So, in judging a righteous judgement out of love let’s look at what we know.

I saw the dress in question and saw that it was tan material. My worry was that a lady who was a self-described recovering anorexic, defined as an obsessive desire to lose weight by refusing to eat founded in an obsession on APPEARANCE…was perhaps calling attention to herself in other unhealthy ways. The tan almost flesh colored material gave her plausible deniability, if she did it on purpose.

A recent Uh…conversation on her Instagram account brought up the issue of her lack of modesty again. Citing specific instances which I myself can attest there IS documented evidence of.

– She states she doesn’t wear garments while performing because she is like an athlete. But she does dress quite “skimpy”. Not wearing garments is one thing, dressing skimpy on top of that is something totally different. It was pointed that she had male backup dances a tour or two ago and they did not dress skimpy. And they were dancing too. So why then, must she dress skimpy? Why THAT choice?

– It was mentioned that her nipples were prominent after a “bit” where her male dancers dressed her. I saw that video. It’s true. Why THAT choice?

– I myself saw a YouTube copy of a Periscope video segment where after a show, she displayed her dirty feet, and then directly referenced her “crotch” and had the camera zoom on and focus on her crotch and the skimpy covering (fringe) she had for it. Why THAT choice?

– CMA awards show performing with Deirks Bently, her dress is transparent from the waste down when back-lit and her crotch is highlighted. People across the country saw it. Why THAT choice?

– Same thing at her performance with Celene Dion, although the back-lit crotch wasn’t as apparent during the broadcast, it shows up crystal clear in audience YouTube videos. Why THAT choice?

– When she won her first Billboard Award she was wearing a skimpy jumper on the red carpet (NO performance…no sweating like an athlete) and she did vertical splits. In a jumper and black pantyhose. Highlighting her crotch. For a photographer. Why THAT choice?

A pattern is emerging here where Lindsey Stirling is obsessed with showing off her body, especially her crotch, in immodest ways. Her Arena video was more sexual than any previous where she is dancing with Derek Hough from Dancing With the Stars and he is groping and, it was pointed out, basically dry humping her and he had her ear in his mouth. Why THOSE choices?

– When taken altogether, in the realm of good choices and better choices and best choices, these choices are not even ON that scale. These choices beg the question: Did she study things out in her mind at all?

For a lady who admittedly has an often times obsessive issue with her own appearance, in an unhealthy manner, how can these things be seen as anything else but a cry for help?

Lindsey Stirling IS in danger.

This IS self-destructive behavior.

And, as Elder Russel M. Nelson said: “Real love does not support self-destructing behavior.”

So instead of everyone patting themselves on the back for their enlightened non-judging, how about we instead get off our butts and try to help her. Prayer is a great place to start.

“Having seen what my injuries were, I knew it was not necessary to die.” Lieut.-Gen. Sir Steuart Pringle (who was seriously injured in an IRA car bomb in 1981).

And your admirable attitude reminds me of a poem by Robert Browning”

One who never turned his back but
marched breast forward,
Never doubted clouds would break,
Never dreamed, thought right were
worsted, wrong would triumph.
Held we fall to rise, are baffled
to fight better,
Sleep to wake.

These heroic qualities are evident in your wife as well, as she too has overcome much. Thus it is only natural that your children emulate your heroic natures as you have both taught them by precept and example.

In offspring, there is often an impatient tendency to, shall we say, be over-adventurous? Perhaps even injudicious?

Temerarious?

I have read the hard-core pixie’s book in which she eschewed the need for security.

I can relate. I have had occasion where I myself have eschewed the need for “back-up” as it were.

But…I am exceptionally capable in such things. I have worked very hard to become so.

This makes a difference.

She states her position that those around her would protect her.

Those around her LOVE her and of course would WANT to protect her. That does not mean they are capable.

This makes a difference. Between life and death.

Not seeking to offend, but the more fans one has then the larger the number of “deranged” fans one has.

It is a simple matter of mathematics.

We have seen this in action this past weekend with Lindsey’s friend Christina Grimmie…and woman who ALSO loved God and sought to serve him. Which pleases God but not the adversary. And Christina Grimmie was murdered by a deranged fan at a meet and greet.

Lindsey has also bravely stood against and spoken out against human trafficking. An action which pleases everybody except the human traffickers.

Trained Security people can also become friends. And a person can never have too many friends.

Her management team should be able to find competent people.

Many thanks for the summary & update of the past few weeks.
My prayer continues to be for complete Healing, His inner Joy & Peace (for you & all the family), and His Grace, day by day.

God Bless you, and thankyou for all you have & continue to do, and the amazing testimony of your life.

your post brought me to tears, although I didn’t understand every single word. I was wondering how you were doing and I am glad, you still bring your feelings into words. I wish you our heavenly fathers comfort, guidance and strength in these painful and heavy days.

Thank you for your example, even if we never met personally, but through your words and actions to those around you! God bless you!

A swiss LDS Lindsey Stirling Fan, Rahel

I remember one point in time in my life where I took comfort from the Lord’s words to The Prophet Joseph Smith in Doctrine and Covenants Section 121:10 – “Thou art not yet as Job; thy friends do not contend against thee, neither charge thee with transgression, as they did Job. ”

Like I said, I took comfort in that…until they did.

This began to happen not so long (in hindsight) after I joined the Church. “Stand up for truth and make certain you are not silenced” often means that people stop listening and walk away.

Did you know that Los Angeles (the city where your hardcore pixie dancing violinist now resides) was incorporated as an American city on April 4, 1850. Five months later, California was admitted into the Union. Although the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo required the U.S. to grant citizenship to the Indians of former Mexican territories, the U.S. did not get around to doing that for another 80 years. The Constitution of California deprived Indians of any protection under the law, considering them as non-persons. As a result, it was impossible to bring an Anglo to trial for killing an Indian or forcing them off their property. Anglos concluded that the “quickest and best way to get rid of (their) troublesome presence was to kill them off, (and) this procedure was adopted as a standard for many years.”

It actually still is the standard in many areas.

The publishing industry is racist (as explained by two New York agents).

Name some Native American actors, writers, directors, producers, novelists, opera singers or composers off the top of your head (without resorting to Google) and see how long it takes you. So yeah, career opportunities suck.

Native Americans are never thought of as heroes.

Even after I’ve saved lives. In fact, risked my life to save others. Most of time I don’t even get a thank-you.

Shannon Lee did a TED Talk and in it she altered a quote from her famous Dad, Bruce: “Discard all thoughts of reward, all hopes of praise and fears of blame, all awareness of one’s bodily self, and let your HERO out as it will.”

(I feel a song coming on!)

To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go

To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star

This is my quest to follow that star
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far
To fight for the right without question or pause
To be willing to march into Hell for a heavenly cause

And I know if I’ll only be true to this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm when I’m laid to my rest

And the world will be better for this
image: http://static.urx.io/units/web/urx-unit-loader.gif

That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star

This is my quest to follow that star
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far
To fight for the right without question or pause
To be willing to march into Hell for a heavenly cause

And I know if I’ll only be true to this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm when I’m laid to my rest

And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star

“The Impossible Dream (The Quest)” composed by Mitch Leigh, with lyrics written by Joe Darion
Among others I like the Ron Raines version. You can find it on youtube

I hope it lifts your spirit. It never fails to lift mine. Happy healing.

I did a stint as a forest firefighter. Besides the regular unpredictable fire stuff, watch out for animals. Prayer helps.

Oh. And in fine Wile E. Coyote style…I got flattened by the water bomber. (Communication is important!)

I shared this quote previously on Brooke’s blogpost about her friend Mackenzie. (Hope Mackenzie is doing well!) Mackenzie’s Mom liked it.

“The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude.”

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (1917–2008), “Come What May, and Love It,” Ensign, Nov. 2008, 28.

And I thought if this after reading your wise comments about the Atonement. Quoting you: “And allow the power of the atonement to fix this – yes, even this. I don’t know how, but I have full confidence that all of this will work, not in spite of the circumstances, but because of them, to bless your life.”

