Saturday, June 30, 2018

Friday, June 29th, 2018

Tokyo, Japan
18th operating temple
Dedicated: 27-29 Oct 1980
By: Spencer W. Kimball


Jesus Christ, Creation
Acts 14:15
And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
Book of Mormon
Alma 24:7-18
*What are you willing to "bury" to keep your testimony bright?
- "I will bury my pride. I will bury y desire to do everything on my own and I will ask for and recognize the hand of the Savior in every detail of my life...I will grow the fruits of forgiveness, humility, gratitude, and discipleship."
*President Boyd K. Packer on the Atonement of Jesus Christ:
"When we are tormented by guilt or burdened with grief, He can heal us. While we do not fully understand how the Atonement of Christ was made, we can experience 'the peace of God, which passeth all understanding (Philippians4:7). We all make mistakes. Sometimes we harm ourselves and seriously injure others in ways that we alone cannot repair. We break things that we alone cannot fix. It is then in our nature to feel guilt and humiliation and suffering, which we alone cannot cure. That is when the healing power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ will help. The Lord said, 'Behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent' (DC 19:16)...
The Atonement of Jesus Christ has practical, personal, everyday value; apply it in your life. It can be activated with so simple a beginning as prayer. You will not thereafter be free from trouble and mistakes but can erase the guilt through repentance and be at peace" (Ensign, May 2001, 23-24).
Old Testament
1 Chronicles 19-20
19 The Ammonites insult David's messengers and plan war against Israel - David defeats the Ammonites and the Syrians.
20 The Ammonites are overcome - Israel defeats the Philistines.
General Conference
Prepare to Meet God
Elder Quentin L. Cook
"These keys, restored in the Kirtland temple, provide the 'power from on high' for divinely appointed responsibilities that constitute the primary purpose of the Church. On that wonderful Easter day in the Kirtland Temple, three keys were restored:
First, Moses appeared and committed the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, which is missionary work.
Second, Elias appeared and committed the keys of the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, which includes the restoration of the Abrahamic covenant. 
Third, Elijah appeared and committed the keys of the sealing power in this dispensation, which is family history work and temple ordinances enabling salvation for the living and the dead. 
There are, under the direction of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, three executive councils at Church headquarters that oversee these divinely appointed responsibilities based on the keys that were restored in the Kirtland Temple. They are the Missionary Executive Council, the Priesthood and Family Executive Council, and the Temple and Family History Executive Council."




Sheri's Isle of Skye photos finally came through on Instagram. Also, at 3 a.m. I got an email from White Cap with a charge  for $2,129.00. I verified with James and it's legit. The job has commenced.

I can't find my Maxwell book that tells where the Maxwell lived in Scotland. I should have been looking for it long before Kim asked for it. Darn!

I have to share this from the Old Testament Student Manual, Volume 2, p. 68:
Why Did the Jews Misinterpret Prophecy Regarding the Deliverer?
As the years passed and the messianic expectation remained unfulfilled, the Jews interpreted the sayings and writings of the prophets erroneously. The deeper they fell into apostasy, the more they lost sight of the true meaning of the prophecies. But it is not surprising that they came to see only the political aspects of the Messiah, for there was some scriptural basis for such a belief. Several hundred years before the birth of Christ Zechariah wrote of a day when the Lord (Messiah) would fight against the Jewish enemies "as when he fought in the day of battle (anciently)" (Zechariah 14:3). Zechariah pictured Jerusalem being delivered in great power from all who had opposed her (see Zechariah 14:1-15). Isaiah spoke of the Messiah as having the government upon his shoulder (Isaiah 9:6). That phrase certainly suggested a political kingdom. Numerous other prophets foretold His coming in power and glory.
When one studies the prophecies carefully, however, a dual picture of the Messiah emerges. One picture is that of the "suffering servant." Isaiah 53 is an outstanding example of the "suffering servant" kind of prophecy. It foretells the sufferings of the Messiah: he will be "a man of sorrows?? (v.3), one who stands "as a sheep before her shearers" (v. 7), one who takes man's transgressions upon himself. The other picture of the Messiah is that of the "King of Glory." Zechariah 14 and Isaiah 9 contain examples of the "King of Glory: prophecies, which paint a picture of deliverance, political power, and the destruction of the enemies of Israel. 
Latter-day Saints, with the benefit of modern revelation and a perspective of history, easily understand this dualism. There are two comings of the Messiah. Christ came the first time as a mortal. He was born in a stable, lived in a town of little reputation, took no political role, and flatly rejected attempts to make him a king. This coming was foretold in the "suffering servant" prophecies. His second coming will be in fulfillment of the "King of Glory" prophecies. He will put down all kingdoms and deliver Israel from the powers of Babylon.
The tragedy is that the Jewish nation, for the most art, lost the understanding of the two comings. In their state of spiritual darkness, they looked only for a political deliverer.
Thus, when the Savior refused to take up the sword against Rome, the Jews' hopes were dashed. And his crucifixion was seen by the majority not as a fulfillment of prophecy but as the ultimate proof that he could not have been the promised deliverer.

From President Eyring's biography:
"Henry B. Eyring, Hal,  was asked to join his friend, General Doriot,  a professor at Harvard Business School, in the investment in a new up and coming company called DEC, (Digital Equipment Company), who had a dream of building small, user-friendly computers to compete with IBM's larger, more complex machines.  Doriot's venture capital company had bought 70 percent of DEC for $70,000, a large investment at the time, and he wanted someone like Hal to help him oversee this and similar investments. 
The offer made Hal wonder why his heart wasn't drawn to the kind of business opportunity. Hal realized that what he loved about business wasn't making products or doing deals. It was thinking critically about complex problems. For the first time he thought, Maybe I should stay in school and become a professor. General Doriot, who would remain Hal's lifelong friend and mentor, too graciously Hal's decision to decline. In ten years the $70,000 investment in DEC became worth $355 million."

I got a phone call this morning while I was working in the laundry room. It was my friend Jean. Her husband, Tom, was in Taylor buying some hay and had locked his keys in the car. Jean has the extra key but needs a ride to Taylor. Of course I said I would take her. 
After taking a few minutes to get ready I headed up the hill toward's Jean's house when a bigger car came barreling down the road. I wondered who it was and thought maybe Deana came home and was doing the errand for her mom. About that time Jean called me and wondered when I would be there. I told her in less than five minutes. As Jean got in the car she told me that was Sister Grapp who came to get the key from her to take it to Tom. (The Grapp children LOVE Tom). She told her thank you for the offer, but I was coming to take her to Taylor. 

Using my GPS we put in the Taylor address and it told us to go down Bourdon Ranch Road instead of going into Show Low and turning at the corner by Maverick, the usual way to go to Taylor and Snowflake. I followed direction and the route was a pleasant surprise. It was paved the entire way until we actually got to where Tom was. He was waiting patiently. 

Tom and Jean offered to pay for my gas but I declined. They then offered to take me to lunch at Trapper's Restaurant. I accepted. I have wanted to eat at Trapper's for awhile now. 
Nothing fancy but my BLT was delicious and the coconut cream pie I had for dessert was divine. 

Jean and Tom have had a bear come to their home at least twice in the past couple of weeks. It came right up to the window the last time and Tom yelled at it to scare it away. They called an officer from the Game and Fish Department to come and relocate the bear. He came, shot a tranquilizer at the bear, but missed. The next time while he was there, he got a call from his wife who lives not far from Tom and Jean. She said the bear was at their house and he needed to hurry home!

As I was driving home, I noticed there were huge fluffy clouds just to the east of us near Springerville. I texted James and told him we were "Right on the edge again." He knew what I was talking about because it happens so often.

James, to my surprise, was home from the valley around 4 p.m. I was working and the computer and didn't hear him come in. When I turned around and he was standing there, I jumped and yelled. He laughed.

James stayed at Sheri and Ian's with Ollie and Michael. He said that Ollie would bark at him, stop barking while he petted him, and then bark again. It probably was annoying to Michael when Ollie started barking everytime James got up to use the bathroom and when he left for work at 4 a.m. 

I worked on the RS Newsletter this afternoon and my preparation for leading this month's RS council meeting this Sunday.

James walked and so did I so we could get our steps before going to bed.















Lola: Going on a Snipe hunt?

Our friend the Hatch's hiking in Iceland

My friend Amaron

I was a visiting teacher for the sweet lady on the left,
Sister Cluff. She inspired me to register for 
Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, which I did, along
with my partner and friend Cidnie E.

RS Newsletter












Friday, June 29, 2018

Thursday, June 28th, 2018

Sao Paulo, Brazil
17th operating temple
Dedicated: 30 Oct-2 Nov 1978
By: Spencer W. Kimball

Jesus Christ, Creation
2 Kings 19:15
And Hezekiah prayed before the Lord, and said, O Lord God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth.
Book of Mormon
Alma 23:8-24:6
* What helps me keep from being stirred up to anger by others?
- There is a quote that I really love. "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." Imagine how your life would be if everyone treated you as you wish deep down to be treated.
Old Testament
1 Chronicles 17-18
17 Nathan first approves David's building of a house of the Lord, then restrains him - David's son will build the temple - The triumph of Israel is foretold - David thanks the Lord for His goodness to Israel.
18 David subdues all the adversaries of Israel and reigns in justice over the people.
General Conference
It Is All About People
Bishop Gerald Causse
"Isn't it wonderful that the name given by revelation to the restored Church binds together the two most important elements in each gospel covenant? First is the name Jesus Christ. This Church belongs to Him, and His sanctifying Atonement and covenants are the only pathway to salvation and exaltation. The second name refers to us: the Saints, or in other words, His witnesses and His disciples."



James is going to the valley today to get materials so he can start the job at the Phoenix Country Club tomorrow. They are pouring 10,000 square feet of concrete at the driving range and 500 lineal feet of 12" high curb.

Before he left he called Verizon to complain about my not receiving a label to send my old phone back. He finally got someone who helped and seemed to know what she was doing. She said they would send out a label immediately. 

James went to town to get the tire fixed that he had a blowout on yesterday. It was one of the tires on the trailer. When he returned he started loaded up his trailer for the valley.

I baked chocolate chip cookies this morning and delivered them to my neighbor Chelsea. She had her two year old daughter Peyton with her and her nephew Cooper. Peyton flipped off the mini-tramp and hit her head pretty hard. Cooper went over and gave her a hug and a kiss.

Chelsea teaches Primary, is the girls camp director, and her husband is a Smoke Jumper in Alaska. A smoke jumper is one grade up from a Hot Shot. He actually jumps out of an airplane to fight fires. The young women, as part of a camp service project are making kits for the firemen which include chapstick, wipes, tissues, dried fruit, mints, Gold Bond powder, eye drops, and nose spray.
I took a list and told her I would help buy the items.

I love Chelsea's dog. He is huge and I usually don't like big dogs. He is a St. Bernard. He is so gentle and nice, never trying to jump up on you like most dogs. If I ever got a big dog I would get one like Brutus. The name fits his physique, but not his personality.

I gave Chelsea a family booklet so she could fill out information and then I told her I would help her register on Family Search.

James got his check from the Chunky Monkey contest today for $443. He is keeping it and says he will buy home improvement items with it.

I am really enjoying President Eyring's biography!






Ben, Ian, and Joe on the streets
of Edinburgh, Scotland

Hey, London has one of those big ferris 
wheels too!

Brian made a new friend.

Kim says:"This city is unreal"!



I wonder how old these buildings are.

A blue heeler to help the Chafin's herd cattle.

Wonder when they are coming to Vernon.

Funny

I couldn't resist.




Thursday, June 28, 2018

Wednesday, June 27th, 2018

Washington D.C.
16th operating temple
Dedicated: 19-22 Nov 1974
By: Spencer W. Kimball

Jesus Christ, Creation
Genesis 1:26
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Moses 2:26-27
And I, God, said unto mine Only Begotten, which was with me from the beginning: Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and it was so. And I, God, said: Let them have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27 And I, God, created man in mine own image, in the image of min Only Begotten created I him; male and female created I them.
Book of Mormon
Alma 22:27-23:7
*How can we become so converted to the Lord that we never will fall away?
-James Lambson: "First, we have to develop the disposition to only do good and resist evil. We have to begin to be converted, ie., keep the commandments because we love the Lord not just because we know we are supposed to. Then things that are not important begin to fall away from our lives and with greater frequency we begin to be directed by the Spirit because at that point, belief has turned into knowledge. It's like a light being turned on in the darkness, and we become happy inspite of trials because of the eternal perspective of the gospel.
Old Testament
1 Chronicles 15-16
15 David prepares a place for the ark - The Levites bring the ark to Jerusalem - They sing and minister before the Lord.
16 People offer sacrifices and praise the Lord - David delivers a psalm of thanksgiving - He praises the Lord - Asaph, Obededom, Zadok, and others minister before the Lord.
General Conference
Behold the Man!
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"Because of Jesus Christ, your death will be temporary. Your spirit one day will reunite with your body. This resurrected body will not be subject to death, and you will live in the eternities, free from pain and physical suffering."

New Era:
"Bandwagon Fans or Contributors on the Team," "@ldsyouth," "Fun Stop," "Dress for Success."


James and I had scriptures and prayer this morning before he left to fix a problem at the place where he worked yesterday, and then on to Taylor to take the tractor in to be fixed so he can give it to Brother Howard. 
A good breakfast is important

I heard this morning from Stacy about coming up next week, Kim about a castle they are visiting today, Sheri about their trip to Scotland, and Kacey who wants Lois's enchilada recipe. I also heard from Trina last night. It's nice to hear from one's family.

I finally  worked out my Deseret Book Plus account and was able to download President Eyring's biography, "I Will Lead You Along." I have had the book for quite sometime but have never read it. Now I can listen to it. I love President Eyring and his sweet testimony.

James saw some antelope today between our house and the Crane's. There were six does and one fawn. He said this means the coyotes probably got 11 of the fawns because most does have two babies. How sad. Later in our yard we saw four does, and one buck and a fawn right outside of our bedroom door.

I worked on stripping the floor for a couple of hours today. This afternoon I went to see my friend Jean to help her with family history. I forgot my wifi so I couldn't register her on familysearch, but I did have her fill out the family booklet the Church has put out. Jean had a sad childhood and hardly knew her real father.

I came home just about the time James was arriving at the Howard's. He had a blowout on the trailer taking the tractor to Taylor. James is going to do some repair work on the Howard's home while they are gone on vacation to Illinois to see Brother Howard's mother and Jean's daughter Kathy.

At home I made myself and James green smoothies, and did my walking. At 6:45 I left for the Church to have presidency meeting with Kerri and Tamara. We worked on the visiting teaching board and discussed who could be our new secretary since Laurann has asked to be released. We met for 2 hours and then had to go home because of priesthood. Tamara said she would finish at home and have the assignments ready for Sunday.



As we went outside there was a full moon and Kerri let out a howl.

Tamara's son Ty was waiting to drive her home. Is he really old enough to drive. I remember him as a cute little kid who fell out of a tree and broke him arm.





Elder McConkie writes a psalm of praise to the Lord.

Glamis Castle.
It's known as the most haunted castle in Scotland.
We are going to have lunch and then go on a tour.
I am a little nervous. - Kim

Scottish Highlands
Old Man of Storr
and Isle of Skye















Kacey and Jared's new home in Tyler, Texas: