I have been ask by many why I am doing all this stuff about Amasa, I was reminded today and hope you may feel as we do:
Heleman 5:6-7
... I have given you the name of our first parents who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good.
7. Therefore, my sons, I would that ye should do that which is good, that it may be said of you, and also written, even as it has been said and written of them
Heleman 5:6-7
... I have given you the name of our first parents who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good.
7. Therefore, my sons, I would that ye should do that which is good, that it may be said of you, and also written, even as it has been said and written of them
Prodigal Son
I have reflected a lot lately, about the prodigal son
how the story was over, when it had only begun
How the older brother, was upset and confused
the younger had returned, and the fatted calf was used
Why after all he had done, was he then pushed aside
while his brother returned, and was treated with pride
saying “look at all he has done, when I stood by your side
While he frolicked and played, taking you for a ride
I watched over you, protected, working both day and night
I labored and struggled, and tried to make your day bright
while he was frivolous, spent the money, blew it all away
I would have done anything, to make you happy each day
You’re cheering and cooking, feasting on the best calf
hugging and kissing, everyone’s having a great laugh
while I’m out here working, until way after dark
you want me to leave chores, come and play in the park
The story wasn’t finished, and will be forever be untold
What of the man and his sons, as he continued to grow old
Was the young son brought back, did he win back his place
Did the older loose out, as they continued running the race
As brothers in this life, we often look and compare
As we struggle and fight, is anything equal or fair
We are here working for salvation, day after day
When we look at the others, who party and play
Then they come home, after they have played it all away
they step up to the plate, as if they have been there all day
What happens to those, who are rebellious and repent in the end
They come back, are honored, everyone welcomes the lost friend
Working here day after day, wondering what can it all be for
Why didn’t I just stop working, and run out the door
I could easily come home, after I had my great fun
Enjoying the blessings, from the work someone else had done
I often thought and pondered, then one day I realized
it wasn’t really the farm, that the old man had prized
It is what the old man wanted, for his children to be
It’s value, not volume, that makes a man’s worth don’t you see
If he lost all he had, the older son could build it again
With knowledge and wisdom, the knowledge within him
What he had was, not in what he could hold in his hand
But the ability to make it, it was what made him a man
Not the soil or possession, but with his power he could win
Through work and dedication, He could do it all over again
We often think of our lives as things we have acquired.
but it is what we gained getting there, that is ultimately desired
It’s the knowledge and understanding, the patience we endure.
The value of the man, not the possessions, that make him secure.
It’s not beauty, talent or great strength, we are naturally blessed
It’s the touching, feeling, experience, it’s how we’ve progressed
The Prodigal son’s returning, will be celebrated, and greatly blessed
With open arms, a loving family and place for his rest
But what he has abandoned from years of neglect and misuse
Precious treasures of knowledge, man can’t afford to lose
While the faithful brother, will continue on down his path
Gaining greater knowledge and understanding, all his Father hath
Moving further and higher, with each day he’ll continue to grow
Becoming better, more efficient, the greater wisdom he’ll know
Jack N. Lyman
I have reflected a lot lately, about the prodigal son
how the story was over, when it had only begun
How the older brother, was upset and confused
the younger had returned, and the fatted calf was used
Why after all he had done, was he then pushed aside
while his brother returned, and was treated with pride
saying “look at all he has done, when I stood by your side
While he frolicked and played, taking you for a ride
I watched over you, protected, working both day and night
I labored and struggled, and tried to make your day bright
while he was frivolous, spent the money, blew it all away
I would have done anything, to make you happy each day
You’re cheering and cooking, feasting on the best calf
hugging and kissing, everyone’s having a great laugh
while I’m out here working, until way after dark
you want me to leave chores, come and play in the park
The story wasn’t finished, and will be forever be untold
What of the man and his sons, as he continued to grow old
Was the young son brought back, did he win back his place
Did the older loose out, as they continued running the race
As brothers in this life, we often look and compare
As we struggle and fight, is anything equal or fair
We are here working for salvation, day after day
When we look at the others, who party and play
Then they come home, after they have played it all away
they step up to the plate, as if they have been there all day
What happens to those, who are rebellious and repent in the end
They come back, are honored, everyone welcomes the lost friend
Working here day after day, wondering what can it all be for
Why didn’t I just stop working, and run out the door
I could easily come home, after I had my great fun
Enjoying the blessings, from the work someone else had done
I often thought and pondered, then one day I realized
it wasn’t really the farm, that the old man had prized
It is what the old man wanted, for his children to be
It’s value, not volume, that makes a man’s worth don’t you see
If he lost all he had, the older son could build it again
With knowledge and wisdom, the knowledge within him
What he had was, not in what he could hold in his hand
But the ability to make it, it was what made him a man
Not the soil or possession, but with his power he could win
Through work and dedication, He could do it all over again
We often think of our lives as things we have acquired.
but it is what we gained getting there, that is ultimately desired
It’s the knowledge and understanding, the patience we endure.
The value of the man, not the possessions, that make him secure.
It’s not beauty, talent or great strength, we are naturally blessed
It’s the touching, feeling, experience, it’s how we’ve progressed
The Prodigal son’s returning, will be celebrated, and greatly blessed
With open arms, a loving family and place for his rest
But what he has abandoned from years of neglect and misuse
Precious treasures of knowledge, man can’t afford to lose
While the faithful brother, will continue on down his path
Gaining greater knowledge and understanding, all his Father hath
Moving further and higher, with each day he’ll continue to grow
Becoming better, more efficient, the greater wisdom he’ll know
Jack N. Lyman
My own personal feelings and thoughts
| mydadjacklyman.pdf |
| interview_with_ivanlyman.pdf |
Thank you all very much who supported the Amasa Mason Lyman Reunion in Fillmore. It was great to participate and listen. What a great family we have.
My mind was wandering on the way home and I realized that for the last 15 years I have been going to the reunion, expecting to hear the Church make some statement about how the Church has forgiven Amasa, for what they saw as Apostacy. Then a feeling came to mind that Amasa is not looking for forgivness from the Church, as it has little relevance in the eternal perspective, he is only looking for our forgivness and respect. His love is focused on us as his children. Ultimately you are all he ever really cared about and he only wanted you to have the best he could offer in that eternal perspective. "Not as great Church leader, but a man like unto God"
My mind was wandering on the way home and I realized that for the last 15 years I have been going to the reunion, expecting to hear the Church make some statement about how the Church has forgiven Amasa, for what they saw as Apostacy. Then a feeling came to mind that Amasa is not looking for forgivness from the Church, as it has little relevance in the eternal perspective, he is only looking for our forgivness and respect. His love is focused on us as his children. Ultimately you are all he ever really cared about and he only wanted you to have the best he could offer in that eternal perspective. "Not as great Church leader, but a man like unto God"
Jack's ramblings:
I have often thought as I have studied Amasa's words, "Is the total of the Lord's Plan, for our Eternal Exaltation, dependent upon Satan's success here on the earth."
As we talk of:
1. Adam and Eve, were driven out of the garden, because Satan won in his influence, and beguiling them to choose wrong.
2. We teach that the whole world was destroyed during Noah's time because Satan succeeded.
3. We even learn that in modern times the LDS were driven from Missouri and Illinois because Satan won.
4. We are taught that we are "SAVED" because Satan won in his influence over Judas, the Jewish rulers, Potiphar, and the Roman Legions, "Christ was crucified" because Satan succeeded.
I really hope when it comes to the end of our lives, we are not on the wrong side of the fence in our perspectives. Does our eternal progression really depend on "Satan's Success". I don't believe it I never will, I have always looked for the successes behind these failures and not on Satan's winning. There is far more than the "cross" to the savior's success and we need to look beyond the moment. Did he save us all, or just open the gate, and it is up to us to walk through. Are we walking or are we still watching and waiting on the wrong side of the fence.
I have often thought as I have studied Amasa's words, "Is the total of the Lord's Plan, for our Eternal Exaltation, dependent upon Satan's success here on the earth."
As we talk of:
1. Adam and Eve, were driven out of the garden, because Satan won in his influence, and beguiling them to choose wrong.
2. We teach that the whole world was destroyed during Noah's time because Satan succeeded.
3. We even learn that in modern times the LDS were driven from Missouri and Illinois because Satan won.
4. We are taught that we are "SAVED" because Satan won in his influence over Judas, the Jewish rulers, Potiphar, and the Roman Legions, "Christ was crucified" because Satan succeeded.
I really hope when it comes to the end of our lives, we are not on the wrong side of the fence in our perspectives. Does our eternal progression really depend on "Satan's Success". I don't believe it I never will, I have always looked for the successes behind these failures and not on Satan's winning. There is far more than the "cross" to the savior's success and we need to look beyond the moment. Did he save us all, or just open the gate, and it is up to us to walk through. Are we walking or are we still watching and waiting on the wrong side of the fence.
| reflectionsofamasajnl.pdf |
| atonement.doc |
| dates.doc |
| thelivingchrist.doc |
| aml01atonement.pdf |
| amasa-atonement.pdf |
| recipebook_all_2010printing3.doc |
| jacknlymanhistory2013.doc |
| visionsbookjnl(poems).pdf |
| youth.doc |
| tlk2018.docx |
| talk_may_2021.docx |
FROM THE SON (John 15)
The scriptures are filled, with what others say about me.
But often you read over, what I really want you to be.
Some say I was predestined, to complete this great task.
To do what was required, the things Father had asked.
But I want you to know, as you think about me,
It’s not about things, its what I want you to be.
Some say it was blood, as I hung from the cross,
others believe it was life, the sacrifice, the loss.
Yet others look at the garden, the pain that I bore.
The suffering I experienced, as I bled from every pore.
The blood I spilt, that your sins might be forgiven.
The life I laid down, so you could continue living.
It’s not things that matter, it’s why they are done.
It’s not about things, it’s all about loving someone.
What I did, wasn’t as important, as purpose you see.
It is the reason, I have done them, it’s not about me.
The Garden was agonizing, as I knelt by the tree,
as I thought of my own grief, I struggled you see.
I prayed to the Father, and shook with such fear,
then I thought about you, and it all became clear.
I thought about family, you, my loved ones so dear.
It took only a minute, and all became quite clear.
I forgot all the suffering, and my own miserable pain,
If I had to choose over, I do it all over again.
It is often forgotten, with the cross and the pain.
The purpose for my life, the real reason I came.
It’s not about things, that have freely been given.
It’s what you do with them, its all about you living.
Salvation truly was given, when I hung on that tree,
as I struggled and suffered, in that pain and agony.
It’s not the things that I did, that matters most, don’t you see.
It’s the reason I did them, it was not about me.
It was you that I dreamed of, as I knelt under the tree.
How I wanted you to become like, our Father and me.
It is you that I thought of, as I struggled in prayer,
You that I yearned for, to come follow me there.
As you drive down life’s highway, and look into the mirror,
The purpose of your life, I hope you see so much clearer.
As you see all you’ve been given, to get you this far,
Remember now, your driving and controlling this car.
It’s nice to give praise, for all you received from above,
But remember it’s not things, it’s all about Love.
The things I have done, gave a road and a vehicle for you,
To get you where your going, to do what you need to do.
But it’s you now doing the driving, and controlling the car.
You determine what you need, and where you really are.
I’ve given you the path, and opportunity don’t you see,
To be like Heavenly Parents, and to come and live with me.
Jack N. Lyman
The scriptures are filled, with what others say about me.
But often you read over, what I really want you to be.
Some say I was predestined, to complete this great task.
To do what was required, the things Father had asked.
But I want you to know, as you think about me,
It’s not about things, its what I want you to be.
Some say it was blood, as I hung from the cross,
others believe it was life, the sacrifice, the loss.
Yet others look at the garden, the pain that I bore.
The suffering I experienced, as I bled from every pore.
The blood I spilt, that your sins might be forgiven.
The life I laid down, so you could continue living.
It’s not things that matter, it’s why they are done.
It’s not about things, it’s all about loving someone.
What I did, wasn’t as important, as purpose you see.
It is the reason, I have done them, it’s not about me.
The Garden was agonizing, as I knelt by the tree,
as I thought of my own grief, I struggled you see.
I prayed to the Father, and shook with such fear,
then I thought about you, and it all became clear.
I thought about family, you, my loved ones so dear.
It took only a minute, and all became quite clear.
I forgot all the suffering, and my own miserable pain,
If I had to choose over, I do it all over again.
It is often forgotten, with the cross and the pain.
The purpose for my life, the real reason I came.
It’s not about things, that have freely been given.
It’s what you do with them, its all about you living.
Salvation truly was given, when I hung on that tree,
as I struggled and suffered, in that pain and agony.
It’s not the things that I did, that matters most, don’t you see.
It’s the reason I did them, it was not about me.
It was you that I dreamed of, as I knelt under the tree.
How I wanted you to become like, our Father and me.
It is you that I thought of, as I struggled in prayer,
You that I yearned for, to come follow me there.
As you drive down life’s highway, and look into the mirror,
The purpose of your life, I hope you see so much clearer.
As you see all you’ve been given, to get you this far,
Remember now, your driving and controlling this car.
It’s nice to give praise, for all you received from above,
But remember it’s not things, it’s all about Love.
The things I have done, gave a road and a vehicle for you,
To get you where your going, to do what you need to do.
But it’s you now doing the driving, and controlling the car.
You determine what you need, and where you really are.
I’ve given you the path, and opportunity don’t you see,
To be like Heavenly Parents, and to come and live with me.
Jack N. Lyman
