Sunday, May 6th, 2018

Sacramento, California

123rd operating temple

Dedicated: 3 Sept 2006

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, birth of

2 Nephi 17:14

Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign - Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and shall bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 24:1-15
*How has prayer helped ease your daily burdens?
- Prayer will strengthen us to carry our burdens. In vs. 15 "The Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease." When we pray for help we will receive strength, we then find hope in Christ. By submitting cheerfully the Lord will deliver us from our burdens.
Old Testament
1 Samuel 16-17
16 The Lord chooses David of Bethlehem as king - He is anointed by Samuel - Saul chooses David as his companion and armor bearer.
17 Israel and the Philistines engage in war - Goliath of Gath, a giant, defies Israel and challenges any Israelite to personal combat - David goes against him in the name of the Lord - David slays Goliath with a sling and a stone - Israel defeats the Philistines.
General Conference

The Prophet of God

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"In sustaining President Russell M. Nelson as the Lord's prophet and as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we were part of a divinely decreed solemn assembly - solemn because the events of this past hour have been anticipated in the heavens since before the world was. The Lord Jesus Christ, who directs His work, has today through President Eyring presented His prophet, His anointed leader, to us, His covenant people, allowing us publicly to manifest our willingness to sustain him and follow his counsel."

I got up at 4:30 this morning. Today is the day we weigh and report to Trina on how we did. I lost 2.2 lbs. James lost over 4. I am still happy though. Men always lose faster than women, especially in the beginning.

I prepared a few notes on ministering from the ministering.lds.org website to take with me to young women's when I talk to them today. I also really got in to the RS lesson on revelation. There are so many good things in President Nelson's conference talk. 

We had a really good fast and testimony meeting today. One of my favorite testimonies was Brother Allen's. He said that Sister Brewer came to him last week and asked him what his favorite hymn was. She said because he has been through so much these past few weeks she wanted to do something for him. He said it was "I Stand All Amazed." This was our sacrament hymn today. Brother Allen told why it is favorite hymn. He said when he was 7 or 8 years old he was acting up. His grandfather, who was the stake president, took him by the hand and sat him down next to him on the piano bench. His grandfather began playing and singing "I Stand All Amazed." Brother Allen says he still remembers this incident every time he hears this hymn. He thanks his grandfather for taking the time to teach him and give him an opportunity to feel the Spirit.

Linda Price, a summer, part time member of our ward told about her grandson's sealing in the Salt Lake temple. President Dallin H. Oaks was the sealer and she got to give him a hug.

James got up and after bearing his testimony he began talking about me and how our 50th wedding anniversary is coming up. It was very sweet of him.

Because of James's testimony Linda Price, before Relief Society started showed me some photos of their 50th wedding anniversary celebration two years ago. 

Our  friends the Prices'

Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary!

7 Kids, 40 Grandkids, and 12 Great-Grandkids

Grandchildren, oldest to youngest

7 grandchildren missed the party because of

Missions, college and pregnancy.

Several of the people James and I have stewardship over are having problems today. Pam's husband Ricky is having hernia surgery in the morning. Sister Peeler is in the ER having tests done to see what is causing her pain. It turned out to be not too serious, but still a concern. Anthony, James's friend, has a severe toothache. James checked and he does have antibiotics. Some of the Grapp kids have pink eye and Jean Howard has flu symptons. Our ministering skills will be put to work this week.

I attended the gospel doctrine class for the first time since I was called to teach Primary 3 years ago. Brother Scott was the teacher. He is very knowledgeable but I was disappointed we didn't read any of the scriptures in the lesson except one verse.

I went in to speak to the young women about their upcoming ministering responsibilities. The only ones I knew were LeeAnn and Alice. Of course I know Hailey and Holly and Talena and Bailey but not like I know the older girls. I think it went quite well. Sister Allen only wanted me to take 5-10 minutes so I didn't say nearly as much as I had prepared.

Tamara gave the discussion on personal revelation in Relief Society and from what I heard it was very good. President Nelson's talk from conference on revelation was one of my favorites.

I forgot to mention our future missionary, Jackson Allen, was ordained an elder today after the block. I heard his mom talking about it and half the Allen family attended our ward today. He already has his mission papers in.

This is Jackson. He is quite the mountain man too.

Here he says that you need to appreciate where you are from.

He loves the White Mountains. He is passing up wrestling

scholarships to serve a mission. He is quite the young man.

When James and I got home from church we broke our fast and had lunch. After lunch we shared a quart of Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream. It was delicious!

I took an hour and a half nap and James was down for about 3-4 hours. He needs the rest because he is going to have a brutal week out in the sun beginning tomorrow. 

It was a wonderful Sabbath day. We were in bed by 9:30 because of James's early schedule tomorrow.

Evan treats me like a baby 'cuz I'm the 

younger brother.

Paul wrote this yesterday 

on Facebook.

Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott.

Over 200 years old on the Tweed River.

If I ever go back to Europe it will be to

visit Scotland.

Baby Leo, who had open heart surgery when

he was just a few days old was blessed today

by his dad.

The Chunky Monkey Weightloss Challenge Stats:

If James loses any more weight he is

going to blow away. Boy he makes

me look like a chunky monkey.

I guess I shouldn't blame him, should I.

 Woohoo!

Saturday, March 10th, 2018

Billings, Montana

66th operating temple

Dedicated: 20-21 Nov 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

2 Nephi 9:5

Yea, I know that ye know that in the body he shall show himself unto those at Jerusalem, from whence we came; for it is expedient that it should be among them; for it behooveth the great Creator that he suffereth himself to become subject unto man in the flesh, and die for all men, that all men might become subject unto him.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 28:17-32

* Why do you think it is dangerous for people to be "at ease in Zion" thinking that no improvement is needed?

*What can we do to make sure we are building upon the Rock and are receiving with gladness?

Talk: "Upon This Rock"

By: Bruce R. McConkie, April 1981

Old Testament

Numbers 22-23

22 Balak offers money, cattle, and great honors to Balaam to curse Israel - The Lord forbids Balaam to do so - An angel opposes Balaam on the way.

23 The Lord commands Balaam to bless Israel - He does so, saying, Who can count the dust of Jacob? and, What hath God wrought!

Old Testament Favorite Scriptures

Exodus 20:15

Thou shalt not steal.

General Conference

Spiritual Eclipse

Gary E. Stevenson

" Eyewear designed to protect the sight of those in the zone of a total solar eclipse can prevent permanent damage and even blindness. Gospel glasses comprised of a knowledge and testimony of gospel principles and ordinances provide a gospel perspective that can similarly provide greater spiritual protection and clarity for someone exposed to the hazards of a spiritual eclipse. If you discover anything that seems to be blocking the light and joy of the gospel in your life, I invite you to place it in a gospel perspective. Look through a gospel lens and be vigilant not to allow insignificant and inconsequential matters in life to obscure your eternal view of the great plan of happiness. In short, don't let life's distractions eclipse heaven's light."

Happy Birthday Tanner!

"As we demonstrate our faith in Christ's delivering power, even to the point of getting our feet wet, the Lord will part the waters and bring about our redemption."

"The lid of the ark of the covenant was also called the mercy seat or seat of atonement. There was no more poignant symbol of Christ and His delivering power than the ark of the covenant."

(March 2018 Ensign, p. 50-51).

James and I arrived at the temple before 6:30 much to James's delight. We brought three dozen rolls along with butter and strawberry jam. 

President and Sister Palmer were our trainers today. We watched a video about patron names or temple family shared names. If a person comes in with only one name to do for initiatory they will no longer be able to also do the names the temple has. I am not sure why but that is the new rule. Temple names are now called family shared names.

My first assignment was in initiatory, clothing. Sister Shelton was our first patron. Soon a few more came. The assignment only last for 30 minutes and then I moved on to the locker room, which was very uneventful. Next I had a break along with Sister Elmer, Sister Humphrey, and Sister Gentry. 

Sister Gentry and I were the followers for the 9:30 session. I got to know her and I really like her. She lives in Show Low but used to be in the Pinetop-Lakeside stake. She was the stake Relief Society President and Sister Skousen from our ward was her counselor. They are very good friends.  There were 26 sisters in our session and 16 brothers. We found a name that had fallen on the floor from another session which made everyone happy. We had one sister with her apron on wrong side out, and one sister with her veil on wrong side out. We have been told not to embarrass people but let things go if they are not caught in a timely fashion.

James was a follower in the 11:00 session and offered the prayer. In his prayer he prayed for rain.

While I was a greeter downstairs there was a very noisy wedding party waiting for the bride and groom to come out. They were in the foyer and Sister Elmer went out to remind them that they were still in the temple. Soon they went outside and when the bride and groom came out the crowd let out a loud cheer. Sister Palmer, the temple matron said she could here it in her office upstairs.

I saw three people from high school, Kathy H., Kerry B., and Barry F. Barry is the one who pulled my car out of the mud at a party at Daggs Reservoir now known as White Mountain Lake.

It was raining when we walked to our car. James's prayer was answered.

We stopped at Walmart and Sonic. The green chili cheeseburger I got at Sonic was too hot and I didn't really enjoy it. 

I got up at 3:30 this morning so I had a long nap, but I got in my 10,000 steps. I worked on my Primary lesson this evening, "Abraham and Lot."

Looks delicious!

I ask James what this animal was,

thinking he wouldn't know, but 

of course he did. It's a Dik Dik.

 Ollie got a haircut.

He looks like he's ready to jump.

Impressive!

Tasha labeled this picture, The Crew.

The Jones's baby boy Leo who was born Friday must have

open heart surgery this coming Tuesday.

One of his valves is too small to pump 

blood to his body.  Annie, his mom,

was my visiting teacher when she lived

in Arizona.  She and her family just

moved to Indiana where her husband

will go to graduate school.