Wednesday, May 17th, 2017

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

86th operating temple

Dedicated: 4 June 2000 by

Gordon B. Hinckley

Rededication: 22 Nov 2015 by

Henry B. Eyring

Alma 1:15-33

* According to Alma 1:16, what are the goals of people who practice priestcraft?

* What opportunities do you have to teach the gospel?

* Elder David A. Bednar: "Anything you or I do as instructors that knowingly and intentionally draws attention to self - in the messages we present, in the methods we use, or in our personal demeanor - is a form of priestcraft that inhibits the teaching effectiveness of the Holy Ghost."

* How can the example of the Nephite priests help us avoid priestcraft?

* When have you seen people tease, mock, or persecute those who keep the commandments of God?

* According to Alma 1:21-24, how did some members respond to persecution? What were the consequences for their actions

* According to Alma 1:25-31, how did other members of the Church live despite the persecution?  What blessing did they receive?

Gospel Principles: 

* Even when people around us are being disobedient, we can be steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments.

* When we live the gospel, we can have peace in our lives, even it we are persecuted.

Ether 4

Moroni is commanded to seal up the writings of the brother of Jared; They will not be revealed until men have faith even as the brother of Jared; Christ commands men to believe His words and those of His disciples; Men are commanded to repent, believe the gospel, and be saved.

DC 76:13-24

As we prayerfully study and ponder the scriptures, we prepare ourselves to receive understanding from the Lord through the Holy Ghost.

All will come forth in the resurrection of the just or the unjust; The inhabitants of many worlds are begotten sons and daughters unto God through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

22 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

23 For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father-

24 That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.

What testimony would you leave your family regarding Jesus Christ?

* I know that my Savior lives and loves me.  Everything I am that is good is because of the gospel of Jesus Christ and my Savior Jesus Christ.  He enables me, strengthens me, comforts me, and brings me peace.  He helps me to heal and forgive others.  He is teaching me to love as He loves, without conditions.  Sometimes that love envelops me with a warmth I can feel.  Without Him I am empty and my life lacks meaning and purpose.  Because of Him I can be with my family forever.  Because of Him I can be forgiven of my sins.  Because of Him I will live forever.  I offer my whole souls as an offering unto Him.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

General Conference

"Walk with Me"

President Henry B. Eyring

"The power and authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the Church - To have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto them, to commune with the general assembly and Church of the Firstborn, and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the mediator of the new covenant."

James left this morning after our family prayer for the valley.  He may or may not spend the night.  His lesson on Sunday is about temple building.  I told him that the Paris temple will be dedicated the Sunday.  

I studied my patriarchal blessing, DC 84, the Atonement, Book of Mormon favorite scriptures, and 100 Verses to Bring You Closer to Christ.  Today I read this poem: "Prayer of an Unknown Confederate Soldier:

"I asked God for strength that I might achieve,

I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey...

I asked for health, that I might do great things,

I was given infirmity that I might do better things...

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life,

I was given life that I might enjoy all things...

I got nothing that I asked for - but everything that I had hoped for.

Almost despite myself, my unspoiled prayers were answered.

I am among all men most richly blessed."

I studied Teach the Doctrine in the Teaching in the Savior's Way manual.  In am writing the old missionary discussions in my gospel study journal.  I love studying the gospel!

My "gospel study" desk.

Today was another catnap day because we went to bed too late last night.  I kept waking up, thinking there were people in our bedroom.

James decided not to spend the night in the valley.  He came home this evening and picked up my prescriptions and some ice.  He would have gotten Dr. Pepper 10 but they still don't have it at Walmart.  I must talk to the manager!

James is very tired when he gets home.  He takes a short nap and then wants to watch a movie.  We watch "I Married Who?"  starring Kellie Martin.  

I finished "Women and the Priesthood" today.  

They sent Terry home from the hospital and said they would do surgery later.  They did not get clearance from his cardiologist.  Terry was so happy to get home and have a nice dinner.

Fun Photos:

Vernon boys

Paul's post

Baby Ian, great grandma Helen holding him, 

his dad, and his dad's grandma Beebe.

Monument Valley

Tuesday, May 16th, 2017

Monticello, Utah

53rd operating temple

Dedicated: 26-27 July 1998

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Rededicated: 17 Nov 2002

By: Gordon B Hinckley

Alma 1:1-24

* Despite the spread of priest craft and persecution, many stand fast in the faith.

* What are some dangers of seeking popularity?  What are some dangers of following people just because they are popular?

* Why is Nehor's teaching in Alma 1:4 dangerous?

* What is priestcraft (See Alma 1:5)

Ether 2-3
2 The Jaredites prepare for their journey to a promised land; It is a choice land whereon men must serve Christ or be swept off; The Lord talks to the brother of Jared for three hours; The Jaredites build barges; The Lord asks the brother of Jared to propose how the barges will be lighted.
3 The brother of Jared sees the finger of the Lord as He touches sixteen stones; Christ shows His spirit body to the brother of Jared; Those who have a perfect knowledge cannot be kept from within the veil; Interpreters are provided to bring the Jaredite record to light.
DC 76:1-12
The Lord is God; The mysteries of the kingdom will be revealed to all the faithful;
What great things are promised if we honor and serve the Lord in righteousness?
* Mercy and grace, all mysteries pertaining to the kingdom. Verse 10 - By my Spirit will I enlighten them, by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will - even things eye has not seen, nor ear hears, nor yet entered into the heart of man.  Eternal glory.
General Conference

The Greatest Among You

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

'In God's kingdom, greatness and leadership means seeing others as they truly are - as God sees them - and then reaching out and ministering to them.  It means rejoicing with those who are happy, weeping with those who grieve, lifting up those in distress, and loving our neighbor as Christ loves us.  The Savior loves all of God's children regardless of their socioeconomic circumstance, race, religion, language, political orientation, nationality, or any other grouping.  And so should we!"

I also studied my Primary lesson on the law of consecration, the topical guide with reference to Jesus Christ and how to avoid deception in the Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual.

Anthony, the new convert in our ward, is without transportation for awhile and the priesthood brethren have been making assignments for people to take him on his errands.  The other day Brother Curtis took him and was gone for seven hours.  Yesterday they called Brother Freeman from the elder's quorum and he said: "I will take him whenever and wherever he wants to go."  Wouldn't it be wonderful if more people had that attitude.

My mom's best friend in high school, Veleda, fell and broke her arm.  This is the picture her son posted saying: "Her first cast, but not Tumbleina's first fall."

She wears alot of black so she ask for a black

cast.  She is 87 years old.

Today was another weird weather day.  There were lots of clouds and some moisture.  One minute you would look out and it was coming down hard and fast, sleet, rain, and hail.  The next minute the sun was shining and there was no moisture coming down.  On our way to the temple this afternoon there were some ominous black clouds and wind, but no rain, at least not on us.

I worked on family history today.  I am looking for Lilia Walker daughter of James and Mary Walker.  Sometimes it's hard to find a missing deceased person.  

James went in to town this morning to get some plants but he came back with none.  He went to Cal-Ranch and saw an old friend from Heber who was the president of one of the banks where James did business.  They had a good visit.  Kerry says some days he sells 7 guns.  James also went to Home Depot.  It was so cold and their plants looked all wilted.  He decided he would come back another day and go to Christopher's Gardens to get plants.  

Terry is still in the hospital waiting for the doctor's to decide if they are going to take out his gall bladder.

Tricia posted Anna singing a solo for her choir concert.  Anna has a beautiful voice!

James decides we need to go to the temple an hour earlier than we had planned because he can't finish his sales taxes until we get some ink for the printer.  Instead of leaving at 3:45, we leave at 2:45.  I am a little disappointed I didn't get to do all the things I wanted to do this afternoon.  We had to stop in town to get air for my tire.  We made it to the sealing room around 4 p.m.   We are sealing nine brothers and four sisters to their parents.  Bill Hancock is our sealer.  I remember him as a bank president.  He knew James's cousin Neil.  He said Neil was in the first temple presidency for the Snowflake temple.  

Another windy day in Snowflake

We stopped at Walmart to get the printer ink and then at Taco Bell for dinner.  I ordered what I always order, a taco and a toastado.  For some reason they put chipotle sauce on the toastado.  It was gross.  They had Mountain Dew and you could spike it with prickly pear cactus juice.  It sounds a little weird to me.  

On the way home I read to James from our book, "Go Set a Watchman."  Scout is all grown up and lives in New York City.  She comes back to Maycomb for a visit and discovers the segregation and prejudice in the south that was felt in the 1950's and 60's.

