Snail Hollow Gazette

Sensory Inventory XIII

2009-07-02T09:10:00.000-07:00

These signals are not all functioning properly in my body. The neural network that is supposed to do the work of transmitting signals through my brain is partly dead or dying. Cells that used to be in the loop no longer carry any signals, so like a little child, I am teaching my body to send the signal through parts of the brain that are still living.

This process is frustrating, because not only is it agonizingly slow, but also ensuing strokes can undo all the work I have done for months, and more. All in a matter of seconds.

Not that I am griping.

Yes I am.

It is patently unfair. Tedious and tiresome. Long and uneventful, with short meaningful episodes that tend to be filled with despair and horror.

I think death would bring welcome peace.

Much of the sensory map of my body seems to be fairly static for the past few weeks. But I am concerned about a growing proprioception faultiness in my hips that throws me off balance betimes. It catches me at odd moments when I let down my guard, and I awkwardly stumble and teeter to keep from falling.

If it continues to get worse, I will consult with the neurologists again. But that is a tough choice, when they want something objective to evaluate, and I have only a feeling to offer.

Toes on my left foot have come to life, after a fashion -- they hurt, most of the time. Right foot, pretty dead. Legs - not much tactile sense. Abdomen same. The consistent thing is not much change to report. If things are changing, it is very slow.

Slow seems to be the order of the day.

Rehab progress 35

2009-07-02T08:38:00.001-07:00

I am performing as well as can be expcted at my PT sessions. Up to a half mile in fifteen minutes on the treadmill, with very minimal noticeable exertion. I will start increasing the pace, as my balance and equilibrium hopefully continue to improve. By my estimate I am equivalent to the level of performance I was at after recovering from the first stroke for two months. At that point I had another stroke, so I am not hoping for a repeat of that sequence.

I am having other problems, though. Lack of ability stops me at every turn. I cannot do all the things I want to do. I am suffering from mental depression that makes everything look that much more difficult. And I have seeming insurmountable troubles with running my business venture,.

I suppose these things will work out. They always do...

General Priesthood: We Are Doing a Great Work and Cannot Come Down

2009-06-27T09:13:00.000-07:00

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf Second Counselor in the First Presidency counsels priesthood bearers to tend their responsibility with unswerving dedication. He illustrates with a story about an airliner crash caused by a simple single distraction that resulted in the loss of many lives, even though the fault was only caused by a burned-out light bulb, and inattention to the details that matter most.

President Uchtdorf cites the story of Nehemiah, commissioned to strengthen the city walls, would not come down in the midst of his task and be distracted from what was important.

As the work continued, Nehemiah's enemies became more desperate. Four times they entreated him to leave the safety of the city and meet with them under the pretense of resolving the conflict, but Nehemiah knew that their intent was to do him harm. Each time they approached him, he responded with the same answer: "I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down."
What a remarkable response! With that clear and unchanging purpose of heart and mind, with that great resolve, the walls of Jerusalem rose until they were rebuilt in an astonishing 52 days.

Nehemiah refused to allow distractions to prevent him from doing what the Lord wanted him to do.
Like Nehemiah, we have a great work to do, and must not be distracted from our duty. Unlike him, there is room for improvement. Our focus must be on the task at hand.

General Priesthood: This Is Your Phone Call

2009-06-26T08:03:00.000-07:00

Bishop Richard C. Edgley, First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, spoke directly and with some force in issuing a "phone call" to priesthood holders, calling them to action in support of financial and employment challenges facing church members.

Quoting from Gordon B. Hinckley:

“I am satisfied, my brethren, that there is enough of expertise, of knowledge, of strength, of concern in every priesthood quorum to assist the troubled members of that quorum if these resources are properly administered.

“. . . It is the obligation of the priesthood quorum to set in motion those forces and facilities which will equip the needy member to provide on a continuing basis for himself and his family.”³
In October 1856, during a general conference, President Young learned that two handcart companies, the Martin company and the Willie company, were traveling late in the season and would face harsh winter weather on the plains of the western United States. He stood at the pulpit as a prophet of God and declared:

“Many of our brethren and sisters are on the plains with hand-carts, . . . and they must be brought here, we must send assistance to them. . . . This community is to send for them and bring them in. . . .

“That is my religion; that is the dictation of the Holy Ghost that I possess, it is to save the people. . . .

“I will tell you all that your faith, religion, and profession of religion, will never save one soul of you in the celestial kingdom of our God, unless you carry out just such principles as I am now teaching you. Go and bring in those people now on the plains.”⁴

As a result of President Young’s call to action, wagons with teams of mules, men to drive them, and flour and other supplies were immediately sent to rescue the people stranded on the plains.

Extra Sensory

2009-06-16T18:58:00.000-07:00

I have as little sense of motion as those who supposedly thought the earth was the center of all.

Perhaps it is.

Yet it remains, the same phenomenon that has been observed for generations of time.

I pointed out one time to a group of elders that on that Super Bowl Sunday, millions of people would experience the same illusion, believing that they are "watching" a football game. They were not watching the game per se, but a televised facsimile of one. You might be wont to assert that this is a distinction without a difference, but physical presence can be important, even vital at times.

Our world is dominated and filled with forces we cannot sense. Yet we believe in them, and even use them without thought. Electricity and magnetism are so integral to our machines that we don't give a second's thought. But they would cease to run without that unseen force.

Maybe seeing is believing. But not seeing can be a sure thing too, at times.

From the writings of Alma, in the Book of Mormon:

"...And now as I said concerning faith—^afaith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye ^bhope for things which are ^cnot seen, which are true." (Alma 32:21)

General Priesthood: Counsel to Young Men

2009-06-14T15:44:00.000-07:00

President Boyd K. Packer, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, spoke to the young men of the Aaronic Priesthood about the future.

The Aaronic Priesthood ordination was done by the hands of an angel, who announced himself as John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament. The angel explained that he was acting under the direction of Peter, James, and John, the ancient apostles, who held the keys of the higher priesthood, which was called the Priesthood of Melchizedek.The power and authority of the lesser, or Aaronic Priesthood, is to hold the keys of the ministering of angels, and to administer in outward ordinances, the letter of the gospel, the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, agreeable to the covenants and commandments.

There are some things to understand.
The priesthood is something you cannot see nor hear nor touch, but it is a real authority and a real power.

When Packer was five years old, he had polio. It made him very self-conscious. He knew that he could never be an athlete.

He said it did not help a lot when he read about the man who went to a doctor to find a cure for his inferiority complex. After a careful examination, the doctor told him, “You don’t have a complex. You really are inferior!”

I learned that you should always take care of your body. Take nothing into your body that will harm it, such as we are counseled in the Word of Wisdom: tea, coffee, liquor, tobacco, or anything else that is habit-forming, addictive, or harmful.

Read section 89 in the Doctrine and Covenants. You will find great promises:

“All saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;

“And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;

“And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.”

And then this promise: “And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them.”

You may see others who seem to have been given a more perfect body than yours. Do not fall into the trap of feeling poorly about your height or weight or your features or your skin color or race.

Your gender was determined in the premortal existence. You were born a male. You must treasure and protect the masculine part of your nature. You must have respectful, protective regard for all women and girls.

Avoid pornography and narcotics.

Talk to parents; talk to the bishop. They will know how to help you.

Do not decorate your body with tattoos or piercing to add jewels.

Do not run with friends that worry your parents.

Lucifer and his legion of angels tempt you to do things and say things and think things that would destroy. Resist every impulse that will trouble your spirit.

You are not to be fearful. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that “all beings who have bodies have power over those who have not.”

And Lehi taught that all “men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil.”

I made mistakes, not intentionally, but I made them. I once foolishly thought maybe I was baptized too soon. I did not understand that the ordinance of the sacrament, administered by you of the Aaronic Priesthood, is in fact a renewing of the covenant of baptism and the reinstating of the blessings connected with it. I did not see, as the revelations tell us, that I could “retain a remission of [my] sins.”

If you have been guilty of sin or mischief, you must learn about the power of the Atonement, how it works. And with deeply sincere repentance, you can unleash that power. It can rinse out all the small things, and with deep soaking and scrubbing, it will wash away serious transgression. There is nothing from which you cannot be made clean.

With you always is the Holy Ghost, which was conferred upon you at the time of your baptism and confirmation.

