Wednesday, January 10th, 2018

Mesa, Arizona

7th operating temple

Dedicated: 23-26 Oct 1927

By: Heber J. Grant

Jesus Christ Atonement through

DC 38:4

I am the same which spake, and the world was made, and all things came by me.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 8:16-38

*What can we do to "continually hold fast" to the word of God?

*How can we choose to partake of the fruit Lehi saw in his dream in our lives today?

Old Testament

Genesis 21-23

21 Sarah bears Isaac - He is circumcised - Hagar and her son are cast out of Abraham's household - The Lord saves Hagar and Ishmael - Abraham and Abimelech deal honorably with each other.

Old Testament Scripture Mastery

Exodus 20:12

Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

General Conference

Repentance is Always Positive

Brother Stephen W. Owen

"True repentance inspires us to make our obedience a commitment - a covenant, beginning with baptism and renewed each week at the Lord's Supper, the sacrament. There we receive the promise that we can 'always have his Spirit to be with us,' with all of the joy and peace that come from His constant companionship. This is the fruit of repentance, and this is what makes repentance joyful!"

We woke up this morning to snow!

Pre-Dawn

That's my tree on the right.

I just can't get  enough!

So beautiful!

Looks like a postcard.

Our old dead tree even looks good in the snow.

The world looks better with frosting!

My friend in Lakeside posted this.

Just one more!

Our prayers were answered!

I started The Shepherd's Diet today and I had steak for breakfast, and chicken and salad for lunch. 

James said someone in the high priest group had said Melchizedek and the city of Salem were translated. It says this in the Joseph Smith Translation of Genesis 14:25-36.

25 And Melchizedek lifted up his voice and blessed Abram.

26 Now Melchizedek was a man of faith, who wrought righteousness; and when a child he feared God, and stopped the mouths of lions, and quenched the violence of fire.

27 And thus, having been approved of God, he was ordained an high priest after the order of the covenant which God made with Enoch,

28 It being after the order of the Son of God; which order came, not by man, nor the will of man; neither by father nor mother; neither by beginning of days nor end of years; but of God;

29 And it was delivered unto men by the calling of his own voice, according to his own will, unto as many as believed on his name.

30 For God having sworn unto Enoch and unto his seed with an oath by himself; that every one being ordained after this order and calling should have power, by faith, to break mountains, to divide the seas, to dry up waters, to turn them out of the course;

31 To put at defiance the armies of nations, to divide the earth, to break every hand, to stand in the presence of God; to do all things according to his will, according to his command, subdue principalities and powers; and this by the will of the Son of God which was from before the foundation of the world.

32 And men having this faith, coming up unto this order of God, were translated and taken up into heaven.

33 And now, Melchizedek was a priest of this order; therefore he obtained peace in Salem, and was called the Prince of peace.

34 And his people wrought righteousness, and obtained heaven, and sought for the city of Enoch which God had before taken, separating it from the earth, having reserved it unto the latter days, or the end of the world;

35 And hath said, and sworn with an oath, that the heavens and the earth should come together; and the sons of God should be tried so as by fire.

36 And this Melchizedek, having thus established righteousness, was called the king of heaven by his people, or, in other words, the King of peace.

You tell me. Does this sound like Melchizedek and the city of Salem was translated?

Another quote, this one by the Prophet Joseph Smith:

"...A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation; for, from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things."

I love this quote I found while reading "Rescuing Wayward Children:"

"Children who have received baptism and then abandoned the gospel are tethered to Christ by a cord that cannot be broken."

-Orson F. Whitney

 James and I left for town around 7:45. He has an MRI scheduled at 8:30. I dropped him off at the hospital and then I went across the street to Walmart. I put Anna's birthday card in the box outside Walmart before I went in. 

At 12:06 it was snowing again as I came out of Walmart. Woohoo!

We also went to Safeway for some DP10. 

I went downstairs this afternoon and put away all of the Christmas decorations. Done for another year. 

We got our new wifi device from Verizon. This one is supposed to carry a signal for 150 feet instead of 30. There is only one problem, it needs an antenna to be really effective and that is optional. I wish they would have told me.

I had no sweets, bread, pasta, cereal, or heavy carbs today. I did not even have withdrawals either. 

We watched "Heartland 5 episode:Do the Right Thing."

This was the most wonderful day because of the snow!

Yummy!

Tuesday, January 9th, 2018

Cardston, Alberta

6th operating temple

Dedicated: 26-29 Aug 1923

By: Heber J. Grant

Jesus Christ Atonement through

DC 29:1

Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, the Great I Am, whose arm of mercy hath atoned for your sins;

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 7:16-8:15

After being beaten, mocked and persecuted by his brothers, Nephi did "frankly forgive them." How can we find it in ourselves to forgive those who have hurt us?

Old Testament Reading

Genesis 18-20; Abraham 5

Genesis 18

Abraham entertains three holy men-They promise that Sarah will have a son-Abraham will command his children to be just-The Lord appears to him-They discuss the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Genesis 19

Lot entertains holy men-The men of Sodom seek to abuse Lot's guests and are smitten with blindness-Lot is sent out of Sodom-The Lord rains brimstone and fire upon Sodom and Gomorrah-Lot's daughters preserve his seed in the land.

Genesis 20

Abimelech desires Sarah, who is preserved by the Lord - Abraham prays for Abimelech, and the Lord blesses him and his household.

Old Testament Scripture Mastery

Exodus 20:8-11

8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

9 Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work:

10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day:wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

General Conference

Spiritual Eclipse

Gary E. Stevenson

"With so many appropriate and inspired uses of technology, let us use it to teach inspire, and lift ourselves and to encourage others to become their finest - rather than to portray our idealized virtual selves. Let us also teach and demonstrate the righteous use of technology to the rising generation and warn against the associated hazards and destructive use of it. Viewing social media through the lens of the gospel can prevent it from becoming a spiritual eclipse in our lives."

I came across this quote today while reading from the book, "Rescuing Wayward Children": 

"Inasmuch as we succeed in securing eternal glory, and stand as saviors, and as kings, and priests to our God, we will save our posterity." - Lorenzo Snow

Also from "Rescuing Wayward Children":

The Prophet Joseph Smith declared - and he never taught more comforting doctrine - that the eternal sealings of faithful parents and the divine promises made to them for valiant service in the Cause of Truth, would save not only themselves, but likewise their posterity. Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them, and sooner or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine Providence reaching out after them and drawing them back to the fold. Either in this life or the life to come, they will return. They will have to pay their debt to justice; they will suffer for their sins; and may tread a thorny path; but if it leads them at last, like the penitent Prodigal, to a loving and forgiving father's heart and home, the painful experience will not have been in vain. Pray for your careless and disobedient children; hold on to them with your faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see the salvation of God. - 

Thanks to James's help all the Christmas decorations got taken down today. I still have a few things downstairs to box up.

A nice day here in Vernon, Arizona. What is even nicer is that there is snow on the horizon, rain and snow tonight.

James worked outside today. I am not sure why he watered the grass with the rain coming.

My friend Amy posted on Facebook that someone had 52 thoroughbred horses they wanted to give away. The dad died and the son does not want to care for the horses. James tried to call several times but could never get through. That is what happens when the word "free" is thrown into the mix.

Watched "Heartland - Life is a Highway."

Friends of Darrel and Trina own this place.

I am dying to get on of their ice cream crepes.

This homemade crunch wraps look 

better than the ones at Taco Bell.

(Can you tell I'm hungry)

A trip down memory lane. James

looks so young, and so do the kids!

Paul with his dad and his brother Aaron.

While the cats asleep the mice will play.

Monday, January 8th, 2017

Laie, Hawaii

5th operating temple

Dedicated: 27-30 Nov 1919

By: Heber J. Grant

Jesus Christ Atonement through

DC 19:16

For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 7:1-15

The Lord softened Ishmael's heart so much that he and his family left their home to join Lehi. Has the Lord ever changed your heart to make something difficult more achievable?

