Funny and Real

We stumbled across this and I don't know why but it was really funny! Maybe because it is real and not some comedy sketch...either way it's hilarious.

Inception vs. Arrested Development

Sure Arrested Development is long off the air and Inception was released over a year ago but we just recently discovered the two put together! Check out this trailer...too bad it isn't real...or is it...

My First Trip to Wisconsin

Recently I spent a week at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin for my Army Reserve Annual Training. The exercises were war games, we lived and acted as if we were in the middle of a combat situation. We stayed in a mock Forward Operating Base (FOB) bunking in large open bay tents, ate from a mess trailer and went on long convoys. Other than realizing how nice the weather is in Wisconsin and how beautiful the terrain is there I took away several lessons from the experience:

1. I was proud of the soldiers I serve with. We were one of the first units to the FOB and one of the last to leave despite our location being the least desirable in all of Fort McCoy. I'm complaining but the rest of my unit was there for three weeks instead of my measly one. Despite the rough living and stressful environment the incidents were kept to a minimum. Trust me, this is an accomplishment.

2. Let me be clear, war games are not like actual combat. But there is still something intimidating about driving down the road in a convoy and having a man walk out into the street with a rocket launcher pointed at your car. The explosions are loud, the dummy rounds still sound and smell real, the smoke bombs are acrid and the screaming on the radio as the attack occurs is cringe-worthy.

3. My last day there the other member of my Unit Ministry Team (UMT) and I sat down and did an After Action Report (AAR). My conclusion? I have a long way to go if I want to become an effective Army Chaplain. One example, it wasn't until I was traveling to the airport that my Presbyterian peer pointed out that one of our soldiers was LDS. So in other words I spent a week among my own soldiers unaware that there was indeed a member of the faith group I represent. Oops.

4. I've traveled in uniform before but people seemed to be in a particularly patriotic mood. I shook at least a couple dozen hands and accepted countless thank yous. I was offered lots of free cups of coffee and was happy to take the free snacks on the airplanes. On my way from Minneapolis to Dallas I was the last to board and noticed I was the only soldier on the plane - at least in uniform anyway. When we landed the stewardess came over the intercom and thanked all members of the military. The entire plane then proceeded to clap and several people patted me on the back. It was awkward.

5. Finally, every time I leave home for any amount of time I really miss my family. You don't realize how much your family means to you until you are away from them. I feel fortunate that every once and awhile I am removed from Heidi and Henry because it helps me remember how incredibly lucky I really am.

The Things Our Bodies Can Do

I was reading about the 30 servicemen that were recently killed in a terrible incident when their helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan and was struck by two things. First, all of their families and friends said that though they were sad to see their loved ones go and that they were in no hurry to die they went doing the thing they loved. Second, I was amazed at how tough these guys were! As you probably know they were made up of Navy Seals, Special Forces and a couple other top secret affiliations.

What I found incredibly intimidating is that even though most of them were right around my own age they had trained their bodies in a completely different way than I have and as a result they were in far superior shape both physically and mentally. Many of the bios mentioned involvement in Iron Man competitions, marathons and other extreme fitness programs.

I find it amazing because this is what these men did with the bodies God gave them. They trained and programmed their physical bodies to cope with some of the most grueling circumstances and when they were no longer able to deal with the situation they found a way to keep going. It gives me faith that maybe I can train my body and mind to handle any endeavor thrown at me...right?

In a less sad example check out this video that demonstrates another example of how one can train and discipline their body and mind to do amazing things:

Glee...I just don't get it.

In one episode of Community Joel McHale's character becomes upset about a recent breakup with his girlfriend and begins crying and holding a friend. As he does this he blurts out "She made me watch Glee...I just don't get that show!" How true. Granted I've never seen more than a few minutes but I don't get that show either! I mean come on, no high school is like that and the music? Please, it's cheesy and they take good songs and make them dorky.

If you don't believe me then believe some of my favorite musicians. A few months ago Glee asked to use music by the Foo Fighters to which Dave Grohl responded, "It’s every band’s right, you shouldn’t have to do 'Glee,' and then the guy who created 'Glee' is so offended that we’re not, like, begging to be on his show...@#$% that guy for thinking anybody and everybody should want to do 'Glee.'"

