My son Scott is now in Korea serving his remaining 22 months, after a two-month language training period. Here is my most recent letter to him.
Dear Elder Himmer,
On 24 March, two weeks ago, as I sat in church, I wrote the following notes and if you can open a pdf file, I will provide the charts that I scribbled on the back of my notes.
The Good Samaritan
As the story was related to me, many years ago, as a missionary, Elder Jack Welch was admiring the stain glass art work in a German Cathedral. This particular glasswork depicted the parable of the Good Samaritan. It was then he connected the meaning of the parable to the Plan of Salvation. Years later and many hours discussing and pondering his discovery, this is my understanding of the Savior’s immortal words. My thanks to Brother Welch’s insights.
The parable is found in Luke 10:25-37
The Jaredite Civil War
According to Ether, over 2 million men, plus their wives and children perished during the final civil war on just one side (Ether 15:2). It is difficult to comprehend, using modern warfare tactics of the 19th – 21st Centuries, how two armies can battle down to 30 people (Ether 9:12) before someone decides to end the battle.
The difference lies in war strategy and technology. Today, we can target specific people, however, when the leader falls, another takes his place. In the days of the Jaredites, the war ended with the death or capture of the king. The preferred methodology was capture. Consider how many sons imprisoned their fathers or vice versa, and kept them there until they died or were freed.
Another group of the Lord’s valiant heading home.
Elder Yost – heading home
Elder Watts – midway through
Elder McRae – still green
Elder Sanders – heading home
When teaching the gospel to an investigator, it is common for the teaching missionaries to warn the investigator of impending temptations and trials the closer they come to the truth. “Satan will have you,” we warn.
While on my mission, one of the major stumbling blocks encountered was the story of Nephi dispatching Laban with his own sword. Sometimes the investigator would return the Book of Mormon with a brief, but firm explanation that such a story was inappropriate for scripture, while others would place the book on the porch with a short message.
We live in a world that glorifies bad behavior. Neural science can trace the electrochemicals (self-manufactured chemicals or internal chemicals) that flow through our system when we behave in ways that are harmful. The effect is a temporary good feeling when we behave poorly.
The external manifestation of this behavior is rationalization.
You hit my sister because she hit you. You feel good about hitting your sister because your mind was able to manufacture a chemical that covered the pain (electrochemical) that is the natural consequence of behaving poorly. After a period of time, the effect of the behaviorally induced drug wears off and you feel guilty.
When I was a young boy my friend had a go-cart his dad fixed up for him. He explained that his dad had put a governor on the throttle so he wouldn’t go too fast. To my 9-year old mind that was foolishness. Why have a machine that can give you all these great thrills and then bridle it. I told my friend that was stupid. In reply he summed up the situation like an adult, “he doesn’t want me to get hurt.”
I received a phone call from a young friend who is a recent convert. While visiting his family and disclosing his newly acquired faith, many questions and statements have been entertained. Last night he called asking how to handle his grandma’s statement, which is roughly as follows:
The bible is the last word from God; there is no more. When Jesus was on the cross he said, “It is finished”, which means there is no more church organization and no more scripture.
The answer is two-parts:
I received a series of questions from an old acquaintance. Here are the responses:
Dear Friend,
It’s good to hear from you again. I’ll do my best to answer your questions.
Q: Ishmael was the first son, why doesn’t he have the birthright?
A: Ishmael was born to Abraham through his handmaiden Hagar, a servant. As such, he had no right to the birthright. Isaac was born to Sarah, Abraham’s first wife and thus inherited the birthright of his father.
The free download opportunity ends Wednesday. If you still want a copy of the manuscript Click here for the download page.
For those of you who have downloaded the book, here is a link to make comments.
Here are the upcoming changes so far:
For those of you who have downloaded the book, here is a link to make comments.
I’ve also provided a suggested reading format based upon feedback so far.
There is a little time left to download the book. Click here for the download page.
The material is thick in content and challenging in practice. The more you practice, the more you appreciate the material. Without attempting Ted Level 1, the gist and meaning behind the practice assignments are trivial.
For all the returned missionaries who served in the Tacoma Washington mission:
I’ve just completed writing the book on Ted and Ting. I’ve titled it:
As I prepare the manuscript for publishing, I’m offering you a pdf copy of the pre-released
edition. I ask only that you give me feedback. What works and what doesn’t.
I want to capture the experiences of those who have actually read the book and practiced what is taught for the testimonials on the inside flap of the cover.
My testimony of the Book of Mormon
Richard P. Himmer
23 April 2012
Our family just concluded reading the Book of Mormon aloud. We read almost every night before bedtime as part of our nightly routine for the past two years. Some nights it was only one scripture, while other nights we had up to four readers taking turns. Some nights we didn’t get far because of the many questions our sons would ask. When friends would spend the night, we would take extra time to explain the background behind the story or we’d go to the map on the wall and point out specific geographic landmarks for reference.
Here are some highlights of General Conference. I was unable to take notes in every session.
Elder Bednar (Priesthood session)
Who Needs a Brain When You Have Adrenaline?
Let’s say you are about to speak in front of 250 people. You have prepared for this speech with great effort. You have every word memorized and you know exactly what you want to convey. They announce your name, you step to the podium, and your mind goes blank.
Your amygdala has just sent a flight message to your adrenal glands and half the blood supply in your brain is flowing to the major muscle groups in your body, which leaves you functioning on half a brain.
