Saturday, March 10th, 2018

Billings, Montana

66th operating temple

Dedicated: 20-21 Nov 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

2 Nephi 9:5

Yea, I know that ye know that in the body he shall show himself unto those at Jerusalem, from whence we came; for it is expedient that it should be among them; for it behooveth the great Creator that he suffereth himself to become subject unto man in the flesh, and die for all men, that all men might become subject unto him.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 28:17-32

* Why do you think it is dangerous for people to be "at ease in Zion" thinking that no improvement is needed?

*What can we do to make sure we are building upon the Rock and are receiving with gladness?

Talk: "Upon This Rock"

By: Bruce R. McConkie, April 1981

Old Testament

Numbers 22-23

22 Balak offers money, cattle, and great honors to Balaam to curse Israel - The Lord forbids Balaam to do so - An angel opposes Balaam on the way.

23 The Lord commands Balaam to bless Israel - He does so, saying, Who can count the dust of Jacob? and, What hath God wrought!

Old Testament Favorite Scriptures

Exodus 20:15

Thou shalt not steal.

General Conference

Spiritual Eclipse

Gary E. Stevenson

" Eyewear designed to protect the sight of those in the zone of a total solar eclipse can prevent permanent damage and even blindness. Gospel glasses comprised of a knowledge and testimony of gospel principles and ordinances provide a gospel perspective that can similarly provide greater spiritual protection and clarity for someone exposed to the hazards of a spiritual eclipse. If you discover anything that seems to be blocking the light and joy of the gospel in your life, I invite you to place it in a gospel perspective. Look through a gospel lens and be vigilant not to allow insignificant and inconsequential matters in life to obscure your eternal view of the great plan of happiness. In short, don't let life's distractions eclipse heaven's light."

Happy Birthday Tanner!

"As we demonstrate our faith in Christ's delivering power, even to the point of getting our feet wet, the Lord will part the waters and bring about our redemption."

"The lid of the ark of the covenant was also called the mercy seat or seat of atonement. There was no more poignant symbol of Christ and His delivering power than the ark of the covenant."

(March 2018 Ensign, p. 50-51).

James and I arrived at the temple before 6:30 much to James's delight. We brought three dozen rolls along with butter and strawberry jam. 

President and Sister Palmer were our trainers today. We watched a video about patron names or temple family shared names. If a person comes in with only one name to do for initiatory they will no longer be able to also do the names the temple has. I am not sure why but that is the new rule. Temple names are now called family shared names.

My first assignment was in initiatory, clothing. Sister Shelton was our first patron. Soon a few more came. The assignment only last for 30 minutes and then I moved on to the locker room, which was very uneventful. Next I had a break along with Sister Elmer, Sister Humphrey, and Sister Gentry. 

Sister Gentry and I were the followers for the 9:30 session. I got to know her and I really like her. She lives in Show Low but used to be in the Pinetop-Lakeside stake. She was the stake Relief Society President and Sister Skousen from our ward was her counselor. They are very good friends.  There were 26 sisters in our session and 16 brothers. We found a name that had fallen on the floor from another session which made everyone happy. We had one sister with her apron on wrong side out, and one sister with her veil on wrong side out. We have been told not to embarrass people but let things go if they are not caught in a timely fashion.

James was a follower in the 11:00 session and offered the prayer. In his prayer he prayed for rain.

While I was a greeter downstairs there was a very noisy wedding party waiting for the bride and groom to come out. They were in the foyer and Sister Elmer went out to remind them that they were still in the temple. Soon they went outside and when the bride and groom came out the crowd let out a loud cheer. Sister Palmer, the temple matron said she could here it in her office upstairs.

I saw three people from high school, Kathy H., Kerry B., and Barry F. Barry is the one who pulled my car out of the mud at a party at Daggs Reservoir now known as White Mountain Lake.

It was raining when we walked to our car. James's prayer was answered.

We stopped at Walmart and Sonic. The green chili cheeseburger I got at Sonic was too hot and I didn't really enjoy it. 

I got up at 3:30 this morning so I had a long nap, but I got in my 10,000 steps. I worked on my Primary lesson this evening, "Abraham and Lot."

Looks delicious!

I ask James what this animal was,

thinking he wouldn't know, but 

of course he did. It's a Dik Dik.

 Ollie got a haircut.

He looks like he's ready to jump.

Impressive!

Tasha labeled this picture, The Crew.

The Jones's baby boy Leo who was born Friday must have

open heart surgery this coming Tuesday.

One of his valves is too small to pump 

blood to his body.  Annie, his mom,

was my visiting teacher when she lived

in Arizona.  She and her family just

moved to Indiana where her husband

will go to graduate school.

Saturday, May 27th, 2017

Oquirrh Mountain, Utah

130th operating temple

Dedicated: 21-23 August 2009 by

Thomas S. Monson

Alma 7:1-13

*What are some future events that you are excited about?

*According to Alma, what was the "one thing which was of more importance" than anything else that was to come?  Why do you think the coming of the Savior is the most important event of all time?

*Why do you think Alma would tell a people who already believed and had strong faith that they needed to repent?

*Elder Bruce C. Hafen: "The Atonement is not just for sinners."

*Based on what we have read in Alma 7:11-13, what do you think Elder Hafen meant when he said that "the Atonement is not just for sinners?"

*Jesus Christ suffered to save us from sin and death and to help us through the challenges of mortality.

*What will you do to rely on the Atonement as you face challenges?

Moroni 8

The baptism of little children is an evil abomination; Little children are alive in Christ because of the Atonement; Faith, repentance, meekness and lowliness of heart receiving the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end lead to salvation. A.D. 401-21.

