Love
Dad,
Granddad,
or
Great Grandad
Book 3
"When you read this book you will hold
my mind in your hands"
This book was first published in about 1998 in a hardbound
book.
In an attempt to help distribute my grandpas books I have taken up the flag to
publish his books in a digital format. Grandpa's first book was typed up
on a typewriter and the rest of the books were typed on a computer. The plan was to simply
take each of the digital copies of his books and make a few minor changes as
necessary for the internet be done. This dream I mean initial goal
soon changed as the project developed. As I began to work with my grandpa
I discovered that he was working on his books on 3 different computers. Multiple versions of
the same book existed with slight variations. backups of backups of backups
existed. While my grandpa is a literary genius many inconsistencies were
found in his filing system due to his overall newness to
computers. Some times the electronic copies that I found would have poems
added that were not found in the printed version. I have discussed this
with my Grandfather and he has requested that i include these poems.
Grandpa originally wrote the 2-3 page letters to be mailed out. when compiling these letters into a book format he had blank pages on the back of the letters he had written. Not wanting to leave any blank pages he would throw in a random poem. These were not found in the electronic version. I have scanned in these poems and have added them where they were found in the book.
Overall i am trying to include more rather then less. Future versions will most likely need to be compiled to bring this electronic version into alignment with the printed version and the intent that grandpa was trying to convey.
One last comment. From my perspective recreating these books in an electronic format has been an eminence amount of work spanning over years. Many nights and weekends on my part were involved in the process. I tell you this not to brag of my efforts but to emphasize that for every hour of me copy, pasting, and scanning, Grandpa has probably spent 10 hours creating the content. I marvel at his genius, hard work, spirituality, and the quality of the text. I have a greater appreciation for all that he has done for his children, my self, my cousins and for all of our children. I hope that we will all recognize this pearl of great price bestowed to us by a living relative and not cast it aside as talked about in the scriptures..... "a prophet is not accepted in his own land". Thank you grandpa for this great work, you truly are a prophet for the Pitcher family and all who will listen.
Sincerely,
Paul Jason Pitcher
October 29,2002
Not being confined to a book format frees up several confinements.
- Some
times due to page size limitations poems were split between pages. In this
version content is kept together.
- When a line is inserted it will
represent the end of a story or a page break where appropriate.
- Sections not included in the printed version are high lighted in yellow.
- Poem are high
lighted in green unless they were not included in printed version in which case
they are
high lighted yellow.
Need to work on the role of woman story. page 181
missing page 202
missing page 212
music at end
- Page 19 the title of the letter is "RETHINKING" while the index was labeled
as "Huggs and Beautiful on the Inside". I have modified the index to the
title "RETHINKING".
- The story "TO KNOW GOD" was in the printed book twice (page 79 and 171) In
this version I removed the one on page 79.
- The poem "Only a dad" is listed twice (page 72 & 206). I felt that both
letters that were next to this poem could use there words so both poems were
left.
- The story "it is later then you think" was in the printed book twice (page 142
& 164) I have removed the second one on page 142.
The title to this book might be somewhat of a mystery to those of you who have
not read the preceding volumes of my "News Letters". Over the years I have used
a monthly communication as a means of passing on to my family those thoughts and
experiences that have been the basis of my philosophy of life. They have also
been a vehicle whereby I could send counsel (advice), for solutions to problems
and certain situations that I feel need addressing. While most "letters" have
been written with someone in mind, I have tried to maintain some degree of
anonymity. This I hope will accomplish two things. 1st: As a rule most of life's
problems find a home in each of our lives at one time or another. 2nd: If one of
the "letters" hits a little to close to home and makes you feel uneasy, you can
always think that Dad was referring to someone else when he composed this
letter.
When one's family has "flown the coop", so to speak, there comes a time of....
"I wish I had known what I know now", or "I wish I had done things differently".
If you haven't experienced this syndrome by now, you will by the time you reach
my age. Let me tell you how it works. Every one of your children will be going
through some kind of "trial of their faith", and you will look back and see
where a little nudging or prompting at the right time could have "built a
bridge, so at even-tide" they could have had safe passage over one of life's
"chasms deep and wide". But, like the water rushing by, in the gorge below, one
roaring gallon following another --"never to pass that way again". So it is, and
so it will be for all of us. Is there no way to stem the tide?
The purpose of this book, as well as books ONE and TWO, is try to stem that
tide. Hopefully these books will assist you in circumventing some of the life's
pitfalls.
I would also like for these "News Letters" to be my witness that we have a
Father in Heaven who loves us and that He is concerned for our welfare. If you
will keep His commandments you will find happiness in this life and in the world
to come. May these volumes aid you in your understanding of His plan for your
happiness.
J. MARCELL PITCHER
PS.
I have chosen to title this book " LOVE, DAD, GRANDAD, OR GREAT-GRANDAD".
Originally I had intended to use the complimentary closing used in all my "News
Letters"-- "Love, Dad, Grandad or Something", but Grandma didn't like it so,
this is the compromise
It is customary for relatives to rush forth to claim their share of the assets
or the possessions of the deceased. I hope that each of you will rush forth to
claim your share of what I have left to my posterity. Not silver and gold, of
such I have none, but such as I have I give unto you. A treasure more precious
than diamonds and rubies. It will be found in the books of "Grandfather's News
Letters". In them you will find a treasure of wisdom, knowledge, and a record of
the communications between me and the Holy Ghost, as He testified of the truth
of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They also contain the legacy of our forefathers;
those to whom the Holy Ghost first bore witness to the divinity of Jesus Christ
and the restoration in these latter days of the gospel of redemption. This was
their gift to me, this I freely give to each of you who are willing to search
for the truths that will aid you in your pursuit of eternal life.
"Our heritage like life its self, we keep and yet pass on,
In doing so we pay the debt we owe to those now gone.
What came from them we hold in trust, stored treasure that will last.
Like our ancestral home, our lives are built on footings from the past".
Boyd Packer
Love, Dad, Grandad, or Great-Grandad
I have gone to a lot of expense to have these volumes beautifully bound and made as attractive as possible, but their real beauty is within. I would hope that these books will not just adorn some book shelf, or used for a "door stop" but will be read and cherished by coming generations. I have found that others outside my immediate family have enjoyed my "News Letters", so, if you have some special friend, or enemy, that you feel could benefit from some message found in these books, please let them have the use of them.
there is no copyright on any of these letters except some of the quotes I have borrowed from others. I have tried to identify them where possible; that credit might go to the proper source. With this disclaimer feel free to make as many copies as you would like. it is not important that you reveal the source, but what is important is that the message be disseminated as wide as possible.
JMP
Preston, Idaho
October 1996
It's getting about time to return to Mexico. I have prepared the "News Letters"
through June of next year, along with the ones I have sent this summer. I had
supposed that the "well had run dry" long before now, but the spirit continues
to move me, once in a while, and out comes another "Epistle". At the present I
can't think of a single thing I haven't covered in Book One and Book Two, plus
the few letters contained in this volume. But experience has shown me, that you
never say "Its over until its over" (Yogie Bara) So, if the good Lord be
willing, there may yet come enough inspiration to make another book. When, and
if it comes, I have chosen to entitle it LOVE, DAD, GRANDAD, OR SOMETHING. And
it will include these news letters.
Love, Dad, Grandad, or Something
March 1997:
P.S. Its spring time again and we will soon be returning home. The well has not
run dry, in fact it has been overflowing. There has been added some 16
additional entries. It has been a fruitful few months. Again, I am most grateful
for the promptings of the spirit, that has clothed my thoughts in such beautiful
garments. I hope that you will recognize His handy work, both in thought and
feeling. Love, Dad
July 1997:
Well, I'm home again. I am trying to preserve all the News Letters that are not
included in volumes one and two. There are enough to maker a small volume and
maybe I should go that route. But, if I leave this little volume "open-ended" I
might still be prompted to write more. If not, I or someone else, will finish
this work and have it placed in a hard-back volume. But for now I will make a
few copies and have them soft bound, just to preserve them.
Love, Dad
February 1998:
This past winter has been spent in editing book three. It is almost unbelievable
the time and effort that goes into making a book. You would think that after the
original script had been written it would just be a mater of doing some
cosmetics. Not so! When I first arrived I proof read all the entries. That is
whole lot more then just read through them. One has to search for redundancies,
also trying to make changes so the words reflected the messages I wanted to
leave. Well, any way, after I had made the changes I wanted to make, I would
take each copy down to Lew Mecham and she would proof read them. It was
surprising how many changes she made, after I had finished what I thought was a
perfect copy.
Last year I made some copies of the first half of Book Three, so rather than
making copies of the whole book, I compiled the letters that were compose last
winter and summer, and then I have given copies to those who had received the
first half of the book. Well, the same old problem of making the "News Letters"
fit the pages without leaving to many blank spaces. I have a little file wherein
I store some of my favorite poems and sayings. So, I got a lady next door to
help me "cut and past" to fill the empty spaces. No little project either. So
that took care of It is customary for relatives to rush forth to claim their
share of the assets or the possessions of the deceased. I hope that each of you
will rush forth to claim your share of what I have left to my posterity. Not
silver and gold, of such I have none, but such as I have I give unto you. A
treasure more precious than diamonds and rubies. It will be found in the books
of "Grandfather's News Letters". In them you will find a treasure of wisdom,
knowledge, and a record of the communications between me and the Holy Ghost, as
He testified of the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They also contain the
legacy of our forefathers; those to whom the Holy Ghost first bore witness to
the divinity of Jesus Christ and the restoration in these latter days of the
gospel of redemption. This was their gift to me, this I freely give to each of
you who are willing to search for the truths that will aid you in your pursuit
of eternal life.
March 1998
Still working, trying to cut and past to fill unused space at the end of some
"News Letters" and trying to keep the odd numbered pages on the right along with
the headings for each letter. (I finally gave up on this on for now.) Being an
computer illiterate, doing what is a piece cake to some people is like eating
tough piece of buffalo steak, It just seems to get bigger with each bite. I have
been trying the patience of Bobby Mitchell, a friend here in the park, but bless
her heart, she has the patience of Job, so slowly but surely it is falling into
place. But that is alright, the wind won't let me go fishing anyway, so I have
plenty of time, if Bobby's forbearance doesn't expire.
July 1998
Well, still trying to finish this volume. I have had some problems with my
computer. It has some kind of a bug in it, which we can't seem to find. So I
will finish one page at a time and print copies rather than have one complete
copy
on the hard drive.
Also, I think that I have given about enough counsel for one Grandad. I am
using my obituary as a epilogue. If I am prompted to write more we will have
insert it somewhere just a head of this volume. I have enjoyed this little
exercise over the years, and at the same time It has been a pacifier for a
guilty conscience. I hope that you will be more committed in to teaching your
children than I have been. I have borrowed the epilogue from this book and
inserted it here that it might set the tenor for the Book No 3, maybe for all my
writings.
It is customary for relatives to rush forth to claim their share of the assets
or possessions of the deceased. While I might move and look like I should be
among the walking dead, there is still a faint spark if you look closely enough.
Well, anyway, I hope that when I am gone each of you will rush forth to claim
your inheritance. Not silver and gold, of such I have none, but such as I have
give I unto you. A treasure more precious than diamonds and rubies. It will be
found in the books of "Grandfather's News Letters" In them you will find a
treasure of wisdom, knowledge, and a record of the communications between me and
the Holy Ghost, as he testified of the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They
also contain the legacy of our forefathers; those to whom the Holy Ghost first
bore witness to the divinity of Jesus Christ and the restoration of the gospel
of redemption. This was their gift to me, this I freely pass on to each of you.
I like Nephi of old" Having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught
somewhat in the learning of my father".
So, if you are willing to search for the truths in these books they will aid you
in your pursuit of eternal life.
0. Version Information
1. INTRODUCTION
2. PREFACE
3. INDEX
5. ADVERSITY
7. GOING IT ALONE
9. APPEARANCE OF EVIL
11. CHAIN LETTERS
13. DO - WAUGH - DITTY
15. DIANA, THE PRINCES IS GONE
17. THE REST OF THE STORY
19. RETHINKING
Hugs
21. WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER
23. ALLEN DUNN & JOHN MABEY
25. WITH YOU FOREVER
26. VILLAGE BLACKSMITH
27. BE THOU AN EXAMPLE OF THE BELIEVERS
29. AT THE CONFLUENCE OF TRADITION AND REALITY
31. E.T.
33. FAILURE
35. OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN
39. LIKE FATHER LIKE SON
41. THE FISH THAT FEED THE MULTITUDE
44. A GOLDEN RING
45. FREE SPIRITS
47. TO ALL THE GIRLS I'VE LOVED BEFORE
FRIEND of MINE
IF YOU WERE
CROSSING THE
BAR
55. A VOICE OF GLADNESS
57. NO UNHALLOWED HAND
59. THE LAW OF THE HARVEST
61. LETTER TO HEATHER
63. HEAVENLY MESSENGERS
69. HIGHWAY OF LIFE
72. ONLY A DAD
73. FOR THE STRENGTH OF THE HILLS
75. THE CURSE OF IDLENESS
77. LEAD KINDLY LIGHT
83. LAZZY BONES
85. WHAT A BABY COST
86. PSALM OF LIFE
87. THE LEGACY OF A BISHOP
91. NEVER A LENDER NOR A BORROWER BE
93. LOOKING FOR LOOPHOLES
95. FILTHY LUCRE
97. MARCUS AURELUS
99. SONGS AND THEIR PART OF CHURCH WORSHIP
101. IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST
103. PARENTING
105. PATRIARCHAL ORDER
To My Dear and Loving Husband
109. PERSONAL REVELATION
THE
CLOD AND THE PEBBLE
112. CAN'T
113. PIONEERS
ALL
THINGS BEAUTIFUL
116. WHAT HAVE I DONE TODAY
117. POLITICAL ETIQUETTE
120. NEY,
SPEAK NO ILL
120.
LET US OFT SPEAK KIND WORDS
121. PRAISE TO THE MAN
123. LIFE IS NOT ALWAYS WHAT IT SEEMS TO BE
125. PREPARATION
127. WHEN QUEENS WALK BY
133. A QUIVER FULL OF CHILDREN
135. ROOTS OF THOUGHT
137. ONLY A ROSE
TREES
139. EMPTY SADDLES
TO ALL PARENTS
143. SANDS OF TIME
145. SCHOOL THY FEELINGS
147. SELF WORTH
149. FOLLOWING THE SHRIMP BOATS
PASS IT ON
151. COMING HOME, SPRING OF 97
153. STEAM VENTS
155. THE TAIL OF TWO CITIES
IN A
WORLD WHERE SORROW
158. THE BRIDGE BUILDER
159. TENDERNESS OF HEART
161. IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE
LAUGH AND THE WORLD LAUGHS WITH
YOU
IT IS LATTER THAN YOU THINK
165 NOT IN UTTER FORGETFULNESS DO WE COME
OH GOD LET THIS BE HEAVEN
167. NOTHING VENTURED, NOTHING GAINED
169. WHO AM I
171. TO KNOW GOD
175. TO KNOW GOD --CONTINUED
177. TIMES FLIES ON WINGS OF LIGHTINING
179. AFTER SO MANY WITNESS
181. THE ROLE OF WOMANHOOD
ANSWER TO
PRAYER
CAN THAT BE
LOVE
COUNT THAT A
DAY
NEARER HOME
187. THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE
189. A VOICE OF WARNING
193. LET NOT THE SUN GO DOWN
UPON THY WRATH
195. LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
197. RICH MAN, POOR MAN
ANSWER TO
PRAYER
HE HOED TO THE END OF THE ROW
202. ABIDE WITH ME
203. ELIAS
ONLY A DAD
207. ELDER McCONKIE'S TESTIMONY
A NAME IN
THE SAND
COUNT
YOUR BLESSINGS
213. GOING HOME
GOODBY
A FINAL
FAREWELL
APPENDIX A - MUSIC
THERE IS A GARDEN
WITH YOU FOR EVER
APPENDIX B -
SOME OF MY FAVORITE POEMS AND QUOTATIONS
THERE IS A GARDEN, SO I'VE BEEN
TOLD
PLAY BALL
"The Holy City"
WHEN YOU GET TO HEAVEN
As I watched conference (April 97) I was shocked when Elder Maxwell approached
the pulpit. I knew that he had been ill, but I never realized what a toll it had
taken on him. Elder Maxwell has a special place in our hearts. His kindness to
Dan and Kris, when she was struggling just to stay alive, will always be a
testament to the greatness of the man. There were expressions of sympathy and
prayers of support by family and friends; but Elder Maxwell's concern "was above
and beyond the call of duty". It was his concern for someone he had never met.
For those of you who are not familiar with this trying time in our lives, let me
fill you in. Dan and Kris had just been married a few short months. We, as a
family, were having a reunion up at Downeta Hot Springs (A local swimming and
Picnic resort). At the time Dan and Kris were going to school, living in Provo,
Utah. It was summer and so they decided to ride up on their motorcycle. All went
well until they were coming out of Wellsville Canyon and they had a flat tire.
In the process of stopping Kris was thrown off and her head landed on a rock,
causing a skull fracture. At that moment, to those of us who had eyes to see,
was the beginning of an outpouring of miraculous manifestations that would last
for the next five years. A whole book could be compiled enumerating all the
events that evidenced the hand of the Almighty. But for this writing I will deal
with the part played by Elder Maxwell.
Elder Maxwell was attending a stake conference in Ogden. In the closing prayer
of the conference one of the nurses from the hospital asked the Lord for a
special blessing to be given to Kris, who was lingering between life and death.
After the meeting Elder Maxwell inquired about the one mentioned in her prayer,
who was so seriously ill. After being informed of Kris's condition he and his
wife made a special trip over to the hospital to see if they could be of any
comfort to the family. We, along with Kris's family, were in the intensive care
waiting room when he arrived. His wife had been given a corsage as a gift at the
conference and she had brought it along to give to Kris. In the course of the
brief visit he inquired if we would like for him to give Kris a priesthood
blessing. With our consent he did. He informed us that if Kris was still alive
by Wednesday he would include her name on the list prepared for the prayer
circle of the quorum of the Twelve. His concern was such, that he called
Wednesday morning before going to the temple, inquiring of her welfare. The same
thing happen the following week.
Francine was having an extremely hard time coping with Kris's accident. One
morning about seven our phone rang, Francine answered and it was Elder Maxwell
calling to see how she, Francine, was doing. Somehow the spirit had told him she
was in need of comfort and support.
He never lost contact with Dan and Kris. Some years later Dan and Kris were in
Salt Lake and went up to his office to see him. They were informed that he was
preparing to leave for an assignment in the Far East and would not be able to
see them. To which Dan said that this was fine, but wondered if he could leave a
message, informing him of Kris's improvement. His secretary took the message in
and Elder Maxwell came out and escorted them into his office. He had told Dan
beforehand, that if he ever needed anything, to just let him know and he would
be glad to see them.
Some years ago at a general conference. (April 7, 1991) Elder Maxwell gave a
wonderful talk on adversity. When I saw him, as he addressed the recent
conference, I wondered if the talk given years before was the Lord's way of
preparing him for his trial with adversity. (I would suggest that you find a
conference report of this talk and read it.) Space here is limited, but let me
give you a few excerpts from this sermon. "My Son despise not thou the
chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou are rebuked of Him. For whom he the
Lord loveth, he chastiseth." One's life therefor, cannot be both faith filled
and stress free. Pres. Woodroff counseled us all about the mercy that is
inherent in some adversity. "The chastisements we have had from time to time
have been for our good and are essential to learn wisdom and carry us through
the school of experience we never could have passed through without." Therefor,
how can you and I really expect to glide naively through life as if to say "Lord
give me experience, but not grief, not sorrow, not pain, not opposition, not
betrayal, and certainly not to be forsaken. Keep from me Lord all those
experiences which made thee what thou art and then let me come and dwell with
thee and fully share thy joy. For the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people. Yea,
He trieth their patience and their faith. Still, some of us have trouble when
God's tutoring is applied to us. We plead for exemption rather than
sanctification. "My people must be tried in all things and he that will not bear
chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom." God cannot respond affirmatively to
all our petitions, with an unbroken chain of yeses, this would assume that all
our petitions are for that which is right and are spiritually expedient. No
petitioner is so wise. Hence, said Peter, "That we should not think a fiery
trial to be some strange thing." End of Quote.
My loved ones, learn wisdom from him who is wise. Take counsel from one who God
has proven in the fires of adversity. Dwell upon the capacity of Elder Maxwell
to extend his concern to so many. Surly, Kris and Francine are not the only ones
to be the beneficiary of his magnificent empathy and love.
Love Dad, Grandad, Or Something.
Back to index
To Family and Those Most Dear:
It is with some degree of apprehension that I approach this subject. Again, I
know what I would like to write, but knowing my weakness in expression and if
anything is to be written in a convincing manner it must come from my trusted
friend of the past, the Holy Ghost.
That which I would like to dwell upon in this "News Letter" is the counsel of
the Lord that "It is not good that man should be alone; wherefor I will make a
help meet for him." (Moses 3:18) "He that forbiddeth to marry is not of God". It
is upon the former that I would like to dwell; "It is not good that man should
be alone". Please excuse me in these matters, but all I can speak of is what I
have experienced and seen. Maybe, when you are in the prime of life, the
loneliness and heartache that accompanies single adulthood is hidden from your
view. Also, there is a void left in ones life when the sounds of children and
grandchildren are not heard. All the advantages of being single soon become a
struggle to find some kind of fulfillment; eventually all options come to a
halt. While for those who marry and have a posterity, life is ever expanding.
There is a renewal of spirit with the arrival of each newborn. Life continues to
be exciting, filled with new expectations and hope. The single life grows
inward; it's horizon continues to shrink. There is just so much one who is
single can do to satisfy their desire for excitement. "They have just one slice
of bread to put jam on, while those with a family have loaves and to spare". You
soon get tired of playing solitaire. If the game of life is to be fun, one needs
at least one more to help shuffle the cards.
Well, so much for rhetoric and tidbits of philosophy. If the "Proof of the
pudding is in the eating" my life has been a banquet indeed. I can't think of
anything worthwhile that has come into my life that doesn't have the signature
of my sweetheart on it.
Who would laugh at my silly jokes, if she were not here? With whom would I argue
the meal of the day, or which TV program to watch? Conversely, who would she
have to wait on, cook for, do washings and ironings for, if I were not here? You
see, having a companion provides an opportunity for someone else to grow through
service. You might try and see if "the marriage cart" does not have a reverse
gear also. Our life together has been a lifetime filled with good humor and
laughter. Oh, there have been moments when sorrow filled our home, but somehow
we have leaned upon each other and the storms have passed. And with the lifting
of the clouds, the sunlight always seemed brighter than ever, because we had
weathered the storms together.
Just as an interlude to the "bliss of married life", let me inject a little bit
of humor and maybe a word of caution. This little bit of sarcasm was taken from
a column written by Jenkins Lloyd Jones many years ago. "There seems to be a
superstition among many thousands of our young people, who hold hands and smooch
in the drive-inn, that marriage is a cottage surrounded by perpetual hollyhocks,
to which a perpetual handsome husband comes home to a perpetually young, and
ravishingly beautiful wife. When the hollyhocks wither and boredom and bills
appear, the divorce courts are jammed, Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal
is going to waste a lot of time running around and shouting that he has been
robbed."
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". Francine is more beautiful today than
the day we were married. Sure, she was a very attractive bride but, blind fool
that I was, I failed to see the beauty within. You may never know what life has
been like for me, but this much I do know, that without a companion you will
never know! When I see couples in their eighties strolling around the park, hand
in hand I say to myself "There goes a beautiful relationship". Conversely, when
I see the clubhouse filled with lonesome old men playing poker I say to myself
"What kind of a hand has life dealt them". True, some are single through no
fault of their own; death always leaves one behind, but to those who have chosen
to go it alone all I say is" Oh! what could have been."
There is a time in life for everything under the sun: a time to marry, and a
time for children and then a time for the children to leave and build homes of
their own, that they too might have joy and rejoicing in their posterity.
One last bit of advice: don't let the time appointed to be united as man and
wife pass you by. In delaying, you only shorten the "growing season"; thus many
of life's choicest crops have insufficient time to mature. Early in life one is
better equipped to deal with adjustments that have be made, like giving of self
and sharing responsibilities. The older you get the more set you become in your
way, making transition more difficult.
There will be some of my daughters to whom this letter will not apply. But rest
assured if it is the desire of your heart to marry and you are unable to find a
righteous companion, God will not withhold His blessing from you. But to my sons
it is different. It the custom of our society for the male to initiate the
marriage process. To you, the blessings of eternity might be jeopardized by your
inaction.
LOVE, DAD, GRANDAD, OR SOMETHING
Back to index
I once had a football coach, his name was Heber Whiting. You would have to have
known him "to know from whence he came". He was uncompromising, when it came to
integrity. Right had to look right, to be right. There was no gray area. No
matter if it were within the bounds of legality, if it looked like one was
taking advantage, he was guilty of the whole law. Right or wrong, it had to look
right. If the game couldn't be won by "Marques of Queensberry rules" so be it. A
victory without honor, was worse than defeat.
One night, after football practice, he gave some of us a ride home. After
traveling a short distance he stopped to pick up a young man who had a small
pack on his back. After we had traveled a short distance Coach Whiting inquired
of the young man what he had in the bag. (This was in the days of prohibition,
when liquor bottles came in all kinds of shapes and designs) Well, anyway, it
seemed that he had been gathering some of these empty bottles as he walked down
the highway. When Coach Whiting was informed of the contents of the bag he was
carrying, he immediately stopped and told the young man to get out of his car.
As we continued on our journey homeward Coach Whiting gave reason for his
actions. "You know the bottles are empty, I know the bottles are empty, but what
if we should get in a wreck and Coach Whiting, along with some of his football
players, had in their possession liquor bottles. Who would ever believe that
someone else had consumed their contents".
There is an old story about a certain wealthy gentleman who was looking for
someone to chauffeur his new carriage, The first, to show his driving skills,
guided the carriage down the steep canyon road, within inches of the cliff. The
second was also very skilful, but he showed his expertise by showing how far he
could stay away from the precipice. The wealthy gentleman chose the latter.
The moral behind these stories is this. Many a man has been convicted by
association. If it looks bad, it probably is. We have been counseled to avoid
even the appearance of evil. Yet there always seems to be those few who take
delight in seeing how close the can drive to the edge. Then there are those who
find satisfaction in making others think that they are bad, when in reality they
are not. The bottles are really empty, but how did they get that way? Then there
is still one more group. Those who would flaunt victory by wearing "badges of
shame" to show they were once in the throngs of sin, finding no shame in past
misdeeds. In essence saying "Look I have scars to show that I have met the foe
and returned triumphant". Is the prodigal son to be more honored than his
faithful brother? Is there any virtue in letting the whole world share your
misdeeds? There seems to be no remorse in committing sin, as long as one confess
to the world and then in the sense of "Being Holier than Thou" say I have
returned from the battle and I have wounds to prove my bravery. The prophet
Samuel poised this question "Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings
and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better
than sacrifice, and to harken than the fat of rams" (See 1st Samuel 15) Are the
scares of battle to be more honored than a broken heart and a contrite spirit?
Would that God will remember my sins no more. "Though your sins be as scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be
as wool. (Isaiah 1:18) One need not remember his sins, let alone, parade before
man, the evidence of the same. If sin be your lot, remember, that sin is common
to all mankind. Your "battle stars" will be no "Balm of Gilead", to another's
wounds.
Then again, there is still one more group. Those who because of their roughness
of speech would convey to others that they were the source of all wisdom.
Thinking that somehow the decibel level of their conversation is a sign of
superiorly. To border on the limits of good manners and refinement is their way
of trying to get attention. Like saying "I have been where the big boys play,
and this is their manor of speech" Modesty is thrown out the window, black
stories soon become gray, and before you know it there is nothing to withhold.
Things that were once spoken of in private and in times of intimate relationship
become the butt of vulgar stories. And they seem to escalate, each trying to be
more filthy than the one that proceeded it. We even see this in the soap operas.
Things that were scandalous just a few short years ago, like "Frankly Madam I
don't give a dam" would hardly raise an eyebrow today. Elder Maxwell once said
that "what soap operas need is more soap". And it could be well said of much of
our conversation today. Loud laugher and evil speaking of the Lord's anointed is
listed as one of the big sins of out time. Many find it difficult to express
them selves with out vulgarity and slang. Let your conversation be "Yea Yea and
Nay Nay" would seem to me to mean that our conversation should be limited,
especially the use of adjectives and some verbs.
One time sister King, a sweet elderly lady I knew, tried to bring the decibel
level of speech down, by one of our members. So she spoke quietly and softly to
him in hope that he would reciprocate. All she got in return was "Speak up
woman, I can't hear what you are saying" If you find your self in a similar
situation, try it, you might have better luck than Sister King.
Love Dad, Granddad, or Something
P.S. If it looks like a pig, smells like a pig, grunts like a pig, it must be a
pig!
AVOID EVEN THE APPEARANCE OF EVIL.
In my youth there used to be a hobby whereby you could become wealthy bappeared
at the top of the list. After sending, remove the name at the top and add your
name to the bottom of the list and then send a copy to five of your best
friends. "Piece of cake", but for some reason my name never seemed to get to the
top of the list. Then there was always that frightful warning DO NOT BREAK THIS
CHAIN OR SOME CATASTROPHE IS SURE TO FOLLOW.
The other day I was up to Bart's and someone had left a copy of a chain letter,
one that was composed in jest. But, anyway, it went something like this.
"Dear Friend: 3/4 of the earth's surface is water and only 1/4 is land. The good
Lord's intentions were very clear. A man's time should be divided accordingly.
Time: 3 /4 for fishing .. 1/4 for work."
This chain was started in hope of bringing happiness to a fisherman like
yourself. Unlike most chains, it does not require money. Simply send a copy of
this letter to five of your fisherman friends. Then bundle up your wife and send
her to the fellow whose name appears at the top of the list. In a few weeks you
will receive 16,278 women and some of them should be dandies! Have faith. Do not
break the chain!!! One man broke it and got his own wife back!
Well, so much for chain letters. But it did cause me to ponder upon another form
of chain letter. Years ago a couple of Mormon missionaries introduced our
fore-fathers to the "Grandaddy" of all chain letters. They were promised great
rewards, among which was the prospect of an ever expanding posterity. One in
which they would reign supreme, as Gods in the Celestial Kingdom, over an
innumerable host, consisting of their posterity. (The blessing of eternal lives,
is the greatest of all the gifts of God) D&C 14:7 Sometimes referred to as the
"Blessing of eternal increase". But like all chain letters, the chain must not
be broken! Every generation must remain faithful to the cause that they, our
forefathers, espoused, forging an unbroken link from the first to the last
generation. It is our charge not to be the one who breaks the chain.
As I look back at the first recipients of this "Chain Letter", the trust was
pretty well kept. Most remained true to the faith. That is not to say that they
were perfect, because they weren't. But the "hope of the promise" was foremost
in their minds. The next generation too, was fairly faithful in keeping the
chain unbroken. Then came the third generation. Apostasy, to some degree, was
seeping into the ranks. I do not pretend to judge the worthiness in the lives of
others. My own conscience brings to me an awareness of my shortcomings, and a
feeling that I might be the weak link in this divine chain. I would suggest that
each of you sit down with your conscience and do likewise. Evaluate your
faithfulness in keeping the trust that has been the legacy of our forefathers.
As with all chain letters, there are warnings of disastrous consequences to
follow if one were to break the chain. I don't think that fear should be the
driving force behind our obedience. Rather, we should seek for a personal
witness of the rewards that are in store for those who are willing to make the
same sacrifices for their posterity as were made for us by our forefathers. This
is not a free gift, one that can be handed down from one generation to another.
Each age has the same responsibility "To bring up your children in light and
truth" D&C 93:40 Personal study and worthiness are required when teaching things
that are spiritual. To be born of goodly parents is a tremendous advantage, but
with privilege comes responsibility. To know the truth and then not live it is a
"chain breaker". Maybe my old age and my proximity to the day of reckoning has
more vividly brought these thoughts into my conscience. From my youth I have had
forebodings about my responsibility to this trust. I have always been fearful of
my actions lest they betray the trust of my Fathers. I often worry about what
others would think, if it were known who I was, and from whence I came.
Getting back to privilege and responsibility. Privilege is vouch-safe in my
life, and in the life of most of you, but what about responsibility? There is
very little that the preceding generations can now do. Their books are pretty
well closed. They have fulfilled their part in the eternal scheme of things. It
is up to us, the living, where this responsibility rests. How are you doing? Are
you really concerned about your children and grandchildren? Will they look back
with pride to your tenure? Will they quote your admonitions as gospel truths?
Will they attribute their faith to the faith of their parents? Will your example
be such that it will be easy for them to follow in the footsteps of your
forefathers?
Well, I don't know how much stock you have put in my monthly "News Letters", but
this has been one of the ways I have tried to compensate for my failure in
teaching you what you should have been taught in your youth. I know that this is
a poor substitute, but I can't think of any other way to make up for all the
years of my neglect. May you be more wise than I. Now is the time for you to
start work on a "chain letter" of your own. Don't wait until your "Chicks have
flown the coop". One "letter" taught by example, accompanied by an expression of
love, will do more than volumes written by some one who is a few generations
removed. Think seriously about your part in this "Chain Letter". You will meet
the one whose name appears at the top of the list before you know it. If you
fail in doing your part, what are you going to say to those who gave everything
they had that you might be born with privilege?
Love, Dad, Grandad or Something
There is an old song that starts something like this; "Come with me to
Do-Waugh Ditty, It 'ain't no town and it 'aint no city."
Such a place is and was Utida. ( It 'aint no town and it 'aint no city, in fact,
it 'aint even given a state designation.) The state line just happened to run
east and west between two fields. Those on one side belonged to Idaho and those
on the other side claimed Utah as their state. There also, just happened to be a
railroad that passed through this metropolis. Utida, or this intersection, was
about half way between somewhere and nowhere. And as the steam engines could not
carry enough water to make the trip, it was decided that here was where they
would dig a big cistern, build a pump-house and water tower, to be used to
replenish their water supply. It is hard to envision the barrenness of this
place. The closest home was about three miles to the west, with nothing but
sagebrush, about shoulder high, between the water tower and the home of Chris
Hansen.
Such was the first sight of "Zion" through the eyes of a bewildered Danishmen,
his wife and three teen age daughters. They had never even seen sagebrush, let
alone rattlesnakes, crickets and jack rabbits; but such was their introduction
to "Do-Waugh Ditty". Mr. Jensen and his clan had traveled by ship and then by
rail from their native Denmark, to this barren outpost. The steam engine stopped
just long enough to let Mr. Jensen and family disembark, take on water, then
with a puff of smoke and a blast from its whistle it was off and soon out of
sight. Mr. Jensen sat wondering "How in the world did I ever get myself into
such a predicament? This sure isn't "The Glorious Zion, Beautiful Zion, City of
Our God" described in the travel brochures, left by the missionaries.
Mr. Jensen was a fairly well-to-do businessman in his native land. "Of the
things of this world, he lacked not". So, why would anyone in his right mind
pack up and leave all that he had to become a stranger in a foreign land? If his
wife, Anna, and his three daughters ever complained, it is not mentioned
anywhere in family history or folk lore. But, if they didn't have some
reservations and made them known to their husband and father, they were a whole
lot different than most of his descendants. (At least the ones I have known.)
I would guess, that his trouble all began when two Mormon missionaries stopped
at his shop and told him of the restoration of "All things spoken by the mouths
of all the holy prophets, since the world began". He accepted their message
without reservation, and soon he was able to convert his wife and daughters. He,
along with his wife and children, were baptized in the icy waters of the Baltic
sea, seventh day of October 1894; thus becoming the first of friends and family
to join the "Mormon" Church.. Opposition and resentment followed. So, after
about sixteen years of hearing the saints sing, "Come to Zion, Come to Zion and
within her walls rejoice", they decided to emigrate. There was a young
missionary named Kris Hansen who had just finished his mission and was returning
home. He persuaded them to "Come with me to Do-Waugh Ditty, it 'aint no town and
it 'aint no city". Truer words were never spoken. Utida was such a place. They
traveled with him as far as Salt Lake City, where he remained behind to visit
some friends. Then, with the old worn out phrase, "Just a piece of cake, you
can't miss it", he sent them on their way.
Kris's parents lived in the house mentioned earlier. So Mr. Jensen and two of
his daughters set out on foot to meet a couple of strangers. But fellowship in a
common cause soon united them in friendship. Mr Jensen along with Mr. Hansen
hooked up a team of horses to a wagon and returned to retrieve his wife and
remaining daughter. For more of the life and times of Rasmus Jensen, see his
life history, by Anna Jensen his wife.
A postscript on Do-Waugh Ditty:
I lived to see Utida in its "Hay-day". My first recollection, was a city in the
making. There was a railroad station with stock yards, a station master and a
telegraph office. Two railroad maintenance crews were also stationed there. They
were housed in about ten houses, provided by the railroad. There was a post
office, daily mail delivery and some amenities were "dropped off" daily by "The
Yellowstone Flyer. (A daily passenger train) A school (The Silver Star) was
built near by. Church was held on "the upper road" in an old white brick
building. There were a lot of children to play with. The section foremen, Jack
Crossman and Oz Hancock, each had their own baseball teams: Jack's crew, against
Oz's crew. Prize fights were held every Saturday night. Jack Dempsey even
participated in the fisticuffs one night. (He was never defeated while in
Do-Waugh Ditty). A canal was built with a pumping station (Bergeson Pump Ditch)
and gradually all the sagebrush turned into wheat fields.
What ever happened to a city that started out with such great promise? Little by
little the railroad withdrew its maintenance crews and abandoned the water
tower; with them went most of its inhabitants. When they started putting rubber
tires on their buggies and replaced horses with gasoline engines, "the swing
twenties" generation roamed further and further afield to find excitement and
employment. So, with progress, came the demise of DO-Waugh Ditty, It 'aint (no
more) a town and it 'aint (no more) a city.
Again ----- Love, Dad, Granddad, or Something;
Back to index
Mid pomp and ceremony they will bury our princess here tomorrow. To many of us,
we have had dreams of marrying a princess or a prince, because that is what
fairy tales are made of. We associate beauty and all heavenly virtues with the
word princess, or prince charming. In real life some princes and princesses are
not all that the title implies. Thanks to Diana she was all that and more. She
was beautiful within. A wise person once said that God gave "HER" beauty, but
she made herself beautiful within. If it were not for this terrible tragedy, and
the real story of her life revealed, we would have gone on with visions of a
beautiful woman, born of nobility, married to a future king, living a life style
befitting a "queen to be". I will always remember scenes where she laughed and
played with her children revealing her inner beauty. I will also remember her
genuine concern for others, regardless of their station in life. She was a
"commoner", as the British would say. Not really though, she was no "commoner".
Common things are done by common people. She being a step above the rest of us,
did the little uncommon things that we all could relate to. She was not content
to spend her life in a crystal palace, surrounded by tradition and the robes of
nobility; "One to be seen but not touched", she broke protocol and became one of
us. As I thought of her beauty within, I was reminded of a cute little story by
Pamela J.deRoy, entitled "Beautiful on the Inside" Let me share its introduction
with you.
"Lisa, my two-year-old daughter and I were walking down the street toward home,
one sunny morning, when two elderly women stopped in front of us. Smiling down
at Lisa, one of them said, "Do you know, you are a very beautiful little girl?"
Sighing, and putting her hand on her hip, Lisa replied in a bored voice, "Yes, I
know!" A bit embarrassed by my daughter's seeming conceit, I apologized to the
two ladies and we continued our walk home. All the way there, I was trying to
determine how I was going to handle this situation.
After we went into the house, I sat down and stood Lisa in front of me. I gently
said, "Lisa, when those two ladies spoke to you, they were talking about how
beautiful you are on the outside. It's true you are pretty on the outside.
That's how God made you. But a person needs to beautiful on the inside too."
As I thought of Diana my thoughts turned to some of my grandchildren. We as a
family have been blessed with more than our share of comely children, beautiful
on the outside. I would hope that this beauty is more than skin deep. What about
those who never hear the words "Do you know that you are a very beautiful little
girl?" It is common for all of us to admire beauty, especially in little girls
and we generally let our observations be known. Life is full of stories of the
those who have felt the pangs of being an "Ugly Duckling". Sometime when you
feel like you or some of your daughters might be going through this feeling of
inferiority, go and get a book of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales and read
the story of the Ugly Duckling. Maybe you will not turn into the beautiful swan,
as portrayed in a fairy tale, but I have seen many who were not comely to the
eye, but were magnificently beautiful on the inside. True, to some, God gave
more beauty than others; but the beauty you give yourself is the gift you give
to mankind. To be truly beautiful is manifest in what you do and say and in the
way you "do and say". An expression without empathy and true concern has no
reward. Deeds done to be seen of men are cruel gestures of insincerity. If you
are beautiful within, your beauty is projected outward to be "felt", revealing a
truer concept of beauty than that discerned by the eye.
Now, this is not an indictment on beauty per se'. To be beautiful on the outside
does not imply that beauty is always "skin deep". Some of the most beautiful
people I know are genuine "through and through" . Beauty is seen through the
eyes of the beholder; thus, "I have the most beautiful wife, the most beautiful
mother or sister". When all is said and done, it is the way you have been
treated by those who love you that makes them beautiful. The outward appearance
has little to do with it.
Earlier in the letter I said something about sincerity in our concerns and in
our expression of affection. Case in point: As some of you know, I am not a
great "hugger". Maybe, it had something to do with my up-bringing. In my youth
"hugging" was never a part of our expression of love.. (Oh, I suppose that there
was a little "hugging" going on when your grandmother and I were courting), but
that was an exception rather than the rule. It's not that I don't like to "hug"
or be "hugged", it's just that I find it hard to hug someone, just for the sake
of protocol. Whenever the grand-kids and great-grand kids come to see me there
is always that "Go give Grandpa a hug before we go". This is fine and proper, I
guess, but some of my grandchildren come, without being reminded, and give me an
expression of love that shines through the beauty of their countenances. Again,
love that is "felt" is the kind of love that I enjoy!
While we are on the subject of "hugging", when is it proper to give grownup
friends and relatives a "hug"? You know, when adults hug each other, there's a
bit of self-consciousness about it. Part of you is committed to the hug and part
of you may be thinking like "I wonder if this person understands what I really
mean by this hug" or, "I wonder what this person means by his or her hug" or "I
wonder if anyone else is watching this hug and I wonder what they think."
So, in the unsolicited hug from a little child, the beauty from within shines
through. We can't all be as beautiful as Diana, but if your beauty comes from
within, you don't have to be that beautiful, to be loved by all who know you.
(Especially me).
Love, Your "Huggles" old Grandpa
When I first composed this letter, I used the first few lines of a little story
by Pamela J. deRoy to acknowledge the source of the thought, that one needed to
be beautiful on the inside as well as beautiful on the outside. After several of
you had read the "news letter" there was always the response, that they were
waiting to hear the "Rest of the Story", Well, so much for my eulogy and the
intent of my sermon on sincerity in our relationships. It seems like that most
of you are more interested in how Lisa responded to the counsel of her mother
than my thoughts about Princess Diana. The story is quite lengthy in terms of my
"pick and peck" typing method. I hope that you will appreciate the effort that I
will have to go through to satisfy your desires to know "The rest of the story".
After Pamla had told Lisa that a person needed to be beautiful on the inside as
well as on the outside, Lisa looked at her uncomprehendingly, so she continued.
"Do you want to know how a person is beautiful on the inside? "She nodded
solemnly. "Okay, Being beautiful on the inside is a choice you make, honey, to
be good to your parents, a good sister to your brother and a good friend to the
children you play with, You have to care about other people, honey, You have to
share your toys with your playmates. You need to be caring and loving when
someone is in trouble or gets hurt and needs a friend. When you do all of these
things you are beautiful on the inside, Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"Yes mommy, I'm sorry I didn't know that," she replied. Hugging her I told her,
that I loved her and I didn't want her to forget what I had said. The subject
never came up again.
