Aliasing and Noise

The word "trigger" has come to be used in colorful ways in recent years. For me, the neural paths responsible for religious thought and those responsible for math, science, and engineering do tend to run a little separate. That is, until I am "triggered," causing these paths to short and ideas to free-flow. This little piece is about my most recent experience.

As a preface and as supplemental material to my remarks, I strongly encourage the reader to view this video based on the words of the late James E. Faust, a leader in our church that I remember frequently giving very powerful sermons:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPbDZnrxBLM

I watched this video yesterday with the relatives I am boarding with this summer, the missionaries serving in our area, and a wonderful couple they have been meeting with recently. We watched this video and talked a little more about the analogy then President Faust makes between the voice of the Spirit and dealing with an old radio.

"...Tune in..."

"...Wrong frequency..."

"...Deception..."

Somewhat seemingly unconnected statements aligned in succession became to me, you guessed it:

TRIGGER!!!!!!!!

My mind began to race at a million miles a minute. I could hardly control the speed with which I thought of connections between this message we were sharing and a very important concept in terms of engineering measurement systems. For you, the reader, I will attempt to slow it all down as you may not be quite as enthused in or aware of sampling frequencies, Nyquist frequencies, or, most critical of all, Aliasing!

For a general definition, Aliasing, in terms of science and engineering, is the phenomenon that occurs when a frequency that enters your measurement system appears to have a different frequency. Like, a frequency alter-ego. Or, like, an alias. Everyone has seen an example of aliasing. Have you ever seen a movie or video with a helicopter or car or something else turning and then the propellers or spokes look to slow down and then go backward? That, my friends, is aliasing. In the case of the helicopter or car example, the camera recording the scene didn't have a high enough frame rate to capture the motion properly. This is where those other words, sampling frequency and Nyquist frequency come in, but those are things I had multiple lectures on, so I will spare you the low-level, awesome details.

I will, however, explain why I thought of this during our discussion. Our God will speak to us through his spirit and transmits at a certain frequency. If the resolution of our receiver is too low, his message to us will alias and we will not receive the guidance we need. To properly sample the input God is transmitting, we need to increase our resolution and apply both physical and digital (spiritual) filters.

High resolution data acquisition systems are expensive! There is a lot of engineering and attention to very acute details that goes into each system. There must be a controller that oscillates on the order of millions to billions of times every second in addition to high-functioning electrical components (including the physical filters I will address later). We need to be sampling (taking data, or receiving a frequency) faster and faster all the time. We should, as Alma says, "let [our] hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto [God] continually..." (Alma 34:27). If we follow this direction and always have a prayer in our hearts and seek for God's guidance at all times, our resolution will increase and the messages God sends to us will come through closer and closer to exactly as he intends.

Signal filtering is a very big topic that I cannot hope to explain in great detail. Much like aliasing, I will leave you with a working definition and proceed to the connection. All real signals have some amount of unexpected interference or imperfection in transmission or reception components. These errors that come through our sampling are called "noise." Noise is the name we give for frequencies that come through but don't contribute to the data collection and distract us from the actual frequency we want to read. Examples include vibrations in support systems and static. One way to filter signals is through a physical filter you (well, maybe not necessarily you reading this, but humans) can physically build with capacitors, resistors, and other electrical components. These will serve as a barrier to block out the frequencies we consider noise. Similarly, physical barriers can be effective in our lives if we want to remove the different noises President Faust listed in the video. We can, to an extent, physically remove ourselves from locations and situations that make it difficult for us to read God's signals. We can also have reminders such as pictures or quotes that can amplify the signal we do want making it easier for us to recognize when the spirit is speaking to us and when it is just Satan's noise.

Digital filtering is a separate beast that involves writing a program to work through the data gathered and extract the frequency of interest. For the most part, these programs can be generalized for specific situations, but require hands-on calibration. After some time, after many samples, and after staring at graphs that just seem to be noise, we can apply an algorithm that pulls out the signal of interest. It takes time. It takes experience. And, unfortunately, different systems will have different noise patterns associated with them requiring new calibration and a new code. However, if we persevere and fight through the distracting noise, we can extract the intended frequency and collect the message we were meant to receive.

My friends, let us increase our resolution and apply filters so that we can push through the noise that grows louder and louder every day and sample the true frequency that our Heavenly Father is transmitting to us through the Holy Ghost.

I wish I could say I am perfect. I wish I could say my sampling rate was on the TBS order of magnitude, but it isn't. I wish I could say I have such high order filters that God's message comes through clearly and the noise around me is brutally attenuated. Though I am weak, I am trying. Thank you for making it this far into my nerd ramblings. This means so much to me because I truly think that, at the heart of everything, this is key to our success in life. God speaks to man today. He speaks to me and he speaks to you. I go to church to learn different experimental ways to filter. Some filters work for other people in their circumstances, some have different noise they need to filter. But in every case, if we can have the courage to apply our signal conditioning, accept the data we receive, and act, God will not lead us astray. 

Hospitals, Courts, Gyms, and Churches

I heard a rather disturbing joke from a coworker earlier this week he called, "The key to getting all your beer to yourself."

If you take one mormon with you on a fishing trip, the minute you turn your back, he'll drink all the beer in your cooler. The key to keeping all your beer to yourself is to bring two mormons with you; they won't drink a drop.

I laughed because I know that stereotype and I know how real it is. Perhaps the lone man drinking the beer told himself, feeling that drinking the beer is a sin, that his sins were between him and God. Now, that is no less true when there is another present that shares his religious preference. Nor is it so were there two more, or three, or an entire congregation. His sins are between him and God. So why should having a pair of Latter-day Saints keep your beer from being drunk?

Church is a hospital for sinners, not a hotel for saints.

A common complaint with regard to many Christian churches is that the members are too judgmental. I do not want to justify their judgment, but I do want to briefly glance at their perspective. Christians believe that Jesus Christ's gospel is truth and that those teachings outline the way to every man's salvation. Through the grace of Jesus Christ, anyone can be saved if they accept him as their savior. From there, sects diverge. As Latter-day Saints-along with many other good people, regardless of religion-we believe in doing good works. Religiously speaking, those good works will show our commitment to and faith in our Savior and our God. In addition, through various prophets' teachings, we learn there are certain acts we are expected to erase from our lives. Some are simple, like murder, lying, and stealing. Others are a little more difficult: coveting, fighting with my little sister, and judging.

Anyway, those who attend church study those actions we are meant to reject and each action's respective counteractions to try and avoid bad influences in their own lives (theoretically). Perhaps they see a friend struggling with something we are instructed not to do. They may reach out to the friend to offer help. If they are correct and their help is accepted, they may feel entitled to reach out more and more until you have your typical Christian busy-body confiscating children's cell phones as they walk the aisles, having nothing but the best intentions. 

When Christ told us we were to, "Judge righteous judgment," I think that means we are to discern what actions will bring us closer to him, not to judge who is righteous and who is not. All are welcome at church because, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." And when we go to church, perhaps instead of looking at how much farther on Christ's path to salvation we are than everyone else, since distance is measured from a point of view and yours is not God's, we can offer help to those around us. If our help is not welcome, let us offer love.

Don't judge me because I sin differently than you

We all sin. We all have different ideas of what 'sin' is. 'Bad words' in my house growing up were commonplace in others. Movies I watched never would be allowed to cross the plane of other homes. While God has defined what is sin, our perception of each sin's severity is simply a guess. We can be pretty confident about some that God has explicitly spoken on, like adultery and murder. But from there, we are expected to use our righteous judgment with God's guidance to determine what is keeping us distanced from him and what we can do to close that gap a little. Some struggle against suffocating addictions to drugs, alcohol, pornography, or caffeine. Others may be compulsive liars. And others still may have strong tendencies to judge those around them. No, they are not in the right. But in other areas, neither are you.

