Saturday, July 29th, 2017

St. George, Utah

1st operating temple

Dedicated: 6-8 April 1877 

By: Daniel H. Wells 

(Under the direction of Brigham Young)

Rededicated: 11-12 Nov 1975

By: Spencer W. Kimball

Atonement

2 Nephi 9:7

Jesus Christ, Advocate

DC 29:5

Lift up your hearts and be glad, for I am in your midst, and am your advocate with the Father; and it is his good will to give you te kingdom.

Alma 42:1-25

*If the demands of justice cannot be erased, then how can those who have sinned (each of us) ever have peace of conscience and be restored to the presence of God?

*According to Alma 42:15, how is it possible that mercy can ever be extended to us?

*What does it mean to you to know that the Savior would willingly suffer in your place so that you can have mercy extended to you?

DC 105:27-41

27-30, Lands in Jackson and adjoining counties should be purchased; 31-34, The elders are to receive an endowment in the house of the Lord in Kirtland; 35-37, Saints who are both called and chosen will be sanctified; 38-41, The Saints are to lift an ensign of peace to the world.

In such a tumultuous world, how can we lift up an ensign of peace?

* We lift up our ensign of peace by sharing the gospel with others through our actions and our words, remembering that we are constantly an example and represent Christ at all times. Also, an Ensign for peace is sweeping the nations as we continually build temples that dot the earth. They are a beacon and lighthouse in the storms of the life. Also, the Book of Mormon is an Ensign of peace.

General Conference

How Does the Holy Ghost Help You?

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

" The Holy Ghost testifies and bears witness of the Father and the Son and of all truth. The Lord, speaking to His disciples, said, 'But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father,...he shall testify of me..'"

James and I are getting back into our routine of going to the Snowflake temple on Saturday morning and attending the 8 a.m. session. An added bonus for me was when I was in the celestial room I saw Trenda and Emery waiting to be taken in to the sealing room. I got to give Trenda a hug!

Emery looks especially tall in this photo.

Young people at the temple.

Ole people at the temple.

Not our most flattering photo.

Of course we make a stop at El Cupido's for some refreshment. I am stuck on the bacon breakfast burrito's and James likes the chicken quesadilla's. We both love the ice so we have to get medium drinks we a free refill.

I had a lazy, or should I say relaxing, day at home. Trenda's reception started at 6 p.m. at the Show Low stake center. I forgot the pants I wanted to wear needed to be washed, so I did it at the last minute. We didn't get to the reception until almost 8 p.m. What a mistake. It was packed! There was no line. Trenda was dancing with her dad and then with Emery and there was no opportunity to talk with her. I'm never going late again. I did get to talk to two others of my young women, Shelley who is getting ready to go on a mission and Mary, who just got married last week. I didn't even have any refreshments. James had a piece of Texas sheet cake.

I need to be more focused and have greater self-discipline.

Oh, by the way, it rained during the reception and most of the way home.

According to Trenda's mom these two are 

equally yoked. That means Emery must be

a really great guy!

Random Photos:

While we were in Snowflake we drove past one

of the homes James lived in. This home had white plaster

on the outside similar to the color of the chimney.

It looks like someone is trying to restore it to it's

original state.

What a cool mom! These kids love 

JesterZ's!

American Southwest history

I am obsessed with sunflowers right now.

Saturday, June 3rd, 2017

Perth, Australia

106th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 May 2001 by

Gordon B. Hinckley

Alma 10:17-32

* 1. Become angry and defensive. 2. Doubt the importance of the counsel. 3. Criticize the person who gave the counsel. 4 Question or debate the counsel. 5. Humbly listen and obey.

What are some reasons people might respond to correction in these ways?

* How did the people of Ammonihah respond to Alma and Amulek? (See Alma 9:2-3; Alma 9:4-5; Alma 10:13, 16-17; Alma 10:24; 28-30.

* Why are these responses spiritually dangerous?

DC 84:40-53

33-44, Men gain eternal life through the oath and covenant of the priesthood; 45-53, The Spirit of Christ enlightens men, and the world lies in sin;

What spirit "enlighteneth" every man/woman?

*  The Spirit of God which is given to every man/woman.  We sometimes call it our conscience.
General Conference

Certain Women

Linda K. Burton

"When her son was needed to volunteer for the Mormon Battalion, at first Drusilla resisted and wrestled in prayer with Heavenly Father until, "it was as though a voice said to her, 'Do you not want the highest glory?' She answered naturally, 'Yes,' and the voice continued, 'How do you think to gain it save by making the greatest sacrifices?'" We learn from this certain woman that covenant-keeping discipleship requires our willingness to sacrifice."

James hurt his back working outside.  He came in and took a couple of aspirin and now he is lying on the floor.  I feel so bad for him.  There is so much he wants to do around here and it is difficult when you are only one person and you are working with pain and injury.

I read an article in the Ensign this morning while I was ironing James's white shirt for tomorrow.  The title: "Face Uncertainty with Faith."  It was directed at the young adults.  I wish my grandsons would read it.  There were several suggestions: 1.) Educate your desires. 2.) Align your desires with His. 3.) Move forward with faith. 3.) Glory in the mystery. 4.) Enhance the opportunity to grow.  

Alex started a discussion on Facebook about the children of Israel being fed "rain bread" and wandering in the wilderness for forty years and how the rain bread on a daily basis was impossible. We are fasting to know how to help him and our other grandchildren who are struggling.

We started our fast after lunch which was tuna sandwiches with tomato soup.  James and I then watched a Brooke Shields Hallmark movies and mysteries series which turned out to be pretty good considering neither one of us like Brooke Shields very well.

James worked on his trailer and I worked on my blog and my Primary lesson.  When the sun went down James came in to work on his Sunday School lesson.

Jared was supposed to have his kids this weekend but the two older ones would not get in the car when he went to pick them up.  It might have something to do with the fact that Tricia and Jeremy got a boat and they promised Emmy for her birthday on Sunday that they would take the boat to the lake.  It looks like Jared, Kacey, and Molly had a good time anyway.  

Jared says that Molly adores Kacey.

I think it is pretty evident that she likes her!

Kacey's last day of school 

This was taken last weekend. James and Tanner

fishing at Canyon Lake in Texas.

Their line got snagged so they had to swim out

to untangle it.

Playing the game Speak Out.

I can't decide who looks the best.

Celebrating National Donut Day!

Summer

She is so cute!

I am amazed at how high she is!

Molly loves to climb at the park.

Oh yes!

Her hair is getting so long!

Don't do it Kacey!

Six Flags a few weeks ago.

Tanner has the world on his shoulders, or should

I say head.

Scripture study

Sunset between El Paso and San Antonio.

Trina's weekend in Colorado Springs hiking

Pikes Peak:

I am not sure they were expecting snow!

While the moms were away the kids got to go see

one of the favorite characters from Studio C.