Tuesday, July 16th, 2019

Palmyra, New York

77th operating temple

Dedicated: 6 Apr 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Firstborn

Hebrews 1:6

And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

Book of Mormon

Alma 33:12-23

New Testament "The Word of God Grew and Multiplied"

Acts 11

General Conference

The Power of Sustaining Faith

President Henry B. Eyring

"President George Q. Cannon gve a warning that I pass on to you as my own. I believe he spoke the truth: 'God has chosen His servants. He claims it as His prerogative to condemn them, if they need condemnation. He has not given it to us individually to censure and condemn them. No man, however strong he may be in the faith, however high in the Priesthood, can speak evil of the Lord's anointed and find fault with God's authority on the earth without incurring His displeasure. The Holy Spirit will withdraw himself from such a man, and he will go into darkness. This being the case, do you not see how important it is that we should be careful?'"

James left at 5 a.m. for Ramah, New Mexico. He is taking his dad's headstone to place on his grave. Waiting for him there are his cousins Lee, Sherrel, and Dane. They did a good job.

 Lee and Sherrel

(No picture of Dane)

James says there is a huge new high school in Ramah out near the graveyard. Two girls walked by and Dane said: "There go two of my skinny granddaughters." Lee is 88 years old and James says he doesn't have a gray hair.

I am reading a talk in the Ensign by Whitney Clayton about religious freedom which is being threatened in society today. Very informative and interesting.

I read this quote by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin on faith:

"Faith exists when absolute confidence in that which we cannot see combines with action that is in absolute conformity to the will of our Heavenly Father. Without all three - first, absolute confidence; second, action; and third, absolute conformity - without these three, all we have is a counterfeit, a weak and watered down faith."

We had a little rain this morning. It almost lasted five minutes. 

I watched these Christmas movies today while walking and then working on my book business:

"A Heavenly Christmas"

"Love at Christmas"

"A Made to Order Christmas"

James got home in the early afternoon. I was on the phone with Stacy so he went straight into the bedroom and laid down on the bed to take a nap. 

He did get up and go outside to walk and then came back in and watched the last Christmas movie with me.

A sister in our ward is being induced tomorrow and I have been asked to bring in dinner on Thursday. That changes my plans a little. I decided I would make "Kid friendly" goulash, green beans, rolls, a salad, and chocolate chip cookies. I will go shopping tomorrow in Taylor. I'm taking my friend Catherine to an appointment in Snowflake.

James is leaving early tomorrow to take his friend Anthony into town. More about that story tomorrow.

 This morning's sunrise

 Beauty and Innocence

 I love that she has a hat but no shoes!

 Interesting story.

Sunday, March 30, 2014

I love this quote!

Gospel Study

Today I wrote from memory the first two sentences of The Family Proclamation:

"We, the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

All Human Beings - male and female - are created in the image of God."

I also memorized the first two sentences from The Living Christ:

"As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice.  None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth."

I also memorized the first line of Joseph's testimony of the First Vision:

"I saw a pillar of light, exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me, ..

I wrote my testimony in my Testimony journal. 

I also wrote a letter to my family, I do this monthly, encouraging them to keep the commandments.

As I was working on the family letter this morning I realized it was too long so as I was getting ready for Church I began devising another idea in my head.  I would break the letter down; Parents, Young Adults, Young Men and Young Women, Primary baptized, Preparing for baptism, and Jr. Primary.  After my meetings, breaking our fast, lunch, and a short nap I went to work on a new letter.  Here again I only had an hour to work before I had to stop and get ready for Book of Mormon class.  James wanted me to go with him and it's one of my goals as a way to fellowship new members, and investigators, so I had to stop again.  

Speaking of family, here is a picture

of Marvin Johnson with his kids.

We left the Book of Mormon class early so I could take James home and be back at the Church by 5:30 to pick up and take Shelly Applegate and Haily Lootans to the youth camp leaders camp meeting at the stake center.  During the meeting I got a call from President VanWinkle asking me if I would speak in stake conference on Easter Sunday.  The topic: "How I Come unto Christ and how I help my family Come Unto Christ."  I am a little nervous but grateful for the opportunity to share my testimony of the importance of coming unto Christ. 

I got home after 8pm.  I had a snack and went to bed with my sweetie who is leaving for the valley early in the morning.

I forgot to mention that during the third our of our meetings today the bishopric spoke to us on the importance of strengthening families.  It was really good.  Afterwards I had James get a Family Guidebook from Bishop Hall.

 Looking at this peaceful setting in England should help me to have good thoughts as I sleep tonight.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

"If strong and securely attached to the rock of our Redeemer, faith will help us to safely climb the gospel path, overcome every challenge of mortality and return to the majestic presence of our Heavenly Father.  All things are fulfilled by faith." Elder Marcus B. Nash of the Seventy

My morning sunrise pictures.

I went on a walk today for the first time in a long time.  I walked 25 minutes, went one miles, and burned 107 calories.  Hey, it's a start!

I cleaned and listened to the Book of Mormon on my phone.  I also studied about faith this morning.  

Several months ago Kristy Thomas asked me to prepare her grandparents names so they can be sealed.  I told her she needed to get permission from her dad and his brothers before I could move forward.  She assured me they would be fine with it so by next week I should have them ready.  I also decided I needed to do some of my own family history.  I remember Karen Schneider saying to put one name on a post-it card and put it by your computer.  I chose my grandpa Strickland's mother, Mary Eliza Lewis.  I need to find her parents.  I am taking baby steps today in two areas of my life, exercising, and family history.

Natalie, Kaeli, Brother Smith and I had a young women's presidency meeting this evening before Mutual.  After opening exercises Natalie went home and asked me to take her girls.  We were suppose to have a song practice with the choir director Stephanie Hunsaker but she cancelled at the last minute.  The only other things we had planned was to visit Alex Jones and take her a sock cupcake.  All the Mia Maids and Laurels and I walked to Alex's house.  We knocked several times but it was evident that she wasn't home.  We walked back to the Church.  Now what do we do for the next 30 minutes.  The girls wanted to play a game so we played Truth or Dare off Trenda's phone.  I didn't like it and will not go unprepared for Mutual again!

I came home and watched a Hallmark movie, "Personally Yours" which was filmed in Alaska.  Beautiful scenery and a cute story.