OUR FAMILY: Thursday, October 24th, 2019

Hamilton, New Zealand

11th operating temple

Dedicated: 20-22 April 1958

By: David O. McKay

Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd

Helaman 7:18

It is because you have hardened your hearts; yea, ye will not hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd; yea, ye have provoked him to anger against you.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 12:1-24

How do you make sure you aren't putting your light under a bushel?

New Testament: Thessalonians 1-2: "Be Not Soon Shaken in Mind or Be Troubled" Today: 2 Thess. 1 and 2 Thess. 2: "An apostasy, or falling away from truth, was prophesied" SS: "An apostasy was to precede the Second Coming of Jesus Christ"

General Conference

The Savior's Touch

Elder Walter F. Gonzlez

"As we come unto Him, God will come to our rescue, whether to heal us or to give us the strength to face any situation."

RWC: "Habits of disobedience enhance the 'veil of forgetfulness' and we are 'cut off from God.'"

In reading about the apostasy I came across this quote:

"Apostasy is often not simply a passive letting go of truth, but an active rebellion that originates within the covenant community."

Candi Campbell has a mini-stroke but seems to be doing okay. Jimmie Applegate and the missionaries gave her a blessing.

James went to town this morning but didn't stop at the post office because he was hurrying back to be here when the appraiser was scheduled to come at 10. He got back five minutes before the appraiser arrived. The appraiser introduced himself as Jeremy Schnepf. James asked him if he knew Max and Carolyn Schnepf. He said, "yes, they are my grandparents." Marlane Porter is his aunt. He is also a brother-in-law to our stake president, President Beeler. They are both married to sisters.

James had the house plans out but Jeremy said he couldn't use them, he had to actually do the measurements himself. Jeremy was here less than an hour and he was on his way. He is the third appraiser to come and he seem the most qualified. He said he loves the job because he can do most of it at home and it provides him a good living.

James worked outside for awhile but it was so cold he decided to come in for awhile. He made some Bear Creek vegetable soup of lunch. It was very tasty. I read to him from "Aunt Dimity's Christmas."

I bought books today and worked on my list of conference talks for the upcoming Relief Society lessons. I got 10,000 steps before 5 pm at which time I began getting ready for my stake Relief Society meeting.

At 6 p.m. I picked up Kerri and Tamara at the Vernon library and we left before 6:15.

On the way we discussed our 3 month lesson calender. Here is what we came up with:

November 10th - "Giving Our Spirits Control Over Our Bodies" by President M. Russell Ballard.

November 24th -"Spiritual Capacity" by Michelle D. Craig

December 8th - "Spiritual Treasures" President Russell M. Nelson

December 22nd -No lesson, only Sacrament meeting

January 12th - "Your Great Adventure" Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

January 26th - "Stand By Our Promises and Covenants" Elder Ronald A. Rasband

Sister Thompson, the stake Relief Society president, was absent from our meeting this evening. She stayed home with an ill husband. President Beeler took her place. He sat in front of us and counseled with us.

He asked what was our greatest concern regarding Relief Society. Someone said ministering. We had a wonderful discussion about ministering. Here are some of the ideas that were shared:

* Visiting teaching monthly visits and lesson helped sisters feel like they were doing something worthwhile. The new system is a little less structured and some sisters are struggling.

* Now that the bishop is the Young Men's president, there is more responsibility given to the Elder's Quorum and Relief Society.

* We need to have a relationship with the sisters in our district. Tamara said, to my surprise, that Bishop Miller wants us to minister to one sister in our district who is struggling so she can see what ministering is like.

* One ward is assigning one inactive sister to visit one active sister.

* President Beeler quoted Elder Heyman: "Don't judge the worthiness if you in your calling by others exercising their agency."

* President Beeler had us discuss DC 121:41-44 which he called the Code of Conduct for Priesthood Leadership.

Persuasion, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, love unfeigned, kindness, pure knowledge, no hypocrisy or guile, soul enlarged.

Showing an increase of love after reproving by the Spirit

Faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.

*President Beeler says he judges all that he does against the two great commandments, loving the Lord and loving our fellowman.

* Don't ask others to do what you yourself are not willing to do.

* He asked us to pray for the gift of discernment, the ability to see others for who they really are.

* Ask about others rather than talking about yourself.

* Alma the younger is President Beeler's leadership hero because he was a great builder of people. He helped Amulek, Zeezrom, his sons Helaman, Shiblon, and Corianton. He also helps us as we read Alma 5. President Beeler says he reads it as part of a PPI with himself.

* Power is influence and influence is felt when we teach. He said: "The only power I have is the power to teach." Teach the doctrine.

The problem President Beeler sees with Relief Society is so much the sharing of feelings and not enough teaching the doctrine. We as a presidency preside over the meetings and we need to close the meeting by bearing testimony and teaching doctrine. Keep it short. 1-2 minutes. The person presiding has power to receive direct revelation for the group.

* When we are taught doctrine we feel the Spirit and the Spirit helps us through difficult times.

* Make changes in ministering slowly as Revelation is received. Line upon line, precept upon precept.

* For ministering to truly succeed, the Relief Society and Elders Quorum must be one.

* "You are doing better than you think."

* Callings are temporary. Covenants are eternal.

* President Beeler says he imagines a prayer on the day he is released. What am I going to tell the Lord regarding my calling?

How does that affect what I am doing now?

* General Conference focused on joy. Satan's counterfeit for joy is fun.

*DC 46 Conduct all meetings as guided by the Holy Spirit. We are the guardians of what is taught in meetings.

*Study the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood in DC 84:33-34,44 and the Code of Conduct for Priesthood in DC 121:34-46.

Wow! I felt the Spirit and learned so much. I love President Beeler! We had refreshments, including hot apple cider, and were on our way home.

James was looking for books for me to buy while I was gone plus earlier he went to the library and bought five books.