2023 October 6, Journal Entry

I played pickleball with four of my friends yesterday morning. Then I worked on and completed our HOA request for approval to replace the dead tree in our parking strip that the HOA has required us to replace. It's interesting that the tree, which was there when we moved in and which died shortly thereafter, became the object of an HOA direction that we had to remove it and replace it. Then the HOA required us to get their approval to accomplish that task. Bureaucracy at its finest.

Then we went to an afternoon endowment session at the temple. Somewhere we squeezed in a visit with Beth and Karen. Karen is staying with Beth until she can find a new job.

Today I am going to try to finish up my work on our front garden irrigation system. The weather is absolutely beautiful so that should actually be enjoyable.

Come Follow Me 

Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

It is extremely imperative that we listen to and study the words of our modern prophets, seers and revelators, the First Presidency and members of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. In these times there are few others whose words we can trust and rely on. I don't automatically believe news "journalists", commentators, politicians and the list goes on and on. But I do trust our church leaders.

Also in Ephesians 4:

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Book of Mormon reading  

Alma Chapter 55, Moroni refuses to exchange prisoners—The Lamanite guards are enticed to become drunk, and the Nephite prisoners are freed—The city of Gid is taken without bloodshed. About 63–62 B.C.

Chapter 56, Helaman sends an epistle to Moroni, recounting the state of the war with the Lamanites—Antipus and Helaman gain a great victory over the Lamanites—Helaman’s two thousand stripling sons fight with miraculous power, and none of them are slain. Verse 1, about 62 B.C.; verses 2–19, about 66 B.C.; and verses 20–57, about 65–64 B.C.