"Sunday Sermon" - Personal Experience Have Fun in Your Callings I was young and inexperienced when I was called as a Bishop and given the responsibility to organize a new singles ward. I had a new career and four small children. I felt stressed and overwhelmed. I dreaded my first stewardship interview with the Stake … Continue reading Have Fun In Your Church Callings — But Not Too Much Fun
"Fun Facts Saturday" Everybody loves ice cream. I grew up in an ice cream loving family. “If you don’t love ice cream, you're not a London.” Our family campouts had to be within walking distance of a Tastee-Freez. My parents handmade extra creamy fresh strawberry ice cream for family gatherings. When I was a child, … Continue reading “We All Scream for Ice Cream!”
Handling poisonous snakes and drinking poison are part of worship in some Christian churches. Are these dangerous religious practices protected by the Constitution? New Testament basis for using snakes and poison Religious snake handling and poison drinking are based on three New Testament passages. Mark 16: 17-18: “And these signs shall follow them that believe: … Continue reading Can the Government Ban Believers From Handling Poisonous Snakes and Drinking Poison During Worship?
"Sunday Sermon" "A friend loveth at ALL times." (Proverbs 17:17) The Prophet Joseph Smith cherished friendship. He declared, "Friendship is one of the grand fundamental principles of Mormonism." (Teachings, p. 316.) “If my life is of no value to my friends, it is of no value to me.” (Essential in Church History, p. 374) C.S. Lewis, … Continue reading Friendships are Sacred – “He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother”
"Fun Facts Saturday" Elephants and I Have a Lot in Common We have good memories. (“Elephants never forget”)We can’t jump.We are "thick-skinned."We like naps.We eat constantly.We are “pleasantly plump.”Everybody likes us. Herd Nap Time Stupid “Elephant Jokes” Dirt "Shower" “Elephant Jokes” were popular in my Junior High School. I still remember them. ("Elephants never forget.") … Continue reading Thank God for Elephants!
European Heaven English Police German Engineers French Chefs European Hell German Police French Engineers English Chefs (Disclaimer: For the “woke” folks - this is a joke. It is based on unverified stereotypes and overgeneralizations. Feel free to "fact check.") European Heaven and Hell English Police German Engineers Mercedes French Chef German Police French Engineers Citroën … Continue reading What’s the Difference Between “European Heaven” and “European Hell?”
"Court Case Friday" Sometimes police success can create logistical problems. I issued search warrants in a Costa Mesa case where the police seized over one ton (2,000 pounds) of marijuana. They celebrated their success. But then they encountered the problem: “What to do with a ton of marijuana?” It was very bulky, about a cargo … Continue reading What do police do with a TON of marijuana evidence?
"Sunday 'Sermon'" and "Fun Facts" As our family watched General Conference over the years, my kids commented that General Authorities’ noses and ears seemed to be growing bigger as they age. They were not alone in that opinion. It is a common belief that noses and ears are the only parts of the body that … Continue reading Do General Authorities’ Noses and Ears Actually Grow Bigger as They Age?
"Fun Facts" Handshaking is filthy Shaking hands is unsanitary. Handshakes spread germs. We carry 3,200 bacteria from 150 species on our hands. Research has shown that you spread more germs by shaking someone’s hand than you do by kissing the person. Handshaking can spread a host of diseases, like: Roman Coin with Handshake coldsfluCovid-19norovirusdiarrheasalmonellaE. coliscabies,conjunctivitishepatitis … Continue reading Handshakes – An Unsanitary Tradition
"Court Case Friday" A Public Defender (PD) was assigned to my court after serving on the mental health calendar. His primary duty at that time was to prove that his clients, incarcerated in state mental hospitals, were "sane" enough to be released into the community. Here are a few of his cases: The Super Rich … Continue reading A Public Defender’s “Crazy”Clients
The London Edition 