71st operating temple
Dedicated: 26 Feb 2000
By: Gordon B. Hinckley
Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship
Luke 4:3
And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.
Book of Mormon
1 Nephi 18:5-20
*Why did the Liahona stop working for Lehi's family? How can we avoid this happening in our lives?
New Testament
Bible Dictionary: Mark
General Conference
Choose You This Day
Elder Dale G. Renlund
"God's plan includes directions for us, referred to in the scriptures as commandments. These commandments are neither a whimsical set nor an arbitrary collection of imposed rules meant only to train us to be obedient. They are linked to our developing the attributes of godliness, returning to our Heavenly Father, and receiving enduring joy. Obedience to His commandments is not blind; we knowingly choose God and His pathway home. The pattern for us is the same as it was for Adam and Eve, wherein 'God gave unto them commandments, after having made known unto them the plan of redemption.' Though God wants us to be on the covenant path, He gives us the dignity of choosing."
I woke up with a sore throat and no energy. All I wanted to do this morning was lay on the couch and watch TV, which is pretty much what I did.
James wanted me to go to town with him to get his driver's license but I just didn't feel up to it.
When James returned he said that was the worst driver's license picture he had ever seen and that he looked 100 years old. I actually feel the same way about mine.
James brought back hot and sour soup from the China Wok Buffet and it tasted so good on my sore throat. He also brought me a taco from Taco Bell.
I was so revived after my lunch I was able to go outside and help James split and haul some wood. It felt good to be outside doing something physical in the cool air.
I wrote Ben an email today and he wrote one back to me. Sheri shared her emails with me from Ben this week and last week. I am going to share some of what he said here:
Jan 21st: "Trials are necessary. Hardships are vital to our growth. What would we learn if life was easy? How would we become more like God if we were given everything without having to work or suffer for it? Sometimes as a missionary I wonder why it's not easier. I love the way Elder Holland put it when he said, 'I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap things. Salvation was never cheap! Why would we expect it to be easy for us, when it was never ever easy for Him?!? This is the living Son of the living God saying, 'Isn't there some other way?' If Jesus can fall on His face in the night, bleeding from every pore crying, 'Father, Abba, Papa, take this cup from me!' Then little wonder that salvation is not a cheap thing. Little wonder life isn't easy.'
That is something I've really been able to see as I have learned more about the Atonement. The Atonement is the greatest act of love there ever was or ever will be. Imagine having to suffer everything that everyone has ever had to suffer. Imagine having to feel the heartache of losing a child, the pain of losing a limb, the trauma of war, and everything else there is, over and over and over again. I am so grateful that He loves me enough to suffer for my stupidity. To feel the pain I feel because He loves me enough to just give me the chance to be exalted. The Savior didn't just suffer for those who would go to the Celestial Kingdom because He knew those were the only ones who would appreciate and take advantage of the Atonement. No. He suffered for everyone anyway. He suffered for those who would deny Him, for those who would kill Him. He even suffered for Judas who would betray Him. Because despite our many, many faults, He loves us with a perfect, unending love. I am so grateful for Him and for His sacrifice.
I am glad that Max was able to get ordained, and I am glad for everyone who was there. I know it must have been hard for dad not to participate in the ordination. I am sorry for that but I am so glad he was there to support Max.
I had a really cool spiritual experience Saturday night. I have been struggling to know how I can help you guys at home, specifically Max. I went into the chapel Saturday night and said a prayer of fasting. I fasted for around 20 hours for you guys, and that life would get better for you. I said the prayer out loud in the dark, at the front of the chapel. The Spirit was so strong. I felt it resonate through me. It was amazing. We were supposed to visit specific people that night, but I got a prompting that we should go tracting instead, so we chose a place and just wandered around knocking doors with Books of Mormon in our hands. We handed out 2 books, and found 3 people who may be interested in learning more. It was a good experience. I am so grateful for the Spirit. The promise in the last chapter of the Book of Mormon says, "And by the power of the Holy Ghost you may know the truth of all things." That is such a n amazing truth. I know that the Spirit reveals that which we don't know. It has helped me so much. Always strive to have it with you, and it will help you! I love you all so much!
From today's letter:
Wednesday night I got called to be a trainer. I'm a little nervous and a little stressed out about it. It doesn't help that I'm the only one training out of 16 missionaries who has been out under a year, and I've been out a lot under a year. On top of that, I found out I'm being transferred to a brand new area, which is a walking area, so I'm whitewash training in a new walking area.
The letter is longer, but that's all I really wanted to share. We are so proud of Ben and so grateful to him for his obedience, his testimony and his desire to serve the people in Idaho.
This evening James and I watched the 3rd episode in the 3rd season of "Victoria."
When James returned he said that was the worst driver's license picture he had ever seen and that he looked 100 years old. I actually feel the same way about mine.
James brought back hot and sour soup from the China Wok Buffet and it tasted so good on my sore throat. He also brought me a taco from Taco Bell.
I was so revived after my lunch I was able to go outside and help James split and haul some wood. It felt good to be outside doing something physical in the cool air.
I wrote Ben an email today and he wrote one back to me. Sheri shared her emails with me from Ben this week and last week. I am going to share some of what he said here:
Jan 21st: "Trials are necessary. Hardships are vital to our growth. What would we learn if life was easy? How would we become more like God if we were given everything without having to work or suffer for it? Sometimes as a missionary I wonder why it's not easier. I love the way Elder Holland put it when he said, 'I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap things. Salvation was never cheap! Why would we expect it to be easy for us, when it was never ever easy for Him?!? This is the living Son of the living God saying, 'Isn't there some other way?' If Jesus can fall on His face in the night, bleeding from every pore crying, 'Father, Abba, Papa, take this cup from me!' Then little wonder that salvation is not a cheap thing. Little wonder life isn't easy.'
That is something I've really been able to see as I have learned more about the Atonement. The Atonement is the greatest act of love there ever was or ever will be. Imagine having to suffer everything that everyone has ever had to suffer. Imagine having to feel the heartache of losing a child, the pain of losing a limb, the trauma of war, and everything else there is, over and over and over again. I am so grateful that He loves me enough to suffer for my stupidity. To feel the pain I feel because He loves me enough to just give me the chance to be exalted. The Savior didn't just suffer for those who would go to the Celestial Kingdom because He knew those were the only ones who would appreciate and take advantage of the Atonement. No. He suffered for everyone anyway. He suffered for those who would deny Him, for those who would kill Him. He even suffered for Judas who would betray Him. Because despite our many, many faults, He loves us with a perfect, unending love. I am so grateful for Him and for His sacrifice.
I am glad that Max was able to get ordained, and I am glad for everyone who was there. I know it must have been hard for dad not to participate in the ordination. I am sorry for that but I am so glad he was there to support Max.
I had a really cool spiritual experience Saturday night. I have been struggling to know how I can help you guys at home, specifically Max. I went into the chapel Saturday night and said a prayer of fasting. I fasted for around 20 hours for you guys, and that life would get better for you. I said the prayer out loud in the dark, at the front of the chapel. The Spirit was so strong. I felt it resonate through me. It was amazing. We were supposed to visit specific people that night, but I got a prompting that we should go tracting instead, so we chose a place and just wandered around knocking doors with Books of Mormon in our hands. We handed out 2 books, and found 3 people who may be interested in learning more. It was a good experience. I am so grateful for the Spirit. The promise in the last chapter of the Book of Mormon says, "And by the power of the Holy Ghost you may know the truth of all things." That is such a n amazing truth. I know that the Spirit reveals that which we don't know. It has helped me so much. Always strive to have it with you, and it will help you! I love you all so much!
From today's letter:
Wednesday night I got called to be a trainer. I'm a little nervous and a little stressed out about it. It doesn't help that I'm the only one training out of 16 missionaries who has been out under a year, and I've been out a lot under a year. On top of that, I found out I'm being transferred to a brand new area, which is a walking area, so I'm whitewash training in a new walking area.
The letter is longer, but that's all I really wanted to share. We are so proud of Ben and so grateful to him for his obedience, his testimony and his desire to serve the people in Idaho.
This evening James and I watched the 3rd episode in the 3rd season of "Victoria."
My friend Hailey, her mom and her aunt.
Yes, they are twins.