Nearly two years later we moved from the city to the country and enrolled Lisa
in a preschool program. In her class was a little girl named Jeanna, whose
mother had died. The child's father had recently married a woman who was
energetic, warm and spontaneous. It was readily apparent that she and Jeanna had
a wonderful, loving relationship.
One day Lisa asked if Jeanna could come over to play for an afternoon, so I made
arrangements with her stepmother to take Jeanna home with us the next day, after
the morning session.
As we were leaving the parking lot, the following day, Jeanna said "Can we go see
my mommy?"
I knew that her stepmother was working , so, I said cheerfully, "Sure, do you
know how to get there?" Jeanna said she did and, following her directions, I
soon found myself driving up a gravel road into a cemetery.
My first response was one of alarm as I thought of the possible negative
reaction of Jeanna's parents when they learned what had happened. However, it
was obvious that visiting her mother's grave was very important to her,
something she needed to do; and she was trusting me to take her there. Refusing
would send a message that it was wrong for her to want to go there.
Outwardly calm, as though I'd known this was where we were going all along, I
asked, "Jeanna do you know where your mother's grave is?"
"I know about where it is," she responded. I parked on the road in the area she
indicated and we looked around until I found a grave with her mother's name on a
small marker.
The two little girls sat down on one side of the gravel and I sat on the other
and Jeanna started talking about how things had been at home in the months
leading up to her mother's death, as well as what had happened on the day that
she died. She spoke for some time and all the while Lisa, with tears streaming
down her face, had her arms around Jeanna and, patting her gently, said over and
over "Oh Jeanna , I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry your mother died." Finally, Jeanna
looked at me and said, "You know, I still love my mommy and I love my new mommy,
too."
Deep in my heart I knew that this was the reason that she'd asked me to come
here. Smiling down at her, I said reassuringly, "You know, Jeanna, that is the
wonderful thing about love. You never have to take it away form one person to
give it to another. There is always more than enough to go around. It's kind of
like a giant rubber band that stretches around all the people you care about," I
continued, "It's perfectly fine and right for you to love both of your mothers.
I'm sure that your own mother is very glad that you have a new mommy to love you
and take care of you and your sisters."
Smiling back at me, she appeared satisfied with my response. We sat quietly for
a few moments and then we all stood up, brushed ourselves off and went home. The
girls played happily after lunch until Jeanna's stepmother came to pick her up.
Briefly, without going into a lot of detail, I told her what had occurred that
afternoon and why I'd handled things as I had. To my profound relief, she was
very understanding and appreciative.
After they left I picked Lisa up in my arms, sat down on a kitchen chair, kissed
her cheek and hugged her tightly and said, "Lisa, I'm so proud of you. You were
such a wonderful friend to Jeanna this afternoon. I know it meant a lot to her
that you were so understanding and that you cared so much and felt her sadness,"
A pair of lovely, dark brown eyes looked seriously into mine as my daughter
added, "Mommy, was I beautiful on the inside?".
"LOVE IS A BEAUTIFUL THING. YOU NEVER HAVE TO TAKE IT AWAY FROM ONE PERSON TO
GIVE IT TO ANOTHER THERE'S ALWAYS MORE THAN ENOUGH TO GO AROUND."
Pamela J. deRoy
Last month I sent you a letter that dealt with a whole lot of different musings.
I talked about Princess Diana, a little about being pretty on the inside, and
intimacy in "hugging"
Well, I have been rethinking some of the thoughts I expressed in that letter.
One that I dwelt upon was the "hugs" of little children, whether they were
spontaneous or chorused. I placed the blame on tradition, assuming that
sincerity had nothing to do with it. Well, I have backed off, and come to the
conclusion that the reason more "hugs" are not "felt", as coming from the heart,
is not the fault of others, but my insincerity and lack of love. Francine always
says I am "cold" when expressing my love and that if my grandchildren could
"feel" my love for them they would respond differently. I watched Kathy with her
little family, how the children come and "hug" her and she in turn would "hug"
and kiss them. It was spontaneous. There was no deliberation trying to determine
if the "hugs" were for real or just a matter of tradition. I have come to the
conclusion that love attracts love. You can't fake it. "If you ain't got it, you
won't get it". Children, and their love for parents and grandparents, comes from
a "feeling" of love, flowing from the recipient, it is not a matter of
deduction. As I said, "hugs" should be spontaneous, or they are just a part of
tradition.
Sometime, I am going to delve more deeply into the reasons why some have a more
intimate way of expressing love than others. Right now I don't know why, or I
know and don't want to admit it. This "News Letter" will be something to look
forward to!
Getting back to this thought of being beautiful on the inside, I was reading a
cute little story about a mother who was blind and had never seen her children.
In the course of their upbringing, her children questioned that she could love
them without seeing them. In response to the thought that she could not see her
children, she told them that she knew what they looked like. In your mind's eye,
try to describe what someone you know is like, without the benefit of sight.
Would you describe her comely features, such as beautiful complexion, long hair,
beautiful shape, and captivating smile? Or would you see beauty in her warmth of
soul, kindness and concern for others? This little story will help you see
beauty without the benefit of sight. Love, Dad, Grandad, or Something
It's wonderful what a hug can do.
A hug can cheer you when you're blue.
A hug can say, "I love you so."
Or, Gee, I hate to see you go,"
A hug is, "Welcome back again,"
And, "Great to see you! Where've you been?"
A hug can sooth a small child's pain
And bring a rainbow after rain.
The hug! There's just no doubt about it
We scarcely could survive without it!
A hug delights and warms and charms.
It must be why the Lord gave us arms.
Hugs are great for fathers and mothers,
Sweet for sisters, swell for brothers,
And chances are your favorite aunts.
Love them more than potted plants
Kittens crave them, Puppies love them.
Heads of state are not above them.
A hug can break the language barrier
And make your travels so much merrier,
No need to fret about your store of 'em:
The more you give the more there's more of 'em
So stretch those arms without delay
and GIVE SOMEONE A HUG TODAY
A poem sent to me by my cousin Thelva Bell
BEAUTIFUL ON THE INSIDE
A Mother who was blind before her children were born was asked by one of her
children. You really don't know what any of us look like, do you, Mom?" "Of
course I do," she answered.
"I knew what you looked like the day they laid your tiny little body in my arms
for the first time. I felt every inch of you and felt the soft fuzz on your
head. I knew that you were blonde because your daddy told me so. I knew that you
eyes were blue because they told me so. I know that you are very pretty because
people tell me you are. But I really know what you are like "on the inside". I
know that you're lithe and strong because you love being on the tennis court. I
know that you have a good nature because I hear you talk to the cat and to small
children. I know you are tender-hearted. I know that you are vulnerable because
I've seen your hurt reactions to someone's remarks. I know that you have
character because you have courage to stand up and defend your convictions. I
know that you have respect for human beings because of the way you treat me. I
know that you have wisdom because you conduct yourself wisely for a girl your
age. I also know that you have a will of your own because I've seen a hint of
temper, which tells me that no one can persuade you from doing the right things.
I know that you have family devotion because I have heard you defending your
brothers and sister. I know that you have a great capacity for love because
you've shown it to me and your father many times. You have never indicated in
any way that you were short changed because you have a blind mother. "So, dear"
and she drew me close to her, "I see you and I know exactly what you look like,
and to me you are beautiful".
Karrey J. Lindenberg
I have come to one conclusion, that I am not alone in the expression of love by
means other than physical contact. I was reading in the biography of President
Hinckley and he is quoted as saying: "We didn't openly speak about love for one
another very much in those days. We didn't have to. We felt that security, that
peace, that quiet strength which comes to families who pray together, work
together, and help one another." I think there was a time when men were
restrained by custom. A lot like shedding tears, you were supposed to be strong,
able to control your feelings. We somehow thought that it was all right for
women and children, but men were to be masters of their emotions. In my youth
this was one way to show how tough you were. "Laughing on the outside, but
crying on the inside". Like I said, I don't have a very good handle on this one.
Hopefully, with the passing of time, customs will change. May your generation be
one that is free to express the feelings that flow from "The tender heart of a
loving parent"
To Family and Those Most Dear
It has been many years since the day I stood at the railing of a trans-Atlantic
steamer admiring the giant walls of white chalk that extend straight up from the
ocean surface to a height of several hundred feet and then continue to run for
miles. Their beauty and size are beyond description.
The other day I was reading about a man named G.K. Chesterton who in a essay
entitled "A Piece of Chalk" tells of going out into the countryside in the south
of England to draw with his colored chalk, only to find that he had failed to
bring the white chalk. Being too far from a store to remedy the situation he
felt like his expedition was ruined, until he suddenly realized that the rock
upon which he sat was white chalk.
The thought came to me how we search in faraway places and seek counsel from
so-called "learned experts" to solve our problems, failing to realize that we
are sitting upon a "Mountain of White Chalk"
Some years ago I had a friend who wanted me to help him financially to find a
way to extract magnesium from the waters of the Great Salt Lake. (I didn't; he
did; he is a millionaire and I'm a pauper, but that is another story) Suffice it
to say he was sitting upon "white cliffs" of salt and found the secret of
removing the magnesium from salty brine. (The salt was already there, but he had
to find the formula to extract it).
We are sitting upon the answers to our problems; in other words, we need to
realize that the rock upon which we are sitting is the word of God, and, like my
friend, we need to find the right formula to find a solution to our problem.
Something that I have found, in my search for answers, is that I find it hard to
"go all the way". Prayer, scripture study, fasting, keeping the Sabbath day
holy, word of wisdom, temple attendance, sacrament meetings, love of fellow men,
and much more, make up our White cliffs of Dover. As I said, I find it hard to
"go all the way". I pray, but I could pray more often and with more sincerity. I
read the scriptures "sometimes", again, not as regularly as I should. I don't
always fast with a purpose. I go to church and then hurry home to see how the
ball games turn out. I still drink a Pepsi now and then, thinking if it says
decaffeinated it meets the letter of the law. I go to the temple when I am
assigned, thus meeting the minimum that is required. Well, I hope you are
beginning to see the "White Cliffs of Dover" upon which we are sitting. In order
to extract the "magnesium" we need to go all the way. The reason many fail to
find answers to their quandary is NOT that a solution isn't there, it is because
they fail to put forth the effort to extract the solution.
Alma suggests that we "experiment upon his word". May I suggest that you do the
same with my words. Put a little more intensity into your endeavors. Pick out
just one quest and then "go all the way". For example PRAYER; Pray regularly,
with more faith, seek to discern the will of the Lord when answers come to your
prayers. Pray with your family, have a prayer in your heart continually, pray
over your "flocks and your fields"(Alma34:25) Train your ears to hear and your
eyes to see answers when they come. Don't expect great flashes of lightning or
loud claps of thunder, but listen to the still small voice. It is my witness
that when I have "gone all the way" I have received the blessings I have sought.
The thing that baffles me is why, when I know these things, that I fail to do
what is required? Don't I want the blessings? Don't I need the blessings? You
might ask yourself the same questions. I would guess that we are looking for
some "quick fix" hoping that there is some other way, that requires less effort.
Lack of faith might be one answer. Necessity might be another. In times of
adversity we seek divine help, but when things are going along fine we feel
self-sufficient.
"Call upon the Lord while He is near." (See D&C 88:62) Don't be like the fellow
who prayed saying "Lord, I haven't bothered you for a long time, but I really
need your help today." You know, the only difference between me and President
Kimball is dedication. We both sit upon the same mountain of "chalk". When the
Lord tells him to jump, he jumps. When the Lord tells me to jump I say "how
high", not wanting to jump any higher than the minimum required. Nephi said "I
will GO and DO, the things which the Lord hath commanded".(1 Nephi 3:7) I want
to know HOW SOON it needs to be done, maybe I can wait until the ball game is
over. Are you getting the drift? There is a lack of commitment (total
commitment). May I let you in on a secret? Once you have committed yourself to
do something it is no longer a burden. It's only when you have to fight the
battle of self justification that it becomes unbearable. Once something becomes
a way of life, the burden is light.
"Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye
shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light". St.
Matthew 11: 28-30.
Love, Dad, Granddad, or Something.
These were a couple of good friends of mine, we grew up together. It was Allen
who always seemed to get things "dunn" and it was John who was less decisive,
thinking, "mabey", if given a little time, things would work out on their own.
It seemed like Allen always had time for some new adventure. He was always
"dunn" with the project, while John was always hoping that "mabey" time would
solve his problems. Allen was always on top of his game. His home-work "dunn",
and the evening chores were finished early. It just seemed like Allen had things
"dunn" and plenty of time to play. John had a hard time in school. It wasn't
that he couldn't do the work, it was just because he thought that "mabey" he
could get the assignments later on, and have the time to play today. When Sunday
morning rolled around Allen was up early, doing the little things that needed to
be "dunn", before church. John was one of those sound sleepers, it was always a
struggle for him to get out of bed in the morning. "Mabey" he would wait until
next week. Next, came a time of decision. What about seminary? If one were to
take seminary he would have to forgo some other class, thus making it harder to
obtain the required credits to graduate, but Allen thought it could be "dunn".
"Mabey" so, and "mabey" not, was the dilemma John faced, so "mabey" he could
"get seminary" on his own, he would study the scriptures at home. Then it came
time for a mission. Allen could hardly wait for the challenge. He had been
looking forward to this day for a long time. He had "dunn" odd jobs and saved
for his mission. John had thought, that he too would go on a mission, but not
right now, "mabey" a little later on, He really wasn't that excited about it any
way, and when that time comes, "mabey" Dad will be better off and could send him
on a mission. You guessed it! Allen "dunn" went on a mission. John had decided
to wait, besides, he was sure that his sweetheart wouldn't wait until his
return. So what, "mabey" he and his wife would go on a mission some day. After
Allen went on a mission and after he had "dunn" the work the Lord had sent him
forth to do, he returned home. It was no time at all, until some girl, who would
have nothing less than a returned missionary, set her sights upon him and he was
a "dead duck" So the deal was "dunn" and they were sealed man and wife for all
eternity. John too, found a wonderful wife, but somewhere along the line he had
acquired a few bad habits, necessitating a slight delay in their wedding plans.
Well, reasoned John, "mabey" we could be married civilly and later we could be
married in the temple". And so they were.
With marriage came responsibilities, children started to arrive. Both were
ambitious and fairly successful in their chosen occupation, and with some degree
of affluence, it was time to invest in the future. John saw a chance to make a
million. "Mabey" with a little luck and a few sacrifices of time with family he
would be a wealthy man. Believe it or not, "Lady Luck" smiled upon John, and
financial security became his lot. But, in the mean time his children had grown
up. John had been so busy that he had left it up to the children to make
decisions for them selves. Hadn't things worked out well for him? "Mabey" all
will be well with his children too.
Allen and his good wife had more of a struggle financially. They were required
to make sacrifices to protect their investment. You see they had determined
early in their marriage that they were going to do, whatever had to be "dunn",
to stay close to the church, both them and their children. Their invested was in
TIME. TIME to teach their children the principles of the gospel, by precept and
example. They prayed together, went to church together, played together,
everything was "dunn" together. There were certain goals that Allen and his good
wife were dedicated to obtaining. First, and foremost, each child would get the
personal attention of someone who loved them and was willing to sacrifice, what
ever time it took, to see that every advantage in life, scholastically and
spiritually would be theirs. They realized early that church activity would
greatly aid them in reaching their goal. The boys grew up in the priesthood,
honorably filled missions and following the example of their parents found girls
who would marry no one but returned missionaries. All were married in the
temple. The girls prepared for motherhood by learning the skills of good
homemaking, how to cook, clean house, to manage and budget time, and in all
things be worthy of temple marriage to some fine young man. You see, everything
that needed to be "dunn" was "dunn".
Back to John, life was kind to him and his good wife, in many respects. Their
investments had provided them with everything that their hearts desired. There
was just one regret, their children had drifted away from the church. The
customs of the world were their legacy. They enjoyed doing the things they had
seen their parents do. Church attendance and strict adherence to church
standards were compromised. There were no mission calls, marriage outside of the
temple was their lot. There came divorces and split families, with all its heart
aches. Grand children on drugs, teen age pregnancies and the whole gauntlet of
sorrow producing activities, befell their posterity. Finally, they realized
there is more than one kind of investment. "He that would sow to the wind, will
reap the whirlwind". While "He that would heed the counsel of the Lord shall
find joy and rejoicing in his posterity".
Well, life is about "dunn" and with old age comes time to reflect, a time to
regret, or a time to rejoice. "Mabey" some will be lucky and their families turn
out well, but the odds are against it. One last bit of council. Don't see as
failure of the system, when one who has followed all the rules, has one of his
children go astray.
Love, Dad, Granddad or Something
The little toy dog is covered with dust.
But sturdy and stanch he stands;
And the little toy soldier is red with rust,
And his musket molds in his hands,
Time was when the little toy dog was new
And the soldier was passing fair;
And that was the time when our Little Boy Blue
Kissed them and put them there.
"Now don't you go till I come" he said,
"And don't you make any noise!"
So, toddling off to his trundle-bed,
He dreamed of his pretty toys;
And as he was dreaming, an angel song;
Awakened our Little Boy Blue--
Oh! the years are many, and the years are long,
But the little toy friends are true!
Aye, faithful to Little Boy Blue the stand,
Each in the same old place--
Awaiting the touch of a little hand,
And the smile of a little face;
And they wonder, as waiting these long years through
In the dust of that little chair,
What has become of our Little Boy Blue,
Since he kissed them and put them there.
Eugene Field
Among my books and souvenirs, I spend my
time with you,
And in the silent solitude I see my dreams come true.
I want each moment of my life and everything I do
To be the happy memories that I may share with you.
I know you are not really there and yet
you seem to be,
Because the very thought of you is comforting to me.
Each golden hour of the day, each silver star at night
And every breath that leaves my lips by dawn or candle light.
I hold you in my arms again and look
into your eyes
And all the words you whisper are the ones I memorize.
I want to walk with you beyond the clouds that gather rain,
Unto the land where dreams come true and nothing is in vain.
Your name appears on every page when I
attempt to read;
You are every picture of my courage and my creed.
Where spring is filled with flowers and the autumn is a song
And beauty paints a master piece of faith and courage strong.
You are the music of my mind, my
happiness of heart;
And we are still together, though we seem to be apart.
I want to share your summer and your winter white with snow,
I want to hold you close to me and never let you go.
In the appendix to this volume you
will you will find the words of this poem set to music by my brother Larry. The
words are an adaptation from a couple of old songs, so old, I can't remember
their titles nor the name of the authors. Also, a little bit of Larry's
personality is found through-out.
JMP
Under a spreading
chestnut tree
The village smithy stands;
The smith, a mighty man is he,
With large and sinewy hands;
And the muscles of his brawny arms
Are strong as iron bands
His hair is crisp,
and black, and long,
His face is like the tan;
His brow is wet with honest sweat
He earns what'er
he can,
And he looks the whole world in the face,
For he owes not any man.
Week in, week out,
from morn till night,
You can hear his bellows blow;
You can hear him swinging his heavy sledge,
With measured beat and slow,
Like a sexton ringing the village bell,
When evening sun is low.
And children
coming home from school
Look in at the open door;
They love to see the flaming forge,
And hear the bellows roar,
And catch the burning sparks that fly
Like chaff from a threshing floor.
He goes on the
Sunday to the church.
And sits among his boys;
He hears the parson pray and preach,
He hears his daughter's voice,
Singing in the village choir.
And it makes his heart rejoice.
It sounds to him
like her mother's voice,
Singing in Paradise!
He needs must think of her once more,
How in the grave she lies;
And with his hard, rough hand he wipes
A tear out of his eyes.
Toiling ---
rejoicing --- sorrowing
Onward through life he goes;
Each morning sees some task begin,
Each evening sees it close;
Something attempted, something done
Has earned a night's repose.
Thanks, thanks to
thee, my worthy friend,
For the lesson thou hast taught!
Thus at the flaming forge of life
Our fortunes must be wrought;
Thus on its sounding anvil shaped
Each burning deed and thought!
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
To Family and Those Most Dear:
1st Timothy 4; 12
This "Dad Blame Mexican" (Excuse my French, this salutation is used in jest,
meaning no disrespect) that we have living with us, has upset my sense of
complacency. I had things pretty well worked out. I had it figured that if I
went to the church "block program" I could hurry home and watch the ball game.
Then he comes up with Sabbath Day observance. "Would you go to the ball game if
it were here in town?" " Oh, no! that would be breaking the Sabbath" was my
reply. "What is the difference if you are sitting here in your own living room
(where no one could see you) watching the ball game, than over to the ball
park?"
Just for the information of some of you who don't know anything about that "Dad
Blame" Mexican, that is causing me to fight with my conscience. His name is
Osiel Rodriguez. He is a young man, in his early twenties, bilingual and having
graduated from The University of Mexico with two degrees. We barely knew him
when we were in Mexico, but he kept in touch with one of my granddaughters. He
went up to Minnesota with a friend to find work, which failed to materialize. He
had our phone number so he called, and Francine invited him to come out to
Idaho. She was sure we could help him find work. So, here he is. That was
alright, but then a couple of Spanish-speaking missionaries taught him the
gospel and he was baptized. The missionaries failed to tell him that some of us
didn't interpret every scripture and church doctrine literally. We live by the
"letter of the law" -"?". We are commanded "To go to the house of prayer upon
the Lord's day and offer thine oblations and thy sacraments unto the Most
High."--- There is really more to that quote, but if I stop there my conscience
tells me "You have been a good boy, you never let the ball game interfere with
your church attendance".--- Well, the jury is out on this one. (See verdict at
the close of this letter).
I hope you don't get the idea that we aren't happy to have Osiel in our home. To
the contrary, he is something special. The spirit tells me that the Lord has a
great work for him to do, and that He has entrusted Osiel into our care for a
season; that we might, through precept and example, help him gain the strength
necessary to withstand the fiery darts of the adversary when Satan tries to
interrupt his destiny. (Yes, perchance, he may have been sent to call me to
repentance.)
Throughout my life I have been fearful, lest my actions become a stumbling block
to someone. This "dread" is more real than you might ever imagine. I remember
when I was a young missionary over in Denmark. Some of us Elders had gone
downtown one snowy evening and, being of a playful nature, started throwing
snowballs at one another. One missed the mark, hitting a passerby who was quite
upset. We tried to apologize but to no avail. The thing that hurt the most was
when he informed us he knew we were " Mormon Elders". Although that has been
over sixty years ago, I can still feel those pangs of guilt and remorse,
thinking that I might have been a "Stumbling Block", when the gospel might be
presented to them sometime in the future.
Every now and then we hear stories of new converts who are disillusioned by the
actions of so-called "good members" of the church. Converts who are still in
that tender stage of conversion, and can't distinguish between "the tree and
it's fruit". (See St Matthew 7:20) "Who you are rings so loudly in my ears, I
can't hear what you are saying". (Author unknown) If this were not enough to
frighten me, or you, let me quote the words of the Master, found in the book of
St Matthew 18: 6 (See also D&C 121:22) "But whoso shall offend one of these
little ones which believe in me, it were better for "them" that a mill-stone
were hanged about "their" necks", and that "they" were drowned in the depth of
the sea."
Let me finish with a poem by Egder A. Guest.
The eye is a better student and more willing than the ear.
Fine counsel is confusing, but example's always clear,
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see the good in action is what everybody needs.
I can soon learn to do it, if you will let me see it done.
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run;
And the lectures you deliver may be wise and true,
But I would rather get my lesson by observing what you do.
For I may not understand you and the high advice you give;
But there is no misunderstanding how you act and live.
Egder
A. Guest
How biting and incriminating such statements can be. Surely, the Lord and others
like Mr. Guest, can and should, arouse a sense of responsibility, and I might
say, an obligation for each of us "To give reason for the hope that lies within
us". (1st Peter 3:15) Not just by "lip" service, but in deeds and action.
Now, let me finish the quote I reluctantly omitted earlier.
"And on this day thou shalt do none other thing, only let thy food be prepared
with singleness of heart that thy fasting may be perfect, or, in other words,
that thy joy may be full" (D&C 59:12-13)
As I mentioned earlier the Jury has returned. Like the verdict or not, that is
the way it is.
It was in the fall of the year, the baseball season was over, all but for the
"Little World Series" in Franklin, Idaho. The proposition for the venerable "Old
Moss-backs", as they were referred to by the young "irreverent" youth of that
day, was what were they going to do come Sunday. Hold church with no one there,
or postpone church until after the ball game. The latter prevailed. It was a way
whereby the "Old Sages" of that time could choose between the two evils, and go
to the ball game themselves, which secretly, they wanted to do anyway. So, in
the sense of "If you can't beat them, join them", SUNDAY MORNING services were
convened after the going down of the sun. Doesn't the scripture say something
about "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath"? (Mark 2:27) I
would guess, that the translation of this scripture Is -- "That no prophecy of
the scripture is of any private interpretation." (See 2 Peter 1:20)
The reason for this short excerpt, from my life history, is to give you some
background, as to why I find it hard "not" to watch "The Braves" when I get home
from church. I might lie down and take a nap, like most people do, but I don't
think that is what the Lord meant when He said "That the Sabbath should be a day
of rest". So, what must a man do? Let your conscience be your guide. Again, I
wouldn't want to be a "stumbling block" to any of you. May your faith be
stronger than mine. Each of us must establish a code of righteousness to live
by. Codes may vary with individuals, Consider the "Beam that is in thine own
eye, before thou seekest to remove the mote from thy brother's eye"
(Paraphrasing St Matthew 7:3) Be tolerant of the shortcomings of others, not
that one must emulate their actions, but as in the Epistle of St Paul to the
Corinthians (10:29) "Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of another: for why
is my liberty judged of another man's conscience". Whoa! Stop and chew on that
last quotation for a minuet, before you swallow it
Love, Dad, Grandad or Something
P.S.--- Parting Shot:.
Live so that those who know you, but don't know Him, will want to know Him,
because they know you.
We hear a lot lately about "extra terrestrials", aliens from Mars or somewhere
else in outer space. I don't know if it is by coincidence or if it is something
we brought with us when we left our heavenly home, but for some reason most
people have the opinion that there is life out there, somewhere. Most think that
there is a Supreme Being that they should worship. I think that deep down inside
there is a hope that some kind of supernatural experience awaits them. Some
question the existence of God because they have not seen Him. Likewise, there is
no devil because they have not seen him either. When one tries to explain some
phenomenon that defies the logical, they lump them all into some kind of
mysterious, natural, unexplainable happening and then proceed to search for
logical answers..
There is an answer to many of the things we don't understand. The answer is
obtained by faith. Often in trying to explain things outside the realm of our
understanding, we fail to acknowledge a superior intelligence. We, as human
beings, are slow to recognize powers beyond, or greater than our own. But rest
assured "Because ye see not", does not mean that they do not exist. "Ye receive
no witness until after a trial of your faith" If one exercises the faith to
believe in the omnipotence of God, he soon realizes that he is nothing compared
to Him. Try as you will, it is impossible to explain the creation of this earth
and all that in it is, or the universe, its magnitude and order. You see, in
order to explain these things one has to go beyond the accumulated knowledge of
mankind, and believe in "Things not seen, but are true."(or do exist) See
Heb.11:1
What I would like to deal with in this letter is the existence of Satan. It is a
phenomenon, something that is so commonly mentioned in scripture is brushed
aside by many, as a thing of not; or just a figure of speech. I would guess that
the reason is because we are unaware of the subtle nature of his influence in
our lives. About the best exhortation on the subject is in the writings of
Moroni found in the Book of Mormon. Let me quote a few verses starting with
chapter 7 verses 12&16-17.
"Wherefore, all things that are good cometh of God; and that which is evil
cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against
him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil
continually"....verse 16: " For behold, the spirit of Christ is given to every
man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you a way to judge;
for every thing that inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ,
is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a
perfect knowledge it is of God". 17: "But whatsoever thing that persuadeth men
to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye
may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth
the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his
angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him." In order for man to
progress he must have the right to choose. It is in this way that one proves
what course he will follow. This was part of God's plan in the beginning. "We
will prove them herewith to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord
their God shall command them." (Abraham 3:25) The devil was with God in the
beginning, but because he sought to be like Him, was cast down to be the
opposing force here upon the earth. He is just as real as is God and His Son
Jesus Christ. To deny his existence plays right into his hands. If one were to
deny his existence, one would not be prepared to recognize his subtle tactics.
One would try to explain away evil thoughts and actions as a part of life, not
realizing you are doing just what the devil and his legions are hoping for.
The devil has the power to physically attack man. One such, among many, is the
account given by the Prophet Joseph Smith, preceding the visitation of God the
Father and His Son Jesus Christ. Let me quote: "After I had retired to the place
where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding
myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to
God. I had hardly done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power
which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to
bind my tongue, so I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it
seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction. But, exerting
all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy,
which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into
despair and abandon myself to destruction-- not to an imaginary ruin, but to the
power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power
as I had never before felt in any being.--Just at this moment of great alarm, I
saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun,
which gradually fell upon me. It no sooner appeared than I found myself
delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I
saw two personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing
above me in the air. One of them spake to me, calling me by name and said,
pointing to the other--This is My Beloved Son, Hear Him."
Yes, Satan is literally an "Extra-terrestrial" a spirit being, with
marvelous power. don't underestimate his resolve to destroy you, if he
can.
Love, Dad, Grandad, or Great Grandad
I have been thinking about some of my grandchildren and wondering if they are
going to amount to anything. Some of them have "failure" written all over them.
The other day I came across a list of "so called failures" Let me leave this
list with you to ponder upon. May some of my grandchildren's names be added to
this list.
After Fred Astaire's first screen test, the memo from the testing director of
MGM, dated 1933, said, "Can't act! Slightly bald! Can dance a little!" Astaire
kept that memo over the fireplace in his Beverly Hills home.
An expert said of Vince Lombardi: "He possesses minimal football knowledge.
Lacks motivation"
Socrates was called, "An immoral corrupter of youth"
When Peter J. Daniel was in the fourth grade, his teacher, Mrs. Phillips,
constantly said, "Peter J. Daniel, you're no good, you're a bad apple and you're
never going to amount to anything." Peter was totally illiterate until he was
26. A friend stayed up all night and read him a copy of "Think and Grow Rich".
He now owns the street corners he used to fight on and just published his latest
book: "Mrs Phillips, You Were Wrong!"
Louisa May Alcott, the author of "Little Women", was encouraged to find work as
a servant or seamstress by her family.
Beethoven handled the violin awkwardly and preferred to play his own
compositions instead of improving his technique. His teacher called him hopeless
as a composer.
The parents of the famous opera singer Enrico Caruso wanted him to become an
engineer. His teacher said he had no voice at all and could not sing.
Charles Darwin, the father of the Theory of Evolution, gave up a medical career
and was told by his father, "You care nothing but shooting, dog and rat
catching." In his autobiography, Darwin wrote, "I was considered by all my
masters and my father a very ordinary boy, rather below the common standard in
intellect."
Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor for lack of ideas. Walt Disney also
went bankrupt several times before he built Disneyland.
Thomas Edison's teachers said he was too stupid to learn anything.
Albert Einstein did not speak until he was four years old and didn't read until
he was seven. His teacher described him as "mentally slow, unsociable and adrift
forever in his foolish dreams." He was expelled and refused admittance to the
Zurich Polytechnic School.
Louis Pasteur was only a mediocre pupil in undergraduate studies and ranked 15th
out of 22 in chemistry.
Isaac Newton did very poorly in grade school.
The sculptor Rodin's father said, "I have an idiot for a son." Described as the
worst student in the school, Rodin failed three times to secure admittance to
the school of art. His uncle called him uneducable.
Leo Tolstoy, the author of "War and Peace, flunked out of college. He was
described as "both unable and unwilling to learn."
F.W. Woolworth's employers at the dry goods store said he had not enough sense
to wait upon customers.
Henry Ford failed and went broke five times before he finally succeeded.
Babe Ruth struck out 1330 times, but he also hit 714 home runs.
Winston Churchill failed sixth grade. He did not become prime minister of
England until he was 62, and then only after a lifetime of defeats and setbacks.
His greatest contributions came when he was a "senior citizen".
Richard Hooker worked for seven years on his humorous novel M*A*S*H, only to
have it rejected by 21 publishers before Morrow decided to publish it. It became
a runaway best seller, spawning a blockbusting movie and a highly successful
television series.
Taken from an article by Jack Canfield
Love, Dad, Granddad, Or Something
Preston Idaho
June 1997
As I was browsing through some notes, I came across a talk I prepared for
Father's Day years ago. I thought that I would use it for this month's "News
Letter".
I stand in awe, as I try to comprehend the magnitude and grandeur of all that
our Father in Heaven has created. And so, on this Father's Day I would like to
talk about the greatness of our Father in Heaven and what He has done for us.
One of His creations that fills my soul with awesome wonder is the universe.
Just consider that part of the universe man has just begun to discover. Our
solar system is on the outer edge of a circular galaxy called the Milky Way. In
our galaxy there are more than 100 million stars. Just to give you an idea of
how much a billion is, I have a computer that can count to 1000 in one second.
At that rate it would take 1,157.4 days, or approximately 4 years, just to count
to a billion. That is just the stars in the Milky Way, not including all the
planets, moons or other heavenly bodies. The Milky Way galaxy is about 1000
light years from one side to the other. That is indeed a long way, but consider
that in just one light year, light travels 6 trillion miles. That makes our
galaxy 600 trillion miles wide! Our galaxy is far beyond our comprehension, in
both distance and in the number of stars and planets, and this is but a small
fraction of God's creations. With the aid of optical and radio telescopes man
has determined that there are at least as many galaxies as there are stars in
the Milky Way, 100 billion! And this is just what man has determined that there
are. What God has created is much, much more. (Since I first composed this
letter, scientists now have the "Hubble" in space telescope and they are finding
creations, that until now, were unknown to exist)
In the book of Moses we find the following. "And worlds without number have I
created; and I also created them for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created
them, which is mine Only Begotten. ... For behold, there are many worlds that
have passed away by the word of my power. And there are many that now stand, and
innumerable are they unto man; but all things are numbered unto me, for they are
mine and I know them." (See Moses chapter 1 verse 33:)
Can we, in any way, begin to comprehend what the creator of this universe must
be like? And what it would be like to meet the children of such a being? And
then, realize that is us, you and me, that sit in this chapel today, that are
the offspring of God. I am overcome with reverence and awe when I realize that
The Creator of all this is our Father in Heaven.
Of all of God's creations this earth is unique. Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten
son of the Father, could have been born on any one of the billions of other
earths. But He was born on this planet. Have you ever wondered why you were born
here?
It is wonderful to be able to visit the places where Jesus was born and lived,
where He raised up the dead, healed the sick and calmed the sea. (See Luke: 8:
23-25) "But as they sailed He fell asleep; and there came a storm down upon the
lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to
Him, and awoke Him, saying Master, Master, we perish. Then He arose and rebuked
the wind and the raging of the water; and they ceased and there was a calm. And
He said unto them, where is thy faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying to
one to another what manner of man is this? For He commandeth both the winds and
the water and they obeyed Him. He causeth the blind to see and the lame to walk,
And He taught such great things that never before had been heard by man!"
The most significant event in all creation and in all time is the Infinite and
Eternal Atonement oft Jesus Christ. Concerning the atonement, I would like to
quote Elder Bruce R. McConkie. "Now our Lord's jurisdiction and power extend far
beyond the limits of this one small earth on which we dwell. He is, under the
Father, the Creator of worlds without number. (Moses 1:3) And through the power
of the atonement the inhabitants of these worlds, the revelation says,"Are
begotten Sons and Daughters of God. " (D&C 76: 24), which means that the
atonement of Christ, being literally and truly infinite, applies to an infinite
number of earths."
Jesus has given us so much. Do we realize the significance of being baptized in
His Holy Name, by one who holds the priesthood of God, and be a member of his
church; to have the gift of the Holy Ghost; to be able to pray to God and
receive answers to our prayers? God has given us His priesthood, with power to
heal the sick, to raise the dead, to perform miracles and even command mountains
to be removed as did Enoch.(See Book of Moses chapter 7 verse 13:) "And so great
was the faith of Enoch, that he led the people of God, and their enemies came to
battle against them; and he spake the word of God, and the earth trembled, and
the mountains fled, even according to his command; and the rivers of water were
turned out of their course." (end of quote) God has also given us the temples,
and what a blessing that is; to be able go to the House of the Lord and receive
our endowments; and be married for time and all eternity.
In Psalms we read "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of
man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the
angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor." (chapter 8:4) I would like
to paraphrase the words of the song "I am a child of God" found in the LDS
hymnal page 301 (which is a favorite song of mine) and add them to the words of
the Psalmist.
"You" are a child of God , and He has sent "you" here, has given "you" an
earthly home with parents kind and dear. "You are a child of God, and so "your"
needs are great; Learn to understand his words before it grows too late. "We"
are children of God, rich blessings are in store; if "We" but learn to do his
will we'll live with him once more. Lead me, guide me, walk beside me , help me
find the way. Teach" us" all that "we" must do to live with him someday."
When we sing "I am a child of God", are we aware of what we are saying? Does it
inspire you to know that we have the potential to become like Him?
In closing I would like to make just one last quote. " Of all the titles that
this majestic, glorified and powerful being, who created the universe, could
have chosen, He has simply chosen the title of FATHER." (Original author
unknown) I hope that on this Fathers Day, that we will honor, obey and
appreciate all that our Father in Heaven has done for us. In the name of Jesus
Christ. Amen
The teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pertaining to immensity of space,
were expressed by William W. Phelps in a hymn entitled "If You Could Hie to
Kolob".. Astronomers, with all their modern equipment, are just now verifying a
small portion of what was revealed to the Prophet more than one hundred and
fifty years ago.
IF YOU COULD HIE TO KOLOB
If you could hie to Kolob in the twinkling of an eye, And then continue onward
with that same speed to fly, Do you think that you could ever, Through all
eternity, Find out the generation Where Gods began to be?
Or see the grand beginning, Where space did not extend? Or view the last
creation, Where Gods and matter end? Methinks the spirit whispers, "No man has
found pure space, nor seen the outside curtains, Where nothing has a place.
The works of God continue, And worlds and lives abound; Improvement and
progression Have one eternal round. There is no end to matter, There is no end
to space, there is no end to spirit, There is no end to race.
jmp
THE LORD'S PRAYER
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, For ever. Amen.
ST MATTHEW 6:9
I know that my redeemer lives; what
comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead. He lives, my ever-living head.
He lives to bless me with his love. He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed. He lives to bless in time of need.
He lives to grant me rich supply, He
lives to guide me with his eye.
He lives to comfort me when faint. He lives to hear my soul's complaint.
He lives to silence all my fears. He lives to wipe away my tears.
He lives to calm my troubled heart. He lives, all blessings to impart.
He lives my kind, wise, heav'nly
friend. He lives and loves me to the end.
He lives, and while he lives, I'll sing. He lives my Prophet, Priest and king.
He lives to grant me daily breath. He lives and I shall conquer death.
He lives my mansion to prepare. He lives to bring me safely there.
He lives all glory to his name He
lives, my Savior, still the same;
0 sweet the joy this sentence gives: "I know that my Redeemer lives!"
He lives all glory to his name! He lives my Savior still the same;
0 sweet the joy this sentence gives: "I know that my Redeemer lives!"
LDS SONG BOOK PAGE 95
There is a T.V. commercial that bugs me. For some time now the makers of
"Rogaine", a hair restoration product, have extolled its virtues, stating that
it will grow hair on a bald head. Then in small print they qualify it by saying
"on some it doesn't work". At first it was marketed as a prescription type
substance. Then, by some standard I am not acquainted with they boast that a
prescription is no longer required, as if that added to the credibility of their
claims. In the latest commercial a young lady is telling her half-bald husband
about "Rogaine". The conversation goes something like this "Like Father like
Son" and then, like some miracle had happened, "It could now be purchased
without a prescription". Still with the same disclaimer, "On some it doesn't
work". I'll bet that the "some", on whom it doesn't work, outnumber the "some"
on whom it does.
Out of all this propaganda comes one little bit of truth. LIKE FATHER LIKE SON.
It is true, that bald heads seem to be a part of we Pitcher's genetic makeup;
but the chances of a son being like his father in other ways far exceeds the
odds of "Rogaine" producing hair.
The chances of a son being like his father are frightening, "A careful man I
ought to be, a little fellow follows after me." "Look Dad, I stepped in your
footsteps all the way". I have found that in "most cases" (Using the disclaimer
found in the Rogaine commercial) our children don't exceed the righteousness of
their parents. If parents fail to have family prayer, it is seldom found in the
homes of their children. This goes for church attendance as well. Parental
example is the biggest factor in determining the life style of their children.
A genetic scientist, by searching life and death patterns of ones ancestry, can
predict with a high degree of accuracy many life threatening ailments and our
susceptibility to them. "LIKE FATHER LIKE SON" Do you know, that in the research
of ones ancestry, one can almost predict the spirituality of the present
generation? If the traditions of your parents include honesty, mild temper and
love for wife and children, then this is fertile ground and from it will spring
the same attributes in the lives of their children. There are other traditions
that must be extended from one generation to another if we are to send sons and
daughters on missions and have our children reap the benefits of temple
marriage. It is the responsibility of each succeeding generation to set the
example by following the traditions of their fathers. There needs to be a
carryover of values that will not be compromised. Pitchers don't smoke! Pitchers
don't drink! Pitchers always go to church! Pitcher boys always go on missions!
Pitcher boys and girls are married in the temple! If these traditions are not
found in your family, someday you will have to answer to your progenitors; those
who tried so hard to leave this legacy to their posterity. To be born of goodly
parents is the right of every child that comes into our family. It is our
responsibility to see that which was given us is passed on to the next
generation.
There will be some "mutations" in our genetic blueprint, that leave a flaw or
two, but by and large the pattern will ring true. (In the words of Archie
Bunker) "Those mutations come from Edith's side of the family. "Even so, every
good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil
fruit. " For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they
grapes. By their fruit you shall know them. (See: ST Luke 6 & 44)
There is another quote; "He that would sow to the wind shall reap the whirl
wind."(Hosea 8:7) This counsel does not necessarily deal with future
generations. Unfortunately, your own happiness could well be determined by the
lives your children live. If one is to have "Joy and rejoicing in ones
posterity" it will be found in the righteousness of their children. Rest
assured, if your children are unhappy, you will be too. Don't suppose that
admonitions, without example, will do the job. LIKE FATHER LIKE SON.
Daddy had a little boy; His soul was as white as snow.
He never went to Sunday School, Cause Daddy didn't go.
He never heard the tales of Christ, That thrill a young child's mind;
While other children went to class, This child was left behind.
And so he grew from babe to youth; Dad saw, to his dismay,
A soul that once was snowy white, Became a dingy gray.
Dad realized that he'd soon be lost; He tried to win him back
Before the soul that once was white Became an ugly black.
So, not to lose his little boy, (The fault be his he knew)
He turned to God and humbly begged; "Please tell me what to do."
Daddy had a little boy; His soul was white as snow.
He never went to Sunday School, "Cause Daddy didn't go.
Author Unknown
Love, Dad, Granddad, or Something
Fisherman seem to invite absurdity. It is no wonder that we are considered liars
by the rest of the world. Strange things happen to those who spend hour after
hour, day after day on the water. I can't explain it but it's true, and any real
fisher man will vouch for me, ( whatever that is worth to the rest of the
world). The story that I am about to impart is by any estimation unbelievable,
yet with all the weight of the non-fishers upon me, I must insist that it is
true.
It happened in mid August three years ago, I was fishing for flounder from a
pier on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and, although August is the peak of the
season, I was having unusual difficulty catching anything other than small hard
head catfish. The absolute worst of all trash fish, they have zero food value
and they are excellent bait stealers. The only thing that they can offer the
angler "lucky" enough to catch one is an extremely painful sting. I was also
under some pressure because, having complete confidence in the presence of the
fish and my ability to catch them, I had invited my new girlfriend's parents for
a fresh fish dinner that evening.
