Over the past three years I have enjoyed home teaching more than ever. It is primarily because my companion has been Stephen West an emeritus member of the Council of Seventy. He is former General Counsel for Marriott corporation and has retired and came to Logan since his elderly parents are here. He takes his home teaching just as seriously as any higher position in the Church he has held.
We have not missed a family visit in the three years except when a family was out of town for extended periods. We take turns making the appointments and giving the lessons which are the First Presidency messages in the Ensign except after General Conference when we can use any of the C0nference talks as a basis for a lesson.
Last November it was my turn to give the lessons. Since the Ensign had all the Conference talks in it I chose from a talk given by Pres. Uchtdorf on Hope. He gives such excellent talks - well reasoned and easy to understand and very enlightening. I had never heard "Hope" discussed so plainly before and his talk contained many ideas on the subject that were new to me.
The lesson was well received, and one of the families, whose head is a professor at USU thought so much of my lesson that he told the Bishop. He asked me to talk in Sacrament Meeting on the subject which I did on Feb. 8, 2009. Among the hundreds of talks I have given in Church over the years I do not recall getting more compliments than I did on this one. Phone calls even came in after the meeting.
Pres. Uchtdorf compares Hope to a leg of a three legged stool - Faith, hope and Charity. When I first went into the Mission Field I memorized the 13th Chapter of first Corinthians and have never forgotten it. I was able to quote it in the talk without notes. "Charity never faileth, but whether there be prophecies they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge it shall vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when that which is perfect is come then that which is in part shall be done away.......and now abideth faith, hope and charity, but the greatest of these is charity. Pres. Uchtdorf points out that without Hope there can be no faith or charity. Paul says if "in this life only we have hope in Christ we are of all men most miserable" (he was talking of the resurrection and life hereafter). Read the whole talk in the Nov. 2009 Ensign.
I wrote to Pres. Uchtdorf thanking him for the great message and telling him how I had used it. He replied in a very nice letter that I will always treasure here and hereafter.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Monday, November 3, 2008
Privileged
About 40 years ago, A. Cressy Morrison, former Pres. of the NY Academy of Science published a little book titled: "Man Does Not Stand Alone." He points out that there are many fine-tuned conditions which make the earth habitable. Among these are the tilt of 23 Deg.; the distance from the sun; the rotation; the moon; and many others. I wrote about this book in an earlier post and will not elaborate further.
Now, however, there is a dvd out called "Privileged Planet". It is a documentary presented by very well qualified astonomers; physicists; etc. They not only carefully explain the precise balances that make life possible in our solar system, but they point out that our planet is privileged in other ways that make it unique.
We watched the dvd with Jan and Steve last night and were overawed and impressed with the amazing disclosures and facts it contains. For example, our solar system is located about 2/3 of the way out from the galaxy center between two of the arms. Density there is relatively light so that we can see out into the vast areas of space and see billions of other galaxies. Before about 1929 it was thought that our galaxy was the entire universe. Then Edwin Hubble discovered that "nebula" formerly thought to be dust clouds were in fact other galaxies many light years away. The nearest large one is Andromeda about 2 million light years from us.
Had our earth been located any other place in our galaxy other than the light density area it is probable that we would not be able to see outside our own galaxy due to the clouds of billions of stars much closer together which would obscure our vision. The commentators conclude that our earth is indeed priviliged. It is carefully placed in the only habitable, life supporting area in the solar system and is also placed so that we may (with scientific advances) see out into the vast areas of space containing uncountable galaxies each containing billions of stars. With stars come planets and it is foolish to conclude that there are no other privileged planets out there. In fact we know from recent revelation that God has created "worlds without number". This ties in beautifully with why we are here and what our destiny can be according to the gospel plan.
Many thanks to Jan and Steve for bringing this dvd so that we could enjoy it. I highly recommend it to all
Now, however, there is a dvd out called "Privileged Planet". It is a documentary presented by very well qualified astonomers; physicists; etc. They not only carefully explain the precise balances that make life possible in our solar system, but they point out that our planet is privileged in other ways that make it unique.
We watched the dvd with Jan and Steve last night and were overawed and impressed with the amazing disclosures and facts it contains. For example, our solar system is located about 2/3 of the way out from the galaxy center between two of the arms. Density there is relatively light so that we can see out into the vast areas of space and see billions of other galaxies. Before about 1929 it was thought that our galaxy was the entire universe. Then Edwin Hubble discovered that "nebula" formerly thought to be dust clouds were in fact other galaxies many light years away. The nearest large one is Andromeda about 2 million light years from us.
Had our earth been located any other place in our galaxy other than the light density area it is probable that we would not be able to see outside our own galaxy due to the clouds of billions of stars much closer together which would obscure our vision. The commentators conclude that our earth is indeed priviliged. It is carefully placed in the only habitable, life supporting area in the solar system and is also placed so that we may (with scientific advances) see out into the vast areas of space containing uncountable galaxies each containing billions of stars. With stars come planets and it is foolish to conclude that there are no other privileged planets out there. In fact we know from recent revelation that God has created "worlds without number". This ties in beautifully with why we are here and what our destiny can be according to the gospel plan.
Many thanks to Jan and Steve for bringing this dvd so that we could enjoy it. I highly recommend it to all
Expelled
Ben Stein, who is Jewish and a foremost advocate for truth, has recently put out a documentary called: "Expelled; No Intelligence Allowed" We got it from Netflix and watched it the other night. It is very well done and we highly recommend it to all.
The subject is an analysis of how the entrenched scientific community have not allowed any dissent from their view that Evolution is an established fact. Those even mentioning the possibility of flaws in the theory are ostrasized regardless of their scientific credentials and degrees. I will not go into the detail of all the careers that have been damaged - you can watch the dvd for that. Stein uses excellent analogies to show how academic freedom is allowed only if you happen to agree with the Party line. References to the Hitler regime and the Berlin Wall are frequent and clearly show what happens when freedom is curtailed in the effort to force everyone to follow the party line.
Ben interviews such hard-shelled athiests and unwavering evolutionists as Peter Dawkins and asks some clear-cut and incisive questions that Dawkins cannot answer. When it is over you wonder how we can put up with such attempts to cut off inquiry and further investigation by taking the position that the matter is settled and any other inquiry should be stifled.
It is becoming increasingly clear that the scientific materialists are doing all that they can to eliminate "God" or even any intelligence from the miracle of creation. Their view that life had to come about by blind chance is demonstrably ridiculous and will not stand for much longer in my opinion. More and more well qualified scientists are courageously challenging the fallacy of life and its many forms having come about by tiny changes over billions of years. The fact is that no one knows how life started in the first place much less how one species changed to another. There is no evidence for such "Macroevolution" though they try to extend "Micro Changes" such as finch beaks to species changes with no evidence whatsover to support the giant leap. See "Icons of Evolution" by Wells, and "Darwin's Black Box" by Behe. So, when you get bombarded with baloney in the classroom, have the courage to dissent even though it will probably affect your grade!
The subject is an analysis of how the entrenched scientific community have not allowed any dissent from their view that Evolution is an established fact. Those even mentioning the possibility of flaws in the theory are ostrasized regardless of their scientific credentials and degrees. I will not go into the detail of all the careers that have been damaged - you can watch the dvd for that. Stein uses excellent analogies to show how academic freedom is allowed only if you happen to agree with the Party line. References to the Hitler regime and the Berlin Wall are frequent and clearly show what happens when freedom is curtailed in the effort to force everyone to follow the party line.
Ben interviews such hard-shelled athiests and unwavering evolutionists as Peter Dawkins and asks some clear-cut and incisive questions that Dawkins cannot answer. When it is over you wonder how we can put up with such attempts to cut off inquiry and further investigation by taking the position that the matter is settled and any other inquiry should be stifled.
