043026, Thursday

 Vitals: 

     Weight: 230.6

     BP and Pulse: 102/63, 83

     GMI: 7.4   

     Reported Sleep: 5:05

     Yesterday's Steps: 3,718

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

Leviticus 19: 9 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest.

10 And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the Lord your God.

"Because we are all brothers and sisters, we are all “neighbors,” though separated at times by distance, culture, religion, or race. Said the Prophet Joseph, “A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race.”  The Lord sets the example, “for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; … and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God.”  

To provide for others in the Lord’s way, we strive to care for ourselves and sacrifice to help those in need. The poor labor for what they receive and seek the betterment of others as well.  This pattern has been with us from the beginning.  

The Church welfare plan embodies this divine pattern, and faithful Church members follow it. Their offerings provide succor to the widow, care to the orphan, and refuge to the suffering."

Bishop Keith B. McMullin, Second Counselor Presiding Bishopric 

042926, Wednesday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 232.3

     BP and Pulse: 

     GMI: 7.4    (finger prick = 177, CGM = 165)

     Reported Sleep: 5:10

     Yesterday's Steps: 3,622

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

Leviticus 19: 2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy.

"May the Lord bless us to be reverent, prayerful, full of worship and devotion, until we re-enter the holy presence of him who is our Father, I pray in the name of his son, the Lord Jesus Christ."

Elder Howard W. Hunter, Apostle 

042826, Tuesday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 230.6

     BP and Pulse: 109/74, 85

     GMI: 7.4    (finger prick = 124. CGM = 157)

     Reported Sleep: 7:09

     Yesterday's Steps: 7,309

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

Leviticus 16: 9 And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the Lord’s lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering.

10 But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.

"When 12-year-old Jesus was found by His parents teaching in the temple, He told them that He had been “about [His] Father’s business.” And we can be too. Every calling, whatever it may be, is “His business” when embraced with a humble and willing heart and a desire to lift and comfort His children and share His good news. We are not merely filling an assignment when we respond to an inspired call but joining the Saviour of the world in His infinite, redeeming work. He needs you, and He needs me. Life is better—everything is better—when we are about His business."

Elder Patrick Kearon, Apostle 

042726, Monday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 228.8

     BP and Pulse: 118/69, 74

     GMI: 7.3

     Reported Sleep: 7:10

     Yesterday's Steps: 2,159

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

Exodus 40: 13 And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office.

14 And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats:

15 And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.

Each person on earth is a beloved son or daughter of God. When we choose to be part of a covenant, it enhances and deepens our relationship with Him. President Russell M. Nelson has taught that when we choose to make covenants with God, our relationship with Him can become much closer than it was before our covenant, and it enables Him to bless us with an extra measure of His mercy and love, a covenantal love referred to as hesed in the Hebrew language. The covenant path is all about our relationship with God—our hesed relationship with Him.

Our Father wants a deeper relationship with all His sons and daughters, but it is our choice. As we choose to draw nearer to Him through a covenant relationship, it allows Him to draw nearer to us and more fully bless us.

042626, Sunday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 229.2

     BP and Pulse: 137/85, 58

     GMI: 7.3

     Reported Sleep: 5:46

     Yesterday's Steps: 4,846

Journal Entry:

We wrapped plastic around the base of our new boxwood bushes in order to protect them from being over watered during the rain storms that are predicted for today and tomorrow. We had noticed that some of the leaves had died and turned yellow and Cathy's research indicated that the plants might have received too much water recently. We are hoping we can protect them by wrapping the base areas with plastic. We'll see. It cost quite a bit of money to get those boxwoods installed and they look great but we need to protect them as much as we can while they are still newly planted. The nature of our front garden is that over watering can be detrimental.

Come Follow Me 

Exodus 34: 30 And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.

"Can one righteous [person] change the world? The answer is a resounding “yes!” You have the Holy Ghost as your guide, and He “will show … you all things … [you] should do.” It is the daily consistent things you do that will strengthen you to be a leader and an example—daily prayer, daily scripture study, daily obedience, daily service to others. As you do these things, you will grow closer to the Savior and become more and more like Him. Like Moses and Abinadi and other faithful leaders, your face will glow with the fire of your faith. “Have ye received his image in your countenances?” “Arise and shine forth.”

Sister Elaine S. Dalton, Second Counselor, Young Women General Presidency 

042526, Saturday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 228.6

     BP and Pulse: 113/66, 78

     GMI: 7.3

     Reported Sleep: 6:36

     Yesterday's Steps: 2,953

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

Exodus 34: 10 And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the Lord: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee.

11 Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.

12 Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:

13 But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:

14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:

"The power of tradition...poses a significant danger...[W]e must reconcile our earthly culture with the doctrine of the everlasting gospel. This...involves embracing all that is spiritually elevating in our...traditions and discarding...traditions...which lead us away from performing holy ordinances and keeping sacred covenants. Our guide should be the doctrine taught by the scriptures and the prophets. Traditions which devalue marriage and family, abase women or do not recognize the majesty of their God-given roles, honor temporal success more than spiritual, or teach that reliance upon God is a weakness of character, all lead us away from eternal truths."

Elder Donald L. Hallstrom of The Seventy 

042426, Friday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 230.6

     BP and Pulse: 119/75, 67

     GMI: 7.2

     Reported Sleep: 4:01

     Yesterday's Steps: 2,309

Journal Entry:

Today was, I think, my last official training day for the Lindon Temple. Two weeks from today I will be, at lasr, officially functioning again as a Temple Worker. I'm really enjoying the training and I really believe this temple is being extremely well managed. This is the fourth temple wherein I will have served as an Ordinance Worker or as we are now designated, a "Temple Worker". I am learning more and more about the Gospel and especially about temple covenants. A great opportunity.

Come Follow Me 

Exodus 32: 1 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.

"[C]arnal man tends to let his loyalty drift toward idols.

For example, we marvel at computers and the Internet that enable transmission of data with remarkable speed. We are truly grateful for these electronic servants. But if we let them take over our time, pervert our potential, or poison our minds with pornography, they cease being servants and become instead false gods.

The Master warned of those who “seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol.”

False gods can only lead to dead ends. If our journey through life is to be successful, we need to follow divine direction."

Elder Russell M. Nelson, Apostle 

042326, Thursday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 230.3

     BP and Pulse: 118/72, 81

     GMI: 7.3

     Reported Sleep: 6:44

     Yesterday's Steps: 6,661

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

Exodus 31: 16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.

17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

"Perhaps most important, the Sabbath was given as a perpetual covenant, a constant reminder that the Lord may sanctify His people...Repeatedly, He has asked us to keep the Sabbath or to hallow the Sabbath day. We are under covenant to do so.

How do we hallow the Sabbath day? In my much younger years, I studied the work of others who had compiled lists of things to do and things not to do on the Sabbath. It wasn’t until later that I learned from the scriptures that my conduct and my attitude on the Sabbath constituted a sign between me and my Heavenly Father. With that understanding, I no longer needed lists of dos and don’ts. When I had to make a decision whether or not an activity was appropriate for the Sabbath, I simply asked myself, “What sign do I want to give to God?” That made my choices about the Sabbath day crystal clear."

Elder Russell M. Nelson, Apostle 

042226, Wednesday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 231.0

     BP and Pulse: 124/77, 73

     GMI: 7.3

     Reported Sleep: 5:40

     Yesterday's Steps: 5,635

Journal Entry:

While serving at the Bishops Storehouse yesterday, I had the opportunity to serve a patron who was a young mother of five children. She had brought her three year old daughter with her and she had a very large order for her family of seven.

At first, I realized I would have to do most of the work because she had her hands full with her little daughter. She obviously wanted to help and tried where she could but it was going to be mostly me loading her cart and keeping track of her order. And I was actually fine with that.

As we progressed through the Storehouse, we wound up sort of paralleling another couple who were having some difficulty because they were Spanish speakers and they were being served by Elder Story who doesn't speak Spanish. It was then that I observed that my patron was bilingual Spanish/English and she was able to offer significant assistance to Elder Story and his Spanish speaking patrons who were obviously a very nice married couple. Anyway, we all had a very pleasant experience together and I truly felt that we were blessed to all be together as these patrons were being served in the Bishops Storehouse.

Come Follow Me 

Exodus 24: 15 And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount.

16 And the glory of the Lord abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud.

17 And the sight of the glory of the Lord was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.

18 And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.

"Of course it’s hard. Everything to do with becoming more like the Savior is difficult. For example, when God wanted to give the Ten Commandments to Moses, where did He tell Moses to go? Up on top of a mountain, on the top of Mount Sinai. So Moses had to walk all the way up to the top of that mountain to get the Ten Commandments. Now, Heavenly Father could have said, ‘Moses, you start there, and I’ll start here, and I’ll meet you halfway.’ No, the Lord loves effort, because effort brings rewards that can’t come without it."

President Russell M. Nelson, Apostle 

042126, Tuesday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 229.4

     BP and Pulse: 128/77, 65

     GMI: 7.2

     Reported Sleep: 6:06

     Yesterday's Steps: 8,266

Journal Entry:

We are going to take our old patio furniture and a few other items to the dump today in a continuing effort to make our home more neat, clean and organized. Then it's off to the Bishops Storehouse for our weekly duties there. Should be a good day.

Come Follow Me 

Exodus 20: 7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

"To our modern ears, this sounds like a prohibition against irreverently using the Lord’s name. The commandment includes that, but its injunction is even more profound. The Hebrew word translated as “take” means to “lift up” or “carry,” as one would a banner that identifies oneself with an individual or group. The word translated as “vain” means “empty” or “deceptive.” The commandment to not take the Lord’s name in vain can thus mean, “You should not identify yourself as a disciple of Jesus Christ unless you intend to represent Him well.”

Elder Dale G. Renlund, Apostle 

042026, Monday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 231.0

     BP and Pulse: 131/89, 70

     GMI: 7.2

     Reported Sleep: 6:33

     Yesterday's Steps: 3,626

Journal Entry:

Unfortunately, some of Jake's kids were sick so we didn't have them over for dinner yesterday. We, actually Cathy, made dinner and we took it over to their house and they really appreciated that. Made me feel good too. It was a good day and the weather is getting good. Should be in the 70's today.

I think a HOA yard guy is coming over today to help us get our sprinkling/irrigation system set up for the coming summer.

Come Follow Me 

Exodus 20: 2 I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

“The placement of this commandment helps us understand that if we place Him as our main priority, everything else will ultimately fall into place—even our service to others. When He takes the preeminent position in our lives by our deliberate choice, then He is able to bless our actions to our good and to the good of others…Can such a godly focus apply in everything we do? Can performing even a menial task become an opportunity to demonstrate our love and devotion to Him? I believe it can and will. 

We can make each item on our to-do list become a way to glorify Him. We can see each task as a privilege and opportunity to serve Him, even when we are in the midst of deadlines, duties, or dirty diapers.”

President Joy D. Jones, Primary General President 

041926, Sunday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 232.3

     BP and Pulse: 124/74, 66

     GMI: 7.2

     Reported Sleep: 6:10

     Yesterday's Steps: 4,493

Journal Entry:

We enjoyed an Endowment session at the Mt Timpanogos temple yesterday afternoon.

Then we went shopping for some food to feed Jake and his family who are coming over later today for a visit. We are looking forward to seeing them all.

Come Follow Me 

Exodus 18: 20 And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.

"An early scriptural account of this need [for both the priesthood line and the personal line] is in Father Jethro’s counsel that Moses should not try to do so much. The people were waiting upon their priesthood leader from morning till night to “enquire of God” and also to “judge between one and another.” We often note how Jethro counseled Moses to delegate by appointing judges to handle the personal conflicts. But Jethro also gave Moses counsel that illustrates the importance of the personal line: “Thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do”.

In other words, Israelites who followed Moses should be taught not to bring every question to that priesthood leader. They should understand the commandments and seek inspiration to work out most problems for themselves… We must use both the personal line and the priesthood line in proper balance to achieve the growth that is the purpose of mortal life."

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Apostle 

041826, Saturday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 231.3

     BP and Pulse: 118/76, 68

     GMI: 7.2

     Reported Sleep: 7:39

     Yesterday's Steps: 4,239

Journal Entry:

I got up early yesterday to be at the Lindon Temple for my first training session of my regular shift as A temple worker, 5-7 AM on Fridays. The temple will be dedicated on Sunday, May 3rd and will be begin normal operations that week. This will be a great temple and I am humbled to be able to serve there.

My training yesterday was in conducting Endowment sessions properly. I have done that numerous times in Louisville and Mt Timpanogos temples but it was a great reminder of how to conduct these sessions correctly and I enjoyed the instruction. Next week my training will be in conducting Initiatory sessions and this will be very interesting because of the significant changes that have been made in Initiatory facilities and their operations. The ordinances themselves have, of course, not changed but the facilities and methods have been modified in what I see so far as a big improvement.

Come Follow Me 

Exodus 17: 11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

12 But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

"I wish to convey my appreciation to all those who raised their hands in a covenant to the Lord to sustain me. I have felt the expression of your hearts and your commitment to the Lord as your hands pointed heavenward.

I am reminded how Moses up on the hill raised his arms for the victory of the armies of Israel. As long as his arms were raised, Israel prevailed, but when they dropped from weariness, then the enemy prevailed. And so Aaron and Hur “stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side,” and Israel was victorious.  So will we be victorious as we hold up the arms of the Lord’s anointed servants."

President Ezra Taft Benson, Apostle 

041726, Friday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 233.0

     BP and Pulse: 124/81, 88

     GMI: 7.2

     Reported Sleep: 5:34

     Yesterday's Steps: 4,765

Journal Entry:

I served at the Lindon Temple starting at 0500 this morning so I wasn't able to do much of my Come Follow Me  daily studies. It was a very good day though.

Come Follow Me 

041626, Thursday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 230.1

     BP and Pulse: 119/86, 80

     GMI: 7.2

     Reported Sleep: 6:27

     Yesterday's Steps: 3,229

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

041526, Wednesday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 230.3

     BP and Pulse: 125/83, 80

     GMI: 7.2

     Reported Sleep: 6:13

     Yesterday's Steps: 3,841

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

Exodus 15: 2 The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. 

"Moses exulted, “The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation”… How can we build this kind of faith in the strength of the Savior? David had counsel for the people of his time that I repeat to you: “Seek the Lord and his strength … continually.” “Blessed is the man [or woman] whose strength is in thee. … Go from strength to strength”…

[S]trengthen yourselves by seeking the source of true strength—the Savior. Come unto him. He loves you. He desires your happiness and exults in your desires for righteousness. Make him your strength, your daily companion, your rod and your staff. Let him comfort you. There is no burden we need bear alone. His grace compensates for our deficiencies.

Your strength will strengthen others—your children, your [spouse], your friends, and your sisters in the gospel. That strength will flow back from them to you when you need it."

Sister Chieko N. Okazaki, First Counselor, Relief Society General Presidency 

041426, Tuesday

 Vitals: 

     Weight: 229.9

     BP and Pulse: 111/71, 85

     GMI: 7.2

     Reported Sleep: 7:40

     Yesterday's Steps: 7,350

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

Exodus 14: 21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.

22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

“If we will do what the Lord tells us to do, he will take care of us all right.

He told the Israelites to leave the land of Egypt, you remember, and they left. When they got to the Red Sea, Pharaoh’s armies caught up with them. I suppose they were worried, wondering how they could escape from that army. They did not know, but the Lord knew. When the time came, he simply said to Moses, “Lift … up [your] rod”. He did, and a dry-land passage through the Red Sea appeared, and they went through without the loss of a man. They never would have been thus protected and saved if they had not been doing what the Lord directed them to do.

