Fri, Apr 16th, 2021: Bountiful Utah Temple, Ginger, Kim, Elmer's: temple training, pot pies, read, walk, index, blog, Alex's bday, A&P Anniversary, Scarlett & Charlie

Bountiful, Utah

47th operating temple

Dedicated: 8 Jan 1995

By: Howard W. Hunter

Jesus Christ, Power of

John 17:2

As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 9:1-19

D&C

Section 40

"Come Follow Me"

The cares of the world must not distract me from obeying God's word.

AprGenCon

'What Has Our Savior Done For Us'?

President Dallin H. Oaks

First Counselor in the First Presidency

Jesus Christ has done everything that is essential for our journey through mortality toward the destiny outlined in the plan of our Heavenly Father.

The Living Christ

P7

Of Him the Prophet also declared:

"And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him:

That he lives!

"For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard 

the voice bearing record that he is the 

Only Begotten of the Father-

James and I were both contacted by our temple shift co-ordinators this week, the Elmer's. We have been asked to attend a training on Monday, April 26th, in preparation for the temple re-opening in phase 3. Right now the Snowflake temple is in phase 2-B for baptisms for the dead.

I found out that my friend Ginger had emergency gall bladder surgery on Easter Sunday. I told her I would be praying for her. I also want to offer to take her some dinner. I have a new recipe for chicken noodle soup using Ramen noodles. I can also fix rolls and a salad, and some cupcakes for dessert.

My friend Cammy texted me this week and asked me to talk to Trina about her hairstyle and color. She says she needs a change and she loves Trina's hair and thinks Trina is gorgeous. When I told Trina she was very flattered. 

I also talked to Kim this week. She told me how much they enjoyed their weekend in Vernon. She loved the couches that Trina gave us and wants to know where Suzy, Trina's mom, bought them. Sadly, Suzy does not remember because it was so long ago. 

James found out that the tax deadline is July 15th. Our accountant told him that he needed our information by Monday in order to do our taxes because he is swamped. James was a little offended. The guy who has been doing our taxes for years, retired, and this guy is his son-in-law.

I finished Brother Richard Draper's audio book, "The Savior's Prophecies From the Fall of Jerusalem to the Second Coming." 

I listened to what he had to say about the parable of The Ten Virgins. 

There was nothing really new that I learned but I was reminded that those virgins who were prepared put oil in their lamps over time, drop by drop, as they attended sacrament meeting, fasted, paid tithing, and kept the other commandments.

James's work space on the dining room table is spreading like a disease. More papers, etc. I asked him if he could please keep his papers and stuff away from the centerpiece, at which point he loaded everything up and moved upstairs to his office. It was pretty lonely down here the rest of the day, but the dining room table looked nice. 

He did come down so I could read to him from "The Guarded Heart." He walks while I read. He also came down for dinner, fresh broccoli and a grilled cheese sandwich.

I spent a few hours today trying to catch up on my indexing. I have 2500 names done now for the month of April.

Happy 23rd Birthday Alex!

 

Happy 5th Anniversary

Palmer & Autumn!

Putting pot pies in the oven while I read to him.

 

Thur, Apr 15th, 2021: Orlando Florida Temple, Gospel Study, Culver's, Walmart, Tractor Supply, "A Guarded Heart", Lola, Ruby, Charlie, Scarlett,

 

Orlando, Florida

46th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Oct 1994

By: Howard W. Hunter

Jesus Christ, Power of

John 1:12

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 8:1-21

D&C

39

"Come Follow Me"

If I am prepared, I need not fear.

AprGenCon

'This Is Our Time!'

Elder S. Gifford Nielsen

Of the Seventy

Maybe we don't always feel up to the challenge, But our Heavenly Father sees us as fearless builders of His kingdom. That is why He sent us here during this most decisive time in the world's history. This is our time!

'Bless In His Name'

President Henry B. Eyring

Second Counselor in the First Presidency

The purpose for our receiving the priesthood is to allow us to bless people for the Lord, doing so in His name.

The Living Christ

P6

Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: 

"His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying: 

"I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father"

(D&C 110:3-4).

I slept in until 7 this morning. While I was working on my blog I listened to "Don't Miss This" with Emily and Dave. Emily told the story of Lucy Mack Smith taking a group of Saints to Ohio and crossing Lake Erie when the lake was frozen. I quote from the book by Steven C. Harper, "Making Sense of the Doctrine and Covenants", pages 128-29.

