on the rim

No creaking wooden floors.  No glorious stained glass windows.  The floors were polished, as were the stairs, and the view of the city skyline was awesome.  Wonderful woodwork, though not structural,  light colored, not dark.  No suit, no tie, no black folder.  Not a singer, not this time. Tonight I went to Messiah at the Kaufman Center, in Kansas City.  My wife and I were guests of good friends.  The Spire Ensemble and Orchestra were magnificent.  Professionals all.  I also heard a male alto sing.  Two, actually, and how they could sing!  The performance from start to finish was nearly flawless. The first time that I heard a professional group perform Messiah was last spring, It was the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, with the Orchestra on Temple Square.  Besides that, I have sang in Messiah, twice, as part of a community choir, in a century old building in Independence, with a wonderful pipe organ, a harpsichord and orchest...

I had several years of piano lessons.  I obviously didn't apply myself and now, like many others who had the opportunity, regret that I didn't keep going, and keep practicing.  I played the tuba for six years in Jr.High, and High School.  I didn't do the traditional college thing, and as a tuba is a rather expensive instrument, didn't have one to just pick up and play.  After years, I did start toying with it again, as I had a son and stepdaughter that played the tuba, so did several Tuba Christmases, and even acquired a helicon on Ebay (shipped from Lithuania). I really didn't do any singing growing up.  I remember my mother and father singing in the Stake Choir for the dedication of the Independence Stake Center by President Spencer W. Kimball.  I don't remember really ever getting into singing until I went to Spain as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I had companions that played the piano, and I started to appreciate ...

I have been thinking for a week or so about how to write what I am feeling.  I probably spend way too much time looking inward, often completely oblivious to what is going on around me, so it is hard to put on virtual paper those feelings, and thoughts. I think this roller coaster started last Saturday, as I was traveling back to Twin from a Thanksgiving weekend in Rexburg with Callie.  The drive to Rexburg on Wednesday night was very interesting, with black ice from Burley to American Falls, where, thankfully, it turned to snowpack to Blackfoot.  From Blackfoot on, pavement was dry, but couldn't bring myself to the 80 mph speed limit.  Driving home was very peaceful, dry all the way, and sunny.  I was listening to XM 80s on 8, and the VJ Top 40 countdown from that week in 1981.  I was a senior in high school then, dating a girl from Oak Park High School, working at, if not fast food, then at least food. (Ponderosa on N Oak), earning sub-minimum wage. (an...

The opinion is my own, and in no way do I pretend to speak for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the Church, to avoid lengthy repetition) Yesterday, November 5, the Salt Lake Tribune (a newspaper not know for sympathy to the church) reported on a change to Handbook 1, which access is limited to Stake Presidencies, and Bishoprics. Never mind that the change was reported through an excommunicated member that some how got access to the book, the PR spokesman for the church confirmed the change.   To sum it up, the church has defined same sex, or gay marriage, as apostasy, and as such, certain conditions are placed on the families, in particular the children.  Children of same sex marriages are not allowed to be named, blessed, or baptized as children.  And when they turn 18, to be baptized, they must not be living in the household, and must disavow the lifestyle.  They must also get permission from the First Presidency of the church.  The last...

On this date, October 24 1841, the Apostle Orson Hyde one of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, climbed the Mount of Olives and by assignment from the Prophet Joseph Smith, dedicated the land for the return of the Jews.  That prayer can be found here: http://www.nyx.net/~cgibbons/orson_hyde_prayer.html Few in Nauvoo, where the Latter Day Saints resided understood the mission that Elder Hyde had been called to fulfill.  Even Elder Hyde's companion left him in England.  At the time, what is now Israel was part of the Ottoman Empire.  No nation of "Palestine" existed.  At the end of World War I, and the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, the British Protectorate of Palestine was created.  What was the intent of the British?  Before Hitler took over Germany and started his monstrous genocide of not just Jews, but of the undesirables as well, the British designated its protectorate as a homeland for the Jews.  ...

This has been an incredibly spiritual weekend.  Maybe the title would be nights to remember.  We haven't even hit General Conference.  This weekend, it is possible that there will be three men called to serve as Prophets, Seers, and Revelators.  If called, they will serve as members of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  As important as that is, equally important is the message that we will hear, as men and women, inspired by God, will teach, and continue their healing message to the world.  They bring the message of the Resurrected Christ, and God's Will to men in these very troubled times. This week, I picked up my Sarah from the airport in Salt Lake.   In the morning we rode the train to temple square, and took a tour of the Conference Center, where the conference will occur.  A beautiful building, with the original oil paintings that are near and dear to Latter Day Saints the world over.  B...

A farm town, some 14 miles west of Twin Falls, by GPS,  prepares for a Friday night ritual.  There is a lot of things happening in the Magic Valley tonight competing for attention.  A game in Filer, and the big draw, the Twin Falls County Fair.  A carnival, lots of foods, and a rodeo.  A small town, and a small high school. The bleachers on the home side are wood planks, with the paint peeling.  The floors are planks also, with most of the paint gone.  An outdated structure, but filled with fans.  A band, too small to perform a half time show is set in the middle, as a pep band. Two trumpets, one being the band director, a handful of clarinets, and flutes.  a trombone, 6 saxophones, from alto to bari.  Small town America, on a Friday night.  Where else would you be? Of course, many would read that, and think that it is an America that is gone.  I would tell you that I have never seen a more diverse crowd than tonight. ...

Today for our fifth Sunday lesson, the Bishop taught about covenants, and how they blend with callings.  In the event that there is a person reading that is not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, let me explain the concept of callings. With the exception of a very small number of leaders who lead and administer the church from Salt Lake City, UT, the ministry of the church is carried out by lay members of the church in various positions.  These callings are issued by the appropriate level and authority.  They vary from being called to serve as a Nursery leader, to a Bishop of a ward, (local ecclesiastical leader, and unit, comparable to a parish), and all the way to the top of the Church.  People don't serve in whatever position because they sought it out, they serve because we believe that they are called of God by authority.  That includes the current head of the Church, Thomas S. Monson.  People are called in, and given the ca...

A year ago, I started to write, mostly for myself, but for friends to read what I am thinking.  I do ramble at times, and have tried, and mostly failed to focus the writing.  It doesn't matter, I am writing for me. I have unintentionally hurt feelings, sometimes harshly.  For that I ask forgiveness.  That has never been my purpose.  However...I need to write, to give digital ink to thoughts that I feel are important.  I have evolved over the year, spinning off a political voice, to separate from my spiritual feelings.  It doesn't mean that my politics are not influenced by those feelings, on the contrary, they are intertwined to a great extent, as it was with the founders. I think often of those pioneers that traveled west.  Whether they were heading to Oregon, California, or a persecuted people heading to the Great Basin.  As I drive along I-84 and 86, I can't help but imagine the trials, and the physical exertion those heading west must...

Last Tuesday meeting with our group leadership at church, I was informed that I would have the opportunity to teach this Sunday.  I do enjoy teaching, though I feel that I am woefully inadequate to do so, especially in this group which has some 9 or 10 former Bishops in it.  I have mentioned this before, I think, I usually do okay, and hopefully it will go well this time.  The subject of discussion will be the talk given by Elder Brent H. Nielson, of the Seventy (a group of leaders that serve in assignments from the Prophet, and the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.) as did the Seventy in the time of Christ. Of course, this is complicated enough on its own, as most of the men in our group know Elder Nielson personally, as he grew up around here, having served in several leadership positions.  I remember the talk, given in the Sunday morning session, titled "Waiting for the Prodigal".  Here is a link to the talk w...

I often wonder about the future, and try very hard to grasp eternity.  I speak often that eternity, or infinity for the more secular types, is very hard for mortals to grasp.  I mean, we deal constantly with the finite.  Day, night.  Birth, death. Beginning, end.  We are granted agency in this life by our Father in Heaven. to learn, to grow, to make mistakes, to gain faith, then knowledge.  We can repent. We can come to our Father in prayer, and through the Atonement of his Son, we can overcome the natural man, and ultimately return to live with Him for eternity.  This agency was granted to all who have been, or will be, born on this earth.  That includes his Son, Jesus Christ.  Christ was not born with knowledge of his Deity,  he learned it over time, as the scriptures tell us "from grace to grace". Our Father in Heaven knows us completely.  He knows us so well, that while we are free to choose our path, (based on choices made pr...

At the close of the Fourth of July, I am reflecting on what this holiday has become, and what has happened in this world. Today, on the website Vox, it was opined that perhaps the American Revolution had been a mistake.  The writer offers many for instances, and overall makes this point.  Let me offer another opinion. The colonies were settled by those seeking religious independence.  The pilgrims sought freedom from the Church of England.  They did not have the political influence of the Puritans, who ultimately also sought freedom from the oppressive church.  Maryland was settled as a refuge for Catholics, who were also persecuted by the church.  Others were settled, of course as financial investments by those seeking the raw materials that the land offered.  When the Constitution was drawn up, and approved, those writers insisted that when the Bill of Rights was added (not to "add" rights, but to enumerate them.  Governments can only take a...

I don't know how to describe how I felt today directing our little ward choir.  They are so dedicated (they must be to put up with me directing)  The Spirit was so strong. I got an email from the license holder for Oxford University Press.  She was gracious enough to look up the song without a title, research and get back to me.  She told me that I could copy the tune as much as I needed for what I was doing.  We got a rough copy done before today, and were able to see the words and notes on the same page for the first time. My vision for the song played out beautifully the first time through.  Did we stumble through parts? Yes.  Without a doubt, as it is a minor key and if the notes aren't right, well....  To be truthful, I was so caught up in the moment that I didn't finish directing. (Trying not to cry)  I will try to make a recording when I get back from KC (this saturday, yeah!!!)  Our goal as the choir is to testify of the Firs...

This month marks 171 years since the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum while under the protection of the governor of Illinois in the jail in Carthage, IL.  June 27, 1844.  I have been tasked to assist in my ward's (local congregation) choir while the choir director is ill.  Twist my arm, right?  So, as we were in between songs, I was  given a free reign to come up with music.  It was crystal.  The song "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" done to a melody by Ralph Vaughan Williams.  I don't know the name of the tune, but it is found in the Hymnal of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. #284.  The first time I went through it, I knew it had to be done.  The feeling of the tune has made me feel so close to the Sacred Grove, near Palmyra, NY. The song was written by George Manwaring.  Here are the lyrics. 1. Oh, how lovely was the morning! Radiant beamed the sun above. Bees were humming, sweet b...

Tomorrow is Memorial Day.  There will be cookouts, parties, and is usually considered the opening of the summer season.  Many people have the day off to celebrate.  What do we celebrate? I think Honor is a better term than celebrate.  It is the day that we honor those who served our nation, protecting our freedoms, and have died.  We honor them by showing that their sacrifice is not unnoticed.  Parades are held in their honor.  We see the comrades of the fallen salute them, knowing often that it was perhaps just chance that it was not them. Like so many of our holidays, Memorial Day is losing its meaning in the nation.  We must pause, and offer prayers of gratitude to the fallen, who truly paid the ultimate price for freedom.  Many take time to honor not just the those servicemen and women who have died, but honor their loved ones that have passed from this life.  This is an excellent way to teach value of family, and to let those ar...

I have lost focus on the blog.  I had always wanted to keep focused on the religious things, and while maintaining a connection, particularly in regards to religious freedom, I have strayed from my intent here.  I don't repudiate in any way the things I have written.  I feel, in particular, that sooner, rather than later, we will be forced to choose between doing what is right and following God, and following the laws of the land.  I really meant what I wrote regarding the Yellow Cross. I have to write regarding my experience in Logan, and the trip back.  In Logan I felt the pride of watching my son receive his Masters Degrees.  I spent time with his family, including his aunt, wife, and of course Paul.  It is family that matters.  It is the basic unit of eternity.  We feel joy in this life when our family is happy, when family members choose the right path.  We sorrow when they stray or when there is strife between family members. ...

As  I was reading the give and take on the probable inevitability of the Supreme Court ruling, I had an idea, and it is an idea that people should spread, and share.   As I have stated previously, based on the ruling in the last case before the court regarding gay marriage, the Supreme Court should rule that states have the right to decide the definition of marriage.  I said should, but as the world turns, and the media continues to advance the popularity of gay marriage, I suspect that the court will overturn the gay marriage bans in this country.  So you might be saying how is the media advancing the popularity of gay marriage?  I return the favor with a question.  Have you heard the media say that gay marriage is legal in 37 states as evidence?  If so, then did you know that while that is true, only 11 states have approved gay marriage by the voice of the people.  The others had it overturned by an unelected and unaccountable judge. As I...

There is a reference toward the end regarding  a symbol similar to the Star of David Jews wore during the Nazi terror.  No inference should be made to compare the wearing of a similar item to the Holocaust. Where we should stand “Rights have to exist in practice — not just on paper... Laws have to be backed up with resources and political will … And deep-seated cultural codes, religious beliefs and structural biases have to be changed." Hillary Clinton If you read the earlier post regarding the rewrite of history by progressives on what our law, Constitution, and Declaration of Independence are based on (natural law, rights from God, or Creator, if you will), this should be even more alarming.  A major party candidate for the nomination has come out and stated that beliefs have to change.  There is only one problem; has God changed? For God to be just, He has to be the same yesterday, today, and forever.  If He can't change, then believers have no choic...

