Sunday, October 27th, 2019

Ogden, Utah

14th operating temple

Dedicated: 18-20 Jan 1972

By: Joseph Fielding Smith

Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd

3 Nephi 16:3
But I have received a commandment of the Father that I shall go unto them, and that they shall hear my voice, and shall be numbered among my sheep, that there may be one fold and one shepherd; therefor I go to show myself unto them.
Book of Mormon
3 Nephi 13:16-34
How can we make sure we are laying up treasures in heaven and not on earth?
New Testament: 1-2Thessalonians  Review: "Be Not Soon Shaken in Mind, or Be Troubled"

General Conference

Knowing, Loving, and Growing

Elder Hans T. Boom

"May we all come to understand our part in this great ministering work so that we will become more like Him."

I found this quote my President Ballard in a talk he gave this week:

"Our nation was founded on prayer, it was preserved by prayer, and needs prayer again. I plead with you this evening to pray for this country, for our leaders, for our people and for the families that live in this great nation founded by God. remember, this country was established and preserved by our founding fathers and mothers who repeatedly acknowledged the hand of God through prayer."

We walked into the McQueen on McQueen and Willis in Chandler at 9:45, thinking Stacy's ward met at 10:00. James went down the hall to use the restroom and the first person he saw was Kim. She told him that Stacy's ward starts at 10:30. The first thing he said to me was, "I could have slept an extra 30 minutes!"

We sat in the back of the chapel on the left side facing the pulpit. When Stacy, Paul, Joshua, and Michael came in they sat towards the front of the chapel on the other side. Once they sat down we walked over and sat behind them. It took a few minutes for them to see that it was us behind them. It was great to see Joshua passing the sacrament.

All of the talks today were are temple and family history work. The youth speaker told the story of her maternal grandmother who had polio. She said that we need to document important events to strengthen the faith of others.

The next sister said her dad passed his love of family history work down to her. She said God wants us close to Him, that's why we have temples. Clean hands and a pure heart keep us worthy of the temple. We must put off the natural man through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. There is no compulsion in the work of the Lord, only opportunity. Always stay worthy of the temple.

Stacy and a girl named Brooklyn Hawkins sang: "I Wonder When He Come Again." The girl sang soprano and Stacy sang the second part. I loved when they sang together but my favorite part was when Stacy sang by herself. I love her singing voice and so does James. So many people came up to her after sacrament meeting and complimented her on the song.

The last speaker based her talk on a talk Elder Renlund gave about temple and family history work where he listed the blessing associated with doing the work. It increases our faith, brings the Spirit of the Holy Ghost, the blessings of the Atonement, and the gift of repentance. It also increases family love and protection. She closed by saying that the temple brings peace.

The lesson in Relief Society was based on Elder Rasband's talk from the April conference, "Build a Fortress of Spirituality and Protection." It's the same lesson they are having in the Vernon ward! It was one of my favorite talks from the April conference.

A sister named Caroline Kempton was the teacher. We spoke to her husband after the meeting and asked if he knew Martin Kempton. He said no, he didn't but they were probably related because they are both from the Gila Valley.

I finally got my hug from Joshua when we said our goodbyes. We headed for Kim and Brian's because we heard they were going to see James's mom. Kim fed us while we were at her house. I had pizza and James had a shake and some toast. Brian also shared his Halloween candy with me. Kim was in charge of their ward's Halloween party and she had lots of left over candy. 

Sheri came to pick Kim up and brought me a bag of chocolate chip cookies. We took our own car over to Tempe. We got there before Sheri and Kim. Lois was using a walker which concerned me a little but she seemed to be in a good mood. Once Sheri and Kim got there Sheri asked her how she ever raised 8 children. She said they raised themselves. Then she told about milking the cow, feeding the chickens and chopping wood for the stove. I certainly don't remember my mom doing those things. I guess that was why she didn't like living in Ramah very well.

We left for home and I asked if we could go the Payson way. James complained about it, but ended up going that way. I got a call from Liz Kelly. I told her we were meeting at Laura and Dave's on the 7th at 2 pm and gave her the address. She asked how I was doing and the phone cut out. 

I slept until we stopped for gas in Payson. I read for awhile from "Aunt Dimity" on the way home. We were gone for 12 hours from home and it felt great to be back.

We got to FaceTime with Jared, Kacey and Charlie. While we were talking Charlie went and got her "scriptures" and wanted to read about Jesus so we ended our call early. We are so looking forward to them being here in November! She has changed so much since we saw her in January!

James went to bed early. I stayed up and worked on my blog and then watched two "Come Follow Me" YouTube presentations, "Teaching with Power" and "Cwic Media with Greg Matsen.

This little girl brings so much happiness

and joy!

 Phoenix Temple Open House

 Such a pretty little girl