An unexpected event on President Nelson's Birthday - Category 2- 3 Hurricane-like storm in SLC

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Church did not plan a worldwide gala celebration for President Nelson's Birthday on September 9th.  Good thing they didn't. Unlike last year when President Nelson personally invited all to his Birthday gala celebration, this year his birthday was marked by a extremely unusual and devastating Category 2 hurricane-like storm. Starting on the eve of his Birthday  lasting throughout his big day, 100 plus mile winds caused destruction and uprooted century old trees around the Temple Square and the Church Office Building as well as up and down the Wasatch Front. Some areas reported actual wind gust of 112 miles an hour which would be a Category 3 hurricane wind. 

This is a photo of President Nelson at his Birthday Celebration last year. I had posted more about it HERE 

Despite Mother Nature reeking havoc on his birthday, President Nelson sent out a news release this week with a photo of him as a young boy and expressed gratitude for those who sent him Birthday Wishes this week. Here is his text and photo. No mention of the destruction that occurred in the Salt Lake Valley. 

Russell M Nelson as a young boy

“Today I am 96 years old! Many years have passed since this photo was taken when I was a young boy, and in those years I have been blessed richly with opportunities to meet and come to love God’s children all over the world. I have also witnessed many miracles and mercies from the Lord.

“Many of you have wished me a happy birthday. I wish to thank you and express my love for all who read this. The Lord loves you, and I am a witness that He is in the details of our lives.”

Also a video tribute has been posted online and members of the Quorum of the Twelve have recently shared their love for President Nelson. 

Elder Gary E Stevenson said "Latter-day Saints have been highly favored of the Lord during this time of pandemic as they have received words and counsel from a living prophet...Knowing the calamities that would come upon the world, the Lord called upon President Russell M. Nelson to guide us and help us manage these unique and perilous times."

Elder Ronald A Rasband said, "During these challenges, no one has been better at communicating the will of the Lord to the world than President Russell M Nelson"...The most important prophet, so far as we are concerned, is the one who is living in our day and age. This is the prophet who has today’s instructions from God to us. Therefore, the most crucial reading and pondering that you should do is of the latest inspired words from the Lord’s mouthpiece...Those who look to the watchman on the tower “can notch their fear index down a little, they can drop their anxiety, they can lessen their loneliness to know that this Church is in the hands of the Lord. And He is guiding and directing His Apostles and Prophets.

Sidenote: 

A few weeks ago, our Chief Watchmen on the Tower, President Nelson said the following and was printed in the Church News  last week. 

“Dear friends, the road ahead may be bumpy, but our destination is serene and secure,” he wrote. “So, fasten your seatbelt, hang on through the bumps, and do what’s right. Your reward will be eternal.”

Pretty safe bet to say that things "may" be bumpy. 

Um, maybe bumpy? may be that was a misprint. I am no prophet, but I think it would be better to say, The road ahead WILL be bumpy. 

No "maybe's" about it. 

Symbolic places where the 90 mph winds uprooted trees - SLC Declares State of Emergency

Hurricane-level winds blew through the Salt Lake Valley this morning. Unofficial reports at the University of Utah had the gusts as high as 112 mph. Power expected to be out 2 to 3 days in some areas. Another wind storm is expected to develop tonight. Much of downtown Salt Lake is closed to business due to power outages. The Traffic signals were malfunctioning. However, I still drove downtown and took a few photos of some key symbolic locations. The Church Office Building, The Salt Lake Temple, and the State Capital Below are some of the photos I took.

In the last place I drove past was Liberty Park. I was touched to see a few Native Americas who were weeping, chanting and performing a ceremonial ritual around the largest tree that fell in the center of this downtown park. I couldn't help think that they see the symbolism of this portent hurricane storm that left such devastating destruction to these beautiful,  majestic trees that have been swept off around symbolic buildings. 

Trees around the LDS Church Office Building:

 Uprooted Pine Trees to the East of the Salt Lake Temple:

Some of the last remaining mature trees at Salt Lake Capital

Liberty Park:

Sidenote:

This Tree was uprooted in front of this house off of Harvey Milk Blvd:

If there was ever a time to be inspired, uplifted and motivated, it would be now!

I recently saw the documentary called 'Rising Phoenix,' which follows the story of nine Paralympians.

Each athlete showcased in the film shares their amazing story of overcoming obstacles to achieve the unthinkable.  If there was ever a time to be inspired, uplifted and motivated, it would be now. 

The human spirit is truly amazing.  

SCRUPULOSITY.... Unhealthy Excessive Religious Behavior

Scrupulous is a word to describe someone who is diligent, thorough, and extremely attentive to details in following the rules or requirements that is asked of them. They are very concerned to avoid doing any thing wrong.  On the surface, being scrupulous might be considered a good thing, but if excessive, it could possibly lead to unhealthy religious behavior called Scrupulosity.  

Common Symptoms of Scrupulosity:

• Believes that religious practice must be 100 percent perfect.
• Critical of others that are perceived to be sinful. 
• Believes in a "Check-list" type God. 
• Overly concerned about keeping every Letter of the Law. 
• Devout in their outward observances especially in places of Worship
• Obedient in keeping the rules/commandments out of fear of punishment.
• Proud of being a member of "The Not Even Once Club"
• Confesses to every indiscretion.
• Fears that things are not being done quite the "right way"
• Believes you earn your love from God. 
• Overzealous in the need to keep religious tradition.

All of these symptoms could describe perfectly the Pharisees at the time of Christ. They were religious zealots and were scrupulous in following the Law of Moses. Their scrupulosity was so deep that they could not recognize the Savior of the World, the actual giver of the Law of Moses.