Campinas, Brazil
111th operating temple
Dedicated: 17 May 2002
By: Gordon B. Hinckley
Jesus Christ, Relationships with the Father
John 17:7
Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.
Book of Mormon
Ether 3:1-16
D&C
138:25-60
"Come Follow Me"
My ancestors in the Spirit World
OctGenCon
"The Love of God"
Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Because God's love is all-embracing, some speak of it as "unconditional," and in their minds they may project that thought to mean that God's blessings are "unconditional" and that salvation is "unconditional." They are not. Some are wont to say, "The Savior loves me just as I am," and that is certainly true. But He cannot take any of us into His kingdom just as we are, "for no unclean thing can dwell there, or dwell in his presence." Our sins must first be resolved.
Today we said goodbye to our friend Barbara. My heart is so very sad because I feel as if I have lost one of my best friends, which I have. I took two salads, taco soup, and mini saltine crackers which Barbara introduced me to.
I got to give my friend Cathy Arnett a hug and tell her how much I loved her. I thanked Chea and Wayne for bringing her. Cathy said how great it must be to live in Vernon. I told her it was a great place to live and suggested that she come and live with Pierce. She had told me once that he was more like a brother to her than a cousin. She just laughed and later I thought that maybe it would not be appropriate for them to live together.
I looked at Barbara's body in the casket and it did not look like her. I want to remember her the last time I saw her, at Emsley's baptism.
I gave Pierce a hug and told him Barbara was my best friend and he said, "mine too and I miss her so much."
President Beeler was on the stand at the funeral. When we waited for the family to come in, they filled the entire center section of the chapel. Pierce sat on the front row and had his oxygen with him.
Bishop Hunsaker conducted the meeting. He looked at Pierce and said: "There is a lot of love in this room."
Sister JoAnn Brown was the first speaker. She and her husband were good friends with Barbara and Pierce when they lived in Tucson.
She said that Pierce was Barbara's home teacher and that is how their relationship developed. They were sealed in the Mesa temple in 1989. Barbara served with all of her heart. She was a stake Relief Society president and a ward Relief Society president and also served in the Young Women's organization and the Primary. The Brown's and the Goodman's vacationed at Lake Powell together and Barbara always brought the best treats.
Sister Brown remembers going shopping with Barbara and would have to be careful what she admired. If she liked something Barbara would go back later and buy it for her.
Barbara loved the Savior and would spend hours studying the gospel. She was kind, generous, and loved to laugh. This is the same Barbara I knew. She loved to make crafts and went to craft sales and garage sales. She sold her crafts in Pierce's dental practice in Tucson.
Barbara was a good cook. If she was going to be gone she would worry about Pierce would eat. She said she pictured him opening the refrigerator and biting in to a head of lettuce because it was convenient.
She told Pierce: She isn't gone, but is near you. She will be cheering her family on. We celebrate her life as a life well lived. She was ready to go.
The next speaker was Barbara's only daughter, Ashley. She said her mom was her best friend. She remembers Spam sandwiches, Scattergories games, and her mom being a spelling queen. She loved Cabbage Patch dolls, driving fast, and was a little sassy. Her signature dish was her mashed potatoes and gravy. She told Ashley that McDonald's had the perfect Coke. She said her mother would send Get Well Soon cards instead of Birthday cards so people wouldn't steal them.
Ashley said that her mom loved bags, bags for everything. She could fall asleep in the blink of an eye. She was forgiving and thoughtful.
When they got Covid Ashley asked if she wanted her to come to Arizona to take care of her. Ashley lives in Utah. Barbara said no "because I don't want you bossing me around."
Ashley arrived in Arizona to hold her mother's hand before she passed away. Ashley is looking forward to a joyful reunion with her mother.
Our dear friend Owen Peeler gave a talk on the Plan of Salvation. He is a good friend and neighbor to Pierce. He is the one that sold Pierce his land and house.
May the Lord's blessing of peace be with you. Read the words to the hymn #293, "Each Life That Touches Ours for Good." This was our friend Barbara. Our lives should be like Barbara's. Don't dwell on the negative, believe that you are going to make it if you desire to and are trying to.
Become as the Savior is. Study the Creation, Fall, and Atonement. As we make covenants with the Savior and keep them we will return to live with Him and Heavenly Father.
Bishop Hunsaker was the last speaker. He is also a neighbor of the Goodman's and the Peeler's. Our mortal existence is but a small moment. We need to ask ourselves, "What is my commitment to the Lord?
We were expecting 100 family and friends at the luncheon but ended up feeding 160 with some left over. Just like the Savior did when he fed the 5,000. We served soup, salad, rolls, and dessert.
After everyone was served a few of those who worked in the kitchen sat at a table to eat. I was one of them. The Lauritzen's sat across with me and Brother Lauritzen said: "We didn't know you had such a hidden talent. Rosie agreed with him. I was confused and did not know what they were referring to. Brother Lauritzen said he did not know that I could play the piano so well. I said, I do not play well.
Rosie said, Wasn't that you playing the piano at the funeral. I said no, it was not. I don't remember what the piano player looked like but I found it quite amusing that two people who know me well, thought it was me.
I guess the highlight of the entire meal for me was Sister Hunter's rolls. She made over 80 and they were delicious. I took four of them home and James like them as much as I did. I told her I needed to get her recipe.
I left home before two because I needed to make a visit to the MacArthur's. Today is Scotlyn's 3rd birthday and I told Chelsea I had a gift for her.
When I got to the MacArthur's Scotlyn opened the door with a Wonder Woman costume on. I wished her a Happy Birthday. As we went in the house Peyton, Scotlyn's older sister was asleep on the couch. Scotlyn led me over to the kitchen counter so she could sit down and open her gifts. I gave her a Calico Critter koala bear family, a red snowflake blanket, and two coloring books and some crayons. Scotlyn immediately began taking the clothes off of the little koala bears. We visited awhile and then it was time for me to go because they were going to a party in town at Pizza Factory. Chelsea gave me two dozen eggs. They have 21 chickens left out of the 24 they originally had and get about 20 eggs a day, way too many for their small family.
I went home and put on my "cozy" clothes and headed for the recliner in the family room to relax and of course watch a Christmas movie. That chocolate cake I made is taunting me. Even without frosting it is delicious. I finally ended up throwing most of it away.
I watched "A 5th Avenue Christmas" this evening and it is now one of my favorites!
James said he loves our Christmas tree, and so do I. He seems to be feeling better today. He worked outside for quite sometime today and did not have to come in for a nap.
At the end of November Sheri and Kim get together to plan the family calendar for December. There are certain "traditions" they include in this calendar. The first Saturday of December the family who can and wish to, gather at Serrano's to have a meal together. Afterwards they used to go look at Christmas lights but more recently they go to the "Light the World" giving machines in Gilbert.
What a great tool! Just by pushing a button you can serve people around the world!
Barbara's Program
I miss her so much!
Burt wants in
ingenuity.
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