Comments on: Keep Pedaling http://mormonmatters.org/2008/12/04/keep-pedaling/ Exploring Mormon culture in a balanced way Sun, 14 Mar 2010 17:51:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Arthur http://mormonmatters.org/2008/12/04/keep-pedaling/#comment-54241 Arthur Thu, 15 Jan 2009 22:04:15 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/?p=3182#comment-54241 That's a good and important question. I don't think my depression has ever been "cured." I have little bouts of it now and then. However, I learned a few things about it on my mission. First and foremost is to work through it. My first desire when I get depressed is to shut down and take time off work or otherwise withdraw. This will only make it worse. Sitting alone, by myself, at home, listening to music or watching TV will NOT solve depression. I've found also that, since I've had so much experience with depression, I know it for what it is. When I start to feel down or self-critical, I can tell myself, "Wait, I know what this is, and I'm not going to let it control me." It's a kind of discipline that I learned mostly from my mission. That’s a good and important question. I don’t think my depression has ever been “cured.” I have little bouts of it now and then. However, I learned a few things about it on my mission. First and foremost is to work through it. My first desire when I get depressed is to shut down and take time off work or otherwise withdraw. This will only make it worse. Sitting alone, by myself, at home, listening to music or watching TV will NOT solve depression. I’ve found also that, since I’ve had so much experience with depression, I know it for what it is. When I start to feel down or self-critical, I can tell myself, “Wait, I know what this is, and I’m not going to let it control me.” It’s a kind of discipline that I learned mostly from my mission.

]]> By: required http://mormonmatters.org/2008/12/04/keep-pedaling/#comment-54224 required Thu, 15 Jan 2009 20:15:54 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/?p=3182#comment-54224 Thanks for sharing the experience. Do your previous feelings sometimes reoccur? How do you cope with them if they do? Thanks for sharing the experience. Do your previous feelings sometimes reoccur? How do you cope with them if they do?

]]> By: Genesse http://mormonmatters.org/2008/12/04/keep-pedaling/#comment-54211 Genesse Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:37:56 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/?p=3182#comment-54211 Recommended reading: Amazon.com carries books by an author named Denver Snuffer. I believe you would be edified by his writing. Good luck to you. Recommended reading: Amazon.com carries books by an author named Denver Snuffer. I believe you would be edified by his writing. Good luck to you.

]]> By: Nora Ray http://mormonmatters.org/2008/12/04/keep-pedaling/#comment-49990 Nora Ray Sun, 07 Dec 2008 17:02:27 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/?p=3182#comment-49990 This is so exactly right. Thank you! This is so exactly right. Thank you!

]]> By: Oscar http://mormonmatters.org/2008/12/04/keep-pedaling/#comment-49953 Oscar Sun, 07 Dec 2008 06:03:57 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/?p=3182#comment-49953 Beautiful testimony and uplifting. Thank you! Beautiful testimony and uplifting. Thank you!

]]> By: manaen http://mormonmatters.org/2008/12/04/keep-pedaling/#comment-49856 manaen Fri, 05 Dec 2008 23:03:16 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/?p=3182#comment-49856 Thank you for this. I battled guilt -- self-induced depression -- for years before confessing and feeling great suprise and relief at the healing power of Christ's atonement. Elder Scott has focused wonderfully on the healing of souls for decades. . The tears sprang unexpectedly when I read the answer you received in Elder Scott's comments. One of the most surprising discoveries I made was that God trusted me to recover from what I had supposed was hopeless. "And if ye have no hope ye must needs be in despair; and despair cometh because of iniquity." -- Mni 10:22. I'm grateful for your different slant on the same lesson. Sometime one's despair comes from someone else's iniquity, even if it's failing to love you well enough for you to feel it (Mt 25:45) . "I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell." - 2 Ne 33:6 Thank you for this. I battled guilt — self-induced depression — for years before confessing and feeling great suprise and relief at the healing power of Christ’s atonement. Elder Scott has focused wonderfully on the healing of souls for decades.
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The tears sprang unexpectedly when I read the answer you received in Elder Scott’s comments. One of the most surprising discoveries I made was that God trusted me to recover from what I had supposed was hopeless. “And if ye have no hope ye must needs be in despair; and despair cometh because of iniquity.” — Mni 10:22. I’m grateful for your different slant on the same lesson. Sometime one’s despair comes from someone else’s iniquity, even if it’s failing to love you well enough for you to feel it (Mt 25:45)
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“I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell.” – 2 Ne 33:6

