July 1986

July 2, 1986

Tonight I met with a young man who is very special to me.  Last Sunday, as I was sitting on the stand, while singing with the choir, in church, I looked down over the audience and saw this young man.  I had an overwhelming feeling come over me to talk to him.  I did, and asked him to come to my home.  I had no desire to lecture; only to listen.

He has always been a special spirit to me.  He served a mission to the Dominican Republic – came home & got started in accounting at the BYU - then abruptly stopped.

He told me without hesitation that I was one of a very few people that he could trust and he welcomed the invitation.  I didn’t realize what a very private person he is.  Basically, he told me he felt the pressure was on for him to grow up – too fast, and he wanted to slow down the process temporarily.  He can see the enormous (in his eyes) responsibilities that our generation has had to deal with and is reticent to become committed.  He asked if we couldn’t meet again and read his patriarchal blessing.

How grateful I am, now, for the lessons of my own life that make my life, counsel, and love of some little worth to others.  How marvelous it is to be trusted by the young people.  As I am a friend to them, I feel that Jesus, the Christ, my beloved Savior, is a friend to me.

July 3, 1986

Today, Norma & I worked at the welfare farm gardening raspberries.  There were to be 10 people.  Instead there were only 6 from our ward.  We really worked, but it was enjoyable.  2 of the people present were our Stake Pres. – James Nelson, and his choice wife, Louise.  I sincerely can hardly believe that my heavenly Father has allowed me to associate with such choice people.  Louise told me how she automatically awakens at 2:00 AM & gets up & reads or does things about the house.  This is because of her concern about her son with whom I met 2 days ago.  Oh! How I understand with compassion.  Norma and I have gone through such “sorrowing” for a major part of our married lives, as it pertains to our children.  It has been particularly for Kirk James currently, Eric, in the past, and Rick, also.  We now understand what Elshim meant when He told Eve that she would bring forth her children in sorrow.

Insert: Birthday Card / Caption: Love Norma

Insert: Birthday Card / Caption: Dear Kirk  You’re truly appreciated at this household for oh so many reasons – probably more numerous then the quills on this porcupine.  Have a really neat birthday – you almost were born on the right day.

Love Russ & family

Insert: postcards of Alaska

July 17, 1986 – A most unusual experience on the Alaska Cruise

I had long planned to have a family trip after I retired.  Norma and I settled on a cruise with the BYU Travel Study to Alaska.  Unfortunately, Kirk and Holly had conflicting problems that could not allow them to join us.

A week before we departed Duncan came down with what appeared to be a sinusitis.  One Dr. thought the symptoms to be a virus.  Because Duncan was not getting better I placed him on antibiotics and the next day he was much better.  Eric & Chris joined us, and on Sunday we departed by bus from Seattle for Vancouver where we were to board the boat, the Regent Sea, a large beautiful ship of Greek origin, and registered in Panama.  It required 350 people to man the ship.  They represented over 23 notions.

Dr. Richard Gunn, and his wife, Jeanne, were the tour & cruise directors.  He was a Prof. of Art at the BYU, and, as head been our experience when we were on the Mediterranean – Israel.  Egypt cruise with them 3 years ago, he brings to life the very essence of spiritual life in all things that we see on this earth – in its architecture, nature, its people

On Sunday, when we boarded the ship I believe Duncan wasn’t feeling too well, and by Tuesday he was becoming quite ill.  That evening Eric and I administered to Duncan.  Before doing so, Norma, Carol, Chris, Eric, Duncan & I prayed together to know the will of the Lord concerning Duncan before administering to him.  We then anointed him with oil, & I sealed the anointing.  He was informed that he would become well and that his sins were forgiven.

The next day Duncan became violently ill.  He had severe photophobia, excruciating headache, stiff neck, and elevated blood pressure.  We had a Filipino ship’s Dr. who was skilled & most helpful.  When we docked in Juneau, Alaska Carol & I left the ship with Duncan to admit him to the Juneau hosp.

I cannot express the seriousness of Duncan’s condition while on the ship.  I was almost certain that he had a leaking aneurysm (a life threatening condition) at the base of the brain.  Those fears were alleviated when we found the Cat scan & spinal tap to be normal.  My concern for Duncan was so deep that I covenanted with God that I would give my life in turn for Duncan’s – if his could be spared.  I’m not sure but that I may be called upon to fulfill that promises according to the Lord’s will.

At any rate – how are the negative Cat scan & spinal fluid studies to be explained in view of the extreme incapacitation that Duncan was suffering.  I can only surmise that it was in answer to the administration or to my covenant & promise.  Future time will tell.

July 29, 1986

My dear brother Sorenson,

I address your reverently as “brother”, because I feel such a kinship to you in the realm of the spiritual, the scientific, and the domain of the scholar.

As I profoundly study – it would be an act of betrayal just to superficially read – “An Ancient American Setting For the Book of Mormon”, words cannot express the gratitude I feel toward you for the enormity of this gift.

First, the gift of yourself in following the pursuits, with steadfastness, that embody a life times work and that far surpass the scope of required academic publication.

Second, the gift of courage that has dared to transfuse a spiritual lineage record into the realm of probable reality.  The emotion generated by reading this choice book parallels that experienced by the instrument pilot who enters the hostile, uncertain world of adverse weather entirely dependent on the instrumental symbolic readings or manifestations governed by “Signals” from an unseen source (faith) when suddenly he emerges into a world of light (sunshine) with the reality of a true horizon that is no longer at (copier cuts off last word)

Third, as a Stake Patriarch, and because of the profound wonderment and intrigue I have experienced for the true scope of lineage, you have given new light and direction for meditative study and prayer

Lastly, as you have placed this work uniquely in the realm of historic credibility; anyone dealing with enhanced knowledge of the Book of Mormon and its antiquity, must become knowledgeable about your work, whether Church member or not, and if their credentials are to reflect honesty and integrity.

With all my heart I thank you for this gift of gifts.  It will hold a most highly prized position in my library

Sincerely,

Kirk J Anderson

Insert: letter addressed to Dr. Kirk J Anderson

Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies

P.O. Box 7113, University Station

Provo, UT 84602

20 August 1986

Dr. Kirk J Anderson

13567 Linden N. #112

Seattle, WA 98133

Dear Brother Anderson

Your kind letter of July 29, and others like it, mean great deal to me.  It is gratifying to know that someone is influenced for good by what you have done, as I am sure you know in your own life.  Particularly at a time when others, whom we can wish had more faith and perceptiveness, doubt or even scorn my work, I can use a boost.  Thank you very much for your thoughtfulness and sentiments.

I recently retired from teaching at BYU with the particular aim in mind of gaining relief from routine tasks of administration and teaching in order to concentrate more fully on making available the body of information on scriptural subjects that a life time of scholarship has permitted me to gain.

I wish the blessings of the Lord on you that you may complete your own sphere of work.

Sincerely your brother,

(signature)

John L. Sorenson

Professor Emeritus, Anthropology, BYU