Old Chief Mountain

Thursday, October 2, 2025

Growing up in Cardston I looked at Old Chief Mountain every day of my life. Looking at it never fails to touch me deeply. Every time I go back to Cardston and see old Chief gradually rise above the horizon, I feel like I am home. Seeing Old Chief as a back drop to the temple is even more touching to me. I suppose that is why this story told by Cindy Behr had such an impact on me. Cindy was one of Lisa’s childhood friends and her and her husband Wilf were pretty close to us when we lived in Edmonton.

I have also climbed the peak of Old Chief and it does truly look very different up close than it does when viewed from Cardston. Here is Cindy’s story.

Twenty-five years, plus, is a significant amount of time to consider the question, "How is God the same yesterday, today and forever, when I don't recognize the God in the Old Testament of the Bible as the same God I feel I know today?"

This has gnawed at my being. I've prayed to know and understand. Sometimes more fervently than others, but none the less, it sat with me. That's the back story. 

Now, skip ahead with me until the month of March in the year 2020. The precise date I can't remember, nor is it significant. The main reason I mention it, is that it was the last day of scheduled appointments at the Edmonton, Alberta LDS Temple before being closed to patrons due to the COVID 19 epidemic. I was a temple worker/volunteer in the baptistery and laundry areas. When I was called to do this wonderfully fulfilling work, I was given a blessing in which I was told I'd have many spiritual experiences and witness miracles. I'd be filled with inspiration and find truth. I don't remember how long I'd actually served in the temple, but I'd say about a year or more, and although I'd seen many families, youth and groups gather to do service on behalf of departed ancestors, and I'd been greatly uplifted and edified by morning devotionals, I hadn't felt huge inspiration or truth revealed. It didn't matter really; I was happy to serve and be part of the proceedings at the temple. Here we were, closing the doors, for who knew how long?

Then, as I was walking the hallway, I noticed a new painting. I knew, at a glance, it was Old Chief Mountain in Southern Alberta. It wasn't the usual picturesque view you'd see in most paintings or pictures of Ol Chief, but I knew it immediately. It was a view facing towards the mountain standing in the East and looking at it towards the West. I even said out loud, "oh look, it's Old Chief!" A sister passing by quickly retorted scoffingly, "that's no Old Chief I've ever seen".

Then in a flash, an epiphany of light entered my mind. Tears welling up in my eyes as I finally had the answer, God is the same yesterday, today and forever! It's our perspective and experience that changes, not him. 

You see I had gone hiking in Montana Glacier National Park years prior to seeing the painting. We'd driven across the Canadian border into the US and had used the highway East of Old Chief. I knew this view. The other sister in the temple didn't recognize it as Old Chief because she hadn't seen that perspective or had experience of seeing it from that side. When I spoke with a temple matron about my discovery, she explained that she had actually hiked Old Chief and it was completely different up close, walking its mass, than you'd ever know from a distance.

Aha! The closer you get, the more you really know the mountain, and conversely the farther you go from it, the more you may not even know or believe that it exists at all. 

This is our relationship with our Heavenly Father. He is the same always.  This was my answer, my miracle of inspiration and truth.  

On a side thought and note, the painting was commissioned by Dave Henderson. He took the original photo used as a reference for the artist. He was the temple president at the time. The first presidency had to approve the commission and hanging of this artwork, and I feel it was a great kindness for Brother David Henderson and that he feels it was for him, but that painting will always remind me of God's goodness and answered prayer. I can feel that igniting light to my bones just pondering that experience. The painting was for me.

Cindy Behr. 

--------------------trivia--------------------

The most requested book in the library of congress is the first edition of the Book of Momon.

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Dad, Tell Me About the Time (78)

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Have you ever changed religions?

I have never changed religions.

What does Jesus Christ mean to you? If you are not Christian, what other deity is signiicant to you and why?

Jesus Christ is my saviour. He is my spiritual brother and the literal Son of God. He is the creator of this world, and the God of the Old Testament. He is my advocate with my Heavenly Father and He will be my judge after my time on this earth has ended. He loves me and He will judge me with that perfect love. He is the only person to live a perfect life and therefore the only person able to atone for my sins. If I can just stay close enough to him to hear his voice, I know he will always guide me to a life of peace and joy. I testify that this is true.

What would you like to share with your children and grandchildren about your faith?

