THurs.
3/9/1:16pm hello Brandon, I’m not moving very fast today. Had a
little headache this morning. Got up at 3 to sleep with conference
and again at 5, then when it got light I went back to bed. Safe. It
was light. I suspect I ate too much last night, or something. @
Nightshade plants supply much of our vegetable food. Potatoes,
Tomatoes, Peppers and Eggplant are all nightshades. You can only eat
certain parts of the plant or get poisoned. Being an old science
teacher we believe that plants evolved poisons to protect them from
insects and other animals. Thorns do the same thing. Milkweed plant
makes the black-white-yellow ringed Monarch caterpillar and
butterfly poisonous. Viceroy butterflies imitate Monarch’s
and are avoided but are not poisonous. I was able to look up all I
wanted to know easily on the internet. It is so much better than an
encyclopedia! Tobacco is a nightshade as well. Nicotine is a plant
poison. @ I have misplaced my cell phone. This is my second day
without it. When I go out to stand in the sun and wake up I have
nothing to do. Brother and Sister Mickelson our FS directors finish
their 3 year mission this month. Then it will be closed and reopen at
the new facility one block south of the temple. I have loved this
location. He acts like a grumpy tease but it is all a show. I have
listened to how kindly he helps people and it is nothing like his
acquaintance persona. @ I have millions of almond branches to burn. I
came home from my dog walk at 1:30 Sunday and my hammock was 9 or 10
feet in the air, stretched tight. I figured the FO deacons had played
a trick on me and I smiled. But I couldn’t lay down and cool
off like I usually do. I followed the hammock to the tree rope
connections and low and behold the one on the street had been gusted
over! The roots were out of the ground and my neighbor’s little old
white pickup and boat were holding it up but damaged. Oops! I
texted the 3 EQ presidency and asked for chainsaw help. Frank Haney
rents straight across from me and President Cameron Tolman came over
in about 20 minutes. Cameron looked things over and I made my
suggestions about removing the branches from the opposite side of the
truck first. Cameron then said he would go get his crane and lift it
off. WHAT? Yep, that’s what he said. He owns two cranes
and helps contractors place the trusses on top of the frames of the
houses. He started off in the garbage business but then sold out
about 15 years ago. The 5 chainsaws they ended up bringing all had
problems. Chainsaws are very temperamental. It took an hour to get
two of them to work. Once the tree was laying across my front lawn
instead of on dentist/ Dr. john mcarthur’s hobbies I was satisfied.
Not Cameron. He wanted to remove the bottom branches so the so the
tree could not blow or roll. John is a grump and swears at me yearly.
No way I was going to tell him until the tree was off his
vehicle. When he came out it was so noisy with the crane and
chainsaws running. He was closed mouth for the first half hour but
softened eventually. But of course he had to bitch about something.
He complained about the 2 huge cottonwoods to the south and how they
might fall on his yard. “If those trees had leaves on them they
would be down too!” We’ve been next door neighbors 30 years and I
have never figured him out. Brian DeMille when EQ president chastised
us for not including the best golfer in Saint George to the yearly
stake playoff teams. But Brian did admit he was one weird duck. I
have been thinking about him again a lot this week. He did threaten
me Monday night. Perhaps he is autistic like Adrian. But Adrian is a
pleasant autistic. Perhaps John is grumpy autistic. Remember when I
told you about the CD I returned to Brenda McArthur so she could
return it to me for a Christmas present? She has been in the hospital
twice this last year. I sent her a get well card and a 10 color pen.
I have to honor her for attending church alone all these years and
living and getting along somehow with John. What a burden! @
Next, I wrote my youngest, noncommunicative son Michael’92 a short
letter yesterday. I emailed it to all 6 cutie kids. (my kids have
always been my “cutie kids”. I love them.) He won’t read it, so
I mailed it to him today along with 3 more pages of OT scripture
mastery puzzles. Here it is:Hey Michael, Wednesday, 3/8/17
I’m not sure why you are so on my mind today. Let me tell you 3 things.
1- I have been retired for 4 years. I am 61 years old. Strange huh! I never expected to be retired this early. I did not plan it. But I can afford it! Who would have imagined? A poor lowly Jr High teacher retired at 57! I had 2 years of Niwot HS teaching in Colorado that did not count towards the 30 years I needed for Utah retirement. I only taught half time my first year in St George because I really wanted the job. Because I picked teaching the retirement program was already set up for me. Good thing. . . because Kathy felt like we never had enough money, and if we had been in charge of our retirement we would have put it off until our 50’s.
2- Kent Cooper married a girl from South America twice. She was a lazy bum. She wanted to live on food stamps. Kent wanted to earn a living. She used to have her Dad n brother come rough him up when he wouldn’t agree with her.
Nevertheless he went back to her after their first divorce. They had a little girl. He loves her. Belen is neglectful besides being lazy. Kent was the primary caregiver. He got a job graveyard at Walmart. She would not let him sleep during the day. She wanted him to take care of her and their little girl during the day. The confrontations escalated and he divorced again and since she kept calling the police on him they encouraged him to leave town. He is back here in Saint George.
He is bipolar but Camille says his meds are working. He got a job at again back at Domino’s Pizza in Washington. But Brian Cooper was already delivering pizza’s for them. The “bad blood” between them had to be worked out. I have never heard of Kent beating up Brian but I guess he was abusive.
Kent will have to pay alimony and have child visitation rights for 18 years.
3- Brian Cooper got hooked on chewing tobacco. One of his fellow cooking friends at Denny’s got him started. Brian has always been extremely strange. I suspect he is autistic like my brother Adrian. When he was a science student on my team at Tonaquint he was sick all the time and hardly ever came to school. He was an embarrassment to me. Mrs. Denning Eng. and Mrs. Math tried to make allowances.
So what 3 things do I want you to take away from this letter?
1- Plan for retirement. If you are surviving hand to mouth, without even owning a house, consider a different field of employment. You have learned a ton with this first employer and you have been an unusually wonderful dependable dedicated employee. But look at me, there is more to life than putting in your hours to make a living. Teaching had so many spin off benefits for us/me.
2- Children bring all kinds of responsibilities. Spouses do to.
3- You really are working in a low class job. Almost all the people around you will be low class. The values of the gospel of JC are not going to be among the majority of the people you work with or work for. The world of the saints is not like the one you have become accustomed to.
Many new converts started in the worldly place you are in. But they often raised themselves up by joining the church and worshiping on the Sabbath and keeping the commandments.
Sidelight: Who likes to get out of paying taxes? All of us right? Well, Bill Young is washing dishes for Katering Koncepts and getting paid under the table. He doesn’t have to pay tithing nor taxes on that money. No one knows.
When I was painting for Paul Nunley in SLC for 4 years I had some rough working companions. They landed for a while and then flew off. They wanted to be paid under the table so they could keep their unemployment $. There is a whole different world of dishonest people out there Michael. I am sure you have come across them. Don’t stupe. Don’t give in to dishonesty. It was a major fight for me. My parents stole, thieved, burglarized, robbed, arsoned, kidnapped, molested, tax evaded. My natural inclination was to defraud. I got a job as a custodian in my 40’s for a second income partially because I wanted taxes paid on my income. . . . .
Hard pattern to break.
Dad/Vern
@
I’m not sure why you are so on my mind today. Let me tell you 3 things.
1- I have been retired for 4 years. I am 61 years old. Strange huh! I never expected to be retired this early. I did not plan it. But I can afford it! Who would have imagined? A poor lowly Jr High teacher retired at 57! I had 2 years of Niwot HS teaching in Colorado that did not count towards the 30 years I needed for Utah retirement. I only taught half time my first year in St George because I really wanted the job. Because I picked teaching the retirement program was already set up for me. Good thing. . . because Kathy felt like we never had enough money, and if we had been in charge of our retirement we would have put it off until our 50’s.
2- Kent Cooper married a girl from South America twice. She was a lazy bum. She wanted to live on food stamps. Kent wanted to earn a living. She used to have her Dad n brother come rough him up when he wouldn’t agree with her.
Nevertheless he went back to her after their first divorce. They had a little girl. He loves her. Belen is neglectful besides being lazy. Kent was the primary caregiver. He got a job graveyard at Walmart. She would not let him sleep during the day. She wanted him to take care of her and their little girl during the day. The confrontations escalated and he divorced again and since she kept calling the police on him they encouraged him to leave town. He is back here in Saint George.
He is bipolar but Camille says his meds are working. He got a job at again back at Domino’s Pizza in Washington. But Brian Cooper was already delivering pizza’s for them. The “bad blood” between them had to be worked out. I have never heard of Kent beating up Brian but I guess he was abusive.
Kent will have to pay alimony and have child visitation rights for 18 years.
3- Brian Cooper got hooked on chewing tobacco. One of his fellow cooking friends at Denny’s got him started. Brian has always been extremely strange. I suspect he is autistic like my brother Adrian. When he was a science student on my team at Tonaquint he was sick all the time and hardly ever came to school. He was an embarrassment to me. Mrs. Denning Eng. and Mrs. Math tried to make allowances.