When we got home James wanted to watch a movie so we watched "Sweet Surrender."  The movie was made in 2013 but we had never seen it.  It is about a guy who inherits his grandma's bed and breakfast called: Cupid's.  It was cute. 

Fun Photos:

Back off Buddy.

Map and directions for the Tucson temple

open house.

Wyatt Earp and John McCain

Wyatt Earp is back.

Wyatt shaved his mustache.

James Hayden

Birthday date with these three.

I am not sure where Rowan was.

Awesome Globe photo off Instagram.

Monday, May 15th, 2017

Montevideo, Uruguay

103rd operating temple

Dedicated: 18 March 2001 by

Gordon B. Hinckley

(Right now there are 155 operating temples, 3 being renovated, 13 under construction, and 14 announced.)

Mosiah 29:33-47

* How did Mosiah's new system of government affect the agency of the people?

Ether 1

Moroni abridges the writings of Ether; Ether's genealogy is set forth; The language of the Jaredites is not confounded at the Tower of Babel; The Lord promises to lead them to a choice land and make them a great nation.

DC 75:23-36

Families of missionaries are to receive help from the Church.

What did I learn from these verses?  

* Missionaries are called to the work.  The Lord does not like idleness.  Men are to provide for their families.  The Lord knows us by name.  The members of the Church were to help support families of missionaries.

General Conference

Called to the Work

Elder David A. Bednar

"Wherefore, go ye and preach my gospel, whether to the north or to the south, to the east or to the west, it mattereth not for ye cannot go amiss." (DC 80:3)

As you ponder the words of this scripture and open your heart, I hope and pray you will invite the Holy Ghost to carry deep into your soul the understanding, the healing, and the restoring you may need."

Prepare the Way

Bishop Gerald Causse

"The service I rendered my teenage years helped me build my testimony and anchor my life in the gospel.  I was surrounded by good and compassionate men who were committed to using their priesthood to bless the lives of others.  I wanted to be like them.

In serving with them, much more than I realized at the time, I learned to be a leader in the Church and also in the world."

Today I also studied the gospel doctrine Sunday School lesson #19, The Plan of Salvation.  I worked on my topical guide study of the Savior, and started work on this weeks Primary lesson on The Law of Consecration.  I read from "Women and the Priesthood" and for F.H.E. we listened to President Uchtdorf's priesthood session conference talk.

James and I watched this week's episode of "The Good Witch."  I am disappointed in the series.  It is not nearly as good as the movies were.  

I tried my "Negg" today.  The Negg is an egg peeler.  One of the reasons I hate to make hard-boiled eggs is that I don't like to peel the eggs.  This worked like a charm!  I made egg salad sandwiches for our dinner.  James loved them and had more than one. 

Put 1/4 cup water and the egg inside.

Shake a few times and the peel slides off.

Vickie is coming home from the hospital today and Terry is having surgery.  Terry had a gall stone stuck in his bile duct.  He has been miserable since Saturday night around 10 p.m. 

I got tickets to the Tucson temple open house in June.  I wanted to get them on June 24th because that is when Jared and Kacey are going but there were none available.  I had to settle for Thursday, June 22nd.

Today was one of those wonderful serendipitous days when you are in the place you love the most, with the person you love the most.  James and I read from "Go Set a Watchman", watched "The Good Witch" and part of "Dancing with the Stars" together. We read scriptures and prayed.  We listened to President Uchtdorf's conference talk, "The Greatest Among You", we watched the bunnies eat our grass, and noticed that the robins are back in the birdhouse James built for them.  

James got a phone call this evening from Anthony, a new convert he home teaches who lives by himself.  He was excited and wanted to bear his testimony to James regarding the truthfulness of the gospel and especially the Book of Mormon.  Anthony was baptized a few months ago and he says he has read the Book of Mormon 3x since his baptism.  It is so refreshing to see someone so excited about the gospel.

Tonight was the semifinals for Dancing with the Stars.  Simone Biles got a perfect score and then did not get enough votes to make it to the finals next week.  The finalists will be: David Ross, Rashad Jennings, and Normani ?.  I am hoping for Rashad and Emma to win.

Fun Photos:

One of the young men in our ward who is serving a mission in

West Virginia sent this photo.  He said he went to a place

called Hillbilly Hotdogs located in a junkyard.

The hotdogs were delicious.

