Keep Parts Clean Or Fires Get Started/ Ask, Seek, Knock RMN

The jury is still out on that one! @9:40pm Wed. Visit day! I got to visit you at 7:30 tonight. Here are some of my observations: 1- Gary Pendleton is your defender attorney. The prosecuting attorney is proposing a hold on all the evidence collected for Paul Clifford Ashton's case. 2- You enjoyed your 3 hour barrier visit Sunday! By accident. 3- You just finished Daughter of the Empire by Feist and were worried it was going to be the pat old revenge plot. Instead you have fount some commonalities between Ender's Game and the Game of Thrones in it. And it is about a smart girl/woman in a male society. Fun. 4- {Wiki:Estimates of the number of arthropod species vary between 1,170,000 and 5 to 10 million and account for over 80% of all known living animal species. The number of species remains difficult to determine. This is due to the census modeling assumptions projected onto other regions in order to scale up from counts at specific locations applied to the whole world. A study in 1992 estimated that there were 500,000 species of animals and plants in Costa Rica alone, of which 365,000 were arthropods.@They are important members of marine, freshwater, land and air ecosystems, and are one of only two major animal groups that have adapted to life in dry environments; the other is amniotes, whose living members are reptiles, birds and mammals. One arthropod sub-group, insects, is the most species-rich member of all ecological guilds in land and fresh-water environments. The lightest insects weigh less than 25 micrograms (millionths of a gram), while the heaviest weigh over 70 grams (2.5 oz). Some living crustaceans are much larger; for example, the legs of the Japanese spider crab may span up to 4 metres (13 ft), with the heaviest of all living arthropods being the American lobster, topping out at over 20 kg (44 lbs).} 5- {wiki:Insects are a class of invertebrates within the arthropod phylum that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body (head, thorax and abdomen), three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes and one pair of antennae. They are the most diverse group of animals on the planet, including more than a million described species and representing more than half of all known living organisms.} bps is almost pbs! I love pbs! So little science lesson time: Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species, Breed/Variety are the 8 levels of descending classification. Insecta is a class within the Phylum Arthropoda. Animalia is one of the 5 Kingdoms of Organisms. The other 4 are Bacteria, Protists, Plants, Fungi.

[Eight million seven hundred thousand (give or take 1.3 million) is the latest estimated total number of species on Earth and the most precise calculation ever offered, according to a new study co-authored by a researcher with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).] I had to stop and read the whole article published by UNEP. It was cool for me but I am not sure you would be interested.

6- David Hughes n Katrina came with 8 minutes left. Like KJ says, “K is always late.” 7- I was so pleased to get an update on where you are on your reading! Just finished Daughter otempire, and GRRMartin's book 5. Now we wait for book 6 and wait and wait and wait like everyone else! Martin gave the guidance to the TV series to proceed past any of his books. 8- I was so pleased to have you protecting me from reading that series: Game of Thrones. You have seen a few of the episodes on TV. 9- Entertainment and Self Help books are both useful so determining which books have been the most welcome it too hard a question to answer, today. 10- The barrier visit room is right at the front entrance. 11- Someone else is working on next years calendar. “The delicate question”-vj 12- I showed you my $25/8dvd harry potter series. 13- Western's would not interest you much but maybe Joe Mack, a Sioux Indian shot down and escaping across Siberia might. If American Louis L'Amore can be trusted to write about Indians. :) 14- You know what cold is! You have experienced bone chilling cold. 15- Return postage on KJ pictures is a questionable item. The jail does not tell the truth about what they have returned. 16- No HWH lesson manual yet this year. Bps-maybe Seagull book can send one. Maybe they can send my personal copy! 17- JS: A Stalwart Witness is good and being written in a little! 18- KJ says she has done the same as I did with Seagull books. :) 19- bps does not expect to be there next Christmas. Now that Gary Pendleton is moving his case along. 20- The judge may be in the prosecutor's pocket-KJ so he is leaving it up to the jury to decide what evidence can be included in the trial. 21- Gary P likes bps and his attitude and his values. 22- KJ puts names in the temple hoping HF will sway “righteous judgement”. Judge, prosecuting attorney's, defending attorneys etc.. 23- In front of the drinking fountain I tried to make a big deal about HF guiding GaryP in Brandon's behalf. 24- KJ is frustrated. She wants the answers to come after all the asking, seeking, knocking she has done! I don't blame her in the least. I would be frustrated beyond endurance, I would imagine. But rather than answer and persuade with my words here is the president of the Q of the 12, RMN:

OCTOBER 2009 | Ask, Seek, Knock

Russell M. Nelson

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Every Latter-day Saint may merit personal revelation.

My beloved brethren and sisters, I am very grateful for each of you. I am thankful too for the miracle of modern communication that allows this conference to reach millions of people throughout the world.

Today’s technology also allows us to use wireless telephones to exchange information rapidly. Recently Wendy and I were on assignment on another continent when we learned that a new baby had arrived in our family. We received the good news minutes after that birth had occurred half a world away.

Even more amazing than modern technology is our opportunity to access information directly from heaven, without hardware, software, or monthly service fees. It is one of the most marvelous gifts the Lord has offered to mortals. It is His generous invitation to “ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”1

This timeless offer to provide personal revelation is extended to all of His children. It almost sounds too good to be true. But it is true! I have received and responded to that heavenly help. And I have learned that I always need to be ready to receive it.

Years ago, while immersed in the task of preparing a talk for general conference, I was aroused from a sound sleep with an idea impressed strongly upon my mind. Immediately I reached for pencil and paper near my bed and wrote as rapidly as I could. I went back to sleep, knowing I had captured that great impression. The next morning I looked at that piece of paper and found, much to my dismay, that my writing was totally illegible! I still keep pencil and paper at my bedside, but I write more carefully now.

To access information from heaven, one must first have a firm faith and a deep desire. One needs to “ask with a sincere heart [and] real intent, having faith in [Jesus] Christ.”2 “Real intent” means that one really intends to follow the divine direction given.

The next requirement is to study the matter diligently. This concept was taught to leaders of this restored Church when they were first learning how to gain personal revelation. The Lord instructed them, “I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.”3

Part of being prepared is to know and obey the relevant teachings of the Lord. Some of His timeless truths are applicable generally, such as the commandments not to steal, not to kill, and not to bear false witness. Other teachings or commandments are also general, such as those regarding the Sabbath, the sacrament, baptism, and confirmation.

Some revelations have been given for unique circumstances, such as Noah’s building of the ark or the necessity for prophets like Moses, Lehi, and Brigham to lead their followers in arduous travel. God’s long-established pattern of teaching His children through prophets assures us that He will bless each prophet and that He will bless those who heed prophetic counsel.

A desire to follow the prophet requires much effort because the natural man knows very little of God and even less of His prophet. Paul wrote that “the natural man [receives] not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”4 The change from being a natural man to a devoted disciple is a mighty one.5

Another prophet taught that “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.”6

Recently I observed such a mighty change in a man whom I first met about 10 years ago. He had come to a stake conference at which his son was sustained as a member of the new stake presidency. This father was not a member of the Church. After his son had been set apart, I put my arms around this father and praised him for having such a wonderful son. Then I boldly declared: “The day will come when you will want to have this son sealed to you and your wife in a holy temple. And when that day comes, I would be honored to perform that sealing for you.”

During the subsequent decade, I did not see this man. Six weeks ago he and his wife came to my office. He greeted me warmly and recounted how startled he was with my earlier invitation. He didn’t do much about it until later, when his hearing began to fail. Then he awakened to the realization that his body was changing and that his time on earth was indeed limited. In due course he ultimately lost his hearing. At the same time, he became converted and joined the Church.

During our visit he summarized his total transformation: “I had to lose my hearing before I could heed the great importance of your message. Then I realized how much I wanted my loved ones to be sealed to me. I am now worthy and prepared. Will you please perform that sealing?”7 This I did with a deep sense of gratitude to God.

After such a conversion takes place, even further spiritual refinement can come. Personal revelation can be honed to become spiritual discernment. To discern means to sift, to separate, or to distinguish.8 The gift of spiritual discernment is a supernal gift.9 It allows members of the Church to see things not visible and to feel things not tangible.

Bishops are entitled to that gift as they face the task of seeking out the poor and caring for the needy. With that gift, sisters may view trends in the world and detect those that, however popular, are shallow or even dangerous. Members can discern between schemes that are flashy and fleeting and those refinements that are uplifting and enduring.

Discernment was implicit in important instructions President John Taylor gave long ago.10 He taught stake presidents, bishops, and others: “It is the right of those holding [these positions] to obtain the word of God with regard to the duties of their presidencies that they may more effectually carry out His holy purposes. None of the callings or positions in the priesthood are intended for the personal benefits, emoluments and fame of those who hold them, but are expressly given to fulfil the purposes of our Heavenly Father and build up the Kingdom of God upon the earth. … We … seek to understand the will of God, and then carry it out; and see that it is carried out by those over whom we have the charge.”11

For each of you to receive revelation unique to your own needs and responsibilities, certain guidelines prevail. The Lord asks you to develop “faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God.” Then with your firm “faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, [and] diligence,” you may ask, and you will receive; you may knock, and it will be opened unto you.12

Revelation from God is always compatible with His eternal law. It never contradicts His doctrine. It is facilitated by proper reverence for Deity. The Master gave this instruction:

“I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end.

“Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory.

“… To them will I reveal all mysteries [and] my will concerning all things pertaining to my kingdom.”13

Revelation need not all come at once. It may be incremental. “Saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more.”14 Patience and perseverance are part of our eternal progression.

Prophets have described what they felt while receiving revelation. Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery reported that “the veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened.”15 President Joseph F. Smith wrote, “As I pondered over these things which are written, the eyes of my understanding were opened, and the Spirit of the Lord rested upon me.”16

Every Latter-day Saint may merit personal revelation. The invitation to ask, seek, and knock for divine direction exists because God lives and Jesus is the living Christ. It exists because this is His living Church.17 And we are blessed today because President Thomas S. Monson is His living prophet. That we may hearken to and heed his prophetic counsel is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.@~@ There was a medium set 50+ year old Latin lady who was very friendly, social, gregarious both before my visit with bps and afterwards. She and KJ and David were visiting when I came out to the waiting area. She blames everyone else for the abuse she recieves. 23 year old son who she just kicked out because he won't stop smoking in the house, the prisoner son she comes to visit likes to watch the sports games more than talk to her when a game is on. There is only one TV among the prisoners so they have to agree what to watch, and when they have his show/ channel on he wants to be there. I am nicknaming this lady, Sister L. SL. She asked if I were doing my homework and I showed her my journal and suggested she could give herself credit for all the abuse she takes if she would write in a journal as well. She was a little strange/ touched/ crazy. She was taken aback by my suggestion. “Who is going to give me credit for my abuses?” v- You are, by writing about them. SL- Maybe I will write a book. v- A journal is a good place to start. @ I did not want to be late for your visit no matter what! If Katrina was going to be late and I were late we would just be competing for the last few minutes! But my eyes were closing at 5:30. What could I do? I came in and sat in my prayer chair and listened to 1^st Presidency Christmas Devotional to finish off my 3^rd time. Did I fall asleep? Yep. But I woke up at 6:30 and was able to make it there on time. Traffic was light tonight. 18 minutes was all it took. 10 minutes just to get on the freeway. 11:09 Good night. @

Gary Pendleton and Mary Corporan

Smith is accused of beating Christensen and cutting her throat with a pocket knife moments after his friend, Paul Clifford Ashton, shot and killed Brandie Sue Dawn Jerden and shot and wounded James Fiske.

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