OUR FAMILY

Saturday, August 5, 2017

Saturday, July 29th, 2017

St. George, Utah

1st operating temple

Dedicated: 6-8 April 1877

By: Daniel H. Wells

(Under the direction of Brigham Young)

Rededicated: 11-12 Nov 1975

By: Spencer W. Kimball

Atonement

2 Nephi 9:7

Jesus Christ, Advocate

DC 29:5

Lift up your hearts and be glad, for I am in your midst, and am your advocate with the Father; and it is his good will to give you te kingdom.

Alma 42:1-25

*If the demands of justice cannot be erased, then how can those who have sinned (each of us) ever have peace of conscience and be restored to the presence of God?

*According to Alma 42:15, how is it possible that mercy can ever be extended to us?

*What does it mean to you to know that the Savior would willingly suffer in your place so that you can have mercy extended to you?

DC 105:27-41

27-30, Lands in Jackson and adjoining counties should be purchased; 31-34, The elders are to receive an endowment in the house of the Lord in Kirtland; 35-37, Saints who are both called and chosen will be sanctified; 38-41, The Saints are to lift an ensign of peace to the world.

In such a tumultuous world, how can we lift up an ensign of peace?

* We lift up our ensign of peace by sharing the gospel with others through our actions and our words, remembering that we are constantly an example and represent Christ at all times. Also, an Ensign for peace is sweeping the nations as we continually build temples that dot the earth. They are a beacon and lighthouse in the storms of the life. Also, the Book of Mormon is an Ensign of peace.

General Conference

How Does the Holy Ghost Help You?

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

" The Holy Ghost testifies and bears witness of the Father and the Son and of all truth. The Lord, speaking to His disciples, said, 'But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father,...he shall testify of me..'"

James and I are getting back into our routine of going to the Snowflake temple on Saturday morning and attending the 8 a.m. session. An added bonus for me was when I was in the celestial room I saw Trenda and Emery waiting to be taken in to the sealing room. I got to give Trenda a hug!

Emery looks especially tall in this photo.

Young people at the temple.

Ole people at the temple.

Not our most flattering photo.

Of course we make a stop at El Cupido's for some refreshment. I am stuck on the bacon breakfast burrito's and James likes the chicken quesadilla's. We both love the ice so we have to get medium drinks we a free refill.

I had a lazy, or should I say relaxing, day at home. Trenda's reception started at 6 p.m. at the Show Low stake center. I forgot the pants I wanted to wear needed to be washed, so I did it at the last minute. We didn't get to the reception until almost 8 p.m. What a mistake. It was packed! There was no line. Trenda was dancing with her dad and then with Emery and there was no opportunity to talk with her. I'm never going late again. I did get to talk to two others of my young women, Shelley who is getting ready to go on a mission and Mary, who just got married last week. I didn't even have any refreshments. James had a piece of Texas sheet cake.

I need to be more focused and have greater self-discipline.

Oh, by the way, it rained during the reception and most of the way home.

According to Trenda's mom these two are

equally yoked. That means Emery must be

a really great guy!

Random Photos:

While we were in Snowflake we drove past one

of the homes James lived in. This home had white plaster

on the outside similar to the color of the chimney.

It looks like someone is trying to restore it to it's

original state.

What a cool mom! These kids love

JesterZ's!

American Southwest history

I am obsessed with sunflowers right now.

Friday, August 4, 2017

Friday, July 28th, 2017

Winter Quarters, Nebraska

104th operating temple

Dedicated: 22 Apr 2001 by:

Gordon B. Hinckley

Atonement

2 Nephi 2:7

Jesus Christ, Advocate

Moroni 7:28

For he hath answered the ends of the law, and he claimeth all those who have faith in him; and they who have faith in him will cleave unto every good thing; wherefore he advocateth the cause f the children of men; and he dwelleth eternally in the heavens.

Alma 41:1-15

*Why is it important to have a correct understanding of what will happen to us after we die?

*Why were some of the people going astray? (To wrest the scriptures is to twist, distort, or change their meaning.)

*What words or phrases in Alma 41:6-7 suggest that we are responsible for what we receive in the resurrection?

*Why is it true that 'wickedness never was happiness?"

