The Privilege & Power of Patriarchal Blessings

An excerpt from my recent letter to an LDS friend:

".... A Patriarchal Blessing is a wonderful, wonderful privilege.
I continue to read and ponder my Patriarchal Blessing, which was given to me in 1969, and it continues to guide and bless me in my choices...."

Note: Just as the Children of Israel had the privilege of receiving personal revelatory blessings and life-long counsel from the Old Testament Patriarchs, so do the members today of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) also have that same privilege from modern day Patriarchs, who are divinely called and set apart to impart those supernal individual blessings and guidance.

From Steve & Linnea Capps (see "What Matters Most" entry)

Larry,
For all you give of yourself to the community out there, I'm glad they made a fuss over you.
They should have and, when they do, they usually know how to do it up just right.
Congratulations!
Not that this was why you worked so hard in the community, but it's nice to get some recognition for the work, time, and sacrifice to make the kind of contribution that you have to the community.
The honors and accolades couldn't have been showered on a more humble or deserving man.
Have a wonderful week and weekend, for as long as the glow lasts.

Warmly,
Steve and Linnea Capps

What Matters Most

Tears of gratitude welled up in my eyes early this morning when I received the following e-mail from my daughter Sarah Elizabeth (affectionately nicknamed "Sadie Belle" by me when she was just a sprat):

OH Daddy!!
I'm sooo proud of you!
I'm *"Ruby Tuesday's", but you're "Civil Rights"....
I love you and I'm phenomenally proud (and psychopathalogically ego stricken) that you're my father!!
Love,
Sadie Belle

* "Ruby Tuesday's" is a reference by Sarah to her 2004 partnership with "Good Morning America" to expose and eliminate sex discrimination by the "Ruby Tuesday" chain of eateries.

From: "Larry D. Kump" kumpster@mymailstation.com
To: Friends & Family
Subject: College Honors Convocation Gets It Exactly Right
Date: Thursday, 18 May 2006 21:41:37 EDT

They really made a big deal over me at the Hagerstown Community College Honors Convocation tonight, but, what I liked best about the list of my accomplishments that they touted was that, first and foremost, they noted that I am "the Father of David & Sarah".

Hidden Treasures in Adversity

Early this morning, while empathizing with and pondering over the dilemma of a truly desperate and stressed-out friend, one who is struggling with an awful personal situational conflict, the words of a Pre-Columbian American reminded me once again that we are not alone.
The Prophet Moroni, in his testimony of Jesus Christ, clearly points out that, "...if men come to me (Christ) I will show them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." (Book of Mormon, Ether, Chapter 12, Verse 27)
And so it goes, as each of us struggles and stumbles in our lives, we can find blessings and hidden treasures in and through our adversity.
For a free copy of the Book of Mormon, call toll-free 1-888-537-2200 at any hour.