Saturday, April 8, 2017

Hamilton, New Zealand

11th operating temple

Mosiah 3:11-27

King Benjamin testifies tat through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can put off the natural man and become saints.

*Read verses 11-13, 16 and look for the answers to these questions.  How does the Atonement apply:

1. To those who die without a knowledge of the gospel?

2. To those who rebel against God and deliberately sin?

3. To children who die before they reach the age of accountability?

Dallin H. Oaks:  "These teachings that the resurrection and cleansing power of the Atonement is for all contradict the assertion that the grace of God saves only a chosen few. His grace is for all.  These teachings of the Book of Mormon expand our vision and enlarge our understanding of the all-encompassing love of God and the universal effect of His Atonement for all men everywhere."

*Read Mosiah 3:19.

1. How did the angel describe a natural man's relationship with God?

2. According to this verse, how can we put off the natural man?

A natural man is "a person who chooses to be influenced by the passions, desires, appetites, and senses of the flesh rather than by the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Such a person can comprehend physical things but not spiritual. All people are carnal, or mortal, because of the fall of Adam and Eve.  Each person must be born again through the Atonement of Jesus Christ."

3. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, a person does more than just stop being a "natural man." He or she "becometh a saint."

In addition to saving us from our sins, the Savior changes us into better people than we could ever be on our own. He helps us become more like Him.

One last quote, this one from David A. Bednar:

"Both clean hands and a pure heart are required to ascend into the hill of the Lord and to stand in His holy place.  Let me suggest that hands are made clean through the process of putting off the natural man and by overcoming sin and the evil influences in our lives through the Savior's Atonement.  Hearts are purified as we receive His strengthening power to do good and become better.  All of our worthy desires and good works, as necessary as they are can never produce clean hands and a pure heart.  It is the Atonement of Jesus Christ that provides both a cleansing and redeeming power that helps us to overcome sin and a sanctifying and strengthening power that helps us to become better than we ever could by relying only upon our own strength.  The infinite Atonement is for both the sinner and for the saint in each of us."

Helaman 5 - My Wow! Chapter

Nephi and Lehi devote themselves to preaching - Their names invite them to pattern their lives after their forebears - Christ redeems those who repent - Nephi and Lehi make many converts and are imprisoned, and fire encircles them - A cloud of darkness overshadows three hundred people - The earth shakes, and a voice commands men to repent - Nephi and Lehi converse with angels, and the multitude is encircled by fire. About 30 B.C.

DC 53:1-7
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Algernon Sidney Gilbert, at Kirtland, Ohio, June 8, 1831. At Sidney Gilbert's request, the Prophet inquired of the Lord as to Brother Gilbert's work and appointment in the Church.
*What witness have I received that the Lord truly does hear my prayers? 
-Our car was fixed when we were in San Antonio and we made it home when we were totally out of gas the last 20 miles of our trip home.
General Conference

Our Good Shepherd

Elder Dale G. Renlund

"Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd, finds joy in seeing His 

diseased sheep progress toward healing."

Today I learned about the conditions that will exist at the time of Christ's Second Coming.  Some good, some bad, depending on what side of the fence you are standing regarding being a follower of Jesus Christ.

Today James and I slept in until after 7:30.  Brian made us a delicious brunch: eggs with bellpeppers, tomatoes, potatoes, sausage and bacon.  Thank you Brian!  I managed to do my scripture study today but I haven't worked on my blog since Thursday.  I said I was not going to get behind again.  I will catch up after my talk tomorrow.  

Around 3 p.m. James and I went to town to get some groceries. We finished our book, "A Fine Gentlemen," and started this one:

One of my favorite authors of

Proper Romance novels

James ask me to fix green chili pork stew since Jared is coming tonight. I gave James a couple of choices and this was number one.  I thought Kim and Brian would like it too but they are on a gluten-free diet.  It was soooo windy today.  When we returned from town Kim and Brian were gone on a Razr ride.  They turned around before Christmas Tree Trail because of snow and mud.  I got a text from Jared around four saying he was leaving El Paso.  That means he should be here around ten.

The pork stew took awhile to make.  James and Brian grilled steaks for dinner and Kim roasted some broccoli and cauliflower.  The pork stew will be for tomorrow after church.  True to what I said, Jared got here around ten.  He visited with Brian and Kim and I went in the bedroom to work on my talk until around 11:30.  James went to bed.  

Fun Photos:

Pinewood Derby for Joshua today

 A close-up of his car.

Last year he was the winner.

Let's see what happens today.

Ready to race

1st Place again!

 So proud!

He even got a driver's license

Joshua dancing with his cousin at

their Uncle George's wedding reception tonight.

These two, Kendall and Rusty,  also got married today in the

Snowflake temple.

Rusty's parents live in Vernon.

They are both returned missionaries and

are an awesome couple.

Sunset at the Grand Canyon

  

  

Friday, April 7, 2017

Halifax, Nova Scotia

64th operating temple

Mosiah 3:1-10

King Benjamin delivers an angels words about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. 

* What does Mosiah 3:7 help you understand about the Savior's mission?

* Why do you think the angel said that this message would bring great joy?

* What are your feelings as you think what the Savior has done for you?

* Elder James E. Talmage said: "Christ's agony in the garden is unfathomable by the finite mind, both as to intensity and cause...He struggled and groaned under a burden such as no other being who has lived on earth might even conceive as possible.  It was not physical pain, nor mental anguish alone, that caused Him to suffer such torture as to produce an extrusion of blood from every pore; but a spiritual agony of soul such as only God was capable of experiencing...In that hour of anguish Christ met and overcame all the horrors that Satan, 'the prince of this world', could inflict...In some manner, actual and terribly real though to man incomprehensible the Savior took upon Himself the burden of the sins of mankind from Adam to the end of the world."

Helaman 3-4

3 Many Nephites migrate to the land northward - They build houses of cement and keep many records - Tens of thousands are converted and baptized - The word of God leads men to salvation - Nephi the son of Helaman fills the judgment seat. About 49-39 B.C.

4 Nephite dissenters and the Laanites join forces and take the land of Zarahemla - The Nephites' defeats come because of their wickedness - The Church dwindles, and the people become weak like the Lamanites. About 38 - 30 B.C. 

DC 52:33-44

What is meant by..."one man shall not build upon another's foundation, neither journey inn another's track?

Speech: Our Spiritual and Temporal Foundation:Scriptures and Revelation

By: Charles A. Didier

General Conference

Our Father's Glorious Plan 

Weatherford T. Clayton

"Because of God's holy plan, we know that birth and death are actually just milestones on our journey to eternal life with our Heavenly Father."

James and I went to the 6:15 am session at the Gilbert temple.  I found a couple of names on Jared's Family Search page, Mary Hannah and John McCullough.  

I had a little break before I had to go to Mesa for my infusion.  James went to work.  I left at 9:45 for my 10:30 appointment.  Frances and Barbara took care of me.  After I am all set up I sit in my recliner with a head pillow and a cold bottle of water.  It's almost as if I am getting a spa treatment.  Well, not quite.

For lunch we went to one of James's favorite places, Jersey Mike's Subs.  After eating James wanted to go check on his job on McKellips and Center in Mesa.  I went with him and we read from "A Fine Gentleman."  

James finally was able to hook up Sal's line to the city sewer.  It was after dark though, actually after we got back from dinner with James's mom and his brothers and sisters at Valle Luna in Chandler.

Dawn, Rebecca, Brent, James, Gail, Lois

All the siblings together except Carmen

and Connie.

Rebecca's birthday is tomorrow.

Gail brought her a myrtle wood bowl

from Oregon.  It was beautiful.

Rebecca and her bowl.