Or how about Slash's response when Glee wanted to perform Guns n' Roses? As Grohl continued to explain, "The 'Glee' guy, what a jerk...He wanted to do Guns n’ Roses and Slash is like, ‘I hate musicals. It’s worse than 'Grease.'’ Then [Murphy - the creator of Glee was] like, ‘Well, of course he’d say that, he’s a washed up ol’ rock star, that’s what they do."

Before Kings of Leon became the recent train wreck they are today they also declined Glee as well and the creator of Glee called them "snotty little @#$%."

I really love music and I feel my interests are pretty broad but come on, this isn't music. It's just a bunch of mediocre actors pretending to be musicians. What can I say, I really don't like Glee, or in the words of Joel McHale, "I just don't get it!"

And to hit my point home just check out this photo:


A photo is worth a 1000 words, eh?

10 Years

(On the set of Austin City Limits about 3 weeks ago)

Not that you're keeping track but today happens to be our 10th wedding anniversary. Truthfully it is a little anti-climatic. I mean it just kind of sneaks up on you and boom it is here. Don't get me wrong, you have to work incredibly hard to get here but once it arrives 10 years really isn't that different than 9 years 364 days. A saying comes to mind, "A day feels like a week but a week feels like a day." But it's still an accomplishment of sorts and definitely an achievement.

Heidi and I have been trying to honestly reflect back to when we first married and where we really thought we might be in 10 years. Here are a few observations:

• We both thought we'd have more than 1 child.

• Heidi thought we'd probably be in Utah and since my sister lived in Texas at the time I thought living here might be a possibility. Neither of us thought Las Vegas would become so important to us.

• There has been a lot more hair than I thought (2 dogs, 1 cat) but we both thought animals would play an important part of our lives although the turtles, lizard and frog were not anticipated.
  

• Neither of us seriously thought we'd become vegetarians but that decision has been one of the best choices of our lives and any vegetarians reading this will probably agree.

• We are both far more educated than we considered and I'm not necessarily sure if that is a good one.

• Travel has played a much bigger part of our marriage than I thought, we have been all over the place and I love it but I thought we would go camping more (embarrassed to admit we have only been once).

Despite what we thought we are here and definitely have a new definition of love. Love 10 years in is completely different than love 10 days in that is for sure. But love at 10 years is far more sincere, thoughtful and meaningful. Unfortunately that crazy insane passion is not as prevalent but what can I say, that isn't real love. Blah blah blah - maybe when we hit 20 years I'll be in a better position to dish out thoughts on love.

At any rate, I love you Heidi and Happy 10th Anniversary, the trip has not been what either of us expected but it has definitely not been dull.

No Excuses

Well, I got back from South Carolina and jumped right back into being a husband, father, social worker, etc. and I guess I just forgot to blog (I don't know why Heidi hasn't written). Weird. Because I got a lot on my mind - too much if you ask Heidi - and we have been busy. We have done a lot of fun things and gone to a lot of cool places. So here is a brief list of some of our exciting times over the past six months. SIX MONTHS?! Geez.

• Began potty training Henry - he's doing pretty good but still holding #2, any suggestions?

• Took Henry to his first baseball game - Astros lost.

• Enjoyed a brief stay hiking around the Big Thicket Natural Preserve, Henry found both the trees and leaves surprisingly fascinating.

• Was assigned to a US Army Reserve unit as a Chaplain and First Lieutenant and spent a few days in Louisiana watching soldiers shoot (chaplains are not allowed to touch weapons).

• Went on a family vacation to San Antonio where we did the following:
• Enjoyed a drive-thru Safari where Henry was traumatized by an ostrich that stuck its head in our car.
• Wandered the Riverwalk and the Alamo.
• Checked out the San Antonio Temple.
• Went to several dog parks.
• Toured Sunnyday Farms Animal Sanctuary
  
• Ate at Green, our favorite vegetarian restaurant in SA.

• Helped a lot of men and women conclude their time on this earth as well as comforted those they left behind.

• Took family photos at Rice University.

• Went to my first ever Army Chaplain Conference held in Phoenix, AZ.

• Went to an actual country wedding (you'd know if you went to one of these).

• Heidi's sister Rachel and two of her children visited us for a week and we showed her around the Bayou City. Henry loves having cousins.
  

• Heidi began her last year in her 20s.

• Celebrated the 4th of July with Henry's first parade. Also, it was the first year he really watched the fireworks and they really scared the poor little guy.

• Spent a few days in Austin and did the following:
• Toured the Austin City Limits studio. Pretty cool being on a stage where so many famous musicians played.
• Ate at several vegetarian restaurants.
• Explored a Mediterranean style villa built in the early 1900s.
• Went to one of our favorite dog parks in the world.
• Attended a Roller Derby (words cannot explain that one but if you ever get a chance...).
• Watched over a million bats fly out from under a bridge in search of dinner.

• Henry participated in his first organized sports program called Soccer Tots. It started bumpy but in the end he loved it.

• Heidi was supposed to go to a Kings of Leon concert with her girlfriends but the band canceled the day before the gig. She was angry.
  

• We all went to Space Center Houston during the final Space Shuttle flight.

• Made several trips to the Houston Zoo where Henry fed lettuce to a giraffe and was traumatized by yet another African animal.
  

• Finally Heidi is about to begin her last trimester as a student intern and then off to the real world with her.

And that is about it. Don't get me wrong, plenty of other things took place but here is a sample of what the Texas Sheltons have been doing. Not that anyone out there really cares or took the time to read this but if you did thanks for humoring us! Maybe well start sharing our opinions once again because we have a lot of them.

I'm Home!

Well, after 6 weeks I returned home yesterday. Being away from home is not fun but coming home is a great feeling. One that cannot be recreated. Your stomach turns but in a good way and when the plane lands you become giddy with excitement.

(a cold day I missed while away)

There is nothing like the curious smile from your son who seems to be trying to figure out if you're really there or not. Oh, and the big hugs a 2 year old gives you and the giggle he has as you play with him...well, there is nothing like it in the world.

Dogs are also fantastic. They barked when they saw me, ran around in circles, whined, and jumped up on me. Even big old Bentley tried to jump up on me. It's weird that an animal can be so excited to see a human being. (By the way, did you know this is the longest in 8 years that I have gone without touching a dog? Weird, eh?)

And nothing beats the pleasant smirk, firm handshake and pat on the back from your wife. It is priceless. But also, Heidi blew up some red/white/red balloons and streamers all over the apartment with some of my favorite candy spread all over the counter and table. It made me feel good. I'm a lucky dude.

(Heidi after West Side Story-I was away so she went to a play)

But I'm home for now I'm home and a little sad that I'll have to leave again later this year. I'm really sad that one day I might have to leave my family for a year or more. Even more sad that so many soldiers are away from their families at this time and some left their families never to see them again. At this time I'm fortunate.

How did I get here and where am I going?

In two days I will complete half of my Army Chaplain training and will be returning home (I will finish the school later this year). The entire time I have been here I have had a Talking Heads song stuck in my head. I don't know how applicable it is but here is the lyrics:

And you may find yourself living in a shotgun shack
And you may find yourself in another part of the world
And you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile
And you may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful wife
And you may ask yourself-Well...How did I get here?

Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by/water flowing underground
Into the blue again/after the money's gone
Once in a lifetime/water flowing underground.

And you may ask yourself
How do I work this?
And you may ask yourself
Where is that large automobile?
And you may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful house!
And you may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful wife!

Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was...

And if you're interested here is an '80s retro music video of this song. Check it out just to see how much music videos have changed:



So I return to my Texas home with a new take on life, family, country, and religion...for now...don't forget I'm barely even half way done. But if you care (and you probably don't) I did not bring a camera so here is one of the few photos that exist of me at CH-BOLC. Do I have a beak? Heidi says I do, but I can't tell. Man...I'm a weird looking dude.

LOVE BIRDS

These two love birds {Bing and Bessie} have been together for 24 years. As goslings they were abandoned on a farm and were brought to live at Farm Sanctuary in 1987. They have become inseparable. Both geese are very shy. Whenever anyone approaches Bessie sends out a loud call and Bing comes to her rescue. No matter where she is, if Bessie calls Bing comes running. They are always within earshot of one another during the day; and every night, these lifelong love birds fall asleep side by side.

Please watch this cute video about the relationships that animals have one with another.
Bing and Bessie are featured at the very end.

