033126, Tuesday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 227.2

     BP and Pulse: 125/77, 78

     Reported Sleep: 7:03

     Yesterday's Steps: 4,889

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

John 12: 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

"I testified to my friend, and I witness to you, that Jesus Christ is that Savior, that He had to suffer, die, and rise again—His infinite Atonement—to redeem all humanity from physical death and to give eternal life with God and our families to all who would follow Him. The Book of Mormon declares, “Thus God…gained the victory over death; giving the Son power to make intercession for the children of men…; being filled with [mercy and] compassion...; having broken the bands of death, taken upon himself their iniquity and their transgressions, having redeemed them, and satisfied the demands of justice.”

Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt of The Seventy

033026, Monday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 229.20

     BP and Pulse: 127/79, 81

     Reported Sleep: 7:16

     Yesterday's Steps: 4,982

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

John 3: 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

"But we could receive nothing without the greatest of all the Father’s gifts, His beloved Lamb, His Son, Jesus Christ. All of our Father’s gifts flow from and are activated by the Saviour’s willing offering in Gethsemane and on the cross and His triumphant Resurrection. Jesus Christ, our merciful Redeemer, is the supreme gift from our Father of lights. “In the gift of his Son hath God prepared [for us] a more excellent way.”

Elder Patrick Kearon, Apostle 

032926, Sunday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 227.9

     BP and Pulse: 117/73, 70

     Reported Sleep: 6:54

     Yesterday's Steps: 10,330

Journal Entry:

This is Palm Sunday - one week until Easter. Until recently it seems that not enough emphasis has been placed on Easter as a reminder of possibly the most important event in the entire history of the world. It seems to have been too easy in the past to gloss over the true meaning of Easter and just emphasize things like Easter Egg Hunts and Easter Baskets. 

I'm really glad that the Church has helped me begin to understand the true impact and importance of what we should be celebrating at this time of the year... The immense sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ, His love for each of us and His part in our eternal lives and eventual return to Heavenly Father as His loved children.

Come Follow Me 

Exodus 4: 10 And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

"You might even see your personal shortcomings and want to cry out like Moses did…If any of you…is having a thought like this right now, remember that the Lord has answered, “Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee.” And He promises, “Therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.”

Elder Aroldo B. Cavalcante of The Seventy 

032826, Saturday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 228.1

     BP and Pulse: 113/75, 71

     Reported Sleep: 6:18

     Yesterday's Steps: 10,330

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

Exodus 3: 20 And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go.

"Miracles, signs, and wonders abound among followers of Jesus Christ today, in your lives and in mine. Miracles are divine acts, manifestations and expressions of God’s limitless power...Jesus Christ, who created the seas, can calm them; He who gave sight to the blind can lift our sights to heaven; He who cleansed the lepers can mend our infirmities; He who healed the impotent man can call for us to rise up with “Come, follow me.”

Many of you have witnessed miracles, more than you realize. They may seem small...But the magnitude does not distinguish a miracle, only that it came from God. Some suggest that miracles are simply coincidences or sheer luck. But the prophet Nephi condemned those who would “put down the power and miracles of God, and preach up unto themselves their own wisdom...”

Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Apostle 

032726, Friday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 228.8

     BP and Pulse: 123/85, 65

     Reported Sleep: 7:49

     Yesterday's Steps: 5,295

Journal Entry

I very much enjoyed going to the temple yesterday for the 6AM session. I was surprised at how few patrons were present. I think there were about eight women and maybe 16 men in the session. But nevertheless I enjoyed it very much. 

Come Follow Me 

Exodus 3: 13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?

14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

15 And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.

"To Moses, who was faced not with a dimming past or a misty future nearly so much as with the brutal presence of a godless Pharoah, Jehovah said, “I AM THAT I AM. … say unto the children of Israel, I AM … this is my name for ever. …” Repentance and faith, service and compassion—now is always the right time for these. The past is to be learned from, not lived in, and the future is to be planned for, not paralyzed by. God has declared himself in the present tense. I am the Great I AM."

Jeffrey R.Holland, Apostle 

032626, Thursday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 228.0

     BP and Pulse: 112/76, 86

     Reported Sleep: 6:07

     Yesterday's Steps: 3,237

Journal Entry: I went to the 0600 Endowment session of  the temple today by myself. So I didn't get to this journal entry until the following day. It was a very good day though. Cathy and I spent the rest of the day together as we usually do and enjoyed it.

Come Follow Me:

Exodus 3: 8 And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.

"So here we have the burden of those called to bear the messianic message. In addition to teaching, encouraging, and cheering people on (that is the pleasant part of discipleship), from time to time these same messengers are called upon to worry, to warn, and sometimes just to weep (that is the painful part of discipleship). They know full well that the road leading to the promised land “flowing with milk and honey” of necessity runs by way of Mount Sinai, flowing with “thou shalts” and “thou shalt nots.”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Apostle 

032526, Wednesday

Vitals: 

Weight: 229.4

BP and Pulse: 118/79, 87

Reported Sleep: 5:26

Yesterday's Steps: 3,502

Journal Entry

I enjoyed serving in the Bishops Storehouse yesterday with Cathy. It's a wonderful place where we can truly meet and interact with people of all backgrounds and who are our brothers and sisters. It's always a learning and uplifting experience.

Come Follow Me 

Exodus 3: 4 And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.

5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

"When we go to the temple, we clear our minds and hearts of thoughts and feelings which may not be in harmony with the sacred experiences of the temple. We also dress in a modest, proper, and dignified manner. Our dress and grooming for this sacred occasion are signs of reverence and respect for the Lord and His holy house. Once inside the temple, we change into white clothing, which symbolizes cleanliness and purity. We are then ready to participate in the quiet reverence of temple worship. This eternal blessing is available to all who are worthy to receive it.

…Let us be worthy to have a current temple recommend…Let us return to the temple as often as our circumstances will permit…Let us enjoy the spiritual strength and the revelation we receive as we attend the temple regularly. Let us be faithful and make and keep temple covenants to receive the full blessings of the Atonement."

Sister Sylvia H. Allred, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency 

032426, Tuesday

Vitals: 

Weight: 228.1

BP and Pulse: 117/77, 79

Reported Sleep: 6:50

Yesterday's Steps: 2,606

Journal Entry

Last weekend we enjoyed a very nice visit from Kevin and Becky. The weather was great for March and we went out to lunch at one of my favorite places which is Guru's in downtown Provo. 

The photo here is us across the street from Guru's on the grounds of the the Provo City Center Temple.

Come Follow Me 

Exodus 2: 24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.

"I witness our Savior lives and “His promises are sure.” Especially for you who are troubled or who are “afflicted in any manner,” I testify that our Heavenly Father hears your tearful pleadings and will always respond in perfect wisdom."

Elder Brian K. Taylor of The Seventy

032326, Monday

Vitals: 

Weight: 228.6

BP and Pulse: 121/75, 70

Reported Sleep: 6:07

Yesterday's Steps: 5,576

Journal Entry

My first official assignment as a Lindon Temple Worker was last evening. I attended a meeting at the temple that was conducted by President Scot Westover. It turned out to be a nice recap of what it means to be a temple worker followed by letting us just wander around the temple to see what it's like. I enjoyed the whole evening a lot and look forward to working there once the temple becomes completely operational.

Come Follow Me 

Exodus 1: 15 And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah:

16 And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.

17 But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.

"Today, let me add that we need women who know how to make important things happen by their faith and who are courageous defenders of morality and families in a sin-sick world. We need women who are devoted to shepherding God’s children along the covenant path toward exaltation; women who know how to receive personal revelation, who understand the power and peace of the temple endowment; women who know how to call upon the powers of heaven to protect and strengthen children and families; women who teach fearlessly."

President Russell M. Nelson, Apostle 

032226, Sunday

Vitals: 

Weight: 227.7

BP and Pulse:

Reported Sleep: 6:03

Yesterday's Steps: 5,187

Journal Entry

Today's quote below by Elder Marvin J. Ashton is one of the greatest definitions of explanations of charity. Think about it.

Come Follow Me 

Genesis 50: 20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

"Charity is, perhaps, in many ways a misunderstood word. We often equate charity with visiting the sick, taking in casseroles to those in need, or sharing our excess with those who are less fortunate. But really, true charity is much, much more.

Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again."

Elder Marvin J.Ashton, Apostle 

032126, Saturday

Vitals: 

Weight: 228.8

BP and Pulse:

Reported Sleep: 6:52

Yesterday's Steps: 4,395

Journal Entry

We enjoyed a beautiful, warm, sunny outdoor lunch with Kevin and Becky at Guru's in downtown Provo yesterday. We are really enjoying their visit and are looking forward to taking them all - including Jake and Meredith - out to dinner this evening. 

