With the Persian Jews facing extermination, Queen Esther's uncle turned to her for help. He explained: "Who knoweth whether thou art come to the [Persian] kingdom for such a time as this." (Esther 4:14) Example: Prophetic Preparation of Brigham Young One prime example of prophetic preparation is Brigham Young. He was co-leaderof the 200 men … Continue reading The Lord Prepares His Prophets – Russell M. Nelson
The Rude Angry Traffic Offender One of our judges shared coffee in chambers every morning with one of the local police department's transportation officers who brought prisoners to the courthouse each morning. They became good friends. The day the officer retired, he and some judges, clerks, and bailiffs decided play a prank on the judge. The officer … Continue reading 2 More Major Judicial Pranks
In Portsmouth Harbor, on the south coast of England, rests the famous sailing battleship, the HMS Victory. (This is the same harbor from which the D-Day Normandy invasion of WWII was launched.) The HMS Victory was Admiral Lord Nelson's flagship in one of the most famous naval battles in history, the Battle of Trafalgar. The … Continue reading Lesson from the HMS Victory and the Battle of Trafalgar
(Caution: Mild Adult Content) Background: The "Entertainment Value" of Criminal Cases A little bit of background: One thing they never mentioned in law school regarding settlement conferences is the entertainment value of the case for the judge. After presiding over dozens of routine and repetitious DUI, theft, and drug trials, an experienced criminal law judge will do … Continue reading The Crime of “Fake Orgasm”
An Ancient Persian Parable This is an ancient Persian parable. I have used this parable in countless talks and lessons over the years. This is my version. A newcomer to heaven was strolling along on the glistening marshmellowy clouds, admiring the harp players and choruses of angels, when off in the distance he saw a … Continue reading The Newcomer to Heaven
There is often great camaraderie among judges, especially when they have worked side-by-side for decades. Judges sometimes become good friends and family members. But as with most families, there is sibling rivalry. Occasionally, judges like to tease and prank each other. (I can share these accounts because any statute of limitations expired decades ago.) The … Continue reading 2 Major Judicial Pranks
The story is told of a billionaire who had a very lazy and spoiled son. As the rich man grew older, he worried about leaving his deadbeat son his inheritance. The son was a young adult, but he had never worked a day in his life. The wealthy father decided to give his son a test. He challenged … Continue reading The Tale of the Billionaire’s Deadbeat Son
The miracle of raising the dead is one of the rarest and sacred of all miracles. Christ promised that his prophets, apostles, and disciples, would have his power to raise the dead. (Matthew 10:8; 4 Nephi 1:5) Of the five published accounts of such miracles taking place in the church in modern times, two involve … Continue reading Raised from the Dead: Ephraim Hanks and the Martin Handcart Company Rescue
(Everything you wanted to know about Judge Wigs but were afraid to ask) Sometimes, it is hard not to let the power of my position as a judge go to my head. That is a common temptation among judges. When we are appointed, we often think we are anointed. As a judge: I win all … Continue reading I Am an Authentic “Big Wig”
During the Covid-19 pandemic we are constantly asked to wash our hands thoroughly and often. This reminded me of when I encountered a “World Class Expert Hand Washer.” I was working in the Orange County District Attorney’s Office at the main courthouse in Santa Ana. One day I went to the D.A.’s men’s room before … Continue reading “The World Class Expert Hand Washer”
The London Edition 