10/23/18 Hello Brandon, Fall is here! My almond tree is dropping all its leaves into my pond. I need to get the new baby fish out of that pond and bring them in the house and the leaves are causing havoc. Yesterday, Monday, I slept through most of the day. It seems like I have tons to process after socializing on Sunday and I sleep long and feel tired the next day. That also makes me feel guilty because I don’t want to be lazy. On lazy days I only do 100 II. It was late last night before I finished. I have a new author! Sharon Lee and her husband Steve live in Maine and they write similar to Lois Bujold. Our library is missing book 2 and 3 of the Theo Waitley series so I ordered old library copies from Better World Books and I will donate them to the WCL afterwards. In the meantime I am reading one from another of their series. These are science fiction and they have created the Liaden Universe where these books take place. Various worlds are involved and of course pilots are the elite! Theo is a 14 year old girl who has no idea her father is a pilot and she is starting to come into her genetics/ gifts/ talents/ abilities. Talk about fun! I tried two other authors but they don’t even come close to Sharon Lee so they will have to wait for later. I find that when I have a good book to read the whole world seems a little happier. My vision changes.
1st book I read. 
Current book.
As you can see they are numerous and popular!Mark Clayton use to reassure me that a good therapist is considered a treasure. I think a great author is a treasure as well! Amber told me that Mark Clayton has his first 2 articles coming out in the Ensign these next two months. Wouldn’t that be cool! One is called: “When your marriage turns into cold gravy.” or something like that. @@@ one of the things I told you about on Oct. 17 was the joke I made in EQ about small and simple things bringing great things to pass. You may remember that I labeled Alex Gardine as big and complex. Little did I know he would write us an invitation / prospectus about Quarterly Ministering interviews that would be a work of art. Check this out:Subject:To Alex Gardine by way of his wife. Since you don't have an email posted how are we supposed to contact you?vern jensen <phonev6@gmail.com>\4:07 PM (0 minutes ago)to Joni\Alex Gardine <noreply@ldschurch.org>\Oct 17, 2018, 4:12 PM (4 days ago)\to me\Dear Brethren –\It is with great hope and optimism that I send you this message today. I pray that it finds you well and that your family is blessed today. My heart is full, and I feel the subtle but guiding hand of the Holy Ghost in making my 1st steps in doing the Lord’s work in our Elders Quorum. I have no doubt that the Lord will grant all of us His Spirit to accomplish what President Nelson described as a “newer, holier approach to caring for and ministering to others.” \To me, it feels like the Lord is giving us all an opportunity to grow as Disciples of Christ. I certainly feel this way as we move toward an approach of gospel-based, heartfelt care for one another. \As you know, I am tasked with conducting Ministering Interviews. You can imagine my apprehension as I have never before done a Ministering Interview. I expect as we get to know one another, we will become comfortable in the manner, type, and frequency of the Ministering Interviews as it pertains to those in our stewardship. Certainly there is not a one-size-fits-all to these communications and I suppose we will all learn as we go. I see it as a blessing that I have no preconceived notions about how these discussions will go. I pray only that they do go, and that they are acceptable to the Lord and bring our fellow saints closer to Christ. \My commitment to you is that I will say a prayer before each communication and that I will carry a prayer in my heart that seeks the Lord’s interest in our ward’s families. I also commit that I will be available to you to assist you in your priesthood duties. I am often working from my home and will try move things around to meet a need that comes up. Finally, I commit that we will make substance of our Ministering Interviews a matter of thought & prayer in our Elders Quorum Presidency. I have been touched by the love that these good men have for all of us and expect it will only grow. \I invite you if you have not already, to make those in your stewardship a matter of prayer.\With love and respect,\Alex D. Gardine\~~~~~\Alex,\Wow can you write! Beautiful.\I am impressed with your commitments. 1 - I will say a prayer before each communication 2- I will carry a prayer in my heart that seeks the Lord’s interest in our ward’s families. 3- I will be available to you to assist you in your priesthood duties. 4- I commit that we will make substance of our Ministering Interviews a matter of thought & prayer in our Elders Quorum Presidency.\I will be so excited to have my first ministering or home teaching interview in 6+ years. Can you believe that? I know Frank Haney tried to get the EQ off its butt and interviewing or calling. He did not succeed.\Bonus/ optional:\As you can imagine I have had the privilege of serving in 5 or 10 EQ presidencies and two bishoprics as a membership clerk or ward clerk. I was like you. I felt my responsibility keenly! It felt like a constant burden. Some of the EQ presidents I have had didn't care or couldn't care about home teaching. Hence: MINISTERING @@@ So Brandon, you could probably tell that I found a way to respond to his email by way of his wife. :) Since I told her the joke about big and complex/ small and simple she will probably be happy to pass the email along to her husband. @@@ One of the missionary sisters said, “Don’t dull your personality just because you want to be a good example and/or good missionary for the church.” in the closing talk in sacrament meeting Sunday. That sentence spoke to me. My personality is a bit strong and overpowering at times. @ As I prayed Sunday after looking at the new baby fish in the 55 gal tank at the foot of my bed and the two pictures I have of Jesus holding little children and holding his hand out to us in one of them, I realized that if we are to be as little children I can do that, I think. That simplifies everything! I love being a little child. I love having fun and trusting and loving and being obedient. It is the complexities of life that get me down. @ I had two memorable dreams this morning. In one I got to meet Pres RMNelson two different times. That one was pleasant. In the other I was a student taking a hard math class in college and I had lost my book and couldn’t do my homework nor get help. That one was awful. In my current novel: Mouse and Dragon, Aelliana Caylon has escaped her abusive family., and she is famous for creating a new mathematical table that will save dozens of pilots lives. She is really good at math. Perhaps that stimulated my limiting out in math experience back in college. I got in way over my head and couldn’t understand advanced derivatives and extrapolations. 10/31 halloween, The day is done! I sat out front in the hammock and passed out candy. When it got slower I took Molly on her walk. Hello Brandon, Jesse Bird was asked to sub for our gospel doctrine class at 10am Sunday morning. That’s the same time choir practice starts! Short notice! He did a fantastic job. I have loved him from the start. He quoted all of Chapter 53 of Isaiah and asked if there was anything we keyed in on. A phrase in this verse made me stop and think:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. I asked myself, why would we hide our faces? So here it is Wednesday night and I am still thinking about it. What do you think? Look at the whole chapter if you want more background. Chapter 53 Isaiah speaks about the Messiah—His humiliation and sufferings are described—He makes His soul an offering for sin and makes intercession for the transgressors—Compare Mosiah 14. Would you believe Abinadi quotes this chapter to King Noah and Alma and the other priests? Jesse asked us to contrast hiding our faces with verse 12 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death; and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bore the sins of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Pt We are all transgressors Brandon. @ When Jesse asked what this meant: Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; I raised my hand and he had to call on me again! “In my father’s house are many mansions, I go there to prepare a place for you.” Was my brief answer. He seemed satisfied and moved on to the next point. I felt touched by those scriptures Brandon. I used to feel embarrassed that we had Isaiah chapters in the BoM. Now I see that it is unity. It is the same scriptures that even Jesus loved. Isaiah, Nephi, Abinadi, Jesus, they all loved the ideas in these chapters. Someday I will internalize those chapters. @ The two reasons I could think of for turning our faces away are 1- We are ashamed of what was done to torture and crucify Jesus Christ, 2- We would hide our sins from him. @ How would you like it if you heard the same voice Enos heard? 5 And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed.6 And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away.7 And I said: Lord, how is it done?8 And he said unto me: Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen. And many years pass away before he shall manifest himself in the flesh; wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole. I am listening to GC Oct’79. Enos thy sins are forgiven thee, are spoken various times and one of those times they sank in. This is a loving Saviour who reaches out and forgives our sins. Not just once but over and over again as we desire. Magic. Miraculous. Is there any greater miracle? I love real magic. I love real miracles.@@@Guess who published in October’s Ensign? Brandon, my therapist, Mark Clayton!! Don’t Be a Cold-Gravy SpouseBy Mark ClaytonThe author lives in Utah, USA.My relationship with my wife had gone cold. But together we renewed our marriage.
