tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63377108569918943292023-11-16T00:53:53.794-07:00GRANDPA Whitmer's semi-regular writingsSeeking to deliver wisdom and levity to any who are brave enough to click on the link.mormongrandpabloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02395874641510914085noreply@blogger.comBlogger361125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337710856991894329.post-54749478674504924482019-08-13T11:11:00.000-06:002019-08-13T11:11:11.396-06:00Being Human - Part-time<div style="text-align: center;">
This will seem to be a short post, but I hope you will take time to read the linked message. </div>
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I am approaching <b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(or maybe I'm already there)</span></b> the later third of my mortal experience.While it is a good time in life, there are also many frustrations with the <span style="color: #990000;"><b>"attitude"</b></span> of my physical self. Many of the most annoying struggles I have in this life are connected to the temporal part of my make-up. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">My body doesn't do what I want it to, and it is very discouraging.</span></b></div>
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Disenchantment with aging is not an uncommon experience for residents of this earth. And, if we fail to have an <b>eternal</b> understanding of our body and its mission, we can begin to question God and His plan <span style="color: #783f04; font-size: xx-small;"><b><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/true-to-the-faith/plan-of-salvation?lang=eng" target="_blank">(yes, there is a Plan and it is very precise)</a></b></span>.</div>
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<img alt="Image result for plan of salvation lds" height="125" src="https://d3ewd3ysu1dfsj.cloudfront.net/images/stories/large/27067.jpg?1456332731" width="200" /></div>
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No one has been sent to earth to stay mortal forever <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>(there is something much better if we are patient and faithful)</b></span>. The Plan of God is for all of us to experience mortality in preparation for eternity. Our eternal quest is to develop the attributes necessary to live with God and Christ. The body we have is a "test" vehicle for that preparation and if we are wise, our eternity will include a <u>'<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/resurrection?lang=eng" target="_blank">renewed'</a></u> body and attributes that allow us to do much more than we can imagine.</div>
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In a recent issue of the <b><span style="color: #4c1130;">Ensign</span></b>, Pres. Nelson <span style="color: red; font-size: xx-small;"><b>(a heart surgeon by profession)</b></span> shared insights about the bodies we all inhabit. I found it to be a very enlightening and uplifting review of the purpose of our experiences in mortality. I would encourage all to take a few minutes and see what you can learn from a world-renowned heart surgeon, and prophet of God <span style="color: #351c75; font-size: xx-small;"><b>(BTW, he will be 95 in September and is still going strong)</b></span>. You will not be disappointed. <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2019/08/youth/your-body-a-magnificent-gift-to-cherish?lang=eng&cid=email-IN_081119_CTA1c" target="_blank">This is the link to the message.</a></div>
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Please take care of your physical <b>AND</b> spiritual self so the blessings of God can lift you to better places in this life and the life hereafter. I want us all to be together in the next life with the joy of our eternal bodies, ready to serve God and all those we love <span style="color: #990000; font-size: xx-small;"><b>(more than we can imagine)</b></span>.</div>
mormongrandpabloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02395874641510914085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337710856991894329.post-72045842042098313332019-07-29T13:11:00.000-06:002019-07-29T13:11:00.783-06:00Environmental Responsibility - 2019<br />
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<b><span style="color: #c00000;">In my youth, there were habits most people in our country
cultivated that would seem very odd in the modern era.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">One example</span></b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the 1960’s it was
not unusual for people who were travelling on the highways or camping/picnicking
in the USA to toss the garbage they had accumulated out into the environment –
the idea of taking the trash and depositing it in a bin was not the norm.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5B66YdmrZFD4Kx1E4ZgEcs1-zMs3bEAG3MMUoToS5tqJYjD1lxnQS9DzkPdEwtIrttJqMcELB13pv0KV4wFb0lN1gPTptEhNF_5XY9x10twnLQcFIh4Ae2qPzkbvj7BecEz1HdZciWES/s1600/littering+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5B66YdmrZFD4Kx1E4ZgEcs1-zMs3bEAG3MMUoToS5tqJYjD1lxnQS9DzkPdEwtIrttJqMcELB13pv0KV4wFb0lN1gPTptEhNF_5XY9x10twnLQcFIh4Ae2qPzkbvj7BecEz1HdZciWES/s1600/littering+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not an unusual sight in the 1960's</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZR5xq7VNBq5J3kHm8o-jkeB3at3YPo-ynHcpDQt80XhmnAhae4fPis5SL7jIQ9LEojoKEQ0mYgc_TBKHgLM0drStEODm3yz-nfD4eSr7pdTzV4pEiWOHzviHGyCsMRvXkgjzQk53gEWuO/s1600/littering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="212" data-original-width="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZR5xq7VNBq5J3kHm8o-jkeB3at3YPo-ynHcpDQt80XhmnAhae4fPis5SL7jIQ9LEojoKEQ0mYgc_TBKHgLM0drStEODm3yz-nfD4eSr7pdTzV4pEiWOHzviHGyCsMRvXkgjzQk53gEWuO/s1600/littering.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like a 3rd world beach doesn't it?</td></tr>
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Shortly after
President Kennedy was murdered, the new presidents wife, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Bird_Johnson">Lady Bird Johnson</a>,
started making a big push to help clean up the highways of the United States. Everywhere
you went, there were <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=1970%27s+billboards+on+littering&safe=strict&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=tVail6Qfw41xUM%253A%252C8Pn7rrIFhng-KM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kScDnIy46HJ9zbo27bASaJhxCbwFQ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj-mrir1NrjAhVIZM0KHerNAPgQ9QEwAXoECAQQCQ#imgrc=2sC71ooxU-y5yM:&vet=1">billboards</a>
and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7OHG7tHrNM">TV commercials</a>
inviting us to dispose of trash properly rather than sending it to the wind. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XkJExgzP4AynuTtUcktX3mYgUtywhGz6jVzfHnJ_axXrl0KB_3TZwB8AHtsDDKaoS6OoNwbSlV5w0JdAS-BhVz2CcGoB4owRqgWrodqW3qZFWNcAMb1bdICG-PzV_0KfMM3w71pQdOXC/s1600/lady+bird+johnson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XkJExgzP4AynuTtUcktX3mYgUtywhGz6jVzfHnJ_axXrl0KB_3TZwB8AHtsDDKaoS6OoNwbSlV5w0JdAS-BhVz2CcGoB4owRqgWrodqW3qZFWNcAMb1bdICG-PzV_0KfMM3w71pQdOXC/s1600/lady+bird+johnson.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Lady Bird Johnson - by all accounts<br />a very good person.</span></td></tr>
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Mrs. Johnson was very
successful in her efforts and the roadways of the country began to look more
pristine.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In high school <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(late 60's and early 70's)</span>, I was
introduced to the idea of doing <b><span style="color: #c00000;">more</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;"> </span>to preserve the environment. I recall one young
lady who handed out Greenpeace stickers and tried to get us to join her club. She asked us all to put the stickers on our
lockers or vehicles to remind others of the serious need to be better stewards
of the environment. Her challenge was to change habits that resulted in destroying
the beauty of our planet. The majority thought she was weird, but we humored
her <span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(it
was cool to put things on the locker)</span></span>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTgKpmjUthLjVhwqxFkItTaueL6wE88BwGzV0oen8Lx86OSIwUGfORoylX7pXYGQZwXlSTo4_NEnfLMRiU1J3-XkBnPuzTo0E79LvYS72d95q9__AP9GCBDi4dzP2aGgzMA5290X5uDUMw/s1600/greenpeace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="173" data-original-width="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTgKpmjUthLjVhwqxFkItTaueL6wE88BwGzV0oen8Lx86OSIwUGfORoylX7pXYGQZwXlSTo4_NEnfLMRiU1J3-XkBnPuzTo0E79LvYS72d95q9__AP9GCBDi4dzP2aGgzMA5290X5uDUMw/s1600/greenpeace.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">This is a patch, but we had stickers like this for our lockers.</span></td></tr>
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Mostly, I was
oblivious to the movement and didn’t jump right in or join the “crowd” in their
activism. But the message continued with enough encouragement that it influenced the citizens
of the USA to think more about being responsible. Eventually, the norm changed to<b><span style="color: #c00000;"> NOT LITTERING</span></b> and our land looked less and
less like a garbage dump.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Like many others, I found
that making changes was a slow and often annoying process <span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(who would
deny that it is easier to throw stuff out the window than to bag the refuse?)</span></span>.
But the results of a slow, comprehensive effort by the millions of Americans brought
about a much cleaner environment and a more comfortable and attractive landscape.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Fifty years later, the
idea of throwing litter out the windows of our cars is offensive <span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(though I will
admit to having let a few orange peels fall out of my hand over the decades)</span></span>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I am grateful for
people like Mrs. Johnson, who took the initiative to help us learn to be better
stewards of our environment. The results are considerable, and the habits of
most Americans have been shaped by her efforts.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="color: #548235; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">BUT!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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Dare I say it?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Yes, because it is true!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>As always happens,
there were people/organizations who took a</b> <b><span style="color: #c00000;">GOOD</span></b><span style="color: #c00000;"> </span><b>thing
and turned it into something totally warped from the original intent.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;"><a href="https://www.investors.com/politics/editorials/al-gores-climate-change-hypocrisy-is-as-big-as-his-energy-sucking-mansion/" target="_blank">(yes,I’m looking at you Al Gore).</a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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There will always be a
small faction in the world who will corrupt a <b><span style="color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">good</span></b><span style="color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"> <b>thing</b></span>
in order to benefit their personal status/wealth – and those changes, as a
rule, create greater challenges for the average person.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I love that the air
we breathe is much cleaner than when I was growing up <span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(we lived in mining towns and
the smoke from the smelters often covered our homes</span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">)</span>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxiqVitBTOULCy6j_sfVcSdWMF-M_tFvnXRYf-5q9ZL1scV_uNM2T5vZfA8XOPj_zoer1Bl6aPsJEtcaYIzL8Vvf3X54mFGWnSLzxF0pup-1jVhmM1Pw3RHfU_4BVH-_Fo-ta4-fpgDZc/s1600/San+Manuel+smoke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="193" data-original-width="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxiqVitBTOULCy6j_sfVcSdWMF-M_tFvnXRYf-5q9ZL1scV_uNM2T5vZfA8XOPj_zoer1Bl6aPsJEtcaYIzL8Vvf3X54mFGWnSLzxF0pup-1jVhmM1Pw3RHfU_4BVH-_Fo-ta4-fpgDZc/s1600/San+Manuel+smoke.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When the wind was "just right" this smoke, full of sulfur and other<br /> nasty things would settle on our town. If it was a playground time, <br />all the kids had to go back in so they wouldn't get too much<br />in their lungs.</td></tr>
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The cars we drive are
way more efficient <span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(mileage-wise)</span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;"> </span>and safer for the occupants.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhEjKNUqVXM8X-1vMzVbYypcqARuug9ZxxvHookHRJaXanfVdQCkoFCJ00VkVIN5S2t1Bb9_fvTaQHmYt8Bu8GfrqN9ELPzcZWRKboJR_izd2okSx_VrwNTHPNG4Ot5YrYWlSejsH0tRl/s1600/smoking+car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="169" data-original-width="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhEjKNUqVXM8X-1vMzVbYypcqARuug9ZxxvHookHRJaXanfVdQCkoFCJ00VkVIN5S2t1Bb9_fvTaQHmYt8Bu8GfrqN9ELPzcZWRKboJR_izd2okSx_VrwNTHPNG4Ot5YrYWlSejsH0tRl/s1600/smoking+car.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Except vehicles that look like this! (yes, I know it is diesel<br />but that doesn't make it any less nasty)</td></tr>
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The highways we
travel are MUCH more pleasant because there aren’t piles of litter <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">(some still
can’t resist – I’m sure it’s the visitors </span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji", sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">😉</span><span style="line-height: 107%;">)</span></span>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And I’m glad that many
of the mining and harvesting tactics of the past have been eliminated in wilderness
areas.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But there are many people/corporations who have used the idea of “conservation” to further
their own personal wealth generation…<o:p></o:p></div>
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…at the expense of those
who cannot defend themselves!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="color: #843c0c; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(This is where my Al Gore
link fits.)</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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In many cases, all of the effects of some changes are at the expense of regular citizens who want to experience the wonders of this
world without paying exorbitant fees<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="line-height: 107%;">(taxes, entrance costs, etc.)</span></span>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A relevant experience
from the Book of Mormon comes to mind.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the days of the
Jaredites, a righteous king seemed to have things in order so that his people
could have places of beauty AND still access the necessary resources. Here are
the pertinent verses:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">And it came to pass
that Lib also did that which was good in the sight of the Lord. And in the days
of Lib the poisonous serpents were destroyed. Wherefore they did go into the
land southward, to hunt food for the people of the land, for the land was
covered with animals of the forest. And Lib himself became a great hunter.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">And they built a
great city…by the place where the sea divides the land. </span><span style="color: #660000;">And they did preserve
the land southward for a wilderness</span><span style="color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">, to get game. And the whole face of the
land northward was covered with inhabitants.</span></b><span style="color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/ether/10?lang=eng">(Ether
10:19-21)</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Taking care of the
environment is essential to protecting the gifts given to us by God. He has
placed us on this earth to care for His work <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;">(people, animals, land, etc.)</span>
which is eternal. When we abuse what we have been given we are disrespecting
the favors of our loving Father.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But when we try to exercise
dominion over others <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;">- <b><span style="color: #783f04;">purportedly to save the environment</span></b></span> - for personal
gain <span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(wealth,
power, influence, etc.)</span></span>, we have made a mockery of the gifts God has
given.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you read one
chapter <span style="color: #990000;"><b>before </b></span>the previous quote, you find the reason for the abundance of
serpents that kept the people out of the fertile land to the south:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">But the people <i>believed
not the words of the prophets</i>, but they cast them out; and some of them
they cast into pits and left them to perish… And it came to pass that there began
to be a great dearth upon the land and the inhabitants began to be destroyed
exceedingly fast because of the dearth, for there was no rain upon the face of
the earth. And there came forth poisonous serpents also upon the face of the
land, and did poison many people. And it came to pass that their flocks began
to flee before the poisonous serpents…</span></b><span style="color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"> </span><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/ether/9?lang=eng">(Ether
9:31-33)</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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The people had become
so wicked and abusive of the gifts given by God that they were denied the full
glory/beauty of the world where they lived. It took many years and a change in
attitude to experience the things in the first quote.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I want this earth to
be as beautiful as Eden when Jesus comes to be with us. The works of SO MANY
will be rewarded as they continue to make our home planet more like Eden. But when
the greedy begin to twist the purposes of God <span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(in any way)</span></span>, there will be a
price to pay.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Conversely, there will
be an accounting for those who are frivolous with the resources and beauty of
our home.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The gifts of God are
great <b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(we just have to acknowledge their goodness and be wise in their use)</span></b> and He
will provide for our mortal needs and prepare us for the eternal blessings He
has to offer.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I trust Him to do His
work.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I will also do my
best to do as He has asked, </div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">that the beauty of this world will be a testament of
our desire to live like He does. mw</span></div>
<br />mormongrandpabloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02395874641510914085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337710856991894329.post-18813077297499346802019-07-22T12:52:00.000-06:002019-07-22T12:53:21.151-06:00The End of the Rainbow<br />
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A few weeks ago Teresa and I were headed down to Huntington to visit her dad <span style="font-size: x-small;">(we go at least once a month to visit and work on projects he has)</span>. The weather was wet <span style="font-size: x-small;">(we have had an abundance of rain this year- hurrah for desert rain) </span>so we were taking our time. Just south of Price, heading toward Huntington, we witnessed a rainbow like we have never seen before. With wipers making their crazy "back and forth" to keep the rain clear, we were dazzled by the size and clarity of this celestial vista. Both of us were enthralled by the experience<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (it was a full rainbow as well so we could look back and see the other end on the other side of Price)</span> and kept commenting how cool it was.</div>
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But as we came to the edge of town, there was a sight that seemed even more impossible to believe. </div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>We have both seen full rainbows in our lives -- we have experienced bright colors in the sky -- and there have even been times when a double arc was spread before our view! But this was one vista we had never encountered.</b></span></div>
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You know how the legend is that if you can find the end of the rainbow you will discover a 'pot-of-gold'? </div>
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Well, we found it!!</div>
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We could, literally, see the place where the rainbow touched the ground.</div>
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We were both stunned to silence. So much so that it was necessary to stop the car and gather our wits about us. </div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: xx-small;"><b>(I have to admit that there was a brief moment when I seriously considered jumping out and running to the point where the rainbow and earth connected -- just to be sure there wasn't anything waiting to be found)</b>.</span></div>
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For several minutes, we sat in the rain in awe of the spectacular scene before us. We had no desire to leave such a magnificent miracle so we mumbled excuses for staying a moment longer.</div>
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Eventually it was time to go on. </div>
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But even today, weeks later, we feel a special wonder as look back on that trip to Huntington.</div>
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You would think, after many decades on this planet and having traveled to exotic places of great beauty, one little trick of light would not make such a huge impression on two mortal souls. Yet, we felt very blessed to be witnesses to one of the great visions of mortality <span style="font-size: x-small;">(and a little bit of heaven)</span>. </div>
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This is not something that will be easily forgotten. We are <b><u>all </u></b>a little more "touched by the Hand of God" for these kinds of events. </div>
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It is the little "tender mercies" that remind us how wonderful mortal life is and how much we can experience joy - even in simple things we find.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4E27PXrKZNLTI_dqHJhq-InuuDtM-1Xi87sugak-u_JTdsOhZq1v-FPZXJw31JpXn2buld7_x3GyI5FXycvV-CXHt66AKNvN4NzKN3VyIFF4g9hV1E45JPKgMmNYbMihNOinov-xRydCo/w1270-h953-no/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4E27PXrKZNLTI_dqHJhq-InuuDtM-1Xi87sugak-u_JTdsOhZq1v-FPZXJw31JpXn2buld7_x3GyI5FXycvV-CXHt66AKNvN4NzKN3VyIFF4g9hV1E45JPKgMmNYbMihNOinov-xRydCo/w1270-h953-no/" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This first photo was about a mile away</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksn8V1JyDf6uAKvJjl13Wjq68UXUN-DyLYNqXQpzU8xNKsmtQ2rbtx8xqv6XK-egq4t9pTW0ycUr_FWTQwaEl_TSSIXncD-sA_15AUBOQjNnbpyI4MKEtClZs4KhHx28inUChm36XhPbo/s1600/IMG_20190524_193609775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksn8V1JyDf6uAKvJjl13Wjq68UXUN-DyLYNqXQpzU8xNKsmtQ2rbtx8xqv6XK-egq4t9pTW0ycUr_FWTQwaEl_TSSIXncD-sA_15AUBOQjNnbpyI4MKEtClZs4KhHx28inUChm36XhPbo/s320/IMG_20190524_193609775.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is where we stopped and were tempted to run across the field.<br />
Sure hope there WASN'T gold over there!!</td></tr>
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<br />mormongrandpabloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02395874641510914085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337710856991894329.post-24630007514241669422019-07-18T10:20:00.001-06:002019-07-18T10:20:34.848-06:00Fearless But Practical<br />
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Four plus years ago, Teresa’s mother passed away after a
long struggle with dementia and other maladies. It was a tough time for all of
us but, in many ways, we were grateful that she was relieved of the life she
was living. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd49eCWHGfQyzv3qbFVrv9Xe8KIwdotD40S29WeDOFZaXwHe1v_8Xj6tGa_o1AzKekJsGYyihrvaLAZ8tEv-b5viTq_kaOpxEDyZgXZGWBnVTyUyj34sLoRxfPNzfOGlAH-MBaunS0q9Ao/s1600/phyllis+gordon+grange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="128" data-original-width="37" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd49eCWHGfQyzv3qbFVrv9Xe8KIwdotD40S29WeDOFZaXwHe1v_8Xj6tGa_o1AzKekJsGYyihrvaLAZ8tEv-b5viTq_kaOpxEDyZgXZGWBnVTyUyj34sLoRxfPNzfOGlAH-MBaunS0q9Ao/s200/phyllis+gordon+grange.jpg" width="57" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teresa's mom as a teen</td></tr>
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The memories we have help us focus on who she is and what she has
done to make this life better for each of us. We love her and would be thrilled
if she was still here, but we are also comforted that she is not struggling
with the issues of mortality that made her so frustrated. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Recently, my youngest living sister has had a serious bout with
that “evil cancer” thing and we were very concerned that she might decide it
was time to “go home.” She is now recovering and is blessed <span style="line-height: 107%;">(by doctors
and God) </span>to have an excellent chance to continue being the sweet little
girl we all love so much.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When I was a young man, my mother delivered a baby boy who
died shortly after his arrival in mortality. We were very poor, so a funeral
was not an option. Instead, we loaded the family into our station wagon, put
Tommy’s little body <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;">(in a casket) </span>in the back part, and drove to a family
burial site in Alpine, Arizona. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for Luna Lake" 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" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luna Lake, near Grandpa's cabin in Alpine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
It was the first time I had experienced the
effects of death with such a personal closeness. We dug the grave ourselves, my dad exercised
the priesthood and dedicated the site, and then we placed the little body into
the ground. The experience was one of the sweet memories of my youth.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
My own heart problems, a few years ago, were a reminder to
me of the fragility (<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;">but amazingly wonderful)</span> strength of our mortal bodies
and the nearness of mortality to death. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>(I was going to add pictures of what that was like, but it wasn't very palatable so I skipped them)</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
These, and a number of similar experiences, have invited me
to ponder the temporary nature of life and determine how I will approach the
way I live. As many have said, no one gets out of this experience alive <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;">(though I
would dispute some of the finality of that statement) </span>so I want to be as
prepared as possible. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
But, I have never <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;">(or at least in the time I can remember)</span> felt
fear as it relates to the coming experience that will one day welcome us all. In
fact, sometimes I secretly long for that day that so many fear <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;">(Teresa
hates it when I say that, so please don’t tell her I put it here)</span>. Not
because I don’t like my life, but just for the newness of the adventure.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>It’s not that I’m anxious to leave this life we are all
living</b> <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;">(I
know some may not be having such a great adventure at the moment, but, overall,
this is a pretty cool gig)</span>. It’s just that I’m not really worried about
what will happen when this mortal frame finally gives up and shuts down <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(though I do have a few concerns
about my own preparation for the next part of the adventure – but not enough to
be afraid)</span>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
There is a poem, written by William Wordsworth, with the
following lines that I find comforting and worthy of thought on this topic:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="long-line"><span style="background: white; color: #343434; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 15.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Our birth is but a sleep and a
forgetting;</span></span><span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 15.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span class="long-line"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">The Soul that rises with us,
our life's Star,</span></span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span class="long-line"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Hath had elsewhere its setting</span></span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span class="long-line"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
And cometh from afar;</span></span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span class="long-line"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Not in entire forgetfulness,</span></span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span class="long-line"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
And not in utter nakedness,</span></span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span class="long-line"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">But trailing clouds of glory
do we come </span></span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span class="long-line"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
From God, who is our home:</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 15.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span class="long-line"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I find that this message expresses much of what I believe <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;">(the rest of
the poem can be read <a href="https://poets.org/poem/ode-intimations-immortality-recollections-early-childhood">here</a>)</span>.
The clouds of glory that linger with me offer hope of the greater glory that will come with
the next step of our lives.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Another writer put it this way:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #c00000; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">For
behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the
day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.</span></b><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/34?lang=eng" target="_blank"> (Alma34:32)</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white; color: #212225; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white; color: #212225; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Mortality is an amazing experience for each of us. It is not
random or without purpose in the eternal scheme of things. We are here to do
things that will prepare us to become more like God and Christ. To fear this
challenge is to doubt the hope of the <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/atonement-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng" target="_blank">Atonement of Christ</a>. He has promised that
He will do all we will let Him do to bring us home. All He asks is that we
follow the Holy Ghost, His prophets and then lift our fellowman to higher
places.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
With this knowledge and the influence of the Holy Spirit, I
can say <b>(with great confidence)</b> that there is much ahead that will bring
us joy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The renewal of friendships, family relations, and eternal
bonds with God and Christ will make all of the struggles of this life well
worth the seemingly difficult parts of what we endure. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Life is not
for suffering – it is for learning to be like God and Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">It is the
greatest adventure ever!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Live it
with faith and love for all </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">(avoiding fear at all costs) </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">and it will
be the best preparation for living like God thru the eternities.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />mormongrandpabloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02395874641510914085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337710856991894329.post-67866513181260094422019-07-10T13:51:00.007-06:002019-07-10T13:51:48.191-06:00The Last Train<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
As Teresa’s Dad ages <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;">(he will be
93 in Nov.)</span>, we are trying to help him in a lot of ways. The last
several years he has expressed a desire to go to California and visit with his
daughter’s family <b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">(Steve & Denise Stiles)</span></b> and we have tried to
make that happen. Last year we tried taking the train and had a pretty good
experience, so we made the choice to give that another go. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The AMTRAK train
starts in SLC for us, but Dad picks it up in Helper, Utah <b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">(most people
have no idea where that is, I suspect.)</span></b> and he rides alone for a
couple of hours to SLC.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Since trains are
stuck to a track, they often have delays and slow-downs that make arrivals and
departures iffy – and this was one of those trips. Our ticket said we would
leave SLC at 11:30 pm, but we didn’t get on our way until nearly 1:00 am.
Still, since it was dark and we were only going to be sleeping, it wasn’t considered
a problem because they can make up time out in the desert. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
So, we settled into
our chairs <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">(which are much way more comfortable than airline seats)</span> and slept
thru the night… or at least that was the plan!</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p>For some reason, the
peace of the train was not as ‘peaceful’ as we had experienced on our journey
last year. For one thing, it was a supremely SLOW journey. Not just regular
train slow, but <i><span style="color: #c00000;">‘creeping along just faster than
walking’</span></i><span style="color: #c00000;"> </span>kind of slow. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>(</b></span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><b>OK</b></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>, that
was a bit of an exaggeration, but it felt like that)</b></span></span>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
When we asked the
porter why things were so slow, he paused before replying and then said, <i>“must
be lots of tankers on the rail.”</i> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I suppose that might
be right, but he looked a little guilty when he said it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Our other problem was
that dad seemed to be very stressed and could not find a way to sit comfortably.
He just couldn’t settle, or sleep. And even walking around the car made no
difference.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
When we finally got
to Sacramento, we were two hours late – just exactly the amount of time we were
supposed to wait for our next connection <b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">(so I guess that was karma playing
her little hand in the adventure)</span></b>. And that part of the trip was
fast - arriving exactly on time at the Denair/Turlock station where Denise and
Steve were waiting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
We all stretched,
yawned, and chatted for a while until it was time to go to bed and get some
rest – but with all the sitting and resting on the train, sleep did not come
easily for any of us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
When we all arose the
next morning, dad was a little slow getting ready. As he came out of his room,
he made a comment about his left leg hurting and feeling hot. The girls had him
pull up his pantleg to see and they were surprised to see ‘angry’ <b><span style="color: red; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">red
swelling</span></b><span style="color: red; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span>all over the lower leg. We all discussed
what it could be and finally decided to take him to see a doctor.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Here’s a
lesson we learned!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Most clinics don’t
like to take care of 93 yr. old men!!</span></span></b><span style="color: yellow; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-style-textoutline-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textoutline-fill-color: black; mso-style-textoutline-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-align: center; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-compound: simple; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dash: solid; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dpiwidth: .25pt; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-join: bevel; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-linecap: round; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-pctmiterlimit: 0%; mso-style-textoutline-type: solid;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
They are concerned
that they won’t have the ‘tools’ to help.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
And they are also
probably worried about liability.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
While both clinics
couldn’t help, they did surmise, by the symptoms they saw, that he probably had
a blood-clot in his leg… not a happy diagnosis for an older guy <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">(or younger
ones either)</span>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>So, we ended up in
a really nice Emergency Room with kind and competent doctors and nurses who
were very polite and worked diligently to try and find what was wrong.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">The first thing
that we learned was……… </span></b><b><span style="color: #833c0b; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">he did not have a blood clot!! </span><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #833c0b; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
YEA!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Upon further review,
they “pronounced upon him” cellulitis!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
And the cure was
strong anti-biotics and rest for the leg.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">WOOHOO!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">But that
left us with a different problem.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
There was this REALLY
long train ride in store for the victim.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif;">Quick thinking and
use of our cellphones solved the dilemma.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We cancelled the
train </span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(mostly
refunded)</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> and rented</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="line-height: 107%;">(hired if you are from Britain)</span></span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">a car so we
could drive back.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Now, there may be
some who will say, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #833c0b; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">“isn’t riding in a car just as bad
as going on the train?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #833c0b; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
We wondered the same
thing so we asked the doctor what to do and he said if we would stop periodically
and let him walk around, he would be fine.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">So,
we proceeded with our plan. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
It worked. There <b><u><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">was</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span>a
lot of driving and we <b><u><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">did</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span>stop often to let him walk.
And we also stopped for the night at our home in West Valley City before going
on to Huntington, but there were no further incidents with “the leg.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #538135; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">So!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #538135; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The title of this
post is <b><i>“The Last Train”</i></b> because it WILL be the last train dad
will ride for the rest of his life <b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">(which I suspect will be many more years, based on the
available data)</span></b>. I’m not too sure Teresa and I will ride again, but
we might find a time where it would be an option.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
So, the adventure of
the Train is complete, and all are home. Dad has recovered and is back to his
“puttering” around the home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
And we have a new
adventure to share with our posterity, so they know we weren’t just “lay bouts”,
wishing to find adventure but sitting at home flushing life away <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;">(thinking of
the crazy mouse show)</span>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Oh,
and let me give a special thanks to Steve and Denise for being great hosts on
these little adventures. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
There couldn’t be a
more accommodating couple, always willing to taxi people around and let them
hang in their home. Hopefully we can find another way to ‘transport’ dad so he
can visit again. And if not, we have had some wonderful experiences over the
past few years. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The kind that will last forever in dad’s mind!!</span></b></div>
mormongrandpabloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02395874641510914085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337710856991894329.post-52026726618488146652019-06-20T15:38:00.002-06:002019-06-20T15:38:51.217-06:00Wrong Place, Wrong Time - (Another Book Review)<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's another review I did for DN. It was a pretty good book and I would rate is 3.5 Stars out of 5. I don't do these as much as I used to but still a dozen or so a year.</span></div>
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<img alt=""Wrong Place Wrong Time" is by author E. James Harrison." src="https://media.deseretdigital.com/file/ac07829721?resize=width_200&type=image/jpeg&c=6&a=a5cd4dc4" /></div>
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Two years after his wife, Marena, had a double mastectomy, Greg Walker convinced her that it would be helpful, mentally and physically, to take a long vacation in the Carribbean. She reluctantly agreed and they soon found themselves on a beautiful island with all the attractions such places provide.<br /></div>
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On a whim, the couple hired a young man, Wiggy Wiggy, to take them to a secret cove for snorkeling and a fresh seafood dinner. The day was much more than they had imagined and the couple felt they had hit the jackpot. As the little group prepared to end a beautiful day, to their surprise, Greg and Marena witnessed a horrific murder - the driver of a large cigar boat murdered their new friend as he swam across the little cove they had enjoyed so much.<br /></div>
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The Walker's did everything they could to help the authorities (in the Carribbean and the U.S.) identify and catch the killer, but their efforts were in vain. Wiggy Wiggy was gone and no one seemed to care.<br /></div>
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What the Walker's didn't know was that there was a conspiracy afoot that suddenly had them in the middle of international events. For the bulk of the story, they are chased by U.S. Government agents, foreign spies, and ruthless drug dealers -- all with different plans for their lives.<br /></div>
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James Harrison's novel is full of adventure, mystery, and plot twists that sneak up on the reader. He writes with clarity and allows readers to 'percolate' ideas before revealing the true intents of the characters. He is an LDS father of two daughters and resides in St. George, Ut. </div>
mormongrandpabloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02395874641510914085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337710856991894329.post-29199981269949144562019-06-19T15:08:00.001-06:002019-06-19T15:08:24.621-06:00On Things of Mortality<br />
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<b><u>Making Up The Loss<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
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I have an “Internet Friend” whom I have never met personally,
though we have had conversations over the years. He is a much more prolific writer
than I will ever be and has drawn the ire of many because of his on-line
efforts to defend the doctrines of our common faith. Many are offended by the
direct methods he uses to help others understand what members of <b>The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</b> really believe. He has my admiration for
his dedication and unwavering support of the leaders and doctrines of our faith.
His willingness to accept the ‘sticks and stones” thrown by so many who have
become disaffected from the faith and have chosen to become detractors is a witness
of the depth of his testimony of the Savior and His work.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In addition to defending the faith we share, he also “waxes
poetic” on many subjects concerning life and the world we live in. He is a bit
of a ‘world traveler’ and is not afraid to let readers participate in the adventures
he is blessed to experience. But he is also a very sensitive soul <b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">(much to
the chagrin of his critics)</span></i></b> and willingly expresses himself in
ways to help all of his readers see the mercies of God in this life. <o:p></o:p></div>
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A few years ago his son and daughter-in-law lost a baby
daughter <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">(his first grandchild) </span>and he was heartbroken, as any grandparent
would be. Never having lost any children or grandchildren, I had not even
considered how it might feel to have that experience. After reading the expressions
of love my friend wrote, I was, in a small way, able to get a little taste of
what such a tragedy might entail. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I know this is not a favorite topic for many, but the “eulogy”
given for this baby girl left a strong impression in my heart. Despite the
sorrow he felt, there was also a sense of comfort in the words he wrote <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">(spoke) </span>and
it seemed appropriate to share with those whom I love and care for.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u>Dr. Daniel C. Peterson<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Some are displeased with The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over socio-political disputes, gender
concerns and other perceived grievances. While I seldom if ever share their
specific issues, I don’t discount them. I know they can hurt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">However, compared with ultimate
questions of life and death, they seem thin, even trivial. If the LDS Church’s
claims are true — which I believe — everything else is at most secondary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I echo the apostle Peter’s declaration,
when some were offended by the Savior’s teaching:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #993366; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“From that time many of
his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the
twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom
shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure
that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God”</span></i></b><span style="color: #993366; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #993366; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(see <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/6.66-69?lang=eng#65" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #993366;">John 6:66-69</span></b></a>)</span><span style="color: #993366; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif;">On a wintry Utah night
decades ago, President Harold B. Lee and a local church leader paused, gazing
through snow and darkness toward the Manti Utah Temple, high on the hill above
them. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #993366;">“That temple,” the local man observed, “lighted as it is, is never more
beautiful than in a storm or when there is a dense fog.”</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">President Lee made the
application:</span> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #993366; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">“Never is the gospel of Jesus Christ more important to you,” he
said, “than in a storm or when you are having great difficulty”</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #993366; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #993366; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">(see <a href="http://www.ldsliving.com/Priesthood-the-Responsibility-to-Represent-God-David-O-McKay-Lesson-12-/s/5350"><b><span style="color: black;">“Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee”</span></b></a>)</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #993366; font-family: Georgia, serif;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mortality offers
happiness and sweet satisfactions, but also deep disappointments, intimidating
obstacles and — sometimes — almost unbearable sorrows that pierce like a knife.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Among the sharpest such sorrows is the
loss of a child. When excited thoughts of baby clothes, crib, stroller,
anticipated first books and a cheerfully waiting nursery are displaced by
funeral preparations, those things remain — but now, they mock and wound. The
world is suddenly desolate. Joy turns to ashes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A passage from T. S. Eliot’s <b>“Journey
of the Magi”</b> comes to mind, however misapplied:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #993366; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“… Were we led all that
way for</span></i></b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #993366; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Birth or Death? There was
a birth, certainly</span></i></b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #993366; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We had evidence and no
doubt. I had seen birth and death,</span></i></b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #993366; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But had thought they were
different; this birth was</span></i></b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #993366; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hard and bitter agony for
us, like death, our death.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But God be praised: The birth that the
Magi came to honor was the birth that would end death.<span style="color: #993366;">
<b><i>“One short sleep past,”</i></b> </span>said John Donne<b><i>, <span style="color: #993366;">“we wake eternally, and death shall be no more; death,
thou shalt die.”</span></i></b><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b><i><span style="color: #993366;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Naturally, we grieve. Even knowing what
he knew and what he would soon do, the Savior himself mourned the death of his
friend Lazarus: <b><i><span style="color: #993366;">“Jesus wept. Then said the
Jews, Behold how he loved him!”</span></i></b><span style="color: #993366;"> </span></span><span style="color: #993366; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(see <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/11.35-36?lang=eng#34" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #993366;">John 11:35-36</span></b></a>)</span><span style="color: #993366; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #993366; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #993366; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“But I would not have you
to be ignorant, brethren,”</span></i></b><span style="color: #993366; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">wrote the apostle
Paul, <b><i><span style="color: #993366;">“concerning them which are asleep, that
ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope”</span></i></b><span style="color: #993366;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(see <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/1-thes/4.13?lang=eng"><b><span style="color: windowtext;">1 Thessalonians 4:13</span></b></a>)</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.<span style="color: #993366;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #993366; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Thou shalt live together
in love, insomuch that thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die, and more
especially for those that have not hope of a glorious resurrection. And it
shall come to pass that those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it
shall be sweet unto them”</span></i></b><span style="color: #993366; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/42.45-46?lang=eng"><b><span style="color: windowtext;">Doctrine and Covenants 42:45-46</span></b></a>).<span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Surely death is sweet for tiny infants
who scarcely draw breath in mortality. Surely they will enjoy a glorious
resurrection. <b><i><span style="color: #993366;">“Little children are alive in
Christ,”</span></i></b><span style="color: #993366;"> </span>insisted the prophet
Mormon, <b><i><span style="color: #993366;">“even from the foundation of the
world”</span></i></b><span style="color: #993366;"> </span>(see <a href="http://classic.scriptures.lds.org/en/moro/8/12b"><b><span style="color: windowtext;">Moroni 8:12</span></b></a>).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Decades ago, <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/1971/10/the-miracle-of-pageant?lang=eng"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">a simple
sentence in an LDS Church magazine article</span></a> deeply impressed me.
Sad at parting from co-workers after intense days together at the Hill Cumorah
Pageant, a volunteer remarked that the pain was less acute because <b><span style="color: #993366;">“friends in the gospel never meet for the last time.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b><span style="color: #993366;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That comment has remained with me ever
since. I believed it then; I believe it now. And yes, I desperately want it to
be true.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #993366; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“All your losses will be
made up to you in the resurrection,” </span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/1988/05/joseph-smith-on-the-resurrection?lang=eng"><span style="color: windowtext;">testified Joseph Smith</span></a> in a passage
that I’ve needed to cite too often in these columns,<b> <span style="color: #993366;">“provided you continue faithful. By the vision of the Almighty I have
seen it.”</span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b><span style="color: #993366;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lena Alaia, our long hoped-for first
grandchild, was born on June 13 and died on June 16. In Canadian songwriter
Craig Cardiff’s words, <b><span style="color: #993366;">“We said hello at the
same time we said goodbye.”</span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We’ve wrapped her in the blanket that
we brought from Bethlehem for her crib, entrusting her to the Savior who was
born there. He loved little children.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Knowing of our loss and our
heartache, a friend brought Craig Cardiff’s achingly sad song “Smallest
Wingless” to my attention. It’s the source of the quoted line
above: “We said hello at the same time we said goodbye.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I watched <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjEHJFq5zb4"><b><span style="color: black;">this
music video of “Smallest Wingless”</span></b></a> dozens of times over the
next few days. And — I’ve just verified my suspicion experimentally —
even five years later I, who never cry, still can’t listen to thirty seconds of
the song without breaking down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />mormongrandpabloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02395874641510914085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337710856991894329.post-35592670121025063242019-06-18T11:34:00.001-06:002019-06-18T11:34:50.893-06:00I'm still Alive!! (of course, that presumes that you missed me)For the past year, I have not been active in my efforts to write. Part of the reason is 'laziness' <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>(which rears its ugly head from time-to-time)</b></span> but there have been some other issues to take away my attention from this little project. I'm hoping I can re-start and continue my efforts in sharing wisdom (?) and levity with my friends and family. Here's hoping I can be more consistent and entertaining this time around.<br />
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You may have noticed that I have changed the title of these writings. Since my last entry, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_M._Nelson" target="_blank">President Russell M. Nelson</a> has encouraged members of our church we attend to use the proper name of the church in all our dealings.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPIYWEBy_tIgwwA8OY0SWfWndb0h2MRmqEVHFh7OeOm5m7x-Nb22zI8S8IP-L52RolBQVzAmhHu49XI_Hi5EXIcbhgHQl0zAdAjNOC32pRYGWpeOKIGzeOtdNSeJ-aHas_yjyekL6XM9J/s1600/8x10-FP-01-Nelson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPIYWEBy_tIgwwA8OY0SWfWndb0h2MRmqEVHFh7OeOm5m7x-Nb22zI8S8IP-L52RolBQVzAmhHu49XI_Hi5EXIcbhgHQl0zAdAjNOC32pRYGWpeOKIGzeOtdNSeJ-aHas_yjyekL6XM9J/s200/8x10-FP-01-Nelson.jpg" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Pres. Russell M. Nelson<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Therefore, being <span style="font-size: x-small;">"Mormongrandpablogger"</span> <b>☹️</b> doesn't really fit that counsel. The new name for this 'effort' is <b><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">"Grandpa Whitmer's semi-regular writings."</span></b> I recognize that I am not the only Grandpa Whitmer in the world<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> (there are my own dad and three brothers who can claim the title ... and many others with the same authorization around the world)</span>. But if someone complains, I can always change it again. <b>😒</b> The intent is to be just as random as before but, hopefully, a little more consistent.<br />
<br />
From the beginning, my reason for writing here has been to give my family a way to see and understand a few things about their dad/grandpa <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(and in not too many years, great-grandfather)</span>. Most postings will be mundane with a little humor attempted, but they are given to reveal some of the personality that might not come out in other interactions. OR, it may be just what the family and friends need to secure my incarceration in a medical facility <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(if that happens, I will promise to haunt the perpetrators unceasingly)</span>. 😏<br />
<br />
I appreciate those who read and comment and hope your time is not completely wasted as you click and read what is here. Until next time. mw<br />
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<br />mormongrandpabloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02395874641510914085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337710856991894329.post-88134872986034865982018-08-15T10:03:00.000-06:002018-08-15T10:03:03.755-06:00Future Mormon<br />
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In my profession I have many opportunities to read and
ponder my thoughts on specific and general gospel principles. For the most
part, my musings are limited by the level of understanding I can share with my students,
so I don’t spend a lot of time preparing deep conversations with them. Fortunately,
in my personal study there are times when I can focus on subjects that are of
interest to me on a more abstract or thoughtful level.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Some time back I received a copy of a book called “<a href="https://gregkofford.com/products/future-mormon" target="_blank">FutureMormon</a>” by <a href="https://www.adamsmiller.net/" target="_blank">Adam Miller</a>, a professor of philosophy at Collin College in Texas and
a faithful Latter-day Saint. The book contains a series of essays that invite
readers to search their hearts, minds, and souls on a number of topics relating
to Mormonism. Admittedly, a few of the essays are somewhat difficult to comprehend
and wade through (I suspect that this is a requirement for most philosophy
professors), but there are also many that spark the mind and soul to think and
invite the Spirit to testify of truth. I found that as I pondered and tried to apply
the message of these essays, truth was revealed, and hope increased with a
better understanding of the deeper principles of light. Miller’s engaging style
and thoughtful commentary makes even the most difficult concepts palatable to
the heart and soul.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Some of the topics covered in “Future Mormon” include thoughts
on grace as understood by Latter-day Saints, a discussion of materialism and
its impact on man, an interesting examination of the message found in Jacob 7 of
the Book of Mormon, and a well thought view on Teryl and Fiona Givens book,<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51DlGBQVLiL._AC_US218_.jpghttps://deseretbook.com/p/god-who-weeps-how-mormonism-makes-sense-life-terryl-l-givens-85525?ref=Grid%20%7C%20Search-2&variant_id=155824-paperback" target="_blank"> “The God WhoWeeps.”</a> I am aware that there are some who have read Miller’s work and claim he
speaks from the ‘outskirts’ of Mormonism, but careful examination of his
writings leads me to believe those in that camp are not truly understanding
what he is saying. The message of each essay is to invite members of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to look to Christ and follow the teachings
He has given through modern and ancient prophets. <o:p></o:p></div>
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For those who are interested in a deeper dive into some of
the doctrines of the Restoration, this delightful book will be a serious
adventure in learning. And those who may have some fear – take a chance and see
if some of the essays might be worthwhile. I don’t think you will be disappointed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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You may also want to take a look at <a href="https://www.mormoninterpreter.com/a-brighter-future-for-mormon-theology-adam-s-millers-future-mormon/" target="_blank">this review </a>of the book from Jeff Lindsay at the Interpreter website. He has much more to say and digs a little deeper into the book.... and he's smarter than I am so it will probably make more sense. ;-) mw</div>
<br />mormongrandpabloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02395874641510914085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337710856991894329.post-35205237898421955382018-08-01T09:10:00.002-06:002018-08-01T09:10:45.226-06:00The Summer of Broken ThingsFrom time to time, I receive books from publishers for reviewing purposes. Most of the time I take some time and write a short blurb for Amazon or GoodReads and post them for others to see. But recently, I have had a few books that have been better than average.<br />
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SO, I thought I might share a few of the books I have read on this blog. It might get me to remember to do a little more work and also help others find something interesting to read.<br />
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Here's the first of, I hope, many reviews to come.<br />
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<img alt="The Summer of Broken Things by Margaret Peterson Haddix" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1497086112l/35297600.jpg" /></div>
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<a class="authorName" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14617.Margaret_Peterson_Haddix" itemprop="url" style="color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration-line: none;">Margaret Peterson Haddix</a></div>
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I received this book from the publisher and, frankly, was not that excited about reading or reviewing it. Sometimes books just don't 'look' or 'sound' like they are going to be interesting, but "The Summer of Broken Things" was surprisingly deep, poignant, and inspiring in its content. </div>
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Despite my early reservations, I am very impressed and touched by the story and especially the writing depth of feeling in the book. My experience with the Margaret Peterson Haddix has been pretty good over the years, but this particular story was much more moving and powerful than her other works. It was almost like she had discovered a new level of writing that opened up to a very personal world.</div>
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"The Summer of Broken Things" is about two young women: 16-year-old Kayla Butts (sometimes referred to as "butt-girl") and Avery Armisted, a talented, socially adept 14-year-old soccer player. Though the two girls are aware of each other, and even spent time together when they were much younger, their connections have waned over the years. Kayla is a bright, friendly, caring, and attentive young woman who is little overweight and takes lots of teasing from kids at school. Avery is just the opposite -- popular, athletic, and part of the 'in-crowd.' So, when Avery's parents inform her that they have invited Kayla to be her 'companion' during a summer trip to Spain with her father, Avery's world takes a difficult and mysterious turn. </div>
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Both girls are reluctant to make much of a 'friendship commitment' but as the days pass, a level of trust begins to develop and life becomes easier. Until..., events caused by Avery losing her passport change the whole nature of the trip and threatens the relationship between the girls and Avery's parents. Secrets that have lain hidden for years are revealed, and loyalties are tested as all those involved try to decide what to do. In the end, both girls find out important things about themselves, their families, and the connections that they never knew they had. </div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><div style="text-align: left;">
Haddix has approached a difficult subject with tenderness, humor, and a large dose of reality. Readers will learn to love Avery and Kayla, just as the girls learn to accept and maybe even care for each other. There are a few surprises and many tender moments, but this is more than a "Kleenex" story. There is a message in this tale about very sensitive topics, approached with care and compassion and regular doses of humor. And all this is done with characters who are true to themselves and those they love. </div>
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As was mentioned earlier, I have read many of Haddix's books but this, by far, is the most interesting and thought provoking story in her library. Those who take the time to introduce Kayla and Avery into their lives will not be disappointed. Congratulations to Margaret Peterson Haddix on a powerful, uplifting message.</div>
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mormongrandpabloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02395874641510914085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337710856991894329.post-66081921418215705252018-07-05T14:30:00.000-06:002018-07-05T14:30:18.579-06:00PERSPECTIVE NEAR THE END<br />
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Twenty-six odd years
ago I was blessed to find an avocation that excited me as no other work had
ever done before or since. </div>
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While I was trained in business and had worked for nearly
20 years in that field, there was never a real love for the work. There was a
fair amount of success in what was happening <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(salary increases, better positions, recognition, etc.)</span>
but something was always missing. No matter how much money I made or awards I received,
there was a vacuum in my life when it came to work.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Events of life seemed
to be shaping me to branch out and find something more satisfying. At first, I thought
becoming a manager in several businesses and subsequently a director for a
large company was going to be the answer to my yearnings. But all those
positions and the compensation that came along with the titles never gave me
peace.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Teaching Seminary <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(especially early morning classes) </span>was
not something I had ever considered as a full-time possibility. But when I tried I discovered it was fun, and
there was a joy in the students and work. </div>
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But there was always major trepidation when
considering the financial part<span style="font-size: x-small;">(that 'natural man' stuff can be a real pain:<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/3?lang=eng" target="_blank">See Mosiah 3:19</a>)</span>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, I participated as
a part-time teacher while retaining my “daily” job in the world. It was tiring <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(early morning started at 6:00 am) </span>but
it was also invigorating, and the students were amazing. For nearly seven years
my schedule included that early morning shot of excitement before I went off to
do my other duties. My goal was to complete 25 years and then settle back and
bask in the memories.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now, 26 + years
later, I look back and realize that the process for finding this work followed
a pattern that would help me understand the great blessing it is to be in this
position. The part-time work during those early mornings helped me to see the
value of what I was doing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Seeing students faces
as they<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> 1)</b> woke up, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2)</b> began to understand, and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">3)</b> radiated the light they were
receiving changed me as much <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(or
maybe more) as</span> it changed them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When I decided to
accept an offer of fulltime employment, for the first time in my life I had
found work that gave me joy in addition to feeding my family and paying the
bills.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Oh, we made a LOT less
money than we had before, but the excitement of going to work every day made it
all worthwhile. And I believe that my family benefited by having a dad/husband
who was not miserable in his work.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But this is old news
to many of you and I’ve told this story many times in the past.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #c00000;">So,
what is the purpose of this journey down “memory land?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #c00000;">Two
things.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: #c00000;">THING One</span></u></b> – I am
beginning to realize that the time is fast approaching when I will no longer be
able to continue in my chosen profession. There are only a few short years
until I will, necessarily, retire from the work I love.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Despite what some
might think, students do struggle a little more with older teachers AND older
teachers struggle a little more with students. We still love each other, but
the generation gap, with all its nefarious points of differentiation, is
unyielding <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(unless you are an Apostle
– which I’m not)</span></b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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So, the expectation
is that in another two or three years there will be a change in my employment
status.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Not something I
anticipate with joy, but more as a reality of life.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: #c00000;">THING Two</span></u><span style="color: #c00000;"> </span></b>– For the past few months I have been feeling
sorry for myself.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Each year, the area
director of each group of teachers visits with them and asks where they would
like to teach <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(unlike Public School teachers, we move around quite a
bit during our careers)</span></b>. In my interview with our director, I gave
two desires –<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">Stay where I am for the last few
years</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">or</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Baskerville Old Face"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Baskerville Old Face"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">Move to the Institute (college age students).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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Imagine my reaction when
our placement notices came out in May and neither of my requests was granted.
In fact, an assignment was made to move to a different high school, further
away from home than at any time since my very first assignment in 1998.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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Being obedient, the
change was accepted, but not without a fair amount of grumbling <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(to Teresa, other teachers, and just
about anyone who would listen)</span>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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And that’s why I’m
offering the reminiscences of my career on this day. Mostly, what I’m doing is
reminding myself that:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: center; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #c00000; mso-bidi-font-family: "Baskerville Old Face"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Baskerville Old Face";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t teach
because I want to make a lot of money and <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: center; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #c00000; mso-bidi-font-family: "Baskerville Old Face"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Baskerville Old Face";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #c00000;">Teaching isn’t my favorite job because of the school
where I am assigned. </span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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I'm also apologizing to those who had to listen to my rantings for the last few months. It surely was a burden for them and I regret my lack of self-control.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Teaching
is my favorite career because of what it does for me and for the students in
the classroom.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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There are only a few
more years to influence the young people in my care. It will be very difficult
to do my job if the focus is on what <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">isn’t</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>available to me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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The work is still exciting,
and the students are amazing <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(imagine working with youth who don’t
swear, strictly avoid immoral behavior, control obnoxiousness, and shun all the other discouraging things
you see in the world)</span></b>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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This is still the
best job ever!! </div>
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And I need to treat it as the blessing it is.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So, you will hear no
more from me about any changes or disruptions in my work life. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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As far as I’m
concerned, this is the happiest place on earth <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(sorry Disney) </span>and I want to
be here with joy in the work. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So, Copper Hills High/West
Hills Jr. Here I come!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />mormongrandpabloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02395874641510914085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337710856991894329.post-66045683854640755922018-06-07T17:21:00.003-06:002018-06-07T17:21:57.997-06:00Adventures In AZ -- Reunion 2018<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>A few months ago,
my mother sent out an invitation to the family, asking us all to come down to
Arizona for a reunion. </b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">(For some reason, we always seem to do these in the heated months of
the year, but I guess that’s better than not having them.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 8.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b>Or maybe not!!</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">So, we polled our
children and found that Josh and Heather </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">(plus 4)</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">, Joel and Paula, Melissa
</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">(plus 2) </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">and Teresa and I were willing to brave the
heated wasteland of Gilbert, AZ. The others had some desires to attend but circumstances made it impossible. </span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The total personages who were committed
to attend were 14 when all was said and done.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A few weeks before
our trek we were thinking and discussing how much it would cost to drive three vehicles
down and back plus find places to stay and purchase food and other necessaries
for the trip. As we added things up, I suddenly had a brilliant idea-</span></b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Why not rent an RV
and take everyone down in one vehicle? We could even avoid motel rentals if it
was big enough and that would defray more expenses. </b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And if the unit had
a stove and fridge we could take all our food with us and make it so much more
cost-effective. It took a lot of discussion, but eventually we all agreed that
this might be a good option for our trip.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Over the next few
days I scoured the Internet for places that rented RV’s. Most were WAY too
expensive but there were a few sites that seemed more reasonable. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then I found a
place that is sort of a BnB for RV's – you rent from owners who aren’t
using theirs at the time. The prices were much more reasonable, so we started
looking for someone in our area that was in the price range we could afford.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It took several days
to find a good option – turned out to be right near where Josh lives. The rental
request was placed, and the owner contacted me to make the final arrangements. We
checked out the unit and it appeared to be just what we needed. It would hold
all our crew</span></b> </span><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">(Melissa and her two had to
drive separately for other reasons so we were down to 11)</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>, had enough sleeping
places, and sufficient a/c to meet the needs of the AZ onslaught.</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">On the 31</b><sup style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">st</sup><b style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">
of May we picked up the </b><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><b>motor-home</b></span><b style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;"> and loaded all our stuff inside for the trip.
