Runners

Runners

Today our little town hosted a marathon between Escalante and Boulder. There were hundreds of visitors here to participate and support the runners.

The park across the street from my home is where everything wrapped up with a small fair, vendors and music.

Last night the musical entertainment included a singer storyteller, Clive Romney who gave an amazing version of early mormon history with a anecdotal spin. His stories were from the lives of those that helped to settle this area over 100 years ago. He was inspiring and personable. It was a shame that the cold night and lack of interest, it was only me and my wife listening. We sat on the edge of the stage with Clive as he played and sang his songs.

Today I slept in late, something I ate yesterday gave me a whopping headache. I can usually backtrack and find the culprit. I think it was the honey baked turkey, it had “additives.” I think the culprit was nitrites used in the processing of the meat. Each time I get one of these whoppers I vow to be more diligent but sometimes I let my tastebuds get the best of me.

The sound of the loudspeakers this morning woke me announcing the runners as they crossed the finish line. The cow bells and cheers from the spectators was infectious so I wandered over to spectate.

26.2 miles, thats a long way to run, at least for me. If you ever see me running it’s probable because something large and hairy is chasing me, otherwise I choose to walk and that is where you will find me on gentle evenings here in Escalante.

What is it that makes us run or walk?

Are we running from something or to something?

I can still remember several bad relationships in my life where I ran.

Now days I try to choose my destinations and go towards those things that will make my life better. 

We have an internal navigational beacon that helps us to make the choices in life that will enrich us and those around us.

Each of the runners had their navigational beacon set on the finish line with such dedication and determination. I wonder what made each of them run? Are they running away from unpleasant experiences or running towards a fulfilling goal?

Cow bells generally don’t merit the reason to run so I have to think that each runner set a goal to run because of an inner strength or maybe because of a challenge they wanted to achieve today.

In the midst of all this activity, I have an interview looming with a video journalist who connected with me several weeks ago. He wanted to do a followup on some comments I made then. 

Is that the reason for my headache? Am I running from something I don’t want to face? I don’t think so, but I would like to soften my tone and clarify some thoughts. This documentary may end up viral and then what? 

I mostly feel good about where I have been over the years and where I am going. It’s not a good feeling to keep looking over your shoulder and wondering what might be following you. It could be that large hairy thing or something that we said in haste on social media. 

I would like to think we might be sitting on a stage some time sharing our life stories, our successes, our songs and our failures, for in doing this lives are enriched and made better. And if there are only two others listening, it still makes it all worth while.

Reflections

lt is a wet and soggy Sunday morning today, perfect for reflecting on life and being grateful for the lessons that life has taught me. 

Over the past week I have had an opportunity to interact with hundreds of people as they came to Escalante to participate in the annual Art Festival.

At first I was going to coast through and just be an observer, but a handful of neighbors commented on my potato bar and hoped that I would do it again, so with less than a week to get ready I ordered the organic potatoes and unpacked the supplies that I needed to serve the public. As the day approached I got more excited with anticipation.

My home is directly across the street from the festival and after watching the festival for years, I wanted to be a part and add my own unique energy.

I wasn’t disappointed, we had several hundred people who enjoyed the organics, and I had the opportunity to engage with each of them.

One German fellow lectured me on the use or rather the abuse of using plastics. He pointed out to me what I already knew, but had failed to do my diligence to find a better alternative. Twice more he came over and told me of the successes that his countrymen had in reducing plastics.

He was right and I promised to do better next year.

Each of the artists that entered paintings interpreted what they saw in our local town and landscapes in a unique way that I hadn’t been able to see. They saw what I could not. 

I met some new friends and caught up with old friends. My life is richer because I participated, shared and listened.

Our community is currently struggling to find balance between the old traditions and the new opportunities here on the edge of a National Monument. 

Old prejudices meeting untapped opportunities. 

It is unsettling for everyone and there is a lot of finger pointing and complaining going on.

It’s not unlike what is going on in the world.

We have allowed ourselves to engage in electronic dialogue and have removed ourselves from face to face interaction. 

We live in boxes, we drive in boxes and work in boxes, then we watch a box to find entertainment and mold our opinions. 

Last week I chose to step outside my box and meet face to face with those who came to my home, it was risky but ultimately very rewarding.

What would happen if we all decided to look one another in the eye and share part of ourselves, our story?

We are living in an ever changing world and whether we like it or not we are part of that change.

I spent several hours last night sharing and listening to a small group of new friends who helped to mold some new ideas and firm up old ones. I probably talked too much, I blame that on the good food and drink.

