Tuesday, May 21st, 2019

Atlanta, Georgia

21st operating temple

Dedicated: 1-4 June 1983

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

1 Nephi 11:7

And behold this thing shall be given unto thee for a sign, that after thou hast beheld the tree which bore the fruit which thy father tasted, thou shalt also behold a man descending out of heaven, and him shall ye witness; and after ye have witnessed him ye shall bear record that it is the Son of God.

Book of Mormon

Alma 3:20-4:4

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matt 21:12-22; 23:13-28 Mark 11:12-26 Luke 20:45-47

General Conference

Great Love for Our Father's Children

Elder Quentin L. Cook

"My purpose this morning is to emphasize the essential role of that kind of love in missionary work, temple and family history work, and home-centered, Church-supported family religious observance. Love of the Savior and love of our fellow men and women is the primary attribute and motive for ministering and the spiritual purposes we were charged to undertake by our beloved prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, in the adjustments announced in 2018."

I listened to the book webinar this morning and then bought all the books on my new Done For You ROI list. 

James and I started a new book today, "To Win a Lady's Heart." This one is on my phone but it isn't audio. I read the prologue and James says, "This is the story I told in the first talk I ever gave in church when I was 12 years old." Now that is something I didn't expect to hear, especially when it was about a guy killing his dog because he thought the dog had killed his baby daughter when the dog had actually saved the baby daughter from a wolf. He said the talk was about self-control and not making hasty decisions.

For lunch today James and I made chicken enchiladas with white sauce. They were quite delicious. I used an old recipe I got from Carol Ray.

This afternoon we did something we don't normally do in the afternoon, we sat down together and watched a western movie on the Hallmark Drama channel. It was a western starring Luke Perry who was a traveling judge helping a girl running away from a guy who was trying to kill her. The bad guy was Ricky Schroeder. 

It was sunny but windy today. It doesn't matter to me because I stayed indoors all day. 

Sunday, December 9th, 2018aniah

Atlanta, Georgia

21st operating temple

Dedicated: 1-4 June 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, death of

1 Corinthians 15:3

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

Book of Mormon #1

Ether 7:1-27

*How can I better listen to and obey the words of the prophets? 

- President Henry B. Eyring explained why the Lord warns His children of their wickedness: "Because the Lord is kind, He calls servants to warn people of danger. That call to warn is made harder and more important by the fact that the warnings of most worth are about dangers that people don't yet think are real." (Ensign, Nov. 1998, 32).

Book of Mormon #2

3 Nephi 2-3

Old Testament

Habakkuk 3 - Zephaniah 1

General Conference

Come, Listen to a Prophet's Voice

Bishop Dean M. Davies

"In reflecting upon this experience, I am humbled by the realization that while Brother Williams and I possessed formal education and years of experience in real estate and temple design, President Hinckley had no such formal training, but he had something far greater - the gift of prophetic seership. He was able to envision where God's temple should stand."

Today did not seem like Sunday. Because I did not think we would be here on Sunday, I did not bring my Sunday clothes. I regret that decision because Evan gave his first talk in sacrament meeting today. Sheri posted about it on Facebook and several people commented on what a great job he did. Laura said he was better than the returned missionary who reported last week. Sheri sent me a cop of his talk and I think I am going to share it here:

How I can Share My Testimony that Jesus Christ is the Son of God

"Good morning brothers and sisters, my name is Evan Trezise. I just turned twelve in November and I am the youngest in my family.

"In Luke chapter 2 we can read the story of the birth of Jesus. When I was little, and my grandparents lived down the street from me, we would go over to their house Christmas morning. My grandpa would read from Luke 2 before we could open presents. This was something he did even when my mom was a kid. I liked listening to the story of the Savior's birth. Some of my favorite verses are 10 and 11: 'And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.'

"Even though an angel has not appeared to me, I know that Jesus Christ was born and lived on this earth.

"There are many ways I can share my testimony of Jesus Christ with other people. One is by coming to church and passing the sacrament. In the Living Christ, it says that the Savior instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. By passing the sacrament, I am helping others to always remember Him. In talking about the sacrament in 3 Nephi 18:7 Jesus explains, 'And this shall ye do in remembrance of my body, which I have shown unto you. And it shall be a testimony unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me, ye shall have my Spirit to be with you.' By taking the sacrament, each of you are remembering Him and His sacrifice.

"Another way I can share my testimony is by doing service. In the Living Christ, it reads that Jesus 'went about doing good, yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example.' He wants us all to follow His example of serving others even if it means being made fun of or mocked. My brother Ben is serving a mission in Idaho right now. Sometimes people are mean to him even though he's trying to help them. In one of his emails to me he wrote, 'It's depressing that people slam doors and curse, but it doesn't make me mad. It makes me sad. They would be so much happier with the Gospel in their lives. I wish they could see that. But it's okay. I still love them all, and I hope they'll be ready to accept the message some day.' By continuing to serve God, he is sharing his testimony through his example. We can also serve in other ways. I'm sure all of you have heard or seen the Light the World vending machine in Gilbert. In it you can pick something to help someone else. Helping others and doing service is one of the best ways we can share our testimonies. Some of the ways I serve is by helping my mom do yard work, taking care of my dog, and doing chores around the house.

"I can also share my testimony by bearing it. I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He once lived on the earth. I know that the Church is true and that the scriptures are too. In D&C 76:22-24 the prophet Joseph Smith declared: 

'And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of Him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of Him: That He lives! 

'For we saw Him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that He is the Only Begotten of the Father -

'That by Him, and through Him, and of Him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.'

"I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that the Book of Mormon is true. I look forward to serving a mission like my brother so that I can share that truth with others. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

Pretty amazing, although I am sure he had some help from his mom. Darn! The things you miss when you aren't prepared. I rationalized that I should be in the hospital with James and that's the real reason I didn't go but I am sure he could have gotten along without me for a few hours.

Darrel and Trina came over for a visit by themselves this afternoon. We had a really nice visit with them and I think that we have just about decided that instead of them coming up for Christmas we are coming down, if James feels up to it. I think Rowan is worried about missing the festivities at Sheri's on Christmas morning.

Trina said that for Christmas Ruby wants a bathrobe, slippers, and a hot chocolate mug. I told her about Lola the llama, Kookoo, and the mugs for Addy and Rowan. When I went to get James's Biotene I stopped in at Marshall's and looked at the mugs:

I actually went over Monday and bought the two bunny mugs I showed earlier for Ruby and Lola.

When Trina was getting ready to leave she asked me if James had had a shower. I said no, we were afraid of getting his bandage wet. She said that someone should come and help and that is something she always used to do when she worked in the cardiac unit at Gilbert Mercy. On her way out she even asked at the nurses station. I walked them outside and when I came back there was a towel, and some washcloths in the room. I guess that's their way of helping out. They don't want you to do anything without their permission but when you ask for help you are ignored. I hate to complain because for the most part everything has been great but this issue is a little frustrating. 

James was in "showering" when I rang the bell and asked for some clean sheets and a clean gown and pants. Jill, the aid, came in and helped me. Later when we asked if I could go for a walk with James she came in and walked with us. I told her about our Pacer steps app and she says she has one too. The other night she got 16,000 steps just helping patients.

James is out of Biotene and he really needs it for his dry mouth so I ventured over to Fry's to get some. It's bad enough that I'm shopping on Sunday for a necessity but I also bought some ice cream. It certainly is easy to get off the strait and narrow.

We watched a new Hallmark movie this evening, "Homegrown Christmas," starring Lori Laughlin and Victor Webster.

 Evan ready for church

 Charlie ready for church

 Honor Health on Shea and 90th

James's home for the past week.

There are only five of these machines in the

world and this one is in Gilbert, Arizona.

 Dawn is telling Carmen that we saved her a seat.

 Flowers at Fry's

Idaho Falls temple

Monday, July 2nd, 2018

Atlanta, Georgia

21st operating temple

Dedication: 1-4 June 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

DC 14:9

Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who created the heavens and the earth, a light which cannot be hid in darkness;

Book of Mormon

Alma 26:1-16

* How is it a blessing to be an instrument in the hands of God?

- Because we literally have the opportunity to do the things He would do if he were here.

