Living, Loving, & Laughing

BEST Christmas Present Ever!

2009-12-30T12:03:00.001-08:00

Due to all of the snow in VA lately, only one of our doors, the back one, has easy access. But, we don't have a key for that door, so, we've been taking turns stumbling through the snow to the front door to let everyone else in the back.

On Christmas Eve, after our Herring family party, it was my turn. I stumbled through the snow and around the corner to see a package on the front porch (poor postman). I pick it up expecting it to be my Dad's Christmas present (which actually came 2 days AFTER Christmas), to see, "From: Elder Tyler LaMont Herring, To: The Family"

WAHOO!!!

Well, traditionally, we only open one present - pajamas - on Christmas Eve. I begged and we opened Ty's gift then too. In it was the most awesome Christmas present EVER:

So, if you know my brother, you know that he doesn't smile in a picture - ever! He's SMILING!!! We know he's in the right place now! I hope you can click on it and enjoy the full effect of this awesome gift that brought us to tears. :)

Tyler Reports to the MTC

2009-10-11T15:51:00.000-07:00

I was so glad I was in town and was able to get off from work so I could go with Lewis, Brenda, and Tyler to the MTC.

The night before he left was, obviously, an emotional one for me - we had a family devotional, and I couldn't hold the tears. I am SO proud of this kid. He is AWESOME! And his service will not only bless the lives of the people he meets on his mission, but also the lives of those of us at home - and I can't adequately explain how much we desperately need those blessings these days.

We were able to get Tyler a Utah license and have lunch before we dropped him off around 1 pm. The days of the families going in and watching the video thing, are over. And quite frankly, I think the new way is better. We didn't have a lot of time to take pictures (which if we had understood it a little better, we could have), but, we dropped him off and there was a line of over 100 missionaries assigned to greet the new missionaries and their families, and then escort the new missionaries to their rooms. These Elders were so enthusiastic and happy, and the drop-off itself was so fast, that you couldn't help but be happy for your missionary, and there wasn't time for tears... Until I was driving home by myself afterward.

Tyler leaves for the MTC

2009-10-11T15:23:00.000-07:00

Tyler's Big Day

2009-08-21T19:13:00.000-07:00

Tyler went through the Washington DC temple yesterday to receive his endowment before he leaves to serve a two year mission for our church in the Utah Ogden Mission. He was so thrilled to be surrounded by so many friends and family who were there to support him. Congratulations Ty! We are all so proud of you!

Pictures coming soon.

Kitty Hawk, Take 1

2009-06-15T18:13:00.000-07:00

Chelsea decided to step on a HUGE horseshoe crab today. Seriously. The thing was ginormous! Tip to end, it was about 2 feet long. And the little sort-of claws on the sides are apparently quite sharp!

Tyler got his mission call!!!

2009-06-06T11:59:00.001-07:00

Ok, so, I hope I'm not stealing his thunder, but, Tyler got his mission call this morning!

I am so excited for him! I'm sure this will be a wonderful experience for him!

He will be reporting to the MTC on September 9, 2009 to prepare to serve for two years in the Utah Ogden Mission.

Here is his mission website: http://www.mission.net/utah/ogden/

The Blessings of the Melchizedek Priesthood - My Talk

2009-04-27T07:39:00.000-07:00

In Moses chapter 1, verse 39 the Lord revealed, “For behold, this is my work and my glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” The Atonement of Jesus Christ made the blessings of immortality and eternal life possible. However, we need the power of the Priesthood to fully access those blessings. During the Great Apostasy, the priesthood, which is the power to act in God’s name, was taken from the earth. In May of 1829, the Lord, through his ancient apostles, Peter, James, and John restored the second and higher Melchizedek Priesthood to the earth. In Doctrine and Covenants section 110, we learn that Moses, Elias and Elijah appeared to Joseph Smith during the dedication of the Kirtland temple to restore the remaining priesthood keys, including the Abrahamic covenant, the key of the gathering of Israel, and the sealing power to bind families together both on earth and in heaven. Thus, the Melchizedek Priesthood and all its associated keys were restored and conferred upon Joseph Smith, which allowed him to organize the Church, with all the covenants and ordinances necessary for us to access the full blessings of the Atonement- immortality and eternal life.

So, what are the blessings of the Melchizedek Priesthood, and why did it have to be restored as well as the Aaronic Priesthood?

