This blog entry is without pictures which I will add later.
Opening hymn was #246 "Onward, Christian Soldiers" text by Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924) and music by Arthur S. Sullivan (1842-1900).
Sacrament hymn was #169 "As Now We Take the Sacrament" text by Lee Tom Perry (b. 1951) and music by Daniel Lyman Carter (b. 1955).
Today was Fast Sunday and many branch members bore their testimonies. We will observe it next Sunday when we're home.
Bishop Krallis conducted the meeting, so he bore his testimony of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, of the Book of Mormon and the Prophet Joseph Smith, and of eternal families.
One of the high priests bore his testimony.
One of the sisters bore her testimony. She spoke of the baptism yesterday.
Two very young sisters bore their testimonies.
A sister is thankful for the gospel and the joy, peace, and happiness that it brings into her life. She spoke of the prophet Howard W. Hunter whom we are studying this year.
Another high priest shared his testimony. He shared the 9th Article of Faith.
A sister bore her testimony of Heavenly Father being there for us.
A sister who was brought forward in her wheelchair bore her testimony with the handheld microphone. She got hugs from the bishopric.
Another high priest shared his testimony that he knows of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost thanks to the witness of the Spirit that these things are true.
A sister bore her testimony and spoke of being hot, cold, or lukewarm.
Another sister bore her testimony and was thankful for her ward family and her own family.
Another sister bore her testimony and all those things she is grateful for.
Another sister bore her testimony of the gospel and Jesus Christ. And communicating with Heavenly Father through prayer.
Another high priest bore his testimony of the gospel, Joseph Smith, and this church. His 11 years here seem like just a year or two.
A young sister spoke of Jesus Christ being the light of the world, of the blessings of the temple.
An older brother bore his testimony with the handheld microphone which was given to him as he slowly walked forward. He spoke of gaining his testimony before going on his mission as a young man through reading the Bible and Book of Mormon.
Closing hymn was #260 "Who's on the Lord's Side?" text by Hannah Last Cornaby (1822-1905) and music by Henry H. Russell (1818-1900).
Gospel Doctrine with Ritchie Taylor was lesson #1 “The Keystone of Our Religion." This year we are studying the Book of Mormon.
The purpose of the lesson was to help class members understand how the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion and how abiding by its precepts helps us draw nearer to God.
1. The Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion.
Concerning this record the Prophet Joseph Smith said: “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” (Book of Mormon, Introduction)
President Ezra Taft Benson explained, “Just as the arch crumbles if the keystone is removed, so does all the Church stand or fall with the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon” (in General Conference, Oct. 1986).
President Benson: “There are three ways in which the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. It is the keystone in our witness of Christ. It is the keystone of our doctrine. It is the keystone of testimony” (in General Conference, Oct. 1986).
President Benson stated: “The Lord Himself has stated that the Book of Mormon contains the ‘fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ’ (D&C 20:9). That does not mean it contains every teaching, every doctrine ever revealed. Rather, it means that in the Book of Mormon we will find the fulness of those doctrines required for our salvation. And they are taught plainly and simply so that even children can learn the ways of salvation and exaltation” (in General Conference, Oct. 1986).
2. Many witnesses have testified of the Book of Mormon.
3. The Book of Mormon was written for our day.
President Benson taught: “The Book of Mormon … was written for our day. The Nephites never had the book; neither did the Lamanites of ancient times. It was meant for us. … Each of the major writers of the Book of Mormon testified that he wrote for future generations. … If they saw our day and chose those things which would be of greatest worth to us, is not that how we should study the Book of Mormon? We should constantly ask ourselves, ‘Why did the Lord inspire Mormon (or Moroni or Alma) to include that in his record? What lesson can I learn from that to help me live in this day and age?’” (in General Conference, Oct. 1986).
4. The Book of Mormon can bring us nearer to God.
Conclusion
President Ezra Taft Benson:
“The moment you begin a serious study of [the Book of Mormon, you] will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. … When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance” (in General Conference, Oct. 1986).
Additional Teaching Ideas
1. The importance of the Book of Mormon in the Restoration of the gospel.
President Ezra Taft Benson:
“A … powerful testimony to the importance of the Book of Mormon is to note where the Lord placed its coming forth in the timetable of the unfolding Restoration. The only thing that preceded it was the First Vision. …
“Think of that in terms of what it implies. The coming forth of the Book of Mormon preceded the restoration of the priesthood. It was published just a few days before the Church was organized. The Saints were given the Book of Mormon to read before they were given the revelations outlining such great doctrines as the three degrees of glory, celestial marriage, or work for the dead. It came before priesthood quorums and Church organization. Doesn’t this tell us something about how the Lord views this sacred work?” (in General Conference, Oct. 1986).
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).
In the high priests group Brother Hocking reviewed from the introduction to the manual for President Howard W. Hunter on preparing to teach the lessons. He talked about prophetic priorities and priesthood interviews for 2016. He spoke of the importance of an organized church.
