HUMBUCKER

      Do you remember the days when electric guitars first made their big debut? Neither do I! So i did some research and found out. Get this: they was invented around 1931 and used primarily for Jazz music. Can't imagine what else it got used for after that era. . . oh wait. Pictures of Elvis, The Rolling Stones, and all those guys are popping into my head. Its utilization took off! Who would have though you could get so many different sounds from such a simple thing. It wasn't so simple . . .
     When I got my first guitar, I remember my Mom said. "Hey don't you like this one." I did, I liked all sorts of different kinds. My favorites were the "V" shaped one's, like you see a lot of professional guitarists play, or the really cool crazy lookin' ones that guys can just shred on. But at that point in my musical studies I didn't need something like that. What I didn't know then, I do now. Every single one, no matter what, feels and plays completely different. From a Fender Stratocaster to a Gisbon Les Paul. You wouldn't think would ya?
     Mostly, the raw source for the type of sound you produce comes from the pickups. Small, magnetic, box looking things that sit right under where you pluck the strings. Basically, they are a magnet with metal coil wrapped around them and metal pole receptors fastened on. The whole idea being to pick up the vibrations from the metal strings via magnetism. The different combinations of the metal and magnet is what makes the different and unique sounds. And of the many different recipes that manufacturers have for building pickups, there are two types that are most popular for electric guitars.
     First, the single coil pickup. It was the first developed and is still implemented in world famous guitars today. True to it's name, it has one coil mounted on the magnet. They tend to have a twangier, duckier sound to them. When  I played with friends and in bands, I was always given a hard time because my guitar sounded too twangy. I didn't care though because that's how I liked it! The only downside to single coil pickups, is that because of the single coil on them, they tend to pick up stray radio frequencies that come out through your amplifier as an annoying buzzing sound. It could get very irritating at times, because sometimes you'd play very detailed and particular parts but they wouldn't sound right amongst all the hum and extra noise. 
    For this purpose was the humbucker invented. Essentially, it's two single coil pickups that share one magnet at their base. The key is the two coils instead of one. This way, they both pick up the string signals, but the radio frequencies they also create cancel each other out. That's how the name "humbucker" came about. To buck the 'hum'. With two coils, that annoying buzzing sound no longer manifests itself, and you're left with a clear, crisp, and much louder signal! But, now that were all tech'ed out on six strings, let's look at something a little more righteous . . .

    If you look around the world, there's about four hundred thousand or so different denominations that preach from The Bible. It is the word of God, no doubt at all. For years and years it has baffled even the smartest scholars, to how such a diverse group of men and women over such a long period of time could compile a record so coherent and correct as the Bible is. There's no other answer than it is the word of God. But why are there so many different denominations that seem to teach so many different things that all have scriptural backing from the very same book? There's all sorts of different doctrines that can be brought out, and so many different other ideas as well. But how can we know what's truth and what's not? By the mouth of two witnesses. -Mathew 18:16
     Just like an electric guitar pickup, the key is two. Two coils - two records. The other record I'm talking about is The Book of Mormon. Another testament of Jesus Christ. It's the record of the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and their dealings with God. And the American prophets and their testimonies. With the Bible, we read the word of God. But with The Book of Mormon and The Bible as one, we can know the exact word of God.(Ezekiel 37: 16,19) No more stray radio frequencies, no more half truths, and no more loopholes. They complete each other and allow us to hear what God wants us too hear. 
    I know the Book of Mormon to be the word of God, and I know that it only adds to the Bible of the truths that we already treasure. Together, they teach us in perfect clarity, God's word. I know both record's to be true, because the Holy Ghost has bore testimony to me, and I cannot deny it. I know that if we want true clarity, we must have not only one, but both records.
    God's word never ceases.

  

   
    
    
    
    
 

Lipstick On A Pig

     Its October, and we all know what that means. Besides the harvest season, and the trick or treaters, November follows right behind. In other words, it's voting season, and if you have been paying even a little attention to what has been going on you know there is a lot of hostility, a lot of hot button topics, and a lot at stake.
     If you're hoping to hear a missionary's take on how things should be, I'm sorry to disappoint, but it is not my place at this time to do so. Those who know me know I stand up for what I believe in and I am very passionate in that regard. However, I only aim to give a warning of common sense and reason to those who want to hear. This is why:
     Long story short, a former stake president near my home stake in Arizona is running for senate. If Mormons haven't been in the news enough already right? There's nothing wrong with anyone running for an office. The thing is, is that now we have faithful members of the church suddenly changing their views on topics and switching sides. Its not my business, everyone had their agency, but it couldn't be because they just want to vote for their stake president right? Or because he is a Mormon? This has created an uproar in my hometown. From what Ive heard, theres a miniature civil war going on among the LDS there. Does it really come down to a person's faith to decide if they are worthy to fill a seat in office? Does it really come down to a person's faith to decide if they are a good person period?
     To be honest, this news was sickening to me. I have my own opinions and reasons to draw my conclusions from. But this isn't just happening in Arizona. I'm sure everyone knows who Mitt Romney is. And I'm sure if you know who he is, then you know he is a Latter Day Saint. Surprising as it is (not really) some people won't vote for him only because he believes in that "crazy Mormon bible" and for others thats the only reason they will vote for him! So in other words, it doesn't matter who you are or what you've done as long as you go to church every week in x,y, and z congregations you're set!
     Luckily, there is still some common sense floating around. I'm not endorsing any candidate, I'm not telling anyone to vote this way or vote that way. I'm not telling everyone to go join different churches, or telling people not too. I'm only using these as examples to get a point across.
     There are good people all over this world, in every country, in every culture, in every religion, in every walk of life. And there is the opposite, in all the same places. Satan doesn't pick favorites. He may put more of his influence on more important things but he is always trying to pull as many souls as he can down to his misery. Sometimes we let our bias arrogances blind us from this truth.
     Christ loved everyone. He didn't hold his affections and love to any one group of people, he spent his mortal ministry with all who would hear him. How do you think we all are doing with following Him in this regard?
     Sometimes we have to agree to disagree, we have to love each other and look past the differences in our doctrines, and we have to come together.

    
    When we can move past our differences and work together for the good of our communities, then we will truly accomplish things in making the future brighter.
    This is what Christ taught, and I know if we can all do this we will be able to overcome and problems in our world today and really fix the problems we have in our society that seem so daunting.

Like A Rock

      

Who was George Herman Ruth Jr. ?

          The Sultan of Swat. . .

          The King of Crash. . .

          The Colossus of Clout. . .
          The Great Bambino !!!!
       BABE RUTH !!!!!!!

    Babe Ruth was the greatest baseball player that ever lived. He started his career as a pitcher but ended it as a full time right fielder hitting 714 home runs. He was the face of baseball in the 1920's. Still today he is regarded as one of the greatest athletes period.

    Each time Babe hit a home run, he would notch his bat. Needless to say, he had a lot of bats with a lot of notches! The only other baseball player in history to truly pass the Babe's long ball record was Hank Aaron in 1974.

  

       When I was in my younger days, there was a challenge in my priest quorum. That challenge was that whoever could read the entire Book Of Mormon as a priest, would get a louisville slugger baseball bat with their name and favorite scripture on it. The bats were so sweet! I had played baseball most of my childhood so I knew exactly what they were. I wanted one so bad, and as I watched each of my close friends get theirs, my yearning for one increased.

        So I decided one day that I was going to finish reading the Book Of Mormon before it was too late. I was stuck in the book of Alma for a while, but with effort and patience I made it through and continued reading until one Sunday in sacrament meeting I finally finished ! I couldn't believe it.

        I was so excited to finally get that bat! But soon after I finished reading, I felt a different feeling come over me. I kept dwelling on the last few chapters I had read, the testimonies of Mormon and Moroni, and the promise that if I asked God with a sincere heart, I would know the book was true by the power of The Holy Ghost.

        I already knew it was true. At least, I wanted it to be. I knew that it was the word of God and I knew that no man could have written a book like that unless he was inspired and instructed by God to do so. So I took up Moroni's challenge and decided to ask Heavenly Father.

        I went out to the parking lot and got in my truck, hesitated for a little bit, but after I made up my mind what I was going to do I began to pray. I didn't get knocked to the ground, or struck by lightning. What I felt was a peaceful, burning feeling inside. As sweet assurance that I already knew the answer to my question. I knew The Book Of Mormon was true.

       The next week in church I was handed my louisville slugger, engraved with my name on it and my favorite scripture.

      

       It had a notch right near the label.

    

        I don't remember hitting a lot of home runs when I played ball, but I remembered how it felt. It felt good, like i'd done something great. This felt the same, like I had accomplished something amazing.

       The more and more I look back on the memory of finally acheiveing my goal, the more I begin to realize of what I really gained from it.

       As awesome as my bat is, its just a piece of wood. It will hang on a wall or sit on a dresser somewhere someday where I can see it and reflect on what it means and what it took to get it. But the real prize was the testimony I gained from reading The Book Of Mormon. I know it is true and that it is the word of God. It is what it says it is right on the front cover: Another Testament Of Jesus Christ. I know this to be true, and I know that Joseph Smith was called of God to be a prophet and instructed to translate ancient plates into what we know as The Book Of Mormon.

       There are many ways to prove if the book is true or not, but it all comes down to the way that will truly testify for itself. Read it, and ask God. Out of any geological evidence, or theological thinking, this way will surely reveal the best answer. That of The Holy Ghost, which will bear witness to anyone who sincerely asks God in the name of Christ.

      4 And when ye shall recieve these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

      5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may konw the truth of all things.

                                                                                                    - Moroni 10:4-5

                                        Moroni's promise still stands true today, and always will.