Marriage
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.
Bread 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 MoreBest 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.
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 Most Influential People
Because of my mother I decided early that I would never try alcohol nor tobacco.
Because of my mother I learned that there is a God in heaven. She set me to wondering about God
and Jesus Christ. Are they one person or two? Are they persons? I couldn’t sort it out,
but because of her I knew there was Something there, and that I had to be good.
Two Are Better Than One
As I looked across my living room at the dark window on the other side I saw two lights down in the valley. When I closed my right eye, one light disappeared. Only one sharply-defined light remained. I was surprised. With both eyes open, there were again two lights.
Read MoreParable of the Million-Dollar Wife
There was once a frugal couple with a large family to care for. He was the breadwinner. She stayed home to care for the children. There were 10 of them. With such a large family, money was scarce. Should she get a job? Should she use her energies to bring an extra income into the family? Was it fair that he should do all the work?
Read MoreAstute Questions
Marjorie, concerning our current relationship, and our eternal future together:
“How are they going to be able to improve upon this?”
What Have You Done?
As I held you in the crook of my arm this morning, I realized again that I was holding a treasure—a priceless treasure. I began enumerating what you’ve done for me. These things need to be written down.
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).
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 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.
Marjorie’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 MoreJoy, a poem
Joy requires your gentle presence,
I’m happiest when you’re around:
Life takes on a special essence:
Brilliant lights with symphonic sound.
Golden Anniversary
What is 50 years?
Fifty years is half a century.
Fifty years is a long time.
A Drop In Eternity
“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” (James 4:14)
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 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 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 MoreTo This End Was I Born
In answer to a question posed by Pilate, Jesus said, “To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.”
Read MoreA Vanuatu Love Story
In June 2014 Charles Mol came to Santo Island from Gaua Island on Church business. Charles was Gaua Branch clerk. I became acquainted with him, was impressed with him, and learned that he was a 30-year-old returned missionary.
Read MoreWeaning, Part Two
Jacob says, “But wo unto him that…wasteth the days of his probation…” (2 Nephi 9:27).
The world is filled with time wasters.
Because They Desired It
Alma said, “I know that he granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life…” (Alma 29:4).
Read MoreMonitors of the Spirit
We who have been baptized and confirmed have the right to the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, but sometimes we do things that drive the Spirit away. Wouldn’t it be a marvelous thing if we possessed a monitor that would tell us whether or not the Spirit was with us?
Read MoreSequel
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.
Marriage
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 More