This blog entry is without pictures which I will add later.
Opening hymn was #280 "Welcome, Welcome, Sabbath Morning" text by Robert B. Baird (1855-1916) and music by Ebenezer Beesley (1840-1906).
Sacrament hymn was #175 "O God, the Eternal Father" text by William W. Phelps (1792-1872) and music by Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847). It was included in the first LDS hymnbook in 1835.
The first speaker was Elder Twitchell. He spoke on priesthood and priesthood keys. It is divided into the Aaronic and Melchizedek. He spoke of his preparatory years in the Aaronic Priesthood. And what he is able to do now as a holder of the Melchizedek Priesthood. He spoke of the priesthood keys held by President Monson all the way down to our branch. He quoted President Joseph Fielding Smith about the priesthood keys, the power of presidency. The priesthood has been restored in these latter days through the Prophet Joseph Smith following the corruption in the early days of the church. Due to the apostasy there are many different denominations today. Heavenly messengers restored the priesthood and its keys to Joseph Smith. We are the Church of Jesus Christ restored to the earth. The priesthood is for our benefit and salvation. He quoted President Russell M. Nelson about the priesthood. All leaders in the Church are called by proper authority. He spoke of the three new apostles we could sustain in the recent general conference. He read Ephesians 2:19-20. Jesus is at the helm and the chief cornerstone of the Church.
Intermediate hymn was #142 "Sweet of Prayer" text attributed to William W. Walford (1772-1850) and music by William B. Bradbury (1816-1868).
The concluding speaker was President Stanley. Blanket apology for mistakes he's made so far. President Nicholls told him to make sure the sacrament is passed and no false doctrine is taught. President Stanley said that we should pray daily, study the scriptures, keep the Sabbath day holy, observe family home evening, and fast often. We should engage in fasting and prayer. If you need someone to fast with you, that is acceptable. All of us are in need of heaven's help. Isaiah 58 tells us how to have God with us continually. He spoke of insufficient communication with parents and the same with Heavenly Father. Our prayers need to be more than 30-45 seconds long. Love the Lord with all thy heart, mind, and strength. Don't dwell on our past. We must not let Satan do this. The truck he drives has lots of mirrors but no rear view mirror. We should look at our past only as often as we look in our rear view mirror. The Spirit has been with President Stanley in the last few weeks. He has been drinking from a five gallon bucket and doesn't want to spill a single drop. The Lord has been preparing us our whole lives to be here. Spend all of your time getting as close to the Savior as you can, perfecting ourselves. It is critically important that we do those five things he listed earlier.
Closing hymn was #157 "Thy Spirit, Lord, Has Stirred Our Souls" text by
I gave Teri Grace her Family Ordinance Request form and her family file cards. And the printouts to the Bond's from my research.
Gospel Doctrine with Harry Spooner was lesson #41 “I Have Finished My Course” using 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus.
The purpose of the lesson is to encourage class members to learn and teach true doctrine and be righteous examples for others.
1. Learn and teach true doctrine.
Speaking of the power of true doctrine, Elder Boyd K. Packer said: “True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. … That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel” (in General Conference, Oct. 1986).
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin counseled: “God has revealed everything necessary for our salvation. We should teach and dwell on the things that have been revealed and avoid delving into so-called mysteries. My counsel to teachers in the Church, whether they instruct in wards and stakes, Church institutions of higher learning, institutes of religion, seminaries, or even as parents in their homes, is to base their teachings on the scriptures and the words of latter-day prophets” (in General Conference, Oct. 1994).
2. “Be … an example of the believers.”
3. “Follow after righteousness” and deny ungodliness.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught: “There is nothing inherently evil about money. The Good Samaritan used the same coinage to serve his fellowman that Judas used to betray the Master. It is ‘the love of money [which] is the root of all evil.’ (1 Timothy 6:10; italics added.) The critical difference is the degree of spirituality we exercise in viewing, evaluating, and managing the things of this world” (in General Conference, Oct. 1985).
Paul knew he would soon be martyred for his testimony of Jesus Christ. But he also knew that because he had lived the gospel, “there [was] laid up for [him] a crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:8). Bear testimony of the importance of doing the right things every day and staying on course so we can say with Paul, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).
The hymn in priesthood was #319 "Ye Elders of Israel" text by Cyrus H. Wheelock (1813-1894) and music by Thomas H. Bayly (1797-1839).
The priesthood lesson was #20 from "Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson" entitled "Feed My Sheep."
“We must all learn to be true shepherds. We must manifest the same love to others that the Good Shepherd has for all of us. Each soul is precious to Him.”
The lesson was finished by 12:45. After a few comments Jay Hanks talked about home teaching by the high priests.
The lesson was "taught" by Brother Bond. Eileen said that Nell Huston did an excellent job teaching the same lesson in Relief Society.
Gailand Green and Elder Rumsey are going to the temple Tuesday afternoon (I assume Sister Rumsey, too), so I'll print Gailand's FOR and leave it for him at church that morning as they're meeting there.
I spoke with Brother Scott and Sister Debbie Davis after priesthood meeting about their temple work for her parents. They will call with the information needed to do their work.
I checked with the financial clerk Zack White about a receipt from the Times-Courier and he said he'd gotten it.
The baptism of Judy Dorsey took place at 1:30. Her husband Terry baptized her. She had a number of family members there who are not LDS. There was a large crowd in attendance. Elder Rumsey spoke on baptism and President Stanley spoke on the gift of the Holy Ghost. She will be confirmed next Sunday.
I chatted with Gary and Diane Jones after the baptismal service. We made an appointment to visit them next Friday and Sister Jones offered to make dinner. So I explained about our diet. I got their membership numbers from Richard Callahan so I can set up LDS logins for them.
While in the clerk's office I chatted with Marvin Knight and we'll get together in December about his family history. Richard got on Family Tree and asked me how to access Ancestry.com. I showed him how quick and easy it is now.
After supper I read Sister Rosemary M. Wixom's talk entitled "Discovering the Divinity Within" to Eileen from the General Women's Session of conference. I printed the FOR for Brother Green.
I posted a quote from President Hinckley on Facebook.
I worked some more on my talk and I finished chapter 26 entitled "Personal Testimonies and Blessings" of President Joseph F. Smith's book "Gospel Doctrine" is in the Deseret Bookshelf on my iPhone. That concluded this book which I had begun on 5 November 2012!
Later as Eileen slept a little after midnight I finished reading "Gospel Doctrine." I had begun reading it on 5 November 2012!
On Monday 9 November I read the chapter from Steve Young's book "Ten Thousand Spirals" that was on Deseret Bookshelf on my iPhone.
I called Dr. Raisig's office to have the medication Atacand Hct for high blood pressure changed to just Atacand. He had recommended we do this when the number of Atacand Hct on hand got low.
We enjoyed lunch with Ralph and Holly Hughes at Longhorn Steakhouse in Ellijay.
We visited Walmart and Ingles.
Later in the afternoon we visited Sabrina Bayless and saw Michelle Bayless, too.
After supper we drove to church for FHE with Harry Spooner. We discussed "Lectures on Faith" and other myriad subjects, some of which consisted of Mormon folklore.
Afterwards I put eight gallons in at Walmart for $2.059.
When we got home I printed the FOR for Terry Dorsey after receiving his okay by email. I had earlier printed Claude Miller's FOR.
Then I ordered the new Jan Brett book for Eileen for Christmas called "The Turnip."
On Tuesday 10 November I broke 180 with a weight of 179.7!
I set up Curtis Bond with an LDS account and began working on his family tree on familysearch.org.
We went to Bryant Physical Therapy for an hour and then I dropped Eileen off at Judy Harvey's to work on her painting. On the way we stopped at Dollar General and Eileen picked up some plastic fingertips for Colleen to use with Ashton. It involved his reading!
I mailed a package to Colleen at the post office and made it just in time as there was a long line as I left!
I went to church and worked on Brother Bond's family tree. About an hour later Eileen texted me that she was not feeling well. I raced to Judy's in 15 minutes and she was feeling better by then.
After supper we went into town and enjoyed "The Peanuts Movie." It was fun!
I printed out lots for Bonnie Helton to give to her tomorrow.
On Wednesday 11 November we volunteered at the food pantry. We had a busy day and we helped about 125 patrons.
We dropped off toiletry items at church for the stake "Day of Giving." We shopped at Ingles and on the way home at R&A Orchards.
I finished reading "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen which I had begun on 27 June.
After an early supper we drove to the Gilmer County High School to help with the youth and adults who would be using Brother Cribb's computer classroom to work on family history. I helped Barbara King and Eileen helped Mark Ramick.
After we were home I finished printing all the files I had saved on my laptop for Gailand Green.
On Thursday 12 November we drove to the Atlanta Temple and did sealings for an hour-and-a-half. We also had family file cards printed for myself, Bonnie Helton, Mark Usry, Terry Dorsey, Claude Miller, and Roger Widmann.
On the way home we stopped at Hallmark in Canton for an anniversary card for William and Erin (and a couple of more cards to get the discount) and Kroger in Jasper for some Walden Farms items.
Back in Ellijay we went by the Lions Club so that I could donate blood. I had had an appointment but I cancelled that so we could go to the temple. So now I was a walk-in. 112/58.
We learned on the way home from our son-in-law Tom Dowd that Heather was not feeling well and was admitted to Duke Hospital. We plan on driving to Raleigh tomorrow morning unless Tom calls and says that all is well.
Eileen and I read each other our talks. Hers was 12 minutes long and mine was 21 minutes.
We coordinated with President Stanley and Brother Knight about our talks on Sunday. We will meet the Rumsey's in the morning and give them copies of our talks as well as the FORs and family file cards we got at the temple today. I also emailed our talks to the branch presidency. I called Cheryl Dawson as she was going to help us clean the building tomorrow afternoon. I spoke to Bonnie Helton and left messages for Terry and Judy Dorsey and Roger Widmann.
We began packing the car and our suitcases.
I finished the last 10 F's and did the 10 G's in Hampshire.
On Friday 13 November we were up early to finish getting ready to leave for Raleigh. We stopped at bank's ATM. Next door we went to the post office to mail two birthday cards to sisters that Eileen visit teaches and have them hold our mail while we're away. We met the Rumsey's by Ingles at 9:45 and gave them all our envelopes. Elder Rumsey said that he and his wife would deliver our talks for us.
We called Diane Jones and Holly Hughes about our trip to Raleigh as we were to meet with the Joneses today and have lunch with Ralph and Holly on Monday. Eileen also called Judy Harvey as we were to help paint the Kids Ferst "castle" next week.
We got gas at Ingles in Blue Ridge and only got 10 cents off per gallon for 200 points instead of 20 cents!! It was $1.869. I will contact them on their website to express my displeasure and tell them that they will lose a lot of my business in the future. I will only buy items that only they carry.
Later on I-40 at Walmart we filled up with 6.67 gallons for $2.019.
We had palindromes 119911 and 120021 on I-40.
We reached Duke Hospital at 5 pm. Heather was in the birthing center.
We arrived at the Dowd's home a couple of hours later to see Tom and Liam before they both hit the hay. Tom showed us the progress on the upstairs renovation.
On Saturday 14 November due to our nibbling in the car all the way to Raleigh but not having any supper we both reached our lowest weights since starting our diets but at the same time our blood sugars were elevated!
We watched Liam while Tom went to the hospital to see Heather. We had on the movies "Planes" and "Tarzan." He took a nap, finally falling asleep at 3:15 after being put in bed about 2 pm.
I did the 29 H’s, 4 I’s, and 8 K's in Hampshire.
I called Arrow Exterminators to cancel our Tuesday appointment.
I went to Harris-Teeter for things for supper and more Walden Farms blue cheese salad dressing for Eileen. Then to Fresh Market for almond butter for her, too.
I read Sister Linda S. Reeve's talk entitled "Worthy of Our Promised Blessings" to Eileen from the General Women's Session of conference.
I finished the 6 September issue of the Church News. I enjoyed the articles about President Uchtdorf's visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie, Hawaii (President Uchtdorf dedicates addition to Polynesian Cultural Center), President Uchtdorf's address to new medical students at the University of Utah (Responsibility, humanity, joy) which I plan on giving to our doctor, "Elder Holland visits Asia area," "Church offering aid across globe," "'Was that revelation?", new stakes in Costa Rica, Utah, and Colorado, and "She just doesn't quit."
We FaceTimed with William, Erin, and Weston as today is his 1st birthday!
I went to Harris-Teeter for some items for Heather as she was coming home from the hospital with Tom.
It was good to have her home. We enjoyed a bite of supper together. Liam watched "Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast" and went to bed.
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