Tuesday, August 7th, 2018

Bogota, Columbia

57th operating temple

Dedicated: 24 April 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Creator

Mosiah 4:12

And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true.

Book of Mormon

Alma 46:29-41

*How did hoisting the title of liberty upon every tower in the land help the people maintain perspective? What "title" helps me maintain perspective in this world?

- The temple is my title of liberty. When I see a temple I feel comfort, and peace. I am reminded of my covenants and my eternal family.
Old Testament
Job 26-28
26 Job reproves Bildad's lack of empathy - He extols the power, greatness, and strength of the Lord.
27 Job asserts his righteousness - When the wicked are buried in death, terrors will take hold of them.
28 Wealth comes out of the earth - Wisdom cannot be purchased - The fear of the Lord is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding.
General Conference

One More Day

Taylor G. Godoy

"The plan of redemption is possible thanks to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. As He Himself described, the sacrifice 'caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit - and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink' (DC 19:18)."

The Sacrament is key to establishing ourselves on the Rock of our Redeemer.

James waited until I left today to go shopping before he turned the water off so he could fix the well. He actually ended up having to buy a new pump and a new pressure tank. It was very costly.

We still do not have water and I was not able to take a shower today.

When I arrived in town the first place I went was to Chase Bank to deposit the cash Brother Howard gave James to pay for his Home Depot supplies. Afterwards I drove to Aliberto's and got myself a beef taco. I saw one of the inactive sisters I used to visit teach. She got up from her lunch and came over to give me a hug. It made me feel good. Her name is Claire. Amy, her mom, is in our ward.

I got the following texts from my neighbor Kathy regarding our mutual friend and ward member Donna:

"Hi, Donna is at the Honor Hospital in Scottsdale off of Shea. They transported her by ambulance last night. They had taken an X-ray up here yesterday of her back and found a bone chip. They were concerned that this might cause bleeding. I will let you know as I get more information."

"Donna texted that the nurses say surgery will probably be today. Hasn't mentioned who the doctor will be."

James ministers to Donna and her husband Owen. We are very concerned about her. She fell a month or so ago and added a compression fracture to her already bulging disks in her back. She has been in a lot of pain. Recently she has fallen three more times. Her legs can't seem to support her.

Got my shopping done which included buying new sheets for our bed. They were pricey but our others were worn out. These are goo quality and should last a long time.

My goal is to get at least 15,000 steps every

week day this week.

My friend from Chandler who married a

Butler from Taylor. Wendell Butler's brother, Larry.
Wendell was my cousin Rita's steady in high school.

I wonder if James could build swings around

our fire pit.

 One of the reasons Dianne wanted to move to Oregon 

was so she could explore the beaches looking

for agates. I wonder what she would think

of this beach.

 Fortunately James has never asked me this question.

The one Addy would like the most is next
to the one she would hate. 

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Oakland, California
13th operating temple
Dedicated: 17-19 November 1964
by David O. McKay

Alma 5:1-25

*How might it have helped Alma's people to hear the account of the bondage, deliverance, and conversion of Alma's father and those who followed him?

*Look at Alma 5:7.  According to this verse, what kind of change had occurred in the lives of Alma's father and his people?

* What do you think it means to experience a "change of heart"? (see Alma 5:7-9, 14.)

*What connection do you see between believing in the word of God and experiencing a change of heart?

*Elder D. Todd Christofferson: "You may ask, why doesn't this mighty change happen more quickly with me? ... For most of us, the changes are more gradual and occur over time.  Being born again. . Is more a process than an event.  And engaging in that process is the central purpose of mortality."

*What words and phrases did Alma use that describe the condition you would lie to be in when you stand before God to be judged? (see Alma 5:16, 19.)

Ether 13

Ether speaks of a New Jerusalem to be built in America by the seed of Joseph; He prophesies, is cast out, writes the Jaredite history, and foretells the destruction of the Jaredites; War rages over all the land.

DC 76:102-119

114-19 The faithful may see and understand the mysteries of Gods kingdom by the power of the Holy Spirit.

How has the Holy Ghost helped me understand spiritual things better?

*He has testified to my spirit as I have tried to serve Him and keep His commandments.  He has comforted me and prompted me to do righteous things and He has brought me peace.

General Conference

The Godhead and the Plan of Salvation

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

"In contrast to the belief that God is an incomprehensible and unknowable mystery is the truth that the nature of God and our relationship to Him is knowable and is the key to everything else in our doctrine."

