My youngest son and his sweet wife live across the country from us and they arrange to come home to visit as often as they can; in the meantime we converse via phone or email. As his father, my writing to he and his wife, I sometimes include spiritual thoughts. This one Sunday before church I wrote the following; “Knowing how you appreciate the fine arts and probably a few human (mine) arts as well, I thought that I would ask you to read the song of Nephi (Book of Mormon). It is a scripture that you may not have read for a spell. It is found in chapter four of II Nephi beginning with verse 15 and ending with verse 35. There are several beautiful songs or Psalms, if you prefer, in the scriptures and some not in the scriptures, (mine). I challenge you to put the song of Nephi to music as others have done to the psalms of David. I’ll expect the first draft next week- just kidding. If we would take the time to read Nephi’s song every day we would be hedged up against the enemy of our souls always. Sometime you need to sit down and after a session of prayer and pondering on the greatness of the Lord, write your own psalm, a psalm that you can refer to from time to time to remind you of your testimony and reliance on the Almighty. We all need to be reminded of our fragile existence and our ultimate dependence on the Lord. There is nothing that can better humble a person than to write a psalm to the Almighty. The person who wrote the song and the music to “How Great thou Art”, was actually writing a psalm. Sing that song to yourself, right now, and tell me it doesn’t affect you in a spiritual way and if you say it doesn’t, then we need to talk.” My wife and I attended a funeral today of an old friend, a friend that lived just far enough away to make regular visits back and forth a problem, as we both had busy lives and large families. His name was Douglas and he was 92, (seven years older than I). We started college together in 1955. We were both recent converts to the church with, I believe, special testimonies of its truthfulness. We were both veterans and going to school, living on the GI bill, plus whatever other jobs that we could find to make ends meet. We all lived, very closely, in the Utah State University housing. Doug and I exchanged haircuts once a month with an old hand held clippers. Hair would get pulled when we weren’t clipping fast enough and ‘ouch’s’ could be heard next door. We would laugh and have a great time, and our haircuts did not make us look much better. We both graduated in 1959. I went to work for a School District in Utah and moved to the Ogden area, and Doug continued at the University working on his Master’s degree, which he finished in 1962. I worked on mine as a part time student finishing a year later than did he. We both eventually obtained PhD degrees. He studied Agriculture and I went into Higher Education. While Jo and I lived in the Ogden area, Doug and Carolyn eventually ended up in the Centerville, Utah area. They had six children and we had six children with a good many grand and great grandchildren. Doug was very much a people person and I would like to think that I, too, am a people person. Doug loved the Lord as I do. He was recognized for his great big smile and was even given a certificate from the Centerville City Council for his smile and his friendliness. While at the funeral, we watched the video of his life and family and without a doubt he had a great smile. A group of six sang “How Great thou Art” the rendition was just beautiful. While they sang and while tears ran down my cheeks, my thought was ‘how true’. He is the Father of us all and ‘How Great He Is’. Having mortal fathers on earth should help us find a connection to our Eternal Father but so many are just unable to connect. How much more meaningful our lives are when we make that connection to our Father, Creator, and Mentor. This earth was not a product of a ‘Big Bang’, but rather the creative ability of a very sensitive and loving Father of both our spirits and our mortality. This beautiful earth was perfectly designed and created to meet our needs as well as our comforts. One of the speakers mentioned how Doug was always there to greet people at church with a big smile and a handshake or a hug. It was easy for Doug to express love for others and everyone really felt like he meant it. They went on to say that a few days ago, when Doug walked through the veil into the next realm that he was probably greeted by our Father with a big smile and a handshake as well as a hug. I know the Father is pleased when we express love one for another. How do I know? I know because I, too, have felt and feel His spirit so often. “How Great He Is!” I can hear that song in my mind and heart just to hear the title. Our families were designed to show us how there are eternal connections to a greater family unit, the Father’s family. Our family members learn love and compassion within the family. Communities of families make up villages and learn compassion for others. Communities of families and villages make up countries where we learn loyalties and honor. The Father’s desire is that we learn compassion for all, that all mankind become God’s family. He has designed this earth after an eternal plan, where unity, compassion and love will hopefully be the outcome. We are all members of His family. ‘How Great He is!”