Wednesday, April 29th, 2020

Taipei, Taiwan

31st operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Nov 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Judge

Matthew 25:32

And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Mosiah 8; Sunday Journal - What were the 24 plates found by Limhi's people? Mosiah 8:5-12; Book of Mormon Study Guide

April General Conference

"Sharing the Message of the Restoration and the Resurrection"

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"The Restoration belongs to the world, and its message is especially urgent today. When you share the Book of Mormon, you share the Restoration."

"The Blessing of Continuing Revelation to Prophets and Personal Revelation"

Elder Quentin L. Cook

April 2020

I called James this morning before I went out to feed Luna to make sure I was feeding her the right amounts. He said oats was a treat and only give her a little if any at all. Of course I gave her oats, that's her favorite! When I went out at noon to feed her she whinnied and started pawing the ground, first with her left foot and then with her right. James said he has never seen her use both feet before. I gave her an apple and was going to give her a second until I saw one on the ground in her corral. She does not like apples as well as she likes carrots.

When I called James I asked where he was. He said he was at the jobsite laying out the houses for the framers. He said after 8 o'clock it is pretty unbearable to work so he went at six.

I finally finished chapter 13 of Church History in the Fulness of Times. The last part was the best, the building and dedication of the Kirtland temple. The men would work all day in the temple and then stay at night to guard it. 

The work on the temple was not without difficulty. Mobs threatened to destroy the temple, and those who worked on it by day guarded it at night. Night after night for weeks, Heber C. Kimball said, we "were not permitted to take off our clothes, and were obliged to lay with our fire locks in our arms."

Heber C. Kimball: "Our wives were all the time knitting, spinning and sewing ..; they were just as busy as any of us."

The sisters also made the carpets and draperies for the temple and broke up their china to put in the outside plaster walls so the temple would glisten.

Because they were so willing to sacrifice in building the temple, the Lord poured out great blessings upon them. From 21 January to 1 May 1836 probably more Latter-day Saints beheld visions and witnessed other unusual spiritual manifestations than during any other era in the history of the Church. 

There was so much of grief and persecution during this period of Church history that it was so wonderful to read about the dedication of the Kirtland temple and all the blessings that attended it.

As temple workers James and I both received a letter from the Snowflake temple president, President Palmer. 

Here are my book stats for the day: My account balance is $415.68. I don't know when it has ever been that high. They will be sending me the balance on Friday. In 7 days I have sold 21 books and done $584.66 in sales. I still have over a dozen book sales which are pending and I don't believe these numbers reflect that. I now have over 518 listings of which 158 are active.

I watched some "Lark Rise to Candleford" today and would like to share a couple of quotes.

Robert to Queenie, whose real name is Victoria. Queenie has run away from home and is camping at the creek until her husband  Twister decides to grow up. She enjoys being alone and getting to know herself.

"Queenie, believe me, you can only listen to your own voice for so long before it loses its fascination. Twister is pining for you."

Laura reading from her journal:

"My ma (pronounced mar) says that of all the bonds that exist between people, perhaps the sweetest is the bond of friendship. For it is not born out of duty or blood ties, but out of sheer delight in another."

Dorcas Lane who is known for her wisdom and advice. I guess we could call her the advice diva but really, her advice is the best:

"I hope I do not pry, but I fear you are in distress."

James arrived home somewhere around 5 pm. He went in to take a nap and then got up and went for a ride on Luna. When he returned he had something to eat, took a shower, and then we watched the latest installment of "Matchmaker Mysteries."

Victor Webster and Danica McKellar

I spent an hour or so studying "Come Follow Me" and Inklings. I also ran off the talks Kim asked us to study this week. 

It was a beautiful day here in Vernon with the high somewhere in the lower 80's.

Trina's remodel

Ross Perot and Cowboy Joe

 Yes, she is the real thing!

Trina's fieldtrip to wet Beaver Creek

on Bell Trail

This looks like so much fun!

 Chicks in a row by Huntleigh

Tuesday, June 26th, 2018

Provo, Utah

15th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Feb 1972

By: Joseph Fielding Smith

Jesus Christ, Condescension of

3 Nephi 1:13

Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfill all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.

Book of Mormon

Alma 22:15-26

*What was Lamoni's father willing to give up to know God? (vs. 15-18). How might such willingness help us draw nearer to God? (see Omni 1:26).

-In Alma 22:18 Lamoni's father says: "I will give away all my sins to know thee." Like Lamoni's father, we must be willing to sacrifice all things to be born of God. In the Lectures on Faith we learn the importance of sacrifice in our eternal progression: "Let us here observe, that a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation; for, from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things. It was through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men do actually know that they are doing the things that are well pleasing in the sight of God. When a man has offered in sacrifice all that he has for the truth's sake, not even withholding his life, and believing before God that he has been called to make this sacrifice because he seeks to do His will, he does know, most assuredly, that God does and will accept his sacrifice and offering, and that he has not, nor will not seek His face in vain. Under these circumstances, then, he can obtain the faith necessary for him to lay hold on eternal life."  To take His name upon us means a willingness to do whatever He requires of us.

Old Testament

1 Chronicles 13-14

13 David fetches the ark from Kirjath-jearim - Uzza is slain by the Lord when he steadies the ark - The house of Obed-edom prospers because they care for the ark.

14 David marries wives, begets children, and defeats the Philistines; his fame spread to all nations.

General Conference

Ministering as the Savior Does

Jean B. Bingham

"Combining Relief Society efforts with the now-restrucured elders quorum will bring a unity that can yield astonishing results. Ministering becomes one coordiated effort to fulfill the priesthood duty to 'visit the house of each member' and to 'watch over the church always, and be with and strengthen them,' as well as to achieve the Relief Society ppurpose to help on another prepare for the blessings of eternal life. Working together under the direction of the bishop, elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies can be inspired as they seek the best ways to watch over and care for each individual and family."

New Era:

"The Final Sprint," "How to Teach from Life," What, Why, and How: A Breakdown of the Restoration."

After prayer James left to go do a job spreading cinders and gravel, about 220 tons. He came home with $250. He gave me $190 to add to my personal budget. Thanks honey!

I did my errands early today because I had planned on going with James to the stake center this evening to get his new temple recommend signed by a member of the stake presidency. 

My first stop in Show Low was at the printers where I left my Savior bookmark to make copies for Laura and Cathi. It is very warm today. My thermostat in my car says 97!

Next stop, J.C. Penney's for some new tops for church. One of my former young women, Jordyn works there and gave me a hug. She is also my friend Tamara's daughter. I found 2 petite large and one extra large blouse. I bought all 3 and will wear the extra large this Sunday and save the other 2 for when I lose more weight.

Dollar Tree is just down from Penney's so I stopped in to get some trays and baskets to put cookies and muffins in when I give them away. Also bought some cute patriotic napkins.

Finally I get to Walmart. It is crazy busy today. It looks like everyone from Whiteriver is here. I bought my weekly groceries and some pork chops, rolls, potatoes, broccoli, salad stuff, and ice cream to fix for the missionaries on Saturday evening. 

Sunday I asked Elder Bernecker what he wanted for dinner Saturday and he said pork chops, so pork chops it is. We also have the Wood's coming too. Chuck W. is a non-member.

I got home around 4 p.m. and it took awhile to put all of my purchases away. I bought Jared Ammon a gift card for his birthday on July 8th but Stacy doesn't know how to get it to him. She suggested that I contact Dallin.

Stacy wants to bring Joshua and Rowan up next week. Addy is gone to Wisconsin with her cousins, Kilee and Kayla. Lexy's parents live on an island in Wisconsin and they are going to visit them.

I made both James and I a green smoothie for dinner and sat down to watch "Summer Villa," one of my favorite Hallmark movies starring Hilary Burton, and Victor Webster.

James came in and got ready to go get his temple recommend and I had planned to go with him but I began having stomach pains. 

I wonder if its from the green smoothie or maybe the pint of Halo I ate on the way home from Show Low.

James went to the stake center by himself. He was gone for a couple of hours and said President Wright of the new stake presidency signed his new recommend. My recommend doesn't expire until February of 2020.

I felt better after awhile and was able to finish my steps, my blog, and take a shower and wash my hair. When James gets home I read from "Riders on the Orphan Train." Over 110,000 children were shipped west on these trains. Trina sent me a link of a guy who has worked at the Mexican border and the tragedies he has seen happen, especially to young children. These kinds of stories increase my desire for the Second Coming to come soon.

This morning I woke up with this question on my mind: Who is Artie Elizabeth Walker Rutledge's mother. Artie is my Nannie's mother. I looked it up and now remember, her name is Amanda Sophrina Epley. I began looking at her children and she has one daughter whose work has not been done because she has no first name and whoever put her in family search put to commas before her last name. I need to clear this up and do some research so her work can be done.

Braylin is feeling better after surgery on his arm.

I am waiting to hear if he can now feed himself.

Cali Fire

Wednesday, May 16th, 2018

Cebu City, Philippines

133rd operating temple

Dedicated: 13 June 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, birth of

Galatians 4:4

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

Book of Mormon

Alma 1:1-14

*Nehor used flattery and false doctrine to attract followers and attack the church of God. His teachings were popular because they excused sin in the name of religion. He encouraged wickedness, rationalizing that in the end all men should have eternal life regardless of their personal behavior. Elder L. Tom Perry:

"Nehor's words appealed to the people, but his doctrine, while popular to many, was incorrect. As we face the many decisions in life, the easy and popular messages of the world will not usually be the right ones to choose, and it will take much courage to choose the right."

Verse 16 states that priestcraft was 'preaching false doctrines...for the sake of riches and honor.' Do we have people doing this today?

*The record states that Gideon "was an instrument in the hands of God" (Alma 1:8). When confronted by Nehor's false teachings, Gideon admonished Nehor "with the words of God (Alma 1:7). As a result, Gideon was slain for defending the faith. 

How do you defend your faith?

Old Testament

2 Samuel 5-6

5 All Israel anoints David king - He takes Jerusalem and is blessed of the Lord - He conquers the Philistines.

6 David takes the ark to the city of David - Uzzah is smitten for steadying the ark and dies - David dances before the Lord, causing a breach between him and Michal.

General Conference

The Powers of the Priesthood

President Dallin H. Oaks

"The Melchizedek Priesthood is not a status or a label. It is a divine power held in trust to use for the benefit of God's work for his children. We should always remember that men who hold the priesthood are not 'the priesthood.' It is not appropriate to refer to 'the priesthood and the women.' We should refer to 'the holders of the priesthood and the women.'"

Rescuing Wayward Children, 59: 

We must teach our children that God's commandments 

are patterns for safe and happy living.

Worth the Wrestle, 14:

"The Lord wants us to ask every probing question we can muster because not asking questions can be far more dangerous than asking them. Alma taught that those who harden their hearts receive less and less until they 'know nothing...; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led...down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell; (Alma 12:11).

In other words, refusing to seek after truth makes you stupid. On the other hand, inspired questions asked in faith lead to truth - and 'light and truth forsake that evil one' (DC 93:37)."

-Sheri Dew

Dale G. Renlund, The Melchizedek Priesthood:

Chapter 13, Prinicple #5

A Priesthood Holder's Identity Becomes Christlike

Truman G. Madsen, The Prophet Joseph Smith

Lecture 5

Joseph and the Kirtland Temple

After my study time this morning I started dinner for the Scott's. 

I put out two dozen rolls to rise and made a stew and put it in the crockpot. Later on I made an Olive Garden salad.

My day is pretty predictable. I walked, rested, blogged, budgeted and took a whirpool bath. Before leaving for the Scott's a little after 5 I made a salad and a green smoothie for me to eat on the way to my delivery. 

Sister Hunter was at the Scott's visiting when I arrived. Brother Scott helped me carry the food in and he took the food out of my containers and put it in some of their's. He even completely washed the crockpot for me. They seemed very appreciative and Sister Scott said that I outdid myself. After saying goodbye I hurried down to the church for a meeting with Sister Applegate and Brother Reidhead to finalize our plans for the ward activity we are in charge of on June 23rd. Kerri is in the valley. She has a doctor's appointment and then she will be picking up the Burton's things in storage and bringing them back up here. Laurann is having some tests done because she has been having chest pains. We prayed for both of them.

My major assignment is to be in charge of the displays, Brother Reidhead is working with the missionaries and the family history consultants with the family history demonstration, Tamara is in charge of the food, and Kerri the children's activities.

It was a good meeting and Brother Reidhead went home to watch sick kids so his wife could come to Mutual.

Afterwards Tamara and I stayed for a presidency meeting. We planned the lessons for June and talked about ministering companionships for the young women. I need to ask Sister Thompson if she will teach Relief Society on June 10th. The lesson will be based on Elder Renlund's conference talk, "Temple and Family History Work - Healing and Sealing."

I came home, took a shower so I could wash my hair, did some reading, talked to James on the phone, and went to bed.

James sent me this photo. Out with the old,

in with the new. Golf cart path that is.

Congratulations Cash for making it into

National Junior Honor Society!

These guys look like they could be

from Vernon.

"Dancing with the Stars"

I'm watching the Athletes season right now.

Salt and Pepper or

Blackie and Whitie,

my Grandpa Strickland, who we called Grandpa Al,  

would have called the white one

Pepper and the black one Salt.

That's what he did with his own cats.

Jeffrey at Disneyland when he was four.

Such a cutie!

The beautiful Gilbert temple