Channel 20's Reply

I got an e-mail in response to my letter. I was a little let down by it. They just simply told me they would be addressing some of my concerns in next weeks show. Hmmm... sounds like a ploy to get me to watch another show! They said what they don't address, they will follow up with another e-mail.

So, what do you think I should do? Should I tune in next week, or just let it go? Chances are they will never understand my point of view. You never know though. I'm a little curious.

Let Me Explain...

I know in our religion there are a few things that seem weird to those not of our faith. It might be hard to explain things to them. I think Baptisms for the Dead fall in this category.

Today after church Grace came to me and was really confused. "Mom, why do we do baptisms for the dead?" I explained to her that in order for someone to live with Heavenly Father again, they had to be baptized. So, if someone dies with out being baptized we do it for them.

She looked at me and said, "Ewwww! I think that is the grossest thing ever! Why would they do that?" I stopped for a minute and had to process what must have been going through her mind. Then it hit me!

"Oh, no! Honey, we don't actually baptize dead people! If someone needed to be baptized, I would be baptized for them. Instead of saying my name they would use the dead person's name." I had to give her a few examples, then she got it!

I wonder how I reacted the first time hearing the words, 'Baptism for the Dead'?

Wacky Channel 20

Here in Salt Lake, on cable, they have channel 20. Has anyone ever watched it? It happens to be the station that broadcasts all the anti-Mormon shows. Those type of shows exist, can you believe it? Okay, so I am naive.

Dustin has told me not to watch the channel, but I always stop and see what they are talking about as I channel surf. Usually I roll my eyes and change the channel, but not last night. The lady was talking of polygamy- she helps woman escape from it, I guess. Anyway, she just really bugged me! She was taking their doctrine and our doctrine and rolling it all together. She was accusing us of replacing the doctrine that Christ is the Savior, with, what saves us is "the new and everlasting covenant." BTW, she referred to plural marriage as the "new and everlasting covenant", so in order to be saved we HAVE to live the law of plural marriage. She was so confused! I was so mad!

So, I wrote her- it was too late to call into the show. I contemplated not doing it, but I just kept thinking of how we were counseled to correct people when they are misinformed. She was really misinformed! I was nice. I just let her know that she was telling fallacies about our beliefs and that I felt it was wrong.

She had quite a few things that were wrong. Did you know we don't consider the Manifesto as revelation? No, apparently Pres. Woodruff considered it a good idea, so he came up with it. And we, the mainstream Mormons, are actually the church that apostatised from the doctrines of Joseph Smith, we don't practice the law of polygamy, and he did. We did this because we feel that the current prophet's words are much more important than the previous latter-day prophets! I wanted to scream!

I can't believe people watch this and call into the show with crazy things to say! One caller called to let everybody know that Joseph Smith had false revelations. The example she gave was in D&C 125. He prophesied that there would be a city in Iowa called Zarahemla . That's the way they interpret it, but that was not what he was saying. It was a promise that if they kept the commandments and did all they were asked, the Lord would establish a city named Zarahemla . And He did. Read about it here. When all the saints moved west those settlements (there were others) were abandoned.

Anyway, I'm just rambling now. I was just really upset. I'm over it now, but thought I would make a post so if people come across it they might know that just because someone says something is true, it doesn't mean it is. That was the whole point of my letter to her. I told her I hoped her guest would be making and appointment to talk with a representative of the LDS church to ask their opinion on his concerns. I don't get why people would go to someone other than the person with whom they have questions about. It would be like going to Dustin and asking him how I feel about things or what I believe. Why not just come to me and ask me?

Jon & Kate Plus 8

I know, I know, what business do I have in commenting on their life. I don't really, but I just finished watching the "announcement" and reading their blog, and I felt , I don't know, PITY for them.

Here were all these comments of individuals scolding and judging people they have no right to judge. I have to admit I was one of them- I have my own opinions about both of them, I 'm choosing not to share them. Nobody knows what went on behind the scenes and have any clue about how hard they tried to stay together. They believe they do, but really no clue!

I am a little shocked about all the publicity that is surrounding them. You'd have thought it was the first "celebrity" divorce ever! Divorce is ramp id in stardom! I guess when you think people will beat the odds, you are surprised when they don't.

I will just say that I feel bad for them and their kids. I imagine divorce is never fun. Unless you are Jon and you feel a little "excited." Oops, did I just say that, out loud? So much for remaining unbiased. Don't worry I have opinions about Kate too. I'm trying to be nice here!

A Prayer and a Penny

Of course I was taught to pray since I was old enough to talk. I have very vivid memories of my family kneeling in prayer every morning and night. I recall seeing my parents moving to their bedroom after family prayer in the morning for a couple's prayer. We were a praying family. How is it that I do not have many personal experiences regarding prayer? I remember praying when I was young and even as a teenager. But somewhere along the way, I lost that habit of kneeling and talking to my Heavenly Father.

I have had the opportunity to increase my testimony of the purpose of prayer. Nothing big really, just reading the Ensign this month. There were a few things that stuck out to me. The first article was by Pres. Uchtdorf. I have linked his entire article to my thought of the day. This article intrigued me from the very beginning. When life is the darkest, it is through prayer we are "lifted" to where Heavenly Father is able to surround us with peace and love.

The second article was the Visiting Teaching message. The last quote was by Pres. Monson. The very last sentence stuck out, beckoning me to listen. " If any of us has been slow to hearken to the counsel to pray always, there is no finer hour to begin than now." I have definitely been "slow". So I made a promise to myself that I would start listening and start praying.

I guess I have always felt a lack of the need to pray. I have all I need. What do I need to ask for? That is where I got confused. You don't pray to ask for things. You pray to talk and communicate your feelings with Our Father. And the more I thought about it the more I realized I do need to pray. My life is crazy right now. Why go at it alone? He will help me in anything. He is very concerned about my life and family.

I was reading another part of the Ensign today. It was the Q&A. The article was suggesting things we can do to keep our parenting focused on the gospel. A lady wrote how she prays for spiritual experiences for her children. I stopped. I had never done that! I'd never thought about it before, but I really couldn't think of a better thing to pray for. So I did it today. And a few hours later my prayer was answered! Here's the story:

We went to Dollar Tree today. The boys had some money they wanted to spend and I wanted to check and see if they had any ribbon. We found what we needed, I got my ribbon, and the boys bought little dart guns to annoy their sisters with! We left the store happy.

I wanted to make a quick run into the DI next door. While we were in there Aaron said, "Mom, the lady at the store told me my change was 18 cents, but she gave me 19." He was really worried. "I think I should take the penny back." I agreed and told him on our way home, we would stop so he could run the penny in.

Grace said, "Aaron it doesn't matter, it's only a penny. Just keep it." I corrected her and told her that it didn't matter how much money it was, it wasn't his and it is honest to return it. She seemed to understand. We finished looking around and found some books, bought them, and went back to the dollar store so he could return the penny.

I couldn't believe that my prayer was answered. It was an amazing feeling, and a testimony to me that Heavenly Father really listens and cares about me. EarlierI thought if He were to answer my prayer it would be neat for one of my kids, but ALL of my kids were there to witness Aaron's honesty and hear the lesson of why it is important to be honest, even if it is just a penny!

I'm looking forwadr to many more spiritual experiences for my kids and testimony building experinces for me!

Taylor Family Reunion 2009

Every year we have our family reunion in Loa, Ut. It is always held over Memorial Day weekend, Fri- Mon. My kids look forward to it every year! Because Dustin was in the academy, we were only able to attend the last two days. That was okay, we were just happy to be there!

They saved all the fun things til we got there, except paintballing. My boys were upset, but we brought our little quads to make up for it! Everyone loved them!

I didn't get the best picture selection this year. I was lazy. Enjoy what I have. Sorry, Alissa

Hailey won in her age group in the duct tape contest! She made a whole wardrobe out of duct tape! There were a lot of cool things made. I wish I had more pictures of what was made!

This little dog had a duct tape cast! She didn't win anything!

Love the cousins!

Kate and her blue hat! My girls loved these hats. i got them at the dollar store!

The treasure hunt!

Still looking for it! The treasure this year was our family reunion t-shirts. Don't have a picture of those either! They were cute! Thanks LeaAnn! Glad they weren't lost in the gorge.

Uncle Kevin wearing Becca's hat! He kept teasing her that it was his! It was a perfect fit!

Even though our time was short this year, we had lots of fun. Nothing beats grandmas and cousins! We had a talent show later in the evening and we surely showed all the Merrit talent with skits and songs! Too bad there are no pictures. Ryan and Aaron did a skit with Logan, Wes, and Tanner. Kate and Becca sang Hannah Montana and "You Are So Beautiful".

