Birthday Surprise

Yesterday I received a wonderful, totally unexpected, birthday surprise. We were in the kitchen getting dinner ready. Michael and his family showed up and Michael came into the kitchen and started singing the answering machine song that he and Jason wrote for me years ago. Then Michael said, "it's just not the same without Jason singing background vocals". And then Jason walked in singing the background vocal part. It was awesome. I never would have guessed in a million years that Jason was coming to my birthday party. Jason flew in from Salt Lake City to attend my birthday party.

I call Jason my plastic brother. He is my brother's best friend and was always around while we were growing up. And even after we were grown. Michael and Jason would come visit me in college, in Logan. And in San Francisco.

It is always fun when Michael and Jason get together. They are hilarious. Suffice it to say that many laughs were shared last night. Thanks Jason, for flying in for my big day. You made it extra special. And thanks to everyone for the wonderful decorations (I think the napkins were special ordered, they fit me to a T. :-)), dinner, cake, cards and gifts. It was a wonderful milestone birthday.

I have more pictures but it's taken me several hours to put these on so I guess that's all I'm going to do right now.

Happy Birthday!

It's hard for me to believe but twoscore years ago today, I was born. I never thought I would reach this milestone. The funny thing is, I don't feel any older than I did when I hit the one score mark. Perhaps a little wiser, but not older.

So, I guess I will go ahead and wish myself a happy birthday. :-)

Thanks to everyone who sent me birthday wishes today.

College Football Picks Results Week 14

1. Dad -5
2. Derrinda -6
3. Tammy -8
4. Michael -9
5. Mom -10 tiebreaker 63 actual 73
6. Lisa -10 tiebreaker 43 actual 73

Principles from Prophets - Thomas S. Monson

This morning, I watched a BYU devotional given by Thomas S. Monson. He talked about some qualities and interesting facts about the Prophets since he was born. So, I decided to take some excerpts from his talk and post them on my blog. I did not include most of the stories which were very interesting. So I would encourage you to read the entire transcript. I will post a link for you. Principles from Prophets transcript link

Principles from Prophets
Thomas S. Monson

Thomas S. Monson was President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints when this BYU Devotional was given in the Marriot Center on September 15, 2009.

"The seventh President of the Church, Heber J. Grant.  He was ordained and set apart as President on November 23, 1918, at the age of 62.

President Grant’s favorite song was “Do What Is Right.” And let me add the words “let the consequence follow.” Think of that: Do what is right. President Grant lived by the words of that song. His favorite food was bread and milk—very common, simple fare.

A favorite quotation of his is attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson: “That which we persist in doing becomes easier to do; not that the nature of the thing has changed, but that our capacity to do has increased.”

What would be the trait of President Heber J. Grant that he would probably have you remember and incorporate in your life? I feel it would be persistence. Persist in all those things which are good and noble.

After 27 years as President of the Church, President Grant passed away on May 14, 1945, at the age of 88.

I move next to President George Albert Smith, the eighth President of the Church, ordained and set apart as President on May 21, 1945, at the age of 75.

President George Albert Smith’s favorite song was “Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words,” which he personified.

His favorite food was apple pie with a little warm milk on it.

What was one of his favorite statements? He always taught, “There is a great tug‐of‐war going on between the Lord and the adversary. Stay safely on the Lord’s side of the line.” Oh, how applicable it is today in our lives! A trait of President Smith’s which he would no doubt encourage us to incorporate in our lives would be compassion. This great leader had a compassionate heart.

President George Albert Smith served as President of the Church for six years, passing away on his 81st birthday, April 4, 1951.

Now we move to David O. McKay, the ninth President of the Church. He was sustained as President on April 9, 1951.

President McKay’s favorite song was “Oh Say, What Is Truth?” His favorite food: Cummings chocolates.

What would be an expression of his? From his own heart and soul he said, “True Christianity is love in action.”

Again, the noble principle from President McKay that I would share with you today is consideration. May we ever be considerate.

President McKay served nineteen years as President, until his death January 18, 1970, at the age of 96.

Next I mention Joseph Fielding Smith, tenth President of the Church. He was ordained and set apart on January 23, 1970, at the age of 93.

His favorite song was “Prayer Is the Soul’s Sincere Desire.” And I’ll add the next thought: “uttered or unexpressed.”

And as for his favorite food, I observed him at our luncheon table in the temple on Thursdays, and he seemed to love sweet pickles. I hate them! I would see to it that he got the sweet pickles, and I’d take the dill pickles.

What would be a favorite quotation from President Smith? From the book of Alma in the Book of Mormon he emphasized the scripture “Wickedness never was happiness.” I’ll repeat it: “Wickedness never was happiness.”

What would be his guiding principle for us? It would be gospel scholarship. He was truly a scholar. I believe we could say that he would leave for you and for me this advice: Be studious. I say that to you as student body members too: be studious. When it is test week, you’ll be grateful you were studious!

President Joseph Fielding Smith served as President of the Church for two and a half years, until his death on July 2, 1972, at the age of 95.

Harold B. Lee, eleventh President of the Church, was ordained and set apart as President on July 7, 1972, at the age of 73.

One of President Lee’s favorite songs was “Praise to the Man”—“who communed with Jehovah!” I’ll pause for a moment and say that when I was first called to the Twelve, I noted that Brother Lee was playing the organ. And he said, “Brother Monson, as our newest apostle, would you choose the song you’d like for us to sing today?” And I chose his favorite, and we all sang it with gusto.

