Primarily speaking...

"I so don't want to be here." "I so don't want to do this." "I so don't like you." Such were the phrases spoken by a three year old Sunbeam last week in our Primary. Add those comments to the rowdiness and rudeness of the rest of the children, and the fact that two sets of teachers were no-shows and two sets arrived during singing time. Let's just say my experience in Primary was memorable. As I complained about it during the week, divine chastisement was given one morning as the words of Elder Wirthlin came into my mind. "Come what may and love it!" I've been told by many seasoned Primary workers that there will be days like I've described above...maybe half a dozen per year...mostly around major holidays. That leaves forty five weeks of fun, learning, quiet reverence and participation to look forward to. So,let those six weeks of chaos come,and love it.

Elder Wirthlin's final October 2008 General Conference address will remain in our hearts for a long, long time. I've seen his phrase etched in vinyl lettering. I've heard them quoted in Sacrament Meeting talks, Relief Society lessons and casual conversations. "How can we love days that are filled with sorrow? We can't -- at least not in the moment. I don't think my mother was suggesting that we smother unpleasant truths beneath a cloak of pretended happiness. But I do believe that the way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be in life. If we approach adversities wisely, our hardest times can be times of greatest growth, which in turn can lead toward times of greatest happiness." (Ensign, November 2008, page 26).

I've wondered why fluid oozes out of our eyes at times of great emotion? What is it in our physical makeup that links our thinking to our eyes? Does it serve some medicinal purpose to moisten our eyes? In my sorrowful times, I cry. The Savior wept...in his own suffering and in compassion for others. I think it is part of our mortal experience to sorrow, for a time. "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven...a time to weep, a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance." (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4). As Elder Wirthlin suggested, it is not in denying our emotions, but it is the "wise" approach to adversity that can bring us peace.

Crying is not just reserved for sorrow. Our family has been known to consume an entire package of tissues when we start giggling (mostly when Ilene comes to visit). Many tears were shed last night as we felt gratitude for the love of family. But most often, crying comes as a result of distress. Last year, I knew I would be very discouraged during my illness. Your thoughts, jokes and stories helped dry my tears. One neighbor offered these favorites:
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Men are like Slinkies..not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospital beds dying of nothing.

Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

I'm not 40-something. I'm $39.95 plus shipping and handling.

In the 60's people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world IS weird and people take Prozac to make it seem normal.

How is it that one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?

Doctors can be so frustrating. You wait a month-and-a-half for an appointment, and he says, "I wish you'd have come to me sooner."

The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note and posted it on the apple tray, "Take only one, God is watching."

Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. Posted was a note, written in crayon in a childish scrawl: "Take all you want, God is watching the apples."
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Now you may not have shed "funny tears" or had a good belly laugh when reading these, but I bet you smiled, your eyes lit up, and for a brief moment you felt good (unless you are a man and took offense to the first joke...sorry). Read the third one again, "Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again." Isn't that wise...both literally and figuratively?

Elder Wirthlin gave us the formula: approaching adversity wisely = times of greatest growth = times of greatest happiness. I have my own recipe for dealing with trials: 2 cups of concentrated effort + 1 cup of sincere prayer + 2 tablespoons of support from others + baking over time. Cancer put me down for a year. God chose to keep me here a little longer. I can start breathing again. And I shouldn't give up on Primary just because of a bad week. However, I've been told the week after Christmas can be just as harried as the week before. So, okay. I will not give up on Primary just because of two bad weeks in a row. (But if I hear "I so don't like you" on the third week, I'm running away to Relief Society!)

And if I fear the woes of tomorrow, here's another from my neighbor: "Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia." Just come what may and love it!

Thanks, Clarence

People can be classified into two groups: those who do and those who don't like the movie It's A Wonderful Life. I happen to be in the first group. I love the many lessons found in the story line. And I love the way Jimmy Stewart plays his part.

If you will recall, the story begins with a view of the stars, the heavens and the universe. In the background we hear prayers being offered on behalf of a person named George Bailey. Janie and Tommy, George's children, are praying for their daddy. Mr. Gower and Mr. Martini are asking God to help their friend. And Mary is pleading for her husband who is in trouble. TRUTH #1: We pray for each other and there is power in unified prayer.

Upon hearing these heartfelt pleas, the powers of heaven kick into motion. Clarence, an angel second class, is given the assignment to go to earth and see what can be done for poor George Bailey. I don't know how heaven is organized, and I doubt if God and Hollywood agree on how prayers are answered, but one thing is certain. TRUTH #2: God hears and in some way or another, according to our faith and God's will, we are given the help we need.

I want to share Elder Holland's October 2008 Conference talk again: The Ministry of Angels. "...God knew the challenges they [His children] would face, and He certainly knew how lonely and troubled they would sometimes feel. So He watched over His mortal family constantly, heard their prayers always, and sent prophets (and later apostles) to teach, counsel, and guide them. But in times of special need, He sent angels, divine messengers, to bless His children, reassure them that heaven was always very close and that His help was always very near." (Ensign, November 2008, page 29).