]]> By: Ray http://mormonmatters.org/2008/12/04/keep-pedaling/#comment-49855 Ray Fri, 05 Dec 2008 22:49:15 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/?p=3182#comment-49855 To follow up on Rigel's #31, I have found quite often that I only recognize a particular blessing in my life much later - when I realize why I had an impression way back when it first hit. In that sense, I only understood once I had kept peddling. To follow up on Rigel’s #31, I have found quite often that I only recognize a particular blessing in my life much later – when I realize why I had an impression way back when it first hit. In that sense, I only understood once I had kept peddling.

]]> By: Rigel Hawthorne http://mormonmatters.org/2008/12/04/keep-pedaling/#comment-49850 Rigel Hawthorne Fri, 05 Dec 2008 22:23:16 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/?p=3182#comment-49850 "Sinking down in the chair", "feeling like time is being wasted", "playing with thumbs". I loved those descriptions of how you were feeling. I've had those feelings many times when suddenly a spiritual experience takes place. Had you not persevered despite that negativity, then the spiritual reward may never had taken place. Its so easy to say, 'I've heard it all before so it won't matter if I miss this', and many times its true, but for that one moment of spiritual communication, it can be so worth it to persevere. “Sinking down in the chair”, “feeling like time is being wasted”, “playing with thumbs”. I loved those descriptions of how you were feeling. I’ve had those feelings many times when suddenly a spiritual experience takes place. Had you not persevered despite that negativity, then the spiritual reward may never had taken place. Its so easy to say, ‘I’ve heard it all before so it won’t matter if I miss this’, and many times its true, but for that one moment of spiritual communication, it can be so worth it to persevere.

]]> By: Arthur http://mormonmatters.org/2008/12/04/keep-pedaling/#comment-49843 Arthur Fri, 05 Dec 2008 20:58:43 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/?p=3182#comment-49843 She did! If she didn't, my essay would have been VERY different... She did!

If she didn’t, my essay would have been VERY different…

]]> By: Pembleton http://mormonmatters.org/2008/12/04/keep-pedaling/#comment-49834 Pembleton Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:29:27 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/?p=3182#comment-49834 Arthur, Sometimes when you read the words of another, it is chilling how much they are your own. Elder Scott's humility and ability to feel after those that are injured offers many examples. Thank you for being brave and sharing what many of us feel. Did she say yes? :o) Arthur,

Sometimes when you read the words of another, it is chilling how much they are your own. Elder Scott’s humility and ability to feel after those that are injured offers many examples. Thank you for being brave and sharing what many of us feel.

Did she say yes? :o )

]]> By: Nitsav http://mormonmatters.org/2008/12/04/keep-pedaling/#comment-49824 Nitsav Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:14:21 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/?p=3182#comment-49824 Note that in Jesus saying "Why hast thou forsaken me?" he is quoting the Aramaic version (Arm. lama shavaqthani vs. Heb. lama ezavtani) of Psalm 22, which may well be a prophetic foreshadow of what being on the cross would be like. Psalm 22:1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? Psalm 22:6-8 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. 7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8 He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. Psalm 22:14-16 14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. 16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. (Textual issue there, but that's ok.) Psalm 22:18-19 18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. 19 But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me. Psalm 22:30-31 30 A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. 31 They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this. Note that in Jesus saying “Why hast thou forsaken me?” he is quoting the Aramaic version (Arm. lama shavaqthani vs. Heb. lama ezavtani) of Psalm 22, which may well be a prophetic foreshadow of what being on the cross would be like.

Psalm 22:1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

Psalm 22:6-8 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. 7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8 He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.

Psalm 22:14-16 14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. 16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. (Textual issue there, but that’s ok.)

Psalm 22:18-19 18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. 19 But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.

Psalm 22:30-31 30 A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. 31 They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.

]]> By: Banned Commenter http://mormonmatters.org/2008/12/04/keep-pedaling/#comment-49818 Banned Commenter Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:35:43 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/?p=3182#comment-49818 Thanks, Arthur. Thanks, Arthur.

]]> By: Arthur http://mormonmatters.org/2008/12/04/keep-pedaling/#comment-49816 Arthur Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:23:03 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/?p=3182#comment-49816 #23. I suppose if I were thoroughly convinced that Elder Scott is an apostle, I could "logically" conclude that what he's testifying of is true, that the Savior is indeed real as Elder Scott said, and that the Church he represents at least has some connection with Deity. But I'm not sure the human mind really works that way. I see my spirituality as a mosaic of seemingly unrelated bits of testimony scattered everywhere... I try to tie them all together as best as I can and hopefully see a picture that in the end means something. But I think in order for principles, people, God, or even music to have any sort of power, we need testimonies of each, and little bits of "light and knowledge" of each one as time progresses... #23. I suppose if I were thoroughly convinced that Elder Scott is an apostle, I could “logically” conclude that what he’s testifying of is true, that the Savior is indeed real as Elder Scott said, and that the Church he represents at least has some connection with Deity.

But I’m not sure the human mind really works that way. I see my spirituality as a mosaic of seemingly unrelated bits of testimony scattered everywhere… I try to tie them all together as best as I can and hopefully see a picture that in the end means something. But I think in order for principles, people, God, or even music to have any sort of power, we need testimonies of each, and little bits of “light and knowledge” of each one as time progresses…

]]> By: Ray http://mormonmatters.org/2008/12/04/keep-pedaling/#comment-49815 Ray Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:18:40 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/?p=3182#comment-49815 My time has been curtailed greatly of late, so I am getting to this only now. Thanks, Arthur. This was wonderful. I am going to share it with a few people I know and love. My time has been curtailed greatly of late, so I am getting to this only now.

Thanks, Arthur. This was wonderful. I am going to share it with a few people I know and love.

]]> By: Thomas E. Hatton http://mormonmatters.org/2008/12/04/keep-pedaling/#comment-49810 Thomas E. Hatton Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:01:16 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/?p=3182#comment-49810 From the first, most celebrated tentative steps, to letting go of that handlebar, to handing over the car keys, to standing as a witness in the sealing room, a parent is constantly torn with the thought of the very real risk associated with letting go. Everything inside of you screams to continue to hold on just a little bit longer. But let go you must. And in that exact instant of letting go the fear becomes overwhelmed with joy and excitement as you witness the surge of confidence at our child’s newfound mobility. A mobility that will take him to heights beyond anything he can comprehend right now. What a wonderfully inspirational journey life is. Great post Arthur, Tom Hatton From the first, most celebrated tentative steps, to letting go of that handlebar, to handing over the car keys, to standing as a witness in the sealing room, a parent is constantly torn with the thought of the very real risk associated with letting go. Everything inside of you screams to continue to hold on just a little bit longer. But let go you must. And in that exact instant of letting go the fear becomes overwhelmed with joy and excitement as you witness the surge of confidence at our child’s newfound mobility. A mobility that will take him to heights beyond anything he can comprehend right now. What a wonderfully inspirational journey life is.

Great post Arthur,

Tom Hatton

]]> By: GBSmith http://mormonmatters.org/2008/12/04/keep-pedaling/#comment-49764 GBSmith Fri, 05 Dec 2008 05:01:58 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/?p=3182#comment-49764 In his post Arthur bears his testimony of Elder Scott as an apostle but I'm curious as to how far that logically extends. To a testimony of the Saviour, to the "church", to Joseph Smith? Just how far does it go an how much can a person read in to a spiritual experience? In his post Arthur bears his testimony of Elder Scott as an apostle but I’m curious as to how far that logically extends. To a testimony of the Saviour, to the “church”, to Joseph Smith? Just how far does it go an how much can a person read in to a spiritual experience?

]]> By: J. Chad http://mormonmatters.org/2008/12/04/keep-pedaling/#comment-49759 J. Chad Fri, 05 Dec 2008 04:21:46 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/?p=3182#comment-49759 Thank you Thank you

]]> By: John Dehlin http://mormonmatters.org/2008/12/04/keep-pedaling/#comment-49758 John Dehlin Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:48:12 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/?p=3182#comment-49758 I love my nephew. Congrats, man! I hope to see you soon!!! I love my nephew. Congrats, man! I hope to see you soon!!!

