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.

Matters of Tokyo Testimonies

A highlight of our two weeks in Japan was attending the ward for the Primary program. The music was superb. About fifty children sang from their hearts, led by a skilled chorister and pianist. Not only was the music beautiful, the children spoke of their own personal experiences in feeling the spirit. One girl spoke in Japanese. One wore traditional Tongan dress. They were American, Mongolian, English, Japanese, and from all over the world— but gathered to this little international primary in the center of the largest city in the world to bear testimony. They were new members and investigators and those of other faiths. The sweetest, most evocative parts were their testimonies in song and word. Three little brothers sang “If the Savior Stood Beside Me” perfectly. I admit to tears. Several children told of spiritual experiences during the dedication of the newly-remodeled Tokyo temple, only a few steps away. They proclaimed their joy in being able to hear apostles speak and shake their hands. They told of feeling the spirit through the prayers, meetings, and music. Then they stood tall and their voices resounded through the building singing “I Love to See the Temple.” 

Matters of Sacrifice and Sacrament

 MATTERS OF SACRIFICE AND SACRAMENT

Serving as a temple ordinance worker has certainly awakened me to a better understanding of my covenants. As I officiate in the initiatory, the words pierce my heart and soul. I feel my Savior’s love.

 

We had to have our recommends renewed the month before we began our service in the Jordan River Temple. We were standing in the hall outside the bishop’s office when our stake president Neal Peterson and his wife Suzy came in. We love them very much, and we have shared some sacred times with them. President Peterson set us apart with special prayers before our mission to Laredo. His words and sincere heart (and weeping) let us know he is close to the Lord. On the recommend day, while we talked about everything from our trip to Israel to the U.S. government, he shared this special story. (It’s his story, but I want to remember it always.) Cameron often passes President Peterson the sacrament while he sits on the stand. PP says it’s always a sweet experience, but one Sunday, as Cameron held out the sacrament tray, it was no longer Cam’s hand holding the tray, but the Savior’s. He recounted how his eyes filled with tears, and how his heart was full. He immediately wrote this experience in his journal when he returned home. I was reminded of this touching story when my ministering sister Jackie Betts brought this picture to me the other day. (I shared President Peterson’s story with her, and she left a picture for Cameron, too.)

 

 

What Really Matters

 What Really Matters

It’s summer. It’s hot. We have air conditioning. Yay. Yesterday we had a great experience when Donny’s girls came for the day. They drew. They played. We sang lots of songs while I played the piano. They read their favorite Silverstein poems to me, and we laughed together. Zoey read to Preslie. Then it came time for Cameron to leave for Institute across town, so we gathered for family prayer and scriptures. Neither of the girls have been raised active in the Church, and both are unbaptized. We pray for them and all of our children and grandchildren day and night, of course. We want them to have blessings that will bring them joy all their lives. We want them to have Jesus Christ at the center of their lives. We try to be an example, but we aren’t really in-charge of them. Yesterday, though, we had an answer to those prayers. It was little. We held our breaths, wondering at this really special moment. I wasn’t sure if we should invite Zoey and Preslie, so I hesitated for a few seconds. Then Zoey said, “Can we do prayer and scriptures with you?” We welcomed them as they bounced into the family room. Everyone had his own chair, and we were spread around the room. I explained that usually we gathered together and held hands for prayer, but that today it was okay if we just folded our arms where we were. Then Preslie grinned, “We could just come over there!” And they sprang across the room where we gathered, holding hands while Cameron offered the prayer. We then found a Book of Mormon for each. Zoey was SO excited to read, and asked all the way through the sixty verses if she could read, explaining that she wasn’t used to reading scriptures because it had “been a minute.” She was so thrilled to be part of it all! Preslie wasn’t as confident, but she did read a verse or two. When they left last night, they asked if they could come again today, and the first thing Zoey asked was what time we read scriptures again. Oh, my heart! What a tender mercy! Be still and know that He is God, and nothing is too hard for him!

 

Matters of Pandemic

 Here we are starting the third year of the COVID19 pandemic! Unbelievable. We just finished our own bout with the virus (omicron variant) following a week in DisneyWorld and Harry Potter World. It was very warm and wonderful in Florida, and we had a super reunion with Sean’s family. I didn’t feel great on the Tuesday we left, but had no idea that I might have contracted the virus—after-all, we had all been triple-vaxed, healthy, and masked. The amusement parks were crowded, even stuffed, with holiday celebrants. New Year’s Eve in Epcot Center was crazy, and we had to fight our way through the crowds. That was probably the infection point, though we were outdoors the whole time, watching fireworks and eating fish and chips. 

Many flights had been delayed and canceled because of the virus and holiday’s end, and Tuesday, January fourth, the Orlando airport was filled to the max with tired, frustrated fliers. Our flight was delayed for a little less than an hour, but we were in the airport—not able to even get near our gate—for six hours. We were ready to be HOME! By Wednesday night I was quite ill with a headache, runny nose, and exhaustion. Cameron’s red, runny nose showed he was also infected. Thursday we spent over three hours in the car, in line at the fitness center, waiting for our “tests.” Cameron and I were positive. Jim got sick a week later and is on treatment to protect him from getting worse, since he is in high-risk categories. It was hard to get the medications, too! Blood tests (kidneys) across town, waiting for approval and virtual appointments, and picking up meds at yet another location.

We are all on the mend ❤️‍🩹! Julia’s farewell was yesterday, and we had had to cancel our flights and rental car because of the COVID. It was a blessing, though to be able to zoom in! Zoom!