Sunday, March 29, 2020

Did you know that FamilySearch.org offers 20 times more searchable records in English than in all other languages combined?

Happy St. Patty's day :-) March 14, 2020

Hey Vern, :-)

You are amazing, thank you for writing.(V – as silly as it may sound those words were music to my ears!)

Thank you for the ideas of female singers, though I do not have access to them.

Ah, I am happy to know that you are thoroughly engaged in good things. Cleaning can wait(matches me perfectly!-v), I'm sure I didn't have anything of importance in that last letter.

Please text or call my mom and make sure she knows that visiting is canceled until further notice. For an indeterminate amount of time: like my sentence.

I do think it's interesting that Mistelle chose a name that both men and women can have. I am a fan of Misha Barton.

It seems if I ever get out here, the first question upon meeting a lady will have to be: “were you born this way?” Said day.

Thank you for the topics, I heard Thomas S Monson give that delightful story.

Personal experiences bring the audience and closer with the speaker.

Keep smiling and doing good things. – Brandon

(Vern – it is Sunday morning March 29. After getting this letter from the mail I kept it on my kitchen table until today to read it. For some reason Brandon's letters make me nervous. But I found this letter very uplifting. Number one he signed with his name. Number two he likes the Thomas S Monson story. This is particularly pleasing because I so want him to feel spiritually inclined! Number three he gave me an assignment. Call or text his mom. Number four he for gave me for losing his last letter. Number five you thanked me for the music suggestions. Number six he made a wise crack about Misha Barton. Number seven he made a joke about his sentence being for an indeterminate amount of time.)

v-I also appreciate the fact that this is a mixed letter, to BMX. And no complaints.

*This is the second time I have posted this letter. I dictated it through Dragon speak then posted it at the bottom of the "Valentine's Day" entry.

If you don't like the font you can change it. :)
Hey Britner, Sunday 3/29/20

Here comes the longest personal letter you have ever received! When I can't sleep at night I often listen to GC talks. This week I am in 2015. This is my 3rd time through them in the last 7 years since I retired. That first year, when I was bereft and lost and trying to find my way, highlighting and listening over and over again was the only major good thing/accomplishment I made in my life. It was like I was lost and grieving. Plus, since I fight PTSD, anxiety and depression I was really spiraling downward. I have a trust issue. The 15 men I trust are the apostles.

Gayelinn lives your life with you. What an empathetic mother! I wish I had one like that. She wants your closing year of HS to be special but here we are in disease isolation! She is so cute as she shares with me about you.

So as I heard this talk, back to back with his one from the previous night in priesthood meeting I couldn't help but think: “who can I share this with? It is so potent and rich there must be someone who can enjoy it as much as I am.” You came to mind. I like to comment along the way. [I will put my comments in brackets like this.] Don't feel a need to get through the whole thing right now. Just read as much as it takes to get full. Save the rest for later. I sent you an email this week of my stake's challenge letter and asked if that was as much as you were planning on memorizing. I know Gayelinn has challenged you to Memorize the first vision. It took me a year to memorize the discussions back in '74. I am not good at memorizing. How about you?

You vmailed me about your disappointment with the prom being cancelled. :( You also mentioned the great attitude the Chick-fil A out-front workers have. I got a free coupon once so I went there. It was a novel experience. The cow advertizements are hilarious. 4 years ago our FS directors used to buy a big lunch party tray for all the workers from Chick Fil A. They were very generous with their money. And they confessed that Chick Fil A gave them a fantastic deal. They closed on Sundays and I even got the feeling the managers were LDS.

Chick-fil-A

2.4 mi · 15 S River Rd Ste 500 · In Red Rock Commons

Closed ⋅ Opens 6:30AM Mon · (435) 656-4655 [it is Sunday. Notice the closed!]

Chick-fil-A

2.2 mi · Gardner Center, 225 S 700 E

(435) 652-7685 [looks like we have one on the DSU campus too.]

Not created by Chick-fil-A, . . .Did that make you smile? I just came across it on accident.

Brothers and sisters, how good it is to be with you once again. As you know, since we were together in April, we have been saddened by the loss of three of our beloved Apostles: President Boyd K. Packer, Elder L. Tom Perry, and Elder Richard G. Scott. They have returned to their heavenly home. [Really? A heavenly home? v- absolutely.] We miss them. How grateful we are for their examples of Christlike love and for the inspired teachings they have left to all of us. [BKP was tied for 1st place in my book. LTP was a marine through and through. RGS sounded like a therapist, man did he understand human nature.]

We extend a heartfelt welcome to our newest Apostles, Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Elder Gary E. Stevenson, and Elder Dale G. Renlund. These are men dedicated to the work of the Lord. They are well qualified to fill the important positions to which they have been called. [RAR is tied for 1st again. I don't yet trust him like I did BKP but he converted me when he shared his experience of assigning missionaries with HBEyring.]

Recently, as I have been reading and pondering the scriptures, two passages in particular have stayed with me. Both are familiar to us. The first is from the Sermon on the Mount: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”1 The second scripture is one which came to my mind as I pondered the meaning of the first. It is from the Apostle Paul’s Epistle to Timothy: “Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”2

Each of us came to earth having been given the Light of Christ. [I absolutely love the idea of the premortal existence.] As we follow the example of the Savior and live as He lived and as He taught, that light will burn within us and will light the way for others. [Be a light and not a judge.]

The Apostle Paul lists six attributes of a believer, attributes that will allow our lights to shine. Let us look at each one.

I mention the first two attributes together—being an example in word and in conversation. The words we use can lift and inspire, or they can harm and demean. In the world today there is a profusion of profanity with which we seem to be surrounded at nearly every turn. [Isn't it wonderful that there are some words that you and I never ever use! I believe that those words show a defiance, a rebellion against God. And man has Satan gotten that addiction twisted into some men's minds.] It is difficult to avoid hearing the names of Deity being used casually and thoughtlessly. Coarse comments seem to have become a staple of television, movies, books, and music. Bandied about are slanderous remarks and angry rhetoric. Let us speak to others with love and respect, ever keeping our language clean and avoiding words or comments that would wound or offend. May we follow the example of the Savior, who spoke with tolerance and kindness throughout His ministry. [almost. Except when he felt protective.]

The next attribute mentioned by Paul is charity, which has been defined as “the pure love of Christ.”3 I am confident there are within our sphere of influence those who are lonely, those who are ill, and those who feel discouraged. Ours is the opportunity to help them and to lift their spirits. [I get the feeling you have been a light and a support and a safe strength for your girl friend to lean on. And talk about admiration! How could her father show his adoration of you more than he did last Christmas!] The Savior brought hope to the hopeless and strength to the weak. He healed the sick; He caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear. He even raised the dead to life. Throughout His ministry He reached out in charity to any in need. As we emulate His example, we will bless lives, including our own. [My live is empty without charity and service to others, including God.]

Next, we are to be an example in spirit. To me that means we strive to have in our lives kindness, gratitude, forgiveness, and goodwill. These qualities will provide for us a spirit which will touch the lives of those around us. It has been my opportunity through the years to associate with countless individuals who possess such a spirit. We experience a special feeling when we are with them, a feeling that makes us want to associate with them and to follow their example. They radiate the Light of Christ and help us feel His love for us. [We feel safe with them. And for G & I that is humongous.]

To illustrate that the light which comes from a pure and loving spirit is recognized by others, I share with you an experience of many years ago. [I absolutely love this next story!]

At that time, leaders of the Church met with officials in Jerusalem to work out a lease agreement for land on which the Church’s Jerusalem Center would be built. In order to obtain the permissions needed, the Church had to agree that no proselyting would be undertaken by our members who would occupy the center. After that agreement had been made, one of the Israeli officials, who was well acquainted with the Church and its members, remarked that he knew the Church would honor the no-proselyting agreement. “But,” he said, referring to the students who would attend there, “what are we going to do about the light that is in their eyes?”4 May that special light ever shine within us, that it might be recognized and appreciated by others. [Have you ever noticed how some people can smile at you and look right in your eyes? Yep, it shows!]

To be an example of faith means that we trust in the Lord and in His word. It means that we possess and that we nourish the beliefs that will guide our thoughts and our actions. Our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and in our Heavenly Father will influence all that we do. Amidst the confusion of our age, the conflicts of conscience, and the turmoil of daily living, an abiding faith becomes an anchor to our lives. Remember that faith and doubt cannot exist in the same mind at the same time, for one will dispel the other. I reiterate what we have been told repeatedly—that in order to gain and to keep the faith we need, it is essential that we read and study and ponder the scriptures. Communication with our Heavenly Father through prayer is vital. We cannot afford to neglect these things, for the adversary and his hosts are relentlessly seeking for a chink in our armor, a lapse in our faithfulness. Said the Lord, “Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good.”5

Finally, we are to be pure, which means that we are clean in body, mind, and spirit. We know that our body is a temple, to be treated with reverence and respect. [Satan doesn't have one.] Our minds should be filled with uplifting and ennobling thoughts and kept free from those things which will pollute. In order to have the Holy Ghost as our constant companion, we must be worthy. Brothers and sisters, purity will bring us peace of mind and will qualify us to receive the Savior’s promises. Said He, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”6 [yep, there is was!]

As we prove to be examples in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity, we will qualify to be lights to the world.

May I say to all of you, and particularly to you young people, that as the world moves further and further away from the principles and guidelines given to us by a loving Heavenly Father, we will stand out from the crowd because we are different. We will stand out because we dress modestly. We will be different because we do not use profanity and because we do not partake of substances which are harmful to our bodies. We will be different because we avoid off-color humor and degrading remarks. We will be different as we decide not to fill our minds with media choices that are base and demeaning and that will remove the Spirit from our homes and our lives. We will certainly stand out as we make choices regarding morality—choices which adhere to gospel principles and standards. Those things which make us different from most of the world also provide us with that light and that spirit which will shine in an increasingly dark world.

It is often difficult to be different and to stand alone in a crowd. It is natural to fear what others might think or say. Comforting are the words of the psalm: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”7 As we make Christ the center of our lives, our fears will be replaced by the courage of our convictions.

Life is perfect for none of us, and at times the challenges and difficulties we face may become overwhelming, causing our light to dim. [He knows it. Can you hear the understanding and gentleness is his words? I know of 3 major challenges and difficulties in your life Britner. You probably even know of many more of the lesser ones. Your genes, your father, & your mother's imperfections. I am the same, only moreso. It took G & I decades to realize we are walking wounded.] However, with help from our Heavenly Father, coupled with support from others, we can regain that light which will illuminate our own path once again and provide the light others may need.

To illustrate, I share with you the touching words of a favorite poem I first read many years ago:

I met a stranger in the night
Whose lamp had ceased to shine.

I paused and let him light

His lamp from mine.

A tempest sprang up later on

And shook the world about.

And when the wind was gone

My lamp was out!

But back to me the stranger came—

His lamp was glowing fine!

He held the precious flame

And lighted mine!8

My brothers and sisters, our opportunities to shine surround us each day, in whatever circumstance we find ourselves. As we follow the example of the Savior, ours will be the opportunity to be a light in the lives of others, whether they be our own family members and friends, our co-workers, mere acquaintances, or total strangers.

To each of you, I say that you are a son or daughter of our Heavenly Father. You have come from His presence to live on this earth for a season, to reflect the Savior’s love and teachings, and to bravely let your light shine for all to see. When that season on earth has ended, if you have done your part, yours will be the glorious blessing of returning to live with Him forever. [Man if we could only believe and know this! In the meantime, just pretend and act like it. :) ]

How reassuring are the Savior’s words: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”9 Of Him I testify. He is our Savior and Redeemer, our Advocate with the Father. He is our Exemplar and our strength. He is “the light which shineth in darkness.”10 That each of us within the sound of my voice may pledge to follow Him, thus becoming a shining light to the world, is my prayer in His holy name, even Jesus Christ the Lord, amen.

Post comments: ( I did not want to interrupt the flow. )

I believe the second scripture explains, in great part, how we can accomplish the first. We become examples of the believers by living the gospel of Jesus Christ in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. [Last year I memorized the beatitudes as found in the BoM. I was fascinated that one of them invites us to see God! Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. Being pure in heart is a life long challenge for me.] A page essay could be written about each of those aspects: co, ch, sp, fa, pu. Such a concentration of wisdom is time consuming to comprehend. Let's just skim for now. :)

To be an example of faith means that we trust in the Lord and in His word. It means that we possess and that we nourish the beliefs that will guide our thoughts and our actions. [There is my word TRUST again! Remember how I said I only trust the 15 apostles. And then notice how he used the word nourish. How do you nourish your beliefs? I have things I have memorized that I recite to ease my mind and remind me of my goals and beliefs. But that is just one way. I can think of 5 more. How about you?]

an abiding faith becomes an anchor to our lives. [My patriarchal blessing tells me I will be an anchor to my family. I turn 65 this year. It is becoming truer and truer. I always wondered how but now I think I understand.]

-faith and doubt cannot exist in the same mind at the same time [In his next sentences he seems to say otherwise. Personally I think it is a continuum. With faith on one side and doubt on the other.

Faith- - - - - - - - - - X - - - - - - - - - -Doubt

Maybe perfect faith or doubt can't exist in the same mind at the same time! But perfect faith would be knowledge. As would perfect doubt. I don't know. This confuses me.]

Communication with our Heavenly Father through prayer is vital. [Did you notice the c word? Most of us turn away when we sin. We feel ashamed. We don't want to communicate. Like Huck Finn says, “you can't pray a lie.” Like James says: “with real intent”. I am alone Britner. I talk to HF all the time. I pretend he is my best friend. I pretend he is my best cheerleader. And sometimes I actually feel it.]

-for the adversary and his hosts [I ignored these guys for my 20's and 30's. I still do. But the war goes on. They are very real. The prophet says so! And the BoM has some antichrists that are perfect examples of exposing the adversary's teachings. That is one of the strengths of the BoM.]

purity will bring us peace of mind and will qualify us to receive the Savior’s promises. Said He, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”6 [yep, there is was!]

We will be different as we decide not to fill our minds with media choices that are base and demeaning and that will remove the Spirit from our homes and our lives. [I love Science Fiction. Sometimes stuff is off color in science fiction. Does that mean I don't read SF? Nope. Eventually when I am in the next life I may quit. But we don't have to be perfect right now. We are here to live and learn. Perhaps those children who die before the age of 8 and inherit the celestial kingdom are already perfect in that way. But until I am celestial in my mind I don't have to give up pleasureful things in this life. HF will ease me into perfection. He is not demanding it right now. In fact, he wants us to be turned to him and dependent on him and JC. It might sound crazy but he sent us here because we needed to sin. We needed to learn the good from the bad, by choice/ agency.

So what am I really saying? When we try we progress. We don't have to accomplish extreme things. He will take our reasonably best efforts.]

As we make Christ the center of our lives, our fears will be replaced by the courage of our convictions. [Powerful! Powerful! That is how it works.]

“I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” [This is the way we have purpose in our lives. This is the way that G & I have purpose and understanding in our lives.]

Personal story:

I did not feel enough love at home. I sought it out at school. From kindergarten on I so wanted to be accepted and loved. I could tell you 10 different ways I tried. But let's skip to my senior year. I had gone to many monthly tristake dances. I so wanted to find a girl friend. But by the same token, I knew that kisses were special. My dad had said he did not kiss my mother until they were engaged. Woah! What a standard!

Even though I played tons of kissing tag in kindergarten and first grade I figured those were not the kind of kisses my father was talking about. (By the way, Mom lived in Toronto, Canada and Dad sent her engagement ring in the mail.)

I had written love notes in elementary and the ones I wrote in Jr. High sometimes had lingering consequences even into HS!

Since my buddy Glenn had kissed an auburn haired loose girl I figured I could try her too. She got impatient. It took me hours at her house to get up the courage and lots of talk. She then said, “you're not planning on just a flat kiss are you? That's not worth anything. You need to french.” Yep, my first teenage kiss was a french kiss. . .

What a terrible first step! (BTW, as you probably know I am a risk taker.) But I was off and running. I was an expert. I had french kissed!

I tried to dress cool. I tried to have my hair cool. Even though I was straight/ square and took great pride in knowing the scriptures I wanted to be a “catch” and to catch someone else.

The apostles tell us to do group activities as teens. Group dating and so on. No way! For me it was one on one. I needed that relationship richness and loyalty.

Mom was a brunet. I wanted blonde. I got in with a tall pretty blonde in my ward and school. She moved in so there was no history.

Jeanine S was steady #1

Susan S was steady #2

Shauna C was steady #3 . . . was this dream come true. So how does all this dating and relationship stuff work anyway? I didn't know. And I had no one I trusted that knew. A d v e n t u r e ! I admit, I gave Shauna my heart. We spent as many hours together as we could. After dates we necked on her back porch. After all I was a kissing expert!

My dad picked me'55 and Brent'57 up after school each day and had us help him painting. He paid us well. I had missed all the deadlines for getting into BYU but dad heard that they were opening for summer term. I had money to pay my way from painting. I commuted that first term with 3 teachers going down each day from Sandy. They were the most interesting people. English teacher, Brother Ash from my ward had taken a special interest in me. He became a vice-principal and was a new move in and served as a counselor in the bishopric.

I wasn't all the way there Britner. My world view was all distorted and paranoid. In fact my dad moved us to Dietrich, Idaho the next year to avoid the “crash”, so we could raise our own food. While on my mission they moved to Saint George because the only ones that were affected by the crash was us! He needed painting work. None in Dietrich. My brother and I invested in silver bars that we drilled a hole in the basement floor and installed a safe to hide them in. That was the mentality of my family. And that is only one physical evidence of the craziness in our minds. No trust!

Well, since I knew the ropes of registering after having done it for summer term, and since Shauna wanted to be a nurse and I a veterinarian we had similar beginning classes to take. I pulled two cards for us for English, Chemistry, Religion and perhaps other classes that fall. We now spent every day together and most of our classes. I still didn't know how to make my mind work. I tried to study but what is studying? (I got a D in genealogy that summer and a C in Spanish 201) She got a C in Chemistry that fall and after we wrote our English papers she would type them. I couldn't type worth a darn. It was a disaster. She and our buddy Jared Dunn ran out of money and went home at the end of fall semester. I at least had money so I was lonely and lost winter semester. But I was dedicated to the Lord. I took a volunteer BoM class that semester from my same teacher, while I took a missionary prep class from Eldon Ricks

Guess what happened to Shauna and Jared? Yep, they started dating! And they kept it secret. . . I was far away in Provo, long distant phone calls were too expensive. Little did I know but I was losing my steady.

She didn't want to kiss anymore after I drove clear up to Sandy and back to take her to a BYU dance. What? Has something changed. She was my spiritual perfect match! Bosom buddy. Soulmate!

Of course I felt guilty about all the necking we had done and I went to the bishop to repent, and encouraged her to do the same. (that bishop's visit was an experience in itself. Ask me to share sometime.)

While I was commuting to BYU in the summer with those 3 teachers Shauna and her mom asked me what I wanted for my birthday. July 16. I told them a portrait of Shauna. And that is what I got! A full page portrait!

Jared was called to the Guatemala/El Salvador mission. And off he went. After winter semester I went to my new home on the farm in Dietrich, Idaho. Population 88.

I traveled to a Tupperware factory in Jerome, Idaho to work since there wasn't enough painting. Hagerman is where my next girlfriend lived.

Merilee Ellis steady #4

She was the cutest girl at the dances and young adult activities. I was so heartbroken with my loss of Shauna that I prayed to HF to please send me a replacement so I could heal my broken heart.

Can you see Jerome halfway between Dietrich and Hagerman? Twin Falls at the bottom was the nearest big city.

In fact, it wasn't until Shauna got married that it really sank in that we would not be an eternal couple. She married Merlin who was tall and played basketball with us from another ward on Saturday early morning at the church, but that we thought was a dork. [evidently we were wrong.]

HF answered my prayer. But my heart wasn't all the way sold on Merilee like it still was on Shauna. HF knew that with my disabilities and broken past I needed a female partner. He helped me. Merilee and her mother came to see me off in SLC when I entered the mission home. And I wrote her diligently 'til she married as well.

Sidelight: Brunet Merilee turned her head the first time I tried to kiss her. I got her cheek. I wondered if she learned that from her mother or what. It did not stop my pursuing her. Next, I wouldn't kiss or hug Merilee at the mission home to say goodbye. But her mother insisted I hug her. I was a missionary, and I was taking it seriously.

In my heartache but righteousness I sent Elder Jared Dunn the portrait all the way in/ to El Salvador. (I so wanted to be righteous and do the right thing.) Low and behold I left for Guatemala in November! The same mission! And stories came back to me about Elder Dunn's beautiful girlfriend. I was able to tell them that I had given him the portrait of Shauna.

By the way Jared and Shauna had eventually confessed that they were going steady. No wonder Shauna did not want to kiss. Perhaps that is evidence of her sense of loyalty. Jared had said that a girl had ruined his relationship with a guy in the past and that if it was going to ruin our friendship he would give Shauna up. I would sleep over at Jared's when I went to Sandy to visit Shauna. Pretty convoluted huh! Well, that is how relationships are sometimes.

