On the 3rd.....EARLY ONE MORNING

photos taken on September 3, 2011

"I also beheld that the tree of life was a representation of the love of God."

I Nephi 11:25

Our family has begun reading the Book of Mormon again in conjunction with my girls going back to school. We have just finished reading about Lehi's dream. We read about Nephi's conversation with an angel on the meaning of his father's dream.  The angel asked, Knowest thou the meaning of the tree?  And Nephi answered him, saying: "Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things."

This tree in Lehi's dream brought forth fruit that was desirable to make one happy. We read that when Lehi partook of the fruit thereof it filled this soul with exceedingly great joy, wherefore, he began to be desirous that his family should partake of it also; for he knew that it was desirable above all other fruit.

I learned recently that the word JOY can be defined as "to be as God"... So when we read, "Men are that they might have joy".. is actually saying Men are that they will be as God.

We will go to great lengths to help our loved ones, our brothers...our sisters, our friends to come to the Tree of Life. We would sacrifice all.

.........................

The above photos were taken on a recent hike this past weekend on the 3rd. The number 3 is very significant.

While these above photos are not particularly award winning, they will have a symbolic meaning to a few. Words sometime can't describe things that are spiritual.

We can learn alot from the aspen tree. I hope to eventually go with my dad to see the largest living organism (in mass) on earth.. It might be a suprise to some to know what that is.... it is a fully connected Aspen grove in Utah named Pando. Pando (Latin for "I Spread) . This aspen grove which is located in the Wasatch Mountains is what is techically called a "clonal colony" (which means a group of genetically identical individuals from a single ancestor of a single male Quaking Aspen.)

This particular photo above of this "single" Aspen tree is very unique. The main trunk was severed, broke, or decayed. A new branch grew out of that main trunk, and in a descending then ascending "s" shape, a trunk grew up and sprung forth new life. It is important to note the tree appears hovering in the air from the distance.

The aspen tree grows upright to search and  find the light. All light radiates from Christ. As we all seek it, may we find it.

WAITING PATIENTLY FOR THE SUN TO RISE

photo taken early morning before the sun rose on Little Bighorn Battlefield in Montana on August 14, 2011

This sunflower knew the direction to face and waiting patiently for the sun to come.

A couple of thoughts.

We have been taught by the Son of God to:

Return love for hate.

It is not enough to refrain from retaliation,

He said to purge anger from our hearts.

He required us to forgive people quickly, before they even ask to be forgiven.

We should love our enemies and love those who hate us.

He told us not to judge others.

He told us not to correct others.

 Instead, He said to be self-critical, remove our own faults,

and be tolerant and forgiving of the faults of others.

DEAD... OR ALIVE

photo taken in Yellowstone National Park on August 13, 2011

"Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin,

but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Roman 6:11

Here is a quick story that happened this morning when I was taken my dog, Patch, on a walk. I wanted to write it down so I would not forget it.

Our dog LOVES to go on walks. I usually take him around the neighborhood, but his morning I took him for a walk through the cemetery. I always have him on a leash to control him and to make sure he goes where I want him to go. However this morning, half way through the cemetary I decided to take his leash off. (probably should not admit that.. but it was so early in the morning that I am sure Animal Control personnel were still sleeping :))

Without the leather contraint tied to his collar, I experienced seeing our dog in a state of pure joy, freedom and happiness. I have never seen him run with so much bliss. Despite being completely free, he still remained close by and always came back when I called him.  The thought occured to me is first, what a contrast to have something so alive and full of life in a place of the dead and buried. But more importantly, I saw a glimpse of life in how God intends it to be... free to choose, the happiness and joy that comes from being free from control, restraint from various sources ( free from sin, or free from people who control and manipulate us, free from oppresion) We are created and born with agency to choose for ourselves...  yet we live in a world where many seek to take away our agency, control us through their seeking of more power and dominion.

While my dog was free to run away from his master, he stayed close by and when called, he obeyed and came back. This was a great lesson for me, and learning more about how to live my life, to stay close by, and obey my Master when He calls me.

Celestine Pools

photo taken in Yellowstone National Park on August 13, 2011

write more shortly

SACRED LAND: Prestine and Undefiled from the world

photo taken in Montana on the Crow Reservation on  August 14, 2011

photo of the gate we needed to cross. we needed to obtain a permit to enter onto the land.

Apparently not very many "white" man have been given permission.

