Bishop, father, friend

One of my most inspiring colleagues is Keith Hamilton.  Keith is a convert to the church and was the only African American to attend J. Reuben Clark Law School at BYU while I was there.  He wrote a fantastic book about blacks and the priesthood which I would recommend.  He recently had a short article published in the Deseret News about his first bishop.  I would highly recommend it.  You can read it here.

Pop musicians contemplate the nature of God

We are fortunate that sometimes when creative people contemplate the nature of God, they express their thoughts about the subject in modern music, then share it with the rest of us.

DANNI & LIZZY:

Recently, I happened upon a Youtube video of a singer named Lizzy, who appeared on America's got talent. Her wistful song is apparently written and performed in memory of someone who was lost, and who is now in Heaven.   Her sweetness and sincerity come through both her voice, inflection, facial appearance, and the lyrics themselves.

Her song is called "Dancing in the Sky"

Here is a phrase from the lyrics:

Oh I, I hope you're dancing in the sky
I hope you're singing in the angels's choir
I hope the angels, know what they have
I bet it's so nice up in heaven since you arrived

JOAN OSBORNE:

Another singer, who happens to be a famous pop artist named Joan Osborne, sang a song entitled:

"What if God was one of us?" in the 90's.

To some, her song may sound like heresy.  To me, it sounds like a modern hymn, with a person living in this contemporary world, and contemplating the nature of God.  She is imagining what she might say, should she have the opportunity to see his face and ask him a question:

If God had a name, what would it be
And would you call it to his face
If you were faced with him in all his glory
What would you ask if you had just one question?

PETE TOWNSHEND:

Even earlier than Joan's modern song, in about 1970, the famous singer, Pete Townshend of "The Who," gave us the song entitled "A Bargain."

"Bargain" is a love song.  The opening lines are:

I'd gladly lose me to find you
I'd gladly give up all I had
To find you I'd suffer anything and be glad

The lyrics are typical love song lyrics in which Townshend says he will give up everything to win his love, and that he would consider that a bargain.  However, the lyrics do not identify who the subject of the singer's love is.

He goes on to sing:

"I know I'm worth nothing without you"

During a subsequent interview, Townshend revealed that the object of the love song was God.   He paradoxicaly stated that God's love is the easiest thing, yet the hardest thing to get, and that it would be worth giving up everything he had to ensure that he was at peace with him.  Townshend stated "The song is about losing one's ego...  I constantly try to lose myself and find him.... this song expresses how much of a bargain it would be to lose everything in order to be at one with God."

The song "A Bargain" may be downloaded on iTunes in various formats.  The acoustic version is particularly moving.  Here is a link to the complete lyrics.

LORENZO SNOW, A PROPHET OF GOD:

Now, here's something I know I can rely on:  Lorenzo Snow was an LDS Prophet from 1898 - 1901. As  I try to relate some of this modern contemplative music about the nature of God to my own beliefs, it brings me back to one of my favorite quotes from him, when he wrote the famous couplet:

“As man now is, God once was; as God is now man may be.” 

Now contemplate that for a while.  Or a lifetime, or eternity.  It runs deep.

Questions:

Do you see any connection between the restored gospel and modern music?
What are your favorite modern, pop, or sacred songs about the gospel?

WHO IS MY SAVIOR?

 

 WHO IS MY SAVIOR?

• Christ is the head of my house, the honored guest at every meal, and the silent listener to every conversation. He is my friend, my brother, and my constant companion who cares for me and guides me to a safe haven. 

• He is my promised Messiah who comforts my body and soul. He is the knowledge of who I am - A CHILD OF GOD.  

• He is my SAVIOR, KING and REDEEMER. He is the author of my eternal plan of life and salvation for myself and my family.

• He is my TRUE EXAMPLE OF PURE AND UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. He has taught me that love is patience and love is kind. 

• He has taught me the importance of growth, greatness and serving others. I know the Son of Man did not come to earth to be served, but to serve. He is my shield of faith and MY GLORIOUS GIFT FROM GOD.

• I know that I cannot stand alone. He opens my eyes, mind, heart and soul to many great and marvelous things, HE IS MY GUIDING LIGHT WITHIN.

• My Savior has given me all of the above gifts. The one gift I treasure the most is  THE GIFT OF PEACE. Not the sense of PEACE I feel with the absence of a storm in my life, but the PEACE I get in the storm. So often I'm trying to convenience my Savior to get me out of the storm, that I'm not able to receive the CALMING PEACE while in the storm. I am comforted by the words found in John 14:27  "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

• My Savior has given me all that I love and all that I believe. He is my kind hearted brother, WHO WILL ONE DAY GREET ME WITH TENDER OUT REACHED ARMS. It is with that perfect loving image that I can begin to feel my connection with Him and a confirmation of His pure and unconditional love for me.

 

 

“How long can rolling waters remain impure?"

The war in Korea has deprived many of their possessions and their homes and even their loved ones. But out of this same war, a small group of Koreans have emerged with something more solid and indestructible than earthly poss­essions, They have received a living, testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One such person is Lt. Sock Ku Lee, an instructor of Naval Architecture at the ROK Naval Academy at Chin Hae, Korea, and a professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Fisheries National College at Pusan, Korea. Lt. Lee was introduced to the members of the Church by Dr. Kim, Ho-Jik, a Korean member of the Church. Lt. Lee’s inquisitiveness led him to investigate the principles of the Restored Gospel. Each new principle learned, was put to the test of logic and scriptural background, Investigation of the Gospel led Lt. Lee to even more diligence in learning, until finally he requested that some of the LDS GIs In the Pusan Area, instruct him in the things of the Gospel.  Lt. Lee traveled 50 miles once a week to attend special meetings. Gradually, the miracle of the Gospel, known to so many LDS missionaries, began to shape Brother Lee’s life. He began to apply the new Gospel into his life, until in February, 1954, in a letter written to a friend, he expressed himself in these words:  "Now I am standing at a critical crisis. No more hesitation is endurable, A huge monster “Baptism” is challenge and overwhelming my head and shoulders every day and night and I feel it would press me into the ground. My conscience teaches me that the concealment of such emotion to be guilty, recognizing the real truth which I for years have looked for and at last found.” Lt. Lee requested that he be baptized and expressed concern about delay, because he was confident of an assignment from his superiors for a visit to Japan, and the United States, to study Naval Architecture. He desired to make this trip with the blessing of baptism with him. Thus on the 3rd of February 1954, Lt. Lee was baptized by Elder H. Grant Heaton in the frozen Han river and later confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, at the home of Dr. Kim. This is just one of the many examples of the missionary work being brought to light out of the ruins of a war torn Country. It Is a demonstration of faith, pure and simple, and of a devotion of truth equal to any in History. Written by H. Grant Heaton 4 February 1954 Chun Chon, Korea Seoul English Click here for more information on Missionaries.

A Father

A quote from my Dad:  some words of wisdom and value.

"When the Superior Man assumes the role of Father he must remember that everything he found good before, must be shared with his children. Those things which he found to destroy human heartedness, he must shield from his children. When he learns new things, after becoming a father, these things belong to his children as well. Also, he must teach his children of the old and the new things of his knowledge. And when his children have grown to respect and obey him, if he has made his giving easy to receive, they will then be free. This is how a Superior man acts when he becomes a father"
Hsi-Te-En 1989 ( H. Grant Heaton)

The Testimony of the Prophets

THE TESTIMONY OF THE PROPHETS

Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

(Amos 3:7)

One of the most fundamental doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the principle of continuing revelation through living prophets.

We affirm the scripture quoted in Amos that the Lord always reveals His word and His will through his chosen servants, the prophets. This was true during the times of the Old Testament, continued to be true in New Testament times, and will always be true. The Lord is unchanging and is not silent in our day. Modern day prophets have been called to share the word of The Lord with His children on the earth today.

The Church has published the continuing revelations of the Lord since the time of it's founding starting with the Book of Mormon followed by revelations to the Prophet Joseph Smith in the Pearl of Great Price and the Doctrine and Covenants.  This revelatory pattern continues to the present day.

Two of the Articles of Faith written by The Prophet Joseph Smith testify to the doctrine of continuing revelation:

8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

And The Lord has provided the key whereby all may know whether the words of the prophets are true:

And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real  intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

  (Moroni 10:4-5)

A Beautiful Life

There is a kind, successful man in our ward, who is dearly loved, and looked up to by all.  His name is Ward Hicken.   At 92 years old, he has accomplished a great deal, and he continues to create and inspire.  This bio, taken from his blog, probably describes him best:

I have had wonderful health for 92 years. I had 59 years of happy marriage with one wife and 5 children. I have enjoyed many church callings and activities with adults and youth in 8 communities. I served as a Bishop, missionary, scoutmaster, and singer in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I worked on farms, sugar factory, smelter, shipyard, served in the Merchant Marines, worked on road crew; building construction projects, was a bookkeeper, auditor and insurance salesman. I worked for 30 years as a plumbing contractor, and have been an apartment owner. I've taken or attended 12 night schools and correspondence courses. I had 4 years of business college and university. I am a voracious reader of many books. I have traveled in Europe, the Caribbean Islands, South America, Panama, Mexico, South Pacific Islands, Hawaii, Japan, Alaska, Canada, and 40 US States. I enjoyed water and snow sports, hunting and fishing.

Ever since I've been in the ward, I've looked forward to Fast Sunday, a special Sunday day that occurs once a month, that is set apart for fasting.  On this day, members may be get up and speak to the rest of the congregation, and share their feelings, advice, and testimony.  Because of the relatively short duration of the meeting, and due perhaps, to the relative shyness of a majority of members (or perhaps a respect for those who feel they have something important to share), during a typical meeting, we may hear from only a handful of members.   Maybe 7-12 members in total, of maybe 500 in total.

Because of that, you don't hear from any one member very often.  Except for Ward.  As long as I can remember, Ward always makes his way up to the pulpit, and in his kind, and fatherly way, he imparts a message of commitment to the gospel, and tells us about how it has blessed his life.

Today, I asked fellow members of my priesthood group if they could share a bit of their wisdom on this blog, by either posting it themselves, or by sharing any material they would like me to post on their behalf.  (recognizing that our group is fairly senior; and that none of us are Millenials.) So we have  necessarily adopted the Internet at middle age, or perhaps even later.  This means its not our native environment.  At best, since all of us "predate the Internet", we learned to use it, and none of us natively arrived at it, as our children, or even grandchildren have.

At the end of the meeting, Ward appeared, and gave me a note.  He explained that he has written a few poems and posted them on a blog.   The note had the address:  www.HappyPoems.blogspot.com on it. Later, as I discussed it with Ward, he explained that there are hundreds of writings on the blog, and that all of the poems he posted are his own.  Remarkably, yet consistent for Ward, he told me that "using his own ability and strength, he could have never done this work, but he was able to, because the Lord gave him help."

In the meeting when I surveyed the eyes of perhaps 80 of my colleagues, I could tell that many of them were of typical passing familiarity with the Internet, and my request to just start blogging and posting information to the Internet was more of a daunting task than I had at first thought.  To find out that Ward Hicken had been blogging on the Internet actively since 2007, and had amassed a giant body of high quality work, informed me that we can all do this work.  Let's follow the example of Ward Hicken, and get our ideas, wisdom, and sensitive and compelling stories and impressions about the gospel of Jesus Christ, out there for others to enjoy.  The message of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is so beautiful.   What can you share about it?

Ward, thank you for allowing me to link to your amazing blog of poetry and wise advice.

Ward Hicken's blog: www.happypoems.blogspot.com

Music in Worship

I think music is very important in our worship.  A hymn book was compiled very early in the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by Emma Smith.  Hymns can lift our spirits, encourage us, give us hope, assure us, and increase our faith.

Some of those original hymns are still in our current hymn book.  Hymns can lift our spirits, encourage us, give us hope, assure us, and increase our faith.

- By Darwin Graff

Why I Am A Mormon

The old saying "Life is hard and then you die", is unfortunately true for many people.  The Beatles song "Eleanor Rigby" expressed another common problem: "All the lonely people - where do they all come from?"

These characteristics of many people's lives - a hard, lonely job - are in direct opposition to God's statement that "Man is, that he might have joy."

Ideas and endeavors that bring happiness and purposeful actions that expand our lives and bring us added joy should be pursued.  There are many areas that people can pursue to bring them greater joy and happiness in life (helping a needy person, calling an old friend, even weeding the yard or picking up litter), but the most important effort for many is religious involvement.

71 years ago, I was born into a Mormon family and have been grateful for the positive impact church principles have made in my life.  The opportunity to associate with highly principled people who love the gospel of Jesus Christ and attempt to live its precepts is truly valued by me.

Mormon men and women are a marvelous group, and if you're not one, you should look into joining.  Mormon missionaries are anxious to instruct you in the gospel.

E Barry Topham, M.D.

The value of the family

I love the emphasis the church places on the family.  When we contemplate what will bring us happiness in life, we typically thinking about earning more money, playing more golf, buying a nicer car, etc.  While these activities may provide some temporary gratification, in my experience the one thing that has provided the most long-lasting happiness is my relationship with my family. 

In our family, we have been fortunate to have been able to enjoy some fantastic adventures together as a family; however, some of the best memories were the times when we were together playing games.  The memories I have of our family time together are my most valued possessions. 

Commandments by which Mormons live

I want to tell you something very special about the commandments by which Mormons live.  Each one, individually, can be tested to see if it will enhance and enrich your life.  

For instance, Sunday worship; when I first started worshipping on Sunday - instead of playing - the Sabbath became a "Sanctuary".  a day to look forward to, a happy time when I did not have to worry about the cares of the world.  Obeying the word of wisdom, paying tithing and fast offerings - every individual thing I tried to observe and incorporate in my own life testified of the whole and enriched a part of my life.

I promise that it will do the same for you.

For more information about the Word Of Wisdom, click here.

This submission was created by Craig Hackett, and posted by Brad Buxton