Only some of the ordinances of salvation can be administered by bearers of the Aaronic Priesthood, including baptism and the sacrament. The remaining ordinances, including conferring the Gift of the Holy Ghost, ordaining others to the priesthood as assigned, and the ordinances of the temple, both the endowment and the sealing ordinance, can only be administered by one who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood, and who ahs been authorized to do so by one who holds the appropriate keys. We receive our patriarchal blessings from patriarchs bearing the Melchizedek Priesthood, We receive our temple recommends from our bishop and stake president who hold keys as judges in Israel for our ward and stake at this time. We are also set apart for our various callings by the Bishop or those he has authorized to do so, but always by the power of the Melchizedek Priesthood. Worthy Melchizedek Priesthood holders may also anoint the sick with consecrated oil and give blessings of healing and comfort

Growing up, I was blessed to live in a home where my father held the priesthood. Each year before school began, I received a father’s blessing of protection, guidance, and comfort as I faced new friends and teachers, which were often intimidating. It was also a great comfort to know I could call on my dad for a blessing if I was sick or scared.

When I came to college, it was a big adjustment for me to learn to call on my home teachers when I needed help, rather than my dad. I have realized very powerfully in the last 6 years that those special blessings come from the Lord and not from the priesthood holder themselves. There have been many times when guidance from priesthood blessings has been about concerns I have harbored in my heart and not voiced to the priesthood holder who gave me the blessing. The Lord knows our hearts. As bearers of the priesthood, worthy men have the opportunity to act in the place of the Savior when administering these blessings and other sacred ordinances. The blessings of the priesthood are available to everyone, and when we ask for and receive those blessings, we enjoy a direct line of communication with the Lord – He will answer the questions in our hearts and remind us that we are His children and that He loves us and knows us.

Receiving our patriarchal blessings is another gift made possible through the Melchizedek Priesthood. We not only learn our unique heritage according to the Abrahamic Covenant, but we also learn about gifts and talents we have, and blessings that can be ours if we are faithful. Our patriarchal blessings can be a source of comfort, strength, and guidance. Whenever I call home about something that is bothering me, my mother’s constant piece of counsel is to call my home teachers for a blessing and to read my patriarchal blessing. How easily I forget these simple acts that provide me with another direct link with the Savior through the Melchizedek Priesthood.

We also receive the sacred ordinances of the temple through the Melchizedek Priesthood. While I have not received my own endowment or sealing, I am striving to live worthy to receive them. Even as an undendowed member of the Church, however, the sealing ordinance has held special significance and power in my life. A year and a half ago, my uncle was diagnosed with Leukemia. As our family faced this trial, there was an added sense of peace and trust in the will of the Lord because we knew that we would be together forever, even if the Lord’s will was not the same as ours. My uncle is now doing well, and continues to serve as a counselor in his bishopric. Especially as my brother has been preparing for a mission, we have seen that the Lord still has a work for this uncle to do in encouraging my brother to serve. As Elder Holland mentioned in the video for the Draper Temple Open House, “Truly heaven would not be heaven without those that we love.” Through the Melchizedek Priesthood, that blessing can be ours.

Chelsea ATTEMPTS to fly to Utah

2009-04-03T12:17:00.000-07:00

SO Stacy and Mallory got a kick out of this story and I hope you will too.

My Day at the Airport
by: Chelsea Herring
I woke up at the "Plumber's crack of dawn" to get ready to go on my wonderful flight... or not so wonderful as the case may be. So we get to the airport and some stuck up lady at the counter started my day of wonderfully. "Ma'am that's the exit not the entrance" (bad omen one). So we fixed that and printed off my ticket and yes no one told me there was a $15 fee on Dometstic flights for American Airline! So whatever I check my bag and dad showed me where security was. Security... my worst nightmare. I've always been afraid of security. Once again I started walking to the metal detector thing too early. Whatever I listened and then it was my turn. I walked through the gosh dang metal detector 3 times setting it off 3 times. I felt like such an idiot. The guy goes "Ma'am it may be that thing in your hair" of course that was it but it took 3 times to figure it out. So if you haven't been to Dulles you're lucky they have these little buses that you use to get to your terminal. So I go and get on my bus like a good little kid. But the bad day continued to get worse. The bus breaks down with like 50 people on it. The electricty goes off and they can't get the door open. So they wiggle it and wiggle it and they got it open but they broke the bus and retired it until they could fix it. So the 50 of us pile on the next bus with 50 other people so we are extremly squished. So I get on my first plane and I hate take off so I felt like I was gonna be sick but eventually we got in the air. So we're flyin and the captain comes on and goes "sorry ladies and gentleman we are experiencing fierce winds on the ground at Dallas so we are going to have to wait a while to land because they are down to 1 runway." Well that "little while" turned into an hour and a half doing circles in the air. I hate being in the air so that was like turture especially with the turbulents I thought I was going to die. So we landed and it was pretty bumpy. I check the bored and the 3:25 flight to Salt Lake City is CANCELED. Yes me a 16 year old sitting in the airport and my flight is CANCELED. So I go up to this guy and he basically says well you shouldn't even be here so we can't help you without looking up my ticket information. So I said whatever and tried to go find someone else to help me. So I went and found this nice old lady. She was trying to help me and she said "well we can get you on a flight from here to Chicago to New York and then to Salt Lake" I looked at her wanting to cry and said sorry that's not gonna work. Then she got me on a flight from Dallas to Salt Lake and I'd be getting in at 12:30 my excuse for not wanting that flight was that my sister had to teach in the morning and there was no way she could pick me up at 12:30. Then she got me on the 3:25 flight not understanding that the reason why all the seats were empty was cause it was CANCELED. She finally figured it out and got me on the 6 pm flight. She printed off my ticket but wait it wasn't a boarding pass. It was a luggage pass so I could sit under the plane. Well I showed her that and she fixed it. So I'm sitting there and my 2 hour layover went to a 5 hour layover how fun. But the lounge was packed. So many flights had been canceled and everyone was upset. My favorite part of the day was I trying to sneak in a nap and this guy with nothing with a guitar starts yelling Screw the world with more colorful language than that until he eventually decides with the help of some bulky security officers to leave. So I'm sitting waiting (post-nap) and there is this cute family of like 5 people and their 3 little girls were done they wouldn't even rebook them so I started feeling a little guilty cause I got to go to Utah. So I gave up all my good snacks to the little girls. SO I'm sitting there with the family, a blonde couple, a single lady, and a missionary everyone is on standby except me and the missionary. So we're sitting there for like ever and I started getting really crabby and I just wanted to go to Utah or home I didn't care. So we board our plane an hour late. The single lady and the blonde couple made it on board even though there were 60 people on standby. So we're chillin and the couple are across the aisle from me. They look out the window and they see their bag and the ribbons tied on their bags flying around in the wind. GREAT, they should have been on my original flight all I'm thinkin is there goes my suitcase. I'm trying to think positive but that is nearly impossible. So I'm sitting there praying that my suitcase is in the plane. I'm sitting on the plane next to this 25 year old from Germany. And he hit on me the entire way. "Oh you sing, I'm in the US in a singles-adult choir" and just small talk that made me extremely uncomfortable. like 3 hours of this guy I was ready to shoot myself in the face. SO I'm walking off the plane when we finally landed and the creeper offers me some German chocolate I decided you know he's a little creepy I'll pass. So I'm sitting at backage claim behind a pillar going "please don't let him see me please don't let him see me. Mallory please hurry I don't want him to see me" So of course nothing could go right so where was my bag not in Salt Lake. So we were given a piece of paper and told to follow the instructions after 90 minutes. I step out of the airport after the creeper said goodbye to me and it's snowing. It's snowing and I'm in capri's a t-shirt and flip flops. It's not dusting it's snowing to beat the band. We get in the car and I hadn't eaten since 2 so we go to Taco Bell and Mallory runs over the curb. Thank goodness Stacy was in the car or who knows with my luck we woulda been in a ditch. So we get to Stacy's and we call American Airline. The first witchy woman talks to Mallory and asks for the adult in the household.... Mallory was the adult and refused to work with Mallory at all. So we call back and get another lady so we talk to her and we figure it out she's gonna ship it to Provo if and when my bag gets to Salt Lake. So me and Mallory head down Provo Canyon and it's scary snowing. So she asks me "Chels do you want to turn around" I was so beat I didn't care I wanted to be anywhere with a bed. So we go and spend the night with Stacy and Brian. Let's just say the second my head hit the pillow I was out. I was so exhausted. SO now I'm chillin in Heber still with NO SUITCASE, and NO CLOTHES. There are only 4 semi-happy experiences from the stinkin airplane.
1) At least I had my winter coat on cause it was chilly in VA
2) At least my toothbrush wouldn't fit in my suitcase and was in my carry-on
3) At least the conference tickets were in my carry on
4) Stacy and Brian and their kids are fun

Tony goes to Utah....Tyler comes home

2009-03-02T05:39:00.000-08:00

So Daddy left for Utah last Wed. while I was at school, and has gotten to spend the rest of the week in Utah with Mallory and Tyler. He even got to see his cute great-nieces and nephews (haha makes him sound old) and even see the cute Burton family.

BUT REST ASSURE that the fun doesn't really start for another 31 days when I come!!!

Anyways I think he had a fun time teasing me by putting me on the phone with Packer one night and sending me a text message with a cute picture of Macy. (by the way she is SOOOO adorable) I hope it was a good mini-vacation for him. While he was gone me and mom got CPR trained by the Red Cross (which was exhausting), and went to the temple because my best friend Halle Metcalf got sealed to her parents. We had fun and are so greatful that Virginia finally got some good snow (2 inches is a miracle here).

We can't wait to see Tyler in 2 days and are excited to have him back, as are his friends and especially his puppy Nikki. And I'm way excited to have a vacation of my own to Utah very very soon. (April 2nd through April 13th) I'm way excited that I'll be there for General Conference and Easter, and Mallory's spring break!!!

Scripture Reading

2009-01-20T18:45:00.000-08:00

A little family FYI:
Tony's almost finished the grant he's been working on.
Laura didn't have to go to the inauguration and is about to start another on-line class.
Mallory is busy, busy, busy.
Tyler is Tyler, a man of few words and having a good time. He's moved again, and hopefully has an internship lined up.
Chelsea's getting her wisdom teeth out next Friday so her braces can actually do what they're supposed to.
Nikki and Casper desperately miss Tyler and Mallory.
The Pelo boys got to spend the night Sunday night. It was fun having little ones in the house again.
That's us to date in a nutshell. I wish we had some better pictures of us...I'll work on that!

Since we're soon to be a missionary family, we've started reading the Book of Mormon together. We started on December 21st. The 3 of us in Virginia are in 1st Nephi 19. Hopefully the Utahans (is that a word) are close to the same place. We're trying to read at least something. I thought I'd share with you something that I learned during my Young Women lesson on Sunday. There's a website readthescriptures.com. You can receive your daily reading through email! You set the amount of reading you'd like to accomplish. We all check our email regularly, right? What a cool way to be reminded and actually make some progress. Keep reading family, even if it's not alot.
Love to all

Family Letter 2008... Finally, an update!!!

2008-12-31T18:56:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas Family and Friends,

How fast the year has gone by. Wasn’t it last week that we were exchanging Christmas cards and family letters? We love all the cards and letters, our only regret is they don’t get exchanged more often. If we corresponded more regularly that would take all the fun and excitement out of it, so we’ll limit ourselves to once a year.

Chelsea is a 16 yr old High School Junior. The only one left at home, not that we’d know that she was here. Chelsea is taking a pretty ambitious course load and is involved in the Big Brother/Big Sister program and is serving as the Music Honor Society President. She continues to be very involved in the Young Women program and early morning Seminary at Church as well. Chelsea hopes to be driving soon (much to the chagrin of her father).

Tyler graduated High School early this summer. He worked as an intern at Brown’s Toyota this summer, before heading off to Weber State in Ogden Utah to study in the Toyota program there. Tyler is looking forward to another semester and another internship this summer. He’s enjoyed spreading his wings a bit. He plans to leave on his mission this summer. If we want to really know what going on in Ty’s life we check his “Face book.”

Mallory graduated BYU Provo this spring. She’s teaching 2^nd grade at Heber Valley Elementary. Mallory loves her job. She was brave enough to host her family in her small apartment for almost 2 weeks this summer while they helped her get ready to move out and help Ty move in their respective apartments. Mallory loves Utah, camping and traveling when she has the time and money.

Laura is still working at WorldStrides; an educational travel agency. She feels exceptionally fortunate not to have been selected to chaperone the 6,000 students that will be traveling to Washington DC for the Inauguration. Laura is taking some on-line courses in case the travel industry goes as far south as her 401K. She works with the Young Women at church.

Tony works, works and works some more….UVA, Wayside, and Church. The family decided that his hobby is working. He is the 1^st Counselor in the Rivanna Ward Bishopric. He is also still very involved in scouting. Life right now revolves around writing a training grant for the lab at UVA and stalking his kids on Facebook.

Casper (Maltese mix) and Nikki (silver schnoodle) eat, sleep and get in trash given half a chance.

We are so grateful for family, friends, health, and home. We’re especially grateful for our Savior and this special time of year when we focus on Him. We wish the very best for you and your families at this holiday season.

All our love,

Tony, Laura, Mallory, Tyler, and Chelsea

A Sunday Drive

2008-10-13T19:25:00.000-07:00

So, after church yesterday, I came home, changed my clothes, and took a little drive. Driving is seriously therapeutic for me. It just really clears my mind and somehow gets me into perspective.

Here are some sights and insights from my little jaunt.

But first, a disclaimer. These pictures are taken with my camera phone, which means they're pretty lame. Just know that everything I captured on film was completely spectacular and soothing.

So, I saw a moose! She was pretty close to the road, and, I know you can't tell, but she was looking at me when I took this - she was huge! Why are moosen so cool?!

Timp was phenomenal! It had just snowed, and was clearing, but my favorite mountain was still covered with clouds.
And this one is also tiny, but, the fall colors against the powdered evergreens was gorgeous! Oh, and I discovered a new canyon park right by here.
Another one of my canyon favorites. Always spectacular.

When I stopped my car on the way up, I read a few chapters in a new book that I got by Elder Holland, Broken Things to Mend. Here's one of my favorite quotes.

" Every time we reach out, however feebly, for [Christ], we discover He has been anxiously trying to reach us."

"[He is] a personal, living God, who knows our names, hears and answers prayers, and cherishes us eternally as children of His spirit... Amidst the wondrously complex tasks inherent in teh universe, He seeks our individual happiness and safety above all other godly concerns."

Faith and the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood - Mom's insight

2008-10-13T19:08:00.000-07:00

I liked the last paragraph...the promise.
I promise you that He knows your capacities and that they are sufficient that you may with full faith have the
hope of eternal life for you and for your families forever.
I think that goes for more than holding the priesthood!
Love you,
Mom

Faith and the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood

2008-10-13T19:03:00.002-07:00

Hey Guys,
I thought this would be a good way for us to study the scriptures and the words from our leaders together. I read this talk by President Eyring and thought it was particularly appropriate since Tyler was just ordained. I high lighted some areas that I thought were very insightful.

Let's share our thoughts about this with everyone by using the reply to all when we respond.

Love you guys,
Dad

Faith and the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood

President Henry B. Eyring
First Counselor in the First Presidency

Go forward in faith in keeping your covenants with God and so claim the promise He has made to you with an oath.

[http://lds.org/conference/images/a2008pulpit_3_6_eyrin.jpg]My purpose tonight is to help you grow in your confidence that you can and will rise to the blessings of the oath and covenant of the priesthood. It is the magnitude of the possible consequences of that oath and covenant which may require a regular boost in your confidence.

The Lord has made those consequences clear. Rising to the possibilities of the oath and covenant brings the greatest of all the gifts of God: eternal life. That is a purpose of the Melchizedek Priesthood. Through keeping the covenants as we receive the priesthood and renewing them in the temple ceremonies, we are promised by an oath made by our Heavenly Father, Elohim, that we will gain the fulness of His glory and live as He lives. We will have the blessing of being sealed in a family forever with the promise of eternal increase.

As you would expect, failing to claim such a blessing would bring tragic consequences. The Lord was clear about that as well. These are the words often read to young men by their leaders when they are approaching the time when they may receive the Melchizedek Priesthood. You likely will remember your feelings when you first heard them. They are the words of the Savior Jesus Christ given to us through the Prophet Joseph Smith:

“And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord;

“For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me;

“And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father;

“And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him.

“And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.

“Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood, receive this oath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved.

“But whoso breaketh this covenant after he hath received it, and altogether turneth therefrom, shall not have forgiveness of sins in this world nor in the world to come.

“And wo unto all those who come not unto this priesthood which ye have received, which I now confirm upon you who are present this day, by mine own voice out of the heavens; and even I have given the heavenly hosts and mine angels charge concerning you.

“And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life.”1<http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-851-22,00.html#1>

Now if you are like I was when I first heard those words as a young man, the challenge of accepting the Melchizedek Priesthood could seem daunting. There are at least two reasons why you should be confident rather than discouraged with the penalties that would follow either failing to keep the oath and covenant or deciding not to accept it. Whether you accept the oath and covenant and find it too difficult or if you fail to try, the penalty is the same. There is no question, therefore, that your best course and mine is to receive the holy priesthood and try with all of our hearts to keep its covenants. If we choose not to try, we would certainly lose the opportunity for eternal life. If we try and with God’s help succeed, we will gain eternal life.

There is yet another reason to decide now that you will try with all your heart to qualify for that oath and covenant and have confidence that you will succeed. God promises you the help and power which, if you exercise faith, will give you success.

Let me describe some of the blessings you will receive as you go forward in faith.

First, the very fact that you have been offered the oath and covenant is evidence that God has chosen you, knowing your power and capacity. He has known you since you were with Him in the spirit world. With His foreknowledge of your strength, He has allowed you to find the true Church of Jesus Christ and to be offered the priesthood. You can feel confidence because you have evidence of His confidence in you.

Second, as you will try to keep your covenants, the Savior has promised His personal help. He has said that as you go forward in honoring the priesthood: “There I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.”2<http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-851-22,00.html#2>

You may at times need reassurance, as I do, that you will have the strength to meet your obligations in this sacred priesthood. The Lord foresaw your need for reassurance. He said, “For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.”3<http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-851-22,00.html#3>

I have seen that promise fulfilled in my own life and in the lives of others. A friend of mine served as a mission president. He told me that at the end of every day while he was serving, he could barely make it upstairs to bed at night wondering if he would have the strength to face another day. Then in the morning, he would find his strength and his courage restored. You have seen it in the lives of aged prophets who seemed to be renewed each time they stood to testify of the Lord Jesus Christ and the restored gospel. That is a promise for those who go forward in faith in their priesthood service.

You are also promised that you will be given the power to bear testimony and that in the process you will be cleansed and made fit for the eternal life which you have been promised:

“For I will forgive you of your sins with this commandment—that you remain steadfast in your minds in solemnity and the spirit of prayer, in bearing testimony to all the world of those things which are communicated unto you.

“Therefore, go ye into all the world; and unto whatsoever place ye cannot go ye shall send, that the testimony may go from you into all the world unto every creature.”4<http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-851-22,00.html#4>

And with that promise the Lord has honored you by saying of you, “Ye are they whom my Father hath given me; ye are my friends.”5<http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-851-22,00.html#5>

There is another wonderful blessing that will encourage you as you keep your priesthood covenants. Priesthood service will prepare you for living in eternal families. It will change your feelings about what it means to be a husband or a father or a son or a brother. That change in your heart will come as you feel your faith grow and the promise of eternal life through the Melchizedek Priesthood becomes real to you.

That happened to Parley P. Pratt when the Prophet Joseph Smith first taught him the doctrine of eternal families. Parley P. Pratt wrote:

“It was at this time that I received from him the first idea of eternal family organization, and the eternal union of the sexes in those inexpressibly endearing relationships which none but the highly intellectual, the refined and pure in heart, know how to prize, and which are at the very foundation of everything worthy to be called happiness. . . .

“It was from him that I learned that the wife of my bosom might be secured to me for time and all eternity; and that the refined sympathies and affections which endeared us to each other emanated from the fountain of divine eternal love. It was from him that I learned that we might cultivate these affections, and grow and increase in the same to all eternity; while the result of our endless union would be an offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven, or the sands of the sea shore. . . .

“I had loved before, but I knew not why. But now I loved—with a pureness—an intensity of elevated, exalted feeling. . . . I felt that God was my heavenly Father indeed; that Jesus was my brother, and that the wife of my bosom was an immortal, eternal companion; a kind ministering angel, given to me as a comfort, and a crown of glory for ever and ever.”6<http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-851-22,00.html#6>

I am a personal witness that priesthood service pursued in faith has such an effect in changing our hearts and our feelings. A young man hearing my words today can have confidence that by honoring his priesthood he will be protected against the temptation to sexual sin so prevalent in the world in which we live. It will be possible for the Aaronic Priesthood holder hearing me tonight, as his faith increases in the sure reward of eternal life through the eternal priesthood, that he will have the power to see in the daughters of God their true worth and in the promise of a posterity a reason to be pure and to stay clean.

In the same way, faith in the oath and covenant will lead us to develop the feelings of charity essential to an eternal family. One of the promises we make as we accept the priesthood is to care for others.

I have seen the miracle of that growth in charity in the hearts of priesthood holders. So have many of you. And so have many outside the Church. I was in the office of President Gordon B. Hinckley when he was asked to take a phone call. He spoke briefly on the phone and then returned to our conversation. But he took a moment to explain. He said that the call was from the president of the United States, who was flying over Utah in Air Force One on his way to Washington. The president of the United States had called to thank President Hinckley for what priesthood holders had done in the aftermath of a hurricane. The president of the United States had said that it was a miracle that we were able to get so many people, so quickly, working together so well. He praised our people by saying that we knew how to do things.

Perhaps the president of the United States was impressed with what he thought were our great organizational skills. That was part of the miracle. But the greater reason for the miracle was that hundreds and perhaps thousands of priesthood holders had such faith in the oath and covenant of the priesthood. It was not how they were organized that made the difference: faith in the oath and covenant of the priesthood impelled them to go long distances, stay long hours, and endure hardship as representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ in caring for those in great need.

They were in that process of giving priesthood service, developing the power and the spirit of charity necessary to become great husbands, fathers, sons, and brothers in families here and in families forever. Those instances of priesthood service have occurred in our outreach to people, as brothers and sisters in God’s family across the earth, time and time again.

My prayer is that you will decide tonight, and then every day, to go forward in faith in keeping your covenants with God and so claim the promise He has made to you with an oath. You can do it in simple things. When you meet with your quorum, you can decide to see them as brothers in the family of God. There will be someone in your quorum or priesthood group who is in need. He may not show it. You may not be able to see it with your eyes. But God knows and invites you to be His servant in helping him.

You can be like the priesthood holder who every time I saw him in our priesthood service together would ask, “How’s Grandma?” He had never met my mother-in-law, as far as I know. But he somehow found out about her illness and her great age. I cannot tell you how much it meant to me to see the hand of God reaching out to me and my wife in consolation and comfort through a priesthood holder. You can have that same effect every time you gather with priesthood holders if you always think of your covenant to succor and help those whose hands hang down and who carry heavy burdens. As you do, you will be developing the very qualities which will qualify you to be a member of a family forever.

There is another thing you can do. You can study the word of God, not for yourself alone but to be an emissary of the Lord Jesus Christ to all the world. When you increase your power to teach the gospel, you are qualifying to help Heavenly Father in gathering His children. As you do that, another blessing will come. Should the need ever come in family life in this world, or in the world to come, to draw back lost sheep, you will have received more power than you may now recognize.

The Lord describes that wonderful blessing in Alma 13:6:<http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/13/6#6> “And thus being called by this holy calling, and ordained unto the high priesthood of the holy order of God, to teach his commandments unto the children of men, that they also might enter into his rest.”

You may have confidence in your service with this promise of success:

“Now they, after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having their garments made white, being pure and spotless before God, could not look upon sin save it were with abhorrence; and there were many, exceedingly great many, who were made pure and entered into the rest of the Lord their God.

“And now, my brethren, I would that ye should humble yourselves before God, and bring forth fruit meet for repentance, that ye may also enter into that rest.”7<http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-851-22,00.html#7>

I testify that God the Father lives. You have made covenants with Him. He offers you an oath, a promise of eternal life, which He cannot break. I testify to you that the priesthood is the power by which God through His Son, Jesus Christ, created the worlds. I testify that God wants you to succeed and to come home again to live with Him in families forever. I testify to you that this is the true Church of Jesus Christ. In it are the keys of the priesthood. It is that priesthood with which God has honored you. I promise you that He knows your capacities and that they are sufficient that you may with full faith have the hope of eternal life for you and for your families forever. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

NOTES
1. D&C 84:35–43.<http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/84/35-43#35>
2. D&C 84:88.<http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/84/88#88>
3. D&C 84:33.<http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/84/33#33>
4. D&C 84:61–62.<http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/84/61-62#61>
5. D&C 84:63.<http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/84/63#63>
6. Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, ed. Parley P. Pratt Jr. (1938), 259–60.
7. Alma 13:12–13.<http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/13/12-13#12>

Graduation, Part II: Monticello High School

2008-06-10T19:14:00.000-07:00

Wahoo! On a scorching hot day, Tyler finally made it to the day he's looked forward to for thirteen years: GRADUATION! We're SO proud of you Ty!
Next step: Weber State! Watch out Utah, here he comes!

Graduation, Part I: BYU

2008-05-30T19:35:00.001-07:00

So, in April Mal graduated from BYU after five years. HUZZAH! It was a great weekend to have everyone in town, including Grandma Herring and Aunt Wanda. As you can see, Tyler is pretty excited to graduate tomorrow too! :)

Basketball Tournament

2008-03-16T06:43:00.000-07:00

This years basketball tournament was held at Spotswood High School. Dad, me and Tyler left at like 6:30 and we took Halle Metcalf with us. Dad ran things like he normally did calm cool and collected. He helped Scott a lot. Mommy came over with the YW a little bit later. I got kicked out of being the Rivanna Young Men's scorekeeper cause I got really angry at their ref. Then in Tyler's 2nd game he hit the floor really really hard. I was playing on the court beside him and it scared me a lot, but he was ok. He's really strong so he played in the following games. The guys didn't do as good as they normally do cause they didn't have a real point guard. But they still took 5th. In the final game that the YW played I twisted my knee going to knock a ball in play. Daddy and Brother Lawhorne (our coach) gave me a blessing. And then the boys from Waynesboro babyed me the rest of the day, cause I had become their official score keeper. All in all I think everyone had a good time and it was pretty fun. The YW even managed to get 3rd place.

my phone

2008-03-09T22:40:00.000-07:00

So, my phone disappeared almost right after I called you, and I am so tired from my fun weekend that it seriously makes me want to cry. We have torn our apartment apart three times since then, and I can't find it. So, I guess we can't replace it until I find it. Lame. And the stupid thing went into analog right after I talked to you and I'm positive the battery will be dead before I look for it again tomorrow. It sucks.

My Endorsement Classes this Summer

2008-03-03T22:01:00.001-08:00

Here are the weeks of my endorsement classes and seminars:
June 16 - 20, 23-25
July 14 - 18
August 4 - 7
I also have a wedding August 2. Not my own, but a friends! ;-)
So, I'll have to work my vacations around that. :)

March Madness: Week One

2008-03-03T21:02:00.001-08:00

So, my friends and I decided that in addition to the typical March Madness, we would have our own March Madness full of fun activities.

We kicked off with a Leap Year Eve Party, during which we ate Pirate food, and watched Pirates of Penzance. Since I am lame, I forgot to take pictures during the actual party... But I have a picture of the food... Yep, I'm a little bit of an obsessive party planner... :) Yep, we had "rum", and "pirate sherry", swedish fish, goldfish, and some chocolate "treasure". YUM!
Then, we went to a BYU hockey game. We got stomped by UVSC, but, it was fun! Especially when my friend accidentally threw the cowbell he was so excited. :)

Saturday night we went to PBR Bullnanza at the E Center. We got decked out in cowboy/cowgirl gear, and it was delightful! :) It was SO cool to see bull riding up so close! I hope you can see the pictures OK!

The bull in the middle seriously almost gored this cowboy photographer guy because he wasn't paying attention when the bull came back out of the shoot. But, for some reason, the bull turned at the last second. I screamed so loud!

Now, there's about 84 hours until we head out to Moab!!!! YAY!!!! A whole weekend far away from Provo, and responsibility, with nothing but beautiful Arches and the outdoors, and stars, and fun friends. HUZZAH!

Let's get going!

2008-03-03T20:13:00.000-08:00

Ok, so, I took off the last post because I didn't want Dad's e-mail address posted on the website. Let's be safe and keep those types of things off. We can do that through e-mail. Also, Chels, I linked your page, but no one can read it unless you invite them. If you're careful, it's fine to let anyone read it, just don't post personal information like e-mail addresses, address, phone number, name of your high school, etc. So, if you want everyone to read it, go to settings and permissions and switch it to letting everyone read it. If not, you have to at least invite me so I can see it! ;-)
Everyone else, keep me posted about cool stuff. I'll try to get some Rodeo pictures up, but my camera didn't have the memory card in it.... Oops! :) Anyway, it was fun. Sorry I didn't call, I was in bed with a pukey-feeling-inducing migraine. Lame, huh? How was the family fast?

Mallory I need you help

2008-02-25T15:52:00.001-08:00

Mal...I can't figure out how to make links....like I wanna link the blog I made onto this one, and I want to link this onto mine, and I can't figure it out

2008-02-24T14:38:00.000-08:00

Hey...I did it! I'm not as dumb as I thought!

Let's try this!

2008-02-23T13:55:00.000-08:00

Hey family! So the Sunday evening phone calls have become more sporadic with Dad in the bishopric and the time difference. Mom and I talked about this before Christmas but forgot to work on it when I was home. All that you need to be added and post to this is a gmail account and a keyboard! We'll be able to share pictures (from Ty and Chelsea's awards ceremonies), and thoughts and stuff, plus, MychaelAnn and Jared and Lindsey and Jeff have one, so we can keep in touch with them too! :) You can set it as your homepage at work or at home and then you'll see when people post right away. What do you think? Love you!

Mal