TRUTH "As I See It"

 

Every day is filled with the pursuit of truth.  To many the truth cannot be found.  It seems that most believe that religious truth is a matter of interpretation and only applies to our particular circumstances.  My truth is for me and your truth is for you.  They may or may not be the same, but it serves my purpose just the same.

The apostle John gives us an account of the Savior’s response to Pilate when asked if he were a king.

John 18   
37. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
38. Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

It seems to me that Pilate wasn’t interested in the truth for as soon as he asked the question he turned and went out to the Jews to render his decision.  Maybe the 
Savior answered this question or maybe he felt that Pilate was not really interested.  Up until now we have no real answer.

Alvin R. Dyer once stated; “Religion, in the true Christian concept, depends upon revelation from God for its faith and teachings of truth.”  If it hasn’t been revealed to man by God and hasn’t been proven by using the scientific method, then I believe our opinion is just as good as anybody else’s.  We need to be aware that in many cases as we pursue truth each day it probably can’t be found.  However, we can be confident that if science discovers a “truth” that is contrary to the revealed word of God, then it can’t be true.

Following the above statements; Can we find political “TRUTH”?

JUST A PENCIL

Early in the morning of November 23, 1963 my missionary companion and I entered the train station in Munich, Germany. That day was the day I was being transfered to a small village outside of Nuremberg, Germany called Stein. I spotted a newspaper vendor holding up a newspaper with the headlines KENNEDY ERMORDET. Much to our amazement Pres. Kennedy had been assassinated. What a strange feeling we had to be in Germany and our president was gunned down in the USA. Sadness filled the air as we and many of the German citizens tried to grasp what had just happened the day before. My understanding of the german language was very limited and being a missionary and isolated from much of the news of the day I was unable to get many of the details. This was hard, but I was in Germany to be a missionary and the outside world was far from my daily thoughts. I mentioned this tragedy in my journal, but it wasn’t the main topic. I learned most of the details of the assassination after returning home in 1966.

Stein is a beautiful German village and the home of the pencil manufacturer FABER-CASTELL. Again while I was there I wasn’t concerned with pencils. It was interesting to note that one of the most famous writing instrument manufacturers started here, but not much thought was given to “pencils”. Then this morning I read a commentary/column in the newspaper on pencils. My thoughts went back to this beautiful village and the great experiences I had there. However, today I am concerned with the state of the world. You might call it worry/concern for the business climate and how the government is making it more and more difficult to prosper in business. We must all consider the history of the USA and why it is the most prosperous country in the world. Our freedoms in all areas, including business, have allowed us to follow the plan of the Savior. To pursue dreams, work hard, fail, succeed, be happy, be sad, experience tragedy, experience joy are all necessary for our salvation. We don’t need a government to think for us and provide us with their version of “THE PLAN OF HAPPINESS”.

Go to the link below and read this article. It made me concerned of where we are headed.

http://www.caglecartoons.com/column.asp?columnID={E5EDD2ED-4581-40CF-88BF-2B6735005AD4}

BIRTHDAYS ARE IMPORTANT

Each year many of us celebrate the date we were born. It is a time to reflect on where we have come from, who we are now and what we will become. Our history is not only valuable to us, but certainly to our family and to those with whom we work and play.

Birthdays are often the beginning of a new phase in our lives such as driving and dating (age 16), baptism (age 8) and many others. Unfortunately it’s also a time for some to do things or to feel they can do many things that aren’t so beneficial. This is when we can be grateful for good homes where strong values are taught and practiced.

I am grateful for the birthdays of my grandchildren. It’s a time to think of them and reflect on their unique personality. It’s a time to ponder their lives and pray for their success and happiness.

Sunday our oldest grandchild, Madison, will turn 10. She is a beautiful girl inside and out. I made this video in her honor. It was a joy to pull out some of the pictures I have taken of her over the years I have known her. We love her.

Optimism is a Godly attribute!

Optimism is a principle of the gospel. Optimism provides us with the tools to communicate with the Divine. Any pessimism is a barrier to the influence to the Holy Ghost.

Here is a video that brings this home:

PONDER THIS!

THE IMPORTANCE OF RELATING STORIES OF OUR HERITAGE!

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.