Moana 2 Goes "Beyond" with 3 Spiritual Lessons

Last month, we took our five-year-old to see Moana 2 for her birthday. It was her first time at the movie theater and if her hanging off the handrail (like Moana hanging on the boat) is any indication, she loved the movie. Sequels are always hit and miss and while I can't pinpoint if I liked Moana 2 more or less than the original, but it resonated with me and hit me hard in the feels.

Spoilers ahead.

My 5-year-old was literally hanging onto the railing like this.

Going Beyond

Shortly after finding "Beyond" on Spotify, I shared my initial impressions about the song on the podcast. I went into the movie without much context for the song and was kind of worried that the context of the movie might change the song for me. Not so. 

With Moana going further than her ancestors had gone before, she risks never returning to her sister and she has to face fears she didn't know she had. Like her grandmother's spirit tells her in the movie, three years after her initial voyage with Maui, she knows what she has to lose now. This (the song and movie) all happened as I accepted and prepared for a new job. I was at my last job for over three years (not unlike Moana 2 taking place three years after the original).

Going beyond what's known or familiar is scary. I started my new job last week and I'm reminded how much I struggle with change--even when I know it's the right move. It's a good thing that my daughter loves "Beyond" so much because I've been using it as my anthem to give me strength when I feel too stressed or intimidated by all the changes. The fear is still there and there have been plenty of tears (the movie made my wife and I both cry) but there is resolve. 

I loved seeing other ancestors, like Tautai, as animal spirits.

Isolation

I tried to find the exact quote but couldn't, so I'll have to paraphrase. When the spirit of Tautai Vasa appeared to Moana to set off the adventure, he told Moana that isolation would be the end of their story. That's why the journey in Moana 2 was so important... Nalo had separated the peoples of the ocean and kept them isolated for generations. To join together and to grow together would mean life for Moana's people.

Similarly, the adversary often tries to keep us in isolation. Through sin, addiction, mental health struggles, or whatever else he can use against us, Satan wants us to stay isolated because he knows that's how our stories end. Before I met my wife, I thought of abandoning roommate life and living by myself. A wise bishop reminded me that "it is not good for man to be alone" (Genesis 2:18) and while that scripture is directly related to Adam's need for Eve, I've never forgotten how it applied to me. Sure, some people thrive living on their own, but I think that bishop knew me well enough to know that I'd end up isolated.

We need other people in our stories. That's why we have families. That's why we have the Church. And I can tell you the difference it makes for me when I reach out and actively avoid isolation (and I can "isolate" even when I'm surrounded by family, coworkers, patients, etc.). Even just in my first week, I noticed the difference I felt mentally and emotionally when I tried connecting with patients and coworkers, instead of letting myself drift into the background because I'm new and insecure. So while there's something to be said for "me time", nothing good comes from isolation. 

Getting Lost

I'm the type of person who likes to know what to expect and to have a certain amount of structure in my day. Even on a day off, I like to have a certain amount of plan to optimize my self-care (if that's even possible). Part of going "beyond" has meant having no clue what to expect in my new job and the new year. It's meant trusting in the Spirit's guidance as I figure life out day by day. 

While on the surface it sounded like a classic villain song, Matangi's "Get Lost" can be encouraging. Though it sounded like she was manipulating Moana, her advice was not unfounded. Despite my wish to have a clear path, my life has never played out like that. Sometimes the best advice really is to "get lost" and try something unexpected. Combine that advice with Anna's "The Next Right Thing" and it can be helpful in getting out of the rut I feel when stressors feel too heavy to carry. 

I could have a perfect to-do list and plan to get everything done and check all the boxes. Sometimes the best thing to do is go with the flow and "get lost". I don't know. I'm still figuring that one out, but in the movie Moana thought she knew exactly what to do or what she was supposed to do. And while Matangi's song sounded manipulative, it showed Moana how to get out of her own way so that she could rescue her crew (and Maui) and save her people.

