Spencer and I went out at 10 am to church to go around collecting fast offerings as Sean had just gotten off work. Only two people on his list were home and one made a contribution. I reported to a member of the bishopric that only the first three families on his list matched the envelopes he was given.
Back at Colleen's Eileen sat with me while I researched Blanche Mott, aunt of my dad's second wife Barbara Mott.
Church began at noon.
This blog entry is without pictures which I will add later.
Opening hymn was #273 "Truth Reflects upon Our Senses" text by Eliza R. Snow (1804-1887) chorus by M. E. Abbey and music by Charles Davis Tillman (1861-1943).
Sacrament hymn was #184 "Upon the Cross of Calvary" text by Vilate Raile (1890-1954) and music by Leroy J. Robertson (1896-1971).
Today was Fast Sunday and many ward members bore their testimonies, beginning with Brother Rex Southwick, the second counselor in the bishopric who was conducting the meeting today. A number of children bore their testimonies including Tanner.
Closing hymn was #116 "Come, Follow Me" text by John Nicholson (1839-1909) and music by Samuel McBurney (b. 1847).
Gospel Doctrine with Brother Troutman was lesson #6 “Free to Choose Liberty and Eternal Life” using 2 Nephi 1-2.
The purpose of the lesson was to help class members have a greater desire to “choose liberty and eternal life” through Jesus Christ, “the great Mediator of all men” (2 Nephi 2:27).
1. Lehi exhorts his sons to repent, obey the Lord’s commandments, and put on the armor of righteousness.
2. Lehi testifies of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
President Joseph F. Smith said, “Jesus came and suffered, ‘the just for the unjust,’ he that was without sin for him that had sinned, and was subjected to the penalty of the law which the sinner had transgressed” (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed.).
3. Lehi teaches the importance of opposition and the freedom to choose good from evil.
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught: “The Lord has given you the gift of agency (see Moses 7:32) and instructed you sufficiently to know good from evil (see 2 Nephi 2:5). You are free to choose (see 2 Nephi 2:27) and are permitted to act (see 2 Nephi 10:23; Helaman 14:30), but you are not free to choose the consequences. With absolute certainty, choices of good and right lead to happiness and peace, while choices of sin and evil eventually lead to unhappiness, sorrow, and misery” (in General Conference, Oct. 1989).
Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can be “encircled about eternally in the arms of [the Savior’s] love” (2 Nephi 1:15). It is a great blessing to be “free to choose,” and encourage class members to “choose liberty and eternal life” through Jesus Christ, “the great Mediator of all men."
The hymn in priesthood was #249 "Called to Serve" text by Grace Gordon and music by Adam Geibel (1855-1933).
The priesthood lesson was a conversation about the February First Presidency message led by the new high priests group leader Brother Brockbank.
Eileen said the sisters in Relief Society had an excellent lesson.
I finished researching the Mott family on ancestry.com and updating/ adding information to FamilyTree on familysearch.org.
I did 16 A's in Essex. Aldersbrook has no infobox.
I posted the following about the Prophet Joseph Smith from the 13 December 2015 Church News Viewpoint article:
"As Latter-day Saints commemorated the Savior’s birth, we remembered also one who bore powerful witness of the Christ Child born in the little town of Bethlehem. On Dec. 23, 1805, Joseph Smith Jr. was born in an obscure village in Vermont’s Windsor County.
"Though the world didn't know it at the time, this 19th century birth would initiate what is arguably the greatest and most far-reaching chain of events in the history of Christianity since the Savior's mortal ministry itself.
"Though the world didn't know it at the time, this 19th century birth would initiate what is arguably the greatest and most far-reaching chain of events in the history of Christianity since the Savior's mortal ministry itself.
“That infant would grow up to hold the apostolic office and thus be a special witness of Jesus Christ, the first mortal man on earth with such authority since the deaths of Peter, Paul and other New Testament figures. But Joseph's role would have further significance, he being the man who, under the direction of Jesus Christ, received the keys of the gospel's restoration in latter days and of the prophesied Dispensation of the Fulness of Times. It was a role with transcendent magnitude, fulfilling scriptural prophecy” (R. Scott Lloyd, Church News, Dec. 18, 2010).
On Dec. 23, 2005, President Gordon B. Hinckley delivered from the Church’s visitors’ center at Sharon, Vermont, an address that was transmitted to the Conference Center in Salt Lake City and meetinghouses worldwide.
“Two hundred years ago, on this very day, in this very place, there was born a child who was prophetically named Joseph, after the name of his father,” President Hinckley said. “He became the Prophet, Seer and Revelator of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He gave his life in testimony of the truth of all that he said concerning the work of the Lord restored through him in this dispensation.”
Further, President Hinckley said that at the time of year when the world celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, it could be said that no man has born a stronger witness to the reality of the Savior than did Joseph Smith.
“His written testimony is repeated, it is echoed and re-echoed in scores of languages throughout the world. In an age of skepticism and doubt, his witness is unequivocal and certain,” President Hinckley said.
We do not worship Joseph Smith. We honor him and revere his name and life’s work. Truths revealed through him enable us to have a better understanding of our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, who came to earth to minister among men and offer His own life as the atoning sacrifice that makes possible for everyone to have eternal life with our Heavenly Father. It is this Father and Son whom we worship."
On Dec. 23, 2005, President Gordon B. Hinckley delivered from the Church’s visitors’ center at Sharon, Vermont, an address that was transmitted to the Conference Center in Salt Lake City and meetinghouses worldwide.
“Two hundred years ago, on this very day, in this very place, there was born a child who was prophetically named Joseph, after the name of his father,” President Hinckley said. “He became the Prophet, Seer and Revelator of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He gave his life in testimony of the truth of all that he said concerning the work of the Lord restored through him in this dispensation.”
Further, President Hinckley said that at the time of year when the world celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, it could be said that no man has born a stronger witness to the reality of the Savior than did Joseph Smith.
“His written testimony is repeated, it is echoed and re-echoed in scores of languages throughout the world. In an age of skepticism and doubt, his witness is unequivocal and certain,” President Hinckley said.
We do not worship Joseph Smith. We honor him and revere his name and life’s work. Truths revealed through him enable us to have a better understanding of our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, who came to earth to minister among men and offer His own life as the atoning sacrifice that makes possible for everyone to have eternal life with our Heavenly Father. It is this Father and Son whom we worship."
I have begun reading "The Beginning of Better Days: Divine Instruction to Women from the Prophet Joseph Smith" on the Deseret Bookshelf on my iPhone. The first excellent essay was by Virginia H. Pearce, daughter of President Gordon B. Hinckley, entitled "Angels and Epiphanies."
On Monday 8 February I called Toyota Corporate Customer Service and arranged to just have the diagnosis done at Earnhardt, then they could see what they could do for me. I drove to Earnhardt only to learn that they couldn't do a thing for me unless the two indicator lights were coming on because of the oil control valve(s) sticking. So I'll call Toyota Corporate back and wait for the next time the lights come on :(
I then went to the post office near Colleen's and mailed Liam's birthday card. I met Eileen and Colleen at Walmart as I needed a couple of things and they came for a white baptismal towel that will get embroidered with Tanner's baptismal information. The apples at Walmart were puny, so I drove to Fry's in hopes of getting nicer ones. (I did!)
After arriving back at Colleen's I told Sean he could hit the hay and I'd keep an eye on the three boys. I called Toyota Corporate back and also called Elder Carlson at the mission in Salt Lake City.
He later emailed me and said, "We have advised the Missionary Department to please “flag” your application and note that we would like to have you assigned to our mission.
"We are very excited about the prospect of you coming to our mission. We are keeping our fingers crossed and look forward to your arrival in due course."
In the meantime Colleen and Eileen went to Trader Joe's for several items.
Arrow called and said that the shielding around our roof looked secure. They do not see where any flying squirrels could get in.
I did 40 B’s and 36 C’s in Essex.
After supper I took Sean to work at the hospital's ER as we're going to the Dailey Yogurt-N-More store by Fry's for dessert. But first we had Family Home Evening as Eileen basically gave her talk on the Holy Ghost with help from Spencer and Ashton that she had more formally given in church at Spencer and Ashton's baptisms. We got there at 8:04 and found that they closed at 8pm! So we went to Fry's for some ice cream.
Later in the evening I indexed U. S. Iowa - Death Records, 1921-1940.
On Tuesday 9 February I got up early and picked up Sean at the hospital at 7:45.
I worked on what photos I could add to my 26 July blog, then I published my blogs of 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31 January.
Eileen did all 80 parishes in Westmorland, England, and picked County Durham to do next. She did 136 parishes from A to U!
I did 9 D’s and 13 E’s in Essex.
I copied the beneficiary forms from Athene Annuity and Life Company and mailed the originals today.
We drove to a park near William and Erin's to enjoy time with Erin and Weston. William arrived there after he got off work.
On the way there I finished reading "The Life and Death of King John" by William Shakespeare which I started on 7 December.
The four adults went to the Gilbert Temple and did sealings. Then we went to Texas Roadhouse in Gilbert for a late supper. On the way back to Cubberley's our odometer reached 127127.
Back at Colleen's I entered the data from the sealings in my PAF database. Then I continued researching and updating relatives of Eileen's as I found 1940 censuses and other records that I didn't have before.
On Wednesday 10 February Eileen went with Colleen and the boys to a Hohokam basket weaving event. Sean and I stayed home as I worked on Eileen's Uncle Wallace's parents and grandparents' families. There was a great deal of information on the Find A Grave record for Wallace's father's family.
