Jeremy and Martha

Hi everyone! We're so excited about everyone's house, baby, and Matt's mission news! Congratulations! We're well and glad to hear everyone else is too. We made it to our new house and we're all moved in. After living in teensy apartments it's so much fun to have a house to decorate and paint. We feel like we have so much more room. I actually have enough space to put all my decorations out--and there's still enough room to walk around! We'll see how long they last. . . We love our new ward. The people here are so, so, so nice. I had people from the ward offering to baby-sit Lyle while we moved in. Then we got some dinners and deserts from various ward members after we moved in. We feel so welcome. There are many students here and also families that just live here. Lyle (and Jeremy) has plenty of boys close to his age to play with. It's a lot of fun. The mom's in the ward do all sorts of activities--for free! I've had a much easier time fitting in. Last Friday I loaded Lyle up in the stroller and walked with another mom and her baby in her stroller to the subway. We hopped on it and rode downtown and waited outside a local news station for their "freebie Friday" giveaway. Even though there were a lot of people in line, the cameras went right up to our cute babies and we left with a DVD, a duck-bill toy and 4 free tickets for a boat ride tour each. I know it sounds silly but it was so exciting and fun just to get out and do something. I guess the news station does it every week so I'm looking forward to see what I can get for free this Friday. So I've done more (silly) activities this past month than I've done since we moved here. I'm really enjoying myself. I know this sounds so silly but it just feels so good to get out and do things.

Jeremy has one month left of summer term. The class load is a lot lighter than the previous semester. It's a nice break for him. Well, maybe not too much of a break. He got a job at a department store selling women's shoes. He actually really enjoys the job, more than I thought he would. I'm just happy about the money part of the job!

Lyle is a cutie. Just when I think he can't possibly be more cute, he does something else. This isn't too cute but it's funny: Lyle loves to go up to our front screen door and lean against it and just look outside. He'll talk to the people going by and "vrrrroom" with the cars that go by. This morning while Lyle was sleeping Jeremy and I cleaned the windows. After we clean them we noticed how dirty the screens were so Jeremy took all the screens out (including the front door) and hosed them down and left them out to dry in our back porch. Not thinking I left the front door opened to let the cool air in. Well, Lyle woke up and I left him to play. I heard a loud crash and then crying in the other room so I went in to see what the problem was. Poor Lyle had went up to the screen door, got ready to lean against the screen and fell head first right through it, did a summersault and ended up lying flat on the ground outside on the front porch. I kept the front door shut after that. So we're well (not counting all of Lyle's bumps and bruises) and hope the same for everyone else. Have a great June month!

Nick and Becca

Well we are still working on buying a house. Our closing date is set for June 23rd. We are getting more and more excited to move in and start working on it and more and more antsy to sell this manufactured home (that's what we have to call it now that we are trying to sell it.) We've got some good bites and hope to have it sold by the end of the week. We already sold it once, we can do it again! (Last time it sold, the people buying it changed their minds about moving to Tucson, so we had to put the for sale signs back up.)

Nick is finished with finals and relaxing this summer. He is working 32 hours a week and the rest of the time he spends with me! It is wonderful. We spend a lot of time together as a family. (Including the time we spend waiting around a spic n span house for someone to come look at it.) Last week we went to the zoo. We have also been doing a lot of window shopping at Home Depot, Loews, and various furniture stores. I think we are mostly just dreaming though. Still, it sure is fun.

Jonathan comes into our room almost every morning to check on us. Last week he came in while I was still asleep. After him and Nick unsuccessfully tried to wake me up by tickling me (which actually, I was awake just not ready to act awake) Jonathan got a better idea. He climbed off the bed, put his finger over his mouth to silence daddy and walked over to my alarm clock. Then he pressed the sleep button and waited for me to wake up to turn it off. Once I rolled over and looked at him he started laughing and dancing.

We have so much fun learning his personality. At dinner a couple weeks ago he kept asking for more butter on his roll. Finally I just passed him the butter and Nick passed him a butter knife to do it himself and Nick and I continued our conversation. A couple minutes later we heard a, "Mmmmm, mmmmm," coming from Jonathan. We looked up to see him holding the stick of butter, with big teeth marks in it, between both hands, and a big grin across his face.

