Thursday, February 20th, 2020

Oquirrh Mountain, Utah

130th operating temple

Dedicated: 21-23 Aug 2009

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Judge

2 Nephi 29:11

For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

2 Nephi 20-22

20- The destruction of Assyria is a type of the destruction of the wicked at the Second Coming - Few people will be left after the Lord comes again - The remnant of Jacob will return in that day.

21- The stem of Jesse (Christ) will judge in righteousness-The knowledge of God will cover the earth in the Millennium-The Lord will raise an ensign and gather Israel. - Compare Isaiah 11.

22- In the millennial day all men will praise the Lord - He will dwell among them - Compare Isaiah 12.

"Finding Joy in Sharing the Gospel"

Cristina B. Franco

"My dear friends, the Lord needs us to gather Israel. In the Doctrine and Covenants, He has said, 'Neither take ye though beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man.'"

It's another beautiful day in Arizona, let's all enjoy it! Sunny and 55 degrees. It feels like spring is here, without the wind!

I heard James driving around this morning outside on a piece of machinery. I was excited and thought he had fixed his Cat. When he came in and I asked him about it, he said, yeah, but it's the small one. I need the big one for my job.

There are problems at the city of Mesa with the permits for Mario's houses. Part of it is because Mario would not let James turn in the permits, insisting that the engineer do it. Now the engineer is in Hawaii and the permits are stuck at the city with revisions needing to be done. The city sent them back to the engineer but no one can get in to his account because he is out of town. So frustrating.

I finished my shipment today and James and I went into town to take it to UPS. I did a little shopping at Walmart while James went to Home Depot to get filters for our heater/air conditioning unit.

We got gas and mailed three birthday cards, Paula Johnson's, Joseph's and Adam's. We also stopped at the post office and picked up a load of books. When you consistently order three books a day, you consistently receive them in the mail.

Back at home as I was putting the groceries away I notice that the grits I bought for James were missing. We looked in the car. I checked my receipt to make sure I paid for them. We are so good at losing items we buy. What's going on?

This afternoon I made a card for Tanna, a girl we minister to together. I frosted some cookies and put them on a plate. James was going to deliver but he never got an answer from Tanna. He said if we have to we will go to Persnikkity's tomorrow, where she works, to see her. I'm all for that!

I forgot to mention that when I got up this morning the washer was not working. The light was on in the drum and the control panel would not light up. I told James and he looked at it and said he had no idea how to fix it. I suggested that he unplug it and plug it back in. It worked! James says I'm a genius. Simple solutions from simple minds is what I say.

I got a call from Sheri this evening. Ben had called her for her birthday. He is upset because a former AP and his friend, Elder Legas who is now a Zone leader is questioning something Ben and another AP asked the zone leaders to do. Elder Legas said he would be bringing this up at the conference next week. Ben is heartbroken. He cannot stand betrayal by a friend and that is what this feels like. He saw Max come into the room with his guitar and Ben burst into tears. He said he misses his family. He told Sheri he doesn't want to come home but when you are hurting you want comfort from the people who love you the most. I think this is one of the beggest trials Ben has had so far. He will get through it because he is strong and he is obedient.

Sheri also told me about the neighbor across the street from Cathi and Terry, the one with the Lamborghini, got arrested for tax evasion and laundering money. Sheri said when she went outside to make a Circle K run, there were 10 undercover police cars, 5 regular police cars, and a couple of swat team cars parked in the neighborhood. This guy just bought the two acres of land behind Dave and Laura and said he was going to build a 10,000 sq ft house. That was before all of this. Now he is saying he hopes he gets to stay in the neighborhood.

I got all caught up on my "Come Follow Me" studies but I haven't even looked at Inklings. I did listen to several chapters from volume 2 of "The Saints."

Happy Birthday Sheri

 This was 5 years ago on her 40th birthday

Gifts from the girls at work

 So funny!

Tanna's cookies

Monday, October 28th, 2019

Provo, Utah

15th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Feb 1972

By: Joseph Fielding Smith

Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd

Mormon 5:17

They were once a delightsome people, and they had Christ for their shepherd; yea, they were led even by God the Father.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 14:1-27

What fundamental truths do we learn from Christ's teachings in these verses? How will you incorporate these important teachings into you life?

New Testament: 1,2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon "Be Thou an Example of the Believers"

1, 2 Timothy; Titus "Who were Timothy and Titus?" SS - "Understanding true doctrine will help us avoid being deceived"

General Conference

Giving Our Spirits Control Over Our Bodies

President M. Russell Ballard

"One of the most important things we can learn in this life is how to emphasize our eternal spiritual nature and control our evil desires."

RWC:"Each person had a salvation time line, their personal plan of salvation within the plan of salvation When properly stimulated, premortal testimonies like premortal talents will emerge and flourish.

Sheri called me around 7 this morning. She had already talked to Ben. 

Elder Littlefield, a Seventy over the missions in Central and South America visited Ben's mission today. He asked to speak with Ben. He said to him: "Elder Trezise, I understand you had 13 people come to church on Sunday. We don't even get that in third world countries where the gospel is flourishing. I want to know what your secret is?" 

Elder Trezise was mentioned in another zone conference and then during Ben's zone conference a missionary shared something he had learned. When Elder Littlefield asked him where he learned that principle the missionary said, "Elder Trezise taught it to me during training." 

Here is Elder Trezise's letter for this week:

Elder Trezise makes me want to be better!

It was cold and windy today and James did not feel well. He had planned on working outside but it was just too cold. He took a nap instead. 

This afternoon he went to get the mail. There were five books that I had ordered to sell and a letter addressed to me. The letter addressed to me was a check for $6,000. A guy that goes by the name of French Bruce texted me last week and said he was going to send a check for one of the cemetery plots. After what happened last time I can't get too excited about it until I know for sure that it is real. I had told him to send a money order for the exact amount. Well even though it is for the exact amount he did not send a money order which is a little frustrating. Here is what the check looks like:

Just like the last check, this one is a business located in one state and the bank located in another. James told me to deposit the check using my phone, which I did. He sent a text saying we were depositing the check. He received a text back saying, let me make sure the funds are available and a text a few minutes later saying the funds were available. I am writing this on Tuesday evening at 9:23 Arizona time. I deposited the check around 3:30 p.m. Monday, Arizona time and it still has not cleared. What's going on. 

The guy told James they needed the deed to the plot by Saturday because they are planning on burying someone that day. James told him he was going to check with the mortuary to see if they had a burial scheduled for Saturday. We haven't heard back.

I watched "Dancing with the Stars" this evening. It was the Halloween episode. Karamo is going home. I wish it was Sean.

 Look Mama, I'm a Lama!

Harrison Fjiord in Bulgaria. Where's Dallin?

Wednesday, October 24th, 2018

San Salvador, El Salvador

135th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 Aug 2011

By: Henry B. Eyring

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Daniel 9:26

And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a food, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

Book of Mormon #1

3 Nephi 12:1-24

*How do you make sure you aren't putting your light under a bushel?

- The Savior's transcendant message in the Sermon on the Mount is of burning-bush importance to all of us. 'But seek ye first to build up the kingdom of God, and to establish His righteousness' (JST, Matt. 6:38). This message needs to penetrate into our hearts and souls. As we accept this message, we are taking our personal stand in this life." (Ensign, May 2004, 67 - President James E. Faust)

Book of Mormon #2

Jarom-Omni

General Conference

Wounded

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"In the crucible of earthly trials, patiently move forward, and the Savior's healing power will bring you light, understanding, peace, and hope."

James went out early this morning scouting for deer. Sheri and I woke Kim up texting about "Dancing with the Stars."  Oops...

I picked my friend Catherine up at 9 am. and we headed for the Snowflake temple. My car wheel wells are filled with mud. While I was waiting for Catherine I found a stick and tried to dig some of it out but I wasn't very successful. 

It was beautiful and sunny when we left Vernon but halfway to Show Low it became very foggy as if we were in a cloud and pretty much stayed that was until we got to Snowflake.

We made it in time for the 10:30 session. It was as full as it can get with 54 patrons. The Gilbert temple is still closed and we met a sister from Gilbert. I wonder how many more were from the valley.

They showed my favorite film so I was happy. 

One the way home we stopped at Sonic. Catherine got a hotdog and tater tots and a diet cherry limeade. I got a corn dog, fries, and a small cherry limeade. Catherine shared that Sonic originated in Oklahoma where she is from. She talked about her childhood and being raised by her grandmother. She loves to talk and I love to listen.

Catherine told me some sad news just before we went in to our session. She said that Elder Allen, who just left for his mission in the Philippines in September is back home. He was diagnosed with ADHD. I wondered why he was posting pictures taken in Arizona on Instagram. She doesn't know what his plans are but both of us are concerned for him and his family. I couldn't stop thinking about him during the session.

I had a message on my phone that Jared Ammon broke his foot in three places. He had to have surgery and have plates put in. He is staying at his girlfriend's house. Poor guy.

I finally got an email from Ben. He had his P-day on Wednesday so he could go to the temple but he can only go four times on his mission so next week and from now on his P-day will be back on Mondays.

I am tired because lately I have been eating junk. I need to get back on a better diet or eating program. James came home hungry and I made him a couple of chicken quesadillas which he loved. I had a cheese crisp and a cinnamon sugar tortilla. (See what I mean about lousy eating.)

James went out to site in his gun for his hunt. I forgot and went outside on the deck to walk when I heard a loud BANG which scared me back inside. 

James went into town this evening to pick up supplies for Howard's job while I stayed home and worked on our book business. 

We are both very tired when he returns so we go to bed a little earlier than normal.

And there she goes!

That's the temple behind us.
I'm not very good at selfies.

 Ben loves the cold!

Such a handsome group!

 This girl likes to talk.

One happy baby except when you put

her in her car seat and in the car.

 Going out looking for deer.