62nd operating temple
Dedicated: 16 Oct 1999
By: Gordon B. Hinckley
Jesus Christ, Creator
DC 45:1
Hearken, O ye people of my church, to whom the kingdom has been given; hearken ye and give ear to him who laid the foundation of the earth, who made the heavens and all the hosts thereof, and by whom all things were made which live, and move, and have a being.
Book of Mormon
Alma 49:9-30
*Why is it important to be aware of our own weaknesses?
- Knowing our weaknesses keeps us humble, and helps us grow and rely on the Lord. Something that stood out to me was Moroni, "altered the management of affairs among the Nephites. "He knew Amalickiah's intent and arranged his army so that their work areas were no longer weak. I think it's important to be aware of our weak areas so we can "alter the management of our affairs" and strengthen ourselves against Satan's attacks. It is critical to have the Spirit with us to both know our weaknesses and know how to improve.
Old Testament
Psalms 1-8
1 Blessed are the righteous - The ungodly will perish.
2 A messianic psalm - The heathen will rage against the Lord's anointed - The Lord speaks of His Son, whom He has begotten.
3 David cries unto the Lord and is heard - Salvation is of the Lord
4 David pleads for mercy - He counsels, Put your trust in the Lord.
5 David asks the Lord to hear his voice - The Lord hates workers of iniquity - He blesses and shields the righteous.
6 David cries unto the Lord for mercy - He asks to be healed and saved.
7 David trusts in the Lord, who will judge the people - God is angry with the wicked.
General Conference
What Every Aaronic Priesthood Holder Needs to Know
Douglas D. Holmes
"Increased faith in Christ always leads to a desire to change or repent. So it is logical that the key of the ministering of angels would be accompanied by the key of the preparatory gospel, 'the gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins.'"
James and I left for the church a little before 8 a.m. We met Brother Miller and the Howard's. James helped Ed give Tom a blessing. Tom has melanoma cancer on his nose and is leaving for the valley today to get treatments at the Anderson Cancer Center in Mesa.
I guess Ed has given Tom several blessings and as a result Tom's faith has grown because he has always been made well. This has happened because of Tom's faith in the Lord and I suppose in Ed.
Sacrament meeting was amazing today.
Brother Moore was confirmed by Brother Thompson.
Layne H. was the youth speaker. He told about what he enjoyed about and learned from trek. At one point he told about receiving a letter from his mother that was written in her secret language. He then proceeded to tell us that the secret language that he couldn't read was cursive. He said he felt he had grown closer to Heavenly Father as a result of trek. He quoted DC 88:118:
And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.
Layne is a priest in our ward. He works at Arby's and was chosen employee of the month for the month of August.
Sister Beard, who is the Hunsaker's daughter (Sean & Stefani's), spoke about Being Faithful Through Trials. She started out by saying that last December she became a single mom. I might add that she also had her third child last December. She said she tried to save the marriage that was so sacred to her. She said she was struggling to know what to do but after listening to General Conference in April she knew which direction she should take.
DC 121:7-8: 7 My son (daughter), peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; 8 And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.
She said one of the things she felt inspired to do was be 100% diligent in attending the temple. She then listed, as given in Elder Renlund's recent conference talk, all of the blessings associated with temple and family history work. She said she did not want to be a hateful person. She began doing a comprehensive study of the Atonement and was able to forgive her ex-husband who had been unfaithful to her. She didn't put it that way. She said, "I felt love toward's the person who had wronged me." She talked about faith in the Savior. "Patience refines understanding."
Brother Greer Stake High Councilman. Brother Greer is a former mission president and is an awesome speaker. He talked about enduring faith and doing hard things. He said that Bishop Miller, who is not here today, is one of his favorite people. He said that he knows through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and through the Holy Ghost that this Gospel is true. He said, you gotta do your part. Prayer is an action verb. He talked about President Eyring's talk on the Holy Spirit. We can't do it alone. We need to ask, obey, and accept course correction. DC 95:1-2: 1 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you whom I love and whom I love I also chasten that their sins may be forgiven, for with the chastisement I prepare a way for their deliverance in all things out of temptation,and I have loved you-
2 Wherefore, ye must needs be chastened and stand rebuked before my face;
Brother Smith taught Sunday School. We discussed our favorite Proverbs and verses in Ecclesiastes. Mine is Proverbs 3:5-6:
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding;
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Sister Smith (Yes, she is Brother Smith's wife), taught Relief Society using President Oaks's conference address, "Small and Simple Things." One thing Sister Smith is good at is getting everyone involved. She gave out assignments ahead of time and she also had us divide into groups and discuss certain things and then share with the entire group. It was good, although she had a handout and I think most people were confused how to use it. Sometimes she tries to do too much.
After the closing prayer we had refreshments in the back. We fed lots of Primary children, which is ok. We finished off all of the cookies and cake leftover from yesterday's baptism.
After nap time this afternoon I worked on my blog and finding names on Family Search. I have a couple of temple cards I need to print. Found out what names Sheri and Kim have. Ben's temple recommend interview with the stake is Tuesday night. Hoping we can go through with him next Saturday.
Update regarding Sister Peeler. They put two permanent rods in her back. She is doing better but still in pain. Brother Peeler came home to do laundry. James said he sounded exhausted but was very hopeful that she was on her way to recovery. He has been the primary caretaker the past few weeks since Donna's compression fracture fall.
It rained a little this evening but from what I understand Cibeque got the bulk of it with 8.5 inches in an hour. Maybe they did a rain dance!
Arizona Highways
Lavender fields forever!
We're on the edge - Headed for Cibeque
