On 5 April 2020, I had to go digging to find my Hosanna Shout Handkerchief. It was the 200th Anniversary of the First Vision of Joseph Smith Jr. and President Russell M. Nelson had indicated we would be having a Hosanna Shout the day before to honor and celebrate. At some point on that day I snapped this picture of my handkerchief.
This handkerchief was given to me in Runcorn, England by John and Rose Byrom. It had been used in the Hosanna Shout for the Preston England Temple Dedication. I do not know who it belonged to or why it was being given to some missionary from Idaho, but I gladly accepted it. I got to use it for the first time on 8 October 2000 in the Manchester England Stake Center for the dedication of the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Several days later I recall my companion, Elder Gheorghe Simion, telling me that during the night he heard me muttering the Hosanna Shout in my sleep. Later, again, we were in the car and he told me I should stop saying the Hosanna Shout under my breath. I had not realized I was doing it. But I do catch myself once and a while repeating its words to myself on particular occasions. It is deeply entrenched in my soul.
As I sat thinking about this handkerchief in 2020, I was thinking about all the occasions on which I have had the privilege of using it since then. For a record, I thought I better list the dates this handkerchief was used for a Hosanna Shout. I have updated it even for additional uses since 2020, particularly in dedicating our own Burley Idaho Temple.
Preston England Temple – 7-10 June 1998 – Preston England Temple, Chorley, England. I did not use it, someone else did.
Conference Center – 8 October 2000 – Manchester Stake Center, Altrincham, England.
Decision:In re Richard M. Champ and Helen B. Champ, Case No. 08-40272-JDP (Bankr. D. Idaho, 19 Aug. 2013) Judge: Honorable Jim D. Pappas, United States Bankruptcy Judge Counsel for Debtors: Paul Ross, Idaho Bankruptcy Law, Paul, Idaho Chapter 13 Trustee: Kathleen A. McCallister, Meridian, Idaho
Background
Richard and Helen Champ filed a Chapter 13 petition on 8 April 2008, represented by attorney Emil F. Pike, Jr. Their plan was confirmed in October 2008, requiring monthly payments of $910 over sixty months toward $53,019.09 in unsecured debt. The confirmation order included a specific provision reflecting that Mrs. Champ had a pending Social Security disability claim: if she were awarded benefits, the Debtors were required to file an amended Schedule I to disclose that income.
The Debtors faithfully made plan payments for nearly five years — even through a period in which Mr. Champ suffered a heart attack and the Trustee extended the payment period to allow them to catch up. By the time this dispute arose, only approximately $1,130 remained unpaid under the Plan.
The Trustee’s Motion
In March 2013 — nearly two years after learning of the Social Security award from the Debtors’ 2011 tax return — McCallister filed a motion to dismiss, alleging that the Debtors had failed to comply with the confirmation order by not amending their schedules to disclose Mrs. Champ’s Social Security lump sum award of $37,914.40 and her ongoing monthly benefit of $1,038.90. The Trustee argued the award remained property of the estate and demanded either dismissal or a turnover of approximately $25,600 to pay creditors in full.
The Objection
The Debtors engaged new counsel — Paul Ross with Idaho Bankruptcy Law — and filed a substantive objection raising several important points.
First, the Debtors’ original attorney, Emil Pike, had passed away in April 2010, leaving them without legal guidance at the precise moment they needed it most. When Mrs. Champ received the Social Security award in mid-2011, the Debtors did what they understood to be appropriate — they called the Trustee’s office. A factual dispute arose over what was communicated: the Trustee believed the Debtors were asking about a payoff and were told to contact an attorney; the Debtors believed they were simply told to keep making plan payments. Either way, their outreach demonstrated good faith, not an intent to conceal.
Second, new counsel promptly filed amended Schedules B, C, and I to address all disclosure deficiencies, including the Social Security lump sum, the ongoing monthly benefit, and a previously undisclosed $92 monthly Lamb Weston pension payment to Mrs. Champ.
Third, and critically as a legal matter, Social Security benefits are excluded from the calculation of a debtor’s current monthly income under 11 U.S.C. § 101(10A)(B) following BAPCPA. As such, the Social Security award would not have increased the Debtors’ required plan payments regardless of when it was disclosed. The Trustee’s demand for a $25,600 turnover had no statutory basis.
The objection also raised alternative relief: modification of the plan under § 1329 to reduce any remaining payment obligation to zero given the Debtors’ reduced income and medical hardships, or alternatively, a hardship discharge under § 1328(b) given that the plan shortfall was attributable to circumstances beyond the Debtors’ control — specifically, the death of their attorney and Mr. Champ’s serious medical issues.
The Court’s Ruling
Judge Pappas denied the Trustee’s motion to dismiss in its entirety. While acknowledging that the Debtors technically failed to comply with the confirmation order, the Court exercised its discretion under 11 U.S.C. § 1307(c) — which uses the permissive “may” rather than the mandatory “shall” — and weighed the totality of the circumstances carefully.
The Court’s analysis turned on several key findings:
The death of the Debtors’ attorney left them without guidance at a pivotal moment, and their confusion about compliance was understandable given that circumstance
The Debtors’ phone call to the Trustee’s office and their voluntary provision of their 2011 tax return — which disclosed the Social Security income — demonstrated that they were not attempting to conceal anything
The Debtors had substantially completed five years of plan payments; denying them a discharge at that stage would be a disproportionately harsh sanction
Under post-BAPCPA law, Social Security income is excluded from current monthly income under § 101(10A)(B), meaning the award would not have changed the Debtors’ payment obligations in any event — a point recently confirmed by the Ninth Circuit in Drummond v. Welsh (In re Welsh), 711 F.3d 1120 (9th Cir. 2013)
The undisclosed Lamb Weston pension of $92 per month, while a concern, was too minor an omission to override five years of consistent plan compliance
The Court declined to consider the alternative requests for plan modification or hardship discharge raised in the objection, noting those would need to be raised by proper motion with appropriate notice — but the dismissal motion itself was denied, clearing the path for the Debtors to receive their discharge.
Why This Matters
1. Disclosure obligations are ongoing and binding. Confirmed plans create court orders, and debtors must comply with them throughout the life of the case — not just at the point of confirmation. A change in financial circumstances mid-case requires prompt attention.
2. Attorney death mid-case creates real risk for clients. When counsel passes away during a long Chapter 13 plan, clients are left without guidance precisely when they may need it most. Practitioners and courts alike should be attentive to these situations, and successor counsel should audit compliance with the confirmation order from the outset.
3. Social Security income is excluded from disposable income calculations post-BAPCPA. While SS income must be disclosed on Schedule I, it does not factor into a debtor’s projected disposable income under § 1325(b), and — as confirmed in In re Welsh — it cannot be considered in a good faith analysis under § 1325(a). The Trustee’s demand for a $25,600 turnover in this case was legally untenable.
4. Dismissal under § 1307(c) is discretionary. Courts are not required to dismiss even upon a finding of material default. Where debtors have acted in good faith, made substantial plan payments, and the equities weigh against dismissal, courts retain and will exercise broad discretion to deny the motion.
5. Good faith communication matters. The Debtors’ efforts — calling the Trustee’s office, providing tax returns, engaging new counsel promptly — were central to the Court’s finding that no intent to evade existed. Documented communication with the Trustee’s office, even if informal, can be meaningful evidence in contested dismissal proceedings.
Full Decision: Case No. 08-40272-JDP, Doc. 72 (Bankr. D. Idaho 19 Aug. 2013)
Ross and Hemsley families at October 2025 General Conference
As each child has joined the church at the age of 8 years old, we have made it a goal to take them to General Conference. We took Aliza in 2018, and Hiram in 2022. There is something about literally sitting in the same room as the prophets that is different than listening later, watching from afar, or reading in a magazine. You cannot duplicate the spirit that fills the room when 21,000 people sing We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet! The Tabernacle Choir cannot be duplicated. Period.
It took months of planning, but with the help of family, eight tickets were obtained. We left early Sunday morning to drive down and listen to Sunday morning’s session in Kaysville (Aliza got some road hours for her driving permit too). Before that session was over, we changed into church clothes and drove to Salt Lake City.
