Sunday, September 10th, 2017

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

44th operating temple

Dedicated: 24 Aug 1990 by Gordon B. Hinckley

Helaman 1:18-34

When situations in your life get hard, what do you do to keep your faith alive?

I think of one of my favorite scriptures: "Be still and know that I am God." I calm my thoughts through prayer. I quiet my thoughts and abide in the presence of God. I reunite my light with the Savior's light. I study my scriptures and listen to conference talks.

DC 132:18-28

Does marriage in the temple assure one of exaltation? 

Only when the covenants are kept and the marriage is sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise.

General Conference

Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives

President Russell M. Nelson
"When you reach up for the Lord's power in your life with the same intensity that a drowning person has when grasping and gasping for air, power from Jesus Christ will be yours. When the Savior knows you truly want to reach up to Him - when He can feel that the greatest desire of your heart is to draw His power into your life - you will be led by the Holy Ghost to know exactly what you should do. When you spiritually stretch beyond anything you have ever done before, then His power will flow into you."

I like this quote I found today while studying the Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual. It is by Elder Bruce R. McConkie:

"It follows that the sins of the godfearing and the righteous are continually remitted because they repent and seek the Lord anew every day and every hour."

We attended the Stone Oak ward today with Jared, Kacey and Summer. It is a big ward and we end up sitting in the overflow.

Four people from the Wheeler family spoke in sacrament meeting.

This family has ten children, eight of them are adopted. Their two natural children, Braxton and Tristan were the youth speakers. 

Braxton spoke on the responsibilities of families. He said:

"Although taught the gospel, children will sin. Alma the Younger is an example. The parents have the responsibility to teach the children, and the children have the responsibility to be obedient."

Tristan told us that many in their family have special needs. Recently she was diagnosed with a debilitating disease. She had to quit her job and was in a wheelchair for awhile. She is better now and says she would not have been able to make it without the support of her family.

Sister Wheeler told the history of their family. After having two children they were not able to biologically have any more. First they adopted Brother Wheeler's half brother and then became foster parents. Four children who were living in shelters were adopted. At the same time they were fostering 25 other children. At one point they had 11 kids under 9 in their home. Their FHE's included such topics as, how to not hurt your teacher, or how to use toilet paper correctly. "We love despite the behavior of our children. Patience isn't my gift, but it can be learned. Aiden came to us when he was four. He had been living in the woods by himself, no one knows how long. After a time of learning how to communicate, Sister Wheeler asked Aiden what would make him feel safe. He pointed to a picture of the Savior on the wall and said, 'that guy.' What do you know about Him? He helps kids that are hungry and cold. 

Awhile later after having several root canals Aiden told Sister Wheeler that Jesus told him that he didn't need him any more because he had a mom. 

Sister Wheeler quoted the scripture that got me through the most difficult time in my life: Phillipians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." She also said we teach rather than discipline. It reminded me of my mentor, Sue Kempton, and her style of parenting. "Be like the Savior and love like the Savior."

After Sister Wheeler's talk we sang "Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd." It was so appropriate after what she told us about Aiden.

Brother Wheeler was the final speaker. He is from Beaumont, Texas and his family was in the middle of Hurricane Harvey. He has been going down and taking supplies to those in need. This entire ward is making trips down to do cleanup in the Houston area. Brother Wheeler reminded us that some areas got 42" of rain in 24 hours. He talked about listening to the Spirit and then going forward and serving. He also talked about giving Priesthood blessings. He talked about the importance of Father's blessings and told of an experience giving one of his sons who was afraid of the dark a blessing. The son did not want the blessing and complained while it was being given. He had been having a difficult time sleeping and after the blessing slept all night. The next morning he came in and put his father's hands on his head and said: "I need another one of those blessings." 

What an amazing family! I was so grateful we were able to listen to them speak. They reminded me of the book we read, "Lily of the Manor" where the couple had 11 adopted children.

Jared went to teach his Primary class and took his Doubletree Inn cookies with him. Kacey, James and I attended the Gospel Doctrine class taught by Brother Richards. When he found out we were from Arizona he asked lots of questions, such as, how close are we to Snowflake. He seemed to know the Show Low area quite well.

The lesson was #35 "A Mission of Saving," regarding the rescue of the Willie and Martin Handcart Company. I have notes in my Sunday School journal. It is sad to hear about the experience of these handcart companies but what an inspiration to hear about those who were willing to sacrifice so much, some their lives, to rescue those in need. It also compares these rescues to how the Savior is there to rescue all of us. The last part of the lesson reminds us that we need to rescue those in need. How appropriate for this ward that is so involved in the rescuing of victims of Hurrican Harvey.  One of my favorite stories from this lesson is that of Nellie Purcell who lost her legs up to her knees because of frostbite. She later married and raised six children all the while walking on her knees. Incredible!

Kacey and James left after Sunday School and I was left by myself to attend Relief Society. A Sister Greer came up to me and began talking about how her husband is from St. Johns and that when she dies she is looking forward to being buried in St. Johns. I thought it was a funny thing to say, but I appreciated her friendliness.

The lesson was from the President Hinckley manual and was entitled, "Continue in the Process of Learning." I had already read this lesson but enjoyed many of the comments that were made by the sisters in this ward. Sister Black gave the lesson. Here are some notes I took: *History can and should show the Lord's hand in things. * Designate a quiet area in the home for study and learning.

* Sister Greer told about President Nelson waking up the baby when he would get home from his work at the hospital and read scriptures to her. He said he wanted the language of the scriptures to be taught at an early age.*"Get all the education you can."(President Hinckley). *When we say "I can't" we are denying the Savior the power to help us change. 

When we got home from church Jared baked us some of his famous cookies. Kacey had a Laurel class presidency meeting but before leaving she mixed up a meatloaf and put it in the oven and gave instructions to Jared as to how to finish preparing it. Jared made some mashed potatoes, green beans, and rolls. When Kacey returned from her meeting we all sat down to eat together.

Sorry Summer is missing from the picture

After dinner Jared had a stake priesthood meeting. Summer did the dishes. I bonded with her when I found out that her favorite color is purple! I showed her a picture of my dream car.

The only car that will ever replace Lexy!

  After the dishes were done we all sat down to watch the YSA Broadcast featuring Elder David A. Bednar. Kacey informed me that he is from Arkansas, just like her. 

He spoke about family history and asked that no one be the weak link in their family chain. Here are some other notes:

*With the help of the Lord, you can do it.

*Create patterns of righteousness in your family

*We are not totally victims of circumstance

*It begins with you

*"Eternal family inks are only welded together through priesthood authority and personal righteousness."

Sister Bednar said: "Be a faithful link in the chain of generations."

She also said: "Your choices are not just about you...The choices you make for good or bad will extend across the generations."

After Jared returned home we had scriptures and then I said the family prayer. What a great Sabbath Day!

I guess it was not so great for some in Florida and the Carribean as Hurricane Irma hit. 

Photos:

Jared's sealing cards. I took home 12 couples

for James and I to do.

I know I have posted this before but all of these boys

had a birthday this week and I just had to post this again.

Back home in Vernon Elder Hall reported on his

mission to Argentina. Sorry we missed it.

He was one of my favorites when he was in

young mens.'

Reunited and it feels so good.

Along with their Dad, they both served missions

in Argentina.

The next Elder Hall. Just a couple of more years.

The only missionary still out from the
Vernon ward.