CRACKS, CRUMBLING AND FALLING ROCKS

photo taken of Mount Rushmore on August 13, 2011

I have always wanted to see Mount Rushmore. Last week, on my trip to Montana, I took a day and went over to the Black Hills of South Dakota. Took tons of pictures. The photo above is probably a view that most people don't see of Mt. Rushmore. I would go so far and say that much of what I see around me, most people miss as well.

Yesterday there were two earthquakes in "diverse" places in the United States. Colorado and on the East Coast, primarily in the Virginia/ Washington DC area. Two areas not known for earthquakes or even on a fault line. Luckily, damage was minimal, but in my mind... very symbolic. The Washington Monument was damaged with cracks on the pyramid on the top spire. The national cathedral in Washington, one of the highest buildings in the city, suffered damage with several capstones dislodged from it's spire, and also surprisingly, the Washington DC temple with 4 of the 6 spires broken and damaged.

A friend of mine send me an email this morning. It is similiar to what we call the "Pride" cycle in the Book of Mormon.

"The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the beginning of history, has been about 200 years. During those 200 years, these nations always progressed through the following sequence:

• From bondage to spiritual faith;
• From spiritual faith to great courage; 
• From courage to liberty;
• From liberty to abundance;
• From abundance to complacency;
• From complacency to apathy;
• From apathy to dependence;
• From dependence back into bondage.

THE SHEPHERD vs A SHEEPHERDER

photo taken of newly sheered lamb at Wheeler Farm on August 23, 2011

"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."

John 10:11

• Shepherds actually know their sheep, and have earned their trust and confidence; Sheepherders view the sheep as numbers, and are only concerned on how they look as a leader and getting the task done.
• Shepherds lead from the front; Sheepherders control and drive from the rear.
• Shepherds know the right way.. the only way; Sheepherders are looking better procedures, and quick time saving methods.
• Shepherds talk softly and whisper; Sheepherders use a loud voice, use their authority and expect results.
• Shepherds rule with love. Sheepherders coerce with fear.
• The sheep willingly follow the shepherd; the sheepherder forces by compulsion and eventually find the sheep leaving the flock.
• Shepherds would protect the sheep with their life; Sheepherders protect their own life and reputation.

A SYMBOL OF LIGHT: THE SUNFLOWER

SYBMphoto taken of wild flowers in Big Cottonwood canyon on August 11, 2011

Much of the meaning of sunflowers stems from its namesake, the sun itself. Wild sunflowers are often photographed with their tall stalks and bright petals stretched towards the sun. This unique behavior, known as phototropism, is a motif that has appeared in many ancient myths and is viewed as a symbol of loyalty and constancy. Their physical resemblance to the sun has also influenced their meanings. Their open faces symbolize the sun itself, conveying warmth and happiness, adoration and longevity. The sunflower's petals have been likened to bright yellow rays of sunshine.
The sunflower also provides nourishment and food. The sunflower seeds along with sunflower oil are a widespread cooking ingredient. Sunflower leaves can be used as a cattle feed, while the stems contain a fibre which may be used in paper production.

A FIRST for everything.

photo taken of my daughter's first time on a wakeboard on August 20, 2011 at Rockport Reservoir

Some people fear trying anything new. We fear the unknown, we fear not succeeding. We don't always like to attempt something we have never done before.

I found much symbolism in the process of having my daughter try to wakeboard and get up for the FIRST time. She had attempted to wakeboard previously this year down at Lake Powell but was unsuccessful. I think there was a reason why... it was because I was in the water with her.. helping her every move.. I was overcompensating and controlling too much instead of having her learn by her own mistakes.

 Yesterday, we tried something new. We had her get in the water alone.  I helped her get ready, put on her wakeboard, gave her a pep talk, and handed her the rope.

Holding tightly to a rope, she was patient, confident and willing to rely on the power of the boat to "get up"....not on her dad. Although her dad was there to help her, and give her some advice... but she needed to experience this on her own.  Without a rope, and without the power of the boat. she would stay submerged in the water, never to experience the exhileration of gliding on water.  While it took her several attempts, she finally succeeded. We were all so proud of her.

Tomorrow is the FIRST day of school for the upcoming school year for all my daughters. Tonight I sat down with each daughter and gave them a blessing. It is a privilege to give Father's Blessings... A blessing to connect them to the power that will help them "get UP", to hold onto a rope that will hopefully bless them to have a wonderful school year.

PROGRESSION: Recieving more Light and Knowledge

photo of the same rock structure as seen in the "Heavenly Messenger"  post below

(with the sun and black rocks). 

taken on August 13, 2011 

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts,

to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

2 Corintians 4:6

It is our human nature to want to progress. We live in a world of survival of the fittest. If we are not progressing we are digressing. We have an innate desire to reach higher plateaus, to climb higher.. yet many of us become complacent. We become weak and tired.  We almost prefer others to do the work for us, to tell us exactly what we should do.

On my hike around Devil’s Tower, I saw this huge boulder sitting on top of another boulder. I felt compelled to climb to the top of this. It was an usual rock formation since the top boulder was very flat, almost “alter like”. Once I began to climb it, I quickly found the rock to be much larger, and impossible to climb to the top... at least without any ropes or technical gear. Yet the desire remained and I needed to summit.

So, the thought occured to me to collect rocks and build a foundation that I could stand on. Much effort was exerted to carry and build rocks that fit together to create a "pile" to stand on that would support my weight. It was a tedious process since the rocks were not easy to fit together. However,  once I had built about a 3 foot solid rock foundation, I stood on top of it. Unfortunately, my rock pile still wasn't tall enough. I was a few feet still low. Yet, trying to build a higher mound resulted in the rocks crumbling and falling...unable to support all the weight safely. I needed extra help, since I could not do this alone. Feeling confident and with faith, I counted to 3 and pushed off with all my strength. This was the point of no return, if I failed, I would have fallen back and hurt myself.

When we act in faith, nothing wavering, unseen strength comes to us.  The added help came. Mission accomplished and I enjoyed basking in the sun on top of this “mini-mountain.”. Lessons taught and learned.    

HEAVENLY MESSENGERS

photo taken at the base of mountain in Wyoming on August 13, 2001





"When the Lord sends an angel to visit men, He gives him power and authority to appear to the people as a man, and not as an angel in his glory; for we could not endure the presence even of an angel in his glory. No mortall man has ever seen God in His glory at any time and liven. We may have seen the Lord and angels many times, and did not know it."
Brigham Young , January 8th, 1865. Journal of Discourses 11: 40-41

"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
Hebrews 13:2

Here is a list of what Angels do:

· Serve as a messenger of warning

· Reveal new truths

· Invite humanity to repent and come unto Christ

· Teach Doctrine and the Plan of Salvation

· Messengers of Instruction

· Announce Judgment and Calamities

· Protect the Righteous and Destroy the Wicked

· Restore priesthood keys

· Have power over the elements

· Accompany Christ at His 2nd Coming.

"Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain"
Moroni 7:37

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS

photo taken of "Devil's Tower" in Wyoming on August 13, 2011

zoomed in (upper left area) of the same photo above so you can see the people and the give a sense of scale to how large this natural rock formation is which is considered a sacred place for the Native Americans.

I'll write more shortly

BIG SKY MONTANA: Simultaneous Moonset and Sunrise

 Photo of moon setting to the west and the Sunrising in the east on August 13, 2011 in Montana

Connected to EARTH and HEAVEN: THE TEPEE

photo taken August 8, 2011 of a Teepee near Little Bighorn Battlefield in Montana

"And my father dwelt in a tent."

I Nephi 2: 15

The word "tipi" comes into English from the Lakota language; the word thípi consists of two elements: the verb thí, meaning "to dwell", and  pi, and means "they dwell". Lakota verbs can be used as nouns and this is the case with thípi, which in practice just means "dwelling".

The tipi was durable, provided warmth and comfort in winter, was dry during heavy rains, and was cool in the heat of summer. Tipis could be disassembled and packed away quickly when a tribe decided to move and could be reconstructed quickly when the tribe settled in a new area.

WHERE TO FIND SAFETY? The story a mother and father quail.

photo taken near our home of a quail family on July 9, 2011

"For the day of my visitation cometh speedily, in an hour when ye think not of;

 and where shall be the safety of my people, and refuge for those who shall be left of them?"

Doctrine and Covenants 124: 10

The quail is a symbol of a contrite spirit, communal love, and higher consciousness. In Roman mythology, the bird depicted courage and victory. 

This year, we have had alot of birds nesting around our home. Canadian Geese, Ducks, Doves, Sparrows, Robins and even swarms of dragon flies.  When we arrived home from Lake Powell, we found a new family of quail hiding in a window well  for safety.  It appeared that this was the place that the female quail had her nest and her babies.  I took a quick photo of this family without trying to frighten them.

We also have a stray cat in our neighborhood. His name is Clyde. My animal loving daughter was concerned that Clyde might want to harm even kill the baby quail. She in fact wanted to stay/sleep outside all night so she could protect the innocent tiny quail from the night wandering cat. We told her that we would rather have her sleep inside, due to her safety. Reluctantly my daughter obeyed, but she stayed with the quail until it was time for her to go to bed.

