OUR FAMILY: Sunday, September 4th, 2022: Holiday crowd at Fast & Testimony meeting: Testimonies, Sunday School, Visit Donna Peeler in the hospital, Joshua Crosscountry (Saturday)

Portland, Oregon

42nd operating temple

Dedicated: 19 Aug 1989

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Seed of

Ether 3:14

Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters.

Book of Mormon

Alma 61:6-21

6 And behold, I have sent a proclamation throughout this part of the land; and behold, they are flocking to us daily, to their arms, in the defense of their country and their freedom, and to avenge our wrongs.

"Come Follow Me"

Ecclesiastes 1-3; 12 Mortal life is temporary. Prophets and Prophecy.

AprGenCon

"Following Jesus: Being A PeaceMaker "

Elder Neil L. Andersen

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Each time I read John chapter 13, I am reminded of the Savior's perfect example as a peacemaker. Jesus lovingly washed the feet of the Apostles. Then, we read, "he was troubled in spirit" as He thought about one He loved preparing to betray Him. I have tried to imagine the thoughts and feelings of the Savior as Judas left. Interestingly, at that sobering moment, Jesus spoke no more about His "troubling" feelings or about betrayal. Rather, He spoke to His Apostles about love, His words cascading through the centuries:

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you....

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

Since I am giving the talk by President Nelson, "Preaching the Gospel of Peace", I decided to get out my copy of the book by Clayton Christensen, "The Power of Everyday Missionaries." I read a few stories and got excited about my talk, just for a minute.

We get to church just a few minutes before starting time and it is packed. Luckily we find room on the second row, left side, right behind Lorrain Vaught. James pointed out that Danny White was sitting across from us.

Brother Allen conducted the meeting with our bishop presiding.

There were several announcements, including a ward campout on the 24th of September at Buckelew Springs, 3 miles from our house. They are asking people not to come home to sleep, so in order not to disappoint them, I don't think I will be going.

Testimonies

Brother Allen - He just returned from Canada and traveled through some beautiful places but he doesn't think there is anywhere prettier than Vernon, Arizona is right now. I have a deep testimony of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Children - Dagny Tesarek, George Wilhelm, Hipps's granddaughter.

Owen Peeler My heart is full, this chapel is full, a preacher's dream, and you all know how I love to preach. Bore testimony of Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, and the Book of Mormon.

Paula Johnson Heavenly Father blesses each of our lives everyday. I am grateful for Jesus Christ who died for my sins.

Tamara Applegate I have seen the Savior in my study of the Old Testament. I am grateful that our missionary son, Ty, has found joy in the work.

Greg Anderson I am grateful that God can fix me, a broken vessel. I am excited about missionary work here in Vernon.

Bishop Hunsaker Shared a dream or thought he had early this morning regard an all-thread. Represents life where it needs to be filed and oiled just as I need to be filed and oiled through the Savior's Atonement. Jesus Christ loves everyone of us.

Jeff McCamy I am grateful to have found this Church and to have the Spirit of the Holy Ghost in my life. We have something that is very special.

Doug Brown Remembers a time when he was helping in George Wilhelm's Primary class and George said: I just love Primary. I am grateful for the hope found in Christ's Atonement.

Pam? Visitor staying at the Whiting homestead. Share how her 15 year old son at the time visited the Vernon ward on June 30th 2019, and heard a sister speak who was a convert and how he was touched by her talk and took notes on his phone. She read his notes about how this sister found joy in the gospel. He even went up to her afterwards and thanked her. (What 15 year old does that?). This son has passed away since then. She said knowing that he had a spiritual experience while attending church here brought her comfort and peace.

Jimmie Applegate Shared how Ty met another missionary serving in Florida who is from Gilbert, Arizona. They got to talking and realized this missionary had attended church in Vernon several times in his life while his family was visiting in the summer.

Tim? Visitor, Naegli family, grateful for the Savior.

Mel Wilhelm I am grateful for the beauty around us and the beauty within us.

Jennifer Golly People placed in our lives for a reason. Two years ago our family was sealed in the temple and I am so grateful for that.

Michelle Tesarek I am the new convert who gave that talk that influenced Pam's son in 2019. I remember him coming up to me and thanking me afterwards. I remember talking about how we found joy in the gospel and how thankful we were for the missionaries who taught us.

Such a wonderful testimony meeting and Sunday School was just as good. We felt like we were spiritually fed today.

Sunday School

Brother Applegate started out by giving us an opportunity to share our favorite Psalms. Here are a few that were shared:

Psalm 25:4-6: Tamara Applegate

4 Whew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.

5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me; for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

6 Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.

Psalm 85:10: Teresa Smith

Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Psalm 85:11: Karen Lambson

Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

Psalm 23: Wes Smith

The 23rd Psalm brought him comfort and peace at the time of his brother's unexpected passing.

Psalm 63: Owen Peeler

The heading: David thirsts for God, whom he praises with joyful lips.

Psalm 107:23-30

23 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;

24 These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep

25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.

26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.

27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end.

28 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.

29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.

30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.

Psalm 16: Sister Hipps

1 Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.

2 O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;

3 But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.

4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.

5 The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.

6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell' neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

The Psalms are a template for prayer.

What is a Proverb? A wise saying. We discussed, "Spare the rod, and spoil the child." Rod is the word of God. Great discussion. Brother Applegate's Powerpoint slides are amazing and this is the best Gospel Doctrine class I have ever attended.

We went home, had some lunch and a short rest time and then got ready to go to the hospital to see our friend Donna Peeler. She was not at our meetings today so James, their ministering brother, asked where she was. Owen said she was in the hospital. I guess she was sick so he took her to see Dr. Moffat who did a Covid test. She did not have Covid but Dr. Moffat said she was very sick and needed to go to the emergency room. It was determined that she was extremely low on sodium and they put her in intensive care with a slow sodium drip. She is now in a regular room, room 103.

When we got to the hospital we of course had to put on masks. After each of us gave Donna a hug James went over and sat by Owen and they began to talk. I pulled up my chair to Donna's bed and visited with her. Donna is 79, soon to be 80, and is such a dear friend. We get along so well. She loves to watch Hallmark movies but she mentioned how they are having more and more gay couples in their movies. I told her about Bill Abbott leaving Hallmark to start GAC for that very reason. She's going to look in to getting the package with GAC. Before we left James and Owen gave Donna a blessing. Donna asked that James be the voice for the blessing. We left right after the blessing and so did Owen.

We took the Porter Mountain Rd. home so we could take pictures of flowers. I made cheese crisps when we got home and later James made shrimp. He did indexing and I did blogging.