Unlike “Navin R. Johnson”, Steve Martin’s moronic characterization in the 1979 comedy film “The Jerk” , I was not born a “poor black child”. I arrived in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on the 18th of October in 1946 - the firstborn of European immigrant offspring. My father’s parents were Irish and my mother’s parents were Sicilian. Although I was born in New England and could characterize myself as “a Yankee”, the Lion’s share of my cultural identity rests in background of the people who had a hand in raising me. What I know about the warmth and affection among extended family members, I learned from my mother’s Sicilian people. My incisive wit is… brought to you by the makers of …my father’s Irish people.
Read More7. Then the seraph brought a curse (struck a blow ) against my mouth (voice; opinions feelings; priorities; requests; point of view; ) in keeping with a command he’d been given, so the Seraph said (declared; boasted) Behold (Here’s something kinda funny?) This new turn of events touches (puts hands on; puts some pressure on; acts-upon; impacts; effects in a morally-lousy way; damns; […]
1. Now…behold (observe something remarkable) …the Lord…… God of Hosts (Heaven’s multitude; Heaven’s army) is removing (taking-away) from Jerusalem (“Salt Lake’s Teachings-of-Peace-and-Salvation”) from Judah (Salt Lake’s “special-messengers”-of-praise and thanks-giving), the shepherd’s-staff (symbol of authority, used to lean on) and the people who are supplying all the support (material-assistance; money; subsidy; funding; capital) for Salt Lake to prevail (win; prove more powerful than Israel’s forces; […]
11. At first (in the beginning; in the initial stage or stages; during the nineteenth century) Aram (The “Citadel”;”Salt Lake City headquarters of the Mormon-Church) worked alone in persecuting Israel’s people, but in more recent history, Philistines (strangers; heathens; idolaters; people entirely uncaring about Israel’s God; people who are hostile to Israel’s culture; unbelievers) have partnered-up (conspired; colluded) along with Aram (Salt Lake headquarters) because they are also looking […]