COMPOUNDS

Good is a simple word of only four letters.

We all know when something is ‘good’ – don’t we?

It is a readily applied descriptive term in common use.

I quired the internet. AI quickly provided an overview of synonyms and options to succinctly summarize and delineate what ‘good’ really can be.

The lists went on and on and on and on – including new to me slang from younger generations. It seems every decade develops a unique flair of expression. 

Synonyms may include “excellent, great, fine, nice, pleasant, satisfactory, beneficial, admirable, and superior … depending on if you mean high quality, morally sound, skillful, or favorable.”

However, “to add impact” and emphasis “for quality try superb, exceptional, outstanding, virtuous, or righteous,” or if you are referencing skill “choose words like masterful” or “use skilled, proficient, or adept,” and a word such as “remarkable for something surprising.”

When Job of biblical fame was faced with the extreme opposite of ‘good’ scriptures tell us that he told his wife, “What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?”[1]

His experience seems to indicate that our lives consist of both good and opposites of good – opposition.

In the Book of Mormon[2] the lives of the prophet Lehi and his family consisted of much good and otherwise. He counseled one of his younger sons, Jacob, “For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. … Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; …” [3]

Elder Ames comments, “If something is happening, that is good – things that occur give us choices. If nothing is happening that isn’t good!” I like that. Whatever may be happening we can make good choices, choices that increase good for ourselves and others.

In 1830 Joseph Smith taught his associates that all things are both spiritual and temporal. “And it must needs be that the devil should tempt the children of men, or they could not be agents unto themselves; for if they never should have bitter they could not know the sweet”[4]

We intend to look for more ‘good’ – especially during opposition. These 2 things are a synonymous compound!

Opposition is our reminder to watch for hidden good! Where? What? When?

---

[1] Job 2:10

[2] The Book of Mormon is an ancient volume of holy scripture like the Bible. The Bible is one witness of Jesus Christ, and the Book of Mormon is a second witness of His ministry, His teachings, and His mission as our Savior.

[3] 2 Nephi 2:11

[4] Doctrine and Covenants 29:39

Christmas IS Coming

Guest blogger: Elder David D. Ames

We weren’t waiting for a temple in Moses Lake.  I was waiting to retire so we could move somewhere to live near a temple – anywhere near a temple (ideally within walking distance); but we didn’t have to move.

April 7, 2019, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced it would build a temple right here – in Moses Lake, Washington. We were astonished - a dream come true! 

When we were first married, the nearest temple was about 600 miles (10-12 hours driving).  We began to plan, sold our home 10 miles (15 minutes) away, and the summer of 2022 moved within 3 blocks of the new temple as construction began.

Retired couples often serve 6–23 months as missionaries. We weren’t waiting to go on a mission.  

Linda and I agreed that serving in the temple, helping in our community, and other church callings would be our mission.  We began when the temple was dedicated September 10, 2023.

We were content. Content, until one day, in September 2025 (two years later) we were impressed that we should serve a formal mission. We went to the ‘serve a mission’ website and began the process:

Interview with the Bishop. 

Interview with the Stake President. 

Fill out questionnaires.

See the doctor for extensive physicals.

See doctor again - records DO state we are a bit over 50!  

Medical tests. Eye tests. Hearing tests.

More medical tests.

Blood tests.  More blood tests. 

Still more blood tests. And yes, just one more blood test.

Stress tests. Radioactive stress tests. 

(Did I morph into a super hero? You guess!) 

With the medical papers completed and on the Bishop’s desk, we waited, and waited. 

 Curious, I went into the ‘we want to be a missionary now’[1] website [2] and discovered that we had to push a SUBMIT button to say, “medical papers are on the Bishop’s desk.” 

There are stories about people putting in mission papers who are called the next day.  That did not happen with us.  We had to wait. With all the waiting I told my wife: “Christmas is coming.” My family used to say that when we had to wait.

7:03 a.m. Christmas morning a text said to check our email. Our call to the Utah, Salt Lake City, Headquarters Mission arrived.   We clicked the red ‘DO IMMEDIATELY’ link and began filling out forms.  There appeared to be just 2 or 3.

Each form seemed to generate a dozen more forms!  With the forms filled out, calls started coming from the mission asking for clarification to answers on the forms, giving instructions, making sure we had no questions...

So, what will we be doing? We will find out once we get there – after a week at the Mission Training Center, and then orientation week! 

Check back in a couple weeks ...

Elder David D. Ames

[1] Children’s Songbook page 168

[2] See ‘Mission Portal’ on the ‘Resource’ tab drop down menu at https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng 

Covenants and Committments

Covenants are promises ...

Commitments are promises ...

What is the difference? 

And so what? Why do either matter? 

Defining differences and meanings may help to clarify what matters, and convince us of truths or errors in belief or resolve.

What are promises? 

Merriam Webster dictionary states that a promise means to "definitely do, give, or arrange something; undertake or declare that something will [or will not] happen." 

These action verbs create expectations. 

Commitments usually involve trust and imply obligations of loyalty and support. They are "an agreement or pledge" to engage directly in future dedicated actions. 

Covenants are defined as formal contractual agreements between 2 or more individuals or parties - promises generally pledged in writing and/or ceremonies that enforce duties and outcomes for all involved. 

We have covenanted to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ with our fellowmen for 23 months, almost 2 full years! We have committed ourselves to follow His example to assist with assignments in the Utah, Salt Lake City, Headquarters Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Who is our covenant with? With Jesus Christ, of course.

What exactly does that mean? 

What will we be doing daily? 

We will be inviting others to have faith in Jesus Christ and know more about Him - about His love, His mercy, and His grace. We will do that in a variety of ways for 40+ hours each week. 

AND we will also attempt to let you know the daily details, and exciting results of the nitty gritty nonentities - the seemingly insignificant sequences involved. 

INVITATIONS

 When was the last time you received an invitation? 

Was it to a wedding or a funeral? A church service or a birthday party? Invitations vary a lot! So do expectations. 

I suppose that is the thing I wrestle with most. 

What does "invitation" even mean? I mean - no pressure, right? You are not required to do whatever is being asked BUT you have been asked to do something - a request has been made. 

At times do you struggle with requests? Or make excuses, perfectly valid of course, but nevertheless ways to avoid or minimize a request? 

When I truly want to accept invitations I seemingly can manage to arrange - or even rearrange - my schedule so that my time, energy, emotion, and money are able to be directed toward what I want. 

Can I do the same for the things others may want or need? 

Is it a sacrifice? Sometimes! Yes, sometimes such changes may involve significant sacrifice. 

Remember our opportunity that arrived a month ago? Well, we received an e-mailed invitation for us to each submit 3-4 photos of ancestors. That was the extent of the request!

What? Why?? Purpose? I mean I have 100s - perhaps even 1000s ...

This?

Abraham Day Family Reunion 1877

Or this? 

Lorenzo Hill Hatch

Or randomly either? Or both? 

More information please ... 

Thankfully a link was provided to facilitate my invitation for answers to such questions, and after informing us the photos are "for a presentation we do at the end of orientatation week" we were instructed that "portraits or small family works best. Send people who you know about or mean a lot to you."

clockwise: Forsyth Hatch Campbell Bohne

OK! I can do that! I clicked through photos representing each of my 4 ancestral lines, selected some, and emailed them. BUT funny thing, although these days I find myself too busy to do many things I want desperately to accomplish, I spent hours scrolling through photos of people that "mean a lot to me."

That is what invitations usually are - to accept or do things that are meaningful, or will be to myself or someone else. 

Good invitations effect good things - things I don't even realize possible until after they have happened. 

Invitations often involve efforts. And outcomes generally exceed invested energy, emotion, or even expense expectations - for myself and others. 

Such outcomes may even be unknown. Sometimes we learn later.  

I may be able to provide an update about how and why these photos were meaningful AFTER 'orientation week' is completed near the end of next month. 

Keep or Toss?

Preparing to spend 23 months as missionaries focused on the example of Jesus Christ's service to humanity is daunting. 

We are sorta sorting - our routines, habits, and possessions. 

Stuff can be managed incrementally in categories as, each day or two, mail is disposed of or filed, and every month or so used things such as magazines discarded, while yearly planning goals calendar when and what to clean, change or renew. But longer storage baffles us somewhat. We see through a different lens. Thank goodness for laws and common sense dictating some details, but ...?

Old medical and tax records, photographs, books, games, videos, memorobilia, files, decor, tools, and even clothing demand scrutiny and decisions. What can go digital? Do I really need to keep my wedding dress - yes!  What about the dried roses from loving bouquets? No! 

Do you craft and want some? 

How long should how much of what be stored? Why? Where? How will factors of privacy, possible insects or vermin, temperatures and humidity be controlled? 

We love our home and routines to reflect the joy of changing seasons and holiday activities. But how much of what is realistic? And for how long? What do we cherish? And to what extent? What might bless the days or life of someone else? 

Abundance can clutter and smother. Sure, decades can gradually pass when we are here to routinely display, rotate, clean and store the comforts and fun of day to day living during the passing of weeks, months, and years but sudden prolonged change compels compounding decisiveness.   

Possessions can own us. Homes, yards, and necessary furnishings require regular upkeep and maintenance. All these plus the enjoyment of learning, music, athletics, art, and other hobbies or passions encumber life with supplies and tools. What is truly needful, desirable, and worthy of physical, financial, and emotional space?

North American society and countries are comparatively affluent, and despite segments living in homeless or abject poverty, many tend toward lives of ease. 

Digital access allows avoidance of face-to-face interactions as texting, buying and selling, and even jobs permit insulated isolation to become realities. Electronics with remote and voice control for motor vehicles, home and utility functions of many every day chores may foster indolence. I can order and pay to any location at my convenience and see the delivery arrive via security technology, and language barriers fall to database interpretations. 

We notice our own laziness. When hurried or hungry, buying the readily available instant meals or treats of prepared meats, fruits, vegetables, and desserts gracing the shelves of stores, deli showcases, and restaurant menus allows gratification without investing time or labor. 

What are we willing to labor for? Spend our time, money, emotions, and lives to facilitate or accomplish? 

Luke 10:42 teaches that Mary chose the "one thing [that was] needful." She worshipped and served at the feet of Jesus Christ. Did Martha do less? She served differently and was instructed to not take Mary's choice from her. 

We want to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are willing to spend our time, money, emotional energy, and very lives in the hope that others can learn about the choices the Atonement of Jesus Christ provides. It requires preparation, and labor - labor of all kinds. 

We begin to sorta sort - sort out what "cumbers us" and what we are willing to give or keep to allow a choice like Mary's, of what is most "needful." 

Confidently TERRIFIED!

January 2026 has arrived! Somehow! 

Time transitioned from January 2024 in a jump, almost as if without existence - yet I have lived!

I haven't even noticed as days bolted through weeks, months, and now years? I am astonished at years. 

How? Mostly in peace and prosperity. 

This January I am insecure, emotional, and absolutely terrified. 

My husband and I have chosen to serve as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We have been assigned to the Utah, Salt Lake City, Headquarters Mission (USLCHQM). 

We will leave our home, familiar life, and personal activities for 23 months. Will those years pass into oblivion as quickly as 2024 and 2025? Obviously! The months will march into the future at the pace the calendar dictates, yet what about me? my home? familiar life? and activities?

When I was young enough to cling tightly to my father's knee, screaming and fighting as he attempted to help me attend a church nursery, after cuddling me to his shoulder and comforting me enough for sobbing tears to subside (only slightly), he pointed out another crying, snotty red-faced child and asked me if I wanted to look like THAT. I did not! I wanted to look like the imagined adorable, curly-haired, only-girl-so-far, in the Forsyth bunch of 5 boys that observers regularly commented I was as they patted the ringlets my mother fussed into place after every bath. 

Since that time I attempt to make choices to avoid traumatic confrontations, and especially to look like and become (at least in part) the 'model of princess propriety' that might make my parents proud. That elusive model, however, always has puzzled and frustrated. 

Intervening years have illustrated graphically how distant models of opinion are, and always have been, from my thoughts and words and actions! That comparison is debilitating, undeniably out of reach - except ...

Except, I know who I really am. I am not adorable and, as I age, tangled curls have become stiffly straight and white. I am not the little sister of 4 older brothers, I am not the big sister of 6 younger siblings, I am not a wife, a mother, a grandma - I have such relationships, yet am more than any and all those titles, and other titles, that are mere labels competing for allegiance to someone affixing designations.

I am a spirit daughter of God - a father more loving and merciful than even the physical father willing to patiently comfort and teach his fearful daughter. A father who could see beyond toddler (and teen) tantrums and phobias. God knows I am terrified. He comforts and sustains AND invites my fears toward forward faith. 

I can count on Him, a good, kind, all knowing, forgiving father who promises grace to me and others through Jesus Christ, His son. They are real. I know this truth. 

If Peter could walk on water, can I?  Peter's example is instructive: "... Lord, save me." Matthew 14:30

I am confident I can count on a wise Heavenly Father willing to let me learn the differences and nuances of who I am and what I can become. Scriptures and prophets provide fundamental examples, patterns, and directions to all who want to know truth. Can I follow God's directions - His instructions about how to always have more good? 

Can I become more than I now am? 

I can try! I can even help others around me to know and grow - to try. I can share time, talents, and blessings. And I can keep learning - gaining knowledge of this physical place called earth (and my existence here), and the place called heaven that can seem as foreign as other countries and cultures. 

Details of trying to follow ...