Saturday, December 10, 2016

Ether 8:1-17

Why are secret combinations so dangerous when they are established in societies?

GC: "Look to the Book, Look to the Lord" by Elder Gary E. Stevenson

President Ezra Taft Benson: 

"There are three ways in which the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion.

It is the keystone in our witness of Christ.

It is the keystone of our doctrine.

It is the keystone of testimony."

After my gospel study I sat down and watched a Christmas movie,

"A Family for Christmas" starring Lacey Chabert.  It was a good one and reinforced the fact that life is all about the choices we make.

We made a trip to town today to get cash and cards for Michael and Ben's birthdays.  While I was at Walmart James went to Home Depot and Harbor Freight to get serial numbers on some of the items he had stolen at Bill's construction yard.  He also stopped at Firehouse Subs and got us some lunch.

We finished reading our book, "United We Stand" and started the next one, "He Is Coming."

This afternoon I worked on my Primary lesson, "Moroni and the Book of Mormon Promise."  I also typed some quotes for James's Gospel Doctrine lesson tomorrow.  

I watched "Let It Snow" starring Candace Cameron Bure and Alan Thicke while blogging.  

Grand Canyon

Later on I cut James's hair and then he put up the outside Christmas lights.

Family and Friends

The Lemmerman family

New Years Day 2016

Cousin Power and Amanda

Christmas afternoon

Shopping at Bass Pro Shop using his

Christmas gift cards.

Friday, December 9, 2016

Ether 7:1-27

How can I better listen to and obey the words of the prophets?

     In His kindness and mercy, the Lord sent prophets to warn the people of Shule's kingdom.  As first they reviled and mocked the prophets; however, the prophets were protected by the righteous king's proclamation.  Shule's people then heeded the prophets' warnings and repented, thus avoiding the destruction that would have come as a result of their rejection of the prophets' message.

     President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency explained why the Lord warns His children of their wickedness: "Because the Lord is kind, He calls servants to warn people of danger.  That call to warn is made harder and more important by the fact that the warnings of most worth are about dangers that people don't yet think are real" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1998, 40). 

     Why do prophets often get mocked and reviled?  Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained:

"Prophets must often warn of the consequences of violating God's laws.  They do no preach that which is popular with the world...

"Why do prophets proclaim unpopular commandments and call society to repentance for rejecting, modifying, and even ignoring the commandments?  The reason is very simple.  Upon receiving revelation, prophets have no choice but to proclaim and reaffirm that which God has given them to tell the world" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1996, 52).

     Elder L. Aldin Porter of the Presidency of the Seventy explained another reason people often reject the prophet's counsel.  He explained that people erroneously believe that prophetic warnings interfere with their agency: "Some complain that when the prophets speak with clarity and firmness, they are taking our agency away  We are still free to choose.  But we must accept the consequences of those decisions.  The prophets do not take away our agency.  They simply warn us of what the consequences of our choices will be.  How foolish it is to fault the prophets for their warnings" ( in Conference Report, Oct. 1999, 82 ).

GC:  A Witness of God by Elder Neil L. Andersen

From the miraculous intervention of God to Daniel came the

prophesied future of the gospel of Jesus Christ being restored

to the earth, a kingdom that would fill the whole earth,

"never to be destroyed...but to stand for ever."

In 1831 the Prophet Joseph Smith received this revelation:

"The keys of the kingdom of God and the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth are committed unto man on the

earth, and from thence shall the gospel roll forth unto the ends of 

the earth, as the stone which is cut out of the mountain'without hands shall roll forth, until it has filled the whole earth."

GC:  Valiant in the Testimony of Jesus by Elder Quentin L. Cook

"The remarkable and celestial blessing of the Savior's Atonement is that through repentance, sinful conduct is blotted out.  After Corianton's repentance, Alma concluded, "Let these things trouble you no more, and only let your sins trouble you, with that trouble which shall bring you down unto repentance."

Instead of a selfie, we took a picture of the temple.

Christmas Nativity

Today was my 35th time at the temple this year.  I am so grateful that we have a temple close by so we can attend frequently.

James saw some old friends from high school which is always fun.  The former student body presidents.

We stopped at Sonic on the way home for some lunch.  I think I would have rather gone to El Cupidos but it was James's turn to pick.  

For some reason I was very tired when I got home so I sat down to watch a Christmas movie.  It was an old one, "Holiday Switch."  

I postponed my Primary party until next week.

Biosphere in Oracle, Arizona

I was grateful that James cleaned all of the dried mud out of the garage today.  While I was blogging I watched another Christmas movie, "Christmas Proposal."  

I got out some more Christmas decorations from downstairs.  James and I read by the fire and then we watched "Hearts of Christmas" a new movie about nurses in the NICU in a busy hospital.

Devil's Bridge in Sedona

Family and Friends:

Bluth family

Molly and Ruby last year after Christmas

Lola enjoying her Cheetos as a soccer game.

     

Thursday, December 8, 2016

This is probably the challenge that I do best!

