Dad's papers

  I was on a visit the other night to a lady in our ward who is a recent convert of about 18 months. She has a few heath issues and suffers from some anxiety. She is about my age, an only child, divorced with no children of her own. You could hear the loneliness in her life as she talked with us. I asked her what had resonated, or drawn her to the message of the missionaries most. She lit up as she talked about the sister missionaries that taught her. The message or teaching that resonated with here most she said, was her desire to live in the Celestial Kingdom. That is what she wants most. I thought it was so neat. No matter her loneliness and challenges here, she has hope for something so much greater. That hope she knows must be centered on Jesus Christ, who makes it all possible. Possible for her, and for each of us. We all have “stuff” we go through, and it’s unique and different for everyone. For some, like this good sister, it can be chronic loneliness or health concerns, fo...

  Daily Devotion I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the daily devotion of faithful people. The people who live their lives devoted to God, following His Gospel plan He has laid out for them. People striving for holiness in their lives. Mama and I talked just this week about both your grandpa’s growing up without a priesthood leader, or even a priesthood holder, in their homes. What drove them to stay true to their faith all these years. I think of Grandpa and Grandma Miller moving to Idaho as a young couple, with little to no support from their parents, and building a legacy of family and faith over decades of faithfulness. We were discussing this last night out at their home, and Graham said it best I think. He said “it’s a miracle.” It really is.  This last week I was able to go and do an early morning endowment session at the temple. I was there a little early as I was having a hard time sleeping that morning. It was a neat experience to watch the temple “wake up” for a ...

  In my personal study this week I have been diving deeper into Elder Christofferson’s talk from this past Conference, Burying Our Weapons of Rebellion. Below are so of my favorite parts of his talk, and thoughts of how I can apply them in my life. I don’t have to look very hard for things I need to “bury” or improve upon personally. Some of these things for me are what Elder Christofferson describes as “passive rebellion”, but nonetheless rebellion. Rebellion against what God wants for me and what the Spirit’s constant companionship requires of me. In his talk he describes it this way: “Perhaps the more insidious form of rebellion against God, however, is the passive version—ignoring His will in our lives. Many who would never consider active rebellion may still oppose the will and word of God by pursuing their own path without regard to divine direction. I am reminded of the song made famous years ago by singer Frank Sinatra with the climactic line “I did it my way.” Certainly in...

  Hello Family, Happy New Year! 2025, how crazy does that sound!  I have invited Viry into this weekly email, so I thought I would take a minute and give her a little background.  Welcome Viry! Over this past year or so, I have been sending the kids (those with an email address) a spiritual thought relating to something I’m learning about in my personal scripture study each week. Recognizing you are all very busy, and have your own personal study time, never feel obligated to read or the need to reply to these emails. A while back I felt impressed to write this email wanting to share an invitation each week with my children. As they have started leaving the home over the past several years, I have fewer and fewer opportunities to share my testimony with them, and the things I feel are so important and believe to be true. Things I believe will bring each of us the greatest happiness in life. So that is what this email is.  If you feel impressed to accept the weekly in...