OUR FAMILY: Saturday, October 21, 2017

Villahermosa, Mexico

85th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 May 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Postmortal

Mark 16:9

Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 10:1-19

*How have you seen Christ work in your life like a "hen gathering her chickens under her wings" for protection?

- A hen cares for her chicks and would sacrifice her life to protect them. When danger threatens, she gathers the chicks under her wings for protection. In a similar way, the Lord loves his people, the house of Israel. He gave His life for His people and has sought to gather the together so he could protect and nourish them. President Henry B. Eyring said: "More than once He has said that He would gather us to Him as a hen would gather her chickens under her wings. He says that we must choose to come to Him in meekness and with enough faith in Him to repent with full purpose of heart. (3 Nephi 10:6). One way to do that is to gather with the Saints in His Church. Go to your meetings, even when it seems hard. If you are determined, He will help you find the strength to do it" (CR, Apr. 2004, 16-17; or Ensign, May 2004, 18).

Doctrine Covenants Scripture Mastery

DC 130:18-19

18 Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.

19 And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.

Relief Society

Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

How can I better honor Jesus Christ in His many titles and responsibilities?

General Conference

Lord, Wilt Thou Cause That My Eyes May Be Opened

Elder W. Craig Zwick

"I began teaching this missionary who wanted to go home, about the sacred nature of his call. I encouraged him to 'forget himself and go to work.' But no matter what formula I offered, his mind did not change. It finally occurred to me that I might not have the whole picture. It was then that I felt a prompting to ask him the question: 'Elder, what is hard for you?' What he said pierced my heart. 'President, I can't read.'

James and I worked at the Snowflake temple this morning for the Diewalds. They are gone and had asked the Crane's to work for them but since Chuck was released as a temple worker, Kathy asked us if we would work. We were glad to do it. I noticed there were several people from our shift who were there. I asked Sister Bradshaw if she works every Saturday with her husband and she said yes. I guess that is true for many. We are scheduled to work on the 2nd and the 4th Saturdays.

I met a Sister Nelson and she asked if we could work for them on November 4th and they would work for us on October 28th. We said we would. She lived in Gilbert so I asked if she the DeWitt's. She said yes, her husband was a fireman with Colin in Phoenix and Gilbert. She told me to ask Colin if he knew Willie Nelson.

President and Sister Scott presided at the temple today. They are my favorites. Their daughter is expecting triplets at the end of the month, just at the time of their releases.

We were very busy at the temple today. There were two people getting their own endowments, two sealings, including at least one beautiful bride.

My first assignment was some alone time in the Celestial Room. As I sat there in that beautiful room pondering on some of the challenges of life, I realized how holy our lives really are. I felt very close to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Sister R. Wilhelm from our ward helped me with my assignment as the credenza greeter. The credenza is where patrons can pick up the temple ordinance cards they have completed or where they can pick up a name to do. I now understand the system.

I had an hour to study the initiatory ordinances today. I did a session and did a name for one of the sisters in our ward.

James took our 13 baptism cards and all of them were done today. Now we will go next week and get the initiatories done.

On the way home James dropped me off at Walmart while he got us some lunch at Arby's. I had to get ingredients to make another cake for Hailey. I ended up spending over $100. It is hard to believe how expensive groceries are these days.

We came home, watched at episode of Heartland, "Step by Step" and then I worked on my blog and did some steps. Around 6 p.m. we left for stake conference. We saw a three car accident on the way. We went on the 60. I think every emergency vehicle in Show Low responded.

We made it to the stake center in Lakeside in plenty of time and sat right up front and center. This was one of the best Saturday night stake conferences I can remember attending, even though we had no visiting authorities.

Here are some of my notes:

President Bealer made a plea for more couple missionaries, quoting prophets and apostles.

President Jensen was the first speaker. He announced that the theme of our conference is: "To become and help others become true followers of the Savior and to come to the temple."

Raising a sin-resistant generation. "Teaching in the Savior's Way" is like Parenting 101. Are we using doctrine, the word of God, in teaching our children? 3 Nephi 18: "... continue to minister and come unto me with full purpose of heart." Be an example! Our children and grandchildren need our time. Grandsons week and grandaughters week at grandparents house.

Sister Tanner - Keep loving, trying, and trusting. Rock bottom can be a good foundation. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. "You are the only one that can make you happy." Attitude makes the difference in any circumstance. Prayer is the answer. Enjoy the now. Learn to be happy with what we have now.

Bishop and Sister Berges (Sister Berges is President Shumway's sister) "We must protect our nestlings." Boyd K. Packer.

Satan has found a way into our homes. The 3 T's of fighting pornography. 1.) Technology. Cell phones are the number one place that pornography is viewed. General restrictions on cell phones. Bishop Berges showed how to set restrictions on a smart phone. They also have their children turn in their cell phones at 9 p.m. every night.

2.) Talking. Sister Berges says she is the queen of awkward conversation. We cannot be afraid to tackle hard topics with our children!

3.) Teaching. The greatest thing we can teach our children is how to recognize the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is the greatest filter there is.

Prayerfully studying the Book of Mormon will strengthen us against pornography. Satan does not fight fair. The Lord loves us and will protect us as we come unto Him. Parents are the instruments the Lord is using to protect His children.

President Shumway - We must be more vigilant in protecting against pornography. There is always hope. President Shumway spoke about "Prophetic Priorities."

1.) Prophets and the Book of Mormon. Mosiah 18:19 - teach nothing save that spoken by the prophets.

DC 43:8-10 - Pattern our teaching after the Savior's way of teaching.

DC 1:14 - Hear His voice or be cut off.

2 Nephi 31:3 - For my soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men. For the Lord God giveth light unto the understandin; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding.

President Shumway told about the Book of Mormon experiement. Pages from the Book of Mormon were given to random people and they were to mark references to God. They then interviewed several people and the responses to the Book of Mormon were very positive.

Every 1.7 verses in the Book of Mormon has a reference to God.

2.) Going to the Rescue. We watched the Bible video of Jesus healing a lame man on the Sabbath. John 5:2-12. Luke 15:4-5. We must be more willing to rescue others!

3.) Temple and Family History Work - As we save our ancestors and do their temple ordinances they will help fight our battles for us. Our hearts change when we do service for our ancestors.

4.)The Sabbath day - Who can we help today? The Sabbath Day is God's time. We don't do our pleasures on the Sabbath but what we do can be pleasureable. Which side of the line am I on? President Monson's testimony of the Savior.

"I Know That My Redeemer Lives"

Benediction: Joshua Hall

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