Book of Remembrance

In the First Presidency Message this month, President Eyring reminds us all to recognize, remember, and give thanks to the Lord for all His the bounteous blessings.  Eyring quotes from President Kimball,

Please follow the counsel you have been given in the past and maintain your personal journals. Those who keep a book of remembrance are more likely to keep the Lord in remembrance in their daily lives. Journals are a way of counting our blessings and of leaving an inventory of these blessings for our posterity.  (Spencer W. Kimball, "Listen to the Prophets")

This blog fulfils two purposes for me.  It serves as my personal editorial page, and as my personal Book of Remembrance.

Though I don't always express it in obvious ways, I am ever grateful for Heavenly Father's providence.

In the Book of Mormon, Alma testifies,

...All things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator.  (Alma 30:44)

In the Doctrine and Covenants, we have further prosaic testimony about the nature of God and His creations,

  He comprehendeth all things, and all things are before him, and all things are round about him; and he is above all things, and in all things, and is through all things, and is round about all things; and all things are by him, and of him, even God, forever and ever.

  And again, verily I say unto you, he hath given a law unto all things, by which they move in their times and their seasons;

  And their courses are fixed, even the courses of the heavens and the earth, which comprehend the earth and all the planets.

And they give light to each other in their times and in their seasons, in their minutes, in their hours, in their days, in their weeks, in their months, in their years—all these are one year with God, but not with man.

  The earth rolls upon her wings, and the sun giveth his light by day, and the moon giveth her light by night, and the stars also give their light, as they roll upon their wings in their glory, in the midst of the power of God.

  Unto what shall I liken these kingdoms, that ye may understand?

  Behold, all these are kingdoms, and any man who hath seen any or the least of these hath seen God moving in his majesty and power.  (Doctrine and Covenants 88-41-47)

The banner of this blog, a photograph of Mount Timpanogos, represents my reverence and gratitude for Heavenly Father's magnificent creations.  He has blessed us beyond our ability to receive it.

I borrow a beautiful photo of a Columbine in blossom, from my long-time Internet friend Dave Kennison.

 Another beautiful glade of flowers on the Wasatch Plateau, photographed by my sister Beth.

The very earth upon which we stand, the air we breathe, the beauty and freedom of the hills, the trees and flowers, even the rocks and flowing waters.  All of it testifies of the great love that our Heavenly Father blesses us with.

For all these blessings, and many more, my heart overflows with gratitude.  My life has been filled with many good things, and I am joyful and thankful.  

And inasmuch as ye do these things with thanksgiving, with cheerful hearts and countenances, not with much laughter, for this is sin, but with a glad heart and a cheerful countenance—

Verily I say, that inasmuch as ye do this, the fulness of the earth is yours, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which climbeth upon the trees and walketh upon the earth;

Yea, and the herb, and the good things which come of the earth, whether for food or for raiment, or for houses, or for barns, or for orchards, or for gardens, or for vineyards;

Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart;

Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul.

And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion.

And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments. (Doctrine and Covenants 59:15-21)

Home Sweet Home II

This is a blog post from Jim once again, home with a gladdened heart and renewed resolve to find the beauty and hope and love that is all around us, and to love Heavenly Father with all my heart, might, mind, and strength.

Once again, I find occasion to give thanks for a homecoming from the depths of a grateful heart. Words cannot express to my friends and family how much the outpouring of good wishes and prayers has supported and buoyed me up in this difficult trial. Indeed I can only relate a small fraction of the whole -- some is just too much for even me to believe, and some is simply too sacred to try to describe on this public forum. Those of you with an interest is such matters, especially family and friends, please ask in private, I am anxious to give more details in more appropriate circumstances. Suffice it to state here that I pay tribute to my Saviour and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, the true font, from whom all blessings flow.


I specifically need to mention my brother Carl Sorenson and his wife, my sister, Cindy and their family, the children. Thanks for efforts on behalf of our family and many other challenges you faced and dealt with that are too great to enumerate here. Thank you. I am eternally in your debt. My tears of gratitude flow forever from the altar of sacrifice for what you have done for me and our family.

I offer the same genre of thanks to the staff of the hospital, but words cannot express, and I will not likely see most of you again in this life. Would that such a thing were possible, but is is not practical, I suspect. I vow to dedicate the balance of my life in service to others. This is the best I can offer. It is the best I can do, and I recognize how inadequate the feeble offering; but if I had more, I would give it, heaven knows.

The other patients I met and exchanged friendship with in the hospital -- you have become special friends, in a special way. I'll restrain myself from saying any of you names, but if any should read this, and care to write privately, or send an email, I would love to exchange email. In any case, the door is forever opened from my side, if that means anything - see my post about how I regard my friends. That goes for hospital staff and many of the doctors I met and counselled with also, btw.

I am humbled indeed that the Lord deigns to take notice of such a one as I. I am at this juncture more resolved than ever to serve His holy purposes, whatever it may entail. At first, I had in mind that the Lord must have preserved my life to serve so grand purpose in the great eternal scheme of things. It has been some education to see, from my stiff-necked posture, that I am not that important. I will be be happy to serve, where ever and what ever the Lord may call me to. I may not know much, but it is enough. My resolution is borrowed from Elder Wirthlin's maxim, that his mother taught to him: "Come what may, and love it!"

Next instalment:  Syncope - Falling on the Floor

Home again, thank God

My heart is so full, I am as happy as can be with life right now. I have walked through the valley of the shadow of death, and been given a reprieve to set affairs in my life in order before I report to to master of heaven and earth. I know now that my time is short. I will try to elaborate in future posts. I must also tell of miraculous events that have given great new meaning to my continuing existence, purpose for prolonging my days. I am truly anxious -- nay, fearful in anticipation that I might get it wrong again. I think the time is far spent. I am In fear and trembling. There is some great task that I am left to do - - I don't know what it is, but much sense of urgency, like I never had In my life.

More to come. Sorry for long absent.