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A First-Hand Perspective on Patient Care
Medical students at Georgia Regents University have much to learn from – and contribute to – Shepherd Center care. Just ask Hammad Aslam.
As Hammad Aslam made the rounds with Shepherd Center attending physicians and residents this past fall, the fourth-year medical student could relate to each patient.
Not only does Hammad use a wheelchair, he is also a former Shepherd Center patient.
"I know what it's like to be in that position," says Hammad, a 2008 University of Georgia graduate. "I've been through all of the emotions, and I can relate to that patient experience."
It's this empathy and experience that Hammad hopes to bring to his career as a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R). He's wanted to be a physician since high school, but that hope almost ended four years ago.
Hammad had been accepted to medical school at Georgia Regents University (GRU) in Augusta, Ga. He was in Augusta with his family to look for housing when their SUV hydroplaned in the rain on the way home to Snellville, Ga., on May 23, 2009. The vehicle hit a tree, which fell on Hammad. He sustained a brain injury and T-3 complete spinal cord injury.
After spending time at University Hospital in Augusta, Hammad was transferred to Shepherd Center, where he spent three months in the hospital's dual spinal cord and brain injury rehabilitation program.
Despite the setback, Hammad's plans to go to medical school didn't change; they were just delayed a year as he learned to adjust to life using a wheelchair. He relaunched his quest to become a doctor in August 2010, starting at the Athens campus of GRU.
"I wouldn't be happy doing anything else," Hammad says of his decision to move forward with medical school. "I have a very supportive family. They knew that if I wanted it, I would do it."
Hammad's return to Shepherd as a med student marked the beginning of a new program between the hospital and GRU, in which medical students have an opportunity to complete a four-week rotation to learn about rehabilitation medicine as one of their electives.
"The dean of the school approached us about starting a program since GRU doesn't have an academic training program for rehabilitation," says John Lin, M.D., a staff physiatrist at Shepherd Center. Shepherd already has a relationship with Emory University's School of Medicine, whose students spend a week at the center as part of their PM&R rotation. Emory's medical residents do eight-week rotations at Shepherd.
During Hammad's rotation, he examined patients, reported on topics and completed patient write-ups. Medical students on the rotation also have an opportunity to perform non-invasive procedures.
"I learned from my experience here that I had to always be 100 percent prepared for anything," he says. "I also saw the value of how possessing knowledge could be used to treat the patient while also giving them hope."
Dr. Lin sees Shepherd's role with medical schools as fulfilling the hospital's larger mission of promoting education.
"We're the largest spinal cord injury rehabilitation hospital in the country," he says. "We believe in the mission of educating the medical community and the community in general about spinal cord injuries."
For Hammad, the experience made him even more grateful for his time at Shepherd.
"When I was there as a med student, it made me realize how thankful I was to everyone at Shepherd Center, my parents, my friends and thankful for how far I had come. I saw the value in everything I did while in rehab."
Written by Sara Baxter
Photography by Gary Meek
Video by Warren Cleary
Shepherd Center provides world-class clinical care, research, and family support for people experiencing the most complex conditions, including spinal cord and brain injuries, multi-trauma, traumatic amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and pain. An elite center recognized as both Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems, Shepherd Center is ranked by U.S. News as one of the nation's top hospitals for rehabilitation. Shepherd Center treats thousands of patients annually with unmatched expertise and unwavering compassion to help them begin again.


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Khloe Kardashian has recently returned to work after having baby True, and it would appear she decided to mark the occasion with a dramatic new look. Taking to Instagram, the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star has debuted her chic blunt bob to the world and we love it.
Khloe is no stranger to a bob haircut, but the last time she had it, it was more tousled and care-free - now she means business with razor-sharp ends. The 34-year-old is the latest star to jump on this summer's short-hair trend. Rihanna, Lucy Hale, Jessica Chastain and Mollie King are all reaching for the scissors - though thankfully they have trusted stylists to do it for them.
CHOP CHOP! These are the stars rocking super-short bobs
The man responsible for Khloe's new 'do is her super-stylist Andrew Fitzsimons - he chopped Khlo's hair into a blunt bob and ironed it straight using hair straighteners. Now, he's told HELLO! exactly how the transformation came about - and how he created the look. "Khloe has been thinking about bringing the 'Koko bob' back for a bit," he said. "It all really started when we were shooting the Good American campaign recently; on campaigns we usually do a bunch of different looks and lengths to mirror the style of the looks. For this campaign, we shot activewear, so we decided to bring back the "Koko bob" that she hasn't had since before her pregnancy."
It turns out, the new mum actually experimented with wigs before she actually took the plunge. "After testing out some faux bobs over the past couple of weeks, we finally did the big chop on Sunday before the City of Hope charity poker tournament," he said. And what about styling? "One of the things people don't love about bobs is not being able to tie them back to get the hair out of your face—especially in the summer. The trick's with Khloe's cut is that it's tapered to be longer in the front, so it's just long enough to be pulled back into a ponytail (perfect for working out!)."
REVEALED: The REAL reason Princess Diana didn't want anyone to know about her haircuts
And, if you are considering taking the plunge - wigs are the way forward. "If you're thinking about a bob and it's a big change from your current length, I highly recommend getting a wig to test out the style before you make the chop. Wigs are a fun way to make sure that you're happy with the new length and allows you to 'test run' the style before fully committing," Andrew adds.

subset: commoncrawl


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"I still think the revolution is to make the world safe for poetry, meandering, for the frail and vulnerable, the rare and obscure the impractical and local and small, and I feel that we've lost if we don't practice and... Continue Reading →
"In each of us dwells a wanderer, a gypsy, a pilgrim. The purpose here is to call forth that spirit. What matters most on your journey is how deeply you see, how attentively you hear, how richly the encounters are... Continue Reading →


