The Things of God

I suppose my intent is NOT to make this blog a journal. That’s way too personal. I just feel that there are so many thoughts running thru my head each day and so many things I would like to express. I’m not much good at expressing myself in writing as Connie can attest to, but I do like to make my opinions, feelings and beliefs known. I admire those who are creative enough to give us pause no matter the medium. Writing, photography, painting, building etc. are all ways to give something of ourselves. Something that will benefit both ourself and the person partaking of our version of creativity. I do, however, believe that we sometimes take things too far and offend or insult others by what we create. In those cases it may be better to keep those things in a journal or private, away from the consumption of others. Sharing and expressing your feelings in a public forum such as a blog (un-password protected) that may cause others to be offended, discouraged or angered may be counter productive.

Controversial topics can be productive if presented maturely and from an informed point of view. However, if we in anyway demean or diminish another person or even offend his/her moral compass we should refrain. I’m sure most of would like to think that our opinions, interpretations and expressions are correct, but it may require much more than we are willing to sacrifice in order to know.

The Prophet Joseph Smith stated: “The things of God are of deep import; and time, and experience, and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out. Thy mind, O man! if thou wilt lead a soul unto salvation, must stretch as high as the utmost heavens, and search into and contemplate the darkest abyss, and the broad expanse of eternity-thou must commune with God. How much more dignified and noble are the thoughts of God, than the vain imaginations of the human heart! None but fools will trifle with the souls of men. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 Vols. 3:295)

Let's Honor the Veterans

My Mother with 4 Kids and Dad is off to war!

While I was growing up I knew that my father served in the Army during WWII, however to this day I know very little about his service. How wonderful it would be to know many of the things he saw, what he experienced and how he felt about it all. I know he was in the Philippines and then in Japan after the U.S. took over there.

On this Veteran’s Day I would like to honor him in a small way. He left a family of 4 children, me being the youngest of less than a year. What a hardship that must have been for my mother and my older siblings. I probably didn’t even miss him. In fact I know when he returned I didn’t want to have anything to do with him for a while. I got over it and loved my father very much. He was a great man and we can be thankful to him and all veterans for their selfless service to each one of us.

Time

CONNIE'S MISSING -SHE'S AT THE HOTEL BEING SICK!

As we get older the time seems to speed up. Actually time is time, but as a percentage of our life the one minute becomes smaller and smaller as we grow old.

Good Grief - where did the time go? I read the blogs, but don't take the time to contribute to this great network of information. I suppose making a living must take too much TIME!

LAST WEEK IT WAS DISNEYLAND WITH THE EASTONS. CONNIE GOT SICK, BUT WE HAD A BLAST!

A DAY TO CELEBRATE A GREAT LIFE

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning

Before you read this post follow this link and listen to this song!

http://www.oklahoma-up.com/view-video.php?v=2801

I can remember as a young boy my parents took us to see the movie Oklahoma and I have always loved the song as it was sung in this scene.

When I rise in the morning I am always full of more enthusiasm, energy and grateful for a new day.

Alma 37:37

37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day. 

Direction from above, protection and be drawn (or lifted up) to Christ.  All this for gratitude to God!

JOHN MC CAIN

BARACK OBAMA

FOR THE PROFIT OF MANKIND

Far be it from me to judge someone as to the intent of their hearts. We are about to judge between two men to lead this great country. We have our free agency and our intelligence and hopefully we seek the guidance of the spirit as to which candidate is using the talents he has been given for the good of mankind.

Maybe God will choose not to tell us who to vote for. He has given us gifts to use for the good of mankind and hopefully we will use them accordingly. We need to study the issues, discern the character of the candidate and choose. Which candidate will bring this nation closer to Christ. Maybe neither or maybe both. Or maybe just one of them.

Moroni 10:8

8 And again, I exhort you, my brethren, that ye deny not the gifts of God, for they are many; and they come from the same God. And there are different ways that these gifts are administered; but it is the same God who worketh all in all; and they are given by the manifestations of the Spirit of God unto men, to profit them.

ENOS HAD A HUNGRY SOUL!


Last night I spoke at a baptism for a young man who fell in love with the Book of Mormon. He is well versed in the Bible and eager to learn more of the word of God from the Book of Mormon. I struggled a bit as to what I should say as an official welcome into the YSA ward. (The Bishop was out of town, so I had the official duty). I wanted him to know that we didn’t consider him totally unschooled about the Savior and the word of God, but that he, because of his conversion, would begin to have “treasures of knowledge” opened to him. The Holy Ghost would be his constant companion and would teach him all the things he would need to gain salvation.

I prepared a talk, but it didn’t seem to fit. And then while I was waiting to speak I remembered Enos and his conversion. I read Enos 4-9

4. And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens.
5 And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed.
6 And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away.
7 And I said: Lord, how is it done?
8 And he said unto me: Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen. And many years pass away before he shall manifest himself in the flesh; wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole.
9 Now, it came to pass that when I had heard these words I began to feel a desire for the welfare of my brethren, the Nephites; wherefore, I did pour out my whole soul unto God for them.

His hungry soul was fed.

THE THINGS OF NEPHI'S SOUL

I love to read authors that can express themselves to such an extent that the same or similar feelings can be stirred up in the hearts of those reading their commentary. Can you feel that way when you read the writings of Nephi?


2 Nephi 4:15-16
15 And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children.
16 Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.

Much of what Nephi wrote was for me, for me to ponder. His writings were not for any historical value (although that is very interesting), but for the soul. I suppose if I made a concentrated effort to study Nephi I could come to know how he felt.

My question is - “is there value in knowing how others feel?”