Wednesday, July 13, 2016

The love the Savior has for us is

unconditional.

Alma 32:1-20

1 - Alma and his brethren begin to preach the word of God.

2 - They began to have success among the poor class of people who were cast out of the synagogues because of the coarseness of their apparel.

3 - They were esteemed by their brethren as dross.  They were poor as to worldly things and poor in heart.

4 - The poor gather to the hill Onidah where Alma is preaching.

5 - The foremost among them tells Alma they have no place to worship and wonders what they shall do.

6 - Alma beheld their afflictions had humbled them and they were prepared to hear the word.

7 - Alma said no more to the other multitude but he cried unto those whom were truly penitent and said:

8 - Ye are lowly in heart and blessed are ye.

10 - Do ye suppose that ye cannot worship God save it be in your synagogues only?

11 - Do you think ye should worship God only once in a week?

12 - It is well ye are cast out of your synagogues that ye may be humble and learn wisdom.

13 - Sometimes if a man is compelled to be humble he seeketh repentance.  Whosoever repenteth shall find mercy and he that findeth mercy and endureth to the end the same shall be saved.

14 - Do ye not suppose that they are more blessed who truly humble themselves because of the word? 

15 - He that truly hmbleth himself, and repenteth of his sins, and endureth to the end, the same shall be blessed.

16 - Blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble; and believeth in the word and are baptized.

17 - Some seek for a sign.

18 - This is not faith if you seek for a sign.  For if a man knoweth a thing he hath no cause to believe.

19 - Cursed is he that knoweth the will of God and doeth it not.

20 - Every man will be judged of his works.

GC: The Sacred Place of Restoration by Elder Jairo Mazzagardi.

We had some elk in our yard this morning.

Three cows, a yearling and on calf. 

James says the bulls aren't doing their job because each one of those cows should have had a calf.

Later in the day after James had left for the valley, these same elk were in our yard again and one of the smaller ones was nibbling on one of the fruit trees that James had planted.  I shooed him away but he must have come back because when I got up this morning most of the leaves were gone.  James needs more tree elk repellant.

Today would have been Steve Westerman's birthday.  He died last month of complications due to brain cancer.  I sent his wife Karin a message on Facebook today expressing my love.

The nearly completed Tucson temple.

These two brothers built the Salt Lake temple using

the Brickem' Young building set.

I put beans in the crockpot today and will put them on low or warm all night.  When they are done cooking I will put them in the refrigerator to marinate.  When James gets home he will have one of his favorite foods to eat.  I am enjoying our Whole Food Plant Based diet.  I have not eaten meat for awhile but I have used butter and cheese.

I had a 'warm' water shower.  I guess the gasline that James broke was to our water heater too.

I finished typing Lois's history, or at least as much as I got from her, which was only up to the beginning of high school.  I will get more when I go back down this month. 

Trina posted this awhile back.  This girl is pretty amazing!

I watched, or rather listened to "Chopped" while I paid bills and worked on my blog.  I also read from Seven Miracles that Save America and Seven Tipping Points that Saved the World.

It's lonely when James isn't here.

Corinna Westbrook and her girls, 

Kyah, Joely, and Macey.  They moved from Vernon to

Washington state in March.  I miss them.

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

"I love to see the temple,

I'm going there someday,

To feel the Holy Spirit,

To listen and to pray.

For the temple is a house of God,

A place of love and beauty

I'll prepare myself while I am young;

This is my sacred duty.

Alma 31:24-38

24 - Alma was grieved because of the wickedness of the people and that their hearts were set upon gold, silver and all manner of fine goods.

25- Also their hearts were lifted up unto great boasting, in their pride.

26 - He prayed: O, how long, O Lord, wilt thou suffer that they servants shall dwell here below in the flesh, to behold such gross wickedness?

27 - They cry unto thee, but their hearts are swallowed up in their pride.

28 - O God, their hearts are set upon the voice things of the world, and their costly apparel, 

29 - They say thou hast made it known unto them that there shall be no Christ.

30 - O Lord, wilt thou give me strength, that I may bear with mine infirmities. For such wickedness among this people doth pain my soul.

31- O Lord, my heart is exceedingly sorrowful; wilt thou comfort my soul in Christ.  Grant unto me that I may have strength, that I may suffer with patience these afflictions which shall come upon me, because of the iniquity of my people.

32 - Wilt thou give us success and comfort our souls in Christ.

33 - Give them (us) strength to bear our afflictions because of the iniquity of this people.

34 - O Lord grant us success in bringing them again unto thee in Christ. 

36 - Alma clapped his hands and those with him were filled with the Spirit.

37 - They separated themselves from one another.

38 - The Lord provided for them that they should not be hungry nor thirst.  He also gave them strength in their afflictions and they were swallowed up in the joy of Christ.  This was Alma's prayer and he prayed in faith.

GC: "To The Rescue: We Can Do It" Elder Mervyn Arnold

When James was the bishop of the Del Rio 2nd ward in Chandler we had a young married couple move into our ward in about 2006, Justin and Kate Gunther.  They were excited to become parents and they were hopeful for many years.  Finally, just this last month they had a baby boy.  His name is Evander.  There were complications at his birth.  Let me share with you a post Kate put on Facebook today:

Evander update: Evander is continuing to progress at the

Phoenix Children's NICU.  We're hopeful to be home by the beginning of August!  We have seen/been a part of many

miracles over the past three weeks and are so grateful for the love,

support and prayers on our family's behalf.

More details: Evander was born with a diaphragmatic hernia.

His intestines/spleen, etc. were all up inside his chest cavity, squishing his left lung, due to a hole in his diaphragm.

He underwent surgery to have this hole repaired and to diagnose the remainder of his condition.  He was blessed that his left lung had developed 50% (most kids with the condition are considered

in a good place with just 30%).  He's gone from a respirator

to oxygen. to now room air with just some flow to help keep his lungs open.  Due to the nature of his condition, he's been on

a feeding tube for the past few weeks, but yesterday the staff started working with hi on bottle feedings.  To give some perspective,

most kids with his condition do not survive, and when they do they usually have complications with their heart, lungs, and intestines

that require several surgeries and a lengthy stay in the NICU.

So far, this is not the case with Evander.  We have been told

that our son is phenomenal by the medical staff.  

Of course, we understand that he is a miracle.

Thank you again for everything!

Kate has red hair and it looks like Evander does too.

For lunch today I made the garden vegetable soup recipe I got from Weight Watchers years ago.  This is a zero points food so you can eat as much as you want on the Weight Watcher's diet and it is delicious!

I added some potatoes so mine isn't

zero points.  It was yummy.  James and I both loved it!

James ordered some abc for his concrete pour on Monday and now we have a big pile of it in the back.  Also, he was digging trenches today and he broke a gasline for the hot water heater and furnace on our bedroom side of the house.

It looks like a mess right now but it is going to be nice!

We left for the temple at 5:45 this evening. We don't have to be there until 7 but James wants to do some initiatories and I have some baptisms I want to see if I can get someone to do.  James did two initiatories and I got one brothers baptism done.  I was too late for the sisters I have.

We are so grateful for our ward and the support they give us in our new calling as temple cleaning coordinators.  We had 21 people come to help: Jim and Linda Diewald, Darla and Ronnie Freeman, Owen and Donna Peeler, Chuck and Kathy Crane, Jerry and Millie Scott, Bishop Miller and his dad, Ed, Wes Smith, Tamara Applegate, John and Linda Price, Sister Thompson, the Klugs, and Mel and Ruth Wilhelm.  When we got home and said our prayers our hearts were filled with love and gratitude.  Love for our ward family, and gratitude to Heavenly Father for providing us with this opportunity.

Millie Scott told me about a good deal on blueberries so we stopped at the Taylor Walmart on the way home to get some.  Basha's has a pint of blueberries for .75 cents.  Walmart does ad match so they sold their pints which normally go for $2.64, to us for seventy five cents!  Thanks Millie for the heads up!

For the first time in months we parked our car, Lexy, in the garage!

I love this quote by Mother Teresa.

Monday, July 11, 2016

Alma 31:1-23

1 - Alma's heart sickens when he hears of the perversions of the Zoramites.

2 - It caused Alma sorrow to hear of iniquity among his people.

3 - The Zoramites live in Antionum.

4 - The Nephites feared the Zoramites would enter into a correspondence with the Lamanites.

5 - Preaching has a more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword.  Alma wants to try the virtue of the word of God.

6 - He took Ammon, Aaron, Omner, Amulek, Zeezrom, Shiblon and Corianton with him.  He left Himni and Helaman in Zarahemla.

8 - The Zoramites were dissenters from the Nephites so they had heard the gospel.

9 - They had fallen into great errors.  They would not keep the commandments of God.

10 - They would not pray daily.

11 - They did pervert the ways of the Lord.

12 - The Zoramites built synagogues and had a strange way of worshipping.

13 - A stand to admit one person.

14 - Cry with a loud voice saying:

15 - Holy God we believe that thou art a Spirit.

16 - We are separated from our brethren and we don't believe their foolish traditions.  Thou hast elected us to be thy holy children.  There shall be no Christ.

17 - Thou hast elected us to be saved while others are destroyed.  We are not bound down to Christ.

18 - We thank thee that we are a chosen and holy people.

19 - Alma and his brethren are astonished beyond measure at these prayers.  

20 - Every man went forth and offered the same prayer.

21 - The places was called Rameumpton being interpreted is holy stand.

23 - After offering up thanks they returned to their homes never speaking of God until the next week.

GC: "Whoso Receiveth Them, Receiveth Me" Elder Neil L. Andersen.

I cleaned upstairs this morning and worked outside in the garage.  The garage is looking better but we still have alot of stuff to put away.  I am mainly sweeping and putting things in piles to be put away.  Oh yes, I held a board so James could run it through the power saw.  Sometimes you don't have to have any skill to help.

James had a doctor's appointment with Dr. Moffat today to get a referral for a new C-pap machine.  He ask me if I would go with him and I said yes.  I made some menus for the week and got my shopping list prepared so i could count this as my weekly shopping. When you don't buy meat your grocery bill is so much less.

We got food at Panda.  I had the steamed rice and veggies again and James had Pacific shrimp and veggies with no rice or noodles.  Both we yummy.

I mailed a birthday card and the CTR necklace I got Aurora for her baptism today.  I hope she gets it before next Monday.

I love this.

Wildlife report: One squirrel.  He was a "super" squirrel though.

James was in charge of FHE.  We listened to two Ensign articles.  The first was: "Like the Widow of Zarapeth: The Miracle of Fast Offerings."  Here are a few notes I took: Give for your own welfare.  Giving decreases selfishness and increases spirituality.

The last was called: "My Journey as a Pioneer from India."  This was a pretty amazing story.  This man's first contact with the church was President Spencer W. Kimball and they remained friends until President Kimball's death.

We were in bed by 9:00.

Darrel posted this picture of Rowan on Instagram:

The caption said: "Safety first at the pool."

This is a picture of Ruby and Max taken a couple of

years ago at Hamilton pool.

Monday, July 11, 2016

Alma 31:1-23

1 - Alma's heart sickens when he hears of the perversions of the Zoramites.

2 - It caused Alma sorrow to hear of iniquity among his people.

3 - The Zoramites live in Antionum.

4 - The Nephites feared the Zoramites would enter into a correspondence with the Lamanites.

5 - Preaching has a more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword.  Alma wants to try the virtue of the word of God.

6 - He took Ammon, Aaron, Omner, Amulek, Zeezrom, Shiblon and Corianton with him.  He left Himni and Helaman in Zarahemla.

8 - The Zoramites were dissenters from the Nephites so they had heard the gospel.

9 - They had fallen into great errors.  They would not keep the commandments of God.

10 - They would not pray daily.

11 - They did pervert the ways of the Lord.

12 - The Zoramites built synagogues and had a strange way of worshipping.

13 - A stand to admit one person.

14 - Cry with a loud voice saying:

15 - Holy God we believe that thou art a Spirit.

16 - We are separated from our brethren and we don't believe their foolish traditions.  Thou hast elected us to be thy holy children.  There shall be no Christ.

17 - Thou hast elected us to be saved while others are destroyed.  We are not bound down to Christ.

18 - We thank thee that we are a chosen and holy people.

19 - Alma and his brethren are astonished beyond measure at these prayers.  

20 - Every man went forth and offered the same prayer.

