Feb
2
Symbolism of Olive Oil
Filed Under Home, Family and Church | 5 Comments
I loved this article on the symbolism of the olive and olive oil.
Jan
23
Hispanics in Utah
Filed Under Home, Family and Church | 2 Comments
Elder Winkle spoke at Stake conference this morning and cited some statistics about the growing hispanic population in Utah.
1985 – 35,000
1995 – 45,000
2005 – 270,000
The question is, what brings all these people to Utah? Many would assume it’s because they’re members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but, to my surprise, only 8 percent of these people are members of the Mormon church.
Rather exciting. I love these people because of my association with them while serving a mission in Coahuila, Durango and Zacatecas in Mexico.
Yesterday I had my inspection done at C & A Auto. The place, though slightly older and out of shape, was run well and they had me in and out very quickly. Hispanic run and owned businesses are popping up everywhere.
Though my neighborhood doesn’t have very many hispanic families, there must be someway to become better friends with this growing group of people. I feel like we’re living in two separate worlds and I don’t like it. These folks took such good care of me when I was in Mexico and I feel it’s my privledge to reach out to them as they come to Utah.
Dec
2
An Evening of Friendship
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Fuller Theological Seminary president and Beliefnet columnist Richard J. Mouw apologized to Mormons for evangelicals’ tendency to distort the truth about Latter-day Saints’ beliefs. This article has really jump started a discussion between a good friend of mine from Penns, who is evangelical, and me about our beliefs. It’s strengthened our friendship. Thank you for the apology Richard J. Mouw. That was a very Christian thing to do. I will, as a member of the LDS church, strive to show the same courtesy and understanding to you and your faith.
Sep
28
Oppose Evil
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I’ve created a specific page for information on President Hinkley’s Oppose Evil article for friends and family.
Aug
27
LDSaudio.com has begun offering a free Book of Mormon for audio download. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also has the files for individual download. I’m very pleased they have a complete download now. I had to write a program to get them all individually when I made a copy for my friend Wade Paxton. It took a while. I’m glad these organizations are making it easier to do now.
Aug
6
A More Excellent Way – Charity
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As I’ve studied Charity in my scripture study, I found a talk by Howard W. Hunter with the most inspiring story in it:
As a young man, Brother Vern Crowley said he learned something of the crucial lesson the Prophet Joseph had taught the early Saints in Nauvoo when he told them to “love others, even our enemies as well as friends.” This is a good lesson for each of us.
After his father became ill, Vern Crowley took responsibility for running the family wrecking yard although he was only fifteen years of age. Some customers occasionally took unfair advantage of the young man, and parts were disappearing from the lot overnight. Vern was angry and vowed to catch someone and make an example of him. Vengeance would be his.
Just after his father had started to recover from his illness, Vern was making his rounds of the yard one night at closing time. It was nearly dark. In a distant corner of the property, he caught sight of someone carrying a large piece of machinery toward the back fence. He ran like a champion athlete and caught the young thief. His first thought was to take out his frustrations with his fists and then drag the boy to the front office and call the police. His heart was full of anger and vengeance. He had caught his thief, and he intended to get his just dues.
Out of nowhere, Vern’s father came along, put his weak and infirm hand on his son’s shoulder, and said, “I see you’re a bit upset, Vern. Can I handle this?” He then walked over to the young would-be thief and put his arm around his shoulder, looked him in the eye for a moment, and said, “Son, tell me, why are you doing this? Why were you trying to steal that transmission?” Then Mr. Crowley started walking toward the office with his arm around the boy, asking questions about the young man’s car problems as they walked. By the time they had arrived at the office, the father said, “Well, I think your clutch is gone and that’s causing your problem.”
In the meantime, Vern was fuming. “Who cares about his clutch?” he thought. “Let’s call the police and get this over with.” But his father just kept talking. “Vern, get him a clutch. Get him a throwout bearing, too. And get him a pressure plate. That should take care of it.” The father handed all of the parts to the young man who had attempted robbery and said, “Take these. And here’s the transmission, too. You don’t have to steal, young man. Just ask for it. There’s a way out of every problem. People are willing to help.”
Brother Vern Crowley said he learned an everlasting lesson in love that day. The young man came back to the lot often. Voluntarily, month by month, he paid for all of the parts Vic Crowley had given him, including the transmission. During those visits he asked Vern why his dad was the way he was and why he did what he did. Vern told him something of their Latter-day Saint beliefs and how much his father loved the Lord and loved people. Eventually the would-be thief was baptized. Vern later said, “It’s hard now to describe the feelings I had and what I went through in that experience. I, too, was young. I had caught my crook. I was going to extract the utmost penalty. But my father taught me a different way.”
Jul
27
Tim Sander’s is onto something important
Filed Under Business Ideas, Resources, Principles, etc., Education and Love for Learning, Home, Family and Church, Ideas and Thoughts | Comments Off on Tim Sander’s is onto something important
Although Love Is the Killer App focuses on building one’s career, I think it teaches a principle similar to one Paul tries to teach the Corinthians in the New Testament:
24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.
Of course, Paul is speaking of things of a person’s salvation rather than their career:
33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
However, I think the two are closely interrelated.
Jun
28
What ever happened to the family film?
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Great talk sponsored by www.hillsdale.edu. The Imprimis is an excellent publication and I recommend it to anyone:
http://www.hillsdale.edu/newimprimis/2004/june/default.htm
Jun
28
The Most Influential and Impactful People I’ve Met Live This Principle
Filed Under Business Ideas, Resources, Principles, etc., Education and Love for Learning, Genealogy to Family History to FamilyLearn, Home, Family and Church, Ideas and Thoughts, Search Engine Marketing | Comments Off on The Most Influential and Impactful People I’ve Met Live This Principle
The principle is in the article that is on love and I found it on Paul Allen’s blog:
LOVE
Certain People have personified this for me and I’m sure there are more:
My wife, who truly loves others more than herself.
My Mother, who loved our family enough to go through so much for us.
Alan Fluckiger, American Heritage Academy, who helped me realize my inborn love for learning again.
Dr. Edward Green, General Manager at Family Literacy Centers, Inc., who taught me the power of raising others rather than ourselves.
Dllon Inouye, Professor at BYU, who taught me the power of relationships and excellence.
Paul Merrill, Professor at BYU, Professor at BYU, who cared more for student success than his own.
Paul Allen, Internet Entreprenuer, Infobase Ventures, LLC, who openned my eyes to the goodness in business.
John Jonas, Internet Entreprenuer, Programmer and Friend, Search Engine Marketing Expert, who isn’t afraid to make mistakes and sets an example for me of a love for learning as well as always being there for FamilyLearn.
Jason Johnson, CPA, Entreprenuer, Mentor and Friend, FamilyLearn Vice President, who has risked so much for a love for FamilyLearn with me–mission driven.
Jun
20
Great Family Home Evening Resources
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Trisha and I have loved these Family Home Evening Activities suggestions published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
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