While waiting for the ice to clear so the boat could move, Lucy went ashore in search of a room in which the sisters could rest and tend sick children. She found only selfishness, "human nature," she called it, until "a fine, cheerful old lady" gave her board in exchange for the gospel. Lucy taught the good woman restored truth until two o'clock in the morning. She considered herself an ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ. She was frustrated by Saints who feared to let others know they were Latter-day Saints.

"You will be mobbed before morning," Thomas Marsh told Lucy when she refused to keep her faith secret. "Mob it is, then," she shot back, "for we shall sing and attend to prayers before sunset, mob or no mob." Lucy opened her mouth and it was filled with song, with the good word of God, and with reproof in season. She left boat captains and deckhands, the woman at the boarding house, and a man on the shore all wanting more of the testimony that flowed freely from her. Over and over Mother Smith acted in faith. She led and served her fellow Saints while she extended the glad tidings to those they passed on the way.

Lucy seized her agency to obtain power over the telestial world, rather than letting it have power over her. She predicted that if her company would unitedly call upon God to break the ice, "as sure as the Lord lives, it shall be done." It happened as she said, though the ice quickly "closed together again, and the Colesville brethren were left in Buffalo," she wrote, "unable to follow us." Rumors began immediately that the boat would sin, "So that when we arrived at Fairport, we read in the papers news of our own death. "Neither death, hell, or the devil could deter Mother Smith. She defied faithlessness and fear to obey section 38. Lucy's narrative demonstrates that she understood the principle and intent of leaving one's carnal security and starting over. She was like Lehi. She was being born again in a new land. She would not be tethered to her old self or afraid of completely forsaking a corrupt world.

I love this story of Lucy Mack Smith, who was in her 70's, showing such great faith and leading a band of 55 Saints to Ohio.

This morning I also listened to Emily and Rio talk about faith on Instagram TV for Inklings Institute. Emily discussed Deuteronomy 2. She said it is one of her favorite books of scripture because it is like Moses journal. He and the children of Israel had been wandering in the wilderness for 38 years. These are the lessons she mentioned that we can learn in this chapter of scripture.

1. The Lord to Moses: "You have compassed the mountain long enough, it is time to move around it." (What mountains in my life do I need to "move around"?)

2. Don't meddle, or don't doubt. (We all have doubts but we can't let them overpower us).

3. Remember that the Lord wants to be with me.

4. Tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among us.

5. We must trust the Lord's timing.

6. Do not let distractions deter us from conquering our mountains.

7. Remember God's promises..."I have begun to give thee this land."

In order to remove mountains we must increase our faith.

Emily said that at the beginning of conference President Nelson reminded us that the Lord said: "I am able to do mine own work."

James and I went to town today. Our first stop was at La Casita where we wanted to have lunch. I have been craving their chicken enchilada and refried beans. There was a sign on the door saying they were on vacation until April 20th. Darn! I told James he could choose where we ate since nothing else sounded good to me. He turned in to Culver's because he had to use the restroom and it was close. His words to me. I got the single cheeseburger and James got the Wisconsin melt which is like a patty melt and we shared an order of small fries. Not as good as LaCasita but it will do for today.

After lunch I went grocery shopping at Walmart while James went to Tractor Supply to get horse feed. He came back empty handed because he forgot his wallet. We had to go by after Walmart and he used my credit card. We saw Barbara and Vicky, our friends, stopped by the side of the road on the way home. We turned around to check on them. They said a chipmunk ran across the outside front of their car and they weren't sure if it was back under their hood or ran away. We said goodbye and drove away but now I am wondering if James should have checked under the hood for them.

We enjoyed reading our ebook, "A Guarded Heart" by Heidi Kimball.

At home James helped me put groceries away and then we each took a nap. When I got up I worked on the computer blogging and indexing. I also listened to "That Promised Day" on YouTube about the new LDS scriptures and what it took to produce them back in the late 70's and early 80's. 

James is still working on income taxes. I'm not sure if anyone gets an extension because of Covid but James called the accountant and told him to please file an extension for us if that was necessary.

Dragon blood root tree

Wed, Apr 14th, 2021: San Diego Temple, Deuteronomy 2: Giants in Ar the Zamzummims, Pres. Nelson's talk on faith, venison steak, read to James, 2020 Taxes, Pres Mtg

 

San Diego, California

45th operating temple

Dedicated: 25 April 1993

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Power of

John 1:3

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 7:18-33

D&C

38:16-42

"Come Follow Me"

God gathers us to bless us.

AprGenCon

"You Can Gather Israel!"

Brother Ahmad S. Corbitt

First Counselor in the Young Men General Presidency

Almost three years ago, President Russell M. Nelson invited all youth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints "to enlist in the LOrd's youth battalion to help gather Israel" on both sides of the veil. He said, "That gathering is the most important thing taking place on earth today." I am absolutely sure you youth can do this - and do it very well - because of (1) something about your identity and (2) an enormous power within you.

The Living Christ

P5

He rose from the grave to "become the firstfruits of them that slept" (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His "other sheep" (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised "dispensation of the fulness of times" (Ephesians 1:10).

James is working on our 2020 Income taxes. He always waits until the day before they are due. He interrupted my blogging by asking me to do the figures for my book business for 2020. 

 I spent my next two hours adding up the books I bought and then adding all of the deposits Amazon made into my account. I found I was $1,500 in the hole at the end of 2020. Since them I have come out of the hole and I am in the black by $106.!

This evening I had a presidency meeting at the church to reorganize our ministering assignments. I got there right at 6 and everyone else was already there. Tamara has Wednesday's off from the library and she must have gotten there early because two chalkboards were filled with new ministering assignments. My new partner is going to be Ginger Preuss, is she accepts. We will visit Kennadee A., Candace S., Cammy G., and Catherine H. James and I are also assigned to visit Tanna C.

While Tamara wrote things on the board Kerri was there with her computer putting all of the changes under proposed ministering changes on the Church's website. We were finished by 7:30. 

Back at home James was at his regular spot at the dining room table either working on taxes or indexing. I had some more steps to walk so I turned on an old Hallmark movie and walked and watched. 

Total steps for the day: 11,064.

Seven of their ten great grands

Tue, Apr 13th, 2021: Toronto, Ontario Temple, Wellness check with Dr. Moffat, Inklings Institute: "Increase Your Faith", Scarlett, Law of Consecration, Steps

 

Toronto, Ontario

44th operating temple

Dedicated: 25 Aug 1990

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Power of

Luke 5:24

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) i say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 7:8-17

D&C

38:1-15

"Come Follow Me"

37:1 What was Joseph Smith translating in 1830?

AprGenCon

'Bishops - Shepherds over the Lord's Flock'

Elder Quentin L. Cook

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Today my purpose is to focus on bishops and their counselors, who can appropriately be called "shepherds over the Lord's flock" - with emphasis on being shepherds for the rising generation. It is interesting that the Apostle Peter referred to Jesus Christ as "the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."

The Living Christ

P4

We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.

I actually got up at 5 this morning, the time I wish to get up every morning but don't always seem to be able to do. I have schedule from 5-7 to do my gospel study. Right now I am of course studying the "Come Follow Me" lessons. I am also starting the Inklings Institute General Conference study for the next six months. 

The name of the study is Increase your Faith, a study of mustard seeds, mountains and miracles. The invitation is taken from President Nelson's April 2021 General Conference address: "Christ is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains." 

"My call to you is to start today to increase your faith. 

Through your faith Jesus Christ will increase

 your ability to move the mountains in your life. 

Become an engaged learner.

Immerse yourself in the scriptures to understand better Christ's mission and ministry.

Know the doctrine of Christ so that you understand

its power for your life.

Internalize the truth that the Atonement of Jesus Christ

applies to you.

He provided the power for you to move every mountain

you will ever face. 

You obtain that power with your faith, trust, and 

willingness to follow Him.

Moving your mountains may require miracles.

Learn about miracles. 

Miracles come according to your faith in the Lord.

The more you learn about the Savior the easier it

will be for you to trust in His mercy,

His infinite love, and His strengthening,

healing and redeeming power.

The Savior is never closer to you than 

when you are facing or climbing 

a mountain with faith."

During this six month course we will be studying 24 conference talks

along with scriptures that will help build and strengthen our faith. This week we are studying this conference talk of President Nelson's along with Deuteronomy 2:1-29. The reading assignment is sent out on Sunday for us to study and then on Thursday Emily and Rio do a lesson on Instagram TV. Emily teaches from the assigned scripture and Rio from the conference talk. 

Because of the healing I experienced on Easter morning, I have a desire to learn more about how to increase my faith to overcome more mountains in my life and to experience more miracles. If I can have the faith of a mustard seed I know that I can overcome and conquer!

I had my wellness checkup with Dr. Moffat today. I now need to go have lab work done to check my thyroid, blood sugar, and cholesterol. Oh, and yes, I had three cookies for dinner. I made chocolate chip cookies this week and they have been the mainstay of my diet. I wonder how my blood sugar was today. I actually feel pretty great after eating sugar as opposed to James who gets headaches. Maybe if I got headaches I would like it less.

Up close and personal

James sent this to me

Doctrine and Covenants 38