21 - The places was called Rameumpton being interpreted is holy stand.

23 - After offering up thanks they returned to their homes never speaking of God until the next week.

GC: "Whoso Receiveth Them, Receiveth Me" Elder Neil L. Andersen.

I cleaned upstairs this morning and worked outside in the garage.  The garage is looking better but we still have alot of stuff to put away.  I am mainly sweeping and putting things in piles to be put away.  Oh yes, I held a board so James could run it through the power saw.  Sometimes you don't have to have any skill to help.

James had a doctor's appointment with Dr. Moffat today to get a referral for a new C-pap machine.  He ask me if I would go with him and I said yes.  I made some menus for the week and got my shopping list prepared so i could count this as my weekly shopping. When you don't buy meat your grocery bill is so much less.

We got food at Panda.  I had the steamed rice and veggies again and James had Pacific shrimp and veggies with no rice or noodles.  Both we yummy.

I mailed a birthday card and the CTR necklace I got Aurora for her baptism today.  I hope she gets it before next Monday.

I love this.

Wildlife report: One squirrel and James saw 12 bunnies.

James was in charge of FHE.  We listened to two Ensign articles.  The first was: "Like the Widow of Zarapeth: The Miracle of Fast Offerings."  Here are a few notes I took: Give for your own welfare.  Giving decreases selfishness and increases spirituality.

The last was called: "My Journey as a Pioneer from India."  This was a pretty amazing story.  This man's first contact with the church was President Spencer W. Kimball and they remained friends until President Kimball's death.

We were in bed by 9:00.

Darrel posted this picture of Rowan on Instagram:

The caption said: "Safety first at the pool."

This is a picture of Ruby and Max taken a couple of

years ago at Hamilton pool.

Sunday, July 10, 2016

Alma 30:46-60

46 - Alma: I am grieved because of the hardness of your heart.

47 - It is better that they soul should be lost than thou should be the means of bringing many souls down to destruction.  If thou shalt deny again God shall smite thee dumb.

48 - Korihor: I don't deny the existence of a God, but I do not believe there is a God.  I say you do not know there is a God.  Except ye show me a sign, I will not believe.

49 - This is the sing, thou shalt be struck dumb.

50 - Korihor was struck dumb, that he could not have utterance, according to the words of Alma.

51 - Chief judge to Korihor: Now will ye dispute more?

52 - Korihor: I know I am dumb and can't speak.  I know it is by the power of God and I always knew there was a God.

53 - The devil appeared to me in the form of an angel and deceived me.  I taught his words because they were pleasing unto the carnal mind.  I taught them until I believed that they were true.  I have brought this great curse upon me.

54 - He ask Alma to pray unto God to take away the curse.

55 - Alma: If the curse was taken away, thou would try again to lead away the hearts of the people.  Therefore, it shall be unto thee even as the Lord will.

56 - The curse was not taken away.  Korihor was cast out and went about from house to house begging for his food.

57 - The chief judge sent a proclamation about what happened to Korihor and declared that those who believed him lest speedily repent lest the same judgments would come unto them.

58 - All were convinced of Korihor's wickedness and were converted again unto the Lord.  Korihor begs for food.

59 - As Korihor went forth among the Zoramites he was run upon and trodden down even until he was dead.

60 - And thus we see the end of him who perverteth the ways of the Lord.

GC: "Standing with the Leaders of the Church" by Elder Ronald A. Rasband.

My friend Karin Ford who lost her son and grandson in an airplane crash on Monday shared this today on Facebook:

"Everybody has been praying and sending their love.  I have felt again the 'balm of Gilead' the 'peace that surpasses all understanding.'  - But, until yesterday, I didn't pray.

What good does it do?  Hadn't I been praying every single night and many times during the day for nearly 2 years

that John, my good son John, would be the kind of pilot who

lived a long life.  That was my prayer . . . that my son John

would be the kind of pilot who lives a long life.

After all, many, many pilots do live a long life!

I promised HIM I would muster up all my faith that John would live.  Faith works.  My faith, in exchange for John's

long life.  Faith works I know this for myself beyond a shadow of doubt, faith and prayer works!

And right now, and all this week of waiting, I feel the effects of family, friends and even many strangers praying for us.

