Notebook Tidbit

From the notebook 30 October 2016:

Teaching true doctrine is like serving a thick delicious sandwich--there are layers; it is filling to those who partake, and it's nutritious. Unlike a "twinkie" or other fake food.

Part of the Sunday School Lesson I Didn't Get to Give

A big snowstorm passed through Minnesota on Sunday and our little branch cancelled church. We drove north and attended with our daughter at her ward. 

This is just an insight I gained as I pondered the lesson material, but didn't get to share with any class.

We must be born again to enter the Kingdom of God

ASK – What happens when we are “born again”?

Let’s compare a new born baby and a new born Christian.

A baby learns to walk and talk like his parents.

A Christian learns to walk and talk like Jesus

How do babies learn to walk?

They crawl, scoot, walk with assistance, then walk alone. They fall down a lot! But they never give up, they watch others and believe (have faith) that they can walk too.

How do babies learn to talk?

By listening, imitating, trying, making lots of mistakes; listening some more and never giving up.

Perhaps this is what Jesus was referring to when he commanded us to become like little children in learning to become like Him. We must keep trying and never give up; we must keep watching Him and listening to Him (by studying the scriptures and words of modern prophets), and imitating Him until His ways are internalized and become utterly effortless and natural to us.

Another Nugget

From the notebook:

25 September 2016
It takes more and more to feel the thrill of an adrenaline rush; on the other hand, as we become more spiritual, it takes less and less to feel the joy of the Spirit. 


Which reminds me of something I heard while serving a mission.

"Physical anticipation is almost always greater than physical realization; spiritual realization is almost always greater than spiritual anticipation." (From a cassette tape titled '24 Hour Missionary')

As We Prepare for Testimony Meeting

From the Notebook:

7 February 2016
Can we hear some testimonies instead of storymonies, health reports, lectures, talks, etc.?
We need to be strengthened by strong, firm witnesses of the truth!

Another Notebook Entry

24 May 2015   I keep hearing "The Lord has His own timeline for us." Today I remembered what President [LeGrand R.] Curtis taught us. "Heavenly Father's goal for us can be brought about only with our full cooperation." Perhaps His timeline would move more quickly [and smoothly] if we were more closely living in harmony with His will.

I served in the Florida Tallahassee Mission under President Curtis from February 1979 to July 1980.