Why didn't the Lord poke someone to pick him up...

I absolutely loved the talk brother Hogg (pronounced like hoe) gave today in sacrament. He should be the poster boy for old time cowboys with a rough edge but gentle and sincere testimony. In only the way an old cowboy could he taught us some wonderful lessons while making us chuckle just a little also.

He lives on the highway out to Oakley about 5 miles out of Burley. So, about 18 miles from Oakley. He told of an association with a man that wasn't a member who referred to himself as one of the "others" not "non-member". Brother Hogg taught us that "non-member" is a word used my members but not by those outside of our church. Brother Hogg asked the man what he thought of the mormons that he has known during his life. How were they as people? The man said, "they are a close group that doesn't like or associate with outsiders". This confused brother Hogg until he really thought about it awhile.

One day he was outside doing chores when he noticed someone walking up the highway toward Burley. He thought, that young man has probably been rained on so I should give him a ride. So, as the young man approached he got in his truck and offered him a ride. The boy explained that he had left early that morning and had been walking for hours from Oakley. Brother Hogg wondered how it was that a 19 year old boy carrying a piece of luggage would be able to walk 18 miles on a busy highway in a mormon town without the Lord "poking" someone to inspire them to pick him up. Surely, some had passed him coming and going he had been walking so long.

He then understood why his "non-mormon" acquaintence saw mormons as not wanting to associate with "others".

Brother Hogg had heard of a poor family that moved into a mormon neighborhood. They were double poor but yet they tried to help themselves. They walked roads to find cans for money. However, they were in much need. Some of the mormon neighbors said, "if we don't help them maybe they will move". They didn't. After time their water pump went down. The same neighbors celebrated because they felt it would force them to move. However, one of the "other" neighbors came to their aid and repaired their well for them.

Brother Hogg then went on to tell us that he has come to know the difference between the things that are his and the things that are the Lords. His farm and the house on it are not his... they are the Lords. His truck is not his, it is the Lords. One day there will be a fire and those things will be burned up. What is his is his testimony and his relationship with his wife. Those things he will still be able to have once everything else is burned up. He knows his wife is a good woman and she isn't going to be burned up so his plan is to stick as close by her as he can!

I thoroughly enjoyed brother Hoggs talk today. I hope you have caught a glimpse of what it offered even though you did not get the privilege of hearing it from a humble rough old cowboy.

Thank you brother Hogg for sharing your wisdom.