the 12 days of Christmas

12-18-08

Dear Elder & Sister Hansen and all my kids,

       

      BYU is now 10 - 0, and has a 53 game home winning streak (the longest in the country), including a 20 plus point win over Boise St. [It has been really hard to get "ranked" teams to come to Provo (non-conference ranked teams), because they are so dangerous there. It's a lose/lose situation for most teams. In fact for the football & basketball schedules teams have agreed to "home and home" series, but after BYU plays them on their home field (court), they cancel the contract when they have to come to Provo.

       Sister Hansen, I am sure that the Mission Pres. in Madrid would love to have you for 6 to 8 weeks after they kick you out of Russia. And that is on the way back to the States that you would have travel anyway. Plus I imagine that there must be other Russian speaking countries (Ukraine) that you could finish that last 6 to 8 weeks. Or there is Temple Square or plenty of other Temples/Visitor's Centers that would love to have a Russian speaking Missionary for that last transfer. Anyway, stay focused and sprint through and past the tape, don't stop at the finish line. Our Father has shown you how to be an effective witness for Him, never let up! [Especially AFTER YOU COME HOME!]
The following was a forward that I received from a dear friend about something that I had always wondered about myself (the 12 days of Christmas), ...


[The following text is a popular belief, brought to the internet in the 1990s, regarding the origin of the "12 days of Christmas" song. However, in recent years, the invalidity of these claims has been uncovered. While the following symbolism was not the true inspiration for the lyrics of the French Christmas carol, Jamie enjoyed the ideas presented and chose to share them. He did not know at the time that this email was a popularly circulated tale, rather than an actual historical study. 1]

...

"-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed."

...

All my love and devotion,

Jamie

1. http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/music/12days.asp

"Reflections of Christ"

12-08-08

Dear Elder & Sister Hansen and away kids,

First, to get a few things out there, ...  I brought a 25 to 30 lb. box of 5 or 6 varieties of seedless table grapes, and a box of red grapefruit, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes and sweet red bell peppers [to my aunt's funeral]. All of the Grapefruits, tomatoes and bell peppers were gone in half the time as the grapes (and those were top of the line quality grapes, but no one had any tomatoes or peppers ripe in their gardens yet, and they said "those are the sweetest grapefruits that we have ever tasted" - they also said the same thing about the grapes - "the sweetest that we have ever tasted").

      [Elder Hansen,] 

       I am SOOOO EXCITED about your baptisms!! What a great blessing for those special people as well as the Ward to have them joined with them.

       Do either of you Missionaries need or want more (used US) stamps? I got a lot of mileage in PR or bartering with members and nonmembers alike in Australia, for the used US stamps from my mail. But maybe people in general, or those in Mexico & Russia are not as much into “stamp collecting” as they were 30 years ago.

       BYU is 8-0 in basketball, and just beat Utah State on Sat. night to remain undefeated.

       Sister Hansen, ...

       Your gift of tongues has now included Russian, Armenian, Spanish, and now sign language. For both of you, the Greatest Chapters in your gift of tongues (as great as it has been already), have yet to be written.  The Lord still has many more, and deeper gifts still to be found.  

       Last Sat night our family went to a fireside (and opening night of), “Reflections of Christ” at the Stake Center, and then viewed the art show set up in the Cultural Hall with accompanying music (most of which was composed specifically for this display), “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” (a man’s voice, sung soft ,almost whispered at times, with light Guitar background), (2 or 3 verses), “Amazing Grace” (woman’s voice and again soft and slow with a light piano/string orchestra background)(did not sing the most well known first verse, but rather my favorite the 2^nd & 3^rd verse):

           

T'was Grace that taught -
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear -
the hour I first believed.



Through many dangers, toils and snares -
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far -
and Grace will lead us home. 1

         

There was also at least one of the Sacrament Hymns done instrumentally. The photographer Mark Mabry, told his story of how this all came about. 2    His own personal cleansing and preparation, and the road that led him to his contacts to do a presentation at the Mesa Temple Easter Pageant. He told of his calling and being set apart by his Bishop for this presentation. That he had been prepared for this since before his birth. He told a little about the live actors who would portray the Savior and others in the pictures.

Some of the shots were of the manger scene, Angels dressed in brilliant white robes against a starlit night sky, announcing the birth of Jesus (to get the appearance of them flying/floating in the air, he had them jump on a trampoline, and would take the picture of them while at the apex of their bounding; including one guy with one of those long trumpets – like the Angel Moroni on the Temples), Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, Jesus writing on the ground with the woman caught in adultery (“Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” was being played as I viewed this, also from the Baptism of Jesus to the start of Gethsemane), Jesus walking on the water (he was on the shore of a large lake walking on cinder blocks in the shallow water, but the angles which they shot it at made it look so real – like he truly was walking on water), healing the blind man by smearing mud on his eyes, The Ten Virgins, Mount of Olives, Gethsemane, the betrayal, the scourging by the Roman Soldiers, the Crucifixion (VERY AUTHENTIC LOOKING)(“Amazing Grace” was playing here including the lines “How precious did that Grace appear – the hour I first believed”), His Resurrection (the scars visible on His hands, were incredible) , with the 2 men on the road to Emmaus, Jesus appearing on the shore of Galilee and Peter jumping from the ship and swimming to shore to meet him, and last but not least, The Ascension (the looks on the faces of the men was true emotion, as Jesus was rising up from them,… leaving them). The pictures in and of themselves were stunning, and had a Spirit all of their own. But with the uplifting, heart warming, soul stirring musical backdrop, it made the presentation down right Sacred. Most people came out of that room pretty choked up. 3

They also had a movie about the making of this production, with on sight filming of the photo shoots, interviews with the actors, photographer, set & costume people, etc., that was at once interesting, informative, and inspiring.

Then Wed night (the last night of the viewing), we took many of our youth from our Ward to the Stake Center for mutual night (and a special Stake youth fireside) with Mark Mabry, who flew in (again) for this follow up fireside (including all our kids, most of the YW, [and others. names omitted]).

The [Full name omitted] "F"s are family friends in Arizona, and Matt F had come over for the viewing and personally introduced me to Mark Mabry (on Sat night). Well Wed night I waited until most of the crowd of those that had gathered to thank/speak to him had already left, and I too thanked him, and acknowledged that I concurred with his blessing that, he had been raised for this very purpose, and that this was just a beginning for him. That he still had many things to accomplish for the Lord. 

I also told him that for a Stake Youth Musical, and several other times (“Faith Walks” at Girl’s Camp, etc.) that I had been asked to play the part of the Savior. That I knew a little bit about what his actor ... went through in preparing for such a performance. Even though my experience with this was a blip in time compared with the scope and far reaching effects of this current production; Mine was a life altering event for me. On a physical side, it was so draining that, I felt as though I had just played a non-stop 3 hour football game, and at the same time on the mental/emotional side, I felt as if I had just completed a “2 day fast”. I was spent, physically, mentally and emotionally spent. My eyes hurt – they had cried so much, my mouth and nose were dry (like when it is really hot and dry, and you have not had any water for a long time). On a Spiritual side, you actually get a little glimpse of the total, complete, unconditional love that the Great Mediator has for ALL OF GOD’S CHILDREN! To see the faces of all those who look upon you in the light of the person you represent, and the effect it is having on them (and you), something passes between you. Everyone you touch, or shake hands with, or embrace, some thing leaves you. I remember the first time that this happened at Camp Elowin for the Faith Walk of our Stake Girl’s Camp. Afterwards in my weakened condition, I remembered the question the Savior asked after the woman touched the hem of his garment, “Who touched me?”…”for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me”. I received a witness of just a small part of what he meant. Bro Mabry & I had some thing pass between us that night, including that I shared with him about us having a son in Leon Mexico on a mission, and a daughter on a mission in Russia (Moscow West). He had served in St. Petersburg, and his trips to re-apply for his visa were to Finland. We told him some of [our daughter]’s stories, including her trips to Spain. He was very impressed.

I would urge everyone who has an opportunity to view this “Reflections of Christ”, to spare no amount of time or expense to take everyone (especially your youth), to go and see this exhibit.

With all the love and tender feelings that a father can posses, I leave you with my blessing, and ask for God’s protection and guidance to be with you.



Jamie

1. http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Amazing_Grace/

2. http://www.reflectionsofchrist.org/artist_mark.php

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oteno81QzzQ&list=UUp9yuVkTbTT2XH7YhaVne1A&index=8

Moon & the Bridge Builder

(7 years ago today.)
11-30-08

A few things to catch up on; first, the moon as seen in Russia will be very close to the same as what we see here in California. The same face of the moon always points towards the earth, we never see the back side of the moon except for pictures from space craft on the far side. There is some slight difference in viewing from how far north or south you are on the planet, or from when it first rises to when it is about to set. As it will give a change in angle that you are seeing the moon from. So that could be partly why it might appear different. There also could have been some climatic or natural happenings (clouds, Fires, etc.) or recent meteor(s) strikes (although I had not heard of any) to make it look different. 1

Sister Hansen, if you want to have a Fivel moment (ah la ‘Some Where Out There’), if you will look at the moon just as it is about to set, we will see it rising. We will be looking at the very same moon, at the same time. But only for a few minuets each day that it is visible.

Elder Hansen, where you are in Mexico, after the moon has been up for about 2 hours, we will see it rising. And when it is about to set for you, we will still observe it for another two hours. Thus we can be looking at the same moon at the same time for about 5 or 6 hours each day that it is visible. Plus contrary to popular belief, (that the moon only shines at night), the moon will shine just as much in the day time as in the night time (on an annual basis – longer in the daytime in summer, but longer at night time in the winter), depending on what phase it is in. A true “full moon” will rise at sundown, and at various other times of the day or night depending on the phase or part of the 29 day cycle that it is on.1

The sun is a different matter. In Russia we would be able to see the sun together at the same time on June 21 (the Summer Solstice) for 2 to 3 hours (your last few hours of the day, our first few hours). Most of the year, mid Aug. through early May, we would not be able to see the sun at the same time. It will be early May before we will see the sun together at the same time again (you will see the sun setting and we will see it rising for only a moment together, and gradually each day be able to see more of it together until it’s peak on June 21).

In Leon Mexico, on June 21 we probably will be able to see the sun rise together. But we will see it set about 2 hours later than you. Even in the depth of winter we will still have at least 4 hours a day, that we could both see the sun at the same time (if it is not foggy). But your sunrise will be at 3 to 4 hours ahead of ours. 2



On my mission, both my Dad and my Mom wrote to me every week. I did not know of one missionary whose father wrote every week, except for mine. Some had fathers who wrote once a month at best, to sporadic or not at all. Only a few of them had moms that wrote every week, but most moms only wrote once or twice a month. I remember Elder (name omitted) W being so amazed at my parent’s letters, especially my Dad’s, as his father never wrote him once (Elder W was a convert and the only member in his family). I mentioned this in my letters home, and my Dad started writing to Elder W also. Elder W was so impressed with his letters and told me later that one of the saddest parts of coming home was that he missed my Dad’s letters. So, yes, I have a glimpse of what letters from home mean (including all of your siblings).



Elder Hansen, I spoke with (name omitted) the son of your Mission Pres. ([He]  works at Church headquarters) and he said he was with Pres. & Sister C for Thanksgiving in Leon. He said his dad was very excited about the progress and programs in the Mission.


...


I spoke in (name omitted) C Ward this morning (on the Spiritual aspects of the Vineyard, and the “Big Picture” of the Welfare & Commercial Farms that the Church has, the Humanitarian efforts, etc.). The whole congregation was quite moved (even the squirrelly Deacons).

I then also spoke in our (name omitted) Ward 3rd hour (5th Sunday Presentation), along with Bro. P who did a great job (Bishop B was out of town). I spoke on “Salvation through Service”, and the conclusion of my talk I quoted this poem that I memorized as a teenager and used many times on my Mission:



The Bridge Builder


An old man, going a lone highway,
Came at the evening, cold and gray,
To chasm, vast and deep and wide,
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim;
The sullen stream had no fears for him;
But he turned when safe on the other side
And built a bridge to span the tide.

"Old man," said a fellow pilgrim near,
"You are wasting strength with building here;
Your journey will end with the ending day;
You never again must pass this way;
You have crossed the chasm, deep and wide --
Why build you the bridge at the eventide?"

The builder lifted his old gray head:
"Good friend, in the path I have come," he said,
"There followeth after me today
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm that has been naught to me
To that fair-haired youth may a pit-fall be,
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building the bridge for him."

Will Allen Dromgoole 3

As one fair haired youth, I had many bridges built for me throughout my life. Especially from the biggest “Bridge Builder” of them all, our Savior Jesus Christ. So, I am left with a debt so great, that I could never repay it all. It becomes my duty then, to do everything I can, no matter how long the day, or difficult the work, to tirelessly serve him who bought and paid with his very blood, all of my sins, weaknesses, short falls and blunders. That others could be brought to taste the sweetness of the fruit that I have tasted.

All of my love, Jamie





1. http://www.moonconnection.com/moon-same-side.phtml
2. http://www.worldtimebuddy.com/
3. http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/237102

11-08-08 - Death Before Dishonor

I was the concluding speaker [In church service on Sunday] and thanked [the first speaker] for the report on his son, and [the second speaker] for his remarks, and a heartfelt thank you for his service to our country. I then acknowledged his final plea, and pledged that "I would pray for the new president, as I had prayed for every President since 1976 when I voted in my first national election. That the new President would be guided and directed to do those things that God would want for America”.

...

I thought [of several remarks i could make], but using tremendous personal restraint, I did not say [them]. Because I have too much reverence for the sanctity of the Sacrament Meeting to use it for my own personal political views, no matter how true they may be.

I then reflectively stated to the congregation, “I know that for many of you the last few months, and especially the last few weeks have been a tremendous strain”. Then added to that, “what has been happening most recently to our Temples, Chapels, Church Office Building in the way of desecration, vandalism, lack of honoring property rights; and individual members beaten and brutalized is shocking and tragic. But I fear that this is only the beginning. These kinds of things will only intensify until the Savior comes again. Our Prophets have told us that, there will be a polarizing effect on the earth in our day; the bad will become worse, and the good will become better and stronger. We have to decide where we stand. Will we be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, or will we stand as witnesses of our Lord, and support and sustain His Holy Prophets? No matter what they ask us to do?"

Our prophets have told us, “the Lord will never permit his Prophet to lead this Church astray”1. If we follow the Prophet, “we will be blessed”. They also tell us that those who fail to give head to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people. They will be physically separated from the body of the Church, as well as spiritually separated from God. They will not have the Holy Spirit to be with them. It will be the difference of making it to the Celestial Kingdom, or falling to the Terrestrial Kingdom.

Aside from political turmoil and lawless behavior, we will face devastating natural disasters, terrorist attacks, increasing additional wars, and economic collapse even more than we have recently experienced.

Ezra Taft Benson as the European Mission President was in Czechoslovakia and Poland in 1946 and watched the losses of freedom and methods of conquest of those lovely countries and beautiful people. He also served as Sec. of Agriculture to President Eisenhower from 1953 – 1961.2
 He saw first hand the evils of Communism and Socialism and warned about that cancer destroying our country, unless we fight against it: “Watchman, what of the night?" (Isaiah 21:11) is the cry of the faithful. I have tried to warn you of the darkness that is moving over us and what we can do about it if we will only follow the prophet.

Have you counted the cost if our countrymen, and especially the body of the Priesthood, continue to remain complacent, misled through some of our news media, deceived by some of our officials, and perverted by some of our educators?

Are you prepared to see some of your loved ones murdered, your remaining liberties abridged, the Church persecuted, and your Eternal Reward jeopardized?

“…I have talked face-to-face with the godless communist leaders. It may surprise you to learn that I was host to Mr. Khrushchev …when he visited the United States. Not that I’m proud of it – I opposed his coming then and I still feel it was a mistake to welcome this atheistic murderer as a state visitor. But according to Pres. Eisenhower, Khrushchev had expressed a desire to learn something of American agriculture, and after seeing Russian agriculture I can see why.”3

“As we talked face-to-face, he indicated that my grandchildren would live under communism. After assuring him that I expected to do all in my power to assure that his and all other grandchildren will live under freedom, he arrogantly declared in substance:

You Americans are so gullible. No, you won’t accept communism outright, but we’ll keep feeding you small doses of socialism until you’ll finally wake up and find you already have communism. We won’t have to fight you. We’ll so weaken your economy until you’ll fall like over-ripe fruit into our hands.”4

The Book of Mormon teaches us “Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ”.5 Part of serving the God of the land is to honor and obey His Prophet. No matter what the cost. No matter what the price.

Pres. Benson also quoted Norman Vincent Peale who proclaimed, “Once we roared like lions for liberty; now we bleat like sheep for security.”6

Men often will trade freedom for security, and mistake lack of violence or war, for peace. True freedom is never earned, nor maintained without tremendous effort and sacrifice through the shedding of blood. Pres. J. Ruben Clark stated “Freedom was never brought to people on a silver platter, nor maintained with whisk brooms and lavender sprays”.7 Many Patriots throughout our country’s history have given all they had, and over a million of them have paid the ultimate sacrifice of their very lives for the glorious cause of FREEDOM. I would like to tell you about one of those Patriots, Bill Miller. He was a counselor to my father in the Branch Presidency in Chowchilla when I was a young man. (Among other things, he had a $1 or $5 dollar bill that had the signatures of Omar Bradley, George Patton and one other General that I can not remember on it.) He had a tattoo on his forearm, and at one activity I (as an immature punk teenager) chided him saying something to the effect, “Mormons aren’t supposed to have tattoos”. He then told me that he got it long before he and his wife joined the Church. He was in the military in WWII and his unit fought in Africa, Sicily, Italy, Normandy, across Europe into Germany. There was none of this “Tour of Duty” stuff, you were in it for the duration. ‘Til they won the war and came home. In one of the earlier battles, a portion of the battle line folded and ran. In the counter attack by the Americans, even though successful, they suffered heavy casualties. Many more lives were lost in retaking the ground, than they would have if the original lines would have held their ground in the first place. So Bill Miller and the rest of their unit made a collective oath, that they would never surrender or retreat (unless ordered to do so), but they would fight to the death. This they did because they did not want to be the cause of additional Americans to have to die because of their failure to do their duty. Also in this battle or another one, the scuttle-butt was that some one captured had through torture or truth serum (Sodium Pentothal), given away information that led to an advantage of the enemy that led to some of their buddies dying. So part of their oath included the promise to never leave one of their unit behind. If ordered out of an area, they either took the wounded with them, or killed them to make sure that no one was taken alive to give out sensitive information. They all made that oath, because they loved their country, their fellow Americans, and their buddies more than their own lives; and were willing to die (or have their own fellow soldiers shoot them to make sure that they were not the cause by torture or truth serum) of giving away information that would lead to the death fellow Americans or loosing a battle because of that information. To help them remember their oath, they all got tattoos that said, “Death before Dishonor” on a scroll or sash below an Eagle. This was the Tattoo that Bill Miller had on his arm, and the reason for it.

Most of us in this room will never have to give our lives in battle, refusing to retreat or surrender; but every one of us will (sometimes on a daily basis) have the opportunity to stand as a witness, and not be ashamed of Jesus Christ and His Gospel. To honor and sustain our Prophet and other Church leaders, no matter what the cost. I wish it were roses and lollipops that I had to offer you. But I fear it is Briars and thistles that we are wont to wade through. We will need to steel ourselves for the fight.

I then bore testimony of the Savior, this Church, and His Prophet, and defending the Constitution. That following his Prophet will bring freedom, life, and joy. Not doing so will bring enslavement, sorrow, and death. May we never retreat or surrender.

May God bless you all in your standing (fighting) for the right.

Jamie

Citations:

1. https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-and-church-history-gospel-doctrine-teachers-manual/lesson-37-we-thank-thee-o-god-for-a-prophet?lang=eng

2,3,4. Benson, E., & Newquist, J. (1994). An enemy hath done this. Salt Lake City, Utah: Parliament Publ., [pg.320]
5. https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/ether/2?lang=eng
6. Congressional Record, V. 146, Pt. 15, October 6, 2000 to October 12 2000
7. http://scriptures.byu.edu/gettalk.php?ID=1522