Illustrations by Alberto Ruggieri“I still love you, but I am not in love with you anymore,” my wife told me.As a professional marriage counselor, I knew this was serious. When I hear a client say this to a spouse, it usually means, “I want a divorce.”\We were driving home from the Las Vegas Nevada Temple. Ironically, we had just witnessed a young couple get sealed for eternity. I had asked my wife to drive so I could work on the Gospel Doctrine lesson I would teach the next day. My wife was willing to drive, but after nearly two hours of silence while I worked, she wasn’t feeling very close to me.\That had recently been our pattern. I hadn’t been a very good husband lately because I was so caught up in doing “more important” things. Once she made her announcement, however, I finally understood what was truly important and what was not.\A Marriage Gone Stale\President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) once said, “Many couples permit their marriages to become stale and their love to grow cold like old bread or worn-out jokes or cold gravy.”1\Simply put, I had become a “cold gravy” husband. Fortunately, my wife was not telling me she wanted a divorce. She was telling me she wanted a good husband.\I asked her what I could do to be better. She gave me a list that included things like cleaning out the storage shed, being more aware of finances, and knowing the details of our kids’ schedules. Sadly, none of it was new to me.\I knew I had to reevaluate my priorities to put my marriage at the top. I started working on the list right away. I cleaned the shed, began regular budget meetings with my wife, and put my kids’ schedules into my cell phone calendar. My wife also worked harder to feel in love with me again. We increased the consistency of date nights and of prayers as a couple and spent more quality time together. Ultimately, we were able to renew our marriage.\In contrast to our story, I often see unhappy endings when marriages grow stale. I saw it many times as a bishop. Some couples just aren’t willing to put in the work required to renew their marriage. And there are those who might ask, “Is that so wrong? Can’t we go on living the gospel and being a good person and let our marriages be what they are?”\The family proclamation states, “Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other. … [They] will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.”2\That is a sobering perspective. Our marriages are important to God, and we are expected to do everything we can to keep them alive and strong.\That being said, we cannot have complete control over a relationship that involves someone else’s agency. In cases of abuse, leaving a marriage may be the only option. I have the utmost empathy for people in these heart-wrenching situations. We can find peace in the promise that “faithful members whose circumstances do not allow them to receive the blessings of eternal marriage and parenthood in this life will receive all promised blessings in the eternities.”3\Beautiful,Sweet, and Growing\President Kimball had this counsel for cold-gravy spouses: “These people will do well to reevaluate, to renew their courting, to express their affection, to acknowledge kindnesses, and to increase their consideration so their marriage again can become beautiful, sweet, and growing.”4\So how can we do this? Here are some suggestions based on my experiences as a husband, marriage counselor, and bishop.\1. Admit your marriage could use some work.\While serving as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy, Elder Joe J. Christensen said, “Any intelligent couple will have differences of opinion. Our challenge is to be sure that we know how to resolve them.”5\Everyone has marriage and family problems. We risk becoming cold-gravy spouses if we do not admit our marriages could always use some work.\2. Have heart-to-heart talks about problems.\
How lucky I am that my wife was willing to talk about it! If she had let her hard feelings grow, our marriage might have come to an unhappy ending.\Church leaders often emphasize good communication in marriage. For example, President Russell M. Nelson said: “Communicate well with your spouse. … Couples need private time to observe, to talk, and really listen to each other.”6 In Gospel Topics we read, “Couples can strengthen their marriage as they take time to talk together and to listen to one another, to be thoughtful and respectful, and to express tender feelings and affection often.”7\Tender implies discussing matters at the level of our feelings—having heart-to-heart talks. Contention or arguing is of the devil (see 3 Nephi 11:29; Doctrine and Covenants 10:63). It is an attempt to prove yourself right and your partner wrong. On the other hand, conflict resolution is of God, and it requires humility and vulnerability.\3. Channel your anger away from your spouse by taking a time-out.\Time-outs are necessary to keep hard feelings from building up. Elder Christensen taught: “When differences do arise, … there are instances when it is best to take a time-out. Biting your tongue and counting to ten or even a hundred is important. And occasionally, even letting the sun go down on your wrath can help bring you back to the problem in the morning more rested, calm, and with a better chance for resolution.”8\4. Validate your spouse’s feelings so your spouse knows that you are really listening and that you really care.
One Latter-day Saint marriage and family counselor said:\“Almost every relationship will thrive if there is a healthy dose of validation.\“Validation begins with paying attention to what your spouse is saying. … By verbally acknowledging your spouse’s emotions, fears, thoughts, or concerns, you are communicating validation and conveying appreciation, love, and respect.”9\My wife had been asking me to clean out the shed for a while because she was worried about mice and spiders. To me, mice and spiders belong outside, and since the shed is outside, I wasn’t worried about it. But after our talk, I realized that I had not validated her feelings or taken her emotional concern to heart. I promptly cleaned out the shed to show my wife that what is important to her is important to me.\In my counseling practice, I have boiled down communication skills to what I see as the three crucial skills described above: heart-to-heart talks, time-outs, and validation (recognizing, of course, that other professional counselors may emphasize communication skills differently). While I teach only three basic skills, I find it takes most of our therapy time to help couples apply them (no, it is not as easy as it seems). Once couples are able to apply these three key skills, they usually feel much better in their marriages.\The Music of Marriage\To improve our marriages, we each need to tune in to the emotional reality beneath the behavioral surface.\Elder Wilford W. Andersen of the Seventy described a similar idea when he counseled us to strive to hear the music of the gospel instead of just dancing the steps. “We learn the dance steps with our minds, but we hear the music with our hearts,” he explained. “The dance steps of the gospel are the things we do; the music of the gospel is the joyful spiritual feeling that comes from the Holy Ghost. It brings a change of heart and is the source of all righteous desires. The dance steps require discipline, but the joy of the dance will be experienced only when we come to hear the music.”10\Can we hear the music in our marriages, or are we trying to dance without a tune? Feeling the music requires soft hearts. Have our feelings become hardened and distant, or are our hearts soft? Do we feel and express love for our spouses? Do they feel and express love for us?\If we cannot hear the music now, we can work with our spouses until we can. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught, “No matter how flat your relationship may be at the present, if you keep adding pebbles of kindness, compassion, listening, sacrifice, understanding, and selflessness, eventually a mighty pyramid will begin to grow.”11\I was lucky that my wife had a forgiving heart and was willing to work with me. We were able to renew the music in our marriage. But we still need regular tunings!\My personal and professional experience is that when couples work hard together in humility, their marriages become stronger and happier
You are my hero. I had to have your name in the title!\vern jensen <phonev6@gmail.com>\Fri, Sep 28, 10:40 AM (12 days ago)\to Howard
OK, Here we are, all ready to go! You encouraged me and I took the bait. We now have a Spanish Completion Team Group. :)
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Brother Jensen,\
Thank you for setting this up. Can you do me a favor and modify the name. It is nice of you to put my name here but I am just an instrument as are you and many others. If you could take off the dash Cheney and must[just] make it the Spanish Completion Team that would be perfect. I did sign up to join and am wondering how the group is organized as to administration. Do you have some sharing the role. Only those who set it up and I believe those whom they identify as administrators can make changes or accept new members or send out messages.\
It would be good if we could select a couple of very dedicated administrative types who know the Spanish work very well and have them added to the list so as time goes on and you and I may come and go this Group can continue and receive guidance from those capable of giving it as time moves forward.\
I suspect we can find some great helpers for this from the existing Spanish Completion Team. Once we have things fully and carefully organized we can send out a report to all of the existing team encouraging them to join this group.\
Thanks again for this effort. I will be in St. George next week perhaps we can get together again and you can show me how it all works.\Thanks again Brother Jensen.\Elder Cheney
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Brother Jensen,\Thank you for setting this up. Can you do me a favor and modify the name. It is nice of you to put my name here but I am just an instrument as are you and many others. If you could take off the dash Cheney and must make it the Spanish Completion Team that would be perfect. LISTEN TO YOU, SO GENTLE AND RESPECTFUL. CHENEY GIVES CREDIBILITY TO ANY NAME AND THERE ARE SO MANY OF US THAT FOLLOW ON YOUR COAT TAILS, BUT AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE ABOVE PASTE i DID REMOVE IT. I did sign up to join and am wondering how the group is organized as to administration. I PRACTICED ACCEPTING MEMBERS WHEN I CREATED THE GROUP. SO I KNEW I COULD FIGURE IT OUT WHEN YOU SAID YOU SIGNED UP TO JOIN. Do you have some sharing the role. NOPE, BUT I WOULD BE HAPPY TO. Only those who set it up and I believe those whom they identify as administrators can make changes or accept new members or send out messages. YOU TELL ME WHO AND WE CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE THEM ADMINISTRATORS.\It would be good if we could select a couple of very dedicated administrative types who know the Spanish work very well and have them added to the list so as time goes on and you and I may come and go this Group can continue and receive guidance from those capable of giving it as time moves forward. SOUNDS GREAT. I AM NOT GOOD AT CHECKING IT OFTEN/ REGULARLY. IT TOOK YOU 6 DAYS TO RESPOND TO MY EMAIL AND IT TOOK ME 6 DAYS TO RESPOND TO YOURS. I WAS REAL EXCITED AT FIRST WHEN I EMAILED YOU BUT AS TIME WANED, THE DAYS WENT BY I JUST SAT BACK AND FORGOT ABOUT IT. BUT SURE ENOUGH YOU DID RESPOND.\I suspect we can find some great helpers for this from the existing Spanish Completion Team. Once we have things fully and carefully organized we can send out a report to all of the existing team encouraging them to join this group. FULLY AND CAREFULLY ORGANIZED. . . NOT LIKE THOSE WHO REMOVE REVIEWING AND THEN INDEXING! RIGHTS. :)\Thanks again for this effort. I will be in St. George next week perhaps we can get together again and you can show me how it all works. HEAVENS IF I KNOW HOW IT ALL WORKS. BUT I WILL BE HAPPY TO SHARE. YOU WERE SO CUTE ABDICATING THIS RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE YOU HAVE TOO MANY IRONS IN THE FIRE. :)\Thanks again Brother Jensen. YOU ARE SO WARMLY WELCOME. FUN@@
10/2/18 Tuesday, Hello Brandon, I finished Oct 75 General Conference today. In his priesthood talk Pres. Kimball told a delightful story of a boy riding the train to LA and having the man across the aisle come sit by him. You should have heard the audience roar as one cute joke after another was told as a part of the story about the articles of faith. I repeated those to myself this evening as I was calming my mind. @@@ I want to begin by telling you a story. I suppose all of you young men learned the Articles of Faith before you became a member of the priesthood. I am wondering if you have retained in your mind those articles. I wonder if you know them word-perfect. Would you like to tell your fathers when you go home, if you know the Articles of Faith word-perfect?
