Sunday morning session of stake conference.
We sat by Owen and Donna Peeler, our friends and neighbors
from Vernon.
Speaker: President Ken Van Winkle - Stay the course. Mosiah 2:22 - "Behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you."
Elder Corbridge: "Don't be deceived." How do we avoid being deceived? (See Elder Corbridge's five primary questions in stake conference journal, November 8, 2015.)
Stand firm in the faith, and hold fast.
Fernando Thompson, Jr. - Recently returned missionary. He is the first and only missionary to leave from the Cibeque branch. My mission taught me how to be closer to Heavenly Father. Never lose the focus of bringing our families to God. Help them endure to the end Never lose focus on the things that you know to be true.
Paige Bennie, Laurel from the Country Club Manor ward. How can we use social media to uplift? 1. Keep posts positive. 1972 prophecy by President Kimball about technology. 2. Make sure you edify and uplift. 3. Be authentic and consistent 4. Be wise and vigilant. Don't post anything you don't want everyone in the world to see. Elder Bednar's talk on social media given in August, 2014.
Ben Dike, Priest from the Pinedale ward. Language and how we communicate with others. (see 'For the Strength of Youth').
Story of McKay Hatch and his 'No Cussing Club.' It became a media sensation, reaching people all over the world. Don't gossip or show anger to others. Laman and Lemuel's murmuring caused a standstill in their spiritual progression. President Uchtdorf: "Stop It!" Agape - Greek word meant to lover everyone unconditionally. Brother's mission journal: Charity vs. Pride, two kinds of love. One is the love of others and the other is the love of self. Our speech defines us. We represent the Savior as members of His Church.
Sister Miller of the Snowflake Temple Presidency - From Joseph City. Grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Hastening the work is now and includes missionary and temple work. The Snowflake temple performs 100's and even 1000's of ordinances each day. Youth are more involved than ever in temple work.
President Miller, counselor in the Snowflake temple presidency - President Hancock is the temple president and President Scott is his other counselor. Service is the essence of the gospel. Related President Nelsons' story he told in General Conference about the Hatfield family and doing their temple work. Elder Kevin R. Duncan quote from April 2016 G.C. on forgiveness. Elder Rasband: "I need my Savior now more than ever before." Quote from Bishop Waddell in April 2016 G.C. Quinten L. Cook: "We are equal before God in the temple." Kent F. Richards, General Temple Director, "Sanctify yourselves."
Speaker: David Larue Crockett, stake patriarch - I believe in miracles and I am grateful for the miracle of forgiveness. Story of woman in prison for drug abuse. Her bishop sees a vision of who she was in the premortal life before he gives her a blessing. She becomes a valiant disciple of Jesus Christ, serving with charity and love those in her ward.
President Danny Crandall, 2nd counselor in stake presidency - When the world is in commotion what are you going to hang on to? By their fruits ye shall know them. Why do I stay on the old ship Zion? Do I believe in the miracles of the Restoration. We as a church are not on a pedestal but in a place of rescue. We are built upon a foundation of prophets and apostles. (See Ephesians). Keys were given to Joseph and Oliver and when Oliver left the Church, Joseph and Hyrum had the keys. Our mission is to bring people to Christ, and stay on the ole' ship Zion. Exaltation is the destination.
President Steven Williams, Show Low stake president - We need each other. Examples of service. "I think of...." The list could go on and on on ways we can help each other. told a story from his family history Wales-America. Father joined the Church and moved to SLC when he married an LDS woman. His 10 year old son, William Williams, for some reason, stayed in Wales. His temple work needed to be done and President Williams is determined to do it. This is the Spirit of Elijah. New Church program, Find, Take, Teach. What can we become in the process. President Williams gave a blessing to those who would accept this Find, Take, Teach challenge. Here is the blessing: "We will receive impressions from beyond the veil, and feel greater peace in our lives and more forgiveness from others. We will have a deepened appreciation for prophets, temples, and our covenants. We will feel the Spirit stronger on a daily basis. We will have more strength to overcome trials and as we serve we will become more Christlike.
Thank you President Williams.
After stake conference we came home and James fixed us a nice lunch of potatoes, eggs, onions, and various veggies all cooked together. After lunch it was nap time.
I did my gospel study this morning and this afternoon I copied notes from my stake conference notebook to my Sunday journal. For dinner I made strawberry shortcake and James dipped strawberries, raspberries, and nuts in chocolate.
James had a pretty awesome Sabbath. He did indexing for several hours, wrote in his journal, and HE FOUND HIS TRUCK KEYS!!
I think that last one was his greatest accomplishment of the day.
We did watch a Hallmark movie tonight. I was disappointed again when something I tried to tape failed to tape because the satellite signal was lost. I messaged Vickie on Facebook and ask her to call me.
"Love By Chance"
Alex's Birthday Celebration
Happy 18th!
Wish we were there to help celebrate.
This week's ponderize scripture:
