Friday, June 16th, 2017

Reno, Nevada

81st operating temple

Dedicated: 23 April 2000
Thomas S. Monson

3 Nephi 11:1-17

Jesus Christ appears to the Nephites.

The father testifies of His Beloved Son; Christ appears and proclaims His Atonement; The people feel the wound marks in His hands and feet and side; They cry Hosanna; He sets forth the mode and manner of baptism; The spirit of contention is of the devil; Christ's doctrine is that men should believe and be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost. About A.D. 34.

Alma 17:18-39

Ammon becomes a servant to King Lamoni and preserves the king's flocks.

*What do you think is significant about Ammon telling the king "I will be thy servant?"

*When have you seen service lead to opportunities to share the gospel?

*President Thomas S. Monson:

"To young men of the Aaronic Priesthood and to you young men who are elders: I repeat what prophets have long taught - that every worthy, able young man should prepare to serve a mission. Missionary service is a priesthood duty - an obligation the Lord expects of us who have been given so very much. Young men, I admonish you to prepare for service as a missionary. Keep yourselves clean and pure and worthy to represent the Lord. Maintain your health an strength. Study the scriptures and pray. Where such is available, participate in seminary and institute. Familiarize yourself with the missionary handbook, "Preach My Gospel.""

DC 88:66-77

62-73, Draw near unto the Lord, and ye will see His face; 74-80, Sanctify yourselves and teach one another the doctrines of the kingdom;

67 If my eye is single to God's glory, then I will be filled with light.

68 Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see Him; for He will unveil His face unto you, and it shall be in His own time, and in His own way, and according to His own will.

74 Purify your hearts, cleanse your hands and feet.

76 ...continue in prayer and fasting from this time forth...

Why is it important that we sanctify ourselves?

*So that we are able to see the Savior and enjoy His presence. What does sanctification mean? *Our minds become single to God. Doing God's will is our only desire.

General Conference

Kindness, Charity, and Love

President Thomas S. Monson

"Charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked....Wherefore my beloved brethren, f ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail - But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him." (Moroni 7:44-47.)

Called to the Work

Elder David A. Bednar

"The spiritual gifts of prophecy and revelation attend all mission calls and assignments."

I had lunch with Jean and her granddaughter Hunter today. We went to the White Mountain Donut Shop Cafe and then afterwards went to the donut shop.  I had the oriental salad which was good but not nearly as good as the one at Persnikkity's. 

The lesson was on priesthood power.

I tried to download a handout on Sugardoodle.net but

I am having problems with my password and it was taking them forever, three days to be exact, to send me a new one.

My friend Marci C. did this handout.

While I was at lunch, James was at Dr. Moffat's.  The doctor filled his prednisone prescription and another antibiotic but he wants to do some tests.  He thinks James might have Sjorgens disease.  James talked with Jared about it and he says one of the symptoms is dry eyes, which James has had.  It will be interesting to see if James actually has it.

When we got home we were talking and James told me about two accidents he had this week.  A piece of metal hit him close to his eye and then a saw cut through his shirt but not his garments or skin.  Sometimes I wish he wouldn't tell me about these "accidents" because it just makes me worry more.

I worked on my blog for awhile this afternoon and then took a nap before going to the Snowflake temple by myself.  James can't speak.  On the way out of Vernon I dropped two loaves of garlic bread off at the church where there is a ward party and dinner.  The theme of the party is the Book of Mormon. My friend Kaeli was in charge and I heard it was pretty amazing.  She had an iron rod leading to a light up tree of life that everyone was talking about afterwards.  I didn't want to go to the party by myself, I would rather go to the temple.  

When I stepped outside of the temple after my session I could see the smoke from the fire by Payson.  June is the worst month for fires up here.  That is why we pray for rain.

No selfie by myself.

I stopped at CVS on the way home and picked up James's prescriptions and then went through Sonic to get a corndog.  I also stopped at the Vernon post office. It's a little scary there in the dark.

It was late when I got home so we went to bed.

I wanted to mention that I read an article in the New Era today, "Why Religious Freedom Matters, What's At Risk."

There is a lot at stake, and this is just a sampling:

*You could lose your job or leadership positions for expressing religious beliefs - even outside of work.

*You might be required to hide your religion or perform tasks at work that go against your beliefs.

*You may be required to work on the Sabbath or religious holidays.

* Youth in public schools may be required to learn about sexual and gender theories that contradict basic Church teachings.

*You might not be able to create faith-based clubs on college campuses without being required to let people become club members or even officers, who oppose the club's religious beliefs.

*Churches may be forced to employ people who disagree with or refuse to live core values of their faith.

*Churches could lost their tax exempt status.

 *Housing units, such as dorms, at religious colleges could be forced to abandon moral standards that protect privacy, modesty, and morality.

 *Religious schools that maintain honor codes may lose their accreditation and be denied research funds and even federal student loans and grants.

Photos:

2015

Before Mission

After Mission

A Chilean cowboy
2017

A foot poppin' kiss

Makenzi, Tyler and
Khalie waiting for them in her purple dress.

I love this family!
Colter is in my Primary class!

Jenifer's daughter Amanda graduated
from high school this year.

I can hardly wait until it starts raining so the 
sunflowers come in to bloom.

A birdbath in Show Low isn't just
for the birds.

Lower Salt River 

Saturday, January 28, 2017

1 Nephi 18:5-20

1.  When has Christ been a "ship" in my life,and kept me safe from lif's storms?

2.  Why did the Liahona stop working for Lehi's family?  How can we avoid this happening in our lives?

2 Nephi 29-30

DC 15-16

What does the Lord mean when He says, "...mine arm is over all the earth?"

Talk: "To Look, Reach and Come unto Christ"

By: Anne C. Pingree

Oct 2006

GC:   'Lest Thou Forget' by Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"Generations are affected by the choices we make.  Share your testimony with your family; encourage them to remember how they felt when they recognized the Spirit in their lives and to record those feelings in journals and personal histories so that their own words may, when needed, bring to their rembrance how good the Lord has been to them."

This statement was made in response to President Trump's

immigration policy.

Icicles on our shed

I was up at 5am and actually stayed on my schedule!  I almost forgot what a schedule was.  

I was frustrated this morning while trying to download pictures from my phone to my computer.  The import prompt was not coming up.  I say several prayers, and finally it appears!

My Primary lesson is about Joseph Smith receiving the

Gold Plates and the Urim and Thummim.

Here is a picture of what we believe the Urim and Thummim

to look like.

James had requested a meatloaf for his birthday dinner.  Since we were at Sheri's for his birthday I told him I would make him a meatloaf when we got home.  Today for lunch we had meatloaf, baked potatoes, and green beans.  It was a delicious meal and we both enjoyed it.

This is a picture of the water tank and windmill across

highway 60 as you come into Vernon.

Ian took this picture.

Today was a gorgeous, sunny day with the high of 35 degrees.  I love to see the snow glisten when the sun shines on it.  

An announcement was made regarding the Tucson temple today.  The open house will be in June, and the temple will be dedicated in August.

Tucson temple,

the sixth temple in Arizona

James and I read from "The Boys in the Boat" and I read from "The Contrite Spirit" today.  James loves the book I got him about Joseph Smith.  It goes right along with the Sunday School lessons he is teaching from the Doctrine and Covenants, Church History.  He also likes his photo stick.

Fun Photos

They look so small!

James giving Michael some advice.

It looks like Michael is trying not to laugh.

Lola and James on his birthday last year.

Amanda and Anna at the Snowflake temple,

December 2015.

December 2015

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Clouds and Rain!

"I am trying to be voice for the very angels of heaven in

thanking you for every good thing you have ever done, for every kind word you have ever said, for every sacrifice you have

ever made in extending to someone to anyone the beauty and blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ."

-Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

For stake conference we had to go no further than the Vernon building.  The conference was broadcast to all 96 stakes in Arizona.  Here are some quotes from my notes:

President Williams:

"Unless it is kind, true or necessary, don't say it!" 

Bradley D. Foster

"Our life has an eternal purpose.  Mark Twain said: 'The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why."

"Our inner strength should not be effected by what happens around us.  We must keep an eternal perspective."

Carol F. McConkie

"Serve one another, don't contend one with another, make home a place of peace and harmony.  Keep your commitments.  The family unit is under attack.  Stand strong for truth and righteousness.  Establish homes centered in Jesus Christ.  Be true.  Repent and forgive.  Daily family prayer and scripture study and weekly FHE.  Listen to uplifting music.  Engage in the service of God.  Love, joy, peace, gentleness and goodness.  Make home a place of peace and holiness.  In the temple we receive instruction.  Our Father promises peace in this life and blessings.  Feast on his words.  Set not your heart on riches."

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"The law of God needs to be written on our hearts.  The Gospel needs to become the heart of our very being.  Does what I am govern what I do?  Do I have the courage of my convictions?  Know needs to be transformed to do."

Alma to his son Shiblon:

1.  Be obedient and keep the commandments.

2.  Put your trust in God through your trials and afflictions.

3.  Cry out to the Lord for forgiveness and mercy and for a remission of sins.

4.  Be diligent in keeping the word and teaching the commandments.

5.  Be careful of pride.  Do not pursue your own glory.  The branch cannot bear fruit of itself. 

6.  Bridle all your passions.  Control brings blessings.

7.  Refrain from idleness.  Spend time doing His will.

8.  Acknowledge your unworthiness before God.  Be humble and seek for forgiveness and mercy.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Temples are a direct result of the Saints willingness to follow Jesus Christ and His teachings.  Temples are visited by beings of

glory and light from another realm."

"The greatest honor we can attain to is to be called disciples of Jesus Christ."

"Whosoever is chief among you, let him be your servant.  Everyone must feel valued and loved.  Value the wisdom of women."

"Use For the Strength of Youth.  Study it and make it a part of your daily lives.  Always have it with you."

"If you seek, you surely will find.  Allow the seed of faith to grow."

"Become sanctified, radiate peace and joy."

More awesome clouds!

Kim posted this picture on Facebook.  Joe, Amanda, Cash and Carter having fun around the fire pit.

This afternoon I made more pumpkin bread and we dropped it off at Julie Wilhelm's.  The one we left her last week seems to have disappeared.  

I had a nice visit with Jared on the phone today.  Physically he is doing much better now that he is on medication.  James is having some struggles right now and they had to make him quit football.  

Jared sent me 24 female temple cards.  Anna did the baptisms and I need to do the initiatories and endowments.  Jared said they have three youth in their ward who are wizards at family history and are getting others excited about it too.

Here is a blast from the past from me.  When I was a teenager I loved Rick Nelson.  I had this picture of him taken from Photoplay magazine on my bedroom wall.

The Hallmark Christmas movies are here.  Tonight James and I watched a new one called, "One Starry Christmas."  Thank you Hallmark!