He Being Dead Yet Speaketh
Dormancy and Goals
What a great life this has been. I am happy. I have a testimony of my Savior. My covenants are intact. I have achieved my goals.
I wanted to be five things:
1. A father: I am the father of 10, grandfather of 56.
Nutshell Sermons
1. “Adam fell that man might be,
And men are, that they might have joy.’ –2 Nephi 2:25
2. “As man is, God once was;
Conversations, Verbal and Unspoken
From the Holy Ghost, unspoken: “It’s 6:35.”
Spoken, to Marjorie: “Oh, my goodness, it’s 6:35. The missionaries invited me to participate in tonight’s lesson with Michael Townsend. I told them that we were probably going to the temple today, and wouldn’t be back in time. Because of the snow we didn’t go. I just have time to get there. I don’t want to go. It’s so late. A sense of responsibility is an awful thing. The elders appreciate me. I’m going to leave you for a bit.” (I put on my shoes, and am out the door).
Fulfillment of Prophecy
As we edge ever nearer to the Lord’s Second Coming it becomes easier to see how prophecies might play out.
Two prophecies about events that have to take place before the Lord’s coming are the building of the New Jerusalem and the devastation that the descendants of Lehi will cause among the Gentiles. In the short report that Mormon left about the Savior’s appearance to the Nephites in third Nephi, the Savior warned us three times that Lehi’s children would lay waste the cities of the American nation, and destroy its transportation system.
The Deacon’s Quorum President
By Danny Kerns,
About his son, Chance, the quorum president
The twelve-year-old boy walked into Sacrament meeting and yelled, “He’s a bully!” His ward didn’t think twice about the outburst, and the parents soon had him calmed down. His name is Sterling, and he is autistic. During that meeting one of the bishop’s counselors noticed Sterling’s parents looked more haggard than usual. Out of concern, he later mentioned it to the bishop. The bishop explained that they were becoming more concerned with his increasing outbursts. The counselor had sat in on many Deacons Quorum and Sunday School classes with Sterling and his father, who was always quick to curb any outbursts or off-topic tangents. However, the counselor noticed that everyone, including himself, walked on eggshells around Sterling. The result of which was zero interaction between him and his peers.
An Instrument in His Hands
While I was stationed in Yokosuka, Japan, my ship was dry docked, so I was a permanent member of the branch on shore. That made me available to my branch president for spur-of-the-moment assignments.
Read MoreSaving the Sailor
An incident occurred while I was a sailor serving on a ship based in Japan. The branch of the Church met in a little chapel on the base at Yokosuka. One Sunday I was standing at the door greeting people as an unfamiliar sailor approached. I welcomed him to church, and he said, “How do I go about joining this church?” My friend and I replied that he’d have to take the six missionary discussions, and that he and I would be happy to give them to him since there weren’t any full-time missionaries serving there.
Read MoreLeaving the Ninety-and-Nine
One Sunday morning when I was bishop, I was seated on the stand. Sacrament meeting had begun. As I looked out over the congregation I realized that one of my flock was missing. Sister Mensing, a widow in her sixties, wasn’t in her usual place. That struck me as odd. Many other people had missed church before, and I hadn’t done anything about it, but this time something inside me impelled me to check on her. I rose, and walked out of the meeting to my office where I telephoned her.
Read MoreDanny’s Power Lesson
Danny came to see us yesterday evening. Ivy was here, too. Marjorie and I had a wonderful time as we sat around the dining room table and visited with our kids.
I have written and compiled quite a number of books for my family. One series is entitled, Danny’s Books. Danny told us what got me started on my book projects. I hadn’t heard this before.
What Is Their Status?
My brother Tim’s 79-year-old wife, Jan, died 3 January. Her memorial service is today, 6 February 2024.
Marjorie’s 79-year-old brother, Don, died 30 January. His graveside service in Spring City, Utah is also today. Marjorie and I have elected to go to his memorial service that will be held 19 May, rather than to brave winter roads to be in Utah today.
