Monday, August 14th, 2017

Sao Paulo, Brazil

17th operating temple

Dedicated: 30 Oct-2 Nov 1978

By: Spencer W. Kimball

Rededicated: 22 Feb 2004

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Alma 50:21-40

Why was there never a, happier time among the people of Nephi?"

*Because happiness comes from within, not from external circumstances. True joy comes from doing what's right. With personal righteousness and faithfulness comes peace, and blessings from God.

DC 113:1-10

What did I learn from these verses?

* The branch and the stem of Jesse are both Christ. These terms refer to Christ's being of the lineage of King David, the son of Jesse. The rod of Jesse is Joseph Smith , and so is the root. The explanation of Isaiah 11:10 given in DC 113 strongly implies that while Christ is the root of David, He is not the root of Jesse mentioned by Isaiah. There are two reasons for this conclusion. First, the Lord through the Prophet Joseph Smith in verse 2 identifies Christ as the stem of Jesse; he does not identify Christ as the root of Jesse. Second, verse 6 indicates that the root of Jesse is a servant of Christ to whom keys are given 'in the last days' to gather Christ's people.

General Conference

Overcoming the World

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"The world is easily irritated, disinterested and demanding loving the cheers of the crowd, while overcoming the world brings humility, empathy, patience, and compassion for those different than yourself."

Because of all the rain we have had, everything is gorgeous and green here!  

In his desire to please me James did these errands this morning. He took off the garbage, including the old box springs that the kids broke. He also went to Safeway and got me two cases of Dr. Pepper 10, my favorite drink which is no longer carried by Walmart. He also uprooted the dead pine tree by the road that I have been complaining about. 

I spent the morning playing 'catch up' with my blog and my gospel study. 

It had a good chance to rain here, but the dark ominous clouds just floated away. James said it rained in Show Low for about 20 minutes. 

James and I both snacked on ice cream and chips today left from Rowans party. I promised him I would make him some beans tomorrow. For FHE we resolved to work on our will and "putting things in order," for Kim and Brian. We also watched a new episode of Garage Sale Mystery called "Text." We read on the deck. James loves Sarah Eden as an author so he really likes "Romancing Daphne."

Elise and Steve's son Kasmir got his mission call today. He is going to Tampa, Florida. 

We got the first season of Heartland that I ordered today. Life is good.

Photos:

Happy 11th Birthday Joshua!

Three years ago!

Time flies!

Now he's as tall as we are, almost.

Can you guess their age?

The Three Musketeers!

Five Years ago.

At Joshua's baptism

Family Photo at Joshua's baptism

Adam, Dallin, Michael, Joshua, Jared Ammon

E.J. home from his mission today!

Sunday, August 13th, 2017

Washington D.C.

16th operating temple

Dedicated: 9-22 Nov 1974

By: Spencer W. Kimball

Closed for renovation March 2018

Alma 50:1-20

What can you do to cut off your spiritual enemies from their strong-holds?

*Instagram-bofm365-marianawolfe: "It's important that even when we are under 'prosperous circumstances' (v.17) that we do not stop making preparations...to defend our people. There is a tendency for us to become at ease when things are going well. However, we can't let our guard down for one moment. We have to continually be building strong and high defenses against the adversary, preparing strongholds, ad securing...our people from the hands of the devil and evil forces. We can't ever stop preparing."

DC 112:17-34

Why should verses 23-24 cause us to seriously reflect upon our daily actions?

*stef_littlefield: "In verse 26 it reminds us that we need to really know the Lord, not just profess to know Him. It's truly in our daily choices that shows our true devotion to the Lord. We must be the 'light on the hill.' the beacon of hope in the dark and evil world through the way we live our lives, and love and serve others as Jesus Christ did.

General Conference

The Language of the Gospel 

Elder Valeri V. Cordon

" As families we need to avoid any tradition that will prevent us from keeping the Sabbath day holy or having daily scripture study and prayer at home. To combat the worldly traditions of our day, we need to use the scriptures and the voice of our modern prophets to teach our children about their divine identity, their purpose in life and the divine mission of Jesus Christ."

James and I barely made it to the Tucson temple dedication broadcast held at the White Mountain stake center in Lakeside. As we walked up the sidewalk the usher who was holding the door told us we had 30 seconds before the doors would be closed. We sit in the very back row of the cultural hall. In front of us a few rows we see the Grapp's with Liana and Sister Vaught. About half way through the preliminaries, Brother Mayfield comes and sits by us.

Elder Stevenson conducted this morning session. Before the cornerstone celebration, he told of the significance of Jesus Christ being the cornerstone of the Church. 
President Uchtdorf presided over the cornerstone ceremony. He said: "As we seal this cornerstone let us seal our hearts to do the work of the Lord. The Church is a place to find harmony with heaven and earth. The temple is a place of unity and love."
The actual sealing of the cornerstone in these days is only symbolic. Church authorities and their wives took part in the sealing along with local leaders and the temple presidency. Children in the congregation were then invited to participate. President Uchtdorf invited two of his grandsons who are getting ready to serve missions up also. 
The choir sang, "We Thank Thee for Our Loving Savior."

Back inside the temple, Sister Moeller, the temple matron was the first speaker. She says that when the temple was announced cheers went up. While the temple was being prepared, we prepared for the temple. We must prepare o the outside and the inside, temporally and spiritually. The temple helps us have balance. We can live a godly life in a worldly world. We come to know our Savior as we serve in the temple. 
President Moeller - Spoke about the Mormon Battlion and how his great, great grandfather served in the battlion. He talked about the history of the Church in Tucson. He gave the Isaiah quote, the mountain of the Lord's house. The temple is the most sacred place on earth. Without the Savior, the temple would not exist. In the temple we will be able to bear every burden and withstand temptations.
W. Christopher Waddell of the presiding bishopric. Mentioned the restoration of keys in the Kirtland temple. Creation of eternal families. A place of revelation and learning. The temple takes us to the Promised Land, the Celestial Kingdom. The temple is an oasis in a spiritual desert. It provides strength and protection, a shield armed with power and prepared to overcome the challenges of life. President Howard W. Hunter quote about the temple.
Elder Lynn G. Robbins - Dying woman's wish to have her temple recommend renewed. What do we take with us to the next life? Our temple recommend is a celestial passport. "Pass your temple recommend under the door." Our temple recommend is a symbol of our worthiness to enter into the presence of God. The temple is the Lord's house. CTR - Current Temple Recommend. The Young Women's theme is like a pledge of allegiance to the temple. Please have a picture of the temple in your home. "You can't fatten the hog on the day of the fair."
Choir sang: "This is the Christ" (written by James E. Faust)
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf - "Recommit ourselves to the Lord. This is a new beginning. The temple connects our earthly existence to our Heavenly destiny. This is literally the House of the Lord. It is a constant reminder of the goodness of our Heavenly Father. Milo and Phoebe Webb of Snowflake traveled to St. George in 1893 to be sealed. Their 11 children, grand children, and great grandchildren are reaping the blessings of their sacrifice.

Dedicatory Prayer

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Hosanna Shout led by Elder Larry Y. Wilson

"Hosanna Anthem" sung by the choir

"The Spirit of God"

Benediction - Sister Sharington

There are now six operating temples in Arizona. For years the only temple we had was in Mesa. It was dedicated on the 23-26 October 1927 by Heber J. Grant. The next temple was the Snowflake temple dedicated 3 March 2002 by Gordon B. Hinckley. The Gila Valley was dedicated 23 May 2010 by Thomas S. Monson. We had two temples dedicated in 2014. The Gilbert on 2 March and the Phoenix on 16 November. Both were dedicated by Thomas S. Monson although the dedication of the Gilbert temple was read by Henry B. Eyring. Now the Tucson temple on 13th August, 2017.

There are around 433,000 LDS in Arizona.

Tucson

157 operating temple

Phoenix

144th operating temple

Gilbert

142nd operating temple

Gila Valley

132nd operating temple

Snowflake

108th operating temple

Mesa

7th operating temple

(Will be closing in 2018 for renovation)

Darrel, Trina, Addy, Rowan, Ruby, Max, and Joshua attended the 12 o'clock dedication session at the Show Low stake center because it is closer than the one in Lakeside where we attended. James and I watched Lola who was too young, Kreed who didn't have a recommend, and Evan who wasn't feeling well. I fed the kids some lunch and then did some cleaning during the second session.

When everyone returned we had a relaxing afternoon watching TV, playing games, and reading. James cooked everyone some burgers before they left. We should have had prayer and scripture study with them! Rowan was quite sad, and shed a few tears before leaving. Darrel promised they would come up Labor Day weekend to celebrate Darrel's birthday. They left around 5:30 with Kreed and Ruby riding with Darrel in his car and everyone else in with Trina.

Lola loves her grandpa

Lola and grandpa out for a Sunday drive

Trina won our Five Crowns game so she got the prize.

Those big orange marshmallow peanuts.

She is the only one who would even eat them.

I love this dress, and the girl in it!

After everyone was gone James and I went out on the porch to enjoy the weather, and to study and read. 

When we went to bed around 9 there was a thunder and rainstorm and the electricity went off for about 40 minutes. 

I couldn't go to sleep until I knew that everyone made it home safely.

