That Ye May Learn Wisdom
Alleluia
The guiding force for all the earth,
The light that governs each new birth,
Is centered in our Savior, alleluia.
Five Barley Loaves–Preparation
Jesus, in an effort to be alone, “went up into a mountain” (John 6:3) “into a desert place apart,” and the people “followed him on foot out of the cities.” (Matt. 14:13). He taught them and healed them, and evening came. Not wanting to send the multitude away weak and hungry, He told His disciples to feed them. Andrew said, “There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes.” (John 6:9). With those five barley loaves and two small fishes Jesus fed “five thousand men, beside women and children.” (Matt. 14:21).
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.
Volcanoes—A Book Report
My friend, Joy, gave me two books to read about volcanoes. They were highly interesting. They need to be summarized.
Volcanoes are a natural phenomenon that can, has, and might again change the world.
Color Logic Puzzle
Nathan asked for a 4-color puzzle as a game to play at Elijah’s birthday party.
Preparation
Make 16 cards, and write the name of one of the 16 variables on each. Give the cards to the boys with the following instructions.
The Restoration—Step By Step
Marjorie asked me, “Why did the Lord wait so long to bring about the Restoration?”
Good question. In theory, had the Restoration happened hundreds of years before it did, many millions more people could have received its blessings, and things would have been farther along than they are today. That would be one line of thinking, but it wouldn’t be so.
Turning Up the Lights
In 1941 electricity came to our farm west of Haines. I wasn’t around then. Prior to that time my parents lighted their house with kerosene lamps. Dad wired the old house, and hung a single light bulb from the ceiling in the center of each room. A string hung from the bulbs, which you pulled to turn on the lights. My 9-year-old sister and 7-year-old brother spent the next week entertaining themselves by going into a dark room, twirling in circles until their hands contacted and pulled the string, and then exclaiming, “How did we ever even see before?!!” The contrast between the light emitted by a kerosene lamp and a 75-watt bulb was dramatic.
Read MoreNaught But Knots or Untying our Knots
Nephi and James
“They set him at naught, and hearken not,”
And end up tying their lives in knots. (1 Nephi 19:7 with my addition)
Water and the Pacific Northwest
My second great grandfather, Thomas Condon, was the pioneer geologist of Oregon. He arrived in Oregon in 1853 and spent half a century exploring Oregon’s fossils and contemplating its ancient history.
Read MoreWhy Would You Repeat Yourself?
As patriarch of the stake I get the blessing of an assignment to go to each unit to speak in their sacrament meetings once a year. I enjoy the assignment. I have lots of new ideas that come to me on a regular basis, and would prefer to give a new and unique talk in each ward and branch. I would prefer to give a talk tailored specifically to that unit, but I know that I would end up repeating stories that I’d already used in previous talks. Therefore, I use the same talk in each unit all year long.
Read MoreThe 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.
World Class Expert
Last evening Marjorie and I read “To Become a World-Class Expert” on page 196 of I Have No Greater Joy. The point of the article is that 10,000 hours of practice is necessary to make one an expert in anything. Ten-thousand hours is a long time. I got to wondering if Marjorie qualifies as an expert piano player.
Read MoreThe Holy Ghost and Honeyguides
In Africa there is a species of bird that has learned how to work symbiotically with humans.
(Side note: The word “species” is both singular and plural. “Specie” refers to coin money.)
The bird is a honeyguide. Honeyguides use beeswax. Honeyguides don’t like to be stung by bees any more than people do, so they have learned how to use people to do the dirty work.
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 MoreThe Root of Every Problem
Technology is at the root of every one of our problems.
I’m distressed at the way time is flying. I’ve discovered it’s the clocks. They’re in high gear.
Family History Discoveries
Last summer I found a third cousin, once removed, in my father’s line that goes back to my 3rd great grandparents, Thomas and Jane Pierce. The young man’s name was Earl Robert Hulse, born 1923 in Kansas (G6TX-H6T). He went off to war, and was lost at sea in the Pacific Ocean on 21 July 1942. His parents are gone, and his only sibling died in 1995. He was unmarried. There is no close relative left who would be able to see to his temple work. The man gave his life for our country. I, therefore, requested permission from the temple department to do his temple work. Permission was granted. One of my grandsons was baptized for him in July, and I personally did his initiatory work, endowment, and sealing. After the making of such a great sacrifice, I considered it a great honor and privilege to be able to do his work.
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 MoreMath Wizard
Marjorie goes for a walk most every day. Today she walked down to the mailbox and back. She brought me the monthly bank statement. I sat down to balance the checkbook—not my favorite activity.
“Well, Marjorie, after my first attempt to balance the checkbook you’ll be happy to know that I’m only $782.99 off. I don’t remember in whose favor it was, but undoubtedly theirs. I think it’s probably your turn to do this.”
Family History Consultant
I recently finished researching and straightening out all of the vital statistics, and seeing to the temple work, of all of the descendants of the eighth set of my 3rd great grandparents. That leaves eight more to go. I had a prayer. I asked which of the remaining eight sets of 3rd great grandparents is most anxious to have me next do their 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?”
It’s A Miracle
President Russell M. Nelson has told us to seek and to expect miracles. As I sit here in my warm living room on this Sunday morning (18 December 2022) I realize that I am surrounded by miracles.
I got up this morning and read a chapter in the Book of Mormon. That book, and the way that I found it, are miracles. My testimony of that book and of the restoration of the gospel are miracles.
Our Status—Our Miracles
It’s almost Christmas 2022. This time last year we were in trouble. Marjorie was in a rapid slide into dementia. The temple had reopened after being closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Marjorie discovered that she could no longer remember the veil ceremony. We had to be released from our temple assignment. That was in the summer. It was all downhill from there. Nathan and Leslie were to arrive for a visit in August. Marjorie asked me 19 times when they were coming. She may have asked the question just a few minutes earlier, but she couldn’t retain the information.
Read MoreWatching the Glacier
Yesterday was Sunday (12 December 2022). Church was wonderful. I especially appreciated being able to take the sacrament to renew my covenants and to feel clean again. I also got to hold a great grandchild through much of the meeting. How many great grandfathers get that privilege? Emmy is here for a visit with her family with 5-month-old Emma. Emma is the most good-natured baby I’ve ever seen. A stranger can take her, and she won’t fuss. She sat through the entire meeting on her uncle Gideon’s lap, my lap, or Marjorie’s, and was perfectly happy. She wouldn’t look me in the eye, though, except when I was singing the hymns. She thought that I was singing to her, so I had her complete attention. She is as cute and as chubby as a baby can be.
Read MoreFalse and Vain and Foolish
“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
“By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
A Sense of Awe
We have five senses. We each possess the senses of touch, taste, sight, smell, and hearing. Through accident or illness or age these senses might be lost.
My wife lost her sense of taste 10 months ago when she had a mild case of COVID. She would not have known that she even had COVID but for the fact that she lost her sense of taste. It may just now be returning.
A Has Been
In his declining years my father was fond of saying, “I’m a has been. I has been a better man.” Similarly it occurs to me that I has been a lot of things in the nearly 56 years of my church membership.
Read MoreWho Is the Holy Ghost?
Who is the Holy Ghost? The Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead, and along with the gifts of being able to repent, and the gift of a personal resurrection, is the greatest gift given to mankind. These three gifts surpass all, and are available to every soul who is willing to receive them.
Read MoreAstonishment
This morning I finished reading the book of Luke. I am rereading the New Testament. I am astonished all over again at the wisdom in the gospels, at the acts of Jesus, at His graciousness, at His sacrifice, at His love, and at the wonderful thing which Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John did when they determined to tell Jesus’ story, and sat themselves down to record what they saw and what they knew. Their words are powerful. Their testimonies are believable. Their words are life changing to those whose hearts and minds are open to the Spirit.
Read MoreThe Great Die-up
The Great Die-up was an event that affected Wyoming, Montana, and the Dakotas in the winter of 1886-87. It was a weather catastrophe that killed millions of cattle. “The Great Die-up” is a macabre word play on the term “round-up.”
Read MorePersonal Revelation
Usually the revelations that come to me are flashes of inspiration. They are bits of light and knowledge that come as I write. They are thoughts that I’ve never had before. Or sometimes they are thoughts that I should do something, especially something that I should do for someone else. Very occasionally the revelation is a dream or an inaudible, but very plain, voice. It is these experiences that I would like to record here.
Read MoreTwo Acts of Service
Today I learned about and observed two beautiful examples of service.
First was Adam’s mentioning that he’d been to Bremerton, Washington this past weekend. He flew his plane to Stanfield and picked up Aaron. They continued on to Bremerton arriving there at 1:00 or 2:00 Friday afternoon. By 7:00 in the evening they had Nathan’s new septic system in place and working.
Abortion
I am looking at the painting on my wall called Road to Bethlehem by Joseph Brickey. It depicts Joseph leading the donkey on which is riding his very pregnant wife, Mary. They are passing a small flock of goats being tended by a young boy.
Read MoreIs It Happenstance?
I’m up each morning in time to observe the sunrise. I live where I have an unobstructed view of a range of high mountains to the east over which the sun rises. I watch as the sun reaches its farthest point of rising to the north on June 21st, the day summer officially begins. It then starts a slow march back to the south, rising a minute later each morning. On December 21st, winter has set in, and it reaches its farthest point south. It then begins its march back to the north.
Read MoreThoughts from General Conference
The just-completed general conference was most impressive. President Russell M. Nelson ended the conference by exhorting Church members to follow through with the impressions that they had. This article is to help me do that.
The last impression I received was that in his closing remarks 98-year-old President Nelson was telling us goodbye. This is surprising and upsetting. He has been so vital and energetic and such a wonderful leader that we have all expected and hoped that he’d be leading the Church well past his 100th birthday.
Fighting the Chill
All of our married life I have been working on a project, and I still don’t have it done. It has been my job from the beginning to warm my wife. I have sometimes suspected that she married me for my warmth.
Her feet are always cold. I very distinctly remember the first time she put her feet on my bare legs in bed. I screamed. I have refrained from screaming since then, since I know what to expect, but the first order of business when getting into bed is to get her feet warmed up.
Prophecy and the Second Coming
These are troubling times. It would be easy to become anxious and disturbed if one did not have faith that God is in control, and that His plan, purposes, and prophecies are being carried out.
It is plain to those who are watching that the Lord’s Second Coming is drawing near. The signs are ever more abundant. My personal expectation is that the target date is 6 April 2034. That date will be the 2000th anniversary of the Savior’s resurrection. That date will be Easter, as well as the Passover. April 6th is very obviously an important, and significant, date to the Lord. That is why He decreed that the Church should be organized on that date.
Walls
Walls are erected as a defense. People build walls to protect themselves from the elements and from others who might harm them. Walls form enclosures which become areas of safety.
Some famous walls in history include the walls of Jericho, the walls of Jerusalem, and the walls of Babylon. All of these were erected as a defense against invaders. All were effective up to a point. That point was reached when the wickedness that the walls were enclosing became such that the people inside were beyond redemption. At that point the Lord penetrated and destroyed what wicked men considered were their impenetrable defenses.
Cold, Lukewarm, and Hot
Three scriptures need to be put together in a sequence or a continuum, and then we need to measure where we are on the line.
The first is where we would hope to be. As my mind surveys the standard works, it rests on Hyrum Smith with his integrity and enthusiasm as being representative. I also think of Nephi, who just before Christ came to the Nephites, worked with such “unwearyingness.” (Helaman 10:4-5).
Mac Kerns Memorial Service
I am grateful for this opportunity to speak and to be the family representative at my brother’s memorial service. But I’m a poor choice. As I’ve searched around in my mind for memories of ever living with my brother, I can’t find a thing. Mac is 13 years older than I am, and he left home and got married before my memory kicked in.
Read MoreOn the Way to Twin Lakes
High above the valley, atop a treeless ridge, one glimpses eternity. The view is vast and endless. God’s creations are exposed to view, and roll on and on until swallowed by distance.
And yet they continue.
Ephraim
Several weeks ago Mikelle noticed a line in the hymn, “The Spirit of God,” which says, “And Ephraim be crowned with his blessing in Zion.” She asked her dad, “What does that mean?” He replied, “Ask Grandpa.”
Read MorePassionate
It’s always refreshing to meet someone who is passionate about something. It’s interesting to hear him or her discourse on what he’s excited about.
Today we met a young man who attended our ward for the first time with his wife, two little boys, and his mother. He has taken a job at our local car dealership. His mother explained that he is passionate about cars.
Man with a Purpose
Aunt Peggy said to my father, “James moves like a man with a purpose.”
I now think often of that compliment and observation as I slowly amble to the next thing needing to be done. Moving is harder now. Things take longer. I’m in need of a new knee, I’m 75 years old, and I don’t have the energy that I used to have.
The Book of Elijah
It occurs to me that at least one of our major, and most important, prophets left no book that he authored. I think that unusual. I refer to Elijah. Every other major prophet was commanded to write, and left inspired words to guide and teach us.
Read MoreWhy Are You Good?
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph were all good men living in environments not conducive to inspire one to be good. How did they do it? Why did they do it?
Abraham’s own father offered him to be killed for his goodness. Abraham didn’t subscribe to the idol worship of his father and community, so he was bound and put forth as a candidate for idol sacrifice.
Fire
Fire is an interesting study. Oxidation, combustion, and explosions are all the same process. All three are simply oxygen uniting with another substance, but at different rates. The result is that new substances are produced by the union of oxygen with the original substance.
Read MoreInch By Inch
The song says, “Inch by inch, and row by row, I’m going to make this garden grow.” That’s the way we operate. At the beginning of a big job you look ahead and think, “There’s no way I’ll ever be able to get this done.” But you just begin. You do a little each day, and suddenly, one day, the job is done.
Read MoreFrom Last Place to First
The Kentucky Derby in 2022 was won by a horse named Rich Strike. The top 20 horses in the country qualify to enter the derby. Rich Strike was number 21; but just before the derby began, one of the 20 other horses had to drop out, putting Rich Strike in. He was rated last, and was late getting out of the gate. He was initially one of the last three horses in the pack. He wove in and out among the horses, and passed one after another until there were only two running ahead of him. He put on a burst of speed, and passed them by a length to win the Kentucky Derby. It was a hugely exciting race.
Read MoreBullies and Fighting
Growing up in Iowa my grandfather was a scrawny kid that the bigger boys liked to pick upon. He often remembered with shame being chased home from school. As a young father these memories all came back as he observed several terrified boys being chased down the street by another. Conflicting emotions arose within him when he realized that the boy doing the chasing was his own son.
Read MoreDon’t Miss the Train
My father grew up on a remote ranch in Wyoming. Selling the cattle that they raised sometimes involved loading them onto railway cars and shipping them to Chicago, three states away. My grandfather and his boys had to accompany the cattle.
Read More