Posts by JamesEKerns
Parallel or Perpendicular?
One morning as I sat on my couch in Vanuatu looking out at the bay, I noticed that the door frame made a perfectly parallel line with a line of tile on our veranda. If I tilted my head a little to either the right or to the left, the lines were no longer parallel. The line formed by the door frame, and the line formed by the tiles were about one inch apart. If I held my head just so, the two lines would stay just one inch apart even if they were to be extended clear across the bay.
Read MoreHumidity in Vanuatu
It’s 7:30 in the morning of a very overcast day. As I look across the bay, I’d swear there was a snow storm coming. (That’ll be the day). Aore Island just across the bay is disappearing. In a few minutes it will start sprinkling here. Then it will rain. Then Aore Island and the whole bay will disappear as the sky dumps out everything it’s got. The roads will turn into rivers.
Read MoreJennifer Tarohati
At the age of 20 Jennifer Tarohati was a young adult living with her widowed mother on the island of Tanna in the South Seas’ nation of Vanuatu. The year was 2000. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was new to the nation, and only a very few Latter-day Saints lived on the island.
Read MoreAnother Day in the Life of a Senior Missionary
The first missionary discussion with Dr. Wang didn’t go as planned. On Sunday we had invited him and the sister missionaries to dinner for Tuesday evening. An hour later I had gotten a call about a sick elder in Fanafo. Marjorie and I made a quick run there, and brought the elders back to Luganville. Elder McCain was a very sick young man with a raging fever, a racing heart (193 beats per minute), diarrhea, and a sore gall bladder. Through intravenous rehydration and medicines, Dr. Wang had him stabilized and on his feet by evening, but we had decided to keep him in our care. I gave his companion to another set of elders who needed him, and Elder McCain became my companion for the next couple of days. Our Tuesday evening dinner appointment had thus grown to a party of six.
Read MoreBislama vs. English
I have been reading the Book of Mormon in Bislama in hopes that it would teach me the language and give me some proficiency therein. I do it by having my English Book of Mormon open alongside the Bislama version so that I can refer to it to translate what I’m reading. I’ve noticed a couple of things as I’ve compared the languages.
Read MoreA Day in the Life of a Senior Missionary
Last night Marjorie and I were ready to prepare for bed when we heard someone sing out. “Singout” is what you do here instead of knock on a door. “Elda mo Sista Kerrnnns,” the voice sang. No one ever comes to our isolated veranda at night, and no one can see in, so we don’t even bother to close our curtains.
Read MorePriesthood Leadership Conference
One night some years ago I couldn’t sleep. To occupy my mind as I lay there in bed, I did a census. In my mind I went up and down every road and street in the town of Haines and the surrounding area. I was looking for Latter-day Saints. I did it twice. I did it as a 6-year-old, non-member of the Church, and again as a 56-year-old member.
Read MoreDownwind of the Spirit
“Keep yourself downwind of the Spirit.” That was my waking message this morning. Where did it come from? What does it mean?
Read MorePrayer
The scripture says, “By small and simple things are great things brought to pass,” (Alma 37:6). What could be simpler than prayer?
Prayer is the simplest thing in the world, yet carries the most power. That is the great secret that most people have yet to learn.
Thoughts on a Vanuatu Funeral
We American Latter-day Saints would like to think that we’re spiritually superior to other people. Our thinking is that we’re blessed with more possessions and comforts, so therefore, our way of living is the way all people would live if they were as blessed as we are.
Read MoreThings to Wonder About in Vanuatu
What makes the light-colored trails, areas, and dark lines in the water of the bay below our house? They last a long time. I’ve observed the same phenomenon as I’ve driven along the Columbia River. The dark line appears about 7:30 in the morning, and moves very slowly to the east. Are these caused by differences in temperature, aeration, by the tide, or by some other thing?
Read MoreCornelius
The story of Cornelius, as told in Acts chapters 10 and 11, is an interesting study. One wonders why and how he developed such faith. His story marks a pivotal point in the history of the Church.
Read MoreAn Epistle to My Grandchildren
I just came awake from a wonderful night’s sleep, and was surprised to find dawn happening. There was a thought in my mind—a thought that, strangely, I’ve never had before. The thought was that I should write an epistle to my grandchildren. I make it a point to act upon these first morning thoughts when they come this way, because they come from the Holy Ghost.
Read MoreBook of Mormon Missionaries
The philosophies held by, and the techniques used by the missionaries in the Book of Mormon are worthy of examination.
First was Abinadi—courageous Abinadi. His mission call sent him to a degenerate people who were so steeped in sin that the likelihood of success among them was very small indeed. He was aware of that at the outset; but he also knew that unless the people repented, they would be destroyed. They had to be warned. Indeed, the people could neither be converted nor destroyed unless someone should first warn them, for “…the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7).
The Lord Doth Immediately Bless You
In my reading this morning, a word has arrested my attention. The word is “immediate.” The verse I read said, “And again, when they thought of the immediate goodness of God, and his power in delivering Alma and his brethren out of the hands of the Lamanites and of bondage, they did raise their voices and give thanks to God.” (Mosiah 25:10).
Read MoreA Note to Missionaries
I don’t think that we as missionaries have any idea who we are or about the power that we carry with us. In my reading over the past two days I’ve found latter-day missionaries in some surprising places.
Read MoreJacob Chapter 5
Each time I reread the parable of the tame and wild olive trees in Jacob chapter 5, I receive more insights, and become more and more impressed with it. It’s a masterpiece. It was written by the prophet Zenos, somewhere in the Holy Land, sometime before 600 B.C. It spells out in some detail what would be the future of the Americas, of all places.
Read MorePeculiarities
In the wee hours of the night I found my mind playing with a concatenation of weird and outlandish things that deserve explanations.
For instance, how weird and outlandish is it that I would sit down in general conference beside a man who had a picture of my son on the electronic device in his pocket for the reason that his eldest grandson and my youngest son were in the same MTC district in far-off Chile?
Sequel
Once upon a time there was a man who had a wife and a clock. The man loved his wife, the wife loved her husband, and the man liked his clock. They all lived together very happily. And after many years it came to pass that they were called to serve a mission together for the Church. They were somewhat worried, for they were stepping into the unknown.
Read MoreA Pearl of Great Price
Nearly everything of value that I know, I learned from my wife.
When I was a senior in high school, I became focused on a beautiful, happy girl with a radiant smile. I felt happy when I was around her. I felt good. I felt like smiling. It took me five years, but I succeeded in marrying her. She taught me how to smile, and I’ve been smiling ever since.
Weaning, Part One
Every winter I end up caring for four or five cats. They’re usually young, semi-wild cats that need help getting through the tough season. When spring arrives and the snow melts I taper off the feeding program by putting food out only every other day. That causes them to get a little desperate and start to cast about for another food source. They quickly learn about mice and how to hunt. Keeping the mice and gophers in check is the reason for their presence on our place. As soon as I see that they’re not desperate for food anymore I quit feeding them altogether. They transition from being very dependent on me to becoming much happier when they’re self-sufficient and off their diet of dry cat food.
Read MoreThe Book of Mormon
Brother Anderson asked me to speak to you about the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is the reason that I’m a member of the Church.
Read MoreHow Many Are On Your Team?
For the past 46 years I’ve been playing catch-up. That’s how long I’ve been a member of the Church. I was baptized and became a member just 20 days before my 20th birthday. Consequently I missed out on Primary, Young Men’s, Aaronic Priesthood ordinations, scouting, seminary, and a mission.
Read MoreLucky Duck
Phineas found a little duck scurrying across our yard. The little duck was only recently hatched, and had become separated from his family as the mama mallard was leading her brood to water. Phineas put the little duck in our spare bathtub, and watered and fed it. He’d cup it in his hands where it snuggled gratefully in the warmth. He’d place it on the floor, cup his hands some distance away, and the little duck would come running to the warmth and security of his cupped hands. Phineas was the duckling’s foster mother who fed it and kept it warm. He fixed a light that shone into the tub to keep the duckling warm when he wasn’t holding it.
Read MoreParable of the Lazy Hawk
A noble red-tailed hawk once sailed majestically through the skies surveying the sordid world below. The skies, the air, sunlight, life, and freedom were his. He ruled his realm. He was happy. He was free. But his sharp eyes noticed a dead squirrel on the road below. Normally he only ate fresh food; but succumbing to laziness, and giving no forethought, he lowered himself for a closer look, extended his talons, and seized the prey. Alas, he’d landed right in front of a speeding truck. The truck swerved, and by the narrowest of margins missed the foolish hawk who launched himself back into the air, a wiser bird, having this once been granted a second chance.
Read MoreRoadkill
As I drove to church I noticed a red-tailed hawk flying ahead to my right. He was being buzzed and harassed by two blackbirds. Suddenly he swooped lower and to the left, right in front of my vehicle. I thought at first that his maneuver was an effort to evade the pesky blackbirds, but instead he landed upon a dead squirrel on the roadway right in front of me. During the next second his talons gripped the squirrel, I swerved to the right to miss him, and his trajectory and momentum managed to lift him safely off to my left. It was a close call.
Read MorePlaying Catch-up
For the past 46 years I’ve been playing catch-up. That’s how long I’ve been a member of the Church. I was baptized and became a member just 20 days before my 20th birthday. Consequently I missed out on Primary, Young Men’s, Aaronic Priesthood ordinations, scouting, seminary, and a mission.
Read MoreThey Know Not What They Do
During Jesus’ trial and crucifixion, He had very little to say. One of His few utterances was on Calvary as the Roman soldiers carried out their orders to nail Him to the cross. He said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34).
Read MoreThe Doctrine of Christ
Every person is born into this world with a charge to find the truth and to return himself to God. On the surface that seems a daunting task given the huge number of religions and philosophies that one must sort through. By human nature most people are lazy, and pick the easiest way through their challenges and through life. Therefore, almost all men choose to either ignore the quest for truth and salvation, or to simply go with the flow and follow what their parents and their societies believe and do.
