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Getting to know you….

Welcome to the Sept. 2006 edition of getting to know your friends. Copy this and paste it onto a new email & change all the answers so they apply to
you.  Then send this to a whole bunch of people including the person who sent it to you.1. What time did you get up this morning? 7:50 AM
2. Diamonds or pearls? A saphire catches my eye the most
3. What was the last movie that you saw at the theatre? Saw the Joseph Smith movie in Liberty, Missouri on the 1st of July.
4. What is your favorite TV show? Home Improvement
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Banana
6. What is your middle name? Norwood Jonas (yes, two names)
7. What is your favorite color? White
8. What food do you dislike? Who dislikes food? Without it I would die!
9. What is your favorite CD? Right now, Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto!
10. What car do you drive? 1998 Toyota Camry
11. What is your favorite Sandwich ? Club
12. What characteristic do you despise? Ignorance
13. Favorite item(s) of clothing? The ones I wear
14 If you could vacation anywhere in the world, where would it be? Heaven
15. What color is your bathroom? Cream
16. Favorite brand of clothing? Don’t have one
17. Where would you retire to? Malad, Idaho
18. What was your most memorable birthday? 2003
19. Favorite sport to watch? Soccer
20. Furthest place you are sending this? The Moon
21. Whom do you least expect to send this back? ?
22. Person you expect to send it back first? ?
23. Favorite saying? A lack of preparation on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine.
24. Are you a morning person or a night person? daytime
25. What is your shoe size? 10.5
26. Pets? Nope
27. What did you want to be when you were little? Farmer
28. How are you today? Restless
29. What is your favorite candy? Oreos
30. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? Saturday
31. What is your favorite food? Yes
32. Favorite Past-time? Traveling
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Sordid thoughts on the lowly things

Here we are beginning another week.  I admit, I am torn in so many ways.  What to do?  Where to go?  These are questions that I suppose creep up in our lives when we are just not quite as sure of things as we would like.
My job has become just that.  I am not motivated by money and they keep trying to entice me with it.  Well, in the end, I find myself doing the same routine, with not much improvement.  Well, I lie.  Every week so far has been an improvement in my earnings.  This past week I made more than six hundred in a week, before taxes and all.  So I guess that is a good thing.  But that is not how I measure my effectiveness.  Never has been, never will be.  Why would I use Babylon’s measuring rod?  How many lives am I influencing?  Is my family the better for it?  Am I happy?  And then the answer comes in at a stark no.
I get to go around and meet a wide variety of people.  That is most definitely true.  However, while I do feel we have a valuable tool, and a good product for those who need supplemental insurance, I am finding many people who have this as their only insurance.  They are content to believe that this is going to cover their needs and that is not the truth.  I think most understand this is not major medical, but for the fact that these people are poor and paying for this bothers me.  Now for the craftsmen and heavy laborers who carry this, I most certainly think it is the best thing for them.  So I am touching these people’s lives, and getting to meet them.  But I am not convinced I am leaving them better off in the end.
It most certainly is a worthwhile time to visit and see all these places.  I have always been fascinated by geography and love to travel.  This job has catered to that desire.  I have been to the birthplace of Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe.  I have been to the place where John Wilkes Booth was hiding, found, shot, and killed.  The historic Northern Neck of Virginia, while slightly penetrated, has been interesting.  But all this traveling takes time and money.  By which I travel and find the homes of these people, which are literally everywhere, so the byproduct is I learn the territory.  However, I am finding that running a household, a wife in school, and other costs take one’s funds.  In the end, I can afford the $100-$130 I am spending on fuel.  But I am worried that by breaking even, I am not saving to replace or add to the vehicle that is being required to drive the minimum of 1,000 miles a week.  With 183,000 miles plus on the car, I should be saving or paying for another vehicle rather than running into the ground the only means of income and transportation, for two, I currently have.  That just seems dumb to me.  In the end, it is not making enough money to pay for a car payment a month, nor to save up for a new car at a later point.
What about the next point?  What about my family?  Well, the last week, I certainly made the most of what I have made yet with the company.  But having said that, I am leaving at 9 in the morning, and returning at 9 or 10 at night.  If I was single, that would not be so much the issue.  I have a wife that is at home.  She can surely spend the time studying or whatever else without my interference.  When I finally get home though, I am exhausted.  I need to eat and go to bed.  She is kind enough to provide the food.  By the time we read our scriptures, pray, get ready for bed, and make it in, I am beyond my bedtime.  We have spent little or no social time, and other events are just a pain.  That is fine for a little while, but it really starts to add up in the long run, and I am not willing to make that type of a sacrifice.  The job is on the altar before the wife.
Lastly, am I happy.  Well, I surely enjoy the traveling and people.  It does grow wearisome at times though.  I love meeting people, I love seeing these new places.  However, the chances of my meeting these people again are slim.  It was not like spraying lawns at all!  Many of them gripe and moan they have to pay this again, and the rest are just a pain to track down.  It wears on me.  What wears the most is that I don’t have time to do things I wish to do.  I take the LSAT this weekend and I have no time to really practice for it.  That bothers me.  What is worse that when I do get time to myself, I use it for other things than studying.  I have other things I place more importance on and since I never get to do them, then the lesser things don’t come up.  So now what?  I am not going to postpone it again.  I should have just taken it in June.
So, after seeing this whole thing now play out, I am not impressed with the fruits.  I planted the seeds, I have lingered, waited, and prayed long enough.  The fruits appear to be bitter and if I allow the tree to continue to grow, it will only grow more wearisome and bitter.
I don’t even think it is so much Combined that I am having the issues with.  I wonder how much more effective I could be if I were to be trained in how to sell.  Would that little extra bit every day make it more worth it?  Would I be able to stop earlier from working knowing I had met the monetary needs?  Who knows.  Probably.  If I could spend less time working to make the same amount, that would be good.  If I could lay some aside for other purposes, that would be helpful.  All I know, something has to change, now.
Having said all that, I wonder about the other side.  Could there be something more I am missing?
What about those who say stick with it?  Grin and bear it?  It will all work out in the end.  I have thought quite a bit about Joseph of old.  He was in prison and a very unlikeable position.  But he bore through it with faith and came out on top.  My leaders at work keep wanting to put me into executive training.  In fact, if I would have agreed, I would be in Virginia Beach all week for it.  (But what of the LSAT then?  Being gone all week seems to only compound the problems.  Best part, they don’t even pay for your being gone so I would sacrifice a week for no pay!)  So, do I endure, make my way to management, and then what?  Well, I will be expected to train.  How in the world can I train on something I have yet to learn to do?  Nobody seems to be willing to train me and I obviously have not worked it out yet.  As Marc says, I am making what money I am by pure hard diligence and work.  That is noble and all, but he makes the same I do with only half the hours.  Yet getting him to train me is like pulling teeth.  Endure….where is the line where you simply throw your hands in the air and say I am moving on?
Much on the mind lately is the thought that perhaps I am meant to be here for some reason or another.  Marc has accepted an invitation to attend General Priesthood with me on Saturday Night.  That is great news.  I would like to endure enough to see him read the Book of Mormon and join the church.  However, should I gain one soul for the kingdom and give up everything for that one?  Honestly, I don’t see anything breaking down in my relationship with Amanda, but do I want to take that chance?  It is hard to be a nice person when I am not completely satisfied with my job.  Amanda takes some of the brunt of that.  There are two reasons why I have stuck with the job so far.  Simply because I need some income to provide for those things that are essentials (granted this house is more than we need, but it is still inexpensive compared to renting an apartment).  Secondly, in the hope that Marc will feel of the Spirit and be converted.  With my being away from the company the chances of his keeping his commitments and being converted are greatly reduced.  He has no one else to challenge and teach.  I told the missionaries about him coming on Saturday.  I sure hope we can get his address and a commitment to take the missionary discussions.  That will sure take a load off of me!
Yes, I believe it is time for a change.  But where to?  What shall I do?  Where shall I go?
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Which are we, doers or hearers only??

A Fish Story
Author Unknown
Now it came to pass that a group existed who called themselves fishermen.  And, lo, there were many fish in the waters all around. In fact, the whole area was surrounded by streams and lakes filled with fish, and the fish were hungry. Week after week, month after month, and year after year, those who called themselves fishermen met in meetings and talked about their call to go fishing.
Continually they searched for new and better methods of fishing and for new and better definitions of fishing. They sponsored costly nationwide and worldwide congresses to discuss fishing and hear about all the ways of fishing, such as the new fishing equipment, fish calls and whether any new bait was discovered.
These fishermen built large and beautiful buildings called Fishing Headquarters. The plea was that everyone should be a fisherman and every fisherman should fish. One thing they didn’t do; however, they didn’t fish.
All the fishermen seemed to agree that what is needed is a board which could challenge fishermen to be faithful in fishing.  The board was formed by those who had the great vision and courage to speak about fishing, to define fishing, and to promote the idea of fishing in far-away streams and lakes where many other fish of different colors lived.  Large, elaborate and expensive training centers were built whose purpose was to teach fishermen how to fish. Those who taught had doctorates in fishology. But the teachers did not fish. They only taught fishing.  Some spent much study and travel to learn the history of fishing and to see far away places where the founding fathers did great fishing in centuries past. They lauded the faithful fishermen of years before who handed down the idea of fishing.
Many who felt the call to be fishermen responded. They were commissioned and sent to fish. And they went off to foreign lands … to teach fishing.
Now it’s true that many of the fishermen sacrificed and put up with all kinds of difficulties. Some lived near the water and bore the smell of dead fish every day. They received the ridicule of some who made fun of their fishermen clubs.  They anguished over those who were not committed enough to attend the weekly meetings to talk about fishing. After all, were they not following the Master who said, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men?” Imagine how hurt some were when one day a person suggested that those who don’t catch fish were really not fishermen, no matter how much they claimed to be.  Yet it did sound correct. Is a person a fisherman if year after year he never catches a fish? Is one following if he isn’t fishing?
If Christ were to return to this Earth today in physical form, would He find us fishing, in obedience to Him, or would he find us organizing, talking
about fishing, and making plans to be the best Fishing Headquarters anywhere?
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Homosexuality??

The conversation was very interesting. I really enjoyed it, but I did have the same question that you did. I have thought about it a little and I can
only offer a few thoughts. I have not really done anything to substantiate this, but these are my thoughts.

It is one thing for the temptations to be present, for the thoughts to enter your mind. You most surely are not accountable for them. I admit, I have temptations that come, sometimes I don’t even realize a thought process, I think it is more of an impulse, and then I realize the emotion, and have to try and talk myself out of it. Obviously, those types of thoughts in relation to it are okay. I have this weakness for ice cream. I will admit, sometimes I have the ice cream out of the freezer and am already scooping it before I think, “No, I am not going to do this.” Sometimes I am more successful than others. I really struggle with the impulses that come sometimes. They come and it is almost like I am already far down the road and it is harder to resist. I can imagine that is what it is like with quitting smoking or something. Something happens and there is almost a reflex. Converting must be an odd thing, for these old habits and impulses must come. They were not curtailed at an early age and therefore the road is paved, where when we grow up with the gospel, some roads are never traveled, in thoughts or action. I admit, there are temptations that
sometimes I think in my mind, “hmmm, what is going on, I am not going to do that, nope, nosir, stop, agh” and I am somewhere I should not be. I have to be very careful not to put myself in certain situations, I find I am weak from exposure during childhood to various things. There is a rational process, and I don’t see that as wrong. I often don’t think of the eternal scenario, but other than God doesn’t want me to do that…. Yet somehow, at times, my pride blatantly wins. I admit, I am on a kick right now that I absolutely refuse to run. I just want to, but is really my only means of cardiovascular exercise. I certainly think about doing it, and what happens to me if I don’t.

Having said all that, I think it is the desire, the thoughts that lead to desire, that will get us into trouble. There was a time, during the teenage years, where I was curious about various things. I thought about them and desired them. Those are the thoughts that make me feel bad today. Those are the thoughts that entered the heart. Oddly, those desires are now the impulses that my mind has to fight now. Once the desires were cultivated, and the seed grew and sprouted, I have spent the rest of my life since trying to uproot it, and never seem to be able to get all of it. It
definitely goes dormant, it seems to be gone, but then it reappears. It is like the blasted cancer, somehow, sadly, it always seems to creep in,
reappear, and devour somewhere else.

It seems I passed by many of the weaknesses of others without batting an eye. Yet, somehow they catch others in vicious snares. Certain things seem to catch our eye, or minds eye, and we ponder and consider those things. Many things I was fortunate to just dismiss, but those I did not, and pursued due to desire, are those things I still fight.

With any weakness, judging only from my personal experience, it was not so much the thoughts that did the damage, but the accepting of certain
thoughts, and then letting them take root, that has done the most harm.

Surely, I do not believe in leading a sheltered life. But rather, having the Spirit in such a way that I am inclined to find unwholesome things as
wanting, and therefore move on.

Funny, I have a scripture story in mind:
Mosiah 7
We are in bondage…are taxed with a tax which is grievous to be born…
Might gather themselves together to the temple, to hear the words which he should speak unto them…
O ye, my people, lift up your heads and be comforted; for behold the time is at hand or is not far distant, when we shall no longer be in subjection to our enemies, notwithstanding our many strugglings, which have been in vain; yet I trust there remaineth an effectual struggle to be made. Therefore, lift up your heads and rejoice, and put your trust in God, in that God who was the God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob…
And behold, it is because of our iniquities and abominations that he has brought us into bondage…

So they are in bondage, and there is an effectual struggle to be made, always to keep them from bondage. Even under the possibilities or being
slaves to the Nephites, or paying tribute to the Lamanites, it looks terrible. How did they get there?

Mosiah 8
I being over-zealous to inherit the land of our fathers…we were smitten with famine and sore afflictions; for we were slow to remember the Lord our God…

They ended up in that position because they had not followed the Spirit enough, and a desire swept them away.

Who knows, I don’t believe the gay gene exists. If it does, then the blessed day of genetic altering and gene therapy are at hand, we will soon
eradicate it. So that is not the problem. But I fear it is something more deep, something more frightening, a lessening of the Spirit of God abroad in the land, a lesser degree of inspiration in avoiding bad thoughts, the inspiration to avoid incorrect decisions, and a prolonged dwelling,
desiring, even lusting for those things we ought not. The loss of control, the lack of morals, and a more carnal, sensual (!!), and devilish world is
upon us.

A most frightening world

D&C 1:33
And he that repents not, from him shall be taken even the light which he has received; for my Spirit shall not always strive with man, saith the Lord of Hosts.
2 Ne 26:11
For the Spirit of the Lord will not always strive with man. And when the Spirit ceaseth to strive with man then cometh speedy destruction, and this grieveth my soul.
D&C 46:7
Do all things with prayer and thanksgiving, that ye may not be seduced by evil spirits…
D&C 50:1-2
Many false spirits have gone forth in the earth…

As for a child who has already gone down that path? Well, by the time a person realized they are gay, there has been a long process of reasoning,
thinking, to come to that stage. Now I know people who are gay, but not participating. They rationalize that one simply because they have no desire to women, but none to men either. That is just a great deception to me. But those who come out and proclaim they are gay, seem to do it more for the recognition and more for the acceptance than anything. Who knows. I honestly do not know enough about these things. But it is a weakness, it is something that comes up later in life, not from childhood, and is a road that appears very, very difficult to return from. To me it seems easier to raise a child right, than to help someone already on a bad path. Most of it is the struggle of the silent chambers of their own soul. Once they are older, it seems to be between them and the Lord. Now, obviously a Bishop or Judge would play a role, but I have not seen that role played, and am not familiar with it. Any thing I needed to repent that I needed to tell a Bishop, I had ceased doing when I entered activity in the church. I confessed, but did not have the struggle that requires a Bishop. I do, and everyone has their struggles though.

Well, it has been interesting to pursue some of the thoughts. It was more rambling. If you made it this far, I am certainly impressed. I seem to say
that if a child is thoroughly acquainted and walking in the ways of the Spirit, these things will not be an issue. Perhaps that is simple minded, or hopeful, or not realistic, but nevertheless, that seems the hope of Zion.

The sexual powers are the most powerful appetite it seems to me. When it goes, or is allowed, or taken down the wrong path, it is terribly difficult
to set things right. Like trying to resurrect a fully submerged, upside down vessel. It is better to avoid the capsize, then to correct the problem
later. For those who struggle with, and overcome these things, I must take my hat off to them. I don’t have the will power to cut out the mild swear words I like to use in utter frustration (by myself, never around others) yet alone imagine a Goliath like sexual deviance. I sense a frustration and disappointment if I ever were to fall to such devices. But, nothing is too great for the Lord. Every Goliath can fall, just how to find the faith….

 

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Mt. Vernon

Probably time for another little update. We have just returned from another weekend up in the bustling city of Washington. We went up last night, stayed with Dennis and Gwen Thompson, and had ourselves a great time. We attended the Washington Temple this morning. Amanda, Dennis, and Gwen all did a session while I did initiatory. It was a great, much needed, release from the week. I actually quite enjoyed myself.We had lunch with the whole Thompson Clan to celebrate Grandparent’s Day, and then they went off to a soccer game for Faith and Destiny. Amanda and I met up with Greg McNeill and headed to Mount Vernon. This was Amanda’s first visit, my third. We drove over separately and spent the time walking through the grounds. Amanda was already exhausted from the day, and seemed to be dragging the whole time. She says she enjoyed Mt. Vernon. I really liked sitting with Martha Washington and listening to her talk about Thomas Jefferson. She did not have much to say that she liked about him.

Greg and I had a great chat about a whole host of things. We discussed politics, Mormons, campaigns, Supreme Court rulings, and who knows what else. Poor Amanda was even more exhausted after hanging out with us. It was great to catch up with him though. He is a good man. He announced and gave us his wedding date for May 26th next year. I have put it on my calendar, we are planning to go, it is at Fort Belvoir at the officer’s club. That should be exciting.

The week went well. I worked my tail off some more and became pretty frustrated with things. I am supposed to have two full weeks of training, all day long. That is 10 days. So far, I have had a whopping 3 days I think, and then they tell me that they want me to do more sales or something. I honestly don’t have a clue about what I am doing with some stuff. For example, I collected premium from a lady this week for a policy that has been paid for up for 20 years. She was old and senile enough not to notice, and I had no clue. What the company will do with that is beyond me. The best part, it was life insurance premium I collected, and is technically illegal for me to do so. That is how green I am in many ways.

I did write three policies this week, but I need to learn how to do more. I want to, but I seem to be so very alone. Oh well, I will endure.

They made me go on a conference call this week. That will be the last time I do that. I spent a good 30 minutes listening to the sub-regional manager talk about all these little goals and that they have for us. They are not paying for my lost 30 minutes of cell phone time. Next, Mr Stone himself said that a goal that is not ours, does not have the power to motivate. Well, I will be making my own goals. I don’t care if I go to Nashville. I don’t care if I get some luxury spa set. Honestly, I don’t care if I have a big bonus at the end of the year. I want to feel my job is worthwhile, and that I am succeeding at it. That is hard to do sometimes when you have not a clue what is going on, and then some people start riding you for their goals. Well, I know where they can go. Back to that little throne that they think they are on, and live their little dream. I will do the work in my realm, and do what is necessary, with what capacity I have. I don’t know how they expect me to write 15 policies in a week when the three I had this week were in my estimation pure luck.