Then it was “tally-ho, and away we go.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>While the ride was
a little rougher than we had been led to believe, we made good time and were
having a wonderful time…… until the generator that runs the a/c began to act
up. It would work for a time but then, all on its own, would shut off and not
come back on. So, we turned the a/c from the front on as high as it would go
and forged onward to the deserts of Arizona.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>As we followed I-17
from Flagstaff to Phoenix, we had little spurts when the generator would work
and help with the cooling. But it was never enough to make us comfortable –
just prevented death.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>We were in great
anticipation of heat relief as we took highway 101 to make our way east across the
valley to Gilbert.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">About 20 miles from
Gilbert an unusual experience occurred. I was driving in the middle lane of a
large and crowded freeway </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">(rush hour)</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"> when the engine
lost power and died. You can imagine how that went over with my fellow-travelers
</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">(not the Communist kind, the Freeway kind)</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">. </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">There was much
honking and finger-waving until I finally was able to get the vehicle started
and pulled into the far-right lane.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">Thankfully, the
engine seemed to have recovered so we continued with our journey </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">(and wisely we
never left the slow-traffic-lane)</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">Ah, but all was not
well. The loss of power and dead engine came back to haunt us – again and again
and again – so much so that we finally decided to exit the freeway and find our
way on the surface streets. Thanks Google Maps.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">(By this time, we were only a few
miles from Gilbert)</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Now, here’s the
most exciting part of this situation. Each time we started the RV, the engine
would sluggishly begin to gain power and if I quickly put it in gear we could
make one or two stoplights before it died.</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>So, put on your <span style="color: #c00000;">imagine-hat</span> and see what we experienced.</i></b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "brush script mt"; font-size: 20.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="color: red;">Pull up to a stop light –</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "brush script mt"; font-size: 20.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="color: blue;">Put RV in park as it dies –</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "brush script mt"; font-size: 20.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: orange;">Wait until the cross-traffic seems to be stopping and then
quickly start the engine</span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "brush script mt"; font-size: 20.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="color: purple;">As soon as the light turns green, drop it into drive while
feathering the gas so it doesn’t stall and leave you stranded in the middle of
the intersection.</span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: "brush script mt"; font-size: 20pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">Then get to the next stop light and repeat</span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 20pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 20.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "brush script mt"; font-size: 20.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="color: cyan;">Again</span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "brush script mt"; font-size: 20.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="color: red;">And again.</span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "brush script mt"; font-size: 20.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="color: blue;">And again.</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "brush script mt"; font-size: 20.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b>For many more miles than we like to remember.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #c55a11; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 18.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b>The only way to remain sane was to laugh together.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>Otherwise we would have been in tears.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-style: normal; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>Until,
finally, we reached the front yard of my brother John’s house.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b>Thank heavens he had a large driveway, so we could get the
RV off the road and out of sight.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b>I invite you to imagine how our family was feeling about
this whole escapade.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b>AND,</b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b>Though we were there
for a reunion, other things needed to be done.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: #548235; font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">Sorry Mom and Dad, your eldest son must go into
hibernation with his phone. </span><span style="font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">☹<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b>Ok,
enough of the pity party!!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">Our next point of
business was to call the owner of the RV and see what he could do to help our
situation. It took some time to get him connected but when I explained what was
happening I heard him say </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">(very quietly) </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">–<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Oh
no, not again.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b>I will confess that
there some thoughts that weren’t very kind going thru my mind when those words were mumbled.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">Turns out he had
been in Phoenix the week before and had encountered a similar problem. His mechanic
diagnosed the problem as bad fuel filter and replaced it. But now he was
convinced </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">(by our situation) </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">that there was
something else.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">Well, after many
hours on the phone with the tow service, repair people, and various other
entities, arrangements were made to have someone look at the engine. A mobile
repair company came and took away the ‘bad boy’ RV and replaced the fuel PUMP </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">(in the fuel tank) </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">that was much harder to replace </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">(but should have been the first choice when the problem occurred)</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"> to make it run.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>And it worked.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b>Sadly, all the parties <span style="color: #0070c0;">not of
our family </span>ignored the other gorilla in the room – <span style="color: #c00000;">the generator that runs the a/c. </span>Despite our pleas
for help in getting that repaired, no one made any effort to comply.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">All these events
took place from Thursday night until Saturday afternoon. That left little time
for</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">interactions with family members </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">(unless they were helping with the situation—thanks guys)</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"> and kinda ruined
the whole purpose of the reunion. I will confess that I was just a little
peeved – but I was also ready to go home.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b>Sunday morning
bloomed with heat reaching well over 100 degrees before noon. Our plan was to leave and
make a mad-rush in the <span style="color: #c00000;">a/c-less </span>RV to
Flagstaff and see how we felt. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b>If we weren’t too
miserable our intent was to go all the way home to Utah in one day. Though we had plans to
visit the Grand Canyon and Lake Powell, the lack of a/c was too much to make
that possible.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 18.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">Literally</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">, <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">as we were buckling
up to leave we received a call from the owner of the RV. He had been on the phone trying to find someone near us who would be willing to trade RV’s, so we
could continue our vacation. After all his efforts, there was one kind soul in
Tucson </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">(about two hours away) </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">willing to help. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>We thought about it for a few minutes, took a vote, and finally decided to give it
one more try.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #548235; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b>After
all, what else could happen to make things worse?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 18.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">Three hours later we met this nice lady </span><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">(It takes a really nice person to be so helpful) </span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 18.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">and exchanged
information and RV’s – <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b>Her RV had great
a/c and was much smoother riding than the original vehicle. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b>We continued our vacation
– Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, other sites – and finally arrived home, safe,
sound, and revived by a delightful couple of days.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b>After some
negotiation, our RV guy came to an agreement with us about how much we should
pay for our adventure. It wasn’t what he wanted, but it was probably more than
he deserved.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b>Now, what is the
moral of this story? <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b>What principle of
truth can we learn to make life happier?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">Truth
#1 </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">–
Never rent an RV from an individual – maybe not even a company.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">Truth
#2 </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">– Make
every effort to avoid family reunions in Arizona during the summer months. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">If
you can’t, don’t drive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b>That’s all the
truth I can divine from this experience.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b>Oh wait!!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">Truth
#3 </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">–
It’s much better to laugh together when things are going bad.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b>Thanks to my wonderful
family for their patience with the miserable experience I foisted upon them. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b>Teresa
was wonderful and Josh, Heather, Joel, Paula, and the little kids were amazing
and very willing to do whatever it took to make things work.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b>I make one promise
after all of this adventure.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 18.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"><b>I hereby, promise to never rent another RV for our family.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: magenta; color: lime;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">But I won’t promise not to buy one someday. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">😊</span></span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />mormongrandpabloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02395874641510914085noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337710856991894329.post-62266434880189477542018-02-13T17:38:00.001-07:002018-02-13T17:38:38.393-07:00Captain Moroni – Warrior Christian<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have been reading
the Book of Mormon since I was a boy but my real efforts to understand this
powerful testimony of Christ began as a 19-yr-old missionary. Poring over it for
the first time in my life, I became interested in the doctrines of Christ found
in the pages of the book. Since those days, my study has helped me to see and
learn many things that have improved my life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In my early years of
study I sometimes struggled with the purpose of the “war chapters” found in the
book. But with age and experience <span style="line-height: 107%;">(and a little effort) </span>I have begun to see the great value in the
things Mormon included in the record pertaining to war. Mormon’s life was spent
in battle <span style="line-height: 107%;">(he was a Nephite general
at age 16) </span>and he developed some powerful insights that can help us all
prepare for the events that will surely come in our day. That is a subject I would
like to address in this little missive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As he compiled the
record of the Nephites, Mormon often highlighted the attitudes and attributes
of the Nephites and Lamanites. One area I have found of special interest is the
attitude he takes toward the Nephite general Moroni. It is obvious to any
reader that Mormon had a great respect for Moroni <span style="line-height: 107%;">(so much so that he gave his own son the same name)</span>. Many
of the attributes we see in the writing of Mormon about his own military
experiences shadow the things he appreciated about Moroni. While a much longer
paper could be made of these connections, I would like to focus on one truth Mormon
highlights related to the great Captain Moroni’s righteousness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On several occasions,
Moroni found himself and his armies in precarious situations. For instance, Alma
44 covers a battle between the Nephite forces and a massive Lamanite army, led
by the apostate Nephite Zerahemnah. Chosen for his hatred of the Nephites and
his skill in warfare, Zerahemnah took the Lamanites to battle with the intent
to destroy the whole of the Nephite nation. But a series of setbacks and
missteps plunged the Lamanite army into a situation that was precarious to the
degree of utter destruction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And
it came to pass that he </i></b><span style="line-height: 107%;">[Moroni and his army]<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">met
the Lamanites in the borders of Jershon, and his people were armed with swords,
and with cimeters, and all manner of weapons of war. And when the armies of the
Lamanites saw that the people of Nephi, or that Moroni, had prepared his people
with breastplates and with arm-shields, yea, and also shields to defend their
heads, and also were dressed with thick clothing—now the army of Zerahemnah was
not prepared with any such thing; they had only their swords and their cimeters,
their bows and their arrows…and they were naked, save it were a skin which was
girded about their loins;… </i></b>(Alma 43:18-20)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Seeing the
preparations of the army of Moroni, the Lamanites were afraid to engage in
battle and chose to move their attack to a different part of the land – hopeful
to find a less prepared enemy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not one to simply hope
for the best, Captain Moroni acted quickly. First, he sent spies to scope out
the plans of the army of Zerahemnah. Then, he called on Alma, the prophet of
the Church, to ask for guidance from the God of their fathers. Alma sought help
from God and was given directions to help Moroni prepare for the work of their
enemies. Thus, when the Lamanites arrived at their designed battleground they
found the army of the Nephites waiting to confront them. What they <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">didn’t find</b> was the second portion of Moroni’s
army that was secreted in the valleys, waiting for them to pass by. Now the
whole of the Lamanite army was surrounded by the well equipped and protected
Nephite militia. The ensuing battle was a bloodbath with the Lamanites
contributing most of the liquid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As the battle raged,
the leaders of the Lamanite army used every trick to inspire their men to face
the well-trained and favorably suited soldiers of the armies of Moroni. And though
there was some success, as the battle progressed the Lamanites found themselves
being slaughtered with comparative ease. Then, at a critical point in the
struggle, Moroni detected the fear and terror of his enemies. Unlike most other
military leaders in a similar situation,…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">…Moroni,
when he saw their terror, commanded his men that they should stop shedding their
blood.</i></b> (Alma 43:54)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">REALLY!! What
military man would pass on the chance to decimate the enemies’ greatest asset?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yet, that is
precisely what Moroni did. And to complicate things even more, Moroni went a
step further. To Zerahemnah, the leader of the Lamanites he said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">…We
will not seek your blood, but we will spare your lives, if ye will go your way
and come not again to war against us.</i></b> (Alma 44:6)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In other words,
Moroni offers to free Zerahemnah and his army on a <b>PROMISE.</b> No other strings
attached.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Understandably, the Lamanites
had some difficulty accepting/believing what was happening but in the end, they
agreed to surrender and live <span style="line-height: 107%;">(though
Zerahemnah lost a little in the process)</span>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ensuing events can be read in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Alma 44:8-24</b>, but this amazing experience
only highlights the strength and faith of a man of war who relied on the
teachings of God. He had no desire to kill or destroy – he was willing to let
people live if they would just stop their destructive behavior. All he sought
was peace for his people, so they could worship God and Christ as they desired.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Moroni was a great man
of war, but he was a greater man of God. He worked to protect his people from
destruction by their enemies but always looked to God for the way he should do
his business. Is it any wonder that Mormon, a man who spent most of his life
practicing warfare to protect his people, would find hope in the exploits of
Moroni?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Those who read and
study the word of God <span style="line-height: 107%;">(whether in
the Book of Mormon or other scriptures)</span> can find instances where real
men do the things of God, despite the ideas of the world. Moroni is one of
those men and is an inspirational example for all who read his exploits. I
understand, completely, why Mormon <span style="line-height: 107%;">(nearly 500 years removed from the time of Moroni)</span> would find
strength in the faithfulness of Captain Moroni, the great Nephite leader.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you would like to
see a short video portraying this exciting experience, check out <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8w5iBB7iVR8">this link</a>.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">For more experiences with Moroni, check out Alma 43-63 in <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm?lang=eng">The Book of Mormon</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />mormongrandpabloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02395874641510914085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337710856991894329.post-3425257752669774372018-02-01T19:36:00.000-07:002018-02-01T19:36:51.703-07:00Strange Tender Mercies<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">“What are God’s miracles that remind you that He is close, saying, “I am right here”? Think of those times, some daily, when the Lord has acted in your life—and then acted again. Treasure them as moments the Lord has shown confidence in you and in your choices.”</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This quote comes from a talk by Elder Ronald Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the last General Conference. It caught my attention because I was thinking about some things happening on a blog site I like to follow. The author is a very knowledgeable Latter-day Saint and has a plethora of followers. Most are fellow-saints who are interested in the views of the writer, but a few are more inclined to attempt to poke holes (or chasms) in the faith of believing readers with disparaging remarks and snide comments.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>RANT ALERT:</b> </span>(It baffles me that there are people who feel their time is best spent berating others who believe differently than they do. There is no effort made to speak with kindness, or respect as you would to someone who is lost or confused about life. The sole purpose seems to “share” venom that has built up in their system and, apparently, must be released on poor unsuspecting souls (though, by now we all know what to expect). What is it that leads people like this to spend their time chasing down sites where believers – in one thing or another – share experiences, beliefs, and common interests? Is their life really that dull?)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, as I was pondering the universe and all its secrets, I had a thought that would not let go of my brain. It goes something like this:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The blogger I follow has several of those folks who like to “disagree” with him on very basic principles of truth. No amount of discussion can dissuade them from the ‘belief’ that anything put out by the author is designed to ‘destroy the world.’ It is obvious that they have no interest in trying to understand anything that is shared – and yet, they come back day after day with scorn, untruths, and taunts for those who do believe. Often, I say, “what drives them to keep coming back?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That’s when there was a little (cause I’m not really that important) epiphany that hit me as I was out walking and thinking, related to the message of Elder Rasband.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I thought to myself, might there be a purpose in God’s plan for people like this who are always assaulting those who do not share their beliefs. Could this be one of those tender mercies Elder Rasband mentioned that our Heavenly Father is offering to them as He tries to persuade them to come back to Him. Maybe by keeping these souls connected to a source of truth (even though it is inconvenient and uncomfortable to believers and appears to be completely useless in teaching the offender) God is leaving a way open for these dissenters to eventually find the truth they purport to seek. You know, the more you hang around someone, the more they grow on you. Is it possible that the God we love could be that ‘sneaky’ with His children?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">While the word sneaky does not really fit my description of our Father in Heaven, I do believe that He has plans that we cannot even begin to understand for His children. Think how he helped Zaccheus find a connection with Jesus. A man small of stature, Zaccheus had to climb a tree to get a good look at the Savior but he was also easily accessible when Jesus desired to dine with him in his home. Devious or sneaky is not an attribute I would use to describe of God or His Son, but they will always use the situations available to find ways to bless Their children.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, I am going to take the approach that these fellows who are so rude, obnoxious, and difficult to endure on the Internet are really people who are preparing themselves for a blessing from the God of Heaven who knows them and will do all He can to bring them home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now, they just need to see what is available to them. 😊</span></div>
<br />mormongrandpabloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02395874641510914085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337710856991894329.post-17671889929069616722018-01-03T16:12:00.002-07:002018-08-15T10:08:56.210-06:00SEEING DEEPER<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have been teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ for most of
my life. As a missionary, my efforts were meager, but I tried as hard as I could
to stick to the truths as given in the scriptures. My knowledge of the Bible
and The Book of Mormon was basic but over the years more of the truths found therein
began to stand out and help in the progress to goodness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This year is another chance to study deeper in the
translated words of Mormon and the other prophets who contributed to the work. Students
have been very willing to dig down and discover hidden gems of faith that invite
the Holy Ghost to testify of Christ. My own study has increased, as new
insights are discovered and shared with those I love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That brings me to today’s experience. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are working our way through the book of Alma, a
conglomeration of truths/stories assembled by the prophet Mormon. Just before
Christmas we spent a full day on <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/7?lang=eng" target="_blank">Alma chapter 7 </a>where the purpose and experience of the Savior’s atonement was
described. The moving words of Alma help us to find comfort in the sacrifice
Jesus provided for ALL of God’s children:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>For behold, I say unto you there be many things to come; and behold, <i>there is one thing of more importance than
they all</i>… And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and
temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which
saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he
will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his
people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be
filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the
flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.</b> </span>(Alma 7:7,
11-13, emphasis added)<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These wonderful verses have been a comfort to me <span style="line-height: 107%;">(and many others) </span>as I have
pondered the things that happen in mortal life. And I rejoice because according
to Alma, sin has an enemy that will swallow all the pain and anguish it causes –
if the individual will allow Christ to be involved in the process.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I believe completely in the power of the Savior’s atoning
sacrifice to change us as we seek His help, but as I studied further in the
book of Alma there was another discovery that helped me anchor this truth in my
heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In chapters <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/8?lang=eng" target="_blank">8-11</a> in the book of Alma, we find a story about
the missionary efforts of Alma the younger, the once wayward and now repentant
son of Alma, the first Chief Judge of the people in Zarahemla. Alma the younger
was appointed to the Chief Judge position when his father retired. Additionally,
he was also given the responsibility to guide the church as presiding
priesthood leader (Prophet). His efforts to bless the people had him working
hard in Zarahemla, traveling to the city of Gideon and Melek (finding much
success in both) and finally arriving in the city of Ammonihah. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhry1G7jt7yeeOKcqs7Yx0RiNsiirRNVMLrRLd5PBK19FZ5yi4XN_BfjQZgEzNwDVBZaxjYE2l0kM-QR34prlGRIs-4aCAcgRyyeENBC2Ia2z2UWAmfMLw2xPhB8dKDYlr3dwIvt6ocA89-/s1600/alma+in+ammonihah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="952" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhry1G7jt7yeeOKcqs7Yx0RiNsiirRNVMLrRLd5PBK19FZ5yi4XN_BfjQZgEzNwDVBZaxjYE2l0kM-QR34prlGRIs-4aCAcgRyyeENBC2Ia2z2UWAmfMLw2xPhB8dKDYlr3dwIvt6ocA89-/s320/alma+in+ammonihah.jpg" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alma rejected in Ammonihah</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The reception in Ammonihah was ‘chilly’ – maybe even ‘frosty.’
So little success was found that Alma determined to move on to another city rather
than take the abuse of the leaders. But as he made his way along the path, he
was instructed to return to Ammonihah with the assurance that new circumstances
would improve the outlook. Immediately, Alma turned around and entered the city
by a back way. As he wandered the streets, he stumbled on a resident of the
city and asked for food and lodging for the night. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The man, Amulek (a lapsed
member of the church), recognized Alma and invited him to his home for rest and
refreshment. Over the next days, Alma and Amulek developed a friendship based
in a common desire to serve the Lord in His work. Both men recognized that
there were souls in the city who could benefit from the blessings of Christ, so
they prepared to share their message – despite Alma’s previous experiences.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When the two men were prepared they went to the place where
they could find people who would listen to their words. As expected, they
encountered resistance from the same crowd that rejected Alma in his first attempt
to teach. But with Amulek, some of the people had a little more incentive to
listen to the message. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtb60WuP1UbLn6xBT-7d2fNmw9LsuuYDf8T69fEGxCUNKQH3YsSrXwZn-JFsr6ptLQah1IItZjdQULxw_-oLZv42q069IU2LD2MZS-o6zEafu1Hp6p9GgYnPvEaFmG4d-QLO0qQx8rc6f/s1600/alma+and+amulek+preach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtb60WuP1UbLn6xBT-7d2fNmw9LsuuYDf8T69fEGxCUNKQH3YsSrXwZn-JFsr6ptLQah1IItZjdQULxw_-oLZv42q069IU2LD2MZS-o6zEafu1Hp6p9GgYnPvEaFmG4d-QLO0qQx8rc6f/s1600/alma+and+amulek+preach.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alma and Amulek teaching Zeezrom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">While probably not a polished as Alma, Amulek began his teaching
stating his place in the city as a well-known citizen and recounting the
conversion that brought him to his present circumstance. Various individuals
asked questions of him and some attempted to trick him into making a mistake in
his message, but Amulek was able to answer each question and challenge to the
satisfaction of the listeners. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">One of the listeners, a lawyer named Zeezrom, took another
route to turn the situation to his own benefit. Offering a great deal of money,
he invited Amulek to recant his testimony of Christ and the doctrines He taught.
This Zeezrom was a well-spoken man who had proven his abilities to twist the
truth for his own benefit. His confidence in those abilities gave him the chutzpah
to stand up to Amulek’s confession of faith.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">How disappointed he must have been when Amulek refused the
money AND chastised him for his misbegotten plan. And his disappointment turned
to fear as the missionaries taught him the true doctrine of Jesus Christ and
the Atonement. In fact, the fear of destruction left Zeezrom physically weak
and unable to continue his rantings against Alma and Amulek. In the end,
Zeezrom recognized his own sins and the damage he had done to the faith of the
people. His change of heart caused his former friends to cast him out of the
city forever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Alma and Amulek continued to preach and were eventually
driven from Ammonihah, only to find Zeezrom on his death bed in another town. Laying
hands on his head, Alma and Amulek healed the former enemy and raised him up
off his death bed. Then they taught him the gospel and helped him enter the church
of God. Zeezrom became a powerful instrument in the spreading of the doctrines
of Christ among many of the Nephites.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Now, that’s a pretty common story when it comes to religious
conversions. A former unbeliever becomes a believer through a spiritual
experience that changes their heart (see Saul for example). But that’s only
part of the message I think Mormon is trying to give us in these chapters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">If you remember, Alma 7 explained, in detail, the blessings
that would be available to those who accepted the Atonement of Jesus Christ and
repented of their sins. That redemption is meant for ALL of God’s children, not
just a select few. In chapters 8-11 we encounter three individuals who are in
varying stages of mortal life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><b>Alma,</b>
a rebellious son of a prophet of God, has been converted and is now doing his
best to repair the damage he caused in his younger days. His success is impressive,
and we are all inspired by his efforts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><b>Amulek,</b>
a ‘less-active’ member of the church, has been re-converted and invited to help
bring other souls to the fountain of Christ. He was not necessarily antagonistic
toward the Savior, but he was apathetic in his testimony.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><b>Zeezrom, </b>an
opponent of Christ and all He offers. This man had wealth and power as his god
and tried to destroy anyone who would try to affect his plans but found peace in
the teachings of Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jbdpmm8Q40GgfMvwmOOOenjlzBl2a7-y9bKFemS05dh5CMFHb_Jda74G0Vk1ebuRv3RlOlOeWEkJxoSPT51Lwr62GDkY50gWANhNCoyqbkehi_ym2oJQEO4diooS5FqsRh-s39R2ylkY/s1600/friberg-christ-america.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1488" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jbdpmm8Q40GgfMvwmOOOenjlzBl2a7-y9bKFemS05dh5CMFHb_Jda74G0Vk1ebuRv3RlOlOeWEkJxoSPT51Lwr62GDkY50gWANhNCoyqbkehi_ym2oJQEO4diooS5FqsRh-s39R2ylkY/s320/friberg-christ-america.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The resurrected Christ appears to the Nephites</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The placement of each of these individual characters is a
testament to the wisdom and inspiration of Mormon as he assembled the records. It
was not by chance that the stories of Alma, Amulek, and Zeezrom were given <b>after</b> the teachings of the Atonement of
Christ. No, Mormon wanted us to <b><i><u>see a deeper</u></i></b> application of Christ’s work. Mormon shows
us that there is every possibility, despite current circumstance, for anyone to
be redeemed by the blood of Christ. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Jesus did His work for the benefit of all His
Father’s children – the <b>rebellious</b>,
the <b>apathetic</b>, and the most virulent
<b>opponent</b> – each has access to the
redeeming grace of Jesus Christ as they acknowledge their need for His redemption.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This experience in my own awakening reminds me that there is
a plan in place to guide us all back to our heavenly home. And the most
valuable and powerful ‘tool’ is given as we access the Atoning sacrifice of
Jesus Christ which prepares us for that future day.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
mormongrandpabloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02395874641510914085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337710856991894329.post-61793854640685162502017-10-13T15:42:00.002-06:002017-10-13T15:42:57.666-06:00Important Matters<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We have
just finished another General Conference in the Church and it is clear to me
that the world is going crazy. You would think that a Church with only 16
million members living on a planet of more than 7.5 billion </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(that’s
approximately</span><b><span style="font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">2% of all the people on earth)</span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> could
function without too much interference or notice by the rest of mankind. Yet,
every six months, there are reminders that sharing and believing the Gospel of
Christ has its costs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Here’s an example.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8z06wMTR_tRlf6dsA5jMthRYOx5gVlNWcEJmfwIRDzJTjZdH01ALufGse9qQURC0ur0PrXDQzMMGJeNNGgzXYH4QH6D-aWSN2mIYYdvr09JbsYu8ZB9zY2Mz69ExwrKeL9D2sEQpCLcg/s1600/oaks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="153" data-original-width="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8z06wMTR_tRlf6dsA5jMthRYOx5gVlNWcEJmfwIRDzJTjZdH01ALufGse9qQURC0ur0PrXDQzMMGJeNNGgzXYH4QH6D-aWSN2mIYYdvr09JbsYu8ZB9zY2Mz69ExwrKeL9D2sEQpCLcg/s1600/oaks.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Dallin H. Oaks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/10/the-plan-and-the-proclamation?lang=eng">Elder
Dallin Oaks</a> used his time in Conference to speak about the importance of
families and the inspired nature of <a href="https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-and-church-history-student-study-guide/the-worldwide-church/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world?lang=eng">“The
Family: A Proclamation to the World.”</a> When this document was first
published in 1995, many in the religious world lauded the principles of the
message and appreciated the reminder, but wondered why such a thing was needed.
After all, 22 years ago, nearly every Christian </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(and other) </span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">religion
agreed with the things that were taught. But when Elder Oaks completed his talk
on this important document and the even more important doctrine it teaches,
there was an explosion of angst on the Internet. And not just from folks who
are in opposition to the Church and its teachings!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In the
passing of 22 years, a document that was once considered nicely stated but unnecessary
has now become something to be ‘loathed’ because of its ‘bigotry’ and ‘unkindness.’
Many outside </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(and some inside) </span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">the Church have called for change
in the teachings of the Church. They assert that the Church’s stand on families
is oppressive and exclusionist because it does not include all “forms” of
family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Why does the Church continue to teach the “Proclamation?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> Because the Doctrine of Christ, as taught by
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, says that a family consists of
a husband (male) and wife (female) who work together to raise up children in a
home filled with love and the knowledge of Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The doctrine of the “world”</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> says any
combination of individuals or parties can join together and create a family. It
is the plan of the adversary of us all to destroy and corrupt as much of God’s
truth as he can in an effort to stop the great Plan of Happiness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And one of his best efforts, recently, has been the attack on marriage
and family.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not persecute those who believe the
doctrines of the Gospel of Christ in a different way than stated by Christ and
His Prophets. But the church cannot allow members to adjust the doctrine to fit
some personal interpretation of God’s message. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A few
define this limitation on practice/doctrine as discrimination against the
individual when, in fact, it is protection of basic truths in the doctrine. To allow
every social, political, personal, or other belief to “water down” the
doctrinal truths of the gospel is to start on the road to apostasy. This would
be repeating the steps that led to the “Great Apostasy” that occurred shortly
after Christ’s resurrection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I, for one,
appreciate the efforts our leaders are making to keep the doctrines pure. It is
a difficult task to live in a world that, by and large, does not agree with
much of what is taught. And it doesn’t help that there are factions IN the
church trying to change things to meet social, political, or some personal
viewpoints. That’s why it is so critical to have these semi-annual checkpoints.
Even the best of us will drift off course if there are no reminders on a
regular basis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">When Lehi and
Nephi wrote of their <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/8?lang=eng">vision of the Tree</a>,
both identified an Iron Rod that the seekers of the Tree and its fruit latched
onto for guidance. They identified the Rod of Iron as “The Word of God.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I fear that
we sometimes forget the rod is not <b>just</b>
the scriptures written by past prophets but is also the words of modern, living
prophets who are right in the middle of the life we are living. They face the
same challenges and mortal fears but they also know Whom they represent. And when
the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles meet and prayerfully
define the path that is best for a particular time, they have given all who will
listen and obey another length of the Rod, leading to the ultimate goal – The Tree
of Eternal Life that represents the love of God and Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I recognize
that my own commitment to following Living Prophets is not popular with most of
the world. And I will confess that, at times, it is difficult to always be
strong </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(not because I don’t believe, but because it is hard to be
unpopular ALL the time)</span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">. But, thus far my vision is clear enough to allow me
to see that the “prize” at the end of the ROD is worth the effort.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">So, my hope
for all who read this is that you will find the faith in your heart to:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">#1 –Believe
in Christ and the power of His atoning sacrifice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">AND<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">#2 – Stay with
the prophets of God, no matter what the rest of mankind decides to do. You will
always be safe because Jesus has promised that the First Presidency and Quorum
of the Twelve cannot lead us astray </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(I know some will quibble with
this, but I am confident of its veracity)</span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZb9-tCb8fvZzVCiLk3UJF8BUfPsoXVWkx3Lq3XaLOA18msDWNEy64E45F8hZaPBkfZIGTOrQYzM_RoOIipCMUliMTq8IjBaQ5d2Hulh9VWrS5bX7139fmd3wNMpK4bqgAcSQNJ-Xg6gR3/s1600/quorum-of-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZb9-tCb8fvZzVCiLk3UJF8BUfPsoXVWkx3Lq3XaLOA18msDWNEy64E45F8hZaPBkfZIGTOrQYzM_RoOIipCMUliMTq8IjBaQ5d2Hulh9VWrS5bX7139fmd3wNMpK4bqgAcSQNJ-Xg6gR3/s320/quorum-of-12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The current Apostles (Elder Hales passed recently)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I am a
witness of Christ through the power of the Holy Ghost. The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Kingdom of God on the earth. The teachings
of the gospel of Christ will change mankind and welcome in the return of the
Savior. </span>mw</div>
<o:p></o:p>mormongrandpabloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02395874641510914085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337710856991894329.post-63236636972659798612017-09-28T19:25:00.000-06:002017-09-28T19:25:03.385-06:00MY SPEECH ON SPEECH<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The other day I received a letter from a former student,
apologizing for her behavior in a 9</span><sup style="font-size: x-large;">th</sup><span style="font-size: large;"> grade class – one that was pretty raucous
most days. I was grateful to hear from her and was pleased that she was serving
a mission in a foreign country. She asked if I remembered her </span><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">(yes, very distinctly)</span></b><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">and wondered if I could forgive her </span><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">(of course, I was 14 yrs. old once)</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> for the way she acted in
class so many years ago. It was a nice letter and it was easy to accept her
plea and acknowledge her change in attitude. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I </span><b style="font-size: x-large;">never</b><span style="font-size: large;"> disliked
this young lady or any of the classmates that attended with her. By that time
in my career I had stopped worrying about whether students liked me and was
more focused on helping them get through the struggles of youth while trying to
share a large dose of Jesus and His Atonement. To see this girl </span><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">(and many others)</span></b><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">make decisions based on their testimony of Christ is still the
greatest pay for someone in my profession. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Teaching the gospel in a worldly environment is challenging
under the best circumstances. Seldom do we get any support from the ‘school’,
even when the majority hold the same values. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It’s not because they don’t want to be part, but it is a
symptom of the world we live in today. Everyone is terrified of showing any
religious inclinations for fear they will be removed from their positions or
fired for “teaching/supporting religion.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But with the loss of religious and moral principles in the
schools, we have also had a loss in the basic goodness of society. The fear of
retribution dampens the desire to teach appropriate conduct until we reach the point
where any behavior is tolerated </span><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">(look at college campuses for proof)</span></b><span style="font-size: large;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In some ways, the current ‘debate’ about respecting the Flag
and National Anthem can find its origins in what is and isn’t taught in schools
</span><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">(and churches to some extent)</span></b><span style="font-size: large;">. Most schools don’t
recite the Pledge of Allegiance on a regular basis and I suspect that a goodly
number of our students don’t know the words to the National Anthem. The proper
care and display of the flag isn’t even discussed, except in some Scouting
programs </span><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">(witness the flying of flags at half-mast and how it is done
incorrectly)</span></b><span style="font-size: large;">. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">When there is no knowledge for WHY something is done,
there is no respect WHEN it is done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The fear of offending AND the desire to be offended are
creating a world where people feel the need to look over their shoulders whenever
they are doing something that is, in any way, public. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I think the prophet Isaiah was speaking of this issue when
he taught that in the last-days there would be many who:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>… make a man an offender for a
word, [laying] a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the
just for a thing of naught.</i></b> Isiah 29:21<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Pointing out offense is easy. Learning to forgive and help
others avoid real offensive behavior requires love – for the offender and the
offended.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Imagine if Jesus had taken the words of the Pharisees and Sadducees
personally </span><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">(which was the way they were given)</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> and used his
unique abilities to strike back. Rather, He bore their behavior with humility
and love and stayed focused on the task at hand. He could see the bigger
picture and did not let the little things of life get in the way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So how does that relate to the present circumstance? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">People who want to find offense in their lives are going to
find offense. Very little that we say will change their desire to be offended </span><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">(and offense is a desire</span>)</b><span style="font-size: large;">. But YOUR being offended does not
mean that I must refrain from something that is dear to me. And if my actions
are hard for you to understand, please let me know so I can explain my purpose.
</span><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">(note: I didn’t say so I would change, but I would explain)</span></b><span style="font-size: large;">.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So, when a bunch of rich kids who play games for a living
decide they are too ‘cool’ to do something, I really don’t care. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, it is hurts my heart to hear of it and I wish they
wouldn’t do it. But, it isn’t something that is going to change me or my family
and I see no need to be incensed? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Truthfully, their behavior has no bearing on my experiences
in life and I suspect they will lose the desire to stand out as soon as people
quit talking about it. I guess you might say I have a “laissez-faire” attitude
towards things like this. Especially when they have no real bearing on anything
of substance. These are just little children trying to get attention – and it’s
working.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-size: x-large;">On the other hand</b><span style="font-size: large;">,
there are some folks who are clamoring for changes that I DO believe should be resisted.
One current trend is calling out speakers/believers for ‘hate speech.’ In general,
hate speech seems to be anything one body of believers </span><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">(often loosely defined)</span></b><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">finds offensive to their own ideas
or practices. Somehow this term has become the rage for shutting down unwanted messages
that disagree with another set of beliefs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">For example, if I am a dog lover and profess my love for the
canine faction on earth, some other group will try to accuse me of ‘hate-speech’
because they think felines are better and my admiration for dogs must mean I
HATE cats. In their mind, I must be stopped from ‘hate-speech’ against cats!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The concept that a different ideology equates to hate is
ridiculous. When did it become hateful to disagree with another opinion? I am a
member of many organizations </span><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">(official and unofficial)</span></b><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">that have a wide variety of
opinions and beliefs. But my membership in those groups does not mean I hate,
or even dislike those in competing/contrasting organizations. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My heavens!! There is nothing wrong with having contrasting
points of view. I recall that Ronald Reagan and Tip O’Neill were on opposite
sides of the political spectrum, yet they were amiable and friendly – so much
so that they enjoyed having dinner together quite often. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Why does EVERYTHING need to be polarizing? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Who says it’s impossible for members of different religious
parties to be friendly to one another? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What rule says that graduates from rival schools cannot be
civil in their discourse? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Why can’t dog and cat lovers sit down and share a meal
together?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What has happened to this world? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Have we ALL forgotten that we are children of the same God? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Maybe that IS the problem. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Each person has their own God </span><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">(whether they be
Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Atheist, or whatever)</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> but many have
become intolerant of the individual right to choose and live in peace with
their own creed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">For instance!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints </span><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">(Mormon)</span></b><span style="font-size: large;">. My faith is dear to me and I desire to
protect the right of my children and grand-children to practice what I believe are
the doctrines of Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">One of the truths we follow pertains to marriage as an
eternal ordinance when bound by the authority of the priesthood of God. Sacred
temples are built around the world where faithful members can kneel across an
altar with their husband or wife and participate in a holy event that seals
them as a couple for all time and eternity. This is a satisfying doctrine of
the gospel of Christ as we practice our faith. I do not expect everyone to
appreciate what we do but I hope that no one will decide that our practices are
an indication of something <b><u>not</u></b>
part of the experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What is not part of our marriage rights is any statement
pertaining to the practices of others of faith.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Mormons are not saying to the
rest of the world that temple marriages are more valid than those of non-Latter-day
Saints. We readily acknowledge that husbands and wives who love each other and
are faithful to their marriage vows will find great joy together. The children of
these unions are blessed by the love they receive from their parents. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But, there is one difference between these types of marriage
– we have confidence that the vows we make do not end when “death does us part.”
