Lesson on Listening to Counsel

Church History Gems


What Have I Lost?

Posted: 27 Aug 2010 12:00 AM PDT
"Brother [Thomas B.] Marsh was one of the first modern-day Apostles . . . . He eventually became President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles."While the Saints were in Far West, Missouri, Elizabeth Marsh, Thomas's wife, and her friend Sister Harris decided they would exchange milk in order to make more cheese than they otherwise could. . . . They agreed that they should not save what were called the strippings. . . . Strippings came at the end of the milking and were richer in cream."Sister Harris was faithful to the agreement, but Sister Marsh, desiring to make some especially delicious cheese, saved a pint of strippings from each cow and sent Sister Harris the milk without the strippings. This caused the two women to quarrel. . . . The matter was referred to the home teachers to settle. They found Elizabeth Marsh guilty of failure to keep her agreement. She and her husband were upset with the decision, and the matter was then referred to the bishop for a Church trial. The bishop's court decided that the strippings were wrongfully saved. . . ."Thomas Marsh appealed to the high council, and the men comprising this council confirmed the bishop's decision. He then appealed to the First Presidency of the Church. Joseph Smith and his counselors considered the case and upheld the decision of the high council."Elder Thomas B. Marsh, who sided with his wife through all of this, became angrier with each successive decision—so angry, in fact, that he went before a magistrate and swore that the Mormons were hostile toward the state of Missouri. . . ."After 19 years of rancor and loss, Thomas B. Marsh made his way to the Salt Lake Valley and asked President Brigham Young for forgiveness. . . . Said Brother Marsh: 'The Lord could get along very well without me and He . . . lost nothing by my falling out of the ranks; But O what have I lost?! Riches, greater riches than all this world or many planets like this could afford' (Thomas B. Marsh to Heber C. Kimball, May 5, 1857, Brigham Young Collection, Church History Library)."

Thomas S. Monson, "School Thy Feelings, O My Brother," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 68

By a Small and Simple Thing--

"14-year-old Scout believed missing in the Uintas is found at home"
I read an article in the Deseret News, online. I could not help but to respond and make a comment.

It seems that a fourteen year old boy, a Venture Scout very likely was on a trip with his father who was the leader. He told him to "go away" because he was having a disagreement with one of the other five boys on this trip.

The boy decided to walk out of the camp in the Uintas, call his mom and go home. Well, the boy was missed and the area was searched. The boy, in the meantime was picked up by a family and taken to where he could call his mother to pick him up.

All this time, though no one knew where the boy was. His father, by now was probably frantic and not wanted to call his wife to tell her, his son was missing, right?


Well, reading this article brought back a memory of an experience I had with one of Michael's Venture Leader, David Broadbent. The following comment tells briefly my recollection.

I can remember as a single-mom, one scout leader telling me when my boys were that age, "Dead or Alive, we will bring back your son." That was NOT funny, (to me). This was the day before a 14, 15 year old group of boys were going to Wind Rivers.

I woke up the next morning hearing those words in my mind. I bolted out of bed and told my 14 year son. I told him how I felt, but left it up to him to decide of whether to go or not.

He knelt by his bed and I went to my room. He came back about ten minutes later and gave me his answer. It was to get a priesthood blessing from his oldest brother. I called him and we went @ 4:30 am to the brother's house.

He was safe,and felt much divine guidance,a great experience after all.

This was a spiritual experience for my son and he learned to listen and pray over his life situations, and his mission.


Michael told me that he felt his grandpa McIntire there with him on his trip. He wore Grandpa's hat on the trip to protect him from the sun. I think Grandpa did more than protect him from the sun. I know he watched over him and gave him guidance as Michael told me, he knew where to make each step as his group moved up and down the hills and steep inclines on the trail. The clouds were circled around leaving an open space for the sun to shine and not rain on them a lot of the time.

I am grateful that my prayers were answered, my son was safe and had a great spiritual experience at the same time. Michael grew a foot taller that day spiritually and I was so grateful I let him make his own decision of whether to go with his leaders and friends on that trip.

"Discipline is the Soul of An Army"

The above quote was stated by General George Washington.


What General Washington would look like in a military uniform today. . . Would we recognize him if we saw him like this? Wig and all.

Introduction from The Power of Discipline
By Brian Tracy

Why are some people more successful than others? Why do some people make more money, live happier lives and accomplish much more in the same number of years than the great majority?

I started out in life with few advantages. I did not graduate from high school. I worked at menial jobs. I had limited education, limited skills and a limited future.

And then I began asking, "Why are some people more successful than others?" This question changed my life.

Over the years, I have read thousands of books and articles on the subjects of success and achievement. It seems that the reasons for these accomplishments have been discussed and written about for more than two thousand years, in every conceivable way. One quality that most philosophers, teachers and experts agree on is the importance of self-discipline. As Al Tomsik summarized it years ago, "Success is tons of discipline."

Some years ago, I attended a conference in Washington. It was the lunch break and I was eating at a nearby food fair. The area was crowded and I sat down at the last open table by myself, even though it was a table for four.

A few minutes later, an older gentleman and a younger woman who was his assistant came along carrying trays of food, obviously looking for a place to sit.

With plenty of room at my table, I immediately arose and invited the older gentleman to join me. He was hesitant, but I insisted. Finally, thanking me as he sat down, we began to chat over lunch.

It turned out that his name was Kop Kopmeyer. As it happened, I immediately knew who he was. He was a legend in the field of success and achievement. Kop Kopmeyer had written four large books, each of which contained 250 success principles that he had derived from more than fifty years of research and study. I had read all four books from cover to cover, more than once.

After we had chatted for awhile, I asked him the question that many people in this situation would ask, "Of all the one thousand success principles that you have discovered, which do you think is the most important?"

He smiled at me with a twinkle in his eye, as if he had been asked this question many times, and replied, without hesitating, "The most important success principle of all was stated by Thomas Huxley many years ago. He said, "Do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not."

He went on to say, "There are 999 other success principles that I have found in my reading and experience, but without self-discipline, none of them work."

Self-discipline is the key to personal greatness. It is the magic quality that opens all doors for you, and makes everything else possible. With self-discipline, the average person can rise as far and as fast as his talents and intelligence can take him. But without self-discipline, a person with every blessing of background, education and opportunity will seldom rise above mediocrity.

In the pages ahead I will describe seven areas of your life where the practice of self-discipline will be key to your success. These areas include goals, character, time management, personal health, money, courage and responsibility. It is my hope that you'll find a few "nuggets" that will help make your dreams come true.
Mac Anderson

Mexican Train~ A New Way To Play Dominoes

Mexican Train. That is what they call it. I heard about this game of dominoes just the other day for the first time. Bestafar, aka Pete, played that game endlessly and up until the last few days before he passed. It was his favorite board type game to play with anyone and everyone who would face his challenge.


After dinner at Hank's the kids, Lynn and Linda brought out the game. I never knew what they called Mexican Train. I had played Chicken Foot, as Tara's months ago for the first time around Thanksgiving last year. The rules are a little different. Each person gets a small, different colored, rubber-like replica of a train to identify their place on the board.


It was fun and think I could actually get the hang of it. I will look for one of those games. Not to be left out, I will get one and teach it to Aaron and the kids. He said he didn't know how to play Dominoes. How neglectful can that be?

The future is bright to teach him and have him become a champion at it. I like the idea of getting the kids interested in playing the "Mexican Train," game.

Top Ten List from High School~

1961--It was a very good year. The year I graduated from Fullerton Union High School

1.

Surrender
Elvis Presley

2.

A Hundred Pounds Of Clay
Gene Mcdaniels

3.

Apache
Jorgen Lngmann

4.

Calcutta
Lawrence Welk

5.

Dedicated To The One I L...
The Shirelles

6.

Exodus
Ferrante and Teicher

7.

Hello Mary Lou
Ricky Nelson

8.

I Don't Know Why But I D...
Clarence 'Frog Man' Henr...

9.

I Fall To Pieces
Patsy Cline

10.

I Love How You Love Me
Paris Sisters

I thought I would post these from my high school class of 1961. I will see if I can get them posted as the music selections on this blog to reminisce the "oldies."

Condolences to Family of Glenn Burt

A great man, patriarch, and loving individual. He was known as "Bestafar" by my grandchildren, and all of the rest of our family. Will not forget his sense of humor. I am thankful my own Father(and Mother) got to know him. His life has come and gone, and now takes him into the eternities. I cherish the memories of him, and his dear, eternal companion and wife, Esther. They were the maternal grandparents to Lori (McIntire), my oldest son's wife. My condolences to his children, grandchildren etc. Until we meet again, my friend, at the feet of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Quote From Abraham Lincoln

I liked this saying by Abe Lincoln and wanted to share it today.


"I feel the hand of God on me leading me down better roads than I would have taken alone."

"Even better shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me." Psalms 139:10

Turning The Page At The End of An Era

Remembering Bestafar~

Glenn Burt, 1919-2010, patriarch of his family. He turned 90 in October last year.


Today, can be said was perhaps the end of an era in the lives of some of my grandchildren, who have had to let go and say good bye to Bestafar. Their Great-grandpa, Bestafar passed away this afternoon, in peace, surrounded by his loved ones.

I know the influence he and Bestamor in life was great. Their close knit family always made me and mine feel a part of their family circle and the love they have for one another. The first time I met Esther, aka Bestamor, which means great-grandmother in Norwegian was a a bridal shower for Lori, her granddaughter who married son, Hank back twenty two years ago this month.

She welcomed me with open arms, literally and a kiss on the lips. She always had such an endearing way about her, that I liked/loved her instantly. She and "Pete," as she called him, were the perfect example of charity and service. He was a non-member when I met them. They had been married almost fifty years at the time.

Pete was so attached to his great-grandchildren, that he made up his mind he did not want to go into eternity without them. So, he was baptized a member of the Church and made his family forever, and were sealed in the temple. What a joy for Esther, I am sure. Such a great pair, always loving and kind to one another.

I appreciate the life he stood for. He was the same age as my own father. They became acquainted as well and always welcomed him into their home when we would visit.

He is now with his sweet wife, Esther. I can only imagine their great reunion after being apart of almost 2 1/2 years.

Angels Watching Over Us

The other day, I received a text with a photo from my daughter, Tara of their van.

She and her family and been in an accident on the interstate, 1-15 around 5:00 pm.

They were hit from the rear and had been sitting still in traffic.

Not even five minutes before, one of the kids told Tara that Allie didn't have her seat belt on. Tara immediately had her buckle up. She had just done that when a few minutes later, booooooommmm, came the crash from behind.

Tara also mentioned how the week before one of the girls had gone in for a physical and the family practitioner had taken the time to talk, really talk to them, like a "dad" would to his own children.

Interestingly enough, he went into great length about how important it was for then to ALWAYS wear seat belts in the car to be safe. What an inspired doctor, looking after his patients like he would his own child.

I counted my blessings many times, for the safety of ALL my children and grands, greats that day for sure! I know, I pray morning and night for the protection and safety of my children and theirs each day. I know my prayers were heard.