26 December 2014

Christmas 2014


It has been another great Christmas at the Johnson household, as we once again had our entire family here with us.  LeighAnn and our two grandchildren (Charlie & Evan) have been staying with us since Thanksgiving, and Russell was able to come in from Seattle on December 19th.

Evan Mads Johnson was given a name and blessing (D&C 20:70) by Russell here in our ward last Sunday.  Later that evening, we had the Johnson Family Christmas Party with my parents, brothers and their families.

We had dinner with Debbie's dad and Jan on Tuesday evening in Genola, and had a good visit.

Christmas Day was enjoyable-- not so much because of the new snow, but more especially now that Charlie (21 months) is old enough to open presents.  It was fun to see her take to and play with her new baby doll.

Looking forward to the beginning of another New Year and everything that it will bring to me and my family.

28 November 2014

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day was a long and tiring day for all of us.  After helping with preparations and retiring to bed late Wednesday night, I was keeping in touch with Susie via text messaging as she was traveling  back to Provo with Russell, LeighAnn, Charlie and Evan.  Just before 2 a.m. Susie sent a text saying that the Suburban had broken down on I-15 in Brigham City- 100 miles from Provo.  I got dressed and headed up North.  The VanQuills also started that way.  A tow-truck came and took the Suburban, and we were able to bring everyone safely back to Provo- arriving at 5:30 a.m.

19 October 2014

Skyview Ward- Renton, WA

We have been visiting my son Russell and his family in Renton, Washington during this past week. Today, we attended their LDS ward (Skyview) in Renton. I enjoyed the high council speaker during sacrament meeting.  Since next week is this ward's primary program, the priesthood opening was moved to the primary room so that he children could have the chapel to rehearse the program. The bishopric member conducting priesthood announced that since we were gathered into the primary room, we would be singing "Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam". The brother leading the music insisted that we all do the up and down motions with the song. We need to visit this ward more often!

16 October 2014

Evan Mads Johnson

We traveled up to Renton, Washington to visit Russell and his family, and for most of us (except Debbie) to see their new baby, Evan Mads.  It was another great experience holding a new grandchild for the first time.  Evan was born 27 July 2014.  Debbie had the opportunity to come up after the birth to help out.  For Fall Break, we decided to come up for the week and be with Russ, LeighAnn, Charlie and Evan. 

21 September 2014

The Eventful Night of September 22, 1827


The Eventful Night of September 22, 1827 
_____________________________ 
(From Orson F. Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball, p.15-17)

It was the eventful night of September 22, 1827. Says Heber C. Kimball:
"I had retired to bed, when John P. Greene, who was living within a hundred steps of my house, came and waked me up, calling upon me to come out and behold the scenery in the heavens. I woke up and called my wife and Sister Fanny Young (sister to Brigham Young), who was living with us, and we went out-of-doors.
"It was one of the most beautiful starlight nights, so clear that we could see to pick up a pin. We looked to the eastern horizon, and beheld a white smoke arise toward the heavens; as it ascended it formed itself into a belt, and made a noise like the sound of a mighty wind, and continued southwest, forming a regular bow dipping in the western horizon. After the bow had formed, it began to widen out and grow clear and transparent, of a bluish cast; it grew wide enough to contain twelve men abreast.
"In this bow an army moved, commencing from the east and marching to the west; they continued marching until they reached the western horizon. They moved in platoons, and walked so close that the rear ranks trod in the steps of their file leaders, until the whole bow was literally crowded with soldiers. We could distinctly see the muskets, bayonets and knapsacks of the men, who wore caps and feathers like those used by the American soldiers in the last war with Britain; and also saw their officers with their swords and equipage, and the clashing and jingling of their implements of war, and could discover the forms and features of the men. The most profound order existed throughout the entire army; when the foremost man stepped, every man stepped at the same time; I could hear the steps. When the front rank reached the western horizon a battle ensued, as we could distinctly hear the report of arms and the rush.
"No man could judge of my feelings when I beheld that army of men, as plainly as ever I saw armies of men in the flesh; it seemed as though every hair of my head was alive. This scenery we gazed upon for hours, until it began to disappear.
"After I became acquainted with Mormonism, I learned that this took place the same evening that Joseph Smith received the records of the Book of Mormon from the angel Moroni, who had held those records in his possession.
"John Young, Sen., and John P. Greene's wife, Rhoda, were also witnesses.
"My wife, being frightened at what she saw, said, 'Father Young, what does all this mean?'
"'Why, it's one of the signs of the coming of the Son of Man,' he replied, in a lively, pleased manner.

"The next night similar scenery was beheld in the west by the neighbors, representing armies of men who were engaged in battle."

A wonderful foreshadowing, truly, of the warfare to be waged between the powers of good and evil, from the time Truth sprang from earth and Righteousness looked down from heaven upon the boy Joseph, predestined to bring to light the buried records of the past.









 

05 May 2014

Supreme Court: Opening prayers at council meetings constitutional

The Supreme Court has upheld the right of local officials to open town council meetings with prayer, ruling that this does not violate the Constitution even if the prayers routinely stress Christianity. (Read More)


06 April 2014

LDS General Conference


Been watching and enjoying LDS General Conference with my family in Renton, Washington at the home of my son and daughter-in-law.  Much counsel has been given for me to consider in making personal improvements.