His Highness the Dalai Lama and the Mormon situation...

Friends and family have read Buddhist and teachings from Dalai Lama over the years. Not with any serious intent I have lightly read from his teachings. In the news presently protesters are drawing attention to the unlawful Chinese occupation of Tibet, aiming toward the Beijing Olympics to lend efforts to free their homeland. Chinese riot police are smashing heads and arresting protesters yet his Highness maintains a calmness and peace not shared by the young and the rebellious of his followers.

Several years ago his Highness gave a speech at ASU and carried on some dialogue with a western physician and psychiatrist on the subject of the purposes of existence and life. The Dalai Lama like Aristotle, Henry James and Joseph Smith teaches that happiness is the purpose of life. In a quirky, from his perspective maybe, and typical western approach to things I down loaded this collaboration between Dr. Howard Cutler MD and his Eminence from ITunes. Discovery should come from meditation on some rock in the shade of a cottonwood tree in Escalante Canyon or in the redwoods near the ocean, not from an IPod, right?

So, here I am, fat, no longer 50, 60 in fact, a true blue warrior and member of the LDS Church, and advocate of same. Yet, I along with others I know close hand suffer from depression, anxiety, anger, jealousy, pride or as RA can tell you just plain bad moods. Is that a condemnation of my faith to suggest my religion has failed me or my ability as a practitioner of it has been less than satisfactory?

In Jos. Smith's letter to John Wentworth he opened the door for his followers to seek after good things and we have confirmation in the 88th section of the D&C to search and to look for truth. Here is the question then, can I read the writings of the Dalai Lama and find as the introduction of the book offers "a deeper and more abiding source of inner peace"?

I would match Gordon B. Hinckley to any Lama whoever lived, the same for Spencer W. Kimball, Neal Maxwell, Henry Eyering, and more. I am not sure others are on that level in the leadership of the LDS Church to the Dalai Lama, but who is to know. I know from history and extensive readings of diaries, histories and journals we have a very glossed over and rosey picture painted for us of our Mormon past, this in terms of leadership, personalities and events.

I am going to carefully listen to, even purchase this book edited by Dr. Cutler, and determine if I can apply and learn a few good things from the experience of 2500 years of Buddhist meditation and teachings of which the Dalai Lama is the living exemplar and practitioner. There are a number of parallels already as I have started listening between the two faiths and yet very stark differences.

You be the judge if I learn anything.

Easter and Noise

Too often in my haste and given the noise of things less important in life I ignore or forget the transcendent and supernal. Gratefully this morning I caught a few bars from the Tabernacle Choir broadcast doing this number from Handel's Messiah. They are not to be found on the web but Robert Shaw will do here. It awakened in me the importance of this day, though I confess I was not impressed when I arrived at the church parking lot to see see sisters from an earlier ward hiding Easter eggs around the back of the building. I hope the children remember something more than getting candy filled eggs.

With the Deacons this morning we read from the 11th chapter of St. John wherein is told the story of Lazarus. What a remarkable event. I asked the the young men if they had seen a dog or cat lying on the road from being run over and how after a short time the remains bulge and putrify. What power, what knowledge God possesses to bring about the restoration of life for Lazarus and for all who have slept. Consider Martha's concern, (the sister of Lazarus), when she warned the Lord, "Lord, by this time he stinketh; for he hath been dead four days."

Jesus encourages Martha to believe, to trust him. The account continues, "And when he thus has spoken he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus. come forth. And he that was dead came forth..."

Earlier, "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."

May we truly believe Him and Happy Easter to all of my friends and family on this most beautiful of days.

We are green but it is red!

After going to two Prius dealers we found the better deal at Tony Divino in Ogden. Driving it back to Centerville tonight on Highway 89, (the freeway was closed), we averaged 56.4 mpg. Divino was about $3k less than the 'last of the little guys' in Woods Cross. Our friends the Wrights get a $50.00 certificate for dinner at Ruby River Steakhouse for referring us to this Toyota dealership.

We are loving the car and its efficiency. Fun to watch the display. It is distracting to one's driving. We have the navigation system also which told us to turn right on 36th Street to get to Highway 89 south.

Uncle W gives a $3150.00 tax credit too.

Sweeeeeeeeet!

Scout Camp this Summer

Troop 1049 of the West Bountiful Hispanic Branch is scheduled for summer camp August 12 through the 16th. We are staying at this Forest Service Cabin in the Ashley National Forest. It was built in 1933 and is now available for rent to families and groups. The cabin is north of Vernal and features a propane stove, refrigerator, running water and a flush pottie. The cabin sleeps four though there is ample tenting room around the exterior for the boys. We discovered this place elk hunting last year and it is delightful.

This year's dates at Westport

We are leaving Centerville on Pioneer Day, July 24th, and driving to Westport. We intend to stay through August 7th and be home on the 8th again. Micky and Alain will be looking after the place while we are gone. Most likely Bruce will be back before then as well.

Let us know your plans and dates you can be there. I think we have a couple projects to work on. Another 20' of back deck could be installed. We could begin work on the store room conversion into additional living space. There is some additional painting to do. In between the work projects will be fishing, book shopping, sand castle building, beach walking, tree hugging, star gazing with with the Schmidt Cassegrain, fishing on the Trek II and maybe even some diving.

Professor Firmage wrote eloquently...

His was the letter of the week and was published in today's Tribune:

Public Forum Letter
Article Last Updated: 03/01/2008 12:49:32 PM MST

"I am impressed with the faith communities in our area in speaking out for compassion and fairness on immigration and the rights of aliens. Compassionate care for the "stranger amongst us" is central to the biblical teachings of the prophets and the parables of Jesus.

The success of Christianity was assured by St. Paul's consistent direction to move beyond parochial thought to see the universal vision, ever outward through the categorizations by nationality, ethnicity, color, servitude and gender.

Similarly, the American Constitution speaks in universal terms. The story of human rights in the 20th century, from Brown v. the Board of Education on, has moved from categories of race and color, to ethnicity, to gender and sexuality, to alienage - moving ever outward toward the vision of a common humanity. The 14th Amendment speaks of providing for equal protection of the law and due process of law not only to citizens but to "persons."

The strength of human rights in any nation may best be judged by our treatment of "the stranger." At one or another time in the human story, we all get our chance to be that stranger, the alien in our midst."

Ed Firmage
Salt Lake City


I could let my mind wander a little and imagine I was reading something written by your grandfather Hugh B. Brown, whom I and so many loved.

Thank you!