*"Who can glory too much in the Lord?" (Alma 26:15-16)

Just as Ammon felt to glory in the Lord and to sing His praises, so should we. Sister Sheri L. Dew, while serving as a counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, taught us concerning the role Jesus Christ plays in our daily lives:

"Is it possible to be happy when life is hard? To feel peace amid uncertainty and hope in the midst of cynicism? Is it possible to change, to shake off old habits and become new again? Is it possible to live with integrity and purity in a world that no longer values the virtues that distinguish the followers of Christ? Yes. The answer is yes because of Jesus Christ, whose Atonement ensures that we need not bear the burdens of mortality alone. Through the years I, like you, have experienced pressures and disappointments that would have crushed me had I not been able to draw upon a source of wisdom and strength far greater than my own. He has never forgotten or forsaken me, and I have come to know for myself that Jesus is the Christ and that this is His Church. With Ammon I say, 'For who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of His great power, and of His mercy...? Behold,...I cannot say the smallest part which I feel' (Alma 26:16). I testify that in this, the twilight of the dispensation of the fullness of times, when Lucifer is working overtime to jeopardize our journey home and to separate us from the Savior's atoning power, the only answer for any of us is Jesus Christ (Ensign, May 1999, 67).

Old Testament

1 Chronicles 25-26

25 The Levite singers and musicians are assigned their duties by lot.

26 The Levites are assigned as porters - They have charge of the treasures, serve as officers and judges, and conduct the outward business pertaining to the Israelites.

General Conference

Am I a Child of God?

Elder Brian K. Taylor

"Brothers and sisters, how can each of us experience the power of understanding our divine identity? It begins by seeking to know God, our Father. President Russell M. Nelson testified, 'Something powerful happens when a child of God seeks to know more about Him and His Beloved Son."

FHE:

Even as Christ Forgives You, So Also Do Ye

Elder Larry J. Echo Hawk

"I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men."

July Ensign: "Knowing Who You Are-and Who You Have Always Been," Sister Sheri L. Dew; "My Conference Notebook: April 2018 General Conference."

Jesus Is the Christ, the Expected Messiah

Jesus is the Son of God. He was born of a mortal mother and an immortal father. He made an infinite atonement for man's sins.

He was resurrected, thus opening the doors of immortality and eternal life for all mankind. Jesus is the only individual who ever lived to have the details of his birth, life, mission, death, and resurrection spelled out in public documents centuries before.

Who could have written the life of any great man before it happened? Nothing but divine foreknowledge and power could have revealed the life of Jesus in such detail and then brought it to pass. No man could have done this. It was God's way of placing his divine stamp on the life and work of his Only Begotten Son, a means for letting all mankind know that Jesus was the promised Messiah, the hope and desire of the ages. President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., said:

"We of our faith know that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ. This is our knowledge. We must proclaim it at all times and under all circumstances. . . .

"So as I conceive it, we must stand adamant for the doctrine of the atonement of Jesus the Christ, for the divinity of his conception, for his sinless life, and for, shall I say, the divinity of his death, his voluntary surrender of life. He was not killed; he gave up his life . . . .

"It is our mission, perhaps the most fundamental purpose of our work, to bear constant testimony of Jesus the Christ. We must never permit to enter into our thoughts and certainly not into our teachings, the idea that he was merely a great teacher, a great philosopher, the builder of a great system of ethics. It is our duty, day after day, year in and year out, always to declare that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ who brought redemption to the world and to all the inhabitants thereof." (In Conference Report, October 1955, pp. 22-24).

I miss James. It's lonely here, so I turn on the TV.

I was glad that when I texted Jared this morning I found out that he has his kids for the 4th of July!

I have a comment to make regarding someone we were asked to pray for yesterday at sacrament meeting. He is not in our stake but is a temple worker. His name is Loran DeWitt. When I went to the Show Low stake center in December to see Elders Bednar, Cornish, and Heyman, I sat by LeRoy DeWitt's daughter, Loran's niece. 

Loran had an accident back then which she told me about and he is still not recovered after six months. I have fond memories of Loran. As a teenager he was my Sunday School teacher. He made learning fun and I remember he took us to other churches to see how they worshipped. I remember going to St. Rita's Catholic church in Show Low and was so surprised that part of the service was in Latin. The priest said something we didn't understand and then everyone knelt on the kneeling boards in front of them. We weren't sure what we were supposed to do. Also, the sacrament was only taken by those who felt like getting in line and waiting for the priest to place the wafer under their tongue.

Sheri texted today and said: "Salt Lake called our stake President about Ben's application because we wrote that he sleep walks. I had to give David more information, so probably no mission call this week." I asked if his doctor couldn't prescribe something to help him. She said yes but he hasn't done it for awhile so there has been no need. Also he has never tried to leave the house or harm anyone, so that's good.

A quote by President Harold B. Lee in President Eyring's book:

"If you want personal revelation you must study and do your homework."

Had my own FHE, did my steps, and then watched some TV before going to bed by myself.

 Mammoth Lake in northern Cali

with the Jensen's

 Ruby found someone who loves to play

the match game as much as she does.

Maybe this will take the pressure off!

 Addy with her cousins Kayla and Kylie

in Wisconsin at their grandma's house.

Their grandparents live on an island.

Some of the Trezise's take a walk.

Where is Evan? 

 Joe posted this on the Isle of Skye.

I love the sheep!

 Is there a new "Old Man of Storr?"

 This gorgeous photo was posted by Alex!

Part of James's pour at the 

Phoenix Country Club

Wednesday, January 24th, 2018

Atlanta, Georgia

21st operating temple

Dedicated: 1-4 June 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

Dan 7:14

And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 17:1-16

*Why did Nephi feel so blessed in spite of their suffering?

-Because he knew the Lord was watching over them as long as they were obedient. 

*How has the Lord been your light in the wilderness?

-The Lord has guided and directed my life since I was ten years old and saw my first Book of Mormon in my grandma and grandpa Maxwell's house. I wondered why I had never seen one before but I made a pledge then and there that I would read it. Since that day I have read it many times and it has been a guiding light in my life, just like the Liahona was for Lehi's family.

Old Testament

Exodus 5-6

5 Moses and Aaron ask Pharaoh to free Israel - Pharaoh responds, Who is the Lord? - He places greater burdens upon the children of Israel.

6 The Lord identifies Himself as Jehovah - The genealogies of Reuben, Simeon, and Levi are listed.

Old Testament Scripture Mastery

Isaiah 55:8-9

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

General Conference

The Trek Continues!

Elder M. Russell Ballard

"An official Church statement, issued one year ago, states:

"We urge Church members to be cautious about participating in any group that promises - in exchange for money - miraculous healings or that claims to have special methods for accessing healing power outside of properly ordained priesthood holders."

"Every bit of time we spend in the temple results in some personal increase." - Jean B. Bingham, General Relief Society President

"Parents should teach the importance of the temple from a child's earliest days." - President Russell M. Nelson

"There should be a picture of the temple in every child's bedroom."

- President Spencer W. Kimball

"The temple is the object of every activity, every lesson, every progressive step in the Church." - President Russell M. Nelson

"Sanctification comes by giving our hearts to God." - Elder Marion D. Hanks

James got a call from Anthony this morning. He said he was assaulted by a guy named D. Flake and T. Baker. They were angry at Anthony for getting water from a state-owned well. The Nicoll brothers have rights to the well and gave Anthony permission to get water. Tom Baker uses the well to water his cattle. An officer arrived on the scene and gave Tom a ticket. The saga of the Nicoll's brothers versus the Baker's continues. Range wars are still happening here in Vernon, Arizona.

James took some wood to Sister Dye and then he and I made a trip to town in the truck. James keeps telling me that the truck has no brakes, yet I went with him.  He needed to get lumber for the Howard job. While he was shopping at Home Depot I did my grocery shopping at Walmart. Afterwards we got some sandwiches at Firehouse Subs for dinner. I got the steak and cheese and it was great.

Tom Baker asked Anthony on Facebook if he was going to get his water from his home teachers now. Since James is his home teacher I responded: "Anthony is a great guy and anytime he needs water his home teachers will be glad to help."

As a result of this post, which caused some controversy, I became friends with Don Nicoll.  He thinks Anthony is a great guy too whereas the Baker's don't. Enough said, except for one more thing. Darrel knows the Baker's son and he doesn't speak to his parents.

James and I watched a new murder mystery series on Hallmark. A girl named Kiki was the murderer. I guessed it.

 Our friend Nally

One of my favorite photos of the cabin

The Jones's

Our first bishop in Chandler and my first

visiting teaching companion.

Jim and Clessene Heil

passed away on January 15th and 17th.

Old Chandler people in our ward.

The DeWitts in Taiwan.