The Perfect Pets

My friend Marci got this from her 8 year old

daughter for Mother's Day.

Beautiful Arizona

Joshua's baptism, almost

three years ago!

Joshua's buddies watching a movie with him.

One of my favorite pictures of 

Darrel and Trina.

Sunday, May 14th, 2017

Monterrey, Mexico

110th operating temple

Dedicated: 28 April 2002 by

Gordon B. Hinckley

Mosiah 29:16-32

* According to King Mosiah, what benefits would come through making decisions by the voice of the people?

* What consequences would come if the people chose iniquity?

* Why is it important for both leaders and followers to be accountable for their actions?

Truths learned in Mosiah 29:

* Unrighteous leadership can bring contention and sin.

* It is not common for the voice of the people to choose something that is not right.

* If the people choose iniquity, the judgments of God will come upon them.

* Each person has a duty to uphold righteous laws and leaders.

Mormon 9

Moroni calls upon those who do not believe in Christ to repent; He proclaims a God of miracles, who gives revelations and pours out gifts and signs upon the faithful; Miracles cease because of unbelief; Signs follow those who believe; Men are exhorted to be wise and keep the commandments. About A.D. 401-21.

DC 75:13-22

All will come forth in the resurrection of the just or the unjust; The inhabitants of many worlds are begotten sons and daughters unto God through the Atonement of Jesus Christ; 

Was there a time I exercised faith and was given the strength to overcome?

* I can't think of a time right now.

General Conference

Return and Receive

Elder M. Russell Ballard

"Over the years, I have observed that those who accomplish the most in this world are those with a vision for their lives, with goals to keep them focused on their vision and tactical plans for how to achieve them.  Knowing where you are going and how you expect to get there can bring meaning, purpose, and accomplishment to life."

Kindness, Charity, and Love

President Thomas S. Monson

"And if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity." -Moroni 7:44

I was up at 4:00 a.m. on this beautiful mother's day to work on my Primary lesson.  The lesson is about Edward Partridge being the first bishop and what our bishop does for us.  

James wrote me a nice one page letter for mother's day.  He would rather write to me than to buy a card.

So sweet.

The mother's had an amazing day at church.  We got giant candy bars and a carnation in sacrament meeting.  During Relief Society the RS presidency set up a luncheon in the Relief Society room.  We had chicken salad sandwiches on rolls, veggies and dip, chips, and chocolate covered strawberries.  It was yummy and totally unexpected.  During Primary each of the children wrote a note to their mom's and gave them either a red or yellow rose.  The roses were beautiful.

Candy bar, carnation, and cards.

Cathi and Terry's grandson, Colin, filled this out at kindergarten.  I thought it was pretty funny.

I love her red hair and his answer to the last question.

James came home from church and made me a wonderful steak dinner.  We had fillets, baked potatoes, corn, and a salad.  I also bought a little chocolate cake but I ended up throwing it away because it had too much buttercream frosting.  

I got a call or a text from all of my kids.  Stacy wrote me a sweet message on Facebook.  Brian sent me a card.  Jared sent me a Deseretbookshelf plus card good for one year.  Darrel called me and Trina wished me a Happy Mother's Day.  Darrel had to work today and Trina spent the day making her mother dinner.  She also took this picture of three of her four kids.

While Trina was taking this picture Lola was inside and locked

them all out of the house.  Thank goodness Rowan knew how

to break in.  So, no picture of Lola.

When Stacy called me she told me a little more about their trip to Tombstone.  She said over 1200 bodies are in the bottom of the mine they were in.  She said the guide told them to take lots of pictures because they may get an orb.  Stacy got one and you can see a face in it if you look hard.  She said Paul got one that moved around.

The orb is way over on the left.  I can't see anything on here but I

did when Stacy posted it on Facebook.

Paul posted these pictures of Stacy and some of her boys:

Dallin

Michael

Joshua

We had some visitors this evening.  James got some closeups.

Cows 

James said there were five cows and

two yearlings.

Their light butts are so funny looking

They came to wish me a happy mother's day!

It was a wonderful day.  I am so grateful to my wonderful family.

I was impressed that Jared worked all day Saturday and then drove to San Antonio, arriving at 1:30 a.m. so he could fix Kacey breakfast and spend mother's day with her, and then drive back home Sunday afternoon after making her cookies.  

Here are some more fun reminders of Mother's Day:

Happy Mother's Day!