"Fun Facts Saturday" Edwin Wooley, 27 years as Bishop of the Prophet's ward In 1854, Edwin Wooley was chosen as Bishop of the Salt Lake Thirteenth Ward. He served in that calling for 27 years. His name is familiar because his descendant was Spencer Wooley Kimball. Bishop Wooley was frank and outspoken. Upon his death, … Continue reading “Demanding” Brigham Young vs. His “Difficult” Bishop
When I returned from my mission, I was immediately called as ward finance clerk. At that time, the stake president was on a campaign to increase fast offering contributions. He was upset that the wards were drawing money from the church general fund instead of contributing to it. In essence, the saints in Africa and … Continue reading Our Ward Was Praised — by Mistake
"Sunday Sermon" Early Baptismal Ceremony In the early years of the Christian Church, the baptismal ceremony went as follows: Pre-baptismal instruction by a bishop [months or years] Prayer inviting the Holy Spirit Disrobing of candidate [behind a veil] Vocal renunciation of Satan by candidate Anointing of the candidate with oil Candidate stands or kneels in … Continue reading Baptismal Ceremonies in the Early Christian Church – Washing and Anointing (naked)
"Sunday Sermon" Boyd K. Packer and the Transgressing Missionary In 1971, Elder Boyd K. Packer visited our mission in Bristol, England. He shared the following experience. Soon after being called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, he was sent to a foreign mission, where a missionary faced excommunication for having had sexual relations with a … Continue reading Rules versus Revelation (2 Stories)
"Sunday Sermon" “The Lord Provides” We have been blessed by the tender mercies of the Lord and His miracles of divine providence. Miracle #1: The Missing Tupperware Money Throughout law school, my wife and I were poor. For dates, we walked to BYU campus to watch their TV since we couldn't afford our own. Once … Continue reading Two Minor Miracles of Divine Providence
"Fun Facts" "Sunday Sermon" I am “famous” for my typos and editing errors. (“Moral Problem” vs “Morale Problem.” “Venus” vs “Venice.”) My hyper personality favors speed over accuracy. But I am not the only one who makes such mistakes. In the 1630s, Robert Barker and Martin Lucas printed 1,000 copies of the King James Version … Continue reading The “Wicked Bible” of 1631 – “Thou SHALT Commit Adultery”
"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
While serving as a singles ward Bishop I received a unique telephone call from a BYU administrator. He explained, a confidential informant said that another BYU student falsified my Bishop’s Recommendation Form and forged my signature. The administrator gave me the student’s name and asked if I interviewed the person and signed the recommendation. With … Continue reading BYU Student Forged My Bishop’s Recommendation
When it comes to minor matters, the Lord usually let's us do "as seemeth you good, it mattereth not unto me." (D&C 60:5; D&C 62:5; D&C 80:3) However, sometimes even the most trivial things matter to the Lord. As a recently returned missionary, I was assigned to speak with a high councilor in another ward. … Continue reading My Personal Revelation — “Don’t Wear the Red Tie”
After a lifetime of experience as a judge, bishop, and father, I am convinced that we are never, ever, in a position to judge another’s heart. Prospective jurors often ask to be excused saying, “I cannot judge another person.” I explain: “You are not being asked to judge whether the defendant is a good person … Continue reading We Can Never Judge Another’s Heart
The London Edition 