Come to find out the next morning my daughters intuition was right... Clyde had found the baby quail. Apparently, the mother and father quail were no match to protect their children from the wild cat. All that was left was small quail feathers. The Mother and Father Quail stayed close by our home for a couple of days... childless/quail-less until they evidently flew away.  The circle of life is sometimes painful and heartwrenching. Yes, in this world, there is opposition in all things.

• "Faith is not about everything turning out OK; Faith is about being OK no matter how things turn out."

There is a good song that I heard recently entitled.. "Praise You in the Storm"

I said the path is too steep. JESUS SAID I WILL NOT LET YOUR FEET SLIP.
I said the road is dark. JESUS SAID I AM YOUR LIGHT.
I said I don't know the direction. JESUS SAID I AM THE WAY.
I said I am weak and tired. JESUS SAID I WILL CARRY YOU

SAFETY FROM THE OMINOUS STORM

photo taken on June 14, 2011 of portent storm near Disneyworld in Florida on our family vacation

"Yea, they shall not be beaten down by the storm at the last day;

yea, neither shall they be harrowed up by the whirlwinds;

but when the storm cometh they shall be gathered together in their place,

that the storm cannot penetrate to them;

yea, neither shall they be driven with fierce winds whithersoever the enemy listeth to carry them.

But behold, they are in the hands of the Lord of the harvest, and they are his;

and he will raise them up at the last day."

Alma 26: 6-7

Storms can be frightening. The awesome power of Mother Nature reminds us how little and powerless we are. Storms come in all forms...  there are the hurricanes, tornadoes etc.. but there are also other storms that are just as devastating. Financial Storms, Stormy Relationships, Internal Storms of Personal battles and addictions. 

 We all want to be prepared  for the storms that we will need to face... we have been taught early to save money for a rainy day. A great motto is prepare for the worst, but hope for the best. Recently, I talked with some friends who are big into preparedness. They are fully prepared temporally with guns and ammunition, and food storage. Yet despite being prepared, there is no guarantee that any of our preparation will save us. In fact, anything we do ourselves can't save us. Temporal/physical preparation might make the sting easier in difficult situation.. but only being spiritually prepared can ultimately save us. And there is only One who can save. That being said, truly there is only way to be safe from the coming storm... and that is to numbered as "one of His." Many are called, but few are chosen.  

APPROACHING STORM FROM THE NORTH

photo taken on August 2, 2011 while driving north on the freeway to SLC from Springville.

"Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north."

Job 37: 9

HOPE: patch of blue sky across Lake Mary

photo taken on August 4, 2011 of Lake Mary above Brighton in Big Cottonwood Canyon 

Some people are like a patch of blue sky every day.

Their voices soothe deep pain.

Their smiles absorb harsh words.

Their touch heals mortal wounds.

 

CLOUDS: THE COLOR OF WHITE

photo taken on August 4, 2011 at the beginning of hike to Lake Mary 

"And I looked, and behold a white cloud,

 and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown."

Revelations 14:14

• I learned yesterday the clouds are symbolic of a "white garment" over the earth.
• Similar to the garment, the clouds can be a "protection" from damaging rays.
• Clouds are also the way the life source of water is distributed over the earth.
• The clouds at noonday with the sun shining are a brilliant white. Clean, pure, and majestic.
• The color white is actually the combination of all colors.

GLORY and COMPLETION: symbol of the 10-petal columbine

photo take on hike to Lake Mary on August 6, 2011

write more shortly

SACRED SPACE: the symbol of the altar

photo taken of the inside of a sacred Navajo slot canyon on July 8th, 2011

I will write more shortly.

THE HOLY LAND:

It is rare that I post things other than the photographs I have taken, but this was a video that was done by some very talented photographers. I would love to go back to Israel and capture something like this. I don't necessary like the music chosen, but visually I thought was beautiful, especially to see the interaction of the Heavens  (sky, stars, sun) effect Earth (land, sites, and locations).

HARDENED AND PETRIFIED vs. NEW LIFE AND GROWTH

Then if our hearts have been hardened,

yea, if we have hardened our hearts against the word,

insomuch that it has not been found in us,

then will our state be awful, for then we shall be condemned.

Alma 12:13

Petrified comes from the Greek root petro meaning "rock" or "stone". Petrified wood is literally "wood turned into stone".

Petrified wood is the result of a tree having turned completely into stone when all the organic materials have been replaced with minerals. The petrifaction process occurs when wood becomes buried under sediment and is initially preserved due to a lack of oxygen. In general, wood takes less than 100 years to petrify.

I took the above photo of petrified wood and a living tree side by side in the Petrified Forest National Park which is located in the Navajo and Apache counties in northeastern Arizona.

There is much symbolism to be found in this image. How does a tree become petrified? How does a heart become hardened? What allows for a tree to grow? What is needed? Obviously a tree doesn’t become petrified overnight, but over a course of many years of being “buried” in material that does not allow the “oxygen” or “light” to in. There is a cycle to things in this world, a cycle that brings death, and a cycle that brings life. Which path is our hearts on?

SEVEN DEADLY SINS: Changing these vices into virtues.

photo of a dead tree at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon taken on July 8, 2011

 The Seven deadly sins with definitions:

Wrath: selfishness or self-interest, love of justice perverted to revenge and spite, uncontrolled feelings of anger

Greed: excessive or inordinate desire to acquire or possess more than one needs, especially with respect to material wealth, status, and power

Sloth: failure to utilize one's talents and gifts, laziness and indifference

Pride: desire to be more important or attractive than others, failing to acknowledge the good work of others, and excessive love of self,

Lust: excessive love of others, which therefore rendered love and devotion to God as secondary

Envy: resent that another person has something they perceive themselves as lacking, sorrow for another's good

Gluttony: indulgence and over-consumption of anything to the point of waste (excessive desire for food causing withholding from the needy)

We need to change these vices into virtues: 

·         our Wrath into Patience.

·         our Greed into Charity

·         our Slothfulness into Diligence

·         our Pride into Humility

·         our Lust into Chastity

·         our Envy into Kindness

·         our Gluttony into Temperance.

Once we have all these virtues we will be filled with love for others. Love encompasses all the virtues. Once we have all virtues we will be able to taste Zion.

Just an interesting thing I learned. The writer of Gilligan’s island created each character to be an embodiment of one of the seven deadly sins. As you know all of them were castaways on an island needing to make it back home.

·         The Professor represented Pride.

·         Skipper represented Wrath.

·         Gilligan represented Sloth

·         Mary Ann represented Envy

·         Ginger represented Lust

·         Mr. Howell represented Greed

·         Mrs. Howell represented Gluttony.

MINISTERING ANGELS: Physical/Spiritual.. Seen and Unseen

Photo of Mount Timpanogos Temple taken by Paul Talbot who captured this for me in my behalf

since I didn't have my camera with me.

“It is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore,

 if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief”

Moroni 7:37

Ministering angels are sometimes sent to guide, comfort, protect, and instruct the Lord’s servants and other faithful individuals in times of need. Angels who minister in our behalf—whether seen or unseen—may include departed loved ones who are aware of our circumstances and are concerned about our welfare. We do not consciously realize the extent to which ministering angels affect our lives.

This photo has special meaning for me. I usually have my camera with me, but on this particular evening I left it home. I was on my way from Salt Lake to give a blessing to a friend who had severe back problems and was incapacitated and couldn’t walk. He called me (on Father’s Day) to give him a blessing instead of his father…since he lost both his dad and mom in a tragic car accident when he was little. The sun was setting as I was driving. The clouds were turning a deep red color as I approached my friends house. Just before I arrived, I passed the Mt. Timpanogos Temple. I stopped to look at the temple with the brilliant sky in the background. Just as I was wishing I had my camera. I noticed a man on the corner (Paul Talbot) taking a picture of this scene. I asked him if he would send it to me. He did, and I post it on my blog with his permission.

Not only does the Lord send signs to us, but people who are there to help us in our time of need. A blessing was given to my friend. He was prompted to have four of us Elders to form a circle (a square within a circle which is similar to the Native America's medicine wheel) As we were giving him a blessing, we all felt the strong impressions that his dad was there with us in the room. An unseen ministering angel. After a blessing of healing was given, my friend was able to stand and give us all a hug. Faith, Healing, Miracles, and Ministering Angels.

The photo is a memory for me of that night. The red in the clouds symbolic of the Atonement of Christ who has the ability to heal us all. We partake of the sacrament every week to remember the blood that was shed for us as we all need access His mercy to be healed.

THE MIND'S EYE: opening to understanding

photo taken of my shadow at Lake Powell on July 8, 2011

"The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened."

Doctrine and Covenants 110:1

The phrase "mind's eye" refers to the human ability for visualization for the experiencing of visual mental imagery; in other words, one's ability to "see" things with the mind. Another term which is closely related in using our "third eye". The third eye is often associated with visions. People who have allegedly developed the capacity to utilize their third eyes are sometimes known as seers. In the last days we read in Acts and also in Joel we read.. "it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams."

