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

SERENITY OF SPRING EQUINOX

Photos taken on early morning hike on March 20, 2012

"And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did pray oft unto the Lord;

wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things."

1 Nephi 18:3

One of the Lords best way to communicate to us is through symbolism:   Symbolism in the scriptures uses a familiar object, event, or circumstance to represent a principle or teaching of the gospel. The interpretation of the symbol is usually very personal. We can ask the Lord what the meaning of a symbol is. Nephi asked for the interpretation and the meaning of the symbols shown to his father in his dream. However, we don't need to be sleeping to see symbols, and to be taught by the Lord.

Most of us rely on the written word in the scriptures to be taught the gospel. Yes, the scriptures are probably the best source to learn the gospel, but it is possible, and actually very important to have personal tutoring sessions from above. How else do we develop a relationship with our Savior.

I am currently taking a few college classes. At the end of  each chapter in my text books are key words that are important to remember. Here are a few key words for me to remember from Spring Equinox.

• "Cloud" from the North
• Left Hand of God
• Sliver of MoonLight remaining
• Three Layers of Clothing
• Slippery Slope
• Need for a sure footing
• Alignment
• Guidance and Direction
• Light hitting the Highest Point
• Pyramid
• Flock of Birds
• Gratitude
• Tracks in the snow.
• The Cycles and Seasons of life.

VERNAL EQUINOX 2012

Photo of a pyramid shaped rock I found on top of mountain this morning on March 20, 2012.

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed,

as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn,

and the day star arise in your hearts.

2 Peter 1:19

Today is the Vernal Equinox.. Vernal, or the latin word vernalis meaning "of the spring".. and Equinox translated literally, means "equal night." Because the Sun is positioned above the equator, day and night are about equal in length. Today is a day of balance. Equal light, equal dark. Starting tomorrow our days will get longer with more sunlight.  I thought this photo was best to post today to show the balance between light and shadow. Hopefully in the next few days I will have time to share more photos from today.

 It is also probably no coincidence that early Egyptians built the Great Sphinx so that it points directly toward the rising Sun on the day of the vernal equinox

POWER of GOD vs CONTROL of MEN

photo taken up in the Wasatch Mountain

"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.

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

Romans 13:1

Tomorrow morning at 2:00 AM we switch to Daylight Savings Time. The power of men through congressional law control us to move our clocks ahead one hour.  We use the friendly  and positive term "spring forward"... (but in reality we lose an hour, but gain it back in the fall).   By advancing the clock one hour, the sun appears to set later in the evening. Of course, it also rises one hour later in the morning. The day of the big switch used to be the first Sunday of April, but in 2005, Congress revised the rule as an energy-saving measure. Bottomline line for me... I lose an hour of sleep.

Men feel powerful when they can control things. They become prideful. We might think we have power to control, like changing/altering the time...  but we don't control we only manipulate the things of God.

What would you do with an Extra Day added to your life?

TODAY IS LEAP YEAR DAY...

We are given an extra day to our calendar, to our life.

 "Come unto me and ye shall partake of the fruit of the tree of life;

yea, ye shall eat and drink of the bread and the waters of life freely."

Alma 5: 34

I posted a similiar photo to this a few months ago.

http://davidkat99.blogspot.com/2011/10/solitiary-tree.html

I took this photo on the west side of Utah Lake on a drive in between General Conferences Session last fall. This photo includes the barbwire fence that is symbolically keeping us away from the "Tree of Life." 

How would you spend your day if you were given an extra day added to your life in mortality?.. What would you do with it? Who would you spend it with?

Hard question to answer.. but I think if I had an extra day.. and I had not yet had the opportunity to partake of the Tree of Life, like Lehi did with his family...I think I would spend my day cutting down the barbwires that keep me from reaching that tree and leading my family there and partaking of the fruit together.

I think we spend most of our mortal life on the opposite side of the barbwire fence.     

MOUNTAIN, PYRAMID, TEEPEE:

This is a photo of Lands End Mountain in Montrose, CO. 

I hiked to the top of this mountain over a year ago. 

The photo was sent to me by a friend who lives in Montrose.

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This is a redrock formation which looks alot like a pyramid. Its located at the mouth of Snow Canyon. 

Photo taken on February 18, 2012

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This is taken at the base of the Anasazi Petroglyphs in Santa Clara, UT. I recieved permission to spend a night with my family and sleep inside the teepee. Photo taken on February 19, 2012

I will write more shortly about what all three have in common.

THE SUN: Seal of Melchizedek

photo taken at a friends home in St. George on February 18, 2012

I took this picture down at our friends home in St. George. There is alot of symbolism that I saw in and around their house. This particular sun is on the outside of their home. It faces east to see the morning sun. It also is symbolic of the seal of Melchizedek.

I first learned about the seal of Melchizedek from Hugh Nibley's book, Temple and Cosmos: It is two offset, intersecting squares.  (sometimes seen with a circle or dot in the center of the two squares symbolic of the fixed, or sure place.)

The seal  is the universal symbolism of balance, harmony, and cosmic order. Its pattern is associated with early astronomy and ancient religion. It is symbolic of both stars and humanity’s earliest attempts to understand and communicate the order and unity inherent in the Creation.
The seal also is symbolic of an eight-point star. Eight also means renewal, and rebirth The eight lines are symbolic of the four corners of space (north, south, east, and west) and time (two solstices and two equinoxes)

STAR GAZING (not to be confused with Oscar Night in Hollywood)

Photos taken tonight on February 26, 2012

ALIGNMENT of PLANETS (Jupiter and Venus) AND THE MOON..

the Big Dipper above Mount Olympus taken on Wasatch Boulevard

The big dipper to the left and the bright star on the right which is Mars.

While most people were watching the "brightest stars" in Hollywood at the Oscars... there were heavenly stars or brightest planets in the solar system that lined up in the evening sky last night. The planets Venus and Jupiter  were visible in the western evening sky at sunset on Sunday, with the crescent moon hovering nearby. The planet Mercury was also visible briefly just after sunset before slipping below the horizon,. and the planet Mars is also was visible in the east a few hours after sunset.

While most the day was somewhat hazy, it was an a tender mercy to have the clouds dissipate to view the heavens last night. I was grateful to get a few nice photos of the planets, moon and other constellations like the Big Dipper.

SYMMETRY and CONTRAST

photo taken about a hundred yards from the home we stayed at with friends 

over President's Day weekend on February 18, 2012

"For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things."

2 Nephi 2:11

If you look at the photo, most would see just a desert landscape. Few might notice any symbolism in it, let alone see the symmetry or the contrasts. Here are just a few things to notice.

The contrasts(opposites) and the symmetry (balance):

• The top half of the photo is sky, the air is invisible to our eyesight, yet the substance is everpresent. (Heaven Above)
• The bottom half of the photo is land, the ground is solid, and tangible. (Earth Below)
• On the bottom half there is vegetation.
• The top half is solid and immovable rock.
• The left half of the red rock is in the Light. The right half of the red rock mountain is Dark. There is a canyon, or gulf that divides the two.

What is interesting to me is that there are clouds that appear on the red rock mountains in the Light. The air/gas has taken a form and descended down onto the high elevations of the earth.

Sidenote:
We usually misquote the above scripture by saying "there must be opposition in all things". We drop the "an" which changes the meaning. As quoted in 2 Nephi it simply means there must be a choice - good or bad, holiness or misery, etc. The way we misinterpret the scripture makes it sound like there always has to be a trial or difficulty. The test is simply are we going to choose the good - or the bad?

ADAM and EVE? ...The Anasazi Petroglyphs in Southwest Utah

photo taken February 19, 2012 of Anasazi Petroglyphs near Kayenta, Utah

in the southwest desert by Snow Canyon

"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty,

so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."

2 Corinthians 11:3

My family with our dear friends spent some time this past weekend exploring an ancient dwelling site of the Anasazi Indians. The word "Anasazi" means "the Ancient Ones" or the "Old Ones." This petroglyph site is near Kayenta, Utah which we learned was a sacred site dedicated by Elder Vaughn J Featherstone back in 1988.

In an LDS Church News article about the dedication, Elder Featherstone said, "I think after death, we don't wander far from where we lived on this earth. I think the ancient Lamanites that once inhabited this valley are nearby."

In above photo of one of the petroglyphs, there are two central figures.. a man and a woman. In my opinion, the figures could possibly be depicting Adam and Eve.  Below the woman on the lower left appears a fallen man who looks to be holding a serpent. This serpent appears to be biting (bruising) the heal of Eve. In the upper right, appears another figure, possibly a royal King or Supreme Being, since the figure appears to have a crown upon his head. Could these petroglyphs be depicting the first story of Adam and Eve and the Fall?

