Stories: John Chase Life Story
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 -- Add Story
| Brother Norman,
Here is the talk I gave. Thanks again for coming. It meant a lot to me to see so many of the people my dad always talked about. I know it meant a lot to him too.
Dave.
I want to start my talk by thanking everyone for the tremendous outpouring of love and sympathy to me and my family. People have performed great acts of service and sacrifice on our behalf. Others have said or written very touching things concerning my dad and I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Thank you.
I struggled a lot about what exactly to say today. I read a lot of letters my dad had written to me to help me remember some of his stories. It finally occurred to me to let my dad say most of it. He of all people would love to speak at his own funeral so I decided to let him. Most of what I say, including the jokes, will be direct quotes from my dad’s letters to me and from some responses to questions my wife and I asked him about his life via email. I am hoping to paint a picture of him, but then focus on his reflections of what he valued most. The theme I noticed most was love of others I hope you see it too.
Again these are his words. I might interject a little but the rest is him or quotes of others that he gave me.
Lets begin:
MY EARLIEST CHILDHOOD MEMORIES
One time Mother came after me with a switch. I ran into the bathroom at the back of the apartment and locked the door. While Mom was trying to get the door open, I climbed up on the toilet to go out the back window. Mom heard stuff fall of the toilet so she knew what I was going to do. She ran around back. In the meantime I jumped from the three story window. Just below the window was a big nail that was in the wall, and was sticking out quite far. My sweater caught on the nail. So I was suspended hanging on the nail three stories high when Mom got there. She screamed and called Dad. He rushed over. They had to call the fire department to get me down.
My poor mother suffered a lot because of me. I made her so upset one time she fainted.
Even though I was a little stinker, I was actually quite shy. So I started telling jokes to cover-up the fact that I was shy. I’ve been afflicted ever since.
I think I told you about the fellow who’s friend opened a new business so he sent some flowers. When he attended the grand opening he saw the flowers he had sent and the note on them said, "with sympathy for your loss." He complained to the florist, who said, "Well, look at it this way. Somewhere there's a dead person with flowers on them with a note that says, Congratulations on your new location."
Tell about your dating experiences or “romances” during high school.
During my senior year my friend Ted Davis and I were on a double dated at a high school dance. First we took them to dinner and then to the dance. We went in Dad’s car, so I was driving. We took his date home first. We then went to my date’s home and Ted got out of the car and said he was going for a walk and would be back soon. After he left my date said to me, “I feel wicked tonight.” I didn’t do anything. I just took her to her door shook her hand and thanked her for the good time. I got in the car, picked up Ted and then I said to myself, “Well Dang!!! I had a chance to be wicked and I missed it!!!”
My dad was very smart. I was told by his friend Dr. Anderson just a little while ago that my dad was the smartest man he knew. He certainly had a good memory.
When I was at BYU I was given an I.Q test. The person administering the test, wondered if there was a mistake, so he gave me another I.Q test with different questions. I scored the same on the second test.
My I.Q is thirty points higher than the average doctor. That’s why I never listen to the Doctor, because I don’t want him to dumb me down.
In addition, I scored in the top ½ of 1% in aptitude in Economics.
I also scored in the tope ½ of 1% in aptitude in Accounting.
The only talent that I have that exceeds all of these is my humility.
By the way, did you hear that the guy who wrote the Hoky Poky died? They couldn't get him in the coffin. "They put his right foot in...."
My dad's thoughts on others.
I am the youngest in my family so all of my cousins are older than I am. My brother has grandchildren who are as old as my children. It's so nice to be the youngest as well as the best looking one in the family. And yet we are all immortal beings, what does it matter? Ever since I read that statement by C.S. Lewis, I’ve looked at every person I see as an immortal being. It sure helps us keep focused on learning to love others with the pure love of Christ. Learning to love with the pure love of Christ is one of the principal purposes of this life.
My dad shared some thoughts about the “The Parable of the Rose” with me. In summary it says
Our duty in this world is to help our brothers and sisters by showing them their roses and not their thorns. Only then can we achieve the love the Savior wants us to feel for each other; only then an we become perfect as he wants us to be and blossom in the garden of his Father.
I thought it was a pretty neat story. It made me think about the times when I was ready to show someone their thorns. Wouldn’t the world be a wonderful place if all we did was to show everyone the rose within them. Actually that is what missionary work is all about. It is the process of helping people discover their divine nature and to rise to their fullest potential. And the neat thing is that as we strive to do that, we discover the divine nature within ourselves.
On a business trip to Pennsylvania I realized that I was going to be there on a weekend and located a branch close by so I could attend church. During Sunday School the Branch President was notified that the High Council speaker had taken ill and wouldn’t be there. The Branch President came to me and said he felt impressed to have me speak and take the entire time. At the time he asked me I felt the Spirit very strongly. I wondered what the Lord could possibly want me to say at that meeting.The Spirit prompted me directly and told me to, “Bear my testimony!”
So, that’s what I did. As I bore my testimony there were experiences which flowed to my mind to share. These were experiences that happened to Paul Tao Jan and to Kazzy and Masahisa Watabe while they were on their missions. The things I recalled and the order in which they came was an inspiration to me. As I talked I felt a spirit to spirit relationship with a couple and their children, who were sitting at the back of the chapel. We also made eye contact several times. After the meeting I tried to make my way down to them, but there were many people who came to the stand and I didn’t make it there in time.
The next morning the missionaries came to my hotel room. They told me that they had been teaching this really neat family. But the family had decided not to continue with the lessons, and so they told the missionaries not to come back. However, the family realized they were the missionaries ride to church so they promised to go more time and then be finished.
They asked me if I remembered the family that sat at the back. I assured them I did. the missionaries said, “They were so touched by the things you said, they decided to continue having the lessons.” Indeed I was touched that the Lord allowed me to have the opportunity to testify and have it touch them.
In 1987 I bumped into one of the missionaries, and he told me that he still kept in touch with that family and that they had brought in their parents, brothers and sisters, and many friends and their families. By then they had brought over 250 people into the Church.
I’ve thought about that as to why the Lord had me be there for that experience and why the High Councilman was sick. I feel that there were experiences in my spiritual memory bank that would help these people with their testimony. I was given to recall them at that time and bear my testimony.
Prayer
Here is a thought I came across. We know that prayer is a powerful instrument in our behalf. In order for prayer to have power in our lives we must pray in faith. “Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth;” So prayer without faith is dead.
And we know from James chapter 2 that faith without works is dead. So we must pray in faith with “real intent.” Moroni 10:4. We must have good works to confirm our faith.
And we know from I Corinthians 13 that works without love, the pure love of Christ, are dead.
As long as we are striving and doing our best, and not judging others. Christ, who is perfect in exercising his pure love in our behalf, will bless us, and confirm our love, our works, our faith, and our prayers.
Scripture
I’m sure amazed by the scriptures as to how much is in there. They are so much more than some nice stories with a lesson to tell. They are indeed the words of eternal life. They teach us how to learn by the Spirit the things we need to do for our exaltation. As we listen to the Spirit and do as it says, we are given the gift of faith. That’s how it is done. And we are given the gift of Charity, the pure love of Christ. And we are given the gift of the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.
I take comfort in the scripture:
“When the Savior shall appear we shall see him as he is. We shall see that he is a man like ourselves.”
“And that same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory, which glory we do not now enjoy.” (D&C 130: 1–2)
The Work of God
This sure is a great work. I never cease to be amazed at the experiences I’ve had in my life and am still having. I know there’s purpose in everything and it all fits together so well.
Testimony
I’ve had a personal witness that this is His work. I know that He lives and that He is my Savior and Redeemer. I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is His Church. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that Gordon B. Hinckley is a prophet. I sure do love ya, Dave. I remember you in my prayers every day. Onward and Upward!!! |
| |
|
|
|
List All | Add Story
|