A favorite food of his was bread and milk, and a favorite quotation of his was “Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved.”  Remember this. I will repeat it: “Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved.”

What would be a guiding principle from him? I would say he would encourage us to be in tune with and to be responsive to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit.

Harold B. Lee served just one and a half years as President of the Church. He passed away on December 26, 1973, at the age of 74.

After President Lee came President Spencer W. Kimball, twelfth President of the Church, ordained and set apart as President on December 30, 1973, at the age of 78.

For President Kimball, obstacles became his opportunities. He was totally dedicated, a worker such as one seldom sees.  He cared not at all about personal aggrandizement.

President Kimball was totally, completely, unequivocally dedicated to the Lord. He was dedicated to living the gospel.

One of President Kimball’s favorite songs was “I Need Thee Every Hour.” Let’s remember that one particularly. That choice demonstrates his humility.

Concerning his favorite food, I watched him for all the years I was in the Twelve while he was living. He would fill a glass with milk and take some date nut bread and crumble it into the glass until it was thick. Then he would take a spoon and eat it! I did not follow his example.

What was a favorite quotation or a lesson from him? “Lengthen your stride.” We had to lengthen our stride in order to keep up with him! I asked President Kimball what would be a guiding principle from his life. And then I answered it: I believe it would be dedication.

Spencer W. Kimball served as President of the Church for twelve years until his death on November 5, 1985, at the age of 90.

Now I come to Ezra Taft Benson, thirteenth President of the Church. He was ordained and set apart as President on November 10, 1985. I had the privilege of serving as his second counselor during the years he was President.

President Benson was a generous leader.

President Benson’s favorite song was “How Great Thou Art.”

His favorite food was fresh raspberries, and we had them as often as possible at our temple luncheons when he was President of the Church.

His favorite quotation was from the Book of Mormon, words spoken by the Lord. It’s in the form of a question, and I pose it to you: “What manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.”  That would apply to every man and woman here today: “Even as I am,” said the Lord.

What is a guiding principle from President Benson? I’d have to say it is love. The manner in which he treated his sweet companion and, indeed, all with whom he came in contact provides an example for all of us. Let us love one another.

Ezra Taft Benson served as President of the Church for eight and a half years until his death on May 30, 1994, at the age of 94.

We come now to Howard W. Hunter, fourteenth President of the Church, who was ordained and set apart on June 5, 1994, at the age of 86.

One of President Hunter’s hallmarks was that of courtesy. Whether in a moment of pleasant conversation or in times of constant pain, he was ever courteous.

President Hunter loved all the hymns, but one of his favorites was “Have I Done Any Good in the World Today?”

One of his favorite foods was Alaskan crab.

What would be one of his favorite quotations? He loved the scripture found in Proverbs, chapter 27, verse 2: “Let another man praise thee . . . and not thine own lips.” Modesty, modesty, modesty.

What would be a guiding principle from President Hunter’s life? I believe it would be his ability always to look for the best in people— such an important quality to emulate.

President Hunter died March 3, 1995, at the age of 87.

Finally, brothers and sisters, I come to Gordon B. Hinckley, fifteenth President of the Church, ordained and set apart on March 12, 1995, at the age of 84.

He was a kind man who taught and who lived tolerance,never disparaging another person’s beliefs.

President Hinckley was a wordsmith. I will repeat the word: wordsmith. He was well read and a scholar, and he could put words and phrases together in such a way that it was a pleasure to listen to his messages.

One of President Hinckley’s favorite hymns has words written by Rudyard Kipling— that’s the British in him. The hymn is “God of Our Fathers, Known of Old.”

One of his favorite desserts was pie and ice cream.

He loved the Prophet Joseph Smith; he loved the Savior. A favorite quotation was taken from the words of the Prophet Joseph concerning the Savior: And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father.

What would be a guiding principle from President Hinckley’s life? It is one which we would all do well to follow: Do your best.

Gordon B. Hinckley served as President of the Church for nearly thirteen years until his death on January 27, 2008, at the age of 97.

What can we learn from the prophets whom I have known and about whom I have visited with you today? We can learn that they never wavered, never faltered, never failed; that they are men of God."

I hope you enjoyed these excerpts from Pres. Monson's talk. It would be well worth your time and effort to read the entire transcript. There are many stories about the Prophets that I'm sure you would find enjoyable and uplifting. We would all do well to try to emulate some of the wonderful qualities of these men of God mentioned by Pres. Monson.

That's my two cents.

"Dr. Lou" Quote of the Day

I did a post a week or so ago entitled "Dr. Lou". I would like to add another quote from Lou Holtz. This is a quote I heard yesterday on the Dr. Lou segment on ESPN's College football halftime show. It goes something like this:

Promises are like snowballs. They are easy to make, but hard to keep.

Sadly, college football season is coming to a close. So, the days of Dr. Lou quotes are numbered. On the bright side, we still have all of the bowl games to look forward to. And then only nine more months until next season!

That's my two cents.

College Football Picks Results Week 13

1st Tammy- (-16)
2nd Derrinda - (-20) tiebreaker 50 actual 33
3rd Dad -(-20) tiebreaker 63 actual 33
4th Michael - (-23)
5th Mom-(-25)

Relief Society Lesson - Because of Your Faith

Because of Your Faith
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
Of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles
October 2010 General Conference

The Church draws incomparable strength, a truly unique vitality, from the faith and devotion of every member of this Church.

