Trials
The Discipline of Misfortune
The Bible Dictionary speaks of Joseph of Egypt as being the prime example of “the discipline of misfortune.” That phrase captures my attention.
Misfortunes and difficult things come to all of us. I have long maintained that our greatest afflictions are intended to become our greatest blessings if handled properly. Said just a little differently that principle becomes “our greatest blessings often come from our greatest afflictions.”
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.
Charlie Rich and the Fire
In November 1965 Charlie Rich was a 20-year-old student at the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho, majoring in animal science. He was living in a dormitory consisting of two houses occupied by young men all belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Read MoreJoseph of Egypt
Our ever-so-great grandfather, Joseph, who was sold by his brothers to be a slave in Egypt, was tried on every level. He went from being his father’s favorite son, to being a lowly slave, to being overseer of all his master’s household and goods, to being a common prisoner, to being head prisoner, to being placed as second in command over all of Egypt.
Read MorePositioning
As I read the account of Christ appearing to the Nephites, I found myself thinking how fortunate and coincidental it was that all twelve of the disciples whom Jesus wanted to call were right there in the crowd of 2500 who witnessed Him descending. Why weren’t they scattered throughout the country where Jesus would have had to seek them out?
Read MoreAt the End of the Rope
At the recycling center that I use, I noticed a backpacking magazine sticking up from the box. It was a special issue on survival, and looked interesting, so I took it home to read. Most of the articles in the magazine were written by one guy who has devoted his life to living on the edge. He had become an expert on survival by continually putting himself in harm’s way, and by living to tell about it. It was true that he had learned many useful tricks, and was smart about survival; but I shook my head in disbelief that he had been as dumb as to put himself in so many situations where his very survival had been in doubt.
Read MoreHardening-Off
“Hardening-off” is a horticultural term describing the process used to mature and make hardier a succulent plant. Hardening-off is performed on seedlings before transplanting. It is accomplished by withholding water to the point of near permanent wilt or by reducing temperature. Such adverse conditions increase a plant’s ability to withstand cold, the wilting effects of constant winds, intense sunlight and the ravages of sucking insects.
Read MoreThank Goodness for Climate Change
The mountain man, Jim Bridger, met with Brigham Young on 28 June 1847 as the Saints were headed to the Rocky Mountains.
Read MorePaintings
Alma said, “O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart…” (Alma 29:1).
Read MoreTricks and Temptations
Today I am to teach the boys in my 11-year-old Primary class the account of Alma and Amulek as they taught the people in the city of Ammonihah.
Read MoreTested, Tried and Stretched
In the conference just past (October 2014), Elder Richard G. Scott spoke about our being “tested, tried, and stretched.” As he said “stretched,” he held his fists close to one another, and pulled them apart as if stretching an object between them.
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