Lois arranges these dinners and she and Dawn

pay for them.  We are very grateful.

After dinner James finished the sewer line and I packed and put all my stuff in the car.  We left around 8 pm for home.  Cathi said James could leave his truck and trailer here but it would cost him some burros from Burger House.  We got home around 11:30.  Kim and Brian were already here for the weekend.

Thursday, April 6, 2017

Guayaquil, Ecuador
58th operating temple

Mosiah 2:29-41

King Benjamin exhorts his people to be obedient to God.

1. What warnings did King Benjamin give his people? (see verses 32-33, 36-38.)

2. How might we know if we are beginning to follow the wrong spirit?  Why is it important to recognize this early?

* Elder David A. Bednar: "We should endeavor to discern when we withdraw ourselves from the Spirit of the Lord.  If something we think, see, hear, or do distances us from the Holy Ghost, then we should stop thinking, seeing, hearing, or doing that thing. If that which is intended to entertain, for example, alienates us from the Holy Spirit, then certainly that type of entertainment is not for us.  Because the Spirit cannot abide that which is vulgar, crude, or immodest, then clearly such things are not for us."

3. According to verse 38 what consequences come to those who die in their sins?

4. What did King Benjamin want his people to consider and remember? (verses 40-41.)

Gospel truth

If we keep the commandments, we will be blessed temporally and spiritually.

Helaman 2

Helaman, the son of Helaman, becomes chief judge - Gadianton leads the band of Kishkumen - Helaman's servant slays Kishkumen, and the Gadianton band flees into the wilderness. About 50-49 B.C.

DC 52:12-32

Those enlightened by the Spirit bring forth fruits of praise and wisdom; Various elders are appointed to go forth preaching the gospel while traveling to Missouri for the conference.

General Conference

His Daily Guiding Hand

M. Joseph Brough

"Heavenly Father knows what you and I need better than anyone else.  One of Heavenly Father's most beloved tools in guiding His children is righteous grandparents."

Today is the Savior's birthday and the date the Church was organized in 1830.  

I love this picture of the 1st Presidency:

and the Savior

The Mesa Easter Pageant is going on right now and one of my friends posted this picture on Facebook:

I wanted to go to the temple this morning but James was too busy with work so we rescheduled until tomorrow morning before my infusion.  I stayed at Cathi's this morning studying and then a little before one James came back and we took my car to Sears to have the oil changed.  While they were working on my car we went to Olive Garden for lunch.  After lunch I dropped my glasses off at Chandler Eyecare.  Sheri put in new lenses for me and a new nose piece.  She also gave me a new glasses case.  Great service!

Rainbow Bridge

I worked on my blog while James went out to work on Sal's sewer line.  He had another mishap, and still now connection.

This evening for dinner we had a date with Ben at Eklectic Pie.  We told him we would take him out once a month for reading his scriptures.  Max and Evan came too because they had also read their scriptures.  We had a great time and I am so sad that I did not take any pictures.  We all loved the pizza because the crust is ultra thin.  We talked about the scriptures.  Ben has a great spirit about him and has a testimony of the scriptures.  It was a fun evening.

Fun Photos:

Holly's last day, surrounded by the people

who love her the most.

Joshua giving Max the stink eye,

while Evan enjoys a soda.

Enjoying smores at Darrel and Trina's.

Alex and Michael's seminary graduation.

I love this picture of Colin with

the Easter Bunny.

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Guatemala City, Guatemala

32nd operating temple

Mosiah 2:10-28

* King Benjamin teaches about the importance of serving God and each other and about our eternal indebtedness to God.

* Mosiah 2:10-15

Can you find evidences of King Benjamin's concern about serving the people and not about his own status or recognition?

* President Howard W. Hunter:

" Don't be overly concerned with status....It is important to be appreciated.  But our focus should be on righteousness, not recognition; on service, not status."

* Mosiah 2:16-17

What did King Benjamin want his people to learn?

* Mosiah 2:18-24

Why would King Benjamin refer to himself and his people as unprofitable servants?

* What blessings have you received for which you feel indebted to God?

* Why is it important to realize that we are "eternally indebted" to God?

Alma 63-Helaman 1

Alma 63 

Shiblon and later Helaman take possession of the sacred records - Many Nephites travel to the land northward - Hagoth builds ships, which sail forth in the west sea - Moronihah defeats the Lamanites in battle. About 56-52 B.C.

Helaman 1 

Pahoran the second becomes chief judge and is murdered by Kishkumen - Pacumeni fells the judgment seat - Coriantumr leads the Lamanite armies, takes Zarahemla, and slays Pacumeni - Moronihah defeats the Lamanites and retakes Zarahemla, and Coriantumr s slain. 

DC 52:1-11

The next conference is designated to be held in Missouri; Appointments of certain elders to travel together are made; The elders are to teach what the apostles and prophets have written;

* What standard has the Lord set for how missionaries are supposed to teach?

- Verse 9.  What the prophets and apostles have written and what is taught the by the Comforter through the prayer of faith.

General Conference

Gathering the Family of God

President Henry B. Eyring

"God the Father wants His children home again, in families and in glory."

In preparation for the last days I learned the following:

"If ye are prepared ye shall not fear" DC 38:30

"Those who are not purified shall not abide that day" DC 38:8

Parables of Preparation are found in Matthew 25.

There are three ways to prepare: 1.) Spiritual Power 2.) Stewardships 3.) Christian service.

The First Presidency

President Monson and his two counselors,

President Eyring and President Uchtdorf

It is a monumental day!  I am actually caught up on my blog.  I would do a little happy dance but I am afraid I might hurt myself.

After I finished blogging I started to get ready for my trip to the valley.  I ironed two blouses, and listened to a couple of conference talks, I ran off my strengthening marriage talk and Primary lesson, showered, packed, and loaded everything into the car. It is such a beautiful day here, around 65 degrees with a slight breeze.  It was around 1:30 or so when I left.  My first stop was at the Vernon post office.  Again my box was packed full.

It's a good thing I brought my doggie bag.

On to Show Low where I stopped for gas at the Splash and Dash.  I was going to get my car washed but the line was too long.  I stopped at Arby's before leaving Show Low for a sandwich and a drink.  The regular Arby's was too big, I should have ordered a junior, and my drink was flat.  I donated a $1 to some charity.  My bills was over $7.  I should have just made a donation and forgotten about the food.  

The trip to Salt River Canyon was pretty uneventful.  There was no traffic so it didn't take me long to get to Globe.  To keep myself awake I listened to music and at butterscotch baking chips.  In Globe I stopped at McDonald's for an ice cream cone and another drink.  By the way, did you know McDonald's now has Grand Big Mac's, regular Big Mac's, and junior Big Mac's.  A Big Mac for everyone, except me that is.  I passed up Burger House because I figured James bought them on Monday.  Outside of Miami the traffic picks up and my speed slows down.  They are still working on the road so my speed doesn't pick up until I get to Gonzales Pass.

I stopped at Darrel and Trina's on the way in to town to bring Addy her boots that she left at the cabin.  Darrel and the girls were home. Trina was at work and Rowan was at ball practice.  When I ask to use the bathroom Lola said to me: "I want to come to, I want to see your bum."  I told her that was not appropriate, and besides I didn't think she would like my bum anyway.  She is hilarious!

I did some shopping at Deseret Book and stopped at Sam's Club to wash my car.  This is what I bought at Deseret Book:

The Ensign is for my friend Charlotte,

Covenant Hearts is a marriage book by Bruce C. Hafen,

the old guy carrying the pack on his back is Sheri Dew's new book, "Worth the Wrestle", it's based on a talk of her's that she gave at BYU-Idaho that I loved.  The Julie Klassen book is a proper romance for James and I to read, and the two triple combinations are for less active kids in my Primary class.  We are going to visit them as a class, take them cookies and give them the scriptures as we invite them to come to Primary.

