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  1. Living Water

    February 12, 2012 by Ben Tanner

    Category Repentance | Tags: , | No Comments

  2. Eden Tanner.. My Sweet Noodle

    January 29, 2012 by Ben Tanner

    Over eight years ago we were blessed with a daughter that we named Eden.  We named her Eden because we liked the name, because she has family on her mothers side from Eden, Utah, and also  because the garden of Eden represents all that is beautiful, lovely, and given to us from our Heavenly Father.  It’s also a Temple of sorts.  My hope is that my sweet Eden will be as pure and lovely as that garden temple.

    She has brought me such joy.  She is so smart, and fun to be around.  I couldn’t have asked for more when it comes to having a daughter.  She is a good example to me and helps me remember to keep the commandments.  I always thought my first child would be a boy… but before Eden was born, I was pondering and wondering if this baby would be a boy or a girl.  The thought came into my mind that if it was a girl, perhaps I would be easier on my first child.  When I had that thought, the Spirit came over me and confirmed that we would be having a girl.  I cannot express the love I have for this pure and precious daughter of mine.

    She and I have so much in common.  We love to laugh.  We love to be together.  She has a tender heart and always wants others to be happy.  She makes friends so easily.  It doesn’t matter if we are with strangers, she quickly makes them her friends.   She has  testimony of the Gospel.  One night as I was putting Eden to bed, she told me she was scared of the dark. I felt impressed to tell her that if she will say a prayer, that Heavenly Father will send angels to watch over her and protect her.  I told her that she probably won’t see them, but she will be able to feel them.

    The next morning, I was working in the yard and my beautiful little girl came outside to tell me what had happened the the night before.  She reminded me  what I had told her about angels and said that she prayed  that angels would come and watch over her.  She told me that indeed she did not see them, but she could feel a warm feeling in her heart.  She was able to sleep better that night because she could tell that they were watching over her.

    She has kept the commandments since she was baptized.  She knows that Jesus loves her.  I am so pleased with my little angel.  I thank the Lord for her every day.

    I testify that children are an heritage of the Lord.  They represent all that is good in this world.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

     

    Ps..  “Noodle” is the nickname we always call Eden.

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  3. Jacob Foutz and Margaret Mann Foutz

    January 15, 2012 by Ben Tanner

    I recently came across this blog post about one of my ancestors Jacob Foutz.  I’m related to him through my fathers line.  Ben Tanner (me)>Ron Tanner>Stan Tanner > Art Tanner> Joseph B. Tanner>Nora Foutz>Joseph Lehi Foutz> Jacob Foutz.

    He was a victim 0f the Haun’s Mill Massacre.

    Amazing man… who was blessed to have an amazing wife.   http://goodmanmendenhall.blogspot.com/2011/10/jacob-foutz.html 

    Margaret Mann Foutz (Jacobs Wife)

    http://jacobfoutz.blogspot.com/2010/07/margaret-mann-on-hauns-mill-massacre.html

    When I look back at the sacrafices of those who have gone before me, it gives me hope that no matter the trials, the Lord will provide a way.

     

    In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

     

     

     

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  4. What Does the Holy Ghost Feel Like?

    January 8, 2012 by Ben Tanner

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  5. My Son Eli.

    January 1, 2012 by Ben Tanner

    So I’m sitting here with my Son Eli.  As I’m writing this, he is 6 years old.  We’ve always been close, but recently he doesn’t like to leave my side.  He likes to copy just about everything I do, and he loves to try to make me laugh.  Eli has always been wonderful.  He has a very calm disposition.  Being a father to such a boy is one of the greatest joys of my life.

    When Eli was born, it was a very difficult delivery. His shoulders got stuck and his oxygen got cut off. He quickly started to run purple in his face.  The mid-wife and I started to panic and we thought we might have to break his big shoulders to get him out. He was almost 10lbs.  Gratefully, the mid wife was able to get him out with the help of a few nurses.  It was so scary.  After he was born he wasn’t responding to stimulation.  He seemed to be dead.

