tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90157275181489072002024-03-13T11:18:09.005-07:00Uplift My SoulSandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964775089582645583noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015727518148907200.post-12736358790441752014-01-26T08:02:00.004-08:002014-01-26T08:12:30.781-08:00The Morning Breaks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday morning Dan and I left home early in the morning when it was still mostly dark outside. We headed east to a class we were taking together but just a short time later I had to return home on a quick errand. My back was to the rising sun and what lay ahead of me was inspiring at the least. I watched as the rays of sunshine gently lowered upon the buildings, the road and the entire scene before me. There appeared to be a rejoicing in the light and a response to arise to the new day. It was a beautiful site to observe. It brought to my mind how much our Heavently Father and His Son, Jesus Christ must love us. They arranged all things for our good. They demonstate love and care for everything that surrounds our lives and they allow and encourage us to enjoy and appreciate those beauties. I was uplifed for the blessing of starting my day as the sun brought not only warmth but also joy and enlightment. One of my favorite scriptures is found in the Doctrine and Covenants, section D&C, verses 18 and 20: "Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to <strong>please the eye and to gladden the heart." </strong>Thank you Heavenly Father! That you Jesus Christ! We love you, too!!</span>Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964775089582645583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015727518148907200.post-2387585021368050432013-02-18T08:12:00.000-08:002013-02-18T08:12:44.038-08:00Faith in the Future <br />
When I got home from Portland, I was checking out things around the house, making sure all was right. Windows closer, doors locked, etc when I saw something yellow down by the flower pots at the back door. I thought it was just an illusion but as I raised the blinds this is what I saw.<br />
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Now, mind you! It's still February and very cold outside, but things are looking forward with faith in the future. Just something for me to be mindful of!! Thank you Heavenly Father for your thoughtful kindnesses and blessings. Good things are yet to come.</div>
Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964775089582645583noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015727518148907200.post-72246467124123711422013-02-17T21:15:00.001-08:002013-02-17T21:15:32.465-08:00It's been a year today and I'm privately celebrating. 1 year caffine free. Last year on this day I was flying home from Daniel and Dalynn's and had a bottle of pop in the fridge. I took a drink and then realized I couldn't take it to the airport with me and didn't want to leave it for them to deal with. So, I dumped it down the sink and thought, "I really don't need this stuff." It was the last time I had caffine. It feels good to have made it a year and I don't suppose I'll ever drink it again. YEAH!!!Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964775089582645583noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015727518148907200.post-18565992351421425622012-03-10T07:48:00.007-08:002012-03-10T08:41:22.128-08:00The Holy Priesthood of God<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MhWXe1F-9byJZuqV4Lw0x1BLee_ymf-K6tx9JGyjUuJ1YRo3R7Q12rCaABdWuJ2U9EJheSO0xEwp8qdj9jR41y8B6SG5fXZHIYeL-vzy_3ezuk3T684dBGHldDElUTrxxKlqvgC3ohE5/s1600/ArtBook__106_106__OrdinationToThePriesthood_th___%255B1%255D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MhWXe1F-9byJZuqV4Lw0x1BLee_ymf-K6tx9JGyjUuJ1YRo3R7Q12rCaABdWuJ2U9EJheSO0xEwp8qdj9jR41y8B6SG5fXZHIYeL-vzy_3ezuk3T684dBGHldDElUTrxxKlqvgC3ohE5/s400/ArtBook__106_106__OrdinationToThePriesthood_th___%255B1%255D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718298657303260818" /></a><br />I've just finished studying our RS lesson for tomorrow. It's called "The Holy Priesthood - for the Blessing of God's Children". We don't often study about the Priesthood in RS so this was especially refreshing for me to hear the words of a Prophet of God talk about the Priesthood. If you have your RS manual, it's Lesson #5<em> in Teachings of Presidents of the Church</em> - George Albert Smith.<br /><br />He begins by saying that he hopes when boys are conferred to the Aaronic Priesthood they "feel that (he) has something now that is eternally important". I had to wonder if my boys felt that way when they were conferred. Did we do a good enough job teaching them the importance of the Priesthood and what a blessing it would be to them? I surely hope so. I know they had a father who honored his Priesthood, who was a good example for them. But, was it enough? Did I do my best for them?<br /><br />President Smith talks about how Jesus was not just a "good man", a "good teacher". He came to teach, but He also came to organize His Church and restore the Holy Priesthood of God" to the earth; to "confer on His associates divine authority to administer the ordinances of His Church." These are the very ordinances that will return us to the presence of our Father. <br /><br />Jesus called the humble fishermen of Galilee to be His Holy Priesthood leaders because they could be taught. Later, the Priesthood was restored to the earth in our time to a humble young boy, Joseph Smith. "The Father and the Son appeared; men who held the Priesthood formerly came and conferred that Priesthood upon humble men and they in turn were commanded to confer it upon others."<br /><br />"Your mission is a very remarkable one, you men who bear the Priesthood. Upon you has been conferred divine authority. ... You received your authority from men divinely commissioned to act as servants of the Lord, and it was conferred upon you by those who received it directly from Jesus Christ our Lord."<br /><br />It was exciting to read and to understand that "many of our Father's children are beginning to observe the effect of divine authority in this Church." I had to think of the men and women all over this world who, when taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ, come to the realization of the restoration of the Holy Priesthood; who understand and accept the truths and blessings that come because of the Priesthood in our lives. How marvelous is that? What reprecussions will come to the earth because of the expansion of the Holy Priesthood? Can you just imagine a world incompassed by the power of the Priesthood, the blessings of the people blessing each other's lives in the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ? How celestrial would that be?<br /><br />President Smith reminds us that "Through this Priesthood every ordinance of the Gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ, necessary for the salvation of the children of man, is authoritatively administered. ... The Priesthood... is a blessing that, if we are faithful, will open the doors of the celestial kingdom and give us a place there to live throught the ages of eternity." Then he says, "Do not trifle with this pricless blessing."<br /><br />Priesthood holders have a responsiblity to live examplary lives and use the priesthood to bless others. "You belong to a choice body of men,... making you partners with the Mster of Heaven and Earth. ... there should be deep in every soul a consciousness that 'I am my brother's keeper. I hold authority from the Lord Jesus Christ - I am a bearer of the Holy Priesthood."<br /><br />"You brethren... have had conferred upon you a sacred opportunity, a sacred trust. You have received the blessings of the Holy Priesthood. Divine authority has been conferred upon you.... You represent Him who is the author of our being... The Priesthood that you hold is the power of God....Surely we ought to be grateful for our blessings...."<br /><br />I am so very grateful for the blessing of the Priesthood in my life. I sweetly remember my father administering blessings on us children and serving others in kindness. His life was one of service to others and although it wasn't always in a suit with his hands on someone's head. It was often in kindly deeds done to help someone else.<br /><br />My sweet husband has been an example to his children of service to others. He was always the first to arrive and the last to leave whenever there was an event held that he could be of service to others. He has blessed the lives of each of us with Priesthood blessings, confirmations and service.<br /><br />My boys and the husbands of my daughters are great men of the Priesthood. They honor the calling they have and they reach out to bless the lives of their families and many others. Their daily lives are examples of all they do in the name of the Lord.<br /><br />I think on my grandsons and granddaughters. Will they recieve and honor the Priesthod? Will they understand and be prepared for the duties of it? Will they realize the blessings and the responsibilities of it? <br /><br />I think on the sweet Priesthood holders in our ward who bless and pass the sacrament to me each week. Do they realize my appreciation for them? How will I ever repay the honorable men you've come into our home to bless us with their teachings, their friendships, their Priesthood blessings and their support? My life has been forever deeply touched by those wonderful men who hold and honor their Priesthood.<br /><br />I love the Priesthood! It has been the foundation of many experiences of my life. I think on the holy blessings that have come to me and to my family because of righteous Priesthood men and my eyes fill with tears and my heart with graditude for a kind and lovely Father who allows us to use His name, His authority, His power to bless our families. Many miracles have occurred in my life because of His Holy Priesthood! I will be forever grateful to the men in this sphere and the men on the other side of the veil who have honored their Priesthood and participated in these blessings. I will be forever grateful to my Savior and to my Father for the blessing of the Holy Priesthood of God.Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964775089582645583noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015727518148907200.post-43235800244042851642011-07-10T21:07:00.000-07:002011-07-10T21:22:40.464-07:00Reflections and other Lofty ThoughtsThis past week has brought on some interesting and revealing thoughts. Let me explain.<br />Next weekend 4 of our girls and their little ones will be coming home for a visit. I AM SO EXCITED!! Sometimes I even cry a little just thinking about them being here for a week with us. Anyway, I was trying to think of things they can do here while they are home. As most everyone knows Idaho Falls is not a rustling, busy place, especially for children. So, I decided to make a list to hang on the fridge for when we are sitting around wondering "what can we do". <br />That's when I started remembering the WONDERFUL times I spent in Pocatello (not much different than Idaho Falls) with my granmas when I was little. Oh my goodness, the memories came flooding back. <br />We picked peas from her garden, apricots from the tree, drank carrot juice (sometimes more willingly than others), went to the Drive In Theatre in a wagon, sang and danced around her house to her <strong>really</strong> oldies, but goodies records, walked to the little Drive In on the corner and bought taffy for a nickel, gathered worms at night and put them in the moss to sell to fishermen. Walked through the cemetery across the street, slept outside and listened to Granma tell us all about the stars (she knew everything!), went to the park on Sundays and listened to the Orchestra, went shopping with her in "big downtown Pocatello", pulled taffy and made carmel corn. I still have their recipes. The list goes on and on and on and the memories are wonderful. <br />That got me thinking how grateful I was that my mom and dad allowed me to go to Granma's house. Without those experiences I wouldn't know what to plan for when my grandchildren come visit me. <br />I called Mom and told her thanks for the wonderful experiences she gave me so I'd know what to do as a Granma, too! <br />Bring on the kids!!! It's going to be great!Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964775089582645583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015727518148907200.post-86627711616651659352011-05-29T21:47:00.000-07:002011-06-04T08:15:32.379-07:00The Day I Saw My SisterIt was a Wednesday, I think. It was around noon and I was in Broulim's in Rigby. I was picking up some treats for our "End of the Year Speech Party. I'd just picked up the donuts and I was walking out of the bakery/deli area when I saw her. I will admit I didn't recognize her at first. But, something about her caught my eye and my heart. I kept glancing over her way, trying to figure out how I knew this lady. She was sitting at a deli table eating a simple lunch with a lady companion. I knew that I didn't know the lady with her but somehow I knew this one. I walked back and forth for a few minutes and then it came to me. This was my sister, Shelly. I had heard that she had moved to Rigby with her caregiver LuDean but I had not seen her around.<br />Shelly is the fifth child in our family. She was slow to develop as a baby and I remember going to many Doctor appointments and waiting to hear what the Doctor had to say. They never really gave my parents an explanation but Shelly was a sweet and loving baby. She seldom cried and she smiled a lot. She had her favortie toys and slowly learned to talk with the help of a Speech Pathologist. When she started school the school nurse visited with my mom about a possible thyroid deficiency. She thought that may have been the cause of Shelly's slow development. After some testing they found that it was exactly this and Shelly was given Synthroid to help increase the thyroid flow in her body. In fact, most of our family was checked and several of us were also put on a thyroid suppliment. They said that if Shelly had been given medication soon after her birth she would have developed normally but they did not test for thyroid deficiency in the 50s. Since then they have started doing what is called the "PKU" shortly after the birth and are able to begin treatment immediately if there is a problem like this. Thank goodness for that.<br />Shelly struggled through school and finally graduated from Aviation High School. Soon after that the family moved to Moreland, Idaho and Shelly became Mom's companion. They would go to the nursing home once a week to do the ladies' hair. Shelly began experiencing emotional difficulties and it became increasing harder and harder for her to remain at home with Dad and Mom. As each of her brothers and sisters had grown up and left home, she couldn't understand why she couldn't also leave. After several attempts to find a good home for her they finally ended up placing her with LuDean in Idaho Falls. Shelly had has had a very hard life and this final home was a real blessing for her.<br />LuDean has found that it is very hard for Shelly to see family members. After we leave, Shelly begins to cry and is uncontrollable for LuDean. She has asked us not to visit Shelly. I used to take a Christmas gift over for her and it was always so good for me, but seldom good for Shelly. So, after a few trys, I made no further effort to contact her. I just always looked forward to seeing her and getting to visit with her in the next life. <br />Then there she was. It was so good to see her that I couldn't resist and I approached the table. I quietly introduced myself to her companion and asked it I could visit with Shelly. I was told it would be ok so I sat down for a minute. I said, "Hi Shelly. Do you remember me? I'm Sandy." She smiled a huge smile and said, "Hi Sandy". She remembered me and we visited for a few minutes. Her friend said how glad she was to able to hear more about Shelly and her family. She didn't know much as she was a new companion for Shelly. I answered questions and we visited about Shelly's time on the farm. Shelly could remember some things so we talked about those things. Wow! It was so good to see her and to visit for a few minutes. <br />As I said my good-byes I looked at Shelly and I saw a most beautiful woman! She glowed. I felt like I might really have seen the Shelly I hope to get to know one day. <br />That was the day I saw my sister.<strong></strong>Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964775089582645583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015727518148907200.post-54067633502677184672011-03-06T17:54:00.000-08:002011-03-06T19:56:43.260-08:00A Quiet Peace<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCax2plF1LxSMgUHpYO4yZXvaH-MTdCOLQYh4i0DFSFpxaXje-UaHHt_iPem63APHwAGnl9-eqgHoWFGOmtQzaZQH2H2h79YiO_1qmG3vBof33yFIlRGkP-ZTg0tFXvPUX0l4Xh0_dqLY2/s1600/home%255B1%255D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCax2plF1LxSMgUHpYO4yZXvaH-MTdCOLQYh4i0DFSFpxaXje-UaHHt_iPem63APHwAGnl9-eqgHoWFGOmtQzaZQH2H2h79YiO_1qmG3vBof33yFIlRGkP-ZTg0tFXvPUX0l4Xh0_dqLY2/s320/home%255B1%255D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581181916575134594" /></a><br />Today was Fast Sunday and our wonderful ward had assembled in the Chapel to partake of the Sacrament and bear our testimonies. It's always a good experience to attend Sacrament Meeting in our ward. Our members are very kind and loving people who have strong testimonies which they bear in words and in deeds! <br /><br />A couple of weeks ago our Bishop had encouraged us to use our Testimony time to it's fullest by bearing our testimonies more. So, today I heeded his counsel and bore my testimony. Many others followed with their testimonies and there was such a feeling of love when we closed.<br /><br />It is the RS's turn to clean up the building each Sunday since we are the last ward meeting each week. After the closing prayer I put my things on the bench and went to dump garbages, etc. When we were all done I went back into the Chapel to get my things. The lights had been dimmed and the room was clean and orderly. Even as I stepped inside and the Chapel doors closed behind me I could feel a very peaceful, feeling in the room. It was quiet with almost a sacred feeling there. I could almost sense the Spirit of the Lord in His chapel. I felt a desire to sit on a bench and just absorb the peace that was there. This is a feeling that I've had in the Temples but not necessarily so in a Chapel. Having had that experience today I hope I will remember it and be more reverent and sensitive to the Spirit there next time.<br />What a blessing it was to my day.Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964775089582645583noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015727518148907200.post-86789937293730989402011-01-30T10:40:00.000-08:002011-01-30T10:54:38.058-08:00<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhtFfPmgqJQkImesHf9KtMDq1o9nfjP2kTHIVyQhxy_2xUoBYsUb5LCuzM0rJp1G_erHtMcoMPloDdVUpeZyGabVD12AH9WftAPDrRKc9xrrULfEFUTGo28D6ukuwtSahRAlt8YwaXyB1/s1600/The+Red+Rose+Morning.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568053900557529346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhtFfPmgqJQkImesHf9KtMDq1o9nfjP2kTHIVyQhxy_2xUoBYsUb5LCuzM0rJp1G_erHtMcoMPloDdVUpeZyGabVD12AH9WftAPDrRKc9xrrULfEFUTGo28D6ukuwtSahRAlt8YwaXyB1/s400/The+Red+Rose+Morning.JPG" /></a><br /><strong>Listening to the Spirit</strong> </div><div align="center">Jan. 31, 2011<br /><br />A young mother was frustrated and concerned that her children were once again fighting and arguing with each other when there came to her mind the scripture in the Book of Mormon, “neither will ye suffer that they transgress the laws of God, and fight and quarrel one with another…. But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another and to serve one another.”