Posts by James
SURPRISES
As I reread the Old Testament I find myself intrigued by the stories therein. I am presently intrigued by stories of shocking surprises.
Read MoreBEST PURCHASES
I get up early every morning between 4 and 5 o’clock. I go into the office,
Read MoreDIVINE WINDS
In 1274 Kublai Khan, the Mongol conqueror, wanting to expand his already immense empire, was ready to attack Japan
Read MoreSTUDY OF DEMENTIA IN A FAMILY LINE
Maretta Althea Wight Simmons 3 December 1871-22 January 1948
Read MoreWALKING IN DARKNESS
William James was the most widely-read philosopher of the 1900s. He devoted his life to seeking a philosophical answer to the question:
Read MoreNUTSHELL TRUTH, CONCENTRATED WISDOM, INSIGHTFUL THINKING
A Catholic theologian once said, “You Mormons are all ignoramuses. You don’t even know the strength of your own position.
Read MoreHOW LUCKY (BLESSED) CAN WE BE?
A Catholic theologian once said, “You Mormons are all ignoramuses. You don’t even know the strength of your own position.
Read MoreGOD MOVES IN A MYSTERIOUS WAY
Back in the day when we had priesthood opening exercises, complete with an opening hymn, the ward ended up with no men capable of playing the piano.
Read MoreWHAT HAS JESUS DONE FOR ME? #2
I am absolutely astonished at what the Lord has done for me. He has provided my family with sustenance.
Read MoreMARJORIE’S PROBLEM
Marjorie was born with dark, curly hair. Very curly hair. This is both a blessing and a problem. She gets up in the morning looking like she did when she laid down.
Read MoreROOTS AND BRANCHES
In December of 1966, fifty eight years ago, I was reading the Book of Mormon for the first time. For the first time in my life I was feeling the influence of the Holy Ghost.
Read MoreTEMPLE ATTENDANCE
A footnote to Elder Gerrit W. Gong’s October 2024 conference address states that 60% of church membership lives within 50 miles of a temple.
Read MoreLAW OF THE BOOMERANG
Alma 41:15 says, “For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again, and be restored.”
Read MoreMOST INTERESTING NOTES – Vol “I” – Encyclopedia
1. The earth has undergone numerous ice ages. A typical ice age lasts 40,000 to 60,000 years. Inter-glacial periods are similar.
Read MoreNO WILTING ALLOWED
Marjorie loves plants. I count 30 that she currently has in the house. That’s the smallest number ever. She has always had plants, and I have never seen one wilt.
Read MoreSUICIDE
Yesterday my daughter received a message on her phone announcing the death of a school counselor.
Read MoreMISSIONARY HELPERS
Elder Jonah Judd recently got transferred from Baker after being here for six months. He and several sets of the previous elders have used me extensively as a fellowshipper and missionary aid
Read MoreCATTLE CALL
When I was a boy we had a neighbor, Bill Chambers, who lived in the house by our mailboxes at the base of the hill. Bill was a bachelor and a dairyman.
Read MoreGLAD WE’RE WHO WE ARE
For a couple of years now I have been the go-to guy when the missionaries need a ward member who can help teach and fellowship their investigators.
Read MoreLIFE IS TENUOUS
Yesterday morning (11 November 2024) I received a call informing me that my friend’s stepson had committed suicide.
Read MoreMY SON
As you read through the seven chapters that are Alma’s last instructions to his three boys (Alma 36-42), one is struck by their very personal tone.
Read MoreAMERICA IN JEOPARDY
Election day 2024. This evening we will learn which immoral person will be leading the nation for the next four years. One has a history of bragging about his sexual exploits,
Read MoreWHAT HAS JESUS DONE FOR ME? #1
In the April 2002 general conference Dallin H. Oaks told of a woman who offhandedly asked, “What has Jesus Christ done for me?”
Read MoreHerding Pigs or Are You Prepared?
I was blindsided in a Book of Mormon Sunday School class by an idea I’d never heard before. The instructor cited two scriptures, and declared that nearly a whole year had elapsed between the time of the great storm and the appearance of the Savior to the Nephites. I had never before heard or entertained such an idea.
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