Saturday, May 20th, 2017

Nauvoo, Illinois

113th operating temple

Dedicated: 27-30 June 2002 by

Gordon B. Hinckley

Alma 3:1-19

* Whom did the Amlicites want to be "distinguished from"?

* How might some people today distinguish themselves from the righteous through their outward appearance?

* What phrase in Alma 3:18 describes the Amlicites' actions and attitude toward God?

* Truths: Those who come out in open rebellion against God bring negative consequences upon themselves.  It we are separated from God, it is because we have separated ourselves from Him. 

* What are some ways we can show through our dress and appearance that we are disciples of Jesus Christ? (see 'For the Strength of Youth,' "Dress and Appearance".)

Ether 9

The kingdom passes from one to another by descent, intrigue, and murder; Emer saw the Son of Righteousness; Many prophets cry repentance; A famine and poisonous serpents plague the people.

DC 76:50-62

The glory and reward of exalted beings in the celestial kingdom is described;

What is meant by the Church of the Firstborn?  Those who gain exaltation in the celestial kingdom are those who are members of the Church of the Firstborn; in other words, those who keep all the commandments of the Lord.

General Commandment

Don't Look Around, Look Up!

Elder Yoon Hwan Choi

"My father was the most excited among us to learn and know the truth and to share it.  He used to wake up early in the morning to study the scriptures for over two hours every day.  After work

he went with the missionaries to visit our family, friends, and neighbors nearly every day.  Seven months after we were baptized, 23 of my family and relatives became members of the Church.  That was followed by the miracle of seeing 130 people baptized in the following year through my father's member missionary work."

I spent an hour or so today recording in my study journal "The Recipe for Becoming a Celestial Person" as recorded in DC 76.

I also studied the Living Christ today.  I have about half of it memorized.  I am really enjoying reading the scriptures regarding Jesus in the topical guide.  I am grateful for this guidance and suggestion from President Nelson.

James and I finished reading "Go Set a Watchman."  I can't say I really enjoyed it because there was just too much foul language. 

I did some sweeping outside this afternoon and realized that we have an ant problem.  They were all over the patio and climbing up the tree on the deck.  I got out my trusty spray and got rid of many of them.

James and I are so concerned about our grandchildren right now.  Many of them have lost their testimonies.  We spoke with one today that read a book that convinced him that the God we believe in can't be real.  He wants us to read the book, so I ordered it.  I don't think I will read it, but James wants too.  The sad thing is this book was written by an LDS man.  I feel the need to encourage my grandchildren to read the Book of Mormon and pray to know the truth.  This grandson said he would read the Book of Mormon.  Now if we can only get him to pray too.  The influence of Satan is so strong in the world right now.  It is going to take a great effort on our part to pass the gospel legacy on to our grandchildren. Weekly temple attendance is a must!

On a lighter side,  I enjoyed this post by Christina, Rebecca and Brent's daughter. Eden is her three year old daughter.

This puts a smile on my face.

I had lunch with my friend Pam yesterday, not even realizing that today is her birthday.  I guess lunch will be on me next time.  

Addy said she would be happy to do the baptism for Clydia Strickland.  Darrel and Trina said they would take her to do it.  I am hoping I can find some more names for her to take.

James is so upset about our water problem.  He says the well runs constantly.  He called and talked to Brent today because Brent installs sprinklers for a living.  Brent gave James some things to try, and he has determined there is a leak somewhere around the patio.  He is going to have to dig up the grass area, and maybe even take some bricks out of the patio.  Not a happy camper.  He just dealt with this kind of thing in Chandler when he was putting in the Jiminez's water line.  Plumbing problems are the worst!

If I had this tree in my yard I would

think I had died and gone to heaven.

I typed James's lesson quotes for him and worked on my Primary lesson this evening.  Oh, by the way, I have a new favorite drink.  It is one juiced orange in a glass of diet 7-Up with ice.  Delicious!

I love the look on Lois's face in this picture.

This is Teresa's son, Jack.  Teresa says they

really like each other and there is 80 years

between them.

This is where Trina and Darrel went

last year with Trina's brothers and sisters.

Thursday, December 1, 2016

The Nauvoo temple

Ether 1:1-43

The Lord explained to the brother of Jared that blessings had come to his people as a result of prayers offered over a long time.  President Spencer W. Kimball taught that we must put great effort into our prayers and that we must pray frequently: "Do you get answers to your prayers?  If not, perhaps you did not pay the price.   Do you offer a few trite words and worn-out phrases, or do you talk intimately to the Lord?  Do you pray occasionally when you should be praying regularly, often, constantly?  Do you offer pennies to pay heavy debts when you should give dollars to erase that obligation??  When you pray, do you just speak, or do you also listen?  Your Savior said, 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.' (Rev. 3:20).  Should we ever fail to get an answer to our prayers, we must look into our own lives for a reason." (BMSM, 363).

GC:     I Will Bring the Light of the Gospel into My Home by Jean B. Bingham

Jesus Christ is the perfect embodiment of charity.  His premortal offering to be our Savior, His interactions through out His mortal life, His supernal gift of the Atonement, and His continual efforts to bring us back to our Heavenly Father are the ultimate expressions of charity.  He operates with a singular focus: love for His Father expressed through His love for each of us.  When asked about the greatest commandment Jesus answered: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." 

-Matthew 22:37-39

Today the Church started the 

"Light the World" campaign.  

Today: 

Jesus lifted others burdens and so can you.

James turned off the water and left for the valley this morning.  I left a little after 9.  I stopped in Show Low for gas and to wash my very dirty car.  I was so tired I had to stop at the Circle K in Heber to get something to eat in order to stay awake.  My next stop was

the Dollar Tree in Payson.  I bought five more glass plates and 18 Christmas stockings for my grandkids.  I also got two tacos at Taco Bell for lunch.  

When I got to Chandler I went straight to Stacy's to deliver her tree stand.  I noticed she had a snowman puzzle she was working on.

I guess Shipley noticed the puzzle too.

She couldn't resist messing it up.

Boy does she look guilty!

From Stacy's I went down Ocotillo to Gilbert Rd. to the new Fry's Artesian Marketplace.  What a beautiful store.  I bought some wings, potatoes, green beans, cranberry celebration and some drinks.  My next stop was the Gilbert Costco.  I got both fillet and ribeye steaks for our scripture dinner this evening at Kim and Brian's.  I also got Alpine Valley bread for James, some croissants and a caramel pecan cheesecake for dessert.  I also got a couple of pies at Fry's and two at Costco for our ward party on Saturday night.

After shopping at Costco I headed for Kim and Brian's to start preparing dinner. James headed for Phoenix to pick up Michael.  He was over halfway there when Adam called and said he was close to the school and would pick Michael up.  I am glad because James needed to get back to cook our steaks.  

It was a fun evening but I felt a little unorganized.  I even forgot to serve the drinks!  Alex left for school before we could take his picture.

Michael and Adam pretending to have an arm

around Alex.

I guess Seth has moved back to Oregon and was not able to attend.

I still send the scripture reading assignment everyday to him and Gail.

I was exhausted and Brian and Kim offered to clean the kitchen.  I am grateful to them for that and for allowing us to have the dinner at their house.  

James and I dropped the leftover food, etc., at Cathi's and then we drove over to Phoenix to take Michael back to school.  I read to James from "United We Stand" on the way home.

Cathi was up making cookies.  Now that they are at the Chandler ROC they only work Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.  

I visited with her for a few minutes before going to bed.

Blue Canyon

Friday, October 10, 2014

"This is a wonderful time to be on earth.  While there is much that is wrong in the world today, there are many things that are right and good.  There are marriages that make it, parents who love their children and sacrifice for them, friends who care about us and help us, teachers who teach.  Our lives are blessed in countless ways."

-President Thomas S. Monson

I got up this morning and made bacon and eggs for Darrel.  I hadn't seen him since Tuesday and I knew he was going home today.  

Brian and Kim made pumpkin bread and it was gone within five minutes.  I made some pumpkin bars with cheesecake frosting that James loved. Definitely a pumpkin theme going this weekend.

Kim played the match game with Ruby and Addy and Ruby won.  She definitely has a knack for this game.

Ruby is the Frozen match game queen!

A crowd gathers to watch her in action.

Kim is so much fun.  She played hide and go seek with the kids.  Rowan hid under the kitchen sink and Ruby left her spot to go to the bathroom so it took a long time to find her.  

James took the kids on a Razr ride to look for elk.

I love these kids!

Kim and I watched Lola while Trina vacuumed and packed to go home.  She loved the little lamb Trina bought her last night and wanted to grab it but kept grabbing her hands instead.

Love this baby!

Addy got to finish her puzzle!

Beautiful!

Kim gave Addy a Hermoine wand,

scarf, and robe for Halloween.

Addy didn't need the glasses so Ruby took them.

The dining room table is where most of the game

playing and eating takes place.

Brian went and got gas for the Razr so they could take a ride on the mountain to see the fall leaves.  

I couldn't resist posting this picture of

Joe with Ben and Max a year or so ago.

Such handsome boys!

Ruby and Rowan had a great time playing with Alex.

Kim is a favorite with all the kids.

I love this picture!

Trina and the kids left for Show Low around 5 to meet Darrel

and go home.  Ruby was not ready to go.

Grandpa had to comfort her.

 

We will definitely miss these faces!

James and I left for town around the same time.  We went to two banks, Walmart, and then Sonic.  I am addicted to their cheeseburgers and James likes the New York dog.