Why Should We Obey?

Obedience is an important trait for a person to develop in spite of his or her age. Rules have been put in place to protect the integrity and safety of the American people, these rules are called laws. If you obey the driving laws, you are protecting yourself, your passengers, and the other people on the road from potentially lethal accident. If you don't obey driving laws and decide to run a stop sign, you could damage property or even kill someone. Some people feel like rules are just restrictions, and restrictions just ruin their fun, but in fact, I feel that restrictions can make life more enjoyable. Let me explain: my friend had given in to peer pressure and decided to try a cigarette even though his parents warned him against any kinds of drugs; well he got addicted and now that he's decided to quit, he's not doing very well. He's going through withdrawal symptoms and relapses frequently and I can see the pain written on his features...all that for one stupid cigarette. If he had followed his parents' rule in the first place then he wouldn't be in this mess now.

In my own life, I have realized as I've grown up that my parents are doing everything they can to ensure that I grow up strong, healthy, and wise. I've discovered that they don't just make up rules to bug me, but because they want me to be safe. I'm old enough to realize that I don't know everything and that I need to trust the rules even though I may not understand them yet because they will protect me from unseen dangers.

I feel that while everyone needs to learn obedience, it is even more vital for an adult to have this virtue because and adult's actions have farther reaching effects upon the community and loved ones. If a husband is not faithful and obedient to his wedding vows, or chooses to dabble in the dangerous territory of pornography, it will destroy his marriage, tear apart his family and cause extreme pain to all of the members of it. Adults are not only responsible for taking care of themselves, they are also responsible for securing the future of their posterity. Obedience to the laws of the land and God's commandments are vital to setting a good example and leading others to do good.

The last point I want to make is that blind obedience is no substitute for using your judgment to determine what you should or should not do. Blind obedience puts your life in the hands of another imperfect being which, unless you trust them, is a careless mistake. When somebody gives you a rule to follow you should a) determine if you trust that this person has good intentions and has your best interest in mind and b) be aware of the consequences should you not obey that rule. Sometimes people will call a person a mindless sheep because they follow the rules, but in reality a sheep can be more intelligent than we are because it applies smart principles of trust to obedience. A sheep trusts its shepherd and will do anything for him. That sheep is wise to do so because the shepherd will scare away predators and feed the sheep and all the shepherd asks in return is for its wool. In the animal kingdom, the only creatures that don't obey any rules are the sick or insane ones. Animal instinct is based upon survival, therefore they must follow the rules in order to survive. Let that serve as a reminder to all of us that obedience to rules is in our best interest.

I Have a Testimony of Jesus Christ

This Easter season brings us all closer together as we study and ponder the teachings and the sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the World. I just got back from Youth Conference where I had not only tons of fun, I was reminded of the wonders of God's plan for His children. There had to have been an atonement so that we could return home to live with our Father in Heaven. If Christ had not suffered and then died on the cross, we would be doomed to this spiritual death forever. I was reminded that it was my choice to take up this body, made in God's own image, and be separated from Him, but because of the Atonement, I can be with Him in Heaven again. Woohoo!

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is Christ's church on the Earth and through its saving ordinances we can have all of the blessings that God wishes to bless us with, even all He has. I believe this with all my heart, in Jesus' name I share that with you, amen.

What will I do to fulfill my life?

It would be easy to pick something cool and socially accepted and say yeah, B-) that's me! But it would also be lame, and it would be untrue to myself. Someone asked me today what "will fulfill my life?" I thought about it, and this was my reply:

"I have very simple wants in this life: a loving family, a happy life, and an inspiring legacy to leave behind when I'm gone. I am aware that the key to happiness lies with love, and that I am never happier than when I am with my family. Someday I will be married to a wonderful woman and have several children. I will have worked my way up in some company and all the while I will seek opportunities to serve my fellow man. I will leave a legacy of love and charity in this world after I am gone. Then will my life be fulfilled."

Comon Kids! If they can't do the work, it's up to us...

Sometimes I get fed up with the elected poloticians, after all, I didn't vote for 'em. Here's a poster I made about it...

Maybe adults arn't always the smartest voters, after all most of 'em aren't in school studyin' Civics like we are. I think teens should have a bigger part in election processes, print out my poster or make your own and take it with you on election date. Maybe ya can't vote, but then again, maybe you can convince others to vote your way.

Erik, the Patriot

On this historic morning, well in my own version of history, March 10th, 2009, I, Erik Slack, have added my signature to those of the founding fathers upon the Declaration of Independence. I didn't go Gates and steal it or anything, but I assure you that my name rests there. See look here, my proof is made manifest...

compliments of http://www.archives.gov/

Politikal, Radical, Mechanikal

I wrote this speech for Civics class, I think it's pretty good, check it out!

I have heard many views on the war in Iraq, many of which are founded on so-called fact. Although I believe the facts must be carefully examined if one is to make a conclusion about the ethics involved with occupying Iraq with American forces, I also believe that the lenses of logic being used to examine the situation are much too intense for looking at this particular situation. I believe that the overuse of logic in analyzing this war in Iraq is blurring the truth and clouding the judgment of the American people. What has happened and is still happening to those poor souls, our brethren who are citizens of middle-eastern countries but still our brothers, is undeniable, unforgivable, and among the most unjust of tyrannies—this was especially the case in Iraq. It was the case, that is, until American forces stepped onto Iraqi soil and fought for a people abused and oppressed by its own government which was ruled by terrorists. If it were not for the bravery of these American messiahs, the tortures, murders, and other crimes of that government would still hold absolute power over those unfortunate people in Iraq and terrorists would still have a safe-house in that nation's borders. These same terrorists launched an attack on the United States that temporarily crippled the Pentagon and decimated the World Trade Center in three horrendous strikes. I believe that there have been several more attacks attempted on US soil that have been halted by the precautions and protections of our armed services, including those on foreign soil. The best place to stop an attack is on the ground, away from the metropolises of this great nation. That is why I believe that it is a wise move to redistribute the American forces from Iraq into Afghanistan to apprehend the terrorist cells located there. The President and armed forces have my pledge of loyalty and support. These people defend my freedom, I will sustain them, won't you?

So what do ya think?

It's so nice to have you back where you belong, Erik.

I've been gone for two weeks visiting family in Colorado, but now I'm home and I miss it. I miss the weather, the mountains, the good feelings, and most of all the people I left there. It's much dryer in Denver, I feel like I'm choking on the air here...

I received a warm reception from a sentimental seminary class this morning. Haha, thanks guys, it was fun! And yet, here I am, sitting at this dumb computer where I have so stupidly put half of my life's work into. It's not a great computer, it's just that I rely on it for school, the online youth group which I spend so much time one, and my blog which takes a while to write. Not to mention I enjoy a video game from time to time. Now I realize I hate it. I don't want to be chained to my computer for life; I consider this a lesson learned that will be invaluable in the future.

I'm so happy to be reunited with my family here. You should have seen my dog, she was leaping 10 ft. in the air when I walked in! She's such a darling. Well, it's back to the grind for me...