COMMAND YOUR LIFE THROUGH YOU OWN WORDS

I have been reading about how we speak, what we say we don't want and how it becomes what we get.

I have always said, "I've been financially well off, I've been poor, I chose NOT to be poor again." If I had said, "I don't want to ever see Jane again". For sure, Jane would be just around the corner.

WELL, THERE IT IS. I say the word NOT and POOR and that is what my brain picked up.

Just like what we remember from childhood - There It Is Again-- all the bad things that happened to us, or so we think. Very few of the GOOD THINGS do we retain in our brains. I'm sure it is for our safety to remember not to get into the middle of whatever it was back then, again. However, our language needs to be, and must be, changed for us to allow ourselves to have the lifestyle we really want and deserve.

Every day and in every way I'm getting better and better!
My Dad used to say, "I love me, my picture is on the shelf, I love me I'm wild about myself. Why you might not think me looks so good, but me thinks me looks fine".

He believed in being fit, strong, exercising with running & gymnastics. He used my swing set in the back yard to chin him self daily. He would use one-hand for 50 chin-ups then the other one and then both hands to finish that ONE exercise. He could take a run and jump over a standard car roof ...I've seen him do it! He could crush hands with his grip. He never lost a fist fight. He could run backwards faster than anyone challenging him could run forward. He worked two jobs all his life and still had time for fun and play, trips to Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska, Mountain hunting and fishing, traveling to other countries on vacation and visiting friends. He invited people over to our home for evening parties with food and games or events.

Good uplifting books about lifestyle changes are everywhere. For example: How To Win Friends and Influence People; The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People; The Power of Positive Thinking; Acres of Diamonds; Cyber Cybernetics; Think and Grow Rich; Rich Dad-Poor Dad; Og Mandino's Great Trilogy: The Greatest Salesman in the World/The Greatest Secret in the World/The Greatest Miracle in the World; The Law of Success; One Minute Millionaire & One Minute Manager; The Science of Getting Rich; The Master Key to Riches; Ben Franklin-12 Rules of Management; The Millionaire Course; Man's Search For Happiness; The Success Principles; Three Feet From Gold; Outwitting the Devil; The Power of Your Subconscious Mind; The Tipping Point; Multiple Streams of Income; The Secrets of the Millionaire Mind; The Automatic Millionaire; Your Road map For Success; The Road Less Traveled; How To See yourself As You Really Are; The Color Code - Your Relationships & Life; The Four Agreements; and Wake Up and Live the Life You Love! Read -- On-line books on any good subject; Psychology books & Suzy Orman for Your Financial Credit. There are MANY OTHERS. These are a good start to change the way you think TO start thinking positive about yourself and your life ahead of you! You can be any & everything! You choose!

I have come to realize that YOU ARE WHAT YOU SPEAK! Compile your dream book -- full of things you like, have done, want to still do, how you see your home, car, family, and life-style. It is full of ideas. The actuality of these ideas comes with who you are, how you think, how hard you work, what you read, and what you say.

Anything you can believe you can achieve -- ADD hard work and time to this recipe.
Your thoughts must give you good feelings. All things are made up of vibrations. It is these thought vibrations that raise your level of thinking and life. For Example: If you look at the glass of water in your hand and say to it -- I love you, bring me great health - The water is controlled by you in this universe. It will change its crystals and obey you. This fact has been proven by scientists.

Never use the word NO or I can't. The reason they say, "No matter what, the glass is always half-full." It is because you can always add something more to it. It can never be empty - it is at least full of air. The book "The Secret" brings about this fact. I saw a glass filled with gravel once. The questions were asked, "Is it full?" No! He added marbles. Same question - NO! He added sand. Is it full - No! He added water. He could also add cake sprinkles or something lighter STILL until it begins to run over the top (which by the way gives it more room to add something else into it). It is always half full!

Structure you life in this way. There is always more to learn, more to do, more to accomplish, more to become. Keep your speech elevated and happy. Song: Don't worry be Happy, should just say -- Be Happy - Life is good, Enjoy life to its fullest. Pray Daily! If it is to be ...it is all up to YOU. Know that g-ma loves each of you totally. The Angels will quote from words written in your Journals. Teach yourself and your family to love the Lord and follow the commandments totally by being obedient. There is no gray! There is only black and white, wrong and right. Choose the Right! Choose the Right! Stay active in church, read your quad scriptures, Ensign, and Conference Talks THEN act as if Christ was standing beside you at all times. The angels are ACTUALLY there today! Maybe I will be one of those angels! Smile - because I love you!

WORDS OF WISDOM- Part Two - GENEALOGY

WORDS OF WISDOM- Part Two - GENEALOGY

The Church of Jesus Christ has a 3-fold mission: Redeem the Dead, Proclaim the Gospel, and Perfect the Saints. Read the Abrahamic Covenant and the promises to the fathers. See D&C 10:32, Moses 1:39, D&C 20:59, Conference Report October 2003 page 58 and Nov 2003 pg 54. D&C 110: 11-16 tells of keys restored. Read the booklet, “Family History Teachers Manual – Religion 261, dated 2005. Know that it is our responsibility ‘That They May Be Redeemed’. Elder Boyd K. Packer stated “We must redeem the dead, all of them, for we are commanded to do it.

We made promises before we were born to our Ancestors – for without them we would not be born, made perfect, nor saved for eternity with God and Jesus Christ. We are obligated to do the ordinances for the Living and the Dead. If you are having a problem with doing this, pray for the Holy Ghost to assist you to turn your heart towards your family. The prophet Gordon Hinckley said, “This work, unselfishly given in behalf of those on the other side, comes nearer to the unparalleled vicarious work of the Savior than any other of which I know.”

Be Saviors of Mount Zion: Read Obadiah 1: 17, 21 and D&C 103: 5-9, D&C 2, and 137 & 138. Pray to have a witness and a desire to complete this work. There are many Conference Reports that give promises to us when we complete this work.

‘Discourses of Brigham Young’ pg 409. About the time that the temples of the Lord will be built and Zion is established – pretty nigh this time, you will see there will be strangers in your midst, walking with you, talking with you; they will enter into your homes and eat and drink with you, go to meetings with you, and begin to open your minds, as the Savior did the two disciples who walked out in the country in the days of old – along the road to Emmaus. Page 394 – To accomplish this work there will have to be not only one temple but thousands of them, and thousands and tens of thousands of men and women will go into those temples and officiate for people who have lived as far back as the Lord shall reveal. Page 406 – We have a work to do just as important in its sphere as the Savior’s work was in its sphere. We are now called upon to do ours; which is the greatest work man ever performed on the earth.

April 1844 Conference - Joseph Smith, Jr. said: The whole of America is Zion itself from North to South, and is described by the prophets, who declare that it is the Zion where the mountain of the Lord should be, and that it should be in the center of the land. The 144,000 – it is necessary that you should be baptized for your dead; you will have to go through all the ordinances for them, the same as you have gone through to save yourself. There will be 144,000 Saviors on Mount Zion and with them an innumerable host that no man can number. Oh! I beseech you to go forward, go forward and make your calling and your election sure…Pg 380, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. “The greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us is to seek after our dead.” pg 369. Read Hebrews 11:40.

To Begin: Start with yourself, your spouse, your children, children’s children, and then go forward towards your ancestor – like me. Don’t forget to enter your spouse’s ancestors too. This is how I started.

Next: Go to the computer (or the Family History Library) and find [me], your family on computer – saved for prosperity. Bring a ‘smart drive’ or whatever saving device is available in your time period. Save your info and enter (import) it into the Data Base. It is called New.FamilySearch.org today. Then, download (export) the family lines that are already saved within the computer Data Base at the library in Salt Lake City. [As time passes this info may be in another city or within another computer address, however, it will be available to you].

Third: Now go to your home and load all that you have found into your own computer [or phone instrument] and check to be sure it connects to you.
I wish for you to have a BIG smile on your face about now, because I worked for over 50 years on this information. If you do not have paper Pedigree Charts or Family Group Sheets, they’re available on-line. You are to add any new info you find onto the on-line computer programs – New.FamilySearch.org, Ancestry.com, etc.

Fourth: Research for people in family groups that have not been identified or have not had any saving ordinances completed for them. I have found many holes in the lines that I researched. It is NEVER ALL DONE. There will always be people missed or that do not have all their info listed. Find them and finish their work. The purpose of the online website, per Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley, was to avoid duplication and to get all the people found, recorded, and have completed ordinances – their saving for eternity.

The great battle of Armageddon will be in the Valley of Megiddo, fifty miles north of Jerusalem. There will be at least seven countries fighting Israel and Christ will save them by splitting open Mt of Olives, Zechariah 14:4. Then the Jews will remember and serve Him and accept Christ as their savior.

At the end of the earth—meaning at the end of the Millennium (D&C 88:101; JS Matthew 1:55 p 26)—The final great battle between good and evil, known as the “Battle of the Great God” (D&C 88:114) or the Battle of Gog and Magog, will take place. And once again, the mighty Michael, the eternal captain of Jehovah’s army, will come face to face with his foe, Satan. “The devil and his armies shall be cast away into their own place, that they shall not have power over the saints any more at all”. Into outer darkness.

