Time Flies When You're Havin' Fun!

Are you all havin' fun? Guess we hear that question weekly.... And, of course, our answer is YES! We loved General Conference! Both Sat. and Sun. we watched all sessions at the Institute, except for Priesthood session (that was shown at the ward house). Our lessons incorporated many of the ideas, even quotes, the following week; and we look forward to digesting the printed text on line. We feel like kids in a candy shop to hear and then use this modern revelation (scripture) in our teaching.
It seems we just arrived and yet the calendar tells us that there are only 3 more teaching weeks before "Dead Day" (the last day of classes). Where has the time gone? Of course with all of the push to end the semester, there is always time for parties! And parties they have planned...big time! They begin on the 22nd with a cookout at the local park with Laurels and Priests invited so they can be fellowshiped for next years' enrollment. Then on the 25th, there will be a Frisbee golf tournament, the 29th is the Institutes building's birthday (10 year old) party, May 1st is an all night party (Dead Day), and May 3rd is the Institutes's graduation. Needless to say, we are rapidly writing our own cookbook! Is there any doubt that when you are busy and having fun...Time does fly!!!
We just finished teaching D&C 31 given to Thomas Marsh, first President of the Quorum of 12. You know the story of the of the milk strippings: Sister Marsh was not sharing them as agreed. Marsh took the accusation against her to the High Council who ruled against her. Not satisfied, he took it to the 1st Presidency upheld the ruling. Then he tried to get revenge by signing an affidavit against Joseph Smith and the Church which contributed to Bogg’s extermination letter, the driving out of 15,000 saints from the state of MO., and the loss of many, many lives - all for a quart or two of milk strippings.
Another tragedy was that for some inexplicable reason, Orson Hyde got caught up in the antagonism against the Prophet and signed Marsh’s document and, therefore, was excommunicated. The next year he returned, begged forgiveness, was reinstated in the Quorum, and afterward dedicated Palestine for the Jew’s return. The problem was he never got over the guilt of his apostasy for the rest of his life, shedding bitter tears often.
Pres. Lee quoted H.C. Kimball in his 1965 conference address: "To meet the difficulties that are coming, it will be necessary for you to have a knowledge of the truth of this work for yourselves. The difficulties will be of such a character that the man or woman who does not possess this personal knowledge or witness will fall."
Because of all the above, plus many other like and even worse tragedies, we pray daily that every one of us hold fast to the iron rod all the way to the end.
We continue learning these and other wonderful lessons as we prepare for our classes every day. How blessed we feel! This is a delicious experience!!!
Love,
Peter and Sharon