The Kump Family Castle

The Kump Family Castle,”Schloss Matzen”, in Austria (no foolin’!)

There simply is no truth to the rumor that there is a Duchy of Kumpsylvania in Austria. There’s just no “Mouse that Roared” there.

More about “Schloss Matzen”: One of Europe’s most romantic medieval castles, lies high in the Austrian Tyrol, where the air is crisp and clean. The location is Reith im Alpbachtal, in the Ty…rolean Alps of western Austria, approximately 30 miles/50 km northeast of Innsbruck, about a 90 minute drive or train from Munich or Salzburg (it is less than 5 minutes drive from the nearest train station and Autobahn exit). The castle was first referred to in 1167 and has been privately owned ever since. It’s history also includes highlights such as its Baroque chapel being twice consecrated by bishops who would go on to become Pope. Teddy Roosevelt also visited it at the turn of the century, as a hunting companion of the former owner. The size of the building is approx. 20,000 square feet, including the 6 story tower, on a 2.4 hectare (approx. 6 acre) lot, half-surrounded by an Austrian nationally-protected public park. There are approximately 60 rooms, depending on how you count rooms (there are several long, arcade passageways), including 12 guest rooms appointed with antique furnishing and private bathrooms with modern heating, plumbing and electricity. It is connected to the local sewer system and has its own private spring water supply

About God & Governance

After wondering and worrying about those who seek our election validation and votes in 2018, especially after my previous Facebook page posts about the issues of good governance, a prayerful poem by Meade McGuire came into my thoughts:

"Father, where shall I work today?"

And my love flowed warm and free.

Then He pointed out a tiny spot

And said, "Tend that for me".

I answered quickly, "Oh no; not that!

Why, no one would ever see,

No matter how well my work was done;

Not that little place for me."

And the word He spake, it was not stern;

He answered me tenderly:

"Ah, little one, search that heart of thine,

Art thou working for them or for me?

Nazareth was a little place,

And so was Galilee."

And so, as we ponder the candidates and issues during the 2018 election season, let us do so prayerfully, that Providence may chart our choices.

And may God bless you all real good!

Larry D. Kump,

Falling Waters, West Virginia

Visit the other posts on this website, and also my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/LarryDKump) for more of this about that.

Please share this message with others, and ask them to go and do likewise!

A Letter to the LDS "Liahona" Magazine

 This morning and while continuing to prayerfully plead about an issue of lifetime heartache, I paused to do my morning scripture study.
 After reading a chapter in Alma within the Book of Mormon, the prompting quickly came to me to pick up the October 2017 issue of the "Liahona" magazine, which had arrived in my mailbox the previous day.
 At first, I idly thumbed through it, looking for the hidden picture of the Liahona image, but my attention quickly was drawn to the "Finding Help after Nancy's Death" article.
 Wondering a bit why this topic drew my interest,  the testimony by Darren Wilcox, that "the power the Savior extends to us to succor us in our trials", then led me to read the sidebar article by Elder Dallin H. Oaks, "Strengthened by Jesus Christ".
 Those profound insights reminded me yet again that, "...Our Savior's Atonement does more than assure us of immortality by a universal resurrection and give us the opportunity to be cleansed from sin by repentance and baptism. His Atonement also provides the opportunity to call upon Him who has experienced all of our mortal infirmities to give us the strength to bear the burdens of mortality. He knows of our anguish, and He is there for us" (emphasis added).
 And so, once again and always, the Savior has answered my prayers and strengthened me.

Larry D. Kump, High Priest
Hedgesville, West Virginia Ward
Martinsburg, West Virginia Stake

For more about how I found my faith in Christ, see the "My Best Buddy, Who Changed My Life" post at this website. For more of my personal journey of faith, also visit www.Mormon.org/Me.4Y8B