THE LAWYER WHO WAS NEVER KNOWN TO LIE (RON L. ANDERSEN): He's always been inspired by Abraham Lincoln and how he handled situations in a Christlike manner. He as a good lawyer if you were on the right side of justice, but if he talked to you and felt your cause was not just, he would refuse to take your case. He saw being a lawyer as a great opportunity to help people and do good. His main motivation was not making money. He was always reading the Bible. He knew the Bible so well he could quote obscure passages. A woman was on her deathbed and Lincoln was helping her finalize her estate. He was kindly and compassionate with her. They really connected. She asked him to read to her from the Bible. He didn't pick up the Bible, but just started quoting scriptures from memory. This surprised those around him, who knew that he didn't associate with any church. The only thing that frustrated Lincoln was when he couldn't remember something, so he worked hard to concentrate and retain what he learned. He was fair and kindly and trusted. He taught himself law. He didn't have the money to attend law school. He read law books that fell into his hands. He was elected captain of his militia at age 23. He was elected to Illinois State Legislature at age 25. "My politics are short and sweet like the old woman's dance." He was the leading Whig in Illinois Legislature at age 28. He spent years campaigning for others. Lincoln would discourage litigation. He said that some legal rights are moral wrongs. He was the worst lawyer when the client was guilty. Many people were poor and couldn't pay legal fees, but Lincoln would take the cases anyway. It didn't seem to bother him that he didn't always get paid. He had an adequate home, but it wasn't as nice as the homes that other lawyers lived in. He could not argue falsely. If he felt a client was guilty he could not represent them as a good lawyer was supposed to do. He often charged nothing. He was not known to sue for his fees. A man paid him $25 for his services. Lincoln replied: "You must think I'm a high priced man. Fifteen dollars is enough for the job. I send you a receipt for fifteen dollars and return you a ten dollar bill." Quickly paid over collected debts to his clients. His example of integrity inspired others to be more honest. He was a very busy lawyer--5,173 cases, 3,170 debt and creditor, 400+ appeals before the Illinois Supreme Court. In politics he would never mislead. Lincoln was the most honest man they had ever known. He could not reason falsely; that if he attempted it he failed; and that, at the bar, when he thought he was wrong he was the weakest lawyer they ever knew. Other lawyers got upset with him for charging low fees. At trial, he seldom objected like most attorneys. Lincoln reckoned that it would be fair to let a piece of evidence in that his opponent could not completely prove. If he did object, and the court overrules him, Lincoln would say that he reckoned that he must be wrong. Lincoln was giving away points he could not win. Instead, he would focus on carrying the main point and with it the case. Any man who took Lincoln for a simple-minded man would very soon wake up with his back in a ditch. Lincoln didn't like to get contentious. A farmer sold his ox to some young men who were not of legal age. The farmer took the young men to court. Their lawyer argued that according to the law, they were not liable to pay, since they were minors. Lincoln agreed with that, said it was true. Then he looked the jury in the eye and said that the lawyers of the young men were correct--they were not legally obligated to pay, according to the law. However, he pointed out that a good name was worth a lot and he did not want to tarnish the names of these young men. Besides that, the farmer deserved to be paid for his ox. They ruled in favor of the farmer and the young men thanked Lincoln for getting them to do the right thing. If Lincoln was in the middle of a trial and realized that his client had lied to him and was really guilty, he would simply walk out of the courtroom. Lincoln was part of the minority Whig Party. He made three tries for Congress: Elected 1847-1849. He was defeated by Stephen A. Douglas for the Senate. There was a 10 year gap between when he was in congress and when he was elected President of the United States. Lincoln's strategy: A powerful orator at Cooper's Union in New York. Give offense to no one. Leave them in a mood to come to us if they shall be compelled to give up their first choice. No clogs, no embarrassments; an honest man with due respect for the rights of the South, as well as the North. He won on integrity. He lost the 1858 senate race. Forgives Crittendon a Whig for supporting Douglas. You have done nothing dishonorable. Crittendon and other opponents support Lincoln's Presidential campaign. "The condemned close all avenues to his heart and mind." He tried to avoid condemning people. "Let reverence for the laws become the political religion of the nations." He wasn't an abolitionist. The Constitution allowed for slavery. But in the course of being President, he realized the time was right. As president, he was allowed by law to confiscate property. And slaves were property. So he realized he could legally go after slavery. Lincoln would not oppose slavery in the Southern states because the Constitution upheld it. But he was relentless in his opposition to its spreading. Reverence for the Law: Kansas-Nebraska Act 1854; Dred Scott Decision 1857; The 13th Amendment 1865. Lincoln counseled to not judge the slave holder. He spoke with compassion for the alcoholic. He had malice toward none and charity for all. This nation cannot survive half slave and half free. Black laws: Black people cannot cross state boundaries, serve on juries, sue or press charges against a white man, vote, hold office. They are property. 180,000 black men picked up arms and fought for the Union. The Union was losing the war and these black former slaves turned the tide for the war. The South could have armed their slaves and won the war, but they considered the black men no better than a mule so didn't use them. Slaves flocked to the Union armies. 4 million slaves were freed. The 13th Amendment was gloriously passed. Lincoln said: "Character is what you are when no one is looking."
