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...

 23- The Book of Mormon  6-26-23 Hello Family, As I finished the Book of Mormon this past weekend I was left with a feeling of gratitude for this additional scripture our Heavenly Father has blessed us with. Think of the clarity, light, and truth it provides to each of us in regards to our purpose here in mortality. Think of the validity it gives to the Restoration of the Gospel and the prophetic work of Joseph Smith. It truly is the cornerstone of our religion. My invitation this week is for you to take a minute to ponder and ask yourselves, What does the Book of Mormon mean to me? How has my life been blessed because of the truths taught in the Book of Mormon? Here are the final versus of this sacred record, given by the prophet Moroni, and then sealed up to come forth in this last dispensation. It is Moroni’s plea to each of us, it summarizes the entire purpose of the Book of Mormon which is to persuade each of us to believe in Christ, and live the type of life that allows ...

 22- Prayer (6-19-23) Hello Family,   This past weeks Come Follow Me allowed us to learn more about the Savior’s Atonement and gave us opportunity to reflect and testify of His divine role in our Heavenly Father’s Plan. Emma I think said it best in her segment of our lesson yesterday. She said “He is the point of it all.” Jesus Christ is central to the Plan back to our Heavenly Father, and we must learn to make him central in all that we do and are.   While lying in bed the other night trying to fall asleep I was thinking about certain people who were in my prayers. Specifically I was praying for a man Graham and I minister to who is having serious health concerns, for Kyle and Bel who are struggling in their marriage, and for Salvador and his family that they might have a desire to learn more about gospel.  While lying there it struck me how all three of these families or individuals need the Savior and the power of His Atonement in their lives to help g...

 21-  To:  Kyle Miller <yotes616@gmail.com>, Kyle Miller <yotesmiller@yahoo.com> Subject:   Hope  Kyle, I’m sorry to hear things at home aren’t going well for you and Bel. Speaking with you last night I could hear in your voice all the angst and frustration over it. No doubt it is exhausting for both of you. You both deserve so much better. I know there is no guarantee you will read this or give it any real thought or consideration, but I felt impressed to send it so I am going to. I love you too much to just quietly stand by and see you be so miserable.  One thing I love about you is that you don’t sugar coat things, you say what you think as you see it. With that said, I’m going to try to do the same here. Yes this is going to get what you call “churchy”. But there is a better word for it, it’s called REALITY! Whether you believe it or not, whether you like it or not, the only purpose for this earth, and for the humans that populate it, is to prov...

 20- Let us Be Wise (6-12-2023) Hello Family, During the early part of last week I was reading towards the end of Helaman in the Book of Mormon. There was a particular part that stood out to me that I have seen repeated in my own life serval times. Hopefully not to the extent that the Nephites were experiencing, but I think at times we can all relate. Below are the first 5 versus of Chapter 12 of Helaman.  1 And thus we can behold how false, and also the  unsteadiness  of the hearts of the children of men; yea, we can see that the Lord in his great infinite goodness doth bless and prosper those who put their trust in him. Unsteadiness - off and on again, up and down in our personal spirituality. Just as one who is unsteady while walking ultimately needs to find balance to stay the course. Steady and consistent “doing” of the small and simple things, and therefore “always abounding in good works.” 2 Yea, and we may see at the very time when he doth prosper his people,...