Our faith extends through the eternal realms and promises that those who are
faithful to their covenants </span><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">(to God and spouse)</span></b><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">will continue to enjoy the
bliss of marriage in the next world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We welcome any who wish to enjoy this same experience to
prepare and receive as we have.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Our doctrine is not
hateful</b>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Teaching the doctrines of the Latter-day Saints is not ‘hate-speech.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We do not look down on, mock, hate, belittle, or exclude
others as though we stood on a lofty tower. Neither do we cast stones or
aspersions toward those who do not believe as we do. We simply believe differently
than others of faith and are careful to not defy God in our practices. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Latter-day Saints believe in the eternal nature of family –
both the nuclear type and the world-wide version. Every person on this earth is
a son or daughter of a God who loves them and wants them to be happy. Mortal death
is not the dissolution of family experiences, it is a step in the eternal
continuation of those relationships.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So, when disbelievers chant that Mormons are dividers and
haters because they perform marriages in sacred temples, they show a complete
disregard for the rights of the faithful to practice their religion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In reality, the doctrines of the Church of Jesus of Christ
of Latter-day Saints are </span><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">(though many will scream otherwise)</span></b><span style="font-size: large;">
very inclusive. There is </span><b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">hope</span></b><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">in
the gospel, as taught by the LDS Church, for all who come to this ball of dirt
to experience mortality. Any who desire to live with God are qualified to join
and partake of His blessings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So back to the original premise:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Being offended is a choice!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Finding offense where none is intended is a choice!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Looking for ways to be offended and then claiming that
offense is ‘hate-speech’ is to destroy all freedom in a land where freedom is
key. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Trying to control dialogue by shaming and propaganda </span><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">(claiming disagreement is hateful</span></b>)<span style="font-size: large;"> is the beginning of the end
of free speech. The end of free speech is the doctrine of the adversary and
will destroy many other freedoms as it spreads.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
mormongrandpabloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02395874641510914085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337710856991894329.post-36898062896476935632017-08-09T10:45:00.001-06:002017-08-09T10:45:48.799-06:00JUDGMENT<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Yesterday,
it was <a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865686362/LDS-Church-leaders-release-excommunicate-Elder-James-J-Hamula.html" target="_blank">announced</a> that a member of the 1<sup>st</sup> Quorum of the Seventy </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(the third
highest quorum in the Church)</span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> was excommunicated from the Church for unspecified
reasons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmU1VEX_Nhwoz4p2zPtrgLR7qCa-eQRgLdEgjeoPjLMMmPW2410IrcXJQXMNPzzFFFiQVYPJjXOe8vbll_mDux-kyNYR_u29K4NFGQThPCDHexif-2hdaGcMX03svON7IpzxDcjKflAYqO/s1600/Salt+Lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmU1VEX_Nhwoz4p2zPtrgLR7qCa-eQRgLdEgjeoPjLMMmPW2410IrcXJQXMNPzzFFFiQVYPJjXOe8vbll_mDux-kyNYR_u29K4NFGQThPCDHexif-2hdaGcMX03svON7IpzxDcjKflAYqO/s320/Salt+Lake.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It is
unusual for someone in one of the senior quorums of leadership to find himself/herself
in this circumstance. For members of the Church, having a trusted leader lose
his/her membership can be jolting. There is an expectation that when a person
reaches that level of leadership they are immune to the temptations that result
in such drastic consequences.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Obviously,
that is not true!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Generally, in
such situations there is no mention of the offense committed by the participant
but the Church </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(and this can only be done with the permission of the
individual) </span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">felt it was important to know that this was not a case of
apostasy or losing his testimony of the faith.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Sadly, the
need to clarify is a symptom of the Internet age we are experiencing. So much
speculation and projection takes place in these circumstances that the Church </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(and most
likely the brother)</span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> wanted it understood that loss of faith was not the
reason for the action.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">That doesn’t
mean that there STILL won’t be many who choose to trumpet this as exactly
that!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">AHH!!, don’t we love Internet
trolls!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcr9Ua_i1iptZDoNOZCR9q3grvebAyQ_GH_WZsK3HhVpy_uETEbtsuzIGiCkrtjfL0Xxnyii5BbVPGp8-YCBx-hVgta4UoOciVv31vAoXx8HLccKr2PejW2vOPZ2RGFiCmR4BEJ3nmlVU/s1600/internet+troll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcr9Ua_i1iptZDoNOZCR9q3grvebAyQ_GH_WZsK3HhVpy_uETEbtsuzIGiCkrtjfL0Xxnyii5BbVPGp8-YCBx-hVgta4UoOciVv31vAoXx8HLccKr2PejW2vOPZ2RGFiCmR4BEJ3nmlVU/s1600/internet+troll.jpg" /></a></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It would be
very easy to begin to come up with scenarios for why someone would lose their
membership. My experience in these cases has taught me to be sensitive to the
tender feelings of those who find themselves working through their quest for
forgiveness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Each of us
has failings and it is not unusual to look back and say, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“How did I get here?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Jesus
taught us, “Judge not unrighteously that ye be not judged.” </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/jst/jst-matt/7.html?lang=eng">(JST Matt.
7:1-2)</a> </span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And Mormon expanded on the Savior’s words to teach us a bit
more about judgment:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59MkaxDOli3ni8t1FDSD9LW1KEiytfUg5acQqBv5FHNPq5Sfq7joM0ZKhrsKMtG7gVAfwxFD7k8Ld3c4LvmYgg1te9KwdyiZVwaachZJGPqAZ-EOIZn7w6Sbs1liCi6jTu1nFnnuXS2CU/s1600/mormon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="258" data-original-width="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59MkaxDOli3ni8t1FDSD9LW1KEiytfUg5acQqBv5FHNPq5Sfq7joM0ZKhrsKMtG7gVAfwxFD7k8Ld3c4LvmYgg1te9KwdyiZVwaachZJGPqAZ-EOIZn7w6Sbs1liCi6jTu1nFnnuXS2CU/s1600/mormon.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mormon recording and compiling</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to
judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that
ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(Notice that it is not wrong to judge. But it IS wrong
to judge unrighteously. So how do you do that? Here it comes.)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every
man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to
judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in
Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know
with a perfect knowledge it is of God.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(The gift Mormon is teaching about is called the Light
of Christ – also known as a conscience. We are all born with it – a
little piece of the Divine – and as we listen to its promptings, it can guide
us to make better choices – including judging correctly)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and
believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a
perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil
work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels;
neither do they who subject themselves unto him.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(Despite what some may say, it is pretty easy to
discern good from evil. Our help comes from that spark of divinity Mormon
identifies as the Light of Christ. The challenge is listening and making the
correct choice in times of pressure.)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by
which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not
judge wrongfully; <b>for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be
judged.</b></span></i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> <b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/moro/7?lang=eng">(Moroni 7:15-18)</a></span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: #548235; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">And isn’t that the
challenge?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #548235; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Making
righteous judgment while still living as a mortal being, full of prejudices and
weaknesses of our own is TOUGH.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">So, when we
recognize that someone has faltered in their journey through this temporal
experience or we know of a person who is steeped in ‘sinfulness’, might it not
be best to have compassion rather than condemnation for their challenges. Each of
us has a similar path to trod and at some time we are going to need help to get
through difficult times. It will be much easier to find comfort from others
when we have given the same to them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">My hope for
this good brother is that he will do all that is necessary to receive
forgiveness for whatever misstep he has made. He is still relatively young and
can find new strength through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Savior
is all about forgiveness – not one is ever exempted from His influence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">AND, may we
all have a prayer in our hearts and compassion for this circumstance, along
with others we may know, as they navigate the road of repentance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Don’t
forget what Paul taught the Romans about our individual trek through this
fallen world:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I
do.</span></b><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(Romans 7:19)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">FULL DISCLOSURE:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This particular sin (judging
unrighteously) is a continuing issue for me. I am working to eliminate this annoying
habit from my own life. Postings like this are probably more for me than anyone
else. My hope is to be less “unrighteously judgmental” when I stand before the
bar of Christ. </span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Baskerville Old Face"; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: "Baskerville Old Face"; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
mormongrandpabloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02395874641510914085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337710856991894329.post-60935975082047907052017-08-02T15:16:00.000-06:002017-08-02T15:16:19.899-06:00ROOTS AND FRUITS #1<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(Continuing where I left off last
time…)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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Kansas City, MO is about the same size as Salt Lake City, but
much more difficult to navigate. Where SLC has square, even blocks that are
numbered for easy identification, KC is a hodge-podge of streets and parkways
that have no specific design <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(except
to torture travelers)</span>. And when the services of Google AND Garmin are
spotty …… well, life can become interesting.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, how do you think we did getting to the airport when it
came time to join our group of friends for the Workshop?<o:p></o:p></div>
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HAH!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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This was a good day
for the electronic maps.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And our car was easy
to return <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(thanks <b><span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">National Car Rental</span></b>)</span>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In fact, we were VERY early and had to wait in the terminal for the rest of the company.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The only struggle was waiting for all the different flights
to arrive from across the country. One group was from Southern California,
another arrived from Alaska, two different groups came by way of SLC, and there
was one other <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(I don’t remember
the start point) </span>that was last of all. But eventually all the party was
assembled and we boarded the bus for our excursion.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Intro --<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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When you gather
together a large gaggle of Seminary teachers in one place you can always expect
life to be interesting. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Think about it!! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Our job is to work
with young people and help them learn the gospel.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
That means we must be
able to relate to <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(and
sometimes emulate) </span>them or we won’t be successful. So, the personality
of a group like ours just ‘might’ have some resemblance to a high school group
on a band or choir tour.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And since we are
teachers -- EVERYONE has a story to tell <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(seldom short)</span>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Humorous events or
amazing experiences are the norm.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And, because we teach
the gospel of Jesus Christ, there are many <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(or slightly more) </span>spiritual experiences shared by the
attendants.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
In other words, it is
a raucous, unruly, tender, heavenly, and enlightening time for everyone on the
bus.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And we wouldn’t have
it any other way.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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With the crew
assembled, our first business was to introduce all the participants. (<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I will skip that part because none of
you really care. If you do, let me know and I will send you the roster.)</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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I knew a few of our
fellow-travelers <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(sounds sort
of communistic when I say it like that) </span>but the majority were strangers.
As we did the intros, our tour leader prepared us for the first site we would
visit.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
And, frankly, I don’t
remember what it was!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>MISSOURI<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
OK, I just checked the itinerary and it was Independence,
MO. I thought that was second but I was wrong. The visitor center was
interesting and the site where the cornerstones for the temple were laid was…
there. The Church doesn’t own it, but it is still visible.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Maybe the most
striking thing was the RLDS (Community of Christ) Temple. It looks sort of like
a big ice cream cone.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidj6-LEXBCxuhqkyNkyJv9UpVXii8rcGLPqLaNIIp2nPKdE5JEvQMAAzlHtXXG9XV1a-lWV38YLMtO7me9ym3AcEEKulwSh09c7IT06s6Tkyweg0CLM9-Olfc-4xX3s2SpPvsO6YdPPP21/s1600/IMG_20170703_180312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidj6-LEXBCxuhqkyNkyJv9UpVXii8rcGLPqLaNIIp2nPKdE5JEvQMAAzlHtXXG9XV1a-lWV38YLMtO7me9ym3AcEEKulwSh09c7IT06s6Tkyweg0CLM9-Olfc-4xX3s2SpPvsO6YdPPP21/s320/IMG_20170703_180312.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoCaption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Community of Christ
Temple, Independence, MO</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Side Note:</b> The
CofC folks are very kind and accommodating. We had lots of interaction with
them during our days in Nauvoo, but here in Missouri, they were less visible.
While we have some commonality in our origins, their belief system is VERY
different than ours. I will probably try to share some of that when I get to
Nauvoo with this narrative.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>LIBERTY JAIL</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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The lateness of our start meant we had to hurry along to
Liberty Jail. It was sad that this was at the beginning of the workshop because
I would have liked to stay longer. The events from this site have had a
profound effect on my personal life <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(and I suspect many others as well)</span> and it would have been nice to
sit and ponder more extensively. Still, the sacred nature of Liberty Jail <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(called by some, a “temple prison”) </span>was
obvious as we discussed events and teachings given by the Lord for the benefit
of His people <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(for reference,
see D&C 121-123 as a starter)</span>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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You can see that it
was a long day -- we were tired. but excited to be at such a significant place.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflGD0S1KM25YlkNURt7Gv50pullelxwEInFIZYNztS4J7xQy-icnf5ZwW-lfZM12JTni-8NXnzoUgs_wxUOMT94V_YPUgZIegUekNF_IZgTAhBy8RJegXLk8yCekHMEBcbTGDbsdxPcHH/s1600/IMG_20170703_205603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflGD0S1KM25YlkNURt7Gv50pullelxwEInFIZYNztS4J7xQy-icnf5ZwW-lfZM12JTni-8NXnzoUgs_wxUOMT94V_YPUgZIegUekNF_IZgTAhBy8RJegXLk8yCekHMEBcbTGDbsdxPcHH/s320/IMG_20170703_205603.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Joseph, Hyrum, and others behind us</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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I don’t really remember much more of the first day – we were tired and the bed at the hotel was very welcome. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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One interesting thing about these workshops is the
friendships we make as we travel together. There is a wide range of ages <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(we were most assuredly part of the
upper-age group</span>) and personalities but everyone works hard to make
things better for their traveling companions. For instance, after the first day
the directors asked if some of us would accommodate a few who had travel
sickness issues. The number of volunteers exceeded the needed changes. That
attitude was the defining spirit of the whole workshop. It really is nice to
travel with good people who are not focused on themselves at the expense of
everyone else.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBoQ39JAl7fTgcCrnV27NF1bPUjdHtqZrUyOzFfc1cknBegSYu9vpLbgat7Eu6CxOdKOMU6mEVJSR3wSw4ytEs5YfM8GI4otgX_FAiQRAP60h6MJHtf5yHrW6EYx2Ow69eHZvax_LIKxa/s1600/IMG_20170702_172227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBoQ39JAl7fTgcCrnV27NF1bPUjdHtqZrUyOzFfc1cknBegSYu9vpLbgat7Eu6CxOdKOMU6mEVJSR3wSw4ytEs5YfM8GI4otgX_FAiQRAP60h6MJHtf5yHrW6EYx2Ow69eHZvax_LIKxa/s320/IMG_20170702_172227.jpg" title="KC Temple" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KC Temple </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />Day two started with a quick “drive-by” of the Kansas City
Temple. Since Teresa and I had already been there, we just relaxed and let the
others have the space. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Side Note</b>: <i>I
noticed, as we made our way to Far West, MO, that the bus driver was carefully
watching her GPS to make sure she got where we wanted to go. But she also had a
secondary map, just in case things went awry. That made me feel better about
our experiences with electronic maps.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>FAR WEST AND HAWN’S MILL</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Far West and Hawn’s Mill <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(used to be Haun’s Mill but they have discovered Jacob Hawn
spelled his name with a W)</span> have some significance to us <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(me) </span>because I had relatives who
died in the Hawn’s Mill massacre. David Lewis was one of the victims and was
the brother of my 3<sup>rd</sup> great-grandfather, Tarlton Lewis. Jacob Hawn
failed to warn the Saints to gather with the body of the Church, as Joseph had
counseled him to do, and many lost their lives when a mob came and victimized
them. It was a sad day in Church History and marked the beginning of the end
for the Saints in Missouri.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcuC2c6htYoYgGykBzbdYYuFZ1xnbVMhp_2yaMSJ5uAtCrXyXWRsQiZkYw0MXpRwIfsFJ7dypP2Vk_LhUIzdCNxhyxC9HnQt9NCsXVc25ZBc855tvsTIXtAO5_exgJKS6mWpYVzg8Pvs6/s1600/IMG_20170704_112315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcuC2c6htYoYgGykBzbdYYuFZ1xnbVMhp_2yaMSJ5uAtCrXyXWRsQiZkYw0MXpRwIfsFJ7dypP2Vk_LhUIzdCNxhyxC9HnQt9NCsXVc25ZBc855tvsTIXtAO5_exgJKS6mWpYVzg8Pvs6/s320/IMG_20170704_112315.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="center" class="MsoCaption">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">You can see why people would want to settle in this region.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">It's perfect for farming and lots of other 'pioneer' activities.</span></div>
</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>ADAM-ONDI-AHMAN</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Adam-ondi-Ahman is a very special place in the history of
the Church. Joseph Smith received revelation that this was the place where Adam
built an altar and offered sacrifice when he and Eve were cast out of the
Garden of Eden. There’s not much here right now, but the future of this
location has some amazing things to experience. I probably won’t be here on
earth when it happens but just watching from the ‘sidelines’ will still be interesting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
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</div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Looking out over the
valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just so we could get a feel for how much time it took for
the Saints to leave Missouri and get to Illinois, we made the journey to Nauvoo
in one day. Well, for the Saints it was weeks of travel but for us it was only
a few hours over freeways. Guess that’s not very representative but I’m glad we
didn’t have to walk.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>I think I will stop here for this posting and save the rest
for another day. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some of you may be wondering about the title of this entry.
I chose <b>“Roots and Fruits”</b> because
the whole time we were on this workshop the thought kept coming to me that what
these people did <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>(the roots of
my ancestry) </b></span>has had a profound effect on who I am and who my future
family will be<b> <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(fruits)</span></b>.
I suppose these feelings are a symptom of aging and worrying about the familial line that continues
into the future, but it is also a salute to the wonderful people who paved the
way for me to find peace in this mortal experience. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They sacrificed and died <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(much like seeds that become plants) </span>to
open the door for me to grow in my love of Christ and His work. These people
were not just pioneers in moving to new nations, they were pioneers in opening
the realms of God to His children. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The work of our ancestors deserves our attention and love. I
hope that what I share with this and other postings indicates how much thankfulness
there is in my heart for these powerful children of God. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
And one day, I hope to
be one too.<o:p></o:p></div>
mormongrandpabloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02395874641510914085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337710856991894329.post-78477060965336463842017-08-01T11:14:00.001-06:002017-08-01T11:14:29.251-06:00MIDWEST VACATION<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The older I get, the more I wonder about how my life is
connected to my ancestors and future generations. When we are young the focus of
life is learning and building but as we age our desires seem to turn to those
who have preceded us and the other group that is coming up behind. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
For instance, one of my worries is that my grandchildren
won’t remember who I am – especially the younger ones. Teresa and I spend a lot
of time with all of them but I am afraid many may not remember how grandpa and
grandma liked to play with them when they were little. By the time their
memories can hold onto our experiences together we will be too feeble and loopy
<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(OK, that last part is for me, not Teresa) </span></b>to do
anything that is exciting enough to pack away as a pleasant recollection. We
will have become those “old folks who smell funny and can’t do much.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
That’s one of the reasons I try to keep some semblance of a
journal – so my posterity can understand a little bit about who I really was.
And these blog entries are meant to give them a view into the things that were
important <b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">– to me!</span></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span>I
figure if I write enough <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(even
if it is boring) </span>they will have some foundation for knowing who we were
when we are gone. At least that is the idea!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
So, here’s some thoughts I had as Teresa and I went on a
little vacation a few weeks ago. It was partly personal and partly work related
– but all of it was interesting and uplifting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
In the summer hiatus from classwork my employer offers
guided workshops, for teachers and spouses, to historic sites that are
important to LDS Church history. A few years ago we went on the Northeast
version and had a wonderful time visiting sites in New York, Ohio, Vermont, and
other church-related locations. We developed some good friendships and really
enjoyed the experience – in fact, I hope we can go back to many of the sites at
some future time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
A couple of summers later we were offered a chance to
experience <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(sort of) </span>what
it would be like to make the trek to Utah from the other side of the Rocky
Mountains. For a week, our group followed the Pioneer Trail that was used by
the Saints as they left, what was then, the borders of the United States and
moved to the frontiers of the Utah Basin. The big difference in our pioneer
adventure was we made the trek in six days and had four-wheel-drive vehicles
instead of wagons and oxen. Again, it was an amazing workshop and helped us
understand <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(just a little) </span>what it must have been like.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Well, this summer we were blessed to finally participate in
the final workshop available to teachers and spouses. This adventure included
visits to many of the Church History sites relating to the Missouri and
Illinois experiences of the early Saints. And, as a bonus, Teresa and I went
out a few days early to visit Rex and Lisa, my younger brother and his wife, in
Indiana. We decided that may be the closest we get to them anytime soon so we
better take advantage of the proximity of our workshop. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>[For those of you who are geographically inclined, Indiana
is NOT very close to Missouri, but it IS much closer than when we are in Utah.]</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Having lived most of my life in the Western United States, I
am very used to having mountains and deserts as the main landscape. So, when we
arrived in Indiana <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(and the rest of the Midwest) </span>there were some
adjustments to make. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
You see, everything is <b><span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">green</span></b>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Not just some things. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #c00000;">Everything</span></b><span style="color: #c00000;"> </span>was
<b><span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">really green</span></b>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
And most of the <b><span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">green</span></b><span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;"> </span>consisted of
soybeans and corn. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Lots of soybeans and corn.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes too much soybean and corn.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTRGCPosziInfwbaf2Dimikm_2CnrGaPwPaYDU50c-9m40aAxP2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Image result for soybean field pictures" border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTRGCPosziInfwbaf2Dimikm_2CnrGaPwPaYDU50c-9m40aAxP2" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soybean field -- very green</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Add to that, there were no mountains anywhere! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
How do you know which way to go if you don’t have mountains
as a point of reference?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Even our GPS had trouble with the flatlands. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Google Fail and Garmin struggle)</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Eventually, we sort of got used to the <b><span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">GREEN</span></b>. At least Teresa did. In fact, she loved it and
wished we could take some home with us. She really likes <b><span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">green</span></b>. I guess I’m more of <b><span style="color: #7f6000; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #7F6000; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent4; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 128;">brown</span></b><span style="color: #7f6000; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #7F6000; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent4; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 128;"> </span>kinda guy. But that’s what makes us such a good team.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Anyway, we had a delightful visit with Rex and Lisa (and
Nicholas). They are very gracious hosts and took good care of us while we were
there. Here’s a few of the adventures they shared with us:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Pleasant company on
the back deck<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #c00000;">No pictures of this– sometimes I’m not really
thinking clearly. </span></b><b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: "Baskerville Old Face"; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: "Baskerville Old Face"; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">☹</span><span style="color: #c00000;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: "Baskerville Old Face"; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: "Baskerville Old Face"; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";"><br /></span></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0T0XQOF2OwsK3qbU1hGqucwzb90_MXmE9iWETbD9QkY3_OFSikS67U9qZRs-e0SbRQDsyexYNC5ak6y7q3VgZDniptMcHgYF-s2lsjn_o1IBIyYS2Dg9eXHKhTvsDmE3RlQLkTniF0_K/s1600/Rex+Harley.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="802" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0T0XQOF2OwsK3qbU1hGqucwzb90_MXmE9iWETbD9QkY3_OFSikS67U9qZRs-e0SbRQDsyexYNC5ak6y7q3VgZDniptMcHgYF-s2lsjn_o1IBIyYS2Dg9eXHKhTvsDmE3RlQLkTniF0_K/s320/Rex+Harley.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gawking at their cool Harley.<br />Aren't they BAD!!?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfsMcs38ytll_GkTXkclEO6Lc8OGDGPntDbMQ2sQIEpd8Yv3HU98MlNngzsJF_G4o1SI0vEqqFXOz2jAbETyEZ9NEiGO9i1ZzomwMZDsfO0McDO_-w-yKD8W1l7TK94nJTAJF-AbzNDGy/s1600/Indy+Museum.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="511" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfsMcs38ytll_GkTXkclEO6Lc8OGDGPntDbMQ2sQIEpd8Yv3HU98MlNngzsJF_G4o1SI0vEqqFXOz2jAbETyEZ9NEiGO9i1ZzomwMZDsfO0McDO_-w-yKD8W1l7TK94nJTAJF-AbzNDGy/s320/Indy+Museum.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visiting the Indianapolis Speedway and Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtp1rvLJzGYKirHJrPhprC5t12sEXOGM03Z9qYpHkLTrMM7FQ7n5tvivsGOKEuHSt59BHjaU1T4rmzcwLuTAAe5imvSzE0ea1CiwySL7x9QO7wnS89xWYwH6bk342wZnnjgbjyFvpiXCt/s1600/KC+Tower.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtp1rvLJzGYKirHJrPhprC5t12sEXOGM03Z9qYpHkLTrMM7FQ7n5tvivsGOKEuHSt59BHjaU1T4rmzcwLuTAAe5imvSzE0ea1CiwySL7x9QO7wnS89xWYwH6bk342wZnnjgbjyFvpiXCt/s320/KC+Tower.png" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing this tower (which wasn't as hard as it might look -- or at least looked to old people). <br />It's called the Soldiers and Sailors Monument.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="page-break-after: avoid; text-align: center;">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1"
o:spid="_x0000_i1030" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:138pt;height:207pt;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:/Users/WHITME~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image004.png"
o:title=""/>
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<div align="center" class="MsoCaption" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Catch and release a
live turtle. Way to save the weak and suffering Nicholas!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="page-break-after: avoid; text-align: center;">
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o:spid="_x0000_i1029" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:194.25pt;height:145.5pt;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
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o:title=""/>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgvkFHabrvblOgvs6Djnn3H_hEgKHcuEArwLVCsRGg8TLeuNU9zTLpH4aPO6UTnncZugGPay_4DEQEwUt-VW892IvN2yyoqKaTOvRZkvYHaQrqJGtQESpMyONkPke13A1y3Fqfd-HgoJz/s1600/Turtle.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="303" data-original-width="405" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgvkFHabrvblOgvs6Djnn3H_hEgKHcuEArwLVCsRGg8TLeuNU9zTLpH4aPO6UTnncZugGPay_4DEQEwUt-VW892IvN2yyoqKaTOvRZkvYHaQrqJGtQESpMyONkPke13A1y3Fqfd-HgoJz/s320/Turtle.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is not the turtle but sort of like it. <br />Our little friend had been attacked and had scratches and cracks in his shell.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="center" class="MsoCaption" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoCaption" style="text-align: center;">
Real Indy Racing!! -- Almost.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCoQL6V2uukOk78VKb2AtiTLyPs4tY_E4B8_iKPMZaEaHCjU99xiOxt64u6fs1LWeXjxBb20msDhRAqbhkB84qQ3rBuzoXGJAsGSrfDpnqqMuvBYLLNwQ4xuhGWrvWZ3eY3JZ2pIY1DKL/s1600/Indy+Cart.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="540" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCoQL6V2uukOk78VKb2AtiTLyPs4tY_E4B8_iKPMZaEaHCjU99xiOxt64u6fs1LWeXjxBb20msDhRAqbhkB84qQ3rBuzoXGJAsGSrfDpnqqMuvBYLLNwQ4xuhGWrvWZ3eY3JZ2pIY1DKL/s320/Indy+Cart.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teresa learned she better watch out cause I'm coming through!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Lots of good food.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Plenty of welcome
conversation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
And renewing/developing
relationships that have suffered from lack of contact.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Our days with Rex and Lisa were so much fun. We are hoping
they will come visit Utah soon and we can do this again <span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(except we will host them)</span></span>.
It does help that they have kids and family in the area so I suspect they will
be out before long <span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(or at least
they hinted they would)</span></span>! <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: "Baskerville Old Face"; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: "Baskerville Old Face"; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😉</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Saturday was spent driving from Indianapolis to Kansas City,
MO. Again, the drive was extremely <b><span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">green</span></b><span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;"> </span>but the
company was so pleasant <span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(my wife is a great traveler) </span></span>that the long drive passed
quickly. It’s a good thing the roads are well marked because we still had
difficulties with the GPS as we ‘trekked’ across the plains of Indiana,
Illinois, and Missouri. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
After all that driving, we found our hotel and settled down
for the night. A short walk in the humid weather was enough to get us motivated
for a swim and an early bedtime so we would be ready for Church. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The ward we visited was about three blocks from the hotel so
we opted to walk. After church, we decided to visit a ‘pioneer village’ type of
place. It was free and not too far from the hotel. Reality is that it was
further than we expected and all the buildings were locked up and inaccessible.
Very disappointing!! So, we opted to visit the WWI Memorial in downtown Kansas
City. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGb66-twK2JQR4OocjfYk0bPYRE8UH-ZQhKrt65QVhPbutUoLVdcNWQypMBlxnozIqdZBfaA_2nOZV7q1UDBDpEi7Iz70XsrCeD3Zux-j6kkcklYzZdYY4mRrHggGNAS1GdIs_KNb6Xg-/s1600/WW1+memorial.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="589" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGb66-twK2JQR4OocjfYk0bPYRE8UH-ZQhKrt65QVhPbutUoLVdcNWQypMBlxnozIqdZBfaA_2nOZV7q1UDBDpEi7Iz70XsrCeD3Zux-j6kkcklYzZdYY4mRrHggGNAS1GdIs_KNb6Xg-/s320/WW1+memorial.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool (well actually hot and muggy) place and very interesting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoCaption" style="text-align: center;">
The museum was open but they wanted $16 each and would be
closing in 45 minutes so we opted to walk around the outside and look at the
displays. We learned a lot and enjoyed the view <span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(despite the sweltering heat)</span></span>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #c55a11; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #C55A11; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;">Now comes the
exciting part of the day. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Since the GPS had worked a little better in the big city, we
used it to get downtown to the memorial and we got right where we wanted to go.
So, when it came time to leave, we plugged in the coordinates and started on
our way to see the <b>Kansas City Temple</b>.
The GPS got us right there and we had a pleasant visit. But then things got a
little crazy <span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(GPS and
driver-wise)</span></span>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUfHyja7axO8pgWJBwZiS8Lb3RVwFAbtAh1YHqPkq7GbUS-02oJnC4H1w3nlBi-AUIFYfaITFURhgKh5PtlHJ6FdgE1BXD8OcKouTN2cvE1DJq7qzj1TPGi_vwclWtgBozmOA_Z48AoRE/s1600/Teresa+KC+Temple.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="805" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUfHyja7axO8pgWJBwZiS8Lb3RVwFAbtAh1YHqPkq7GbUS-02oJnC4H1w3nlBi-AUIFYfaITFURhgKh5PtlHJ6FdgE1BXD8OcKouTN2cvE1DJq7qzj1TPGi_vwclWtgBozmOA_Z48AoRE/s320/Teresa+KC+Temple.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's my little sweetheart in front of the KC Temple</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoCaption" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
It should have been a simple journey back to the hotel but
between the pilot thinking he knew the way without help and the GPS rerouting
us a over variety of different roads, we got majorly lost! So lost that both
the pilot AND co-pilot were confused and frustrated. We did eventually arrive
at the hotel but nerves were frazzled and our confidence was completely shaken.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Monday morning, we decided to test our patience skills <span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(and GPS)</span></span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span>by going BACK to
downtown KC to visit the Hallmark factory. It turned out to be one of the most
interesting things we did. And Teresa found a new friend to hang with:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxR8vLpOyZZPcWJ9O-0v8Qbcb5dblU2Yj2NdSCvdPokEXHOceI-PZRJFueegwloewn079MBFxE-MZcaMbmYTrCuIGU30duLsz7rHqOvme9NEjEeaYwj8WD_OHNJDgCU4-IRvtM6Ntv2t_C/s1600/hallmark+Teresa.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="373" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxR8vLpOyZZPcWJ9O-0v8Qbcb5dblU2Yj2NdSCvdPokEXHOceI-PZRJFueegwloewn079MBFxE-MZcaMbmYTrCuIGU30duLsz7rHqOvme9NEjEeaYwj8WD_OHNJDgCU4-IRvtM6Ntv2t_C/s320/hallmark+Teresa.png" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a contrast
between these two.<br />Maybe that's why they can be friends.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoCaption" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoCaption" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The Hallmark people were very accommodating and even gave us
a couple of small gifts for visiting. That’s another win for the travelling
Whitmer’s. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
That was also the end of our “self-guided” touring for this
little adventure. I worry that this is already overly long for one posting so I
will stop here and continue with the Workshop review at a later time. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The take-away, for me, from this part was that Teresa and I
need to be more proactive in visiting with our extended family. Particularly MY
siblings. The Grange kin live close by us and we see them all quite often. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
But the extended Whitmer’s are all many hours away and it
takes lots of time and effort to see them. YET, it is well worth the effort so
we need to stop being lazy and get out on the road a little more. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
And who knows, maybe if we do our part, some will return the
favor and come see us in beautiful Utah. <b><span style="color: #c00000;">Dave and Karen came a year or so ago for a delightful few
days.</span></b><span style="color: #c00000;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
We would love to have all others looking for a grand
adventure come and visit. Our home is large and empty so there are plenty of
places to sleep for free. Think about it and call for reservations before we
get completely booked. <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: "Baskerville Old Face"; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: "Baskerville Old Face"; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I promise that I will finish the rest of our vacation in a
short while. Just keep your eyes open for the next posting. Love you all. mw<o:p></o:p></div>
mormongrandpabloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02395874641510914085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337710856991894329.post-77966593387677574342017-07-31T11:09:00.000-06:002017-07-31T11:09:27.782-06:00DUNKIRK<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
</div>
I don’t often review movies but this past Friday I went with
some work friends to see Christopher Nolan’s “Dunkirk.” While not a devotee’, I
do enjoy many of his films because they seem to be thought provoking <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(except
the Batman movies which were intense but more disturbing than provoking)</b></span>. The story
of Dunkirk was vaguely familiar to me but many of the details had drifted from
my memories. For those who are in the same boat, here is a short synopsis.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Early in the war with Germany, France and England found
themselves in a precarious position. Outnumbered and outgunned, both Allied
armies were retreating to the shores of Dunkirk. Hundreds of thousands of
soldiers were packed on the beaches, waiting for rescue in whatever form it
might arrive. Many heroic events occurred and the operation was later dubbed “The
Miracle of Dunkirk.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Christopher Nolan took this uplifting and tragic story as
the theme for “Dunkirk”.<br />
<br />
Nolan's presentation of the story was unusual – there are
three time-lines following different events of the battle/evacuation. Each line
covers a different <b>frame of time</b> – an
hour for the RAF fighter pilot, one long and excruciating day for rescuers in a
small boat, and a traumatic week for soldiers on the beach/ship. The switching back
and forth can be more than a little off-putting for viewers if they don’t pay close
attention. And to make things even harder, there is very little dialogue in the
film so viewers must be diligent in following what is happening.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f7/British_fisher_boat_dunkirk.png/220px-British_fisher_boat_dunkirk.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soldiers being helped into a fishing boat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
My first impression was one of confusion – the different
points of view took some effort to understand (that’s why I share
that part with you here). But the more I watched, the more it became easier to
follow the story. And then the real message began to emerge. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d2/DUNKIRK1940.jpg/175px-DUNKIRK1940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d2/DUNKIRK1940.jpg/175px-DUNKIRK1940.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soldiers standing in the ocean, waiting for rescue.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In a little more than 9 days, nearly 400,000 Allied soldiers
were rescued from the beaches of Dunkirk. Much of the success was due to the
dogged perseverance of the British <b>citizens </b>who risked life and limb to cross
the channel from England to France as <b><i>rescuers of their protectors</i></b>. Over those
days, nearly 900 small ships, mostly private vessels, traversed the seas to
ferry soldiers to larger ships that could not reach the beaches. Additionally,
these same boats were repeatedly loaded with survivors and taken all the way
back to English soil and safety. Of the many volunteer ships that crossed the
channel, 243 were sunk by enemy fire – yet the others kept coming until the
work was done.<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Wounded_British_soldiers_evacuated_from_Dunkirk_make_their_way_up_the_gangplank_from_a_destroyer_at_Dover%2C_31_May_1940._H1623.jpg/220px-Wounded_British_soldiers_evacuated_from_Dunkirk_make_their_way_up_the_gangplank_from_a_destroyer_at_Dover%2C_31_May_1940._H1623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Wounded_British_soldiers_evacuated_from_Dunkirk_make_their_way_up_the_gangplank_from_a_destroyer_at_Dover%2C_31_May_1940._H1623.jpg/220px-Wounded_British_soldiers_evacuated_from_Dunkirk_make_their_way_up_the_gangplank_from_a_destroyer_at_Dover%2C_31_May_1940._H1623.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The injured loading onto a transport</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is not a movie like the old WWII films of my younger
days. There isn’t a lot of character development or interest in side stories. But
it is a very powerful tale from the view of participants in the events. Some are
tragic, others heroic, and the final scene with the British fighter pilot is
perhaps the most touching of the whole experience. The more I ponder the time I spent
in the theater, the more I appreciate what was shared.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is interesting that Nolan would take such a chance with
the presentation of this story. Most directors would rely on the charisma of the actors <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Kenneth Branagh and other recognizable actors have very understated roles)</span> and side stories to guarantee the attention of viewers but he has gone a
different route. Letting events piece together the story from the choppy
time-lines and spotty dialogue invites the use of the mind and emotions to
confirm the power of the story. I wouldn’t want every film to go like this, but
I think “Dunkirk” is a fine place to practice this little bit of magic.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
A small word of caution. Some reviewers have indicated there were a couple of times
when particularly offensive foul language was spoken, but I seem to have missed that – of course,
my ears aren’t what they used to be – so beware. I’m looking forward to taking
my wife to see this and hope she enjoys it as much as I did. What a powerful
story of faith and heroism by <b>ordinary</b>
<b>people</b>.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><b>My favorite kind to know.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
mormongrandpabloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02395874641510914085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337710856991894329.post-66281424247852543562017-06-27T13:57:00.001-06:002017-06-27T13:57:51.656-06:00GRUDGES<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I have never
been one to “stew” about things or let my mind focus too much on bad events in
life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Oh, I was
pretty upset with my parents when they divorced </span><span style="line-height: 107%;">(I was six)</span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">. It took a little
while for me to settle down but generally I think I have learned to move on
from negative experiences without too much angst.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Maybe that’s
why it is difficult to understand why people keep regurgitating offenses from
the past like they are a kind of badge of honor to be flaunted in the face of
others. Oftentimes, it seems like they are trying to use the “offense” as a
means of validating their lives instead of moving forward to new adventures. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">To constantly
review past offenses is painful! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It takes
away from future happiness and seldom results in anything uplifting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I mention
this because of the incident, a few weeks ago, where a little girl shared her ‘testimony’
in church and was shut-down by the Bishop of her ward. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Disclaimer:</span></b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> As a life-long member of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there has never been a time when a member
of any congregation I have attended has been asked to stop and sit down. There have
been times when I <b>wish</b> it had
happened!! But I have never actually witnessed the experience. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So, what
would inspire the Bishop of that ward to stop the expression of testimony from
that little girl? Is he a bigot and
hateful to those who claim to be different?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">NO!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The problem
wasn’t the little girl. The issue was the people who were sitting in the
congregation, filming the whole event for posting on the Internet. They had an
agenda and the little girl was simply a pawn in their scheme. I wonder, truth be known, if a 12-year-old
little girl can really have such a deep conviction about her sexual orientation
without help from someone who should know better. Regardless, the “set-up” nature of the
experience puts it in a bad light.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You see,
testimony meeting is a time to share what we believe about the gospel of
Christ. It is set aside, once a month, to allow faithful, struggling, and not
so faithful members to stand up in front of their friends and neighbors to
express their feelings about the teachings of Christ. Members are encouraged to
speak from the heart and witness the truths they have learned about the
doctrines and teachings of Christ in their personal mortal experience. They are
given full sway to say whatever comes to their heart pertaining to things they
have experienced and believe regarding their membership in God’s kingdom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What testimony
meeting IS NOT is a time to pontificate </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">(though some do that every week)</span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">, tell stories</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"> (yes we
get that also)</span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">, or to
expound on doctrinal issues</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"> (we also get that from time-to-time)</span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">BUT, most
especially, it is NOT a time to try to share false doctrine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Some of the
messages members share can push the limits of the guidelines and the Bishop has
to gauge whether to intervene or not. But there is </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">(at least) </span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">one area where those who conduct the
meetings cannot remain seated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When a
member, old or young, begins to profess as truth things that are considered
false doctrine in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints action must
be taken. The tender testimonies of the members in the congregation are much
too sacred to allow someone who is trying to lead others away to continue in
their process. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I am
confident that there will be few who witnessed this event who will hold the
young lady totally responsible for her presentation. She has reached the age of
accountability but the influence of her mother </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">(as reported by many
sources) </span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">was the main
motivation for her ‘testimony’ experience. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What does
her mother seek to gain? I can only
guess.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">According to
reliable reports, Two years ago this mother was relieved of her membership in
the Church for practices or beliefs that violated her covenants as a member. Not
being privy to the details, I can only guess that her experiences in the Church
became a “burr in the saddle” of her journey through mortality and she
concocted this plan to embarrass the Church. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Which brings
me back to my opening gambit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Why is it
that people can’t let go of hurt or perceived injustices they have in their
lives? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In much of
society, there seems to be a need to “get even” with those who have
offended. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But what
positive does it do for the offended, their families, and loved ones when they
exact their payment? Is the doctrine of
the Church going to lose truth because of the drama?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Wouldn’t it
be much simpler to move on and adjust to the new norm in life?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">From personal
experience, I can validate the benefits of giving up fretting about things over
which I have little or no control. The need to ‘get even’ has never made me
happier. Forgiving and moving on has ALWAYS resulted in a more comfortable
experience. I think Jesus had something
going when He counseled us to forgive all, no matter what offense had been
given. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I feel bad
for those who can’t forgive. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Savior
said: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye
ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his
trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the
greater sin. I, the Lord, will forgive
whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.</span></i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(D&C 63:9-10)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Reality is
that none of us know enough to NOT forgive. We cannot make the judgment
necessary to determine if someone is worthy of forgiveness. Only Christ, who
has suffered for all we do, has that right and the ability. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So, in that
vein, I forgive the mother </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">(and others) </span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">who used the little girl to further their own purposes. I hope
she can find some peace in her heart so she can let go of the ill-will she has
towards the members and leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. And I hope there comes a day when she can see that her actions hurt no
one but herself in the eternal scheme of things. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And I hope
for the same when it comes to the judgment of others I have offended.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
mormongrandpabloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02395874641510914085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337710856991894329.post-39837950967559806952017-05-15T14:13:00.001-06:002017-05-15T14:13:29.365-06:00PRACTICE<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Well, my long layoff seems to have affected my ability to
come up with subjects to share. This is my <s>third</s> fourth attempt to write
something meaningful and I’m afraid it won’t be much better than the first <s>two</s>
three iterations. But I’m not giving up without a fight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The last couple of weeks we have been covering Revelations
in my class. It’s a pretty exciting book of scripture – if you are ready to
learn and listen. But if it is the end of the school year and you have other
things on your mind, it can be somewhat confusing </span>(and maybe boring)<span style="font-size: large;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>For the teacher and
the student.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Not that I don’t get why some are less than interested, but
when we cover the events of Christ’ Coming and the students totally miss the
significance of what John is teaching – well, it is a little frustrating. It’s
not like the expectation is for them to see the deeper meaning of all the
prophecies but it would be nice if they actually tried to understand some of
the simple things. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And I guess they do…to a certain degree. But not where I was
hoping they might be when we finished our discussions. Instead, they remember
that there will be earthquakes and hailstorms along with droughts and floods while
most of the earth is in turmoil. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What they miss is the joyful experiences the righteous will
have as they welcome the Savior back to His earthly home. All the powerful
messages about redemption and renewal are lost amidst the worry/excitement over
the outward disasters on the earth </span>(and the concern for what to do after school
is out)<span style="font-size: large;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovcVraZ2bNdrD8rizzujAr-A6qMrRCkgOC7PB4_5CKEg7DuWCMjcnTzkVGDtP-mU4DoamBuSB8tuApt5f7x2I-jvUjVsVLEeRaVIjtt6-p9FRbW25uIG_XouqJqSX__ff6G4dQskw2jd5/s1600/woman-child-dragon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovcVraZ2bNdrD8rizzujAr-A6qMrRCkgOC7PB4_5CKEg7DuWCMjcnTzkVGDtP-mU4DoamBuSB8tuApt5f7x2I-jvUjVsVLEeRaVIjtt6-p9FRbW25uIG_XouqJqSX__ff6G4dQskw2jd5/s320/woman-child-dragon.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dragon, woman, and baby. Lot's of symbolism.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Maybe that’s a little like how we look at life on a daily
basis. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It’s easy to see the challenges we face as we struggle
through our probation. And the mortal nature of life invites us to justify/explain
the failures that slow us in our quest for peace. These might be good things,
but when they are the total focus we cheat ourselves of a better life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">To dwell on the disasters that will rend the world in the
last days is to ignore the powerful spiritual experiences God promises to those
who remain faithful. For every Armageddon, there are ten other events that lift
and provide joy for the righteous followers of Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>The same is true for our daily walk. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Mishaps occur, but if they are the focus, there will be
misery instead of learning. Growth comes when trials are examined, evaluated,
and released as experience and not packed in our luggage. The backpack of life
will weigh down the soul who chooses to retain all the negative.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">To anticipate joy is to release misery. Fear is replaced as
peace rises to the top of our focus. And finding and following the True God of this
world </span>(not the one who thinks he is) <span style="font-size: large;">sets us up for the joy that is Eternal
Life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><b>With lots of PRACTICE.</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
mormongrandpabloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02395874641510914085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337710856991894329.post-20221153661627749752017-05-03T14:26:00.003-06:002017-05-03T14:26:58.824-06:00LOOK WHO'S BACK<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">After nearly a year’s hiatus, I have determined that it is
time to renew my association with this little blog. The reasons for my absence
are many and varied, but not worth speaking of in detail. Let’s just say I have
had some difficulties finding time to spare for writing in general. The hope is
that I can get back on a regular schedule and keep things current.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Now, some of you may wonder why I would come back at all! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It’s not like anyone really missed my messages – as witnessed
by the meager number of visitors <b>before</b>
my ‘break’. And yet, there was always an emptiness in me that yearned to go
back and share more of my vision of life. Maybe it’s just so I can
organize my thoughts and solidify what I feel about the world and my part in
it. For whatever reason, there is an itch that needs to be scratched so here I am,
scratching.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I am wont to discuss politics because so much is depressing
and unsavory. The results of the last election, while not as disastrous as expected </span><span style="line-height: 107%;">(though who knows what the future will bring)</span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">,
have left a nasty feeling that doesn’t appear to have an ending any time soon. The
distastefulness continues to grow with each new ‘crisis’ but no one wants to
find real answers to the problems. So much rhetoric and so little substance on
all sides of the debate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The best thing to report is the birth of another new
grandson. William Nicolas was born to Josh and Heather last summer </span><span style="line-height: 107%;">(I have stopped putting in dates for security reasons)</span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">. He’s quite
a handsome little fellow, just like his brothers and cousins. There were some
difficult days early on </span><span style="line-height: 107%;">(lots of colic)</span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> but he is a very happy boy right now. That
puts our grand total for grandchildren at seventeen </span><span style="line-height: 107%;">(that's not a number, that's a brag)</span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">. How wonderful that is for
a couple of old folks to enjoy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Many of the outside activities I used to enjoy have been
unavailable for a time. The Jordan River Temple has been closed for more than a
year so we have nowhere to work on Wednesday night. We miss those experiences
and can hardly wait for the reopening </span><span style="line-height: 107%;">(which seems to be delayed even longer)</span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">. The
lack of time has curtailed any fishing experiences and with all the other
events that have occurred </span><span style="line-height: 107%;">(maybe I can get into those later)</span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> grandma and
grandpa have been on the run most every day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Last summer I was invited to participate in a teaching
experience online through BYU-Idaho. For the last three terms I have ‘taught’
</span><span style="line-height: 107%;">(mostly my job is to guide self-teaching)</span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> classes to students all around the
world. My furthest student was from South Africa but there have been some from
South America, England, Ireland, various parts of the U.S. and even right here
in Utah. The process is interesting but the experience is delightful. My ‘students’
are from all social levels and come in a wide range of ages. The things that
they accomplish are amazing and, I believe, truly inspired. If you haven’t
heard about the program, check out <a href="http://www.byui.edu/online/degrees-and-programs">BYU-Idaho Pathways</a>
for information.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">My regular job is still the same – teaching the gospel of
Christ. This year we are</span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> (almost done)</span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> focused on the New Testament. What a
powerful testimony of Christ and His work as we study Him and His apostles. This
is probably my 2<sup>nd</sup> favorite book of scripture </span><span style="line-height: 107%;">(after the Book of
Mormon)</span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> because it is so easy to find Jesus in the teachings. And the Savior is
the whole purpose for what we do as teachers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Well, I don’t want to wear out my welcome on my return from
obscurity. The hope is that further postings will come about on a regular
cycle. Who knows what that really means but we shall see. Until then, thanks
for reading and take a moment to respond if you have something you think I could
use. mw<o:p></o:p></span></div>
mormongrandpabloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02395874641510914085noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337710856991894329.post-89037400006765810842016-05-31T10:43:00.001-06:002016-05-31T10:43:52.196-06:00LOOKING OUT<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">For some
time I have been trying to find a way to express my feelings about what I see
as a dangerous trend in American politics and thinking. I love my country and
want it to be safe. But I also appreciate the benefits others have received
from the marvelous experiment that is The United States of America, even if their
origins are not the same as mine. The clamor caused by some of our political,
social, and economic leaders to protect the country by testing or limiting the
freedoms of specific nationalities or </span><span style="font-size: 21.3333px; line-height: 22.8267px;">ethnicity</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"> is a very dangerous
proposition. When we start to fiddle with the rights of citizens based on
birthplace, religion, or culture we begin the journey that will result in a
loss of freedom for all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A few days
ago I was pointed to a <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/muslim-scouts-pursue-an-american-tradition--in-an-america-wary-of-muslims/2016/05/25/ac6c798e-fa7f-11e5-80e4-c381214de1a3_story.html?hpid=hp_no-name_muslimscouts-920a-s7_1%3Ahomepage%2Fstory">link</a>
about a group that is in such a position. The focus of the article was Scouting
amongst a ‘less-than-popular’ religious group and how they have dealt with prejudices
encountered. As I read their story I was impressed with the feeling of “this
could easily be the story of my people, and has been in the past.” It wasn’t
too many years ago my own religious faith suffered from some extreme
persecution because others misinterpreted the true facts about what we believe.
And now, again, I am witnessing frightening statements that echo the fearful
experiences of past days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Somehow, Americans
must come to understand that there will always be groups of good people that
are unpopular and feared because they are different. And there will always be
politicians, teachers, business leaders, and others who will try to influence
their constituents through fear and prejudice for their own personal gain. Whether
it be financial, political, religious, or some other reason, these influencers
have only one interest at heart --- selfish increase. And when good people let
these desires of others hold sway over what they know to be correct – then we
have the beginnings of captivity for all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I am very
disappointed with the direction our political, economic, and social worlds have
moved in the past few decades. There is too much of self-centeredness and too
little <a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/charity?lang=eng">charity</a> (in
the Christian sense of the word) being offered by many who lead. The more we
separate ourselves into classes (Democrat, Republican, LGBT, Straight,
Christian, Muslim, etc.), the more likely we are to have fear and loathing for
the other side. And fear begets fear until there is no trust left and we divide
into little cliques of our own making and disassociate from the main body of the
citizenry. While that may not seem a particularly bad thing, there are always consequences
when we withdraw from the body of the people. Let me illustrate by referring to
an experience from the Book of Mormon (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/7?lang=eng">3 Nephi 7</a>).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A few years
before the coming of the Savior, the Nephite nation was going through a
difficult time of conflict and political upheaval. An unsavory group had gained
control of the government and were doing an awful job governing. It got so bad
that when a secret band of men murdered the duly chosen but morally corrupt
national leader the whole government fell into disarray. Confusion reigned and
the citizens banded together in small groups based primarily on familial and
neighborhood associations. Each group created their own set of laws based on
the whims and traditions of their leaders. The only common agreement between
the groups was that they would not go to war with each other – each would be
allowed autonomy in their own place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In many
ways, our nation is on the brink of just such a calamity. The focus of a small
minority is the personal satisfaction of their own needs and wants at the
expense of the safety and protection of society. Instead of recognizing that the
majority will be hurt through the unlimited exercising of individual desires
(rights??), no matter how abhorrent, the vocal minority insist that everything must
be recognized, legalized, and satiated. To do otherwise would be unfair to
those offended.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And when
new freedom is given, by law or through social edict, even more is expected. As
the laws that have been traditionally obeyed in the past become less important
or are eliminated, this nation begins to withdraw into little groups designed
to protect the individual rights of the identified group. And the pains caused
by these separations are pushed off as part of the path to progress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">When those
who wish to lead this country begin to create classes of people who are desirable
or politically correct, we are following the same pattern as those in ancient
days. The results will be the same. Unity is founded on a mutual respect for
the common good and the inalienable rights of the individual AND society. Traditionally
that has included some give and take on both sides. But give and take does not
mean an abdication of all that is morally right. It is wrong to judge an
individual by their faith/beliefs in God. There will always be aberrations in a
religious society, but to judge a whole faith by their outliers is unfair and
unjust. Tolerance does not mean acceptance of behavior that is unseemly and
destructive. But it does mean that we cannot judge a whole society by the
misdeeds of a small minority. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">There must be a distinction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">One of the
reasons for concern this election season is founded in the dilemma we are all
facing. As politicians vie for our votes they say whatever they think will sway
us to their side, no matter how preposterous. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We know this and, for the most
part, are not fooled by their rhetoric.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Unfortunately,
this political cycle seems to have a deep thread of nastiness and a shallow
basin of substance. Most of what we hear is pandering to the selfishness of the
individual. It sounds good for personal reasons, but what are the costs to the ‘body
politic’? We’ve been headed down this
road for quite some time, but I wonder if this might be a more dangerous trip
than experienced in recent memory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I have always
had confidence in the morality and intelligence of people. Human nature is
generally drawn to do that which is good. But if we begin to listen and follow
the rantings of the most extreme in our citizenry, there aren’t many good thing
that will come to pass. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">My hope is that people will search their hearts and find
goodness in those around them. I am confident that if we will all think beyond
the sound bites and placards of politicians we will see what is right and make
wise decisions. It would be wonderful if people took time to converse with God
on the choices they have to make and listened to His answer. It’s a sure bet
that things would work out a lot nicer if they did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Here’s to
getting good answers and ignoring extremes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
mormongrandpabloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02395874641510914085noreply@blogger.com0