1 - Lisa -16
2 - Derrinda -20
3 - Tammy -21 (51)
4 - Mom -21 (43)
5 - Dad -21 (42)
6 - Mercedes -23 (42)
7 - Juliet -23 (41)
8 - Michael -24
actual tiebreaker was 72.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
A Fork in the Road
Yesterday I was browsing deseretbook.com and came across an excerpt from a book titled Fathers of Faith. I will try to paraphrase what I remember from that excerpt. It was written by Matt Holland son of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland.
Matt mentions an experience when he was about eight or nine years old. His family was on vacation in St. George, Utah where his mom and dad are from. They were visiting his grandparents and Elder Holland decided to take his son Matt on a road trip to the Grand Canyon. They used his grandpa’s old truck and a handwritten map. The dirt roads were bumpy and windy. They finally made it to the Grand Canyon and before long Elder Holland said they needed to get back before it got dark because they were unfamiliar with the way back.
After a while, driving on the dirt roads they came to a fork in the road. They didn’t recall any forks on the way out and there was no fork drawn on the map. They decided to pray to know which road they should take. After the prayer Elder Holland asked his son Matt what he thought they should do.
Matt said he felt impressed that they should take the left road. Elder Holland agreed that he had received the same impression.
So, they headed down the left fork in the road and after about 10 minutes came to a dead end. Elder Holland quickly turned the truck around and went back to the fork in the road, and took the right fork.
There wasn’t much conversation on the drive back. Matt was a little disconcerted that he felt impressed to take the wrong road. Finally he asked his father why they both received inspiration to take the wrong road.
Elder Holland replied that he had been thinking about that also and came to the conclusion that if they had received the impression to take the right road that Elder Holland would have driven on that road for 30 minutes and turned around because it was unfamiliar. But, since they had taken the wrong road first, he was certain he was on the right path and didn’t make the grave mistake of turning back only to find out that they were on the right path all along. If they had made that mistake, it would have been too dark for them to make it home safely.
The moral of the story is, sometimes we are led down a path which appears to be wrong, or we may not understand. But in the end, it was necessary to go down that path so that we can be confident that we are on the right path, without doubts, and arrive at our destination safely.
Lest anyone be confused, the Lord would never lead us to the path of sin. But, He does lead us down roads that can be quite bumpy, with many twists and turns, to give us valuable experiences. These experiences will help us learn and grow and strengthen us.
We should always trust in the Lord. Even though we may not understand why we are going down the road we are going down. He will never lead us astray. If we trust in the Lord, and follow His Commandments, we will arrive at our final destination (eternal life) safely.
That’s my two cents.
Matt mentions an experience when he was about eight or nine years old. His family was on vacation in St. George, Utah where his mom and dad are from. They were visiting his grandparents and Elder Holland decided to take his son Matt on a road trip to the Grand Canyon. They used his grandpa’s old truck and a handwritten map. The dirt roads were bumpy and windy. They finally made it to the Grand Canyon and before long Elder Holland said they needed to get back before it got dark because they were unfamiliar with the way back.
After a while, driving on the dirt roads they came to a fork in the road. They didn’t recall any forks on the way out and there was no fork drawn on the map. They decided to pray to know which road they should take. After the prayer Elder Holland asked his son Matt what he thought they should do.
Matt said he felt impressed that they should take the left road. Elder Holland agreed that he had received the same impression.
So, they headed down the left fork in the road and after about 10 minutes came to a dead end. Elder Holland quickly turned the truck around and went back to the fork in the road, and took the right fork.
There wasn’t much conversation on the drive back. Matt was a little disconcerted that he felt impressed to take the wrong road. Finally he asked his father why they both received inspiration to take the wrong road.
Elder Holland replied that he had been thinking about that also and came to the conclusion that if they had received the impression to take the right road that Elder Holland would have driven on that road for 30 minutes and turned around because it was unfamiliar. But, since they had taken the wrong road first, he was certain he was on the right path and didn’t make the grave mistake of turning back only to find out that they were on the right path all along. If they had made that mistake, it would have been too dark for them to make it home safely.
