On Sunday 19 April I discovered that "Music & the Spoken Word" was on again at 8:30!  Eileen enjoyed that and the Book of Mormon discussion in the book of 3 Nephi chapter 12 on BYU-TV and we enjoyed attending our Ellijay Branch.

We have two new missionaries for the Pickens County area, Elders Cleverly and Ross.

Before the rain began I went out with Debbie Gerbers and got the ground beef that we had ordered placed in our cooler.

Opening hymn was #67 "Glory to God on High" text by James Allen (1734-1804) and music by Felice de Giardini (1716-1796).

Sacrament hymn was #185 "Reverently and Meekly Now" text by Joseph L. Townsend (1849-1942) and music by Ebenezer Beesley (1840-1906).

President Boland asked the two new elders to introduce themselves and bear their testimonies.  Elder Ross is from Ogden, Utah, and Elder Cleverly is from Clearfield, Utah.

The first speaker was Sister Joan Rumsey.  Both Rumsey's lost their spouses early in life and they have been married 25 years.  They have eight children and 26 grandchildren.  They were asked to speak about general conference.  She was especially impacted by President Uchtdorf's talk about grace.  She spoke of one daughter who has left the Church and a visit from a granddaughter who had apparently been coached by her mother for she asked, "Grandma, why aren't you a Christian and why don't you believe in grace?"  Grandma was shocked!  We should know about God's grace.  Divine means of help or strength given through the bounteous mercy of Jesus Christ.  Ether 12:27 which speaks of God and His Grace.  The demands of Justice prevent us from earning our way into heaven.  Moroni 10:32.  Deny yourself of all ungodliness.  His grace is again spoken of.  Being born again, being born of God.  Are we on autopilot and going through the motions?  Grace is available to all whose hearts are broken and spirits are contrite.  

Intermediate hymn was #85 "How Firm a Foundation" text attributed to Robert Keen, ca. 1787 and included in the first LDS hymnbook in 1835 and music attributed to J. Ellis, ca. 1889.

The concluding speaker was Elder James Rumsey.  How do I apply what I learn in general conference?  Four things we should do in regards to general conference.  1. Preparation. 2. Follow up. 3. Application. 4. Prayer. 1. We may have questions, help needed with a calling or child, struggling with employment, overcoming temptations, things that are weighing us down.  We will hear answers for us personally.  The Spirit will teach us.  Don't be distracted when watching conference at home.  2. Absorb and feel the Spirit.  Talks are available almost immediately.  Two conference issues of Ensign.  We all learn different things through the same talk.  Conferences seem to get better and better.  Perhaps we are better prepared.  3. No lasting effect unless applied.  How can they apply to us?  Become life-changing events. 4. Prayer is the adhesive that binds everything together.  This helps us get exactly what we need.  How can we share with those around us?  We have a heavy responsibility to share God's message.  People are looking at us and watching us.  Be our very best self all the time.  Ended with his testimony and his love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  

Sister and Elder Rumsey

Closing hymn was #83 "Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah" text by William Williams (1717-1791), first verse translated by Peter Williams (1722-1796) and included in the first LDS hymnbook in 1835 and music by John Hughes (1873-1932).

Gospel Doctrine with Claire Bowen was lesson #14, “Who Is My Neighbour?” using Matthew 18; Luke 10.

The purpose of the lesson is to help class members humble themselves, forgive others, and show charity for one another.

1. Jesus teaches that we must become as little children.

Although children are not perfect, they have many qualities that we must develop to inherit the kingdom of heaven. These qualities include humility, meekness, and a willingness to believe.

What does it mean to “offend one of these little ones”? (See Matthew 18:6, footnote 6a; in this context, offend means to cause to stumble.) What are some of the ways people cause children to stumble? (Answers may include being a poor example to them, criticizing them unkindly, failing to teach them, and abusing them.) How does the Lord regard these offenses? (See Matthew 18:6.)

Elder M. Russell Ballard stated: “We hear disturbing reports of parents or guardians who are so far removed from the Spirit of Christ that they abuse children. Whether this abuse is physical, verbal, or the less evident but equally severe emotional abuse, it is an abomination and a serious offense to God” (Ensign, May 1991).

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

2. Through the parable of the unmerciful servant, Jesus teaches about forgiveness.

3. Through the parable of the good Samaritan, Jesus teaches about charity.

President Howard W. Hunter said: “We need to remember that though we make our friends, God has made our neighbors—everywhere. Love should have no boundary; we should have no narrow loyalties” (Ensign, Nov. 1986, 35).

President Howard W. Hunter (1907-1995)

Testify of the importance of following the Savior’s example by humbling ourselves, forgiving others, and showing charity for one another. 

The hymn in priesthood was #27 "Praise to the Man" text by William W. Phelps (1792-1872) and music is a Scottish folk song.

The priesthood lesson is #7 from "Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson" entitled "Joseph Smith, an Instrument in the Hands of the Lord."

“Joseph Smith, the latter-day Prophet, was an instrument in the hands of the Lord in opening a new gospel dispensation, the last and greatest of all gospel dispensations.”

1. Joseph Smith’s First Vision was the greatest event in this world since the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

2. Consistent with New Testament prophecy, Joseph Smith received new revelation and angelic visitations.

I was asked to read this section in our class.

3. The Book of Mormon is the most singular evidence of Joseph Smith’s calling as a prophet.

4. God reestablished His kingdom on the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith.

5. Joseph Smith was loyal and true even unto death.

6. Joseph Smith stands today as the head of this last and greatest of all gospel dispensations.

I got three Book of Mormons from the library.  There is one left and Richard Callahan said that more had been ordered.  Eileen took a picture of the two new elders for the Pickens newspaper.

At home we got comfortable and I indexed 10 Maine Birth and Death records from 1908-1922.

I enjoyed reading the section of Elder John A. Widtsoe's "Evidences and Reconciliations" entitled "Is the Bible Translated Correctly?" Interesting was the following: "The wrong word may be written, or a word so written as to convey a false meaning; for example the accidental absence of a dot converts the Aramaic sign for rope into camel. Therefore we have long wrestled with the meaning of the Biblical statement, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle," which really should read, "It is easier for a rope to go through the eye of a needle" (Matt. 19:24). Likewise, the statement, "Let the dead bury the dead" has been perplexing. The Aramaic word for dead is metta and for town, matta. It becomes likely, therefore, that the true saying was, "Let the town bury the dead," a very common practice in the days of Christ. (Lamsa, Gospel Light)."

Elder John A. Widtsoe of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (1872-1952)

During supper we watched another "Georgia Outdoors" about bobwhite quail.

Later David and Caroline Echard came by for a visit as our home teachers.  We always enjoy their visit.

We enjoyed watching programs that I had recorded while we were away such as "Cook's Country" and "Georgia Traveler."  On "Cook's Country" we discovered that Nachitoches, Louisiana, is pronounced nah-co-dish as they made Nachitoches meat pies.

I finished reading chapter 15 of "Gospel Doctrine" by President Joseph F. Smith entitled "Many Duties of Man."

President Joseph F. Smith (1838-1918)

I e-mailed the photo of Elder Kyle Cleverly of Clearfield, Utah, and Elder Trevor Ross of Ogden, Utah, to the Pickens Progress newspaper.

I began and finished "How Does Your Garden Grow? A Hercule Poirot Short Story" by Agatha Christie.

I finished reading to Eileen "Why Marriage and Family Matter—Everywhere in the World" by Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from the Saturday morning session of General Conference.

Elder L. Tom Perry

On Monday 20 April I woke to an unusual situation.  Our power was out and the generator was NOT running!  I called Amicalola and they are working on the power outage.  I called Power Solutions and left a message about the generator.  Power came back on at 8:02 am.

We headed into Ellijay and deposited/cashed checks at the bank, mailed a box to grandson Weston in Gilbert, Arizona, a small package to grandson Liam in Raleigh, NC, a check to our daughter Colleen for our grandson Ashton's birthday in May, and two Book of Mormons to the people in Pigeon Forge and Newton, TN.

We dropped off a suit at the dry cleaners and went to Bryant Physical Therapy for our twice-weekly workout.  Ralph and Holly were there.

Inside Bryant Physical Therapy

We picked up some items at Food Lion and returned home. The weather is beautiful at this moment (12:30pm).

I called Dr. Raisig's office to renew three prescriptions for Eileen.  I called Julian Sanchez at Capital Resorts in Pigeon Forge with questions about The Kimball in Salt Lake City from 7-13 July and Pacific Heights in San Francisco from 23-30 June.

Around 3 pm the fellow from Power Solutions came.  He found that the battery for the generator was dead and approaching being explosive!  He replaced the battery and checked out the generator.  We probably hadn't noticed that the generator didn't run its test procedure every Friday!  So it is in my calendar now.

We drove to Blue Ridge to help Darlene Burgess with her computer tower as she needed to extract the hard drive.  We also took boxes and boxes of VCR tapes and books from her.  Most will probably go to Faith, Hope, and Charity.  We brought the hard drive with us to take to Blizzard Computers in Ellijay for her.

We filled the car up at Ingles in Blue Ridge for $2.059 with our 10 cent discount.

As we ate supper we enjoyed "Great Scenic Railway Journeys" that I had recorded last month.

I began and finished "The Theft of the Royal Ruby A Hercule Poirot Short Story" by Agatha Christie.

I finished reading to Eileen "Which Way Do You Face?" by Elder Lynn G. Robbins of the Presidency of the Seventy from the October 2014 General Conference.  It will be used as our lesson in priesthood and Relief Society next Sunday.

Elder Lynn G. Robbins 

On Tuesday 21 April I called the dermatologist Dr. Gardner's office for a checkup as we hadn't been there since 13 January 2014.

We dropped off the box with Eileen's Kabana necklace at the post office.  We sent it registered mail with $1500 insurance.

We enjoyed lunch with Ralph and Holly Hughes at Fatz Cafe in Jasper.

Back in Ellijay we shopped at Ingles and dropped off Darlene's hard drive at Blizzard Computers on Sailors Drive.

At home with the weather forecast not showing rain until Saturday I applied a second coat of Thompson's Water Sealer to the front porch.

After supper we called Joyce Witten whom we knew in Maryland.  Her husband Chuck was the bishop of the Annapolis Ward and passed away after fighting cancer for years.  She is on a six-month mission in our mission!  We will meet her for lunch on Saturday.

On Wednesday 22 April we volunteered at the food pantry.  It was slow with not quite 70 families being helped.  It was nice having Elder Rumsey helping me with the plastic bags.  While there I called Direct Buy Warranty to arrange the warranty for Geoff's truck.  Nothing we could eat there for lunch.

From there we dropped off our recyclables and garbage at the dump.  We picked up Eileen's prescription at Rite-aid and shopped at Walmart for several items.  I returned the two canisters of Coleman propane fuel that were for our old grill and paid for a bag of birdseed.  I had gotten three bags several days ago but only been charged for two.  The gal at the customer service desk thanked me for my honesty.  Her name was Colleen, the same as our middle daughter.

We picked up the Times-Courier at R&A Orchards.  The pictures that we had submitted of Sister Murdock when she spoke to the combined priesthood/Relief Society meeting on 29 March and Sisters Burge and Nettleton working at the food pantry were in the newspaper.

Sister Murdock

Sisters Nettleton and Burge

I checked the address on www.lds.org for the Sevierville Ward and the incorrect address has been fixed!

Our beeminator hanging on the front porch has trapped its first carpenter bee.  I put the one back up out back that had fallen down as a wasp and a carpenter bee flew around.

Eileen was enjoying Rachael Ray and "30 Minute Meals" on the Food Network.

After supper we drove to Ellijay to the UPS store where Eileen wanted to see if they could help her with assembling her "Ashton's 'AT' Book" that she had created to help our grandson Ashton read.  It was quite an imaginative little booklet with drawings for him to work on words ending involving "at".

Then we headed to church to staff the branch Family History Center from 6-8:15 pm.  Brother Green came by and I gave him his printouts that I had for him.  I researched the family file cards that we had sent to the Farr's.  Bud had done 10 endowments and Jan had done five. I got the last Book of Mormon from the library.

We stopped at Dollar General on the way home for some plastic tablecloths that Eileen wanted to protect our dining room table while she paints.

I finished the 9 November issue of the Church News.  I especially liked 'Progress is remarkable' in the Africa Southeast Area, 

Elder Quentin L. Cook between the two women.

Elder Quentin L. Cook visits with members, missionaries,
Church leaders, and government leaders in the Africa Southeast Area October 15-27.

"Harmony, Pennsylvania Work in progress at historic site,"

A bronze monument on this small plaza has marked the site of the
restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood since 1960.  A complex construction project
will expand the historic area as well as provide safer access for visitors.

"Tenacity is required of disciples" by Elder David F. Evans of the Seventy,

Elder David F. Evans

"A special witness of Christ by the faithful fisherman" 'The Ministry of Peter, the Chief Apostle' from the Sidney B. Sperry Symposium,

A Bible Video scene depicts Christ asking the Apostles won they say He is and
Peter witnessing that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

and "Devotional features World Series pitcher" about Kansas City Royals pitcher Jeremy Guthrie.

Jeremy Guthrie autographs a baseball for a young fan prior to
a November 1 devotional near Kansas City that featured the World Series pitcher..

On Thursday 23 April after midnight I finished reading "Dumb Witness" by Agatha Christie which I began on the 19th.

In the morning we mailed "Ashton's 'AT' Book" to him.  Then we visited Sabrina Bayless and chatted about her daughter Amanda's upcoming September wedding.  We showed her lots of pictures on my iPhone from our vacation last week.  Eileen shared the Relief Society Visiting Teacher message from the April Ensign magazine.

We shopped for a few things at Ingles, picked up Eileen's new pearl necklace at North Georgia Diamond that she got herself for Mother's Day, and took the car through Squiggles car wash.

Amanda and Eileen at North Georgia Diamond

Later at home I looked into personal loans with USAA and NFCU to replace the loan at Capital Resorts.  The latter was 17.99% for 10 years.  USAA was 8.99% for six years and NFCU was 12.75% for five years.  So I'll go with USAA.

I took Eileen to Gilmer Arts for her next art class that she is taking from Judy Harvey.

I went to church to read and work on my laptop.  I sent Jacquie Lawson birthday cards to three friends, worked on photos from our vacation for the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and Gatlinburg, worked on my 1 March blog, and did some reading after checking the Yankees - Tigers ballgame, won by the Yankees, 2-1.

Back at the Gilmer Art building I finished "The Mystery of the Baghdad Chest A Hercule Poirot Short Story" by Agatha Christie.

Eileen enjoyed herself and her latest painting looked very nice.

On Friday 24 April after midnight I finished reading "Dead Man's Mirror A Hercule Poirot Short Story" by Agatha Christie.

Towards noon we mailed the tee shirt from Pucker's Sports Bar & Grill to Eileen's brother Russ in Florida. We visited Bryant Physical Therapy.  It was a bit harder for me than usual!  Our odometer was at 100750.

At home Eileen enjoyed working on her paintings.  I finished reading "The Doings of Raffles Haw" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle which I began three days ago.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930)

I finished the loan process with USAA and they will be sending me the check.  Once it clears the bank I will send a check to pay the loan we incurred in Pigeon Forge.

I called Joyce Witten and we arranged to visit with her next Saturday 2 May as the weather is supposed to be pretty bad tomorrow.

I began and finished "Death on the Nile A Parker Pyne Short Story" by Agatha Christie.

I discovered today reading a New York Times article that the diet we're following is along the lines of the Paleo diet.

I finished reading to Eileen "Therefore They Hushed Their Fears" by Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from the Saturday afternoon session of General Conference.

Elder David A. Bednar 

On Saturday 25 April we slept late which is always delightful but got into town in time to mail the Book of Mormon to the fellow from Power Solutions.  We shopped at Ingles and returned home.  

As it had rained last night I went out back and pulled up a lot of the weeds in the raised bed gardens.  Eileen came out and we bagged up what I had pulled up.

We watched "Who Do You Think You Are?" with Bill Paxton that we had recorded Sunday night.  This season is less interesting to me than previous seasons as I had heard of only one of the guests, i.e., Angie Harmon.

Eileen enjoyed "Matlock" and later "America's Test Kitchen" and "Cook's Country" that had just been recorded followed by some "Antique Roadshow" episodes.

Andy Griffith as Matlock

Antique Roadshow

Antique Roadshow

I finished reading "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe" by Agatha Christie which I began yesterday.

I called FamilySearch about ordinances in the temple list turning from yellow to green when one indicates that the FOR did NOT print.  They agree that it needs to be fixed but when the programmers get to it, who knows?

Eileen enjoyed working in Sue's old Sudoku book.