Now I am an avid fisherman- as avid as we come. Even as a child I went to school
many a morning sleepy eyed with worm dirt under my fingernails from having
gotten up an hour early just to catch a few bream before breakfast. If there is
anything that I should have learned with all my years with water that even on
the best days, when all conditions are just right and I am certain that the fish
will be fighting over my bait, it seems that God himself grants them a reprieve
and I catch nothing. These are the days when fishing offers me one of the
greatest gifts of the sport - humility. At the end of a long day fishing hard
and catching nothing, I am as grateful for this gift as for a heavy stringer.
Fishing is rarely a fruitless venture for a true fisherman.
On this particular occasion, however, humility seemed a much less attractive
option to that of impressing my new girl's family, and as the sun rose in the
sky, I fished with the vigor and intensity of a man with a dead line, Nothing
worked. every bite was that of a young hard head carefully nibbling the legs off
my live shrimp. Perhaps it was the August heat combined with the pressure of my
unwillingness to accept defeat, but by one o'clock I began to wonder why no one
ate hard head catfish. They are just a different kind of catfish, I reasoned;
people eat other kinds of catfish all the time. How bad could they be? Sure,
they were small. I'd have to skin them whole and fry them. Her family is from
Kansas, for heaven's sake. They wouldn't know the difference. I could pass them
off as a rare southern delicacy. At this point God must have taken pity on those
poor souls that I was plotting to deceive, for all of a sudden my line shot
straight out into the gulf with the speed and force that only a large fish can
exert. My heart pumped frantically as I watched the fish melt the line off my
reel. There was no checking him. With only thirty yards or so of fourteen pound
test remaining at my end of the contest, God must have taken pity on me. The
fish turned and began racing toward me. Cranking as fast as I could I managed to
reclaim most of my line and once again make contact just in time to lift my rod
and persuade him that the barnacle covered pylons of the pier were not where he
wanted to go. Then, another run though this time not so far and not so fast. He
was tiring already. I could feel it. If this is a flounder, I thought, my name
will soon grace the record books. I could see the headlines: "Louisiana Man
Catches World Record Flounder". The endorsements rolling in. Free fishing tackle
for the rest of my life. Perhaps my own fishing show traveling around the world
catching exotic fish in exotic places and making money doing it! Ah, the life of
my dreams lay right before me! Every fisherman has a right to such visions of
grandeur in the time between hooking a big fish and finally discovering what it
is. It is comparable to the right of a ditch digger to imagine that the root his
shovel just struck might be the top of a long forgotten treasure chest, or that
of a golfer to imagine that the ball he watched fly into the trees has bounced
against a trunk at the perfect angle and with perfect velocity to deposit it
squarely in the cup. Dreams like these are good and when something so impossible
happens either to us or someone we hear of, we are reminded that miracles do
still occur and with all our knowledge and experience of the world it can still
be a place of magic.
At this point I must reveal that you will find my name in no record books nor
will you see me getting rich fishing for peacock bass on some cable channel. I
am still scraping money from other sources to fuel my fishing habit. But,
although the fish at the end of my line was not a world record flounder and not
even an extremely large fish for its kind, the ending of this brave fight still
dangles the belief in miracles before me and, I hope, all who share in this
story. As I left off earlier, the fish was growing tired, and I knew that soon I
would get a glimpse of him. The rig I use when fishing for flounder is a simple
one, a single 4 0 kayle hook tied directly to the line-no leader- and a 1/2
ounce rubber cored weight twisted on exactly six inches from the hook. My spool
began to fill up again and I was getting ever closer to the moment when I would
finally see the fish. I watched the water with great anticipation as he
relinquished more and more of his play. Finally I could see the weight. It rose
out of the water half the distance between it and the hook but still no sign of
the fish. Something strange was up. There was no way a fish of this size could
lay three inches below the surface and not be visible--no matter what kind it
was. I decided that was probably what had happened is that the weight had
slipped up the line during the course of the fight and now it was more like six
feet from the hook.. That wasn't impossible. But right as I was comfortable with
that explanation, there came my hook-empty except for a well battered live
shrimp. Yet, still, the weight of the fish remained.
That night all present at my dinner feasted on beautiful slabs of grilled red
fish. I was quiet most of the evening, not full of fishing stories like I
usually am, not full of much at all that any good host should possess. It was
not my intention to be rude, not by any means. I simply could not muster up the
desire to talk. I wasn't there. I wasn't present. I was somewhere hung in
wonder. Several times I caught myself sitting through long silences undaunted,
silences that make a person quite uncomfortable at a dinner table with new
friends. The quiet must have had that effect on my guests because shortly after
eating they were yawning and stretching and asking what time it was. They all
left about eight o'clock. With short goodbyes and a brisk walk to their car they
were gone. I never met them again. My new girlfriend soon became an old
girlfriend over the issue of whether we would spend labor day in Kansas or
fishing for trout on the White River in Arkansas. Oh well, she missed a
beautiful trip.
The red fish that fed us that night I still think of often. He was 22 lbs 3 oz
with a big broad golden back that shone iridescent orange in the sun. His tail,
marked with several black spots had a tip of blue just the color of an early
morning sky. Legend has it that this was the fish that fed the multitude and the
spots are where Jesus held the fish before the crowd. I'm always a little
suspicious of legends but I know that the memory of this fish feeds my spirit
still today. You see, the circumstances of the catch were a miracle. As I was
walking west to east, dragging that flounder rig on the bottom, my fish was
swimming north to south. At the perfect moment in time our paths crossed and the
point of my hook slid into the swivel eye of a leader hanging out of the fish's
mouth. Some unlucky fisherman had lost a handsome catch so I could be reminded
of miracles. After landing him I sat on the pier for several minutes laughing
almost maniacally, staring at the scene with pleasant disbelief. Even now when I
find myself feeling like some situation in my life is impossible, I close my
eyes and picture him, broad gold back, sky blue tail, iridescent orange in the
sun.
A copy of this story was given me by Eileen Jensen. It was composed by a friend
of hers who used the pen name Peace Marvel. While, if this story could have been
told in first person, by someone like me, it might have been more interesting.
But knowing Grandpa's tendency to stretch the truth at times, you probably
wouldn't have believed the story anyway. JMP.
Yesterday Francine and I went down to a surplus sale at U.S.U. About once or
twice a year they gather up all items that they have no use for and have a giant
yard sale. People come from miles around and it's quite a spectacle. Among other
things there is a bin which contains items, "lost and found". Sometimes we have
found eye wear, watches, jewelry etc. Yesterday, Francine found a gold ring and
handed it to me to see if it would fit. It did. It had a price tag on it of
$20.00. Whether it was worth more or less, I don't know, but Francine thought it
was. So we bought it. At the time I told Francine that no one would ever know
that it wasn't my ring if I left it on my finger and walked out. But she said
no, we could not do that. Not that I had intended to do so, I was just trying to
show how easily something like that could be stolen.
This morning, as I was taking my morning walk, I was admiring this new ring and
wondering just what it would have cost if it had been purchased at a jewelry
store. Then the thought came to me, what if I had just walked out with it, it
would have cost me nothing. Then the "punch line". If I had stolen that ring I
would pay for it every time I swung my arm back and forth for as long as I kept
the ring. You know, the price we pay for our misdeeds, though seemingly small at
the time, accumulates as time goes on. A guilty conscience is a relentless task
maker. It will meet the demands of justice, plus compound interest, until
restitution is made.
You needn't suppose that time will erase the memory of the deed. Our mind has a
marvelous memory bank. The Prophet Alma uses the term "A bright recollection of
all our sins". Just try to forget some misdeed from the past. It can't be done.
There is but one way to escape the clutches of this dreadful task master. If the
offense is between you and your neighbor, swallow your pride; hard as it might
be to admit to your guilt, the price you will have to pay is far less than the
non-relenting conscience of a guilty mind. If you can pay the price for your
transgression in this manner, you are lucky. Some sins are of such a nature that
a monetary restoration is inadequate. Even admission of guilt and a heartfelt
request for forgiveness is insufficient. There are some transgressions that only
God can forgive, or atone for. This too requires a broken heart and a contrite
spirit, but the Lord has provided a way to relieve this burden also. Go see him
to whom the Lord has appointed to intercede in your behalf, (Your Bishop).
Well, so much for meeting the demands of a guilty conscience. The gospel is the
plan for happiness. The closer you can stay to the teachings of our Savior the
greater will be your happiness. "Wickedness never was happiness" Again, quoting
the Prophet Alma. ( 41:10.)
Love, Dad, Grandad, or Something
Hooray! today I am 21. I have become a man. The days of my probation are passed.
Today I have graduated, I am no longer fettered by parental restraint. I can now
learn by my own experience to distinguish between good and evil; taste both the
bitter and the sweet. I am young and have perfect health, plenty of time and
stamina to fight the battle of life. Today I will swim downstream, languish on
the beautiful sandy beaches; take a detour or two and visit a few places that
have heretofore been off limits. Gee, this is great! No one yelling commands and
filling my ears with tales of all the horrors found in the forbidden world.
Sure, there have been some who have, no doubt, fallen victim to overindulgence
and self gratification. But they were weak and I am strong. They were old and
rigor-mortis had already begun to set in. They had remained too long in the
fields of experimentation. One must stay just long enough to taste the bitter
that he might know the sweet. How does one learn to recognize good, without
seeing its opposite, evil? Again, this is great! I'm one of those so-called FREE
SPIRITS; adventure is my lot. I can't believe how much fun there is out here,
and my new friends are fabulous. They look a little weird, and their language is
kind of rough, but there is laughter all around. One tends to feel a little
uneasy when dealing with his conscience, but as long as one stays within this
environment, it's not too bad. When the Lord told Adam and Eve that "If they
partook of the forbidden fruit they would surely die" .. they didn't! And all of
those "Old Wives Tales", of the horrors of alcohol, drugs and a promiscuous life
style, just aren't true!. No, this is the life for me. I just hate being told
what to do, and what I cannot do. Making my own decisions is great. No mission
for me -- too many rules -- too much time lost. Free love .. is really love,
without all its responsibilities. There will be plenty of time for family, if I
ever get the urge to have one. Besides, I will know how to raise children, by
knowing what life is all about -- first hand. There will be no textbook
solutions for my kids. Their "old man" will be streetwise, he will know all the
loopholes and shortcuts. They won't be saddled with a whole lot of useless
restraints, They will be born free!
I have been at a loss to understand this "Present Generation" and what makes
them tick. Whatever happened to high moral standards and lofty goals. Have their
role models been tarnished by the action of a few, who have not lived up to the
trust placed upon them? It seems that this generation is quick to recognize
weakness and imperfections in others and slow to compensate for the burdens some
of their contemporaries have to carry. We, in our generation, have failed to
adequately glamorize examples of compliance. Could we be raising a generation of
"Gimme Children"?. Children who have but to ask, and we, for fear of losing
them, succumb to their every whim, without any required sacrifice or effort on
their part?. Nothing in life is of much value if compensating effort isn't
required to obtain it. Those things that are obtained without effort, regardless
of their value, are easily discarded. It's only when one is required to work
hard all day for something that he realizes that it has value. The gift of a
diamond is esteemed less than a zircon, that has been obtained through one's own
effort. When we were young we didn't get everything that money could buy; in
fact, we didn't get anything money could buy. We just didn't have any money,
PERIOD. The value of anything is determined by what is required to obtain it,
whether it be by one's own effort or an awareness of the sacrifice of another.
An old saying "Easy come, easy go" comes home to roost in so many different
situations. The value of everything we do in life is governed by it. Another old
saying is "There is no free lunch". If you think that you are going to reap the
joys of this old life without paying for it you are in for a big surprise. "To
the victor goes the spoils". To sit atop Mt. Everest is no big deal if one is
placed there by helicopter, but when every foot of the ascent is won by toil and
sacrifice, ones name is enshrined in the" Mountain Climbers" hall of fame. So we
see, you might have the prize, but if it has been paid for with "counterfeit
money" you have nothing but a handful of "fool's gold". The prophet Malachi
asked "Will a man rob God?" (By not rendering to God the things that are His) We
shudder at the thought. But I ask "Will a man rob himself?" If we choose the
life style of those so-called"Born Free" individuals, we will find that we have,
been "Robbers of Ourselves".
Oh, by the way, when the Lord told Adam and Eve that if they partook of that
which was forbidden, they would surely die -- well they did surely die. They
were also cast out of the Garden of Eden and out of God's presence. Just as Adam
and Eve did surely die, we, too, will surely die, and if we partake of that
which God has forbidden, we will also die, as pertaining to things "spiritual",
and with it, any desire to do good.
"The Earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof.. and they that dwell therein.
Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy
place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his
soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessings from the
Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. (See Psalm 24:1-5)
Lest you think that Grandpa has blinders on and the worst in this generation is
all he can see, let me qualify "This Present Generation". It ain't all bad, in
fact "upon further review" the call on the field has been reversed. (Football
vernacular) So let the game continue between the good and the bad. I'm betting
that the good will "cover the spread".
Love, Dad, Granddad or Something
Preston Idaho
October 1996
A tribute "To all the girls I've shared my life (pre-earth), who are now
some-one else's wife." (Namely the wives of my Forefathers)
To Family and Those Most Dear
No, this letter is not my addition of TRUE CONFESSIONS. True, there was a time
in my youth when I found many young ladies very attractive and to some degree
felt the pangs of love, but I never really knew what love was until your Mother,
Grandmother, and I were married. No, this letter deals with the girls who have
sat by quietly, while everyone has sung the praises and quoted with pride the
ancestry from which they have sprung, almost always referring to some "old
geezer" (meaning no disrespect) who just happened to sire a posterity, taking
most of the credit for the success of his offspring.
Last Sunday I went down to Cornish for the naming and blessing of Ian's and
Susan's baby boy, Jordan. As I sat there basking in the pride of the moment, I
thought "What would Ian have been without Susan" and then I thought What would
Dyer have been if he hadn't found and married Hilary. This set off a chain
reaction of all the girls that have made us "Pitchers" what we are.
Throughout my life I have seen the names of my forefathers on a pedigree chart
and hopefully they are friends of mine, friends who were mine " long ago",
before we were separated by a veil of forgetfulness and placed in a realm of
time where separation is measured in generations. Unlike the time of our former
friendships, where time was not meted unto every man "to four score and ten" but
we knew and were known by the hosts of heaven for aeons of time. Well, getting
back to those friends of mine, whose names and place of birth, where they lived
and at what time in this world's history, are a matter of record, I would like
to have shared some of their experiences with them. I am reminded of a song that
we used to sing called "Friend of Mine" The words of the song seem to fit the
thoughts I have in relation to those friends of long, long ago. (And hopefully
they still are friends of mine.)
When you are happy, friend of mine, and all your skies are blue,
Tell me your luck, your fortune fine, and let me laugh with you.
Tell me the hopes that spur you on, the deeds you mean to do,
The gold you've struck, the fame you've won, and let me joy with you.
When you are sad and heart a-cold, and all your skies are dark,
Tell me the dreams that mock'd your hold, the shafts that
miss'd the mark.
Am I not yours for weal or woe? How else can friends prove true?
Tell me what breaks and brings you low, and let me stand with you.
So when the night falls tremulous, when the last lamp burns low.
And one of us or both of us, the long lone road must go.
Look with your dear old eyes in mine, give me your hand-shake true.
What e'er fate our souls await, Let me be there, There with you.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, getting back to the "girls" of these friends of mine.
The first of "All the girls I've loved before" was Mary Forby from Saham-Wait in
Saham Toney, a beautiful blond with sparkling blue eyes, like stars on a clear
summer evening. She was the "belle of the ball" in the town where she lived, in
the year 1690. I don't have any idea how a "clod" like William ever talked her
into becoming his wife. But I would guess that William was quite apt at
extending the truth and had a good gift of gab, (traits still found in his
posterity) or the night was dark and she couldn't see just what she was getting
into. Well, she took that "clod", ground him up, and made a beautiful smooth
field out of him and believe it or not William went on to be one of the most
respected citizens in all of Norfolk County. So you see, William gets all the
credit, and if it hadn't been for my sweetheart Mary, he would still have been
just another "clod".
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annie, I really have to rely on the whisperings of the spirit to tell me much
about you. I wish I knew more - were you tall, or short? Were you blond or
brunette? Was life kind to you? Was William (the second) a good husband? I do
know that you were born somewhere around 1717 in Norfolk England. The spirit
tells me that you were something special. You were beautiful, pleasing to the
eye. You were a "fun" person, one who could see the sun, even when the clouds
had gathered. Hardships were your lot, but your strength and optimism, coupled
with a cheerful disposition, tempered the trials and disappointments of your and
William's lifetime. It was because of you that your husband was able to meet his
obligations, you were the steadying influence in his life. For this we all thank
and love you. You are the second of "the girls I've loved before" and I will
some day love again. See you later Annie.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Elizabeth, I know a little more about you than I did about Annie, at least I
know that your maiden name was Sandell. You were born in East Brandenham,
Norfolk England, about 1745. I have reason to believe that you had to be firm,
to keep your husband John from "getting taken" by one of the "con artists" of
your day. John was always coming home with some scheme to make a million, like
turning lead into silver. (I just happen to know one of your descendants, named
John, who is trying the patience of his wife also.) Well, I know that fame and
fortune were not your lot in life. But love, honesty and a mild temperament
permeated the atmosphere in your home. "Count your many blessings, Think that
God has promised you his wealth untold."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elizabeth, I sometimes get mixed up with all the " Elizabeths, Williams and
Johns". You would think that they could come up with some other name to break
the monotony. Well, at least you found an Edward among the Pitcher clan, and a
fine lad he was too. It seems that Edward was quite an adventurous soul,
venturing clear over to Watton to find you. According to what the record shows,
you were 13 years younger than Edward. Either he robbed the cradle, or those who
knew him in his own town didn't see much of a future with him, so he had to go
over to Watton where he wasn't so well known. Just kidding of course; he was
just particular, wanting only the best to be the mother of his children, and
found only the best in you. By the way, I was told by the only person I ever
knew, in this life, who knew Edward, that he was small in stature; maybe that
had something to do with his delay in finding a mate.
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Rebecca, now we are getting closer to my time. While I never knew you
personally, enough has been written, and if you were half the person everyone
who knew you says you were, you were something special. You must have been a
very attractive girl in your youth; at least, your husband John said so. I do
know a little about the challenges you faced. Accepting the message of the
Lord's servants and providing for their welfare when they were in your home.
Then, having the faith to "pack up" and journey to a strange land, to battle
with a very harsh environment. I do know it was through your thrift and good
management that you and John were able to live the last years of your life in
relatively comfortable circumstances. I'm sure that time took its toll before
you left this life, but now you are just as beautiful as when you were "one of
the girls I've loved before", in those aeons, long ago.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rebecca, here we go again, lack of originality, when your parents named you, why
not Shawnasy or Sabrina or some other simple name. But I will take you just as
you are, regardless of what they named you. You are the first of "the girls I've
loved before", known by me, in my day. I know what you did to make Great
Grand-dad what he was. To those who never knew you, let me tell them why you are
included in the list of my sweethearts. First, your stately bearing. To see you
was to see a queen in all her splendor. Tall, beautiful and in complete command.
It followed you wherever you went. You were just as noble in a pioneer dress and
apron as in the robes of nobility. Yours was a life of service. A Florence
Nightingale, here in the wilderness, tending to the need of others. To a lad of
nine, you were my ideal. Firm and well organized, yet tender and thoughtful of
us, who were your G. Grandchildren. What a thrill it will be to embrace you in
the courts on high.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I was going to start this synopsis with Mary, but somehow you will never be Mary
to me, you will always be Grandma Pitcher or Molly.(To you history buffs--does
that name Molly Pitcher ring a bell.?) You see, she was more than a sweetheart
to me. She was my second mother, my counselor and confidant. She was my exemplar
and tutor. What she did and said, have been a beacon and guiding light to me
throughout my life. We as a family like to tell the story of how faithful
Grandpa was, when called to go on a mission to England, leaving a wife with 12
children. Humbug, that was a piece of cake. You think that was something, what
about my sweetheart, (Molly) who remained behind with all those kids? "Faith
without works is dead."Hers was a trial of faith, witnessed by her works. Mary,
and if that is what they call you in heaven, that is what I will call my
sweetheart-- Mary. One of the girls I've loved before.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One more Grandma, Grandma Jensen. I difficult to find words that will do you
justice, Much of your trials and hardships, your joys and happiness are
chronicled in my other writings. But complete faith in our Father in Heaven I
have seen but once; it is your hallmark, it is your legacy and a gift to all who
shall come after you. Your name shall be revered throughout all eternity by
those who know, and have known you. Suffice it to say, that a little Danish
girl, born out of wedlock, raised by foster parents, could leave such an impact
on the stage of life, is most remarkable. To include you in "The girls I've
loved before" is an understatement. Anna, I love you!
Now to the sweetheart who gave me life: Next to my eternal companion she is my
favorite "of all the girls I've loved before". It was she who first embraced and
cuddled me in her arms. It was she who tended to my every need while I was still
in my infancy. It was she who tucked me into bed and sang sweet melodies until I
went to sleep. It was she who taught me to walk, to run and play. It was she who
taught me to love music and all of God's creations; his flowers, his trees, his
hills and vales. It was she who taught me to be kind, tender hearted and
thoughtful of others. From her lips came the stories of my ancestors and their
struggles that I might be born in this goodly land. She taught me of God's plan
of life and salvation by precept and example. She, like the rest of "The girls
that I've loved before", was the silent partner in our home, willing to make my
father think that every good idea was his. Rejoicing in his accomplishments,
proud to be his sweetheart, his life was her life. The taller he stood, the
happier was she. She was one whose life's goal was to help everyone she knew to
be a happier, kinder and a more Godlike person. To be raised in her home was a
gift from God. With the passing of time her virtues and teachings are filtering
down through the generations now living and will be manifest in generations yet
to come. Some day millions will rise up and call you blessed. We all should
thank a divine providence for sending us to dwell in your presence. Thank you,
my dear.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finally, the one with whom I hope to travel through the eternities.
After all the superlatives I have used to extol the virtues of "All the Girls
I've loved before" I am about drained. Yet there is so much to be said about
this special "Girl". Volumes could be written, endless dialog and songs of
praise could grace her memory, and yet but a small portion of her virtues and
nobility of character would be revealed. It was she, after "all the girls I've
loved before", that was the special one, one with whom I would spend my life
here on earth, and hopefully all eternity. In my mind's eye, I can see the
courtship we had before we left our home on high. Our ability to "know as we are
known" exposed our shortcomings, our virtues, personality traits and even our
future potential. For it was there that we were foreordained and appointed to be
"Kings and queens, priests and priestesses unto the Most high God, to rule and
reign forever". To choose, with such a vast array of incite left very little
room for error..
If heavenly courtship is anything like our courtship here in this life, it must
have been something special. Of all of the experiences of mortality, the "Mating
Game" brings into play more of the divine feelings of love, happiness and
sorrow, than anything I know of. It always seemed to me that it just wasn't fair
to have to make choices of such magnitude at a time of such emotional stress.
Well, "Match maker, match maker, make me a wife" might be the answer, at least
one would have someone to blame if all else went wrong. I would like to think
that the old saying "Such a marriage was made in heaven", could be taken
literally. If this were the case, why all the stress and anxiety? Why not just
send us here in pairs, already mated and ready for marriage? Maybe the good Lord
wanted someone to blame when things go awry, as they do in so many cases
nowadays.
Sorry about that little discourse on the marriage process. But suffice it to
say, I really do believe that some, if not all marriages, were a part of our
fore knowledge, knowledge pertaining to our marriage experiences in this life. I
would like to think that some were predestined to a compatible life style; one
in which husband and wife were to love each other; to have a family with
children to love and teach of God's plan of happiness. This I believe was the
basis of our premortal courtship. Yes, of "all the girls I've loved before, this
is the one that I love all the more". May God grant that I might live to be
worthy of her championship eternally.
Love Dad, Granddad, Or Something
P.S.
Have you ever found yourself humming some tune that has long been stored in your
memory bank? Then, a few lines of the lyrics creep into your rendition,
fragmented and out of sequence. Well, thus the heading for this news letter. I
went up to the library after I had completed this letter and obtained a copy of
the original music and words. So with a little stretch of the imagination, and
the foregoing dialogs to help you, try to see some connection.
TO ALL THE GIRLS I'VE LOVED BEFORE
To all the girls I've loved before, who traveled in and out my door;
I'm glad they came along, to you I dedicate this song.
To all the girls I've once caressed, and may I say I've held the best;
for helping me grow, I owe a lot, I know, to all the girls I've loved before.
To all the girls I've shared my life, who now are someone else's wife;
I'm glad they came along, To you I dedicate this song.
The winds of change are always blowing, and every time I've tried to stay
The winds of change continued blowing, and they just carried me away.
To all the girls who cared for me, who filled my nights with ecstasy;
they live within my heart; I'll always be a part, of all the girls I've loved .
before. The winds of change are always blowing, and every time I tried to stay,
The winds of change continued blowing, and they just carried me away.
Music: by Albert Hammond (what music?)
Lyrics: by Hal David
If you were busy being kind
Before you knew it, you would find
You'd soon forget to think 'twas true
That someone was unkind to you.
If you were busy being glad,
And cheering people who were sad,
Although your heart might ache a bit,
You'd soon forget to notice it.
If you were busy being good,
And doing just the best you could,
You'd not have time to blame some man
Who's doing just the best he can.
If you were busy being right,
You'd find yourself too busy quite
To criticize your neighbor long
Because he's busy being wrong.
Unknown
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no morning at the bar.
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For though from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crossed the bar.
Alfred Tennyson
(D&C 128:19)
When I was just a lad it was customary for our grade school to travel to
Smithfield for festivities commemorating HEALTH DAY. It is held annually in the
spring of the year. There was a parade, with floats, from all the neighboring
communities. A Ferris-wheel, Maypole, horse and foot races, in fact anything
that could demonstrate physical fitness was extolled. One such event was called
a Track Meet. Every sport usually associated with the Olympics was in evidence.
Every town had their own set of gladiators, so town pride and the spirit of
competition was rampant. As we were awaiting our turn to compete in the high
jump I noticed a contestant with just one leg. It had been amputated between the
knee and the hip, leaving just a stub. Somehow they had fashioned a crutch with
a support for the stub about half way up. Well he was competing in the high
jump. He would run (I guess you would call it run) down the approach and just as
he reached the high jump standard he would drop the crutch and with the strength
of his one leg, he would jump. To the amazement of us all he won first place in
the event. When they announced the winner of the event, to my surprise he was a
relative of mine, whom I had never met. His name was Elliot Thornley. A few
years later we attended North Cache High School together and we became very good
friends.
The reason for using this introduction is that Elliot's voice was A VOICE OF
GLADNESS. He was a most cheerful person. His cheerfulness and optimism was
contagious. To be in his company seemed to infect the whole crowd with his love
for life and enthusiasm. When he entered a room it was just like someone had
turned on the light. The cross he was called upon to bear never cankered his
soul. He participated in every activity: drama, band, athletics, choir - you
name it, he did it. But most of all was what he gave to others, a reason to
smile, a reason to laugh, a reason to hope, a reason to minimize our own
so-called, burdens and then take from life every good thing it had to offer,
never pausing long enough for self pity to rob him of some new and exciting
adventure. His truly was A VOICE OF GLADNESS.
What a healer a cheerful attitude and a sense of humor can be. To come up
smiling after a fall, and look "old man tragedy" right in the eye and say "I
licked you again. You might have me down but I'm not out yet. I'm still Captain
of my ship and Master of my soul".
If you can somehow separate the spirit within from the tabernacle of flesh in
which you abide, and then deal with it (the body) as a temporary means of
fulfilling life's purposes, you can deal with such infirmities as challenges.
One might make fun of an old baseball glove, and a new one might look better,
but if you have learned to cope with the challenges of the game, using what has
been dealt you, it really doesn't matter much, as long as you win the battle of
life. Infirmities have compensating blessings. Remember, Elliot's good leg had
the strength of two! So, in life, many of its greatest lessons can best be
learned in the fires of adversity. Love and appreciation for the gift of
understanding, and concern of a loved one, results in empathy for the sufferings
of another. To wait upon the Lord in faith, free from all bitterness, can best
be accomplished by those who have to wait long and hard. Many are the tools of
adversity, but from the refiner's fire comes pure gold, molted from rocks of
tragedy. On resurrection morn, how happy I will be to have a full head of hair
and a flat tummy. I wonder if I will be half as happy, or appreciate it half as
much, as Elliot will be to have two legs? Do you think that I will be as filled
with the love of God, for my restoration, as will he? Who gets the stronger
testimony of priesthood blessings, he who acts in the name of the Lord, or he
that is healed? He who has suffered the most will be the most grateful!
Gratitude is learned when relief is granted--after much suffering. Extremes of
adversity cultivate the capacity to recognize blessings when they come. To him
who has never suffered -- will never come the joy of relief. "Thine afflictions
are but a moment, but if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high".
(Section 121:7&8) D&C.
Well, my loved ones, I have strayed far from the original intent of this letter.
but this has been one of those days when the spirit just seemed to dictate what
I should write. There must be a reason, maybe one of you will find in this
letter that which will sustain you in time of trial. If so, I will be most
grateful. For one whose road in life has been pretty flat and well graded, I
find that counsel such as this must surely have been directed by Him "Who has
taken upon Himself our infirmities, that He might know how to succor His
people".(Alma 7:12) So, if you will try to separate the scribe from the Author,
I will be most grateful. I'll have you know that not all my communications have
come as has this one. It is with gratitude in my heart that He has condescended
to use me this day in such a marvelous manner.
Love, Dad, Grandad, or Something
P.S.
I hope that I am not assuming too much in ascribing this letter to a divine
source; if so, I would ask God to please forgive me.
If you feel the need for additional comfort in times of trial, you might refer
to a conference address by Marvin J. Ashton given April 6, 1991. Or see one of
Grandpa's "News Letters " entitled "To Those Who Have Unusual Burdens". Volume
2, page 168 jmp.
Back to index
(Joseph Smith)
When I was young I was fascinated by prophesy; wanting to see some fulfillment
in my day. There were a few abstract instances, but they were just a trickle and
required a lot of faith to recognize. The "old folks" would try their best to
help us see, through their eyes, the signs of the times. I guess I was looking
for some great manifestation, such as the moon turning to blood and the stars
falling from the heavens. Or, I was waiting to see the Lost Tribes coming down
from the north country, with the Lord melting the ice and raising up a great
highway upon which they could travel. See Jeremiah 31:8, D&C 133:26&27 (Many
more signs are enumerated in the gospel of St. Matthew Chapter 24). But, to me
as a child, with such a short time to observe, change came in small bundles, and
I was at a loss to see any difference in one day from another, let alone
recognize all the signs of the "Coming of the great and dreadful day of the
Lord".
The old saying "That one was so close to the forest he could not see the trees"
has an application here also. One needs to remove himself some distance in order
to see what the trees really look like. This removing some distance, in this
case, is called "time". With the accumulation of years, many things come into
focus. When one starts to look at the individual trees he will find that they
all have their place in the forest. So it is with prophesy. When, over a period
of time, we examine them individually, we see evidence that some are reaching
fulfillment.
We have a little cherry-size tomato plant out in the flower garden. Every
morning and sometimes in between, I stop and look for the ones that have ripened
over night. Each little tomato is uniquely different. All are tomatoes, but with
a discerning eye I can detect the difference, or at least recognize the ones
that are the ripest. What all this boils down to is this, one must not expect
all prophesies (tomatoes) to come to pass (or ripen) in one day. As a trained
eye can detect the cherry red tomato, so if one watches for the signs of His
coming, he will see first one and then another prophesy come to pass. "He that
hath eyes, let him see"
For years the fulfilling of many modern-day prophesies was hidden from my view.
Some which I had given up on are coming to pass. Let me dwell upon just a few.
President Young is quoted as saying that "Temples would dot the face of the
land". In my youth, and even into my middle years, there were just seven temples
in operation. Now the church is dedicating that many temples a year. It is
amazing, 50 temples in operation, worldwide. I would never have dreamed that
this would happen. How about all the prophesies in The Book of Mormon concerning
the day when the Lamanites would become a mighty force in the work of the Lord?
Until recently the missions to the Lamanites were not very productive. We, at
least I, didn't take into consideration all those who have the blood of Lehi
flowing in their veins, who live in such places as South America and the islands
of the sea. They will soon outnumber the rest of us in the church. What about
The prophesy of Joseph Smith, used in the heading of this News Letter? Daniel of
old, in one of his prophesies, saw our day, referring to a "little stone that
was cut out of the mountain without hands, that would roll forth until it filled
the whole earth? (See The Book of Daniel 2:24) In my youth total church
membership was numbered in the thousands, now it is numbered in the millions.
(Ten Million at the time of this writing) One of the signs that was given by the
Savior Himself is recorded in the book of St. Matthew chapter 24:14. "The gospel
of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all
nations; and then shall the end come." When I was nineteen, and went to Denmark
on a mission, there were two thousand missionaries worldwide. Now there are
sixty thousand. It was staggering to my mind to see how such a small handful of
missionaries could ever preach the gospel to such a vast multitude. How the word
of the Lord could "Penetrate every clime and sound in every ear". Now comes the
electronic age with its miraculous means of communication. The LDS church now
has its own communication satellite, sending the message of the restored gospel
to every country in the world. The pace at which the church is growing should be
apparent, even to the most skeptical. At a time when most Christian
denominations are hard pressed to utilize their present facilities the LDS
Church is dedicating at least two new houses of worship a day! The Lord has so
blessed his saints, that with their abundance, they are able to meet this ever
growing financial need.
Are you still looking for a miracle?. Look what happened to the Berlin wall. It,
along with the fall of communism, has opened the way for the gospel to be
preached in that land. Whenever the church has the manpower and resources, the
Lord has prepared the way for the gospel to be taken to more of his children.
Isaiah, speaking of our day (See 29th chapter) Verse 14 "Therefore, behold, I
will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and
a wonder." I don't know about the youth of today. Do they see the fulfillment of
prophesy, as do I? To me, it is truly a "marvelous work and a wonder". The flood
gates are open and it is most frightening to see how many prophesies are
reaching their fulfillment in our day. For the righteous, this is a time of
wonder and fulfillment; to him who in unable to discern the "signs of the times"
be aware, "It is later than you think". This is a great time to be alive, and it
is a wonderful feeling to be on a winning team. Jump aboard and enjoy the ride.
Love, Dad, Love, Dad, Grandad, or Something
To Family and Those Most Dear:
Every morning, well, almost every morning, I take my (Dr.'s directive) and walk
down the road for a couple of miles. I have a good collection of conference
tapes, old and new, with which I use to take some of the monotony out of my
journey. Also, I rationalize that somehow this will substitute for my daily
scripture study. This morning I had just started to walk when the batteries went
dead. So, being of a nature not to walk any further than that which was
prescribed.
I continued my task. (In other words, I was too lazy to return for some new
batteries) Along the road where I walk is a beautiful field of alfalfa. Kieth
Bosworth is a good farmer and his crops are always well taken care of. I find
myself concerned for the welfare of his crops. Each spring as I return home I
watch the young stems come forth and I hope that the late frost will not come to
freeze them. Then when the warm summer sun begins to take away the moisture I
watch the sky and the weather forecaster to see if the spring rains are going to
come. Then comes the harvest; again I watch the skies for signs of rain clouds.
I feel a sense of urgency, one that would speed up the drying process, that the
hay might be harvested while it is still beautiful and green. This goes on at
least three times each year, and I go through the same experience.
As I was walking the thought came to me, why all the concern for someone else's
crops. Why all this feeling of urgency that the harvest might be gathered before
the storms and the whirlwinds descend. I wonder if our life here on earth is not
tempered by some experience we had long ago. It has been at least thirty years
since I was thinking about my farm crops, but as the old saying goes" You can
take the boy out of the farm, but you can never take the farm out of the boy."
You can take the spirit out of its maternal home, but you can never take those
maternal instincts out of the spirit. I guess what I am saying is, though we no
longer live in the preexistence, we still have a feeling for things pertaining
to our previous estate. We have concerns for the spiritual welfare of the
harvest, a harvest of the souls of men, especially those closest to us. We watch
for "the storm clouds of dissension" as we see the tender stems emerge. We
anxiously watch the weatherman (The prophet) to give us the forecast that we
might know what is best for the maturing crop. As Kieth waters his alfalfa to
supplement the rains, we, too, feel that need to give counsel and spiritual
strength to supplement the natural (moisture) instincts, to do what is right.
All the elements of spiritual growth and development are as essential for the
harvest of spirits as are all the steps used by Kieth to lay up for himself a
bountiful harvest.
A little about that sense of urgency. There is a similitude in life to the
harvest of alfalfa. In our lifetime if we follow the law of the harvest (That ye
reap what you sow) we might see a first, second, third and maybe a fourth crop.
As with the alfalfa, we see in each succeeding (crop) generation the same
concerns rear up their ugly heads; "heads" of disobedience, "tares" of
immorality and substance abuse, indifference to parental instruction, and a
sense of spiritual deafness, a deafness to the promptings of the still voice
from within.
To him who would procrastinate the day of planting come the early frosts of
winter. To him who would fail to supplement the rains, come the shallow roots
that cannot reach deep, to tap the waters of self-determination. To him who
would fail to watch for the signs of adversity, unawareness may hasten or delay
the harvest of souls until the day is past and the night comes on.
Take some time to see a parable of life in the foregoing, one that pertains to
you. Your harvest will vary somewhat according to the crop (the spirit child)
entrusted to you. To one, more water (Love) is required. To another comes a
different planting time, a time when good judgment must meet the maturity of the
crop (child). A time to recognize and prepare the crop for the storms and the
whirlwinds; a "time to hold and a time to fold". It's hard for some to "kick the
chick out of the nest". But you will never see the second crop if you don't
harvest the first, and the second, and the third etc.
There is also this disparity. You are pretty well on your own with the first
crop. But then come the challenges of harvesting each succeeding crop. You must
sit by and watch your posterity deal with the laws of the harvest. Like the
alfalfa, there comes a time when preparation is past, a time when one must just
sit and pray that the crop has been given sufficient sustenance to meet what
ever adversity that might befall it.
Remember the boy and the farm scenario. Throughout your whole life time will
come those echoes of eternity, echoes of concerns for yourself and your
posterity, founded in the long, long ago when our Father in Heaven had to sit by
and watch and pray that we his children, would follow the law of the harvest.
Love Dad, Granddad, or Something
San Carlos, Mexico - December 24 1996
Our concerns and our prayers have been for your welfare, knowing that
childbirth, at best, is wrought with much pain and suffering. We then received
word that it was over with, also an account of the unusual struggle you were
required to endure. Hopefully, that is all forgotten in the joy of motherhood.
Lest we forget to thank our Father in Heaven for his watchful care in your time
of travail, let us show him our love and gratitude by loving his other children.
The other day I came across a mother's experience with childbirth, my thoughts
were turned to you. I thought you might like to share this little experience
with me.
The Author is Camille Williams.
When I was pregnant with my first child; I asked my mother about labor.
She hardly looked up from her work to say, "It's not that bad."--She did
indicate that the labor was harder on my father. I thought she was joking, but
he [later] confirmed her account of his dismay at her experience.
After four labors and one emergency C-section, [I now know that those labor
pains are not without purpose.] What is it that I have bought by my maternal
pains?...
I am forever altered by the caring and the laboring for my children. Slow
learner that I am, it took the birth of my first child to see each person as
someone else's child, someone else's pain and joy. This radical reconstructing
of my world left me unable to bear some of the misery we inflict on each other.
In that relatively short time when the body and the soul are straining to bring
forth the daughter or son, some of us grasp for the first time that each
irreplaceable life requires faith, patience, and more pain than any of us would
choose. Labor gives life, and the long wait between conception and birth
instills gratitude for each delicate finger and toe, and appreciation for the
beauty of the human body and all it's functions, right down to the last sleepy
burp and snore of the infant snuggled at the shoulder.
A relation that began with the biological connection between parent and child
may, through labor and with astonishing speed, became a fierce, inarticulate
urge to protect the vulnerable newborn whose face is only seen after long months
of worry, long hours of effort. Maybe it is the work of motherly or fatherly
nurture that brings about a change of heart linking us with those who have gone
before us with those who will live after us. As our children grow, we are
invited to become patient and less selfish through the presence of dependent
innocents or pique of adolescents. As we and our parents age, we are, in
recognition of our own infirmities, enticed to be more forgiving, more
repentant, more compassionate. Perhaps it is this witness of family love that
gives us hope beyond the present: we were not made to turn to forgotten dust.
We are each of us bought through someone else's pain and taught by our own
suffering that every day's breath is an infinite gift. We are none of us simply
biological creatures. Like sparrows and lilies, we are known and accounted for;
clothed by more than mortal flesh, the end of our creation is joy. (End of
quote)
The reference here to sparrows and lilies alludes to the Savior's comparison
between God's attention to his nonhuman creations and his attention to his
literal children. He clothed the lilies to be more splendid than Solomon's glory
(Luke 12:27) and no sparrow falls without his notice (Matthew 10:29). Yet "how
much more" will he clothe his children than the lilies (Luke 12:28) and "Ye are
of more value than many sparrows (Matthew 10:31) The source of this
incomprehensible degree of Christ's love for his children is that he, like a
mother who knows labor pains, offered the labor of his atonement for them. Our
perspective on the sacrificial offerings we make for our children thus teaches
us something of what it must mean that we are "known and accounted for" in the
perspective of God.
Love Grandpa
PS.
When we get old, and have more time to get rid of, we tend to dream up all kinds
of scenarios, some good, some bad. It was on one of those bad "binges" that I
found myself thinking of you. (Don't stop reading yet!) It was not that I found
myself thinking of you, that was bad, it was the thought that something bad
might happen to you. I had heard, through the grapevine, that this was not going
to be just the ordinary "run of the mill" childbirth, that there was
considerable concern for your welfare. I found myself thinking what would the
world ever do without Heather? What would grandpa ever do without Heather? I am
so glad that we didn't have to find out.
Just a word in closing, Mark Twain, in one of his oft quoted "sermonettes", is
purported to have said. "I am an old man, and I have had many worries, but most
of them never happen".
One more hug for the road, I love you.---- Grandpa
Some time ago I used a "newsletter" to address the subject of coping with
death--our own. The full text is found in volume two of my news letters. One of
the concerns dealt with was FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN. I would guess that the
proximity to the date of our departure from this life spawns a greater eagerness
to know what lies a head.
One of the fundamental tenets of Mormonism is the reality of Heavenly
Messengers. To some this is the hurdle that they can't cope with, One of my best
"non" Mormon friends has told me many times if it were not for the so-called
"Joseph Smith" story he could accept Mormonism. What a shame! To me the accounts
of the visitation of heavenly beings is the most beautiful and exciting part of
our faith. Another friend (a new convert by the way) gave this reply when I
asked if he had any problem with the "Joseph Smith Story". "To me it was no
problem, it was just as natural as it could be". Why is it, that so many have an
"unbelieving heart"? Why do so many question, or try to reason, with little
knowledge, of the "Unseen World?" Maybe I am lazy, believing is so easy, and to
doubt is so demanding and distressful. Almost every belief is founded upon faith
of some kind. They believe in a God they can't see. I believe in a God that can
be seen. They believe in a heaven and a hell, yet they are at a loss to describe
it. Through the visitation of Heavenly Messengers in our day we can not only
describe it, we know the requirements to obtain eternal life. How do we
determine what things are believable, and what things are unbelievable?
Sorry about that, I didn't intend to go so far afield from the intent of this
communication. I don't see anything wrong with trying to get an advantage when
it comes to the future. When we were in the army we were constantly trying to
get at the head of the line. (Especially the chow line) When Francine and I
received our call to go to Wilkes Barre Pa. We couldn't wait until we got there,
to see for ourselves. We got out the "books" so we would at least know something
about the place. Well, as I stated at the beginning of this letter, my departure
from this life has me all excited about what to expect when I arrive in that
"New Mission Field" I was reading the account of Joseph Smith dealing with the
coming forth of this latter day work. As I lay pondering upon the visitation of
the Father and the Son to the boy prophet, the thought came to me that my new
"Mission Calling" will put me in touch with a new environment and people with
bodies. (As witnessed, through the eyes of another, Joseph Smith). But I know
that the accounts of these beings are indeed true. The Spirit within tells me
so.