I find James quite stressed when I arrive at Cathi and Terry's.  He was supposed to get paid for a job today but found out that the person he emailed the billing to never received it.  I helped him and we finally found the document but we couldn't mail it.  We finally gave up and went to Winco to get some dinner.  Early in the morning James figured how to send it off.

Fun Photos:

Baby Lola a couple of years ago

My friend Julie teaching the girls at girl's camp

about tree rings.  Fascinating stuff.  You can tell how much 

moisture in a year by the tree ring.

Mario and Peter

Paul's dad Gilbert with his boys

I love this picture 

Brian at the place he loves the most

Dallin and friends at the cabin

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Guadalajara, Mexico

105th operating temple

I was surprised when I opened the blinds early this morning to find two inches of snow on the ground.

I am tempted to use this for my

Christmas cards.

Mosiah 2:1-9

* Families gather and prepare to receive King Benamin's words.

* The people prepared to receive King Benjamin's words by offering sacrifices associated with the law of Moses.  In making these sacrifices, the people expressed gratitude to God and dedicated themselves to Him. (What kind of sacrifices are we ask to make today?  How did you prepare to receive the messages given at General Conference?)

* According to the last part of Mosiah 2:9, what did King Benjamin believe would happen if the people opened their ears and their hearts to his message?

* What do you think it means to open our ears and hearts to those who are called to teach?

Alma 62;15-52

The king-men who refuse to defend their country are put to death - Pahoran and Moroni retake Nephihah - Many Lamanites join the people of Ammon - Teancum slays Ammoron and is in turn slain - The Lamanites are driven from the land, and peace is established - Helaman returns to the ministry and builds up the Church. 

DC 51:7-20

The Saints are to deal honestly and receive alike; They are to have a bishop's storehouse and to organize properties according to the Lord's law; Ohio is to be a temporary gathering place.

* Why did the Lord counsel the saints to act upon the land "as for years?"

- The Lord wanted the Saints to live the gospel and share it in Ohio as though they were to be there a long time.

General Conference

"My Peace I Leave With You"

President Henry B. Eyring

"The Lord promised peace to His disciples as He was about to leave them.  He has made the same promise to us."

Today I studied the Relief Society visiting teaching message, on The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood.  Sister Burton asks the sisters to memorize the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood in DC 84: 33-44.  I thought it was an interesting request, but I will do it.

I am reading about the Last Days in the Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual in the enrichment section.  Today I read: the Lord Will Preserve His People.  I found this statement to be interesting:

"It is part of the Lord's testing of his children in mortality to allow them to remain in the midst of difficulty to see if they will be true to him in times both of prosperity and of distress."

Can you see the Cougar?

I spent three hours working on my strengthening marriage talk.  I got it all written using the marriage manual as the basis for my text. Now I need to run it off and read it and revise it.  

I found out today that President Monson was

hospitalized earlier this week.  We all need to

pray for him.

This afternoon I made snickerdoodles from a mix I had to eat with the rest of the strawberries in the refrigerator.  They were delicious!

I should have never made them.  I ate 3 total today and put the rest in the refrigerator.  

By late afternoon all the snow was melted.  Outside my window looked like this:

It's hard to believe that snow can disappear so quickly.

No Christmas card here.

The snow disappeared but as an added bonus some elk crossed in the back:

There were seven for them.

This picture is blurry because I magnified it.

This guy was the leader and he was a little jittery.

I think our bunny was glad that the snow melted.

James is still trying to find that missing sewer line in Chandler.

At least he got his tractor out of this most precarious predicament.

What a mess!

I came across the idea on Facebook.  This little house is called a granny pod:

Do any of my kids have a backyard big enough for

one of these?