College Football Picks Week 7

1. Clint -14  tiebreaker 66
2. Tammy -16 tiebreaker 70
3. Lisa -18 tiebreaker 53
4.  Rex -19 tiebreaker 62

actual tiebreaker 84

"The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again"

I now want to share with you some of my favorite quotes from our Prophet's General Conference talk.

"Brothers and sisters, now is the time for you and for me to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Now is the time for us to make our discipleship our highest priority." – President Russell M. Nelson, "The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again", October 2024 General Conference

Pretty strong words from the Lord's living prophet.  The time is drawing near for the Savior to come again.  It is more imperative now than ever to prepare for His return.  Choosing to follow Christ is the most important thing we can do. 

"Jesus Christ took upon Himself your sins, your pains, your heartaches, and your infirmities. You do not have to bear them alone! He will forgive you as you repent. He will bless you with what you need. He will heal your wounded soul. As you yoke yourself to Him, your burdens will feel lighter. If you will make and keep covenants to follow Jesus Christ, you will find that the painful moments of your life are temporary. Your afflictions will be “swallowed up in the joy of Christ.”

"It is neither too early nor too late for you to become a devout disciple of Jesus Christ.  Then you will experience fully the blessings of His Atonement." – President Russell M. Nelson, "The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again", October 2024 General Conference

I love that last paragraph.  It is neither too early nor too late to become a devout disciple of Jesus Christ.  In doing so, we will experience the full blessings of His Atonement.  Many people feel like they are a lost cause.  That they are too far gone and it is too late for them to repent.  This is simply not true.  The living prophet just reiterated that.

"My dear brothers and sisters, in a coming day, Jesus Christ will return to the earth as the millennial Messiah. So today I call upon you to rededicate your lives to Jesus Christ. I call upon you to help gather scattered Israel and to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord. I call upon you to talk of Christ, testify of Christ, have faith in Christ, and rejoice in Christ!" – President Russell M. Nelson, "The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again", October 2024 General Conference 

"In a coming day, Jesus Christ will return to the earth."  It was very powerful to hear the Prophet speak these words.  Then he exhorted us to rededicate our lives to Christ. 

"Come unto Christ and “offer your whole [soul]” to Him. This is the secret to a life of joy!"– President Russell M. Nelson, "The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again", October 2024 General Conference 

The secret to joy in life is to come unto Christ and offer our whole soul to Him.  Very simple yet so many people are miserable because they refuse to follow Christ. 

"The best is yet to come, my dear brothers and sisters, because the Savior is coming again! The best is yet to come because the Lord is hastening His work. The best is yet to come as we fully turn our hearts and our lives to Jesus Christ.

"I bear my solemn witness that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I am His disciple. I am honored to be His servant. At His Second Coming, “the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.” That day will be filled with joy for the righteous!

"Through the power of the sacred priesthood keys I hold, I declare this truth to you and to all the world! In the name of Jesus Christ, amen." – President Russell M. Nelson, "The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again", October 2024 General Conference

"The best is yet to come because the Savior is coming again!  That day will be filled with joy for the righteous!"  I love this so much!  The words of the Prophet are true.  President Nelson is the Lord's living prophet.  He is the Lord's mouthpiece.  The Savior is coming again.  Soon.  May we all "fully turn our hearts and our lives to Jesus Christ".  In doing so, we will be "filled with joy" at His Second Coming.

That's my two cents.

The Savior's Gospel and His Church

I also really liked Elder Renlund's talk.  He started his talk by explaining the origin of dynamite.  Nitroglycerin as an explosive was too unstable to be useful.  But when mixed with diatomaceous earth it became a powerful explosive useful for blasting through rock.

"In a similar way, the combination of the gospel of Jesus Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides powerful and transformative benefits for us. The gospel is perfect, but a divinely commissioned church is required to preach it, maintain its purity, and administer its sacred ordinances with the Savior’s power and authority."  – Elder Dale G. Renlund, October 2024 General Conference

So many people think that just having the gospel of Jesus Christ is enough.  It's not.  Elder Renlund explains in his talk why The Church is necessary.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the vehicle for the gospel of Jesus Christ to be preached and administer the necessary ordinances with the Savior's proper authority.

"The Church is simply ordinary people, disciples of Jesus Christ, gathered and organized into a divinely appointed structure that helps the Lord accomplish His purposes. The Church is the instrument through which we learn the central role of Jesus Christ in Heavenly Father’s plan. The Church offers the authoritative way for individuals to participate in ordinances and make lasting covenants with God. Keeping those covenants draws us closer to God, gives us access to His power, and transforms us into who He intends us to become.

"Just as dynamite without nitroglycerin is unremarkable, the Savior’s Church is special only if it is built on His gospel." – Elder Dale G. Renlund, October 2024 General Conference

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was established by Jesus Christ himself and is His Church.

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints enables access to God’s power because it is authorized by Him both to teach the doctrine of Christ and to offer the gospel’s saving and exalting ordinances."  – Elder Dale G. Renlund, October 2024 General Conference

"The access to God’s covenantal power and His covenantal love is through His Church. The combination of the Savior’s gospel and His Church transforms our lives."  – Elder Dale G Renlund, October 2024 General Conference 

Yes, the combination of the Savior's gospel and His Church truly does transform our lives.  It certainly has transformed mine.  I'm so thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ, and I am also extremely grateful to be a member of His Church.  It has been the greatest blessing of my life.

That's my two cents. 

Don't Trade Everything for Nothing

I really loved General Conference this past weekend.  The transcripts just came out so I want to post some of my favorite quotes that stood out to me. 

" “O youth of the noble birthright, carry on, carry on, carry on!” I testify that you are loved—and you are trusted—today, in 20 years, and forever. Don’t sell your birthright for a mess of pottage. Don’t trade everything for nothing. Don’t let the world change you when you were born to change the world. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."  – Brother Bradley R. Wilcox, October 2024 General Conference

Members of the Church have taken upon themselves the great responsibility of living righteously on the covenant path and helping others to do the same.  Brother Wilcox likened being a member of the Church to being a crew member on a cruise.  The crew members have a responsibility to help and serve the passengers, but they are also compensated.  Likewise, members of the Church are compensated by receiving blessings including increased happiness, peace, and confidence.

"Elder Neil L. Andersen has said, “There is a compensatory spiritual power for the righteous,” including “greater assurance, greater confirmation, and greater confidence.” Like Abraham of old, you receive greater happiness and peace, greater righteousness, and greater knowledge." – Brother Bradley R. Wilcox, October 2024 General Conference

Yet, many members of the Lord's Church have traded everything for nothing by leaving the covenant path.  Don't fall into Satan's trap by leaving the covenant path for the world.  Don't sell your birthright for a bowl of stew.  Live up to your full potential of your noble birthright.

That's my two cents. 

College Football Picks Week 6

1. Tammy -14 tiebreaker 67
2. Clint -15 tiebreaker 48
3. Rex -16 tiebreaker 46
4. Lisa -22 tiebreaker 47

actual tiebreaker 44

Be Willing to Offend

I saw this quote on Daily Gospel Thought on Instagram this morning and really liked it.  So thought I would post it on my blog for you. 

“You have to be willing to offend. You have to be willing to take the risk. That’s exactly where the faith comes in. Our commitment is supposed to be a test. It is supposed to be hard. It is supposed to be impractical in the terms of this world.” — Hugh Nibley

I think way too many people are so worried about offending others, that they won't defend truth.  Subsequently, their faith suffers.  We must be willing to defend truth regardless of whether people get offended or not.  If they get offended at truth, that's on them, not us.

We need more bold people who care more about truth than worry about offending pansies who can't handle the truth. 

It brings to mind the Scripture in 1 Nephi about the guilty taking the truth to be hard.

1 Nephi 16:1-4

1 And now it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had made an end of speaking to my brethren, behold they said unto me: Thou hast declared unto us hard things, more than we are able to bear.

2 And it came to pass that I said unto them that I knew that I had spoken hard things against the wicked, according to the truth; and the righteous have I justified, and testified that they should be lifted up at the last day; wherefore, the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center.

3 And now my brethren, if ye were righteous and were willing to hearken to the truth, and give heed unto it, that ye might walk uprightly before God, then ye would not murmur because of the truth, and say: Thou speakest hard things against us.

4 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did exhort my brethren, with all diligence, to keep the commandments of the Lord.

Nephi wasn't afraid to speak truth even though others were offended.  May we all be more like Nephi and speak and defend truth, and be willing to offend in doing so.

That's my two cents. 

College Football Picks Week 5

1. Clint -10 tiebreaker 64
2. Rex -16 tiebreaker 81
3. Tammy -17 tiebreaker 53
4. Lisa -20 tiebreaker 63

actual tiebreaker 69

Jason's Visit

Yesterday my brother and plastic brother stopped by to pay us a visit.  Jason was in town for business and luckily Michael had the day off.  It's always a hoot when Michael and Jason are together.  They're both funny separately, but get them together and they have you in stitches.  So, needless to say, we had a blast visiting with them yesterday.  Lots of laughs.

I'm blessed to have such wonderful family.

That's my two cents.

Uncle John's Visit

Yesterday Uncle John and Aunt Ginny came for a visit from New York.  They also brought Uncle John's son, Ronnie, and his two boys, Kazimir and Zayin, and Zayin's wife, Sabra, and their three month old baby, Elowyn.

We had a nice visit with good food.  They even went to the trouble to find a black forest cake to bring because it's my favorite.  :-)

Aunt Ginny, Tammy, Uncle John
 September 22, 2024

Aunt Ginny, Tammy, Lisa, Uncle John
September 22, 2024

Uncle John is my maternal grandmother's youngest brother.  He is 87 years old.  His mother, my Great Grandma Wall, lived to 97.  So, I guess, Uncle John got Grandma Wall's longevity genes.  Anyway, we had a lovely visit and it was good to see them again.

I don't have the full group photo yet.  But I will add it when I get it.

That's my two cents.

Just got this photo from Aunt Ginny.  Kind of blurry but better than nothing.  Back row: Lisa, Rex, Ronnie, Zayin with baby Elowyn, Sabra, Kazimir.  Front row: Aunt Ginny, Tammy, Uncle John

College Football Picks Week 4

1. Rex -18 tiebreaker 47
2. Tammy -19 tiebreaker 49
3. Clint -20 tiebreaker 48
4. Lisa -21 tiebreaker 54

actual tiebreaker 47

Miss you, Abinadi

Yesterday was the fifth anniversary of Abinadi's death.  He died on  September 18, 2019.  Less than two months after Dad.  Abinadi was such a sweet boy.  I miss him.

Dad saying goodbye to Abinadi.  I think this is such a sweet photo.  It was a short separation.  Less than two months until Abinadi joined Dad on the other side of the veil.  I can't wait to join both of them again.

RIP Abinadi.

I miss my sweet boy.  You will always be in my heart.  Until we meet again, my friend.

That's my two cents.

I Am a Disciple of Jesus Christ

This year in Sunday School we are studying the Book of Mormon.  Every four years we rotate between the Old Testament, the New Testament, the Book of Mormon, and The Doctrine and Covenants & Pearl of Great Price.  I'm glad we're studying the Book of Mormon this year.  It's my favorite.  I listen to it every morning.  But anyway, this week's study is 3 Nephi 1-7.  This is right before Christ comes to the Americas to visit the Nephites after His resurrection.  It was a tumultuous time, much like it is now before the Second Coming of Christ.

One of the Scriptures that stood out to me in my study of these chapters was the following:

3 Nephi 5:13 

"Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life."

This is what the prophet Mormon wrote as he was abridging the plates.  I love this Scripture.  Mormon is very direct and succinct.  Like Mormon, I too would like to declare that I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.

The whole point of being a disciple of Jesus Christ, and following Him is to have eternal life.  To live with Him and Heavenly Father again for eternity.  That is  the goal.  That is why we follow Christ and strive to keep His commandments.

I hope we will all strive to be disciples of Jesus Christ.  That we may have everlasting life.

That's my two cents. 

College Football Picks Week 3

1. Clint -10 tiebreaker 46
2. Rex -11 tiebreaker 46
3. Tammy -17 tiebreaker 43
4. Lisa -18 tiebreaker 64

Actual tiebreaker 59

Life Is Short, Let God Prevail

Yesterday the Lord's living prophet, Russell M. Nelson, celebrated his 100th birthday.  I just saw this quote from him on his Instagram this morning.

"The length of your life is not as important as the kind of life that you live. For each of us, even for a 100-year-old man, life passes quickly. My prayer is that you will let God prevail in your life. Make covenants with Him. Stay on the covenant path. Prepare to return to live with Him again."  – President Russell M. Nelson

It's so true!  Some people may live well into their nineties and still not be prepared to meet God.  Because of their life choices.  Because they did not let God prevail in their lives.  While others may die young but having made and kept covenants with God, are well prepared to meet Him.

Life is short.  It passes in the blink of an eye.  Don't squander your precious gift of life while here in mortality.  Don't waste time on frivolous things.  Focus on the things of eternity.  Think celestial.  Spend your time making and keeping sacred covenants with God.  Stay on the covenant path.  If you stray, get back on the covenant path as soon as possible.  Let God prevail in your life.  If you do these things, you will be prepared to meet God whenever He decides to call you home.  Regardless of how old you are.

That's my two cents.

Happy 100th Birthday President Nelson

Today the Prophet and President of The Church turns 100 years old.  He is the oldest living modern-day prophet.  I think President Hinckley comes in second at 97 years old.

President Nelson has asked us to do something for "the one" as his birthday present.  Speaking of the parable of the lost sheep.  99+1.  We are all "the one" at times. So try to do something nice for someone today in honor of President Nelson.  Even if it's just a simple hello and smile.

Happy 100th Birthday President Nelson!

That's my two cents.