Gilbert, Arizona
142nd operating temple
Dedicated: 2 Mar 2014
By: Thomas S. Monson
Book of Mormon
Alma 2:21-38
Come Follow Me
Alma 1:19-31; 4:6-15
True disciples of Jesus Christ are "humble followers of God."
April General Conference
"All Will Be Well Because of Temple Covenants" President Henry B. Eyring
Inklings
"Faithful to the End" Sister Andrea Munoz Spannaus
1 Samuel 17
deliver
"While David used only one stone to kill Goliath, he was prepared with five."
'I put my faith in Jesus Christ when I face the Goliath of mortality. I cultivate the stone of strength I need to be prepared to face those challenges with faith. I am connected to the Rock and access His strength when I am aligned with Him.'
Today I listened to Inklings with Emily and Michelle Craig. They discussed Sister Spannaus's conference address, "Faithful to the End."
I left for the temple around 9:15. Actually I drove to the Halcomb's and parked my car and drove over with them. I sat in the back while Kerri drove and Catherine sat in the passenger seat. We arrived around 10:15 for the 11 o'clock session. Kerri dropped us off by the door while she went to find a place to park.
When we got in line for our new name, Kathy Crane came up behind us. She gave Kerri and Catherine names she had that belonged to Maxine Thompson. We all sat together in the second row of the first endowment room. The session was full so I am glad we got there early.
After the session was over we headed for Eva's for a late lunch.
Catherine got a taco salad, Kerri got the #6 meal and I got a chili relleno. Here is a picture of my chili relleno.
say: "This is what a chili relleno is supposed to look like!!
There were clouds today and we hoped it might rain. If it did, it was nowhere near Vernon. The high was around 90 degrees although it was overcast.
When I got home I was exhausted. I took a nap as did Tom. James got home from town and he took a short nap too.
He and Jared went out to work on the stable. I fixed pork chops, mashed potatoes, and broccoli for dinner. James had a meeting so he had to eat when he got home. The pork chops turned out quite delicious this time. Jared really liked them. He helped me do the dishes until I told him I could finish on my own.
When James got home he had dinner and told me that was the best dinner he had had in a long time! Thank you dear. I asked why his meeting was so long. He said because they met with the Relief Society presidency. He was very impressed with Cheryl and Natalie and Collin in their meeting tonight. Trying to solve the big concern of the bishop for having regular teacher council meetings and parent council meetings. I read to him my favorite story from General Conference regarding intentional parenting. It's from Brother Pace's talk. He is the General Sunday School President. Here it is:
'In Lehi's vision of the tree of life, Lehi taught us the importance of personal experience with the love of God. After he partook of the fruit, Lehi saw his wife, Sariah, and his sons Nephi and Sam a little way off. "They stood as if they knew not whither they should go. "... I beckoned unto them,: Lehi said, "and I also did say unto them with a loud voice that they should come unto me, and partake of the fruit, which was desirable above all other fruit. "And ... they did come unto me and partake of the fruit." I love Lehi's example of intentional parenting. Sariah, Nephi, and Sam were living good, righteous lives. But the Lord had something better, something sweeter for them. They didn't know where to find it, but Lehi did. So he called to them "with a loud voice" to come to the tree of life and partake of the fruit for themselves. His direction was clear. There could be no misunderstanding.
(Now, this is the part that I like:)
Brother Pace says: "I am the product of a similar kind of intentional parenting. When I was a young boy, maybe 11 or 12 years old, my mother asked me, "Mark, do you know for yourself, by the Holy Ghost, that the gospel is true?"
Her question surprised me. I had always tried to be a 'good boy,' and I thought that was enough. But my mother, like Lehi, knew that something more was needed. I needed to act and know for myself.
I replied that I had not yet had that experience. Ad she didn't seem surprised at all by my answer.
She then said something I have never forgotten. I remember her words to this day: 'Heavenly Father wants you to know for yourself. But you must put in the effort. You need to read the Book of Mormon and pray to know by the Holy Ghost. Heavenly Father will answer your prayers."
Well, I had never read the Book of Mormon before. I didn't think I was old enough to do that. But my mother knew better.
Her question ignited in me a desire to know for myself.
So, each night, in the bedroom I shared with two of my brothers, I turned on the light above my bed and read a chapter in the Book of Mormon. Then, turning off the light, I slipped out of my bed onto my knees and prayed. I prayed more sincerely and with greater desire than I ever had before. I asked Heavenly Father to please let me know of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.
From the time I started reading the Book of Mormon, I felt that Heavenly Father was aware of my efforts. And I felt that I mattered to Him. As I read and prayed, comfortable, peaceful feelings rested upon me. Chapter by chapter, the light of faith was growing brighter inside my soul. In time, I realized that these feelings were confirmations of truth from the Holy Ghost. I came to now for myself that the Book of Mormon is true and that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. How grateful I am for my mother's inspired invitation.
This experience reading the Book of Mormon as a boy started a pattern of scripture study that continues to bless me to this day. I still read the Book of Mormon and kneel in prayer. And the Holy Ghost confirms its truths over and over again."
I wish all of my children would give their children, my grandchildren, this challenge. Is it too late since most of them are adults?
Tom slept inside this afternoon and outside when we went to bed. His schedule has changed a bit.
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