He Being Dead Yet Speaketh
Jesus’ Visit to the Nephites
I was blindsided in a Book of Mormon Sunday School class by an idea I’d never heard before. The instructor cited two scriptures, and declared that nearly a whole year had elapsed between the time of the great storm and the appearance of the Savior to the Nephites. I had never before heard or entertained such an idea.
Read MoreFootball and Life
In the night I received a wonderful lesson on life from the Holy Spirit. I was taken back to one of my most miserable times of youth. It had to do with football.
My father played football in college. Both of my brothers played high school football. Obviously, it was expected that I would play football. I knew that I had to do it, so as a little boy I took the family football out into a field and kicked it around. It didn’t act like a ball ought to act. It was perverse, and there was no controlling it. It couldn’t be thrown straight, and it never went where it should when I kicked it. Worse yet, I had no idea why it needed to be thrown or kicked. I had never been to a football game, and no one had ever told me anything about its purpose or how it should be played.
How Could Anyone Have Been So Wrong
I want to tell you about two geologists, their discoveries, and the persecutions they endured because of what they knew.
Alfred Wegener was a German who observed that the shape of the east coast of South America matched the shape of the west coast of Africa. He wondered if the two continents could have once been connected.
Lost Key, Dead Fish
Josh Hollis and his wife were college students when his brother-in-law asked them to take care of the prize fish and coral that he had in an aquarium while they were gone on a trip. He gave Josh the key to their apartment.
Read MoreFinding Joy, #2
I want to speak to you about finding joy.
The scripture says “Men are that they might have joy.” Mankind’s joy is the whole purpose of the plan of salvation. Bringing His children to where they experience joy is God’s whole thrust. Appropriately the plan of salvation is also known as God’s plan of happiness, and joy is the stratospheric level above happiness.
Finding Joy
Doctrine and Covenants, section 89, promises that those who keep the Word of Wisdom and walk in obedience to the commandments “shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures.” (D&C 89:18-19)
Read MoreDementia
Ivy and I headed for the front gate this morning to watch the rising of the sun. We found Ellen just arriving. She knew that I’d be there, since this is the equinox, and since the sun would be rising in the east perfectly in line with our county road.
Read MoreHidden Treasures
Chance is my grandson. When he was small his dad purchased an old safe at an auction for $10. No one knew how to open it. For years it sat unopened in his shop.
Chance became a teenager. The sealed safe intrigued him. One day as he was studying it he decided that he could open the safe by attacking its hinges. With punches and a grinder he finally succeeded in breaking into the impenetrable safe. What was thought to be an empty safe contained $5,000 in five dollar bills. There was no way of knowing who had placed the money there. It all belonged to Chance, except for ten dollars which his dad demanded as reimbursement for the purchase price of the safe.
The Matter of Lineage
One’s lineage has significance. It is noteworthy that Jesus gave power to the twelve and sent them forth to preach and to heal, but “commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not.
Read MoreArticles About Birds
Random Writings, pg 4, “The Liar” about Stellar’s Jay, quail, and red-tailed hawk
Random Writings, pg. 133, “Quail” about California quail, starlings, and magpies
Random Writings, pg. 135, “In the World but Not of It” about quail.
Random Writings, pg. 212, “When I Was a Kid,” mentions lots of birds
Birds
I have suddenly taken notice that our magpies have disappeared. (15 September 2024). I haven’t seen a magpie for months. Same thing with crows and ravens. Where are they? What’s happened? On the way to church today I watched for birds. There weren’t many. There were hawks and ringed doves and blackbirds, but few others. I did, however, see one magpie in Haines. That’s reassuring, but I suspect that a disease or other problem has taken our magpies away.
Read MoreMultiplicity
I am going to give you a lesson in math. Rather than put you to sleep, I think that it will be eye opening.
I’m going to center my remarks around the word “multiplicity.” Multiplicity means “a great number.” It might also mean “innumerable.” The word is used just once in scripture. In D&C 104:42 the Lord says, “I will multiply blessings upon him … even a multiplicity of blessings.” I’m enchanted with that word and its implications.
The Chosen Ones
In her third grade, Marjorie’s principal, Mr. Schroder, began a square dance program. Marjorie loved elementary school because she got to square dance each day. For three years she got to square dance. She looked forward to school.
Read MoreCanceling the Debt
I think it would be safe to say that we have all had the experience of lying awake wondering how we are going to cover next month’s bills. Few things are more unsettling and worrisome than pondering about our debts.
Read MoreRays of Light
I was intrigued when I heard the talk by Alexander Dushku in the April 2024 general conference. He spoke of the rays of light that most of us receive versus the explosion and pillar of light that came in response to Joseph’s first vocal prayer.
Read MoreAlma
Alma the younger is one of the more interesting personalities in all of scripture.
Alma was born the son of a prophet–the son of a very spiritual, energetic, and dedicated prophet. Yet, somehow in his youth, his father’s teachings, training, and example failed to sink in or to impress him.
The Most Important Words
It occurs to me that some of the most important words all seem to begin with “Re.”
The Redeemer made Redemption from sin possible.
The Restoration taught us how to Repent.
The Plan of Redemption
I noticed something rather astonishing.
In the Church we do a lot of talking about t he plan of salvation. This is because of the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon mentions the plan 30 times, and gives it six different names. It is “the great plan of salvation” (Alma 42:5), “the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death” (2 Nephi 11:5), “the plan of restoration” (Alma 41:2), “the great plan of happiness” (Alma 42:8), “the plan of redemption” (Alma 42:13), and “the great plan of mercy” (Alma 42:31).
Journal Entry, 7 July 2024
Ivy and Joseph and their six children moved in with us this week. They then went to a 4-day, 3-night family reunion at Dayton, Washington. As they left, Nathan and Leslie and three kids came for a 4-day visit.
My main goal these days is to maintain a “simple and consistent environment” for Marjorie. Her mind is deteriorating. This week has been confusing for her. Some of her questions this week are disturbing:
Military Honors or Unlikely Standout
Membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints changed me from a shy, backward farm boy to a standout. As I look back and remember some honors that I received in the military, I see no reason that I would have been chosen for those honors except that I was a practicing member of the Church.
Read MoreThe Discipline of Misfortune
The Bible Dictionary speaks of Joseph of Egypt as being the prime example of “the discipline of misfortune.” That phrase captures my attention.
Misfortunes and difficult things come to all of us. I have long maintained that our greatest afflictions are intended to become our greatest blessings if handled properly. Said just a little differently that principle becomes “our greatest blessings often come from our greatest afflictions.”
Holy Ghost Experience
I went to La Grande today (16 June 2024), it being the 3rd Sunday of the month, expecting to speak in La Grande 3rd and 4th Wards. The stake speaking assignments were given to the high council and other stake leaders back in December and January.
Read MoreLehi and the Brass Plates
Lehi was a descendant of Manasseh (son of Joseph) living in Jerusalem among the Jews. He had lived there “all his days.” (1 Nephi 1:4). Why? His predecessors should have been living in the northern kingdom of Israel, and have been carried away captive to Assyria in 721 B.C,
Lehi was born about 643 B.C., which would be the same year that Judah’s king, Manasseh (not Joseph’s son), died. Manasseh had a 55-year reign and filled Jerusalem with blood. (2 Kings 21:16) The worship of Jehovah had a difficult time during Manasseh’s reign. The worship of Jehovah was prohibited, its priests were put down, and all copies of the scriptures were destroyed.
Survivors
It is fascinating to think that the sole survivors of the Jaredite and Nephite civilizations were both prophets of the Lord. Why was that so?
It was not accidental. It was by design and was orchestrated by the Lord. It was done so that a record could be left as an aid and a guide for future generations.
Moroni
There is a well-known painting of Moroni kneeling and praying with his hands clasped over the gold plates prior to his burying them. It’s a wonderful depiction of his actions before placing the plates in the ground where they would lie undisturbed for the next 1400 years.
Read More24 Gold Plates
The book of Ether in the Book of Mormon comprises 31 pages. It was placed there by Moroni. He stated that it was his abridgment (Moroni 1:1) of the 24 gold plates found by the people of king Limhi. In the second-to-last verse of the abridgment he says, “and the hundredth part I have not written.” (Ether 15:33).
Read MoreNurturing and Training
Mothers have the responsibility to nurture and train their children. This principle applies to the animal kingdom as well.
My grandson (Karson Lloyd) told me about his friend, whom he described as a spiritual giant. Each morning at 5:00 the man took his scriptures, climbed up the mountain near his home, and sat on a rock where he read and studied.
Our Marriage
Loving and lovable, that’s my wife,
Comforting and comfortable, describes our life;
Worthy and worthwhile, I try to be,
Joyful and happy I hope is her,
And is certainly me.
Borrowing A Jack
Just over a month ago (3 April 2024) we were caught in a sudden deluge of rain as we left the Meridian Idaho Temple. I could just barely see the yellow line to my left enabling me to keep my car in its lane. I didn’t dare stop or move to the side of the road or we’d have been hit by cars following us.
Read MoreIt’s A Privilege
I had a bit of an epiphany yesterday as I prayed while waiting for the sacrament to reach me. I thanked the Lord for the privilege it was to be there to take the sacrament and to be forgiven of my sins. The Holy Ghost then weighed in and pointed out all the other privileges that I enjoy.
Read MoreCount the Coincidences
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we don’t believe in coincidences. Things don’t just happen by chance. They happen by design.
Take yesterday for example (3 May 2024). I dare you to count the coincidences I’m about to relate, and I defy anyone to say that they happened by chance.
Child Heroes
I am impressed with the story about Tilly, a 10-year-old girl on vacation with her parents in Thailand in 2004. Two weeks previously she had learned in her geography class about tsunamis, and the signs that precede them. When she saw the bay in front of her hotel begin to froth as the tide unexpectedly began to go out, she knew what was happening. She knew what was coming. She ran to tell her parents. She was frantic, and plead for them to believe that a tsunami was coming. She and her parents cleared the beach and told everyone to evacuate vertically by going to the upper floors of the hotel. The tsunami killed 200,000 people up and down many coasts of many countries, but none at that beach. Ten-year-old Tilly’s knowledge and timely warning saved a hundred lives.
Read MoreThe Character of God
Last evening I was told that my granddaughter, Maddie, has been asked by a Protestant pastor to preach in his service next Sunday. This came about because she and her missionary companion had done a follow-up contact to a man who had previously requested a Book of Mormon. The man turned out to be a pastor, and invited them to come back for dinner.
Read MoreThank Goodness for the Dogs
Brandon and Sydney Thompson live on the first farm on the right as you leave Dayville, Oregon heading west. They have four children. In August 2022 their two youngest, ages 9 and 11, were playing with chalk on the sidewalk in front of their house.
Read MoreShem, Ham, and Japheth
The eldest son, down through history, was usually preeminent, and got the birthright. But not always.
In the Book of Mormon Ammon was the leader among the four brothers, but I suspect that Aaron was the eldest. He was the one selected by the people from among the sons of Mosiah to be king Mosiah’s successor. That indicates that he was the firstborn.
Patriarch Timeline
PATRIARCH TIMELINE
Read MoreThe Great Ancient Civilizations
The World Book Encyclopedia says that there were four great ancient civilizations. The World Book Encyclopedia is wrong. There were five. The world is still largely unaware of the Jaredites in America. Archaeologists call them the Olmecs. This was the 5th great ancient civilization.
Read MoreBread Baking
I’m worried about our diet. We’re at an age where we need to be doing what we can to stave off death. Margie has baked bread for the entire time that we’ve been together–55 years this coming fall. This isn’t good. We’re not getting the recommended daily dosage of preservatives. At our age we need all the preservatives we can get. Note how home-baked bread quickly molds. Store-bought bread doesn’t. That’s because of preservatives. Marjorie and I are liable to mold.
Read MoreDon’t Go There
At Lime, halfway between Baker and Ontario, there is a giant rock looming over the west side of the freeway. It is split in half by a great crack. When your car gets right under the rock, as you’re speeding by, for half a second you can see a flash of light through the crack. The two halves of the rock are separated by a space that just might be enough for a small person to wriggle through.
Read MoreThe Biggest Miracle of All
I have never wanted to be the center of attention. Indeed, this was my greatest fear. I didn’t want people looking at me, talking about me, or laughing at me.
As a little boy I rode the bus to school. The bus had to cross a railroad track. In those days there were no crossing bars that would come down to stop traffic ahead of an oncoming train. The rule was that the bus driver was to stop before crossing the tracks, and send a child running across who would look both ways for an oncoming train, and then wave to the driver to proceed.
The Worth of a Soul
The worth of a soul must, indeed, be great. See how hard Satan works to win one. And our Savior died for mine. He gave His life for yours. What is the worth of a soul?
Perhaps we could judge its worth by asking, “What is the destiny of a soul?”
Unfinished Poem, Unfinished Life, Part II
Ten years have passed, where did they go?
The clock is in high gear.
You’d think ten years would go by slow.
I’m aging fast, yet have no fear.
Anne Hutchinson
Coincidentally, I got the following email this week. Anne Hutchinson is a friend of Sherm and Cheryl Smith with whom we served our mission in Vanuatu. I think that I gave the Smiths a copy of My Heart Is Brim with Joy, the book I wrote about our experiences in Vanuatu. Cheryl shared the book with Anne, who was so taken with it, and who was so complimentary, that I must have shared another of my books with her. I’d forgotten.
Read MoreVance Tucker
I got to worrying about Vance Tucker. His wife, Alice, had passed away two years ago. He was elderly, childless, alone, and I hadn’t seen him out jogging for quite some time; so I dropped in for a visit.
Read MoreDementia Forebodings
Serving as an ordinance worker in the temple was the best calling I ever had. I served for a total of 10 years. We served in both the Boise and Meridian Temples. It became necessary for us to be released in 2021 when Marjorie went back to the temple as the COVID-19 closure was lifted, and discovered that her dementia had progressed to the point that she could not remember what she was supposed to do. Among other things she had forgotten the veil ceremony. By going to the temple weekly she has since regained most of the veil ceremony, but still needs some help at the veil.
Read MoreTaking Offense
I think it was Brigham Young who said, “He who takes offense when no offense was intended is a fool. He who takes offense when offense is intended is also a fool.”
I neither take offense nor give it, so I am completely baffled by last Saturday evening’s encounter. There are some people around whom you have to tiptoe and be very careful. If I was to name those people, my niece, Jacque Cobb, would not be on the list.
Safety in Following the Rules
In my family history researches I have come across several tragedies. There was a young man who drowned while canoeing on a lake in Washington. There was a young woman and her 7-year-old niece who died from being burned in an explosion in the home. I theorize that the explosion was caused by refilling kerosene lamps after dark (when the flames were lighted), something my mother said was never, ever to be done. There was a young man killed by his shotgun while crossing a fence. My hunter’s safety course instructed us to always lay our guns on the ground before crossing a fence, something that young man apparently failed to do.
Read MoreArguing with the Holy Ghost
Sunday March 17th. Margie’s 76th birthday. We arrived at the meetinghouse at 8:00 to take part in choir practice, and told the conductor that we would be leaving promptly at 8:40 so that we could be at the Pine Valley Branch at 10:00 where I was to speak.
Read MoreCarlton and Ruth Darnell
I awoke suddenly and looked at the clock. 3:22 A.M.. My mind was full of thoughts–and full of gratitude–for a couple who greatly influenced my life 56 years ago. I laid there and thought about them for two or three minutes, and then felt compelled to get up and to write about them.
Read MoreMost Important Dates
Tomorrow and next Sunday are the two most important dates on the calendar. They’re better and more important than Christmas or my birthday.
Tomorrow (4 March 2024) is the 57th anniversary of my baptism. On that day all of my sins were remitted and off the books. On that day I received the gift of the Holy Ghost. My girl friend took me to her house after the baptism where I broke down and sobbed like a baby. I was clean! I was happy! Life was suddenly good and exciting despite the fact that I was to report for active duty in the U.S. Navy just 13 days later.