Happy 64th Anniversary Grandma and Grandpa!!!

64 years... how wonderful is that? you've been such a blessing to us all and we love you bunches!

big hugs and loves!

dad...!

what a craaazzzzyyyy guy! you were challenged to put yourself in your dad's place with,
'now think...where were your dad hide the flag...'
and a couple of breaths later-
you opened the box with the flag!
yes, that was fun.

tonight i'm thinking about you, dad. i just want you to know that. everything is going to be A O K.
LOVE YOU TONS AND BIG HUGS...!!

p.s. there should be no doubt from where i get my ham-y-ness. (let's look no further)

utah and bryce canyon...:)

i had a fabulously wonderful time... and will write more about the trip in a post tomorrow.

love you all!

FLDS view, pt. 2

i've noticed that quite a few readers are from areas in the states that are high in FLDS population. i'm surmising that you are from the FLDS community.

when i think about our two religions- and how we began together- i wonder about the differences in our beliefs now and how these differences came to be.

we both (FLDS and LDS) began with the belief that Joseph Smith read the Bible searching for an answer to a question: which church is true?

Joseph began with attending various meetings. any personal discussion that he had regarding his quest led to prejudiced answers: each pastor, preacher, bishop, etc. proclaimed that his own church was the church to join.

Joseph read that he must ask of God. and then he did just that.

we, together know, that Joseph then received an answer that would change his life- and yours and mine forever.

when i look, as an outsider, into your troubles- i wonder where the concept of seeking personal revelation is within your church.

Joseph did not stop praying after he received his answer that day in the grove. and more importantly, he encouraged every man, woman, and child to pray and receive truth for themselves.

from my point of view, it appears that your congregation acts in blind faith and blind obedience. Joseph never would have asked for blind faith or obedience. it goes against everything he taught.

if you don't think, or ask or pray for yourselves,then you become a prime target for unrighteous dominion.

i worry for you and your families. i imagine that many of you are loving, hard working families that have no desire to see your children taken away or harmed by members of your community.

i wouldn't either!

i've been taught to hear what our prophet and leaders teach us and then turn to God to receive a personal confirmation of what is being taught.

many times faithful, God fearing people become lost because they don't think to have their own testimony on the concept.

man can and will mislead you. God wouldn't. and certainly, a true prophet of God would not mislead you either.

that is my testimony of a universal truth for the two of us.

taylor has graduated!!!

We're very excited about it too!
last night i went to a baptism... and as i was walking to the font, our ward mission leader said hi and then mentioned it was nice to see me there. and then he inquired,
'isn't it neat that this all began with taylor?'
i mentioned before about the young man that had discussions in our home because of tay inviting him to church and then bearing his testimony that sunday.
this young man, adam, read the book of mormon and was very enthusiastic about the whole mormon culture thing. but adam is conflicted with believing in a God. and being conflicted, it was hard for him to believe in prayer. adam is still close to the church (and is in utah preparing to go to school there) (he doesn't seem to see his path will lead him to baptism :). adam, being excited about his discussions, shared his enthusiasm with another young man, stephen.
it took a very short time for stephen to gain a strong testimony. while mom was here visiting, stephen was baptized. his mom came for support- and soon began taking the discussions herself. and yesterday i witnessed stephen, a newly ordained priest, baptize his mother.
it was a very sweet meeting.
taylor is doing great. on wed. evening he went to his interviews with the Bishop and Stake Pres. to prepare for receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood. Taylor will be ordained sunday evening by his father along with the support of some very close ward family.
the next step is receiving his patriarchal blessing- which will happen upon our return from summer vacation, and then taylor's papers will be ready for submittal for his mission.
and just like that- my little 9 lb baby... sweet toddler... smart boy, impressive young man, becomes an Elder.
i'm so grateful.


2 CommentsClose this window Jump to comment form

Mustang Suzie said...
Okay, I'm crying! Taylor IS a wonderful missionary already. It will be fun to share his experiences when he goes on his mission. I am so happy that Stephen's mother joined the church also. I had the feeling that she would as I watched her at Stephen's baptism. How great!! Thanks for sharing, Rhonda. Taylor will always be your baby. That part just doesn't change. :-) Mom
July 11, 2008 3:15 PM
Dani said...
I love this story!! What a wonderful experience for everyone involved. Taylor, we are so proud of you! Congrats in everything!! Can't wait to see you all!
July 11, 2008 4:25 PM