OUR FAMILY: Kyra's birthday

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Monday, October 23rd, 2017

San Jose, Costa Rica

87th operating temple

Dedicated: 4 June 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Postmortal

Luke 24:34

Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 11:18-41

*What does the Savior teach about baptism and contention? What do modern prophets say?

-There appears to have been some contention among the Nephites concerning the manner of baptism. The Lord clarified how the ordinance should be performed. President Boyd K. Packer explained the significance of baptism and cautioned that we should not alter this sacred ordinance: "Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins is the first ordinance. Baptism must be by immersion, for it is symbolic of both the coming forth from temporal death, from the grave, and the cleansing required for redemption from spiritual death. ...Under the plan, baptism is not just for entrance into the Church of Jesus Christ. It begins a spiritual rebirth that may eventually lead back into the presence of God. If we really understood what baptism signifies, we could never consider it trivial nor alter the form of this sacred ordinance. ...Through the sacrament we renew the covenant" (Our Fathers Plan, 39-40).

President Henry B. Eyring helps us understand that the Spirit of God will not lead people into contention: "Where people have that Spirit with them, we may expect harmony. The Spirit puts the testimony of truth in our hearts, which unifies those who share that testimony. The Spirit of God never generates contention (see 3 Nephi 11:29). It never generates the feelings of distinctions between people which lead to strife. It leads to personal peace and a feeling of union with others.(Ensign, May 1998, 67).

Doctrine Covenants Scripture Mastery

DC 130:20-21

20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated -

21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

General Conference

The Trek Continues

Elder M. Russell Ballard

"By 1869, more than 70,000 Saints had made the trek to the Salt Lake Valley. Despite t heir many differences in language, culture, and nationality they shared a testimony of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and a desire to build Zion - a place of peace, happiness, and beauty in preparation for the Second Coming of the Savior."

God's Compelling Witness: The Book of Mormon

Tad R. Callister

"The Book of Mormon is not only the keystone of our religion, but it can also become the keystone of our testimonies so that when trials or unanswered questions confront us, it can hold our testimonies securely in place. This boo is the one weight on the scales of truth that exceeds the combined weight of all the critics arguments. Why Because if it is true, then Joseph Smith was a prophet and this is the restored Church of Jesus Christ, regardless of any historical or other arguments to the contrary. For this reason, the critics are intent on disproving the Book of Mormon, but the obstacles they face are insurmountable because the book is true."

I had a lunch date with Hailey, one of the sisters I visit teach today at 11 at Licano's. She texted me around 6:15 and said she couldn't make it. I ended up meeting her at the Dollar General parking lot around 8:40. I had to hurry to get the cake made and Taylor's candy bouquet put together. Hailey says they will probably be moving this week. I am going to miss this family.

Taylor's bouquet

I made Hailey a chocolate bundt cake. It looked like a huge chocolate donut. She loved it and asked for the recipe.

I was so tired after meeting with Hailey I came home and took a short nap. Afterwards I made lunch for James who is pouring the next batch of concrete for the new patio. I made chicken breasts coated in Ritz cracker crumbs. It was quite tasty. I got the recipe from the Mormon Cookbook I have. I also made Rice-a-roni and green beans.

I got a visit from my visiting teacher Kaeli and her daughter Natalie. They gave me this:

Natalie told me there was candy inside, so I gave her

a sucker.

Shelly, who leaves for her mission in less than a month called me today. We are going to the temple together on Friday. She got her own endowments last Friday and wants to go as many times as she can before she leaves on November 15th.

Another one of my young women, Alice, who just turned 16 went down to Hatch and bought herself a car and paid cash for it. It is a 2012 Chrysler 200. Now that is impressive!

BTW: Alice is Trenda's younger sister.

Definitely over-achievers.

James working on the patio:

Such a hard worker!

He's a one man show!

Mixing it by hand.

I did not get much accomplished today. I'm not sure if it's because I didn't get a good night's sleep or because I am not getting enough thyroid. Still no Naturethroid. I am still on the Levothyroxin.

For F.H.E. we worked on our journals and listened to Brother Callister's talk on the Book of Mormon.

Today was Kyra Lambson's birthday. Her kids, etc. wrote notes to her in heaven and sent them up via helium balloons.

James went home teaching to the Peeler's with his partner Brother Westbrook today. The Westbrook's leave tomorrow for Idaho. Their daughter Sadie lives there and is expecting her first baby any day now. They will be gone for two weeks.

DWTS - Let's go to the movies. Lindsey and Mark danced an Argentine tango to a sci-fi theme. Mark is the perfect mad scientist. It was the best!