DAYS OF 47' PARADE: Keeping traditions alive

photo taken of the street at the beginning of parade with the police escorting 

our church and state dignitaries on Monday  July 25, 2011 

photo of President Thomas S Monson waving to the crowd

A parade is a procession of people, usually organized along a street, often in costume, and often accompanied by marching bands, floats or sometimes large balloons. Parades are held for a wide range of reasons, but are usually celebrations of some kind.

On July 24th, we celebrate the Mormon pioneers arrival into the Salt Lake Valley.  A parade was first held on July 24, 1849. It was then known as the "Pioneer Days Parade" up until 1931. From 1931 to 1946 the parade was known as the "Covered Wagon Days Parade". Since 1947 the parade has been known by its current name... the Days of 47' Parade.

 LDS ward and stakes always sponsor floats in the parade. Many hundreds of hours of volunteeer time are spent to decorate these floats depicting the theme each year.  Recently, the parade has become more inclusive, with other churches participating and celebrating their own Utah pioneers. One of the big crowd pleasers in the parade are the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales. Television news personalities, Beauty Queens, and Government officials and the militiary also are a big part of the parade.  Of course it always includes the handcarts, horses, bands, and clowns for the children.

HOWEVER, while we keep most traditions alive. There is one tradition that has changed...which isn't surprising.. since most things change over time. Here is one example: The  Days of 47' Marathon Route. My wife and I ran this Marathon about 10 years ago. It is known by most as the Deseret News Marathon. The course was very difficult since there were grueling hills that traces the route the Mormon pioners took when they first arrived in the valley. The last miles are run along the parade route. It became known as "being too difficult".  My wife and I trained for months running parts of the course with my brother-in-law. We all finished the race. It was difficult, but the reward was great.

Over the years there has been a steady decline of runners. In order to make the race profitable and to encourage more participation, the course was changed to be alot easier. There are no more difficult mountains to summit. The course is mostly all downhill now.

We seem to avoid the difficult, the steep, and the painful.. for the easier, the gentle declines, and the more convenient. While we still have the tradition of this marathon. it is a different course. Not sure the reward is still the same however.

LIVING UNDER A ROCK: The cliff-dwellers in Arizona

photo taken of the Cliff/Rock Dwellers in Northern Arizona on July 8, 2011

Native American home in Cliff Dwellers, located in Northern Arizona at Marble Canyon and at the foot of Vermillion Cliffs, is known for its unique shaped boulders and rugged terrain

i will write more shortly.

BECOMING CLEAN BY PROXY: from the blood of the generations

photo taken of Angel Moroni on top of Mt. Timpanogos temple on April 6, 2011

"That I may testify unto your Father, and your God, and my God,

that you are clean from the blood of this wicked generation."

Doctrine and Covenants 88:75

In computer networks, a proxy server is a computer system that acts as an intermediary for requests from one server seeking resources from another server. By definition, a proxy is a person authorized to act on behalf of another.

I haven't shared this yet after returning home from the Snowflake, Arizona Temple. Today I thought I should. I went down to Arizona for several reason, one of them was to do the temple work for 5 Native Americans. I did some of the ordinances in the Mesa Temple, and then did the rest in the Snowflake Temple. One of main reason we go to the temple is to gain further light and knowledge. In order for this progression, we must be clean from the sins and blood of past generations. As I was a proxy for one of the Native Americans, I sensed this man's overwhelming feeling of gratitude and joy in being cleansed from the traditions of his fathers and the blood of his generation. Through the Spirit,  I knew that he had shed "innocent" blood... and as his proxy I wept for him with tears of love for the mercies given to us through our Savior. There is a very real, and  the literal cleansing  that we can feel if we access the Atonement. 

Today I met a woman from Alabama who is here to go through the Salt Lake Temple with my friend. My friend will act as proxy for her son who died a year ago. Her son was 24 years old and committed suicide. What is even more tragic is that he shot himself over the grave of his father who also killed himself 5 years ago. Both the father and son suffered from clinical depression. My heart went out to the woman who has lost both her husband and son. As the blessings of the temple will be performed today, I can testify that as we accept the gospel of Jesus Christ, we can be pronounced clean from the blood that stains us in this world.

GENERATING POWER: MAN-MADE vs GOD'S

photo taken outside of Page, Arizona at the Navajo power plant.

