Tuesday, May 14th, 2019

Ogden, Utah

14th operating temple

Dedicated: 18-20 Jan 1972

By: Joseph Fielding Smith

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

1 John 3:8

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. Fr this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 29:16-32

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matt 19:16-30; Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30

General Conference

The Quorum: A Place of Belonging

Carl B. Cook

"Every priesthood holder, regardless of his situation, benefits from a strong quorum. My young brothers who hold the Aaronic Priesthood, the Lord would have you establish a strong quorum, a place of belonging for each and every young man, a place where the Lord's Spirit is present, a place where all quorum members are welcome and valued. As the Lord gathers His children, they need a place to belong and grow."

I love this quote by President M. Russell Ballard:

"There is no spiritual power in living by convenience. The power comes as we keep our covenants."

We sold three books today and made a profit of over $30. I wish we could do this everyday.

My eyes were bad today as I was working on the computer. I really do need to have cataract surgery soon. Possibly June. 

I also got a call from my dentists office about scheduling an appointment to start my crown. It feels like when you get to a certain age most of your appointments are with the doctor or dentist. I feel like I'm wearing out and falling apart. Does this happen to everyone?

I stepped up my steps today to over 15,000.

I like the happy face better

Happy 49th Birthday Monte

A friend sent me this photo

Sunday, December 2nd, 2018

Ogden, Utah

14th operating temple 

Dedicated: 18-20 Jan 1972

By: Joseph Fielding Smith

Jesus Christ, Death of

Luke 9:31
Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
Book of Mormon #1
Ether 2:1-12
*Ether 2:8-11 states what Moroni called "the everlasting decree of God." (v.10) concerning this land of promise. Stated three or four times, this decree is that "whatsoever nation shall possess this land shall serve God, or they shall be swept off" (v.9). President Gordon B. Hinckley taught that obedience is essential if the promised land is to keep its promised blessings: "Great are the promises concerning this land of America. We are told unequivocally that it is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ" (Ether 2:12). This is the crux of the entire matter - obedience to the commandments of God." (Oct 2001, GC). Compare Ether 2:7-12 with Nephi 1:6-10. List the promises and the warnings given to the inhabitants of America.
Book of Mormon #2
Alma 63 - Helaman 2
Old Testament
Jonah 1-2
General Conference

Deep and Lasting Conversion to Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Elder Quentin L. Cook
"This Sunday schedule allows more time for a home evening and to study the gospel at home on Sunday or at other times as individuals and families may choose. A family activity night could be held on Monday or at other times. To this end, leaders should continue to keep Monday evenings free from Church meetings and activities. However, time spent in home evening, gospel study, and activities for individuals and families may be scheduled according to their individual circumstances."

Bishop Miller conducted our fast and testimony meeting today and told of an experience of going to the temple in Mexico and how different it was because they really aren't worried about starting on time. He also bore testimony that the Church is true and is led by Jesus Christ and His prophet.

Others who bore their testimonies: 

Sister Vaught, Brother Greer who will be serving a mission soon. He is going to be a secretary to someone in an area authority presidency. Brother Greer said that President Nelson has been "renewed," and is preparing us for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Sister Hahn, and Sister Van Haren who are both new bore their testimonies about gratitude and the importance of the scriptures. Dave Westbrook who was the keynote speaker at an agricultural convention in Nigeria, bore his testimony about how grateful he is for the gospel. Brother Price said he made a commitment in 1989 to bear his testimony at least once a quarter and he has been able to do that on a consistent basis. 

We had a sister visit from Mesa and she bore a pure and simple five point testimony including Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith as a prophet and President Nelson as the prophet today. Jackson, who is waiting to go back on his mission after being treated for six months for ADHD bore his testimony about Heavenly Father and how he knows us and loves us and knows our needs. Dear sweet Ellen bore her testimony about her baptism and her husbands this coming Saturday. She said when she was a little Jewish girl she felt like something was missing when she went to temple. She said she has figured out that what was missing was Jesus. She and Dave will both be baptized. They having been investigating the Church for over 12 years so this is pretty exciting!

James bore his testimony about how he is "changed" because of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Kathy Crane admonished us to pray for those that we don't see here. Ty Applegate, a priest, said that the reason we are here is so that we can learn to become like Christ. 

It was snowy and cold today. I think we probably got at least 4 inches of snow. A good day to stay inside and study the gospel.

I learned some things about the prophet Jonah:

Both Jonah and Jess were from the Galilee area. That Jonah's story is a true one is evidenced by 2 Kings 14:25 and 3 New Testament references. The story of Jonah was referred to by our Lord on two occasions when he was asked for a sign from heaven. In each case he gave 'the sign of the prophet Jonah,' the event in that prophet's life being a foreshadowing of Jesus' own death and resurrection (Matt 12:39-41; Luke 11:29-30).

James and I came home after the block, ate some lunch and took a nap on the couch. I cut my nap short and went in to prepare for tithing settlement. James said we were signed up for 2:15 today. I got everything ready, woke James up and shot out the door after 2. We got to the Church at 2:17 to find the door locked. There were a couple of cars in the parking lot so James found another door and got in. None of the bishopric were there. We looked at the signup sheet and discovered that we were signed up for next Sunday at 2:15. Oh well, at least now we are ready.

Christmas quote from the movie, "A Twist on Christmas":

"Amidst all the hubbub, don't forget to look up and

see the lights." 

This evening James and I watched the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. Afterwards I sent out group texts to the family about James's surgery on Tuesday. 

I realized tonight that I forgot to send some of Lois's Christmas stockings to the family in Texas and Arkansas. I will have to do that tomorrow when I mail Ben's Christmas package.

These are a few of my favorite people:

 Chandler State Champs in football again!

 Time flies!

So precious!

So many gorgeous pictures of the

Idaho Falls temple.

On our way home from Church.

Standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona

is Winslow the pig.

Monday, June 25th, 2018

Ogden, Utah

14th operating temple

Dedicated: 18-20 Jan 1972

By: Joseph Fielding Smith

Jesus Christ, Condescension of

Mosiah 14:1-3

1 Yea, even doth not Isaiah say: Who hath believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?

2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground, he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him there is no beauty that we should desire him.

3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Book of Mormon

Alma 22:1-14

* Why did Aaron begin teaching by establishing the king's belief in God?

- Aaron began by establishing a belief in God because that's where the king was in his understanding. That is how God teaches, by coming to the place where we are and leading us to where He is.

Old Testament

1 Chronicles 11-12

11 David is anointed king in Hebron - He takes Zion, the City of David - His valiant warriors are named and their deeds recounted.

General Conference

"Be With and Strengthen Them"

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"We will continue to visit homes as possible, but local circumstances such as large numbers, long distances, personal safety, and other challenging conditions may preclude a visit to every home every month. As the First Presidency counseled years ago, do the best you can. In addition to whatever schedule you establish for actual visits, that calendar can be supplemented with telephone calls, written notes, texts, emails, video chats, conversations at Church meetings, shared service projects, social activities, and a host of possibilities in the world of social media. However, I should stress that this expansive new view does not include the sorry statement I recently saw on an automobile bumper sticker. It read, 'If I honk, you've been home taught.' Please, please, brethren (the sisters would never be guilty of that - I speak to the brethren of the Church), with these adjustments we want more care and concern, not less."

New Era: "Church Under a Canopy," "Finish Together, Finish Strong"

James left for the valley this morning after family prayer. He is meeting someone about work on a golf course in Phoenix. 

We are fasting for Jared today. He was in mediation all day but nothing came of it. Tricia will not bend. She won't even bring the kids half way to Tyler so he can see them once a month. She is suing him for $30,000 and was heard screaming during part of her session. Next is go to court. This session today cost Jared thousands of dollars. I am sure he wishes he had never signed that first agreement regarding alimony.

I tried to keep busy today. I paid bills, cleaned the family and living room, and work on stripping the polish off the floor. While I was sitting at my computer in the bedroom this afternoon around 4 o'clock, James tried to sneak up on me, but I heard him. When I saw him I yelled. I really didn't think he would be home that early.

For FHE we listened to Elder Holland's conference address, "Be with and Strengthen Them." James didn't get to walk much today because of all the driving so he walked while I planned.

Scotland

Alex's Shayna

James loves mangos

Wednesday, January 17th, 2018

Ogden, Utah

14th operating temple

Dedicated: 18-20 Jan 1972

By: Joseph Fielding Smith

Jesus Christ Atonement through

3rd Article of Faith

We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 13:28-39

*What is the #1 reason I'm thankful for the scriptures?

They help me feel the Spirit, they help strengthen my testimony of Jesus Christ, and they teach me the commandments of God.

*Why do the Gentiles in Nephi's dream stumble? When were the plain and precious things recovered? 

Some were recovered in the Book of Mormon, and also the Joseph Smith translation of the Bible.

Old Testament

Genesis 39-40

39 Joseph, prospered by the Lord, becomes ruler of Potiphars house - He resists the advances of Potiphar's wife, is falsely accused, and is cast into prison - The keeper of the prison commits the prisons' affairs into Joseph's hands.

40 Joseph interprets the dreams of Pharaoh's chief butler and chief baker - The butler fails to tell Pharaoh about Joseph.

Old Testament Scripture Mastery

1 Samuel 16:7

But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

General Conference

Bearers of Heavenly Light

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"The Lord has promised, 'If you eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light and there shall be do darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things."  This is the ultimate remedy for spiritual sickness. Darkness vanishes in the presence of light."

Happy 16th Birthday Anna!

James and I are reading the Book of Mormon and the Old Testament together. I get up at 5 and he doesn't usually get up until after 7 so I study other things until he gets up.

This morning in looking for more photos for Stacy, I found a couple of boxes of old photos upstairs. I sent a couple to her but decided I needed to go through them and organize them before our anniversary on June 1st. This is a big year for us. We both turn 70 and we celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary.

I started typing family memories and Alex's made me cry. He wrote an entire page and it's not too difficult to see how much he loves and respects his grandpa James. 

I rearranged furniture for Sundays fireside today. The bishop expects around 30 people. 

James had a high priest group presidency meeting this evening.
I worked on my blog and talked to my friend Jean who is going in for surgery next week. We are going to lunch next Monday.

When James got home we watched an episode of "Heartland."

Sounds like something I would do.

Except Sheri was a little "rough" with Jared.

Snow while we are gone this weekend!

Pete the Crow.

Not sure what the brown spot is.

James and I on a double date with my cousin Rita and her

date Terry Branson.

Me with my helmet head hair and James.

Just clownin' around.

James, Dave Dudding, Jeff Szoke, Harold.

Working on Mrs. Weech's house.

Christmas caroling with Dave and Sandy's kids.

Looks like Stacy got to be Mary this year.

I love Jared's face in this one.

James and Kevin.

Kim and Charlotte working for James.

Fun in Pinedale

Pinedale cabin before it burned.