All Articles
Pace’s Baptism
Pace, you are light years ahead of where I was when I was eight years old. I only have one memory from that age, and it is very vivid in my mind. I was out walking in a field by my house, and was having some very deep thoughts for an 8-year-old. My mother had told me about God and Jesus and about prophets and about the Bible. I was pondering upon those things, and I had lots of questions.
Read MoreWhat Think Ye of Christ?
(Elder Michael John U. Teh in his April 2021 conference address told of an assignment given to him to write a one-page summary about the relevance and importance of the Atonement. That is a great challenge. Here is my attempt:)
Read MoreSheltered from the Storm
My two granddaughters each came home from their missions with a pit bull story.
The first girl and her companion were walking along a narrow road in North Carolina without sidewalks when a van began following them in a menacing manner. The van was driven by a cursing and swearing woman. Inside the van were four snarling and barking pit bulls hurling themselves at the windows trying to get at the girls. The woman rolled a window down and out jumped a pit bull. The dog landed on its chin. The girls heard a loud pop, and the dog didn’t move again.
Call Me Columbia
I am the Columbia River. I begin at Columbia Lake in southeast British Columbia, in Canada. I am 1,243 miles long, and drop 2,690 feet before I empty into the Pacific Ocean at Astoria, Oregon.
Read MoreThe Priesthood
“What is the purpose of the Priesthood?” the Sunday School teacher asked; and I answered, “To enable one to serve others.” She then wanted to know what experiences we’d had with the Priesthood. I have lots of thoughts about the Priesthood, and feel the need to write them down.
Read MoreCall Me Aspen
My name is quaking aspen. I am a 50-foot-tall tree with nearly round leaves. The slightest breeze makes my leaves quake and tremble, so the scientific name that botanists gave me is populus tremuloides.
Read MoreCall Me Opal
Call me opal. I’m a gem stone. I’m sometimes called “The King of Gems.” That’s because I can be any color, up to 60 different shades, and my color changes with each direction that I’m tilted. I’m actually multi-colored at any one angle.
Read MoreCleverly Catching the Crooks
In the 1920s the father of my friend, Bud Beeson, lived at Farewell Bend between Baker and Ontario. He was a farmer with a small herd of dark red shorthorn cattle. In the fall he would be missing numerous calves. while many of his neighbor’s cows would have two calves apiece.
Read MoreA Stunning Time
I first became aware of the passage of time when I was in the first grade. I suppose that before then there were no milestones to mark the passage of time, so I was unaware. But that school year provided a milestone, and those nine months of the first grade were really, really long.
Read MoreMarjorie’s Forgetter
As I waited at the door, ready to leave for church, Marjorie went to the piano to get the note card on which she’d written the page numbers for the prelude music and hymns that she’d be playing that day.
“Here, give me the card, Marjorie, and I’ll put it in my pocket.” (I’ve noticed that the lists she makes never make it to the grocery store).
Quiet Influences
Chris Stocks told a story today about his wife, Heidi, from her high school days. Heidi has always been everyone’s friend. That’s just the way she is. She says hi to everyone, and ignores no one.
Some years after graduation a young man approached her and thanked her for saving his life. He told her that his high school days had been particularly hard. He felt isolated and alone. He had no friends, and no one ever spoke to him.
Changed Perspectives
From my window I watched a magpie go in and out of a lilac bush in the yard. The bird was busy, and obviously had a project and a purpose. When I checked, it was as I suspected: I found the beginning of a nest. The magpie was going to build a nest in my back yard in that thick bush where it wouldn’t be seen.
Read MoreImitating Isaiah
“A commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah,” the Lord said in 3 Nephi 23:1.
Isaiah’s words truly are great. They’re filled with prophecies, many of which will not be fully understood until their fulfillment. His words are also beautiful, and have a cadence unique to him. Many of his verses are couplets that state the same thing twice, but with different words. Could I write like Isaiah? Here is my attempt:
Gophers
A gopher is an animal worthy of a short study. The most remarkable thing about a gopher is that it lives a mostly solitary existence in the dark. A gopher’s life is not an enviable one, yet many people seem bent on becoming gophers.
Read MoreCharlie Rich and the Fire
In November 1965 Charlie Rich was a 20-year-old student at the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho, majoring in animal science. He was living in a dormitory consisting of two houses occupied by young men all belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Read MoreNew Beginnings
At this minute (9:10 a.m., 13 April 2021) grandson Isaiah is boarding a plane in Boise to begin a new life. He has spent the past six weeks in our home doing an at-home, on-line mission training due to COVID-19 restrictions. He is departing on his mission. He is launching out into the world to begin two years of service to the Lord and to his fellow men. In the process he will become a man. He will learn about his capabilities. He will become conversant in a new language. He will develop a working relationship with the Lord and with the Holy Ghost that will bless the rest of his life. He will return in two years shining. He will have new ideas about how he wants to spend the rest of his life. The rest of his life is now beginning.
Read MoreMoney Sense
James: We need to wash the car when we go to town today. Do you suppose we have enough quarters in our coin can? … Wow. I’ve found enough quarters to wash a bunch of cars. I ought to take the rest of these coins to the counting machine at the bank and trade them in. What would you do with the fortune it would yield?
Read MoreWhat Has Jesus Done For Me?
I was asked in general conference to write a one-page summary of what the Savior has done for me.
He brought me from darkness into light. I hadn’t even known that I was in darkness. The contrast is extreme. Because of my rescue, the possibility exists that none of my posterity will ever experience that darkness. I fervently pray that may be so.
What Would I Tell 12-Year-Old Me?
The title of this article is a question asked in the April 2021 general conference.
Twelve-year-old me was timid, shy, afraid, unsure, ignorant, full of self doubt, weighed down by sin, and unable to break free of habits; but desirous of being good, doing good, and of becoming better.
Amazing Animals
Several stories about animals have come to my attention this week, and need to be put together in one place.
The first was a report on “Beautiful Jim Key,” which is the title of a book about a horse of that name. I’m hopefully going to find a copy of the book to purchase.
What’s In A Name? #2
My name is James Elwin Kerns. I value my name because “James” and “Elwin” are the given names of my grandfathers. I consider it an honor to bear those names.
Where do names come from? My oldest brother, Tom McCornack Kerns, got our father’s name, and the maiden name of our mother. My other brother, Tim Lorance Kerns, got a name that our parents liked, plus our father’s middle name, Lorance. “Lorance” was given to our dad by his mother, whose name was Lora. Our youngest sister, Ellen Lora Kerns, got the name Lora, plus the name of our illustrious and honored great grandmother, Ellen Condon McCornack. The middle name of our eldest sister, Jean Bernice Kerns, was our mother’s middle name which in turn was the first name of our mother’s mother. Our grandmother’s name was pronounced “Bur’-nuss,” but our mother’s middle name, though spelled the same, was pronounced “Bur-neese’ .”
Angels and Sunrises
The calendar says that yesterday was the first day of spring, but I’ve always thought that the first day of spring was supposed to be today. I must take note this morning of the time and position of the sunrise.
Read MoreSacred or Scared
I noticed this morning that the difference between the words “sacred” and “scared” is just two transposed letters. I wondered if there was enough relationship between the two words to justify writing an article.
Read MoreBirthday Gifts
A month ago Jim Fuller wrote a letter asking me to write a page about our relationship and my conversion. We exchanged letters updating one another about our lives. I mentioned to him that we had had a new baby added to our family every year since 1993; but that I was worried because we were already two months into 2021, and no one had announced a pregnancy.
Read MoreJoseph of Egypt
Our ever-so-great grandfather, Joseph, who was sold by his brothers to be a slave in Egypt, was tried on every level. He went from being his father’s favorite son, to being a lowly slave, to being overseer of all his master’s household and goods, to being a common prisoner, to being head prisoner, to being placed as second in command over all of Egypt.
Read MoreSpeak to Me
Nephi asked his brothers, “Have ye inquired of the Lord?”
And they answered, “We have not; for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us.” (1 Nephi 15:8-9). Which demonstrates that if you know that the Lord won’t speak to you, you’re right The opposite is also true. If you purposely don’t speak to someone, what’s the chance that they’ll speak to you?
To This End Was I Born, #2
As Jesus stood before Pilate, Pilate asked Him: “Art thou a king?”
Jesus answered, “To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.” (John 18:37).
Morning Conversation
Marjorie: “What line of the calendar are we on?”
James: “This is the 10th of March. Fifty-three years ago on this date I was given the Melchizedek Priesthood and was ordained an elder. Two years ago on this date I was ordained a patriarch. In exactly one month, on the 10th of April, Eli is going to be married.”
Fuller Family Connections
Jim has asked me to write about the Fuller connection to my conversion story. I first became acquainted with him in Don Hunt’s French class in the 8th grade. Jim became my best friend in high school. He and I did many things together. He came out to my farm at Haines, but I was more often at his house on 17th Street. I became well acquainted with both Grandma Tanner, and with Grandma Burris, who lived in the house next door.
Read MoreA Knife and a Prayer
Five-year-old Farel Baxter was beyond thrilled when his father called him over and told him that he was giving him his knife. It was his father’s own pocket knife which he kept razor sharp. His father told him that it was a very fine knife, and that he must take good care of it.
Read MoreConfusing Colors
Allie has picked some colors for her wedding. I wrote them on a card so that Marjorie would have them for reference. She has been making a dress to wear to the reception. She has worried a good deal over the color of the material that she selected. Yesterday she found the card, and came to me feeling much relief.
Read MoreSequel to Gun Safety
I don’t share the enthusiasm for guns that some of my sons and grandsons have. I previously wrote about my experiences with guns. (See Gun Safety in That Ye May Learn Wisdom).
Read MoreA Matter of Focus
A new, young couple in the ward spoke in sacrament meeting today (31 January 2021). Nathan and Anna Sanders did wonderful jobs. They are both returned missionaries, have only been in the ward two months, and explained that they had come from Hermiston and Stanfield.
Read MoreAmy and Shawn Geese
What lessons have you learned from birds? This is a valid question that should be asked of every birder.
I, myself, am not an avid birder, but have spent a lifetime watching and learning from birds. I have been interested, for instance, to have observed changes in local avian populations and their habits.
Hidden Treasures
I’m not sure whether my wife has a valuable talent or a problem. She has the ability to reach into random pockets of her clothing and come out with money. She is surprised every time she does it. My typical response is, “Do it again!.” No one knows where the money comes from. This happens often.
Read MoreBearers of Light
I had a wonderful visit recently with a former atheist. She is the soon-to-be-80 friend of Danny and Sarah. I asked if she had always been a member of the Church, or if she was a convert. Here is Jadine’s story:
Read MoreGroping in the Dark
Our former stake patriarch, Elmer Perry, once told of a terrifying experience he had while driving on a dark night on a highway with no center line or shoulder lines during a heavy rain storm. With limited vision, and no lines to guide him, he couldn’t tell whether he was on the road or not.
Read MoreRoping the Bear
Each Friday morning we four siblings get together to walk and visit. Today Ellen repeated a story about our father that, surprisingly, neither Tim nor Mac had ever heard.
Read MoreOld Testament Observations
Today, 27 December 2020, I completed a reading of the Old Testament. It has taken a long time. I read the Old Testament in the left-over days between scheduled readings of the Book of Mormon. On numerous occasions I have undertaken other readings of the Old Testament, have gotten halfway through, and have had to quit because my spirit wasn’t being fed. This time I stopped and started many times, but always resumed where I’d left off.
Read MorePower of the Priesthood
Matt, suggested that I should gather my young grandsons and conduct a Priesthood preparation session. He wondered if that should be expanded to include all of my grandsons. I wondered if perhaps it should be expanded to include all of my Melchizedek Priesthood sons as well.
Read MoreMoroni
I finished reading the Book of Mormon a few minutes ago for the 83rd time. I could have read the final chapter last night, but I saved it for this morning so that I’d finish on Joseph Smith’s birthday. (23 December 2020). I note that this is the 4th time that I’ve finished on his birthday.
Read MoreGratitude
I am grateful for the talents with which the Lord has blessed me, and which He has helped me to develop. I am grateful that I can study, and write, and think. I am grateful to be able to create. I am grateful to be a father, and a husband, and a disciple. I am grateful for the peace which I feel, the happiness, and the joy. I am grateful for a clear conscience, and for the ability to repent. I am grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost and for personal revelation. I am grateful to be able to look upon everyone with feelings of love and compassion. I am grateful for health and for strength and for the ability and the desire to serve. I am grateful for the opportunities that are given to me to serve my fellow men. I am grateful to be able to live in this choicest of places in the choicest land in all the earth. I am grateful for each ancestor who preceded me and who opened the way for me to be in this particular place at this particular time under these particular circumstances. I realize that I am here to serve them, and to serve my Savior and Redeemer. I am grateful for my Priesthood, my covenants, and the eternal family which I have because of those covenants.
Read MorePearls Before Swine
I am nine days away from finishing my current reading of the Book of Mormon. I read 10 pages per day. I’ve done that all year, and therefore finish the book every two months. I’ve read the book six times this year. This will complete my 83rd reading, and my 47th reading in this decade (2011-2020).
Read MoreThe Lord Is In Charge
I found some comfort and pertinent counsel for our modern-day political conundrums in the ancient book of Daniel:
“The most high God rule(s) in the kingdom of men, and … he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.” (Daniel 5:21).
A Fairy Tale
Once upon a time there was a girl who lived an idyllic childhood. She grew up on a farm that had animals, an orchard, a garden, and wide fields to play in. They lived beside the woods, and under a big mountain. She had nine brothers and sisters. She had plenty to do, and plenty of siblings with whom to do it.
Read MoreEzekiel
It has been many a year since I last read the book of Ezekiel in the Old Testament. I am rereading it to see what I may have missed, and to make note of the valuable and usable things that are therein. They are few. Most of the book is a compilation of prophecies against the Jewish nation, and against her enemies, which were long ago fulfilled.
Read MoreMarjorie’s Warmth
I have often accused Marjorie of marrying me for my heat. In marrying her, I signed up for the job of keeping her warm.
Read MoreInstruments in the Hands of God
There is a phrase repeated a dozen times in the Book of Mormon that needs to be explored. It was first used by Lehi who said that Nephi had been “an instrument in the hands of God” in bringing them to the land of promise. (2 Nephi 1:24). Lehi used the phrase again as he prophesied of the calling of Joseph Smith. (2 Nephi 3:24). The phrase, “instruments in the hands of God” was picked up and used by Alma and other prophets.
Read MoreWhere Is the Difference?
I am reading the book of Ezekiel in the Old Testament. Ezekiel became a prophet shortly after Lehi left Jerusalem. He was among the captives who were carried away to Babylon from whence he prophesied.
Read MoreThe First Convert
While reading the story of king Lamoni’s conversion, it occurred to me that he was likely the first Lamanite convert to Christianity in their 500-year history. His conversion was the catalyst that led to the conversion of thousands more.
Read More