RVU System

After observing that the prefixes used in the SI system are derived from variations of the word "small" in various Greek, Latin, and other languages, we wondered what the prefixes would be if scientists were only allowed to use English words. We present the Really Very Ultra (RVU) System

We will begin with larger powers of units. The word "big" comes to mind first. We will demonstrate this using meters. Kilometers would be "big meters". Due to the scarcity of the synonyms in English, the next level, megameters would become "really big meters." This is followed by "very big meters" and "ultra big meters."

The next level going up is "large meters," because large is bigger than big. This can be remembered by thinking that telling a kid he is a big kid is nice, but telling him he is a large kid means he is probably bigger than a big kid. After "large meters," are "really large meters," "very large meters," and "ultra large meters."

For smaller units, we begin with "small meters," which are equivalent to millimeters. Then there are "really small meters," "very small meters," "ultra small meters," "tiny meters," "really tiny meters," "very tiny meters," and "ultra tiny meters."

Like the SI system, the RVU system does not forsee any smaller or larger prefixes needed. Clearly, the RVU system is useable by all those who feel English should be the universal language, ignoring the origins of the English language, or who disagree with the ubiquity of Greek and Latin in the sciences.

Cute Thor Video

Plus, check out all the cool stuff by clicking on the tabs at the top!

GKTAEF is back!

BCS standings are out, which means that the GKTAEF is back too.  Check out how the 16-team tournament would turn out according to my rules if the season ended today!  It looks like it's going to be an interesting year.

In other news, life is getting busier and busier.  I'm trying to stay on top of everything, and sometimes this blog gets pushed to the bottom of the pile.  Just don't abandon me both ye occasional, and devout (if any) followers of this blog.  I'm trying my best!

Maybe a picture of Baby Thor will hold you over until the next time I get to post.

I look mad because I'm hungry.

Women and the Priesthood

I write this post at the risk of being considered bigoted or sexist, or some other negative thing.  I also hope not to further the controversy created by this topic.  I wish only to share what I believe and know.

Recently, there has been a "movement" in the Church to have women ordained to the priesthood.  In this post I hope to express and elaborate on the feelings I have towards the women who carry this sentiment.

I begin by stating that I am not opposed to women being ordained to the priesthood.  If President Monson announces in General Conference tomorrow that all worthy women will be ordained to the priesthood, I would still sustain him as a prophet, seer, and revelator.  But I don't think that will happen.

If these "feminists" are honestly waiting for an answer from God, then they would be wise to look at what as already been revealed on the subject.

Sheri Dew
http://www.mormonchannel.org/sites/default/files/conversations-sheridew-388x258.jpg

Consider the following quote by Sister Sheri Dew while serving in the General Relief Society Presidency, delivered in General Conference:

My young sisters, some will try to persuade you that because you are not ordained to the priesthood you have been shortchanged. They are simply wrong, and they do not understand the gospel of Jesus Christ. The blessings of the priesthood are available to every righteous man and woman. We may all receive the Holy Ghost, obtain personal revelation, and be endowed in the temple, from which we emerge “armed” with power. The power of the priesthood heals, protects, and inoculates all of the righteous against the powers of darkness. Most significantly, the fulness of the priesthood contained in the highest ordinances of the house of the Lord can only be received by a man and woman together.  Said President Harold B. Lee: “Pure womanhood plus priesthood means exaltation. But womanhood without priesthood, or priesthood without pure womanhood doesn’t spell exaltation.”1

It appears to me that the Lord does not intend to ever ordain women to the priesthood.  That isn't to say that women are not entitled to the blessings of the priesthood.  Being ordained to the priesthood affords me no advantage whatsoever over women.  I would even go so far to say that this is the way the Lord wants his Church to be set up.

Consider this quote from "The Family: A Proclamation to the World."

By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.2

This is how families are supposed to be.  Notice that all responsibilities are shared between parents and spouses.   I agree with Brother Kelly Ogden, who recently wrote

I would surmise that if any persons in the Church have an issue with women not receiving the priesthood by ordination, then they are not attending the temple. And if they are attending the temple, they do not really understand what they are hearing and experiencing there. 3

I know that it doesn't seem "fair" to some.  But I know that this is what the Lord has given us through His prophets.   I know that this is the Lord's true Church.  I know that the priesthood blessings are available to all who are worthy of them, regardless of gender.  I know that Heavenly Father loves His children, both male and female, and would not be unfair to one in favor of the other.

Now, go and watch General Conference!

Baby Thor Is Here and Other Interesting Tales of Time and Space

Or, just tales of time.


Baby Thor is here.  He is super cute!  As you can see, I think he's got cutest newborn ever in the bag!

Now for the tales of time.  A while ago my dad and I were discussing why New Year's Day was January 1st, among other standard calendar practices, and we decided that it didn't make any sense for the New Year to begin that day.  So, we decided to make our own calendar system, and thus the Thurston Reckoning of Time was created.  It was forgotten because of my young age at the time, but I've decided to resurrect and improve it.

Here's how it works.  There are four "months" or seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.  Because I live in the Northern Hemisphere, Spring starts in March.  Each season begins on the corresponding equinox or solstice, because life makes more sense that way.  They are the only solar events that are regular and universal on a global scale.  Day numbers keep increasing until the next season begins.  The Spring equinox marks the beginning of the new year.

Currently, 92 days have past since the Summer Solstice, and this is the thirteenth year since the Thurston Reckoning, so today's date is stylized as 92 Summer 13 TR.

The days of the week are something I recently renamed.  Starting with the equivalent of Sunday, they are: Lordsday, Familyday, Thirday, Fourthday, Fifthday, Sixthday, and Festivalday.  The numbered days might be named after really important or impressive people at some future point.  So, today is Sixthday 92 Summer 13 TR.

Hopefully this will be used by people in the future, but we're too attached to tradition to give me any hope for real change.

Prierium Saga #3

Continued from Prierium Saga #2.

For those who are wondering about Baby Thor, he's still not born, but there are less than 2 weeks to go.  There will for sure be a post when he is born.

            Jenny helped herself to her feet. 

            “So why didn't you change?”

            “Shielded coat.  Keeps the P-rays from getting through to me.”

            Jenny stared at the stranger with a puzzled look on her face as they started leaving the pool and began to walk south.

            “P-rays.  Like X-rays, but from prierium, got it?”

            “So the P-rays are what made me change?  You could have shielded me a little, you know.”

            “There wasn't enough time.”

            “So, which government agency do you work for?  There's no use in hiding it from me.  I can see that you are an agent of some kind.  It's like your brain is screaming it at me.  Plus, only an agent would look out for their own safety before letting me know about the dangers of P-rays.”

            The stranger stopped walking, turned, and stared at Jenny, trying to make out if she was bluffing or not.  If she was, it was the best bluff he had seen in a decade.

            “Alright, I am Agent Brock Anderson.  I am a government agent for an organization called the Terrestrial Homeland Executive Mission, or T.H.E.M. for short.  We are in charge of all the cases where conventional tactics and thinking simply aren't good enough, like prierium-related incidents.  We try to keep a low profile; the public wouldn't react very well to threats from people with superpowers.  Of course, I assume you know I will have to kill you if you tell anyone about what I just said.”

            Jenny looked at him, unsure of whether or not he was serious about killing her.

            Anderson continued, “Now let's get back to finding this other change-ling so we can go home.”

            “Wait a minute.  What are you going to do to this 'change-ling' when you find him?” Jenny asked, even using air quotes around the word “change-ling.”

            “The same thing we do to all change-lings: try to convince them to work for us, or obliterate them.”

            “Obliter... You can't do that!” Jenny stuttered, then yelled.  “He's a person too, you know.  You can't just go around killing people.”

            “Well, that's my job.  I keep normal people safe from superpowered psychos.”

            “What about people like me?  You made me a change-ling and I didn't even have a choice!  Wait, I'm a change-ling.  That means...”

            Jenny suddenly realized that Anderson was going to make his offer to her eventually.

            “That's right.  After this mission, you belong to T.H.E.M., or us, dead or alive.”

            “Oh...” Jenny said in a quieter-than-usual voice.  There wasn't much to talk about after that.  Jenny was too busy contemplating what her future was going to be like.

            Jenny could barely get the words out of her mouth. “We're here.”

            They both looked around and realized they were in the industrial part of town – on Ironton Boulevard.

To be continued...

△A35B1-8.3

Less Than a Transfer To Go

There's less than a transfer (or 6 weeks) until Baby Thor is supposed to arrive.  A lot has happened since the last time I posted.  At least a lot of time has passed anyway.

Number one:  Birthing class was informative, but somewhat disgusting.  In any case, we now know
everything about the whole thing, know what door to walk into, when to go to the hospital, what is going to happen when we get there.  Most of all, I'm not as worried about getting to the hospital on time anymore.  The "early phase" of labor generally lasts for 5-8 hours, and they said not to come to the hospital until after that phase is almost over.  I think we'll have plenty of warning.  Hopefully.

Danny eating a glass of egg (not eggnog) for half-Christmas.

Número dos:  I miss Danny.  He's doing awesome on his mission and it sounds like he's having lots of fun.

#three:  (Not a hashtag.)  Football is coming up soon.  The season actually starts the day before Baby Thor is due.  Still looking for people to sign up for the Surprisingly Average College Football League.  Only 13 days left to sign up.  Also looking forward to how the GKTAEF will turn out this year.

Number 4:  Life is good.  The gospel is awesome.  The Church is true.  Keep being awesome everybody!

Prierium Saga #2

Continued from Prierium Saga #1

            Jenny and the stranger made their way to the swimming pool.  It was fairly easy to sneak in.  The majority of the university police had already gone home for the day; the night shift had to split their time between watching the pool and patrolling the football stadium.  The stranger looked down at his radio, which had started making clicking noises.  He paced back and forth for a minute and then declared, “We should move up to the balcony.  The signal seems stronger up there.”  As a sidenote he added, “Just make sure that you don't change.”

            “That I don't change?  What do you mean?”

            “If you get too close you might change.  Just don't get too close and you won't have to worry about it.”

            “Hold on just a minute,” demanded Jenny, as they made their way up the stairwell.  “I knew that I might get hurt following some weirdo like you, but I wasn't prepared for this.  You better explain what 'change' means or I...  I...”

            If Jenny had gotten to finish her sentence, it would probably have ended with some unbelievable threat, like throwing the stranger off the Empire State Building.  Instead, she quietly whispered, “I don't feel well.” 

            “You got too close.  It's the changing.  It'll be over in a minute.  Just try not to get too excited about it,” the stranger muttered, still fiddling with his radio.

            Jenny fell to the ground in a crumpled heap.  She could feel her head spinning with the room spinning in the other direction.  Her vision alternated between blurry and black, and she couldn't hear anything around her.  Jenny's vocal cords tightened as she tried to scream; nothing but a whimper came out.  Then, just as suddenly as it started, it was over.

            “...will do that to you, you know.  Rather unpleasant process,” Jenny heard the stranger finish.

            “What will do what to me?” Jenny groggily asked.

            “See that light blue powder on the ground?  That's prierium.  It will change you.  That's what started the fire here.  Someone was changed by it.  I'm surprised there was any active prierium left though.  Must have been reactivated by the high humidity.”

            “It made someone start a fire?  And I don't feel any different at all.  How did it change me?”

            “It probably gave someone pyrotechnic capabilities.  It's different for everyone.  It might still need a couple of seconds.  Here, let me help.”

            As he finished his explanation, the stranger slapped Jenny hard in the face.  She was taken aback at first, and then angry.  Suddenly, she felt her mind open and her skin tingle.

            “I can feel something,” she started out.  “Wait, not something, someone.”

            “Who do you feel?”

            “Someone with the ability to shoot fire out of their hands.  He's still close by.”

            “Well, then, take me to him,” the stranger said as he carefully swept up the light blue powder into a canister.

To be continued...

△A35B1-8.2

Danny Mission Update and PLAYERS NEEDED!

Only 57 days until August 8, and the start of the draft for the Surprisingly Average College Football League!

College Fantasy Football where we draft entire teams instead of individual players. It's all about wins!

Sign up below! See tinyurl.com/SACFLRules for rules.

Plus, did you see the beginning of the Prierium Saga last week?

Elder Thurston mission update:
He is now in Elkhart, Indiana and loving every minute.  Here's a pic from the MTC.  It looks like his district at the temple.

Missions are awesome!

Prierium Saga #1

MUU is proud to present a serial story. Please enjoy...

The Prierium Saga

It was an unusually warm April day at Henry Eyring University.  Jenny was sitting in her math class struggling to concentrate.  It was a beautiful day and she could see students sitting on the lawns outside through the classroom window.  How she wished she could just enjoy the sunshine!  As if that wasn't enough of a reason to be distracted, Jenny was graduating at the end of next week and this was her last lecture before final exams.  “I wish I hadn't put off taking this stupid math class until now,” Jenny muttered under her breath. “I just want to get my degree and start making some money.”

Even though it felt like an eternity to Jenny, the math lecture did eventually end.  The professor was giving the students last minute advice for the final, but Jenny didn't care.  She quickly made her way to the exit and started on her way home.

She decided to change things up a little, since it was such a nice day, and walk home down the hill on the south side of campus.  On her way down the hill, however, she noticed someone that stood out just a little bit.  Jenny had never had a reason to be afraid of anything or anyone, so she walked right up to him and noticed a strange device in his hand.

“What's that?” she asked.

“The best word to describe it is a radio, but that's not quite it.  You are very curious; do I know you?” he replied rather sternly.

“I'm Jenny.  You're very curious yourself, dressing like a detective with such a warm overcoat on a hot day like today.  What's your name?”

“Well, little girl,” the stranger started out.  That's how he saw her, even though she was in her early twenties.  “I'll have you know that what you call an overcoat is not just an ordinary overcoat.”

“What is it then?  It's not some sort of invisibility cloak, like in Harry Potter, is it?”

“No, it's nothing like Harry Potter.  We stopped using magic a long time ago, after we discovered prierium.”

“Prierium?  Is that like an element?  Are you some sort of chemist?”

“Well, I'm not so much of a chemist as I am a...,” the stranger began, interrupted by Jenny's high-pitched voice.

“And who's we?  Are you part of some organization?”

“Fine, I'm part of the local chemists' union,” he replied in the hopes that she would let him get back to his search.  But the stranger underestimated Jenny's persistence.

“Look, mister,” said Jenny in a very serious tone, characteristic of a person with her high level of self-confidence, “I don't know who you think you are, but you can't just creep around a university campus, looking super-weird, and acting very suspicious with explaining yourself to me.”

“And who put you in charge of the universe, little girl?  Are you the weird police?”
“The weird police,” Jenny thought to herself.  “That would make an awesome band name.”  She then replied aloud, “No, are you, Mr. McWeirdpants?  You're weird enough to be the captain of the weird police!”

The stranger in the not-magic overcoat began to walk away.  “I've really got a job to do, so if you'd leave me alone with my weirdness, that would be wonderful, little girl.”

