Happy Thanksgiving!

As we pause from the "seeming routineness" of all things to celebrate a day of Thanksgiving, may we do so with tenderness and gratitude for what truly matters in our lives; that we might praise the Giver of life and all gifts therein. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays as we are blessed to enjoy wonderful food and tender moments with family. Even so, and most importantly we are opportune to pause and view our lives with a refined lens of perspective. In spite of the pressing societal demands and commotion that abounds, we stop, take a breath and consider all that is that matters; and with grateful hearts, we render that which is all that we have to render, our heartfelt will, to Him. He who has given us all things. This is a time of harvest and thankfulness for the bounty in our lives, but equally important, it is also a time of planting in our hearts a tenderness and resolve to live with greater purpose and heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to our loving Heavenly Father for His tender mercies. May we be content with our allotment from our loving Father in Heaven, that we might know joy in the seasons of our lives, expressing always gratitude to Him and to all with whom we associate.

May the joy of Thanksgiving extend beyond the day and into our tomorrows, always!

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

We are off on holiday and may, if internet is available, post while enjoying our journey these next two weeks. If not, we will post upon our return.

Sabbath Reflections - Pure in Heart

We recently returned from Carmel, Indiana having spent a few days with 4 of our grandkids. This week we are off to Dallas to spend some time with 3 more of our grandkids. Immediately upon our return from Dallas, we will have 4 more of our grandkids visit us in Sundance. And then we are off to Mesa for Thanksgiving to spend some time with 3 more. Amid the travel, we have spent time reading, playing, talking on the phone and enjoying the memorable moments. This morning Miles (2) called unbeknownst to his parents, and we were able to spend some time on the phone with Miles, Parker and Audrey. Amazingly, Sophie (2) has become quite adept at the iPhone as well. The tender moments arise whenever we receive an unexpected, but greatly appreciated, phone call from Mabel, Oliver, Emma, Annie, Jack, Max, Parker, Miles, Oliver, Audrey and each of these 14 precious souls. In reflecting upon our treasured moments with each of our grandchildren, I am reaffirmed in the scriptural references to children by the Master. The Savior tenderly entreats each of us to be as a little child (Matt 18:3-5), even to be "pure in heart." In looking upon these little ones, in talking with them, holding them and spending memorable moments with them - they truly are the "pure in heart." Without exception, these precious children are the joy of life; and we are counseled to become like them as recorded in Mosiah 3:19, "...and becometh a ⁱsaint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a ^jchild, ^ksubmissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father."

As the Savior is, so are they!

Amid the turmoil in our society, our hope lies in the hearts of these little ones. They bring a much needed perspective to each of us; their innocence and love unfeigned are without bounds, and their tender and willing forgiveness are exemplary for each of us. The infinite capacity within them to nurture, to love and to lift heavy hearts is without measure. Gratefully, the Lord tenderly entreats us to be like them. As parents there are those moments, but when we step back with perspective and love we see the hand of the Master in each of these little ones as we hold them or look into their eyes. They are His greatest joy, and they are ours! Hence, the immeasurable stewardship of trust endowed from above to nurture and care for them - to teach them of Christ and to love them. If any were a reflection of His tender and perfect love, it is they.

What joy there is in knowing that families are eternal - there is "joy in our posterity."

So important are children to the Him that He has set the consequence for any who would offend them in Matthew 18:6, hence my sorrow when I look about us in our society today and see the constancy of adversarial tendrils seeking to displace the purity of these little ones. Their vunerable innocence demands our vigilance and devotion, always. Their purity of heart demands our emulation. In reflecting upon their nature and purity, I am drawn to the Master and with a grateful heart, appreciate the tangible nature of His love manifest in them.

