Dad's papers

 Hello Family, Happy New Year! It is New Year’s Eve, and we are gathered all together in Ogden, Utah. What a treat to be all together! As Lainey would say, “I love you guys!” This weekend I have watched each of you set time aside to plan and to make New Year’s Resolutions, pondering on things that you would like to add or improve in your life. I love that! A life without purpose is a life of complacency. Goals put us in a place to act, and to do. You each know who you are and what your purpose is, and this brings so much joy to Mama and I. This purpose is innate in each one of us, and as we listen to, and follow the Spirit we will continue to strive to become better. The Hope we have that we can be successful at this improvement comes from our faith in Jesus Christ. Nephi teaches us,“ And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from e...

  The Book of Mormon Wow, what a week! Emma and Noah, what a beautiful wedding! We were so excited to share in that special, special day with you. We couldn’t be more happy for you both.  We are at the beginning of a holiday break that we get to spend a lot of quality time together over the next couple of weeks. This will be the perfect capstone to a very eventful year. We got Miles back from his mission, we’ve added another awesome family member in Noah, and so many other amazing blessings throughout the year. We really have been so blessed as a family in 2024! As our Come Follow Me study of the Book of Mormon has wrapped up for the year, and on this, the 23rd of December, Joseph Smith’s 219th birthday, I    would like to take this opportunity to extend to all of us once again Moroni’s invitation. To take a quiet few minutes, secluded from the distractions that surround us, and kneel in prayer. Earnestly seeking    once again for a spiritual conformation o...

  Hello Family, This week I thought I would pass on a message from my mission president that he shared with all of his missionaries. He has always been so faithful over the years sending us a Christmas Card and email. He turned 95 years old this year, and he has had such a huge impact on my life in so many ways. I’ll forever be grateful for his example. “Merry Christmas to our beloved missionary companions in the great MMM! I hope all of you are doing well and keeping the faith.  It seems to me that times are getting harder and harder, and Satan is taking advantage of, or instigating, these countless difficulties.  I read this morning a quote from President Holland that bespeaks my feelings of the seemingly unanswerable questions and difficulties.” President Holland said, “It is a God-given truth that that 14-year old boy walked out of that grove having encountered divinity.  I live by the Book of Mormon.  It is the most profound book in my life.  So, my de...

  Hello Family, There are lots of reasons for us to be feeling joy this week. Another school semester is about to be over, and a needed and deserved break is right around the corner. Emma and Noah can literally say “we are getting married next week!” Little Lainey is going to become an official teenager on Sunday. And it’s Christmas time! But the greatest joy that we get to experience is the joy that the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings into each one of our lives, and to us as a family collectively.  Mama and I were in the temple this week participating in sealing ordinances.   To hear over and over the promised blessings to faithful husbands and wives, and to children being sealed to their parents is breathtaking and awe-inspiring. What our loving Heavenly Father has promised us, and that He promises to all of His faithful children, is incomprehensible joy and happiness.  I was reading the following scripture this week in my personal study found in Hebrews Chapter 12:1...

  December is here! Lainey asked me while we were setting up Christmas the other day what my favorite holiday is. I really love Thanksgiving, but Christmas has to be my favorite. (especially once all the decorations are done being set up :) I love the Christmas tradition where Mama hands out all the different ornaments with the many names for the Savior, and you kids take turns hanging them on the tree. The scriptures teach us so many different names for Jesus Christ, but one that has stood out to me from our Come Follow Me study this past week is the name of Hope. Jesus Christ is Hope.  Yesterday in our Sacrament Fast and Testimony Meeting, Sadie, while visiting, took the opportunity to bear her testimony. It was so wonderful to hear her testify of things she knows to be true. One thing she shared is how optimistic the Gospel of Jesus Christ is. That is so true. We have Optimism because of our “Covenant Confidence” in our Savior and in His sacred saving ordinances.  Elde...