OUR FAMILY: Sunday, May 7th, 2017

Medford, Oregon

79th operating temple

Dedicated: 16 April 2000 by

James E. Faust

Mosiah 25:1-13

Those gathered in Zarahemla unite and become known as Nephites.

*How does it help you to hear examples of God's goodness and power in the lives of others?

*To what sources, other than the scriptures, can we turn to learn of others' experiences with the goodness of God? (Don't forget family stories and histories!).

3 Nephi 29-30

29:1-12 The coming forth of the Book of Mormon is a sign that the latter-day gathering has begun.

30:1-2 Latter-day Gentiles commanded to come unto Christ.

DC 68:25-35

Parents are commanded to teach the gospel to their children; The Saints are to observe the Sabbath, labor diligently, and pray.

General Conference

Confide in God Unwaveringly

Elder Ulisses Soares

"Therefore, lift up you heads, and rejoice, and put your trust in God..." If ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart,...and serve Him will all diligence of mind,...He will , according to His own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage. Mosiah 7:19,33.

The faith of king Limhi's people was so profoundly affected by the words of Ammon that they made a covenant with God to serve Him and to keep His commandments, regardless of their difficult circumstances. Because of their faith, they were able to devise a plan to escape from the hands of the Lamanites.

I had planned on getting up at 4:30 this morning to finish preparing my Primary lesson, but it was actually 5:30. I got a call earlier in the week from the other teacher who teaches the same lessons as I do. Her brother is very sick in the hospital in Flagstaff and she is going to see him and could I teach her class on Sunday. I said I would be glad to. I took down her brother's name and put it on the temple prayer roll.

My lesson today is on the Saints Gather to Kirtland, Ohio. There were two great stories in this lesson. One was about Joseph Smith walking in to the Whitney store in Kirtland and saying to Newell K. Whitney: "Newell K. Whitney, thou art the man. You prayed me here, now what do you want?" Joseph had seen Brother Whitney in a vision praying for the opportunity to meet the prophet.

The other was the story of Lucy Mack Smith leading a group of saints to Ohio and praying for the ice to break so they could cross Lake Erie. What an amazing story! These are the children who attended my class: Curtis, Colter, Jace and Lianna from my class. Curtis brought enough money for us to buy a set of scriptures to give to one of our inactive members. Since he donated all the money I told Curtis he could choose who we should give it to. He chose his friend Braxton. We will have a pizza party and during the party will deliver cookies and the scriptures to Braxton. From the other class: Norma, Curtis's and Zemira's cousin who is visiting, Talena, Kacey, and Zemira. Ashten wasn't here. Her sister got married last night and maybe she stayed up too late celebrating.

James did not come to church today. When I sat down in the chapel before Fast and Testimony meeting Judy told me she got a call last night a 8 o'clock asking her if she would teach gospel doctrine. I guess Ed didn't make it back from the valley because of a track meet. Everyone who bore their testimony today mentioned the Book of Mormon. Our ward is scheduled to finish it by the end of May. I was not planning on bearing my testimony but the Spirit told me otherwise. I was the last adult to go up.

In singing time today we practiced three mother's day songs. The Primary will be singing next week to the mothers. It felt like Lianna, and Curtis and I were the only ones singing. I was so grateful that in spite of his attitude, Curtis did sing!

Brother Wilhelm and Sister Skousen did a sharing time on repentance. Curtis brought more money today to buy a set of scriptures for someone in our class who is not currently attending. He wants the first set of scriptures to go to his friend Braxton. Since he paid for them I said he could choose.
Lianna, the only girl in my class who attends is my friend and helper. She asked me today if Brother Lambson does anything for me for mother's day. I said oh, yes, he always makes me a steak dinner. Does he serve you breakfast in bed? I said yes, he does. She is so thoughtful and sweet!

I saw the Curtis's son who has cancer at sacrament meeting today. My heart went out to him. He is in his early thirties and is skin and bones. I felt like crying. I have never seen him at church before.

My friend Christy posted these tulips on the

Logan temple grounds.

James was feeling better when I got home from church. Since it still was not time to break out fast we watched part of the first new episode of The Good Witch. While we were watching the doorbell rang. It was the missionaries and they wanted me to go with them to their next appointment to talk to the children about Primary. I said I would be glad to go and I would meet them there. I went in and got dressed again in my Sunday clothes and drove to #91 on the Crossroads. The elders were already there. This sister takes in foster chiildren every other weekend. The children present were Isabell who is nine, Dominic who is 5, and Malia who is probably two. I told them a little bit about Primary and told Isabell she would be in my class. The elders showed a video featuring a Primary song and then went in to their message. I did not say anything more. Dominic came over and sat next to me in my chair. The elders spoke about Heavenly Father's plan but never issued a challenge. I recognized this sister's name from a list of investigators the elders gave us back in 2014. She has been on my prayer list for that long. I will continue to pray for her and the children. Two of her friends showed up during the lesson, Twila and her daughter Kelly.

James had some chili on the stove when I got home so I broke my fast. We finished watching The Good Witch. I sent out my family scripture text and did the rest of my gospel study. Michael sent a wonderful text to James today thanking him for being a great example of what a father should be. I guess his lesson in elder's quorum today was about fathers and it reminded him of his grandpa. I think it made James's day. James texted back to him that he was grateful for the example that Michael was to his brothers.

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