on the rim

It was thirty years ago... I was going to write this post to comment on returning from Spain 30 years ago this month.  But while remembering that event, I do not want to go with out commenting on a great loss in Scouting. Roger Thom, Chief Swimming Rock.  The Tribe of Mic-O-Say is not an actual indian tribe, rather it is the honor camping program of the Pony Express Council of the Boy Scouts of America.  The Heart of America Council also has the program on a much larger scale.  The ideals are the same.  I will never forget 1978, the year that I was introduced to the Tribe in St. Joseph.  I was tapped out and spent 24 hours silently working for the betterment of the scout camp.  I will never forget receiving my name, Golden Words, under the hands of then Medicine Man Swimming Rock, and the pride I felt at that time.  I have never forgotten the way the Scout Oath was taught by him.  He taught it in a practical way that truly emphasized the...

Christ taught of the widow's mite, and how in the accounting of heaven it was more esteemed than the rich man's gold.  She gave all she had, He gave of his plenty.  What does this have to do with singing? I had the great pleasure, to sing this past weekend with two different groups.  One was in Twin Falls, with the South Stake choir.  We joined with an orchestra, as well as other groups to present a Christmas program "Come to Bethlehem"  The other opportunity was a one night event that required over 1200 miles travel, one way to sing with the Mormon Chorale in Kansas City. (Independence, MO, actually)  the why for that one?  I was invited.  I wanted to hear them sing, and ended up singing with them.  Why? The question of the ages.  Why?  I consider myself, at best, an adequate singer.  I at times loathe my own voice, and when I compare it to those with whom I sing, feel lucky to be included.  The director of the Mormon...

A somewhat lengthy post.  While I have used this space to address positions of faith, and this issue may be political, it has a direct bearing on faith, and religion. Words used to have meaning. Laws used to have force.  When you have thousands of pages of regulations, where no individual can know all the laws, thus quite possibly breaking some law or other, the law isn't the problem, it is the selective enforcement that becomes the law.  What does this have to do with marriage?  And where did that just come from?  Everything.   The current status of marriage in the United States, is this; federal and state courts nationwide are overturning the will of the people and ruling that bans against same sex marriage are unconstitutional, that by not allowing marriage between same sex partners violates their civil rights.  While some states are protected, at least for a period of time, by courts recognizing that states, and their citizens can determine t...

Today concluded the semi-annual conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS).  For those that are not familiar, every six months the leaders of the church speak to members gathered in Salt Lake City and all over the world.  To members of the LDS church, the President of the church is the Lord's prophet on earth.  By prophet, I mean exactly as what one would think from biblical times.  Think Moses, Elijah, Daniel, Peter.  We believe that he holds the keys to administer the church, including all ordinances.  Authority is delegated to local leaders to officiate on the local level, which is  further delegated to individual men who have been called and found worthy to officiate in various offices.  The church also has apostles, just as the ancient church did (Ephesians 4:11-13)  I won't go into the full organization of the church here, but would be glad to if asked. During the conference on Sunday morning, the first three...

Today, I will attempt to put down some of the things that have been going through my mind over several years.  Things that I struggle with on a day to day basis.  It probably isn't going to be pretty, and at the end of the writing, I may just hit delete. This mostly has to do with what I have been told over the years, and where I see, and have seen myself.  When I say what I have been told, I am referring to from growing up, and as an adult both.  It is a spiritual journey, and it has been precipitated by lessons at Stake Conference, ( A gathering of several local congregations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), priesthood meetings in the ward (Priesthood is the authority of God given to man, a ward is a localized congregation of the church), and personal study. Anyone still there?  So what started all of this is something that I had mentioned earlier, about being a recluse not compatible with being a disciple of Christ.  It started th...

For those who are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, let me explain that temple worship is unique and sacred.  Only members in good standing are allowed to enter the temples after they are dedicated.  We believe that temples are literally the House of the Lord. We commune with God on a different level in the temple than in a church.  For more information on temples, check the following link: https://www.lds.org/church/temples/blessings-of-the-temple-video?lang=eng I am not sure what the fascination I have for the Ogden Utah Temple has been.  I had never seen it until Sarah and I had attended in 2008.  Since, I went in 2011, just weeks before it was to be closed for this complete inside out renovation.  It was the fourth temple that I attended that day.  I had brought Esther out to visit BYU-I, and she stayed with Callie.  From Rexburg to Idaho Falls, and then to Logan, ending my temple attending day in Ogden.  ...

Having had some time in between the heavy duty pain meds, I have been thinking about so many things.  Thinking about what I should write, which is simply whatever I want to put down, so the should maybe doesn't apply.  After all, it is mostly for myself.  Maybe someone will get some benefit from it.  Who knows. I saw "The Giver" a couple of weeks ago, and while the political ramifications are obvious, all I could think of was the spiritual aspect.  Our Heavenly Father's Plan of Salvation allowed for bad decisions, allowed for choice, and allowed for redemption through the Son's Sacrifice.  The acceptance of this redemption was also choice, or agency.  Agency is the key to all of it.  The son of the morning, Lucifer, presented an alternative.  Simply stated. there would be no agency.  No choices, no sickness, no crime, no sin.  We would all be "saved" by his actions, not one would be lost, and all he wanted was God's glory.  ...

The first time of actually doing some in depth writing on line.  I have had so much on my mind today.  Not just today of course, but swirling around since I moved to Idaho some 7 months ago.  How do I put that into words?  I guess putting the words down is easy, doing it without rambling, well that is something different. I guess I will start with impressions from today.  Today we had a High Councilman talk about being a disciple, and what that means.  Those were hard words.  If you are reading this, then you know me, and know of my reclusive nature.  Those who really know me know the pain that I feel when having to stand in front of people, to meet new people, or to be in crowded situations.  He taught today that a true Disciple of Christ does not dwell alone, that he, or she, actually seeks out people, to strengthen them if they have accepted Christ, and to seek out those that haven't.  My first impression is that I can't do that. ...