STRENGTHENING YOUR TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST THROUGH SERVING OTHERS (RAYMOND R PRICE): He showed a video of a huge fallen tree blocking a road in a city, and all the people backed up unable to get through. Everybody was frustrated, sitting in their cars. Then one little boy went over to the tree and started pushing with all his might. Of course he wasn't able to make it budge at all, but other little kids saw him and joined in trying to push. Then adults saw all the kids and got out of their cars and joined them. With lots of people joining together to push, they were able to move the tree. We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses. One time he was at an airport and had a 30 hour delay. His airline got him a hotel room. Those with him were grumbling and complaining, saying it was a disaster. They'd been doing volunteer work and some of these people totally lost the spirit of what they'd been doing. Another time they were in a remote area and noticed duct tape around the little plane they were flying in. They had to fly in the daytime because the runways had no lights. They worked hard and then went to catch a plane out of there, and the airplane didn't show up that day. Some people with them got really upset, but his family had a good time anyway. Then it rained really hard so they couldn't do what they'd planned. So they went on a river rafting trip, figuring they were going to get wet anyway. Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain. -- Vivian Greene They went to see some monkeys at the money temple and were advised to remove their glasses so the monkeys wouldn't rip them off. He figured he couldn't see anything without his glasses and he could outsmart the monkeys, so he wore his glasses. But he didn't notice the monkey in the tree above him and the monkey got his glasses. A lady told him he needed to offer the monkey nuts, and she was selling nuts. He offered the monkey nuts and the monkey took the nuts with one hand and still held onto his glasses with his other hand. The monkey stood there looking at him "Ha, ha!" So he bought more nuts and the monkey had to put his glasses down to take the additional nuts. So he got his glasses back. But we need to listen when instructions are given. Salvation comes through Christ. As we serve others, we are serving God. And as we serve others, we become closer to God. Nothing is going to change in the world until the people get the gospel of Jesus Christ and begin to live it. He got on Air France and asked for hot chocolate. They asked him if he was a little child. They laughed at him, but gave him the hot chocolate. He thought it was watered down and not very good. But he drank it. As he got to the bottom, he found all the powder. He hadn't stirred it in. Are you getting all the benefit out of what you are doing? Are you stirring? Do not let your scripture study be diluted by your inaction. Be submissive, meek, humble, patient, and full of love. When you volunteer and provide the service that you do, can you be full of love? It's not a disaster when you're 30 hours delayed. A disaster is 9/11. There is a difference. Keep the Spirit with you in whatever you do. He has 7 daughters. They all have challenges. His wife is the greatest example of service he has ever known. She is the one who has the rock solid testimony. No matter what happens, she is unwavering. All of us have had the problem of an empty toilet paper roll. His daughter have a Family Home Evening lesson on service. She had saved old cardboard toilet paper tubs and wrote things on them, "Unload the dishwasher, write a thank you note, surprise someone with a treat, sweet the kitchen floor, change the toilet paper roll." They would do what was on the toilet paper rolls and then stack them up. Jesus said "Feed my sheep." One of his favorite songs is "Give Said the Little Stream" that teaches the principle of giving. Thou shalt love the Lord with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all they mind. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. His father is a great example of loving your neighbor. He would see a family who needed help and they'd just go help. His father, who was a doctor, would stop at the scene of an accident and try to help. One time his father was taking him and a group of his friends on a picnic. On the way he said, "I just need to stop at the hospital for a minute." 