The Power of the Book of Mormon

In light of my last post where I, several times, exhorted my family to read The Book of Mormon.  I have decided to post this excerpt from President Monson's most recent talk at General Conference.

To my recollection this was the most powerful talk President Monson has ever given.  He truly is a prophet of God.

From President Monson's April 2017 General Conference Address, "The Power of the Book of Mormon":

President Thomas S. Monson

"This morning I speak about the power of the Book of Mormon and the critical need we have as members of this Church to study, ponder, and apply its teachings in our lives. The importance of having a firm and sure testimony of the Book of Mormon cannot be overstated. 

"We live in a time of great trouble and wickedness. What will protect us from the sin and evil so prevalent in the world today? I maintain that a strong testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of His gospel will help see us through to safety. If you are not reading the Book of Mormon each day, please do so. If you will read it prayerfully and with a sincere desire to know the truth, the Holy Ghost will manifest its truth to you. If it is true—and I solemnly testify that it is—then Joseph Smith was a prophet who saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. 

"Because the Book of Mormon is true, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s Church on the earth, and the holy priesthood of God has been restored for the benefit and blessing of His children. 

"If you do not have a firm testimony of these things, do that which is necessary to obtain one. It is essential for you to have your own testimony in these difficult times, for the testimonies of others will carry you only so far. However, once obtained, a testimony needs to be kept vital and alive through continued obedience to the commandments of God and through daily prayer and scripture study. 

"My dear associates in the work of the Lord, I implore each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day. As we do so, we will be in a position to hear the voice of the Spirit, to resist temptation, to overcome doubt and fear, and to receive heaven’s help in our lives. I so testify with all my heart in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

I echo the Prophet's voice.  "If you're not reading the Book of Mormon each day, please do so."  And then here is the prophetic promise.  "As we do so, we will be in a position to hear the voice of the Spirit, to resist temptation, to overcome doubt and fear, and to receive heaven's help in our lives."

I testify that we do receive those promised blessings when we diligently read the Book of Mormon.  I've seen it in my own life.  My day always goes better when I have read or listened to the Book of Mormon in the morning.

If you would like those promised blessings in your own life, read and study the Book of Mormon everyday!

That's my two cents.

Mission Letters Home -- 4

March 3, 1992

After one month, I've become a Southerner.  :-)

  

Being on a mission is so much fun!

I really did love serving the Lord full time!  It was quite a privilege to be an official representative of the Lord's true Church and to share the gospel with others!

Sister Beck knows too many people!  That cracked me up.

This had me rolling!  I don't know why I found it so hilarious.

This dumb bank!  :-)

Nothing like wishing wild alligators would come closer.  :-) I've always been fearless.

Hilarious!  Photo added for effect.  :-)  Where I got that picture I have no idea.

Chew can!  "Hey boy, you better straighten up, you hear?"  Some things never change.

"You better go to church too!"

"Read the Book of Mormon EVERYDAY"

"It will really help you out."

"O.K.?"

Sage advice!  I was wise beyond my years.  :-)

Self-portrait.  Check out my 90s bangs.  :-)

Real proud of my black name tag and Book of Mormon in my hand.

I look good even as a stick figure!  :-)

"I guess I'll send you some more pics, I have no one else to give them to."  :-)

"Tell people to write me."

"Man is so hot here."  :-)

Read the Book of Mormon people! Obviously it's important, I took half a page writing it.

The other half is my beautiful signature.  :-)

Before I mailed this letter I got word that I was being transferred to Brooksville so I had another couple of pages after I already signed off.

This had me crying I was laughing so hard.  I didn't even remember this until I read it.  Now I remember!  So hilarious!

"Man, I don't work here!"

Lots of shrimp in Florida.  I actually remember that.

I also remember the lady who was like Aunt Linda.  She was a self proclaimed "backsliding Mormon".  She liked us, though.  I think we had dinner appointments with her quite regularly. Weekly perhaps.

