Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico
55th operating temple
Dedicated: 6 Mar 1999
By: Gordon B. Hinckley
Jesus Christ, Redeemer
Hebrews 2:17
Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Book of Mormon
3 Nephi 2:1-19
D&C
Saints chapter 25, 285-299; D&C 114
"Come Follow Me"
Finish FSS & FHE
OctGenCon
"Faith to Act and Become"
Elder Cira Schmeil
Of the Seventy
Through prayer, scripture study, and action, we can unlock the blessings of heaven and become better followers of the Savior Jesus Christ.
Attributes of Christ
#3
Charity and Love
Charity is "the pure love of Christ" (Moroni 7:47). It includes God's eternal love for all His children. We are to seek to develop that kind of love. When you are filled with charity, you obey God's commandments and do all you can to serve others and help them receive the restored gospel. Charity is a gift from God. The prophet Mormon said that we should "Pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that we may be filled with this love" (Moroni 7:48). As you follow this counsel and strive to do righteous works, your love for all people will increase, especially those among whom you labor. You will come to feel a sincere concern for the eternal welfare and happiness of other people. You will see them as children of God with the potential of becoming like our Heavenly Father, and you will labor in their behalf. You will avoid negative feelings such as anger, envy, lust, or covetousness. You will avoid judging others, criticizing them, or saying negative things about them. You will try to understand them and their points of view. You will be patient with them and try to help them when they are struggling or discouraged. Charity, like faith, leads to action. You will develop charity as you look for opportunities to serve others and give of yourself.
James left before 5 for the valley to work at LaCroix's. He goes on Saturday so Salvador can help him. Sal was there less than an hour and then left saying he had to go to another job. That seems to be everyone's excuse. James was not supposed to have to work on this job at all. Sal was to get subs if he could use James's license. James missed the ward's woodcutting project and breakfast and two sessions of stake conference to be on the job. He didn't get home until 11:30 p.m. because the closed highway 87 because of a wreck and it took him over an hour to go the Globe way. He should have been home around 10:30. I was asleep on the bedroom recliner with my phone playing "The Great British Baking Show."
Chuck came by this morning to pick up my biscuits to take them to the ward breakfast. I appreciate him doing this for me so I did not have to drop them off.
Sheri stayed until 10 o'clock this morning working on the ice cream puzzle. She told me she wanted me to finish the puzzle and send her a picture. I hope I can finish it. Before leaving I took a picture of Sheri and the boys on the front porch. Every picture I took Max has his eyes closed.
After having a house full of people, I am home alone. I walk and study President Nelson's talk for stake conference this afternoon.
I began getting ready for stake conference leadership meeting a little after 2. I left the house at 3 to pick up Tamara by 3:15. Tamara got in the car and off we headed for Lakeside.
We sat in the back of the chapel with the rest of the gang from Vernon. There was Chuck, Greg, Kerri, Lannie, Tamara, Brother Grapp, Pierce G., Stefani and Alicia and Bishop Hunsaker.
The first part of the meeting was spent discussing how to have a meeting. President Smithson had us look in the handbook under 4.2.1 Prepare spiritually and 4.2.2 minister to all of God's children.
Presidency meeting should be held regularly. I'm wondering what exactly that means?
President Alder talked about asking inspired questions. Use an agenda and send it out in advance. He talked about using "Teaching in the Savior's Way" as a resource. Learner's gain knowledge, touch their hearts and minds, act on promptings received, bear testimony and spend time on self-reflection.
President Beeler made a joke about having a meeting about meetings. The theme for our conference is taken from 2 Nephi 31:20
"Wherefore ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ...
We discussed sitting in council in our meetings, including the Sunday lessons. President Beeler mentioned the importance of the temple and building a strong spiritual foundation. Jesus Christ is the Rock upon which we should build our foundation. We must study the scriptures, pray, keep the commandments and serve others. We need to develop Christlike attributes as those found in the sixth chapter of "Preach My Gospel." The gospel fills a need in people. We each were handed an agenda outline for a presidency meeting. Tamara actually didn't get one so I gave her mine.
Here is the outline I wrote down:
Set a meeting start and finish time
Invocation
Spiritual Thought
Minutes of previous meetings and report on assignments & business
Training and Instruction
Sit in Council
Plans to Act - DC43:9 - Actions I will take
Testimony
Items to be discussed in meeting:
Living the gospel of Jesus Christ
Caring for those in need
Inviting all to receive the gospel
Uniting families for eternity
Let people know why you have a testimony.
Therefore what....bind ourselves to act.
Revelation process that will drive members to action
"Counseling with Councils" by President Ballard
How do we train teachers to lead a counseling discussion by asking questions
An agenda genders revelation in advance
Good information equals good inspiration.
Revelation is scattered among us. -DAB
Are we doing God's will. .
Seek revelation amid our councils.
There is safety in councils.
D&C 107:31
After the meeting was over Kerri and I headed for home to watch the evening session at home. I loved watching at home because it was like being on the front row.
White Mountain Stake Conference
Saturday Evening Session
President Alder conducted.
President Smithson was the first speaker:
John 8:2 - Woman taken in adultery. Go and sin no more. Non-confrontational. Conflict is inevitable but contention is a choice.
Become more Christlike.
President Toronto of the Snowflake temple
In four weeks the temple will be open again. The temple is the house of the Lord. The Lord commanded Moses in Exodus to build a tabernacle/temple.
Jeremiah 31:33 - Put my laws in the inward parts and write it in our hearts.
The crowning jewel of the Restoration is the Temple. Temples dotting the earth is a fulfillment of prophecy.
Becky Belnap:
Seek the Lord early. Ether 12:41 - Seek this Jesus...
The Lord loves effort. Newell Belnap, Sister Belnap's husband, used to work for Steven R. Covey. Covey encouraged people to live a balanced life: Social, physical, intellectual, and spiritual.
Youth need to know who they are and that they have a purpose.
President Alder:
His grandma Alder was an artist. She oil painted and she graduated from UCLA. She taught him that art is about perspective and focus.
"Two Sisters on the Terrace" by Renoir is one of Pres. Alder's favorite paintings.
613 Jewish laws in the law of Moses
Behavioral/Doctrine
Matt 5:43 - Love neighbor
Christ's doctrine of love, love all.
Labels don't matter when I am commanded to love all. Focus on doctrine which affects our behavior. Exodus - Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy. Doctrines affect the heart.
Focus on doctrine rather than behavior.
How can I focus on the doctrines of the gospel in life?
President Beeler:
175 stake members are viewing virtually
"The doctrines of the gospel fire me along the Covenant Path."
Mesa Temple - "The glory of God is intelligence."
Be careful you aren't overcome by the shouting of crowds - look for the meekness of prophets.
Let God Prevail. Substitute bitterness and anger with kindness and optimism.
Video: Four year old girl in the grocery store hugs an older man who just lost his wife. This girl, Nora, gives the old man a reason to live.
"She opened me to love again after my wife died."
"Hi old person."
As we are humble and obedient, the scales of darkness begin to fall.
President Beeler tells experiences of visiting the members of the stake in their homes. Covid drove away the friendliness in our stake.
Is there somebody who needs us to change their perspective?
The Lord expects us to do more.
Let's try to be a little better.
Let the Savior direct our lives.
After conference I walked and watched the new Hallmark movie, "South Beach Love."
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