Sunday Evening Memoir 04.30.2023: "Discipleship"

Disciple: A pupil or learner; a name used to denote all followers of Jesus Christ.

There came a time during my late teen years when I knew that I needed to change things in my life- not that I was guilty of any great sins, but that I needed to direct my efforts more towards becoming a consistent disciple of our Savior Jesus Christ.  It just so happened that I was arriving at the age of missionary service and I still was not too sure that I wanted to go out to some place unknown to me and teach the Gospel.  But, the Spirit works  in marvelous ways and created for me an opportunity to make my own decision and to fully commit myself to the cause!  

An inspired Bishop also helped me along the way and spent considerable time with me in his office getting to know me better and at the same time teaching me by the Spirit.  In time, I received a mission call, signed by President Spencer W. Kimball, assigning me to the Hawaii-Honolulu Mission.  

Spencer W. Kimball

Having grown up in a home with little Gospel teaching, my experience at the Missionary Training Center (MTC) was incredible!  Our district was told on our first day there of a quote by President Ezra Taft Benson (then president of the Quorum of the Twelve) in which he told those at the MTC that the Lord's Spirit walks the halls there.  I felt it!  It was only a short three weeks that I was there, but I felt something special each and every day- even amidst my getting carried away with having occasional fun.  Being able to memorize things quickly I often had extra time on my hands in the classroom and couldn't resist joking around with the other Elders.  After a Tuesday evening devotional by Elder Rex D. Pinegar (Seventy) he stayed to greet and shake hands with all the missionaries that desired to do so.  I got into the line.  When it was my turn to greet him all I could say was my name and where I was from (I was extremely nervous).  He then looked me in the eyes and said something which I'm sure he said to many others that evening: "Elder Johnson, we need you!".  It was simple but it resonated with me.  

Elder Pinegar

MTC group at Mission Christmas Party

Arriving in the islands, and then being assigned to labor on Maui in Kahului, everything was a blur for the first few days.  As we went to our first Sunday meetings I kept thinking of how back at home I was always trying to cut out after sacrament meeting as I felt that the three-hour block was just too darn long.  I then made a promise in my heart that day with the Lord that I would from that time forward make every effort to attend ALL of the meetings that I needed to attend.  I soon found that as I was more focused on the Savior that any meeting held something spiritual for me- even if the person teaching or instructing was having a difficult time doing so.  

Kahului Stake Center

After returning home, I knew just how important it was going to be for me to continue doing the things I had learned to do during the previous eighteen months; along with regular attendance at the Temple.  I was imperfect, but I always tried to give it my best.  

One thing that I have always remembered, and which I attempt to do each day (imperfectly) is to always remember Jesus Christ in every thought.  It's so easy for the worldly distractions and concerns to take center stage- so then it requires greater effort to keep Him always in my thoughts.  

Also, somehow I just knew that if I were to ever become forgetful or casual with my personal prayers, that I would probably lose the spiritual strength that can sometimes be so fleeting.  During my UHP years as I got myself ready and put on the required uniform each day, along with the gun belt and vest- all of which provided me with protection- I also felt it needful to arm myself with the protective power of faith, and so I would try to kneel and ask not only for physical protection, but for spiritual protection as well.  

If we will spiritually tune in and give our very best to be a devoted disciple and follower of the Savior, we can know His voice (by the whisperings of the Holy Ghost), and as many of you have experienced, He knows us each individually and by name!!! (John 10:27).  It has been my personal experience that we can maintain this blessing by finding ourselves on "The Covenant Path", and by making the needed adjustments whenever necessary.  

Finally, I have heard it said before that a person should never be so sure of himself so as to say something like: "I will never stray off the path for any reason".  I took that to mean that pride or arrogance could precede my downfall if I am not careful.  Instead, I feel to say: "Heavenly Father, please help me to see and overcome my weaknesses.  And if I start to falter please intervene and guide me back to where I need to be".  Anyone of us can easily struggle along the Covenant Path as we move through life.  It is not always stepping off the path, but sometimes it simply means that we have just stalled somewhere along the path.  I have experienced these to one degree or another, but as always there will be a gentle warning from the Spirit to make corrections.  

I love you all!!!

Sunday Evening Memoir 04.23.2023 "Birth to Twelve Years Old"

 While pondering on how I could better share my history and testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with my immediate family, I happened to be listening to a discussion on "Saints" web channel where one of the speakers talked about how he prepares a weekly message to share with his family and then sends it out electronically.  That's what I am going to attempt to do from now on, on a regular basis.  It is my hope that my grandchildren, as they grow older and are more able to read on their own, will find some value in these memoirs.

It will just be stories from my life, along with experiences that have been a spiritual strength to me along the way.

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I was born 18 Feb 1964 in Provo, Utah, as the fourth of six boys.  My earliest recollections were a family trip to Yellowstone when I was approximately 3-4 years old.  Just memories of a campsite and my Dad finding long pieces of fallen branches that he cleaned up and had them leaning against a large tree so the he could run over to grab them to throw at any black bears that wandered too close to the campground.

Some time after that in the spring of 1968 my Dad was hired by the UHP and we moved to Henefer, Utah, where we lived in a large house for about one month until we could get into a rental down in Coalville, which made it easier for my Dad to go down to the courthouse to pick up the UHP shuttle car for each shift and then drive himself to the Echo Port of Entry.  Within a year we were moved back to our home in Provo.  

Just after arriving back in Provo I started kindergarten at Sunset View Elementary.  

In March of 1972 I was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  My friend in the neighborhood, Scott Smith, whose parents didn't participate in church activity, was baptized at the same service by Doug Halladay- another neighbor who was approximately 16 years of age.  Also, shortly after this I was able to go with my Mom, Dad and older brothers to the open-house of the newly construct Provo Temple.

My earliest recollection of experiencing the Gift of the Holy Ghost came within the next year, or so.  It was bedtime and I had decided that I should kneel and say a personal prayer.  I was asking for forgiveness of my then childhood sins when I suddenly felt as if something warm was poured over my head and then cascaded down through my body.  I have never forgotten that moment.  

But, as life progressed along, and as I found myself doing more and more with friends that were not perfect, I soon picked up a cussing habit that almost rivaled my Dad's own habit.  In 5th grade sometime near the Easter holiday, the Gideon's visited our class and offered each student a pocket sized copy of the New Testament that they wanted to give to us- with our parents permission.  I got the permission.  For a short time I kept that small book in my back pocket and would try to read from it from day to day.  Whenever I felt the urge to cuss I would tap my pocket with the book in it to remind me to try and do better.  Well, it lasted for a time and then soon went back to my old ways.  

When I turned 12 years old I received the Aaronic Priesthood, and was ordained to the office of Deacon under the hands of my Dad.  

(More next week)