Grandfather Derrick

I remember as a child sitting in church and watching my grandfather Derrick on the stand. He was the Stake President at that time of the San Francisco Stake and had many duties and responsibilities that took him away from home. When we would go to his house during Stake Conference we would meet general authorities like Harold B. Lee, Spencer W. Kimball, N. Eldon Tanner, and others. I would go downstairs to his office and grandfather would be sitting at his desk writing on his typewriter. I found some of his writings and would like to share them with everyone. They are not only important historical documents of the San Francisco Stake but also a look into his thoughts as he prepared for Stake Conference. It is the only journals that we have and the words that he wrote were important spiritual counsel to all of his family. I hope you would treasure his words and writings and print them to keep in your books of remembrance.

Poor In Spirit--

To be poor in spirit is to feel yourselves as the spiritually needy, ever dependent upon the Lord for your clothes, your food and the air you breathe, you health, your life; realizing that no day should pass without fervent prayer of thanksgiving, for guidance and forgiveness and strength sufficient for each day's need.

It is indeed a sad thing because of wealth or knowledge, or worldly position, if an individual thinks himself independent of this spiritual need.

It is the opposite of pride or self-conceit.

To the worldly rich it is that "he must possess his wealth as though he possessed it not," and be willing to say without regret, if he were suddenly to meet financial disaster, as did Job, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord."

One of our dear sisters as she was driving to the cemetery with five of her boys to bury her husband and their father said, "remember boys the things your father taught, they can not be taken away, we should be thankful for what we have, we will be with him again." She was as Job...

To Mourn--

One must show that "godly sorrow that worketh repentance: and wins for the penitent a forgiveness of sins and forbids a return to the deeds of which he mourns. It is to see, as did the Apostle Paul, "glory in tribulations, know that tribulations worketh patience; patience, experience; and experience hope." (Romans 5:3-4)

Again this causes me to think of the guidance we should give our children. We should not do for them but we should teach them the right things. Would an individual grow if he lived in a society that planned his every move. I think not. He grows by doing, by having tribulations (not that we should go looking for them), by experience. This experience should bring us hope. It should cause us to be thankful for those things we have, opportunities, etc.

To mourn you must be willing "to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light." When a mother mourns for the return of a wayward daughter, you with compassion must forbid the casting of the first stone.

Your mourning with the aged, widow, and the orphan should lead you to bring the succor they require.

You must be as the publican and not as the Pharisee. "God be merciful to me a sinner." This is a requirement if you are to be forgiven your own sins.

To Be Merciful--

Our salvation rests upon the mercy we show to others. Unkind and cruel words, or wanton acts of cruelty toward man or beast, even though in seeming retaliation, disqualify the perpetrator in his claims for mercy when he has need of mercy in the day of judgment...

There is a hymn - that goes "If I have wounded any soul today, if I have caused one foot to go astray, if I have walked in mine own willful way, dear Lord, forgive."

Is there one of you who have never been wounded by the slander of another whom he thought to be his friend? Do you remember the struggle you had to refrain from retribution?

Blessed are all you who are merciful for you shall obtain mercy!

Peacemakers -- Children of God

Peacemakers shall be called the children of God.

We have in this world trouble-makers, we have them in the country, we have them in our communities, we sometimes have them in the church. They are prompted by motives of evil and unless they desist will be known as the children of Satan rather than of God. They are the strikers against law and order.

That one who is quarrelsome or contentious, and whose arguments are for other purposes than to resolve the truth, is violating a fundamental principle laid down by the master as an essential in building a full rich life. Peace and good will to men on earth was the angel song that heralded the birth of the "Prince of Peace."

The Persecuted--

To be persecuted for righteousness sake in a great cause where truth and virtue and honor are at stake is god-like.

We have a lot of good examples of those who have been persecuted because they persisted in following the truth and a good cause: The Master and his eleven Apostles, Joseph Smith to name a few.

Persecution oft times comes from lace of understanding, for men are prone to oppose that which they do not understand. Our missionaries have felt this kind of persecution.

But from whatever cause, persecution seems to be so universal against those engaged in a righteous cause that the Master warns us, "Woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you! For so did their fathers to the false prophets." (Luke 6:26).

To Hunger and Thirst--

For crust of bread, of dip of water.

Hungering and thirsting after righteousness should cause us to hunger and thirst to attend our meetings. It is that thing which causes us to go to the temple. It causes us to keep the Sabbath Day holy.

Build "Each new temple nobler than the last...till thou at length art free: "then your whole bodies shall be filled with light and there shall be no darkness in you."

The Pure in Heart--

There is in Jewish writings the story of a man who saw an object in the distance, an object that he thought was a beast. As it drew nearer he could perceive it was a man and as it came still closer he saw it was his friend. You see only that which you have eyes to see. If you do not see in your Branch President a good man who is trying to lead the branch properly. then you had better get down on your knees and pray that he will or that your heart will be changed so that you will be "pure in heart." Some of the associates of Jesus saw him only as the son of the carpenter Joseph. Others thought him to be a wine bibber or drunkard because of his words. Still others thought he was possessed of devils. Only the righteous saw him as the son of god.

Only if you are pure in heart will you see God, and also in a lesser degree will you be able to see the "God" or good in man and love him because of the goodness you see in him.

MARK well that person who criticizes and maligns the man of God or the Lord's anointed leaders in his Church. Such a one speaks from an impure heart.

Entrance Into The Kingdom--

But in order to gain entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven we must not only be good but we are required to do good and be good for something. So if you would walk daily onward that goal of perfection and fullness of life, you must be schooled the remaining four "articles" in the Master's constitution for a perfect life. these have to do with man's social relations with others.

BLESSED ARE THE MEEK
BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL
BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS
BLESSED ARE THEY WHICH ARE PERSECUTED

A Meek Man--

Defined as one who is not easily provoked or irritated and forbearing under injury or annoyance. Meekness is not synonymous with weakness. The meek man is strong, the mighty, the man of complete self mastery. He is the one who has the courage of his moral convictions, despite the pressure of the gang or club. He is humble-minded, he does not bluster. "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty." He is the leader. He is the salt of the earth and shall inherit it.

Greatest in the Kingdom or Greatest in the World?

A help--what would we have to hid if Jesus appeared tomorrow? Would we do the same things in his presence as we do now?

You may know you are living a full, rich life when you have a real joy of living for "Men are that they might have joy." (2 Nephi 2:25)

What is it that gives you that high emotional ecstasy called joy? Does it come from the unusual or does it come from common things?

You make a serious error if you mistake an "emotional" thrill that passes with the moment for the upsurge of deep feelings that is the joy of living. This type of emotional thrill may leave bitter memories and certainly not add to the joy of living.

On the other hand, if we have strong surges of happiness from the quiet of a happy home, from the unfolding of a beautiful life, from the revelation of divine wisdom or from the love of the beautiful and true and good, you are having a taste of the fulness of joy that living a rich, full life only can bring:
Memories of home--around the piano, good friends, with dad. The joy of teaching. Teacher of many years, her joy. Mother and dad's joy through the lives of their children.

Eight Ways to Joy

Jesus gave a sermon from sunup to sundown. Many great and important things were given at this time. Among them were eight ways by which we can have joy.

Each of these declarations is begun by the word "blessed." Blessedness is defined as being higher than happiness. Happiness comes from without and is dependent upon circumstances; blessedness is an inward fountain of joy in the world itself, which no outward circumstances can seriously affect.

Jesus at Gethsemane.

Brother Lee has referred to these EIGHT WAYS TO JOY as a CONSTITUTION FOR A PERFECT LIFE. they are known in literature to the Christian world as the Beatitudes. They are the preparation necessary for entrance into the kingdom of heaven.

THE CONSTITUTION FOR A PERFECT LIFE

Let us consider them for a few moments

BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT
BLESSED ARE THEY THAT MOURN
BLESSED ARE THEY THAT HUNGER AND THIRST AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS
BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART

Quilting Away

Lately I have been working on finishing projects that I have had going for awhile. Last summer I went on a quilt shop hop (the 2nd one of the year) and finished the quilt yesterday. It was fun to design and put together but most of all it is now on the bed, decorating my home. I haven't used gray as a color before but find that it fit quite nicely with the gray iron bed in the guest room. When I put the quilt on it looked like it fit on the bed.

My next quilts are coming soon and I hope to have them bound before Wednesday. I am starting on the next quilt. Lately I have been making scrap quilts to use up some of the scraps I have in my stash. It's fun to be creative!!!

To my tall daughter Cherie...Happy Birthday to you

Dear Cherie,

It's been awhile since I have written poetry but I read this to your Dad and he thinks I should quit my job and write poetry. We had a good laugh over that. I always wanted to be tall so this is my attempt to feel that way. :)

To BE

by Carolyn Miles

Sometimes I think I would like to be
As tall and stately as a tree.
To dig my roots down tall and deep,
And reach my branches tall and steep.

My limbs would harbor wildlife free
And overshadow the flower and bee.
There I would stand content to grow
As o'er the earth I slowly bow.

The ages would pass and I grow old.
My seed fly free but never told,
The wisdom of those who stay to wonder
Under my branches of greenly splendor.

Sometimes I would like to be
As tall and stately as a tree.
To dig my roots down tall and deep,
And reach my branches tall and steep.

Love, MOM

Of Priesthood and Testimony

I come from a legacy of faith. My ancestors struggled and strove to build up the kingdom of God in these latter days. They served in righteousness and peace, setting an example of charity and obedience to the commandments of god. The blessings of the priesthood have been in their homes for generations, so when I think about my testimony of the priesthood the first thing I think about was the example that had been set for me by my ancestors. My great-grandfather served as Bishop in Idaho for 30 years. My grandfather served for 27 years as Stake President and Stake Patriarch of the San Francisco Stake. My Great-Grandmothers and both grandmothers were Relief Society Presidents. They showed me great examples of charity and love. My mother served in the primary and in the Relief Society for many years. She found joy in playing the piano and organ for almost 50 years in the church. My father is a temple worker, now serves two missions, and finds joy in substituting in the Primary. He tells me amusing stories about his efforts in teaching. He was a scout master and leader for many years. My bothers have followed his footsteps and serve in their local and state scouting councils. They have both achieved the highest honors in scouting. Every one of my father's grandsons who are eligible have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout because of his diligence in taking them to scout camp and working with them. My father came to a spoke at both my sons Eagle court of honors. My father-in law, now 80 serves also as a temple worker. They have honored their priesthood by serving with great diligence. My husband has set a great example in our home of honoring his priesthood by serving diligently in his callings (he currently has 6 callings and doesn't complain). We have weekly Family Home Evenings, Family Prayer, and speak about the gospel often in our home. I can say that because of the examples of the men and women in my life that I am blessed through priesthood power. In D & C 84 the Lord tells the brethren,"33. For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies. 34. They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God."

President Gordon B. Hinckley said, "How beautiful is that home where lives a man of godly manner, who loves those for whose nurture he is responsible, who stands before them as an example of integrity and goodness, who teaches industry and loyalty, not spoiling his children by indulging their every wish, but rather setting before them a pattern of work and service which will underpin their lives forever. How fortunate is the man whose wife radiates a spirit of love, of compassion, of order, of quiet beneficence, whose children show appreciation one for another, who honor and respect their parents, who counsel with them and take counsel from them. Such home life is within the reach of all who have cultivated in their hearts a resolution to do that which will please their Father in Heaven."

My testimony has grown over the years as to the necessity of listening to and following a living prophet. The commandment to have Family Home Evening, scripture study, and prayer was taken seriously. When the prophet asked us to read the Book of Mormon we did so as a family. At first when we were young parents it was a real struggle to have family prayer, scripture study, family home evening, and to even struggle with our toddlers through church. Their attention spans were so short and they were often ready for the next adventure before we were. I remember one tiring day at church after walking my little boy to sleep during Sacrament Meeting, a young mother came to me and said, "I don't know if it is worth going to church. I spend most of my time out in the hall." Yes. I did spend most of my time in the hall yet I felt it was worth it. And every time I searched for the lost shoes and changed the clothes I had carefully set out the night before I was more determined than ever to take my children to church because I knew that was what the Lord expected of me. If my children did not have a righteous example...how could they know how to be righteous? I worried about the imperfections of myself and my husband because to me they were apparent. I knew that I had this fault and my husband had that fault. But nevertheless we were still striving and my hope was my children would overlook those parts of our nature that were so blatantly defective. I keep reminding myself that God gives us imperfections so that we may be humble.

Marion D. Hanks said, "Fathers, priesthood leaders, young men need models. The unspoken sermon is heard most clearly and learned most strongly by those near at hand. It is not through definition or diatribe that young men acquire values. "they do not learn ethical principles; they emulate ethical (or unethical) people. they do not analyze or list attributes they wish to develop; they identify with people who seem to have them." (John Gardner, Self-Renewal, p. 124.) What boys need is not lectures about notions of love, human relationships, or God--but to be exposed to unconditional love, unselfish service, to the reality of God in reverence, and worship, and humble prayer. And that is why they need models of what a man at his best can be. will you young men, as I sit down, hear these words of Moroni: "Condemn [us] not because of [our] imperfection...but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest to you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been." (Mormon 9:31) ---Marion D. Hanks.

When I was a small child living in the San Francisco area, my grandfather set a great example of a priesthood leader. He was blessed in many ways but was never a rich man. In fact I recall that my mother said she rarely saw her father as a child due to the fact that he worked three jobs to support his family. My grandmother told me once to always be grateful for my husband and that I should never complain about his job. I learned that the value of having a righteous priesthood holder in the home is greater than having a large paycheck, home, and material things of this world. The riches of this world will come and go and the riches of eternity will stay.

Jesus Christ said in Matthew 13:19 "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20. But lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal; 21. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." My treasure is the gospel of Jesus Christ, the blessings of the priesthood, the temple blessings, and the hope for an eternal family. Through the love of a faithful Father in Heaven and his son Jesus Christ, my life has been immeasurably blessed through priesthood covenants. I love this gospel, I love my Savior.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTEN!

Your 26 years old today and I would say that they have been 26 very happy years for you. I love you lots and hope you had a good day.

I'm Becoming an Exercise Junky!!!!

For my birthday this year Kerry bought me a gym membership. I was a little afraid at first that I would not use it enough. But soon my spare time was overtaken by the exercise craze. I wondered how a person of MY AGE would every survive if I began to use muscles that had not been used in YEARS. So I began working with a personal trainer. AND the sore muscles began. I started off by doing leg lifts, push ups, planks, and seated rows. The next day I could feel it definitely in my chest, legs, and torso and promptly came down with a cold. No. the cold was not an excuse to quit and solve my sore muscle problem, but it could have been. I was determined to keep swimming through this and ended up at the point of exhaustion so I took a week off work and then went to Utah. The next time I saw my personal trainer I was ready to go. I still had my cough but determined that I would not let that stop me. So she began to work my unused muscles and I discovered aches that I had not had in years. But have been doggedly pushing myself to overcome this by using lots of Tylenol. It worked and I was ready to go to the gym after downing 2 tablets. The best part of this is that yesterday I had an exercise high. Talk about getting a rush from those beautiful brain endorphins. I lifted my weights, did my agonizing push ups and then got on the treadmill. I have a goal to do not one but 2 triathalons this summer. I am trying to be in fantastic mode with my body. The first I will swim and the second is in August and I will do swimming, biking, and running. I am in the mode like the Little Engine that Could...I think I can...I think I can...

