053126, Sunday

Weight: 232.8

     BP and Pulse: 125/77, 76

     GMI: 7.3, Glucose level: 182, Three day Average (May 27-30): 187

     Reported Sleep: 5:023

     Yesterday's Steps: 5,931

Journal Entry:

I need to drastically improve how I'm eating. My diabetes is getting out of hand. Part of it is my CGM is reading 20-30 points higher than finger pricks and is therefore not as accurate as it should be. I am going to replace the CGM tomorrow and see if that helps, but I do need to eat better as well.

Come Follow Me 

Judges 13:5 For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.

"Heavenly Father does not want us to look to the world and follow its ever-changing trends. He wants us to look to Him and follow His unchanging guidance. He wants us to live the gospel and lead others to it by setting the standard high.

The scriptures provide many great examples to illustrate this idea. In the book of Judges in the Old Testament, we learn about Samson. Samson was born with great potential. His mother was promised, “He shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.” But as Samson grew, he looked more to the world’s temptations than to God’s direction. He made choices because they “pleaseth [him] well” rather than because those choices were right. Repeatedly, the scriptures use the phrase “and he went down” as they tell of Samson’s journeys, actions, and choices. Instead of arising and shining forth to fulfill his great potential, Samson was overcome by the world, lost his God-given power, and died a tragic, early death."

Sister Ann M. Dibb, Second Counselor, Young Women General Presidency, April 2012

I watched a wonderful and inspirational talk given by Elder Paul V. Johnson, a Seventy, at a BYU Devotional on March 23rd, 2023, entitled Beautiful Babies Blessing the World. If you can, you should find it and read or view it.

053026, Saturday

Weight: 232.1

     BP and Pulse: 114/72, 75

     GMI: 7.1, Glucose level: 167, Three day Average (May 27-30): 182

     Reported Sleep: 7:07

     Yesterday's Steps: 5,322

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

Judges 7:21 And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled.

"Recently I recalled for a wonderful group of great young Latter-day Saints the thrilling story of Gideon of old, humble in the face of a seemingly insuperable challenge but called of God, who, through his resourcefulness and the strength of the Almighty, won a battle. His rallying cry is remembered: “The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon.”  

One other line from that marvelous story is so important that I call it to your attention: “they stood every man in his own place round about the camp. …”  The battle was won.

Asa, king of Judah, commissioned of God to the conflict, facing an enemy army of more than a million soldiers, gave us the key. He said, “… we rest on thee, and in thy name we go. …” 

I thank God for the multitude of marvelous young people I know. I pray for them and invoke God’s Spirit to be with them, and as plainly as I know how, and as earnestly, invoke God’s Spirit to be upon us, the stewards. Let me repeat for the second time today that beautiful line from the hymn Brother Petersen used this morning:

“The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose

I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes:

That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,

I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!”

Elder Marion D. Hanks, Assistant to The Twelve 

052926, Friday

Weight: 230.8

     BP and Pulse: 

     GMI: 7.0, Glucose level: 179, Three day Average (May 26-29): 172

     Reported Sleep: not recorded (didn't have my watch on)

     Yesterday's Steps: 7,546

Journal Entry:

Serving in the temple this morning. Got to be there and ready to go by 0500.

Come Follow Me 

Judges 7:2 And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.

"Before enjoying the harvests of righteous efforts, let us therefore first acknowledge God’s hand. Otherwise, the rationalizations appear, and they include, “My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth”. Or, we “vaunt” ourselves, as ancient Israel would have done (except for Gideon’s deliberately small army), by boasting that “mine own hand hath saved me”. Touting our own “hand” makes it doubly hard to confess God’s hand in all things."

Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Apostle 

052826, Thursday

 Weight: 231.2

     BP and Pulse: 122/78, 72

     GMI: 6.9, Glucose level: 163 (145 w/finger pricking), Three day Average (May 25-28): 158

     Reported Sleep: 6:10

     Yesterday's Steps: 8,965

Journal Entry:

I think my Dexcom CGM is inaccurate in that it gives readings that are around 20 points higher than the old fashioned finger pricking method. This is often the case when I install a new monitor and generally lasts for only about one day. We'll see what tomorrow's reading is but it ruins my average results by making them inaccurate. My GMI went up a point from 6.8 to 6.9 and, again, I don't think that's accurate. Not sure what to do about it (if anything).

Come Follow Me 

Judges 6:15 And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.

16 And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.

"Gideon saw himself as a poor farmer, the least of his father’s house. But God saw him as a mighty man of valor… My dear brothers and sisters, if we look at ourselves only through our mortal eyes, we may not see ourselves as good enough. But our Heavenly Father sees us as who we truly are and who we can become. He sees us as His sons and daughters, as beings of eternal light with everlasting potential and with a divine destiny."

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Apostle 

052726, Wednesday

Weight: 231.7

     BP and Pulse: 113/57, 79

     GMI: 6.8, Glucose level: 139, Three day Average (May 24-27): 142

     Reported Sleep: 6:30

     Yesterday's Steps: 3,976

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

Judges 4:14 And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the Lord hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the Lord gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.

"Brothers and sisters, we need each other! As covenant-keeping women and men, we need to lift each other and help each other become the people the Lord would have us become. And we need to work together to lift the rising generation and help them reach their divine potential as heirs of eternal life. We could do as Elder Robert D. Hales and his wife, Mary, have done and follow the proverb “Thee lift me and I’ll lift thee, and we’ll ascend together.”

President Linda K. Burton,  Relief Society General President, April 2015

052626, Tuesday

Weight: 233.0

     BP and Pulse: 105/64, 81

     GMI: 6.8, Glucose level: 139, Three day Average (May 23-26): 140

     Reported Sleep: 6:43

     Yesterday's Steps: 4,387

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

Judges 2: 19 And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way.

"When we harden our hearts, we are blinded, and good things cannot come into our hearts or our minds. We become stubborn and begin to place more focus on worldly desires, closing our hearts to the things of God. We choose to focus solely on our own thoughts while not accepting the opinions and guidance of others. We choose to not open our hearts to the things of God but instead to the influence of the things of the world and the adversary. When our hearts are hardened, we resist the influence of the Holy Ghost. We are “slow to remember the Lord,” and over time we become “past feeling” His words."

Elder Christopher H. Kim of The Seventy, April 2025 

052526, Monday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 231.0

     BP and Pulse: 105/67, 78

     GMI: 6.8, Glucose level: 122, Three day Average (May 22-25): 142

     Reported Sleep: 7:17

     Yesterday's Steps: 8,035

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

Judges 2: 10 And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.

 "Despite the astonishing heavenly interventions, visitations, rescues, and miraculous victories the children of Israel witnessed during the lifetimes of Moses and Joshua, within a generation the people had abandoned the Way and began walking according to their own desires. And, of course, it did not take long before they paid the price for that behavior.

Sometimes this falling away takes generations. Sometimes it happens in a matter of years or even months…But we are all susceptible. No matter how strong our spiritual experiences have been in the past, as human beings we tend to wander…But all is not lost. Unlike the wandering test subjects, we have reliable, visible landmarks that we can use to evaluate our course.

And what are these landmarks?

Surely they include daily prayer and pondering the scriptures and using inspired tools like Come, Follow Me. Each day, we can approach the throne of God in humility and honesty. We can ponder our actions and review the moments of our day—considering our will and desires in light of His. If we have drifted, we plead with God to restore us, and we commit to do better."

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Apostle 

052426, Sunday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 231.2

     BP and Pulse: 120/73, 70

     GMI: 6.9, Glucose level: 126, Three day Average (May 21-24): 147

     Reported Sleep: 6:19

     Yesterday's Steps: 5,943

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

Joshua 24: 23 Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the Lord God of Israel.

"In the growing climate of entitlement, excuse, apathy, and enticement, [children] of God who are not watchful, prayerful, and inspired are increasingly at risk of becoming what the scriptures describe as “silly[...]” who worship a variety of “strange gods.” Sadly, as a result of life’s difficulties and the world’s popular heresies, many...believe the myths more than the truth. Their misalignment with God’s plan is demonstrated in findings that many are not doing essential things such as praying and reading scriptures. The Lord Himself has said that “this is a day of warning, and not a day of many words.”

President Julie B. Beck, Relief Society General President, October 2010

052326, Saturday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 231.0

     BP and Pulse: 118/79, 70

     GMI: 6.9, Glucose level: 119, Three day Average (May 20-23): 147

     Reported Sleep: 7:01

     Yesterday's Steps: 6,045

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

Joshua 24: 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

"Joshua’s declaration demonstrates true conversion to the gospel. For Joshua and all of us, conversion to gospel principles comes through righteously living the principles of the gospel and being true to our covenants with the Lord.

...Remember Joshua, the prophet-warrior? He was not only converted himself, but he worked tirelessly to the end of his life to bring the children of Israel to God...A person who has experienced true conversion draws upon the power of the Atonement and receives salvation for his or her own soul, then reaches out to exert a powerful influence upon all those who know him or her."

President Bonnie L.Oscarson, Young Women General President, October 2013

052226, Friday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 232.5

     BP and Pulse: 

     GMI: 6.9, Glucose level: 120, Three day Average (May 19-22): 150

     Reported Sleep: 5:55

     Yesterday's Steps: 4,800

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

Joshua 23: 8 But cleave unto the Lord your God, as ye have done unto this day.

9 For the Lord hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day.

10 One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the Lord your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.

11 Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the Lord your God.

"Do you love the Lord?

Spend time with Him. Meditate on His words. Take His yoke upon you. Seek to understand and obey, because “this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.” When we love the Lord, obedience ceases to be a burden. Obedience becomes a delight. When we love the Lord, we seek less for things that benefit us and turn our hearts toward things that will bless and uplift others.

As our love for the Lord deepens, our minds and hearts become purified."

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, Apostle, October 2007

052126, Thursday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 230.6

     BP and Pulse: 111/69, 72

     GMI: 6.9, Glucose level: 115, Three day Average (May 18-21): 151

     Reported Sleep: 5:08

     Yesterday's Steps: 4,839

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

Joshua 5: 6 For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the Lord: unto whom the Lord sware that he would not shew them the land, which the Lord sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey.

"For every infirm man healed instantly as he waits to enter the Pool of Bethesda, someone else will spend 40 years in the desert waiting to enter the promised land.

...The point is that faith means trusting God in good times and bad, even if that includes some suffering...That can be difficult in our modern world when many have come to believe that the highest good in life is to avoid all suffering...

...I too suggest that “one’s life…cannot be both faith-filled and stress-free.” It simply will not work...saying...“Lord, give me all thy choicest virtues, but be certain not to give me grief, nor sorrow, nor pain, nor opposition. Please do not let anyone dislike me or betray me, and above all, do not ever let me feel forsaken by Thee or those I love. In fact, Lord, be careful to keep me from all the experiences that made Thee divine. And then, when the rough sledding by everyone else is over, please let me come and dwell with Thee, where I can boast about how similar our strengths and our characters are as I float along on my cloud of comfortable Christianity.”

...Christianity is comforting, but it is often not comfortable."

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Apostle 

052026, Wednesday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 228.6

     BP and Pulse: 113/69, 80

     GMI: 6.9, Glucose level: 145 Three day Average (May 17-20): 148

     Reported Sleep: 6:23

     Yesterday's Steps: 3,428

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

Joshua 3: 5 And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you.

"Priesthood ordinances and covenant promises allow God to sanctify us and then work wonders in our lives. But how does this happen?

First, in order for an ordinance to manifest the power of God in our lives, it must be done with authority from the Son of God. The delivery system is important...

Second, we don’t just make covenant promises—we must keep them. In many gospel ordinances, we make sacred covenants with God; He promises to bless us as we keep those covenants. Do we realize it is the combination of priesthood ordinances along with the keeping of covenant promises that allows us to draw upon God’s power?"

President Emily Belle Freeman, Young Women General President, October 2024

051926, Tuesday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 229.7

     BP and Pulse: 114/80, 75

     GMI: 6.9, Glucose level: 133, Three day Average (May 16-19): 147

     Reported Sleep: 6:23

     Yesterday's Steps: 4,105

Journal Entry:

My sister, Beth Merrill, invited me to go with her yesterday to the funeral of Dave Peterson, the husband of our cousin, Judy McIntire Peterson. They have been married for about 60 years and many of our relatives were there. It was a very enjoyable day spending time with Beth and other family members.

Come Follow Me 

Joshua 1: 9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

"You are not alone! Though you may be the only Latter-day Saint in your school or your group of friends or even your family, you are not alone. You can rely on the strength of the Lord.

...No wonder Satan has increased the intensity of his attacks on your identity and virtue. If you can be dismayed, discouraged, distracted, delayed, or disqualified from being worthy to receive the guidance of the Holy Ghost or to enter the Lord’s holy temple, he wins.

...I testify that as you draw close to the Savior, His infinite Atonement makes it possible for you to repent, to change, to be pure, and to receive His image in your countenance. His Atonement will enable you to be strong and courageous..."

President Elaine S. Dalton, Young Women General President, April 2010

051826, Monday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 230.3

     BP and Pulse: 112/76, 68

     GMI: 7.0, Glucose level: 133, Three day Average (May 15-18): 148

     Reported Sleep: 6:46

     Yesterday's Steps: 2,102

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

Joshua 1: 7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

"Imagine how Joshua, the successor to the great prophet Moses, must have felt, knowing that he was to lead the children of Israel to the promised land. At times I’m sure he wanted to give up. But the Lord comforted him by reminding him three times to be strong and courageous. With faith that God would be with them, the children of Israel committed, “All that thou commandest … we will do.”

...[S]eek the help of others to give you added strength and support. Look first to your Heavenly Father through prayer. You are His [child]. He knows you and loves you. He hears and answers your prayers. We are taught countless times in the scriptures to “pray always."" As you pray, the Lord will be with you just as the Lord was with Joshua."

Sister Mary N. Cook, First Counselor, Young Women General Presidency, April 2010

051726, Sunday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 229.2

     BP and Pulse: 111/70, 74

     GMI: 7.1, Glucose level: 139, Three day Average (May 14-17): 154

     Reported Sleep: 6:57

     Yesterday's Steps: 6,834

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

Deuteronomy 34: 9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses.

"The Prophet Joseph Smith received revelation after revelation. Some have been addressed during this conference. Many revelations received by the Prophet Joseph have been preserved for us in the Doctrine and Covenants. All the standard works of the Church contain the mind and will of the Lord for us in this last dispensation.

In addition to these great foundational scriptures, we are blessed with continuing revelation to living prophets. Prophets are “commissioned agents of the Lord, authorized to speak for Him.”

Elder Quentin L. Cook, Apostle 

051626, Saturday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 229.2

     BP and Pulse: 113/66, 77

     GMI: 7.1, Glucose level: 136, Three day Average (May 13-16): 153

     Reported Sleep: 6:57

     Yesterday's Steps: 4,086

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

Deuteronomy 30: 19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

"It is written that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  That holy Son died for us and gave us the wonderful example of his life, and nothing in that life touches my heart with greater impact than the manner in which he chose to live among us… He has the feeling of our infirmities; he understands our temptations. He came not as an angel but in flesh and blood that he might be a merciful and faithful advocate for us with the Father.

Would we improve our individual performance in relationship with others if we truly had the “feeling of their infirmities” and truly sought to be a faithful and merciful high priest, or Relief Society teacher, or friend, or wife, or husband?

The intensity and integrity of God’s love and Christ’s love are beyond our comprehension, but we are here to learn, and we must try."

Elder Marion D. Hanks of The Seventy 

     

051526, Friday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 230.3

     BP and Pulse: 

     GMI: 7.2, Glucose level: 138, Three day Average (May 12-15) Average 155

     Reported Sleep: 4:43

     Yesterday's Steps: 6,618

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

Deuteronomy 29: 5 And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot.

6 Ye have not eaten bread, neither have ye drunk wine or strong drink: that ye might know that I am the Lord your God.

"We do not know when the calamities and troubles of the last days will fall upon any of us as individuals or upon bodies of the Saints. The Lord deliberately withholds from us the day and hour of his coming and of the tribulations which shall precede it—all as part of the testing and probationary experiences of mortality. He simply tells us to watch and be ready.

We can rest assured that if we have done all in our power to prepare for whatever lies ahead, he will then help us with whatever else we need."

Elder Bruce R. McConkie, Apostle 

051426, Thursday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 230.8

     BP and Pulse: 127/83, 73

     GMI: 7.2, Glucose level: 132, Three day Average (May 11-14), Average 158

     Reported Sleep: 5:47

     Yesterday's Steps: 7,201

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

Deuteronomy 15: 11 For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.

"The lesson of the Savior’s parable of the sheep and goats is that we are to use the gifts we have been given—time, talents, and blessings—to serve Heavenly Father’s children, especially the most vulnerable and needy.  My invitation…to each of you, is to follow Jesus Christ and to trust the Holy Ghost as you would a cherished friend. Rely on those who love you and who love the Savior. Seek God’s guidance to develop your unique abilities, and help others, even when it isn’t easy."

Elder Dale G. Renlund, Apostle 

051326, Wednesday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 231.9

     BP and Pulse: 111/72, 79

     GMI: 7.2, Glucose level: 129, Three day Average (May 10-13), Average 162

     Reported Sleep: 6:58

     Yesterday's Steps: 10,501

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

Deuteronomy 8: 3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.

"Long before this time Moses had written: “… man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.”  

Present-day reports of confusion and frustration of individuals and religious institutions, as they attempt to resolve their religious doubts and conflicts, remind us of these words of Amos: “… they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.”

They seek to find the solution without building on the rock of revelation, as the Lord said must be done, if the gates of hell are not to prevail against it. This problem has engaged the minds of good and sincere men before and since the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in this dispensation."

Elder Howard W. Hunter, Apostle 

051226, Tuesday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 231.7

     BP and Pulse: 114/70, 74

     GMI: 7.2, Glucose level: 147, Seven day Average (May 4-11): 164

     Reported Sleep: 7:15

     Yesterday's Steps: 1,853

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me 

Deuteronomy 6: 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

"The Lord has told parents, “And thou shalt teach [the commandments of God] diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” I might also add, when thou ironest thy clothes, when thou makest thy beds, and when thou plantest thy garden—that is to say, talk about the gospel in every teaching moment.

The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us a way of life that, if followed, will help us avoid the stumbling blocks and the detours that draw us off course and beckon us to follow the ways of the world. Think of it! What a protection we have when we obey His laws such as the Word of Wisdom, the law of chastity, the law of tithing, and other commandments.

Joanne B. Doxey, Second Counselor, Relief Society General Presidency (October 1989)

051126, Monday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 231.0

     BP and Pulse: 112/72, 78

     GMI: 7.2, Glucose level: 145, Seven day Average (May 4-11): 164

     Reported Sleep: 7:18

     Yesterday's Steps: 1,498

Journal Entry:

We enjoyed being invited over to Jake's and Meredith's home yesterday to celebrate Mothers Day. Meredith's mom was also there. We had a nice meal that Jake made and enjoyed visiting with each other and Jake's kids. 