I took a break and finished reading the 13 December issue of the Church News. I enjoyed the Viewpoint article "A season of wonder," part of which I posted on Facebook (see the Sunday entry above). There were four articles from the Christmas Devotional including "The most beautiful melody" with President Uchtdorf and 'The Light and the Life of the World' with Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I enjoyed "Christ's law to His disciples" with President Uchtdorf again, "Witnessing faith and optimism" with Elders Neil L. Andersen and Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles along with Elder Richard J. Maynes of the Presidency of the Seventy in the Philippines, the 'Festival of Lights' in Washington, D. C., two Christmas memories from Bishop W. Christopher Waddell of the Presiding Bishopric and Sister Mary R. Durham of the Primary general presidency, "Groundbreaking in Lisbon" of the Portugal Temple, "Christmas in Los Angeles," and "Lecture on 'Joseph Smith and the Recovery of Eternal Man'" with Brother Robert L. Millet.
Eileen, Colleen, and the boys had fun and got home about 12:45.
I started putting my research into FamilyTree. Then we drove to William and Erin's to go out to dinner with them later.
We visited for a while and went to the Rancho de Tia Rosa in Gilbert for dinner.
We drive to a nearby Fry's and shopped, then filled up for $1.299 with a 20-cent per gallon discount!!
Back at home I finished up my work with the Culton family and printed the Family Ordinance Request form.
On Thursday 11 February I got up early and picked up Sean at the hospital at 7:45. He wasn't expecting me and kept walking, even after I beeped at him. So I had to catch up to him with the car!
We drove to the Farr's in Mesa and went through the 10 am endowment session with them. There were 15 brethren and 28 sisters. I walked to the visitors' center to get some pass-along cards for Colleen. Then we drove to Rosa's Mexican Grill for lunch. Afterwards we visited with the Farr's at their home.
We stopped at Fry's for a couple of things on the way home.
After supper we had dessert at the Dailey Yogurt-N-More store near Fry's.
I did some research on Eileen's Uncle Wallace's mother's Bloodgood side of the family.
On Friday 12 February I got up early and picked up Sean at the hospital at 7:45.
I called Oppenheimer about the beneficiaries for our four accounts. Two of them are all set up, however I need to remove Sue and change Heather's last name. The other two require the TOD form to add the kids.
Eileen, Colleen, Spencer, and I went to the Gilbert Temple to do baptisms and confirmations. We had made appointments for 5:30 (Cubberley) and 6 pm (Bailey), so we were able to do 10 baptisms each. I baptized Colleen, Spencer, and Eileen, then the temple worker baptized me.
Then we did the 41 confirmations as one female name had her baptism done previously, but not the confirmation.
It was taking a long time to get the family file cards so we left and get them tomorrow.
We enjoyed supper at Applebee's in Gilbert, our first time at an Applebee's in three years. It was at Spencer's request.
On Saturday 13 February I finished setting up our return trip to Ellijay with Choice Hotels via Ebates.com. Early in the morning Spencer went with a group to the Mesa Temple to do more baptisms.
I did 15 F's in Essex.
I finished the paperwork for Oppenheimer for all four accounts and it's ready to mail.
At 1:30 the baptismal service began for Tanner and two other youngsters. Sean's brother Keith drove up from Tucson to attend. William, Erin, and Weston attended.
Opening hymn was #193, "I Stand All Amazed" with Colleen conducting.
Sister Allison Wood, grandmother of Brinklee Johnson, spoke on baptism.
The baptisms were performed by Sean and the two other fathers. William and I were witnesses as Tanner was baptized.
Several hymns were sung while waiting for the baptismal participants to return. Colleen played the piano.
Tanner and Brinklee sang "My Baptism Day."
Spencer spoke on the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The confirmations were performed by Sean and the two other fathers. William and I stood in the circle with Brother Rex Southwick of the bishopric and Brother Cotter, their home teacher, as Sean confirmed Tanner.
Closing hymn was "When I am Baptized."
After lots of picture-taking, we went to Sweet Tomatoes in Gilbert at Tanner's request.
From there Eileen and I drove to the Gilbert Temple to pick up the 41 family file cards from last night. Colleen drove to the home of the sister who had the 15 cards from the Mesa Temple this morning.
Then we drove to Fry's for a few things and filled up for $1.359 with a 10-cent per gallon discount! The price had dropped four cents since Wednesday.
After we were all home Tanner received his new scriptures (a 3-in-1 and Bible) and a carrying case for them, the latter from us.
Later we enjoyed Eileen's dessert (cheesecake and pistachio flavors from Holly Hughes' lemon recipe) and the boys also had ice cream.
I finished reading "Paths of Disharmony (Star Trek: Typhon Pact)" by Dayton Ward which was begun on 15 January.
I finished reading "The Vicomte de Bragelonne" by Alexander Dumas Pere which was begun on 8 June.
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