<br />A college graduate sat with her professors during her “Graduate Oral Evaluation”. One of them looked at her and asked “At what reading level will the average deaf student read at the time of his HS graduation?” As she pondered the question a vision was brought to her mind and she vividly recalled the classroom and the exact seat she was sitting in when the professor had taught that the average deaf student will graduate from HS at 6<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> grade reading level.<br />An elderly sister was stressed with many worries when she decided to go to the temple early one morning. As she backed out of her driveway she noticed a single red rose standing tall and straight in the morning light. Then she heard a voice declare, “I know you and I love you.”<br />We could go on and on sharing wonderful experiences of the Spirit. They are glorious and fulfilling and we can have them every day. They are all encompassing and they are private and pertinent. They are our connection with Deity.<br />I’<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">ve</span> taken my talk, Listening to the Spirit, from two General Conference talks; President <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Eyring</span>’s April 1991 talk – To Draw Closer to God and President Oaks’ October 2010 talk – Two Lines of Communication and also from Elder Anderson’s article in the December 2010 Ensign – A Gift Worthy of Added Care. It was enjoyable and refreshing to review all three talks and I appreciate the opportunity to study about Listening to the Spirit because it is so important to each of us.<br />We must learn to recognize and listen to the promptings of the Spirit In order to enjoy the blessing of personal revelation. President Oaks said, “The personal line is of paramount importance in personal decisions and in the governance of the family.” “We pray to our Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ and He answers us through His Holy Spirit.” The mission of the Holy Ghost is to testify of the Father and the Son, to guide us into truth, and to show us all things we should do. This personal line of communication with our Heavenly Father through His Holy Spirit is the source of our testimonies of truth, of our knowledge and of our personal guidance from a loving Heavenly Father. It is an essential feature of His marvelous gospel plan, which allows each one of His children to receive a personal witness of its truth. “<br />President <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Eyring</span> adds, “It is the Spirit which will bear record to your heart as you read the scriptures, as you hear the Lord’s authorized servants, and as God speaks directly to your heart. You can listen and hear if you believe that the scriptures are accurate when they describe the Holy Ghost this way; “Yea, thus saith the still small voice, which <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">whispereth</span> through and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">pierceth</span> all things, and often times it <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">maketh</span> my bones to quake while <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">maketh</span> manifest.” He goes on to say, “Now, I testify it is a small voice, it whispers, not shouts. And so you must be very quiet inside. That is why you may wisely fast when you want to listen. And that is why you will listen best when you feel, “Father, thy will, not mine, be done.” You will have a feeling of “I want what you want.” Then the still small voice will seem as if it pierces you. It may make your bones to quake. More often it will make your heart burn within you, again softly, but with a burning which will lift and reassure.” You will know!!<br />Our kind and loving Heavenly Father knew that our venture on earth would bring us much turmoil and confusion, so He wisely set in place the gift of the Holy Ghost in our mortal lives. Elder Anderson says, “This is a gift of enormous power. The Holy Ghost <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">bearth</span> record of the Father and of the Son. The Holy Ghost teaches us all things and brings all things to our remembrance. He guides us to truth and shows us things to come, enlightens our mind and fills our soul with joy. By His power we may know the truth of all things.”<br />President <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Woodruff</span> told us, “Let us labor to obtain the Holy Spirit. This is the Spirit we must have to carry out the purposes of God. We need this gift more than any other. We should pray to the Lord until we get the Comforter. This is what is promised to us when we are baptized.”<br />In the 19<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> section of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord says to us, “Pray always, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you, and great shall be your blessing, yea, even more than if you should obtain the treasures of earth….”<br />It was President Packer who said, “No one of us can survive in the world of today, much less in what it soon will become, without personal inspiration. We must believe that even in our weaknesses, the still, small voice we feel comes from our Father. We must pray and ask and seek and then not be afraid when answers come into our heart and mind. Believe they are divine. They are.” In the Doctrine and Covenants we are promised that we can know the source of our promptings but simply asking; “Father, is this of you?” Then we can know of a surety that it has come from Him and if you know with a surety, then doubt not but act upon those promptings.<br />In February 1847 Joseph Smith appeared to Brigham Young in a dream or a vision and told him to “Tell the people to be humble and faithful and sure to deep the Spirit of the Lord and it will lead them right. Be careful and not turn away the small still voice; it will teach them what to do and where to go; it will yield the fruits of the kingdom.”<br />President <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Eyring</span> goes on to tell us, “If you want greater clarity in understanding and believing the still, small voice, there is no better medicine than greater obedience. Jesus said unto His disciples, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”<br />And then again President Oaks reminds us that “the direct, personal channel of communication to our Heavenly Father through the Holy Ghost is based on worthiness and is so essential that we are commanded to renew our covenants by partaking of the sacrament each Sabbath day. In this way we qualify for the promise that we may always have His Spirit to be with us, to guide us. “<br />What a marvelous blessing we have been given to be able to partake of the Sacrament each week and thereby renew those covenants and begin each week anew with the Spirit as our guide. Along with this blessing we must provide quiet, reflective times and learn how to listen. We must study our scriptures; our conference talks, and we must ask for the guidance of the Holy Ghost. We must teach our children how to recognize the voice of the Spirit. When our son Daniel came home from his mission he told me that he had learned that the first thing his investigators had to learn was how to discern the spirit. Once they had learned that, they were receptive to the teachings. We must consciously look for our blessings and acknowledge them before the Lord. We must show gratitude and thanksgiving to our Father who blesses us so abundantly. We must keep the commandments and repent when we do not. We must “draw near unto Him” and he will draw near unto us. We must be able to say, “I know you and I love you.” Then we will enjoy the blessing of the Holy Ghost in our lives; a blessing that we can have and should use each and every day. However, it does not end there.<br />President <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Monson</span> admonishes us to never postpone a prompting. “We watch. We wait. We listen for that still, small voice. When it speaks, wise men and women obey. We do not postpone following the promptings of the Spirit.”<br />Elder Anderson concluded his article with a wonderful blessing for the Saints. He quotes from the Doctrine and Covenants 45:57 and says, “The Lord, speaking of His Second Coming, emphasized that the gift of the Holy Ghost must be powerfully active among His Saints: ‘For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived – verily I say unto you, they shall not be <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">hewn</span> down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.’ “As we give greater care to this divine gift, we “shall abide the day” and again live with our Heavenly Father. As disciples of Christ, we must make the gift of the Holy Ghost a conscious, daily, prayerful part of our lives.”<br /><br />I add my testimony to his that we will not only abide the day, but that we will enjoy the day. If you worthily seek and respond to the Holy Spirit we will feel the love and comfort of our most Gracious Father in Heaven. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ is the Church He organized and ministered to during His mortal existence. I know the the Scriptures are the words of the Lord and are for our study and our comfort. I know that if we follow the Prophets and stay close to their teachings we will not be lead astray but will have greater strength to resist the adversary. I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers in the manner best for us. I know that He loves each of us with a love that we can not quiet comprehend but that we feel deeply in our souls. I know that through the Gift of the Holy Ghost we can commune with our Father and He will us. Through this gift we can feel His arms around us as we mourn and as we rejoice. It is my prayer that I will always remain worthy of the Gift of the Holy Ghost and that I will use it daily to "draw near" unto my Father.<br /><br />This is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen</div>Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964775089582645583noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015727518148907200.post-85089447572929276982010-07-31T16:42:00.001-07:002010-07-31T17:19:55.876-07:00"Eve and the Choice Made in Eden"At the suggestion of Laura, today I purchased a book titled, "Eve and the Choice Made in Eden" by Beverly Campbell. It expounds on the concepts taught about the partaking of the fruit. A choice made by Eve in the garden.<br /><br />I am still in the process of reading the book but have been excited by several of the thoughts she suggests. She quotes from the prophets and apostles; past and present to help explain the original plan of our Father.<br /><br />I would like to share some of these suggestions. I do this not solely for the benefit of others but also for my own benefit that I might review them again and feel of the same joy that I've felt as I've read them initially.<br /><br />At the beginning of the book she quotes from Elder John A. Widtsoe:<br />"In life all must choose at times. Sometimes, two possibilities are good; neither is evil. Usually, however, one is of greater import than the other. When in doubt, each must choose that which concerns the good of others - the greater law - rather than that which chiefly benefits ourselves - the lesser law. The greater must be chosen whether it be law or thing. That was the choice made in Eden."<br /><br />As was Eve's choice in the Garden, I think that generally women do choose the greater law, that which benefits others more often than that which benefits ourselves. So often I see mothers; young and old, sisters in the gospel, sisters in families, friends at work or elsewhere, make the choice to serve others rather than self.<br /><br />My thoughts are drawn to my daughter-in-law (I add the "in-law" for clarification only since I think of her as my own daughter) Jenni who is in her 8th month of pregnancy. She could tell you her exact week but since I came from an older generation where we simply counted months, I'll say her "eighth month". During the labor of her first child, she was pushed to the limits of her ability to endure a very hard and long labor only to be rushed into emergency surgery for a C-section delivery. We were all very thankful to a kind and loving Heavenly Father who protected both her and baby Preston but it still is difficult for Jenni to imagine doing it all over again. Since she has become pregnant with a second child she has wished that she could have a normal birth this time. However, we all know that she will do whatever is necessary to bring this child into this world. A choice for the greater good rather than a choice for herself.<br /><br />It is not unusual to the conscious observer to find that same quality in many woman's lives!! Perhaps, we inherited it from our mortal mother Eve.<br /><br />Another passage in Beverly's book caught my attention and my heart. In chapter 4 she labels a subsection, "God's Unique and Special Gift of Discernment" and therein she discusses "the ability to see beyond the literal to the divine essential" as being God's gift to women. "Daily, women must make decisions based on things not seen or even known clearly. Often these decisions require great leaps of faith. Frequently these decisions must be based on what serves the greater good for the greatest number. Often such decisions require women to set aside their own well being in favor of another's.<br /><br />Again, another daughter comes to mind. My oldest daughter Tessha suffers from some difficult health issues which often put her in her bed for days at a time. She truly does strive to be up and active and involved in life for she loves life, but the situation does not always allow her those wishes. However, she still reaches out in service to others. She is preparing to make a journey by bus over several hundreds of miles to be in Jenni's home and help her prepare for this baby. She prepared herself for this service by giving up the chance to travel with us so that she could "rest up" and be ready to help Jenni once she arrived in Seattle. A another choice for the greater good.<br /><br />I'm sure we could all add story after story of this concept.<br /><br />Beverly continues, "The very process of bearing children illustrates this truth dramatically. It is a source of strength and comfort to many women to know that inherent in their divine nature is this innate ability to be in tune with God's purposes." It is "innate" for us to "be in tune with God's purposes". Let me say that again. It is "innate" for us to "be in tune with God's purposes". How majestic! How glorious!<br /><br />"Even more awe-inspiring is the knowledge that the Lord has such abiding faith in women's judgment and wisdom. By His very actions, He has shown women that He wants them to claim and properly act on this gift. Women are surely beloved of the Lord for Him to have placed them in such a position. As He relies on women to embrace the greater law, to bow to the greater commandment, He affirms their intellect, their integrity and their righteousness."<br /><br />These are a few of her thoughts to Up Lift My Soul.Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964775089582645583noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015727518148907200.post-81291667798252631742009-11-01T17:19:00.000-08:002009-11-01T17:57:51.891-08:00What Did We Learn From Conference??Flora Harrington, a dear friend of mine (and of Seth's) sent me this email. I felt that she has put it so explicitly that I have asked and received her permission to post her comments on this blog. Over the past several months I have worried and wondered about the future for Dad and myself, but even more so for each of your families. And I have been comforted and reassured that "if we will turn our ourselves and our families to the Lord,if we will continue to do all that we know to be right and if we will trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not unto our own understanding, the day will come when He will guide us to Holy places where we will be engaged in the preparation for the His return. I have no greater joy than to know that my children know how to listen to and follow the promptings of the Spirit!! I have learned much from each of you and I appreciate you and admire you because of it. We have each been blessed with great families to learn from and associate with. And the Lord expects the best from us.<br /><br />At the bottom of Flora's remarks you'll find a video that Janet Gilliand sent to me. It is wonderful!!<br /><br /><strong>Latter-day Preparations: What We Learned at Conference-</strong><br /> Remember past General Conferences when we were told to grow gardens, put in a supply of food, prepare 72-hour kits, get out of debt, and put our houses in order by preparing every needful thing?<br /> The Church's instructions on provident living still stand, of course, and there are wonderful resources available to help us. But when was the last time such counsel received significant attention in General Conference?<br /> As best I can recall, there was a turning point when President Hinckley, after an extensive sermon in a priesthood session on financial preparations, said, "Now that's all I'm going to say about that." It may have been the last time he mentioned physical preparations in a General Conference address.<br /> During the five sessions of conference just completed, I attempted to write down every admonition, instruction, exhortation, suggestion or recommendation given by the speakers. I collected 430 items of counsel in all, but,<br /><br />No one talked about food storage.<br />No one advised putting together emergency kits.<br />No one exhorted us to get out of debt.<br />No one said to grow a garden.<br /><br /> There were only three references to financial matters (Elder Watson, Bishop Burton and Elder Christofferson) and all of them were warnings against excesses and greed, not about preparations.<br /> Many sense that things could soon break loose - that it wouldn't take much to put many prophesied events about the last days into motion. At this time of turmoil throughout the world, a roller coaster economy, crime, thugocracies, natural disasters, looming inflation and even nuclear threats, it would seem a natural time for our leaders to talk about nuts-and-bolts preparation - to tell us what we should do next.<br /> Well, they did. But not in a direction some may have expected. (And the rumor du jour, that the call-out of Israel to flee to its tents was imminent, failed again - surprise, surprise.)<br />We've been hearing about food storage and other preparations since 1936. The way I see the talks this conference, those days are over. Members who haven't prepared physically are not very likely to start now simply because two or three more General Authorities plead with them.<br /> This is not to suggest we'll never hear counsel about physical preparations again in General Conference, but rather it appears the emphasis is shifting from physical preparation to spiritual preparation - to build strength of heart, mind and spirit for whatever is coming, and especially to become more proficient at receiving personal revelation.<br /> Those who watched conference hoping for a fish found that they instead were instructed how to fish. Of the 29 individuals who addressed us, 16 of them spoke about the Holy Ghost - how we can cultivate the gift of the Holy Ghost, how to improve our sensitivity to promptings, how to purify our lives so we can hear gentle spiritual communications, and related counsel - in other words, how we can gain personal instruction to guide us through coming events from the Source that knows everything. In speaking order:<br /><br />Elder Scott: Consistently strive to recognize and follow the feelings prompted by the Spirit. Sister Matsumori: Help others become more familiar with promptings of the Spirit.<br />Elder Clayton: Be humble so you can hear the word of the Lord.<br />President Uchtdorf: Listen for the Father's voice for it leads to the ministration of the<br /> Holy Spirit.<br />Elder Oaks: Listen and feel of God's love.<br />Elder Hales: Yield to the influence of the Holy Ghost.<br />Elder Watson: Be temperate in all things as guided by the Holy Ghost.<br />Elder Anderson: Turn away from pride, anger and impure thoughts.<br />President Packer: The Holy Ghost communicates to our spirit with promptings and impressions. President Eyring: Learn to follow inspiration.<br />President Monson: Refrain from anger so you will have the Spirit with you.<br />Elder Perry: Listen to the Spirit for guidance.<br />Bishop Burton: Let virtue garnish your thoughts.<br />Sister Dibb: Use the safety equipment of scriptures, prophets, and the Holy Ghost.<br />Elder Nelson: Cultivate spiritual discernment.<br />Elder Ringwood: Be sensitive to the Holy Ghost.<br /> The emphasis on these basic principles suggests that we haven't been following them as we should. Which brings to mind the well-known story of Vince Lombardi, legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers. Every season, even after the Packers had won two Super Bowls, Lombardi would address his players and start with the basics: "Gentlemen, this is a football." (And Max McGee, the team's star receiver who scored the first touchdown in Super Bowl history, would say, "Not so fast, coach, not so fast.")<br /> There wasn't a player who didn't already know what Lombardi would say - blocking, tackling, mental alertness. But he said it over and over because they fell short on execution. Our leaders are obviously telling us it's time to execute the basics better and bulk up our spiritual preparations to match whatever we've prepared for our physical survival.<br /> Having a house full of wheat, beans and rice will be insufficient if we are not strong in spirit and mind as we face prophesied events.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqaesQ2EE8w">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqaesQ2EE8w</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqaesQ2EE8w"></a>Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964775089582645583noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015727518148907200.post-34501608346947284892009-08-02T12:51:00.000-07:002009-08-02T16:16:25.390-07:00"That He May Write Upon Our Hearts"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAgp1MBPrdKLUExPGBkYJKzhC9-IgwWFuXYKD_DSn8bTQcCffi53HttYw5qB7V5i6x-LBvIdADKMKlz1jQwsthOz8ca22Q8d2Oo3fTVNljNdxcXkpC81LvsYa2O2rNmBO4wehwQNjokTl/s1600-h/EyringHB_07_rgb%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 144px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAgp1MBPrdKLUExPGBkYJKzhC9-IgwWFuXYKD_DSn8bTQcCffi53HttYw5qB7V5i6x-LBvIdADKMKlz1jQwsthOz8ca22Q8d2Oo3fTVNljNdxcXkpC81LvsYa2O2rNmBO4wehwQNjokTl/s320/EyringHB_07_rgb%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365466780953796802" /></a><br />Today in Relief Society Pres. Park taught the lesson from Pres. Henry B. Eyring's August's First Presidency Message. His article is titled: "That He May Write upon Our Hearts" and he tells us that "parents should teach their children to pray...(because)the child learns both from what the parents do and what they say." "In time, when the children are away from home and family, prayer can provide the shield of protection that the parent will want so much for them to have." <br /><br />Ocassionally I hear from one of my children and they tell me of an experience they've had with prayer. I am always so full of gratitude for children who have learned to go to the Lord and then to listen and obey. I am also thankful for the many times we gathered together as a family to have prayer. I am also grateful to their father who said to us, "We will read our scriptures and have family prayer every day." He told me that soon after we were married and I know he made it a part of our family life. I can still see him at the head of the table with his scriptures in his hands, reading to us as we ate our breakfast before heading out for the day. I also remember the many prayers we had together before leaving home on a trip. And there are those quiet times when we now have our own prayer together. <br /><br />Later, in Pres. Eyring's message he talks about "Learning to Seek His Will". Sometimes this is a difficult lesson to learn, but I've found it to be one of the most valuable lessons of my life. It brings peace and happiness. It also teaches personal lessons that can only be learned by listening and allowing His will to become our own. One such lesson I learned at the time of Alisha's birth. I continue to learn from His will what he would have of me. It is always a comfort to know that He is mindful of me (and of you) and that He has a plan for each of us. <br /><br />There are times in each of our lives when we are unsure of what is ahead for us and we pray for assurance and comfort. I know that you know the Lord listens and answers those prayers. It's interesting that President Erying puts it this way, "Those answers (are) the most clear when what we want is silenced by an overpowering need to know what God wants. It is then that the answer from a loving Heavenly Father can be spoken to the mind by the still, small voice and can be written on the heart."<br /><br />We had a discussion of the meaning of the word "heart" and I thought it remarkable that the dictionary defines "heart" as ...."the whole personality, the emotional or moral as distinquished from the intellectual nature, one's innermost being, the center, the essential part, the memory."<br /><br />Isn't it wonderful that through searching for the Lord's will for us we allow him to write His will upon our very heart. As we strive for that in all we do and in all we pray for, we will truely become one with our Father.<br /><br />I bear my testimony that He loves us beyond what we can comprehend in our minds but with a love that we can always feel in our hearts. That we begin to understand Him by listening, trusting and following His will. That He will write it upon our hearts and that He has always and will always assist us in our eternal progression because it is "His work and His glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of (you and me)." <br /><br />I love you all. MomSandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964775089582645583noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015727518148907200.post-29600713421181850382008-07-27T08:37:00.000-07:002008-07-27T08:39:03.394-07:00Submission to the Eternal FatherThere is one mightier than we all. One who knows all and who loves us beyond comprehension. If we but learn to trust and obey we will be will blessed eternally.<br /><br />"The Savior's perfect submission to the Eternal Father is the very essence of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Christ's example teaches us that a broken heart is an eternal attribute of godliness. When our hearts are broken, we are completely open to the Spirit of God and recognize our dependence on Him for all that we have and all that we are. The sacrifice so entailed is a sacrifice of pride in all its forms. Like malleable clay in the hands of a skilled potter, the brokenhearted can be molded and shaped in the hands of the Master."A broken heart and a contrite spirit are also preconditions to repentance."Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964775089582645583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015727518148907200.post-69355296400562858272008-07-05T19:42:00.000-07:002008-07-05T19:56:33.945-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8P4S3MNvl1NoWCWgw88H4fD8TCkSRrJq3PZOP9GZE5UJ1FS90aQYhUlhVx26HxrP7BgKHG8zX4yYGH-dLmr3CTmCY93qTPG-nu7DfJmU8rsPDGpJGoXl7QhJniUkO2tCPyoobiiWru4Qv/s1600-h/P6110062%5B1%5D.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8P4S3MNvl1NoWCWgw88H4fD8TCkSRrJq3PZOP9GZE5UJ1FS90aQYhUlhVx26HxrP7BgKHG8zX4yYGH-dLmr3CTmCY93qTPG-nu7DfJmU8rsPDGpJGoXl7QhJniUkO2tCPyoobiiWru4Qv/s320/P6110062%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219728289501823506" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitoJvbBIXLMUL8oLcQwSm2VFCZyEzmJibBpqcK5tN11q4E6T8EFDTOF1cEgrk5ottlx2Noz1c3xwbcfu9dWQCjNM8j1H2kVxllTQUv4clb9IXPRAZZkBWkIBH2zdm0dsuALsJYFAjh8wg4/s1600-h/_DSC7693%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitoJvbBIXLMUL8oLcQwSm2VFCZyEzmJibBpqcK5tN11q4E6T8EFDTOF1cEgrk5ottlx2Noz1c3xwbcfu9dWQCjNM8j1H2kVxllTQUv4clb9IXPRAZZkBWkIBH2zdm0dsuALsJYFAjh8wg4/s320/_DSC7693%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219727763794474002" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />In light of the fact that two more glorious spirits have come to our family, I think it is appropriate to recall what President Brigham Young said concerning parents. It would be wise to remember that once you become a parent you are always be a parent. <br /><br /><br />Daily Gems<br />Parents Can Best Teach by Example<br />------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />"President Brigham Young instructed parents by saying:<br /><br />"'If each and every one of us who are parents will reflect upon the responsibilities devolving upon us, we shall come to the conclusion that we should never permit ourselves to do anything that we are not willing to see our children do. We should set them an example that we wish them to imitate.' (Journal of Discourses, 14:192)<br /><br />"If we are to instill faith in our children, they must see us demonstrate our faith in their young lives. They must see us on our knees daily, asking the Lord for His blessings and expressing our gratitude unto Him. They need to see us using our priesthood to administer to those in need, and to bless our children. They need to see us reverently worshiping in our sacrament meetings. They need to see us cheerfully and willingly giving of our time and talents to the building of the Lord's kingdom here on earth. They need to see us proving our faith by the payment of our tithes and offerings to Him. They need to see us diligently studying and discussing the scriptures to increase our faith and understanding."<br /><br />Topics:<br />parents, teaching, example<br />(L. Tom Perry, "Train Up a Child," Ensign, May 1983, 78)Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964775089582645583noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015727518148907200.post-73522327834793364792008-06-22T09:35:00.000-07:002008-06-22T09:40:25.030-07:00"And Nothing Shall Offend Them"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29BZHYazy3ew0ALfkORnO-118xGrbIkznwjDjSjHy6WfLAeWPM0vVmQGFeRKCyTwk7aYPKrj8CMt9tgkCFoW0DVhvT_mmiyXiaLc5JNrU-3xZEdJSJBx7YxPzv2JPaezPtvuPAoIsyeBj/s1600-h/P6030103.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29BZHYazy3ew0ALfkORnO-118xGrbIkznwjDjSjHy6WfLAeWPM0vVmQGFeRKCyTwk7aYPKrj8CMt9tgkCFoW0DVhvT_mmiyXiaLc5JNrU-3xZEdJSJBx7YxPzv2JPaezPtvuPAoIsyeBj/s320/P6030103.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214746068898543410" /></a>"During a perilous period of war, an exchange of letters occurred<br />between Moroni, the captain of the Nephite armies, and Pahoran, the chief<br />judge and governor of the land. Moroni, whose army was suffering because of<br />inadequate support from the government, wrote to Pahoran 'by the way of<br />condemnation' (Alma 60:2) and harshly accused him of thoughtlessness,<br />slothfulness, and neglect. Pahoran might easily have resented Moroni and<br />his message, but he chose not to take offense. Pahoran responded<br />compassionately and described a rebellion against the government about<br />which Moroni was not aware. And then he responded, 'Behold, I say unto<br />you, Moroni, that I do not joy in your great afflictions, yea, it grieves<br />my soul. . . . And now, in your epistle you have censured me, but it<br />mattereth not; I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your<br />heart' (Alma 61:2, 9).<br /><br />"One of the greatest indicators of our own spiritual maturity is revealed in how we respond to the weaknesses, the inexperience, and the potentially offensive actions of others. A thing, an event, or an expression may be offensive, but you and I can choose not to be offended--and to say with Pahoran, 'it mattereth not.'"<br />(David A. Bednar, "And Nothing Shall Offend Them," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 91)Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964775089582645583noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015727518148907200.post-86963521610650272922008-06-05T20:11:00.000-07:002008-06-05T20:55:44.714-07:00Priesthood Power<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWiz7dSdJAxird6rRvQ97w_BKwHhdutRWfXl1AX0MK_MGETlQ2TLD8VKiFTnnL9EuHPDSJ2sEp9rtOHToC2EG6bpsO5ImET9lLUlFQi5JEtaz4qk5-GAjYySp8Nk1vL1JXmfdQ9KWafRtJ/s1600-h/DSC03590.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWiz7dSdJAxird6rRvQ97w_BKwHhdutRWfXl1AX0MK_MGETlQ2TLD8VKiFTnnL9EuHPDSJ2sEp9rtOHToC2EG6bpsO5ImET9lLUlFQi5JEtaz4qk5-GAjYySp8Nk1vL1JXmfdQ9KWafRtJ/s320/DSC03590.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208611366519028450" /></a><br />I have been and will be forever grateful for righteous Priesthood brethren who have blessed my life so many, many times in so many ways. Dan L. Thomas begins the list and each one of our sons: Luke, Will, Haini, Daniel, Mark, James, and Seth follows thereafter.<br /><br />Daily Gems<br />Responsibilities and Blessings of the Priesthood<br />---------------------------------------------------<br /><br />"There is not a man or boy in this vast congregation tonight who cannot improve his life. And that needs to happen. After all, we hold the priesthood of God. If we are boys who have received the Aaronic Priesthood, we are entitled to the ministering of angels to guide and direct, to bless and protect us. What a remarkable and wonderful thing that is. If we have had conferred upon us the Melchizedek Priesthood, we have been given the keys of the kingdom that carry with them eternal powers. These were spoken of by the Lord when He laid His hands upon the heads of His disciples."<br /><br />Topics: priesthood, personal growth, guidance<br />(Gordon B. Hinckley, "Rise Up, O Men of God," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 60)<br /><br /><br />Daily Gems April 20, 2008<br />It Mattereth Not<br /><br />"The Church of Jesus Christ is a church of priests, 'a royal priesthood, an holy nation' (1 Peter 2:9). "The restored Church gives to each home a priesthood holder with the power of God to bless. How many times I have been able to hear the soft, sweet voice of a little child at home say, 'Daddy, could you give me a blessing?' and put my hands upon his or her head in moments of pain and difficulty and pronounce<br />blessings of comfort and healing and see the power of the priesthood exercise its influence and the next day hear that little voice say, 'Thanks, Daddy, I slept just fine last night.' We don't need to go out looking for someone having that power--it is among us! What a blessings to be able to teach this principle to our children! This is the only church upon the earth which offers such a blessing to families.<br /><br />"Through this power, I was able to ordain each of my sons to the priesthood and thus give them the power of God to administer His ordinances.<br /><br />". . . This is . . . why I am a member of this Church: because the power of the priesthood is again upon the earth and has reached even unto our homes.""<br /><br />Topics: priesthood, blessings, healing, family<br /><br />(Enrique R. Falabella, "Why Are We Members of the Only True Church?" Ensign, Nov. 2007, 14-15)Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964775089582645583noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015727518148907200.post-63118508192997028932008-05-26T10:32:00.000-07:002008-05-26T10:40:27.817-07:00God Knows You<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVuS63DzRZmmFkXCM8CdtpAjzc8y-h9NJu_zyDTpdNLsJUQh0yh-QwSPl__bG25vIlxtlc0CidVpKbbyhoBl2CVmrVlMetADeuwDYD0ioPoVqQNm_T2mfKAetQEPYAstds3nikCjnOoDF/s1600-h/152.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVuS63DzRZmmFkXCM8CdtpAjzc8y-h9NJu_zyDTpdNLsJUQh0yh-QwSPl__bG25vIlxtlc0CidVpKbbyhoBl2CVmrVlMetADeuwDYD0ioPoVqQNm_T2mfKAetQEPYAstds3nikCjnOoDF/s400/152.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204742586241518050" /></a><br />"God has known you individually . . . for a long, long time (see D&C 93:23). He has loved you for a long, long time. He not only knows the names of all the stars (see Psalm 147:4; Isaiah 40:26); He knows your names and all your heartaches and your joys! By the way, you have never seen an immortal star; they finally expire. But seated by you tonight are immortal individuals--imperfect but who are, nevertheless, 'trying tobe like Jesus'!"<br /><br />Topic: Immortality<br />(Neal A. Maxwell, "Remember How Merciful the Lord Hath Been," Ensign, May 2004, 46)<br /><br />Daily Gems<br />The Future<br />---------------------------------------------------<br /><br />"In my quiet moments, I think of the future with all of its wonderful possibilities and with all of its terrible temptations. I wonder what will happen to you in the next 10 years. Where will you be? What will you be doing? That will depend on the choices you make, some of which may seem<br />unimportant at the time but which will have tremendous consequences."<br /><br />Topic: Choices<br />(Gordon B. Hinckley, "Stay on the High Road," Ensign, May 2004, 112-113)<br /><br />-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />2 CHRONICLES 7:14 IS GOD'S ANSWER.<br />0NE MINUTE EACH NIGHT<br /><br />During WWII, there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every night at a prescribed hour and for one minute they collectively prayed for the safety of England , its people and peace.<br /><br />There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America .<br /><br />If you would like to participate:<br />Each evening at (6:00 PM Pacific), (7:00 PM Mountain), (8:00 PM Central), (9:00 PM Eastern Time) stopSandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964775089582645583noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015727518148907200.post-7627082728431304362008-04-22T14:50:00.000-07:002008-04-22T14:57:32.582-07:00Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7lKe-rSFxOGkAFsoXpDsC-BIgjHc13AZNcKv4xYFYNvCFOMeK-lTyVh3pbXx8eX_FRSw9A0vqAdBw7g1pMhw24JKvGtiPf8u9Wjk3lQPIUpUsWIQ0AEYhxRM4aQFIkaWliPUvcJEaIr_/s1600-h/home%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7lKe-rSFxOGkAFsoXpDsC-BIgjHc13AZNcKv4xYFYNvCFOMeK-lTyVh3pbXx8eX_FRSw9A0vqAdBw7g1pMhw24JKvGtiPf8u9Wjk3lQPIUpUsWIQ0AEYhxRM4aQFIkaWliPUvcJEaIr_/s320/home%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192191276975051362" /></a><br />Dear Family,<br /> <br />The following link is very special. It filled my heart with the love I have for my Savior and my eyes with tears.<br /> <br />You will want to find five minutes to watch this and share it with your families.<br /><br />There was a 'Reflections of Christ' photography exhibit recently on display at the Mesa Temple Visitor's Center in conjunction with the Easter Pageant produced by the LDS Church. The photographer was given permission to photograph Pageant cast members for the exhibit. The photographer worked with a few other individuals to put together a 5 minute slide show which includes every image from the exhibit set to the hymn 'Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.' <br /><br />This is from the pageant that we were able to attend a couple of years ago when we went to Mesa with Granma and Tessha.<br /><br />Thank you Margie for sending this on to us.<br /><br />http://mabrystudios.typepad.com/reflections_of_christ/2008/03/reflections-sli.html <br /><br />You might have to cut and paste it before you can open it.<br /><br />We are so blessed. <br />Love, Mom/SandySandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964775089582645583noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015727518148907200.post-16305667920323128682008-04-21T15:01:00.000-07:002008-04-21T15:04:09.492-07:00Trials and Faith<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSpJ5VgIlJIhla3D5N5HsbANCVRoHRx4Bkvp1B73mZR-FEdS26hwl2IF8oxUfRv2vH_Ui6gmRkfQLdPdXtTBJL4IIBjshddTKHfT1f0xIMjRC-_iotOMeQWhN200EyJLt2XDhchxv0fZf/s1600-h/March+2008+071%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSpJ5VgIlJIhla3D5N5HsbANCVRoHRx4Bkvp1B73mZR-FEdS26hwl2IF8oxUfRv2vH_Ui6gmRkfQLdPdXtTBJL4IIBjshddTKHfT1f0xIMjRC-_iotOMeQWhN200EyJLt2XDhchxv0fZf/s320/March+2008+071%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191822667704472546" /></a><br />Picture by James<br />Daily Gems<br />Trials That Tax Courage and Extend Faith<br />---------------------------------------------------<br />"[Today's children] will see many events transpire in the course of their lifetime. Some of these shall tax their courage and extend their faith. But if they seek prayerfully for help and guidance, they shall be given power over adverse things. Such trials shall not be permitted to stand in the way of their progress, but instead shall act as stepping-stones to greater knowledge."<br /><br />Topic: trials<br />(Boyd K. Packer, "Do not Fear," Ensign, May 2004Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964775089582645583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015727518148907200.post-68030753459453673072008-04-19T17:30:00.000-07:002008-04-19T17:33:54.414-07:00Faith and Trust<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrEM76DdmkUpKXejtsLKR6mU506KYwI6i52ufK3P8niAKTiUyFvZ4BMOtjd_RXpMfEMkK99jUh3KFpgHukygeEOGgJ51Q9XhUPCw-wcNUYHm4jCO1piuXwofKMf1ackJ2t2EuAAmIJ4HW/s1600-h/March+2008+078%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrEM76DdmkUpKXejtsLKR6mU506KYwI6i52ufK3P8niAKTiUyFvZ4BMOtjd_RXpMfEMkK99jUh3KFpgHukygeEOGgJ51Q9XhUPCw-wcNUYHm4jCO1piuXwofKMf1ackJ2t2EuAAmIJ4HW/s320/March+2008+078%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191119091931845554" /></a><br />Daily Gems<br />Faith and Trust<br />--------------------------------------------------- <br />"[Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego] knew that they could trust God--even if things didn't turn out the way they hoped. They knew that faith is more than mental assent, more than an acknowledgment that God lives. Faith is total trust in Him.<br /><br />"Faith is believing that although we do not understand all things, He does. Faith is knowing that although our power is limited, His is not. Faith in Jesus Christ consists of complete reliance on Him."<br /><br />(Topic: faith)<br />(Dennis E. Simmons, "But If Not . . .," Ensign, May 2004, 73)Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964775089582645583noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015727518148907200.post-55223515229622963702008-04-17T15:14:00.000-07:002008-04-17T15:25:55.947-07:00Praise and Admiration for You!!picture by James<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqoJ80detSIyE3snhyphenhyphen_kaBorec2_o0KK2TKjOg_GouxuriITI2uUvJEV_EtLEJWx4kfAQfgINwMhWIMl_7siA7HbRqalKEt3MB8BN5v3XBoA5N1xKV6j2Fh8mao3qTkAQbzOdFhWN_I1qq/s1600-h/March%252B2008%252B090%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqoJ80detSIyE3snhyphenhyphen_kaBorec2_o0KK2TKjOg_GouxuriITI2uUvJEV_EtLEJWx4kfAQfgINwMhWIMl_7siA7HbRqalKEt3MB8BN5v3XBoA5N1xKV6j2Fh8mao3qTkAQbzOdFhWN_I1qq/s320/March%252B2008%252B090%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190342775245805810" /></a> <br />Daily Gems<br />Praise and Admiration for the Youth of the Church<br />---------------------------------------------------<br />"I want to say to . . . the vast majority of the youth of the Church around the world how extraordinarily proud we are of you. Moral and physical danger exists almost everywhere around you and temptations of a dozen kinds present themselves daily, yet most of you strive to do what is right.<br /><br />". . . I wish to raise my voice in praise of you, to express my love, my encouragement, and my admiration for you."<br /><br />Topics:<br />youth, temptation, faith, righteousness<br />(Jeffrey R. Holland,Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964775089582645583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015727518148907200.post-46729849988479419632008-04-06T17:16:00.000-07:002008-04-06T17:33:29.836-07:00This Thing Called Faith<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHlIjYr1GrA52qoAjKODDK-KlJAqmUMu6EI1xA8ReuvSqY-NbA7LJ7ORVZKnmgHuqAKbGXwEaPo7uOPh7BMsfIAUIeK0UCtQaG7CCN95_BnAjltmmWVYKk550Or3FJ8Floph__nRxEJIl/s1600-h/P6010054.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHlIjYr1GrA52qoAjKODDK-KlJAqmUMu6EI1xA8ReuvSqY-NbA7LJ7ORVZKnmgHuqAKbGXwEaPo7uOPh7BMsfIAUIeK0UCtQaG7CCN95_BnAjltmmWVYKk550Or3FJ8Floph__nRxEJIl/s320/P6010054.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186294899473489586" /></a><br />Daily Gems<br />Faith and Trust<br />---------------------------------------------------<br />"[Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego] knew that they could trust God--even if things didn't turn out the way they hoped. They knew that faith is more than mental assent, more than an acknowledgment that God lives. Faith is total trust in Him.<br /><br />"Faith is believing that although we do not understand all things, He does. Faith is knowing that although our power is limited, His is not. Faith in Jesus Christ consists of complete reliance on Him."Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964775089582645583noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015727518148907200.post-29339306257122227812008-03-28T20:33:00.000-07:002008-03-28T21:09:51.384-07:00The Blessings of Paying My Tithing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILlufbeSuAUK3iBmUa5dLc_LqXWxhexeSDJNZ00mtaO4AL98K_IEKSibEoyqREW9qcxzD8giWm61eZdJ62YMdqG0XmQwBKpTlgbStMHbWlaf49RA3y8rnd0lp3LRUMmJUKfiACYbmdc-M/s1600-h/33770_36604A_topics_tith_st%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILlufbeSuAUK3iBmUa5dLc_LqXWxhexeSDJNZ00mtaO4AL98K_IEKSibEoyqREW9qcxzD8giWm61eZdJ62YMdqG0XmQwBKpTlgbStMHbWlaf49RA3y8rnd0lp3LRUMmJUKfiACYbmdc-M/s320/33770_36604A_topics_tith_st%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183009030448717074" /></a><br />As Paul Harvey used to say, "And now, for the rest of the story..." <br />So a while back I told you about how I was really feeling a need to get out of debt (not that we haven't heard that before). But anyway, it was heavy on my heart and I wanted more than anything to be debt-free. I'd been praying about it and then one Sunday while listening to a HC speak, I was prompted that "if (I) would pay my tithing on my gross, (I'd) have what (I) needed." Since I hate to pass up blessings that I'm praying for, I decided to try it. The next Sunday when I got paid I wrote the check out for the gross amount. Yap, that was quite a hunk more than my monthly budget allows, but I also know the Heavenly Father blesses us when we do what He asks. (Kind of like Daniel, heading back to school or Gracie paying her tithing and going without food. <br /><br />Anyway, I started watching for blessings to come floating in and in the mean time, I filled out a few applications for places that I thought I'd enjoy working at. I even started to get excited about having a 2nd job because, I figured if one came along I'd probably have to take it so I might as well be excited about it.<br /><br />I kept checking back with those places and still no jobs were coming my way. I was getting nervous about not even having enough for that months bills so I increased my prayers and told Heavenly Father that I really needed His help because I really needed more money to meet the needs and that I would even work for it. He has a unique way of dealing with me because He just kind of says it as it is. He said, "Then you're going to have to fill out some more applications." That made sense to me so that's what I did. <br /><br />One day I was checking back at Garcia's Mexican Restaurant where I had left an application. The boss just happened to be in and he asked if I could come back in a week for an interview. I say, "Of course." and returned in a week at which time he said, "Can you come back in a week when my trainer is here so we can set up a training session?" Again, I said I could do that. Well, here I am training to be a server at Garcia and I'm so excited to have a job.<br /><br />After a couple training days I'm not sure if my skills are in restaurant work. I was sent home the first day with about 32 pages they want memorized. I'm tested on them every time I go in and it isn't pretty. I have to know every ingredient in every dish and drink that they serve, not to mention all the protocols of the chain. (I should be studying right now but I'll make up for it tomorrow morning.) My trainer talks faster than I can hear and refers to things I know nothing about. However, I think I may have passed my test yesterday- just maybe! If so, I'll try the next test. They are pass or fail and if I could just remember what I study then I could do ok. If I pass all the tests then I think they'll even pay me to come to work.<br /><br />And then yesterday, I received a call on my cell when I was in a meeting so I had to wait until I'd left for work at Garcia's before I could listen to the message. I was so excited. It was Joe Holland who is the Head Pharmacist at the Walmart Pharmacy where we get our prescriptions. He was asking if I was still interested in a job with him. <br /><br />Well, since I'm not sure how Garcia's is going to play out, and since I'd really like to work for Joe, and since Walmart isn't all the way across town and since I could actually walk to it from our house and not use any gas, and since they close at 9:00 on week nights instead of 10:00, I told him "Yes". He said he was impressed with me (he's waited on us ever since Walmart opened the Pharmacy and he's always been a real gentleman) and he was impressed with my resume and, get this, he is tired to teenagers who sometimes show up and sometimes don't and he needs someone "more mature". I replied that I was definitely "more mature". He laughed and I laughed knowing how true it is just in years. So, he's going to get things set up with Personnel and then call me in.<br /><br />So, see, now I have 3 jobs. Let's hope I can do at least two of them. And like I said, the blessings are just floating in. Next Sunday I'll be able to write out another "gross check" and know that the Lord keeps His promises when we do as He asks.Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964775089582645583noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015727518148907200.post-47693578299240702562008-03-25T14:57:00.000-07:002008-03-25T15:03:14.334-07:00The Bread of Life ~video clip from the Church<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprkH3IgfqKgAHdqut9tPxv_rxY1KQly_4QfeL_83Sh8iI0l_S7fzKFs38P2tlIu2bz1PTsC9zpqTNthRLtBiZhQSs3drMWXzWnYt-gHSElqN7yBUVN3PoSZK_fhhOEcM34BPSJ_mKCn__/s1600-h/home%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprkH3IgfqKgAHdqut9tPxv_rxY1KQly_4QfeL_83Sh8iI0l_S7fzKFs38P2tlIu2bz1PTsC9zpqTNthRLtBiZhQSs3drMWXzWnYt-gHSElqN7yBUVN3PoSZK_fhhOEcM34BPSJ_mKCn__/s320/home%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181803106711215314" /></a><br />Daily Gems<br />Easter Greetings<br />---------------------------------------------------<br /><br />With you, we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ<br />this Easter season. We invite you to view "The Bread of Life"<br />(approximately 7 minutes), which can be found at the following Web<br />address:<br /><br />http://jesuschrist.lds.org/SonOfGod/eng/multimediaSandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964775089582645583noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015727518148907200.post-58729344736075849332008-03-15T13:23:00.000-07:002008-03-15T13:30:34.336-07:00Cleave Unto Righteousness<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-GKc48NHkzzL9KyGVW-C8FHzNBmEF-mNoy3nYv8nJDbKOxBvokfbjSGtF6gOFdBuzY8I4labglHpSGHVKLW9zxbgY8p8XYBWiZA1ipW825v9MQcuSBB1W8WfzwCqagDApBH86hBy5fY4/s1600-h/P9210017.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-GKc48NHkzzL9KyGVW-C8FHzNBmEF-mNoy3nYv8nJDbKOxBvokfbjSGtF6gOFdBuzY8I4labglHpSGHVKLW9zxbgY8p8XYBWiZA1ipW825v9MQcuSBB1W8WfzwCqagDApBH86hBy5fY4/s320/P9210017.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178067885205141122" /></a><br />Daily Gems<br />Savior's Protective Care Calms and Heals the Repentant Soul<br />-------------------------------------------<br /><br />"The more we cleave unto righteousness, the more we enjoy the protecting care of our Savior. He is the Creator and Lord of the universe. He will calm the winds and the waves. His teachings and Atonement will heal the repentant soul. He is the Messiah or Deliverer, and because of Him, each of us can be in charge of his or her personal world, even as tragedies beset us."<br /><br />Topics: Savior, protection, repentance<br /><br />(Keith B. McMullin, "Be Prepared . . . Be Ye Strong from Henceforth," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 11)<br /><br />Here is the website if you'd like to subscibe to the Daily Gems. Love, Mom (Sandy)<br />-----------------------------------------------------<br />TO SUBSCRIBE TO ADDITIONAL LISTS, UNSUBSCRIBE, OR CHANGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION:<br />Go to LDS E-mail Subscriptions at http://www.lds.org/listservices and select the<br />appropriate subscription list. You can also learn more about each list on that page.Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964775089582645583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015727518148907200.post-1886139267627304482008-03-09T19:31:00.000-07:002008-03-09T19:38:15.785-07:00Elder Hinckley's Testimony of his Father - President Gordon B. Hinckley<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6fqX3xRLc2f5gar_IHULV73yWbbJt_w5DsIa-2Ky_oKjXK_PLatYGNR7fTl6Svy0EWwKaSiFkl8PjYZ-mUqTBs2f49oa-d9cGpiTTthPBxUSoKE_peVXNvwRUnTwGkxP9jSrnSwrdBwl/s1600-h/P9210005.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6fqX3xRLc2f5gar_IHULV73yWbbJt_w5DsIa-2Ky_oKjXK_PLatYGNR7fTl6Svy0EWwKaSiFkl8PjYZ-mUqTBs2f49oa-d9cGpiTTthPBxUSoKE_peVXNvwRUnTwGkxP9jSrnSwrdBwl/s320/P9210005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175936275756266722" /></a><br />Elder Hinckley was Haini's Mission President ~ STANDING TALL<br /> <br />THIS WAS SENT TO A FRIEND FROM A WARD MEMBER IN THE YOUNGER HINCKLEY SON'S WARD....<br /> <br /> Date: Sunday, February 03, 2008 8:07:54 PM<br /> Subject: Elder Hinckley 's testimony<br /> <br /> Elder Richard Hinckley bore his testimony in Sacrament meeting today. He thanked everyone for the notes, calls, food, flowers, and all they had done for their family. <br /> <br /> He said President Hinckley had been diagnosed with cancer early in 2006, and was not expected to last until the end of the year. He and his five children met with Dr. Ward, his cancer doctor, to discuss options. The doctor said they did not know how chemotherapy would work in a 95 year old, as they had not tried it before. President Hinckley said he had three questions, and had them written down on a paper. The first question was "Will I still be able to live on my own?" "Yes", the doctor answered. The second question was "Would I still be able to put in a full day's work?" "Yes", the doctor answered. President Hinckley's final question was "Will I lose my hair?" "No", the doctor answered. President Hinckley then agreed to have chemotherapy. He said his life belonged to the Lord, and He would take him when He was ready. President Hinckley said he needed to do all he could do to prolong his life, for he had work to do.<br /> <br /> The doctors discovered the chemotherapy was not working in January (2008). Again, the Hinckley family met with the doctors. At 97 years of age, recommended President Hinckley do nothing. President Hinckley replied again his life belonged to the Lord, and that he needed to do all he could do. He received the more aggressive chemotherapy the Tuesday before he died. On Wednesday, he went to the office and did a full day's work. Thursday morning, he did not get out of bed. <br /> <br /> Elder (Richard) Hinckley said he was scheduled to go preside over a stake conference in Henderson , Nevada that weekend. Before he left, he talked with his dad, and felt prompted to give him a blessing. He also said he would take his cell phone, and keep it on. Saturday, after meetings, around 4pm, President Packer called and told him he needed to come home. He did, and stayed with his father and other members of his family until his father died. <br /> <br /> Sunday afternoon, Presidents Monson, Eyring, and Packer came and gave President Hinckley a blessing. About 7pm, President Hinckley took his last breath, and passed away peacefully. <br /> <br /> Elder Hinckley shared some anecdotes about his father. He said one of his dad's favorite pictures was a picture of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, with a photo of a singing President Hinckley electronically placed right in the baritone section. He would show it to everyone who came to visit. Elder Hinckley said this photo was something family members would fight over. Thursday night, after their practice, members of the Tabernacle Choir asked for their own private viewing. After, they presented each member of the Hinckley family with that photo. <br /> <br /> Elder Hinckley spent a lot of time at the Conference Center during the viewing. One of the ushers shared a moment with him, which he thought was sweet-a small boy came through with his father. he asked his dad "Do you think President Hinckley has met Nephi yet?"<br /> <br /> Elder Hinckley said true to form, his father had his funeral planned down to the last detail, leaving no decisions to his children. He planned the speakers, the hymns, everything. He said his father had "every button buttoned, and every knot tied"-as always, prepared.<br /> <br /> Some of the things Elder Hinckley said about his father were that "he was reverent, faithful, humble, and true". As a family, the Hinckley 's said, "We hope others will turn their hearts to the Savior". <br /> <br /> He said a new prophet would be announced tomorrow, around 11am, and, although the Hinckley family had never tried to be in the limelight, they were ready to step back and fade into the background as this new prophet takes his place.<br /> <br /> Elder Hinckley said there were many flowers at the funeral, so he brought up two arrangements to our chapel for us to enjoy. One arrangement was from President Hinckley's counselors; the other from the quorum of the seventy. He said they didn't need all of the flowers at home, and that they were going to die anyway, and invited all of us to come up and take a flower after sacrament meeting. Many of us did so after the meeting, and we have made a bouquet we are enjoying here at the house. We are planning to dry as many as possible.<br /> <br /> Annie babysat this morning for Michael and Heather Hinckley while they attended Music and the Spoken Word. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir was singing a medley of President Hinckley's favorite hymns. They had reserved 100 seats for the Hinckley family, and Heather and Michael (they are the ones who lived in our house while we were in Honduras), went.<br /> <br /> It has been a very spiritual day for me, and something I really need during this dreary winter. We have had snow about every other day this January, and cold since the first of December. We have four feet on the side of our driveway, and two feet in the yard, and it is snowing again. I am glad I have these beautiful flowers, and memories of President Hinckley, to lift me up.Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964775089582645583noreply@blogger.com2