We enjoyed the afternoon at Heather's as Tom watched the Jets play the Buffalo Bills. Tom's parents Tom and Donna came by and were there when we got home from church. Unfortunately the Jets lost :(
I downloaded the Star Trek book onto my iPhone that was my Christmas gift from Heather. I had tried to do it on my iPhone a day or two ago but didn't do it correctly.
Later Tom and Donna left followed by Heather and Tom going to dinner at their friends Susan and Truett's home. Eileen and I stayed with Liam. We watched Thomas the Tank Engine on the TV. Then Eileen played with Liam on his train table. Since he has not been taking a nap, he is pretty tired by 7 pm and falls asleep quickly.
Late in the evening after Tom and Heather got home, I read the talk from the Sunday afternoon session of October's General Conference in the November Ensign by Elder Allen D. Haynie of the Seventy entitled "Remembering in Whom We Have Trusted."
When we hit the hay, Eileen revealed that she had read "The Life and Ministry of Howard W. Hunter" from the manual "Teachings of Presidents of the Church Howard W. Hunter," so we began our study with chapter one in the manual. After she fell asleep, I read "The Life and Ministry of Howard W. Hunter," too.
I finished reading "An Irish Country Christmas" by Patrick Taylor to Eileen which I had begun on 2 August.
On Monday 4 January we were up, packed, and left at 10 am. We stopped at New York Bagels & Deli for a bagel sandwich. We'll be back on the straight and narrow hereafter.
As we made a pit stop in Mebane, our odometer reached 123000.
We drove through some pretty flurries in western North Carolina as the temperatures were as low as 28 degrees.
We got 1.5 gallons at Ingles in Blairsville for $1.819 to be sure we reached Blue Ridge without cutting it too close.
Our odometer reached 123321 along GA 515 between Blairsville and Blue Ridge. I almost missed it due to a poor driver in a big pickup who was hogging the left lane going the same speed as a car in the right lane. I beeped at him and he very slowly crept ahead of the car until I could just barely pass him on the right. Then I looked at the odometer and saw the palindrome!
We filled up at Ingles in Blue Ridge for $1.739 and shopped for supper.
We got home safe and sound and all was well here. Supper was begun and then I got our mail, put out a new corncob for the squirrels, and unpacked the car.
Eileen enjoyed programs that I had recorded such as "America's Test Kitchen," "Get Delicious!" with Jim Stacey, and "The Kitchen." Then we began watching five shows that were on PBS on New Year's Eve starting with "Jimmy Van Heusen: Swingin'."
I composed a paragraph about the priesthood at Colleen's request to send to Spencer as he just received the Aaronic Priesthood and was ordained a deacon. He passed the sacrament in church yesterday and went out with his dad to collect fast offerings.
I finished the 1 November issue of the Church News. I enjoyed "World Congress of Families" where Elder M. Russell Ballard spoke of eternal families and love, "Elder [Quentin L.] Cook addresses the role of faith and values," "Disaster was training for new Apostle" about Elder Gary E. Stevenson, the three articles about the Bluff Fort Visitors' Center ("New monument honors Bluff Fort pioneers," "Preserving the history of the Hole in the Rock," and "Docents at Bluff Fort share history"), the two articles about the Sidney B. Sperry Symposium ("'Hefted and Handled: Tangible Interactions with Book of Mormon Objects'" and "'The coming forth of the Book of Mormon'"), stakes created in Utah, New Jersey, Brazil, and Nigeria (from a district), "Church video wins national award," and "'What matters most' BYU professor addresses topics of faith and family."
On Tuesday 5 January we drove to Blue Ridge and met with Ralph and Holly. We rode with them to Murphy's Chophouse for lunch.
We drove to Blairsville and back to the Hughes' where we visited for a while. Then we returned to Ellijay and went to the bank, post office, Times-Courier for last week's newspaper (it had our picture in the Tabernacle on Temple Square), Walmart, Squiggles, and Ingles.
After supper we watched "Finding Your Roots" with Henry Louis Gates Jr. The individuals on this episode were political strategist Donna Brazile, actor Ty Burrell, and artist Kara Walker. I had heard of Brazile but not of the other two.
Eileen enjoyed "Fixer Upper" on HGTV with Chip and Joanna Gaines.
On Wednesday 6 January we volunteered at the food pantry and helped 139 patrons as it was the first Wednesday of the month. We picked up the Times-Courier at R&A Orchards
Eileen enjoyed "The Kitchen," Giada de Laurentiis, Ina Garten, and Ree Drummond.
I called CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield to look into Geoff's medical plan and the price more than doubled. I texted Geoff and told him that he had to make up the difference starting in February. I paid the higher amount for January.
After an early supper we went to church to open the Family History Center from 6-8:10 pm. We chatted with Janie Alley about researching children of brothers and sisters in families. As part of our Church Service mission project, Ben did 17 L's, 23 M's, 5 N’s, and 5 O’s in Dorset. Eileen did 12 A's, 27 B's, 30 C's, 6D’s, 9 E’s, 10 F’s, 9 G’s, 19 H’s, 4 I’s, and 4 K's finishing her part of Dorset. She then started at the end of my list and did the 1 Y and 10 of the W's. Ben did the O’s and Eileen did from the E’s on after arriving home.
On the way home from church our odometer passed 123456!
As we prepared for bed, I read the talk from the Sunday afternoon session of October's General Conference in the November Ensign by Elder Kim B. Clark of the Seventy entitled "Eyes to See and Ears to Hear."
On Thursday 7 January we were up and Eileen began working on her runner for Colleen. I read the talk from the Sunday afternoon session of October's General Conference in the November Ensign by Elder Koichi Aoyagi of the Seventy entitled "Hold on Thy Way." This completes all the talks from October's General Conference. I read the four talks from the General Women's Session and all the talks by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to Eileen. The rest of the talks I read myself.
The fellow from Folger gas came by in his truck and refilled our propane tank. In response to my question he said that if power is lost and we only use those things that we need, we would use about a gallon an hour of propane and that there are 212 gallons in the tank.
I finished adding pictures to my 21 June blog and republished it. I notified the kids. I backed up the blog entries in Dropbox through 21 June, too. I published my blog entries up through 27 December though the ones after 21 June are without pictures.
I did 18 P's and added the "Guide to" paragraph to the parishes of Pimperne and Portland St John in Dorset.
Eileen finished Colleen's runner and enjoyed "The Kitchen," Giada de Laurentiis, Ina Garten, Ree Drummond, and Valerie Bertinelli.
After supper I finished reading "Two on a Tower" by Thomas Hardy which I had begun on 18 August.
Eileen did the rest of the W's making 44 in all, 2 U's, and 19 T's in Dorset.
Then we watched the second and third of the five shows that were on PBS on New Year's Eve "Starlight Ballroom (My Music)" with Peter Marshall and Nick Clooney and "50s & 60s Party Songs" with Chubby Checker.
Big news from the LDS Church today was the formation of three new missions, one of which is the Vietnam Hanoi Mission!
Eileen enjoyed a show "Barnwood Builders" on the DIY network.
I began and finished reading "Sing a Song of Sixpence A Short Story" by Agatha Christie.
On Friday 8 January we were getting ready to leave the to attend the Kids Ferst PR meeting at the Country Corner Kitchen. Our mail carrier had driven up to our house to give us our mail as it included a box from Tom and Heather. Along with one of Eileen's Rubbermaid containers, they sent me my Christmas present which was a smaller size New York Jets cap!
"Ignorance is bliss" bumper sticker.
I agreed to check with Jordan at Walmart about parking the playhouse in their parking lot on 20 and 27 February and 5 March.
Jordan is now at the Lawrenceville store. I spoke to Tena and she will let us know by Monday.
After Walmart we shopped at Ingles, went by Rite-aid, the bank to deposit the Sun-Life check, and Faith, Hope, and Charity to drop off some old jeans of Eileen's. We enjoyed bumping into Debby Young from our branch at Ingles and we told her of using the points to save money on gas in Blue Ridge.
Later at home I called Coloma Frozen Foods in Michigan and ordered more Tart Cherry Concentrate.
In the evening I indexed 10 records from the Pennsylvania World War II Draft Registrations, 1940-1945, collection.
Eileen worked on the Kids Ferst Scrapbook.
We watched the fourth of the five shows that were on PBS on New Year's Eve "50s & 60s Rock Rewind" with Jon "Bowzer" Bauman, best known as a member of the band Sha Na Na. Eileen had to leave the room and missed the last four songs. I remembered three of them and played them for her on my phone. I googled the show and discovered which one I'd forgotten and played that one and another by the same group.
On Saturday 9 January we picked up my suit at the dry cleaners and drove to the quilt shop in Jasper. Eileen's quilt looks adorable! We stopped at Ingles for a few things.
We put up on the kitchen wall our Christmas gift from Ralph and Holly. Eileen watched "Cook's Country" and "America's Test Kitchen." We began putting away the Christmas decorations. We watched the fifth of the five shows that were on PBS on New Year's Eve "My Yearbook: 1960-1963" with Bobby Vinton and Tina Cole.
As we ate supper (the seafood stuffed salmon and shrimp were delicious) we enjoyed "Treehouse Masters" with Pete Nelson on the Animal Planet network.
While Eileen removed the decorations on the Christmas tree, we had the NFL playoff game on with the Kansas City Chiefs versus the Houston Texans, won by the Chiefs, 30-0.
I did 3 R's and 33 S's. I added the "Guide to" paragraph to the parish of Shillingstone. Dorset is completed.
Eileen watched some HGTV and we checked often on the Pittsburgh Steelers - Cincinnati Bengals playoff game. (The Steelers won a close game.)
After Eileen went to sleep, I began and finished reading "The Gipsy A Short Story" by Agatha Christie.
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