Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
136th operating temple
Dedicated: 11 Dec 2011 by
Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Alma 14:6-22
* Why did the Lord suffer these women and children to be burned?
* According to Alma, how would the women and children be blessed for their trust in the Lord? (see verse 11)
* When we trust in the Lord, He strengthens us during our trials.
* Elder Richard G. Scott: "This life is an experience in profound trust - trust in Jesus Christ....To trust means to obey willingly without knowing the end from the beginning. To produce fruit, your trust in the Lord must be more powerful and enduring than your confidence in your own personal feelings and experience."
DC 88:1-13
1-5, Faithful Saints receive that Comforter, which is the promise of eternal life; 6-13, All things are controlled and governed by the Light of Christ;
What does 'light' mean in these verses?
* The light of Christ. (see DCSM p. 198). through the Light of Christ, God gives light and life to all His creations.
What is the other Comforter spoken of in verses 3-4?
* The Prophet Joseph Smith said: "The other Comforter spoken of is a subject of great interest, and perhaps understood by few of this generation. After a person has faith in Christ, repents of his sins and is baptized for the remission of his sins and receives the Holy Ghost, (by the laying on of hands), which is the first Comforter, then let him continue to humble himself before God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and living by every word of God, and the Lord will soon say unto him, Son, thou shalt be exalted. When the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that the man is determined to serve Him at all hazards, then the man will find his calling and his election made sure, then it will be his privilege to receive the other Comforter, which the Lord hath promised the Saints, as is recorded in the testimony of St. John, in the 14th chapter, from the 12th to the 27th verses....
"Now what is this other Comforter? It is no more nor less than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself; and this is the sum and substance of the whole matter; that when any man obtains this last Comforter, he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him, or appear unto him from time to time, and even He will manifest the Father unto him, and they will take up their abode with him, and the visions of the heavens will be opened unto him, and the Lord will teach him face to face, and he may have a perfect knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God; and this is the state and place the ancient Saints arrived at when they had such glorious visions - Isaiah, Ezekiel, John upon the Isle of Patmos, St. Paul in the three heavens, and all the Saints who held communion with the general assembly and Church of the Firstborn." (Teachings, pp. 149-51.)
General Conference
Becoming a Disciple of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Elder Robert D. Hales
In 2 Peter and in DC 4, we learn that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation. We measure our faith by what it leads us to do - by our obedience. "If ye will have faith in me," the Lord promised "ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me." Faith is a catalyst. Without works, without virtuous living, our faith is without power to activate discipleship. Indeed, faith is dead.
My lesson in Primary today is entitled: "Joseph Smith is Tarred and Feathered." The main gospel principle is the importance of forgiveness. It was a pretty amazing story how Joseph was dragged from his home while he was caring for a sick child and tarred and feathered. The child died as a result of exposure to the cold night air. Joseph's friends spent most of the night taking the tar off of Joseph's body. The next day he preached the gospel to a group of Saints and some of the mob who had attacked him the night before were in the audience. Today I had both my class and Sister Kuffer's. She had to leave Church to visit a friend in need. Those who attended today: Bailey, Zemira, Raya, and her brother Graham who are visitors, Curtis, Colter, Gracie, and Liana. I gave them all fidget spinners.
I hope I contributed to helping the
Savior feed His sheep today.
The DeWitt's reported on their mission to the Dominican Republic today in sacrament meeting. Brother DeWitt was an auditor for 11 missions. The Dominican Republic includes 30 Caribbean islands and 3 South American countries. In 1975 there were no members of the Church. In 1978 there were enough members to have missionaries. In December 1978 the land was dedicated by Elder M. Russell Ballard and soon became the fasting growing area in the Church. The missionaries were directed by the Spirit. There were 10 baptisms everyday for over 30 years.
Brother DeWitt started out his talk with an auditor joke. He said: "Auditors come after the battle is fought and bayonet the wounded. Nobody likes auditors." He had 440 units to audit 2x a year, in 30 different countries. Most are first generation members and have to be taught. Brother DeWitt said he started a journal and began keeping track of the names of people he met who went the second mile. People who accept calling and have vision and do more than is expected of them. He said "do more" became his motto. He met and worked with a brother who was general council for the Church. This man was blind and deaf. His name was Elder Gardener. He would teach others how to function without sight. His wife would sit with him in a meeting and tell him everyone who was present and where they were sitting. When he spoke he would look right at you as if he could see you. He was an amazing individual.
Another man was the janitor. Once when Elder Renlund came to visit, Brother DeWitt noticed this janitor in a suit and tie on the stand. He was asked to play a piano solo. He had practiced the piano as a way to serve and make himself more useful. He was willing to 'do more.' It was an amazing meeting.
In the MTC. They were ready to leave for
the Caribbean in 3 days. This is May, 2015.
The DeWitt family. It was a sacrifice to leave all
of these people behind.
My sacrament commitment this week is to draw closer to the Lord so I can be a savior to my family, both the living and the dead. I need to be more patient with James. I want to "do more" to follow the Savior.
We came home from church and James grilled the chicken that has been marinating in the refrigerator since yesterday afternoon. Afterwards I took a short nap. James arranged for Brother Allen to take Anthony to get his patriarchal blessing in Lakeside. I am excited for Anthony.
Kim, Brian, Joe, Sheri, Ian's family and Shayna, and Stacy, Paul, Michael, and Joshua are all vacationing in San Diego this week.
This is the first picture that was posted. I think it was before Shayna and Alex arrived.
This is the first picture that was posted. I think it was before Shayna and Alex arrived.
Ask you can see by my mistake of leaving it on
the picture Stacy posted these. This is Old Town
San Diego, the mexican food restaurant.
Love Joe and Michael's smiles and Sheri peeking
her head around Ian.
This evening I started preparing for next week's Primary lesson which is: "The Latter-day Revelations are Published." One of my favorite gospel stories is about Mary Elizabeth and Caroline Rollins saving the manuscripts for part of the Doctrine and Covenants.
Elder Ballard speaking at a devotional.
I had to share this amazing cake made
by James's sister Carmen.
She made this cake for Ruby's 3rd birthday.
Arches National Park.
(This reminds me of the picture of Tanner at
Six Flags with the world on his head.)
