061224, Wednesday, Journal Entry

Vitals:  Weight 230.8

Book of Mormon Review Reading: Mosiah 2

Journal Entry:

We had a very nice visit with a mold abatement specialist who speculated that our mold issue was probably only in our drains. We made some effort to clean those drains and this morning I am not noticing any odor of mold. So I'm hoping that that's the long term solution -- keep the drains clean.

Today is the last day on the early shift as a temple ordinance worker. I don't have to be there until 0615.

Next week, for a reason unknown to me, or temple will be closed for one day. After that, assigned the 2nd shift on Wednesdays which means, I think, 1000 - 1400... Much better for a man of my age.

I'm still in constant pain and I'm looking forward to my surgery a week from tomorrow. I believe that will end this pain.

I'm so blessed to live in a day where modern medical science has developed to a point where these ailments can be healed.

Come Follow Me 

Alma 5:26 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?

27 Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God? Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble? That your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins?

28 Behold, are ye stripped of pride? I say unto you, if ye are not ye are not prepared to meet God. Behold ye must prepare quickly; for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand, and such an one hath not eternal life.

29 Behold, I say, is there one among you who is not stripped of envy? I say unto you that such an one is not prepared; and I would that he should prepare quickly, for the hour is close at hand, and he knoweth not when the time shall come; for such an one is not found guiltless.

"In the fifth chapter of Alma, an introspective question is posed: “Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble?” That question implies that humility is a mandatory requirement for us to be ready to return to the presence of God.

We all like to think we are sufficiently humble, but some experiences in life make us realize that the natural, prideful man or woman often is very much alive within us."

"Humility is a mandatory requirement for us to be ready to return to the presence of God."

Elder Joni L. Koch Of the Seventy, October  2023

"Some mistakenly receive the message that they are not worthy to participate fully in the gospel because they are not completely free of bad habits. God’s message is that worthiness is not flawlessness. Worthiness is being honest and trying. We must be honest with God, priesthood leaders, and others who love us, and we must strive to keep God’s commandments and never give up just because we slip up. Elder Bruce C. Hafen said that developing a Christlike character “requires patience and persistence more than it requires flawlessness.” The Lord has said the gifts of the Spirit are “given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do.”

Bradley R. Wilcox, Second Counselor in the Young Men General Presidency, October 2021