070825, Tuesday

Daily Vitals: Weight: 229.7, GMI: 6.6, Steps (previous day): 8,058

Journal Entry:

We did a major cleaning of the living room area yesterday. Moved all the furniture off the rug and vacuumed it thoroughly then vacuumed all the chairs. Looks good. 

Today I'm looking forward to serving at the Bishops Storehouse. 

Come Follow Me 

D&C 76:22 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

23 For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father.

"[O]ur testimony is something that we will take with us to the next life. We will leave all our earthly possessions behind, but that knowledge, that inner conviction, will remain with us. Think of Joseph Smith: those who took his life could not take his chief possession—his testimony. The Prophet Joseph took that priceless possession with him through death’s veil into eternity, where the Lord had promised him “a throne for you in the kingdom of my Father.” But at the same time, that testimony, together with “a fame and name that cannot be slain” remains here with us. We hear the resounding witness of God’s Prophet testifying “that [Christ] lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father."

Elder Angel Abrea of The Seventy, April 2000

070725, Monday

Daily Vitals: Weight: 227.5, GMI: 6.6, Steps (previous day): 5,408

Journal Entry:

I bore my testimony in Fast and Testimony meeting yesterday. Jake had posted a short video on Marco Polo showing him and Meredith seated side by side when a uniformed police officer entered the picture, arrested Meredith and removed her from the picture. Then he posted "isn't AI fun Z?" The video was a complete fabrication as are so many other things in life today. We literally can't believe everything (or anything) we see or hear these days. That's why trusting in our Heavenly Father, His son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost is so important. Thank heaven we have that resource.

Jake and his family stopped by for a visit and we enjoyed that very much.

Come Follow Me 

D&C 76:5 For thus saith the Lord—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.

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

"[W]e should do “all we can do” until the end of our mortal probation….

When I served as president of the Spain Bilbao Mission, I was impressed with the quality of members and missionaries that I met, who moved the work forward with great ability and love, as do many faithful members of the Church in other parts of the world. To all of them, I express my sincere respect and admiration.

The Lord has said that He is “delight[ed] 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” … 

It is my humble prayer that the Lord may bless us to do “all we can do” in this “out of the ordinary” path that we have chosen[.]"

Claudio D. Zivic of The Seventy, October 2007

070625, Sunday

Daily Vitals: Weight: 228.3, GMI: 6.6, Steps (previous day): 8,403

Journal Entry:

We got some walking in up in Vivian Park and some Costco shopping in. Quiet day yesterday and probably today as well.

Come Follow Me 

D&C 75:16 And he who is faithful shall overcome all things, and shall be lifted up at the last day.

"Brothers and sisters, the Lord will, according to our faith, fulfill His promises and work with us to overcome every challenge. He... has done so for His people in all nations and in every age and generation. Because He is a “God of miracles” and “changeth not,” He will likewise bless each of us with hope, protection, and power according to our faith in Him. Steadfast faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will... anchor you and your loved ones to “the rock of our Redeemer” and His matchless power to save."

Elder Marcus B. Nash of The Seventy, October 2012 

070525, Saturday

Daily Vitals: Weight: 228.8, GMI: 6.7, Steps (previous day): 5,992

Journal Entry:

We enjoyed Independence Day by driving up to the Salt Lake Temple to see how it's coming. Progress is being made obviously but it still has a long way to go.

I did a little work on our office. It's now a little nicer for watching TV, and I threw out the old computer that didn't work. I still have the monitor which is in good shape but I'm storing it in the basement for now.

Come Follow Me 

D&C 75:11 Praying always that they faint not; and inasmuch as they do this, I will be with them even unto the end.

"On Sunday, October 20, I spoke to a large gathering near Boston, Massachusetts. As I was speaking, I was prompted to say, “I plead with you … to pray for this country, for our leaders, for our people, and for the families that live in this great nation founded by God.”

I also said that America and many of the nations of the earth, as in times past, are at another critical crossroads and need our prayers.

My plea was not in my prepared remarks. Those words came to me as I felt the Spirit prompt me to invite those present to pray for their country and their leaders.

Today I expand my call for prayer to all people from every country around the world. No matter how you pray or to whom you pray, please exercise your faith—whatever your faith may be—and pray for your country and for your national leaders. As I said last October in Massachusetts, we stand today at a major crossroads in history, and the nations of the earth are in desperate need of divine inspiration and guidance. This is not about politics or policy. This is about peace and the healing that can come to individual souls as well as to the soul of countries—their cities, towns, and villages—through the Prince of Peace and the source of all healing, the Lord Jesus Christ."

President M. Russell Ballard

Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

October 2020

070225, Wednesday

Daily Vitals: Weight: 225.7, GMI: 6.9, Steps (previous day): 9,977

Journal Entry:

Yesterday was relatively busy for me. Started with a visit to a new urologist to help me with significant urology issues that I'm having as I approach my 80th birthday (in six months). I was impressed with his solutions including a prescription and continued monitoring. Enough said for now. 

Then Beth and Karen joined us for a nice lunch at the Trellis Cafe at Thanksgiving Point to celebrate Beth's birthday. Very enjoyable.

This was followed by us helping out at the Bishops Storehouse because there was a shortage of available senior Missionaries. We were pretty busy and it was a good thing we were there.

So... Good day.

Come Follow Me 

D&C 75:10 Calling on the name of the Lord for the Comforter, which shall teach them all things that are expedient for them—

"Members have had the Holy Ghost conferred upon them after their baptism. The Holy Ghost will teach and comfort them. They are then prepared to receive guidance, direction, and correction, whatever their position or needs require."

President Boyd K. Packer 

This is such an important topic for me. I hope to continue learning more regarding the amazing blessing that is The Holy Ghost.

The Comforter is the Holy Ghost. The Comforter is a teacher. The “Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour” (Luke 12:12), and the “Holy Ghost ... shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance” (John 14:26). It is “not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth” (1 Corinthians 2:13). It is the Holy Ghost who “will show unto you all things what ye should do” (2 Nephi 32:5), for “by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5).

070425, Friday, Independence day

Daily Vitals: Weight: 228.3, GMI: 6.7, Steps (previous day): 5,706

Journal Entry:

070325, Thursday

Daily Vitals: Weight: 226.8, GMI: 6.8, Steps (previous day): 2,894

Journal Entry:

Served in the temple yesterday. It was very busy which is, I'm hoping, a good thing. Lots of Missionaries. The MTC in Provo is reportedly busier than ever and getting even busier. Since the new Rock Canyon Provo Temple won't be completed for at least another probably two years or more, our Mt.Timpanogos temple will continue to be very busy. We can handle up to 98 patrons every half hour just for Endowments and then we also have Initiatories and sealings as well as a very busy baptistry. I'm told we have around 4,000 Temple workers.

When the new Lindon Temple opens, which should happen within a few weeks, that should ease the pressure on the Mt. Timpanogos temple quite a bit.

We have been asked to help at the Lindon Bishops Storehouse this afternoon because of a one day shortage of service Missionaries. We're happy to do that.

Come Follow Me 

D&C 74:5 Wherefore, for this cause the apostle wrote unto the church, giving unto them a commandment, not of the Lord, but of himself, that a believer should not be united to an unbeliever; except the law of Moses should be done away among them,

"...[T]he wise cautions of Elders D. Todd Christofferson and Neil L. Andersen...are important to remember. Elder Christofferson taught: “It should be remembered that not every statement made by a Church leader, past or present, necessarily constitutes doctrine. It is commonly understood in the Church that a statement made by one leader on a single occasion often represents a personal, though well-considered, opinion, not meant to be official or binding for the whole Church.”

In the following conference, Elder Andersen taught this principle: “The doctrine is taught by all 15 members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. It is not hidden in an obscure paragraph of one talk.”

President Dallin H. Oaks