Saturday, February 29th, 2020

Brigham City, Utah

139th operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Sept 2012

By: Boyd K. Packer

Jesus Christ, Judge

2 Nephi 12:4

And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plow-shares, and their spears into pruning-hooks - nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

2 Nephi 30

Converted Gentiles will be numbered with the covenant people - Many Lamanites and Jews will believe the word and become delightsome - Israel will be restored and the wicked destroyed.

Fruit
Elder Neil L. Andersen
"If you have been without the fruit of the tree for some time, please know that the Savior's arms are always outstretched to you. He lovingly beckons, 'Repent and come unto me.' His fruit is plentiful and always in season. It cannot be purchased with money, and no one who honestly desires it is denied."

Closing Remarks
President Russell M. Nelson
"You may wish to begin your preparation for April General Conference by reading afresh Joseph Smith's account of the First Vision as recorded in the Pearl of Great Price. Our course of study for next year in 'Come, Follow Me' is the Book of Mormon. You may wish to ponder important questions such as, 'How would my life be different if my knowledge gained from the Book of Mormon were suddenly taken away?" or 'How have the events that followed the First Vision made a difference for me and my loved ones?' Also, with the Book of Mormon videos now becoming available, you may wish to incorporate them in your individual and family study."

Today we worked at the temple. It's the 5th Saturday and it is our shifts turn to work. The Reidhead's presided. Brothers and Sisters met separately in preparation meeting. Sister Elmer and Sister Reidhead taught the women. Sister Reidhead made a sad announcement. She said Brother John McCleve, who was one of the engineers here at the temple, was hit while riding his bicycle and killed. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene. Here is what I read about it in the White Mountain Independent:

Sister Reidhead was broken hearted. She said she had worked with Brother McCleve here at the temple for years. He knew more about the workings of the temple that anyone else and he will be sorely missed. 

After the preparation meeting I had the opportunity to be a witness for sealings. Brother Adair and Brother Yates were the sealers. I sat next to Brother Adair who was performing the sealings of relatives of the Merrill's, a young couple who come in almost every Saturday to do temple work. She is 8 months pregnant and had to stop before all of their names were completed. 

The next couple was the Miller's. They seemed to know Brother Adair, the sealer, and the sister said: "Patriarch Adair, we wanted you to know that our son who received his patriarchal blessing from you has received his mission call. He will be going to Lima, Peru. Brother Adair asked, "Did he receive the gift of tongues?" Sister Miller, "Yes." Brother Adair, "Oh, good." He is such a kind and considerate man. I just love him.

Sister Miller said they had a son who went to the Ukraine in Russia. They also have a son serving in Slovenia right now. She said he is in the Adriatic North Mission. There are five countries in the mission and they speak 10 different languages, so when you get transferred you are most likely going to learn a new language. They do not do transfers as often as most other missions.

I also presented at veil two for all three sessions during our shift. I was responsible to take all of the names to the office. I am wondering if they got tired of seeing me there. 

I also worked in initiatory twice today and was reminded of the great blessings that are received there. What a privilege it is to help bestow those blessings on others. Sister Elmer reminded us today that we need to speak slowly and distinctly when giving these blessings. Those deceased sisters receiving the blessings will only hear them once. Don't let them become so repetitious that you don't focus on what you are bestowing and the great meaning therein.

During break James and I got to visit with Brother Hancock again. He is such a fun person to talk to. He told us about his recent trip to Houston to learn about reverse osmosis water systems. He talked a little bit about how his wife and he got together. She had a dream about him and also she met a sealer in the temple while doing sealings whose name was L.J. Hancock, which is his name. I got some of the rest of the story when I went upstairs and talked to cute Sister Hancock. She was holding a baby. One of her friends is being sealed to her husband and then having their baby sealed to them. I told her she was going to get baby fever if she held that baby very long. She said, "Oh I've had baby fever since the day I got married."
She told me about the dream she had when she was younger about whom she would marry and when she met L.J. Hancock the sealer, she knew who she was supposed to marry, Levi Joseph Hancock whom she was dating at the time.  They seem perfect for each other and are so cute together.

After our shift was over James and I got dressed in our ceremonial clothes and went up to do some sealings for my family. We did six couple sealings and six sons to parents. Brother Brewer was the sealer. I just love temple sealers. They are so amazing and always so kind and considerate. He stopped so I could get up and stretch my knees a couple of times. I guess James thought he had to make an excuse for me so he told everyone I had rheumatoid arthritis. 

We were going to stop at Walmart on the way home but we were just too tired. We went to McDonald's and got chicken nuggets to share. We go there because James loves their hot mustard sauce and I like the honey mustard sauce. The sauce was fine but the nuggets were not that great. We vowed we would never order chicken nuggets again.

At home I rested, walked, and worked on "Come Follow Me" for tomorrow night. 

 I love the desert this time of year

 storing up for the winter...since it's

almost over, just one cheek.

 One of Satan's tactics

 Come Follow Me

 Great news!

Ziggie loves Evan

 Autumn lost her phone. In all of the mayhem,

and while calling Apple, Scarlett ended up in

the trash can. 

Autumn did say that Scarlett was saved her

and helped her to focus on what was really

important in life.

Saturday, January 25th, 2020

Winter Quarters, Nebraska

104th operating temple

Dedicated: 22 Apr 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

Revelations 21:6

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

1 Nephi 15

"The Second Great Commandment"

President Russell M. Nelson

October 2019

"Latter-day Saint Charities has provided more than two billion dollars in aid to assist those in need throughout the world. This assistance is offered to recipients regardless of their church affiliation, nationality, race, sexual orientation, gender, or political persuasion.  This is not all. To assist members of the Lord's Church in distress, we love and live the ancient law of the fast. We go hungry to help others who are hungry. One day each month, we go without food and donate the cost of that food and money, to help those in need."

We left at 5:41 this morning for the Snowflake temple. We brought two dozen rolls and one dozen cinnamon rolls I had in the freezer. On the way over we listened to scriptures and conference talks and I did a little sleeping. 

The Palmer's presided over our preparation meeting. President Palmer discussed the new ceremonial clothes that will be available at the end of March. We watched three training videos. One was the importance of smiling at the front desk so the first impression people get of the temple is a positive one. 

I started out at the sealing desk downstairs and was there for an hour. The Merrill's came in with names and so did the Bowen's. These are regular temple attenders who are always working on family names. The Bowen's had lots of Scandinavian names but I guess they have trained Brother Flake how to say them. At least that's what his wife said when she came to take over at the sealing desk.

I visited with Sister Cochran and Sister Lofgreen during my break. 

After my break I was the presenter at veil 2 and then I was "as assigned." During my as assigned I continued my reading of the Old Testament chapter headings. I am about half way through Isaiah.

I spent an hour in the baptistry. Although the rest of the temple was rather slow, we had no weddings or own endowees, the baptistry was very busy. Sister Caldwell said they hadn't had a break all morning and as I left another large group was coming in.

I worked in initiatory, locker room and was the presenter at veil 2 for the 11:00 session. I was scheduled to do initiatory after being at the veil but because the veil time went over, I was 15 minutes late. Sister Hancock said the only patron was a worker and they had her covered so I got off 15 minutes early.

I went down to the break room and had a cupcake. It's been a long time since my morning break. James went outside to get my phone and to get in a few steps before the 1:30 session which we attended. 

I was so tired that at one point I fell asleep and a sister had to tap me on the should to wake me up. I hope that never happens again.

For the second week in a row Sister Andersen from Flagstaff, was my presenter at the veil. 

After our session we went to Eva's Mexican Food in downtown Snowflake. I had a chicken enchilada with rice and beans, same old thing I almost always have. James had a seafood enchilada and a tostada.

We are scheduled to clean the temple tonight at 6:30 so we had some time to kill after lunch. I suggested we go to Walmart to walk, which we did. While we were there I also bought some tea, Citrus Sunshine, Apple Cinnamon, and Cinnamon Orange. The Walmart in Show Low has none of these flavors right now.

We drove back to the temple and parked so we could see Greens Peak, Mt. Montoso, and Negra Knoll, all mountains over by Vernon.

We walked around the temple a couple of times and then James got in the car to take a short nap. I sat down to redo my daily schedule. 

Around 6:00 we walked in to the temple with our friend Kerri Halcomb. We signed in and got our temple cleaning clothes on. We were so happy to have 19 people from our ward attend. The Show Low Creek ward had 10 people. These our the ward members who came to help us clean: Kerri Halcomb, Virgil Cooper, Anthony Romyak, Jerry Scott, Becky and Chris Skousen, Jim and Linda Diewald, Barbara and Fred Klug, Pierce Goodman, Blain Curtis, Alicia and Bishop Hunsaker, MaKenzi and Tyler Forrester, and Ron Chandler, plus James and I. 

James and I dusted the two ordinances rooms, the wood in the hallway and on the stairs. It was a lot but pretty easy. 

We were home before nine o'clock. When we got home I finished my steps and then James made us herbal tea and then we watched "Hearts of Winter" starring Jill Wagner and Victor Webster, two of our favorite Hallmark actors. It was a long day and this was a good way to unwind.

I am so grateful for the temple!

 Bench at Eva's

 Evan really knows how to have fun!

Who buys a 5 lb tube of hamburger.

I guess you could freeze it and use it for a weapon.

Saturday, December 28th, 2019"

Saturday, December 14th, 2019

Columbia, South Carolina

62nd operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Oct 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

John 8:58

Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Book of Mormon

Ether 10:1-16

New Testament

Revelation 10-11; Finish New Testament Student Manual and The Redheaded Hostess

Oct 2019 General Conference

"Standing By Our Promises and Covenants"

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"To "go and do" means rising above the ways of the world, receiving and acting on personal revelation, living righteously with hope and faith in the future, making and keeping covenants to follow  Jesus Christ, and thereby increasing our love for Him, the Savior of the world."

Today is our day to work at the temple. President and Sister Palmer were presiding. In preparation meeting President Palmer reminded us of our temple theme, "More Holiness Give Me." He added, "More Jesus Like Thee."  I gave the opening prayer and in the prayer I asked that the patrons who attend the temple today would "feel Thy love today. Later in the day Brother Elmer came up to me and said how much my prayer meant to him because he had been thinking all week that he wished the temple patrons could feel the love of the Lord in their lives. He really is such a nice guy.

My schedule went something like this today: Locker room, Celestial room, break, 9:30 session as 1st follower, and Mindy Hamblin as the 2nd follower. James and Brother Reidhead were the brothers for this session. Brother Reidhead led the prayer circle and James  led the session. The own endowee, Alyse DeWitt got her robe twisted and I had to help her, also one sister forgot the new name. I helped one sister at the veil who had a difficult time speaking and did not know any of the things to say. It was an interesting session.

The last thing of the day for me was being the greeter behind the recommend desk. No one was coming so I left about ten minutes early. I'm still feeling a little guilty about that. 

Brother and Sister Gentry left early. They have kids to visit in northern California. One of the granddaughters is returning and reporting on her mission. Brother and Sister Gentry have six children and none of them live in Arizona. Three live in northern California, one in Provo, one in Boston and one in Atlanta. They do lots of traveling throughout the year to visit their children and grandkids.

Sister Elmer told me about a cousin Christmas party she has every year for her grandkids. Sister Farr has three single boys, a girl who is married and lives in St. Johns and has one little girl and an older boy who lives in Utah with five boys. His wife has cancer so they won't be coming for Christmas.

Instead of bringing rolls today I brought a pumpkin roll and it was delicious. There was none left to bring home.

It was cold and windy today. When we got home we had chili for lunch. Ed Miller came by to look at our furnace. James wants to get it fixed before our company comes after Christmas.

I walked and worked on "Come Follow Me." This evening we watched, "A Christmas Love Story," and "Holiday Date." 

Anthony says the wind is howling at his place. I got a text from Tamara. Bishop Miller says that Brother Brewer passed away and Anne is going over to see Debra.

The only thing that could make this picture better is if the

pit was filled with presents like it used to be on Christmas Eve.

Saturday, November 23rd, 2019

Frankfurt, Germany
41st operating temple
Dedicated: 28 Aug 1987
By: Ezra Taft Benson

Jesus Christ, Head of Church

Ephesians 4:15

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Book of Mormon

Mormon 5:1-12

New Testament

James 5; FSS/FHE: 1:5, 1:26-27, 3, 4:5-8, 5:14-16. SS: Faith and action. Rabbi and soapmaker.(The Just Shall Live by Faith, Ensign, Apr. 2017,4).