Salt Lake Temple under renovation, 5 October 2025
We found our seats as soon as the ushers would let us in. We had a pretty sweet section.
Shortly before the Sunday Afternoon Session began, 5 October 2025
After getting our seats, we took the kids to see some of the sights in the Conference Center.
Jill Hemsley, Paul, Lillian, James, and Aliza Ross
Aliza, James, and Lillian Ross with President Russell M Nelson’s bust
We were surprised to find out President Nelson passed away the weekend before Conference. I found it very interesting to attend a General Conference during an Apostolic Interregnum. I reminded the kids they may never have that chance again.
President Dallin H Oaks and Elders Jeffrey R Holland, Henry B Eyring, and Dieter F Uchtdorf leaving after the Session
We were also fortunate to attend the only session President Oaks spoke. I am very thankful to hear the keys of the Priesthood speak in person. It was a very personal talk, more than I remember him speaking in the past. In the past 125+ years, the Apostolic Interregnum has been very short lived. The opportunity to hear the President of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles also speak as the President of the Church in General Conference has not occurred in 74 years. Tradition always has the most senior Apostle being called, sustained, and set apart as the President of the First Presidency/High Priesthood with two counselors called to the same. That may happen today, 12 October 2025, if past precedent holds true.
Amanda, Aliza, and Lillian Ross with Jill Hemsley
I received my first testimony of a Prophet at Utah State University in 1997. I had joined the Logan Institute Choir. President Gordon B Hinckley was coming to speak at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. We had practiced multiple songs. One of which intrigued me, We Ever Pray for Thee. It was while singing that song that President Hinckley entered the arena. Wow. The Spirit overcome me. I have shared that experience many times, especially in the mission. My first testimony of a living prophet. It was as if every cell in my body jumped for joy and vibrated with excitement.
Bryan Hemsley and Hiram Ross at General Conference
My next prophetic testimony was related to Thomas S Monson. I have to admit, I always struggled a bit with President Monson. The story-telling and poems was too mushy for me, or something. I am not sure what gave me a bit of a burr, probably just personality. President Hinckley passed away and within the next week I was attending an endowment session in the Twin Falls Idaho Temple. I was in the prayer circle. It was then that the officiator included President Thomas S Monson in our prayer. As I repeated the words in the circle I felt the confirmation. The Spirit in that moment testified that President Monson was the Prophet upon the earth. I went away rejoicing and all my qualms with personality were lost.
Aliza and Hiram Ross excited to be in the Conference Center
President Monson also fell asleep in time. The next transition was to Russell M Nelson. After my experiences with Presidents Hinckley and Monson, I expected nothing less than another witness as to whether Russell M Nelson was the Prophet on earth. I prayed for the experience. In fact, Brigham Young taught us to expect to obtain a testimony of the Prophet. Well, in our own home watching General Conference in April 2018, we also participated in the Solemn Assembly. It was during that procedure that I again obtained a witness. No questions. In fact, President Nelson in his administration resolved some of my frustrations with church government and organization.
View of the rostrum from the farthest seats of the Conference Center before Sunday afternoon Session
Who will formally be set apart as the next President of the First Presidency? Tradition certainly would indicate Dallin H Oaks, and I expect the same. I also expect to obtain a witness that he is the Lord’s Prophet and Mouthpiece for the whole earth.
Paul Ross enjoying some light refreshments after Sunday afternoon’s General Conference
Since I really only began attending church regularly in 1997, President Hinckley was the only church president I knew for years. However, I will mention, my Grandma regularly spoke of my Great Grandmother’s connection to Ezra Taft Benson in Whitney, Idaho. Interestingly enough, when President Benson died in 1994, I spent the weekend of his funeral at Dustin McClellan’s home. I remember on Saturday, Dustin’s Mom, Bonnie, watching a funeral. I sat down and watched it for a little while. I remember the Tabernacle Choir. I asked her what it was and remember her telling me it was President Benson’s funeral. I felt something at that moment that made me more curious about the man. I still remember that occasion because the Spirit whispered to me. I have since also received a witness of President Benson. I have received one of every President since Joseph Smith.
