Sunday Soapbox # 8

Today I was a listener in gospel doctrine. It's my off week. I love attending my partners lessons, she really does make the scriptures come alive with all her historical knowledge. She is a wonder! I wish I could teach like her. I suppose I add my own flavor to the class so I will be content with knowing this. She truly is fantastic though!

Brother Yarmulke showed up as usual today. Sitting front and center with his scriptures in hand, yarmulke on head, and rope belt strung tightly around his diaphragm. Susan asked for examples of revelations that were given to people of the scriptures. Someone brought up Moses and the parting of the red sea. Brother Yarmulke was next. It's hard to ignore someone who's hand is right in front of your face. You can't even fake that you don't see them. Poor Susan was stuck calling on him. He said, "in Florida the way we used to kill a catfish was we'd drop kick it! uh uh uh... ".

Sea, fish...I guess there could be a connection. Susan brought us back to the original question and the class proceeded. But for the next 10 minutes, and I kid you not, Andrew (another class member) was red faced and teary eyed as he sat next to his wife, who was taking her turn reading a scripture, and tried to squeeze his lips into a straight line and maintain his composure. It was all I could do not to look at him or I would bust into a grin. I can tell Mick and I are not the only couple discussing Brother Yarmulke! Oh, Brother Yarmulke, such laughter you provide our little ward in Logan.

Later on, Susan was directing us on what we could do to help invite personal revelation into our lives. She talked about humility, questioning and searching the scriptures, following the commandments, being faithful/patient, prayer and asking the Lord. Brother Yarmulke raised his hand and shared an interesting experience.

"You mentioned Moses and the exodus earlier...", he spoke, and then went on to describe that Moses spoke to him and showed him the tool which he had used to direct him and his people along their journey to the Red Sea. Brother Yarmulke described for us, in detail, how long this instrument was, what balls of stone it was made out of, how high it was, how it worked, etc".

Brother and sisters, Moses had spoken to brother Yarmulke and showed him some sort of navigation instrument! Interesting!

Susan simply said, "okay that is not doctrine so I'm not going to get into that, let's get back on topic. Is there anything else"? She recovered well. I was impressed!

I should mention that just prior to this moment the Bishop walked in and took his seat opposite the room from me. The chairs are set up in a semi circle type format. As Brother Yarmulke spoke I saw the Bishop's head peek out from behind the man in front of him and look me in the eye to offer an understanding smile. I smiled back thinking how I wish he could have been there early enough to hear the drop kicking catfish killing comment!