111125, Wednesday

  

Daily Vitals: 235.0, GMI: 6.9, Steps (previous day): 5,063, BP: 124/72 Pulse 75, Reported sleep: 6:02

Journal Entry 

Going to serve at the Bishops Storehouse today then get my interview with reps from the Lindon Temple regarding serving as a temple worker. I assume, since I've been given an appointment for the interview, that my approval by my Bishop and my Stake President had been kind of routinely accomplished. I have served in the Mt Timpanogos temple satisfactorily fir a few years and now that we have a temple in Lindon the need for qualified temple workers is substantial. So we'll see what they have to say.

Come Follow Me 

D&C 130:18 Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.

19 And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.

"For members of the Church, education is not merely a good idea—it’s a commandment…

The Prophet Joseph taught, “Knowledge does away with darkness, [anxiety], and doubt; for these cannot exist where knowledge is.”

If formal education is not available, do not allow that to prevent you from acquiring all the knowledge you can. Under such circumstances, the best books, in a sense, can become your “university”—a classroom that is always open and admits all who apply. Strive to increase your knowledge of all that is “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy."

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Apostle 

111025, Monday. (Haircut - Alicia)

  

Daily Vitals: 231.9, GMI: 6.9, Steps (previous day): 2,973, BP: 125/76, Pulse 70, Reported sleep: 6:20

Journal Entry 

Yesterday was a good day for me. I went to stake Priesthood meeting at 0730. It lasted only 45 minutes but the four talks that were given were very good and worth listening to. Basic gospel topics but always good reminders. Then choir practice at 1100 and church at 1330. Good Priesthood lesson by Art Sandgren. Cathy has a hard time sitting in the pews at church because they hurt her back. So she went home after Sacrament meeting and I rode home with Art Sandgren.

I see my cardiologist today for an annual checkup. Should be no problem but we'll see what she has to say.

Come Follow Me 

D&C 130:1 When the Savior shall appear we shall see him as he is. We shall see that he is a man like ourselves.

2 And that same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory, which glory we do not now enjoy.

"The Prophet Joseph taught that the same sociality that we enjoy in this life will continue into the next, giving great comfort to those seeing friends and loved ones depart from this earth. The doctrines of salvation taught by this prophet distill upon our souls as the very dews from heaven. Joseph taught eternal truths that lead those who hunger and thirst for righteousness to the living Christ and to the bosom of God the Father."

Elder Robert E. Wells of The Seventy

110925, Sunday

  

Daily Vitals: 232.8, GMI: 6.9, Steps (previous day): 10,889, BP: 114/69, Pulse 72, Reported sleep: 6:24

Journal Entry 

I'm going to go to Stake Priesthood meeting this morning and then choir practice and then church. Trying to be good.

Come Follow Me 

D&C 128:22 Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free.

"I pray…that we will rejoice and go on to victory as we prepare for the [S]econd [C]oming of our Savior. I pray that we will not be led away by the subtle enticings of the world that sometimes come to us even from those near and dear to us—the enticings that say to us, “Seek for visibility; seek for power and influence; be sure your own needs are being met.” These are not the teachings of him whose coming we await. He says to us, rather, be the servant of all…"

President Barbara W. Wonder, Relief Society General President 

110825, Saturday

  

Daily Vitals: 229.9, GMI: 6.9, Steps (previous day): 8,219, BP: 128/75, Pulse 67, Reported sleep: 6:52

Journal Entry 

We both slept well and got up early for a little drive before breakfast at Aubergine Kitchen in Lehi. While killing a little time,we drove up American Fork Canyon and I got this shot of one of the peaks of Mt Timpanogos.

Come Follow Me 

D&C 128:18 …[T]he earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children, upon some subject or other—and behold what is that subject? It is the baptism for the dead. For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect. Neither can they nor we be made perfect without those who have died in the gospel also; for it is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times, which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time. And…those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent, shall be revealed unto babes and sucklings in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times.

"...[M]any youth have discovered that giving of their time to do family history research and temple work has deepened their testimony of the plan of salvation. It has increased the influence of the Spirit in their lives and decreased the influence of the adversary. It has helped them feel closer to their families and closer to the Lord Jesus Christ. They have learned that this work saves not just the dead; it saves all of us.

...[N]ow their parents need to catch up. There are now many people who have accepted baptism in the spirit world because of the work done by the youth, and they are waiting for other ordinances that only adults can perform in temples in this world. The work of gathering Heavenly Father’s family is...for everyone. We are all gatherers."

President Henry B. Eyring, Apostle

One of the other sites we came across this morning was the new Provo Rock Canyon Temple. It seems to be coming along nicely.

110725, Friday

  

Daily Vitals: 230.3, GMI: 7.0, Steps (previous day): 2,199, BP: 134/79 Pulse 66, Reported sleep: 3:45

Journal Entry 

We got a bill in the mail requesting immediate payment of over $5,000 for my medical treatment after I got out of the hospital in September. Basically my daily IVs that gave me my antibiotics for four weeks. So we spent most of the day talking to people from Intermountain Health Home Services, Medicare and LAPRA, my LAPD insurance provider. It looks like we got it solved but it took most of the day. Intermountain Health is going through some growing pains financially and I hope they start getting things right.

Come Follow Me 

D&C 128:15 And now, my dearly beloved brethren and sisters, let me assure you that these are principles in relation to the dead and the living that cannot be lightly passed over, as pertaining to our salvation. For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation, as Paul says concerning the fathers—that they without us cannot be made perfect—neither can we without our dead be made perfect.

"…The Lord gives us divine opportunity to become more like Him as we offer proxy saving temple ordinances others need but cannot do for themselves. We become more complete and perfected as we become “saviours … on mount Zion.” As we serve others, the Holy Spirit of Promise can ratify the ordinances and sanctify both giver and receiver. Both giver and receiver can make and deepen transforming covenants, over time receiving the blessings promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."

Elder Gerrit W. Gong, Apostle 

110625, Thursday

  

Daily Vitals: 231.0, GMI: 7.0, Steps (previous day): 6,872, BP: 127/80, Pulse 73, Reported sleep: 4:39

Journal Entry 

Cathy's health is improving somewhat but she is still pretty tired most of the time and doesn't sleep well. 

I got an email inviting me to fill out a short questionnaire about Lindon temple service and then request an interview with the temple Presidency. I filled out the questionnaire but the link to request an appointment for an interview doesn't seem to be working. I'm pretty sure it will all work out soon.

My health is pretty good. I used to think that being 80 years old would be preparing to move on to the next life and I guess it is but I feel so good that I'm hoping to be an effective temple worker as well as continuing to serve in the Bishops Storehouse in the foreseeable future. My thoughts are too work at the Storehouse on Tuesdays and the temple on Thursdays. Then get some temple sessions in as a patron when I can on other days.

Come Follow Me 

D&C 128:9 It may seem to some to be a very bold doctrine that we talk of—a power which records or binds on earth and binds in heaven. Nevertheless, in all ages of the world, whenever the Lord has given a dispensation of the priesthood to any man by actual revelation, or any set of men, this power has always been given. Hence, whatsoever those men did in authority, in the name of the Lord, and did it truly and faithfully, and kept a proper and faithful record of the same, it became a law on earth and in heaven, and could not be annulled, according to the decrees of the great Jehovah. This is a faithful saying. Who can hear it?

"We tend to think of the sealing authority as applying only to certain temple ordinances, but that authority is necessary to make any ordinance valid and binding beyond death. The sealing power confers a seal of legitimacy upon your baptism, for example, so that it is recognized here and in heaven. Ultimately, all priesthood ordinances are performed under the keys of the President of the Church, and as President Joseph Fielding Smith explained, “He [the President of the Church] has given us authority, he has put the sealing power in our priesthood, because he holds those keys.”

President D. Todd Christofferson, Apostle 

110525, Wednesday

 

Daily Vitals: 229.7,  GMI: 7.0, Steps (previous day): 5,898, BP: 130/80, Pulse 73, Reported sleep: 6:50

Journal Entry 

Jake came over and helped me with my new front door Ring camera which now works and gives us a good view of people at our front door.

He also was a big help to Cathy in getting her new iPhone 17 pro max up and running. She is now pleased with it and how it works. Took about a month to get to this point but perhaps she appreciates it even more after ask it took to finally get to this point. Fortunately my iPhone 13 pro max is still working great and does everything I want it to do and probably more so we're both happy with our phones.

Come Follow Me 

D&C 127:4 And again, verily thus saith the Lord: Let the work of my temple, and all the works which I have appointed unto you, be continued on and not cease; and let your diligence, and your perseverance, and patience, and your works be redoubled, and you shall in nowise lose your reward, saith the Lord of Hosts. And if they persecute you, so persecuted they the prophets and righteous men that were before you. For all this there is a reward in heaven.

"My father-in-law...taught me a great lesson. Sister Rasband and I went to visit him when he was nearing the end of his mortal journey. As we entered his room, his bishop was just leaving...

I mentioned to Blaine, “Wasn’t that nice of the bishop to come visit.”

Blaine...responded, “...I asked for the bishop to come because I wanted my temple recommend interview. I want to go recommended to the Lord.”

...Our work in the temple is tied to our eternal reward... The Lord has called us to work in the temples with “diligence, … perseverance, and patience.” Being “recommended to the Lord” requires those qualities. We must be diligent in living the commandments, persevere in our attention to our temple covenants, and be grateful for what the Lord continues to teach about them and be patient as we wait for temples to reopen in their fulness."

Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Apostle 

"Brothers and sisters, I urge you to redouble your commitment to prayer. I urge you to pray in your closets, in your daily walk, in your homes, in your wards, and always in your hearts."

Elder Russell M. Ballard, Apostle