Paradoxical Readings

So, I'm on leave for Worker's Comp. Never thought THAT would happen.

And since my feet have become sore and stiff from moving around too much, I've taken to actually resting in bed--which, so far, has also involved doing 3 loads of laundry. Apparently being lazy and resting are not the same thing.

So I figured I would start one of the many books that are waiting for me on this shelf over here. I've certainly accumulated enough good ones, I have no excuse but to start my summer reading. This is what I've put on my list so far:

Yes, you're probably looking at the only Mormon on the Bloggernacle that hasn't read Rough Stone Rolling yet. I could say I've been busy, but that's a lie. I haven't been putting it off either. I just haven't done it yet. And due to the latest assault against my testimony on the Adversary's part, now is a good time to fortify the faith I've received with greater study. Why he would choose Joseph Smith to assault me with, I'm not sure. It's a poor choice on his part because my love for the Prophet Joseph Smith is both God-given and unshakable--which is more than MANY members of the Church on the web can say.

I don't know why they subject themselves to such torture. It's the worst kind of self mutilation to kindle the doubts that Satan is gladly giving them and calling it scholarship. I, for one, refuse to take part because I know that Joseph Smith was the prophet of the Restoration. I know this because Heavenly Father told me it was true. Everything else has always--in my mind--ultimately increased my witness that he was the prophet. Yes, even the polygamy. I've always said that if polygamy is your biggest hang-up on the Church, you don't have enough personal problems to deal with. It's like my mother always said, "Stop worrying about other people. You worry about you."

Good advice, in my opinion. Especially in regards to Church history. I mean, I love the Church's history. It has some of the most amazing stories in it. But it also has a lot of stuff in it that can never be verified, and should therefore never be taken too seriously. When you get into journals where people record dreams and visions and things like that, I always try to watch myself because you can never actually know, outside of asking God, if such a thing is genuine or not. And there's no guarantee He won't turn back to you and ask "What do you think?"

We live in the days where it has been prophesied that even the very elect will almost be deceived. I don't intend to be one of them, so that means I have to be careful what I put on my reading list.