FAIR's Rising Generation

Author Archive

I was at the mall the other day and I had a conversation I will not soon forget; the experience is one that proved to me my calling as a missionary. I’ll share it with you though and see what you think.

Going to the mall implies that one has money, unfortunately, I do not, and as I walked around I tried to ignore the vendors that set up shop in the middle of the grand halls. I was walking quickly and trying to look as uninterested as possible when a vendor behind me practically shouted, “Excuse me, Sir!” Read the rest of this entry »

We’ve had a rough spot with our blog staff lately: most of our members have become so busy with school that our commitment to regular posting has become nigh to impossible. When mid-terms are over and done with, you will likely see more frequent posts on our blog. Read the rest of this entry »

Greetings much-esteemed readers!

You have stumbled upon a blog of unique purpose and content; how very fortunate for you! Also how very fortunate for me that you are reading my post, because I have an important message I want to share with you. It goes like this: I am a part of a cause that is quickly becoming a major force for good in the world, and I want to share what it is that I am doing with you. I want you to know that I am seventeen years old, male, and seeking someone who is passionate about some of the same things as me including helping others, as well as raising moral standards high above society’s norm and spreading the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ over the internet.

My name is Erik Slack, and no I don’t want to date you, but I do want you to join with me and the others members of FAIR’s Rising Generation to help make a positive difference. Come be part of an organization that empowers other LDS youth to learn more about their religion, how it applies to them, and how to make better decisions because of it. Does this sound like your cup of (herbal) tea? If it does then send me a message right now by following this link: Click to sign up now!

When you leave this blog, I want you to know what it is that FRG stands for, why we exist, and what we are doing that deserves your attention.

FRG stands for FAIR’s Rising Generation. We are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who sacrifice time and energy to support the youth. No we have not been called by anyone in the church to perform this work, but “he who must be commanded in all things is a slothful and not a wise servant.” This organization exists simply because volunteers, such as myself, have found a worthy cause in helping the youth–please understand that when I say youth I use the term loosely–and have dedicated their time and talents to furthering that cause.

Earlier in this post I said you who are reading this post are fortunate, which is true because I believe that you will benefit from information about FRG’s newest projects. I am pleased to announce the newest project of FRG: podcasts featuring interviews of some of the great minds and voices in our day and age. The FRG team will be interviewing figures such as Vickey Taylor and Scott Gordon and much, much more. Our first release of this series will be in the next couple of weeks so keep your eyes open and your ears ready to digest some awesome audible treats.

Another recent project that I’ve been working on personally for the past couple of weeks is the official FRG website. On the site we are featuring the articles recently written by David Ferguson including an article about how to prepare your missionary’s wardrobe for the two years they’ll be serving the Lord. Most of what is currently on the website is exlusively for FRG members to help us in our work, however in the near future we will be opening up a section for the community. I hope to have more exciting news about this in the coming weeks. Watch for it!

Thank you for reading. Have a wonderful week!

This post can be accurately described as a response to a pair of earlier posts by Christi Bialik. I was responding to her insights on the Young Women Theme, and I realized that I had written enough for a short post. Please take a look at her posts first…

Let’s Put Some Meaning Into This Chant Part 1
Let’s Put Some Meaning Into This Chant Part 2
Let’s Put Some Meaning Into This Chant Part 3

The young men in my Priest’s Quorum recite the “Purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood” so they may commit these very important responsibilities to memory. It’s a list of expectations for every young man who is an Aaronic priesthood-holder. The final responsibility on the list is to “Give proper respect to women, girls, and children.” God has charged us to be respectful towards the young women, and thus I strive to do so. To me this is a modern day call to embrace the centuries-old practice of chivalry. Knights of old vowed to protect and honor women. But why? What’s so special about young women that even God himself would tell me to respect them?

Ya know, there is an unmistakable radiance about the young women of the LDS church that young men find irresistable–even those young men what are not members of the Church. I’m bettin’ that glow we see is a reflection of the glory and goodness of Jesus Christ himself. As a young woman who is practicing the YW Values, you’re inheriting His countenance upon you. You will never go unnoticed, remember that, smile, and keep on.

While I was reading Christi’s summaries of the first four values, a definite connection stood out in my mind between them.

This connection is also true for the young men. A yw’s journey starts with a “seed of FAITH” which will lead her to a KNOWLEDGE of her DIVINE NATURE. Once a young woman knows that she is a daughter of God, she will come to understand how very important her role on Earth really is, i.e., her INDIVIDUAL WORTH.

I won’t pretend to understand women, but I’m beginning to comprehend more fully my role as a young man to honor and defend them.

Brrrrr-iiiiingg!! The bell rang, class was officially over and I was racing the other kids out the door. Soon I was at my locker and tossing my English book in with its buddies, Biology and World History. With a slam of the door I was on the move again. I swam up a stream of kids; they were moving toward their next classes, but my only thought was to get out. The halls of my high school were crowded and stuffy, and my body ached for a breath of fresh air. I burst out the school doors with a great big sigh of relief and trekked to the building on the other side of the street where Seminary was held.

As soon as I was through the doors I heard the hearty laugh of my teacher as someone was playing the theme song from Zelda on the piano. I walked into the classroom, set my stuff next to my seat and went to chat with my friends until the class started. It was always clear when class started, because Brother Manwaring would call with his well-projected voice to the stragglers that were still making their way toward the building, “it’s time to start; hurry up!”

I loved seminary. It was like my escape from the world and all its troubles. I really felt like I belonged there because my classmates knew what it was like at school, and they knew how tough it was sometimes to maintain high standards when surrounded by kids who seemed without any at all. They knew me and what made me uncomfortable, and they knew how to make me laugh. Not only were my classmates great, but my teacher was awesome! He always came to class prepared, and he would come up with these crazy ways to teach us a lesson about the Gospel. I learned a lot from him.

One time when my teacher was having trouble keeping the kids focused on the lesson, he–out of the blue–put on the movie Star Wars right at the part where one of the other pilots was telling Luke to “stay on target” before he blew up the Death Star. The class was so stunned by the randomness of it all that they listened carefully to his next words, which were about staying focused on the lesson. From then on, whenever the class got too excited or rowdy, he’d stick out his arms like he was flying a plane and we’d know immediately that he needed us to “stay on target.” It was those little things that made me cherish Seminary so much.

I didn’t always, but eventually I came to love seminary; it’s because I loved it that I was so open to the promptings of the Spirit, aka the Holy Ghost. Oftentimes, as I listened to the words of my teacher, I could feel the Holy Spirit testify the truth of them to my heart. It would come to me as this overwhelming feeling of contentment; that was the Holy Ghost’s way of telling me I was hearing truth. The Holy Ghost loves the truth, and he shares the joy he feels when he hears it to those also seeking the truth. So many times, both him and I listened and rejoiced silently together. It’s an amazing feeling, and, even more importantly, it’s a righteous feeling. Seminary can do that for ya if you let it.

I’m seventeen now, and I’ve graduated with all four years of seminary. I’ve had both early morning and release-time seminary, so I know how much of a sacrifice it takes for students to attend each method. I also know that, no matter what, seminary was an awesome blessing to my life and most definitely worth the cost. Sometimes the cost for Seminary attendance can seem very great, but I believe that the Lord blesses us for our sacrifices. I’ll write more about this topic early next week so please look for my post.

Thanks for reading.