Bryan Hemsley and James Ross enjoying Conference
Aliza recently attended a fireside in Rupert where President Emily Belle Freeman attended. I hope my children are gaining the golden strands in their testimony tapestry regarding the leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We were fortunate enough to rub shoulders with President Freeman again and Sister Amy A Wright on Sunday.
Emily Belle Freeman and Aliza Ross in Rupert, Idaho, 21 September 2025
Back (l-r): Bob Reading, Smo Smolinsky, Dick West, Jack Seabolt, Norm Reid, Bill Plunkett, Skull Nelson, Wes Harper, Junior Locher; Front: Jack Simmerman, Bob Johnson, Mike Michaelson, Al Thorngren, Norm Schram, Hoot Nejdl, Ted Wallover.
I continue to scan photos that belonged to my Great Uncle and Aunt, Dave and Betty Donaldson. This one had names typed on the back. Chauncey “Mike” Michaelson married my Grandma’s sister, Dena Donaldson on 7 December 1943 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
This photo says “Navy Air Show” at “NAS Santa Rosa, Calif.” on 31 March 1945. Dena and Mike had a son born 29 October 1944 in Brigham City, Utah.
The back of the card has the names written on it. I assume it is accurate as it was likely from the time, but the handwriting gives further definition. I can also tell there are a number of nicknames, so I wasn’t able to find most of the people listed in the photo. Either the name was too common or the name given is not sufficient.
Wes Harper – could be Wesley Raymon Harper (1922 – 1982) of Larned, Kansas.
Bob Johnson – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.
Junior Locher – could be Junior Lewis Locher (1919 – 2003) of Glasgow, Virginia.
Chauncey De Orr “Mike” Michaelson (1922 – 2006) of Montpelier, Idaho.
Hoot Nejdl – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.
Skull Nelson – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.
Bill Plunkett – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.
Bob Reading – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.
Norm Reid – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.
Norm Schram – could be Norman Hayner Schram (1922 – 2011) of Pontiac, Michigan.
Jack Seabolt – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.
Jack Simmerman – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.
Smo Smolinsky – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.
Al Thorngren – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.
Ted Wallover – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.
Dick West – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.
Yesterday was Westminister Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, and more. We went to see Wicked at the Victoria Apollo and we both really enjoyed it.
London Eye
Paul Ross with Palace of Westminster and Clock Tower with Big Ben
Amanda Ross and Clock Tower, now Elizabeth Tower
Westminster
Oliver Cromwell and flag showing parliament was in session
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey north door entrance with rose window
Victoria Memorial at Buckingham
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham front gates
Admiralty Arch
Trafalgar Square
Paul Ross at St Paul’s Cathedral
Classic Double Decker bus
St Paul’s Cathedral
Temple Bar
Royal Courts of Justice
Amanda Ross with one of the lions at Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square
Piccadilly Circus – London
Amanda at Apollo Victoria for Wicked
Tower Bridge – London
Tower Bridge
London Tower
Guard at London Tower
Tower Bridge and Paul Ross
College of Arms
Globe Theater
Sunday we went to Hampton Court Palace. It was a very fast tour, but we made it through the entire house.
Jeppesen gave us a good laugh pulling out bangers and beans s/balls
The rest of the time was enjoyed with the Jeppesen Family.
Hampton Court Palace Fountain Court
Hampton Court staircase
Paul Ross ascending the Hampton Court King’s staircase
This article was provided to me related to my 3rd Great Grandmother Agneta Nelson. I have previously shared the history written by Carvel Jonas related to Agneta and John Nelson. I have also shared the Carvel Jonas history of their daughter, my 2nd Great Grandmother Annetta “Annie” Josephine Nelson Jonas. I also note that Agneta and John’s son, Nels, also wrote a lengthy autobiography that tells some of his parents’ history. Some of the parts of this history are likely using Nels’ autobiography, parts of it mirrors and quotes from it.
Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude was published by the International Society Daughters of Utah Pioneers in 1998. It is a four volume set, ISBN: 0-9658406-1-1. This biography starts on page 2121.
I note some revision of Agneta’s name over the last years. This article includes the Bengtsson/Nilsson last name. But as those familiar with Scandinavian naming protocols, Bengtsson/Benson was her father’s last name, but her early live documents reference her father’s first name, Nils. Hence her name in Sweden was Nilsdotter, not Nilsson or Bengtsson. With that, here is the language of the article.
This biography suggests that Agneta was married before and that marriage produced Bot[h]ilda and James. Curiously, James’ baptism record lists Johannes Nilsson as the father. Further, Nels, in his autobiography, indicates he was the third child of John and Agnetta Nelson. James appears to be John’s, but the baptism of Bothilda without a father suggests not John. I don’t know that we will know, and this biography shows unknown.
“BIRTHDATE: 9 Dec 1832 Oringe Hallands, Sweden
“DEATH: 4 Nov 1873 Logan, Cache Co., Utah
“PARENTS” Nils Bengtsson (Benson) – Johanna Johansson [Johansdotter]
L-R: Johanna Benson, Johanna Icabinda Benson, John Irven Benson, Nels Ernst Benson, Mary Ann Angel Works holding Merrill Lamont Benson.
“PIONEER: 15 Sep 1864 William Preston’s Wagon Train
“SPOUSE I: Unknown
“MARRIED: In Sweden
“DEATH SP:
“CHILDREN (Adopted and sealed to second husband):
“Botilda (Matilda), 31 Dec 1853 (died at age 11)
“James Peter, 13 Dec 1[8]55
“SPOUSE II: John / Johannes Nelson/Nilsson
“MARRIED: 17 Nov 1855 Veinge, Hallands, Sweden
“DEATH SP: 26 Nov 1902 Logan, Cache Co., Utah
“CHILDREN:
“Nels August, 18 May 1[8]57
“Josephine, 5 Feb 1860 (died as a child near Omaha, Nebraska)
“Amanda, 26 Dec 1862 (died as a child buried at sea)
“Annette Josephine, 18 Nov 1864
Annie Josephine Nelson Jonas
“Joseph Hyrum, 14 Jun 1868
“Jacob Nelson, 9 Dec 1870 (twin)
“Jacobina, 9 Dec 1870 (twin)
“Charlotte Abigail, 16 Dec 1872
“Moses, 25 Oct 1873
“Agneta was born on December 9, 1832 in Oringe Hallands, Sweden. Agneta was the oldest child in a family of eight children.
“On Thursday, April 28, 1864, with 973 emigrants aboard, the ship, “Monarch of the Sea,” sailed from Liverpool, England. Patriarch John Smith was President of the company. At Florence, Nebraska, they traveled by teams under the Company Captain William B. Preston, to Salt Lake City, arriving September 15, 1864.
Monarch of the Sea, 1020 LDS passengers on this voyage.
“The Gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came to their home in 1862, and Agneta, her mother and some of her brothers accepted the message gladly. But it wasn’t until the Spring of 1864, that Johannes and Agneta were ready to leave Sweden for America and the West.
Nilsson family on the Monarch of the Sea passenger list
“The voyage was long and stormy with much sickness aboard. The rations were meager; raw beef, lard, and hard crackers, water, mustard and salt. Many times they would wait all day for their turn to cook the meat, and sometimes the turn never came. Agneta saw several bodies being lowered into the deep ocean; and then it was her turn to watch eighteen month old with a rock tied to her feet, slipping into the ocean.
“Laying to rest little ones is unknown territory was to be Agneta’s experience two more times. Matilda, in New Jersey, near the Delaware River, and four year old Josephine near Omaha, Nebraska.
“During these trials, she valiantly went forward, giving birth to her sixth child in a cold, stark dugout in Logan, Utah.
“Arriving in late October, most homes in Logan that fall were underground, about five feet deep, with a rock chimney in corner. Fuel was willows from the Logan River bottom. It was quite warm, until spring thaw caused the room to fill with water about two feet. The cold of Cache Valley became known to all new settlers that winter.
“The next winter found John and Agneta in a snug log cabin, with cows, sheep, a yoke of steers, and 120 bushels of wheat raised on their six acres. Agneta also gleaned wheat from the field. She sheared the sheep, washed, carded, spun and wove the wool into clothing for her family; and with her gleaning, she was able to provide nice clothes for herself, and children.
