2024 January 21, Sunday, Journal Entry

Yesterday was great. Ethan and Amy looked good and they're off today to Florida to get on a Caribbean cruise. We hope they have a good time.

Meredith is bringing the twins over this morning while she and Jake attend the dedication service for Orem temple. We're looking forward to that and I'm really happy to see them excited about their new temple. 

Sacrament meeting is at noon and I'm unclear as to whether or not we are supposed to take them with us or not. Some people seem to be unsure of the value of my desire to communicate clearly. One version I heard was that they will come over with their pajamas on and have breakfast with us. That should be no problem. However I also thought I heard that Jake would pick them up at church after Sacrament meeting which begins at noon. So are we changing their clothes from pajamas to church garb and Sri we get child seats in our car? I guess we'll find out.

Come Follow Me 

1 Nephi 10:14 And after the house of Israel should be scattered they should be gathered together again; or, in fine, after the Gentiles had received the fulness of the Gospel, the natural branches of the olive tree, or the remnants of the house of Israel, should be grafted in, or come to the knowledge of the true Messiah, their Lord and their Redeemer.

"This doctrine of the gathering is one of the important teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints... The coming forth of the Book of Mormon is a sign to the entire world that the Lord has commenced to gather Israel and fulfill covenants He made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We not only teach this doctrine, but we participate in it. We do so as we help to gather the elect of the Lord on both sides of the veil.

The Book of Mormon is central to this work. It declares the doctrine of the gathering. It causes people to learn about Jesus Christ, to believe His gospel, and to join His Church. In fact, if there were no Book of Mormon, the promised gathering of Israel would not occur."

Elder Russell M. Nelson

The Prodigal Son Returns

"My beloved brothers and sisters, dear friends, like all of the Savior’s parables, this one is not just about people living long ago. It’s about you and me, today.

Who among us has not departed from the path of holiness, foolishly thinking we could find more happiness going our own self-centered way?

Who among us has not felt humbled, brokenhearted, and desperate for forgiveness and mercy?

Perhaps some may even have wondered, “Is it even possible to go back? Will I be labeled forever, rejected, and avoided by my former friends? Is it better to just stay lost? How will God react if I try to return?”

This parable gives us the answer.

Our Heavenly Father will run to us, His heart overflowing with love and compassion. He will embrace us; place a robe around our shoulders, a ring on our finger, and sandals on our feet; and proclaim, “Today we celebrate! For my child, who once was dead, has come back to life!”

Heaven will rejoice at our return."

By Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, October 2023