Monday, April 10, 2017

Helsinki, Finland

124th operating temple

Mosiah 4:9-30

King Benjamin teaches how to retain a remission of sins.

* Why is this also important for each of us to know?

Read verses 9-11 and look for what we must do to retain a remission of our sins.

* How does remembering God's power, goodness, and love influence our willingness to obey Him?

Read Mosiah 4:12.  What are the blessings in this verse that come to those who do what is taught in verses 5-11?

Mosiah 4:13-16 contains King Benjamin's description of people who retain a remission of their sins.

* What are the attitudes and qualities that King Benjamin described in those who seek to retain a remission of their sins?

Read verses 16-23.

* According to King Benjamin, how are we all beggars?

* How can this understanding help us be more compassionate to others?

Read verse 27.

* What do you think it means to do all things in "wisdom and order?"

Read verses 28-30.

* What is the relationship between our thoughts, words, and deeds?

* What can we do to watch ourselves?

* In what ways can we help each other?

President Ezra Taft Benson:

" Think clean thoughts.  Those who think clean thoughts do not do dirty deeds.  You are not only responsible before God for your acts but also for controlling your thoughts.  So live that you would not blush with shame if your thoughts and acts could be flashed on a screen in your church.  The old adage is still true that you sow thoughts and you reap acts, you sow acts and you reap habits, you sow habits and you reap a character, and your character determines your eternal destiny. 'As a man thinketh, so is he.'"

DC 55:1-6

William W. Phelps is called and chosen to be baptized, to be ordained an elder, and to preach the gospel; He is also to write books for children in Church schools; He is to travel to Missouri, which will be the area of his labors.

General Conference

Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives

President Russell M. Nelson

"The gospel of Jesus Christ is filled with His power, which is available to every earnestly seeking daughter or son

of God."

I also studied the gospel doctrine lesson, "Seek Ye Earnestly the Best Gifts."  Most of the spiritual gifts we can obtain are listed in DC 46.

I spent a relaxing day at home with James until later this afternoon when we had to go into town to pick up his blood pressure medicine.  We also stopped at  Burger King for a Whopper Jr., and the bank to deposit some checks.  James says he can't believe that the car didn't head for Walmart on its own.  Ha Ha.

This looks like a nice place to visit

but I don't think I would want to live there.

Back at home James worked on a bid and I blogged for Friday and Saturday.  We watched a new Hallmark movie, "Moonlight in Vermont", starring Lacey Chaubert.  I missed watching "Dancing with the Stars" because James doesn't like it.  I will get up early tomorrow to watch.  Here are some of the dancers:

Heather Morris from Glee

with Allen who is filling in for Maks

who got injured a couple of weeks ago.

Heather is really good!

Rashad Jennings and Emma.  Finally

Emma has a decent partner.  Rashad plays for the NFL.

This was most memorable year week.  He told about a time he gave up a scholarship to come home and help take care of his dad

who had to have his leg amputated.  He is one of my favorites,

in fact, I kind of hope they win!

Julianne Hough told him he missed his calling, that he should have

been a dancer.

Nancy Kerrigan and Artem. Nancy is a great dancer.

She had six miscarriages in 8 years but was 

determined to have more children so she did invitro.

She now has the three children she always dreamed 

she would have.

Mr. T and Kym

Mr. T is not much of a dancer but he seems like a really 

great guy.  He is 64 and 20 years ago he had cancer.

He said: "Lord give me the strength to do your will."

His attitude is inspirational.

Dave Ross formerly of the Chicago Cubs.

He is not a dancer but for some reason the

judges really like him.

He is with Lindsey Arnold, one of the

Mormon girls from Utah.

Enough of DWTS.  Here is someone you can really

admire.  President Monson and his wife Frances.

A friend made this chart for her kids to fill-in

for Easter week.  What a great idea.

Grand Falls in Arizona, but I am not

exactly sure where.

Fun Photos:

2015

Tea Party and Molly's Birthday

2015

Lola takes her first steps

July 2015

Michael becomes a Loper

I love to watch the sky when a storm

is coming.

Sunday, April 9, 2017

Hartford, Connecticut

155th operating temple

Mosiah 4:1-8

King Benjamin's people receive a remission of their sins and are filled with joy and peace.

*Read Mosiah 4:1-2. When the people recognized their sinfulness, they repented, expressing their faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement.  

*According to Mosiah 4:3, what feelings come to those who have been forgiven of their sins by the Lord?

*Read Mosiah 4:4-8. What did King Benjamin want his people to understand after they had received a remission of their sins?

*According to these verses, what are the only "conditions whereby we can be saved"?

*Repentance and obedience require much work and effort on our part.  However, no matter how hard we work, we could never receive forgiveness of our sins and the gift of salvation without the Atonement of Jesus Christ. 

Helaman 6

The righteous Lamanites preach to the wicked Nephites - Both peoples prosper during an era of peace and plenty - Lucifer, the author of sin, stirs up the hearts of the wicked and the Gadianton robbers in murder and wickedness - The robbers take over the Nephite government. About 29-23 B.C.

DC 54:1-10

The Saints must keep the gospel covenant to gain mercy; they must be patient in tribulation.

There are many great verses, which ones spoke to me?

Verses 3; 6; 10.

General Conference

Confide in God Unwaveringly

Elder Ulisses Soares

"If we are steadfast and do not waver in our faith, the Lord

will increase our capacity to raise ourselves above the challenges of life."

Brighter and Brighter Until the Perfect Day

Elder Mark E. Bragg

"Even in the most difficult and darkest of times, there is light and goodness all around us."

I was up at 5 a.m. to finish my talk and work on my Primary lesson, "Emma Smith Selects Sacred Hymns." I was so tired and had to take a short nap before Church.  

Sandra W. and I spoke in sacrament meeting on The Strengthening Marriage class manual.  Sandra spoke on the first three chapters, Applying Gospel Principles, Communicating with Love, and Fostering Equality and Unity.  She spoke for 25 minutes.  I spoke on the last three chapters, Overcoming Anger, Resolving Conflict, and Enriching Marriage.  I spoke for about 15 minutes which left 5 minutes or so for Anne M. to make a few comments and bear her testimony.  I was grateful to have Kim, Brian and Jared in the congregation today.  I am glad this assignment is over.  Now I need to focus on Easter, and then my talk on receiving personal revelation for women's conference.

This is what happens in Primary when we sing "Once There Was a Snowman."

It looks like an air raid.

Kim, Brian, and Jared all went to James's gospel doctrine class which made him feel good.  After the block James and Brian gave Jared a health blessing and a comfort blessing.  Brian anointed and James was the spokesperson.  

We enjoyed our lunch and then Jared got out his computer and looked up information on Brian's family.  There were several pictures of his grandparents and other relatives which was exciting for both him and Kim.

Brian trying to send the photos they found

to his dad.

Everyone left in the early afternoon.  Jared went the Green's Peak way.  We went in to take a nap after they left. James had his phone on vibrate and received a message from Jared that he got stuck.  James's truck isn't here so he called Chuck Crane for help. Somehow Owen P. and Kip H. found out that Jared was stuck and offered to help.  That is the way people are around here. We are small in numbers but mighty in spirit.

Jared, Kim Brian

Jared went on his way just an hour or two later than he planned on. He got home around 1 a.m. El Paso time.

Fun Photos:

 The Palo Verde trees are blooming

 One of my most favorite talks

Nice picture of our home

Gilbert temple

James Hayden

Anna

Emmy

Evan

Molly

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.