Sunday, May 20, 2012

Spiritual Experiences and Henry Jolley


Several weeks ago the Sunday School Teacher in my ward asked us to think about a spiritual experience we had had.  I didn't get an opportunity to share one because so many people raised their hands.  But I immediately thought back to my college days and the first temple sealing I was ever invited to attend.  It was the wedding of my roommate Chuck and his bride Cindy in the Salt Lake Temple.  We were all seated in the sealing room when the sealer walked in.  I do not remember his name or what he looked like; but, I do remember most of everything he said:  "Brothers and sisters, there are angels present in this room today."  At that very moment, the spirit bore witness to my soul that what he had said was true.  I looked around but I didn't see any.  But I knew they were there.  The sealer continued by quoting from memory the first ten verses of Job chapter 1.

 1. There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

2.  And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.

3.  His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

4.  And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.

5.  And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

6.  Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.

7.  And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

8.  And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

9.  Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

10.  Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

He explained that in these verses Satan was complaining to the Lord that he a was not able to temple Job because the Lord had made a hedge about he and his family and Satan could not get through.

The sealer then quoted from memory 1 Peter 4:8.  However, hew quoted from the Joseph Smith Translation which says: "And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall prevent the multitude of sins."

He then asked Chuck if he knew the connection between the two scriptures.  Chuck was too nervous to speak so the sealer gave the answer.  The charity mentioned in 1 Peter was the hedge mentioned in Job 1:10.  The reason Satan could not influence Job or his family was the charity or love that existed there.  He then encouraged Chuck and Cindy to build such a hedge around their family.  As he spoke these words the Spirit again bore testimony to my soul that they were true and I have never forgot them.  May you all remember them also.

I had another experience this week that I consider spiritual that I would like to share with you all.  On Wednesday, I had a PET Scan scheduled at the City of Hope Hospital.  My daughter-in-law, Melissa, who is about 25 weeks pregnant, took me, as she charitably has to all of my appointments there.  We arrived at 6 a.m.  I went in to get set up.  One of the first things the technician did was take my blood sugar.  It was way high, over 300.  (Too many chocolate milk shakes, I guess.)  They told me they could not do the test unless it was under 200. We were sent home and I was scheduled to come back at 8:15 a.m. on Saturday.  Friday night I stayed overnight in the hospital to have some more chemo.  Arrangements were made for my son David to pick me up Saturday morning.  At the end of my PET Scan (blood sugar was 163) the technician told me I would be radioactive for 5 hours and not to be around any pregnant women.  No one said anything about that on Wednesday.  I believe the Lord was watching out for Melissa and her yet to be born little girl.

I will now relate what I consider to be an spiritual experience that involves Henry Jolley, years after he died.  The following is from the Jolley Book that was given to me by Grandma Ethel. 

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In the end, the mortal body of Henry Jolley was given the respect it deserved.  It was not plowed under to become the end of a cul-de-sac.  Rather it was buried  in the Provo City Cemetery near other deceased family members where one day it will rise in resurrection with those other family members who are buried near by.  Indeed, it will be a great reunion.


Sunday, May 13, 2012

My Mother - Lois Fae Linnebach Rampton


I don't know whether or not it is appropriate to share the contents of your Patriarchal Blessing, especially in a public forum.  But I am going to do it to make at point.  My Patriarchal Blessing says that I was able to choose my parents in our pre-mortal existence.  I don't know if that is true for everyone (the scriptures are silent on the subject) but for me it is.  This fact teaches me three things.  First:  I knew my mother before coming to this earth.  Second:  she was a great person (at least I thought so), so much so that I chose her to get me started on my mortal probation and teach me good from evil.  Third:  having agency, she cared enough about me to accept the calling as my mother.  The same goes for my Dad.  I wish that when I was growing up I had that same perspective.  Indeed, my mother, Lois Fae Linnebach Rampton, was a great woman in the pre-mortal existence.  She was a great person during her mortal existence.  And I am sure she is doing a great work in the afterlife. (There are probably many things that need gold leafing there.)


A few weeks ago when cleaning out the rumpus room I found an old photo album that had pictures of Mom that I had never seen before.  Also, I found some old 3 x 5 cards that had recipes written on them in her own handwriting.  So, to honor her on this Mothers Day, I share with you below, those photos and recipes.  Be sure to try them out.
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Lois age 2

Lois Age 8 3rd from left with siblings and cousins (Uncle Glen is standing next to her)

Lois in middle early teens


Lois 2nd from right early teens

Lois and her brother Gary

Lois on left with two girlfriends

Lois and girlfriend (Bonnie Manley ?)

Lois on right

1957 Lois holding Richard and Charlie in fire truck

Lois back row on right holding Jim.  Roger is on right in front row.  Picture taken at Grandma Ethel's house

Lois in middle

Grandpa holding Richard.  Charlie on right. 1956.

Easy Dessert from Lorainne Johnson

Aunt Janet's Chocolate Chip Cookies

Jello Cottage Cheese Salad

Layer Bars friom Grandma Ethel

Lois's Oatmeal Cookies

Lois's Zucchini Bead

Sunt Louise's Zucchini Bread

Aunt Maureen's Oh Henry Bars

Marci Meyers Rocky Road Fudge

Xmas Feuit Cake from Grandma Ethel

Zucchini Cookies

Zucchini Drop Cookies