Bear Scare Repentance

Scout camp became a little tense this year when, on the second night, a member of the staff came sprinting into camp. Through panting breaths he explained that a bear had been seen in camp, and that we were in some danger. He explained things the scout camp was going to do to protect us, and gave us a list of things we needed to do immediately. Our list included removing food and other smellables from our tent - just as we had been told many times. 

Many of the scouts were wide eyed and scared. "We're going to die!" one scout shouted as he paced around the group. Then they started diligently going through their tents and bags, removing all their food and other smellables, and storing them in our scout trailer. Rules and guidelines that previously had been suggestions by some old guys to make camp more miserable suddenly became essential to survival. Scouts that had been following the guideline since arriving at camp felt much more safe than those that had disregarded the counsel and had to remove food from their tent. 

Commandments are like that. For many people they start out being silly rules made up by old people. But at some point, usually after some type of bear scare, They change from theoretical to practical. They become essential to peace and safety. 

The Lord has said,  “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (D&C 38:30). He has taught us how to prepare for life and future bear scares. "I have warned you, and forewarn you" (D&C 39:4). The scriptures are full of both warnings of the danger, and actions to take to overcome the danger. 

As I look forward to the lives of these young scouts, I hope the gospel, the commandments, and the Atonement of Christ will continue to become real to them. Sooner or later all of us will meet the Savior. For some, the experience will be full of peace and love. Others will want "the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne." (Rev. 6:15) That day will be a bear scare for real. 

Let Earth Receive Her King

I have written before about the time near Christmas that I asked my daughter what she had learned in primary class that day. She responded that it was better to give than receive. In the eight subsequent years, this mantra still doesn't sit right with me, though it is a frequent Christmas topic. I would like to make the case that it is better to receive than give, or that receiving is at least as important as giving.

I think the principle that giving is better than receiving has some unintended consequences. I am a pretty good giver of gifts - however I am a lousy receiver. As I have pondered the topic, I can identify five different ways that I am or have been a terrible receiver.

1. The Denier
If it is better to give than receive, I always want to be the giver. When my children were born the ward relief society president approached me to see if they could bring in a few meals to help out. I was belligerent that we didn't need any help - we were self sufficient, had plenty of family around, and we didn't want to be a burden on anyone else. I denied gifts that were freely given.

2. The Score Keeper
Children receive gifts with joy. As and adult, I find myself mentally keeping score. If someone gives me a gift, I feel obligated to give them a gift also. If giving is more important than receiving, we need to keep the score the same. You compliment me, I compliment you, and we both come out even.

3. The Careless Receiver
Sometimes gifts are received with joy, but then set aside and mistreated - they aren't maintained and soon fall into disrepair. Though the gift started out very valuable, through neglect it loses its value. I am guilty of being careless with gifts.

4. The Apathetic Receiver
If giving is more important than receiving, maybe the thing given doesn't matter - it is just the act of giving that is important. Sometimes I have received gifts that I have considered worthless. There was one Christmas growing up that I didn't want anything that Santa had brought. I didn't know that my parents had tape recorded the whole thing. Later when we listened to it, I was embarrassed by my actions. As a general category of ways we can be poor gift receivers, being apathetic is one of the worst. Doctrine and Covenants section 50 teaches that it is only when teachers teach by the spirit, and learners receive by the spirit that both are edified. The same is true with giving and receiving gifts. If a gift is not received, was it really a gift?

5. The Demanding Receiver
Another way that I might be a bad receiver of gifts are the times I have felt entitled to a gift - that because of position or privilege I deserved something. Me, me me. More, more, more. This, too, negates the nature of a gift.

Not all gifts are equal. I prize some of the gifts I have received much more than others. Christ's Atonement is the greatest of all gifts ever given. Some people deny the gift that Christ offers. Others try to keep score with Jesus, thinking their own efforts and sacrifices will somehow make them more deserving of Christ's grace. Some people have been careless with the gifts they have already received, and yet others see no need for grace at all.

Songs that we sing at Christmas time remind us that receiving, and receiving Christ, should be part of our Christmas worship. "Joy to the world, the Lord is king. Let earth RECEIVE her King."  I want to be a better receiver of gifts this Christmas. And I particularly want to be a better receiver of Christ.

How silently, how silently

The wondrous gift is given!

So God imparts to human hearts

The blessings of His heaven.

No ear may hear His coming,

But in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive him still,

The dear Christ enters in.

 (O little town of Bethlehem)

Living without the Spirit

I love the studying the scriptures. I had an interesting experience recently as I studied Moroni 9 - a chapter that I rarely ponder. It lead to an answer to a prayer, and the rediscovery of an awesome ensign article. 

Moroni Chapter 9 is kind of a depressing chapter that contains Moron's observations of terrible conditions of his civilization. The chapter is tucked between Chapter 7's description of the Light of Christ, faith and charity - and Moroni 10's promise. Normally Chapter 9 is a pathway to 10, not any sort of a destination. (It has only been quoted 50 times as listed in the Citation Index.) This time, as I read Moroni Chapter 9, I was impressed that there are two lists contained within the chapter. The first is Mormon’s observations of the eventual state of people living without the spirit. The second is some counsel to his son Moroni about how to keep the Spirit with in in perilous times.

Verse	Text	Summary
3	Satan stirreth them up continually to anger one with another	Angry, Contentious
4	When I speak the word of God with sharpness they tremble and anger against me (1 Ne 16:2)	Angry
4	When I use no sharpness they harden their hearts against it	Hard hearted
5	For so exceedingly do they anger that it seemeth me that they have no fear of death	Angry No respect for life
5	They have lost their love, one towards another	No love
5	They thirst after blood and revenge continually	Bloodthirsty Hateful
8	Slay people indiscriminately (non-combatants)	Bloodthirsty No respect for life Lawless
8	Feed the women upon the flesh of their husbands, and the children upon the flesh of their fathers.	Unkind Cannibalism
8	No water, save a little, do they give unto them (prisoners)	Unkind
9	Depriving prisoners of that which was most dear and precious above all things, which is chastity and virtue	Rape
10	They did murder them in a most cruel manner, torturing their bodies even unto death	Unkind Bloodthirsty
10	They devour their flesh like unto wild beasts	Hard hearted Cannibalism
10	And they do it for a token of bravery	Prove their bravery with savagery
11	Without civilization	Lawless No Trust
12	Delight is in so much abomination	Delight in evil
16	[Many widows and elderly people] faint by the way and die	Mistreat widows and elderly
17	Awful brutality	Anger Brutality
18	O the depravity of my people!	Sinful
18	They are without order	Lawless
18	They are without mercy	Unkind
18	I cannot any longer enforce my commands	Unruly
19	They have become strong in their perversion	Entrenched in sin
19	They are alike brutal, sparing none, neither old nor young	Unkind No respect for life
19	They delight in everything save that which is good	Seek happiness in evil
19	The suffering of our women and our children upon all the face of this land doth exceed everything	Don’t help others
20	They are without principle	No morals
20	They are past feeling	Callous Heard Hearted
23	Perish... because of the wilfulness [to seek] for blood and revenge	Bloodthirsty No morals
24	Nephites deserted over unto the Lamanites	No Loyalty

You may have different summary words. They mostly show the recurring themes of anger, losing a respect for life and law, and seeking happiness doing evil. There is also a callousness towards life, where life itself loses all meaning. Are there similar themes in society today? Perhaps some. Do I at times feel angry or callous? Sometimes - hopefully in decreasing amounts. 

How would you counsel your child to endure similar conditions? These are things that Mormon said he was doing, or admonished Moroni to do to keep the Spirit and persevere amid such depravity.  

4	I am laboring with them continually	Don’t give up
6	Let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation;	Don’t give up Responsible to do your best
6	We have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God	Don’t give up Battle is individual Focus on the eternal
25	Be faithful in Christ	Be Christ centered
25	May not the things which I have written grieve thee, to weigh thee down unto death	Take note of the evil, but don’t focus on it
25	May Christ lift thee up, and may his sufferings and death, and the showing his body unto our fathers, and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever	Focus on the eternal
26	And may the grace of God the Father,... be, and abide with you forever.	Feel God’s presence through the spirit Develop Christlike attributes

My impression from the list was that I need to be less angry and more kind, less proud and more humble, less self-centered and more aware of the needs of those around me. And I should always be centered in Christ. 

While studying those lists I was reminded of an Article Elder Groeberg wrote in the April, 1986 Ensign entitled, “Investing in Eternity”.  In the article he includes a list of how we act when we have the Spirit, and when we don't. 

When You Have the Spirit	When You Do Not Have the Spirit
1. You generally feel happy and calm.	You may feel unhappy, depressed, confused, frustrated most of the time.
2. You feel full of light.	You may feel heavy, full of darkness.
3. Your mind is clear.	Your mind may be muddled.
4. You feel love for the Lord and others.	You may feel empty, hollow, cold inside.
5. You feel generous.	You may feel selfish, possessive, self-centered.
6. Nobody can offend you.	You may be offended easily.
7. You are very forgiving and kind.	You may usually be on the defensive.
8. You feel confident in what you do.	You may become discouraged easily.
9. You don’t mind others seeing what you are doing.	You may become secretive, evasive.
10. You want to be with those who love you—especially familymembers.	You may want to be alone most of the time. You avoid others—especially family members.
11. You are glad when others succeed.	You may be envious almost constantly of what others do and what they have.
12. You want to help others be happy, even those opposed to you.	You may be envious almost constantly of what others do and what they have.
13. You willingly perform Church work.	You may feel hesitant, unworthy, and unwilling to perform Church ordinances.
14. You feel like praying and reading the scriptures.	You may not want to pray or read scriptures.
15. You wish you could keep all the Lord’s commandments.	You may find the commandments of God and rules of the family bothersome, restricting, or senseless.
16. You usually control your appetites and emotions. You are calm and control your speech; you feel no anger.	You may be a slave to your appetites. You give way to strong anger and outspokenness.
17. You generally feel a deep desire to help others—usually in a way no one else will know about.	When you help others, your main desire may be to have your actions noticed.
18. You speak and think good about others.	You are critical of others, especially family members and those in authority.
19. You feel sorrow when others have problems and sincerely desire to help them.	You may often question others’ motives and secretly delight in others’ problems.
20. You realize that your thoughts and your actions are open to God.	You may feel that what you do and think is only your business and no one else knows or cares.

I like those lists. I'm writing this post mostly so I know where to look to frequently review them. I think they parallel the list given by Mormon - the list by Elder Groeberg is the indicator, the list by Mormon is the outcome. 

Lastly, a little backstory. The day before I studied Moroni 9 I had lunch with a good friend. We frequently get together to discuss life and gospel topics. He had shared a document that he was writing. It included a quote and by and a photo of Elder Shane M. Bowen. The photo triggered the memory of a talk Elder Bowen had given in our stake several years ago. I had also been deeply impressed by the talk his wife had given, in which she had referenced the article by Elder Groeberg - except I couldn't remember who had written it, only that she had talked about his list. I made a mental note to see if I could find my notes from that stake conference so I could locate the article. 

The next day I was deeply impressed as I studied Moroni 9, and started making this list. Again I thought about Sister Bowen's talk and decided I should act on this second prompting. Unfortunately I was unable to locate my notes from the stake conference. I began to try to identify someone who would have attended that same conference, and taken notes, and would be able to find them. A name immediately came to mind. It has been a while since I have had any interaction with this friend, yet I reached out. A reply came just a few hours later that he remembered the talk also, and had searched through his things and by "a miracle" was able to locate the talk. He sent me his notes which identified Elder Groeberg as the author of the article. From there it wasn't hard to find the talk. I'm grateful that God answers prayers, helps my study, and facilitates my growth. 

Fit us for Heaven

Last weekend I went on a leadership campout with some other adults and youth in the area. The group is organizing a large week-long event later this summer, and the campout was a way to build unity and teach leadership principles.

As part of the camp we went on a short night-time hike. Though it wasn't very long, I considered it steep, and thought I would slow the group down. I thought about the large week-long event and how we are planning an 8-10 mile hike as part of that camp. In my head, I started to consider what I needed to do differently before then to prepare myself for that longer hike.

And then a line from a Christmas hymn came to mind.

Bless all the dear children in thy tender care
And fit us for heaven to live with thee there
"Away in a Manger"

My imagination took over for a while, and I imagined heaven as a very mountainous place. I would be very uncomfortable in such a place. Those who are fit, however, would be just fine moving about on the steep trails.

I like the idea of being "fit" for heaven. Fitness isn't something that happens overnight. It isn't something that happens just because you want it to. It isn't something that someone else can give you. It isn't something you can obtain once and have it forever - it is something you have to work at continually. Fitness involves both doing things to become fit, and giving up things that are unfit.