Instead of reposting someone else’s thoughts and ideas, I am challenging myself and you to share your own unique thoughts, your successes and your failures, for in your sharing, my life will be better and I hope I can do the same for you.

The ripples that we leave behind will forever shape the lives that they reach.

My heart swelled

A recent event at the Mormon General conference triggered  memory that happened to me over 25 years ago.

Yesterday, a lone voice in the vast audience of members in the Salt Lake Conference center called out, “STOP PROTECTING SEXUAL PREDATORS, 

STOP PROTECTING SEXUAL PREDATORS,

STOP PROTECTING SEXUAL PREDATORS.”

My heart swelled.

In 1992 I Lived in the small community of Manti Utah. I found a common theme among many of the people there, they had all felt the abuse of their church leaders.

I was given a copy of a paper distributed by Malcolm Jepson, a member of the General Authorities in the Utah central area. The paper was titled, WE SHALL NOT BE LED ASTRAY - III. 

He had called a special meeting for Bishops and Stake Presidents to inform them that members who followed certain principal would be in suspect of being apostates.

I watched as my neighbors were called in one by one by the local bishops in Manti. They were asked the same questions in their interviews. I determined not to allow the same harassment to happen to me so I contacted the bishop and ask for a meeting. I told him to either stop harassing me or hold a court to determine my worthiness.

In the meantime I decided to attend a stake conference where Neil Maxwell would be attending. I dressed in my best suit and tie and got to the meeting early to get a seat near the front of the chapel.

I wondered at the time why I was dogged by several men who kept close to me. Now I know.

As the time came to sustain the leaders of the church, my heart began to pound inside my chest for I had determined to appose the leaders in public for their unrighteous actions against me and my friends. 

With the usual blah, blah, blah, the stake president read off the names of the various leaders and then asked for a raise of the hand. 

All in favor?

All Apposed? 

There it was … that was my cue. I stood and raised my hand … nothing, Greg Maylett, the stake president, ignored me. Each time a vote was called for, I did the same but to no avail. I was ignored each time.

A few days later I received a letter from the stake president asking me to appear before a disciplinary council.

I don’t think many in my family or friends know why I was excommunicated that night. 

It was because I took a stand against those church leaders who abused their power and terrorized members who asked the hard questions and who voiced any opposition.

I kept a copy of that paper given to Bishops and
Stake Presidents, the one used to cleanse the church. The Salt Lake Tribune called it a witch hunt.

Here is the list:

Profile of the Splinter Group Members of Others with Troublesome Ideologies.

They follow the practice of home school.

There is a preoccupation with the end of the world and the events preceding the coming of the Savior.

Many have John Birch membership of leanings.

Many do not work and have no jobs.

They study the mysteries, feeling that what is provided in our meetings today is superficial.

They meet in study groups.

They listen to tapes such as the “Bo Gritz” tapes and others about such topics as Armageddon.

They are inordinately preoccupied with food storage.

They feel and teach that there is a great conspiracy, that the government is corrupt and that you can trust few people.

They feel many of the members and Church leaders have gone astray.

They feel that President Benson’s counselors have muzzled the prophet so that he cannot tell us the things he would like to tell us, especially about the last days.

They staunchly profess that they sustain the prophet and local leaders, but when asked to stop doing certain things, like meeting in groups to study the mysteries, they tell you straight out they will have to take the matter to the Lord to see what He tells them before they will agree.

Some have met or are meeting with leaders of the Church of the Firstborn.

They believe we must be super spiritual to know the will of God or even our leaders may lead us astray.

They read the books of Avraham Gileadi and other materials which are unapproved by the Church.

Many of these folks are on state welfare and others to try to obtain Church welfare.

We observe that many of these people reportedly have visions and dreams which they share with group members but not priesthood leaders.

The element of plural marriage, though seldom spoken of outside this group, continues to surface as a part of the belief structure of many.

Some have held prayer circles in full temple clothing outside the temple.

While this practice has now been stopped, some of these folk would linger in the celestial room of the Manti Temple for hours to teach one another.

I thank my good friend, Lee Thurston for giving me a copy of this letter so many years ago. It showed me his courage and the fear that leaders of the church face when they are not followed obediently and blindly.

“When our leaders speak, the thinking has been done. When they propose a plan–it is God’s plan. When they point the way, there is no other which is safe. When they give direction, it should mark the end of controversy. God works in no other way. To think otherwise, without immediate repentance, may cost one his faith, may destroy his testimony, and leave him a stranger to the kingdom of God.”  https://www.fairmormon.org/archive/publications/when-the-prophet-speaks-is-the-thinking-done

This statement originally appeared in the Improvement Era, in June 1945, as the Ward Teaching message for the month.