45 minutes later his friends got out of the car and were walking home. When Alma went to the Lamanites, before he tried to teach them the gospel, he offered to be a servant. After he had served, the king was open to listening to him. In our volunteer work and in our caring for our children and caring for our neighbor, do we truly try to walk in their shoes a little bit and understand what they really need help with. Be willing to drop everything to do what the Lord asks. A friend of his received a call from President Monson telling him the mission president in Mongolia had had a health crisis and they needed a new mission president in Mongolia immediately. He had 48 hours to pack up and go to Mongolia. Whenever he travels and sees missionaries, he takes their pictures and asks for their mother's email addresses. He gets wonderful emails back from the mothers saying they really needed that picture and were so happy to see their sons were doing well. When we do the works of righteousness we'll receive our reward--peace in this life and eternal life in the world to come. The accumulation of wealth does not bring peace. Volunteers have: lower mortality rates, greater functional ability, lower rates of depression later in life. Utah has the highest volunteer rate and the lowest mortality rate. People should volunteer to improve their health. The greatest joy we will receive will be those acts of love and service we do for others. There was a village where the children lived on one side of the river and the school was on the other side of the river. At least once a month a child would drown trying to get to school. They all got together and built a bridge. As we serve, we'll strengthen our testimonies of Jesus Christ. He that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. Matthew 10:39.
THE STORIES WE TELL: CHANGE YOUR NARRATIVE AND CHANGE YOUR LIFE (ROGER K. ALLEN): Telling and reading childhood stories are a great comfort. He remembers as a child saying to himself as he climbed a hill "I think I can. I think I can. I think I can." Think of your favorite stories from childhood. Although they are fiction, the lessons they teach are true and they shape how we think and feel about life. We don't stop storytelling just because we grow up. We're continually going through experiences and talking to ourselves about events that happen to us. More important than the events that happen are the stories we tell about what happens to us. Laman and Lemuel tell one story "Our father is a foolish man and has no idea what he's doing. He's taken us away from our good way of life. Our brother is a nutcase who believes our father. We're older and don't need to listen to him." Then think of the story Nephi tells "The Lord is merciful. I believe His promises and I trust Him. There are reasons He's asked us to do what what He's asked us to do, and He'll provide the way for us to do them. Blessings will come into our lives." The facts were the same but the stories the brothers told about the facts were very different. Golliath was 9 feet tall and stood before the armies of Israel and told them to choose a man to come before him. David had been sent to bring food to his brothers. He volunteered to fight Golliath. He'd slain a bear and lion and the Lord delivered him. He had faith that the Lord would deliver him from Golliath too. David took a stone and slung it at him, and killed him. The story that David told himself was one of faith and courage and willingness to stand up against Golliath. It was a different story than the other Israelites told themselves. Our Father in Heaven wants to know if we, too, can stand tall. For some the challenges are physical, or social, or mental and emotional. All of us face challenges. But more important than the challenges are the stories we tell ourselves. Some people tell themselves stories of fear, scarcity, insecurity. A man was planning a trip to Rome where he wanted to see the pope. He went to a barber for a haircut. The barber criticized the airline the man would be flying on, the hotel where he'd be staying, and said he'd never get to see the pope. A month later the man came back to the barber and said he'd had a great trip--the airline and the hotel were wonderful and he got to see the pope. The barber asked him what the pope said to him. He said, "My son, where did you get such a terrible haircut?" Five disempowering stories: 1. I'm a victim. 2. I might lose. 3. Bad things are always happening. 4. I'm not good/deserving enough. 5. I can't ever win. What do you tell yourself? How have you limited your success because you've bought in to stories like this? A man asked everyone to write down their biggest secret and pass it forward. The number one secret is that they believe that they are not enough. He went on a trek with the youth. They discussed expectations. They feel they can't live up to it all. If you could stop proving that you were okay, you could get it that it's okay to not be okay. You're okay just the way you are. It's through Christ that we become perfect. It's not based on what you alone can do. We don't need to prove. We are enough. We can be ourselves. We can accept ourselves even though we're not perfect. Fear and insecurity vs. faith and loved. The mind is very powerful. They moved when their kids were 13, 11, and 8. The kids cried and grieved. His oldest son didn't adjust. Every day he'd come home and complain. It went on for weeks. One Saturday he asked the kids to look around the room and notice everything that was green. Then he had them close their eyes and list everything in the room that was blue. They came up with 4-5 items. Then he had them list everything that was green and they came up with 20 items. Then he asked them why they came up with so many items that were green instead of blue. His oldest son said, "You get what you're looking for." He thought "Perfect...gotcha!" Then he asked his son what he'd been looking for since the move. Eventually he adjusted and he loved his new location! And then they moved back to where they'd lived before. If you're driving down the road and you're hungry, you're going to see restaurants. You see what you're looking for. We project our core beliefs onto the world. We experience the world as WE are. Our beliefs become a self fulfilling prophesy. If teachers are told that certain students are very bright, by the end of the year those are the students who have risen to the top of the class--even though they weren't the brightest ones like the teachers had believed. If you believe nothing ever works out, it won't work out. If you believe your spouse is insensitive, you'll prove yourself right. A man got a flat tire at 2:00 a.m. He didn't have a jack so he started walking. He finally found a farm house. He got thinking "Who is going to want to open their door and give me a jack at 3:00 a.m.?" Finally he pounded on the door and screamed "You can keep your #$%@ jack! I didn't want to borrow it anyway." You want to prove yourself right and explain away things that don't support what you believe. You believe your spouse doesn't love you. Then they act lovingly. You tell yourself that they're only doing it because they feel sorry for you. Heavenly Father doesn't want us to believe disempowering stories. What kind of meaning do you want to give to the realities of your life? A boy threw a baseball up into the air and swung at it and missed. He tried again and missed. This continued over and over again. Finally he said, "Boy, I'm sure a great pitcher!" Look at the positive in a situation. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood. You can choose to be a victim or you can choose to learn from your experiences. Every situation is a choice. You choose how people will affect your mood. A man was held at gunpoint by three robbers. He was shot and taken to a hospital where he had 18 hours of surgery. 6 months later, when asked how he was, he said, "If I felt any better I'd be twins." He said he could choose to live or choose to die and he chose to live. When he'd arrived at the hospital he could see on the doctors' faces that they expected him to die. A nurse asked him if he was allergic to anything. He said, "Yes. Bullets! I am choosing to live so operate on me like I'm going to live!" Distortions of Logic: Black/White Thinking, Overgeneralizing, Mental Filter, Catastrophizing, Mind Reading, Fortune-Telling, Labeling, Personalizing. A woman's child drowned and they tried CPR which didn't work. She pictured him in a small casket. Then she said, "No! Keep trying the CPR!" They did and he survived. When people first have a tragedy, we want to listen to them and be empathetic. But after a while we want to move on. A young man who witnessed a school shooting said his world was shattered. He asked the young man what changed that day, and what didn't change. The young man said the sun came up the next day. The sky was still blue. His mother still loved him. The core doctrines of the gospel did not change. Truth was still truth. Pretty soon this young man could see what had not changed and his attitude turned around--what did not change that day was a whole lot bigger than what did change. He realized he could go on living and accomplish a purpose in this world. Challenge the distortions in your thinking. Change the negative story with a more positive story. Heavenly Father is ready to shower us with His love when we're willing to trust in Him. God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and a sound mind. Fear not, for He is with us. He is our God and will help us and uphold us. Pray with all the energy of your heart. The gospel message brings hope. Ask and ye shall receive. Life is good. Our lives have purpose. God is mindful of us. Exercise: 1. Identify one core belief that holds you back. 2. Ask yourself: Is it true? 3. What is the evidence that it is not true? 4. Who are you when you hold onto this belief? 5. Who would you be without this belief? 6. Change it to an empowering belief.
RESETTLEMENT OF SOME OF THE COLONIES, THE MYTHS AND REALITIES OF PANCHO VILLA'S ACTIVITIES IN RELATION TO THE MORMONS, AND THE COLONIES TODAY (TAYLOR O. MACDONALD): Maude Taylor Bentley said the Mexican people had always been their friends. The Mexican people never persecuted the Mormons and never did anything against them. Was the Exodus of 1912 really necessary? Hardly had the refugees landed in the US before discussion took place, some saying they never should have left the colonies. President Junius Romney was privy to information unknown to any other person. He judged the Exodus to be greatly necessary, and most colonists agreed with him. Few church leaders of the 20th century have had such a momentous decision to make, affecting so many people. President Romney decided to take his wife and children out, in case things got violent. Everybody else voted to leave. But after they got the the US they became Monday morning quarterbacks. The loss of lives was minimal but the loss of property was enormous. It's hard to know what would have happened if they'd stayed. Resettlement of some of the colonies. Legends and realities about Pancho Villa and his relations with the Mormon colonists. He saw a restaurant called "Pancho Villa Grill" in Scotland. So he's legendary. September 12, 1912, a few people returned to Colonia Juarez. January 1913, Joseph Bentley led 65 people back to Juarez to officially settle it. Gradually people returned to the other Chihuahua colonies. 25% returned. Homes and property were left alone for several months. In February 1913, a band of Red Flaggers burned most of the homes and the church. The rest soon dismantled for building materials. No colonist ever returned to Diaz to lie. The town died. Ruins gradually disappeared. Only cemetery remains and it's gradually deteriorated. You can hardly tell there was a town there. Colonia Dublan. A few colonists returned to Dublan soon after the Exodus and found ittle damage to their homes, buildings, and farms. By early 1914, 60 colonists were living in Dublan. Later it became a thriving town, and largely merged into Neuvo Casas Grande today. Colonias Chuichupa, Garcia, and Pacheco. The Mountain Colonies were vacant for some time following the Exodus. Locals began occupying homes. Chuichupa became a thriving lace. Garcia not quite as thriving. They had wide streets for the future, but they didn't grow. Pacheco became another town again. Hilvan Cluff, 1921-2000, was the last of the old Mormon Colonists to live in Pacheco. He kept the little branch growing there. His house is still there. Colonias Morelos, Oaxaca, and San Jose. Oaxaca had been destroyed by flood in 1905 and the residents began a new colony named San Jose. It was never resettled. Morelos was not resettled and in 1921 the church sold the property to the Mexican government. Colonia Juarez. By early 1914, around 200 were living in Juarez. When they began returning, they found the entire colony in "excellent condition" due to the care of Mexican friends and employees they had left in charge. In 1915, the Juerez Stake was re-organized. Academia Juarez was re-opened. Colonia Juarez re-builds. These were busy little towns. These people were English speaking, but probably were bilingual as well, living in Mexico. Background of Pancho Villa. LDS Church and Mexican records indicate he was born Doroteo Arango on 5 1878 on the Hacienda Rio Grande. A rich man's son mistreated his younger sister, so Doroteo shot him and went into the mountains to hide. He learned his father's real surname should have been Villa, so he became Pancho Villa. Before he turned bandit in 1903, Villa lived with and worked for the Webb family, Mormons in the mountains of Sonora. In 1910 he went to outlaw to regitimate revolutionary. Vill'a notoriety spread throughout northern Mexico. He moved with lightening speed stealing cattle and robbing payrolls. Villa was recruited to Francisco Madero's cause. This was a turning point in Villa's life; it gave him a higher purpose. He never abandoned his Madero ideals. He recruited his own army. Madero pardoned Villa of all past offenses because of his services to the Revolution. Villa was a key player