Ether 6:12-30

We learn that the Jaredites were taught the importance of humility.  Modern revelation also teaches us the importance of humility:

"Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand and give thee answers to thy prayers" (D&C 112:10).  Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin explained that "humility is the recognition and attitude that one must rely on the Lord's assistance to make it through life" (CR, Oct. 2004, 110).

GC:  Am I Good Enough?  Will I Make It? by Elder J. Devn Cornish

"The God of heaven is not a heartless referee looking for any excuse to throw us out of the game.  He is our perfectly

loving Father, who yearns more than anything else to have all 

of His children come back home and live with Him as families forever He truly gave His Only Begotten Son that we

might not perish but have everlasting life!

Please believe, and please take hope and comfort from that eternal truth.  Our Heavenly Father intends for us to make it!

That is His work and His glory."

Calgary, Alberta temple

James ordered me a Christmas gift.  I saw the order when I was going over my credit card statement.  The name of the place he ordered from is called Diamond Pendant.  Sounds exciting!

I saw this on the back of James's deodorant container:

"Contains odor-fighting  atomic robots that shoot lasers at your stench monsters and replaces them with fresh, clean, masculine scent elves."  

This is the only deodorant I am going to buy for 

James from now on!

Well I had to go back into town today because I forgot to pick up my prescriptions yesterday.  I went to Walmart and bought more Christmas socks and picked up my prescriptions.  I also went by Firehouse Subs and got my favorite sandwich, a Hook and Ladder, and then went to Dollar Tree and got 8 snowman mugs and 7 Santa mugs.  I hope I am through shopping for awhile!

James made it home around 4 p.m. with burros from Burger House.  I sure do love him and I am so glad he made it back safely!  I always worry when he is pulling a trailer with equipment on it.  

I watched two Christmas movies today, one by myself and one with James, "A Christmas Wedding Date," and "I'll Be Home for Christmas," starring James Brolin.  James and I watched the last movie together.  It is a new one and we loved it!  It is always fun to watch movies with someone you love!

I absolutely love this picture of Shipley and Joshua

taken Monday evening when they went to look at Christmas lights.

Convert, Relief Society president, visiting teaching companion,

mother of two and wife of a fireman.

I love you Kaeli!

(She is the same age as Adam!)

I don't know what they are doing, but

these two are great buddies!

Five years ago at Joe's Farm Grill!

Time flies by when you are grandparents.

Lunch with some of my favorite people!

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

I did two things to feed the hungry.  I doubled our fast offerings and then I read a talk by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "He Hath Filled the Hungry with Good Things."

Ether 5:1-6:ll

The Lord Jesus Christ is the source of light for our world and for our lives.  The Lord touched the stones the brother of Jared presented to Him "to give light unto men, women, and children" (6:3) as they crossed the ocean.  The Lord also provides light to guide us through the darkness of mortality and toward the brightness of the celestial kingdom - our promised land.  Our way is lit by the light of apostles and prophets, the standard works, and inspired leaders and teachers.  We too can be a light - we can light the way for others when we hearken to the Lord's counsel and keep ourselves worthy of His Spirit.  Sister Ardeth G. Kapp, former Young Women general president counseled: "You have the light within.  You can shine in darkness.  You can light up the world.  You can help dispel darkness.  You can make a difference."  
I was privileged to travel with Sister Kapp when I went to England in 2005.  She invited my friend and I to have dinner with her and her sisters.  She went out of her way to be kind to us, virtual strangers.  She seemed genuinely interested in us and asked us questions about our lives.  I have never met a kinder or sweeter person.  She truly radiates the light of Christ!

GC: The Lord Jesus Christ Teaches Us to Pray by Elder Juan A. Uceda

" We returned to Machu Picchu in silence.  The idea came to my mind that He had paid attention to my voice but that I had not paid any attention to His.  There was a deep pain in my heart for

disobeying His voice and at the same time a deep sense of gratitude for His mercy.  He did not exercise His justice uponn me, but in His great mercy, He had saved my life (see Alma 26:20). "

Gila Valley, Arizona temple

Today is Paul's birthday and it is also Pearl Harbor day.

Stacy and Paul have been together for almost 30 years!

The newest member of Paul's fan club.

Shipley and her ears that look like bat wings!

After scriptures and prayer James left for the valley this morning in his truck, pulling a trailer.  He is still working on cleaning out all of his stuff from the construction yard and moving in up here.  He is also getting some equipment ready to sell at an auction on Saturday.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson offered the prayer in the U.S. Senate today:

That is Joe Biden standing next to Elder Christofferson.

I went shopping today at Home Depot where I got James some gloves to wear when he is using the log splitter.  I also got some polish for the wood floor.  Next was Walmart and then Dollar Tree.

I got some lunch at Taco Bell and headed for home.  

I got a call from Stacy today telling me about her health problems.  She has been having alot of night seizures that have kept her from sleeping.  The doctor's are doing all kinds of tests and hopefully they will be able to help her.  

I was so tired after my shopping trip that I just sat down in my recliner and watched the movie "Angels in the Snow" starring Kristy Swanson.  It was one I had seen before but really liked.

This guy just flew home from completing an honorable mission in

Orlando, Florida.  James had him when he was the teacher's quorum advisor and he really gave James some grief.  Ammon is the same age as our grandson Dallin.