Becoming fit is a great is very similar becoming righteous and communing with God. It is not something that happens instantly. Like exercise, it happens over time. It requires daily attention, the forsaking of bad habits and creating new ones. It involves schooling our desires. 

And - since we are talking about getting fit, I'll end with a scripture about working out. 

27 O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need. Doubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him. (Mormon 9:27)

Problem or Solution

This is the story of how I tried to help a friend, and almost because a problem masquerading as a solution.  

Last night, Saturday, I received a phone call from the bishop asking if there was any way to broadcast Sacrament meeting. He said that one of my good friends in the ward, Eric, was in a precarious situation and had been admitted in the hospital. The added difficulty was that Eric's son had just returned from his mission and was scheduled to speak the next day in Sacrament Meeting. The bishop wanted to broadcast the sons talk so Eric could see the talk and hear it.

I responded that the state technology guys could set it up and volunteered to call them and get it set up. I called and the technology brother was very nice and agreed to meet me at 8, an hour before the meeting was going to start. Plenty of time, we thought,  to get things set up. 

We started the feed just fine, but Eric wasn't able to get it to work. Eric tried his phone and computer but couldn't get it to work. It was now about 8:30. I decided, since I had it working on my computer, that I would just drive to the hospital and watch the meeting with Eric. I arrived at the hospital right at 9 as the meeting was starting.

In the room, I couldn't get it to work either. We were again frustrated because the meeting had started and we still didn't have the feed working.  I thought maybe the hospital was blocking the streaming video.  I switched a few things and pulled the Internet through my phone. Still didn't work. I tried pulling through Eric's phone. Still didn't work. The URL for the feed had a large number in it, and I double checked it with everyone- even copied and pasted it from one application to another. As a last ditch resort I called my wife and was going to do a hangout worth her to get both audio and video. She was able to help if we couldn't figure it out. 

Then I said a silent prayer asking what I was missing.  The Web feed worked from the chapel,  it should work from the hospital. The impression came to send the whole URL to Diego, the ward clerk manning the broadcast equipment, and have him double check it.  Diego noticed that the numbers were fine, but the domain had a misspelling. Once corrected it worked fine. The Sacrament was just ending. We were able to watch the rest of the meeting, including his son's talk. (The doctor came in right before the son was to start speaking. Eric said, I'm sorry, I'm watching my son's talk. This is more important. You will have to come back later." It seemed like the world was conspiring against letting Eric watch the talk.)

I learned a few things in the process. When I was in the hospital room with Eric, I found a lot of other reasons for failure other than myself. I blamed the hospital's internet, and the church's software that might have some firewall preventing me from accessing the site I needed. It wasn't outright blaming, but I was so confident I was doing things correct that someone else must be to blame. In reality though, it was just my own dumb mistake. I was so focused on the numbers I didn't even look at the domain portion of the url. I even tried to work around my problem, offloading my problem to my wife - though she was willing to help. It was only after I was willing to consider that I might be the problem and ask for help, that the problem was identified. 

The son's talk was wonderful. He talked about prayer and humility. He reflected on his life and compared the decisions he was making 4 years ago with those he was making now - and that he was much happier and had a greater perspective. He said, "If the gospel isn't working for you, you are doing something wrong." That was certainly my experience this morning. Prayer, eventual humility, and and course correction. I think I will be reflecting on this experience again and again. 

What Soccer Teaches Me About God

I know little about playing soccer but I have volunteered a few times to coach my kid's teams when no one else was able to assume the role. I approached coaching with the idea that I can help the team have fun. Practices were for learning skills and doing drills. Games were for implementing the skills learned in practice - and having fun doing it. During the games I would only tell players what to do if they were in la-la land, or if they were severely out of position. Mostly I would just shout encouragement and praise. Practice was hands-on demonstrations and drills. Games were to put into play the skills acquired during practice. 

I was always amazed how coaching, practice, and natural ability were more evidenced in some players than others. One of the kids was an excellent defender. He was nowhere near the fastest runner on the team, and he couldn't kick the ball very well, but he had developed the ability to know where the ball was going to go. Whenever the other team would break away with the ball, I was confident this defender would be there to disrupt the play. Other players needed much more coaching to know where to stand and what to do. 

Pondering on those games has taught me some things about God. I am a player on Gods team. When I'm at church, reading scriptures, praying, or worshiping at the temple - these are the practice times. These are the times the coach most freely shares his will. 