in Madero's decisive victory in 1911. The Revolution was won and Villa retired. He married Luz Corral and operated a chain of butcher shops in Southern California. The notorious Pancho Villa had become an upstanding citizen. Villa was imprisoned by Victoriano Heurta (responsible for Madero's assassination), learned to read and write in prison, escaped, and raised an army of 10,000. Soon became the boldest military leader in the north. He rode through towns and people flocked to see him. He treated them kindly and people joined his forces by the thousands. The problem was crops were neglected and famine ensued. He never betrayed his word. If disobeyed, he could be cruel and violent. People were respectful and trod carefully around him. He became an international media darling, and hired PR people. Reputed Villa atrocities: killed a number of camp cooks for using precious RR ties for firewood. He ordered execution of an Englishman and when told he did it without proper legal procedure, he had the corpse exhumed, read to it the correct legal procedure, and buried it again. In 1913 Villa captured Diudad Juarez (again!) from Heurta's tropps without losing a single man. Successful sneak attack. He became the military governor of Chihuahua. Many died of starvation, no employment, farmers had stopped raising grain. People with hard currency hid it. No paper money circulated. Villa printed currency on which his name was tamped, distributed it to poor people, fixed prices and enforced his "Villa money" with his army. Glory years were 1913 and 1914. In 1915 and 1916 Villa suffered stunning military defeats. His bizarre raid on Columbus, NM in 1916 exemplified his downward spiral. 28 July 1920, finally laid down his arms and made peace. 23 July 1923, he was assassinated. Later entombed as a hero of the Revolution in Mexico City. Villa's relations with Mormon colonists. Villa had nothing whatsoever to do with the Exodus of 1912. Harvey Taylor: "Villa always seemed to be a square shooter, a man of his word. He liked the Mormons and tried to be fair and good to them. The colonists suffered from the bandits and the Red Flaggers, not from Villa. If we were ever treated badly or unfairly and could get to Villa, we would always get redress." But Villa later changed his attitude. Following the Columbus Raid, Villa's army headed south straight for the colonies. Villistas were in mood of deep hatred of all American's, killed all they ran across as they rode south. First Presidency heard of it and wired the saints to do everything to prevent being trapped in Juarez or Dublan. Message arrived too late for Dublan. They were trapped in the path of a defeated and infuriated army. Villa arrived at Corralitos 16 miles north of Dublan, shot a number of Mexicans simply for being employed by Americans. Villa was coming to Dublan and would continue his slaughtering of all Americans. Without doubt, Villa was going to attack Dublan. Dublad caught in gravest danger. Bishop Anson Bowen Call made a decision "Let's all go home. I feel impressed that we should go back to our homes, pray, blow out all of our lights, and go to bed." One stepped forward, "That is the word of the Lord to me" others agreed and all went home to follow the bishop's words. They slept better than they had in many nights. That night Villa's army approached Dublan at 3:00 a.m. The entire army then abruptly turned east and rode away without disturbing the town. Next morning Bishop Call learned that Villa had fully intended to attack the town, they saw bright lights all over and could see many men walking back and forth, armed and they were afraid to come into town and attack. In actuality, there wasn't a light in town. Villa remarked that his enemy must have sent soldiers to defend the place. No one but Villa saw this. Bishop Call and 3 of his children were traveling by train from El Paso to Dublan. A man on the train said he was with Villa when he intended to destroy Dublan. After this, Villa set aside his intent to kill all Americans. This was a miracle! Fighting continued for several years and colonists were obliged to leave again in 1914 and 1917. He showed slides of some of these towns today.
WITNESSES TO THE WORK: LITTLE-KNOWN STORIES LATTER-DAY LOAVES AND FISHES (M. WESLEY MASHBURN AND BEN STAHMANN): The story of the feeding of the 5,000 in told in the New Testament. The Savior took his disciples to a desert place apart to recuperate. A multitude found out and followed him. Everyone was hungry and there was nothing to eat. A boy had five loaves and two fishes. Jesus said to feed it to the people. There was plenty for everyone and a lot left over--enough to fill 12 baskets. The Savior thanked the Father for the bounty. Do we see a bounty when faced with five loaves and two fishes to feed 5,000? He used what was available. The Lord can accomplish His work if we bring what we have to Him. "Behold the Multitude." First the Savior drew attention to the need. He was motivated by compassion. "Give ye them to eat." He's telling us to give them to eat. "How many loaves have ye?" What can we do? What do we have to work with? "Bring them to me." With this process, any problem can be solved. We can go through this cycle in our own lives and do more than we thought we could. If our hearts are bigger than we have resources, there are still ways we can give. We can make revocable gifts--will or trust. life insurance, retirement account. Incoming producing gifts are charitable gift annuity. charitable remainder trust. Family directed gifts--donor advised fund, family foundation. A man passed away and had left assets to his four children, but also the Humanitarian Fund, Perpetual Education Fund, and BYU-Hawaii. It didn't appear that this man was a member of the church. But two of his youngest children were members of the church, and the man was too. All four children lived close to each other. Their father had indicated throughout their lives that he would give them resources to help them, but that he would also be giving to charity. He had a hard time connecting with his children. It was akward. They had stories to tell about their dad. When he traveled, he took his dogs with him, and a shoebox. In the shoebox was pictures of his family and the song "Families Can Be Together Forever." Through this gift, when the children saw what their father's resources were doing, they became closer. Now they get together for picnics. Giving brought a family together, when it's done the right way. Whatever we're directed to give, we're changed and blessed. A farm family had lots of land but very little income. It had been in the family for generations. As a couple aged and nobody wanted to take over the farm, they didn't know what to do. They gave some of the land to a charitable remainder trust and the church was the end beneficiary of it. Now all of a sudden they had more income than they ever though they would. They had money to go on two missions, and set aside money for their grandchildren's missions. Tax laws that allow these kinds of gifts are part of the restoration. A recent widow had money in a CD and it wasn't earning much interest. Her husband had wanted to donate to the church, but she didn't feel she could do that because she might need the money to live on. She took part of the money and donated it to a gift annuity and it gave her income for the rest of her life. A family can set up a fund and allow various family members to donate some of the money to a charity they support. A donor advised fund offsets taxes. John provides more detail to the feeding of the 5,000. When the five loaves and two fishes are mentioned, the question is asked "What are they among so many?" This was an abundance for the young man who brought it. Out of 5,000 people only one was prepared and brought any food. But even though he gave, he still had plenty to eat, as did the other 4,999. Over and over again he's seen people who have been able to feel good about whatever contribution they've been able to make. The Lord inspires us how to give. An important part of the gospel is learning how to deal with abundance. We can accomplish so much good!
THE LIGHTER SIDE OF MUSIC: LAUGH AND LEARN (MARVIN A. GOLDSTEIN AND JANICE KAPP PERRY):
She lives near the MTC and when the age of missionaries was lowered, she could see the MTC bursting at the seams. 35,000 missionaries marching down the hill was a beautiful sight! She was asked to add a verse to "As Sisters in Zion" and make it for the sister missionaries. We sang the song. The women at the MTC sing it every Sunday morning. They're excited to have their own song. Sometimes when she and her husband are walking around they run into the missionaries who are supposed to practice bearing their testimonies in their mission language, so they let them practice on them, sometimes in Chinese. Marvin's Jewish thriftiness is a bit of challenge. He offered to buy her an ice cream cone to repay her for letting him stay with her for a week, and ironing all his shirts. He has health challenges, headaches. But he said not to worry about it. He had an X-ray and there's nothing there. He got a second opinion and that doctor said, "Yeah, it's a no brainer." Marvin had an I.Q. test and it was negative. Last night he told her he had a new illness. She said, "Oh no, I pray it's nothing trivial." She and her husband are closer to 80 than 70 now and this might be her last year here. It's starting to feel that way. She met one young man who was surprised what she looked like. She asked him what he thought she'd look like. He said Julie Azevedo. She said, "As Julie is, I once was. As I am, she will one day be." She sang a song about relationships about husbands and wives. She writes the music and he engraves it for publication. He bought her flowers once. It was when she had their third baby, their first daughter. She was thrilled that he'd finally bought him flowers. Then she noticed he'd given her a card. It said, "Dear Douglas, you'd better give Janni flowers this time. Love, Mom." Before anybody gets married, they should spend 24 hours together in a room with one thermostat. A husband wrote a beautiful letter to his wife. She loved it and after a period of time she asked him to write her another letter. He gave her back the original letter with "reconfirmed" stamped at the top. She sang some humorous songs. Marvin played the piano. Many think music is the International Language. But it is not. He played "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" in different "languages." Marvin said he was happy to stay free in Janis' house. It's a nice house, but he wouldn't pay to stay there. She said he gave her four ears of corn in payment for staying there. He said, no, it was seven ears of corn.
