Many religions and philosophies teach ‘predestination.’ To quote from the Koran, “God misleadeth whom He pleaseth and guideth whom he will aright” Those who believe this way and/or in similar doctrine, also believe that man’s life and being are directed by a controlling god. To them man is no more than a puppet. This concept…
On Honesty
As a little boy I learned many lessons the hard way, as I’m sure many young children do even today. They say we are born into the world with absolutely nothing and that we spend the rest of our lives accumulating as much of the world’s goods as we can. Sometimes we start the process…
On Remembering
Sometimes it is difficult to squeeze information out of young people, such as my grandson serving a mission in Swaziland, South Africa. When the family is successful in doing so, often what does come out is pure wisdom. Because of the few words that were written home at the very beginning of his mission, my…
On Gainsayers
Gainsayer is a strange word that a person may only run across in the scriptures, but yet it has a meaning that could commonly apply to our modern society. The definition describes a gainsaying person as one who is disagreeable and always taking issue with every point that is made. A gainsayer manipulates others and…
On How Christ is Our Father
One of my Grandsons asked me, “Grandpa, I am confused by the statement in the Book of Mormon where it says that Jesus is the Father. What does that mean?” The response that follows is merely the thoughts of an old grandfather trying to answer the question of his grandson and is not to be…
On Conscience
We are all born with the Light of Christ and that provides the foundation for one’s conscience. The scriptures tell us that among many other things the Light of Christ is also; “the light that quickeneth” man’s understanding.” (D&C 88:6–13, 41)and in this manner it “is related to man’s conscience and tells him right from…
On Seeing Through a Glass Darkly
Paul speaking to the Corinthians said, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12) This basically means that whilst on this earth we can only have a poor glimpse of the…
On Simple
Simple is one of the terms used by children to sometimes express their superiority over others. I remember in my own youth being called a simpleton a few times. If simple is supposed to express something uncomplicated, why did it seem to sting so bad? The other use of it, for example, was when I…
On Being Peculiar II
President Gordon B. Hinckley said that peculiar translated from the Hebrew term means “valued treasure.” It has been translated from a Greek term that signifies “possession” or “those selected by God as His own people”….great unity is the hallmark of the true church of Christ, It is felt among our people throughout the world. We pray for…
On Patience
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, speaking to the Priesthood Session during the April 2010 conference, spoke of the importance of patience, he said, “The lessons we learn from patience will cultivate our character, lift our lives, and heighten our happiness.” He went on to say, “Patience the ability to put our desires on hold for a…