Relationships

I was teaching at a high school today and was reading the school newspaper. It had an interesting article about romantic relationships and what constitutes a good relationship and an abusive one. Sometimes I come upon something that is significant and strikes me as an important article that teaches us about how to be a good partner and how not to be a good partner. I realise that sometimes we all need a self assessment to find out what we can do to be more loving in nature. I personally would like to be a more loving person and have great relationships with the people in my life.

In the article it talks about how we should never be afraid to talk about someone about our problems. Although this is geared towards teenagers I think we can all take a good look at how our personal relationships can be improved. In one part of the article the writer asks the reader...How do I know if someone really loves you and treats you right? Here are some of the indicators that tell a person that they are not being treated right:

• They are possessive towards you



• They try to control you by being demanding or bossy



• They call you demeaning names that hurt you



• They lose their temper and anger quickly



• They monitor your social life, try to cut you off from friends and activities and keep you to themselves



• They pressure you sexually



• They blame you for their emotional problems



• They blame you for the way they treat you



• They have a history of bad relationships



• Your friends or family have warned you about them or told you they're worried for you



• You are scared to do certain things because of how they may react



• They "joke" about you in ways that hurt your feelings



• You break up and get back together repeatedly



• They grab you, shove you, or hit your when you upset them or they are stressed



• They break things or take their anger out on inanimate objects when stressed out or upset



• They ask people to watch you and tell you about it to get you to "behave"



• They don't let you have feelings, get mad at you when you're mad or make you feel guilty for being upset



• They tell you you're the abusive one



• They seem too good to be true at first



• They buy you things after a fight to make you forget about it or make you think they're sorry



• They promise to change repeatedly but never actually do



• They blame you for any fights you get into



• They are always right in their mind



• You feel trapped with no way out



• They disrespect other women/men



• They pressure you to change the way you look, clothes, hair, etc



• They accuse you of liking other people frequently



• They threaten suicide if you try to leave them



• They keep you from school or work



• They go through you belongings

After I read this list, I came to the understanding that the behavior that is being described is unrighteous dominion. Years ago I read an article about unrighteous dominion written by Elder H. Burke Peterson called Unrighteous Dominion (Ensign, July 1989). He said, "Exercising unrighteous dominion can follow many patterns. It may be relatively mild when expressed as criticism, anger, or feelings of severe frustration. In more extreme cases unrighteous dominion may be expressed as verbal, physical, or emotional abuse." Elder Peterson goes on to explain that often when people go to others to express their need for help, instead of getting sympathy and understanding "they are told to change their own attitude" and are criticized and condemned for not forgiving others when they themselves had nothing to do with the behavior they are experiencing.

I have experienced this in my own life in which I was criticized and made to feel unrighteous even though I was serving in a calling with all my strength and heart. President Kimball taught that, "Men often do not give women inadequate respect. I often think that our own Latter-Day Saint women are needy because some of us are not as thoughtful and considerate of them as we should be. Our pantries are filled with food but yet our sisters are starved for affection and recognition." (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, 1982, p. 317). This lack of recognition can take a toll on women who are striving to do all they can and suddenly are told that they are inadequate because of criticism.

In D&C 121:41-44 the Lord explains what unrighteous dominion is and how to overcome it. He says, "No power or influence ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, by loved unfeigned: By kindness and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge thy soul without hypocrisy and without guile--reproving betimes with sharpness when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth an increase in love towards him whom thou hast reproved lest he esteem thee to be thy enemy; That he may know thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death." So if we are truly to become saints there is a lot for us to overcome. Practicing our religion is of utmost importance in overcoming the tendency towards unrighteous dominion.