A blessing given by Samuel H. Hurst, Patriarch, upon the head of Leon Harley Jackson, son of Henry Leon Jackson, and Ina Vivien George, born December 16, 1926 at Salt Lake City, Utah.
Brother Leon Jackson: Responding to your request, and by the virtue of the Holy Priesthood, I place my hands upon your head and give unto you a Patriarchal Blessing. You are desireous of knowing the things that will be of the greatest worth to you while here upon the earth, and also have sealed upon your head the covenants to which you are heir through birth. You are of the royal blood of the House of Israel, and particularly that of Joseph who was sold into Egypt by his brethren, for you came through the loins of Ephraim, he who received the greater blessings from their father as they pertain to the spiriual things. This made you heir to the Priesthood, therefore, continue on in well doing until through your worthinness you attain the highest order of the Priesthood, for it is within your power to attain the highest blessings that the Lord has for any of His children, but rember you must seek for them.
I bless you that you may have the gift of faith. Without this gift you can never attain the highest things that are available to you. During the course of your days upon the earth, you shall be tried and tested in the same spirit in which you are given examinations in school, even that you may have opporunity of proving your worth, thereby placing yourself in position to merit the rewards of those who overcome. In your day, distress shall be manifest in the world as never before in it's history. Pestilence and earthquakes, and other disturbances of the elements shall become prevalent, but they shall have no ill effects upon you providing you cultivate and develope a faith in the Lord and rely upon Him under all circustances and conditions. For the Holy Ghost shall be your guide and companion, and as you learn to detect His whisperings you shall be kept securely in the paths of safety and honor.
It shall be your privilege to preach the gospel to many people and teach them the way of life. You shall receive joy in your ministery, for the inspiration of the Almighty shall bear tiestimony in your soul that you are engaged in the work of your Redeemer. In the due course of time, you shall take unto yourself one of the choice daughters of Zion as a companion who shall be an inspiration to you in your ministery and shall bear you sons and daughters, that your name shall be perpetuated in the earth, thus you become a partaker of the blessings that were given to that weregiven to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and become a companion of God in His work of bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. So long as you are true and faithful to your covenants, and honor every calling you receive in the Holy Priesthood, your table whall never lack the necessities of life, nor your home be found wanting in things pertaining to the spirit of God.
I seal you up against the poswer of the destroyer, that your life upon the earth may not be shortened, but that you may live according to the will of your Heavenly Father, and perform every labor that in His wisdom is essential to exaltation in His kingdom. In the morning of the holy resurrection you shall come forth an eternal immortalized being, to dwell with your loved ones, enjoying their love and fellowship through-out all eternity.
These blessings I seal upon your head through your worthiness, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen
Approved by Samuel H. Hurst- Patriarch
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Worth of Souls (part of)
Have your ever asked yourself, "Just how important am I as an individual?" I've found in my research upon this subject that nearly every man and woman who has lived, has experienced this feeling, and has at some time in their life tried to deal with the question.
We often look at someone who has greater wealth, or greater knowledge, or better looks, or better attributes and think how insignificant we really are. But that isn't so in the sight of our Heavenly Father.
David the Psalmist in his 8th Psalm wrote," What is man, O Lord, that thou art midful of him, or the Son of man, that thous visitist him? For thou has made him a little lower than the angels and has crowned him with glory and honor. Thous made him to have dominion over the works of they Lamb: thou hast put all things under his feet. O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth.
Shakespeare exclaimed,"What a piece of work is man! How noble in reason! How infinite in faculties, in form and moving how express and admirable. In action, how like an angel! In apprehension, how like a god! The beauty of the world, the paragon of animals
And Gladstone penned ,"Man himself is the crowning wonder of creation: the study of his nature the noblest study the world affords."
Have you ever wondered- is there anyone else just like me? Thr Lod, through the Prophet Joseph Smith spoke to Oliver Cowdry and David Whitmer in the 18th Section of the D&C.
" Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him. And he hath risen again from the dead that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance. And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth. Wherefore, you are called to call repentance unto this people. And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bringsave it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!" (D&C 18: 10-16)
Remember the worth of souls (an individual) is great in the sight of God.
Luke 15 is the parable of the ninety and nine.
Now that we have a little better insignt into the what and how and importance of man, lets take a little closer look at this matter of the individual and how he or she interacts one with another.
I imagine in my mind that there are 3 main influences that affect me as an individual. First is the effect of other individuals in shaping my life or trying to shape my life, either directly or indirectly, by force or by love. Second is the effect that I personnally influence my life by. And third by the influence that I personally have on shaping the life of someone else.
Let me give you a good example: 1)Sarah Hine (Sorry! He didn't write the story and I don't know who she is.) 2) President Howard W. Hunter
Saturday, September 13, 2008
The Holy Ghost- A Guide to All Truth
Guide to All Truth- A talk by Leon H. Jackson
While preaching in the wilderness of Judea, John the Baptist declared, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear. He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire” (Matt. 3:11)
Sometime later, in speaking to his disciples of the Holy Ghost, Jesus said: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth. For he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak, and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me, for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine. Therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall give it unto you.” (John 16:13-15)
How does one receive the Holy Ghost and the baptism of fire, spoken of by Christ? What are the functions of the Holy Ghost? And how may he alter our lives?
Lorenzo Snow- June 1836
What are the reasons why Lorenzo Snow received a baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost? He understood that the scriptures promised those who obeyed the gospel that they would be baptized with the Holy Ghost. His assurance in the scriptural promise was such that he expected to receive this baptism. He desired to receive it. He was honest and mature in his spiritual desires and was baptized by one having authority.
John the Baptist came preaching “the preparatory gospel; which gospel is the gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins, and the law of carnal commandments…” If those principles and the ordinances that terminate in baptism for the remission of sins constitute the preparatory gospel, the question may be asked, For what does it prepare man? Among other things, the preparatory gospel prepares him for the gifts, endowments, and blessings of the Holy Ghost. It is in the manifestations of the Holy Ghost that the gospel is given to man.
To see the nature and importance of the baptism of the Holy Ghost it is necessary to understand that the Holy Ghost is a spirit-being of glory and power. One of his special functions is to bear witness to the divinity of Jesus Christ. When his power and influence is visibly manifested to man, it has the appearance of a divine fire. Thus on the day of Pentecost the power of the Holy Ghost appeared as cloven tongues of fire. This was the baptism of the Holy Ghost, which is sometimes called the baptism of fire, or the baptism of the Holy Ghost and of fire.
If baptism of water is an actual immersion of the earthly element, the baptism of fire, must in like manner, be an actual immersion in the heavenly element of glory. Both baptisms are essential to man’s salvation. By the first, man’s sins are washed away; and by the second, he is purified from the effects of sin and filled with the light and truth of God’s glory.
Having promised his disciples the Holy Ghost, Jesus later “breathed on them, and saith unto them, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost” (John 20:22) It is apparent from the scriptures that he also gave the apostles power to give the Holy Ghost to others. For instance, when Philip, who held the lesser Priesthood, converted and baptized many people in Samaria, he sent for Peter and John, “who, when they were come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost”. The record continues, “Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost”. Likewise, when Paul found some at Ephesus who professed to be disciples, he inquired, “Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?” When they confessed that they knew nothing about the Holy Ghost, Paul had them rebaptized. “And when Paul had laid his hands upon them,” the scripture states,”the Holy Ghost came on them and they spake with tongues and prophesied”.
The Book of Mormon also states that to the Nephite Twelve, Jesus gave power to give the Holy Ghost to others. Of the procedure they were to follow in doing so, Christ said: “Ye shall call on the Father in my name, in mighty prayer; and after ye have done this ye shall have power that to him upon whom ye shall lay your hands, ye shall give the Holy Ghost; and in my name shall ye give it, for thus do mine apostles" (speaking of the apostles in Palestine).
The Book of Mormon gives explicit examples of the extent to which man may receive the divine endowments of the Holy Ghost in the gospel. Some time prior to Christ’s appearance upon the western hemisphere, two faithful Nephite missionaries were laboring among the Lamanites when they were thrown into prison. Because of their faith, the Lord intervened in their behalf when the Lamanites came to kill them, and the Lamanites found “that Nephi and Lehi were encircled about as if by fire, even insomuch that they (the Lamanites) durst not lay their hands upon them…. Nevertheless,” the record continues, “Nephi and Lehi were not burned; and they were as standing in the midst of fire and were not burned.”
Having beheld this marvelous manifestation, the Laminites began to exercise faith in God. As they did, they were given an endowment similar to that which Nephi and Lehi received. The record states,”…behold they saw that they were encircled about, yea every soul by a pillar of fire. And Nephi and Lehi were in the midst of them; yea, they were encircled about; yea, they were as if in the midst of a flaming fire, yet it did not harm them, neither did it take hold upon the walls of the prison, and they were filled with that joy which is unspeakable and full of glory. And behold, the Holy Spirit of God did come down from heaven and did enter their hearts, and they were filled with fire, and they could speak forth marvelous words.”
The question may be asked, what about us today? Can we receive the Holy Ghost in the same measure as the Nephites did?
The New Testament teaches that all who believe in Jesus Christ, repent of their sins, and are baptized for the remission of sins should receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. This is the message of the gospel that Christ’s apostles taught. On the day of Pentecost, Peter declared, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." The gift of the Holy Ghost was to be given to as many as the Lord should call to embrace the gospel. Peter made no exceptions.
Unless man receives the manifestations and blessings of the Holy Ghost, he does not receive the positive benefits and powers of the gospel. Joseph Smith stressed this point when an inquirer asked, “May I not repent and be baptized and not pay any attentions to dreams, visions, and other gifts of the Spirit?” In his reply the Prophet likened the endowments of the Spirit to the food man must partake to sustain the physical body and cause it to grow, concluding that in like manner, the manifestations of the Holy Spirit are necessary to sustain man in righteousness and mature the divine nature or glory of God, within man.
By receiving the Holy Ghost, man is placed upon that path that leads to the full endowments of God’s glory in the world to come. Nephi wrote, “For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost. And then are ye in this straight and narrow path which leads to eternal life.”
By definition, eternal life consists of being endowed with the glory of the highest degree in the celestial Kingdom. When man is given the full endowments of the Holy Spirit so that he is glorified in the celestial world, he thereby possesses eternal life. To attain eternal life, man must receive the Holy Ghost and continue to partake of its divine fruits, gifts, and powers until he goes on to receive the highest rewards in the Celestial Kingdom.
The baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost constituted a major difference between the old covenant that God established with Israel through Moses and the new covenant that Christ brought. Here may be seen on the one hand, the challenge that confronts those who believe in Christ, and the other hand, the blessings they are offered. Speaking of the covenant of the gospel, Jeremiah prophesied that the time would come when God would make a new covenant with his people. Of the new covenant, he quoted the Lord as saying, “I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts.”
The apostle Paul spoke of this new covenant and declared that each individual who embraced it became a living epistle of Christ, “written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone (as was the old covenant God gave to Israel by Moses), but in the fleshy tablets of the heart.
Nephi declared that God “is the same yesterday, today, and forever,’ and that the Holy Ghost “is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come." By receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and applying the laws of the gospel in our lives, we may all be sanctified by the powers of the Holy Spirit and develop such a spiritual union with Christ that his glory and power will be manifested in all we do. This is what it means to follow Christ, for he is a divine being in possession of the glory and power of his Father; and it is his desire to develop his divine truth and power in man. The basic channel through which the truth and power of God’s glory is given to man, is the gift of the Holy Ghost.
