Sunday, May 10th, 2020

Portland, Oregon

42nd operating temple

Dedicated: 19 Aug 1989

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, King

Isaiah 43:15

I am the Lord, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Mosiah 17; Read with James; Discussed with Goodman's, Sunday journal, study guide

April General Conference

"A Living Witness of the Living Christ"

Bishop Gerald 

"The entire 'good news' of the gospel is contained in the image of the Savior tenderly extending His 'arms of mercy' to invite each individual to come unto Him and receive the blessings of His Atonement."

"The Only True God and Jesus Christ Whom He Hath Sent"

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

October 2007

I spent the morning finishing my study of this week's "Come Follow Me" lesson, Mosiah 11-17. James and I watched the video included with the lesson which shows Adinadi preaching to King Noah and his priests and Alma accepting his words and fleeing from the king. Alma baptizes his followers at the waters of Mormon. 

The first person to wish me a happy mother's day was Kacey with a sweet text that said:

Happy Mother's Day! I am so grateful for your example and righteous influence in my life and our family's life. I regret that I came into the picture later, but I am so grateful I get eternity with sch a wonderful mother and family. I love you!

This message touched my heart so much. I am so grateful to Kacey and her righteousness and her love for Jared. I truly and honestly believe that she saved him.

Others who sent their wishes: Addy, my cousin Rita, Jared, Brian, Kim, Sheri, Stacy, Michael, Darrel, Trina, Cathi and Barbara Goodman. I am truly blessed. James gave me the cutest and sweetest Mother's Day card. Michael actually called me and when he a nice visit. He just graduated from Grand Canyon State and is planning on going on to get his Master's and his Doctorate degrees. I am proud of his academic goals. I hope he still has the goal of being married in the temple.

James made me a Mother's Day breakfast this morning, scrambled eggs, whole wheat toast, sausage, and hashbrowns. It was delicious but I couldn't eat it all because I had already had three mini powdered donuts and half a slice of cheesecake. 

At 11:00 we met with the Goodman's at their home for the sacrament and to study the "Come Follow Me" lesson. We sang "Upon the Cross of Calvary" and Pierce and James blessed and administered the sacrament. The Peeler's daughter is visiting with them so that's why they aren't here and Kathy Crane is still recovering from surgery and wasn't feel well enough to come.

I shared Bishop Causse's quote regarding the Savior's arms of mercy and then we decided, since the Goodman's hadn't seen it, to watch the Abinadi/Alma video. After the video we discussed Mosiah 15 and the Father and Son statements by Abinadi in the first five chapters. I read to them gospel scholar Robert Millett's statements as found in his book, The Power of  the Word. Here they are: 

Abinadi's Testimony of Christ as the Father and the Son

"One of the grandest messianic sermons ever delivered was Abinadi's defense before King Noah and his wicked priests, particularly that portion constituting chapter fifteen of Mosiah. The first five verses of this chapter are especially poignant and may be understood in light of ... the ministry of Christ as the Father and the Son. ... Key doctrinal matters are given in verses one through five:

1.) God himself - Jehovah, the God of ancient Israel - will come to earth, take a physical body, and bring to pass redemption for all men.

2.) Because Jehovah/Jesus Christ will have a physical body and dwell in the flesh - like every other mortal son and daughter of God - he will be known as the Son of God. On the other hand, because he will be conceived by the power of God and will thus have within him the powers of the Spirit, he will be known as the Father. This same doctrine is given in a modern revelation through the Prophet Joseph Smith (see D&C 93:4, 12-14).

3.) The will of the Son is to be swallowed up in the will of the Father. That is, the flesh will become subject to the Spirit, the mortal subject to the immortal. 'I seek not mine own will,' Jesus explained, 'but the will of the Father which hath sent me' (John 5:30; compare 6:38). In short, Jesus will do what the Father would have him do.

4.) Thus Christ will be both the Father and the Son. He will be called the Father because he was conceived by the power of God and inherited all of the divine endowments, particularly immortality, from his exalted Sire. He will be called the Son because of the flesh - his mortal inheritance from his mother, Mary. Therefore Christ will be both flesh and spirit, both man and God, both Son and Father And they - the Son and the Father, the man and the God, the flesh and the spirit - are to be blended wondrously in one being. Jesus Christ, 'the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth."

One thing I would add to Brother Millett's list would be that Jesus Christ is the Father of our salvation.

After our lesson Barbara served us crumb cake. I told James he should every crumb of his crumb cake. While we were eating we somehow got on the subject of lizards and reptiles. Barbara said on their acreage in Tucson they had a Gila Monster. She also said she saw a Komodo dragon on the streets of Tucson. She showed me a picture and it was so huge and massive it looked like a dinosaur. 

Pierce walked us out to the car when it was time to leave. I showed him some chewed up tissues and said we had a mouse in our car. He then said that Owen Peeler has killed 61 mice in his car. Oh my gosh! So much of our time up here is spent in catching critters!

James dropped me off at home while he went to deliver plants to Colleen Franklin, Sandra Wilhelm, and Donna Peeler. When he returned home he grilled steaks and made asparagus with olive oil and salt and lemon pepper. We have a delicious lunch.

During nap time I ran off the talks on gratitude and began reading them. I already listened to them on my phone but this time I am reading and underlining.

On my phone I watched the first episode of "The Chosen" series. Mary Magdalene has evil spirits cast out by the Savior. Up until this time she has been called Lily but he called out to her and said: "I have called you by name." That is the title of this episode.

We FaceTimed with Jared, Kacey, Charlie and Tanner. Tanner had to show us his mullet. Kacey said she had a nice mother's day. Jared fixed her baked ziti for dinner. 

After our FaceTime called we Skyped with Kim, Brian, Sheri, Stacy, Paul, Kacey and Jared for a study of the gospel principal of gratitude. Sheri led the discussion. Our two favorite talks to study were Elder Uchtdorf's, "Gratitude in Any Circumstances" and President Eyring's "Remember, Remember." We had a good discussion. Kim said she has a tendency to be negative and she has taken up the habit of expressing gratitude for three things when she gets up in the morning to get her on the right path. She also listens to conference talks and looks forward to our weekly gospel discussions. This has helped her attitude tremendously. Kacey will be leading the discussion next week and then James the week after.

This evening James and I both wrote letters to Ben. I also worked on my blog before going to bed. Today was a wonderful Sabbath day and a happy mother's day.

The Bogles: Elise, Betty, and Monique,

since Betty had ten children, some are missing.

 Miss Scarlett

Kacey and kids, except for Autumn

Saturday, May 9th, 2020

Frankfurt, Germany

41st operating temple

Dedicated: 28 Aug 1987

By: Ezra Taft Benson

Jesus Christ, King

Isaiah 33:17

Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Mosiah 16; Read with James, Sunday journal, study guide, CWIC podcast, CFM Weekly

April General Conference

"Come Unto Christ - Living as Latter-day Saints"

Elder John A. McCune

"As followers of Christ, we are not spared challenges and trials in our lives. We are often required to do difficult things that, if attempted alone, would be overwhelming and maybe impossible. As we accept the Savior's invitation to 'come unto me,' He will provide the support, comfort, and peace that are necessary, just as He did for Nephi and Joseph."

"A Perfect Brightness of Hope"

Jeffrey R. Holland

April 2020 

Part of my gospel study includes reading a portion of the "Come Follow Me" reading assignment in the morning with James. James reads the scripture and I read the commentary provided in "The Book of Mormon Study Guide" by Brother Thomas R. Valletta.

After reading we have our family prayer together. As part of my personal prayers I pray for each of my family members by name as I think of them and the things they are struggling with. I know that Heavenly Father is aware of my family because they are His family too.

My book balance is at $786.58 right now. I will be sent the money next Thursday. I wonder how much Amazon will keep in my account. I have sold 80 books in the last 30 days. Woohoo!

James decided he was going to ride Luna down the road to see if Richard was working this morning. Richard was not there and the grader looks like he broke a hydraulic hose because there was oil all over the ground. I hope we get the rest of our road done.

On the way back James said that Luna started trotting and then loping and then tried to buck him off. He showed her that she couldn't buck him off and she probably won't try it again with him, but what about the grandkids. She is a gentle horse but she needs more training. I guess she is not used to being ridden as much as James has been riding her. Luna is in the back yard munching on the grass right now.

James took the Cat down to try and smooth out the road where Richard lift big piles of dirt.

I used the bagged chicken I got from Costco to make chicken tacos today. I made twelve. James loved them and said they were the delicious.

James came in after lunch and said, "Can I ask you a favor"? I said, most certainly you can ask. "Will you go to town with me?" What? I went with you to town Thursday and Friday. You need to go again? Yes. I need to get two pins for my trailer, a trailer jack for a different trailer and two bolts for the auger. I thought about it and decided I had nothing pressing to do. I was going to try to find a message to send to my ministering sisters but I could do that on Monday. I said I would go and it made him so happy I was glad I made that decision. 

We stopped at the Tractor Supply Store. They had a few animal figures and I found a horse that looks similar to Luna that I wanted to get. James was okay with it. I also bought a bag of black licorce for us to munch on. He was definitely okay with that because he loves black licorce. 

I got no pictures of the licorce. We ate the entire bag on the way home.

James needed some nasal spray so I told him if he would drop me off at Walmart he could go to Home Depot where he could get the pvc pipe he needs to fix a sprinkler. 

Walmart did not have the nasal spray he asked for but I got three different kinds. Hopefully one of them will work. I also bought myself a piece of cheesecake two tops and two pair of pants. Happy Mother's Day!

While we were in the car I read to James from "Aunt Dimity and the Village Witch." We both are really in to this story as it nears the end. This has been one of our favorite Aunt Dimity books.

This evening James went to the church with the rest of the Melchizedek priesthood holders in our ward to pick up Mothers day gifts to distribute to the sisters in the ward. He came home with this:

I know it looks a little droopy but once

I watered it, those flowers perked up.

I loved this gift. I think I surprised James by how much I loved such a simple thing. When he said we were getting flowers I pictured a long stemmed carnation with the stem wrapped in a paper towel. 

I told him I wanted chocolate. I love this gift because it shows thought and care. The pot with the word "mom" printed on it took time and care. Planting the petunias, my most favorite flower to plant, took time and care. Putting the M&M's on a stick and wrapping a pipe cleaner around it to look like a butterfly with antennae took creativity and time and care. All in all I thought it was a sweet, thoughtful gift from our bishopric. Later I learned that Sister Goodman and Sister Hunsaker wrote the "mom" on the pot and the bishop and Brother Goodman did the butterflies. I love it.

James came home and gave me my flower. We went back to the church and met Tanna Conrad and Pam Wood and gave them their gifts. There were quite a few people at the church. It was fun to see our ward members involved in this activity. I love the Vernon ward!

We will deliver Sister Peeler's gift and Sister Wilhelm's gift tomorrow. 

We watched an episode of "Lark Rise to Candleford" before going to bed. Season 1 Episode 10, the last episode of season one.

Dorcas decides to sell the post office and leave Candleford. Philip's possessiveness causes Laura increasing concern. There are surprises, joy and sorrow when everyone gathers at the post office for Zillah's birthday party.

Quotes

Laura: "All of his life Twister had been known as a slack, twisted old chap. But searching in the storm for Edmund he had courage, his own kind of courage."

Emma after coaxing her in the arts of womanly wiles:

"Miss Margaret, I have every reason to believe that you will be married by Christmas."

Dorcas Lane to Sir Timothy: 

"There will always be reason for you and I to be in one another's company and I feel we have to be strong in our resistance. 

Sir Timothy:

"Yes, I understand. Of course I've always understood that we should do thing exactly at your bidding. It is at your bidding that we live like this. Tell me why Dorcas?

Dorcas: "Timothy, please.

Timothy: "Tell me why Dorcas? I live my life bound by duty and obligation. I didn't want any of this, all I ever really wanted was you. Tell me why you refused me? Tell me the truth."

Dorcas: "It was my father. He told me it could never work, love never crosses the great divide of social class. Those were his words."

Sir Timothy:"So your father was a bigoted, small-minded, fool of a man." (Slap) "At last something real between us."

(Sir Timothy grabs Dorcas in an embrace as she starts to leave.)

Dorcas:"Do you know how long I have longed for this moment? (Lady Adelaide, Sis Timothy's wife, sees the embrace.)

Thomas to Miss Lane when she announces she is selling the post office and he says it will never happen. 

"Your will is one thing Miss Lane, the Lord's will is what we live by."

I'm not sure why I love this show so much. I guess I love the English accent and the scenery and costumes and the characters and the way they express themselves. How long I will include lines from it in my journal, I am not sure.

 I took this picture walking in the Tractor Supply

parking lot while waiting for James.

The clouds are coming!

Sheri has her Ollie, James has

his Luna

 Saturday night snack

 Autumn and Kacey

These meant so much to me

Oliver and Erik at Oliver's baptism

 Oliver at the Mogollon Rim

Friday, May 8th, 2020

Denver, Colorado

40th operating temple

Dedicated: 24 Oct 1986

By: Ezra Taft Benson

Jesus Christ, King

2 Nephi 16:5

Then said I; Wo is unto me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips; and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Mosiah 15; Read with James; Sunday journal; Study guide; Scripture Study Project podcast; Proctor's podcast

April General Conference

"The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon"

Elder Ulisses Soares

"While meeting with the elders of the Church on one occasion, the Prophet Joseph Smith declared: 'Take away the Book of Mormon, and the revelations, and where is our religion? We have none.' My dear brothers and sisters, following the First Vision, the miraculous coming forth of the Book of Mormon is the second fundamental milestone of the unfolding Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in this dispensation. The Book of Mormon testifies of God's love for His children, of the Lord Jesus Christ's selfless and divine atoning sacrifice, and of His crowning ministry among the Nephites soon after His Resurrection. It also testifies that the remnant of the house of Israel is to become one through His latter-day work and that they are not cast off forever.."

"Seeds of Renewal"

Joseph B. Wirthlin

April 1989

 Sheri said that Ian Wanlass got re-assigned to northern California to finish his mission. It is the area where his parents are from and so he has lots of relatives and people that he knows.

In Mosiah 11:29 Abinadi talks about the people being blind. Where am I blind in keep the commandments? Abinadi means "God is present among you" in Hebrew.

Hugh Nibley says that Mosiah 15-16 are the two most difficult chapters in the Book of Mormon to understand. 

The Cat repairman and his assistant came this morning to work on the big Cat. He charge $130 and is paid whether he is successful in fixing your machinery or not. He brought the schematic that Empire Cat sent him but he still could not fix the problem. They found some wires that had been chewed in two but that was not the entire problem. He worked for several hours and finally James told him that was enough for today. He will have to come back and work again if we have any hope of fixing this machinery. I told James as soon as it is fixed I would like for him to sell it because this equipment upkeep is just too costly. Today's cost was $927.

Another bit of bad, costly news: the parts we need to fix the Razr will cost $2,500, not $900. We need to move forward with this because the Razr is laying in parts all over the garage. 

We went in to town this afternoon so James could see if he could order the part he needs to fix his truck at O'Reilly's. They did not have the part and James can't find the exact one, so far, online. We mailed Lois's mother's day card after I signed it and the book that I sold. We decided since we were in town that we should go to Walmart to get some shakes and some asparagus to go with our steaks on Sunday. We bought a few more items and while standing in line to check out James ordered us some dinner from LaCasita. 

I read a couple of chapters to James from our book, "Aunt Dimity and the Village Witch." I really like this one and so does James.

When I got home and opened my dinner I noticed that there was no rice. When I asked James he told me he didn't think I wanted rice. Honey, I always get rice and beans and mix them together. He felt sad he had made the mistake and so I couldn't make much of it.

I got a text from Stefani Hunsaker today asking me how many people can attend a sealing in the live sealing room in the Snowflake temple. I didn't know so I began asking other temple workers. When I texted Sister Goodman she wanted to know if I was helping Stefani. When I said yes and asked if this sealing was for Camrie she said yes. She is marrying a man from Texas on August 22nd, her grandmother's birthday. What a way to honor her grandmother. Camrie is a single mother whose husband went out on her while she was expecting their last child. He was not an active member of the Church and Camrie has longed to be sealed to someone. She is an amazingly forgiving and loving woman.

 His name is Darren, he is from Texas, he has 

never been married, and the kids love him.

I hope this works for her. If it does, I am

so truly happy for her! She deserves to be happy!

As for the temple sealing room, I believe it will hold 70 people quite comfortably.

James did not go for a ride on Luna but he worked outside and then came in and studied with me. Afterwards we watched our episode of "Lark Rise to Candleford" and had some tea.

Lark Rise to Candleford

Season 1 Episode 9

Queenie finds a beautiful embroidered panel on a grave. Dorcas and Sir Timothy try to solve the mystery of who created it. Alf's poaching leads him and Edmund into danger. Fresh out of prison, Caroline returns to Lark Rise determined to mend her ways.

Quotes:

Queenie: "The Tree of Knowledge. Now if anything's got a message, that does."

Laura: "Rivalries ran deep in our small community. The real rivalry between Philip and Alf was not about poachin', but what was in their hearts." (They are both in love with Laura)

Margaret to Dorcas:

"The Ellison family christening robes, these go back four generations."

Dorcas to Thomas:

"I have done it again Thomas, meddling in other people's business, I'm such a terrible troublemaker."

Thomas:

"You are too hard on yourself man, you usually meddle for good reason and most often it has a favorable outcome."

Dorcas: 

"I'm glad you think so because it's your business I've been meddling in. I have invited Miss Ellison to tea on Thursday."

Thomas:

"Tea? Here? Miss Ellison and myself at the table in front of other people?"

Dorcas:

"Only your friends Thomas."

Thomas:

"Miss Lane, you have placed me in an intolerable position.

Dorcas:

"It's just that I felt so sorry for her. I could sense she was so eager to see you."

Thomas:

"Miss Lane, I find myself in such a state of ill temper, I feel I must remove myself before I say somethin' unChristian."

Caroline to Emma after being released from prison:

"I will not speak unless I can be civil and gracious...well, maybe gracious will come later. I will greet life with humility and gratitude from now on."

 President Nelson with a great-

grandson

 We saw many Navajo's in my dad's

store when I worked there in my teens

Abinadi before King Noah

Friendly animals, some a little

too friendly!

 They made the local newspaper