I was asked to teach 5th Sunday Relief Society today in the Grant 2nd Ward. So naturally, I started with an art lesson. I talked about 1 point perspective as a tool to accurately render 3d architectural space in 2 dimensions. Then I shared two paintings (see below), and talked about how the artist used 1 point perspective to not just render space, but to focus the viewer on the Savior.
After that, we drew a parallel of how the Lord uses the principle of tithing to accomplish other purposes in our lives besides just funding the church. We get so much more out of paying tithing than what we put in. Malachi chapter 3:8-12 is often quoted in relation to tithing. Too often, I think we miss the context set in verses 1-2, especially as they relate to D&C Section 64. The law of tithing seems significant in preparing the world for the second coming as it relates to the law of consecration and the transforming effect the act of paying tithing has on individuals.
Mom came with me. She’s good. I teased her a little bit about making it harder to teach, because I have to be both inspired and honest at the same time :) Anyway, after giving her a hard time, I forgot to bring my lesson (I had the other props), and she had to run home quickly to bail me out. It was a good reminder of what really fuels our relationship.
Elder Bednar gave a devotional at BYUI this week. He talked about the pattern of repetition with Joseph smith and Moroni. Then he gave the same apostolic warning and promise to those assembled that he’s given in 2006, 2010, and again this year:
Elder David A Bednar (Oct 2006)
In the authority of the holy Apostleship, I now raise a voice of warning and I make a solemn promise. If the day ever were to come that intellectual arrogance, a lack of appreciation, and a spirit of demanding entitlement take root on this campus—among the students, the faculty, the employees, the administration, or within the community of Rexburg—then in that day the Spirit of Ricks will be well on the way to being extinguished—and the heavenly influence and blessings that have prospered this institution and the people associated with it will be withdrawn. Conversely, as long as intellectual modesty, humility, gratitude, obedience, and frugality continue to characterize those who learn and serve at Brigham Young University–Idaho, then this university will shine forth ever brighter as a beacon of righteousness and of inspired educational innovation.
I don’t think that counsel is limited to the people at BYUI.
Mom took Drew and Davis to see the Chinese acrobats at BYUI. You could tell Drew was impressed. He came home talking about ninja’s. Mom is also going to Southern Utah this week with Grandma Johnson to the quilt conference. Mom will be selling quilt patterns, spending time with Grandma, taking quilting classes, and enjoying her freedom. We hope she is going to come home at the end of her week of freedom. I’ll be taking over the care and feeding for the next week. Pray for your siblings. Mom is also close to sending the package she has promised for the last several weeks. It’ll probably be opened and stripped of valuables, but let us know what actually arrives (probably a few weeks out, still).
From Mom: good job on the letter last week. It was good to hear about the baptisms, and the people you’re meeting. Lots of people have identified with your comments about the color wheel / faith, hope and charity. It is such an easy way to understand. I have been thinking all week about where different things would go on the chart. Would you use a CMYK wheel or RGB? In CMYK the mixture of all colors (patience) is white, and in RBG it is black. Patience actually feels a little translucent to me. Don’t be discouraged about waiting 6 months for Rebecca to be baptized. God has a way of making hard things a blessing. Did you find enough recipes? Or do you still need variety? I am going down to Bryce Canyon with Grandma and grandpa to a quilt retreat this week. Dad will be here working and being mom."
Porter is 17. In Gem State, Porter played Puszta, which is Hungarian Gypsy music about their trials. That’s it. No more detail. Seminary has been good for Porter. I’m grateful he has opportunity for the deeper exposure and question / answer available in that program. He got the “Thing Explainer” for his birthday, which is a book by the “What If” author, which uses the 1000 most common words to describe scientific stuff. It’s illustrated, which is really helpful trying to decipher what he is talking about. Here’s a sample from the section titled “Tree of Life”, which illustrates how /where things evolved and branched. See if you can guess the following:
pink animal we eat
long neck
big food animal
runner in the trees
angry river animal
air-breathing fish (not fish)
sand horse
store check-out horse
The illustrations show:
Pig
Giraffe
Cow
Deer
Hippopotamus
Whale
Camel
Zebra (bar code, if you didn’t catch that one)
Olivia Nelson posted this photo to Karie. We laugh because this an 85% accurate representation of Pace at the moment. It’s also funny because they have been pranking us with llama themed paraphernalia for the last few months. Some good news: Pace scored almost half of the points for the boy’s basketball team in our ward (6 of 16). Some bad news: they lost by about 32 points. Mr Johnson sent home a postcard to “the parents of Pace Nelson” telling us how happy he is to have a 3rd Nelson boy, and then was very complimentary of Pace. Thanks for setting the expectations for a generation. (UPDATE) Mom is now putting curlers in Pace’s hair to see how it looks with a generous wave.
Tad is wearing his pajamas and safety glasses while dribbling a 36 inch exercise ball with 1 finger. Pretty much the same, but taller. Today was ward conference, and in combined YM/YW, President Searle asked the Bishop to define “normal.” Bishop Jensen’s response was "what’s normal for you, might not be normal for me." Isaac Hansen leaned over to Porter and pointed to Tad and Brigham (off in their own world) and nodded conspiratorially.
Sadie is enjoying PEP, and is starting to do things with her friends. So far, it doesn’t involve make-up or flirting, but we’re starting to see pre-teen behaviors. She is doing really well with the piano, and taught Drew to play the first few lines of “We thank thee O God for a Prophet”. No one knew that at first, so we thought we had a musical prodigy in our midst. Turns out, we have a big sister in our midst, which is probably better.
Davis is offended, for the 3rd time in 5 minutes. grr.
Drew spent the afternoon outside in shorts and a t-shirt. Yes, it’s still winter here. Porter and I went home teaching at the Ricks, and when we came home, Mom had taken the Jeep to drop off some scout stuff. Drew wanted to go with her, but she left without him, so he got on his shoes, and took off down the bike path, unbeknownst to anyone but Sadie, who didn’t mention it. We were home for a half hour before mom got home, and it was another 15 minutes before he came back mad at the world because he wasn’t allowed to go with her. Apparently, he sat under the bridge with his arms pulled into his t-shirt for 45 minutes, protesting the hostile treatment of 5 year olds and no one noticed. Mom gave him a warm bath and warned me to watch him close next week while she’s gone.
This week’s advice:
1) Take opportunities to see unique stuff on P-Day. I know there’s a lot of routine stuff to manage, but take the time to see historic, geological, cultural, other stuff while you are there. You’ll be glad later.
2) Be patient with the rules about attendance before baptism. Just like marriage to your mom, if they’re really converted, they’ll be even more ready when the time comes. Make sure to use the 6 month opportunity to get them involved with activities and habits that will keep them active in the gospel. The long-term baptismal date will continue to provide motivation.
We love you and pray for you and Elder Antwi. Tell him thank you from your parents for being a righteous, worthy example.
Dad
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