Isn't great to find your life long companion!
Someone that you can cry out to and they'll come running!
I'm so glad that I found mine.

Taco Bell

The longer I am away from eating meat the more bizarre it seems to me that people willingly - even happily - eat meat. Stuff produced and prepared behind the scenes and that is willingly scarfed down. Allow Mr. Black to explain.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Back in Black - Meat Edition
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog The Daily Show on Facebook

The Four Chaplains, Tear Gas, and Me

On 3 Feb 1943, 68 years ago today, the USS Dorchester, a troop ship with more than 900 soldiers and sailors headed to the European front during WWII was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine. Only 230 survived and among the dead were four chaplains, George Fox (Methodist), Alexander Goode (Jew), Clark Poling (Reformed Church of America), and John Washington (Catholic).

After the ship was hit these four chaplains helped calm and organize the evacuation. They escorted sailors and soldiers to the escape boats and handed out life preservers. When all of the life preservers were used up they took off their own and handed them to the evacuees.

As the ship sank the last reported sighting of the four chaplains was them locked in arms praying. I wonder what they thought about as they took off their life preservers and gave them away. They had to know it was already a long shot but once they took those vests off they probably realized the end had arrived.

This is a big deal for all chaplains but especially army chaplains. Congress approved a special medal awarded posthumously to the families of the lost chaplains. Though I have no desire to die in a sinking ship and hope it never comes down to such an act I am proud to be part of such a diverse group of men and women whose sole purpose is to comfort those of all faiths or none-thereof in their times of need.

Now for a lighter side. Everyone has probably heard about the Gas (tear gas) Chamber that all soldiers must pass through at some point early in their career. I have now done it twice, it seems like this time was worse. It was awful and thanks to YouTube you can now see what it was like. Below is my class, I come out the right door a little over two minutes into the film:

For Daniel: missing you back.

Missing Them

Heidi already posted this photo but since I am away it'll have to do, besides any photo of Heidi and Henry is worth a second look. I have never been apart from my son this long before. Heidi and I spent sometime apart but it was hard them and it is hard now. I am a little more than halfway done but still have almost 3 weeks to go.

I enjoy army chaplain school (most of the time) but as Forrest Gump said, "night time is a lonely time in the army." I keep telling myself I'm doing this so I can help soldiers but it is hard to remember those motives some days. But I have faith that as a result of sacrifice we will be a stronger, closer, and better family. Knock on wood and cross my fingers!

I love this photo of Henry. In Ukrainian there is a word called, khitree, it means something like mischievous and funny. I was called this word multiple times and looking at my boy in this photo makes me think he is following in my footsteps.

I also love this photo of Henry. He looks so grown up! He's not a toddle but a small boy! The weird thing is I'm having a hard time remembering what it feels like to touch Henry. I think since he's only been in my life a couple years being away from him for a few weeks makes it seem unreal that he even exists. Strange stuff.

Selfish

I was talking to my friend the other day about her friends who are going on a mission trip to Hungary for 2 years. An no, these people are not Mormon if you were wondering. They are just good Christian folk going on a mission....anyways....my friend and I spoke about service and how nice it would be to just give of yourself and not have to worry about anything else except other people.

I have felt very selfish lately. I now understand why so many Doctors leave medical school being so narcissistic and self absorbed. For three years now, I have lived, breathed and ate Chiropractic School. I have thought about me, myself, my school, my grades. At least I have a husband and a baby and animals to worry about. So many people at my school have themselves and only themselves to worry about, thus only increasing their self-centered-ness. Of course it's only natural to be so egotistic, we are paying only $200,000 to get through school-it's only natural to put ourselves first in order to get our moneys worth! But sometimes it feels less than satisfying.

I love service. Two of the most memorable experiences that I've had are working in the orphanages and working for the Weimaraner Rescue. {of course being a mother and a wife are pretty self-less too, but that's a given.} I have felt lately that being as busy as I am I have not had the ability to really dedicate myself to any extra service {besides family and church}. It makes one wonder if all of this selfishness is really worth it in the end?