Robert L. Millet, “The Man Adam,” Ensign, Jan. 1994, 15
“For Michael shall fight their battles, and shall overcome him who seeketh the throne of him who sitteth upon the throne, even the Lamb, Jesus Christ. “This is the glory of God, and the sanctified; and they shall not any more see death.” (D&C 88:114–16.) Michael’s final victory is in preparation for the celestialization of the earth. Doctrine and Covenants 130:7 They reside in the presence of God, on a globe like a sea of glass and fire, where all things for their glory are manifest, past, present, and future, and are continually before the Lord. (Fire represents clean, purity, chaste, sinless with Priesthood power as light.)

Fifth: I mostly searched through Vital records and Census Reports. You can add to the history by searching through Land records, Tax Records, Probate records, War Records, Published histories, Newsletters, Manuscript donations, NARA, Finding aids, and Queries. Visit libraries in the area where the families lived. I have found my ancestors’ letter-documents left for posterity in these libraries. I have paid researchers to take pictures of their gravesites. Other libraries, like Provo-BYU have Heritage Files on Families. There are other research tools to have available to you – the Red Book, county township maps, and others. The DAR-Daughters of the American Revolution have many records on that war. There is much out there.

Be sure to keep a Journal of all your Spiritual Experiences. The prophets have stated that the young will have angels attend them and they will prophecy.

Where Did They Come From - What Country? How Did They Get Here? This is important information for writing the family history. Pictures and maps of the country and city are important for posterity. Pictures of the clothing they would have worn, how they traveled – car, horse, by foot, give life styles. Migration patterns, Westward expansions, Settlement patterns, local wars and problems of sickness, are good to include in your histories.


Sixth: Keep a Personal Journal of your life experiences and spiritual blessings. “That the Angels May Quote From it, New Era, Oct 1975, pg 5.
Your own children will want to know you better and through your personal histories, we can influence our descendants to live righteously long after we are gone. This is my prayer for you.

I am not a perfect person, as I have made many mistakes – including some within my genealogy research records. I have learned to repent quickly and move forward. Each Sunday as I take the Sacrament, I pray in thankfulness to Jesus for His life, breaking the sins of death and offering resurrection. I repeat the blessing “to take upon me the Name of Jesus Christ and Remember Him.” I know that each sacrament my sins are forgiven me – again, that I may live better, more righteously with peace and forgiveness of others and myself. I bear my testimony often to keep it active and not lose it. As I grow in the gospel my testimony is stronger and undeniable.

I look forward to the day that I can be perfected and live in the Celestial Kingdom with God & Heavenly Mother, Jesus, the Holy Ghost and my family and friends. I want YOU to be there, as I love you completely.

I know each generation of births to this earth come more intelligent, stronger, better fighters for truth, and more recently from the presence of God. They have been saved for this time period. We read to them from the scriptures. We, their parents, are to teach them to be obedient to the gospel in every way. To walk with them in good examples; to converse with them about the eternities and blessings; to care for, love and encourage them to be great missionaries for God. We are all enlisted in the army of God. Happy are we.

We pray for the Second Coming of Christ to this earth; for the Millennium time period where we live with no sin, no pain, no sickness, and lots of time to do Genealogy and Temple work with the great blessing that we can converse with our ancestors – who bring us lists of names that need Temple work, for their salvation. We rejoice in the Plan of Salvation.

I know that my redeemer lives. I know this gospel is true, with prophets who lead us. I know each life is tested by trials, accidents, bad decisions, and conflict. These are given to us to make us strong, to encourage us to grow closer to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. For without problems we would think we are the effect of our good-luck – all by ourselves.

Time will tell how we succeed to love God first, family second, church third, and the world last. Be in the world but not of the world. I’ve always said, if it weren’t for the necessity of money, we would all be better off. I love the barter system for this reason. I share what I have with you and you share what you have with me – no coin to give priority of one thing over another.

I leave you my love, forever! Christie

WORDS OF WISDOM Part 1

WORDS OF WISDOM Part One 2011

Every parent and grandparent wants to teach their progeny the secrets of life and how to survive all difficulties. Usually the child is not listening.

I, Christie, had a dramatic event this past January, 2011. You may remember I lost over 5 pints of blood from a bleed in my stomach. The doctor stated that I also had multiple ulcers in my esophagus, stomach, and intestines that could open and bleed out. That means death.

I know that we all can’t live forever and that none of us get out of this life alive – unless, of course, we live long enough to be translated or ascend to Christ when He returns. Those lucky enough to be alive during the start of the Millennium will have all the advantages that we NOW on earth would like; To wit, no pain, no sickness, seeing many generations of our children’s children who live long and visit often, and no death.

My patriarchal blessing has only a few instructions. Do your genealogy, instruct others to do theirs, be a good wife and help your husband in many areas, and to teach anything I choose.

#1 I have been doing genealogy since I was 14 years old. A Spanish teacher in High-school required we bring to class a pedigree chart of our family and grandparents. My great-grandfather on my mother’s side was very interested in his Family tree and searched for information. He only saved names and some birthdates.

Therefore, I have had to search census records, films, and visits to libraries to find the “where born and when and where died”. Often the spouse is named only with a first name and finding her maiden name is a real search of records. [In case you didn’t know, the woman is always listed with her birth name – maiden name- to keep her named in her father and mothers family.] To go backwards in time for women, you need to know who her father was.

Part Two of this letter will have instructions of HOW to do your own genealogy. See I am still teaching… Our prophet has stated that the greatest thing we can do is genealogy, and we can’t get it ALL done before the end of out time comes.

#2 After I came home from the hospital I kept having this feeling that I should re-read my blessing. I had been having impressions that I needed to finish my genealogy – since none of my family seems to be at all interested. I had always wanted to AT LEAST get them back to the water [When they came over to America]. I have not yet made it that far. I wanted your continued input to be easy.

Re-reading my blessing brought me a hard “wake-up call”. Get it done! I had been putting it off and doing other things – not nearly as important as following the prophet.

#3 I knew that I had about 1300 names two years ago that never got sent in to the International Genealogical file within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was about the time that entering the names changed again and I needed to learn the new instructions. Classes were not offered to me, therefore, I had to learn by trial and error. Yes, I’ve made mistakes.

I started again, after the hospital scare and recovery. I was very weak and lost muscle and energy drive -- Lots of atrophy that needed muscle rebuilding from being in bed for about 3 months, before the doctors found the pain problem. At first my muscle hurt all the time, later with exercise they began to come back. I am not as strong as I was before the incident.

#4 I made a promise to myself and God that I would get back to doing my genealogy – before I “bite the bullet and croak”. OK, die.

It is a scary thought. To not be welcomed back to Heavenly Father with the words “Well done thy good and faithful servant, enter in”.
I signed up with Ancestry.com to read census reports with indexes of names. I visited the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah and looked at books, films, and other records. Yes, this all takes time. Just Do It!

I learned that the Library storage at Little Cottonwood Canyon Vault has started a NEW program of indexing all the millions of microfilm and microfiche. This information will be released in about 7 years to the public ON-LINE. WOW! What a blessing…and all free. No more paying monthly for Ancestry and other search facilities.

The Church has been filming for over 50 years in all countries. Other organizations have also been indexing their records – i.e., Immigration records, Naturalization and Passenger-shipping records. These are so valuable. I’m looking forward to the indexing of Church records, Cemetery records, and Marriage, Birth and Death records.

#5 I am asking my family to continue to research and enter Family information into the Church’s new program called “New.FamilySearch.org”.
It is all on-line. It doesn’t matter what software you are using to gather the information. I have used PAF, RootsMagic4 and other software, like Legacy. There are many other software programs that can be Exported on a Smart-Drive or Disc to the file for inclusion or hand-typed into New.FamilySearch.org. As new developments are invented the entering will be enhanced and faster. I can’t wait for these new changes.

PLEASE, Please, please do this work for our family!
It is so important. The scriptures inform us of the events at the end of the Millennium and without all of us doing this work, the release of our deceased ancestor will not happen and the battle will be endangered.

Take the time to care. Take the time to research and submit their names.
Malachi tells us in chapter 4: 5-6.
5¶Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:

6And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

We are a righteous family of God and we shall do the work of the Lord.
I am committed to be obedient. I pray that you will follow my lead!
I love ALL of you. You are dear to me and connected to my loving heart.
If I had the power, I would bless all of you with no debt, lovely homes, and obedient, intelligent, beautiful, chaste, righteous children. Perfect joy!
Kazam, Poof….Let it be so!

ANSWERS TO THE MYSTERIES OF THE MILLENNIUM

ANSWERS TO THE MYSTERIES OF THE MILLENNIUM

Before the Millennium there will be a sign in the heavens to warn us.
Joseph Smith Jr. said, “I have asked of the Lord concerning His coming; and He gave a sign and said, ‘In the days of Noah I set a bow in the heavens as a sign and token that in any year that the bow should be seen the Lord would not come; but there should be seed time and harvest during that year: but whenever you see the bow withdrawn, it shall be a token that there shall be famine, pestilence, and great distress among the nations, and that the coming of the Messiah is not far distant.”’ “We see that everything is being fulfilled; and that the time shall soon come when the Son of Man shall descend in the clouds of heaven.”

Christ will come to Adam-ondi-Ahman to receive the keys of priesthood authority back from Adam and all the other prophets, in preparation for his second coming and the beginning of the Millennium.

D&C 106:1 Spring Hill is named by the Lord Adam-ondi-Ahman, because, said he, it is the place where Adam shall come to visit his people…

At the onset of the Millennium Christ will be the governmental leader and the spiritual leader for all of us. Christ will have two locations – Israel and Missouri. During His routine we will have time alone to be valiant. I’m thinking there will be leaders over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, similar to how Moses set up the Israelites. We will all serve each other.

D & C 45:59 For the Lord shall be in their midst, and his glory shall be upon them, and he will be their king and their lawgiver.

There are many who will not be members of the Church. They may have never heard of the Church or they may be of different faiths. We love them all, of course. They will need friendship, education and gospel instructions. There will be higher laws to live than we are presently living in 2011. Those who cannot live these laws will not be part of the Millennium.

Whosoever shall do and teach the commandments, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-19) D&C 45:56 And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins. Matthew 25: 1-13

WHY WE DO GENEALOGY RESEARCH
Elder Richard Scott: Modern-day prophets and apostles have continually taught the need for Church members to enable the salvation of the dead by performing temple and family history work on behalf of deceased ancestors. The real value of research in identifying ancestors is providing the ordinances for them in the temple,” he said.

Russell M. Nelson said, “While temple and family history work has the power to bless those beyond the veil, it has an equal power to bless the living. It has a refining influence on those who are engaged in it. They are literally helping to exalt their families.”

Boyd K. packer said,” When we research our own lines we become interested in more than just names or the number of names going through the temple. Our interest turns our hearts to our fathers—we seek to find them and to know them and to serve them. In doing so we store up treasures in heaven.”

Brigham Young said, “…work for the salvation of our forefathers; we will get their genealogies as far as we can. By and by, we shall get them perfect.” The Lord will send his servants as saviors upon Mount Zion [see Obadiah 1:21]. The servants of God who have lived on the earth in ages past will reveal where different persons have lived who have died without the Gospel, give their names, and say, “Now go forth, ye servants of God, and exercise your rights and privileges; go and perform the ordinances of the house of God for those who have passed their probation without the Gospel, and for all who will receive any kind of salvation; bring them up to inherit the celestial, terrestrial, and telestial kingdoms,” … for every person will receive according to his capacity and according to the deeds done in the body, whether good or bad, much or little (DBY, 407).

To accomplish this work there will have to be not only one temple but thousands of them, and thousands and tens of thousands of men and women will go into those temples and officiate for people who have lived as far back as the Lord shall reveal (DBY, 394).

Brigham Young goes on to say “…the Saints of God will have the privilege of building their temples, and of entering into them, becoming, as it were, pillars in the temples of God and they will officiate for their dead.”
See Revelations 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. {If they go no more out, the Temples must stay open 24x7.}

And we will have revelations to know our forefathers clear back to Father Adam and Mother Eve, and we will enter into the temples of God and officiate for them. Then [children] will be sealed to [parents] until the chain is made perfect back to Adam, so that there will be a perfect chain of Priesthood from Adam to the winding-up scene.

Moses: 7-62 to gather out mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, unto a place which I shall prepare, an Holy City, that my people may gird up their loins, and be looking forth for the time of my coming; for there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion, a New Jerusalem.

Alma 40:21 …the dead shall come forth, and be reunited, both soul and body, and be brought to stand before God, and be judged according to their works.

The joining of the social media with the aged learned is an important accomplishment in any time period. The old shall apprentice the young.
Families will assist one another to accomplish this great work!

THE ASSENTION:
We speak of the Assention when Christ will call his Saints to meet him in the air. Will we meet the City of Zion, the City of Melchizedek or in a different place? The people or shaft of wickedness shall be burned on the earth with no root or branch left. This happens just before the Millennial time period.

Matthew 24:40-42 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

D&C 138: 50 FOR THE DEAD HAD LOOKED UPON THE LONG ABSENCE OF THEIR SPIRITS FROM THEIR BODIES AS BONDAGE.

D&C 136:7 THUS CAME THE VOICE OF THE LORD unto me, saying: All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel who would have received it, if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God;

D&C 138:57-59 I beheld that the faithful elders of this dispensation, when they depart from mortal life, continue their labors in the preaching of the gospel of repentance and redemption, through the sacrifice of the Only Begotten Son of God, among those who are in darkness and under the bondage of sin in the great world of the spirits of the dead.
Vs 58 The dead who repent will be redeemed, through obedience to the ordinances of the house of God,
Vs 59 And after they have paid the penalty of their transgressions, and are washed clean, shall receive a reward according to their works, for they are heirs of salvation.

THE END PERIOD OF THE MILLENNIUM:
Satan bound a thousand years D&C 20: 2-3, 7-8 And cast Satan into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Vs 7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of this prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, God and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

My first thoughts: Love for all people in a Zion society must have failed.
Christ gave two laws to follow in the New Testament: Love God and love your neighbor. There will be Angels serving them. Are these terrestrial people living the Laws of Gospel, Obedience, Sacrifice, Chastity, and Consecration? Are they not having faith that the Earth will become a Celestial Kingdom? Is it pride? Perhaps thinking that THIS is all there is. Or it could be a final test! The War begins…Gog and Magog!

At the end of the Millennium, Satan will be loosed for a season, and one last great battle will be fought between the armies of God and the armies of Satan (Revelation 20:7–8; D&C 88:111–13). This is sometimes called the battle of Gog and Magog. (See Revelation 20:9–11; D&C 88:114–15.) Since the result of the battle is already known, what is our responsibility regarding this victory?

If you put all your troubles in a paper sack and all your friends and family did the same, then all of you put your bags in the middle of the room and while blindfolded you pick up someone else’s bag and then looked inside, you would be shocked. You would want your own back, as you have found solutions as to how to carry your own burdens. The burdens of others are often bigger and worse than any you have. Be glad you have pray-able burdens that offer relief.

Mormon 5:17 They were once a delightsome people and they had Christ for their Shepherd; yea, they were led even by God the Father.

To learn about these two time periods: 3rd Nephi talks about the Last Days and 4th Nephi speaks of the Millennial lessons to be learned.

I hope these words have helped you decide to always be valiant and serve each other. Stay close to Christ, love God, be thankful for the spiritual blessings and guidance of the Holy Ghost. Never become angry, always forgive others, lose all self-pride that harms others. Grow in your spiritual development until you become like God, in perfection and completion. Remember that Charity Never Faileth. Love God with all your mind, might, and strength. Love thy neighbor as thyself. Be whole! Love yourself so that you may love others, too. Develop a sure knowledge that God knows you by name, He cares about you. He is always there for you and answers your prayers.

Please know I love you, too! I pray to see you in the Millennium!

AFTER THE MILLENIUM:
D&C 137: 7-10 Thus came the avoice of the Lord unto me, saying: All who have died bwithout a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be cheirs of the celestial kingdom of God;
8 Also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who awould have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom; 9 For I, the Lord, will ajudge all men according to their bworks, according to the cdesire of their hearts. 10 And I also beheld that all achildren who die before they arrive at the byears of accountability are csaved in the celestial kingdom of heaven.

TO ASSIST US THROUGH OUR TRIALS ON EARTH:
The scriptures give us many GIfTS AND TALENTS to add spiritual gifts to our personalities and to serve others.

Abraham 3:19 and the Lord said unto me: these two facts do exist, that there are two spirits, one being more intelligent than the other, there shall be another more intelligent than they. I am the Lord they God, I am more intelligent than they all.

Members will have their “Calling and Election Made sure” when they live righteously, without fail, continuing to do the principles of the gospel no matter what. God can and will trust you then, to make the right decisions, to serve others, and to obey the gospel principles.

Moroni 10:19 And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that he is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that all these gifts of which I have spoken, which are spiritual, never will be done away, even as long as the world shall stand, only according to the unbelief of the children of men. The righteous are promised that they will become heirs to all that God has.

Revelations: 22: 14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
These scriptures are to be opened and read; they can be used to learn. They give you the lists of Spiritual Gift, given to us from God. Pray for each of them as you increase your need to be on a higher spiritual level.
D&C 36: 11-43; 1st Corinthians 12: 1-12; Moroni 10: 8-27

COOKING BREADS FOR HOME MEALS

Cooking Breads
I have found that a meal with a special kind of bread makes staying at home to eat--beautiful. A family going out to eat, costs more than a months’ food menu, in some cases. Couples that drink brew with meals spend even more.

I learned to cook from Blanche my fathers’ mother. My own mother could not make pancakes without burning them. She even caught the kitchen on fire once cooking fish. My grandma was a baker. She used all real ingredients, never margarine, never skim milk. Fresh ground flour adds a flavor that is wholesome. She spent time adding love to her meals and always had something to offer guests, whenever they arrived. She was a hostess.

There are so many breads to make at home. Diversity is a great thing for meals that Zing! Yes, Wait for the compliments – or go on strike!
Holidays will add Braided Breads with fruits and nuts. The list of bread types is endless. Every country has their special breads that go with their special food recipes. Once you start collecting these recipes you will be the talk of the table – the neighbors will invite themselves over, often.

Sandwiches can be made out of Water rolls or Hoagie rolls. Bagels are used for cheese spreads or meat-salad spreads. Cinnamon rolls are the favorite for tea or office parties. Some drive-inns put scrambled eggs between Flat breads, or Muffins. Spaghetti needs Garlic bread, Bread sticks or French finger rolls. Chicken can use Naan spiced with Turmeric and Garlic.
Hamburgers go good with Onion rolls, Butter rolls or Buns. Steak might prefer Pumpernickel or A Dark Rye bread. Sour Dough breads are terrific with so many meals. Potato bread goes with light meals. Herb breads add flavor. Brioche Au Fromage is bread with 2 lb. cheese – usually Swiss.

Here are a few other examples:
Sprouted-Wheat breads, Buttermilk breads, Cracked or Bulgur Wheat bread, Russian Black bread, Molasses-bran bread, Yogurt bread, Honey bread, Butter-flake bread, Indian Fried bread, Gingerbread, Turn-over’s, and Biscuits are a few more varieties that you should try on your family.

Quick breads have lots of variety: Orange-Raisin Nut Bread,
Banana bread, Zucchini bread, Irish soda bread, Oatmeal bread,
Sour-cream coffee cake, Stolen, Coconut Tea bread, Corn bread, etc.

Let me know how it all turns out.
Hugs & kisses. I love you!
G-ma Christie

FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH, IT'S #1 IMPORTANT

FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH, IT'S #1 IMPORTANT

All over the world there are people who are searching for their ancestors. Available to you on computer are several addresses. www.new.familysearch.com; www.lds.org; many computer programs for recording information - Roots Magic 4, PAF 5.2, Legacy, and Family Tree Maker 2011. Other sites are everywhere: Cyndi's List, Ancestry.com, My Trees, My Family.com, World Vital Records, World Family Tree, One Great Family, IGI-International Genealogical Index, Family Search.org, Pedigree Resource File, and the list goes on and on.

In the Jewish Law, as you can read in the Bible, their lineage or ancestry was valuable. In many tribes their is one person who has the job of memorizing their leaders, who were family members, no longer alive. Their words or writings were given much credence - important to live by.

Jan Alpert said, "When you know what your ancestors went through, you have a greater appreciation for why you are the person you are." I add, you will understand why their actions may have been foreign to your time period. Study their time and think how you might have lived. Many ancestors went through terrible wars, plagues, sickness, dirt floors, no computers, no cell phones, no cars, no trains, no airplanes, no washer & dryer, no dishwasher, no X-box, no movie theatre, no indoor toilet or running water, and some lost their homes and many of their children. They often traveled by foot over long distances. A Doctor may have lived in a different town. Most families stayed close to parents and family members and helped each other.

Joseph Smith Jr., said (paraphrased) If you worked day and night, you would not have enough time to get your Family History finished before the end comes.
We will be judged out of the books. One of those Books is the Book Of Life! I definitely want my name to be in there with good things said/recorded about me.

I admonish you to live a good life. Please, be obedient to the Gospel, the Scriptures, and the Commandments of God. While you are young, please assist those who are doing family research for your family. It requires a little time - the benefits are great! Baptisms are part of the Gospel. Research Libraries are in most cities and are connected to the Family History Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Other ordinances can be shared and completed across the world.

We are all family! Those of us who live in this time period, with all our modern conveniences and benefits have made promises (Found in our Patriarchal Blessings) to serve and to care for our families [here and over there]. We cannot be saved without them. Time waits for no one. Call to find out how you be help serve your family research projects. It may be all up to YOU!

g-ma Christie 801 565-8515

BOYS AND THEIR MUSCLE GROWTH

Boys and Their Muscle Growth

My son was quite thin as a youth. He had no muscles in his chest or arms. He wanted to look like the beach men showing off their chest and arm muscles, or lifting ladies on their shoulders to have water fights in the pool or shallow water. Sometimes we call their muscles vanity muscles, because they are showing them off. A good flex and their bicep muscles pop up hard. That is when a friend presses on them and says something like, wow, you are really strong. Boys usually wish for bigger muscles too soon. Their bodies won't build that kind of grown-up muscle until they're older and into puberty - somewhere between 9 to 15 years old.

When we moved to the beach his desire increased. I purchased a weight bench and instructed him to use it every day and that it would take possibly one and one-half years before he could have great looking muscles. We purchased a book on the proper way to lift weights, to rest between types of lifting, and to lift a smaller amount of weight a bunch of times is beter than trying to lift a heavy weight once or twice. I mentioned that any physical activity -- from riding your bike, foot racing your friends, running, gymnastics, swimming in a pool, dancing, wrestling, to playing sports like basketball or football - can make you stronger. To that you can add - push-ups, sit-ups, and chin-ups. He was willing to work for success.

After school, without fail, he would be in the exercise room using the weight bench. He played with friends at school doing hoops, with activity in Boy Scouts camping, climbing hills, and outdoor activities. He entered and won the 'build a hand-cart', fill it with the weight of friends, and race it to the finish line. He was very diligent and grew muscle strength quite fast. It wasn’t long before he could tell that it was all working.

We also went to the beach as often as possible. It was a great place to get a tan, enjoy the cool breezes blowing and either watch or participate in fun games and activities there. Walking on the trails you would see all kinds of sights. My favorite was an 80 year old man with great muscles and a small waist showing off to the college girls who were only there to have a picnic.

Life is full of challenges, opportunities and learning about our self. When we watch others we also learn from their mistakes or successes. May we all know why we are here on earth, what to accomplish, and where we are going after life here.
If you have a son, be sure to give him the tools he needs to succeed in his dreams.
801 565-8515
Allchristie Massage and Allchristie International.com

FRIENDS AND MARRIAGE

Friends and Marriage

I Had a good friend get married on Valentine's Day. She found her husband, of long ago, re-met him, found he was a widow and rekindled their affection. It became a special love story. They had had four children together. He was a policeman and after retiring became a carpenter. He built display cabinets for large companies.

They had both gone on with their lives after their divorce, however, Carla carried an enduring love for Robert that never quit. She spoke of him to me often and said she would some day find him again. I bet Robert felt that same way.

Isn't computer Internet wonderful? You can put in a name with a 'last known' city and search for old friends. Some web-sites will give you quite a bit of free information, while others charge you a minimum of $9.95 to even check the information for you. They usually have a commercial that says they have LOTS of info on that person, whether they actually have any or not.

Carla went over to Texas, the state where Robert was living and made an appointment to visit with him. That visit was a good one. Sparks rekindled and they decided to get married - the next year on Valentine's Day. They started phoning each other and checking to see how each other was and all that lovey-dovey stuff that happens over the phone with people in love, again. Then winter came and snow fell with ice. It was hard for Robert to find roads open for travel. He was going to drive out with his son (from the last marriage) and then the son would fly back - because he was working at a job and only got the week-end off.

Many phone calls and some disappointment was communicated due to the winter roads. The date of February 14Th was soon arriving and Robert was still in Texas. Snow and ice continued to fall around Dallas and Fort Worth and the roads were impassable. Then the sun came out and Robert got into the car and off he and his son went towards Utah. He arrived just a few days before the wedding date. Carla was relieved. She had obtained two cats after her Cinnamon cat died and now she had three. It seemed they were everywhere in her two-bedroom home. Robert is not allergic to cats and so that didn't bother him. He settled in very well.

The reception was the next evening and Carla decided to have it casual. Lots of people came. People from work, people living in the apartment complex that she lives in, church people, and friends all were there. She got 'many' envelopes with money and lots of gifts. The cake was beautiful - I got to take some home and I shared it with my neighbors. There was lots of food. M&M's, chocolate brownies, flour torquitos, cut-up fruits and sherbet punch. One of the people sitting at our table was the 'Scrapbook Lady' who holds classes that Carla attends (they last into the midnight hours). It was lots of fun talking with her and the others there.

Wow! Love still blooms in the world! Happiness and good wishes always to good friends. May you have abundance and soar in life to the highest heights possible.

VALENTINE'S DAY

TODAY IS VALENTINE'S DAY. What a Happy occasion!

My husband said to me this morning, "My life began when I married you!" WOW!

That makes me so blessed to have him in my life. Once love letters were sent out often to announce love for spouses. If you receive a card or a letter today, it means your special and loved. If you choose to write a poem, the words need to be emotional and should produce a nice smile and maybe a hug or kiss back at you.

Valentine's Day started out as a clash between a kindly priest and a mighty ruler. Now, St. Valentine is reverenced as its Patron Saint. In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius is given the honor of proclaiming February 14 to be a feast day in honor of St. Valentine.

Later, the day was observed by young Romans who began offering handwritten greetings of affection, known as Valentines, to the women they admired. Valentine's Day is one of the major holidays, in the U.S., that use greeting cards and hand written letters to tell sweethearts that they are loved and special. This day is right up there with Mother's Day and Christmas.

The Valentine's Day card is now celebrated all over the world. The card - Often designed with red hearts, cherubs with arrows, and lip kisses, is one of the ways love is shown. Of course, e-mail, face book, twitter, linked-in, e-cards, skype, phone texting, phone calls, and personal words are also popular today. It is said that Valentine cards represent 25% of all cards still sent out to sweethearts, per the greeting card association; it is still a commercial success.

Act now, don't wait. Your love can bloom with new romance by producing that red card for the one you love. Be sure to look for that smile and maybe a big hug or kiss.

Happy Valentine's Day!

STAKE CONFERENCE

STAKE CONFERENCE WAS TODAY

A bit unusual for them to speak about the world in crisis, morality gone over the edge, and families in trouble. Many references were given from those writers of long ago, who predicted "our world" at this time.

The botton line is that, unlike the early Saints, we aren't living the commandments to their heighest levels. Still - there are some who attend, serve, and have lovely families. They also have Temple recommends. Another group follows only the commandments that they like -- sort of like getting lunch at a cafeteria. Not being totally committed will not get you inside those 'golden gates of heaven'.

The prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. told us to forego the idle or free times we have --in these busy days -- and attend the Temple more often and continue to read the scriptures. For in them, are the answers to our questions and solutions to all our problems. The Lord can only help & assist us when we do as the Brother of Jared did. Bring the problem to the Lord, delevop a solution and take that idea back to the Lord. It will either be confirmed as good and go ahead, or your will get a stupor of thought, be confused, or you won't feel right about it.

My neighbor spends time with his young daughter before bed-time by reading 5 verses of scripture to her and having her read the next 5 verses. Then they discuss what they read. By spending quality time with her, instead of computer games, TV, movies, or not being at home, he is developing a strong daughter of God - who will be able to fight against evil as she grows into womanhood. I give him my compliments.

May we all be valiant in reading the scriptures, serving others, and following the commandments.

100 YEARS OLD

One Hundred years ago my father (I called him Dad or Pop) was born January 25, 1911.
Ronald Reagan was born the same year. Ronald was the President of the United States, 1981-1989. My dad was great in many other ways.

I have seen many pictures of Hollywood Actors in my parents home. There was one of Ronald Reagan with my Mother at the Old Tucson Movie Set. Many of these actors came to Tucson for the Rodeo in February or to visit the Old Tucson Family Park which later became the Old Tucson Movie Set.

Some of the faces I remember include the following: Rex Allen and his horse KoKo, Roy Rogers with horse Trigger, Dale Evans and horse Buttermilk, Andy Divine "Jingles" with horse Joker, Gabby Hayes with horse Calico, Gene Autrey with horse Champion, Tom Mix with horse Old Blue, Hopalong Cassidy "Bill Boyd" with horse Topper, Lash LaRue with horse Black Diamond (his sidekick was Al St.John), Joel McCrea with horse Steel, Clayton Moore with horse Silver, Slim Pickens with horse Appaloosa, Rod Cameron with horse Knight, Tex Ritter with horse White Flash, Randolph Scott with horse Stardust, Clint Walker with horse Brandy, John Wayne with horse Dollar, Wild Bill Elliott with horse Thunder, Cisco Kid "Duncan Renaldo" with horse Diablo, Leo Carillo "Pancho" with horse Loco, Richard Boone with horse Rafter, and James Arness with horse Buck. I can't remember the women's names. I remember one that yodeled. It was a beautiful sound to me.

My parents went every Saturday and Sunday for many years to the West side of Tucson, Arizona across the mountain range to a large open desert. Originally there was just one small fallen-down adobe wall. This wall was rebuilt by the Jaycees and many other buildings were added before the Old Tucson Family Park was open to the public. My dad was Mayor of the Family Park for many years. The men were in full cowboy gear with blank pistols and all the women wore old-fashioned dresses with bonnets. This made the event so much fun for the guests.

There was a huge cement dance floor with a band loft. My Mom and other women managed the Phoebe's Pie shop. They hand made from scratch all the items for sale there. I spent many hours in the kitchen helping to finish the turn-overs and pies. Homemade lemon aid, tea and coffee were also available. There were dinning tables of rough wood in the lobby. Along the street were many buildings for artisans with many hand crafts. Hand carved wooden pins, Gila monsters, turquoise jewelry, silk scarves, leather goods, Indian jewelry, and later a sandwich cafe. Another building was the Gift Shop and canteen. The man there paid us kids 5 cents for collecting bottles from sodas that were left all over the place by the people walking around.

My parents and the other Jaycees performed silent plays with big signs telling the dialog. Trick riders, Indians dances and street shoot-em-up fights (men falling off roofs, stage coaches robbed, streets flooded, even a hanging). It was a great performance.

The chapel had real weddings on Saturday. The local catholic church used their Priests to perform the weddings, often. One time the couple who were to get married eloped and I had to fill in with a handsome cowboy to fake the wedding that was advertised. The seats were filled to capacity and no one wanted to disappoint the crowd. My Mom grabbed me and took me to the dressing room shack. She dolled me up and off I went. Mom was also the teacher for the Can-Can dancers who performed for the crowds and on the street floats in parades. When I turned 20 she taught me and other daughters of the Jaycee-etts to dance and we took over for many years.

My Dad was a part of the large group of family men who joined the Tucson Jaycee club. The women or wives joined the Jaycee-etts, which was part of the main Club. The Club built a large building on Ft. Lowell Street. It had a huge ballroom for dinning and dancing with a stage for presentations. There was also a long bar for refreshments. Behind the bar was a large storage area and on the other side were the restrooms. In the back of the building was another large room for crafts. There was also a shed for storage of wagons, a jail, Christmas decorations, party posters and western and horse paraphernalia. Behind the building was a large lot for parking. A social club of types, there were Presidents to elect, parties to throw, dignitaries to invite, community service to perform, and kids to corral. They even went onto the highway (with a police escort) and stopped a traveler from another state to join the rodeo celebration. Community service was a big item and every Christmas they took 25children and helped them select gifts for their families. They did much good.

My parents were members of the Roping Club. I remember dancing "Put Your Little Foot" with Homer Cummings there. Homer ran the horse boarding facility on Ft. Lowell where my parents boarded their horses.

My Dad was very outgoing and a hard worker. He worked all day as a contractor and into the night as an architect. He was a brick layer from 16 years old. He played with art (both oil, iron, wood, and colored rock), building with stone, helping out neighbors, and making sure jobs were available for those he knew or loaning them money which they ALWAYS paid back. My parents housed many families as they were moving into town and needed a lift up. My Mother (Mom) was the bookkeeper for my Dad and kept up with his plans and play-time.

Mom hosted many back-yard parties. Fish was often the meat dish or grilled steak. My Dad built a huge fireplace in the back-yard. It had more than just a firepit, it came with a double sided-meat grill for steak, plus a huge metal grill. It had an oven with a wood firebox, and a spit for turning shishkabob. Outside the covered firepit area was a 20' long spoke, round wagon-wheel overhead, covered by shading vines to protect the lazy-susan surrounding the vine house in the center of the cement table. It seated at least 12 people. In front of the firepit were large hand-colored and sealed cement tiles for easy dancing. I remember seeing my Dad on his hands and knees drawing irregular lines in the cement and later hand coloring the stones he created. it was beautiful!

Dad went to Cholla Bay (Rocky Point) Mexico many times during the year for a vacation. He loved to fish. He had a 30' Cabin Cruiser that he stored there beside his cabana. The cabana had 6 bunk beds, a kitchen and dinning room with an ice-box, propane stove, and a bath with a shower. We brought our own water and food from home. My Dad was friendly with the native Mexicans and often brought them gifts of bicycles, chairs, and special gifts that they requested. For his friendship they would gut and clean the fish he caught and pack them in ice for transport back to Tucson. They would also be sure that the water truck was available for the water tank on top of the roof, right away. We used the water for showers and flushing the toilet. One evening I went down to the main restaurant. They had just caught a big sea-turtle and were cooking it over a fire pit. I was invited to sample the meat. Yes, it had many flavors of meat - not just chicken flavor. It is illegal to catch these beautiful reptiles. I remember one time we kids bought fire-crackers and ran around lighting them and tossing them to hear them crack. Sid threw one on the roof, by accident, and it blew a hole in the Cabana roof. Dad was not pleased.

My Dad was also a hunter. He loved animals. He would hunt for filling the freezer with meat for the year. He often took my brothers with him on the hunt. My Mom even went, but I was never invited. Whenever he saw small animals he would set traps and catch them. Our yard was filled with wild animals that he had caught. He fed them daily and brought many people over to view them. When the Arizona Senora Desert Museum was finally completed they took all his animals and put them into their facility. My Dad continued to hunt and catch wild animals and he would continue to donate them to the Museum (you might call it a zoo). I remember having a wild Havalena Hog in our house. We would stomp our feet on the floor and it would follow us around the house.