I was able to speak with an 80 year Anasazi man who lives on the site about the petroglyphs and the surrounding area. He said the petroglyphs tell the story of the history of the world.. of the past, present and future. Here is short video of him offering a prayer song to us with his drums. When I asked him what the meaning of the song was.. he said.. "We walk the same path where our Creator walked long ago."

PRESIDENTS DAY and THE MORMON BATTALION FLAG

Photo of the Mormon Battalion Flag that I took in the office of Eldred G Smith,

the Presiding Patriarch of the Church. He has the one and only original.

President's Day it is meant to honor and remember the past presidents of the U.S. and their contributions to creating the country it is today. Advocates in the 1960′s wanted to honor both Washington and President Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday is February 12, on a single federal holiday. February 22 is President George Washington’s actual birthday. Oh, how caliber of Presidents have changed over the years since our Founding Fathers.

I mentioned in an early post that I spent some time with Eldred Smith in his office. I haven't felt that I should share publically much of what was discussed, but thought it would be appropriate to share the following.

Eldred Smith has in his possession the original flag used in the Mormon Battalion. John Smith (Hyrum's oldest son, and Eldred's great grandfather was a standard bearer. It is nine feet long. The flag has the stars and stripes like the American flag.. If you look closely.. the flag used to have the beehive painted in the blue square with 13 stars surrounding the hive (representative of bees) However, an eagle was painted over the hive to best show the allegiance to the United States. He has a photo of him holding the flag while sitting on a horse. Flag was within one foot of the ground. The flag has no sewing on it. It is painted on one piece of linen. It was originally to be the flag of Deseret and they painted over it to become a military flag. Not only was an eagle was painted over the beehive, but the California bear was painted on the center. The words LIFE GUARDS were painted on it. The battalion carried it to California and back.

Early latterday saints really were not "uber" Americas and did not have the allegiance to man made government, but had the goal to bring the Lord's Zion and His government of peace to the earth. However, it seems like The United States literally beat the Church into submission. Now the Church is uber-American. The truest of true American institutions. Many years later in the early 1900's The Republican Party beat the Church into submission during the Smoot Senate Confirmation hearings. Now the Church is uber-Republican. The reddest of red states is Utah.

With each of these events the greater historical pressures on the Church have affected how we have developed. And we continue to develop. Slowly and unpercieved, mind you, but we develop nonetheless.

Gradualism is the way in which even glaciers move. Eventually, however, even glaciers begin to melt when they reach warmer climates.

DAUGHTERS OF GOD

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO MY BEAUTIFUL FAMILY.

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

Doctrine and Covenants 42:22

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Behold, their husbands love their wives, and their wives love their husbands;

and their husbands and their wives love their children.

Jacob 3:7

I am a blessed man. I live in a home of angels.Grateful to all that the Lord has blessed me with. A friend of mine gave the following Valentine's Day advice. Instead of spending money at an expensive restaurant, or buying the biggest teddy bear, chocolates, and/or jewelry, he said, " in rebellion against the commercialism of our day, make it an act or write a poem (or if you're incapable of that then a letter), or show some kindness instead of making a purchase."

Well in addition to shaving my beard this morning (my act of kindness to my wife), I thought I would write a Valentine's Blog/Poem to my wife and 4 daughters.  

Roses are Red,

Violets are Blue.

You are beautiful daughters of God

and Your Father loves you.

D&C 88:90 The voice of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds

DISCLAIMER: I did not take this photos.

Spectacular "cloud tsumani" rolls over Florida on February 5, 2012

http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/10/10375026-spectacular-cloud-tsunami-rolls-over-florida-high-rise-condos


I don't have much to say about this, other than when I first saw these images  come across my computer screen, I immediately had this scripture come to mind in Moses 3:5

" For I, the Lord God, created all things, of which I have spoken, spiritually, before they were naturally upon the face of the earth."

I have been reading a book called "The Harbinger" written by Jonathon Cahn. It is an important book to read if one is not familiar with promises (and curses) assosiated with this Promised Land we call America. We are currently walking a very dangerous path in light of the parallels shown in scripture.

ELDRED G. SMITH: Presiding Patriarch to the Church

photo taken on February 7, 2012 ( one month after his 105th Birthday)

photo taken in Eldred's office of the photographs of his patriarchal lineage back to Hyrum Smith.

I will write more shortly

EFFECTS OF LIGHT

photo taken on January 22, 2012

"At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun,

shining round about me and them which journeyed with me."

Acts 26:13

It is fairly unusual to see a rainbow effect in the sky at midday without a rain storm. I took this photo up Big Cottonwood after driving farther than I had planned on to take other  photographs for a previous post.

We hear the terms "further light and knowledge" quite frequently in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is an interesting phrase. It seems that most in this world would rather seek for "further wealth and security" or at least "further entertainment and pleasure".

 I recently read an scripture in 3 Nephi 27: 32:

"But behold, it sorroweth me because of the fourth generation from this generation, for they are led away captive by him even as was the son of perdition; for they will sell me for silver and for gold, and for that which moth doth corrupt and which thieves can break through and steal. And in that day will I visit them, even in turning their works upon their own heads."

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The Lord is prophesying in this verse about the future generations who received the fullness of the gospel and had the opportunity to build  a Zion society. The three generations following the Lord's visit to America were righteous, had all things in common...  but something happened in the fourth generation... they sell out "Christ" for silver and gold... they seek out further wealth and security instead of further light and knowledge.

Does history always repeat? What are we seeking after? One might say that we are in the fourth generation after the restoration of the fullness was given to Joseph Smith. (Parley P Pratt, is my great great grandpa. I think that makes me a fourth generation from him.) 

  

Anyway.. the important questions are how do we receive further light and knowledge. What does that even mean? Is this something we should and are seeking after on a personal daily basis?

HEARING FOR THE FIRST TIME

 Dedicated to a friend.

"He who hath faith to hear, shall hear."

Doctrine and Covenants 42:50

This video is of Sarah Churman, a 29 year old mother of 2, who after receiving an implant in her ear is able to hear for the first time.  It effected me greatly when I saw it, and I wanted to share it with others in case you have not seen it already.

She was born with a rare genetic deformity that means she's missing the hair in her inner ear that transmits sound to the brain. She was fitted with her first hearing aid at age 2, but even with that technology she could only hear some vibrations and loud noises. She compensated throughout her life by becoming adept at reading people’s lips. She could speak very well but was unable to hear the sounds. Amazing.

She had never been able to hear her husband speak, her children laugh, the birds sing, or the sounds of the ocean.

While all of us have physical ears and can hear the physical sounds around us, most are still unable to hear spiritually. When one is able to hear spiritually for the first time, the overwhelming emotional joy is similiar what you see in the video.

"Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not;

and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand."

Matthew 13:13

MAJESTIC

Photos taken on January 27, 2012 when I went up snowboarding last Friday for my Birthday.

Little did I know that  Brighton Ski Resort was also celebrating their 75th  Birthday/Anniversary.

It was fun to celebrate the day together with Balloons, Free Gifts, Music and Fireworks.

"The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty."

Psalms 29: 4

MAJESTY: Greatness of appearance; dignity; grandeur; dignity of aspect or manner;

the quality or state of a person or thing which inspires awe or reverence in the beholder.

There is a ski run up at Brighton call Majestic. Once a skier/snowboarder has learned all the skills necessary to make it down the mountain safely, the skier/snowboarder advances on from the bunny hill to the Majestic chair lift.  We have taught all of our daughters how to ski. Before you teach anyone to ski, you need to make sure they do not have fear. Usually at the very beginning of learning, I tie rope around my daughter's waist, so I can make sure she does not lose control and go to fast down the hill. Once I feel she is ready to go down by herself, I will ski down first and then have her follow me... that way, I am still able to catch her or cushion her fall. After several times of skiing down the bunny hill and the necessary skills are mastered, we head up to the Majestic ski run. Once you have skied down the Majestic Ski Run, you can then call yourself a skier.

THE START DATE IN MORTALITY

photo taken about 43 years ago of yours truly

Everyone in this world shares one thing in common. We all have a "start" date.. or in other words a Birthday. Due to this mortal realm, we all have an "end" date as well. (There are a few exceptions however). Today happens to be the day I recognize my "start date". I plan to go up on the slopes and go snowboarding today.
However, before I take off, I wanted to share something that I  read yesterday in a book I am reading. I found it very interesting.

From the book the Castaways:

"There's a tribe in Africa that counts a child's birthday from the day it first appears as a thought in it's mother's mind. On that day, the woman sits under a tree and quietly listens and waits until she can hear the song of her child. When she has heard the song, she returns to her village and teachs it to the child's father, so that they can sing the song when they are together and make love, inviting the child to join them.

The expectant mother then sings the song to the child in her womb and teaches it to the midwives, who sing it when the child is born. All the villagers learn the child's song as well, so that whenever the child cries or hurts itself, they can pick the child up, hold it in their arms and sing the song. The song is also sung when the young person goes through a rite of passage, when he or she marries, and one last time when he or she is about to die."

Individualized love, conveyed to each child through "their song" from preconception to death strengthens identity, belonging and self-worth. Could implementing a similiar patten "heal" the problems we see in today's youth?

SHARP CONTRASTS: Black and White

photo taken  on January 22, 2012 up Big Cottonwood Canyon

"Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold."

Matthew 24: 12

 HOWEVER...

“Be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you;

and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God,

that I was, that I am, and that I am to come.”

D&C 68:6

The righteous way of life stands in SHARP CONTRAST to the ways of the world:

"The gospel offers us not only the prospect of eternal life, but provides us a whole way of life in mortality. Whereas so many in the world see death as the end and the loss of hope, we testify to the reality of the resurrection. Just as immortality and eternal life stand in such sharp contrast to the world’s lack of purpose, so the righteous way of life stands in sharp contrast to the ways of the world. Let us make certain there is oil in our own lamps. Let us live our lives so we can have the gift of the Holy Ghost operating evermore constantly in our lives."

Spencer W Kimball Dec 1977 "A Gift of Gratitude"



PURITY: Whiteness beyond anything earthly.

photo taken of Big Cottonwood River on 1/22/2012 after a long awaited snow stormn this past weekend

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart,

that ye may be filled with this love,

which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ;

that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him,

for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope;

 that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

Moroni 7:48

 Purity:

• Freedom from foreign admixture
• the state of being unsullied by sin or moral wrong,
• containing nothing that does not properly belong.
• unmixed with any other matter

I will write more shortly.

The Second Comforter

a photo painting that I gave my wife and my parents for Christmas 

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, 

that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive,

because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him:

but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
John 14: 16-18

Who is this Second Comforter?

Joseph Smith received the answer to this question through revelation.

“Now what is the other comforter? It is no more nor less than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself; and this is the sum and substance of the whole matter; that when any man obtains this last Comforter [the promise of eternal life], he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him, or appear unto him from time to time, and even He will manifest the Father unto him, and they will take up their abode with him, and the visions of the heavens will be opened unto him, and the Lord will teach him face to face. … “

(HC 3:381.) (Quoted in Ivan J. Barrett, “‘He Lives! For We Saw Him’,” Ensign, Aug 1975, 17)

PANORAMIC VISION SHOWN TO NEPHI BY AN ANGEL

The handout for my Sunday School class on Nephi's Vision. (I Nephi chapters 12-14)

“No message appears in scripture more times, in more ways than ‘Ask, and ye shall receive’”

(Conference Report, Oct. 1991).

Nephi applied the invitation to ask for the “things that [his] father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to make them known” (1 Nephi 11:1). Nephi’s righteous desires were rewarded, for he not only recorded information that was similar to what we have recorded about Lehi’s vision, but he recorded a panoramic vision of this world to the end of time. In putting this handout together I had a greater appreciation for Nephi as a prophet, seer, and revelator. He saw future events. He preached repentance. He revealed truth.

Sidenote: In reading the student Manual for the lesson, I read the following passage that I liked:

President John Taylor spoke of the necessity of going beyond simply being members of the Lord’s Church if we are to be sufficiently worthy to stand before our Father in Heaven: “There is something that goes a little further than we think about sometimes; and that is, while we profess to be followers of the Lord, while we profess to have received the Gospel and to be governed by it, a profession will amount to nothing unless we have washed our robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. It is not enough for us to be connected with the Zion of God, for the Zion of God must consist of men that are pure in heart and pure in life and spotless before God, at least that is what we have got to arrive at. We are not there yet, but we must get there before we shall be prepared to inherit glory and exaltation; therefore a form of godliness will amount to but little with any of us. . . . It is not enough for us to embrace the Gospel . . . and be associated with the people of God, attend our meetings and partake of the Sacrament of the Lord’s supper, and endeavor to move along without much blame of any kind attached to us; for notwithstanding all this, if our hearts are not right, if we are not pure in heart before God, if we have not pure hearts and pure consciences, fearing God and keeping His commandments, we shall not, unless we repent, participate in these blessings about which I have spoken, and of which the Prophets bear testimony” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor [2001], 114–15).

COVERING OF DARKNESS

one more photo of the moon taken on  12/10/11 

For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people:

but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

Isaiah 60:2

Some good quotes about losing light and being covered in darkness:
The titles church of the devil and great and abominable church are used to identify all . . . organizations of whatever name or nature—whether political, philosophical, educational, economic, social, fraternal, civic, or religious—which are designed to take men on a course that leads away from God and his laws and thus from salvation in the kingdom of God” (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 137–38).

We have good sources for New Testament Christianity of losing light and entering into apostasy; when the lights go out, so to speak, and we hear the muffled sounds of a great struggle. When the lights come on again a hundred or so years later, we find that someone has rearranged all the furniture and Christianity has become something very different from what it was in the beginning” (Stephen E. Robinson, “Warring against the Saints of God,” Ensign, Jan. 1988, 38–39).

EARLY MORNING WONDER IN THE SKY

photo taken along Fashion Boulevard on Monday January 9, 2012

The moon on my first day of school.

"A wise man will hear, and will increase learning;

and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels."

Proverbs 1:5

To make a long story short, I have felt prompted to take a few college classes. To fit the classes around my work schedule and family responsibilities, I go to work early in the morning and late at night. So needless to say, I have many opportunities to see the moon. Because of my lunar obsession and lack of shaving, my wife thinks I might be part werewolf. :) 

I am taking four very interesting classes.  Pathology, Microbiology, Grief Counseling, and a Microbiology Lab.  For those who are not familiar with pathology, it is the study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from ancient greek, Pathos meaning "feeling, suffering," and logia meaning " the study of".

Going back to school later in life is not easy but I have felt this is something I am suppose to do, it is important for some reason. My perspective is different now that I am older  and see symbolism in everything I am learning. I am not sure I would have learned/discovered these things as a 20's something returned missionary.

Grateful for the support that I have received from my family and friends.

THE WANING OF THE MOON

photo taken last night of the moon rising over Mount Olympus on 01/11/12.

 WANING: To decrease gradually in size, amount, intensity, or degree. To approach an end.

The reflective light we see from moon is constantly changing. It is either increasing or decreasing. Waxing or Waning. Just like the moon's light, we too are either gaining more light/knowledge in our life, or losing more light.  

I like this scripture found in John 3: 30. John talking about the Savior and His mission states, "He must increase, but I must decrease." John was a humble man. He never sought to make a big name for himself, he had followers but led them all to the One True Source. He knew who to look for salvation, and pointed out to others that his role must decrease while the Lord's role must increase. It was a time of "waning" for John and a "waxing" for Christ.

A PATRIARCH: FATHER OF A FAMILY

photo taken of my daughter Eden in my hands

 "..their father spake unto them, and blessed them;

every one according to his blessing he blessed them/"

Genesis 49:28

A priesthood blessing is sacred. It can be a holy and inspired statement of our wants and needs. If we are in tune spiritually, we can receive a confirming witness of the truth of the promised blessings. Priesthood blessings can help us in the small and great decisions of our lives. If, through our priesthood blessings, we could perceive only a small part of the person God intends us to be, we would lose our fear and never doubt again.

Elder John A. Widtsoe stated, “Every father, having children born to him under the covenant, is to them as a patriarch, and he has the right to bless his posterity in the authority of the Priesthood which he holds.”

A few months ago I blessed our baby daughter Eden. At the beginning of every school year, I give a blesssing to each of my daughters. I started school today, and received a blessing from my Dad last night. What a privilege it is to give a blessing, and what a comfort it is to recieve one.

......

Sidenote:

Today is the Birthday of the last sustained Patriarch of the Church, Eldred G. Smith. Born on January 9, 1907, He is now 105 years old. He is the oldest-lived General Authority in the history of the Church. Last year in 2011, he surpassed David O. McKay as the longest-serving general authority in LDS Church history. He deserves more attention than he recieves. Just the fact of his age, he should be given some attention. He is the great great grandson of Hyrum Smith, Joseph Smith's brother. The Church as undergone tremendous changes since Joseph Smith, including the gradual dissolving of the office of Patriarch of the Church. The Patriarch of the Church was used to ordain the President of the Church using the hereditary priesthood line running back to Joseph and Hyrum.