 For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Romans 13:1

I give unto you power,

that whatsoever ye shall seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven;

and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven;

and thus shall ye have power among this people

Helaman 10:7

There is no greater power than the sealing power here on earth. While a nuclear plant might be one of our most powerful man-made inventions by man... having God's sealing power is greater. If a prophet is given the sealing power, they know that it is NEVER about them or what they have done in this life. It is ALL about GOD. They would never super impose their self at all, No Pride. No focusing light on themselves... it is all about glorifying our Father in Heaven. Christ was the perfect example of this.

Sidenote Info of the powerplant in the photo:

The Navajo Power Plant is located in northern Arizona on the Navajo Indian Reservation near Page, and features three 750-megawatt coal-fueled, steam-electric generating units. An electric railroad delivers coal to the plant from a mine on the Navajo and Hopi Indian Reservations at Black Mesa in northern Arizona. If someone has alot of time to read.. this talks about the travesty of taking the coal from the Hopi reservations.

http://truthmarche.wordpress.com/2010/06/16/the-hopi-mormons-and-mother-earth/

http://truthmarche.wordpress.com/2010/08/11/the-hopi-mormons-and-mother-earth-part-2/
It is unfortunate that the "god" of this world worships money, gain, and greed all under the pretense of helping others.

BREAKING THROUGH AND RETURNING BACK HOME

I did NOT take this photo (I screengrabbed it from the BBC video)

Are we like the salmon or a trout?

The salmon are anadromous (migrate). They are born in fresh water, migrate to the ocean, then return to back home to fresh water. After leaving the fresh water, just before entering the salt water, their body chemistry changes, allowing them to live in the different water environment. The salmon spend about one to five years in the open ocean where they gradually become mature. The adult salmon then return back up their natal stream to spawn. While hard to believe, tracking studies show that these fish return to the exact spot where they were born.     This homing behavior has been shown to depend on their olfactory memory. (smell.. the ability to discern). Not many salmon eggs make it to maturity. Many are lost.

The trout however are content to stay where they are ... they are called "resident". They possible like the security of the pleasant, calm easy water.

In order for the salmon to return back to where they came from, they much swim upstream.. against the current. It is a difficult and strenous requiring an unrelenting force pulling them back. Trout are mainstream fish and they rarely swim against the current...content they are gradually being pulled downstream with the rest of the flow or stay in pools (not really moving up or down stream).

For the salmon, swimming against the the fast moving current is not their only challenge. Unfortunately, there are small waterfalls that they must over which requires these fish to jump out of the water (their security and environment) in order to get to the higher level of water. The Bears are very keen and smart, they stand with open mouth ready to eat the salmon as they attempt to jump past these hairy "gatekeepers" of the higher water. Many salmon do not make it past and are eaten alive.

There is beauty is seeing the salmon pierce the water, jump past the bears into the fresh water of their origin.

NATIVE AMERICAN STORY OF THE SALMON

This is a beautiful story that the Native Americans have about the salmon.

This story is about when the people ignored the directions of the Creator about caring for the salmon, the salmon disappeared. The Creator taught the people how to care for this food which was created especially for them. He said, "Do not neglect this food. Be careful that you do not break the rules in taking care of this salmon. Do not take more than you need". He told them if they observed these rules, the salmon would multiply several times over as long as they lived.

At first the people diligently obeyed the rules, and they lived happily without problems. All along the river there were different bands of people living in their fishing villages, busy catching and drying their supply of salmon.

But one day something strange happened. The people became careless and they neglected to follow the instructions made by the Creator. They became greedy. They did not take care of the salmon. They let them go to waste when they caught more than they needed for their families. They would not listen to the advice from those who were trying to follow the rules. Suddenly the salmon disappeared.

When the salmon were no longer coming up the stream for the people to catch everybody frantically searched the rivers, but all in vain. There was not one salmon left to be found. Soon they became hungry, their little children were crying and the old people were forced to beg for food.

One day, while they were searching the river, they found a dead salmon lying on the bank of the river. They stared down at it in disbelief when they realized what had happened. They began to cry out in shame and lament their mistakes, "If we are given one more chance, we will do better. If only we could awaken this salmon, the other salmon might come up the stream."

The people called a council and they talked about how they could give life back to the salmon. In legendary times those with supernatural powers could revive a lifeless creature by stepping over it five times. The people tried to use their own spiritual powers to revive the salmon. One by one they each stepped over the salmon five times, but to no avail.

There was a recluse named Old Man Rattlesnake. He never went anywhere always staying off by himself. He was very ancient and all the people called him "Grandfather". Somebody said, "let's ask Grandfather to help us! He is a powerful man. Let him revive the salmon!." A messenger was sent. "Oh Grandfather, would you come and help us revive the salmon. Everybody has failed." Old Man Rattlesnake listened and said, "What makes you think I am capable of reviving this lone salmon after everyone else has failed? I am an old man, how do you expect an old man like me to possess powers to do the impossible!". The messenger was sad. "You are our last hope. Please help us, Grandfather". Finally Old Man Rattlesnake agreed, "I will do my best". He was so old it was very painful for him to move fast. He moved ever so slowly and it seemed like such a long way for one so old.

While Grandfather was on his way, Coyote (a trickster) tried desperately, using all his wily skills to convince the people he possessed supernatural powers. He was thinking to himself, "If I revive this salmon I will be a very famous person." He stepped over it four times, and just as he was stepping over the fifth time, he pushed the salmon with the tip of his toe to make it appear as though it moved. He announced loudly, "Oh, look, my people, I made the salmon come to life. Did you see it move?" But the people were wise to the ways of Coyote and they paid him no attention.

Finally, Old Man Rattlesnake arrived. Painfully he crawled over the salmon four times. The fifth time something magical happened! Grandfather disappeared into the salmon and the salmon woke up and came back to life and the salmon came back to the rivers. The people learned their lesson well and took care to protect their salmon from then on.

Today when you catch a salmon, and you are preparing it for eating or preserving, if you break the spine you will find a white membrane inside. That is old Man Rattlesnake who gave life back to the salmon.

We did not know all this by ourselves; we were told it by our fathers and grandfathers, who learned it from their fathers and grandfathers. No one knows when the Great Chief Above will overturn the mountains.

But we do know this: the spirits will return only to the remains of people who in life kept the beliefs of their grandfathers. Only their bones will be preserved under the mountains

AMERICA'S FUTURE: a viewpoint from a Native America

This might be interesting for those interested to watch.

I have spent sometime with the Hopi's and Navajos in the last couple of months.

We can learn alot from them.

Disclaimer: There is a hint of evolution at the end and Darwism that might cause some to reject this, however, I found alot of beauty in what this man says that we all are one family interconnected.

INPRISONED: Those who sit in darkness

Photo taken of the Salt Lake Jail  on July 18, 2011

 Yesterday, I visited a man in prison. It was a humbling experience for me. As you can see, this concrete walled prison does not have any windows. No light can penetrate this facility, and those captive inside are unable to see sunlight. Without light, no growth or progression can be made. Instead of natural light, artificial light from manmade electricity is used to “light” the interior. This kind of light has no life giving abilities. To be damned means to stop progression by not receiving further light and knowledge.

Unfortunately, many are imprisoned innocently or on false charges. It is truly sad. Joseph Smith and Jesus Christ were two such men wrongly accused and spent time behind bars. However, experiencing the darkness one gains a better appreciation for the light. As we know, there is only one source of Light. The Light of Christ. “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.” John 12: 46.

This is the Savior' role:

“To open the blind eyes,

to bring out the prisoners from the prison,

and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.”

Isaiah 42:7

On first reading this scripture, it would appear that Isaiah is referring to just prisoners in prison who are without light and are blind. But re-reading, the blind are the prisoners... AND THEM (that are “free”… outside of prison) who also sit in darkness. We are told that there are many who are walking in darkness at noon-day. Read Doctrine and Covenants 95: 5-6.
My wife at night wears a blindfold. This is for her to be able to sleep a little longer in the morning when the sun comes up. She physically places material over her eyes which will not allow light to penetrate her eyes. The blindfold work.

 Yesterday in sacrament meeting, the primary president shared an object lesson that I thought was interesting. She blind folded the children and told them to find the picture of Jesus Christ that she hung on the wall. Unable to see, the children were unable to locate the Savior. Because our Father in Heaven loves us, we who are blind and whose eyes are not yet opened, God provides us  with His word for us to hold onto. To illustrate this, the primary president held out a rod which led to the picture of the Savior. She had the blindfolded children then hold onto that rod. This helped them find where they were to go. This is faith on His world. Hopefully, as we exercise our faith,  we have have knowledge and eventually remove the blindfolds and see the Lord ourselves.

“The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down.” Psalms 146:8

THE END OF THE RAINBOW: HOME

photo taken of sunset/rainbow from our driveway on July 10, 2011 after the evening rainstorm

NATURE'S TEMPLES: Bryce Canyon

PORTENT STORM at the NORTH RIM

photo taken at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon on July 8, 2011