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I travelled to Ft. Meade, MD to monitor a US Military Commission in the case of Al Nashiri, as I was representing the Military Commission Observation Project, of the Program in International Human Rights Law. The following are a few charges brought by the government: Murder in Violation of the Law of War and Attempted Murder in violation of the Law of War. al Nashiri is the alleged mastermind for the bombing of the USS Cole and other maritime attacks.
Indianapolis to Ft. Meade:
I chose to view the al Nashiri hearings at Ft. Meade during the week of 12/12/2016 and view via CCTV. I flew United Airlines from Indianapolis to Dulles Airport on Sunday, 12/11/2016, where I rented a car and drove an hour to Laurel, Maryland. I stayed at the Days Inn in Laurel, which is fifteen minutes (7 miles) from Ft. Meade. The hotel rates were lower in the area, so I did not mind a 15 minute drive, which is easy to navigate during rush hour.
Arrival to Visitors Center at Ft. Meade:
The hearings were originally scheduled to being at 9:00 AM on Monday, but I learned via email from Prof. Edwards, that the hearings would be delayed for two hours. It was recommended that I arrive at Ft. Meade's visitors center two hours before the start time of the hearing, so I arrived at 9:00 A.M., so that I could pick up my Ft. Mead Badge to permit entry to the base each day. I went to the Ft. Meade Visitors Center to pickup my badge, I had two show two pieces of ID for them to Issue my Ft. Meade Credential and an easy process (since I had a background check completed through my the Observation Project prior to travel). The line was short at 9AM, but it should be expected for there to be longer lines at 7AM, since that is the time the Visitors Centers open and anyone visiting the base would need to obtain credential prior to entering. I drove through an inspection point, the entry point is directly behind the Visitors Center, which was an easy process. The guards request to see a form of ID with the permit that was obtained at the Visitors Center. The guards will randomly search vehicles, follow instructions of the guards and all will go smoothly. If you are driving a personal vehicle, the guards may request to see insurance paperwork with your credentials and ID. I was driving a rental guard, so I provided the proof of insurance that was purchased through the rental car agency. Federal Law requires that all vehicles have updated insurance coverage when on base.
Observation Day 1
The al Nashiri hearings were broadcast by CCTV into a classroom at Ft. Meade's McGill training center. When you arrive at the training center, be prepared for security to do a quick wanding, then lock up your cell phone in a small locker in the classroom. It is advisable to leave other devices and laptops in your hotel room or the trunk of your vehicle.
I attended three days of hearings, and each day there was only one other person in the room. That person was responsible for ensuring all phones were stored in the lockers. One the large screen in the font of the classroom, I could see different views of the courtroom at different times. The camera seemed to be pointed at the person who was speaking at the time, whether it was Judge Spath (the military judge), the prosecution or defense lawyers, or the Defendant al Nashiri himself.
At the beginning of the Day 1 hearings, Judge Spath advised al Nashiri that he had the right to be present for all hearings, if he chose not to attend it would not have impact on decision-making regarding rulings to motions. al Nashiri nodded and waved to the judge suggesting that he understood these rights. al Nashiri also waived his right to have the court stop proceedings for specified times throughout the day for prayers.
Whenever I saw al Nashiri, he was sitting in a chair at the far end of the defense table, facing the court. He wore a white flowing shirt, but I was told later that he would wear the suit jacket of his interpreter, who was seated next to him throughout the hearing. Al Nashiri's hands and legs did not appear to be cuffed, and I was told later that he was not cuffed. I could not see guards on the screen, though I was told that at all times there were at least four or five guards within several feet of al Nashiri at all times, though the guards were not visible to me. As mentioned, an interpreter was visible sitting beside al Nashiri and both wore headsets during the proceedings.
The defense called former assistant deputy of the Convening Authority. Edward Sherran to testify. The questioning by the defense focused on his role as assistant deputy and those of the advisors within the Convening Authority. The defense also called Lt. Col. Lewis, again to offer insight to actions of the Convening Authority at the time Gill was the only advisor that was qualified to work on the Al Nashiri case.
Day 2:
Day 2 focused on a host of motions. The first motion was by the defense, which was to compel witnesses to support the defense claim of the Convening Authority's unlawful influence. The defense would like to compel three former Convening Authority personnel to testify – Gill, Tull and former deputy Quinn. The defense claims testimony is necessary, as the government continues to not respond with items requested in discovery motions.
The hearings then moved towards what is referenced as the "Kuwaiti Files". The defense requests intelligence relating to the drone strikes of Al Fahdi, as there is knowledge that there was a connection between Al Fahdi and al Nashiri. The defense argued that the fact the Department of the Treasury placed Al Fahdi on a watch list for his role in the Linberg attack is evidence that there is a connection between al Nashiri and Al Fahdi, and that the evidence is relevant and necessary to a robust, effect defense of al Nashiri. The defense claims that only 20 pages has been handed over by the government, that this is insufficient and that definitely more intelligence must be available, since the U.S. would not have killed Al Fahdi in a drone strike based on 20 pages of documents. The defense argued that the motion to compel government agencies to provide evidence is necessary, as the agencies have not been forthcoming.
The court discussed that the al Nashiri case has been in the discovery phase for five years, that it is necessary to move forward in a timely manner. The remainder of the Tuesday hearing focused on the defense arguing that there would be a violation of Brady and Giglio rulings, which could lead the defense to request a mistrial. Judge Spath stated the Brady and Giglio arguments are available during the appeal process, not during the discovery phase. The defense then argued that the court should still grant the motion to compel, to ensure that a record is established and that a record is necessary for the appeals court to consider post-trial.
After a lunch recess, the afternoon hearings focused on "505" matters, which meant that there were classified hearings that were closed to the public. It became clear that Friday hearings would also be classified and closed to the public.
On Tuesday, at lunch, I found the Ft. Meade food court, that offered several food options, including – Burger King, Boston Market, Philly Steaks, and Starbucks.
Day 3, Wednesday morning hearings, were again open to the public and the Afternoon hearings were closed to cover classified matters.
In the morning, the defense raised additional motions to compel the CIA to provide information, especially relating to Black Site interrogations. The CIA claimed that tapes, containing footage of al Nashiri being exposed to enhanced interrogation techniques and these tapes were important for an adequate defense. The defense cited four other witnesses that should also be called to testify; these witnesses would provide information to the black site interrogations. One witness identified was Mitchell, who recently released a book relating to the Black Site operations.
The morning hearing was shorter than the first two days, but it was full of defense arguments as to why government agencies should be compelled to provide evidence, while the prosecution arguments that evidence relevant to the case has always been provided.
It was fascinating to observe arguments presented by both the defense and prosecution, especially in a case that has been in the discovery phase for five years. I was able to understand the motions in the proceedings, as I reviewed the case summary that is available on the Observation Project's website and the government web site, which provides transcripts and motion history/rulings. I learned a great deal about the matter regarding enhanced interrogation techniques, which is relevant to the defense of al Nashiri and I am curious as to how the court will approach this matter. Will the court compel a witness, like Mitchell, to testify?
I look forward to the opportunity of attending more hearings in the future, as being a student in the Masters of Jurisprudence program, it was relatively easy to understand the flow of the hearings and fascinating to how a court of law is operating in Guantanamo.
Heather Wilhelmus, MJ Student,
NGO Monitor, U.S. Military Commission Observation Project (MCOP)
Program in International Human Rights Law
Indiana University McKinney School of Law


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OpenGL man pages
glDeleteLists - delete a contiguous group of display lists
C Specification
void glDeleteLists( GLuint list, GLsizei range )
list Specifies the integer name of the first display list to delete. range Specifies the number of display lists to delete.
glDeleteLists causes a contiguous group of display lists to be deleted. list is the name of the first display list to be deleted, and range is the number of display lists to delete. All display lists d with list <= d <= list + range - 1 are deleted. All storage locations allocated to the specified display lists are freed, and the names are available for reuse at a later time. Names within the range that do not have an associated display list are ignored. If range is zero, nothing happens.
GL_INVALID_VALUE is generated if range is negative. GL_INVALID_OPERATION is generated if glDeleteLists is executed between the execution of glBegin and the corresponding execution of glEnd.
See Also
glCallList, glCallLists, glGenLists, glIsList, glNewList
Introduction | Alphabetic | Specification
Last Edited:
Fri Dec 6 11:18:03 EST 1996


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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The labels put on youths who commit violent crimes not only prevent society from understanding their behavior, but also act as a barrier to solving the problem, says a Purdue University sociologist.
"Children are supposed to be innocent and vulnerable, and it's our job as adults to protect them," says J. William Spencer, associate professor of sociology. "But what happens when teen-agers become 'cold-hearted' and terrorize, or even kill, their classmates and teachers? Then adults become fearful of teens and want to keep them at an arm's length.
"As a result, we're trying to solve the problem by protecting them or punishing them without actually engaging with teen-agers because we are scared."
Spencer analyzed how teens who were involved in violent acts, such as murder and beatings, were described and profiled in the news media by politicians, experts and the general public during the 1990s. The result of Spencer's analysis is published in the February issue of Symbolic Interaction.
"How we understand the problem shapes our solution," Spencer says. "And I worry that 'Why?' is being answered incorrectly.
"We know that the quality of the parent-child relationship is a good predictor of whether a teen-ager will participate in delinquent behavior. That's why all the discussion following school shootings about installing metal detectors, or even banning backpacks because weapons can be hidden, is off the mark."
Instead, Spencer says more mentoring programs are needed to supplement adult relationships with children.
"It's clear that most parents want to connect with their children," he says. "Small things like reading to children or even watching television with them can pay big dividends later on. But some adults may not have the resources because they must work to put food on the table and pay bills. This is why programs like Big Brothers/Big Sisters and local community centers are so important."
Most recently, media coverage of youth violence has centered on school shootings. In the early 1990s, however, youth violence often was associated with drug dealings and inner-city gangs. In the middle of the decade, the coverage of youth violence focused on killings in middle-class suburbs, Spencer says.
The way school shootings - such as those at Jonesboro High School in Jonesboro, Ark., and Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo. - were reported in the late 1990s, is what prompted Spencer to compare school shootings to other forms of youth violence.
"We had never seen anything like these school shootings before, partly because of the way the shootings were covered," Spencer says. "We could watch as spectators as children were escorted from schools holding hands and as parents agonized over the whereabouts of their children. It occurred to me as I read news stories about Columbine and Jonesboro that there were some commonalities with other youth violence in the early '90s."
In the mid-1990s, violent youth were dubbed "superpredators," and eventually legislation called The Violent Youth Predator Act of 1996 was proposed.
Spencer's analysis shows that even though violent youth are portrayed as evil predators, they also are profiled as innocent victims of gangs, drugs and abuse.
For example, the two shooters in the Littleton, Colo., school killings were profiled as victims of bullies as journalists and experts sought to understand why children would kill. As a result, policy-makers, the general public and news media called for new legislation to address issues such as bullying and teasing in schools. Other shootings spurred discussions about new laws to charge young attackers as adults.
In the early 1990s, people cited boot camps as the way to cure violent youth. These camps were popular because they were perceived as a way to provide discipline and punishment, as well as treatment through counseling, Spencer says.
"Not much has changed in how we understand and respond to these forms of violence," he says. "These kinds of labels are pushing us away from fixing the problem, but they persist because of the entertainment value the labels have."
Story Source:
Materials provided by Purdue University. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
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Daily Archives: December 30, 2019
(Non-Writing) Things I'd Like to Do in 2020
Posted on December 30, 2019 11 Comments
I think most people are aware that I'll spend much of 2020 writing things — it's kind of my gig, so it's no surprise that in my work life that's most of what I'll be doing. But outside of writing, what are my hopes and plans for the next year? In no particular order: 1. […]


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It's the middle of the week, and it's time for #WIPitup Wednesday! This time I'm bringing you another sizzling scene from my Viking sequel. This book is nearly ready for my beta readers, and is really taking shape… Join Anders and Aurelie in the midst of a red-hot punishment scene.
At some point, my mind drifts in that exquisite way I have found when Anders has punished me in the past. In this new place, I am able to feel past the pain of each new swat, and beyond it, into a softer, more hedonistic state. My hips, which previously danced to escape the kiss of the lash, now roll forward for entirely different reasons, the shoots of arousal pushing them in pursuit of something to pleasure myself against. Yet Anders has me bound in such a way that there is nothing to garner friction from, and the frustration at my denial begins to burgeon as well as the pain and excitement. Now I am a writhing tangle, but my mind is full of shameful arousal, rather than the pain. I barely even register the strikes as they land, and when I do they only goad me, taunting with a pleasure which I am currently unable to find.
Ever intuitive, my Viking recognises the shift in my body. He has, after all, been the only man to ever instigate such wild and disgraceful impulses in me. There is a thud, which my mind attributes to the lash falling south, and then his hands are back on me again, roaming and exploring the length of my body.
"Well done, my sweeting," he purrs into my right ear. "After all of your concern, you not only survived my lash, but you did yourself credit."
The guttural sound which leaves my lips is met by a chortle from Anders, and his hands rise north, capturing my face and drawing it around to meet his eye. Just as soon as our gazes connect, his mouth descends, claiming me in a hard and frenzied way. I open for him, the moisture at the apex of my thighs increasing as his tongue penetrates my mouth over and over again. By the time he draws away, I am quite literally panting for him.
"Now I am going to love you," he tells me, his tone unrelenting. "First, I am going to give you the pleasure you so desperately seek, and deserve, and then I shall claim you once more."
If you need more Viking passion in your life, then read the first instalment of Anders and Aurelie's dark romance in, The Viking's Conquest.
Don't forget to check out the rest of the blogs at this week's #WIPItUp hop!
Join my readers group, Fierce AF for fun, giveaways and ARC opportunities!


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A brief on Neohumanist Education
Shrii Prabhat Rainjan Sarkar inspired the establishment of Ananda Marga Schools in 1963 out of which grew an international network of schools and the Neohumanist Education system. In 1990 he founded the Ananda Marga Gurukula University. Ananda Marga Gurukula also serves as the Board of Education for Neohumanist Schools and Institutes around the world. These Neohumanist Schools and projects, some of which are featured in Gurukula Network, are managed by the Education Relief and Welfare Section and Women's Welfare Department of Ananda Marga.
NEOHUMANIST EDUCATION – Integrated Curriculum: Universal Love and Values, Academic, Practical and Personal Skills, Holistic Development, Astaunga Yoga, Ecological and Social Consciousness, Welfare, Knowledge of Self and World Applied for Universal Welfare, Joyful Learning through the Arts, Culturally Sensitive and Inclusive Approach, Integrated Curriculum, Exemplary Role of the Educators.
- Ananda Marga High School has been started in Khera Chattar, near Anandanagar and is currently extending the building complex to cater to increasing demand of local students. There is also residential boarding school facili-ties on the campus. About 450 students are enrolled in the school which is run as per CBSE guidelines besides imparting universal moral and spiritual teachings based on Neohumanism.
- The Gurukul Canteen Renovation work has started at Anandanagar under the care of Ac. Svarupananda Ava-dhuta. Thanks to our India donors for support for this project. Anandanagar (West Bengal) is located on the bor-der of Jharkhand and W.Bengal and the pristine environment is very attractive for educational activities.
- The extension building of Ananda Marga Gurukula Teachers Training College is nearing completion and will enable us to accommodate 200 students. GK TTC is one of the pioneering teachers training college that also pro-vides orientation to neohumanist education. We hope to upgrade the facilities and offer more post graduate courses. We hope to upgrade the facilities and offer more post graduate courses.


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Everyone is looking for friendship and support — it is part of human nature. When we reach out to others, it not only takes the focus off of ourselves, but it provides us with an opportunity to live our life to the fullest.
Sometimes a life-changing event, can leave a person or family feeling alone. Some feel that no one quite understands what they are going through. In fact, family, friends and caregivers may not know where to turn. Some people report feeling overwhelmed by their new disability and the information that they must learn in order to live as independently as possible.
It may feel awkward interacting with others as they may not know what to say to you or you to them. Sometimes people stop visiting or calling because they don't know what to do or say. These situations are not unusual. As a result, many people begin focusing on themselves and all the things that have changed or are not in their control. If this continues, it is more likely that the isolation will increase and they may feel stuck. If this sounds familiar to you, the following examples of individuals with disabilities may help you see how they were able to connect and re-connect with others.
Real People-Real Situations
Judy Panko-Reis — wheelchair user, head injury due to violence: Many people are scared, others feel stranded by the scarcity of transportation and caregiving resources. Many folks are in the process of losing friends and others don't have a clue on how to make new friends. For example, I had no new friends-disabled or able bodied-post injury for at least 10 years. First, I had lost my ability to drive and walk, secondly transit options were terrible. And when I finally got involved with others to improve transit options for the disabled I got a double surprise—my transit options improved—I made a new set of friends. If you sit home and focus on all of the negatives, you will NEVER stand a chance for improvement or building new relationships.
Karen Boyd-wheelchair user, congenital cerebral palsy: Children come up to me and ask, "What's wrong?" and the parents tell their kids "Don't ask her that or be quiet!" and I will say "Please don't stop your child from asking me what's wrong. Don't be afraid to ask questions, if you don't ask, how is your child ever going to learn that it's okay to be different." I am finding that by taking this extra time to explain my disability or why I am in a wheelchair, I am connecting with others in a positive way and helping educate them. Therefore, I know that the next time they see someone who is different, they will see the person first, not the disability.
Research has found that individuals who are surrounded by people, have others available to assist them, give positive feedback, or show concern generally experience a higher level of well-being. It may be family, friends, co-workers or neighbors. We are all part of a community — be an active participant! When you connect with others, you avoid isolation and reduce the risk of depression. Here are some helpful tips on how to get started.
Focus on what you are capable of doing, helping, giving and living rather than what you can no longer do.
- Make a list of all the things that you like to do and how you can help others. This will enable your self-esteem to soar and you will see that others can benefit from your abilities, skills, and knowledge.
- Keep a gratitude journal. It will keep you grounded in what really matters to you.
- Set realistic goals and include others in your journey. Sometimes sharing your personal goals and accomplishments helps you stick to your plan. Once you start this process you will feel the effects of the love you have inside yourself, and it will motivate you to continue a healthy lifestyle and feel good about yourself.
Treat your body with respect. Honor yourself and your abilities.
- Learn to laugh at yourself, keep your sense of humor, and be flexible so you can roll with the punches.
- Look for healthy alternatives to stress such as meditation, relaxation techniques, and exercise.
- Try to avoid excessive alcohol, caffeine, smoking, drug usage, and overeating.
- Plan the amount of time to be spent on the activity, stick to it, and leave when you still feel good.
- Surround yourself with positive people that support you.
Take initiative.
- Take the initiative to make an acquaintance a friend. How many times have we heard "We should get together or I'll call you", and we never do. Take that opportunity and make the call. It may feel awkward at first but really, what do you have to lose. So what if they say no, move onto the next person or opportunity.
- Get that individual e-mail address or phone number and actually call them within the next 2 days. It may be a good idea to just get your date book out then and set up a time to meet. Maybe the first time you can meet for a shorter period of time like for coffee or to listen to a speaker. It is easier to get to know someone when you are doing an activity together. It gives you something to talk about, and it takes the pressure off of trying to make constant conversation.
- If you are homebound, ask a friend over for a visit.
- Don't be afraid to go somewhere or do something alone.
- Embrace your fears and take a risk. You may fail but just pick yourself up and try again and again. Soon, you will have more successes and fewer failures and others will look to you for guidance and support.
Try not to be your own worst enemy.
- Negative self-talk is extremely harmful to one's ego. If you are continually telling yourself that you can't do something, then you probably won't.
- Raise your expectations, hopes, and dreams. If one expects little, one achieves little.
- Practice is most helpful for change. You're worth it!
Smile! Show people the real you.
- People are naturally attracted to others who are non-threatening and inviting.
- Don't forget the little things that you can do to show others that you are thoughtful.
- Have a candy bowl at your work area will always draw people over, providing a chance to talk.
- Donate your time to a local school, church or shelter.
- Keep a journal to remember important dates such as birthdays, anniversaries and/or promotions. This lets everyone know just how thoughtful you are.
Get out there!
- You have to be around people to meet people.
- You can meet people at the hospital, park, support group or even the waiting room of you Dr's office. Make eye contact with others and don't be afraid to strike up a conversation. You never know whom you will meet.
- If you are homebound, utilize the telephone or computer. Get out from behind the TV!
- The ideal way to meet others is in the living of our own lives as we enjoy our hobbies and passions. This helps us connect to others with similar values while being meaningful in itself. Take some time and some soul searching to find out what they are.
- If you are interested in sports, joining a team can be a great way to meet others. Locating an interest group such as a book club, wheelchair dance, meditation group, religious activities, choirs or outdoor activities such as hiking and/or gardening. The options are endless. If you have an interest in helping others, then you may consider volunteering. There are environmental groups, political causes and mentoring programs to name a few.
The art of conversation.
- Sometimes it's hard to know what to say. It's a good idea to offer information but also ask questions.
- The most important thing is to be a good listener. You can find out a lot of information about someone by just listening. If small talk is difficult for you, the information that you get from listening can help you with your questions. For instance, if someone says that they just moved here from the East Coast, there are several opportunities for getting to know the person from that information. Try to ask open-ended questions such as, "What brought you here to Chicago?" Then that gives the person the opportunity to answer the question in a way that they feel comfortable and thus they may disclose further information that can help you learn more about them. It can also help them get to know you. Maybe you have family out East. You never know, it is a small world.
The best way to make and keep a friend is to be a friend.
Once a connection has been established, it must be maintained and cultivated which takes intention, attention, courage, creativity, and love. These things all take work but the rewards are rich, and friends can make the intolerable tolerable.
Copyright 2008 Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, LIFE Center, reprinted with permission.