DC 81:1-7

1-2, The keys of the kingdom are always held by the First Presidency; 3-7, If Frederick G. Williams is faithful in his ministry, he will have eternal life.

What have we been promised if we remain faithful unto the end?

* Eternal life in the mansions of the Father.

General Conference

The Jesus Beholding Him Loved Him

Elder S. Mark Palmer

"In that moment, I knew it was not just the hearts of some of our missionaries that needed changing.  It was my heart as well.  The question no longer was 'How does a frustrated mission president get a struggling missionary to behave better?' Instead, the question was 'How can I be filled with Christlike love so a missionary can feel the love of God through me and desire to change?' How can I behold him or her in the same way the Lord beheld the rich young man, seeing them for who they really are and who they can become, rather than just for what they are doing or not doing? How can I be more like the Savior?"

We were without water for awhile this morning.  James forgot to turn the well back on and the 3,000 gallon tank emptied because he had been irrigating the lawn.  It didn't take long to get back to normal.  Although I think maybe we had Kim and Brian a little worried.

Brian made a delicious breakfast this morning; gluten-free pancakes and bacon.  James was gone to visit our new friends the Elkins but when he returned he had some bacon and eggs.  The Elkins bought 244 acres below us.  He visited with them about pouring a concrete pad and a metal building.  They are getting ready to dig a huge pond.  I think they are going to be good neighbors.  They told James he could borrow their backhoe any time he needed to and they even showed him where they hide their key.

James and I made another trip to town today.  We stopped at Cal-Ranch, Sonic, Walmart, Harbor Freight, and Book Barn.  James got some electric fence supplies.  A boy in my Primary class who never comes had a birthday yesterday.  I had his name put on a triple combination.  I also got a gift bag, and card and some fun little things to put in with the scriptures, including my fidget spinner.  My plan is to take one of the kids from my class with me tomorrow after the block to deliver the gift to Lej's house.

Kim and Brian left to go on a Razr ride around 6pm.  At 7:43pm I got this text from Kim.  "We were almost back to the cabin but the road is closed.  we have to go all the way back to Christmas tree trail and go backwards.  We won't be back for like 45 minutes."

Me: "Dad said to go through it.  If you are coming out it is ok."

Kim: "We can't. There are ambulances.  They wouldn't let us through. We are about a mile from home and this is closed too.  They are air vac-ing someone out."

Me: "Maybe when they are finished they will let you through.  Did you teel them you live right down the road?"

By this time they had returned.

You can't really see how much dirt was on their faces.

I teased them and told them we had not water again.

You should have seen Kim's face, and Brian's too!

Dirt you can see.  This was Trina last summer after a

ride with her kids.

I was not feeling well this evening. James cooked some pork chops for dinner and then I made my way to the bedroom.  I took some Nyquil and went to bed.  Hopefully I can get up early and finish preparing my Primary lesson.

Kim's "Puzzle of the Day."

A jolly sea lion.

Lightning across the water.

Molly loves babies.

Can you tell by the smile on her face?

Kacey and her beautiful children:

Summer, Autumn, and Tanner.

Some of my favorite people helping Denise celebrate her

birthday last year: Dennis, Denise, Monte, Tasha,

Harold and Vickie.

Thursday, March 9, 2017

Chicago, Illinois

35th operating temple

2 Nephi 28:1-16

Many false churches built up in last days-They will teach false, vain and foolish doctrine-Apostasy shall abound because of false teachers-The devil shall rage in the hearts of men-He shall teach all manner of false doctrines.

Alma 24-25

24-The Lamanites come against the people of God-The Anti-Nephi-Lehies rejoice in Christ and are visited by angels-They choose to suffer death rather than to defend themselves-More Lamanites are converted.

25-Lamanite aggressions spread-The seed of the priests of Noah perish as Abinadi prophesied-Many Lamanites are converted and join the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi, they believe in Christ and keep the law of Moses.

DC 40-41:12
40-Fear of persecution and cares of the world cause rejection of the gospel.
41-The elders shall govern the Church by the spirit of revelation-True disciples will receive and keep the Lord's law-Edward Partridge is named as a bishop unto the Church.
How can we remain true disciples of Christ and not be moved by the cares of the world?

General Conference

A Witness of God

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"Please don''t see your efforts to share the love of the Savior with another as a pass//fail test with your grade determined by how positively your friends respond to your feelings of invitation to meet the missionaries.  With our mortal eyes we cannot judge the effect of our efforts, nor can we establish the timetable.  When you share the love of the Savior with another, your grade is always an A+.  Pray, like Alma, for opportunities 'to stand as a witness of God at all times, and in all things and all places.' "Mosiah 18:9.

James and I made a trip to Springerville today.  One of the sisters he is assigned to home teach runs a quilt shop in Springerville and James thought we would go over and meet her since going to her house isn't advisable because of a mean dog and a husband who doesn't like the Church.  We looked in the entire strip mall where the shop was supposed to be and it was not there.  James went in a store and ask someone about it and the woman he talked to said it closed down a few weeks ago.  So the trip wasn't a total loss we had lunch at Booga Red's.  I had a beef taco and a chicken taco.  The beef taco was good but the chicken taco, not so much.  James had a beef, green chili, swiss sandwich with aujus which was very good.  

I went home and took a nap and then made a trip into Walmart by myself.  I didn't get home until almost six and it took forever to unload and put away.  We had Lean Cuisine for dinner.  

After dinner I blogged while James worked on his lesson.  We were in bed by ten.  We are going to the temple in the morning because the Trezise's will be here on Saturday.

Fun Photos

Part of the Maxwell clan

So many things I love about this photo.

The yellow flowers, the best side of the cabin,

and the person I love the most in the world.

Michael showing off his braces.

Route 66.

Rowan's baptism.