The back yard Ramada was wire-caged in and a Lynx Bob Cat was added. Dad would play with the cat every night when he got home. The water had to be changed daily as the cat used it to urinate in. Dad fed it raw horse meat. The bobcat was not declawed and anyone without tough hands, like my Dad from cement and lime residue from bricklaying, would not have survived. It even bit through my right arm once. This cat was the mascot for the University of Arizona.

Out back behind the house, I remember 7 red fox, a badger, a porcupine, several skunks and many snakes. He kept one skunk for us to play with. There were pigeons, owls, raccoons, and even an elephant. He always said he was going to put alligators underneath my clothesline. Dad built a one-bedroom apartment out behind the main house for the teenage boys or for guests. Dad added to that apartment several rooms and a carport. He also dug a bomb-shelter under it. Later in life, he and Mom moved in, renting out the big house out front.

My parents were also involved with the yearly February Rodeo at the Fair grounds. Mom was the Usher Manager and Dad was the Grounds Manager. He loved to walk past the Brahama bulls and wild mustangs. My parents were always the best workers, showing up early and leaving late.

The Jaycees also worked the Fireworks at the University of Arizona. Dad learned how to make those beautiful bursting fireworks and the interesting ground works, which moved and entertained all those inside the paid seats. I was just a girl and although asked often was never allowed to learn any of those neat things.

THE TABERNACLE CHOIR

THE AMERICAN CHOIR -- THE LDS CHURCH TABERNACLE CHOIR
The choir sings during the two conference's each year, April and October.
A two-day conference, with the pleasure of me sitting at home with my TV turned on.
Watching the talks researched and given by persons chosen by the Priesthood Quorum. The speeches may be by the Apostles, the Seventies, the Women's Organizations Relief Society and Primary), or just ordinary persons, who are members.

I could have gone by Trax-train to Salt Lake City and walked about a block to the main Conference Center, by getting off a the "Temple Square" stop. The Center Houses over 25,000 seats in several levels. There are two huge screens to show you the speakers -- just like you are in the front row. These screens televise the words to the songs that the choir and congregation are to sing.

The choir has 350 members. The ladies have costumes with selected jewelry in several colors. Everyone is dressed the same. When the ladies have on a certain color of dress or skirt and top, the men have on their black or grey suits with a matching tie -- the same color as the women's dresses.

The choir practices several times per week, before the conference or other event where they will sing. They also travel world-wide and sing for dignitaries, countries, and educational places. I heard that they pay for their own travel fees.

Each person wanting to be a member of the choir has to send-in a video and if selected also sing in front of judges. They only want professional voices in the choir. Singing in a choir during church does not count. They mentioned last week that student at BYU University in their choir may be professional enough to try-out for the Tabernacle Choir. The American Choir. Their voices meld together so beautifully with power and softness that is lacking in other choirs.

They are fantastic! When the have a soloist, the voice is trained and beautiful!

ACTION vs SPIRITUAL GROWTH

I was watching an old recording on TV of Women's Conference. It was very good. My eyes were opened with a few of their comments. I will share a few with you.

Going to church, saying prayers, reading scriptures daily, wanting to be good and do all the right things, even getting baptized and having a Temple recommend IS NOT what you are here for. OK- so you know you were sent to earth [after the great war in heaven against satan] to receive a body and grow spiritually. Now there is the rub. In getting your body, you did nothing. In growing your Spirit - it is all up to you!

Growing spiritually is so vague. What it really means is to become like Christ. To know Him. To make decisions like He would. To love others because He does. Of course, we remember that ANYONE can change and repent--therefore, all can be cleansed of all their mistakes and return to Heavenly Father (without our judgments or permission).

During sacrament weekly, we bow and pray for the Love of God and redeeming grace of Jesus Christ. Oh--you forgot to remember Christ in your prayer? You were just praying for your self or family? You were praying about a problem? You were praying for something you desire? Worst case - you were fighting with another or talking.

So have you got the message? The Sacramental prayer is meant to remember Christ! To be thankful for Christ and his sacrifice--not only in the Garden of Gethsemane, death on the Cross, in the Tomb for three days, and for the resurrection (which breaks the bands of death - for us earth-living beings to be resurrected) --we are to become LIKE Him, to think like Him, to live like Him, to love like Him! We have been told that we cannot become perfect in this life, because none of us is perfect. What does that mean?

First -- we sin [big or little, it doesn't matter for this writing], therefore, we cannot return to God. That means we failed the first part - not Celestial Kingdom. Even if we try real hard and are very good. OK, we make it to the Terrestial Kingdom. There the really good go. Yet, they wanted to be perfect! Their testimony was lacking, maybe not valiant. What was missing?

The body is made of materials found on the earth. The spirit is inside the body - not part of the body. The spirit gives us warnings when we are exposed to bad things in this world -- like, swearing, rated R or X movies, magazines or Internet that have pornography in them, incorrect or pre-marriage sex experiences, bad manners, bad moods, bad thoughts...all of these things are connected to the BODY. Christ died on the cross - his body was spent for us -- because we ALL fail to be perfect on earth. We all sin. We all broke our promise. We all need Christ!

The Resurrection allows us ALL to have the opportunity to be resurrected and receive the Judgement of Christ. If it were not for Jesus, we could not be resurrected. The body would decay in the grave (as it does now) and the Spirit would be lost-- Always separated from the body and not being able to return to Heavenly Father. This is, in fact, what happened to Satan. He lost his body and opportunity to come to earth and to have Christ forgive sins. He cannot return to God. He is cast out!

The Spirit is waiting for our growth - spiritually. When we pray to God, we do so through the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit resides with us constantly WHEN we are baptized, then receive the Laying on of Hands for receiving the Holy Ghost. Only then, is the Holy Ghost with us always, unless we sin, or go forward with bad things, bad thoughts, bad actions. Then we lose the Spirit [Holy ghost] until we repent.

Second - The Sacrament allows us to receive the Blood and Water which represent Jesus Christ. His body was shed for us, His blood was spilled for us. All of this for US to have the chance to return to Heavenly Father. This is our ONLY CHANCE! Jesus Christ!

If Jesus were on the earth today, He would break the bread at our Sacrament table and say that same prayer. The difference is that we would see Him. A few of the words would be different because He would be speaking for Himself to us. We are to take the Sacrament and give thanks to Jesus for all that He has done for us. Our lives then will be centered around God and Christ, and our thoughts would be toward them.

This makes marriage a triangle shape. Christ at the top with the man and woman across each other at the bottom of the triangle. This means that the couple pray together for everything in their lives. They grow with Christ into a solid and happy marriage couple. Children are the joy of marriage - the scriptures tell us. Happy is the man who has a quiver full of children. I must add - and can afford to house and to support them, the wife and himself. Note: even during consecration and plural marriage -- only those who could afford to work for the large family got the experience.

Our lives must be centered around Christ. He was perfect! He did it ALL for us because He loves US! The ultimate for us to become - here on earth - is to become like Him, to love as He loves, to forgive others and ourselves. To know that no matter what we do, Christ has paid the price for our sins. We can be forgiven and have the sins wiped out and never remembered again - when we repent and ask for forgiveness. Occasionally, we must talk with our Bishop when the sin is big. We must overcome unrighteousness in ourselves. We must work toward being perfect, so that when we see Christ, we will know Him, we will be like Him, and we will want to be with Him forever in the Celestial Kingdom - with a continuation of the family and having a growing family. To continue to give all the glory to God! Christ did!
For without the PLAN we would all be lost forever.

I love you! Choose the right! Continue to grow to become like Christ! I'll see you again!

BE CAREFUL AND BE PRAYERFUL

I was watching TV and the Internet yesterday.
I noticed some announcements about the end of days. I said to myself, Revelations should be re-read. The things that are happening now are foretold in Revelations.

Yes, it is the last days. I don't know how long these 'last' ones will take, but we need to be aware and prepared.

The announcement was about a person who calls himself Christ - claiming he came down from the mountains after much preparation. He has been appearing here and there and performing great miracles. OK - revelations tells us that in the last days, persons will appear that will preach Satan's gospel and will perform great revelations. So It has started!

Next, you will remember in Moses' time period that God gave him the staff that he could throw down and it became a serpent. Remember the Magicians could also throw down their staff's and they became snakes, too. Then remember that Moses serpent swallowed up all of their snakes.
Pharaoh was a descendant of Ham and was denied the right to the priesthood.

SOME of the predicted events to come -- have already been happening.
Knowledge to increase. Great inventions. Wars and rumors of war. Secret group saps Americas strength. Constitution to hand by a thread (upheld by the Elders of the church) - the Patriot Act now rules America. US to spend her strength warring in foreign lands - Afghanistan and Iraq. Wickedness to increase. Truce breakers. Un-thankful people full of pride, no natural affection, abortions, homosexual's, traitors, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. Persecution of righteous people. Followers of Christ hated. World divided into two camps- righteous and wicked. Europe to be laid waste. Oil fields to be opened in Utah. Salt lake to become wickedier than New York. People to flee to the mountains with saints isolated in mountains from rest of nation. [JD 5:10] Gospel taught in Russia. Lamanities to rise. False christs and false prophets. Temple to be built in Jerusalem. Return of the 10 tribes. Other religious books to come forth.
A "David" to lead God's people in the Last Days.

