I loved those thumbs up! And I texted my companion about it so we could laugh together. We have both treated them with BBQ since that first time. So I got a new fun idea. . . Why not take multiple flavors of BBQ chips to see which tastes the best to everyone? I bought 6 bags of Lays chips from Lins when they were 3/$5.
Two weeks ago I sat on the bench in front of Nathan and Audrie after sacrament meeting and shared the thumbs up story. We all enjoyed it and Nathan said: “Ezra” in acceptance/recognition/exasperation or something.
I texted Nathan that week to get an appointment for dropping off a couple of bags of chips. I did not want it to interrupt nor deflate their dinner appetite. He said 6 pm would be a good time. I texted Roger about it and he wanted to go with me. :) We went on Wednesday but no one was home. :( I had prepared a lesson in my mind with all kinds of connections and possible ideas, so I was a little disappointed. I gave Roger a copy of the comic book that Dallin Ricketts (special ed missionary 5 years ago when they started special service missionaries in Saint George) had been facilitated in publishing. This comic book and Dallin’s possible future employment creating them is a miracle and blessing in my mind and his. Do you remember when I guided him in leading our priesthood hymns? We don’t do those any more. He thrived on it. And though he couldn’t keep time. . . the brethren accepted and supported him in leading them.
Funny thing, when I got the comic book back from Roger Eves on Monday he hadn’t read it yet. Neither have I. Guess we aren’t into comic books, just support for Dallin.
I picked up 3 copies of the song the YW performed Sunday. I couldn’t believe that it came from the testimonies that RS sisters wrote on 3x5 cards last fall.
I am a little ashamed of going for a ministering visit on Monday at 6 but I wasn’t thinking about the day of the week when I called Nathan to line it up on Monday. He apologized for being gone for our first appointment, sometimes he isn’t aware of when the kids have to be picked up etc.. In my mind, the effort just adds to the accomplishment when it finally does come to fruition.
So off HACE & Roger and I went to our 6pm visit. Hace adds an informality to the occasion and he can’t stand being left home. Plus these 5 little kids end up loving him! Hazel the youngest was absolutely smitten with him! It was so cute. So wonder of wonder, miracle of miracles, I passed out the music and encouraged the 3 young women to sing to us. They eventually did!! Lilly Gardine was visiting and she and Lola carried the tune for one verse. Dad, Nathan, teased them about having done 3 or 4 verses because one verse was so long. We were all in a particularly joking and teasing mood. It went wonderfully.
I reminded them of what the BBQ chips lesson was originally about: Agency. Our ability/gift to choose.
I taught about how “as far as it is translated correctly” applies to the missing Chapter 1 of Genesis which is now found in Moses 1.
I showed them my journal where I have copied all the verses of Moses 1, first in blue ink and then black ink for each verse along with my commentary.
I showed them the new smaller journal I wanted to leave for whoever won it. Lola was quick to be first in line! I am smiling as I write this. As you know, journaling is so important to me. As it turned out Lola did win the journal, and I hoped she would use her agency to write in it like I do.
We talked about what Satan wanted removed by taking away the first chapter of the Bible. 1- the nature of God and his relationship to man, 2- the nature of man and his relationship to God, 3- Satan’s existence and his efforts to destroy the relationship between God and man.
The best part of the story was when I asked them what Satan did when Moses asked him where his glory was? “My eyes would have been fried when I saw God and his glory if I hadn’t been protected! Where’s your glory?” And Satan threw a fit/tantrum and Moses feared and saw the depths of hell.
Mom and Dad were on a celery juice cleanse and Lilly tried the juice. Ezra asked Audrie for BBQ sauce from the fridge to be squirted in his bowl so he could dip like the first time. He was also asked by Nathan to offer the closing prayer while we knelt. He grudgingly accepted. Nathan knew who would benefit the most by praying in our presence. :)
I had poured two flavors of chips in to medium sized bowls so we could all be tantalized during the “long boring lecture/lesson”. I wrote the flavor of the chips on two cards and took a 1.6mm bold green pen for writing initials for the flavor voted for. Everyone voted for Original. Not Hot Sweet Southern BBQ! Man, the original always wins. Why is that?
Roger made sure Lilly felt welcome and engaged her a number of times. He also asked for the music paper Flora, sitting on her father’s lap, had dropped on the floor.
When Mom came in and sat on the couch I moved us all from around the table to the couch circle so we could join her and “not knowing beforehand the things which I should do” it turned out to be a fantastic setting for the lesson.
I can’t tell you what a joy/reward it was to have Hazel trying to talk to me as she pets Hace on my lap during the singing, and to experience the thrilling atmosphere of that visit. Here it is Friday and it has stayed with me all week. TYHF for that rich and rewarding and purifying experience. HF loves that family and he aches for the hardships they have gone through and I think he wanted to bless them. I was so grateful to be a part of that blessing.
12:32pm Elder Monte _Holme_ and his wife Lisa conducted an AREA T&FH training in the east chapel at the DSU institute from 7-8:30 last night. There were a number of things that surprised me.
1- Marshall Topham’47, my FSC director, wore business casual. No white shirt. No tie. And he made a point of how it has changed since he began as our director. He said that some FSCenters only have first names on their name tags too! No Elder or Sister.
2- There are 22 stakes in this area!
3- ~100 people attended virtually. My son Robert, HC in Saint George stake, did that.
4- Monte had a fantastic powerpoint for his talk and even used a microphone attached to his tie.
5- He and his wife served a senior mission to S. Carolina and beore they got there HBE told them not to be surprised if people moved in saying, “We don’t know why we are here.” So strange! Cranes and Johnsons have said that as they moved into our ward this year. (from Washington State)
6- Institute teacher Bringhurst managed the technology for Monte.
7- BBB sent out a text the night before to meet at the chapel and carpool at 6:30. He sent it to 7 people: Lloyd, Brenda, Vern, Alex, Andra, Brooks, & Josh. I walked to the chapel and road with Lloyd. He was dressed informally and was glad I was too. He was completely reassured when he saw Marshal Topham. I texted Lloyd about the bishop being “on board!” I saw Mitch Six on the back row. Lloyd and I sat on the front row, my choice, all by ourselves. The backs of our heads showed on the big screen for about 20 minutes and then Bringhurst zoomed in.
8- RMN’s promises were emphasized. Love it! And you would not believe how many promises he has made for doing T&FH work!!!
9- Area Advisor is the title of this new calling, as of 2 weeks ago!
10- Carpet is a style that looks threadbare even though it is brand new.
11- There was an accident as people were trying to pull out of the parking lot.
12- Lloyd flattered me all over the place as we approached home.
13- I visited with HC Mitch Six on his way out to finally eat his dinner.
14- I visited with BBB as he left.
15- The prelude music was so pretty.
16- Sister Jones was the last speaker. She and Lisa went super fast! Monte went peacefully. He did a great job of owning the meeting. He had us raise our hands, he made sure more chairs were set up, he mentioned what a challenge it was to make the Zoom work, he asked us to move in and identify seats for people. I raised two hands and showed him 10 fingers for the front rows! HA!
17- The brother that was supposed to limit Marshal T to 10 minutes never did! Ha. Nice technique Marshal. He was to blame, not you. . .
18- MTopham tested positive for Omicron(-15 variant) on Friday. Has come in to work after hours this week. : ) So cute! I think Sister Jones said he was her Stake President. If so. . .news to me. God bless men with understanding and talent like him!
19- Sister Hardy and I love his sense of humor. :) She said there was nothing surprising. I disagree!
20- I really really want to see a T&FH activity report for our ward! Monte invited us to ask for one last night!
21- One brother asked if there would be copies of this meeting available in the question and answer at the end. Here it is Saturday and I just realized the portent of that! He wants to share with those who were absent. Monte seemed startled by that question and then he said, sure. :)
22- Nancy Topham answered a complaint from a brother mentioning other companies where no one can change your tree. (Mark Clark loves Ancestry. Jerry Peterson loves Roots Magic) But then she said, We have to remember these ancestors are all part of God’s tree and he is in charge. WOW! Stunning. Some people get so frustrated with others changing their trees, ancestors' info.
Sunday, 1/23/22 Good Morning Brandon! Church starts at noon this year. So that gives me more study time in the morning. I listened to Moses 5 again this morning and near the end it documents the descendants of Cain. I felt curious so I went to Taylor & Tyler, Mike & Brice podcasts to see if they told me anything more. Nope. They dwell on the uplifting and spiritual and of course that includes opposition. But Not much about the bad guys. Nevertheless, I was enlightened/ nourished. 1- I was surprised that they could quote the first two laws of heaven. The first two covenants we make in the endowment. Mike said that they are on the church website. Law of obedience & the Law of sacrifice. So I looked them up. Sure enough there they are! All 5 of them!
During the endowment ordinance, you will be invited to make certain covenants with God. These covenants include:
Law of Obedience, which includes striving to keep God’s commandments.
Law of Sacrifice, which means doing all we can to support the Lord’s work and repenting with a broken heart and contrite spirit.
Law of the Gospel, which is the higher law that He taught while He was on the earth.
Law of Chastity, which means that we have sexual relations only with the person to whom we are legally and lawfully wedded according to God’s law.
Law of Consecration, which means dedicating our time, talents, and everything with which the Lord has blessed us to building up Jesus Christ’s Church on the earth.
When you keep your covenants, your relationship with the Savior becomes closer and more powerful. God promises that those who keep their covenants will receive blessings in this life and the opportunity to return to live with Him forever.
M! 2- I learned about the Mahan principle. To kill for gain. To addict for gain. The Word of Wisdom helps protect us against the use of evil and conspiring men applying this principle. You and I have not been soldiers in war but Hugh Nibley saw the disappointment among conspiring men when WWII was ending and they would no longer get rank advancements. Lamech killed Irad and became the next Master Mahan. 40 And I the Lord said unto him: Whosoever slayeth thee, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And I the Lord set a amark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.41 And Cain was ashut out from the bpresence of the Lord, and with his wife and many of his brethren dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.42 And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bare Enoch, and he also begat many sons and daughters. And he builded a city, and he called the name of the acity after the name of his son, Enoch.43 And unto Enoch was born Irad, and other sons and daughters. And Irad begat Mahujael, and other sons and daughters. And Mahujael begat Methusael, and other sons and daughters. And Methusael begat Lamech.44 And Lamech took unto himself two wives; the name of one being Adah, and the name of the other, Zillah.45 And Adah bare Jabal; he was the father of such as dwell in atents, and they were keepers of cattle; and his brother’s name was Jubal, who was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.46 And Zillah, she also bare Tubal Cain, an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron. And the sister of Tubal Cain was called Naamah.47 And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah: Hear my voice, ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech; for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.48 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech shall be aseventy and seven fold;49 For aLamech having entered into a covenant with Satan, after the manner of Cain, wherein he became Master Mahan, master of that great secret which was administered unto Cain by Satan; and Irad, the son of Enoch, having known their secret, began to reveal it unto the sons of Adam;50 Wherefore Lamech, being angry, slew him, not like unto Cain, his brother Abel, for the sake of getting gain, but he slew him for the aoath’s sake.51 For, from the days of Cain, there was a secret acombination, and their works were in the dark, and they knew every man his brother.52 Wherefore the Lord acursed Lamech, and his house, and all them that had covenanted with Satan; for they kept not the commandments of God, and it displeased God, and he ministered not unto them, and their works were abominations, and began to spread among all the bsons of men. And it was among the sons of men.
I underlined the word knew twice. Sexually knowing your wife is how children are conceived. I suspect that sodomy is part of the satanic secret ceremony. :(
You may notice that chastity is the 4th law of heaven! Satan has corrupted that appetite/passion to no ends on this earth. I love food. I haven’t learned to limit my eating very well. You do much better at that than I do. But I have psychological erroneous zones that I am still working on.
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