tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20837973497058644742012-02-16T02:09:12.274-08:00Thoughts, beliefs, memories, Ideas, basically ramblings of my life and philosophy.Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.comBlogger1281100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-47704258690465302502011-10-14T08:01:00.000-07:002011-10-14T09:05:08.366-07:00

I am no longer a true believing member of the Mormon church but I never really understood why other churches would say that Mormons weren't Christians. In some ways I thought we were extra-Christian, I mean we had another testament of Jesus Christ in the form of The Book of Mormon. I know as a Mormon we felt that perceived outside persecution was a confirmation that we were the one and only true

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-27416077056699113612011-03-17T15:08:00.000-07:002011-03-17T15:08:56.379-07:00

I am entering a contest to win a book called The list. You too can enter here. To qualify I have to write a list of at least five things I would like to accomplish before I die. 1. Buy a condo or house near a beach where I spend 3 to 4 months a year. 2. Read 100 of the greatest books that have a philosophical or scientific theme. 3. Get a degree in either philosophy or Finance. Just for fun. 4.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-32826969875207520282011-02-21T10:22:00.000-08:002011-02-21T10:22:11.666-08:00

I'm extremely proud of Esly for studying hard and graduating from WGU. I am sure your mother would be extremely proud also.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-4476733321419287622011-02-03T20:09:00.000-08:002011-02-03T20:09:50.952-08:00

Well we have another end of the world claim in addition to the Mayan end of the world in 2012. A christian group is claiming May 21, 2011 will be the day. So I guess I have another excuse to celebrate on the 22 of May when NOTHING happens. Hopefully they don't gather together and drink kool-aid laced with something toxic.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-72982057362930279632011-01-04T11:53:00.000-08:002011-01-04T11:53:43.660-08:00

We had a great christmas talent show, a blast with the Framptons and loads of fun opening our gifts at midnight.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-8207513810447494292010-12-31T11:25:00.000-08:002010-12-31T11:25:21.701-08:00

In 2008 we had the opportunity to vacation in Honduras. We visited my wife's sister in San Pedro Sula. Then we went to Tegucigalpa, Roatan Island, La Cieba, and Copan Ruinas.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-4697911736728670082010-12-29T05:44:00.000-08:002010-12-29T05:44:00.190-08:00

I am so proud of my wife, she was very excited to become a citizen of our great nation.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-41291713697521544412010-12-27T09:34:00.000-08:002010-12-27T09:34:00.335-08:00

The Mormon church is continuing it's progress of change from the perfect word of God to an even more perfect word of God. A recent article in the Salt Lake Tribune by Peggy Stacks indicates the church is changing racial references in BoM headings. 2 Nephi, Chapter 5 Before the change:  Because of their unbelief, the Lamanites are cursed, receive a skin of blackness, and become a scourge

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-82894759479520936652010-12-21T07:02:00.000-08:002010-12-21T07:02:00.325-08:00

About 11 months ago I went to the Philippines to vacation and get a little liposuction. Unfortunately after the surgery I was told they only took out 8 onces. Since then I have gained 30 lbs. I did spend time in Makati, Manila, and the resort island of Boracay.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-82616729283128671832010-12-19T12:15:00.000-08:002010-12-19T12:15:48.680-08:00

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-91847186754951699162010-11-23T15:47:00.000-08:002010-11-23T15:50:21.967-08:00

A new study suggests that the level of happiness one feels in life is highly dependent on one's spouse. I would like to propose a toast to my wife and thank her for her optimism, agreeableness, and love. Now if I could just figure out the best way to help a stumbling son without enabling him.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-39472554749224501882010-11-05T08:43:00.000-07:002010-11-05T08:43:26.829-07:00

I finally competed in my first Lotoja 8 weeks ago. It is a 206 mile race from Logan, Utah to Jackson hole, Wyoming. I was in pretty good shape but had gained some weight back since my wreck earlier in the season. After about 100 miles I was wondering why I liked cycling. I was in survival mode and knew I still had 106 miles to go. I survived and finished in 10 hours 16 minutes which was better

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-90866868994089822872010-11-01T09:57:00.000-07:002010-11-01T09:57:00.302-07:00

Halloween is the one day of the year I can take off my costume and be myself.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-81436398897743634242010-10-31T10:45:00.001-07:002010-10-31T11:31:29.368-07:00

Okay, Mom, or any of my family. I put a small video showing where our DNA falls among other Europeans. Unable to display content. Adobe Flash is required. Unable to display content. Adobe Flash is required. Unable to display content. Adobe Flash is required.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-8706886582079819832010-10-31T10:06:00.000-07:002010-11-01T07:54:28.262-07:00

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-83704006289375766632010-10-26T07:57:00.000-07:002010-10-26T13:35:53.911-07:00

A marriage of equals can sometimes hinder a couple in their physical relationship. It's never quite clear who is responsible for initiating intimate encounters or who is responsible for the romance. On going conflicts and unmet expectations on both side can impede the natural expression of physical desire a couple has for one another. After 5 years of marriage to my second wife, I decided it was

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-45721561621344168982010-10-05T10:50:00.000-07:002010-10-10T06:34:35.947-07:00

I feel like a kid at Christmas. My genetic tests have come in and I am starting to sift through all the information. The first illustration shows that I am greater than 99% European with a tiny bit Asian. If you look at the number 8 gene you will see a small orange section. That is where my little bit of Asian is. I suspect that is from my grandmother from 7

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-80118395653581212792010-09-28T10:10:00.000-07:002010-09-28T10:10:36.460-07:00

In a recent survey Mormons and Jews tied for second place for general knowledge of religion. Guess who won? The Atheists. How does that happen?

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-46580701756071211112010-09-26T15:47:00.000-07:002010-09-26T15:47:50.693-07:00

My wife spoiled me today with a delicious dish from her mother land Honduras. The soup is called "Sopa de Capirotadas". It is actually a famous dish they serve during a religious holiday called "Lent". They don't eat meat during Lent, but I made her put some sausage in it, against her better judgement. It was delicious and fun.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-13180129795230937322010-09-24T05:17:00.000-07:002010-09-24T10:45:34.399-07:00

Ever since I sent away my DNA sample to be tested for both genealogy and potential health risks, I have been doing shallow studies across google to gain a little bit better understanding of my family history. During my google searches I am alway bombarded with advertisements. One of them was a free IQ exam. I decided to take it thinking it would only have 20 questions or so. It turned out to

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-60244144481003743362010-09-22T13:16:00.000-07:002010-09-22T13:40:04.166-07:00

I recently sent away for some DNA genetic testing to better understand my geneology and possible health concerns. Okay, I mostly did it for my wife who is even more curious about her family history. She is hispanic, and would like to know what her special mix is. This test is going to give us all sorts of information and has got me all excited. With all this excitement I started doing some

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-81872737147460845382010-09-20T10:07:00.000-07:002010-09-20T10:10:36.844-07:00

My wife is from Honduras and she grew up eating a slightly different diet than the average 'Gringo'. There is a famous soup in Honduras called 'Mondongo'. The problem is that some of the ingredients aren't very palatable for a 'Gringo' that didn't grow up eating them. It contains the stomach and feet of the cow. Since I have a hard time eating those items, I had her make me the soup using pork

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-50478765542089685892010-08-30T15:29:00.001-07:002010-08-31T05:01:52.421-07:00

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-7752873535596847682010-08-27T06:56:00.000-07:002010-08-27T09:17:24.680-07:00

My wife is facing the dreaded monthly visitor right now. Too much information for sure, but I have a point. I feel very fortunate that she doesn't get grouchy or mean. She often feels like a truck has run her over and has great difficulty getting out of bed, but she never takes it out on me. So this morning she is singing in Spanish in the kitchen, and I commented on how 'UP' she seems for

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-66474151955128547382010-08-24T13:33:00.000-07:002010-08-24T13:38:52.318-07:00

I just passed the 5 year anniversary of meeting my wife. I have felt so grateful over these years to be a part of her life. She has a very positive attitude and is easy to live with, which is probably more than I can say about me. Over these last five years there have been good times and difficult times. But one thing that has remained fairly constant is my wife's positive attitude and hope

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-68663775579507118452010-08-17T20:42:00.000-07:002010-08-18T06:50:07.441-07:00

Writing exercise from my home schooling writer book. Find a painting that you like, but that also makes you a little uncomfortable. Study it for 10 minutes, then write about it in a free-flowing manner. The end of the line for the condemned heretic Joan of Arc. Burned at the stake at the age of 19. She rose to lead the French army against the English. She

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-29836735237591734672010-08-12T05:00:00.000-07:002010-08-12T05:00:08.555-07:00

-Describe your childhood kitchen. Our kitchen was a small kitchen from the mid 20th century. It had two windows, one from which my mother could observe us in the back yard playing. The other had a view of our neighbors house who had planted a miniature bamboo forest to block as much evidence as was possible that we lived next door. The floor was covered in a yellowish brown linoleum with a

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-7899670629025024722010-08-11T05:00:00.000-07:002010-08-11T05:00:07.886-07:00

You are a dying goat. What are your final words? My first thought is that I have been called worse. How embarrassing! My beautiful white wooly coat is covered in blood and mud. I hope Billy didn't see me slip and fall on this huge thorn. Damn that really hurts. I am bleeding an awful lot and I just want to lay down. What if I don't see my kid born this spring? I wish I could just see Kika one

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-22291658354757512792010-08-10T16:46:00.000-07:002010-08-10T16:47:39.050-07:00

I have never been a writer or particularly articulate, but now that I am retired, I think I will at least start to learn the art if at all possible. I bought a book at Barnes and Noble that has exercises one can use to supposedly learn to write. Let's see if I can stick to my exercise routine or if it will be like the millions of people who start a physical exercise regime on New Years day,

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-48417898812528825582010-08-09T09:57:00.000-07:002010-08-09T10:03:36.574-07:00

Crash's Chinese commentator uncovered. She is Crash's Chinese twin connected by the red thread.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-170002253135873582010-08-06T07:13:00.000-07:002010-08-06T07:14:37.047-07:00

About a week and a half ago I ran a couple of tests, testing to see if The Secret could truly attract things into your life. The coin toss test failed and the other test was to attract a purple feather into my life with in 48 hours. It also failed, BUT it serendipitiously arrived yesterday. So does The Secret work in a supernatural way, or was it Secret sabotage? I went by my sisters house "

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-51607935599707861932010-08-04T17:31:00.000-07:002010-08-04T17:31:42.695-07:00

I am mourning the unfortunate news that one of my heroes has throat cancer. Christopher Hitchens is the author of the book "God is not great." His sound reasoning, logic, and ability to articulate his ideas have definitely influenced me. I wish he and his family all the best.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-72050071921934251352010-07-26T07:46:00.000-07:002010-07-31T03:39:49.010-07:00

I heard about "The Secret" about 5 years ago. Since I am a skeptic on unproven ideas, I didn't believe it, but I wanted to believe it. The idea of being able to attract your desires and dreams into your life is appealing to say the least. On the surface I could see how the ideas of The Secret could surely help someone on the path to obtain certain dreams with out any supernatural explanation.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-90113775532955315892010-07-22T12:39:00.000-07:002010-07-22T13:14:22.252-07:00

Every child is born with some instincts that evolution has favored. Some of these instincts and genetic dispositions influence the formation of our beliefs later in life. Our beliefs like language are learned from the culture and environment we are in. Although the great minds of the world and history have ventured beyond the common knowledge and superstition of the era into the unknown to try

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-55627710067550263202010-07-18T16:21:00.000-07:002010-07-18T16:25:00.058-07:00

I have had an up and down cycling season. I came into the season lighter than ever before and in better shape. I came in after also having a little liposuction done where they only ended up sucking out 6 onces of fat. I had big hopes of being able to ride with the better guys on my team finally. I even had a helmet camera to try and video tape much of the season. At the second race of the

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-3866951200157215112010-07-07T06:26:00.000-07:002010-07-07T07:02:57.089-07:00

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-24468487488154751112010-07-05T16:34:00.001-07:002010-07-05T16:34:21.180-07:00

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-78210515068631512852010-07-03T15:10:00.000-07:002010-07-03T15:10:09.244-07:00

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-49717752301184661382010-07-01T03:19:00.000-07:002010-07-01T03:43:07.561-07:00

I have been rather open about criticizing religious, superstitious, and mystical thinking with out any evidence. This has caused some tension in my household. My wife is super easy going and positive, but she is afraid that Muslim terrorists are going to track me down and kill me for pointing out the ridiculous and unfair treatment of women that their religious epistemology espouses. So a few

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-84830869208603965572010-06-27T06:47:00.000-07:002010-06-27T06:47:54.426-07:00

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-22214094304884266722010-06-26T16:27:00.001-07:002010-06-26T16:31:03.933-07:00

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-4584885507328218902010-06-24T17:19:00.000-07:002010-06-24T17:19:27.432-07:00

The fundamental cause of trouble in the world today is that the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.  Bertrand Russell

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-22762425895699284412010-02-25T06:55:00.000-08:002010-02-25T19:12:40.082-08:00

Vegas has played a huge part in my life, both good and bad. I eloped to Vegas for my first marriage,(Circus Circus Temple Casino) which had its ups and downs. I also had many ups and downs at the casino tables and sports books. But this weekend I am headed to Vegas for the ups and downs of the Callville Classic race course. It's my first race of the season. I have decided to make an effort to

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-64887930674342670122010-02-20T04:45:00.000-08:002010-02-20T04:45:15.628-08:00

As a cynic and skeptic I don't usually just believe anything. I try to question everything. Although I don't see child prodigies and geniuses as manifestations or testaments for a God, I do find them fascinating. The good ones clearly add to the betterment of the world. Unfortunately the bad ones really hurt us.  There is a young lady named Akiane who excels in art and "visions from God".

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-32075191594282504002010-02-17T15:29:00.000-08:002010-02-17T15:54:53.201-08:00

Eres una aguila, bella!

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-85099723952794880942010-02-14T18:24:00.001-08:002010-02-15T08:22:18.073-08:00

I so admire her guts to stand up for freedom, womens rights, and logic. I have spent much of my life admiring the great athletic acheivements of people but I am enjoying more and more the heroic and honorable fight for liberty and freedom I see done by people like her. You go girl!

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-9634136822822029632010-02-11T23:12:00.000-08:002010-02-11T23:12:16.311-08:00

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-8847711437123056272010-01-30T15:46:00.001-08:002010-01-30T15:46:51.259-08:00

Paradise-Like an intoxicated sailor I have spent the last two and half days in paradise. I took a trip from Makati, Philippines to the resort island of Boracay. It is a beautiful small island with white sugar sand beaches, lots of activities, miles of affordable restaurants, and a hospitable people. It was a pleasure to say the least. I only wish my wife would have spent it with me. I would

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-72700119355516038562010-01-28T16:35:00.000-08:002010-01-28T18:19:34.665-08:00

After suffering for two days since the surgery and doubting my decision, the sun began to rise. I had my first follow up with the doctor where she took out all of the stitches and annouced that I could shower finally the following day. She did have to do a quick surgery on me because a rubber tube that had been left in place to allow blood and fat ooze out for the first few days had slipped

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-21216192340202686282010-01-27T15:10:00.000-08:002010-01-27T15:10:37.293-08:00

The next thing I knew I was feeling sleepy and then woke up in the recovery room. I was freezing cold and shaking a little. There were two assistants to the doctor caring for me. I then realized I was totally naked under the sheet. I hurt but not too bad yet. Once I warmed up I decided it was time for a fast recovery. I was going to drink a lot of water to flush my system and begin eating since I

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-21441324896034756142010-01-26T15:16:00.000-08:002010-02-03T12:14:59.163-08:00

I have long desired to reach the point where my investment income brought in a monthly income that was greater than my wages from my job. At that point I could choose to step out of the rat race and pursue other adventures if I so desired. Well I have reached that point, and like all good wannabes I want to follow the crowd. What do people do once they get a little more money then they are

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-77109158494700495082009-12-03T06:37:00.000-08:002009-12-03T06:57:48.003-08:00

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-72962945490278247672009-12-03T06:11:00.001-08:002009-12-03T06:13:02.297-08:00

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-60270365178246004172009-11-29T09:35:00.000-08:002009-11-29T09:35:10.863-08:00

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-67852482823091136942009-11-17T02:11:00.000-08:002009-11-17T02:11:25.468-08:00

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-90633931295452931302009-11-11T17:41:00.001-08:002009-11-11T17:41:24.565-08:00

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-71594079380702014472009-10-24T17:17:00.003-07:002009-10-24T17:18:46.626-07:00

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-62478374090777524902009-10-17T14:14:00.000-07:002009-10-17T14:15:16.764-07:00

Wow, this article was published in a Mormon publication. Basically it is accepting Evolution but stating that God had to work on the edges of Evolution to design certain complicated biological structures. So do we just cut out the book of Genesis, trash the temple ceremonies, and burn the Pearl of Great Price, that talk about Adam and Eve and the creation? http://mormontimes.com/

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-35505455028089868092009-10-15T06:03:00.000-07:002009-10-15T06:03:25.450-07:00

The women of the world who have long been accused of PMS now have a syndrome for the men in their lives who occasionally act badly. Luckily IMS or irritable male syndrome can be cured with sex, sports, and lots of junk food.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-81790395205579560442009-10-07T08:26:00.000-07:002009-10-07T15:13:19.264-07:00

I believe the Mormon Church is making a mistake in how it indoctrinates its youth with a white washed history. This version of history doesn't stand up to a more objective historical investigation. It tends to paint an idealized and heroic picture of the life of Joseph Smith and the events surrounding the beginning of Mormonism. When a youth grows up and is later exposed to historical information

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-52573741167779470812009-10-06T07:37:00.000-07:002009-10-06T07:40:00.331-07:00

Jeffrey Holland makes an impassioned general conference talk for the BoM and against its critics. As a strong member I would have cheered such bravado, but having studied it carefully, the talk comes across as a little desparate. You sense that it is losing a lot of credibility underneath it all and that it is important to pulpit thump and raise your voice. What happened to feeling the spirit

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-78057538679974896822009-10-04T19:48:00.000-07:002009-10-04T20:05:26.149-07:00

Assuming this video is the real deal...what does it suggest about supernatural powers? if any? Does it suggest anything about the correct religion in your opinion?

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-21074764973166925682009-09-30T06:51:00.000-07:002009-09-30T06:51:27.468-07:00

Salt to Saint 2009 It reminded me a lot of the slumber parties I had with my friends in my youth, or the scout campouts with all the guys in my ward. It was a fun and crazy cycling marathon. We stayed a wake all night long laughing, joking, mocking, eating junk food, drinking cokes, telling stories, and doing many individual time trials. This was supposed to be a team relay race of 385

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-79520568610946400772009-09-22T05:49:00.000-07:002009-09-22T05:49:00.340-07:00

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-67955489466244833372009-09-20T08:53:00.000-07:002009-09-20T08:53:10.729-07:00

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-54074185515628923052009-09-10T09:07:00.000-07:002009-09-10T09:07:07.625-07:00

I have often had the thought cross my mind "What if I am wrong, and after I die I find out that the God of the Bible or BoM is standing there. What will I think then?" This guy explains my thoughts and feeling very articulately.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-60864052642339019192009-09-05T10:16:00.000-07:002009-09-05T10:16:04.437-07:00

YouTube is the greatest invention for free speech since the Bill of Rights. It's an opportunity to hear all sorts of ideas from all over the world. Growing up in Utah I was VERY limited to the ideas I was exposed to. Slowly over time I began to doubt that the belief system I was taught, was true or logical. Now I can take my partially formulated doubts on almost any subject and find someone who

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-1450108907490989942009-08-30T07:11:00.000-07:002009-08-30T07:22:49.019-07:00

I started off by riding up to the ride with Higgins and Brent which is much more entertaining than driving it alone. We got a little frustrated with how slow the packet pick up line was moving. They finally just started handing out the numbers to everyone which was super nice. I was a little worried because I was still carrying 4 extra pounds from my vacation and had been sick during the week

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-66670589144986305022009-08-27T15:19:00.000-07:002009-08-27T15:19:27.494-07:00

Venice, Italy is truly romantic and enchanting. I would certainly recommend it for Honeymoons.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-8068394740117144542009-08-26T17:33:00.000-07:002009-08-27T07:40:12.924-07:00

I dedicate this video to my wife who is always so positive and supportive even in difficult situations. She always looks on the bright side of life. Love ya Esly.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-18902702379549123182009-08-25T18:23:00.000-07:002009-08-25T18:26:11.469-07:00

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-86989479637953893102009-08-24T14:34:00.000-07:002009-08-24T14:37:15.170-07:00

I went into the race worried that I would have trouble finishing because of taking two weeks off of training, gaining weight, and the memory of how painful Little Cottonwood canyon was the year before. I arrived with club member and friend, Chris Marden, late to the race after getting lost in Park City. I was scheduled to take off with the Cat 5C group, but I missed the start and decided to ride

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-54996280751899487092009-08-20T11:52:00.000-07:002009-08-20T12:35:07.732-07:00

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-4195456947896602682009-08-19T04:58:00.000-07:002009-08-19T20:03:48.508-07:00

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-61681518101481066792009-08-17T16:29:00.000-07:002009-08-18T18:37:55.651-07:00

We arrived in Madrid, Spain after a long flight where we didn’t get a lot of sleep. From the plane window I could see the agricultural patchwork that I remembered from 24 years ago. I was a little surprised at the Customs counter that the officer didn’t even really check my passport. We took the subway system to get to our hotel. After checking in we went for a walk and looked for a place to eat.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-5810473135390354542009-08-04T14:39:00.000-07:002009-08-04T15:26:13.547-07:00

About 26 months ago my weight was hovering around 227 and I was out of shape. Periodically over the years a friend of mine and I would decide to do the ULCER or the Salt Lake Century and lose a few pounds. We never Really trained much and we were lucky if we finished either one of those flat centuries in the 7 ½ hour range. Anyway I had let myself go and my friend had been sort of watching his

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-10680699178518026372009-08-02T12:51:00.000-07:002009-08-04T15:23:42.644-07:00

The Tour de Park City is quickly becoming a premier cycling distance road race in Utah. It's 174 miles of cycling with some dirt roads, heat, and lots of climbing. It has a few advantages over legendary races like Lotoja. For one, it is a circular course so the need for your own sag support,hotel room, and traveling is diminished. The water stops were awesome this year. They were very well placed

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-90398222050042221902009-07-29T05:00:00.000-07:002009-07-29T05:00:07.160-07:00

I recently ran into the famous internet blogger, Crash, from Crash test dummy diaries. She just happen to show up at my family reunion in the VERY hot region of southern Utah called Hell(St. George, The Patron Saint of Hell I believe). I can verify that claim by the fact that my thermometer on my bike reached 131.7 degrees on the roads there. A loving God would never place his beloved creations

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-38790401863538859292009-07-27T12:06:00.000-07:002009-07-27T12:12:35.961-07:00

In the Masters 35+B division, it was a drag race. The peloton finished over 9 minutes faster than the Cat. 5's from the year 2008, and my personal time was almost 13 minutes faster than last year. I started off by trying to just hang on the back as long as I could. Last year I was spanked and left for dead on the 3rd hard hill and expected to only hang on a little longer this year. I secretly

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-18156997719209625562009-07-10T07:13:00.001-07:002009-07-10T21:01:57.485-07:00

I have spent the majority of my life as a saver and a thrifty spender. I even have difficulty enjoying a meal or movie if I don’t have a discount coupon. I have always had dreams of retiring early, so my motto has been to save and invest it for growth. Unfortunately my idea of investing included sports betting, highly leveraged financial derivatives, and real estate speculation, all of which have

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-67286375402808999632009-07-06T12:22:00.000-07:002009-07-06T12:39:12.788-07:00

Over the last few months, my wife and I found a house we liked and were lucky enough to win the bidding war. Moving really throws a wrench into your life plans. To follow the diet that I was doing, you have to have structure in your life. Once you start closing, packing, moving, and unpacking, you fall into the bad habits of fast, easy food that is usually processed and loaded with sugar. So I

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-55247336080117155302009-06-01T08:15:00.001-07:002009-06-02T12:13:39.237-07:00

This race is located in Idaho, so I had to get up pretty early and drive a few hours. The course is a 25 mile loop that we had to do twice. Each lap starts with 18 miles of down hill or flats, which then turns into 7 miles of climbing back to the start/finish line. I signed up in the Masters 35+ B group, with two of my team mates. Everything started off great. I dropped back to the back of the

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-5930878292687447292009-05-18T11:18:00.000-07:002009-06-02T12:20:57.848-07:00

What a fabulous weekend of racing. My racing club went up to Bear Lake to participate in two days of racing. My friend Chris and I rented a cabin in the KOA park right by the lake. We took off on Friday afternoon. Since I am doing the Caveman Diet, I decided to bring my microwave with me to heat up all my Caveman food. We were pleasantly surprised with the cabin. It had more room than we had

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-57872551235023836272009-04-20T17:32:00.000-07:002009-04-20T17:40:49.320-07:00

Congrats to my wife Esly who walked her second 1/2 marathon this last weekend in Salt Lake. She slept only 3 hours the night before because she was so nervous. I rode my bike around to different parts of the course to cheer her on. She has been eating healthier and has lost a few pounds too. Her last visit to the doctor, she was told her colesterol was a little high. Ever since then she has made

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-6860426576295095632009-04-12T19:20:00.000-07:002009-04-14T18:39:54.505-07:00

Hundred of cyclist decended upon the Tooele army depot this weekend to fight for bragging rights and suffer with fellow soldiers. There were 3 major battles. The first one was "The battle of TRUTH." 8.7 miles of solo sufferfest up and down the outskirts of Tooele. The troops from BCC Racing gave it their best shot. Eric, Liam, and Rogers finished with identical times of about 24:08. Don't be

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-20569610539286952792009-03-17T13:45:00.000-07:002009-03-17T13:47:03.189-07:00

I long ago deconstructed the BoM, D&C, BoAbraham, and Old Testament, but I never tackled the New Testament. I always thought there was a lot of evidence to support the fact that Jesus was a historical person and that the Gospels contained eyewitness accounts of him. So far in my research, there is no evidence from any document, historical record, or writing, during the supposed lifetime of Jesus

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-36147412310775968812009-03-11T04:11:00.000-07:002009-03-11T04:11:00.211-07:00

Last weekend I had the opportunity to go to a baptism for the daughter of my brother John. After, we got together as a family at the closest Carls Jr. We started discussing Ayn Rand. She was an author and a modern philosopher. My sister and Brother in law read a book by her called Atlas shrugged. It’s a monster of a book with 1200 pages. I am looking forward to reading it. The topic turned to

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-51782859220906119792009-03-08T19:30:00.000-07:002009-03-09T05:10:14.646-07:00

Palm Springs a couple of years ago, Chris and I wearing our "California Triple Crown Jerseys". Chris and I in St. George a week ago. Did 107 miles and felt great.I have had a great opportunity to have a great friend for 19 years now. I met him at work when I was a lot younger and we have hit it off ever since. He has kept me motivated over the years to exercise every once in a while. We have run

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-8165650002337354282009-02-15T19:52:00.000-08:002009-02-15T20:21:48.968-08:00

I was recently struck by how superstitious we humans are. I recently had the opportunity to watch a show on the travel channel about these two men who go and find isolated tribes all around the world who have never had contact with the outside advanced world. They would show up and try to get the tribe to allow them to stay for 3 months and study them. While living with a tribe in New Guinea, a

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-79017769210289821532009-02-10T11:54:00.000-08:002009-02-10T17:15:28.856-08:00

People have been trying to understand why there is so much needless suffering and injustice in the world for millennia.Through out the Bible and the BoM we are taught that God is all powerful rains down suffering by way of plagues, wars, natural disasters, and death, as a result of wickedness, disobedience, and sin. So according to the scriptures, God, who is all good, causes and controls the

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-35729142952663940992009-02-06T17:39:00.000-08:002009-02-06T17:41:07.601-08:00

Lehi and his family left Jerusalem in 600 BC to come to America. In the process they brought the brass plates of Laban that contained books like Isaiah. The Book of Mormon contains 21 or 22 chapters that are totally or partially copied straight from the KJV of the Bible with the occasional minor change. It even contains many of the translation errors that the KJV had, which you would imagine

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-84127271527116570062009-01-25T04:09:00.000-08:002009-01-25T04:09:00.581-08:00

When I went from doubting the beliefs that I had been taught, to disbelief in them, I was still left with my old belief that if there was a God he would have established one true religion for us on earth. I began exploring other religions in the hope I would recognize it. I don’t remember getting very deep into the dogma of any of the other religions before feeling an even greater sense of doubt

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-82346743320381545542009-01-24T04:10:00.000-08:002009-01-24T04:16:17.404-08:00

Once someone in the Mormon community becomes a doubter or an unbeliever, they start to wonder where did the Book of Mormon(BoM) come from, if not from God. One idea was that Joseph Smith wrote it. He was obviously very intelligent, and he could spin a good story. This is usually shot down by the evidence that he may have been intelligent but he was rather uneducated and didn’t initially have a

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-79071519831471862372009-01-23T04:30:00.000-08:002009-01-23T04:30:00.871-08:00

What can an apostate in the Mormon Church expect if it turns out that it is the true religion? With out mentioning the temporal consequences, in the afterlife, you will be condemned to eternity in Outer Darkness. Your future associates may be the likes of Hitler, Caligula, and Satan. Having received the Holy Ghost after baptism and denying it, you have committed a sin so egregious that eternal

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-62538563550770890182009-01-21T04:30:00.000-08:002009-01-21T04:30:00.742-08:00

This is a paragraph from a book I was reading that I found powerful. “Our Western politicians avoid mentioning the R word (religion), and instead characterize their battle as a war against ‘terror’, as though terror were a kind of spirit or force, with a will and a mind of its own. Or they characterize terrorists as motivated by pure ‘evil’. But they are not motivated by evil. However misguided

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-89096924593841222482009-01-19T05:00:00.000-08:002009-01-19T05:00:00.647-08:00

When our kids were young, my wife and I often worked different shifts, to rotate watching our young sons. She was working the midnight shift and would arrive home early in the morning, extremely tired. She would try to get a few hours of sleep and drag herself out of bed to watch our independent young son Jordan who was 3 at the time. His older brother Kellen, who he idolized, would get up and go

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-28039628702161989272009-01-18T05:00:00.001-08:002009-01-18T05:49:05.960-08:00

I went to eat with my mother the other day to celebrate our birthdays which are one day apart. We were discussing my father, who died when I was 16. I wanted to learn more about his personality, goals, and dreams. We were also discussing what a great writer my sister “Crash” is. My mother mentioned that my father had a good ability to write also and that my sister probably got that gene from him.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-24309428997108018292009-01-17T05:00:00.000-08:002009-01-17T05:00:00.929-08:00

When I was taught about the martyr of Joseph Smith(JS), it was never mentioned that he had a gun and fired six rounds. He shot three men and the other three shots were apparently duds. Why would the church avoid telling that part of the history? From what I remember, his death was presented in a manner like Jesus was presented at his crucifixion, like an innocent lamb led to the slaughter by evil

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-30524233556331870322009-01-16T04:53:00.000-08:002009-01-16T04:53:01.984-08:00

A couple of the enigmas of the Mormon Church are the 3 immortal Nephites and The Sealed Portion(SP) of the Book of Mormon(BoM). Fortunately for us God has sent us a few of his servants here on Earth to reveal what the SP contains. There are a few Mormon splinter groups who claim a translation. One is located in California and the other in Arizona, but my favorite is a the prophet CHRISTopher Marc

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083797349705864474.post-33830823086578398592009-01-15T04:00:00.000-08:002009-01-15T07:46:57.498-08:00

I was taught growing up that a Spiritual Witness was the way to gain a knowledge of the truth of the BoM and other gospel doctrines. I was also taught to be careful because Satan could bear false witness, especially if the witness was in contradiction to any of our scriptures, or prophets teachings. I still remember a conversation with my father where he explained that if I was ever to receive a

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699974259597728052noreply@blogger.com25