Elder Dunn and I only crossed paths a couple of times in the mission field, but we did room together again after our missions.

Confession:

I was the oldest in my family. I was the biggest. When mom and dad were gone and I was baby sitting I was not always the nicest. We had a pecking order and I wanted to be on top. That characteristic extended into my boy girl relationships. Sometimes I would have my arm around Shauna's shoulder and then trip her with my leg. Familiarity breeds contempt? Perhaps. Yes, I apologized and repented but sometimes it just popped out again. So mean! I hate meanness/cruelty. But I was at times.

So, there is a good portion of my story of life at your age. You have some huge immersions coming up. You will be immersed into the world of adults and totally in charge of yourself. You will be immersed in gaining a profession.

I never dared to ask the hard questions of anyone I admired and trusted. It wasn't until my 5 years of therapy with Mark Clayton that I experienced that novel, wonderful experience. Truly listening and accepting someone like he offered me took me years to get used to. I felt judged and lacking or adequate until then. One or the other. And I hated being found wanting!

I am so glad that you know about support groups and people that can accept and offer assistance/ a helping hand. Being inadequate in one area or another does not make us invaluable. And if we accept our drawbacks it can make us humble and worthy of God's help.

OK, I promised you the longest personal letter you have ever received. Did I win?

I love you Britner.

You are so kind and faithful and caring in so many ways.

You are also a nerd. :)

God bless you,

Uncle Vern

Sunday, February 23, 2020

for my HT families

Whipples and Gibbs:

Come, Join with Us

By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Second Counselor in the First Presidency

Regardless of your circumstances, your personal history, or the strength of your testimony, there is room for you in this Church.

Once there was a man who dreamed that he was in a great hall where all the religions of the world were gathered. He realized that each religion had much that seemed desirable and worthy.

He met a nice couple who represented The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and asked, “What do you require of your members?”

“We do not require anything,” they replied. “But the Lord asks that we consecrate all.”

The couple went on to explain about Church callings, home and visiting teaching, full-time missions, weekly family home evenings, temple work, welfare and humanitarian service, and assignments to teach.

“Do you pay your people for all the work they do?” the man asked.

“Oh, no,” the couple explained. “They offer their time freely.”

“Also,” the couple continued, “every six months our Church members spend a weekend attending or watching 10 hours of general conference.”

“Ten hours of people giving talks?” the man wondered.

“What about your weekly church services? How long are they?”

“Three hours, every Sunday!”

“Oh, my,” the man said. “Do members of your church actually do what you have said?”

“That and more. We haven’t even mentioned family history, youth camps, devotionals, scripture study, leadership training, youth activities, early-morning seminary, maintaining Church buildings, and of course there is the Lord’s law of health, the monthly fast to help the poor, and tithing.”

The man said, “Now I’m confused. Why would anyone want to join such a church?”

The couple smiled and said, “We thought you would never ask.”

Why Would Anyone Join Such a Church?

At a time when many churches throughout the world are experiencing significant decreases in numbers, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—though small in comparison with many others—is one of the fastest growing churches in the world. As of September 2013 the Church has more than 15 million members around the world.

There are many reasons for this, but may I offer a few?

The Savior’s Church

First, this Church was restored in our day by Jesus Christ Himself. Here you will find the authority to act in His name—to baptize for the remission of sins, to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost, and to seal on earth and in heaven.¹

Those who join this Church love the Savior Jesus Christ and they wish to follow Him. They rejoice in the knowledge that God speaks to mankind again. When they receive sacred priesthood ordinances and make covenants with God, they can feel His power in their lives.² When they enter the holy temple, they sense they are in His presence. When they read the holy scriptures³ and live the teachings of His prophets, they grow closer to the Savior they love so much.

An Active Faith

Another reason is because the Church provides opportunities for doing good.

Believing in God is commendable, but most people want to do more than listen to inspirational sermons or dream of their mansions above.⁴ They want to put their faith into practice. They want to roll up their sleeves and become engaged in this great cause.

And that is what happens when they join with us—they have many opportunities to transform their talents, compassion, and time into good works. Because we have no paid local clergy in our worldwide congregations, our members perform the work of ministry themselves. They are called by inspiration. Sometimes we volunteer; sometimes we are “volunteered.” We see assignments not as burdens but as opportunities to fulfill covenants we gladly make to serve God and His children.

Bird family:

I. The Godhead and the Basic Doctrine of Christ

We learn from the first article of faith that the Godhead is three personages: God the Father, Jesus the Christ, and the Holy Ghost.

The second article teaches us that we are responsible for our own actions on earth.

The third gives a vision of the Savior’s mission for the salvation of Father in Heaven’s children.

The fourth teaches the importance of basic principles and ordinances.

The tenth, eleventh, and twelfth articles of faith instruct us on how to conduct missionary work and share the gospel in a world of many nations and various laws. We learn about the gathering of Israel in preparation for the Second Coming of the Savior. We are instructed that men and women are agents unto themselves, and they can either accept or reject the word of God according to their own conscience. Finally, we learn as we spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to the four corners of the earth that we must respect the governments of each nation we enter. Truly, we believe in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law of each land.

Friday, February 14, 2020

Valentine's Day

1- Mormon in the Book of Mormon, told us how that blessing could come to pass. He teaches the simple and sweet truth that acting on even a twig of faith allows God to grow it

2- That particle of faith most precious and which you should protect and use to whatever extent you can is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

3- This parable—like all parables—is not really about laborers or wages any more than the others are about sheep and goats. This is a story about God’s goodness, His patience and forgiveness, and the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a story about generosity and compassion. It is a story about grace. It underscores the thought I heard many years ago that surely the thing God enjoys most about being God is the thrill of being merciful, especially to those who don’t expect it and often feel they don’t deserve it.

Monday, 1/28/2020 Hello BMX, I sent your letter today. :) As I listened to GC this morning when I couldn’t sleep at 5 AM I heard the three above quotes and they touched me. The first two were so encouraging. A little bit of hope, a twig of faith, a particle of faith is of tremendous value and should be protected and will allow God to grow it. That is the most important skill, talent we need to practice in this life. That is why we are here. There is a veil so we can’t remember! That is the trick in this life. Just hope, just wish that Jesus Christ is real and as long as you don’t give up and deny him you will win! Don’t deny him. Wish and hope and desire. Your wishes will come true in the next life, if not in this one. @ Guess which parable #3 is about? Have you ever experienced the thrill of being generous and merciful? It is a thrill God loves to experience. The more he can forgive and accept from you the happier he is. We are all sinners and he is willing to take it all if we will let go. Carl Hardman died during his open heart surgery. His family, ancestors gathered around him but he could not convince them to give up their regrets. They were stuck in their personal prisons and could not accept the gospel because they owned their sins and couldn’t let them go.

Those quotes come from HB Eyring 1&2 and JR Holland 3. I trust and believe the apostles.

Sunday, February 2, 2020 Hello BMX, Felicity Jones starred in “Rogue One” 2017. Brandon, If you love beautiful current county singing here is one beautiful singer: Caroline Jones!

Caroline Jones is an American country music singer and songwriter and a radio host. Her most recent album, Bare Feet, was released in March 2018. Wikipedia

Born: June 30, 1990 (age 29 years), New York, NY

Genre: Country pop

Record label: Mailboat Records

Albums: Bare Feet, Chasin' Me (EP)

I have found about 5 awesome female singers over the last decade and she is my most recent. She is the happiest, most animated person while performing on Youtube. Some other ones I love to watch are: Jennifer Nettles, Mona Lisa twins, Alonya, Morgan James & Irina Zaritskaya. This last one and Alonya Yarushina are Rusian and they do wonderful American covers/ copies. Mona & Lisa are Swiss and started at 13yo doing Beatles covers. I never liked the Beatles. I was a preadolescent when they came out and they just felt wrong to me. I had not been exposed to Rock and Roll. Born 1955. But Mona & Lisa, attractive identical twins, have their musician parents’ support and talents and have done amazing things. They are now starting to write their own music. I know that music means more to you than TV Brandon. I can sit down and watch a free concert every night on Youtube. I did that for my first 3 years retired. Alonya has the most talent and variety in my opinion. She can make her voice sound like anyone. From “Baracuda” by Heart to “I will always love you” by Whitney Houston. You can see the style of music I like, among others. @@@ “Don’t Miss This” is a Youtube podcast from a male and female seminary teacher that started last year with our study of the NT. I found out about it during prayer meeting last week at FS. I watched their first 45 minute video about the BoM and was impressed last night while eating my soup. (Soup and reading in bed don’t go together.) I wanted to understand Revelations last year but no luck. I went to watch their two videos on Revelations and feel overwhelmed with new information and I am only into the video 8 minutes. 1- Hebrew is a language of double meanings: 5 means grace, 7 means completion. All the numbers, colors & parts of the body means something spiritual/ religious. John used that code in writing Revelations. 2- The translators couldn’t understand the code so it has remained largely intact. 3- Nephi was told not to write about the end of the world from his vision because John would do so in the future. 4- Apocalyptic simply means revelation/ uncovering. 5- John wrote in the spirit and to understand it we have to study in the spirit. 3&5 I already knew. @ I am going to add things as I learn them from this video. JS called this one of the plainest books ever written. WHAT? He must have had the spirit. It is nothing like the plainness of Nephi!-v @ I am now up to 36 minutes. Gold means truth. Brass means judgement. Jesus has all power and the description of him represents his characteristics. For Example: Eyes as flaming fire= when we gather around a campfire we are mesmerized as we would be looking into the meaning behind Jesus’s eyes. It offers us warmth as his eyes would. Ex: stars means guidance, astronavigation. J gives us guidance, he knows everywhere. Ex: two edged sword= truth and spirit. White head/hair is purity. Voice as the sound of many waters= both powerful(tempest) and soothing(streamlet). Right hand is your covenant hand. 40 keys have been found in scripture! Keys of hell and death Christ possesses.@ John writes each of the 7 churches. He tells them 4 things: compliments them on what they have done well, identifies a sin or challenge, counsels them, shares a reward/blessings if they can overcome it. @Clothed means covered by grace, an atonement word. White stone is like a Urim, source of revelation. @@@ I watched/listened to this at 1.5 speed, I turned on the captions so I could read words skipped through. I can pause and relisten as many times as I want and I don’t have to go slow through the parts I understand. As I have just finished this 43 minute video I feel amazed that anyone can understand this so well and glibly roll the words/ phrases/ concepts off their tongues. They interrupt each other delightfully. It is like a familiar family discussion but they are in such a hurry to fit it all in. They debated producing 7 hours on Revelations! Man they must really understand it! Perhaps I could learn Isaiah the same way. . . They remind me of Elder Bednar whos is so sure about what he says. When he speaks there is no room for doubt. This is the way it is.@ Who would have thought that stuff like this was available. They don’t care what the world thinks. They are exposing themselves for all to mock. What daring courageous teachers. Lastly, I don’t think they could understand it so well if they were not living it. It is true that they might be gifted. I imagine their seminary students just love their friendship and witnessing for each other. It is so real to them. Amazing.

Wednesday, 2/5/20 So it is Wednesday afternoon. It was 21 F on my way to FS this morning. Monday and Tuesday we had a bitter cold wind. @ The good news, I bought a $4 bag of Chili Limon potato chips for 74 cents because I did the digital download for Albertson’s. Ingredients: POTATOES, VEGETABLE OIL (SUNFLOWER, CORN, AND/OR CANOLA OIL), CHILE LIMON SEASONING (SPICES, SALT, YEAST EXTRACT, MALTODEXTRIN [MADE FROM CORN], SUNFLOWER OIL, CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, CITRIC ACID, SUGAR, ONION POWDER, LIME JUICE, GARLIC POWDER, NATURAL FLAVOR, MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, PAPRIKA EXTRACTS, AND

The bad news, I am having a MSG reaction. :(

Luckily I ate all 7 3/4 oz in one night. So it’s gone and I won’t be poisoning myself again. As you know I can’t see very well so I write when this happens. I thought I had never tried this flavor before because it was bright red. The old packages were green, so it fooled me. If I had known I would not have tried them. I have been dragging today and I even prayed about it when I stopped to take a nap. Then the migraine precursors begin and bingo, now I know why I was feeling so lethargic and discouraged.

pre·cur·sor/plural noun: precursors

a person or thing that comes before another of the same kind; a forerunner.

"a three-stringed precursor of the violin"

Similar:\forerunner\predecessor\forefather\father\parent\antecedent\ancestor\forebear\progenitor\pioneer\trailblazer

a substance from which another is formed, especially by metabolic reaction.

"pepsinogen is the inactive precursor of pepsin"

2/5/20 Wed. ElderTM says he has been getting 6/10 nati here. We will see. What comes next is a little quiz that I made for Elder Tony Minardi. The first question is, Where is Bologna? He knew the answer this time. Most of these are new names specific to the area.

™- ™

Does it give you 2 blank entries?

It accepts no empty/blank entries.

5 batches of 1890. All same year today.

Ferruccio is common here. 3 times above.

This one has a count and contessa for parents and you leave those off. See how nice this handwriting is! We are in heaven! Tony has worked here for a week. I just started today.

Friday, 2/14/20 Valentine’s Day. I love you. Do you think you are wonderful, Brandon, Michael, Xiang? Well I do!!! @ I haven’t spent any time on Youtube this week. But during my wakeful morning hours I have been listening to GC. I am up to April 2013. As you read this next story which made the audience/congregation burst into laughter at least 5 times, I would like you to try to answer 5 questions.

1- Who do you think is speaking?

2- This talk was given on Sunday morning. So who is the intended audience? Is that audience different than other sessions of conference?

3- What is the closest you have come to doing something like this?

4- What do you think the title of the talk would be? What point was he trying to make?

5- Why would he spend so much time telling such a long personal detailed story?

*When I was growing up, each summer from early July until early September, my family stayed at our cabin at Vivian Park in Provo Canyon in Utah.

One of my best friends during those carefree days in the canyon was Danny Larsen, whose family also owned a cabin at Vivian Park. Each day he and I roamed this boy’s paradise, fishing in the stream and the river, collecting rocks and other treasures, hiking, climbing, and simply enjoying each minute of each hour of each day.

One morning Danny and I decided we wanted to have a campfire that evening with all our canyon friends. We just needed to clear an area in a nearby field where we could all gather. The June grass which covered the field had become dry and prickly, making the field unsuitable for our purposes. We began to pull at the tall grass, planning to clear a large, circular area. We tugged and yanked with all our might, but all we could get were small handfuls of the stubborn weeds. We knew this task would take the entire day, and already our energy and enthusiasm were waning.

And then what I thought was the perfect solution came into my eight-year-old mind. I said to Danny, “All we need is to set these weeds on fire. We’ll just burn a circle in the weeds!” He readily agreed, and I ran to our cabin to get a few matches.

Lest any of you think that at the tender age of eight we were permitted to use matches, I want to make it clear that both Danny and I were forbidden to use them without adult supervision. Both of us had been warned repeatedly of the dangers of fire. However, I knew where my family kept the matches, and we needed to clear that field. Without so much as a second thought, I ran to our cabin and grabbed a few matchsticks, making certain no one was watching. I hid them quickly in one of my pockets.

Back to Danny I ran, excited that in my pocket I had the solution to our problem. I recall thinking that the fire would burn only as far as we wanted and then would somehow magically extinguish itself.

I struck a match on a rock and set the parched June grass ablaze. It ignited as though it had been drenched in gasoline. At first Danny and I were thrilled as we watched the weeds disappear, but it soon became apparent that the fire was not about to go out on its own. We panicked as we realized there was nothing we could do to stop it. The menacing flames began to follow the wild grass up the mountainside, endangering the pine trees and everything else in their path.

Finally we had no option but to run for help. Soon all available men and women at Vivian Park were dashing back and forth with wet burlap bags, beating at the flames in an attempt to extinguish them. After several hours the last remaining embers were smothered. The ages-old pine trees had been saved, as were the homes the flames would eventually have reached.**

As I listened to this talk my second or third time I skipped ahead of the story to try to focus on his point. This talk was 20 minutes long in total. @Next. Brandon your mom says your testimony is flagging. You feel like God has forgotten you and that you are rejected of him. I admit, you have every reason to feel that way. I probably would too in those circumstances. Do you ever wish you could just escape it all and be dead? As I have mentioned before there has been one time in my life when I wondered if I wouldn’t be happier gone, passed away. In general I have been excited and happy to be able to face the challenges of life. But I also believe that excitement comes from being able to have power over what I choose to do and how I am accomplishing my dreams and being anxiously engaged in a good cause. Yep, some of those things have been denied you. But remember, you can still prove yourself, and your love, and steadiness to God. Satan would have us give up. But don’t turn away. Admit your faults, sins, flagging faith and try to prove yourself loyal, trusting, and faithful under any circumstances. Keep the vision. Keep the faith. @ Is there anything wrong with wanting to believe? And once we want to believe can we take the next step and begin believing? [Write words or phrases on the paragraphs as you read.] Consider this next talk:

*On one occasion Jesus came upon a group arguing vehemently with His disciples. When the Savior inquired as to the cause of this contention, the father of an afflicted child stepped forward, saying he had approached Jesus’s disciples for a blessing for his son, but they were not able to provide it. With the boy still gnashing his teeth, foaming from the mouth, and thrashing on the ground in front of them, the father appealed to Jesus with what must have been last-resort desperation in his voice:

“If thou canst do any thing,” he said, “have compassion on us, and help us.

“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

“And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”1

This man’s initial conviction, by his own admission, is limited. But he has an urgent, emphatic desire in behalf of his only child. We are told that is good enough for a beginning. “Even if ye can no more than desire to believe,” Alma declares, “let this desire work in you, even until ye believe.”2 With no other hope remaining, this father asserts what faith he has and pleads with the Savior of the world, “If thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.”3 I can hardly read those words without weeping. The plural pronoun us is obviously used intentionally. This man is saying, in effect, “Our whole family is pleading. Our struggle never ceases. We are exhausted. Our son falls into the water. He falls into the fire. He is continually in danger, and we are continually afraid. We don’t know where else to turn. Can you help us? We will be grateful for anything—a partial blessing, a glimmer of hope, some small lifting of the burden carried by this boy’s mother every day of her life.”

“If thou canst do any thing,” spoken by the father, comes back to him “If thou canst believe,” spoken by the Master.4

“Straightway,” the scripture says—not slowly nor skeptically nor cynically but “straightway”—the father cries out in his unvarnished parental pain, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” In response to new and still partial faith, Jesus heals the boy, almost literally raising him from the dead, as Mark describes the incident.5

With this tender scriptural record as a backdrop, I wish to speak directly to the young people of the Church—young in years of age or young in years of membership or young in years of faith. One way or another, that should include just about all of us.

Observation number one regarding this account is that when facing the challenge of faith, the father asserts his strength first and only then acknowledges his limitation. His initial declaration is affirmative and without hesitation: “Lord, I believe.” I would say to all who wish for more faith, remember this man! In moments of fear or doubt or troubling times, hold the ground you have already won, even if that ground is limited. In the growth we all have to experience in mortality, the spiritual equivalent of this boy’s affliction or this parent’s desperation is going to come to all of us. When those moments come and issues surface, the resolution of which is not immediately forthcoming, hold fast to what you already know and stand strong until additional knowledge comes. It was of this very incident, this specific miracle, that Jesus said, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”6 The size of your faith or the degree of your knowledge is not the issue—it is the integrity you demonstrate toward the faith you do have and the truth you already know.

The second observation is a variation of the first. When problems come and questions arise, do not start your quest for faith by saying how much you do not have, leading as it were with your “unbelief.” That is like trying to stuff a turkey through the beak! Let me be clear on this point: I am not asking you to pretend to faith you do not have. I am asking you to be true to the faith you do have. Sometimes we act as if an honest declaration of doubt is a higher manifestation of moral courage than is an honest declaration of faith. It is not! So let us all remember the clear message of this scriptural account: Be as candid about your questions as you need to be; life is full of them on one subject or another. But if you and your family want to be healed, don’t let those questions stand in the way of faith working its miracle.

Furthermore, you have more faith than you think you do because of what the Book of Mormon calls “the greatness of the evidences.”7 “Ye shall know them by their fruits,” Jesus said,8 and the fruit of living the gospel is evident in the lives of Latter-day Saints everywhere. As Peter and John said once to an ancient audience, I say today, “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard,” and what we have seen and heard is that “a notable miracle hath been done” in the lives of millions of members of this Church. That cannot be denied.9

Brothers and sisters, this is a divine work in process, with the manifestations and blessings of it abounding in every direction, so please don’t hyperventilate if from time to time issues arise that need to be examined, understood, and resolved. They do and they will. In this Church, what we know will always trump what we do not know. And remember, in this world, everyone is to walk by faith.

So be kind regarding human frailty—your own as well as that of those who serve with you in a Church led by volunteer, mortal men and women. Except in the case of His only perfect Begotten Son, imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but He deals with it. So should we. And when you see imperfection, remember that the limitation is not in the divinity of the work. As one gifted writer has suggested, when the infinite fulness is poured forth, it is not the oil’s fault if there is some loss because finite vessels can’t quite contain it all.10 Those finite vessels include you and me, so be patient and kind and forgiving.

Last observation: When doubt or difficulty come, do not be afraid to ask for help. If we want it as humbly and honestly as this father did, we can get it. The scriptures phrase such earnest desire as being of “real intent,” pursued “with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God.”11 I testify that in response to that kind of importuning, God will send help from both sides of the veil to strengthen our belief.

I said I was speaking to the young. I still am. A 14-year-old boy recently said to me a little hesitantly, “Brother Holland, I can’t say yet that I know the Church is true, but I believe it is.” I hugged that boy until his eyes bulged out. I told him with all the fervor of my soul that belief is a precious word, an even more precious act, and he need never apologize for “only believing.” I told him that Christ Himself said, “Be not afraid, only believe,”12 a phrase which, by the way, carried young Gordon B. Hinckley into the mission field.13 I told this boy that belief was always the first step toward conviction and that the definitive articles of our collective faith forcefully reiterate the phrase “We believe.”14And I told him how very proud I was of him for the honesty of his quest.

Now, with the advantage that nearly 60 years give me since I was a newly believing 14-year-old, I declare some things I now know. I know that God is at all times and in all ways and in all circumstances our loving, forgiving Father in Heaven. I know Jesus was His only perfect child, whose life was given lovingly by the will of both the Father and the Son for the redemption of all the rest of us who are not perfect. I know He rose from that death to live again, and because He did, you and I will also. I know that Joseph Smith, who acknowledged that he wasn’t perfect,15 was nevertheless the chosen instrument in God’s hand to restore the everlasting gospel to the earth. I also know that in doing so—particularly through translating the Book of Mormon—he has taught me more of God’s love, of Christ’s divinity, and of priesthood power than any other prophet of whom I have ever read, known, or heard in a lifetime of seeking. I know that President Thomas S. Monson, who moves devotedly and buoyantly toward the 50th anniversary of his ordination as an Apostle, is the rightful successor to that prophetic mantle today. We have seen that mantle upon him again in this conference. I know that 14 other men whom you sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators sustain him with their hands, their hearts, and their own apostolic keys.

These things I declare to you with the conviction Peter called the “more sure word of prophecy.”16 What was once a tiny seed of belief for me has grown into the tree of life, so if your faith is a little tested in this or any season, I invite you to lean on mine. I know this work is God’s very truth, and I know that only at our peril would we allow doubt or devils to sway us from its path. Hope on. Journey on. Honestly acknowledge your questions and your concerns, but first and forever fan the flame of your faith, because all things are possible to them that believe. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.**
“Lord, I Believe”\By Elder Jeffrey R. Holland\
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Honestly acknowledge your questions and your concerns, but first and forever fan the flame of your faith, because all things are possible to them that believe.

@This next talk surprised me, and gratified me. As a teacher I love concise memorable concepts. DFU found 4 that I value and love. After reading the his first paragraph of examples see if you can think of 4 titles HF would want you to have. I couldn’t.

Four Titles\By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf\Second Counselor in the First Presidency

I would like to suggest four titles … that may help us recognize our individual roles in God’s eternal plan and our potential as priesthood holders.

*My dear brethren and beloved friends, it fills my heart with gratitude and joy to be with you. I commend you fathers and grandfathers who have brought your sons and grandsons. I congratulate you young men who have chosen to be here today. This is the place for you to be. I hope you can feel the brotherhood that unites us, and I pray that here, among your brothers, you will find belonging, support, and friendship.

We men sometimes identify ourselves by titles. Many of us have multiple titles, and each says something important about our identity. For example, some titles describe our roles in families, such as son, brother, husband, and father. Other titles describe our occupations in the world, such as doctor, soldier, or craftsman. And some describe our positions within the Church.

Today I would like to suggest four titles that I believe apply to all priesthood holders around the world—titles that may help us recognize our individual roles in God’s eternal plan and our potential as priesthood holders in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Son of Heavenly Father

One title that defines all of us in the most fundamental way is son of Heavenly Father. No matter what else we are or do in life, we must never forget that we are God’s literal spirit children. We were His children before we came to this world, and we will be His children forevermore. This basic truth should change the way we look at ourselves, our brothers and sisters, and life itself.

Unfortunately, none of us quite lives up to everything that this title implies, “for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”1

It can be discouraging at times to know what it means to be a son of God and yet come up short. The adversary likes to take advantage of these feelings. Satan would rather that you define yourself by your sins instead of your divine potential. Brethren, don’t listen to him.

We have all seen a toddler learn to walk. He takes a small step and totters. He falls. Do we scold such an attempt? Of course not. What father would punish a toddler for stumbling? We encourage, we applaud, and we praise because with every small step, the child is becoming more like his parents.

Now, brethren, compared to the perfection of God, we mortals are scarcely more than awkward, faltering toddlers. But our loving Heavenly Father wants us to become more like Him, and, dear brethren, that should be our eternal goal too. God understands that we get there not in an instant but by taking one step at a time.

I do not believe in a God who would set up rules and commandments only to wait for us to fail so He could punish us. I believe in a Heavenly Father who is loving and caring and who rejoices in our every effort to stand tall and walk toward Him. Even when we stumble, He urges us not to be discouraged—never to give up or flee our allotted field of service—but to take courage, find our faith, and keep trying.

Our Father in Heaven mentors His children and often sends unseen heavenly help to those who desire to follow the Savior.

Disciple of Jesus Christ

And that leads us to the next title we all have in common: all who strive earnestly to follow the Christ are called His disciples. Although we recognize that none of us are perfect, we do not use that fact as an excuse to lower our expectations, to live beneath our privileges, to delay the day of our repentance, or to refuse to grow into better, more perfect, more refined followers of our Master and King.

Remember that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is built not for men and women who are perfect or unaffected by mortal temptations, but rather it is built for people exactly like you and me. And it is built upon the rock of our Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ,2 through whose Atonement we can be cleansed and become “fellowcitizens … of the household of God.”3

Without the Atonement of Jesus Christ, life would be a dead-end road without hope or future. With the Atonement, life is an ennobling, inspiring journey of growth and development that leads to eternal life in the presence of our Heavenly Father.

But while the Atonement is meant to help us all become more like Christ, it is not meant to make us all the same. Sometimes we confuse differences in personality with sin. We can even make the mistake of thinking that because someone is different from us, it must mean they are not pleasing to God. This line of thinking leads some to believe that the Church wants to create every member from a single mold—that each one should look, feel, think, and behave like every other. This would contradict the genius of God, who created every man different from his brother, every son different from his father. Even identical twins are not identical in their personalities and spiritual identities.

It also contradicts the intent and purpose of the Church of Jesus Christ, which acknowledges and protects the moral agency—with all its far-reaching consequences—of each and every one of God’s children. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are united in our testimony of the restored gospel and our commitment to keep God’s commandments. But we are diverse in our cultural, social, and political preferences.

The Church thrives when we take advantage of this diversity and encourage each other to develop and use our talents to lift and strengthen our fellow disciples.

Brethren, discipleship is a lifelong journey following our Savior. Along our metaphorical path from Bethlehem to Golgotha, we will have many opportunities to abandon our journey. At times it will seem that the path requires more than we had wished for. But as men of the priesthood, we must have the courage to follow our Redeemer, even when our cross seems too heavy to bear.

With every step we take following the Son of God, we may be reminded that we are not perfect yet. But let us be steadfast and constant disciples. Let us not give up. Let us be true to our covenants. Let us never lose sight of our Advocate and Redeemer as we walk toward Him, one imperfect step after another.
Healer of Souls

Brethren, if we truly follow our Lord Jesus Christ, we must embrace a third title: healer of souls. We who have been ordained to the priesthood of God are called to practice “the healer’s art.”4

It is our job to build up, repair, strengthen, uplift, and make whole. Our assignment is to follow the Savior’s example and reach out to those who suffer. We “mourn with those that mourn … and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.”5 We bind up the wounds of the afflicted. We “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.”6

As home teachers, we are healers. As priesthood leaders, we are healers. As fathers, sons, brothers, and husbands, we should be committed and dedicated healers. We carry in one hand a vial of consecrated oil for blessing the sick; in the other we carry a loaf of bread to feed the hungry; and in our hearts we carry the peaceable word of God, “which healeth the wounded soul.”7

This is our first and foremost responsibility as priesthood holders—and it applies to both Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood holders. The restored gospel of Jesus Christ blesses lives not just when we believe it—but much more when we live it. It is in the application of gospel principles that individuals are uplifted and families are strengthened. It is our privilege and responsibility not just to talk the talk but also to walk the walk.

The Savior is the worker of miracles. He is the great Healer. He is our example, our light, even in the darkest moments, and He shows us the right way.

Let us follow Him. Let us rise up to our role and become healers by serving God and our fellowmen.
Heir of Eternal Life

The fourth title we all share returns us to the first title in our list. As sons of our Heavenly Father, we are heirs to all that He has.

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”8

Think of this, my beloved brethren. We are joint-heirs with Christ!

So, does it make any sense that many of us spend so much of our valuable time, thoughts, means, and energies in pursuit of prestige or worldly goods or to be entertained by the newest and coolest electronic gadgets?

The Lord has put before us the divine promise that “whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods, … magnifying their calling, … [will] receive me, saith the Lord; … and he that receiveth me receiveth my Father; … therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him.”9

It is beyond my power of thought to imagine all that this promise entails. But I do know it is grand, it is divine, it is eternal, and it is worth all of our efforts in life.

Knowing this, how can we not willingly and joyfully engage in serving the Lord and our fellowmen and living up to our responsibilities in the priesthood of God?

This is a most noble labor that will challenge our every sense and stretch our every ability. Do we desire to see the heavens open and witness the promptings of the Holy Spirit showing us the way? Then let’s take up our sickle and put our back into this great work—a cause much greater than ourselves!

Serving God and our fellowmen will challenge us and transform us into something greater than we ever thought possible.

Perhaps you might think that you are not needed, that you are overlooked or unwanted, that you are nobody.

I am sincerely sorry if any priesthood holder feels this way. Certainly you are not overlooked or unwanted by your Heavenly Father. He loves you. And I tell you with certainty that you are needed by your Church.

Do you not know that “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to [put to shame] the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to [put to shame] the things which are mighty”?10

Perhaps it is true that we are weak. Perhaps we are not wise or mighty. But when God works through us, no one and nothing can stand against us.11

This is why you are needed. You have your own special contribution to make, and God can magnify that contribution in a mighty way. Your ability to contribute is not dependent upon your calling in the Church. Your opportunities for service are endless. If you are waiting on the sidelines, I encourage you to get in the game.

Don’t wait for a particular calling before you become fully engaged in building the kingdom of God. As a priesthood holder, you are already called to the work. Study the word of God daily, pray to Heavenly Father every day, internalize the principles of the restored gospel, give thanks to God, and ask for His guidance. Then live what you learn, first in your family but also in all situations of your life.

In the great Composer’s symphony, you have your own particular part to play—your own notes to sing. Fail to perform them, and with certainty the symphony will go on. But if you rise up and join the chorus and allow the power of God to work through you, you will see “the windows of heaven” open, and He will “pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”12 Rise up to your true potential as a son of God, and you can be a force for good in your family, your home, your community, your nation, and indeed in the world.

And in the process, as you “lose [your] life” in the service of others,13 you will grow and develop until you reach “the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”14 Then you will be prepared to inherit, with Christ, everything your Father has.
You Are Important to God

My dear brethren, my dear friends, you are important. You are loved. You are needed. This work is true. The priesthood you are privileged to bear is indeed of God.

I pray that as you ponder the many titles of a worthy priesthood holder, you will discover a divine wind at your back, lifting you ever upward toward the great inheritance your Heavenly Father has reserved for you. I leave you this blessing and my testimony in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.**

Ok, answers:

1- Who do you think is speaking?@ Did you guess right? It was the prophet: TSM

2- This talk was given on Sunday morning. So who is the intended audience? Is that audience different than other sessions of conference?

3- What is the closest you have come to doing something like this?@ We had an unfinished basement in our White City, Sandy home at 9855Sunflower Lane 84770, when we moved in and I was 5yo. The gas furnace had a pilot light that fascinated me. There were times the gas man had to come and relight it because I had played with it and it had been extinguished. I always loved playing with fire as a kid. Luckily, I did not ever cause Thomas’s 8 year old problem. Can you imagine living by the Provo river in Vivian park from June to September like he did as a boy? Did you catch that part of the story?

4- What do you think the title of the talk would be? What point was he trying to make? Obedience Brings Blessings\By President Thomas S. Monson\A knowledge of truth and the answers to our greatest questions come to us as we are obedient to the commandments of God. [What a powerful statement! That really is the secret!]

5- Why would he spend so much time telling such a long personal detailed story?

@@@Last night I attended my BoM class. I had invited Janice to my ward Luau Wednesday night but she only responded to my first email and not the succeeding 5. She taught last night. I was quiet the whole lesson. It was gratifying to hear others make the points I would have made. I hadn’t read the lesson or I probably would not have been able to keep quiet. I had successfully put in 10 hours at familysearch. These Uruguay passenger lists have me motivated and absorbed right now. Parte B was ranked as “Advanced” versus Intermediate and Beginning. Alma Jr. fasted and prayed many days for a reason I had never noticed before. As you remember he was the Chief High Priest but turned the judgement seat over to Nephihah because he needed to order the church. Isn’t it fun to know that we are in the same club with Alma because we have fasted and prayed many days! 12 times a year times how many years we have been fasting is many days. :) @ He had fasted for the sins of his people. @ What a unique idea/purpose/point. And what would be the results of fasting with that purpose in mind? ________ your answer. I got my answer and was pleased with the insight. @ Anyway, my attendance at the Luau did not occur. No partner. Her life is crazy right now. Two hours before the appointed time I emailed that I would be here at FS working instead because I hadn’t heard from her. She asked me how I was doing last night and I said, curious. I was curious about what she thought of my emails. She admitted not seeing anything after the first one. She also said having her sister Jonnie out of work is stressing their finances. I wonder if it is a 1k stress or a 10k stress or a 20k stress. My finances were always stressed too. OK, time to get to work. That was an hour of writing. :)