Thoughts on The Book of Mormon

1. Nephi and Lehi named after their forefathers. Oh remember, remember!!!!!!!!!!!

   
   

   
   

   21 And Emer did execute judgment in righteousness all his days, and he begat many sons and daughters; and he begat Coriantum, and he anointed Coriantum to reign in his stead.
   22 And after he had anointed Coriantum to reign in his stead he lived four years, and he saw peace in the land; yea, and he even saw the ^aSon of Righteousness, and did rejoice and glory in his day; and he died in peace.
   23 And it came to pass that Coriantum did walk in the steps of his father, and did build many mighty cities, and did administer that which was good unto his people in all his days. And it came to pass that he had no children even until he was exceedingly ^aold.
   24 And it came to pass that his wife died, being an hundred and two years old. And it came to pass that Coriantum took to wife, in his old age, a young maid, and begat sons and daughters; wherefore he lived until he was an hundred and forty and two years old.

   
   

   I didn't realize that Coriantum saw the Savior!

Building on a rich heritage of faith

There are two hymns that make me emotional even at the on-slought. They are these, They, the Builders of the Nation and Praise to the Man. I love the hymns. I cannot think of a more powerful way for God to communicate with man than through the media of music through inspired written lyrics, to me they touch my soul in a way that even the scriptures or the bearing of solemn testimony can bring. I believe that if may be because of the very testimony that has taken seed within me. It is this, that I have great ancestors and a firm testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith. These two basic beliefs are much of what my testimony has derived from. I know that Joseph Smith did indeed translate the plates of gold that were derived from ancient prophets. I know that he gave his life for the purpose of bringing this to life and that his name will be had for good and ill among all nations because as it says in the hymn that "Earth must atone for the blood of that man because he died as a martyr. And that because of this millions shall know "Brother Joseph" again. Also the other hymn that touches my heart upon the very thought is, They the Builders of the Nation. I do not know why I have been so blessed with the Spirit of Elijah but since my mission I have been blessed to have very many experiences with family history, Whether it be working at the Church Office Building in the Family and Church History Department or doing the internship at the Family History Library or serving at the Family Ordinance Pick-up and Patron Assistance Desk at the Temple; I believe all these things have deepened my humility and respect for my own ancestors and cultivated a solemnity for the sacred mission of saving our dead. For they with out them nor we without them can be made perfect. I know that this work is vital to the mission of the gospel of Jesus Christ and it has been my great privilege to have had some part in it. I have great progenitors. The very names evoke thoughts of pioneer stalwarts that sacrificed a great deal so that I could have the religious knowledge and freedoms in my life.

I love words...

I love words. Perhaps this is why I was called to serve under President Webb who was a major fan of the English language and taught us to use the dictionary when we read the scriptures. I am not by any means a scholar but I love the sound of good things...words as they were and are and forever will be. They make up our thoughts our conversations our life. I am grateful for those who kept journals, diaries, and for those who write whether it be books, poems, or stories. I think writing is like drawing...you have to do it!
A few examples of words used well...
that author/poet at BYU library

Joseph Smith

The scriptures: These were days never to be forgotten to sit under the

My baby brother is going on a mission

Larisa's Birthday Party

Jimmy at the Temple

Hearts Knit Together As One

Unity article by President Eyring

The other morning I had the oportunity to read a talk from last Conference that was just what I needed. It was about how the gospel of Jesus Christ will unify and reach beyond differences so that we can be unified to prepare for the reign of the Savior. One of my favorite parts was when President Eyring talked about how we can focus on the things we have in common with people of other cultures and backgrounds rather than our differences. When we do this the barriers dissolve. I felt this most notably on my mission and even just yesterday as I was explaining to a Muslim that we too believe in God. She was a good woman and wanted the opportunity to talk more. I know the Lord will bless us as we seek to be peace makers and build upon the things we have in common.

