Utah Places: Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon is unique, not alone because of the spectacular colorful shapes of rock formations, but also in the scope encompassed in the variety within the park. Through the four seasons, the area reflects a beauty all its own, not to be found elsewhere.

Some of the showiest opportunities are highlighted at NPS web pages, but the park deserves exploration. Just remember, don't take everything you read as the truth. NPS employees obviously don't know everything.

See the wonders of Bryce Canyon. Recommended.

April 2009 General Conference: Unselfish Service

Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles admonished the saints to render unselfish service.

Each year tens of thousands of Latter-day Saints submit their papers for full-time missionary service.

Latter-day Saints are also renowned for their ability to unite in cooperative efforts.

Unfortunately, some Latter-day Saints seem to forego unselfish service to others, choosing instead to fix their priorities on the standards and values of the world.

We live in a time when sacrifice is definitely out of fashion, when the outside forces that taught our ancestors the need for unselfish cooperative service have diminished.

All of this illustrates the eternal principle that we are happier and more fulfilled when we act and serve for what we give, not for what we get.
Our Savior teaches us to follow Him by making the sacrifices necessary to lose ourselves in unselfish service to others. If we do, He promises us eternal life, “the greatest of all the gifts of God” (D&C 14:7), the glory and joy of living in the presence of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

April 2009 General Conference: None Were with Him

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles delivered what was for me, the defining address of the conference.

His special dedication set the tone:

...it is directed in a special way to those who are alone or feel alone or, worse yet, feel abandoned. These might include those longing to be married, those who have lost a spouse, and those who have lost—or have never been blessed with—children. Our empathy embraces wives forsaken by their husbands, husbands whose wives have walked away, and children bereft of one or the other of their parents—or both. This group can find within its broad circumference a soldier far from home, a missionary in those first weeks of homesickness, or a father out of work, afraid the fear in his eyes will be visible to his family. In short it can include all of us at various times in our lives.
To all such, I speak of the loneliest journey ever made and the unending blessings it brought to all in the human family. I speak of the Savior’s solitary task of shouldering alone the burden of our salvation. Rightly He would say: “I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me. . . . I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold [me].”

If this opening strikes particularly to your heart, as it did mine, then we are on the same page.

Read it yourself, and see...

Living Notes 3

I have not posted for a while....Sorry. I apologize to those regular readers who anticipate something meaningful. I have had a hard time finding it of late. Need some help.

The man I trusted to do business with has withheld money that I must now argue in court to try to win back, more than nine thousand dollars. It is not my money -- most of it is owed to my employees. But the whole affair bores me. Thievery is so stupid, cheating is infantile, and ultimately leads to a sad end.

My physical condition continues fairly static. I note little progress on the stationary bike, or the treadmill. I am holding my own -- that's all.

We are make progress collecting firewood for the winter, not that I am much help in that endeavor. The stack on the front porch is about twenty percent of ready. Let the cold weather begin. I welcome the snow. At least it will bring a change. I'm looking forward to it. Fall colors are beginning to sow some impresive hues all around the valley.

Seasons change...