"Beyond" These Lessons

I feel like I could keep saying more and more about this movie and the lessons I've learned from it and the songs. There are themes throughout the movie pointing towards identity, community, leadership, diversity, and self-confidence. I'll certainly watch it again after it hits Disney Plus (and I'm sure my daughter hanging off the couch this time) so don't be surprised if there's more Moana content from me in the future. Just like the credit scene setting up another sequel or Disney Plus series, there's more to come here.

LDS Geeks Podcast #33: Third Doctor Companions

We're back for some more Classic Doctor Who! The Third Doctor had some amazing companions and even the UNIT personnel were pretty great (except for Yates). I hope you enjoy our latest episode!

--Spencer 

The Power of Miracles

I recently finished the first season of Digimon Adventure again and I’ve already started Adventure 02, with Davis front and center (because he’s obnoxious and needs to be the center of attention). But as obnoxious as I found him as a kid, he’s grown to be one of my favorite Digimon characters in recent years. 

Delusional about his soccer prowess and his relationship with Kari, he shouldn’t have been the first choice to lead the second generation of Digi-Destined. He was jealous and impulsive and he let his emotions dictate his actions (geez, maybe I’m more like him than I thought). However, there’s something about him that makes him one of my favorites now. 

In the endgame episodes of Adventure 02, the Digi-Destined faced off against MaloMyotismon. While the other five kids were scared witless, Davis had nothing but wit. And this is where Davis’s unwarranted confidence came in handy:

MaloMyotismon: "I must admit, I'm impressed with your tenacity."

Davis: "Wait till you see my bullheadedness."

MaloMyotismon: "I'm curious to know why my mind illusion was ineffective against you. How can it be that you have no insecurities or unhappiness for it to feed off of?" 

Davis: "What do I have to worry about? I've got my friends, my family, the Digimon. Besides some guy with a letter-opener on his face trying to kill me, I'm happy to say I don't have any problems."

Yeah, Davis is too persistent for his own good. But it’s that persistence that saved the Digi-destined multiple times. For example, it was Davis who refused to give up and leave Ken’s base when he was the Digimon Emperor. Because he refused to leave, he found the Digi-Egg of Miracles and Veemon golden armor digivolved to Magnamon. 

Maybe that’s what miracles take. Persistence. Tenacity. Bull-headedness. Resiliency.

Without digging into the specifics, last year was rough on my mental health. While I never contemplated self-harm (thank goodness) there were plenty of times in which I wanted to give up. Maybe call out sick for a month or something, you know? Fortunately/Unfortunately, sometimes it feels like I’m too resilient for my own good. It’s exhausting to keep trying and to keep getting back up.

But whether in a religious sense or not, miracles don’t come from giving up. Miracles take endurance and faith. Maybe in my case they require a little self-care too. Bull-headed Davis would have never released the Golden Digi-Egg or tripled Veemon’s digivolutions (still bitter that Magnamon didn’t appear in the final battle) if it weren’t for his determination. 

So here we go into a new adventure (the new year and Adventure 02). Time to channel Davis’s bullheadedness as I fight my way into whatever comes next. Maybe even draw inspiration from his Digi-Eggs of Courage and Friendship as well (even if Davis’s courage usually presents more as impulsiveness). Take courage and stick close to loved ones. 

Despite the hate that The Digimon Movie has received from fans over the years, I want to close out with one of my favorite Davis quotes from the movie that reminds me I’m not alone, even when I don’t want to be resilient anymore:

Animorphs Teaches Me to Hold On

 I have recently been reading through the Animorphs series or rather listening to it during commute time or when outside running or taking care of animals. Spencer and I recently recorded a podcast episode introducing the series. During the course of my recent reading and listening, it is amazing to me how often I have wondered, “Oh boy! Are these guys going to make it out of this alive? Is someone going to die?”  Then, I remembered that this is a series of books.  A long series of books, too! These characters are going to be alright because they were going to show up in later books. 

