2023 August 17, Journal Entry

Yesterday afternoon we got to see a rainbow. That's seems to be a little unusual around here so here it is. 

I enjoyed serving in the Initiatory section of the temple. I get to interact with most of the brethren on my shift and I got to know Scott Florence, the other regularly assigned Initiatory Coordinator. Another good and interesting guy.

Spent the rest of the day with Cathy and then we went to the Orem Farmers Market. Got some fruit - especially peaches - and had a huge chicken beast sandwich. Took some peaches over to Jake. He and Erica and Fredrick meet us at the front door and selected some peaches, greeted us but wouldn't invite us in. It's that easy more and more with them. They seem to have difficulties with keeping their home clean and neat to an extent that they don't normally want anyone to come inside. 

It's disappointing because our principle reason for moving here was to be close to them but it isn't working out as hoped. We've actually talked about moving back to Kentucky or maybe even Tennessee but I don't think we'll do that.

Come Follow Me 

 The Family Proclamation: “The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife. We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.”

The ScripturePlus app has retroactively added content... Again. 

The above quote is from the lesson for  August 8th - over a week ago. I'm going back and trying to catch up but it's hard when the content is so late in coming.

Romans 7. Showing gratitude to God is, of course, important, and true disciples give sincere thanks to the Father for His incomparable goodness. But more is called for as we relate to God than words of thanks alone. We also show our gratitude by our deeds, keeping His commandments, and following His Son.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

When we are righteous, willing, and able, when we are striving to be worthy and qualified, we progress to places we never imagined and become part of Heavenly Father’s “divine design.” Each of us has divinity within us. When we see God working through us and with us, may we be encouraged, even grateful for that guidance. When our Father in Heaven said, “This is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man,” He was talking about all of His children—you in particular.

Elder Ronald A. Rasband, October 2017

Book of Mormon reading 

Jacob Chapter 5

Jacob quotes Zenos relative to the allegory of the tame and wild olive trees—They are a likeness of Israel and the Gentiles—The scattering and gathering of Israel are prefigured—Allusions are made to the Nephites and Lamanites and all the house of Israel—The Gentiles will be grafted into Israel—Eventually the vineyard will be burned. About 544–421 B.C.

Chapter 6

The Lord will recover Israel in the last days—The world will be burned with fire—Men must follow Christ to avoid the lake of fire and brimstone. About 544–421 B.C.