So what 3 things do I want you to take away from this letter?
1- Plan for retirement. If you are surviving hand to mouth, without even owning a house, consider a different field of employment. You have learned a ton with this first employer and you have been an unusually wonderful dependable dedicated employee. But look at me, there is more to life than putting in your hours to make a living. Teaching had so many spin off benefits for us/me.
2- Children bring all kinds of responsibilities. Spouses do to.
3- You really are working in a low class job. Almost all the people around you will be low class. The values of the gospel of JC are not going to be among the majority of the people you work with or work for. The world of the saints is not like the one you have become accustomed to.
Many new converts started in the worldly place you are in. But they often raised themselves up by joining the church and worshiping on the Sabbath and keeping the commandments.
Sidelight: Who likes to get out of paying taxes? All of us right? Well, Bill Young is washing dishes for Katering Koncepts and getting paid under the table. He doesn’t have to pay tithing nor taxes on that money. No one knows.
When I was painting for Paul Nunley in SLC for 4 years I had some rough working companions. They landed for a while and then flew off. They wanted to be paid under the table so they could keep their unemployment $. There is a whole different world of dishonest people out there Michael. I am sure you have come across them. Don’t stupe. Don’t give in to dishonesty. It was a major fight for me. My parents stole, thieved, burglarized, robbed, arsoned, kidnapped, molested, tax evaded. My natural inclination was to defraud. I got a job as a custodian in my 40’s for a second income partially because I wanted taxes paid on my income. . . . .
Hard pattern to break.
Dad/Vern
@
Top
10 Poisonous Foods We Love To Eat
JAMIE FRATER JANUARY 6, 2009
Everyday we chow down on food produced from plants that carry deadly poisons. Most of the time we don’t need to be concerned with this as the mass production of fruit and vegetables ensures that we are usually safe, but from time to time people accidentally kill themselves by unwittingly eating the wrong part of a plant. In order to ensure that this never happens to you, I have put together a list of the most commonly seen poisons that we come in to contact with in our kitchens.
10Mushrooms-We have all heard of toadstools – and know that they are poisonous, but what many people don’t know is that a toadstool is actually a mushroom, not a separate type of plant. Toadstool is slang for “poisonous mushroom”. While there are some useful signs that a mushroom is poisonous, they are not consistent and all mushrooms of unknown origin should be considered dangerous to eat. Some of the things you can look for to try to determine whether a mushroom is poisonous are: it should have a flat cap with no bumps, it should have pink or black gills (poisonous mushrooms often have white gills), and the gills should stay attached to the cap (not the stalk) if you pull it off. But remember, while this is generally true of many types of mushroom, it is not always true.
Not all mushrooms are dangerous; some are actually delicious.
9 -Pufferfish -A few days ago we had a list of embarrassing deaths, one of which included death by eating the liver of a fugu (pufferfish). The fugu is so poisonous that in Japan, fugu chefs are trained specially for the job and are tested before being a given certificates of practice. The training takes two or three years. In order to pass, the chef must answer a written test then give a demonstration of his cutting abilities. The final part of the test involves the chef eating the pieces of fugu that he has cut. Only 30% of apprentices pass the test – which is not to say that the rest die by eating their fugu – they can fail in earlier parts of the test. Only the flesh of the fugu is consumed as it is less likely to have high amounts of poison (which causes a slight tingling sensation in the mouth). Fugu is the only food officially illegal for the Emperor of Japan to eat – for his safety. Rather than including a photograph of a pufferfish, I have used a youtube clip showing a chef preparing the fugu – it is quite extraordinary. [I have a pea puffer that only eats snails. vj]
8 -Elderberry trees are very attractive and quite large. They are covered with thousands of tiny flowers which have a delicate scent. The flowers are used mainly for making elderflower liqueur and soda. Sometimes the flowers are eaten after being battered and deep fried. But beneath the pretty surface lurks danger! The roots and some other parts of the elderberry tree are highly poisonous and will cause severe stomach problems. So next time you decide to pick some elderberry flowers for eating, be sure to eat just the flowers.
JAMIE FRATER JANUARY 6, 2009
Everyday we chow down on food produced from plants that carry deadly poisons. Most of the time we don’t need to be concerned with this as the mass production of fruit and vegetables ensures that we are usually safe, but from time to time people accidentally kill themselves by unwittingly eating the wrong part of a plant. In order to ensure that this never happens to you, I have put together a list of the most commonly seen poisons that we come in to contact with in our kitchens.