Read MoreLetter To Mom
Your great grandson, Isaac, spoke in church yesterday. It was Mother’s Day. He said that we should all write letters to our mothers. A great longing came over me to be able to do so. I haven’t seen you for 31 years now; but I’ve no doubt that you see me, and know what I do. I think that if I was to write you a letter, you’d probably read it.
Read MoreJames Eli Kerns
Nineteen years ago things were tough. I was serving in the stake presidency, our second son was serving a mission in England, our eldest son was back from his mission and was in college, finances were tight, my wife was caring for her bedridden mother, our eldest daughter and her husband were expecting their second baby, and we were expecting, too. This baby would be our 10th.
Read MoreTable of Contents
Table of Contents for “My Heart is Brim with Joy”
Read MoreIntroduction to “My Heart Is Brim With Joy”
Introduction to “My Heart is Brim with Joy”
Read MoreMy Heart Is Brim With Joy – Cover
Cover of “My Heart is Brim with Joy”
Read MorePedigree Chart of Marjorie Shannon Hunt
Pedigree Chart of Marjorie Shannon Hunt
Read MorePedigree Chart of James E. Kerns
Pedigree Chart of James E. Kerns
Read MoreThe Ancestry of James E. Kerns
My ancestors emigrated from the various countries of Europe. They spoke English, Irish, Scotch, Dutch, German and French. Their languages demonstrate their different backgrounds, but little more can be said which would show one family as being very diverse from another.
Read MoreMotherhood
Every time I read the Book of Mormon I pause on a particular verse which I find remarkable. The verse is remarkable in and of itself, but even more so in what it doesn’t say. Yesterday, as I worked, I pondered on what lay behind that verse.
Read MoreSex
The world is awash in sex. We’re inundated with sexual images all around us. In all of world history there has never been such a preoccupation. We’re all affected by this flood, and too many church members are being swept up in it. We’re all vulnerable, and must be constantly on guard, or we’ll be caught in the net and be found inheriting a lesser kingdom in the Day of Judgment.
Read MoreMusic
Margie’s music is one of the things that originally attracted me to her. On one occasion I found myself in a car with Margie and our friend, Jim Fuller, on our way home from a party at the cabin of Margie’s friend up at McEwen. Margie had her ukulele. All the way back to Baker she sang and played her ukulele. It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever heard. If it wasn’t then that I fell in love with her, that evening was certainly a contributing factor.
Read MoreListening for the Spirit
John Burroughs, the naturalist, was once walking through a busy city park when he heard the beautiful song of a bird. He stopped to listen. As he did so he noticed that none of his companions nor anyone around him had heard it. He took a coin from his pocket and tossed it in the air. When it hit the pavement with a metallic ring, every head turned. That was a sound to which their ears were attuned.
Read MoreMarriage
Nowhere are kindness and love more important than between husband and wife. I find it distressing and unfathomable that so many marriages end up in divorces with the partners hating one another. It doesn’t have to be that way. It shouldn’t be that way. The man and wife should be best friends.
Read MoreKindness
The very basis for all of Jesus’ teachings may be summed up in His oft-repeated admonition to “love one another.”
We accomplish this through kindness. The measure of a person, and the measure of his Christianity, if you will, lies in how he treats others.
Rainbows
The very, very most difficult time of my life lasted from September 1965 through October 1966.
I graduated from high school in May 1965, and went off to college at Oregon State University in September. I was very homesick. Then the rains set in. Day after day the rains came down. It was dark and gloomy. I never, ever saw the sun. Corvallis set a new record that year with 120 straight days of rain.
Adversity
The best lessons of life are the hard ones. We’d like to avoid them entirely, but they’re one of the most basic reasons we’re here. The Lord told Joseph Smith to “be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many.” (D&C 24:8). Paul, recognizing the value of trials said that he gloried in tribulations. (Romans 5:3). Lehi told his son, Jacob, that the Lord would consecrate his afflictions for his gain. (2 Ne. 2:2). To Lehi’s statement I add “if we resist the urge to complain.”
Read MoreFamily and Stay-at-Home Mothers
In preparing for a talk that I was to give in stake conference some years ago, I asked each of my children, “What makes our family what it is?” Each had a different answer.
“It’s because we live on a farm.”
“It’s because we have no television.”
Proclaiming the Gospel
In the middle of the night several nights ago, my mind must have been dwelling upon this writing project and the question of how best to spend one’s time. My mind surfaced just long enough for the Spirit to speak one word and to embed it in my thinking. That word was “Proclaim.”
Read MoreSolitude
There’s nothing wrong with doing things just for ourselves. Indeed, a daily quiet time and some periods of solitude are necessities for me. One of the big problems with people in the world today is that they spend their time feeding their bodies and their passions, and completely neglect their spirits. Our bodies are designed to cry out for attention, so naturally we’re constantly busy providing them with food, warmth, comforts, and stimuli.
Read MoreService
Knowing what is really important in life has the effect of enabling one to quickly determine how time can best be used. With dozens of things clamoring for our attention at any given moment, we are constantly in a position of having to choose the one to which we’ll devote our efforts.
Read MorePriesthood Line of Authority
The Priesthood line of authority of James Elwin Kerns
Read More