In Any Language It's the Same

We did get the tree up. And going against tradition it was decorated by Mom - a week early. I did have some say - it had to be on the floor. Though I guess my biggest contribution was the platform I use to elevate the front tire of my bike when it's on the training stand. If you look closely at the picture the tree in is a large pot. Not completely flat on the bottom. And on carpet that's not good. So I sacrificed for the benefit of the majority. Now the tree stands straight and true. Besides it makes riding in the garage easier - I don't have to ride uphill.

This afternoon and evening Mom and I are getting Christmas eve dinner ready. No rib roast and yorkshire pudding. Pollo al mattone instead. We'll still have crackers and wear our crowns. Then we'll pack the car and go to bed early so we can make the rounds tomorrow.

I've spent Christmas in so many different places that it doesn't matter where I am just who I'm with. And although it is increasingly harder to be with you all in this cabin in the woods, you'll always be in my heart.

So…

Frohe Weihnachten - Buon Natale - Merry Christmas!!!

Papa's Christmas Message

The giving of gifts…
The brightly lit houses...
The sound of bells on the street corners…

I’ve always loved this time of year.

As a child I took great comfort in the closeness of family - aunts and uncles and my grandmother - who could only be given a gift when it was time to open it.

The smell of evergreens and oranges.
The crisp, cold nights. The sounds of carols being sung.

That feeling of awe and wonder.

And the anticipation…

As I grew into my teens and ventured alone into downtown Portland, I took joy in wishing everyone I met a merry Christmas.

And greater joy in hearing that wish returned. There was never a doubt that Christ had been born so many years before and we were celebrating his coming.

Now decades have past. The seasons have come and gone. The carols are still being sung. I still have family around me though I miss so many who have passed away. But the memory of the wonder we shared at Christmas still warms my heart.

Now new memories and traditions are being made.
And I take joy in seeing the wonder in the eyes of my grandchildren as they experience the warmth of family at Christmas time.

Some things in our society have changed.

And yet one thing remains. Christ at Christmas. The story of His birth and the joy of the believers.

Not so long ago I had the privilege of serving the sisters at the Washington Correctional Center for Women. Digby Granger was the Branch President at the time and I was his counselor. It was early in December and it was decided that we should show the church video “Lamb of God.” One sister was quite moved by it and remarked on her way out after the hour, “How could you show that at this time of year?”

I was completely taken aback.

Why was it so hard to see the story of His life at this time of year?
Because also depicted his death?

Yes, the angels sang of good tidings of great joy at His birth.
A message to all the earth. Not just to Israel but to all the earth.
And what is the message of great joy?

“For unto you is born a Savior!”
What is to be saved? Who is to be saved? How are they to be saved?

Was this message one that was new?
Unknown to the people of Israel?
No, of course not.

550 years before the advent of Christ Nephi told his people: “Behold I say unto you, that … as the Lord … liveth, there is none other name given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ, … whereby man can be saved.” (2 Ne. 25:20)

How was that to be done?

Let’s go back a few years…

In the Book of Moses in the Pearl of Great Price we can read about Adam being visited by his home teacher:

Heavenly Father gave Adam and Eve commandments, “that they should worship the Lord their God, and should offer the firstlings of their flocks, for an offering unto the Lord. And Adam was obedient unto the commandments of the Lord.

“And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord?

“And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me.

And then the angel told Adam that the sacrifice he was offering was “a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, …

“Wherefore,” the angel added, “thou shalt do all that thou doest in the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son forevermore.” (Moses 5:5–8)

And was not Abraham was promised that “God will provide?”
That through Abraham would come a savior?

Isaiah declared:

“He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: … and with his stripes we are healed.

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

“He was … brought as a lamb to the slaughter. …

“He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. …

“He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isa. 53:5–8, 12)

At the beginning of the Savior’s ministry, John the Baptist exclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

And the gospel writer reminds us, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up…” (John 3:14)

On this point, the resurrected Christ said to the Nephites:

“Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.

“And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; … that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works.

“And … whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world.” (3 Ne. 27:13-16)

This is a definition of the gospel, spoken by way of summary and conclusion after the risen Christ had spent days—perhaps weeks—explaining the principles and ordinances of the gospel to the Nephites.

The gospel is the plan adopted by our Heavenly Father for accomplishing his “work and … glory - to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).

This is the plan the Lord presented to his children in the great pre-earth council.

In the Book of Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price we read:

“Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones;

“And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, …

“And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell;

“And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;

“And they who keep their first estate shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever.

“And the Lord said: Whom shall I send? And one answered like unto the Son of Man: Here am I, send me. And another answered and said: Here am I, send me. And the Lord said: I will send the first.

“And the second was angry, and kept not his first estate; and, at that day, many followed after him.” (Abr. 3:22–28)

We were there - you and I - when the gospel plan was presented. We were among the two-thirds of God’s children who accepted the plan.

A plan that anticipated everything that has occurred or that will occur in heaven or on earth.

It provided for us to receive physical bodies in mortality, endowed with free agency. And being acted upon by good and evil, we should prove ourselves worthy to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father.

It anticipated Lucifer’s rebellion, the creation of this earth, the placing of Adam and Eve upon it, their partaking of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, their expulsion from the Garden, and the peopling of the earth by their posterity.

It anticipated Satan working among us, our imperfection, our temporal and spiritual death.

It anticipated the need for a Savior to conquer death, and atone for the transgression of Adam, and provide the means by which we, through repentance, might receive forgiveness for our sins and be readmitted into the presence of God.

Christ of course, was chosen to be the Savior and Redeemer. His role in Heavenly Father’s plan to bring to pass “the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39) has been revealed to men in all dispensations.

When Christ appeared to the brother of Jared He said:

“Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. … In me shall all mankind have light, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters.” (Ether 3:14)

In the thirty-fourth chapter of Alma we read:

"And now it came to pass that after Alma had spoken … Amulek arose and began to teach … , saying:

“Behold, I say unto you, that I … know that Christ shall come among the children of men, to take upon him the transgressions of his people, and that he shall atone for the sins of the world; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

“For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; … except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made.

“Therefore, it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice, and then shall there be … a stop to the shedding of blood; then shall the law of Moses be fulfilled; yea, it shall be all fulfilled, every jot and tittle, and none shall have passed away.

"And behold, this is the whole meaning of the law, every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal." (Alma 34:1, 8-9, 13-14)

To all this Elder Dallin H. Oakes offers these cautionary thoughts:

“The Apostle Paul wrote that we should 'work out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling.' (Philip. 2:12) Could that familiar expression mean that the sum total of our own righteousness will win us salvation and exaltation? Could some of us believe that our heavenly parentage and our divine destiny allow us to pass through mortality and attain eternal life solely on our own merits?”

Elder Oakes continues:

“I believe that some of us, some of the time, say things that can create that impression. We can forget that keeping the commandments, which is necessary, is not sufficient. As Nephi said, we must labor diligently to persuade everyone 'to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.' (2 Ne. 25:23)

“Man unquestionably has impressive powers and can bring to pass great things by tireless efforts and indomitable will. But after all our obedience and good works, we cannot be saved from the effect of our sins without the grace extended by the atonement of Jesus Christ.”

And he further states:

“The Book of Mormon puts us right.
“It teaches that 'salvation doth not come by the law alone' (Mosiah 13:28); that is, salvation does not come by keeping the commandments alone. 'By the law no flesh is justified.' (2 Ne. 2:5.) Even those who serve God with their whole souls are unprofitable servants. (See Mosiah 2:21.) Man cannot earn his own salvation.

“The Book of Mormon teaches:
“'Since man had fallen he could not merit anything of himself.' (Alma 22:14)
“'There can be nothing which is short of an infinite atonement which will suffice for the sins of the world.' (Alma 34:12; see also 2 Ne. 9:7; Alma 34:8–16)
“'Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; … he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law.' (2 Ne. 2:6–7)
"And so we 'preach of Christ … that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.' (2 Ne. 25:26)"

So let us go back to the start. Can we - should we - celebrate Christmas - His birth - without also acknowledging His atoning sacrifice, His death, and His resurrection?

It is obvious that without a savior there would be no hope for us to receive the blessings promised by the gospel. And we have no hope of receiving them now unless we have faith in Jesus Christ and act upon the knowledge we receive. This is according to the gospel, which Paul said “is the power of God unto salvation.” (Rom. 1:16)

So as we celebrate this Christmas season, let us keep in mind the full meaning of what we commemorate. And that the giving of gifts at this time of year is not founded in any gift given by man but in the gift our Heavenly Father gave.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

And this is His gift to us.
Of which I testify in His holy name.
Even the name of Jesus the Christ.
Amen.

Clear skies and a chance of...

I think I have hit a new low. Temperature-wise.
When I got back this morning the temperature was 18F. I'm not sure what it was when I left in the dark an hour and a half earlier.
The most significant thing limiting my ride was gloves. I needed mittens. My hands haven't hurt so bad since I was a kid playing  bare-handed in the snow. It took quite a while to get the ache out. The last half of the ride I had my fingers and thumb pulled back into a ball over the palm of the glove. My finger tips are still quite cool. I've thought of digging out my trigger-finger mittens to make it easier to shift.
That's another thing I noticed. The bike shifts differently. Sort of a hesitation. It feels like I almost have to coax the chain to move. And with my wimple on it's hard to hear the derailleur. 
Oh yeah! My head. The wimple isn't quite what I need. It's not thick enough on top. Everywhere else I wear four layers. Except my head. And the helmet hardly counts as a layer. I've got to work on that. My head was really cold when I got home. I knew I was thinking weird but I just wanted to lay down in front of the heater. Later I forced myself to make a hot cup of Caro. Tea is next - you know, Lindenblueten and Melissen-Mischung.
But, all in all, it was invigorating to be out on the bike on a clear cold day. Much better than rain.

Cremona

Cremona is a village near Milano... This video shows Italy the way I remember it. Oh! And do you remember me telling you that I learned Italian from a German textbook - "Italienisch in Dreissig Stunden"?

And Al Gore invented the internet...

Well, Al Gore did DISCOVER the internet. He did! One day he was messing around with his secretary's computer and there it was!

Cyclist v Dog

A case of they-just-don't-get-it.

Keep a Regular History

Behold, it is expedient in me that my servant John should write and keep a regular history. Doctrine & Covenants 47:1

In 1831 the Lord called John Whitmer, one of the Eight Witnesses of the Book of Mormon plates, to write the history of the Church. The Lord told him “that he shall continue in writing and making a history of all the important things which he shall observe and know concerning my church” (D&C 69:3). Before this call, he had served as a scribe to the Prophet Joseph in Fayette, New York. Although he later became disaffected from the Church, he remained true to his testimony of the Book of Mormon plates until his death in 1878. His early history of the Church is a significant treasure today. Record-keeping has always been commanded by the Lord. When the Church was organized in this dispensation, the Lord commanded that a record be kept of people and events, doctrines and covenants (D&C 21:1). We are also to keep individual and family records. These records and journals will be among our most precious possessions for us and for generations yet unborn. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 127)

Right to Discern

Unto such as God shall appoint and ordain to watch over the church and to be elders unto the church, are to have it given unto them to discern all those gifts lest there shall be any among you professing and yet be not of God. Doctrine & Covenants 46:27

It would be wonderful if all who profess to have spiritual gifts were indeed inspired by God. Such is not always the case, however, for some manifestations are of God, some are of men, and some are of the devil (D&C 46:7). In the Church, the presiding elder, or bishop, is given the right to discern the source of such gifts. Further, the prophet, seer, and revelator is given the right to all the spiritual gifts, “which [God] bestows upon the head of the Church” (D&C 107:92). “The devil is an orator,” the Prophet Joseph Smith declared. “He is powerful. … The gift of discerning spirits will be given to the Presiding Elder. Pray for him that he may have this gift” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 162). We need not fear nor be confused, for God has set in place a system for discerning spiritual gifts, whereby we may uphold the true and discard the false. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 126)

The Gift of Testimony

To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world. To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful. Doctrine & Covenants 46:13-14

The first of the gifts of the Spirit named in Doctrine and Covenants 46 is the gift of testimony, the gift of knowing with certainty of the truthfulness and divinity of this work (see also 1 Corinthians 52; Moroni 10). It is by the spirit of prophecy, which is the spirit of revelation, that we come to know that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and that his was an infinite and eternal sacrifice. Not everyone comes to this knowledge with the same certainty or at the same pace. Many have the gift of a believing heart, the gift to believe on the testimony of those who do know. They have taken seriously the command to “search diligently, pray always, and be believing” (D&C 90:24) and to lean upon the faith of others while they are the process of gaining their own. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 125)

Seek the Best Gifts

For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby. Doctrine & Covenants 46:11-12

All spiritual gifts come from God, and he gives them for the benefit of his children (D&C 46:26). That he bestows gifts of the Spirit upon his children is another sign of his divine generosity and loving fatherhood. Each of us is given a gift—not for our own gratification or self-aggrandizement but to bless other people and to build up the kingdom of God. Gifts are given to those who are spiritually prepared, who are diligently seeking righteousness. The Giver of all gifts knows our hearts, our desires and intents, and he gives us our agency in developing and exercising the spiritual gifts he has given us. In humility we are to “covet earnestly the best gifts” (1 Corinthians 12:31) and seek “the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given” (D&C 46:8; 1 Corinthians 12 - 14; Moroni 10; D&C 46). (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 124)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

To Liam Asher and his parents...

Spiritual Spontaneity

But notwithstanding those things which are written, it always has been given to the elders of my church from the beginning; and ever shall be, to conduct all meetings as they are directed and guided by the Holy Spirit. Doctrine & Covenants 46:2

Almost always, organizations that expand at a rapid rate eventually suffer from stagnation, regimentation, and fossilization. They begin to emphasize rules and regulations rather than principles. Though the Church of the Lamb of God will grow to fill the entire earth, it will maintain the spiritual spontaneity required for the revelation necessary to the Lord’s living Church. Handbooks and other formal guides are useful aids in directing the affairs of the kingdom, but life and light are breathed into the souls of the Saints through the direction and animation of the Holy Spirit of God. There can be no written constitution for the kingdom of God, no rigid system of theology, for growth and development are the hallmark of a church led by the living Lord. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 123)

Why Not Share?

When I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins. For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, ... shall not be hewn down... but shall abide the day. Doctrine & Covenants 45:56

No doubt many have read the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) and asked themselves, Why don’t the wise virgins simply share what they have with the foolish virgins so that they can all go to the wedding feast? We can hardly imagine that Jesus would not encourage people to share with one another. But some things simply cannot be shared. For example, individuals may share their testimonies, but they cannot actually give their testimony to another person. They may share doctrinal truths, but they cannot convey to someone else the knowledge they have gained over a lifetime of study. Spiritual marathons will not do. Sudden bursts of spiritual energy will not suffice. Rather, every prayer we offer, every passage of scripture we ponder, every act of Christian service we render fills our spiritual lamps gradually, one drop at a time. Spiritual preparation cannot be rushed. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 122)

Then shall they know...

Then shall the Jews look upon me and say: What are these wounds in thine hands and in thy feet? Then shall they know that I am the Lord; for I will say unto them: ... I am Jesus that was crucified. I am the Son of God. And then shall they weep. Doctrine & Covenants 45:51-53

The day of the Jew, the time when a nation will be born again in a day, is yet ahead. In fact, it is millennial. Though it is true that many of our Jewish brothers and sisters will receive the fulness of the gospel before the Lord returns, the day of mass conversion will begin with the Master’s appearance on the Mount of Olives. And what a day it shall be! It is difficult to imagine the pain and disappointment and even frustration in the hearts and minds of many of God’s chosen people as they discover that for more than two millennia they have rejected the Anointed One of Israel. In that day, the Jews will see the tokens of the crucifixion in the resurrected Lord and hear from his own mouth that he is indeed the Savior and Redeemer of all humankind. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 121)

Light Shall Break Forth

When the times of the Gentiles is come in, a light shall break forth among them that sit in darkness, and it shall be the fulness of my gospel; but they receive it nor; for they perceive not the light and they turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men. Doctrine & Covenants 45:28-29

We live in the day of the Gentile, the day when the gospel goes first to those who are Gentile by culture (though most are Israelite by descent) and then to the Lehites and the Jews. A light, a marvelous light, has burst upon the world as a result of the Restoration. Too many, however, do not perceive the light because they have been blinded by the precepts of men. Having trusted in the arm of flesh, they cannot perceive the all-powerful arm of the Lord in the midst of this marvelous work and a wonder. Deliverance from such blindness comes only through trusting in the Almighty. “O Lord,” Nephi exulted, “I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. ... Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. ... I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness” (2 Nephi 4:34-35). (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 120)

Not a Plan of Fairness

Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him—Saying: Father behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin...; wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life. Doctrine & Covenants 45:3-5

Amulek taught that the atonement of Jesus Christ is an infinite atonement: It defies man’s sense of justice, for the blood of an innocent victim atones for an offender (Alma 34:10—12). The plan of salvation is not what we would call a plan of fairness, because, thankfully, none of us will receive hereafter exactly what we deserve. None of us could qualify for exaltation in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom if we had to depend totally upon our own perfect righteousness. The plan of salvation is very much about mercy and goodness and grace, even the grace that makes up the difference, for indeed, it is grace that makes all the difference! In the end, we are saved by “the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah” (2 Nephi 2:8). Our task is to believe on the name of him who offered for us his atoning blood, the name that stands above all other names (Philippians 2:9), the blessed name of Jesus. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 119)

Treasure Truth

Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. Treasure these things up in your hearts, and let the solemnities of eternity rest upon your minds. Be sober. Keep all my commandments. Doctrine & Covenants 43:34-35

The scriptures point us to the Lord and his righteousness. They are given so that we might prepare for eternity while in this mortal probation. “This life is the time. ... to prepare to meet God” (Alma 34:32). In the next life there will be no lenience for those who paid no attention to gospel study because of laziness or apathy or for those who had no time for the things of eternity because of worldly preoccupations. There will be no special arrangements or acceptable rationalizations—neither for the gifted and talented nor for the wealthy and powerful. We must each give an accounting to the Lord’s unchangeable, nonnegotiable realities of the universe, the solemnities of eternity. If we treasure these truths in our hearts, if we more fully strive to live with an eternal perspective, if we keep the commandments with soberness, the Lord will bless us with “peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come” (D&C 59:23). (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 118)

Opening Day at Cheney

Here's what the Tacoma Rainiers management is say about opening day:

Friday, April 17, at 7:00 PM the Tacoma Rainiers will take on the defending Triple-A Champion, Sacramento River Cats.

There's never been a season opener at Cheney Stadium like this, and that's not a hyperbole.

Here is what you'll see on this special night:

· - · A brand new widescreen video board, fueled by four camera locations to show you all the game and fan action
· - · A brand new scoreboard and 150 feet of animated LED display for great entertainment
· - · A special tribute to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of baseball at Cheney Stadium
· - · Top secret throwback jerseys and hats, to be auctioned off during the game for charity
· - · Gates open at 5:00 PM - commemorative tumbler to first 2,000 fans

And after it all - Fireworks!!

See you at the park on Friday, April 17?

Prophecies Are Upon Us

For the great Millennium, of which I have spoken by the mouth of my servants, shall come. For Satan shall be bound, and when he is loosed again he shall only reign for a little season, and then cometh the end of the earth, and the earth shall pass away so as by fire. Doctrine & Covenants 43:30-32

The wickedness long prophesied by the ancients is now upon us (2 Timothy 3:1-7). The number of fatherless homes increases, violence spreads rampantly, and immorality becomes an accepted way of life. One day this all will change, however, for the King of Kings will come with mighty power and cleanse the earth of all wickedness. That will be the end of the world, meaning the end of worldliness. Then the Millennium will be ushered in by power and maintained by righteousness (1 Nephi 22:26). At the end of the thousand years, some mortals will once more deny God (D&C 29:22), and the forces of good and evil will once again war against one another in what we know as the battle of Gog and Magog (Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 280). And once again, Michael and his forces will achieve the victory and the final end of the earth will come. This earth will then be glorified and become the celestial kingdom. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 117)

Sent Forth to Teach

Again I say, hearken ye elders of my church, whom I have appointed. Ye are not sent forth to be taught, but to teach the children of men the things which I have put into your hands by the power of my Spirit. Doctrine & Covenants 43:15

It is healthy and worthwhile to learn of others’ religious views and doctrines, for such learning not only stimulates our minds but broadens our horizons and allows us to speak intelligently with persons of other religious persuasions. None of us knows so much that he or she cannot learn from what another knows or believes and be benefited by it. At the same time, the Saints of God, particularly those called as missionaries, are sent forth not to be taught but rather to teach the principles of salvation. Such counsel should not lead us to be either insular or arrogant but rather cause us to be careful stewards over our time and talents and testimony. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 116)

More Than Sociality

And now, behold, I give unto you a commandment, that when ye are assembled together ye shall instruct and edify each other, that ye may know how to act and direct my church, how to act upon the points of my law and commandments, which I have given. Doctrine & Covenants 43:8

There is much value in meeting together as Saints to renew friendships and reinforce relationships, but there is more to the gospel of Jesus Christ than sociality. A sobering responsibility rests upon the shoulders of those called to teach in the Church, namely, to see that meetings are instructive, inspirational, and edifying. A person’s time is sacred, and to waste that time dealing with trivia or focusing upon the unimportant is counter to the Spirit. Faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). The messengers of salvation should constantly strive to be equal to the sublime message they are called to teach through the Spirit. In short, we need to be taught the gospel, we need to be taught our duty, and our witness needs to be strengthened in the meetings of the Church. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 115)

Weep for Them That Die

Thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die, and more especially for those that have not hope of a glorious resurrection. … those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them. Doctrine & Covenants 42:45-46

When we experience the loss of loved ones, our hearts are tender with emotion, our feelings subdued, and our thoughts turn heavenward. That is the time when our beliefs come face to face with the final reality of our mortal life: We all must die. Questions of life and death are in the Lord’s hands. But it is how we die, what is in our heart and reflected in our actions, wherein we can exercise agency. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die” (John 11:25-26). Those, who die in the Lord will find joy everlasting. But for, those who die without the Lord, much will have to be done on the other side of the veil. The Lord loves his children and will, within the constraints imposed by human agency and the immutable laws of divine justice and mercy, work out these eternal judgments to the fullest blessing possible of all involved. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 114)

Because of Love

Thou shalt live together in love. Doctrine & Covenants 42:45

Love is the essence of the gospel. “Let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God. ... if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another” (1 John 4:7-11) The plan of happiness was established by a loving Father, who wants ultimate joy and eternal life for his children. Because of love, Heavenly Father “sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10). Because of love, Jesus laid down his life that we might live again (John 10:17-18; 11:25-26). A caring Father dispersed the darkness of apostasy to speak to mankind anew and usher in the last and greatest of gospel dispensations. All this and so much more was done because of love. When the love of God fills our souls, we feel more inclined to forgive, we desire to live with our family in love, and we seek to bless all people. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 113)

He Alone Knows

And the elders of the church, two or more, shall be called, and shall pray for and lay their hands upon them in my name; and if they die they shall die unto me, and if they live they shall live unto me. Doctrine & Covenants 42:44

We live in a fallen world, a world in which things break down. None of us is immortal, and it is inevitable that no matter how prudently we eat and exercise, we will eventually come to the end of our mortal existence. Thankfully, our benevolent Lord steps into history occasionally and brings to pass a miracle. People are healed, the sick are made well, the blind are made to see, and the dead are raised. But knowing as we do that death is a significant part of “the merciful plan of the great Creator” (2 Nephi 9:6), we humbly acknowledge that not all of the sick will be healed, and not all of our prayers and administrations will be answered affirmatively. We trust in the Almighty, in his eternal purposes and timetable. He alone knows who should live and who should die. Surely that is a burden, an overwhelming responsibility that no mortal would want to bear. Mercifully, such decisions rest with our Heavenly Father. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 112)

Principle of Consecration

Behold, thou wilt remember the poor, and consecrate of thy properties for their support that which thou hast to impart unto them, with a covenant and a deed which cannot be broken. Doctrine & Covenants 42:30

Once individuals have enjoyed the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in their lives, even “that Spirit which leadeth to do good—yea, to do justly” (D&C 11:12), they feel compelled to look to the welfare of their fellow beings. Because “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof” (Psalm 24:1), because all things really do belong to God, it is natural that regenerated souls desire to confess the hand of God and to surrender all that they possess to the proper Owner. This is the principle of consecration. Because we are agents, not owners, we are designated as stewards, assigned to manage our affairs in a way that would be fruitful and beneficial to the larger kingdom. The pure in heart rejoice in this system, “every man seeking the interest of his neighbor, and doing all things with an eye single to the glory of God” (D&C 82:19). (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 111)

None Else

Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shalt cleave unto her and none else. And he that looketh upon a woman to lust after her shall deny the faith, and shall not have the Spirit. … Thou shalt not commit adultery. Doctrine & Covenants 42:22-24

Prophets of God have spoken clearly about chastity in thought, word, and deed. President Ezra Taft Benson admonished: “Decide now to be chaste. The decision to be chaste and virtuous need only be made once. Make that decision now, and let it be so firm and with such deep commitment that it can never be shaken” (New Era, January 1988, 6). The powers of creation are most sacred and are to be employed only as the Lord has directed. The greatest joys of life come when husband and wife love each other with all their hearts, when they are trustworthy and loyal to each other, when they bridle their thoughts and actions. President Gordon B. Hinckley counseled, “You should recognize, you must recognize, that both experience and divine wisdom dictate virtue and moral cleanliness as the way that leads to strength of character, peace in the heart, and happiness in life” (Ensign, May 1987, 48). Husband and wife are to cleave to each other in love and faithfulness. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 110)

By the Spirit

And the Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith and if ye receive not the spirit ye shall not teach. Doctrine & Covenants 42:14

Teaching and learning spiritual truth can only be done spirit to spirit, as a transaction between the spirit of the teacher, the spirit of the hearer, and the Spirit of the Lord. Righteous teachers pray for the Spirit to be with them so that a confirmation will come to their hearers of the truthfulness of what they teach. Because all who are members of the Church are teachers in one way or another, ours is a continual process of studying and preparing, repenting and overcoming, as we humbly do our best to be “an example of the believers” (1 Timothy 4:12). We cannot fake, shortcut, or cram. If we do not have the Spirit, we can talk, but we do not teach; we can speak, but we do not inspire with the influence of the Spirit. Both hearer and teacher can usually feel the difference. It is both a commandment and a statement of fact: If we do not have the Spirit, we cannot teach. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 109)

Mission Story:

There was an Elder in the South German Mission that had worse German than me. It was so bad that even I could hear the mistakes. But he had converts nonetheless. One particular Sister he taught was an interpreter by profession and spoke English as well as any missionary. Interestingly enough the Sister preferred to be taught in German even though her English was better than ours and obviously her German was quantum leaps beyond our abilities. The reason: the spirit was stronger in German.

It has been said that missionaries do not convert, the spirit does. The following is a quote from Brigham Young on this topic.

“If a man speaks by the power of God, it is little matter to me what his words are, or the language he uses. If I understand the spirit of it, that is the way I find ‘Mormonism’ to be true. The brethren who came to preach the Gospel to me, I could easily out-talk them, though I had never preached; but their testimony was like fire in bones; I understood the spirit of their preaching; I received that spirit; it was light, intelligence, power, and truth, and it bore witness to my spirit, and that was enough for me. I have received it, and I have tried to improve upon it.” (Journal of Discourses, vol 9, p 141)

That should be enough to encourage the most timid of us to bear testimony when moved by the spirit. It need not be boisterous or condescending but a simple statement of belief presented lovingly as directed by the spirit.

Newberg

After some email back and forth it was decided that I would come to Newberg for a few days. Ostensibly in order to take part in the 25 year anniversary celebration of the Pioneer Courthouse Square. They were offering free cake. And you know how hard that is to pass up.
My first idea was to climb on Amtrack Sunday after conference. That didn't sit well with Kathy and although she didn't say anything her face said most of what she was thinking. Well, maybe everything but since I don't play poker I didn't see it. Eventually she told me. So Kathy and I drove to Newberg. Kathy stopped for a quick visit and then drove back to Gig Harbor. And here I am in Newberg.
Monday went as planned plus some. Christine drove over to the Oregon Zoo and from there we caught the MAX to the Square arriving about 11:30 a.m. Because cake wouldn't be served until noon we went to find lunch at the food court at Pioneer Place. Just as I like it - in and out before the crowds. Then back to the Square in time for cake. My favorite - devils food with raspberry filling - was offered. A no-brainer for me. Christine and Colin opted for the chocolate with white chocolate. Which in retrospect made the choice a bit harder.
Then being the eternal Portland booster, I asked the not so innocent question, "Do you want to see a giant statue? ...of its type second only to the Statue of Liberty?" And with that we set off on a mini walking tour of downtown Portland. First stop - Portlandia. And on to the Ira Keller forecourt fountain at the Civic Auditorium, Portland State University, South Park Blocks, Theodore Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, ... Colin was held up pretty well. Even after we returned to the zoo and visited the elephants Colin was still on his feet.
Kudos to Colin and Christine for the day in Portland.
As I can remember when Chris got home from work we went out on the bikes for about an hour and a half. Even though he has changed his gearing more for speed than to facilitate climbing I didn't see much change in how the ride went. He told me we weren't going to ride hills just as we started up a steep incline. Admittedly the rest were what Chris calls rollers.
Later Monday evening Chris and Craig got started on Craig's bike. Building and refining the parts list for the rest of the build. Today it is well toward being finished. I must say Craig has been the model of patience.
Yesterday I did a solo ride from Newberg to my Mom's place in Milwaukie. A good ride after Christine helped me find the corners on Google Maps. Well, maybe I should say good up to and after Oregon City. My impression of Oregon City - it is not a bicycle town. I had a good long visit with Mom. Then I couldn't see trying to find my way back through Oregon City or attempting the Sellwood Bridge in the afternoon. So again it was Christine - this time with Chris's car - to the rescue.
I'm trying to repay a bit by helping with supper tonight.
I'll let you know how it comes out.

From the Scriptures

[They] shall teach the principles of my gospel, which are in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, in the which is the fulness of the gospel. And they shall observe the covenants and church articles to do them, and these shall be their teachings, as they shall be directed by the Spirit. Doctrine & Covenants 42:12-13

All who teach in the Church are to teach the fulness of the gospel: faith in Christ, repentance, baptism, arid the gift of the Holy Ghost as found in the standard works of the Church (D&C 33:12; 39:6; 3 Nephi 27:20-21; Hebrews 6:1-2). We are also blessed to continue to receive further light as part of the new and everlasting gospel covenant, light that expands our understanding of God’s plan of happiness (for example, the ordinances of the temple). Nevertheless, we are not to cast gospel pearls before unprepared or unappreciative individuals (D&C 41:6). We are to teach from the scriptures, bear testimony of the scriptures, and feast upon the doctrines and transcendent teachings found therein. We are to follow the living prophet and bear witness in word and deed of his counsel and teachings. We who teach—and every member of the Church is a teacher—must focus on gospel essentials and not stray away into speculative interests or gospel hobbies.. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 108)

Called and Set Apart

It shall not be given to any one to go forth to preach my gospel, or to build up my church, except he be ordained by some one who has authority, and it is known to the church that he has authority and has been regularly ordained by the heads of the church. Doctrine & Covenants 42:11

No one can preach the gospel as a missionary (“go forth to preach”) or serve or teach in any way in the Church (“build up my church”) without having first been called and ordained or set apart by the acknowledged authorities of the Church, sustained publicly by the membership, and then set apart appropriately (D&C 42:11). Secret ordinations or clandestine callings have no part in the Lord’s Church. This law protects the Saints both personally and institutionally. We can trust the authority and callings of those who have been ordained or set apart by the leaders of the Church. We are protected from imposters who seek to deceive Church members and lead the Church astray. For this reason, we regularly raise our arm in sustaining votes. We manifest our support of the priesthood authority of our leaders and all who are called to serve. We extend the hand of fellowship and support in behalf of those who are called. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 107)

Inside-Out

He that receiveth my law and doeth it, the same is my disciple; and he that saith he receiveth it and doeth it not, the same is not my disciple, and shall be cast out from among you. Doctrine & Covenants 41:5

True disciples of Jesus Christ strive to become even as he is and thereby receive his image in their countenances (Alma 5:14). They do more than believe—they do. “Believing requires action,” said President James E. Faust. “If you prepare to walk down the path of life, you can be rewarded beyond your dreams and expectations. But to achieve this, you must work hard, save, be wise, and be alert. You must learn to deny yourselves of worldly gratification. You must be faithful in paying tithes; you must keep the Word of Wisdom; you must be free from other addictions. You must be chaste and morally clean in every respect. You should accept and be faithful in all of the calls that come to you. Steadiness and toil will serve you better than brilliance” (New Era, July 1998, 4). With all their hearts, faithful followers of Christ do their utmost to live with inside-out congruence as they both believe and live the gospel. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 106)

This Is My Gospel

And this is my gospel - repentance and baptism by water, and then cometh the baptism of the fire and the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which showeth all things, and teacheth the peaceable things of the kingdom. Doctrine & Covenants 39:6

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the glad tidings that the Son of God came into the world to ransom us from death and sin and eternal unhappiness (D&C 76:40-42). It is the good news that redemption from the Fall and deliverance from the effects of individual sins are available to every accountable person on conditions of repentance. But the gospel is also described in scripture as the good news that can be appropriated into our personal lives through receiving what the Prophet Joseph called “the articles of adoption”: those actions and rites that enable us to be adopted into the family of the Lord Jesus Christ (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 328). These articles of adoption we know as the first principles and ordinances of the gospel (Articles of Faith 1:4; D&C 33:11-12). These simple principles and ordinances lead the obedient disciple to understand and experience profound truths. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 105)

Riches of Eternity

If ye seek the riches which it is the will of the Father to give unto you, ye shall be the richest of all people, for ye shall have the riches of eternity and it must needs be that the riches of the earth are mine to give; but beware of pride. Doctrine & Covenants 38:39

The Book of Mormon is a vivid account of the pride cycle. The Lord pours out blessings upon his people and yet in time many of those people become proud and wicked, ultimately turning against the gospel verities that once touched their hearts. The lust for riches has been present in every dispensation, but the love of money, obsession with material things, acquisitiveness in all its varieties, will have no place in the glorious hereafter. Those who do the works of righteousness will receive the riches of eternity—peace in this life and “eternal life in the world to come” (D&C 59:23). What can worldly wealth possibly mean to him who is Eternal? What can the things of this earth mean to him who is Everlasting, without beginning or end? We are to be humble and content with what the Lord has given us (Alma 29:3) (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 104)

BBC

Spring is here. Can Baseball be far behind?

You may have noticed that “baseball” is capitalized.

That’s because I’m not talking generic baseball. I’m talking Beecher Baseball at Cheney. (BBC?)
Right now the most I can say for certain is that we have the same ten seats. And I plan on getting tickets for the July 3 game against Portland. That should be an interesting game for a few of us. I would like to make an excursion the end of the last week in August to see Tacoma at Portland. That may be the last time to see baseball in PGE Park. MLS Timbers are scheduled to take over PGE and the Beavers will move to a new 9000 seat park to be built on the site of the old Memorial Coliseum. Then again I’m waiting to hear from Chris Metz for news about the first home game in the new stadium.

Information I need from the family is - How many plan to attend the “Fourth of July Game” on the third of July? That will be in conjunction with the barbecue, the bicycle ride and Saturday Fireworks. (For Mo and Alex - Let’s plan on putting more in the sky than last year.)

Ready Refuge

If ye are prepared ye shall not fear. Doctrine & Covenants 38:30

The chief weapon in Satan’s arsenal is fear. The father of lies whispers to us that authentic gospel living is too hard, that life is essentially hopeless, that all people are ultimately hypocrites, that we cannot really change or be forgiven. The Master, conversely, speaks the truth and wants for us everlasting happiness and eternal life. Despite the trials and temptations of life, we need to have hope in the Lord and trust his promises. To live in peace and joy, here and hereafter, we must go forward with faith. Life is never easy. But we can do our part to be prepared. We can stand faithful with the Saints. We can earnestly keep our covenants. We can be humble and prayerful. We can feast upon the words of eternal life from the scriptures and the living prophets. We can be anxiously engaged in serving others. We will then have no need to fear the coming day of the Lord but will look forward with eagerness. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 103)

Love One Another

And let every man esteem his brother as himself, and practice virtue and holiness before me. Doctrine & Covenants 38:24

The brotherhood and sisterhood of faithful Latter-day Saints is one of the sweetest aspects of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. We are united in our devotion to the Lord; united in faith, belief, and doctrine; united in our desire to serve others and build Zion. As fellow believers, we are to hold our brothers and sisters in the gospel in high esteem, to be concerned for their welfare, and to look after them with kindness and respect. We are to follow the admonition of Paul that “no one of you be puffed up for one against another” (1 Corinthians 4:6). Christ gave us the vital commandment “that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:3-35). We demonstrate the virtues of holiness most vividly in how we regard and treat our fellow beings. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 102)

April Fools – Not!!!

I woke up this morning with the weatherman talking about snow in Bremerton and the surrounding area.
“Nice joke,” I thought. “But kind of lame. Who’s going to believe that?”
That was until I looked out the window. It was snowing!
Let me tell you truthfully, that was inconvenient. Yesterday afternoon was “warm” and reasonably sunny. I expected to be on the road today. Not without Gore-Tex, I guess.

Eye of Faith

But behold, verily, verily, I say unto you that mine eyes are upon you. I am in your midst and ye cannot see me. Doctrine & Covenants 38:7

Our God is not, as the deists proclaimed, the divine watchmaker who winds up the universe and lets it run down on its own. He is not a distant Deity, nor is he an absentee God. He is close to his people, as close as they will allow him to be. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that the disembodied spirits of the just are not far from us, and so it is with him who is the Lord of the living and the dead (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 326). We may see him now only with the eye of faith, but the day is coming when we will see him even as he now sees us. This sobering reality ought to affect our speech, our actions, and our attitudes, for we know full well that we live and move and have our being in the midst of those charged to look after us and oversee the work of God’s kingdom. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 101)

Gathering

Again, a commandment I give unto the church, that it is expedient in me that they should assemble together at the Ohio, against the time that my servant Oliver Cowdery shall return unto them. Doctrine & Covenants 37:3

Individuals and nations are scattered when they reject the true Messiah and forsake his Church and doctrine. Conversely, they are gathered when they come unto Christ by covenant, accept his doctrine, and congregate with the faithful. The gathering is first to Christ, the Person, and second, to a place, a location. That is, first we are gathered spiritually and then temporally. Once we have been baptized into the true Church, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and are thereby qualified to associate with the household of faith, we then prepare to participate in the final phase of gathering. “What was the object of gathering the Jews, or the people of God in any age of the world?... The main object was to build unto the Lord a house whereby He could reveal unto His people the ordinances of His house and the glories of His kingdom, and teach the people the way of salvation” (Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 307—8). (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 97)

From Family History

The following account is taken from a chapter of the book Ancestors and Descendants of Andrew Lee and Clarinda Knapp Allen compiled by Gerald Ralph Fuller. In the words of an editor of that book, the “purpose in presenting these stories is to help strengthen family ties and faith in God. The love and sacrifice shown by these people help strengthen our testimonies of the truthfulness of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” It is a witness to the gathering of the Saints in both a spiritual and temporal sense.

"Andrew Lee Allen acquired one hundred and sixty acres of land in Cattaraugus County, New York, where he made himself a very nice home. He planned to settle down for life and he soon owned a large grove of sugar maple trees besides his prosperous farm. He married Clarinda Knapp in December 1824. She was a refined, educated woman who was highly skilled in the arts of fine painting, sewing, tailoring, ladies’ leg horn hat designing, and homemaking. Her gentle upbringing had a great influence on the lives of those about her. She was a woman of true faith and was a Bible scholar. They had seven children, namely: Elijah, Lydia, Saphronia, Andrew, James, Sidney and myself, Charles, the second son.
"Andrew and Clarinda had not joined any religious society but were honest and upright with all men, waiting for something to come along that would give them better satisfaction than the religions of the day.
"In September 1833 there were two Latter-day Saint Elders who came through that part of the country and held meetings. Andrew Lee Allen was not at home at the time and did not hear them preach, but his wife, friends and neighbors did, and they were much impressed. When my Father came home Mother told him of the Elders and the Gospel that they preached and he became very anxious to hear them. He learned that they would preach at a place eighty miles from there and he concluded he would go hear them. This he did and he listened to the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the first time. He was much pleased and satisfied that it was true and he was baptized 3 September 1833 by Ezra Landing before he returned home. He received a testimony that never left him.
"He went home and began to arrange his business according to the spirit of gathering which he had. He sold his beautiful home for a low price and moved to Kirtland, Ohio. Here he met the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Saints and rejoiced with them. It was here that their daughter, Susan, was born 31 December, 1837.
"My father bought considerable real estate and paid a good price for it, but the price of land soon went down and he did not receive anything for it. He left and started West for Missouri. Because of sickness and the want of means, he stopped on the Illinois River at Bardstown and stayed through the winter. My father cut cordwood all winter and my brother Elijah hauled it. In this way we were sustained. We then moved back East to Virginia, Cass Co., Illinois, where we rented a farm from Mr. Levi Springer, who was a Methodist preacher. He treated us very kindly. There another son was born, 1 April, 1842. He was given the name of Levi, after the name of the good preacher. After farming there one year we moved about twenty-five miles farther East and rented a farm from a man by the name of Alfred Dutch, who lived on the road that led to Springfield. Mr. Dutch was very kind to our people. While we were living there, the Prophet Joseph was taken to Springfield to be tried on a false charge. The Prophet Joseph and his company stayed overnight on the 29th December 1842 with Captain Dutch.
"After living there one year, we moved back to Mr. Springer’s again and lived there one year longer. Then we moved west again toward Nauvoo and stopped with Mr. Roberts, ten miles east of Carthage, where the Prophet and Patriarch were murdered. We became acquainted with Miner T. Deming who afterwards became the High Sheriff of Hancock Co. He was very friendly to our people.
"Water became low in the streams while we were there which retarded the grist mill in grinding flour, so my brother, Elijah, and I were sent into Nauvoo to get our grist ground at the steam mill and it was there I saw the Prophet Joseph for the first and the last time. As we stayed in Nauvoo a few days we were looking around town and went near where the Prophet Joseph lived. He had a brick barn nearly finished and men were hauling hay into it. There was a gully or ravine washed out by the rain water running down by the side of the road next to the barn where the wagons had to cross with their loads of hay. The Prophet came along. I was standing nearby and heard what he said. He spoke to one of the boys and said, 'I think this ditch or gully ought to be filled up so the wagons could cross better,' In reply the brother said, 'I think, Brother Joseph, that it would be better to put a culvert or bridge in there so when it rains, the water will run under the bridge and will not wash it out again.' 'Yes, yes,' said the Prophet, 'That is better. Even though you can outwit me I can throw you down.' This made an impression on my mind that I have never forgotten.
"In the fall of the 1844 we moved toward Nauvoo, and stopped on Camp Creek, fourteen miles north and east of Nauvoo. Miner R. Deming had been elected sheriff and had moved up to Carthage, where he lived in the lower room of the stone jail. As we were moving up to Camp Creek, we passed through Carthage and were welcomed by Mr. Deming to stay overnight. We made several trips and stopped with him each time. My older brother Elijah and I were allowed to go through any part of the jail that was not occupied. We went into the room where the Prophet and Patriarch were when they were so cruelly shot and murdered outright without any cause. We looked at the blood stained floor and the ball hole through the door. The ceiling was knock- off in many places. It made us feel very sorrowful.
"We moved up to Camp Creek and rented a farm from Mr. Hibbert, where we farmed one year and raised a good crop of corn. We could not get anything for it there, but by hauling it to Nauvoo, fifteen miles away we could get ten cents a bushel for it. As I was the oldest boy at home, I started to haul corn to Nauvoo with two yoke of three year old steers. I hauled nearly all winter. My older brother, Elijah, had gone away from home to look for work. He started west and traveled a number of days, crossed the Mississippi River and traveled through the country for sometime and failed to get work. On his re turn he came to Nauvoo and called at President Brigham Young’s home and asked for counsel. Brother Young told him that he could stop with him and go to work, which he did, and lived with him until the Church moved West. He drove a team for President Young through to Winter Quarters on the Missouri River where he enlisted in the Mormon Battalion and went through to California. He served one year in the Government service, and was discharged at Los Angeles on 16 July 1847.
"When I was hauling corn to Nauvoo I stayed at President Young’s where Elijah w as living. I became well acquainted with the family and was much pleased and well entertained by the young ladies of the house. Vilate, who was Brigham’s daughter, and Susan Divine, who played on the piano and sang their beautiful songs, made the time pass very pleasantly during the long winter evenings.
"On 27 January 1846 my father and mother went into Nauvoo and received their blessings in the Temple of the Lord. In the spring of 1846 we crossed the Mississippi River and started west with the Saints. It was very rainy and muddy which made it slow traveling. My mother was feeble in health and my oldest sister, Lydia, was also afflicted with poor health (asthma) and they suffered a great deal as they were exposed to wet and cold with only one wagon for eleven in the family. As we had no tent some of us were obliged to sleep out on the ground in the open air in rain and storm.
"We traveled on and stopped at Mt. Pisgah where we built a log house and put in some wheat and corn. As our supply of food was about gone we were obliged to go on and leave our improvements for others to enjoy. We traveled to Winter Quarters on the Missouri River and were obliged to go down into the state of Missouri and work for provisions. We traveled about seventy-five miles down the river and stopped with Mr. Cole in a small log house where we stayed through the winter. We worked harvesting corn and splitting rails. In the Spring of 1847 we moved down on the bottom to farm with Mr. Jacob H. Rose and we raised a large crop of corn. There was a Government Post about sixty miles up the river and I started to haul corn to it expecting to sell it and get something to help us along. As the post was on the west side of the river, it was not convenient to cross the river during the winter on account of the floating ice that was floating most of the time. I decided to put the corn into the crib near the river and keep hauling until some time in February when the ice would freeze over sufficiently to bear up wagons. When it was frozen over, my younger brother, Andrew, and I went up and hauled corn over for a day and a half. Then it turned warm and the ice began to break. As we were hauling with cattle we hitched them three or four chain-lengths from the wagon, so if the wagon broke through, the oxen and wagon both would not go down. About four o’clock in the afternoon, we had gotten about one third of the way across the river with a big load of corn, when the wagon broke through the ice, and the corn floated down the river to make a good bait for the catfish. We got help and got the wagon out and went home. That was the last time we got across the river. We left the balance of the corn in the crib and got nothing for it.
"In the spring of 1848 we moved up towards Kanesville and stopped on Keg Creek, eighteen miles south of Kanesville where there was a small branch of the Church organized with Elder Libeus G. Coons presiding. We stayed there four years and opened up and improved two farms. My brother, Elijah, came home from California in the fall of 1849 while we were living on Keg Creek. The first summer it was thought best for me to go down into Missouri to work out and get some means to help the family out. I started out afoot and alone, and traveled about a hundred miles, then stopped at a little town called Aragon, and went to work in the harvest field. I worked all through the harvest binding wheat for seventy-five cents per day
"The next summer I went again but not so far down into the state of Missouri. I worked for wheat and went back and got the ox team and hauled it home for bread and seed.
"In the fall of the year before we started to Utah, Brother Elijah thought each of us had better take a team and go down into Missouri and buy up two loads of apples as they were selling in Kanesville for a good price. We started out and traveled down into Missouri some distance below St. Joseph and stopped at a Mrs. Thornton’s who was a widow. She was well-off and had a large plantation and lots of negroes. We were treated very kindly and were invited into the house to eat our meals with the family. We bought fifty bushels of apples from her and loaded our two wagons and started home. We stopped at St. Joseph on our return and called on General Doniphan who was a son-in- law to Mrs. Thornton, and also was a merchant in St. Joseph. He treated us very kindly and made us some presents from the store. We returned home after a long and hard trip. Levi, now seven, wanted an apple so badly but was told we must sell them for money to go to Utah. He was happy to get one very small apple. (Levi remembered this very vividly when he was 86 years old).
"Saphronia married Jacob Rose. They moved to the junction of the Missouri and Platte Rivers and established two ferry boats in 1849. Many were traveling through to California for gold so they did pretty well. My oldest brother, Elijah, and the younger boys established a saw mill near father’s farm and ran it one season before they sold it for $1,000.00. They used the money to get ready to come to Utah.
"In the spring of 1852 we sold out our farms and prepared for starting west with the saints. We went in the first company of 100 wagons. Our trip to Utah was a long and tiresome journey about two months and a half on the road. We arrived in Salt Lake City the 13th of August 1852. We stopped a few days in Salt Lake City and then moved south to Provo."

Andrew Lee Allen is my second great grandfather. His son Andrew Lee Allen, Jr. is the father of my maternal grandmother, Clarinda Ann (Allen) Cafferty.

Now let me add something regarding gathering from more recent family history. In August 1973 we went to the area conference in Munich. Explaining the purpose for holding area conferences President Harold B. Lee said “… when people are baptized in the Church, they desire to be gathered where a body of Saints may be found, particularly where they can have the fullness of the blessings of the Church, including the blessings to be found in our temples. With this desire to gather on the part of our people so evidenced, we have thought to come to them with these area conferences. Here we are able to meet our leaders and to get acquainted with conditions of each country. Here we are able to communicate more fully than we could if we were to stay just at the headquarters of the Church.”
At the end of the conference, we heard President Lee instruct those who were at the conference from nations under communist control to return home. The reason, as we understood from his remarks, was to make their attendance at future conferences possible. I also received the impression that their return would facilitate a greater work in their own countries. With that in mind as I now think back on President Monson’s effort with the government of the German Democratic Republic on behalf of the Saints in that country, I can see the Lord’s hand at work. The gathering, both spiritual and temporal, is now progressing rapidly.

(Click here for a report of Munich Conference. When you read the report, look for a story about Pietro and Delicta Snaidero and Luigi Pittino. They are the members in San Tomaso my companion and I met with every Sunday.)

By Divine Authority

And I will lay my hand upon you by the hand of my servant Sidney Rigdon and you shall receive my Spirit, the Holy Ghost, even the comforter, which shall teach you the peaceable things of the kingdom. Doctrine & Covenants 36:2

Those who are called to bear the priesthood receive a divine investiture of authority. God is our Principal, and as bearers of the priesthood, we are his agents. In a very real sense, as agents we do not have the right to do things our way; we must do things his way, for “whatever ye do according to the will of the Lord is the Lord’s business” (D&C 64:29). The truest exercise of our moral agency is therefore in learning and carrying out the will of our Principal. Those who act by divine authority act in his name. Those who speak by divine authority speak in his name. Thus, when a priesthood bearer is properly ordained and living so as to qualify for the promptings and guidance of the Holy Spirit, his deeds—whether prayers or sermons or ordinances—are His deeds; it is as though the Almighty were performing the acts himself. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 96)

More than helpful commentary...

And a commandment I give unto thee—that thou shalt write for him; and the scriptures shall be given, even as they are in mine own bosom, to the salvation of mine own elect. Doctrine & Covenants 35:20

Sidney Rigdon was called by God to act as a scribe to the Prophet in what we know now as the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible. Although others served as scribes in this great prophetic enterprise (Oliver Cowdery, Emma Smith, John Whitmer, and Frederick C. Williams), Sidney was the principal scribe; he was to the Joseph Smith Translation what Oliver Cowdery was to the Book of Mormon. The Lord said the scriptures would be given to the translators “even as they are in my own bosom” (D&C 35:20). That is, God would give through Joseph Smith scriptural insight that mirrored the thinking and feelings of the Almighty. Because we are commanded to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (D&C 84:44), the inspired translation of the Bible serves as more than a helpful commentary, more than a useful historical device, more even than an alternative version of scripture. Receiving it in faith would lead to the salvation of souls. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 95)

Report from Italy

Well, another week in Italy, another in the Army, and a full week of training for me this week. It wasn’t anything like that I saw at Ft Polk - a lot different. Let’s start with the weather. I saw sun, rain, snow, sleet and hail in the course of an hour tops on Tuesday and didn’t like it at all. I’ve been cold before and this really sucked. We crammed a week of any and all team and squad training into four days this week and it was hell. Slept like I was at Ranger school all over again. No more than 4 hours a night really and straight into training again. Haven’t had much time the past week to really see the sights, but four days coming up I’ll have more than enough time to go and see more sights which will be nice. I love you all and will tell more to come. So take it easy and have fun. Your grandson son, brother, and friend. Alex

Imperfect People

And I have sent forth the fulness of my gospel by the hand of my servant Joseph; and in weakness have I blessed him. Doctrine & Covenants 35:17

Joseph Smith never claimed to be perfect (History of the Church, 6:366). Like us, he was human, with strengths and weaknesses, imperfections and flaws. In fact, he was blessed with weaknesses so that he might be humble, teachable, and dependent on the Lord. He was no more than a man but no less than a prophet of God: the one called from the foundation of the world to restore the truth, to translate the ancient record containing the fulness of the gospel, to usher in the last and greatest of all dispensations. Because no perfect person but Jesus has ever walked the earth, the Lord has always done his work through the weak and the simple. It is reassuring to know that the Lord works through imperfect people. Whom the Lord calls, he qualifies—when they are steadfast, diligent, and have their eye single to his glory. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 94)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATE!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATE!!!

Isn't it wonderful to be two?!

I'm looking forward to going out for ice cream and cake with you, lovely Kate.

Today is your day. May it bring nothing but love and happiness.

Who Is Good

And there are none that doeth good except those who are ready to receive the fulness of my gospel, which I have sent forth unto this generation. Doctrine & Covenants 35:12

A lawyer once asked Jesus: “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God” (Matthew 19:16-17). God’s perfection is the standard against which we judge all things. To achieve anything less than the highest standard is to fall short of the divine ideal. And so it is with our response to hearing the fulness of the gospel. Clearly, the Lord is not saying that there are no good people outside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There are many devoted, God-fearing, Christ-seeking individuals in the world who are striving to live in harmony with the light they possess. But our Heavenly Father cannot be completely satisfied with their standing before him until they have the opportunity to get on the path that leads to the divine ideal. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 93)

And now it's over...

When I left my job at the Supply Center on February 26, I knew I would be going back one more time to receive a service pin and certificate. There had already been a luncheon and a day later a presentation from the department. So I expected I would go to the Captain’s suite and in a little ceremony be handed a pin and a roll of paper. What happened was a bit more.
The command came to ‘our’- the Contracting Department’s - Blue Room and the crowd was out the door. So much for small. The Captain and the Executive Officer showed up in class ‘A’ uniform and the Executive Director in a suit and tie. I had toyed with the idea of simply riding my bike and slipping in that way. Fortunately I decided to wear a suit and tie and Kathy whole heartedly supported the idea and came home to give me a ride in.
Leading up to the presentation, the Captain and I had an impromptu conversation about my history of forty years service to the government. There was a lot of back and forth as he reviewed the various places I’d been and things I’d done during twenty-fives years in the military - US Army – and fifteen years as a civil servant – US Navy. Then the actual presentation of the certificate. Not just a rolled up piece of paper but a beautifully framed certificate signed by the Secretary of the Navy. All that with a photographer taking pictures of smiles and handshakes. Genuine smiles and warm, heart felt handshakes.
Then the Captain stepped back and said, “We want you to say a few words.” So I had my chance to talk about what’s ahead, and more importantly, what the experience and the people had meant to me. After which they gave me a chance to say a final good-bye and thank each person individually. And a lot of hugs. And it started to sink in.
But it wasn’t until the ride home that it finally really hit me. I like people. I really like people. I like talking to people. Sharing experiences with people. Answering questions and sharing knowledge. I will miss that. But more than that, I will miss them. I will miss the individuals. That’s from a person who professes to be without a close friend. I like being close to people. Isn’t that strange?

Remain Open

I say unto my servant Sidney. I have looked upon thee and thy works. I have heard thy prayers. and prepared thee for a greater work. .. . Behold thou wast sent forth, even as John, to prepare the way before me, and before Elijah which should come, and thou knewest it not. Doctrine & Covenants 35:3-4

Marvelous things happen when we surrender our lives and submit our wills to an omniscient God. The prophets have repeatedly taught us that God can do far more with us than we can do with ourselves, especially if we are left to our own limited resources. As intelligent a man as Sidney Rigdon was, he had no idea that the Lord, through his Holy Spirit, was working upon him and preparing him and those within his congregations for the richer blessings of the fulness of the gospel. Truly, Sidney was an Elias, a forerunner, one who was sent to lay the foundation and prepare the hearts of hundreds of people to receive the ever lasting gospel when it was preached by the early Latter-day Saint missionaries. Like Sidney, many of us do good things, but if we will open ourselves to divine guidance, the Almighty can accomplish even greater things through us. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 92)

We Can Become

Who so loved the world that he gave his own life that a many as would believe might become the sons of God. Wherefore you are my son. Doctrine & Covenants 34:3

This verse, a restatement of John 3:16 for the benefit of Elder Orson Pratt, sets forth one of the grand purposes of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel is intended to do far more than help people get along with each other, as important as that is. It is intended to do more than make bad people into good people, although that is also important. The gospel is “the power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16), a power that not only forgives our sins and cleanses our souls but also reinstates us in the royal family of God. Acceptance of the fulness of the gospel and faithful participation in the ordinances of exaltation empower us to become the sons and daughters of God. As such, when Jesus “shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 91)

Got Oil?

Be faithful. praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning and oil with you that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom. Doctrine & Covenants 33:17

When the tests of life inevitably come, cramming does little good. Either we are prepared, or we are not. Either our loved ones are prepared, or they are not. "The kind of oil that is needed to illuminate the way and light up the darkness is not shareable,” said President Spencer W. Kimball. “How can one share obedience to the principle of tithing; a mind at peace from righteous living; an accumulation of knowledge? How can one share faith or testimony? How can one share attitudes or chastity or the experience of a mission? How can one share temple privileges? Each must obtain that kind of oil for himself” (Faith Precedes the Miracle, 255—56). When a priesthood blessing is needed, the time of preparation is over for that priesthood bearer. Spiritual preparedness takes time, effort, righteous choices, and willing sacrifice. Spiritual strength that endures over time comes from humble submission and faithful obedience to the Lord’s plan of happiness. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 90)

Outward Expressions

Repent and be baptized, every one of you, for a remission of your sins; yea, be baptized even by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost. ...and remember that they shall have faith in me or they can in nowise be saved. Doctrine & Covenants 33:11—12

Ordinances themselves do not save us; rather, Christ the Person saves us. Yet ordinances are outward expressions of our inward covenant to come unto Christ. Baptism by water symbolizes our acceptance of the Atonement, our willingness to go down into the watery tomb by burying the old man of sin and coming forth unto “newness of life” (Romans 6:4). Though we speak of our sins being washed away through baptism by water (Acts 22:16; D&C 39:10), a remission of sins comes only after we have received the gift of the Holy Ghost, who is the Sanctifier (2 Nephi 31:17). The Prophet taught: “You might as well baptize a bag of sand as a man, if not done in view of the remission of sins and getting of the Holy Ghost. Baptism by water is but half a baptism, and is good for nothing without the other half—that is, the baptism of the Holy Ghost” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 314; see also 360). (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 89)

Relevant Revelation

Declare my gospel and learn of me, and be meek and lowly of heart, give heed to that which is written, and pretend to no other revelation; and they shall pray always that I may unfold the same to their understanding. Doctrine & Covenants 32:1-4

Some early members of the Church expressed interest in preaching the gospel to the Lamanites. The Lord, who directs the missionary work of his Church, granted their desires and gave counsel and instruction regarding their efforts. These missionaries were to learn the gospel, be humble, go forth in the strength of the Lord, knowing that he would be with them and protect them (D&C 32:3), and preach the words given to the Lord’s prophet and none other. This is a model for all who desire to spread the gospel message. Yes, we are entitled to receive revelation in our own callings and stewardships, but only the prophet is authorized by the Lord to speak to the entire membership of the Church (D&C 21:4-6; 28:2-3). This first mission to the Lamanites found success in unexpected, unplanned places. Like all faithful missionary labors, it bore rich fruit that is still being harvested today. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 88)

Pray Always

Pray always, lest you enter into temptation and lose your reward. Be faithful unto the end, and lo, I am with you. Doctrine & Covenants 31:12-13

Loved and respected by the early Saints, Thomas B. Marsh served as the first president of the Quorum of the Twelve in this dispensation, went on missions, and faithfully defended the Prophet Joseph Smith against dissidents. But pride and the spirit of apostasy pushed the Spirit of the Lord from his heart. He became estranged from the Church because of leaders’ decisions regarding his wife’s dishonest domestic dealings. For nineteen years he remained away. At last he begged for forgiveness and asked to be rebaptized. Aged beyond his fifty-seven years from the afflictions of apostasy, Brother Marsh was a broken man when he stood before a congregation in Salt Lake City and pleaded with the Saints to avoid the mistakes he had made. We can learn from his example. We can pray that we will be obedient and faithful to the end. We can seek for the strength to avoid temptation, to be humble and to stand by the Brethren who lead the Lord’s Church today. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 87)

Tests of Discipleship

Be patient in afflictions, revile not against those that revile. Govern your house in meekness, and be steadfast. Doctrine & Covenants 31:9

Doctrine and Covenants 31 is a revelation given through the Prophet Joseph to Thomas B. Marsh in 1830, five years before the first Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in this dispensation was organized. Had Brother Marsh, who later served as president of the Twelve, continued to follow the Lord’s counsel, his subsequent apostasy from the Church could have been averted. The Lord foresaw potential problems and gave him relevant counsel. Thomas needed to be patient with the decisions of priesthood leaders; he needed to set his house in order and govern it in meekness; he needed to remain faithful and obedient to the end. This counsel is for each of us. We must be meek and humble, patient and faithful. Sometimes we are given trials and afflictions to test our faithfulness. These are the tests of discipleship. Will we taste the bitter cup without becoming bitter? Will we endure our adversities well, unto the end? Will we hold fast to the iron rod even in affliction? (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 86)

Preach Restoration

Lift up your heart and rejoice, for the hour of your mission is come and your tongue shall be loosed … You shall declare the things which have been revealed to my servant, Joseph Smith, Jun. You shall begin to preach from this time forth, yea, to reap in the field which is white already to be burned. Doctrine & Covenants 31:3-4

The instruction given to Thomas B. Marsh regarding how to proclaim the restored gospel is true for us today as well. Elder Marsh was called upon to lift up his heart and rejoice, to “declare glad tidings of great joy” (D&C 31:3). What was he to do? Was he to deliver again the Sermon on the Mount? Was he to teach once again the Bread of Life sermon? Was he to go into all the world quoting hundreds of passages from the Old and New Testaments? No, he was to declare the glad tidings of the Restoration, to make known the things that had been revealed through Christ’s preeminent, prophetic revealer, Joseph Smith. In short, Thomas B. Marsh was instructed to be true and loyal to the message of the Restoration. In so doing, he would avoid the condemnation, scourge, and judgment that come to those who treat lightly that which God has revealed in these latter days (D&C 43:15-16; 49:1-4; 84:56-58). (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 85)

Rely on the Everlasting

You have feared man and have not relied on me for strength as you ought. But your mind has been on the things of the earth more than on the things of me, your Maker, and the ministry whereunto you have been called; and you have not given heed unto my Spirit. Doctrine & Covenants 30:1-2

Trusting in the arm of flesh is akin to fearing the world. If we are afraid of what we might miss out on by holding fast to the iron rod of the gospel, if we focus so much on this world because the hereafter seems so far away, if we rely on present gratifications rather than eternal rewards, we show fear and faithlessness. We cannot be passive in our covenant relationship with the Savior. We must be actively involved in growing spiritually. Each of us has been called and elected to live worthily so that we might enjoy the quality of life that God himself enjoys—eternal life. To do so, we must humbly heed the promptings of the Spirit of the Lord, meekly center our hearts on everlasting things, and steadfastly follow the prophet and other authorized leaders. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 84)

Innocent Children?

But behold, I say unto you, that little children are redeemed from the foundation of the world through mine Only Begotten, wherefore, they cannot sin, for power is not given unto Satan to tempt little children, until they begin to become accountable before me. Doctrine & Covenants 29:46-47

Are little children innocent? The obvious answer is yes. Less obvious is why. The humanistic explanation is that little children are innocent by nature—they’re just way. They are always kind and patient, eager to share, and never cross or irritable. So much for that explanation. But the scriptural explanation is clear: Little children are innocent because they are decreed so by and through the atonement of Jesus Christ. They may be guilty of deeds that you and I might consider sins, but “they cannot sin” in the sense that such sins are covered by the Savior until the children reach the age of accountability. In addition, the sweet message of revelation tells us that those who never become mentally accountable are open to the tender mercies of a loving Savior who treasures all the children of his Father (D&C 29:49-50). (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 83)

At Michael’s Signal

But, behold, verily I say unto you, before the earth shall pass away, Michael, mine archangel, shall sound his trump, and then shall all the dead awake, for their graves shall be opened, and they shall come forth – yea, even all. Doctrine & Covenants 29:26

Jesus was the “firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). After he rose from the tomb, the righteous dead from the days of Adam to the meridian of time came forth from the grave (Mosiah 15:21). The first resurrection will resume when the Savior returns to the earth in power and glory. Michael (or Adam, the Ancient of Days) has been delegated “the keys of salvation under the counsel and direction of the Holy One (D&C 78:16). Joseph Smith taught that as the father of the human family, Adam (or Michael) oversees angelic ministrations and the proper administration of the keys of the priesthood and the ordinances of salvation (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 167-68). Thus, when Christ returns in glory and at Michael’s signal, the graves will once again be opened, the righteous dead will have body and spirit joined forever, and the blessings of immortality and eternal life will be theirs. (Robert L. Millet and Lloyd D. Newell. Draw Near Unto Me: Daily Reflections on the Doctrine and Covenants. 82)