On top of all that Marc, tells me he wants me to be a Sales Manager. I cannot even get the training to sell, why in the world would I want to be a Sales Manager and oversee other’s selling. How can I train on something I have not yet figured out. Seeing as I won’t get the training just yet. Having said all that, I cannot expect them to do so, nor will I pass the buck. I will do my part, I will do what I can, and improve at my own pace. How they expect more, on my own, I have yet to figure out. If somebody can help me, I would appreciate the advice on how I can do more than I know how. Trial error is not the best way, but if that is all they leave me with, fine. I will work that method. I do have a great set of resources from Mr. Stone himself, but the LSAT takes precedence right now. Not that I am doing great in that either, but at least I have priority.

Well, time to prepare for the Sabbath. Lessons to review, read, and ideas to be familiar with. I hope this coming week will provide greater opportunities and I will keep my sight higher. I cannot let myself get weighed down by my inadequacies. ( I think I spelled that wrong, but I just don’t want to check….)

 

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Hurricanes and week

It has been another long week of slaving away at work. I actually quite enjoy it. It will surely be a relief when we recover from taking a month
off and working. We dipped into our savings and spent nearly all of in in this endeavor. The move itself took half of it, and then I had the time in
training and licensing for work. This week I made over $500. Which I think is doing pretty darn well seeing I only worked 4 days. Today was a complete loss for work. There was no way I could reasonably drive all day, and be in and out of the car to homes. I was a soaked puppy after just going into the office. I figured out we probably got more rain from Ernesto than the Paul, Idaho gets in an entire year. Anyhow, if I can work consistently like this the rest of the year, we should have our savings back in place and saving more for future rainy days (literally!).

We are fortunate enough to live in a neighbornhood where we don’t have to worry about flooding. However, there are others in the area who definitely were not so lucky. There were a bunch of homes evacuated in northern Richmond. All day the rained has seemed to just pour. There is this constant roaring in the distance which is unfamiliar to me. I assume it is the wind of what is taking place elsewhere. It is a strange noise. The
wind has been gusty, but nothing too much where we are. Driving earlier it was a fit at times with the wind and rain. It was hard to even drive 30 at a couple of points.

I have been forwarded an article several times about President Bush meeting with President Hinckley for some breakfast. There is a picture of President Bush with the First Presidency. I really found the picture captivating. I wonder what they were talking about. I wonder why he was visiting with them. I could hope that it had to do with a President seeking counsel from a Prophet, but I seem to not think that was what was taking place. Sure would give great hope to this nation if such were the case.

Another thing I wanted to toss in.  I have been conversing with a co-worker about the church.  I have really enjoyed it.  What a great missionary opportunity and more, it refreshes my mind on being a missionary.  From his questions, I basically gave him the old first discussion this morning.  I gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon and the Bible.  It was great.  When he asked me about what the prophet had to say, I told him about General Conference.  He said he wants to watch it with us, but made it clear we would have loads of questions from him.  I told him that was completely fine and I welcomed it.  Now, we need to find out how we are going to get General Conference in the house and watch it.  He has some pretty big issues about revelation.  He says he cannot believe everything is coincidence and there must be a God.  But is confused as whither is truth.  I keep telling him about revelation and how the Lord will answer.  He keeps asking me that if he prays if Moroni will come to visit him.  He seems to want a big answer.  I keep warning him that isn’t what he wants as that usually entails a pretty big responsibility.  He also wants to know why President Hinckley can get revelation for him and I cannot.  I suppose our next conversation will be about the order of heaven and priesthood.  He keeps asking me why the Lord has so many conflicting reports.  Budda, Muslim, and others.  He queries me about Mohammad and if he was really a prophet.  I never have had that question before.  I remembered the First Presidency Statement from like the 70’s about all religions having good and whole principles.  I told him it was possible Mohammad was a prophet, but so far the Lord had not seen fit to tie him into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He asked me if he would.  I said it was likely we would some day know the exact accuracy of Mohammad being a prophet, but for now, the Lord had not spoken on that matter.  That was the best I could come up with.  But in the entailing conversating, it was easy to show that none of these religions out there, excepting the Pope, had any claim to revelation or a prophet.  He is struggling to get his head around what official doctrines are of a religion and how they are different from what the people might believe.  I took him on a walk through Calvin, Wesley, Luther, and other important people in preparing for the work.  He found that most fascinating.  It was rather enlightening to myself as well!  He was impressed by Wesley and his methodical approach and temperance in preparing for the Lord’s church to return.  It did drive the point home how much of Wesley did is no longer practiced, like the no drinking of alcohol.  Marc’s questions take us all over the religious spectrum.  We discussed the 3 kingdoms of glory the other day.  He really struggled with that, and then almost panicked that only in the celestial kingdom would we get our family.  Today though, he announced that was completely logical but wanted to know how in the world heaven and hell, which was two worlds, was confused with three.  We walked through the delineation between heaven and hell, prison and paradise.  We did not get to complete it as we ran out of time.  He did ask about those who didn’t hear the gospel and if they would go to hell.  Guess we will move onto temple work and redeeming the dead next.  He keeps emphasizing how expansive this all is, and how impressive that we have answers to all these questions.  He is amazed at the time it must take to learn all these things.  I tell him it is an ongoing thing our religion requires of us.  To learn and encompass all truth.  We shall see what he asks next.  I went through and highlighted probably 100 different passages in the Book of Mormon and Bible.  He said he would glance through it.  I am sure he will have more questions.  It has really been loads of fun and quite the adventure.  I surely hope it will take his soul elsewhere.  If he were to join the church and go to the temple, I would feel it was more successful than the entire mission.  After all, I know of no souls who I helped teach who are active, other than children.  All converts I can keep track of are not active, which very much pains me.  I surely hope one day they will return.  This experience is giving me hope that I might declare with Alma, “and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.”

