Sun, Jan 24, 2021: Cebu City Philippines Temple, Bishop Hunsaker's message about Pres. Nelson's talk, "Embrace the Future with Faith", Charlie, Snow

 

Cebu City, Philippines

133rd operating temple

Dedicated: 13 June 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Mission of

Mosiah 3:9

And lo, he cometh unto his own, that salvation might come unto the children of men even through faith on his name; and even after all this they shall consider him a man, and say that he hath a devil, and shall scourge him, and shall crucify him.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 17:1-16

"Come Follow Me"

Review: DC 3-5 "My Work Shall Go Forth"

OctGenCon

'Let God Prevail'

President Russell M. Nelson

President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We may be led to some who have never believed in God or Jesus Christ but who are now yearning to learn about Them and Their plan of happiness. Others may have been "born in the covenant" but have since wandered away from the covenant path. They may now be ready to repent, return, and let God prevail. We can assist them by welcoming them with open arms and hearts. And some to whom we may be led may have always felt there was something missing in their lives. They too are longing for the wholeness and joy that come to those who are willing to let God prevail in their lives.

The gospel net to gather scattered Israel is expansive. There is room for each person who will fully embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ. Each convert becomes one of God's covenant children, whether by birth or by adoption. Each becomes a full heir to all that God has promised the faithful children of Israel!

Restoration Proclamation

P3 S1

In humility, we declare that in answer to his prayer, God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph and inaugurated the "restitution of all things" (Acts 3:21).

Today was definitely a snow day, and lots of it. I had bad muscle cramps this morning and did not think I would be able to sit through church so I stayed home to watch on Zoom. James got permission to administer the sacrament to me when he spoke to the bishop at church. He also helped bless the sacrament at church.

James also represented Chuck at ward council today. Chuck is under quarantine until February 4th because Kathy has Covid. James reported on our indexing activity and progress to the ward council. The bishop wants everyone in a leadership position to do some indexing. 

At home I listened to President Nelsons' talk, "Let God Prevail" and then the talk by President Oaks about Joseph Smith. 

As I waited for the Zoom broadcast to start I read from 1 Nephi 17 about the Lord commanding Nephi to build a ship. He had such an attitude of gratitude. He was even thankful for raw meat to eat in the wilderness. I wonder if I could be as grateful as Nephi if I was in a similar situation. 

The powers that be, Sandra and Kerri, had difficulty getting the broadcast started today. It came in in the middle of Alicia's talk and then it was the bishop's turn. We could not hear a word he said. Well actually I did hear a couple of words, one was Lamanites and the other was focus. I had to wait for James to get home to tell me what the bishop's message was. 

He said it was the best talk he as ever heard the bishop give and that he wanted everyone to read and study President Nelson's conference talk from the women's session of the October conference. The title of the talk is, "Embrace the Future with Faith." Here are some of the highlights of this talk:

My dear sisters, you have found new ways to make the Sabbath a delight. And you have made protective masks - millions of them!

You young women have also been remarkable. Though social media has been flooded with contention, many of you have found ways to encourage others and share our Savior's light.

Sisters, you have all been absolutely heroic! I marvel at your strength and your faith. You have shown that in difficult circumstances, you bravely carry on. I love you, and I assure you that the Lord loves you and sees the great work you are performing.

How are we to deal with both the somber prophecies and the glorious pronouncements about our day? The Lord told us how with simple, but stunning, reassurance: 

"If ye are prepared ye shall not fear."

If preparation is our key to embracing this dispensation and our future with faith, how can we best prepare?

I urge you to take steps to be temporally prepared. But I am even more concerned about your spiritual and emotional preparation. 

In that regard, we can learn a lot from Captain Moroni. As commander of the Nephite armies, he faced opposing forces that were stronger, greater in number, and meaner. So, Moroni prepared his people in three essential ways.

First, he helped them create areas where they would be safe - places of security he called them.

Second, he prepared "the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord."

And third, he never stopped preparing his people - physically or spiritually. Let us consider these three principles.

Principle Number One: Create Places of Security

As turmoil rages around us, we need to create places where we are safe, both physically and spiritually. When your home becomes a personal sanctuary of faith - where the Spirit resides - your home becomes the first line of defense.

Likewise, the stakes of Zion are "a refuge from the storm" because they are led by those who hold priesthood keys and exercise priesthood authority. 

The temple - the house of the Lord - is a place of security unlike any other.

Simply said, a place of security is anywhere you can feel the presence of the Holy Ghost and be guided by Him. 

Having places of security to which you can retreat will help you embrace the future with faith.

Principle Number Two:

Prepare Your Mind to Be Faithful to God

The Lord taught us how to increase our faith by seeking "learning, even by study and also by faith." We strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ as we strive to keep His commandments and "always remember him." Further, our faith increases every time we exercise our faith in Him. That is what learning by faith means.

Few things build faith more than does regular immersion in the Book of Mormon. No other book testifies of Jesus Christ with such power and clarity. Its prophets, as inspired by the Lord, saw our day and selected the doctrine and truths that would help us most. The Book of Mormon is our latter-day survival guide. 

Our ultimate security comes as we yoke ourselves to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ! Life without God is a life filled with fear. Life with God is a life filled with peace. This is because spiritual blessings come to the faithful. Receiving personal revelation is one of the greatest of those blessings. 

I promise that as you increase your capacity to receive revelation, the Lord will bless you with increased direction for your life and with boundless gifts of the Spirit.

Principle Number Three: Never Stop Preparing

The adversary never stops attacking. So, we can never stop preparing! The more self-reliant we are-temporally, emotionally, and spiritually-the more prepared we are to thwart Satan's relentless assaults.

Dear sisters, you are adept at creating places of security for yourselves and those you love. Further, you have a divine endowment that enables you to build faith in others in compelling ways. And you never stop. 

Please, keep going! Your vigilance in safeguarding your homes and instilling faith in the hearts of your loved ones will reap rewards for generations to come. 

I am not saying that the days ahead will be easy, but I promise you that the future will be glorious for those who are prepared and who continue to prepare to be instruments in the Lord's hands.

Let us not just endure this current season. Let us embrace the future with faith! Turbulent times are opportunities for us to thrive spiritually. They are times when our influence can be much more penetrating than in calmer times. 

I promise that as we create places of security, prepare our minds to be faithful to God, and never stop preparing, God will bless us. He will "deliver us; yea, insomuch that he will speak peace to our souls, and will grant unto us great faith, and . . . cause us that we can hope for our deliverance in him.

As you prepare to embrace the future with faith, these promises will be yours! 

It snowed a lot today! James went over to the Scott's because Sister Scott told him at church that she used to have cramps like he says I am having and that she now takes vitamin K2, magnesium, D3, Zinc, and potassium. He brought home some K2 vitamins. I will order some tomorrow for Sister Scott to replace them. She also said to drink lots of water and no diet soda because aspartame in the diet soda causes cramps. 

I indexed 124 names tonight for a total of 754 for this month. 

We Facetimed with Jared, Kacey, and Charlie tonight. It was so much fun!

James and I watched the first part of Brother Halverson's "Unshaken" on YouTube tonight.

I love this!

Road near Vernon Cemetery

Connie and her daughter Katie and friends

Sabbath with Charlie

One of the names I indexed today.

 

Sat, Jan 23, 2021: Gila Valley Arizona Temple, Happy 73rd Birthday to "Other Grandma" sung by Charlie, Dog sledding and horse racing in James's history

 

Gila Valley, Arizona

132nd operating temple

Dedicated: 3 May 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Mission of

Jacob 4:11

Wherefore, beloved brethren, be reconciled unto him through the atonement of Christ, his Only Begotten Son, and ye may obtain a resurrection, according to the power of the resurrection which is in Christ, and be presented as the first-fruits of Christ unto God, having faith, and obtained a good hope of glory in him before he manifesteth himself in the flesh.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 16:17-39

"Come Follow Me"

FHE & FSS

OctGenCon

'We Talk of Christ'

Elder Neil L. Andersen

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

While spiritual conviction is increasing within us, there are many on the earth who know very little of Jesus Christ, and in some part of the world where His name has been proclaimed for centuries, faith in Jesus Christ is diminishing. The valiant Saints in Europe have seen belief decline in their countires through the decades. Sadly, here in the United States faith is also receding. A recent study revealed that in the last 10 years. 30 million people in the United States have stepped away from believing in the divinity of Jesus Christ. Looking worldwide, another study predicts that in the decades ahead, more than twice as many will leave Christianity as will embrace it. 

We, of course, revere the right of each to choose, yet our Heavenly Father declared, "This is my beloved Son: hear him." I witness that the day will come when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ.

How are we to respond to our changing world? While some are neglecting their faith, others are searching for the truth. We have taken upon ourselves the name of the Savior. What more are we to do?

Restoration Proclamation

P2 S2

He had questions regarding the salvation of his soul and trusted that God would direct him.

After prayer I blogged January 13th, and 14th. Yes, I am that far behind and last week did not help. Eventually I will catch up.

I write a note to James in his birthday card and put it at his place on the table. He read it when he got up after we had scriptures and prayer. After he read it he came over and gave me a big hug.

James got a call from Tom Howard asking him to come help him take the tailgate off his truck so he could put his trailer on. The reason Tom called James was because the tailgate fell off once and James was able to put it back on. He has a lot of confidence in James's ability. Anthony was there too. He is so in love with his girlfriend, Dory Brimhall and has given her a ring. I don't think they have set a date yet though.

When James got back he cut up a small elk roast to use for stew meat. I seasoned and braised the meat and then put it in the crockpot. After it cooks for awhile I will add the vegetables. I already added the seasonings and liquid. 

I also made James his favorite dessert, an Eagle Brand lemon pie. Chuck also brought over a big portion of his birthday cake from yesterday. It was a homemade chocolate cake with delicious white icing. James asked what the difference between icing and frosting was. I told him that icing was more thin and runny that frosting.

James got birthday wishes from all of his kids and a call from his mom. It's nice to be remembered. We decided that we would go to the valley on Monday to really celebrate his birthday. He has several Bass Pro Shop gift cards and we would do some shopping and go out to eat. Also, we would pick up his new glasses at Chandler Eyecare.

This evening before watching the new Hallmark movie James and I both indexed. James also called Paula Johnson, and the Diewald's to index, and the Dewitt's, and Brother Applegate. They all said yes! I indexed 102 names today with a monthly total of 630. 

The stew was delicious and so was the pie and the cake that Chuck brought over. It was a low-key birthday but a happy one for James.

We watched the new Hallmark movie, "A Winter Getaway" and read from our book "Baked Alaska." 

The movie was about an extreme vacation in Canada of skiing and snowboarding where a helicopter takes you to the top of the mountain. Also there was a dog sledding race. It could have been on the show "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous." James told me about a dog he had in Ramah he pulled him all around town on his sled. He then started telling me about a horse he had in Snowflake. James said it was a small one quarter shetland solid black pony that was small but beautiful. James's friend Tom challenged the horse to a race against his motorcycle. James was already 100 yards ahead by the time Tom got his motorcycle up to 35 mph. It wasn't even a close race. This was in high school but some things you never forget.

Last Year

The infamous birthday pie

Singing Happy Birthday

 

Fri, Jan 22, 2021: Vancouver, British Columbia Temple, Chuck's birthday, James rescues Anthony & Dory, stripping wood floor, steps

 

Vancouver, British Columbia

131st operating temple

Dedicated: 2 May 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Mission of

2 Nephi 9:5

Yea, I know that ye know that in the body he shall show himself unto those at Jerusalem, from whence we came; for it is expedient that it should be among them; for it behooveth the great Creator that he suffereth himself to become subject unto man in the flesh, and die for all men, that all men might become subject unto him.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 16:1-16

"Come Follow Me"

DC 5:1-10 This generation shall receive God's word through Joseph Smith.

OctGenCon

'I Believe In Angels'

Elder Carlos A. Godoy

Of the Presidency of the Seventy

When it comes to your happiness and salvation, it is always worth the effort to keep trying. It is worth the effort to adjust your lifestyle and traditions. The Lord is aware of the challenges you face. He knows you, He loves you, and I promise, He will send angels to help you.

In His own words the Savior said: "I will go before you face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your heart, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up" (DC 84:88).

Restoration Proclamation

P2 S1

Two hundred years ago, on a beautiful spring morning in 1820, young Joseph Smith, seeking to know which church to join, went into the woods to pray near his home in upstate New York, USA.

I have a sharp pain in my hip, but at least I can move. 

Book of Mormon Central: Science demands evidence before beif, whereas spiritual things require faith and then the evidence is provided.

Teaching with Power: What truths have I received through the prophet Joseph Smith? My answer: the Godhead, the Book of Mormon, the priesthood, and temple ordinances to name a few.

I had a charge on my credit card today that I did not recognize so I called on it. A few weeks ago I paid .99 cents for an e-recipe book for quiches. Little did I know that I signed up to get recipes every month for $19.95 a month. I cancelled, of course. I can get all the recipes I want for free.

I also forgot I had charges on my Citicard and I paid it today along with the late fees. Grrr!

Today is our neighbor Chuck's birthday. James wished him a happy birthday and then asked if he would like some biscuits and venison gravy. Chuck politely declined saying he and Kathy don't like biscuits and gravy and Kathy doesn't like venison. I guess that means there is more for us. Kathy is still not feeling well, something with her stomach and her sinus infection and Chuck found out that the sale of their land fell through, so they are struggling right now. We are praying for them because they are such good neighbors.

I began stripping the wax off the wood floor today. I did about a third of the floor and will finish next week.

Anthony and Dory drove up on Green's Peak today and their truck broke down. They had it towed and asked James to come and pick them up and take them home. He left here at 8 p.m. and it was after 10 before he returned. While he was gone I indexed 115 names and watched "One and Only" starring Pascale Hutton and Sam Page.

Thur, Jan 21, 2021: Oquirrh Mountain Temple, Elk, CFM & Abrahamic Covenant, "Baked Alaskan", Sheri's gift to James, Indexing, Jared & Kacey's anniversary, Talon's birthday

 

Oquirrh Mountain, Utah

130th operating temple

Dedicated: 21-23 Aug 2009

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Mission of

2 Nephi 2:9

Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 15:19-36

"Come Follow Me"

DC 5 I can gain my own witness of the Book of Mormon.

OctGenCon

'Seek Christ In Every Thought'

Ulisses Soares

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Fighting against temptation takes a lifetime of diligence and faithfulness. But please know that the Lord is ready to assist us in our personal efforts and promises remarkable blessings if we endure to the end.

Restoration Proclamation

P1 S4

He is our Savior, our Exemplar, and our Redeemer.

Ate around five when I got up and took a muscle relaxer, prednisone, and tramadol. Today is the first day that I've tried to get back on my schedule for awhile. While working on my blog this morning I listened to Brother Jared Halverson on "Unshaken" discuss Doctrine and Covenants 5. He is awesome as he explains faith and testimony as it pertains to Martin Harris.

We had about 7 elk on our property this morning and several were spike bulls. James was excited!

I also listened to Tyler and Taylor on "Book of Mormon Central" this morning. A few episodes back Tyler talked about the unfolding of the Restoration as it applies to the first principles of the gospel. It went something like this:

First Vision - Faith

Moroni's Visit - Repentance

John the Baptist's Visit - Baptism

Peter, James, and John's Visit - Gift of the Holy Ghost

Today Taylor talked about the promises attached to the Abrahamic Covenant, which are: 1) Posterity, 2) Property, 3) Priesthood, and 4) Priesthood.

James and I are getting into our book, "Baked Alaskan":

Sadie Hoffmiller is looking forward to an entire week cruising the Alaskan wilderness with her two grown children, Shawn and Breanna, and her boyfriend, Pete. Not only will they all have the chance to get to know one another better, but Sadie will finally be able to help Breanna plan her upcoming wedding. They board the ship with high expectations of a well-deserved vacation.

And except for the mysterious woman on the ship that Shawn seems to know but will not discuss, and the fact that Breanna's future mother-in-law has already hijacked the wedding plans, and the unexpected death of a passenger in the middle of the buffet line, Sadie's vacation would have been perfect.

As it is, Sadie will need all her investigative skills to navigate the deep waters of the mystery that is soon swirling around her family. Amid her growing fears for the future, Sadie must also come to terms with the fact that her role in the lives of her children is changing and that even the best laid plans can go awry when a secret gets thrown into the mix.

Sheri called to say that the new glass frames and lenses she ordered for her dad are in. She said it is her birthday present to him. I told her we were coming down next Monday, hopefully, and would come by and pick them up. Thanks Sheri!

It wasn't supposed to rain or snow today but when I looked outside this afternoon and saw the clouds I told James we were going to get some moisture. He went outside to work and after an hour or so, he came back in because it was raining, which turned to sleet, and then snow.

Happy Anniversary Jared & Kacey!

Happy Birthday Talon!

Mission in Africa

Is this true?