Emma's Son

The Hardship of Life Today, Yesterday & Forever!

2007-03-12T19:59:00.000-07:00

Emily Dow Partridge's words:

"and hope is dead for this life but bright for the next."

Jesus’s words:

"These things I command you, that ye love one another. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you."

Vilate Kimball’s words:

first wife of Heber C. Kimball, also recognized the value of romantic distance in a plural marriage. Counseling an unhappy plural wife, she advised the woman that

“her comfort must be wholly in her children; that she must lay aside wholly all interest or thought in what her husband was doing while he was away from her” and be as “pleased to see him when he came in as she was pleased to see any friend.”

More wisdom from Christ:

"A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you."

The real question is what are we living for? And what do you want from this life? Do you feel like a cavewomen? Welcome to the Club!

A Caveman

Into the Greater Light

2007-03-08T23:48:00.000-08:00

Rebel enough and you'll go to hell, but for some hell is the path way to heaven. Perhaps Alma and the sons of Mosiah were foreordained to break the mold of just following the leader. Think of the fruit that came forth after they encounter the horrors of hell and the voice of an angel. Can you drink of that cup? The truth is few can survive those types of encounters and live to tell the tale. The safe way for the majority is to follow a trusted leader and avoid the endless pit falls of out right rebellion of the truth which others have paid the price for you to see. Follow the threads down the path into the greater light and maybe than you will know what I mean.
homestead.com/oceanportal

Gratitude in Zion

2007-03-01T09:57:00.000-08:00

President Olson,

I just want to take a moment to thank you for
all the help and blessings you have given me
and my family over the last many years you have
been serving in NY. You have been a spiritual
father to me.

I have felt your inspiration and vision for LI
in the depths of my soul and the marrow of my
bones. You awoke things in me that I had kept
secret for years, but the Lord wanted written
down. During your term as Stake President I
wrote those things which have turned into my
book "Into the Greater Light". It is a history
of my strange and wonderful conversion and some
of my dealings with the Lord. It is not so much
written to be published for the people of here
and now, but it is written for the Lord's own
purpose to be used in the future. So I let it
sit on the shelve or the web for only those whom
the Spirit directs to read. Thanks for preaching
Zion on LI for what you have seen can happen for
all has happened for one.

I'm grateful for your faith and trust in me when
many others had great doubts. You looked beyond
my shabby image and listened to the Lord. I'm
more like a Jonah than a Moses and as you know
I tried to run away to Florida to live out my
days in obscurity, but the Lord inspired you to
stop me in my tracts. I'm grateful for your
courage to listen to the Lord and act on his
wishes. Like you I only want to do his will and
finish my earthly mission with honor.

I know he wants me in Salt Lake City at this
time for his own purposes. You were at our branch
when I gave one of my last testimonies on the
signs the Lord used concerning the weather in my
life. Attached is a copy of those hurricanes that
hit Florida that summer of 2004.

The names, places and paths of those storms sent
a message directly to me. It was a clear warning
to me that Florida was not to be my home in the
future. The names: mine, my uncle's and my cousin's.
The places: Stuart where two storms made land fall
is the place my former fiancée of the 60s lives today.
The path: Marks an X across Florida with the center
near Orlando the very place I told the Lord I would
live if he didn't stop me. The Lord has made you a
quiet witness of these things for his own purpose.

I spoke about my concerns of hurricanes hitting LI
the summer of 2006 before I could sell my house and
move. The media was promoting a year with lots of
hurricanes with many coming up the coast hitting NY.
I must admit I had great concerns in June when I
realized my house might not sell until Oct. I went
to the Lord in mighty prayer and heard the still
small voice of the Spirit say as clear as day:
"Peace be still there will be no hurricanes this year."
How true those words were and how wrong the words
of the media turned out to be. But the rest of the
story happened when we got to our Condo in Salt Lake
City. As we entered our new bedroom there upon the
wall was a large painting of the Savior standing on
the bow of a fishing boat with his fearful disciples.
His hand was stretch out toward the stormy sea as
he said "Peace be still". I know this is the place
he would have me be for out our bedroom window we
are blest to view the glorious Salt Lake Temple.

I write to thank you for my call and my release and
to share the joy the Lord has given us in coming west.
Below is a copy of a letter I wrote to Reed Johnson
a nephew of President Thomas S. Monson who I knew
when I first joined the church in 1970.

"Reed:

Thanks for your kind words and those good memories.
I enjoyed your priesthood lessons which would challenge
and make one think. You showed more than blind faith
when you taught. I remember you showing me how to
teach the gospel when we home taught the Ziggy Pastz
family. I'm glad you’re still out in the mission field
doing good for those who know less.

Living in SLC is a new and wonderful experience for
me. Though my ward is very large the people are very
loving and have come here from all over the world.
I feel the Spirit of the Lord here and know for me
that the Lord has work for me to do here. The ratio
of NM to M in this area is 60/40. As we settle in I
feel there will be many missionary opportunities.

As you might know Bobby Worthington and his family
moved way up into Vermont over 20 years ago and have
done very well. He served as a branch president for
many years and is now a Temple worker. However, he
told me he would never move to SLC as one of his sons
served a mission in Utah in the SLC area and had
nothing but trouble trying to awaken the saints to
their missionary duties.

I come here with a different attitude without an
ax to grind, but with love in my heart and a
willingness to learn from those saints who have
been seasoned in the church and gospel over many
generations. If any of them are like you I shall
be blest and learn much.

Thanks again for your help and good memories and
someday I'm sure we will meet again.

Peace,

Charlie"

Jeff you and Reed are much alike and what I wrote
to him applies to you as well. You have taught me
much and helped to prepare me for the future the
Lord will have me live. Thanks again and may the Lord
bless you and your family with his richest blessing.

Love your friend,

Charlie

Old Mission Stories

2007-02-28T23:15:00.000-08:00

Hi Rick,

Dirk and I attended the SL Temple this morning and your 
name came up as we talked about life, the scriptures 
and our missions. Dirk and I go way back to my baptism 
in 1970 and we have continued to stay in touch all these 
years.

I know you and I only knew each other for a short time 
near the end of my mission when you had come back from 
valley I know what you meant.

Give my love to your Mom and Dad. He was a great 
mission President and your Mom was a great mission Mom. 
I learned so much from them about both the church and 
life. They are both great latter day Saints.

I've just finished up a call as Branch President of the 
Long Beach Branch in NY and retired from a successful 
career with KeySpan Energy a NY gas & electric utility. 
We are living in a beautiful condo on Capitol Hill with a 
view of the SL Temple and the valley. Our new ward is 
Capitol Hill First Ward where I'll be lucky to handout hymn
books.

I've never gotten over my strange conversion or my strange 
life, but I've learned to accept the things the Lord has 
laid upon me in a quieter way over the years. See my story 
a WIP (which is good therapy for me an amateur writer) on 
the web at: www.homestead.com/oceanportal Below are a few 
stories from my mission:

Tough Skin II

When I first joined the church there were members who 
would come up to my face and tell me what a lousy job I 
was doing in a calling. Some would yell in my face in 
hopes of driving me out of the church. I learned to turn 
the other cheek and endure those trials by leaning upon my 
testimony,  the good leaders of the church and praying to 
my Father in Heaven who always knew my heart.

These are just some of the growing pain we must all 
endure as we help one another grow in Christ. I thank God 
for the wisdom of that great Stake President who gave a 
little talk at my friends (Dirk) baptism on having a tough 
skin and enduring to the end and keeping a tender heart.

There are many times when people have hurt my feelings in this
church, but I have learned by experience it is better to have a tough
skin and forgive those who may offend me. I always try to remember
what Jesus said while upon the cross. "Father, forgive them for they
know not what they do."

I feel to conclude this section of my writing with two faith
promoting experiences from my mission. While serving in Elko, Nevada
in December of 1973, my mission President gave the entire mission a
challenge to go tracting for Christ on Christmas. He advised us not
to set up any dinner appointments but plan a full day's work for the
Lord. He promised if we would do this, the Lord would provide a
Christmas dinner for us. My companion and I rose up to the challenge
and tracted the whole day with little success. We left tracts and
with some we prayed but no food was offered. Then around 9 pm we
knocked on the door and two little old ladies invited us in. They
were kind and polite and allowed us to give them our message. After
which they asked about our Christmas and what we had had for dinner.
When we told them we hadn't eaten, they were shocked, and said we
can't have that. They took us downtown to a restaurant and treated us
to a fine meal. The promise of our mission President was of the Lord
and we enjoyed a great gift of faith from he who made Christmas
happen.

Months later, I was called to be an assistant to my Mission President
and moved back to Sacramento. He told us (me and my new companion)
that we were his new gladiators of truth. He wanted our counsel and
expected us to tell him our true thoughts and not just be yes men.
This counsel set the stage for another very interesting experience.

One day while my companion and I were on our way to a Zone Conference
in Gridley, our car broke down in Marysville. I had served in the
town just across the river in Yuba City. I made a few phone calls to
the local leaders and they got our car put in a shop and drove us up
to Gridley to our Zone Conference. While we were waiting I preached
the gospel to some homeless person while my companion watched in
fright. I was always one to try to make good use of my time in
sharing the gospel with others no matter whether they be rich or
poor, good or bad.

After Zone Conference, our mission President drove us down to Yuba
City to recover our car. The mechanic assured us it was all fixed and
our Mission President left to return with his wife to Sacramento.
After paying the bill, we started for Sacramento a few minutes behind
our President. To our surprise the car again broke down just a mile
from the gas station. I quickly called a member who told us the gas
station was now closed and we would have to leave the car overnight.
My companion was upset as he had a lot of office work to do back in
Sacramento. I felt this was a sign and that we could do some
missionary work. We called the Elders who lived in Marysville and
they picked us up and took us to their Apt. They offered dinner and I
said, "No thanks. I have other meat to eat." My companion looked at
me like I was clearly crazy. However, I felt the spirit of God upon
me and I had a great desire to visit some of the people I had taught
in Yuba City over a year ago that to my knowledge had never been
baptized. I asked if any of the Elders would go with me and a young
Elder volunteered. We went first to visit the Sister Missionaries
whose area it was. They both had been sick and I believe we gave them
blessings. I asked them about some of the families I had in mind and
if they knew any of them. I asked if they minded if we visited people
in their area and they said fine go ahead. We visited around 5
families that night and they all expressed renewed interest in the
church. We had a spiritual feast and knew that the hand of the Lord
was in this.

I also recognized that it would be important for this Elder who I
introduced to these families to continue the work  with them. I
mentioned that transfers were going to take place the following week
and I would talk to the President about moving him into that area. 
My statement  was simple and logical. Yuba City was the larger city
with two wards and just one set of sisters. Marysville was smaller
with only one ward and two sets of Elders. My suggestion to the
President would be to transfer one set of Elders over into Yuba City
so that there would be one set of Missionaries in each ward. Since
all the people we visited were in Yuba City II it was logical to move
those Elders into that Ward and have the Sisters remain in Yuba City
1st.

The next week during our late Wednesday night transfer meeting with
the President I made the suggestion and presented my reasoning. Again
to my surprise I got a flat no without any discussion or reasons. My
spirit was grieved and again I felt misunderstood. My companion and
President were both from Utah and had a close friendship. My
companion knew of my desires and had heard me tell the Elders what I
planned to do. I got the feeling the President had already been
briefed on my proposal from my companion who might have put his own
spin on it. I don't know for sure, but if he told the President that
I promised anything without his permission or authority it would
explain why the President shot down my idea so quickly. However this
wasn't the case. I had felt the spirit and only told the Elders what
I would try to do. Now it seemed all was lost. My President had
closed the door and I told the Lord I wouldn't argue the point with
him anymore. My President was my authority and I would submit to his
decision right or wrong and say no more. In my prayers that night, I
expressed my hurt to the Lord and how I thought his hand had been in
our strange encounters in Yuba City, but there was nothing else I
could do. It seemed my President and companion were dead set against
my proposal. Yet, I thought, it isn't my proposal, but the Lords.
However, I didn't have the courage to tell them that. It is the
President's right to receive revelation for the mission and not me. I
was just a counselor. My President had the final say.

The next morning came and it was our duty to meet early in the
President's office to make transfers by phone. When my companion and
I
arrived, we found the President sitting in his chair behind his desk
holding his head. He said, "Elders, I have a terrible headache and
haven't been able to sleep all night. There is something wrong with
the transfers." At that very moment, the spirit prompted me to
present my proposal on Yuba City again. As quickly as I finished, the
President said that's exactly what we need to do. Now Elders do it.
My companion's mouth dropped to the ground in surprise as I felt
vindicated by the Lord.

