Conference Notes... Take the Holy Spirit as your Guide

Elder Larry Y. Wilson 
April 2018 | Take the Holy Spirit as Your Guide 

Following the feet of the people ahead of you on the path is not enough. We cannot just do and think what others are doing and thinking; we must live a guided life. We must each have our own hand on the iron rod. Then we may go to the Lord with humble confidence, knowing that He “shall lead [us] by the hand, and give [us] answer to [our] prayers.” (D&C 112:10) 

I thought about Cash, Colby, Grey, and Grahm when I listened to this talk. I pray they will keep their hands on the iron rod. I want to them have “humble confidence” and live a “guided life.” I hope they can be still and listen to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit. 

"It is an extraordinary privilege to have the Holy Spirit for our guide."

Sharing the story of Ensign Frank Blair, who served on a troop transport ship stationed in Japan during the Korean War, Elder Wilson told of how Blair's ability to listen to the Spirit saved him and his entire crew during a huge typhoon.

"Ensign Blair finished his watch and was getting into bed when the captain knocked on his door." "He asked, 'Would you please pray for this ship.' Of course, Ensign Blair agreed to do so."

At that point, the young man could have just prayed for safety, but instead, he prayed to know if there was something he could do to help ensure the safety of the ship. Three times he prayed to know what to do and then followed the promptings of the Spirit.

"The captain thanked the young LDS officer and said he believed that following Ensign Blair's spiritual impressions had saved the crew and the ship." "Now this story is quite dramatic. While we may be unlikely to face such dire circumstances, this story contains important guidelines about how we can receive the Spirit's guidance more frequently."

Elder Wilson shared three guidelines for individuals to receive the guidance of the Spirit.

1. When it comes to revelation, "we must properly tune our receiver to heaven's frequency."

"Had [Ensign Blair] not been obedient, he would not have had the spiritual confidence necessary to pray as he did for the safety of his ship and to receive such specific guidance." "We must each be making the effort to align our lives with God's commandments in order to be directed by Him."

2. Be part of the solution.

Instead of just listing problems in prayer and asking the Lord to solve them, Elder Wilson encouraged listeners to — like Ensign Blair — seek more proactive ways of receiving the Lord's help, and then to commit to act according to the Spirit's guidance.

3. Follow the pattern of listening to the Holy Ghost.

"The arrival of a typhoon is no time to dust off the gift of the Holy Ghost and figure out how to use it. This young man was clearly following a pattern he had used many times before, including as a full-time missionary.

"We need the Holy Spirit as our guide in calm waters, so His voice will be unmistakable to us in the fiercest storm."

Oldest and Youngest...

Cash is so loving and sweet with Grahm. He loves to hold him and I see Cash give him kisses all the time. It melts my heart. Cash has been teaching Grahm to point to his nose, eyes, and ears. Grahm puts his cute little finger on Cash's nose. It's nice to have a big brother.

Sleepover with Grey Maxwell...

One thing I love about summer, and it's not the heat, is having sleepovers with the Grands. It was Grey's turn on Tuesday and I enjoyed every minute. He really is the sweetest little boy.

We did a few science experiments. 

I let Grey add what he wanted to the jar.

Grey kept added more food coloring and he said, the "moon" was in the jar.

We ended up making a volcano. The look on Grey's face says it all! He said, it's a "vulcano" Grandma. 

A few tunes and a tiny show with popcorn, and it was time for bed. What a wonderful day.

Grey slept so good, we had a nice breakfast, then went to Cabela's, and the park. We didn't stay long because it was too hot outside. 

 Where's Grey?

Grey had a little green grasshopper land on his hand. He held it for several minutes and was so excited because it was green, you know his favorite color!

I love being a grandma, these really are my best days.

ThrowBack Thursday - Family...

Always clever Cash

 Little Grey!

 Fun times - June 2015

Wordless Wednesday ~ It won't be long Grahm...

Picture perfect...

I just have to post the pictures Cash took on Sunday around Temple Square and at the Conference Center. As always he does a good job, and we have memories of a happy day!

Conference Notes ~ Family History and Temple Work: Sealing and Healing

Elder Dale G. Renlund
April 2018 | Family History and Temple Work: Sealing and Healing

Very good talk, and again I am reminded that I need to do more family history research.

Family relationships "can be some of the most rewarding yet challenging experiences we encounter." "Many of us have faced a fracture of some sort within our families."

One such fracture developed between Parley and Orson Pratt, early converts to the Church and ordained apostles. Both faced trials of faith but came through with unshakable testimonies. However, during the Nauvoo era, a deep rift developed between them in 1846. While Parley wrote a letter attempting to resolve the dispute, Orson didn't reply.

Several years later, in 1853, Orson learned of a project to publish a book on the descendants of William Pratt, their earliest American ancestor. "Orson began to weep 'like a little child' as he glimpsed this treasure trove of family history. His heart melted, and he determined to repair the breach with his brother." Orson wrote to his brother, begging for his forgiveness.

"Despite their unshakeable testimonies, their love for their ancestors was the catalyst to heal a rift, mend a hurt, and seek and extend forgiveness."
Temple and family history work bless the lives of the living. "When God directs us to do one thing, He often has many purposes in mind. Family history and temple work is not only for the dead, but blesses the living as well. For Orson and Parley, it turned their hearts to each other."

Church members have a divinely appointed responsibility to seek out their ancestors and perform the ordinances necessary to redeem the dead. "[As] we participate in family history and temple work today, we also lay claim to 'healing' blessings promised by prophets and apostles." 

These include increased understanding of the Savior, feeling a greater influence of the Holy Ghost, strengthened faith, the ability and motivation to learn and repent, protection from temptations and other incredible blessings.

"If you have prayed for any of these blessings, participate in family history and temple work." "As you do so, your prayers will be answered."

To illustrate the capacity to heal that the blessings of the temple have, Elder Renlund, who was a cardiologist before he was called as a General Authority, told about a young man named Todd. He and his family were members of the Church, but their activity was sporadic and they hadn't experienced the blessings of the temple.

In 1999, Todd collapsed from a ruptured blood vessel in his brain and died soon afterward. His mother, Betty, on the last night of his life, promised him that she would make sure his temple work was done.

Todd's heart was transplanted into Elder Renlund's patient, a man by the name of Rod. He learned the identity of his heart donor's family and began a correspondence with them. "About two years later, Todd's mother, Betty, invited Rod to be present when she went to the temple for the first time. Rod and Betty first met in person in the celestial room of the St. George Utah Temple.

Some time later, Todd's father died and Betty invited Rod to represent her deceased son in receiving his temple ordinances. "Rod gratefully did so, and the proxy work culminated in a sealing room in the St. George Utah Temple."

Fifteen years after that, Elder Renlund was invited to seal Rod and his bride; in attendance were Betty and her family — Rod's donor family.

"Orson and Parley Pratt experienced the healing and sealing effects of family history and temple work early in this dispensation. Betty, her family and Rod experienced it. You can, too. Through His Atoning sacrifice, Jesus Christ offers these blessings to all, both the dead and the living."

Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'

It was a beautiful morning in Salt Lake. I thought it would be fun to do something different for Tim's birthday. Since it was on Sunday we took Cash to Music and the Spoken Word. Cash liked hearing the organist play, she went full volume on the last song. Cash also knew some of the songs, I could hear him humming along. He put his head on my shoulder, it brought tears to my eyes thinking about how much we love him. Tim told Cash that his great-great-great Grandpa, Joseph Ridges help build the organ. Children are suppose to be 8 years old to attend the broadcast but Cash was close enough. I think it would be fun to make this a tradition with the other boys.

We also enjoyed walking around Temple Square. Cash looked up at the temple and said, it really is beautiful.

We met up with the rest of the family for breakfast, then this afternoon for dinner, birthday cake and ice cream. Cash, Colby, and Grey made some candles for the cake!

 Happy Birthday Tim, I hope your wish comes true!