Saturday, May 19th, 2018

Quetzaltenango, Guatemala

136th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Dec 2011

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Birth of

2 Nephi 25:19

For according to the words of the prophets, the Messiah cometh in six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem; and according to the words of the prophets, and also the word of the angel of God his name shall be Jesus Christ the Son of God.

Book of Mormon

Alma 2:19-38

* What did the Nephites do to help them gain victory over the Amlicites?

- The war chapters teach us much about how to gain victory over our enemies. What can we learn about gaining victory over our enemies? Verse 21 Alma sent spies to know of the plans and plots of the Amlicites. We have the Holy Ghost that can warn us and prepare us to be ready for Satan's attacks. We can pray mightily as in vs. 28, and be strengthened by the Lord. In verse 30 we can be men and women of God, exercising our faith that no matter what we can be instruments in the Lord's hands. The Nephites were outnumbered by the Amlicites but God was on their side, which was the reason they gained victory!

Old Testament

2 Samuel 11-12

11 David lies with Bathsheba, and she conceives - He then arranges for the death in battle of her husband, Uriah.

12 Nathan tells David the parable of the ewe lamb - The Lord gave many wives to David, who is now cursed for taking Bathsheba - David fasts and prays for his son, but the Lord takes him - Solomon is born - David conquers the royal city of the Ammonites.

General Conference

With One Accord

Reyna I. Aburto

"Like the monarch butterflies, we are on a journey back to our heavenly home, where we will reunite with our Heavenly parents. Like the butterflies, we have been given divine attributes that allow us to navigate through life, in order to 'fill the measure of our creation.' Like them, if we knot our hearts together, the Lord will protect us 'as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings' and will make us into a beautiful kaleidoscope."

James's business credit card was due today. I had to transfer more money out of our line of credit to pay it. There is only $2,000 left in our line of credit.

The first thing James did this morning when he got up was feed the hummingbirds and the bunnies. 

After reading Alma 2:19-38 on the prayers of Alma, James tells me the result of my prayers for him this past week. When I prayed that he would have enough help workers showed up that he hadn't expected. He believes very strongly in my faith and prayers now.

Adam and his friends got up rather late to make breakfast. Kaitlin is recovering from being sick so she slept in even longer, and misses the guys big breakfast. They save her some. Mmmm nothing like leftover pancakes and bacon. 

James and I left to go to town and the guys, Chris, Kyle and Jacob,  went on a Razr ride. I guess they left Kaitlin a note. 

On the way into town I read from our current book, "Stars Over Northumberland" by Anita Stansfield.

We stopped for lunch at LaCasita. James got a chicken green chili enchilada and I got a plain green chili enchilada. His was better. I will know next time. I had to try it. The waitress brought me extra lettuce. Next time I need to ask for extra lettuce and tomato.

After lunch I ran in to Walgreen's to get me an eyebrow pencil because I can't find the one I bought yesterday. (I find it later, and now I have two). 

Next stop, Cal-Ranch for bunny food. I went in and took pictures of the baby chicks.

So cute when they are little.

When we get home I sit down to work on my talk on righteous parenting. I also did my walking outside. James is so tired from the hectic week he had that he lies down to take a nap. Adam and his friends are upstairs playing video games. They took the 4G wifi upstairs.

It is a beautiful evening to walk outside. The bunnies are eating, some in the grass, others out of the containers James has out for them. Since we don't have a dog or cat I guess you could say that these bunnies are our pets. 

I love the book, "Christlike Parenting," by Glenn I. Latham. Most of my talk is based on the principles in this book. 

Oh, did I mention, Adam has a beard and mustache but even better than that, one of the guys who came up with him has long hair, and a long beard. I call this group, Kaitlin and the guys. Adam told me that Jacob was in the pirate play with him and Kaitlin. I thought to myself that he's still playing the part of the pirate.

 Hatch's continue their temple tour.

This time they are in St. Louis, Missouri.

 Introducing the Duke and Duchess

of Sussex. The Royal Wedding 

was today.

Bunnies cutting the grass.

Beautiful sunset.

Sunday, June 11th, 2017

Quetzaltenango, Guatemala

136th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Dec 2011 by

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Alma 14:6-22

* Why did the Lord suffer these women and children to be burned?

* According to Alma, how would the women and children be blessed for their trust in the Lord? (see verse 11)

* When we trust in the Lord, He strengthens us during our trials.

* Elder Richard G. Scott: "This life is an experience in profound trust - trust in Jesus Christ....To trust means to obey willingly without knowing the end from the beginning. To produce fruit, your trust in the Lord must be more powerful and enduring than your confidence in your own personal feelings and experience."

DC 88:1-13

1-5, Faithful Saints receive that Comforter, which is the promise of eternal life; 6-13, All things are controlled and governed by the Light of Christ;

What does 'light' mean in these verses? 

* The light of Christ. (see DCSM p. 198). through the Light of Christ, God gives light and life to all His creations.

What is the other Comforter spoken of in verses 3-4?

