Sun, Aug 1st, 2021: StarValleyWyomingTemple#154: Fast&Testimony mtg, James bears his testimony, Brian's stew, Rain, Luna, MindBody lesson from Kim, Puzzles

 

Star Valley, Wyoming

154th operating temple

Dedicated: 30 Oct 2016

By: David A. Bednar

Jesus Christ, Prophecies about

1 Nephi 11:18

And he said unto me: Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh.

Book of Mormon

Alma 43:27-40

Q: What strategies did Moroni use to succeed with his army?

A: Spies, asking the Prophet Alma what he should do. He knew what the enemy was going to do so divided his army and surrounded them.

D&C

Review 84

"Come Follow Me"

84 'The Power of Godliness'

AprGenCon

Welcome Message

President Russell M. Nelson

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

My dear brothers and sisters, the strength of the Church lies in the efforts and ever-growing testimonies of its members. Testimonies are best cultivated in the home. During this past year, many of you have dramatically increased the study of the gospel in your homes. I thank you, and your children will thank you.

God Among Us

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles 

Because of God's perfect love for us and the eternal sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our sins - both great and small - can be blotted out and remembered no more. We can stand before Him pure, worthy, and sanctified.

 The Family Proclamation

#8

We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

Inklings

"Behold! I Am A God of Miracles"

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

BD: Faith

BD: Miracles

Ether 12

 I was up at 5 a.m. I worked on updating my journal. I love these words that Emily posted on Instagram:

The Lord will meet you where

you are as you are,

but He doesn't intend to

leave you there. 

He means to lift you up to where He is, as He is.

This is the journey of grace.

Kim and Brian did not attend church with us today. They stayed home and watched their ward on Zoom. Our ward no longer does Zoom broadcasts. Church is crowded because this is the last week before school starts for most people. There are still family reunions going on. 

The Halcomb's are not here. I assumed they were going to Katherine's grandson's mission farewell, but not so. Maxine handed me the Relief Society birthday cards to sign and told me Kerri was sick so she had wiped the container the cards are in with disinfectant. We sat in the back. Bishop is not here and neither is Pierce so Brother Grapp conducted the meeting. He told the story of Naman being washed clean of leprosy in the Jordan river and how we too should follow the words of our leaders. He told us to ask ourselves the question: What do I need to do in order to receive greater blessings?

Brother Anderson was next. People receive blessings as they keep the commandments. He quoted 2 Chronicles 7:14 - "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. He says if we continue to ask for the blessings of heaven, like rain, we need to be obedient to the commandments.

Sister S. Hunsaker said she is grateful for Jesus Christ, and for worthy priesthood holders who administer the sacrament each week.

Elder Boehme, who is going home to Canada on August 14th realized this was the last fast and testimony meeting where he could bear his testimony. He expressed gratitude and testified of the Savio who lives and loves us and of the Book of Mormon.

Brother Reynolds testified of the importance of service and told of an experience where someone went above and beyond the call of duty to serve him. (James and I think it was Pierce).

Brother R. Miller, Sister Beckham, and Brother Brady bore their testimonies. Brother Brady served his mission in Palmyra, New York and just got back from attending the last Hill Cumorah Pageant.

James bore his testimony and called Vernon Zion. He gave some examples. When he ran his truck off the road in a snow storm and how 7 or 8 people came up to him and offered to help him pull it out. He told about attending the temple with the Dowdle's and he testified of the Savior and his gratitude to him. It was a great testimony.

Brother Judd taught our Sunday School class on D&C 84. The class was held in the second overflow where a microphone is not needed. Since Kerri is not here, no one set up the microphones.

I loved Brother Judd's class about the priesthood and the temple. He said he spent 14 hours preparing and you could tell. Sister Miller, who is visiting from Kansas, shared something about the word sacrifice that I want to remember. She said the ancient definition of sacrifice is "to make sacred." I love that. I shared this quote I found by John H. Widstoe: 

"Men have no greater claim than women upon the blessings that issue from the Priesthood and accompany its possession.

The man holds the Priesthood, performs the priestly duties of the Church, but his wife enjoys with him every other privilege derived from the possession of the Priesthood. This is made clear, as an example, in the Temple service of the Church. The ordinances of the Temple are distinctly of Priesthood character, yet women have access to all of them, and the highest blessings of the Temple are conferred only upon a man and his wife jointly."

I also told how when Sister Linda K. Burton was the General President of the Relief Society she asked the women of the Church to memorize the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood as found in D&C 84:31-44.

Brian made a delicious stew for our big meal today. He, Kim and I ate around 2 p.m. but James fasted until after 5. It rained this afternoon and we all went out on the covered deck to enjoy the weather. Kim and I felt sorry for Luna. I took a picture of her.

James says she likes the rain but

this picture does not indicate that.

We need to at least put a piece of tin over

her corral so she can get out of it if she wants to.

 This evening Kim told me her health story. Kidney stones that disappeared after a blessing and some chinese herbs. Mainly we talked about Dr. Kim's book, "The MindBody Toolkit." Kim us using much more than the book in her treatments. She uses tapping and breathing and also once a week she and Brian do brain scans with Dr. Ray on the  zyto scan machine. The MindBody things work mostly with the heart.

News flash. We were at the Peeler's last week with our "Come Follow Me" group and now we find out that Brother Peeler has Covid. Oh dear. I was also exposed to it at the Grapp's during Leland's birthday party.

Another news flash. Sheri got bit by a scorpion and the poison went directly into her vein causing numbness in her arm and hand. She got very dizzy and nauseous. Kim had Joseph take her over some Frankincense oil which is supposed to help. She felt so miserable she was not able to go to church today.

James wants to go to the catwalk in New Mexico

sometime with the family.

Mary giving her youngest grandson Max

a facial before he starts kindergarten.

Kacey posted this on her way to a sisters

retreat in Colorado.

Sweet Scarlett

Kim and I both did puzzles today.

Can you guess which one is mine?

Sat, July 31st, 2021: FortCollinsColoTemple#153: Leave Provo and return to Arizona with Sheri, Leave Sheri's and return to Vernon w/James where Kim and Brian are, Hallmark movie

 

Fort Collins, Colorado

153rd operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Oct 2016

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Prophecies about

1 Nephi 10:11

And it came to pass after my father had spoken these words he spake unto my brethren concerning the gospel which should be preached among the Jews, and also concerning the dwindling of the Jews in unbelief. And after they had slain the Messiah, who should come, and after he had been slain he should rise from the dead, and should make himself manifest, by the Holy Ghost, unto the Gentiles.

Book of Mormon

Alma 43:15-26

Q: What is the value of preparedness?

A: By failing to prepare, we prepare to fail. 

D&C

84:98-120

"Come Follow Me"

Family Scripture Study and Family Home Evening

AprGenCon

"Covid-19 And Temples"

President Russell M. Nelson

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

Keep your temple covenants and blessings foremost in your minds and hearts. Stay true to the covenants you have made. 

Family Proclamation

#7

The Family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

Inklings

Luke 24:37-40

But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your hearts?

Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.

Sheri had to wake me up. I had been up earlier but had gone back to sleep. I jumped up immediately and went in to take a shower and do my hair and makeup. It didn't take long and after a prayer we were on our way around 6 Utah time and 5 Arizona time. 

We went across the street to get gas and I went into the convenience store and got a cheese croissant to eat so I could take my pills.

Sheri listened to the Book of Mormon, a conference talk by President Oaks on the priesthood, and the current conference talk by Elder Palmer. Afterwards I told her I would like her to play her book again because I was interested in it. We listened to the narration for quite sometime and although it is rather complicated with lots of characters and scenarios, I was getting into it. The main reason I want to read this book is so I can discuss it with Sheri because she loves it so much. 

We made a pit stop in Kanab where I got a black cherry drink with tarragon that was quite good. Back through Orderville, Panguitch, Glen Canyon Dam, Paige, Hoseshoe Bend, across the reservation to Flagstaff. It was raining in Flagstaff. We stopped at Wendy's because Sheri said they had diet Dr. Pepper. Much to Sheri's dismay they did not have diet Dr. Pepper so we ordered Coke Zero and it was disgusting. I had a chocolate frosty to dip my french fries in. We both also ordered grilled chicken sandwiches. 

Sheri's music: Guster, Keane, Avett brothers, Travis, just to name a few. The 1-10 freeway was closed so we went across town on the 101 and arrived at Sheri's by 2:30 in the afternoon. I had to wait a few minutes for James. The dogs are so excited to see Sheri. I forgot to post yesterday the picture Ian took of Ziggie looking out the window for Sheri and Ben. 

Ziggie is the watchgirl while Ollie just

looks sad and worried.

Sizzler near our hotel. This one's for 

James since the Sizzler's in Az are closed.

Small peach tree in Brasa's patio

with a pumpkin vine underneath 

the tree.

James and I leave for Vernon around 2:45. We stopped in Payson for dinner at Taco Bell. We are home by 6:30. Brian has been taking care of Luna and we are grateful.  Brian, Kim, and I watched the newest Hallmark movie, "Love, For Real." Kim and I liked it. I'm not sure about Brian but I think he did too.

I indexed 4,648 names in July. My goal was 3,000.

Jack's Eagle Court of Honor

before they move to Texas

Emery and Trenda just celebrated

their fourth anniversary

Andy and Zemira 

Dog and Cat

 

 

Fri, July 30th, 2021: PhiladelphiaPennTemple#152: Utah with Sheri & Ben, Horseshoe Bend, Orb, Provo, Brasa Grill, Goodbye Ben, BYU Creamery, Dr. Carpenter, Marriott Fairfield

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

152nd operating temple

Dedicated: 18 Sept 2016

By: Henry B. Eyring

Jesus Christ, Prophecies about

2 Nephi 18:14

And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling, and for a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Book of Mormon

Alma 42:26-43:14

Q: How does Alma's advice to Corianton differ from his advice to his other sons Helaman & Shiblon?

A: Alma loved all 3 of his sons, and was equally concerned for their physical and spiritual welfare. He taught them to trust God, keep the commandments, to keep praying and to be good examples. However Helaman and Shiblon understood and remembered the Father's teachings. Corianton was the wayward son. His example affected the Zoramites. Four chapters were dedicated to Alma's interview with his son Corianton. He spent a lot of time teaching him pure doctrine, in order to change a flawed belief system which led to sin. His advice was to stop finding excuses to sin, and to "deny the justice of God no more."(30) Alma's efforts to teach his son Corianton worked. In Alma 43:1-2 Mormon tells us that the sons of Alma went forth preaching the gospel, with their Father. In the end they were "all men of God."

D&C

84:77-97

"Come Follow Me"

84:62-91 The Lord will be with me when I am in His service.

AprGenCon

"The Principles of My Gospel"

Elder David A. Bednar

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

"How do we hallow the Sabbath day? In my much younger years, I studied the work of others who had compiled lists of things to do and things not to do on the Sabbath. It wasn't until later that I learned from the scriptures that my conduct and my attitude on the Sabbath constituted a sign between me and my Heavenly Father. With that understanding, I no longer needed lists of dos and don'ts. When I had to make a decision whether or not an activity was appropriate for the Sabbath, I simply asked myself, 'What sign do I want to give to God?' That question made my choices about the Sabbath day crystal clear." - President Nelson

The Family Proclamation

#6

Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives - mothers and fathers - will be hold accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

Inklings

Luke 24:5-6

And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee..

Up around 4:30 to get ready to go. James is taking me to Sheri's where I am going with Sheri and Ben to Utah. Ben has a job with a former mission companion and his employer. Sheri told him she would take him up when he was ready to go. She asked me to go with her so she wouldn't have to come home alone. I was happy to do it. We are going to Provo where Ben's friend, James, will meet him and take him to where the work will be. I think it is in Vernal.

Sheri started out playing "Follow Him" with John, Hank, and Barbara Morgan Gardner. She also played some of the book, "The Way of Kings" by Brandon Sanderson. She also played music which I didn't think I would like, but I actually did.

As we were zipping along somewhere on the reservation, a loud noise occurred and a hole was left in the windshield. No one saw this one coming. The car in front of us was too far ahead and we are still baffled by what happened. Here is the picture of the "ding" we are calling Orbit, or Orb for short.

 Our first stop was at Horseshoe Bend. Sheri paid the $10 for us to walk to the edge and look down on the water. The hike down wasn't too bad, but the hike back was pretty difficult for me in the 89 degree sun.

It's almost "other worldly" here.

Horseshoe Bend is just outside of Page. I'm not sure if it's on the Navajo reservation or not. We ran through the McDonald's drive-thru for lunch and then we were on our way. 

Sheri is a driving machine and never even seems to get tired. I took catnaps all along the way. We went through Kanab, Orderville, and Panguitch. Ben said he had a mission companion from Panguitch. We did not stop to see him. 

The first temple we saw in Utah valley was the Payson temple. I told Ben there was a temple in Vernal and he was excited. Once we got to Provo we checked into the hotel where Sheri and I will be staying, the Marriott Fairfield Inn. Sheri and I freshened up a little and then we went to the place Ben had arranged for us to meet his friend James. The place is called Brasa Mexican Grill. They say when you are having Mexican food you want to look for a dive because they have the best food. This place must have the best food ever.

Ben wanted Mexican food but how good can

Mexican food in Utah be?

Thank goodness the weather was nice

because I believe it was outdoor 

dining only.

Ben and James

Sheri is really going to miss Ben.

James was late because he went to another

Brasa four minutes away.

James told us a little bit about Paul H., the guy he and Ben will be working for. He bought 12 acres of land outside Vernal and wants to make it total self-sustainable. It has a creek running through it. He told James to order 100 chickens, 100 rabbits and some horses. They will have hydro-plants fertilized by fish. Maybe Ben will learn how to live off the land and can come and teach us up here at the cabin.

After saying goodbye to Ben and James Sheri and I went to the BYU Creamery for some ice cream. As we were waiting in line Sheri said, "That is Dr. Carpenter." I looked towards the door, and sure enough, there was Dr. Carpenter. He saw Sheri and came over to talk to her. He is here to run a half marathon in American Fork canyon. His wife was with him and said she was going to cheer him on. What are the chances that Sheri would run in to her boss on a trip like this. The timing was just right. 

Earlier Sheri and I were excited to see the Provo City Center temple while we were looking for a CVS to get Ben some medicine for his runny nose. 

There are three stories to our hotel. We are on the third floor and we are the last room around the corner at the end of the hall, room 323. 

I was going to walk this evening but I was just too tired. I read to Sheri out of MindBody Toolkit about the heart having a brain and the ability to receive messages outside of the brain. 

We both read awhile, and then said our prayers and went to bed.

Near the Snowflake temple

Not my best walking day ever.

Thur, July 29th, 2021: SapporoJapanTemple#151: Index, Blog, Walk, James goes to Sun City, In n Out, Chili's, Costco, Ruby's glasses, Charlie, Vernon flood

 

Sapporo, Japan

151st operating temple

Dedicated: 21 Aug 2016

By: Russell M. Nelson

Jesus Christ, Prophecies about

Isaiah 8:14

And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Book of Mormon

Alma 42:1-25

Q: What can we learn from the Fall?

A: We have our agency but must accept the consequences of our choices. God loves us and provides a way for us to return to Him.

D&C

84:54-76

"Come Follow Me"

84:43-58 I come unto Christ as I heed HIs words and hearken to His Spirit.

AprGenCon

"The Gospel Light of Truth and Love"

Elder Alan R. Walker

Of the Seventy

"In addressing the gathering of Israel in the last days, the Lord Jehovah said, "I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts' and will be their God, and they shall be my people."

I feel eternally grateful that from my young age, the law of the Lord started to be engraved deeply in my heart through sacred ordinances in His holy house, How fundamental it is to know that He is our God, that we are His people, and that whatever circumstances surround us, if we are faithful and obey the covenants we have entered into, we can be 'encircled about eternally in the arms of his love."

The Family Proclamation

#5

We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.

Inklings

Angels announce the resurrection of Christ - He walks on the Emmaus road - He appears with a body of flesh and bones, eats food, testifies of His divinity, and promises the Holy Ghost - He ascends into heaven.

Up around 8 a.m. I slept in. James brought me some oatmeal and a protein shake for breakfast. He also brought me the morning news: He has already walked 3,000 steps and indexed over 100 names. I feel like a slacker. 

Trina went to work today which means Darrel is in charge at home. He gets all the kids off to school and then goes to Walmart to get new tires for his pickup. They tell him they don't have his size and he has to go home and order them online. He is a little put out. I think he wanted to get the new tires today.  James and I both worked upstairs indexing, walking, and blogging, the walking and blogging was me, until about 11 when we decided to go get in the In n Out line. We asked Darrel if he wanted anything but he declined saying he really didn't like there burgers. Yeah, but what about their toasted buns? I think that's the real draw. Addy went out to lunch with her friends today. I wonder if they went to Costa Vida.

We got in the line and we were third because they had just opened. I ordered a cheeseburger and fries with a diet coke and James ordered a burger. We shared the fries and still didn't eat them all. I liked that the cheese on my cheeseburger was melted but the burger part was overcooked. I have this craving out of my system for awhile. We ate in the car on the way home. 

When Ruby and Lola get home from school Darrel takes them to Chandler Eyecare to pick up Ruby's glasses that were broke. Lola likes to go to see Sheri and to try on glasses. Sheri talked Darrel into getting two pairs of glasses in case Ruby breaks her glasses again.

I continue to see my timer for 20 minutes alternating between indexing, walking, and blogging. James comes back and takes a nap and then around 2:30 he leaves to go check on the LaCroix job in Sun City. He's up on the roof, which is never a good thing, especially when it's over one hundred degrees outside, and loses a lense out of his glasses. Salvador finds it for him and he tries to put it back in and it's not staying. This is a job for Super Sheri. Now Sheri has my glasses to fix and James's.

I worked for awhile this afternoon and then took a shower and got ready for the day. James got home around six p.m. and we went to the Costco on Sossaman. Afterwards we came back down Baseline to Signal Butte and went to Chili's. We both got the Caribbean salad with shrimp. It was soo good!

Trina was home when we got there and was craving chocolate. I wish we would have gotten some at Costco! Lola slept in Darrel and Trina's bed tonight. I asked Ruby about it and she said her mom said this was her last night.

Elder Holland's family reunion

Another Vernon flood