View source for Gospel Hobbies

==About Gospel Hobbies==

At a May 1, 2005 LDS Church Educational System Fireside for Young Adults, Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the LDS Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said the following:

"In a memorable message given at the 1971 October conference, Elder Boyd K. Packer likened the fulness of the gospel to a piano keyboard. He reminded us that a person could be 'attracted by a single key,' such as a doctrine they want to hear 'played over and over again.' He explained:

'Some members of the Church who should know better pick out a hobby key or two and tap them incessantly. . . . They lose track that there is a fulness of the gospel, . . . ~[[which they reject]] in preference to a favorite note. This becomes exaggerated and distorted, leading them away into apostasy' (Teach Ye Diligently ~[[1975]], 44).

We could say of such persons, as the Lord said of the members of the Shaker sect, 'that they desire to know the truth in part, but not all' (D&C 49:2). And so, I say, beware of the hobby key. If you tap one key to the exclusion or serious detriment of the full harmony of the gospel keyboard, you are deviating from the recommended tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime."


==My Gospel Hobbies==
I was first startled by the concept of Gospel Hobbies when as a teenager I read the Gospel Hobbies entry in Elder Bruce R. ~McConkie's Mormon Doctrine. Being a naturally energetic and exuberant person, I have since often asked myself if I am a gospel hobbyist. As an answer, I have decided to make a list of the piano keys I love to play. I have chosen to list those areas that I pursue or have pursued with such zeal that any one might be individually identified as my gospel hobby.

Music:
I love beautiful music. I sing at the top of my lungs at home, in my car, at church, in choir, and in the wilderness. I have directed choirs. I have written a hymn. I hold choir practice in the summer and on Fast Sunday (an LDS thing) when allowed. I flail my arms like a mad man when I direct. And I encourage my children to be musical.

Scouting:
I am (when asked to be) a zealous Scouter. I take "my boys" on long explores and arduous treks. I magnify the spirit of the advancement requirements. I exemplify and expect a full uniform. I believe in the safety and spirit rules; no jumping off cliffs over 6 feet high, no hazing or initiations, and tour permits for every excursion. I long for a fully realized Patrol Method in the LDS church. I fancy that I have the vision of the program.

The Word of Wisdom:
I am somewhat a vegetarian or possibly at times a vegan, and caffeinated soft drinks are almost taboo to me. I have studied the Word of Wisdom word by word for clues to dietary recommendations. I believe it states that the Lord asks us to use all domestic mammal and poultry flesh sparingly, and furthermore He is pleased when we abstain entirely during times of abundance in the warm seasons. I believe it states that the Lord has made wild mammals for the use of man only in times of famine or excess of hunger.

Marriage:
I abhor divorce. I may go so far as to say I do not believe in divorce. I interpret Malachi as having the Lord say as much himself (2:16). And Jesus clearly taught in the Sermon on the Mount that divorce is a grave mistake. As an allowance, I do believe in separation for a minute, a day, a week, or a decade. Staying true to the spouse of your youth is one of the supreme tests of life.

Genealogy:
I have taken a university course from a certified genealogy enthusiast. I have bugged my kin crazy about genealogy. I have posted genealogy web information and maintained a family e-mail genealogy work group since before the web was cool. I have assisted in the development of the Open Source phpGedView software.

Church History:
I have read and wrestled with a lot of provocative subjects and learned holy lessons from them. I've read Juanita Brooks's ''Mountain Meadows Massacre'', John D. Lee's Last Testimony, Lavina Fielding Anderson's edition of ''Lucy's Book'' (The History of Joseph Smith by Lucy Mack Smith).

Scriptures and the Book of Mormon:
I have read the Book of Mormon around two dozen times. Passages and concepts from it slip into my daily communications and thoughts. I have read every word of the Holy Bible at least once, and much of the New Testament repeated times. I compare things I read and hear to scriptural passages and sayings. I believe that scriptural grounding is one form of spiritual insurance.

Book of Mormon Studies:
I am enthused about reformed Egyptian, Lehi's wilderness journey, a Mesoamerican geography model, the Three (and other) Witnesses of the Golden Plates, and the visits of Moroni to Joseph Smith and his recovery of the plates. I believe the Book of Mormon is not, nor purports to be, perfect, but is the testimony of a real people concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Life After Death and Modern Revelation:
I have read dozens of accounts of modern heavenly experiences from people of all faiths. My Amazon.com wish list is full of books on Near Death Experiences and the spiritual world. I say that my life and outlook are changed forever because of personal insights the Holy Spirit has borne to me while I have partaken of this literature. I believe the earth is full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the seas, and that the spirit of the Lord is being poured out on all flesh, with old men dreaming dreams and young men seeing visions

Polygamy (formerly):
I've testified before the Arizona State Senate Judiciary committee in favor of a Child Bigamy Bill to aid enforcement against Colorado City ills. I've (regrettably) acted impetuously to involve friends and relatives questionably in a certain case of runaways from Colorado City. I've been in contact with a group (including Flora Jessop) working behind the scenes to shine the light of public scrutiny on Colorado City ills.

Pacifism:
I am a pacifist in the tradition of the Book of Mormon's Abinadi, Alma the First, Alma the Second, and the people of Ammon (Anti Nephi Lehis). In the tradition of LDS Doctrine and Covenants 121:34-46 I believe I am diametrically opposed to the holiness that is in God when I (often) use control, dominion, or compulsion in any degree to (futilly attempt to) enforce any purpose on any brother or sister. I not only believe I am wrong, but I believe I am doomed to failure because such influence ''cannot'' be maintained by such methods.

Forgiveness:
I believe in extending total, absolute, and endless forgiveness in the similitude of the Heavenly Father. In the words of the Book of Mormon, "To any doth he say depart? No." A forgiving person trusts fully that in the end all things will be made right (fair), and that "all things will work together to them that love God." If I don't let go and forgive, I keep only myself from becoming Godly.

Love:
I believe God is Love, which is the greatest of all. I might say I believe "all you need is love." And that is true. But be careful. What is love? I believe that the eternal meaning of the simple word "love" can only be revealed individually to the heart of each free soul by ever-refining, whole-hearted worship. Ask and ye shall receive; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you. Pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart that ye may be filled with this love, which He hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of His son Jesus Christ. For if ye have not the pure love of Christ, ye are nothing. Nothing.

I will refrain from interpreting the above. But I will observe that I have identified exuberance as a trait of mine that can be turned for good or for bad.

==About Moderation==
In the fireside address quoted above, Elder Oaks said, "...I need to issue a caution. The principle I have espoused, that we should pursue steady dedication and avoid frenzied excesses, could be understood as implying that we should have 'moderation in all things.' Not so. The Savior has commanded us to serve with all our 'heart, might, mind and strength' (D&C 4:2), to 'seek . . . earnestly the riches of eternity' (D&C 68:31), and to be 'valiant in the testimony of Jesus' (D&C 76:79). He has also told us that if we are lukewarm, He will spue us out of His mouth (see Revelation 3:16)."