Lastly, a couple of scriptures on the immigration subject that I threw together last night for a friend. Hope it might be of some value to someone.

Exo 22:21
Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him, for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Lev 19:33-34
And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him. But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

Exo 23:9
Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Lev 24:22
Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the Lord your God.

Deut 10:19
Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Deut 24:14
Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy
gates.

Gen 17:8
And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and there I will be their God.

Josh 8:35
There was not a work of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.

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27 Aug Talk

Since there are those who wish to know about the talk on Sunday, here you go. This is the outline of quotes I had on Saturday night. I completely reordered and changed emphasis of the talk after Sunday morning prayers. I used the scripture, Jacob 4:6-8, for the scripture and about continuing revelation. The power that comes to us through the word. That power is to be used in the mission of the church, including the three part break down of that mission, and then moved into the role that priesthood has in it. So hand in hand, I only gave 1/3 of what is here in the outline, and it was by no means all at the beginning. Due to time constraints, at about the 20 minute mark I was only getting into the priesthood part, and had to end. So, I really only spoke about faith, power, and the mission of the church, with a few hints at the role of the priesthood, but by no means whatsoever doing it justice. In fact, I don’t feel I even tied in the priesthood because of my trying to insert it and end. Throughout the talk I emphasized parts of Jacob 4:6-8 (which was quite powerful because I had it memorized) and finished with it as well.Perfecting the Saints/Priesthood

D&C 19:31-32 “And of tenets thou shalt not talk, but hou shalt declare repentance and faith on the Savior, and remission of sins by baptism, and by fire, yea, even the Holy Ghost. Behold, this is a great and the last commandment which I shall give unto you concerning this matter, for this shall suffice for thy daily walk, even unto the end of thy life.”

D&C 6:9 “Say nothing but repentance unto this generation; keep my commandments, and assist to bring forth my work, according to my commandments, and you shall be blessed.”

D&C 15:6 “And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen.”

D&C 19:4 “And surely every man (or woman) must repent or suffer, for I, God, am endless.”

D&C 29:49 “And, again, I say unto you, that whoso having knowledge, have I not commanded to repent?”

President Ezra Taft Benson, “The grand mission of the church is accomplished by proclaiming the gospel, perfecting the Saints, and redeeming the dead”

Often wondered, can one be done with the exclusion of another? These are all parts of the mission to bring souls to Christ. We cannot achieve the whole, without doing all the parts.

James 2:10 “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”

D&C 50:28 “But no man is possessor of all things except he be purified and cleansed from all sin. And if ye are purified and cleansed from all sin, ye shall ask whatsoever you will in the name of Jesus and it shall be done.”

President Brigham Young: Some of you may ask, is there a single ordinance to be dispensed with? Is there one of the commandments that God has enjoined upon the people, that he will excuse them from obeying? Not one, no matter how trifling or small in our own estimation. No matter if we esteem them non-essential, or least or last of all the commandments of the house of God, we under obligation to observe them.

All parts of the mission of the church are constantly before us.

President Brigham Young: I never passed John Wesley’s church in London without stopping to look at it. Was he a good man? Yes, I suppose him to have been, by all accounts, as good as ever walked on this earth, according to this knowledge. Has he obtained a rest? Yes, and greater than ever entered his mind to expect, and so have thousands of others of the various religious denominations. Why could he not build up the kingdom of God on the earth? He had not the Priesthood; that was all the difficulty he labored under. Had the Priesthood been conferred upon him, he would have built up the kingdom of God in his day as it is now being built up. He would have introduced the ordinances, powers, grades, and quorums of the Priesthood. But, not holding the Priesthood, he could not do it (JD 7:5)

What is the Priesthood? Power of God given to man? What does that mean?

D&C 84:33, 35-39 “For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies. And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord; For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me; And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him. And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.”

When we receive this priesthood, we also receive the father’s kingdom, which means we receive his work. If we do not his work, we receive not his kingdom. The work of God is to bring the power of the atonement into the lives of his children.

President Joseph Smith: God imself, finding he was in the midst of spirits and glory, because he was more intelligent saw proper to institute laws whereby the rest could have a privilege to advance like himself.

President Gordon B. Hinckley: The cause in which we are engaged is not an ordinary cause. It is the cause of Christ. It is the kingdom of God our Eternal Father. It is the building of Zion on the earth. If we are to build that Zion of which the prophets have spoken and of which the Lord has given mighty promise, we must set aside our consuming selfishness. We must rise above our love for comfort and ease, and in the very process of effort and struggle, even in our extremity, we shall become better acquainted with our God.

