Sunday, November 20th, 2022: Stake Conference, Addy's ?, Lunch, Rest, Blog, Index-Review, Family History, Facetime J, K, Ch, 2 new temples dedicated

Manhattan, New York 

119th operating temple

Dedicated: 13 June 2004

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Son of man

Mark 10:33

Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles:

Book of Mormon

Mormon 2:17-29

Come Follow Me

Review Amos & Obadiah

OctGenCon

"Happy and Forever"

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

"Happy and forever" are not the imaginary stuff of fairy tales. True, enduring joy and eternity with those we love are the very essence of God's plan of happiness. His lovingly prepared way can make our eternal journey happy and forever.

Up at 5:30. Yes, I slept in because I went to bed so late. 

Two temples will be dedicated today, the 174th and 175th temples.

Quito, Ecuador by Elder Quentin L. Cook and Belem, Brazil by Elder Dale G. Renlund.

We had stake conference again this morning. We got there early enough to listen to the choir's prelude but not early enough to sit in the chapel. Instead of leaving at 8:45 James wasn't ready and we didn't leave until 8:55. We sat in the overflow next to Kim and Greg Anderson. James and Greg sat together and chatted about work before the meeting started. Sue Hubble sat next to me. The choir sounds beautiful. They even had a harp, a cello and several flute to accompany them. We had five members of our ward in the choir. Pierce and Susan Goodman, Jennifer Golly, Tamara Applegate, and Anne Johnson. When we first arrived Pierce and Susan were in the foyer while the choir was taking a break and I introduced myself to Susan. She has a nice smile.

Here are some of the songs the choir sang: "Come to Me", "Heavenly Father, Are You Really There?", "The King of Love, My Shepherd Is", "It Is Well with My Soul". Songs we sang with the choir: "Come Ye Thankful People Come", "Redeemer of Israel", and "How Firm a Foundation".

Here are some notes I took:

President Alder - I am a Dodger's fan. He wonders why. He remembers going to the Dodger's games with his grandfather. He remembers spreading Dodger's peanuts over his grandfather's grave. Why does he love the Dodger's. It's not the players, it's the memories and feelings of love he received attending those games with his grandfather. We might ask ourselves the question: Why am I here today and what are my feelings towards Jesus Christ and His gospel? Joseph of Egypt, Pahoran to Moroni. Does conflict with others change our faith in the Lord? 2 Ne. 26:24. Jesus sacrificed His life for all men. Why am I where I am? Jesus Christ is the reason I am where I am.

Ethan Cavey - 17 year old priest. How my relationship with the Savior has helped me to prepare to make temple covenants and prepare for a mission. After his sophomore year he decided he needed to make the Savior more a part of his life. If we are near Him and know Him it is easier to share the gospel. 

Sister Best - A fulltime missionary now serving in Lakeside. Jesus Christ changed my heart about serving in Arizona. He has the power to change us. I feel closest to God in the temple. Trials of faith prepared me for my mission. My dad died two years ago. God prepares us for our trials.

Shana Atkinson (Counselor in the Stake Primary Presidency)

Talked about a Dystopian Society. We chose God's plan. We have the power to choose. For the Strength of Youth helps youth to make inspired choices. Jesus Christ is the way to eternal joy. You are a beloved spirit child of God. Your Father in Heaven trusts you. Decisions determine destiny. Brent Nielsen was her stake president in Idaho. "Fear not". "Doubt not." "Be of good cheer." "Let not your heart be troubled."

Elle Burgess - Just returned from a mission in Colorado. Worried about where she would go. Called to Sydney, Australia but served in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It doesn't matter where you are called, you are called to the work. She loved helping people come closer to Christ. She loved the people of Colorado. D&C 80:3. The Book of Mormon is one of the most powerful tools a missionary has. Read the Book of Mormon! The Book of Mormon changes lives. Love-Share-Invite. Who needs the gospel? The Atonement of Jesus Christ can change anyone's life. Return with Honor. Bore her testimony.

President Beeler - Grateful for the choir, and the missionary stories. We want to increase Covenant Consciousness in this conference. We want to become more like Him. What have I learned that wasn't said? D&C 43:7-9. Know how to act. Doing or Becoming. Sanctified - Bind ourselves to act in all holiness. Pay attention to the Spirit. Grandfather was color blind and so am I. Purple suit story. Mark 10:17-22. Savior to the young man. Go, give all to the poor, take up your cross and follow me. The young man turned and went away.

We must take up our cross and follow Him. We need to give up worldly things and bind ourselves to Him. Transformational. Overcome and Become. Our God was a covenant making God from the very beginning of time. Prayerfully plan and align our plans with God's will. Always ask ourselves: How will this decisions affect my ability to serve God.? Testimony of his son Trenton who is serving a mission in Chile. "It was a grind and a half ( I think he means it was hard). I couldn't have done it without the Savior and His Atonement. Why can't everyone understand this. The gospel is simple and simply wonderful." We need to take a "daily walk with Jesus" to truly get to know Him. 

Goodbye to Susan. Her daughter has an appointment in the valley tomorrow with a new doctor trying some new medicine. I told her that I would pray that things would go well for her. 

I got a text from Addy during conference. 

I was talking to my non-member friend about the plan of salvation and I told her that only those who knew God and still denied Him would go to hell like the sons of perdition and she asked what it meant to know God and if since she used to believe in God but doesn't think she does anymore would she go to hell. I know knowing God in this sense doesn't meant faith but I wasn't sure how to explain. How would you explain it?

Me: I looked up what a Son of Perdition is in the guide to the scriptures and unless your friend is a follower of Satan and has turned utterly against God, she will not be going to hell. Here is part of the list I found under Sons of Perdition:

The followers of Satan who will suffer with him in eternity. Sons of perdition include (1) those who followed Satan and were cast out of heaven for rebellion during premortality and (2) those who were permitted to be born to this world with physical bodies but then served Satan and turned utterly against God. Those in this second group will be resurrected from the dead but will not be redeemed from the second (spiritual) death and cannot dwell in a kingdom of glory (DC 88:32, 35). Sons of perdition deny the HOly Spirit after receiving it, DC 76:35. Sons of perdition deny the Son after the Father has revealed Him, DC 76:43. 

I hope this helps. I would tell her she needs to learn more about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to decide how she feels about them. She is a child of God and is loved by Them.

I also wrote: What is the desire of her heart? Would she be willing to pray to know if there is a God? To see who inherits a kingdom of glory and what you have to do to qualify for one, read DC 76.

Followers of Christ who have repented will not have to suffer for their sins. Those who don't repent will have to suffer for their sins to inherit a kingdom of glory. When I think of Jesus suffering and dying for my sins I am overcome with love for Him. I just want everyone to love the gospel as much as I do! Have a great day and if you tell me your friends name I will pray for her.

Her name is Hannah.

This afternoon I blogged, indexed, and did some family history.

This evening Sandra Wilhelm and two of her younger kids, George and Nellie delivered our pies that we ordered from them. We got four pies, key lime, pumpkin, cherry, and triple berry. I ordered the key lime pie for James and he doesn't like it. I told him I would remake it tomorrow and add some Eagle Brand milk and cream cheese. He seemed excited.

This evening we FaceTimed with Jared, Kacey, and Charlie. Charlie was very friendly and showed me both of their Christmas trees, the small one in her bedroom and the family one. She said the family tree has white lights because that's what her mom likes. Jared put some colored lights outside on their house. There are white lights in with the colored lights. When he asked Charlie if she liked them she said, Yeah, all except the white ones.  Charlie also sang Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to us. She talked about spending the night at Scarlett's and how Scarlett has a Barbie doll and a Skipper doll. I told her that Skipper was Barbie's little sister.

Kacey has been called to be their ward's Young Women President. Jared, as part of his high council calling, is a counselor in the Stake Young Men's Presidency. Jared told about something their stake is doing. They discussed Alma 8:10: Nevertheless Alma labored much in the spirit, wrestling with God in mighty prayer, that he would pour out his Spirit upon the people who were in the city; that he would also grant that he might baptize them unto repentance. The entire stake is praying at 8:10 everyday to have this scripture realized in their area so they might have more baptisms. I love this idea. I know there is power in group prayers!

This evening I made my temple appointments for December and had a piece of pumpkin pie with lots of Coolwhip. It's my favorite. 

Sweet Charlie