My View of The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ

I've read and re-read the Book of Mormon (BofM). I'd like to put in my own words what it means to me. With that in mind, here goes.

1. Nephi has 3 brothers mentioned and is a good son. He listens to his mom and dad on important matters such as his dad's career and mostly about living a righteous life and obeying the commandments as set forth by Heavenly Father. It's important that when we write, if it is important for future generations that what is written is true. There family led by Lehi, the father of the group, leave Jerusalem as told to do so by God. Trouble is brewing and they need to go. It seems that Lehi is a man who has a close relationship with God and God tells him of things to come and that he needs to leave.

2. Lehi takes the advice and leaves. They go into a wilderness. It is about this time that the two oldest sons, Laman and Lemuel, become outright rebellious. In time they not only attempt to murder their younger brother, Nephi, but even their father. Nephi was told by the Lord that due to his willingness to obey God, he would be placed in a position of authority over his older brothers.

3.Lehi knows that they need what religious artifacts that will not only enable his family to know of God, but will leave intact their language. This in mind Lehi tells his son's to go and get the brass plates from a cousin, Laban. He tries to kill them.

4. For his efforts Laban is killed by Nephi to save a nation in need. How glad they to find the contents of the Brass Plates. Not only is it a prophetic essay of God, but it has the genealogy of Lehi and his family. They come forth from the loins of Joseph, he who was sold into Egypt.

5. It seems that Sariah becomes disillusioned by the loss of her sons. She thinks they have either been murdered by the children of Israel or that they were killed by wild animals. She is nurtured by her husband.

Tracee Dawn

Tracee came into my life in August of 1990. Her mother and I met at, what can I say, a nightclub. Her best friend, Doris, was there and we were having a lot of fun, dancing, talking, etc. She was a bundle of laughter. I liked her then and I love her now. Familial love now, familial love. I've watched her grow from being an inexperienced young woman, to one of the most loving and protective mothers, fabulous artist (I should claim 10% of her take. Ok 1%), loyal friend, happy, but stressed woman. She carries about her a heavy burden and needs our help and it is forthcoming. More later...

Keeping up with the times.

This week I have come by information second hand. Information that shocked and saddened me. My first wife is losing one of her thumbs. She is so talented I hope it won't interfere with what she loves to do. My daughter, Genevieve, has moved to St Louis, Mo. Good for her, she got a teaching position. She's been trying for several years now. Her husband, Scott, works in the St Louis Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They have two wonderful children, Donovan and Gavin. I'm hoping to see them soon. My wife is very ill and I'm taking her to visit her family in Arkansas. We found that after we were married, we shared some quite unique things. Her father was Eldon Griffin, mine was Eldon Green, dad died on 9 Jul and Tracee Dawn, my wife's daughter, was born on 9 Jul. My 2nd oldest brother's wife is Phyllis Yvonne Green and my wife is, yes, Phyllis Yvonne Green. That's not all. Both were born on 18 Feb. Now last but not least, my Social Security number starts with 432-86 and hers ends with 86-432. The Twilight Zone. I am amazed by my children. They reflect both the bad and the best in people. Super intelligence, use of drugs, obtaining the best of higher educaton, giving, kind, empathetic, poor judge of characters, finding the best of mates, holding on too long when it's over. Deep love for each other, loyal to the very core of their being. Quick witted. I could go on and some day will. I have been thinking of my mortality of late. I've been at death's door so many times. When I was two, I stepped into a irrigation canal and drowned, only to be saved by an older brother. I have fallen out of two barns. I have hung myself in that barn. I was hit in the head by a tree when a knot therein grabbed hold of a saw tooth and threw it against my forehead at about 30mph. I lay unable to move for almost half an hour. It's was freezing and dad finally walked over, grabbed me, pulled me up and said grab hold of that tree more firmly, grinned, and we started again. Ridding on top of a horse trailer, I fell off it and hit the ground running at almost 40 mph. Woke up the next day paralyzed, completly. Same brother who gave me cpr picked me up sat me down at the breakfast table and when we were done, carried me to his truck so we could go open up his store. By the time we arrived, the bouncing of the truck had messaged my intensely bruised body back into mobility. I've been hit by a run away log and knocked unconscious. I've stepped in a hive of yellow jackets. They don't sting and lose their stinger, they keep stinging. Perhaps a hundred of them all started hitting me at the same time. My brother, yes, same one, helped me get out of the forest by telling me to turn left and walk so far and then turn this way or that. He laughed all the way as I was continually yelping away. I've hit a concrete embankment at 100 mph. When we moved from Arkansas to Utah in 2003 we arrived on Saturday. On Wednesday I lapsed into a coma that last about 3 weeks. I landed in the ER with an extremely low blood/oxygen level and not breathing. They told Phyll to call my family as they had lost me...then later they came back and told them I was alive but had been without oxygen for such a time, I was brain dead. I'm neither. I'm alive,alive,alive and happy happy happy. I have a wonderful wife, loving children and grandchildren, good friends, and I grow daily in control of my natural man, opening up the way for the full birth of my spiritual man.

My Law Suite

First the Facts: Back on 7 August 2007 a bus driver let down a wheelchair ramp onto my knees and froze. I had to back up with the ramp tearing the flesh from my legs and cutting me (4 inches). After making some unintelligible sounds I boarded the bus and road for some five blocks. During the short ride the driver never uttered a word, in fact the driver "never" said anything. I looked down at my legs and saw that the floor and my legs were covered in blood. I departed the bus and went to a nearby VA hospital. I was treated and released. The next morning I couldn't get out of bed. On 9 Aug 2007 I started out to go back to the VA hospital for knee xray's. I arrived at my bus stop and waited. Along came a bus and immediately the doors opened and a ramp started to exit for my boarding. A second of two later the ramp stopped and I looked up. Standing there looking down at me was, yes you got it, the same driver. She stepped beyond the yellow line where no one riding is supposed to stand and shortly thereafter stepped back. She stated that she had a wheelchair rider already and didn't have room for me. I would have to wait 20 minutes in 102 degree weather for the next bus. Ratract ramp, shut door, drive away. Looking inside window I notice no riders, let alone a wheelchair rider. I became emotional and went home. The next day I went for another attempt. This time, however, I went to another location to catch another bus. It arrived. It let out the ramp but didn't lower the front of the bus, they are supposed to I've since learned. I got 3/4 of the way up and my wheels started to spin. My chair turned sideways and came in contact with the edge of the ramp. I was tossed onto a concrete driveway. My wheelchair flipped over on top of me. This driver wasn't at all like the last. He was all over the place yelling why didn't I wait, why didn't I wait. Wait for what, they don't get behind and push us onto the bus. I was taken to a local hospital and every x-ray imaginable was taken. My right knee was fractured. My right shoulder was almost separated. After a spell I went home. I have contacted a Law Office to take my case. It's been over a year and everyone wants to know why action hasn't been taken. I'm afraid to ride buses. I have nightmares about bus accidents in general. I have flashbacks about both incidents. I wake up in sweats, shouting "Don't hurt me driver." No, I don't feel better after writing this.

My Ebbing Memory

I wasn't going to write about that but between the time I thought of something that I wished to express and got to this I had forgotten what it was I wanted to write. I just remembered!!! After a physical and mental health evaluation last April I have been changed from 60 percent disabled to 100 percent. Beyond that I was determined to be incompetent to take care of my VA benefits. So....this month a Conservator took over my VA Benefits. They will pay some of my bills and open a savings account. I don't mind but it's been hectic getting all the information they wanted.

Trip to Old Home Place

Phyllis and I are off to Arkansas and points south. We will leave the land of Zion 4 October and return 5 Jan 2009. We go with some bittersweet thoughts. Phyll is very ill. We don't know as to whether or not she will be here next November. A disease called Sarcoidiosis has taken hold of her. It is an inflammatory disearse that attacks the skin and all major organs. So far it has attacked her skin, heart, and lungs. She is covered with half dollar sized lesions all over her body. She is going bald. Her heart races from 126 to 180 per minute. Her blood pressure runs from 90/60 down to 58/26. She is receiving excellent treatment so let's pray for the best.