Protective Walls
I have the ability to make myself two inches taller at will. I have stooped shoulders. I regularly lie down flat on my back on the floor. Because of my stooped shoulders my head cannot even contact the floor for perhaps a full minute. Eventually gravity accomplishes the feat, and my whole spine undergoes a thorough stretching. After doing my exercises, I stand up, and a miracle has occurred. My back is straight, and I am two inches taller!
Read MoreMost Interesting Notes from Volume “H”
1. Hailstones fall at 22 MPH. The largest weighed 1-2/3 pounds and was 17 ½ inches around.
2. The human scalp contains 100,000 hairs. We shed 70-100 per day.
So Close
I have a friend, a non-member friend, who attends church every Sunday with his wife. He sits there stoically and unsmilingly. I’ve never seen him smile. I don’t know if he can. I suspect that he is there because of a deal that he made with his wife. He doesn’t look happy to be there.
Read MoreNot Time to Worry Yet
I asked myself: Who am I? How would I define myself? What do I stand for?
I answered, first and foremost, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Secondly, I am a professional father.
And thirdly, I am a professional ponderer.
What Has Jesus Christ Done For Me?
The most pervasive problem in the world is ignorance—ignorance about Jesus Christ. The most important knowledge that people should possess is the knowledge of who the Savior is and why following Him is crucial. Most people give Him no thought, and ask, “What has Jesus Christ done for me?” ignorantly thinking that He has had, or should have, no influence on their lives.
Read MoreIsaiah and the Book of Mormon
I was issued a challenge. I was told that the Book of Mormon couldn’t be true because its Isaiah chapters are identical to the English version in the Bible. I was told, “Translation doesn’t happen like that.”
In other words, Joseph Smith must have plagiarized the Isaiah writings and borrowed them right from the Bible.
Best Thing That’s Happened
I’ve been trying to work through a conundrum. I’m trying to answer a question: What’s the best thing that’s happened to me? What’s the best thing that’s happened to you?
For my part I can’t decide if my answer should be Marjorie, the Book of Mormon, or my baptism.
Stand Ye in Holy Places
Each year I am assigned to speak in all of the units of the La Grande Oregon Stake. I was surprised to learn that all stake patriarchs aren’t given that same assignment. I am grateful that I have the privilege. I actually enjoy doing it.
Read MoreNephi the Builder
Nephi was amazing. He knew, that with the Lord’s help, he could do anything. With that help he accomplished amazing things.
He made a bow and an arrow. How did he know how to do that? And how did he do it so fast? Making a bow is a complicated undertaking, one that I haven’t had the courage to try. The family group was starving. He didn’t have days to work at it, or to perfect his technique. They needed food now! He and they were weak from hunger. As the other men in the group sat around bitterly complaining and expecting to die, he went to work. The others might have gone out with their slings hoping to find some game close to camp, but they had already determined that the hunt would be futile, and so it was.
The Equinox
September 22nd, the fall equinox. I’ve positioned myself here in the middle of the road with my camera so that I can record the rising of the sun. It will come up in the east, right straight down our county road.
Read MoreDonna Quebbeman Funeral
The world needs to know that I loved Donna Quebbeman. She was always positive, always smiling, always cheerful, a person with whom you felt at ease, and who you liked to be around.
I first knew her as Donna Boman in the old church building here in Baker 50 years ago.
When Angels Speak
When angels speak, we would do well
To quickly go, for who can tell
What might befall if we delay
Go do it now, this very day.
Joseph
“Behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS, for he shall save his people from their sins.
You Are Everything To Me
The best thing that happened to me was Marjorie. I was blessed to recognize her. I was amazed when she quickly answered “yes” to my proposal. Everything is different, and infinitely better, because of her.
Read MoreThe Value of Regular Exercise
Every year, once a year, for many years, I did something to my lower back which would cripple me for a week. I would feel a “ping,” and know that I was in trouble. In a short time I couldn’t stand straight, and became an old man as I tried to move about.
Read MoreThe Blessing that is the Priesthood
I am honored and privileged to hold the holy Melchizedek Priesthood. I can hardly believe it. Me, of all people! This is the same power and authority used by our Savior to create worlds and to heal the sick. He trusts me to hold and to use His power.
Read MoreBallerina Brent
My nephew, Brent, took a semester of ballet in college. He claims that he has never been in better shape than when he took that class. He has since read where sports therapists have basketball players and football quarterbacks take ballet instruction. These athletes do the same exercises, routines, and movements every day, and are always getting injured. The theory is that ballet makes a person use their muscles in different ways, and their bodies become more limber.
Read MoreSuperlatives
In quick succession Nephi was shown three superlatives: He was shown “the formation of a church which is most abominable above all other churches,” and was then shown its former captives establishing a nation greater than “all other nations” upon “the land which is choice above all other lands.”
Read MoreDesires
Everything hinges upon desire. The Lord blesses us according to our desires.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, even as you desire of me, so it shall be unto you.” (D&C 6:8).
“For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.” (D&C 137:9).
Lunchtime Conversation
Following is a reprint of the article on page 282 of my book, I Have No Greater Joy. I’m sending it to you again because I had to add a new story at the end, which by itself, would be entitled “Lunchtime Conversation.”
Read MoreThe Day Dawn Is Breaking
5:00 A.M., the 17th of November. It’s dark outside. Extremely dark. I’m sitting in my living room with five electric light bulbs burning. I’m in a pocket of light in a dark, dark world.
But the earth is spinning. Way down under the eastern horizon the sun is coming. Light is on the way; but light can’t bend, and there is nothing to reflect it toward me. I have nothing but experience to tell me that a dawn is coming.
Parable of the Wise and Foolish Neighbors
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door,
I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Rev. 3:20).
There was once a man with a daughter who was very ill. He believed that positive thinking, coupled with faith in a Savior whom he didn’t know or understand, could save her. He heard a knocking at the door, but was too preoccupied and too wise to answer. Outside stood His Savior with an offering of medical knowledge which would save the girl, but she died because of his ignorance.
A Debt of Gratitude
One of the greatest accomplishments of my life will be achieved because of Marjorie, Nathan, and Carolyn Leggett. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to them.
Marjorie put a Book of Mormon in my hands in October 1966. It was the first Book of Mormon that I’d ever beheld. It is displayed in my office. It is one of my treasures. Marjorie and the Book of Mormon changed and saved my life. It brought light into my life. When I started reading it, that’s all that I wanted to do. I still read from it daily because of the light that it brings.
What If You Didn’t Have the Holy Ghost?
Marjorie wondered today, “What would it be like to not have the gift of the Holy Ghost?”
I answered, “I can tell you. I spent a couple of decades there. It’s dark, scary, depressing, and confusing.”
Sequel to Mr. King
I wrote about Mr. King previously. (See That Ye May Learn Wisdom, pg. 3). I have a new theory about his disappearance. This story puts two local mysteries together, and would explain them both, if the story was true. It’s not. It’s just a plausible theory.
Read MoreI Have Enough
As I sat waiting for the endowment session to begin, I thanked the Lord for providing three temples within a range that makes it possible for us to attend weekly. The closest is a two-and-a-quarter hours’ drive away. The farthest of the three is a two-and-a-half hours’ drive.
Read MoreTeenage Greatness
A three-year-old boy was playing with an awl in his father’s harness shop when it slipped and penetrated his eye. The resulting infection blinded him in both eyes. The boy was French. His name was Louis Braille.
Read MoreSpiritual Lay-ups
If you’re a good basketball player, and are tall enough, and can jump high enough, you can do a lay-up. You accomplish a lay-up when you leap three feet into the air and simply dunk the basketball into the 10-foot-high net. The crowd cheers, and you run down the floor with the feeling that you’ve done something great.
Read MoreImmediate Obedience
I just got this wonderful email from Heidi in response to an article that I sent to the family. This is very reinforcing. It thrills me to think that I’m reaching and influencing a 9-year-old grandson.
“We feel so blessed to have your writings and are inspired by them regularly! They are a part of our morning devotionals. What a gift to us and all the generations to come!
The Greatest of All Blessings
This year (2023) I finished and published for the family That Ye May Learn Wisdom. Marjorie and I are reading several articles per day from it. This year we have read all of the other books which preceded it. She’s worried that we’re going through these too fast, and will finish. We are astonished at how inspirational and good the articles are. My opinion is that these books should stand next to the scriptures to be used in teaching my children and grandchildren of every generation. I am grateful beyond words that I wrote these thoughts. I am astounded at what I’ve done. These things have great value. These books contain over a thousand articles.
Read MoreMultiple Miracles Per Day
Yesterday, via Zoom, we were able to attend sacrament meeting in the Bremerton Ward. Josiah spoke. It was a very well-organized, wisdom-filled talk. It’s a miracle that because of technology we were able to participate. It’s also a miracle that this baby, born with deformed legs, and encased in a body cast for the first six months of his life, was going off on the mission with no impairments.
Read MoreMoroni and Calamity
On this 16th day of September 2023 I began my 23rd reading of the Doctrine and Covenants. In that first day of reading I discovered several things.
One, is that in the coming week, Thursday, five days from now, is a date that should be celebrated. September 21, 2023 will be the 200th anniversary of Moroni’s visit to Joseph Smith. On that evening 200 years ago Moroni appeared in Joseph’s bedroom in answer to Joseph’s fervent prayer asking for forgiveness of his sins.
My Ancestors Were Slaves
July 4th, 2023. Independence Day. Much was said in testimony meeting two days ago about our independence and freedom.
I am truly free. I am free from debt. I can do each day as I please. No one is persecuting me. I can worship as I please. I am free from sin. I have no addictions. I am not subservient to anyone or anything. I live in the United States of America, the only country in the world governed by a Constitution written by men who were raised up by God for that very purpose. (D&C 101:80)
Education
Education is part of the legacy and cultural heritage of the Kerns family.
It began as far back as William Brewster, born 1567 in England. In an age when almost no one had the opportunity to go to school, William Brewster attended Cambridge University. He was the presiding elder among the Saints on the Mayflower, and was, therefore, one of the very first Europeans to immigrate to America. William Brewster is my 11th great grandfather.
A Family and the Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is the reason that I’m a member of the Church. Fifty six years ago it flooded my darkened mind with light. I have worked since that time to share that light with others.
When he was seven I set a goal to read the Book of Mormon with my eldest child so that he could say that he had read the Book of Mormon before he was baptized.
It’s a Miracle
President Nelson says that we are to “seek and expect miracles.”
Danny asked me to tell about a specific miracle in my life, but as I awoke the other morning I realized that my whole life is a miracle.
Setting the Trap
Zeezrom set a trap to ensnare Amulek as Amulek preached to the people of Ammonihah. “Behold, here are six onties of silver,” Zeezrom said, “and all these will I give thee if thou wilt deny the existence of a supreme Being.”
Read MoreSurveys and Lawsuits
While touring the grounds of the Seattle Temple we stopped to visit with the security man who told us a story.
The Church bought the 28-acre site hoping to build a temple, but the city of Bellevue was reluctant to issue the permits that would be necessary. No help was forthcoming, and the temple’s construction was in doubt. Meanwhile the Church resurveyed the property—more than once. It was found that the city’s fire station was six inches over the line on the Church’s property.
Tia’s Version
Tuesday was a special day. I think all of us fasted for Ellen at least part of the day. On fast Sundays it seems hard to fast past 3pm, but Tuesday we had planned on fasting until 6pm. It wasn’t hard at all. It was probably one of my easiest fasts. Grandpa and Grandma Kerns went to the temple and then stopped by our house to give Ellen a blessing and break our fasts together. Before Grandpa gave Ellen the blessing, dad talked about faith and blessings.
Read MoreEllen’s Miracle
Last October my 15-year-old granddaughter, Ellen, came for her patriarchal blessing. She had just had several attacks where her heart raced. She thereafter rapidly became incapacitated. She developed terrific headaches, and lost the ability to walk. She became a hunched-over, wheelchair-bound old lady. She couldn’t go to school.
Read More