Nature Signs:
Earthquakes, whirlwinds, oceans heaving beyond bounds and tidal waves. Ocean going to the North (for return of 10 tribes). Earth joined together by all continents. Mountains to be leveled. Ice caps to melt. Earth to rock to and fro. Dead Sea to be healed and become fresh water. Deserts to blossom as a rose. Rainbows to cease. Stars to fall from heavens. Sun and moon changes. Cities and crops to be destroyed by nature-earthquakes, fire, wormwood. Flies cause flesh to fall from bones with a desolating sickness. Destruction of wicked by fire. City of Enoch to return. Plagues. Grand sign of His coming in the heavens.

ALWAYS REMEMBER: The highest order a man can obtain on this earth involves his receiving the fullness of the Melchizedek priesthood. To that end, he must keep the whole law of the new and everlasting covenant. His role as a righteous proxy may then go beyond securing temporal salvation for others - in the temple, as a proxy or savior on Mt. Zion. Remember that Alma the Elder, through divine protection and intervention for Alma the Younger, brought him to repentance and full fellowship, with the Lord's assistance. Those who make sure their calling and election fulfill a higher proxy function in the Melchizedek Priesthood.

D&C 128:8-14 What Elijah binds on earth is bound in heaven, and what he looses on earth is loosed in heaven. Temporal salvation, spiritual salvation, and celestial exaltation are each associated with a covenant, and are at the heart of the revealed gospel. We honor our Savior by keeping the commandments. The scriptures admonish us, and Jesus invites us to "come unto him and be saved".

It is predicted that many marvelous and deadly events will take place before Christ returns with all his angels to take us [who are living] with Him. When you read Revelations you will read about them in sevens, or 3 1/2 years plus 3 1/2 years.

The 3rd Anti-Christ will lead or reign during the foretold periods. In the beginning the world will think he is great and then the last half, every being will think he is rotten or satanic. We shall see - most likely in our own lives.
Rev 13: The devil works wonders and deceives many. He causes all to receive a mark in the right hand or in their foreheads - to buy or sell. Yes, Rev 15 tells us that there are those who overcome satan and do not get the marks.

Revelations 3:21-22 To him (and her) that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches.

Chapter 6 has already been fulfilled until you come to vs 9. this tells us of the apostasy of the gospel and then the restoration of the gospel -- Joseph Smith Jr. translated the book of Mormon from the gold plates into English for us to read and learn. Ch 8 is the opening of the 7th seal.
1. Hail and brimstone falls from heaven. 2. a great mountain burns with fir. 3.1/3 of creatures in the sea die and 1/3 of ships are destroyed, then wormwood star falls from heaven burning a a lamp which poisons the water and men die. 4. 1/3 of the sun is smitten and 1/3 part of the moon and stars are darkened and the day shines only 1/3 of the time. 5. Another star falls from heaven and is given the key to the bottomless pit to open. Smoke arises and darkens the sun and air. Then scorpions-like creatures fly to hurt those who do not have the seal of God in their foreheads. The king over them is from the bottomless pit -named Abaddon or Apollyon or satan.

The sixth angel releases four to slay 1/3 part of men. Then two prophets are sent to Israel/Jerusalem to prophesy 3 1/2 years. They have the power to shut heaven, that it rain not, power over the water, and to smite the earth with plagues. The beast from the bottomless pit makes war against them and will kill them. Their bodies will lie in the street for 3 1/2 days. The evil people celebrate. Then the prophets ascended unto heaven in a cloud and their enemies behold them Rev 11: 12 The same hour there is a great earthquake and a 1/10 part of the city falls and 7,000 men fall dead.

The seventh angel sounds with great voices in heaven, saying "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever".

Upon those who have the mark of the beast the following happens: Rev Ch 16 and 17
A grievous sore on men, the sea dies, the rivers and fountains of water become blood, then men are scorched with fire and they repented not, the beats groups are filled with darkness and they gnawed their tongues for pain, and they repented not. The water was dried up, then unclean spirits came out of the beast mouth to be devils which go forth and work miracles on the whole world to gather an army into a place called Armageddon. Then the voice from heaven said,"It is done". Rev 19:19 and I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. Christ was upon the horse. Christ was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood, and his name is called "the Word of God". All those who were deceived and the false prophets were cast into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. The remnant were slain and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

Rev 20. An angel came down from heaven with the key of the bottomless pit. He laid hold on the dragon - which is satan the devil - and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit. Rev 20: 7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth. Gog and Magog, to gather then together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. vs 9 And the went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. Then the devil and his followers are cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Rev 20: 12-15 The dead small and great stand before God and the book was opened and another book was opened. All were judged from these books. The sea gave up her dead and they were judged. And they were judged according to their works. And whosoever was not found in these books was cast into the Lake of Fire.

Rev 21: 7 He (and she) that overcometh shall inherit all things: and I will be his God, and he shall be my son (and daughter). The earth obtains its celestial glory. There is no more sea.
the land mass is joined.

Rev 21 Describes the great city of Enoch descending out of heaven from God. It appears to be like a mountain a hundred and forty-four cubits, 1200 furlongs - (1500 miles high, wide and broad).

Rev 22 The saints shall reign in Celestial splendor - Christ shall come and blessed are they who do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

President and Prophet Howard Hunter said, "Let us be a temple-attending people. Attend the temple as frequently as personal circumstances allow. Keep a picture of a temple in your home that your children may see it. Teach your children about the purposes of the house of the Lord. Have them plan from their earliest years to go there and to remain worthy of that blessing.

No success will compensate for failure in the home!
Study and pray for your family, homes, extended family and bear our testimonies.

THE POOL

My parents had several houses. My dad loved the country life with its quiet, fresh vegetable garden and fruit orchard. They also owned business buildings and other rentals both next door and across town, for income. They had their house in town on Lester Street and after they retired they moved into the back house [that used to be used by their teen-age boys]. They added on some rooms and fixed it up. Then they rented out the front house. They also had a 6 house Court on Forgeus Avenue. It was located about a block away from their Tucson home. They rented out the Court, which had a separate laundry facility and a big pool.

This pool was built by my Dad. He wanted a pool that was different that any other pool in town. He had ideas and he wanted to invent or bring them into fruition. I saw the re-bar that he put into the sides of the pool for strength. It was an official lap swimming pool. It didn't have a diving board because it was not deep enough. It was totally fenced with a 6' concrete block wall. It was about 6 1/2 feet deep at the drain. Dad installed a pre-shower facility and a huge filter system. Yes, I was one of the lucky ones to 'get to' skim the pool of leaves and so forth. I also put in the chemicals for many years to keep it sparkling blue and not green with mossy stuff floating around. Yuck!

So far it doesn't seem unusual, right? Well, it got written up in the newspapers, as a dynamic idea. This idea was later used in places like Sea World, Disney Land and Disney World.

He investigated the weight of water on glass. He had many tests done to get the perfect math quotient. Finally, he got a special glass forged to hold the weight of the water on a 4' x 4' size glass. He had this installed in the south side of the swimming pool. Literally in the wall of the pool. He added stairs from the top of the pool to go down under the ground for people to look through the window at the swimmers. Around the stairs he built an enclosure of brick with a roof and door to protect the glass from too much heat. Out front of the enclosure he made a cute Irish Leprechaun that was fishing and had water shooting into the pool. There was also a 'huge light' installed under the water, on the east side of the pool, to see the swimmers at night.

I remember one night I invited some girl friends over for a sleep over and to go swimming . I knew we could see well in the pool and around the pool were also a set of bright lights. It was winter and although Tucson doesn't have cold winter weather, it was slightly misty on top of the water. It was so cool! It was like swimming in the Scottish lake with the Lockness monster lurking somewhere, eek! We had a great time and it was safe. We walked back to my parents house to finish the sleep-over. Aren't week-ends fun, when you are with friends?

Verna Louise Buskel Conlisk

My Mom was a pleasant woman who did all the things that society required of her. She was raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. She and her sister, Janice Mildred, did a lot of things together, even double dating. Janice was a little larger boned than Verna and for some reason Verna always thought Verna was fat. Verna weighed in at 110 in High School and went on to Nurses training school and graduated. Verna was 5'2" in High School and grew 3" by the time she was 21 yrs old. Janice was always 5'6" or 5'7" tall. Like me Janice grew early. I was 5'5" in the 6th grade.
Their brother was Charles Alfred Buskel, Jr.

When Verna grew up there was a rabbit barn plus a garden to attend to in her back-yard. Her father, Charles Alfred Buskel, was a judge for the State Fair for Rabbits. Verna was picked to help her Dad with the rabbits. She changed their water and feed them and palled around with her Dad a lot. Hazel Mildred Wildey Buskel, was Verna's mother. Hazel was a multi-tasked and trained woman. Hazel used Janice in the kitchen for most of the cooking and chores. Verna claimed, later, that she didn't even know how to boil water in the kitchen. Lester Conlisk agreed and had to teach her how to cook, after they were married. During the time that Verna was in Nurses training, they decided to get married. However, they couldn't live together because of the rules at the Nursing school. It was difficult.

Hazel also was a beautician, knitted sweaters, crocheted throws for the bed or couch, tailored clothing commercially, worked with her husband in a candy factory and bakery, and ran most things. She had a quick temper and believed that all children should listen to their parents and JUMP UP whenever called to assist. She was an avid gardener and had prize roses. At her Tucson home, she had a pink-grapefruit tree and a Myer lemon tree. Myer lemon has a thin skin and makes the best lemon-aid and lemon meringue pies. She usually had a dog. I remember a Chow and several Poodles. Hazel was the one who made by prom dress. It was a lovely pale blue with white lace around the bodice. The sleeves were capped and the bow in the back was very large. I wore it for both my Junior and Senior prom. My mother, Verna, did not know how to sew. I always wanted my g-ma Hazel, to teach me what she knew, but it never happened. I learned to sew in Junior High and High school in a sewing class. The rest was experience and taking out stitches to redo a problem. I often gave myself little time to finish a project. I would rush and rush and then wear whatever I had finished. I always look chic!

Verna taught Sunday School when she was first married. The Southern Baptist Church did not allow their teachers to dance or appear to be having fun. They must be straight laced, so to speak. Verna didn't dance with my Dad while she taught the children. She and my Dad were excellent dancers. When ever they got on the dance floor, everyone else got off and just stared and looked and then clapped. My Dad learned every dance step when he was young. I think it went along with learning poetry and prose to spout-off, working hard, and impressing the ladies.

Verna was a quick learner. She followed any and everything that Dad wanted her to do. I'd say very obedient. She told me to do whatever my husband wants to keep him happy and at home. Verna said that this is what her mother told her to do, too. At church functions she would be the one who stayed last to be sure everything was cleaned up and put away. She also did this at any other function she attended. I had to stay with her often to complete these tasks.

When my Dad, Lester Conlisk, joined the Tucson Jaycees, Verna joined the Jaycee-ettes. She held many offices there and was once the President. Verna never tasted or drank liquor. Verna played the role of 'Carrie A. Nation' when she was in plays at Old Tucson. Remember, Carrie was one of the women's sufferage society that went into the bars and smashed everything -- against prohibition. Verna's father, Charles, had her sniff whiskey as a young girl, while telling her of its addiction. Because of his advice and the burning inside her nose, she couldn't stand the smell.
I had the same problem with beer - I couldn't stand that smell either and threw-up immediately after smelling it. I have never had any beer. My brother Sidney tried drinking and he also threw up when he tried to taste any of it. He actually swallowed. My other brother, Lester Charles didn't seem to have that same problem. I think he thought that drinking was a social event.
After his divorce, from the woman he loved so deeply, he drank too much.

The Tucson Jaycee-Jaycee-ettes did many county and city functions for charity. they had the Christmas gift buying event for the children whom the schools listed as those who couldn't afford it. They had the "Welcome Traveler". They would stop a car, with out-of-state license and invite them to a party and free hotel - to stay for the week-end in Tucson. This was usually done around February. The Tucson Rodeo and Parade was at the end of February. My Dad was the Rodeo Manager and my Mom was in charge of ushering. She had the other Jaycee-ettes to assist her and also me. After ushering, I got to sit in the bleachers and watch the Rodeo. My first strange event was when I was using the bathroom. I was asked to come with these two ladies to their place. They said they would take very good care of me, pay me money, and that they needed me. I quickly went out and found my Mother and told her what they said. They were arrested for trying to solicit porn with youngsters.

Verna was also the President of the "Women's Business Group". They met weekly, had lunch and discussed business and how to achieve their goals. They awarded her a gold bracelet for her significant service, just before she died, but she never received it.

Verna was one of the envelope stuffer's for the March of Dimes drive. She would take a room full of paper and envelopes and we ALL would help her stuff them. Verna also volunteered to make animals and puppets for the children in the hospital. She brought home cloth and a pattern. I helped her cut them out and sew them up. She helped with stuffing and putting on the face. One thing I learned from my Mother was to keep busy and you can get so many more things done.

Verna also took oil painting classes with her mother Hazel. They both painted a Sonora Arizona Cathedral Mountain picture.. I have them both handing over my stair case. Of course there were many other paintings done.

Verna, Hazel, and Janice went golfing together. I never was invited. I don't know how well they played. Hazel said it was good exercise. Hazel also had a kiln for pottery. She hand-made and fired and then painted many items. Her garage was full of paint powder and pottery molds, when she died. Verna took them to her home. I don't know what happened to any of it.

Verna also taught dancing to the women in the Jaycee-ettes that wanted to perform. they danced the Can-Can at Old Tucson and on parade floats. I also was on the parade floats; once as an Indian, once as a Hawaiian, and many times dancing the Can-Can on the floats. They always won first place when I was on the float. Probably because I never stopped dancing - even if my sides were hurting. They even went to Mexico and around the cities of Arizona with their floats in many parades. I was usually there with my parents. Once they had us perform at the Military post. That was different. More eyes on each dancer. I kicked off my leg band for them.

Verna did the bookkeeping for Dad when he was Lester Construction Company in Tucson, Arizona. She had about 7 file cabinets full of papers for employees and payroll. I think she fitted in her bookkeeping work around all her other social events.

Verna had many friends. One of them was Mary Brees, who lived across the street. I will write about Mary later.

Verna and Lester also rode horse back. They owned three horses. When they bought the home at 2570 E Lester Street, they had horses in their back yard. With the building of the city, they moved their horses to Ft. Lowell, where there was a riding stable and Homer Cummings.. One of the horses was named "Little Britches". That is the horse that I rode. My brothers usually rode double on their horse. They would come over real close to my horse and whack it in its flanks, so it would buck. I got real good at hanging on, but I often fell off and hit the ground. I would get up, stamp my feet, and say I'm getting right back on. My dad was always proud of me for getting back on. My first incident with a horse was when I was 3 yrs old., My Dad put me on a stallion and he reared. I hung on, for dear life, and I didn't fall off. My Dad smiled and said I was the best rider he had seen. What a compliment! I have many pictures of my parents on horses.

My parents also joined the Square Dance and Riding Club. There were many square dancing events and even the horses were taught how to square dance to perform during the Rodeo's.
I remember doing the dance "Put Your Little Foot" with many of the male-parents, while my own parents were dancing together. I loved to dance.

Another thing that my parents did was to decorate the house -- inside and out-- for Christmas. Dad would spray paint the yard green. Pull the tall trees by the front door together for a huge bow. He painted and sawed out Santa and the Reindeer for putting on the roof. Of course, he added Rudolph with his blinking nose. Mom had a creche over by the tall pines with a star that shown for blocks, up into the sky. They had music playing. There were carolers, too and lots of candy.

The front room was strewn with crept paper billowing from one end of the room to the other, with stars, bells, and candy canes. there were always two trees. One was a tumble-weed that my Dad would go out into the barren land and find the biggest one there. He would paint it white and decorate it with blinking lights. Mom's tree was always at least 6 foot tall and over in the corner near the baby-grand player piano. It would have every light, bobble, and glittery thing that she packed away and then added to each year. We had hot apple cider with spices and orange slices. We had fruit cake, egg-white puffs, fudge, and many other delicacies.

Pies were always baked for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Home baked bread was my job and some of the pies. Mom would always do the turkey or ham with a vegie plate and pickles. Aunt Janice would bring the mac-n-cheese and g-ma Hazel would bring the cole-slaw and German potato salad. What a feast was had by all. Dishes were immediately done after eating - due to Hazel, who wanted everything in its place ASAP.

My Mom was always looking at her figure. She would jump up-and-down in her room to get exercise. She would get on a bike, out in the back yard, and peddle it until she got tired. Of course, she danced with my Dad at all their meetings, and danced the Can-Can with the ladies. She wanted to be 110 again. She made 125 just before she died, however, she usually weighed in at 140 lbs. My daughter June is about her same size, except she is lighter. Verna would look at the other ladies and see how nice they looked. Then she wanted to look at least that nice. Of course, my Dad would always say "how nice" those other ladies were looking. I think this bothered her a lot. She didn't want any competition.

Verna bought many clothes from 'Rumage Sales'. She wanted to have many changes of clothes, and not have to pay much to get them. She knew just the right areas where they had the best buys for the highest priced clothes. She always looked real nice. Verna had her hair long, all her life. Lester insisted of her keeping her hair long. He said it was sexy. She went to the hair schools to get her hair done every week. She would have her hair put up in barrel-rolls on top of her head and pull the sides off her face. She also hired maids to clean her house. In the last few years of her life, I did my Mom's hair. When she died, I re-did her hair in the same style that she always wore and those viewing her said, 'she just looked asleep and beautiful'.

My Mom and I lived together for the last few years that she lived. My husband had died in 1985 and then her husband died in 1986. She was lonely and missed Lester very much. She didn't want to live without him. I did the most I could to be with her during her last years. She and Janice, and I went out to eat at the Buffet on Speedway. We had so much fun talking together and going every where together. We became great friends and family. When Janice died she left me all that she had in her will. It was too bad that my brothers sued me to get it from me.

Our family has been filled with great women!