We Love Our Family!!!

Can You Say Doulble-Jointed?!

She woke up from this nap complaing that her legs hurt. Hmm.. I wonder why? I showed her the picture and she started laughing!!

A Chain of Events

We completed our first project today. I had the boys cut 25 strips out of construction paper. Then on each strip we wrote an activity. The point of it is, when they are bored, they can just go to their chain, tear off a link , and complete the task it has written on it.

The activities include: (I made up my own according to child and interests)

paint a self portrait
make a snack
call a friend
make your own charades game, have everyone play
create "Toe People"
make a sock puppet
make something out of Popsicle sticks
with a timer, list all the things you can think of that are a certain color before time runs out, then do all colors
write a letter to your grandmas
read a book, draw a pic of what you read
make a pillow
make up a dance routine, teach it to someone
make a macaroni picture
with a timer list all the animals you can think of, then do more categories
draw a picture of what you would do with $100
write a tongue twister
make a band instrument
put on a fashion show using your stuffed animals
write a poem of a family member
draw a picture of your favorite snack
make a puzzle
style your hair in a new way
make up a new game
sing the "Star Spangled Banner", what other songs can you sing? put on a concert
write your very own song
plan a service project, complete it
have a water balloon fight
organize a closet for your mom
complete a list of things starting with letters A-Z
make a story using magazine clippings
make a scavenger hunt for everyone
hold a spelling bee
have a water gun fight
have a paper airplane race with everyone
make up a word and definition for it
play with a water station, find things for the water
make a list of things you are good at/like about yourself, share it
decide on where you would go if you could go anywhere in the world, ask mom if you can learn about it on the web
visit the library

I know I could think of more things if I had the time and QUIET to concentrate. I tried to do things that they could do all by themselves, but when they pick one where I'm needed, I promised myself I would stop whatever I was doing and make them my priority. Sometimes that is hard for me when I really want to get some things done. I have a feeling we will be making a few of these!

It Won't Be a Long Summer

Our summer vacation has officially started, for Ryan and Aaron anyway. Grace is year-round, so she has about 3 more weeks.

I'm always a little fearful of summer. The first little while is okay, but soon the kids get bored and I'm at my wits end! This year will be a little different. Not because they will all return to our neighborhood school which is year round, that will definitely help, but because I got this book from my mother-in-law:

I have been reading through it and I'm so excited to some of these activities with my kids. It is a must to break up the summer. Our summer won't last too long, but I plan to cram it with as much fun as possible. Watch for some fun posts on things we did!

Changes Around Here

Now that our computer is up and running, I'll fill you in on our latest happenings. Not in one post of course. I'll have lots to say for a while.

Our biggest news is that Dustin has officially started the police academy. We are adjusting. The kids are taking it the worst, but I'm not fairing very well either. He is gone all day Mon- Thurs., and all day Sat. The kids are sad that he is gone so much and constantly ask where he is. Then they catch themselves, and remind themselves, that he is at the academy. I have noticed that my patience is lacking. It is something I'm trying to work on. Doing a lot by myself has stressed me out a bit. We'll get through it though.

I'm excited for Dust. This is a dream come true for him. He is excited! We have decided that he will keep his Salt Palace job and get on the reserves in Bountiful or Lehi. They start out as part-time. This way we don't take such a pay cut.

He is learning A LOT! He shows me every night. I am his practice dummy. I never thought that I would be put in handcuffs, body searched, and even thrown (softly) to the ground because I was trying to flee. They are tested on how well they perform the tactics, so he has to know them inside out. The kids have even got into the action! We were at Wal-Mart and Aaron begged for a pair of handcuffs. I gave in. They now walk around with those and play cop. Here's an example-

Grace had Kate handcuffed. Here's the conversation (keep in mind Dustin practices on me):

Grace: "Now Ma'am, when I undo this hand, I would like you to rest your hand on your head and leave it there. Do you understand?"

Kate: "Yes."

Grace undoes the left hand.

Grace: "I am now going to undo the other hand. Please put it on your head as well."

If you could have only seen this taking place. I laughed so hard! Kate does this to Becca too. Little cops all over the place!

We are stuck watching cop shows. He is trying to learn by watching Tru TV. That's the cop channel! I will say you learn somethings. He's just trying to observe how they handle situations and things like that. Doesn't make for the best entertainment though, for us who are not planning on being a cop anyway. We'll survive. We are happy to support him!