DURING HIS 86 YEARS ON EARTH, LYNN BROUGH CHECKED ALL THE BOXES!

Yesterday, my sister and I attended the funeral of Lynn Brough of Nephi, Utah. To this punk kid of 74, it was more of a Celebration  Of  Life. I think it was the second son who said his father had checked all the neessary boxes for life on earth. I concurred. In Mormonville, Utah, many of us are taught the importance of certain cultural things, and sure enough, Lynn took them with him through the Veil. He was called to an LDS mission in Germany. His old man put a hold on that, as the father didn't want his kid to go back to NAZI Germany, eventhough that was the country origin of the original Nephi Brough family. So the 'revelation' was modified to send him to a Spainsh speaking Mission in Texas and New Mexico. Daddy supported that, sending him the necessary monies to support Lynn. On return, he graduated from BYU with a BS in Engineering and was sucessfully employed with various companies. In the meantime, he did the other thing he was taught, and that was to serve in the United States Military and did so for 23 years. He was taught to be a volunteer, and past president of the local Kiwanis Club; a vigorous Y fan, espeically in football, then active in his religion, serving diligently in various callings including High Council and a Temple Worker. He kept a wonderful garden, and late in my life, I became acquainted with him and cherished our friendship. 'I STOOD ALL AMAZED' at the funeral! Not because of the song, but in an LDS CHURCH- I saw an American flag on one side, and the American Legion flag on the other. I felt like Lynn was present, and I looked around for him. I am sure the folks behind me didn't know of my recent fall where I got some brain damage. After the perfect piano and violin playing of  Lisa Brough and Jennifer Christensen and the excellent talk of Chad Brough, I thought that was a good time to hobble out of the chapel as lighting hadn't yet hit. Besides, a Bishop just can't take the place of the family, but that is just the opinion of this brain damaged wanna be writer. A few days before Lynn passed I was talking to Chad Brough, and told him when I healed, I would come and visit Lynn. I didn't, but Lynn knew it when I apologized to him in the casket. I also said my personal apologies to Lynn's daughter-Lisa, who was the spitting image of her mother-Diane Hannifin. When I was 13, I not only had a crush on the older Diane, but her mother-Norma Sherwood. I couldn't go to another function, as both would play the violin and sing, and my artifical heart would bleed. I interviewed Norma in a previous blog, when she was over 100 years old and played the violin perfectly. The poem on the back of the program was written by Norma for Lynn on his 70th BD. So in legal terms, my love for the whole family is with 'JUST CAUSE'. I have expert knowledge with the next life form, and of all folks, Lynn Brough will be a front and center leader for God....I swear!

HAPPY HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY FOR LAVON HARRIS JONES.

Yup, today is the day......Mom.  According to earth years, today would have been 111 years old since your birth in Nephi, Utah. Your five kids know you are a happy camper with your Mom, who you loved and treasured, as we do you. Her earth name is Eliza Hitesman, who settled with other Mormon pioneers in Moroni, Utah. Your Dad was Evan Harris, who was born in Iowa City while his parents were converted to their religion in Wales. Thanks to Spencer W. Kimball, who gave me a month to search all the records I could find them. Evan had been a log splitter for pioneer cabins in Juab County, and had his saw mill in the canyon off the Loop Road named after him. That canyon and a nearby ridge called Evans ridge was named after him also. He was a businessman and did the logs; then Blacksmith; ice maker, and ran his own harvester. The president of the DUP was Alice Paxman McCune, who asksed that he bring logs down to the Pioneer Park in Nephi, so that volunteers could constuct a log cabin. It still stands today, but bringing the logs down.....well, it killed him. He died the following Sunday after Church services. This rebel Mormon kid says he shouldn't have gone to church, but the Doctors said he shouldn't have been doing the hard work so late in life. Regardless, you are all happy now, and soon enough, we will all join each other and do the Nephi 2 step together. The fun thing, America made it a special day when you passsed through the Veil. Yes, it was Nov. 11th, 1994. I just had to put this photo on, as it shows you and your parents. When my own kid was young, Justin didnt know much about womens bows for gals hair, and I recall him asking why my mother had such big ears. He now knows and is with her, which makes me feel good. From Weston, Hal, Kent, Gary and Jaynette, we love you Mom.

THE RISE AND FALL OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

To respond to such a concern as to the fall of the Scout program in America is like trying to talk of the Roman Empire; the forming of the United States; the FFA; BOYS CLUB or even the Civil War. Books and volumes could be written. Todays history story is brief, and my type of facts are included. Most folks know the Scouting progam started via  Baden-Powell of  England in 1908. It came to the United States in 1910 and took off with explosive membership. It was so popular that even the US Military bought in to it and gave advanced ranks to those who became top of the line Scouts-Eagle The Nephi Jones boys were involved, but Gary B. Jones had the personal drive to not only make it to Explorer but hired at Camp Maple Dell as an instructor. I tried with all my might, but had such a rough time getting the merit badge for Home Repairs, I gave up at First Class, but all in all, that was't bad back in the 1950's. The Boy Scouts was for boys only and we learned the outdoors; hiked and camped on Reeses flat; and anywhere Don Royce or Mr. Bowles decided to lead us. My brother Gary was born for it, learning how to sleep in the barn, which helped him parahcute into enemy countries duirng Viet Nam and report surveilance, living off the land he dropped in. I was so intirgued by him and others, I eventually became a Scout Master in Salt Lake, and used my dads old Scoutmaster book to teach kids how to tie knots for hitching horses and in the Navy. I loved it and cheirsh those days in Camps trying to teach young boys how to properly adapt into manhood. And I didn't sexually touch any kid or show them how to smoke bark from trees. One of the biggest money donors was the LDS Church, who knew it was a great program. But like all careers in life, along came a few bad apples and spoiled it for all. With the church withdrawing their support, the BSA was defunded. Even I was dishearted with my own LDS Bishop who wanted me to seek in-active Mormons instead of letting the boys ask their Catholic friends to join. I became dishearted and quit as a Scout Master or fired. It wasn't long before the Church withdrew, as some of the leaders were gay and that was a great sin to the Church leaders--at least at the time. I never saw it, but many reported it occurred, which of course brings out attorneys; the ACLU and girls who liked camping more than selling Brownies. I don't place blame anywhere, but think we haven't said enough to all the good Scouts; Good Scout Masters many of us had. I also wanted to say Happy Birthday to Gary B. Jones, who was not only one of the finest American soldiers around; Idiarod rarcer; book writer, but mostly a good Scout, whose chivlery and respect for others will last beyond the veil. Thou art my hero GB Jones, the only E-5-2 in photo(with an X)