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The PGA TOUR announced today that Thorbjørn Olesen of Denmark and Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño of Spain have accepted Special Temporary Membership for the remainder of the 2013 season. They join Jordan Speith who earned the exemption in March.
With his tie for third at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard on March 24, Fernández-Castaño earned $297,600 for a total of $502,100, surpassing the total earnings of the player who finished No. 150 on the 2012 money list ($474,295). With two subsequent starts, Fernández-Castaño has totaled $592,020 on the season.
Olesen finished tied for sixth at the Masters Tournament last week, earning $278,000 for a total of $632,300 in five starts to qualify for Special Temporary Membership. Olesen is playing next week's Zurich Classic of New Orleans through his top-10 finish at the Masters Tournament.
Fernández-Castaño and Olesen are eligible for unlimited sponsor exemptions for the remainder of the 2013 PGA TOUR Season as they attempt to earn their 2013-14 TOUR cards through the Non-member Money List or Non-member FedExCup Points List.


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The Sask. Party's cuts and claw backs in education are hitting the classrooms of Saskatchewan kids across the province, and school divisions are being forced to eliminate teachers and support staff.
"The Sask. Party cuts have resulted in big class sizes and fewer teachers, support workers, and programs in classrooms in Regina and right across the province," said NDP Education Critic Carla Beck. "There's no way around it, these cuts and eliminations will have a significant impact on the care and quality of education our kids get and parents of special needs children will be left scrambling to find new pre-kindergarten options."
Adding to the cuts School Boards have been forced to make in the wake of the Sask. Party budget, this week, Prairie South cut bus services. Also, the Regina Public School Board announced the elimination of 22 teaching positions, the cancellation of programs, and the closure of pre-kindergarten for special needs children due to a massive funding shortfall as a result of the Sask. Party's cuts to education in the spring budget.
"By making these deep cuts at the same time as there are hiking education taxes, the Sask. Party are forcing Saskatchewan people pay more and get less for their kids," said Beck. "Instead of making Saskatchewan teachers and our kids pay the price, the Sask. Party needs to accept responsibility for their own mismanagement, scandal and waste."


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Zachary Student Madelynn Smith Wins $5,000 Coca-Cola UNITED Scholarship
Madelynn Smith, a recent graduate of Zachary High School in Zachary, La., is the recipient of a $5,000 Crawford Johnson III and Walker Johnson Jones Scholarship on behalf of Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Inc. (UNITED).
Smith is the daughter of Todd Smith, who is employed at Baton Rouge Coca-Cola Bottling Company, a sales, distribution and production center of Coca-Cola UNITED.
"Coca-Cola UNITED has been a family-focused company for 120 years," said Toby Guidry, Baton Rouge Coca-Cola Sales Center Manager. "We are very pleased to have the opportunity to provide college scholarships to the children and grandchildren of our associates."
Coca-Cola UNITED established the Crawford Johnson III and Walker Johnson Jones Scholarship in 1995 in honor of former CEO Crawford Johnson III's retirement and his 45 years of service to the company. The scholarship expanded in 2014, when Johnson's daughter, former UNITED Community Relations Director and current Board of Directors member Walker Johnson Jones, retired after 34 of years of service. The program is a testament to the company's commitment to education and its focus on associates and their families across its six-state bottling territory.
Every year, 20 children, stepchildren, grandchildren or step-grandchildren of Coca-Cola UNITED associates are selected to receive either a $5,000 or $3,000 scholarship, renewable over four years. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic performance, leadership, extracurricular activities and service. For the complete list of 2022 Crawford Johnson III and Walker Johnson Jones Scholarship recipients, click here.


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I wanted to let you guys in on some great fashion events happening on Thursday!
Macy's is hosting a screening of Fashion Cinema at the Regal Fenway 13 (my old haunt!) to benefit AAC & GLAD. Tickets are $25 but include complimentary concessions, a champagne reception, and an exclusive Macy's shopping pass! The movie features ten segments of designer runway shows from 2008 including Ben Sherman, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Alfani, Levis and Christian Audigier.
This is for a really great cause and I hope you can attend!
The reception is at 7 with an 8 pm show star time.
Also on Thursday is the Grand Opening of the new flagship location of Nicole Marie in Concord at 18 Walden St. The celebration includes a fashion show and cocktail party from 6 to 8:30 pm. You'll also be able to receive 15%-20% discounts on shopping! I'll definitely be there!
RSVP now!