It dawned on me that this is similar to our life experiences. Sometimes we may find ourselves or our loved ones in a situation that seems dire, and we may ask ourselves, “How will we get out of this?” Thinking about situations in the world today and in the past couple of years may have prompted similar questions. Just like I found comfort knowing there were additional books that the Animorphs were to show up in, we have additional chapters in our lives that we are to be the main characters in. Furthermore, the Lord Jesus Christ can be the “author and finisher” of our faith. With Him on our side, it is all going to work out. We may not see a way out, but He does. He knows the end from the beginning. We have our agency, of course, and there will be hardships and difficulties along our journey, but He will be with us and knows what lies ahead for us.

Sister Camille N. Johnson, former General Primary President and current General Relief Society President of the church said in the following in a conference address:

“I testify that the Savior is ‘the author and finisher of our faith.’ Will you invite Him to be the author and finisher of your story?

“He knows the beginning from the end. He was the Creator of heaven and earth. He wants us to return home to Him and our Heavenly Father. He has everything invested in us and wants us to succeed.

“What do you suppose keeps us from turning our stories over to Him?”

This is a good question to ask ourselves. I know that fear and uncertainty are big things that keep me from turning my story and life over the Lord. I pray and try to stay close to Him, but I sometimes wonder if everything really will work out alright.

A song from an EFY album called “Where Faith Lives” reminds us of the power of faith and turning things over to the Lord:

“It doesn't live at the end of a rainbow,

It doesn't sleep at the edge of your bed

And sometimes it doesn't fit so well

With the plans you're making in your head

But just before you reach the service station,

Right before the car runs out of gas

In the eye of the tornado

With all the strong winds blowing past

That's where faith lives

That's where fear tries to go

That's where everybody guesses

And you're the one who knows

And it may take the most that you can give

To find the place where faith lives

It lives in the fiery furnace, 

And it lives in the lion's den

And sometimes in the wilderness

Where it lives and dies and lives again

It lives where the doors fly open, 

It lives where the sun comes out

It lives in the window where you throw away all your doubts

You can't find it any easy way

Because it's all about the things that you can't see

But all the same it's right before you

Every time you get down on your knees”

 

The book of Hebrews teaches, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

So, when things seem uncertain or unsure, rest assured that Heavenly Father is aware of what you are going through and feeling. As we trust Him and recognize that He knows what we are going through, we can rest assured that things are going to work out. You are a character in the series of events that makes up the rest of your life and eternity, much like the characters in the Animorphs series make up the series and must be present for its duration.

Pokemon Binge List: Indigo League (1/3)

Last year I needed a new show that I could watch five minutes at a time when that’s all I had for time (like when I wasn’t 100% sure if my patient would come early or not). I decided to start from scratch with the Pokémon anime. But only the highlights. None of the filler—though I was surprised how little of the first season was filler. So here are my non-filler recommendations thus—filler episodes defined as anything that doesn’t involve a badge being won or a main character having a change in their Pokémon team.

PSA: Netflix took the original Pokemon series off their library without warning at the new year (at least, I don't remember seeing a "leaving soon" banner on the show). Good news is that the series is migrating to the Pokemon TV Youtube channel. Yay! Free Pokemon!

Season 1, Episode 1: "Pokémon, I Choose You!"
Click here to watch

This is where it all began. Ash and Pikachu got off to a rocky start. Buty why did Professor Oak only prepare three Pokemon for four kids? There were lots of things Ash didn’t know about Pokemon while living in a Pokemon world—had he never left Pallet Town? How did Ash not know Gary? That was definitely retconned later.

Ash’s Team: Pikachu 

Season 1, Episode 2: “Pokémon Emergency”
Click here to watch

This episode introduced the infamous Team Rocket trio (and their Pokemon). We also got Misty established as a traveling companion but we don’t see any of her Pokemon yet. And in the final moments Ash caught Caterpie. 

Ash’s Team: Pikachu, Caterpie 

Misty’s Team: Staryu, Starmie, Goldeen

Jessie’s Team: Ekans

James’s Team: Koffing

Season 1, Episode 3: “Ash Catches a Pokémon”
Click here to watch

Ash’s team expanded by two and we got our first depiction of evolution. Nothing too crazy, but Caterpie vs. Team Rocket was cute.

Ash’s Team: Pikachu, Metapod, Pidgeotto

Season 1, Episode 4: “Challenge of the Samurai”
Click here to watch

I absolutely loved that at least the Pokédex entries were dad jokes. And there was that awkward Metapod battle. And finally Metapod evolved into Butterfree!

Ash’s Team: Pikachu, Butterfree, Pidgeotto

Season 1, Episode 5: “Showdown in Pewter City”
Click here to watch

Here’s our first gym battle and Ash’s first badge earned (sort of). And despite his family drama, Brock joined the team. 

Ash’s Badge Count: 1

Brock’s Team: Onix, Geodude

Season 1, Episode 6: “Clefairy and the Moon Stone”
Click here to watch

If it weren’t for one fact, this episode would have qualified as filler: Brock caught a Zubat… off-screen. Why did it have to be off-screen? We saw them battle the Zubat anyway. They couldn't animate him throwing a Pokeball?

Brock’s Team: Onix, Geodude, Zubat

Season 1, Episode 7: “The Water Flowers of Cerulean City”
Click here to watch

And finally we saw Misty’s first two Pokémon on-screen. And Ash got his second badge, even though the battle was a draw. But like Misty’s sisters said, if Pikachu had been willing to battle it would have been an easy win for Ash.

Ash’s Badge Count: 2

Season 1, Episode 10: “Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village”
Click here to watch

Now begins the expansion of Ash’s team to include the Kanto starter Pokémon. Ash earned the respect of a stuck up, stubborn Bulbasaur. Even though he wanted to go with Ash, a battle had to happen before the catch. 

Ash’s Team: Pikachu, Butterfree, Pidgeotto, Bulbasaur 

Season 1, Episode 11: “Charmander, the Stray Pokémon”
Click here to watch

This episode basically made my best friend cry as an adult watching Pokémon for the first time. That poor Charmander was traumatized and yet he’s so endearing as he joined Ash.

Ash’s Team: Pikachu, Butterfree, Pidgeotto, Bulbasaur, Charmander 

Season 1, Episode 12: “Here Comes The Squirtle Squad”
Click here to watch

Though the Squirtle Squad is more mischievous than evil, they still got manipulated by Team Rocket. But after it all played out, the coolest one, their leader, joined Ash. Squirtle for the win!

Ash’s Team: Pikachu, Butterfree, Pidgeotto, Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle

Season 1, Episode 13: “Mystery At The Lighthouse”
Click here to watch

Catching Krabby was the smallest part of this episode, but we learned what happens when a trainer has more than six Pokemon. Also, I’ve always wondered how everyone knew there were 150 Pokemon when Mewtwo was a secret.

Season 1, Episode 14: “Electric Shock Showdown”
Click here to watch

A twist as Team Rocket started cheering for Pikachu, instead of catching him. And Pikachu refusing to evolve kind of doomed all of us playing Pokemon Yellow to never evolve ours. Oh well.

Ash’s Badge Count: 3

Season 1, Episode 15: “Battle Aboard the St. Anne”
Click here to watch

If something seems too good to be true (like free cruise tickets), it is. I shake my head that Ash traded away Butterfree, albeit temporarily. Also James bought his first Magikarp… because naturally there were more.

James’s Team: Koffing, Magikarp

Season 1, Episode 16: “Pokémon Shipwreck”
Click here to watch

With St. Anne going the way of the Titanic, Ash’s friends and Team Rocket had to team up to escape the sunken ship. And James’s Magikarp evolved into Gyarados before running away. You can also check out "Island of the Giant Pokémon!" to finish off this St. Anne trilogy of episodes.

James’s Team: Koffing

We still have two-thirds of the essential Indigo League episodes to go, but that’s the beginning of the beginning. So far we’re really only skipping a couple episodes. I’ll be back before too long with the next set of episodes. Gotta watch ‘em all!

Pokemon Nicknames: Bluey (Gen II-IV)

Last week was my daughter's fifth birthday. Happy birthday to my little Bluey! We celebrated by taking her to see Moana 2 (more on that next month probably), but for today I'm dedicating this Pokemon/Bluey blog post to her. So here are some more Bluey-themed Pokemon nicknames for next time you play through. Click here to see the Gen I nicknames.

Togepi as Gloria

Aipom as Monkeyjocks

Snubbull as Winton

Teddiursa as Browny

Houndour as Jean Luc

Combusken as Chickenrat

Poochyena as Mackenzie

Wingull as Stickbird

Monferno as Chunky

Drifloon as Keepy Uppy

Buneary as Floppy

Why I Celebrate Christmas All Year Long: A Heartwarming Reflection

(Guest post by Benji)

As I sit here in the middle of March, surrounded by the warmth and joy of Christmas memories, I'm reminded why I choose to celebrate this special holiday all year round. My love for Christmas isn't just about the presents, decorations, or even the festive atmosphere – it's about the spirit of love, generosity, and family that embodies the true essence of the season. 

Growing up in a large family, Christmas was always a magical time. My siblings and I would eagerly anticipate the holiday, and our parents would go to great lengths to make it special. One of my fondest memories was our family tradition of picking our stockings for the year. Those colorful, felt ski boot stockings, handmade (or so I thought!) with love, represented our family's unique bond and connection to the mountains of Utah. 

However, it wasn't until I stumbled upon those cherished stockings 20 years later that I discovered a heartwarming secret. The number 10 stocking, mine, was different from the rest – smaller, shaped like the Mouse King from The Nutcracker, and crafted with extra love. In that moment, I realized my family had gone out of their way to make me feel included, to give me a special place in our Christmas traditions. 

That realization sparked something within me. I understood that Christmas isn't just a holiday; it's a state of mind. It's about embracing love, kindness, and generosity every day. As the famous essay "Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus" beautifully puts it, "He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy." 

As an adult, and especially as a parent, I've experienced the magic of Christmas through my children's eyes. I've seen how the spirit of Santa Claus lives on through acts of kindness, charity, and compassion. And I've come to realize that Christmas isn't just a season; it's a way of life. 

So, why do I celebrate Christmas all year long? Because I believe in the transformative power of love, kindness, and generosity. I believe that the true spirit of Christmas can bring joy, hope, and light to our lives, no matter the time of year. 

In the words of Tiny Tim, "God bless Us, Every One!" May we all keep Christmas well, and may its spirit guide us throughout the year. --- Share your favorite Christmas traditions and memories in the comments below! How do you keep the spirit of Christmas alive throughout the year?

LDS Geeks Podcast #32: Disney Songs (Part Three)

Heading into a new year, people will inevitably start making resolutions (and hopefully keeping them). So for those setting goals or need something for a new start, check out the discussion Russell and I had about some more of our favorite Disney songs.

--Spencer

Listen to Episode 32 on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

Check out Spencer's recent blog posts: click here

Check out Russell's recent blog posts: click here

Show Notes:

    Spencer's Recommendation: Visser

    Russell's Recommendation: "The Christmas Story" and "An Unexpected Christmas" from St Paul’s Arts n Kids 

    “How Far I’ll Go” (Moana)

"Is it the Holy Ghost or Me?" by David A. Bednar

"Your Potential, Your Privilege" by Dieter F. Uchtdorf

    “A Whole New World” (Aladdin)

    “What Else Can I Do?” (Encanto)

    “I’ve Got a Dream” (Tangled)

"We've Got a Dream!" by Russell

    “Stand Out” (A Goofy Movie)

Fourth Doctor Revisited: "Robot"

“You may be a Doctor, but I'm the Doctor.”

It’ll be another few months before TJ and I finish off our Third Doctor podcast episodes (blame technical difficulties, the holidays, etc.). In the meantime, I finished Planet of the Spiders and now we enter the era of the iconic Fourth Doctor, his scarf, and his jelly babies. So let’s start with a few thoughts I had from Tom Baker’s inaugural story: “Robot”

Every once in a while there’s a Doctor Who story with a distinct lack of alien involvement. I’m often hit and miss with these stories. This one hit home with a theme about humanity’s fatal flaw (well, one of them anyway). Seriously though, human knowledge and hubris is more dangerous than any alien. The titular K1 Robot was designed to cover human lies and scheming. And then it blew up in their faces anyway.

Now let’s take a note about the best part of humanity: kindness. Leave it to Sarah Jane Smith to empathize with and show compassion to a machine. It didn’t take much, but Sarah Jane’s treatment of K1 is what prevented global catastrophe. She tried to understand the feelings of a machine in regards to how it was being treated. Most human beings don’t show that much consideration for living beings, never mind machines. Seriously though, is this a cautionary tale of AI? Of humanity’s pride? Or of how we treat machines? Remember the episode next time your self-checkout at Walmart seems to glitch.

And now with this post-regeneration story, it’s time to explore the long-reaching era of Tom Baker and his marvelous scarf. Like previous regenerations, it took the Doctor some time to get his footing, but a mystery kept him going. Plus we got to meet Dr. Harry Sullivan, companion to Sarah Jane and the Doctor for the season, as we bid goodbye to the UNIT era of Doctor Who. No more regular appearances from the Brigadier (but at least he kept the Doctor on payroll).

Now off into time and space with Sarah Jane and Harry as his companions. Let’s part with some wise words the Fourth Doctor:

"There's no point in being grown up if you can't be childish sometimes"

Changes for Christmas

    Christmas time offers an opportunity to meet together as families and loved ones for the celebration of our Savior’s birth. This birth is significant because of what the Savior did for you and for me. I am especially grateful that because of Jesus Christ, I can repent and change from mistakes I have made. I am grateful for His promise found in Doctrine and Covenants 58:42: “Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.” I know that I need to be forgiven daily and know that the Lord can and does help me in my efforts to change.

    In listening to this year’s First Presidency Christmas devotional, there was a reference to last year‘s First Presidency Christmas devotional where Elder Gong referenced Charles Dickens classic novel,  A Christmas Carol. I found it interesting how there was an invitation to think about Scrooge not as the curmudgeonly man who insisted on people working on Christmas Day, but rather thinking about the changed Scrooge; the one who remembered Christmas, who raised Bob Cratchett’s salary, who purchased the enormous Christmas turkey and made an effort to uplift and strengthen those around him the rest of his days. Ebeneezer Scrooge was a changed man by the end of his story. He had repented and become a better version of himself.

    In hearing about Scrooge’s transformation, I was reminded of another beloved Christmas classic, namely Dr. Suess’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas. There are many similarities in these two stories. The Grinch is like Mr. Scrooge, in that he does not care much for Christmas. The Grinch even takes his dislike for Christmas to a whole new level in striving to prevent Christmas from coming at all. However, the Grinch is a changed character at the end of the story, who’s heart had grown 3 sizes. He brings back the Christmas presents and even cuts the roast beast at the Whoville Christmas feast. Like Scrooge, he has repented and changed. 

    So why is it that when someone is referred to as a “Scrooge” or “Grinch” it is usually associated with being grumpy or selfish or “anti-Christmas?” In my personal reflections on the matter, I was drawn to Elder Holland’s BYU devotional from 2009 titled, “Remember Lot’s Wife.” In that talk, Elder Holland said the following, 

“[L]et me pause and add a lesson that applies both in your own life and also in the lives of others. There is something in us, at least in too many of us, that particularly fails to forgive and forget earlier mistakes in life—either mistakes we ourselves have made or the mistakes of others. That is not good. It is not Christian. It stands in terrible opposition to the grandeur and majesty of the Atonement of Christ. To be tied to earlier mistakes—our own or other people’s—is the worst kind of wallowing in the past from which we are called to cease and desist.

Let people repent. Let people grow. Believe that people can change and improve. Is that faith? Yes! Is that hope? Yes! Is it charity? Yes! Above all, it is charity, the pure love of Christ. If something is buried in the past, leave it buried.”

    Perhaps, this is lesson to be learned from Mr. Scrooge and the Grinch. When someone repents and changes, I can do better to remember them for the changes they have made. I am certainly hopeful that this is how the Lord will view me. Merry Christmas 2024!