Remembering a friend....

When I grew up I had a friend who was very active in the church most of the time... He really knew the gospel and was very intelligent... He would say things like you are the athlete and I am the religious and smart one... I really believed him and I didn't do very well in school... It wasn't until I went on my mission that I realized that I could cope with academic things but I also felt that I had a sound understanding of the gospel mainly because I believed in what the Prophets and Apostles taught and I never wanted to question any of it.... Oh, I have my personal views of things but I would never teach them as if they were doctrine... On some things I would have a "let's wait and see" reaction... Not my friend... He delved into groups in the church who were intellectual but had an edge to them... they felt they could question people like Bruce R. McKonkie, Boyd K. Packard, and Joseph Fielding Smith in particular... Yea, I am not kidding... My friend had his own opinion on things that were contrary to what the Brethern taught and his justifications or that they are wrong and they don't have the answers to everything... Some of the things we talked about were unbelievable to me and yet he was so arrogant about his intellect that he would fool himself into believing that he knew the answers about controversial issues... I would plead with him to consider his feelings and yet, for some reason he could not see it... I realized then and there that he no longer held a great knowledge of the true gospel... He spouted literally his own opinion mingled with scriptures... We know this comes from Satan but some people just cannot humble themselves to listen to the Spirit which whispers not to challenge the Brethern.... My friend is still going to church and he believes the church is true, but he was never able to receive a calling that would give him the opportunity to counsel with people because the Spirit knew that he would have a hard time doing it... It amazes me that people can hang onto their own opinion and allow themselves to be intellectually vacant and all the while will teach things that they feel are personal knowledge that they received even though it goes against the basic teachings of the gospel.... I love my friend and I left him nameless on purpose because I am writing a blog and I know that there is a possibility that one of his children or grandchildren might read it and that would be tragic... I never know who is going to read this blog so I feel that I must be careful, but the principle is important for my Grandchildren to learn... Night... 39

Yea, Mass. belately....

I was watching Bo and Taylor play basketball on a night when Mass. came through in slam dunking Obama's craziness by voting in a Republican to take the place of Ted Kennedy... This is great news... I'm sure that the Founding Fathers had Ted Kennedy peek through the veil to see what happen to his seat after he left.... Though we know the end of this adventure it is still fun to battle wickedness at this time... Night.... 39

It is sure wet....

It is really raining here this week... I haven't gone golfing at all which is proof on how wet it is here... Venna and I had a relaxing night tonight.... We watched 24, a stupid but entertaining show.... We are hoping that it snows tonight so I can get up and talk about not going to school in my blog tomorrow... This is not a very interesting blog but I consider it a keep the commandment blog... We were counceled when we got married in the Manti Temple that we should keep a journal... Well, I just did that... Night... 39

Bo and Taylor: Basketball

Joshua came with Venna and I to see Taylor play and then we went to Palmdale to see Bo play.... Taylor scored one point and her team won... She made some real nice steals as she anticipated passess.... Bo scored 12 points but he played a very good Palmdale team.... They got beat by over 40 points.... Palmdale had a 6'10" player and he dunked on Bo a couple of times.... Oh well, he played well and Taylor did too... I am just so thankful to be able to watch them.... I am grateful for Joshua coming too, I know it means a lot to both Bo and Taylor....

I do remember Martin Luther King...

We have a major storm coming in so I went to town and did some shopping so we could get some staple items in case it floods... I actually kind of enjoyed it but I was not to excited when I left... The rest of the day was i was busy being lazy and watching for a big storm and all we got was some scattered showers... I am glad though because California is just primed for a lot of mud slides... Venna got a lot of work done also, so it was a good day.... I really do admire Martin Luther King... He did everything with peace and non violence on his mind... My parents were confused by him and I got some misinformation on him when I was young but I now know that he was a great man and I have been so bold to say that he was an Elias for the cause of the Priesthood being given to the blacks... I believe he led the way and it was his extraordinary life that prompted President Spencer W. Kimball to pray and ponder the plight of the black man in our age... I remember being in the parking lot during a lunch time and listening to the radio... I was working for House of Fabrics... And I heard a news bulletin and it told us of the decision by the Latter Day Saints church to give the Priesthood to the all males and that all could go to the temple... I remember crying to a near uncontrollable state with joy for that marvelous revelation... Since then we have had many, many great black people receive the opportunity to go to the temple to do Eternal work.... Night... 39

Jeffrey Hollands spoke to me.....

We had Stake Conference this morning and it was the satelite version and Southern California was the audience... Jeffrey Holland talked about forgiving yourself, but the part I was really touched by was when he commented that Heavenly Father rejoices and remembers all the good things we do, and that He appreciates it when we do it... In my mind I have always figured that being kind or good was a given and that it is our bad deeds that would be remembered, wow, that doesn't speak very highly of a loving Father in Heaven... It really hit me that he does recognize all the good things we do and that thrills us like our children makes us happy when they do good things.... I also felt the Spirit hit me quite profoundly that Heavenly Father loves me... I needed that... I was thrilled when President Martz sought us out (his words not mine) and I told him that I wanted to talk to him because Rachael (Rachael was right next to me at the time) and her husband Brian were going to get sealed on March 6th and that they wanted him to seal them... He agreed to it and gave mom instructions to wear white because she will be the one who will help with Rachael's kids during the ceremony and that the rest of us would be dressed in our Sunday Best... My goodness to have a friend who is in his position is quite a blessing to me... I will never forget all the experiences we had together when he was the Stake President and I was the Bishop... Things are bad down in Haiti... They had a tremendous earthquake and helter skelter is taking place down there.... My prayers are with them... We are also expected to have a lot of rain this week and it makes me wonder how the homes are going to be at the burnt spots.... Night... 39

Brian, thank you for the honor....

Jared, Joshua, Brian and myself went to a leadership meeting at 4:00 together... We were representing the Lake LA Ward at Stake Conference.... That night we had the adult session of Stake Conference and Brian was sustained for the Melchezdek Priesthood.... He allowed me the sacred honor to ordain him.... It was a wonderful experience and it is wonderful to see Brian and Rachael doing so well... I am happy for my grandchildren because the Priesthood is in their home... I know that Rachael is excited about Briggs being blessed and I think Rachael is excited about receiving a blessing from her husband... When you think about it it is just cute and precious... I believe that Brian is going to be an anchor in the gospel and the Lord has a great tool to work with... This was one of the great days in my life... Night.... 39