I testify you are individually loved of God, you are central to the meaning of His work, and you are cherished and prayed for by the presiding officers of His Church.

The personal value, the sacred splendor of every one of you, is the very reason there is a plan for salvation and exaltation.

And to the near-perfect elderly sister who almost apologetically whispered recently, “I have never been a leader of anything in the Church. I guess I’ve only been a helper,” I say, “Dear sister, God bless you and all the ‘helpers’ in the kingdom.” Some of us who are leaders hope someday to have the standing before God that you have already attained.

Too often I have failed to express gratitude for the faith and goodness of such people in my life.

My thanks to all you wonderful members of the Church—and legions of good people not of our faith—for proving every day of your life that the pure love of Christ “never faileth.”

No one of you is insignificant, in part because you make the gospel of Jesus Christ what it is—

Sparkling Snow

These are some views from our house. Isn't it gorgeous?

College Football Picks Results Week 12

1. Tammy -15
2. Derrinda -18
3. Dad -19 tiebreaker 49 actual 51
4. Michael -19 tiebreaker 83 actual 51
5. Juliet -23
6. Mom -26

Rebuttal to Anonymous Comment

Yesterday I received an anonymous comment. After a little research, I was able to deduce who authored the comment. It was Audra, or someone at her residence.

Why is it that nobody who sends me negative comments signs their name to it? I suspect it’s because they are embarrassed by their behavior. Perhaps they fear my rebuttal? Whatever the reason, I find it quite cowardice. If you are going to send negative comments to me, at least have the guts to take credit for them.

I love a good debate but this comment is so poorly written, that there is really nothing to debate. Not being one to back down from confrontation, I will defend my views. Are you ready for some fun? Here we go.

Audra, Audra, Audra, how lovely to hear from you also. Since you were so gracious to send me this lovely comment on my blog, I feel I must give you the same courtesy I gave Adelle, and respond.

I will break it down for you, just as I did for your sister. After all, I can’t show favorites.

First of all, I will post your comment in its entirety. Then I will break it down to make it easier to understand.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Boycott Costco!":

NEVER-NEVER -NEVER!!!!!! COSTCO IS AWESOME!!! IF YOU DID RESEACH ON every COMPANY OUT THERE THEN YOU WOULD NEED TO BE LIKE THE AMISH AND GROW YOUR OWN FOOD and make your own clothing!!!! EVERYBODY Can get their hands on achohol if they want. The next door neighbor can go to a state run liquor store and pick a bottle of hard liquor and his 10 year old kid can drink some when his parent is NOT looking! IT Doesn;t matter where it is SOLD!!!MY GOODNESS!!! WHAT IS THE BIG FREAKING DEAL????
CAN YOU WRITE SOMETHING PoSITIVE instead of BASHING PEOPLE!!! Find something GOOD in the world that is going on! There IS SO MUCH!!!!

Posted by Anonymous to My Two Cents at November 19, 2010 12:16 PM

First of all, must you scream? If your comment was football game, you would be flagged for excessive use of capitalization and exclamation points. Not to mention poor grammar usage and spelling. Before you write a comment meant to be published, perhaps you should consult a dictionary and use spell check. Okay, on to my rebuttal.

Audra: NEVER-NEVER -NEVER!!!!!! COSTCO IS AWESOME!!!

My response: That’s fine. It was merely a suggestion. You still have your agency. If you choose to support a company that wasted close to $5 million to spearhead/finance an initiative which would allow for the sale of hard liquor in grocery stores, convenience stores, and other retail outlets, such as Costco, so they could make more money, that’s your prerogative. I personally have a moral objection to increasing retail outlets for hard liquor from 340 state liquor stores to over 3300 private businesses.

Let me remind you of something President Hinckley said, “We believe that the Church should remain out of politics unless there is a moral question at issue. And in the case of a moral issue we would expect to speak out on our view.”(Gordon B. Hinckley, “Words of the Living Prophet,” Liahona, Jun 1997, 32)

Of course, President Hinckley was referring to the Church speaking out on moral political issues. All the more reason for us, as members of the Church, to speak out individually. I consider Costco’s overwhelming support of initiative 1100 a moral issue.

That’s why I wrote this blog post. After all, the last time I checked this was my blog, I titled it, “My Two Cents”. That should give you a clue that perhaps my opinions might be expressed on my blog. If you don’t like reading my opinions, then by all means, stay off my blog.

Audra: IF YOU DID RESEACH ON every COMPANY OUT THERE THEN YOU WOULD NEED TO BE LIKE THE AMISH AND GROW YOUR OWN FOOD and make your own clothing!!!!


My response: Okay, so what does that have to do with my blog post entitled “Boycott Costco!”? Apparently you didn’t understand the gist of my essay. Let me explain it to you. It was about boycotting Costco because of their overwhelming financial/political support of initiative 1100. It had nothing to do with “every company out there” nor anything to do with Amish people or growing your own food or making your own clothing. You might want to reread it.

You really shouldn’t be dragging the Amish people into your malicious comment. As far as I’m aware, they are a decent, hard-working, moral group of people.

By the way, I did my research on this specific subject. If you would like to do research on “every company out there” and have evidence to support your claim, feel free to e-mail me or create your own blog and post it, and I will look at it. I know for a fact that there are many companies who practice business morally, ethically, and honestly. Therefore, your claim is ignorant and baseless. I don‘t dispute that there are other companies that care more about making a dollar than care about people‘s lives. This blog post wasn’t about them, it was about Costco.

Generalizing your claim to include, “every company out there” is rash and ignorant. How could you ever back up such a claim? I think scientifically, and in science, you must always have evidence to substantiate your theory or claim.


Audra: EVERYBODY Can get their hands on achohol if they want. The next door neighbor can go to a state run liquor store and pick a bottle of hard liquor and his 10 year old kid can drink some when his parent is NOT looking!

My response: It’s true, Audra, people can get a hold of alcohol if they want it. Are you arguing that we should make it easier, less expensive, and more convenient for people to obtain hard liquor? Because that’s what Costco wanted to do. If you took your own advice and did your research, you would understand that I-1100, had it passed, would have cost lives. By making hard liquor more easily accessible, especially to underage drinkers, i.e. teenagers.

People are opportunistic. If hard liquor is more easily accessible, people are much more likely to purchase, use, and abuse it. But you go right ahead and defend a company that cares more about money and profit than human lives and the further degradation of our society. Keep shopping there. Give them lots of money so they can put millions of more dollars into campaigns so that they will be able to sell hard liquor and make a profit at the expense of people‘s lives.

What does your next-door neighbor’s 10-year-old kid have to do with anything? My essay had nothing to do with bad parenting, or sneaky children.

Audra: IT Doesn;t matter where it is SOLD!!!

My response: Are you serious? In the words of John McEnroe, “you cannot be serious”.  Once again, Audra, you are showing your ignorance. If you had done your research you would understand that it does matter where hard liquor is sold. Read the following from a local news source.

“Initiative 1100 Is a Major Threat to Public Safety that Will Cost Taxpayers Hundreds of Millions

Proposed measure puts our children and communities at risk by eliminating sensible regulations and allowing more than ten-fold increase in outlets selling hard liquor

With the State Auditor estimating that teens’ access to hard alcohol will increase by over 400% if Initiative 1100 passes, a growing coalition of public safety officials and others – calling on voters to “Keep Our Kids Safe” – today denounced Initiative 1100, a proposed statewide measure to privatize liquor sales.

“I see people all the time who come into the Hospital after a car accident caused by alcohol,” said Sharon Ness, a Tacoma-area nurse. “Why on earth would we ever want to sell liquor in the same stores where we sell Cheerios? Allowing hard liquor to be sold in neighborhood convenience stores, gas stations and thousands of other outlets across the state is bad for our health and bad for our kids.”

Currently, there are 340 outlets across the state licensed to sell hard liquor. Since any outlet now selling beer and wine will be allowed to sell hard liquor under I-1100, the number of outlets will skyrocket to more than 3,300 if the initiative passes, as controls over the distribution of liquor are wiped out.

“Making hard alcohol more accessible by selling it in convenience stores is a potential threat to the public’s health and to the safety of our communities,” added Kelly Fox, Olympia Firefighter and President of the Washington State Council of Firefighters, who over his career has been a first responder at the scene of many tragic drunk driving accidents.

According to a recent report from the State Auditor, under its current system Washington maintains a 94% compliance rate with no-sale to minors. However, other states with privatized sales have a compliance rate of 75%, meaning that roughly one out of every four underage kids who walk into a convenience store to buy liquor walk out with a bottle in hand. That represents a 400 percent increase in the rate of non-compliance. In addition to making alcohol more accessible to minors, I-1100 would also harm kids by eliminating hundreds of millions of dollars of state revenue from alcohol sales that is currently used to support public safety, education and children’s health care.”-Kirklandviews.com

Audra, do you honestly think it is no big deal to increase the number of hard liquor retailers from 340 to over 3300? Do you not think that will dramatically increase liquor sales? Therefore increasing the societal woes associated with alcohol consumption. Get real.

I could understand if you said you are still going to do business with Costco for a myriad of reasons, as I said before, you have your agency. But actually defending Costco and their support of initiative 1100 by your erroneous claims that it doesn’t matter where hard liquor is sold, and “everybody can get their hands on alcohol” is unfathomable.

Audra: MY GOODNESS!!! WHAT IS THE BIG FREAKING DEAL????

My response: Is it really necessary to use euphemistic profanity? If you can’t express yourself without using such language, perhaps you should work on expanding your vocabulary. It’s obvious that you have anger issues by your excessive use of capital letters and exclamation points. Perhaps you should see somebody about that.

Do I really need to explain to you why initiative 1100 is bad? Honestly, it doesn’t take an Einstein to figure out the harmful effects of alcohol and why we shouldn’t increase the accessibility tenfold. I especially shouldn’t have to explain it to a member of the church. Is it that difficult to understand the correlation between I-1100 and Costco?

Audra: CAN YOU WRITE SOMETHING PoSITIVE instead of BASHING PEOPLE!!!

My response: Shouldn’t a question end with a question mark, not exclamation points? But I digress.

If you are referring to my claim that Costco should be boycotted because of their involvement with initiative 1100, then you might need to consult a dictionary regarding the definition of bashing. I was merely stating my opinion, and moral objection to a company for spending $4.8 million so they could make more money at the expense of others.

If you are referring to my post entitled, “Halloween and the Sabbath Part Two”. I was merely responding to your sister’s comment to me. Which, by the way, was doctrinally incorrect. If you consider teaching and defending the Gospel of Jesus Christ as bashing, then once again, consult a dictionary... or a psychiatrist.

In actuality, my blog contains predominantly positive writings. If you actually read it, you would see that. Who are you to tell me what to write on my own blog?

Audra: Find something GOOD in the world that is going on! There IS SO MUCH!!!!

My response: Audra, perhaps you should take your own advice. Do you consider this ill written, incoherent, disjointed, baseless comment you sent me to be a good, positive writing? Before you write another ignorant comment, perhaps you should consult my previous post entitled, "Dr. Lou". As I said before, if you don’t like what I say on my blog, then don’t read it. It's quite simple.  And the next time you send me a comment, have enough courage to sign your name to it.

That’s my two cents.

Dr. Lou

I like to watch college football. During halftime on the Thursday night games they have a segment called, “Dr. Lou”. This is where the legendary coach, Lou Holtz, gives advice to people. I really like Lou Holtz. Even though he coached Notre Dame, I don’t hold that against him. He always gives sage advice. Anyway, there are a couple of quotes I remember that I really like.

One of them was a couple of weeks ago. Dr. Lou said, “It’s okay to drink like a fish, if you drink what the fish drink.”

And the one yesterday was the reason I’m doing this whole blog entry. He said, “It’s better to leave your mouth closed and let people think you’re an idiot, than to open your mouth and leave no doubt.”

Like my Grandma often said, “think ahead”.

I could say much more but I’m going to leave it at that. Anyway, I found several more quotes by Lou Holtz that I thought I would share with you.

Lou Holtz quotes:

“Without self-discipline, success is impossible, period.”

“Adversity is another way to measure the greatness of individuals. I never had a crisis that didn't make me stronger.”

“If he's got golf clubs in his truck or a camper in his driveway, I don't hire him.”

"I think everyone should experience defeat at least once during their career. You learn a lot from it.”

“When all is said and done, more is said than done.”

“Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.”

“Motivation is simple. You eliminate those who are not motivated.”

“Don't tell your problems to people: eighty percent don't care; and the other twenty percent are glad you have them”

“It's not the load that breaks you down - its the way you carry it”

“The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely the one who dropped it.”

“If what you did yesterday seems big, you haven't done anything today.”

“Show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I'll show you someone who has overcome adversity.”

“No one has ever drowned in sweat.”

“I can't believe that God put us on this earth to be ordinary.”

“If you're bored with life - you don't get up every morning with a burning desire to do things - you don't have enough goals.”

“You're never as good as everyone tells you when you win, and you're never as bad as they say when you lose.”

“Don't be a spectator, don't let life pass you by.”

“Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it.”

Well said, Dr. Lou.

That’s my two cents.

College Football Picks Results Week 11

1. Dad, -17
2. Michael, -18 tie breaker 49 (actual 45)
3. Tammy, -18 tie breaker 59 actual 45
4. Derrinda, -20
5. Mercedes, 21
6. Lisa, 23
7. Juliet, -24
8. Mom, -26

Halloween and the Sabbath Part Two

The fact that I’m even doing this blog post is unbelievable. A couple of weeks ago I posted a blog entry entitled, “Halloween and the Sabbath”. I did it mostly as a commentary and observation. I didn’t think it was necessary to back up what I said with the words of the Lord via Scripture and the words of prophets and apostles. I didn’t think members of the church would actually comment on my blog posting and dispute what I said. I had no idea it would touch a nerve with people. The fact that it did, is indicative of people’s lack of understanding of the gospel. Or lack of obedience. Or guilt perhaps.

1 Nephi 16: 2
2 And it came to pass that I said unto them that I knew that I had spoken hard things against the wicked, according to the truth; and the righteous have I justified, and testified that they should be lifted up at the last day; wherefore, the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center.

I almost never get comments from anyone other than my family. So you can imagine my surprise when after posting this small little blog entry about keeping the Sabbath day holy by not celebrating Halloween on Sunday, I received two unsigned comments from people disagreeing with what I said.

What’s even more surprising is the comments came from two members of the church. I spoke nothing but the truth. My claim was that trick-or-treating or celebrating Halloween on Sunday was breaking the Sabbath. It seems pretty cut and dried to me. By disagreeing with my claim, they were actually disagreeing with and challenging the Lord’s commandments. You can disagree with me all you want but do you really want to disagree with the Lord?

In actuality, my blog post was really about my surprise that the Bishop would have to announce to the congregation to keep the Sabbath day holy even though it was Halloween. I thought it should be common knowledge amongst members of the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints that trick-or-treating on Sunday was breaking the Sabbath. And therefore breaking one of God’s commandments. Apparently nobody got that point.

Therefore I’ve decided to post these comments in this blog entry and rebut them.

What’s interesting about both of these comments is they both use the same rationalization to justify breaking one of the Lord’s commandments.

This first comment was left by an anonymous member of the church from Austin Texas. You may ask how I know anonymous is a member of the church. Let me tell you. Anonymous did a Google search using the phrase “lesson using uchtdorf talk of things that matter most“. My blog came up in the search results and anonymous clicked the link and went to my blog. I don’t imagine many nonmembers were doing Google searches for lesson ideas using Pres. uchtdorf talks. Here is the comment left by anonymous:

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Halloween and the Sabbath":

Trick or Treating is just as good a Sunday activity other family based Sunday Activities. How is it any different than going for a walk with friends or family on A Sunday evening.