* The Prophet Joseph Smith said: "The other Comforter spoken of is a subject of great interest, and perhaps understood by few of this generation. After a person has faith in Christ, repents of his sins and is baptized for the remission of his sins and receives the Holy Ghost, (by the laying on of hands), which is the first Comforter, then let him continue to humble himself before God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and living by every word of God, and the Lord will soon say unto him, Son, thou shalt be exalted. When the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that the man is determined to serve Him at all hazards, then the man will find his calling and his election made sure, then it will be his privilege to receive the other Comforter, which the Lord hath promised the Saints, as is recorded in the testimony of St. John, in the 14th chapter, from the 12th to the 27th verses....

"Now what is this other Comforter? It is no more nor less than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself; and this is the sum and substance of the whole matter; that when any man obtains this last Comforter, he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him, or appear unto him from time to time, and even He will manifest the Father unto him, and they will take up their abode with him, and the visions of the heavens will be opened unto him, and the Lord will teach him face to face, and he may have a perfect knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God; and this is the state and place the ancient Saints arrived at when they had such glorious visions - Isaiah, Ezekiel, John upon the Isle of Patmos, St. Paul in the three heavens, and all the Saints who held communion with the general assembly and Church of the Firstborn." (Teachings, pp. 149-51.)

General Conference

Becoming a Disciple of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Elder Robert D. Hales

In 2 Peter and in DC 4, we learn that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation.  We measure our faith by what it leads us to do - by our obedience. "If ye will have faith in me," the Lord promised "ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me." Faith is a catalyst. Without works, without virtuous living, our faith is without power to activate discipleship. Indeed, faith is dead.

My lesson in Primary today is entitled: "Joseph Smith is Tarred and Feathered."  The main gospel principle is the importance of forgiveness.  It was a pretty amazing story how Joseph was dragged from his home while he was caring for a sick child and tarred and feathered. The child died as a result of exposure to the cold night air. Joseph's friends spent most of the night taking the tar off of Joseph's body. The next day he preached the gospel to a group of Saints and some of the mob who had attacked him the night before were in the audience.  Today I had both my class and Sister Kuffer's. She had to leave Church to visit a friend in need. Those who attended today: Bailey, Zemira, Raya, and her brother Graham who are visitors, Curtis, Colter, Gracie, and Liana.  I gave them all fidget spinners.  

I hope I contributed to helping the

Savior feed His sheep today.

The DeWitt's reported on their mission to the Dominican Republic today in sacrament meeting. Brother DeWitt was an auditor for 11 missions.  The Dominican Republic includes 30 Caribbean islands and 3 South American countries.  In 1975 there were no members of the Church. In 1978 there were enough members to have missionaries.  In December 1978 the land was dedicated by Elder M. Russell Ballard and soon became the fasting growing area in the Church.  The missionaries were directed by the Spirit. There were 10 baptisms everyday for over 30 years. 

Brother DeWitt started out his talk with an auditor joke.  He said: "Auditors come after the battle is fought and bayonet the wounded. Nobody likes auditors."  He had 440 units to audit 2x a year, in 30 different countries.  Most are first generation members and have to be taught. Brother DeWitt said he started a journal and began keeping track of the names of people he met who went the second mile.  People who accept calling and have vision and do more than is expected of them.  He said "do more" became his motto.  He met and worked with a brother who was general council for the Church. This man was blind and deaf.  His name was Elder Gardener. He would teach others how to function without sight. His wife would sit with him in a meeting and tell him everyone who was present and where they were sitting.  When he spoke he would look right at you as if he could see you. He was an amazing individual. 

Another man was the janitor.  Once when Elder Renlund came to visit, Brother DeWitt noticed this janitor in a suit and tie on the stand. He was asked to play a piano solo. He had practiced the piano as a way to serve and make himself more useful.  He was willing to 'do more.'  It was an amazing meeting.

In the MTC. They were ready to leave for

the Caribbean in 3 days. This is May, 2015.

The DeWitt family. It was a sacrifice to leave all

of these people behind.

My sacrament commitment this week is to draw closer to the Lord so I can be a savior to my family, both the living and the dead. I need to be more patient with James. I want to "do more" to follow the Savior.

We came home from church and James grilled the chicken that has been marinating in the refrigerator since yesterday afternoon.  Afterwards I took a short nap. James arranged for Brother Allen to take Anthony to get his patriarchal blessing in Lakeside.  I am excited for Anthony.  

Kim, Brian, Joe, Sheri, Ian's family and Shayna, and Stacy, Paul, Michael, and Joshua are all vacationing in San Diego this week.
This is the first picture that was posted. I think it was before Shayna and Alex arrived.

Ask you can see by my mistake of leaving it on

the picture Stacy posted these. This is Old Town

San Diego, the mexican food restaurant.

Love Joe and Michael's smiles and Sheri peeking

her head around Ian.

This evening I started preparing for next week's Primary lesson which is: "The Latter-day Revelations are Published." One of my favorite gospel stories is about Mary Elizabeth and Caroline Rollins saving the manuscripts for part of the Doctrine and Covenants. 

Elder Ballard speaking at a devotional.

I had to share this amazing cake made

by James's sister Carmen.

She made this cake for Ruby's 3rd birthday.

Arches National Park.

(This reminds me of the picture of Tanner at

Six Flags with the world on his head.)