Sabbath Reflections - Perspective in Faith and Kindness

We live in interesting times - at a minimum we can say that things are uncertain, even paraphrasing Dickens, "it is the best of times and it is the worst of times." We are in the midst of transitioning the leadership of our government from one party to another. We are facing turbulent and uncertain economic times, both in the USA and globally. The whole world seems to be in commotion. We have seen extremely contentious, bitter and divisive campaigns in our states and in our nation. There appears to be an emerging polarization in society between good and bad, and the contrary forces at hand are seeking to confuse one from the other. Because of such, there are those who seem to have lost their way in our society. A few on society's fringe have taken to the streets in protest of traditional societal standards and mores, while enticing others to join in under false pretense. The very core of our society has come under severe attack, marriage and family. Many are concerned and troubled amid the tumult and commotion, while others blindly fail to see. The distractions and contrary voices are as innumerable as the sands on the beach. As individuals and families, and as a society, we are faced with choices amid the defining moments of our times. What are we to do and how are we to respond?

It is imperative that we look with "perspective in faith" at the commotion about us, for within such we gain understanding and have hope in what is to come. That is not to say that things will temper and "all will be well," but to say that there is hope amid the confusion and contention, born of our perspective. And within such perspective we can respond accordingly, with kindness and love.

When studying the life of the Savior we gain a greater appreciation for His tender mercy and kindness amid contrary storms. He to whom the earth was His footstool, He who created all things and had power to do all things, willingly submitted to His father and condescended to man and this earth that He created because of His tender mercy. During His mortal ministry He lived amid significant tumult, disruption and confusion; He lived at a time of severe persecution, and yet He endured in love, in kindness and with an eternal view or perspective. He set the course and the example for each of us. Through the ages His prophets have done likewise. What is the foundation of His infinite capacity and their finite capacity to so live? Where can we find peace and calm amid the storms, be they small or significant? As persecutions have raged, as contrary seas have tormented man, and as individual and family circumstances and environments have burdened the soul, we can look with an eternal perspective as to what truly matters, and respond accordingly, in kindness and love. If what we are doing is of little consequence, in the eternal perspective, such that it won't matter 0ne hundred years from now, let it not trouble us beyond measure. Let us seek for the joy in living, "with perspective in faith."

Spencer W. Kimball in his text, Tragedy or Destiny, stated, "If we looked at mortality as the whole of existence, then pain, sorrow, failure, and short life would be calamity. But if we look upon life as an eternal thing stretching far into the premortal past and on into the eternal post-death future, then all happenings may be put in proper perspective. ...if we were to close the doors upon sorrow and distress, we might be excluding our greatest friends and benefactors." (Hebrews 5:8-9) "...Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:7, 9-10)

Perspective in faith is what enables us in all things and draws us nearer unto the Master, for in such we rely on His tender mercies and grace. As our proximity to Savior draws nearer, we respond in all things with greater kindness, love. appreciation and gratitude. I can recall sitting at the bedside of a friend who was about to succumb to a terrible cancer. While only moments from death she was more concerned for my comfort than she was her own. Her proximity to the Master, her understanding her mortality with perspective in faith carried her to exalted realms.

Gordon B. Hinckley said, "Let us reach out with love and kindness to those who would revile against us. ...In the spirit of the Christ who advised us to turn the other cheek, let us try to overcome evil with good."

We strive to be constant in the words of Philo of Alexandria, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is engaged in a great struggle."

Our capacity to extend greater kindness, love and charity is commensurate with our perspective in faith, and therein lies the capacity for greater joy.

Julianne - Happy Birthday!

Twenty-four years ago a beautiful, brown-eyed little girl entered our world! Our lives have all been richly blessed by Julianne's unique, independent and capable spirit. We all love her ability to view the world from an intellectual and generous point of view. Julianne we are proud of you and miss you a lot!! We are not sure that Virginia is worthy of you but know that you will make your place in the world. Everyone will be able to say that we knew you when. Have a great day! We love you lots!