I had my ultrasound a couple weeks ago. Everything looked good and for the first time ultrasonographer didn't change my due date. So we are still looking at October 3rd, I think. I kind of forgot, figuring they'd change it anyway. Well, we asked the doctor to look to find out if the baby was a boy or girl. I suppose the baby was a little shy though because he/she kept covered. The doctor said, "Well, I can't really tell, but I don't see anything, so maybe it is a girl." Maybe my regular doctor will do another ultrasound because that was definitely far from convincing us that we are having a girl, although, our intuition says that we are having a girl. But who knows. . .

Anyhow we wish everyone well and hope to be in touch this summer. Love, The Bryces

Nick helping Jonathan plant grass

Jonathan spent spring break in Rocky Point

Isn't she a beaut!

I heard Keresa was pretty tired this month . . .

And I quote the Office of the First Presidency:

"Dear Elder Whitney:

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Dominican Republic Santo Domingo West Mission....You should report to the Missionary Training Center at Prove, Utah on Wednesday, 1 September 2004. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish language...."end quote.

Pretty sweet eh? I think I took all the really exciting stuff out of the letter. I'm pretty stoked. Finally I'll have a summer that will last long! Hmm, or maybe this will be the shortest summer of them all... hard to tell from this end. Thanks so much everyone for your support and everything else.

Oh one more thing, you'll all be writing to me, right? You'll be able to do that while I'm in the MTC by writing to:

Elder Matthias B. Whitney (man, that just sounds good!)

Dominican Republic Santo Domingo West Mission

Provo Missionary Training Center

2005 N 900 E

Provo, UT 84604

You're writing all this down right? And then starting probably Novemberish, you can write me pouch in Dominican Republic by putting this on your envelope:

Elder Matthias B. Whitney

Dominican Republic Santo Domingo West Mission

POB 30150

Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0150

Have a great day everyone and I hope to see you sometime before September 1st!

--Elder Matthias Whitney (ah! so cool!!!)

Dad's May Talk

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we have the right to receive blessings through the priesthood.

What Is the Priesthood?

The priesthood is the power and authority of God.

What do you think of the law of gravity? Is it immutable? In most cases. What about the law of conservation of energy? Inertia? Friction? The combination of natural laws that yield the seasons and allow night to turn to day and day to night?

These are mortal, physical laws. The priesthood controls them. The priesthood is the only perfect force.

Turn to D&C 107:1.

1. There are, in the church, two priesthoods, namely, the Melchizedek and Aaronic including the Levitical Priesthood.

2. Why the first is called the Melchizedek Priesthood is because Melchizedek was such a great high priest.

3. Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God.

4. But out of respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being, to avoid the too frequent repetition of His name, they, the church, in ancient days, called that priesthood after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek Priesthood.

So how long has the priesthood existed?

Look in Alma 13:7

'This high priesthood being after the order of His Son, which order was from the foundation of the world; or in other words, being without beginning of days or end of years, being prepared from eternity to all eternity, according to his foreknowledge of all things-'

By this priesthood power the heavens and the earth were created. This includes all the physical laws by which the heavens and earth are kept in order. By this power, the priesthood power, the universe is kept in perfect order. Through this power He accomplishes his purpose as stated in Moses 1:39. 'For behold, this is my work and my glory - to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.'

Our Heavenly Father shares his priesthood power with worthy male members of the Church. The priesthood enables them to act in God's name for the salvation of the human family. Through it they can be authorized to preach the gospel, administer the ordinances of salvation, and govern God's kingdom on earth.

Why Do We Need the Priesthood on the Earth?

We must have priesthood authority to act in the name of God when performing the sacred ordinances of the gospel, such as baptism, confirmation, administration of the sacrament, and temple marriage. If a man does not have the priesthood, even though he may be sincere, the Lord will not recognize ordinances he performs. These important ordinances must be performed on the earth by men holding the priesthood.

Men need the priesthood to preside in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to direct the work of the Church in all parts of the world. When Christ lived on the earth, he chose his Apostles and ordained them so that they could lead his Church. He gave them the power and authority of the priesthood to act in his name. Another reason the priesthood is needed on the earth is so we can understand the will of the Lord and carry out his purposes. God reveals his will to his authorized priesthood representative on the earth, the prophet. The prophet, who is President of the Church, serves as the spokesman for God to all members of the Church and all people on the earth. The Lord has prepared an orderly way for his priesthood to be given to His sons on the earth. A worthy male member of the Church receives the priesthood "by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof."

Let's look at Section 13 and its heading in the Doctrine and Covenants.

Ordination of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to the Aaronic Priesthood along the bank of the Susquehanna River, near Harmony, Pennsylvania, May 15, 1829. HC 1: 39 - 42. The ordination was done by the hands of an angel, who announced himself as John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament. The angel explained that he was acting under the direction of Peter, James, and John, the ancient apostles, who held the keys of the higher priesthood, which was called the Priesthood of Melchizedek. The promise was given to Joseph and Oliver that in due time the Priesthood of Melchizedek would be conferred upon them. See also Section 27: 7, 8, 12.

Keys and powers of Aaronic Priesthood are set forth.

1. Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.

This is the same way men received the priesthood long ago, even in the days of Moses. Let's look at Hebrews 5:1-6.

1. For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

2. Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

3. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

4. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

5. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, today have I begotten thee.

6. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek .

Aaron received the priesthood from Moses, his priesthood leader. Only those who hold the priesthood can ordain others. Men cannot buy and sell the power and authority of the priesthood. Nor can they take this authority upon themselves. In the New Testament we read of a man named Simon who lived when Christ's Apostles presided over the Church. Simon became converted and was baptized into the Church. Because he was a skillful magician, the people believed he had the power of God. But Simon did not have the priesthood, and he knew it.

Simon knew that the Apostles and the other priesthood leaders of the Church had the true power of God. He saw them use their priesthood to do the Lord's work, and he wanted this power for himself. He offered to buy the priesthood. (See Acts 8:9-24.) But Peter, the chief Apostle, said, "Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money" (Acts 8:20).

What Blessings Come When We Use the Priesthood Properly?

The Lord has promised great blessings to righteous priesthood holders who use the priesthood to bless others:

"Then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.

"The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever" (D&C 121:45-46).

What are some of the blessings of the priesthood?

Last week Summer had another child. Let me trace a few ways that baby will receive blessings from the priesthood.

As a newborn, Bronson will be tenderly cradled in loving hands as his father, a priesthood holder, pronounces a name and a sacred blessing upon the child as the Holy Spirit inspires. Soon he will begin to attend Primary and Sunday School and receive lessons and instructions at the hands of faithful teachers - men and women who have been called and set apart by priesthood power to teach the ways of the Lord.

When he reaches eight years of age, the age of accountability, he'll be immersed in the waters of baptism by one who holds the priesthood. Bronson will then be confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by one holding the holy Melchizedek Priesthood. In this ordinance, the child is given the gift of the Holy Ghost, which, if he listens to the still, small voice, will help him to stay on the strait and narrow path that leads to eternal life. Every Sunday, he and his family, together with other worthy Saints, receive the sacrament at the hands of priesthood bearers - the bread representing the body of Christ, and the water representing his blood that was shed to atone for our sins. During the sacrament, we remember the sufferings of the Savior, witness that we are willing to bear the Savior's name, and promise to always remember him and keep his commandments. In return, the Lord promises "that they may always have his Spirit to be with them" (See D&C 20:77).

As the young man continues to mature, he may seek spiritual counsel and guidance from his father, the bishop or other youth leaders. Aaronic Priesthood and Young Women leaders are men and women who have been called and set apart by priesthood authority to lead and inspire youth in the Church.

When additional counsel or comfort is needed, or during times of illness, he may receive a priesthood blessing from his father, home teacher, bishop, or other priesthood holder. A patriarchal blessing - given through an ordained patriarch - contains words inspired by God to His sons and daughters, serving as a guide and comfort for a lifetime and even with eternal significance. What a gift and blessing.

If found worthy, Bronson will receive the Aaronic Priesthood - the preparatory priesthood - and, as he matures, will be ordained a deacon, then a teacher, and finally a priest. Later, he may qualify to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and be ordained to the office of elder. Young women become members of the Young Women organization and later of the Relief Society. All these experiences give the young men or women many opportunities to learn and serve - and to enjoy a brotherhood or a sisterhood that is more precious than typical friendships in the world.

He may be set apart as a full-time missionary and serve under the priesthood direction of a mission president, sharing a testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ with all who will listen. Through service and sacrifice, young members experience a humbling change of heart that allows them to discern the difference between the tendency of taking in the world in contrast to the giving of the kingdom of God. Then, having established a pattern of giving, they give Church and community service throughout their lives, while at the same time being blessed by the service of others. The greatest of priesthood blessings available to Bronson will be found in the temple. There, he will get a glimpse of heaven. In that holy place, although he is in the world, he will not be of the world. In the temple, he can see himself as the offspring of royalty - as a son of God. The joys of eternity, which can seem so distant outside the temple, suddenly seem within reach. In the temple, the plan of salvation is explained and sacred covenants are made. These covenants, together with the wearing of sacred temple garments, strengthen and protect the endowed person against the powers of the adversary. After receiving his own endowments, he may attend the temple and perform vicarious ordinances to make priesthood blessings available to those who have died without the opportunity of receiving these blessings during mortality. In the culminating temple ordinance - eternal marriage - bride and groom are promised that, if they are faithful, they will enjoy a family union with one another, with their children, and with the Lord throughout all eternity. It is called eternal life.

As this righteous man establishes a home with his eternal companion, they continue to enjoy blessings of the priesthood. Revelation from God is made known to them throughout their lives as they listen to and follow counsel of living prophets, seers, and revelators. The husband dedicates the family's home "as a sanctuary...where family members can worship, find safety from the world, grow spiritually, and prepare for eternal family relationships."

As their children grow, parents teach them the gospel in family home evening. They teach their children to pray individually and as a family. They study scriptures individually and as a family - including the Book of Mormon and other scriptures of the Restoration - written and preserved through the generations of time by holy prophets. They teach them the plan of salvation. They help each son and daughter prepare to receive the same priesthood blessings and ordinances that they, themselves, have received.

Each time this mother is about to give birth, her devoted husband may gently place his hands upon her head and, through the power of the Melchizedek Priesthood, pronounce a special blessing. Later, he tenderly cradles in his hands their newborn babe, born in the priesthood covenant, and utters inspired words of a father's blessing.

And thus, the cycle of priesthood blessings begins again and again with each succeeding generation - all with the Father's sacred purpose of bringing to pass "the immortality and eternal life" of his sons and daughters (Moses 1:39).

How Do Men Properly Use the Priesthood?

Look to D&C 121:34-45.

34. Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?

35. Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson -

36. That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.

37. That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.

38. Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God.

39. We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.

40. Hence many are called, but few are chosen.

41. No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;

42. By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile -

43. Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;

44. That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.

45. Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.

The priesthood should be used to bless the lives of our Heavenly Father's children here on earth.

Priesthood holders should preside in love and kindness. They should not force their families and others to obey them. The Lord has told us that the power of the priesthood cannot be controlled except in righteousness (D&C 121:36). When we try to use the priesthood to gain wealth or fame or for any other selfish purpose, "behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man" (D&C 121:37).

When a man uses the priesthood "by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned" (D&C 121:41), he can do many wonderful things for his family and others. He can baptize and confirm, administer the sacrament, and bless the sick. He can give priesthood blessings to his family members to encourage and protect them when they have special needs. He can also help other families with these ordinances and blessings when asked to do so.

Men use priesthood authority to preside in the Church in such callings as branch president, bishop, quorum president, or stake and mission leader. Women who hold positions in the Church as officers and teachers work under the direction of the priesthood.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is governed by the priesthood. The priesthood, which is always associated with God's work, "continueth in the church of God in all generations, and is without beginning of days or end of years" (D&C 84:17). It is upon the earth today. Men young and old are baptized into the Church, and when they are judged worthy they are ordained to the priesthood. They are given the authority to act for the Lord and do his work on the earth. Is the priesthood necessary? Turn to Section 2 of the Doctrine and Covenants.

An extract from the words of the angel Moroni to Joseph Smith the Prophet, while in the house of the Prophet's father at Manchester, New York, on the evening of September 21,

1. Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

2. And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers.

3. If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming.

A great latter-day prophet, David O. McKay, promised every man who uses the priesthood in righteousness that he "will find his life sweetened, his discernment sharpened to decide quickly between right and wrong, his feelings tender and compassionate, yet his spirit strong and valiant in defense of right; he will find the priesthood a never failing source of happiness - a well of living water springing up unto eternal life"

Snowy and cold, out the window of the Circleville cabin on May Day, 2004.

Grandma checking the deck to see if it's done yet.

Same month, way different weather.

How much wood could a woodchuck chuck on a ceiling?