Lynn and I are reading a chapter on Mormon missionary work written by Elder Dallin Oaks and Elder Lance Wickman on missionaries and proselytizing in various religions. In telling the history of missionary work in our Church, they share a revealing story about Heber C. Kimball, Lynn's great-great-great grandfather proceeding his epic mission journey to Preston, England. Because we hope to be in Preston for our Church legal service mission and temple service before the end of the year, I want to share the experience. I am struck by the fact that the Prophet Joseph Smith was impressed to seek out and extend the mission call to young Heber when he could have chosen from a large number of faithful leaders around him. I believe it shows that the Lord and the prophet recognized a special spirit and a good heart in this humble and obedient servant.
"The calling of missionaries to England is representative of the boldness with which this missionary work was undertaken and the spirit of sacrifice with which it was carried out. This first overseas initiative came in June 1837, at a time when the still newly organized church consisted of only about fourteen thousand members struggling for economic survival on the frontiers of western America, in Ohio and Missouri. During a Sunday meeting, the Prophet Joseph Smith whispered to Heber C. Kimball, one of the twelve apostles, that the Spirit of the Lord had spoken that Heber should 'go to England and proclaim my Gospel, and open the door of salvation to that nation.' Heber recorded his reaction:
O, Lord, I am a man of stammering tongue, and altogether unfit for such a work; how can I
go to preach in that land, which is so famed throughout Christendom for learning, knowledge and
piety; the nursery of religion; and to a people whose intelligence is proverbial!
"The idea of such a mission was almost more than Heber could bear, but his faith and obedience prevailed:
However, all these considerations did not deter me from the path of duty; the moment I
understood the will of my Heavenly Father, I felt a determination to go at all hazards, believing
that He would support me by His almighty power, and endow me with every qualification that I
needed; and although my family was dear to me, and I should have to leave them almost
destitute, I felt that the cause of truth, the Gospel of Christ, outweighed every other
consideration.
"In less than two months Kimball and several associates were preaching to congregations in England. Eight months later hundreds of converts had joined the church and many branches had been organized."
From Chapter 12, The Missionary Work of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, in John Witte, Jr. and Richard C. Martin, eds., Sharing the Book: Religious
Perspectives on the Rights and Wrongs of Mission (Maryknoll, NY: OIrbis Books,
1999).
Monday, April 28, 2014
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Inspiring Movies
If you have not seen them, I highly recommend two movies that have brought me to genuine tears because they touched my heartstrings.
The first is The Saratov Approach about Mormon missionaries kidnapped 15 years ago in a true story which took place in 1998 in Saratov, Russia. The writer/producer is Garrett Batty from Draper. We met him at a Christmas open house at our missionary friend's home, Mike Ramsdell. He is author of Train to Potevka, a true bestseller through Costco. We found out that he has agreed to be screenwriter and producer of a movie based on that book. It should be very good and we look forward to seeing it when it is produced.
Today, we saw another movie portraying a true story of a four-year-old boy whose father is a Nebraska pastor. It portrays the family's very real reactions as they deal with the experiences of their son. It was very thought provoking as the believable story of the boy and what he observed are disclosed over time. It is wonderful to see the themes of belief, love, doubt and acceptance developed with real compassion and feeling.
The first is The Saratov Approach about Mormon missionaries kidnapped 15 years ago in a true story which took place in 1998 in Saratov, Russia. The writer/producer is Garrett Batty from Draper. We met him at a Christmas open house at our missionary friend's home, Mike Ramsdell. He is author of Train to Potevka, a true bestseller through Costco. We found out that he has agreed to be screenwriter and producer of a movie based on that book. It should be very good and we look forward to seeing it when it is produced.
Today, we saw another movie portraying a true story of a four-year-old boy whose father is a Nebraska pastor. It portrays the family's very real reactions as they deal with the experiences of their son. It was very thought provoking as the believable story of the boy and what he observed are disclosed over time. It is wonderful to see the themes of belief, love, doubt and acceptance developed with real compassion and feeling.
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Perpetual Education Fund
I am watching President Uchtdorf at today's BYU graduation. Last year, I was there for Joe's graduation with a PhD in Education. The two of us sat on the first row in front of the Speaker's podium across the aisle from each other. This is the first year of my last 25 years at BYU that I no longer have one of my own children studying here, And this is my last graduation time before my retirement.