The House of the Lord: The Draper Temple Open House

Today we had the opportunity to go to the Draper Open House. As what usually happens before a spiritual event, at least how I remember it is that there is always a great adversity before. So we had the opportunity of taking some friends who are not of our faith. Lanaw and her two sisters and a neighbor girl along with Charlotte and her mother, Alma. Lanaw is from Burma. Her family of ten came here as refugees. They are the most beautiful family and have been taught by wonderful parents. Back in December she came to a Primary Activity Day at Amy's ward and shared her story. It was very sweet. She and her her sister and brother just younger than her were baptized. She works at the LDS Distribution Center and truly believes she has the best job in the world. They love her there but she talks about work there and acts like she is serving in the Temple. Her little sisters and a neighbor girl came with us. When I originally went to pick them up four women were waiting outside and I thought they were coming with us because they were all dressed in skirts. They were just visiting with LaNaw as there is only about two feet between their front doors. This was cool because one of them asked where we were going and I had the opportunity to share. As I was trying to explain that these are sacred places and that we can be married and for just this life but forever, one of them said yes I have a video, Together Forever. The missionaries had given it to her, and I was so grateful that the Lord prepared her with that as I was not doing the best job of explaining. I love this little "missionary goldmine." These humble people have been brought here from war-torn and often inhumane living situations to learn of the Gospel and the hope of eternal life. They are humble and kind people. The Spirit touches my heart when I pull into this large government housing includes many small apartments. I think there may be two bedrooms for the whole Paw family. The Spirit was evident though it was packed today at the open house. There were at least four chapels where people were being bussed from up to the Temple Site. It was beautiful. Before we got to the chapel going up the Draper Mountainside I told them about the Oquirrh Mountain Temple and they could see that one and the Jordan River once we got high enough. The Spirit was sweet in the House of the Lord. I felt a renewed desire to serve and to keep the sacred covenants I made therein. Charlotte (from my Dad's work) and her mother came as well which also added to the "missionary experience." In fact, I had the opportunity to talk to Alma (her Mom) in the Baptismal Font and learned of her belief in the importance of "saving our dead" and her knowledge of the Twelve Tribes of Israel which I explained were symbolized by the twelve oxen. It was sweet to say the least!

Larisa's Birthday

dippin' dots

So I have always enjoyed my sister Amy's enthusiasm for life and her desire to be spontaneous and have a fun time. The time we chased all over town trying to find the Olympic Torch when it was on its way to Atlanta or the time she jokingly popped up in the back seat on my blind date and scared the guy I was with, are just some of the ways she has been outgoing. Well fortunately her husband and son have tamed her down a bit and she hasn't been quite as crazy as she used to be. So when her and I were at a BYU/Utah Basketball game at the Huntsman Center without her son and husband her care-free spirit returned. We were watching the game as it was pretty close. And then I look down and see a group of girls all eating dippin' dots. I leaned over to Amy and say, "We could get Amber some dippin dots for tonight," as it was our sister's birthday. Well Amy took that full force. She ran out to the dippin' dots both and asked if she could buy a bag. The lady, a very nice college student age girl, proceeded to tell her that a large 50 oz bag for 30 bucks. Well Amy quicly forked over the $30 and before I knew it I found myself running after her out of the Hunstman Center. She is yelling behind me (as she is the athlete) that we have to get it on dry ice or it is going to be soup when we get home. Well unbeknowndst to me (as I was still in watching the basketball game) my sister was outside the portal getting strict instructions on how to get this delicacy transported. So I hear in random ear-shot distances that we have to get to the closest grocery store to get a cooler and dry ice. Now I must insert here that while it was a warm summer day it was by no means record-breaking temperatures and the drive to our houses consisted of about 20 minutes from the UofU campus, but Amy (who I love more than I can say) has no sense of direction or time and is running full blast to our car in the Institute parking lot, however, she slows down just enough to ask a biker headed up-hill on his bike (probably in the middle of training) where the closest grocery store that sells dry ice is located. The man stops while Amy is still running, mind you, trying to explain to her that she can probably get some at Smith's that is on 5th south and 5th east. Well I am sure the man probably thought we had an organ and that Amy stole it from the UofU hospital by the way she was funning and the intensity of her question of where to get a styrophome cooler and dry ice. Well we got the dry ice with minimal damage as she is screaming for me to jump out of the car and throwing her wallet at me out the window. Well needless to say it added to the fun party that night as we all sat around eating dippin' dots and hearing how Amy had got them for all to enjoy!!

Check out my new blog. Only the format yet...

mlblovestennis@blogspot.com

Sisters, sister in laws and friends!!!!

My sisters wedding in February 2002. In this group their are 4 returned missionaries, and 6 mothers. How cool!

Hasten the day...

