Becky Lockhart: House Speaker & UHP Honorary Colonel

House Speaker and UHP Honorary Colonel Becky Lockart passed away Saturday, 17 January 2015, from Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD).  

I first met Becky sometime back around the year 2000 when she and another candidate for public office were up in our former neighborhood putting out campaign signs.  I spent a few minutes speaking with them both about the troubles facing the Utah Highway Patrol, and the frustrations I was feeling as a Trooper- especially as it pertained to wages.

Over the course of the ensuing years, Becky became an ardent supporter of the Troopers up on Capitol Hill, and the UHP began to see steady improvements in wage increases and improvements in updated equipment and technology.  

As part of the UHP's Public Information and Education team, I took the lead on a new program called the "High School Adoption" where the main focus was to improve seat belt usage among high school students.  Wanting to expand from a handful of high schools in Utah County, Becky was instrumental in securing an appropriation to fund the program and expand it to multiple high schools around the state of Utah, and the program has continued over the years-- helping to make seat belt use a lifelong habit for beginning drivers.  

As President of the Utah Highway Patrol Association (UHPA), I was honored to present Becky with the "Support Of Excellence" award at our annual 2007 banquet, and to recognize her for her support of the UHP.  Eventually, Becky was invited to join the ranks of the UHP Honorary Colonels Association.

I also appreciate that Becky took time out of her busy schedule to attend my promotional ceremony to Corporal at the state capitol during the 2011 legislative session.  

I'm grateful for the opportunities had to occasionally get together with Stan, Becky and other friends for dinner or other social activities, and for the friendships that have been formed.  

My prayers and thoughts are with Stan and his family at this time!  

A Dream-- From The Mission Journal of George Q. Cannon

In reading the beginning entries of George Q. Cannon's journal from his mission to the Hawaiian Islands, this particular entry stands out. Their vessel was hampered in setting sail from a California harbor due to high winds, and an anchor being stuck in the mud below the water.  On 22 November 1850, recorded a dream that he had the night previous, in which the Prophet Joseph Smith taught him of the power that comes to an individual when Faith is combined with Prayer. 

A New Book & Reminiscing

Just began reading THE JOURNALS OF GEORGE Q. CANNON- HAWAIIAN MISSION 1850-1854. Looking forward to reading deeper into its pages.  Having served myself as a missionary to the Hawaiian Islands, I love reading anything that pertains to the early days of the LDS Church in the islands, and it brings back to mind my days as a new missionary on the island of Maui.

The first LDS chapel in the Hawaiian Islands still stands in Pulehu on the island of Maui. Near that spot, the first baptisms were performed by George Q. Cannon and James Keeler.
 

My first assigned area was in Kahului.  Soon after arriving, I attended my first Zone Conference which was held at the Palehu chapel. Having only recently started to really focus on things Spiritual, during the months leading up to receiving my mission call, it was a great experience to sit in that Zone Conference and to be instructed by President and Sister Martin- as well as the assistants to the president, to each share our testimony, and to feel the motivating power of the Holy Ghost.  Those first months of my mission were a great spiritual awakening for me.

A Quick Rescue and Drive to Seattle

Russell, LeighAnn, their children and two dogs left to return back home to Seattle early Saturday morning (03 Dec).  We got a call just before 6am informing us that the old Suburban had broken down up in the Layton area.  Debbie headed up in the Impala, and I headed up in my pickup truck. You may recall that Russell and his family broke down when they came down for Thanksgiving last November.

We decided to leave the Suburban in a Target parking lot and then we all headed back towards Provo. Russell arranged for a towing company to come later and pick up the Suburban, We then stopped at the SLC Airport and picked up a Suburban from a car rental.  After getting everything all packed up back in Provo, we all set out together.  We met the tow-truck operator, who took the broken down vehicle back to Provo.  We then drove straight through to Russell's home in Seattle- arriving at around 1am.  

After getting a few hours of sleep, Debbie and I started for home at 8:30am Sunday morning.  It was raining, and then snow-packed as we started to climb up Interstate 90 out of the Seattle area.  The snow and rain continued until we got down into the East Oregon area.  Debbie and I made it back to Provo late Sunday evening.