It is becoming increasingly clear that the scientific materialists are doing all that they can to eliminate "God" or even any intelligence from the miracle of creation. Their view that life had to come about by blind chance is demonstrably ridiculous and will not stand for much longer in my opinion. More and more well qualified scientists are courageously challenging the fallacy of life and its many forms having come about by tiny changes over billions of years. The fact is that no one knows how life started in the first place much less how one species changed to another. There is no evidence for such "Macroevolution" though they try to extend "Micro Changes" such as finch beaks to species changes with no evidence whatsover to support the giant leap. See "Icons of Evolution" by Wells, and "Darwin's Black Box" by Behe. So, when you get bombarded with baloney in the classroom, have the courage to dissent even though it will probably affect your grade!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Buckets
Buckets are common objects widely used for a number of purposes. When milking a cow, if the cow "kicks the bucket" you lose all of the milk. That phrase has come into wide use to mean that when one leaves this life he "kicks the bucket." Just one of the many little idioms that creep into the language and are so commonly used that everyone understands what is meant. (Except for English learners who understandably have trouble with idioms).
"The Bucket List" is the name of a recent movie we enjoyed. Julia talked me into going at the theater - the first time in many months I have gone to a movie in a theater. To my surprise it was a pleasant experience. The movie held my attention from beginning to end. It stars Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freemen. They are both in a hospital owned by Nicholson, a billionaire. He is also eccentric and does not believe patients should have private rooms so he moves in with Freeman. Both men have been diagnosed with terminal disease and have only about a year to live. Nicholson notices that Freeman is compiling a list and asks what it is. Freeman replies that it is a "bucket list" of the things he needs to do or would like to do before he "kicks the bucket." Nicholson likes the idea and since he has sufficient funds the rest of the movie consists of the things they do and the places they go together. They also take care of some personal relationship problems that have been deferred over time. It makes a great movie - not only enjoyable but with a message especially for those in the December of their lives.
Several of you have commented that you have noticed the hiatus in my Posts. That motivated me to get going again and this is the first of what I hope to be a new string of Posts whenever I can think of a topic. I have been extra busy the past few weeks with Grand County work which is a blessing in disguise. The work is enjoyable and they seem to appreciate what I do.
We have appreciated the recent family get togethers occasioned by the return of Bryce and Drew. It is good to see everyone. We hope that many of you can get up this way now that the weather is improving (whatever happened to Global warming?). I have a few tasks awaiting those who have offered to help.
"The Bucket List" is the name of a recent movie we enjoyed. Julia talked me into going at the theater - the first time in many months I have gone to a movie in a theater. To my surprise it was a pleasant experience. The movie held my attention from beginning to end. It stars Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freemen. They are both in a hospital owned by Nicholson, a billionaire. He is also eccentric and does not believe patients should have private rooms so he moves in with Freeman. Both men have been diagnosed with terminal disease and have only about a year to live. Nicholson notices that Freeman is compiling a list and asks what it is. Freeman replies that it is a "bucket list" of the things he needs to do or would like to do before he "kicks the bucket." Nicholson likes the idea and since he has sufficient funds the rest of the movie consists of the things they do and the places they go together. They also take care of some personal relationship problems that have been deferred over time. It makes a great movie - not only enjoyable but with a message especially for those in the December of their lives.
Several of you have commented that you have noticed the hiatus in my Posts. That motivated me to get going again and this is the first of what I hope to be a new string of Posts whenever I can think of a topic. I have been extra busy the past few weeks with Grand County work which is a blessing in disguise. The work is enjoyable and they seem to appreciate what I do.
We have appreciated the recent family get togethers occasioned by the return of Bryce and Drew. It is good to see everyone. We hope that many of you can get up this way now that the weather is improving (whatever happened to Global warming?). I have a few tasks awaiting those who have offered to help.
