Nashville, Tennessee
84th operating temple
Dedicated: 21 May 2000
By: James E. Faust
Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship
Romans 1:4
And declared to be the Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
Book of Mormon
2 Nephi 4:1-27
Lehi counsels and blesses his family. If I had to say my final goodbyes to my family which things would be the most important to mention to my loved ones?
New Testament "Come Follow Me"
Review: Matthew 4; Luke 4-5 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me"
What stood out to you in this week's doctrine? What new insight did you gain or would you like to share?
"The Law of the Fast" by Joseph B. Wirthlin
Ensign
"A Message of Gratitude and a Promise for the Women of the Church in 2019" by President Russell M. Nelson
"The Lord loves you and is pleased with every effort you make.The heavens will open for you with increased inspiration and revelation. Together we will prepare the world for The Second Coming of Jesus Christ."
General Conference
One in Christ
Elder Ulisses Soares
"New friends in the gospel need an assignment - an opportunity to serve others. Service is one of the great geniuses of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is a process by which our faith can grow stronger. New friends must also be nourished by the good word of God. We can help them to love and become familiar with the scriptures as we read and discuss the teachings with them."
I was going to get up at 4 am in order to get everything done before leaving for church and then to the valley. I never set an alarm and usually wake up on time because of my internal clock. Today I woke up at 5:30. My internal clock has taken a vacation. I had to rush around and remove several items from my list.
I did get the cookies frosted and ready to take to the valley. My plan was to give them to all the kids and grandkids in the valley for Valentine's Day.
While I was dealing with cookies James was making lunch for us to eat in the car. We are leaving for the valley right after church. He made egg salad sandwiches, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and packed left over brownies and apples, water and DP 10 and Slimfast shakes. What would I do without him?
I packed my paper, etc. planning on making Valentines when I got to the valley. I did not pack my computer. We are going down to see the prophet at State Farm stadium, spending the night at Darrel and Trina's, and coming home tomorrow after I have lunch with my friend Karen.
We sat by our friends Tom and Jean during sacrament meeting. Their daughter Deana was there too.
We had two youth speakers, both deacons, and probably the first time either of them had spoken in church. The first, Dimitri, talked about the responsibilities of a Deacon, and Curtis, the second, gave a 30 second talk on fasting.
Brother Cooper, a retired older brother in our ward was the last speaker. He based his talk on two talks given by President Oaks:
"Unselfish Service" April, 2009; "Why Do We Serve" October 1984. Here are a few notes I took:
"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matt 25:40.
DC 81:5 "Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hand down, and strengthen the feeble knees." DC 58:27 "Be anxiously engaged in a good cause." 1 Samuel 16:7 "...the Lord looketh upon the heart." John 21:16-17 "Lovest thou me, ...feed my sheep."
Deut 11:13 "Serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul."
DC 6:6 "seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion." Moroni 7:47 "Charity is the pure love of Christ."
Our Savior teaches us to follow Him by making the sacrifices necessary to lose ourselves in unselfish service to others. Some of the greatest service given is that of parents to their children.
Today is a Relief Society day. I was looking forward to participating in Becky Skousen's lesson on Elder Bednar's talk, "Gather Together in One All Things in Christ," but James had other ideas. He wanted to leave by 10:30.
James went in to singing time with his class while Brother Westbrook, his partner, went into priesthood to ordain his grandson a priest. As soon as Brother Westbrook was back he told James he would teach the class and he, James, was free to go.
It was somewhere between 10-10:30 when we left. The egg salad sandwiches hit the spot! Our car is dirty but we don't care.
We arrived at Darrel and Trina's at 1:30. We unloaded our car with the help of Rowan and Lola and Addy. Trina was making cobbler's for us; one peach and pineapple and one cherry. We didn't have time to eat them because we had to drop Addy and Rowan off at Sheri's and then head over to Kim and Brian's because we are riding to the fireside with them.
It was nice riding in the backseat of Clyde with Brian at the wheel and Kim being the navigator. We ate our pbj's and Kim gave each of us a bottle of water.
We got in the building at 3:50, 10 minutes before it officially opened. We parked on the east side by the big 3 on the building and Brian parked at post 74 right near the exit.
We said goodbye because Brian and Kim are sitting in a different section than we are. We are in section 125 with Sheri. She asked us to save four seats. The stadium was mostly empty and we saw Cathi, Terry, Dave, and Laura just next to us in section 126. We didn't think it would matter so we went over to sit by them.
Gail, Ryan, Luke, and Tim came walking over. They were here from Oregon to ordain Aaron's son Beckham to a deacon and to bless Kit's baby, Myra. Erik, Amelia, and their two oldest girls also sat by us. Adam, Kaitlin, Kathy, Pat, Heather and their kids were in the row in front of us so we had a Lambson section.
Sheri said she was going to sit in the section she was assigned. Ian and Addy were on either side of her. Max sat with Michael, Stacy, and Paul and Joshua, Evan, and Rowan were on the floor.
We had two youth speakers, both deacons, and probably the first time either of them had spoken in church. The first, Dimitri, talked about the responsibilities of a Deacon, and Curtis, the second, gave a 30 second talk on fasting.
Brother Cooper, a retired older brother in our ward was the last speaker. He based his talk on two talks given by President Oaks:
"Unselfish Service" April, 2009; "Why Do We Serve" October 1984. Here are a few notes I took:
"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matt 25:40.
DC 81:5 "Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hand down, and strengthen the feeble knees." DC 58:27 "Be anxiously engaged in a good cause." 1 Samuel 16:7 "...the Lord looketh upon the heart." John 21:16-17 "Lovest thou me, ...feed my sheep."
Deut 11:13 "Serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul."
DC 6:6 "seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion." Moroni 7:47 "Charity is the pure love of Christ."
Our Savior teaches us to follow Him by making the sacrifices necessary to lose ourselves in unselfish service to others. Some of the greatest service given is that of parents to their children.
Today is a Relief Society day. I was looking forward to participating in Becky Skousen's lesson on Elder Bednar's talk, "Gather Together in One All Things in Christ," but James had other ideas. He wanted to leave by 10:30.
James went in to singing time with his class while Brother Westbrook, his partner, went into priesthood to ordain his grandson a priest. As soon as Brother Westbrook was back he told James he would teach the class and he, James, was free to go.
It was somewhere between 10-10:30 when we left. The egg salad sandwiches hit the spot! Our car is dirty but we don't care.
We arrived at Darrel and Trina's at 1:30. We unloaded our car with the help of Rowan and Lola and Addy. Trina was making cobbler's for us; one peach and pineapple and one cherry. We didn't have time to eat them because we had to drop Addy and Rowan off at Sheri's and then head over to Kim and Brian's because we are riding to the fireside with them.
It was nice riding in the backseat of Clyde with Brian at the wheel and Kim being the navigator. We ate our pbj's and Kim gave each of us a bottle of water.
We got in the building at 3:50, 10 minutes before it officially opened. We parked on the east side by the big 3 on the building and Brian parked at post 74 right near the exit.
We said goodbye because Brian and Kim are sitting in a different section than we are. We are in section 125 with Sheri. She asked us to save four seats. The stadium was mostly empty and we saw Cathi, Terry, Dave, and Laura just next to us in section 126. We didn't think it would matter so we went over to sit by them.
Gail, Ryan, Luke, and Tim came walking over. They were here from Oregon to ordain Aaron's son Beckham to a deacon and to bless Kit's baby, Myra. Erik, Amelia, and their two oldest girls also sat by us. Adam, Kaitlin, Kathy, Pat, Heather and their kids were in the row in front of us so we had a Lambson section.
Sheri said she was going to sit in the section she was assigned. Ian and Addy were on either side of her. Max sat with Michael, Stacy, and Paul and Joshua, Evan, and Rowan were on the floor.
Gail's boys
The tall, dark, handsome guy is Luke,
Ryan's oldest son.
I was lucky to get to sit by Tim, the guy in
the glasses and red tie.
I wanted Addy to meet Luke but
she was too far away.
Our well behaved Deacons!
They made it to the Church News
website.
Elder Heyman posted this photo on Instagram.
How would you feel about sitting on the same
row as the prophet?
Elder Lynn G. Robbins conducted the meeting. There was a local choir that sang beautifully. Here are some of the hymns they sang:
"Praise to the Lord," "Now Let Us Rejoice," "O Thou Rock of Our Salvation," "Press Forward Saints."
Sister Kristen Oaks was the first speaker. She started out by saying she was grateful to be in the land of Christmas oranges and that she loved Arizona. She said that two apostles have been directed to come here for a reason and she begged us to listen to them!
She quoted Elder Holland using the same quote Ben used recently in one of his emails and ended with, "Salvation is not cheap."
She spoke about staying on the Covenant Path.
DC 11:30 - "But verily, verily, I say unto you, that as many as receive me, to them will I give power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on my name. Amen."
President Oaks was the next speaker. He started out by saying that faith means trust. He spoke about the importance of the Rising Generation paying tithing, keeping the commandments and doing missionary work.
He said that change is almost always exciting. Sometimes we need to change our own desires and actions. That kind of change is the most significant, personal change.
Now is the time for a home-centered church, Church supported church.
Continuing revelation is available through our Prophet. Pray to understand your spiritual gifts. Develop a pattern of temple attendance and draw upon priesthood power.
The youth battalion need to be true disciples of Jesus Christ.
Refer to the Church by it's correct name.
Limit dependence on cell phones.
Be kind. Pray to know how to nurture.
Embrace new members.
Worthily partake of the sacrament. "Just as we take His name upon us, He takes His sins upon us."
President Oaks then shared quotes from several of the recent general conference addresses. Here are just a few sketchy notes:
See others as God sees them.
Choose to follow the Father's plan.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart.
Even though you may think our values are ancient, the gospel plan is still in place to guide us. It doesn't matter if it's wagon trains or spaceships, God's standards are the same.
Our cell phones should be our slaves, not our masters.
Be careful how you label yourselves. You are a son or daughter of God.
Faith in Jesus Christ prepares us for whatever life brings. Put the Lord first.
We must be witnesses of God. We must be salt that has not lost its savor.
Wendy Nelson was the next speaker. She spoke a little about Valentine's Day, how it can be both great and terrible.
We need to receive God's love by opening our hearts.
She then shared notes from her journal regarding the day of January 2, 2018 when President Nelson became the prophet. She spoke at a funeral and he went with her, then they went to the temple and Costco. They went to bed early and received a phone call before midnight that President Monson had passed away. Wendy said she thought, "Where can I run"?
"On January 4, 2018 the mantle of the Prophet was upon my husband."
I was awakened during the night and felt impressed that I needed to leave the room. Our ancestors were grateful because I went into the other room to do family history work. Two hours later my husband came out with his yellow notepad. Although he did not share the specifics, he said the Lord had made it known to him the direction he should take in leading the Church.
On March 31, 2018 when President Nelson was sustained as the prophet in a solemn assembly she said she felt peace from the Prince of Peace.
"He has the ability to bring forth the best in others. He is more of his true self. He's doing what he was foreordained to do."
When President Nelson got up he expressed gratitude for the support and love of the members of the Church. He told about Wendy's cousin "Robert" who was severely injured in a skiing accident. He pointed out that Robert is a man of God and is of the lineage of Abraham and as a result the Abrahamic Covenant and blessings apply to him.
Isaac was a miracle to Abraham. The Lord provides miracles to further his work. Through His covenant with Abraham, the Lord has promised to bless all the faithful with truth, priesthood ordinances exaltation, and eternal increase.
Abraham first received the gospel by baptism which is the covenant of salvation. Then he had conferred upon him the higher priesthood, and he entered into celestial marriage which is the covenant of exaltation, gaining assurance thereby that he would have eternal increase.
We are heirs to the blessings and responsibilities of the Abrahamic covenant. All Church members are the "seed of Abraham," which means we are his descendants.
Abraham is inextricably linked to all who join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. An understanding of his life and the covenant God made with him and his posterity will help you see your life and the covenants you make with God as a disciple of Jesus Christ in a whole new way.
Our Mission
As a chosen people, we have a mission and a duty that has been assigned to us from the beginning. This mission is to take the priesthood and the temples to the world, or simply, missionary work. Patriarchal blessings can give insight into how you can fulfill your personal mission.
Blessings We Receive
We are blessed when we are faithful members of Abraham's family. These blessings are Jesus Christ and His Atonement, the priesthood, the Holy Ghost, and the scattering of Israel, which allows everyone to partake of these blessings. The greatest part of our inheritance is 'all that my Father hath.' This is the ability to be like Him and live the kind of life that He lives.
How to Complete Our Mission
We need to 'magnify our callings and receive all of the ordinances offered by our Father in the temple.' Let scripture study, prayer fasting and the advice in your patriarchal blessing guide you throughout your life. Be obedient and faithful. As you do, you will receive the blessings promised to Abraham and be able to live with Heavenly Father once more.
"If we are true to our temple covenants we have the power to bless others. All of the nations of the earth will be blessed through Abraham's lineage. Women are empowered with priesthood power. We must gather together in one all things in Christ. All generations after us will be blessed."
You here are a part of the Arizona Battalion. We must do every thing we can to gather Israel before the Second Coming of the Savior.
What an evening!
As President and Sister Nelson left Stacy said their limo was so close that when they looked up to wave it seemed as if they were waving directly at them. They were lucky to have seats up close.
It took Sheri and Ian about an hour longer to get home than it did us because of Brian's foresight to park near the exit.
Addy slept on the way back to her house. She has to get up and leave for school at 5:15. Rowan was pretty quiet too. They both said they enjoyed the fireside and they felt the Spirit.
"On January 4, 2018 the mantle of the Prophet was upon my husband."
I was awakened during the night and felt impressed that I needed to leave the room. Our ancestors were grateful because I went into the other room to do family history work. Two hours later my husband came out with his yellow notepad. Although he did not share the specifics, he said the Lord had made it known to him the direction he should take in leading the Church.
On March 31, 2018 when President Nelson was sustained as the prophet in a solemn assembly she said she felt peace from the Prince of Peace.
"He has the ability to bring forth the best in others. He is more of his true self. He's doing what he was foreordained to do."
When President Nelson got up he expressed gratitude for the support and love of the members of the Church. He told about Wendy's cousin "Robert" who was severely injured in a skiing accident. He pointed out that Robert is a man of God and is of the lineage of Abraham and as a result the Abrahamic Covenant and blessings apply to him.
Isaac was a miracle to Abraham. The Lord provides miracles to further his work. Through His covenant with Abraham, the Lord has promised to bless all the faithful with truth, priesthood ordinances exaltation, and eternal increase.
Abraham first received the gospel by baptism which is the covenant of salvation. Then he had conferred upon him the higher priesthood, and he entered into celestial marriage which is the covenant of exaltation, gaining assurance thereby that he would have eternal increase.
We are heirs to the blessings and responsibilities of the Abrahamic covenant. All Church members are the "seed of Abraham," which means we are his descendants.
Abraham is inextricably linked to all who join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. An understanding of his life and the covenant God made with him and his posterity will help you see your life and the covenants you make with God as a disciple of Jesus Christ in a whole new way.
Our Mission
As a chosen people, we have a mission and a duty that has been assigned to us from the beginning. This mission is to take the priesthood and the temples to the world, or simply, missionary work. Patriarchal blessings can give insight into how you can fulfill your personal mission.
Blessings We Receive
We are blessed when we are faithful members of Abraham's family. These blessings are Jesus Christ and His Atonement, the priesthood, the Holy Ghost, and the scattering of Israel, which allows everyone to partake of these blessings. The greatest part of our inheritance is 'all that my Father hath.' This is the ability to be like Him and live the kind of life that He lives.
How to Complete Our Mission
We need to 'magnify our callings and receive all of the ordinances offered by our Father in the temple.' Let scripture study, prayer fasting and the advice in your patriarchal blessing guide you throughout your life. Be obedient and faithful. As you do, you will receive the blessings promised to Abraham and be able to live with Heavenly Father once more.
"If we are true to our temple covenants we have the power to bless others. All of the nations of the earth will be blessed through Abraham's lineage. Women are empowered with priesthood power. We must gather together in one all things in Christ. All generations after us will be blessed."
You here are a part of the Arizona Battalion. We must do every thing we can to gather Israel before the Second Coming of the Savior.
What an evening!
As President and Sister Nelson left Stacy said their limo was so close that when they looked up to wave it seemed as if they were waving directly at them. They were lucky to have seats up close.
It took Sheri and Ian about an hour longer to get home than it did us because of Brian's foresight to park near the exit.
Addy slept on the way back to her house. She has to get up and leave for school at 5:15. Rowan was pretty quiet too. They both said they enjoyed the fireside and they felt the Spirit.
The largest gathering of Saints in Arizona history.
Clergy from other churches were invited as well
as the Governor of Arizona, Doug Ducey, and
other dignitaries. Stacy and Paul were sitting near them.
The Brimhall's
The Kaufman's
Pat's family
The Scatena's
The Chase's
The Whalen's
The Johnson's from Snowflake
Cash and Carter
Aaron and Kari's kids
The Dowdle's
The Ray's
68,000 strong
Waving goodbye to Stacy and Paul
So cute!
Work that core Charlie!
