Elder Neal A. Maxwell, "Meeting the Challenges of Today", BYU Devotional, 10 Oct 1978

Prophetic Counsel...

"Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters -- in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions (see 1 Kgs 18:21).

"President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had 'never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life.' (CR, Apr 1941) This is hard doctrine, but it is particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ…

"Your discipleship may see the time come when religious convictions are heavily discounted. M. J. Sobran observed, 'A religious conviction is now a second-class conviction, expected to step deferentially to the back of the secular bus, and not to get uppity about it' (Human Life Review, Summer 1978, p. 58). This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain of people's opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions. Resistance to abortion will soon be seen as primitive. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened…

"Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even these, however, must leave a record so that the choices before the people are clear and let others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel. There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, that others will step forward, having been rallied to righteousness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds--a majority which was, till then, unconscious of itself.

"Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves 'summer is nigh' (Matt. 24:32). Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat."

Elder Neal A. Maxwell, "Meeting the Challenges of Today", BYU Devotional, 10 Oct 1978

Flashback Friday

Sorry, no pictures to go with this post today. We are having computer issues right now. Major drama for a mama with over 20GB of photos that haven't yet been backed up. scary...

10 years ago, yes 10! Kevin was a Freshman at BYU finishing up his Fall semester and waiting for his mission call. (It took 5 weeks for that to show up, but that is another tale for another day.) I was in California attending High School and counting down the days to when Kevin would be home for Christmas Break. Kevin and I were inseparable for 3 years to have him gone for months on end was difficult, but we always said it was good training for his mission. ;)

While I was counting down the days, going to school, working as a Assistant Director in a performing group and preparing for our Christmas performance Kevin was up to something entirely different. In his free moments during the day he was writing me a song for Christmas. Lyrics, accompaniment the whole sh-BANG! I feel I must note that although Kevin had taken piano lessons from the age of 8, playing the piano was more a work of perseverance than a great accomplishment. (Does that make sense? He can read music and play, however, it is always after much practice.)

I wish I knew how, or had the capability, to save a tape track on the computer. So you, dear readers, could hear the tune that goes with these words. Alas, I am unable, therefore you must just read these words and think of a much younger Kevin sitting at a piano and performing this for me. At my request he sang this to me at our Wedding Reception, now THAT is love. :)

"I Can't Stop Loving You"
by Kevin Rowbury
November 1998

Today I thought of you,
Good times together spent.
Our life, our love, our laughter,
No matter where we went.

You are my love, my life,
And that I won't deny.
You are my other half you know,
And now I'll tell you why.

Chorus:
Hand-in-hand we walked,
Lovingly we talked.
Our best times were together,
I've oft'thought of forever.

You are my best-est friend,
Our friendship has no end.
Oh, everything is true,
I can't stop loving you!

Last night I had a dream.
It was about a kiss.
For her, the one I love,
The one I surely miss.

Sure it was just a dream.
But to me it was so real.
Your lips pressed close to mine,
Something I've longed to feel!

Chorus:
Hand-in-hand we walked,
Lovingly we talked.
Our best times were together,
I've oft'thought of forever.

You are my best-est friend,
Our friendship has no end.
A moment of pure bliss,
That dream about a kiss!

Oh, everything is true,
I can't stop loving you!