Meeting with Sugar Creek ward YM leaders

Greg presented me with an interesting challenge.  He set up a meeting with Varsity Scout and Venturing leaders (the AP advisors for the Teachers and Priests) in his ward, for me to (hopefully) supply some added direction for their uses of these scouting programs.  I met on the Wednesday night I was there with 5 persons and answered questions about ways to organize and develop these programs.  It was quite interesting to be in the position of an expert and try to help these people.

Scouting leadership story #2

Soon after my call as a Seventy and stake missionary, the Church created the Salt Lake Mission and full-time missionaries began to serve in our area.  The mission president and other authorities challenged the stake missionaries to learn to give at least the first discussion in the current teaching plan, so that we could participate in teaching along with the full-time missionaries.

The missionary lessons of that day required memorizing the discussions verbatim.  My thinking was that this was an impossible task.  I reasoned that the learning and retaining of these lessons would require considerable repetition and that individual stake missionaries would never be given enough teaching opportunities to gain mastery of these lessons and be effective teachers.  As a result, for a time I made no effort to work on the lessons.

At a stake conference meeting early in December 1975 I heard the challenge repeated.  And the thought crossed my mind, “Why resist this request by mission and stake authorities?  If they want us to do this, why not make a try?”

I went home and developed a plan.  There were 8 concepts in the first lesson.  I set a goal to myself to memorize one concept a week, so as to complete the memorization of the first lesson in 8 weeks. The first concept was the most challenging because of its length.  It contained major excerpts from the Joseph Smith’s own story as recorded in the Pearl of Great Price. It was difficult but by the end of the first week I could recite this concept by memory.  Through the Christmas holidays and New Years I persisted.  On the last week of January as I was finishing work on the eighth and last concept, I received a phone call from the ward mission leader.  He said that the full-time missionaries had been knocking on doors in our ward that day, and were invited into the home of a couple, the Knudsens.  The husband was a less active member and the wife a non-member.  They asked to be able to receive the missionary discussions.  The ward mission leader asked me if I would be willing to join with one of the elders in teaching this family the gospel.

The result was that I helped teach all the missionary lessons to this couple.  I saw them begin to attend church, Brother Knudsen start to live the word of wisdom, and within a short time Sister Knudsen be baptized.  Within a year or so he qualified for the Melchizedek Priesthood and we had the blessing of being present when they were sealed in the temple.  Not only that but they became wonderful friends.

I was strongly impressed that changing my attitude to follow the full program outlined by my leaders and then making the effort to master the missionary lesson brought huge blessings and made me an effective tool in the work.  The blessings came right on schedule almost like clockwork once I had done my part.  When I stopped grumbling and doubting and trying to impose my wisdom on the program, and made a full commitment to follow the direction of my leaders and master the requirements of the program, the payoff came immediately and with more blessings than I could ever imagine.

I think of this experience, when I deal with young mens leaders who are not committed to the scouting programs.  I hear things said, such as the kids aren’t interested or they are too busy, the parents aren’t supportive, and so on.  I think that, like my experience as a stake missionary, the programs will never be effective until the leaders make a full commitment to the programs and pay the price to master the requirements and tools.

Scouting leadership story #1

There was a time when, as a young husband and father, I received a phone call asking JoAnn and me to come to an appointment with a member of our stake presidency.  In the interview, I was asked to serve as a Seventy (there were local Seventies in those days) and stake missionary.  The President informed me that there were requirements associated with this calling.  In addition to worthiness, I would be expected to clear my schedule to spend at least two week nights in missionary work, plus some time on Sunday afternoon or evening, in addition to attending required meetings.  I might have to give up some other week night commitments.  After I promised that I would be willing to make this effort and receiving assurance from my wife that she was supportive, the President extended the call.

The manner of this call has served as a template for me for how to make major calls in the Church:
1. Clearly communicating an understanding of the commitment of time and effort that the call would require of me.
2. Verifying that I had family support for the requirements of the calling.
3. Verifying my commitment to these expectations.

Calls to work in the young mens program might be compared to a mission.  They have similar requirements in amount of time and effort, and deserve this same approach by leaders issuing the call.