Some years ago a young Primary boy was on a train going to California in the days when we traveled on trains. He was all alone. He sat near the window watching the telephone poles go by. Across the aisle from him was a gentleman who also was going to California. The attention of the gentleman was called to this very young boy traveling all alone without friends or relatives. He was neatly dressed and well-behaved. And this gentleman was quite impressed with him.
Finally, after some time, the gentleman crossed the aisle and sat down by the young man and said to him, “Hello, young man, where are you going?”
He said, “I am going to Los Angeles.”
“Do you have relatives there?”
The boy said, “I have some relatives there. I am going to visit my grandparents. They will meet me at the station, and I will stay with them a few days during the school vacation.”
The next questions were “Where did you come from?” and “Where do you live?”
And the boy said, “Salt Lake City, Utah.”
“Oh, then,” said the gentleman, “you must be a Mormon.”
And the boy said, “Yes, I am.” There was pride in his voice.
The gentleman said, “Well, that’s interesting. I’ve wondered about the Mormons and what they believe. I’ve been through their beautiful city; I’ve noticed the beautiful buildings, the tree lined streets, the lovely homes, the beautiful rose and flower gardens, but I’ve never stopped to find out what makes them as they are. I wish I knew what they believe.”
And the boy said to him, “Well, sir, I can tell you what they believe. ‘We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.’” (A of F 1:1.
The businessman was a bit surprised but listened intently, and the boy continued, “‘We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.’” (A of F 1:2.)
And the traveling companion thought, “This is rather unusual for a mere boy to know these important things.”
The boy went on: “‘We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.’” (A of F 1:3.) And the gentleman was amazed at the knowledge and understanding of a mere boy—he was yet to be a Scout. But he continued and gave the fourth Article of Faith A of F 1:4 and said, “‘We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.’”
“That is wonderful,” said the gentleman. “I am amazed that you know so well the doctrines of your church. I commend you.”
With a good start and with encouragement, Johnny continued. “‘We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands, by those who are in authority to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.’” (A of F 1:5.)
“That’s very solid doctrine, my boy,” the gentleman said. “I am curious now to know how they get called of God. I can understand how they would receive the call and be established with the laying on of hands, but I wonder who has the authority to preach the gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.”
They discussed the matter of calling and sustaining and laying on of hands. Then the lad said, “Would you like to know more?”
The gentleman thought that was very unusual for a boy in these tender years to know what the Church taught, and he said, “Yes, go on.”
So Johnny quoted, “‘We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, viz., apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc.’” (A of F 1:6.)
That brought some other discussion. “You mean that your church has apostles such as James and John and Peter and Paul, and prophets such as Moses, Abraham, Isaac, and Daniel, and also evangelists?”
And the boy responded quickly, “Yes, even evangelists. We call them patriarchs and they are appointed in all parts of the Church where there are stakes. And by inspiration they give to all the members of the Church, as required, what is called a patriarchal blessing. I have already had my patriarchal blessing, and I read it frequently. Now we have twelve apostles who have the same calling and the same authority as given to the apostles in the days of old.”
The gentleman came back with these questions: “Do you speak in tongues? Do you believe in revelations and prophecies?”
And the boy brightened up as he quoted, “‘We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, etc.’” (A of F 1:7.)
The gentleman gasped. “This sounds like you believe in the Bible!”
And the boy repeated again, “We do. ‘We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.’” (A of F 1:8.)
The gentleman discerned that we believe both in the scriptures and in revelation. And the boy quoted, “‘We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.’” (A of F 1:9.) And then he continued, “‘We believe [also] in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion will be built upon this [the American] continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.’” (A of F 1:10.)
The gentleman was listening intently. He showed no interest in crossing the aisle back to his own seat. Then Johnny came in again. He said, “‘We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.’” (A of F 1:11.) He then continued, “‘We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.’” (A of F 1:12.)
And then as a final contribution, the boy repeated the thirteenth Article of Faith A of F 1:13. “‘We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.’”
This youngster relaxed now as he finished the Articles of Faith. The gentleman was clearly excited, not only at the ability of this young boy to outline the whole program of the Church, but at the very completeness of its doctrine.
He said, “You know, after I have been to Los Angeles a couple of days, I expect to go back to New York where my office is. I am going to wire my company that I will be a day or two late and that I am going to stop in Salt Lake City en route home and go to the information bureau there and hear all the things, in more detail, about what you have told me.”
I am wondering how many of you know the Articles of Faith? How many of you big men, as well as the little men? Do you know them? Have you repeated them? @@@l don't think it is all the way true. . . Do You?
10/17/18 Good Wed afternoon Brandon, My interactions with Elder Howard Cheney (above) are extremely important to me. I have been II full time for 4 years and after all that work and no pay checks on this earth, being valued and appreciated means the world to me. @@@I finished a book that it took me over a month to get through, The Burning Within by Ranelle Wallace, 1995. In my opinion it was poorly written, it didn’t flow. But after reading Lois McMaster Bujold, my favorite writer on the planet, what would you expect?
Absolutely FANTASTIC!
