As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

The following thoughts are my own. I do not claim to speak for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, nor would I pretend to do so. I write as a member and an observer. I have watched people; and I watched the operations of the Church long enough to understand how the organization works with God, and how God works with the organization. If there are any doctrinal errors below, do not judge the Church, and judge me mercifully, for I write based on my understanding: my intent is to warn, not to condemn.
   The recent discussions on pants in church have been disturbing to me. Not because I am a man, but because I think I can see what lies beneath. The same “progressive” force that is shaking the foundations of our nation is beginning to shake many good members and their faith. The noise of the world and its sophistries is more than sufficient to cause us to lose focus on the still small voice. Once we lose that focus, it becomes more difficult to stay on the strait and narrow path. When we begin to question our steps, or the steps of our designated guides, a fall is often imminent.
   One issue is that of willing obedience to God’s word. The Savior stated that “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: …” (Luke 16:10). The scriptures contain many promises of reward to those who are obedient (see D&C 64:34 and 82:10). But it is difficult to be obedient in the big things if we have trouble being obedient in the small things.
   Another issue is what we are willing to give in exchange for our souls. Esau foolishly traded his birthright because he thought he was starving to death. Saul could only “kick against the pricks” for so long.
   “Satan need not get everyone to be like Cain or Judas …,” said Elder Neal A. Maxwell. “He needs only to get able men … to see themselves as sophisticated neutrals.” (Deposition of a Disciple, 88.)
  “With self-justification of petty sins, Satan triumphs. For a bottle of milk, a misspelled name, a mess of pottage, birthrights and inheritances have been traded.” (Gay, RC; CR Oct 2012) Or over a pair of pants?
   Christ paid an infinite price to redeem our eternal souls. Keeping that in mind, what are you willing to give in exchange for your soul? Would you sell low?
   This is the exchange the Savior is asking of us: we are to give up all our sins, big or small, for the Father’s reward of eternal life. We are to forget self-justifying stories, excuses, rationalizations, defense mechanisms, procrastinations, appearances, personal pride, judgmental thoughts, and doing things our way. We are to separate ourselves from all worldliness and take upon us the image of God in our countenances.
   The core issue, in my mind, is recognition of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the Prophet, Seer and Revelator and as the only person entitled to receive revelations for the entire Church. I know and willingly accept that Thomas S. Monson is this Prophet today. He, and he alone, is ordained to speak for God.
   Priesthood authority to direct the affairs of the Church comes from God. It is given through his ordained servants as he has directed, to those who are qualified and worthy to receive it. It is His authority, given under His direction. It is not up to man or woman to question God’s motives in giving this gift and responsibility to men alone. As long as this priesthood authority is exercised in righteousness, then we can be assured that what is done is according to God’s will.
   The doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ is not determined by social pressure or popular opinion; it is not determined by the political climate of the day; nor is it determined by the whims of mortals. Rather, it comes from revelation from God, through the power of the Holy Ghost, to the Lord’s anointed servants the prophets, who have been called and chosen in our day to speak the mind and the will of the Lord. If it comes in any other way, we can be assured that it is not from God.
   We need not blindly accept these truths. God has given us the priceless gift of the Holy Ghost, who testifies of all truth. We may know, by the power of the Holy Ghost, the truth of all things. This requires that we be living so as to merit the companionship of the Holy Ghost. We must be keeping the commandments of God to the best of individual abilities. We must not criticize the leaders of the Church, the general and local authorities, whom God has placed to lead us through the wilderness of sin. To the degree we oppose the doctrines and practices of the Church, we cut the ties that bind us to the Church, and begin to tread dangerous paths that may place our everlasting salvation in jeopardy.
   Because I seek my own salvation in the Kingdom of God, and hope to be exalted along with my wife and our children and their families, I choose to conform to the doctrines, principles and practices of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love the words of the Prophet Joshua, who challenged the Israelites “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).
   This is my choice. We fought a war in heaven to give each of us the right to make our own choices. I respect the right to exercise one’s agency, but I pray that my family and friends will all choose to follow the Lord, without hesitation. I know that his choicest blessings await those who choose the right.

I lived in heaven a long time ago, it is true ...

