OUR FAMILY: Uncle Kays funeral

Guatemala City, Guatemala

32nd operating temple

Dedicated: 14-16 Dec 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

DC 11:11

For, behold, it is I that speak; behold, I am the light which shineth in darkness, and by my power I give these words unto thee.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 1:1-12

*How have the American continents been kept sacred?

- The sacredness is in the freedoms we have and the people striving to keep the commandments.

Old Testament

Exodus 26-27

26 The tabernacle is to be built with ten curtains and with boards - A veil is to separate the holy place from the most holy place - The ark of testimony (with the mercy seat) is to be put in the most holy place.

27 The tabernacle is to contain an altar for burnt offerings and a court surrounded by pillars - A light is to burn always in the tabernacle of the congregation.

Old Testament Favorite Scriptures

Genesis 9:11-13

11 And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.

12 And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:

13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.

General Conference

"A Yearning for Home"

" Blessings will come not so much because of your abilities but because of your choices. And the God of the universe will work within and through you, magnifying your humble efforts for His purposes. His work has always advanced on this important principle: "Out of small things proceedeth that which is great."

We were a little late getting to church this morning. We arrived at the building at 8:50. We had lots of things to carry in for my lesson. I am grateful for James's help.

Our fast and testimony meeting was conducted by Brother Crane. It was his first fast and testimony meeting to conduct. The following people bore their testimonies: Brother Crane, Brother M. Wilhelm, Sister Johnson, Sister Smith who is leaving this Wednesday for the MTC, Brother Applegate, Brother Peeler, Bishop Hall, Brother Skousen, Elders Macy and Smith our fulltime missionaries, Sister Applegate, Brother Curtis, Brother Grapp, Sister Gillespie, Sister Kennedy and Jace was the only youth. We had these children from Primary bear their testimonies: Colter, Zemira, Curtis, Liana, and Benson.

It was a good fast and testimony meeting. I thought something Sister Kennedy said in her testimony was interesting. She said that when Elder Renlund was called to the Quorum of the Twelve, President Nelson handed him a copy to The Family, a Proclamation to the World and said: "This is your instruction guide."

My Primary lesson went quite well except for the fact that Colter and Amaron are really not interested in the lesson which causes a distraction. Amaron did like the picture of the Savior that I had on the cross and asked some questions about it. Andyn was a little disappointed because I didn't have a newsletter today.

The Goodman's have been called to teach the 6-7 year old Primary class. Also, Tyler Hunsaker has been called to teach the 10-11 year olds.

During singing time we sang: "My Heavenly Father Loves Me," and "I Am a Child of God," all four verses. For sharing time Brother Thompson talked to the kids about the creation and then Sister Skousen did an activity with them. Again, Amaron was not interested in anything except talking to me. He is very sweet and helped me carry my stuff to the car after the meetings were over.

James stayed at the church while I went home and broke my fast and had some lunch. I went back to the church around 1:00 for a meeting with the bishop about one of the sisters I visit teach. The bishop asked me to invite this sister to lunch but I struggled with that because she is not even speaking to me. We went from being best friends to nothing and I don't know why.

James came home with me after my meeting with the bishop. I was concerned about what he had asked me to do until I read President Uchtdorf's talk, "Three Sisters," and this quote: "What did the Savior teach? 'I say unto you Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.' This is the Savior's way. It is the first step in breaking down the barriers that create so much anger, hatred, division, and violence in the world."

My whole attitude changed when I read this quote and I knew I could reach out to this sister and eventually invite her to lunch. I felt peace instead of turmoil.

James broke his fast and took a nap and so did I. When we got up we spent the rest of the day studying the gospel and I wrote in my journal (blog). No Super Bowl for us.

Today is my brother Harold's 68th birthday. I wished him a happy birthday and told him that I loved him.

I got a message from C. Arnett today. This is what she said: "I went to Primary today to listen to my granddaughters talk. I walked into Primary and sat down. A flood of memories and the sweet spirit I felt serving with you and Betty overcame me. I could not stop crying. Thank you Thank you for the best spiritual experience of my life! Heavenly Father is real and He loves all of His children."

What a sweet message and reminder of how much I love C. Arnett!

Oh yes, and Brother Goodman in our ward is her first cousin.