My thoughts are led to Education, especially experiential education as I have come to embrace it over the past 22 years since starting our law school's large externship program. We all learn life's most important lessons through experiences. I have been proud to promote service/learning, internships and other one-on-one mentoring opportunities over these years. We can all learn from books, lectures, classes and study; but nothing matches learning experientially.
We heard our neighbors give a presentation last evening on their mission in South Africa working with the Perpetual Education Fund. We learned that there have been 53,000 students in 53 countries who have had the blessing of this program established by a prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley in 2001. I remember sitting next to my dear son, Steve, and sharing tears with each other as this remarkable blessing for young people in developing countries was announced at a General Conference priesthood session. We had both been close to fledgling, experimental programs beginning through BYU's Kennedy Center in Mexico and Brazil through student interns working closely with Institute students in giving them computer skills and English-as-a-Second Language training. We had glimpsed the possibilities of spreading educational opportunities to faithful young adults, many of whom had served as missionaries. President Hinckley caught a much larger vision that was capable of being spread to many more people by providing funds through loans to be paid back from the increased earnings the education would make possible for them. Rather than taking educational programs to these young people like the BYU internships we were experimenting with, the loan-supported young people would seek out vocational and educational training in their own communities. Think of the rippling effect of these 53,000 individuals who lift their lives through educational opportunities. Families, communities and Church congregations all benefit from their education which freed them from subsistence living to work made possible by training and education.
Earlier, 160 years ago, many of our ancestors took advantage of the Perpetual Emigration Fund set up by another prophet, Brigham Young. It was designed to help converts fulfill their overwhelming desire to gather to Zion. I have no idea how many of our ancestors were direct recipients of this original fund. I do know that there were many probably including the Backmans, Prices, Pollards and Gardners in my own family line. Can we even come close to appreciating what that special fund and their use of it has meant to our families over the generations? Ponder what blessings flow to faithful young people willing to reach out and take advantage of opportunities placed before them including loans made available in generations past and the newest form of a similar blessing through Perpetual Education Fund loans.
My thoughts are led to Education, especially experiential education as I have come to embrace it over the past 22 years since starting our law school's large externship program. We all learn life's most important lessons through experiences. I have been proud to promote service/learning, internships and other one-on-one mentoring opportunities over these years. We can all learn from books, lectures, classes and study; but nothing matches learning experientially.
We heard our neighbors give a presentation last evening on their mission in South Africa working with the Perpetual Education Fund. We learned that there have been 53,000 students in 53 countries who have had the blessing of this program established by a prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley in 2001. I remember sitting next to my dear son, Steve, and sharing tears with each other as this remarkable blessing for young people in developing countries was announced at a General Conference priesthood session. We had both been close to fledgling, experimental programs beginning through BYU's Kennedy Center in Mexico and Brazil through student interns working closely with Institute students in giving them computer skills and English-as-a-Second Language training. We had glimpsed the possibilities of spreading educational opportunities to faithful young adults, many of whom had served as missionaries. President Hinckley caught a much larger vision that was capable of being spread to many more people by providing funds through loans to be paid back from the increased earnings the education would make possible for them. Rather than taking educational programs to these young people like the BYU internships we were experimenting with, the loan-supported young people would seek out vocational and educational training in their own communities. Think of the rippling effect of these 53,000 individuals who lift their lives through educational opportunities. Families, communities and Church congregations all benefit from their education which freed them from subsistence living to work made possible by training and education.
Earlier, 160 years ago, many of our ancestors took advantage of the Perpetual Emigration Fund set up by another prophet, Brigham Young. It was designed to help converts fulfill their overwhelming desire to gather to Zion. I have no idea how many of our ancestors were direct recipients of this original fund. I do know that there were many probably including the Backmans, Prices, Pollards and Gardners in my own family line. Can we even come close to appreciating what that special fund and their use of it has meant to our families over the generations? Ponder what blessings flow to faithful young people willing to reach out and take advantage of opportunities placed before them including loans made available in generations past and the newest form of a similar blessing through Perpetual Education Fund loans.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Ben Franklin's Thirteen Values
Ben Franklin’s Thirteen Values
Temperance. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
Order. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
Frugality. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
Industry. Lose no time; be always employ’d in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
Sincerity. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
Justice. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
Moderation. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
Cleanliness. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.
Tranquility. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
Chastity. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.
Humility. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
Historical Role Models
Historical Role Models
I have been reading about two historical figures who have influenced my life. First, Madame Marie Curie from France is partly famous because she is one of the first women to achieve the nobel prize in science. In fact she won two prizes herself, and her daughter following in her footsteps in science also received one. I am impressed because the radiation discoveries she made has set France as one of the leading nations in radiation procedures in medicine. The brachytherapy I completed on April 3rd after 6 treatments on three separate days was learned by my doctor's group from a year the originating doctor spent in France. I was surprised until I made the connection to Madame Curie.
The other person I want to mention is Benjamin Franklin. When I was a young man, I was impressed with the self improvement regimen he set up for himself as a young man. He identified 13 character traits he wanted to develop. He worked each week on that particular virtue and repeated the cycle of thirteen things like patience, integrity, humility, etc. He also became known for his frugality. He became a well known printer through his hard work and careful attention to money matters. His early writing gathered in Poor Richard's Almanac collected many of his thoughts and advice concerning money. His advice remains timely for each of us.
Easter Videos
Easter Videos
Take a look at the beautiful message, Because of Him on easter.Mormon.org. I toured the special movie sets for these Bible videos near my Mother's hometown of Goshen, Utah with my siblings a year ago. This has been part of an amazing set of Bible stories placed on the web for anyone to enjoy.
I was pleased to note in looking at our own ancestors on Family Search/Family Tree website that many of the pictures and stories submitted there came from Joseph Samuel Backman. Who is this guy? By the way, there are some interesting stories collected under the Family Tree profile for Samuel Lane Howard. Joe is proud to discover that the earliest LDS converts in the Howard family was named Samuel just as the earliest Backman was also a Samuel, Samuel Christian Backman.
A Good Friend in Afghanistan
A Good Friend in Afghanistan
I am touched by the description in a longer email sent from a friend serving 474 days in Afghanistan. We worked closely together when I was director of the Jacobsen Center for Service and Learning. He was my counterpart at BYU-Idaho working closely with then President Bednar in setting up the various internship and education gateway programs BYU-Idaho sponsors all over the US and in some foreign countries like Ghana. He is an exceptional person named Guy Hollingsworth. He serves as commander of a special intelligence unit in Afghanistan. He gives me much to consider in Remembering the Covenants of our Mothers and Fathers. His image of the Lamanite Warriors under Helaman in the Book of Mormon is especially on point:
" The specialized Reservists hold down jobs back home that are as follows: a fireman, a policeman, an airline pilot, a Wall Street broker, a CPA, a mechanic, several DEA agents, a Harvard graduate, an Oxford graduate, a Rhodes Scholar, and the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, (my one chance to tell a Notre Dame fan what to do without any repercussions--and still have the assurance that I have tickets to any football game there I wish in the future. He knows I do his final evaluation!). Truly, it is a bit of a “baker, butcher, and candlestick maker” conglomerate--just one that has people with very specific skills.
I have been serving as the Bagram Branch President and have been blessed to find the time to do what is necessary in that position. I have good counselors who willingly give of their time when possible, as we are responsible for about 1/3 or the members of the Church in country. There are about 400-ish members in Afghanistan right now (shrinking as I write), almost all servicemen and women, diplomats, government personnel, and contractors. There is one native Afghan who is a member in the country.
I am always touched by the good members here who do whatever it takes to get to the Sacrament on Sundays. Many have just come off 12-16 hour shifts— dirty, stinky, tired, wearing body armor and a wide array of weapons of war strapped to their weary souls—struggling to stay awake but glad for the opportunity to take the Sacrament, to fellowship with members, and feel the spirit from our little congregation. And then despite their exhausted bodies, wanting to linger just a few extra minutes afterwards--just to bask in the spirit a bit longer, all after what has undoubtedly been a difficult day and week to put it mildly. It is an emotional sight for me each week and one like no other imaginable. I try to envision the worship services the Lamanite Warriors in the Book of Mormon held when they could, and compare this Bagram group of warriors to being a modern day version of the same. All here are valiant volunteers for their country and for the Lord. I’m teaching one good brother the gospel as he prepares for baptism and working on helping three others get the priesthood either restored or preparing to advance. We have one session in the morning and another one in the evening in an effort to accommodate those here at Bagram—which is the largest FOB in country. It is all a humbling experience for me.
The nastiness of the work here continues to keep me on my toes, and I continue to appreciate the opportunity to serve, and am hopeful that my efforts make a small difference in the big picture here. I have seen mankind at their worst and best in the last year—in a setting that simply cannot be like any other. The lessons learned for me have been immense, and although most of the work is classified in nature, my journal fills up every day. I’m running the Boston Marathon-Afghanistan this week inside the wire of the Bagram Air Base (sponsored by the folks in Boston and run three days before that marathon). Although most likely the slow, old guy in the back of the pack, it has given me something to look forward to for the last couple months. Simply put, it has been a bucket list item for a number of years—and may be the only time I do such a thing."
Discover Family Tree improvements on the Family Search website
Discover Family Tree improvements on the Family Search website
Today I want to draw your attention to the amazing improvements in the new Family Search/Family Tree program. I am in a family history class in our Ward with Lynn. They have a terrific new fan method of showing our family tree and an amazing portrait method of creating our family tree. I look forward to showing each of you how they work if you have not opened up the program on your own computers. I am really surprised how nice it is to see items posted by other people including portraits of ancestors, stories about them and documents connected to them. I am very pleased to note that Joseph Samuel Backman is listed as the contributor for most of the pictures and some of the stories posted in our Family Tree pages called Memories. Take advantage if you already have a Family Search/Family Tree account. If you do not, ask someone you know how to open your account. I believe you need information from your ward clerk to open an account for the first time.
I had the feeling yesterday as we looked at some of Lynn's (Kimball) ancestors that I had opened up a treasure chest with new information, pictures and stories we had never discovered before. It was like Alice in Wonderland falling down a surprising hole and opening a whole new dimension to the world around us. They are so easy to access. It is as if they have suddenly appeared on the ancestor’s personal page because they have been posted there by other distant relatives we don't even know.
In our Ward, a couple of the youth have been called as Family History consultants, so they are in our class. It is amazing to watch them help all of us older participants getting past questions we have about using the Family Search/Family Tree program or other computer difficulties that arise. Young people are going to be part of real progress in family history in the future.
All I can say, is “Try it. You'll like it.”
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Resolved: 13 Resolutions for Life
Joe and Davey shared a book with me by Orrin Woodward called Resolved; 13 Resolutions for Life. Here are the 13 Resolutions for Life he discusses in the book:
Private Achievements
1. Resolved: To Discover My God-Given Purpose.
I know that when my potential, passions, and profits intersect, my purpose is revealed.
2. Resolved: To Choose Character over Reputation Any Time They Conflict.
I know that my character is who I am, and my reputation is only what others say that I am.
3. Resolved: To Have a Positive Attitude in All Situations.
I know that by listening to my Positive Voice and turning down my Negative Voice, I will own a positive attitude.
4. Resolved: To Align My Conscious with My Subconscious Mind toward My Vision.
I know that ending the civil war between the two is crucial for all achievements.
Public Achievements
5. Resolved: To Develop and Implement a Game Plan in Each Area of My Life.
I know that planning and doing are essential parts of the success process.
6. Resolved: To Keep Score in the Game of Life.
I know that the scoreboard forces me to check and confront the results and make the needed adjustments in order to win.
7. Resolved: To Develop the Art and Science of Friendship.
I know that everyone needs a true friend to lighten the load when life gets heavy.
8. Resolved: To Develop Financial Intelligence.
I know that over time, my wealth is compounded when income is higher than expenses.
Leadership Achievements
9. Resolved: To Develop the Art and Science of Leadership.
I know that everything rises and falls based on the leadership culture created in my community.
10. Resolved: To Develop the Art and Science of Conflict Resolution.
I know that relationship bombs and unresolved conflicts destroy a community's unity and growth.
11. Resolved: To Develop Systems Thinking.
I know that by viewing life as interconnected patterns rather than isolated events, I improve my leverage.
12. Resolved: To Develop Adversity Quotient.
I know that Adversity Quotient leads to perseverance in overcoming obstacles and setbacks.
13. Resolved: To Reverse the Current of Decline in My Field of Mastery.
I know that a true legacy leaves the world a better place than I found it.
Private Achievements
1. Resolved: To Discover My God-Given Purpose.
I know that when my potential, passions, and profits intersect, my purpose is revealed.
2. Resolved: To Choose Character over Reputation Any Time They Conflict.
I know that my character is who I am, and my reputation is only what others say that I am.
3. Resolved: To Have a Positive Attitude in All Situations.
I know that by listening to my Positive Voice and turning down my Negative Voice, I will own a positive attitude.
4. Resolved: To Align My Conscious with My Subconscious Mind toward My Vision.
I know that ending the civil war between the two is crucial for all achievements.
Public Achievements
5. Resolved: To Develop and Implement a Game Plan in Each Area of My Life.
I know that planning and doing are essential parts of the success process.
6. Resolved: To Keep Score in the Game of Life.
I know that the scoreboard forces me to check and confront the results and make the needed adjustments in order to win.
7. Resolved: To Develop the Art and Science of Friendship.
I know that everyone needs a true friend to lighten the load when life gets heavy.
8. Resolved: To Develop Financial Intelligence.
I know that over time, my wealth is compounded when income is higher than expenses.
Leadership Achievements
9. Resolved: To Develop the Art and Science of Leadership.
I know that everything rises and falls based on the leadership culture created in my community.
10. Resolved: To Develop the Art and Science of Conflict Resolution.
I know that relationship bombs and unresolved conflicts destroy a community's unity and growth.
11. Resolved: To Develop Systems Thinking.
I know that by viewing life as interconnected patterns rather than isolated events, I improve my leverage.
12. Resolved: To Develop Adversity Quotient.
I know that Adversity Quotient leads to perseverance in overcoming obstacles and setbacks.
13. Resolved: To Reverse the Current of Decline in My Field of Mastery.
I know that a true legacy leaves the world a better place than I found it.
The Time has Come
Dearest family,
The time is right. For many reasons, I have decided to start a blog so I can send messages to all of you in a way that I can collect and preserve my thoughts over the coming years. You do not need to feel an obligation to regularly follow each post, but I hope some of them will be helpful to you and for me as well. The title I have chosen is Remember the Covenants of our Mothers and Fathers. I think you can understand why I have picked that theme. I celebrated my sister Mary's 90th birthday earlier this month and Bob turned 92 in March. That means that I am looking to another good couple of decades ahead of me. I can't think of anything I want to dedicate myself to more than my family. So watch for the new blog as I get it set up. I don't feel like I am 70 possibly because when my Dad was 70, I was only 20. He did not seem that old to me. My messages will typically come from scripture verses I am recording in my daily journal, from choir music, from stories of ancestors shared or discovered on the amazing new Family Search website, from stories of my former students I am profiling in the reunion books I have compiled as chronicler of our law school graduates, and from stories shared in my students' papers for my History of Mormon Lawyers course.
Lynn and I met today with our Bishop to begin our mission paper process for my upcoming legal service mission and her self-selected service mission that will probably be in the nearby temple. My final semester course of my career ended this past week. My upcoming retirement makes me both nostalgic and excited. Jonny's arrival in South Africa has stirred thoughts of my father's missions there including the time my siblings shared there for almost four years in Capetown.
Let me start with some of my feelings from today's meetings and choir practice. We are rehearsing a beautiful number for Easter next Sunday called He Sent His Son. This is the core message of what I mean when I urge all of us to Remember the Covenants:
"How could the Father tell the world of love and tenderness? He sent his Son, a newborn babe, with peace and holiness.
How could the Father show the world the pathway we should go? He sent his Son to walk with men on earth, that we may know.
...What does the Father ask of us? What do the scriptures say?
HAVE FAITH, HAVE HOPE, LIVE LIKE HIS SON, HELP OTHERS ON THEIR WAY.
What does he ask? Live like his Son."
I respect each one of you and the love you have for your own families and for each other. I accept you and the choices you make. Don't lose sight of that fact. I recognize your free agency in reacting to the messages I feel inspired to share with you. All of us have our own lives, challenges, hopes, fears and decisions unique to us. The thing we share as a family is the heritage of faith and love and service from a rich tradition of pioneer ancestors including a couple of you who are literally pioneers yourselves as you or your families are the first ones to embrace the message of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in these latter days.
Know how much I love you,
Love, Dad
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