10Mushrooms-We have all heard of toadstools – and know that they are poisonous, but what many people don’t know is that a toadstool is actually a mushroom, not a separate type of plant. Toadstool is slang for “poisonous mushroom”. While there are some useful signs that a mushroom is poisonous, they are not consistent and all mushrooms of unknown origin should be considered dangerous to eat. Some of the things you can look for to try to determine whether a mushroom is poisonous are: it should have a flat cap with no bumps, it should have pink or black gills (poisonous mushrooms often have white gills), and the gills should stay attached to the cap (not the stalk) if you pull it off. But remember, while this is generally true of many types of mushroom, it is not always true.
Not all mushrooms are dangerous; some are actually delicious.
9 -Pufferfish -A few days ago we had a list of embarrassing deaths, one of which included death by eating the liver of a fugu (pufferfish). The fugu is so poisonous that in Japan, fugu chefs are trained specially for the job and are tested before being a given certificates of practice. The training takes two or three years. In order to pass, the chef must answer a written test then give a demonstration of his cutting abilities. The final part of the test involves the chef eating the pieces of fugu that he has cut. Only 30% of apprentices pass the test – which is not to say that the rest die by eating their fugu – they can fail in earlier parts of the test. Only the flesh of the fugu is consumed as it is less likely to have high amounts of poison (which causes a slight tingling sensation in the mouth). Fugu is the only food officially illegal for the Emperor of Japan to eat – for his safety. Rather than including a photograph of a pufferfish, I have used a youtube clip showing a chef preparing the fugu – it is quite extraordinary. [I have a pea puffer that only eats snails. vj]
8 -Elderberry trees are very attractive and quite large. They are covered with thousands of tiny flowers which have a delicate scent. The flowers are used mainly for making elderflower liqueur and soda. Sometimes the flowers are eaten after being battered and deep fried. But beneath the pretty surface lurks danger! The roots and some other parts of the elderberry tree are highly poisonous and will cause severe stomach problems. So next time you decide to pick some elderberry flowers for eating, be sure to eat just the flowers.
7
-Castor Oil Castor Beans/Castor oil, the bane of many of our
childhoods, is regularly added to candies, chocolate, and other
foods. Furthermore, many people still consume a small amount daily or
force it on their unwilling children. Fortunately the castor oil we
buy is carefully prepared, because the castor bean is so deadly, that
it takes just one bean to kill a human, and four to kill a horse. The
poison is ricin, which is so toxic that workers who collect the seeds
have strict safety guidelines to prevent accidental death. Despite
this, many people working in the fields gathering the seeds suffer
terrible side-effects.
6 -Almonds are one of the most useful and wonderful of seeds (it is not a nut as many people would have you believe). It has a unique taste and its excellent suitability for use in cooking have made it one of the most popular ingredients in pastry kitchens for centuries. The most flavorsome almonds are bitter almonds (as opposed to “sweet” almonds). They have the strongest scent and are the most popular in many countries. But there is one problem: they are full of cyanide. Before consumption, bitter almonds must be processed to remove the poison. Despite this requirement, some countries make the sale of bitter almonds illegal (New Zealand regretfully is one of them). As an alternative, you can use the pip from an apricot stone which has a similar flavor and poison content. Heating destroys the poison. In fact, you may not know that it is now illegal in the USA to sell raw almonds – all almonds sold are now heat-treated to remove traces of poison and bacteria.
5 -Cherries are a very popular fruit – used in cooking, liqueur production, or eaten raw. They are from the same family as plums, apricots, and peaches. All of the previously mentioned fruits contain highly poisonous compounds in their leaves and seeds. Almonds are also a member of this family but they are the only fruit which is harvested especially for its seeds. When the seeds of cherries are crushed, chewed, or even slightly injured, they produce prussic acid (hydrogen cyanide). Next time you are eating cherries, remember not to suck on or chew the pip. [Cherry Coke anyone? That was a favorite when I was server at Denny’s. I have never had one. vj]
6 -Almonds are one of the most useful and wonderful of seeds (it is not a nut as many people would have you believe). It has a unique taste and its excellent suitability for use in cooking have made it one of the most popular ingredients in pastry kitchens for centuries. The most flavorsome almonds are bitter almonds (as opposed to “sweet” almonds). They have the strongest scent and are the most popular in many countries. But there is one problem: they are full of cyanide. Before consumption, bitter almonds must be processed to remove the poison. Despite this requirement, some countries make the sale of bitter almonds illegal (New Zealand regretfully is one of them). As an alternative, you can use the pip from an apricot stone which has a similar flavor and poison content. Heating destroys the poison. In fact, you may not know that it is now illegal in the USA to sell raw almonds – all almonds sold are now heat-treated to remove traces of poison and bacteria.
