The day finally arrived...Last night Skyeler was set apart as a missionary and today he went into the MTC. Mike said the parting was difficult, but the promises are sure and all is well.
Ice Skating
9 years ago
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
How Can Anyone Doubt It, If They Ask In Faith!
Book of Mormon Challenge
Well-meaning people, unacquainted with the Book of Mormon, cannot realize it is a modern-day miracle. They suppose it was produced by the natural ability of Joseph Smith or some other person. But here are some of the challenges you would have in producing a similar record without the power of God.
1. Undertake your literary project even though you yourself are barely literate.
2. Write about an ancient people about which nothing is known.
3. Let the history span more than 2000 years, most of it before the time of Christ.
4. Describe two separate societies who have different roots, languages and culture.
5. Tell of their revealed doctrines and practices.
6. Use language that is straightforward at the same time that it is inspiring.
7. Describe cultural complexities that erupted when people departed from their original faith.
8. Mention details about politics, agriculture, war, rac, education, economy and even coinage.
9. Change the writing style for each emerging writer and speaker.
10. Keep a consistent style for the ancient compiler as he comments from time to time.
11. Write 70 doctrinal chapters, 50 on prophecy, and 21 describing a personal visit from Christ.
12. Keep all this in perfect harmony with the Bible, but not with the religions of your own time.
13. Use various literary devices, such as parable, simile, metaphor, epic lyric, and chiasmus.
14. Use over 250 unique proper nouns that linguists later discover to be authentic.
15. Make sure the book is more than 500 pages and 300,000 words in length.
16. Despite moves, poverty and persecution, produce the book in just under three months.
17. Reputable people must report that they saw the plates from which you translated the book.
18. You must endure all kinds of abuse, and finally a brutal death, rather than deny your claims.
19. After you die, evidence of these ancient people must start pouring in from secular sources.
20.Though people oppose the book, it is published world-wide in numerous languages.
21. The book is actually taken seriously as the word of God.
22. Attempts to explain away the origin of your book will be silly and groundless.
23. One explanation will meet the test of time and evidence: it came forth by the power of God.
24. You promise that God will verify the book to every honest inquirer. The promise works.
25. Thousands will give up everything, including life, in loyaty to the sacred record.
26. Countless thousands of young adults will forsake their other projects just to share the book.
27. Learned people read the book many times, and still consider it a treasure of new insights.
28. Those who adopt your book as a guide in daily life will say it has changed their lives.
29. They will actually be known world-wide for their faith, goodness and achievement.
There are other lists like this, but Dr. Wayne Brickey just simplified the points to fit on one page.
Well-meaning people, unacquainted with the Book of Mormon, cannot realize it is a modern-day miracle. They suppose it was produced by the natural ability of Joseph Smith or some other person. But here are some of the challenges you would have in producing a similar record without the power of God.
1. Undertake your literary project even though you yourself are barely literate.
2. Write about an ancient people about which nothing is known.
3. Let the history span more than 2000 years, most of it before the time of Christ.
4. Describe two separate societies who have different roots, languages and culture.
5. Tell of their revealed doctrines and practices.
6. Use language that is straightforward at the same time that it is inspiring.
7. Describe cultural complexities that erupted when people departed from their original faith.
8. Mention details about politics, agriculture, war, rac, education, economy and even coinage.
9. Change the writing style for each emerging writer and speaker.
10. Keep a consistent style for the ancient compiler as he comments from time to time.
11. Write 70 doctrinal chapters, 50 on prophecy, and 21 describing a personal visit from Christ.
12. Keep all this in perfect harmony with the Bible, but not with the religions of your own time.
13. Use various literary devices, such as parable, simile, metaphor, epic lyric, and chiasmus.
14. Use over 250 unique proper nouns that linguists later discover to be authentic.
15. Make sure the book is more than 500 pages and 300,000 words in length.
16. Despite moves, poverty and persecution, produce the book in just under three months.
17. Reputable people must report that they saw the plates from which you translated the book.
18. You must endure all kinds of abuse, and finally a brutal death, rather than deny your claims.
19. After you die, evidence of these ancient people must start pouring in from secular sources.
20.Though people oppose the book, it is published world-wide in numerous languages.
21. The book is actually taken seriously as the word of God.
22. Attempts to explain away the origin of your book will be silly and groundless.
23. One explanation will meet the test of time and evidence: it came forth by the power of God.
24. You promise that God will verify the book to every honest inquirer. The promise works.
25. Thousands will give up everything, including life, in loyaty to the sacred record.
26. Countless thousands of young adults will forsake their other projects just to share the book.
27. Learned people read the book many times, and still consider it a treasure of new insights.
28. Those who adopt your book as a guide in daily life will say it has changed their lives.
29. They will actually be known world-wide for their faith, goodness and achievement.
There are other lists like this, but Dr. Wayne Brickey just simplified the points to fit on one page.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Welcoming parade for the doctors
Adhoc Clinic where they took care of patients,
Mike and one of the patients...
"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; If we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." Anne Bradstreet
Mike and Skyeler certainly saw the adversity that many people in the world experience on a daily basis. It makes me so ashamed whenever I whine about things, and all I have to do is check Mike's site and realize again that I am most blessed. We as a family, and a nation, are blessed beyond words. I am truly grateful to live in this wonderful nation and pray for the Lord's choicest blessings to be upon it, and upon us as a people that we will live according to the commandments, love one another and strive to always be found worthy of the blessings we are so richly blessed with.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Since I can never figure out how to place the pictures in the right order, I thought I should just put them in and then tell you a little about them. Beautiful Sunset from Vickies front yard. Two adorable dogs enjoying the day at Canine Country Club. First and best of all an amazing picture of Skyeler with Boi, the little boy who came into the clinic last year when Mike and Cliff were in Africa. The doctors could not help him but made arrangements for him to come to the states. After some very successfulsurgeries and a year later you can see what love, prayers and helping hands can do. Mike and Skyeler should arrive home today so hopefully I can tell you more about the trip this year in another post. What a wonderful opportunity for Skyeler to be able to go to Africa before leaving on his mission to Chili on the 28th of January.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Happy New Year Everyone
It is so beautiful outside right now. The snow is still coming down, big fluffy flakes and there is already about 4 inches of fresh powder on the front walk. What a wonderful begining to a New Year. Just had to add a few more pictures from Christmas, of course most of them have already appeared on the Gill and Thomas blogs, but for my friends who don't know them you really must see the cutest kids under any tree in 2008.
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