Quotes from The Mortal Messiah,by Bruce R McConkie.
     Providentially a gracious Father endows all his children with the Light of Christ, that righteous power and influence which proceeds forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space.  Part of this enlightening spirit is the universal gift of conscience; it causes unlearned and untaught people to do what is right by instinct.  But a gracious Father has also sent noble spirits and good men among all peoples to teach that measure of truth which they are able to bear, and to set such an example as their fellow mortals are capable of following.  These are the prophets and seers, the poets and philosophers, the sages and wise men, the leaders and influential persons found among all nations and kindreds.  And a gracious Father sent one Supreme Pattern and guide to be a light and an example for all men of all ages; he sent his Son.  Christ is our Pattern, our Exemplar, the great Prototype of all that is good and right and edifying.
     "What manner of men ought ye to be?" So asks our great Exemplar of his Nephite disciples.  His own answer:  "Verily I say unto you, even as I am." Manifestly, if we emulate him so that his way of life becomes ours, we shall qualify for the same glory and exaltation that is his, for "when he shall appear, we shall be like him."
     Can we present the best role models by exposing & feeding our children the likes of Homer Simpson, etc?  Whose example are you giving your children and yourselves today?  Please consider  your responsibility for the feeding of your children's souls carefully.  Whose example are your giving them to follow?

Finding Solutions

I have found two articles published in the Ensign magazine, our church's publication, that have addressed two issues near & dear to my heart.  The first, "Questions and Answers", is about becoming 'cycle breakers' in our own family lives.  This is and always has been one the most important focuses of my life.  This is an issue I have struggled with all my life.  I recognize that we are all products of our environments, but I've always wanted to have an effective change not only in attitude, but also in execution of day to day life patterns.  This first article has given me hope.

The second, "Conversion is the Key," is about the effect of positive pattern setting; the 'ripple' effect of our lives choices.  It more or less dove-tails from the first article.

I highly recommend them to any/all who are struggling to make effective changes in their own lives and the lives of their families.
Happy Reading!
http://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/06/questions-and-answers?lang=eng

http://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/06/conversion-was-the-key?lang=eng

Heaven

HEAVEN

I had the sweetest experience this week in a dream. Dreams are so subjective & therefore meaningless, I think, in sharing with others that I hesitate to even try. However, I have something of value to share with those who have ears willing to hear.

They say that 'everyone' you encounter in a dream is really just a facet of your personality, but I say, how can a dream evolve if all the actors are just you? It would be impossible to have a dream without interaction to move the story along! The story line isn't important in this dream, but I hope to be able to convey the message and the feeling my dream.

I found myself outside in a place of huge, natural beauty, similar to the Pacific Northwest but magnificent in beauty beyond description. There was much construction activity all around me. I, myself, was 'shopping' for items to give to my daughter for her new home. However the setting, while opulent, was outside! I found a lovely inlaid lamp table, several fine china serving platters and fine crystal flutes. I was assured by the lady who helped me, and adored all that I had bought(?), that they would be delivered to my daughter's new home. I was then walking about this massive construction site (still all magnificent & huge) on my way to my daughter's to enjoy the new gifts & view her new home. Some of my extended family members & I were walking alongside a flowing creek as we carefully picked our way through the construction to my daughter's home.

I first experienced the home from the interior. The walls I saw were constructed of red brick, but laid in a curving, fairy-tale like way. It reminded me of the homes lived in by the Hobbits in The Lord of the Ring, or Kincaid paintings, but a LOT more spacious! Now that I think about it, it seemed alot like a Kincaid painting, but the home and the surrounding scenery were ginormous!

We all then found ourselves outside gazing at the scenery all around us, in this woodsy, watery, mountainous, BEAUTIFUL place. And everyone there (as there were small crowds of people about) were all singing the same song. I realized that the whole time I had been in this dream, that all the people in the background were singing the same song all the time. It's melody was simple and I only heard one phrase being sung over and over again, "We just left yesterday. We just left yesterday!" That is when I realized the full import of the dream. I HAVE NEVER FELT SUCH PEACE & JOY AS I FELT IN THIS PLACE. And everyone there was so overjoyed to be BACK, that the song in their hearts was, 'We just left yesterday!' It seemed to mean that we were NOW back to a place that we had left only the day before, but now we all returned to the place from which we all came-a place where we belonged-home.

How does one describe a feeling? Love, peace & joy literally FLOWED through this place & through everyone's heart. I woke up literally singing the song. I even woke up Tony and tried to tell him about the experience and sing him the song! Even with my sorry singing voice, I could repeat it perfectly, for the music pitched up on the second phrase to make it slightly different from the first. I can remember now, days later, but as dreams often fade, I don't know how long I will be able to hear the tune and repeat it?

I prayed to ask my Heavenly Father if I had experienced a little piece of Heaven and He confirmed to me that I had. I was in a place of beauty with my loved ones where love constantly, naturally, flowed unheeded.

It was an experience of blessing. I will pray that I can regain that same sense of Heavenly existence at will in the future.

The question that had been flowing through my mind weeks previous to this experience was, "I wonder what Heaven looks like?" I have an answer that was even better than my question---now I know what Heaven feels like! I want to go there with all my loved ones. I look forward to us all sharing this wonderful place one fine day.

Merry Christmas!

Ernie Smith's Baptism

This is an email I received from my daughter, Patti Sue. On Friday, Nov 4, 2011, she, with her children Jake and Jane, traveled to Rexburg, ID, for a speaking assignment Patti had with EFY, Especially For Youth---a youth centered organization supported by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Patti has a presentation that she shares with the youth of the Church wherever and whenever there is a need and she has the time and availability. I have never been able to attend her presentation so I know only that it is centered on Rob's (her late husband) life and passing. I have been told, however, that she provides a moving & memorable experience that leaves a profound impression on the youth.
The LDS Church purports the practice of the ancient teaching of baptizing for the dead. My children, John David and Patti, have been planning and preparing to perform this Gospel Ordinance for my dad, Ernie Smith. Since J.D. and his family live in Rexburg and there is a Latter Day Temple in Rexburg, they determined to go forward with the Temple Ordination for my dad. It works by a male person acting as proxy for my dad (females act as proxy for female persons) being baptized in his name by one having the ancient Priesthood authority. You may enter a Temple and perform proxy baptisms for the dead when you reach the minimum age of twelve and have been interviewed and pronounced worthy by your local Bishop to enter the Temple. I am proud to say that my grandson, Jake Epperson, is such a youth and my daughter and my son also are Temple worthy individuals. The three of them went to the Rexburg Temple (while sweet daughter-in-law, Tasha, stayed home with Patti's baby Jane) to perform the baptism for my dad Friday evening. J.D. did the actual baptism and Jake acted as proxy for my dad.
We firmly believe that this life on earth is a step in the evolution of humankind throughout eternity. We believe that we are expected to perform all the Gospel ordinances while in this earthly stage of our existence. We also subscribe to the ancient practice of performing proxy ordinances for our dead progenitors, who did not have these ordinations performed for themselves while living on earth. We feel that we are performing a service for them that they cannot now do for themselves. And since we feel a love for our ancestors, we love to do what we can for them that we believe will aid them in their eternal progression.
I cannot express or contain the love, pride and appreciation that I have for all my children and grandchilren. ALL of them are jewels in my crown---they each bring us all joy! My family is simply The Best! Enjoy Patti's message.

Mom,
Last night was so amazing. Jake only wanted to come up here to do
grandpa's work. We got there early (the Temple) and sat in the chapel and talked to Jake about memories we had of grandpa. We told him different stories and just gave
Jake a closeness to his great grandpa. Jake of course remembers his funeral and
still has the bullet shells from the military salute. A member of the temple
presidency came in to talk to the youth and he talked about how this youth is
continuing the missionary (work) their dead ancestors are doing in the spirit world. I
told Jake there was no doubt in my mind that his dad taught grandpa in the
spirit world and that is why now grandpa was excepting the gospel and how great
it was for Jake to continue the work for his dad. The spirit was so strong and I
could not control my tears of joy. Jake said to me afterwards that he always
want(ed) to be at the temple. He is such a great boy with a strong testimony. It was
a beautiful experience and (I) was grateful to be a part of it.
Love Patti sue