Posted by Anonymous to My Two Cents at November 7, 2010 11:08 AM

Let me ask you this anonymous, is shopping with your family on the Sabbath a good Sunday activity? Is boating/fishing with your family on the Sabbath a good Sunday activity? Is attending a football or baseball game with your family on the Sabbath a good Sunday activity? Is going to the canyon for a picnic with your family on the Sabbath a good Sunday activity? Is going to the movies with your family on the Sabbath a good Sunday activity?

Since you don’t believe my words, let me tell you what the Lord had to say about that through his prophet, Spencer W. Kimball.

“To hunt and fish on the Lord’s day is not keeping it holy. To plant or cultivate or harvest crops on the Sabbath is not keeping holy the Lord’s day. To go into the canyons for picnics, to attend games or rodeos or races or shows or other amusements on that day is not to keep it in holy remembrance. feeling that the best fishing will be missed if one is not on the stream on opening day or that the vacation will not be long enough if one does not set off on Sunday or that one will miss a movie he wanted to see if he does not go on the Sabbath. And in their breach of the Sabbath they often take their families with them.

The Savior said: “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:19.)

There is no criticism of legitimate recreation—sports, picnics, plays, and motion pictures. All have potential for revitalizing life, and the Church as an organization actively sponsors such activities. But there is a proper time and place for all worthwhile things—a time for work, a time for play, a time for worship.” -Spencer W. Kimball, “The Sabbath—A Delight,” Ensign, Jan 1978, 1–5

I think any rational person would consider trick-or-treating as “other amusements”. Did you notice, anonymous, that Pres. Kimball mentioned when people break the Sabbath they often take their families with them?

Is Trick-or-treating, in the words of anonymous, “a good family-based Sunday activity”? Not according to the Lord’s prophet, Spencer W. Kimball.

As Pres. Kimball said, “there is a proper time and place for all worthwhile things” the proper time for trick-or-treating is not on Sunday.

Now onto comment number two:

A has left a new comment on your post "Halloween and the Sabbath":

Tammy, I have to disagree with you. Going around and observing a holiday on Sunday is not breaking it. And isn't Sunday all about being with your family and doing family-oriented things that you don't normally get to do within the week? Wouldn't that be considered family-oriented? And besides that, that is Amanda's birthday and that is when we celebrated it. Not the day before! Halloween is a fun holiday, but the way you make it sound, it's like only the devil and his kin would take part in it. I have to disagree. And that's my two cents!! :)

Posted by A to My Two Cents at November 12, 2010 12:07 PM

Adelle! It’s so good to hear from you. Since you asked me questions in your comment, I’m going to break it down for you.

Adelle: Tammy, I have to disagree with you. Going around and observing a holiday on Sunday is not breaking it.

My answer: au contraire, Adelle, going around and observing a holiday on Sunday is breaking the Sabbath. But don’t take my word for it, here is what the Lord had to say, through his prophet, Spencer W. Kimball:

“We have become largely a world of Sabbath breakers. On the Sabbath the lakes are full of boats, the beaches are crowded, the shows have their best attendance, the golf links are dotted with players. The Sabbath is the preferred day for rodeos, conventions, family picnics; even ball games are played on the sacred day. “Business as usual” is the slogan for many, and our holy day has become a holiday. And because so many people treat the day as a holiday, numerous others cater to the wants of the fun-lovers and money-makers.

To many, Sabbath-breaking is a matter of little moment, but to our Heavenly Father it is disobedience to one of the principal commandments. Moses came down from the quaking, smoking Mount Sinai and brought to the wandering children of Israel the Ten Commandments, fundamental rules for the conduct of life. These commandments, however, were not new. They had been known to Adam and his posterity, who had been commanded to live them from the beginning, and were merely reiterated by the Lord to Moses. These commandments even antedated earth life and were part of the test for mortals established in the council in heaven “to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.” (Abr. 3:25.) “ -Spencer W. Kimball, “The Sabbath—A Delight,” Ensign, Jan 1978, 1–5

Adelle: And isn't Sunday all about being with your family and doing family-oriented things that you don't normally get to do within the week?

My answer: No, Adelle, Sunday isn’t all about being with your family and doing family oriented things. Sunday is a day consecrated for worshiping the Lord, Jesus Christ. We do this by renewing our baptismal covenants through partaking of the sacrament. Attending and participating in our church meetings, and keeping the Sabbath day holy.

Doctrine and Covenants 59:9-13
“9 And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day;


10 For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High;


11 Nevertheless thy vows shall be offered up in righteousness on all days and at all times;


12 But remember that on this, the Lord’s day, thou shalt offer thine oblations and thy sacraments unto the Most High, confessing thy sins unto thy brethren, and before the Lord.


13 And on this day thou shalt do none other thing, only let thy food be prepared with singleness of heart that thy fasting may be perfect, or, in other words, that thy joy may be full.”

Moroni. 6: 5-6
5 And the church did meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls.


6 And they did meet together oft to partake of bread and wine, in remembrance of the Lord Jesus.

According to the above scriptures Sunday is not set aside for being with your family. Family get-togethers can be a wonderful way to observe the Sabbath, in the appropriate setting. Such as family dinner, and family home evening. But, trick-or-treating is not an appropriate setting.

From president Ezra Taft Benson: “May I suggest some activities and ideas that fit the purpose of the Sabbath.

—Rest physically, get acquainted with your family, relate scriptural stories to your children, and bear your testimony to build family unity.

Now, what about those activities that do not fit the spirit or purpose of the Sabbath? It seems to me that the following should be avoided on the Sabbath:

—Taking trips to canyons or resorts, visiting friends socially, joy riding, wasting time, and engaging in other amusements. (See Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 165; Daniel H. Ludlow, Latter-day Prophets Speak, pp. 360–63.)”-Pres. Ezra Taft Benson, “Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy”, May 1971 ENSIGN

I don’t think trick-or-treating could be classified as a testimony building activity. Once again, trick-or-treating would be classified as, “engaging in other amusements” of which, the Lord, through his prophet, Ezra Taft Benson, said are things that should be avoided on the Sabbath.

Adelle: Wouldn't that be considered family-oriented? And besides that, that is Amanda's birthday and that is when we celebrated it. Not the day before!


Answer: yes, trick-or-treating could be considered family oriented. What’s your point? As was stated before there are many activities that are family oriented, that build family unity, but are not appropriate for the Sabbath. As Pres. Kimball said there is a proper time and place for all worthwhile activities. My point was, the Sabbath day is not appropriate for trick-or-treating. Or for any Halloween celebrations for that matter.

Amanda’s birthday is on Halloween? Wonderful. I have no qualms with birthdays being on Halloween or on the Sabbath for that matter. Since you brought it up, let me wish Amanda a belated happy birthday.

Adelle, I’m not sure what your point is with stating that you celebrated Amanda’s birthday on Sunday, other than defiance and perhaps guilt for breaking the Sabbath day.

Is it really that difficult or inconvenient, to celebrate Halloween and/or Amanda’s birthday a day or two early if it falls on the Sabbath? I personally don’t have a problem with singing happy birthday and having some cake on a Sunday. But I do have a problem with donning elaborate costumes and walking throughout neighborhoods begging for candy on the Sabbath. And in actuality, I’m not sure why you care what I think. But you should care what the Lord thinks.

Adelle: Halloween is a fun holiday, but the way you make it sound, it's like only the devil and his kin would take part in it.

Answer: Halloween is a fun holiday. I have no problems with celebrating Halloween. The point I was trying to make in my earlier blog post is that Halloween should not be celebrated on the Lord’s Day, the Sabbath.

In regards to your statement that I made it sound like only the devil and his kin would take part in Halloween, you must be referring to my reference to Halloween as a pagan holiday. In referencing Halloween as a pagan holiday, my point was that it is a nonreligious holiday. As opposed to a religious holiday such as Christmas or Easter.

As a nonreligious or pagan holiday, it is not appropriate to celebrate such on the Sabbath day.

Adelle: I have to disagree.

answer: you can disagree with me all you want, Adelle. Do you really want to disagree with the Lord? The fact remains that trick-or-treating, or having Halloween parties on Sunday is breaking the Sabbath day. You can rationalize it all you want. But truth is truth. And you can’t change that. The Lord has made it very clear through Scriptures and his servants the prophets. Here is another quote from one of the Lord’s servants:

“Several years ago I accompanied President Gordon B. Hinckley to a regional conference in which he expressed to the priesthood brethren some of his concerns about members of the Church. One of his concerns was “our tendency to take on the ways of the world.” He then said: “We don’t adopt them immediately, but we slowly take them on, unfortunately. I wish I had the power to convert this whole Church to the observance of the Sabbath. I know our people would be more richly blessed of the Lord if they would walk in faithfulness in the observance of the Sabbath” (Heber City/Springville, Utah, regional conference, priesthood leadership meeting, 13 May 1995).” -Earl C. Tingey, “Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy,” Ensign, Feb 2000, 49

Adelle: And that's my two cents!! :)

answer: Really Adelle, using my signature line? How original.

 I just have a few more quotes about keeping the Sabbath day holy that would like to add. Since it is quite evident that people have a hard time understanding the concept.

In a statement from the First Presidency, we read that “the Sabbath is not just another day on which we merely rest from work, free to spend it as our light-mindedness may suggest. It is a holy day, the Lord’s Day, to be spent as a day of worship and reverence. All matters extraneous thereto should be shunned. … Latter-day Saints, with a testimony of the Gospel and a knowledge of the spiritual blessings that come from keeping the Sabbath, will never permit themselves to make it a shopping day, an activity that has no place in a proper observance of the Holy Day of the Lord, on which we are commanded to pour out our souls in gratitude for the many blessings of health, strength, physical comfort, and spiritual joy which come from the Lord’s bounteous hand.” (Church News, July 11, 1959, p. 3.)

“The purpose of the commandment is not to deprive man of something. Every commandment that God has given to his servants is for the benefit of those who receive and obey it. It is man who profits by the careful and strict observance; it is man who suffers by the breaking of the laws of God.-Pres. Spencer W. Kimball January 1978

“The Sabbath is a holy day in which to do worthy and holy things. Abstinence from work and recreation is important but insufficient. The Sabbath calls for constructive thoughts and acts, and if one merely lounges about doing nothing on the Sabbath, he is breaking it. To observe it, one will be on his knees in prayer, preparing lessons, studying the gospel, meditating, visiting the ill and distressed, sleeping, reading wholesome material, and attending all the meetings of that day to which he is expected. To fail to do these proper things is a transgression on the omission side” (Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1969, pp. 96–97).

