Saturday, January 6th, 2018

Manti, Utah 

3rd operating temple
Dedicated: 17, 21-23 May 1888W
Written By: Wilford Woodruff and read by:
Lorenzo Snow

Jesus Christ Atonement through

Moroni 10:33

And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 4:20-5:6

What can we learn from Zoram who, after learning about the Lord's will from Nephi, decided to leave Jerusalem and follow Lehi and his family?

Old Testament Scripture Mastery

Exodus 20:3-4

3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

Old Testament/Pearl of Great Price Reading

Genesis 11-2 and Abraham 2

General Conference

The Plan and the Proclamation

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

"The gospel plan each family should follow to prepare for eternal life and exaltation is outlined in the Church's 1995 proclamation, "The Family: A Proclamation to the World." Its declarations are, of course, visibly different from some current laws, practices, and advocacy of the world in which we live. In our day, the differences most evident are cohabitation without marriage, same-sex marriage, and the raising of children in such relationships. Those who do not believe in or aspire to exaltation and are most persuaded by the ways of the world consider this family proclamation as just a statement of policy that should be changed In contrast, Latter-day Saints affirm that the family proclamation defines the kind of family relationships where the most important part of our eternal development can occur.

Converted Latter-day Saints believe that the family proclamation, issued nearly a quarter century ago and now translated into scores of languages, is the Lord's reemphasis of the gospel truths we need to sustain us through current challenges to the family. Two examples are same-sex marriage and cohabitation without marriage."

I found this in the Old Testament Student Manual, page 59:

"But when I am ready to say, 'Father, all that I have, myself included, is Thine; my time, my substance, everything that I possess is on the altar, to be used freely, agreeable to Thy holy will, and not my will, but Thine, be done,' then perhaps I will be prepared to go and help to redeem Zion." (Joseph F. Smith, in Millennial Star, 18 June 1894, p. 385-86.)

I love this quote and want to be able to say this myself.

James and I went to the church in Vernon to clean. The Cranes, Ashley Umphress, Amy Reynolds, Shaylyn Smith, Alicia and Colter Hunsaker, and Tina Allen were also there to help. 

Some of the sisters were there just to take down Christmas decorations. The Cranes, Alicia and Colter, Shaylyn and Tina stayed to help clean the rest of the church. It is our week to clean and the Allen's  were asked to help us.

After we were finished James and I went to town. We had lunch at Persnikkity's. James recommended the twisted philly cheesesteak sandwich so that's what I ordered with a side of sweet potato fries. It was delicious! I would order it again in a heartbeat. 

Our next stop was the Book Barn. I got Colter and Curtis's names on two of the Bibles I ordered from the Distribution Center. I also got a Gospel Doctrine Old Testament manual and a new Sunday journal for me with my name on it. 

While I shopped at Walmart James of course went to Home Depot. I bought a cashbox to stick cash in. 

When we got home I napped until 4pm and then started working on Plan of Salvation handouts for all of the kids in my Primary class. We are studying the Old Testament this year and this is the first lesson. 

This evening we watched one of the new winterfest Hallmark movies, "Love on the Slopes." I got this quote from the movie:

"Be a warrior not a worrier."

We did not have any dinner. We are fasting along with the rest of our stake and many in the White Mountains for moisture. 

Hopefully on Wednesday!

One of my favorites.

Yes, the fidget spinner is spinning!

From today's Relief Society lesson.

The Goodman's are new in our ward. Cathy Arnett

messaged me and said her uncle Pierce was moving

to Vernon. She said he was like on of the three Nephites.

I think that means she really likes him.

Monday, July 31st, 2017

Manti, Utah

3rd operating temple

Dedicated: 21-23 May 1888 

By: Lorenzo Snow

Rededicated: 14-16 June 1985 

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Atonement

2 Nephi 10:25

Jesus Christ, Advocate

DC 32:3

And Ziba Peterson also shall go with them; and I myself will go with them and be in their midst; and I am their advocate with the Father, and nothing shall prevail against them.

Alma 43:15-26

*Why did the Lamanites withdraw their attacks even though they outnumbered the Nephites? (See verses 20-22).

*What can we learn from this event about defending ourselves against Satan's designs?

*Why did Moroni send messengers to talk with Alma? (see verses 23-24).

*What can Moroni's example teach us about how we can be prepared spiritually against the adversary? (Principle: If we seek and follow prophetic counsel, we will be better able to defend ourselves against the adversary.)

DC 107:1-20

1-6, There are two priesthoods: the Melchizedek and the Aaronic; 7-12, Those who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood have power to officiate in all offices in the Church; 13-17, The bishopric presides over the Aaronic Priesthood, which administers in outward ordinances; 18-20, The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the keys of all spiritual blessings; the Aaronic Priesthood hold the keys of the ministering of angels;

How is the priesthood greater than any of its offices?

* Bruce R. McConkie: "The priesthood is greater than any of its offices. No office adds any power, dignity, or authority to the priesthood. All offices derive their rights, prerogatives, graces, and powers from the priesthood. This principle may be diagrammed by dividing a circle into segments. The priesthood is the circle; the segments of the circle are the callings or offices in the priesthood. Anyone who serves in a segment of the circle must possess the power of the whole circle. No one can hold an office in the priesthood without first holding the priesthood."

General Conference

Foundations of Faith

Elder Quentin L. Cook

" In the 1830 printing of the Book of Mormon Joseph included a short preface and simply and clearly declared it was translated 'by the gift and power of God.'  What about the aids to translation - the Urim and Thummim, the seer stones? Were they essential, or were they like the training wheels on a bicycle until Joseph could exercise the faith necessary to receive more direct revelations?"

James is helping Brother Howard finish the roof on their bunkhouse this morning. They have a big open house this Saturday. Chuck and Brother Peeler were also helping with trimming trees, and setting up a horseshoe game.

I helped Kaeli, Alicia, and Stefani clean at the Freeman's today. They are moving to Taylor.  There are mouse droppings everywhere in this house. Stefani has a son on a mission in West Virginia, Tyler. He and his companion were heroes this week. There was flooding in the town where they are serving and they helped rescue people who were caught in their cars. Tyler was even interviewed on the local television station.

When I got home I made some mongolian beef and put it in the crockpot. I worked on my blog while James was outside working on putting up the greenhouse he bought a few months ago. 

I talked with my neighbor Kathy about her trip to the valley to help with the Curtis's sons funeral. She said she didn't know how we ever lived down in the valley in the heat. She did tell me that Brother Curtis was able to do his son's temple endowments before he was buried so he could be buried in his temple clothes. They had to get special permission from the temple presidency to do his endowments, but it gave them a great deal of comfort.

For FHE we listened to Brother Hale's conference talk, "Becoming a Disciple of Jesus Christ."

I finished my frog picture.

Used by Prisma colored pencils and permanent markers.

Other Photos:

James's work boots.

Snow or hiking boots.

Tennis shoes

Camo clogs.

Notice that none of these shoes were in a closet.

Rain storm as viewed in White Pocket at 

the Vermillion Cliffs.

Arizona elk

Castle World