OUR FAMILY: Friday, November 17th, 2017

Ascuncion, Paraguay

112th operating temple

Dedicated: 19 May 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Atonement

Zechariah 9:11

As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.

Book of Mormon

What are the characteristics of a true believer in Christ?

Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926-2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles says: "True believers are settled in their views of Christ. Despite their weaknesses, their spirituality is centered on the Savior. True believers gladly perform their duties in the kingdom. They include partaking worthily of the sacrament, rendering Christian service, studying the scriptures, praying, fasting, receiving ordinances, attending to family duties, paying tithes and offerings. ...True believers are humble. they are not easily offended. They do not resist counsel. True believers are willing to do what Christ wants. Are we willing to let the Lord lead us into further developmental experiences Or do we shrink back? The things which enlarge the soul inevitably involve stretching. True believers truly pray. Their prayers are sincere and heartfelt. True believers have both right conduct and right reasons for that conduct. They are so secure in their relationship with the Lord that their goodness would continue even if nobody were watching. True believers rejoice in the success of others. They don't regard colleagues as competitors. True believers remember that forgetting is part of forgiving. They follow the Lord's example: 'I will remember their sins no more' (DC 58:42). true believers are innocent as to sin, but not naive. They are kind, but candid. They love other people. True believers are happy. They are serious about how they live life, but are also of good cheer" (True Believers, New Era, April 1994, 20-24).

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 8:2-3

2 Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.

3 Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground.

General Conference

Bearers of Heavenly Light

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Light allows us to discern between truth and error and between the vital and the trivial. When we are in the light, we can make righteous choices based on true principles. When we are in the light, we have a 'perfect brightness of hope' because we can see our mortal trials from an eternal perspective. We will find spiritual healing as we step away from the shadows of the world and into the everlasting Light of Christ."

Shaylyn got her mission call this week. She is going to the Indiana, Indianapolis mission and reports to the MTC February 7th. She and Shelly are good friends and Shelly left for the MTC on Wednesday.

Shelly is going to the Baltimore, Maryland

mission.

James has insomnia. Normally when I get up at 5 a.m. he is still in bed. The last couple of mornings he has been getting up around 3-3:30. By afternoon he needs a nap, but that's pretty normal anyway.

Today at 7 a.m. it was 55 degrees. Tomorrow, according to my weather app, it will be 25. Things are cooling down as they should, now if we could only get some rain, or snow!

My day today was pretty much like all other days that I spend at home. I blog, I study, I do some housework, and I watch Christmas movies and do my steps. Today at 4 p.m. we left for the temple. I took a bath earlier and when James came in to take his shower there was no hot water left. Sorry honey.

It is our ward temple night and we signed up to do an endowment session which starts at 6 p.m. but we were told to be in the chapel by 5:15.

We gathered in the chapel at the temple, although they no longer do chapel sessions. President Reidhead came in and spoke to us a few minutes and then those who were doing baptisms were dismissed. They had over 200 baptisms to do thanks to Sister Thompson. I asked her if she does her own research and she said yes, "That's what I do all day."

Brother Wilhelm did Tyler Tedder's name. Tyler was a young man in our ward who passed away a couple of years ago. He was a good friend with John's son Talon.

Brother Wilhelm, Sr., was the officiator at our session and Brother Peeler was the follower. Their wives were the two women followers. Brother Wilhelm asked us to be the witness couple and of course we said yes. It was a wonderful, spiritual session. Brother Patterson, someone I knew in high school was my receiver at the veil. The new name was the same one I had when I went through for my own endowments 49 years ago.

Those attending from our ward: The Applegates, two Wilhelm couples, the Diewald's, the Thompsons, Sean and Stefani, Sister Allen, Bishop Miller, and Brother Romyak. Youth that I saw: Alice, Holly, Ashten, Talon and Jace but Talon and Jace were waiting in the foyer with dates.

Alice totaled her new car while she was taking George somewhere. She was looking at George in the backseat and ran into a tree. Oh yes, George is her baby brother. I feel so bad for her.

On the way home we stopped at Burger King for burgers. Not so great. We also read from our book, "Once an Heiress." We really like it.