By Rod Johnson

Rodric believes Moroni included special instruction for Modern times and wants to share his unique perspective the same way Moroni shared in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

Another Day in Paradise

And why not my cyber friends? Why not call the life that I lead now paradise? Well, it could be because
what I want to call paradise only resembles my current status in the fact that my wife and kids are with me. I will not deceive myself into thinking that at times I would call paradise any place other than where my wife and kids are either.

No, I want to say that paradise is a state of mind that can be where ever I am. There need to be no tropical trees or cool breeze--through those things could enhance my experience. Paradise is the ability to use my environment and make it work for me. I do not want to need to go away on vacation. I want to have a vacation with me where I go!

Alas, my idealism is only that, idealism. I am no partaker in this daily dream that I cast to sound so profound. I do believe it is possible. I admit that I do not have the sensibility to realize my own idea state of mind. I am just glad that I have an idea of something good in my mind.

When I fantasize about my happiest days, I think of being in the same situations day in and out but being grateful to have a situation to be in! I want to be grateful for my day no matter how snotty it ends up being. I want to be glad that I get to tell the person profaning in my presence or cursing me it is not necessary. I want to be stoked that I get to sit for hours in a hot office with mind-numbing calls that never change!

I am not there yet. I may decide later that I never want to be there! I am glad that I get to decide how to behave.

Maybe my paradise is being able to gripe about things without fear of persecution? I get to live here and go through life succeeding based on my ability to set goals and rebound from failure. Maybe this is just another day in paradise. Many people in the world do not have the luxury I have to complain.

Today is (((((THE))))) Day!

I have now decided that since my life has changed so much in the last few years I need to put some of those changes out here for the world to view. In doing so, I know that I open up my life to many people to "consider." I am no fool though. I have a wife who will really let me have it if I write the wrong thing, because I have had it so many times in the past.

I just graduated with my master in adult education and want to teach at university, or more realistically, a community college.

What's more is that I enrolled in another degree program! I hesitant to say it, but it is another master degree. This goes against all of my training at the University of Phoenix and my personal philosophy about higher education.

I would never encourage a person to gain a second master degree when there exist doctoral degrees! Standing in the line to have my degree bestowed upon me a fellow alumni called me a career student. I took issue with that label because I have a reason that I decided to do another degree. The only thing is, I based it off personal revelation that may be too special of a nature to put out for the entire public to view at will.

I mention this because I wonder in choosing the right, if we really pay attention to the revelations we get from God and if we understand how to apply those revelations to our current situation without misinterpretation.

 I have learned from personal experience that sometimes the things that God reveals to us may not make sense at the time we open ourselves to the revelation; but in time, if we follow the will of the Lord as did Nephi of old, God's purposes will come to our view.

 So, today is the day that I remember to trust in the Lord by doing all I can to make it and praying like it is all up to God if I make it in the process. I have always been able to succeed that way. Read my articles at