The true vindication came a few weeks later after I had completed my
mission and arrived home. I received a letter from one of the Elders
I had trained earlier in my mission. He wrote that he was one of the
Elders transferred into the Yuba City ward where I had helped to
reactivate a number of families into investigating the church. He
thanked me and shared a marvelous ending to this miracles story. He
wrote: We visited with the Nelson family and taught them the gospel.
This last Sunday Bro. Nelson got baptized and was ordained a Priest.
Then he baptized his wife and children and ordained his son a Priest.
The will of the Lord was done and great joy entered into our hearts.

The Lord rules in Heaven and Hell in Earth and in his Church and
Missions. For those who have eyes that see, ears that hear, hearts
that understand, minds that discern and wait patiently upon the Lord
all things are possible. The Holy Ghost is real and the gifts of the
spirits are ours according to ours desires, faith, and faithfulness.

Oh, my Brothers and Sisters never, never, never, give up. This Church
is true, the work is real and your lives will be tried to see if you
will endure to the end. Have a tough skin and a tender heart and true
faith in Jesus Christ and you will gain eternal life. In the name of
Jesus Christ amen.

Just another mission story: Late in my mission (last 6 months) I was
finally called to leadership. Then when I had but 3 months left a
stranger thing happened. The Mission President (William Walsh) called
a special mission conference (Mar.1974) for half the mission near
Alburn, Ca for all the missionaries in Neveda and the Sacramento
area. During this conference he announced his two mission assistances
(APs) would be going home in a few days. Then to everybody's surprise
he announced his two new APs and asked for a sustaining vote from the
missionaries. I was one of the names he announced and was sustained
without any foreknowledge save a few seconds before when the Holy
Ghost spoke quietly in my ear saying you are one of them. It was an
honor, but I was also humbled. I thanked the President and he told me
to thank the Lord and get on my knees and pray for help. I shortly
found his counsel very important. After being congratulated by many
Elders, Sisters and former companions a Elder I didn't know came up
to me and asked if he could talk to me privately. I agreed and we
went a little ways off from the people. This Utah Elder said the
following to me: "Elder Luerssen we might of sustained you publicly
here today, but we will never sustain you privately. That calling
(AP) is reserved for those of us born in the church, which have come
from good Mormon families and lived good Mormon lives. Not for some
dirty, hippie, eastern, NY convert like yourself!" I never told
anyone about this while I was on my mission. I took it as an honor
that people would treat me like the prophets of old. In June 1972
while in the Mission home in SLC I had the honor of receiving my
Endowment in the Salt Lake Temple. Following that event our
missionary group was invite to the 5th floor of the Temple in the
Priesthood assembly area to hear President Lee give a short talk and
do some Q&A. During the Q&A time I got to ask President Lee a
question. I asked how Adam & Eve were literally created. It was quiet
in the Temple before I asked that question, but a greater hush went
through the crowd after I asked. To me it was an honest humble
sincere request, but to the majority of the missionaries they thought
I was out of line. President Lee saw my heart and answered it was a
scripture as he answered all the questions that day by opening the
books before us. The answer was we learn that answer in the future.
What happened after the meeting is more important. I stayed behind
with a few other Elders to shake hands with President Lee. He was
very friendly and asked us to walk out with him. As we entered the
hallway he stopped and put his arm around my shoulders and
said, "Elder Luerssen I want you always to remember this." He turned
me around and point to a spot in the Temple and said, " This is the
very spot that the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to the Prophet Lorenzo
Snow while he was praying in this Temple." He then announced to those
around us that the Lord Jesus Christ has walked and does walk the
halls of this Temple. This last story happened Jan. 1997 a few weeks
before Dirk and Marilyn got married. I was sleeping alone in my
bedroom as my wife was working the graveyard shift at a nursing home.
I awoke in the middle of the night to the Lord Jesus Christ standing
in the air at the foot of my bed. He spoke to me and said, "Come up
Hither!" I said, "Nay Lord I'm not worthy or ready." He said, "What I

say is clean, Is Clean! But if you do not want to accept of my
atonement and sacrifice which I suffered and died for, you have your
agency." I quickly came to my senses and like Peter of old I begged
the Lord's pardon and said, "I'll do as you wish My Dear Lord." He
said, " I will sanctify you before the nations!" I quickly fell back
asleep thinking it was only a dream, but when I awoke in the morning
a miracle had happened. The ground was covered in a beautiful gentle
white snow which had fallen during the night. The miracle was it had
come out of nowhere, a crystal clear night in which the weathermen
had no answer as to why it hadn't been forecast. To me it was the
sign and witness that the Master had been there and will in his own
good time fulfill all his words to me and all his children.

Peace,

Charlie

Hard Boiled Egg Heads

2007-02-27T11:17:00.000-08:00

Dirk,

God allows tests and trials to fall upon all of
us to see if we will do all that he has commanded
us to do. This life is full of examples and I will
try to find some GC talks that bring this out more
clearly. I call these tests that God sends the
"tests of Abraham". These greater tests come as
we draw closer to God. Because of unbelief and
lack of faith most never get to the trials that
God sends. So like many things in the church these
tests are seen as exceptions and not the rule. The
general priesthood don't want to talk about these
things because they have not experienced them.

While sharing a similar testimony in a priesthood
class in my ward a few weeks ago the teacher
quickly pushed passed my commends as irrelevant to
our trials. Those trials only happen to a few.

So good men with good intent dismiss the greater
truths and never experience the fulness (calling
& election) in this life. They either dismiss
such talk or keep totally silent on the subject
hiding behind the fact it is to sacred to talk
about. This all must change before the Saviour
comes again. This is all part of that unbelief
written about in the Book of Mormon and the curse
that is upon the whole church because they can't
see or believe what happened in "Jacob's time"
(Jacob4:6)can happen in our time. These
scriptures back up the fact that the Lord sends
us trials; D&C 98:12, 101:4, 105:19, 136:31  /
Ether 12:6 / Mosiah 23:21

However, your trial maybe breaking the hard
shell of unbelief surrounding your priesthood
brethern so that they may be born again into
greater light and knowledge. They don't like
you hammering on the hard shell of their comfort
zone. Who are you to tell them what they don't
know or believe.

They like this saying, "Those who know don't tell
and those who don't do."

Statements like that are part of that hard shell
and you will have a hard sell to break it. Because
as you try to break it they are programed to dismiss
you. You and I know by personal experience the truth.
We must continue to seek to know the mysteries of
godliness.

D&C 6:
9)Say nothing but repentance unto this generation;
keep my commandments, and assist to bring forth my
work, according to my commandments, and you shall be
blessed.
  10)Behold thou hast a gift, and blessed art thou
because of thy gift. Remember it is sacred and cometh
from above—
  11)And if thou wilt inquire, thou shalt know
mysteries which are great and marvelous; therefore
thou shalt exercise thy gift, that thou mayest find
out mysteries, that thou mayest bring many to the
knowledge of the truth, yea, convince them of the
error of their ways.

Hang in there Dirk our day will come.

Peace & Love,
Charlie

PS We who came forth out of Stony Brook: Bobby,
Glenn, you & me are all hammering on that shell
with various degrees of success. Each of us has
at times been hurt by that hard boney shell of
unbelief. But we have not suffered as these: 
3 Nephi 20-23

Joseph’s Martyrdom!

2007-02-25T01:56:00.000-08:00

Knowing that God sees the end from the beginning and shares that knowledge with his prophets is a major factor in judging Joseph’s martyrdom. Did not the Lord speak in D&C 132:60 the price Joseph would pay?

Let no one, therefore, set on my servant Joseph; for I will justify him: for he shall do the sacrifice which I will require at his hands for his transgressions, saith the Lord your God.

Perhaps on another note Joseph’s final plead wasn’t for mercy, but like the Savior’s cry of:

My God, my God, why hast thou fosaken me?

There is strong evidence he was bearing his final testimony. See Psalm 22 to make the connect. A leap of faith from doubt and despair to a true witness to those round about it was all foretold and written. Can you see the paradigm shift?

Born Again or Lost Again Shawn?

2007-02-24T21:59:00.000-08:00

Open letter to a lost Soul

Shawn McCraney

Charlie wrote:
Please come back brother "Into the Greater Light", I write from my heart as well as my head, spirit and experience to one I feel has been wounded by those who should of showed charity and known better. I am a outside witness of the truthfulness of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. I was born again at Woodstock in 1969 and led by the Lord and his Holy Spirit to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. I have written a book entitled, "Into the Greater Light" that I share freely on the net at:
www.homestead.com/oceanportal
I invite you to read my conversion and testimony by the power of the Holy Ghost and tell me what you both think and feel. My name is Robert C. Luerssen and my friends call me Charlie. I just moved here to SLC from NY where I was born and lived most of my life. The following is a sample of my book to give you a taste of who I am and where I'm coming from.The Foreword at: www.homestead.com/oceanportal/Chap.html
From: bondservant@bornagainmormon.com [mailto:bondservant@bornagainmormon.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 11:10 PM
A friend wrote to Shawn McCraney www.bornagainmormon.com :
Subject: Forward (2-13-07)
I received this War & Peace of an e-mail, which I commend you if you read through the whole thing. At any rate, here it is...
Shawn wrote to me:
You have been deceived beyond belief, my friend. May God open your eyes and ears.
I wrote to Shawn:
You may be cool in your black outfits, but for being a common man I question. You are very common to those in church history who for whatever reason left the truth and than kick against the pricks.
Rev. 2: 4
Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Why not repent on Valentine's Day and come back to your Lord's true church? Or does priestcraft pay you too many common dollars? Now for your comments: "You have been deceived beyond belief, my friend. May God open your eyes and ears."
If you would of read my book with an open mind and with the Holy Spirit to guide, you might of been able to comprehend the Greater Light, even Jesus Christ. However, since you have rejected the greater light and wisdom God asked me to share with you I can only give you my NY kindergarden wisdom better know as "NY Jack" (the lower law).
I'm rubber your glue whatever you say about me bounces off and sticks to you. Or it takes one to know one!
I would wish you God's speed, but the scriptures are clear on that:
2 Jn. 1: 10-11
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
However, I will pray that you speedily repent of your lessor faith before God closes your mouth as he did Korihor (Alma 30:52-53) in the Book of Mormon. Only than will you know that my God is God.
Peace,
Charlie
Shawn wrote:
Feel better?
Charlie (I) wrote:
Yes my brother I enjoy sharing my testimony and NY culture with you. As you can read I'm no naive "Molly Mormon" who maybe soft spoken and living on the beliefs of their forefathers. I have a message, conversion and mission which will cut both ways. Judgment will start in the Lord's church and move forth to the ends of the earth. You indeed might be serving the Lord's purposes by cleaning his church out of the deadwood and those of little faith or weak beliefs. They say birds of a feather flock together. Your gathering quite a flock of lost souls. I'm sure you can get them into one of those lesser kingdoms. On another note you remind me more of Nehor (Alma 1:2-4) than Korihor. Or maybe you can become the next Harold Camping of Family Radio. I would love to see you two together out gracing each other. However, I do fear for you because their end is a pattern for those who lead souls astray. By the way how is you voice holding up? Are we going see TV reruns next week? I hope you can say more than your pat answers you have programed into your computer. Or does the cat, devil or Lord have your tongue?
We're praying for you in high places,
Charlie
PS Perhaps living in Utah will help knock off some of my rough edges and I'll become a smooth stone like you.
Shawn wrote:
I used to try and be acerbic and witty in my writing. Made me FEEL good. But I try and just stay on task, now. Apologies if I don't bite onto your East Coast bravado and try and tear a bit off. I pray God's light will shine into your heart and convict and convince you that all you need is Jesus.
In His Name
Shawn
I wrote:
Thanks Shawn that is more real and I respect your sincerity, though I think you worship Jesus in a lesser light. I'm only hoping you can open your heart and mind to the greater treasures that the Jesus (John 17:3)I know wants you to receive. This I truly pray for you in the name of the true Christ, even Jesus Christ my Redeemer and Lord, amen.

Peace,
Charlie

Atoning Grace

2007-02-17T19:19:00.000-08:00

Having been raised a Lutheran I always had a natural belief in Jesus Christ and knew by the power of the Holy Ghost that he was indeed the very Son of God. However, in my mid-teens I began questioning “the just believe and be saved teaching”. In fact I used this logic to leave the church and seek for greater answers out in the world. I reasoned that I already believed and thus I was saved so why go to church. Mind you I was a teen who wanted to justify going out into the world and experiment upon life without feeling guilt. However, I sincerely believed there was something more I needed to do to be saved. I safe guarded my exit with a promise to God that if I didn’t find this greater answer and died in my sins I would call upon the name of Jesus to be saved. My journey took me to Woodstock in 1969 where I had a NDE and called upon the Lord who delivered me from my hell and gave me another chance at this life. Within 9 months of that experience I was led by the Holy Spirit to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. So by his grace I was saved to come into the greater light.

On another note I read that the First Presidency together with a number of apostles went to the Gate Way Mall movie theater in SLC a few weeks ago to see a private viewing of the new movie “Amazing Grace”. I feel we should embrace all things Christian and take ownership of such things as the cross, grace and being born again in the greater light God has given us. Just look up these words in our topical guide and I think you will see what I mean.

Peace be Still

2007-02-14T23:21:00.000-08:00

The Good Lord has freed me from NY after 5 generations of taxes and traffic not to mention hurricanes and corporate pains. Yes, I'm free, free, free at last. I was a little worried last summer when my house wasn't selling as fast as I hoped. Ever since New Orleans the media had been predicting many hurricanes for the summer of 2006 heading up the coast hitting NY. What an evil wish, but even in my dreams I saw Long Beach flooded with the oceans seas. Most of my dreams come true within a year or two. I had hoped to sell my house before the hurricane season started, but with a slow market I would be lucky to sell by October. I felt the weight of the world upon me in June of 06. I went to my priesthood leader and requested a blessing to help me bare my burdens. After which I went to the Lord in mighty prayer. He spoke to me by the still small voice and said, "Peace be still there will be no hurricanes for you this season." How true his words turned out to be and how wrong the media was. However, the greater sign was when I arrived at our fully furnished Condo in SLC upon Capitol Hill. In our bedroom upon the wall was a large painting of the Savior standing on the bow of a boat with his fearful disciples. His hand was stretched out over the stormy sea as he said, "Peace be still." I knew than as I know now that this is the place the Lord would have me be for outside our bedroom window shines the most glorious Salt Lake Temple.

The Forbidden Fruit

2006-02-07T13:03:00.000-08:00

Some 20 years ago we were attending a private New Years Eve party at the house of a friend. The very strict bishop of our ward was also there. My wife being an old party girl felt to bring some sparkling nonalcoholic wine to celebrate the occasion. The bishop didn't like the gesture because of the appearance of evil. However, my wife persuaded him it was alright and that it was only grape juice. He drank and then read the bottle a little while later and nearly died. Like your beer it had some % of alcoholic in it. My poor wife is still embarrassed about this story and I can't tell it in her presence. To me it was funny to see the t__ a__ bishop part take of the forbidden fruit. I am sure the Lord got a good laugh over it as well seeing my wife in her sweet innocence helped make our bishop more human.

Warm Light on the Bloggernacle

2006-02-06T13:30:00.000-08:00

I find comfort in this view as I am one who has been compelled to write my life in simple form.

“This writing genre is a form of discovery; by its very nature it is modest in simply being an attempt.” “One author noted that, “the personal essay requires blood on the page, whether it has death in it or not.”

The pain and honesty are real, but truth shared no matter what the price is worth it in the end.

In this what you wrote;

“In my reading, the Mormon personal essay is intertwined with yearning for and bearing testimony — a particular and peculiar lens for interpreting the world around us. It is a sublime travelogue — a raw and vulnerable exploration that defies other literary forms and disciplines. The blood on the page infuses life into my own testimony and gives me the courage to let my own crimson drops flow.”

Are great truths that will help others to pick up the pen (or hit the keys) to write the things of their hearts, experiences and dreams in a new more welcoming light.

Thank you for your kind words, understanding and wisdom in these matters which give new life and light to the Bloggernacle this day!

Haunting the Blog

2006-02-01T18:47:00.000-08:00

I think you guys are a breath of fresh air. You have put a handle on faith that opens doors of understanding.

I went through these type of stages in my youth as I challenged my religion (Lutheran) and culture. My questioning and experiences led me to a NDE at WS ‘69.

From there the Lord took a broken young man and led me via stage 5 faith to this Mormon faith. I have endure it, but many times they have made me feel unwelcome as I’ve tried to explain my journey.

I’m a TBM, but for other reasons than stage 3 saints. Sometimes I feel more comfortable around NOMs because they are honest with their doubts. The truth is I scare both groups. I would withdraw into the shadows if this scripture didn’t haunt me:

“Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.”(Matt. 5:15)

So I will haunt the blog where I can be more honest and not rock the Church. Thanks for sharing your Church horror stories I have a few of my own.

A True Women of Faith

2006-02-01T07:04:00.000-08:00

Sahar, you show such courage and faith I know the Good Lord is with you. We here in the American church are so pampered temporally and spiritually we spend more time questioning who has the power & authority. You make the answer clear. God has the power and will give it and his authority to anyone who has faith and needs. Like Jesus of old you walk in and out of Jerusalem unseen. You remind me of what they said about the Savior:

“And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”(Mark 1:22)

The Savior was fair in dealing with men and women. He often deferred their praises and thanks back unto themselves by simply saying:

“Your faith has made thee whole.”(Matt.9:22)

Sahar IMHO your faith and example is helping to heal the gap between the men and women in this church. What and why are we always crying about?

The Times They are a Changing

2006-02-01T05:52:00.000-08:00

A letter I wrote to Dennis of “Genesis” (SLC) back in Sept. 2005 after reading his experience as a Black Mormon:
It is wonderful and amazing how the Lord ministers to each one of us and then connects us all together. I truly enjoyed your story and life and rejoice in the great blessings God has given you and your eternal wife. It has touched my heart deeply. When he opens our eyes, hearts and minds to his greater love and mercy we can truly forgive the sinner within and then go on and forgive those who trespass against us. Forgive me for preaching, but like you I feel the words you write on a deep level that I judge no one and rejoice in the stories of the converts. While on my mission (Northern California 6/72-7/74) I learn many hard lessons from the saints. Being a new convert, a New Yorker and a former “wanna be hippie” my status among the Elders was very low. However, as you know being low in the gospel works in your favor in the eyes of the Lord. As a youth in my life I always looked to the Black people around me as the more humble and spiritual ones. I read a book once “Black Like Me” written by a white man who injected himself with a dye to look black who moved down south during the 50s or 60s to experience first hand how blacks were treated. I guess my becoming a hippie was a way of taking the low road to find out how it feels to be misunderstood and looked down upon. I went to answer the call of Jimmy Hendrixs. I wanted to be experienced! Now thanks to the Lord I can say “I Have!” During my first month out on my mission in the Sacramento area my companion and I baptized a black man. This man John had great faith and joined the church before the ban on the priesthood was lifted. I was overjoyed in this blessing to know and bless this man who was lowly in heart, but rich in faith. I know the Lord lives and his church is truth, but as you know the members are many times not true. It has always been easier for me to love the sinner (especially those who repent), than the saint ( who thinks he has done no wrong). However, over the years the Lord has increased my love, patience and understanding to turn the other cheek and go the extra mile and love the saint like the sinner.

A Father's Dilemma

2006-01-31T05:51:00.000-08:00

Being a first generation Mormon and trying my best to honor my priesthood and wife I failed miserably in my first marriage. The results of which I still suffer in my children.

For me it was too much to change religions, culture and try to adapt to a changing Mormon culture by
following the examples of great priesthood holders of the past.

Like you I now look to the future for the answers we all long for. My present wife enjoys the benefit of my past failings and is sensitive to my own struggles to be a good husband, father and priesthood holder. We are both active in the church.

However, my former wife and many of my children(6) from both marriages are not. Recently at Zelophehad's Daughters I carried on a conversation with my only daughter Emily on "The Role of Women in Heaven" . Her feelings and insights on these issues between men and women reveal the wound that needs healing.

My cure was to look to the future by quoting my Patriarchal Blessing, "where it refers to a day in the future when I shall live with my wife in heaven as a priest and a priestess; a god and a goddess." Emily's wrote, "the ultimate destiny of mankind would be to recognize the greatness of women ... then the world will be a celestial place ... So I guess we can try to focus on this life and what women can do here so as to progress the world to a higher level."

This tells much about the differences between men and women, generations and a father and a daughter.

Dad's Response to Emily

2006-01-26T12:34:00.000-08:00

Hi Emily,

Thanks for your thoughts. I believe there is a beehive for every exalted women where she rules supreme under the loving eyes of her husband who she may share with other sisters indeed of divine seed. The beehive is only symbolic so no the males don't die, but continue to do the work of God. "To bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of men" with a little help from his wives. Ha, ha!
On another note I think you will like this quote from an old past on apostle:

Zelophehad's Daughters http://zelophehadsdaughters.blogspot.com/
"We are not so much concerned with whether your thoughts are orthodox or heterodox as we are that you shall have thoughts." (Hugh B. Brown)

Go to that site and read your name up in lights.

Love,

Dad

A Letter From Emily

2006-01-26T12:16:00.000-08:00

To My Dad(Emma's Son)

Thanks for thinking of me and of thinking of me when it comes to your favorite subject.

I think you have a good theory at hand, yet the beehive has only one reproducing female queen, all other bees in the hive are workers, and then there's the drone(male) and his life is short and to the point, if you get what I mean.

I think if heaven is like a beehive I don't want any part of it, cause the odds are your not going to be the queen, and it's even worse off if you are a male.

Your concept of this being a mans world and heaven being a women's
world is not a new one. Yeah it's easy to say that if your a man because men in this world don't deal with heaven, that's a nice after thought, just like they'd like to think of women having any real power in this life, yeah
a nice after thought, now honey get back in the kitchen and clean up the dirty children would ya.

That's why men thought that women shouldn't have the right to vote, that there duties where of a higher and heavenly order.

Heres a quote you might get a kick out of written by a physician around the turn of the 20th century.

"Her mind could be employed, but in little and in trivial matters, and her proper place was as, the companion or ornamental appendage to man".

This was taken from an article called "We did not know whether women's health could stand the strain of college education"

Even if that may be the case that women rule in heaven, we still are
a big part of earth life and deserve equality in all things if we are to ever get to a point where earth and heaven are one under Christ. And if it's the case that women "rule" doesn't that mean both heaven and earth
ultimately?

So the ultimate destiny of mankind would be to recognize the greatness of women and to allow her to reign, then the world will be a celestial place once women rule, right dad, going by what you just said?

So I guess we can try to focus on this life and what women can do here so as to progress the world to a higher level. Any way thanks for the chat, talk to you soon.

Love,

Your only daughter(good thing for you),Emily

Who Am I?

2006-01-26T06:58:00.000-08:00

Reply to: Equality of the Foyer

Thanks Dude no offence taken I enjoy the baptism of fire. By the way "Riders on the Storm" is one of my favorite songs. I guess I'm just that ugly duckling who can't find his flock! Anyway I've learned over the years not to share too much to soon or people get the wrong impression. I follow the old saying, "feed them, but leave them hungry." In any case here is the short version of who I am.

My screen name comes from Nauvoo. Old Charley was the favorite horse Joseph rode. My middle name is Charles and my mother's name is Emma. I love the Prophet Joseph Smith and know he is Jesus' best friend. And this is how I know:

Having been raised a Lutheran and always believing in Jesus Christ as a youth I began in my mid-teens to think and feel there had to be something greater to religion than just confessing faith in Jesus Christ. I turned from my church, but not from my Jesus in a quest to find the true meaning of life. However, in taking the risk of throwing off organized religion and seeking truth wherever I could find it I made a vow to my God. This vow was if I died before I found the greater answer I would call upon Jesus Christ to save me and put my simple faith to the ultimate test. This set the stage for my NDE at Woodstock in 1969 and my rebirth (born again) experience leading me into the greater light. This greater light led me to a testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Mormon Church. I was led to WS following the teachings of Jimi Hendrix who sang "have you ever been experienced? Well I have." My life experience started with faith in Jesus Christ and my search through life led me to greater knowledge in Christ and Christ led me to Joseph Smith and this great true Church.

My friends in real life know me as Charlie. When I was a young teen my older cousin (Francis) would tease the life out me calling me by my middle name. My first name is Robert and I went by Bobby. Francis was big and mean and would drive me crazy by calling me Charlie. "Sorry Charlie (tuna) only the best get to be Star Kissed." and there was also a "Good'n Plenty Charlie". I would cry and scream saying my name isn't Charlie to no avail. I pleaded with my parents and Uncle to get him to stop. They kindly told me to learn how to deal with it. It ended the next week when I announced to the whole family my new name is Charlie and has been ever since. My cousin and I became best of friends after that. I think it was Abraham Lincoln who said, "The best way to defeat an enemy is make him a friend."

It is my hope we can all learn to be friends even if we differ in our culture, race, religion, politics or our sexual practices.