Dave's daughter, our niece Teresa, and her family.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Today we were ask to share a scripture on social media.  I shared the Primary scripture for the month.

I forgot about the scripture that helped me through the hardest time

in my life.  Thank goodness Dianne Heyman posted it:

 Ether 4:1-19

Moroni wrote that the brother of Jared (Moriancumr) recorded in his vision all the inhabitants of the earth from beginning to end (Ether 3:25; 2:13).  This vision reveals "all things from the foundation of the world unto the end thereof" (2 Nephi 27:10).  Moroni explained that "there never were greater things made manifest" than what the brother of Jared saw (Ether 4:4).  We know Moroni sealed a copy of this vision with the plates he delivered to Joseph Smith. (Ether 4:5; 5:1).  Moroni further informed us of the conditions the Lord indicated must exist for this sealed portion of the record to come forth.  The scriptures indicate we must repent; exercise faith in the Lord, like the brother of Jared did; and become sanctified. (Ether 4:6-7).

GC:  A Choice Seer Will I Raise Up by Elder Craig C. Christensen

" We need not be timid about testifying of Joseph's mission as a prophet, seer, and revelator, for the Lord has always worked through prophets.  Because of the truths restored through Joseph Smith, we know much more about our Heavenly Father and the Savior Jesus Christ.  We know of Their divine attributes, Their relationship to each other and to us, and the great plan of redemption that allows us to return to Their presence."  

 Salt Lake temple Christmas display

James is spending alot of time upstairs going over information needed by the insurance company for the items that were stolen from the construction yard where he has been keeping his equipment.  Because the power trowel wasn't listed on his equipment inventory my hopes for getting reimbursed for it are pretty low.  One thing I will say about James is he never gives up!

I love this memory from a couple of years ago.  These girls

got up at 5 am. to come to the temple.  I am so proud of them

and I am so grateful to have been one of their leaders!

I read an interesting article in the Ensign today by Elder M. Russell Ballard called "Learn by Study and by Faith."  The talk was about teaching young people and explaining things to them that they want to know.  He suggests that we go on lds.org and study something new called Gospel Topic Essays.  I am excited to do this!

The Wave in Canyon de Chelly

Family Memories:

This is such a great picture of Molly and

look how blue Lola's eyes are.

Maybe getting Lola a stuffed monkey for Christmas wasn't a 

good idea.  It looks like she already has one.

Ending with a joke:

This was posted by one of my favorite Foodnetwork

chefs, and judges on Chopped, Alex Guarnaschelli.

Monday, December 5, 2016

I am not so sure I can heal them, but I certainly prayed for them today!

Ether 3:17-28

What blessings have you seen in your life because of your faith?

Every blessing I have in my life comes because of my faith in Jesus Christ!

GC:    O How Great the Plan of Our God by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Life changing truths are before our eyes and at our fingertips, but sometimes we sleepwalk on the path of discipleship.

Too often we let ourselves be distracted by the imperfections of our fellow member instead of following the example of our Master.

We tread a path covered with diamonds, but we can scarcely distinguish them from ordinary pebbles."

Copenhagen, Denmark temple

GC: "Come Follow Me" by Practicing Christian Love and Service by Elder Robert D. Hales

"The disciples were taught to turn from the ways of the natural man to the loving and caring ways of the Savior by replacing contention with forgiveness, kindness, and compassion.  The 'new commandment' to 'love one another' was no always easy to

keep.  When the disciples worried about associating

with sinners and certain classes of people, the Savior

taught patiently, 'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.'"

James smashed his finger in the log-splitter.  I ask him why he doesn't wear gloves and he says he doesn't have any that fit right.  I put "gloves for James" on my Christmas list, only I don't know if I will wait until Christmas to give them to him.  

Some interesting political trivia. Rex Lee's sons, Mike and Thomas, are both on the list for Trump's choices of supreme court justices.  Rex Lee is from St John's, Arizona, a former president of BYU and a former solicitor general for the United States.  I hope at least one of them makes it!

 This afternoon while I was blogging I turned on the Christmas movie, "The Road to Christmas" starring Jennifer Grey.  I always pick a movie I've seen before to watch while I am blogging.  I always get behind on my posts when I go to the valley.  Today I did last Wednesday's and Thursday's posts.  I always have to do two a day when I get behind.  

For dinner tonight we had canned chili and corn.  Afterwards we had FHE by the fire.  We listened to Sister McConkie's conference talk, The Soul's Sincere Desire.

" He suffered, bled and died to glorify His Father,

and His merciful petition on our behalf opens the way

for each of us to obtain peace in this life and everlasting

life in the world to come.  He does not want us to suffer

longer or endure more trials than needed.  He does want us

to turn to Him and allow Him to ease our burdens, to heal

our hearts, and to cleanse our souls through

purifying power."

Memories, Friends, and Families

Last year I made two new friends

Joe and his band, Supermotel

Daddy-Daughter Date

I think this was at the Hunter Hayes concert.

Our friend Brooklyn

who was in our Primary class in Chandler.

Brooklyn with her family.