“Faith to Forgive Grievous Harms: Accepting the Atonement as Restitution.” by James R. Rasband – who was dean of the BYU Law School when this devotional address was given on 23 October 2012.

“Forgiveness requires us to consider the other side of the Atonement—a side that we don’t think about as often but that is equally critical. That side is the Atonement’s power to satisfy our demands of justice against others, to fulfill our rights to restitution and being made whole. We often don’t quite see how the Atonement satisfies our own demands for justice. Yet it does so. It heals us not only from the guilt we suffer when we sin, but it also heals us from the sins and hurts of others.

It is critical to understand that forgiving others is not just a practical virtue. It is a profound act of faith in the Atonement and the promise that the Savior’s sacrifice repays not just our debts to others but also the debts of others to us.

In our live-and-let-live society, we may believe that being forgiving is just etiquette and good manners. It is not. We may think that forgiveness requires us to let mercy rob justice. It does not. Forgiveness does not require us to give up our right to restitution. It simply requires that we look to a different source. The non-judgmental worldly phrases “don’t worry about it” and “it’s no big deal” are not illustrations of the doctrine of forgiveness. On the contrary, when a person sins against us, it can be a very big deal. The point is that the Atonement is very big compensation that can take care of very big harms. Forgiveness doesn’t mean minimizing the sin; it means maximizing our faith in the Atonement.

My greatest concern is that if we wrongly believe forgiveness requires us to minimize the harms we suffer, this mistaken belief will be a barrier to developing a forgiving heart. It is okay to recognize how grave a sin is and to demand our right to justice—if our recognition triggers gratitude for the Atonement. Indeed, the greater the sin against us—the greater the harm we suffer—the more we should value the Atonement.”

Seeing that photo of you lying soaking in the sun, blessed with a daughter each side speaks volumes of the caring sharing family you two have raised. Please know that they are joined with many others, who, being prompted by Holy Spirit, lift you up to our Heavenly Father; to Soak in His Love. This, in addition to the Faith-ful regular prayers I am certain must be great encouragement to you & Mrs Stirling. In fact to the whole family & friends if not physically but spiritually gathered around you. As you Rest in His Presence, I am reminded of the NLT version of Psalm 23. I love this version, starting from v1 :-
“Psa 23:1 A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
Psa 23:2 He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams.
Psa 23:3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name.
Psa 23:4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me. Your rod and Your staff protect and comfort me.
Psa 23:5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.
Psa 23:6 Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever. ”

God Bless you, and all who you care for.
Shalom

In a 1910, two volume biography called “Edison: His Life and Inventions”, an anecdote was shared by an associate of Thomas Edison’s named Walter S. Mallory. Edison and his researchers had been laboring for five months, at that point, on the development of a nickel-iron battery.

“I found him at a bench about three feet wide and twelve to fifteen feet long, on which there were hundreds of little test cells that had been made up by his corps of chemists and experimenters. He was seated at this bench testing, figuring, and planning. I then learned that he had thus made over nine thousand experiments in trying to devise this new type of storage battery, but had not produced a single thing that promised to solve the question. In view of this immense amount of thought and labor, my sympathy got the better of my judgment, and I said: ‘Isn’t it a shame that with the tremendous amount of work you have done you haven’t been able to get any results?’ Edison turned on me like a flash, and with a smile replied: ‘Results! Why, man, I have gotten a lot of results! I know several thousand things that won’t work.’

Your situation is both better than this, because you HAVE gotten results…and the miracles to facilitate them, and worse…because Edison was NOT in constant pain while making the effort.

The common factor being the no end in sight and not giving up.

I’ve shared with you my experience with overly curious and aggressive pack of wolves. (I still have not had an explanation of their actions: They never call. They never write ; )

At the tender age of 16, I was working as a lumber jack in northern Canada. It was less than two months till my 17th birthday. In the first two months of work, I fell through the ice in a river and had a tree fall on me. Not on the same day, thankfully.

