OUR FAMILY: Sunday, January 26th, 2020

Guadalajara, Mexico

105th operating temple

Dedicated: 29 Apr 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

1 Nephi 19:10

And the God of our fathers, who were led out of Egypt, out of bondage, and also were preserved in the wilderness by him, yea, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, yieldeth himself, according to the words of the angel, as a man, into the hands of wicked men, to be lifted up, according to the words of Zenock, and to be crucified, according to the words of Neum, and to be buried in a sepulchre, according to the words of Zenos, which he spake concerning the three days of darkness, which should be a sign given of his death unto those who should inhabit the isles of the sea, more especially given unto those who are of the house of Israel.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Review and Begin 1 Nephi 16-22

"Holiness and the Plan of Happiness"

President Henry B. Eyring

"That experience in the Salt Lake Temple lasted only a moment. Yet the memory of it still brings peace, joy, and quiet happiness. I learned many lessons that day. One was that the Holy Ghost speaks in a still, small voice. I can hear Him when there is spiritual peace in my heart. He brings a feeling of happiness and assurance that I am becoming more holy. And that always brings the happiness I felt in those first moments in a temple of God."

I slept in until six this morning. It was a long, though rewarding, day yesterday.

I spent the morning studying and preparing and we were almost late for church. Thank goodness the Howard's saved us a spot by them.

Today is the Vernon ward conference. President Joshua Beeler is presiding. I can't see the stake presidency from my angle and now I am wondering if President Alder was there. I have not seen or heard from him since he was called. Today was no exception. I have met and spoken with and been taught by President Smithson though.

Tildy's name was read in as the newest member of our ward. Ulisses Escarta is to be ordained a priest in the Aaronic priesthood.

Bishop Hunsaker was the first speaker. Surprise, surprise, he had on a regular tie. It was a nice one he said belonged to his dad.

Bishop spoke on renew and review. He spoke about being set apart six weeks ago as the bishop of the Vernon ward. He then talked about enduring to the end. I don't think he was specifically referring to himself, but to all of us. Come unto the Savior. We sometimes struggle with competing priorities. Stay focused on your covenants with the Savior. Think of the blessings of an Eternal family living with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ forever. Renew weekly during the sacrament and draw closer to Him. Ponder the truths of the scriptures, the Book of Mormon and living prophets. Strive not to be distracted. Yield your hearts to God. The Holy Ghost changes our very natures. Giving in, giving up, and getting out are not options. Average is the enemy to excellence. Daily discipleship determines our destiny.

The ward choir sang: "Abide with Me" - They are small but they sounded very good. These are the members of the choir who sang today: Lorraine Vaught, Anthony Romyak, Virgil Cooper, Dave Westbrook, Marlee and Amy Reynolds, Donna Peeler, Chris Brady, Alicia Hunsaker, Becky Chandler and her 10 year old daughter, Tamara Applegate, and Debra Brewer. Kathy Crane was the director and Pierce Goodman accompanied on the piano.

President Beeler: I pray the Lord will abide with us and that we will have the companionship of the Holy Ghost. It changes everything when we invite the Savior into our lives. He thanked our ward for cleaning the temple last night. He can always depend on the Vernon ward. He commented on the reverence during the Sacrament. He said the reverence had an inspiring effect on him. He shared Alma 34:9 - For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made. He mentioned Alma 13 and said we must follow the Savior because of His perfection. He spoke about the new temple recommend questions that President Nelson covered in his Closing Remarks of General Conference. He then asked, "Why does the presiding authority get the sacrament first?" It is not to put himself above anyone else. It is because he needs the cleansing power of the Atonement as he serves others in his stake. He said we must Follow the Covenant Path. All things point to Christ. Casual obedience weakens faith. Slow down and develop a relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the living water He provide relief, power, and strength. He then quoted Elder Bednar by saying we must have ears to hear, and eyes to see the Lord in our lives. Faith increases as we focus on Christ. "Do you follow the teachings of Jesus Christ in your private and public behavior with your family and others?" Make the necessary changes to be prepared for His Second Coming.

The next hour the adult men and women were combined and taught by President Smithson in the chapel. President Smithson opened by asking if we remember when President Nelson came to Cardinal Stadium last February and what the message of his talk was? The message was the importance of the gathering of Israel. I actually found my notes on my blog on my phone. He spoke about the importance of the Abrahamic Covenant and how it blesses us as we gather Israel. Someone read 3 Nephi 27:21-22: Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do; Therefore, if ye do these things blessed are ye, for ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

We had a discussion on ways we can gather Israel:

Tamara - minister to our children at home

3 Nephi 10:6 - O ye house of Israel whom I have spared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart.

How can we expect to gather Israel if we can't gather our family to participate in the "Come Follow Me" lessons?

Sister Porter 1stC in Stake Relief Society - Told the story of a hen in the fires in Australia who was laying on her nest. She died but when they moved her off her next several baby chicks came running out. She had made the ultimate sacrifice to save her children.

Rosie - I am writing letters sharing my testimony to inactive family members

Millie - I am doing temple work

Sister Porter - We can minister by giving service to others

Sheba Myers - Share my testimony with others

Bishop Miller - The spirit of the temple is one of the ways God ministers to us

Michelle Tesarek - I felt a part of the gathering as others accepted me into the gospel

Denice Hall - Be an example everywhere you are

Lorraine - Keep confidences

Paula - Use social media in a positive way to share the gospel.

It was a good meeting and James, Jean and I really enjoyed it.

After the block the Elders Quorum was set apart by stake leaders.

Chuck Crane was set apart by President Beeler.

Gary Thompson was set apart by Brother Wright, the high councilman assigned to our ward.

James was set apart by President Smithson. Each setting apart was unique and different blessings were given to each individual. President Smithson said that James would always be guided by the Spirit. He would receive help and inspiration for temple and family history work. James felt very good after the blessing.

Maxine, Brother Thompson's wife, and I had to find our presidency who is meeting with the Stake Relief Society presidency. They were in the chapel waiting for us. We went in to a small classroom and offered a prayer before our discussion. Our stake leaders are: Sister Beverly Wilcock, Stake Relief Society President, Stefani Hunsaker, 1st counselor. Stefani was not at the meeting as she is out of town. That's okay because she is in our ward and we all know her very well. Judy Porter, 2nd counselor, and Linda Patterson, secretary. Sister Patterson was just released as the RS president in the Show Low Creek ward and she made a lot of comments and gave us some good advice. President Wilcock said they are going to start an email group where we can discuss items pertaining to Relief Society. We all thought that was a good idea. It was good to get to know our stake leaders on a personal basis. I am sure if we have any questions we can go to them and receive good advice.

This afternoon we FaceTimed with Jared, Kacey, and Charlie. We sang "Eeensy Weensy Spider" with Charlie. Jared told us about his talk on the Book of Mormon in his sacrament meeting today. He also taught in the Priests quorum. Summer's boyfriend Jake, attended both meetings although he is a nonmember. He heard Jared speak about the Book of Mormon and then give a lesson on the Restoration. Jared wonders if he has any questions or is totally confused.

This evening I watched "Teaching with Power" 1 Nephi 16-22. This is a power point presentation with some really good information. He says 1 Nephi 16-17 should have three headings: The Ball, the Bow, and the Boat. Now I can remember that!