LAST SUNLIGHT OF THE DAY SHINING ON PEAK

photo taken on July 4, 2012 of the north part of Mount Timpangos mountain range above Alpine

LONE PEAK

photo taken from our neighborhood on  July 11, 2012 

THE END OF THE DAY GLORY

photo taken on 7.11.2012 from our street

WATER MEETS LAND

photo taken near Laguna Beach on June 18, 2012

OVERCOMING FEAR AND OBSTACLES

Photo taken jumping off the Lido Bridge in Newport Beach on June 21, 2012 

Photo taken of a horse jumping competition on June 22, 2012 near Newport Beach

I will write more shortly

SUNSETS: RED AT NIGHT

photos taken of two differents sunsets down on Newport Beach - June 2012

The old adage in North America is:

Red sky at night, sailor's delight,

Red sky at morning, sailors take warning.

In Great Britain and Ireland:

Red sky at night, shepherd's delight,

Red sky in morning, fisherman's warning.

We know this old folklore has been around for some time and might have some truth to it. In Matthew 16: 2-3 Jesus replied to some Pharisees and Sadducees that wanted to "test" him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. "When evening comes, you say, 'It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.'And in the morning, 'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast. You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times."

It might be hard to see in the bottom photo, but there are three birds flying to the left of the sun.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY

photo taken on June 16, 2102 on Balboa Island.

 (If you look carefully.. there are  3 American Flags in this photo.)

"And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it

— In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—

and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.....and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren,

so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land.

Alma 46: 12-13

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HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

May we appreciate the liberty that was given to us, and be courageous enought to continue fighting for it.

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Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence ?

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army;  another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or  hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists.  Eleven were merchants,  nine were farmers and large plantation owners;  men of means, well educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured. Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the  British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags. Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward. Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton. At the battle of Yorktown , Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt. Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.


So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and  silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid. Remember: freedom is never free

ABOVE THE FOG AND CLOUDS

photo taken on a morning hike in Southern California on the Summer Solstice

You have to travel some distance and hike to greater heights if you want to see the sunrise on the coast of Southern California. However, it is worth the effort to be able to rise above the dark clouds and fog to see the beauty of a new day dawning.  

Below are some of the lyrics to this song by Matt Redman called Ten Thousand Reasons:

Bless the Lord, O my soul O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

Sing like never before O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
I'll worship Your holy name

NEWPORT BEACH HARBOR

photo taken from Jetty View Park over looking Balboa Bay at Newport Beach on June 19, 2012

"They were once a delightsome people, and they had Christ for their shepherd;

yea, they were led even by God the Father. But now, behold, they are led about by Satan, even as chaff is driven before the wind, or as a vessel is tossed about upon the waves,

 without sail or anchor, or without anything wherewith to steer her;

Mormon 5: 17-18

I will write more shortly.

STANDING FOR LIBERTY

photo taken of a Statue of Liberty replica on June 16, 2012 on Balboa Island in California.

"Abide ye in the liberty wherewith ye are made free; entangle not yourselves in sin,

but let your hands be clean, until the Lord comes.
Doctrine and Covenants 88:86.

The above photo is a small replica of the statue of Liberty. The original stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor and was a gift to the United States from the people of France. The statue is a robed female figure representing Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom, who bears a torch and a “tabula ansata” (a tablet evoking the law) upon which is inscribed the date of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776. A broken chain lies at her feet. The statue has become an icon of freedom and of the United States.

Today was a significant day. I voted in the primary elections to select the best candidate for the highest office in the country. There is no need to worry about voting for the lesser of two evils in this election, because there is a man on the ballot who truly knows what it means to keep the oath of office by upholding, defending and preserving the Constitution of the United States of America. This might be the last chance we might see such a man on the ballot one who supports a limited, constitutional government, low taxes, free markets, honest money, and a pro-America foreign policy. One who feels that our American troops should only go to war when necessary, have proper tools, and clear objectives. One who favors balanced budgets and not letting corporations control the President.

The man I voted for described himself at one of the Presidential debates as.. CONSISTENT.
The man I voted for has never been accused of being a flip-flopper.
The man I voted for is the closest man we have to one of our Founding Fathers.
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Joseph Smith said, "... we shall have the satisfaction of knowing that we have acted conscientiously, and have used our best judgment. And if we have to throw away our votes, we had better do so upon a worthy rather than an unworthy individual who might make use of the weapon we put in his hand to destroy us." (Joseph Smith, Jr., Times and Seasons, IV:441)

HAPPY SMILES

photo taken on June 15, 2012 of Eden's first trip to Disneyland.

"And it came to pass that Jesus blessed them as they did pray unto him;

and his countenance did smile upon them,

and the light of his countenance did shine upon them."

3 Nephi 19:25

Smiling is an expression denoting pleasure, joy and happiness. Smiling is something that is understood by everyone despite culture, race, or religion; it is internationally known. Newborns often exhibit smiles within the first three days of their lives, especially while sleeping. However these early smiles are spontaneous and are not a response to outside stimulation. These early smiles are referred to as "reflex smiles." Between 6 and 8 weeks, most babies begin to exhibit "social smiles", meaning the baby will smile at his/her caregivers or in response to stimuli. 

Our daughter Eden just turned 8 months old. Smiling comes naturally to her. We just returned from our family vacation to California. We took her to Disneyland for the first time. Many call it the "Happiest Place on Earth". Most tend to rely on entertainment to make us happy. However, true happiness comes from within.

SANCTUARY

Today is June 18, 2012. Three Days before the Summer Solstice. The day of most light.

These photos were taken a few weeks ago up Provo Canyon. Last time I went up there I had company as I sat along the bank of the river:  a hawk, a golden warbler and a robin. While not the best of pictures, I post them as a reminder.  

Birds find sanctuary high in the trees usually in peaceful and serene places. A sanctuary is defined in the 1828 dictionary as a place consecrated to the worship of God, a place where divine service is performed. It is a place of protection.

Here is some interesting things I learned about the robin:

Robins have a powerful significance in ancient myth and lore. One tale has its origins in European mythology, in which the bird of Spring is linked with the New Year and symbolises divine sacrifice and the rebirth of the spirit.

Medieval Europe lore often depicted the robin attending the Christ child, an emblem of the Passion to come. The tiny robin flew to Jesus' Crown of Thorns, striving bravely to pluck the thorns away with his beak. Unfortunately, the bird only tore his own breast on the thorns. Since then it was thought that robins wore red feathers on their chests as a badge of honour.


Robins are good parents like many birds are. One facet of this power animal their ability to nurture themselves into true adulthood. This is signified by the robin's red breast - it symbolizes the activation of creative energy, inciting growth. This is also linked with the Robin's traditional connection to spring - the season of renewal. When we let go of our past - a lot of which stems from childhood experiences - we are refreshed and renewed, thus unburdened and free to nurture and serve ourselves as well as others.
If there is an abundant food supply, robins will live the year-round in an area. This can show us that when our heart and soul feels gloomy and cold, we are able to thrive if we possess sufficient inner strength, courage and trust. Therefore, the robin is an especially good ally to have through the winter months.

One part of growth is learning how to deal with conflict in a mature manner. Male robins immersed in territorial disputes sing to each other.  Their song is a happy one, reminding you to let go of your personal drama and learn to laugh with life.

DAY OF WONDERS IN THE SKY

photo taken on June 5, 2012

 

 

A Recap of yesterday's wonders in the sky:

• Simultaneous sunrise and moonset
• The Transit of Venus
• Magnicent Burning Red Sunset

 The day was a living parable of sorts for me.

  

The first top two photos were taken in the morning of June 5, 2012... just after the break of dawn around 6:00 AM. The end of the fourth watch. The left photo is of the sun rising between two mountains. I took these photos near Elk Ridge. The right photo is tof the moon setting. As the greater light ascended, the lesser light descended simultaneously. Then, starting at 4:30 PM the symbolic planet of Venus began its transit across the sun. This will not occur again for over a hundred years. This is the 2nd eclipse of the sun this year. A winterlike cold front moved into Salt Lake that afternoon causing the entire city to be covered with clouds. The sun was not visible at all. Since this event was important to me, I needed to leave work, and left the valley and drove southeast over Traverse Ridge up to Eagle Point where I found the sun shining. I took many pictures as I witness the planet Venus aligning with the Sun.

 

Later that evening, right around the peak time of the eclipse, the sun came out at my home. I quickly took more pictures. The center photo was taken outside my house on my driveway. I then took my family and drove up towards the mountains on Wasatch Bouvelard to watch the sunset. The photo on the bottom is a taken with solar filter on. It was a beautiful red sky.

MORE SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS

photos taken tonight on 06.03.2012 of the Full Moon rising over the Wasatch Mountains.

Tomorrow evening there will be another very important occurrence happening in the sky. The planet Venus will "transit” or eclipse the disk of the sun for almost seven hours from roughly 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The entire event will be about 6 hours and 40 minutes. The planet will be closest to center of sun at 7:30 p.m. It is a very rare occurrence and won't happen again for over a century. From the naked eye, it will appear as a little black spot going across the sun, but it's really rare. There have been only seven transits of Venus since the invention of the telescope in 1610, according to NASA. It will be visible all across the United States. It can be considered another “solar eclipse” of the sun. It will be the second solar eclipse this year, and third total solar eclipse will occur on November 13, 2012. One more thing that I came across that I thought was interesting. The path of Venus over the past 8 years will make a perfect five pointed star (pentagram). between the transit (that happened in 2004) and the second transit which is tomorrow (8 years later).
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In addition, in case some of you missed it, there was a full moon last night. I took these shots as the moon was rising over the mountain ridge near Lone Peak. Early this morning, there was a lunar eclipse that occurred but unfortunately not visible for those of us who live in Salt Lake.. Whenever there is a solar eclipse (which occurred on June 20), usually a lunar eclipse follows about 2 weeks later because of the alignment of the sun, moon, and earth.

MAN-MADE vs. NATURAL

photos taken on Sunday, May 27, 2012 which happened to be Pentecost.

Above are two waterfalls up Provo Canyon. The waterfall on the left does not have an name, it is man-made and is at the beginning of the canyon near the city of Orem. The waterfall on the right is Bridleveil Falls which is higher up the canyon.

I will write more shortly.

MEMORIAL DAY 2012

photo taken on May 27, 2012 of the birdhouse out in front of our home.

While today is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces, Memorial Day has become a day for more general expressions of memory, as people visit the graves of their deceased relatives, whether they had served in the military or not. On Saturday, my family visited the grave of my wife's father. He died a few years ago from cancer. Saturday also happened to be his birthday. He would have been 78. We left a Birthday card along with flowers.

We tend to think that only human's grieve the loss of a loved one. It is my belief that animals also have emotions of sorrow and grief.

A mother sparrow made a nest in our front yard birdhouse this year. We enjoyed seeing and hearing the chirping when the little baby birds hatched. Unfortunately, a predator of some kind came into the nest. We found the remains of the little birds on our lawn. The mother bird now sits outside of the birdhouse... with an occasional chirp. She seems to be grieving the loss of her babies. I took this picture yesterday in the morning. It has been over a week now. She still has not left.
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Below is a photo and from a story that I came across on the interent of a male pit bull mourning by the side of his dead companion has moved many to tears after it was posted to Facebook. On Friday, the female pit bull was killed by a car on South 16th Street in Phoenix, but her partner refused to abandon her. The male dog stayed by her side for more than 14 hours before Animal Control removed her body and now, they say, he is still so depressed he may not be able to find a home to adopt him. He would not eat or drink, but licked and stayed with his friend

NORTH PEAK OF PARAWON GAP

photo taken on Sunday, May 20, 2012.

the day of the Allular Eclipse

About Parowan Gap          

Hugh Nibley states, “By an interesting coincidence I had spent the previous week in Cedar City with President William Palmer, a patriarch as well as stake president, who taught anthropology in the college there. He had been initiated into the Paiute tribe, and took me out to their sacred place in the plain southwest of Parowan [Parowan Gap]. The building of the highway had put an end to the rites of initiation that once took place there, but President Palmer described the teachings and ordinances as far as was permitted. In particular he told the story of the descent of the Lord from heaven as if at that place, an event much like that described in 3 Nephi. Tobats was the God of all Creation; his son Shinob was the peacemaker full of love and eternally young. One day the Evil One Un-nu-pit killed Shinob. At once a great darkness fell upon “Tu-weap,” the whole earth. It was absolute blackness for three days. In this chaos and confusion everyone was groping around in howling and lamentation. Finally, a voice from the top of the mountain spoke; it was Tobats the Father. He told them to move about with outstretched arms, calling out to each other, and joining hands with whoever one touched. Thus they formed lines, and the lines were instructed to join with each other; people in the lines were to cry out for husbands and wives and children until all families had reformed. Then the noise ceased, and a voice told them to climb the mountain or mesa where Tobats was. They worked their way up the mountain, toiling in human chains and finally forming a huge circular formation on the top, with Tobats in the middle. Well, Tobats said he would shoot an arrow straight up (this is the well-known Indian and world-wide theme of the arrow chain to heaven [the fiery pillar of light?]). His arrow produced a tiny spark of light; but the second arrow brought light, which grew like an explosion until it flooded all the land. The blackbird and the flicker have been honored ever since because their feathers were used for the arrows—they are perpetual reminders of the great event.” (See Hugh Nibley, Promised Lands, in Brother Brigham Challenges the Saints, FARMS-Deseret Book. See also William R. Palmer, Two Pahute Indian Legends: “Why the Grand Canyon Was Made” and “The Three Days of Darkness,” Cheney, WA: Citizen Journal Press, 1987, pps. 21—22.)

SOLAR ECLIPSE: A Sign in the Heavens

Below are some photos I took of the allular solar eclipse down at the Parowan Gap. The work allular means “shaped like or forming a ring”. This type of solar eclipse is also called the “Ring of Fire”... because a ring of sunlight will still be seen as the new moon passing between Earth and the Sun, which blocks most, but not all, of the sun’s disc.

I feel there is some symbolism in this “sign in the heaven”. It begins a new day, a birth, a crowning... it is sacred especially since it occured on the Sabbath.

The Sun is a symbol of the Male, the Father, and Light. The Moon is a symbol of the Female, the Mother, Phases and cycles, the Womb. (A “New” Moon is unseen to us which is symbolic of Mother in Heaven.)

When this solar eclipse occurred, the sun and moon aligned and became "one." An eternal gold ring appears. It looked as if the Moon had a golden crown.  Interesting in childbirth just before the baby is born there is a moment in time called the Ring of Fire. It is right at the point of “crowning” when the baby's head remains visible without slipping back in. It is the most intense pain occurs and womans body feels like it is on fire.

There is alot more I could share, but here is a series of 8 photos (8 symbolic of rebirth). All of these photos are not photoshopped but are "pure" from the camera, however but the different effects were created by the settings on the camera I was using and a lens filter I had on my camera to shoot directly into the sun.

Photo 1:

The Sun just before the eclipse started around 6:00 PM on May 20, 2012. (due to the camera lens, the sun looks alot like an 8 pointed star.. alot of symbolism in this photo alone)

Photo 2:

The moon begining to align with the sun. High contrast between the glowing white light of the sun and the shadow of the dark moon

Photo 3:

Intensity beginning just before the complete union and alignment.

Photo 4:

Crowning, ring of fire and climax of the sun and moon's alignment.

Photo 5: 

 UNION and COMPLETION

Photo 6:

Moon beginning to separate from the Sun.

Photo 7:

The sun beginning to descend below the horizon.

Photo 8:

Red Sunset

Happy Mother's Day

It is hard these days to find a wife who is not only beautiful, talented and loves the outdoors, but a woman who is an amazing cook, and is a seamstress who made all of the dresses on our four daughters in the above photo. Grateful for all that I wife who puts her family needs first. I am a blessed man.
Happy Mother's Day. I Love You.

Brigham City Temple

Another photo taken of the Brigham City Temple on April 28, 2012

DENY NOT THE GIFTS OF GOD

photo taken on April 28, 2012 of the statue of Moroni

on top of the Brigham City Temple that is still being constructed.

I had the opportunity to spend the day with my oldest daughter last Saturday at her competition in Odgen..  We had some time before the awards ceremony so we went up to dinner at the Maddox in Brigham City. After dinner we went and walked around the temple that is being constructed  The sun was at the perfect height to take this picture. It is not very often that you can look directly into the sun.. let alone take a picture of it.

Just wanted to share a couple of thoughts. We tend to focus on just the first 5 verses in the last chapter of the Book of Mormon, primarily verses 3-5. It is the promise that the missionaries use to know if the Book of Mormon is true. I think we would also benefit reading more about the Gifts of God that are found in the following verses"

".. I exhort you, my brethren, that ye deny not the gifts of God, for they are many; and they come from the same God. And there are different ways that these gifts are administered; but it is the same God who worketh all in all; and they are given by the manifestations of the Spirit of God unto men, to profit them.

And again, to another, the beholding of angels and ministering spirits.

And all these gifts come by the Spirit of Christ; and they come unto every man severally, according as He will."

BLESSINGS

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."

3 John 1:4

 I have been so busy that I haven't been able to write all that I would like. Last week our baby Eden turned 6 months old. She sat up on her own on her 1/2 year Birthday. She is had brought alot of joy and happiness in our home. We are so grateful. I am always saddened when other families have to go through so much pain and suffering with either not being able to have children or losing children. I don't know why Kat and I have been so blessed.

One of my friends who lives up in Midway UT was recently put in the Bishopric. He share the following story with me that happen a few weeks ago in his Sacrament Meeting.

"The couple who spoke today shared an amazing story. I'll try to sum it up in a few short sentences. They had three boys who were all teenagers and died of carbon monoxide poisoning in their home on a cold winter day. This happened about 20 years ago while the parents were on a trip.  They had left their 17 year old son in charge of the younger sons, (15 and 13). All three boys died in their sleep in one swift shot.

This couple subsequently had another child, a boy, and they proceeded to tell their version of the prodigal son. They recounted how he left the home when he was 17 to live with some friends. He spent the next several years on drugs, in and out of every horrible situation imaginable. He also had a child about three years ago and then finally ended up in jail. The parents visited him in jail two times a week, every week for six months. Finally, he was released and moved back home. In the last year he has changed his life and just a few weeks ago he walked in and showed his Mom his new temple recommend. During the meeting, the Bishop leaned over and whispered in my ear that this particular Son was sitting on the third row. I looked over and he looked sharp, clean, and he was struggling to control his emotions.
I envisioned the Savior wrapping his arms around this man who began the journey home. When he talks about leaving the ninety and nine to rescue the one, I could only imagine his rejoicing over this one who chose to repent and start the process, especially after everything he's been through.

It was a wonderful Sacrament meeting. There was a spirit of love and you could sense the Savior's love as they shared their story of the loss of their boys and then the spiritual loss and return of their prodigal son. In a sense, we all have to go through the same process."

I can't imagine the range of emotions that these parents have been through with losing physically their children and then almost spiritually. However, what joy must have been felt to have the return of the prodigal son.

Morning's First Light

photo taken on Easter morning at 7:00 AM on April 8, 2012

I will write more shortly.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESSICA

This was Birthday week at our home. My wife's Birthday was on Monday.. and today is my oldest daughter, Jessica's Birthday. She is now 14 years old... going on 18. :)

Last night I picked her up from her dance class. As we entered our neighborhood, she turned and asked me if she could hold the steering wheel and drive. This was her first time that she had experienced driving a car. While I still controlled the speed and could put on the brakes.. she was in control the direction of the car. I thought about this is and thought it to be symbolic of our relationship with our Heavenly Father. He allows us the ability to choose the direction we take in our life.. but He ultimately has the power to stop or accelerate things as He sees fit.

Anyway. I love you Jessica. I hope you had a good day. If your dad had a cell phone, he would text you. If I had a facebook account, I would have written on your wall, but I think the best way to wish you a Happy Birthday is to give you a hug and dedicate this Blog post to you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE

"Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shalt cleave unto her and none else."

Doctrine and Covenants 42:22

Today is Katherine's Birthday. Since I dont' have a facebook account, this is the next best thing for me to post on her "wall" and wish her Happy Birthday publically.

We met over 30 years ago. I was in 8th grade and she was in 7th grade. She used to sell candy suckers during class periods. She would always give me a sucker for free. (However, that is not why I liked her).  Even back then when we were 12,13 years olds.. there was a special bond of friendship that we had. WE went on to follow similiar paths, both serving missions, both studying abroad in Israel. The timing was right we then got married after both graduating from college. We played and traveled the world for many years before we began to bring beautiful daugthers into our family. We have four now, with Eden as the caboose. We both have a love for nature and for the outdoors. She is an amazing mother, wife and best friend. I have seen her eternal glory.  There is no one else I would rather be with in this world and experience and see the world with than her..

Happy Birthday Kat!

I Love You.

D

THE SON RISING ON EASTER MORNING 2012

photo taken this morning on top of Hidden Peak at 7:00 AM on 04.08.12

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Below photo taken of the moon looking west just after the sunrise this morning
You can see the sun hitting the top peak of the mountain.

"And after Christ shall have risen from the dead he shall show himself unto you,

my children, and my beloved brethren.

2 Nephi 26:1"

Today is Easter. The two above photos were taked within minutes of each other. One is looking east towards the sun, and the other is looking west towards the moon. The full moon, which is now starting to wane, was visible in the morning sky as the sun rose. It quickly became difficult to see once the sun becomes higher and brighter in the sky.  The moon is what is used to determine when Easter is. It was significant to see it this morning in addition to the beautiful sunrise. The contrast was striking.

Looking east at the brilliant sun.. the colors were red and orange,  it was the color of flames, hot and fiery. You would never guess that the black mountain in the foreground are covered white with snow .

Looking west towards the moon, the colors were blue and cold. You can see the snow covered mountains. 

We can see more clearly when there is a contrast in things. The last week in Christ's life was full of contrasts. The one that we observe today with Christ Resurrection is Death overcome by Life.

FULL MOON on APRIL 6, 2012

Photo taken last night about 9:00 PM of the full moon begins to rise above Mt. Olympus

"As also he is in the moon, and is the light of the moon,

and the power thereof by which it was made."

Doctrine and Covenants 88:8

The first full moon after the Spring Equinox determines when Easter will be celebrated. It is always the First Sunday AFTER the first full moon. So, because of the full moon last night, this Sunday is Easter. It was beautiful to see the moon rise last night.  

BEHOLD, THE LAMB OF GOD

photo taken this morning on APRIL 6, 2012

 

 And the angel said unto me:

Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father!

Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw?

I Nephi 11:21

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The above photo was taken this morning on my way to work. This unblemished lamb was in a field of white snow near our home. There is something special about this weekend. I feel it is sacred. Here are a few important things to consider about today and this sacred weekend.

• Today is April 6, 2012. It is Good Friday
• The Lord’s church was established on April 6, 1830.
• The four cornerstones of the Salt Lake Temple were laid on April 6, 1853. It was dedicated on April 6, 1893 (40 years later)
• The St. George Temple was dedicated on April 6 , first temple to be completed in Utah.
• Many believe April 6th marks Christ’s Birth into the Mortal World
• It also marks the day when Christ was crucified .. the same day (14th Day of Nisan) the Paschal Lamb would be slaughtered for the Jewish Passover.
• Today begins Pesach meaning “to Pass Over”… commemorating when the Israelites were freed from slavery.
• The 15th Day of Nisan (Tomorrow) is the Seder meal or Passover Feast and Feast of the Unleavened Bread.
• Tonight is a full moon which marks the first full moon after the Spring Equinox making this Sunday, Easter.
• This Sunday morning, Christians around the world celebrate Easter, the day of rebirth, the hope of New Life through Christ’s resurrection.

For the first time, our family is going to observe Passover this year. Tomorrow night we will have our first Passover meal. There is so much to learn about the significance of the Passover and the sacredness of the symbolism.. I thought I would share just a couple of thoughts about one of the central symbols… THE LAMB.

  

The Symbolism of the Paschal Lamb:

• On the 10th day of Nisan each family was to select a lamb. (symbolic of the same day of Christ Triumphant Entry)
• The lamb was to be male, at least one year old, and perfect without spot or blemish.
• The lamb was brought into the family home for 4 days. This gave time for the family to bond and have attachment with the lamb, making the sacrifice more poignant.
• The lamb was killed on the 14th day of Nissan. Exact time and day of Christ’s death. Lamb was roasted on an upright pomegranate stick. Another stick inside it’s chest cavity. (symbolic of the cross) It was to be done by sundown and no bones broken. (just as Christ was)
• They were to take the blood and “strike” it on 2 side posts and upper post, go inside, shut their doors and not come out until morning. This was done by using a Hyssop branch which is a healing herb that treats leprosy (a death and decaying disease). Symbolic of the Israelites when they were instructed to mark the doorposts of their homes with the blood of a spring lamb and, upon seeing this, the spirit of the Lord protected them from the destroying angels.

Just as a sidenote that I learned from a friend:

  

A lamb is very easy to kill. One account I read concerned a butcher who had been asked to slaughter a family’s Passover lamb. The butcher anticipated a routine experience, as he had slaughtered many animals. He related how after slitting the small creature’s throat, the little lamb turned and licked the blood off of the butcher’s hands. This hardened butcher deeply moved and forever changed. The tender licking of the blood from the man’s hand was a sign of unconditional love and forgiveness.

I STAND ALL AMAZED and AMAZING GRACE

"Just as a man does not really desire food until he is hungry,
so he does not desire the salvation of Christ until he knows why he needs Christ."
Ezra Taft Benson, 1987.

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A few weeks ago I woke up early in morning with the prompting to put together a video combining the words of two songs. One of the songs, Amazing Grace, is not in our LDS hymn book, and the other one is, "I stand all amazed." The footage used in the video is from the Holy Land, primarily from the DVD, The Eternal Christ. There is only one shot which is of the ocean that is not from the Holy Land which is symbolic in when it is used.

The phrase "was blind and now I see" is used three times in the video. The number three is important and symbolic. Each time you see the word "see" it is in relation to LIGHT and increases in intensity. (from an olive oil lamp, to the sun, to then translucency and emulating light over water.

One of the most important word is the use of the word, "wretch". From the online etymology dictionary a wretch is "a banished person, exile...a stranger in exile. It reflects the sorry state of the outcast, "in misery, in sojourn in a foreign land,"

"Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord,

in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth:

O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh;

my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities."

2 Nephi 4: 17

HAPPY ARE WE

Photo taken of our baby Eden on March 25, 2012

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

Proverbs 3:13

Happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty.

Job 5:17

GENERAL CONFERENCE WEEKEND: Beginning of a New Day

photo taken of the Church Office Building and the Office Building of the First Presidency

photo taken April 1, 2012 on an early morning hike of a parting of the heavens 

despite the encrouching dark clouds.

 additional symbolic photos taken on April 1, 2012

"And now I show unto you a parable.

Behold, wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together;

so likewise shall mine elect be gathered from the four quarters of the earth."

JST Matthew 1:27

Today is Palm Sunday. It is April 1, 2012. It is General Conference.

I will write more shortly