]]> By: Allison http://mormonmatters.org/2008/12/04/keep-pedaling/#comment-49755 Allison Fri, 05 Dec 2008 01:19:58 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/?p=3182#comment-49755 Thank-you. Thank-you.

]]> By: shirley akemon http://mormonmatters.org/2008/12/04/keep-pedaling/#comment-49753 shirley akemon Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:32:25 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/?p=3182#comment-49753 thank u so much for sharing that. :) I have had the same question swirling through my head for a good portion of my life now and thanks to u I understand why he had forsaken me. It means so much to me to finally know that he never truely left me, he was just on the side lines trusting me to do what I know is right. Thank u for finally opening my eyes. I am forever greatful. thank u so much for sharing that. :)
I have had the same question swirling through my head for a good portion of my life now and thanks to u I understand why he had forsaken me. It means so much to me to finally know that he never truely left me, he was just on the side lines trusting me to do what I know is right. Thank u for finally opening my eyes. I am forever greatful.

]]> By: Andrew Ainsworth http://mormonmatters.org/2008/12/04/keep-pedaling/#comment-49752 Andrew Ainsworth Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:31:02 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/?p=3182#comment-49752 Arthur, an absolutely beautiful message. Thank you. We need more posts like this. I had a somewhat similar "run in" with the "why has thou forsaken me?" scripture, and although different circumstances were involved, it is interesting to me that you and I both reached essentially the same conclusion, as I explained here http://mormonmatters.org/2008/06/18/dark-night-of-the-soul/ Thanks again for a beautiful and inspiring post! Arthur, an absolutely beautiful message. Thank you. We need more posts like this.

I had a somewhat similar “run in” with the “why has thou forsaken me?” scripture, and although different circumstances were involved, it is interesting to me that you and I both reached essentially the same conclusion, as I explained here http://mormonmatters.org/2008/06/18/dark-night-of-the-soul/

Thanks again for a beautiful and inspiring post!

]]> By: Lilola http://mormonmatters.org/2008/12/04/keep-pedaling/#comment-49742 Lilola Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:23:55 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/?p=3182#comment-49742 What a great insight! Apostles are amazing men; we learn much when we listen with the spirit ear. Thanx! What a great insight! Apostles are amazing men; we learn much when we listen with the spirit ear. Thanx!

]]> By: Peter Brown http://mormonmatters.org/2008/12/04/keep-pedaling/#comment-49739 Peter Brown Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:37:33 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/?p=3182#comment-49739 I like what your bicycle analogy. For me, it resonates the same way as "put it back on the shelf" when we don't alway feel intellectually satisfied by an answer. When we move on, the spirit strengthens from within us-thus the whole move into the light. I think there is a difference when we lean upon the light and the when the light shines from us. Somewhere in between God has to let go. I like what your bicycle analogy. For me, it resonates the same way as “put it back on the shelf” when we don’t alway feel intellectually satisfied by an answer. When we move on, the spirit strengthens from within us-thus the whole move into the light. I think there is a difference when we lean upon the light and the when the light shines from us. Somewhere in between God has to let go.

]]> By: John Nilsson http://mormonmatters.org/2008/12/04/keep-pedaling/#comment-49734 John Nilsson Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:48:52 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/?p=3182#comment-49734 I've had those experiences too, where my low expectations before an event are blown out of the water because of an unexpected insight that resolves a long-held tension. Say hi to your fiancee. I’ve had those experiences too, where my low expectations before an event are blown out of the water because of an unexpected insight that resolves a long-held tension. Say hi to your fiancee.

]]> By: Velska http://mormonmatters.org/2008/12/04/keep-pedaling/#comment-49733 Velska Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:42:12 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/?p=3182#comment-49733 #3: "depression is hard, because it strikes at the things we need to be able to cope with the problem it is causing" It's the easy-to-understand definition of a vicious circle. #3: “depression is hard, because it strikes at the things we need to be able to cope with the problem it is causing”

It’s the easy-to-understand definition of a vicious circle.

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