Back to Ranelle, Although choppy and bumpy and disconnected there were some stories in this book which were startling and gripping. She dies on the way to the hospital after a single engine plane crash on the Fillmore, Utah mountains but her husband survives. They have two kids and can’t stand each other and flew up to SLC to try and start a new life. He is talented in design and makes a good living. While Ranelle is visiting the spirit world she realizes how selfish she has been most of her life. [Which of us hasn’t?] After she comes back to this world, NDE, she still is. But she knows there is a better way, she has felt God’s love and gradually makes the change. A translucent being protects her husband from being burned, except for his hands. He was burning in the plane much longer than she was. Her side had the only door into and out of the plane and he fainted for 5 minutes after she got out of the burning plane. The grossest part of the story was her fried black skin from her hands feet and face cracking and peeling off. The misery of burn victims was extremely well portrayed. @ I liked how she was just a plain old regular person and how human she acted and how broken her relationship with her husband was. Those things reminded me of how purposefully difficult this life is and that we don’t have to succeed, we just have to keep trying! We will fail. None of us can save ourselves. But don’t quit and don’t turn away from God. He knows and loves us individually even though I can’t comprehend it! In the spirit world she met a friendly son that would be born to her on earth. They were best friends. Against her doctor’s advice she decided to have third child. But it was a girl. So she had a 4th and knew his name was to be Nathaniel just like in heaven. @ Her grandmother took special care of her while she was in heaven. @ EHCheney has arrived at the conclusion that those on the other side really do step in and help us in our lives here. We need them as much as they need us. He was in tears as he testified that to us last Thursday. I love those kinds of testimonies. Don’t you believe that you have helped assigned ancestors before you came to earth and that you might help assigned descendants from heaven after you leave? We love each other and feel for each other and do all we are allowed for each other. Now, you know me. I profess no spiritual line to heaven, but I believe you and I have helpers from the other side. @@@ Fri. 10/19/18 Hello Brandon, You are my “Dear Kitty” just like the diary of Anne Frank. @Howard Cheney\Oct 18, 2018, 1:53 PM (1 day ago)\to me\Brother Jensen,\Please do not give up on me. I am so far behind in so many places. I will try this week to make some contacts that can join us as administrators and then I will put out the word to the entire completion Team explaining how they can join this group. I will also ask them again as always to do what they can to recruit members to the team in both locations. All they need to do to get on the Roster I maintain is send me an email with their name and a note that they would like to be part of the Spanish Completion Team and they will get a periodic report as to what is being accomplished and what our focus is at the moment.\See you next week?\Thank you! \Elder Cheney@@vern jensen\2:39 PM (0 minutes ago)\to Howard\Dear Elder Howard Cheney,\No urgency.\Here are some things I have learned recently as I have played around:\1- Vincenzo Papalardo and Howard Cheney did appear as administrators on the first banner page after a day or two! I took off Vincenzo but left yours on. Tease: If you won't let me put your name on the title, then at least you can be listed as an administrator. Ha.\2- I indexed over a thousand for Vincenzo Papalardo and once again it took a day or two before he was given Review rights. Once again, It looks like there is a delay.\3- Vincenzo Papalardo applied to become a member of the Bloomington Hills 2nd ward and it took a week before the request came through. I am the administrator so that is another way I have experimented.\In my opinion we are having fun. And you are a sort of partner in the adventure. Thank you. I will plan on being there next Thursday. I often go to FSCenter in the morning so by night time I am home preparing for my BoM class. But I love connecting with you and with us on those evenings.\Last meeting was really interesting about computer programs getting better and better and it may be only 3 years away from taking over indexing. Change and decay in all around I see. Oh, thou who changest not, Abide with me/US!@@@
Brandon, Can you believe the gentleness and humility and meekness of that man? Did you see him ask me not to give up on him? So sweet. I love it, because it says he has taken over the responsibility to get members into this group and that he is excited to be able to use it as a tool. How exciting for me. As you know I often feel lonely and this will give me additional possible friends. @@@ Our ward does a picnic in the park once a month. Brinkerhoff’s were there early and I asked them when they attended last? They said, last year! But since CindyB was in charge of a primary game they had to come.:) Last year I asked different people what kept them from coming to our picnic in the park and if they would want to attend. I made a deal with a few of them that they could remind me and I would try and remind them when they came. Little did I know at church Sunday that this would be the last one for the year, it gets cold and the sun goes down earlier and earlier. One of the nice things about it is that the ward covers the main dish! This month it was pulled pork sandwiches, sometimes is it hot dogs and my favorite is Subway sandwiches. Everyone who wants brings a side dish. The park is against the west side of the ward so it is extremely convenient. We got the idea from another ward. Since I wasn’t feeling depressed Sunday I decided to write Eric Yunker and invitation right then and there in priesthood opening exercises. After I sent it I thought, hey, I went to all the effort to text that one finger letter at a time, is there anyone else I could send the invite to? I picked 10 elders and forwarded it to all of them. It was so fun to get responses the rest of the day! TYHF! @My task wasn’t over. If I really wanted to get Eric there I would need to remember myself and remind him again! Since this whole experience is like a dream come true I want to document it:
Sunday, October 14, 2018 1:25 PM
Wednesday. 6 PM. Second Ward picnic in the Park! Are you available? V.
1:26 PM
maybe, thanks for the invite.
Wednesday, October 17, 2018 4:29 PM
Eric, tonight is it.
I don't usually invite and remind you like this but I remembered this time. :-)
Wednesday 6 PM second Ward picnic in the Park! Are you available? V.
4:32 PM maybe. Still working but should be done.
5:16 PM. Wonderful! V.
5:18 PM do I need to bring anything?
5:33 PM I will bring a side dish for both of us. Main dishes supplied.
5:34 PM okay thanks.
5:59 PM I'm going to shower and I'll head over, wherein the Park is it?
Brandon, that might not seem like a big deal but it is a huge deal to me. Did you notice I never responded to his last question? I was already there and you know me, I keep my ringer off. You might have noticed I never responded to his inquiries immediately either. When I went to bed that night I was spinning. I felt like my prayers and efforts had been answered. Here are some things that really meant something to me: 1- KarlT went out of his way to come say Hi to seated Eric and thank him for his work on his car. 2- I pointed out key people and told their life situations. Bishop BB, McKay Bird, Julie Moss, Jesse Bird, London and mother Robb, Brayden Hustead and wife, and on and on. I was his companion for the next ~45 minutes, he got their late. I hadn't seen his text about showering so at 6:30 I was disappointed and started to give up hope. 3- I made a sign to go with my side dish: “Ten Jalapeno Refried Beans” VernJ & EricY. I went and grabbed it 4 different times. Twice to rescue it from wilting into the moist beans and twice to show Eric and BBB. 4- Bishop Beau Barney was the perfect bishop. He walked around and shook everyone's hand and AND HE INTRODUCED HIMSELF TO ERIC and visited with him about tennis and racquet ball etc.. I was absolutely thrilled. Thank you, thank you, thank you Bishop Barney! 5- Eric's hands were shaking. I think he has picked up some kind of palsy. He is one year older than I. @I could fill a book with all that happened but suffice it to say that I was spinning as I laid down to pray that night. @ JeffB said the sister I invited to the picnic that lives in Riplinger’s old house is a nonmember and wife to Matthew Clements. Her son almost beat me to the park he was so excited to go to the picnic. She has been friendly to me and Molly so when she said Hi as I rode by on my bike I turned around and waited my turn to talk to her and invited her to the picnic. She already knew about it. But many invites make the pathway smooth. Sidecomments: a- It might have done Eric’s business some advertising to have come. B- I didn’t eat anything. C- Pres. CameronT’s generator never worked. He was instrumental in delivering serving tables etc.. d- they had 2 big split drum campfires for making smores. E- JoshB blessed the food. F- joshb and cameronT got into a lawn wrestle. H- Cameron invited me to guide him backing up the hill after his deliveries. I- Nate Bird visited with me as soon as he arrived. He was one of my 10 elders I invited. He takes Zn/Mg pill each night that puts him to sleep! I told him about Liberia being purchased on the African continent for the Blacks to be repatriated in 1820. {Liberia is a country in West Africa which was founded, established, colonized, and controlled by citizens of the United States and ex-Caribbean slaves as a colony for former African American slaves and their free black descendants. It is one of only two sovereign countries in the world that were started by citizens and ex-Caribbean slaves of a political power as a colony for former slaves of the same political power, the other being Sierra Leone, established by Great Britain. Settlement of former slaves was organised by the American Colonization Society (ACS). The mortality rate of these settlers was the highest in accurately recorded human history.[1][2] Of the 4,571 emigrants who arrived in Liberia from 1820 to 1843, only 1,819 survived until 1843.}
J- CharlieM rode his bike like I did. He works 2 days a week at the temple and 2 days a week for Satellite TV. Believe it or not he says he way undercharges for his TV visits. He is being generous on a daily basis. Tips often bless him. KimM lives off of tips working at Olive Garden. We were born a week apart so we keep close tabs on each other’s age. K- As I left 5 sisters were sitting on a blanket I passed. Joni Gardine is often friendly towards me since she taught our gospel doctrine class. I ended up kneeling and telling them my closing Sunday joke in EQ. Of course Alex Gardine topped me by saying “The Rock” got to be the rock by just doing one thing: working out for 20 years. DHO Small and simple things- was the talk Gary Caldwell taught from. By small and simple things, great things are brought to pass by the Lord. AlexG asked when he would be set apart as Pres. CT’s counselor at the beginning of Quorum. HC Emmett set him apart right then in front. Alex has a one year old son who throws a golf ball at him while he works in his home office as an attorney to get him to come play. Alex told us in his sacrament meeting testimony he is revamping his work schedule so he can play with his kids more. Everyone loved the golf ball idea. Cameron was in tears after the setting apart and was one of those who reminded us of the golf balls. Gary invited any last contributions at 1:05 before he closed the lesson. I had been waiting all class long for this opportunity. Alex was set apart today and you may have noticed he is big and complex. Pres Tolman on the other hand is small and simple. And it is through Pres Tolman that God leads this quorum. It is similar with the missionaries. Who would be converted to the church by and 18 year old? @@@ So how did I feel after making that wisecrack? GaryC mentioned to all that Alex and Cameron may want to take me out behind the chapel after church. HalD and I often make humorous comments. But not always. Sometimes we are dead serious. That was not my only funny comment that class. I love to laugh and so do many others in our quorum. But admittedly I stewed for the rest of the day about whether or not I needed to apologize. Argh! And then when I asked JodiG if AlexG had told her our closing EQ joke, I surprised myself. Did that mean I was going to feel shameful all that night as well? One more reason to be spinning. I- EricY goes rolling twice a week. It is not the same as spinning. J- There is a new water drainage contraption that has not eliminated the puddle at the bottom of the hill. Best made plans of mice and men. So funny!
