Audio Videos 1956 to 2000 2000-2010 2010-2020 Part A 2010-2020 Part B
or the written Story below
- I was born in 1956 in California, raised with a do it yourself Catholic DAD, and a mother that promised the priest she would raise us Catholic in exchange for being able to be married in the Catholic Church. Though not Catholic she kept her promise and raised me Catholic. She also taught me the importance of honesty and work. Though my mother and I grew to be good friends, She had a daily interest in the 12 months astrology horscope -almost as a religion for her. My mother and I did not connect regarding religion. My Jewish step mother Joyce and I connected in spiritual and emotional matters, and we shared a connection and language that was above religious divisive traditions.
- 2.My step sister Ann said. : Joyce felt great concern for humanity, and valued creating a more humane and supportive world where needs can be met non-violently. My mother had a kindness and generosity of spirit that will be greatly missed. I am thankful for all she brought to life, and for all she taught me. (here )
- 3.On my grandfathers side, the Tripps, there were relatives that impressed me that they -sold their homes to help fund the voyage to America (John Rogers, Mayflower descendent). I had learned of them when I was considering selling a home we just remodeled to become pioneers in education.... pioneers in that I was given in 1989, a vision of a school or learning center...that I was to remodel. An east and west building that would be connected. Years later we found two old garages as seen in this vision. They were zoned for a school. I share that detail ...because throughout my career, the Lord would impress to me that homes and buildings reflect peoples behavior and beliefs.
- 4.About ten years after this school vision in 1989, we completed the renovation in 1998 , and soon after my former wife had a visitation from the spirit world to adopt a child from China. The visitation came four time one evening, in 1999. Before going into that story. ...let me share some early history of my life.
- 5.Sometime around the age of 10, my aunt died and I grieved her passing - as she was like a mother to me. I promised God I would do whatever he wanted me, even be a priest in the Church....if I could just know what Church to join. I knew God would not make it difficult to find truth and felt somehow he would make his will and teachings understandable for children. The idea that spirituality or the journey of life was simple seemed to be in my soul very early. It would be a few years later that I would be guide to get to know a girl in my history class, Sue Wiley , who introduced me to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when in high school.
- 6. I was small for my age and played high school football for several years with those much larger. I learned not to fear the big guys. We went un-scored on for most the season. When asking myself what I learned in high school just before graduation, I had reflected on how I learned the great power of teamwork in sports. I was awarded- with four others - life time passes to athletic events for my contributions to the athletic program. I was certainly not the best athlete, but I worked hard and enjoyed it greatly. My coaches and team members would become my family in high school after my parents divorced. One of my track coaches would in time teach me the gospel - inviting me to seminary in the morning before school.
- 7. An english teacher would introduce Les Miserable to me my junior year, - bringing me and understanding of the power of mercy - changing my life and leading to a life where we would raise 12 children and more... a mix of biological, adopted, and foster children.
- 8. I enjoyed learning from many religions during my high school years - studying both eastern and western religions- looking for simple common roots. In some ways they seemed the same, yet a quote about Christ and Buddha struck me. Buddha died seeking the truth, Christ died saying he was the truth. I needed to know, who Jesus Christ was and asked a friend for a book. The gave me Jesus the Christ by James Talmage..as one of the first religious books I ever read (
- 9. Near that time, the Book of Mormon was placed in my hand, and the moment it was placed in my hand, the spirit witnessed to me it was from God. I thought --how can I feel such power when I have not read the book yet. The Elders explained the pre-mortal world and that made sense to me - as I felt I was being reminded of something I already knew and I felt an unusually strong connection with the Prophet Joseph Smith. I felt I knew him closely before this life.