A friend of mine wrote a book called Embrace Fatherhood. There is a part in the book where a father has lost the ability to see his new daughter due to a custody battle. Upon finding out he will get to spend a weekend with his daughter he says, “This daddy daughter thing, it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. It took Brooklyn being born for me to love something far greater than myself.”
I love Beth so much, but I relate to this statement. I think it took Ivy being born for me to understand what unconditional, unbounded, uncontrollable love is. We like to think we love others more than ourselves, but do we? I think I do love Ivy more than myself. I think this is parenthood. I would do anything for her. As a part of that, I love Beth all the more for giving me this priceless gift.
This book is written from the perspective of dads in various forms of relationship disputes, dads that don’t get to see their kids.
I know this is a complicated issue, and I know there are a million different circumstances that make this very difficult. What I will say that I hope we can all agree on: good fathers that want to be in their children’s lives, that for whatever reason aren’t able to, is a great tragedy. I can’t imagine being kept away from Ivy. It would break my heart. It would be like losing a part of me.
Beth and Ivy are in Utah for a week as I write this. Don’t get me wrong, a little bit of free time and the ability to nap and relax like I used to in the old days has been really nice. At the end of the night, though, all I can think about is Ivy and Beth. I miss them so much. I miss that greatest moment every morning. I’m grateful for a picture Beth put up on my bedside table before the trip. I can’t imagine this separation from my baby being a regular occurrence.
I know this situation exists for many dads and it hurts me to think about.
Relationship disputes happen. We are human. I think it is a tragedy of our society that romantic relationships would ever come before or between the most sacred relationship in the world (alongside marriage), the relationship of a parent and their child.
Again, a complicated issue. Having not lived through it myself, I can’t say too much. But I love Ivy. I can’t imagine living without her. There are tons of dads out there right now excited that they will get a weekend to see their child. The disintegration of the family unit is devastating.
I am grateful for Beth, who I love so much. I am grateful for what Beth has given me, the greatest gift in the entire world, Ivy who I love beyond all understanding. I am sorry for any dad that has this gift taken from him.
I love Ivy and I love Beth and I don’t know what I would do without them.
One of my favorite books from 2020 was Best-Loved Stories of the LDS People Vol. 3. I flew through this 539-page book. I was worried this book would be too similar to They Knew the Prophet when I began it. It actually had 10 or so of the same stories cited from that book that I noticed. It was infrequent enough that it was definitely a unique read.
What I liked so much about this book is the stories were split into categories. Categories include Conversion, Faithfulness, Pioneers, and 19 others. For the rest of my life, when I’m giving a talk on a subject, I can turn to the Table of Contents of the book, look up a topic, and read uplifting stories on that subject. Prayer, for example, has over 20 pages, 14 stories that I can go to for inspiration. A description I read online reads:
“Here’s an outstanding collection of all those inspiring stories from Church history that you’ve heard and wanted (but couldn’t find) for your class.”
I know not everyone (or anyone) likes Church history quite like me, but if you do, you will love this book. If you’re a spiritual individual who believes in God, you’ll find many stories that really make you think. The book was filled with stories that I had never heard before. Many push the boundaries of what we think is possible. Stories of angels seen by normal people, visions experienced by everyday pioneers, and profound experiences fill this book.
One story I enjoyed relates a man visited by a person long dead who was commissioned to bring someone to the other side to assist with a work. The living man gave the dead man all the work he still felt he had to do on earth and the dead man moved to another candidate. “Now, I name this to show a principle. They have work on the other side of the [veil]; and they want men, and they call them.”
I haven’t read any of the other books from the Best Loved Stories series. From what I gather, there are the Best-Loved Stories of the LDS People Vols 1-3, Best-Loved Poems of the LDS People, and Best-Loved Humor of the LDS People. At some point I may look into the rest of the series. If they’re anything like this one, they’ll be worth getting.
I particularly enjoyed the beginning of the book. There’s something about starting a new book that is so exciting. Almost every story had me turning the page for a new one. I must have read the first 250 pages in the first two sittings.
John Taylor
To conclude, I’ll share part of one of my favorite stories, though it was difficult to just choose one. It comes from one of my favorite categories: Courage. It is a story told by B. H. Roberts about John Taylor. John Taylor would later become the third prophet in this dispensation. After reading this story, it’s easy to see why. B.H. Roberts tells about a time when John Taylor was in Columbus, Ohio to preach. John Taylor was preparing to go when men of the town ran to the house he was at and informed him that a group from the crowd he was going to preach to were boasting that they would tar and feather him if he undertook to preach. John Taylor decided to go. After Elder Taylor had arrived to preach, the book reads:
“A very large concourse of people had assembled to listen to him. He began his remarks by informing them that he had lately come from Canada-a land under monarchical rule; that standing as he then did on free soil, among free men, he experienced peculiar sensations.
John Taylor said, ‘Gentlemen, I now stand among men whose fathers fought and obtained one of the greatest blessings ever conferred upon the human family-the right to think, to speak, to write; the right to say who shall govern them, and the right to worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences-all of them sacred human rights, and now guaranteed by the American Constitution. I see around me the sons of those noble sires, who, rather than bow to the behest of a tyrant, pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honors to burst those fetters, enjoy freedom themselves, bequeath it to their posterity or die in the attempt.
They nobly fought and nobly conquered; and now the cap of liberty is elevated on the tops of your liberty poles throughout the land, and the flag of freedom waves from Wisconsin to Louisiana-from Maine to Missouri. Not only so, but your vessels-foremost in the world-sail over oceans, seas, and bays; visiting every nation, and wherever those vessels go your flag flutters in the breeze, a hope Is inspired among the down-trodden millions, that they, perchance, if they cannot find liberty in their own land, may find it with you … Gentlemen, with your liberty is more than a name; it is incorporated in your system; it is proclaimed by your senators; thundered by your cannon; lisped by your infants; taught to your school-boys; it echoes from mountain to mountain; reverberates through your valleys, and is whispered by every breeze. Is it any wonder, gentlemen, under these circumstances-having lately emerged from a monarchical government, that I should experience peculiar sensations in rising to address you?
But, by the by, I have been informed that you purpose to tar and feather me, for my religious opinions. Is this the boon you have inherited from your fathers? Is this the blessing they purchased with their dearest hearts’ blood-this your liberty? If so, you now have a victim, and we will have an offering to the goddess of liberty.” Here he tore open his vest and said: “Gentlemen, come on with your tar and feathers, your victim is ready; and ye shades of the venerable patriots, gaze upon the deeds of your degenerate sons! Come on, gentlemen! Come on, I say, I am ready!’
No one moved, no one spoke. He stood there drawn to his full height, calm but defiant-the master of the situation.”
John Taylor went on to preach for three hours. This story concluded, “they had been awed into silence by the boldness of Elder Taylor.”
In the time we live in I think this is a story of especial importance, which is why I shared it. More and more “religious” folks will have to be bold in our testimonies. More and more the freedom our ancestors died for is being attacked. Being bold and having courage will be of the utmost importance moving forward.
The Shack was a New York Times best seller and eventually became a motion picture. I watched the movie before reading the book. I liked the movie a lot so was looking forward to reading the book.
The Shack is a story about a man who has to come face to face with his faith and what he believes about God. It’s written claiming to be the true experience of one man, written by his friend.
The book is great. It is a religious themed book with an engaging story that anyone could enjoy. The story is one anyone can get behind. We have all felt pain and the circumstances of the main character’s journey are easy to attach oneself to.
I marked and highlighted throughout the book. It’s a book with countless lines that make you stop and think. It’s an intellectual and spiritual journey.
I had the unique experience of watching the movie 2 or 3 years before reading the book. I loved the movie. The movie really made me think and expanded my view on pain, justice, mercy, and how God fits into that equation. Surprisingly, I think the book touched on that in a different way. That theme was there, but I remember it being more palpable in the movie experience.
The big question I’d like to address – did this really happen? Some of what I know to be true doctrinally was misrepresented in this story, but I still can’t say for certain that this was a story of fiction. The world is a mysterious place and I don’t want to get into a situation where I limit what God is capable of. If He presented Himself to this man in this unique way… maybe. Maybe it happened. Maybe countless things happened.
What I will say is this: whether it happened or it didn’t happen, even if it’s a completely fictional tale, I learned something. It expanded my mind, made me think, and I believe it even strengthened my testimony of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. For that reason, I can say I don’t care whether the main character truly had this experience. Even if he was just impacted by whatever experience he had in a way that led him to portray such a unique and beautiful story, that’s good enough for me.
There is something unique at the end of the book. The very last page has “The Missy Project.” It states that the book became #1 on the New York Times Bestseller List on a $200 budget because of passionate readers. It says: “if you were as taken with the message of this book as we are, you may already have some unique ideas as to how you can best let others know about it…. If you have a Web site or blog, consider sharing a bit about the book and how it touched your life. Don’t give away the plot, but recommend that they read it as well and link to http://www.theshackbook.com.
I checked, the website still exists these 13 years after publication. In fact, it’s a beautiful website promoting both the movie and the book.
This book did touch me. It expanded my thinking. I loved it. I loved the movie as well.
A lot of the books I read few will ever read simply because people aren’t interested in the subject matters that interest me. This book should not be avoided. Anyone can learn and grow from this book, it’s a page turner with an engaging plot and wonderful story. Please read it.
If you’ve already read The Shack tell me what you thought of it.
The Mourning Dove was one of my favorite books of 2020. It’s the first book I made Beth read. I read it in 2 days which isn’t much to brag about at only 84 pages.
The inside cover reads:
“A tender story of growing up, exploring life, exploring life, and discovering the boundaries and the defining moments of love.”
The back cover reads:
“The Mourning Dove is heart touching. It penetrates your soul and makes you glad to be alive.”
-Mark Victor Hansen, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Soul
This story is so good, so uplifting, so all the good things. I will put it at the top of books I would recommend to someone. It’s especially easy to recommend because it’s such a quick and easy read. I know people are increasingly busy and it’s hard to find time to sit down and read a long book. This book is short and sweet. You will finish it feeling like you’ve grown immensely after spending time with Pop, the main character’s grandpa.
After finishing the book, I wanted to write a screenplay. This book would make such a good movie. The message in it is simple. The story of a young boy learning adult lessons is timeless.
I had no idea Larry Barkdull wrote another book I loved titled Zion: Seeking the City of Enoch. Mr. Barkdull has an easy-going writing style that I enjoy because it’s not so difficult to follow. His stories flow and are combined with good messages. I’ve walked away from both his books feeling like I’ve learned something about life and myself.
I can’t say enough good things about this book. It can be found online for like a dollar. Buy it. You won’t regret it.
Sadly, while looking up information about this book I learned that Larry Barkdull passed away in 2016. I’d like to share this from his obituary:
Many will remember him as their gospel doctrine teacher, home teacher and friend, as he tended to the needs of those he loved. Larry also served weekly in the temple as an ordinance worker, a calling he cherished. Above all else, Larry’s greatest joy was his family. The only title he wished to follow his name was D.A.D. He left his family a legacy of great faith and leaves a hole that can never be filled. Words cannot express the least of what we feel. We love you. Our hearts are broken, but we know we will be together again.”
I don’t know how you can read that without a tear coming to your eye. Mr. Barkdull was clearly an inspired and important individual sent for an important purpose in God’s plan. I’m grateful I got to see a glimpse into his soul through his writing.
How will God convince the Jews that Jesus is the Redeemer, the Messiah, the Son of God?
Is the Jewish nation to wait for Christ to return in His glory for them to realize the truth? Will God’s chosen people be left to learn of Christ’s divinity at the same moment that the rest of the world does, when Christ returns?
Will the Jewish nation learn of the divinity of Jesus Christ when they see Him come down in glory, and behold the prints in His hands and feet?
Has God provided a tool for the redemption of His people? A second witness?
I don’t think God would leave only one witness of such an important thing. Especially when it concerns not only all His children, but His chosen people.
So, what is that tool? What is the second witness?
Obviously, it is the Book of Mormon.
Another testament of Jesus Christ.
I had this realization recently and wanted to share. It’s easy to take for granted what the Book of Mormon is. Another testament of Jesus Christ. Another book of scripture. Another witness. More proof that Jesus was and is the Christ. Jesus is the Savior. Jesus is where our redemption lies.
What a blessing to live in a time where we have further evidence. What a blessing that we have additional scripture. I look forward, as the dispensation of the fullness of times continues to expand, for more scripture to be revealed. I look forward to receiving more of God’s word. Will the world reject future scripture just as they’ve rejected the Book of Mormon? Surely God isn’t done with us. Surely, He still speaks to us.
No Coincidences 