Let me quote just a few lines from Joseph Smith's account. I would suggest that
you read the full text. He had determined to ask God which of all the churches
was true. So he retired to a secluded spot in the woods to seek God in prayer.--
"I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun,
which descended upon me gradually until it fell upon me.-- when the light rested
upon me I saw two personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description,
standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and
said, pointing to the other--This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!
Next, the visit of the Angel Moroni: "While I was thus in the act of calling
upon God I discovered a light appearing in my room, which continued to increase
until the room was lighter than noon day, when immediately a person appeared at
my bedside, standing in the air, for his feet did not touch the floor. He had a
loose robe of the most exquisite whiteness. It was a whiteness beyond anything
earthly I have ever seen; nor do I believe that anything earthly could be made
to appear so exceeding white and brilliant. His hands were naked and his arms
also a little above the wrist; so also were his feet, as were his legs a little
above the ankles. His head and neck were also bare.-- Not only was his robe
exceeding white, but his whole person was glorious beyond description, and his
countenance truly like lightning.-- He called me by name and said unto me that
he was a messenger sent from the presence of God unto me, and that his name was
Moroni.-- After this communication I saw the light in the room gather
immediately around the person who had been speaking to me, and it continued to
do so until the room was left dark, except just around him; when, instantly I
saw as it were, a conduit open right up into heaven, and he ascended till he
entirely disappeared". The Angel Moroni appeared to Joseph numerous times, where
he continued to receive instructions and intelligence from him.
Lastly the account, by Oliver Cowdry, dealing with the visit of John the
Baptist, as he restored the Aaronic priesthood. You should read his account in
its entirety, but for now, let me quote John "Upon you my "FELLOW SERVANTS"in
the name of the Messiah I confer the priesthood of Aaron.. What I want to leave
with you is this; John the Baptist, referred to Joseph and Oliver as FELLOW
SERVANTS, "Then his voice, though mild, pierced to the very center, and his
words "I am thy fellow servant", dispelled every fear". And then, the boy
prophet seemed right at home, receiving counsel from the Angel Moroni, who lived
in mortality just a few hundred years ago. These, and the Savior himself, are
all men, much like you and I, except for their degree of perfection. They all
have passed through this existence, and as they appear now, so "When He appears
we shall be like Him".--(Them). See Moroni 7:48 FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN;
WHAT IS THERE TO FEAR?
Back to index
Oops! I tried to get out of the car while it was still running and in gear. I
usually adjust the content of these "News Letters" to fit on two pages, assuming
that two pages is about all one can assimilate (or endure) at one sitting. So,
"batten down the hatches" there is still a little more that needs to be said on
this subject.
Earlier in the first letter, I said that I didn't see anything wrong with trying
to gain an advantage when it comes to the future. Assuming that a limited
knowledge of what to expect when we get there would be an advantage; or, at
least the shock or newness of it all would be tempered somewhat. But there are
other advantages that one can carry with him, as he departs this life. Let me
quote a real "Pearl of Great Price", peculiar to Mormonism alone. It is found in
Section 130 of The Doctrine and Covenants, verses 18 and 19. "Whatever principle
of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the
resurrection and if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life
through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the
advantage in the world to come". Here is where Grandpa runs out of "smarts" to
adequately address such terms as knowledge, intelligence, diligence and
obedience. Just let me say, if you are obedient and diligent in keeping the
commandments of God you will gain the necessary knowledge and intelligence
spoken of. All are not equal when it comes to secular learning, as evidenced by
ones grade average. But when it comes to knowledge and intelligence pertaining
to the things of God, all are on equal ground. Our Father in Heaven has so
designed the entrance requirements to His Kingdom to fit the capacity of the
weakest of us all. Remember, "To obey is better than sacrifice, and to harken
than the fat of rams". (1. Samuel 15: 22) For a list of entrance requirements
see "The Beatitudes" recorded in the Book of ST. Matthew 5th chapter.
There are so many accounts of Heavenly Messengers, as the keys of the
restoration were restored, each, by him who had held them anciently, that a
whole volume could be written, and has been written, if you would like to do a
little research, but for now, just a couple more. In Section 110 of the D&C is
recorded the visitation of the Lord to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery at the
dedication of the Kirtland Temple. Beginning with verse one through four. " The
veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened. We
saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us; and under
his feet was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber. His eyes were as a
flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his
countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the
sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah saying: I am the
first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your
advocate with the Father".
Beginning again at verse 11. we read; "After this vision closed, the heavens
were again opened unto us; and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us
the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the
leading of ten tribes from the land of the north. After this Elias appeared and
committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, saying that in us and our
seed all generations after us should be blessed. After this vision had closed,
another great and glorious vision burst upon us; for Elijah the prophet, who was
taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us and said: Behold the time
has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi--testifying that he
[Elijah] should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come--To
turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers,
lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse--Therefore, the keys of this
dispensation are committed into you hands; and by this ye may know that the
great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors". End of quotes:
For the accounts of visitations from such notable as Adam, Noah, Peter, James,
John and others see (D&C 128:21 and a comtmentary by the First Preidency 1972).
I think it would be well to include the names of some of those, besides the
Prophet Joseph, who saw, or were visited by heavenly messengers. There is the
account recorded in the 76th section of D&C where Joseph, in company with Sidney
Rigdon, saw the Savior. Let me quote verses 22 and 23. "And now, after the many
testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all,
which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of
God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the
Father".
On the flyleaf of the Book of Mormon is the testimony of Oliver Cowdery, David
Whitmer and Martin Harris that an angel of God came down from heaven and laid
before their eyes the "Golden" plates and the voice of God declared the
translation was correct.
I don't think that the proliferation of names and additional testimony would add
much to what has already been written. Suffice it to say, at least in my case,
the evidence I have quoted in these last two letters is sufficient to remove all
doubt that those who have gone on before are anxiously engaged in helping the
Lord bring to pass his purposes in the eternal scheme of things. Life after
death is a reality. The work there is just as demanding as it is here. (Maybe
more so) I honestly believe that once we set foot on the other side there will
be a calling awaiting us and we will be so involved we will have little time to
stand around and marvel at it all. Love, Dad, Grandad, or Something
Blessed is he who learns from experience. Twice blessed is he who learns from
the experience of others.
Today I have been seeking, through prayer and meditation, for counsel that I
might leave with you, regarding the choices that you will have to make in this
life and the consequences of those choices.
I would like for you to envision a highway that is straight and narrow,
stretching as far as the eye can see. On the right are signs extolling the
virtues and advantages of living according to the counsel of the Lord. On the
left there are also signs, just as enticing, extolling the joys and pleasures of
living a life devoid of any restraints. "Just do your own thing" is one of its
most effective advertisements. Another simply states "Pleasure for Free". On the
left side of this highway there is a thick forest, sitting back some distance,
where the eye cannot penetrate. It is beautiful and inviting. While on the
right, the horizon is unobstructed, as far as one can see. One of the billboards
on the right simply says "You must pay for what you receive". It is down this
highway that you must travel. As you proceed, you will see many advertisements
on each side of the road, each enticing you to make a choice. To the right side
of the road, behind each "Billboard", in clear view, is a list of promised
blessings. While those "Billboards" on the left are also laced with promises of
unlimited joy and happiness. (blessings) But, you must take someone else's word
for it. The consequences of your actions are hidden behind that "Thick Forest".
I would like to stop right here and with a voice of thunder, warn you of the
dangers lurking within that "thick forest, wherein no eye can penetrate." There
are beasts of prey more terrible than anything your mind can imagine.
One short word of warning. You cannot vacillate form one side of the road to the
other; You cannot partake of "Just a little of the forbidden fruit." Consider
the words of Emerson Fosdick: "The tragic evils of our lives are so commonly
unintentional, we did not start out for that poor cheap goal; that aim was not
in our minds at all. Look to the road you are walking on, he that picks up one
end of a stick, picks up the other. He who chooses the beginning of a road,
chooses the place that it leads to."
One of the gifts of a loving Father in Heaven, is the gift of free agency, "Thou
mayest choose for thyself for it is given unto thee". (Just a word of caution,
freedom of choice also brings responsibility for the consequences of that
choice) "But remember that I forbid it, for in the day that thou "eatest"
thereof thou shalt surely die." (Gen. 2 17).
To help you put this quote in the context of this letter, let me paraphrase it
just a little. When we fail to follow the counsel found on "Billboards" located
on the right side of the road, we do not necessarily die physically. (Although
it is possible) But we "Die" as to obtaining the blessings and promises that are
available if we make the right choices.
"But, I, the Lord, will provide you with loving parents and grandparents, who
have had some experience dealing with the "Beasts of the forest". They have also
partaken of the fruit of "the tree of obedience". They will be limited as to
what they can do to help you. They are limited to the "tools" of long suffering,
patience and love unfeigned. Yes, they may overstep these bounds at times, and
demand obedience, but have charity for them, for they are my children too, (just
a little older) and they are traveling that self-same highway, a little further
down the road, is all. There is one small difference. (They have been where you
are, but you have never been where they are.) I have commanded them to bring you
up in light and truth. This is an overwhelming task. Nothing in their lifetime
will be more demanding. It will be accompanied by grief and sorrow, joy and
happiness, satisfaction and regrets. You think that you have it tough! wait
until you get as far down the road as they are."
Let us now consider some of these "Billboards". --- I say some of them, for
there are so many. Experience is a great teacher, not that one needs to partake
of the "forbidden fruit" to find out how bitter it is. The history of the past
should be sufficient to guide us; it is replete with the results of following
this deadly course. So, with that as the deterring factor, let us dwell upon the
positive. I am not sure that the fear of retribution, or seeing the consequences
of wrong-doing, leads to any degree of reformation anyway. Repentance is a gift
from God, it comes from within, initiated by a sense of guilt. This feeling of
guilt usually comes after one has tasted of that which is good; coming to the
conclusion that living righteously is more pleasant than following the course
they are now pursuing.
As for this News Letter, time and space is insufficient to go into much detail
discussing the pro's and con's of each "Billboard" along life's highway. Let me
dwell upon but a few, that may be stumbling blocks to some of you.
I find it hard to relate to some of the challenges of your day. The
proliferation of sexually-oriented talk and expression was foreign to my youth.
The availability of, and the freedom with which the youth of today use and
experiment with mind-expanding drugs and other harmful substances, were never
heard of just a few years ago. There are however, enough "Billboards" on the
right side of the road, if one would adhere to them, to cover most of the
problems of the youth of today. I think that "the bandage is of sufficient size
to cover the wound". The "do-nots" sounded restrictive to my generation; how
much more restrictive they must sound to yours. But truths are eternal, right
has always been right, and wrong has always been wrong. Truths given to one
generation are given to all generations. Yes, the forces of evil are at work as
never before, but so are the forces for good. I think, and I might be wrong,
that the spirit to do good is stronger than ever before. I see stronger
testimonies in the youth of today than when I was young. Our missionaries are
preforming their labors with skills almost unheard of when I was a missionary.
They teach and convert hundreds where we converted but a few. The strength of
their faith and their working relationship with the spirit was seldom seen in my
day. Everyday occurrences in their lives would have been considered miracles
fifty years ago. That is not all. When I go to the temple, I see more and more
young sisters in attendance than ever before. I see more young mothers with
small families doing a fantastic job rearing their children in light and truth.
Well, getting back to the "bandage being sufficient to cover the wound". and
those "Billboards". Let me just dwell on a few.
KEEP THE WORD OF WISDOM
(See Section 89 D&C)
This section deals with the Lord's "Law of Health" Most of you are familiar with
its contents. So I will dwell on a thought that might be new to some of you.
Remember sometime ago I sent you a letter entitled, ME & IT? ("Me".. being the
my eternal spirit, "It.."the body I live in) Well, there will come a time in
your life, if it has not yet arrived, when ME would like to change your life for
the better. (Repentance is another name) When this time comes, the further you
have strayed from the Word of Wisdom, the more difficulty you will have when ME
longs to change. "IT" has developed a dependency on one or more of the things
mentioned in this revelation. And like the branch of a tree, it is easy to bend
when it is young, but when it has become a trunk of the tree, it is almost
impossible to alter the direction it will face. At first the struggle is
minimal, just a little tug will alter its direction. But as time goes on the
conflict between "ME and It" is repeated time and time again. Each time "IT"
wins, "ME" weakens in its resolve until "It" has convinced "ME" that "IT" cannot
survive without this dependency. Its not what effect disobedience has in regard
to our health, although that is bad, it is what it does to "ME".
One verse in this section, that is often overlooked is Verse 21: "And, I the
Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass them by, as
the children of Israel, and not slay them." This isn't a promise that those who
keep these sayings (mentioned in the preceding verses) that "IT", the body, will
somehow never die. It refers to "ME" the spirit within, that the destroying
angel will pass "ME" by, and not destroy "ME". (Referring to the death of the
spirit.) The longer one stays on the other side of that highway the less
sensitive the spirit becomes to spiritual things, and if one remains on the left
side of the road long enough the spirit within you will "surely" die. I hope
that this using ME and IT hasn't been too confusing. But that is the best
vehicle I could think of to carry the message I wanted to leave with you.
"Cease to be Idle"
D&C 88:124
"Cease to be idle; ( An old saying, "An idle mind is the devil's workshop")
Cease to be unclean; cease to find fault one with another; cease to sleep longer
than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye might not be weary; arise
early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated."
This is a good one to chew on for a while. If the shoe fits, wear it. I find
this one to be self incriminating. It becomes more of a challenge to get out of
bed all the time. I know that I should go for my walk every morning, and I
always feel a lot better when I return. But for some reason the " IT" tries to
convince "ME" that in a few more hours I will be rested and raring to go. Also,
" IT" even turns to scripture to convince "ME" that "One should not run faster
than he is able." (See Mosiah 4:27) Well, be that as it may, it is a battle
every morning (except when I am in Mexico) There .. Kris is honking, for me to
hurry, so we can be out fishing before the sun rises. Does that give you any
hint as to how to cope with that "getting-up" problem when it arises?
This, "Cease to be unclean" might also be considered. Be neat and well groomed,
"Who e'er thou art, act well thy part". The way you dress says a lot about what
you really are. I have on occasion caught a glimpse of some of your bedrooms,
not while you are in there of course, but some of them look like a whirlwind has
just gone through. You young mothers, learn house keeping skills. You are
training the next generation. If your home is neat and clean, so will be the
homes of your posterity. Don't be a slave and a maid. We learn by doing, so will
your children. Look up the poem "If Jesus came today, would I invite Him in, and
ask if He would stay"? Oh, by the way, whose bed room shall we give him?.
I am running out of room in this "news letter" I feel like the mother who sent
her youngster to grandma's house with a bucket to get a pint of milk. I have
spent three pages preparing you for something profound, only to run out of
space, with only (a pint of milk) to put in the bucket. Maybe another time I
will expand this theme, using more substance and less rhetoric.
Love Dad, Grand-Dad, or Something
P.S.
Consider this observation, from the pen of Edward M. Lancaster.
"What a commentary does the career of any man furnish, on the instability of
worldly things and the evanescent character of worldly glory! Resting on any
other foundation than that of everlasting truth and right, the grandest
conceptions of the genius of man often prove as fleeting and unreal as the
"baseless fabric of a dream." His gilded creations, however stable they may
seem, will flash for a few brief hours in the sunlight of hope, and then fade
with the gathering twilight, and vanish utterly away in the quick-coming night"
Only a dad with a tired face,
Coming home from the daily race,
Bringing little of gold or fame
To show how well he has played the game;
But glad in his heart that his own rejoice
To see him come and to hear his voice.
Only a dad with a brood of four,
One of ten million men or more
Plodding along in the daily strife,
Bearing the whips and the scorns of life,
With never a whimper of pain or hate,
For the sake of those who at home await.
Only a dad, neither rich nor proud,
Merely one of the surging crowd,
Toiling, striving from day to day,
Facing whatever may come his way,
Silent when the harsh condemn,
And bearing it all for the love of them.
Only a dad but he gives his all,
To smooth the way for his children small,
Doing with courage stem and grim
The deeds that his father did for him.
This is the line that for him I pen;
Only a dad, but the best of men.
Edgar Guest
"For the strength of the hills we bless thee, our God, our Fathers God. Thou
hast made thy children mighty by the touch of the mountain sod." This Sunday I
have been thinking about the strength and determination of early pioneers who
crossed the plains. My own forefathers never walked across the plains...they
waited for the bus..so to speak... All the pioneering wasn't over with when they
arrived, they too had their trials. Hard times and the trials of one's faith
aren't confined to the wagons of the first company. To survive hardship is one
thing, but to keep the faith is another.
In my musings on this subject I have had a wide variety of scenarios that
somehow seemed to deal, one way or another, with my feelings on the subject. As
I have observed the growth-pattern of newly formed congregations, there emerges
a consistency that seems to have been universal throughout the history of the
church. As I read of the apostasy that took place at the churches inception I
marvel that it ever survived. At least half of the quorum of the twelve and The
Three Witness all left the church. When the Wilkes Barre Pa. branch of the
church was organized I was its first president. We had phenomenal growth.
Sacrament Meeting attendance was well over one hundred. We had to build a new
chapel to meet the needs. Not too long afterwards, there came a falling away.
Some who were our strength and upon whom we looked for future leadership fell by
the wayside.
Being one who was raised up close to the land I soon learned that the time to
destroy weeds was when they first emerged. The longer they grew, the stronger
they became. I see a similitude in the growth-pattern of the church. As with the
farmer, Satan knows the time to destroy the faith of a newly organized branch is
while it is still young and vulnerable.
Some time ago I was watching a TV program dealing with sea turtles. When they
first hatched they made a mad dash for the ocean. Along the way they were set
upon by the "Gugenua" birds, who, with voracious appetites, would devour them
before they reached the safety of the sea. But for the preponderance of the
hatch the sea turtle would have become extinct. Maybe that is why the church
continues to grow, in spite of all who fall away, the number of new converts is
larger than those who leave.
There are other reasons as well. In spite of the farmer's efforts to destroy all
the weeds when they were young, enough survived to not only plague the farmer,
but produce sufficient seed to perpetuate the species. With maturity comes a
hard core of faithful Saints. In time programs that the Lord has set up for the
perfecting of the Saints "take hold". Soon such things as home teaching and
family home evening "kick into gear" and slowly we mature in the gospel. As
members of the church start to pay a full tithing and contribute generously to
the fast offerings, the Lord blesses His people financially, and strong
leadership starts to develop. Strength in the church seems to follow this
pattern.
While I might look old enough to have crossed the plains with my ancestors, I
didn't. But, I have lived long enough to see the church grow not only in
numbers, but more importantly, mature in faith and spirituality. I have seen the
time when the average church sacrament attendance was below 25%. Now it is in
excess of 50% and in many cases up in the eighties. When I was first called to
the High Council, and had privilege to such information, Cornish (My home ward)
led the stake in the payment of fast offerings, $7.00 per capita per year, when
church- wide it was less than $2.00 Now even that figure would be cause for
alarm. The Cornish ward was always complimented because they exceeded 50%
attendance at sacrament meeting. Now, anything less than 80% is unacceptable.
When I was just a lad I remember going to a sacrament meeting (High Council
Night by the way) when there were just five of us there.
Well, that should be enough to show the growth-pattern that takes place all over
the church. It will eventually find its way into the young wards here in Mexico.
The Lord will raise up strong leadership, but in his own way. It takes time for
leadership to mature. It will take time for programs that work well in old
established wards to become commonplace here. Some of you who are now in your
teens, if you remain faithful, will live to see strong wards and stakes, yes,
even temples within your midst. When your hair turns gray (if you are lucky
enough to have any) you will see a fulfillment of this prophesy.
It is not altogether impossible that some of your great, great, great
grandchildren will be commemorating some kind of centennial of the church in
this area and they will be asked to tell of their forefathers, who were pioneers
in their own right, pioneers in establishing the church here in this goodly
land.
As for my ancestors, volumes can and have been written. The trial of one's faith
is peculiar to the time and circumstances under which they live. Their's was a
struggle just to survive. This generation faces foes unknown in their day. I am
convinced that no man enters "In at the gate" without first "Crossing the
plains" of his own time. And I am also convinced that those of this generation
are no less diligent, nor less faithful, and they are just as willing to
sacrifice their all in the service of the Lord. Yes, there are many who are weak
and they falter, but so was it in their day. Volumes have been written about
those whose lives were snuffed out by the "genua" birds, before they reached the
safety of the Mountain sod. "For the strength of the hills We thank thee, our
God, our Fathers God".
The title for this "News Letter" was borrowed from the proclamation made at the
inception of the Welfare Program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints, back in 1936, stating its purpose. It included such phrases as
enthroning the gospel of work, abolishing the evils of the dole and eliminating
THE CURSE OF IDLENESS.
This morning I was wishing for a little dose of "youth", with its resilience.
There was a time when a few hours of rest would renew my body and I would feel
like taking on the whole world; not so any more. The last few days have taken
their toll on the old man. The water has been rough and the pounding of the
waves has left me aching in every joint. (Even in places where there are no
joints) This old body is screaming for relief, that is why I was wishing for
THAT little dose of youth.
So much for self-pity. What has this to do with the curse of idleness? Surely,
retirement and fishing could not be classified as idleness. At least, having to
get up to go fishing gives one a reason to "kick off the covers". We all find
ourselves trying to satisfy the urgent cries of relief by our bodies. Some of us
seek relief by laying in bed a little longer. Some need that cup of hot coffee,
or some other form of stimulant. Some turn to pills of some sort, thinking that
because they have a prescription, it is really not drug addiction. (Oh! by the
way, this scenario is not necessarily a symptom of old age.) It starts with your
first breath. Most babies come into this old world crying for something. The
thrust of this letter therefore is universal, it spans the whole spectrum of
life. Each age has to wage its own battle. To find a single prescription that
cures all ills, in all age groups, is impossible. Then there are actions that
interact with one another, thus complicating the prescription. Not all of us
have a calcium deficiency or some other chemical imbalance, in fact they are
few. Most of the prescriptions for good health and well being are not found in
the drug store. The old saying that you are what you eat, has more to do with
the feeling of good health than any single endeavor.(The Lord's prescription for
good health is found in Section 89 D&C)
As I said, most prescriptions are interacting. Rest and activity need a proper
balance. Thus, the counsel "Sleep no longer than necessary, arise early that thy
mind might be invigorated and run no faster than thou art able." See D&C 88:124.
This directive needs to be accompanied with "being" anxiously engaged in a good
cause; to be excited about life. "To TAKE of life's fullness, every moment must
count, to revel in its sunshine and bask in its fount". (See the lyrics from the
song I LOVE LIFE, by John Wetherby) This TAKING is a verb, it is not the reward
of him who sits passively by, waiting for a "duck to fly into his mouth" (part
of an old Chinese proverb). I would guess that all this comes under the heading
of enthroning the gospel of work. "There are chances for work all around just
now, opportunities right in your way. Do not let them pass by saying sometime
I'll try, but go and do something to day.--- the world has no use for a drone."
(See Have I Done Any Good In The world Today, found in the LDS hymnal). Work has
its own therapeutic value. "By the sweat of thy face thou shalt eat bread all
the days of thy life" was not a curse, but a prescription for good health. (See
Genesis 3:19)
To be idle feeds upon itself. The more of it you have in your diet, the more you
want. Gradually, one drifts into one more hour in bed, one more hour at the
local pub, and one more hour of indecision. When Francine and I decided to sell
the milk cows, I rationalized that I would fill all those hours that used to be
devoted to their care to gospel study and a whole host of other soul ennobling
activities. You know what happened? My bed time increased. With cows, my time of
arrival at work was 5 AM. The first week was great, up at five, reading the
scriptures. The next week. Up at six, reading the scriptures. You get the idea.
In the transition from that which has to be done, to that which one wishes to be
done, something is lost. Build for yourself a "Have to get up" routine, whether
it be milking cows or some other kind of activity. There was nothing wrong with
my good intentions to study the scriptures, but I didn't "HAVE TO GET UP" to do
it. So much for good intentions.
I have observed over the years, that those who retire, without some reason to
get up, drift into a life of inactivity, and before long they are unable to
interact with life itself. They become soft, if you will, their desire to do is
limited by their capacity. You can't go fishing if you can't get into the boat.
Life is like taffy, as long as you stretch it, it stays pliable. Once you cease
to stretch it, rigormortis sets in, and that is a sign that death has arrived.
While inactivity in your youth might not be signal of your eminent death, it
will surely hasten its arrival.
Love, Dad, Grandad or Something.
Just a parting chuckle:
A certain Fuller-Brush salesman approached a southern gentleman, who was setting
upon his front porch, going back and forth in his rocking chair. In the course
of their conversation, he ask him how he spent his days. The reply was, "I just
set here rocking and thinking, and sometimes I just rock." Much like my
experience with milk cows. At first there was some activity and some thinking.
As time went on there was less of the first and more of the latter.
To Family and those Most Dear:
I am having a hard time this morning trying to persuade my body to respond to
the dictates of the spirit within. The body keeps saying that I have lots of
time and a short nap will make me feel better. But the voice within reminds me
of times when I have delayed its promptings and when I have returned to my
typing the spirit has withdrawn and with it went the message he had for me. Just
like "I have plenty of time, but the spirit is "running a tight ship" and the
time he has allotted to me is limited.
So without further ado, I will yield to the spirit within and get on with this
"News Letter".
How often have you stopped to ponder the lyrics, or words of a song. The hymns
we sing in church are composed of both music and verse. Most of the time we
concentrate on singing, paying little attention to the words. Such was the case
yesterday. I have sung the hymn "Lead Kindly Light" hundreds of times and I
would suppose that I have pondered upon its message to some degree, but
yesterday I was particularly drawn to its message. Let me give you the full
text.
LEAD KINDLY LIGHT
Lead kindly light, a-mid th'encircling gloom; Lead thou me on!.
The night is dark and I am far from home; Lead thou me on!
Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene-- one step enough for me.
I was not ever thus, nor prayed that thou shouldst lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path; but now Lead thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and in spite of fears.
Pride ruled my will, Remember not past years.
So long thy power hath blest me, sure it still --will lead me on
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till the night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved, long since, and lost a-while!
Let me dwell upon some of my musing. The first verse: When one is encircled in
gloom and the night is dark, with a longing for the security of home, "We would
that someone might take our hand and lead us on." I don't know about others, but
there have been times in my life when I have felt I was far from home (My
heavenly home) because of my misdeeds. It is a longing, far greater than a
longing for our earthly home. It is a time when we would that "The Kindly Light
would lead thou me on". "Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see the distant
scene; one step enough for me". One would not ask to see the pearly gates, nor
all the obstacles that line the path, just one step at a time. "Just help me
through this hour, ---this day---: I am not worried about the morrow, if I can
just make it through this day.
Second verse: There was a time in my life when I never felt the need for someone
other than myself to choose my path; I loved the garish day, I felt no fear,
pride ruled my will. But now I pray that "thou shouldst lead me on". "Oh
remember not, remember not, Oh Lord, my sins."
Third verse: "So long thy power hath blessed me". When I pause to reflect on my
many blessings, how humble I become. Surely, one who has strayed as far as I
would not expect the "Kindly Light to lead thou me on". "I marvel that He would
descend from his throne divine, to rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as
mine." When I think of all the witnesses of The Divine, the one that stands out
the most is His willingness to bless me in spite of my failings. That He would
send his spirit to comfort me when faint? To give me strength in times of trial?
Or bless me with thoughts of pure intelligence when I am in His service? "Lead,
kindly light, lead thou me on". Until the "Morn when I shall see those angel
faces smile, that I have since loved , and lost awhile". (My Father and my
Mother, Grandparents and all my kindred dead)
Love, Dad, Grandad, or Something
PS:
I am aware that some of my musings may not reflect the thoughts of the author,
but I think that beautiful music and verse can be used as a vehicle through
which the spirit can direct our thoughts towards things spiritual. Our
interpretation, or observation, can be as meaningful, or maybe more so, than the
original text.. I also believe that we should do more than just "mouth the
words". We should use both the words and music to put us in tune with the
spirit, that he might fill our souls with light. His (the spirits) message is
the essence of our worship service. More powerful than the thoughts of the
author. The greatest sermons are not the ones given over the pulpit, nor the
thoughts of others expressed in song. It is only when we "liken" what has been
said or sung, unto ourselves, that we open the door to spiritual instruction. I
would suggest that you pause and wait upon the Lord, for the heavenly message
that is customized to your particular need. (jmp)
Lazy Bones, sleeping in the sun, when you gonna get your day's work done, never
get your day's work done, sleepin' in the noon-day sun?"
Such were the lyrics of a song from yesteryear. It was a Negro spiritual and we
were led to believe that all colored folks were lazy. (Of course, living in a
part of the world where there were no Negroes, we just assumed that to be true)
I was one who loved work; in fact, I could lay down right beside it and go to
sleep. I always thought of myself as being a little on the lazy side. As I
reflect upon my youth, circumstances pretty well dictated my actions. My father
worked on the railroad and was gone most of the day, but he tried to find
something to keep me busy until he returned. We had a cow to milk, chickens to
feed, hogs to "slop" and there were always chicken coops and hog pens to clean.
And if that wasn't enough, he somehow had a weed patch, where I could spend any
time I had left over pulling weeds for the pigs. As you can imagine, this
routine never endeared me to work. In fact, I became quite proficient in finding
ways to circumvent his decrees. I, like Red Skelton portraying a disobedient
little boy, would say something like this. "If I do it-- I will get a licking
--- I will still do it!" Well, some of my friends would come by, with fishing
poles in hand, and say something like "the bass are biting down in Nelson's
Pond". If I go, I'll have a ball. If I don't finish the chores Dad had given me
to do, I will get a licking --- I'll still go! Dad never issued idle threats,
and as the cart always follows on the heel of the ox, so retribution always
followed disobedience. So, work was not a matter of choice but a matter of
obedience or suffer the consequences.
As I grew out of adolescence into young manhood there were other drives that
dictated my work habits. Many of the things that I wanted to do required money
and my usual source of funds, my parents, had dried up ( they were struggling
just to make ends meet too); so, if I wanted to go to the dance on Saturday
night, I must find a way to "pay the fiddler". Again, not that I was all that
fond of work, it was either that or stay home -- so I went looking for work.
I have about come to the conclusion that you can't make ambitious children by
assigning them chores. Industry has to come from within. Work for the sake of
work "won't cut it". Work must have a reward for the one performing the labor.
The degree of desire determines the amount of effort one is willing to render.
Therefore, you must feed your children a diet of great expectations, not for
you, but for things that are exciting and rewarding to them; it must be
something that they are willing to sacrifice for. If they want a new car---
plead poverty. If they once find out that their desires can be met by "soft
soaping" Dad or Mom, the battle is lost. Hard as it is to say no, to give in is
robbing your children of self reliance. Rather than saying no, say "this is how
you might obtain the funds necessary to get what you want". Teach that every
reward has its price. "There is no free lunch". But, you mustn't stifle desire
by injecting your set of values on the object they covet. Let them learn the
value of the things they want. Experience is a much better teacher than parental
counsel. I once had a quarter and I loved "Cracker-Jack", so I bought five
boxes. (Does that tell you something about the time?) Well, parental wisdom
would have averted an unwise purchase, but by making my own decision I satisfied
my desire for "Cracker Jack". Next time---- I will buy a candy bar and a bottle
of pop to go with it.
In my youth I hated school. I went because I had to. My grades reflected my love
for the work. My goal was to pass into the next grade; learning had nothing to
do with it. I am sure that in spite of my lethargy I absorbed much, but it was
minuscule compared to what was offered. One of my first experiences with
learning for the right reasons came after I had finished my formal education. I
found that I could increase my earning capacity by studying the "tools of the
trade". Excitement came with learning. For instance, I learned the "tools of the
trade" to be a switchman on the railroad. Here I was, making more money in a day
than I made in a week back on the farm, and with one-tenth the effort. How could
you beat that?
Study and learning grow up together. Through study you learn how to meet the
desires or yearnings of your heart; how to build a better computer, how to raise
a bigger sugar beet, or how to be at ease in self expression. And it goes on and
on. As new demands arise, study and learning helps to meet these challenges.
Then, there is one more reward, and that is the feeling of accomplishment. To be
"at the top of your game", as the U.S. Marine commercial goes "To be the very
best you can be".
So, the drive to do something worthwhile has to come from within. External
pressures destroy initiative. We need to do things because we want to, not
because we have to. Somehow you must replace the threat of disobedience with
desire. Let the joy of accomplishment motivate your children. All work and no
play makes "Johnny a dull boy." All play and no work makes Johnny a bum! Give
him something to do that is more desirous than sleep, and you will not be
singing "Lazy bones sleeping in the sun, when you gonna get your day's work
done, never get your day's work done, sleepin' in the noon-day sun". One closing
thought: Nothing can take the place of parental example! Start when your
children are young. It seems like work and sleep habits are formed early in
life. Damn those milk cows! Would that every family was cursed with a few.
Chores to be done before the rising of the sun, and do it all over again at
even-tide. A city lad observing a child with a milk bottle in hand feeding a
newborn calf, came to this conclusion: "You pour the milk into the calf, and
then take it out when the calf becomes a cow" You can rest assured, that what
you pour into a child is what you will retrieve when he or she becomes a
teenager!
Love, Dad ,Grandad or Something.
How much do babies cost? said he
The other night upon my knee
And then I said they cost a lot;
A lot of watching by a cot,
A lot of sleepless hours and care,
A lot of heartache and despair,
A lot of fear and trying dread,
And sometimes a lot of tears are shed
In payment for our babies small,
But every one is worth it all
"For babies people have to pay
A heavy price from day to day--
There is no way to get one cheep,
Why, sometimes when they are fast asleep
You have to get up in the night
And go and see that they are all right.
But what they cost in constant care
And worry, does not half compare
With what they bring of joy and bliss--
You'd pay much more for just a kiss.
Edgar Guest
What the Heart of a young man said to the Psalmist
Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.
Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.
Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act , that each tomorrow
Find us farther than today
Art is long, and time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.
In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle !
Be a hero in the strife!
Trust no future, howe'er pleasant!
Let the dead past bury its dead!
Act,-- act in the living present!
Heart within, and God o'erhead!
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;
Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.
Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.
Henry Longfellow
Preston, Idaho
August 1997
To Family and Those Most Dear:
There was a day when my biggest concern was for the stability of the church in
Wilkes Barre, but as time has gone on I no longer concern myself with numbers,
buildings and reputation; those things will take care of themselves, for the
Lord has declared it to be so. "The standard of truth has been erected; no
unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs
may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will
go forth boldly, nobly, and independent till it has penetrated every clime,
swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be
accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done". (See teachings
of Joseph Smith). For another reference see Daniel 2: 32-38 & 44 where Daniel
tells King Nebuchadnezzar that "In the last days the God of Heaven would set up
a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed, nor left to other people. A small
stone, cut out of the mountain without hands, that should roll forth until it
would fill the whole earth". That small stone has continued to roll until now
there are over 10 million members today, the second largest denomination in such
places as California and my beloved Mexico. At conference they announced that in
the Philippines the membership has grown from one to 375,000 in the last 35
years. So the growth of the church is assured. The longings of my heart are for
those I grew to love, those that were given me by the Lord. It is their
happiness and welfare that fills my thoughts continually. It is true, I rejoice
in the growth of the ward, because I know that spirituality is increasing in
that area. But again, it's the spirituality of my loved ones that I pray for.
The ward will grow and prosper of its own accord, the Lord has so decreed it.
What the Lord hasn't decreed is the spiritual growth of the individual. "The
church is for man, not man for the church." With the calling of a bishop comes
the Christ-like attributes and capacity to dwell upon the needs of each member
of his flock. The Bishop's fatherhood, finds its fulfillment in Tom, Dick and
Harry and his Mary, Jane and Sally. "Doth he not leave the ninety and nine in
the wilderness and go after that which is lost. until he find it?" (Luke 15:4) I
was not the Father of the Wilkes Barre ward, but hopefully, a Father to its
members.
Now, lest I be found to be irreverent and be accused of taking out of context
portions of that great intercessory prayer of the Master, found in the 17th
chapter of St John, I seek the forgiveness of my maker. But, the concerns that
the Master had for his flock parallel the feelings I have for my flock. May I,
as did the Master, plead for "Them that thou hast given me, I pray not that thou
shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the
evil. "For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have
received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have
believed that thou didst send me."
"Once a Bishop always a Bishop" doesn't mean that he will always have the
priesthood calling of Bishop, but once you have been so called, you will never
be relieved of the feelings of fatherhood for those with whom the Lord has given
you a custodianship.
This "News letter is an outgrowth of a letter I sent to one of my flock, back in
Wilkes Barre, a short time ago. She is one who has fallen from activity. Hers
has been a "tough row to hoe". Her husband committed suicide years ago leaving
her to raise four young daughters alone. Francine and I spent many hours in her
home. She and her family became our family away from home. I have included her
on my mailing list of "News Letters. While my first love and concern has been,
and is for my immediate family "My heritage from the Lord, those who were given
me before the world was", I still feel a kinship for those with whom we labored,
lo, those many years ago.
I know that the letter I sent to her will be a little repetitious in some
respects, but I hope it will give you an incite as to my concerns and feelings
as they pertain to my charge of being a shepherd to my flock.
Love, Dad, Granddad, Or something
Preston, Idaho
October 1996
Dear Carol:
It's hard to believe that twenty years ago Francine and I were preparing to go
to some place in Pennsylvania, that we had never heard of before, to meet people
who would be complete strangers to us, to do a work we felt like we were not
qualified to do. But we also knew that we had been called by a prophet of God to
do a work that we had spent a lifetime preparing to do.
Now some twenty years later we ponder upon the events of that call. It is just
like time has stood still. We see through the eyes of "yester-year". In my
journal, dated October 20th 1976 I recorded the following: This is the first
Sunday we have spent in Wilkes Barre. I was called to be the new Branch
President. After the Sacrament Meeting a pretty blond-headed mother and her four
little blond-headed daughters came and introduced themselves to us. She was very
friendly and outgoing, just like an old friend. She said "You are just what this
branch needs". Little did I know then that I would never be the same. There is a
saying that "Once a Branch President, always a Branch President. When one is
called to be a Bishop or Branch President he is given a stewardship over those
whom he will preside. Little did I know how literally that statement was, "Once
a Branch President, always a Branch President". While I was with you, my prayers
were for your welfare continually. I would find myself awake in the wee hours of
the morning thinking of each member of the branch, just like a concerned parent,
worrying about his own little flock. Thinking "What can I do or say, to give
them strong enough testimonies of the Restored Church, to sustain them when I am
no longer with them?" Much like a parent's concern, that once their child has
left the fold will they remember the teachings of their youth. The anxiety and
prayers that are common to most parents come with the calling of a Branch
President. It would be bad enough if that burden were lifted once he is
released, but once the responsibilities of that calling are given, it will
remain with him forever. Much like the calling to be a parent. Just because the
child marries and leaves the fold doesn't mean that your concerns will go with
them. The Savior in one of His prayers, said, "I thank thee Father for those
whom thou hast given me." I too thank My Father in Heaven for those whom he has
given me: the Franks & Rosies, the Dans & Beths, the Stans & Carols, and I could
go on, the Philips, the Yudichecks, The Daws, the Pells, the McPeeks, sister
King, sister Post, bro Fillman, the Gregories, the Kivlers, the Howles, the
Mays, the Eoffs, the Lamoreauxs, Johnney Kemmer, John Melonivitch, Sandy, Rose
Ann. And so it goes, I still find myself going over the flock in my mind just as
if I were still there, just as vivid as it was twenty years ago. One of my
biggest regrets is that I didn't do more when I had the tools to work with. I
miss that personal touch, the one-on-one conversions. I was close enough to see
the things that bothered you. Our association was frequent and on-going. It was
so easy to just sit down and cry together, to laugh together, to plan together,
everything was together. Now, I no longer have those tools. I am left to pray
for my loved ones and hope the "Angels will guard the furrows where the precious
seed was sown."
I mourn, and my heart almost breaks, when I hear that one of my loved ones has
left the fold. I keep thinking "If I were there, could I have made a difference?
Would the strength of my testimony be sufficient to persuade them to stay? If I
were there, could I present the truths of the gospel in all their plainness and
beauty? Would that God might be so kind as to grant me power from on high to the
convincing of my flock that He Lives, that He has sent His angels in our day to
restore His plan for our happiness. There is no other way! Satan may blind some
with his sophistry, causing them to think that they have found an easier way to
find happiness. "Wickedness (In the sense that any activity that is at variance
with God's plan, is wickedness) never was happiness". You might think that you
have a life of happiness and fulfillment outside the church, but I promise you
that some day, it will be given unto you to know "the true way to happiness". If
that day comes, and we are not prepared to accept the life-style required to
receive these blessings, there will be crying and remorse. Mothers will be
looking for little young ones. Fathers will be calling and no answer will be
heard. Then in that hour will come the cry "The bride groom cometh, and only
those who have oil in their lamps will be escorted into the bride's chamber"
It is not my intent to be a prophet of doom. I would much rather be a prophet of
hope, Hope that while there is yet some daylight, we might find the path to
happiness. Before the night comes on, with its sullen darkness, a night "In
which no work can be preformed".
Let me close with the lyrics from the song
"Today, While the Sun Shines"
Today while the sun shines, work with a will;
Today all your duties with patience fulfil;
Today while the birds sing harbor no care,
Call life a good gift, call the world fair.
Today seek for treasures better than gold;
The peace and the joy that are found in the fold;
Today while the heart beats, live to be true.
Constant and faithful all the way through.
Today, today, work with a will; Today,
today, your duties fulfill;
To day, today, work while you may.
There is no tomorrow, but only today.
Love,
President Pitcher
There is an old saying "Never a lender or borrower be". I have about come to the
conclusion that this is especially true when it involves family. How many times
have you seen parents make loans to their children, only to have discord in the
family when payments are not forthcoming. When the one who received the loan
gets in a bind and can't make the repayment he starts looking for justification;
like "I never got paid for something I did in the past" or "Johnny and Sue got a
new car and I had to do with an old one". Or "the folks sent Bill on a mission
and they are not "bugging" him for a repayment". I once had a Mission President
who was fairly wealthy. In talking to him at one time he mentioned that one of
his missionaries, had approached him about a loan, and then concluded with this
statement "The surest way to lose a friend is to loan him some money". He went
on to say that it wasn't that he couldn't spare the money, but he didn't want to
lose the relationship they had established over the years. His friend might feel
hurt at the time, but he would soon get over it. But if the time comes that he
can't make a repayment, he will be embarrassed, or feel guilty, to the point he
will avoid me. I could afford to lose the money but I can't afford to lose my
friend.
I would guess the best approach is to consider the loan a gift and write it off.
If the time ever comes that the beneficiary of the "gift or loan" chooses to
make restitution, fine; if not, just mark this one up to experience. Usually the
one who borrows and fails to repay his benefactor, pays in other ways. His
conscience will demand compensation. Every time he sees his one-time friend or
brother, he makes a partial payment (interest, not principle) You will be in his
debt until you die. Also, you sometimes put a burden upon the one you ask for a
loan. The fact that he is able to spare the desired funds has nothing to do with
it. If he requires some collateral, the borrower assumes that his friend doesn't
trust him. If, in asking for a repayment schedule, one might assume that he is
trying to teach you how to run your budget. It is strange; one would go to a
lending institution and expect such requirements. When time for repayment comes
the fear of repossession or restoration suddenly brings on a sense of frugality.
"Wants" suddenly give way to necessity. Priorities change ("To hell with the
cargo, save the ship") When you really get down to it, most of the things you
borrow for, is "cargo", very little goes to save the ship! I once heard someone
speaking about debt. He justified indebtedness for a home or a car, but that was
about it. He then went on to qualify this assertion, by saying that he didn't
mean "A house on "Knob Hill" with a Cadillac in the driveway". It seems like we
all want things that exceed our affluence. Something we hear all too often in
divorce settlements is that "X" number of dollars is not enough to maintain my
life style. The same with retirement plans. Some can retire on a whole lot less
than others.
I would suggest that you strive to find a "comfort zone", a zone wherein you can
live without the bondage of debt. Bigger is not always better; living in the
"fast lane" puts a strain on one's resources. There is a vast difference between
desire and necessity; not that one should cease to dream, but be practical. What
good is a new car if you don't have any gas or money left to purchase something
when you get to town? I was never one to budget, (maybe that is why I'm broke
most of the time) The ideal would be to sit down and realistically evaluate
income and then, starting with the things that are absolutely essential, place
each need in the order of it's importance. Then, when income has run its course,
STOP. Next, if the list goes beyond this point, look for other sources of
income. A caution: Don't spend that extra income before the "check clears the
bank". Too many times our expectations exceed the actual returns. A good
salesman knows that a farmer is most vulnerable just before harvest time. Show
the discipline to wait until the harvest is over. Another No--No; beware of the
"wolves that come in sheep's clothing", suggesting that you dip into funds that
have already been allocated, with promises of great returns. Here are two golden
rules to live by (1) "Never gamble with money that you can't afford to lose" (2)
"Never risk anything of value on something involving chance".
Most of us Pitchers are dreamers and most are paupers. Not that we haven't been
industrious and had our share of this old world' s wealth, it's just that we
can't resist the temptation to become millionaires by entrusting what resources
we do have to someone who has the "know-how, but lacks the bucks". You would
naturally think that just one of us would come up with a good idea and then find
some "sucker" with lots of money that we could get a hold of. I know there are
instances where people have become millionaires over night, but for every
"over-night" millionaire there are a lot of "over-night" hungry people.
Somebody has to pay the fiddler. Why is it that we Pitchers are the only ones
left "dancing to the music" when the ball is over?
Boy, I sure got a long way off the intent of this letter. So, "With a breath of
kindness blow away the chaff". May you find a grain or two of truth in this
epistle.
Love, Dad, Grandad or Something
To Family and Those Most Dear:
The other day I caught a "one liner" that seemed to jump up and say "Here am I,
use me, I will make a good heading for this month's News Letter". Well, anyway,
here is the quote, attributed to W.C. Fields, (probably unknown to most of your
generation) but he was known in my day as a movie actor with a dry sense of
humor (and a big nose). He, being an atheist his entire life, was asked on his
deathbed why he was reading the Bible. Then came the retort; "LOOKING FOR
LOOPHOLES"
I wonder if there aren't a lot of us so-called Christians doing the same thing?
How many of you (or I should say how many of us) try to see how close we can
come to the side of the cliff without falling over? We drink our "cokes"
because, in our research, we find no mention of "cokes" in the Word of Wisdom,
as well as many other dietary regimen? What about sexual purity? Just what is
immorality? How far can you go without being guilty of the whole law? To many of
us sinners, our research is to justify our (wayward) actions. If it doesn't
specifically mention the transgression by "name, rank, and serial number", we
are home free. How many "oxen are pulled from the mire" on the Sabbath? Didn't
the law of Moses say this was justified? Didn't the Savior and his disciples
thresh grain on the Sabbath?
Well, there are as many "loopholes" as there are "loops"--- individuals. I am
afraid that there is a little bit of self-justification in all of us. The
frightening thing about the whole matter is that there is no justification for
deviation found in the scriptures. "Straight is the gate and narrow is the way,
and few there be that find it."-- "The letter of the law killeth, but the spirit
giveth life"-- "Avoid even the appearance of evil". If we spent as much time in
learning the law as we do in trying to find ways to skirt (circumvent) its
intent, we would all be better Christians. Of such were the Scribes in the days
of the Savior, and he called them sinners and hypocrites. He told them that
"they would swallow an elephant and gag on a gnat." How about us? Do we sit in
the judgment seat of our own making and determine which actions fall within the
letter of the law? Thus did the Pharisees of olden times, and the Savior called
them " children of the devil".
Remember the story of a master interviewing some of his horsemen to chauffeur
his carriage ? The first showed his expertise by driving within inches of the
cliff, while the second took pride in driving as close to the wall as he could.
The master took the latter. Maybe that is the way that we should approach our
research. See how close we can come to finding and then keeping the whole law,
not trying to live dangerously by seeing how far we can go and still be within
the limits of acceptability.
Moroni 10:4&5 "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that
you would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things
are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having
faith in Christ He will manifest the truth of it unto you by the power of the
Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth in all
things."
You will notice that "Ye shall ask if these things are not TRUE." Not FALSE! I
have heard of different individuals who have set out to convince themselves that
the Book of Mormon was a hoax, only to become convinced of its truthfulness.
This is an exception. Very few find truth while searching for fallacy. Truth
comes, as a witness of the Holy Ghost, when one has a sincere desire to know
what is right, not what is false. Therefore, if ye shall ask with a sincere
heart, the path that you should follow will be revealed unto you.
There is one more LOOPHOLE that needs to be closed. This is the fallacy that
misfortune is the lot of the disobedient. Life's trials are not reserved for the
ungodly. When misfortune comes the first thing most of us think is "now what
have I done wrong? Is this the reward for my righteous endeavors? Am I not
keeping all the commandments the best I know how?" All blessings are not the
reward of Godlike endeavor, nor misfortune the lot of the wicked. I guess one
has to have the faith to believe that God's promises will be fulfilled at some
future time, or that they are being manifest in a manner misunderstood by us at
the present. Job's friends were quick to lay his misfortune at the feet of
disobedience. But throughout all his suffering he remained steadfast in his
convictions. His testimony, borne in the depth of his afflictions is a
masterpiece. "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and he shall stand at the
latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms destroy my body, yet
in my flesh I shall see God: Whom I shall see for myself , and mine eyes shall
behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me " The whole book
of Job is replete with faith in times of trial and comfort in righteous
endeavor. When you are beset with adversity turn to the truths found in this
book.
Again, find comfort and security in keeping God's commandments not in the
superficial satisfaction that comes from self-justification.
Love, Dad, Grandad, or Something.
(See 1st Timothy 6:10)
This morning I was listening to a talk by Marion G. Romney dealing with the
welfare program, given at the April conference in 1977. As I remember, he was a
champion in proclaiming the gospel of equality among the saints. I am not
qualified to explain all that the Lord intended when he issued the commandment
that there should be a society patterned after the city of Enoch, a city in
which there were no poor and all were of one heart. (whatever that means) But I
did glean a few thoughts that I think worthy to pass on to you.
It was the intent of the Lord to establish a society where each man was given a
stewardship with which he was to provide the necessities for himself and family,
with the surplus going into the Lord's storehouse. I will not try to define
surplus or who will make the determination of what one could keep and what he
should turn over to the bishop. In order for it to work, one would have to
assume that the Lord had a righteous people, devoid of selfishness and pride. As
I try to envision such a society, I am lost in the perplexity of its
applications. As with most situations in life, one must look beyond the forest
and focus on the trees. I have about come to the conclusion that the trees are
the members of our own family. I know that there is some selfishness and discord
in most households. But, I also know that there is a bond within our family that
is somewhat stronger than that found within the community. If this be the case,
then this is where we can start. The Lord has made it clear that there has to be
a "oneness" within the church and in the family. You can't go merrily along
working out your own salvation thinking that you and you alone will determine
your qualification for entrance into the celestial kingdom. The Lord said "If ye
are not one, ye are not mine"; (You can't be one with yourself). This oneness
must permeate the whole society that forms the City of God. If the basic unit of
any society is the family, then this is where that schooling has to take place.
"There cannot be unity within the community when there is disunity within the
family".
Family togetherness usually starts with the parents. Disunity is a subtle thing,
it sneaks in almost unnoticed. A little show of anger, by either the parents or
the children; an unwillingness to share, and selfishness leads to discord.
Somehow you must foster love in your family! Don't ask me how, but there must be
some secret to it, because I see more togetherness in some families than others.
Compassion and concern for the welfare of each brother or sister is one
ingredient. I often wonder if tenderness of heart and empathy aren't traits of
character we are born with. Those so blessed have trials of their own to contend
with, leaving this virtue to be acquired by the rest of us. I have noticed that
all children do not arrive with the same temperament. I have also noticed that
this temperament can be modified by loving and patient parents. So the elements
of family unity can be brought into conformity with celestial behavior.
The basic unit of any society is the family, so likewise the basic unit of any
family is the individual. It is here where most of us have to start; one must
put his own house in order before starting with the family or community.
Self-analysis is a difficult task, one must recognize his shortcomings and then
have a desire to change. Sharing one's wealth is a stumbling block to most.
Equality in earthly possessions is one component of family exaltation. One must
not take pride in his or her accomplishments. To attribute your good fortune as
being a reward for diligent effort precludes opportunities not of one's own
making. Talents were given out severally by the Lord. To one he gave ten, to
another five and lastly, to one he gave two talents. Did the Lord intend that
those with ten talents be rewarded with more of life's bounty than he who was
given two?
With abundance comes responsibility. "Of thy surplus thou shalt feed the poor,
clothe the naked, visit the widow and the orphan in their affliction". Not
larger homes, nicer cars, or sit in a house of luxury, while those of your
brethren struggle to "keep a roof over their heads".
There is a tendency to justify our good fortune on our industry and blame poor
working habits and mismanagement for the plight of our brother. In this there is
grave danger. See the counsel given by Mosiah in 4th chapter. verses 17&18
"Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore
I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him
of my substance that he may not suffer, for his judgments are just--- But I say
unto you, Oh man, whosoever doeth this the same has cause to repent; and except
he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no
interest in the kingdom of God."
"The Lord loveth a cheerful giver". When thou givest, do so with a cheerful
heart, thus reaping the reward of your generosity. When thou givest begrudgingly
thy gift and thy anticipated reward perisheth with thee. It had been better that
the gift had not been given in the first place. Another thought on giving.
"Leave thy gift at the altar". Don't keep a bank balance of your generosity to
be used in the future as credit due. "Dwell not on what you have not, but upon
what you have". Rejoice in what the Lord has given you and seek to make all men
like unto yourself.
Love, Dad, Grandad, or Something
I am not one to read much of ancient philosophers, but the other day I was
trying to make sense out of the meditations of Marcus Aurelius, who lived way
back when. (Somewhere around 160 A.D.) The way he puts his thoughts into verse
is most intriguing, let me give you an example.
"Think not so much of what thou hast not as of what thou hast; but of things
which thou hast select the best, and then reflect how eagerly they would have
been sought, if thou hast them not. At the same time, however, take care that
thou dost not through being so pleased with them accustom thyself to overvalue
them, so as to be disturbed thou shouldst not have them".
A whole sermon could be written about each line. Lets play with this for a bit.
"Think not so much of what thou hast not as what thou hast". We sing a song in
church entitled "Count Your Many Blessings" I think the best therapy for the
"blues"; when you are down and out; when everything seems to be going the other
way, is just to sit down and think of all the things that you have going for
you. "But of the things thou hast select the best and then reflect how eagerly
they would have been sought, if thou hast them not."
All one needs to do is to observe the fate of those around you. If you have good
health, spend an hour in a nursing home. How eagerly the sick seek for relief.
Go to the school for the deaf and blind. How eagerly would you seek to be able
to see or hear if you could not? So, you don't have a new car? Come to Mexico
and learn to walk. You don't know what to have for supper? Watch the evening
news and see all the starving children in Africa. You don't have a new dress for
the prom? There are plenty in this old world who don't have a shirt to go on
their backs. Oh foolish youth, what the aged would give for just one day, of
your many, to run, to laugh, to play, yes, to even turn just one somersault.
This next line is a little bit more challenging. "Take care that thou dost not
through being so pleased with them accustom thyself to overvalue them, so as to
be disturbed thou shouldst not have them." It is customary in our day to be able
to retire and live the life style we are accustomed to. What if you were forced
to live on less? What if you were forced to live on a whole lot less? This might
require that you turn to the first part of this quote for relief. "Think not of
what thou hast not but of what thou hast". When we acquire nice homes, fine
automobiles etc, we tend to overvalue them; we think we could not live without
them. This situation has driven many a man to commit suicide. How many marriages
end up in divorce when one has to give up his or her membership in the country
club. We need to go back to the basics. Start at the very bottom. Of all the
things in life what is the one thing you treasure most? How about your next
breath? That is about as basic as you can get; without that all else matters
very little. Without health there is very little you can do. So you can still
breathe and you still have reasonably good health, what is the next thing that
thou wouldest desire most? (See, you are rich already.) Now, the options become
more plentiful. Home, food, clothing, car, TV. Marcus says to select the best.
What is next best differs with the individual. I would like to leave this letter
unfinished for a month and get your response to this query. But I wonder how
many of you would take the time to let me know?
Let me suggest some options you might consider. If you are young, most of the
things that you would list have to do with your immediate future. If you are a
little older, your desires will most likely be centered in the activities of
your children. If you are as old as I, you might be more concerned with what
will be my lot, come the turn of the century. There is one quest which seems to
grow in intensity as one grows older, that is eternal life. I say as one grows
older; older than what? Blessed is he that becomes aware of this quest early in
life. Too many of us get so involved in the mundane things that we put preparing
for eternal life on the back burner." Seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven and
then all these things shall be added unto you." (Luke 12:31) If one were to put
this goal first (and maybe even before breath and health) and live by faith,
then all other things will be added. "Seek not for riches, but for eternal life.
then if ye so desire you shall have riches, with the intent to do good"
(paraphrase Jacob chapter 2 verses 18&19)
"Ye receive no witness until after a trial of your faith." (Ether 12: 6) If I
had one choice it would be to have faith unto a realization of my fondest
longings, to live throughout the eternities with each of you in the presence of
God. When one attains that faith, his natural desires turn to others. You pray
for your children; you pray for those who are ill; you pray that their burdens
might be lightened. Once you have that kind of faith your desires go outward.
You are satisfied with less for yourself and would give more, if you could, to
those you love.
Finally, one more thought on "Reflect how eagerly they would have been sought,
if thou hast them not". What is the gospel worth? Would you forsake a good life
in beautiful green Denmark and take a wife and three small children out to the
barren and desolate waste of southern Idaho, for something called the Gospel of
Jesus Christ? Would marriage and the sealing ordinances of the temple be worth
the price? "How eagerly would you have sought them, if thou hast them not?"
Grandpa and Grandma Jensen eagerly sought them.
Love, Dad, Grandad, or Something
I have been asked to give a talk next Sunday on music and how it has been a part
of my life. I was upstairs resting, in a prone position (the blood flow is
balanced and one's brain is more active when it gets its share). How is that for
an excuse to take a nap? Well, as usual, thoughts seem to come that need to be
recorded, thus disturbing the rest I had anticipated. So up, and down to the
word-processor.
Thoughts very seldom come in a well organized manner. They run the whole
gauntlet, from the sublime to the ridiculous. Such was the case this morning. In
my mind's eye I was back to the days of my youth and my church experience. I was
not one who was all that excited about going to church in the first place. But,
Pitchers always went to church, so I went to church. The benches were hard and
the speakers always talked too long. I can still see the time when some speaker
would approach the pulpit, bringing with him what looked like his whole library.
Scriptures, magazine clippings, books of all sorts. You name it, he had at least
one of every kind. "Oh boy, we are in for it today, no thirty minuter this
time"... So "he" (you notice I use the male gender, women were very seldom ever
called upon to talk in sacrament meeting in my day.) So, he would spend five
minutes arranging all the paper work, opening the books and scriptures to the
right page and then say something like "I was approached by the Bishop a couple
of weeks ago and asked to give a talk on the Apostasy." holy cow, who gives a
"hoot", please excuse the language, but that was the way I felt. Who gives a
hoot, about something that happened two thousand years ago. The only good thing
about his introduction was that at least we were that much closer to quitting
time. After about an hour( I'm not kidding, in those days the meeting lasted at
least two hours) After about an hour, he would give a summary, point by point,
covering in detail everything he had already verbalized at least a half dozen
times before, then excuse himself for taking so much time.
This kind'a reminds me of a story I once heard. It has its setting some place
out on the plains of Wyoming. One cold and wintry night, the preacher had
scheduled a revival meeting and to his dismay, only one old cowhand showed up
for the service. "So what" said the preacher, "I might just as well give him the
sermon I have prepared." So for the next two hours he ranted and raved about all
the iniquities of this generation, using every prophecy and biblical account he
could find to justify his conclusions. After the meeting he approached the
cowboy and asked how he had liked the sermon. "Well", was the reply " When I go
out to feed my livestock I never give the whole load of hay to one critter". I
sometimes felt like I was given a whole load, when a fork-full would have been
more than enough.
I told you, my thoughts seem to drift back and forth, from the sublime to the
ridiculous.---- What was I talking about? Oh, yes, it had something to do about
music. Well, anyway, music was one of the better parts of sacrament meeting, or
any meeting for that matter. (Oh, by the way, everyone sang, no deaf mutes in
our ward). We were a small town with about 150 inhabitants, so if half came, we
didn't have many out to church. Oh, yes, getting back to music. In those days we
used to have "song practice" every Sunday morning as part of our Sunday school
service. As I remember, about 15 minutes was the time allotted for singing
practice. Every month a new song was chosen, and for the whole month we
practiced that song. The chorister would have us sing it in unison. Then, when
we were a little better acquainted with it, he or she, usually a she, would have
the organist play the alto part through and all the altos would learn their
part, and so it went with the tenors and basses. By the end of the month the
song was ready for choir practice and Sunday Evening Sacrament meeting. As I
said, our ward was small, so small in fact, we only had two tenors, Uncle Brown
and me. So, If there was to be a choir, I had to be there.
Again, my mind drifted to one time when we were given a new song to learn. It
was "Reverently and Meekly Now" In the version we had, the tenors and the basses
joined ranks and sang in unison the melody to the two last stanzas of each
verse, thus stealing some of the thunder from all those strong sopranos who just
sat and bit their tongues while we took center stage.
Here are the words of those four stanzas
With my blood that dripped like rain, Sweat in agony of pain,
With my body on the tree, I have ransomed even thee.
Oh remember what was done That the sinner might be won.
On the cross of Calvary, I have suffered death for thee.
In the solemn faith of prayer, Cast on me all thy care,
And my spirit's grace shall be, Like a fountain unto thee,
Be obedient, I implore, Prayerful, watchful, ever more,
And be constant unto me, That thy Savior I may be.
Even to this day, it kind'a makes chills run up and down my spine when we come
to that part in the hymn... See, in spite of my contempt for those long
sacrament meetings, I have had a lifetime of pleasure from the music that was
taught and sung, lo, those many years ago. Wouldn't it be wonderful if each
child could come away from our meetings with a song in his or her heart that
would last a lifetime.
Love, Dad, Grandad, or Something
I have often felt that this phrase has been used, too often without the
reverence that should be associated with this salutation. I would guess, that we
have used this phrase, as a convenient way to close a talk or prayer. Wherein
reality, God has promised us an answer to our prayers, if what we ask for, is
done in the name of His son Jesus Christ. Do we really consider, that we are
asking the Savior to intercede with the Father in our behalf? Next time you
listen to the sacrament prayers pay particular attention to the introduction.
"Oh, God the Eternal Father, we ask thee IN THE NAME OF THY SON, to bless and
sanctify" A prayer that is offered, without this condition firmly in mind, does
not meet the criteria set forth by God as a condition upon which blessings are
predicated. I also believe, that to just use this phrase as a formality, is a
form of irreverence. It is akin to using the Lord's name in vain. Small children
are taught that this is a part of prayer, and well it should be, but all too
often they are not taught the significance of this supplication. Therefore,
children pray in all sincerity, but when it comes to the most important part of
prayer, they "unconsciously" close" in the name of Jesus Christ". I would
suggest, that you who are parents, sit down with your children and explain the
meaning and reason for "Asking, whatsoever thou wilt, in the NAME of CHRIST and
it shall be given unto you". It might be a good idea, if some of us old folks,
practiced what we preach. Next time you ask the blessing on the food, pay
particular attention to how conscious you are of what you are saying,
particularly how you close your prayer.
The emphasis for this news letter was spawned by a talk given by Elder L. Edward
Brown, at the last conference. (April 1997). It struck a responsive cord. I had
thought about this for a long time. I will use some of his phraseology, from
time to time in this letter. "When we use the sacred words, "in the name of
Jesus Christ," they are much more than a way to get out of a prayer or a
testimony or a talk. We are on sacred ground, brothers and sisters. We are using
a name most sublime, most holy, and most wonderful--the very name of the Son of
God. We are now able to come unto the Father through His Beloved Son. What power
and reassurance and peace when we really pray in His name. This conclusion to
the prayer may, in many ways, be the most important part of the prayer."
I don't know exactly why we are commanded to communicate with our Father in
Heaven, in the name of His only Begotten, other than that it has been the
messages of the ages. All the prophets have proclaimed it. Just let me refer to
a few. When Adam was driven out of the garden of Eden he offered sacrifices unto
the Lord. After many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam saying; "Why
dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord?" Adam answered, "I know not, save the
Lord commanded me". Then the angel answered "This thing is a similitude of the
sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth.
Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doest in THE NAME OF THE SON, and thou
shalt repent and call upon God in the "name of the Son" forevermore". (See 5th
chapter of Moses in the Pearl of Great Price). Now just a couple taken from the
Book of Mormon. "Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name. Pray
in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your
children may be blessed." (The words of the Savior found in 3 Ne.18: 18-21) One
more, this found in the book of Mosiah 3:17 "There is no other name
given..whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through
the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent."
While we are on the subject, it might be well to give reason for prayer in the
first place. It has its roots in a realization that we are literally Sons and
Daughters of God. "I bear witness to you that the Lord does communicate with us
as individuals. Never, never fall victim to the heinous thought that he does not
know you. That is a satanic lie, one designed to destroy you." It is an
ennobling thought when we realize who we really are. There is an interesting
scenario found in the book of Moses 1st chapter, it has to deal with Satan
trying to get Moses to worship him. It starts out with God declaring to Moses
that "Behold, I am the Lord God, and Endless is My name; for I am without
beginning of days or end of years; and is not this endless; And, behold thou art
my son". What a moment! If the Lord were to appear to you, He would say the same
thing! Moses had learned something about himself. He was a son of God. Oh, how
important it is that our children be reminded of this truth. With this
assurance, of his true identity, Moses was able to confront Satan. And "Moses
received strength, and called upon God, saying; In the Name of the Only Begotten
depart hence, Satan". And it came to pass that Satan cried in a loud voice, with
weeping and wailing, and gnashing of teeth; and he departed hence, even from the
presence of Moses, that he beheld him not".
But, we must be careful in our supplications. The Lord promised Nephi that all
his petitions would be granted, because He knew that Nephi would not ask for
anything amiss. It is incumbent that we ask for that which is right; And that we
ask in faith, believing that God will hear our pleadings.
Now, I don't want to discourage any of you from taking your smallest concerns to
your Father in Heaven. "Pray over your fields and your flocks". Even the prayers
of a little child for the welfare of his pet is heard with compassion by a kind,
loving Father. Your earthly Father is about as good an example of your Spiritual
Father, as anything that you can relate to.
Love Dad
Early this morning I lay reflecting upon the concern of parents, yes, and
grandparents, for each new arrival into the family circle. You will never know
the countless hours spent in trying to find a way to help you individually. I
was listening to a talk by Bro. Scott where he strove to make us aware of the
concern of a loving Father in Heaven. In doing so he dwelt upon the personal
relationship He has with us. There are many things that we have to accept by
faith, one is the omniscience (don't let that word throw you, it simply
means--all knowing) of God. Being all knowing, He knows each of us, even our
thoughts. He knows of our station in life, whether we be poor or rich, bond or
free. He shares our sorrows, rejoices when we rejoice; in fact, He is aware of
every aspect of our lives. And He cares, much like our earthly parents, only
more so. He knows the end from the beginning, the consequence of sin and the
rewards awaiting the faithful. With this foreknowledge, His anxieties for our
welfare would cause that He would "bleed at every pore" if it would save us from
pain and suffering.(see D&C 19:18) When you think of the love of God, narrow it
down to you individually. Sometimes we "dilute" this familiarity when we think
of His love for ALL mankind. That is where that faith comes in, spoken of
earlier. When you say your prayers you address Him personally, expecting a
"customized answer", targeted to immediate concerns; hopefully, trusting that
with His foreknowledge He will answer your prayers to your utmost benefit. This
allows for "seemingly" unanswered prayers. But rest assured your petition has
been heard, and if you are willing to wait upon the Lord you will yet see how
His love and concern for you personally has tempered His response.
Getting back to the love we as parents and grandparents have for each of you. We
are not blessed with the "omniscience" of God; our concerns are seen through the
eyes of our earthly experience. If in our earthly experience we have witnessed
the love of God we are more likely to involve our selves with things spiritual.
If our concerns have to do with things temporal, we will, more than likely,
worry about your financial status. Consider yourself blessed if those to whom
your concern rests are searching for spiritual guidance in your behalf. While I
don't know all, I have been given a glimpse (though very limited) of heavenly
glory, through the whispering of the spirit, and what I see feeds my desire to
see more. The more one sees, the more one desires that his children see also. I
hope that you will understand how difficult this task can be. Children most
generally consider spiritual counsel as "preaching" and they don't like to be
"preached at". Some consider spiritual advice irrelevant to their immediate
needs. Like the "I want what I want, like right now, syndrome"--eternity can
wait. What they fail to recognize is that life is a "cash and carry"
proposition. The desires they seek are obtained in following the guidelines set
forth in all that so-called "preaching". If somehow they could just look past
the appearance of discipline and recognize the love that goes with each tidbit
of so-called "religious preaching" they would understand, to some small degree,
the difficulty parents have in "giving" their children a glimpse of "things not
seen, but which are true". (Heb. 11:1) "Without faith it is impossible to please
God."(Quote ?) In fact it is impossible to know the things of God without faith.
I don't know about others, but to me, faith and believing are two different
things. Faith changes belief into reality. I have been taught, that to believe
is a gift from God (See D&C 46:14) and that the light of Christ is given to
every man that cometh into the world. See D&C 84:46 "Dispute not because ye see
not, for ye receive no witness until after a trial of your FAITH." (Ether 12:6)
I am convinced that when one takes some principle in which he believes, and puts
it to the test, through faith, he receives a witness that what he believed is a
reality. Once you know, it is incumbent to tell your neighbor; more especially,
your children. This is what we try to do. When we bear testimony to the truths
that the Spirit has witnessed to us, it no longer is hearsay; it becomes a fact.
One should never teach the things which he believes if what he teaches has not
been witnessed by the spirit. Even a child can tell when conviction is absent.
So, consider the source. Is love the motivation in counsel? Is counsel given
with hope or conviction? This is our (parents and grandparents) responsibility.
Our posterity needs to know "from whence we come". Do we speak with conviction
or do we speak with hope?
To be a parent is an awesome responsibility. The eternal welfare of our children
could very well be at stake. It is incumbent that we "Seek not to declare my
word, but seek to obtain my word, then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you
desire, you shall have my spirit and my word, yea the power of God unto the
convincing (of your children) of men".
Again, you children, have a little compassion for your parents. In almost every
case, their love for your welfare is evident (if you look for it). If you try to
help them, by being obedient, it is an expression of your love and will be
greatly appreciated. Remember "What goes around, comes around"; your turn at
"patenting" is just around the corner. Learn from your parents while you still
have them. Look at their successes and their failures. Jot them down in the
notebook of memory, it may very well be the best textbook on the rearing of
children you will ever find. Lastly, remember that we love you, would that we
could love with the love that our Father in Heaven has for you, but until we
reach that state of perfection, accept of our offering, however feeble it may
be.
Love, Dad,
This morning I was looking through my "well organized ?" files, searching for
something totally different than what I found. What caught my eye was an old
piece of paper, with ragged edges and poor penmanship. I have no idea when it
was written or for what reason. I didn't have to read very far until the author
of such a mess of misspelled and illegible rhetoric became apparent. (Namely Me)
But, as I struggled to translate, wishing I had a "seer stone", it became
apparent to me that scattered throughout there were golden grains of truth,
intermingled within the chaff. So, without the aid of a Urim and Thummim, I
shall try to decipher its content.
FAMILY ORGANIZATION:
STAKE PRESIDENT: ME
BISHOP: FATHER OF EACH FAMILY
I am responsible for my entire posterity, but like every calling in the church,
certain responsibilities have to be delegated. So to each child is given the
responsibility to instruct his or her own posterity. As we hold positions in the
church we are in training to be able to conduct and preside over the ultimate in
church government. Patriarchal Government.
Many feel a measure of failure or success, depending upon the number of callings
one holds in the church. No success in life--including one's callings in the
church--can compensate for failure in the home. Our church callings are but
training exercises in leadership, to be used in family training. All types of
church activities are examples of what we can use in family "preparation
activities" for
exaltation. This should be foremost in all our thinking. All our endeavors
should point to this great goal. Just as a ward is made up of many individuals,
so a family consists of many members. Wards and families are often judged as a
unit, not as individuals. We, without our brothers and sisters cannot be
exalted. It is FAMILY EXALTATION.
Family pride is like "team pride" in sports and it will be a team effort, not
individual effort. Somehow this "elite de corps" needs to be installed in each
new child when it is born. A good family name is important. I don't know how the
perfection of each family member will be accomplished, or how long it will take,
but we do know that it is in this life that we are to prepare to meet God.
Brigham Young tells us we can repent a hundred times easier here while we have
our bodies to help us. So we shouldn't be lured into procrastinating, thinking
that eternity is long, or that we will be able to reach perfection during the
1000 year Millennium. There has to come into the heart of each individual,
sometime, an all out dedication to keep the eternal laws that pertain to
exaltation. In watching the Olympics I thrill with the total dedication of these
athletes, to their dream of winning a gold metal. If only we could go forth with
the same dedication toward family exaltation! Every man, sometimes needs to have
a challenge that will take everything he can muster to accomplish, then feel the
joy of having gone beyond the ordinary to excel. Challenges can be spiritual as
well as physical. The greater the effort, the greater the reward. "I will try
them herewith to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God
shall command them." (Abraham 3:25) When I was young and someone said that they
could do something better than I, it stirred up a determination within me to
show them that they couldn't. This competitive spirit has been a driving force
in my life. Hopefully, you can now understand a little better why it hurts me so
when I see my children succumb to some of the temptations that I have spent a
lifetime battling. I used to say I won't smoke -- Pitchers don't smoke. I don't
drink--Pitchers don't drink. I will not miss any meeting, Pitchers are always
found in church. I used to take pride in saying that my grandparents had 12
children and not one smokes; everyone active in the church. They had 63
grandchildren, and as far as I know, they have all followed in the footsteps of
their fathers and mothers. Truly, a more righteous posterity, few could boast.
Now comes the third generation and I feel like I have let the team down. I
haven't built the testimonies into the lives of my children, to give them the
same strong foundation that was passed on to me. I wouldn't go into the
pool-hall for fear someone would see me and I knew how it would hurt my
Grandfather to hear that one of his grandsons was there. The same with smoking
and drinking, these were things that Pitchers just didn't do. I used to take
pride that I was a Pitcher, and that we Pitchers were truly trying to do what
was right. I don't mean to say that we were perfect and didn't do or say things
we shouldn't have, but we were trying to do our best.
If, and when, I preside over my posterity, and the only ones who come to
meetings are my children, I wonder what percent attendance we will have? What
kind of enlistment program will we need? What about a program for prospective
Elders? What about "Project Temple? What about a Primary, a Sunday School, a
Youth Program, to teach each new member that comes along? What about a
Missionary Program? -- not in the sense that missionaries now are called, but to
our own family. Is teaching and converting someone in England, Denmark or North
Carolina more important than a brother or sister in one's own family? Are we
going to reply, as did Cain "Am I my brother's keeper?" And then wash our hands
in self-righteousness saying "it's his or her own fault, he has made his own
bed, let him lie therein". No! We cannot say these things and expect to be held
blameless. Our very exaltation is coupled with every member of our family, we
either sink or float together. We can't cast overboard the weak, the fallen and
those laden with sin and be received in Heaven, when and if we reach that shore.
For as God inquired of Cain, so will He inquire of us, "Where is thy brother?
His blood cries unto me from the ground."(See Book of Moses 5;34) It is our
responsibility to use all our talents and abilities to save our brother's
household, as did Joseph, who was sold into Egypt. How easy it would have been
for him to say "Look what they did to me, let them starve." But Joseph's heart
was filled with compassion for his brethren and he became a Savior in his
father's household, He didn't say "The Lord has blessed me with the inclinations
to do what is right" and then take pride in his own righteousness, thinking the
only reason he was more blessed than his brethren was his own doing; they had
the same chance as he. No! ye cannot say these things. Did my brother have as
good friends to influence him as did I? Did school come as easy for him as I?
Were the temptations he faced the same as for me? Do you know if the physical
drives that wrack his body are more or less than yours? Lastly, men were not
created equal. When God organized the intelligences before the world was, he
informed us that there were many great and noble ones, indicating that there was
a disparity among them. And as some who gain more knowledge and intelligence it
this life will have an advantage in the life to come, so in the life before we
came here some came better prepared to meet the challenges of this life. It is
no coincidence that we came to this earth when we did, where we did, and through
the lineage that we did. These were all rewards for faithfulness in the world
before we came here. Knowing all these things, can we truly judge our brethren.
Maybe his progress is greater than ours, considering how we started.
We need family loyalty, love for one another, sincere empathy and understanding,
real concern for each other's welfare, both spiritual and temporal. Drive out
selfishness and greed and let not covetousness nor jealousy divide us. Let us
not set our hearts so much upon the things of this world that they rob us of the
riches of eternity. "For what doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world
and lose his own soul." (Mark 8:36) "Heaven is but an extension of a happy
home." (Pres. Mc Kay) Let's take this challenge and put it foremost in all that
we do, and as Patriarch to my posterity, I make you this promise, that the
destroyer will pass us by and we will find more joy and happiness than we ever
dreamed of. Exaltation and Eternal Lives in the Celestial Kingdom will be our
ultimate reward, if we complete this great pilgrimage.
In the words of David to His son Solomon (1 Kings 2: 2-4)
2. I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, AND SHEW THYSELF A
MAN.
3. And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his
statutes, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of
Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou
turnest thyself;
4. That the Lord may continue his word which he spake concerning me,
saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with
all their heart and with all their soul, THERE SHALL NOT FAIL THEE A MAN ON THE
THRONE OF ISRAEL. (PITCHER)
Well, the translation is complete, no small task for one such as I, considering
my talents in reconstructing thoughts after so many years. But I now reaffirm
that the truths taught in the above are true. That the challenge still lies
before us. May we be equal to the task is my prayer.
Love, Dad, Granddad, or Something
If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were loved by wife, then thee:
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold,
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that rivers cannot quench,
Nor but love from thee give recompense.
Thy love is such that I can no way repay;
The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray.
Then while we live, in love let's so persevere,
That when we live no more we may live for ever.
Anne Bradstreet
TO FAMILY AND THOSE MOST DEAR
Today is Sunday, a day of rest (from fishing). I listened to a conference tape
as I took my stroll around the park. This being a beautiful spring-like morning
in Mexico, I was not distracted by snowflakes and cold temperatures that are
often found at this time of the year in the land of my birth. So, I could listen
and meditate with full intent. A couple of "thought gems" emerged. 1st. When we
go to, or watch conference, we sometimes (most times) bask in the euphoria of
the moment, engrossed if you will, in the eloquence of the speaker and his
message. How many times have you found yourself embarrassed when someone
"challenges your memory" by saying something like "Oh! you remember the
wonderful talk given by so-and-so at the last conference?" Try as you will, you
can't remember the substance of his speech or if he even talked. Well, as I
listen to the conference tapes I find myself saying "I listened or watched
conference last time and I don't remember so-and-so saying any of the things I
am listening to now. I wonder if you are like I am, receiving the word by
"osmosis". We feel that by enough exposure to the gospel sermons, some of it
will sink in and we will become saturated with gospel truths. Of what use will a
store of gospel knowledge be if it takes a lifetime to accumulate and no time
left to implement?
Now, to one of those "Thought Gems". We can receive "full measure" if we find a
reason to remember the message. Maybe a little time spent in retrospect at the
close of the conference to record (in writing) the personal revelation you
received as you listened to the message of those who spoke. Again, for what
purpose? Renewed dedication, and full compliance to the word, might be one.
Another might be to use what has been revealed in your service to others. It
might be manifest in example, in precept, or direction in fulfilling your
callings in the kingdom.
As a young missionary I was taught to absorb what I heard and what I read, so as
to be able to present the gospel in the most convincing manner possible. But for
what purpose after the missionary returns home? Like most, they accept callings
in the church. If you have a class to teach you search for material, usually
found in counsel from the brethren and in all the reference material you read.
If you should be called to the High Counsel, or some similar calling, your eyes
and ears are alert to anything you can use in your assignment. [Just a plug for
these monthly "Family News Letters"] As you seek to find direction in your
preparation meetings, and listening to the talks of others, it will surprise you
how much more you will glean if you are searching for material that will
embellish, or give credence to your monthly message.
The reservoir for new ideas is tremendous. Harry Truman once said "There is
nothing new in the world, it's just the history you haven't read". Example: When
Francine and I were missionaries in Pennsylvania I was surprised at the emphasis
that was placed on spiritual conversion. When I was on my first mission I was
preoccupied with the idea of intellectual conversions (which never worked by the
way), when all along it was the directive given to the very first missionaries.
"If ye have not the Spirit ye shall not teach."
Bro. Mallory once commented after reading one of my News Letters, "You depend a
lot on the writings of others in your news letters". Going back to Harry Truman,
there is nothing new in the world, it's just the history you haven't read. What
can you write that hasn't already been revealed? Adam had the fullness of the
gospel revealed to him, as have all the prophets since, So, what can you cite
that hasn't already been expounded upon by others? Methinks that all the truth
that God has so far revealed is common to us all if we will search for it.
THERE IS ONE SOURCE LEFT UNTOUCHED. It is personal revelation! Through personal
revelation we see how these revealed truths interact in our lives, revealing to
us personally what is best for our particular circumstance. (Me also thinks I am
getting over my head in philosophy, trying to explain a simple truth.) "It is by
choosing to do good and to eschew all evil that we are saved." (Prophet Alma)
So, one's purpose in reading and hearing the word is to strengthen our resolve
to live a life compatible with what has already been revealed.
One of the miracles of God's creation is the diversity of his children. No two
are alike. While the complete plan for their redemption is available, the
implementation varies with each individual, thus the need for personal
revelation that each might comply with the master plan. As all are not alike,
the prescription is not the same, each must be tailored to the needs of the
individual. "God giveth severally as He will. It is given to some by the Holy
Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the son of God, to others it is given to
believe on their word. (D.C.46:13-14) So, our needs are not the same, thus our
need for personal revelation.
Some will say "I have never had personal revelation". We all have had personal
revelation! It's not that revelation hasn't come, it's because we have not
recognized it. To some is given the gift to catch fish, while others sit with
their poles in the water. The difference is in recognizing the time to retrieve
the lure, Both have "strikes". Some come up empty, while others retrieve the
catch]. What a lousy metaphor. Anyway, we need to become sensitive to the
spirits method of operation. Some have described personal revelation as a still
small voice. Others, sparks of inspiration, still others, a voice of warning or
a premonition. To me it comes in what I like to call "Thought Gems"-- They, most
generally, come when I am thinking of others and how I might help them. I have
also found that if I will reduce these thoughts to script, they become a part of
my ideology. These thoughts come back at diverse times, in the form that they
were recorded. In doing this you tend to build a reservoir on which to draw
throughout your life. They become your code of ethics, the standard by which
actions are measured.
Love, Dad, Granddad or Something
PS
Personal revelation is a lot like fishing, you have to do certain things to
catch fish. (lure, location and experience) So with personal revelation. It
doesn't come if conditions aren't right. One must be in a state of meditation,
with a desire to know. Personal revelation comes at diverse times and places,
but more abundantly in times of righteous endeavor. I don't think much personal
revelation is received in a bar or a pool hall.
"Love seeketh not her own to please,
Nor for it's self hath any care,
But for another gives its ease.
And builds a heaven in Hell's Despair."
So sung a little Clod of Clay
Trodden with the cattle's feet,
But a pebble of the brook
Warbled out these meters meet:
"Love seeketh only self to please,
To bind another to its delight,
Joys in another's los of ease,
And builds a Hell in Heaven's despite.
William Blake
Can't is the worst word that's written or spoken;
Doing more harm here than slander and lies;
On it many a strong spirit is broken,
And with it many a good purpose dies.
It springs from the lips of the thoughtless each morning
And robs us of courage we need through the day;
It rings in our ears like a timely sent warning
And laughs when we falter and fall by the way.
Can't is the father of feeble endeavor,
The parent of terror and halfhearted work;
It weakens the effort of artisans clever,
And makes of the toiler an 'indolent shirk.
It poisons the soul of the man with vision,
It stifles in infancy many a plan;
It greets honest tolling with open derision
And mocks at the hopes and the dreams of a man.
Can't is a word none should speak without blushing;
To utter it should be a symbol of shame;
Ambition and courage it daily is crushing;
It blights a man's purpose and shortens his aim.
Despise it with all of your hatred of error;
Refuse it the lodgment it seeks 'in your brain;
Arm against it as a creature of terror,
And all that you dream of someday you will gain.
Can't is the word that is foe to ambition,
An enemy ambushed to shatter your will;
Its pray is forever the man with a mission
And bows but courage and patience and skill.
Hate it, with hatred that's deep and undying,
For once it is welcomed'twill
break any man;
Whatever the goal you are seeking, keep trying
And answer this demon by saying "I can"
Edger Guest
This Sunday I have been asked to give a talk dealing with my ancestors in
conjunction with a sesquicentennial memorial commemorating the arrival of the
first pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley. We the descendants of that noble group
need to pause once in awhile and pay them homage. When we who have reaped the
harvest of their toil and sacrifice forget what a wonderful heritage they left
us we lose our sense of gratitude and with it our loyalty to the cause they so
valiantly espoused. I am one who takes pride in the fact that "way back when" my
ancestors had the faith to follow the prophet. His command was their call to
action, to leave homes, family, friends and cross the oceans, only to find the
trek westward an even greater trial of their faith.
Let me tell you of some of my ancestors who made that trek. My maternal great
grandparents were converts from Denmark. Grandpa Jensen was a modestly wealthy
man. He owned a shoe factory, had a summer home out in the country with a maid
and butler. With the call from the prophet to come to Zion they sold all that
they had and left. They and their three daughters found themselves in an
environment so harsh and unruly my grandfather confided to his wife that before
they had left Denmark he had secretly set aside enough money to return, if
things got too tough .. and he thought that things had gotten tough enough. It
was then that he found out that his wife had taken the call from the prophet
literally. They were now in Zion and she intended to stay. Not many years after
they arrived Grandpa died leaving his young wife, who was 54, their three
daughters and a new-born boy. (None of whom could speak English). He had built a
small house and they had a couple of cows, that was it. I wish time would permit
to tell you about the faith of my grandmother. Hers was the kind of faith that
could remove mountains. Just one example. She needed some way to support her
small family. After some deliberation and a confirmation by the spirit she
ordered a loom to make rag rugs on. When it arrived it was not assembled, in
fact it had a million parts and the assembly instructions were in Japanese (they
might as well been in Japanese, she couldn't read English either) So she turned
to the only one who could help, her Father in Heaven. When she returned to her
loom it was just like someone was moving her hands and before long it was
together, That was just one of the ways she was able to provide the necessities
for herself and family.
My wife, Francine's paternal grandparents were with the prophet Joseph Smith in
most of the trials of Far West and Nauvoo. When the call came to head west they
were among the first to arrive in the valley of the Great Salt Lake. Erastis
Bingham and three of his sons were called to take care of the church herd, (In
those days tithing was paid in kind and much of wealth of the church was tied up
in livestock) One day while attending the herd over in the Oquirrh mountains
west of Salt Lake, Stanford, one of the brothers saw an outcropping of ore and
upon further examination it was determined to be copper. He returned home to
tell his wife of his good fortune. "We will have copper kettles, copper frying
pans and even a copper roof on our house" he exuberantly explained. To which his
wife replied "Have you told Brigham Young about this?" No, he didn't think it
had anything to do with the church. But she persuaded him to do so. Upon hearing
what Stanford had found, the Prophet told him to go back, cover it up and never
tell a soul, "I have 25,000 saints between here and Council Bluffs that will
need something to eat when they get here. I can't spare one man to dig for
copper, I need every man to till the soil" was the Prophets reply. So back to
the mountain went Stanford and did as he had been commanded, never again to see
what later became the largest copper mine in all the world. Today there is a
copper plaque standing at the entrance to the mine which reads "Bingham Copper
Mine, discovered by Stanford Bingham 1850". So much for Stanford's dreams, no
copper kettles, but God did reward him with an even greater treasure, a large
and faithful posterity. Not long afterwards Stanford was to leave his nice home
and answer the call of the prophet to build a fort at San Bernadino, California,
as a stopover for those traveling to the west cost. Another son, William, was
sent up to what is now Weber county to make a settlement there. He had no sooner
build a nice home when again came the call from the prophet to go to Cache
Valley. (By the way, the city of Ogden was purchased from William Bingham and
the Ogden Temple and tabernacle are situated on land that was a gift from the
Bingham family).
Another brother was called to leave all he had behind and go down to south
eastern Utah and settle in the area, of "Hole in the Rock", infamous for its
harsh environment and the struggle that those who went there had to endure just
to survive.
Just one more short story as it pertains to my paternal great grandparents. They
were the first converts to join the church in the county of Norfolk England,
about 1840. They delayed coming to Zion until after the first companies had
already arrived in the valleys. When they got there Grandfather built a small
log house with an opening for a window. The story is told of how my Great, Great
Grandmother, who had been raised in a house of nobility, well educated and
refined, tried to bring a little of that refinement into her modest dwelling,
ripped up one of the slips she had brought with her to make a curtain for the
window. But when asked by the Bishop to remove it, as it was too frivolous
(Whatever that meant) so, she did. Shortly after they arrived Grandfather was
called to return to England on a mission, leaving Grandma with ten children. In
those days there were no interviews, just a call from the prophet. With faith
they dropped all and responded to the call.
This little talk really doesn't do justice to the faith and trials of my and
Francine's forefathers. At home there are many journals that chronicle their
activities, but they are there and I am here, (with a poor memory). So, I guess
this will have to do. May you seek out the histories of your forefathers and
pass them on to your children, that they too might be proud of the lineage from
which they have come. P.S.
I really don't know for sure about that "Hell and High Water" story, but it does
makes for interesting dialog, don't you think?
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.
Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings.
The purple-headed mountains,
The river running by,
The sunset, and the morning,
That brighten up the sky;
The cold wind in the winter
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.
The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water,
We gather every day;
He gave us eyes to see then
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty
Who made all things well
Cecil Alexander
We shall do much in the years to come,
But what have we done today?
We shall give our gold *in princely sum,
But what did we give today?
We shall lift the heart and dry the tear,
We shall plant hope in the place of fear,
We will speak the words of love and cheer,
But what did we speak today?
We shall be so kind 'in the after while,
But have we been today?
We shall bring to each lonely live a smile,
But what have we brought today?
We shall give to truth a grander birth,
And to steadfast faith a deeper worth,
We shall feed the hungering soul of earth,
But whom have we fed today?
We shall reap such joys in the by and by.
But what have we sown today?
We shall build us mansions 'in the sky,
But what have we built today?
'Tis
sweet in the idle dreams to bask;
But here and now, do we our task?
Yet, this is the thing our souls must ask,
What Have I done today?
Nixon Waterman
Yesterday I had to go to Twin Falls to pick up a pump for Bart. The radio in the
truck has poor reception and my selection was somewhat limited. About the only
station I could find that was strong enough to listen to was a station on which
Russ Limbaugh was commenting on the Democratic convention and particularly a
talk given by the First Lady. Now, I know I'm a little biased and as such, maybe
I can't be objective. Be that as it may, here are some of the thoughts I had.
First, to find fault and dwell upon the weakness of another is depressing. I
don't care if you are Republican or Democrat. I find nothing wrong with
divergence of thought, in fact I think it is wonderful that we are free to make
choices. In the Articles of Faith we read the following: "We claim the Privilege
of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and
allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they
may." We are further counseled to proclaim our faith not to defend it. Truth
should be able to stand on its own merits. To be FOR something is exhilarating,
to be AGAINST something is demoralizing. When we have to resort to defaming
another in order to show our own superiority, it is a sign that we have little
to proclaim or we have nothing positive with which to inform our listeners. "Nay
speak no ill" There is so much that can be said of the virtues of your position,
you need not use the weaknesses of others to strengthen it. Someone once said
that they could never vote for President Clinton because---. What they are
really saying is "the only reason I'm voting for Senator Dole is that I don't
like the alternative". In other words I'm voting AGAINST, not FOR. "There is so
much good in the worst of us and so much bad in best of us, that it behooves us
not to say anything about the rest of us." If your choice is based upon the
lesser of two evils your "Cupboard is bare indeed". If you spend all your time
trying to avoid disaster, (by making a wrong choice) it will leave very little
time to dwell upon positive matters.
Apostle Paul is quoted as saying "Search all things and hold onto that which is
good." (Thess. 5: 21) The same thing can be said about political decisions.
Search for those things that "ring true" to you. Don't waste your time trying to
find things with which you disagree. Does that make sense? If you are looking
for the worst, you will find it. There is plenty to go around. If you are
looking for the best, you will find it too. But in looking for the best, you
will be more content with your lot in life. Don't be so occupied in destroying
the past that you have little time to build for the future. Be optimistic. "Be
anxiously engaged in a good cause." Be creative, not destructive. You can't
change the past. Better that you "take the hand that has been dealt you" and
build upon that which is good. President Packer, speaking to those who are
investigating the church, said "We are not here to destroy your faith. Keep that
which is good and we will add to what you already have." Missionaries are
builders. Their message is truth restored. They are engaged in BUILDING up the
kingdom of God. They teach of hope, love of Christ, the gospel of repentance and
the atonement for past sins. Their eye and message are on the future, a better
world and society. What is gained if we are continually castigating others for
past sins? The Lord has told us to repent, and then remember our sins no more.
Why beat upon a dead horse?
I wish I could remember the exact wording to a philosophical thought that went
something like this. "One unskilled man with a crane and a wrecking ball can
destroy in a few minutes that which took engineers and architects years to
build." Change is good. Being optimistic we sometimes find it hard to be
patient; we want what want and we want it now. That is one of the virtues of our
system of government, diversity of opinion tends to slow the process of change.
It's too bad selfish considerations sometimes enter into the decision making
process. But the "Millstones of justice grind exceedingly slow and exceedingly
fine."
In the Book of Mosiah we read the following:( Chapter 29: verse 26)
"Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to
that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to
desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make your
law-- to do your business by the voice of the people." The reason for this
quotation at this time is to warn you against spending the next four years
"crying in your beer" so to speak. Once the election is over unite your
allegiance with the majority (the voice of the people). Let us be one in trying
to make America the greatest country and the best place in all the world to rear
our children. Drop the moniker Republican or Democrat. Lets all be Americans
again!
I had supposed that all the contention and hard feelings associated with
political elections were peculiar to our day. Not so! Listen to this directive
given by the First Presidency just prior to the dedication of the Salt Lake
Temple in 1887. "During the past eighteen months, political campaigns have been
conducted and elections have been held. We feel now before entering into the
Temple to present ourselves before the Lord we should divest ourselves of every
harsh and unkind feeling, thus shall our supplications, undisturbed by thought
of discord, be unitedly mounted in the ears of Jehovah and draw down the choice
blessings of God from Heaven." Though the time and place are different, the
counsel and admonition are as valid today as when they were first penned.
The political game we all play with ourselves is an interesting one. We see what
we want to see. You watch a political presentation and you say to yourself, "Gee
that was great." Then, as is the custom, some so-called "political analyst"
comes on and "lets all the air out of your balloon." Just makes you wonder if
they had been watching the same program as you. Like the little shepherd boy to
the little lamb "Do you see what I see, a star, a star shining in the night with
a tail as long as a kite." Even the shepherd boy wanted confirmation of what he
had just seen. Try not to let your emotions go beyond good manners and courtesy.
Just because someone else has convictions that are at variance with what you
believe, should not make them your enemy. If you still think them to be such,
follow the admonition of the Savior. "Love your enemies, do good to those that
despitefully use you, etc." A good direction to take is to seek some common
ground, things upon which you can agree. Sometimes turning to the gospel of
Jesus Christ will put you on that common ground, especially if you and your
nimbus are active members of the church. Emotions can run high, but once the
fight is over walk across the ring and embrace your opponent. I'm obsessed with
sports. It creates a spirit of competition, not contention, but after a game, or
whatever, in the spirit of good sportsmanship there is usually an expression of
good fellowship. An old saying "Be a good loser and a gracious winner."
Just one or two thoughts in closing on contention: To express conflicting points
of view is fine; it's when it turns into a confrontation that it is no longer an
edifying discussion. There is also another old saying, "When I do good I feel
good, and when I don't do good I don't feel good." So when I don't feel good I
look for the reason why. When there is contention I don't feel good. When I see
and hear the harsh political rhetoric just before election time I don't feel
good. Maybe I am thin-skinned and prone to feel that I am personally being
condemned, if my views are not shared by others. I once ran for office on the
town board. I was rejected by my peers. I was devastated, I felt that everyone
who voted for someone else was voting against me. I vowed never again to be so
humiliated. Coward, I guess, but if it makes me feel bad, it just isn't worth
it. "For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is
not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth
up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another." (3rd Nephi 11:29)
To those who would be defenders of the faith remember the word to defend is not
synonymous with the word to contend. Webster defines DEFEND "To protect from
danger: attack, or harm: to maintain support: justify". He defines To CONTEND is
"To fight, vie, or dispute: to assert or maintain. YOU NEED NOT CONTEND TO
DEFEND. Develop the art of DISAGREEING, without being DISAGREEABLE! "Blessed are
the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God." (Sermon on the
Mount) "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings "GLAD"
tidings" (Isaiah 52;7)
Nay speak no
ill; a kindly word can never leave a sting behind;
And, oh, to breath each tail we've heard, is far beneath a noble mind.
Full oft a better seed is sown by choosing thus the kinder plan,
For, if but little good is known, still let us speak the best we can.
Give me the
heart that fain would hide, would fain another's
falts
efface.
How can it please the human pride to prove humanity but base?
No, let us reach a higher mood, a nobler estimate of man;
Be earnest in the search for good and speak of all the best we can.
Then speak no
ill, but lenient be to anothers
failings as your own.
If you're the first a fault to see, be not the first to make it known,
For life is but a passing day; No lip may tell how brief its span;
Then, 0 the little time we stay, let's speak the best we can.
Unknown
Let us oft speak
kind words to each other at home or wherever we may be;
Like the warblings
of birds on the heather, the tones will be welcome and free
They'll gladen
the heart that's repining; give courage and hope from above;
And where the dark clouds hide the shining, let in the bright sun-light of love.
Like the sunbeams of morn on the
mountians the soul they awake to
good cheer
Like the mur-mur
of cool pleasant fountains they fall in sweet cadence near
Let's oft, then, in kindly toned voices our mutual friendship renew,
Till heart meets with heart and rejoices in friend ship that ever is true.
Ebenezer Beesley
"Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah, Jesus anointed him prophet and
seer. Blessed to open this last dispensation. Kings shall extol him and nations
revere.-- Millions shall know Bro Joseph again".
If there is one thing that has intrigued me, all my life, it is wanting to know
Joseph Smith. To know all about him. To comprehend the magnitude of his work and
the greatness of the man. He lived but 39 years, spent the majority of his life
in semi-poverty and with years of persecution and incarceration; subject to more
adversity, hardship and sorrow than one could imagine. Yet, according to
President John Taylor, "He did more for the salvation of mankind than any man
that had ever lived upon this earth, save Jesus Christ himself". How did he do
it? If his life had been free from adversity and left with but the Lord's work
to accomplish, it would have been a miracle. I sometimes wonder why the Lord
required so much personal sacrifice, robbing him of what precious little time he
had, to do all that he was required to do. There are, and have been, literally
hundreds of scholars who have amassed volumes by the thousands of research and
commentary pertaining to the man and his work. It just staggers the mind trying
to figure out how he did all that he did in such a short time.
It is not my intent to spend hours in research (I'm too lazy) and I haven't had
much time (just 80 years) to ferret out all that he did in about 25. But I would
sure like to have spent a few hours in the man's presence. Those who did were
never the same. Notables, such as Leo Tolstory and Josiah Quincy, Mayor of
Boston, all foretold of his greatness. Can you imagine the attraction of the man
that literally thousands would endure robbings, plundering of their homes,
expulsion from three states, build temples at an enormous sacrifice, abandon all
that they possessed, cross the icy waters of the mighty Mississippi river in the
dead of winter, only to face uncertain deaths on the plains of Iowa, then set
foot on a death march (for many) into the unknown and barren western wilderness
in search of a place where they could build and live a life patterned after
Joseph's city of Zion?
Just a few thoughts at random. Why the brevity of the life of the prophet (39
years), or the Savior for that matter? Is there a work going on in the spirit
world so demanding of their time that their sojourn here on the earth had to be
limited? I do know that salvation comes to all mankind in the selfsame way,
whether they be living or dead. Consider the masses who have died, who had not
the gospel in their day, in comparison to the living. Methinks that is all of
their time the Lord could allot to this generation.
Joseph H. Smith, at one time, while traveling by carriage in southern Utah saw a
carriage approaching in the distance. When he pulled alongside he recognized the
Prophet Joseph Smith. In attempting to engage in a conversation with Joseph, he
was told by the Prophet that he was in such a hurry he didn't have time to
converse with him, saying something to the effect that the winding down scene is
fast approaching and that there is still much that needs to be done. The work of
all the previous dispensations had already been completed. He was sorry, but he
just didn't have time visit longer and he sped away.
We spend time like there is no tomorrow. "Manana", we will do it tomorrow. I, of
all men, am the worlds worst procrastinator. If it can be done tomorrow --
tomorrow I will do it. "Tomorrow, tomorrow, there is always tomorrow". Tomorrow,
I will finish this letter--(Maybe). I will look up all the references to the
life and times of the prophet Joseph Smith. Whoa! how can I do that? There just
isn't enough time. For one who has been a master in figuring out how to get
others to do all the work, I will pass this quest on to each of you. It will be
rewarding, I assure you! You will find faith-promoting stories on every page.
You will see, through the eyes of the prophet, God the Father and our Lord Jesus
Christ. You will thrill as you sit at the feet of a heavenly messenger as he
tells of golden plates hidden in the Hill Cumorah. You will listen as he
instructs the boy prophet pertaining to his role in establishing God's church in
these, the latter days. You will thrill as you sit by Joseph's side as he
describes, in great detail, the clothing and customs of the ancient inhabitants
of this great land. You will learn what it is like to be baptized in the
Susquehanna river by no less than John The Baptist himself. You will see for
yourself, Adam, Noah, Moses, Elijah and all the holy prophets as they confer
upon Joseph the keys of their dispensation. You will come to know how sacrifice
brings forth the blessings of heaven as you spend months in a filthy dungeon
jail with "fiends of the eternal pit", using the vilest of language, filling
your ears with stories of rape and murder of the wives and daughters of your
best friends. You will accompany Joseph as he heals hundreds who were dying of
cholera. You will sit by his side as he holds his dying children in his arms.
And finally you will accompany Joseph, along with his brother Hyrum and a couple
of his closest friends, to the jail in Carthage Mo. where he and his brother
will be killed in cold blood.
Like I said, "I am too lazy to do all this research; what I have left out far
exceeds anything I have told you. If your curiosity has been aroused just a
little read on, there are tales that will make the hair stand up on the back of
your neck.
Love, Dad, Granddad or Something
San Carlos, Mexico
Winter of 97
To Family and Those Most Dear:
Some time ago I mentioned that I had a detail inside a POW compound while in the
service, WW2, as Archei Bunker used to call the Second World War. One of the
details (as they were called) was to take an amphibian known as a duck into the
stockade where the POW's would load 55 gal drums filled with camp refuse to be
taken out to sea and dumped. This vehicle was quite unique; it had wheels on it
so we could drive it on land and when we arrived at water's edge we drove right
out into the water. Once it was buoyant we would simply shift from the wheel
transmission to the propeller drive and it became a boat.
It was customary to go down the street and pick out about six Japanese men at
random to help with the detail. This craft was about 30 feet long and fairly
wide. Two of us with carbines would sit on the bow. Then in would come the
prisoners along with the garbage and finally two more of my companions, with
carbines, would sit on the stern and off we would go. We would go about 5 miles
out, dump the barrels and return. Along the way we would amuse ourselves by
shooting at coconuts that were floating out in the bay. When we would start
shooting the Japanese soldiers would always become very nervous, and their faces
would reflect their fear. As we had a different group of men each time, the same
reaction was evident each trip. One day I asked our interpreter about it and he
replied that when we rounded up the soldiers for this detail they thought that
they were being taken out to sea and shot, then dumped overboard along with the
trash. After a few trips out to sea however, word got around that we weren't the
big bad enemy they had supposed us to be.
What a barrier a different language and customs can be. When we don't
understand, we fear the worst. Being unable to communicate, and coming from a
culture where life was of little value (especially someone else's life) our
Japanese counterparts were preparing for the worst. What about us, are we
prejudice when it comes to someone who has a different color, a different facial
configuration? There was a time in my life when I was guilty of thinking that
others not of my race and nationality were inferior. The black man was not
included in many aspects of our society. While there were very few in our part
of the country, they as a group, were shunned and avoided, as were all those
born in some country other than our own.
When we were kids there were lots of ducks. (Boy! Grandpa sure changed gears in
a hurry this time.) Not really, let me finish with my duck story. As I was
saying---when we were kids and there were lots of ducks, we would sneak up on a
pond and see it literally covered with big mallards and greenheads. (Greenheads
are really mallards, he being the drake) Thinking that it didn't matter where we
took aim we were bound to reap a bounteous harvest. So we just rose up and let
them have both barrels. Incredible as it may seem there were times, after the
smoke had cleared, nary a duck lay victim to our deadly onslaught. The moral of
this little tale is: If when we had first seen all those ducks we had singled
out one big greenhead and fired we would not have come up empty. It is the same
with people. It is easy to direct our fire at large groups of individuals.
Regardless of their differences, when we direct our fire on just one, it changes
our whole perspective. I hated all Negroes, except one, the only one I really
got to know. The same with the Mexicans (I am ashamed to say) were not
considered my equal, and so it goes. Group prejudices seem to fade away when we
reduce the numbers to one. Not all ducks are greenheads. All Mexicans are not
"banditos" and all Negro babies are not "pickaninnies" (That is another
inconsistency; did you ever see a little child, regardless of his or her
lineage, that wasn't cute?)
Getting back to the only Negro I really got to know. He was a soldier with whom
I spent some time on our way home from the war. I was raised where segregation
was unknown. He was from Wyoming and we laughed and had a good time talking of
families and our war escapades. After about a month waiting in Leyte for
transportation home we were finally escorted aboard a giant aircraft carrier
named The Bon Homme Richards. When it came time for chow (dinner) we went down
to the galley and to my surprise my black friend was not allowed in with the
white solders, he would have to wait and eat with those of his own race. Somehow
Bill, that was his name, didn't seem black to me.
It is not hard to adjust to color or customs if it is done on an individual
basis. Flock shooting (using the duck hunting vernacular) distorts one's
perspective. We are all children of the same God. He made us male and female,
black and white, (fat and lean and everything in between). Next time you meet
someone whose appearance is somewhat different than your own go out of your way
to befriend him, or her. Look beyond the outward shell and see if you don't
recognize the beautiful spirit within.
Love, Dad, Grandad, or Something
"It is better to prepare for something that may never come to pass than to have
something come to pass and not be prepared." Mark Twain
Some time ago I was walking out of the kitchen into the garage and missed the
edge of the step and went sprawling out into the garage. I was sure I had broken
my leg, if not more. Anyway, I was laid up for a couple of weeks with my leg in
a brace.
Last winter I went with my friend Mariner Jensen over to a dike to do some night
fishing. There are a lot of rocks lining the banks, so in order to get down to
the water's edge one had to traverse the boulders both down and back. It was
dark when I decided to return to the truck. As I stepped on one rock it gave way
and I found myself tumbling over backwards over boulders, ending up in the
ocean. Again I knew I was seriously hurt. But again, being a tough old sea dog,
with a few days rest I was back trying my luck on the dike.
One more case of old age stupidity and inability. It was early in the morning
and there had been a heavy dew and the ramp to the boat dock was wet. Tom was
already down to the boat calling for me to hurry. So, I grabbed all my fishing
gear, plus my lunch and my water bottle and headed down the ramp. There are
guard rails, but with my two hands occupied with all my fishing gear, there were
no hands left to grasp the rail. You guessed it, my feet went out from under me
and all my gear ended up in the ocean. Oh, I did recover most of my belongings,
but I was sure I had broken my leg. This time I was more seriously hurt. I
strained a ligament in my knee and it still hurts once in a while. (one year
later)
What has all this got to do with preparing for something that might never
happen? Lest you think that I am just naturally clumsy, I will let you in on a
secret. With the passing of time our reflexes seem to slow up somewhat. One
needs to prepare for that time. Most accidents are not anticipated. But there is
a lot of preparing that can be done to minimize their frequency. One has to
recognize that you no longer have the dexterity you once had. Start taking
shorter steps! Take advantage of guard rails. Preparing for the unexpected means
"buckling your seat belts". You will probably do so a million times in your life
time and never have an accident. But in spite of the odds, it is still best to
"Buckle Your Seat Belts"
I guess what I am trying to say is "that it is better to build a fence around
the cliff than to have an ambulance in the valley".
There is one more case in point. What about eternity? There are those who doubt
that there is such a place. But what if there is? If there is a life after this
one, I would think that It is better to prepare for something that may never
happen than to have something happen and not be prepared. This fills my heart
with fear. When our tenure here in life approaches its apex most of us start to
reflect on its (eternities) reality. We wonder if we had better make
preparations just in case. But it will take some time to erect a fence at the
top of the cliff, maybe we could get by with an ambulance in the valley. There
are preparations that can and should be made when you are in the prime of life,
a time when your dexterity is at its prime. There are at least two reasons for
this. One, you can run a hundred yards in a whole lot less time, when you are
thirty than when you are sixty. As I read and ponder upon what is required to
enter that Holy Place, it becomes apparent to me that it would be a great
advantage to have youth on your side. There was a time when I could have climbed
the boulders out on the dike without any problem. That was the time to have made
a smooth path down to the seashore. Or to have built a rail down the steps into
the garage. Or at least, purchased some shoes with slip-resistant soles before
going down the ramp at the boat dock.
Two: The dexterity of youth is not the only gift given to the young. There is
the dexterity of mind. It is said to begin at a very early age and that our
ability to learn is at its apex in the first few years of life and then
diminishes as we get older. If this be the case, the longer we wait to prepare
for eternity the ability to do so decreases. Preparation is the same regardless
of when it is made. Oh, how I wish I could have the vigor of both mind and body
of my youth. "Backword, turn backward oh time in thy flight and make me a boy
just for tonight"
Love, Dad, Grandad, or Something
To Family and Those Most Dear:
I have some reservations about this addition to my "News Letters" It is a story
I read some time ago and every once in a while I see a similar situation arising
in the lives of my friends and loved ones. While this story might not find a
place in all of your lives, maybe it might be a help in the life of just one or
two of you. With this in mind, I will include the story in its entirety,
omitting any personal observations and comments, letting you glean any message
it might contain for you.
BY Auther Olive White Forlenbacher
John and Jennie Mungrave had eager plans when they married and took over the old
farm, but their great faith dwindled as the first years passed. John worked
later and later in the evenings. Jennie took more and more of the heavy tasks
upon her shoulders and had no time for the home and children. They were no
further on and life had degenerated into a straining, hopeless struggle.
One hot afternoon, Jennie was loading baskets of tomatoes to take to town when
the children came running to tell her there was a dressed-up lady at the kitchen
door. Wearily she followed the children back and saw a woman in a gray tweed
coat that seemed somehow to be a part of her straight, slim body. A small gray
hat with a rose quill was drawn low over her brownish hair. She was not young,
but she was beautiful. An aura of eager youth clung to her, a clean and
exquisite freshness.
The stranger in turn saw a young woman, haggard and weary.
Her eyes looked hard and hunted. Her calico dress was shapeless and begrimed
from her work.
Stranger (smiling): How do you do? We ran our car into the shade of your lane to
have our lunch and rest for awhile, and I walked on up to buy a few apples, if
you have them.
Jennie (grudgingly): Won't you go in and sit down? I'll go and pick the apples.
Stranger: May I go with you? I'd love to help pick them.
Jennie: Why, I suppose so. If you can get out here through the dirt. (She led
the way along the unkempt path toward the orchard. She had never been so acutely
conscious of the disorder about her. She reached the orchard and began to drag a
long ladder from the fence to the apple tree.)
Stranger (crying out): Oh, but you can't do that! It's too heavy.
Please let me pick a few from the ground.
Jennie: Heavy! This ladder? I wish I didn't ever lift anything heavier than
this. After hoisting bushel baskets of tomatoes onto a wagon, this feels light
to me.
Stranger: But--but, do you think you should? Do you think it's right... Why,
that's a man's work!
Jennie (furiously): Right! Who are you to be askin' me whether I'm right or not?
A person like you don't know what work is!
Stranger (soothingly): I'm sorry I annoyed you by saying that. If you were to
tell me all about it--because I'm only a stranger--perhaps it would help. Why
can't we sit down here and rest a minute?
Jennie: Rest? Me sit down to rest, an' the wagon loaded up to go to town? It'll
hurry me now to get back before dark.
Stranger: Just take the time you would have spent picking the apples. I wish I
could help you. Won't you tell me why you have to work so hard?
Jennie (half sullenly): There ain't much to tell, only that we ain't gettin'
ahead. Henry Davis is talkin' about foreclosin' on us if we don't soon pay some
principle. The time of the mortgage is out this year, an' maybe he won't renew
it. And it ain't that I haven't done my part. I'm bare thirty, an' I might be
fifty. I'm so weather beaten. That's the way I've worked.
Stranger: And you think that has helped your husband?
Jennie (sharply): helped him? Why wouldn't it help him?
Stranger: Men are such queer things, husbands especially. For instance, they
want us to be economical, and yet they love to see us in pretty clothes. They
need our work, and yet they want us to keep our youth and beauty. And sometimes
they don't know themselves which they really want most. So we have to choose.
That's what makes it so hard. Just after we were married, my husband decided to
have his own business so he started a very tiny one. I helped my husband in the
store but we would both be tired and discouraged after a hard day at the office
and we didn't seem to be having any great success. The house got run down and
dinner was always a hasty affair and soon we both started complaining and
bickering with each other. Finally, we decided that maybe I should stay at home
and let him take care of his work at the office as best he could. And then I
worked in my house to make it a clean, shining, happy place. My husband would
come home dead-tired and discouraged, ready to give up the whole thing. But
after he had eaten and sat in our bright little living room, and I had told him
all the funny things I could invent about my day, I could see him change. By
bedtime, he had his courage back, and by morning he was already to go out and
fight again. And at last he won.
(Jennie did not speak. She only regarded her guest with a half understanding.)
Stranger: There was a queen once, who reigned in troubled days, and every time
the country was on the brink of war and the people would see her riding by, they
were sure all was well with the government. So she tided over many a danger.
And I've tried to be like her. Whenever a big crisis comes in my husband's
business, or when he's discouraged, I put on my prettiest dress and get the best
dinner I know how, or give a party. And somehow it seems to work. That's the
woman's part you know... to play the queen...(a faint "honk-honk" came from the
lane. The stranger started to her feet.) That's my husband. I must go. Please
don't bother about the apples. I'll just take a few from under the tree. (Taking
some coins from her purse) Give these to the children.
(Jennie's thoughts were too confused for speech, but, as she watched the
stranger's erect figure hurrying toward the lane, she remembered her words with
the pain of anger.)
Jennie: Easy enough for her to sit talkin' about queens! She never felt the work
at her throat like a wolf. Talk about choosin'! I haven't got no choice. I just
got to keep on goin', like I always have...
(She stopped suddenly and picked up a fairy-like hanky of white linen that the
stranger had dropped. Its faint, delicious fragrance made her think wistfully of
strange, sweet things. Of gardens in the early summer dusk; of wide fair rooms
with the moonlight shining in them; of pretty women in beautiful dresses
dancing, and men admiring them.
She, Jennie, had nothing of that. Everything about their lives, hers and John's
was coarsened, soiled somehow by the dragging, endless labor of the days.
Suppose...suppose... suppose we were to try doing what the stranger had said.
Suppose she spent her time on the house and let the outside work go...)
Jennie (with sudden resolution): Maybe I'm crazy, but I'm goin' to do it!
(Jennie brushed her hair, changed her shoes, and put on her one good dress. Then
with something of the burning zeal of a fanatic, she attacked the confusion in
the kitchen. By half-past four the room was clean. Now for supper! She decided
upon fried ham and browned potatoes and applesauce with hot biscuits, and pie.
With a spirit of daring recklessness, she spread the one white tablecloth on the
table.
The first pan of flaky brown mounds had been withdrawn from the oven when Henry
Davis' car came up the lane. Cold fear struck Jennie. He could be coming for
only one thing. As she stood shaken, wondering how she could live through what
the next hour would bring, she heard the words again, "There was a queen
once...")
Jennie (cordially): Well, howd' you do, Mr. Davis? Come right in. I'm real glad
to see you. Been quite a while since you was over.
Henry (embarrassed): Why, no, now, I won't go in. I just stopped to see John on
a little matter of business. I'll just...
Jennie: You'll just come right in. John will be in from milkin' in a few minutes
an' you can talk while you eat, both of you. I've supper just ready.
Henry: Why, now I reckon I'd just speak to John, an' then be gettin' on.
Jennie: They'll see you at home when you get there. You never tasted my hot
biscuits with butter an' quince honey or you wouldn't take so much coaxin'!
(Henry Davis came in and sat down in the big, clean kitchen. his eyes took in
every homely detail of the orderly room.) And how are things goin' with you, Mr.
Davis?
Henry: Oh, so so. How are they with you?
Jennie: Why, just fine, Mr. Davis. It's been hard sleddin' but I sort of think
the worst is over. We'll be round to pay that mortgage so fast another year that
you'll be surprised.
Henry: Well, now, that's fine. I always wanted to see John make a success of the
old place, but a man had to sort of watch his investments... Well, now, I'm glad
things are pickin' up a little.
(Jennie felt as though a tight hand at her throat had relaxed. At the kitchen
door John stopped, staring blankly at the scene before him-- at Jennie moving
about the bright table, chatting happily with Henry Davis, at Henry himself, his
sharp features softened by an air of great satisfaction. At the sixth plate on
the white cloth. Henry was staying for supper! But the silent depths of John's
nature served him well. He made no comment. Merely shook hands with Henry Davis
and then washed his face at the sink. Jennie arranged the savory dishes, and
they sat down to supper. Henry seemed to grow more and more genial and expansive
as he ate. So did John. By the time the pie was set before them they were
laughing over a joke Henry had heard at Grange meeting. As they rose from the
table, Henry brought the conversation awkwardly around to his errand.)
Jennie: (quickly): I told him John, that the worst is over now, and we're
getting on fine. I told him we'd be swampin' him pretty soon with payments.
Ain't that right, John?
(John's mind was not analytical. He had been host at a delicious supper with his
ancient adversary, whose sharp face was marvelously softened. Jennie's eyes were
shining with a new and amazing confidence. It was a natural moment for
unreasoning optimism.)
John: Why, that's right, Mr. Davis. I believe we can start clearin' this off now
pretty soon. If you could just see your way clear to renew the terms...
(It was done. The papers were back in Davis' pocket. They had bid him a cordial
good-bye from the door. Jennie cleared off the table and began to wash the
dishes. John was fumbling through the papers on the hanging shelf. He finally
sat down with an old tablet and pencil.)
John: I believe I'll do a little figurin' since I've got time tonight. It just
struck me if I used my head a little more, I'll be on this debt faster.
Jennie: Well, now, you might. (She polished two big apples and placed them on a
saucer beside him.)
John (pleased): Now, that's what I like. Say, you look sort of pretty tonight.
Jennie (smiling): Go along with you. (But a wave of color swept up in her sallow
cheeks. John had looked more grateful over her setting those two apples beside
him now than he had the day last fall when she had lifted all the potatoes
herself! Maybe even John had been needing something else more than he had needed
the hard back-breaking work she had been giving him!
Jennie walked to the doorway and stood looking off through the darkness. A thin,
haunting breath of sweetness rose from the bosom of her dress where she had
tucked the scrap of white linen. She wished that she could somehow tell the
beautiful stranger that her words had been true; that she, Jennie, was going to
fulfill her woman's part. She had read the real needs of John's soul from his
eyes that evening. Yes, wives had to choose for their husbands sometimes.)
At that very moment, speeding along the sleek macadam highway, a woman in a gray
coat with a soft gray hat and a rose quill, leaned suddenly close to her
husband.
Husband: Tired?
Stranger: I'm all right. Only, only I can't get that poor woman at the farm out
of my mind. It, it was so hopeless.
Husband (smiling tenderly): Well, I'm sorry, too, but you mustn't worry. Good
gracious, darling, you're not weeping over it, I hope.
Stranger: No, truly, just two little tears. I know it's silly, but I did so want
to help her, and I know now that what I said sounded insane. She wouldn't know
what I was talking about. She just looked up with that blank, tired face. And it
all seemed so impossible. No... I'm not going to cry. Of course I'm not...but...
lend me your handkerchief, will you, dear? I've lost mine somehow...
I hope you liked it.
Love, DAD, Grandad or Something
HONOR OF EARTH
Its easy enough to be prudent, when nothing tempts you to stray;
When with-out or with-in no voice of sin is luring your soul away.
It's only a negative virtue until its been tried by fire.
And the soul that is worth the honor of earth,
Is the one that resists desire.
Author Unknown
To Family and Those Most Dear:
GOOD MORNING: Once I'm up the whole world should be up! It is not quite daylight
yet, but my sleep buds have left, driven by a torrent of thought washing away
any hope of further sleep, (much like the Corvina, who retreat into the depths
of the sea with the first rays of sunlight)
That which has replaced my sleep is my concern for those of you who have not
married or those who have married and are struggling to make a go of it.
Sometime ago I dwelt upon the sad state of some of my contemporaries who have o
family with which to rejoice in their old age. (See News Letter "Going It
Alone") Brigham Young at one time chastised the young men of the church who were
old enough to be married but saw fit not to accept the responsibility of married
life, with his statement that "There were dozens of young ladies who would make
them good wives". (He even went so far as to call them a menace to the
community). In other words, "that you are waiting for just the right one to come
along is invalid. Be that as it may, to some it would take all the fun out of
courtship and marriage. I think the "mating game" most of us go through is
wonderful, and I would highly recommend it. But after the party is over there
comes a time of adjustment. The love of courtship helps cushion this adjustment.
(I might say, that in the case of early courtship and marriage, the adjustment
seems to be less severe) Suffice it to say, there comes a time when selfishness
has to be augmented by the joy of sharing, regardless of the euphoria of "puppy
love and courtship"
The story, "Fiddler On The Roof" is based upon tradition. Our culture is based
upon the free choice of the couple involved. In their culture, marriages were
arranged by a "match maker" (An old spinster I would surmise). Anyway, marriages
were based upon adjustment without the help of courtship. Remember Tevy's asking
his wife "Do you love me?" Her reply was, after fifty years of washing his
clothes and cooking his meals, how could he question her love. I am one who
believes that marriages were made in heaven, but not necessarily consummated.
Like all other pre-life callings, the fulfillment comes through dedicated effort
upon the part of the individual. The marriages of the orthodox Jews of Tevy's
day survived even with the tradition of "match maker".
We needn't go so far as having someone else choose our companion. What I suggest
is that all marriages need NOT be accompanied by "flashing lights and the
sounding of bells". The primary thing is, God has ordained marriage with this
warning "That it is not good that man should be alone," nor the woman either for
that matter. When couples have been robbed by death or divorce they often find
someone to fill that void, (and live happy fulfilling lives thereafter). I don't
know much about second marriages personally, but I have seen some of my closest
friends who vowed they would never marry again become vow breakers and find a
life of joy and happiness with a new companion.
In the beginning, God joined Adam and Eve in marriage and commanded them to
multiply and replenish the earth, with the promise that they would find joy and
rejoicing in their posterity. As with all of God's commandments, there is a
promised blessing attached. Sometimes one must proceed by faith. The fulfillment
of the promised blessings in this instance is not fully recognized until after
the fact. I can assure you that with the passing of time you will see the fruits
of compliance by those who have children, grandchildren, and great
grandchildren.
Oh, I know that times are different, it's a struggle just to
support yourself, let alone a family. Let me quote just one more scripture. This
is found in First Nephi chapter 3:7 "I will go and do the things which the Lord
hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandment unto the children
of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing
he commanded them". If you can somehow bring yourself to believe this, and then
work with all your might to see it's fulfillment, I promise you that it not only
can be done, but that joy will come into your life. Old age will be the "golden
years" filled with excitement and expectation. Life without family is life just
waiting to end. Take my word for it, I see it every day. Besides, what would old
folks like me have to talk about if we didn't have grandchildren to brag about.
Love, Dad, Grandad, Or Something
P.S.
Sorry about that, but just one more scripture. This is found in the book of
Psalms 127: 3-5.
3 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and fruit of the womb is his reward.
4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed,
but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
This morning I was thinking, what kind of person will my posterity, who never
knew me personally, think that I am. Will they read my "News Letters" and think
of me as some old man who has seen his approaching demise and has "gotten
religion"? Am I too preachy? I try to look at myself through the eyes of youth;
my youth. I'm afraid that much of what I now write is akin to reading some parts
of the Old Testament, unfathomable, even to me in my old age. I find myself
expounding on truths and principles that I can scarcely understand myself. They
seem relevant to me now, but what of my youth? I know that there is a vast
difference in young people; some are more spiritually inclined than others and
some are at the other end of the spectrum, to them, my "News Letters" will be
just the "babblings" of a well-intentioned old man, who is trying to put old
heads on young shoulders. I hope that along with the chaff in these "News
Letters" are some kernels of truth that will span the whole spectrum. I also
wonder, again through the eyes of my youth, if these letters had been written by
my Grandad or Great Grandad, would that have added to their credibility? I would
like to think that they would; but, realistically, the reading of anything
requiring more mental discipline than "the funnies" came late in my life. I
don't ever recall reading from the scriptures in my youth. (I hope that you
don't use my example as an excuse for not doing so). Conference talks were
something that had to be endured, if endured at all. Prayers were mechanical at
best. Scripture study was confined to "David and Goliath" or some of their
friends; no Isaiah or Jeremiah for me. I went to church on Sunday because if I
stayed home dad had some chore for me to do that was more distasteful than
preaching. Sacrament meetings became a test of endurance. Clock watching was the
most consistent part of the whole meeting. And old Brother Anderson's closing
prayers were so long I thought that the end of the world would come before he
said Amen. Primary and Mutual were one or two steps higher on my scale of the
things I least liked to do. At least there was some singing and dancing
associated with them. Scouting, still, a little better. I have always associated
activity with DOING something; any activity that was passive was not for me.
School wasn't my favorite pastime either. Recess, and the goings and the comings
weren't too bad; at least there was room for some "horse play". Oh, by the way,
in my day we had prayer and some religion was taught in our schools. Well, one
piece of good luck came my way when my "girl-friend for the day", said something
about enrolling in a seminary class, which was held in conjunction with our
other studies. (none of that early morning seminary in our day. Why not, maybe I
could score a few "brownie points" with her, as well as my parents? Much like my
taking "second-year algebra and trigonometry", it sounded profound and I thought
it would impress my peers, but that too required more discipline and effort than
I wanted to expend. So, complete failure. Oh, by the way, seminary turned out to
be the starting point of my religious experience. Not that I gained much of a
testimony from what was taught there, but unbeknown to me, a seed was planted,
and much like the seed of an oak tree, it was slow in maturing. However a point
of reference was established and I began to observe where I stood in
relationship to yet another sequence of thoughts, foreign to my heretofore
"Helter skelter" outlook on life. Serious consideration of my position in
relation to spiritual things was slow in coming. By slow, I mean years. Being
called to fulfill a mission was a giant step forward. After I returned home the
pressures of providing for a wife and family somewhat slowed my spiritual
advancement. I don't want to imply that I wasn't aware of my responsibilities
for the spiritual welfare of my wife and children; it just seemed like there
wasn't enough time, or that my priorities were not where they should have been.
I knew that we should have family prayer, and we did with some regularity; but
as I look back it was merely a shell of what it should have been. Scripture
study -- we almost failed completely on this one. I believe that we did a pretty
good job of attending church with our children. I was naive in thinking that
attending church was taking care of my responsibility to teach my family. As the
years rolled by, I began to read more books dwelling upon religious subjects and
my thoughts drifted from the mundane to things spiritual; this caused me to
ponder upon my status before the Lord. Here, again that "old oak tree" has been
long in maturing. Church callings, specifically teaching assignments, broadened
my understanding of church doctrine and procedures. Being called to preside over
a newly organized branch of the church gave me an opportunity to grow by
utilizing my past experiences to help it to become a ward. Then, to sit on the
high council of our stake and be privileged to receive direction from the
brethren who were sent from the fountainhead of the church. And finally to work
as an officiator within the confines of a holy temple, was the climax. All these
things should give you an idea "From whence I come"--The fruitage of my life's
experiences.
Just a couple of things in closing. In spite of my failings as a father, I
marvel at the children that came from my home. I would like to take some of the
credit, but in all honesty I can't. I have come to the conclusion that they
brought their godly attributes of love for each other and for us, their parents,
with them from their heavenly home. As I have seen these Godlike qualities
emerge in each of their lives I feel to thank my Father in Heaven for entrusting
me with six of His choicest children; yes, and a seventh, my beloved wife. With
this letter as a back ground, may you more fully understand my pleading for your
welfare.
Love, Dad
"Red Rose out of the west, tell the love I love best, LOVE IS A ROSE: Only a
rose, I give you, only a rose, blushing as roses do. I'll bring along a smile
and a song for anyone, but only a rose for you." Such were the words from the
operetta Student Prince; a song of love, remembered from my youth. When I listen
to the contemporary music of the day I wonder what ever happened to lovely
ballads that generated such love and longing for a sweetheart?
This morning as I sat down to breakfast I was greeted by a beautiful rose that
my sweetheart had retrieved from her flower garden. As I gazed at this marvelous
creation of my Father in heaven, I thought of the words of the Savior in
reference to a beautiful lily; "That Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed
like one of these". (Luke 12:27) As I pondered upon this witness of the Divine
the thought came to me that no man could create such beauty; in fact even with
such a beautiful model, man could not paint such a masterpiece, or could
language clothe such beauty in speech, much less give it the breath of life.
I, for one, can see the handiwork of God in all of nature; the beauty of a
sunset, the grandeur of mountains, the sparkling brook and the mountain trout
that swim therein. Something within tells me that even"Solomon in all his
glory", or any man could create such beauty? Hardly a day goes by, that I don't
see something that causes me to stop and marvel at God's handiwork. Look at your
hand, what a marvel it is. My friend, Brenton Green, lost his hand in a farm
accident. He now has an artificial one, and men call it a marvelous work and a
wonder. How is it that we bestow our praises upon the genius of the man who
"concocted" such an instrument and yet fail to give the same compliment to the
Being who created a much superior device in the first place?
Once we recognize the origin of all creation we feel a sense of belonging,
knowing that out there somewhere is someone with whom we can relate. Not some
imaginary force or quirk of evolution, but someone who is able to create a rose,
also the house (body) in which we dwell. The Psalmist declared "What is man that
thou art mindful of him? And the son of man that thou visitest him? For thou has
made him a little lower than the angels and crowned him with glory and honor".
(Psalms 8: 4&5) Getting back to this sense of belonging. When we recognize that
we have a Father in heaven, someone who knows us and is aware of our station in
life, we feel like we are a part of a family, with all its amenities; a father,
a mother, brothers, sisters, and an extended family. What comfort in times of
adversity? Contrast this feeling with those who are trying to "go it alone" When
trials become more than they can bear, where do they turn?
How about an exercise in futility? Inasmuch as our ability to create is very
limited, just for the fun of it let's see how well you can paint a "mental
masterpiece" by describing some beautiful creation found in nature. As I sit
here admiring this rose, I see within its center, petals that are a soft amber,
yielding to an even lighter yellow as they reach their outer edge. Then, in my
mind's eye, I can see the Creator sending one of his angels to trim each petal
with a delicate touch of scarlet. (The angel who painted this rose must have
been new on the job; I would like to think that she was a little nervous and
that her hand was shaking with fear lest she would make the trim a little too
wide. But bless her heart, her unsteady hand only added to the beauty and the
uniqueness of each petal.
See how impossible it is to adequately describe even one of the least of God's
creations. I think there is virtue in this exercise. When one takes the time to
search for adjectives to describe such beauty there comes an adoration of its
creator. It might also be a good exercise, if you have the talent for it, to
take a paintbrush or colored chalk and reproduce on paper or canvas that which
your eyes behold. I think that the eye is a better student than the ear and that
with a picture God's handiwork can be more beautifully portrayed. But even the
paintings of Leonardo De Vinci pale when compared to the original.
Our daughter Dawn has some talent with pencil and color. In her front room hangs
a painting of a couple of dogs, one in pursuit of the other, lifelike in every
respect and beautifully done. But one thing is lacking, the beauty of motion is
missing. When painting a sunset the colors change almost before the first stroke
of the brush. You may duplicate the beauty of a rose, but you can't capture its
fragrance.-- Well, how did you do? Did this little exercise give you a greater
admiration for your Creator? Do you think that beauty is enhanced when one knows
the artist? I hope so. At least, it adds to my testimony to know the source of
all creation.
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day
And lifts her leafy arms to pray:
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
By Joyce Kilmer
Back to index
The other day I saw a piece of sheet music. On its cover was the picture of an
empty saddle hanging on a corral fence and a group of cowboys mourning the loss
of a fellow cowhand. The title of the song was "Empty Saddles". A couple of
weeks ago, Francine and I went out to Hooper to see her sister Erma. The "Empty
Saddle" in her life was obvious; the whole thrust of her remarks were how much
she missed Bob, her deceased husband. She sounded like cowboys singing "Empty
Saddles in the Old Corral Tonight". On our way home, sharing her grief, others
came to mind, my sisters Darlene and Valoise who have to go it alone. What about
Aileen and the loss of her companion Frank? The list could go on and on. There
are so many "Empty Saddles" in this old world. I am fortunate, I still have my
companion to share "Whatever Fate our Souls Await" If this were not the case,
and I had to greet the dawning of each new day, lonely and afraid of what it
might bring, I'm sure I could write with more sensitivity.
There are other "Empty Saddles" besides the loss of a companion. Discouragement
is one. There are times when the mountain ahead is so high and the trail so
rough one just feels like lying down beside a sparkling brook and pray that God
would take you home; Bills to pay, diapers to change, meals to fix and there is
little Johnny sick with the fever. Oh! for a knight in shining armor, or just a
friend to fill this "empty saddle". Many a single mother is longing for someone
to jump into an "Empty Saddle" and ride to her rescue.
Then there are the aged, confined to rest homes or to foster care, trying to
fill each day, each hour, even the next minute, with something meaningful. Time
is so cruel and it passes so slowly. If only someone would come and sit in the
"Empty Saddle" beside her for a few minutes. How discouraging when "clock
watching " is your only pastime. Have you ever played the game? There are three
ones at eleven minutes after one o'clock, three twos at two twenty-two, three
threes at three thirty-three, four fours at four forty-four, five fives at five
fifty-five, but never three sixes, nor sevens, eights or nines, but three zeros
at ten, four ones at eleven minutes after eleven and three twos again at twelve
minutes after twelve. The game is finished, time to start all over again.( I
have a sweet little daughter-in-law, who was confined for five years in a
nursing-home, unable to speak or walk. She still is unable to talk, but I can
tell by her actions that she has played this game)
There are "Empty Saddles" in the lives of those laden with sin, who plead for
relief. "When the night's darkness lies thick overhead", they exclaim " Master,
Oh Master, carest thou not that I perish , Oh! hasten and bring relief."--- Come
and sit in this "Empty Saddle" beside me, and calm the troubled sea.
There are those, who have searched in vain, to know the purpose of their
existence. Why am I here? Is there anything after death? Did I live elsewhere
before I was born? Here is an "empty saddle" which the restored gospel can fill,
if only someone would open his mouth.
I was wondering if there aren't some "Empty Saddles" in the spirit world; "
Empty Saddles" that can only be filled through the efforts of others? I don't
know how time is measured there, but if it is accounted unto them in minutes
instead of hours it would pass extremely slow. Wouldn't it be frustrating to
have accepted the gospel and then just have to sit and wait for someone do the
necessary ordinance work, before progressing any further?
Lastly, someone has referred to empty chairs surrounding the board in our
heavenly Home; a missing son or daughter, a brother or sister. Because of our
earthly bonds an "Empty Saddle" there will fill our hearts with regret. Surely,
a lifetime of opportunity should have been sufficient to ensure that all would
be there.-- Oh, by the way, this might be a good time to worry about your own
"Saddle". One cowboy, riding off into the sunset alone, will never reach his
heavenly home. It requires a group of cowhands, to round up and save the herd.
Salvation is a family affair.
Exaltation requires that an unbroken link be formed, binding each generation one
to another, back to Father Adam. Lest I give you an excuse to procrastinate, let
me warn you that one day's effort here in this life could well be worth a
thousand years in the world to come. "For behold, this life is the time given
for men to prepare to meet God". (Book of Mormon: Alma 34:32) Continued labor
toward perfection will be the thrust of our effort in the world to come, leaving
little time to play "Catch up". Lest you give up in despair, somewhere, in the
wisdom of God He has prepared a way whereby faithful parents and family members
will yet see "THOSE EMPTY SADDLES FILLED". Don't ask how I know, just take my
word for it.. (Next time you go to the house of the Lord listen very carefully
to the temple worker as he performs the sealing ordinance of a man to wife and
children. The spirit will reveal the binding nature of this ordinance).
Well. so much for "Empty Saddles" I hope this little metaphor has been a good
vehicle in helping you see where the need lies and that it will prod you to
action. We get so involved in things pertaining to our temporal affairs we lose
sight of the purpose of our existence. I guess old age, and ones proximity to
eternity, causes them to dwell upon these things to a greater degree than when
one is in his youth. But take it from me, you will wake up one morning in the
not to distant future and wonder ......
Where have all the flowers gone? Young girls picking them every one.
Where have all the girls gone?--gone to young men everyone.
Where have all the young men gone? they are in uniform--.
Where have all the soldiers gone? gone to graveyards every one.
Where have all the graveyards gone? covered with flowers every one.
Where have all the flowers gone? Young girls picked them every one.
Long time passing, Long time ago. When will they ever learn, when will we ever
learn.?"
Adapted from "And Quietly Flows the Don" by Mikhail Sholokhov
Love, Dad, Grandad, or Something
I'll lend you for a little time a child of mine, He said,
For you to love the while she lives and mourn when she's dead.
It may be six or seven years, or twenty-two or three.
But will you, till I call her back, take care of her for me?
She'll bring her charms to gladden you, and shall her stay be brief,
You'll have her lovely memories as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise that she will stay, since all from earth return,
But there are lessons, taught down there, that she must learn.
I've looked the wide world over for teachers true,
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes, I have selected you.
Now will you give her all your love nor think the labor vain.
Nor hate me when I come to call to take her back again?
I fancied that I heard them say, Dear Lord, Thy will be done!
For all the joy thy child shall bring, The risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter her with tenderness, we'll love her while we may,
And for the happiness we've known forever grateful stay;
But shall the angels call for her much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes an try to understand
Edger Guest
Last night I had a most frightening dream. I found myself buried up to my neck
in sand and struggle as I may, I could not escape. I tried to twist or turn but
all to no avail. Have you ever had claustrophobia? Well, that was how I felt, I
was frantic. It seemed like I spent the whole night struggling to just find a
little movement, but eventually I detected just the smallest bit of change. With
the passing of time I was able to gain a little more movement. It was exhausting
and at times I felt like giving up. I don't know how long it took but it seemed
like an eternity, but with a constant and extreme effort I finally escaped the
dreaded sand-trap that held me bound.
After I awoke, I lay there pondering its meaning, Surely, there must be some
application or message to be gleaned from it all. The first thought that came to
mind was how did I ever get mired in all that sand in the first place? As time
passes we lose some of our dexterity or ability to maneuver as spontaneously as
we did just a few years ago. Also, there sneaks into our lives little aches and
pains associated with the aging process. These annoyances come on so gradually
that we hardly know that they are there. When they continue to be persistent, we
just learn to live with them. There are some remedies available, such as a
change in lifestyle, but most of us are willing to put up with a little
inconvenience, rather than go to all the trouble associated with change. In
other words, one needs to stir the sand to keep it from "setting up". Much like
cement, as long as it is still in the mixer it is pliable and easy to handle.
Once it has had a little time to "set up" it hardens and becomes permanent. We
need to stir our minds as well as our bodies to delay this "setting-up" process
in our lives. By the way, this phenomena is not reserved for the old folks. If
you are to escape the "sands of time" you had better "get a wiggle on".
I have just finished reading a biography on the life of President Hinckley. If
you want to see a good example of not letting the "sands of time" settling in,
read this book. (He is 87, and still going strong)
Each morning I have a spoonful of Metamucil in a glass of juice. (I don't think
that this is necessarily a sign of old age). Well, anyway, you have two choices,
either drink it in a hurry or keep stirring so it doesn't all settle to the
bottom. I wonder if that isn't the way with most of us procrastinators. We
hesitate to drink it all at once, so we continue to stir.
I once heard a missionary tell a cute little story about having dinner with an
Indian family. They were having some kind of soup. It was in a giant kettle with
a large ladle. When it came time for the missionary to take his portion his host
suggested that he stir it well and fill his bowl from the bottom of the kettle,
as that was where the puppy meat was. I am afraid that too many of us are
satisfied with the water on the top, not dipping deep enough to reach the
"puppy".
We tend to accept what we are now doing as being adequate. To do more requires
some stirring, and that takes more time and effort than we are willing to give.
We settle into the sand just an inch at a time, so gradually that we never
realize it until we are "up to our necks" in some kind of trouble. In order to
extract ourselves more effort is required than we are able to give, or at least,
what we are willing to give.
May I give you a suggestion or two. Make one more lap round the track than you
usually do. Read just one more page of scripture each day. Go to the temple one
more time each month. Stay for one additional session. Make an extra trip to see
Mom or Dad, or someone who needs a visit. In other words, "stir" more deeply
into every activity. (Except sleeping) Some of my most cherished blessings have
come when I have gone the "extra mile". Personal revelation is a reward for
doing more than was required.
I hesitate to go swimming every night, in spite of how much better it makes me
feel. Sometimes I fail to go for a walk and listen to a conference tape, knowing
full well I will be rewarded both spiritually and physically. We need to be
"anxiously engaged in a good cause". Engagement is the spoon that stirs the
soup; the action that keeps the sand from settling in around you.
I mentioned sleep. Don't get me wrong, learn to limit your sleep to that which
is necessary. "Arise early that your mind might be invigorated." (D&C 88:124) I
think that our productivity follows the sun. As the sun goes down, so does our
ability to stir the soup. "Early to bed, early to rise, makes one healthy,
wealthy and wise". (I don't know who came up with that one, but it has been
around for a long time) More fish are caught just before sunrise and the catch
diminishes as the day goes on.
Well, I hope that all my philosophy hasn't been an exercise in verbal
gymnastics. The whole grist of this letter is keep active. Do something
constructive every hour of every day. If you do, you will receive a renewal of
both mind and body.
Love, Dad, Grandad or Something.
I did a terrible thing this morning and I feel awful. I pride myself in being
thoughtful of others and slow to find fault. Usually when I have some pet peeve
I turn to Francine and get her to do the dirty work. I guess I am somewhat of a
coward, I run and hide when confrontation raises its ugly head.
Every spring when we come home from Mexico it takes a few weeks for everything
to return to normal. The driver of the trash truck fails to change his routine,
he usually turns on our corner and heads north, but when we come home he has to
make a loop to the south to pick up our garbage. Well, for some reason we have
to complain to the city office a half dozen times before the trash man includes
us in his itinerary. The same thing with the paper boy. I go out to retrieve the
paper about five o'clock, again about six, then seven--still no paper. So, I get
Francine to call the Herald Journal and complain. Next night the same scenario.
Finally we receive a paper. Great. Then for the next week it comes late one day
and on time the next, with a miss once in a while. This gets frustrating, here
it is Sunday morning, I have been out to the paper box every hour on the hour
since seven and here it is ten and still no paper. My patience has been
stretched about as far as it could be, so..."Francine call that blankity- blank
newspaper boy and tell him I am sick and tired of chasing back and forth to the
mail box to see if the paper has arrived yet". "Do it yourself" was her reply.
So I gathered up my anger and let it fly at the boy's father when he answered
the phone. After he had listened to my tirade for a couple of minutes he
apologized and proceeded to tell me that his son had been killed the night
before while delivering the paper and one of his friends was delivering the
papers this morning, so it might be a little late.
"School thy feelings; condemnation never pass on friend or foe, though the tide
of accusation like a flood of truth may flow.-- Hear defense before deciding"
School thy feelings o my brother;
Train thy warm impulsive soul;
Do not its emotions smother,
But let wisdom's voice control"
Charles W. Penrose
There have been a few times in my life when I wish I had bridled my tongue and
this was one of them. "Oh I'm sorry, I didn't know" was little relief to the
father of the newspaper boy. Some mistakes we make in life can be rectified or
compensation can be meted out, but how can you really tell someone like that you
are sorry, and that you know how they feel? Has your boy been killed while
delivering paper? Or has accident's cruel hand left a loved one crippled for
life? No matter how badly you feel, until you feel the prints of the nails in
your hands and the sword thrust into your side, will you ever know the pain that
will justify the answer "I know how you feel".
Empathy, or really feeling sorry, to the point that your own heart aches, is
what has been called "A Godly Sorrow". Not that man is capable of sorrowing as
did the Savior, but it is a divine attribute that we should strive to cultivate.
I wish that I could give you the formula. I see it manifest in various degrees
in different individuals. Some, I would suppose, are just blessed with tender
feelings, Some overreact and in some cases some are phonies. I know that we
can't suffer all the trials that beset mankind, but we can shed our mantle of
toughness and let a tear seep through once in a while. We can stop and take time
to "raise the hands that hang down and give strength to those with feeble knees"
and lift the burden of those who are bowed beneath the rod. In other words, be
the good Samaritan, lose yourself in the service of your fellowmen. Find the joy
of giving; not just monetarily, but give of time and personal attention.
Selfishness and the "what is in it for me" syndrome, deprives most of us the
true joy that comes when we follow the pattern set by the Savior; to mourn with
those that mourn, and weep with those that weep; to bear one another's burdens
that they might be light.
3 NEPHI 12: 3 thru 10
See also St. MATTHEW 5: 3 thru 10
Blessed are the poor in spirit that come unto me for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.
And again blessed are those that mourn for they shall be comforted
And blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth
And blessed are those that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall
be filled with the Holy Ghost.
And blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.
And blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
And blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.
Love, Dad, Grandad, or Something
Just a thought gem:
By compassion we make others' misery our own,
and so, by relieving them, we relieve ourselves also.
Thomas Browne
Once in saintly passion
I cried with desperate grief
"O Lord, My heart is black with guile,
Of sinners I am chief."
Then stooped my guarding angel
And whispered from behind,
"Vanity my little man,
You're nothing of the kind.
(James Thomson)
To some, if not all, comes a time of grief and remorse. A time when our
self-worth is at low tide. We come to the conclusion that the battle is over and
we are the vanquished. Many forsake the fight when the foe appears in shining
armor and its legions as numerous as the stars in the firmament. Like the words
of this poem, "My heart is black with guile". All one can see are his misdeeds.
"The clouds of nights darkness lie thick overhead, no shelter nor help is nigh.
And my soul cries out in anguish, Dear Lord, care'st thou not that I parish? Oh!
hasten and bring relief."
This is one time when I would wish for wisdom, to help dispel this awful grief.
This road I have trod, and with hind-sight I should of my own wisdom be able to
bring you some measure of relief. Man is most vulnerable when all hope is fled;
when all one can see is the darkness of the night and fearful of what the next
day will bring. It has been said in verse (which I cannot recall) that of all
the tools of the adversary, the one he treasures most is DISCOURAGEMENT.
If one is to find relief, two conditions must be met regardless of sin. First:
One has to acknowledge that change must come. Second: One must muster enough
will-power to start the transition. A word of caution, discouragement feeds upon
itself. Once the dike has been breached the flood gates cannot stem the tide. At
one time a small wedge could have prevented the breach, but now the fissure has
left the wripwrap vulnerable that was placed upon the face of the dam to give it
strength. Just think, maybe a shovel and a sandbag could have saved the day. So,
tomorrow emergency crews with tractors, carryalls and bulldozers will make a
monumental effort to restrain the stream and put it again in its proper channel.
In life, all breaches (sins) are not the same. It takes a civil engineer to
determine what must be done to restore the dike; so likewise, we need to find a
"spiritual" engineer to determine what needs to be done to restore self worth. I
would suggest that you go see the one who originally drafted the plan of
forgiveness, his name is Jesus Christ, and his blueprints are available to us
all. To some they are complicated and hard to comprehend. But in reality they
are simple and easily discerned by the truly penitent. "Seek and you shall find.
Knock and it shall be opened unto you". You don't need a transit or a slide
rule, all you will need is a "contrite spirit and a broken heart". A feeling of
guilt is the first sign of spring. The desire to change is the daffodil,
confirming that winter is o'er.
Within Christ's blueprints you will find the formula to cure every ill. They are
there just for the taking, with this provision; you must seek with real intent.
Fortunately, in this endeavor you are not alone. Through sincere prayer the eyes
of your understanding will be opened and you will recognize the antidote. There
is one more thing you have going for you, it is the sweet spirit of the
comforter. He will confirm your findings. If you are unfamiliar with the holy
spirit's workings, it will manifest itself as a warm feeling, deep within your
breast and will bring peace to your soul). As with a small plant, you must
nourish it, don't expect it to bear fruit over night. Try to build a feeling of
self-worth, as a support until the harvest. As with all storms, one must be
prepared to stand strong when temptation rears its ugly head and begs your
retreat into his den, where cobwebs await to re-entangle you.
We are continually advised to seek "support-teams" when trying to conquer some
failing. Likewise, you will need to find "support-teams" to give you
encouragement. My I suggest that you carefully select those upon whom you can
lean. A wise man? (namely me!) once said "Seek for gold where gold is found. If
thou desire to be all-knowing, sit the gate of him that is wise. If thou
wouldest be virtuous, avoid the unclean thing. If thou art adrift, go to him who
is mighty to save". Seek your "support-team" from those who love you; those who
see your burden as their own, accepting you as brother or sister. In most cases
they are the ones whose prayers ascend unto God in your behalf. If the gospel is
true, and I testify to you that it is, (1) go where truth is taught. The whole
object of the church is the perfecting of the saints. (2)Their leaders are
experts, they have spent years in dealing with problems just like yours. And
finally, a complete absolving for past actions is obtainable. Go see your
Bishop. By virtue of a commission, granted by the Savior Himself, he has the
right to forgive. Lastly, avoid the unclean thing.
The road will be hard and the way is long. The sooner you start the quicker you
will find relief. As long and hard as the road back might be, it pales in
comparison to the feeling of hopelessness and the despair of the unrepentant.
Come and partake of the table of the Lord, for His meat is tender and His bread
is sweet and He bestoweth His love on all that dine with Him. No soul is lost in
the sight of God. You are one of His own, a son or a daughter, foreordained to
be like Him someday.
Love, Dad, Grandad, or Something.
To Family and Those Most Dear:
We "small-time" fishermen detest the large commercial fishing fleets that daily
pass us by. The thing that raises our ire is to see them disgorge themselves of
all the unwanted fish that are caught in their nets. A lot of the fish that they
throw overboard are the ones we have spent "millions" in boats and equipment to
catch. If the fish that were returned to the ocean lived, it wouldn't be so bad,
we might catch some of them another day. But there is a giant armada of sea
gulls following (or riding on the super structure) awaiting to be fed from the
offal.
Let me quote an article found in a recent news release. In the city of Saint
Augustine the sea gulls are starving to death. All the shrimp boats have moved
to another city. There is still plenty of fish for them to feed on, but the sea
gulls had forgotten how to "fish". They have become so dependent upon the offal
from the shrimp boats that they are literally starving in a sea of plenty."
The reason for this letter was precipitated by what I see happening to some of
my grandchildren. They are "starving" in their struggle for self reliance. If
one is dependent upon someone else for his support and upkeep he is in bondage
to his provider as well as himself. (In the sense that he is not able to make
decisions.) You can't do the things you would like to do, because you don't have
the resources to meet the demands of your desires.
It is not the intent of this letter to extol the virtues of self reliance, that
could well be the subject for another letter, but for now I would like to deal
with the responsibilities of the "provider". Remember the story of the sea
gulls? Are you the "shrimp boat" in the lives of your children? Will your
children forget how to "fish"? The greatest need that I see is, that somehow,
you need to provide ways to teach your children to work; work at something. The
feeling of accomplishment is the beginning of life's great adventure. When your
children spend their own money it does at least two things. They are more
careful how they spend it, thus they learn thrift. Also it is a good feeling
when you control "the getting" of the things you want, instead of being at the
mercy of someone who is not sympathetic to your desires.
Times are a lot different now than when I was a kid, so I am not very well
qualified to give you answers to the problems of today's youth. There were
factors forced upon my generation that are not common in this day and age. The
lack of affluence required that the things we desired had to be obtained by our
own efforts. Luckily, there always seemed to be a way to make a dime, if one
were willing to work for it. I emphasize "Work" One could work from sunup till
sundown stacking sugar-beet tops, for 50 cents, if you wanted 50 cents that bad.
"Necessity is the mother of invention". (If work needed to be reinvented) It
wasn't that I had a Dad who was a "tight-wad" He just didn't have 50 cents that
hadn't already been spent to meet our very necessities. I do remember that there
was at least one sacrifice that my parents were willing to make, that was to see
that I had sufficient funds to go on a mission. But once I returned home I was
"kicked out of the nest" so to speak. If I wanted a wife and a place for her to
live, I needed to find work, and find it immediately. The next morning after we
were married I was up at five in the morning on a milk truck, hauling milk. (For
a dollar a day). Life was tough, but it was a good school master.
So, even if you are affluent, and can provide your children with their every
"whim", don't rob them of their natural instincts to "fish". A mother has to
take the bottle away from the baby sometime and must somehow restrain the
youngster from sucking his thumb. Someone has coined the phrase "Tough or hard
love" Hard on both the child and the parent. But somewhere, reality has to set
in and I'm quite sure that sooner is less painful than later and sooner
forgotten. I do know that "head-start" doesn't necessarily refer to pre-school.
The decision-making process needs time, lots of time to mature; so enroll your
youngsters early in life. Maybe the lack of funds won't be the tool that forces
you to teach your children to become self sufficient; but if you don't do
something when the "shrimp boats" leave the harbor you may well have a whole
generation of starving "sea gulls"!
As much as we would like good things to "just happen', they very seldom ever do.
You can trace the source of almost every industrious child to some parental
teaching, either by precept or example. Remember, "ON THE JOB TRAINING" is the
best kind of training.
Love Dad, Grandad, or Something
PASS IT ON
Have you a kindness shown, pass it on.
'twas not given for thee alone, pass it on.
Let it travel down the years.
Let it wipe another's tears.
Till in heaven the deed appears, pass it on.
Henry K. Burton
We arrived home on the 14th of April. We stayed a little longer this year, but
that was alright, we stayed long enough to catch a few "dorado". They are a
summer fish, along with the sailfish and the marlin. The water has been rough
this winter and the last few days were no exception. We went out in my small
boat and caught three dorado. Then we went out in Mariner Jensen's boat a couple
of times, but the water was so rough we were really "beat" when we got in. The
last two days I went with Tom Wood in his boat, which is much bigger; though the
water was still rough one could endure all the bouncing. We had a little better
success too. We caught three dorado weighing over 40 lbs. and three about twenty
five lbs.
The weather was getting quite warm, 90's in the daytime and eighty for most of
the night. But, with both air-conditioners working, it was tolerable. Even the
water in the ocean got up to 80 degrees. We wait until after the sun goes down
and then go over to the swimming pool, which is nice. Most of our friends left
before we did, in fact the park seemed almost empty.
We left about 7am. and drove to Flagstaff, arriving about 6pm. Got a nice room,
went over to Mc Donalds for a Big Mac, then over to Smiths for some dry-ice to
put on the fish. Left Flagstaff about 6am, arriving in Salt Lake about 4pm.
Stopped to see Dan and Kris but they were not home, arriving in Preston about 6
pm.
The drive is a long one, but it was no worse than it has been in the past. So,
maybe old "Father Time" has granted me a reprieve of some kind, at least for
another year.
I had to come home in February for a doctor's appointment. We went by bus from
Guymas to Tucson and then flew home, reversing the procedure to return to San
Carlos. It worked out really well, maybe that will be an option a little later
on, when I can no longer endure the drive.
This past winter has been quite productive as far as "News Letters" are
concerned. I must have composed thirty or forty letters. If I should die
tomorrow I will leave behind enough monthly "News Letters" to last the rest of
this century; if so, my letters will literally be a "Voice from the Dust".
I sometimes wonder if those of you who receive these communications even bother
to read them. I also wonder if you realize the amount of time and effort that
goes into each letter. It isn't just a matter of sitting down and writing a page
or two of fatherly advice. It starts with a prompting by the spirit. This
prompting is usually associated with meditation upon something I am reading;
something I hear in the meetings on Sunday or something I glean from listening
to conference tapes while taking my morning walk; anything that I think will be
of some benefit to you. It is strange how some phrase will stand out, like
CAPITAL LETTERS, almost like someone is prompting me to elaborate on the
thought. Maybe just a line, or a single quote, is all that prompts the making of
the "News Letter" and that is just the beginning. If the spirit is willing,
there comes "Line upon line, precept upon precept; here a little and there a
little", flowing into my mind. It is most exciting to write under the influence
of the Spirit. New incite, new concepts and means of expression not common to my
natural ability, flow into my mind. Many times the spirit leads me into subject
material that was never envisioned at the inception of that particular "News
Letter". Past thoughts and scripture, supporting the subject, come to my
remembrance. This usually comes like a flood, almost faster than it can be
typed. When finished I feel most drained, and I sit in amazement at what has
transpired. I know what my natural ability is, and these letters far exceed
that.
After the initial draft, then comes countless copies to be read, reread and
spell checked. ( By the way, using the spell checker in this computer is more
than just pressing a key. You have to be somewhere close to the correct spelling
to get any suggestions, so back to using a dictionary.) Sometimes it is
necessary to use a thesaurus to find just the right word to express a thought.
Next, I read the letter aloud to someone. There is something about verbalizing
that clears up the thought structure. Sometimes, one has to rearrange the
thoughts and place them in a more appropriate place in the letter. Then there is
the overall appearance of the manuscript. The margins need to be uniform and I
try to limit the length of the letter to two full pages. Then when I think I
have the letter as correct as possible, I take it down to Luana Mecham, if I am
in Mexico, or to Sadie Sorenson, if I am here at home. They read and make
corrections in grammar and punctuation, and also make suggestions as to how I
can express my thoughts clearly and in a more comprehensive manner. Then back to
the drawing board for final editing and printing. Then transferring a copy to a
small backup disc, containing the "Letters" to be used in the next addition of
Grandpa's News Letters. I usually pass out a few copies to some friends for
comments as to its impact, or other comments. I don't know if they are just
being kind, or if they are sincere in their comments, but their response is
usually positive.
Well, I hope that you have a little greater appreciation for the effort that
goes into each of these "News Letters"
Love Dad, Grandad, or Something
Goodby Pa, Goodby Ma. goodby mule with your old "hee haw"
I don't know what this war's about, but by golly I'll soon find out.
So my sweetheart don't you fear, I'll bring you a King for a souvenir.
I'll bring you a Kaiser or two, that's about all one feller can do.
This little jingle, along with a hundred and one verses of "Parlez Vous", were
songs that my father and his World War One buddies brought home from the
battlefields of France. (Some of the lyrics were in bad taste, as I recall).
They were the "rap" music of that day. Luckily, they soon gave way to the music
of the "Roaring Twenties". But tales of the horrors of battle lingered with him
until his death. That is not all; I remember mother telling of reading the
casualty lists to see, if by chance, her loved one's name might be among the
missing. Then there were stories of the grief and heartache when a loved one had
been killed in battle.
Again, some twenty years later that same scenario was repeated. The songs and
the war stories were somewhat different, but the sorrows were the same. The
strength to endure such a tragedy has to come from one's faith and trust in the
omnipotence of God. They used to speak of "so and so" being extraordinarily
strong in their time of adversity, while others were pitied because they were
reluctant to accept reality. Although we have been free from the casualties of
war for some time, one must prepare for the "Grim Reaper" when he comes. Those
who went through the trials brought on by war found many avenues of relief. Some
tried to drown their sorrows in alcoholic beverages. While others sought to vent
their anger and frustration in civil disobedience, fighting against the
establishment; somehow thinking that they were getting even with those who
started the mess in the first place.
There used to be a saying that "It was good to LET OFF A LITTLE STEAM once in a
while". It's about this venting, or letting off steam, that I would like to
dwell upon for a few pages, if the Lord be willing.
You can find a venting for your grief by meditating upon a few old worn out
phrases "Love your enemies"--"Do good to those who despitefully use you"--"Love
your neighbor as thyself". There are many more; but basically, drive out all
bitterness, accept your lot and go on in life. To dwell excessively on tragedy
causes one to waste away in self pity. But, when one starts to look beyond their
own grief and tries to help another carry their burden they miraculously feel
the load they are carrying lifted.
Getting back to the songs of wartime. They were used in an attempt to put a
lighter side on adversity. Maybe some of the soldiers were trying to make people
think they were "macho"-- covering their true feelings with humor and verse.
Someone once said that "We need a good laugh once in a while, even if you use
yourself as the "butt" of the joke. There is therapeutic value in good humor; it
"Let off Steam". I was wondering if the "NOW generation" knows where the term
"Letting off Steam" came from. When we were young we had engines that were
powered by steam. When the steam pressure approached the bursting limits of the
boiler, the operator would turn a valve and let some of the steam escape to
reduce the pressure. (Thus the term "Letting off Steam). Sometimes in our lives
we need to release some of the pressure in our "boiler".--- Hence, the purpose
of this letter, LET OFF A LITTLE STEAM.
Songs need not be humorous, or on the lighter side, to LET OFF STEAM. I am
reminded of a couple that fall in this vein: "We are camping tonight in the old
camp ground, praying for the war to cease"; Battle Hymn of the Republic is
another. Then the songs of Red Wing, a shy little prairie maid "Who lay sighing,
while far, far away, her Brave lay dying'. "The song of the heart is a prayer to
me and will "bring down" a blessing upon your head." (Paraphrasing D&C 25:12) (I
don't know what kind of a blessing "Parlez Vous" will bring down...maybe the
blessings will come up for that one). Songs have been and are used to comfort
the weary, to lift ones spirit. Even King Saul would call for David to play his
harp and sing songs to cheer him up. ( 1st Samuel 16:18)
One more "Steam Vent". When the war (WW-2) was winding down I was assigned guard
duty at the infirmary, in a prisoner of war compound. The atrocities committed
against American POWS created a sense of hatred for all Japanese. The Bataan
death march of General Waynewright and his men still makes me boil. Well, while
on this detail we spent some time inside the stockade with the Japanese solders.
Our CO could speak their language and after a while we got to know a little
about them. The "steam" that was vented came when they started talking about
their home, mothers and sweethearts. Finally, I realized that they too had
mothers and loved ones anxiously awaiting word from their son or boy friend.
This somehow changed them from being the enemy, to someone who also had longings
for home and those most dear. They were not there of their own choosing, much
like myself. (Love your enemies, do good to those who despitefully use you).
Hopefully war will not come to your generation, but trials will. May you find in
this letter the valve that will LET OFF A LITTLE STEAM!
Love, Dad, Grandad, Or Something
Charles Dickens
I pray for inspiration as I try to give counsel in regard to adversity. This is
a beast of enormous proportions to those who are not prepared to cope with it.
An eternal perspective is the balm of Gilead, the balm that soothes. Patience in
adversity is a virtue, I hope you have plenty; time is a great healer. To some
it is given to deal with adversity better than others. I, for one, fear pain and
would do most anything to escape its clutches. While, when it comes to other
forms of adversity, I do a little better. I am an eternal optimist; I just know
that tomorrow will be a better day. (If it ever gets here; Patience isn't one of
my virtues either)
I marvel when I see someone who can deal with adversity without letting
adversity deal with them; someone who can roll with the punches, someone who can
accept trials with a cheerful countenance. Attitude is so important. Le Grand
Richards once told this story to a young person, who, in a time of depression,
asked what youth had to live for. " There were two buckets that went in a well;
as one came up it said "This is surely a cold and dreary world. No matter how
many times I come up full, I always go down empty." Then the other bucket
laughed and said "With me it is different. No matter how many times I go down
empty, I always come up full."
Another story is told of one traveling down a roadway between two cities. He was
approached by a passerby who asked what kind of people he would find upon his
arrival in the city that lay just ahead. He responded by asking his fellow
traveler "What kind of people did you leave in the city from whence you came" "
Oh! replied the stranger, they were of the worst kind". To which the traveler
replied "The people of the city to which you are heading are of the worst kind,
just like the people in the city from whence you came." After traveling a short
distance he was approached by another erstwhile traveler who asked the same
question. Again he responded, "What kind of people did you leave in the city
from whence you came". The stranger remarked "They were the best people in all
the world". Well, said the old sage, "That is just the kind of people you will
find in the city to which you are going".
Life pretty much reflects what you see in others. If you are continually looking
for the worst in life, you will find it. If it is the best you are looking for,
the best is what you will find.
"Discouragement and frustration are frequent companions to misfortune." (James
E. Faust) "Sweet are the uses of adversity; which like the toad, ugly and
venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in his head." (As You Like It)
Try not to get "wrapped-up"in self pity. A good remedy is to look around until
you find someone who is worse off than yourself. "I cried because I had no
shoes, until I saw a man who had no feet." The world is full of people who have
no "feet". Another good balm, is look for someone who needs what you have to
give; a little love, a kind word of sympathy and encouragement. When you lighten
someone else's burden, you will find the strength to carry your own. In
Ecclesiastes we read. "The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the
strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding,
nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all." Try
to be content with your lot in life. I have seen some of my Mexican brothers and
sisters happy and most pleasant to be around while living in a shack with a dirt
floor. I sometimes think back to what we "old folks" like to call the great
depression. Things were tough, food was scarce, work hard to find, it was a time
when men's souls were tried. But it was also a time for sharing, (what little we
had) "Silver and gold have I none; But such as I have, give I thee.". (Peter to
the lame man see: Acts 3:6) A few potatoes, a small piece of meat, maybe a loaf
of bread. It was the worst of times, but it was the best of times. Everyone was
in the same "boat", they all found joy in taking their turn "rowing". "It's not
what you give it's what you share". To him who can give, when he has little or
nothing to give, comes a sense of well being and a feeling of gratitude for the
blessings that he does have. Whether rich or poor, bond or free, the gift of
self, whether great or small, has its own reward. The secret is, when you are
down to the last loaf, cut it in two and give the other half to someone in need.
Like the widow-women who gave to Elijah the last bit of meal and drained the
cruse of its final drop; Never again wanted! For as Elijah had promised, "Her
barrel of meal should not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail" and it was
so. (See: 1 Kings 17:16)
"So what? We have plenty to eat and clothes to keep us warm; in fact there is
very little of life's bounty we don't have, but I am still unhappy". Selfishness
breeds discontent. Maybe your neighbor doesn't need a loaf of bread, (Man shall
not live by bread alone). The sooner you get involved with the concerns and
needs of others, the sooner your burden will lift. It is a virtue to be able to
see the needs of others. Nurture this gift. Try to empathize; try to feel sorrow
when you see sorrow in the lives of others. If you see someone who needs a
friend, be that friend. When you see anyone in need, meet that need.
In a world where sorrow, ever will be known,
Where are found the needy and the sad a lone;
How much joy and comfort you can all bestow,
If you scatter sunshine everywhere you go.
Slightest actions often meet the sorest needs,
For the world wants daily little kindly deeds;
Oh, what care and sorrow you can help remove,
With your songs and courage, sympathy and love.
When the days are gloomy, sing some happy song;
Meet the world repining with a courage strong;
Go with faith undaunted thro' the ills of life,
Scatter smiles and sunshine o'er its toils and strife.
E.O. Excell
Back to the tale of two cities "It was the best of times, it was the worst of
times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch
of belief, it was epoch of incredulity, it was a season of darkness, it was the
spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we
had nothing before us." How aptly Dickens describes the times of our life. Dwell
upon each description of their times and find a counterpart. Surely, this is an
age of wisdom and an age of foolishness. This is an age of belief and it is also
an age of incredulity. Is not this our season of darkness and our spring of
hope? To many, this is their winter of despair. We have everything before us,
yet we have nothing before us. The tale of two cities is found in each of our
lives. To one it is a city of despair, to another it is a city of hope. To
another it is a city filled with opportunity, to another stands a city, "which
had nothing before us". True, we don't face the problems of the great depression
but, "To the rich and the poor, the just and the unjust, the good Lord causes
his rain to fall". Thus, each in his own station must face adversity. It is how
we face it that makes all the difference. Remember the little tale of the
travelers mentioned at the beginning of this letter? There really were not two
cities, it is just how you perceive them to be.
Love Dad, Granddad, Or Something
P.S. A wise man said;
"The Lord gets his best soldiers out of the highlands of adversity."
An old man going
a lone highway,
Came, at the evening cold and gray,
To a chasm vast and deep and wide,
The old man crossed 'in the twilight dim,
The sullen stream had no fear for him;
But he turned when safe on the other side
And built a bridge to stem the tide.
"Old man," said
a fellow pilgrim near,
"You are wasting your strength building here;
Your journey will end with the ending day,
You will never again pass this way;
You've crossed the chasm, deep and wide,
Why build this bridge at evening tide?"
The builder
lifted his old gray head;
"Good friend in the path I've come, "he said
There followed after me to-day
A youth whose feet must pass this way,
This chasm that has been naught to me
To that fair-headed youth may a pitfall be;
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building this bridge for him.
William Allen Dromgoole
As I begin this letter I have a desire in my heart, but not much more. I know
what I would like to accomplish but the vehicle to carry this message has not
been revealed as yet. This is not unusual. As is the case with most of these
"News Letters", I simply start with this desire in my heart and wait upon the
dictates of the spirit. Today I would like to explore the tender feelings that
are found in some of us. Where do they come from and can they be cultivated in
the lives of our children? Can they be had, but not revealed? Why are some more
prone to shed a tear than another? Is emotional behavior the singular evidence
of inner humility? Should one strive to control these "swellings" when they
desire to exit through our eyes and speech?
I don't know if we will address all these suppositions. I guess we will just
start an see how far we will go. The main thrust of this letter is to somehow
replace bitterness and anger with love and empathy. When we see one of our
children mistreating an animal, that is a "warning sign". What can we do to rout
out his evil? Remember the counsel of King Benjamin to the parents of his day.
"Neither will ye suffer that they (your children) FIGHT AND QUARREL one with
another". (See Mosiah 4:14) Anger is usually associated with unrestrained
actions. Some have passed anger off as a part of ones nature; some being more
prone to anger than another. Methinks that most of the ill temper we see in our
children is not something that they brought with them. If you believe that we
came from a heavenly home, can you envision it being filled with intolerance or
meanness? If the answer is no, then from whence cometh this hardness of heart? I
could be wrong on this one, considering the diversity of personality , but I
honestly believe what we see in our children is what our children see in us. We
speak of changing the attitude of our children, when the root of the evil lies
within the parents. "Charity begins at home". I know this quote is a little out
of context, but what I want to say is, not only does charity begin at home, so
does almost every attribute found in our children. So clean up your own act
first!
Now, there is at least one more source of influence to which your children
react. It is their peer group. Part of parental training is screening the
company they keep. This is more difficult. It requires fortifying your children
with standards of conduct that they and you will tolerate. Great, but how do you
do that? You are not going to be with them ALL the time, but how you use that
which is allocated to personal discussion is important, Choose where and how you
spend that "left over time". This requires some sacrifice on your part. Once you
board the "Patenting Express" you never get off until it reaches its
destination. The priority for your time will have to be determined by the needs
of your children. When your children are young, treat them to wholesome
activities. Introduce them to the children of your best friends, (assuming you
have friends who are the best). Are there members of your own family who have
high standards? Spend some time with them.
Don't make the mistake of casual church attendance. When I was young, one of the
things I disliked about fast and testimony meetings was the emotion that usually
accompanied the expression of ones inner feelings. I wish that Dad and Mother
had sat down and explained why they had tears in their eyes when bearing their
testimony. I thought it was just a part of testimony bearing, sometimes a little
over reaction. Help your children over this hurdle. Funerals were another thing
I disliked. If so-and-so was going to that "Beautiful Place Beyond the Sunset",
why all the crying? Explain, that in times of death and at funerals tears are
not always shed just for the loss of a loved one. At such times tears of
gratitude are to a kind Father in Heaven for testimony of life after death.
Try to teach your children gratitude, not just for monetary things, but for
gifts of time and service. Teach your children to say thanks. Teach them by
example the joy of giving, and how to accept thanks gracefully. Time is a gift
to be given. When one gives money he gives of his surplus; when one gives of his
time he gives of himself. "He that gives of himself feeds three; himself, his
hungry neighbor and me." (Vision of Sir Launfal) To give in time of need
cultivates love, kindness and that "tenderness of heart" spoken of earlier.
Don't overlook adversity. When you can no longer cope with some trial in your
life, turn to God in humble prayer. Include your children. When relief comes,
help your children to recognize the hand of the Lord in your deliverance. Don't
spend all of your "prayer-time" in supplication, make an expression of gratitude
a substantial part of your prayers. Times of adversity contain golden teaching
opportunities. Your children will recognize your sincerity and hopefully they
will grow to know the Master.
I don't know if this will solve all your problems in this regard, but anything
that will open the tear ducts and free the soul of heartfelt emotions is the
ultimate answer to give your children TENDER HEARTS.
Love, Dad, Grandad, or Something
P.S. I feel like I have short-changed you on this one. Maybe more when I have
the time and space.
Yesterday Francine and I went down to Cornish to take some fish to Keith and
Tam. (and to visit) It is most frightening to see old age taking its toll on all
of us. As I sat there, in my mind's eye I could see a time when Francine and I
were much younger than we are now, even much younger than Keith and Tam; to a
time when Kieth and his siblings were running through this old house. (Kith and
Tam live in the old homestead, where we raised our brood). I remember well the
days when Kith was just a little tow -headed lad, full of life and mischief.
This was a carefree time in his life. Oh! there were cows to milk and sprinkler
pipes to move, but through it all we, Kith and the rest of the family, shared
our time with each other. We played together, prayed together, worked together,
everything was together. The future was taken one day at a time. We never
realized what the next fifty years would bring, nor how fast the time would fly.
Yes, "In the twinkling of an eye" we have passed through much of our allotted
time here on this earth. "In the twinkling of an eye" Kith has passed from
childhood to fatherhood and now has a grandchild running through the halls he
once roamed. As I remember, it was but a "Twinkling of an eye" when I sat with
Kith upon my knee, singing the same songs that my father sang to me. (Yes, even
the same songs, that my grandfather sang to me.) It has been but a "Twinkling of
an eye" since Kith sat with Aaron on his knee, and now it is Aaron's time to do
the same. Fifty years ago we would take Kith, along with his brothers and
sister, to see their grandfather, now "I am one". "In the twinkling of an eye"
my hair is gone and my tummy extends beyond my chest, I can no longer see my
feet without bending over. (If this were the worst of my infirmities, I would be
happy) .Be that as it may, what all of this boils down to is this. Our life here
is but a "Twinkling of an eye", hardly enough time to catch our breath. Yet,
this is all the time that has been allotted for us to prepare to meet God. What
is all the hurry? Isn't eternity a long time? There is so much that has to be
done, and so little time in which to do it. We have to go to school, make a
living, raise a family, fulfill callings in the church, and in our spare time,
prepare ourselves spiritually to go to the temple and make preparations for
family life beyond the grave. And all this has to be done in "The twinkling of
an eye"..
I have often wondered what will occupy our time there. I know it sounds
wonderful to be numbered among the heavenly hosts who encircle the throne of
God, singing praises to His holy name. But, even that doesn't give one a sense
of urgency. One of the early brethren of the church tells of a time when he was
approached by an onrushing carriage. As it drew near he recognized the Prophet
Joseph, who had already passed beyond the veil. He stopped and after a very
brief conversation, excused himself with this reply. "There is so much to do and
so little time in which to do all that needs to be done before the winding up
scene, I cannot tarry longer", and then he was off in a cloud of dust. This
would leave me to believe that death will not relieve us of this burden.( time).
If you think that you will receive a retirement, filled with singing and the
playing of harps, you are in for a big surprise! I do not know what the activity
there is, but I do know, meeting the demands of time in this life is but a
schoolmaster to prepare us to meet the challenges for time-management there.
Maybe it is a good thing that we don't know what lies ahead. Some would consider
the goal beyond their reach and quit trying. "Our reach should exceed our
grasp". Time is best handled in small increments, seconds, minutes and hours.
When we start dealing with such things as years and eternities, we tend to look
beyond the building blocks that years and eternities are made of. You do not
build a house with one grand stroke of a hammer. It takes nails, hundreds of
them. It takes planning , measuring, sawing and a whole host of skilled
activities to build a house. Here, again this takes time, time to pound each
nail, time to raise each rafter. Each step is allotted so much time. Its
aggregate is the sum total of time.
Back to our visit with Kith. We reminisced on the days of his youth, the times
we shared together, the joys and the sorrows, the good days and the bad ones.
Surprisingly, most of the days of sorrow and despair were forgotten and we
languished in the memories of the good times and the love we shared. I think
that we will remember the good things that happened to us in this life when we
arrive on the other side. I hope that we will not be harrowed up by the memories
of past misdeeds. We needn't be, the atonement was meant to take care of that. I
think that in the world to come, life will be filled with that which is good.
The good deeds and the experiences from this life will be the building blocks
used there.
If " Happiness is the design of our existence". as the prophet Joseph Smith
declared, then the memories of good times will be the basis of our happiness in
the world to come. We should strive to create happy memories in the lives of our
children. Whenever we meet, we should refer to them. It will build a bond of
love in your family. I am sure that the first things we will discuss when we get
there will be our love for one another and the good times we shared while in
this life.
Well, my loved ones, don't blink twice or "In the twinkling of an eye" you will
find that life has passed you by. Build for yourself and your families a
relationship that will last throughout the eternities. Again, I do not know what
we will be doing with all the time allotted to us there, but whatever it is, it
will be done together; fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters, dwelling upon the
good times. It would be hell to spend the eternities with family discord. Laugh
together, play together, pray together. This life is given us to prepare for an
eternal family relationship, TOGETHER. Like it or not, you had better get used
to it because if it is to be, that is the way it WILL be.
Love, Dad, Grandad, or Something.
P.S.
Laugh, and the world laughs with you
Weep, and you weep alone;
For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth,
But has trouble of its own.
Sing, and the hills will answer;
Sigh, it is lost on the air;
The echoes bound to a joyful sound,
But shrink from voicing care
Rejoice, and men will seek you;
Greave, and they turn and go;
They want full measure of all your pleasure,
But they do not need your woe.
Be glad, and your friends are many;
Be sad, and you loose them all--
There are none to decline your nectored wine,
But alone you must drink life's gall.
Feast, and your halls are crowded;
Fast, and the world goes by.
Succeed and give, and it helps you live,
But no man can help you die.
There is room in the halls of pleasure
For a large and lordly train,
But one by one we must all file on
Through the narrow aisles of pain.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox
PS: Taken from a previous news letter.
In Peking on a high garden wall is a brass plate inscribed with Chinese
characters which translated, read, "Enjoy yourself. It's later than you think".
This proverb, when pondered, sets off a chain reaction of wide and varied
thoughts. For each of us it is a warning and an inspiration; A warning of longer
procrastinating good intentions. When we have more time we say "We will be a
better neighbor, a better friend, a better citizen, a better member of the
church. When we have time, we will relax and do all the things we've planned to
do as a family. When we have more time we will get out of this rat race for
selfish, earthly possessions, that we might have time to do more worthy things.
Henry Van Dyke said "Remember, what you possess in the world will be found on
the day of your death to belong to someone else; but what you are will be yours
forever." FOREVER IS ETERNITY.
If time is of the essence, let us slow down and reapportion it for achieving
more day-by-day soul-satisfying experiences. Let's take time for acquiring a
greater appreciation for, and a better understanding of the gospel. Our eternal
destinies are of our own shaping. We are, for the most part, the result of our
thoughts, and how we react to them.
"Tomorrow's fate, though thou be wise.
Thou canst not tell nor yet surmise;
Pass therefore, not today in vain
For it will never come again"
--Omar Khagam
AND, IT'S LATER THAN YOU THINK!
TO Family and Those Most Dear:
This line is borrowed from a poem by Wordsworth, "Our life's star hath elsewhere
its setting and cometh from afar, not in utter forgetfulness, but trailing
clouds of glory do we come from God which is our home".
Often we read or hear stories that hath a familiar ring. Something not found in
conventional religious literature is the belief of a preexistence, shared by
many, but not taught as a gospel truth in the churches of our day. (Except for
the LDS church) After the deaths of the ancient apostles, truths that once were
common knowledge in Jesus's day have been lost. But little sparks of truth that
are the heritage of every child of God that cometh into the world, surface. Such
were the lines penned by Wordsworth.
I once read a cute little story that seems to run in this vein
"SACHI"
Soon after her brother was born, little Sachi began to ask her parents to leave
her alone with the new baby. They worried that like most four-year-olds, she
might feel jealous and want to hit or shake him, so they said no. But she showed
no signs of jealousy. She treated the baby with kindness and her pleas to be
left alone with him became more urgent. They decided to allow it.
Elated, she went into the baby's room and shut the door, but it opened a
crack---- enough for her curious parents to peek in and listen. They saw little
Sachi walk quietly up to her baby brother and put her face close to his and say
quietly, "Baby, tell me what God feels like. I'm starting to forget"
Dan Millman
Another example: To the "reformers", as they were called, came those little
sparks of truth, though being much older than Sachi, those little sparks of
truth were strong enough to motivate them to go contrary to teachings of their
day. Most were persecuted for their beliefs, many were put to death. One such
group were the Valdensians who lived in the Vaudois mountains of Northern Italy
in the year 1170 AD. Let me give you a little account of their history.
Valdenesius , a citizen of Lyons, France, was a rich man who abandoned his
wealth so that he could live the simple life of a follower of Christ's Apostles.
He worked primarily among the poor in and around Lyons and had parts of the
Bible translated into their language. He and his followers traveled two by two
teaching the simple truths of the Bible. Some crossed the high mountains of the
Alps to live in the Piedmont Valleys of Italy. This valiant band, who become
known as the Valdensians or Vaudis, were viewed by their contemporaries as
dangerous dissenters. Over the centuries they were "burned at the stake, buried
alive, stoned, hanged, herded into disease-laden dungeons and pursued over rocks
and crag and mountains. yet they clung on tenaciously, turning back whole armies
of tyrants, to preserve their precious heritage of faith in the early Apostles.
In 1655 their overlord, the Duke of Savoy, issued an edict that they were to
renounce or be massacred. The ensuing slaughter at last awakened the conscience
of some of their neighbors, one of whom was John Milton, the great English poet.
Repulsed by this evil deed, he penned his sonnet on the late Massacre in
Piedmont.
Avenge, O Lord, thy slaughtered saints, whose bones lie scattered on the alpine
mountains cold.
For the strength of the hills we bless the.
Our God our Father's God:
Thou hast made thy children mighty
By the touch of the mountain sod.
This was part of a poem penned by Felicia D. Hemans, entitled "Hymn of the
Valdous Mountains in Times of Persecution" Later altered by Edward L. Stone and
used as the lyrics for the popular LDS hymn "For the Strength of the Hills"
I do not ask for golden streets
Or long for jasper walls.
Nor do I sigh for pearly shores
Where twilight never falls;
Just leave me here besides these peaks,
In this rough western land,
I love this dear old world of thine....
Dear God, you understand.
Harrison R. Merrill
I had thought of making a large poster with this heading NOTHING VENTURED..
NOTHING GAINED and take it over to Brenda's and have her put it up on the wall
of her bedroom, where every time she awoke she would see it. This would not be a
bad idea for all of us. Timidity is a stumbling block to many. Our fear of the
unknown robs us of some of life's greatest experiences. Fear of failure limits
our opportunities to savor the coveted lifestyle enjoyed by our peers. Columbus
would never have discovered America if he hadn't set sail where no man had ever
been before. One third of the hosts of heaven lost the experience of earth life
because of their fear of the unknown. It is so easy to say "NO" and then just
sit back and watch the world pass you by. In fact, I can't think of one blessing
that I now enjoy that didn't have its moments of apprehension. The first step
was a giant step as I ventured on to the dance floor. With that step went some
of the fear and the spawning of confidence. Soon the joy of that experience led
the way to new and more exciting adventures. The first ride on a bicycle; the
first stroke in learning to swim and the first solo sung in primary all led to a
lifetime of rewarding experiences. Where would I be if fear had stood in the way
when first I asked Francine for a dance? Or to accept a mission call? Or to give
a talk in church? Or to go for an interview? I could go on and on. Everything
worthwhile in my life started with a venture. Fear of failure and not knowing
how to cope with a spurning, drives one back into his "shell of insecurity".
Every time we retreat and the crisis passes, we feel a sense of relief. If we
never venture out of our "cocoon" we will never soar into the blue with the
beautiful butterflies.
I wish I knew how to help you to overcome this great hurdle in life. May I
suggest that the very next time you are inclined to say NO, say YES, and then
see what happens. Surely, just one rejection is a small price to pay for all
there is to be gained. Take the word "NO" out of your vocabulary. Replace it
with "YES", even if it is a very faint one. I guess I should qualify this
statement. To say no to drugs, immorality and etc. comes from our God given
conscience. The building blocks to happiness come by saying YES to positive
opportunities. You will have to realize that Grandpa gets so carried away with
the positive, that he sometimes fails to see the negative in some of his
statements.
The engineer who drives his train into the night has no fear of what lies ahead.
The headlight on his engine shines a few hundred yards; he just drives that far,
knowing that when he gets there, the tracks will be illuminated that much
further. "Lead kindly light, amid th'en-circling gloom; Lead thou me on! The
night is dark, and I am far from home; Lead thou me on! Keep thou my feet; I do
not ask to see the distant scene--one step enough for me". (John Henry Newman)
I have a couple of good friends who exemplify this precept. Duane Anderson is
one of those fellows who wastes little or no time when it comes to making a
decision. His favorite saying is "Let's go for it" We will be fishing, the water
is rough, but not too rough; there is a little breeze, but not a gale; but then
again, the fishing is better out to the island. So what? It is only twenty miles
out, and you always (well almost always) get a tail wind to bring you
home.---You guessed it; he says "Let's go for it." There have been times when
the "Billows were tossing high" and the friendly tail wind never materialized.
Before we got home we knew we had made a lousy choice, but after a few days, all
is forgotten, and you guessed it, the words "Let's go for it" are heard once
again.
The other good friend of mine is Osiel Rodriguez, a young man from Mexico, who
came to spend the summer with us in Idaho. He had been there about two weeks
when he fell into the clutches of the missionaries and a week later he was
baptized and ordained a priest. At the baptismal service I had to give a talk on
the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Osiel was asked to give a short talk about his
conversion and his testimony. I was nervous, and assumed that he would be too.
Not so, he simply said "I can do it". With baptism came callings and
responsibilities. The branch (Spanish Branch) to which he was assigned needed
someone to teach the gospel doctrine class. Now mind you, he had never even been
to a gospel doctrine class; you guessed it, he said "I can do it", and do it he
did. How many of you have ever heard of someone being ask to administer to the
sacrament before he had ever partaken of it himself? Well, he did. And so it
went. It is always "I can do it".
Remember what Nephi told his brethren when they murmured because of the hardness
of the task the Lord had required of them? He said "I will go and do the things
which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments
unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may
accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."
From the pen of Edgar A. Guest, comes this gem
You can do as much as you think you can, but you will never accomplish more;
If
you are afraid of yourself, young man, there is little for you in store.
For failure comes from the insides first. It's there if you only knew it.
And you can win, though you face the worst. If you feel you're going to do it.
Love, Dad, Grandad or Something
Yesterday was one of those days when I went to church unprepared. I hope that I
will never do that again. The meetings were filled with spiritual food for my
benefit and yours. I always carry a small notebook and pen, that I might capture
those promptings of instruction or inspiration. This I failed to do. Like I have
mentioned before, they are so fleeting in nature; like a falling star, you have
to reach out and grab them before they disappear.
There is so much I would like pass on to you, that you might KNOW that there is
a God; and know what your relationship to Him is. Most important, that you are
literally His son or daughter and that he is aware of your every need. He weeps
when you weep; He rejoices when you rejoice. Yes, you are loved with a love that
is beyond any concept of love you might have. With this as a background, can you
imagine Him counseling any of His children to follow a path contrary to their
eternal happiness? If you knew that this was so, why would you do anything
contrary. If God so loves us, should we not love Him with all our hearts? Faith
in God precedes our love of Him.
I would like to think that there is a divine purpose in these "News Letters" and
that divine help will assist me, even if I am weak in my ability to express my
thoughts. I know that I must be prepared to receive light and truth and then
record it while it is in its purest form, not waiting until it has been polluted
by personal interpretation.
Much of the spiritual food I received last winter was lost because I was forced
to leave my word processor in Nogales. But, hopefully enough rubbed off on me
that you will yet receive some of the fruits of my study.
First, just a few observations: You and I have a lot in common, but there is one
small difference. You and I have both been where you are, but you have never
been where I am. I think that one of the greatest failings of the human family
is its failure to profit from the experiences of those who have been "where we
have yet to trod". In this respect you are no different than my generation.--
Oh! that I had supped from the fountain of experience. How much time I could
have saved, how many heart aches I could have avoided. Time spent chasing
rainbows down unchartered paths, only to find myself tearfully making the long
journey back.
As you read the Book of Mormon one fact seems to jump out at you. It is the rise
and fall of one generation after the other. When times were difficult they
returned to their God for relief; God heard their prayers and they began to
prosper. As they became more affluent they forgot to pray, supposing that it was
because of their own industry and wisdom that they enjoyed peace and prosperity;
And before long they forgot their God all together.
A good example of this is found in the Book of Mosiah. The chapters preceding
No. 27 deal with the struggle of Alma and his brethren to escape the grasp of
the wicked King Noah, and their reestablishment of the church of God. I will
start by quoting verse 6 of chapter 27 "So after much diligence there began to
be much peace again in the land; and the people began to be very numerous and
began to scatter abroad upon the face of the earth, yea, on the north and on the
south, on the east and on the west, building large cities and villages in all
quarters of the land. AND THE LORD DID VISIT THEM AND PROSPER THEM, and they
became a large and wealthy people".
Now comes the next generation that knew not "the trials of their parents". They
thought times were different, that their parents were not "with the program";
seeking to be a law unto themselves. Much like our day, when the younger
generation considers the teachings of their parents to be "The foolish
traditions of their Fathers". (Alma 30:14)
Now quoting again, starting with verse 8. "Now the sons of Mosiah were among the
unbelievers; and also one of the sons of Alma was numbered among them, he being
called Alma, after his father; nevertheless, he became a very wicked and an
idolatrous man. And he was a man of many words, and did speak much flattery to
the people; therefore he led many of the people to do after the manner of his
iniquities." (end of quote)
Now comes one of the best known stories of The Book of Mormon. I would suggest
that you should read it. (27th chapter of Mosiah) They, Alma and the sons of
Mosiah, were visited by an angel sent from the presence of God, and so powerful
was his message that the whole earth shook and Alma lay prostrate for three
days, unable to move or speak. When they recovered, the angel told them that it
was because of the prayers of their parents and the whole church that they were
not utterly destroyed.
Now, it isn't given that we individually receive such a witness. (If it were, it
might be enough to bring some of us to repentance) The prayers of our parents
are also sent heaven-ward for our welfare, and they wait with patience and long
suffering for the Lord to hear their petitions. Hopefully, you too will remember
the counsel of your fathers and return to the teachings of your youth. But you
can rest assured, in spite of what you might think, your parents do spend many
anxious hours worrying about your welfare. I guess you will never quite
appreciate these anxieties until you have children of your own. It has ever been
so, and I guess that it will always be that way. "There is nothing new in this
world, it is the history you haven't read." Harry Truman.
This past winter has been a pleasant interlude, but I feel like I have been
robbed of some opportunities to leave you with a lot of personal revelation
pertaining to your relationship with our Father in Heaven.
As we were entering Mexico last fall I was obliged to leave my word processor
and printer in the U.S. I had to return to Nogales and leave them with a friend
of mine, Judge Soto. So, I was left with no means to pass on to you the thoughts
that have increased my faith and hope in Christ. I have also found that unless I
reduce those "sparks of revelation" to the written word almost immediately they
forsake my memory. I think that is why scripture and its frequent study is so
important, We are also told that when men are moved upon by the spirit that what
they write becomes scripture and the word of God.
Of late my meditations have been focusing on the Love of God and His Son Jesus
Christ. The very first scripture I ever memorized is found in the epistle of St.
John chapter 17:3. When I was called to go to Denmark on a mission, my
preparation was limited to the desire to be a missionary. It's true I always
attended church and had four years of seminary, but as far as the memorization
of scriptures was concerned, I drew a complete blank. Just for the fun of it,
let me quote that scripture to you --in Danish. "Of detta er det evige liv, at
de kender dig, den eneste sanda Gud, of ham, some du har sendt, Jesus Krisus."
For fear that you will not take the time to look up this quote in English, here
it is: "And this is life eternal that they might know thee the only true God,
and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent".
With this scripture hanging as a beacon in my remembrance for the past 57 years,
I tremble lest I have failed in my endeavor to "KNOW" God and His Son Jesus
Christ,--- not just more about their existence. Example: I know of George
Washington. I also know Francine. I know her intimately, her love for me, and
her concerns for each of you, thus I know her, not just of her. Somehow we have
to have a relationship with our Father in heaven as personal and intimate as I
know my eternal companion.
This winter I was reflecting upon a comment of the prophet Joseph Smith, in
regards to the Book of Mormon, "That a man could draw closer to God by reading
and abiding by its principles than any other book." So I sat down and read, and
pondered upon the truths revealed to me as I went from one page to another. Now
it has been many years since I read the Book of Mormon, cover to cover. Of
course we have studied the Book of Mormon in our Sunday School classes over the
years, but this was different. I found that as I read and pondered upon the
writings of those ancient prophets there came to me a surge of personal
revelation, and I indeed began to know God through the whisperings of the
spirit. Indeed, my love and intimacy with my Father in Heaven began to swell
"within my breast". (This is why I felt so robbed, not having my word processor
available, so I could have recorded daily, the communications, or thoughts of
inspiration that came to me.)
I hope that I can recall some of the thoughts that came so forcibly into my
mind.
The first that comes to mind is the conversation of the father of King Lamoni,
who was king over all the land. After Aaron had taught the king about God and
the plan of salvation, the king prayed to God saying "Oh God, Aaron hath told me
there is a God : and if there is a God, and if thou art God wilt thou make
thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to KNOW thee." The
thought that came to me in regard to this saying of the king is, in order to
know God one must be willing to "give away all our sins to know Him."
I find it difficult to know wherein I can be of help in giving you this
knowledge, so sought after by the father of King Lamoni. I know there has to be
some desire to know and at least a small amount of faith for this to come to
pass. I would hope that the light of Christ that cometh with all mankind when
they enter this life will be sufficiently strong to give you that desire.
Now this next thought comes from the Book of Alma, chapter 32 and is quite
lengthy. Lest you would fail to search this out for yourself, I will include
that portion that deals with obtaining a knowledge and a hope in Christ.
Chapter 32: verse 26 " Now as I said concerning faith -- that it was not a
perfect knowledge -- even so it is with my words. Ye cannot know of their surety
at first, unto perfection, any more than faith is a perfect knowledge.
27: But behold, if ye will arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my
words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire
to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that
ye can give place for a portion of my words.
28: Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a
seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed,
if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the
Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel
these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves -- It must be a
good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea,
it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to
me.
29: Now would not this increase your faith? I say unto you, Yea, nevertheless it
hath not grown up to a perfect knowledge.
30: But behold, as the seed swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, then
ye must say that the seed is good; for it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth
to grow. And now, behold, will not this strengthen your faith? Yea, it will
strengthen your faith: for ye will say I know that this is a good seed; for it
sprouteth and beginneth to grow.
31: And now, behold, are ye sure that this is a good seed? I say unto you, Yea;
for every seed bringeth forth unto its own likeness.
32 Therefore if a seed groweth it is good but if it groweth not, behold it is
not good, therefore it is cast away.
33: And now, behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and planted the seed,
and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that
the seed is good.
34: And now, behold, is your knowledge perfect? Yea, your knowledge is perfect
in that thing, and your faith is dormant; and this because you know, for ye know
that the word hath swelled your souls, and ye also know that it hath sprouted
up, that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth
begin to expand.
35: Oh then, is this not real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is light; and
whatsoever is light is good, because it is discernible, therefore ye must know
that it is good; and now behold, after ye have tasted this light is your
knowledge perfect?
36: Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither must ye lay aside your faith, for ye
have only exercised your faith to plant the seed that ye might try the
experiment to know if the seed was good.
37: And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say: Let us nourish it
with great care, that it may get root, that it might grow up, and bring forth
fruit unto us. And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care it will get root,
and grow up, and bring forth fruit.
38: But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold
it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it,
because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out.
39: Now, this is not because the seed was not good, neither is it because the
fruit thereof would not be desirable; but it's because your ground is barren,
and ye will not nourish the tree, therefore ye cannot have the fruit thereof.
40: And thus, if ye will not nourish the word, looking forward with an eye of
faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life.
41: But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to
grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to
the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing
up unto everlasting life.
42: And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word
in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck
the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is
sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that
is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye
hunger not, neither shall ye thirst.
43: Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your
diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth
fruit unto you." (end of quote)
As I said, one must have a desire to know God and then exercise a little faith,
using the formula suggested in the foregoing scripture.
There is much to be said about creating this desire. If you will read the full
chapter(Alma 22) you will see how Aaron planted the desire in the heart of King
Lamoni's father. This desire also will come to you as you read the Book of
Mormon.
Just a thought concerning the reading of this book. Unlike most books, the story
is secondary. The primary purpose of the book is its witness of Jesus Christ.
Throughout its pages there is a constant theme dealing with the mission of the
Savior and our relationship to Him and His Father. There is also an effort to
awaken within us a realization of our status before our maker and what can be
done to so order our lives that we might obtain eternal life.
I know that to some of you this is old stuff, but I also know that there are
others who have not seriously considered these things. It is to you that I have
addressed this letter. I want you to know that I search continually for anything
that I might use to help you in your quest for eternal life, at the same time
not forgetting my own standing before my Maker. May you receive this letter in
the spirit that it was written. You know that I love you and my only desire is
to see you happy. All I can do is to tell you what has made me happy, and tell
you of those things that have motivated me in my lifetime.
Love Dad, Grandad, or Something.
Last month I addressed the subject of knowing God. Here is a little
more to ponder about. In the Book of Mormon almost every story or teaching is
based on faith. It was the teachings of Aaron that generated enough faith in the
King of the Lamanites to cry unto God in mighty prayer, that he too might know
Him; would that my teachings were so convincing. "Faith is to hope for things
not seen, which are true".(ETHER 12:6) "Faith is the substance of things hoped
for, the evidence of things not seen." (Heb. 11:1) I guess that the reason faith
is the first principle of the gospel is because nothing happens spiritually
until one exercises faith in God. Another quote "But without faith it is
impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and
that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Heb.11:6) If that
desire to know God is found within your breast, let me further quote from the
Lectures on Faith by the Prophet Joseph Smith. "Finally, in obtaining or
increasing faith, the great governing principle is personal righteousness. A
man's faith cannot exceed his righteousness and obedience. The greater the
adherence to truth, the greater is the faith of the individual." (end of quote)
When you exercise faith "It will begin to swell within your breasts; and when ye
feel these swelling motions, ye will say within yourself--it must be a good
seed" Alma 32:28. Thus we see, that in order to obtain more faith we must
"nourish" it with good deeds. Each time you live some principle of the gospel
your faith increases, and as your faith increases so does your knowledge of God
increase.
Well, getting back to Who Am I, this has been the question of the ages. Moses
asked the Lord this question when he was informed that he was to lead the
children of Israel out of Egypt. As did king David when he inquired of the Lord.
"What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man that thou
visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast
crowned him with glory and honor." (Psalms 8:4&5)
In our day this age-old question has been beautifully answered.
I am a child of God, and He has sent me here; Has given me an earthly home with
parents kind and dear.
I am a child of God, and so my needs are great; Help me to understand his words
before it grows too late.
I am a child of God, Rich blessings are in store; If I but learn to do his will
I'll live with him one day.
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me, help me find the way. Teach me all that I
must do to live with him some day.
LDS HYMNAL NO.
P.S.
I tried to compact this letter into three pages. Failing to do so
I was looking for some thoughts I have stored away under the heading of
"Chuckles and observations". They are not related in anyway to the subject
material found in this "News Letter". So, in the interest of something less
profound, here goes.
I find it hard to relate to the music of the day. These next two quotes give me
a sense of being "Main Stream" with most of those of my generation.
1st:
I forgot who said that what America needed was "more poor music." He meant that
we need more music in the home created on the spot for the sheer fun of it. More
music made by Dawn, Dan and Bart, not by Decca, Victor and Columbia. We have
traded all the bounce and gladness of "doing" something for the sodden inertias
of looking at something or listening to something.
Second:
This is a quote by President Kimball, so it must be on pretty good authority.
"I'm reminded and comforted by the assurance that there will be beautiful music
in heaven, and for that I am grateful. Some say that there will be no music in
that other place, but, then some sounds that pass for music, probably belong in
that other place."
See, that is better than wasting a half a page. Don't you think?
Love, Dad, Grand-Dad or Something:
When I was just a lad we lived in an area surrounded by giant fields of fall
grain. After the harvest was over, as was customary in those days, they set the
fields on fire to burn the stubble. (stubble being the stocks and chaff which
was left after the grain had been harvested) Well, anyway, it was a wearisome
sight, especially at night. The flames lit up the whole sky for miles around. It
was most frightening to me; I imagined that was what the end of the world would
look like. Sometime in my youth, mother had read to me of the terrible burning
that was to take place at the coming of the Savior. For one example (See Malachi
4; 1)... For fear you might not take the time to look it up, I will include it
here.
"For, behold the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea,
and all that do wickedly, shall be as stubble: and the day that cometh shall
burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root or
branch." (End of quote) There are many more passages of scripture that refer to
this terrible time. (Terrible for the wicked, but a glorious day for the
righteous, for the righteous will be caught up to meet Him when He comes.)
After the stubble had been burned, I would walk out through the fields and see a
stem here and there that had escaped the fire and I imagined that was what it
would be like at the day of His coming, one here and one there, while the most
part would be consumed. (See Matthew 24: 40 "Then shall two be in the field; the
one shall be taken and the other left.")
I also remember going to church and hearing "Old Andrew Anderson", (who would
pray a whole sermon) petition the Lord "To hasten the day of His coming". What
was his hurry I said to myself, surely no one would like to see all that
burning. Then, again, he was an old man, (At least, in his forties) maybe he
thought that he would be gone before the Lord got around to answering his
prayers anyway.
Now, I are one, an old man, like "Old Andrew Anderson". I hope that my prayers
are as sincere, as were his, even if not so lengthy; and I am still in no hurry
to see all that burning. I am well aware that time is short and that my sojourn
here is limited indeed. In fact, I kind-a hope that I will get out of this life
before "Old Brother Anderson's" prayers are answered.
This has been quite a lengthy introduction, to what I would like to dwell on for
just a few more lines. It is surprising how fast the time has gone," lo those
many years ago", when Brother Anderson was an old man and I was but a lad, Let
me quote a couple of verses from an old song that we used to sing.
"Time flies on wings of lightning; we cannot call it back; It comes, then passes
forward, along its forward track. And if we are not mindful, the chance will
fade away; For life is quick in passing, 'Tis as a single day."
"As winter time doth follow the pleasant summer days. So may our joys all vanish
and pass far from our gaze. Then should we not endeavor, each day some point to
gain, that we may here be useful, And every wrong disdain?"
Speaking of the urgency associated with the passing of time. Youth is filled
with eternal optimism, there is always plenty of time. "Maņana" as our Mexican
friends would say, We will do it tomorrow. If you are like the most of us, one
of these days you will wake up and say "Where have all the flowers gone"? For
indeed, "Life is quick in passing, 'Tis as a single day".
I remember one of Aesop's fables that went something like this.
A certain grasshopper had spent his summer days in idle pleasure, mocking the
labors of the little ant. He awakened one morning to see the snowflakes falling,
he had no place to go to get out of the storm, and he was hungry too. So he went
to find his little friend, the ant, only to discover that his little friend had
retreated into his nice warm home, under the ground, where he had laid up his
store for the oncoming winter. While the poor grasshopper, who was left out in
the snow, cold and hungry, was wondering, "Where had the summer gone?")
Let me quote one more sobering thought. This is taken From the Book of Mormon.
(Alma 34: 32-33): These are the words of Amulek as he taught the people of his
day.
"32: For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea,
behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.
33; And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses,
therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your
repentance until the end; for after this day of life, then cometh the night of
darkness wherein there can be no labor performed." (End of quote)
There are more, much more, of his teachings in this chapter, you would do well
to look it up and ponder upon his words.
Well, now my loved ones, take heed of my counsel. God has granted me longevity,
that I might share with you the truths of the gospel, as they have been revealed
to me. I know that I was slow to give heed to the counsel and advice of my
father and grandfather. May you be wiser than I. The Lord has counseled us to
learn of Him while still in our youth. From the vantage point of old age, I can
see the results of adhering to this counsel.
LOVE DAD, GRAND DAD, OR SOMETHING
Recently I was reading in the Book of
Mormon the account of Alma and Amulek where they were teaching the Zoramites,
specifically, Amulek's testimony concerning our preparing to meet God. See Alma,
verse 33 of chapter 34 "And now, as I have said unto you before, AS YOU HAVE HAD
SO MANY WITNESSES,* therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the
day of your repentance until the end." *The words italicized caused me to wonder
about all the "News Letters" I have sent you in the past. What more could I have
said than that which I have already written. "Lest my words rise up and condemn
me, and my works, and my thoughts also".(Alma 12:14) I would caution you that my
words in times past will rise up as a witness against you too. I'm not too
concerned about my thoughts condemning me, other than that my deeds are a
product of my thoughts; at least they will be a burden that I alone must bear. I
find myself worrying more about my deeds. My thoughts will not be a witness
against another, but my deeds might not only negate my counsel, but be a
stumbling block to another. "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones
which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about
his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea"(Luke 17:2) It is
against my nature to offend anyone, I would lots rather be a witness for the
defense. If I thought that what I have given you in counsel would be used in any
way as a witness against you, I would that all my "News Letters" be burned. But
if they can be used as a guidebook to help you prepare for the day of judgement,
then they will fulfill the purpose for which they were written.
Now let me go back to the testimony of Amulek, using the remainder of his quote
as a warning to us all. The message is frightening to me and causes me much
discomfort, which isn't all that bad; to some a little "fire and damnation"
stirs a fear unto repentance. Quote "For after this day of life, which is given
us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this
life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.
Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent,
that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit
which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that
same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world. For
behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death
behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal
you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no
place in you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state
of the wicked".
I have always had to battle with my conscience. It seems like what I know I
should do far exceeds my actions. I would like so much to be numbered with the
faithful, but that "old demon" procrastination always raises his ugly head;
"Sixteen tons and what do I get? One day older and further in debt. St. Peter
don't you call me; 'cause I can't go, I owe my soul to the company store".
(Tennessee Ernie Ford)
"When one knows to do good and refuses to do it, it were better that he had
never known to do good in the first place" (For want of a better source, just
say Grandad said so) Well, where do we turn to give us the necessary resolve to
make our desires a reality? Let me make a couple of suggestions. At first they
will seem to be beside the point." Family prayer and scripture study? Boy,
Grandpa you are going where Angels fear to tread. You know, we hardly have time
to read your news letters, let alone the scriptures. And as for family prayer,
it is such a hassle, everyone seems to be going their own way all at the same
time and we know that family prayer should be more than the mere token, Thank
you Dear Lord and please bless everyone".
I must confess that this simple counsel has not always been a part of my daily
routine either. Even today, when I should know better, my prayers and scripture
studies are lacking in both sincerity and consistency. But let me bear witness
to you, that of all God's commandments, these two will do more to strengthen
your resolve and help you do the things you have always wanted but have lacked
the willpower to do. If you are going to gain the fortitude to do these things
it will have come from some inner strength. Inner strength comes from a close
association with the Holy Spirit. The more you pray (sincerely) and the more
your thoughts are turned to the teachings found in the scriptures, your
determination will intensify and you will find yourself doing more of the things
that have been but desires in the past.
I don't know the limits of inner resolve, but I can testify that it grows with
our commitment to follow these two commandments. I know that my determination is
stronger now than it has ever been. But, I also know that I have barely touched
the outer reaches of this sustaining power.
Give it a try. It won't be easy. Nothing worthwhile ever comes without a little
extra effort. Experiment a little and as you do you will gain the strength to
test this principle. "Line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there
a little."
Love, Dad, Grandad, or Something
PS (Don't try to eat the whole elephant at one meal)
TO FAMILY AND THOSE MOST DEAR:
June 15 1998
This week the Southern Baptist Church held its annual convention
in Salt Lake City. The climax was the announcement of the church's new stand on
the role of women in relation to their subservience to the will of their
husbands. Thus the spawning of this "News Letter"
Last week we had some friends come to visit us. For years now they have been
having marital problems. They informed us that they were going to a "Marriage
Counselor"; but they have been down this road before. It will never solve their
problem until they stop looking for the answers they individually want to hear;
changes that their companion needs to make. Until they are willing to
acknowledge their own mistakes and have a determination to change, all the
counseling in the world will do no good. In the past, their search for answers,
has filled their minds with so many solutions there is no room for a consensus.
Until the wife overcomes her selfishness, in its broadest sense, there is no use
seeking additional guidance. Her husband has tried to follow the advice of so
many counseling sessions, thinking that change in his life will be the answer,
that he is caught up in the "What am I doing wrong" syndrome, failing to see
clearly where the problem lies.
They have had a struggle with their children. It all stems back to his wife's
immaturity; her reluctance to give of herself to her husband or the family.
Everything is, what will make her happy. In satisfying her wants and desires,
the rest of the family have observed her actions and have had a hard time trying
to reconciling example with reality.
Over the years his thinking has become so "screwed-up" that he has lost his
sense of reality. The example that his parents set for their children has been
lost in his effort to reconcile his wife's behavior. In the beginning, he was
unselfish, willing to help the members of his family. (or anyone who needed a
helping hand). But now he has withdrawn into a sense of giving only what his
wife thinks they should give. He is so wrapped up in trying to be the sole
answer to their marital discord he is blind to the root of the whole problem;
his wife's selfishness and unwillingness to change.
Instead of going to some marriage counselor, seek for counsel from the prophet
of the Lord.( Example: See President Hinkley's conference address of April 1991.
Or President Faust's address to the young women's conference April 28 1998.
Let me tell you of an observation that I have had over the years. When people
spend too much time attending seminars they come to the point that they become
"Free Thinkers". When some, in the field of religion, become affiliated with
intellectuals such as the Sunstone Symposium or some other "Think Tank" group,
they dissect every commandment trying to establish its parameters, its limits
and bounds. They, through their much learning, seek complicated solutions to
solve simple problems. "The gospel is simply beautiful and beautifully simple".
Don't get me wrong, to be learned is wise, wise in the ways of the Lord. Return
to the basics. Read the word of the Lord in scriptures. Listen to the counsel
given by the brethren. Pray that the Holy Ghost will give you personal
revelation as it pertains to you and your family. Many a class on marriage is
taught by an old maid; revealing the secrets of family relationships. "Ask and
it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto
you". (Luke 11:9)
ANSWER TO PRAYER
Don't wait for the word you want to hear:
The answer sought, could be so near.
Don't look to some far distant land,
.... to bask on some exotic strand.
Most generally life's answers are near at home.
.... no need some faraway place to roam,
But, take your answers through smiles or tears
God's "no's" and "yes's" are not guess,
But wisdom beyond your years.
JMP.... With help from above.
Stray not too far afield. Stay within the bounds of revealed truth. Seek counsel
through observation, follow the example of those who are, and have been
successful in their family relationships. We can't just set back and blame
family problems on preexistent traits of character or the influence of peer
groups... If it is to be a peer group, the first peer group is in the home where
our children grow up. Selfishness is so basic, so deeply ingrained, it is almost
impossible to eradicate. If it be found in the parents, it will surface in the
lives of their children. How to break this vicious cycle, I am at a loss to give
counsel, but somehow, one must teach their children to share, not only earthly
possessions, but time and service to one another. Again, example is the best
teacher. Some in life never experience the joy of making others happy. "It is
not what you give, but what you share". To give of your surplus has little
reward. In giving of yourself, "You feed three, yourself, your hungry neighbor,
and me". ( The vision of Sir Launfal)
One of the things that I had never supposed was that some women refuse to assume
the traditional role of motherhood. Maybe it has something to do with "The
Feminist Movement". I know that there are many women who have to work, just to
"make ends meet" and then have to come home to a houseful of chores that are
traditionally done by a full-time mother. And many a husband still expects the
same kind of "room service" that is provided by "non working?" wives, and that
isn't fair either. But, what I am referring to is some women who just refuse to
care for their children, cook a meal, wash a dish, make a bed, or do the
laundry.
Well, this is my diagnosis and prescription. It is always wise to get a second
opinion. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men
liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1: 5)
Can that be love, that drinks another as a sponge drinks water
That clouds with jealousy her nights, with weepings all the day,...
Such is self-love that envies all, a creeping skeleton,
With lamp-like eyes watching around the frozen marriage bed!
From the works of William Blake
Lest I leave the impression that the woman is alone in this love of self, 'tis
not so. But, many think that the woman is to be a servant to her husband and
family, such as a maid, and this is not right either. Let me try to give you a
true picture of the role of womanhood.
"Long ago you were born as daughters in our Heavenly Father's family; Each one
of you was a valiant and noble woman in your pre-mortal life. You made sacred
covenants and decisions that have influenced what you are doing now. Abraham
said, 'Now The lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were
organized before the world was; and among all these... there were many of the
noble and great ones' (Abraham 3:22) Do you know that he was talking about you?
You are each noble and great, born to live at this time on the earth." (Carol B.
Thomas, speaking at the Young women's conference April 1998)
President Spencer W. Kimball in speaking of the separate roles of men and women,
said "Remember, in the world before we came here, faithful women were given
certain assignments while faithful men were foreordained to certain priesthood
tasks. While we do not now remember the particulars, this does not alter the
glorious reality of what we once agreed to. You are accountable for those things
which long ago were expected of you just as those we sustain as prophets and
apostles...This leaves much to be done by parallel personal development by both
men and women".
The scriptures are replete with accounts of what is called foreordination,
meaning that each of us were called and set apart to do a specific work in this
life. In the D&C Section 121, starting with verse 34, is a message, usually
addressed to the holders of the priesthood, but the spirit whispers that this
includes all of God's children, both His sons and His daughters. In the world
before we came into this life we were all given callings and set apart, (both
men and women). Quoting "There are many called, but few are chosen. And why are
they not chosen? verse 35: Because their hearts are set so much upon the things
of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one
lesson.... verse 37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we
undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or
exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of
men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold the heavens withdraw themselves;
the spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the
priesthood or authority of that man (Or woman). End of quote. "Thus many are
called, but few are chosen!" Just something for those of you who have been
through the temple. The priesthood is shared by both the husband and the wife.
The fullness of the priesthood is not exercised individually, it is a mutual
endeavor.
For some reason, the callings of men are mentioned more prominently than for
these for women. That doesn't exclude women. Their callings are just as important
to the plan of salvation as those for men. We somehow need to see the difference
in their callings. Men are to preside, (in righteousness) while the woman is to
foster the human family. This includes child bearing, nurturing and meeting the
needs of her husband and offspring. Some women think that they received "the
short end of the stick" and that they are little more than a slave. Nothing
could be further from the truth. If this life is in a similitude of life with
our Heavenly parents, how could anyone suppose heavenly parents loving their
sons more than their daughters? In fact, our heavenly parents gave the greater
callings to their daughters. The Lord entrusted His little ones into their care.
Show me a family that loves the Lord and keeps his commandments and I will show
you a mother who puts her children's welfare ahead of her own. You, the mothers,
were endowed with many special gifts. A mother's love for her brood is so strong
it is found in all of nature. It is she who teaches by precept and example the
youth in its most formative years. Those who have studied learning tendencies
have come to the conclusion that 50% of all a person learns in his lifetime is
acquired by the time he or she is five years old. Who is the teacher during
these formative years? You guessed it, the mother. I had supposed to enumerate
all that a mother teaches in those few short years, but I will leave that for
you to ponder upon, it is too numerous for me to mention here.
Getting back to the Lord's plan for the redemption of his children. "This is my
work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."
(Moses 2:39). You can say all you want to about the callings of men, but, in
nothing doth it excel the calling given the daughters of Eve. "All that I am or
ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother." Abraham Lincoln. Remember, what you
do with those five short years will largely be the basis of your children's
foundation in the gospel and the basis of all righteousness in their lives. Is
the sacrifice worth it? God is depending upon you to make it. Oh, by the way,
your happiness in the kingdom of our Father in Heaven will largely depend upon
how many of your children you bring with you. Conversely, if there be a hell, it
will be because you failed in your calling and one of your loved ones is left
behind!
I hope that I haven't been too hard on you, my daughters. Selfishness is found
in greater abundance in most of my sons. Sometime I will address that subject.
The intent of this letter is to give you a sense of self worth; maybe help you
cope with your trials at low tide.
Don't be afraid of that word service. "He
that would be the greatest among you let him be a servant to the rest" Matthew
23:11.
"And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance
unto this people and bring save it be one soul unto me, how great will be your
joy in the kingdom of my Father". (D&C 18:15) Could your rejoicing be greater
than with the salvation of one of your own?
Next time they give a statistical report see how many members have been added to
the church in the preceding year. We all listen to the number of converts and
take pride in it. How many more are added to the rolls