I reviewed one of the earlier Primary lessons this year on Joseph Smith Preparing to Receive the Gold Plates.  Here is an excerpt from the lesson: Joseph Smith's mother, Lucy Mack Smith, wrote that after the first visits of Moroni, "Joseph continued to receive instructions from the Lord, and we continued to get the children together every evening for the purpose of listening while he gave us a relation of the same. ...During our evening conversations, Joseph would occasionally give us some of the most amusing recitals that could be imagined.  He would describe the ancient inhabitants of this continent their dress, mode of traveling, and the animals upon which they rode; their cities their buildings, with every particular; their mode of warfare; and also their religious worship  This he would do with as much ease, seemingly, as if he had spent his whole life among them (Lucy Mack Smith, History of Joseph Smith, pp 82-83.)

Four years passed between the time Joseph first saw the gold pates and when he actually received them.  The angel Moroni was preparing Joseph for the work he had been called to do.  During these four years, Joseph also met with many other Nephite prophets, such as Nephi, Alma, Mormon, and the twelve disciples chosen by the Savior in America (see Church History in the Fulness of Times, p. 41).

I find this information both interesting and fascinating.  I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God.  I am grateful for his humility and desire to learn his duty in serving the Lord.

Today in the Topical Guide of the scriptures under Jesus Christ I read about the Savior choosing his 12 Apostles.  There is some discrepancy between Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  Matthew and Mark have the 11th apostle listed as Labbaeus Thaddeus and Luke has listed Judas, the brother of James. 

I left this morning for town to do the last of my visiting teaching.  Hailey, the sister I am visiting, said she was going to be at Whipple Ranch Elementary School helping her friend who is the reading resource person there move all of her stuff out.  She is going to a different school next year.  I offered to bring them a pizza and Hailey seemed to like that idea.  I picked up a pepperoni pizza at Dominoes and headed for the school, which is just down the street from where I lived in Show Low.  I got to see Hailey and Huntleigh.  Huntleigh will be two at the end of June and of course she is always with her mom.  She calls me "gma." I invited Hailey to be a part of my Book of Mormon text group and she said yes.  I also told her that President Monson has ask us to read the Book of Mormon.  Hailey and her family have not been to church for several months now.  Her daughter Taylor has not been baptized since she turned 8 last October.  She is supposed to be in my Primary class.  I am so excited that Hailey agreed to read the Book of Mormon with us.  I forgot to tell her we were already started and we are studying Alma 5 this week.  Oh well, I guess she will find out soon enough.  I took half,  (I ate the other half on the way home) to James for lunch.  

This afternoon I watched last night's episode of "Dancing with the Stars."  Each of the three finalists will dance a redemption dance and a freestyle.  The redemption dance is a dance they performed earlier in the year.  They dance it again to see how much they have improved.  The freestyle is just what it sounds like; no rules apply, anything goes!  I want Rashad Jennings to win.  He and Emma got a perfect score for the night.  Rashad is a free agent in the NFL.  One the night he told his story he told about getting a college scholarship to play football when he got a phone call from his mother saying his father was very ill.  Rashad gave up the scholarship to go home and be with his family at this most difficult time.  He also practiced one hundred hours more than any other finalist.  His work ethic is amazing.  Also, I love his partner, Emma Slater, and would love for her to win with Rashad.

I didn't actually watch tonight's finale but I woke up in the middle of the night to see this:

They won!

I am so happy for them because they are both amazing people!

Emma has never had a good partner.  Last year she was stuck with Rick Perry and he was one of the first to go home.  She is always upbeat and kind to her partners and never complains about them.

She deserves this too! Besides, I love her British accent.

James is so discouraged.  He took the pump apart today trying to fix it but was not successful.  When I got home from town, he had tried putting it back together and could not get it to work.  We knelt down and said a prayer and he went out and tried one more time.  This time it worked!  He still has to figure out why we have a leaks; one water leak and one air leak.  Tomorrow is another day.  He has had enough stress for today.  

We watched an episode of "Victoria" to relax. Victoria is a Masterpiece Classic on the Public Broadcasting station.  Victoria is the story of queen Victoria of England who came to reign at the young age of 18. She marries her cousin, Albert from Germany.  He is trying to find a place in the government and takes on the issue of abolishing slavery.  His first speech in front of parliament is very well received.  He wants to be known as a man of principle. They are very much in love and everyone is waiting for them to produce an heir.  Oh dear.

 We also started reading a book that Cathi loaned us called "The Shack."

Cathi didn't tell us much about it but I believe it is based on a

true story.

I am also reading a book by Greg Trimble, who is LDS, called: "Dad's Who Stay and Fight."

The chapter I read today was called: "Dads and Technology."

"Technology is a useful servant, but a dangerous master."

-Christian Lauge

"I fear that we have yet to fully realize the severe emotional, spiritual, and physical consequences our youth will experience in coming years due to our overly digital age. 

- Brandon Stewart

Founding musical director for the Millennial Choirs

and Orchestras.

"Technology is active vegetation of your kids' minds."

-Greg Trimble