I'm going to start taking a new medicine today that is supposed to help control my diabetes so for awhile I will include a morning glucose reading in my Vitals above. We'll see how this works and I will keep reporting the results.

Come Follow Me :

Deuteronomy 6: 5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

"The scriptures invite us to place all we are and are becoming on the altar of love and service. In the Old Testament, Deuteronomy enjoins us to “love the Lord thy God” with all our heart, soul, and might. Joshua exhorts, “Love the Lord your God, … walk in all his ways, … keep his commandments, … cleave unto him, and … serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.”… We rejoice in the invitation to devote our whole souls to seeking higher and holier ways to love God and those around us and to strengthen our faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in our hearts and in our homes and at church."

Elder Gerrit W. Gong, Apostle 

Setting Apart - Callings in the Church

 Setting Apart 

This is a quote found in ScripturePlus, Sunday, May 10, 2026

The setting apart is an established practice in the Church and men and women are "set apart" to special responsibility, in ecclesiastical, quorum, and auxiliary positions. All missionaries are set apart and it is remarkable how many of them speak often of the authority who officiate and of the blessings promised and their fulfillment.

To some folk the setting apart seems a perfunctory act while others anticipate it eagerly, absorb every word of it, and let their lives be lifted thereby.

The setting apart may be taken literally; it is a setting apart from sin, apart from the carnal; apart from everything which is crude, low, vicious, cheap, or vulgar; set apart from the world to a higher plane of thought and activity. The blessing is conditional upon faithful performance.

In a hotel in the Pocono mountains of Pennsylvania long years ago, I learned an important lesson when the president of the Rotary International said to the district governors in the assembly:

"Gentlemen: This has been a great year for you. The people have honored you, praised you, banqueted you, applauded you, and given you lavish gifts. If you ever get the mistaken idea that they were doing this for you personally, just try going back to the clubs next year when the mantle is on other shoulders."

This has kept me on my knees in my holy calling. Whenever I have been inclined to think the honors were coming to me as I go about the Church, then I remember that it is not to me, but to the position I hold that honors come. I am but a symbol.

Source

Spencer W. Kimball, “Search the Scriptures,” October 1958 General Conference

051026, Sunday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 231.9

     BP and Pulse: 117/81, 74

     GMI: 7.2

     Reported Sleep: 6:29

     Yesterday's Steps: 5,008

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me :

Numbers 23: 19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

"To exercise faith is to trust that the Lord knows what He is doing with you and that He can accomplish it for your eternal good even though you cannot understand how He can possibly do it. We are like infants in our understanding of eternal matters and their impact on us here in mortality. Yet at times we act as if we knew it all. When you pass through trials for His purposes, as you trust Him, exercise faith in Him, He will help you. That support will generally come step by step, a portion at a time. While you are passing through each phase, the pain and difficulty that comes from being enlarged will continue. If all matters were immediately resolved at your first petition, you could not grow. Your Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son love you perfectly. They would not require you to experience a moment more of difficulty than is absolutely needed for your personal benefit or for that of those you love."

Elder Richard G. Scott, Apostle 

"It is interesting to me that some people would think that God’s prophets live in the past and are not attuned to the times. Everything I know of prophets is the opposite. They actually see into the future as watchmen on a tower...

I testify that we are led today by a living prophet, President Dallin H. Oaks.  He, along with the counselors in the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, are indeed prophets, seers, and revelators...

...When we follow their teachings and examples, we are following our Savior, Jesus Christ."

Elder Michael John U. Teh of The Seventy

"Seventy"

16 And the Lord said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. 17 And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.

050926, Saturday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 229.9

     BP and Pulse: 125/77, 69

     GMI: 7.2

     Reported Sleep: 6:27

     Yesterday's Steps: 11,179

Journal Entry:

Yesterday was my first official assignment as a Temple worker in the Lindon Temple. I enjoyed it very much and feel that I'm going to continue to enjoy it. My assignment is from 0500-0700 on Friday mornings. That shouldn't be too difficult for me but my problem is that I'm worried about being on time. This causes me to not sleep well because I want to know what time it is and am I going to be on time. I think I'll get used to it maybe set an alarm or something but it's not a big deal. Even if I'm tired I usually don't have anything else important scheduled the rest of the day so I can just be tired and deal with it. Anyway, I like the assignment and the temple leadership seems to be top notch in every way.

Come Follow Me:

Numbers 22: 18 And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more.

"Trying to please others before pleasing God is inverting the first and second great commandments. It is forgetting which way we face. And yet, we have all made that mistake because of the fear of men. In Isaiah the Lord warns us, “Fear ye not the reproach of men”. In Lehi’s dream, this fear was triggered by the finger of scorn pointed from the great and spacious building, causing many to forget which way they faced and to leave the tree “ashamed”. … When people try to save face with men, they can unwittingly lose face with God. Thinking one can please God and at the same time condone the disobedience of men isn’t neutrality but duplicity, or being two-faced or trying to “serve two masters”. … When others demand approval in defiance of God’s commandments, may we always remember whose disciples we are, and which way we face[.]"

Elder Lynn G. Robbins of The Presidency of The Seventy 

050826, Friday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 228.3

     BP and Pulse: 

     GMI: 7.2

     Reported Sleep: 6:09

     Yesterday's Steps: 11,518

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me:

Numbers 13: 30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.

31 But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.

"Upon their return, the 10 reported all the negative things they saw, but Caleb and Joshua saw past those and spoke of the positive. Unfortunately, like today, the people chose to believe the doubters, and so only Caleb and Joshua were preserved to enter the promised land. President Hinckley added:

“We see some around us who are indifferent concerning the future of this work, who are apathetic, who speak of limitations, who express fears. …They have no vision concerning its future.

“Well was it said of old, ‘Where there is no vision, the people perish.’"

Sister Bonnie D. Parkin, Second Counselor, Young Women General Presidency 

050726, Thursday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 229.4

     BP and Pulse: 121/76, 80

     GMI: 7.2

     Reported Sleep: 6:57

     Yesterday's Steps: 2,545

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me:

050626, Wednesday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 230.8

     BP and Pulse: 116/76, 79

     GMI: 7.2

     Reported Sleep: 5:29

     Yesterday's Steps: 8,526

Journal Entry:

I truly enjoyed serving in the Bishops Storehouse yesterday. I felt the Spirit very strongly with patron that I was blessed to serve. 

Come Follow Me:

Numbers 12: 3 Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.

"As the Lord communicates with the meek and submissive, fewer decibels are required, and more nuances are received. Even the most meek, like Moses, learn overwhelming things they “never had supposed.” But it is only the meek mind which can be so shown and so stretched—not those, as Isaiah wrote, who “are wise in their own eyes.” … Yielding one’s heart to God signals the last stage in our spiritual development. Only then are we beginning to be fully useful to God! How can we sincerely pray to be an instrument in His hands if the instrument seeks to do the instructing?"

Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Apostle 

"Meekness is an attribute developed through desire, the righteous exercise of moral agency, and striving always to retain a remission of our sins. It also is a spiritual gift for which we appropriately can seek. We should remember, however, the purposes for which such a blessing is given, even to benefit and serve the children of God.

As we come unto and follow the Savior, we increasingly and incrementally are enabled to become more like Him. We are empowered by the Spirit with disciplined self-restraint and a settled and calm demeanor. Thus, meek is what we become as disciples of the Master and not just something we do."

Elder David A. Bednar Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

050526, Tuesday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 229.9

     BP and Pulse: 117/74, 79

     GMI: 7.3

     Reported Sleep: 6:55

     Yesterday's Steps: 3,599

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me:

Moroni 7: 48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

"The Redeemer of the world turned outward in love and service when He faced spiritual adversity or physical pain—in contrast to the natural man in each of us that turns inward in self-interest, self-centeredness, and selfishness. As we live as He invites us to live and with His help, our nature and character over time increasingly become more like His.

As we follow, love, and serve the Savior, we gradually focus less on our own desires and interests and more on understanding and addressing the needs of others. We do not merely perform benevolent deeds; rather, our state of being is changed and becomes increasingly Christlike. Charity, then, ultimately possesses us."

050426, Monday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 230.6

     BP and Pulse: 113/74, 74

     GMI: 7.3

     Reported Sleep: 6:07

     Yesterday's Steps: 7,648

Journal Entry:

Come Follow Me:

Numbers 11: 20 But even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the Lord which is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt?

"...[M]urmurers have short memories...Strange, isn’t it...how those with the shortest memories have the longest lists of demands! However, with no remembrance of past blessings, there is no perspective about what is really going on.

...Those of deep faith do not murmur. They are generously disposed, and they are reluctant to murmur, even while in deep difficulties...

Murmuring can also be noisy enough that it drowns out the various spiritual signals to us, signals which tell us in some cases to quit soaking ourselves indulgently in the hot tubs of self-pity! Murmuring over the weight of our crosses not only takes energy otherwise needed to carry them but might cause another to put down his cross altogether. Besides, brothers and sisters, if we were not carrying so much else, our crosses would be much lighter."

Elder Neal A Maxwell, Apostle 

050326, Sunday. Lindon Temple Dedication by President Henry B. Eyring

Vitals: 

     Weight: 229.9

     BP and Pulse: 115/73, 78

     GMI: 7.4   

     Reported Sleep: 7:34

     Yesterday's Steps: 9,826

Journal Entry:

Looking forward to today's temple dedication. We have an Endowment session scheduled this week and I have additionally scheduled an Initiatory session. I'm looking forward to serving as an official Temple Worker this coming Friday morning.

Come Follow Me 

Leviticus 19: 34 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

“The stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself.” 

“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” 

And the Savior said:

“For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

“Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me.” 

The Savior lovingly acknowledged the widow whose contribution was only two mites because she did what she could. He also told the parable of the good Samaritan, which He concluded saying, “Go, and do thou likewise.” Sometimes reaching out is inconvenient. But when we work together in love and unity, we can expect heaven’s help."

President Linda K. Burton, Relief Society General President 

050226, Saturday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 229.9

     BP and Pulse: 106/72, 81

     GMI: 7.4   

     Reported Sleep: 5:48

     Yesterday's Steps: 10,254

Journal Entry:

Our grand children, Erica, Jill and Fredrick, participated in their annual piano concert yesterday and we enjoyed being there. Their piano teacher is very dedicated and puts on this concert every year for many of her students.

It sounds like Kathy Partridge may come by this morning to say hi to us. It will be nice to see them. They are here from Arizona in order to attend the women's conference at BYU.

B

Come Follow Me 

Leviticus 19: 30 Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord. 

"Perhaps above all, a saint is reverent. Reverence for the Lord, for the earth He created, for leaders, for the dignity of others, for the law, for the sanctity of life, for chapels and other buildings, are all evidences of saintly attitudes."

Elder Russell M. Nelson, Apostle 

050126, Friday

Vitals: 

     Weight: 228.3

     BP and Pulse: 109/75, 75

     GMI: 7.4   

     Reported Sleep: 7:40

     Yesterday's Steps: 3,700

Journal Entry:

When I look at the thought expressed in Come Follow Me below, I can't help thinking of Adam and Myisha and how I wish we could more completely enjoy our relationships. But, hopefully, things will improve there with time.

Come Follow Me 

Leviticus 19: 18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.

"The best ways for us to see the spiritual purposes of the Church are to live the true, pure, and simple teachings of Christ and also to apply the Savior’s two great commandments: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart. … Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” 

Obedience to those two commandments provides a way to experience more peace and joy. When we love and serve the Lord and love and serve our neighbors, we will naturally feel more happiness that comes to us in no better way."

President M. Russell Ballard, Apostle