“On October 4, 1867, three years after their arrival in Utah, John and Agneta traveled to Salt Lake City, to be sealed in the Endowment House. In the next six years she gave birth to five more children, with only two surviving beyond the age of accountability.
“Just nine years after her entering Utah, Agneta gave birth to her last child, Moses Nelson, born October 25, 1873; and she did not survive this birth. Moses died November 12, 1873. A mother had sacrificed for a child of God.
Another article clipped by my Grandparents, Milo and Gladys Ross. We do not know why this was clipped.
The top of the article shows it was published in the Ogden Standard-Examiner, Thursday, August 12, 1976.
“Newspaper reporting account of the death of Abraham Lincoln is displayed by Mrs. E. J. Krull of 1362 23rd.
Written by Milo Ross – “1860 – 64 – John Wileks Booth
“The drama of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln came to life again for an Ogden man this week. Sifting through the contents of an old trunk, E. J. Krull of 1362 23rd found a yellowed, tattered edition of the New York Herald dated April 15, 1865.
“Chronicling the assassination of the man whom many historians believe to have been America’s finest president, the newspaper shows the tragedy of the Civil War had been overshadowed by the events of the previous evening in Ford’s Theater.
“The edition outlined an almost chronological account of the events that transpired following the shooting of the president by actor John Wilkes Booth and the simultaneous attempted assassination of Secretary of State Seward.
“A series of accounts describtd Mr. Lincoln’s deteriorating condition, the scene around his deathbed and finally, a bulletin indicated the president had passed away at 7:30 a.m. on April 15.
“Mr. Krull noted the old newspaper had been found while sifting through a trunk that belonged to his wife’s parents.
“Of six total columns on the front page, about 4 1/2 were dedicated to the assassination while the remainder were mostly accounts of the Civil War events including the escape of Jefferson Davis and his Confederate Cabinet to Dansville.
“Ironically, there was only one more item in the four-page newspaper that merited more columns of space than the presidential assassination.
“Nearly 9 1/2 columns inside were devoted to glowing testimonials about the incredible curative powers of “Kitchel’s Linament” and Kitchel’s Spavin Cure.”
I did some homework to find out more about Mr. & Ms. Krull.
Eielt J Krull was born 11 November 1900 in Clark County, South Dakota, and passed away 13 August 1987 in Ogden, Utah. He married Thelma Blaine, previously married as Nelson, in 1943. Thelma was born 29 August 1901 in Ohio and died 3 May 1991. Eielt is buried in South Dakota, Thelma is buried in Colorado.
I wrote previously of a book I have that belonged to my Great Grandfather, Joseph Nelson Jonas. The book was given to me by Ellis Jonas along with a couple of others. Inside the book was this clipping, presumably put there by my Great Grandmother, Lillian Coley Jonas. I have no clue about its significance, if any. It was clipped and put there in the book for some reason. Richmond, Utah, was in the Benson Stake at that time. The article indicates this was 1935.
Bishop David A Smith to Attend Richmond Services
Bishop David A. Smith, first counselor to Sylvester Q. Cannon presiding bishop of the L.D.S. church will represent the general authorities of the L.D.S. church at the quarterly conference of the Benson stake in Richmond Saturday evening and Sunday, according to information given out at the office of the first presidency in Salt Lake City.
The first meeting will be held Saturday evening at 7:30 o’clock. The Sunday sessions will begin at 10 a. m. and 2 p. m. with the quarterly meeting of the M.I.A. convening at 7:30 o’clock Sunday evening under direction of Ellis Doty stake superintendent of the Y.M.M.I.A.
President H. Ray Pond will preside at the general sessions of the conference. Amplifiers have been installed in the Richmond tabernacle to insure perfect audition.
Stressed during the conference sessions will be the two major projects of Benson stake for 1935; larger attendance at sacrament meetings and more efficient ward teaching.
The stake presidency is urging a large attendance at all sessions of the conference especially at the Saturday evening meeting. Special music for the conference has been prepared.
Sagacity 