Saturday, March 30th, 2019

Gila Valley, Arizona

132nd operating temple

Dedicated: 23 May 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

2 Nephi 25:12

But, behold, they shall have wars, and rumors of wars; and when the day cometh that the Only Begotten of the Father, yea, even the Father of heaven and of earth, shall manifest himself unto them in the flesh, behold, they will reject him, because of their iniquities, and the hardness of their hearts, and the stiffness of their necks.

Book of Mormon

Jarom 1:1-15

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

John 5:17-47

General Conference

Shepherding Souls

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

"May we raise our sights to this prophetic vision so we can shepherd souls to the temple and ultimately to our Savior, Jesus Christ. He does not expect us to perform miracles. He asks only that we bring our brothers and sisters unto Him, for He has the power to redeem souls. As we do so, we can and will secure this promise: 'And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.' Of this I testify - and of Jesus Christ as our Savior and our Redeemer - in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

We left the house this morning at 5:44 am. for the temple. President Palmer and his wife did the training today. President Palmer is the temple president. We saw the same video we saw last week regarding the endowment session. This time President Palmer decided to focus on learning from the Spirit. He told a story he heard about a group of Saints who lived in Sierra Leone, Africa who had never been to the temple. They planned a new trip to the temple in Accra, Ghana. Before they left they had a meal together. The mission president was a little troubled by one of their culture traditions which allowed the men to eat first, then the women, and then the children if there was anything left. He was troubled but he did not say anything. After spending two days doing ordinance work in the temple the group had another meal together. This time the men went to get the food but instead of eating it they took it to their wives and children. President Palmer said that no one had told them to do this but they had been taught by the Spirit through their temple attendance. I loved this story.

I saw my friend from Chandler, Ruth Gale, in the temple today. She lives in Snowflake now and I see her from time to time

I also saw two girls from our ward, Holly and Khaya with a group of girls from the stake. I love seeing people I know when I'm at the temple.

My temple lunch break was quite delicious today. I had half an egg salad sandwich, chalupa, and orange gelatin, Coolwhip salad. I thought all of those things would be good to serve at our Easter potluck. Oh, and the best brownie I have ever had! Maybe I was just extra hungry today because all I had for breakfast was a Slimfast shake.

After our shift was over I went to the dressing room to get my ordinance clothes so I could attend the 1:30 session with the Gordon's from our ward. The Gordon's are a mom and son who joined the Church around a year ago after their husband/father died and are going through for the own endowments today.

While in the dressing room Sister DeWitt began telling us about a sister who complained about one of the films shown. (This was several years ago).  She went in to the office and told them she was going to report them to Salt Lake for showing a film with such an evil Satan that brought a bad spirit.
I guess it was the older film with the bald Satan. She said she wanted to know if they showed that film again so she would not be there on that day. I said, "Well it's not like we have a marquee where we can announce what's playing." Sister Wenhardt said: "Maybe we should and it could say: "Now showing 'Bald Satan' movie." I guess you can't please everyone.

While waiting in line to get my new name I met a sister probably in her early 40's. As we began to talk I found out her mother was Nancy McCleve, the sister of one of my best friends in high school, Sharon McCleve. She said Sharon was one of her favorite aunts. This woman's name was Michelle Baker. She lives in Snowflake and was at the temple with her son who just returned from a mission in Germany. It's a small world, especially in the Snowflake temple where I always see someone I know or make a connection with someone.

There were 11 people from our ward supporting Holly and Charlie in the endowment session. The Millers, the Wilhelms, Us, Anthony, Alicia, Stefani, Judy, and Brother Grapp. Being in the Celestial room and seeing how happy Holly and Charlie were and how long they embraced was a real treat. It felt like Heaven and how it will be when we reunite with our loved ones.

Back at home we did our normal things; walking, eating, blogging, and watching Hallmark movies. James went outside and checked out how his bunnies are doing. I thing he also bought a couple of books.

 Cool quilt

 Those eyes and cheek

 How does anyone make cookie like this?

 Cute movie

Sunday, October 21, 2018

Gila Valley, Arizona

132nd operating temple

Dedicated: 23 May 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

DC 138:27

But his ministry among those who were dead was limited to the brief time intervening between the crucifixion and his resurrection;
Book of Mormon
3 Nephi 10:1-19
*How have you seen Christ work in your life like a "hen gathering her chickens under her wings" for protection?
- A hen cares for her chicks and would sacrifice her life to protect them. When danger threatens, she gathers the chicks under her wings for protection. In a similar way, the Lord loves his people, the house of Israel. He gave His life for His people and has sought to gather them together so he could protect and nourish them. resident Henry B. Eyring said: "More than once He has said that He would gather us to Him as a hen would gather her chickens under her wings. He says that we must choose to come to Him in meekness and with enough faith in Him to repent with full purpose of heart. (3 Nephi 10:6). One way to do that is to gather with the Saints in His Church. Go to your meetings, even when it seems hard. If you are determined, He will help you find the strength to do it."(Ensign, May 2004, 18).
Old Testament
Jeremiah 40-42
General Conference

The Role of the Book of Mormon in Conversion

Elder Shayne M. Bowen

"We are gathering Israel for the last time and are doing so with the Book of Mormon, one of the most powerful tools of conversion."

I woke up early but instead of going to the dining room table to study I went right to my recliner. The though of getting ready to go to stake conference made me tired. I was cheered by the Happy Sabbath photos Kacey sent of Charlie. 

I slept a little more at, and gave myself drugs and gradually began to feel better. I got ready to go and we left by 9 o'clock. The conference starts at 10. We arrived before 10 and sat about half way back in the cultural hall right by the Price's, Grapp's, and Bowen's.

James got a chance to talk to President Allen. He says although he serves in the Scottsdale mission presidency he still gets to live in Show Low. Actually he lives in Linden. James said to him, "Well it's good to see that you are still active."

The prelude music the choir sang sounded beautiful. We had four members of our ward in the choir: Sister Crane, Sister Applegate, Brother Goodman, and Brother Cooper.

Anthony came and sat with us and the Grapp's were behind us, the Bowen's and Price's in front of us. We were surrounded by friends.

Here is the letter I sent to Ben about our stake conference:

"Grandpa and I attended our stake conference yesterday and today. We had three former high school friends on the stand. One is in the Scottsdale mission presidency and the other two were husband and wife serving in the Snowflake temple presidency. Nice to know they are all still active.
Stake conference was very inspiring. We have three doctors in our stake presidency: One who restores sight, President Wright, one who improves your bite, President Beeler, and one who protects life, President Miles.
In Matthew 18:21-22 the Savior says we are to forgive 70x7 which is 490 times. What is significant about the number 490? Hebrew is an alpha numeric language, which means each number is associated with a word. 490 means to complete or as the Savior applied it, finish your forgiveness. We should never seek revenge and always forgive. (This was from President Miles's talk. He started out by telling the story of Samson and how he ruined his life because he sought revenge.)
A quote from President Nelson was given about unleashing the power of families. In order to bring our families back to the Celestial Kingdom we must develop Christ-like attributes. His grace is sufficient if we try and if we repent.

"A brother who was angry with God for 13 years found his way back to the gospel. He said as he was praying and writing in his journal, the Spirit told him to remember the Savior and what the Savior had done for him. He did and it made all the difference.
He encouraged us to watch a James E. Faust video on YouTube called "Voice of the Spirit."

"Sister Reidhead, from the temple presidency, told a story about taking apart and cleaning the chandelier in the celestial room of the Snowflake temple when she accidentally broke a piece. She said she prayed to Heavenly Father and told Him she was so very sorry but she knew she could make it right if He would help her. She said one of the brothers working in the temple thought he had seen something in the storage room that might help. He came back with the exact piece that was needed. Sister Reidhead testified that Heavenly Father knows each of us by name and He loves everyone of us.

President Reidhead ask us to help with the gathering of Israel in the temple. His wife took most of his time with her awesome story, so his message was short).

"President Beeler, our stake president, reminded us of an invitation he made to us the last week of May of this year. He called it an invitation with a promise. We were to fast on June 3rd for moisture and we were to spend more time in the temple. If we did these things the moisture would come and we would have greater spiritual blessings in our lives. In a week and a half we had broken the 70 year record for rainfall in June by 30 times. He said it was a miracle from God. Since that time the record breaking rain and snow continues.

"We must be constant about our change. Our commitment to the temple is a great example. We need to receive His image in our countenance so people will know who we believe in and what Church we belong to. God is able to show His greatest work though people."

On the way home from stake conference the skies looked like we were going to get some rain, but we never did. Sheri posted a video of it raining in Chandler. I love when the sky looks like this:

James grilled burgers with cheese, I cut up some veggies, and walla, lunch was served. Thanks Adam for leaving the burgers.

I sent the email Kim sent me about the doctor she loves to Sister Miller, the bishop's wife. She seemed excited and wanted Kim's number so she could talk to her. I hope this doctor can help Anne.

I made cookies today so James can take some to the Howard's tomorrow. I spoke to Jean and told her I would bring her lunch tomorrow, noddle soup from Mountain Thai to go with the cookies.

I texted Trina and asked her what she was doing, I was eating cookie dough. She laughed and said that they asked in Relief Society today what everyone's favorite meal was and she said, "cookie dough."

She posted a picture of Oliver on Instagram and said he was splooting. I asked her what splooting was. The explanation was much better than I had thought. Splooting means a dog has his legs spread out as he lays on his stomach. 

I did two blog posts, and James and I listened to chapter 27 in "Saints."

 So adorable!

 Charlie is rockin' this outfit!

 I love this story!

 Horne's home in Pinetop

 Talon on the left is going to Uganda