Saturday, July 21st, 2018

Denver, Colorado

40th operating temple

Dedicated: 24 Oct 1986

By: Ezra Taft Benson

Jesus Christ, Creator

Acts 7:50

Hath not my hand made all these things?

Book of Mormon

Alma 36:25-37:10

* How has God delivered you from your trials?

- He sent someone to save our concrete on July 18, 2016. God delivers me from my trials everyday. When I turn to Him and follow His ways my anxieties, doubts and fears disappear. I feel peace, love, and hope. He provides everything good in my life. When I stop focusing on worldly things and focus on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, my life is happy.

Old Testament

Ezra 7-10

7 Ezra goes up to Jerusalem - Artaxerxes provides for beautifying the temple and sustains the Jews in their worship.

8 Those who go up from Babylon to Jerusalem are listed - The Levites are called to accompany them - Ezra and the people fast and pray for and gain guidance and protection in going to Jerusalem.

9 Many Jews intermarry with the Canaanites and others and follow their abominations - Ezra prays and confesses the sins of all the people.

10 The Jews covenant to put away their wives taken from the Canaanites and others - Ezra assembles the people at Jerusalem - The Levites who married non-Israelite women are listed.

General Conference

His Spirit To Be With You

President Henry B. Eyring

"This time of year helps us remember the Savior's sacrifice and His rising from the tomb a resurrected being. Many of us hold images of those scenes in our memories. I once stood with my wife outside a tomb in Jerusalem. Many believe that it was the tomb from which the crucified Savior emerged as a resurrected and living God. The respectful guide that day motioned with his hand and said to us, 'Come, see an empty tomb.' We stooped to enter. We saw a stone bench against a wall. But into my mind came another picture, as real as what we saw that day. It was of Mary, who was left by the Apostles at the tomb. That is what the Spirit let me see and even her in my mind, as clearly as if I had been there."

We attended Ruthie's baptism this morning and Lanel's baby blessing. It has been a great week for this family! Talon and Trenda gave the talks on baptism and the Holy Ghost and did an awesome job. Trenda likened the Holy Ghost to a flashlight, and a comforter (blanket), and Ruthie got to keep both of those things. Brother Crane conducted the meeting and Brother Thompson gave the closing remarks. Bishop Miller is out of town. Before the closing prayer given by Ruthie's sister Alice, John blessed baby Lanel who had on the most beautiful blessing dress made by her grandma Ruth and Aunt Lannie.  Ruthie also had a beautiful baptismal dress made by them and another dress she was confirmed in. 

Afterwards there was cake and ice cream to celebrate Ruthie's birthday. Brother Goodman and Sister Goodman, Ruthie's Primary teachers were both there. Brother Goodman played the piano. Brother Grapp was there with his four oldest children so Cammy could stay home with the baby and get some rest. 

Lots of family there and some non-member friends that John invited. It was a wonderful experience for us. We love this family so much!

Ruthie, John, Lanel, and Sandra

It was neat that Talon could help confirm Ruthie and help bless the baby now that he has the Melchizedek priesthood. 

After the program when everyone was either serving or eating cake and ice cream James went out to the car and brought in Ruthie's gifts and gave them to her.

 Ruthie and her great big CTR cake

 Journal and charm bracelet.

She really like the "pony"

This afternoon James went to the Howard's and to the dump. Thank goodness for the dump because our garage was being taken over by garbage.

We got a little, and I mean little bit of rain this afternoon. Most of the clouds just passed us by.

This evening the missionaries came by while I was giving James a haircut. He told them to come back in about a half an hour, which they did. We got to meet the new Elder, Elder Bingham from Coeur d'alene, Idaho. He seems very humble. 

Elder Bernecker did most of the talking. First he went on and on about how much he loves our home and how he wants one just like it someday. 

Before they left we talked about our family mission plan and then Elder Bernecker shared one of his favorite scriptures from the Book of Mormon, Alma 7:23. He has it memorized and says that someday he wants to frame it and hang it on his wall. 

Alma 7:23

And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.

Afterwards Elder Bernecker told why this is his favorite scripture.

He seems to have a very strong testimony and I am sure he is a great missionary.  We really enjoyed their visit, they always bring a wonderful spirit into our home.  

We reminded them that we are feeding them next Saturday and since we are working in the temple that day that it would probably be take out. Elder Bernecker said he would prefer Panda over pizza and that he likes orange chicken. Elder Bingham said he would eat whatever Elder Bernecker wants.

Finished the day with another Christmas movie and two new songs on my phone, "I Cross My Heart," by George Strait and "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran.