Wednesday, February 6th, 2019

Memphis, Tennessee

80th operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Apr 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Luke 4:41

And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 1:30-2:10

How do you keep a balanced perspective on your dependence on God's grace and your desire to live righteously?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Luke 4:33-44

"Trust in the Lord" Marion G. Romney; Oct 1977

General Conference

Gather Together in One All Things in Christ

Elder David A. Bednar

"Truth faith is focused in and on the Lord Jesus Christ - in Him as the divine and Only Begotten Son of the Father and on Him and the redemptive mission He fulfilled. 'For he hath answered the ends of the law, and he claimeth all those who have faith in him; and they who have faith in him will cleave unto every good thing; wherefore he advocateth the cause of the children of men.' Exercising faith in Christ is trusting and placing our confidence in Him as our Savior, on His name, and in His promises."

We got up this morning to snow and fog. We had planned on going to the temple today but after looking outside I tried to talk James into going tomorrow instead. He said he really wanted to go today because he already had his mind set. I said okay.

We brought in wet wood to dry out on the hearth. We had scriptures and prayer and I worked on my blog for awhile before going in to get ready for the temple. 

We left for the temple a little after 9 for the 10:30 session. It was slow going to Show Low and when we got there we headed straight for the carwash. The roads to Taylor and Snowflake were pretty clear, not any snow. 

It was freezing cold and windy at the temple. James made a joke. He said the pioneers upon entering Snowflake said: "We will stay here until the wind stops." That's how the town was founded by Mr. Snow and Mr. Flake.

I gave Kathy, a friend from high school, a hug upon entering. Judy, a friend from Vernon was also near the entrance. She teaches the temple prep class in our ward and she said that a member of our ward, Paula, would be going through the temple on Friday to take out her endowments. This is exciting news! Paula is an amazing person who does lots of community service and is always helping someone. I am so happy for her. Judy asked me to please let Tamara know. I said I would.

James and I sat across from each other for the first part of the endowment session. I must say that I am quite happy with the changes that were made in the endowment session athough now it is slides instead of a video.

We discussed who's names we wanted to put on the prayer roll and we divided them up. I put Harold's, Max's, and some people from the ward. James wanted to put Alex's and Sister Peeler.

So much for the car being washed. By the time we got home it was covered with mud again. 

After resting and walking I worked on my blog this evening.

James is anxious to get back to working at the temple, especially after going today and seeing that he could make it through a session.

 Our view outside this morning

This face makes me happy

Monday, February 19th, 2018

Bountiful, Utah

47th operating temple

Dedicated: 8-14 Jan 1995

By: Howard W. Hunter

Jesus Christ Authority of

John 10:18

No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 9:50-10:17

*What are  things you prioritize that won't "satisfy?" How does 9:51 affect where you spend your time, money, and work?

Old Testament

Levitucus 15-16

15 Laws, rites, and sacrifices are revealed for cleansing those who have a discharge and other types of uncleanness.

16 How and when Aaron must enter the holy place is explained - Sacrifices are offered to reconcile Israel to God - The scapegoat carries away the sins of the people - The sins of all Israel are forgiven on the Day of Atonement.

Old Testament Favorite Scriptures

Exodus 16:12

I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the Lord your God.

General Conference

That Your Joy Might Be Full

Jean B. Bingham

" Faith in Jesus Christ brings even more gifts than healing and peace. As President Henry B. Eyring shared: 'I have been thankful for the many ways the Lord has visited me with the Comforter when I needed peace. Yet our Father in Heaven is concerned not just about our comfort but even more about our upward progress.'"

Has the Day of Miracles Ceased?

Elder Donald L. Hallstrom

" A critical question to ponder is 'Where do we place our faith?' Is our faith focused on simply wanting to be relieved of pain and suffering, or is it firmly centered on God the Father and His holy plan and in Jesus the Christ and His Atonement? Faith in the Father and the Son allows us to understand and accept Their will as we prepare for eternity."

I woke up this morning to a howling wind and a promise of snow. A cold and blustery day with wind, rain, snow hail and even some sunshine. It was one of those days when you just want to curl up in front of the fire with a good book....which we did a couple of times.

We also watched a Hallmark movie and had some popcorn and homemade lemonade. 

"Religious freedom is the cornerstone of peace in a world with many competing philosophies. It gives us space to follow the truth God speaks to our hearts. We use our freedom of religion and belief to establish our core convictions." - Elder D. Todd Christofferson

February 2018 Ensign, 32.

James worked on a bid for Salvador and I paid the Amazon credit card, blogged, walked 12,000 steps and worked on posting expenses for December in order to "catchup" on my budget. 

James went home teaching to Sister Dye and the Wilhelm's with his partner Brother Westbrook. 

I watched the first episode of the new season of "When Calls the Heart." James and I finished reading "Love and Loss at Whitmore Manor."

That last one doesn't seem real.

Ollie watching his family release the

balloons they got for Valentine's day.

My view out my window today.

Super Moon 

Sunday, February 18th, 2018

Orlando, Florida

46th operating temple

Dedicated: 9-11 Oct 1994

By: Howard W. Hunter

Jesus Christ Authority of

3 Nephi 27:13

Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you - that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 9:31-49

* S.M.I.L.E. - "To be spiritually-minded is life eternal."

* What does it mean to be spiritually minded?

- As we make Christ the center of our lives and our thoughts turn to Him we become spiritually minded.

Old Testament

Leviticus 14

Laws, rites, and sacrifices are revealed for cleansing lepers, their garments, and leprous houses.

Old Testament Favorite Scriptures

Exodus 16:4

Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove the, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

General Conference

The Lord Leads His Church

President Henry B. Eyring

" I try not to judge servants of the Lord or to speak of their apparent weaknesses. And I try to teach that be example to my children. President James E. Faust shared a credo that I am trying to make my own. I commend it to you:

'We...need to support and sustain our local leaders, because they ... have been called and chosen. Every member of this Church may receive counsel from a bishop or a branch president, a stake or a mission president, and the President of the Church and his associates. None of these brethren asked for his calling. None is perfect. Yet they are the servants of the Lord, called by Him through those entitled to inspiration. Those called, sustained, and set apart are entitled to our sustaining support.

...Disrespect for ecclesiastical leaders has caused man to suffer spiritual weakening and downfall. We should look past any perceived imperfections, warts, or spots of the men called to preside over us, and uphold the office which they hold."

I was up at 4 a.m. to finish preparing for Primary. My lesson is on "Enoch and the City of Zion." At the last minute I decided I wanted the kids to make the City of Zion going up to heaven.

I should have used something different than thread and I forgot to bring enough scissors. Thank goodness James was there to help me or it would have been a real disaster.

James also did the attention activity which involved a clean container of water inside a dirty one to demonstrate how even though we live in a dirty world we can be clean.

We picked up Kathy Crane this morning and I was embarrassed because our car was so muddy. 

I traded classrooms with the other Valiant class and I love it. It is bigger. I have more kids in my class than the older class so this just seems right. 

Grandma and grandpa Wilhelm spoke today in sacrament meeting. They spoke about the temple and the importance of uniting families. Addy Parker, a young woman I do not know, played a piano solo of "If you Could Hie to Kolob." It was beautiful.

My Primary class today: Liana and her friend Ashlin, Andyn and her cousin Maggie, Colter, Amaron, Gracie, Curtis, and Zemira. 

James was there to help but it was still pretty chaotic. 

This is the first Sunday that sharing time was divided and our class and the older class were the only ones in senior sharing time. It was a dream! 

We went home had some lunch, took a short nap, and then were back at the church before 2 for Benson's baptism. There were lots of people at the church and we noticed that everyone was moving from the back of the church to the front when we arrived.  I asked someone where the baptism was going to be and they said, "Maybe in the bishop's stock tank." What? I guess there are major plumbing problems and the font did not fill and the back of the church does not smell very good. 

We all gathered in the chapel where the bishop conducted the program. His daughter Andyn sat by us. Bishop said they called Concho, the downtown Show Low building and neither one of them had fonts so the called both stake centers where they were still having meetings so they decided that his stock tank was the closest body of water big enough for a baptism. 

After the program we all drove down ACR3144 following bishop to his property that he rents from John Bear. The stock tank was right by the fence. We were the second ones there after the bishop. Here are some photos I took:

Such a great smile!

He looks so sweet and innocent.

I love this song!

The stock tank turned baptismal font.

The crowd begins to gather while the horse

looks on. There were lots of people who came

from out of town.

Benson's dad testing the waters.

Talking about it. Benson's not sure.

But he is obedient to his dad and lies

flat in his arms so he only has to go

under once.

The horse thinks we were there for him.

He was very friendly.

Benson was immediately wrapped in several blankets and taken to the church where he was confirmed. Afterwards there were refreshments for everyone. James and I did not go back to the church, we went home. I can tell you that was the most memorable baptism that I have ever been to.

This evening I read from both of our books and fixed tuna sandwiches and baked apples for dinner. James made a fire. Since he is going to the Wilhelm's for FHE tomorrow, I helped him work on names he wanted to print from Take a Name. I showed him how to print them and he was happy. 

There is a storm coming tonight. The wind is blowing and we are expecting rain and snow tomorrow.