Saturday, August 12th, 2017

Provo, Utah

15th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Feb 1972

By: Joseph Fielding Smith

(Read by: Harold B. Lee)

Alma 49:9-30

Why is it important to be aware of our weaknesses?

 Instagram-bofm365-kdeford1:

Knowing our weaknesses keeps us humble, helps us grow and rely on the Lord. Something that stood out to me was verse 11 where Moroni 'altered the management of affairs among the Nephites.' He knew Amalickiah's intent and arranged his army so that their weak areas were no longer weak. I think its important to be aware of our weak areas so we can 'alter the management of our affairs' and strengthen ourselves against Satan's attacks. It is critical to have the Spirit with us to both know our weaknesses and know how to improve.

DC 112:1-16

What does "take up your cross and follow me" mean to me?

*To cast your burdens on the Lord. To deny ourselves of all ungodliness and follow the Lord. Take yourself the way you are and lift yourself in the direction of the better.

General Conference

Stand Up Inside and Be All In

Elder Gary B. Sabin

" We might need to study more intently, pray more earnestly, or just let some things go so we can hang on to those things that really matter. We may need to let go of the world so we can hang on to eternity."

James took Addy and Ruby on a two hour Razr ride. They saw some wildlife and when I mentioned that might be too long a ride for them Addy said, "Oh no Grandma, it wasn't, we had a great time!"

They had donuts earlier but when they got back from their ride they were starving so I made some pancakes for them. Ruby and I played a couple of games of Who's Who in the Book of Mormon and then she wanted to watch the "Minions" short movies she found.

Trina was here with the rest of the kids a little afternoon. When I say the rest of the kids I mean, Lola, Rowan, Joshua, Evan, Max, and Kreed. The boys were all very glad to be out of the car!

 Darrel arrived a few minutes later with the groceries. I played a game of Five Crowns with Darrel, Trina, and Addy. Everyone had some of the pizza that Darrel bought at Safeway.

James and I made a run to Dollar General for some buns, chips, and candy. When we returned Darrel and Trina decided they needed some things from Dollar General too. 

Lola stayed with us in the cabin and the rest of the kids were outside playing under the "lounge" tree. It started raining pretty hard and the kids came running. 

You can barely see the outline of Lola in

this picture. She's watching the kids.

Kreed looks like he's a little cold.

While James and I read on the porch Lola loves to come out and sit with us. We love to have her.

Darrel made some marinated bbq chicken for dinner. Trina made up the boxed mashed potatoes he bought, and we had rolls, corn, and Bush beans. After dinner we had cake and ice cream and sang happy birthday to Rowan. We only had five candles, but Rowan didn't seem to care.

On the left everyone looks a little tired.

The right have Lola to entertain them.

 Ruby the photo bomber.

Rowan is back there somewhere.

The candles are burning Rowan,

make a wish!

Evan had a sore throat and Trina kept giving him Tylenol. Kreed was always hungry. Ruby and Kreed played a little chess.

I kept hearing Kreed say: "Ruby, you can't do that."

I'm not sure who won.

Lola came into our room and watched a Hallmark movies with us while Addy, Trina, and Darrel played Settlers. In our movie, which was about wine making, the actress tastes the wine she is aging in a barrel. A few minutes later a guy comes in and takes some wine from the barrel. Lola says: "Oh, she's gonna be mad at him!"

Darrel put on the movie "Private Eyes". James and I went to bed.

Protestors in Charlottesville, Virginia tonight over a Robert E. Lee statue.

Random Photos:

Lola taking a rest.

These two got married today.

James had done lots of handyman work for Susan.

Show Low 1945.

I lived here when I was born in 1948.

Castles_World

Friday, August 11th 2017

Ogden, Utah

14th operating temple

Dedicated: 18-20 Jan 1972

By: Joseph Fielding Smith

Rededicated: 21 Sept 2014

By: Thomas S. Monson

Alma 48:18-49:8

*In a class I took from Sister Jennifer Gardiner she compared Moroni's building program and fortifications to President Hinckley's building program of temples. In 1995 when President Hinckley took office there were 47 temples. In 2003, when Jennifer made this comment, there were 114 temples with 14 under construction. President Monson has continued with the building of temples. Today there are 156 operating temples, 13 under construction, and 13 announced. Why is the building of temples so important and how are they like a fortification to us?

*Many of us will have the opportunity this week to attend a temple dedication with our children 8 and older. What a great privilege, blessing and opportunity to teach our children about the temple!

DC 111:1-11
How can we always remember to include the Lord in our decision making?
*juliekiser says: If I include the Lord in my decision making going through the proper steps, then I can rest assured all will be well. It doesn't mean it will be easy or without challenges but I have the confidence that I have the Lord's "stamp of approval" so I can go on. If we don't go to the Lord in fasting and prayer, when we are making a big decision then we don't know if we've made the right decision. When the challenges come we will second guess the decision we made. But if I go through the proper order of decision making including going to the temple, then I move forward with peace knowing the Lord has answered my prayers and guided me in the right direction. I can't make a decision any other way. It's important to always remember the Lord in our decision making. He desires to guide and bless us, we just need to ask!
General Conference

Songs Sung and Unsung

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"With divine imperatives of love and faith, repentance and compassion, honesty and forgiveness, there is room in this choir for all who wish to be here. 'Come as your are,' a loving Father says to each of us, but He adds, 'Don't plan to stay as you are.' We smile and remember that God is determined to make of us more than we thought we could be."

Using Terry's truck we took the car to Sears this morning for an oil change. They say we need an alignment and when James asked how much it would cost they said, $600. He said "he would look into it." I am not sure what that means but he will probably take it to Erik to look at. It is driving fine and there is no indication that it is out of alignment. 

We picked up the car at 10:15 and I was going to drive to my infusion appointment in Mesa but I realized I was totally out of gas so I went down Chandler Blvd. to the nearest station. I filled the tank and headed down the 101 to Mesa. I happened to look out the rear view mirror to see I had forgotten to replace the tank lid and it was dangling on the side of the car. I made a quick exist on Warner. I while waiting for the light to change ran out and replaced the lid and got back on the freeway. I was only about six minutes late for my appointment. 

A new girl set up my infusion and drew blood. I had an appointment to see Dr Caldron and had a nice visit with him. He took Dr. Moffat's lab request for thyroid bloodwork and told me he would have the lab do it and send it to Dr. Moffat.

At 12:30 I was at Firebird's having lunch with my friend Karen Schneider. This was my birthday lunch, on Karen. I ordered what I always order at Firebirds, the coconut shrimp appetizer with habanero coleslaw. We both also love their sourdough bread that comes to every table. Karen also made sure I ordered a scoop of ice cream with chocolate sauce although she herself did not indulge.

Karen has cancer and has chemo treatments every other week. She is one of the lucky ones who has not lost her hair. We had alot of catching up to do. She is a dear friend and we have quite a bit of history together. She is an amazing resource person for doing family history. The best researcher I know.

After returning to Cathi's I had a short rest and then it was time to pack up and get ready to go home. We said our goodbye's and thanked Cathi and Terry for their hospitality. On our way out of town James let me stop at Deseret Book to buy a hankie for the temple dedication. 

We picked up Addy and Ruby who are going with us to Vernon. The rest of their family is coming up tomorrow for Rowan's birthday celebration. 

Since we won't be here for Addy's birthday on the 28th we gave her birthday present to her. I got her a complete new set of Harry Potter books. She seemed excited. Also, she gets to choose where we have dinner. She chose Rubio's. We found one in the Walmart shopping center on Signal Butte near Baseline. 

After our delicious Rubio's meal Addy, Ruby, and I walked to the Bosa Donut shop nearby and ordered a dozen donuts from a little oriental lady we could barely understand. Now it's on to the cabin. 

Of course James went the Salt River Canyon way. I know Addy doesn't like it but she never complained. 

It has definitely rained here since we were gone.  We could tell by our muddy road and the puddles in the road. 

Our first order of business was to get rid of the dead moths upstairs, which I did much to Addy and Ruby's delight. I also vacuumed their room and James helped by putting sheets on the bed in Sheri's room. I guess we are now ready for company, except for the broken box springs in James's office. It happened when kids jumped from the loft onto the bed. Ruby admitted it was her, and Molly, and she says Emmy did it once. Addy said she knew they did it, but she didn't.

After we settled in, the girls wanted to watch the Incredibles so I put it on for them and watched a little with them before going to bed. It is good to be home.

Photos

You know it's going to be a good day when

the sunrise looks like this.

I am in love with this little girl.

Trina made the skirt and the ribbons in her 

hair match.

I've seen a few of these this summer. It

reminds me of spending my summers in

Lakeside with Nannie when I was a girl.

She always had bird feeders. She didn't like the

bluejays because they drove the other birds away.

Her favorites along with my grandpa Al's, were

the cardinals. Maybe they loved them because

 they were big St. Louis Cardinals fans.

Whenever they were playing my grandpa would have the game on.

I may have already posted this, but

I couldn't take the chance that I hadn't.

Addy and grandpa at Big Lake a 

few years ago.

Addy loved this and wanted me to send it to her.

Cute photo of these two.

Two Vernon boys and their wives who

now live in Houston.