We need to be humble!

President Ezra Taft Benson: God will have a humble people. Either we can choose to be humble or we can be compelled to be humble.

We need to put first things first!

President Brigham Young: Stop! Wait! When you get up in the morning, before you suffer yourselves to eat one mouthful of food…bow down before the Lord, ask him to forgive your sins, and protect you through the day, to preserve you from temptation and all evil, to guide your steps aright, that you may do something that day that shall be beneficial to the kingdom of God on the earth. Have you time to do this?…this is the counsel I have for the Latter-day Saints today. Stop! Do not be in a hurry…you are in too much of a hurry, you do not go to meeting enough, you do not read the scriptures enough, you do not meditate enough, you are all the time on the wing, and in such a hurry that you do not know what to do first…Let me reduce this to a simple saying, one of the most simple and homely that can be used ‘keep your dish right side up’ so that when the shower of porridge does come you can catch your dish full.”

We need to learn our duty!

President Joseph F. Smith: We expect to see the day, if we live long enough,…when every council of the Priesthood in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will understand its duty, will assume its own responsibility,…to the uttermost, according to the intelligence and ability possessed by it. When that day shall come there will not be so much necessity for work that is now being done by the auxiliary organizations, because it will be done by the regular quorums of the Priesthood. The Lord designed and comprehended it from the beginning, and He has made every provision in the Church whereby every need may be met and satisfied through the regular organizations of the Priesthood (CR, Apr 1906, 3).

We need to have the Spirit!

(Feb 1847) President Joseph Smith to President Brigham Young: Tell the people to be humble and faithful, and be sure to keep the Spirit of the Lord, and it will lead them right. Be careful and not turn away the small still voice; it will teach you how to do and where to go; it will yield the fruits of the kingdom. Tell the brethren to keep their hearts open to conviction, so that when the Holy Ghost comes to them, their hearts will be ready to receive it. They can tell the Spirit of the Lord from all other Spirits; it will whisper peace and joy to their souls; it will take malice, hatred, strife, and all evil from their hearts; and their whole desire will be to do good, bring forth righteousness, and build up the kingdom of God. Tell the brethren if they will follow the Spirit of the Lord they will go right. Be sure to tell the people to keep the Spirit of the Lord; and if they will, they will find themselves just as they were organized by our Father in Heaven before they came into the world. Tell the people to be sure to keep the Spirit of the Lord and follow it, and it will lead them just right.

We need to accept our callings!

President Brigham Young: Do you suppose that after a man has refused to fulfill his calling, he can maintain the Spirit of truth and stand? He cannot? They say they believe Joseph Smith was a prophet raised up to establish the work of the last days, and bring forth the Book of Mormon, and thus they deceived.

We need to recognize our Priesthood leaders and have a testimony of them!

President Brigham Young: I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by him. I am fearful they settle down in a state of self-security, trusting their eternal destiny in the hands of their leaders with a reckless confidence that in itself would thwart the purposes of God in their salvation, and weaken that influence they could give to their leaders, did they know for themselves, by the revelations of Jesus, that they are led in the right way? Let every man and woman, know by the whispering of the Spirit of God to themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates or not (JD 9:150).

The Priesthood holds the power of eternity!

President Joseph Fielding Smith: There is no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith…no man can reject that testimony without incurring the most dreadful consequences, for he cannot enter the kingdom of God (DoS, v1, pg 180).

President Brigham Young: No man or woman in the dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith…every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith Junior as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are (JD 7:289).

President Brigham Young: Madam, I have this day examined the records of baptisms for the remission of sins in the church of Jesus Chrsit of Latter-day Saints, and not being able to find the name of Elizabeth Green recorded therein, I was saved the necessity of erasing your name therefrom. You may therefore consider your sins have not been remitted you and you may consequently enjoy the benefits therefrom.

President Harold B. Lee: Now…remember, that the most important of the Lord’s work that you will ever do will be the work you will do within the walls of your own home. Home teaching, bishopric’s work, and other Church duties are all important, but the most important work is within the walls of your home (Strengthening the Home movie text, pg 7)

President Hugh B. Brown: The very foundation of the kingdom of God, of righteousness, of progress, of development, of eternal life, and eternal increase in the kingdom of God is laid in the divinely ordained home (CR, 2 Oct 1966, pg 103-4).

Our family is formally extended through the duty of the Priesthood, not a calling, of home teaching!

President Harold B. Lee: Maybe the home teacher should be charged more clearly to describe his mission to watch over and to strengthen to see that members do their duty…They think themselves as teachers of the Gospel message only. Maybe we ought to be calling them home guardians or sentinels and to report their stewardship to the fathers of the ward. We must do something to change the emphasis from teaching to guardians, ‘watching over the church kind of concept.’ Until we get that into our minds, we are not going to do the kind of home teaching that is going to get results.

Spencer W. Kimball: Is it any wonder that the organization and work of the Church and its priesthood in this day are patterned after the keys it possesses? We are a missionary Church, participating to the fullest possible extent in the gathering of Israel. We are a Church founded upon families; a Church that takes care of its own, stressing the economic, intellectual, and spiritual development of its families and individual members in preparation for salvation in the kingdom of heaven. And we are a Church that is actively engaged in temple and genealogy work for ourselves and for the infinite numbers of our Father’s children who have the promise, but not as yet the opportunity, for the ordinances of salvation. This is a work that makes even more meaningful the great corresponding missionary work being carried out in the spirit world. (Ensign, Jan 1977, 3)

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Insurance

After two weeks in the field, I have some time to reflect.Insurance is more or less natural for me. My grandmother sold insurance for Combined for 30 years before she retired. She used to take me out for weeks at a time during the summer. I enjoyed our time together and enjoyed meeting people. Combined is very much a go out and visit the people type of insurance company. We go to the people’s homes and that has many bonus points for me. I get to see the territory and not sit in an office all day. Next, I get to know the places, history, and layout of what is around me and come to know and appreciate Virginia more. I love to meet and visit with people. This has been an eye opener in many ways to see how people live much more simply, and sometimes more dirty, than we do in the west, generally speaking. The past week or two a good majority of the homes I have gone into have been those of blacks. (I don’t wish to sound negative, I just know of no other way to describe them.) I have come to appreciate and love them since I never have really been around any. I found they are more inclined to laugh, more casual and easy going, and much more friendly than the white folk. (Saying all that, things I laugh at are not even understood here, the culture and background of these people are different too!)

The company visits every client in their home every 6 months. This is both to collect premiums for those who wish to pay it that way, and to answer any questions, help them file claims, and the like. Since we are constantly out among the people, we often sell more to their families or neighbors. That is our number one way. There are businesses who put a policy on each of their employees, so we do sell to individuals and employers. We don’t do the group thing, the policy is written on each individual. I can sell door to door if I wish, and I might take that up one day when I run low on things to do. In the last two weeks I probably have only had the possible time of about 2 hours to do so though. So, we do have to make cold calls once and a while.

Last week I made over $500, and this week over $600, so I have no complaints. That is doing basically all renewals. When I finally get comfortable with the selling, I can probably make more money. That is not my goal though. My goal is to be a professional at my job. In doing all these renewals, I still have questions that come to me that I am not able to answer. Plus some like Marc, can take the most angry customer, calm them down, and get them to keep their insurance. This I am not able to do. He was not happy with me since I lost about $300 in customers. I really did not know what to do with any of them. Two of them were due to Medicaid, which I understand that it is company policy to ask them to drop the policy. What good is it to pay for a policy which Uncle Sam gets the money from? Especially when he is already fitting the whole bill through Medicaid. I had another two who would not even let me in the door. One when I knocked again I thought would kill me when I asked for her signature for the cancellation. I have plenty to learn here. It just seems to me that if a customer is very clear that they don’t want it any more, you try to talk with them, but if there is no reasoning, you do what you need to and leave. I will see what Marc trains me on this week. Hopefully it is not feel wrong to me, for if it does, I will have to let him know so.

On the mission, I always struggled with knocking doors. Perhaps it is the old fashioned way I was raised. You speak and converse only after introductions. The current sales position ignores that. Tracting as a missionary was the same way. I understood I had to do it and it took the better part of two years to get over that. However, there is a certain dread that creeps into me now that I am back to that state. I will admit, I always wanted to knock alone on the mission, two at the door just seemed too much. Now that I have the opportunity, I have a fear. I don’t necessarily feel it is wrong, I just have this fear. I don’t know if it is rejection or the being intrusive. Who knows.I have to admit that I am impressed with the training of Combined in many ways. Primerica never helped me learn the material to get my license. Nor did they ever take me to sales training. One thing is sure though, once you get beyond that, it is scary though. I have spent 3 days with Ted Kelley in training, and I really did not learn that much. I can go and renew. The problems I have is when we have a customer that is concerned. I think it would be much more beneficial to just go and take me knocking doors for a few days. Those who are new are going to ask many more questions which will certainly apply to those who are also customers. Plus, quite honestly, I need training on sales. But Ted knocked one door with me, which is a credit to the company, that we can still make that much money and never do a sale. But on the other hand, renewals are only half my job. I know the area is a little behind right now because they have been short on workers, so there is plenty of renewing to do. What happens when we get caught up? I would prefer to get my training now while I can still make the money, than have to do a crash course because I have nothing else to do!

Sadly though, those above me seem to be more interested in their making money than in my training. I hope I don’t have to do this entirely on my own. It will be a long and painful process. I suppose if Mr. Stone can do it, then so can I. However, I thought he put the training apparatus in place so I would be able to learn it with help rather than trial and error.

All is not well in the Combined environment. If I ever get into leadership or training, one thing is certain, we will do as we did in the mission, and focus on training. Individuals before business.

Well, that is enough for now. Need to finish preparing for my talk tomorrow. Perfecting the Saints/Priesthood. So vague, so encompassing, how shall I speak with any specific purpose I don’t know. We will see what the Spirit directs.