Monday, 10/1/18 Eight days ago I shared a weird scripture in EQ that really stood out when I read the BoM in August. Alma 1:22
19 But it came to pass that whosoever did not belong to the church of God began to persecute those that did belong to the church of God, and had taken upon them the name of Christ.
20 Yea, they did persecute them, and afflict them with all manner of words, and this because of their humility; because they were not proud in their own eyes, and because they did impart the word of God, one with another, without money and without price.
21 Now there was a strict law among the people of the church, that there should not any man, belonging to the church, arise and persecute those that did not belong to the church, and that there should be no persecution among themselves.
22 Nevertheless, there were many among them who began to be proud, and began to contend warmly with their adversaries, even unto blows; yea, they would smite one another with their fists.
@I already shared with you the other scripture which helped me and brought me great insight like the one above did not! 3N26:11 11 Behold, I was about to write them, all which were engraven upon the plates of Nephi, but the Lord forbade it, saying: I will try the faith of my people.
@I just cannot imagine the saints and the nonmembers fist fighting each other! I prepared to share this scripture as TamiS subbed for TonyR as we started Isaiah in SS yesterday but it never felt quite right. All the brothers had already heard it in EQ the week before. Hey, did you notice I said it never felt quite right? That means I limited and restricted myself. Yay, me! @ Someone liked or was interested in this blog! I had 18 views on my last post. It was probably the story about Liz Dendy.\
1]review rights
Indexing Testing <IndexingTesting@ldschurch.org>
Attachments
Sep 20, 2018, 9:56 AM (7 days ago)
to me, Howard
Dear Vern Jensen,
We appreciate your service as a reviewer. Your task is not an easy one, and it requires careful attention to detail and continual improvement. Thank you for your hard work.
A recent review of indexing processes indicates areas in which many reviewers can improve.
The attached report refers to specific feedback on some batches reviewed. The review rights have been temporarily suspended until further training is given. Elder Howard Cheney will be visiting you to do the training. After training has been provided, the rights will be reactivated.
Sincerely,
FamilySearch
2]Howard Cheney
Sep 20, 2018, 10:10 AM (7 days ago)
to Indexing, me
Thank you for this information. I will be happy to meet with Brother Jensen when I am in St. George next week.
Brother Jensen is there a time we can meet next week at the library. Possibly Thursday evening during the class?
Thank you!
Elder Cheney
3]vern jensen <phonev6@gmail.com>
Sep 20, 2018, 11:50 AM (7 days ago)
to Howard, IndexingTesting
Yes, that would be fine. 
These are my current indexing and reviewing totals. It is about time they caught up to me! Ha ha. :) All of these are foreign language!!
Whoever found my mistakes, thank you. I like to be communicated with. Good work, congratulations! I have been missing you.
4]vern jensen <phonev6@gmail.com>
Sep 20, 2018, 1:46 PM (7 days ago)
to Howard, IndexingTesting
Wait a minute!
Someone thought I was being snide. So much for teasing. They don't know my heart do they? They removed my indexing rights when I was in the middle of a batch from Italy!
Elder Marco Polo and Elder Lynn Ellsworth are indexing next to me just fine but mine is broken.
"No reviewing, no indexing. I'll show him!"
Good luck Elder Cheney, I hope I did not explode a bomb. Sincerely, Vern Jensen
5]Howard Cheney
Sep 21, 2018, 2:30 AM (6 days ago)to me
Brother Jensen,
Are both indexing and reviewing gone?
Please let me know. They as you know visited with me since they knew we know each other. Let me know and I will see if I can get the indexing rights restored immediately and then we take a look at reviewing together and discuss your process for reviewing and see if we can keep the final records as accurate and complete as possible and get your rights restored.
I appreciate your dedication and look forward to meeting with you.
6]
vern jensen <phonev6@gmail.com>
Sep 21, 2018, 1:45 PM (6 days ago)
to Howard
Brother Jensen,
Are both indexing and reviewing gone?
Please let me know. Yes!
Look at the hours you keep. 2:30AM Talk about service!
As you know I spend everyday at FSC indexing and reviewing. The loss of reviewing always makes me nervous. The loss of indexing makes me start looking for a different livelihood/ business/ way of being productive. I guess if I were outlawed I would have to attend the temple everyday instead.
I had to conduct the music at a funeral at 11am today. Sorry I did not get back to you sooner.
I was surprised to have my Italian indexing, not reviewing, batch close down and be taken away midstream yesterday after I replied by email. I checked it an hour later and all it had were those red messages. I checked it 2 hours later and same thing. I checked it 24 hours later and it is the same.
! Error? I don't think so. I think it was an immediate response to my email.
I apologize for you having to run interference for me. I am glad they know that you know me. Sincerely Vern Jensen
7]Howard Cheney
Sep 21, 2018, 2:48 PM (6 days ago) to me
Brother Jensen,
You should now be able to index. I just went in and enabled your account for indexing. We do need to have a good session looking at the reviewing process and discussing the concerns they have currently.
Is there a time next week we can meet at the library and just walk through the process?
If you are there every day is there a best day or time? It does not have to be Thursday night. We just need to be able to sit together and spend some focused time.
Thanks again for hanging in there!
8]
vern jensen <phonev6@gmail.com>
Sep 22, 2018, 3:27 PM (5 days ago)
to Howard
If you are there every day is there a best day or time? You name it. I'll be able to accommodate you. I know that sometimes you are in town and sometimes you are not. Vern
9]
Howard Cheney
Sep 22, 2018, 4:01 PM (5 days ago) to me
I will be in town from Tuesday on! So I could do it most anytime as long as I plan it ahead.
10]
vern jensen <phonev6@gmail.com>
Sep 24, 2018, 9:40 AM (3 days ago)
to Howard
On Tuesday I will plan on working in classroom A from 9am until prayer meeting at 12:30. Then from 1 until I get tired. The same on Wednesday. etc.Thank you. You have been so encouraging.
11]Howard Cheney
Sep 25, 2018, 2:17 PM (2 days ago) to me
Vern,
Are you still at the Library? If so I will
head there now. If not I will stop by tomorrow.
Thanks!
Elder Cheney
12]
vern jensen <phonev6@gmail.com> Sep 25, 2018, 6:16 PM (2 days ago) to Howard
Wednesday I get to babysit in the morning. How about after 1 pm?
13]Howard Cheney Sep 26, 2018, 9:55 AM (1 day ago) to me
That will be great! See you today after 1:00 not sure exactly when but within an hour or so.
Thank you!
14]
vern jensen <phonev6@gmail.com> Sep 26, 2018, 12:33 PM (23 hours ago) to Howard
That works for me. I am here. :)
15]Howard Cheney
Sep 26, 2018, 9:03 PM (15 hours ago) to me Vern,
I want you to know how much I appreciate your dedication and your humility in what could have been a very challenging situation. Some would have been offended and just quite.
You are a great man and one I have learned to think very highly of! Thank you sincerely for all your efforts.
If you would not mind could you share with me the ten points you had written up for me?
Regardless thanks again for your efforts and your willingness to modify your approach to match the instructions we are given!
16]
vern jensen 12:15 PM (4 minutes ago) to Howard
EHC, Thank you for being so sensitive and understanding. The anticipation was hard but the experience was joyful. I love sharing and you provided an atmosphere of acceptance.
I am flattered that what I wrote had enough meaning you would like a copy. You are so welcome. And once again, thank you.
I wanted to say one other previous guideline I used to speed me up: If there was one record missing I completed it, if there were two records missing I returned them to be reindexed. I figured the person reindexing may not be able to find one single record that was missed but they better be able to find two. :)
Saturday, 9/22/2018
Ideas:
- My intent has never been malicious, in fact I was abhorrent when I found 65 /70 batches marked <unreadable> in Uruguay passenger list project (Feb). [it is still available!]
- I have been treated courteously, so courteously and respectfully every time by Elder Cheney and at least I was warned by email this time when my reviewing rights were withdrawn. That did not happen the first time (March) and it did not happen when my indexing rights were removed after I responded by email, (Wednesday, 9/18/18).
- I have worked extremely hard to help in indexing the last 3 years in Italy and this year reviewing in Spanish.
- I would be happy to submit to whatever consequences I need to for all the mistakes I have made.
- I pray everyday about indexing and I visit with HF in prayer regularly as I index and review. He knows my heart and if this guidance is his way of helping me I welcome it. I would love to be an asset and not a liability.
- I hate to cause problems. I have tried to pass positives along to Elder Cheney and everyone around me who indexes. There is no way I ever want to impose on anyone. Perhaps that has been a problem. (by asking more questions I may have learned more.)
- It took months before I was successful with my first batch in Italian. GREEN & YELLOW notebooks.
- I do fight depression and anxiety. Meds. So when I get in trouble it affects me for days and weeks! I am so sorry to cause problems. Please forgive me.
- I know you have to work with all kinds of strange saints. I am one of those. :)
Other Older Stuff: 6/7/18
Idea:
Elder Cheney’s engineers told him that any changes made while reviewing are NOT preserved if it is sent back to reindex. Only indexers work is preserved.
Strange cross check: could we use the share a batch application to check after sending back for reindexing some changes made by the reviewer?
(Too much time on my hands. . . .)
12/19/17
Last Thursday I asked how indexed work is used.
I was told it is just an index so people can go to the original record and get all the information.
I was probably mistaken in my understanding. I thought name extraction provided names for the temple. When they asked me to index to get ready for the opening of the Rome temple I thought I was getting names ready for the temple. I guess not.
So I like to understand! Is it true that indexing does not provide names directly for the temple like name extraction did?
~~~
I did a good job organizing these materials. This indexer baptized every single person in every single record! From one page they got 20 entries! So strange! The record/paste below is the top entry from that page.
~~~
1/10/18
Baptism record and the indexer records birthdays instead. Should they be reindexed?(Changed/fixed?)
In my opinion, no. Explanation for my answer:
The descendant can change what they want when they look up the record.
1/11/18 I showed this to Elder Belnap. :( (1/15 batches done right)
Vandalism
Sabotage
3/3/18 About one in 10 is RV in Argentina parte c
Tues. 8/21 Good morning Brandon, How do you tell the difference between food poisoning and a heart attack? I am sharing a hidden secret with you. I have wondered if I have had minor heart attacks or twinges for the last few years. Besides fighting depression and allergies, heartburn from overeating at night and perhaps gall bladder squeaks, this fear of heart attacks burdens me. @ I have been dragging my but for weeks. By hopping in the car and getting to FS at 9 am I have avoided trying to figure out how to start each day while feeling depressed. So many things seem to overwhelm me. I was supposed to drive over to Harrisburg Estates to pick up a tank and fish from Pam, Amber’s Petsmart client. I vented my anxiety into changing the water in my 3 biggest tanks and then knew that sitting down in the house would just discourage me further. I went out to my hammock and prayed and sang and told HF why I was there. It worked. In 10 minutes I had the courage to get ready and drive to the north side of Quail Creek reservoir where you may find Harrisburg estates. I drove home, arranged the fish and napped the rest of the day. I felt like food poisoning from the 2 chicken thighs I had cooked and eaten Friday night. I prayed about it Saturday night and recognized I felt sick enough to miss church. I felt a little better Sunday morning and eventually got ready for church. Monday I was sick again. No FS either Saturday nor Monday. I stopped watering my back bermuda grass lawn a couple of months ago. Little did I realize that my huge sycamore tree could dry up and die! My yard is covered with sycamore leaves and it is only August! How stupid! My 2 big goals yesterday were to rake the leaves from the back lawn and bike to FS. I water the back lawn overnight to let the water penetrate and the sprayers aren’t fast. I watered it all night last night. Horray! And I biked to FS this morning! Horray. I have let my physical fitness go downhill. By biking and walking to FS I should improve. I have taken my first step. @ I have listened to the whole BoM up to 3N this last week. So although depressed, I have used my sitting around time. I repeat chapters when I miss something. I have never done it this fast before. Over and over again the bad kings and judges accuse the prophet of blasphemy for saying Christ would be born and come down and live among men! So fascinating. @ The cities and lands and towns are better known to me than ever before. When they say north and south and east and west I can imagine which city they will come to next, almost. John Sorenson’s books have blessed me. @ I have felt like giving up on my goal of a million. Too boring! 
Reviewing is so boring! @ When EHChenney was here last week I was able to find out how to get our stake leader the foreign language report from the church! That was a big accomplishment. @ Live and learn. Trust and try. Onward and upward. See you later. 3:09pm My good author John L Sorenson says: Archaeological evidence from all New World areas where the early Nephites and Lamanites could have lived makes clear that peoples who descended from the Jaredite era also lived during the time of Lehi’s descendants. Given Laman and Lemuel’s ambition to rule, perhaps they or their descendants ruled over and absorbed such “natives.” Nephite record keepers perhaps did not know the details of that process, but that is the best explanation that I know of for the remarkable growth in the number of Lamanites.
@SEPTEMBER 1992 I HAVE HEARD THAT THE SIZES OF THE NEPHITE AND LAMANITE POPULATIONS INDICATED IN THE BOOK OF MORMON DO NOT MAKE SENSE. WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THEIR NUMBERS?
John L. Sorenson, professor of anthropology, emeritus, Brigham Young University, and Gospel Doctrine teacher, Edgemont Seventh Ward, Provo Utah Edgemont South Stake. Discussions of this topic tend to one extreme or the other. Some people have made invalid assumptions about possible rates of natural increase among Lehi’s descendants. For example, growth rates derived from modern population studies are useless if they refer to conditions unlike those prevailing in Book of Mormon times. We have no way of knowing whether the newcomers had trouble adapting to the climate and new foods. Nor do we know what diseases afflicted the people at that time. On the other hand, we get nowhere by speculating on unknowable things like a doubling of population every generation among the early immigrants.
Although the Book of Mormon is silent on population growth and decline as such, it does provide glimpses of how the numbers were growing. For example, the data on armies and battle casualties indicate quite consistent growth.
An obvious puzzle is how the Lamanites could have become so much more numerous than the Nephites. The early Lamanites are pictured as being dependent on hunting; the Nephites, on farming. (See 2 Ne. 5:11, 24.) Although it is a certain rule in population studies that hunting groups cannot support nearly as many people as can farmers, more than two hundred years later the Nephite record says the Lamanites were “exceedingly more numerous” (Jarom 1:6) than the Nephites, and that pattern continues all along. Simple natural increase by births cannot account for this difference.
The same problem surfaces in Alma 43:14 where we learn that the Amulonites were “as numerous, nearly, as were the Nephites.” And yet the Amulonites had begun less than seventy years earlier when Noah’s priests carried off Lamanite women to be their wives. (See Mosiah 20.)
The answers to such puzzles must lie in situations beyond normal population growth. In this regard, the case of the early Nephites is helpful. Mosiah, father of Benjamin, fled the land of Nephi sometime before 200 B.C. with “as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord.” (Omni 1:13.) The record implies that only a part of the Nephites existing at that time went with Mosiah to Zarahemla.
Jarom 1:13 had already mentioned dissensions from the Nephites, no later than 360 B.C. The dissenters, like later ones, could have settled among the Lamanites, swelling their numbers while reducing the size of the Nephite group. Also, after Mosiah’s refugees went to Zarahemla, some of the Nephites left behind may have joined the Lamanites, for no further mention is made of them (unless they became the Amalekites, referred to in Alma 43:13 as dissenters but having an unexplained origin).
