Monday, May 29th, 2017

Palmyra, New York

77th operating temple

Dedicated: 6 April 2000 by

Gordon B. Hinckley

I forgot to shout hooray!

Yesterday James and I finished the assignment

given by our bishop in January to read the Book of Mormon 

by the end of May!

HOORAY!

Alma 8:1-17

*What do these verses tell us about Alma's character? (see Alma 8:8-10.)

*Although Alma's prayers for the people of Ammonihah were sincere his requests were not immediately granted. (Some people in Ammonihah did repent later. See Alma 14:1.)

*President Russell M. Nelson: "I recognize that, on occasion, some of our most fervent prayers may seem to go unanswered.  We wonder, 'Why? I know that feeling! I know the fears and tears of such moments.  But I also know that our prayers are never ignored.  Our faith is never unappreciated.  I know that an all-wise Heavenly Father's perspective is much broader than is ours.  While we know of our mortal problems and pain, He knows of our immortal progress and potential."

*What can we learn about Alma from the fact that he returned speedily to Ammonihah?

*President Henry B. Eyring: "However much faith to obey God we now have, we will need to strengthen it continually and keep it refreshed constantly.  We can do that by deciding now to be more quick to obey and more determined to endure.  Learning to start early and to be steady are the keys to spiritual preparation....A loving Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son have given us all the help they can to pass the test of life before us.  But we must decide to obey and then do it.  We build the faith to pass the tests of obedience over time and through our daily choices.  We can decide now to do quickly whatever God asks of us.  And we can decide to be steady in the small tests of obedience which build the faith to carry us through the great tests, which will surely come."

DC 82:13-24

14-18, Zion must increase in beauty and holiness; 19-24, Every man should seek the interest of his neighbor.

Why should we make friends with the "mammon of unrighteousness?"

* There is a saying: "Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer."  If we are friends with our enemies we can help them understand us better.  We become more tolerant of our differences and we realize we have more in common than we thought.

General Conference

And This Is Life Eternal

Elder C. Scott Grow

"Jesus Christ taught many truths that explain Heavenly Father's plan of happiness and your place in it.  I'll focus on two of these to help you understand your identity as a child of God and know your purpose in life.  First: 'For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' (John 3:16.)

Second: 'And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.'" (John 17:3.)

James fixed me my favorite breakfast this morning, maple and brown sugar oatmeal with walnuts and blueberries.  Delicious!

Why does it always taste better when someone else makes it for you?

We said goodbye to Kim and Brian this morning.  They are heading back to the valley this morning to beat the Memorial Day traffic.

We always love when they come to visit.

Also, the food they made for us was a real bonus!

I forgot to mention the delicious honey-lime chicken

they made for us last night.

At 10am. we had a meeting at the Howard's about horseback riding for the grandkids in July.  It was just James and I and Brother and Sister Howard.  Brother Howard said because I had been such a good visiting teacher to his wife that he was not going to charge us for the horseback riding.  I was overwhelmed.  If we went anywhere else it would be at least $25 an hour per person.  He did ask us to go on social media and let people know if we have a good experience.  We met the newest addition to their family:

Maui and his mom Mirage.

He has grown so much since his birth on the 10th.

The Howard's are wonderful people.  They are about the same age as we are and have had some of the same experiences with their children and grandchildren as we have.  They showed us around their place.  James offered to help them finish a cover on the porch of one of their buildings.  Brother Scott was working on it until he left for Utah.  We had a great visit and feel like they are truly our friends.

From the Howard's we went in to town.  I wanted to get my car serviced, meaning an oil change, before going to the valley tomorrow.  James dropped me off at Panda Express while he took the car to Walmart.  He was back in just a few minutes and said they asked him why he wanted an oil change when it had been only 2,700 miles since the last one.  We also need a new windshield but James promised me he would take care of that in the valley.  

We stopped at Harbor Freight to buy a greenhouse that normally sells for 1,600 dollars that is on sale for $622.  James also had a coupon for 25% off.  He thought he had it with him but he didn't, so he will have to come back.  We probably couldn't have gotten the greenhouse in the car anyway.  We went home and had a nap and then James headed back into town in the truck with his coupon. He ended up paying $500 for it.

I stayed home and worked on my blog.

For Family Home Evening we listened to Elder Grow's conference talk.  I heard it this morning, but I wanted James to listen to it with me. Elder Grow was speaking specifically to the young adults and I thought there might be some things we would like to share with Michael and Alex. After the talk we watched the season one finale of "Victoria." Victoria has her baby and the story says she has eight more children.  We are looking forward to season two!

Fun Photos:

My husband is very talented.

Here he is making a pie.

Here he is splitting wood.

Studying for his gospel doctrine lesson.

Enjoying some time with his new friend,

Shipley.

Sweet little Addy on her baptism day.

The Three Amigos with their firstborn.

Darrel, Addy, Jon, Logan, Aaron, and Samantha.

A beautiful end to a wonderful day.

Sunday, May 28th, 2017

Orlando, Florida

46th operating temple

Dedicated: 9-11 October 1994 by:

Howard W. Hunter

Alma 7:14-27

*Read Alma 7:14-16 to see what we need to do to follow the path leading to the kingdom of God.  Make a list.

*Read Alma 7:22-24. Make a list of what we have to be and do in order to follow the path from mortality to the kingdom of God.

Moroni 9-10

9 Both the Nephites and the Lamanites are depraved and degenerate; They torture and murder each other; Mormon prays that grace and goodness may rest upon Moroni forever.

10 A testimony of the Book of Mormon comes by the power of the Holy Ghost; The gifts of the Spirit are dispensed to the faithful; Spiritual gifts always accompany faith; Moroni's words speak from the dust; Come unto Christ, be perfected in Him, and sanctify your souls. About A.D. 421.

DC 82: 1-12

1-4, Where much is given, much is required; 5-7, Darkness reigns in the world; 8-13, The Lord is bound when we do what He says;

What does it mean in these verses that "darkness reigneth"?

General Conference

How Does the Holy Ghost Help You?

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

"As you heed promptings from the Holy Ghost-impressions most often quiet and still-you may be removed, without ever knowing, from spiritual and temporal danger."

It was difficult but I got up this morning, worked on my lesson and made it to church.  Kim and Brian sat with us during sacrament meeting and attended James's Sunday School class.  Jace A. was the youth speaker in sacrament meeting.  He was pretty funny.  He likened sin to a spider and swatting it and getting rid of it because nobody likes spiders.  Nadine S. spoke on parenting and Bishop Miller finished up by talking about the Book of Mormon.  Our chapel was packed back into the cultural hall because this is a holiday weekend.  

I had seven extra kids in my class.  They were really good.  Colter wasn't here today.  They are in the valley visiting with Kaylynn who just had a baby boy.  His name is Branch.  

Cute little family, minus mom who is taking

the picture.

During sharing/singing time all of the teachers had teacher's council meeting.  I always enjoy the break.

After church James, Liana and I went to Lej's house to deliver his birthday present. As usual, his mother came to the door.  She took the gift and thanked us.  Someday maybe I will get to meet Lej.  I wouldn't know who he was if I saw him on the street.

When we got back to the cabin Brian had prepared a nice meal.  Bacon, sausage, and eggs with potatoes, etc.  It was nice to have something to eat when we got home and we didn't do anything!  We did clean up the kitchen afterwards before taking our naps.

Kim finished another puzzle today.  

So cute.

James went home teaching two times today.  First he went to the Peeler's and then came home while our home teacher's, Bishop Miller and Talon W. visited us.  They encouraged us to watch a Mormon Message video called "Lift", which we did.  As soon as they left James left for the Wilhelm's.  Brother Wilhelm told him not to prepare anything because the kids were doing something for him.  He came home with a paper for each child with their goals listed on it.  When he taught them last time he had told them to set goals.  It was so fun reading through everyone's goals.

Trenda got engaged today!

His name is Emery and he is a

returned missionary.

Fun Photos:

Engaged! What a great idea!

Mount Shasta

Kim's sunset

Lola cheering for Rowan at his

basketball game.

She is really in to it.

The Vernon chapel.

Vernon woodcutters.

Look at that load of wood!

Something smells funny in

this kitchen.

What a difference 4 years makes!

Saturday, May 27th, 2017

Oquirrh Mountain, Utah

130th operating temple

Dedicated: 21-23 August 2009 by

Thomas S. Monson

Alma 7:1-13

*What are some future events that you are excited about?

*According to Alma, what was the "one thing which was of more importance" than anything else that was to come?  Why do you think the coming of the Savior is the most important event of all time?

*Why do you think Alma would tell a people who already believed and had strong faith that they needed to repent?

*Elder Bruce C. Hafen: "The Atonement is not just for sinners."

*Based on what we have read in Alma 7:11-13, what do you think Elder Hafen meant when he said that "the Atonement is not just for sinners?"

*Jesus Christ suffered to save us from sin and death and to help us through the challenges of mortality.

*What will you do to rely on the Atonement as you face challenges?

Moroni 8

The baptism of little children is an evil abomination; Little children are alive in Christ because of the Atonement; Faith, repentance, meekness and lowliness of heart receiving the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end lead to salvation. A.D. 401-21.

DC 81:1-7

1-2, The keys of the kingdom are always held by the First Presidency; 3-7, If Frederick G. Williams is faithful in his ministry, he will have eternal life.

What have we been promised if we remain faithful unto the end?

* Eternal life in the mansions of the Father.

General Conference

The Jesus Beholding Him Loved Him

Elder S. Mark Palmer

"In that moment, I knew it was not just the hearts of some of our missionaries that needed changing.  It was my heart as well.  The question no longer was 'How does a frustrated mission president get a struggling missionary to behave better?' Instead, the question was 'How can I be filled with Christlike love so a missionary can feel the love of God through me and desire to change?' How can I behold him or her in the same way the Lord beheld the rich young man, seeing them for who they really are and who they can become, rather than just for what they are doing or not doing? How can I be more like the Savior?"

We were without water for awhile this morning.  James forgot to turn the well back on and the 3,000 gallon tank emptied because he had been irrigating the lawn.  It didn't take long to get back to normal.  Although I think maybe we had Kim and Brian a little worried.

Brian made a delicious breakfast this morning; gluten-free pancakes and bacon.  James was gone to visit our new friends the Elkins but when he returned he had some bacon and eggs.  The Elkins bought 244 acres below us.  He visited with them about pouring a concrete pad and a metal building.  They are getting ready to dig a huge pond.  I think they are going to be good neighbors.  They told James he could borrow their backhoe any time he needed to and they even showed him where they hide their key.

James and I made another trip to town today.  We stopped at Cal-Ranch, Sonic, Walmart, Harbor Freight, and Book Barn.  James got some electric fence supplies.  A boy in my Primary class who never comes had a birthday yesterday.  I had his name put on a triple combination.  I also got a gift bag, and card and some fun little things to put in with the scriptures, including my fidget spinner.  My plan is to take one of the kids from my class with me tomorrow after the block to deliver the gift to Lej's house.

Kim and Brian left to go on a Razr ride around 6pm.  At 7:43pm I got this text from Kim.  "We were almost back to the cabin but the road is closed.  we have to go all the way back to Christmas tree trail and go backwards.  We won't be back for like 45 minutes."

Me: "Dad said to go through it.  If you are coming out it is ok."

Kim: "We can't. There are ambulances.  They wouldn't let us through. We are about a mile from home and this is closed too.  They are air vac-ing someone out."

Me: "Maybe when they are finished they will let you through.  Did you teel them you live right down the road?"

By this time they had returned.

You can't really see how much dirt was on their faces.

I teased them and told them we had not water again.

You should have seen Kim's face, and Brian's too!

Dirt you can see.  This was Trina last summer after a

ride with her kids.

I was not feeling well this evening. James cooked some pork chops for dinner and then I made my way to the bedroom.  I took some Nyquil and went to bed.  Hopefully I can get up early and finish preparing my Primary lesson.

Kim's "Puzzle of the Day."

A jolly sea lion.

Lightning across the water.

Molly loves babies.

Can you tell by the smile on her face?

Kacey and her beautiful children:

Summer, Autumn, and Tanner.

Some of my favorite people helping Denise celebrate her

birthday last year: Dennis, Denise, Monte, Tasha,

Harold and Vickie.

Friday, May 26th, 2017

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

95th operating temple

Dedicated: 30 July 2000 by

James E. Faust

Alma 5:53-6:8

*What is the fruit of the tree of life?

*What do we have to do to obtain it?

*What do you need to change in your life to be prepared to meet the Savior?

Moroni 6-7

6 Repentant persons are baptized and fellowshipped; Church members who repent are forgiven; Meetings are conducted by the power of the Holy Ghost. About A.D. 401-21.

7 An invitation is given to enter into the rest of the Lord; Pray with real intent; The Spirit of Christ enables men to know good from evil; Satan persuades men to deny Christ and do evil; The prophets manifest the coming of Christ; By faith, miracles are wrought and angels minister; Men should hope for eternal life and cleave unto charity.

DC 79-80

79 1-4, Jared Carter is called to preach the gospel by the Comforter.

80 1-5, Stephen Burnett and Eden Smith are called to preach in whatever place they choose.

Why should we not be afraid to share the gospel?

*Because we are sharing the truth that will allow us and others to return to live with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

General Conference

To the Friends and Investigators of the Church

Elder Joaquin E. Costa

"So, from my first lesson, I say to you friends and investigators of the Church: once you meet the missionaries, please take them seriously; they are giving up important years of their lives for you."

James set 14 fence posts today before we left to go to the temple.  We decided to do the 4 o'clock afternoon session.  We left around 2:45, stopping at the post office to pick up the new Hoover Floor Mate that I ordered.  When we arrived at the temple I knew it was going to be a big session, I just didn't know how big. The line to get in was out the door.  Again at the front desk there was someone from our high school days.  Brother Patterson.  He was not a member of the Church in high school so I was pleasantly surprised to see him. 

Our session was packed to say the least.  Normally there are enough seats for 40 people.  This session had a fold up chair in every spare place.  There were 59 of us in this session, including our friend Brother Peeler from Vernon.  There were two newly called missionaries going through for their own endowments and of course there were lots of family and friends there with them.  The celestial room was packed so we didn't stay long.  

It was my turn to choose where to have dinner and of course I chose El Cupido's.  I got a taco and cheese enchilada plate and it was not that great.  I am going to choose somewhere else next time.

A sister from Pinetop took our picture for us.

Another windy day.

 Our temple names.

Grateful to Jared for doing the research.

The "Rock of our Salvation"

Another rock, Cathedral Rock in the

Santa Catalina mountains.

Hallstatt, Austria

Upkeep on the Razr.  Thank goodness for directions

you can get on your phone.

This sunset looks like Mount Montoso is

on fire!

Thursday, May 25th, 2017

Ogden, Utah

14th operating temple

Dedicated: 18-20 January 1972 by

Joseph Fielding Smith

Rededicated: 21 September 2014 by

Thomas S. Monson

Alma 5:43-52

*Is there a way to know or learn something without using your five senses?

*According to Alma 5:48, what did Alma know?

*What did Alma say was the source of his testimony? (See verse 46)

*Elder M. Russell Ballard: "Individual, personal testimony of gospel truth, particularly the divine life and mission of the Lord Jesus Christ, is essential to our eternal life....In other words, life eternal is predicated upon our own individual, personal knowledge of our Father in Heaven and His Holy Son.  Simply knowing about them is not enough.  We must have personal, spiritual experiences to anchor us.  These come through seeking them in the same intense, singleminded way that a hungry person seeks food" (Feasting at the Lord's Table," Ensign, May 1996, 80).

Ether 15-Moroni 5

Ether 15  Millions of the Jaredites are slain in battle; Shiz and Coriantumr assemble all the people to mortal combat; The Spirit of the Lord ceases to strive with them; The Jaredite nation is utterly destroyed; Only Coriantumr remains.

Moroni 1 Moroni writes for the benefit of the Lamanites; The Nephites who will not deny Christ are put to death. A.D. 401-21,

Moroni 2 Jesus gave the twelve Nephite disciples power to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Moroni 3 Elders ordain priests and teachers by the laying on of hands.

Moroni 4 How elders and priests administer the sacramental bread is explained.

Moroni 5 The mode of administering the sacramental wine is set forth.

DC 78:1-22

1-4, The Saints should organize and establish a storehouse; 5-12, Wise use of their properties will lead to salvation; 13-14, The Church should be independent of earthly powers; 15-16, Michael (Adam) serves under the direction of the Holy One (Christ); 17-22, Blessed are the faithful, for they will inherit all things.

How will the Lord bless His faithful servants?

*With Eternal Life.

General Conference

The Voice of Warning

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"Far from being anxious to condemn, our Heavenly Father and our Savior seek our happiness and plead with us to repent, knowing full well that 'wickedness never was and never will be happiness.'

So Ezekiel and every prophet before and since, speaking the word of God out of a full heart, have warned all who will to turn away from Satan, the enemy of their souls, and 'choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men."

From "Dads Who Stay and Fight" at the beginning of the chapter 'Dads Who Build Forts': "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson

And from page 145 of the same book: "I believe that there is a direct correlation between a man who was firm in the faith of Christ as Moroni was, and a man who builds physical and spiritual forts for his family."

I downloaded the book "Christ and the New Covenant" on my phone and have started to listen to it.  I read it when it first came out but that was awhile ago.  

James and I had lunch at Persnikkity's today.  He had his favorite sandwich, the twisted Philly cheesesteak, and I had my favorite salad, the Chinese chicken.  They were both yummy.  You ask me how I know?  Because I tasted them both!

While I was at Walmart James went shopping for fence posts for our new fence.  When we came home and he unloaded them he scared the elk away.

Before being scared away.

Just minding their own business before their rude interruption.

Sheri and Shayna loving the same glasses at work.

At first I thought this was real, and then I realized

after seeing the signature at the bottom, that it was a painting.

I left to go see Vickie before Rachel opened her gifts.

Elder Robert D. Hales and his wife Mary.
I loved his last conference talk on being a 
Disciple of Christ.

Me when I'm late for Church.

I love these three!