5 -Cherries are a very popular fruit – used in cooking, liqueur production, or eaten raw. They are from the same family as plums, apricots, and peaches. All of the previously mentioned fruits contain highly poisonous compounds in their leaves and seeds. Almonds are also a member of this family but they are the only fruit which is harvested especially for its seeds. When the seeds of cherries are crushed, chewed, or even slightly injured, they produce prussic acid (hydrogen cyanide). Next time you are eating cherries, remember not to suck on or chew the pip. [Cherry Coke anyone? That was a favorite when I was server at Denny’s. I have never had one. vj]
4
-Apples Like the previous two items, apple seeds also contain cyanide
– but obviously in much smaller doses. Apple seeds are very often
eaten accidentally but you would need to chew and consume a fairly
high number to get sick. There are not enough seeds in one apple to
kill, but it is absolutely possible to eat enough to die. I recommend
avoiding apple eating competitions! Incidentally, if you want to eat
an apple and find a worm in it (and hopefully not half a worm), you
can drop it in a bowl of salt water which will kill the worm.
3-
Rhubarb is a very underrated plant – it produces some of the nicest
tasting puddings and is incredibly easy to grow at home. Rhubarb is
something of a wonder plant – in addition to an unknown poison in
its leaves, they also contain a corrosive acid. If you mix the leaves
with water and soda, it becomes even more potent. The stems are
edible (and incredibly tasty) and the roots have been used for over
5,000 years as a laxative and poop-softener.
2
-Tomatoes First off, a little interesting trivia: in the US, thanks
to a US Supreme Court decision in 1893, tomatoes are vegetables. In
the rest of the world they are considered to be fruit (or more
accurately, a berry). The reason for this decision was a tax on
vegetables but not fruit. You may also be interested to know that
technically, a tomato is an ovary. The leaves and stems of the tomato
plant contain a chemical called “Glycoalkaloid” which causes
extreme nervousness and stomach upsets. Despite this, they can be
used in cooking to enhance flavor, but they must be removed before
eating. Cooking in this way does not allow enough poison to seep out
but can make a huge difference in taste. Finally, to enhance the
flavor of tomatoes, sprinkle a little sugar on them. Now we just need
to work out whether they are “toe-mah-toes” or “toe-may-toes”.
1
-Potatoes have appeared in our history books since their introduction
to Europe in the 16th century. [bps, as you probably know they were
discovered in SA.vj] Unfortunately they appear largely due to crop
failure and severe famine, but they will be forever the central
vegetable of most western families daily diet. Potatoes (like
tomatoes) contain poison in the stems and leaves – and even in the
potato itself if left to turn green (the green is due to a high
concentration of the glycoalkaloid poison). Potato poisoning is rare,
but it does happen from time to time. Death normally comes after a
period of weakness and confusion, followed by a coma. The majority of
cases of death by potato in the last fifty years in the USA have been
the result of eating green potatoes or drinking potato leaf tea.
[This is one I have wondered about as I have used up old, old
potatoes and felt unmotivated and depressed the next day. No, that
wasn’t what I ate last night.vj] [This article brought up curious
questions for me so I looked them up and got answers. If there are
any questions you have just ask and I will answer them for you.vj]
@
So Tuesday night CameronT asked the youth come help move wood and
tree branches while he chainsawed. He started an hour early and they
never showed. Night of Excellence or something. But get a load of
this: I have not lifted one tree trunk/log! Mark Jensen asked for
some to try in his log burner. CameronT delivered them at the end of
the night. Frank Haney wanted some to turn on his lathe. BillY
brought over his wheelbarrow and took all the rest home for his fire
pit! How cool! Nice! @ I have had branch fires in my garden the
last 3 nights. I am about a quarter the way through on the branches.
@APRIL 1990 | “One Small Step for a Man;One Giant Leap for
Mankind”
I pray for the influence of the Holy Spirit as I discuss with you a most sacred subject—a subject that I hope will have special significance to those of you who may be investigating the Church. On July 20, 1969, astronauts landed on the moon, a planet located some 239,000 miles from the earth. Millions of people the world over witnessed this historic event on television and stared in amazement as the lunar module came to rest on the moon’s surface. All were thrilled when Neil Armstrong exited from the space craft and announced: “One small step for a man; one giant leap for mankind.”
The press coverage of this monumental achievement was broad. It occupied headlines and was the subject of feature stories for many days. After all, the moon-landing had opened new frontiers of space travel, revealed new knowledge about the universe, and represented a major investment of human resources. Some reporters declared that the moon landing was the greatest event in the history of mankind since the resurrection of Christ.
I do stand in awe of the recent developments in space technology. My mind does not comprehend even a fraction of the miracles wrought by knowledgeable men of the world who have probed the universe. However, I take issue with those who believe that the placement of men upon the moon is the greatest occurrence of the last two thousand years. I do so because I know of an event wherein the Creator of the universe himself came to earth in answer to an obscure boy’s humble prayer and revealed pure theology.
Greatness is measured by men in many ways. It is generally equated with size, cost, quantity, and position. God, however, has a better way, “for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are [His] ways higher than [man’s] ways.” (Isa. 55:9.) In God’s eyes, greatness is equated with light, truth, goodness, and service. (See D&C 93:36; Matt. 23:11.)
We are taught that eternal life is “the greatest of all the gifts of God” (D&C 14:7; italics added), and that eternal life is to know “the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom [He has] sent.” (John 17:3.) Therefore, it is concluded that anyone who would introduce the only true God to mankind and unwrap the gift of eternal life, making it available to all, would be a partaker of greatness and be associated with great events.
The obscure young man of whom I speak, who introduced the true and living God to a benighted world, was not sponsored by an organization or trained by a group of professionals. At the time, he was no prophet, nor was he a prophet’s son. But like many who have been called in times past to perform a holy work, he was a common farm boy. (See Amos 7:14–16.)
He was the product of a God-fearing family—a family that thirsted after righteousness and exercised a simple but deep faith in the Lord. His school was the home, his teachers were loving parents, and his textbook was the Holy Bible. Yet, at the tender age of fourteen, he demonstrated a type of faith which had power to thrust him into the presence of Deity. (See Mark 9:23.)
There were no cameras trained upon him when he stepped into that grove of trees in upper New York state. There were no cheering throngs or support personnel to provide him encouragement. Nor were there newspaper reporters on hand to describe his actions. He knelt alone under the gaze of his Heavenly Father and offered up the sincere desires of his heart with perfect confidence that his voice would be heard. He was unaware of the muted applause of unseen multitudes who had waited so patiently for the dawning of a new day and the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
His investment in working the miracle was not money, machines, manpower, or even the trappings of science; his was an investment of living faith and an indomitable will.
Joseph Smith’s prayer and first vision in 1820 were no small things, even though they began as “one small step for a [young] man.” Over the years they have proven to be “one giant leap for mankind”; for that act of supreme faith ended a long night of spiritual darkness, opened up a flood of unadulterated truths, and ushered in the dispensation of the fulness of times.
We are told that the spin-off effects of the moon mission were many. Such benefits are reflected in all the materials about us. However, the consequences of Joseph Smith’s first vocal prayer and his probe into the unknown are infinitely greater and should be pondered seriously by all who are interested in “things as they really are, and of things as they really will be.” (Jacob 4:13; italics added.)
Joseph did not emerge from the grove with lunar rocks in his pocket or with moon dust on his shoes. He emerged with a changed countenance and with a gold mine of truth lodged in his mind and heart:
Joseph learned that there are no winners in wars of words or tumults of opinion regarding religious matters. (See JS—H 1:12.) Such contention plays into the hands of Satan because he is the “father of contention.” (3 Ne. 11:29.)
Joseph learned of “the power of some actual being from the unseen world” which bound his tongue and enveloped him in thick darkness as he began to pray. (See JS—H 1:16.) This power was exerted by the evil one, who viewed Joseph Smith as a threat to his realm of sin and error.
Joseph learned what Moses had learned years before about Satan’s darkness and nothingness, as compared with the light and liberty associated with God. (See Moses 1:10–15.) Said Joseph:
Joseph learned that he was made in the image of God, exactly as the scriptures attest. In his own words:
Joseph learned that none of the churches of the day were right and that he should not join any of them. He recounts:
Joseph learned why he must not align himself with an existing church. His words are:
Joseph learned that “the testimony of James [was] true—that a man who lacked wisdom might ask of God, and obtain, and not be upbraided.” (JS—H 1:26.)
Soon thereafter, Joseph learned “that God had a work for [him] to do” and that his name should be made known among all nations, kindreds, and tongues. (See JS—H 1:33.)
Such prophecy has been fulfilled as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been established and as the fulness of the gospel has been preached in all the world.
Yes, it all started so quietly, so simply, and so very wonderfully. A believing boy took “one small step” and prayed. A loving Father in Heaven listened and responded. What has resulted is rightfully referred to as “one giant leap for mankind.”
All the towers ever built and all the spaceships ever launched pale in comparison with Joseph Smith’s first vision. Though men fly higher and higher into the heavens, they will not find God or see his face unless they humble themselves, pray, and heed the truths revealed through the Prophet of the Restoration.
Some have foolishly said, “Take away Joseph Smith and his prayer in the grove and the First Vision and we can accept your message.” Such people would have us bury the treasure of saving truths already cited, and many more, and turn our backs to “the most important event that had taken place in all world history from the day of Christ’s ministry to the glorious hour when it occurred.” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2d ed., Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1968, p. 285.)
Joseph Smith “lived great” and “died great in the eyes of God.” (D&C 135:3.) He “has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it.” (135:3.)
His prayer was—
one small step for a [young] man, [but]
one giant leap for mankind.
[It proved that]
There isn’t a thing that man cannot do,
[if he has faith, trusts in the Lord, and]
If he takes one small step at a time.
Yes, “praise to the man who communed with Jehovah.” (Hymns, 1985, no. 27) and who was instrumental in translating the Book of Mormon, restoring the holy priesthood, organizing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and revealing the fulness of the gospel.
I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet, for the fruits of his labors are sweet and abiding, and the Holy Spirit has borne witness to my soul. I feel honored to blend my voice with the chorus of millions who testify of his greatness and divine calling. I also know that “the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.” (Alma 37:7.) In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
I pray for the influence of the Holy Spirit as I discuss with you a most sacred subject—a subject that I hope will have special significance to those of you who may be investigating the Church. On July 20, 1969, astronauts landed on the moon, a planet located some 239,000 miles from the earth. Millions of people the world over witnessed this historic event on television and stared in amazement as the lunar module came to rest on the moon’s surface. All were thrilled when Neil Armstrong exited from the space craft and announced: “One small step for a man; one giant leap for mankind.”
The press coverage of this monumental achievement was broad. It occupied headlines and was the subject of feature stories for many days. After all, the moon-landing had opened new frontiers of space travel, revealed new knowledge about the universe, and represented a major investment of human resources. Some reporters declared that the moon landing was the greatest event in the history of mankind since the resurrection of Christ.
I do stand in awe of the recent developments in space technology. My mind does not comprehend even a fraction of the miracles wrought by knowledgeable men of the world who have probed the universe. However, I take issue with those who believe that the placement of men upon the moon is the greatest occurrence of the last two thousand years. I do so because I know of an event wherein the Creator of the universe himself came to earth in answer to an obscure boy’s humble prayer and revealed pure theology.
Greatness is measured by men in many ways. It is generally equated with size, cost, quantity, and position. God, however, has a better way, “for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are [His] ways higher than [man’s] ways.” (Isa. 55:9.) In God’s eyes, greatness is equated with light, truth, goodness, and service. (See D&C 93:36; Matt. 23:11.)
We are taught that eternal life is “the greatest of all the gifts of God” (D&C 14:7; italics added), and that eternal life is to know “the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom [He has] sent.” (John 17:3.) Therefore, it is concluded that anyone who would introduce the only true God to mankind and unwrap the gift of eternal life, making it available to all, would be a partaker of greatness and be associated with great events.
The obscure young man of whom I speak, who introduced the true and living God to a benighted world, was not sponsored by an organization or trained by a group of professionals. At the time, he was no prophet, nor was he a prophet’s son. But like many who have been called in times past to perform a holy work, he was a common farm boy. (See Amos 7:14–16.)
He was the product of a God-fearing family—a family that thirsted after righteousness and exercised a simple but deep faith in the Lord. His school was the home, his teachers were loving parents, and his textbook was the Holy Bible. Yet, at the tender age of fourteen, he demonstrated a type of faith which had power to thrust him into the presence of Deity. (See Mark 9:23.)
There were no cameras trained upon him when he stepped into that grove of trees in upper New York state. There were no cheering throngs or support personnel to provide him encouragement. Nor were there newspaper reporters on hand to describe his actions. He knelt alone under the gaze of his Heavenly Father and offered up the sincere desires of his heart with perfect confidence that his voice would be heard. He was unaware of the muted applause of unseen multitudes who had waited so patiently for the dawning of a new day and the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
His investment in working the miracle was not money, machines, manpower, or even the trappings of science; his was an investment of living faith and an indomitable will.
Joseph Smith’s prayer and first vision in 1820 were no small things, even though they began as “one small step for a [young] man.” Over the years they have proven to be “one giant leap for mankind”; for that act of supreme faith ended a long night of spiritual darkness, opened up a flood of unadulterated truths, and ushered in the dispensation of the fulness of times.
We are told that the spin-off effects of the moon mission were many. Such benefits are reflected in all the materials about us. However, the consequences of Joseph Smith’s first vocal prayer and his probe into the unknown are infinitely greater and should be pondered seriously by all who are interested in “things as they really are, and of things as they really will be.” (Jacob 4:13; italics added.)
Joseph did not emerge from the grove with lunar rocks in his pocket or with moon dust on his shoes. He emerged with a changed countenance and with a gold mine of truth lodged in his mind and heart:
Joseph learned that there are no winners in wars of words or tumults of opinion regarding religious matters. (See JS—H 1:12.) Such contention plays into the hands of Satan because he is the “father of contention.” (3 Ne. 11:29.)
Joseph learned of “the power of some actual being from the unseen world” which bound his tongue and enveloped him in thick darkness as he began to pray. (See JS—H 1:16.) This power was exerted by the evil one, who viewed Joseph Smith as a threat to his realm of sin and error.
Joseph learned what Moses had learned years before about Satan’s darkness and nothingness, as compared with the light and liberty associated with God. (See Moses 1:10–15.) Said Joseph:
Joseph learned that he was made in the image of God, exactly as the scriptures attest. In his own words:
Joseph learned that none of the churches of the day were right and that he should not join any of them. He recounts:
Joseph learned why he must not align himself with an existing church. His words are:
Joseph learned that “the testimony of James [was] true—that a man who lacked wisdom might ask of God, and obtain, and not be upbraided.” (JS—H 1:26.)
Soon thereafter, Joseph learned “that God had a work for [him] to do” and that his name should be made known among all nations, kindreds, and tongues. (See JS—H 1:33.)
Such prophecy has been fulfilled as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been established and as the fulness of the gospel has been preached in all the world.
Yes, it all started so quietly, so simply, and so very wonderfully. A believing boy took “one small step” and prayed. A loving Father in Heaven listened and responded. What has resulted is rightfully referred to as “one giant leap for mankind.”
All the towers ever built and all the spaceships ever launched pale in comparison with Joseph Smith’s first vision. Though men fly higher and higher into the heavens, they will not find God or see his face unless they humble themselves, pray, and heed the truths revealed through the Prophet of the Restoration.
Some have foolishly said, “Take away Joseph Smith and his prayer in the grove and the First Vision and we can accept your message.” Such people would have us bury the treasure of saving truths already cited, and many more, and turn our backs to “the most important event that had taken place in all world history from the day of Christ’s ministry to the glorious hour when it occurred.” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2d ed., Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1968, p. 285.)
Joseph Smith “lived great” and “died great in the eyes of God.” (D&C 135:3.) He “has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it.” (135:3.)
His prayer was—
one small step for a [young] man, [but]
one giant leap for mankind.
[It proved that]
There isn’t a thing that man cannot do,
[if he has faith, trusts in the Lord, and]
If he takes one small step at a time.
Yes, “praise to the man who communed with Jehovah.” (Hymns, 1985, no. 27) and who was instrumental in translating the Book of Mormon, restoring the holy priesthood, organizing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and revealing the fulness of the gospel.
I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet, for the fruits of his labors are sweet and abiding, and the Holy Spirit has borne witness to my soul. I feel honored to blend my voice with the chorus of millions who testify of his greatness and divine calling. I also know that “the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.” (Alma 37:7.) In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
One
Small Step for a Man; One Giant Leap for Mankind” Carlos E. Asay,
April 1990 General Conference
"I
do so because I know of an event wherein the Creator of the universe
himself came to earth in answer to an obscure boy’s humble prayer
and revealed pure theology."
So Brandon that talk really
uplifted me. Hope you felt the same. If I could get answers to 5
questions these are what they would be:
1- How would you ideally
like to be employed?
2- How do you plan to help HF build his kingdom
here on the earth?
3- What skill or talent or ability would you next
like to develop?
4- What about your patriarchal blessing would you
like HF to explain further?
5- What would your ideal wife have/be/do?
If you never have a dream . . . You never have a dream come true.
