
Learning about other peoples lives (sorry if I ask too many questions-I am fascinated by this)
Babies and young children
Hugs

I am sure I can think of more but half of them are the same as the ones already stated.

Amber :)

Interests

Reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Geneology and family history
Learning to Communicate with Others (Andrea wrote this and I do agree, but I think it's more about strengthening relationships rather than communication for me . . . all the same, kind of, right?)
Blogging
Reading about how to be a better parent!
Studying the scriptures (probably another duh! for everyone, but it's why I wake up in the morning!)
Education:  (NOT the polical, theories, etc . . . more the how to spark the interest of education in others!)
Teaching
Piano
Card making
American Idol (even though it was mentioned in Sister Beck's talk!! agh!)
Planning . . . everything
Socializing
Celebrating quirky holidays
Educating my children & learning with them
Writing in my journal  (writing in general, really)
Hiking and camping
And last but not least, I want to learn how to juggle! 

I think I'm the only one who did NOT put cooking/baking on their list!!!!

Ciao!
Julia

Genghis

So yeah, Khans are cool and they rode stellar horses and decimated people--which is awesome. But Napoleon had a complex about being short, had a funny voice, and because of him we have the great old country song, "Where did you meet your Waterloo?" Trying singing the word Waterloo with a very nasally/old-timey voice and you'll understand where I'm coming from.