The rest of life is the game. The coach is on the sideline.  I am not a robot that is controlled by the coach, or told everything to do. Most of the time I play the game the best I have been taught. Occasionally the coach calls my name to get my head back in the game when the ball is coming my direction. 

Perhaps as we become more "one" with God, as our desires increasingly match His desires, perhaps we require less coaching during the games.  God doesn't have to tell us everything to do. Like the coach who no longer needs to teach how to throw the ball in, or what constitutes off-sides, or to anticipate where the ball will be, so we become better at doing good without being prompted.

There are many stories where someone reports feeling the spirit as, "I didn't know why, but I felt we needed to _____." I have had some of those experiences myself. I think in those times I was the soccer player who was momentarily distracted by butterflies and didn't see the ball coming. God, like the coach, had to call out to get my attention. If I had been paying attention, perhaps I wouldn't have required the strong prompting. 

As a last thought to include I would say that every player needs practice - even those that are great players. We learn and practice, and practice, until the perfect day. 

I am impressed with a friend of mine who is currently serving as a bishop. One night he asked his wife to go on a walk through the neighborhood, even though it was extremely late. He didn't feel or think he was doing anything out of the ordinary. He just had a desire to walk and talk with his wife. They made it only a few houses away when a car careened off an otherwise empty street and hit a tree in front of them. The driver turned out to be another neighbor who had suffered a stroke. My friend and his wife were able to give first aid and call for an ambulance. They were in the right place when they were needed. My friend didn't report asking his wife to go for a walk because of some ominous feeling. He just wanted to spend some quite time walking and talking with his wife. Those kinds of stories happen frequently with this friend. 

The Hymn "More Holiness Give Me" is about the soccer player's desire to learn from the supreme coach. I especially like the third verse - 

More purity give me,
More strength to o'ercome,
More freedom from earth-stains,
More longing for home.
More fit for the kingdom,
More used would I be,
More blessed and holy--
More, Savior, like thee.

https://www.lds.org/music/library/hymns/more-holiness-give-me?lang=eng

This scripture is also applicable - 

26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward. 

27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; 

28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward. 

29 But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned.  

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/58.26-29?lang=eng#25

What does soccer teach me about God? It teaches me that I'm a better player when the coach doesn't have to tell me everything to do. It teaches me that when the promptings are the loudest, I'm probably not focusing on the right things. It teaches me that God is more interactive with me while I am practicing, not when my skills are being tested. And, it teaches me that I have a lot to learn. I'm grateful to be on the team, and grateful to be used in whatever position the coach needs me to play. 

Straighten Up and Fly Right

This is a talk I gave in church, May 10, 2015.

---

I would like to talk today about a few of the most basic doctrines of the gospel. I would like to talk about something that is very personal and very private to me, that has been on my mind for the past several weeks. I would like to speak about the reasons my father lost his life.

In late March, 1982, when I was 13, my father and 5 other people boarded a small plane in El Paso, Texas en route to Salt Lake City, Utah. My mother was supposed to go on the trip but didn't, as she had just started a job to help make ends meet. During the flight they encountered bad weather and the plane crashed in New Mexico.

Two quick doctrines and an observation. First of all, I have had etched in my soul a strong testimony of the resurrection and the eternal nature of families. I know I will see my father again. Because of the atonement of Christ, each of us will be resurrected.

Secondly, Even though I miss my father and desire his company, I know that I am not disadvantaged in my own progression because of his passing. My exaltation depends on the choices I make. Because of the atonement of Christ, everyone will be judged for their own sins.

Even though this was a tragedy, my life has been blessed by it. My parents will never get divorced. They will never have any disagreements. My father will never get old and have to bear the vicissitudes of age. And I have felt my father’s help and interest in my life several times.

That is about all I knew about the crash until a few weeks ago, when I had the prompting or thought to dig a little. The internet didn’t exist back then. I wondered what I could find online about the crash. It wasn’t hard to find. This brief paragraph is the official record of the crash.

The pilot was advised of the icing conditions three different times during his weather briefing.  At 3:24pm while enroute, the pilot was told by other pilots of light to moderate icing between 14,000 and 22,000 feet. Pilot replied that was about what he had been getting. From 3:48 to 3:59 there were several transmissions between the pilot and air traffic control relative to inflight icing conditions in the area. 10 minutes later the pilot requested a climb. 4 minutes later pilot reported he was unable to maintain altitude. Wreckage was spotted the following day 300 feet below a 9600 foot peak in the San Mateo mountains. Aircraft was not certified for flight into known icing conditions nor was it equipped for such flying. The aircraft’s weight was computed to be an estimated 392 pounds over max gross weight at takeoff.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

• Flight into known adverse weather. Intentional. Pilot in command.
• Overconfidence in personal ability. Pilot in command.
• Overconfidence in aircraft’s ability. Pilot in command.

Upon reading that summary I became upset at pilot - why didn’t you turn around? The tower was telling you to turn around. Other pilots were telling you to turn around. Even you had talked about the danger. Everyone around you was telling you it wasn’t safe. Why didn’t you turn around?

• Perhaps the pilot had been in lots of similar situations before and he was calloused to the danger.
• Perhaps he thought that other pilots had made it through, as so he could also - even though they were flying better equipped planes.
• Perhaps he didn’t trust the tower, or the other pilots. That it was only when he saw the danger himself, and it was too late, did he believe them.
• Perhaps he was going to turn around if it got a little worse
• Perhaps he had boasted of his aircraft’s abilities, and was worried the others would laugh at him if he turned around at the first sign of weather.
• Perhaps he was afraid the passengers be mad with him if they didn’t get home on time.
• Perhaps there was a pressing event that required his presence
• Perhaps the passengers determined that they were adults and could do what they wanted. They weren’t going to harm anyone but themselves.
• Perhaps cost was an issue. Perhaps the group didn’t want to spend money on hotels for one more night.
• Perhaps they said a prayer for safety before they left, so God would protect them despite all of the warnings.

Whatever the reason, it doesn’t matter now.

Matthew 23:37

37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

Another way to say “turn around” is “repent.”  What reluctance do we have to repent?

As I have thought about the story, there are several lessons I learn about sin and repentance that I want my children to understand. I want them to know the story about why Grandpa Jay died.

#1 - The pilot had overconfidence in his abilities and ignored the warnings. Many have drifted into the storms of pornography, drugs, debt, intellectualism without faith, etc, with the excuses

• It’s not bad. Quit judging.
• It’s not going to hurt me.
• It’s only going to hurt me.
• It’s my life. Don’t tell me what to do.
• I can quit anytime I want.
• It doesn’t affect me.

#2 - Peril came quickly. It only took 15 minutes for the pilot to go from feeling he was safe to being unable to control the aircraft.  “And others he will pacify and lull into a carnal security.“

#3 - The icing conditions began at 14000 feet. They crashed at 9300, which means they were out of the ice, but the effects of having been in the ice continued with them. Leaving the sin behind is not enough. We need to repent. Parents can help us repent. And when our wings are really iced up, we need the help of the bishop.  

#4 - The safety board calculated they were 400 pounds over max weight for the aircraft. There were 6 adults cramped in the 6 seat airplane - each with luggage full of souvenirs from their trip. Perhaps this extra baggage they had picked up along the way contributed to the unresponsiveness of the aircraft. They crashed 300 feet from the top of the mountain. Perhaps if they weren’t trying to do so much, they wouldn’t have fallen so fast. Are we carrying unnecessary baggage that is keeping us from the lift we need? Are we trying to do too much?

We are all pilots trying to make it back home. All of us have different skill levels flying planes of varying capabilities. Yet, we all have a control tower sending us messages, helping us along the way. We have other pilots sharing their own reports and experiences to help us make better decisions.

President Hinckley admonished, “Try a little harder to be a little better.”   

Repeating the saviors lament, which could be the lament of the control tower.

How OFT I would have gathered you.

How oft I would have GATHERED you.  

How oft I would have gathered YOU.

Alma 5:37

“O ye workers of iniquity; ye that are puffed up in the vain things of the world, ye that have professed to have known the ways of righteousness nevertheless have gone astray, as sheep having no shepherd, notwithstanding a shepherd hath called after you and is still calling after you, but ye will not hearken unto his voice!”

Turn around. Repent. Your soul is precious. Jesus savior, pilot me.

LDS Hymn #104

As a mother stills her child Thou canst hush the ocean wild

Boisterous waves obey they will when thou sayst to them “Be still.”

Wondrous sovereign of the sea, Jesus, Savior, pilot me.