Dad, Tell Me About the Time (79)

 Friday, October 3, 2025

How does your faith help you in your day-to-day life?

My faith makes me who I am and it influences every moment of my life. While I have a long way to go, I continually try to be a kinder person, think before I speak and not react to what I may perceive as rude or offensive comments. I try to see things from other peoples perspective and to be respectful of their opinions. I want to be a peace maker. In short, I try to be a better person.

As I said, this is my goal. I haven’t reach it yet but that is where I want to be.

I never mentioned this scripture earlier, but it is one that I try to use to guide my life.

James 4: 2-5

2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

Did you notice that part where it says “ If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man…” I really try to bridle my tongue. That is my goal, but it is hard to do.

What do you feel is our purpose in life?

Nephi tells us that “man is that he might have joy”.

I have learned that the thing that can bring us the greatest joy in life is our relationships with other people and in particular our families.

I talk a lot about how I’d be quite happy just being a hermit, but in reality, when I think of the most exciting things I have seen and done in my life, when these things happen my first thought is how I want Lisa to see this. It is not what we are doing that brings us joy, it is who we are doing it with. That might be why I love Ragnars so much. I love running, but running with family and friends is so much more fun.

I think the purpose of life is to build relationships, and to learn how to get along with other people. Just think about it. In addition to the knowledge that we accumulate, our relationships are the only things we can take with us to the next life.

Anything special or unique about your beliefs or faith that you want to share or expand on?

I remember a business trip I was on where we were waiting for our flight in an airport lounge. Somehow, as it often did, the discussion came around to the church. One of the women with me asked me what Mormons believe. My mind went blank, and I didn’t know how to answer that question. Suddenly the thirteen articles of faith popped into my head. I didn’t have them all memorized, but I paraphrased where needed and shared them with those people present. The articles of faith are a perfect summary of our church.

The Articles of Faith

1    We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

2    We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.

3    We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

4    We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Bottom of Form

5    We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

6    We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

7    We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

8    We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

9    We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

10  We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

11  We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

12  We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

13  We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

 

Have you ever?

Fired a gun?                                 yes

Tried archery?                             Yes

Hunted game?                             Yes

Gone Fishing?                             Yes

Swam a river?                             Yes

Gone skiing or snowboarding?   Yes

Tried scuba diving?                     Yes

Gone sky diving?                        No but I really want to

Milked a cow?                             Yes

Attended summer camp?            Yes (as an adult leader)

Competed in competition?          Yes (does Ragnar count?)

Won a medal or ribbon?             Yes

Been on TV?                               No

Toured another country?             Yes

Lived abroad?                             Yes

Swam with dolphons?                 Yes

Went kayaking                            Yes

Eaten Frogs Legs?                       Yes

Had a secret admirer?                 I think so

Traveled by train?                       Yes

Owned a reptile?                         Yes

Slept under the stars?                  Yes

Been dumped?                             Yes

Dumped someone?                      Yes

Ice skated?                                  Yes

Had to get stitches?                     Yes

Been arrested?                             No

Gotten a ticket?                           Yes

Been on the radio?                      No

Fallen in love at first sight?        Yes

Received a present you hated?    No

Slept in a tent?                            Yes

Felt an earthquake?                     Yes

Ridden a motorcycle                   yes

Hitchhiked?                                 No

Visited a fortune teller?              No

Acted on stage?                           Yes

Won anything?                            Yes

Been stung by a bee?                   Yes

Made a YouTube video?             No

Seen a ghost?                              No

Seen a UFO?                               Maybe

Been to Disneyland?                   Yes

Had braces?                                 No

Sung Karaoke?                            Does Xbox count

Been in an ambulance?               No

Ridden in a helicopter?               No

Been in a firetruck?                    Yes

Gotten anything pierced?            Not on purpose

Had surgery?                               Yes

Give money to the homeless?     Yes

Cut your own hair?                     No

Swam in the ocean?                    Yes

Gone surfing?                              I tried

Eaten a bug?                                Yes