I feel their love...still.  Still  Asking that my much

loved child live a long life wasn't much to ask...was it?

And still...HE didn't listen!  After all HE already had

John's father and our two youngest children.

For 34 long years now HE's had them.

Exactly the same way...tragic plane crash!

What's going on here?  Doesn't HE know that was 

already too much?  So why talk to HIM...HE's obviously

going to have it HIS way.  I wasn't angry.

It was more a feeling of pained indifference...not listening anyway.

So I turned my back like a child not getting her way.

Why talk to HIM?

Even strong, kind, bright and amazing grandson, Max, and Max's good friend Ryan left us.  I know we are here on 

earth to learn and to do hard things..and somehow

we can do hard things.  But really?

Right now we're on an emotional roller coaster.  I despise 

roller-coasters.  Decided years ago I would never

again get on another one.  Not 

even with a grandchild.  Not even if he begged.

Sweet granddaughter, Jayme, was 8 the last time I went.

She had so much fun while I screamed...and not for joy.

Jayme is now 25.

Fortunately...my faith is strong.  Much stronger than me and my

roller coaster emotions.  I know that God lives and that HIS

purposes are great.  Some day the many "Whys" will

be clearly understood.  I will see the bigger picture.

I know we will all be together again. 

Christ made that possible through His Atonement.

How deeply grateful I am for this knowledge.

How it sustains me and gives me hope.

How deeply grateful I am for His love of me and of

every single one of us.  He wants us all back with Him

and our Heavenly Father.  His deep and personal

suffering was on behalf of each and every person who

ever walked on this difficult journey called life. 

He loves us deeply and I know He personally

shares our pain.  He helps us carry our burdens if we but open the 

door to let Him into our hearts and our lives.

He has given us repentance and baptism through His suffering

and atonement.  We can come to Him...and His 

perfection will cleanse us of our sins so that we may live

again with Him and our Heavenly Father.  This will be the

greatest joy.  We shouldn't miss this.  But many will not listen.

I have felt Christ walking with me shoulder to shoulder giving me of His strength.  I have never seen His face.  But there's

been times when he has pulled me along like a screaming, kicking 4 years old...because I couldn't do it any more.

He told me I could.  And He was right.  He lent me His strength...

and then I could.  And I know He will do this for me again.

He will do this for our whole family.

All we have to do is invite Him in.

He will never force any of us...and

He is always there to strengthen us.

But, it will always be our choice.

It gives me comfort to know this for my sweet 

daughter-in-law, Cheryl.  Christ is there for her.

She'll be walking the same road now that I was on.

She'll need to raise her children without their father.

She is strong.  She's a good and loving mom.

And she's also firm.  My son John was a devoted

husband.  A loving father.  John and Cheryl crammed so

much living into their family life since their marriage in December 1992.  They worked hard to make it a good marriage...and it wasn't always easy.  But they persevered.  Their family had just returned from Hawaii the week before.  They did everything

together...traveling, waterskiing, snow-skiing, snowboarding, scuba diving...even the boys were scuba-diving from age 12.

John's capacity for cramming 29 hours into 24 was shared by his former bishop.  A wonderful family.  This is not the end..

it is a new beginning.  Cheryl and the children will

find their way through Christ."

I know this is long but I wanted to share because I see in this Karin working through her feelings of frustration to her faith in Christ.  She is an amazingly strong woman.

Cole Davis, a member of the Show Low stake high council spoke in our sacrament meeting today. He is probably a little younger than James and I are.  He shared how following the prophet has helped him throughout his life, starting with David O. McKay and ending with President Monson.  It was a great talk and it brought back some wonderful memories.

Kacey was the only member of my class in attendance today.  I know Zemira and Curtis went to their cousin Quince's farewell in Chandler.  I am not sure where Brayling was.  Tana, Kacey's sister, and Talena, both from Denice Hall's class joined Kacey and I as Sister Hall was not able to attend today.  Our lesson went well as we talked about defending our rights as Captain Moroni did.  And what we can do to withstand the wiles of Satan.

I worked on my next week's lesson, posted on my blog, and read from, "Christ in Every Hour", and "The Power of Everyday Missionaries."  Went to bed around 9.

A stream of water near Payson.

Probably Christopher Creek.

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Our selfie at the temple.

I think this one is better than last week's.

Maybe next time we remember to take our sunglasses off.

Alma 30:29-45

29 - Because of the hardness of Korihor's heart he is sent to Zarahemla to appear before Alma and the chief judge.

30 - Korihor continues to blaspheme.

32 - Alma: I have labored with mine own hands for my support.

33 - I have never received so much as a senine for my labor and neither has any of my brethren except in the judgment seat.

34 - Our labors in the Church to declare the truth are so that we may have rejoicings in the joy of our brethren.

35 - Why sayest thou that we preach unto this people to get gain?  And now, believest thou that we deceive this people, that causes such joy in their hearts?

36 - And Korihor answered him, yea.

37 - Alma said, Believest thou that there is a God?

38 - And he answered, nay.

39 - Will ye deny again that there is a God, and also deny the Christ?  I know there is a God, and also that Christ shall come.

40 - What evidence do you have there is no God or that Christ cometh not?  Ye have none save it be your word.

41 - I have all things as a testimony that these things are true.

42 - I know that thou believest, but thou art possessed with a lying spirit and ye have put off the Spirit of God that it may have no place in you.  The devil has power over you.

43 - Korihor says to Alma: If thou wilt show me a sign I may be convinced there is a God.

44 - Alma says, Thou hast had sign enough; will ye tempt your God?  Will ye say, show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of all these thy brethren and also all the holy prophets?  The scriptures are laid before thee, and all things denote there is a God . . . 

45 - And yet do ye go about, leading away the hearts of this people, testifying unto them there is no God?  And yet will ye deny against all these witnesses?  And he said: Yea, I will deny, except ye shall show me a sign.

We listened to two General Conference talks on the way to the temple: 1) Be Thou Humble by Elder Steven E. Snow, and, 2) "That I Might Draw All Men Unto Me" by Elder Dale G. Renlund.

Sheri sent me this picture of Ben.  His face looks so much better!

 I am sure he feels better too!

After going without drinking a soda for two days I decided today was going to be my one day a week for a soda.  Honestly, it didn't even taste that good.

On the way home from the temple we went to the Show Low Walmart to pick up my prescriptions and a few groceries.  Afterwards we stopped at Panda to pick up two veggie rice bowls.  James got fried rice and I got steamed.  Mine was very tasty, only I wish there would have been more veggies.  I also stopped at the Book Barn to get a gift for Aurora, Erik's daughter for her baptism which is next week.

I spent most of the rest of the day preparing for my Primary lesson on Captain Moroni and the Title of Liberty.  I even made my own Title of Liberty!

Made out of an old dress.

I love this picture of Captain Moroni!

While I was working on my lesson James went out to work on his landscaping project.  He is about to get everything framed up to pour concrete.

Such a hard worker!

We had beans and chips and salsa for dinner.  I took a break from my Primary lesson and downloaded some Avett Brothers songs that Sheri recommended.

To be by nine so I can get up at four to finish preparing my lesson.

Thursday, July 7, 2016

A closeup view of the Superstition Mountain.

Darrel and Trina have a great view of this mountain

from their upstairs window.

Alma 29:8-30:11

8 - The Lord doth grant unto all nations of their own nation and tongue to teach his word, in wisdom, all he seeth fit they should have.  The Lord counsels in wisdom all that is just and true.

9 - I glory in what the Lord hath commanded me.  (Alma is speaking).  Perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.

10 - My soul is filled with joy when I see the truly penitent come unto God. Then I remember what the Lord has done for me.

11 - The Lord delivered my father out of bondage and established His Church.

13 - That same God called me by a holy calling to preach His word unto this people.  He hath given me much success and my joy is full.

14 - I also joy in the success of my brethren.

15 - They have labored exceedingly and had much success among the Lamanites and how great is their reward.

17 - May God grant that my brethren may sit down in the kingdom of God . .  and that their converts will remain faithful.

Alma 30

2 - After the dead were buried from the war and after the days of fasting, mourning and prayer, there began to be peace in the land.

3 - The people kept the commandments and the law of Moses.  The 16th year was peaceful.

6 - At the latter end of the 17th year, there came an Anti-Christ, Korihor, into Zarahemla.  He began to preach against Christ.

7 - There was no law against a man's beliefs.

8 - The scripture saith: Choose ye this day whom ye will serve.

11 - There was a law that men should be punished according to their crimes but there was no law against a man's belief.

GC: "Where Are the Keys and Authority of the Priesthood" by Elder Stevenson.

 This is a white lion and tiger mom and dad

and their four cubs.  They are beautiful!

This was posted on Facebook under the title: "Breaking News"

Its Happening - Texas Governor Calling For Convention of the States to Rein in Washington.

"Texas Governor Greg Abbot is calling for a Constitutional Convention of the States to bring Washington politicians back in line with the rule of law, and the spirit of the Constitution.

"If you are unfamiliar with what a Constitutional Convention is, it's pretty simple.  Article V of the Constitution makes it clear that Congress has the power to amend the Constituition by adding Amendments.  Most people understand that it is Congress, and not the president, no matter how mighty his pen or phone may be, that writes the laws.

"In addition, however, Article V also gives the same power to amend the Constitution to the states.  The states can convene, propose an amendment, and as long as there is a 3/4 agreement from the states, that amendment shall be ratified.

"The reason why this power of the states, although it has yet to be used, was added into the Constitution, was to prevent an out of control national government.  Many of the Founding Fathers recognized the power that a centralized government could grant itself if left unchecked, and so provided an outlet for the states to stop that power.  Governor Abbot said:

'The increasingly frequent departures from Constitutional

principles are destroying the Rule of Law foundation

on which this country was built.'

"He explained that the only cure to bring Washington back in line with the Constitution, was to utilize the powers granted in Article V.

'We are succumbing to the caprice of man that our Founders fought to escape.  The cure to these problems will not come from Washington D.C.

Instead, the states must lead the way.

To do that I am adding another item to the agenda next session.  I want legislation authorizing Texas to join other states in calling for a Convention of States to

fix the cracks in our Constitution.'

"According to a press release, Governor Abbott is proposing 9 additional amendments to the Constitution:

"1.  Prohibit Congress from regulating activity that occurs wholly within one state.

2.  Require Congress to balance its budget.

3.  Prohibit administrative agencies - and the unelected bureaucrats that staff them - from creating federal law.

4.  Prohibit administrative agencies - and the unelected bureaucrats that staff them - from preempting state law.

5.  Allow a two-thirds majority of the States to override a U.S. Supreme Court decision.

6.  Require a seven-justice super-majority vote for U.S. Supreme Court decisions that invalidate a democratically enacted law.

7.  Restore the balance of power between the federal and state governments by limiting the former to the powers expressly delegated to it in the Constitution.

8.  Give state officials the power to sue in federal court when federal officials overstep their bounds.

9.  Allow a two-thirds majority of the States to override a federal law or regulation."

I am so grateful that someone is actually trying to do something to stop the madness that is the federal government.  Kudos to Governor Abbott!

I went to visit at Dennis and Denise's today.  Jenifer and her kids, Amanda, Lizzy, and Sammy are there visiting from Texas.  We had a nice visit and Jenifer said she would like to come out and see our place sometime next week.  She said that Lizzy is a piano prodigy and would like for her to come out and play for us.  I am all for that idea.  I told Sammy and Lizzy I would take them on a Razr ride.  I had to show them a picture of the Razr because they had know idea what it was.

Dennis's remodeled shower is like a water park with water coming

for the ceiling and both sides.

I stopped by Taco Bell and got two toastados each, without cheese, for James and I for dinner.  After dinner I read from "The Washington Hypothesis", and "The Lincoln Hypothesis", both by Timothy Ballard.

This is the first time since I can remember that I did not have any soda all day long.  This Word of Wisdom book is really having an affect on me.

More in the way of news:

Black man killed by police near Minneapolis.

Dallas, Texas - 11 police officers were shot, 5 fatally, during a protest of police involved shootings of blacks.  How does this make any sense?  What is happening to our country?

Medicare prescription costs drop after medical marijuana legalized.

U.S. State Department to conduct internal probe of Clinton email case.

I read from two more of my books this evening, both of them by Christ and Ted Stewart, "Seven Miracles that Saved America", and "Seven Tipping Points that Saved the World."