Importance of Fatherhood

This is a wonderful video about Fathers that I would suggest to anyone to watch. It's a short video called "Earthly Father, Heavenly Father."

"Of all the titles of respect and honor and admiration that are given to Deity, He has asked us to address Him as Father." ~Quorum of the Twelve
If you want the link to this video and others, click here.

Matthew 6:9; 3 Nephi 11:21, 9:15; D&C 84:38

Omniscience

I attended a Devotional today where the speaker talked about God's Omniscience.
God knows all. It is interesting to think about the implications of this simple statement, and discover that it is more intricate than it seems. He sees past, present, and future all at once in the here and now. He "knoweth all things, for all things are present" before Him (see D&C 38:2). This can be difficult to understand - as humans we know so little! - so I think about it like this: God experiences time and thought much differently than we do. If every event, every person, every action, thought, and desire were cards, then every single one would be laid out before Him. There is nothing hidden before him, no corner overlooked, and it is not just because He is familiar with the deck! God knows us and He knows what we will do, which gives Him the ability to teach, guide, and save us. We still have choice, it is simply that He knows how we will choose.

"Without the knowledge of all things, God would not be able to save any of His creatures."

"The Lord Himself said that He `knoweth all things, for all things are present' before Him. (D&C 38:2.) We read, too, that `all things are present with me, for I know them all.' (Moses 1:6.) Therefore, God's omniscience is not solely a function of prolonged and discerning familiarity with us-but of the stunning reality that the past and present and future are part of an `eternal now' with God!(Joseph Smith, History of the Church 4:597.)" 
~ Neal A. Maxwell, All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience, pp. 7,8.

Worldwide Flood?

I my science class today we were discussing the great flood during Noah's time. If that doesn't put up a red flag of warning, I don't know what will. We have recently been discussing evolution, which surprisingly doesn't bother me as much as it seems to bother other people; I am alright with it, and in my opinion science and religion do not clash as much as people think it does. However, I admit I was beginning to get quite upset during the discussion today, realizing that the story of Noah is lacking logic. A worldwide flood would leave behind evidence that is simply not there and is not likely to be discovered, as well as other consistencies. How would all of the world's species fit on an ark that size, including species-specific parasites and diseases? How did they account for some animals special diets (like koalas)? How was the food kept fresh for a year? How did short‑lived species survive? These were only a few of the questions we talked about, and I have to say it shatters the literal interpretation of the story of Noah.

An explanation that makes these questions irrelevant is if rather than a planetary flood, it was a local - albeit large - flood where Noah lived. Where the Black Sea is now there used to be more of a lake, which may have been drastically flooded. There is evidence of this flooding, and some evidence for civilization has even been found there.

I dislike doubt, it is an extremely uncomfortable and depressing feeling, which almost makes me want to deny the science and make rationalizations, or to question what I have been taught most of my life. However, neither is a good option and both turn a blind eye to what I have learned over my lifespan. There are some things I do not doubt, and one of those is that there is a God; an all-mighty being whose love and wisdom far surpasses my own. Though I do not understand everything in this world, what I have learned spiritually is just as important (or perhaps more so) than what I have learned intellectually. I will continue to ponder about what I have learned today, and I will come to my own conclusion. I suggest this method to others. Do not throw stones at things you do not understand, but do not throw away your beliefs so easily either.