Archaeological evidence from all New World areas where the early Nephites and Lamanites could have lived makes clear that peoples who descended from the Jaredite era also lived during the time of Lehi’s descendants. Given Laman and Lemuel’s ambition to rule, perhaps they or their descendants ruled over and absorbed such “natives.” Nephite record keepers perhaps did not know the details of that process, but that is the best explanation that I know of for the remarkable growth in the number of Lamanites.
The case of the numerous Amulonites can be explained on similar grounds—taking control over a resident population.
An interesting note is that some such natives might have lived with or near the early Nephites. Notice that when Sherem “came … among the people of Nephi” (within the lifetime of Jacob, Lehi’s son), he “sought much opportunity” to meet Jacob. (See Jacob 7:1–3.) Yet, the entire population descended from the original Nephites could not have exceeded a hundred adults by that time. In such a tiny tribe, why had Sherem not already met Jacob—unless he was from a foreign group that had come under the rule of the Nephite king?[Wow, great point!-v]
These cases teach us that there is simply not enough information in the scriptural record to construct a clear picture of Nephite and Lamanite population sizes over time. Nor can we estimate with surety how war, famine, dissensions, contentions, and other factors affected population growth. In short, our presently limited record discourages any attempt to interpret Nephite or Lamanite population history.
Yet there is no reason to question the population numbers in the Book of Mormon. They are all believable once we recognize some of the historical and biological factors that could have been involved. @@@Here’s another set of interesting paragraphs from: www.fairmormon.org
Another benefit of economic prosperity is that there is often a large net immigration. When the Romans conquered the southern part of Great Britain, they brought with them both their rule of law and adequate technology to spark economic growth. As a result, the population of that part of the island skyrocketed, as not only Romans joined the native Britons in search of opportunity, barbarians from non-Roman parts of Britain immigrated and mingled with the local population. As Roman power declined, they withdrew from that island, and thus, the population fell there, as both Roman law and markets were lost.37
The United States of America, the wealthiest nation ever to exist in human history,38 has been the world’s number one recipient of immigrants throughout its history.39 During each decade from 1850 through 1910, about ten percent of the recorded population of the United States had immigrated during the previous decade.40 As late as 1930, more than ten percent of the people were foreign born.41 Up to three-fourths of the American people during that era were either immigrants or the children of immigrants.42 [What? No kidding? That sounds impossible!]Thus, it is not unreasonable that 25% of the combined Nephite and Lamanite populations would have been born outside of areas controlled by these two powers, and there is no reason to exclude other immigrant populations, as www.josephlied.com does.43 The economic opportunity that the Book of Mormon ascribes to both the Nephites and Lamanites tends to draw large numbers of immigrants into their societies.
The Book of Mormon gives ample room to suppose that the Nephites absorbed other groups into their civilization. First of all, contrary to the implication at www.josephlied.com,44 there were other Jaredite survivors besides Coriantumr;45 the Prophet Ether survived those wars.46 Secondly, the Nephite record certainly allows for other groups immigrating under direction of the Lord,47 and explicitly states that the Nephites will be mixed with other peoples.48 The latter may suffice to explain why Jewish-type DNA is so rare among indigenous peoples of the western hemisphere.49 With a steady stream of immigrants arriving in Nephite and Lamanite territory in search of the economic opportunity afforded by the Israelite-type legal system, other races could easily overwhelm the Israelites in the general population, even though Israelites might remain the governing class. In this sense, Lehi could still be said to be the “principal ancestor” of the ancient American peoples. It also appears that while the civilizations were destroyed, not necessarily all of the people died.50
Considering that (conservatively) twenty-five percent of the population were either “foreign born” or children of immigrants, it is reasonable that more than 490,000 people were living in the Nephite and Lamanite areas by 150 B.C. (more than enough to accommodate the thousands of dead mentioned in Mosiah 9:18-19).51 It is also plausible that more than seven million people were alive at the time of Jesus Christ’s mortal ministry.52 Even assuming only a “tithe” of survivors (more than 700,000) of the catastrophes described in 3 Nephi 8-11, a population of up to 100 million by AD 350 is not beyond reason. This figure is more than sufficient to sustain the hundreds of thousands of Nephite dead during the “Battle of Cumorah.”53
Thus, the mingling of healthy and wealthy Israelite blood with indigenous and other immigrant peoples makes the “multitudes” claimed by the Book of Mormon quite appropriate. amor@@ I have been keeping track of some of the numbers. Nephi and Lehi converted tens of thousands of Lamanites! What? Where did they all come from? Answer: absorption. Fascinating!
Sat. 7/28/18 Good morning Brandon, I have been pretty much dead to the world this week. I was overtaken by tiredness, exhaustion and allergies. I bought a hot air popcorn popper to replace my broken one from a year ago. I started eating a bowl of popcorn each night. I have quit eating it in the past because of allergies but I often return to my allergies, like a dog to its vomit, to see if there is anything edible agaIN! I love popcorn. Since I did not have a discernible reaction the first couple of days I continued. What is a little tiredness anyway? It was like an avalanche that built up and wiped me out. @ How long will I remember? I think I am good for at least a year this time. :) @ I am a Youtuber. I love Youtube. I have told you before that when I started teaching science in the 80’s a set of encyclopedias to look up answers to curious questions we raised would have been worth its weight in gold, and that is a lot of gold! Wikipedia and Youtube are dreams come true to me. I can look up anything I want. I have studied interesting things this week. And two stand out.
Don’t those two titles make you curious?
Hong Kong was given back to China in 1997 from England after a 99 year control. Do you remember how concerned the world was about it back then? China agreed to allow Hong Kong all of its continued freedoms for 50 years. But that was back when Hong Kong was a huge economic sector and China wanted to keep Hong Kong and the British happy. Now China has grown economically and Hong Kong only makes up 3% of its total economy. That agreement doesn’t seem very important anymore. :(
Our Church was classified as #3 in the 5 richest religious organization in the world and the video pointed out that it has a constant income: tithing! Amazing. That one really startled me. Of course it is just a YT video! Sunday 7/29/18 Happy Sabbath Brandon, General Comments: Last week I had 7 people gather around my indexing table for SS. This week only 2, Brett and Tiffany Whitelaw. B- Spencer Walker, home from Argentina, did his homecoming address. His biggest frustration in Argentina was missionaries that still didn’t live the gospel. Guess what that tells me about Elder Walker? My nephew in Sydney, Australia had a new missionary from Vanuatu. But only for a few weeks before he went home. Pres. Beatty taught our 5th Sunday lesson and admitted missionaries are sent home in droves. They just aren’t ready. That year of college I spent away from home before my mission probably did some good! C- Our RS has a motto that includes helping their children do hard things. What is the hardest thing you have ever done in your life Brandon? What are your 10 hardest things you have ever done? I really eat this concept up! I like it. Be a man. Work hard. Be tough. Am I doing anything that is tough, difficult, hard right now? I’ll tell you, today I was considering ending my SS class. Getting my whole computer system to church and set up each week is for the birds. D- As I sat in my prayer chair praying and decompressing after church I decided to name 10 interactions with people that I benefited from in church today. Since I was so downhearted that was my way of feeling grateful. E- An apostle and his wife met with the youth in the ward before ours in our building today. Elder Renlund. Pres Beatty shared parts of it. D- Pres Beatty is a master teacher. I know that VarloD has issues with him so I have sort of had a chip on my shoulder. But I have sat through dozens of Varlo’s priesthood lessons and just one from Pres Beatty and the testimony Pres Beatty exudes is without peer. Varlo always questioned the church and its truthfulness. He often played the devil’s advocate and wanted us to convince him of concepts in the gospel.
Del W. Beatty [DB-vern]was appointed Dean of Students at Dixie State College on October 1, 2008 – having served previously as Dean of Students at the College of Eastern Utah and as Director of Student Involvement and Leadership at Southern Utah University.
A native of Hurricane, Utah, Beatty earned a Masters degree in Education from SUU, a Bachelors degree in Music from SUU, an Associates degree in Spanish from Dixie State College, and will soon complete his doctorate degree in Educational Leadership at UNLV.