You young men should not complain about schooling. Do not immerse yourself so much in the technical that you fail to learn things that are practical. Everything you can learn that is practical—in the house, in the kitchen cooking, in the yard—will be of benefit to you. Never complain about schooling. Study well, and attend always.

“The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth.”

“Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.”

We are to learn about “things that are above, and things that are beneath, things that are in the earth, and upon the earth, and in heaven.”

You can learn about fixing things and painting things and even sewing things and whatever else is practical. That is worth doing. If it is not of particular benefit to you, it will help you when you are serving other people.

The certainties of the gospel, the truth, once you understand it, will see you through these difficult times. Your generation is filled with uncertainties. A life of fun and games and expensive toys has come to an abrupt end. We move from a generation of ease and entertainment to a generation of hard work and responsibility. We do not know how long that will last.

The reality of life is now part of your priesthood responsibilities. It will not hurt you to want something and not have it. There is a maturing and disciplining that will be good for you. It will ensure that you can have a happy life and raise a happy family. These trials come with responsibility in the priesthood.

Some of you live in countries where most of what you eat and some of what you wear will depend on what can be produced by the family. It may be that what you can contribute will make the difference so that the rent is paid or the family is fed and housed. Learn to work and to support.

The very foundation of human life, of all society, is the family, established by the first commandment to Adam and Eve, our first parents: “Multiply, and replenish the earth.”

Thereafter came the commandment, “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.”

Be a responsible member of your family. Take care of your possessions—your clothing, your property. Do not be wasteful. Learn to be content.

It may seem that the world is in commotion; and it is! It may seem that there are wars and rumors of wars; and there are! It may seem that the future will hold trials and difficulties for you; and it will! However, fear is the opposite of faith. Do not be afraid! I do not fear.

General Conference: Lessons from the Lord’s Prayers

2009-06-06T17:28:00.000-07:00

Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles teaches about prayer, using the Saviors prayers from the scriptures for example and instruction.

The Lord’s Prayer is recorded twice in the New Testament and once in the Book of Mormon. It is also included in the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible, where clarification is provided by these two phrases:

“Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us,” and
“Suffer us not to be led into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

The clarification on forgiveness is supported by other statements of the Master. He said to His servants, “Inasmuch as you have forgiven one another your trespasses, even so I, the Lord, forgive you.” In other words, if one is to be forgiven, one must first forgive. The clarification on temptation is helpful, for surely we would not be led into temptation by Deity. The Lord said, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.”

Though the four versions of the Lord’s Prayer are not identical, they all open with a salutation to “Our Father,” signifying a close relationship between God and His children. The phrase “hallowed be thy name” reflects the respect and worshipful attitude that we should feel as we pray. “Thy will be done” expresses a concept that we will discuss later.

His request for “daily bread” includes a need for spiritual nourishment as well. Jesus, who called Himself “the bread of life,” gave a promise: “He that cometh to me shall never hunger.” And as we partake of sacramental emblems worthily, we are further promised that we may always have His Spirit to be with us. That is spiritual sustenance that cannot be obtained in any other way.

As the Lord closes His prayer, He acknowledges God’s great power and glory, ending with “Amen.” Our prayers also close with amen. Though it is pronounced differently in various languages, its meaning is the same. It means “truly” or “verily.”¹² Adding amen solemnly affirms a sermon or a prayer. Those who concur should each add an audible amen to signify “that is my solemn declaration too.”

The Lord prefaced His prayer by first asking His followers to avoid “vain repetitions” and to pray “after this manner.” Thus, the Lord’s Prayer serves as a pattern to follow and not as a piece to memorize and recite repetitively. The Master simply wants us to pray for God’s help while we strive constantly to resist evil and live righteously.

General Conference: Temple Worship

2009-06-06T10:40:00.001-07:00

Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles offered counsel regarding temple worship for the saints. He asserts that faithful temple worship can be the source of strength and power in times of need. When we keep the temple covenants we have made and when we live righteously, we have no reason to worry or to feel despondent.

To gain more benefit from temple attendance:

Understand the doctrine related to temple ordinances, especially the significance of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
While participating in temple ordinances, consider your relationship to Jesus Christ and His relationship to our Heavenly Father. This simple act will lead to greater understanding of the supernal nature of the temple ordinances.
Always prayerfully express gratitude for the incomparable blessings that flow from temple ordinances. Live each day so as to give evidence to Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son of how very much those blessings mean to you.
Schedule regular visits to the temple.
Leave sufficient time to be unhurried within the temple walls.
Rotate activities so that you can participate in all of the ordinances of the temple.
Remove your watch when you enter a house of the Lord.
Listen carefully to the presentation of each element of the ordinance with an open mind and heart.
Be mindful of the individual for whom you are performing the vicarious ordinance. At times pray that he or she will recognize the vital importance of the ordinances and be worthy or prepare to be worthy to benefit from them.
Recognize that much of the majesty of the sealing ordinance cannot be understood and remembered with one live experience. Substantial subsequent vicarious work permits one to understand much more of what is communicated in the live ordinances.
Realize that a sealing ordinance is not enduring until after it is sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise. Both individuals must be worthy and want the sealing to be eternal.

Those who live far away sometime avail themselves of opportunities more often and more faithfully than those of us who have a temple but a short distance away. Make regular temple attendance a habit.

Sensory Inventory XII

2009-06-06T05:39:00.000-07:00

Proprioception (pronounced /ˌproʊpriːəˈsɛpʃən/ PRO-pree-o-SEP-shun); from Latin proprius, meaning "one's own" and perception) is the sense of the relative position of neighbouring parts of the body. Unlike the six exteroceptive senses (sight, taste, smell, touch, hearing, and balance) by which we perceive the outside world, and interoceptive senses, by which we perceive the pain and the stretching of internal organs, proprioception is a third distinct sensory modality that provides feedback solely on the status of the body internally. It is the sense that indicates whether the body is moving with required effort, as well as where the various parts of the body are located in relation to each other.

My inner sense of proprioception is somewhat compromised, because my inner ear sense of balance signal to the brain are poorly received, if at all. This give me some advantage in that I do no get dizzy -- but neither can I sense that I am bending over the same way most do it. I get visual cues from seeing the world around me, and can receive proprioception signals that tell me how my ankle and hip joints are situated with respect to the rest of my body. The rest is just some kind of magic. It works much better with all the senses firing together, let me assure you. I stumble a lot, because I do not effectively sense where my feet end up, or I forget inbetween steps. It is just another challenge I deal with.

Other sensory impairment continues as before, with some modifications. I can feel some touch on the bottoms of my feet now, but not much on the top. The left foot always sends pins-and-needles sensation like it is asleep. My hands are fully sensitive now most of the time, which is a great relief. My midsection and thighs continue to feel like sheathed in leather.

A slight diminishing in the degree of proprioception sensitivity in my hips has worried me. Sometimes it feels like before, when I could not stand up with my eyes shut. I talked to the neurologist about it last week, and he checked what he could, but it is a difficult issue to address objectively, and I may be stressing about not much. Anyway, it is something I will be paying close attention to over the next few months. Could be indicative of new Shwanomma -- new tumor development -- or regrowth of the tumor on my spinal column.

We'll see...

Rehab progress 34

2009-06-06T05:30:00.000-07:00

Routine. Hard work.

This is what it comes down to.

I am trying to re-establish the last summer level of performance. Three miles in forty minutes on the treadmill.

Yesterday I made better than a half-mile in ten minutes, with very little exertion. I am making progress, slowly but surely.

When I can put on a mile in ten minutes, I will be back in pretty good form.

Utah Places: Bingham Canyon Mine

2009-05-20T20:22:00.000-07:00

The largest artificial hole in the earth, Bingham Canyon Mine is one of the wonders of the world, and a monument to industry. There are tours conducted on a regular basis. Some of the mining machinery is very impressive, but all is dwarfed in scale by the huge open pit excavation.

Links:
History.
Visitors Center

Utah Places: Butterfield Canyon

2009-05-20T19:56:00.000-07:00

Another monument to mans insatiable appetite for metal ore, and an indomitable will to dominate the earth. This view is the Bingham Canyon overlook, reachable by traversing the Butterfield Canyon Road from Herriman up to the saddle, then turning north for a further short distance.

Butterfield Canyon is a lovely glen in the sprawl and squalor of cities that have sprung up across the west of the Salt Lake Valley in the last thirty years. After many years of decrepitude, the canyon was the recipient of extensive reclamation efforts by its principal property owner, the Kennecot Corporation. The area is now a show place and a delight to the eye year-round.

Bikers and peddlers love the harsh grades and switchbacks. It makes a nice picnic drive for a weekend afternoon too.

Links:

Bikers
Bikers
4wd

Utah Places: Fivemile Pass

2009-05-20T17:52:00.000-07:00

BLM land is usually marginal as far as aesthetic value, but it is valuable for other intrinsics that are sometimes difficult to weight. The Pass area is one of those, unremarkable to the eye, but rich in history and culture.

Some links:
ATV Trails.
BLM Info- has link to a good map.

The BLM has given Fivemile Pass over to ATV use, and it shows. Prior to the ATV craze, the area was covered with mining claims, and that still is very much in evidence too. Someday, the whole mess will be cleaned up. Right now it looks like a ten thousand acre monument to wanton indulgence.

Trails crisscross the area indiscriminately leading everywhere and nowhere. Some leads can get you into trouble, like the one that looks like a thrilling leap over a deep ravine, but opens into a vertical mine shaft. Long ways down.

The steepest grade I ever drove the 4Runner on is to the north. A long hill that leads up to the ridge overlooking the Mercur Canyon mine and operations center. Climb it if you have the traction. I just made it. No problem for ATVs.

There are some spectacular high vistas, for those willing to climb. Snow lingers late this high -- don´t be surprised to find deeper drifts on the north shadowy spots into July.

Mineral mining was the big attraction in the Oquirrh Mountains to the north. For more than a hundred years copper has been mined and smelted. Plenty of other metals, like gold and silver, are also in rich supply. Try your luck high grading some rocks, you might strike the mother lode!

Rehab progress 33

2009-05-20T14:47:00.001-07:00

Routine. That is what the workouts are approaching, much to my relief.

I have not experienced any untoward episodes in weeks. Settling down do a steady pace, I can easily crank out a half mile on the treadmill. I´m going to step things up a bit, increase the tempo and the length of my stride to cover more ground, because I think the treadmill is the best return for time spent.

I´m also covering more ground at home, walking around the yard. On Saturday, we travelled to a prospective contracting job site, South Willow Canyon, in the Stansbury Range. Part of the road was barricaded to vehicle traffic, so I hobbled on up the trail for about a mile or two. When I returned, my dad was just making motions to stir from a log nap and come to search for me. It was a long walk, but I did it - and without falling down. Not bad for a handicapped guy.

Conference Address: Faith in Adversity

2009-05-19T07:02:00.000-07:00

Elder Rafael E.Pino of the Seventy testified of faith in adversity. He shared a number of heartbreaking incidents where faith in the Savior provided strength and comfort.

The Savior said:

"Therefore, whoso heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock—

"And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock.

"And every one that heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them not shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand—

"And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell, and great was the fall of it" (3 Nephi 14: 24–27).

It is interesting to notice that the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew against both houses! Living the gospel does not mean that we will everlastingly escape adversity. Rather, it means that we will be prepared to face and endure adversity more confidently.

General Conference: Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

2009-05-18T06:54:00.000-07:00

Elder Kevin W. Pearson of the Seventy bore testimony of his faith in Christ. He shared his witness of faith in the Savior that we can place our utmost assurance in, during these most difficult and trying times.

Elder Pearson stressed that we need to teach these principles to our children. True faith compels action and obedience to the Lord´s commandments.

Faith and fear cannot coexist. One gives way to the other. The simple fact is we all need to constantly build faith and overcome sources of destructive disbelief. Consider it this way: our net usable faith is what we have left to exercise after we subtract our sources of doubt and disbelief. You might ask yourself this question: “Is my own net faith positive or negative?” If your faith exceeds your doubt and disbelief, the answer is likely positive. If you allow doubt and disbelief to control you, the answer might be negative.

We do have a choice. We get what we focus on consistently. Because there is an opposition in all things, there are forces that erode our faith. Some are the result of Satan’s direct influence. But for others, we have no one but ourselves to blame. These stem from personal tendencies, attitudes, and habits we can learn to change. I will refer to these influences as the “Six Destructive Ds.” As I do, consider their influence on you or your children.

1. Doubt
not a principle of the gospel.
does not come from the Light of Christ
does not come from the influence of the Holy Ghost.
negative emotion related to fear.
comes from a lack of confidence in one’s self or abilities.
inconsistent with our divine identity as children of God.

2. Discouragement
comes from missed expectations.
leads to lower expectations.
decreased effort.
weakened desire.
greater difficulty feeling and following the Spirit.

3. Distraction
lack of focus.
eliminates the very focus the eye of faith requires.
Satan’s most effective tools.
bad habits.

4. Lack of diligence,
reduced commitment to remain true and faithful and to carry on through despite hardship and disappointment. Disappointment is an inevitable part of life, but it need not lead to doubt, discouragement, distraction, or lack of diligence.

If not reversed, this path ultimately leads to
5. Disobedience, which undermines the very basis of faith. So often the result is disbelief, the conscious or unconscious refusal to believe.

The scriptures describe
6. Disbelief as the state of having chosen to harden one’s heart. It is to be past feeling.

These Six Destructive Ds—doubt, discouragement, distraction, lack of diligence, disobedience, and disbelief—all erode and destroy our faith. We can choose to avoid and overcome them.

Utah Places: Squaw Peak to Hobble Creek

2009-05-15T19:51:00.000-07:00

The vistas are as picturesque as the names. Squaw Peak trail starts up from Provo Canyon and winds along the mountainside, sometimes with breathtaking views of the valley below. It eventually ends up climbing over the shoulder of Hobble Creek Canyon, descending into the Hobble Creek area through muddy farm roads. Much of the road is suited for 4wd light, but if the weather is bad, there may be deep mud holes that can swallow a station wagon.

Makes for a delightful afternoon drive if the weather is good.

Lots of little informal camping-type spots, as well as some formally maintained campgrounds that never much interested me. There is rock that is good enough to challenge any climber around several of the precipitous canyon walls that slice thier way up from Utah Valley, if you are into that sort of thing. June and July wild flowers in great profusion. Every range of ecosystem from chaparal to alpine, and everything in between. Lots of wide-open meadow lands and green grasses in summer season.

Worth a trip.

Utah Places: Pittsburgh Lake

2009-05-15T11:36:00.001-07:00

Why would you want any place else? There is serenity and freedom in this place -- no noisy neighbors to play their rock music too loud. Just fluffy white clouds drifting by, reflected in the untroubled placid waters collected so recently from fresh snowmelt.

Access to Pittsburg Lake basin by crossing the American Fork above Tibble Fork Reservoir. There is an old mining trail that is fairly decent for 4wd or ATV, but don´t try this without serious consideration about getting back. Take along spares, ćuz you might use them.

The 4-Runner makes it easy, but I´m not sure about Jeep types. Might like lockers -- tends to be slippery muddy in spots. If you´re boots-on-the-ground, thats okay too. It is a nice hike. As you can see from the photo, typical Wasatch unspoiled beauty.

Don´t forget some DEET. Some things come at a price. Lots of mosquitos.

Utah Places: Timpanogos Cave

2009-05-15T08:50:00.000-07:00

Timpanogos Cave is one place that everyone should visit, at least once. The hike to get there is a short but strenuous one. Almost anyone that can walk should be able to make the trek. It is worth the exertion.

There are a lot of good links for further info...

National Park Service
Wikipedia

Utah Places: Timpanogos Front End

2009-05-15T07:33:00.000-07:00

I´m sure most all resident of Utah have witnessed the awesome transformation. Mount Timpnogos is colored with the fiery blaze of sunset as the orange ball disappears behind the Oquirrh Mountains in the west. The backdrop of dramatic scenery is nearly wasted on hoardes of hurrying Wasatch Front residents, packed onto I-15, jamming up the freeway during rush hour. Instead of enjoying the beauty, too many are cultivating their hypertension and considering another road-rage incident on the public highway.

Up close and personal, the south and west slopes of Timp are not nearly as well developed as the traditional Mutual Dell or Timpanooke or Aspen Grove on the east or north. As it happens, there are roads, but they are not for the timid. Best suited for 4wd or ATV. Many trails lead out from the Pleasant Grove and Orem high bench areas. The lower down regions tend to be clogged with houses, but after you get by them, you´re on your own. If you venture out, you will discover there are many false leads, as well. Lots if rugged individualists have left their mark here. As a result, there are trails through the thick chapparal that lead everywhere and nowhere. Pick your course with some judicious care, and be prepared to backtrack.

Not that the lowland parks are bad. They serve their purpose well, and get lots of use. But to those few to whom the freedom of the hills beckons..

In several canyons on the west face of Timp, I have picked up many fossil specimens. Some of the canyons that run down the west face are apparently eroded through the layers of geological time, exposing the fossilized wonders of the past that were witnessed before the slopes were raised high. I won´t tell exactly where -- that would be giving away too much. But for the ambitious, they can be found, in great variety and profusion.

There is a mountain road that affords access to higher ground, accesible through Timponooke Campground. It is a long drive that wind around the shoulder of the mountain, eventually ending up in meadows above Pleasant Grove. A very nice place for a picnic, or just look at the wild flowers and enjoy the view. The view is unparalleled.

General Conference: Our Father’s Plan—Big Enough for All His Children

2009-05-14T06:03:00.000-07:00

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles teaches in his conference address that even though our journey may be fraught with tribulation, the destination is truly glorious.

The doctrine of most churches is at odds with revealed truth, and this makes it difficult for some to accept. This should not come as a surprise.

My principal concern is for the honorable people on the earth who are open to religious faith but have been discouraged or confused by incorrect doctrine. For instance, with respect to the doctrine that revelation still exists, some very good people have been confident that the Church could not be true because they have been taught, and therefore believe, that the heavens are closed and there will be no additional revelation, no scripture, and no pronouncements from heaven. Let me emphasize that this widely held belief is not scriptural, but it is a stumbling block to some.

In Joseph Smith´s time, the vast majority of churches taught that the Savior’s Atonement would not bring about the salvation of most of mankind. The common precept was that a few would be saved and the overwhelming majority would be doomed to endless tortures of the most awful and unspeakable intensity. The doctrine revealed to the Prophet Joseph a plan of salvation that is applicable to all, including those who do not hear of Christ in this life, children who die before the age of accountability, and those who have no understanding.

At death, righteous spirits live in a temporary state called paradise. Alma the Younger teaches us that paradise is ¨a state of rest, a state of peace, where the righteous shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.”

The unrighteous spirits dwell in spirit prison. It is described as an awful place, a dark place where those fearful of the “indignation of the wrath of God” shall remain until the resurrection.

Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all spirits blessed by birth will ultimately be resurrected, spirit and body reunited, and inherit kingdoms of glory that are superior to our existence here on earth.

At the resurrection, the spirit prison or hell will deliver up its captive spirits. Jesus came into the world “to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness.”

The Savior said, “Let not your heart be troubled. . . . In my Father’s house are many mansions. . . . I go to prepare a place for you.” A succinct summary is provided in the book of Moses: “For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”

A loving Father has provided a comprehensive and compassionate plan for His children “that saves the living, redeems the dead, rescues the damned, and glorifies all who repent¨. Even though our journey may be fraught with tribulation, the destination is truly glorious.

General Conference: Learning the Lessons of the Past

2009-05-13T09:24:00.000-07:00

Covering a topic that has been rehashed so many times before, Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles makes the topic ring with new vitality as he reminds us in his conference address that we live in perilous times. He quotes the aphorism, ¨Those who do not remember the past are doomed to repeat it.”

He refers to a number of examples of cyclical behavior, from scriptural accounts in particular. There is a consistent theme of blessing and prosperity, then reoccurring periods of apostasy and spiritual darkness, followed by repentance and restoration of the Lord´s grace and blessings.

Our Heavenly Father loves all of His children, and He wants them all to have the blessings of the gospel in their lives. Spiritual light is not lost because God turns His back on His children. Rather, spiritual darkness results when His children turn their collective backs on Him. It is a natural consequence of bad choices made by individuals, communities, countries, and entire civilizations. This has been proven again and again throughout the course of time.

One of the most important lessons we learn from this is that actions do have consequences, for good or bad, individually and collectively. We learn to avoid the mistakes of the past by studying the lessons of history and culture. Herein lies the accumulated wisdom of past generations. Through their learning we can leverage and avoid some of the pitfalls of these perilous times.

We live in an era when the boundaries of good taste and public decency are being pushed to the point where there are no boundaries at all. The commandments of God have taken a beating in the vacillating marketplace of ideas that absolutely rejects the notion of right and wrong. Certain factions of society seem generally mistrustful of anyone who chooses to live according to religious belief. And when people of faith attempt to warn others of the possible consequences of their sinful choices, they are scoffed at and ridiculed, and their most sacred rites and cherished values are publicly mocked.

Elder Ballard counsels for each of us to strive to gain a faith and testimony of our own. His advice is that testimony is built the same way it has always been, and there are no technological shortcuts, despite all the gadgets that have proliferated these days.

And how do you get such a testimony? Well, there’s no new technology for that, nor will there ever be. You cannot do a Google search to gain a testimony. You can’t text message faith. You gain a vibrant, life-changing testimony today the same way it has always been done. The process hasn’t been changed. It comes through desire, study, prayer, obedience, and service. That is why the teachings of prophets and apostles, past and present, are as relevant to your life today as they ever have been.

Utah Places: South Slope of the Uinta

2009-05-12T14:30:00.000-07:00

Everything unique and beautiful about Ashley National Forest is characterized by this blossom. Though Sego Lillies (Chalocortus nutallii) are found throughout the west, Utah claims this one as the state flower, and for good reason. A thing of beauty and the greatest practical utility, these flowers dot the ground in season in the middle elevations. I look for them to be heaviest in sparsely covered grasslands and sagebrush areas.

Where the Sego blooms in great profusion, there look for the freedom of the hills. That ever-elusive quality may be hard to find and difficult to keep, but it is always worth finding.

Million Dollar Baby

2009-05-12T14:12:00.001-07:00

I watched this film today and it left disturbing questions unanswered.

The film is about the humane touch of boxing in the midst of blood and brutality. Morgan Freeman plays a part in the film, and sometimes narrates in the background, as if telling the story through recollections of the past. Ultimately, the plot comes down to euthanasia. Clint Eastwood finally decides that life on a respirator is not what his star boxer would want, and he pulls the plug on her, and she dies. End of story.

Very sad.

Very real scenario for me to face personally.

What is the worth of a life that is artificially supported? I have already asked myself that question, many times. What you decide is up to you. But it may be something any of us could face, any day. Impossible to predict.

What protection do we have against being held captive against our own wishes by medical technology?

On the one hand, there are artificial breathing apparatus, intubation devices, so-called heroic measures.

And on the other, there are living wills, DNR orders, and bureaucratic measures.

Nothing is certain...

Rehab progress 32

2009-05-12T10:39:00.001-07:00

What is commonplace about establishing a routine when nothing is routine? I find myself struggling in another round of rehabilitation effort, which is discouraging. To keep starting over again at a point I have surpassed before makes it all seem somewhat futile. Imagine learning the alphabet again and again, only to forget and be forced to start training over again at some fundamental that you know very well was easily surpassed in previous performances.

But I can´t know that. If I had spent the time idly laying around, I have no idea what level of performance my mental or physical state would be, to say nothing of other considerations. Exertion is good for the soul, if no other benefits accrue. I suppose that must be as true in my case as it is for any other. I hold myself as unremarkable in every respect.

This week in PT sessions, I am working to maintain the half-mile in ten minute pace on the treadmill and 2 miles in ten minutes on the stationary bike. That is about the same level I could reach last March and September. Setbacks have pushed me back, but I am determined that keeping on is the only course for me. I will not quit. Ultimately I want to set the pace to cover 3 miles in 40 minutes on the treadmill, which is where I was last July and October. I´ll keep at it.

The norm for me seems to be to have another brain attack every six to twelve weeks. They vary in severity. Clearly, I will keep having them, unless something changes in the conditions that are causing them. And that is not likely. The real questions I am left with: Exactly when the next will occur, and how severe will it be? It seems only time -- and heaven -- can answer.