Yesterday, Alisha and I spent the morning with some of her work friends cutting down paper mulberry trees in Bull Creek Park. One thing we love about Austin is the easy access to nature. Just a short drive from our apartment are dozens of trails, parks, waterfalls, etc. It's a blessing to have easy access to such beautiful places.
Unfortunately, some unwise actions of people can endanger that beauty. One such action was the planting of paper mulberry's in what 's become one of the city parks. The trees grew well there and threatened to crowd out the native plants. So, Alisha and I got to take part in correcting the balance. Luckily, it turned out to be lots of fun.
We worked in connection with a city organization that funds care for the parks (I don't know what it's called). A few men with that organization ran the show, providing tools and instructions. George was the boss, teaching us how to correctly cut branches without breaking the tools (very useful tips). John was the man with the chainsaw. He cut down the trees while we cut them up. Then there were all of us - probably about a dozen guys and one girl from Alisha's work, Alisha, and me. We had a good time and earned a few scratches from our efforts.
It felt good to be out in the sun, working. I sweat a bit. The Texas heat is beginning. My favorite part was watching for turtles in the stream nearby during our breaks. I've always love the water and the animals in it. I'm getting in the habit of looking for turtles whenever I'm near water now. I didn't realize there were so many here in Austin.
After about 3 hours, we started wrapping up the work. We were supposed to make it look as if we hadn't been there, leaving the smaller branches and leaves lying around to decompose. Problem was, we cut down so many trees, it looked more like a hurricane had blown through. It was kind of amazing to realize how many trees we'd cut down.
Sorry there aren't pictures, yet. Hopefully we'll be getting some soon.
And for the curious, some of my thoughts on what I'd call "Latter-day Saint environmentalism":
In a revelation to Joseph Smith in 1834 (the subject was how the Church would care for the poor; relevant to my blog, but I won't address that today) Jesus Christ taught that He "stretched out the heavens, and built the earth, my very handiwork; and all things therein are mine." He gives men blessings from the earth - food, homes, wealth - but those blessings are a stewardship, something we watch over for a time while the true owner is away. This is one of the reasons service is so important to Latter-day Saints: our time and money come from the Lord. Giving a small bit to others is the least we can do. D&C 104:11-18.
The Lord teaches that the earth will provide for everyone, but it must be done in His own way. He teaches that those who take of the abundance of the earth without sharing with the poor will be punished. While the message isn't obviously about taking care of the environment, I think the principles lead to that conclusion. If this earth isn't ours, we should probably be taking good care of it.
Another scripture, which is the LDS health code (called the Word of Wisdom), teaches that "all things which come of the earth...are made for the benefit and the use of man." But he cautions us that they are "to be used, with judgment, not to excess, niether by extrotion." D&C 59:18, 20
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