Saturday, October 21, 2017

Villahermosa, Mexico

85th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 May 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Postmortal

Mark 16:9

Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

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 the together so he could protect and nourish them. President 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" (CR, Apr. 2004, 16-17; or Ensign, May 2004, 18).

Doctrine Covenants Scripture Mastery

DC 130:18-19

18 Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.

19 And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.

Relief Society

Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

How can I better honor Jesus Christ in His many titles and responsibilities?

General Conference

Lord, Wilt Thou Cause That My Eyes May Be Opened

Elder W. Craig Zwick

"I began teaching this missionary who wanted to go home, about the sacred nature of his call. I encouraged him to 'forget himself and go to work.' But no matter what formula I offered, his mind did not change. It finally occurred to me that I might not have the whole picture. It was then that I felt a prompting to ask him the question: 'Elder, what is hard for you?' What he said pierced my heart. 'President, I can't read.' 

James and I worked at the Snowflake temple this morning for the Diewalds. They are gone and had asked the Crane's to work for them but since Chuck was released as a temple worker, Kathy asked us if we would work. We were glad to do it. I noticed there were several people from our shift who were there. I asked Sister Bradshaw if she works every Saturday with her husband and she said yes. I guess that is true for many. We are scheduled to work on the 2nd and the 4th Saturdays. 

I met a Sister Nelson and she asked if we could work for them on November 4th and they would work for us on October 28th. We said we would. She lived in Gilbert so I asked if she the DeWitt's. She said yes, her husband was a fireman with Colin in Phoenix and Gilbert. She told me to ask Colin if he knew Willie Nelson.

President and Sister Scott presided at the temple today. They are my favorites. Their daughter is expecting triplets at the end of the month, just at the time of their releases.

We were very busy at the temple today. There were two people getting their own endowments, two sealings, including at least one beautiful bride. 

My first assignment was some alone time in the Celestial Room. As I sat there in that beautiful room pondering on some of the challenges of life, I realized how holy our lives really are. I felt very close to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Sister R. Wilhelm from our ward helped me with my assignment as the credenza greeter. The credenza is where patrons can pick up the temple ordinance cards they have completed or where they can pick up a name to do. I now understand the system.

I had an hour to study the initiatory ordinances today. I did a session and did a name for one of the sisters in our ward.

James took our 13 baptism cards and all of them were done today. Now we will go next week and get the initiatories done.

On the way home James dropped me off at Walmart while he got us some lunch at Arby's. I had to get ingredients to make another cake for Hailey. I ended up spending over $100. It is hard to believe how expensive groceries are these days.

We came home, watched at episode of Heartland, "Step by Step" and then I worked on my blog and did some steps. Around 6 p.m. we left for stake conference. We saw a three car accident on the way. We went on the 60. I think every emergency vehicle in Show Low responded. 

We made it to the stake center in Lakeside in plenty of time and sat right up front and center. This was one of the best Saturday night stake conferences I can remember attending, even though we had no visiting authorities.

Here are some of my notes:

President Bealer made a plea for more couple missionaries, quoting prophets and apostles. 

President Jensen was the first speaker. He announced that the theme of our conference is: "To become and help others become true followers of the Savior and to come to the temple."

Raising a sin-resistant generation. "Teaching in the Savior's Way" is like Parenting 101. Are we using doctrine, the word of God, in teaching our children? 3 Nephi 18: "... continue to minister and come unto me with full purpose of heart." Be an example! Our children and grandchildren need our time. Grandsons week and grandaughters week at grandparents house. 

Sister Tanner - Keep loving, trying, and trusting. Rock bottom can be a good foundation. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. "You are the only one that can make you happy." Attitude makes the difference in any circumstance. Prayer is the answer. Enjoy the now. Learn to be happy with what we have now. 

Bishop and Sister Berges (Sister Berges is President Shumway's sister) "We must protect our nestlings." Boyd K. Packer.

Satan has found a way into our homes. The 3 T's of fighting pornography. 1.) Technology. Cell phones are the number one place that pornography is viewed. General restrictions on cell phones. Bishop Berges showed how to set restrictions on a smart phone. They also have their children turn in their cell phones at 9 p.m. every night.

2.) Talking. Sister Berges says she is the queen of awkward conversation. We cannot be afraid to tackle hard topics with our children!

3.) Teaching. The greatest thing we can teach our children is how to recognize the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is the greatest filter there is. 

Prayerfully studying the Book of Mormon will strengthen us against pornography. Satan does not fight fair. The Lord loves us and will protect us as we come unto Him. Parents are the instruments the Lord is using to protect His children.

President Shumway - We must be more vigilant in protecting against pornography. There is always hope. President Shumway spoke about "Prophetic Priorities." 

1.) Prophets and the Book of Mormon. Mosiah 18:19 - teach nothing save that spoken by the prophets.

DC 43:8-10 - Pattern our teaching after the Savior's way of teaching. 

DC 1:14 - Hear His voice or be cut off.

2 Nephi 31:3 - For my soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men. For the Lord God giveth light unto the understandin; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding.

President Shumway told about the Book of Mormon experiement. Pages from the Book of Mormon were given to random people and they were to mark references to God. They then interviewed several people and the responses to the Book of Mormon were very positive.

Every 1.7 verses in the Book of Mormon has a reference to God.

2.) Going to the Rescue. We watched the Bible video of Jesus healing a lame man on the Sabbath. John 5:2-12. Luke 15:4-5. We must be more willing to rescue others!

3.) Temple and Family History Work - As we save our ancestors and do their temple ordinances they will help fight our battles for us. Our hearts change when we do service for our ancestors. 

4.)The Sabbath day - Who can we help today? The Sabbath Day is God's time. We don't do our pleasures on the Sabbath but what we do can be pleasureable. Which side of the line am I on? President Monson's testimony of the Savior. 

"I Know That My Redeemer Lives"

Benediction: Joshua Hall

Photos:

This from a man who says, "No dogs in the house!"

This was brought out in our conference this evening.

Fall

West Fork Trail in Oak Creek Canyon

Fall really does come to Arizona!

Just a couple of oldies at the temple

Look how big the fish is and how little Alex is!

Saturday, September 16th, 2017

St. Louis, Missouri

50th operating temple

Dedicated: 1 June 1997

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Atonement

Moses 5:7

And then the angel spake, saying: This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth.

Jesus Christ, Antemortal appearance of

Genesis 32:30

And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

JST, Exodus 33:20,23

20 And he said unto Moses, Thou canst not see my face at this time, lest mine anger be kindled against thee also, and I destroy thee, and thy people; for there shall no man among them see me at this time, and live, for they are exceeding sinful. And no sinful man hath at any time, neither shall there be any sinful man at any time, that shall see my face and live.

23 And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts, but my faces shall not be seen, as at other times; for I am angry with my people Israel.

Helaman 5:5-27

*I call this my WOW! chapter because so many amazing things happened as a result of the preaching of Nephi and Lehi.

As you read Helaman 5:5-12, look for the word remember.

How can remembering the righteous examples of others help you choose to "do that which is good?"

What do you do to remember the Atonement of Jesus Christ?

*If we build our foundation on Jesus Christ, Satan will have no power over us.

*President Spencer W. Kimball said: "When you look in the dictionary for the most important word, do you know what it is? It could be remember. Because all of you have made covenants - you know what to do and you know how to do it - our greatest need is to remember."

General Conference

Kindness, Charity, and Love

President Thomas S. Monson

"Let us examine our lives and determine to follow the Savior's example by being kind, loving and charitable. And as we do so, we will be in a better position to call down the power of heaven for ourselves, for our families, and for our fellow travelers in this sometimes difficult journey back to our heavenly home."

James and I went out on the deck because it was a gorgeous day, and I gave him a haircut. It looks good from the front, but there are a couple of nicks in the back. Oops! I will do better next time.

James has so many frustrations right now. He can't fix one of the doors on the greenhouse and he just found out that Owen won't be coming up this weekend to help him fix his two pieces of diesel equipment that are broke down. That is frustrating for me too because I am tired of looking at them. Oh yes, there is another rats next in the Cat. 

He was feeling sad so I suggested that we make a trip to the dump and I would read to him. Neither one of us had any cash so we robbed his Snoopy bank. Later on in the day he thanked me and said it was just the distraction he needed.

I made ham and scalloped potatoes for dinner which also helped cheer him up. I also made chocolate chip cookies, the ones for Primary with no nuts, the ones for us with nuts.

I polished the family room and living room wood floor. It looks beautiful!

Worked on our lessons and then we went to bed.

Photos:

Peggy Butler passed away a week ago. 

Her funeral was today. My mom said she was

the best customer we ever had.

Saved by the nub

I love this picture!

They don't stay still for very long

Bishop Miller's mother, daughter Andyn,

and son Uriah. 2015

Before Lola

Arizona desert sunset

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Happy Birthday to my dear sweet mother-in-law, Lois Lambson.  I love you Lois! 

I woke up at 3:30 this morning and couldn't go back to sleep   So I got up and made these handouts for the young women,

This handout says: General Conference and Personal Progress are the perfect Combo.  General Conference can be full of Personal Progress experiences.  You can become spiritually uplifted and be on step closer to reaching your goals.  Along with this handout I will give one of these to each girl:

An idea for a General Conference Value Project.

A value project which can be done on General Conference weekend.

I had presidency meeting this morning at Natalie Soderquist's home.  Our new counselor Kaeli Nicoll was there.  It's nice to have a complete presidency.  The meeting started out with a discussion about a graduate from the Vernon School, a graduated football played and a Show Low cheerleader who have all recently committed suicide.  What is going on?  This will affect our girls, especially the older ones who went to school with these people.  Natalie had interviews with all the girls last Wednesday night and most of them ended up crying.  The next part of our meeting we discussed each girl in detail.  We finally got around to the calender and planning for the upcoming ward party we are in charge of.  The meeting lasted 21/2 hours and afterwards I was emotionally and physically drained.  I had to go home and take a nap.

     Just heard the news that my friend Diane Heyman had a stroke.  She is serving with her husband who is a mission president in Argentina.  Over the weekend she started feeling dizzy and it kept getting worse.  No one knew it was a stroke until she lost control of her right side.  She is doing much better now.  Today she was out of bed for the first time using a walker.  

     Alex went fishing again today and caught these:

 That is one big fat fish!

No fish is safe with this kid around.

 

Thursday, September 6, 2012

On my walk this morning I saw these two trees growing together.  I thought it looked like a "Tree Skirt."

A tree with a skirt.

Right now I am reading a book my friend Karen Schneider gave me last spring by Ardeth Kapp.  It's called: 

Subtitle: Living a Life of Love

Karen and I are big Ardeth Kapp fans.  She was on our Harry Potter tour in England and was the nicest, friendliest person we met.  We loved her and she truly does live a life of love.  Sheri Dew was on the tour also.  Here is a quote from Ardeth (Sister Kapp's) book:

"The trials and tests in our lives are not to discourage us but to refine us,

 teaching us that we must call upon the Lord.  

They are not to weaken us but to strengthen us.  

They are not to destroy us but to sanctify us, to help us become more Christlike, more loving, more forgiving, and more optimistic. 

 The more hope we feel, the greater our faith.  The stronger our hope, the greater our charity."

This afternoon James and I went in to town to pick up a prescription.  While I was there I stopped at the Book Barn to look at scriptures and a tote for Addy.  I found these two totes.  The scriptures are inside the CTR quote.  I couldn't pass either of these up because Addy loves purple as much as I do.

 She can use one of them for a purse.

On the way home from town we got rained on.  It had also rained in Vernon while we were gone.

Look at that sky.

Alex went fishing today in the valley and sent ut some pictures.

I like the fish you caught in Chocolate Lake better Alex.

James and I started a new Victoria Holt book.  This one is called The Captive.  James did not like the one about Marie Antionette.  It was too sad for him.  He likes a good mystery but he is tender hearted, especially when it comes to women.

That's all for now.