Dad's papers

 26 -  Simplicity     (7-24-23) Good Morning Family, Our thoughts have turned this week to Elder and Sister Holland as Elder Holland is no doubt mourning the separation from his sweetheart. I went back this week and studied their talks given to the Young Single Adults earlier this year. I was impressed again with Sister Holland’s message and of her simple but powerful faith and testimony. Here are a couple of little clips from her message: “As I look back at my life, and if I could live any part of it over again, I would do one thing differently—very differently: simplify! It seems to me that everything is better when it is simplified—our food, our clothing, our furnishings, and our schedules. What I regret most in my youth is that I didn’t see the simple beauty of the gospel; I made even the gospel too complex. I felt it was too overwhelming, too difficult, and sometimes even too mysterious. It seemed to me that even as a young adult I had to climb a mount...

 25   Stand Ye in Holy Places (7/17/23) Good Morning Family, Another week has flown by. The Deacons Quorum in the ward went camping this weekend. We went up to New Meadows to Last Chance Campground and hiked into Goose Creek Falls. The boys had a lot of fun playing in the waterfall.  Around the campfire we were able to have a little devotional. I asked them what it meant to them when they heard the words “Stand ye in Holy Places”. These young men are only 11-13 yrs old (and Graham was also with us) but to hear their responses was so reassuring to know that they “get it” at such a young age. They didn’t give textbook answers, but each boy formulated a heartfelt response jam packed with the Spirit. It was so cool to me, and a strength to my testimony that we each can have the Spirit in our lives in a powerful way to direct our thoughts and actions.  So my invitation to each of us this week is to sincerely ask the questions of ourselves, Do I seek the guiding influ...

 24 Learning in the Lord's Way  7/10/23 Hello Family, As I was reading my book by President Ballard this week on the cruise the following scripture and teaching resonated with me. Something I can work on in my own life, and when trying to help others.  Doctrine and Covenants 9:7-8 “Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me. But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.” We have been conditioned in the world we live to often expect instant gratification. We want answers or solutions to our problems or concerns now. We want to apply the perceived needed fix to others problems. We want our own problems to go away quickly. President Ballard spoke about seeking the Lord’s way of learning. Not just for ourselves but for...