Monday, November 13th, 2017

Snowflake, Arizona

108th operating temple

Dedicated: 3 Mar 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Ascension of

Alma 40:20

Now, my son, I do not say that their resurrection cometh at the resurrection of Christ; but behold, I give it as my opinion, that the souls and the bodies are reunited, of the righteous, at the resurrection of Christ, and his ascension into heaven.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 28:1-24

*Does anyone have any questions about these verses?

James and I had a discussion about the difference between transfigured and translated beings and there was some confusion so I looked up the definitions in the Guide to the Scriptures on my Gospel Library app. 

"Translated": Persons who are changed so they don't experience pain or death until their resurrection to immortality. This was the state the 3 Nephites were and are in now.

"Transfigured": Temporarily changed in appearance and nature. Lifted to a higher spiritual level so that they can endure the presence and glory of heavenly beings. This is the state of Joseph Smith when he saw the First Vision. For more examples of both of these states, see the Topical Guide in your scriptures or Guide to the Scriptures on the Gospel Library app.

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 6:20

Behold, thou art Oliver, and I have spoken unto thee because of thy desires; therefore treasure up these words in thy heart. Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love.

General Conference

The Heart of the Widow

Elder O. Vincent Haleck

"They chose to be baptized. This was not a choice without personal cost. Their decision and baptism carried with them a high price. They lost employment, they sacrificed social standing, important friendships dissolved, and the support, love, and respect of family were withdrawn. They now walked to church each Sunday, exchanging awkward glances with friends and neighbors who were walking in the opposite direction. This good brother was asked how he felt about their decision to join the Church. His simple reply was, 'It is true, isn't it? Our choice was clear.'"

James asked me to read from "Once an Heiress" before I went to town this morning to have blood drawn for my thyroid check. 

I went to Sonoran Lab where Armando was smooth with a large needle. I didn't feel a thing. Next stop was Aliberto's for my two tacos. I ate them there and watched TV. After lunch I went to Walmart to pick up two prescriptions and to pick up a few groceries. My few groceries ended up costing over $180.  It's ridiculous that a bell pepper costs $1.28. Everything is so high!

It was smoky again on the way home. Will we ever have a day without smoke?
When I returned home and got everything put away I started working on my blog and getting my steps in. James worked outside on the patio.

Cutting bricks for the edge around the patio

 Of course while blogging and stepping I watched Christmas movies: "Baby's First Christmas," "'Tis the Season for Love," and this evening with James the new movie, "Engaging Father Christmas," starring Erin Krakow.

We also watched the season 2 finale of Heartland where Caleb is hurt riding a bronco in a rodeo and the family at Heartland watches is happen on television.

Chuck came over today and left a copy of the letter he wrote to the school board regarding the outrageous rising school taxes. He and James will both be going to the schoolboard meeting tomorrow night.

For FHE we listened to President Nelson's "The Book of Mormon: What Would our Life Be Like Without It?"

James got a call from Brother Curtis, the high priest group leader, regarding the Carroll family in the ward. It seems Brother Carroll was arrested this evening and the family is being evicted from their home. Brother Curtis is rounding up the priesthood to help move the family tomorrow morning. James is taking his truck and trailer.
This is so sad. The Carroll's still have four small children at home.

DWTS Semifinalists

Lindsey and Mark

Jordan and Lindsay

Frankie and Witney

Emma and Drew

Val and Victoria

I was disappointed that Victoria went home, it should have been Drew. I love what Tom Bergeron said to her. "You have been such an inspiration to so many people which is so much more important than any mirror ball trophy." She has been an inspiration when you think that a year ago her legs were paralyzed. The doctor's said she would never walk again.

Darn, I missed it!

Fall in Arizona

Kim and Brian's tree

I took this photo and sent it to a friend who

wanted to know about the plates.

Desert sunset

Ocean sunset

Sunday, October 22nd, 2017

Montreal, Quebec

86th operating temple

Dedicated: 4 June 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Appearances, Postmortal

Luke 24:15

And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 11:1-17

*How was the voice the Nephites heard similar to the proptings we receive from the Holy Ghost? (The Holy Ghost often speaks to us through our feelings.)

*Why is it important to pay attention to the inspiration we receive from the Lord through the Holy Ghost?

-President Boyd K. Packer: "The Spirit does not get our attention by shouting. It never shakes us with a heavy hand. The Spirit whispers. It caresses so gently, indeed, that if we are preoccupied, we can't feel it at all. Occasionally, the Spirit will press just firmly enough for us to pay attention; but from my experience, most of the time, if we do not heed the gentle feeling, if we do not listen to those feelings, the Spirit will withdraw and wait until we come seeking and listening, in our manner and our expression" ("How Does the Spirit Speak to Us," New Era, Feb. 2010, 3).

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.

Relief Society Scripture

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 the kingdom.

Why can I rejoice in the Savior as my advocate

General Conference

Fear Not to Do Good

President Henry B. Eyring

"Last April, President Monson gave a message that stirred hearts across the world, including mine. He spoke of the power of the Book of Mormon. He urged us to study, ponder, and apply its teachings. He promised that if we dedicated time each day to studying and pondering and kept the commandments the Book of Mormon contains, we would have a vital testimony of its truth, and the resultant testimony of the living Christ would see us through to safety in times of trouble. Those of us who took his inspired counsel to heart have heard the Spirit more distinctly. We have found a greater power to resist temptation and have felt greater faith in a resurrected Jesus Christ, in His gospel, and in His living Church.

Another amazing session of stake conference. The choir sounded beautiful. There were five members of our ward who sang in the choir. 

President Bealer was the first speaker. He thanked everyone for the prayers offered in behalf of his wife. I assume she has some type of cancer, but he didn't really say. He said that their burdens have been made light through the Atonement and the angels in the White Mountain stake. Jesus Christ should be our great visual, mental-image. We need to learn of Him and His saving truths found in the Book of Mormon. Just as the children of Israel were provided sustenance everyday, we need to feed our spirits on a daily basis. "Feast on that which perisheth not." We need to come to an understanding of Christ's mission through reading the Book of Mormon. There are precious veins deposited throughout the Book of Mormon of repentance, grace, mercy, justice, and agency. It is amazing to me how we can so easily access precious ancient records through the Gospel app on our phones. Power flows into our lives as we study the Book of Mormon. "I have read the Book of Mormon everyday for 30 years. Nothing has impacted my life more." God will speak to you in your trials. 

In the temple President Bealer was reading from the Book of Mormon while waiting for his wife. He felt a strong impression that there would be tough days ahead. Soon after than experience his wife received her diagnosis. "We learn more and become more through each reading of the Book of Mormon. I promise as you read you will have a great understanding of your purpose, you will have great strength, and a greater relationship with Jesus Christ."

President David and Dianne Scott  - Served a mission to the Philippines together. Lives are changed when we smile. Dianne - "I have not heard a better choir." Boyd K. Packer story about a family interested in joining the Church until they heard about the law of tithing and decided it was just too much to ask. Pearl of Great Price. Others are attracted by our high standards. This family ended up joining the Church and being faithful. Our covenants and temple ordinances teach us how to act and deal with the challenges of life. As we honor our covenants our faith will be strengthened. Let the Holy Ghost be our guide.

President Scott - Bear witness of Jesus Christ and his house, the temple. I bear witness that this is the only true Church upon the face of the earth. This is the plan of Happiness. New genealogical site, woodenvillage.org. "The Lord is aware of each of us as we keep our covenants."

Randy Myer - new convert. Baptized March 25, 2017. "I made it home. We have the real deal. Learn how to approach God with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. James 1:5 - I asked, and I received. I am reading the Book of Mormon for the third time. It has changed my life. I will stay on the path, holding to the iron rod until I reach the Tree of Life. The Atonement reconciles us to God. Repent, be baptized and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. The missionaries saved my life and brought me eternal life. Invite someone to Church."

Becky Adams - Bringing young children to the Lord and why it is important. "Children are an heritage of the Lord. The first five years of a child's life are critical." Remembers her dad's testimony and how she felt when she was very young. President Boyd K. Packer says that our children are being raised in enemy territory. They need to have a rock solid testimony of the Savior. One thing is needful for our children to know... that our Savior lives!

Christy Miles

Our sufferings polish us. Give me this mountain, give me these challenges. Things we can do to learn to trust in the Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6). 1.) Personal Prayer. 2.) Temple - go to the temple, be temple minded, find strength and refuge. Our ways and thoughts become His.  3.) Book of Mormon - everyday, an anchor in my life. The testimony of others will carry you only so far.

President Shumway  - Knowledge empowers progression unto salvation.  Learning and acting to become like God. Everything we do is bringing us closer or further away from God. Understanding = motivation. The power is in us to choose good or evil. The Lord does not always tell us what the right answer is. We make the best decision and consecrate it unto the Lord. Knowledge is a gift of the Spirit. Triple S's:

1.) Scriptures - We come to now God. Study, faith, learning, acting. The Book of Mormon as a course of instruction. 

2.) Snowflake temple - Instructions from the Lord. Searching for family names. Thanksgiving.

3.) Sabbath/Sacrament - Bread of Life. Men bring upon themselves their own condemnation. Heed direction and we will be saved and redeemed. Obedience always brings blessings. Knowledge is key to progression. Gaining knowledge of Him accelerates our progression in every endeavor. Learn of Christ.

One of the best stake conferences I can remember attending.

After conference was over we had an appointment with Brother Greer and Brother Hall of the high council. James has a new calling. He was called to be a counselor to Brother Curtis who is the new high priest group leader in our ward. Sean H. is the other counselor. Two spiritual giants.

We came home and after lunch and resting I blogged and indexed. James did some indexing too. 

Molly had a great time at Kacey and Jared's this weekend. She had so much fun she didn't want to go home.

She made a picture for her teacher Mrs. Ellison.

 Not sure if they are painting rocks or cookies.

It was Molly's idea to put the candle in the middle

of the painted rocks for the "Halloween" effect.

Nice Jared!

Darrel and Trina made it home from their trip back East. It sounds like they had a great time.

Looking for witches in Salem.

More photos of the Saturday hike at Oak Creek Canyon.

Rachel, Sheri and her babies.

Blue Ridge homecoming. Lane H. (our ward)

and his date.

James and I watched the newest Hallmark movie, "Harvest Wedding," starring two of our favorite Hallmark stars, Jill Wagner and Victor Webster.

We are beginning to smell smoke again. Not good! Otherwise it was a great Sabbath day!