Sunday, May 6th, 2018

Sacramento, California

123rd operating temple

Dedicated: 3 Sept 2006

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, birth of

2 Nephi 17:14

Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign - Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and shall bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 24:1-15
*How has prayer helped ease your daily burdens?
- Prayer will strengthen us to carry our burdens. In vs. 15 "The Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease." When we pray for help we will receive strength, we then find hope in Christ. By submitting cheerfully the Lord will deliver us from our burdens.
Old Testament
1 Samuel 16-17
16 The Lord chooses David of Bethlehem as king - He is anointed by Samuel - Saul chooses David as his companion and armor bearer.
17 Israel and the Philistines engage in war - Goliath of Gath, a giant, defies Israel and challenges any Israelite to personal combat - David goes against him in the name of the Lord - David slays Goliath with a sling and a stone - Israel defeats the Philistines.
General Conference

The Prophet of God

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"In sustaining President Russell M. Nelson as the Lord's prophet and as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we were part of a divinely decreed solemn assembly - solemn because the events of this past hour have been anticipated in the heavens since before the world was. The Lord Jesus Christ, who directs His work, has today through President Eyring presented His prophet, His anointed leader, to us, His covenant people, allowing us publicly to manifest our willingness to sustain him and follow his counsel."

I got up at 4:30 this morning. Today is the day we weigh and report to Trina on how we did. I lost 2.2 lbs. James lost over 4. I am still happy though. Men always lose faster than women, especially in the beginning.

I prepared a few notes on ministering from the ministering.lds.org website to take with me to young women's when I talk to them today. I also really got in to the RS lesson on revelation. There are so many good things in President Nelson's conference talk. 

We had a really good fast and testimony meeting today. One of my favorite testimonies was Brother Allen's. He said that Sister Brewer came to him last week and asked him what his favorite hymn was. She said because he has been through so much these past few weeks she wanted to do something for him. He said it was "I Stand All Amazed." This was our sacrament hymn today. Brother Allen told why it is favorite hymn. He said when he was 7 or 8 years old he was acting up. His grandfather, who was the stake president, took him by the hand and sat him down next to him on the piano bench. His grandfather began playing and singing "I Stand All Amazed." Brother Allen says he still remembers this incident every time he hears this hymn. He thanks his grandfather for taking the time to teach him and give him an opportunity to feel the Spirit.

Linda Price, a summer, part time member of our ward told about her grandson's sealing in the Salt Lake temple. President Dallin H. Oaks was the sealer and she got to give him a hug.

James got up and after bearing his testimony he began talking about me and how our 50th wedding anniversary is coming up. It was very sweet of him.

Because of James's testimony Linda Price, before Relief Society started showed me some photos of their 50th wedding anniversary celebration two years ago. 

Our  friends the Prices'

Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary!

7 Kids, 40 Grandkids, and 12 Great-Grandkids

Grandchildren, oldest to youngest

7 grandchildren missed the party because of

Missions, college and pregnancy.

Several of the people James and I have stewardship over are having problems today. Pam's husband Ricky is having hernia surgery in the morning. Sister Peeler is in the ER having tests done to see what is causing her pain. It turned out to be not too serious, but still a concern. Anthony, James's friend, has a severe toothache. James checked and he does have antibiotics. Some of the Grapp kids have pink eye and Jean Howard has flu symptons. Our ministering skills will be put to work this week.

I attended the gospel doctrine class for the first time since I was called to teach Primary 3 years ago. Brother Scott was the teacher. He is very knowledgeable but I was disappointed we didn't read any of the scriptures in the lesson except one verse.

I went in to speak to the young women about their upcoming ministering responsibilities. The only ones I knew were LeeAnn and Alice. Of course I know Hailey and Holly and Talena and Bailey but not like I know the older girls. I think it went quite well. Sister Allen only wanted me to take 5-10 minutes so I didn't say nearly as much as I had prepared.

Tamara gave the discussion on personal revelation in Relief Society and from what I heard it was very good. President Nelson's talk from conference on revelation was one of my favorites.

I forgot to mention our future missionary, Jackson Allen, was ordained an elder today after the block. I heard his mom talking about it and half the Allen family attended our ward today. He already has his mission papers in.

This is Jackson. He is quite the mountain man too.

Here he says that you need to appreciate where you are from.

He loves the White Mountains. He is passing up wrestling

scholarships to serve a mission. He is quite the young man.

When James and I got home from church we broke our fast and had lunch. After lunch we shared a quart of Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream. It was delicious!

I took an hour and a half nap and James was down for about 3-4 hours. He needs the rest because he is going to have a brutal week out in the sun beginning tomorrow. 

It was a wonderful Sabbath day. We were in bed by 9:30 because of James's early schedule tomorrow.

Evan treats me like a baby 'cuz I'm the 

younger brother.

Paul wrote this yesterday 

on Facebook.

Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott.

Over 200 years old on the Tweed River.

If I ever go back to Europe it will be to

visit Scotland.

Baby Leo, who had open heart surgery when

he was just a few days old was blessed today

by his dad.

The Chunky Monkey Weightloss Challenge Stats:

If James loses any more weight he is

going to blow away. Boy he makes

me look like a chunky monkey.

I guess I shouldn't blame him, should I.

 Woohoo!