Bismarck, North Dakota
61st operating temple
Dedicated: 19 Sept 1999
By: Gordon B. Hinckley
Book of Mormon
3 Nephi 11:28-41
Come Follow Me
3 Nephi 11:8-17
April General Conference
"Temples, Houses of the Lord Dotting the Earth" Elder Neil L. Andersen
Good morning Saturday! James and I worked outside in the backyard in order to get on a schedule before the wedding. We cleaned all the
equipment, debris, etc. outside the pump house door. I also put away or threw away the crates and edger in front of the garage door that comes off the patio. I swept one side of the garage out and put the lawn mower and weedeater there. I also put two empty containers under the folding table. The patio is all cleaned off and looks nice.
James gave the hose reel that we never use to the Tignor's. He went to the dump and was gone a long time. I guess he went to Dollar General to break the $100 bill I gave him and they couldn't do it. He took it to the guy at the refuse station, fancy word for the dump, and he was happy to take it.
When James got home he washed my car right in the driveway. It was almost 2:00. He has a stake leadership meeting at 3:00. He asked me if I could get a ride with someone. I told him no, I thought he would be going with Chuck. He said Chuck never called to ask him. I told him I would drive him to his meeting, come home, and then drive back to the 6:00 meeting. He reluctantly agreed since he did not want to drive his truck, which is quite dirty.
It was almost 4:00 when I got home. James said his meeting might be out by 4:30 and could I be back by then so we could go get something to eat. No, but I will try for five.
James's meeting was out by 4:30. I didn't make it there until 5:15. He was walking by the stake center. I stopped and got out of the car so he could drive and off we went to get a quick bite to eat before the 6:00 meeting.
He drove towards Pinetop. I told him there was a Burger King, Taco Bell or McDonald's. He chose McDonald's. Weird. I got a cheeseburger Happy Meal and James got a fish sandwich.
We've had three Happy Meals
in the last week.
We ate in the parking lot next to the McDonald's and then drove back to the stake center. As we were looking for a place to sit, we walked past President Beeler, our stake president. James shook his hand and so did I. As I was shaking his hand the thought came to me that I must smell like French fries. I hope he didn't notice.
We sat near the back of the chapel next to Michelle and Travis Tesarek, and Bishop Hunsaker and Alicia.
Here are some notes from the meeting:
Kayla Larson - Her dad died last month. He was a sealer in the Snowflake temple. The theme for tonight's conference and the theme for my talk: "Making home feel like heaven so someday heaven will feel like home." Teach about the temple in the home. How will they know if we don't teach them. Holiness to the Lord. Teach the Plan of Salvation, the Creation, sacrifice and service. Her dad's bishop challenged him to read the Book of Mormon everyday. Teach children the importance of living gospel principles. Sister Larson said her parents were a great example to her. They served missions, worked in the temple, and ministered to others. Harold B. Lee quote: "No home is a failure unless it quits trying."
President Smithson - Building a new home. Fluttering hummingbird inside. Youth sometimes flutter, looking for a purpose. Find rest in the Savior. What can I do to make other people better and all God wants them to be?
Matthew 11:28-30. How to lead a consecrated life. President Nelson: 1) Overcoming the world 2) Trust the Doctrine of Christ 3) Live by the Spirit 4) Love God and His Son 5) Don't drive away the Spirit 6) Live the Doctrine of Christ daily 7) Ordinances & Covenants 8) Savior vs. the pull of the world.
There is frantic fluttering in the world of politics today. I am casting my vote for Jesus Christ. Many youth have lost their faith in Christ. We must help them to restore their faith.
President Alder - The Garment of the Holy Priesthood. Adam & Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:6-7) Fall, Plan of Happiness, trials, coats of skin which represents the garment of the Holy Priesthood. Wearing the temple garment is a reminder of the veil in the temple, which reminds us of Jesus Christ. Our covenants give us greater access to the Savior's mercy and power. Keep the commandments and follow Jesus Christ. A member of our stake is a former nun. She said her habit was a way to always have the abbey and what it represents with her. Now her garments help her to always have the temple with her. Keep my covenants close so the Savior is always before me. General Handbook 38.5.
Sister Burgoyne - Assistant matron at the Snowflake temple. Elder Soares talk, "Covenant confidence through Jesus Christ." Prepare for the temple. Learn from Moroni in the war chapters. Prepare, prepare, prepare. Alma 49. 1.) Center our lives on Jesus Christ. Build our foundation on Christ. Prayer, scripture study, living prophets, the sacrament and the temple. "Look unto me in every thought." 2.) Honor our covenants. Power to overcome evil and to do good. The temple transforms us in higher and holier ways. Bore testimony.
President Burgoyne - Counselor in the Snowflake temple presidency.
Go to the temple with a heart filled with gratitude. Don't be late so the Spirit can be with you. Look for the Savior in the temple.
Musical No. - Young girl, Matisha Martinez sings "Teach Me About the Temple."
President Beeler - I love seeing the light of the temple at night. Learn from the Spirit of the Lord while in the temple. Make home feel like heaven so heaven will feel like home.
I love to arrive early to these meetings so I can shake hands with you, the members of our stake. We hope this is a soft and safe place for those who are fluttering to land. President Beeler talked about growing up in a single mother home.
Elder Holland's tribute to his wife Pat.
We watched a video where Elder Bednar interviewed two of the Holland children about their mom after she passed away. Matthew said one day he was having a particular bad time when his mom came in to his room with her Bible. She quoted to him Matthew 6:33 - Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness......
This was typical of his mother. She made their home temple like. She exemplified charity, the pure love of Christ. The gospel makes the home a refuge. President Beeler opened up for discussion. It was a little frustrating because the mic wasn't working. In closing he said: Take a daily walk with Jesus, help others see the hand of God in the simple things of life. Don't preach, teach. The celestial room in the temple should feel like home. I leave a blessing that you will have access to the Holy Spirit to make your home feel like heaven.
Looking forward to tomorrow's session of stake conference.
One the way home we stopped at Walmart and got ice cream. James got non-dairy brownie and he got me Ben & Jerry's strawberry cheesecake because they didn't have Cherry Garcia. He did get me another brand of cherry chocolate which was quite delicious.
At home I watched the latest Hallmark movie, "The Real West" starring Kimberly Sustad and Luke Bryant. It was enjoyable. James was going to watch with me but he got caught up listening to our book and walking.
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