Sealing group at Draper Temple

I don't know of anything much more wonderful or joyful than being with family members at the temple.  This was last evening's group that did family sealings at the Draper Temple.  The sealer was very capable and considerate and even spent a few minutes with us after we finished doing 40 some sealings in going over some meanings of the couple sealing ceremony.  Do you remember his 4 points?

Letter to a returned missionary

Cleaning out some old files, I found a copy of this letter, which gives expression to some of my thoughts about the Church.  As a Bishop, I composed this letter to a young returned missionary and father who had requested his name be removed from Church membership (sad):

TAYLORSVILLE GARDENS FIRST WARD, TAYLORSVILLE UTAH CENTRAL STAKE
October 2, 2001
Dear _________:
     I acknowledge receipt of your letter requesting to have your name removed from Church membership records.  I have reviewed your request with President ________ and at his direction am initiating the process to accomplish your request.
     In your letter you seem to express an understanding of the major personal consequences of your request being fulfilled, including canceling the effects of your baptism and confirmation into the Church, withdrawing of the priesthood, and revoking temple blessings.  Yet I wonder if you have really comprehended the extent of the negative results that will follow.  I like you and have some feelings like a father might have for a son and hope for your success and happiness.  Yet I expect that this action, if completed, will have profound negative implications on others' lives, such as, children born to _______and you in the future, including the baby she is now carrying, will not be born in the covenant.  This act may likely compromise your ability to bless your family members when they are sick, to perform Church ordinances when they reach the age for things like baptism, and in general to provide spiritual leadership to your family over the years.  Somehow this reminds me of my own growing up in a household with a non-believing father, where I as a teen (whether rightly or wrongly) rejected him and made him non-significant in my life because, as it seemed to me, he had abdicated teaching and leader responsibilities that he should have born in our family.
     For me, attending priesthood as young married man was a very significant and positive influence in helping me to become a more sensitive and responsible husband and a more effective and loving father.  I am concerned that the loss of such influences will detract from your future relationships, joys, and ability to exercise positive influence on those closest to you.
     I fear that you have succumbed to your own worst tendencies, that you have isolated yourself with dark and doubting literature and thoughts, and have crowded out the remembrance or rationalized what you once knew--that faith grows stronger in a context of prayer, scripture study, humility, obedience to God, and service to others.
     Your have drawn some conclusions about the "truth claims" of the Church based on what you say are logical grounds.  Without going into detail, I would say that I too have grappled with these "truth claims" over the course of many years, coming from a somewhat similar position as you, but have arrived at entirely different conclusions.  The comprehensiveness, the logical consistency, the uplifting nature of the doctrines of the Church have great appeal to me. I do not see significant ways in which science and reason contradict the beliefs of the Church and find many confirmations.  I love the position that the Prophet Brigham Young took that all truths, wherever found, are a part of the gospel of Christ.
     I also draw different conclusions about confirming spiritual experiences across various religions. I have had many experiences and associations with various religions.  Their approaches to deciding what to believe seem significantly different to me.  For example, my experience with many Protestants is that they rely primarily on reasoning to justify their beliefs, and unfortunately come up with a multitude of different conclusions.  I have not heard described by members of other religions the full range of spiritual responses that I have personally experienced, although our doctrines are sufficiently broad to encompass their having such experiences.  For me, what I experience of spiritual direction, insight, comfort and joy in the context of our religion is real, seems to have origins external to myself, and is logically consistent with experiences predicted in the scriptures. So, I feel impelled to follow them.
     My wish for you is that you recapture a desire for faith rather than a desire for doubting, in the manner of Alma chapter 32.  I invite you to exercise the option that is always there for you, in order to rekindle a faith and joy that I think you once possessed.
     At this point however, according to your request, the name removal process will proceed forward. It can be rescinded by your sending a written request for such recision with 30 days to the stake president.  If he has not received your request to rescind the removal of your name according to these terms, the action report will be forwarded to the office of the First Presidency to complete the processing of the removal.
     Sincerely,
     Robert E. Lewis, Bishop Taylorsville Gardens 1st Ward

Robert E. Lewis Scouting Bio

Family: Father of eight children including four sons, all of whom are eagle scouts. Thirty-eight grandchildren, with eight eagles and counting.

Professional: Doctorate in the field of social work with specialties in child welfare, particularly family-based programs to prevent child maltreatment, child welfare management information systems, manpower and staff utilization, program effectiveness evaluation.

Employment history: Retired, formerly manager in state child welfare agency, adjunct professor appointment at university, consultant.

LDS youth-related service: Currently Counselor in Stake YM Presidency, with special assignment to upgrade Venturing in the stake; also Stake Venturing Officer’s Association (VOA) Advisor; also ward 11 year old scout leader.  Formerly Bishop, Ward Young Mens President/Priests and Venturing Crew Advisor, Varsity Coach; Scoutmaster; Troop, Team, Crew, and Post Committee chair and member; Stake Young Mens President and Counselor; Regional Exploring Training Coordinator, member of YM General Board Task Force on the Activity Programs for 14-18 year old Aaronic Priesthood holders. 

Scouting District/Council: Currently Assistant District Venturing Round Table Commissioner.  Formerly Teen Leaders Council (TLC) Advisor and member of Utah National Parks Council Venturing Activities Committee, District Exploring and Venturing Round Table Commissioner; District Venturing Leader Specific Trainer; Explorer Training Chairman; District Vice-Chairman for Exploring; District Varsity Committee; Course Director for advanced junior Explorer/Venturer leader courses, Unit Commissioner. 

Scout Leader Training: Basic training for Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Exploring, Venturing, and Commissioner; Wood Badge (Varsity); Explorer Leadership Institute. 

Recognitions: Scouter's Training Award; Scouter's Key (Varsity); Scoutmaster's Award of Merit; Adult Varsity Letter; Adult On My Honor; District Explorer Leader of the Year; District Award of Merit; Silver Beaver, Venturing Leadership Award.

R Lewis--bird photgrapher

Mourning dove in maple tree near pine cone with peanut butter

Robin scratching looking for ??? and kicking dirt on the sidewalk

Same robin--what a nuisance

Ice fishing at Deer Creek

Our spot on the ice above 30 feet of water

The fish Chris caught

Olivia, Chris, Jack, and a buoy

At the last minute, as the weather cooperated, we got a small Ice fishing party together on Saturday, Feb 1.  Wendy and I had Hilary, Olivia and Jack with us at the cabin, and Quin, Jonathan, and Chris joined us.

There was at least 8 inches of ice.  It was pleasant for a while but then a cold east wind arose and so did we, and went back to the cabin for a sandwich and hot chocolate.

Together we caught one fish, a fat 13 or 14 incher, which was credited to Chris.

Pictures from my daily walk

Timp and Provo Peak across the bottoms and the bench

Ice on a branch above the water

 Still experimenting with the iPhone camera.  About 5 pm along the Spanish Fork River Trail, between the Tree Road and the golf course.

Provo City Center Temple shots

Driving along Freedom Blvd yesterday afternoon, I liked the looks of the view of the new temple.  Nu-Skin has installed some nice landscaping along its frontage on 100 South.  I think this may become the favorite way to view the temple when all is completed.

Notice that all of 5 of the turrets/cones are now in place.

Carpet Removal Crew

Yesterday we got the carpet in our bedroom replaced.  It was well worn.  We were grateful to have gotten lots of help moving the big furniture in and out, and even helping to taking up the old carpet and preparing the floor by removing the hundreds of staples that helped the old padding in place. and then the final product.

Here is the crew, that came with Scott: Eric, Jonathan, Justin, and Ethan.

Who has been digging in our yard?

Continuing our chronicle of strange animal behavior, we found this mess on our side walk about 3 feet from our front steps, dirt strewn out on the walk from some digging under one of our Rose of Sharon bushes.  Then a little later, Wendy identified the culprit who had returned to dig again--a robin.  It is hard to believe that a little bird could have made such a mess.  A dog or squirrel, maybe, but a bird? 

What was it trying to find on a cold day in January?  Worms, seeds????

The Intolerance of Tolerance, Pt #1

     Reading from a new book of that name, by D. A. Carson (Eerdmans, 2012), a professor and Evangelical Christian writer, in which he contrasts a traditional view of tolerance, vs. a modern form:
     “Under the older view of tolerance, a person might be judged tolerant if, while holding strong views, he or she insisted that others had the right to dissent from these views and argue their own cases.  This view of tolerance is in line with the famous utterance–“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”  This older view of tolerance makes three assumptions: (1) There is objective truth out there, and it is our duty to pursue that truth; (2) the various parties in a dispute think that they know what the truth of the matter is, even though they disagree sharply, each party thinking the other is wrong; (3) nevertheless they hold that the best chance of uncovering the truth of the matter, or the best chance of persuading most people with reason and not with coercion, is by the unhindered exchange of ideas, no matter how wrong-headed some of these ideas seem.  The third assumption demands that all sides insist that their opponents must not be silenced or crushed.  Free inquiry may eventually bring the truth out; it is likely to convince the greatest number of people.” (pp. 6-7)
     “...the new tolerance argues that that there is no one view that is exclusively true.  Strong opinions are nothing more than strong preferences for a particular view of reality, each version equally true...  We must be tolerant, not because we cannot distinguish the right path from the wrong path, but because all paths are equally right.  If you begin with this new view of tolerance, and then elevate this view to the supreme position in the hierarchy of moral virtues, then the supreme sin is intolerance.  The trouble is that such intolerance, like the refusal to allow contrary opinions to say their piece in public, but must be understood to be any questioning or contradicting the view that all opinions are equal in value, that all world views have equal worth, that all stances are equally valid.  To question such postmodern axioms is by definition intolerant.  For such questioning there is no tolerance whatsoever, for it is classed as intolerance and must therefore be condemned.  It has become the supreme vice.”  (pp. 11-12)
     This kind of tolerance is exemplified by the following quote, from one of its advocates: “The definition of the new tolerance is that every individual’s beliefs, values, lifestyle, and perception of truth claims are equal.... There is no hierarchy of truth.  Your beliefs and my beliefs are equal, and all truth is relative.” (pp.12-13)
     Another way of expressing this difference: “In the past PC [= political correctness] generally centered on issues that were quite substantive... Today’s PC, however, is intolerant not of substance, but of intolerance itself.  Thus, although the politically correct world would have a great deal of difficulty agreeing on what constitutes goodness and truth, they have no trouble at all agreeing that intolerance itself is wrong.  Why?  Because no one deserves to be offended.” (p. 13)
     “The old tolerance draws its limits on the basis of substantive arguments about truth, goodness, doing  harm, and protecting society and its victims, while the new tolerance draws its limits on the basis of what it judges to be intolerant... Advocates of the new tolerance often find no more scalding epithet to hurl at those with whom they disagree than “intolerant” and related categories: bigoted, narrow-minded, ignorant, and so forth.” (pp. 14-15)
     Questions: Has anyone in our family been exposed to the “new tolerance”?  Where do we find it living and thriving?  Do we find it in any way attractive?  How does the "new tolerance" look at our Church?

The beavers are at it again

We snapped these pictures as we were walking along the SF River Trail a few minutes ago.  Shh, let's not let the authorities know.

Sunset clouds, snow, and mountains

We have started to try to walk to get some of the holiday bloat off and have found some great photo scenes, of Spanish Fork Peak/Maple Mountain/Sierra Bonita (whatever you want to call it) just to our east, of Timp and of sunset clouds.

Timpanogos and our ward house steeple

Bird feeding

Chickadee

House finch

Recently Wendy started a refuge in our back yard for birds that forgot to fly south. 
There are feeders with seeds and pine cones with peanut butter and lots of seeds in the snow.  We have been surprised at the number and the many kinds of birds that have taken advantage of our offer.  We can see them real well through our kitchen slider, just a few feet away.  And there are birds in the big picture--they are just in camouflage.  There will be a prize for the person who can count the most birds in the picture.

Junco

Goldfinch

Magpie

Mourning Dove

Raven

Robin

Sparrow

Woodpecker

Temple Square Christmas

Christmas Kick-off

Jaron directing? the bell choir

More bell choir

The King looking for Pinata candy

White elephant time