    But he did start breathing and they were able to stabilize him.  I felt the power of God comfort me and tell me that he would be okay.  Through the years, he has had a few developmental delays.  But through the help of his Mother, priesthood blessings, and helpful tutors and teachers he is on track for his age.  In fact as I’m writing this, he is reading almost every word of it. 🙂

    I know he has a work to do of his own here on earth that will be a blessing to those around him.  He has already been a great example to me.  If you have ever been blessed with the opportunity to be a parent, you’ve doubtless felt the great joy that comes from children.  I will write about my other two children in different posts, but for today I wanted to express my love and fatherly pride in my boy Eli.

    I know that Heavenly Father must be filled with boundless joy because of his Only begotten Jesus Christ.  I’m grateful to feel that same love for my children.  My hope is that we will all follow the example of our Father in Heaven in our parenting.

     

    In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

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  6. The Coat

    December 11, 2011 by Ben Tanner

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  7. “I’m grateful for my Hypoglycemia”

    December 4, 2011 by Ben Tanner

    We held a testimony meeting today in our church.  A sister got up and decided to bare her testimony.  Among other things, she said that she is grateful for her hypoglycemia.  She explained that through this trial in her life, she has become more patient and loving.  Her level of discipleship is astonished me.  I hope to get to the point someday where I’m genuinely showing gratitude for the trials in life. My weaknesses, sicknesses, or even my temptations.  This will be a signal to me the I am that much closer to my Savior.

    When she said that today I couldn’t help but imagine heavenly choirs shouting for joy, much like when we see our favorite basketball player hit a three point shot, or a slam dunk.  This quiet sister, in my opinion, and in the eternal scheme of things, is much more amazing.

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  8. What’s In A Name?

    November 27, 2011 by Ben Tanner

    Names are important.  Have you ever looked into the meaning of your own name?  Names are not only useful in helping us identify other people, they play and even more important role in helping us remember who we are.  In the Book of Mormon, the Prophet Heleman explained to his sons why he gave them their names:

    6 Behold, my sons, I desire that ye should remember to keep the commandments of God; and I would that ye should declare unto the people these words. Behold, I have given unto you the names of our first aparents who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were bgood.

    7 Therefore, my sons, I would that ye should do that which is good, that it may be said of you, and also written, even as it has been said and written of them.

    Like Nephi and Lehi, many of us have been named after worthy ancestors who have set great examples for us to follow.  It’s  important that we know that someday we will meet them, and I’m sure they will require an account of just what we did with their names.  But even more important than the names of our ancestors, is the name we take upon us at Baptism.  That is the name of Jesus Christ.

    Once we are a Christian, we have an obligation to live like one.  We will be held to account for how we have represented God’s church, and most especially His sacred name.  My first name is Benjamin.  I was given this name from my father to be named after my fathers best friend, Ben Whitmer.  Ben died in a tragic car accident when my Dad was serving a mission.  Ben had been my Dad’s champion.  He was tall, athletic, and more importantly, he was a true friend to my Dad.  There was a time when my Dad had been injured on the Football field during a game.  It was Ben who picked up my Dad and carried him off the field.

    I’m sure I’m no where near the athlete Ben Whitmer was.  But I’m trying to be a good friend to others like he was.  I once came across Ben Whitmers grave while doing some family history work in New Mexico.  As I slowly walked up to his grave, I wondered what Ben would think of me.   I know that some day I’ll meet him and I hope he will be happy to have shared a name with me.

    I know that if I can stay close to the Savior, relying on His mercy and power, I will be able to do my name justice.   I know that the same blessing is their for the taking for anyone who will put their trust in the Lord.

    In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

     

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  9. Making and Keeping Covenants

    November 20, 2011 by Ben Tanner

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  10. A Story…

    November 13, 2011 by Ben Tanner

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