Jenny had to run a little bit to catch up to him.  “Would you quit calling me a little girl!?” she yelled, almost at the top of her lungs, loud enough for people walking past to stare at them.  She lowered her voice a little and said very sternly, “I'm twenty-one.  That hardly qualifies as little anywhere in the known universe.  Plus, I'm getting my bachelor's degree next week.”

“Oh, so you think you're smart, little girl?”

Jenny's eyes glared back at the stranger. “No, I know I'm smart!”

“What are you studying again? Some soft science I bet,” he quipped.

“Psychology,” she asserted.

“Like I said, a soft science.  Not smart.  Goodbye, little girl.”

The stranger turned around and went on his way.  About a block later, he realized he was being followed.

“You know,” Jenny called out, “I'm just going to follow you around until you tell me what you're up to.”

Jenny was still right behind him.

“Okay, little girl.  If I tell you what I'm up to will you leave me alone?”

“Maybe.  It depends on what you're doing.”

“Fine.  I'm looking for things that are out of place and unexplained.  Prierium usually has that affect on humans.  Have you seen anything out of the ordinary lately?”

“No, but...”

“That settles it then.  Your stubborn streak and thick-headed nature will be entirely useless to me, little girl.”

“Would you let me finish?” cried Jenny.  “I haven't seen anything unusual, but I heard that the police were having a hard time finding the cause of a fire at the university pool.  The pool has been closed for a week or so until they determine if the pool is safe.”

“An unexplained fire?  Well, little girl, maybe you and your psychology degree will come in useful after all.  At the very least you know how to think.  I'll make you a deal.  You can come with me to the pool and help me investigate, but after that you leave me alone.  That means no following, no stalking, no acknowledging that I was even here.  Deal?”

“Deal… for now,” Jenny smiled.

To be continued...

△A35B1-8.1

Introducing... the SACFL!

The Surprisingly Average College Football League is  a college fantasy football league with a big twist.  Instead of drafting individual players, you draft entire teams.  That means you'll have less time debating which quarterback will score the most touchdowns and more time debating who will win!

The inaugural draft begins on August 8, 2013.

For current rules and league details, click here, or go to tinyurl.com/SACFLRules

To sign up to play, click here, or go to tinyurl.com/SACFL

Entering the MTC

After giving his talk in sacrament meeting on Sunday.
He's the one on the left.
(Me: Accidental photobomb)

My little brother entered the MTC on Wednesday.
I'm going to miss him.  He'll be a great missionary, since he is a great brother.
If you know him, you should write him a letter:

Elder Daniel Fred Thurston
MTC Mailbox # 75
IN-IND 0604
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

Elder Daniel Fred Thurston
Indiana Indianapolis Mission
1980 E 116th St STE 200
Carmel, IN 46032
United States

Bucket List

My little brother shared his bucket list on Facebook, and I realized we have a lot of the same goals.  In case you haven't been around both of us at the same time, we're basically the same person.  Anyway, here's my list of things I'd like to do before I die.

• ◯ Visit the seven continents:
•           ✓ North America
•           ✓ South America
•           ✓ Europe
•           ✓ Africa
•           ◯ Asia
•           ◯ Oceania
•           ◯ Antarctica 
• ◯ Visit every state in the union:
•           ◯ Alabama
•           ◯ Alaska
•           ✓ Arizona
•           ◯ Arkansas
•           ✓ California
•           ✓ Colorado
•           ◯ Connecticut
•           ◯ Delaware
•           ✓ Florida
•           ✓ Georgia
•           ◯ Hawaii
•           ✓ Idaho
•           ✓ Illinois
•           ◯ Indiana
•           ✓ Iowa
•           ✓ Kansas
•           ◯ Kentucky
•           ◯ Louisiana
•           ◯ Maine
•           ✓ Maryland
•           ◯ Massachusetts
•           ✓ Michigan
•           ✓ Minnesota
•           ◯ Mississippi
•           ✓ Missouri
•           ✓ Montana
•           ✓ Nebraska
•           ✓ Nevada
•           ◯ New Hampshire
•           ✓ New Jersey
•           ✓ New Mexico
•           ✓ New York
•           ◯ North Carolina
•           ✓ North Dakota
•           ✓ Ohio
•           ◯ Oklahoma
•           ◯ Oregon
•           ✓ Pennsylvania
•           ◯ Rhode Island
•           ◯ South Carolina
•           ◯ South Dakota
•           ✓ Tennessee
•           ✓ Texas
•           ✓ Utah
•           ◯ Vermont
•           ✓ Virginia
•           ◯ Washington
•           ◯ West Virginia
•           ◯ Wisconsin
•           ✓ Wyoming
•           ✓ District of Columbia
• ◯ Visit every temple in the world.
•           ✓ (Kirtland Temple)
•           ◯ St. George Utah Temple
•           ✓ Logan Utah Temple
•           ✓ Manti Utah Temple
•           ✓ Salt Lake Temple
•           ◯ Laie Hawaii Temple
•           ◯ Cardston Alberta Temple
•           ◯ Mesa Arizona Temple
•           ◯ Idaho Falls Idaho Temple
•           ◯ Bern Switzerland Temple
•           ◯ Los Angeles California Temple
•           ◯ Hamilton New Zealand Temple
•           ◯ London England Temple
•           ✓ Oakland California Temple
•           ✓ Ogden Utah Temple‡
•           ✓ Provo Utah Temple
•           ✓ Washington DC Temple
•           ◯ São Paulo Brazil Temple
•           ◯ Tokyo Japan Temple
•           ◯ Seattle Washington Temple
•           ✓ Jordan River Utah Temple
•           ◯ Atlanta Georgia Temple
•           ◯ Apia Samoa Temple
•           ◯ Nuku'alofa Tonga Temple
•           ◯ Santiago Chile Temple
•           ◯ Papeete Tahiti Temple
•           ◯ México City México Temple
•           ◯ Boise Idaho Temple
•           ◯ Sydney Australia Temple
•           ◯ Manila Philippines Temple
•           ◯ Dallas Texas Temple
•           ◯ Taipei Taiwan Temple
•           ◯ Guatemala City Guatemala Temple
•           ◯ Freiberg Germany Temple
•           ◯ Stockholm Sweden Temple
•           ◯ Chicago Illinois Temple
•           ◯ Johannesburg South Africa Temple
•           ◯ Seoul Korea Temple
•           ◯ Lima Perú Temple
•           ✓ Buenos Aires Argentina Temple
•           ◯ Denver Colorado Temple
•           ◯ Frankfurt Germany Temple
•           ◯ Portland Oregon Temple
•           ✓ Las Vegas Nevada Temple
•           ◯ Toronto Ontario Temple
•           ◯ San Diego California Temple
•           ◯ Orlando Florida Temple
•           ✓ Bountiful Utah Temple
•           ◯ Hong Kong China Temple
•           ✓ Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple
•           ✓ St. Louis Missouri Temple
•           ◯ Vernal Utah Temple
•           ◯ Preston England Temple
•           ✓ Monticello Utah Temple
•           ◯ Anchorage Alaska Temple
•           ◯ Colonia Juárez Chihuahua México Temple
•           ◯ Madrid Spain Temple
•           ◯ Bogotá Colombia Temple
•           ◯ Guayaquil Ecuador Temple
•           ◯ Spokane Washington Temple
•           ◯ Columbus Ohio Temple
•           ◯ Bismarck North Dakota Temple
•           ◯ Columbia South Carolina Temple
•           ◯ Detroit Michigan Temple
•           ◯ Regina Saskatchewan Temple
•           ◯ Halifax Nova Scotia Temple
•           ◯ Billings Montana Temple
•           ◯ Edmonton Alberta Temple
•           ◯ Raleigh North Carolina Temple
•           ◯ St. Paul Minnesota Temple
•           ◯ Kona Hawaii Temple
•           ◯ Ciudad Juárez México Temple
•           ◯ Hermosillo Sonora México Temple
•           ◯ Albuquerque New Mexico Temple
•           ◯ Oaxaca México Temple
•           ◯ Tuxtla Gutiérrez México Temple
•           ◯ Louisville Kentucky Temple
•           ✓ Palmyra New York Temple
•           ◯ Fresno California Temple
•           ◯ Medford Oregon Temple
•           ◯ Reno Nevada Temple
•           ◯ Memphis Tennessee Temple
•           ◯ Cochabamba Bolivia Temple
•           ◯ Tampico México Temple
•           ◯ Nashville Tennessee Temple
•           ✓ San José Costa Rica Temple
•           ◯ Montréal Québec Temple
•           ◯ Fukuoka Japan Temple
•           ◯ Adelaide Australia Temple
•           ◯ Melbourne Australia Temple
•           ◯ Suva Fiji Temple
•           ◯ Mérida México Temple
•           ◯ Veracruz México Temple
•           ◯ Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple
•           ◯ Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple
•           ◯ Caracas Venezuela Temple
•           ◯ Houston Texas Temple
•           ◯ Birmingham Alabama Temple
•           ◯ Santo Domingo Dominican Republic Temple
•           ◯ Boston Massachusetts Temple
•           ◯ Recife Brazil Temple
•           ◯ Porto Alegre Brazil Temple
•           ◯ Montevideo Uruguay Temple
•           ◯ Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple
•           ◯ Guadalajara México Temple
•           ◯ Perth Australia Temple
•           ◯ Columbia River Washington Temple
•           ◯ Snowflake Arizona Temple
•           ◯ Lubbock Texas Temple
•           ◯ Monterrey México Temple
•           ◯ Campinas Brazil Temple
•           ◯ Asunción Paraguay Temple
•           ✓ Nauvoo Illinois Temple
•           ◯ The Hague Netherlands Temple
•           ◯ Brisbane Australia Temple
•           ◯ Redlands California Temple
•           ◯ Accra Ghana Temple
•           ◯ Copenhagen Denmark Temple
•           ✓ Manhattan New York Temple
•           ◯ San Antonio Texas Temple
•           ◯ Aba Nigeria Temple
•           ◯ Newport Beach California Temple
•           ◯ Sacramento California Temple
•           ◯ Helsinki Finland Temple
•           ◯ Rexburg Idaho Temple
•           ◯ Curitiba Brazil Temple
•           ◯ Panamá City Panamá Temple
•           ◯ Twin Falls Idaho Temple
•           ✓ Draper Utah Temple
•           ◯ Oquirrh Mountain Temple
•           ◯ Vancouver British Columbia Temple
•           ◯ The Gila Valley Arizona Temple
•           ◯ Cebu City Philippines Temple
•           ◯ Kyiv Ukraine Temple
•           ◯ San Salvador El Salvador Temple
•           ◯ Quetzaltenango Guatemala Temple
•           ✓ Kansas City Missouri Temple
•           ◯ Manaus Brazil Temple
•           ◯ Brigham City Utah Temple
•           ◯ Calgary Alberta Temple
•           ◯ Tegucigalpa Honduras Temple
•           ◯ Rome Italy Temple*
•           ◯ Córdoba Argentina Temple*
•           ◯ Gilbert Arizona Temple*
•           ◯ Phoenix Arizona Temple*
•           ◯ Fort Lauderdale Florida Temple*
•           ◯ Trujillo Perú Temple*
•           ◯ Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple*
•           ◯ Payson Utah Temple*
•           ◯ Sapporo Japan Temple*
•           ◯ Fortaleza Brazil Temple*
•           ✓ Provo City Center Temple*
•           ◯ Tijuana México Temple*
•           ◯ Indianapolis Indiana Temple*
•           ◯ Concepción Chile Temple†
•           ◯ Lisbon Portugal Temple†
•           ◯ Urdaneta Philippines Temple†
•           ◯ Hartford Connecticut Temple†
•           ◯ Fort Collins Colorado Temple†
•           ◯ Meridian Idaho Temple†
•           ◯ Winnipeg Manitoba Temple†
•           ◯ Barranquilla Colombia Temple†
•           ◯ Durban South Africa Temple†
•           ◯ Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo Temple†
•           ◯ Star Valley Wyoming Temple†
•           ◯ Paris France Temple†
•           ◯ Tucson Arizona Temple†
•           ◯ Arequipa Perú Temple†
•           ◯ Cedar City Utah Temple†
•           ◯ Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple†
•                     *under construction, †announced, ‡closed for renovation
• ✓ Visit the Sacred Grove.
• ◯ Visit Scotland
• ◯ Visit Wales
• ◯ Visit Ireland
• ✓ Visit England
• ◯ Stand on the North Pole.
• ◯ Stand on the South Pole.
• ◯ Stand on the Equator.
• ✓ Stand on the Prime Meridian.
• ◯ Write a book.
• ◯ Write a pop song (lyrics, music, or both).
• ◯ Record an album.
• ✓ Compose a piece of music.
• ◯ Have the composed piece performed.
• ✓ Get married.
• ◯ Have some childrens.
•          ◯ Baby Thor
• ◯ Graduate from college.
• ◯ Graduate from graduate school with a PhD.

Best T-Shirt Ever

Since we recently went to see Iron Man 3, we of course talked about how excited we were to go and see the movie.  Apparently, Sam was excited as well.  Whether it was coincidence or not that Sam kicked whenever we talked about Iron Man 3, Hayley said that we should call him Iron Baby instead of Baby Thor.

Yesterday, I saw this t-shirt at the bookstore and thought that it would be a perfect way to show my loyalty to Baby Thor.  My proposition is to call our next child Iron Baby.

So, what do you think? Baby Thor or Iron Baby?

Sam's (Thor's) Future Home

(Real Photo will be included, pending our
putting up curtains in the room and making it look nice.)

After a long Saturday of driving past yard sales, looking on KSL, finding a crib, not having a big enough
station wagon, finding a truck, unloading said crib, the crib not fitting through the bedroom door, taking apart said crib, reassembling said crib, and going to the Real Salt Lake game, Sam finally has a place to lay his head when he gets here.

Special thanks to Shawn Cates for letting us borrow his truck in exchange for dropping yard sale off at DI.

(Photo will be included, pending our putting up curtains in the room and making it look nice.)

Mormon Scientist

Somewhere between high school and college someone a received a book in the mail: Mormon Scientist by Henry J. Eyring.  The strange part was that I hadn't ordered or paid for this book.  It simply came with a note that said, "Thought that you might enjoy this book.  -Deseret Book"  The book is about President Eyring's dad, Henry Eyring, who was a world-class chemist.  (There's a lot of Henry's to keep track of.)  I mean, this guy talked to scientists like Einstein and Heisenburg. 

I reread this book over the weekend and realized how much the example of Henry Eyring as a scientist and as a Mormon has helped me so far in my chemistry career.  Therefore, I wanted to thank whoever it was that sent me this influential book, whether it was Deseret Book or someone who wanted to remain anonymous.  It's meant a lot to me to have an example to look up to.

Finals Once Again, Looking Forward to Summer

Does anyone enjoy finals week? I guess it's a lot less stressful than the week right before it.  All you do is take a test and go home every day.

In other news, Baby Sam (or, the baby formerly known as Thor) is still growing well.  And I'm looking forward to a wonderful summer of waiting for him to grow.

Some things that I want to do this summer:

• Take the GRE
• Study for the GRE (these obviously aren't in order)
• Compose music
• Write short stories
• Write a long story
• Read all of the Sherlock Holmes stories
• Work in the lab a lot
• Do better at daily scripture study
• Go geocaching
• Pray for cheaper ammunition
• Write the missionaries (especially my little brother)

What are you planning on doing this summer?

Stake Conference Talk

I spoke in stake conference yesterday, and this is what I said, since I didn't post on Friday...

One of the most quoted passages of scripture is the Savior’s admonition, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”  In fact, the extent to which we keep His commandments seems to be the Lord’s litmus test for whether we truly love him.  Later on in the same chapter he says, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”  To the elders in Kirtland He said, “If thou lovest me thou shalt serve me and keep all my commandments.”  Today I would like to speak on the service the Lord expects of us.

In Section 20 of the Doctrine and Covenants, given at the organization of the Church in this dispensation, we learn that Christ “gave unto them commandments that they should love and serve him, the only living and true God, and that he should be the only being whom they should worship.”  How can we serve the Lord?  One way that clearly stands out to me is to by fulfilling our callings and assignments in the Church.  I hope that I do not sound boastful as I share some of my experiences in serving the Lord.

After returning home from my mission, I served as the ward mission leader in our ward.  As part of my responsibilities, I attended the weekly ward council meetings.  Shortly after my wife and I were married, I attended a meeting where we discussed the need the Bonneville 7th Ward, which is a Spanish language ward, had for couples to come and serve for a one-year period, as told to the bishop by the stake president.  I had a feeling that this might be something for us to do.  I felt even more so when it was mentioned that only one of the couple had to speak Spanish.  I was nervous as I returned home after the meeting and shared my feelings with my wife.  Thankfully, she was very excited about this opportunity and we decided that this was something we needed to do.  

After being in the 7th Ward for a couple of weeks, we were asked to serve as special needs teachers in the Primary.  Our class consists of one wonderful, 8-year-old boy, named Randolph.  Randolph is special because he has autism.  He has a need for schedules, structure, and consistency.  The first couple of weeks teaching him were difficult, and I honestly wondered whether we had made the right decision after all.  But we pressed on, knowing this was what the Lord would have us do.  We were able to find a way to help Randolph learn during Primary, with the help of his parents, his schoolteacher, the ward Primary presidency, and stake leaders.  We came together as a team to help restructure Randolph’s environment so that he could learn with the other children.  Today, Randolph is able to sit for fifteen minutes at a time in sharing time, and in the 8-year-old primary class with the other children.  In between, Randolph has five minute breaks.  To be honest, these breaks are my favorite part of Primary.  Sometimes we play with our Hot Wheels cars, other times we look out the window at the passing cars and motorcycles, and Randolph yells at them to come back to church..

I think that by serving Randolph I have seen more clearly how much the Lord loves me, and all of His children.  I have seen inspired Church leaders come together to bless the life of one little boy, just as they do to bless my life.  I researched extensively about autism and tried to learn everything I could about it, to be able to understand what Randolph is thinking; I remember the suffering the Lord went through to know how to help me.  I have gained a friend that is now excited to come to Primary every week and learn new things. Most of all, I have gained a friend in the Savior and am excited to come to Primary every week and learn more about Him through the teachings of little children.

I do not claim to know the reason for the Lord’s commandment to serve Him, but I have a strong feeling that it is at least partly because as we serve Him, we come to know Him and His love much better.  His love is a comfort, and an example of how we should love those around us.  The more we inject charity into our being, the more we feel and understand it, and the more we can emulate it.  Being a scientist, this reminds me of my organic chemistry classes.  Before I go on, I would like to explain that my favorite branch of chemistry, (yes, I’m a nerd) is analytical chemistry, not organic chemistry.  But this example from organic chemistry seems fitting.

Organic chemistry is the study of carbon-based molecules, which is just about everything.  A large part of the discipline, as those who have taken an organic chemistry class know, is being able to predict reactions between organic molecules, and use that knowledge to construct different molecules that may be helpful in certain areas, whether in be a new drug, polymer, plastic, or protein.  In order to best make those predictions, understanding of the molecules involved, especially where the different electrons in the various orbitals are wont to go, is critical.  Just as understanding the electronics of an organic molecule increases our capacity to synthesize new materials, understanding of the Lord’s love for us and His desire to serve us increase our capacity to love and serve those around us in a Christ-like way.  

I bear testimony that the Lord’s love can become a real power in our lives.  We can begin by simply looking for examples of the Lord’s love for us in our everyday comings and goings.  Most importantly, we can learn of the Lord’s love for us as we serve Him by serving those around us.  In the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

It's a... BABY!

Just letting everyone know Thor's gender.  Thor is a BOY!!!

Turns out he doesn't have clothes on.

Inspired by John Cage

.

Blessings of the Temple

The Provo Utah Temple

Yesterday, I got the chance to go to the temple with my brother and watch him make sacred covenants with God in preparation for his service as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  It was such a wonderful experience!  It comparison to the other buildings of other faiths that I have visited, the temple always brings the Spirit more fully, and it is always such a calming experience.

In the temple, we make sacred covenants with the Lord, just as He has always asked his people to do. The ancient Israelites had the tabernacle while they were in the wilderness, and the temple in Jerusalem, until it was destroyed.  Thankfully, the Lord has once again given his people the opportunity to make sacred promises with Him.  These promises have been a wonderful blessing to me, both on my mission, and in my marriage, and are the choice blessings the Lord promises His people over and over in scripture.

Daylight Saving Time & Mission Call!

The time change has reminded me that some of the things our government does are really stupid.  Do you know what else we should change?  Our political party affiliation.

That's right.  I'm starting my own political party.  You are welcome to join me if you wish.  Here is the national party platform:

• Daylight Saving Time - Should be repealed entirely, or in force all year round. 

• Elected Government Official (EGO) Compensation - EGO's should be compensated only what they are missing out from in their normal employment, with a minimum compensation equal to the minimum wage.  If you don't have another job, outside of Congress, you make minimum wage legislating. 

• Internet Service Provider (ISP) Bandwidth Guarantee - Internet subscribers should be able to measure their internet upload and download speeds once a month and use this information to claim a breach of contract if they are getting less than what they paid for.  Monthly bills would be multiplied by the percentage of advertised bandwidth received. 

If there's anything you feel should be added to the party platform, please leave a note in the comments below.  You can also join the party.

I would also like to say how proud I am of my little brother getting a mission call!  He will be serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Indiana Indianapolis Mission.  He enters the MTC towards the end of May.

The Best Two Years

A bedroom window view of Porto

It is common to hear among missionaries of the Church returning home that their missions were the best two years of their lives.  It is also common to hear mission presidents, experienced men charged for ensuring missionary safety, welfare, and well-being while serving their missions, tell returning missionaries not to get stuck in the past, and to make the following two years the new best two years.  My mission was certainly a wonderful experience.  I was able to come closer to God than I had in my entire life.  My testimony of the gospel grew as it was challenged daily.  I found out what I truly believed, and found my limits in many areas.   I often stop to remember the things I learned during those times.  The mission is truly an unforgettable experience, but I'm in many ways glad that I won't have to pass by that way twice.

Câmara de Lobos, my home for six months

It has been a little more than two years since I returned home from my mission, and looking back, these are truly the new best two years.  Firstly, I started school again.  I didn't realize how much I loved school until I wasn't allowed to attend for two years.  I've learned so much and grown in even more ways from my educational experiences.

When I came home I was still given opportunities to serve in the Church.  I served for a long time as a ward mission leader, a member that coordinates the efforts of local wards, or congregations, with that of the full-time missionaries.  It was exciting, fulfilling, and gave me another view of how the Church operates.  I have since been able to serve in even more capacities in the Church.

Hang on tight and don't let go!

The biggest blessing of my entire life developed, occurred, and continues through these last two years — my wife.  We re-met (that's another story that has already been told) exactly a year ago this week, began a wonderful courtship, and married in the Draper Utah Temple for time and eternity.  We are now expecting our first child (Thor, until we know the gender) and it just doesn't seem like life could get any better.  But we know it will.  The challenges of surviving graduate school as a family, and raising children, await us.  Because the challenge is hard, the reward will be great.  I just can't wait to see what the next two years will bring.

More Baby News

The Mighty Thor

No, we don't know the gender of our child.  Not yet, anyway.  We got to hear the baby's heartbeat again, and it's still doing fine.  I've decided that I'm calling my kid "Thor" regardless of what we end up naming it, simply because Thor Thurston sounds awesome!  Or maybe I'll call it Thor online until he/she is born and is given a real name.  I don't think the Mrs. really approves of my calling our baby Thor.

Anyway, if everything goes according to plan, we should know whether Thor is a boy or a girl at the beginning of April.  Stay tuned!

LAST CALL: MLS Fantasy Soccer

It starts on Saturday!!!  This is your LAST chance to sign up for the MUU Liga.  Send this to anyone you know that might be interested!

CODE TO JOIN THIS LEAGUE: 2135-689

The Book of Mormon: A True Story

For more information, or to order a free copy,
go to mormon.org/book-of-mormon/

I wish there were a clearer way to explain how I know the Book of Mormon is true.  I simply do.  I've read it.  I've prayed about it.  I've received an answer from God that it is true.

One of the earliest memories I have of actually knowing that the Book of Mormon was true took place when I was 14.  I had just attended the National Scout Jamboree in Virginia and was on a tour of Church History sites with my Jamboree group.  I clearly remember going to the Sacred Grove, the exact same grove of trees where Joseph Smith himself first prayed vocally, and feeling an overwhelming sensation that the Book of Mormon was true.

I have been where Joseph Smith was.  I've been to his house, I've been to the printing shop he asked to print the Book, I've been to Nauvoo, where people were forced to leave for believing in the Book.  This isn't some elaborate lie contrived by conspiring men.  The events were real, and the book is real.  It stands today as a witness of the veracity of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and as a witness of the truth of Jesus Christ and His mission.  Those who don't understand the significance of these statements, and the life-changing implications they carry, would do well to obtain a copy of the book, and study and ask for themselves.  As for me, my life will never be the same because of it.