Come Follow Me 

Genesis 49: 22 Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall:

"But was there only one tribe of Israel? What of Joseph, the birthright son, who saved all of Israel’s family from famine? What of Joseph, whose sons Israel blessed and said, “Let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac”? What of Joseph, whom Israel blessed and promised that he would be “a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall”? Where is the record of Joseph?

We testify to the world that we have the record of Joseph—even the Book of Mormon. Like Judah, Joseph had a people—the Nephites and Lamanites. Like Judah, Joseph had a land—the Americas. Like Judah, Joseph had prophets, and his descendants also had a visitation from Jesus Christ, even the resurrected Lord.

“Know ye not,” the Lord says in the Book of Mormon, “that there are more nations than one? …

“Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another?

“… And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another.”

We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ."

President Ezra Taft Benson 

032026, Friday

Vitals: 

Weight: 228.6

BP and Pulse:

Reported Sleep: 5:39

Yesterday's Steps: 6,170

Journal Entry

Come Follow Me 

Genesis 47: 12 And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father’s household, with bread, according to their families.

"It’s not enough to say we believe and that we love Him; we must be found possessed with His kind of love for others at that last day. It is not necessary for us to lay down our life for others as He did, but like the Savior, we should bless the lives of others by giving of what our life is made up of—our time, our talents, our means, and ourselves."

Elder Robert J. Whetton of The Seventy 

031926, Thursday

Vitals: 

Weight: 228.6

BP and Pulse: 124/70, 69

Reported Sleep: 7:05

Yesterday's Steps: 2,742

Journal Entry

Come Follow Me 

Genesis 45: 24 So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.

"After Joseph, youngest son of Jacob, had been reunited with his brothers, he asked them to return home to Canaan to bring his father, Jacob, to him in Egypt. As the brothers were preparing to depart, Joseph said to them simply, “See that ye fall not out by the way.” 

Might our Heavenly Father have given us much the same counsel as we departed his presence to begin our earthly sojourn?

May our yearning for home be the motivation we need to so live that we can return to our heavenly home with God our Father on a forever basis."

Elder Marvin J. Ashton, Apostle 

031826, Wednesday

Vitals: 

Weight: 228.8

BP and Pulse: 132/71, 71

Reported Sleep: 6:17

Yesterday's Steps: 4,242

Journal Entry

Come Follow Me 

Genesis 45: 7 And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

8 So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

"While in college, our oldest son was hired into a very desirable part-time student job that had the potential to lead to a wonderful, permanent job after graduation...At the end of his senior year, almost as if orchestrated by heaven (at least to our son’s way of thinking), the permanent position did open up, and he was the leading candidate, with every indication and expectation that, indeed, he would get the job.

Well, he was not hired. None of us could understand it…He was devastated and crushed, and the entire episode left all of us scratching our heads. Why had God abandoned him in his righteous desire?

It wasn’t until several years later that the answer became very clear. Had he received the dream job after graduation, he would have missed a critical, life-changing opportunity that has now proved to be for his eternal benefit and blessing. God knew the end from the beginning (as He always does), and in this case the answer to many righteous prayers was no, in favor of a far superior outcome."

Elder Brooke P. Hales of The Seventy

031726, Tuesday

Vitals: 

Weight: 228.8

BP and Pulse: 135/82, 80

Reported Sleep: 3:24

Yesterday's Steps: 4,709

Journal Entry

Come Follow Me 

Genesis 45: 5 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

"With our trust and faith in God, trials and afflictions can be consecrated for our good. Joseph, sold into slavery in Egypt, later saved his family and people. The Prophet Joseph Smith’s incarceration in Liberty Jail taught him “these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.” Lived with faith, trials and sacrifices we would never choose can bless us and others in ways never imagined."

Elder Gerrit W. Gong, Apostle 

031626, Monday, My dad's 110th birthday

Vitals: 

Weight: 230.1

BP and Pulse: 127/81, 80

Reported Sleep: 4:49

Yesterday's Steps: 3,006

Journal Entry

Come Follow Me 

Genesis 44: 33 Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren.

34 For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father.

"Judah and his brothers needed to take their youngest brother, Benjamin, to Egypt. Initially their father resisted. But Judah made a promise to Jacob—he would bring Benjamin home.

In Egypt, Judah’s promise was put to the test. Young Benjamin was wrongly accused of a crime. Judah, true to his promise, offered to be jailed in Benjamin’s place. “For,” he said, “how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me?” Judah was determined to keep his promise and return Benjamin safely. Do you ever feel about others the way Judah felt toward Benjamin?

Isn’t this how parents feel about their children? How missionaries feel about people they serve? How Primary and youth leaders feel about those they teach and love?

No matter who you are or your current circumstances, someone feels exactly this way about you. Someone wants to return to Heavenly Father with you."

Elder Michael T. Ringwood of The Seventy

031576, Sunday

 Vitals: 

Weight: 231.2

BP and Pulse: 133/75, 74

Reported Sleep: 6:29

Yesterday's Steps: 5,815

Journal Entry

Come Follow Me 

Genesis 41: 55 And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do.

"Joseph, the son of Jacob and Rachel, was sold into slavery in Egypt. Because of treachery in the house of Potiphar, Joseph went to prison. Pharaoh had two troubling dreams. Hearing of Joseph’s discernment from the chief butler, he sent for him to interpret the dreams. Joseph told him through inspiration that seven years of plenty would be followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh not only recognized this true interpretation but he trusted Joseph and appointed him to be second only to Pharaoh in power. The years passed and the famine came. In time Joseph rescued all of his brothers and his father from starvation. Because he earned the implicit trust of those who were over him, Joseph enjoyed a great amount of freedom. Like Joseph, you too can be trusted by others, but trust must be earned."

President James E. Faust, Apostle 

031426, Saturday

Vitals: 

Weight: 230.1

BP and Pulse: 128/83, 78

Reported Sleep: 7:11

Yesterday's Steps: 6,520

Journal Entry

Come Follow Me 

Genesis 41: 54 And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.

"When considering the principle of preparedness, we can look back to Joseph in Egypt for inspiration. Knowing what would happen would not have been sufficient to carry them through the “lean” years without a degree of sacrifice during the years of abundance. Rather than consume all that Pharaoh’s subjects could produce, limits were established and followed, providing sufficient for their immediate, as well as their future, needs. It was not enough to know that challenging times would come. They had to act, and because of their effort, “there was bread.”

…Being temporally prepared and self-reliant means “believing that through the grace, or enabling power, of Jesus Christ and our own effort, we are able to obtain all the spiritual and temporal necessities of life we require for ourselves and our families.”

Bishop W. Christopher Waddell, First Counselor, Presiding Bishopric 

031326, Friday

Vitals: 

Weight: 229.7

BP and Pulse: 126/80, 71

Reported Sleep: 5:24

Yesterday's Steps: 3,732

Journal Entry

Come Follow Me 

Genesis 41: 38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?

"Joseph was able to interpret the Pharaoh’s dream. The Pharaoh, being so impressed, made Joseph one of his servants. Again the Lord was with Joseph. Soon Joseph rose to a position of being second to the Pharaoh in all the land of Egypt. There was something special that distinguished Joseph from all the other servants. Pharaoh remarked what made Joseph different from all of the others when he said, “Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?”

You will notice in each situation in which Joseph found himself that the Lord was with him. It was easy to recognize the special spirit in him because of the way he lived and heeded the voice of the Lord to direct him."

Elder L. Tom Perry, Apostle 

031226, Thursday

Vitals: 

Weight: 229.7

BP and Pulse: 116/69, 74 

Reported Sleep: 7:17

Yesterday's Steps: 2,443

Journal Entry

Come Follow Me 

Genesis 39: 12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.

"We learn a great lesson from Joseph. When he was presented with a temptation, he immediately separated himself from even the appearance of evil. All of us have events in our lives which find us in challenging situations.

When we are confronted with that which is evil and degrading—whether it be the wrong kind of music, a television program, or Internet sites which place us in the wrong environment—how strengthening it is to remember the story of Joseph: “And [he] fled, and got him out.” He removed himself from the temptation."

Elder L. Tom Perry, Apostle 

031126, Wednesday

Vitals: 

Weight: 229.4

BP and Pulse: 134/75, 79

Reported Sleep: 5:29

Yesterday's Steps: 3,765

Journal Entry

Come Follow Me 

Genesis 39: 9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

"What are we doing today to engraven in our souls the gospel principles that will uphold us in times of adversity?

For example, what did Joseph who was sold into Egypt plant in his soul to reply, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” when avoiding pressure from Potiphar’s wife to break the law of chastity?...

What [Joseph] did was allow the Spirit to write gospel principles in [his soul]. This writing doesn’t happen overnight. Profoundly exposing our souls to the principles of righteousness will make a difference in our preparation for spiritual quakes. This exposure can be enhanced by pondering and by cutting off bad influences."

Elder Walte4 F. González of The Presidency of The Seventy 

031026, Tuesday

Vitals: 

Weight: 230.1

BP and Pulse: 127/82, 78

Reported Sleep: 5:47

Yesterday's Steps: 7,106

Journal Entry

Come Follow Me 

Genesis 39: 2 And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

3 And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand.

To give what you have been denied is a powerful part of divine healing possible through faith in Jesus Christ. To live in such a way that you give, as Isaiah has said, beauty for the ashes of your life is an act of faith that follows the supreme example of a Savior who suffered all that He might succor all.

Joseph of Egypt lived a life with ashes. He was hated by his brethren, betrayed, sold into slavery, wrongly imprisoned, and forgotten by someone who had promised to help. Yet he trusted in the Lord. “The Lord was with Joseph” and consecrated his trials to his own blessing and growth—and to the saving of his family and all Egypt. 

...Through the Savior, Joseph’s life became “beauty for ashes.”

Sister Kristen M. Yee, Second Counselor, Relief Society General Presidency 

030926, Monday

Vitals: 

Weight: 229.7

BP and Pulse: 124/78, 88

Reported Sleep: 5:54

Yesterday's Steps: 2,571

Journal Entry

Come Follow Me 

Genesis 37: 23 And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him;

24 And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.

"Young Joseph, the son of Jacob, was thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, betrayed, and abandoned. Joseph must have wondered if God had forgotten him. God had something unimaginable in mind for Joseph. He used this period of trial to strengthen Joseph’s character and put him in a position to save his family."

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Apostle 

030826, Sunday

Vitals: 

Weight: 230.3

BP and Pulse: 127/71, 85

Reported Sleep: 3:24

Yesterday's Steps: 4,152

Journal Entry

Come Follow Me 

Genesis 33: 3 And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

4 And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.

"Surely each of us could cite an endless array of old scars and sorrows and painful memories that this very moment still corrode the peace in someone’s heart or family or neighborhood. Whether we have caused that pain or been the recipient of the pain, those wounds need to be healed so that life can be as rewarding as God intended it to be. Like the food in your refrigerator that your grandchildren carefully check in your behalf, those old grievances have long since exceeded their expiration date. Please don’t give precious space in your soul to them any longer. As Prospero said to the regretful Alonso in The Tempest, “Let us not burden our remembrance with a heaviness that’s gone.”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Apostle, October 2018 General Conference 

030726, Saturday

Vitals: 

Weight: 229.4

BP and Pulse: 127/82, 78

Reported Sleep: 6:09

Yesterday's Steps: 2,388

Journal Entry

Come Follow Me 

Genesis 32: 28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

"With the help of two Hebrew scholars, I learned that one of the Hebraic meanings of the word Israel is “let God prevail.” Thus the very name of Israel refers to a person who is willing to let God prevail in his or her life. That concept stirs my soul!

The word willing is crucial to this interpretation of Israel.  We all have our agency. We can choose to be of Israel, or not. We can choose to let God prevail in our lives, or not. We can choose to let God be the most powerful influence in our lives, or not.

For a moment, let us recall a crucial turning point in the life of Jacob, the grandson of Abraham. At the place Jacob named Peniel (which means “the face of God”), Jacob wrestled with a serious challenge. His agency was tested. Through this wrestle, Jacob proved what was most important to him. He demonstrated that he was willing to let God prevail in his life. In response, God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, meaning “let God prevail.” God then promised Israel that all the blessings that had been pronounced upon Abraham’s head would also be his."

President Russell M. Nelson, Apostle 

030626, Friday

Vitals: 

Weight: 227.2

BP and Pulse: 133/87, 85

Current Glucose Level: 144 @ 0550

Reported Sleep: 6:01

Yesterday's Steps: 5,745

Journal Entry

Come Follow Me 

Genesis 32: 9 And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:

10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.

"I know the Lord has great and marvelous plans for us—individually and collectively. With compassion and patience, He says:

“Ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath … prepared for you;

“And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along.”

My dear brothers, I testify that He has been, and is, indeed leading us along, as we seek to hear Him. He wants us to grow and to learn, even through—perhaps especially through—adversity."

President Russell M. Nelson, Apostle 

030526, Thursday

Daily Vitals: 

Weight: 225.3

BP and Pulse: 131/86, 81

Current Glucose Level: 134 @ 0435

Reported Sleep: 7:13

Yesterday's Steps: 4,372

Journal Entry

Come Follow Me 

Genesis 28: 16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.

"... This time of bleakness after World War II left its mark upon the world. It left its mark upon me.

Back then, in the solitude of my loneliest hours, I often wondered, “Is there any hope left in the world?”

Angels among Us

As I pondered this question, I thought about our young American missionaries who served among us during those years. They had left the safety of their homes half a world away and traveled to Germany—land of their recent enemies—to offer divine hope to our people. They came not to blame, lecture, or shame. They willingly gave of their young lives without thought of earthly gain, wanting only to help others find the joy and peace they had experienced.

To me, these young men and women were perfect. I am sure they had flaws, but not to me. I will always think of them as being bigger than life—angels of light and glory, ministers of compassion, goodness, and truth.

While the world was drowning in cynicism, bitterness, hatred, and fear, the example and teachings of these young people filled me with hope. The gospel message they offered transcended politics, history, grudges, grievances, and personal agendas. It gave divine answers to important questions we had during these difficult times."

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Apostle 

030426, Wednesday

Daily Vitals: 

Weight: 227.9

BP and Pulse: 131/79, 77

Current Glucose Level: 133 @0435

Reported Sleep: 6:31

Yesterday's Steps: 3,286

Journal Entry

I've been working on improving my physical conditioning mostly by going to the Orem Famiky Fitness Center and walking and riding a recumbent bicycle. At my age (80) it's difficult to do more than that. I'm going to try to come up with something to exercise my upper body as well.

Yesterday we served at the Bishops Storehouse and that is something I truly look forward to each week. I'm also looking forward to being a temple worker again when the new Lindon Temple opens next month. I want to be productive but as I age it becomes increasingly difficult. I'll keep trying though.

Come Follow Me 

Genesis 28: 15 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.

"Challenging times come in this mortal world, including to the faithful, but the reassuring message of Christ is that although He, the paschal lamb, would go like “a sheep before [its] shearers,” He would nevertheless rise, as the psalmist said, to be “our refuge and strength, [our] very present help in [times of] trouble.”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

030326, Tuesday

Daily Vitals: 

Weight: 229.2

BP and Pulse: 136/83, 76

Current Glucose Level: 126 @ 0435

Reported Sleep: 7:13

Yesterday's Steps: 5,648

Journal Entry

Come Follow Me 

Genesis 25: 32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?

33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.

34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.

"In the busyness of our daily lives and in the commotion of the contemporary world in which we live, we may be distracted from the eternal things that matter the most by making pleasure, prosperity, popularity, and prominence our primary priorities. Our short-term preoccupation with “the things of this world” and “the honors of men” may lead us to forfeit our spiritual birthright for far less than a mess of pottage."

Elder David A. Bednar, Apostle 

030226, Monday

Daily Vitals: 

Weight: 229.0

BP and Pulse: 117/75, 76

Current Glucose Level: 112 @ 0425

Reported Sleep: 6:53

Yesterday's Steps: 2,600

Journal Entry

Come Follow Me 

Genesis 24: 18 And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.

19 And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.

20 And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.

"The Lord knew Rebekah’s heart; he knew how she would respond when she observed a need. He answered the servant’s prayer that the young woman who was to become Isaac’s wife would offer him water…Her charitable response to this stranger was automatic. She did not stop to think, I am giving service, nor did she consider the station of the one in need. She hastened to serve water—to camels.

Respectfully, she offered an act of service, a simple one, and from that act was born a family of great influence for whole dispensations. Rebekah loved with worthiness and willingness as a daughter of God. Remember the question, Who can gauge the reach of our goodness?

From her we learn that charity, though often quantified as the action, is actually the state of the heart that prompts us to love one another. She offered water. It was in the offering that charity was manifest."

President Elaine L. Jack, Relief Society General President 

030126, Sunday

Daily Vitals: 

Weight: 230.3

BP and Pulse: 129/78, 76

Current Glucose Level: 119 @ 0315

Reported Sleep: 5:19

Yesterday's Steps: 4,441

Journal Entry

Come Follow Me