Elder Glenn L. Pace: "Activities always forbidden by the Lord and for many years frowned upon by society are now accepted and promoted by that same society. The media serves up these activities in such a fashion as to make them look desirable...Don't mistake Telestial pleasure for Celestial happiness and joy. Don't mistake lack of self-control for freedom. Complete freedom without appropriate restraint makes us slaves to our appetites. Don't envy a lesser and lower life....The commandments you observe were not given by a dispassionate God to prevent you from having fun, but by a loving Father in Heaven who wants you to be happy while you are living on this earth as well as the hereafter."

DC 105:14-26

14-19, The Lord will fight the battles of Zion; 20-26, The Saints are to be wise and not boast of mighty works as they gather;

What is an endowment?

*The direction that the first elders of the Church 'should receive their endowment from on high in my house...in Kirtland' (DC 105:33), referred to those keys and to the great outpouring of the Lord's Spirit and the manifestations that were to accompany the dedication of the Kirtland Temple. The Spirit that was poured out upon the Saints at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple was the same Spirit that was poured out on the day of Pentecost (see Acts 2). That endowment of power was promised to the latter-day elders (see DC 95:8). This was not as complete as the endowment later revealed. (DCSM, 259).

General Conference

To the Friends and Investigators of the Church

Elder Joaquin E. Costa

" That day I opened my heart to the Spirit, desired to repent, and wanted to be baptized! Before that moment, I had thought of repentance as something negative, associated only with sin and wrongdoing, but suddenly I saw it in a different light - as something positive that cleared the path to growth and happiness."

Then Jesus Beholding Him Loved Him

Elder S. Mark Palmer

" As we learn to see others as the Lord sees them rather than with our own eyes, our love for them will grow and so will our desire to help them. We will see potential within others they likely do not see in themselves. With Christlike love we will not be afraid to speak with boldness, for 'perfect love casteth out fear.' And we will never give up, remembering that those who are hardest to love need love the most."

Can I tell you how much I love Elder Palmer's conference address!

Here are some of the highlights for me:

"How can I be filled with Christlike love so others can feel the love of God through me and desire to change?

"How can I be more like the Savior?

"If I didn't love you, I wouldn't care about who you become. So I invite you to change those thiings that are hard for you and become who the Lord wants you to be

"Pray for the gift of charity.

"See others as the Savior sees them."

We seem to have a plague of moths. I flushed three down the toilet this morning.

James put the new 'body' on the Razr today. He also washed the outside of my care. We were going to go to the temple, but decided to go in the morning instead.

We read on the deck while it rained. This is becoming somewhat of a ritual...but a good one!

I worked on my blog a couple of hours this afternoon and did two posts. I am very slow!

I made ground beef tacos for dinner. James ate six and I ate three. There was one left. I guess you could say they were a hit.

After dinner we watched "A Heavenly Christmas," starring Kirstin Davis and Eric McCormack, and Shirley Maclaine.

That is just about the end of the Christmas movies, until the end of October that is! That is when the new ones come out!

Random Photos:

This is what we watch while we are reading.

I counted 17, how about you?

James has this recipe for making their nectar.

He even heats up the sugar so it's nice and smooth.

He loves his little critters. Remember, he also planted

grass for the bunnies. The only critters we have a problem with are

the squirrels who get in to our garbage if we leave the garage door open.

Mt. Montoso almost looks like an active volcano.

Sphinx moth on my front porch.

New York, New York. There is beauty wherever you go.

There is even beauty in Cibecue, Arizona.

Talk about beauty!

Two of my favorite beauties!

Chandler boys from the 80's.

Mike, Aaron (Paul's brother), and another friend.

I love it when castles_world posts a picture!

Castles are one of my passions.

Thursday, July 27th, 2017

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Groundbreaking: 3 Dec 2016

Estimated completion date: mid-2019

Atonement

1 Nephi 11:33

Jesus Christ, Advocate

Mosiah 15:8

And thus God breaketh the bands of death, having gained the victory over death; giving the Son power to make intercession for the children of men.

Alma 40:15-26

*What happens between death and the resurrection? (see Alma 40:21.) But whether it be at his resurrection or after, I do not say; but this much I say, that there is a space between death and the resurrection of the body, and a state of the soul in happiness or in misery until the time which is appointed of God that the dead shall come forth, and be reunited, both soul and body, and be brought to stand before God, and be judged according to their works.

