Okay... I just got back from an absolutely wonderful place.  This place is called: Jump On It and it's seriously a wonderful place. My wife is addicted to this game called "Bunko" which she plays once a month with about 12 other women, so I get to play "Let's Go Babysit!" for 2-3 hours while she plays Bunko. Any...

Why, oh why, did I create this site?  For those of you wondering what this site is all about, read on.  For those of you who couldn't care less, read on.  For those of you who enjoy reading my blog, or otherwise, read on.  Okay... That was stupid.  Ohwell... I Love My Journal (ILMJ) was originally created for one reason ...

Sadly, lots of problems exist with the world today.  I guess it's human nature to create problems, and ya know...?  I'm alright with that.  Problems need to exist in order for life to be life, right?  Yup...  The eternal struggle for self-improvement, or whatever. Anyway...  One thing that irks me quite a bit, and a...

You would think I have an alterior motive for this post, due to the fact that I am currently employed by Nature's Way, but I honestly don't.  I hope you'll see why soon. I can't believe I haven't been told about, offered, showed, or by any other means received information about this product Nature's Way makes until recently. Umcka Cold Car...

Concerning world events, I'll be the first to say that I'm a pretty naive guy.  I keep up on stuff that's important to me, but not too much more.  I realize that this is somewhat of a flaw, so I am trying to involve myself much more with the world. That said, on the morning of Sept 10, 2001 - if you asked me what the "world trade ...

I'm so glad that the vacations for the Jones family for 2007 are OVER! Holy cow, I'm quite done with driving in a car with two kids who love screaming.  Anyway... Yesterday, we woke up, got some quick breakfast, and then got in the car to head out to see 3 people take on the LOTOJA bike race (I assume LOTOJA means "LOgan TO JAckson&...

Wow....  The last time I woke up (apart from a nap I took today) was Thursday morning, and HOLY COW, craziness has happened. The whole mohawk thing, which I thought was over, escalated to a point where it pretty much boiled over causing Kim to attack my and Sarah's parenting skills, and for them to leave in a rush without allowing Julia to ...

Okay...  I've got to start off here on a postive note, or I'll bring up all sorts of crappy emotions which I'd just rather not get into right now.  I'm sure they'll be brought up sooner or later, but for now, I'd like for you to just take a moment and sup in the absolute goodness found in the photograph on your right. Yeah...  Just ...

Okay...  It had to happen, and it happened today.  Since this is a public entry, and I really don't want to throw a negative light on the situation, I'll do my best to filter out my emotions.  If I have to vomit emotions, I'll do it in private.  Anyway... This morning, I woke up and Kim (my dear mother-in-law) decided to make ...

We just got back from a wonderful dinner at The Old Fisherman's Grotto on Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey California. The halibut was quite wonderful, but not nearly as good as the side-dish of clam chowder I got.  It really was fantastic. If you're ever in Monterey, CA, you simply have to get a bowl of that chowder.  It's quite amazing....

In this day of rampant immorality and addictive pornography, parents have a sacred responsibility to teach their children the importance of God in their lives. Those evils, so highly destructive of divine potential, are to be strictly shunned by children of God. When a child needs correction, you might ask yourself, “What can I say or do t...

Wow...  What a testimony of the Book of Mormon, and of the prophets who wrote it. This whole chapter is a rebuke against people who don't accept the Book of Mormon.  Reading chapters like this strengthens my testimony concerning the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.  I mean, what are the chances, if the Book of Mormon were false,...

One thing I noticed while reading verses 7 through 11, apart from the torn emotions of all the people, was what caused their emotion. Why did they feel so "amazed" and fille with "pain and anguish", and with "exceedingly great joy"?  Well... When was the last time you felt filled with pain and anguish for some...

First, a question. In verse 15, Nephi states that he delights in the scriptures, and that he writes them according to the spirit.  Well...  That leads me to question whether or not he realized he was a prophet or not.  Very interesting, and possibly stupid, question (maybe he already knew about D&C 68:4). Now, the chunk of ...

Holy cow.  My journal is done.  I still can’t believe it.  Wowza. I started writing in my journal every day on January 1st, 1990.  About ten years later, I found that I had journals scattered all over the place, and with my technical background - I hated the disorganization of something that might be precious someday.&nb...

I was brought up in a good, wholesome LDS home where abuse wasn't even thought about.  I didn't even know abuse was a word until I learned about it from others. I went to church, had a good time, and generally enjoyed a wonderful family life. During my teenage years, I started thinking about spirituality for no apparent reason.  I star...

A couple of weeks ago, I spent some time in my car driving to and from Salt Lake City.  During the trip, I had the opportunity to listen to one of the best talks on Women's Roles in the LDS faith.  I was so impressed by the contents of this talk, I had to listen to the entire thing twice. Both times, both my heart and my eyes were fille...

I'm not entirely sure where to even begin with this chapter.  So many good stories are found in this one, which can easily be likened to our own lives and our own times.  Various lessons come to mind.... For example, verses 1 through 3 are a magnificent litmus test of personal righteousness.  When someone comes at you and truthfull...

Oh, man...  I just got back from a wonderful geek lunch with the guys 'n' gals from UPHPU (Utah PHP Users Group), and it was a blast.  ... heh... makes me smile just thinkin' about it.  Okay... I didn't just get back.  I had to make sure I could get done today what I promised my boss, and then I would write about it. Well... ...

It's raining outside. ...and I love it. Today was pretty much wonderful from the beginning to the end.  I don't have as much time as I would like to express myself here and now, so I pray my fingers will be fast! Amidst all the stress going on in my life right now, today was definitely a day given to me as a gift.  Possibly to do no...

As soon as the angel of God knew Nephi's purpose and desire, the first question he asked him was "Do you believe?". I think that's a fairly important question, which we should ask ourselves each day.  If we are being tempted and we ask ourselves that question, to which we already know the answer, I can promise you the tempter's pow...

First Nephi Ten... I'm not really in a spiritual mood right now, which really is unfortunate because I know this chapter has some spiritual meat to it. One thing I can write, is when I read this chapter during my mission, and even before, I always found myself focusing on Nephi's desire to see the things his father did (in verse 17). He didn'...

I find it so interesting that Nephi, in all cases I can think of, when stating how hard things can get, always follows it up with how blessed they are.  I believe Nephi was how I would like to, and am trying to be like.  He recognizes things are bad, yet always finishes on an optimistic note.  Personally, I beleve grounded optimism c...

To tell you the truth, I didn't get much out of the scriptures tonight.  There was a verse from which I thought I could derive meaning. Verse 15. The ax depends on him that wields it for its strength.  Alone, it is nothing but wood and metal.  Used by a person, it can become a powerful tool.  Same thing with a saw. I took ...

Okay...  It had to happen, and it happened today.  Since this is a public entry, and I really don't want to throw a negative light on the situation, I'll do my best to filter out my emotions.  If I have to vomit emotions, I'll do it in private.  Anyway... This morning, I woke up and Kim (my dear mother-in-law) decided to make ...

"...and his hand is stretched out still." I love that phrase.  To me, it's just another way of saying, "I will be here for you, no matter what you do or where you go.  I will always be here for you." What a comfort that is, knowing there will always be someone there for you.  I know it is for me, and I've felt...

 Holy cow.  I only have 10 more chapters to go, and I'll finish the goal I set 3 years ago, to read and write about each chapter in the Book of Mormon.  I'm not sure why, but when I just realized that (like 1 minute ago), it was kind of surreal for me.  Anyway...  Here goes. Moroni 1. Moroni had to be one of the most tr...

To have that taken away which is precious to you usually results in one of two things.  Either you do what is required to get back what was taken from you, or you devalue the thing which was taken, justifying its absence. About three years ago, for one reason alone, my Temple recommend was revoked from me and the ensuing years caused me to ...

I had forgotten that in this chapter, Nephi sees the Lord descend from heaven to the people who would be born from Nephi. I put myself in his situation, and quite honestly , I have no idea how I would react.  It would be so supremely surreal - seeing your kids' kids' kids' kids, and then seeing the Savior of the world show himself unto them....

I'm not entirely sure about the east coast or any other coast, but the clam chowder from the west coast at the Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey California is ....  is....  well...  it's clam chowder the way it was meant to be. Today was a day full of driving in rush-hour-esque conditions, getting the hotel arranged at Monterey, CA. ...