Day 53 Oklahoma City song: Route 66 - Bobby Troup

Didn't want to leave Kansas City, but funds are low, time is short. And like Merle Haggard, I am a lonesome fugitive. He who travels fatest, goes alone.

I had to skip St. Louis. This made me sad, because I wanted to see the gateway from the east to west. But I had to move south. I went through Missourie and Kansas into oklahoma. People had told me that those states were some of the hardest to drive through. I beg to differ. The route I took was completely pleasant. But that didn't matter because on the phone my good friend Michelle accompanied me most of the way. Michelle is a good friend to have. Someone who you can trust to speak anything about. Completely honest and our conversations can go from absolutely meaningless to as deep as you can imagine in seconds. We spoke on the perspective of this trip. Why am I still doing this?
I really don't know what made me take this trip. People like Thermal and Ken in D.C. had asked me, "would you really move to anyone of these towns you get an offer in?" And the truth is, I don't know. I don't feel like I have much choice but to move their. But I have been waiting for my one possible job opportunity from Kalamazoo to call me. I told my friend Steig from Kalamazoo and his response was, "You better find a woman before you get out there. 'Cause you will not find one there."
These are the thoughts that have gotten me lost on this journey. I'm still not sure what I'm looking for. Michelle helped me clear some of these questions up. The decision is that there is many things out on the road that I need to learn that I can't anywhere else. many people I need to meet and things I need to see and do. I guess I always knew that, but some days I focus so much on trying to get a job that, I lose sight of what is all around me.

I got into Tulsa thinking this is where I was going to stop for the day. Tulsa is a nice town. Bigger than I imagined. And pretty clean. Not a ghetto. But I went to the computer to find something to do. And there was NOTHING. Every cool museum was closed. I couldn't find a nice park, museum, music venue, tourist trap, sporting event. I even tried social dancing. NOTHING! So I did my routine of dropping off resumes and moved along to Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma City, much like most cities I have found in the country, is MUCH bigger than I had imagined. In fact, I would go as far as to say that Oklahoma City is the BEST kept secret in the U.S. This place is happening. No joke. I found immediately an area of town called, Bricktown. This was like a classy version of Beale St Memphis or Bourbon St New Orleans. It had a nice river walk next to well designed resturaunts and a movie theatres and clubs. The music scene out here is a SENSORY OVERLOAD. I almost had a heart attack. Do I go check out the dueling pianos? The lonesome sax player? the Smokey jazz lounge? The Rock Venue? the Blues band? The country band? The accoustic cover song dude? Where do I go? I wished I could clone myself like Micheal Keaton in Multiplicity. And it was all classy, almost family friendly. Tried to see it all. I loved it. But as the night rolled on, the demographics changed. It went from families to single and desperate people. Dorks with popped collars and women who have daddy issues. My enthusiasm was attenuated to doing a complete 180. I felt I would be happier somewhere else. Besides, I didn't have money for that kind of fun.

However, I did check out the blues band playing in the park. The band was a pretty text book blues band, good but nothing to write home about. After playing in the Jackie Greene band as long as I did, I became a real music snob. But I was very entertained by the folks dancing to the slow blues. Unlike in Kansas city, I was NOT going to be apart of this dancing. It comprised mostly of single people in their 50's whering tank tops, and mullets. Both male and female. And dancing very suggestively while intoxicated with papst blue ribbon. It was like watching a race car wreck. You don't want to see it, but dang it, as long as its going on your not going to miss a SECOND OF IT! I sat there hoping that when I am 80 years old, some 20 year old couple will vomit at the sight of me dancing to blues in the park with my 80 year old wife, moving just slightly inappropriately.

All and all. Oklahoma city is a good place. I unfortunately can't do any job hunting while here. I forced myself to keep a schedule. I have to be in Sacramento by the fourth of July. That means, I have to keep moving. But now I am on Route 66 (actually 40) which was the beggining of this whole trip I was intending to take. It seems so tiny after being on the road for nearly 8 weeks.

scripture: Matthew 5:45

Day 52 Kansas City M.O. song: Kansas City - Little Willie Littlefield

I felt pretty gross and uncomfortable in my car as I pulled out of Hannibal Missourie in the morning. But I already had a late jump on the day. No time for anything, I had 4 more hours of driving before my early appoinment in Kansas City.

Once again, I pulled in to a town thinking it was going to be much smaller than it was. Kansas City is HUGE. I really didn't know. But I quickly fought through traffic and met my contact at the local fox news station. His name is Thermal and is an accountant for Fox. Jeffrey from Columbus sent me to him. Thermal could not have been friendlier and more helpful. He seemed almost as excited to meet me as I was him. He took me to his buddy Larry's office where we just discussed radio and tv. They listened and respected my ideas. It felt great. They already knew way more about me than any of my other contacts did. They have been checking on the blog for a little while and they watched my interview of Fox. They were impressed. I can tell they wish they had something for me, but Thermal informed me that the station they are working at, 3 years ago employed 200 people. Now they are down to 50. But, he introduced me to the News Director anyway.

The News Director was a man named George. Just by looking at him, you can tell he is ALL business, and his time is valuable. I was right. He was nice enough, but I knew that he was going to be a real broadcasting Simon Cowell, not afraid to speak the harsh truth and will say it as instantly as he thinks it.
"Well, your first mistake is trying to get a job in Kansas City. We wouldn't hire you if we were hiring. Maybe not even entry level stuff. You gotta pay your dues in a small market. Kansas City is going to be your 3rd or 4th market jump. You need to take that first job in one of those places you mention like Kalamazoo, or Clarksburg or Gruene. Or try Yuma Arizona.
Now lets look at your resume......First thing, Get rid of ROCKNROLLRANDY@HOTMAIL Thats unprofessional. You want to be taken seriously you need to have an e-mail that says rcpeterson at hotmail or something. Other than that, your resume looks good. You have a good amount of experience and it should land you a job somewhere.
Next lets look at your demo reel."
(George is the first person to look at my demo reel while I was there to watch. When you open my demo reel the first thing that pops up is the menu put to some quiet rockabilly guitar).
"You already lost the job. Why is there rockabilly music there? It doesn't make sense. You only have 30 seconds to get my attention and you don't want to confuse me in that time. But, since this is only a practice, I will watch one of your clips anyways.....(he watched a news story I did) You can't call something a NEW TRADITION, that is an oxymoron....... Other than that, I am impressed. You write really well, you speak well and you have a good presence on camera. You have all the tools that you need. You have what it takes. You just need to improve some of the presentation on your resume and demo reel. And also make sure your answering machine on your phone is professional, you do NOT want something stupid. Is yours professional?"
"Of course!" (as I remember mine says: Hit Paydirt with KDRT, this is Randy, leave me a message, if you're important enough, I will call you back.)

Hearing what George had to say was tough, but I know he was being honest, and when he said something good, you know he meant it.He worked in broadcasting for forty years, he knows his stuff. So I feel I did pretty well all in all. He gave me a contact to explore at KSL in Salt Lake City. He also asked to keep my demo-reel. I just hope its not to laugh at me later. But I think he honestly saw some real potential in me. But, he is going to wait for me to pay my dues first.
He was awfully nice to give me so much of his time. I can tell he doesn't have much especially since he couldn't hire me anyway. And the funny thing is about this trip, I have really seen that those who have the least, often are the ones who give the most.

When that meeting was over, Thermal and Larry left me a HUGE stack of my resume on the counter in nice paper so I never run out. Thermal also left me an envelope with a generous contribution to my funds. My heart sank. I didn't know how to thank him. But he wasn't there. All I can do is keep on keeping on and not let anybody down. I really would hope to land a Job where Thermal works.

Afterwards I hit the ground running at the local radio stations. Kansas City, is radio consolodation at its WORST. They have about 20 radio stations, in about 3 buildings. The older woman at Entercom was less than helpful. I doubt the my air checks will get listened to. If I ever walk into a restaurant before she does, I will let her get her own dang door......that'll show her.
The dude who worked reception at Cumulus radio was cool. He looked like Luke Skywalker and seemed to want to help me. He promised he would personally deliver my resume and gave me a number to call next week to see what his boss thought. Now he is another guy I hope to work with, its that kind of kindness that people want to return.

With that few building and that many radio stations, it doesn't take much to be finished. So I was done in time to spend that money Thermal gave me. First thing, I needed a new shirt. The one I was wearing to all the radio and tv stations is getting worn out and ratty looking. So I got a good deal at target for a sexy stripped shirt. yeeeah. With the rest of the money, I bought a ticket for the Jazz Musuem and the Negro Baseball League Museum. Both AWESOME MUSEUMS. If you are ever in Kansas City and you don't go to those museums, consider your time wasted. You will never regret. The Jazz Museum was plain cool. Especially for me, because for the past year and a half, I have been trying to study and understand jazz. Its hard, even for a blues musician. But I have listened to a ton of legendary Jazz on the road and its finally coming together better. Now when I hear the sounds, I can tune everything out and I can hear what the musicians are trying to tell us. Somewhat. Jazz is an experience that inspires passion, and endurance. I used to say Jazz was just messed up blues.... I was wrong. My Jazz History professor whom I had argued with many times on the subject of jazz, had become so much more intelligent and wisdomatic in my head. I think he was right on more accounts than I gave him credit for.

Just when I thought I should quit while I was ahead, I saw the Negro Baseball museum across the hall. THAT TOO WAS AWESOME! It was inspiring, I didn't know the league started in Kansas City. The museum was powerful and well done, as a lot of museums I have witnessed along the country. But these ones moved me. I didn't know how much MoJo was in Kansas City. When you think about it, Some of the United States greatest contribution to world culture is Jazz/Blues and Baseball, which Kansas City really plays a great role in.

Afterwards I checked into the KOA and got me a shower. I desperately needed it. Then I went to see the Kansas City royals. All the cheap tickets were gone, which upset me because, the game looked awesome. The stands looked to be almost to capacity, and the stadium looked AWESOME. The fans were wild and intense. Every time a Royal would hit a homerun, the stadium would launch fireworks. I decided you can tell a lot about a town by how they get into their baseball teams. I watched and hung out, outside by a scalper named Thomas who thought I looked like Justin Timberlake. He was funny, but he kept pestering people about giving him bus fare. He was just lying to make money. He makes more money lying than I do panhandling by far. I decided not to hang much with Thomas, it made me sick. After all the things people have done for me, to watch someone take advantage of others made me sick.

So I went to the legendary drag of 18th and Vine. I went to the Blue Room. This is the classiest joint I have been to all trip. They had a REAL jazz band there. It wasn't some bunch of White dudes with leather vests and white ponytails playing Jazz. For these guys, jazz was not a hobby, but their commitment to life. They were having fun and communicating to the crowd in more ways than one. This club was rad. I suspect the next time I get serious with a woman, this is where I will take her to impress her. I will take her to a Royals night game and cap it off with a dinner at the Blue Room with some dancing.

Aftwards, I left completely satisfied. Except now I got greedy. I went to one more club across the street. There was the most AMAZING funk band playing for really cheap. The front man was by far one of the most entertaining Individuals I had ever seen, and I have seen a lot. It was like watching Bootsy Collins, Jaco Pestoria and Maceo Parker all in one, with a twist of Flava Flav.
The club was also very classy with a strict dress code. But this one was definately younger. And I was without question. THE ONLY WHITE DUDE THERE!. It was a total juke joint and it was packed with about 200 people. I got some funny looks at first, but when a pretty girl named Tia asked me if I can dance, and I responded with a grin, "DO I !?!?" I got on the floor and danced, and then I WAS IN !!! Suddenly I was popular. Not because I am a good dancer, but I wasn't under stiff competition. A few of the ladies wanted to dance with me. Afterwards a gentlmen asked me,
"Boy, whered you learn to dance like that?"
I responded in my liliest white boy voice, "BYU-Idaho sir."
"Heheh HAaag, boy, Idaho?! You a loong way from home."
"thats wierd, because I was just starting to think I opposite."

scripture: Revelations 2:19

Day 51 Nauvoo IL song: The Long Way Home - Norah Jones

Leaving The Parkers home was hard. Who knows if and when I will see another bed, let along a warm cooked meal. Not to mention, friends that I have no idea if and when I will see them again. But like Celine Dion, my heart must go on.

I drove towards St. Louis by way of Nauvoo IL first. One thing I have not done since being on this trip is go inside a temple. When I got there, I only intended on visiting for a few moments and leaving. But I just walked in without thinking. I just did some work. A lot of work in there, for several hours. I spent time in there just thinking. Thinking about what I am doing and wondering if I got off course somewhere. Or more importantly, where am I supposed to end up. Where is the logical end of this journey? Only a non believer comes to the temple expecting only a logical answer.

While in the temple, many of the volunteer workers were interested in my story when they asked where I was from. One gentleman by the name of Brother Howard asked me, "You look like you speak spanish do you?....Oh well if you did, that would help you on your journey. You need to go to the visiters center and pick up a Book of Mormon from the Sister Missionaries in Spanish. And then read it for 15 minutes a day until you learn it. Even if you don't understand it. Will you do this?"

That is a heck of a thing to try to get a stranger to commit to. Even stranger thing for me to actually commit to. I did exactly as he said. I didn't think about it, I just did it. I met with the missionaries who told me of all of the events going on in town that are free that I just "HAVE" to go see. And I was informed of somebody who would be able to help me on my quest. So I stayed. It was too late to go to St. Louis and get anything done at this point anyway.

I saw a play that was about the upstart of Nauvoo. It was done by senior citezens at LEAST 70 and up. Now, I have always thought it was cute for kids to play adults. But it is so much greater to watch old dudes play young folk. IT WAS AWESOME. You have not seen theatre until you have seen it done COMPLETELY by old people. These people were just retired and have fun just being apart of this fun show. You can't miss it if you go to this town.

Afterwards there was a special free performance by the BYU Ballroom team. I couldn't find the guy everyone was telling me about to meet with. So I had nothing else to do but watch the BYU dancers. I didn't know this but, they were known as some of the best in the country and probably the world. Now I am a dude. I have never willingly gone to watch ballroom unless it was for a girlfriend or something. But I really enjoyed this, and I was by myself. Before I wasn't sure how much it had to do with the company I was with but this time it was just me. And I didn't enjoy this performance because I was checking out the chicks either. Granted I did want to take a couple of them for a spin, (litterally not figuratively) but that was not it. I just enjoyed it.
I'll tell you, if ever any of you ever catch me watching dancing with the stars bymyself, I want you to back hand me and start quoting Jim Mora, Vince Lombardi and Mike Ditka. I fear for my future as a dude.

I spent the night in the town that Mark Twain came from. I am going to have to skip St. Louis for now and go straight to Kansas City. I have an appointment and I can NOT afford to miss those.

scripture: TBD

Day 50 Cedar Rapids Iowa song: Tuesdays Gone - Lynyrd Skynyrd

This morning I accidently let it slip that it was my birthday the night before. Loretta (my host) made me a huge breakfast and asked me what kind of cake I like.

I found that I ran out of my massive stack of resumes. I don't know how to look at that. I gave out all those resume's and I got no jobs, or I have been hard at work. I guess for sanities sake, I will take the optimistic route. But I had to spend a good portion of the day making more resumes and more air-checks. When I got done, I still had plenty of time to get to all of the stations in town. The news station had me sit in the lobby for an hour as I waited for the news director. She came out and said, "Wow, you are really a brave man. I hope your documenting this. I'll tell ya, its the economy is why we can't hire right now. But I promise to take a look at your resume and tell you what I think if I'm interested. But I'll tell you, I have a stack of 300 of these. Good luck, and don't give up, you'll find something."

I have heard those words lots scattered throughout this journey. But thats ok, I don't let it get me down. Now I know for sure that at least she will take a look at my stuff and turn me down because I suck and not because I fell in line with all of the others.

I went to many of the radio stations in town. The biggest one in town had only two Program Directors with about five stations. And both of them were busy being on air when I arrived. That is not a good sign for this town, these were the biggest stations. I decided thats ok, I will leave my stuff anyway. Won't give up, won't give up, won't give up.

When I got back to Loretta and Garth's home, there was a cake baked for me and a present. They left me with a card with 40 dollars in it. I was speechless. I really don't know how to say thankyou to such generocity. I know I need it though. I can't survive without it. They also gave me an Iowa University shirt. Its pretty cool. Now I have a shirt from the Iowa area.

Later on I was set up on a blind date. Luckily for me, she was beautiful. Her name is Mellissa and she works in healthcare for people in Africa. She does a lot of traveling. She is older than me, and she spent a great deal of her life serving others, this is how she found her chi. She is perhaps the most spirtually grounded person I had ever met. We had some pie and spoke of how one can know where you are supposed to be. She had no problem completely opening up and sharing her perspective on the Gospel and telling me all that she feels. She seemed like she has been around forever with how much she knew about life. I envied her perspective and connection to the higher sphere. We spoke on what it is that makes people know where home is. Of course, I couldn't have the answer in one night. But hearing it from someone as intelligent as her, definately helps put things in perspective and gets me to closer to my goal.

scripture: 2nd Nephi 31:20

Day 49 Milwaukee WI song: What Made Milwaukee Famous - Jerry Lee lewis

Last night Scott informed me he is a foot doctor. This is intriguing because I have been walking with a foot brace for the past week. He took a look at my foot and told me I probably just have a stress fracture. I will probably be ok as long as it feels better. Just need to remember to take the motrin Annie gave me.

I spent the morning bugging my friends to get a hold of Scott and his wife after I left. I forgot my phone in my hosts home last night. After I awoke a couple of my friends on the west coast to track them down, they came by the house to let me in only for me to find I had my phone in my back pack. Ask me if I feel like an idiot and I will say "Yes." But, I have only goofed up once in seven weeks so if your laughing, you can just "BACK OFF!!!"

I got to Milwaukee and I hit the nearest Starbucks to check my e-mail. I got a reminder that it is my birthday by a website called, "LDS ROMANCE." The fact that it was them who reminded was pretty back handed. Its like someone shaking your hand and wiping there shoes off on your leg at the same time. I don't even know how they found me and know my birthday. But today I turned 28 and they were the first to remember. Please shoot me now.

Milwaukee had some pretty cool radio stations and it seems that some good musical acts come around here. I spoke my normal routines with the receptionists. But I met my favorite receptionist yet. Her name is Lauren, pronounced "Lowen".
Lauren: "Daaaang boy, you travel faaar. All 'dem PDs are off atta meetin'."
Randy: "Yeah, I always seem to catch them right at the meeting time."
Lauren: "Yeah I promise you thas was really goin' on though. But I'll give 'em yo stuff and it'll find its way into their hands. Are you good?"
Randy: "As good as they come honey. I mean business."
Lauren: " Ha HAAAAAghh, boy you gonna do jus fine in dis business. Where you goin' next?"
Randy: "Iowa City."
Lauren: " Well look out IOWA CITY, HERE COMES RANDY CLIFF PETERSON FROM SACRAMENTO CALIFORNIA. HA HAAAAAAAGGHH. AND ITS HIS BIRTHDAY TOO. EVEN THOUGH HE LOOK LIKE 21 YEARS OLD HE'S 28 TODAY . Good luck, it was nice meetin' wit choo."
Lauren: "Like wise."

Afterwards I checked out the miller brewing company. I did the free tour. It wasn't that interesting. I guess if you don't drink it means nothing to you. But I loved the tour guides thick wiscAAnsin accent. I then saw where the Brewers play. But I didn't have the time to stay for a game. I am running out of money, and I need to move forward. Oh yes, and I found that Sharks brewery was made up for Laverne and Shirley. So I didn't get to visit it, but I constantly had the theme song stuck in my head the entire time I was in Milwaukee. I did like milwaukee though, its pretty industrial and old as can be, but it had a little charm to it. However, I didn't feel like I was going to call Milwaukee home.

I had a long drive going to Iowa city. I stopped at a cool little fifties fast food joint on the way. I used the restroom and found something disturbing. On the wall of the stall I used I read, "911 was an inside job." Under that I read, "Obama voter" pointing to the other quote. Then I read some harsh Anti-Obama statements followed by some racist statements that lead to a statement that read, "Kill Obama." I guess I was no longer in the east coast. Its funny, the first two weeks of my trip I noticed the entire country seemed to be pretty republican. Then I noticed that the rest of the country seemed to be divided or democrat after tennessee. The east coast has a flurry of Obama shirts everywhere. I caught myself wondering if all the love for Obama was because of the person he is or his politics? Then I read the writing on the bathroom reading kill Obama. I caught myself wondering if the hate has anything to do with the person he is or his politics? I have seen a lot of beautiful things in this country. But this was not one of them. I tried to erase the dirty remarks by scribbling over them. I was ashamed. Maybe we haven't come as far as I thought we have.

I got into Iowa City to visit my friends the Parker's. They were my serrogate LDS family who had me over for family home evenings on mondays for a long time. They had me over with welcomed arms. They got a kick out of my Fox interview and watched it several times. We got all caught up and such. They are so good to me, they would have me stay as long as I wanted. I wish I could have all of my friends in one place. I will stay here for one day, I have my work cut out for me here anyway. Then I got to go to Nauvoo then St. Louis. I won't have anybody for another week and a half on this journey. I got to enjoy the Parkers while I have someone.

scripture: luke 2: 10

Day 48 Chicago IL song: Baba O'Reilly - The Who

Woke up to the sounds of the Bumble Bee's Dad singing along to the soundtrack of the Three Amigos, "my little butter cup, has the sweetest smile". The Bumblebee's (Steve) parents were great, they offered me breakfast and sent me on my way, they made me feel more than welcomed.

I had a lot of stations to hit up in Kalamazoo. I did my homework and went to them all and was done early. Nobody was really available to talk with me. One Program Director gave me about two minutes, but that was it. I don't think anything will come from Kalamazoo.

My next stop was Chicago. After the annoying tolls I got to work right away as well. Once again, everyone is TOO busy to speak with me, even after I have been e-mailing everyone ahead of time. Whats a boy to do? I got pretty exhausted in Chicago, so I saw a couple of sights. I went to Buddy Guy's blues bar, and found out that Brother John was hosting a blues jam, but only those who have instruments can join. I did not have a Bass guitar. That would have been AWESOME!!

I also saw where John Dillinger was shot dead. It was infront of a movie theatre. He shot down by a hail of gun-fire by the FBI. You KNOW WHO TIPPED THEM OFF??? It was his freaking girlfriend....... John just wanted to go to the movies....(whose with me?)

Other than that, I couldn't afford to park anywhere else in Chicago. As it turns out, the Chicago Blues Fest is this weekend. I have dreamed of going to that for YEARS. Ever since I was eighteen. But, I can't afford to stick around, I must keep moving forward.

After I felt like I didn't get anything accomplished today, I got a phone call from Kalamazoo.
Program Director: You Randy the gentlemen who left this resume and Air-Check with us today?"
Randy: "Yeeeah"
PD: "Well, I am going to pass this on to a person who is actually looking for a person EXACTLY like you. Your Air-Check is great! You sound like you could be a fun night time jock. I will pass this on to our country station if you don't mind?."
Randy: "No not at all. uuhh THANK YOU!"
PD: "No, THANK YOU!"

So thats cool, a guy who likes my stuff who didn't respond just because someone he knows referred me or because I have been driving all across the country. Also, I had another great connection from Cassie, the lovely girl I met in Boston. Her father is going to recomend me for a job opening in BYU's new broadcasting station.

My good friend Craig Berg (the Berglar) set me up with a place to stay just north of Chicago. His brother Scott and his wife. THEY ARE TERRIFIC. They would do anything for me. I can't believe how nice they have been to me and cool. I cannot describe how loved I have felt on this trip. I wish so badly I could find a way to pay everyone back. I wish I could do for the country what it has done for me. It almost makes me emotional. For now, all I can think of is, trying as hard as I can and giving this trip EVERYTHING I GOT.

scripture: Matthew 22: 37-39

Day 47 Kalamazoo MI song: Wide Open Spaces - The Dixie Chicks

Had a good day in Church, stayed wide awake and analyzed the proclamation to the family. Katie's grandparents sent me away full with some really good left overs of some home cooked goodness. Katie and I said goodbyes of good luck to one another and I was off.

All the way to Kalamazoo Michigan. A long drive through Ohio, way too long. Not one of the more fun drives. I ran into two tolls without any money. I must say Kalamazoo is much smaller than I imagined but I may have some real leads to follow out here. We will see.

I am staying at my friend Steve (the Bumble Bee)' s house. I got to meet his parents the king and queen bee. They are very hospitibul and we watched some sports together. I also met the Bumble Bee's older brother Jason, and when he found out I was a Chris Webber fan (of course I am, I am from Sacramento) I. WAS. IN!! I think the folks from michigan hate the lakers for the same reason those from sacramento hate them. Because we are still upset about game six in the 2002 nba finals. Jason and I got a long great. Then he pointed me in the right direction of some radio stations to hit up for tomorrow. So now I have my day planned.
Thats all I got today. I can't wait to get back to work.

scripture: Alma 32: 42