For the past several months I have been reading stories from the Old Testament (I have been cheating...using 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories). It is amazing the number of angels that have been sent to give instruction. From the time of Adam and Eve, down to Jesus Christ himself and into the latter-days, angels have appeared dozens and dozens of times. I have not seen them. But there have been a few experiences in my life where I have felt the spirit world was very close. So, I believe!

Elder Holland goes on to say that not all angels come from the spirit world. "I have spoken here of heavenly help, of angels dispatched to bless us in time of need. But when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them walk with and talk with us, here and now." (Ensign, November 2008, page 30). Clarence could not have done his job without the help of all the mortals in Bedford Falls. TRUTH #3: As the hymn states, the errand of angels is given to women (and we will include men). We are sometimes the answer to someone else's prayer. And sometimes we are even the answer to our own prayers as we receive direction and revelation on how to solve our problems.

For those who have not seen the movie, George operates a savings and loan company. Through a series of events $8,000 of company money is "lost". Unfortunately, a bank examiner is on the site that day and George has to admit to the loss. He feels his life is ruined with debt, prison and scandal. He wants to throw his life away. After finding out about the situation, Mary feels inspired to rally the people together. Neighbors offer their personal savings of only a few dollars to help cover the loss. Long time school buddy, Sam Wainwright, offers thousands of dollars. People bring food and drink to the home. The bank examiner forgives the debt. Were these angel offerings? You bet!

TRUTH #4: Miracles happen, but sometimes not as anticipated. There's no doubt that Clarence could have recovered the stolen $8,000 from mean old Mr. Potter. And that would have been justice. But wasn't it a sweeter ending to the story to have the miracle be the joining together of the community? The miracle is that Clarence helped George finally realize that even though he was missing $8,000, he was the richest man in town. He was rich in those things that mattered most: family, friends, integrity and a good name.

A week from today is Christmas. It is a time to think of angels. Angel Gabriel appeared to Elizabeth and Mary. An angel appeared to the shepherds and was later joined by a multitude of heavenly hosts. Maybe it's the Forgotten Carol analogy, but I wonder if I was in that choir? Or was it limited seating only (reserved for future members of the Tabernacle Choir)? How much is a "multitude of heavenly hosts"? Could there have been billions singing? Personally, I don't think so. But, as I lead our Roy 30th ward choir and think of the hundreds of other ward choirs that are not equal to the talent and ability of the Mo Tabs, I bet there were "ward choirs" singing in the far reaches of heaven that first Christmas night...sort of like singing back up for Neil Diamond. And Clarence? He wasn't perfect. He hadn't earned his wings yet. But he was still given a very difficult assignment and came through with flying colors (no pun intended). He was finally fitted for his wings. TRUTH #5: We don't need to be perfect to be angels here and now. But the very process of trying brings us closer to that ideal.

TRUTH #6: Do you remember Zuzu's pedals? I've thought a lot about those. She had faith that her daddy could fix the flower and put the fallen pedals back on the beautiful rose. Later in the movie when George finally realized he wanted to live, Zuzu's pedals in his pocket were his confirmation of the miracle he had just experienced. To me, Zuzu's pedals are a reminder that Father can fix what's broken in my life...and it can be a "wonderful life". Here are Elder Holland's words of HOPE: "...I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges we face." Then he quotes from Doctrine and Covenants 84:88. "I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left...my spirit shall be in your [heart], and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."

So thanks to Clarence and all the angels there...and here. Since I don't believe that angels have wings, every time I hear a bell ring this Christmas, I will just think of you!

Home Storage

Every August Kathleen and I vow we are going to attend one of the most popular classes at Education Week. You won't believe this, but the class is called Oh, Those Wonderful Grains! Apparently it is a popular class or they wouldn't offer it year after year. But somehow (go figure) we both find other classes that seem to have more appeal. Kathleen and I will be sorry one day when we need to eat that 40 pounds of wheat that is stored in the basement. So instead of passing on information gained at Education Week, I will share a recipe from Relief Society:

Creamy Cracked Wheat Cereal

1 cup uncooked cracked wheat
3 cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup powdered milk
4 tablespoons sugar

Prepare cracked wheat by using a wheat grinder or a blender. Add dry milk to water, whisk and bring to a boil at medium high temperature. Add wheat, sugar, and salt; cover and reduce heat to simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until water is absorbed. Makes 3 cups cereal.

We have all heard Pres. Benson's statement many, many times, "the revelation to produce and store food may be as essential to our temporal welfare today as boarding the ark was to the people in the days of Noah." I certainly hope you are being diligent in gathering a supply of the four basic food groups: Spaghettios, Jello pudding, applesauce and microwave popcorn.

The October 2008 Conference talk I want to share with you today is Elder Neil L. Andersen's entitled You Know Enough. "... we each have moments of spiritual power, moments of inspiration and revelation. We must sink them deep into the chambers of our souls. As we do, we prepare our spiritual home storage for moments of personal difficulty." (Ensign, November 2008 page 13) I liked that phrase describing our spiritual home storage. Just as our food storage is gathered one green bean at a time, so it is with our spiritual home storage...one verse of scripture at a time, one Family Home Evening lesson at a time, or one answered prayer at a time. We may not know all things, but we use what we do know to sustain us in times of doubt, discouragement, or persecution.

As we venture through trials, we wonder how we will ever make it through. In those times, we may feel our emotional or spiritual storage has been depleted...barren of nourishment. We find we've eaten all the bottled asparagus tips. There's only one remaining can of pineapple tidbits. Or maybe we are low on Bulgar (doesn't that sound appetizing?) That is precisely the time when we take inventory, dig in a little deeper and retrieve those experiences, feelings and testimony that have been stored up all our lives for just such a time.

I'm not sure how old I was when I had one of my first spiritual experiences. But I remember believing there were witches in the closet and I was also very afraid of dying in my sleep. (...don't know where that childhood phobia came from). One night I was so terrified that I literally couldn't allow myself to go to sleep. Mom and Dad had taught me to pray...so I did...and within a short time, the witches and the coffins were replaced with fairy princesses, or lollipops, or whatever was pleasant to dream about. I put that experience in storage and have added many more to it over the last 50 years. When other fears surfaced last year, I relied on my supply of testimony to see me through the crisis.

Isn't it interesting that our inventory of bottled peaches dwindles as they are consumed. But with our spiritual home storage, using it makes it grow. Maybe we don't know the location of Kolob or if we've been visited by one of the three Nephites...but we know enough.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Barry Manilow offers a rousing rendition of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" each holiday season. I've heard it several times on KOZY already. It's inevitable that at this time of year with the earth rotating on it's axis, the northern hemisphere is farther away from the sun. Go figure...every December it is cold. I'm assuming that fact will not change for quite some time. (Contrary to scripture and tradition, I think the opposite of heaven won't be fiery hot, it will be freezing.) A cold-weather Christmas last year provided an opportunity for friends and family to give me gifts of warmth. Ilene gave me a furry bathrobe. Kathleen and family provided a fleece blanket and quilt. Linda purchased several warm hats for my hairless head. These were gifts that keep on giving...because I am still using them this year to ward off the chill. I received other gifts from you in the form of handmade pink scarves, pink hats, blankets, etc. All were very much appreciated.

I was also warmed by the spirit last Christmas through the constant re-reading of the October 2008 conference talks. In the next weeks and months, I would like to refer to some of my favorite thoughts and inspiration from those messages. Today I want to share a story from Bishop Keith B. McMullin.

"A few years ago a high-ranking official from China visited Salt Lake City, toured Church sites and spoke at Brigham Young University. Learning about the Church welfare program, he said, 'If we all loved each other like this, the world would be a more peaceful place.' Fasting and giving the value of the meals not eaten to help the poor captured his attention. At the conclusion of his visit to Welfare Square, he handed the manager a small red envelope -- a 'red pocket'. In China a 'red pocket' is given as a gesture of love, blessing, and a wish for good fortune. 'It does not contain much,' the visitor said, 'but it represents the money I have saved from missing breakfast the last two mornings. I would like to give my fast offering to the Welfare program of the Church'." (Ensign, November 2008 page 76)

"Warm Fuzzies" come in all shapes and sizes...from woolen caps to simple verbal expressions of friendship. Wouldn't it be a wonderful sight to see dozens of "red pockets" hanging from neighbors' doors this Christmas as a sign of "love, blessing and good fortune". Maybe a Family Home Evening would be a fun time to make your own "red pockets" (red envelopes from Office Max or folded construction paper stapled on the sides...) Or maybe, your "red pockets" won't be red at all. They will be in the form of a phone call to an acquaintance from years past, or a fresh batch of cookies left on the doorstep, or an offer to share an afternoon with someone less noticeable. I know you...you have your own way of distributing "red pockets", not only in December but in May and August as well.

It has been prophesied that in the last days, the hearts of men will "wax cold". Local news reports testify we are heading in that direction, quickly. And while "global warming" is an environmental concern, a little more global warming of hearts would help to counteract the coldness of humanity creeping in our neighborhoods. I am reminded of the words from the song In This Very Room. "In this very room there's quite enough love for one like me. And in this very room there's quite enough joy for one like me." The next verse expands to include all of us. Finally, "...in this very room there's quite enough love for all the world...And there's quite enough hope and quite enough power to chase away any gloom. For Jesus, Lord Jesus, is in this very room." As I thought about the color red, I don't know why the Chinese chose that color. But we make red hearts for Valentines Day; Santa's suit is red; and red represents the blood of Christ shed for us. Red, indeed, is the color of the pure love of Christ, charity.

So at this Christmas time when "Baby, it's cold outside", I am warmed by your kindness in providing for body and soul. May I offer my "red pocket" of love to each of you as I share one final thought of HOPE from Bishop McMullin that helped me through this last year. He was quoting Pres. Monson: "At times there appears to be no light at the tunnel's end -- no dawn to break the night's darkness...We feel abandoned, heartbroken, alone. If you find yourself in such a situation, I plead with you to turn to our Heavenly Father in faith. He will lift you and guide you. He will not always take your afflictions from you, but He will comfort and lead you with love through whatever storm you face." (Ensign November 2008 pages 76-77) Heavenly Father gives "red pockets" too.