10/19 General Conference

"Deceive Me Not"

Gary E. Stevenson

"Today, I offer words of counsel for everyone, but especially for you of the rising generation - Primary children, young men, and young women. You are deeply loved by the Lord's prophet for our day, President Russell M. Nelson - so much so that he spoke to many of you last year in a special worldwide youth devotional broadcast titled 'Hope of Israel.' We often hear President Nelson calling you exactly that - the 'hope of Israel,'' the rising generation and the future of the restored Church of Jesus Christ."

Today we worked in the temple. What a blessing and a privilege. President Palmer and Sister Palmer presided over us today. During our preparation meeting President Palmer read a thank you letter. It was from a sister who has served in the Spanish branch that came to visit two weeks ago, for several years. It was sweet and tender and as I looked up I saw that Sister Elmer, our shift coordinator had tears in her eyes. She had worked so hard that day and the week before to make sure everything went smoothly for this group who came up from the valley in a bus. I am sure she felt that her efforts has been pleasing not only to this group, but to the Lord. It is always nice to be appreciated.

We saw films about the veil experience and the abbreviated veil experience. James did an abbreviated veil today as the receiver. The sister gave the wrong new name because of the sister who was helping her. They got her first name and the new name switched. James did something they ask us not to do, but it was necessary. He told the sister worker of the mistake and they did it again correctly. Because this new name is the name the new sister will have forever, it was critical that she get the right one. Crisis averted.

"More Holiness Give Me" is still our theme. I love this theme and I feel that going to the temple does help me to be more holy.

My first assignment was in the kitchen making sure the food and utensils were out. I worked with Sister Farr and we visited after we were finished working. She is having three of her sons come for Thanksgiving dinner. They are doing a smoked turkey breast. She says that's what they love because it is so moist and tender.

When I was at the top of the stairs Elwanda R., my friend, was sitting in the chair just across from me. I kept going over to talk to her. We have such a great friendship and I miss visiting with her. 

Sister Elmer did something very nice for me today. Last time I had told her I would like to be in the 9:30 session with James and with Jim and Debbie Vance. She did it. I got to hear James give one of the most beautiful temple prayers I have ever heard. It was fun working with Debbie too. She is from Chandler and her daughter is married to Rex Bergstrom, a former friend of our kids as they were growing up in Chandler. I asked her what she was fixing for Thanksgiving. I knew Jamie and Rex were coming from Texas and they were going to Chandler to Debbie's mom's house for Thanksgiving. She said she was making a gingerbread trifle cake with caramel rum sauce. I told her that sounded delicious and asked her for the recipe. I gave her my phone number and asked her to text it to me after our shift, which she did.

I had a sisters name of one of Anthony's ancestors and asked Brother Weinhardt, the baptistry director, if I could do the name. He said, "Well, we aren't supposed to, but for you I will make an exception. I gave the name to Sister Weinhardt and she promptly gave it to a young woman who was waiting to do baptisms. I thanked the young woman and told her how much I appreciated what she was doing.

I was able to do six initiatory ordinances for some of James's relatives. The initiatory was slow today and Garnett Jones was in charge. She knows that Sister Brimhall gave me permission to do names because I live in Vernon. They want you to live an hour or so away if you are going to do your own names on your work shift.

Kathy Crane's blackberry jalapeno jelly was a big hit. Brother Gentry said he would like to have it again. He liked it because it wasn't too spicy.

After our shift James and I stopped at McDonald's for chicken nuggets with hot mustard sauce, an ice cream cone, and a large diet Coke.

We went to the UPS store in Show Low and mailed my books. Thank goodness they were still open. Sometimes they close early on Saturdays.

I finished my walking this evening, blogged and rested. Around 8:00 James and I watched a new Hallmark movie, "Holiday Hearts," starring Paul Campbell and Ashley Williams. I really liked Ashley in this one. Sometimes she's a little over the top. I always like Paul Campbell.

I also watched a Lifetime movie, "The Magic Christmas Shoes."

I love this picture!

Congratulations!



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