{"chapter_no":"19","chapter_title":"Declaration of Intent","book_id":"2","book_name":"The Story of James","subchapter_no":"0","page_no":"278","page_number":"1","verses_count":0,"total_pages":5,"page_content":"

 <\/p>

Chapter 19<\/p>

Declaration of Intent<\/h1><\/p>

 <\/p>

Jame<\/i>s<\/i> shares his plans for the future with the family—Ashley and Carole discuss different ways
in which James <\/i>might dedicate<\/i> his life to the gospel—James sees the found<\/i>ation <\/i>being laid <\/i>for<\/i> a new
Zion-like city in<\/i> North Ogden.<\/i><\/p>

 <\/p>

 <\/p>

 <\/p>

Everyone returned to their seats. With the gospel lesson portion of family home evening
completed, it was time for James to discuss his plans for the future as his brothers had done most
recently. <\/p>

 <\/p>

On an evening like this, the circumstances for James might have been different. As a
leading high school basketball player in the state, he could have been taking an early look at
athletic scholarship programs, excited at the prospect of receiving offers from universities across
the nation. But all of that, of course, had changed with the accident. <\/p>

 <\/p>

“My goal over the next few years,” said James, “before I go on a mission, is to spend the
same number of hours working in the gospel every week as I was doing before in my basketball
training. I'd like to start making an impact on the ward right away if they'll let me. Is there any
reason why I have to wait until I'm nineteen to dedicate myself more fully to the gospel? I’m not
quite sure what kind of work the bishop will let me do at my age, but I should have about twenty
hours free every week. In the long run, I want to help transform our ward and stake and make
them as good as they can possibly be. You know, Dad, like the five-dollar lawn story you taught
us? That’s what I would like to do every day as my main profession in life, try to create
something truly amazing in the gospel here in North Ogden.”<\/p>

 <\/p>

This declaration by James was met with surprise, particularly from his two older brothers.
They had confused looks on their faces, not understanding what he was talking about.<\/p>

 <\/p>

Russell and Craig, although they had shown some interest in working in the family
business after their missions, had not yet committed themselves to anything, wanting to attend
college first for a few years and decide upon their careers later. James, however, at the age of
seventeen, and to the delight of Ashley, made it clear what he wanted to do. For financial
support, he would take a position in the family business, expecting to return home from his
mission and work with his father long-term. This announcement came across to everyone as
though he had just signed a letter of intent to the family business, just as he might have done in
formally accepting an athletic scholarship from a major university. For James, the commitment <\/p>

made sense—employment in the family business provided the flexibility he would need to
support his new primary occupation in life.<\/p>

 <\/p>

Having made his desires known, James sat down, and a fuller discussion within the
family group followed. <\/p>

 <\/p>

Carole listened excitedly to all of this, delighted by everything she heard. But she had
many questions.<\/p>

 <\/p>

“When you say ‘start now’ to work every day in the gospel, what do you mean by that
exactly?” <\/p>

 <\/p>

James paused and looked back to his mother. <\/p>

 <\/p>

“I’m not really sure what kind of work the bishop has available for me to do every day.
All I know is that without basketball, I have a lot free time after school, and I'd like to use that
time doing gospel-related tasks.\"<\/p>

 <\/p>

Carol replied, “Well, that’s just wonderful, James! Let’s all think about this for a few
minutes and see what ideas we can come up with. I guess longer term, there are many fine
occupations in the Church you can take a look at. Have you thought about maybe becoming a
seminary or institute teacher? Or maybe you could go to work for the Church, like at the Church
Office Building downtown in Salt Lake––they have lots of job opportunities there. But if you
were employed by the Church, it would be hard for you to also work with Dad every day in the
business.” <\/p>

 <\/p>

Ashley had been listening quietly for most of the evening. The prospect of having James
work with him as a partner in the business was exciting. He spoke up now.<\/p>

 <\/p>

“James, I suppose that in the natural progression of serving in priesthood callings in the
ward, you might someday arrive at a position of authority, perhaps even being called to be the
bishop as I was. So, in that respect, if you want to dedicate yourself to service in the gospel,
another way of looking at it is to simply prepare yourself and be willing and able to serve in the
ward when called upon. You don’t have to be involved in the Church Education System or be
employed working at the Church Office Building downtown in Salt Lake. There are many ways
that you can fully serve the Lord without becoming an official Church employee.” <\/p>

 <\/p>

James listened, greatly interested in what his father had to say to him.<\/p>

 <\/p>

“You can be a good father, you can be a priesthood leader in the ward or in the stake, you
can go regularly to the temple and do family history work, and you can do service projects for
people in the ward when called upon. All of these present opportunities for you to magnify your
calling and dedicate yourself more fully to the gospel.”<\/p>

 <\/p>

Ashley, finished with his comments, looked at James for his reaction. This was fine
counsel. Ashley’s experience as a former bishop was clearly on display. <\/p>

 <\/p>

James considered these proposals carefully. What his parents were describing were things
he had already thought about in recent weeks. A career in the gospel is what he wanted, and
certainly, following the model of Church service as defined and exemplified by his father would
be an excellent thing to do. <\/p>

 <\/p>

But James had a vision of something else in his mind. He stood to talk once again.<\/p>

 <\/p>

“I’m not sure what the bishop will say to my ideas, but I think I already know what I
want to do. Let me explain.”<\/p>

 <\/p>

At this moment, the Holy Ghost came upon James in the most powerful manifestation yet
of the evening. There was a glow about him, and his manner of speech was again like that of a
man of God, much older and wiser. <\/p>

 <\/p>

“In recent months, I've come to love this Church and the Lord more than ever before. As
I've studied and pondered the scriptures, and as I've prayed about my future, I have come to the
realization, Dad, that the lesson of the five-dollar lawn you taught me growing up is best suited
to the work of the gospel. I see the message of that story as a central guiding principle in what I
want to do. <\/p>

 <\/p>

“The accident has allowed me to take a fresh look at my life. In recent months, I enjoyed
taking walks through the neighborhood every day as part of my physical therapy exercises,
something I probably would have never done otherwise. The regular walks have helped me to
discover the ward that exists all around us, and the great potential it has. <\/p>

 <\/p>

\"A blind man who loses the ability to see with his eyes is forced to depend more upon his
other senses of hearing, smell, taste, and touch. He may learn important details of life from his
other senses that go unnoticed by others. That is a little like what has happened to me. My
walking has slowed, and I no longer jog or sprint through the streets as I did before. My
awareness of the world around me has changed, perhaps even been enhanced in that respect. <\/p>

 <\/p>

“What I discovered is this––the ward is right here, in our homes, in our neighborhood,
and even here in this living room where we're now gathered together as a family. This is the most
important work of the gospel of Jesus Christ. What happens in the church building on Sundays is
vital, but it’s of secondary importance to the goals established by the Lord for our salvation.
What we do here in the home, and in the homes of the ward members in our neighborhood, is
what matters most. Active members, inactive members, and nonmembers—these are what
constitute a ward. I used to think of the ward as being made up of just those people we see
regularly on Sunday. But I realize now that isn't true. The ward includes everyone.”<\/p>

 <\/p>

“I certainly agree with you on that,” said Ashley, looking over at Carole with an
acknowledging smile.<\/p>

 <\/p>

“As we learn more and more,” continued James, “about how to bring the light of the
gospel into people’s homes, they will be uplifted and inspired to come to church on Sundays, and <\/p>

to more frequently attend the temple. It’s more than just doing our regular callings––that’s only
the starting point. In doing these basic assignments, we perform our duty like that which was
done under the Law of Moses in ancient times. We tend to go about our basic duties in the
Church today like the Israelites did back then and, as a result, we find ourselves having virtually
all of our wards in the Church struggling at the fifty-cent lawn level.<\/span><\/p>

 <\/p>

“Reaching the one-dollar, the two-dollar, or the three-dollar levels in a ward has more to
do with what our hearts are like inside—our meekness and love of God as individuals, our
testimonies, our faith, and the long-term goals in the gospel we aspire to. We can achieve higher
levels of excellence in our wards, but only if we have strong desires for the things of God. If we
each take upon ourselves the responsibility to help our wards develop and grow stronger, many
more members of our wards, if not all, may qualify for exaltation in the celestial kingdom<\/span>. <\/p>

 <\/p>

“On the other hand, if we don’t do this, many who are living among us today may be lost.
We, and possibly many of our friends and neighbors, may find ourselves standing on the
opposite side of the river at the last day, separated from the blessings of exaltation, and watching
with sadness as others, and not ourselves, partake of the fruit of the tree of life. <\/p>

 <\/p>

“As for me, I want to make something special happen here, to see the Church prosper
beyond anything we've ever seen before, and to help make exciting things in the gospel come to
pass in North Ogden that otherwise would not. It’s as though, Dad, I'm undertaking a major
landscaping project that encompasses the homes and streets of our stake—a spiritual landscaping
type of work. It’s a project that I believe could take forty or fifty years to accomplish.<\/p>

 <\/p>

“Anyway, that’s what I was thinking about doing. So, what do you think?\"<\/p>

 <\/p>

James sat down again.<\/p>

 <\/p>

Ashley and Carole, both overcome by the Spirit, looked at each other in amazement.
Carole thought to herself: <\/p>

 <\/p>

How and where did James pick up all<\/i> of<\/i> <\/i>these lofty ideas? <\/i><\/p>

 <\/p>

I wonder what kind of work he's really talking about here? The work of a bishop, <\/i>an
elders<\/i> quorum president<\/i>...<\/i> <\/i>or maybe even that of a stake president? <\/i><\/p>

 <\/p>

James looked around the room, very much aware of the Spirit’s presence. His
countenance had a bright luster, almost like a lantern was lighting up his face. He felt energy and
excitement as he spoke, marveling at what was transpiring.<\/p>

 <\/p>

The things of God—how great they are!<\/i><\/p>

 <\/p>

What in life could be better than this? Sharing one's vision of Zion in <\/i>the Church<\/i> to
others by the power of the Holy Ghost!<\/i><\/p>

Hours before, he had been unsure of himself. But in the last few minutes, words had been
put into his heart and mind by the Spirit. He had been able to articulate his experiences, his
feelings, his ideas, and his future goals effortlessly. In fact, these were his feelings and ideas only
in part; they were, more precisely, the feelings and ideas of the Lord he was espousing.<\/p>

 <\/p>

The family home evening lessons given by Russell and Craig in prior weeks had lasted
only fifteen to twenty minutes each, allowing plenty of time afterward to play games and enjoy
refreshments. On this night, however, the Spirit provided the refreshments––many exciting
moments for all to enjoy. Everyone basked in the warmth of the Comforter as the family home
evening program lasted for over two hours. <\/p>

 <\/p>

At the end of the evening, Ashley brought out his camera to take a photo of the family. A
large version of the photograph was later put out on display on the mantel of the fireplace as a
reminder to all of the special evening they had enjoyed together.<\/p>

 <\/p>

It had been nearly impossible to get James to stop talking all evening. His mind was
overflowing with ideas and an excitement for the future. He had presented to his family a simple,
but humble vision of what a prototype of Zion in the ward might be. <\/span><\/p>

 <\/p>

In that respect, it was like the year 1850 once again. The city of North Ogden was being
established by the early pioneers, and the layout of the city was being envisioned for the first
time. It was not a city being planned with streets of gold or something that quickly surpasses
reality. No, his vision for the city was based on what was practical and realistic for the gospel in
these latter days. It was a city with streets paved with asphalt, and sidewalks of cement, but the
Spirit of God flowed over them both nonetheless, like a river overflowing its banks. It was a new
Passover in a sense, but one where the firstborn, the second born, and all children born into a
family were blessed with the desire to build Zion-like congregations of the restored gospel upon
the grand legacy of the early pioneers<\/span>. <\/p>

 <\/p>

James saw wards in the valley reaching different levels of rewards—some at the one-
dollar level, some at the two-dollar level, and a few maybe even reaching the three-dollar level.
Great miracles and dramatic spiritual events would be a daily phenomenon in such wards,
astonishing friends and foes of the Church alike.<\/p>

 <\/p>

“I guess, Dad,” said James, as he ended his remarks, “what I want to be when I grow up
is a Church civil engineer, someone who lays the foundation for a stake of Zion.” <\/p>"}