Dear Paul, Melanie, Rob, and Roice,
cc: file, Diane Cluff, Darrell and Nancy Krueger, Sara and Des Penny, Grandma Hafen via Tony Hafen, and Lloyd and Luana Warner.
Welcome to "Thoughtlets." This is a weekly review of an idea, belief,
thought, or words that will hopefully be of some benefit to you, my
children, with an electronic copy to on-line extended family members.
Any of you can ask me not to clutter your mail box at any time.
"Paul, it will be interesting to have you write to us about how the Russian
public views the recent White House sex scandals. One of my friends was
telling me about talking to a Russian general who was completly baffled
when the U.S. Air Force pilot was court marshalled for failure to obey a
direct order, and specifically about the sex scandal associated with the
event. The general said something like: `You Americans are crazy! You
punish a professional soldier and base it on moral grounds, when they are
trained to drop nuclear bombs on our cities and to kill hundreds of
thousands of people! Where is your morality?'
I hesitate to write my feelings and concerns because I have seen too many
self fullfilling prophecies in my life. Then I read the newspaper or watch
television or go to a movie and realize if I do not boldly speak out, you
might not feel you have been warned. I was shocked as I read in the cover
page article in today's Chronicle an Arkansas state trooper's quote that
`Clinton told him he had researched the Bible and that oral sex was not
adultry' and that `Lewinsky on the tapes said Clinton often called her at
home late at night, and the two engaged in "phone sex."' I am so naive
that five years ago I didn't understand what these words meant. And today
I find my babies exposed these ludicurous behaviors of a married men who
should be setting the highest of examples. My mind goes to the prophets:
<![CDATA[ `... I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught
hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through
the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did
come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree. And after they had
partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if
they were ashamed. And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on
the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building;
and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth. And it was
filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their
manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of
mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and
were partaking of the fruit. And after they had tasted of the fruit
they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and
they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost. ... he saw other
multitudes pressing forward; and they came and caught hold of the end
of the rod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually
holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down
and partook of the fruit of the tree.' I Nephi 8:24-30."
`For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more
abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even
that which he hath.' Matthew 13:12
`The time is here when each of you must stand on your own feet. Be
converted, because no one can endure on borrowed light. You will have
to be guided by the light within yourself. If you do not have it, you
will not stand.' Harold B. Lee, page 95 of Stand Ye in Holy Places
]]>
I have recently heard such distressing words as `Well, they are only smoking
socially.' Or `The logic of it all only ends up pointing to hopelessness.'
The messages I am striving to put into words through these Thoughtlets are
multifold. `Sure life is tough, and yet by keeping appropriate standards
there is always a lot we can learn and enjoy as we are involved.' `Yes,
there are tragedy's, like Bill Bavinger's death and your parent's divorce,
and, yes, life continues.' `We individually choose to follow or to be
influenced by proper or by improper examples, and there are consequences
for us, some positive and some negative, either way we go.' `Over the long
run we will usually find more joy in the consequences of following proper
examples, and in an eternal timeframe we always will.'
I hope none of you choose to turn from the truths you were taught as you
were growing up. I would hope you all still have a copy of the church
phamplet `For the Strength of Youth,' and strongly recommend that once a
month you take the time to read it and contemplate the truths it contains.
If per chance you have lost your copy, am going to put the text at our
`unofficial' ward web site at http://www.walden3d.com/mncw/youth.html and
you can read it there. To quote from the first section:
<![CDATA[ `Standards are rules or guidelines given to help you measure your conduct.
Why has the Lord given standards? He wants all his children to return to
live with him one day. However, he knows that only those who are worthy
will be able to live with him. Standards help you know how well you are
preparing to live with your Father in Heaven. Your entire lives on earth
are intended to give you the opportunity to learn to choose good over evil,
service over selfishness, kindness and thoughtfulness over self-indulgence
and personal gratification. By comparing your behavior and thoughts with
your Father's standards, you are in a better position to govern yourselves
and make the right choices. God's commandments (standards) are consistant,
unwavering, and dependable. As you adhere to them, you will receive
countless blessings from heaven-including the gift of eternal life.']]>
Imagine the difference of the mood in the White House this weekend if the
`Standards for the Youth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints'
had been followed. Think of the difference to your mood, happiness, and
ultimate personal fullfillment if you follow these same standards, with
exactness, as I strive to illustrate for you by example and by word."
I'm interested in sharing weekly a "thoughtlet" (little statements of big thoughts which mean a lot to me) with you because I know how important the written word can be. I am concerned about how easy it is to drift and forget our roots and our potential among all of distractions of daily life. If you ever want to download any of these thoughtlets, they are posted at http://www.walden3d.com/hrnmen or you can e-mail me at rnelson@walden3d.com.
With all my love,
Dad
(H. Roice Nelson, Jr.)