I had my first walk in patient today. Walk in's are kind of a big deal. They are usually people that have a serious enough concern that they drag themselves to the clinic without making an appointment first. Usually they are in extreme pain and discomfort. My patient was not an exception. He rated his pain 10/10; and needless to say he had multiple complications and I am hoping that all works out through the night, and that I am able to see him tomorrow. As I was driving home I was thinking about him. Hoping that I did everything possible that I could. I was hoping that he saw how concerned I was, and how I was dedicated to his care. And then it hit me: for the first time in a long time, I was genuinely concerned about the welfare of someone other than myself or my family. It was a nice feeling. I guess all of this selfishness has finally paid off.

5 Years Ago

A few minutes ago Heidi reminded me that today was the fifth anniversary of the last day of her chemotherapy after being diagnosed and treated for the cancer called Ewing's Sarcoma. It's weird, almost all of her 14 treatments lasted several days at a time, took place over a year, and usually occurred at the hospital but I don't remember any of them except for the last one. I remember a lot, I even remember the pajamas Heidi wore, the sun coming through the window, and the day of the week.

Well, what should I say, good job? I mean it seems a little odd to say "good job" or "congratulations" as if her treatment was her choice or some sort of an accomplishment. Don't get me wrong, watching Heidi go through chemo was one - if not the worst experience of my life. Yea, that sounds selfish but do you know how hard it is to watch the one you love go through that ordeal? I can't even begin to describe the horrible feelings of helplessness. But she survived, thank goodness, and now we have a beautiful boy too.

So - what should I say? How about I am very proud of you Heidi, you got closer to death than I ever have and you came back. You did this knowing that the poisons they pumped into your body could have permanent effects but you still did it in a grueling effort at survival. You've tried to better yourself since that horrible time and while the road has been bumpy - really bumpy at times - you've moved beyond that terrible time and you deserve all the credit in the world. I like to think I would survive such a horrible experience but the fact of the matter is I just don't know. Meanwhile you did survive.

I'm glad your still here, and I'm glad you're such a good mother. I love you.

P.S. Sorry, you probably wanted to write about this yourself.

A week with [the] King

It's not everyday that Royalty comes to visit.
Henry and I were lucky enough to spend a whole week with King and his mommy
(in that case, I guess that makes Nicole, Her Royal Majesty).

Henry wasn't too sure of King at times, but one thing that he made clear was that he is a 'beeg boi" and that King is a "beebee".

Poor Nicole spent most of the week babysitting Henry. I am so GRATEFUL for her, I can't express that enough! I don't know how single mothers, or women whom their spouses travel a lot, or women who have spouses in the military do it! It's so hard to be without help.

But it wasn't all work with no play, we partied it up over the weekend!

Friday we went for Sushi...so good! Henry did gag on edamame and threw up on my arm and the table...but it was still great! {sorry no pics}.

Saturday we went and got Jamba juice and Kolaches and then headed to the zoo.

{And by the way I took this picture-pretty amazing huh?}

We had to ride the train. Henry is trying to make King obsessed with trains just like him.

Choo-Choo

Then we topped off the night by going to Kemah and strolling the boardwalk and stuffing our faces with sweet, powdery, sugary goodness....


Sunday was full of Church {don't we have handsome boys!}, naps and Dairy Queen!


King is such a sweet heart. He loves to snuggle and coo. He has the cutest dimple too.
Don't let King's face fool you...he loves me!

Henry and I are going to sure miss The Royal One and HRM.
Come back soon!

"This is awsome!"

We do not have cable. Our entire marriage we have had cable for maybe 10 months. So sadly I was unable to enjoy TLC's "Sarah Palin's Alaska." I can't tell you how much of a fan of Palin I am and I really wanted to see what her "average Joe" life is like. Thankfully I stumbled across this collection of memorable moments that helped me appreciate what it must be like to be Sarah Palin. It is just over four minutes and well worth watching.

My fellow Americans, our next Commander in Chief.

Hee, Hee, Hee...Jury Duty?

Boston resident Sal Esposito recently got called in for jury duty. He might have some problems performing this required task, though, as Sal is a cat.

The problem arose after owners Anna and Guy Esposito listed him on the last U.S. Census under "pet."

Anna filed for his disqualification of service. He was not "too old," "ill," or a "convicted felon," so she filed that he "cannot speak English."

The jury commissioner denied this request.

Sal is still expected at Suffolk Superior Court on March 23. His owners are still trying to clear up the misunderstanding, but if they fail, Sal will be making his first appearance in court.

Reported by WHDH in Boston

I'm still trying to decide what I would do if June Bug was called to jury duty. The smart-alleck in me would show up with June but the practical social worker in me would not want to waste the court's time with such a silly request. But if I did take June she would hate it...not Bentley though, he'd love it.

Why do I do the things I do?

So, there I was, around twenty push-ups or so into forty while one officer was yelping about how flabby we all were, another was griping about us not keeping our heads up while a third was yelling at us for not keeping our backs straight during our punishment for being who we are.

It was about this time that I asked myself yet again, "Why am I doing this - again?!" You see, it was February 1996, a few months before my last summer as a high schooler when I got a phone call from an army recruiter. Five days later I had my hand up taking an oath to defend this nation. To this day I don't know why I did it but it turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life.

In addition to spending my last high school summer learning how to kill other human beings in a myriad of different ways (i.e. shooting, stabbing, blowing up, choking, pounding, rocketing, etc. etc.) I was granted twelve high school credits (allowing me to really slack off my senior year), six college credits (helping me complete my bachelor's degree in three years), money for college (surprisingly my family was unable to provide any financial assistance), and perhaps most importantly I really left Utah Valley allowing me to learn that a lot about how diverse America can be. For instance, I befriended my first African American, Jew, Mexican, Puerto-Rican, Sri-Lankan, Russian, and Iowan (and that was just Basic Training - yep, this is the kind of hodge podge that makes up the military in America today). Most importantly I learned a lot about myself and who I was.

But I served my time, right? Why one earth would I volunteer, fifteen years after my initial enlistment, to rejoin the United States Army opening the door to sleep deprivation, bad food, lousy pay, verbal abuse, and boring days? I have an idea...but I don't feel comfortable writing about it at this time. Let's just say as disillusioned as I have been from time to time I still have hope and feel that maybe I might make a difference. And if I can make a difference it is well worth the sacrifice of being away from my beautiful wife and wonderful little boy.

And that is why I am currently at Ft. Jackson, SC attending the Chaplain's Officer Course. It was extremely hard to leave Houston, the last thing I saw of my wife and son was Henry peering over Heidi's shoulder watching me walk away, surely wondering where Da-Da was going and why he was not coming. I leave behind my profession working with those that are dying and sadly many of those I have spent many hours with will be gone before my return (a few have already passed) and that makes me feel like I let them and their families down. But here I am...and...well, I need to go to bed. We have to report early.

The Prosperity Gospel

I just finished reading "Bad Money" by Kevin Phillips. It wasn't exactly a page turner but there was one part that caught my eye and I can't seem to shake. He wrote about the controversial theology of "prosperity gospel." This is the idea that if one is righteous and has faith then one will prosper financially.

As one prosperity preacher explained, "believers have a right to the blessings of health and wealth and that they can obtain these blessings through positive confessions of faith and the 'sowing of seeds' through the faithful payments of tithes and offerings." Naturally many faithful find such an idea revolting but there are plenty that truly feel Jesus blesses believers with riches.

Phillips listed several mega churches that eagerly preach a "prosperity gospel" to their congregations who then go out into the world expecting wealth for their faithfulness. Unfortunately they feel so entitled to this wealth that they fall for get-rich-quick scams and other types of white collar crime.

But then he pointed out one strange anomaly: Mormons. Most likely one will never hear Mormon leaders preaching a "prosperity gospel," in fact, if anything you hear quite the opposite. After all, until 1900 or so Mormons practiced a quasi form of religious socialism. Yet for some reason Mormons are particularly susceptible to white collar crime. Phillips pointed out that Utah has the smallest population to have their own office of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Mormons have been duped into giving away millions if not billions to faulty businesses, get-rich-quick scams, Ponzi schemes, and flim-flam artists.

So, the big question is why is this happening? Unlike these other churches the "prosperity gospel" is not being preached from the LDS pulpit. Could you imagine a General Authority sharing this concept during General Conference? Mormons don't, at least they shouldn't, be leaving church thinking about the money they will now make because of their faithfulness. So where is this coming from? I'm guessing the explanation is more cultural than theological but that still doesn't explain how the faulty message is being disseminated to the LDS community. If not from the pulpit then from where?