Staying Matters Blog (12.26.23)

When a crisis of faith hits home, and people you love walk away from the Restored Church of Jesus Christ, you look to grab every floating straw on the water. I have had weak places of faith in my life. I have felt lost and broken and been found wanting. Oh, God, I believe, help Thou my unbelief! For years after my divorce I didn’t go back to the temple. I kept going to church and I kept serving. I kept listening to lessons and talks and conferences, because I wanted to be strong for my children. I kept reading the Book of Mormon (often superficially) with my family, for my children. I guess it was because in those times of doubting, I refused to take the risk of non-belief. The risk of losing them in the eternities was too great to give up. I had to choose to believe, to follow. I strengthened as I kept going. It’s not that I never have doubts or times of unbelief; it is that I am willing to suspend any doubts or questions while I press on, learn more, and listen to the Spirit. Spiritual blessings follow. Miracles, small tender mercies, follow. It’s interesting to me that the age of the Internet, which is full of evil and threatening ideas and beliefs, is also full of testimonies, conversions, and clear ideas that increase testimony and inspire me with Jesus’ love. I pray to trust him. I pray to trust in His peace. I pray for hope in Christ. I appreciate those who left, and came back to tell their stories. I love those who found the gospel and are brave enough to share. I am stronger and more faithful from serving in the temple, wearing my garments faithfully for 54 years, and heeding the voice of the prophets. It all matters!

https://youtu.be/qotxFzB8aX4?si=XP8_kOrad5E79ysq

Cameron Matters

 Blog 8.3.23 Cameron Matters

Yesterday I had my yearly physical. As I talked to my doctor (I just love her!), we went over some of the questions asked to old people to make sure that (my) mental health was in order. One of the questions was whether I felt supported emotionally. That led to a discussion on Cameron and the great blessing that he is. I told her this little story from earlier in the week: Cameron has a tender heart, especially for others in need or loss. One of his friends from SNAP (Special Needs Activities Program) died a few days ago, and Cameron had a “broken heart,” as he has when others of his friends and co-workers have passed. As we were discussing Terry’s obituary, Cam was especially impressed that Terry carried his temple recommend with him at all times. Cam told me he was going to make a video of his playing “I Love to See the Temple.” I said, “uh-huh, uh-huh”, thinking how before he did that I should practice with him, count it out with him, and help make it presentable. Next thing I knew, I could hear Cameron playing the song on the piano in the office. When he finally came out, he told me that he had recorded it, borne testimony that Terry is now with Jesus, and sent it to the SNAP leaders. Tears in his eyes. That’s Cameron! Independent. Heartfelt. Loving. Faithful. Giving. What a great blessing he is to me and the thousands of people (literally) who know and love him!

Matters of Healing

 July 4, 2023

I don’t believe in coincidences. I think it was God’s tender mercies that had our Book-of-Mormon family study in 3 Nephi at the same time we were studying the Resurrection in the Gospels for Come, Follow Me. Today, as we finished 3 Nephi 15, we watched the Book of Mormon videos and were so touched by the scenes portrayed there. We shed tears as Jesus healed the infirm. Our hearts swelled as angels encircled the children. It was a sweet and sacred experience. Cameron was so touched that he insisted on posting the link to the videos on FaceBook. Then we watched the inspired finale to the third season of The Chosen. So beautiful! Again, focused on Christ’s healings. Yesterday I watched the Holy Traveler and cried over the trials of blessed pioneers who sacrificed to come to Utah: 

“Some sharp criticism of the church and its leaders was being indulged in for permitting any company of converts to venture across the Plains with no more supplies or protection than a handcart carravan afforded.

One old man in the corner sat silent and listened as long as he could stand it then he arose and said things that no person who heard him will ever forget. His face was white with emotion, yet he spoke calmly, deliberately, but with great ernestness and sincerity.

He said in substance, “I ask you to stop this criticism. You are discussing a matter you know nothing about. Cold historic facts mean nothing here for they give no proper interpretation of the questions involved. Mistake to send the Hand Cart Company out so late in the season? Yes. But I was in that Company and my wife was in it and Sister Nellie Unthank whom you have sited was there too. We suffered beyond anything you can imagine and many died of exposure and starvation, but did you ever hear a survivor of that company utter a word of criticism? Not one of that company ever apostatized or left the church because everyone of us came through with the absolute knowledge that God lives for we became acquainted with him in our extremities.

“I have pulled my hand cart when I was so weak and weary from illness and lack of food that I could hardly put one foot ahead of the other. I have looked ahead and seen a patch of sand or a hill slope and I have said I can go only that far and there I must give up for I cannot pull the load through it. I have gone on to that sand and when I reached it the cart began pushing me. I have looked back many times to see who was pushing my cart but my eyes saw no one. I knew then that the Angels of God were there.

“Was I sorry that I chose to come by hand cart? No. Neither then nor any minute of my life since. The price we paid to become acquainted with God was a privilege to pay and I am thankful that I was privileged to come in the Martin Hand Cart Company.”

The speaker was Francis Webster and when he sat down there was not a dry eye in the room. We were a subdued and chastened lot. Charles R. Mabey who later became Governor of Utah, arose and voiced the sentiment of all when he said, “I would gladly pay the same price for the same assurance of the eternal verities that Brother Webster has.” Francis Webster, perhaps, more than any other man had reason to thank the Almighty for his protecting care.^{51“ —Chad M. Orton}

About the author(s)

Chad M. Orton is an archivist with the Family and Church History Division of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He received his BA and MA in history from Brigham Young University. He has written on a wide variety of historical topics and is coauthor with William W. Slaughter of Joseph Smith’s America: His Life and Times (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2005).

Easter Matters

 Easter Week Matters 04.02.23

In preparation for this week preceding Easter Jim asked me to print a picture of us at the Garden Tomb almost a year ago. I printed a collage and framed it as a reminder of the Atonement, the suffering and death, and the glorious resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. We will keep it with our Easter decorations as a reminder to center Easter on the risen Son of God. The Garden Tomb was the final site we visited in Israel. It was Palm Sunday that day, too. The hill of Golgotha rises nearby with the “way of the skull” written in the rock (evidence in the picture’s far left). The tomb is a plain and simple place, scooped from the stone. Bars protect the sacred place now, but the spirit persists that this is a special and holy resting place. My heart beats faster even now to think this may be the very place he finished His Atonement and rose from what even His most fervent disciples thought was the end. Today we remember and reflect on the love, the sacrifice, and the saving power that was manifest that first Easter morn.