Let us do what he has told us to do and then put our trust in him. He can take care of us, and in the day of need he will do so.”

President Marion G. Romney, Apostle 

041326, Monday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 229.9

     BP and Pulse: 101/66, 78

     GMI: 7.2

     Reported Sleep: 5:29

     Yesterday's Steps: 4789

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

Exodus 14: 13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

14 The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

"As His covenant people, we need not be paralyzed by fear because bad things might happen. Instead, we can move forward with faith, courage, determination, and trust in God as we approach the challenges and opportunities ahead.

We do not walk the path of discipleship alone…

“The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”..Do we live in a time of peril and turmoil? Of course we do.

God Himself has said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Can we exercise the faith to believe and to act accordingly? Can we live up to our commitments and sacred covenants? Can we keep the commandments of God even in challenging circumstances? Of course we can!

We can because God has promised, “All things shall work together for your good, if [you] walk uprightly.” Therefore, let us set aside our fears and live instead with joy, humility, hope, and a bold confidence that the Lord is with us.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Apostle 

041226, Sunday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 229.9

     BP and Pulse: 118/78, 75

     GMI: 7.3

     Reported Sleep: 6:48

     Yesterday's Steps: 3,908

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

Exodus 13: 21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:

22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.

"When the children of Israel were wandering in the wilderness, the Lord guided their journey each day as they looked to Him for direction...His leading was constant, and I give you my humble witness that the Lord can do the same for us.

So how will He lead us today? Through prophets, apostles, and priesthood leaders and through feelings that come after we pour out our hearts and souls to Heavenly Father in prayer. He leads us as we forsake the things of the world, repent, and change. He leads us as we keep His commandments and try to be more like Him. And He leads us through the Holy Ghost.

In order to be guided in life’s journey and have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, we must have a “hearing ear” and a “seeing eye,” both directed upward. We must act on the direction we receive. We must look up and step up. And as we do, I know we will cheer up, for God wants us to be happy."

Elder Carl B. Cook of The Seventy 

041126, Saturday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 229.2

     BP and Pulse: 126/79,69

     GMI: 7.3

     Reported Sleep: 6:44

     Yesterday's Steps: 5,720

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

Exodus 13: 17 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:

18 But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.

"God is our Heavenly Father. He loves all of us. He knows our potential way better than we know ourselves. He knows not only the details of our lives. God knows the details of the details of the details of our lives."

Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong of The Seventy 

Salt Lake Temple Grounds, April 2026

 

041026, Friday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 230.3

     BP and Pulse: 113/73, 75

     GMI: 7.4

     Reported Sleep: 6:26

     Yesterday's Steps: 6,544

Journal Entry:

It was a beautiful day yesterday and we decided to drive up to Salt Lake City and visit the temple grounds. I knew that a lot of effort had been made to make the temple grounds beautiful in preparation for Easter and for General Conference but in an attempt to avoid the large crowds, I felt that going there yesterday would be just as rewarding and it was.

I'm going to create a page with just yesterday's photos so you can see what I mean.

Come Follow Me 

Exodus 13: 14 And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the Lord brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:

"Through it all, the Savior offers us sustaining strength and support, and in His own time and way, He offers deliverance...

Mercifully, the Son of God offers us deliverance from the bondage of our sins, which are among the heaviest of all the burdens we bear...When we repent and keep the commandments, forgiveness and relief from our burdened conscience come with the help that only the Savior offers."

Elder Whitney Clayton of The Presidency of The Seventy 

040926, Thursday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 228.3

     BP and Pulse: 123/82, 73

     Reported Sleep: 6:21

     Yesterday's Steps: 4,241

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

Exodus 13: 3 And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.

"Throughout time, even and especially during difficult times, prophets have encouraged us to remember the greatness of God and to consider what He has done for us as individuals, as families, and as a people...

The consistency of pleas from prophets to reflect on the goodness of God is striking. Our Heavenly Father wants us to recall His and His Beloved Son’s goodness, not for Their own gratification but for the influence such remembrance has on us. By considering Their kindness, our perspective and understanding are enlarged. By reflecting on Their compassion, we become more humble, prayerful, and steadfast."

Elder Dale G. Renlund, Apostle 

040826, Wednesday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 229.0

     BP and Pulse: 118/75, 78

     Reported Sleep: 6:27

     Yesterday's Steps: 5,746

Journal Entry:

I enjoyed serving at the Lindon Temple during the open house yesterday. There was a very large and well behaved crowd and I was able to work with many other members of my ward. It was our day to help staff the temple.

Then after a nice lunch with Cathy, we went to the Bishops Storehouse and served there. So it was a long day but I truly loved it and I feel great this morning.

Come Follow Me 

Exodus 12: 40 Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.

41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt.

42 It is a night to be much observed unto the Lord for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the Lord to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.

"I learned that patience was far more than simply waiting for something to happen—patience required actively working toward worthwhile goals and not getting discouraged when results didn’t appear instantly or without effort.

There is an important concept here: patience is not passive resignation, nor is it failing to act because of our fears. Patience means...staying with something and doing all that we can—working, hoping, and exercising faith; bearing hardship with fortitude...Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well!...

Every one of us is called to wait in our own way...We wait for things which at the time may appear so right and so good to us that we can’t possibly imagine why Heavenly Father would delay the answer.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Apostle 

040726, Tuesday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 228.6

     BP and Pulse: 120/75, 79

     Reported Sleep: 6:15

     Yesterday's Steps: 5,763

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

040626, Monday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 230.8

     BP and Pulse: 120/74, 75

     Reported Sleep: 4:23

     Yesterday's Steps: 7,303

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

Exodus 7: 16 And thou shalt say unto him, The Lord God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear.

"As God asked more and more difficult things of him, Moses obeyed. He even went to the pharaoh, despite his fears and feelings of inadequacy, repeatedly demanding that Pharaoh free the children of Israel from bondage—“Let my people go.”

…the Israelites of ancient times are your people. The miracles God provided them are part of your spiritual heritage.

…Remember, remember, remember how God has worked in these lives. Remember how he has worked in your life."

Sister Virginia H. Pearce, First Counselor, Young Women General Presidency 

040526, Sunday COMPLETED YOUTH AND CHILDREN PROTECTION - ON LINE

Vitals: 

     Weight: 229.0

     BP and Pulse: 114/75, 64

     Reported Sleep: 7:11

     Yesterday's Steps: 4,250

Journal Entry:

Last evening after conference, Cathy and I drove over to University Place Mall and walked a little. It was, as you can easily imagine, quite crowded. Then we drove to In-n-Out Hamburger shop and each got a burger. I really like that place because the burgers are very good and reasonably priced. I took the photo to show that we aren't the only ones to feel that way. It's amazing how many people they can serve and serve well.

Anyway, General Conference was very good and we were glad that they no longer have a third session on Saturday evening. We shall watch both sessions today and, of course, we will record them and the church web site will have them available for review within a couple of days. 

Today being Easter Sunday makes it even better. I think we as a people (especially me) are finally realizing how important the events that cause us to celebrate Easter are to Heavenly Father's plan for us. 

Come Follow Me 

Easter Sunday

John 16: 33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

"Dear brothers and sisters, my message to you today is that because Jesus Christ overcame this fallen world, and because He atoned for each of us, you too can overcome this sin-saturated, self-centered, and often exhausting world.

Because the Savior, through His infinite Atonement, redeemed each of us from weakness, mistakes, and sin, and because He experienced every pain, worry, and burden you have ever had, then as you truly repent and seek His help, you can rise above this present precarious world.

You can overcome the spiritually and emotionally exhausting plagues of the world, including arrogance, pride, anger, immorality, hatred, greed, jealousy, and fear. Despite the distractions and distortions that swirl around us, you can find true rest—meaning relief and peace—even amid your most vexing problems."

President Russell M. Nelson 

040426, Saturday, General Conference Solemn Assembly to sustain President Oak

Vitals: 

     Weight: 228.3

     BP and Pulse: 128/78, 67

     Reported Sleep: 7:09

     Yesterday's Steps: 2,723

Journal Entry:

Cathy woke up yesterday with major pain in her jaw area and we feared that extensive dental work would be required. At 0800 she called and our dentist, Dr. Clayton Hansen, who is retiring and going on a mission for the church, agreed to see her. His office was scheduled to be closed for the day which was Good Friday and he was preparing to turn everything over to his replacement. He had to reinstate his insurance and bring his wife in to staff the office and his daughter to serve as hygienist but he felt a strong desire to help Cathy. We drove over there and he examined her and spent a couple of hours fashioning a new tooth for her and installing it. It was quite complicated and involved some new technologically complicated equipment but it seemed to work. Cathy came out apparently healed and we are very grateful. Our sincere prayers were apparently answered.

Sometimes prayers are answered immediately and dramatically and this was one of those times.

This morning she awoke basically pain free and is looking forward to a good Easter weekend and General conference 

Come Follow Me 

Today: 

Isaiah 53: 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

"Jesus Christ is our hope and the answer to life’s greatest pains. Through His sacrifice, He paid for our sins and took upon Himself all of our suffering—pain, injustice, sorrow, and fear—and He forgives and heals us when we trust in Him and seek to change our lives for the better. He is our Healer, comforting and repairing our hearts through His love and power, just like He healed many during His time on earth. He is the living water, fulfilling the deepest needs of our souls with His constant love and kindness. This is like the promise He made to the Samaritan woman at the well, offering “a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

Elder Jose L. Alonso of The Seventy 

April 3, 2026

Matthew 27: 50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

"[A]s we allow Him to direct us in all things, we receive testimony that “all things denote there is a God,” because where we look for Him we will find Him—each and every day."

Sister Tracy Y. Browning, Second Counselor, Primary General Presidency 

040226, Thursday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 224.6

     BP and Pulse: 113/67, 79

     Reported Sleep: 7:11

     Yesterday's Steps: 5,399

aJournal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

Luke 22: 41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,

42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

"In the closing hours of the Savior’s ministry, He went to the Mount of Olives into a garden called Gethsemane and invited His disciples to wait. Now alone, He petitioned His Father, “If thou be willing, remove this cup from me.” Being in agony, His suffering caused Him, “even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, … and would that [He] might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink.” Yet in the moment of deep despair, the Savior did not shrink “but partook and finished [His] preparations unto the children of men.”

As the Only Begotten of the Father, Jesus Christ had power over death, pain, and suffering but did not shrink. He fulfilled the covenant He had made with His Father and, in doing so, manifested a Christlike attribute increasingly important in the world in which we live—the attribute of integrity. He remained true to God, to each of us, and to His divine identity."

Elder Jack N. Gerard of The Seventy

040126, Wednesday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 227.5

     BP and Pulse: 119/73, 81

     Reported Sleep: 4:39

     Yesterday's Steps: 3,120

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

John 13: 12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?

13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.

"A touching example is the tender kindness Jesus showed his own Apostles. Close to the end of his earthly ministry, Jesus met with his Apostles, giving them the sacrament and final instructions. Jesus took a towel, poured water in a basin, and began to wash and dry the feet of the disciples. Peter, one of the disciples, said, “Thou shalt never wash my feet.” Perhaps Peter resisted because he felt that Jesus should not stoop to perform an act of this nature. But Jesus insisted, washing the feet of all of the Apostles, even the feet of Judas, whom he knew would soon betray him… My challenge to you is to search for opportunities to be kind. The promise is: you will be happy. I pray that each of us will develop a desire to be kind to ourselves and to others and to continually act upon it[.]"

Sister Betty Jo Jepsen, First Counselor, Primary General Presidency