*What do you think the definition of evil is?

DC 105:1-13

1-5, Zion will be built up by conformity to celestial law; 6-13, The redemption of Zion is deferred for a little season;

General Conference

The Voice of Warning

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

" A crucial element of the parental duty to warn is to paint not oly the demoralizing consequences of sin but also the joy of walking in obedience to the commandments. Recall the words of Enos about what led him to seek God, receive a remission of sins, and become converted: 'Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart.'"

I had lunch with Hailey, Braylin, Taylor, and Huntleigh today at Pizza Factory. I am Hailey's visiting teacher and I invited her and her kids before school starts next week. I was Braylin's Primary teacher last year and this year I am Taylor's. I just love this little family. Their dad is a rancher and they live way out in the middle of nowhere yet Hailey brings her kids to and from school everyday. Here are a few pictures of the family. A few days ago I posted a picture of Braylin with his pigs. Now I have photos of Hailey, Taylor, and Huntleigh.

This is Huntleigh. She did this to herself on the way home with

a permanent marker. Hailey says it will come right off with

coconut oil.

I couldn't resist posting another picture of Braylin.

He is such an amazing boy, with a winning personality!

Hailey and Taylor. Notice the Lone Star on the wall.

Hailey is a Texas girl. Taylor is such a hard worker. She helps

her dad around the ranch and I could tell today at Pizza Factory

how much her mom depends on her with Braylin being handicapped and Hunteigh only two years old. Taylor is

pretty amazing!

I love this family so much and I am a little sad that we don't see them at church anymore. Hopefully someday they will come back.

After saying goodbye to Hailey and the kids I headed to Walmart to do some shopping. It rained hard while I was inside but I was able to get my things in the car without getting wet. Then again it rained on the way home. I do love this weather!

After putting the groceries away I read to James from "A Lady Unrivaled" and worked on my blog.

More photos:

There are several reasons I like this photos.

The sheep look like they are posing in their parkas with

their little black faces sticking out.

I love seeing the clouds and the Matterhorn in the background.

I also love looking at the expressions on the faces of these

adorable sheep. Look at their feet, they look like they have boots on.

This picture reminds me of the sunflower field in

Vernon. I can hardly wait until they bloom.

I've never seen a cuter face!

I'm a sucker for these two!

Thursday, August 3, 2017

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Washington D.C.

16th operating temple

Dedicated: 19-22 Nov 1974 by:

Spencer W. Kimball

Atonement:

1 John 4:10

Jesus Christ, Advocate:

2 Nephi 2:9

Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved.

Alma 40:1-14

*What happens to our spirits after we die?

"When the physica body dies, the spirit continues to live. In the Spirit world, the spirits of the righteous 'are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow' (Alma 40:12). A place called Spirit prison is reserved for 'those who have died in their sins, without a knowledge of the truth, or in transgression, having rejected the prophets' (DC 138:32). The spirits in prison are 'taught faith in God, repentance from sin, vicarious baptism for the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, and all other principles of the gospel that are necessary for them to know' (DC 138:33-34). If they accept the principles of the gospel, repent of their sins, and accept ordinances performed in their behalf in temples, they will be welcomed into paradise" (True to the Faith:A Gospel Reference [2004], 46-47).

DC 104:66-86

67-77, The general treasury of the united order is to operate on the basis of common consent; 78-86, Those in the united order are to pay all their debts, and the Lord will deliver them from financial bondage.

80 And inasmuch as you are diligent and humble, and exercise the prayer of faith, behold, I will soften the hearts of those to whom you are in debt, until I shall send means unto you for your deliverance.

82 And inasmuch as ye are humble and faithful and call upon my name, behold, I will give you the victory.

83 I give unto you a promise, that you shall be delivered this once out of your bondage.

What has the Lord promised us in these verses?

*Pay debts and He will deliver us from financial bondage.

General Conference

Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

" We are not ignorant of the challenges of the world, nor are we unaware of the difficulties of our times. But this does not mean that we should burden ourselves or others with constant fear Rather then dwelling on the immensity of our challenges, would it not be better to focus on the infinite greatness, goodness and absolute power of our God, trusting Him and preparing with a joyful heart for the return of Jesus the Christ?"