Not going to church because of the sinners is like not going to the gym because of the out-of-shape people.

People come up with more reasons to not go to the gym than I can count. However, I have yet to hear someone say they hate going to a gym because nobody there has a 6-pack (well, I guess some may complain about lack of eye candy...). The point is, when you go to the gym, normal human beings do not scoff at pasty white guys like myself struggling to hoist dumbbells or profusely panting and sweating after running on the treadmill for like, 5 minutes. I...they are trying. Sincere effort makes for personal satisfaction; and in extreme cases, ends up as a 2 minute inspirational picture montage that gets over 1,000 shares on Facebook. Anyway, why should it be different at church? 

It shouldn't be.

His ego is large and out of control. She smoked 2 joints in morning. I probably slept in and forgot to shower (the stench can literally offend you). Whatever way you shuffle the cards, in the end, what God defines as sin, is sin. 

We are all ill. We are all out of shape. We all sin differently. But that is not to say we cannot spot one another. Perhaps we could open our medicine cabinet and share some deodorant with the smelly kid. In all cases, we can offer our love, friendship, and support to our fellow travelers. 

What Do You Treasure?

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven..." (Matt 6:19-20)

I like to think that you can tell what you want most by what your idle mind turns to when unleashed.  For me, very often, it turns to some combination of math or physics.  As an aspiring Engineer, these are good things for me to be thinking about.  The medical student should be thinking of medicine.  The educator should be drawing up lesson plans.  The athlete should be concocting new plays or maneuvers.  Each situation is different, but none of these or any other profession are exempt from the need to think of Christ.

Those baptized by proper authority are bound to a promise to always remember Christ, resulting in his holy spirit to guide them through their lives.  What a deal!  Glorify God and Jesus Christ in our thoughts and they will always be with us.

Personal and internal worship is important, but is not the only way we can-or should-glorify our Father or our Savior.

"You get what you go for," is a saying thrown around in multiple settings: in school when students want an A, in sports when you want to win, in dating when you want...a date, etc.  It just as easily applies to the aforementioned scripture in Matthew; you will receive the treasure you seek.  If you want to be the best lawyer there is, do it.  If you want to be the president or leader of your country, I do not envy you, but you can do it.  If you want to be glorified by your peers and all the world, do it.  You really can achieve anything you desire.  Don't expect your path to be level and clear.  Of all the millions of child athletes, only thousands make it to the pros.  Of all the pros, only hundreds become all-stars.  Of all the all-stars, only a dozen become icons.  And of all the icons, there is only one Michael Jordan.  There is only one Wayne Gretzky.  There is only one Babe Ruth.  But if you want your name to live on, beat the 1,000,000:1 odds.  Do it.

This post, however, is not meant to encourage, but to warn.  Treasures of money, status, and fame are very nice and I imagine can be quite enjoyable (I imagine because I have yet to actually experience either).  But, in almost every case, some other "thief" will come and take your status in the form of simply being better.  Some thief may literally take your money.  I have seen too often the affect of time on the corruption of someone's name and legacy.  Once that all corrodes away, they are left with so little.  Their substance is lacking and they find their treasure was of a very temporary nature.

"For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:
...And upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up,
And upon every high tower, and upon every fenced wall,
...And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the Lord ALONE shall be exalted in that day." (Isaiah 2:12, 14-15, 17)

This scripture focuses on the wicked and the haughty, but in the words of Vampire Weekend, "We know the fire awaits on believers and all of the sinners the same".  No one's pride is safe.  What you have achieved won't matter when the Lord comes because it will completely pale in comparison.  What will matter is your relationship with him and your own valiant testimony (D&C 76).

I'm not lobbying for mediocrity nor do I preaching the doctrine of poverty.  I want very much to be an influential engineer and earn a comfortable living for my future family.  I do, at the same time, hope for the Lord to see my efforts in glorifying him.  I try to be helpful.  I'm not very good at it, but I also try to be kind.  I remind myself that the achievements I've made and the opportunities I've met have been gifts given me from the Lord because of my faith in him.

