OUR FAMILY: Fresh Start with Jean

Manhattan, New York

119th operating temple

Dedicated: 13 June 2004 by

President Gordon B. Hinckley

Mosiah 23:1-20

The Lord helps Alma and his people escape from the armies of King Noah and establish a righteous city.

* What do the phrases "caught in a snare" and "bound with the bands of iniquity" teach about the effects of sin?

* Why is it helpful for us to recognize the influences that have led us to sin in the past?

Gospel Principle:

When we repent and choose to live righteously, the Lord will bless us and free us from the bonds of sin.

3 Nephi 23-25

23:1-3 Great are the words of Isaiah - Isaiah is our checklist for the Second Coming of Christ.

4-13 Jesus commands the Nephites to add missing parts to their scripture records. (Many Saints arose and ministered unto them, and the words of Samuel the Lamanite.)

24:1-18 Jesus quotes the Father's word to Malachi regarding tithing.

25:1-6 The coming of Elijah the Prophet. The messenger is the gospel through Joseph Smith. The wicked will burn as stubble. Our hearts should be turned to our ancestors and our progenitors.

DC 67:1-14

The Lord hears the prayers of and watches over His elders; He challenges the wisest person to duplicate the least of His revelations; Faithful elders will be quickened by the Spirit and see the face of God.

Why is it important to teach by the Spirit?

*Because the Spirit testifies of truth. Without the Spirit you preach and teach the philosophies of men. The Spirit brings the message into the hearts of the people we teach.

General Conference

His Daily Guiding Hand

M. Joseph Brough

"Tolerating improper behavior without loving correction is false compassion and reinforces the common notion that wickedness might in fact be happiness."

I gave James some advice this morning when he was complaining about his laryngitis. I told him to remember President Kimball after he had his throat surgery. His raspy voice did not stop him from preaching the gospel.

The banging on Cathi and Terry's roof started at 5:30 this morning instead of the scheduled 6:30. It was fine for James and I because we were up early. We had prayer before James left for work around 5:30. I felt sorry for Cathi and Terry though. They usually don't get up until 6:30 on days the go to the R.O.C.

I had a funny experience this morning. We gave Cathi and Terry a gift card to Outback or Carrabbas for their anniversary. We also had some giftcards I got as a result of the rewards program on my credit card. We wanted to go to dinner together tonight. Cathi told me that the Outback on Chandler Blvd. had closed. I knew there was one on Market St. in Gilbert. When I looked on Map Quest it said to the side of all of the Outbacks and Carrabbas, Now closed in bright red letters. I was beginning to get worried. I tried Olive Garden and Cheesecake Factory and got the same message. I began to panic and think there must be some kind of an epidemic going on. Finally I realized when it said: "Closed now." It meant closed at 7:30 in the morning! We will be going to either the Outback or Carrabbas in Gilbert on Market St.

I had lunch today with my friend Jean from Vernon. We always go to Fresh Start. She loves the french toast with fresh fruit and I got a grilled ham and cheese sandwich which was very tasty. Jean is an amazing woman. She has had a lot of sad things happen to her in her life yet she remains faithful. Right now her grandson, who she raised as her son, is in jail. Her family is the family that started a business with their horses, taking people on trail rides. I asked her if we could arrange a trail ride in July for some of my grandchildren and she said she was sure they could. They have horses of all sizes, some mini's even for the little ones.

After lunch I was supposed to pick up my friend Charlotte and take her to the Apple Store to receive some lessons on how to use her Ipad. When I called she said she was too tired. She said what she really wants to do is read the scriptures with her daughter using the BofM365 program. I went home and typed her a schedule to use through May and part of June. When I dropped it off she seemed very grateful.

I don't want to be cremated, but I

couldn't resist posting this.

I went home and had a nap and then Sheri picked me up around 4:45 to go with her to Max's track meet at Payne Jr. High out near the Santan Mountains. Max was supposed to run the 400 and he told Sheri if she was there by 5:30 she would be in plenty of time for his race. We got there at 5:15 and Max had already ran. He decided to run the mile instead. We told him next time to let his mom know ahead of time if he changes his plans. He had his backpack with him that looked awfully heavy. He said it weighs about 30 lbs. They no longer have lockers at Bogle Jr. High so he has to carry around all of his books all day long.

This evening, James, Cathi, Terry and I decided to have dinner at Carrabbas because Cathi and Terry had never been there. James told them that one of the best steaks he ever had was at Carrabbas. Carrabbas is right next door to Outback. The first people we saw inside the restaurant were the Ray's. Their daughter Heather is married to Patrick. We had a quick visit and then they left. It looked like they had been to the temple.

Terry, Cathi, and I all ordered the same thing, medium fillets with asparagus. James got the chicken Marsala. He said he liked Olive Garden's a little better. We got the Caprese for an appetizer. Cathi and I loved it, small tomatoes with olive oil and herbs with soft mozarella cheese. I could have made that my dinner with their warm bread. We had enough gift cards to pay for our meal. It is always fun to visit with Cathi and Terry.

This evening I read to James from "To Kill a Mockingbird" before going to bed.

Fun Photos: