OUR FAMILY: Sunday, November 19, 2023: Up @ 5:30, Cold, rainy & windy today, flurries of snow,, High Council Sunday Knippers & Reagan. Signup to clean temple, James 1:5 a ham sandwich, "A Christmas Love Story", Facetime J's family

Draper, Utah

129th operating temple

Dedicated: 20-22 Mar 2009

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon Reading

Mormon 2:1-16

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

2 Nephi 9:28-29

O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish. But to learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.

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Sunday School Class Discussion

October General Conference

"Walking in Covenant Relationship" by Sister Emily Belle Freeman

I got up around 5:30 this morning thinking about the box of apples that I bought from Sandra Wilhelm last week. I put them in an ice chest out in the garage. I went out to check and make sure they weren't rotten. They are okay but I need to do something to preserve them. I think I am going cut most of them in slices and freeze them in baggies. It's something I've not done before but I looked it up and it is totally doable.

Today is high council Sunday. Dr. Knippers was the high councilman who spoke in our ward. His companion was a young man, J.J. Reagan who is a return missionary from the Bentonville, Arkansas mission.

Dr. Knippers started out by telling us how much President Beeler loves us and that the stake presidency always prays for us. He then said that we are all representatives of Jesus Christ and that we need to share His love for us with others. He said: Bringing souls to Christ brings joy. He talked about the conversion of Alma the younger in Alma 17. When he met his friends after their missions he was grateful that they were still his friends in the Lord. They had taught the Lamanites who began to obey and buried their weapons of war rather than fight. Alma 23:7 says - "For they became a righteous people; they did lay down the weapons of their rebellion, that they did not fight against God any more, neither against any of their brethren. He then quoted Helman 3:35 which is one of my favorite scriptures: "Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God." They went from obedience to consecration. He quoted from Emily Belle Freeman's talk in this last conference: "When I cross the threshold of His house I enter into a deeper covenant relationship. Ask myself: "What can I do to have a more consecrated heart? Obedience and sacrifice. Go from duty to love.

J.J. Reagan - I wonder if he is Dr. Reagan's son. He is from the Rainbow Lake ward. Brother Reagan spoke on the temple and eternal families. He had no notes at all.

There is joy in the temple. #1. The Jorgensen family on his mission. 7 children. I was privileged to attend the temple with the mother and three of their children. She was praying for her husband to be baptized. He is not far from it. #2. Woman who was a Cuban refugee. There is hope and joy in the temple. Hope of an eternal family. This was a family who had no worldly good who are preparing to go to the temple where they will have everything.

Jimmy Applegate taught our Sunday School class on the book of James. We talked a little about grace vs. works but my takeaway was his focus on James 1:5 - If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Brother Applegate reminded us of the importance of this scripture and without it none of us would be here as members of the Lord's Church today. Verses 5&6 together make a chiasmus statement where the importance thing is in the middle. He called it a ham sandwich. I should have copied his demo. It was good.

Catherine Halcomb took me aside today and said she was worried about James's neuropathy. She said she wants to have us over for dinner where she will show James some things he can do to treat the neuropathy. She took treatments at the Compass Health Center in Snowflake for her neuropathy and she says it saved her feet. She is always very kind to think of James.

Another thing she talked about was getting the Kostusiak's to the temple. She said there is an article in this month's Liahona that she is going to have Ellen read. She also said she is going to make her a white temple dress. How can she say no to that. My concern is that Dave has not progressed in the priesthood. I wonder if he attends Elder's quorum. I need to ask James.

For lunch James said we needed to heat up the green chili pork I made and finish it off. I heated what I thought was it up and made a burro for James. When he tasted it he said it was awfully sweet and it tasted funny. I tasted it and realized I had used the sweet pork I had taken out of the freezer the other day instead of the green chili pork. I ate James's burro and he heated up the green chili and ate it with some beans.

We finished eating the baked apples with oatmeal that I made. So tasty!

I got a text from Kim this afternoon. They are coming up the Friday after Thanksgiving and bringing a big dinner. She wants to know if I want ham or turkey. James and I vote for ham. Joe and Michael have been planning on coming but I am not sure. I text Michael but I don't here back from here. Joe isn't sure what Michael's plans are.

I text Darrel and ask if he can get us 16 oz of cranberry celebration at Fry's. He says that he will. Since he works at Fry's I didn't think it would be a problem.

James and I watched an older Hallmark Hall of Fame Christmas movie, "A Christmas Love Story." Kristen Chenoweth and Scott Wolfe. It was a good story and we enjoyed it but I'm not sure watching Christmas movies is a good Sunday activity. I felt a little guilty. I did finish listening to "Unshaken Saints" today.

James built a fire and we had our scriptures and gospel study by the fire. It was nice. After scriptures we Facetimed with Jared, Charlie, and Kacey. Here are some things we learned and enjoyed in this FaceTime with Jared's family:

Charlie had on her Christmas 'jammies. They are red plaid and so cute. I suggested that Jared and Kacey get some to match. Jared didn't like that idea. Charlie showed us the Christmas tree in her room. She sang a turkey song for us and showed us one of her favorite Christmas decorations and also wanted us to see Lovie. In return she wanted to see some snow so James opened the patio door and showed a pile of snow that fell off the roof.

Kacey had on an ASU sweatshirt. I guess their ward is getting a new bishop soon and she thinks it could be Jared. I think he would be a great bishop!

Jared is tired of their ward never doing any activities so he invited the elders quorum over to his house the other night to watch a basketball game. Seven people showed up. I would say that was a pretty good showing for a spur of the moment invite. Jared also told about preparing his talks for sacrament meeting each month and putting Christmas lights on the house. It was a nice visit and we are so grateful for this Facetime chats! We love you guys so much!!