Author: Sagacity

by

Clarification on security, freedom, and comfort

In the first e-mails, I am more building off of common ground.  He pretty much told me his whole desire is to be a billionaire by the time he is 40.  He gave me as the reason for doing so is that he could have independence and security.  Building off of that theme, I gave the following paragraph.  I completely agree with your statements that that is not our whole purpose.  I hope I defined that more clearly in some of the other e-mails that came later, if not in the same one.

“I do not laugh at your hope of retiring early.  I believe it is a noble thing to have prepared so you can spend your live doing something more productive than the pursuit of money.  I completely agree with you on this point.  I hope to be financially independent so I can turn my focus onto other things, more important things.  I see nothing wrong with this desire.  I am sorry if other people find it foolish.”

I certainly think you should do your job with full faithfulness and not just with the end to get money.  You should enjoy your job and find its meaning and opportunity for you.  I completely agree that it is more than just supporting the family.

“There are a couple of thoughts I will throw at you.  I am not to elude that you are caught in these thought patterns, but a caution in case you may have forgotten.  You referenced financial freedom and security.  I am not personally aware of any promises in the gospel that we will be given security or a large degree of freedom.  Agency, yes; the ability to act, definitely; but beware of the thought process that at some point you will have reached a point to where you are excluded from pain, sorrow, or suffering. “

You quoted D&C 70 in relation to this comment.  The Lord there promises us blessings and great blessings.  But I do not read that these promises are necessarily for temporal blessings and temporal security.  Remember, this is one of the reasons why the Saints were so terribly upset in Kirtland and in Jackson.  The Kirtland anti-Banking Society was established and many people fully thought the Lord was going to make them rich.  After all, they were in the process of gathering and of building Zion (literally) and that led to their downfall.  In Jackson the Saints were sure that they would be protected temporally because of some of these commandments.  Well, we know what happened there as well.

To me, when the Lord promises comfort, security, blessings, and freedom, these are all first and foremost spiritually and in the conscious.  I do believe they lead to the physical.  That is one of the messages I get from the New Testament is that Saints will be able to call anyplace, even the pits of hell, home and make it a Zion.  Wherever the Saints are, there cannot be hell.  Remember the Lectures of Faith, those who have a certain knowledge can take spoiling of the goods and even the taking of their lives with joy and a certain knowledge that they have a future and know their place in eternity.  If I remember right, I don’t have the book yet, but the quote of idolatry by President Kimball includes the comforts of family, cars, and houses. 

I guess is what I am saying, Saints were had in Kirtland and Missouri even though they were in hell.  They had comfort and freedom and independence and security despite what they were going through physically.  Many counted it a blessing to come across the plains, even the quote from the old man in the Martin Handcart Company, that it was the place they came to know God and would not trade it for anything.

It seems to me a twist of the scriptures to believe we are promised physical security and freedom.

Your quotes from the Book of Mormon go along with what I have already talked about.  Free forever, certainly is more than this mortal probation (2 Ne 2:26).  The Lord promised the Israelites freedom in Egypt, but they still had to sit there for 400 years.  (I wonder how many lost their faith because they were not given their freedom in their lifetimes?)  Out of darkness into the light, out of captivity to freedom (2 Ne 3:5) seems to be speaking the same.  Under no other head are you made free (Mosiah 5:8) I view death and a resurrection as a freedom from the fallen world too.  Moroni’s inspiration to be freed from bondage (Alma 43:48) is still very much on the Lord’s timetable.  Wandering in the wilderness for 40 years is certainly freedom considered under what they had left with Pharaoh, but still it was very taxing, and they had no real comforts or even security.  They had serpents and all sorts else to worry about.  Hearing the Lord and following him will make us free (D&C 38:22) is very true, but what about all those Saints who wasted away with the same promise in eastern Germany and Soviet provinces.  Hundreds never saw freedom in their life according to what you are arguing here, but certainly did in the spiritual way.  Even Brigham Young has quotes where the strangling of the US government was diminishing the Saints freedoms.  His views were of the freedom of polygamy, and (don’t know if I would argue for it) we still don’t have the complete freedom of our religion in this country. 

As for the quote about the Constitution and our liberty to make us free.  That is one of the big things Joseph Smith taught.  Our constitution gave us the freedom of thought, to act as we please (despite its tightening under Brigham) and freedom of conscience.  You know this. 

If we are righteous, the promise is that we shall have our needs met.  Even that our cup will run over and with tithing that we cannot receive them all.  But that certainly never applied to riches as far as I have ever seen. My bank account certainly could receive more and I could too.  So it doesn’t have to do with money.  But in spiritual blessings, from which the physical manifests itself, I certainly believe we can be therewith content with what the Lord has allotted us.  Even if that is a prison cell in the freezing of winter in 1837 called Liberty.  Isn’t that what the Lord told Joseph and later.  Receive ALL things with thankfulness and you shall be made glorious (again, not necessarily physically).

“I know you are not saving up money to become rich.  It is your desire to be able to be more free to do things which are of more worth with your time to your family and for others.  I certainly think that is a worthwhile pursuit.  Just be careful not to be driven too much by money rather than your worthwhile pursuits. “

This was another building off the common ground concept.  Start at common ground, build off of it, and then you can help them see where you vary and then they are left with the choice.  Isn’t this much of the Socratic method.  But you have to start somewhere to where they can agree with you.

This was one of the main reasons why he wanted to gain riches.  I do think it is a noble thing for you to be able to do more with your family and time for the benefit of others.  I admit, no matter how much I like my job, I have to do it a certain amount and detract away from time that could be used with family, teaching, or even in service.  Honestly, you can love your job and want to spend all your time there, but in the end, whether you love your job or not is not going to get you into heavens quadrants.  Your family, your service and stewardship will count much more.

There are a score of great blessings that do come from work.  I don’t doubt that.  But I am sure you could learn many of those same ethics and work from other meaningful service too.  Our jobs are a required part of life.  Someone has to clean the sewers, someone has to move the trash, someone has to do crime scene investigating, someone has to be the mortician.  I certainly hope those people don’t hate their jobs.  I do believe, in the vein above, that you have to have that inside conviction, freedom, and security and the outside will change.  Hell will in fact become heaven.  If you hate your job, first you should probably change your heart and mind, then look again at the job and consider if a change needs to be made.

I completely agree with the Luke 3:14, 1 Tim 6:8, Heb 13:5 (what would that say if I didn’t agree?) that one should be content with wages, have godliness and contentment, and to avoid covetousness.  I am sorry if I led you to believe I supported these things.

Anyhow, I hope as you read later of the forwards, that I corrected or explained my position more fully.

This is a great little study for both of us.  We must be as wise as serpents but as harmless as doves.  We must think these things through, even we must plan financially but far too many people let it consume their lives.  I really liked your line, “…I can see how it will take over if you are not careful.  But now I know, I need to be wise, but not worry, be prepared, but not obsessed!”

Thanks again, I enjoy our little banters.

by

Good bye to 2006

Another year has passed. Has it really? It doesn’t feel like it. I don’t feel any older. I don’t think I look any older. What really happened in 2006? Did it really exist? I know it did. I have the memories of it and the evidence. (I won’t be like some nations claiming that you cannot prove the past, like the Holocaust).A former President has died ending the year. I remember meeting President Ford in Twin Falls, Idaho. I must have only been about 10 or
12 at the time. I guess he liked to golf once and a while at the course down in the canyon. (Sad, I don’t even remember the name of it.  (Perhaps I am getting older….)

Who else died this year? I read a few of Milton Friedman’s books. I still sing to myself the music of Malcolm Arnold, especially River Kwai.  I remember joking about what it must be like to be Robert C Baker, but now I would feel bad joking of chicken nuggets. Buck Owens who I saw in Branson passed away. We can’t forget political leaders like President Ford, Senator Stafford, or Congressman Sonny Montgomery. Ed Bradley who I liked to watch. 60 Minutes just won’t be the same anymore without Bradley and Wallace. Who were some not so notable, or infamous, Mr. Lay, Jeff Lundgren, Saddam. It has been a year for deaths! Oh, I about forgot Steve Irwin. It seemed every little kid in England talked of Steve.

A couple of family members have passed away. Ebertha Lutz of my Van Leeuwen line. Dean Sharp just passed away last week. His funeral is on Thursday up in Pasco, Washington. That doesn’t leave many of the Sharp family around either. I know Grandpa is struggling with his death.  Dad, Jan, and Grandpa are going up to the funeral. I hope when my time comes, it will go as well. He wasn’t feeling well, and went to the hospital. His oxygen was low, so they put him on oxygen and he wanted to go home. He was resting and Lois heard him make a noise and saw his oxygen was off. She went over and he was gone. Quick, painless, and comfortable.

I only visited with Dean two weeks ago. I called him to ask him some family history questions about his parents and recollections of Mary Ann Stoker, aka Lillian Musgrave. He told me characteristics of his parents, Edward Sharp and Lillie East. He always had a cool little laugh when he finished speaking. Don’t know if it was a nervous laugh, something he picked up, but it always made me feel relaxed. He never
knew his grandmother, I had to get that information elsewhere. Good bye Dean.

I received an e-mail from a Terry McHugh in South Carolina. He was searching information on the Stoker line. I filled him on information I
had, and gleaned quite a bit from him. It was good to focus some more on the Stoker line. I still have yet to figure out why my Mary Ann
Stoker (married Sharp) went by Lily (Lillian) Musgrave for a spell.

I called Grandpa and he shared a few memories with me. He said she was fairly tall, I am not sure what that means. Grandpa is not necessarily tall. He used to walk past her house every day on the way to school.  He would stop in on his way home when she was alive. It is the same house my Aunt Caroline lives in now.

She would have him put the hooks in the holes for her shoe laces. She also had him pull the strings on her girdle for her. He used to ask why
she needed the thing; after all she was so skinny. She would just sigh and ask him to pull them just a little tighter. It sounded like it was sweet memories. She had a horn for hearing. She went deafer over the years. Grandpa would ask why she needed that horn and she would say it was because he wasn’t speaking loud enough. It was interesting that June Streeter had memories of Lily, but didn’t know who she was. It wasn’t until a few months back talking with her daughter that I cleared that up in her mind.

Life changed considerably for Amanda and me this year. I again made a move across the country. One thing is for sure, get married and the
physical baggage multiplies! You would think that my trunk full of possessions would only double. Some reason or another, women are not
confined to a Spartan life. But add a marriage to it, and the making of a home, and things grow exponentially. There are ways I would like to
go more Spartan, but Amanda won’t have any of that. Probably a good thing.

Dad had his operation and seems to be back to normal. Indeed, he is better than he has been for the last five years. I am glad he has made
such a recovery, even improvement. Jan had her operation on her back.  For some reason I cannot recall if that was earlier this year or not.
Yes, I think it was, pretty sure it was. She is doing much better. Her progress has not been as quick as Dad’s but she is doing better.

Overall it has been a good year. Even the few dreams I have had have all been good. There is one that repeated some over the year. Have yet no idea what it could possibly mean. I am back living at Kasota Road.  But I have to go to the dentist. I go, and it is Garrison Keillor who
is the dentist. We end up chatting about a few things. By the time the appointment is done, he has split a tooth in half, and pulled it.  Having removed a tooth, I am concerned and discuss my issues with him.  He takes and makes me a new tooth and screws it back into the top of my mouth. I am shocked that I can notice no difference from the old to the new tooth. I am impressed there is no swelling and no pain. He doesn’t even use pain killers. It is his reasoning that makes things work so well despite my little idiosyncrasies. Perhaps it is just that I need
to reason and talk through more things in life. I almost laugh in the mornings when I realize I am dreaming of going to the dentist, spending
the conversation with Keillor, and then arise to find life is great.  Perhaps it is just a happy dream. Don’t know why I find it so ironic that the dentist and Keillor make me happy, but I won’t complain. (Now people will think I am more off my rocker than ever!)

Well, I think I will sign off. I look forward to what 2007 has to bring. I am sure it will have many surprises and interesting things to mention. It will be the first year in a long time that I am planning, for the most part, of staying in the same state. Since graduation I have hopped between states every year.

by

Christmas Greetings

A quick Christmas update for everyone out there. 

Christmas went very well. I can say I am one spoiled boy! I have a wonderful wife with wonderful family. I am fortunate enough to have a comfortable home and a job to provide income. Who could ask for more? I have clothes to cover me, and gained more this Christmas. I have food to fill my belly (that of course does not include all the tasty junk food that comes this time of year).

The weather was in the upper 60’s with an almost continual rainfall all day. It was pretty. It was a nice relaxed day.

I phoned and talked to all my immediate family that I could. It was good to visit with them.

Dad is doing very well. He said for the first time in the last 10 or so years, he does not have swollen ankles. Something the doctors attribute to
the liver and gallbladder problems. He said he is still sore in the tummy, but the water weight is falling off him. In the last week he has squeezed
in his belt 3 notches. He says his breathing capacity is back up to what it was in about 2000. Another thing attributed to his liver and gallbladder.

Andra is happy and doesn’t have any complaints. She had a Merry Christmas and was looking forward to going out to Dad’s place for the evening. I wonder what she thought of her present.

Amanda’s family continues to do well. They rehearsed all the presents and how their morning had gone. It sounds like Christmas was good for them.

I visited with Rose Byrom from Runcorn for at least an hour over the two days. Who would have thought the housewife of 7 years ago would now be a lecturer at John Moore University and Halton/Riverside University? Neither she nor I would have believed you. She should have her Master’s by the end of 2007. Life changes quickly.

I sat down and did some family history. Ended up with a serious road bump in some of my research. I found the Confederate Record for James A
Meredith. In the 1880 Census my James Thomas Meredith is living with an old man, James Meredith. That old man claimed little James was his son. That just seems implausible. How did he marry Nancy Graham if he was still married? Oh his wife is living with a sick daughter in that same census. So, knowing Nancy married a James Meredith, we always assumed it was old man James’ son, James Jr who was the father of James Thomas Meredith. Well, I found the Confederate record for James’ service. He was killed in Lexington, Virginia in a battle in 1864. Well, that makes it pretty difficult for him to be the father of a boy born 4 years later. Everything points that this confederate soldier, James Anderson Meredith is the same James A Meredith, son of James and Sarah Meredith. Their birth years, even the A for a middle name, and the soldier joined the Confederate Army in Pulaski County. The missing James A Meredith did not add any more children to his family, and his wife is alone and head of household in 1870. So, it all pieces together. So now back to the drawing board. Is old man Meredith really the father of James Thomas? Is that the real reason why he and his wife are living apart, or is it really as the census says, she is ill? Why did Nancy let the boy go to live with the father/grandfather? Where is the marriage record? That is what I really need to verify she married a James. Oh, another piece of evidence, old man James’ history tells he lost two sons in the war. Daniel, and another not named. This could certainly be the James A I have been seeking for such a long time.

On a good note, I found the father my Edith (Edie) Boothe. His name was Daniel Boothe and had quite the family. It took me a good hour just to get everything in relation to his children and wives situated. I also pursued some more on the Martin lines hoping to find something, but nothing yet. Will Virginia yield her secrets to me? I sure hope so.

Tomorrow we are headed back up to Washington. Taylor Duncan’s wedding is at 1:00 and we are planning on attending the temple while we are there. It will be great to see Paul and Kathy again, along with the rest of the family. I wonder who else of the family will be coming out. I have some new temple names to print up while we are there. Should be a good day.

by

Happy Birthday Sunday School

I took some time to read the church news tonight. They talked about the 100 years of adult Sunday School. I thought it was interesting. Not for the fact that adult Sunday School is 100 years old, but the interesting side notes of the article.It talked about three centarians who are in the Monument Park 2nd Ward. It even showed their pictures as they sat talking before Sunday School, and another of them paying attention during class. Bessie Hanson, Ann Maughan, and Richard Bird were there names. Their entire lives, they have attended Sunday School. Brother Bird is still practicing law, even though he is 99 years old. That is simply amazing to me. None of the three look like they are a century old. The pictures hit me more than anything. A testament of really how short of a span the church has been around. There are still people living who are more than half the age of the church. President Faust’s grandparents came across the plains. What does that say?

Time really is not as big and expansive as we think it is. Nor is it as harsh and cruel as to be feared. It is as natural as breathing. There is
no tragedy in the march of time. To me it is almost hauntingly beautiful.

Reading and learning of my own ancestors at the end of the 1700’s brings the realization that people really do not change. Time only silences those who have gone before so that we walk the path a little more on our own. It gives us a better chance to prove what we are made of. There is no doubt that we will meet those quieted again.

Today provided an opportunity for reflection. I feel as close as I ever have to some of my beloved family. In fact, I think time has only increased the desire to see and meet up with them again. The greatest solace is when they are present but nothing more. It increases all the hopes and passion to drive for more holy and better things. Death is purely beautiful.

Those three dear centarians are closer to the veil in their every day walk. They could easily pass through at any moment. But that is true of all of
us. Somehow though, it shows on their face and their demeanor. That brings and gives a reverence for those who glimpse that.

Life is big. Life is large. Life is grand. There is so much of goodness and beauty all around.

In my ode to Sunday School, I wonder where these three souls would be had we not had Sunday School. Having played my part, I think I value Sunday School the most of all the meetings. Perhaps I just don’t grasp the meaning of the rest. Sacrament was something you sort of feared as a missionary. Priesthood was something that never seemed to be totally taken seriously. But Sunday School has a mingling and seeking that brought it more home. I find myself preparing for Sunday School where I cannot for Sacrament. Priesthood as a rule seems to read from the book, I do that at home. But Sunday School….

I hope and pray to live older than 100. I would like to see the 300th birthday of our country and the 250th of the church. At current age levels,
much more is not realistic.

by

1st Anniversary

Can you believe it? An entire year has passed! At one moment it seems like we were just married, but then it seems like an eternity….like we have
never been otherwise. 

With both of us working, we were able to go out an enjoy a steak dinner. I had a ribeye, Amanda had a top sirloin. Come to think of it, I believe that is the only steak I have had so far this year. Scratch that, I believe that is the only steak I will eat this year! We are either too poor to eat
steak, too lazy to cook steak, or eat too little meat.

Anyhow, we quite enjoyed the meal this evening. We eat out so little! I think it has been months since we even had fast food. We do eat healthy,
and we do have plenty to eat. I don’t want it to sound like we are starving away.

Amazing how time flies isn’t it? Where does it go?

One year down plenty more to go, if I am counting down to something.

This year has been crazy. A move from Washington DC to Utah. A trip to San
Bernardino and Kern Counties in California. Moving to and living in Provo,
Utah. Attending all the temples in Utah (not a small feat). Moving from
Utah to Richmond, Virginia. I worked at Spherion, JC Penney, Meier and
Frank, Macy’s, Lawyer’s Staffing, Combined Insurance, and am moving to GMAC
Model Home Finance. Amanda has worked at Downeast Outfitters, Dillards,
Meier and Frank, and now Macy’s. It has been a busy year in that field. I
loathe entering all the W-2 forms for taxes. I hope the next year is a bit
more relaxed. Yet, there is still so much to do.

 

by

Dad’s internment

I am happy to report that Dad got out of the hospital yesterday. He is headed to Plain City for a few days of rest and relaxation at Grandpa’s home. I think it will be a good time for them. I wonder who Dad will go and visit, or who will come and visit him? It will be interesting to see.  I hope to hear about it.He had his gallbladder out. But this is not your normal operation. He has cirrhosis of the liver from his younger and wilder days. I am sure that being able to boast of drinking a fifth of whiskey straight is not so high on the impressive scale. His body certainly did not think so. Perhaps it would have been more impressive if his body would have dealt with the issue and never developed any issues. The alcoholism of younger years has caused him diabetes and cirrhosis. Who knows what else.Anyhow, the cirrhosis was first diagnosed about 10 years ago. We knew then he had lost about 20% of his liver capacity. He is now about 80%. After a whole mess of tests it has been determined that his gall bladder problems compounded and possibly sped up the problem with the liver. So they wanted it out immediately.

Next, the body when it deals with cirrhosis tried to find more ways of connecting blood supply to better functioning parts of the liver. Therefore, the body produced a whole mess of veins around the liver and other organs nearby. The existance of these blood passages compounded what is normally an easy surgery. So it took a couple of specialists going in to navigate and do the surgery right.

In addition, Dad has always had a very low blood platelet count. So, if injury does happen, he doesn’t coagulate properly. With all those blood veins, and then if they hit one or something, or worse, several, he could have literally bled to death. So it was a bit of a precarious situation.

He sneaked into a church in Salt Lake on Sunday and had a blessing from a Bishop Huntsman. I don’t know much of the content, but apparently it was powerful.

The operation went very, very well. He was out of the ICU after only being in there a day. He was sent home a day after that. We are very pleased.  He meets with the transplant clinic on Tuesday to discuss what the future may hold and what the needs are. I will be looking forward to hearing back on that.

Many people die before they get an organ. Hopefully Dad will be fortunate. So far it seems he will probably need one in the next year or he is going to be in trouble. If one doesn’t come up, someone will have to donate them half of their liver or he will die. That is a strange position to be put in. Thinking that in a year if nothing happens, would I be willing to give up a portion of my liver? Would other siblings offer the same? Perhaps if we all gave 1/9th of our liver, he could have a whole one! Too bad it doesn’t work that way. I don’t care much for doctors and surgery. But then the fact that I would deal with them voluntarily for someone else, yikes, that is scary. To give up a portion of one of my perfectly good, operating organs for someone it may not do any good for. That is even more difficult.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it”

I suppose we will cross that bridge when we get there. But hey, why not, I have plenty to spare.

by

Week in review

I feel like I am typing up a weekly news report, or something of that nature.  Well, perhaps, I am in some way.
Harry:  This week found Richmond, Virginia in mild to wonderful temperatures.  The temperatures took a dip towards the end of the week finding the 40’s during the day and just below freezing at night.  That is quite a change from earlier this week and last week when we were in the 70’s.
Joan:  What does it look like this week?
Harry:  Well, the temperatures should climb back up to the 60’s and remain fairly comfortable for the week.  It just seems Jack Frost is not interested in Richmond this year.
Joan:  Hopefully it stays that way.  Thanks Harry.
Peter:  In other news, Paul Ross found out this week that his employer is creating a position for him.  The management team on the site met and have discussed the issue.  On Monday Paul will have to report his skills and other interesting qualities which may be of value to the team.  We met with Paul today to discuss the issue.  “I am really excited about this opportunity.  This means I will have an opportunity to continue working for the company I have come to enjoy so much.  On the plus side, it looks like I will have a more stable work history for application to law school.”
Joan:  We have a heartwarming story this evening.  It is the story of a friend being concerned for another.  Yes, a school friend of Amanda offered her and her husband a Christmas tree as a gift for the holidays.  Mrs. Ross had decided they would do without a Christmas tree due to expense and the anguish of carrying a tree around for years to come.  She had taken to decorating the garland in her home as a warming substitute.  Her friend, feeling the hole in the family, and after condemning her to hell, offered a gift of friendship.  Amanda’s excitement was notable.  “How exciting!  Yippeee!  Let’s put it up now…”  Her husband’s excitement was of a different tone, “Boy, don’t I look like a penny pincher?  We have friends giving us Christmas trees because I did not budget one in.”  The Christmas tree was decorated within minutes.  The lights came with the tree and for less than $10 dollars, the tree was completely decked for Christmas.
Peter:  Here are two stories with some gloom to them.  Earlier this week, Mr. P. N. J. Ross found a piece of a filling in his mouth.  This is the second time in a month a filling has fell out.  He was beside himself.  “I am getting so old, look, I am falling apart!”  Mr. P. N. J. Ross will be meeting with a local specialist on Monday this upcoming week to assess the situation with an expert and hopefully correct the situation.
Joan:  Also on 12.11.06 it appears that Mr. M. P. R. will be visiting the Dr. in S. L. C. to have a problem with his g-bladder taken care of.  Or more appropriately, have it taken out.  There was some concern on the part of experts due to some problems with an enlarged pancreas, but things are looking better.  In asking Mr. Milo about the situation, “It is my own fault.  The Dr. started poking me and I threw up my hands and yelled, ‘you want a part of me’ and it looks like he really did.  Guess I will give in.”  There has been a day of prayer called in behalf of Mr. Ross for the removal of his gallbladder.
Harry:  This week in sports shows the P-dawg in a match up with a 60 year old orthodontic teacher, Dr. Abbott.  Out of the 9 games played, P-dawg only came out on top once.  This season is not looking good for the former Utah State Squash champion.  Since recovering from his knee surgery in 2005 he has not been as active in the squash court.  Which was made more obvious in this weeks matches.  Asked about his humiliating loss to a man who could be his grandfather, “I am doing better.  The first week after playing, I could not even walk up six flights of stairs for a whole week my legs were so sore.  This week it was only for two days.”  Having won one game, hopefully we can see P-dawg come back out on top for a whole set.
Peter:  Well, that is the news for this week.  Tune back in next time to hear of the happenings here in Rossville.
by

The offering of sacrifices

Being thankful seems to be a crux of most of the gospel.  One of the scriptures I gave you said that they who are thankful will be made glorious.  I certainly believe that is true.  As ole Terry McCombs likes to repeat, “to be thankful, you have to remember; remember, remember, remember!”

I like your train of thought on how to be thankful.  But I think you might be missing a very important part of sacrifices and burnt offerings.  Brad, I am a bit shocked you did not remember this.  After all, we had a string of e-mails last year discussing sacrifice.

“And he gave unto them 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” (Moses 5:5-6).

Notice what comes before the offerings to the Lord, it is worshiping the Lord.  Your sacrifices are of no value without the prayers.  Just like fasting with out prayer is just starving you.  Tithing without the prayer is just putting your money in the coffer.  Offerings without prayer is just burning a piece of perfectly good meat!

Think of the temple.  When Adam is offering sacrifice before the Lord, if you notice there is something missing on the altar.  I think that is very telling.  It is certainly more than just trying to save those who could not stomach a piece of burning meat or produce from the garden.

“Wherefore, 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 5:8).

“And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord?  Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.  For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.  Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king” (1 Sam 15:22-23).

So thankfulness is manifest in sacrifice, but don’t forget the most important part of sacrifice.  The law of obedience comes first, then the law of sacrifice.  Obedience is that you are to do all things in the name of the Lord.

“But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faith; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate they performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul” (2 Ne 32:9).

This thing seemed so obvious to Nephi that he grieved that the people were missing it.

“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name.  But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Heb 13:15-16).

“And it came to pass that we did come down unto the tent of our father.  And after I and my brethren and all the house of Ishmael had come down unto the tent of my father, they did give thanks unto the Lord their God; and they did offer sacrifice and burnt offerings unto him” (1 Ne 7:22).

“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord; but the prayer of the upright is his delight” (Prov 15:8).

Why do we offer prayers?  It is so that our heart might be contrite.  That is our sacrifice after the obedience.  First our heart, then comes the rest.  Our will, our ego, our all, then comes the physical.

“And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit.  And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not” (3 Ne 9:20).

“Thou shalt offer a sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in righteousness, even that of a broken heart and a contrite spirit” (D&C 59:8).

So, there is some more backing on what goes into sacrifices.  Before the sacrifices of meat, or any other type whatsoever (fasting or tithing) it should be preceded by prayer.  All things should be done by prayer.

These sacrifices enable us to come unto the Father, the activate more fully the atonement in our lives, to allow the Spirit a stronger influence, and the whole host of blessings that follow.

As with your examples of David Whitmer, Oliver Cowdery, and Thomas B Marsh.  It is not enough to know, but to continually be seeking the Spirit.  One cannot rest on your laurels, or you will be left behind.  Then you will fight to regain your place and it will have been lost.  Whether eternally, or callings within the present.  Do not delay.  Be ever diligent in keeping the commandments every day.  The Spirit helps us see, understand, know as we are known, and not allow those blasted beams in our eyes to block our vision.

I would like to visit Thomas’ grave in Ogden.  We will have to make a trek.  I have some more of my own family to find.

Lastly, to comment on your thoughts in relation to Alma 4:19.  In bearing down in pure testimony, the only way is by the word of God.  First, to have the Spirit (prayer facilitates this greatly) and the advice of Alma, “And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just – yea, it had a more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them – wherefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God” (Alma 31:5).  Have the Spirit (which gives you the power of the word) and then use the written word.  It has a more powerful effect than anything else.

That is what President Wightman taught us very diligently.  That is what I try to do.  That is what you try to do.  Let us help others understand it.  We don’t want to be another slap on the back, feel happy church.  We believe in keeping the doctrine pure, and sometimes charity and love hurts, but is always for our best.