032124, Thursday, Journal Entry

Vitals: Wt. 227.2

Journal Entry 

My LAPD retired ID card expired last August (2023). You can see from the photo that I'm "CCW Approved" (prior to expiration) meaning that the ID gives me the right to legally carry a concealed firearm anywhere in the country... a privilege I would like to keep. So even though the state of California made it more complex, I went through the process. The main obstacle was getting myself fingerprinted. So I went to the Lindon Police Department and they finger printed me for free and gave me the cards with my fingerprints on them. They looked pretty bad but I sent it in with my $60 check. The California Department of Justice (DOJ) rejected the prints so I went to Orem PD and they have an automated system that does a better job. I had to pay but the prints looked good and I sent them in. These, too, were rejected. Then I was notified that my fingerprints would be analyzed by a person rather than whatever automated system they had in Sacramento but that this would result in a delay. So weeks and months have gone by and no ID card. I had the thought last Sunday that I should contact LAPD and see if they were still working on getting me a new ID. On Monday I got a phone call indicating that they just needed an updated Firearms annual qualification form and to verify my address. So I had the form and emailed a copy and got an immediate reply that my ID would be mailed this week. So almost seven months later I might be legally CCW Approved. Of course I have carried a firearm in the meantime whenever I have felt the need but it will be nice to be finally "approved" again.

I'll try to remember to put a photo of the new ID in here when it arrives.

I worked in the temple yesterday. I really enjoy my current assignment as Dressing Room Coordinator. My most important assignment is managing the Name Issue process. I won't write more about that here but if anyone has questions I'll gladly discuss.

Come Follow Me 

2 Nephi 31:19 And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.

20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

21 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen.

"How do we press forward on the straight(sic) and narrow way? How do we focus on our eternal progression when we live in a world that demands such attention to daily tasks? How do we remain steadfast when so much around us is laden with sin? The people in Enoch’s day faced these same challenges. Enoch began his ministry preaching to an unrighteous audience, but the people softened their hearts and heeded the words of the Lord to “walk with me.”

So can we.

Our eternal progression on that straight and narrow path in the company of the Lord Jesus Christ is...made up of many steps. Our progress on this journey is determined by recognizing the straight and narrow path, having an eternal perspective, and acting accordingly."

President Elaine L. Jack, Relief Society General President, April 1994

I'm not sure why this quote includes the phrase "straight" and narrow way and "straight" and narrow path when it's been generally accepted that the phrase should read "strait" rather than "straight". Two different words that are often confused. Look them up if you're confused.

2 Nephi 31: 17 Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost. 18 And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive. (Emphasis added)