Posts by JamesEKerns
Joseph
One of the greatest heroes from all the scriptures was not a prophet, and left no writings for us to study.
Read MoreThe Art of Reading
Marjorie has said that the only thing she could possibly hold against her parents is that they never read to her.
Read MoreWrite Your Goals
Goals should be established, and goals should be written. If no goal is set, how would you ever know when you’ve arrived?
Read MoreMy Own, Personal, 10 Commandments
Love and serve the Lord with all my heart, might, mind, and strength.…
Read MoreGet a Testimony
You can’t sit back and wait for the Spirit or your parents or your teachers to give you a testimony of the truthfulness of the Restoration.
Read MoreWhom Do I Love the Most?
As I thought about my children this week, I was startled to realize that I love them more than I love my parents.
Read MoreDon’t Go There!
Abby and Jonah wanted to go to institute. Jonah tried to start his car. The battery was so dead that the starter wouldn’t even turn over.
Read MoreSpiritual Stamina
While teaching the Young Single Adults in institute this week I was marveling over how quickly the Nephites could turn from righteousness to rebellion…
Read MoreFormulas For Life
“Repentance needs to be done one step at a time. Humble prayer will facilitate each essential step.
Read MorePreserved
A lesson that I was to teach paired up two passages in the Book of Mormon concerning the reasons that Lehi’s sons were commanded to return to Jerusalem to get the brass plates.
Read MorePaying it Forward
In my scripture study I’ve come up with a law. I call it the law of the boomerang. Simply stated, it is that whatever you send out will come back again.
Read MoreDreams
Sometimes I have fun dreams. On such occasions I might come awake, and have been known to awaken Marjorie to share the experience with her.
Read MoreSequel to Muddy Boots in the Temple
“For the Lord giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding.” (2 Ne. 31:3).
Read MorePaintings
Alma said, “O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart…” (Alma 29:1).
Read MoreIsaac
Isaac leaves tomorrow for his mission. I have had the opportunity to get very close to this boy since he graduated from high school in May.
Read MoreBrother Chung-Hee
I was officiating an endowment session three weeks ago. As I sat up front and surveyed the congregation, the face of one man seemed to shine out.
Read MoreA Simple Test
There is a simple test that can be employed to assess the veracity of some of the world’s most popular philosophies.
Read MoreAnother Side to the Story
It was still pitch dark as Wes pulled his truck to a stop nearly at the end of the county road. Hunting was hard work, and required sacrifice.
Read MoreVast World, Vast Plans
It is a beautiful, cloudless day. In the east there is an area of sky that gets more and more orange…
Read MoreDoves and Pigeons
A lesson might be taken from the passenger pigeon, the American bison, and the ring-necked dove.
Read MoreSlow Learners
How much better, how much wiser, how much more righteous are we than the ancients?
Read MoreThe Book of Mormon—The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me
I had made the 8-hour drive from Oregon, U.S.A. to Provo, Utah to see my girlfriend at Brigham Young University. She took me to the fast and testimony meeting…
Read MoreMy Purpose on Earth
I frequently contemplate and puzzle over the question of why I am so blessed. Surely there has never been anyone with so many advantages as I.
Read MoreRobots Are the Key
I fell asleep while preparing my lesson. I had a dream. The dream said, “Robots are the key.”
Read MoreTemple Conversations
Serving as ordinance workers in the temple, we’re told to be consistently reverent. We’re not to discuss politics, sports, or business.
Read MoreMy Blessed Life
I have been blessed with a long life filled with joy, love, service, and family. I have been blessed with the opportunity to make every covenant…
Read MoreTwo Eyes—Two Viewpoints
Sitting in the living room in the early morning hours preparing my institute lesson, I glanced outside to watch the birds…
Read MoreThree Decisions
Three decisions have been pivotal in my life. The first was my decision to be born. Contrary to what the world will tell you…
Read MoreTaking Things for Granted
We have so very much, and take it all for granted. Take the scriptures, for example. I am rereading the New Testament…
Read MoreAmmon’s Story—Another Viewpoint
Lamoni was king over the Lamanites in the land of Ishmael. As such he had power over the life and death of the people of his realm…
Read MoreTricks and Temptations
Today I am to teach the boys in my 11-year-old Primary class the account of Alma and Amulek as they taught the people in the city of Ammonihah.
Read MoreDominoes
King Lamoni awoke from his 3-day swoon and found his faithful wife watching over him. As he attempted to explain…
Read MoreSpectator or Participant?
The secret to living a joyful and a successful life is to live it as a participant rather than as a spectator.
Read MoreAllegory of the Raspberry Patch
Besides olives and grapes, the master of the vineyard also grew raspberries.
Read MoreLook for the Blessings
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Billings Montana Temple was scheduled for March 1998.
Read MoreZoram—Essential to the Plan
As I begin another reading of the Book of Mormon my attention is drawn to Zoram and to the key role that he played in the saga.
Read MoreMy Forgetter
As I grow older I find that some of my abilities and functions are slowing down. One part of me, however, is becoming more active.
Read MoreLife’s Disappointments
Life doesn’t necessarily turn out the way we expect.
Read MoreLinchpin Doctrines
Section 89, the revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants that we know as the Word of Wisdom, contains four very remarkable promises.
Read MoreThe Superlative Book
The 1981 Introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants states that “…this book (is) of great value…
Read MoreI’m Astonished
I have a friend who spent the first 60 years of his life without a knowledge of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel.
Read MoreOne By One
Today (28 February 2016) I reached a milestone. Last fall, because of our mission, I was five conferences behind in my indexing…
Read MoreThe Trial That Is the Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is a trial. It’s not a trial to read it—quite the contrary. It is a joy.
Read MoreYou Can’t Get Away With It
My wife does not like the grandchildren to climb on the back of the couch. It has a large picture window behind it.
Read MoreSupernal Gifts
As I was teaching my Primary class of 11-year-olds a boy raised his hand. “I have a question,” he said.
Read MoreA Sin-resistant Generation
Inspired men and women have flooded the earth with products and materials that are resistant to all sorts of harmful things.
Read MoreHome Teaching at Its Best
A young American sailor stationed in Japan was given the assignment to be the home teacher of a part-member couple.
Read MoreThinning or Thriving
All my life I have been associated with, loved, and cared for 200 acres of trees. It is a forest of pines, firs, larches, spruce, and aspens.
Read MoreThe Ideal Traveling Companion
Elder Larry R. Lawrence of the Seventy points out that life is a journey, and that “the Holy Ghost makes an ideal traveling companion.”
Read MoreTo See (Hear) Ourselves as Others Do
I found the following news report interesting: “Police in Amsterdam responded quickly this week when they received an emergency call…
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