 "In our time God has recognized our intelligence by not requiring endless restrictions. Perhaps this was done with a hope that we would catch more of the spirit of Sabbath worship rather than the letter thereof. In our day, however, this pendulum of Sabbath day desecration has swung very far indeed. We stand in jeopardy of losing great blessings promised. After all, it is a test by which the Lord seeks to “prove you in all things” (D&C 98:14) to see if your devotion is complete." -James E. Faust, “The Lord’s Day,” Ensign, Nov 1991, 33

President Hinckley continued with the following instruction to priesthood leaders: “There isn’t anybody in this Church who has to buy furniture on Sunday. There really isn’t. There isn’t anybody in this Church who has to buy a new automobile on Sunday, is there? No. There isn’t anybody in this Church who, with a little care and planning, has to buy groceries on Sunday. No. … You don’t need ice cream to be bought on Sunday. … You don’t need to make Sunday a day of merchandising. … I don’t think we need to patronize the ordinary business merchants on the Sabbath day. Why do they stay open? To get customers. Who are those customers? Well, they are not all nonmembers of this Church. You know that and I know that.” -Earl C. Tingey, “The Sabbath Day and Sunday Shopping,” Ensign, May 1996, 10

As another blessing, and a warning, I think of the counsel of President George Albert Smith, when he said, “Much of the sorrow and distress that is afflicting … mankind is traceable to the fact that they have ignored his [God’s] admonition to keep the Sabbath day holy.” -H. Aldridge Gillespie, “The Blessing of Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy,” Ensign, Nov 2000, 79–80

To this very day, “the matter of Sabbath observance remains … as one of the great tests which divides the righteous from the worldly and wicked,” said Elder Bruce R. McConkie.

Elder Mark E. Petersen of the Quorum of the Twelve said: “We can readily see that observance of the Sabbath is an indication of the depth of our conversion."

“Our observance or nonobservance of the Sabbath is an unerring measure of our attitude toward the Lord personally and toward his suffering in Gethsemane, his death on the cross, and his resurrection from the dead. It is a sign of whether we are Christians in very deed, or whether our conversion is so shallow that commemoration of his atoning sacrifice means little or nothing to us” (Ensign, May 1975, p. 49).

The manner in which we spend the Sabbath is a sign of our inner attitude toward [God]. … Observance of the Sabbath is an indication of the depth of our conversion” (Ensign, May 1975, p. 49, emphasis added).

If you have a problem with the Lord’s commandments, you need to take that up with Him, not me.

That’s my two cents.



Addendum:
Today is January 11, 2014, but I want to add this addendum to this post.  This is an e-mail I received from Adelle, and my response to her. My response is first and her e-mail to me is listed second.  So scroll down and read hers first.  I wanted to document this on my blog for completeness sake.

---

From: drbarbiedpm@hotmail.com
To: peapod_30@hotmail.com
Subject: RE:
Date: Mon, 22 Nov 2010 12:42:57 -0800

Adelle,

You are funny. What do you call this e-mail you sent me, a non-response? Now you are calling me immature and childish? It wasn't me, but you, who sent me that ridiculously childish and immature comment. I merely responded to it.

Do you really think I would post false doctrine on my blog without rebutting it? Could you please explain to me what is not Christlike about teaching and defending the gospel of Jesus Christ? Why would you mock gospel doctrine by putting it in quotation marks? That's blasphemy. I will teach and defend the gospel wherever I am. And I will reprove anyone who challenges it, including you.

Rude and bitter? For not responding, you sure are calling me lots of names. Adelle, You might want to look introspectively, for all of the names you called me, seem to be qualities you possess.

What does my -- in your words -- "situation" have to do with anything? Why would you bring that up? That has absolutely nothing to do with my response to your comment.

If you took offense to my reproval to your comment, perhaps you shouldn't send me ridiculously childish, immature, doctrinally incorrect, unsigned comments.

Keep the faith,

Tammy Stone

---

From: peapod_30@hotmail.com
To: drbarbiedpm@hotmail.com
Subject: 
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2010 16:28:32 -0700

Tammy,
I am not going to dignify the childish, immature way you responded to my comment by any more of mine.  Unbelievable.  I truly feel sorry for you because of the rude and bitter manner in which you treat others, regardless of your situation or whether or not it is " gospel doctrine".   Not very Christlike.   I'm sad that it had to come to this.   

Chicken Canning Party

Yesterday we had our much-anticipated chicken canning party. I purchased 120 pounds of fresh boneless skinless chicken breasts. Three 40 pound boxes. It took a while to trim all the fat and cube the chicken. Mom, Juliet, Derrinda, Lisa, Mercedes, and Chanelle all helped to trim, cube, bottle, and process the chicken. We bottled most of it in pint jars. With one batch of quarts. We ended up with the equivalent of 80 pints. It yielded about 1 1/2 pounds of chicken per pint. It took quite a while to process using the pressure canner. But it turned out wonderfully. And now we all have ready to use chicken for making casseroles, chicken pot pies, chicken soup, chicken salad, etc. Dad and I sampled a jar today on our chicken salad sandwich. It was delectable. I'm sure everybody will enjoy the fruits of their labors.

College Football Picks Results Week 10

1. Michael -17
2. Tammy -21
3. Dad -22
4. Derrinda -23 tiebreaker 57 actual 54
5. Mom -23 tiebreaker 63 actual 54