In the last days, the Lord alone will be exalted, but that doesn't mean we all will be forgotten.  Our Heavenly Father knows us and expects us to excel in whatever we aspire to do.  All that he asks is that we remember Him as the source of all goodness.

"You do you!"  Just, remember who "you" are.

Oh Lord, Help Me to be Wheat!

"The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:  but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.  But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.  So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, 'Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field?  From whence then hath it tares?'...'Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, 'Gather ye together first the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.''" (Matt 13:25-27,30)

Christ explains that, "The good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one..." (Matt 13:38).  This means that, in the 'last days', there are tares growing amongst the wheat.  There are many parallels that can be drawn from this parable-some of which can be quite a stretch-so bare with me while I explain some of my thoughts regarding this parable.

It says that the master of that field sowed good seed, and typically a field full of wheat with scattered tares would be the image.  However, even on the fairly secluded Latter-Day Saint island I live on, it feels as if the man with good seed snuck into the "enemy's" field at night and sowed his good seed in the midst of the planted tares (not sure why anyone would plant tares, but I told you it was a stretch).  Whether it is legitimately true or simply something that the adversary is putting in my mind I don't know, but sometimes I feel like I am significantly out of place surrounded by the glorious success of all the tares around me.  But, even in this, I remember that-though it may feel otherwise-the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the master of the field.  I remember to pray to him that I may be wheat.  I pray to be among the plants that, when they are gathered in, are taken to the barn and not the furnace.  This brings me to my next point which is much more of a thought and not an interpretation of the story:  the tares were not separated until the harvest, and neither was the wheat.  Were it physically possible, there would be plenty of time for the tares to recognize they are the undesired weed and change so that they too could be gathered into the barn.  However, because the wheat and the tares look so similar, the wheat sometimes gets confused and thinks that the wheat will be burned at the harvest.  That poor wheat may get caught up in the up-shoot of tares all around him (non-exclusively masculine).  He may feel as I said I do; that he is the stranger.  And, to avoid sifting, the poor, confused wheat changes his volition to mirror that of the tares he looked up to.

How do we know if we are a stalk of wheat or tare?  If we are a tare, how can we become wheat?

Just as I alluded to in my tangent roughly based on Christ's parable, the master of the field is the only one that can tell you apart from the others.  He is the only one that sees everyone and can better tell you what you need to do to become wheat.  The tares around you will tell you they are the crop and you are the weed.  If you do happen upon some meek wheat, their voice of confirmation is so frequently drowned out by the uproar of the tares declaring their make-up the evolved and improved form.

Step two after discerning your wheat-tare status, you must do all you can to become the healthiest wheat or alter your tare-ish habits to align with the guidelines set up for wheat.  Like unto determining your standing, the only way to know is to ask the master of the field as he comes around to inspect the crop.

I've certainly gone too far with this metaphor, but I hope the meaning is clear.  Our loving Heavenly Father is the master of this earth.  Satan proclaims himself as the God of this world, but that is only true if we succumb our will to his and to those who preach is doctrine.  Like the field of wheat and tares, right and wrong has seemingly begun to mesh.  It is getting harder and harder to determine what is right.  We look around and may see some wheat (followers of Christ) doing good things, but we also see so many tares doing...not-bad-things.

The trick is to not look around for your answer.  Those that would be the wheat in this beat-to-death metaphor have great advice, but the advice from the 'tares' would also be beneficial.  The advice that needs to be studied and implemented can only be found from looking straight up at the master of the field.  Our guidance and validation shouldn't come from anywhere other than our Father in Heaven who will answer us if we sincerely and diligently seek him.

In times like these, referred to as the 'last times', I'm grateful for the chance I have to look up and communicate with my God.  It may be a humility faux pas, but I believe that I am wheat and this is his field.  I'm not saying that among the wheat I have the highest quality, but I have felt the promise of the Holy Ghost confirming to me that this is God's field.  I believe The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has the capacity to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness.  I sustain Thomas S. Monson as the prophet of God and I know that his instruction to us is from the master of the field.  Next time President Monson says something that deals with everyone, might I suggest instead of looking at those around you, be it "wheat" or "tare", look up to the source, "and be not faithless, but believing." (John 20:27)

Of All the Miracles...

Well, another progression of LDS General Conference has finished.  As always, numerous messages were inspirational and uplifting.  I had the privilege of spending most of this weekend with a good friend of mine that has had a rough life, but is trying his hardest to be better and was watching conference with questions he anticipated answers to.  I admire his preparation.  I've admire his dedication to daily scripture study.  He recently began attending Institute with me.  However, he's been facing a lot of hard times from various sources.  I was so happy and a little jealous as I sat and spoke with him about his experience watching conference this weekend.  We were doing homework most of the time, but we always had our ears and minds directed at the messages being delivered.  He received so much revelation and guidance for his life.  I am so proud of him and hope he continues to act on both the chastisement and encouragement he received from our great leaders.

As always, many spoke on the sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Today being Easter, everyone's thoughts and hearts were turned to the garden, the hill, and the empty tomb.  Often we look back 2000 years ago and remember the miracles Christ performed.  A teacher in a Sunday School class I attended asked a question I felt was inspired.  He asked which of Christ's miracles we would like to see.  Some wished to see the raising of Jairus' daughter.  Others would have liked to see him feed the 5000 (they just wanted free food...).  As I thought about it, all of those miracles were amazing and hold so much power behind all of them.  But as I continued to ponder on what miracle I would want to see, I realized that the miracle closest to me that I hope to one day experience is the miracle of my own salvation.  When I reflect on Easter, I don't reflect back 2000 years ago, but 20 years ago.  I think back on how far I've come.  Obviously I've grown about 6 feet since then, but I've also experienced countless events that have shaped my life into what it is now.  I have nothing but thanks for all the help I have received.  Maybe a little guilt and shame for the stupid things I've done...and occasionally continue to do.  But, I know because of Christ's atonement, I can be clean from that.

On this Easter Sunday and every one following, let us remember our Savior.  But, let us also remember that we, too, can become perfect.  We, too, can be clean and be resurrected.  We, too, can live with our families forever.

Because he lives.

I Believe in Miracles

To witness a miracle, one must first understand what a miracle is.  A miracle can be described as something inexplicable by means of our current logical and scientific law.  Something that doesn't fit a pattern.  An occurrence that goes against what common knowledge would tell you is so.

Astronomically speaking, our existence is a miracle.  To fit into "The Goldilocks Zone"-or qualifications for a planet to sustain life-is so statistically impossible, it's unfathomable how our universe, galaxy, solar system, and earth all combined so perfectly that they just fell into place.  Noah predicted the flood that would wipe out all people except they repent.  Abraham and his wife had children beyond an age most people today would even be alive.  Moses parted the red sea, set up the serpent on the staff, and spoke with God where he was shown the expanse of God's creations.  David opposed all odds and defeated Goliath the giant Philistine.  Daniel was preserved after being thrown into a pit of lions for persistently praying to his father in heaven.  Jesus Christ was born to a virgin and lived a perfect life.  During his ministry, Jesus ruffled feathers, chastised the wicked, healed the sick, and taught the faithful.  His miracles are continually spoken of today and the Christian world points to them as a source of belief, or as a proof of his divine power.

Why, then, have miracles stopped?  Why are Christian churches preaching  their testimony of the lack of miracles?  Why are they professing their absence of revelation?  

"And the reason why he ceaseth to do miracles among the children of men is because that they dwindle in unbelief, and depart from the right way, and know not the God in whom they should trust.  Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth." (Mormon (9:20-21)

Let me tell you this, if you think miracles and revelation are no more, it's because you lack the faith.

Joseph Smith, a 14 year-old boy saw a vision of God and Jesus Christ.  He went on to translate an ancient record and establish Christ's church at about the same age I am now.  He performed miracles including healing the sick and receiving revelation.  That church, started by a young man has become a global church, talked about by many people.  The missionary force is a miracle.  I don't know any church that relies on teenagers and young adults to run its proselyting force.  On top of that, I don't know any other institution that can teach it's clients to become fluent in another language in less than 18 months.  

To those that testify that miracles are no more, I am a living witness that they still are!  It's a miracle that those around me haven't already strangled me.  I also can testify that I have and do receive revelation for myself and for those I am called to watch over.  I was guided by my savior as a missionary in Japan.  I was led to those who need the message I carried.  I was blessed to miraculously develop the ability to speak Japanese.  My service continues to manifest itself as a miracle as I find jobs because of my service and I see how much I changed because of my time and dedication.  

If you want to see more miracles, Joseph Smith gives the formula in his Lectures on Faith. 

1. You need the idea that he actually exists.

2. You need a correct idea of his character, perfections, and attributes.

3. You need a knowledge that your actions are in line with God's will (i.e. faith in yourself)

Be it the Old Testament, Christ's ministry, the Restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or our lives today, faith precedes the miracle.  Anyone who requires a miracle for conversion will require a miracle to stay converted.  But those who align their will and actions with God's will see the miracles because their faith will open their eyes and give them power to oppose the odds and ignore the "law".

Standing in Holy Places

"Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved..." (D&C 87:8)

Holy places include, but are not limited to the standard answers any given person on the street would think of.  A holy place is a location where you are not only safe to exercise what you believe, but are encouraged to do so.  Temples, churches, and other places of worship are obviously perfect examples of holy places.  Other holy places that we are familiar with, but may not have thought as holy places include our places of residence.  If your home can't be considered a holy place, perhaps there's something you can do about that...  One specifically I've had the privilege of experiencing are LDS Institutes of Religion, including Seminary for high school students.  When in high school, I attended seminary at 10 minutes to 6 every morning.  I didn't necessarily have such a firm dedication to seminary at the beginning, but I was never late to 1st period, so I didn't really complain.  But, my junior year, we were studying the New Testament, and I was so moved as we spoke of Jesus Christ every morning and all the miraculous things he did.  Then, my last year, we studied the Book of Mormon, and that piqued my interest, sparking a fire that grew almost uncontrollable on my mission.  I loved the Book of Mormon.  I loved the days I could just spend an hour reading it.

Since returning from Japan, I don't have quite as much time to dedicate to pouring over the scriptures as I used to.  However, I can still attend Institute.  I don't always agree with the instructors' teaching methods, or even how they present the material.  I have found that if I prepare myself and seek each lesson to learn something, I am guided to answers for my questions or new concepts I hadn't necessarily thought of.  One day in Institute, my teacher said that revelation was simply the product of meditation, scripture study, and prayer.  The mathematician in my brain kicked in, and I spent the next 10 minutes of class developing an equation to quantify revelation.  I've received sincere revelation as to what I need to do to change and become a better person.

For me, Institute has been my holy place I can stand when I'm not at church.  During the week, I spend so much time on homework and classes, that I have a hard time taking time away to read my scriptures.  Even when I do, it's never really a "quiet" place.  Stresses are still present.  Other influences still find their way in...unfortunately.  Institute, however, has always been different.  When I actually sign up for the class, I take that as dedicating myself to attend.  I take the time out of my schedule to go to institute and then when I'm there, everything else disappears.  I still have heaps of homework, but it doesn't seem as ominous.  I still have stress, but it isn't at the forefront of my mind.  Honestly, without the opportunity to go to that Holy Place, I would go insane.  We can make wherever we are a holy place by doing what we know is right.  But when we're too exhausted to hold our walls up against sin, we need help.  And that's exactly what Institute has offered me.