Sabbath Reflections - Obedience

In the face of societal shifts and subtle nuances that tend to redefine good as bad and bad as good, it is reassuring amid the clouds of fog that hang low that we have constants, standards and divine principles with which to adhere. It isn't easy as "flaxen cord" temptations or persuasions tend to draw many away from eternal truths and principles. Although our society is like unto many in history, the destructive forces around us seem to be gathering strength, and at times they can be very persuasive. Even so, it is comforting to find safety and refuge within our homes and families amid the societal storms without. In our homes and families we are the determinants of our individual and family course. We determine what curriculum or subtle nuance we invite in. There are many that would seek to invade our safe havens of refuge, but at the end of the day, they have no cause of imposition unless we extend the invitation. The opportunities for inviting the subtleties of society into our homes are abundant, in Television, Music, the Internet, books, politics, language, contention and many other avenues or mediums. However, it is our heart, our attitude and our desire that determines ultimately what influence these societal shifts and impositions may have in our homes. The decisions we undertake in these defining moments are critical. If ever their was a time to stake our claim and establish a righteous home, a safe haven and refuge, a home that has righteous defenses to guard against the fiery darts that are constant in their barrage, it is now! If ever there was a time for obedience to divine and eternal principles and constants, it is now! And yet, there are many who straddle with a foot on both sides, whether they fail to see the line of demarcation or choose to ignore it. These are times that will try men's souls; these are times that will separate the wheat from the chaff; even times that will set our eternal course. Elder Neal A. Maxwell once stated of these societal shifts and our responses thereto, "...there are some who try to serve the Lord without offending the devil." Obedience to these divine directives may not make us popular in today's world, and may even draw the ire and even ridicule, at times, of friends and associates. But what price do we pay if we open the doors of our hearts and homes to the subtle (sometimes not so subtle) nuances of society's shifting winds? It is ours to decide, to be obedient to what is right and eternal, or to have enmity with the giver of the eternal gift. There is not a nuanced position.

In making decisions there is a story told of 5 frogs on a log; 4 decide to jump off. How many frogs remain on the log? Many would say 1, but the answer is 5; deciding to jump off and jumping off are not the same. Now is the time to decide, and in deciding - act, before the societal storms gather greater strength. Fortunately, amid these storms He who suffered all things for you and me, whose love for each of us is without measure, has given us wonderful resources with which we may draw strength. Resources that when applied, with exactnesss, become unbreachable defenses that protect our homes, our families and our hearts. Even so, it demands obedience with exactness. Obedience, a perfect attribute found in the Master, is what we should be striving to perfect in us. As He was obedient and willingly submissive, so should we be!

Our resources are abundant - we have the scriptures that provide answers and roadmaps to us today, they keep us grounded, when we search and ponder them with diligence; we have our tender supplications to a loving and wise Heavenly Father that loves us when we pray; we have the Sabbath day to recharge, renew and keep us grounded in Christ; we have our families that in drawing near unto us provide solace, strength and peace amid the outward storms; we have the Temples, Houses of the Lord, wherein we draw strength, inspiration and revelation to our personal needs; we have opportunities of service that provide perspective and selfless hearts; we have the Prophets of the latter-days whose counsel is constant in its declaration of truth and the realities of Christ; and we have Christ whose perfect empathy and love are constant in our lives. And yet, there are some, perhaps many, that fail to draw upon these resources. Be it through the buffettings of our society, our hope to not "offend the devil" or whatever the course may be, we struggle.

Harold B. Lee and Neal A. Maxwell have provided some critical counsel in this regard, which for some may be difficult. Notwithstanding, their counsel is applicable more today that at any other time in the past, as the nuances in our society today are clouding the course with a low lying fog.

President Harold B. Lee taught: “The power of Satan will increase; we see it in evidence on every hand. … “Now the only safety we have as members of this church is to do exactly what the Lord said to the Church in that day when the Church was organized. We must learn to give heed to the words and commandments that the Lord shall give through his prophet, ‘as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me; … as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.’ (D&C 21:4–5.) There will be some things that take patience and faith. You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may contradict your political views. It may contradict your social views. It may interfere with some of your social life. But if you listen to these things, as if from the mouth of the Lord himself, with patience and faith, the promise is that ‘the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory.’ (D&C 21:6.)”

Elder Neal A. Maxwell stated: "Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions. President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had 'never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life.'"This is hard doctrine, but it is particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ. . . . Your discipleship may see the time when such religious convictions are discounted. . . . This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions."Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened....Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even in these, however, let us leave a record so that the choices are clear, letting others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel. There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, but others will step forward, having been rallied to rightness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds which was,till then, unconscious of itself. Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves, 'summer is nigh.' Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat."

May we so live!