Susanna Metzger
Essay #2
Around 2000

The close relationship between economics and religion was obvious in the Mormon’s choice of settlement in the Salt Lake Valley; a secluded yet fertile land, the perfect place for their intentions. The Mormon people who left Nauvoo were already planning on settling in the Great Basin, and Joseph Smith’s death only hastened their journey.

After gathering much information on the Great Basin, they arrived in the Salt Lake Valley July 1847. Explorations revealed a dry, mountainous land, protected by huge mountains to the east and west. Committees were formed, and each was assigned their own work tasks for building up the city. One such group was called the “council”, and acted as a type of government.

In September, the arrival of about 1,540 more people forced the council to command more houses to be built, and a large field staked off for farming purposes. A type of famine came upon them during the winter, caused by destroyed crops and too many people.

The second year, land was distributed, laws were made concerning regulation of natural resources, and irrigation canals and ditches were dug. They also constructed more public works, and began a circulation of money, backed by gold dust from California. Although the Mormons tried to prevent another winter famine, they failed, and hunger was again a problem during the winter. Also, as a means to provide for the poor, the council prohibited the use of corn for making whiskey, and commanded the more fortunate to share with the less fortunate. When spring began to come, the people grew discouraged, and began to leave. But Brigham Young reminded them that God had called them to the Great Basin.

The Mormon settlement of the Salt Lake Valley was patterned after their earlier attempts, and their seemingly different way of living can be attributed to their seclusion from the rest of the country.

I don't like xanga. I will be honest. and I obviously don't use it anymore. I keep mine simply so I can follow all you who continue to use it. but if you're interested in reading my blogging adventures, head over to http://truthfulhonesty.blogspot.com for my thoughts.
I still read yours. but I'm done with blogging on xanga.

yes! postage time! (as in posting on the blog, not the expensive stickers we put on envelopes to eventually just throw away.)

This post is my shout out to Cas*. Smiles. A great friend, who's been there for me, even though we both have long moments of busyness. we keep coming back to each other, and I'm so happy we're still friends.

today I went to E-Vin. I felt like I was going home. At home. So strange, but of course so normal. Bob and Karen naturally are very special and important to me, and the vast amounts of old friends (some who knew me as a child!) who are part of that Church just felt so comfortable. I got to see Lisa and Casey again for the first time in years, and Cas- I love Casey's humor. Haha. I've missed them. Missed them all. It was good to be a part of it. I've realized that my intellect is EVFree, but my heart is Vineyard. And what, might I ask, is most important to God? Well, as I've been learning in my Old Testament History class, it's definitely the HEART. So.......what now? My heart's been healed. Relationships are fast being reconciled and revived. I'm over the past, moved on, and bursting full of life again. My desire and passion is for God. Now where to apply that? My first thought is, "where I'm most needed, and can be used most, duh!" But I'm going to have to give this to Him- because maybe it's just the comfort aspect, the "what I'm used to" and the old friends that is so tantalizing. But man, oh man. The vision, the dance, the WICKED AWESOME WORSHIP! And the need. So inviting. And I feel myself. And accepted. And that it would be ok for me to say "I don't agree with this aspect because of this". or for me to do a very typical Metzger thing, and for everyone to be chill with it. Because they KNOW me.

Yes, part of that IS a comfort zone issue. But also, if relationships are already THERE, and established, maybe it makes more sense to remain (or return, in my case.) to what He's given me. (Now that I'm in a solid place.) So many questions. So much change. So many uncertainties. But.......God. He is. And He is GOOD.

Today was Arts day at E-Vin. There was drama, poems, dance, paintings, watercolours, photography, and song. Cas* asked me to contribute, so I choreographed a dance to one of Josh Craner's songs, off his new album. Called Always. I also wrote a poem and read it. Oh, and the theme was "Freedom". So of course, Gabe/Bob/Seth played Freedom Song. And Cas* and I danced. In the back. By Casey, who of course gave us a hard time. Heheh. Good times.

So here's the poem. The dance....I was gonna have Abi film it on my camera, but alas. I forgot it. They filmed it there, so maybe I can get ahold of it eventually to share. If not, next time you see me, I can perform for you. Grin.



..:: Freedom ::..

Freedom is to be alive
Fully
To dance
Wholly
Loving in depths unknown
Singing in unabashed completion
Enveloped in passion and purpose.
Praise despite uncertainties and trials.
Freedom is to BE.

But before, there was bondage.
Before the light, there was darkness.
Chains holding, restraining, defying.
Though you battled, you still lost.
Despair, confusion, hopelessness.
Despondent. You were.
Lost, alone, hurting,
And weak.

Yet the truth WAS.
It was there, it broke through.
Death gave way to LIFE.
New life; new hope.
The truth came, and set you free.

Now there is joy
There is real peace
Eyes seeing clearer than ever before
Seeing, in piercing gaze that goes
Through the trivial, and
Understands
The realities.

Now, there is energy
To move, to breath in deeply, and deeper still.
You FEEL
In your heart
In your mind
In your soul
Your senses awake
Your senses are WHOLE.
Your heart bursts, vividly, colourfully
Aflame with love
It beats, it moves
It’s in the rhythm
It was meant to keep.

You are free
The truth is HE.
Freedom is to BE.
Freedom is.
Freedom is HE.
Be. Indeed,
Be free, in He.

sm² 12-13-08