Conference: Jeffrey R. Holland, Blessings of Discipleship

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/the-cost-and-blessings-of-discipleship?lang=eng&media=video#watch=video

Elder Holland gives an excellent talk again at conference.  He talks about how sometimes we are challenged for what we believe, but we need to be equal to the challenge.  Ours is not a convenient or an easy faith.  But it is a faith build upon doing what God would have us do, and sometimes that is hard, as we stand up for morality in an immoral world. 

This is my answer to the question, have I ever been persecuted for my faith, a theme introduced by this discourse.
http://whilhelmsthoughts.blogspot.com/2014/05/have-i-ever-been-persecuted-for-my.html

Conference and New Habits

Conference at Charity's.  We actually watched most at home.  Sheri heard the prophet say we should be studying scriptures with our families daily.  We finished 1Nephi chapter 4 today.  It is hard to get Tony to join in, but he is a very good reader.  We have also had prayer.  Miranda suggested a change in our evening habits.  Eating after 7:30 is very late, especially for the big meal of the day.  They are eating earlier, and I am eating dinner on the train.  That way when I get home we can do scriptures and prayer for family time instead of dinner.  Also every-other day we plan on a walk after prayer.  This will give us a chance to walk the dog.  If you care to join us for the walk it is a bit after 8.  Of ourse it is mostly Miranda and I.

LDS Conference Weekend

California Time Conference is 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. today and tomorrow.  I am excited.
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/invite-others?lang=eng

Member Missionary 4: Pray for Missionary Opportunities: Elder M. Russel Ballard

http://bcove.me/34xm8m2q
Elder M. Russel Ballard: Put Your Trust in the Lord

http://www.lds.org/training/wwlt/2013/hastening/a-new-vision
Hastening the work of salvation

I felt this talk was inspired.  He adds an important step to Elder Wardle's model of being a member missionary, pray for missionary experiences.  Following are excerpts from this discourse.

We need to work together in partnership with our 80,000 missionaries now serving.

We ... know that many members hesitate to do missionary work and share the gospel for two basic reasons.

1. •The first one is fear. Many members do not even pray for opportunities to share the gospel, fearing that they might receive divine promptings to do something they think they are not capable of doing.
2. •The second reason is misunderstanding of what missionary work is.

 Brothers and sisters, fear will be replaced with faith and confidence when members and the full-time missionaries kneel in prayer and ask the Lord to bless them with missionary opportunities.

While the outcome is a result of the exercise of one’s agency, sharing the gospel is our responsibility.

Preach My Gospel reminds all of us that “nothing happens in missionary work until [we] find someone to teach.  Talk with as many people as you can each day. It is natural to be somewhat apprehensive about talking to people, but you can pray for the faith and strength to be more bold in opening your mouth to proclaim the restored gospel”

The key is that you be inspired of God, that you ask Him for direction and then go and do as the Spirit prompts you.

 I want to have missionary experiences.  I am committing to pray for them, and hope you will join me.

What Do LDS Women Get? Sherry Dew

I worked Saturday, so the first I heard of conference was on my way home.   Priesthood meeting had just started, but it is on LDS.org this year, so I was going to watch it when I arrived home.  However on the radio news, there was a story about how 200 women had been turned away from the meeting.  I guess they knew they would be, and were there for a publicity stunt; because if they were accepting the prophet as a prophet, they would not have been there in the first place.
Any was, I found an answer to these women in this talk by Sherry Dew.

  Mostly what takes place in Priesthood meeting is talking to the men about being better husbands and fathers.  Of course the answer was in all the talks, the church men in general are so loving of women.  Of course we have our problems, but for the most part women are blessed from their participation in the church.

Health As I See It: Jeffrey R. Holland Speaks of Compassion and Mental Illness

Jeffrey R. Holland's talk from conference Saturday on mental illness and suicide is classic.  To me it justifies my career selection.  It had me in tears.
http://bcove.me/z72c8hkc
Elder Holland talks about the stigma, and points out there should be no shame in these illnesses, just as there should be no shame for diabetes or other illnesses.
His advice for one we ourselves or loved ones have problems:  Never loss faith in your Father in Heaven.  Quoting President Monson, "God's love is there whether or not you deserve it."  Follow time-tested devotionals in your life, seek priesthood counseling, ask for and cherish priesthood blessings, take the sacrament every week, believe in miracles, watch for the stress indicators in yourself and in others you may be able to help, get medical care, don't assume you can fix everything but fix what you can and finally be patient.
He concludes with the emotional play, "Whatever ever your struggles, do not vote against the preciousness of life by ending it.  Trust in God, hold on in his love.  Know that one day the dawn will break brightly."  Then he says while God works making repairs, "the rest of us can help by being merciful, nonjudgmental and kind."
I encourage you to listen to his remarks. 

LDS Conference Today: Enjoy

I invite you to listen or attend conference today
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/invite-others?lang=eng

You will be uplifted by listening to God's prophets.  I invite you to listen.  If you have any inkling that you could benefit from hearing God's word, it is available.

Conference Music

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/music?lang=eng#d

I thought I would share this link.  This is conference music for the past years.  Of course it is dominated by the tabernacle choir, but their is also lots of other good stuff.  I recommend BYU Men's Choir and "I Love the Lord."  Anything by the Tabernacle Choir is going to be good as well.  If you like men's choirs you can pick Priesthhood sessions, and for women's choirs there is Young Women's and Relief Society meetings.  There is also primary music if you prefer children's voices.  This is a great site.  It will also play through so you don't have to pick each song.

Life in Manteca:24; and family happenings

This is a summary of the past three weeks, in which lots has gone on.  To start with we went to Charity's for me to get a hair cut and to take advantage of her pool.  Tony was into showing his muscles. 

The next weekend the Ortons were here, Sheldon, Nancy and Alyssa.  I neglected to take a photo so don't have documentation I need. 

Conference weekend followed.  We had the Larsons and Charity and Anthony over for cinnamon rolls.  It was a good Sunday, and conference was very inspirational.  Here is a linkfor those who missed it, or who want to review.  http://lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2011/10?lang=eng

Anthony helped Toy get down his darts he has shot onto the high windows, or onto the window sills.  Anthony fashioned a tool with a pole and a belt.

Up above provided the best place to give direction.  It was cute hearing Tony 

say this way. then that.

I went to my first pumpkin festival, and honestly was not impressed.  Just a big bazaar with everyone wanting to make big money.  Tony did some bouncy house stuff, but the pony ride was $7.  The only store that looked fun was the hair bow stand where Anny, Alyssa's sister, and her friend Jennie were helping.  It made me wish I had a little girl at home who could use a hair bow.  Tony and Caleb would not go for this at all, and I doubt if Miranda would appreciate them either.

April's pictures, Caleb and Alyssa above, Anny and Jennie below

This week I went to my first Sierra football game.  I entered the game and headed for the home team sign of the field.  I discovered I could not get there for there was a fence in my way.  I went back to start, and was directed to a different entrance through which you could only go to the home stands.  What a noel idea, home and visiting fans separated by a fence; sort of like the iron curtain.  I guess the school knows what they need to do, and it must prevent fights, but it is a sad commentary.  The game was between Sierra and Manteca, schools a couple miles away from each other, and all of us from the community of Manteca.  The game had the wrong result as Manteca won the rivalry this year.  Anny, Alyssa's sister, participated in the halftime cheer leading camp activity.  It was fun. 

Yesterday, Saturday started with a double date to the temple with Caleb and his girlfriend.  We went through a session and they did baptisms.  They got done and went to the Visitor's Center where we met them after they had watched a movies.  The Visitors Center is open every day of the year nine to nine.  http://lds.org/placestovisit/eng/visitors-centers/oakland-temple-visitors-center
We went to Five Guys, Burger and Fries on the way home.  They still have great burgers, excellent fries, and the peanuts are just a bonus.

We ended our Saturday with a trip to Cupertino for the Tournament of the Bands.  Although I was not there to watch anyone from the family, it was still fun.  Charity was there with her brother-in-law Brent, who we had never met as he recently returned form a mission. He was supporting Mountain View High Scbool as he is a band alumnus.

I liked the Aztec calendar this band had

Cupertino High School Marching Band

Charity and Brent

Old friends we have seen in the last couple weeks:
Sheldon, Nancy and Alyssa Orton cam to visit
Guy and Renee Berry at the temple
at the TOB, Jennifer Schulken, our past neighbor and friend.  Her son is in the band on saxophone and she says she was volunteer coordinator for TOB
Kathy Dye and Stan Dye, friends from church.  There son Scott is in the band on baritone and she was busy all day with volunteer stuff, perhaps band booster president
Elliot Gavino, family friend and former Cupertino drum major.
Diane Williams (not her current name) who is a family friend and Asher's mom who is Natalia's age.
These means in the past couple weeks I have seen and visited with the people with whom I served in the bishopric, Bishop Orton, Guy and Stan.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: 'Because Of Your Faith' @ The 180th October LD...