Temple
Count 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.
Dementia 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 MoreStand 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 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 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 MoreFamily History and Temple Work
I recently heard some statistics concerning family history. I can’t remember where I heard them but I think they were about as follows:
A survey showed that if no one in the ward leadership is involved in family history, only 4% of the ward is doing it. If one person in the ward leadership is involved in family history, the involvement of the ward doubles to 8%. If two in the ward leadership are involved, then 11 or 12% of the ward will be. If a stake leader becomes involved, the percentage rises even more.
The Blessings of Dementia
How on earth could an awful thing like dementia ever be considered a blessing?
Let me tell you.
In July 2021 the Meridian Temple had just reopened after the COVID 19 shutdown. Marjorie and I made a hugely unsettling discovery. As we resumed working our Wednesday mid shift as temple ordinance workers Marjorie found that she could not remember the temple veil ceremony nor any of the other things that were necessary for an ordinance worker to know and to do. She had no short-term memory, could not follow a recipe, and was in a rapid slide into debilitating dementia. We were forced to ask for release from our temple callings.
Little Nash-Rambler
Driving to church today I looked in my rear-view mirror and saw a shiny, red, refurbished classic car coming up fast behind me. I have no idea what it was, but it was obvious that it was considerably older than I was. It was also obvious that the owner was very proud of it. It was spotless.
Read MoreMy Feelings After Conference
I have just listened to the two Saturday general sessions of April 2020 conference. They were tremendous. Conference was filled with the Spirit. I made notes. There are many things that I want to think about and to write about. As I do so, I know that the Spirit will teach me additional things.
Read MoreAm I Essential to the Plan?
President Nelson has asked us as individuals to do several things this year. He has asked us to each read the Book of Mormon, and to ask ourselves questions as we do so; questions such as, what would my life be like without the Book of Mormon, or could Joseph Smith have written this book? We’re to come up with our own questions.
Read MoreGet Thee into the Mountain
Nephi said, “The voice of the Lord came unto me, saying, Arise, and get thee into the mountain. And…I arose and went up into the mountain, and cried unto the Lord.” (1 Nephi 17:7).
“And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did pray oft unto the Lord, wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things.” (1 Nephi 18:3).
World’s Most Valuable Documents
Each member of the Church who is 12 or over is potentially in possession of what are arguably the two most valuable documents in the world. An infinitesimally small number of people have ever even been eligible to possess these two documents, and he or she who does not possess them is in a lamentable and dangerous position.
Read MoreRevelation and the Temple
When you go to the temple with an open heart, wanting to learn, and seeking whatever knowledge the Lord desires to give you, you can’t help but receive revelation. The revelations you receive come through the Holy Ghost as little bursts of pure knowledge. They don’t come as grandiose, panoramic views such as those received by Enoch, the brother of Jared, Nephi, or Moses. Those revelations to those chosen prophets had special purposes. For the rest of us, instruction normally comes “here a little, and there a little.”
Read MoreStrait and Narrow
We speak about walking the strait and narrow. The scriptures say a good deal about the “strait and narrow path.” (2 Ne. 31:18-19). This is an interesting phrase. On the surface it seems redundant since strait, as it’s spelled, means narrow. It’s a phrase used by the Savior when He taught both the people of Jerusalem and also the Nephites. He said, “Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad the way, which leadeth to destruction, and many there be who go in thereat;
Read MoreCarefree, Complacent and Comfortable
We received a Christmas letter from a woman who reported on the doings of her family. One son and his wife had only one child. There would be no more because “one is all the children they can handle.” The other son is “not married and will never have children but does have girlfriends, lives rather a rogue life in that he prefers living out of his van, but is happy that way.” Her former husband has left his wife of 20 years.
Read MoreMaking and Keeping Sacred Covenants
Covenants are never mentioned in other churches. The covenants have been forgotten. They’re not understood, they’re ignored, and are unimportant in their eyes.
Read MoreTemples and Temple Work
Before I get into bed at night, I always kneel and have prayer. As part of my prayer last Saturday night I prayed specifically for direction about the lesson on knowledge that I’d be teaching the High Priests the next day. I thus went to bed thinking about the lesson, and about our need to be in daily pursuit of the acquisition of knowledge. My body and mind relaxed, and I rested through the night.
Read MoreWhat Happened?
Cover of “In a Grove of Aspens”
Read MoreBlessings Unbounded
I want to tell you how the temple has blessed my life.
As a convert to the Church it has been my privilege to seek out my ancestors and to see that their temple work is done.
Temples and Ordinances
I don’t believe that any of us can appreciate or begin to comprehend the full significance of the monumental blessing that it is to have temples.
Read MorePresident Nelson
We were privileged on 16 September 2018 to attend a special gathering of Latter-day Saints in the Safeco Stadium in Seattle where President Henry B. Eyring
Read MoreSequel to Malachi
Years ago I read a novel written by a popular author of adventure stories. The story was improbable, but very riveting and hugely exciting.
Read MoreLehi’s Seed
Last night I got into bed and began reading the Book of Mormon as I do every night. I read seven verses.
Read MoreTemples
There have never been people in the history of the world more blessed than the Latter-day Saints.
Read MoreIsaac
Isaac leaves tomorrow for his mission. I have had the opportunity to get very close to this boy since he graduated from high school in May.
Read MoreMy Purpose on Earth
I frequently contemplate and puzzle over the question of why I am so blessed. Surely there has never been anyone with so many advantages as I.
Read MoreMy Blessed Life
I have been blessed with a long life filled with joy, love, service, and family. I have been blessed with the opportunity to make every covenant…
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…
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