The moral of the story is, sometimes we are led down a path which appears to be wrong, or we may not understand. But in the end, it was necessary to go down that path so that we can be confident that we are on the right path, without doubts, and arrive at our destination safely.
Lest anyone be confused, the Lord would never lead us to the path of sin. But, He does lead us down roads that can be quite bumpy, with many twists and turns, to give us valuable experiences. These experiences will help us learn and grow and strengthen us.
We should always trust in the Lord. Even though we may not understand why we are going down the road we are going down. He will never lead us astray. If we trust in the Lord, and follow His Commandments, we will arrive at our final destination (eternal life) safely.
That’s my two cents.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Humility
Yesterday in between sessions of conference I listened to President Uchtdorf's priesthood session talk from the previous night. Yes, I discovered that you can listen to all of the conference talks including priesthood session on LDS.org. They don't have the text up yet though.
Anyway, President Uchtdorf is my favorite speaker so I selected his talk to listen to while I had a few minutes before the next session started. It was such a wonderful talk. I would like to relate one of the quotes from his talk. I will probably butcher it, but it goes something like this:
You do not become humble by thinking less of yourself. You become humble by thinking less about yourself.
My interpretation of that means that you don't need to lower your self-esteem to be humble. But to be humble you need to be less selfish, vain, and of course prideful. Prideful meaning you don't think you're better than other people. For whatever myriad of reasons you conjure up.
I think humility is something I struggle with, and need to work on. Perhaps this is why this quote stuck out to me.
You can come to your own conclusions about Pres. Uchtdorf's talk on pride from the priesthood session of Gen. conference by clicking here: October 2010 General Conference then scroll down to priesthood session and click on the link next to Pres. Uchtdorf's name.
That's my two cents.
Anyway, President Uchtdorf is my favorite speaker so I selected his talk to listen to while I had a few minutes before the next session started. It was such a wonderful talk. I would like to relate one of the quotes from his talk. I will probably butcher it, but it goes something like this:
You do not become humble by thinking less of yourself. You become humble by thinking less about yourself.
My interpretation of that means that you don't need to lower your self-esteem to be humble. But to be humble you need to be less selfish, vain, and of course prideful. Prideful meaning you don't think you're better than other people. For whatever myriad of reasons you conjure up.
I think humility is something I struggle with, and need to work on. Perhaps this is why this quote stuck out to me.
You can come to your own conclusions about Pres. Uchtdorf's talk on pride from the priesthood session of Gen. conference by clicking here: October 2010 General Conference then scroll down to priesthood session and click on the link next to Pres. Uchtdorf's name.
That's my two cents.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
College Football Picks Results Week Five
1 - Michael -15 (47 tiebreaker, actual 47)
2 - Dad -15 (61 tiebreaker, actual 47)
3 - Mom -19 (54 tiebreaker, actual 47)
4 - Lisa -19 (67 tiebreaker, actual 47)
5 - Tammy -21
6 - Derrinda -25
7 - Juliet -26 (63 tiebreaker, actual 47)
8 - Chanelle -26 (65 tiebreaker, actual 47)
9 - Mercedes -30
2 - Dad -15 (61 tiebreaker, actual 47)
3 - Mom -19 (54 tiebreaker, actual 47)
4 - Lisa -19 (67 tiebreaker, actual 47)
5 - Tammy -21
6 - Derrinda -25
7 - Juliet -26 (63 tiebreaker, actual 47)
8 - Chanelle -26 (65 tiebreaker, actual 47)
9 - Mercedes -30
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Utah State University Aggies Rule Supreme
Yesterday we hosted a pizza party/BYU versus Utah State University football game viewing party. What made it so fun was that we had alumni from both schools present. Three of us attended USU. (Me, Lisa, Michael) And three attended BYU. (Mom, Dad, Derrinda) Of course, we were cheering for our respective alma maters. Among the other attendees, the overwhelming majority were cheering for BYU. So it was even sweeter when Utah State creamed BYU! Final score: USU 31 BYU 16. It was such a fun game to watch. The last time BYU lost to Utah State was in 1993. I believe it was 56 to 54. I was at that game! It was right after I got home from my mission and started school that fall. It was awesome!