What I took away from the tree incident was, basically, never play catch with a falling tree. (But I’m pretty sure it was actively AIMING at me.)

The result of cutting trees while it’s snowing, means you get wet. Hit a tree with an ax or vibrate it with a chainsaw, and every fluff of snow on every branch finds a home on your head. Trudging through deepening snowbanks on the river in soaking wet and heavy clothes at the end of the day makes balance-walking on some cut trees a good idea, as it gets you out of the snowdrifts. Until you slip off and fall horizontally through the ice.

Then the situation turns from bad to worse and downhill from there when, after extracting yourself from the water, you arrive at the mouth of the river to total whiteout. NO idea which direction to walk to obtain medical help for your now worsening pneumonia…which has already weakened you to the point where you cannot arm wrestle a lame gerbil.

Not yet being a member, but having a great relationship with God…I pray. Heavenly Father reminds me of a game I had played where I had targeted a point across the frozen lake in my mind, tucked my head down, and only lifted it once I got to the other side…to see how close I got to my target. I nailed it every time.

And suddenly all of those complications are just incidentals. I had an inspired plan.

But of course…

I still had to do the work.

The snow drifts were getting deeper by the minute and I was getting weaker by the minute, my concentration was off, the wind was getting stronger. Ice crystals were forming in the fibers of my clothes. Warmth was a distant memory.

I would fall and then fight to get back up. And momentarily panic…remembering that I could not even be a hair off course. Because if I missed the town on the first try…I would be dead. Because there was no way I could muster up a second try.

What was normally an hour’s walk turned into many hours.

Just being brave enough to put one foot in front of another, until warmth and safety and healing is found.

Keeping going. Not giving up. One foot in front of another.

Simple, yet painful.

Being obedient to God IS sometimes scary…stepping into the unknown.

It’s not unknown to God.

I love this of yours…

“I pray that we may always remember what great things the Lord has given to us – in times of bounty as in times of trial. May I leave that testimony before heaven and earth. I know the goodness of God and his children. And of the reality that there continues to be no end in sight.

Of that certainty and of the certainty that life extends beyond what we know to be as mortality into the realms of eternity I also bear witness with all my heart. Yes, life can be a struggle. The pain is intense, on occasion, and growing. But I am still here.

And of that I also point out — there is no end in sight.”

Not only does it cause birth defects but is a link to Guillian-Barre syndrome.

Also could be known as a dancing violinist career end-er.

In 2014, the virus spread eastward across the Pacific Ocean to French Polynesia, then to Easter Island and in 2015 to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America, where the Zika outbreak has reached pandemic levels. The illness cannot yet be prevented by drugs or vaccines. As of February 2016, there is evidence that Zika fever in pregnant women can cause abnormal brain development in their fetuses by mother-to-child transmission, which may result in miscarriage or microcephaly.

But in Brazil, it’s not only making people noticeably sick, it’s suspected of causing a giant increase in serious birth defects and perhaps Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Zika virus shows up in urine, saliva and semen. And it seems to go right to the brain in fetuses, but nowhere else in their bodies.

So it’s no wonder this once-obscure virus is mystifying even the experts.

Zika is spreading explosively across Latin America and the Caribbean…Such rapid movement is not unexpected when a new virus — in this case, spread by an extremely efficient mosquito — shows up in a population with almost no immunity.

But almost everything else about Zika is surprising — especially the seemingly new links with birth defects and a rare condition called Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rapid-onset muscle weakness as a result of damage to the peripheral nervous system. Many experience changes in sensation or develop pain, followed by muscle weakness beginning in the feet and hands. The symptoms develop over half a day to two weeks. During the acute phase, the disorder can be life-threatening with about a quarter developing weakness of the breathing muscles and requiring mechanical ventilation. Some are affected by changes in the function of the autonomic nervous system, which can lead to dangerous abnormalities in heart rate and blood pressure.

And again..”The illness [mosquito- transmitted Zika] cannot yet be prevented by drugs or vaccines.”

You may want to discuss rethinking Lindsey’s South American tour.