On My Honor, I Promise...

A few recent experiences have caused me to ponder on what the Boy Scouts of America can mean to a boy and to a nation.

My nephew recently turned 8 years old.  We invited him to join the Cub Scout Pack in our neighborhood.  He wanted so badly to join Cub Scouts because he wanted a pocket knife.  He's a real boy!  Each Wednesday my wonderful wife, Jerrea', picks him up from school and takes him to his den meeting.  He is always excited and enthusiastic to learn.  Recently we were working on his Bobcat award and discussing the Cub Scout Promise:  "I promise to do my best to do my duty to God and my country, to help other people, and to obey the law of the pack."  We discussed duty.  We discussed how he could help other people.  If an eight year old boy can internalize these simple principles he will succeed in life.

I have recently been serving as a Unit Commissioner for the BSA.  In that role I have the opportunity to participate in Board of Reviews for scouts who are candidates for the Eagle rank.  It has been very rewarding to review with these young men their scouting experience, the Eagle Project, and how Scouting has impacted their life and how it will impact their future.  I saw that Scouting had truly changed most of the boys.  This experience has given me an inside glimpse into how Scouting can shape boys.

Finally, I recently attended a Court of Honor where four boys were awarded the rank of Eagle.  As I listened to their mothers pay tribute, as I viewed a video presentation of each boy, as I listened to each of them describe their Eagle Projects, as I heard them pledge to live a life that honors the ideals they had learned in Scouting, I couldn't help but wonder what positive impact they would have on society because of Scouting.

I truly believe that there are only two other organizations, besides Scouting, that can have a greater impact on a boy and on our country's future:  the Gospel of Jesus Christ and family.  Yet adding Scouting to church and family only helps and enhances their roles in preparing boys to be real men, fathers, and contributors to society.

On my honor, I promise to do my best... to support the scouting organization so that the ideals of being "trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly,courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent" will permeate more boys and have a greater impact our communities and nation.

Your Gravity - Happy Valentine's Day Jerrea'

To Jerrea’

Valentine’s Day 2015

Your Gravity

It’s like I’ve lost control

A victim of your power

Drawn to be near you

Every waking hour

But I’m not imprisoned by your gravity

For with you is where I want to be

You’re like coming up for air

Like finally coming home

The feeling that you get

When you know that you belong

Whenever I’m embraced in your gravity

Something comes alive in me

Whenever I’m embraced in your gravity

My heart beats alive in me

When we’re far apart

Your attraction I feel

Nothing I imagine

A force that is so real

I want to be imprisoned by your gravity

For with you is where I want to be

You’re like coming up for air

Like finally coming home

The feeling that you get

When you know that you belong

Whenever I’m embraced in your gravity

Something comes alive in me

Whenever I’m embraced in your gravity

My heart beats alive in me.

If ever I thought without you I’d be free

Escaping the attraction of your gravity

Aimlessly and lonely I’d wander out in space

Seeking to find myself again in your embrace

You’re like coming up for air

Like finally coming home

The feeling that you get

When you know that you belong

Whenever I’m embraced in your gravity

Something comes alive in me

Whenever I’m embraced in your gravity

My heart beats alive in me.

Love,

Paul

Experiences are Deposits Into the Bank of Future Memories

If you are a "believer" as I am, then you subscribe to the notion that God has a purpose for you, and part of that purpose is to live intentionally to bless others.  Our interactions with others, whether simple or profound, accidental or planned, are recorded in our memories to be recalled at some future time.  Our efforts to bless others, even for example, through simple kind words, are recorded in the participants' memories.

I have often only considered what might be called the immediate impact of my interactions with others - a hope that my words or acts towards another might make a difference now.  Perhaps, however, the timing isn't right, we aren't receptive, we are distracted, or even hardened.  But there is a more hopeful perspective when one considers the role and purpose of the Holy Ghost in our lives.

Most of us have experienced memories, that when they come to our present mind, bring with them powerful feelings of gratitude, spiritual strength, perspective, or answers to long sought questions.  I believe that these memories are often brought to us by the promise that "he shall ... bring all things to your remembrance...".  The gift of the Holy Ghost enables us to receive specifice blessings through the Holy Ghost, including the blessing to remember.

So in our daily lives as we strive to wipe a tear, comfort a sad heart, build faith through our testimony, remember that we not only bless in the present, but create a future memory that may be recalled at a time when it is critically needed.  Such was the blessing of the prophet Enos as he went in the woods to hunt.