Friday, January 18, 2008
RAIN
Rain is one of our greatest blessings. Surely we could not live without it. It's abundance, or lack thereof, is one of the many checks and balances that make life as we know it possible. If it precipitated ten times as much worldwide, or ten times less, (either is possible) life could not exist. Yet we take it for granted. Everything is so finely set and governed so as to make our lives possible that we tend to say: "well, that is just the way things are. What a lucky chance for us that things turned out as they did." More nonsense. It is all well planned and determined and we should appreciate what we have.
Rain tends to fall predictably according to topography and geography. For example the high mountains of Kauai in Hawaii get as much as 600 inches a year - said to be the wettest spot on earth. Just a few miles to the west of them on the same island is a barren beach desert getting about 10 inches a year. The Clouds from the Pacific Ocean pass over the coast and condense when they reach the mountains. Another wet spot is Samoa getting in some areas 200 t0 300 inches a year.
We decided to watch "Rain" tonight for three reasons: 1. It has been here several days as I have not felt up to watching anything. 2. It is based on a story by W. Somerset Maugham, an author we both enjoy. 3. We have been to Samoa and have enjoyed the downpours and are very familiar with the Pago Pago port and buildings where the Movie takes place.
Walter Houston and Joan Crawford are great in the lead roles. We were amazed about how much of the detail we had forgotten since we last watched it many years ago. It is really a timeless movie with a message that can be watched frequently. For those who have not seen it I will not reveal the plot or the outcome. It takes place in the 1920's when a ship bound for Apia in Western Samoa stops at Pago Pago due to a man having cholera. Apia is only 80 miles from Pago Pago. There are only about a dozen passengers on the ship and the movie involves their interaction and what happens during the ten days or so they are there whilc it rains almost constantly. The Movie was made in the 1930's and was one of Joan Crawfords' first so it is in black and white and shows her as a very young woman.
Feeling better for the first time in over a week since my radiation sessions ended. We are thankful for that and hope that things can now get back to normal. Enjoy and appreciate the precipitation of all kinds!
Rain tends to fall predictably according to topography and geography. For example the high mountains of Kauai in Hawaii get as much as 600 inches a year - said to be the wettest spot on earth. Just a few miles to the west of them on the same island is a barren beach desert getting about 10 inches a year. The Clouds from the Pacific Ocean pass over the coast and condense when they reach the mountains. Another wet spot is Samoa getting in some areas 200 t0 300 inches a year.
We decided to watch "Rain" tonight for three reasons: 1. It has been here several days as I have not felt up to watching anything. 2. It is based on a story by W. Somerset Maugham, an author we both enjoy. 3. We have been to Samoa and have enjoyed the downpours and are very familiar with the Pago Pago port and buildings where the Movie takes place.
Walter Houston and Joan Crawford are great in the lead roles. We were amazed about how much of the detail we had forgotten since we last watched it many years ago. It is really a timeless movie with a message that can be watched frequently. For those who have not seen it I will not reveal the plot or the outcome. It takes place in the 1920's when a ship bound for Apia in Western Samoa stops at Pago Pago due to a man having cholera. Apia is only 80 miles from Pago Pago. There are only about a dozen passengers on the ship and the movie involves their interaction and what happens during the ten days or so they are there whilc it rains almost constantly. The Movie was made in the 1930's and was one of Joan Crawfords' first so it is in black and white and shows her as a very young woman.
Feeling better for the first time in over a week since my radiation sessions ended. We are thankful for that and hope that things can now get back to normal. Enjoy and appreciate the precipitation of all kinds!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
DECISIONS
We are always making decisions. We are also constantly talking to ourselves and justifying or rationalizing every decision we make. Some decisions are made almost spontaneously while others are made after much thought, prayer, or consultation with others. However, decisions are what determine our lives and our relations with others. Some are made as a result of an event or situation which is not foreseen yet such decisions can determine the course of our lives and those of our families.
For example, when I got out of law school, Tom Ferguson hired me as an associate. He specialized in personal injury cases and had his office on Pill Hill in Oakland among the doctors. I had worked from him for about a year and we had purchased a home in Walnut Creek at 40 Novo Court for $11,950. (three bedrooms and 2 baths). The payments were $78 a month and I was making about $300 a month. How times have changed. One day I needed to locate a former classmate of mine so I called the Placement Dean at Boalt Hall. He told me where the classmate was and just as I was about to hang up he said: "how would you like to go to Guam?"
There was a position open at the Attorney Generals office. I told him I would talk to my wife and get back to him. Julia was eager for an adventure and encouraged the move. So we went and it changed the course of our lives in many ways. Two of our children were born in Guam and we enjoyed the beaches and travel in the Orient. Had I not made that call our lives would have certainly been different, for better or worse.
Such is the nature of Decisions. They can be made as a result of chance phone calls, as above, or they can be made spontaneously based on feelings and not logic. We should beware of making important decisions based entirely on how we feel at the moment without regard for others close to us. I remember buying a Chev. Convertible when we came back to Calif. and were living in a rented house at 311 El Cerrito Ave. I did not consult Julia beforehand and she was appalled!. To keep peace in the family I took it back. I was wrong to have bought it without consulting her first in view of our limited resources at the time.
So, I have learned to use reason and logic as well as feeling before making most decisions. It is better for me and those close to me in the long run. Since we are always making decisions, some on minor and some on major matters, daily, we need to stop and think occasionally to avoid making decisions that we may regret later. We need to recognize, however, that the consequences of many decisions are not predictable and sometimes we have to take chances, as we did in going to Guam. I do not regret that decision nor does any of the family to my knowledge.
For example, when I got out of law school, Tom Ferguson hired me as an associate. He specialized in personal injury cases and had his office on Pill Hill in Oakland among the doctors. I had worked from him for about a year and we had purchased a home in Walnut Creek at 40 Novo Court for $11,950. (three bedrooms and 2 baths). The payments were $78 a month and I was making about $300 a month. How times have changed. One day I needed to locate a former classmate of mine so I called the Placement Dean at Boalt Hall. He told me where the classmate was and just as I was about to hang up he said: "how would you like to go to Guam?"
There was a position open at the Attorney Generals office. I told him I would talk to my wife and get back to him. Julia was eager for an adventure and encouraged the move. So we went and it changed the course of our lives in many ways. Two of our children were born in Guam and we enjoyed the beaches and travel in the Orient. Had I not made that call our lives would have certainly been different, for better or worse.
Such is the nature of Decisions. They can be made as a result of chance phone calls, as above, or they can be made spontaneously based on feelings and not logic. We should beware of making important decisions based entirely on how we feel at the moment without regard for others close to us. I remember buying a Chev. Convertible when we came back to Calif. and were living in a rented house at 311 El Cerrito Ave. I did not consult Julia beforehand and she was appalled!. To keep peace in the family I took it back. I was wrong to have bought it without consulting her first in view of our limited resources at the time.
So, I have learned to use reason and logic as well as feeling before making most decisions. It is better for me and those close to me in the long run. Since we are always making decisions, some on minor and some on major matters, daily, we need to stop and think occasionally to avoid making decisions that we may regret later. We need to recognize, however, that the consequences of many decisions are not predictable and sometimes we have to take chances, as we did in going to Guam. I do not regret that decision nor does any of the family to my knowledge.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
PESSIMISTAS
While watching Larry Kudlow on the Business Channel tonight he used the word "Pessimistas" to describe the doom and gloomers who always try to make good news bad news and look on the dark side of every issue. I like the term. It is the first time that I have heard of it. Gives me an idea for another Post. It is about time that I get something on the Blog to put the personal military experiences in the background.
It is easy to look on the dark side of anything. To the Optimist the glass is half full; to the pessimist it is half empty. How often have you heard your TV weatherman say something like: "Well we have had 6" of rain but it won't help the drought."? For some reason those in the Media feel compelled to put a negative slant on almost everything they say. Must be engrained in them since bad news seems to attract more listeners and readers than good news. They seem to have a perverse side that compels them to put a bad slant, if possible, on every good bit of news they tell us about.
Surely there will be some hard times ahead. Why, however, should we let this ruin the present. Most of the hard times and catatastrophes that lie ahead are beyond our control anyway. Those who spout constantly that the earth is in peril and that it is up to mankind to save it simply do not understand why we are here and that it is for a limited time anyway. The earth will survive. We are not responsible for climate change. The infinite adjustments that enable us to live here and survive have been ordained by a power higher than ourselves who is in control. The earth will serve us as long as needed.
Fortunately we have a few very verbose and astute commentators using the media to rebut the "Pessimistas." I enjoy all of them. Some are in the business media like Larry Kudlow and others represent the optimistic (nearly always conservative) view on radio and television. Among them are Rush Limbaugh; Mark Levin; Gordon Liddy; Shawn Hannity; Rusty Humphreys; Dr. Laura; Laura Ingraham and Ann Coulter. All have an upbeat, positive attitude that is in sharp contrast to the doom and gloomers. We listen to all of them and agree with everything they say with a few technical exceptions from time to time. It is not an accident that they are very successful with many listeners. The negative left has tried but failed to launch a single liberal program that has succeeded in the market place to my knowledge. Bill O'Reilly on Fox news is also usually in the camp of the optimists.
One can look on the bright side of almost everything in life. Tomorrow I have to go to the dentist. Many would be gloomy about the prospect. However, look at it realistically. How lucky we are to have competent dentists who can fix our teeth and stop or prevent pain. What if they did not exist and we just had to suffer with the problems? The same is true of any physical problem or disability. "I complained because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet." We live at a great time and should do all that we can to appreciate it and enjoy it. It does no good to look on the dark side. Tomorrow will be a better day. Behind each cloud the sun is shining. (And will continue to shine so long as our Creator decrees.)
It is easy to look on the dark side of anything. To the Optimist the glass is half full; to the pessimist it is half empty. How often have you heard your TV weatherman say something like: "Well we have had 6" of rain but it won't help the drought."? For some reason those in the Media feel compelled to put a negative slant on almost everything they say. Must be engrained in them since bad news seems to attract more listeners and readers than good news. They seem to have a perverse side that compels them to put a bad slant, if possible, on every good bit of news they tell us about.
Surely there will be some hard times ahead. Why, however, should we let this ruin the present. Most of the hard times and catatastrophes that lie ahead are beyond our control anyway. Those who spout constantly that the earth is in peril and that it is up to mankind to save it simply do not understand why we are here and that it is for a limited time anyway. The earth will survive. We are not responsible for climate change. The infinite adjustments that enable us to live here and survive have been ordained by a power higher than ourselves who is in control. The earth will serve us as long as needed.
Fortunately we have a few very verbose and astute commentators using the media to rebut the "Pessimistas." I enjoy all of them. Some are in the business media like Larry Kudlow and others represent the optimistic (nearly always conservative) view on radio and television. Among them are Rush Limbaugh; Mark Levin; Gordon Liddy; Shawn Hannity; Rusty Humphreys; Dr. Laura; Laura Ingraham and Ann Coulter. All have an upbeat, positive attitude that is in sharp contrast to the doom and gloomers. We listen to all of them and agree with everything they say with a few technical exceptions from time to time. It is not an accident that they are very successful with many listeners. The negative left has tried but failed to launch a single liberal program that has succeeded in the market place to my knowledge. Bill O'Reilly on Fox news is also usually in the camp of the optimists.
One can look on the bright side of almost everything in life. Tomorrow I have to go to the dentist. Many would be gloomy about the prospect. However, look at it realistically. How lucky we are to have competent dentists who can fix our teeth and stop or prevent pain. What if they did not exist and we just had to suffer with the problems? The same is true of any physical problem or disability. "I complained because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet." We live at a great time and should do all that we can to appreciate it and enjoy it. It does no good to look on the dark side. Tomorrow will be a better day. Behind each cloud the sun is shining. (And will continue to shine so long as our Creator decrees.)
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