My family got this beautiful CD entitled a Wasatch Christmas with selections by Peter Breinholt, Jon Schmidt, Ryan Shupe, and many other local artists. From listening to it there has been a particular phrase that has been going over and over in my head the last few days.
It is, Hasten the day when from every climb Men shall unite in the strains sublime, from the Christmas hymn, Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains.Glory to God, Glory to God in the highest Peace on earth good will to men. I love how this Sometimes I sing with more heart than voice (one day I might be an aspiring vocalist) like the words refer to but I sing nonetheless; finding great joy in it in "he who's birth the angels sing."

Thanks to lds.org here are a few quotations that I felt went along with it beautifully.

President Ezra Taft Benson

May God hasten the day when people everywhere will accept His teaching, His example, and His divinity—yes, when they will accept as a reality His glorious resurrection, which broke the bonds of death for all of us.

I also think of The Standard of Truth by the Prophet, Joseph Smith whose birth we also celebrate in a few days.
“The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; … the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done."

A literary genius...in Christmas music

So because of a new blog I've been following I've learned a little bit about the carol, Good King Wenceslas. Well recently I have been wondering about a host of other hymns that go along with Christmas. I love so many of the Christmas hymns and carols that we sing, and find it amazing that most of the Christian world has been taught what they know about the Christ child through simple Christmas music. Like for instance one of my all time favorite Christmas carols is I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. These words by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow encompass all that is beautiful and holy about writing to me. In fact when researching a little about this hymn, as my mentor in the above stated blog did, I found the love that this man had for words.
"I will not disguise it in the least... the fact is, I most eagerly aspire after future eminence in literature, my whole soul burns most ardently after it, and every earthly thought centres in it... I am almost confident in believing, that if I can ever rise in the world it must be by the exercise of my talents in the wide field of literature".

Wow. Beautiful!
I love the way that it starts out gradual at the beginning and then builds. (I believe it's not just the music that does this but the words seem to build to a crescendo) Because of the bells that were ringing the sound of Christmas rang out. I kind of picture a bit of the man swinging in the bell tower like in a scene from The Sound of Music, wanting all the world to know of the First fruits of him that slept. But then the author comes to a realization that the world brings like discouragement and allows doubt to enter in (this maybe likened to the six 'o clock news hour) and the author digresses from his original hope, hanging down his head. Can you not just see this dear man hold down his head; maybe it's just the poet's lament in me? But then those beautiful bells ringing brought remembrance of the Son, and brought his head up again by peeling more loud and sweet, God is not Dead nor doth He sleep. After a night of sleep for man God was there through the night like a good parent waiting at the side of a sick or nightmare stricken child. While the earth was making it's rotation around the Sun the author states that the night turned into light (one could also reference the Nephites in the Americas day and a night and a day of no darkness). The world revolved from night to day the morning came and just as so many wonder about, so did the light!!

1. I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

2. I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th’unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

3. And in despair I bowed my head:
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

4. Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men.”

5. Till, ringing, singing, on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men!


Wikipedia states,
"A bell tower (also belfry) is a tower which contains one or more bells, or which is designed to hold bells, even if it has none. Most commonly, it is part of a church and contains church bells. When attached to a city hall or other civic building, especially in continental Europe, it is often named "belfry". Elsewhere, the term "belfry" refers strictly to the part of the tower which contains the bells. Thus some bell towers have no belfry. The occasional free standing bell tower may also be referred to by its Italian name, campanile. Old bell towers may be kept for their historic or iconic value, though in countries with a strong campanological tradition they often continue to serve their original purposes as well."

Last night was another experience with Santa. Every year he comes and adorns our family with a visit and we enjoy it rather immensely. In fact, I even get my own turn to sit on Santa's lap. This was from a couple of years ago. Can anyone guess what I was asking for?

International Ice Skating & Mary Lou Retton

Tonight I went ice skating. I will not ever become a professional ice skater. (I did however think that one day I would be a professional gymnast. Mary Lou Retton is a personal hero of mine. The poster from her olympic days hung in my room from 1983 until just last year...) Anyway so I went ice skating with my friend Larisa, and a group from the LDS Business College. Well it was a nice experience after the twice around I was close to being done. Anyway so I did my laps and then stopped to talk to some of the other people in our group. To my pleasant surprise many of them were from different countries. It was kind of fun to be in a setting that was similar to my mission where in a few hour's time you would meet people from all around the globe. International Ice Skating. It was so fun. There was not only people from Spain, Ukraine, and Mexico, but Hong Kong and Japan as well. It was a fun little group and made ice skating much more bearable!!!