The view we have, or take of things, has always been a fascinating thought for me. Even as a young child, I sometimes did a double take when I heard an interesting slant on a subject. For example, back in the 1930’s, just before I was old enough to go to school, my father bought…
Author: Emil Hanson
On The Refiner’s Fire
I always love a good story, whether it be true or not, if it has a moral to it. The story I am about to tell is supposed to be true, as it was told to members by their stake president, during a stake conference several years ago. The story has its setting in a…
On Temptation
Temptation has many faces, probably as many faces as there are people to be tempted. Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, were tempted by Satan to disobey Father and they partook of the forbidden fruit. What Satan did not know is that Heavenly Father was counting on him to tempt them. By their…
On Sensibility
How deep are our thoughts about inorganic materials, i.e., rocks and minerals? The scriptures leave us to believe that all things were created spiritually before they were created physically on the earth. The worlds were created (organized) by the Word of His Power; all things obey the voice of the Almighty. All things, therefore, must…
On Why Family History
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we are sometimes asked why we are so interested in Family History. Here is a brief response that I have written after some thought and hopefully a little inspiration. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe in a pre-earth state…
On Philosophies
I never cease to be amazed at how practical and comprehensive the Gospel of Jesus Christ is and yet how hard it is for some to embrace it. Having had a significant number of years in the university setting, either as a student or faculty/administrator, I was exposed to many and varied philosophies of life,…
On Bridges
Bridges have often held a fascination for me, and I believe it is because of the part they have played in my youth. The bridges that crossed small rivers in my hometown were steel structures above the road. The load, placed on the bridge by the vehicles crossing it, was on the steel structure above…
On Mercy
I was contemplating the word mercy the other day, a term we commonly use in a Christian society. The subject came to mind because it struck me that it is primarily an attribute we ascribe to God, when in reality, we should view it as an attribute that had better belong to each of us. Christ is…
On the Judgement Day
We know that the Lord has been given the responsibility to judge us and I have, many times, wondered how He will accomplish that humongous task: Sheep on the right hand and the goats on the left. What an image one can conjure up thinking about that event, especially when we try to put ourselves…
On People Watching
People are an interesting study. People watching, I think, has been a common pastime since Adam. And why not; we are all of various sizes, shapes, color and demeanor. We are as varied as our fingerprints and/or as snowflakes—no two exactly alike. Even though our mortal bodies were all created and patterned in Heavenly Father’s…