In the name of Jesus Christ- Amen
While preaching in the wilderness of Judea, John the Baptist declared, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear. He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire” (Matt. 3:11)
Sometime later, in speaking to his disciples of the Holy Ghost, Jesus said: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth. For he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak, and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me, for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine. Therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall give it unto you.” (John 16:13-15)
How does one receive the Holy Ghost and the baptism of fire, spoken of by Christ? What are the functions of the Holy Ghost? And how may he alter our lives?
Lorenzo Snow- June 1836
What are the reasons why Lorenzo Snow received a baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost? He understood that the scriptures promised those who obeyed the gospel that they would be baptized with the Holy Ghost. His assurance in the scriptural promise was such that he expected to receive this baptism. He desired to receive it. He was honest and mature in his spiritual desires and was baptized by one having authority.
John the Baptist came preaching “the preparatory gospel; which gospel is the gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins, and the law of carnal commandments…” If those principles and the ordinances that terminate in baptism for the remission of sins constitute the preparatory gospel, the question may be asked, For what does it prepare man? Among other things, the preparatory gospel prepares him for the gifts, endowments, and blessings of the Holy Ghost. It is in the manifestations of the Holy Ghost that the gospel is given to man.
To see the nature and importance of the baptism of the Holy Ghost it is necessary to understand that the Holy Ghost is a spirit-being of glory and power. One of his special functions is to bear witness to the divinity of Jesus Christ. When his power and influence is visibly manifested to man, it has the appearance of a divine fire. Thus on the day of Pentecost the power of the Holy Ghost appeared as cloven tongues of fire. This was the baptism of the Holy Ghost, which is sometimes called the baptism of fire, or the baptism of the Holy Ghost and of fire.
If baptism of water is an actual immersion of the earthly element, the baptism of fire, must in like manner, be an actual immersion in the heavenly element of glory. Both baptisms are essential to man’s salvation. By the first, man’s sins are washed away; and by the second, he is purified from the effects of sin and filled with the light and truth of God’s glory.
Having promised his disciples the Holy Ghost, Jesus later “breathed on them, and saith unto them, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost” (John 20:22) It is apparent from the scriptures that he also gave the apostles power to give the Holy Ghost to others. For instance, when Philip, who held the lesser Priesthood, converted and baptized many people in Samaria, he sent for Peter and John, “who, when they were come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost”. The record continues, “Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost”. Likewise, when Paul found some at Ephesus who professed to be disciples, he inquired, “Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?” When they confessed that they knew nothing about the Holy Ghost, Paul had them rebaptized. “And when Paul had laid his hands upon them,” the scripture states,”the Holy Ghost came on them and they spake with tongues and prophesied”.
The Book of Mormon also states that to the Nephite Twelve, Jesus gave power to give the Holy Ghost to others. Of the procedure they were to follow in doing so, Christ said: “Ye shall call on the Father in my name, in mighty prayer; and after ye have done this ye shall have power that to him upon whom ye shall lay your hands, ye shall give the Holy Ghost; and in my name shall ye give it, for thus do mine apostles" (speaking of the apostles in Palestine).
The Book of Mormon gives explicit examples of the extent to which man may receive the divine endowments of the Holy Ghost in the gospel. Some time prior to Christ’s appearance upon the western hemisphere, two faithful Nephite missionaries were laboring among the Lamanites when they were thrown into prison. Because of their faith, the Lord intervened in their behalf when the Lamanites came to kill them, and the Lamanites found “that Nephi and Lehi were encircled about as if by fire, even insomuch that they (the Lamanites) durst not lay their hands upon them…. Nevertheless,” the record continues, “Nephi and Lehi were not burned; and they were as standing in the midst of fire and were not burned.”
Having beheld this marvelous manifestation, the Laminites began to exercise faith in God. As they did, they were given an endowment similar to that which Nephi and Lehi received. The record states,”…behold they saw that they were encircled about, yea every soul by a pillar of fire. And Nephi and Lehi were in the midst of them; yea, they were encircled about; yea, they were as if in the midst of a flaming fire, yet it did not harm them, neither did it take hold upon the walls of the prison, and they were filled with that joy which is unspeakable and full of glory. And behold, the Holy Spirit of God did come down from heaven and did enter their hearts, and they were filled with fire, and they could speak forth marvelous words.”
The question may be asked, what about us today? Can we receive the Holy Ghost in the same measure as the Nephites did?
The New Testament teaches that all who believe in Jesus Christ, repent of their sins, and are baptized for the remission of sins should receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. This is the message of the gospel that Christ’s apostles taught. On the day of Pentecost, Peter declared, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." The gift of the Holy Ghost was to be given to as many as the Lord should call to embrace the gospel. Peter made no exceptions.
Unless man receives the manifestations and blessings of the Holy Ghost, he does not receive the positive benefits and powers of the gospel. Joseph Smith stressed this point when an inquirer asked, “May I not repent and be baptized and not pay any attentions to dreams, visions, and other gifts of the Spirit?” In his reply the Prophet likened the endowments of the Spirit to the food man must partake to sustain the physical body and cause it to grow, concluding that in like manner, the manifestations of the Holy Spirit are necessary to sustain man in righteousness and mature the divine nature or glory of God, within man.
By receiving the Holy Ghost, man is placed upon that path that leads to the full endowments of God’s glory in the world to come. Nephi wrote, “For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost. And then are ye in this straight and narrow path which leads to eternal life.”
By definition, eternal life consists of being endowed with the glory of the highest degree in the celestial Kingdom. When man is given the full endowments of the Holy Spirit so that he is glorified in the celestial world, he thereby possesses eternal life. To attain eternal life, man must receive the Holy Ghost and continue to partake of its divine fruits, gifts, and powers until he goes on to receive the highest rewards in the Celestial Kingdom.
The baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost constituted a major difference between the old covenant that God established with Israel through Moses and the new covenant that Christ brought. Here may be seen on the one hand, the challenge that confronts those who believe in Christ, and the other hand, the blessings they are offered. Speaking of the covenant of the gospel, Jeremiah prophesied that the time would come when God would make a new covenant with his people. Of the new covenant, he quoted the Lord as saying, “I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts.”
The apostle Paul spoke of this new covenant and declared that each individual who embraced it became a living epistle of Christ, “written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone (as was the old covenant God gave to Israel by Moses), but in the fleshy tablets of the heart.
Nephi declared that God “is the same yesterday, today, and forever,’ and that the Holy Ghost “is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come." By receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and applying the laws of the gospel in our lives, we may all be sanctified by the powers of the Holy Spirit and develop such a spiritual union with Christ that his glory and power will be manifested in all we do. This is what it means to follow Christ, for he is a divine being in possession of the glory and power of his Father; and it is his desire to develop his divine truth and power in man. The basic channel through which the truth and power of God’s glory is given to man, is the gift of the Holy Ghost.
In the name of Jesus Christ- Amen
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Grandpa's Songs
Grandpa’s Songs
O My Father
O’ my Father, thou that dwellest
In the high and glorious place,
When shall I regain thy presence
And again behold Thy face?
In thy holy habitation did my spirit once reside?
In my first primeval childhood
Was I nurtured near thy side?
For a wise and glorious purpose
Thou hast placed me here on earth,
And withheld the recollection
Of my former friends and birth.
Yet oft times a secret something
Whispered, “You’re a stranger her.”
And I felt that I had wandered
From a more exalted sphere.
I had learned to call thee Father
Thru thy Spirit from on high,
But until the key of knowledge
Was restored, I knew not why.
In the heavens are parents single?
No, the thought makes reason stare!
Truth is reason, truth eternal
Tells me I’ve a mother there.
When I leave this frail existence,
When I lay this mortal by,
Father, Mother, may I meet you
In your royal courts on high?
Then, at length when I’ve completed
All you’ve sent me forth to do
With your mutual approbation
Let me come and dwell with you.
Eliza Snow
Be Still My Soul
Be still, my soul: The Lord is on thy side:
With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as he has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious, shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them, while he dwelt below.
Be still, my soul: The hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed, we shall meet at last.
Katharina von Schlegel
God Be With You Till We Meet Again
God be with you till we meet again;
By his counsels guide, uphold you;
With his sheep securely fold you.
God be with you till we meet again
God be with you till we meet again;
When life’s perils thick confound you,
Put his arms unfailing round you.
God be with you till we meet again.
God be with you till we meet again.
Keep love’s banner floating o’er you;
Smite death’s threatening wave before you.
God be with you till we meet again.
Jeremiah Rankin
O My Father
O’ my Father, thou that dwellest
In the high and glorious place,
When shall I regain thy presence
And again behold Thy face?
In thy holy habitation did my spirit once reside?
In my first primeval childhood
Was I nurtured near thy side?
For a wise and glorious purpose
Thou hast placed me here on earth,
And withheld the recollection
Of my former friends and birth.
Yet oft times a secret something
Whispered, “You’re a stranger her.”
And I felt that I had wandered
From a more exalted sphere.
I had learned to call thee Father
Thru thy Spirit from on high,
But until the key of knowledge
Was restored, I knew not why.
In the heavens are parents single?
No, the thought makes reason stare!
Truth is reason, truth eternal
Tells me I’ve a mother there.
When I leave this frail existence,
When I lay this mortal by,
Father, Mother, may I meet you
In your royal courts on high?
Then, at length when I’ve completed
All you’ve sent me forth to do
With your mutual approbation
Let me come and dwell with you.
Eliza Snow
Be Still My Soul
Be still, my soul: The Lord is on thy side:
With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as he has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious, shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them, while he dwelt below.
Be still, my soul: The hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed, we shall meet at last.
Katharina von Schlegel
God Be With You Till We Meet Again
God be with you till we meet again;
By his counsels guide, uphold you;
With his sheep securely fold you.
God be with you till we meet again
God be with you till we meet again;
When life’s perils thick confound you,
Put his arms unfailing round you.
God be with you till we meet again.
God be with you till we meet again.
Keep love’s banner floating o’er you;
Smite death’s threatening wave before you.
God be with you till we meet again.
Jeremiah Rankin
Letters from friends
Comments and Memories
Of
Leon H. Jackson
Dad touched many people in his life and left an example of love, kindness, and perseverance. These are a few of the cards that people wrote at his funeral or sent afterwards. They express what an impact one man can have.
-Wayne Schmidt
Leon Jackson met my father, Howard Gerald Schmidt, while serving on his mission in Wisconsin. At that time, as I understand it, my dad owned a motorcycle and his life’s future plans included staying in the Gresham, Wisconsin area, continuing to work on the family Dairy Farm. After meeting my father, Leon (Elder Jackson), convinced him that he should pursue a higher education. He convinced him to sell his motorcycle to help with some of the financial obligations he would face and talked him into going to BYU. My dad followed his suggestion, went to BYU, entered the ROTC-Airforce, became a pilot for the USAF, received his degree- most importantly for his 8 children, my dad met my mom at BYU. Leon’s influence on my father is one that ignited the eternal love flame in my parents’ hearts. My mother and father, Howard & Rea, were married in the Mesa, Arizona temple on Dec. 6. So impactful was Leon’s influence on my parents’ lives, that after the birth of their 4 daughters, their first boy finally arrived (first of 4 boys). The name they chose for this boy: Gerald Leon Schmidt. My older brother was named after two great men- my father and Leon Jackson.
I did not have the privilege of meeting Leon Jackson until I was a grown man and moved to the Dallas, Texas area bout 5 years ago. What an honor it was to meet a man that I had heard about all my life. At times as a child, we would travel via airplane and anytime we had a layover in Dallas, my dad would make it a point to give Leon a call just to touch base with him again. My parents are currently serving a temple mission in Guadalajara, Mexico. On behalf of them and my 7 other siblings and posterity, we want you to know that Leon Jackson holds a very special place in our hearts. We eternally love him.
(Howard also called from Mexico to say what a beloved, loving man dad was. He said that it was dad that talked him into going to SLC and then roomed with him at BYU. He proposed to his wife Ria at dad and mom’s house and then was there best man when they were married).
-Lee Hervey
I hope you know how much I loved your dad. He was such a faithful home teacher and always made me feel special and loved by him! I want you to know that I am keeping you and your beautiful family in my prayers. I know you miss him very much and that he was an important part of your daily life. I feel privileged to have known him and been a recipient of his love and kindness.
-Steven Foulkes
Leon, Thank you for the family you have made. The family that took me in when my own family moved apart. I’ve always noticed the love that you all share with each other and it has become the example of what I hope I will have some day. I know from you grand-children that you are a great man. I never knew my grandfathers, so the stories I’ve heard of you have always stuck with me. Thank you for setting the precedent in your lineage of unconditional love and devotion. I am grateful that I have been given the opportunity to receive some of that love.
-Nancy Max
The gospel brings wonderful people into our lives- Brother Jackson is a true example of a “wonderful person.” I will always cherish the memories he shared with me when he was a golfing buddy of my uncle- hearing stories I never knew about my cousins. I’m grateful he was here for me when my Dad took ill and for the wonderful blessing he gave him. I will miss his love and great smile.
-Emily Felton
Bro. Jackson was always so happy. He always had a smile on his face no matter what was going on. He always came once a month to home teach. No matter how busy life was, he made time.
Marsha Felton
I remember Leon’s smile and handshake whenever I saw him. He was genuinely concerned about us.
-Susan Felton
What I remember most was that Brother Jackson was always there, no matter what. I remember tiling his bathroom. It was wonderful to know him and see his influence on his family.
-Michele Felton
Leon was our home teacher, with Chase, for quite awhile. I always enjoyed his positive attitude and big smile. He was always smiling. Leon was a great home teacher and actually fit in well with us. He made us laugh and understood our humor. It was fun to watch him and Dad joke and laugh. His smile and love will be missed.
-Mark Brown
I joined the church 30 years ago today (July 14). Leon was a great home teacher. He was a good friend of Walter and Beth Burgess (my in-laws). I always liked that Leon asked about my kids- Tony and Whitney. Leon was very interested in their progress. Tony said ,”Leon made him feel important”. You have an awesome family.
-Toni Jacobus
What a blessing it has been for you to have had a parent and grandparent and great-grandparent like that. He was always so kind and considerate. Thank you for sharing those intimate moments with us so I can know him better. I know that you will miss him! Remember to lean on Jesus Christ for comfort like he did. I love you.
-Al Johnson
I had the great pleasure of home teaching Leon. The thing about that is, I learned far more from him about God and His plan for us. Leon bore his afflictions with calmness and poise and without complaint. He was my dear brother in Christ. I will miss you Leon.
Of
Leon H. Jackson
Dad touched many people in his life and left an example of love, kindness, and perseverance. These are a few of the cards that people wrote at his funeral or sent afterwards. They express what an impact one man can have.
-Wayne Schmidt
Leon Jackson met my father, Howard Gerald Schmidt, while serving on his mission in Wisconsin. At that time, as I understand it, my dad owned a motorcycle and his life’s future plans included staying in the Gresham, Wisconsin area, continuing to work on the family Dairy Farm. After meeting my father, Leon (Elder Jackson), convinced him that he should pursue a higher education. He convinced him to sell his motorcycle to help with some of the financial obligations he would face and talked him into going to BYU. My dad followed his suggestion, went to BYU, entered the ROTC-Airforce, became a pilot for the USAF, received his degree- most importantly for his 8 children, my dad met my mom at BYU. Leon’s influence on my father is one that ignited the eternal love flame in my parents’ hearts. My mother and father, Howard & Rea, were married in the Mesa, Arizona temple on Dec. 6. So impactful was Leon’s influence on my parents’ lives, that after the birth of their 4 daughters, their first boy finally arrived (first of 4 boys). The name they chose for this boy: Gerald Leon Schmidt. My older brother was named after two great men- my father and Leon Jackson.
I did not have the privilege of meeting Leon Jackson until I was a grown man and moved to the Dallas, Texas area bout 5 years ago. What an honor it was to meet a man that I had heard about all my life. At times as a child, we would travel via airplane and anytime we had a layover in Dallas, my dad would make it a point to give Leon a call just to touch base with him again. My parents are currently serving a temple mission in Guadalajara, Mexico. On behalf of them and my 7 other siblings and posterity, we want you to know that Leon Jackson holds a very special place in our hearts. We eternally love him.
(Howard also called from Mexico to say what a beloved, loving man dad was. He said that it was dad that talked him into going to SLC and then roomed with him at BYU. He proposed to his wife Ria at dad and mom’s house and then was there best man when they were married).
-Lee Hervey
I hope you know how much I loved your dad. He was such a faithful home teacher and always made me feel special and loved by him! I want you to know that I am keeping you and your beautiful family in my prayers. I know you miss him very much and that he was an important part of your daily life. I feel privileged to have known him and been a recipient of his love and kindness.
-Steven Foulkes
Leon, Thank you for the family you have made. The family that took me in when my own family moved apart. I’ve always noticed the love that you all share with each other and it has become the example of what I hope I will have some day. I know from you grand-children that you are a great man. I never knew my grandfathers, so the stories I’ve heard of you have always stuck with me. Thank you for setting the precedent in your lineage of unconditional love and devotion. I am grateful that I have been given the opportunity to receive some of that love.
-Nancy Max
The gospel brings wonderful people into our lives- Brother Jackson is a true example of a “wonderful person.” I will always cherish the memories he shared with me when he was a golfing buddy of my uncle- hearing stories I never knew about my cousins. I’m grateful he was here for me when my Dad took ill and for the wonderful blessing he gave him. I will miss his love and great smile.
-Emily Felton
Bro. Jackson was always so happy. He always had a smile on his face no matter what was going on. He always came once a month to home teach. No matter how busy life was, he made time.
Marsha Felton
I remember Leon’s smile and handshake whenever I saw him. He was genuinely concerned about us.
-Susan Felton
What I remember most was that Brother Jackson was always there, no matter what. I remember tiling his bathroom. It was wonderful to know him and see his influence on his family.
-Michele Felton
Leon was our home teacher, with Chase, for quite awhile. I always enjoyed his positive attitude and big smile. He was always smiling. Leon was a great home teacher and actually fit in well with us. He made us laugh and understood our humor. It was fun to watch him and Dad joke and laugh. His smile and love will be missed.
-Mark Brown
I joined the church 30 years ago today (July 14). Leon was a great home teacher. He was a good friend of Walter and Beth Burgess (my in-laws). I always liked that Leon asked about my kids- Tony and Whitney. Leon was very interested in their progress. Tony said ,”Leon made him feel important”. You have an awesome family.
-Toni Jacobus
What a blessing it has been for you to have had a parent and grandparent and great-grandparent like that. He was always so kind and considerate. Thank you for sharing those intimate moments with us so I can know him better. I know that you will miss him! Remember to lean on Jesus Christ for comfort like he did. I love you.
-Al Johnson
I had the great pleasure of home teaching Leon. The thing about that is, I learned far more from him about God and His plan for us. Leon bore his afflictions with calmness and poise and without complaint. He was my dear brother in Christ. I will miss you Leon.
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