Mon, July 12th, 2021: Kyiv Ukraine Temple#134: Quail & swan eggs, lost books, James's trip to town, Elias, Church's mission, John Tanner, rocks, rain, Charlie, snake, Erik's family, Act in Doctrine, Steps

 

Kyiv, Ukraine

134th operating temple

Dedicated: 29 Aug 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Prophecies about

Zechariah 13:6

 And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands?

Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.

Book of Mormon

Alma 31:24-38  How has the Lord given me strength to bear my infirmities? A: The scripture "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" ( Phil. 4:13), gave me strength when I couldn't get out of bed. When my mother passed away I was strengthened knowing there is a Resurrection and I will see her again.

D&C

77:1-9

"Come Follow Me"

77-80 "I Will Lead You Along"

AprGenCon

"Hope in Christ"

President M. Russell Ballard

 Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

May I suggest that there are some important principles we need to understand.

1. Scriptures and latter-day prophets confirm that everyone who is faithful in keeping gospel covenants will have the opportunity for exaltation.

2. The precise time and manner in which the blessings of exaltation are bestowed have not all been revealed, but they are nonetheless assured. 

3. Waiting upon the Lord implies continued obedience and spiritual progress toward Him.

4. God offers eternal life to all of His children.

5. Our confidence in these assurances is rooted in our faith in Jesus Christ, by whose grace all things pertaining to mortality are set right.

Restoration Proclamation

#8

We gladly declare that the promised Restoration goes forward through continuing revelation. The earth will never again be the same, as God will "Gather together in one all things in Christ" (Ephesians 1:10).

Inklings

Affirmation:

My daily choice to walk the covenant path ensures strength to overcome, lasting happiness, constant companionship, and exaltation. One step at a time, I develop the character of Christ.

Last week before Darrel and Trina went to the beach, Lola found some eggs near the green belt by their house. Here is a picture that Darrel took and sent to James, asking what kind of eggs these are.

James says these are Gambel quail eggs.

Here is a photo of Gambel quail

eggs hatching:

It's funny that Lola should find these eggs. While she was at our house we watched a movie that is now a favorite of hers and Ruby's called, "Away and Back." It is a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie and is about a girl who finds a nest of swan eggs. She knows the mother has died and she brings the eggs to her house to incubate and hatch them. It is a wonderful story and not only is it one of Lola and Ruby's favorite movies, but it is mine too.

Swan eggs

One of the first things I did this morning was to place an Amazon order for my lost books.

After reading D&C77:9 I looked up the word/name Elias in the Bible Dictionary. Here are some of the things I read about Elias.

(1) It is the New Testament (Greek) form of Elijah (Hebrew), as in Luke 4:25-26, James 5:17, and Matt. 17:1-4. Ellias in these instances can only be the ancient prophet Elijah whose ministry is recorded in 1 and 2 Kings. The curious wording of JST Mark 9:3 does not imply that the Elias at the Transfiguration was John the Baptist, but that in addition to Elijah the prophet, John the Baptist was present (see Mark 9:4 note a).

(2) Elias is also a title for one who is a forerunner; for example, John the Baptist, as in JST Matt. 11:13-15, JST Matt. 17:10-14, and JST John 1:20-28 (Appendix). These passages are sufficiently clarified to show that anciently two Eliases were spoken of, one as a preparer and the other a restorer. John was sent to prepare the way for Jesus, Jesus Himself being the Restorer who brought back the gospel and the Melchizedek Priesthood to the Jews in His day (see JST John 1:20-28 (Appendix). 

(3) The title Elias has also been applied to many others for specific missions or restorative functions that they are to fulfill; for example, John the Revelator and Noah or Gabriel.

(4) A man called Alias apparently lived in mortality in the days of Abraham, who committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple on April 3, 1836 (D&C 110:12). We have no specific information as to the details of his mortal life or ministry.

James left for town to pick up a prescription for an antibiotic that he is supposed to take by 11 am. today. He also got me a new back scratcher, some horse feed and two burritos from Alibertos' an Arizona one for me and a bean burro for himself. We cut them in half and shared. The bean burro is perfection and the Arizona burrito is so much better than the one I got at El Cupido's!

You can make it long or short.

I love it!

At 4:30 we got some rain for about 5 minutes. We were discouraged but an hour later we got a downpour! James said it was the hardest rain we have had in three years. We are so grateful! We actually had puddles afterwards.

This evening I did some indexing. During my gospel study time I listened to "Follow Him" and learned what the Church's four-fold mission is:

Live the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Care for the poor and needy.

Invite all to Come unto Christ.

Unite families for eternity. 

I also learned about John Tanner who gave so much of his worldly wealth to the upbuilding of the kingdom. John Bytheway says that there is a video about him on the Church website called, "Treasures in Heaven, the John Tanner Story." I want to watch it!

I am enjoying Edenbrooke. Mary Ann has made a list of improvements she wants to make. Here are a couple: Wear a bonnet outside, and no twirling! She fell in the pond the last time she was twirling and if she doesn't wear a bonnet she will get freckles.

The rocks James had to dig out of the planter. He said it

was so difficult because of the clay which was like a suction.

Blessed rain! This is where I like to sit 

when it is raining.

Charlie likes to climb ladders just 

like her grandpa.

Puddle jumping at it's best!

So true!

Karen, go change the channel.

This is at my friends here in Vernon.

The snake knows there is a birds

nest up in the rafters.

Erik's family

Act in Doctrine

 

Sun, July 11th, 2021: Cebu City Philippines Temple #133: Opening Prayer, Pres. Beeler, McClellan's, RS-Sis DeWitt & Sis Hall, Collin, Stacy's call, Facetime Tx, CFM Crane's

 

Cebu City, Philippines

133rd operating temple

Dedicated: 13 June 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Prophecies about

Zechariah 11:13 

And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord.

Book of Mormon

Alma 31:1-23 How is the word more powerful on the minds of the people than the sword? A: The sword changes minds by fear. The word changes hearts by love and the Spirit. Fear is sometimes quicker but love is more powerful and eternal.

D&C

Review 76

"Come Follow Me"

Review "Great Shall Be Their Reward and Eternal Shall Be Their Glory"

AprGenCon

"Ye Shall Be Free"

Elder Thierry K. Mutombo

Of the Seventy

We also were blind and can now see. The restored gospel has impacted our family since that time. Understanding the why of the gospel has blessed three generations of my family and will continue to bless many generations to come.

Jesus Christ is the light that shines in darkness. Those who follow Him "shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12).

Restoration Proclamation

#7

Two hundred years have now elapsed since this Restoration was initiated by God the Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Millions throughout the world have embraced a knowledge of these prophesied events.

Inklings

July's study of Grace:

Inklings This week:

You belong because you are His

D. Todd Christofferson

"Why the Covenant Path"

1 Corinthians 3:5-23

Isaiah 43:1-5

The smoke from the fire is a little worse this morning. I was afraid Sister Hunter might not be able to come to church because she has a hard time breathing when it is smoky, but faithful sister that she is, she was there. 

Brother and Sister McClellan were the speakers in sacrament meeting today. Sister McClellan grew up in Taylor, her last name was Lee, and made an excuse for errors she might make because she graduated from Snowflake High School in 1977. I take offense when people make fun of graduating from Snowflake High School because I feel that I got a great education there.  

Sister McClellan used two conference messages for her talk, "Hearts Knit Together" by Elder Stevenson from the last conference, and "The Doctrine of Inclusion" by President Ballard which was given in October 2001. We are told in the scriptures that after King Benjamin's address the people had their hearts knit together in unity and love. The Savior has asked us to "cease to be contentious." She told the story of the rabbits that Elder Stevenson's gives in his talk. How the rabbits who received love and kindness showed little fatty buildup in the arteries after consuming the same diet as rabbits who did not receive additional love and had more fatty buildup in their arteries.  "Our health is affected by our attitude." That statement is so very true. Sister McClellan then quoted the words to my favorite Primary song, "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus." Right now she's talking to the Primary children. Next she talks to the youth and talks about being kind and no bullying, especially cyber-bullying. She reminds us of what President Uchtdorf said in one of his talks. If you are doing something you shouldn't be doing,  "Stop It!" We need to extend ourselves with kindness, care, and compassion. Inclusion not exclusion. We should be good disciples of Jesus Christ.

Brother McClellan was a bishop at one point in his life when he lived in Michigan. He told stories that demonstrated the principle of obedience and how important it is for us to be obedient. Lost Scouts on Lake Michigan. They prayed and received help. Paid building off in 30 days through obedience of the members. One of Brother McClellan's favorite scriptures is: 1 Corinthians 2:9 "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

I gave the opening prayer in sacrament meeting and James gave the closing. President Beeler was on the stand and I mentioned him in my prayer. As I returned to my seat I realized I had not mentioned Bishop Hunsaker. This really bothered me so when I got home I sent him a text: Bishop, I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate you as my bishop. Brother Lambson and I pray for you and your family everyday in our family prayers. Thank you for all that you do!

Karen Lambson.

Here was his answer: Oh sweet sister, thank you so much. You two are ones that I can and do always look up to.

My answer: Thank you Bishop.

Now I feel better.

The Wilhelm's were out of town today. We really missed Andy and Curtis helping with the sacrament.

As I was walking to the Relief Society room, Brother DeWitt put his arm around my shoulder and said, "Do you want to wrestle?" He caught me by surprise. He is such a jokester. I told him no, I live with a wrestler so I get plenty of practice.

Sister DeWitt agreed to teach Relief Society today. I am grateful for her willingness since we only have one called Relief Society sister. The conference talk the lesson is to be based on is the one by Brother Jan E. Newman, "Teaching in the Savior's Way." Sister Dewitt, hereinafter called Wendy, opened the lesson by sharing Brother Newman's story of a teacher that touched his life, one that taught in the Savior's way. From there the lesson took a turn I was surprised at. Wendy said she was going to talk about nature and science and how the Savior used these things to teach. She asked the sisters what their earliest memory was. A few sisters made comments. She talked about how all of our experiences make up who we are, even if we can't remember them. She talked about the heart having brain-like cells, actually she said that the heart has a brain and she feels that is how Heavenly Father communicates with us. (Not sure about that, I thought it was through the Spirit). The sisters' participation was wonderful as Wendy told us about someone in her life who does not feel that her prayers are answered. We gave suggestions on what the person, Wendy's sister, could do to feel of the Lord's love. She needed to feel gratitude, she needed to read scriptures and continue to pray....all of the answers were good and well intended. Wendy is very knowledgeable and engaging but included very little of Brother Newman's message. During the closing prayer, Sister Hall, who is 93 years old began coughing and aspirating. Sister Harris ran to get the trash container for her to aspirate into. It was quite alarming to have this happen at the end of the lesson while the sisters were still seated and in the middle of a prayer.  Sister Hall's daughter, Sister Beckham, was there with her mother. Sister Crane offered Sister Hall some hand sanitizer so she could "freshen up." Come to find out, Sister Crane is Sister Hall's and Sister Beckham's ministering sister. I made the comment to Tamara, "Look, Kathy is doing her ministering."  Sister Hall was cold. Brother Thompson, prompted by his wife, Maxine, brought in a blanket that had been in their car which was quite warm from being out in the sun. Sister Klug went down to where Pres. Beeler was and told him about Sister Hall and her need and request for a blessing. Pres. Beeler was going in to do temple recommend interviews but responded to Sister Klug's, and Sister Hall's request and went down to the Relief Society room to give a blessing. 

James and Brother DeWitt, hereinafter called Collin, were waiting to get their recommends signed. Wendy joined them and asked where President Beeler had gone. Collin, Wendy's husband said: "Apparently whoever taught Relief Society made one of the sisters sick  and President went down to give her a blessing. Of course Collin knew that Wendy had taught RS. James said she just looked at him, rolled her eyes, and walked away. Oh dear. Collin is such a jokester. I hope Wendy is a good sport, which I imagine she is.

Sister Hall was taken to the hospital in Springerville and admitted with pneumonia and a urinary tract infection. The doctor said he was glad she was brought in today because tomorrow it could have been so much worse. She is going to be all right and will hopefully be able to come home tomorrow.

I got a call from Stacy this afternoon. She wanted to tell me about her back problems. She said the doctor told her she has two bulging discs that are pressing against a nerve bundle on her right side. She said they are going to do a lamendura (?) which is like an epidural shot and if that doesn't help she will probably have to have surgery. She said she cannot sit and do lashes. She called Skyler, her former employee who owes her $5,000 and asked him if he would buy her a teeth whitening machine. He said he would, and then when she called back he said he did. She talked to a Dr. Carter at Modern Body Clinic and he said she could whiten teeth in his office and he would direct patients her way. Of course she would have to share profits with him but this is something she can do without causing herself any pain. I hope Skyler bought the machine, I have my doubts, and that this works out for her. She needs to find something she can be successful at.

We FaceTimed with Jared and Charlie this afternoon. Jared and Kacey are in the middle of lots of home renovations and yard upkeep and are pretty overwhelmed. Jared said they aren't sure if they are going to be able to come to the Mesa Temple open house because now they need to buy new carpet. The carpets were cleaned when they moved in and looked nice but old pet stains and smells are resurfacing and they don't think they can live with it. I told them that we would support them in whatever they decided to do. Charlie showed us her room. Jared said this house reminds him of the house he grew up in. They were both built in the 70's. Jared also said that Molly's bishop found membership records for her and her siblings so she will not have to be re-baptized.

We attended "Come Follow Me" at the Crane's this evening. The Crane's, Peeler's, Sister Bartels, and James and I attended. Friday was Sister Goodman's birthday and her family is fixing dinner for her tonight and they are having cake and ice cream to celebrate. 

Although I did not watch the game I looked up the score. The Suns lost to the Bucks 100-120. How sad.

I went on a book hunt this evening. While at the Crane's we were talking about Adam and Eve and Kathy showed me a book she has been reading about Eve. It's by Beverly Campbell who was a member of our stake in Chandler. When I was the stake Relief Society President I asked Beverly to speak at our women's conference. I remember I bought her a corsage but she couldn't wear it because she was allergic to the flowers. Anyway, she has written two books about Eve, one in the garden and one in mortality and I had them both. My book hunt was unsuccessful. I could not find either book. 

While finishing up my blog I was listening to "Follow Him" for DC 77-80. Section 77 is a series of 15 questions that Joseph Smith asked the Savior while translating the book of Revelation in the New Testament. The visiting guest on Follow Him mentioned a book by Richard Draper called, "Opening the Seven Seals". I have this book too but I could not find it. First thing in the morning I am ordering these books on Amazon. So frustrating. I have two copies of so many books for this very reason. I need to organize my library. Maybe in my dreams.

Sabbath with Charlie

Love this girl!

This girl too!

Case Beach Reunion comes to an end

Crane's house

Happy Birthday Palmer!

The Taylor Rodeo on the 3rd of July