tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3650053811304173322024-03-18T03:53:09.597-04:00My Mormon Third EyeRichard Taithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12592841822454723995noreply@blogger.comBlogger472125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365005381130417332.post-7574940030714904492019-02-10T19:25:00.000-05:002019-02-10T19:25:56.487-05:00The Mormon Third Eye -Beyond The VeilThe beloved Mormon Third Eye, Richard Tait, passed away from this mortal existence a few weeks ago after a hard-fought battle with brain cancer. While he stopped posting here months ago, writing for this blog was therapeutic for him as well as his way of sharing his testimony of the Savior, Jesus Christ, and his beliefs in the doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Richard Taithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12592841822454723995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365005381130417332.post-83183807460179940452017-10-15T08:31:00.003-04:002017-10-15T08:31:42.514-04:00I See... Why I am in Love with BYU Football
What is love? What is it not? And what
does BYU Football have to do with it? It is important here to answer
the last question first.
Commonly accepted logic would dictate
that my love of BYU Football started my last year as a student
there, when eons ago BYU won a national championship. Or could it be
year after year of exciting passing and running plays when they were
needed most to win Richard Taithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12592841822454723995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365005381130417332.post-92177910700357473082017-10-08T13:42:00.000-04:002017-10-08T13:42:49.638-04:00I See... Spiritual Resurrection!
I guess we should have reserved this
topic to accompany traditional Resurrection celebrations in April,
but the Mormon Third Eye couldn't wait.
It's been almost two months since the
Mormon Third Eye spoke, but that's OK. It's had too much to see and
not enough nerve to write it down... until now. Why? Because it took
him too long to learn through the spirit that the hardships he is
Richard Taithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12592841822454723995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365005381130417332.post-70688403959929138522017-08-09T02:44:00.000-04:002017-08-09T02:44:26.006-04:00I See... Setting World Records
World records, when you can be a part
of them, are nothing short of awesome. From the world's largest
barbecue (13,713 kilos of beef for 30,000 visitors) to the world's
largest pillow fight (6,261 participants during a baseball game in
St. Paul Minnesota), pushing to achieve the best is one of the best
ways to get ahead. The key question is... which world have you
mastered?
The Mormon Richard Taithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12592841822454723995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365005381130417332.post-6574114998520741522017-06-18T20:55:00.000-04:002017-06-18T20:55:16.223-04:00I See... The Best Father's Day Ever?
The Mormon Third Eye traditionally
shares remarkable assessments of events as they occur. However, in
the spirit of spiritual innovation, it's time for the MTE faithful to
provide their assessment of what makes a memorable Father's Day.
Below are actual events that occurred this latest MTE Father's Day
weekend. I'm looking for answers to the following question: could
this be the best Father's Richard Taithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12592841822454723995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365005381130417332.post-32812597807931716732017-04-09T14:49:00.003-04:002017-04-09T14:49:44.462-04:00I See... How to Rejoice
Have you ever wondered how to rejoice?
How to be happy? I do fairly often. The Mormon Third Eye research
team found a handbook for rejoicing embedded in the Book of Mormon-
Mosiah Chapters 2-5- King Benjamin's general conference address. The
team found six principles that, if adhered to faithfully, will bring
you joy.
1. A thankful heart for all that God
has given us can bring us joy Richard Taithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12592841822454723995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365005381130417332.post-24290781336174644122017-01-08T13:25:00.001-05:002017-01-08T13:25:40.215-05:00I See... Other People's Prayers
Prophets, apostles, and even the Savior
himself occupy a large amount of our chronological real estate
teaching us about our own personal prayers. How and why do we pray?
And what do we pray for?
How: Matthew 6:6-8: “But thou, when
thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy
door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which
seeth in secret shall reward Richard Taithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12592841822454723995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365005381130417332.post-73426234045063254262016-12-25T06:43:00.000-05:002016-12-25T06:43:14.111-05:00I See... Christmas Every Day
((Warning: This post was compiled while
watching the classic 1996 made-for-TV-movie “Christmas Every
Day.”))
If you're human, you've probably lazily
pondered at least once in a stray moment during the holidays what
life would be like if we could experience Christmas every day. Oh
the music! The food! Presents for everyone! The opportunities we
are afforded to celebrate the birth ofRichard Taithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12592841822454723995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365005381130417332.post-36751812224078576642016-12-04T12:48:00.000-05:002016-12-04T12:48:20.411-05:00I See... World Peace
There is no better time to talk about
world peas than Christmas. “Peas on earth, goodwill towards men!”
How can we achieve world peas? The Mormon Third Eye has a plan.
First, it's important to understand
what world peas really is/are. The intrepid Mormon Third Eye
research staff learned from Wikipedia that peas were first grown in
the Middle East in the 5th century BC; that you can Richard Taithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12592841822454723995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365005381130417332.post-24817553673555240722016-12-02T07:57:00.000-05:002016-12-02T07:57:10.243-05:00I See... Lighting the World with my Mother's Love
The church has been challenging the
world to “light the world” by following the Savior's example for
the next 24 days leading up to Christmas. Today we were asked to
honor our parents as the Savior honored his. The Mormon Third Eye
will honor his mother, who passed away approximately two years ago
last Easter, with excerpts from her eulogy. How will you honor your
parents today?
"Her life, Richard Taithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12592841822454723995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365005381130417332.post-83244369259243796812016-11-25T14:49:00.000-05:002016-11-25T14:49:23.192-05:00I See... The Biblical Trump
"And I say unto you, Make to
yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye
fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations."
- Luke 16:9
It's obvious that the Mormon Third Eye
can't be current unless it has an opinion on President-elect Trump.
The collective body of imperfect Old Testament prophets constitute a
series of flawed men struggling with faith, fear,Richard Taithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12592841822454723995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365005381130417332.post-10955799467432053792016-10-27T11:46:00.000-04:002016-10-27T11:46:36.523-04:00I See... What it's like to be Popular
I often wonder what it is like to be
popular. I've never been popular. What would it be like to enter a
room and be the center of attention? To turn heads and meet huge
welcoming grins? This would never happen to me. Never. Or would it?
Last Friday night we embarked on a
family outing to the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh. As I
sifted through throngs of happy fair visitors rushing Richard Taithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12592841822454723995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365005381130417332.post-29710923597944435102016-10-27T11:08:00.000-04:002016-10-27T11:08:10.355-04:00I See... Your Sunday Best
I grew up in the model mormon home with
six lively brothers and sisters and parents who let their actions and
teachings show how much they loved us. Of all the gifts they left
us, perhaps one of the most precious was love and respect for the
Lord's Day. One distinct memory was the requirement to wear our
“Sunday best;” my brothers and I put on faded white short-sleeved
shirts with clip-on tiesRichard Taithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12592841822454723995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365005381130417332.post-33523231985803395882016-10-02T05:36:00.000-04:002016-10-02T05:36:40.652-04:00I See... The First Family Council
For church history buffs, it is always
fun to trace the genealogy of church programs designed to bring us
closer to Christ. Family Home Evenings became a church policy on
April 27th 1915 (Monday night wasn't designated as the
preferred time until 1970); Primary was adopted church-wide in 1880;
the Scouting program of the church was started in 1913, three years
after the Boy Scouts of America Richard Taithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12592841822454723995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365005381130417332.post-45407505881348666322016-09-30T12:00:00.000-04:002016-09-30T12:00:16.961-04:00I See... The Six Words That May Save Your Life
I know of six words, when used at the
proper time in the proper order, may save your life. I'm talking
about your eternal life in the presence of a loving Heavenly Father.
But... before I tell you that story, I have to tell you this story.
Several years ago an errant young man
came to visit his bishop in an attempt to clean up his life. He had
runaway from his LDS home in his early teens, Richard Taithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12592841822454723995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365005381130417332.post-89512901182076197762016-08-27T23:00:00.000-04:002016-08-27T23:00:42.962-04:00I See... A Beautiful Day
The network was down.
My boss yelled at me.
I lost my password.
The doctor told me that my painful
swollen left finger is full of “bone shards.”
The lawn mower quit working halfway
across the lawn.
I forgot to take out the trash.
I'm behind at work and with seminary
preparation.
I've been shut out of the database.
Traffic was terrible.
We had to pay for two, yes two new HVAC
systems Richard Taithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12592841822454723995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365005381130417332.post-26395402620432066262016-08-21T15:26:00.000-04:002016-08-21T15:26:17.020-04:00I See... How to Really Enjoy Your Next Visit to the Temple
The Mormon Third Eye is proud to serve
as the unofficial remedial manual for modern Mormon members on how to
get things done the right way in their own lives, homes and wards.
In fact, approximately 10% of the Mormon Third Eye is dedicated to
making Latter-day Saint life easier, with advice offered at all
levels difficulty and capability, from the mercilessly mundane (how to deal with a bad Richard Taithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12592841822454723995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365005381130417332.post-51505531111346858832016-08-14T14:19:00.000-04:002016-08-14T14:19:51.461-04:00I See... Grandbaby Lives Matter!
Black Lives Matter. Blue Lives Matter.
All Lives Matter. What really matters? I heard an almost rational
explanation of the Black Lives Matter movement a few weeks ago. A
rather educated unofficial spokesman for the movement claimed that
it's real purpose was an element of social justice- to highlight for
civil society implicit and hidden biases against my brothers of
another color. What Richard Taithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12592841822454723995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365005381130417332.post-74912360354490020462016-08-08T11:08:00.000-04:002016-08-08T11:08:34.902-04:00I See... Standing as a Witness
I See... Standing as a Witness
Standing as a witness is a key concept
of our faith. 15 witnesses saw Joseph Smith's golden plates to
testify of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, and sacred
ordinances of salvation are not recorded as valid unless there are
witnesses present. And, in the most sacred contexts imaginable, the
Father bears witness of the Son when necessary.
Hence I feel Richard Taithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12592841822454723995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365005381130417332.post-22119599056114110612016-07-31T16:25:00.000-04:002016-07-31T16:25:41.817-04:00I See... When is Heaven?
The Mormon Third Eye has talked about
Heaven before, often in the context of what makes us happy. You can
read more about it here, here, here, here, and here. We often
entertain thoughts of a perfect world in the future filled with our
favorite things and people, or we describe “heaven on earth” as a
particularly wonderful event or existence frozen in current time and
space. The Mormon Third Richard Taithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12592841822454723995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365005381130417332.post-44156507404490724182016-07-24T22:29:00.000-04:002016-07-24T22:29:12.793-04:00I See... How to Celebrate Pioneer Day
For those of us with pioneer ancestors,
Pioneer Day holds special significance. My great-great grandmother
Elizabeth Xavier Tait traveled all the way from Poona, India in 1856
as a member of the ill-fated Willie Handcart Company, a trip that
left her permanent health scars. You can read about it here.
I always find inspiration this time of
year in her sacrifice, but struggle in attempts Richard Taithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12592841822454723995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365005381130417332.post-43390146178743956752016-07-17T16:33:00.000-04:002016-07-17T16:33:02.931-04:00I See... The Prayer Chair
We are taught to pray at special times
in special places- in our temples, our churches, our homes, our
closets, and even in our hearts. Our home has a traditional place
where the most special prayers, priesthood blessings, are offered- we
call it “the prayer chair.”
We picked up this chair several years
ago when we lived overseas. As you can see, it's a non-traditional
but entirely Richard Taithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12592841822454723995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365005381130417332.post-21088351539169813242016-07-10T14:25:00.002-04:002016-07-10T14:25:57.915-04:00I See... The Mormon Third Eye Blind
Sunday, February 28th, 2016.
A day that will live in infamy. Why? Because... that is the Sunday
that Mormon Third Eye went blind.
For almost 440 consecutive weekends
(mostly Sundays), since Saturday, November 17, 2007, except for a few
wedding anniversaries that fell on a Sunday, the Mormon Third Eye has
posted what it has seen in it's own tiny corner of the LDS universe.
From that very Richard Taithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12592841822454723995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365005381130417332.post-28795294405314301922016-07-03T16:42:00.000-04:002016-07-03T16:42:51.968-04:00I See... My Two Dads
I have two fathers. I knew the first
one, before he passed away almost 32 years ago, as a strong man with
a gentle side who loved me. He wasn't perfect, but his lasting gift
to me was the clear line between right and wrong. There was never
any question between right and wrong and good and evil. I always knew
him as someone dedicated to the gospel and his family. When he
summoned up the courageRichard Taithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12592841822454723995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365005381130417332.post-47432331043923895142016-06-12T14:52:00.000-04:002016-06-12T14:52:18.255-04:00I See... How to Make the Old Testament Relevant, Part II
One of the critical challenges of the
Old Testament is that it is... well... old. Initially, as we view it
through our modern, rational, logical, and somewhat secular eyes, it
is too easy to see only crazy stories of really old people who lived
a long time ago in a faraway land.
Ironically it finds relevance today,
however, in how Latter-day Saints should be assessing the past. The
Richard Taithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12592841822454723995noreply@blogger.com0