Mr. Beatty’s background in Student Services has allowed him an opportunity to work with a variety of offices including the departments of Entertainment, Outdoor Recreation, Campus Recreation, Intramurals, Service Learning, Cheer/Drill, Financial Aid, Student Support Services (TRiO), Multicultural and Diversity, Health and Wellness, International Students, Student Activities, Counseling Services, Testing, Career Services, Academic Advising, Disability Resources, Service Learning, the Student Activities Board, the Student Senate, and the Clubs Council.
Mr. Beatty founded the SUU Entertainment Bureau in 1990 including the performance group, “Acclamation” which he directed for 13 seasons, appearing regularly on television and participating in performance tours around the world. He now does a great deal of motivational speaking, conference presenting, and workshop facilitating throughout the USA, and discusses the “Relationship Between Student Involvement and Overall Success in Higher Education”.
Mr. Beatty and his wife, Kimberly, have four very involved children and reside in St. George, Utah. As a family, they enjoy traveling, serving in their church and community, and are a certified Utah Foster Family.
E- As I went to RS/Priesthood I told myself I did not need to participate today. That took off some off the pressure. Consider this story: DB served as the bishop of the Desert Hills ward in our stake. He had 17 priests. He taught them to raise their everytime a volunteer was asked for. Is there anyone who would be willing to offer the opening prayer? They all raise their hands. How about the closing prayer? They all raise their hands. A new 16 year old priest came into their Q and after 2 weeks he was raising his hand too! DB called it being engaged in the gospel of JC. His ward planned a super activity for the priests to go to Moab and do the Colorado river. The first ward ended up being partnered with them. The owners are lds. When they asked for a volunteer they all raised their hands. By the end of the trip the first ward priests were doing the same. Being engaged in the gospel is catchy, he said! F- He taught the youth a lesson of faith. He found the two youth with the most faith and challenged them each to lift a pen off the floor. Neither could. He asked Brother Meyers to do it and he picked it up! Woah. . . can you see the power of that object lesson? After the closing prayer I shook his hand and recited: “Using your faith lift this pen off the ground.” He said, “Engage.” G- You can imagine his frustration with the 6th ward youth today when none of them would participate! Did you guys attend President and Sister Nelson’s special fireside? No answer. Did you know he held a special fireside? No answer. Do you remember the 5 things he asked the youth to do at that special fireside? DB was screaming inside, Come on you guys make a good showing! Engage! Pam Derfler knew one of them in our combined RS/P meeting: Fast from social media for 7 days. That was the one I remembered too. How fitting that an apostle would publicize the 5 challenges from the living prophet.
Monday, July 10, 2018 Good morning Brandon, I indexed in Portuguese for my first time yesterday. Sister jacki salmon is serving in Brazil. I encouraged her deacon brother Scott to index in Portuguese when he came to collect Fast Offerings. Since I have been teaching indexing in Spanish and Italian I know the steps for learning to index in a new language. I want my students to try new languages, why not me? It was so scary. I felt so lost. They use periods instead of commas in their numbers. The names of the months differ. I stuck a c in a name that was really supposed to have a curve over the top of it this morning. I thought they had left out a letter. As you can see I am making mistakes and learning. Would you dare? @@@ I wrote my ward missionaries and home teaching family. Here’s my letter:
Dear BH2nd Ward missionaries,
Elder Thatcher Boyce is speaking next week.
Elder Brock Jensen spoke today.
Will Walker was called to Dominican Republic.
Alyssa Nielson was called to Resistencia, Argentina.
Our missionary work goes on!
1- The whole bishopric were out of town last week. EQ President Cameron Tolman bore his testimony and conducted. Please hold tithing until next week. I wonder if there will be a drop in tithing this month?
2- The priesthood room had broken air conditioning today.
3- Elder Brock spoke for 30 minutes and Mark Jensen for 4 minutes. Japan is not christian. Few believe in God. Wouldn't that be weird.
4- He did favor us with his testimony in Japanese. I know all those sounds must have meant something. He spent 90 days in the MTC. They followed Elder Bednar's challenge to read the whole new paperback BoM in 90 days and pick a theme and highlight it. Bednar picked atonement for his theme. Brock picked the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. I haven't ever taken that challenge.
5- Elder Josh Borgeson won his canary- yellow- helping- indexing- fingers- tie today. He made his monthly goal. He is the first.
6- FSC was closed for maintenance this week. FamilySearch Center. I tried the public library one day but the computers can only be checked out for an hour at a time. I still made my goal but it was done in the lonely confines of my home. I am so looking forward to tomorrow.
7- #243 Let us all press on, was the hymn chosen by Dallen Rickets for priesthood. Q can't play it. Dallen persisted. Poor Q.
As it turned out that was the theme of our lesson: Let Us All Press On
By President Russell M. Nelson
Your desire to obey will be enhanced as you remember and reflect upon what you have felt these past two days.
My beloved brothers and sisters, as we come to the close of this historic conference, I join with you in thanking the Lord for His direction and inspiring influence. The music has been beautiful and uplifting. Not only have the messages been edifying, but they have been life-changing!
In solemn assembly we sustained a new First Presidency. Two great men have been placed in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. And eight new General Authority Seventies have been called.
Now a favorite hymn summarizes our renewed resolve, our challenge, and our charge going forward:
Let us all press on in the work of the Lord,
That when life is o’er we may gain a reward;
In the fight for right let us wield a sword,
The mighty sword of truth.
Fear not, though the enemy deride;
Courage, for the Lord is on our side.
We will heed not what the wicked may say,
But the Lord alone we will obey.1
I exhort you to study the messages of this conference frequently—even repeatedly—during the next six months. Conscientiously look for ways to incorporate these messages in your family home evenings, your gospel teaching, your conversations with family and friends, and even your discussions with those not of our faith. Many good people will respond to the truths taught in this conference when offered in love. And your desire to obey will be enhanced as you remember and reflect upon what you have felt these past two days.
This general conference marks the beginning of a new era of ministering. The Lord has made important adjustments in the way we care for each other. Sisters and brothers—old and young—will serve one another in a new, holier way. Elders quorums will be strengthened to bless the lives of men, women, and children throughout the world. Relief Society sisters will continue to minister in their unique and loving way, extending opportunities to younger sisters to join them as appropriately assigned. [What? This sounds strange.-v]
Our message to the world is simple and sincere: we invite all of God’s children on both sides of the veil to come unto their Savior, receive the blessings of the holy temple, have enduring joy, and qualify for eternal life.2 [Nice invite. I'll take that enduring joy, please.-v]
Eventual exaltation requires our complete fidelity now to covenants we make and ordinances we receive in the house of the Lord. At this time, we have 159 functioning temples, and more are under construction. We want to bring temples closer to the expanding membership of the Church. So we are now pleased to announce plans to construct seven more temples. Those temples will be located in the following locations: Salta, Argentina; Bengaluru, India; Managua, Nicaragua; Cagayan de Oro, Philippines; Layton, Utah; Richmond, Virginia; and a major city yet to be determined in Russia.
My dear brothers and sisters, construction of these temples may not change your life, but your time in the temple surely will. In that spirit, I bless you to identify those things you can set aside so you can spend more time in the temple. I bless you with greater harmony and love in your homes and a deeper desire to care for your eternal family relationships. I bless you with increased faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and a greater ability to follow Him as His true disciples.
I bless you to raise your voice in testimony, as I do now, that we are engaged in the work of Almighty God! Jesus is the Christ. This is His Church, which He directs through His anointed servants. I so testify, with my expression of love for each of you, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.
- Q about died 2 weeks ago when I asked him to lead the music. He will play but “please don't make me stand up there and sing!” V- so cute! He blushed/ flushed red as he explained. We have challenges enough when we must face them, no sense in forcing an unnecessary one. I led.
-I took him a bag of candy root beer barrels after church. I wanted to honor him.
Elder Ryan understands about nerves! “We received a referral from a member of another ward in the city and he really is looking for a church and she told him to find the local missionaries and it was us and he found our number haha we haven't met with him yet but he's very shy and nervous about going to church. He wants to though but just the nerves. We just need to meet with him once and then things will progress from there!"
8- I got to pray to end SS and to start priesthood today. I felt less nervous about that than I did leading the rest song in sacrament meeting: The Star Spangled Banner. We have done 4 patriotic hymns in the last 3 weeks. Do you know 4?
9- Elder Brock showed us his name tag that had his name and Jesus Christ together on the same tag. Cool. What an honor.
10- Pres CameronT set up two fans blowing cool air in from the hallway during priesthood. No fanfare. Just service. Good man.
God bless you in your service.
Vern
