OUR FAMILY: Scarlett Jane's blessing

San Salvador, El Salvador

135th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 Aug 2011

By: Henry B. Eyring

Jesus Christ Atonement through

Hebrews 2:9

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Book of Mormon

Ether 8:1-17

How can I better listen to and obey the words of the prophets?

I can listen to their words by reading their conference talks everyday, every month from the last general conference. As I read I can take them to heart and incorporate them into my life.

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 25:12

For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.

General Conference

Be Ye Therefore Perfect-Eventually

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"We may not be able to demonstrate yet the 10,000-talent perfection the Father and the Son have achieved, but it is not too much for Them to ask us to be a little more godlike in little things, that we speak and act, love and forgive, repent and improve at least the 100-pence level of perfection, which it is clearly within our ability to do so."

Spiritual Eclipse

Elder Gary E. Stevens

"A gospel perspective expands our sight to an eternal view. When you put on gospel glasses, you find enhanced perspective, focus, and vision in the way you think about your priorities, your problems, your temptations, and even your mistakes. You will see brighter light that you could not see without them."

I left for the Show Low stake center where our multi-stake conference is being held, a little after 8 this morning. I arrived at 9 with the conference starting at 10. The chapel was mostly filled with any empty seats being saved. I did manage to squeeze in the back row, right in the middle next to the Goodman family. The mom, Sheila is Mary Lou DeWitt's daughter. Mary Lou was in my ward when I was growing up and I had her for a young women's advisor. She is an amazing woman and her daughter Sheila was for friendly and kind. Harry Hall and his wife sat in front of me. I went to high school with Harry's brother and James used to work for him when he was in the valley. He was over upkeep, etc., on the churches in the east valley and hired James for several jobs.

James stayed at the Vernon building to watch the broadcast because he is still feeling quite poorly.

The reason I went to the Show Low stake center is because when I spoke on the phone with Elder Heyman last week he said he would like to shake my hand and James's. James missed some incredible priesthood training yesterday because of his sickness.

Sheila is the Show Low stake primary president and got to have dinner last night with the visiting authorities. Elder Bednar sat at her table. He said that never again, in our lifetime, would there be an apostle and two seventies come to a conference. The Church is just too big.

I saw Jim Brookbank counting heads. His sister was my best friend in high school. The prelude music has been playing for sometime but people are still very noisy. Around 9:50 it got very quiet and everyone stood as President Williams, Elder Bednar, Elder Cornish, Elder Heyman, and President Shumway walked in.

The meeting went something like this:

Elder Heyman, Area Authority Seventy:
"Relax, and let the goodness flow. No great announcements will be made today as you might have anticipated with 3 visiting authorities. I would like to speak about the grandeur of our Savior Jesus Christ. In 1 Nephi 11 the Savior asks Nephi:

'Knowest thou the condescension of God?'

How long has Jesus Christ learned from Elohim? The Savior is prepared for any situation that arises.

Elder Heyman told the story of when President Jones sent him to Sister Richardson's home to give her a temple recommend interview. He did not have an appointment and she was slow in opening the door. He was just about to leave when the door opened and she said: 'President Heyman, I am sorry to keep you waiting. I was praying that a member of the stake presidency would come to my home and give me a temple recommend interview.'

Elder Heyman then said: "We all have the opportunity to be the answer to someone's prayer." This is called the ascension of man through service. He then bore his testimony and said: "I know b a confirmation of the Spirit that the Atonement is real."

President Shumway, Stake President of the White Mountain stake

"By the Spirit all things are made know to His prophets. What is Spiritual Settledness: 1.) Know the will of God and follow it. 2.) Understand our Covenants. God keeps His promises to those who keep their covenants. 3.) All things will be made fair through Jesus Christ.

President Williams, Stake President of the Show Low stake

One of his older children to one of his younger children: "Mom's always nicer after she goes to the temple." We must not only attend the temple, but we must take what we learn into our homes.

"The test of life is to hear the voice of the Spirit and follow it."

Story of being prompted to visit the Cibecue branch. He waited awhile and when he went he took his nine year old son with him. His son didn't want to go to Primary by himself so President Williams went with him. After Primary the sister in charge ask to speak to President Williams. She told him that the children had been praying to have him come and visit and that he was an answer to their prayers.

"We need to act on promptings when we receive them. (See 3 Nephi 11). "Our invitation today is to align our lives so that we hear Him!

Testimonies - Madison, John, Riley, and Ryan, two Laurels and two Priests were asked to come up and bear their testimonies. For not knowing about this they all did an outstanding job!

Elder J. Devn Cornish of the Seventy
"Jesus acted out principles. After John's beheading the apostles gather and depart with Jesus across Galilee. Feeding the 5,000 men plus women and children, was a parable about sins, not hunger. God is always there for us.. On the altar we bring our broken hearts and contrite spirits. They did all eat and were filled as we partake of His Sacrament. Other miracles: John 2 Where Jesus turned water into wine. What's the message? (I think it applies to our lives. Jesus can take ordinary people and make them extraordinary). In John 21 Peter and other fishermen were not catching any fish. The Savior told them to cast on the other side. They cast on the other side and caught 152 fish. Did the Savior miscalculate? These parables are about sin, repentance, mercy and forgiveness. He is anxious to cleanse us and bring us home. God help us to trust the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ."

Elder David A. Bednar, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
"This weekend, for me, is an early Christmas vacation. Priesthood leaders from seven stakes gathered yesterday for training. This is rest and relaxation for me compared to being in meetings in Salt Lake City.
The gospel should be a constant topic of conversation in our homes."
Elder Bednar asked us to get out our scriptures and turn to JS-H 1:27-43. Verse 33 says the Lord called Joseph Smith by name. Elder Bednar pointed out that the Lord knows each of us by name.
1st visit of Moroni 27-43. 2nd visit verses 44-45. Coming judgments were added. 3rd visit, verse 46 - included a personal warning to Joseph. Repeated messages are critical! vs. 49th - 4th visit. In verse 50 Joseph says, "I obeyed."
Please be careful when you have heard and think you don't need to hear again. Repetitions are necessary. Dialogue is usually better than monologue. Ask inspired questions. We must have eyes to see, and ears to hear.
Elder Bednar is concerned about our prosperity. We need the power, protection and joy of the gospel.
We must "Always remember Him, and invite the Spirit."
We need to depend on, rely on, and follow Him. Exercise faith in Him. 2 Nephi 31.
See the connectedness of the gospel. We need to be spiritually settled.
"Words just don't get it done, but it's all I've got."
"I witness that He lives and knows you by name. Jesus Christ is resurrected and alive. He directs the affairs of this Church. The Restoration continues.
We must have eyes to see, and ears to hear. What you have heard many times, you will hear more."

Jared, Kacey, and Summer drove to Longview, Texas for Scarlett Jane's blessing today. Here are some photos: