Mon, Apr 19th, 2021: St. Louis Missouri Temple, Max's Plan, Alex is a good brother, Kim, Charlie and Scarlett, Darrel, Nannie, Addy's request

 

St. Louis, Missouri

50th operating temple

Dedicated: 1 June 1997

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Power of

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 11:16-29

D&C

RIC "The Law", D&C 41

"Come Follow Me"

DC 41-44 "My Law to Govern My Church"

AprGenCon

"The Grave Has No Victory"

Sister Reyna I. Aburto

Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency

Through the redeeming Atonement and glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ, broken hearts can be healed, anguish can become peace, and distress can become hope.

"Our Sorrow Shall Be Turned Into Joy"

Elder S. Mark Palmer

Of the Seventy

I invite all who feel sorrow, all who wonder what happens after we die, to place your faith in Christ.

The Living Christ

P10

We testify that He will someday return to earth. "And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together" (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.

James said there were three or four elk out in the field this morning. Sorry I missed them. They were all cows so he wasn't too excited.

Today is Sheri and Ian's 25th wedding anniversary. I'm afraid it wasn't a happy one.

Sheri called me this morning in tears saying that Max was planning on coming up today to live with us. She sent Alex over to talk with him before he came. An hour or so later Alex called me. He asked if I knew anything about Max wanting to come up and live with us at the cabin? He then asked if Max had talked to me. I told him Max had not said anything to me or grandpa. He did mention the last time he was up here that he wanted to come up here to live this summer. I told him I knew he might be coming because his mom had called me this morning. Alex then asked if I knew that he wanted to bring a girl with him. I said no, I did not know that, and no, I did not approve.

Alex said he would pass that message on to Max and have him call me if he was still planning on coming. Oh yes, this coming up to live with us also means he plans on dropping out of school. I never heard from Max.

I guess Max had a bit of a breakdown. I asked Sheri if this change in Max's personality was because of the high blood sugars he's been having and she said yes. She said he was having a psychotic break and they were taking him to the hospital.

Sheri said they took blood and urine tests and if they were okay they were sending Max home. She is so discouraged and feels like no one understands or can help him.

I wanted to drop everything and go down. James talked me in to waiting until Thursday because he needs to go down to look at some jobs. We told Sheri and she said that was fine. She does want a blessing but she can wait until Thursday. I asked if we could take her and Ian to dinner and she said no.

I prayed for Max and Sheri most of the rest of the day.

Kim and I had a discussion about "When Calls the Heart" via texts. I wanted to tell her about Max but I wasn't sure Sheri would want me to. Sheri is pretty stressed right now and feels like she has failed Max.

Indexed, blogged, walked, and did a little cleaning today.

Kim's favorite white elephant gift

Red-winged blackbird in a mustard tree

We had so many of these birds in our

backyard when I was growing up in Phoenix.

I have not seen any recently.

I ponder this question often.

My "Nannie"

Myrtle Mae Rutledge Strickland

5 years old

Addy wanted information on an ancestor

for a YW activity. I told her some stories about

my favorite grandma, Nannie.

Sun, Apr 18th, 2021: Mt. Timpanogos Utah Temple, Stake Conference, Indexing, Blogging, Lanel's 3rd Bday, Sabbath Day Angels, Inklings,

Mt. Timpanogos, Utah

49th operating temple

Dedicated: 13 Oct 1996

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Power of

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

Mosiah 11:1-15

D&C

Review Sections 37-40

"Come Follow Me"

Review "If Ye Are Not One Ye Are Not Mine"

AprGenCon

"Jesus Christ: The Caregiver of Our Soul"

Elder Ulisses Soares

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

As we genuinely repent of our sins, we allow the atoning sacrifice of Christ to become wholly effective in our life.

The Living Christ

P9

We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth - "built upon the foundation of . . .

apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone" (Ephesians 2:20).

James and I slept in this morning. It is nice to do this once in awhile. 

James went in and made breakfast, hashbrown patties, scrambled eggs, and toast. It was all delicious. I made some oatmeal cookies yesterday with walnuts and we both decided that these are our new most favorite cookies! They make a good breakfast dessert.

James left for the church building in Vernon about 9:45. I went to sit down and turned on my phone. This session is the general session and I could hear a baby in the background during some of the talks.

White Mountain Stake Conference General Session

Sustaining of First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve, General Officers of the Church, and Stake Presidency, High Council, and Stake Officers.

"Redeemer of Israel"

Invocation - Sister Lasaler of the Fort Apache Branch

President Beeler, President of the White Mountain Stake

Grateful for my counselors. We last met in a stake conference 18 months ago. The stone without hands continues to move forward. 

Grateful for courageous missionaries. Many have answered the call to gather Israel. Thank Alex Atkinson, a youth who does indexing everyday. Alex indexes everyday because Pres. Beeler said if we would index we would have moisture.

Live the Culture of Christ. What happened to the people in Jerusalem who welcomed the Savior into the city at His Triumphal Entry and then a few days later yelled for him to be crucified? Be careful of preconceived notions. We must have eyes to see and ears to hear. Where do we get our information? The people chose Barrabas to save instead of Jesus. Be careful who you follow. Are we promoting the Doctrine of Christ? We endure by acting in faith. This is the Saturday group between the crucifixion and the resurrection. They keep going, in spite of the trial, they continue in faith. How have I responded to trials? "We can't achieve a Celestial Life while wallowing in Telestial pursuits. We must faithfully press forward. It is worth it. At the Miraculous Resurrection there was recognition and rejoicing. We must wear out our lives in the service of God. We must Hear Him. President Beeler said he kept a "Tender Mercies" journal when his wife Amber had cancer. I am going to start one today.

Hannah Horne, a young woman in our stake. (She is Aaron Horne's daughter and Bishop and Cheryl Horne's granddaughter).

She talked about President and Sister Nelson's talk in June 2018 and their call to the Youth Battalion to Gather Israel.

She said that there was three places that the gathering has helped her. 1) My relationship with myself, 2) with others, 3) and my relationship with God. D&C 18:10 - The worth of souls is great in the sight of God. Family History and missionary work are ways we can help to Gather Israel. 2 Nephi 26:33 . . . The Lord inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.

Melissa Larsen, a return sister missionary. She recently returned from the Little Rock, Arkansas mission. Every member is called to be a missionary. Mark 12:28-31

28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?

29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:

30 And thou shalt love the Lord they God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandments greater than these.

Hannah: "We must love others as we want to be loved."

Sister Westover, a recently baptized sister.

Sister Westover bore a powerful testimony and you could tell by the things that she said that the Lord and His gospel brings her great joy. (She is of Apache descent).

Alex Hale, a recently re-activated brother.

Alex has been a member all of his life but was inactive until a couple of years ago. He has been married 10 years and has four boys. In 2018 his wife's brother who had PTSD and committed suicide. A friend told his wife she was a daughter of God and that God loved her. His wife decided to start praying and reading her scriptures and going to church. Alex decided to go with her. The felt the Spirit and Alex prayed to have his heart open as to what the Lord would have him do. When Covid hit and they started home church, it brought their family closer together. In August 2020 Alex received the Melchizedek Priesthood. On November 20th he and his wife received their endowments. The next day they were sealed and then their boys were sealed to them. Being in the temple brought great peace and joy to Alex and his family.

Kimberly Seaman, Matron of the Snowflake temple. 

She remembers Alex and his family being in the temple. She ask us to pray for Phase 3 at the Snowflake temple. (Kimberly's dad was one of my bishops and my stake president when I was growing up in Show Low. I loved her dad and mom. Kimberly has three brothers, Charlie, Eben, and Ted.

President Seaman, President of the Snowflake Temple

The Lord has a spiritual feast prepared for you in the temple.

"We Thank Thee O God For A Prophet"

Elder Jay Anderson, Of the Seventy

D&C 11:12 - And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good - yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit.

Follow the Holy Ghost to become more like the Savior.

Can you tell me about a time you felt the Holy Ghost.

Can you tell me about a time when you acted upon a prompting that you received from the Holy Ghost?

We need to Hear Him, recognize Him, and follow Him.

Tragedies provide opportunities for growth.

When we learn to love God we learn to love ourselves and others.

"I Know That My Redeemer Lives"

Benediction: Daniel Rawlings (Lost his two children and a nephew when his vehicle was swept away while trying to cross a river near Payson).

After lunch and a nap I worked on indexing, my blog, and then I read a chapter to James from our book. This evening I watched the newest episode of "When Calls the Heart."

James visited Lanel Wilhelm for her 3rd birthday. I ordered her something but it did not get here in time. He went shopping and bought her "glow" jewelry and I gave her a bunny with a pink ribbon. 

Sabbath Day Angels:

Charlie and Scarlett

Inklings:

Sat, Apr 17th, 2021: Hong Kong China Temple, Chicken Taco Casserole, Stake Conference Leadership & Adult Sessions, Kacey & Scarlett, Walk, HMM

 

Hong Kong, China

48th operating temple

Dedicated: 26 May 1996

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Power of

Acts 2:36

Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 10:1-22

D&C

FSS & FHE

"Come Follow Me"

Phebe Carter, Voices of the Restoration pgs. 69-70

AprGenCon

"What We Are Learning And Will Never Forget"

President Russell M. Nelson

President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

If you look at your life prayerfully, I believe you will see many ways in which the Lord has been guiding you through this time of hardship.

The Living Christ

P8

"That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God" (D&C 76:22-24).

This morning I studied Joseph Smith - Matthew and Matthew 24 regarding about what the Savior has taught about what will happen before His Second Coming. Am I ready?

I blogged for Friday and now I am officially caught up with my blog!

In preparation for an afternoon and evening filled with stake conference meetings I prepared a chicken taco casserole for our meals today. When I was finished my feet and knees hurt and so I sat down after taking some Tramadol. The leadership meeting which James and I are both required to go to starts at 3 p.m. I was pretty miserable and told James I thought I should stay at home, so he went without me. 

When James got to the stake center in Lakeside he sat by Kerri. She asked where I was and he said I wasn't feeling well. He asked her to send me the link for the meeting, which she did. She sent me the Meetinghouse Webcast which was broadcasting all of the session of our stake conference. I enjoyed watching and listening to this session of conference. The program went something like this:

Elder Jay Anderson who is an area Seventy, lives in Gilbert and he presided at our stake conference. He gave a short introduction message and this is what I remember from it:

1 Kings 19:9-13 Elijah was fearful because Jezebel wants to take his life. Just as the Spirit enlightened Elijah, the Spirit will enlighten me and guide me as to what I should do in my life.

President Smithson of the White Mountain Stake Presidency

He spoke about the Covenant Path and having Faith in the Savior.

The Abrahamic Covenant - Let God Prevail in our lives. 

Gathering, Jacob 5:61. We must labor with Christ in helping to gather Israel and preparing for His Second Coming. Jacob 5:71 - this is the last time He will gather us. DC 98:37 - And I, the Lord, would fight their battles, and their children's battles, and their children's children's, until they had avenged themselves on all their enemies, to the third and fourth generation. Let God Prevail, Here Him, and use our energy to gather Israel.

Sister Brandon, Relief Society President of the Lakeside ward. 

I want to be a first responder as to things of the Spirit. I want to act on promptings and feel of His love for others. I want to serve as He serves and love as He loves. Sister Brandon and her presidency make weekly visits to the homes of the sisters in their ward on Tuesday evenings. 

What are my gifts in the work of salvation?

Be united as separate parts in the body of Christ. It takes all of the body of Christ to serve in our wards and stakes.

President Gardner, an Elder's Quorum President. 

When it comes to ministering don't ask what you can do, just do something. 

He recommended President Nelson's book, "Accomplishing the Impossible."

Sister Smith, of the Scottsdale, Az Mission.

Invitations are key. Family history and missionary work are the same thing. Grateful for the followers of Christ in the White Mountains.

President Smith, President of the Scottsdale Mission.

Spoke about the importance of priesthood keys.

Elder Jay Anderson

What is the greatest thing I can do as a ministering sister?

Will the sisters I minister to reach out to me in their time of need?

Handbook 3.4.1.1 Priesthood keys - delegated authority.

Video. United in one work.

James stopped at Walmart on the way home and picked up a birthday gift for Lanel Wilhelm who turns 3 tomorrow. When he got home he did not have time to go back to the Vernon building so he watched the adult session of stake conference at home with me on my phone.   

Adult Session

Elder Jay Anderson Of the Seventy.

Talked about Pres. Nelson's talk, "Christ is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains."

President Alder Of the White Mountain Stake.

What is the Lord's view of the rising generation?

Do we foster the potential of youth.

President Nelson's quote from the 2018 fireside about the Lord's Youth Battalion.

Make Homes a Sanctuary of Faith:

1. Be good examples. John 5:19.

2. Give youth opportunities to grow.

3. Follow the Children & Youth Program.

4. Teach the gospel with purpose.

5. Help youth feel comfortable confiding in you and coming to you with questions.

Love the, see youth as the Lord sees them.

Sister Erika LeSueur, Stake YW President

When she was 18 she was hired as a Nanny by a family that was a wonderful example to her. 

Do, then Invite to Come and Follow.

Jesus said, I am the Light ye shall hold up. 

Who helped me and set an example for me?

All hands on deck!

Sister LeSueur challenged us to read the Children & Youth Program.

Brother Morris, of the Stake High Council.

Youth are our future!

Do the little things, and know that they can do hard things.

Alma 32:27 - But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.

Sister with four boys. She seemed like she was struggling a little but she has a strong testimony. She loves Lucy Mack Smith and wants to have the kind of faith that Lucy had. She wants the very best for her four boys.

"Called To Serve Him"

Elder Jay Anderson, Of the Seventy. 

How can we impact youth?

Answers from the audience:

- Love them and expect them to do hard things.

- Listen to them and be there for them.

Elder Anderson talked about his great grandmother who he called his "gramma great."

DC - Esteem each brother as himself.

Are you willing to let God prevail in your life?

The Lord will fight our battles to the third and fourth generation.

John 21:3 - Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

(Jesus appears to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias, He says, Feed my sheep.)

President and Sister Smith, Of the Scottsdale Mission.

President and Sister Seaman, Of the Snowflake Temple Presidency.

D&C 15:4-6

4 For many times you have desired of me to know that which would be of the most worth unto you.

5 Behold, blessed are you for this thing, and for speaking my words which I have given you according to my commandments.

6 And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen.

 After conference was over I watched the newest Hallmark movie, "Right in Front of Me" while walking. James is stressed about taxes, etc., so he worked while I walked and watched.

That face 

As a teenager I had a mustard seed necklace.

I would love to have this one.