Class Research Paper Presentations

12/1 Johnny Manzel "Johnny Football"

The argument here is that Johnny Manziel is an influential figure through his success in football. From Tristen's presentation I gathered that Manziel is a well-known college football player who found fame and success throughout his career, leading him to become the first freshman athlete to be awarded the Heisman trophy. Manziel is influential not just to sports fans but to others less concerned with athletics because he is a living historical figure. His influence on fantasy football goes beyond his statistics. He has inspired more team names than any other player, and through his accomplishments and achievements he creates the idea that no matter the odds you can be successful and achieve anything you put your mind to. He has helped to open the doors of success for many young stars through his example, and because of this many see him as a role model. Tristen did a good job presenting his argument to the class. I was impressed with his inclusiveness of those who are not as fond of sports. He did a great job promoting the influences Manziel had rather than just his personal accomplishments. Well written and thoughtfully executed essay.

12/3 Johannes Gutenburg: Invention Provides Literacy

Haley argues that Johannes Gutenberg had a large influence on society in that he created an educated people through his invention of the printing press. She explains that the road to "fame" did not come easy for Gutenberg, for his creation was actually stolen from him and accredited to another man. It wasn't until after his death was Gutenberg given appropriate accreditation.
The invention of the printing press had a large impact on society as whole for numerous reasons. Before the invention of the printing press books were all handwritten, a task that took weeks, even months to produce just on copy. But with Gutenberg's invention they could now be quickly produced in mass quantities. Because books could now be efficiently mass produced scientists were able to quickly publish their works and observations, making their discoveries known to the general public in a more timely manner. It also created a more uniform language and helped with church reformation. Haley's power point presentation was organized and helped me to understand the main points her essay hit on.

12/5 J.K. Rowling and the Boy Who Lived

Madi is arguing that J.K. Rowling is an influential character because of the positive effects she has had on society with her Harry Potter series. In her essay she includes a ton of background information that helps the audience understand Rowling came from very humble beginnings. It's made clear that her publications are not created for the sole purpose of money. In fact the majority of the money Rowling is given she donates to charities and hospitals. Another way her literature has had a positive influence on society is it has helped children regain interest in reading. No longer do parents  and teachers have to fight t get kids to read, for they willingly pick up the Harry Potter series and relate to its contents. Her can-do attitude has also inspired many. "Go on to something else and change the world for the better". Madi's presentation was well though-out and her claims were well-supported.

Class 11/21

I was very surprised to hear that the church will now be paying women with a CES calling that are either divorced or have small children. I argue that church callings should not be payed positions, regardless of the position holders financial or maritalisfrotunes. It's a good way of looking out for our members, but I feel that we should abstain from having layed positions within the church, for this is one of the ways in which we differ from other churches. I am not seeking unfair treatment or inequality of women in the church. I would say the same if it was a divorced man or a man with small children.

Class 11/19

I stood in the veranda of my new home, enjoying the scenic view in front of me. The last rays of daylight were still visible in the sky but were rapidly fading away into twilight. The breeze touched my cheeks tenderly. It carried the scent of flowers, so refreshing. The dark night was slowly crawling in. As day turned into night, the air got cooler and the atmosphere became more peaceful. I sauntered to the kitchen looking for food to appease my hunger. 

Norman Rockwell's freedom of speech oil painting was inspired by United States President, Franklin D. Roosevelt in a State of the Union Address, known as Four Freedoms. The painting belongs to a series of four oil paintings. At a glance we immediately notice that the man standing or the speaker is clad in rugged, grimy looking work clothes. He stands tell amid a sea of well-dressed, elder looking people. Many in his immediate vicinity are giving him their attention as he speaks

Class 11/3

Though it may be rather ignorant of me, I've not spent much time educating myself on the history of polygamy in the lds church. Sure when I have shared my mormon faith many of my friends have asked if I participate in polygamy, but my answer is always just a simple no, that is not what our religion is about. And the. I'll usually continue on into a deeper explanation of what our church and I believe, what we are, failing completely to acknowdgd anything about palygamy. My very basic understanding of palygamy in the church is that God commanded members to marry multiple wives because of a lack of lds men. It was for the soul purpose of producing offspring, and because it is a commandment to abstain from sex outside of marriage it was necessary to marry.

Class 10/29

In response to the Pope announcing his belief of how the big bang theory brought everything into existence, I would turn to a general conference address in 2012 by Apostle Elder Nelson to refute this claim. In speaking on the wonders of the human body, Nelson said the following:“Yet some people erroneously think that these marvelous physical attributes happened by chance or resulted from a big bang somewhere.”  He then goes on to speak of how ridiculous this way of thinking is by saying “Ask yourself, “Could an explosion in a printing shop produce a dictionary?” The likelihood is most remote. But if so, it could never heal its own torn pages or reproduce its own newer editions!” 

As we know, the plain and precious truth of the gospel always makes perfect sense, such that even a child can comprehend.  What sounds more plausible to you; that a big bang set in motion the events that led to our creation or that it was done by a glorified human being?

With its nickname of the "God Particle," the Higgs boson particle has certainly become quite the controversial discovery. It is supposedly responsible for all the mass in the universe, and for many this brings the excitement of finally learning more about our world. But an issue surrounds it's "sexier" nickname of the god particle. Many physicists dislike the term "God particle", though many agree that it is quite an accurate name for such an important discovery. I argue that just because something has the word "God" in it doesn't mean that it has anything to do with religion.