Sunday, March 17, 2024: Bed to family room recliner, at church we have one of the muddiest cars in the lot, Lorraine Vaught pinches me, Bowens speak in sacrament mtg, Teacher training w/ John Wilhelm, RS Women's Devotional President Nelson's invitation and blessing

Bismarck, North Dakota

61st operating temple

Dedicated: 19 Sept 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 31:1-7

Come Follow Me

Review and Sunday School

October General Conference

"Praise to the Man" by President M. Russell Ballard

I started out in my bed last night and ended up on the family room recliner. The recliner is really the most comfortable place to sleep when I can't sleep on my side.

We were one of the muddiest cars in the church parking lot today. It was a little embarrassing. 

As I walked into the chapel I noticed Lorraine Vaught with a bright green dress on and a plaid vest. It looked like a dress she had especially made for St. Patrick's day. She noticed I didn't have green on and so she grabbed my arm to pinch me. Darn! I don't have any green Sunday clothes and I couldn't very well wear my new green t-shirt to church. I thought Lola was going to be here today but now I realize I wasn't totally prepared. The reason I mention Lola is that she told me her two favorite holidays were Christmas and St. Patrick's Day. When I asked her why St. Patrick's Day she said "because I like to pinch people."

I walked to the front of the chapel to speak to Catherine Halcomb. I told her that Donna Peeler's parents were from Enid, Oklahoma because I saw it on Donna's life story which was given out at the funeral yesterday. Catherine is from Enid and when I told her she said, "Oh, maybe I know them."

Logan Robles and Nathan Crane were the youth speakers in sacrament meeting today. Sean and Heather Bowen were the regular speakers. Paul Peeler went over and sat with the Bowen children when Sean went up to speak. Heather was already on the stand. I thought that was very kind of Paul. They are not the easiest kids to tend but he did a good job until right at the very end when the youngest went up to see his dad on the stand.

I attended John Wilhelm's teacher training class the second hour.  

Some things we discussed:

* Discussion questions are most important

* "Speak in the tongue of angels"

* Young women bearing testimony to other young women via text - Gracie Umphress

* Think of individuals

* Challenge: What is my teaching style? Be prepared to answer the next time we meet next quarter.

Others who were in the teacher training class:

Sandra Wilhelm, Alicia Hunsaker, Rosie Lauritzen, Natalie Robles, Cheryl Sedig, Brother Johnson, and Wendy DeWitt.

This afternoon I got a text from Trina asking if Rowan and a friend could spend the night. They are up here camping and it is too cold for them. I guess they wanted to go fishing at the Black River but Rowan lost his way so they came up here. I told Trina to send them on over. A few minutes later Rowan and his friend Ian rang our doorbell. When we let them in I noticed that Rowan had on his plastic fish shoes. No wonder his feet were cold! James made them a fire and some hot chocolate. I saw them sitting by the fire making smores when I went into the bedroom to listen to the RS Women's Devotional Broadcast. 

Here are some notes I took from President Nelson's talk this evening:

* When we help others, we help ourselves.

*  Gathering Israel is a divine mandate.

* Women have a divine endowment that allows them to literally change lives - particularly as they are working to gather Israel.

* Two women have changed my life, my wife Dantzel and my wife Wendy.

* Women have been at the center of heavenly Father's plan from the beginning. Covenant daughters of God have a receptivity to the Spirit and an enhanced more compass.

* Sisters, please never underestimate the extraordinary power within you to influence others for good. ... if the world should ever lose the more rectitude of its women, the world would never recover

* Sisters' voices are needed to teach the doctrine of Christ, detect deception and articulate truth. The wisdom of women is needed in their families, ward and stake councils, and other places of influence throughout the world.

* President Nelson invited women to make the scriptures their personal Liahona, the temple their place of refuge and recalibration, and their personal prayers the way they learn where the Lord needs them to be that day. Over time they will see how the Lord guides them to help others.

* Blessings for women:

- Increased spiritual discernment and the ability to find joy in offering relief to others.

- Wisdom to discern what is needful and not to run faster than they are able.

- Courage to live up to divine privileges as covenant daughters of God.

- To feel deeply that Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, now them and love them.

- To realize that their divine gifts as daughters of God give them the power not only to change lives but to change the world.

Donna Peeler's casket

Happy Sabbath from Charlie!