The pizza was exceptionally divine also. I found a recipe for Pizza Hut pan pizza crust and sauce. The pizza was as good or better, if possible, than Pizza Hut. Thanks to mom for making the pizza dough and Lisa for rolling it out and assembling the pizzas.
It was a wonderful evening with good food, good company, and the best football game of the year! Way to go Aggies! Go Big Blue!
The pizza was exceptionally divine also. I found a recipe for Pizza Hut pan pizza crust and sauce. The pizza was as good or better, if possible, than Pizza Hut. Thanks to mom for making the pizza dough and Lisa for rolling it out and assembling the pizzas.
It was a wonderful evening with good food, good company, and the best football game of the year! Way to go Aggies! Go Big Blue!
Friday, October 1, 2010
Continue in Patience Video Clip
A small video clip from the Conference Talk by Pres. Uchtdorf entitled Continue in Patience. I know I already posted my notes from the relief society lesson I gave using this talk but, I think it's worth repeating. Everybody needs more patience.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Relief Society Lesson - Priesthood Power
The Power of the Priesthood
President Boyd K. Packer
April 2010 General Conference
John the Baptist confers the Aaronic priesthood to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery on May 15, 1829
Peter, James, and John confer the Melchizedek priesthood to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.
Priesthood is the authority and the power which God has granted to men on earth to act for Him.
When priesthood authority is exercised properly, priesthood bearers do what He would do if He were present.
Authority in the priesthood comes by way of ordination.
Power in the priesthood comes through faithful and obedient living in honoring covenants. It is increased by exercising and using the priesthood in righteousness.
President Joseph F. Smith made this statement about the priesthood in the home: “In the home the presiding authority is always vested in the father, and in all home affairs and family matters there is no other authority paramount. To illustrate this principle, a single incident will perhaps suffice. It sometimes happens that the elders are called in to administer to the members of a family. Among these elders there may be presidents of stakes, apostles, or even members of the first presidency of the Church. It is not proper under these circumstances for the father to stand back and expect the elders to direct the administration of this important ordinance. The father is there. It is his right and it is his duty to preside. He should select the one who is to administer the oil, and the one who is to be mouth in prayer, and he should not feel that because there are present presiding authorities in the Church that he is therefore divested of his rights to direct the administration of that blessing of the gospel in his home. (If the father be absent, the mother should request the presiding authority present to take charge.) The father presides at the table, at prayer, and gives general directions relating to his family life whoever may be present.”
While parents are equal partners in the home, it is the father’s responsibility to be the patriarch, or head of the house. If the father is not present, the mother presides no matter how old the sons are or what priesthood they may hold. -Family Home Evening Resource book, lesson 20
Healing the Sick
Elder Dallin H. Oaks
April 2010 General Conference
There are five parts to the use of priesthood authority to bless the sick:
(1) The anointing
(2)Sealing of the anointing
(3) Faith
(4) Words of the blessing
(5) The will of the Lord
We must always remember that faith and the healing power of the priesthood cannot produce a result contrary to the will of Him whose priesthood it is.
President Boyd K. Packer
April 2010 General Conference
John the Baptist confers the Aaronic priesthood to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery on May 15, 1829
Peter, James, and John confer the Melchizedek priesthood to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.
Priesthood is the authority and the power which God has granted to men on earth to act for Him.
When priesthood authority is exercised properly, priesthood bearers do what He would do if He were present.
Authority in the priesthood comes by way of ordination.
Power in the priesthood comes through faithful and obedient living in honoring covenants. It is increased by exercising and using the priesthood in righteousness.
President Joseph F. Smith made this statement about the priesthood in the home: “In the home the presiding authority is always vested in the father, and in all home affairs and family matters there is no other authority paramount. To illustrate this principle, a single incident will perhaps suffice. It sometimes happens that the elders are called in to administer to the members of a family. Among these elders there may be presidents of stakes, apostles, or even members of the first presidency of the Church. It is not proper under these circumstances for the father to stand back and expect the elders to direct the administration of this important ordinance. The father is there. It is his right and it is his duty to preside. He should select the one who is to administer the oil, and the one who is to be mouth in prayer, and he should not feel that because there are present presiding authorities in the Church that he is therefore divested of his rights to direct the administration of that blessing of the gospel in his home. (If the father be absent, the mother should request the presiding authority present to take charge.) The father presides at the table, at prayer, and gives general directions relating to his family life whoever may be present.”
While parents are equal partners in the home, it is the father’s responsibility to be the patriarch, or head of the house. If the father is not present, the mother presides no matter how old the sons are or what priesthood they may hold. -Family Home Evening Resource book, lesson 20
Healing the Sick
Elder Dallin H. Oaks
April 2010 General Conference
There are five parts to the use of priesthood authority to bless the sick:
(1) The anointing
(2)Sealing of the anointing
(3) Faith
(4) Words of the blessing
(5) The will of the Lord
We must always remember that faith and the healing power of the priesthood cannot produce a result contrary to the will of Him whose priesthood it is.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
College Football Picks Week 4 Results
1. Tammy -19
2. Michael -20
3. Dad -22
4. Lisa -23
5. Mom -24 tiebreaker 56 actual 61
6. Juliet -24 tiebreaker 52 actual 61
7. Mercedes -30
8. Richie -31
2. Michael -20
3. Dad -22
4. Lisa -23
5. Mom -24 tiebreaker 56 actual 61
6. Juliet -24 tiebreaker 52 actual 61
7. Mercedes -30
8. Richie -31
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Quote of the Day
"For those who eschew evil and live good lives, who strive for a brighter day and keep the commandments of God, things can get better and better even in the face of tragedy. The Savior showed us the way. From Gethsemane, the cross, and the tomb, He rose triumphant, bringing life and hope to us all. He bids us, 'Come, follow me' (Luke 18:22)."President Thomas S. Monson has counseled: 'If we are to walk with head held high, we must make our contribution to life. If we are to fulfill our destiny and return to live with our Father in Heaven, we must keep His commandments and pattern our lives after the Savior. By so doing, we will not only achieve our goal of eternal life, but we will also leave the world richer and better than it would have been had we not lived and performed our duties' (Thomas S. Monson, used with permission)."
Keith B. McMullin, "Our Path of Duty," Ensign, May 2010, 13
Keith B. McMullin, "Our Path of Duty," Ensign, May 2010, 13
Sunday, September 19, 2010
College Football Picks Week Three Results
1. Michael - 15
2. Tammy and Mom -18 Tammy tiebreaker 53 Mom tiebreaker 35 actual 44 (both nine off)
4. Lisa - 23
5. Richie - 27
6. Juliet -28 tiebreaker 55 actual 44
7. Dad - 28 tiebreaker 57 actual 44
8. Mercedes -32
2. Tammy and Mom -18 Tammy tiebreaker 53 Mom tiebreaker 35 actual 44 (both nine off)
4. Lisa - 23
5. Richie - 27
6. Juliet -28 tiebreaker 55 actual 44
7. Dad - 28 tiebreaker 57 actual 44
8. Mercedes -32
Friday, September 17, 2010
Formula for Success
"Always be active in the Church. I will give you a formula which will guarantee to a large extent your success in fulfilling that commitment. It is simple. It consists of just three words: Pay your tithing. Every bishop could tell you from his personal experience that when the members of the Church pay tithing, honestly, faithfully, they have little difficulty keeping the other commandments of God. I call it a benchmark commandment.
Lasting happiness is found only when we live the teachings of the gospel."
- Thomas S. Monson, September 7, 2003, CES fireside
Lasting happiness is found only when we live the teachings of the gospel."
- Thomas S. Monson, September 7, 2003, CES fireside
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Unfathomable
As I was watching Good Morning America this morning, I read something that is quite disturbing. As the news scrolled across the bottom of the screen, I read that an Ohio mother is accused of teaching her two-year-old daughter to smoke pot.
I have two nephews who are also two years old, and I can't imagine anybody harming them in such a way, least of all their own mothers. That is just unfathomable.
It is a mother's responsibility to nurture, and protect her children. Not to harm them. It is a mother's responsibility to teach her children correct principles. Not to teach them to break the law by using illegal drugs. But this goes way beyond that. This is a two-year-old baby whose own mother is not only damaging her delicate young body and growing brain by making the child smoke marijuana. But is also teaching her that putting harmful substances into her body is what she is supposed to do.
A two-year-old! Her own mother teaching her to smoke marijuana! I just don't have words to describe how horrible/terrible/unbelievable/unfathomable/sickening this is. It makes my heart hurt.
I know this world is no better than Sodom and Gomorrah was. I know we live in an extremely wicked time. I know people do horrible things all the time. I just hate to hear about it. It makes me sick.
That's my two cents.
I have two nephews who are also two years old, and I can't imagine anybody harming them in such a way, least of all their own mothers. That is just unfathomable.
It is a mother's responsibility to nurture, and protect her children. Not to harm them. It is a mother's responsibility to teach her children correct principles. Not to teach them to break the law by using illegal drugs. But this goes way beyond that. This is a two-year-old baby whose own mother is not only damaging her delicate young body and growing brain by making the child smoke marijuana. But is also teaching her that putting harmful substances into her body is what she is supposed to do.
A two-year-old! Her own mother teaching her to smoke marijuana! I just don't have words to describe how horrible/terrible/unbelievable/unfathomable/sickening this is. It makes my heart hurt.
I know this world is no better than Sodom and Gomorrah was. I know we live in an extremely wicked time. I know people do horrible things all the time. I just hate to hear about it. It makes me sick.
That's my two cents.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Quote by Christopher Columbus
I know Columbus day isn’t until October. But I really like this quote, so I thought I would post it. Mom and I have been reading, “No One Can Take Your Place” by Sheri Dew. This is a quote, by Christopher Columbus, from her book.
"Our Lord unlocked my mind, sent me upon the sea, and gave me fire for the deed. Those who heard of my enterprise called it foolish, mocked me, and laughed. But who can doubt but that the Holy Ghost inspired me?" (Wasserman, Columbus, Don Quixote of the Seas, 19-20).
Isn't it wonderful and interesting that the Lord had a hand in Columbus' voyage? And he recognized it, and wrote it in his journal. And isn't it wonderful that the founding fathers of our great nation, were also guided by the hand of the Lord?
It's nice to know, that even before the gospel was restored in its fullness, that the Lord was guiding Columbus, and others, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
That's my two cents.
[To refresh everyone's memory, Columbus landed in the Americas on October 12, 1492]
"Our Lord unlocked my mind, sent me upon the sea, and gave me fire for the deed. Those who heard of my enterprise called it foolish, mocked me, and laughed. But who can doubt but that the Holy Ghost inspired me?" (Wasserman, Columbus, Don Quixote of the Seas, 19-20).
Isn't it wonderful and interesting that the Lord had a hand in Columbus' voyage? And he recognized it, and wrote it in his journal. And isn't it wonderful that the founding fathers of our great nation, were also guided by the hand of the Lord?
It's nice to know, that even before the gospel was restored in its fullness, that the Lord was guiding Columbus, and others, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
That's my two cents.
[To refresh everyone's memory, Columbus landed in the Americas on October 12, 1492]
Sunday, September 12, 2010
College Football Picks Week Two Results
1 - Tammy (-12)
2 - Michael (-13)
3 - Dad (-15)
4 - Lisa (-18)
5 - Mom (-20, tiebreaker 42, actual 49)
6 - Derrinda (-20, tiebreaker 40, actual 49)
7 - Juliet (-24)
8 - Richie (-31)
9- Mercedes (-32)
10 - Dallas (-33)
I got one! Another fun week with crazy upsets. Good job everybody.
2 - Michael (-13)
3 - Dad (-15)
4 - Lisa (-18)
5 - Mom (-20, tiebreaker 42, actual 49)
6 - Derrinda (-20, tiebreaker 40, actual 49)
7 - Juliet (-24)
8 - Richie (-31)
9- Mercedes (-32)
10 - Dallas (-33)
I got one! Another fun week with crazy upsets. Good job everybody.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
CES Fireside
I love CES firesides. They are always very inspirational and well-written talks. They are my favorite devotionals to watch. If you can't watch it tomorrow, set your DVR.
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