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Taking Care of the Earth
"You don't have to feel overwhelmed by this list: to start, choose just one item and put energy behind it. Doing something is better than nothing. In doing these simple acts of environmental service, you may feel that your contribution doesn't matter, that it won't make any difference against the magnitude of the world's ecological issues, but remember that "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass" (Alma 37:6).
In spiritual matters, we don't stop choosing the right just because the world is growing more wicked! We know that our small acts of kind service won't stop all the evil in the world, but we continue to perform them anyway, blessing lives in the process. We can have a similar attitude toward the earth and her inhabitants."
3 Ways to Be a Good Steward of the Earth, According to a Young Adult Biologist
"It's good to learn about environmental problems, and even better to do something about them. Here are a few practical steps you can take:
- Go outside and learn about the plants, animals, and ecosystems around you. Knowledge leads to understanding and respect; use field guides, online resources, or apps to get to know God's creations more personally.
- Choose to walk, skate, cycle, carpool, or use public transportation where available. You can enjoy the outdoors a little bit more while at the same time reducing pollution.
- Buy local. This has the double benefit of directly supporting your community and cutting carbon emissions (products grown or made locally don't need to travel as far).
- Plant a garden. There are few food sources more sustainable or personally fulfilling than growing your own!6 As a young adult, you might have limited space, so start small by growing an herb garden or consider joining a community garden.
- Reduce, reuse, recycle. Consume less, carry reusable grocery bags and water bottles, and check what materials are recyclable in your city.
- Use less water and energy. Things like taking shorter showers, turning off lights, and unplugging appliances when not in use can all add up.
- Get involved. You could consider volunteering or supporting reputable environmental groups.
- Vote. Take the time to be educated, and vote the way you feel will best affect environmental issues and policies.
- Be 'anxiously engaged in a good cause' (see Doctrine and Covenants 58:26–29). We've been taught the principles—now it's time to act on them."
3 Ways to Be a Good Steward of the Earth, According to a Young Adult Biologist 2021
"Sometimes it might be good to do some evaluating in our lives and to make adjustments to our relationship with these God-given resources. In my case, I was able to find joy in having less, and it resulted in a lifestyle change that helped me take care of the earth.
Though our individual efforts to care for the earth may not seem to make a significant difference, we can be willing to educate ourselves and act. We can seek the guidance of the Spirit as we evaluate our lives and make decisions about our material possessions and our actions. As the Lord is mindful of all of His creations—even every blade of grass—may we also be sufficiently mindful of this earth by making necessary changes, finding what we enjoy about it, and shifting our hearts to preserve it."
My One Pair of Pants: A Gospel Perspective on Living Simply 2021
"What can we do to take care of the earth and not waste its precious resources? How can we help maintain and preserve the beauty of the earth? Here are a few ideas to spark inspiration:
- Remember the Creator. It's easy to see the beauty and power in nature, but sometimes we can forget where that beauty comes from. Don't worship the creation instead of the Creator. The earth testifies there is a Supreme Creator (see Alma 30:44).
- Live lagom. In Swedish, the word lagom means "enough" or "just the right amount." If we use moderation in everything we consume—food, clothing, products—we can avoid wasting valuable resources. Lagom means finding a balance of not too much but also not too little.
- Learn about your environment. Find out what animals and plants are native to where you live. Learn their names and facts about them (for instance, "these plants don't need much water"; "these animals are nocturnal"). Learning about your environment changes the way you interact with it.
- Live the Word of Wisdom. It's pretty easy to see the connection between the earth and what we eat. We can help take care of God's creations by living the Word of Wisdom—this includes eating fruits and grains, but using meat "sparingly" and with gratitude (see Doctrine and Covenants 89).
- Evaluate your actions. How do your actions affect your environment? Your environment includes the nature, space, and people around you. Taking a good look at your impact on the world will help you gain the information you need to receive inspiration from Heavenly Father on what you can do to help take care of the world."
For the Sake of the Beauty of the Earth 2021
"The earth and all life are more than items to be consumed and/or conserved; some parts and portions thereof are also to be preserved!"
"Becoming Better Stewards of the Earth God Created for Us" 2021
"In today's cluttered, noisy, polluted world, we need places and ways the human spirit can be refreshed, inspired, and edified. Each of us can participate in caring for the earth with which God has blessed us..It is my prayer that we—along with people of faith across the globe—can achieve our goals of creating hopeful pathways forward as we together offer and seek peace, people, and planet through faith, hope, and goodwill."
Gerrit W. Gong Instagram 2019
"It is always good to recall that the things that we have been saying to one another for a while must not fall into oblivion. For some time now we have been becoming more aware that nature deserves to be protected, if only because human interactions with God's [God-given] biodiversity must take place with the utmost care and respect: caring for biodiversity, caring for nature."
Earth Day Video Message 2021
In all regions and circumstances, we teach that we have a responsibility to care for and gratefully use what God has given, avoid wasting resources and wisely use the bounty of the earth to care for one another
The Importance of Water Conservation 2022
"A second thing I see about your generations is your commitment to a more sustainable future for all of God's children and creatures and the earth. Whether it is environmental, economic, or social, I would hope you will continue to find creative solutions to help protect the future for all of God's children in our world. We should do whatever we can to protect and preserve the earth, to make life better for those who will live here."
"Children of Heavenly Father" 2020
"Climate change is real, and it's our responsibility as stewards to do what we can to limit the damage done to God's creation."
"The Moral Imperative of Environmental Stewardship" 2018
"The thrust of this passage [Deut 22:26-7] is that the mother bird should be left free to produce more young; that is, one should not destroy the breeding stock. The counsel to preserve bird life carries the observation, 'that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days.' The inference is that prolonging human life on a long-term basis requires wise management of the available resources of the land."
"Centuries later, after the waters of the flood had receded, the Lord instructed Noah concerning the conservation of animal life. This was a subject of great importance at a time when the only available animal life was that which had been preserved in the ark. The scripture says that all life upon the earth was delivered into the hand of man, and that the Lord placed man in charge of all things, both moving creatures and green herbs. (Gen. 9:2–3.) These verses signify a reaffirmation and renewal unto Noah of the environmental responsibility that had been placed upon Adam and his posterity."
"Our religion is founded upon the Priesthood of the Son of God—it is incorporated within this Priesthood. We frequently hear people inquire what the Priesthood is; it is a pure and holy system of government. It is the law that governs and controls all things, and will eventually govern and control the earth and the inhabitants that dwell upon it and all things pertaining to it. The enemy and opposer of Jesus—the accuser of the brethren—called Satan, never owned the earth; he never made a particle of it; his labor is not to create, but to destroy; while, on the other hand, the labor of the Son of God is to create, preserve, purify, build up, and exalt all things—the earth and its fulness—to his standard of greatness and perfection; to restore all things to their paradisiacal state and make them glorious. The work of the one is to preserve and sanctify, the work of the other is to waste away, deface, and destroy; and the time will come when it will be manifest to all that the Evil One is an usurper, also that all governments, nations, kingdoms, and people upon the face of this earth, that are opposed to the Government of the Son of God, are usurpations and usurpers of the rights and possessions of Him whose right it is to reign."
Journal of Discourses 10:320
"We should take a course to preserve our lives and the lives of the animals committed to our care. We should refrain from using swine's flesh. We should breathe the pure mountain air in our bedrooms."
Journal of Discourses 12:218
"But whence comes evil? It comes when we make an evil of a good. Speaking of the elements and the creation of God, in their nature they are as pure as the Heavens. When we see the vanity that is around us, the magnanimity of the Deity, and contemplate the extent of his knowledge, we can enjoy him as Supreme in every act, in every path of life, in every portion of life that belongs to the children of men, if we can understand things as they are. Was there ever a spear of grass or a single grain upon this earth, or in any other kingdom, but what was produced by that beneficent Being? Not one. Behold the vanity and extent of His knowledge in the creation of the elements! Every element is His. 'The gold?' Yes, he organized and made it, is a common term used. 'The silver?' Yes, he made it. 'The diamond?' Yes. 'And every other precious stone?' Yes. 'The rude rock?' Yes. The land and all are His. The earth that we walk upon, the air we breathe, and the water we drink, are His creation. He organized them and placed them here for our good. Take all the elements that God has created, and do you think we use them and not abuse them?"
Journal of Discourses 8:341
"The earthly means which we have been enabled to gather around us is not ours, it is the Lord's, and he has placed it in our hands for the building up of his kingdom and to extend our ability and resources for reaching after the poor in other lands."
Journal of Discourses 10:222-223
"Never let anything go to waste . . . And what you get more than you can take care of yourselves, ask your neighbors to help you consume . . . If a man is worth millions of bushels of wheat and corn, he is not wealthy enough to . . . sweep a single kernel of it into the fire; let it be eaten by something and pass again into the earth, and thus fulfill the purpose for which it grew."
Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1997), 229.
"I never could see why a man should be imbued with a blood-thirsty desire to kill and destroy animal life. I have known men—and they still exist among us—who enjoy what is, to them, the 'sport' of hunting birds and slaying them by the hundreds, and who will come in after a day's sport, boasting of how many harmless birds they have had the skill to slaughter, and day after day, during the season when it is lawful for men to hunt and kill (the birds having had a season of protection and not apprehending danger) go out by scores or hundreds, and you may hear their guns early in the morning on the day of the opening, as if great armies had met in battle; and the terrible work of slaughtering the innocent birds goes on . . . I do not believe any man should kill animals or birds unless he needs them for food, and then he should not kill innocent little birds that are not intended for food for man. I think it is wicked for men to thirst in their souls to kill almost everything which possesses animal life. It is wrong, and I have been surprised at prominent men whom I have seen whose very souls seemed to be athirst for the shedding of animal blood."
Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed., Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1939, pp. 265–66
"I had frequently spoken on this subject, when on a certain occasion I came up to the brethren who were watching a squirrel on a tree, and to prove them and to know if they would heed my counsel, I took one of their guns, shot the squirrel and passed on, leaving the squirrel on the ground. Brother Orson Hyde, who was just behind, picked up the squirrel, and said, 'We will cook this, that nothing may be lost.' I perceived that the brethren understood what I did it for, and in their practice gave more heed to my precept than to my example, which was right."
History of the Church, 2:71–72
"We crossed the Embarras river and encamped on a small branch of the same about one mile west. In pitching my tent we found three massasaugas or prairie rattlesnakes, which the brethren were about to kill, but I said, 'Let them alone—don't hurt them! How will the serpent ever lose his venom, while the servants of God possess the same disposition and continue to make war upon it? Men must become harmless, before the brute creation; and when men lose their vicious dispositions and cease to destroy the animal race, the lion and the lamb can dwell together, and the sucking child can play with the serpent in safety.' The brethren took the serpents carefully on sticks and carried them across the creek. I exhorted the brethren not to kill a serpent, bird, or an animal of any kind during our journey unless it became necessary in order to preserve ourselves from hunger."
Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 71.
"Everything that God gives us is lawful and right; and it is proper that we should enjoy His gifts and blessings whenever and wherever He is disposed to bestow; but if we should seize upon those same blessings and enjoyments without law, without revelation, without commandment, those blessings and enjoyments would prove cursings and vexations in the end, and we should have to lie down in sorrow and wailings of everlasting regret."
Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 256.
"Although there was no sin in the shedding of their blood when required for food . . . to take the life of these creatures wantonly is a sin before the Lord. It is easy to destroy life, but who can restore it when it is taken?"
"Is It a Sin to Kill Animals Wantonly?" Improvement Era (August 1961): 568.
[Thomas G. Alexander writes:] "President Smith was alarmed over the damage to mountain watersheds by unrestricted logging and grazing. In a special general priesthood meeting held on April 7, 1902, he put before the body of the priesthood a vote to withdraw all public lands above Utah towns in or to protect them from damage.
"Stewardship and Enterprise: The LDS Church and the Wasatch Oasis Environment, 1847–1930," in Stewardship and the Creation: LDS Perspectives on the Environment, eds. George B. Handley, Terry B. Ball, and Steven L. Peck (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center), 15–32.
[In reference to sound stewardship practice on Church-owned lands:] "And may I remind you that it generally takes several times as much land to produce a given amount of food when grains are fed to livestock and we consume the meat. Let us be careful not to overdo beef cattle and other livestock projects on our welfare farms."
"Prepare Ye," Ensign, January 1974, 69.
"[W]e are morally obligated to turn this land over to those who succeed us—not drained of its fertility, but improved in quality, in productivity, and in usefulness for future generations. I am sure our Heavenly Father expects us to use these precious natural resources wisely, unselfishly, and effectively—both our soil and our water."
Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, Inc. 1988), 645.
"It is terribly important that we preserve and improve the great natural resources with which the God of heaven has so richly blessed us, that we may not follow the experience of some other nations that have come and gone because of the mismanagement of their natural and God-given resources."
The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, 645.
[Thomas G. Alexander writes:] "President Smith was alarmed over the damage to mountain watersheds by unrestricted logging and grazing. In a special general priesthood meeting held on April 7, 1902, he put before the body of the priesthood a vote to withdraw all public lands above Utah towns in or to protect them from damage.
"Stewardship and Enterprise: The LDS Church and the Wasatch Oasis Environment, 1847–1930," in Stewardship and the Creation: LDS Perspectives on the Environment, eds. George B. Handley, Terry B. Ball, and Steven L. Peck (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center), 15–32.
"This country was beautiful when the Pioneers first came. It was virgin territory. The hills, the streams, the forests and the plains were lovely, just as nature always is until marred by the hand of man."
"As beneficiaries of the divine Creation, what shall we do? We should care for the earth, be wise stewards over it, and preserve it for future generations."
"The Creation," Ensign (May 2000), 84.
"Yes, we have been provided this beautiful and bountiful world, teeming with life and resources to bless and strengthen and enliven mankind, and we are to use them joyfully—but we must do so as careful, grateful stewards over God's handiwork. We are to use these resources with judgment, gratitude, prudence, and with an eye to bless our fellow man and woman and those of future generations, and in that way help Him to accomplish His purpose to help humankind progress, improve, and receive His blessings in time and eternity."
"Righteous Dominion and Compassion for the Earth." Speech at 18th Annual Stegner Center Symposium on 12 April, 2013.
"Yes, as we have already discussed, the Lord gave to men and women agency, or the capacity to choose; however, we must bear in mind that he cares deeply for all life and especially for His children, and will hold us accountable for what we choose to do (or not do) with the bounties of His creation."
"Righteous Dominion and Compassion for the Earth." Speech at 18th Annual Stegner Center Symposium on 12 April, 2013.
"The LDS Church continues to seek to care for this earth and judiciously utilize its resources. In so doing, the LDS Church makes real effort to conduct itself by what it should do, not just what is legally required."
"Righteous Dominion and Compassion for the Earth." Speech at 18th Annual Stegner Center Symposium on 12 April, 2013.
"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints desires to do what is right in its temporal affairs including environmental practices—even if it is something more than the requirements of the law."
"Righteous Dominion and Compassion for the Earth." Speech at 18th Annual Stegner Center Symposium on 12 April, 2013.
"So, how we care for the earth, how we utilize and share in its bounty, and how we treat all life that has been provided for our benefit and use is part of our test in mortality. Thus, when God gave unto man 'dominion over the fish of the sea, and over fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth,' it was not without boundaries or limits. He intends man's dominion to be a righteous dominion, meaning one that is guided, curbed, and enlightened by the doctrine of His gospel—a gospel defined by God's love for us and our love for Him and his works. The unbridled, voracious consumer is not consistent with God's plan of happiness, which calls for humility, gratitude, and mutual respect."
"Righteous Dominion and Compassion for the Earth." Speech at 18th Annual Stegner Center Symposium on 12 April, 2013.
"As we have discussed, according to LDS doctrine, this earth, as well as the plant and animal life thereon, were provided for the use of man. However, we believe that God has commanded that the earth and all things thereon be utilized responsibly to abundantly sustain the human family."
"Righteous Dominion and Compassion for the Earth." Speech at 18th Annual Stegner Center Symposium on 12 April, 2013.
"[T]he earth and all life thereon are much more than items to be consumed and/or conserved; some parts and portions thereof are also to be preserved! As we nurture and appreciate nature, we will become better acquainted with our God, for unspoiled nature is designed to inspire and uplift humankind. Nature in its pristine state brings us closer to God, clears the mind and heart of the noise and distractions of materialism, lifts us to a higher, more exalted sphere, and helps us to better know our God."
"Righteous Dominion and Compassion for the Earth." Speech at 18th Annual Stegner Center Symposium on 12 April, 2013.
"I will not try to unravel these complexities, but they do help us to remember that our approach to the environment must be prudent, realistic, balanced, and consistent with the needs of the earth and of current and future generations. In an effort to go to the root of the issue (no pun intended), I suggest, 1. that it cannot be reasonably disputed that we depend upon this earth to sustain life, and 2. that the quality of the earth and its environment will directly affect the quality of our life—and that of future generations."
"Righteous Dominion and Compassion for the Earth." Speech at 18th Annual Stegner Center Symposium on 12 April, 2013.
"Brigham Young was speaking of the earth and telling us that we should be cautious how we use it, for it is our mother, and the man that will disgrace his mother is unworthy of her fostering care."
Journal of Discourses, 9:336, April 27, 1862.
"Apparently wise and powerful people blame poverty and famine on there being too many people in some parts of the earth or in all the earth. With great passion they argue for limiting births, as if that would produce human happiness . . . Heavenly Father would not command men and women to marry and to multiply and replenish the earth if the children they invited into mortality would deplete the earth. Since there is enough and to spare, the enemy of human happiness as well as the cause of poverty and starvation is not the birth of children. It is the failure of people to do with the earth what God could teach them to do if only they would ask and then obey, for they are agents unto themselves."
"The Family," Ensign, February 1998, 15.
"It is not the design of the Lord that men should prey upon animal creation and destroy them, beyond that which is necessary to sustain their lives."
Juvenile Instructor 28:712-13, November 15, 1893.
"Trees are more precious than gold . . . I consider the life of a tree so sacred that I am reluctant to destroy it, even when the tree is no longer useful where it is, and even when it is in the way of a better improvement . . . I would like to see our children taught to respect tree life as they do bird life and animal life and human life. All are parts of the great creation of our Father—and none of the workmanship of His hands should we presume to tamper with, wreck or destroy, except as our needs may justify or our intelligence suggest as necessary for the welfare of those concerned."
Juvenile Instructor 34:266, May 1, 1899
"But it is not only the shedding of human blood which children should be taught to avoid; they should be impressed with the value of animal life. No animal should be killed except to supply food for the sustenance of human beings."
Juvenile Instructor 26:443, July 15, 1891
"It's about creating a place of worship that works in harmony with the environment," said H. David Burton, Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and responsible for the physical facilities of the Church. "For decades we have looked for innovative ways to use natural resources in our meetinghouses that reflect our commitment as wise stewards of God's creations."
"Solar-Powered Construction Design Gets 'Green' Light from Church Leaders," Mormon Newsroom, 27 April 2010.
"A sustainable relationship with the Earth nurtures a sustainable relationship with God, because we acknowledge and honor the power of reciprocity, that there are in fact limits and consequences of what we desire. If we act on the premise that we are not alone, that other individuals and creatures have wants and needs, that our definition of community is not just human-centered but Creation-centered, then we begin to engage in a spiritual economics that promises to be more unselfish than our present relationship to others. We cannot continue to simply take from the Earth without giving back something in return, even if that means drawing on principles of restraint, generosity, gratitude, and compassion."
"West of Eden" in New Genesis: A Mormon Reader on Land and Community
"I'm calling for us to examine some of the ways we choose to spend our time and money. Are we making the best use of the resources we have been entrusted with? Specifically, I want to talk about ways to be a virtuous housewife—as that is my current field of expertise—and how, by being virtuous, we can be responsible stewards of our own personal and family resources, as well as the land we have been given for our inheritance."
"Practicing Stewardship in a Consumer Culture," Sunstone 167, 25 June 2012.
"Without question, the animals that Lehi's family eats have been 'ordained [by God] for the use of man'; eating meat saves Lehi's family from 'famine and excess of hunger,' and they use meat 'sparingly as well as 'with thanksgiving' (D&C 89:15, 12). Nephi undoubtedly goes about killing the animals 'with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion' (D&C 59:20). Nephi's unusual use of the word 'sweet' for the meat seems to indicate that, when the time comes for God to 'require' the blood of the animals at the family's hands (JST Gen. 9:5), he will hold them as blameless as if they had eaten fruit. The adjective 'sweet' also calls to mind, perhaps deliberately, the verses in the King James translation of Genesis 1 where God articulates what animal theologian Andrew Linzey calls his 'original will for creation,' instructing Adam and Eve that they are to share fruit and other plant foods with animals as their only 'meat' (Gen. 1:29, 30)."
"'The Blood of Every Beast': Mormonism and the Question of the Animal" in Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 44, no. 2 (Summer 2011).
"Editorially, President Cannon continued to write on zoophilic topics. One editorial decried the 'far too general' disposition of Latter-day Saints to 'kill wild animals and birds, and every insect with crosses their path.' He asked, 'Why there should be such eagerness to kill these creatures.' If men hunted game 'because they have pleasure in taking their lives,' President Cannon suggested the hunter imagine himself in the position of the hunted. The editor admitted a 'great difference between animals and human beings,' but declared all were given life by God and so should be respected and treated with kindness. Animals were meant to be used by man for food, according to Cannon, but only with 'prudence and thanksgiving and not wastefully.' He contended that too often animals' lives were 'very much wasted to gratify the hunting propensity of some men.' He explained that if humans needed animals for food the 'Lord is not displeased if they kill it.' On the other hand, Cannon emphasized, if people hunted for the 'mere pleasure of killing' then sin was committed. Cannon then referred to prophecies concerning the time when 'wild and ferocious' animals would dwell together in kindness. But, Cannon warned, before that day would come, men must 'cease their war upon the animals, the reptiles and the insects.' In the peaceful state looked for in the future, Cannon promised that animals would be harmless and 'universal peace will prevail.'"
Animals and the Church (2003) [Page 50, footnote: Juvenile Instructor, XXIV (December 1, 1889), 548-9]
"It is not enough to take pleasure and show respect for nature; Latter-day Saint scripture requires us to use its resources wisely and justly."
"The Environmental Ethics of Mormon Belief," BYU Studies, 40, no. 2 (2001): 201.
"The Book of Mormon includes a brief account of imprudent use of natural resources. The people of Nephi migrated northward to the land 'Desolate, so called because 'of the greatness of the destruction of the people who had before inhabited the land' and had harvested all available timber. In contrast to their irresponsible predecessors, the people of Nephi became 'expert in the working of cement' and 'did suffer whatsoever tree should spring up upon the face of the land that it should grow up, that in time they might have timber to build their houses, yea, their cities, and their temples, and their synagogues, and their sanctuaries, and all manner of their buildings.' UCLA professor Jared Diamond suggests in Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed that poor environmental stewardship accounts for the decline of many civilizations. He attributes the decline of the early Mayan civilization to warfare, and failure to adequately manage available resources, specifically the effects of 'deforestation and hillside erosion, which caused a decrease in the amount of useable farmland at a time when more rather than less farmland was needed.'"
"Study Guide: LDS Perspectives on Environmental Stewardship," Section B, pg 5
"If geophysics and astronomy were the lead sciences in the Creation, then surely restoration ecology will play a leading role in the Millennium. It seems to me that Latter-day Saints, of all people, should be conservationists—protecting the world's wild places, animals, and plants, while doing everything we can to beautify our own homes and communities."
"Paley's Stone, Creationism, and Conservation," in Stewardship and the Creation: LDS Perspectives on the Environment, eds. George B. Handley, Terry B. Ball, and Steven L. Peck (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center), 33–42.
"These principles have been well developed in the literature and are only summarized briefly here. First, the earth and all creation belong to God; they witness, bear record of, and reflect his power and love for humankind. The earth's resources are to be used not just to meet human needs but also to elevate the human spirit. All forms of life have intrinsic value. All are creations of God. All living things have a spiritual as well as an earthly dimension, and all were created spiritually before being placed on the earth physically (see Moses 3:5; D&C 59:18). Second, our use of resources should be guided by principles of equity, conservation, and minimal waste; consumption that meets our needs; and restraint that encourages spiritual values (D&C 49:19–20; 70:14; 104:14–17). Third, materialism and overconsumption are threats to environmental and spiritual well-being. The biblical injunction of Luke 12:15, 'Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth,' is repeated in Mormon scriptures where members are urged to seek first the kingdom of God and to trust not in the things of the world (see Jacob 2:18–19; D&C 121:35). Fourth, humans have a sacred stewardship to protect and preserve creation for themselves and for succeeding generations (D&C 104:11–17)."
"Theology and Ecology: Religious Belief and Environmental Stewardship," in BYU Studies 49, no. 3 (2010)
"The livestock industry is 'by far the single largest anthropogenic user of land,' a leading contributor to deforestation and land degradation, and a major factor in the reduction of biodiversity. And livestock produce 130 times more waste in the US than humans do, leading to widespread pollution of land and water."
Discovering the Word of Wisdom, pg 85
"According to a careful study done at the University of Chicago, people who consume animal foods are responsible for an extra ton and a half of CO2 equivalent per person per year, as compared to people who consume no animal foods. As a consequence, a person who changes from an animal-based diet to a plant-based diet would save more greenhouse emissions per year than switching from a Toyota Camry to a hybrid Toyota Prius (at much less cost!). If everyone on the planet switched to a low-meat diet, such a transition would dramatically impact our ability to resolve environmental issues that now appear intractable. One estimate suggests such a global change 'would reduce the mitigation costs to achieve a 450 ppm CO2 -eq. stabilization target by about 50 percent in 2050.'"
Discovering the Word of Wisdom, pg 85
"Furthermore, we all know how vulnerable we are due to the volatile supply of readily available fossil fuels. We are also increasingly aware of the environmental impact of how we use these fuels, which disproportionately affects the poor of the world. We use an enormous amount of energy to fuel our cars, trucks, airplanes, buses, and motorcycles, and the chemical gases they emit may be wreaking havoc on the environment worldwide. Yet, livestock production produces more greenhouse gases than all forms of transportation combined. While I struggle to imagine our modern world functioning without modern transportation, what would we lose by giving up meat, dairy, and eggs?"
Discovering the Word of Wisdom, pg 85
"Raising animals for food is a highly inefficient use of resources . . . We could instead directly consume the food we feed the animals with much less cost to the environment and to our health (not to mention the health of the animals!). Not only could we feed ourselves, we'd have enough food left over to feed all of the world's poor."
Discovering the Word of Wisdom, pg 84
"It is not widely understood how much more energy, land, water, and other resources are required to produce animal foods versus plant foods. In California, for example, it takes roughly 25 gallons of water to produce a pound of lettuce, tomatoes, potatoes or wheat; 49 gallons for apples; 815 gallons for chicken; 1,630 gallons for pork; and a whopping 5,214 gallons of water for a pound of beef. You would save more water by not eating one pound of California beef than you would by not showering for six months."
Discovering the Word of Wisdom, pg 84
"A type of conservation is described among the Nephites when those living in the land of Desolation took great pains to 'suffer whatsoever tree should spring up upon the face of the land that it should grow up, that in time they might have timber to build their houses . . . and all manner of their buildings.' (Hel. 3:9.) Earlier there had been timber, but much of the area had been rendered desolate and without timber 'because of the many inhabitants who had before inherited the land.' (Hel. 3:5.) It appears that the earlier inhabitants had not practiced proper environmental science."
"If we are respectful of the planet, the creation, if we have a humble and a meek attitude toward the creations of our Heavenly Father, each of us in some way can indeed make a difference. That may mean doing something as simple as turning off a water tap that's running, or cleaning our home and property so it's pleasant and beautiful, or being careful in how we use energy so we don't waste resources. It may mean treating domestic animals with kindness and compassion, or doing what we can to pick up litter and clean up local areas. I think the issue is not what we do; it's that we do something, and that we do it with an attitude of praise."
"Paul Cox—Preserving God's Creations" in Nov 1998 Liahona.
"Every creature is better alive than dead, men and moose and pine trees, and he who understands it aright will rather preserve its life than destroy it."
The Maine Woods, pg 62.
"Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children's children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance."
"The Eleventh Commandment: 'Thou shalt inherit the Holy Earth as a faithful steward, conserving its resources and productivity from generation to generation. Thou shalt safeguard thy fields from soil erosion, thy living waters from drying up, thy forests from desolation, and protect thy hills from overgrazing by thy herds, that thy descendants may have abundance forever. If any fail in this stewardship of the land thy fruitful fields shall become sterile stony ground and wasting gullies, and thy descendants shall decrease and live in poverty or perish from off the face of the earth.'"
Conquest of the Land through 7,000 years, U.S. Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service: Agriculture Information Bulletin No. 99 (Washington DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1994), 30.
"Conservation is sometimes perceived as stopping everything cold, as holding whooping cranes in higher esteem than people. It is up to science to spread the understanding that the choice is not between wild places or people, it is between a rich or an impoverished existence for Man."
Quoted in Kathryn A. Kohm, ed. Balancing on the Brink of Extinction (Washington DC: Island Press, 1991), 225.
"[T]he human necessity is not just to know, but also to cherish and protect the things that are known, and to know the things that can only be known by cherishing. If we are to protect the world's multitude of places and creatures, then we must know them, not just conceptually but imaginatively as well. They must be pictured in the mind and in memory; they must be known with affection, 'by heart,' so that in seeing or remembering them the heart may be said to 'sing,' to make music peculiar to its recognition of each particular place or creature that it knows well . . . To know imaginatively is to know intimately, particularly, precisely, gratefully, reverently, and with affection."
Life is a Miracle, 137-138
"The Creation is a unique, irreplaceable gift, therefore to be used with humility, respect, and skill."
The Unsettling of America: Culture and Agriculture
"Humanity as a whole is doing a poor job of caring for the earth. Individually, we can do better. We can, of course, not litter. In fact, we can help pick up after those who do. We can practice conservation of resources where possible. All of our actions can display respect for the creations of God."
"The Wonder of Creation" in March 2004 Ensign.
But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of they people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with they oliveyard.
Exodus 23:11
If a bird's nest chance to be before thee in the way in any tree, or on the ground, whether they be young ones, or eggs, and the dam sitting upon the young, or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the young: But thou shalt in any wise let the dam go, and take the young to thee; that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days.
Deuteronomy 22:6
And wo be unto man that sheddeth blood or that wasteth flesh and hath no need.
Pray always, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you, and great shall be your blessing—yea, even more than if you should obtain treasures of earth and corruptibleness to the extent thereof.
And we multiplied exceedingly, and spread upon the face of the land, and became exceedingly rich in gold, and in silver, and in precious things, and in fine workmanship of wood, in buildings, and in machinery, and also in iron and copper, and brass and steel, making all manner of tools of every kind to till the ground, and weapons of war—yea, the sharp pointed arrow, and the quiver, and the dart, and the javelin, and all preparations for war.
Jarom 1:8
And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted.
Jacob 2:19
And now behold, my brethren, this is the word which I declare unto you, that many of you have begun to search for gold, and for silver, and for all manner of precious ores, in the which this land, which is a land of promise unto you and to your seed, doth abound most plentifully.
Jacob 2:12
Yea, and they also began to search much gold and silver, and began to be lifted up somewhat in pride.
Jacob 1:16
Ye do not remember the Lord your God in the things with which he hath blessed you, but ye do always remember your riches, not to thank the Lord your God for them; yea, your hearts are not drawn out unto the Lord, but they do swell with great pride, unto boasting, and unto great swelling, envyings, strifes, malice, persecutions, and murders, and all manner of iniquities. For this cause hath the Lord God caused that a curse should come upon the land, and also upon your riches, and this because of your iniquities.
Helaman 13:22-23
They did raise grain in abundance, both in the north and in the south; and they did flourish exceedingly, both in the north and in the south. And they did multiply and wax exceedingly strong in the land. And they did raise many flocks and herds, yea, many fatlings.
Helaman 6:12
And behold, there was all manner of gold in both these lands, and of silver, and of precious ore of every kind; and there were also curious workmen, who did work all kinds of ore and did refine it; and thus they did become rich.
Helaman 6:11
And the people who were in the land northward did dwell in tents, and in houses of cement, and they did suffer whatsoever tree should spring up upon the face of the land that it should grow up, that in time they might have timber to build their houses, yea, their cities, and their temples, and their synagogues, and their sanctuaries, and all manner of their buildings.
Helaman 3:9
And there being but little timber upon the face of the land, nevertheless the people who went forth became exceedingly expert in the working of cement; therefore they did build houses of cement, in the which they did dwell.
Helaman 3:7
And now no part of the land was desolate, save it were for timber; but because of the greatness of the destruction of the people who had before inhabited the land it was called desolate.
Helaman 3:6
Yea, and even they did spread forth into all parts of the land, into whatever parts it had not been rendered desolate and without timber, because of the many inhabitants who had before inherited the land.
Helaman 3:5
And they also had horses, and asses, and there were elephants and cureloms and cumoms; all of which were useful unto man, and more especially the elephants and cureloms and cumoms.
Ether 9:19
And also all manner of cattle, of oxen, and cows, and of sheep, and of swine, and of goats, and also many other kinds of animals which were useful for the food of man.
Ether 9:18
And I did teach my people to build buildings, and to work in all manner of wood, and of iron, and of copper, and of brass, and of steel, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious ores, which were in great abundance.
2 Nephi 5:15
"It is obvious that Latter-day Saints have ample precedence in the ecology thing. Our whole doctrine is based on giving man joy and upgrading his personality talents, traits, and environment. Latter-day Saints have special values to offer to any discussion or action dealing with these themes."
"Ecology, Pollution, and Consumerism," in Sept 1971 New Era.
"We are for the kingdom of God, and are not going to the moon, nor to any other planet pertaining to this solar system . . . This earth is the home he has prepared for us, and we are to prepare ourselves and our habitations for the celestial glory in store for the faithful."
Journal of Discourses 8:294
"The riches of the kingdom or nation do not consist so much in the fulness of its treasury as in the fertility of the soil and the industry of its people."
Journal of Discourses 10:266
"There is a great work for the Saints to do. Progress, and improve upon, and make beautiful everything around you. Cultivate the earth and cultivate your minds. Build cities, adorn your habitations, make gardens, orchards, and vineyards, and render the earth so pleasant that when you look upon your labours you may do so with pleasure, and that angels may delight to come and visit your beautiful locations."
Journal of Discourses 8:83, June 12, 1860.
"Let me love the world as He loves it, to make it beautiful, and glorify the name of my Father in heaven. It does not matter whether I or anybody else owns it, if we only work to beautify it and make it glorious, it is all right."
Journal of Discourses 2:308
"The Church has urged its members to be efficient users of our resources and to avoid waste and pollution, and to clean up their own immediate environment, or that over which they have control . . . We have made an appeal to all Church members to clean up their premises, to plant gardens and trees, and then to use efficiently what they can grow. We have found that Church members have responded well to this appeal, thus becoming more self-reliant and responsibly concerned for their neighbors and their environment."
This Nation Shall Endure, p. 79 (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1977), 79.
"We as a church believe and so declare that in the end the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory. When this is done it will be beautiful and glorious beyond finite conception. This being our doctrine, do you think it becoming in God's children to deface the earth while we sojourn here? Being the stewards and custodians of the resources which are committed to us, have we not an obligation to use them, preserve them and return them in the best possible condition of which our circumstances will permit? I think upon reflection you will say that we have such an obligation and that it is very definitely our task to make God's footstool as beautiful as we may. For 'the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof,' and the righteous 'and their generations shall inherit the earth from generation to generation forever and forever.' What a delightful abode for men this good earth could be if men would but make it so!"
"To the lover of nature, every landscape, even the desert and waste places, has charm and attraction until man digs a hole, builds a shack, erects a telegraph pole or a smokestack. But civilization need not and should not be ugly. Man's construction can beautify rather than deface nature if there is the will, the energy and the art to make it so."
"Need I say more to persuade us that every consideration,—business, esthetic and religious,—constrains our people to take the lead in this worthy cause of beautifying the land?"
"The instructions to Adam and Eve about the garden earth . . . have not been rescinded. They were, and we are, to dress it—not destroy it. They were to take good care of it instead of abusing it. Our increasing interdependence on this planet makes some forms of individual selfishness the equivalent of a runaway personal bulldozer. If we have no concern for the generations to follow, the means are at hand to tear up the terrain much more than was ever possible anciently."
That Ye May Believe (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1992), 75.
"True disciples [of Christ] . . . would be consistent environmentalists—caring both about maintaining the spiritual health of a marriage and preserving a rain forest; caring about preserving the nutrient capacity of a family as well as providing a healthy supply of air and water . . . Adam and Eve were to 'dress the garden,' not exploit it. Like them, we are to keep the commandments, so that we can enjoy all the resources God has given us, resources described as 'enough and to spare' (D&C 104:17), if we use and husband them wisely."
A Wonderful Flood of Light (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1990), 103.
"But if the work has already been done, all the physical arrangements completed, and the vessel a model of perfection at the time we set foot on the deck, what remains for us to do on it and with it? That is for us to find out first of all, according to Brigham, examining the structure with care, studying its nature and possibilities meticulously, considering well before we lay about us with gun, fire, and plow."
"Brigham Young on the Environment," from Hugh Nibley's Brother Brigham Challenges the Saints; printed in Truman Madsen and Charles D. Tate, eds., To the Glory of God: Mormon Essays on Great Issues—Environment, Commitment, Love, Peace, Youth, Man (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1972), 3—29.
"Specifically, the one way man can leave his mark on the whole face of nature without damage is to plant, and President Young ceaselessly counseled his people to do as Adam was commanded to do in Eden—when he dressed and tended the garden:"
"Brigham Young on the Environment," from Hugh Nibley's Brother Brigham Challenges the Saints; printed in Truman Madsen and Charles D. Tate, eds., To the Glory of God: Mormon Essays on Great Issues—Environment, Commitment, Love, Peace, Youth, Man (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1972), 3—29.
"If geophysics and astronomy were the lead sciences in the Creation, then surely restoration ecology will play a leading role in the Millennium. It seems to me that Latter-day Saints, of all people, should be conservationists—protecting the world's wild places, animals, and plants, while doing everything we can to beautify our own homes and communities."
"Paley's Stone, Creationism, and Conservation," in Stewardship and the Creation: LDS Perspectives on the Environment, eds. George B. Handley, Terry B. Ball, and Steven L. Peck (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center), 33–42.
"While Genesis 1:28 speaks of 'subduing' the earth and exercising 'dominion' over its creatures (1:26), Genesis 2:15 speaks of 'dressing' and 'keeping' the Lord's garden."
"Whither Mormon Environmental Theology?" in Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, 44, no. 2 (Summer 2011)
"If we are respectful of the planet, the creation, if we have a humble and a meek attitude toward the creations of our Heavenly Father, each of us in some way can indeed make a difference. That may mean doing something as simple as turning off a water tap that's running, or cleaning our home and property so it's pleasant and beautiful, or being careful in how we use energy so we don't waste resources. It may mean treating domestic animals with kindness and compassion, or doing what we can to pick up litter and clean up local areas. I think the issue is not what we do; it's that we do something, and that we do it with an attitude of praise."
"Paul Cox—Preserving God's Creations" in Nov 1998 Liahona.
"The image [of God] refers, above all, to the God-given commission to 'image' God on earth, that is, to be the agents who represent and realize God's benevolent and peaceful sway on earth."
From Creation to New Creation, 108.
"Here are a few ideas you might consider in trying to take better care of the earth: Find ways to reduce unnecessary personal consumption of energy, water, wood products, and other products that come from scarce resources. Stop using products that damage the environment. Recycle metal, glass, plastic, and paper products. Be conscientious in disposing of chemical wastes properly. Learn more about natural processes and earth science. Cultivate a garden where possible; learn the art and science of composting. Adopt a conservation rather than a consumption attitude. Be grateful."
"Earth—A Gift of Gladness" in July 1991 Ensign.
And king Mosiah did cause his people that they should till the earth. And he also, himself, did till the earth, that thereby he might not become burdensome to his people, that he might do according to that which his father had done in all things. And there was no contention among all his people for the space of three years.
Mosiah 6:7
And thus it did come to pass that the people of Nephi began to prosper again in the land, and began to build up their waste places, and began to multiply and spread, even until they did cover the whole face of the land, both on the northward and on the southward, from the sea west to the sea east.
Helaman 11:20
And I did teach my people to build buildings, and to work in all manner of wood, and of iron, and of copper, and of brass, and of steel, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious ores, which were in great abundance.
2 Nephi 5:15
Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
Revelation 11:17-18


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The U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee has dropped a provision that would have required Internet companies to report on vaguely-defined terrorist activity on their platforms, a move that was strongly opposed by the industry and civil rights groups.
The controversial section 603 was included in the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 but Senator Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, had put a hold on the bill, stating that he wanted to work with colleagues to revise or remove the provision so that the rest of the bill could move forward.
On Monday, Wyden said that the "vague & dangerous" provision had been removed from the bill and he would now be lifting the hold on it.
"Social media companies aren't qualified to judge which posts amount to 'terrorist activity,' and they shouldn't be forced against their will to create a Facebook Bureau of Investigations to police their users' speech," Wyden said in a statement.
The provision would have required Internet services companies, who obtain "actual knowledge of any terrorist activity," to provide to the appropriate authorities the "facts or circumstances" of the alleged activities.
Powerful tech industry bodies like the Internet Association, Reform Government Surveillance and Internet Infrastructure Coalition found the description "any terrorist activity" as vague and overbroad. In a letter to Senate leaders in August, the associations warned that the provision could result in "overbroad reporting to the government, swamping law enforcement with useless information, and potentially raising First Amendment and privacy concerns for the user who posted the item."
Over 30 civil rights groups and trade bodies also wrote to key senators warning about the chilling effect the provision would have had on constitutionally protected speech, as Internet communications services providers would tend to over-report on the activity and communications of their users to avoid violating the law.
The House of Representatives passed a version of the Intelligence Authorization Act in June.
The dispute over the provision may, however, be far from over. A spokesman for Senator Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat and prominent member of the intelligence committee, told some news outlets that she had agreed to drop the provision if only to let the intelligence bill move forward, but still considers it important to block the use of social media by terrorists.