I have no recollection of this but it certainly is a funny story.  :-)

I think this is the third time I exhorted my family to read The Book of Mormon in this letter.  I guess I'm in good company.  President Monson just exhorted everybody to read The Book of Mormon daily in his last General Conference address a few weeks ago.

  Well I hope you enjoyed those excerpts from my mission letters home. That's all I have scanned so far. I certainly got a kick out of it.  :-)

Mission Letters Home -- 3

February 25, 1992

This is hilarious.

Now that I mention it, I do remember Zephyrhills having lots of cows.  :-)

Yes, Florida is very flat compared to Utah.

I drew a picture of a dress I bought. :-)

Yes, I spent a large portion of my missionary allowance on nylons! mission rule.

My advice to Juliet.  :-)

The next post will be the most hilarious letter.  :-) I laughed so hard I cried.

Mission Letters Home -- 2

Second letter home from the mission field dated February 9, 1992

 It's nice to know my confidence level never waned. :-) One quality I have never lacked in is confidence.  :-) "Well you know it's hard to be humble when you're perfect in every way, I can't wait to look in the mirror 'cause I get better looking each day...."  I used to sing that to my companions.  :-)

 Talk about baptism by fire.  My first full day in the mission field I taught a fifth and sixth discussion, planned a baptism and then two days later I'm giving the benediction in Sacrament meeting and giving talks.  I also gave a talk at the baptism.  Oh the life of a missionary.  :-)

Letter on my first full preparation day in the mission field.  February 11, 1992

It's funny that I addressed the dogs also. this letter got cut off in the scanning but most letters were written while doing laundry.  :-)

February 19, 1992

Gotta love Florida.  Needing cooler clothing in the middle of February. And talking about lizards. :-)

 Of course with my luck I was chosen to give a talk at my first zone conference. Apparently I have suppressed that memory into my subconscious.  I have no recollection of it.  :-)

Some pictures I included with this letter home.  These are obviously from the MTC. But back in those days you actually had to get film developed, So it usually took a couple weeks before you got your pictures.

 With my MTC district in front of the Missionary Training Center sign.  January 1992

 Sister Parent, Sister Paulson, and Sister Stone.  January 1992

 With my district in front of the Provo Temple.  January 1992

 Sister Paulson and Sister Stone in our MTC dorm room. Apparently I really liked this dress.  I'm wearing it in every picture so far.  :-)  It does look pretty good on me.  :-)  January 1992.

 The obligatory MTC picture.  Pointing to my mission on the big map.  January 1992

Sister Stone (me) with Dad at the Salt Lake City airport waiting to board the plane to Tampa Florida!  February 5, 1992

Mission Letters Home -- 1

I've been wanting to scan my old mission letters that I sent home for some time now.  I have them all labeled in binders in chronological order.  Well, the other day I finally asked for a little help and scanned the first six letters home from the mission field.  (MTC letters home are not included.  I don't know where they are.)  :-(  It's very time and labor intensive but it's worth it.  They are hilarious!  I crack myself up.  Perhaps you have to be me to fully appreciate the hilarity therein. I was rolling!  I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.

Anyway I decided to post some of my favorite quotes of myself from my weekly mission letters home to my family.  I didn't realize what an artist I am.  :-) Almost every letter has a drawing of some kind.  Well at least in the first six letters home. That's as far as I've gotten.

I debated on whether to just transcribe the quote into my blog or to actually crop it from the scanned letter. I decided on the latter even though it will be more work.  I think it will be more impactful. That is if you can decipher my handwriting.  :-)

Let the adventure begin!

My first letter home from the mission field written on the day I arrived in my new area.  February 6, 1992

 Introduction then I talked a lot about the two legs of my plane ride.

Love the artwork!  :-) I couldn't just say they bent my luggage, I had to illustrate it. 

The extent of my homesickness.  "I'm scared to death but don't worry, I'll get over it."  Then I talk about the humidity.  :-) 

 A postcard that I included in my first letter home.  Obviously I got it on the airplane.

Stay tuned for the next entry!  :-)

Daily Message

"Everything in the scriptures is applicable to our lives. The scriptures answer our questions, they provide role models and heroes, and they help us understand how to handle challenges and trials. Many times the scriptures you read will be the answer to your prayers."

—Elaine S. Dalton, "Believe!", Ensign, May 2004

Be All In

Elder Gary B. Sabin
Of the Seventy

"We should not be like the man who, as the Wall Street Journal reported, sent an envelope filled with cash along with an anonymous letter to the Internal Revenue Service which said, “Dear IRS: Enclosed please find money I owe for past taxes. P.S. If after this my conscience still bothers me, I’ll send you the rest.”"

"That’s not how we do it! We don’t hold back to see what the minimum is we can get by with. The Lord requires the heart and a willing mind. Our whole heart! When we are baptized, we are fully immersed as a symbol of our promise to fully follow the Savior, not half-heartedly. When we are fully committed and “all in,” heaven shakes for our good. When we are lukewarm or only partially committed, we lose out on some of heaven’s choicest blessings."

-- Elder Gary B. Sabin, "Stand Up Inside and Be All In", April 2017 General Conference

The Love of Money

I was thinking about how people's thirst for money corrupts them.  People will do anything for money.  Many people worship the almighty dollar and spend their entire life chasing after it.  Some people even kill for it. But what is the cost?  We all know you can't take it with you.

Money in and of itself is not bad.  Many good people are wealthy and use their wealth for good. But a lot more people have their priorities mixed up and the acquisition of money becomes their top priority. At the loss of much more important things.

I think even heathens are familiar with the Scripture that states that the love of money is the root of all evil. To put that Scripture into context, I took the following excerpt from the Bible.

We read in The First Epistle of the Apostle Paul to Timothy; Chapter 6:

5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 

8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 

12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life...

17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. -- 1 Timothy 6: 5-12, 17-19 (Emphasis added)

The apostle Paul warns that those who covet money have erred from the faith and are pierced with sorrow and drown in destruction and perdition.  He goes on to warn those who covet after money to "flee these things and follow after righteousness".

Ultimately, the cost of the love of money is the loss of eternal life.  Which is to say, the loss of exaltation in the Kingdom of Our Father in Heaven or in other words damnation.  That's a pretty high price to pay for something you can't take with you.

That's my two cents.

The Easiest Question

I received a letter in the mail inviting me to do a survey regarding wheelchair access.  So yesterday I did it.

I have filled out probably hundreds of forms in my life.  One of the first questions asked on most forms is, "what is your sex?"  Then there are two boxes to choose from M or F.  It's very straight forward and the easiest question to answer.  The survey I completed yesterday was no exception in asking what my sex was.  What was different was that there were four different boxes to choose from!  What?!

There are only two different sexes in humans.  In fact, in all of the animal kingdom there are only two sexes.  Male and female.  Your sex is determined upon conception.  While you are still a microscopic ball of cells you are already male or female.  Every cell in your body that has a nucleus has a pair of sex chromosomes which code for male or female.  If you have XY you are male.  If you have XX you are female.  Everyone who has had high school biology understands this.  Or should understand this.  :-) It's very simple.

So you can imagine my surprise when instead of having the usual M and F with a box beside each to check which sex you are, there were four boxes to choose from.  Of course the usual M and F were two of them.  The third box had "intersex" written next to it.  I have never heard that term before but just looking at the root words I'm assuming it means between sexes.  How can you be in between sexes?  It's biologically impossible.  Except for true hermaphrodites, which are extremely rare.  Now I understand that some people mutilate their bodies with hormones and surgery to try to become the opposite sex.  But it's a sad futile attempt because there's no way you can change the sex chromosomes in every cell nucleus in your body.  By manipulating the delicate hormone balance of your body you are merely wreaking havoc with a well oiled machine so to speak.  If every cell in your body carries the XY chromosome and you pump a bunch of female hormones in, your body is not going to like it.  It's unnatural.  I wouldn't be surprised if we don't start seeing a lot more cases of cancer in individuals who do this.  Not to mention all kinds of other side effects that are still unknown.

There is no such thing as "intersex".  Except perhaps in the case of a true hermaphrodite, which is extremely rare, and really a nonissue for survey purposes.  It has never warranted an extra box before.  Now that transgenderism is in the political spotlight, suddenly they have to have an extra box to be politically correct because of a few confused people.

People who are born as one sex yet claim to identify as the opposite sex are confused individuals with a psychological disorder. I am not downplaying mental illness or psychological issues that people have.  I feel very sad for those who struggle with any kind of psychological or mental illness or disorder.  But trying to change your sex by mutilating your body is not the answer.

The fourth box on the survey said "other or prefer not to answer".  I guess they feel they have to cover all the bases.  Even though it's the easiest question in the world to answer.  I'm afraid this survey was falling into the trap of political correctness.  Since "transgenderism" seems to be the hot political issue of the day.  I find it extremely sad and actually detrimental to those who suffer from gender identity issues to have their struggles politicized.

It is said that there's a first time for everything.  This was the first time I have ever had more than two choices to the question of which sex I am.  I was actually quite disturbed by it.  For all the so-called progression in the world, it sure seems like we're regressing.  There are only two possible answers to the inquiry of which sex you are.  So why in the world are there 4 different boxes to check?

All I have to say is, once again, chalk flew!

That's my two cents.

Quote of the Day

"When we are complacent with our covenants, we are complicit with the consequences." -- Elder Gary B. Sabin, April 2017

Daily Message

"Faith as a principle of power comes from a consistent pattern of obedient behavior and attitudes. Personal righteousness is a choice. Faith is a gift from God, and one possessed of it can receive enormous spiritual power."

—Kevin W. Pearson, "Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ"

Called to Serve!

My heart is so full of joy right now for my niece, Mercedes.  Yesterday she received her mission call!  We had an impromptu "opening party" where she opened her mission call.  Everybody was on pins and needles waiting for everyone to arrive.

She has been called to serve in the Utah Ogden Mission!  She will enter the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah on May 31.  She is so excited!  I have never seen anybody more excited about receiving a mission call.  She has worked so hard on preparing to serve a mission.  It truly is an extraordinary blessing to be able to qualify to serve and be called to serve a full-time mission for the Lord.  I am so proud of Mercedes for the hard work she has put into preparing for a mission and for the good choices she is making in her life. I know she will make an excellent missionary!

Opening her call

 

Reading her call. 

Proof of purchase!  :-)

Pointing to where she will be serving on the map.

Rex, Lisa, Mercedes, Chanelle, Richie

Grandpa, Mercedes, Grandma

Juliet, Kingston, Mercedes

Kylee

Called to Serve 

1. Called to serve Him, heav'nly King of glory,

Chosen e'er to witness for his name,

Far and wide we tell the Father's story,

Far and wide his love proclaim.

(Chorus)

Onward, ever onward, as we glory in his name;

Onward, ever onward, as we glory in his name;

Forward, pressing forward, as a triumph song we sing.

God our strength will be; press forward ever,

Called to serve our King.

2. Called to know the richness of his blessing--

Sons and daughters, children of a King--

Glad of heart, his holy name confessing,

Praises unto him we bring.

Text: Grace Gordon, alt.

Music: Adam Geibel, 1855-1933

Congratulations Mercedes!  Your Aunt Tammy is so proud of you! You will do extraordinary things in the Utah Ogden Mission! I love you!  :-)

Fly United!

I've been debating on whether to waste my time on doing this post but I've decided to because I'm sick of the one-sided media manipulating the zombies who watch it into believing their lies.  They skew the truth and spew liberal propaganda and people get brainwashed into believing that it's reality.

I'm speaking of the United Airlines incident that the media has become obsessed with.  Now, I've probably seen less media coverage of this than anyone.  I don't watch the news.  I read one article on the Internet and watched the 50 second video.  But from everything I hear the media is just crucifying United Airlines.  And making the belligerent passenger that was removed from the aircraft into a saint.

Let me just remind you all of a few facts.

1 -- Flying is a privilege not a right.

2 -- Airlines have rules which you agree to when you purchase an airline ticket.  Granted most people don't bother learning those rules.  But they are readily available online, I'm sure, and any employee working for the airline would gladly direct you to where you can read them.  If you don't agree to the rules, then don't purchase a ticket with that airline.

3 -- Airlines overbook flights.  Is it right?  Most people would probably say no.  But everybody knows that Airlines do this.  It's the nature of the beast.  I'm sure everyone who has flown a commercial airline has experienced them asking for volunteers to take the next flight because they overbooked.  Along with incentives such as free flights, free hotel accommodations, and cash.

4 -- Good law abiding citizens obey the law.  Seems obvious but then why is everyone buying into defending someone who broke the law?  I'm not a lawyer so I don't know if there is actually a law regarding airline rules but the belligerent passenger certainly broke the airline rules which he agreed to when he purchased the ticket.

Could United Airlines have handled the situation better?  Certainly.  Hindsight is also 20/20.  The employees of United Airlines were following protocol.  Eminent domain comes to mind. The good of the community comes before the good of the individual.  Do I agree with eminent domain?  Not really.  I'm sure there are laws of the land that many people disagree with.  But just because you disagree with a law doesn't mean you can go around breaking it.

"We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law." -- Articles of Faith 1:12 

Do I agree with United Airlines rule that they can kickoff a ticketed passenger so crewmembers can get to where they need to be to work another flight?  Not really.  But I do understand why they had to do it.  A lot more people would have been affected if those crew members couldn't get to their scheduled flight.

I also don't agree with full-grown adults pulling temper tantrums because they don't get their way.  Life is not always fair.  Deal with it.

The particular passenger in question who became belligerent and refused to leave the aircraft after being asked nicely, I'm sure multiple times, appears to have delusions of grandeur.  He actually has a couple strikes against him.  First of all many doctors think they are above everyone else because of their chosen profession.  That's a bunch of malarkey.  And this is coming from a doctor.  Believe me, I've dealt with many of them on the professional side.  A lot of them have delusions of grandeur thinking they are more important than everyone else.  Many professionals are just as important or more important than doctors.  And there is always someone who could replace you.  Secondly, the society we live in teaches entitlement.  Everybody feels entitled.  People mistake privileges for rights. Just because someone else has something that you don't, doesn't mean you're entitled to it.

Just because a doctor has patients they are scheduled to see doesn't mean that those appointments can't be rescheduled or someone else couldn't cover them. If worse comes to worse, there are always emergency rooms.  That argument is absurd. I'm sure everybody on that flight had a good reason why they didn't want to get off.  Probably a lot better reasons than the belligerent tantrum pulling doctor.  And just because you purchase an airline ticket on a certain flight doesn't mean that you are entitled to that seat, as per airline rules. Maybe you don't agree with the rules but that's the nature of the beast.  Flying is a privilege not a right.  If you don't like the rules then find another means of transportation.

Getting bumped from a flight doesn't give anyone the right to scream like a little girl and become belligerent. Any ticketed passenger being removed from a flight would understandably be upset.  But law-abiding citizens deal with it peacefully without involving law enforcement.

Yes, the airline certainly could have handled the situation better, and I'm sure they've learned from their mistakes.  But don't go putting rule breaking, belligerent havoc wreakers on a pedestal as some kind of hero victim just because they scream like a little girl on a video.  If the belligerent passenger had only complied with rules and done what a law-abiding citizen should do, none of this would've happened.  He only has himself to blame.

That's my two cents.

Relief Society Lesson -- The Whisperings of the Spirit

Marvin E. Sabin’s World War II Naval Ship Bombing Experience that occurred on June 12, 1944:

“Soon after returning home from my mission, I went up to Salt Lake City to see my former mission president, Nicholas G. Smith.  President Smith was called in January 1942 to be an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.”… “During my visit with President Smith he got up from his chair, placed his hands upon my head and gave me a blessing.  He told me I would soon be called into the service of my country, and if I would live the gospel, stay sweet and clean, and continue to be a missionary, while in the Service, I would be able to perform all tasks assigned to me, and return home unharmed.  This blessing was a great source of comfort to me as I faced many challenges, and a number of dangerous situations while in the Service.”…

“I finished school at Treasure Island in February 1943, but waited for about a month before being assigned to the USS Kalk DD 611.  She was a fine Destroyer of the 1650 ton class.  When I came on board at Mare Island Navy Yard, near San Francisco, I learned I was to be the only Radio Technician aboard.  This was a big surprise, and I was very apprehensive to be responsible for the proper functioning of all the radio, radar, and sonar equipment aboard the ship....  I prayed that I would be able to handle this big responsibility.  I had no practical experience in maintaining and adjusting this equipment, only a short eight months course in electricity, radio, radar, sonar, and some lab work.  The Lord greatly blessed me to be able to handle this responsibility.”…

“We worked with General MacArthur, and his forces in making successful landings... along the New Guinea coast…. We were now assisting the Army by bombarding certain targets they would designate to us by radio communications.  In order to do this effectively we had to be very close to the shore.  While thus engaged an enemy plane came in very low from over the land, and dropped a bomb right between our stacks.  It was impossible to pick him up with our radar, because at this close proximity to land the plane target merged into the landmass.  There were only a few bursts fired from the 20 mm guns, before the bomb hit, but our gunners had the presence of mind to stay on the plane and bring it down.”

“The General Quarters alarm was sounded only seconds before the bomb hit the ship, because of our not sighting the plane until it was almost upon us.  My GQ station was in the radar transmitter room, and when the alarm sounded I was lying in my hammock... It was so hot in the South Pacific that some of us would string our hammocks in an area where we could get some sea breezes.  My first reaction upon hearing the alarm was to remain my hammock a little longer.  After all I was only about 25 steps from my battle station, and it might be a false alarm.”

It was then he received the distinct impression that he needed to get out of there, fast.

“It was as if someone literally tipped my hammock upside down, and I lit running.  I had only taken three or four steps involved yet, but I was close enough toward the center of the ship that the ship's forward stack protected me from the bursting shrapnel.  I didn't receive any hits, but my hammock, being on the starboard side of the ship, was literally destroyed.”

“This was a fulfillment of the blessing President Nicholas G. Smith had given me, before leaving home, that if I would live my religion, set a good example to others, and continue to be a missionary, while in the Service, I would return home unharmed.  I had tried to do these things to the best of my ability, and had been blessed to baptize two fine young men, and the Lord had blessed me by preserving my life.  This was a principal with a promised for obedience, similar to the promise given by obedience to law, as stated in Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21.”…

“The day we took the bomb was June 12, 1944.”…

“When the bomb hit it destroyed the forward engine room and boilers, severely damaging our evaporators, made a huge hole through the deck, and caused a fire in the near vicinity of the torpedo tubes.” …

The ship was badly damaged and had to be towed to Hollandia, New Guinea for repairs.
“The worst tragedy of this attack was that 30 of my good friends and shipmates were killed, and at least that many more were wounded.”…

“This was a pretty sad crew on the Kalk as we were being towed back to Hollandia. That evening, after sundown, we held burial services at sea for 30 of our friends and shipmates.”

-- Excerpts taken from Marvin E. Sabin's personal history in family possession.

My handout: