Mesa, Arizona
7th operating temple
Dedicated: 23-26 Oct 1927
By: Heber J. Grant
Jesus Christ, Prophecies about
D&C 5:19
For a desolating scourge shall go forth among the inhabitants of the earth, and shall continue to be poured out from time to time, if they repent not, until the earth is empty, and the inhabitants thereof are consumed away and utterly destroyed by the brightness of my coming.
Book of Mormon
Alma 54:13-55:14
D&C
Review 89-92
"Come Follow Me"
Review "A Principle with Promise"
AprGenCon
"Pressing Toward the Mark"
Elder Edward Dube
Of the Seventy
While the challenges of mortality will come to all of us in one way or another, let us focus on the goal of our "pressing toward the mark," which is the "prize of the high calling of God."
My humble invitation to all of us is to never give up! We are called to "lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith."
Ten Virtues
#7
Thrift and Industry
I commend to all the virtues of industry and thrift, which I believe go hand in hand. The labor and thrift of the people make a nation, a community, or a family strong. Work and thrift make the family independent.
We attended Sheri's ward, the Galveston 3rd ward on Dobson and Galveston. It was at 10:30 which to me is the perfect time. Kacey and Jared and Charlie also came to Sheri's ward because Darrel and Trina's ward doesn't meet until 1:30 and that is way too late if Charlie is going to get a nap before the get together tonight. This is also Cathi and Terry and Laura and Dave's ward.
We sat in the back behind the aisle where you come in. It was Evan, Sheri, James, me, Kacey, Jared, and of course Charlie. Between the two talks there was a piano solo and Charlie began to twirl. It was so cute but I guess Jared didn't think it was appropriate for sacrament meeting so he motioned her over to sit on his lap, which she did.
A young couple, new in the ward, the Bodily's, were the speakers. Sister Bodily used Sister Jones's talk, "Essential Conversations", as the basis for her talk. Here are some of the notes I took. We value children. "I guess I wasn't in far enough." We want to make sure our children are far enough in the gospel. Children have always been primary. We cannot wait for conversion to simply happen to our children. We must teach by precept and example. "This is the Way." Teach them the doctrine of Christ; faith, repentance baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. Build spiritual resilience. Children need to know what they believe and why. Quench all of the fiery darts of the adversary. Wouldn't we rather have them "sweat" in the safe learning environment of the home rather than bleed on the battlefields of life? Some scriptures to read: Mosiah 3:19; Alma 39:16, 2 Nephi 31:20.
I love Sister Jones. She has been one of my favorite speakers and I am going to miss her now that she has been released.
Lori Layton - "It Is Well with My Soul" accompanied by Twirling Charlie
Brother Bodily who is a surgeon, spoke on Elder Renlund's talk, "Infuriating Unfairness." Brother Bodily was an excellent speaker. He started his talk by talking about Viktor Frankl who was an Austrian neurologist, psychiatrist, philosopher, author, and Holocaust survivor developed the concept of logotherapy on the premise that the primary motivational force of an individual is to find a meaning in life. I have read some of his book, "Man's Search for Meaning."
Brother Bodily says that we should teach our children not only what we believe, but why we believe it.
The real crux of the talk by Elder Renlund is found in the following statement: Jesus Christ both understands unfairness and has the power to provide a remedy. The following scriptures are important:
D&C 130:19 - If a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.
Hebrews 4:16 - Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (It is only through the Savior Jesus Christ that we are able to overcome, through His grace, the unfairness in this life ).
Isaiah 41:10 - Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
There are many other scriptures that go with this talk but I think these will be enough to help us understand that it is through Christ that we overcome all things in this life.
Sheri had a meeting in the chapel with the youth and their parents. Since there is no nursey, she wanted to keep Charlie with her. Charlie was happy to be with Sheri. Last night on the way home for Stacy and Paul's she cried all the way saying she wanted to spend the night with Sheri.
I was happy to know that next year there will be an Easter Pageant at the Mesa Temple and tryouts start soon!
Brother Tolman had a releasing to take care of as a high councilman. Nancy Tolman was one of the only people in the ward brave enough to speak with us. She is one of my favorite people ever!
Kacey and I went to Relief Society and James and Jared went to Elders Quorum. Sister Williams, the RS President came and spoke to us so she could introduce us. I spoke with Paula Casto, and Gerry Price. There were less than 10 people in the meeting. Phyllis Bader was the teaching and she did an excellent job. The conference talk: "Infuriating Unfairness" by Elder Renlund. She said at first she was frustrated that Brother Bodily was speaking on the talk for her lesson but then she thought; we read the scriptures over and over as we learn line upon line. She touched on some things in her lesson that Brother Bodily did not have time to cover in his talk. We talked about being "stone catchers" and there were sooo many good comments from this little group.
One of the sisters, I assume a ward missionary, told about a program they are doing to help the missionaries. It's called the 40-Day Fast. 40 people or families sign up to fast on a certain day until all 40 days are filled. The other members of the ward pray for missionary work, and one family/individual fasts. It is not necessary to know who is fasting, just that someone is. I love this idea and I'm going to share it when I get back to Vernon.
Sheri invited Kacey and Jared and of course Charlie to come to her house for lunch. She said she was making homemade pizza and chicken tacos with her homemade salsa. Everything was delicious. I helped my shredding the chicken and grating the cheese. Not much, but it's hard to keep up with Sheri. She gets down to business immediately and works quickly. She also made rolls and had them rising while we were gone to church and she is also making Charlie's birthday cake.
After lunch Kacey, Jared, and Charlie went to Darrel and Trina's so Charlie could get a nap. I wonder if that will happen. She doesn't like getting in the carseat because she always falls asleep.
James and I began preparing the mashed potatoes for tonight. James did a five lb. bag and I did one. While the potatoes were cooking we took a nap for about 30 minutes. I beat the potatoes and added butter, milk, and cream. James helped me cook the six bags of corn. Sheri was busy making the cake and frosting it, all from scratch. Sheri's favorite TV show is "The Great British Baking Show".
We left a little early because James was nervous about getting there on time. Sheri, Ian, and Evan came after us. As I left I looked at the rolls on the counter and I thought, "I hope Sheri doesn't forget those." When we sat down to eat at Darrel & Trina's I asked Sheri where the rolls were. She said, "I forgot them"!
Paul's brisket was out of this world. So tender and juicy. He certainly has perfected his art of smoking meat. I've never tasted any better, or for that matter, as good. We also had Joe's beans, mashed potatoes, and corn. For dessert we had the caramel apple crumb pie from Pie Snob, three kinds of ice cream, and Sheri's homemade chocolate cake. We feasted! But I get a little ahead of myself. Before we ate, James ordained Jared a High Priest with Jared's stake president, President Newman on FaceTime. James's blessing after the ordination was so sweet. We were all a little teary -eyed afterwards. He told Jared that in spite of the struggles he is having right now with his older children, someday they will rise up and call him blessed.
James's priesthood line of authority: Ordained an Elder by President G. Homer Durham, President of ASU and later a Seventy. A personal friend of President Hinckley's. Ordained a High Priest in 2003 by President D. Lynn Jones of the Chandler West Stake.
After the ordination and the dinner we had Charlie's 3rd birthday party. She was so fun. She said she wanted to have cake first and then open her presents so that's what we did.
Before I post all of the pictures from the party let me list who was there and how grateful we are to everyone who came. Stacy, Paul, Adam, Joshua, Kim, Brian, Sheri, Ian, Evan, Jared, Kacey, Charlie, Darrel, Trina, Addy, Rowan, Ruby, Lola, and James and I. Some of the things that Charlie got for her birthday: A toy computer from Sheri & Ian, Bubble Guppies from Kim & Brian. (Her favorite show and characters), A doctors coat, instruments and bag from James and I, and play makeup from Lola and her family. It was both a spiritual and a fun evening and we are so grateful we were able to come!
Here are the pictures:
Dr. Lambson consulting her assistant
Fixing Ruby's foot
What a day!
What a day!
Now it's goodbye.
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