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Archives for October 2008

Yes to Proposition 8 – No to Same-Sex Marriage Instruction

October 21, 2008 by rickety 6 Comments

Sign supporting Proposition 8.

Why Support Proposition 8?

Support Proposition 8 so as to prevent this kind of situation:

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that a first grade class took a school-sponsored trip to a gay wedding. The eighteen first graders, ages 5 and 6, left their studies for the same-sex wedding officiated by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. Not only will schoolchildren be taught about same-sex marriage if Proposition 8 fails, it’s already happening.

Gay Marriage Instruction

Opponents of Proposition 8 are spending millions of dollars on television commercials telling voters that gay marriage will not be taught in public schools. Yet a review of public records filed with the First District Court of Appeal in Boston shows these same organizations fought to make it so in Massachusetts. Specifically, they fought to ensure that gay marriage be taught in Massachusetts public schools. Further, their assurance that parents can always “opt-out” of such instruction when it is taught is belied by the fact that in Massachusetts, they argued successfully that Massachusetts’ parental opt-out provision should not be permitted. In Massachusetts second graders were taught in class about gay marriage using the book, “King and King.” This book is about a prince who married another prince, and includes an illustrated scene of the two men kissing.

Parker v. Hurley

In Parker v. Hurley, 474 F. Supp. 2d 261 (D. Mass. 2007), a federal district court in Massachusetts held against parents who objected to a pro-homosexual curriculum. The following are statements filed in amicus curiae briefs in Parker v. Hurley. The statements show how organizations leading the No on 8 campaign are misleading California voters when they say gay marriage will not be taught in California public schools.

From the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Amicus Curiae Brief:

In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, where the right of same-sex couples to marry is protected under the state constitution, it is particularly important to teach children about families with gay parents. [p 5]

From the Human Rights Campaign Amicus Curiae Brief:

There is no constitutional principle grounded in either the First Amendment’s free exercise clause or the right to direct the upbringing of one’s children, which requires defendants to either remove the books now in issue — or to treat them as suspect by imposing an opt-out system. [pp 1-2]

From the ACLU Amicus Curiae Brief:

Specifically, the parents in this case do not have a constitutional right to override the professional pedagogical judgment of the school with respect to the inclusion within the curriculum of the age-appropriate children’s book … King and King. [p 9]

This is the truth about the calculated efforts to deliver gay marriage into California public school classrooms, against the wishes of the people of that state. Voters may differ about how they feel about gay marriage, but there is no disputing that the organizations funding and leading the No on Proposition 8 campaign have already revealed, in their own words, their desire to impose this subject on children in the public schools — “whether you like it or not.”

Source: Protect Marriage campaign update emails. See also Preserving Marriage website.
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Filed Under: Marriage Tagged With: Instruction, Protect

Family Photographs

October 20, 2008 by rickety Leave a Comment

Family in the park

Family in the park


This evening we took family photographs. The light was fading and it wasn’t enough to avoid some really rickety photographs from my camera. Fortunately Mark was the professional photographer today and in a little while we will have the real photographs. In the meantime mine will have to do. Mark’s wife, Connie, still got some good pictures with my Canon and it is her efforts on display. Daniel will soon be gone on his mission so we have to get the photographs before the end of the month otherwise it will be another Photoshop job. Not pretty.

Family photo on my porch

Family photo on my porch


Family photo in the park

Family photo in the park


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Filed Under: Group, Photography

Daniel Speaks in Sacrament Meeting

October 19, 2008 by rickety 3 Comments

Daniel leaves the chapel after his talk

Daniel leaves the chapel after his talk


Today Daniel spoke in sacrament meeting on the subject of the Holy Ghost. He leaves for his mission this month and family and friends were in attendance. Here are some highlights of his talk:

Mission Call

When my mission call came I carefully opened the envelope and began reading the letter. I wasn’t able to pronounce the name of the mission at first, which had five A’s, a B, and a U in it. It looked more like a report card than a mission name. When my mother heard me say I was going to the Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Mission she asked, “No, tell us where are you are really going.”

The Holy Ghost

The Holy Ghost is a gift from God which comforts, protects, answers questions, and reveals truth. It is the way that God communicates with us. After baptism we receive the Holy Ghost:

Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the Holy Ghost?
Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. 2 Nephi 32:2-3

Everyone has the light of Christ, or conscience, to help guide them. Those possessing the Gift of the Holy Ghost can come to a greater light and understanding. The Holy Ghost can calm our worries and give comfort when we are sad.

Daniel with a few of his friends

Daniel with a few of his friends

The Rest Stop

A boy got his favorite drink from the store. He liked it so much that he drank all 64 fluid ounces of it straight away. Immediately his parents took him on a trip. After awhile on the road he realized his favorite drink might not stay with him. This caused him great discomfort and he was really worried. But then up ahead he saw a sign that said “Rest Stop 1 mile.” The comfort that the boy received from seeing the sign can be like the peace we get from the Holy Ghost.

The Holy Ghost Protects Us

The Holy Ghost protects us from physical and spiritual danger. The gift of the Holy Ghost will prompt us to resist temptation by reminding us of the gospel law in the very moment of temptation. Daniel shared a short story of how he was protected on his scooter from being hit by a car.

The Holy Ghost Reveals Truth

The Holy Ghost reveals the truth of all things. He helps us have a sure knowledge of truth. The way we get this knowledge is found in Moroni:

And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. Moroni 10:4-5

Daniel said that he tried this for himself and he received the answer that the Church was true. This quote by Elder Bednar added additional insight:

Please notice how the power of the Spirit carries the message unto but not necessarily into the heart…. Ultimately,…the content of a message and the witness of the Holy Ghost penetrates into the heart only if a receiver allows them to enter. David A. Bednar, “Seek Learning by Faith,” Ensign, Sep 2007, 60–68

Here is a quote that Daniel didn’t have time to read but is worth including here:

I believe the Spirit of the Holy Ghost is the greatest guarantor of inward peace in our unstable world. It can be more mind-expanding and can make us have a better sense of well-being than any chemicals or other earthly substance. It will calm nerves; it will breathe peace to our souls. This Comforter can be with us as we seek to improve. It can function as a source of revelation to warn us of impending danger and also help keep us from making mistakes. It can enhance our natural senses so that we can see more clearly, hear more keenly, and remember what we should remember. It is a way of maximizing our happiness. James E. Faust, “The Gift of the Holy Ghost—A Sure Compass,” Ensign, Apr 1996, 2.

Daniel with Rachel, Amy, Adri, Joni, and Katie

Daniel with Rachel, Amy, Adri, Joni, and Katie


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Filed Under: Daniel's Mission Tagged With: Talk

Lending Club Open for Loans, Prosper in Quiet Period

October 18, 2008 by rickety 3 Comments

Lending Club

Prosper Quiet Period

Prosper will not accept new lender registrations or allow new commitments from existing lenders. This is called a quiet period. During this time they can register with securities authorities promissory notes that may be offered and sold to lenders through Prosper in the future. I wrote about my Prosper experiences in August. Currently I have 35 loans with three of them a little rickety at less than 15 days late. I am earning 17.34% with a goal to earn 10%, hence I have allowed for several defaults. I have been reinvesting the principal and interest back into new $50 loans. Now that I cannot make new loans I will move the cash from the repayments over to Lending Club.

Lending Club

Lending Club opened up to lenders again at just the right time now that lending at Prosper is temporarily closed. According to the Lending Club blog, Utah, where I live, has already been added:

We were delighted to open our doors to lenders again on Tuesday this week and see hundreds of lenders signing up for the new program in just a few days. In addition to the federal filing with the SEC, we have made a coordinated “blue sky” filing in all 50 states, and state clearances have been trickling in all week, with four new states already added: Hawaii, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming.

What I am most interested in trying is the Note Trading Platform. This is how it works:

If you are a Lending Club lender and wish to sell some of your Notes, or buy Notes currently held by other lenders, you can now use the Note Trading Platform operated by FOLIOfn, member FINRA/SIPC. You will need to open an account with FOLIOfn but you can use the funds available in your Lending Club account to buy Notes through the Trading Platform, and receive the proceeds of any sale of Notes (minus a 1% trading fee) directly into your Lending Club account. Only Notes that were issued after October 12, 2008 can be traded on the Trading Platform.

A benefit of trading Notes is that you can review loan payment history and credit score trends since the date the loan was issued. You can buy Notes that have a shorter maturity. You may identify Notes that are priced below their fair value. Notes can be sold to obtain liquidity. I may try this just to see how it works.

Lending Club statistics are reasonable. Since 1 June 2007 Lending Club has issued 2,447 loans worth $19,541,150 and has declined 18,802 loans valued at $151,626,494. There have been $577,586 (2.96%) in late loans (31-120 days) and $970,225 (4.97%) prepaid. Defaults (120+ days) are $327,862 (1.68%).
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Filed Under: Money Tagged With: Lending, Loans, Notes

Utah Temples Tour: Manti and St George

October 17, 2008 by rickety 5 Comments

Manti Temple

Manti Temple


With eleven temples visited during Day1, Day 2, and Day 3 it is time to visit the two remaining temples. Day 4 of the Utah Temples Tour began, as you may have guessed, at a rickety 4am. We left the Wayside Motor Inn in Monticello at 4:50am bound for Manti but hunting for breakfast on the way.

The Manti Temple

Manti Temple tower

Manti Temple tower

We traveled all the way to Manti before we found breakfast. We passed up the 8:30am session so as to eat and then we just managed to catch the 9:30am session. This is an awesome temple. Every room is big. The celestial room is the largest of all the Utah temples. This is a real pioneer structure with ornate ceilings and wooden bench seating. A temple worker showed us the sealing rooms. Very beautiful. Daniel and Spencer hung back and were shown the spiral staircase that goes to the top of the tower. This is a temple built on hill. Walking around the grounds meant some steep climbs to get some great photographs. If I were to choose two Utah temples to visit, other than the Salt Lake temple, it would be the Vernal and Manti temples.

The St. George Temple

Leaving Manti we drove to St. George and took some photographs in the temple grounds before attending the 4pm session. The temple is the first completed by the Church after the Nauvoo exodus and is similar in its design to the Nauvoo Temple. It is the oldest LDS temple still actively used by the members of the Church. There are three ordinance rooms and 18 sealing rooms, and a total floor area of 110,000 feet. In the 1970s the temple was closed and underwent extensive remodeling. The temple has an all white exterior and quiet grounds with some very old trees. When we left we ate at Subway before leaving St. George and arriving home at 10:45pm.

Reflections

On this tour I have enjoyed seeing the interior of eleven Utah temples and working for the dead in all of them. Eight of those temples I have never entered before. Jake and Daniel saw nine new temples. Paul seven new temples. Spencer six new temples. And of course we also visited the construction sites of two temples. But most importantly we have helped to provide saving ordinances for the dead.

A thank you to Andrew for joining us for a day and kisses to Jill for providing the snacks and participating with us at the Ogden temple. What I will remember most is the time spent traveling and being in the temples with three of my sons.

St. George Temple

St. George Temple


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Filed Under: Temple, Travel Tagged With: Tour, Utah

Utah Temples Tour: Vernal, Monticello

October 15, 2008 by rickety 6 Comments

Vernal Temple

Vernal Temple

After a successful Day 1 and Day 2, Day 3 of the Utah Temples Tour began at the usual 4am. Some of us are a little rickety at this hour but we had roads to drive and temples to see.

Daniel outside the Vernal Temple

Daniel outside the Vernal Temple

The Vernal Temple

We left Kaysville at 5:15am arriving in Vernal in time for the 8:30am session. Like the Logan temple we moved to a terrestrial room half way through the session. The celestial room was beautiful. It was quite large, bigger than Ogden. It had a high ceiling and a large painting of Jesus Christ — what one would expect in a celestial room. There was a comfortable feeling about the temple. Beautiful brown woods communicated warmth and added to the “You’re at home” effect. Originally, the building served as the Uintah Stake Tabernacle for eastern Utah. The building was built with donated labor and was dedicated on August 24, 1907 by LDS Church President Joseph F. Smith. Smith reportedly said he would not be surprised if a temple was built there some day.

The Monticello Temple

In Vernal we ate at Subway before leaving for Monticello. We arrived in time to take all our photographs and then attended the 5pm session. As with Vernal, half way through the session we relocated to a terrestrial room. The celestial room was smaller than the one at Vernal but still very beautiful and peaceful. A temple worker showed us one of the sealing rooms. It was about the same size as the Bountiful sealing rooms that I have attended for weddings. She said there was another sealing room and just one endowment room if you don’t count the terrestrial room. The temple has few buildings around it and a local told us that a herd of deer will sometimes come through on the land across the street from the temple. This was a very friendly temple with the temple workers shaking our hands, asking where we were from, and insisting that we come back again.

Tomorrow will bring Day 4 of the tour and the remaining temples: St. George and Manti.

Monticello Temple

Monticello Temple


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Filed Under: Temple, Travel Tagged With: Tour, Utah

Utah Temples Tour: Jordan River, Oquirrh Mountain, Draper, Timpanogos, Provo

October 14, 2008 by rickety 4 Comments

Jordan River Temple

Jordan River Temple


On Saturday we visited Utah’s four most northern temples. Today on Day 2 of the Utah Temples Tour, with the rickety weather behind us, was the turn of five more temples. Rising at 4am and leaving at 5am we had an addition to our number with Andrew, a friend of the family.

The Jordan River Temple

The Jordan River temple is so close to the Oquirrh Mountain temple that I got them crossed in Google Maps. After we figured out that a darkened, half built temple with scaffolding was not the Jordan River temple we looked around for a lit temple. Spencer texted Google and we got the address. We were in time for the 6:40am session. The inside of the temple seemed to me to be a super-sized Ogden temple. The celestial room was smaller compared to the cathedral-like Bountiful celestial room. Spencer ran into his aunt who was working on the temple grounds pulling out flowers that were hit with the frost.

Oquirrh Mountain Temple

Oquirrh Mountain Temple

Temples Under Construction

Upon leaving the Jordan River temple we went back to the Oquirrh Mountain temple for some photographs in daylight. The temple sits prominently on a hill and will been seen across the countryside when it opens. Being right off an exit of Bangerter Highway will give patrons easy access.

We headed over to the Draper temple for some more photographs. The Draper temple is half way up the mountain so it too will be visible for miles. This temple is closer to completion and will be dedicated Friday, March 20, 2009.

The Mount Timpanogos Temple

After one session at the Jordan River temple the boys were hungry so we ate in the Mount Timpanogos temple cafeteria before catching the 11:30am session. This temple is almost a carbon copy of the Bountiful temple. Only the patron entrances were different with Bountiful facing north and Timpanogos facing west. There are some second floor differences and the Timpanogos cafeteria didn’t allow substitutions. :)

The Provo Temple

A short drive took us to a 3pm session at the Provo temple. Another carbon copy, this time of the Ogden temple. We knew where this temple was with three returned missionaries in the vehicle (it is by the MTC). The temple really looks majestic with the mountains as a backdrop. A great photo taking opportunity. It was time to feed at the fast food trough so we stopped by Wendys. Once the bellies were topped up we drove for home.

Tomorrow will find us at Vernal and Monticello for Day 3 of the Utah Temples Tour.

Provo Temple: Spencer, Dan, Rick, Andrew, Paul, Jake

Provo Temple: Spencer, Dan, Rick, Andrew, Paul, Jake


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Filed Under: Temple, Travel Tagged With: Tour

Baby Bryson: Six Days Old

October 13, 2008 by rickety 4 Comments

When we put Bryson on the floor he woke up but didn't cry

When we put Bryson on the floor he woke up but didn't cry


Bryson on the couch so I can get a better angle for the photographs

Bryson on the couch so I can get a better angle for the photographs


Derek and Sarah came by our house to eat with us on Sunday. They brought Bryson, who was born last Monday, along and I took the opportunity to take a few photographs. A six day old baby doesn’t move very much and his head is a little rickety so there is a limited amount of photography available. We also had to wait until he woke up. I mentioned that I have never heard Bryson cry and her parents said he would cry if you put him on the floor. I tried that but he didn’t cry. I think I’m going to like this baby.

I have placed online a high res (2.6 MB) image of Bryson.

Bryson at six days old

Bryson at six days old


The flash photography was bugging Bryson but he didn't complain

The flash photography was bugging Bryson but he didn't complain


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Filed Under: Bryson Tagged With: Baby

General Conference Quiz

October 12, 2008 by rickety Leave a Comment

Temple Square in Salt Lake City
For those who watched General Conference last week it is time to see how well you were really listening. Allowance can be made for a rickety memory but you might be surprised how much you can recall. There are quotes from conference talks below, sometimes just a few words, for you to see if you can identify the speaker. Give it your best guess and then point your mouse over the word Speaker and see if you got the correct answer. Twenty questions, all from Saturday sessions of conference.

  1. Arms of safety. Speaker Talk
  2. Brethren, may we cease to aspire and cease to retire! Speaker Talk
  3. The ordinance of the sacrament makes the sacrament meeting the most sacred and important meeting in the Church. Speaker Talk
  4. As I prayed, the feeling came: “You don’t know everything, but you know enough!” Speaker Talk
  5. There is only one way to happiness and fulfillment. Jesus Christ is the Way. Every other way, any other way, whatever other way is madness. Speaker Talk
  6. They covet a crown or a cave. Speaker Talk
  7. First, learn what we should learn. Second, do what we should do. And third, be what we should be. Speaker Talk
  8. One evening, when my wife and I were away, our children’s babysitter, intrigued by the prayer she heard them saying, asked them this question: “But what is the difference between your religion and mine?” The reply from our eight-year-old daughter was immediate: “It’s almost the same, except that we study a lot more than you do!” Speaker Talk
  9. Missionary work is the lifeblood of the Church. There is no greater work, no more important work. It blesses the lives of all those who participate in it. It will continue blessing future generations. Speaker Talk
  10. Lift Where You Stand. Speaker Talk
  11. Yet in spite of discouragement and adversity, those who are happiest seem to have a way of learning from difficult times, becoming stronger, wiser, and happier as a result. Speaker Talk
  12. The answer is simple: it was because my father read the Book of Mormon. Speaker Talk
  13. Our present day is filled with global distress over financial crises, energy problems, terrorist attacks, and natural calamities. These translate into individual and family concerns not only about homes in which to live and food available to eat but also about the ultimate safety and well-being of our children and the latter-day prophecies about our planet. Speaker Talk
  14. In our families and in our stakes and districts, let us seek to build up Zion through unity, godliness, and charity, preparing for that great day when Zion, the New Jerusalem, will arise. Speaker Talk
  15. In our search to obtain relief from the stresses of life, may we earnestly seek ways to simplify our lives. Speaker Talk
  16. The Savior is the perfect example of praying for others with real intent. In His great Intercessory Prayer uttered on the night before His Crucifixion, Jesus prayed for His Apostles and all of the Saints. Speaker Talk
  17. He is pleased with the noble servant, not with the self-serving noble. Speaker Talk
  18. You may have thought then, “Once I finish my mission, being a faithful priesthood holder will get easier.” But in a few years you found yourself getting even less sleep at night, while trying to support a wife and a new baby, being kind and loving, scrambling to get some education, reaching out to the members of your elders quorum, perhaps even helping them to move their furniture, and trying to find time to serve your ancestors in the temple. You may have kept a smile on your face with the thought: “When I get a little older, being a faithful priesthood holder will not require so much. It will get easier.” Speaker Talk
  19. Along the way the train stopped occasionally to get supplies. One night during one of these stops, my mother hurried out of the train to search for some food for her four children. When she returned, to her great horror, the train and her children were gone! Speaker Talk
  20. Therefore, as a husband or son, express gratitude for what your wife and mother do for you. Express your love and gratitude often. That will make life far richer, more pleasant and purposeful for many of the daughters of Father in Heaven who seldom hear a complimentary comment and are not thanked for the multitude of things they do. Speaker Talk

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Filed Under: LDS Tagged With: General Conference, Speakers

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Who is this Rickety?

Rick at homeI'm Rick Willoughby. I live in Utah, a retired Software Engineer. I'm a Mormon, married with 5 children and 12 grandchildren.

I emigrated from England in my late twenties, bringing with me one small suitcase and a few dollars. I appreciate the opportunities America has given me and the friendliness of the people to new citizens.

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