"Court Case Friday" I presided over a hearing in an interesting arson case. A fire was started at night at a home in a residential neighborhood in Westminster, California. When the fire department responded to the 911 call, the house was fully engulfed in flames. Ashes and embers were floating all over the neighborhood. When … Continue reading My “Favorite” Arson Case
"Poetic Wednesday" As an English major in college, I was required to take a full semester class on Shakespeare. To enhance my study, I listened to recordings of famous actors while I followed along with the text. Sonnet 130 is one of Shakespeare’s most popular. It is satire. The theme is: you don’t need to … Continue reading Shakespeare Sonnet 130 — An “Honest” Tribute to his “Homely” Lover
"Sunday Sermon" Russell M. Nelson was sustained and set apart as the 17th President of the Church on Sunday, January 14, 2018, in the upper room of the Salt Lake Temple. In the past 5 years, President Nelson has given inspired and inspiring counsel to the saints and the world. As the living Prophet, we must hear him and follow him, as he hears and … Continue reading Words of the Prophet: Key Quotes from Russell M. Nelson
"Sunday Sermon Speculation" I avoid gospel speculation. It is detrimental at worst, and a waste of time at best. However, when my brilliant friend (D.H.) shared this theory with me, I was thrilled to think that it might actually be true. Let’s try to connect the dots. The Wise Men were “righteous men,” “holy men,” … Continue reading Where Samuel, the Lamanite, and Nephi, son of Helaman, the “Wise Men from the East?”
"Saturday Stories" I grew up in an “orthodox” LDS home. My Dad taught, “You don’t have time to learn everything in this life, but you have time to learn obedience.” The closest I came to violating the Word of Wisdom was when I was seven years old. My neighborhood friends knew that I liked Nestles … Continue reading My First Lesson in Peer Pressure: A Nestles Quick Chocolate BEER Shake
"Court Case Friday" Jury Service – Duty and Sacrifice Very few jurors try to get out of serving in my court - because of the patriotic speech I give. I explain that trial by a jury of peers is the worst form of trial – except all others. I talk about the horrors of trial … Continue reading I had a juror who was “Too Dedicated”
"Poetic Wednesday" This is one of my all-time favorite poems. I have often used it in lots of talks and lessons. “Zode” is a fun poem with a profound message. “Zode” is about indecision, dithering, and the fear of taking a chance. This poem contrasts with Robert Frost’s famous poem about coming to a … Continue reading “Zode in the Road” – A Fun Poem About “Dithering”
"Sunday Sermon" Happiness - Gratitude versus Expectations and Entitlement Dennis Prager, my favorite commentator, observed: Yes, there is a “secret to happiness”—and it is gratitude. All happy people are grateful, and ungrateful people cannot be happy. We tend to think that it is being unhappy that leads people to complain, but it is truer to … Continue reading Gratitude – The Great Key to Happiness
"Personal History Saturday" My parents were certain that I would grow up to be a mechanical or engineering genius. What inspired their prediction was an incident during my first tricycle ride. I was about three years old. I got a red-and-white metal tricycle for Christmas. My parents watched as I awkwardly peddled, for the first … Continue reading My Parents Thought I Was a Mechanical Genius – I Proved Them Wrong!
"Court Case Friday" The best new judges have extensive experience in the field of law in which they are presiding. They also have major courtroom experience. A new judge who lacks such expertise is a "fish out of water," and can be a disaster. 25 lbs of Marijuana When I was a prosecutor, a new … Continue reading Bizarre Ruling – Judge Orders the Police to Return Illegal Drugs to the Criminals
The London Edition 