The ‘Plan of Salvation’ has several names such as: ‘The Plan of Happiness’ and ‘Plan of Progression.’ That name is in reference to our progress from the pre-mortal world to earth life, to the spirit world and then to a kingdom of glory. The Father’s plan calls for us to be progressive. We are meant…
Author: Emil Hanson
On a Book of Remembrance
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has always counseled the saints to keep a book of remembrance (D&C 85:9) What is meant by a ‘Book of Remembrance’ exactly? President Spencer W. Kimball spelled it out for us and it simply means that we should keep histories and records of our families lives. Why…
On Doomsday Prophecies
Concerns about the end of the world seem to be a relatively common topic for discussion lately. My daughter (in her forties) asked me what I thought about the second coming and when I thought those terrible events would take place that will precede it. She seemed concerned and indicated that her Gospel Doctrine teacher…
On Gatherers Vs. Dispersers
We are born into this world with absolutely nothing and, it seems, that for most of us, the rest of our lives are devoted to seeing how much of this earth’s goods we can add to that ‘nothing.’ We learn early about ownership, as soon as we try to take a toy that belongs to…
On Writing Family Histories
An individual that is inspired to write about their family will usually select themselves to write about for their first history and that is a wise choice, as we know more about ourselves than anyone else. In writing your own history, you will learn the important things that should be included in other histories. The…
On Messengers
The story in the Old Testament of Jacob’s ladder is often viewed as a fairy tale or a bad dream that Jacob had, probably brought about by his choice of a pillow (a stone). The story goes as follows: “And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba, and went toward Haran. And he lighted upon a certain place, and…
On Inward Parts
Ordinarily, when we talk of inward parts, we think of something we would rather have covered up with our outward parts. To think of inward parts as something one might take out and examine separately is a gruesome thought. At the same time, we recognize that our inward parts are critical to all that we…
On Cycles of Human Nature
The Book of Mormon is replete with cautions as to what happens to a people who, because of good fortune or their own diligence, become affluent. It seems to be human nature that once we become wealthy or suppose we have more than others, our nature begins to change. We tend to evolve from the humble, a…
On Funerals
On several occasions I have spoken at the funeral of a deceased relative, friend or neighbor. I have always prayed for inspiration at those times, that I might say those things that would be comforting for the family of the deceased person. It is easy to find good things to say about a deceased person,…
On The Advantages of Disadvantages
Some of the greatest men and women were born and/or raised under difficult circumstances. Those whose itch is more difficult to reach, scratch harder. Booker T. Washington coined the phrase, “The advantages of disadvantages.” He felt that having been born a slave and being deprived of the right to a formal education drove his ambition…