A Women Place in Heaven

2006-01-26T06:42:00.000-08:00

My only daughter Emily who is attending UVSC is a very independent thinker who has challenged me on this issue. I have therefore pondered the subject and written this:

First knowing God to be just, wise, merciful, kind, loving, all knowing and etc. I have concluded there most be a good reason for this mystery. My conclusion is women rule in heaven. Yes, it might be a man's world, but I think it is a women's heaven. Why? Think of the symbol of Deseret (a beehive). Who is at the head of the hive? Also it is a know fact women in numbers are more righteous than men. Therefore there are a greater number of women are deserving of exaltation. To be exalted and continue the growth of her household she needs a man. Since there are fewer men in heaven and the women being more righteous they are willing to share their husbands with others out of pure charity. Men may preside, but women rule. They rule over their own children in the pre-mortal life and their eternal seed in the eternal worlds to come. They send their husbands out to do the dirty work of dealing with mortal life and they raise their spirit children and glory with their resurrected children, but are always mindfully praying for their mortal children. In my PB it refers to a day in the future when I shall live with my wife in heaven as a priest and a priestess; a god and a goddess. I hope my daughter can get some hope from the things I've written. To know in the end God will make all things clear and fair. Just the thoughts of a father to his only daughter.

Love,
Dad

Turn Turn Turn

2006-01-25T09:41:00.000-08:00

Turn Turn Turn

One of my favorite books in the OT is Ecclesiastes. It appears that King Solomon took all that life had to offer, but in the end after analyzing it all he was at a loss. Saying things like “all is vain and there is nothing new under the sun.” All knowledge and wisdom didn’t make him happy. So he concludes the whole matter with this:

“be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”(Eccl.12:12-14)

On another note the great song “Turn, Turn, Turn” came out of this book. There is a time, season and purpose for everything that happens under heaven.(Eccl.3:1-8)

May we each find that peace in this life of mystery and that greater happiness in the eternal life to come.

Looking Up & All Around

2006-01-24T05:20:00.000-08:00

How strange it is that one looks back and another looks forward. Your piece is so timely for me and my family as we look forward to moving to SLC. We visited Utah during GC last April and I drove my family to that very marina and as I viewed the salty sea I thought of NYC the land of my birth and the birth of my forebearers (5 gens). I thought we can live here is if that is what the Lord wants.

I plan to retire in July and take all my assets, my culture and my over 35 years of Mormon experiences to “Happy Valley” and start anew. I’ve taken to heart the scriptures you’ve cited and this other one as well.

There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him. And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother. (Mark 3:3–35)

Thanks so much for your thoughts on this subject of home and family. It seems the Lord calls one and sends another as we crisscross this life weaving a Zion culture which we can’t yet see the end of.

Comment by Emma's Son — January 23, 2006 @ 3:17 pm

Emma’s Son–Mmmm…. nice addition. In some ways our brothers and sisters in the gospel do serve as surrogates when our biological families are not of our faith, or even just when they are far away. May the dessert blossom as a rose for you and yours.
Comment by LisaB — January 23, 2006 @ 3:23 pm

Listening to Historical Polygamy

2006-01-23T12:22:00.000-08:00

I just finished listening to the whole series and I enjoyed hearing history as it was. I agree with TC on having authentic faith and growing in truth as one can bear it. Testimonies are as different as snowflakes and can come and go on different subjects depending on our own personal state of mind and heart on any given day with what facts or truths we have been given. However, a testimony gained by personal revelation can both trump and alienate others. My mission president once told me the following, "It is good to tell the truth, but sometimes it is better when all the truth is left unsaid."

Perhaps that is why milk is so often given to us by our leaders. I think God did the same with ancient Israel when they rejected the higher laws that Moses first gave them. We each have to learn line upon line until we can hear, bear and see all things like the Savior. Remember as teenagers most of us thought we knew more and better than our parents. Sometimes the greater light can blind instead of enlighten depending on the spiritual maturity of the person.

The other thought that comes to mind concerning some of the strange practices in early church history is the way God always seems to test his servants with things that seem to contradict the gospel standards of that day. You know the “Test of Abraham”. The big final God gives to test your ultimate faith. Giving your wife to the prophet would fall in that category.

An Age Old Problem

2006-01-22T19:08:00.000-08:00

This is an age old problem the children of men have dealt with since the days of Moses. They refused to rise up and meet God face to face and deferred that responsibility to Moses. “And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you …” (Exodus 20:18-20)

Others misunderstood what Moses was trying to do:

“And Moses went out, and told the people the words of the LORD, and gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them round about the tabernacle. And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease. But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp. And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp. And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD’S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!” (Num. 11:24-29)

Joseph Smith not only tried to share his experiences with others, but he has tried for others including us to have similar experiences or greater ones. However, most refuse to climb the mountain either out of fear, doubt, ignorance or the knowledge that such experiences will bring on greater tests.

There is something in the gospel called the tests of Abraham. If you follow his life and his encounters with God you will see that the Lord tried his faith and tested his worship in a way which seemed to contradict the gospel. However, in the end Abraham chose God over his family and received them and all of us as an eternal reward. Remember all is not as it appears to be for a purpose. This life is a maze; a puzzle and a scavenger hunt which we must figure out with a little help from our friends the prophets. The tests keep coming and they don’t seem fair, but like it or not you are in it to win it.

My heart and prayers go out to your friend and his family. Our lives are riddled with sorrows and joys, but in the end if we endure well the power of the Savior’s atonement will wash away all our sins, wipe away all our tears and heal all our wounds. This I know to be true.

Intellect vs Faith

2006-01-22T15:08:00.000-08:00

I agree with this quote from Joseph F. Smith:

“God has revealed to us a simple and effectual way of serving Him, and we should regret very much to see the simplicity of those revelations involved in all sorts of philosophical speculations. If we encouraged them it would not be long before we should have a theological scholastic aristocracy in the Church, and we should therefore not enjoy the brotherhood that now is, or should be common to rich and poor, learned and unlearned among the Saints.”

For Joseph Smith said:

"The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the apostles and prohets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven: and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.” (History of the Church,3:30.)

I think sometimes simple faith reveals greater knowledge than higher intellect. Remember Lucifer was a brilliant son in heaven, but this higher knowledge allowed his ego to feed his pride into false reasoning. It is a trap that is very inviting in intellectual circles to enter in, but once your ego is fatten the hole is often to small for many to get back out.

In June 1972 while in the Mission home in SLC I had the honor of receiving my Endowment in the Salt Lake Temple. Following that event our missionary group was invite to the 5th floor of the Temple in the Priesthood assembly area to hear President Lee give a short talk and do some Q&A. During the Q&A time I got to ask President Lee a question. I asked how Adam & Eve were literally created. It was quiet in the Temple before I asked that question, but a greater hush went through the crowd after I asked. To me it was an honest humble sincere request, but to the majority of the missionaries they thought I was out of line. President Lee saw my heart and answered it was a scripture as he answered all the questions that day by opening the books before us. The answer was we learn that answer in the future. What happened after the meeting is more important. I stayed behind with a few other Elders to shake hands with President Lee. He was very friendly and asked us to walk out with him. As we entered the hallway he stopped and put his arm around my shoulders and said, “Elder ‘Old Charley’ I want you always to remember this.” He turned me around and point to a spot in the Temple and said, ” This is the very spot that the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to the Prophet Lorrenso Snow while he was praying in this Temple.” He then announced to those around us that the Lord Jesus Christ has walked and does walk the halls of this Temple.

Open Letters on My Life

2006-01-21T18:19:00.000-08:00

Just read your book, most inspiring. I got the link by reading a review
of Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling on theTimes and Seasons site. We
are of the same generation, much I could relate to.

Certainly there is much more than you are now saying, and it is shorter
than the topic deserves, but the length was very inviting. So though I
am sure I missed out on much of the details you left out, I am elevated
by what I did read. A New Friend.

My Response:
Thank you for your kind words. Yes many things are not written because our language can not do justice to the things the Lord has shared with me. They fall under the category of "forbidden or unspeakable". I tried the best I could to write about things I couldn't speak. Many think Isaiah is difficult to read or understand, however from what I've experienced Isaiah writes it the clearest. With that in mind my writing style falls somewhere in between Nephi's plainness and Isaish's symbols.

It is difficult to be a normal member having experienced the things I wrote about as a nonmember and the many things that have happened since. As you have read you can see how I can really relate to Joseph Smith. I many times feel like David of old who was anointed in his youth to be king, but spend years in the wilderness until his time arrived. I write openly to you as I continue to reflect upon all the Lord has told and shown me.

In life there is something called the test of Abraham. When the Lord walks with you he also talks with you and continues to test you. The test aren't always fair by our standards nor do they always follow gospel standards as we see them. Such was the case when the Lord asked Abraham to sacrifice his son and Joseph was sold into Egypt. Where more is given the tests are greater.

The movie, "The Game" starring Michael Douglas is a good example of this strange paradox.

I'm in the game of the gospel and the Lord is calling the shots, but like you I'm never quite know for sure what's behind the next door in my mortal life. The tests never end until the end and yet I've been blessed to see that end. The fact still remains I must endure to the end. I love the Lord, his Church and his people, but all is not well in Zion. People like me must hide our greater light and live in the shadows to a certain degree lease our greater light blind the unbelievers. That is not my desire. I desire to bring people to Christ into the greater light. The web gives me a great outlet to speak the greater things of my heart more openly than I can at Church. You can see I fly around from site to site dropping a bread crumb here and there in hopes that others will grow in faith so they too can see into the greater light.

On another note I'm pretty good at playing normal and quietly doing the basic things in life to keep food on the table and the local branch growing in the programs of the Church. I'm the Branch President of a very small unite of a very diverse group of NY saints. We are a mix of humble people that have gathered from Jamaica, Peru, the Philippines and Manhattan. We are small in numbers, but rich in heart and the Lord has blest us with his Spirit of Love.

It does me good to write and reflect and count my many blessings as I prepare for that future which shall surely come. Thanks so much for reading and believing the things I wrote. They are true as sure as the sun shines in the heavens and the waves of the oceans break upon the sea shores. God shall bless you with greater things than eyes can see or ears can hear because you have a believing heart.

Moroni 7:
[27] Wherefore, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven, and hath sat down on the right hand of God, to claim of the Father his rights of mercy which he hath upon the children of men?
[29] And because he hath done this, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men.
[35] And now, my beloved brethren, if this be the case that these things are true which I have spoken unto you, and God will show unto you, with power and great glory at the last day, that they are true, and if they are true has the day of miracles ceased?
[37] Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain.

I plan to retire in July after my youngest son graduates HS the Lord willing. I say that because two years ago when my company offered early out and I was ready to go the Good Lord in Heaven stopped me. I'll take any extra few moments to tell you this story because it is just as unbelievable as most stories in my life. We love Florida and vacation there when we can. As soon as I realized I could retire we started to focus our goals on moving to Florida. We are beach people and love the salty sea. So I told the Lord I've had enough of NY, the endless traffic, the high taxes, the $WK mortgage and the hard hearted stiff neck people and that I was going to retire and move to Florida unless he stopped me. I wrote my friends (Mar. 04) telling them my new goal: "We are moving to Florida if the Lord is willing and the creek don't rise."

In April of 2004 we went on vacation to the Keys. During our first day down there I got a phone call from my District President in NY to come to his office for an interview the following week. I than began to pray to the Lord that this wasn't one of those calling that I couldn't refuse. I began to bargain and I told the Lord if you let me go I'll live in Orlando near the Temple and do missionary work by the Theme Parks. However, when we got back to NY and I had the interview nothing was mentioned about a calling. I felt relieved and continued to make plans to sell the house and retire. A week later I was called in for another interview in which the President probed me more about my plans. Again nothing was asked and I hoped I was free. No such luck. A few days later I got called in his office again and this time he talked about the calling and how the Lord keeps telling him I'm the one he wants to be Branch President in the Long Beach Branch. He asked what I thought of this. I said, President I want to retire and move to Florida, but I'll do what the Lord wants. I shared the e mail I had sent my friends a month earlier, "We are moving to Florida if the Lord is willing and the creek don't rise." He than told me he would go back and pray about with his counselors to be sure. A week later he came back to me and said they all got the same answer the Lord wants you. Than he asked if I want to pray about. I said no. I know the answer. I challenged the Lord and he stopped me. I'll obey the Lord and serve where he wants me to. I was set apart as the Branch President of the Long Beach, June 27, 2004 and am grateful the Lord stopped me.

If you remember that was the summer the Lord hit Florida with 4 hurricanes one was named Charlie and another Francis. They crisscrossed Florida in an X. The creek did rise! I might be slow, but I'm not stupid. The Good Lord has crossed off Florida from my happy retirement list. So where am I heading after June? SLC and Happy Valley like it or not. We went to GC last April and the Lord whispered in my ear this valley will be your new home. I'm ready, but I don't know if SLC is.

Writing all this helps me to deal with the unreality of my life and I thank you again for showing interest in the things that are near and dear to my heart.
Peace,
Charlie