Bicentennial of the First Vision

At the most recent general conference of the Church two weeks ago, President Russell M. Nelson announced a new proclamation---the first one of its kind in 25 years. Drafted and signed by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, it is only the sixth such proclamation issued in the history of the Restored Church.

The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World has been issued to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the First Vision of the Prophet Joseph Smith, which occurred sometime in the sping of 1820. This was the event that ushered in the Restoration of the Church and this, the dispensation of the fulness of times.

In Joseph Smith---History 1:33, the Prophet recorded that the angel Moroni told him, at the young age of 17, that "my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people." This is certainly true. I've heard a lot of testimonies borne from both sides of that argument.

As for me, I will have and will speak of Joseph Smith's name only for good. Let me add my testimony here: I know without a doubt that this 14-year-old boy went into the woods to pray and saw the Father and the Son in vision about 200 years ago. I know that he was called to be a prophet, went on to translate the Book of Mormon by the gift and power of God, and thereafter restored priesthood authority and accomplished many other incredible feats, sealing his life and testimony with his own blood in 1844 at age 38.

I felt the Holy Spirit witness of the First Vision countless times as my companions and I related the story during my two-year missionary service for the Church. I observed in awe as it moved people to great happiness and tears and caused them to change their very lives. The story of the First Vision holds such incredible power because it happens to be true, and the Restoration it started continues to roll forth unto the ends of the Earth.

Easter 2020

This year's Easter Sunday was unlike any other we had previously experienced. Due to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, we were unable to worship together with our ward members at the local meetinghouse, nor could we gather with family members for an Easter egg hunt or for family dinner. However, we still held church in our home, partaking of the sacrament and then studying this week's Come, Follow Me lesson together.

Through the use of modern technology, we used mobile devices to join in together with the in-laws on a Zoom family dinner meeting, through which we were able to check in with everybody and to make sure they are all doing OK.

The bishop and his wife also made a socially distant visit, dropping off this Easter-themed gift:

The rabbit's head is a roll of toilet paper, and its ears are a dish towel—two very useful gifts in these days of spending more time at home.

Sadie Rae

Yes, we are currently dealing with a lot of difficult things, including the COVID-19 pandemic, more aftershocks from March's earthquake, economic worries, and other bad stuff. But still it's wonderful to see good news coming out of local hospitals for a change, such as the birth of our new niece last week.

Sadie Rae Plowman, nibling #22 for your Resident Fun Aunt and Uncle (#15 on the Plowman side), came into the world at 4:46 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8. She weighed 7 lbs. 11 oz. and measured 20" long. (I guessed her name would be "Rey Skywalker," so it turns out I was half-right.)

Under current social distancing guidelines, we will not physically get to meet/hold Sadie for a while, but since I'm the only one in the family who blogs on a regular basis, here are a few more pics that I borrowed of Steve and Summer and the new addition to their family:

Kate's Birthday Parade

Last week, our niece Kate turned five years old. Under the current social distancing guidelines, we could not hold a traditional birthday party for her (we also cannot hold family dinners for the time being). So, instead, Biz organized a birthday parade of cars that JB, Leia, and I were more than happy to take part in.

At just after 6 p.m., we drove by their home in a convoy with a number of other vehicles filled with family members, friends, and neighbors. I am told that our little birthday girl enjoyed it immensely.

A Pandemic, a Quake, and a Quarantine ... Oh My

What a year we've had this past month ... amirite?

It's not like Paco needs to tell you what's been going on out there since he last blogged, but for the sake of future generation(s) or the cave dwellers who may be reading this post: The coronavirus, or COVID-19, has reared its ugly head into each of our lives in a matter of a few, short weeks. Originating in Wuhan, China, and spreading across the globe, it has changed things for all of us in countless ways.

Many businesses have had to close their doors and numerous public gatherings and events have been canceled in order to help contain the spread. A "stay home, stay safe" order for many of us means that the only exceptions for leaving home right now are for work (those who are "essential"), grocery shopping/takeout, or for medical needs. We've learned new terms like social distancing as we've each tried to lessen the spread and to weather the storm of this disease.

I remember watching the news the night when the first diagnosis was announced here in Utah. Then that number became a few more people, then a hundred, then 300, and currently it's (the last I saw) over 1,800 infected here in our lovely Deseret. The United States, at the moment, leads the world in the number of COVID-19 diagnoses, especially in larger cities like New York City.

JB and I have been fortunate enough to be able to continue to work throughout all of this (JB from home), but we are keenly aware that not all of our friends and neighbors have been so lucky. Many are worried about the economy, whether they're still going to have jobs when this thing is over, and how they're going to make ends meet until then.

If dealing with all this wasn't enough, we out of nowhere experienced a strong earthquake here in Utah (5.7 on the Richter scale) at approximately 7:09 a.m. the morning on March 18, with its epicenter in nearby Magna. Yours truly was asleep, but it sure gave me a rude awakening. A number of aftershocks followed it that day and have occurred in the weeks since then.

You can't spell pandemic without the word panic. As one who already dealt with anxiety and depression on a daily basis prior to these new challenges, I've had all sorts of thoughts and feelings about these events---not all of them optimistic nor, admittedly, rational. I've had some really hard days mentally, while other days have been ... just okay.

Then, just in time, came general conference this past weekend. Never did it come at a time when I needed it more.

Under the circumstances, the sessions were not held in the Conference Center but rather in a small auditorium at the Church Office Building. Only the First Presidency and each session's speakers and prayer givers were present. Even the Tabernacle Choir members were not there; prerecorded broadcasts of the choir's former performances were aired as the musical numbers instead.

Not once did I hear from any speaker any doom or gloom about our current situation, which was not in any way ignored. They, in fact, acknowledged it directly but also spoke of it as a temporary difficulty and a trial that will pass in time. I heard only faith and optimism in the messages that were given.

While church meetings have been temporarily suspended and temples have been closed until it is safe for them to resume and reopen, the home is now the de facto sacred refuge for us as Church members. Multiple speakers spoke on this concept. This is, in fact, what the prophet, the Apostles, and the other general authorities have been preparing us for over the past few years! The introduction of the Come, Follow Me curriculum and the emphasis on home-centered church have been getting us ready for the current situation this whole time. JB and I are doing our best at present to make our home such a refuge for ourselves not only on Sundays but throughout the week.

In the Lord's due time, His work will roll forth. I believe that there is so much still to be done, temple work foremost among those tasks, that the He will make a way for His temples to reopen before long. President Nelson, in fact, announced eight new temples to be built across the globe, including another one (our third!) in Davis County in Syracuse, Utah; one in mainland China in Shanghai; and another in Dubai, United Arab Emirates---the Church's first temple in the Mideast!

No, general conference didn't magically heal my anxiety about our current situation. Depression and anxiety will still always be there for me to deal with to one degree or another until I am cured of them beyond this mortal existence. But conference did help me immensely nonetheless. It recharged my spiritual batteries and has given me sorely needed direction and hope as we move forward through the next few weeks.

In the meantime, I hope to cheerfully do all things in my power to endure whatever may come in the near future. I look forward to joining my fellow Saints in fasting and prayer this Friday, Good Friday, along with all others from different faiths or no faith who wish to join us, per President Nelson's invitation, as we implore the Lord for help and relief for those suffering physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and financially.