#2 Learning to be a Mindful Writer

       In my Writing 150 class we've been reading a book called Mindful Writing. The first chapter is titled "You are a Writer" now, you have to understand, I have never considered myself to be "a writer" because in my mind writers are people who can say things so beautifully and don't have to depend on their vocal inflections as I do. As I started reading though I came to find comfort and encouragement in its words, "Writers get better at writing by writing". I had never thought of that! I know, that seems so obvious, but I never really thought of that until now (yes, I'm 18 and yes, I go to BYU.).  In the chapters I've read so far the author, Brian Jackson, has a great narrative flow about him that makes reading this so much more enjoyable than it probably would be. Each chapter focuses on one point or step of writing and gives suggestions and tips that can help writers become better. Some of these tips have been reminders but I've been constantly surprised with what I was doing wrong or should be doing better. I also really enjoy how easy it is to relate to the speaker because of all the stories he tells from his own life, most of them being embarrassing, it brings this textbook or learning material to life. Personally, when I don't want to do anymore homework I'm just fine reading this book because it feels just like a novel with great advice and insight! In some of the later chapters

      We've also look at some church material such as: "The Family; A Proclamation to the World" and some of Elder Bednar's messages ("To Sweep the Earth as With a Flood" and "Things as they Really Are" I highly recommend both) in a scholarly point of view. For example, we learned some techniques for skimming effectively while reading The Family and also looked for evidence of pathos, ethos, and logos. *Personal side note* I absolutely love BYU because we get to read these great works in our WRITING class! I love and appreciate that so much. *Personal side note done* Looking at these great works have strengthened me in so many ways; in my appreciation for the leaders of The Church of Latter Day Saints, I'm starting to see the connection that has been missing for so long due to separation of Church and State in my lower education years, and my personal testimony itself has grown. If you've never read religious text in this point of view I highly recommend it because it will open your eyes and help you see just how smart God is in His timing and reasoning.

#1 Sweeping the Earth as it Really Is

         This is a reflection paper on two of Elder Bednar's addresses to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which I fully recommend for a good read or Sunday School lesson helper! The talks can be found on lds.org. Happy Reading!

Sweeping the Earth as it Really Is

            When I was in sixth grade I was a part of a program called N.O.V.A it was a class where we were taught a set of values or standards that would help us live a happy and healthy life. In one of these lessons we were taught that we all have two wolves inside of us; one being good, and one being evil. As sixth graders we weren’t sure which wolf was stronger and which would conquer the other until the end of the story where we learned that the wolf that wins in the end and the one that grows stronger is the one you feed. So, from that point on it became our responsibility to feed whichever wolf we wanted to prevail: good, or evil.

            Elder David A. Bednar has addressed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on many occasions, but there are two that reminded me of my experience as a sixth-grader. One given in June 2010 titled “Things as They Really Are” he tells of the dangers of social media if we use it unwisely. He does not condemn the use of the internet or technology but he does give an apostolic warning that gives the whole message a darker tone; the kind that makes us evaluate our own lives to see how and where we’re using our time while on social media and other websites. His next talk, given in August last year, is titled “To Sweep the Earth as with a Flood” in his message he invites members of the church to share our message through social media as if to sweep the Earth with a flood of goodness. He still gives warning of the dangers of social media work but advises that we use the internet for good and to send forth the message of our Lord’s gospel. This message left me with hope and a desire share and bring the world a bit of goodness to social media.

            While comparing the two talks it shows that there are really two sides of social media; while it can be used to bring to pass so much goodness and happiness to those around the world it is also used as a dangerous, harmful, evil thing. It becomes our choice and responsibility of whether we will be a part of the spreading forth of the gospel or be the ones wasting our time just scrolling. I believe that the Internet and social media are both incredible things that the Lord has brought to pass in these last days to hasten His work; I also believe that as good as the internet is it is also a dark place that the adversary uses to destroy the children of God. We just need to choose which wolf of social media we’ll feed. I choose to feed the good, and I will share this gospel with all my heart, mind, might and strength.