Posts by JamesEKerns
Walking in His Shoes
There is an old Indian saying which says something to the effect of, “Don’t judge another until you have walked in his moccasins.”
Read MoreBuilding Your Nest on a Straight Limb
Elder Thomas S. Monson tells the story of a very young boy who was abducted from his home and parents and taken to a village situated far away. He grew to young manhood not knowing who his parents were nor from whence he came. A yearning came into his heart to find and return to his home.
Read MoreThe Sunshine is Back
On Sunday, April 7, 2013 I sat by a window in a straight-backed chair for most of six hours. With both ears I listened to the proceedings of general conference; while with one eye I watched conference on the computer monitor, and with the other eye I watched our mountains. The mountains and the weather were doing spectacular things.
Read MoreUnto What Were Ye Ordained?
Just before arising this morning I had a strange dream. I got up thinking about it, and promptly forgot it. Two hours later I was sitting on the couch, having prayed and studied, and wondered what I could write about. I’d just read something about the Priesthood, but no topic came to mind. I closed my eyes to doze, and suddenly there was my dream again.
Read MoreSpeaking Tips
Last evening I attended a meeting on how not to give a talk. That wasn’t the real intent of the meeting, but it was the main message I came away with. The reason was the distractions that several of the speakers incorporated into their talks.
Read MorePrinciples of Horticulture
I studied horticulture when I went to college, so I become interested when I read verses like this in the scriptures: “Wherefore lay to with your might and call faithful laborers into my vineyard, that it may be pruned for the last time.” (D&C 39:17). Over 60,000 missionaries are out pruning right now, and Church authorities think that number is on its way to 80,000.
Read MoreSeeing Through a Glass Darkly
I’m impressed with how little we know. As Paul said, “We see through a glass darkly.” We’ve received some good hints about what life after mortality is like, and what life before mortality was like; but every time I read the scriptures I’m impressed with how little we really know. We have the fullness of the gospel, meaning that we’re in possession of all the knowledge necessary to get us back into the presence of God; but how much do we really even know about God? We don’t even know ourselves.
Read MoreParable of the Dead Arm
There was once a man who was asked to speak to the men of his stake. His assignment was to wake the priesthood brethren up to the performance of their duty. How to do it was the question that weighed on his mind day after day.
Read MoreAfflictions or Blessings?
Randy Newman’s mother had a terrible affliction. Day after day her neck hurt so badly that she could barely function. Turning her head was a painful ordeal that she avoided. One morning she awoke and realized that she would be unable to go to her job at the bank. She phoned her supervisor, and said that she wouldn’t be in. That day the bank was robbed. The robbers herded everyone into the vault and shot them.
Read MoreRevelation and the Temple
When you go to the temple with an open heart, wanting to learn, and seeking whatever knowledge the Lord desires to give you, you can’t help but receive revelation. The revelations you receive come through the Holy Ghost as little bursts of pure knowledge. They don’t come as grandiose, panoramic views such as those received by Enoch, the brother of Jared, Nephi, or Moses. Those revelations to those chosen prophets had special purposes. For the rest of us, instruction normally comes “here a little, and there a little.”
Read MoreElijah and the Sealing Power
“Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
Read MoreStiffnecked, Gainsaying, and Handicapped
Yesterday at the temple I noticed a man hobbling slowly along with a wheeled walker. Another elderly brother with whom I gently shook hands had huge, painful-looking, arthritic joints in his fingers and knuckles. A sister rode her motorized wheel chair through the foyer. I looked for, but didn’t see, the Down’s syndrome young man who is usually there doing one endowment after another.
Read MoreHere Am I; Send Me
At least once a year, in ward conference, members of the Church have the opportunity to sustain their ward and stake leaders. As we raise our hands to sustain our bishoprics and stake presidencies we are saying, in effect, “I believe these men have been called by the Lord, and that they are the Lord’s authorized representatives. I support them, and I will strive to do the things they ask me to do.”
Read MoreWhat Good Would That Do?
Ralph Swenson was once filling potholes with asphalt when a voice asked him, “Do you have your year’s supply?”
Read MoreWhat Must I Jettison?
I should think it a very valuable exercise if, like our pioneer ancestors, we had to choose from among our many possessions those things that we most treasure, load those few items into a 4-foot by 8-foot wagon box, and leave the rest behind.
Read MoreCondon Castle
In 1066 William the Conqueror assembled an army and crossed the English Channel from Normandy to claim the English throne. William was the English king’s nearest relative and had been promised that he’d be the king’s successor. An invasion was necessary because Harold, the king’s brother-in-law, had seized the throne at the king’s death. When William landed in England, he found that Harold had rushed off up north to suppress an invasion by the Norwegians. When Harold returned, William and his army conquered Harold, and William began his reign as king.
Read MorePositioning
As I read the account of Christ appearing to the Nephites, I found myself thinking how fortunate and coincidental it was that all twelve of the disciples whom Jesus wanted to call were right there in the crowd of 2500 who witnessed Him descending. Why weren’t they scattered throughout the country where Jesus would have had to seek them out?
Read MoreAt the End of the Rope
At the recycling center that I use, I noticed a backpacking magazine sticking up from the box. It was a special issue on survival, and looked interesting, so I took it home to read. Most of the articles in the magazine were written by one guy who has devoted his life to living on the edge. He had become an expert on survival by continually putting himself in harm’s way, and by living to tell about it. It was true that he had learned many useful tricks, and was smart about survival; but I shook my head in disbelief that he had been as dumb as to put himself in so many situations where his very survival had been in doubt.
Read MoreBuffered or Buffeted
I have a fascination with words, and with the ways in which people use them. When I come across a well-turned phrase in a sacrament meeting talk or in my reading, I write it down, turn it over and over in my mind; and put it in my journal to retain it for future use.
Read MoreThe Atonement
Last night I went to bed thinking about the Atonement. I had just prayed for my wife and my daughter, both of whom are to speak on that topic in church tomorrow. Marjorie had only received the assignment that very day, and was feeling resentful toward the procrastinating bishop’s counselor who had given her no more time than that to prepare a meaningful talk on such a profound topic.
Read MorePrayer Balloons
Just before I got up the other morning, I was in a semi-wakeful state when I had a dreamlike vision. It was just a quick glance, but, I think, very accurate, and from the Spirit.
Read MoreBlackbirds
A few years ago as Margie and I were on our way to the Boise Temple we witnessed a beautiful phenomenon just west of Ontario. I had seen it before, but not on that scale. Ahead of us, over the freeway, was a giant cloud of blackbirds flying in perfect unison. The cloud was made up of thousands of individual birds all flying, twisting and turning at precisely the same instant. There was no ripple effect as first one bird and then its neighbor would decide to turn. Instead, every bird from front to back, though perhaps separated by a quarter of a mile, would turn at the exact, same instant.
Read MoreRestrictive Commandments
I heard today that religion is restrictive, and that religion takes away freedoms.
I got up this morning at 4:00. I went out into the living room with my Book of Mormon, sat down on the couch, covered myself with my blanket, and had a prayer before I began reading. I prayed for the Holy Ghost to attend my studying and thoughts; and to give me a subject to think about and to write about, and possibly to teach about in priesthood meeting next week. That setting, that prayer, and that exercise never fail to bring revelation.
Open Your Mouths
Ezra Thayer and Northrup Sweet were told in the 33rd section of Doctrine and Covenants to “open your ears.” (D&C 33:1). Having done so, they were then commanded to “open your mouths.” (Verses 8, 9, and 10).
Read MoreCalamity
Yesterday I finished reading the Book of Mormon. In the past several days, I’ve, therefore, read the accounts of the destructions of two great nations—the Jaredites and the Nephites. There were actually other great destructions which took place earlier, such as in the days of Akish, when all but 30 people and the house of Omer were killed in a great civil war. (Ether 9:12). Before that, in the days of Heth, there was “a great dearth upon the land, and the inhabitants began to be destroyed exceedingly fast because of the dearth, for there was no rain upon the face of the earth.” (Ether 9:30).
Read MoreBabies
To me, one of the best feelings in the world is to get my hands on a baby. When the little person relaxes, trusts you, and puts its head on your shoulder it’s pure bliss. I’m grateful that so many of my children live close by, because at church, or when they come visiting, I can usually find a baby that I can take off its mother’s hands and give her a rest while indulging my own sense of pleasure. In a nutshell, I like babies.
Read MoreWalking in Darkness at Noon-day
One night in our early married years, the phone rang after we’d turned out the lights and gone to bed. I leaped out of bed and ran in the dark from one end of the house to the other to answer it before it woke the baby. On the way, I stubbed my toe. I answered the phone in the pleasantest voice I could muster, and found that I was speaking to the bishop. I don’t remember what the conversation was about, but I distinctly remember the pain I was in from my throbbing toe. I’m sure Bishop Jarman would have been greatly distressed to know that I was suffering while talking to him, but I didn’t let him in on my secret.
Read MoreTriad of Truth
In the April 2012 general conference Elder L. Tom Perry commented that neither the Bible nor the Book of Mormon is sufficient alone. That made me wonder if the two of them together are sufficient without the words of our modern prophets. My answer is no.
Read MoreStrait and Narrow
We speak about walking the strait and narrow. The scriptures say a good deal about the “strait and narrow path.” (2 Ne. 31:18-19). This is an interesting phrase. On the surface it seems redundant since strait, as it’s spelled, means narrow. It’s a phrase used by the Savior when He taught both the people of Jerusalem and also the Nephites. He said, “Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad the way, which leadeth to destruction, and many there be who go in thereat;
Read MoreWho’s Doing the Whispering?
The ultimate thrust of all God’s purposes is for His children to feel the Spirit. If we don’t home teach, attend Sunday School, sing the hymns, go to church, or hold Family Home Evening we don’t feel the Spirit that those activities would otherwise make us open to. The best way of all for me to feel the Spirit is to be in the temple. If I don’t go, I miss the opportunity to feel the Spirit. The second best way for me personally to feel and hear the Spirit is to ponder, pray and write. When I’m studying a subject to the extent of having to organize my thoughts into a coherent article or talk, the Spirit always teaches me. I learn as I write.
Read MoreHardening-Off
“Hardening-off” is a horticultural term describing the process used to mature and make hardier a succulent plant. Hardening-off is performed on seedlings before transplanting. It is accomplished by withholding water to the point of near permanent wilt or by reducing temperature. Such adverse conditions increase a plant’s ability to withstand cold, the wilting effects of constant winds, intense sunlight and the ravages of sucking insects.
Read MoreDon’t Sell Yourself for Naught
We live in a unique period of the world’s history. In nearly all former times and cultures people were bought and sold. Slavery and servitude were common practices among nearly all people. I believe that it has only been in recent times that slavery and human trafficking has largely been abolished.
Read MoreRudeness Bites—Kindness Scores
The trouble with Laman and Lemuel was rudeness. They seemed to know nothing of kindness, and were, instead, caught up in selfishness, criticism, murmuring, and extreme rudeness. Nephi used the word “rudeness” twice in one verse when referring to his brothers. While aboard the ship he says that they “began…to speak with much rudeness, yea…they were lifted up unto exceeding rudeness.” (1 Ne. 18:9).
Read MoreCarefree, Complacent and Comfortable
We received a Christmas letter from a woman who reported on the doings of her family. One son and his wife had only one child. There would be no more because “one is all the children they can handle.” The other son is “not married and will never have children but does have girlfriends, lives rather a rogue life in that he prefers living out of his van, but is happy that way.” Her former husband has left his wife of 20 years.
Read MoreMaking and Keeping Sacred Covenants
Covenants are never mentioned in other churches. The covenants have been forgotten. They’re not understood, they’re ignored, and are unimportant in their eyes.
Read MoreInvisibility and Other Protections
We’re going to memorize a scripture tonight. It’s one of my very favorites. It comes from Doctrine and Covenants 84:88. Can you repeat that with me?…Section 84 is the section of the Doctrine and Covenants that contains the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood. Repeat each line after me. It goes like this:
Read MoreWilliam Tyndale
If I was to make a short list of the individuals who have made the most significant, positive impacts upon the world in the past 2000 years, I would list Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, Christopher Columbus, and William Tyndale.
Read MoreIf Not Me, Who?
One Sunday as the bishop surveyed the congregation from the stand at the beginning of sacrament meeting, he became unsettled when he noticed that Sister Mensing was not in her usual place. The meeting was already under way, but the bishop was so bothered by the faithful widow’s absence that he arose and went to his office to call her. There was no answer.
Read MoreKeep Your Covenants
This is the talk that I gave at Samuel’s baptism. It isn’t an exact transcription of what was actually said, but it is the official message of what I want Samuel (and the rest of my posterity) to have, to remember, and to keep.—Saturday 11 December 2010
Read MoreTurning Up the Lights
Joseph said that he went to the woods “on the morning of a beautiful, clear day.” He may have knelt in the shade; but if it was cool, and since he was obviously enjoying the feel of the spring day, he probably knelt in the sunshine.
Read MoreWhat’s the Value of the Holy Ghost?
While on company assignment a few days ago, Tory Baxter stopped at a service station in an out-of-the-way place to use the rest room. While there, the Holy Ghost told him that he was going to be asked to help someone, and that he was not to do so. As he went back to his vehicle he was approached by a clean-cut young man carrying a gas can. The young man explained that he had run out of gas down the road and needed a ride back to his car. Tory told him that he was driving a company car, that it was against the rules to have unauthorized passengers in the car, and that he, therefore, couldn’t help him.
Read MoreIn the World but not of it
Sunday I went early to church to see a member of an earlier ward, and then sat in my pickup finishing the lesson preparation for my 11-year-old Primary class. With the front of my pickup nosed into the bushes that line the east fence of the parking lot, I became aware of rustlings in the dry leaves, and of the soft noises that quail make as they talk to one another.
Read MoreWhat’s in a Name?
Cover of “In a Grove of Aspens”
Read MoreIllusions of Greatness
I just arose from a very disturbing dream. I was told that one of my good friends and Church members was now a general in the adversary’s army. He came riding by on a horse at the head of this army. He was way in advance of the army, so he was the only individual that I saw. But I caught a glimpse of his face. This is what was so disturbing about the dream. I initially couldn’t believe that he could have fallen so far as to lead Satan’s army, but it was him all right. I could recognize his former self and former countenance, but it had changed so much as to be almost unbelievable. The shine was gone. His strength and vitality and handsomeness were gone. He was ugly. He had aged dramatically. He couldn’t keep his head upright. It tilted badly to the side, and there was an inner trembling and shakiness evident.
Read MoreWhere Am I in this Picture?
I’d like to paint some pictures for you, and ask you a question. The first picture is actually already painted. It’s the picture of Noah standing on a pile of logs, with arms upraised, as he harangues the jeering and mocking crowd that has gathered to make fun of him for building a huge boat up on a wooded mountain. He’s plainly exasperated by their hard-headedness and hard-heartedness, and they’re plainly convinced that he is out of his mind.
Read MoreWhat Lack I Yet?
In rereading the New Testament two questions asked therein have given me pause for a good deal of thought.
Read MoreDoctrines Pertinent to the Plan of Salvation
DOCTRINES PERTINENT TO THE PLAN OF SALVATION
AS UNDERSTOOD BY
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST
OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
Me, a Shepherd in Israel
This is the topic the stake presidency gave Marjorie and the other stake leaders upon which they are to speak this coming year. When I heard it, my mind immediately added punctuation so that the topic became, “Me?!! A Shepherd in Israel.” I might also add the phrase, “Are you kidding?”—I’m a nobody, and everyone else knows it. I’m just a common person and am not capable of herding people around.
Read MoreHelps From Heaven
Our Father in Heaven is fixated upon one primary, ultimate, supreme goal. All of His great love and wisdom is concentrated upon doing all in His power, short of force, to return us, His children, to Him. He says, “This is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” (Moses 1:39). In our quest to find Him, and learn to implicitly follow and obey Him, He has given us helps, which if properly utilized, cannot help but safely lead us home to His presence.
Read MoreJosiah and Lehi—Contemporaries
Cover of “In a Grove of Aspens”
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