In memory of my Aunt Shirley Peart, who passed away 24 May 2012, at age 80. These were my remarks given at the Graveside Service on 2 June 2012. This week we have celebrated the life of Shirley Joan Peart, and we mark a life well-lived by a beloved mother and grandmother, among other important titles. I am thankful to call her my aunt. I was going to try to speak just from notes, but as a tribute to Aunt Shirley, I will speak from a printed text. As we listen to tributes, and as we give them, we are led to ask “what is my legacy? What will my heritage be?” I was touched by the comment that when Shirley met her ancestors on the other side of the veil, she could report to them: “I took what you gave me, and I built upon it.” This is what we should all seek to do. David asked us; “what do we do with these memories of a great person?” Then challenged us to use them as guideposts in our own lives, to try to follow the example she set, as a step toward becoming like our Savior. I am both humbled and honored by this assignment today. I pray that what I have to say will bring you all a measure of strength and comfort, though it is the Holy Ghost who truly provides this comfort. This has been a celebration mixed with tears, as the death of a loved one marks a new beginning: a step into a world of which we know very little. Few of us have met a resurrected being, so we really don’t know what lies on the other side. Fortunately, we have the words of the prophets to provide insight and hope. Job asked: “If a man die, shall he live again?” and answered himself, “Though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.” Ezekiel spoke of the dry bones taking on flesh and rising again. Paul asked “Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you that God should raise the dead?” Alma described death and resurrection thus: “Now, there is a death which is called a temporal death; and the death of Christ shall loose the bands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal death. “The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt. “Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, …” (Alma 11:42 - 44) Christ himself testified: “I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” (Now of course, Christ did not mean that no one who believes in him will ever die, but that resurrected beings will not die.) At times like this it is natural for us to reflect on the meaning of life: Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where will I go after this life? I testify that Heavenly Father has a plan for our eternal happiness. Even our youngest children know that we are children of God. We lived with him before our mortal birth as his spirit children. We literally are his children! The Psalmist testified: “I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.” (Psalms 82:6) He developed a plan for us to grow and progress, and ultimately, to become like him. We can all be assured that his life does have a purpose: we are here to receive a body, to make choices between good and evil, and to prepare to meet God. Alma spoke of this life as being a preparatory state, and taught his son that his good choices prepared him to meet God. At some point in each of our lives, death will come. Death is an important part of the plan. The spirit and the body must be separated for a short time. We will all lay down our bodies, with their weaknesses and imperfections until the resurrection. In the resurrection, our spirits will be reunited with our bodies in a glorified, perfected state. (I have often wondered what our perfect bodies will be like. David spoke of envisioning his mother as a young lady. I believe that our resurrected bodies will reflect what we were in the prime of our lives.) We will all be resurrected. We do not know when; we do not know how. But we do know that through the power of Christ’s death and resurrection, we will all rise again. There is no power on earth that can provide this; but there is power in heaven to do it! It is a marvelous thing to contemplate. I think about the glorious promise of the resurrection whenever I visit my son’s grave. Our family relationships need not end at death! Through the sealing power of the holy priesthood, families are united forever. I am certain that Shirley had a testimony of temple work and the eternal nature of the family. We will all be together again! And won’t that be a glorious day? That is a part of receiving eternal life, which is the greatest gift Heavenly Father has for us. As we bid farewell to Shirley’s earthly remains, we weep because we miss her, and because we love her. But we rejoice also, because she has been reunited her Heavenly Father and with loved ones who have gone before. Shirley’s spirit lives! It has cast off her weak, imperfect body for a brief time. Her loving heart no longer beats, but she does live! She still loves each of you, and she knows of your love for her. In time, her spirit will be reunited with her body, in a glorious, perfected form, never again to be separated, and she will have everlasting life. We, too, are assured of this same promise. Death will come to each of us, but we will all rise again! “For God so loved the world, that he gave his Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” I know all this to be true. The Holy Ghost has borne witness to me through several sacred experiences that life is eternal. Our son Robby died shortly after birth. The Spirit bore witness to me, to my wife, and to each of my children, that Robby lived, and is still a member of our family. That witness has been a strength to each of us. Shortly after this, we had a special family home evening with all of my family. We shared our testimonies with each other. I will never forget my Grandma Stevenson telling us “We do not fear death. We know Heavenly Father’s plan, and we have lived a good life.” I would like to speak to the younger members of our family for a moment. Each of you can have a testimony of these things for yourself, and you should! I know that if you will ask Heavenly Father if his plan is true, the Holy Ghost will whisper to your spirit that it is true. You will feel the comfort and peace that only he can give. You may even feel like your grandma is close by you, even though you can’t see her. This is another witness that she lives and still loves you and is thinking about you. It is important for you to understand Heavenly Father’s plan, so that you can feel this peace and know that Heavenly Father really does love you. Having this witness will help you to choose the right. May I close with the words of Paul, then with the words of Jesus: “May the peace of God, which passeth all understanding keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” And from Christ: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” I know that God lives. he is our loving, kind Heavenly Father. He sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem us from the effects of our sins. I know that through his death and resurrection, we will all live again. I testify that the family is eternal, and I look forward to that wonderful day when we will all be reunited in eternal happiness. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.