Why My Blog?

    I feel a need to express in words some of my thoughts as they press upon me from time to time. There is some overlap across the articles. If others read them, I hope they will come to know some of what is important to me. Each person has to decide what is important in his or her life. What do you and I accept as truth and why? What gives meaning and purpose to life. I try to focus on "truths" I am confident in while recognizing my own limitations. I respect your right to choose to agree or disagree with the principles and concepts I discuss. If they cause you to ponder and consider, then you will be doing what I am doing - pondering and considering.

If you want to respond to me for any of my posts, please write me at dkarpowitz@ku.edu or text at (785) 218-6592.

My blogs are all works in progress. Each time I reread something I have written, I make changes, hopefully improvements.

Enjoy!

First Blog

                                                            7/16/2012, Rev. 1/26/2026

The words of Jacob (7:26) resonate with me: "And it came to pass that I, Jacob, began to be old; . . . saying that the time passed away with us, and also our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream . . . ." In this blog I would like to share my thoughts and feelings with those I love most, my family. I don't suspect that I will say anything new or earth-shaking. I will simply write from my heart. I hope some of what I say will resonate with you.

Most importantly, I want you to know that I love each of you with every capacity I have to love: Diane, Chris, Wendy, Matt, Jenni, Joel, Beth, Jordan, Leah, Josh, Amelia, Tim, Caleb, Quinn, Michayla, Cami, Zach, Mason, Nick, Trenton, Kate, Emma, Ryne, Sam, Molly, Parker, Brynley, Wyatt, Elsie, Jonas, Evan, Bradley, Connor, Jane, Lilly, Sutton, Emi, Graham, those yet to be born, brothers, sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews and other family members. I desire my love to be Christ like and unconditional. Love too is always expanding and developing. I’m also deeply grateful for those who have stepped through the veil before me and left a legacy of faith and love: My parents, Diane's parents, our grandparents, great grandparents, and my brother, Jim, Diane's brothers, Frank and Bill.

It is not clear to me when I gained a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I believe it has come in small steps and continues to expand to this very day. I do recall that when I was in sixth grade, I read Deta Petersen Neeley's series A Child's Story of the Book of Mormon. As I read about Nephi, Lehi, King Benjamin, Alma, Ammon, Helaman, Captain Moroni, Mormon, Moroni the Brother of Jared, and others, I felt a "fire" within me that has only deepened and matured. I could visualize these great prophets in my mind. I knew then and I know now they spoke the words of God. As I studied, matured, and tried to live the principles of the gospel, my understanding has deepened and enlarged. Periodically, I have witnessed, heard, and felt things that I knew came from God, most too sacred to put in print. I know God is a loving Heavenly Father who has prepared a plan whereby all His children who desire to can come back to Him, become like Him and have the life He has. I know that Jesus Christ is His only begotten Son and the Savior and Redeemer of humanity. I know that God has restored though the Prophet Joseph Smith, His Church and Kingdom on earth, the divine priesthood authority to bind on earth and in heaven, to provide the ordinances necessary for exaltation.

Lest you think that I think of myself as more or above others, let me be quick to acknowledge that I know that of myself I am nothing. Still, I am a spiritual son of God and within me also is a spark of the Divine as it is in every person. I have weaknesses and imperfections aplenty, but when I live worthy of the Holy Spirit I can do all that God asks me to do, for with Him "all things are possible." I can also endure with patience all the trials He would have me experience. I have no adequate words to express the gratitude I feel for my Savior Jesus Christ, who has born my sins as He does all who repent. "I [kneel] all amazed at the love Jesus offers me."

In the coming weeks, months, and years, I hope in this blog to write the things that are important that I want to convey to each of you who takes the time to read them. My first homework assignment (remember I have been a teacher all my life) is to ask you to pray for each other every day. I assure you that I pray for you every day. I believe prayer is an enormously powerful force for good. We can do much to strengthen each other by inviting God into each of our lives.

I hope my blogs in the future will tap a wider range of communication content.

With love,

Dad, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Brother, Friend, Dennis