In 2 Kings 6, the King of the Syrian's encircled the city with horses and chariots and a great host of army to take Elisha the prophet.  When Elisha's servant arose in the morning, he saw that they were surrounded by a massive army and said to Elisha, what shall we do?

Elisha's response came, "Fear not; for they that be with us are more than they that be with them."  Elisha then prayed saying, "Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see."  And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man and he saw and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.  Elisha then prayed that the armies of the Syrians be smitten with blindness. The Lord led Elisha and his people to safety.

In a similar manner to Elisha, I pray that your eyes will be opened.  I promise that one day when you return to Heaven, there will be thousands of individuals (if not tens of thousands) waiting to thank you for your part in sharing the gospel with them and their conversion.  There will be hosts surrounding  you by both those that you helped to convert and the ancestors of those that you helped convert.  You may say, but I only gave them a pass along card or I only taught them after baptism, or I simply shared my testimony on a tour with them.  All of us play a key role (no matter how large or small) in the conversion of a soul and without all of the parts playing their key roles, the conversion will not take place.

President Gardner

The Book of Mormon,  affirms the existence of a living and loving Father in Heaven. “It affirms the nature of our Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation, happiness and mercy. It declares, as another testament, the generation and divinity of Jesus the Christ. It teaches of His ministry and of His Atonement. The Book of Mormon stands as a global beacon of eternal truth.”

The Book of Mormon affirms, among other things, the status of man’s moral agency while setting standards of accountability and responsibility for each individual’s choices. It also affirms the reality and inevitability of man’s impending judgment — “which will be done with a perfect blending of justice and mercy of God” — as well as the reality of the premortal life and the necessity for the sacrament.

The Book of Mormon reveals the endless nature of the priesthood and the preparation of choice spirits for leadership in the latter days.  “From the Book of Mormon we know that each of you has been reserved, foreordained, and fore-determined to come forth at this particular time to accomplish the mighty work you have been called to do.”

The Book of Mormon also reveals the interrelationships between the Creation, the Fall and the Atonement. “One cannot fully comprehend the Atonement without first understanding the Fall; and the Fall of Adam cannot be fully understood without first understanding the Creation. These three great doctrinal pillars sustain each other in God’s eternal plan,”   ---Elder Russell M. Nelson

“Will you live true to the faith of your ancestors? … Do strive to be worthy of all the sacrifices [they] have made for you.”         ---Elder George Albert Smith

As we seek to build Zion in our hearts, in our homes, in our communities, and in our countries, may we remember the resolute courage and abiding faith of those who gave their all that we might enjoy the blessings of the restored gospel, with its hope and promise through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

 ---I don't have name of author

(these pictures are ancestors from the Todd side of my family

I don't know anything about them and this is my new

desire -- to find out about them)

 William Richardson

Harriet Richardson

 

John A Powell

 

Joanna Fotheringham

"God grant us the desire to want to win the greatest of all the gifts he has given His children - the gift of eternal life.  May God bless us that we will understand out potential, that we may learn and grow and develop an understanding of our heritage and determine to preserve those great gifts that have been given to us as His children."

--L. Tom Perry

ITS JULY 4TH WEEKEND

What LDS Prophets have said about America's Founding Fathers.... (I only posted a few)

President Brigham Young

July 4, 1854

“The signers of the Declaration of Independence and the framers of the Constitution were inspired from on high to do that work.”

President Wilford Woodruff

April 1898

“Those men who laid the foundation of this American government and signed the Declaration of Independence were the best spirits the God of heaven could find on the face of the earth.   They were choice spirits, not wicked men.   General Washington and all the men that labored for the purpose were inspired of the Lord.” 

President Joseph F. Smith

October 1912

“I hope with all my soul that the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be loyal in their very hearts and souls, to the principles of the Constitution of our country. From them we have derived the liberty that we enjoy. They have been the means of guaranteeing to the foreigner that has come within our gates, and to the native born, and to all the citizens of this country, the freedom and liberty that we possess. We cannot go back upon such principles as these.”

President George Albert Smith

April 1949

“The Lord himself said that he raised up the very men who framed the Constitution of the United States and directed that membership of this Church should pray for and sustain those who represented the Constitution of this land.

“[. . .] You know, and I know, that the Ten Commandments contain the will of our Heavenly Father, and I am grateful, not only for the civil laws but also for the laws God has given us. I feel bound to conform my life to the teachings of the Ten Commandments. I feel equally bound to sustain the Constitution of the United States which came from the same source as the Ten Commandments. Unless the people of this great nation can realize these things and repent, they may forfeit the liberty that they now enjoy, and the blessings that are so multiplied among us.”

David O. McKay

October 1939

“Next to being one in worshiping God there is nothing in this world upon which this Church should be more united than in upholding and defending the Constitution of the United States.”

President Gordon B. Hinckley

August 1999

“Both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States were brought forth under the inspiration of God to establish and maintain the freedom of the people of this nation. I said it, and I believe it to be true. There is a miracle in its establishment that cannot be explained in any other way.”

President Thomas S. Monson

September 17, 2002

“Let us pause and reflect upon the many blessings we as Americans have received from our Constitution and the debt of gratitude we owe those heroic signers. As we do so, we might also recognize that freedom is not free. Sacrifice has been required to protect and to preserve the very freedoms we cherish.”

BACK HOME IN GOOD OLE SALT LAKE CITY

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY -- CHRISTY TOOK NAVY AND JENSEN TO HOGLE ZOO -- AND NEXT WEEK THEY WILL BE HERE IN OMAHA FOR THE OMAHA ZOO ----- SOOO EXCITED.  WHAT A CUTE AUNT SHE IS AND WHAT A GREAT TIME TOGETHER FOR THE THREE OF THEM.  I AM SOOOOO EXCITED TO SEE THESE LITTE KIDS AND IN FACT MY WHOLE FAMILY -- FIVE MORE DAYS.......!!!!!!!

Happenings this week 6-26 through July 2, 2016

Sunday was a great day where I saw two of my Karen friends who I haven't seen for quite some time.  I need to do better and go visit them.  On the left is Morie Naw and the right is Bu La Paw.  Them and their families all members of our church and they both have such a special love about them.  They want so badly to learn more about the church and be more involved but it is such a huge language barrier when they don't know English.  It is my goal from this day forth to make more of an effort to help them learn English.  I love them and for the way they show their love to me.  And I love Bu La Paw's karen outfit.  We took two of her girls to camp this summer.  And they were a delight:  Bu Tha Yu Htoo and Neen Win Say.

I had the four elders in my ward over to waffles on Tuesday evening.  Elder and Sister Tremanye joined us also.  It's quite the story and the wish to get to have Sis Cope's waffles.  Sad thing is, I am almost out of mix.  

Elders are:  Karl, Sherman, Connolly and Garrett -- some of the BEST!!!  

I went on a team-up with Elders Sherman and Connolly after waffles and it was a wonderful experience for me and in fact everyone.  We went to Heather's home to teach her and her two daughters.   They are challenged for baptism in July 23 -- so we are hoping that they are ready.  Heather is trying hard to quit smoking.  As I listened to her beat herself up for smoking seven cigarettes over the last two days (she usually smokes a pack a day) I finally spoke up and showed her some scriptures to help her realize that her best is what is expected and the Lord is aware of her and will help her even more as she puts her trust in him  I asked her to quit beating herself up in front of her and in front of her children because that is what satan wants. He wants her to be miserable  - he wants her to feel guilty.  She needs to pat herself on the back and realize that everyday she is doing her best, setting her goals and moving forward.  We told her we could help her and would be by her side.  I gave her my phone number and will follow through with encouragement.  Her girls and her are gaining a testimony of the gospel and it is exciting to hear and see it.  I was thrilled to be a part of this evening.

The sisters in the last picture is of two wonderful sisters who came into the office this week.  I haven't seen them forever, so it was fun and exciting.  Sisters Hutchinson and Slater.

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We had two mission meeting days this week which I helped with the luncheons at the California Street Bldg with -- Trainer Training Mtg on Tuesday and MLC for the mission leaders on Friday -- here are some pictures

 Sis Cope and Sis Sherman

 Pres and Sis Gardner with the MLC leaders

 cute sisters

fine elders

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Sister Gardner and I -  love her so much

Darling Sisters - how lucky I am

Pres. Gardner and AP's  Elder Smith and Olsen

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Elders Sherman and Connolly from the Fontenelle Ward which I attend had a baptism today.  They baptized sweet nine year old Anela May Ybarra -- her family are already members -- so was a very special day for them.  She has two little brothers who aren't of age yet.  Her sister Norell is one of our young women -- she gave a great talk on baptism.

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.    ----John 3:5

The feelings that come from the Holy Ghost are powerful, but they are also usually gentle and quiet.  "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith"
----Galatians 5:22

                                                                        picture taken by my friend Jean Haslem

Life is like a butterfly, you go through changes before you become something beautiful.