Podcast – Review of Under the Banner of Heaven

May 3, 2022Jenny Marie Hatch Leave a comment

I heard about this book almost from the minute it was published back in the day. I live in Boulder Co and the author is a local hero and a highly respected intellectual.

https://twitter.com/jennymhatch/status/1520838058534350848?s=21&t=JfXP3iRLg-Rg1DSV8ghTpA

Many friends and family members encouraged me to read Under the Banner of Heaven, but I dismissed as a hateful screed against the church I love and slandered it on my blog as “horrid“.

I like to think of myself as open minded and so I am not in the habit of judging before reading, but in this case I did.

I watched the first two episodes of the Hulu show this past week and decided it was high time to finally read the book. So I bought the Kindle version and have read intently the past few days and finished up this morning.

I was pleased to read what I consider a fair and well written depiction of our history and although perhaps quibbling over certain notions, I believe this book to be a good addition to the many that have been written about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

My testimony is not damaged in any way by reading this book.

I liked how the author described his own faith:

“And if I remain in the dark about our purpose here, and the meaning of eternity, I have nevertheless arrived at an understanding of a few more modest truths: Most of us fear death. Most of us yearn to comprehend how we got here, and why—which is to say, most of us ache to know the love of our creator. And we will no doubt feel that ache, most of us, for as long as we happen to be alive.”

I found the chapters on mental illness to be particularly compelling and how the various doctors described in detail the differences between faith and psychosis.

At the end of the day I believe everyone wants to fit into our society. And non-conformity breeds emotional illness, especially in the posterity of those who step out of the mainstream of current accepted truth.

Human history is littered with the human wreckage of those who bravely stand up and share something new and unorthodox, especially if it cuts into the finances of current business endeavors.

Jenny Marie Hatch

The Parable of the Ten Virigins

February 23, 2014Jenny Marie Hatch Leave a comment

Matthew 25:1-13

1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

View Matthew 25

I have always loved this parable.

It is a powerful reminder that when we refuse to walk in the truth and get lazy about our responsibilities to be witnesses of God at all times and in all places, that the spirit of the Lord will not always strive with us.

Sometimes it is easy to think that we can just continue on living a lie, sticking our fingers in our ears and yelling when the truth is presented to us over and over again.

But when the Lord gives us opportunity after opportunity to embrace the truth and we pridefully march on thinking that we can just have it our own way, at times, some who profess to be followers of Christ, get left behind. And Heavenly Father does not expect those who have embraced the truth to always share with those who refuse to.

It makes me think of a talk that the Prophet President Ezra Taft Benson gave during General Conference…He said:

“To love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength is all-consuming and all-encompassing. It is no lukewarm endeavor. It is total commitment of our very being—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually—to a love of the Lord.”

President Benson also quoted the Savior in Matthew chapter ten when he said that those who love Father or Mother more than the Savior are not worthy of him.

“The Lord said, “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matt. 10:37). One of the most difficult tests of all is when you have to choose between pleasing God or pleasing someone you love or respect—particularly a family member.”

A final scripture used in this talk was one from The Book of Mormon which talks about how it appears that the wicked have everything going for them for a time, but eventually the lies, sins, pain, agony, and rejection of the truth tellers will catch up with them and they will experience eternal torment for their choices during mortality.

“In the meantime the wicked think they are getting away with something. The Book of Mormon teaches that the wicked “have joy in their works for a season, [but] by and by the end cometh, and they are hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence there is no return” (3 Ne. 27:11).”

Click to read the whole talk: The Great Commandment-Love the Lord

It is my lifelong goal to always be walking in the truth, no matter what sort of pain in may bring into my life.

Jenny Hatch

He is Risen: First Presidency Message for the month of April

April 30, 2013Jenny Marie Hatch 1 Comment

The message this month is really beautiful.

He is Risen by Henry B. Eyring

“A testimony of the reality of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is a source of both hope and determination. And it can be so for any child of God. It was for me on a summer day in June 1969 when my mother died, it has been all the years since, and it will be until I see her again.

Sadness from the temporary separation was immediately replaced with happiness. It was more than a hope for a happy reunion. Because the Lord has revealed so much through His prophets and because the Holy Ghosthas confirmed the truth of the Resurrection to me, I can see in my mind what it will be like to be reunited with our sanctified and resurrected loved ones:

“These are they who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just. …

“These are they whose names are written in heaven, where God and Christ are the judge of all.

“These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood” (D&C 76:65, 68–69).

…In the sacramental prayers, God promises to send the Holy Ghost to be with us (see Moroni 4:3; 5:2; D&C 20:77, 79). I have found in that moment that God can give me what feels like a personal interview. He brings to my attention what I have done that pleases Him, my need for repentance andforgiveness, and the names and faces of people He would have me serve for Him.

Over the years, that repeated experience has turned hope into feelings of charity and brought an assurance that mercy was unlocked for me by the Savior’s Atonement and Resurrection.

I testify that Jesus is the risen Christ, our Savior, and our perfect example and guide to eternal life.”

Video of Jesus Christ: He is Risen

Jenny Hatch

Bible Videos: The Life of Jesus Christ

December 29, 2011Jenny Marie Hatch Leave a comment

The church I belong to has produced over fifty movies based on the life of Jesus Christ and certain Bible Stories. HERE is the web site where they will all eventually be hosted.

I actually auditioned as an actor for these movies when the notice came out a few years ago. Didn’t get the job, but have been aware of it and watching for them to be produced for a long time.

Jenny

Here are the first six movies, which all center around the birth of Christ: