040924, Tuesday, Journal Entry

Vitals: Weight 226.1

Book of Mormon Reading  1 Nephi 5

Journal Entry 

Beth's daughter (my niece) Julie Hinkson came to visit and brought her daughter, Hannah. We enjoyed a nice visit. I'm grateful that she felt compelled to some degree to connect with us. It has caused me to ponder the importance of family organizations and especially wives and mothers in the eternities and that's a good thing.

Come Follow Me 

In the alligory of the Olive trees, Jacob explained the basis of "the fruits of His Vineyard" which are family connections.

Jacob 5:71 And the Lord of the vineyard said unto them: “Go to, and labor in the vineyard, with your might. For behold, this is the last time that I shall nourish my vineyard; for the end is nigh at hand, and the season speedily cometh; and if ye labor with your might with me ye shall have joy in the fruit which I shall lay up unto myself against the time which will soon come.” 72 And it came to pass that the servants did go and labor with their mights; and the Lord of the vineyard labored also with them; and they did obey the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard in all things. 73 And there began to be the natural fruit again in the vineyard; and the natural branches began to grow and thrive exceedingl...

Jacob 6:4 And how merciful is our God unto us, for he remembereth the house of Israel, both roots and branches; and he stretches forth his hands unto them all the day long; and they are a stiffnecked and a gainsaying people; but as many as will not harden their hearts shall be saved in the kingdom of God.

"The essential doctrine of uniting families came forth line upon line and precept upon precept. Vicarious ordinances are at the heart of welding together eternal families, connecting roots to branches... The thought of being associated in the eternal realm is indeed glorious.

What a great time to be alive. This is the last dispensation, and we can feel the hastening of the work of salvation in every area where a saving ordinance is involved. We now have temples across much of the world to provide these saving ordinances. Family commitments and expectations should be at the top of our priorities to protect our divine destiny.

Jesus Christ gave His life as a vicarious atonement. He resolved the ultimate question raised by Job. He overcame death for all mankind, which we could not do for ourselves. We can, however, perform vicarious ordinances and truly become saviors on Mount Zion for our own families in order that we, with them, might be exalted as well as saved."

"Roots and Branches" by Elder Quentin L. Cook Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, April 2014