My Heart is Brim with Joy
Jacob 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 More