"The US Constitution doesn't guarantee happiness, it only guarantees the pursuit of it" I did want to follow up my previous post with regards to freedom.  I spoke of the necessity to follow the law of the land, and to do what Christ told us.  Turn the other cheek, walk an extra mile, give not only your coat, but your cloak as well.  I stand by that, but wanted to expound on the law of the land portion.  The law discussed has been upheld, wrongly in my opinion, but it is the law of the land. In the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Congress attempted to reverse the legalized discrimination which had been predominant, throughout the south in particular.  This law was passed on the backs of Republicans, who fought to overcome the Democratic filibuster that threatened to kill the legislation.  One notable absence from this coalition was Senator Barry Goldwater, (R) AZ.  This libertarian Republican, who went on to win the nomination for President, but got crush...

It is amazing what seeing a post on facebook can do.  I felt that my entry last night was a pretty good one, and didn't want to write one so soon, but I can't help myself.  The post in question had a picture with this simple paraphrase of Matthew 5:41; If someone forces you to bake a cake for a gay wedding, bake them two. These are the Savior's actual words: And whosoever compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. For the record, on the concept of gay marriage, I still rely on God's definition, as defined in the Proclamation to the Family , issued by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, that marriage is between a man and a woman.  I still feel that while it is undoubtedly a losing battle regarding the law, the effort should still be made, and that people should have their religious freedoms respected, especially when it comes to individual acceptance of this practice, and that churches that have doctrine regarding this issue should be allowed to pr...

As I was watching the General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I was listening to the words, and something occurred to me.  I wish I could remember the speaker, but they were talking about how we need to choose to humble ourselves, and to accept Christ and make the necessary changes in our lives to be able to return and live with Him.  It reminded me of a story from Numbers regarding the fiery serpents. The Israelites were making their way to Canaan when they again murmured about the manna.  The Lord sent fiery serpents to chastise the people, and many died.  Moses was commanded to make a serpent of brass and place it on a pole.  He told the people if they would simply look upon the serpent they would live.  Many chose not to look, and died. The instruction was so simple.  Look to the serpent and live.  It wasn't a vague command, it wasn't ambiguous.  Even if you didn't believe, what harm could come by follow...

I  wanted to amend this post to make it clear to all that while I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the views expressed are my own, even when explaining doctrine of the Church, I am simply giving my point of view on the doctrine, and not stating the doctrine as a spokesman for said church.  This applies to all mentions of doctrine of the church,  past, present, and future. I have been reluctant to go political on this space.  I save it for things of a spiritual nature, though in these times these things often collide.  This is the case with the previous post regarding origination of rights.  Yes, I overused the quotation remarks regarding the term rights, but it needed to be done to understand what is at stake. To show the tie in, I am going to write about a portion of the Plan of Salvation, God's plan for us on this earth.  I am not going to quote scripture here, but there are references in Revelation, as well as mode...

I wonder if people are aware of an exchange on CNN between Chris Cuomo, and Alabama Chief Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore.  Let me start by saying that I feel the Justice, who was also involved in the Ten Commandments Monument issue about 10 years ago, while may be in line with the Constitution, is wrong in these times.  The exchange was over the Justice's fight to not issue same sex marriage licenses. To defy the federal judge, and to flaunt an issue currently before the US Supreme Court is bad judgement.  What should concern people is what Chris Cuomo, brother of NY governor Andrew Cuomo, and son of the late NY Governor Mario Cuomo.  A significant political pedigree to be sure.  What did he say?     "Our rights do not come from God. That’s your faith. That’s my faith, but not our country ."   The Declaration of Independence, the "organic law" that our whole system of government is based states very clearly that   "We hold these truths to...

Since Sunday, I have been pondering a lot about some things that were said, and songs that were sung.  It was a testimony meeting, and I was in Logan, UT attending church with my son and his wife, and my first grandchild.  My wife and stepson flew in from KC, and my stepdaughter drove down from Rexburg. His aunt even flew in from Seattle.  It was wonderful meeting with the naming and blessing of my grands llvson. Back to what I wanted to write.  As it was a testimony meeting, after the administration of the sacrament, the meeting is turned over to members of the congregation to stand and share their testimony of Christ.  One stood up and spoke of his testimony, and how music can help people to feel the Spirit of God.  He spoke in particular of a song written by James E Faust, a late member of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  The song "This is the Christ" is a powerful song of testimony, and brings a testimony ...