A.M. 20 mile run with Chad before General Conference. Started at 6:00 AM. George ran the first 4 miles with us, but then we sped up a bit and he could not keep up. The first half was 1:20:10. In the second half (down the canyon for the most of it) I paced Chad through the first 5 miles in 30:38, then sped up and tried to hit 5:40 average for the last 5 miles. Benjamin joined me in the last 3.5 which we covered in 19:42. My last 5 split was 28:16, 4 seconds under target. We calculated that Benjamin ran about 17:31 5 K split in the middle of that, which would make it a new 5 K PR for him. I got 58:54 for the last 10 miles. Chad got 1:02:10, which is a very good time for him. Watched General Conference with the family after that. Did not realize Elder Perry was 90 years old. He is moving around quite well for that age. I find it significant that we have men in their 80s or even 90s who can speak to the whole Church and instruct us. History books are one thing. History gets written and re-written, and important details are lost as it is transferred from generation to generation. Even though I am only 39, I find that people of the younger generation have no concept of some things that I think everybody should understand perfectly without any special training or instruction. It really helps to have the continuity with people of age being in a prominent position and teaching us from their experience. While the experience of life is important, they do not speak from that alone. That experience is enlightened by inspiration that comes from the nature of their calling. When you think of preserving that generation continuity, the father to son connection becomes of particular importance. One of the first things that angel Moroni said to Joseph Smith was the repetition of Malachi's words about the hearts of the children turning to the fathers and hearts of the fathers turning to the children lest the earth be smitten with a curse. This quote was on my mind as I reflected on the significance of running near the Logan temple with Benjamin at the end of the Top of Utah marathon a few weeks ago. Before I was a father, this was just another thing that angel Moroni had quoted from the scriptures. Now I am beginning to understand the depth of it and the power behind it. P.M. More General Conference. Amazingly in spite of arising early and running 20 miles I never felt tired. I was able to feel the Holy Ghost during the talks and it kept me awake and alert. This is significant for me. I've had many General Conference experiences when I would feel inspired by a few talks, but then my ability to handle inspiration would be gone and I would fall a sleep at least for a few minutes. Ran 0.5 miles with William.
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