The first thing I saw this morning when I got up was elk in our back property. There were at least 20-30 but they didn't stay long. Somewhere between our place and the Crane's there was a baby elk crying and they all ran that way to help. I hope he didn't get attacked by a coyote.

Running to the rescue.

Every morning when I get up there are dead moths on the floor. Sometimes they aren't all the way dead because their wings flutter when I pick them up with a tissue and flush them down the toilet. Today there was also a beetle with a golden belly and legs, and a cricket.

Is anyone going to judge me if I tell you that I had a hotdog for breakfast? Oh yes, and I watched two Christmas movies, "12 Gifts of Christmas," and "Dashing Through the Snow."

I did also clean out my frig and in the process found some bread and butter pickles. They are my favorite!

James came home this afternoon and brought me food. A bean burro and green chili burro from Burger House and a shredded beef taco from Aliberto's! Food delivery and I don't even have to tip!

We read from our book and waited for rain, but it didn't come so we watched "The Nutcracker Christmas."

Random Photos:

I sure would like to visit someday.

This brings back some fond memories!

2014

Luke 6:37

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.

This is totally me!

I ordered four purple goblets from a company called

Jet.com. When I emailed them and told them one

of my glasses was clear. They apologized and said

they would send another set free of charge.

Now that's a company I want to do business with!

Addy and friends from Mutual. Everyone is

smiling except the kid on the left.

I love this blast from the past.

Look how Lola is staring at Joshua!

Evie Lynn Pfeil

Tuesday, July 25th, 2017

Villahermosa, Mexico

85th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 May 2000 by:

Thomas S. Monson

Atonement

1 John 3:5

Jesus Christ, Advocate
Hebrews 7:25; 924; 1 John 2:1
Alma 39:1-19
*Why are some sins more serious than others?
*What was Alma's reason for teaching Corianton the seriousness of his sin?
*Elder D. Todd Christofferson:"The invitation to repent is an expression of love....If we do not invite others to change or if we do not demand repentance of ourselves, we fail in a fundamental duty we owe to one another and to ourselves. A permissive parent, an indulgent friend, a fearful Church leader are in reality more concerned about themselves than the welfare and happiness of those they could help. Yes, the call to repentance is at times regarded as intolerant or offensive and may even be resented, but guided by the Spirit, it is in reality an act of genuine caring" ("The Divine Gift of Repentance," Ensign, Nov. 2011, 39).
*When our sins affect others, what must we do as a part of our repentance?
*Why was the coming of Jesus Christ good news for Corianton?
DC 104:51-65
47-53, The united order in Kirtland and the order in Zion are to operate separately; 54-66, The sacred treasury of the Lord is set up for the printing of the scriptures;
Do we have revelations today that are printed for us to learn from?
*Yes we do. A couple of examples are, "The Living Christ," and "The Family Proclamation."
General Conference

The Godhead and the Plan of Salvation

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

" What we know of the nature of God the Father is mostly what we can learn from the ministry and teachings of His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. One of the paramount purposes of Jesus's ministry was to reveal to mortals 'what God our Eternal Father is like,...to reveal and make personal to us the true nature of His Father, our Father in Heaven.' The Bible contains an apostolic witness that Jesus was 'the express image' of His Fathers person (Hebrews 1:3), which merely elaborates Jesus's own teaching that 'he that hath seen me hath seen the Father.' (John 14:9)."

I got up at 4 a.m. with James this morning. We had prayer and kisses before he left for the valley to finish the remodeling at the medical building at McKellips.

As I am studying at the dining room table I look outside and four bunnies are nibbling on our grass. I think this is the reason James planted it. He also loves feeding the hummingbirds.

There is no rain but there are cool breezes and huge dark clouds. There is so much to enjoy here but it's not nearly as enjoyable without someone to share it with.

I made a daily schedule but wasn't able to stay on it. I'm tired, unmotivated and distracted. What am I to do? I know, watch Christmas movies!

Here are a few in my que:
"I'm Not Ready for Christmas," "Christmas Melody," "Merry Matrimony," "My Christmas Dream," "Christmas List," "A Bride for Christmas," and "A Cookie Cutter Christmas."

Random Photos and Posts: