Remembrance Day at the Ilford chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was marked by the Bishop and congregation paying respects to the memories of the heroes and heroines who gave their lives in the quest for freedom from tyranny and injustice. 

 

How great a freedom we enjoy today as citizens of England is all due to the heroes and heroines who laid down their lives, as well as those valiant men and women who helped negotiate peace and brought forward this day into being.

 

Brother Jeremy Boyden : "We remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice, like our Saviour, and we mark this day when peace was first agreed between all nations, on 11th November 1918".

 

The President's wife Sister Saltzman read a poem about Flanders Fields.

 

The Bishop's son, Brother Michael Onaolapo Jnr : "Greater love hath no man then He who gave up His own life so that others may live."

 

Sister Shannon Pickering, who was baptised in the Ilford ward two weeks ago, spoke a few words about the loving atmosphere that prevails in this land, thanks to people like her gransparents who did their bit during the war.

 

Sister Joanne Boyden read a famous poem, starting The glory shines upon my tears....She read the bit about hopes and expectations and stars and then became very emotional.  (I asked her later; she explained that her Mother lost two brothers in the war). (For the Fallen, Robert Laurence Binyon).

 

Brother Michael Lighten paid tribute to the great example of Captain Noel Godfrey Chavasse, recounting events in the Captain's life  in the Royal Army Medical Corp, who had to combine civilian with military duties at the front, where he saw within a few hours 189 casualties out of 600.  Captain Chavasse worked behind enemy lines for four hours, just 500 yards to safety.    On another occasion just 25 yards from enemy trenches. Altogether, Captain Chavasse saved the lives of approximately 20,000 men.

On another occasion, he worked with protection against an attack of mustard gas.

     Noel picked up his torch, and rose up in his time, working against impossible conditions of mud, blood and water.  Captain Chavasse was decoated with a rare second Victoria Cross.  Such men are rare indeed, and we all recall his courage with awe and celebration.

 

"For their tomorrows, we give our today"  John Maxwell Edmonds.  That was the spirit of the unknown solider, great soul who's memory we salute today.

 

We stood and paid our respects to the memories of the men and women who have won the freedoms that have greatly contributed to the enjoyment of peace and peaceful life that England enjoys today.

 

Bishop Onaolapo made these closing remarks : "We are here because of the sacrifices the soldiers, male and female, have made for us.  That is why the great atmosphere of stability and safety, friendliness and love prevails in this nation.  I am sure this country will go from strength to strength because of that, and I am proud to be a citizen of this great country of ours."

 

I believe this sums up the congregations sentiments on this day, when we salute those whose lives were lost, as well as those who brought about peace.

 

May God's blessings be upon all.

 

Amen

(written by Duru-darshan

Melchizedek Priest,

LDS Ilford ward)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recently I've had a lot of visitors to my blog and website from Putian as well as Beijing. 

 

I note the Indian Premier Dr Manmohan Singh has been to visit Beijing soon after his trip to Moscow, and

things are looking good for co-operation on peacefully observing each other's shared borders as well as increase in friendly relations and trade.

 

My personal hope is to become nominated by the Congress Party of India (UPA) as the Prime Ministerial candidate for May 2014.  Should my wish be fulfilled with approval of Rahul and Mrs Sonia Gandhi, I would be thrilled and would go to India straight away to start campaigning in earnest. 

 

I have a vision for India as a good neighbour to China, Russia, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and the whole region, as well as to unlock the huge potential that there obviously is for growth of infrastructure such as roads, bridges, dams, power generation, further irrigation, as well as housing, hospitals, schools, universities, and so on, which would utilise the resources and cater to the public, as well as use the skills and expertise internationally in building up this great nation.  I have lived in London the last 41 years, and see the n-th degree developments of this nation (United Kingdom) as something India could well try to aim for.  I imagine that with India's resources both of the peoples' savings and growing expectations of improvements in living standards, it would fit hand-in-glove. 

 

It is regrettable that there have been skirmishes on the international border with Pakistan, especially just after Dr Manmohan Singh-ji had constructive talks with Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif in New York recently. Mr Nawaz Sharif  has a great reputation as a man of his people and a positive personality, who would only wish the best for his people and continuation of peaceful co-existence with India.  The Indian PM has offered bilateral talks on this issue to find a resolution, and I sincerely hope common-sense and peace prevails once again.

 

I hope my readers will be able to make an accurate picture of what I would like to do, and I would welcome your comments on this matter.

 

In the meantime, I wish you a peaceful and happy evening.

 

Kind regards,

Duru-darshan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is something about the chemistry, about the language and communication of the mind and soul, which brings people together or drives them apart.  It is this chemistry between people that I would blame for.....or, rather, a change in the chemistry between people that I would blame for separation and divorce. 

 

I am surprised that Napoleon Hill was not given the Noble Prize, but then again there is no category in the Noble Prizes into which his work fits.  Perhaps, on that point, I would suggest there should be another category created by the Trustees of the Noble Foundation.  The Increasing of Human Understanding.

 

Napoleon Hill interviewed 500 of the most successful people in America in the 1920s, and from those interviews he wrote many articles, published in his Hill's Success Magazine.  But a few people made a huge impression on him, viz Andrew Carnegie, Firestone, Henry Ford, Dr.Alexander Graham Bell, and Dr. Thomas Alva Edison.  And yes, Mr Edwin Barnes, who said it could not be done, that is to say, the writing of a blueprint for success based on the interviews with successful people.

 

Napoleon Hill turned that into a questions: Who said it could not be done? and went on to publish his Think and Grow Rich, a book that sells well throughout the world, in many languages, in number just after the sales of the Bible, Koran and Bhagavad-Gita and other religious masterpieces.

 

In his research, Napoleon Hill says that the first three years of a marriage often have petty squabbles and friction, but the love that exists between the two will carry it through.  The next fifteen years are those in which the lucky couple start to look alike in their eye movements and thinking, influencing their value judgements and expressions, meaning the happy couple have achieved understanding of one another, and a state of harmony exists between them that we attribute to the magic of chemistry.

A state of harmony, an instinctive understanding, an automatic understanding of mutual goals. It is like both have the same road-map, or at least complementing road maps.

 

Those for whom a partnership does not work, it seems are rather like a horse-drawn carriage where the horses want to pull in differing directions.  Where it is not possible to bring harmony of direction, abandonment of the journey becomes the alternative.  Such is what happens in business partnerships as well, and in politics as well.

 

A question that may help bring harmony back is : What was the road map that brought the partners together in the first place?  Can it be modified and restored?  If the answer is Yes, then hope still remains for reunion and success.

 

Kind regards,

Duru-darshan.

 

 

 

A reader from Saudi Arabia put in the search phrase, May Allah make Peace, and found my website.

 

Indeed, the Being, the Force, the Entity we call Allah, which translates into God for the Christians and Bhagvan for the Hindus, is the only one who can inspire people to restore peace, brining peace of mind, cessation of hostilities between brethren and kindred folks, and indeed to mankind at large.

 

May Allah bring peace, and inspire man and women to appreciate the wonderful nature of God's creation, and His gift of life to each and every one, which is so precious to us all...May we understand that it is equally precious to others.

 

May Allah in His mercy inspire us to understand that He has created the world with abundance, and may it be shared by all in a fair and just way. 

 

Often people are fighting over dominance of something, a house, a piece of land, a family business or anything.  Often people have died over such things, even over leadership, only to discover later that it was in vain, not worth the fight, and that the use or ownership of the same could have been achieved with fairness and just means - if such a subject had been opened up in words, and agreements made cordially.

 

In the Bible it says "Ask, and it shall be given to thee"  (Of course, one has to be patient with faith, as things happen in the fullness of time).

 

Similarly, I liked very much what the Saudi Prince Al-waleed bin Talaal has suggested : "For whatever you seek, ask Allah....and when you get it, give thanks." 

 

Allah the merciful, the magnificent, loves all mankind and living creatures, for we are all His creation.

In the fullness of time, Allah shall grant to each and everyone to their hearts content what they desire, as they live by His commandments and live in peace and allow others to enjoy peace.

 

Each has to ask : "What bring we into the world?"  Other than God's name and good deeds, is there anything that He would like us to carry to Heaven?

 

Kind regards,

Duru-darshan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It seems there are people regularly interested in the review of the above-name.  This, according to

a reprint of the original 1937 edition of Think and Grow Rich (with a foreward by Tom Butler-Bowden),

appeared in the Herlad Tribune, in the 1930s.

 

The book itself is entitled Mohammed, a biography, by Essad Bey, who has a few books to his credit,

including novels.

 

The above-mentioned biography and the previously mentioned review by Thomas Surgrue, have earned their names in recent history, I believe. 

 

All religionists are dreamers, who have believed and pursued a dream, as did Mohammed, as did Christ, as did the Buddha.  Their distinguishing characteristic was persistence, a characteristic that is the top quality necessary for any kind of success, followed by a purpose, a plan....and action.

 

All these revered figures had one more distinguishing feature in addition to a message of God : a message of love, preaching God's love for humanity and the unifying fact of humanity : love and honour for all, as brothers and sisters in humanity.

 

Today, I send my message of peace and love to the people of Oklahoma, Iowa, Arkansas, Missiouri, and the other states who have seen devastation at the hands of Nature. 

 

When I think of the twisters and tornadoes (now heading for Nebraska and Texas)  I imagine Christ's command : Winds, be thee still.

 

Likewise, we should follow in the footsteps of Jesus, and say : Winds, be thee still.

 

Kind regards,

Duru-darshan.

 

 

Saturday 18th May was start of the Romford Stake Conference of the Preisthood Leadership and it was very fully attended both days, including a full turnout on Sunday morning.

 

One of the speakers referred to Doctrine and Covenants 2, which tells of the 116 pages of the manuscript which came to be lost.  "As a Bishop, have you ever felt you have done something that has completely 'blown it'? (like the lost 116 pages?).  This was President Bleakley of the Romford Ward, who is now leaving to go and look after the Southend Ward.  He talked about Administering v. Exercising the Priesthood.  Reference was made to D&C 5:16, Moroni Ch 10: 8-17.  I personally admire President Bleakley, who always champions exercising the priesthood, and is a very capable Bishop. 

 

His wife, Sister Bleakley, who has three children, also told us as to why she is a Mormon.

"Why am I a Mormon?  It is because I was born in a household where both parents and grandparents were Mormons - I was born in the Church?  That's part of the reason.  But because I know our Saviour lives, I have chosen to be a Mormon."

Sister Bleakley grew up in Leeds, and there one day she saw a car with the registration LDS 4 EVA.  To her this was of course our Church for ever, although to the car owner it was most probably Leeds for ever.

 

One of the missionaries, Elder Nicols, has just returned from Greece.  He had a sunny testimony where he was at the Hills of Mars near the Acropolis, where the Saviour stood and prophesied in olden times.

     We are here that we might have joy.  Heavenly Father likes us to be joyful."

It may sound strange, but in Greece Yes is Na.  (And the good news is that there has been a lot of repair

to the Greek economy, and it seems normality is fast returning to that golden land).

 

Sister Lydia Jacobs is a new convert, who met two missionaries is Southend.  She was offered the Book of Mormon - what is this? she said.  It talks about a Prophet (Joseph Smith) who lived to transcribe this book and make it available to the world.  But she had heard that no one who sees the Father lives, yet two men who saw the Heavenly Father did live, to glorify His name.  Lydia was baptised recently, after meeting President Jordan.  She sounded like a transformation had taken place in her life.  She is very joyful now.  It is refreshing to know that should we see God, in our hearts, we would still live on, to glorify His name through sharing His message.

 

President Jordan especially travelled over to be at this testimony.

 

His wife, Sister Jordan, spoke about the success of the recent 'I'm a Mormon' campaign.  People have even contacted the Church to enquire about tickets to the show, The Mormons are Coming.

There are Mormons all over London.  Two missionaries near the Prince of Wales Theatre were asked for their autographs.  "What do you actually do?" some missionaries were asked on a bus.

"Is that a real Book of Mormon?" others have asked, seeing a copy of the beautiful blue pocket size softcover volume, which is available for the asking to those who would read it and discover for the themselves the veracity of the message.

 

There is a special hotline to President Jordan between 9.30 and 10.30 pm each night, and missionaries phone in to tell him about the miracles that particular day.  It is an even busier time as there is ever-growing curiousity about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 

 

Sister Bonnel Lawal spoke about the consequences of breaking God commandments, signs of which are to be seen everywhere and something we should guard ourselves against, despite the struggles to make ends meet and endeavour to buy the first house.

 

President David Barter, the Stake President, summed up his testimony in two golden words : Service sanctifies. 

 

To all the above, in the name of our Saviour, whose message lives through the faithful congregations, I say Amen.

 

(Written by Duru-darshan

Melchizedek Priest at the Ilford Chapel)

 

18th and 19th May 2013.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am grateful to hear from so many readers of my blog and website.

 

I was glad to note that Pyongyang called a Halt! and the Korean peninsula was peaceful.

 

As for Goods lost on a plane, British Airways seems to have stepped up to improving their wonderful customer service and seem to have fewer uncollected pieces of lost luggage.  Maybe they could give me a complimentary ticket to Los Angeles?  I'd like to visit there again.  It is a huge city with a nice atmosphere of thrill and enjoyment, although I am surprised the famous W is for sale.  It has one of the most spectacular, panoramic views of the city from its vantage, and once you taste the night life there, you feel good about life.  It has the vibes or writers and actors, and people who are enjoying life with creativity.

 

I put my opinion on Facebook that the unemployed should try and save £2 a day.  That's £730 a year, and should put a beatific smile on the face as you jets off somewhere for a holiday.  Or save for 10 years and you could put a deposit down for a flat.  In the meantime, with savings, your horizon is just going to expand. 

 

With money and hope comes a more positive outlook on life, that's natural.

 

Anyone with any ideas how I can make some big money with my website, please do get in touch.

Or drop Marissa Mayer a hint to buy my webiste.

 

It's a nice, beautiful sunny day here in London. 

 

I wish you all a happy time, with good health and good cheer.

 

Kind regards,

Duru-darshan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The China GDP figures for the first quarter, showing a slowdown, have sent the markets down, dampening spirits especially in commodities, gold, silver, aluminium. 

 

Oil, which was far too high anyway, has also come down.  A level below $85 a barrel should soon prevail, I hope.  Marked slowdown in huge economies like China cannot be corrected otherwise.

 

The falls in gold, copper, aluminium and Oil started over the weekend in the Far East markets, and have continued into Europe.  The U.S. markets will most likely follow suit until the winds are clear.

 

The markets will of course find support levels for the various commodities in due course. 

 

A zero point three percent drop in GDP is not by itself too big, but the compounding effect of a high Oil price has taken its toll, that's what I would say.  There is a mood of optimism in the Far East, with the situation in the Korean peninsula seeming to be cooling down, hopefully finding a peaceful solution with trade-off of aid which North Korea badly needs.  If the late Kim Jung-il's Golden Son can take a conciliatory approach, and wake up to the possiblity of development and prosperity through peace, then everything should auger well for continued growth everywhere and good times. 

 

I send you, dear Readers, this message of hope and peace.

 

Kind regards,

Duru-darshan.