Curitiba, Brazil
126th operating temple
Dedicated: 1 June 2008
By: Thomas S. Monson
Book of Mormon
Alma 20:1-18
Come Follow Me
D&C 66 The Lord knows the thoughts of my heart.
April General Conference
'Joy Through Covenant Discipleship'
Elder John A. McCune
I went to bed at 1 a.m. and was up at 6:13. I went over the lesson and then got ready to go.
James helped me to set up for my lesson. We always have to wait for ward council to get out of the room before we can setup. I want to ask them if they could meet in the elders quorum room on the 4th Sunday, I just haven't had a chance to do it yet.
I noticed during sacrament meeting that Sandra Wilhelm and the kids aren't here. They must be taking the long way back from Andy's wedding in Washington. Willy & Janna aren't here either. I wonder if they are still in Tennessee.
Doug & Cyndi Brown reported on their mission to China where they taught college students to use and speak English.
The youth speaker was Lacey Putz who used President Holland's talk, "As A Little Child" as a basis for her remarks.
Matthew 18:2-4
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
D&C 110:12
Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers.
To be like a little child, love easily, forgive readily, be humble.
Cyndi Brown - China Teachers Program @ BYU. Started in 1989. Teach China students English. Cannot proselyte or mention the Church. They lived in Scion, a city of 13 million people, near the Terra-Cotta soldiers. (I have been there). Sister Brown was assigned to the topic in President Johnson's talk, "Spiritually Whole in Him."
Our lamps should be filled with the oil of conversion. The five wise virgins shared their light, not their oil. When we share our light we bring the relief of Jesus Christ to others. In China you cannot discuss religion or Heavenly Father, or Jesus Christ, but you can be a light."The Lord will use you for His purposes." Neal A. Maxwell.
The Lord will show you why you are here. Share your light. The college students give themselves American names. Here are some questions asked by some of the students. Brie - "I wonder what happens to people when they die." Will - "I wonder if there is a God." They felt the presence of the Holy Ghost but I could not tell them that. Ann - lonely and sad. I tried to encourage her. I was discouraged she didn't fulfill the assignment. Next week Ann participated in her group. As she left class she had a big smile on her face. I hope I remember her, she is important. God loves her.
Charity - "Can I give you a hug. I never had a teacher tell me I was good. Thank you." We taught over 700 students in 8 week increments. It is hard to say goodbye. I will always remember you. I love you. I hope I can be converted to Jesus Christ and let my light of conversion shine.
Doug Brown - "As a Little Child" *How do we become more childlike and humble. The Light of Christ is so very important.
The students we taught are from 22-24 years of age. They already have their Masters degrees. As we teach, cold hearts are melted. We could meet as a church but we are not recognized as a church. Bring the light of Christ. We bring them light and they bring us light. Mosiah 3:19 - For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
Story of Rex - long hair, leather jacket, smoker, he became my best friend. He was kind and considerate to others. We did an exercise in class called, "Lifeboat 10 People." There are 15 people on the lifeboat and the students have to determine who will die because only 10 can be saved. Rex chose a black American Christian minister. When I asked him why he said, "Because God will raise him." * One girl looked like a Chinese princess. I thought she would be 'stuckup.' She interacted with some of the unkempt boys in class with grace, kindness, and patience. She would come up to me after class and say, "Thank you for teaching us today." * We shared family history stories. We had an assignment where they had to talk about the story of their grandparents. Many of their grandparents had made heart wrenching sacrifices which may have included starvation, deprivation, and great trials. They loved their grandparents, they had shared blood, and shared effort. "Love is the premium wealth of life." These are good people and they deserve good rewards. One girl said about her grandmother: "She didn't just survive the storm, she taught us to dance in the rain." Darkness disappears when you bring the light.
Here is a thank you note the Brown's received from one of the young women they taught. Here are some excerpts: "Cyndi, your gentle nature is like a ray of sunshine. Mr. Brown, you make our classes interesting. We gained knowledge, we experienced love and laughter in your classes."
The light of Christ makes us better teachers than we really are. Jesus Christ is our Savior.
We had a great discussion in Relief Society and I hope/think the sisters felt the Spirit. Mary Gilbert did her mother's temple work even though she did not get along with her mother who was antagonistic towards the Church. She also did some temple work for her ex-husbands family. She told us this when I asked what gifts they had given recently.
Winna Ulmer's daughter honored her on Facebook. Before my lesson this morning I prayed for Winna and for Shanna Penrod. Winna felt loved and supported by her daughter who gave her the gift of honoring her with love.
The main message of Elder Kearon's talk was our gifts from God. Jesus Christ and the knowledge that we are all "A Child of God."
I had the sisters open their gift boxes to find these two pins.
After the lesson was over I talked with Millie Scott, Kristine Hipps, Teresa Heine, Joyce & Ingrid and Catherine. I loaned my"Miss Suzy book to Catherine to read. I also spoke with Lily Flake, an 18 year old who has only been in Relief Society a few months. She was crocheting "little people." She has autism and Janna Grombach says she needs to keep her hands busy.
I talked to Sheri this afternoon and told her how amazing Evan's answers are on R.E.J., our scripture study feed. James went to the Crane's to deliver Kathy her "gift" box. He ended up talking with Chuck for quite some time. Chuck is planning a trip to California to visit his sister whose husband is dying. He also told James, "don't sell your house." He showed James where the elk had jumped their garden fence and eaten all of the corn stalks.
I have 4 gift boxes left. I'm going to give one to Lola, and the other three to the MacArthur kids.
President Miller, our temple president has suffered a heart attack and is in the hospital.
T-Bo saved the day today by catching a fire in the motorhome cause by some faulty wiring. He had it all out before the firemen arrived.
"There is rejoicing in heaven over those who return. It is not too late to come back."
- Elder S. Mark Palmer, AGC 2025
D&C 67:2
Behold and lo, mine eyes are upon you, and the heavens and the earth are in mine hands, and the riches of eternity are mine to give.
Autumn sent me this pictures
Homemade popsicles are the best!
'O be wise, what can I say more.'
Such a wise little girl.
Great news!
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