We live in a difficult world. At times it may feel like we are surrounded with violence, we hear of wars and rumors of wars and it seems that the world is full of hate. People are constantly declaring what is best for us and what we should believe and what is false. At times it can feel impossible to know what to do and what to believe.

I want you to know that through this turmoil there is a source of truth and peace. I implore you to respect and reverance that which is holy. Seek the guiding light of the spirit in every decision that you make, and know that when your heart is hurting, your mind is confused, and your hands hang down, there is a place that you can go to find answers to your questions and peace in your heart. Pray to have the Holy Spirit as your companion and your source of truth. He is real and the peace that he can bring you from your Lord and Heavenly Father is real.

How has a belief in God helped you overcome adversity and trials in your life?

I know that my Heavenly Father loves me and wants me to be happy. That is why I have gone to Him when ever I have faced major decisions or trials that seem impossible to overcome. Without fail, he has shown me the way to go and has given me the peace that I need to not be swallowed up in fear or depression. I haven’t always had the strength to do what needed to be done, but every time I have followed his promptings, I have come through those trials a happier and better person.

How has your faith been strengthened through the years?

Faith is no different than anything else in life. The 10,000 hour rule says that if you do something for 10,000 hours you become so proficient in that thing that you are a leading world authority in it. The Beattles and their music and Bill Gates and computers are often used as examples of this. While the 10,000 hour rule has been debunked, the idea that practice makes perfect is valid.

Identifying the promptings of the spirit takes practice. Early on in my life I was unsure if I was feeling the spirit or if it was wishful thinking. I decided that if I felt anything that might be the spirit, I would act on it reasoning that my own intuition was better than nothing. Over the years it has become clear to me when the spirit is trying to tell me something. Today I rarely ignore those promptings.

Dad, Tell Me About the Time (77)

Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Have you ever served a mission for your church? If so, where did you serve, and when did you fill this assignment?

I have heard many people talk about how their missions were the best two years of their lives but also the hardest two years of their lives. I don’t know if my mission was the best two years of life or not but they were definitly two of the best years of my life. But they were not hard, what is hard about talking to people all day?

It was frustrating that more people didn’t want to learn more about the gospel but for the most part, the Belgian people were friendly and loved to talk. I taught a lot in Belgium and we were frequently invited to meals. The Flemish people know how to cook and we ate some wonderful meals.

I reported to the LTM (now called the MTC) in August of 1977 and returned home in August 1979. The LTM was still under construction when I was there and we spent many hours studying. I left the LTM in October and headed to Belgium.

My first area was Turnhout, from Turnhout I went to Vilvorde, a suburb of Brussels, and then to Kortrijk and ended my mission in Linker Oeffer which is a suburb of Antwerpen.

I know I say I’m not a social person, but I enjoyed teaching the Belgian people and we did a lot of teaching. I’m trying to figure out what the hard part of a mission could be but the only hard part is when it is raining and it is late at night and you want to go home but you feel the need to follow the suggested schedule. I learned early from my dad that you had to stay on a job until you were done so that wasn’t hard for me to do. We were knocking on doors instead of building houses. I didn’t find it difficult.

What is a favorite scripture or inspiritional thought that has influenced you?

I have many favorite scriptures but in no particular order, here are some of them.

1 Kings 19: 11 & 12

11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:

12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

Alma 34: 17 to 29

17 Therefore may God grant unto you, my brethren, that ye may begin to exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you;
18 Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is mighty to save.
19 Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him.
20 Cry unto him when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your flocks.
21 Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening.
22 Yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies.
23 Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to all righteousness.
24 Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them.
25 Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase.
26 But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness.
27 Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you.
28 And now behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, do not suppose that this is all; for after ye have done all these things, if ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need—I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do deny the faith.
29 Therefore, if ye do not remember to be charitable, ye are as dross, which the refiners do cast out, (it being of no worth) and is trodden under foot of men.

Joshua 24:15

15 …choose you this day whom ye will serve;… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

What do you read or study to strengthen your faith?

Every weekday morning I hold a twenty minute private mini devotional before I start my day. Beginning Monday morning during those twenty minutes, I read the “Come Follow Me” message and the related scriptures for that week. I usually finish that by Tuesday or Wednesday and then I read the conference talks from the most recent general conference. That normally takes two or three months. Once I have gone through all the conference talks, I then read a book about gospel topics. Most recently I have gone through the four “Saints” books. They are fascinating and very well written. I then finish my devotional with a prayer.

Dad, Tell Me About the Time (76)

Monday, September 29, 2025

Have you ever lost a loved one? Who have you lost and how did it make your feel?

My first loss was my grandma Leavitt who died Nov 18, 1980. I was sad of course but we weren’t close and I was young and so I didn’t really morn all that much. What made me the most sad was seeing how sad my grandpa was. He was lost and didn’t hang on for too many years.

I was really impressed with how he divided up his property. He gave his farm to Uncle Lamont who was the only one still farming. He gave his house to Uncle Dahl who was building a new house and grandpa lived in his basement. He then divided his cash between my dad and Aunto Zona.

Grandpa Leavitt died on Apr 28, 1984. This made me more sad because I knew him the best of all my grandparents. Lisa and I visited him a few times and I’m glad that Lisa got to know him a little bit. He was a good man. While I was sad, I wasn’t devastated. He was 88 years old and very lonely. I knew he was glad to go be with his family.

Grandma Lybbert was next and her passing had little effect on me. I hardly knew the woman, she had never made any effort to get to know me and I rarely saw her. She passed on Dec 18, 1994.

I knew Grandpa Lybbert better and he was always kind to me so when he passed on May 27, 1996 his passing affected me more than Grandma Lybberts passing.

The death that affected me the most was my mother, she passed on Feb 5, 1989. She passed before either of her parents. I was surprised over how sad my Grandpa Lybbert was at her funeral. That is when I realized that losing a child is just as hard whether that child is sixty years old or one year old. It makes little difference to the parent.

When I received the news that my mother had died I couldn’t believe it. It was so surreil. Alycia was born on Friday, Feb 3, 1989 and I called and talked to my parents. It was the last time I talked to my mom and and it was a happy and joyful discussion. On Sunday, Feb 5, I was in Brooks visiting Lisa and Alycia at the hospital when the nurses at the nurses desk came and told me I had a phone call. It was Jackie calling to tell me that Mom had suffered an anuerism and was not expected to make it through the day.

In spite of the grim news, I was still hopeful that she would make it, but she was brain dead and dad gave his approval to allow the doctors to pull the plug that afternoon. My mind was in a sort of trance so I’m not exactly sure the order of things, but I think Lisa got the news of moms actual passing at the hospital but by then I was home with the rest of the kids. She didn’t trust me to drive so she called Gary Norton to come over and give me the news and drive me in to Brooks to be with Lisa.

I felt as though my heart had broken I was so sad. It is hard to describe, but these moments of sadness dominated my life for the first few months but gradually over time they became shorter and less frequent. My life returned to normal fairly quickly but even now, thirty six years later I will occassionally get a moment of sadness when I think of my mother. Mostly though, at this point in my life my memories of my mother are happy memories.

After Mom passed my dad was very sad. It broke my heart to see him hurting like he was. They say that men who have had a long and happy marriage, remarry quickly after the passing of their wife. If that is true, then Mom and Dad must have had a great marriage because Dad married my moms cousin six months after mom died.

Dad and Maurine had a good marriage until Dad passed on August 2, 1998. Several things happened to make his passing much easier for me. We knew he was going to die months before he actually did. We had a fairwell reunion two months before he left us. At that reunion he had a little one-on-one dicussion with each of his kids and grandkids. I knew he was going to be with my mom and his family. Even still, it was very weird to know that I was now an orphan. Can you be an orphan if you are forty years old?

Finally, my sister Jackie died from Covid on Mar 20, 2021. Her passing was devastating, but not like my mother. She was the first of my siblings to go, and more than anything, it reminded me of my mortality. I guess I’m getting to the point that I need to start preparing for my turn. I don’t plan on leaving any time soon but I don’t think Jackie did either.

I think the most difficult funeral I have ever attended however was that of Jamie Alsup. It was so tragic, she was a young mother living in Guam and she got sick. No one really thought it was a serious disease but then within just a day or two she died. I can’t imagine any of my kids dying, but when they have young children it seriously affects the lives of so many people.

Dad, Tell Me About the Time (75)

Thursday, September 25, 2025

What was your religion while growing up?

I grew up a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Our family was very active in the church.

Which specific church or churches did you attend as a child?

From the time I was born until I was seven years old we attended the Leavitt Ward. From seven years old until I turned eighteen and left for BYU we attended the Cardston First Ward.

Does your early religious upbringing align with your spiritual beliefs now?

Yes, 100%.

Is prayer an essential part of your life?

Yes, prayer guides my every decision.

If you pray, what do you find yourself praying for most often?

· My family
· My wife
· Guidance for that day
· Guidance for my life.
· Peace and comfort through trials or hard times.
· Friends and nieghbors who are going through trials or hard times.
· Guidance for major decisions in my life.

Do you remember a specific circumstance when you received an answer to prayer?

More than I could count. Let me share one of the most major decisions I ever made, that was the decision to move my young family away from everything they knew, to a city in another country 1,500 miles away.

I was talking to John Bass, VP at Hi-Z, at a conference in Cardiff, Wales and I received a somewhat joking job offer. After I returned home, I kept thinking about this offer and whether I should pursue the offer or not. I prayed about it, but the decision was such a huge one that my mind kept going over the consquences of the decision. With such turmoil in my mind, I couldn’t get an answer to my prayer.

One day as I was driving to work and I was dwelling on this huge decision looming before me, the thought crossed my mind that the decision I was trying to make was just too big. In addition, I didn’t have all the information I needed and I didn’t even have a real job offer. It was just a comment made in passing.

I made the decision to pray whether or not I should call Norb (the president of Hi-Z) and pursue the discussion further. I said that prayer right then as I was driving to work (I was by myself that day) and the spirit washed completely over me and told my that, yes, I definitely needed to call Norb and talk about this.

You all know the rest of the story.

Do you believe in God?

Absolutely

Do you believe in life after death?

Yes

Are you afraid of dying?

Not one bit. When the kids were younger, I was afraid of dying only because I wanted to see my children as adults with families of their own, but now that that has happened, I have no fear of dying.

In which positions have you served in your church?

I have served in every organization that I possibly can on a ward level. I’ve never served in the Relief Society. Let me see if I can list them.

Nursery Leader (together with Lisa)
Primary teacher
Sunday School Teacher
Deacons Quorum Advisor
Scout Leader
Elders Quorum instructor
Elders Quorum presidency
High Priest presidency
Ward Missionary
Ward Mission Leader
Temple & Family History Leader
Bishopric
Stake Mission Presidency
Temple Worker
Assistant Temple Shift Coordinator
Temple Shift Coordinator

I’m sure I’ve missed something in there, but you get the idea.

Dad, Tell Me About the Time (74)

Tuesday, September 23, 2025

 
Was there ever a time when you doubted yourself or your worth?

All the time. When that happens I force myself to take a moment and reevaluate my life or the project I am on and I try to honestly ask myself if my doubts are valid or if my insecuraties or fear are making me feel that way. If my doubts are valid then I do my best to change, if I decide that it is fear taking over, then I recommit myself to what I am doing and carry on.

How did you rebuild your confidence and self esteem?

I answered this in the previous question but I will add that sometimes a lot of prayer is also required.

What is something that you took for granted in the past that is special to you now?

Looking back I am unsure why I’ve never had a lot of friends and really, until recently I’ve never had any close friends. I don’t know if I never had friends because I didn’t care to, or if I decided I didn’t care about friends because I never had any. I have always had people I related well with but I would see them once a week on Sundays and that was it.

Curtis McConnell was probably the closest I came to a close friend because our callings forced us to get together outside of church. Looking back I recognize several opportunities I missed when we could have been better friends. I didn’t see it and those are missed opportunities.

And then Jeff Andrew came into my life. He kind of forced himself onto me, presumably because we have so much in common and I am so grateful he has done that. Even now as I write this, I can see that I still take this for granted and I need to reciprocate that effort. I love the entire Andrew family and they are a blessing I should appreciate better.

In what ways has the world changed over your lifetime?

It would take volumes to repeat everything that comes into my mind when I read this question. I will just give a couple of examples and leave it at that.

When I was a kid the only rule I had (other than my chores of coarse) was that I had to be home before it got dark. On the other hand, I had to know where my kids were every day of their lives until they left home. Even then I wanted to know where they were but at some point you’ve got to let them go.

When I was a kid, it was a big deal if a car could reach 100,000 miles and starting the car was often an ordeal. Today it is common for a car to exceed 300,000 miles and it always starts with the push of a button.

I have actually seen a pornagraphic magazine maybe three times in my life. Today anyone with a cell phone can have unlimited and extremely graphic pornography in seconds.

When I was a kid about 8% of Americans had a college degree, today it is nearly 40%.

Of the top of my head I can name the following things that were invented or became popular during my life time. I clearly remember when each of these things happened or were introduced to the public.

Color TV                  Computers
Microwave ovens     Induction stoves
Self-driving cars      Cassette tape recorders
VCR’s                     CD’s
USB drives             8 tracks
Cell phones             Flat panel TV’s
Hard drives             Internet
Robots                    Artificial turf
Remote controls     Wireless remote controls
Digital camera’s     Digital calendars
Man on the moon   Digital maps
LED lights             Computer models (FEA, CFD)

And now there is artificial intelligence.

Dad, Tell Me About the Time (73)

Monday, September 22, 2025

List the people who have had the most significant impact on your life (family members, coaches, mentors, leaders, friends, etc.) Why?

How am I supposed to answer this question? It would take a book. I know I will miss a lot of people, but I’ll give it a shot.

Grandpa Leavitt – He was the perfect example of a man who worked hard but loved his family. He had the perfect balance between work and family.

My Dad – My Dad said few words, but he had a way of making those words count. I can only remember a handful of times when we sat down and talked, but I worked with him so often, that we had hours of what felt like very casual conversation, but in reality it shaped my entire life. We talked about morality, doctrine, goals and life. My only regret is that I didn’t ask him for details of his early life and his mission to New Zealand.

My Mom – Mom and I didn’t really talk much. I wish we had, but unlike dad, we spent little time together. My strongest memories of my mom are us just cuddling together. As I got older we didn’t cuddle so much, but I always felt loved and safe when she was around.

Blaine Leavitt – There were actually several school teachers who taught me critical thinking. Some of them are Alma Sommerfeldt (math teacher) and Keith Shaw (biology teacher) but the Blaine Leavitt stands out. He was my automechanic teacher. He is the one who made me think through a problem and figure out for myself what the problem was or how something worked.

Norbert Elsner – Norb was the owner of Hi-Z and the man who hired me. He was my mentor and taught me much of what I know in thermoelectrics. He gave me the opportunity to manage dozens of projects for many government agencies and major companies.

Lisa Shaw – If we are talking about people who had a significant impact on my life, how could I not mention Lisa. She is my life. No one has had a greater impact on my life than her. She is the mother of my children and my eternal companion.

What advice would you give to those who have made bad decisions in their lives?

My advice would be to “move on”. If there is something you can do to make things better, then do that, but otherwise there is only heart ache and sadness in dwelling on past mistakes. What is done is done and it is time learn from your mistakes so you don’t repeat them and then start your new life.

Share one challenging problem you have faced and how you overcame it.

While I loved working at Hi-Z, I underestimated the cost of the living in San Diego. We realized early on that I was not making nearly enough money to live here, but we got along for several years. As the kids got older and our expenses grew, I knew that something had to change.

In the short term I took a night job throwing newspapers to help cover some costs (like Bens braces) and at the same time I sat down with Norb and explained my problem. In his mind I was making an income that was in line with my education and experience and he didn’t feel that a raise was in order.

The stress of being underwater like that was overhwhelming and affecting every part of my life. I prayed like I had never prayed before and started looking around for other work. The Lord isn’t always quick answering prayers, and I remained in this difficult situation for more than a year but He does ease our burdens. I remember one night when I was throwing papers, I was in a neighborhood with a lot of town houses so it was just easier to load up a bag with papers and walk the neighborhood.

It was a beautiful night and the night birds were singing and the weather was warm and the air was peaceful and full of the smell of flowers and I decided to pray. Instantly an overwhelming peace came over me and Heavenly Father told me to stop worrying because he was watching over me. I knew that everything would be alright. I needed to keep working and job hunting but everything would be ok. I never worried again.

I only threw papers for a year to cover Bens teeth but shortly after that I started graduate school. While I was in graduate school met a girl who worked at Qualcomm. I asked her if there were any openings there and she put me in touch with the right people. Within a couple of months my income increased 50%. That is a rather major change in ones lifestyle.

Norb was of course very distraught and offered to match my wage but I’ve learned that after making a decision like that it is hard to go back. I would resent him for forcing me to leave and he would resent me for forcing his hand. I was smart enough not to burn any bridges and I continued to support them in any way I could. I helped write proposals and acted as an advisor on projects that they were working on.