Old Testament Reading

Genesis 15-17; Abraham 4

Genesis 15

Abram desires offspring-The Lord promises him seed in number as the stars-Abram believes the promise-His seed will be strangers in Egypt-Then, after four generations, they will inherit Canaan.

Genesis 16

Sarai gives Hagar to Abram as his wife-Hagar flees from Sarai-An angel commands Hagar to return and submit herself to Sarai-Hagar bears Ishmael.

Genesis 17

Abram is commanded to be perfect-He will be a father of many nations-His name is changed to Abraham-The Lord covenants to be a God unto Abraham and his seed forever-Also the Lord gives Abraham the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession-Circumcision becomes a token of the everlasting covenant between God and Abraham-Sarai's name is changed to Sarah-She will bear Isaac, with whom the Lord will establish His covenant-Abraham and the men of his house are circumcised.

Abraham 4

The Gods plan the creation of the earth and all life thereon-Their plans for the six days of creation are set forth.

Old Testament Scripture Mastery

Exodus 20:7

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

General Conference

The Living Bread Which Came Down From Heaven

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"It is important to recognize that this good man's vivid revelation of his sins and shortcomings did not discourage him or lead him to despair. Yes, he felt shock and remorse. He felt keenly his need to repent. He had been humbled, yet he felt gratitude, peace, and hope-real hope-because of Jesus Christ, 'the living bread which came down from heaven.' My friend spoke of the gap he perceived in his dream between his llife and the holiness of God. Holiness is the right word. To eat the flesh and drink the blood of Christ means to pursue holiness. God commands, 'Be ye holy; for I am holy.'"

General Conference

Be Ye Therefore Perfect-Eventually

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"Attack me, if you wish, I do this myself, but don't attack...the path I follow....If I know the way home but am walking along it drunkenly, is it any less the right way simply because I am staggering from side to side? ...Do not gleefully shout, 'Look at him!...There he is crawling into a bog!' No, do not gloat, but give...your help to anyone trying to walk the road back to God."

It is 8:45 and James still isn't up. He says his back and leg hurts. When he did get up he unloaded the dishwasher, fixed breakfast, made the bed, got the mail, and worked outside. He also got the top ornaments off the tree and helped me order a new wifi device from Verizon. 

It was overcast and the high was around 52 today. A storm is coming, according to my weather app. 

We watched the new Aurora Teagarden mystery and an episode of "Heartland," "Helping Hands." Mallory covers for Georgie and they actually bond.

 I love that big snowflake!

I love this photo of Alex and Shayna

Anna and James, all grown up.

Sunday, January 7th, 2018

Salt Lake City, Utah

4th operating temple

Dedicated: 6-24 April 1893

By: Wilford Woodruff

Jesus Christ Atonement through

DC 18:11

For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 5:7-6:6

*Lehi was filled with the Spirit as he began to read the plates. Which scripture really teaches you and why?

*The Nephites understood the importance of their genealogy. How has doing your family history made a difference in your life?

Old Testament Scripture Mastery

Exodus 20:5-6

5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

Old Testament/P.G.P.

Genesis 13-14; Abraham 3

General Conference

"I Have a Work for Thee"

Elder John C. Pingree

"Some of us wonder, 'Do I have any gifts?' Again, the answer is yes! 'To every man and woman is given a gift by the Spirit of God...that all may be profited thereby' (DC 46:11-12). A number of spiritual gifts are documented in scripture (see 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, 31; Moroni 10:8-18; DC 46:8-26), but there are many others. Some might include having compassion, expressing hope, relating well with people, organizing effectively, speaking or writing persuasively, teaching clearly, and working hard.

So how do we come to know our gifts? We can reference our patriarchal blessing, ask those who know us best, and personally identify what we are naturally good at and enjoy. Most important, we can ask God. He knows our gifts since He gave them to us."

It rained in the wee hours of the morning and then quit before we went to church. It was nice to see the ground wet on a day we are fasting and praying for moisture.

Fast and testimony meeting today was a lot of reminiscing about President Monson. I bore my testimony and told how his daughter who cared for him while he was ill wondered what she could do to bring joy back in his life.  The thought came to her to take her father to visit old friends who were shut-ins. She did this and it made them and her father happy. 

These are the children in my Primary class this year: Jace, Colter, and Amaron are the boys. Gracie, Liana, and Andyn are the girls. I only have two new children. Everyone was here today. 

I sat by Amaron during sharing time and he was loaded with question. He asked me if I wore makeup, when I said yes, he said, "You are beautiful." I must say I do like him. 

"I Am a Child of God" was the only song we sang during sharing time. We are learning all four verses. During sharing time Lannie said that Heavenly Father knows us by name, just as he knew Joseph Smith by name. The bishop got up and made the same point. 

Sister Becky asked the children what it means to be reverent. Abby, from the six year old class raised her hand and said: "It means to be quiet and respectful." I thought that was a great answer to come from someone so young. I made a point to text her mom to tell her.

Liana usually comes back to my classroom and helps me cleanup and then helps me carry my things to the car. James was late. Just when I was about to text him he came running to the car and put his things in the backseat. He said he was going to go on a visit and he would see me at home.

In my readings regarding the Old Testament I came across this information. Between June 1830 and February 1831, the Prophet Joseph complete Genesis 1:1 through 6:13, which is now contained in the Pearl of Great Price as Moses 1-8.

The internet was not working very well this evening. I was trying to blog and James was doing indexing. Finally, we just gave up.

I did not watch any TV today. I spent the afternoon studying. I also made some assignments for James's party on the 20th. Stacy is doing a power point presentation and I asked if everyone could get their photos to her by Friday the 12th. We would also like everyone to share a memory and something they learned from dad. I am collecting those. 

Elder Heyman and two former missionaries he

ran into while visiting a stake conference.

A coatimundi killed by one of Jackson's friends.

(Sorry, this is not appropriate for the Sabbath.)

Interesting

Even more interesting!

I sure do love these two smiling faces!

Sunset

Saturday, January 6th, 2018

Manti, Utah 

3rd operating temple
Dedicated: 17, 21-23 May 1888W
Written By: Wilford Woodruff and read by:
Lorenzo Snow

Jesus Christ Atonement through

Moroni 10:33

And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 4:20-5:6

What can we learn from Zoram who, after learning about the Lord's will from Nephi, decided to leave Jerusalem and follow Lehi and his family?

Old Testament Scripture Mastery

Exodus 20:3-4

3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

Old Testament/Pearl of Great Price Reading

Genesis 11-2 and Abraham 2

General Conference

The Plan and the Proclamation

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

"The gospel plan each family should follow to prepare for eternal life and exaltation is outlined in the Church's 1995 proclamation, "The Family: A Proclamation to the World." Its declarations are, of course, visibly different from some current laws, practices, and advocacy of the world in which we live. In our day, the differences most evident are cohabitation without marriage, same-sex marriage, and the raising of children in such relationships. Those who do not believe in or aspire to exaltation and are most persuaded by the ways of the world consider this family proclamation as just a statement of policy that should be changed In contrast, Latter-day Saints affirm that the family proclamation defines the kind of family relationships where the most important part of our eternal development can occur.

Converted Latter-day Saints believe that the family proclamation, issued nearly a quarter century ago and now translated into scores of languages, is the Lord's reemphasis of the gospel truths we need to sustain us through current challenges to the family. Two examples are same-sex marriage and cohabitation without marriage."

I found this in the Old Testament Student Manual, page 59:

"But when I am ready to say, 'Father, all that I have, myself included, is Thine; my time, my substance, everything that I possess is on the altar, to be used freely, agreeable to Thy holy will, and not my will, but Thine, be done,' then perhaps I will be prepared to go and help to redeem Zion." (Joseph F. Smith, in Millennial Star, 18 June 1894, p. 385-86.)

I love this quote and want to be able to say this myself.

James and I went to the church in Vernon to clean. The Cranes, Ashley Umphress, Amy Reynolds, Shaylyn Smith, Alicia and Colter Hunsaker, and Tina Allen were also there to help. 

Some of the sisters were there just to take down Christmas decorations. The Cranes, Alicia and Colter, Shaylyn and Tina stayed to help clean the rest of the church. It is our week to clean and the Allen's  were asked to help us.

After we were finished James and I went to town. We had lunch at Persnikkity's. James recommended the twisted philly cheesesteak sandwich so that's what I ordered with a side of sweet potato fries. It was delicious! I would order it again in a heartbeat. 

Our next stop was the Book Barn. I got Colter and Curtis's names on two of the Bibles I ordered from the Distribution Center. I also got a Gospel Doctrine Old Testament manual and a new Sunday journal for me with my name on it. 

While I shopped at Walmart James of course went to Home Depot. I bought a cashbox to stick cash in. 

When we got home I napped until 4pm and then started working on Plan of Salvation handouts for all of the kids in my Primary class. We are studying the Old Testament this year and this is the first lesson. 

This evening we watched one of the new winterfest Hallmark movies, "Love on the Slopes." I got this quote from the movie:

"Be a warrior not a worrier."

We did not have any dinner. We are fasting along with the rest of our stake and many in the White Mountains for moisture. 

Hopefully on Wednesday!

One of my favorites.

Yes, the fidget spinner is spinning!

From today's Relief Society lesson.

The Goodman's are new in our ward. Cathy Arnett

messaged me and said her uncle Pierce was moving

to Vernon. She said he was like on of the three Nephites.

I think that means she really likes him.

Friday, January 5th, 2018

Logan, Utah

2nd operating temple

Dedicated: 17-19 May 1884

By: John Taylor

Jesus Christ Atonement through

Moroni 8:20

And he that saith that little children need baptism denieth the mercies of Christ, and setteth at naught the atonement of him and the power of his redemption.

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 4:1-19

*Have you ever been "led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which you should do?"

I don't think so, if so, I can't recall.

Old Testament Reading

Genesis 9-10, Abraham 1-2

Genesis 9

Noah and his sons are commanded to multiply and fill the earth-They are given dominion over all forms of life-The death penalty is decreed for murder-God will not again destroy the earth by a flood-Canaan is cursed; Shem and Japheth are blessed.

Genesis 10

The descendants of Noah are Japheth, whose descendants are Gentiles; Ham, whose descendants include the Caanaanites; and Shem of whom came Peleg (in whose days the earth was divided).

Abraham 1

Abraham seeks the blessings of the patriarchal order-He is persecuted by false priests in Chaldea-Jehovah saves him-The origins and government of Egypt are reviewed.

Abraham 2

Abraham leaves Ur to go to Cannaan-Jehovah appears to him at Haran-All gospel blessings are promised to his seed and through his seed to all-He goes to Canaan and on to Egypt.

O.T./P.G.P. Scripture Mastery

Genesis 39:9

There is none greater in this house than I; either hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

General Conference

The Needs Before Us 

Bonnie L. Oscarson

"Showing kindness and concern for your siblings and parents helps create an atmosphere of unity and invites the Spirit into the home. Changing the world begins with strengthening your own family."

I love this quote from "Rescuing Wayward Children": 

"The miracle of God's work is that weak things are divinely empowered to accomplish great things."

James worked outside today digging a waterline.

He's got big plans for our backyard.

We made a trip to town today. We got dinner at Taco Bell and also got two quarts of hot and sour soup at the Chinese buffet right by Taco Bell. 

We got the new Renee Ryan book in the mail today. It's called "Journey's End."

Woohoo! I think James was more excited

than I was.

This evening when we got home we watched an old "Garage Sale Mystery" and an episode of "Heartland."