I have attended three funerals in as many weeks. All three have been somewhat unsettling. The first was a service read verbatim from a prayer book.

My wife claims that I took the missionaries to a family of our acquaintance and taught them every week for a whole year. I think that’s an exaggeration, but she insists that it’s so.

My son-in-law related a spiritual experience. He lost his wallet, and really needed it for his trip to Spokane. He figured it had to be in their bedroom, so he undertook to clean the room.

Yesterday was the wedding of my nephew. An Episcopal or Catholic “father” performed the ceremony.

It is my turn to stay home from church to baby-sit Grandma. Five-year-old Abby, my granddaughter, has a runny nose and a cold, and is also with me.

As a new member of the Church, I quickly focused on two elderly men in the Baker wards who seemed the epitome of saintliness.

In referring to the Spirit World, I have often heard people wonder out loud how anyone there could possibly ignore or reject the teachings that are offered.

“Tis the season for school Christmas programs. Thanks to Madelein Murray O’Hare, school Christmas programs are now designed to fill one full of Christmas jeer.

Aaron: “It’s gettin’ cool in here. What’s happened to Dad’s fire building?”
Nathan: “It’s either feast or famine—furnace or freezer.”

A gorgeously-attired girl entered our shop dressed in an ankle-length dress. Her hair was done to a “T.”

Kevin Rich went to basketball camp in Portland. He said that all of the boys were lined up according to height. Standing there in line, Kevin looked down at his shoes.

As a bishop, I was involved in everyone’s problems. It seemed I was expected to help and give counsel in every difficulty that people faced.

Journal entry, Wednesday 5 April 1995
I had a neat experience last week. I haven’t thought about Leonard Dewitt for several years. He came into my mind last week.

The Book of Mormon provides a unique outlook on the subject of wealth and prosperity. Prosperity, according to the Book of Mormon, is inseparably connected to righteousness.

At age 19, I was given a Book of Mormon. At that time my spirits couldn’t possibly have been lower. I was discouraged, depressed, and had just quit my second year of college because of my mental attitude.

Adam was gone from home for two days taking training in Washington. His wife and little son, Caleb, chose to spend the Adamless night at the home of his in-laws.

Uriah answered his country’s call. The king had decreed that every able male should make himself available to go against the Ammonites.

As my kids were growing up, we spent a lot of time reading as a family. When they were little we read all of Thornton W. Burgess’ books.

Some years ago while serving in the U. S. Navy aboard one of its smaller ships, I found myself at sea somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. One beautiful, sunny day I went up on deck into the bow of the ship.

Jesus set forth in simple terms many principles of leadership, and then left it up to his followers to try His words and thus discover their hidden wisdom.

When I became bishop of Baker Second Ward 23 years ago there was a family in the ward with identical twin daughters less than a year old.

Dear Family,
I’m not sure that I have a letter in me, but here goes. The best news is that we got a letter from Danny yesterday.

I have several sons who won’t eat asparagus. That’s pretty sad considering the fact that their mother loves it.

There is a gene at large among the female members of this family. Its source was Margie’s mother, Zelma.

Church would start in just two minutes. He’d wanted to get there early to get something from the bishopric while they were still in their office.

Table of Contents of “Random Writings”

Cover of “Random Writings”