Being right

There are times in my life when I get premonitions about things. I have also had moments of deja vu where I would swear that I had the experience before it happened.

There are times when I have premonitions about something that I hope I am wrong about the feeling. I think that I am fairly perceptive, and in my own mind I believe that I know more than I sometimes really do know, but there are those times that I am right.

One winter day I was driving up I-15 in the Salt Lake City area when we were passed by a pickup going much faster than what I thought they should be going. I said to Jeanette, "They will be turned over in the ditch a few miles up the road". I was right. They were in the middle of the borrow ditch between the lanes of traffic with all the contents of the pickup on the snow. They were standing outside the pickup with people there providing assistance.

The past few years have been a struggle for me. I feel that I am not living up to my potential. I seem to always be on the fringes of what I really want, but never get there. I want to have a positive influence on others. I want to be healthy and trim.

Sometimes I am wrong. (this is in a way like the Fonz saying that) As I grow older I realize that my abilities are diminishing physically and mentally. I can't run a 6 minute mile. I have to strain to remember peoples names. I heal slowly.

I look at my patriarchal blessing and realize that most of the things have occurred. I have a deep love for the principles of righteousness. Sometimes when I evaluate myself I find that I have crossed into the territory of doing the wrong things in order to influence others to have good values. This is not a confession of any great wrong that I have committed, but I have to realize that my heart is not always in the right attitude to follow the Saviour.

I honestly believe that the principles that are taught in the Articles of Faith are true principles.

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.

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.

This leads me into another set of principles that I have quoted over the years. The Scout Promise and the Scout Oath. Many of the same principles are stated in those two short items.

I have watched over the years as some boys have participated in Boy Scouts of America. I formulated opinions about some of the boys and made judgments about what they would be as they grew older. I have been mostly right, but I have been wrong too.

I knew of two brothers that were in one of my troops. The two were different. The oldest was obedient and kind. The younger was sassy, disrespectful, and conceited. I made the judgment that these boys would continue in life in the same vane. I was wrong. The older boy left home and engaged in activities that were not approved by his parents (or any other of those who were interested in his welfare). He used illegal substances and engaged in activities that were not in accord with the principles that he promised that he would follow. The younger brother on the other hand became a beloved member of his congregation at church and was liked by all. What brought about the change in these boys?

Decisions. Decisions did. They decided to follow different paths. Your focus determines your reality. You should focus on what you want to become. Decide to follow those promises that you make. Follow your baptismal covenant. The one you made when you promised that you would take upon yourself the name of Christ, obey his commandments, and help others. Those are the same things that are embodied in the Scout Promise. Make a promise then keep it. Similar things are taught in the Young Women Theme.

Jesus taught the parable of the the wheat and the tares. It is difficult to know the wheat from the tares when they are young. Wait until they mature and then it will become obvious which are the wheat and which are the tares. I have experienced this personally, seeing the wheat and tares growing together and not knowing, but making a judgment. I can see now that there is wisdom in waiting until they grow to adulthood where the wheat and the tares are separated.