Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
"SHALL SEE MY FACE AND KNOW THAT I AM" -
As I read the scriptures I have collected several verses that do indicate that one might indeed be privledged to see the Savior face to face. Two of my favorite scriptures on this subject are found in Doctrine and Covenants 93:1 "Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me and calleth on my name and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments shall see my face and know that I am."
D&C 88:68 "Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way and according to his own will."
The following is a list of other scriptures on this subject: D&C 50:45-46, D&C 67:10,D&C 84:19-22, D&C 97:16, D&C 101:38, D&C 110:8, D&C 130:1, 1 Nephi: 12:6, 2 Nephi 32:6, and John 14: 21,23. There are many more teachings about this subject throughout all of our scriptures.
I have pondered many times on the characteristics that would be needed in order to see our Savior face to face. Here is a list of a few of those attributes that we should cultivate in our lives:
1. Forsake Sin
2. Follow Christ
3. Call on his name - Prayer
4. Obey his voice - Listen
5. Keep his commandments
6. Sanctify our minds to become single to God - Put God first
7. Watch and be ready
8. Strip yourselves of jealousies and fears
9. Be forgiving
10. Be Humble
11. Receive the Melchizedek Priesthood which holds the key of the mysteries of the kingdom even the key of the knowledge of God. These keys are found in the ordinances of the temple throughout the endowment and sealing experiences and is for both men and women.
12. Become pure in heart
13. Do not pollute his house
The most important of all attributes is to love the Lord and our Heavenly Father with all of our hearts, might, mind, and strength. I love these verses as found in John 14:21,23 (21)"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
(23) " JESUS ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO HIM, IF A MAN LOVE ME, HE WILL KEEP MY WORDS: AND MY Father WILL LOVE HIM, AND WE WILL COME UNTO HIM, AND MAKE OUR ABODE WITH HIM."
What a marvelous promise to us all.
My dear eternal companion wrote two additional verses to the Hymn "Love One Another" many years ago. These additional verses have been sung in many areas of the church. Although unable to have them officially added to the hymn due to copyright requirements; there is permission to sing them in church meetings. Even Roger's parents while on a mission to Nigeria taught these additional words to the children. My three girls as a trio have sang these verses in many Sacrament meetings throughout the years. At the funeral of my Father-in-law, LaMar Williams; his grandchildren sang this hymn. Pres. Gordan B. Hinckley was present and gave remarks at the funeral. The children sang this hymn in front of him. I like to think that they indeed sang at the feet of the Prophet.
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
As I have loved you, love one another.
This new commandment love one another.
By this shall men know ye are my deciples,
If ye have love one to another.
Ye have my gospel, share with another.
Ye are my shepherds feed then a brother.
Care for the stranger love as the Messiah;
Then ye shall know joy of the Father.
Someday you'll see me if you endeaver.
Then you will know me we'll walk together.
If you obey me here then is my promise,
I'll come to you you're mine forever.
Verse one by Luacine Clark Fox, 1914-2002
Additional Verses - Roger L. Williams
Thursday, August 19, 2010
"FAMILIES CAN BE TOGETHER FOREVER" - NO EMPTY CHAIRS IN OUR HOME!
| Roger and LeAnn Williams Family |
We believe in Eternal Families. Our goal in our family is to have No Empty Chairs. We desire that all of our children will obtain the goal of having Eternal Families. In order to achieve that goal it will require constant, consistent and diligent effort in living a more righteous and Zion like life. Our families have goals such as consistent family prayer, scripture and family home evenings, attending church, the temple, supporting each other in activities and having at least one meal a day together where family members can share their experiences for the day. We desire to follow our Prophet and leaders in our Stakes and Ward. As a family we should also plan how to serve others around us.
The following is a quote from The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Proclamation on the family. "The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners."
Our goal in our family is to have frequent family gatherings where we can increase our bonds of love and friendship among each family members. In our family we have noted that having reunions has allowed the grandchildren to feel the bonds of love among their cousins.
We recently had our 2010 reunion and it was so awesome.
Here are some of the pictures from this family event.
 | ||
| Roger and Sammy - LeAnn and Suzy |
 |
Sean and Mary Williams Family Front row - Jeffery, Mary, Sean and Joshua Back row - Joseph, Jackson, Jacob, Dana, Gillian, Jed, Jessica and baby Jadyn, Jonathan  |
 |
Travis and Amanda Williams Family Front row - Ryley, Karli, Justice and Kason, Austin Back row -Ethan, Travis and Amanda  James and Amber Williams Family Front row - Taylor Jo, Averi and Christian Back row - James and Amber  Brandon and Christina Workman Family Front row - April, Abbey, Levi, Sariah, Faith Back row - Christina and Brandon  Michael and Jenni-Marie Thomas Family Row - Alyssa, Jenni and Benjamin, Michael and Emma  Dave and Tiffani Adamson Family Front row - William, Michael, Sarah, Kaitlyn Back row - Dave and Tiffani  Our Precious Granddaughters and Great Granddaughter  Our Grandsons  Our granddaughters  Averi opening her Birthday presents and celebrating her 8th Birthday  Our Family celebrating Averi's 8th Birthday  Celebrating Tiffani's graduation from BYU  Dave celebrating Tiffani's graduation!  Our Family at our best!  Before watching the movie - Pause the music THE END |
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Our Granddaughter, Averi; playing The Battle Hymn of The Republic~
First Rendition of the Battle Hymn Of The Republic - Second Rendition; Averi's first attempts at singing while playing.
She started playing the piano by ear at age 3 1/2
She started playing the piano by ear at age 3 1/2
Our precious granddaughter Averi just turned 8 years old. Averi had a rare bone marrow disease called osteopetrosis which was diagnosed when she was 4 months old. In this disease there is no joint formation and the bones are dense. It can cause blindness and deafness. At first they felt they had caught it early enough to prevent those complications.
Our son James told us that one night while in the hospital they spent the entire night crying and talking through the possibility they could lose her and they had read everything possible about the disease. Their only hope was a bone marrow transplant. Her brother Christian had a 100% bone marrow match which was the first miracle. She first had to have chemotherapy and during this there were complications. She was in the Primary Children Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah for 6 months; most of those months were spent in the Primary Intensive Care Unit. She had a tracheotomy and was on the highest level of ventilator called an oscillator for most of the time. Her lungs were compromised and her kidney's failed. She had to have Kidney Dialysis. She also suffered with Congestive Heart Failure. The staff told us that she was one of the sickest children that they had ever worked with. At one time she had 17 different medications going into her IV's. The bone marrow transplant failed the first time and had to be given again. She did have side affects from the transplants. She eventually became blind from the disease.
During this time by son, Averi's father was trying to finish Pharmacy school at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho. He couldn't be with Amber and Averi. Meanwhile they had two other children; Christian, age 4 and Taylor Jo, age 2. Amber's mother and I took turns caring for the children in Shelly, Idaho and then staying with Amber at the Ronald McDonald House in Salt Lake, City.
During this difficult time Averi would have a few good days; but mostly her life was on edge most of the time. There were several moments when we were told that it wasn't looking good and we would call James to come up. He would come and then she would improve a little bit and he would return home and back to school.
She was given many priesthood blessings, prayers were offered by not only our wards; but also many who are not of our faith prayed for her and held prayer circles. Her name was put on the prayer rolls in our Temples. We also had many of our faith fasting and praying for her.
She received a blessing on March 23rd. James told Heavenly Father that they were willing for her to go home to him if this was his will for her. He then gave her a marvelous priesthood blessing which brought us all to tears. We felt a peace and comfort fill the room. We attended a church service that day at PCH and it was a very sweet experiences. The spirit was so strong in that meeting. We later received word on that day that she was 100% in grafted which was a great blessing.
After that Baby Averi continued to improve. She moved all over once the sedation was decreased so the physicians now felt that she didn't have brain damage. They did an MRI finally and it was inconclusive for any brain problems. She continued on dialysis with a hope that it would improve. Her lungs were doing poorly; but the physicians felt the lungs would improve.
By the end of the month her lung and respiratory function improved and she was taken off the Oscillator ventilator and put back on a conventional ventilator.
We knew that she had improved through priesthood blessings, faith and prayers and good medical care. She is our miracle baby.
Just a few thoughts for the months of February and March. Those two months were some of the hardest in my life. It has been difficult to see little Averi so sick. However, I felt at peace and knew that she was in the hands of our Heavenly Father. I feel she was being watched over; Amber had felt this also. I have had many spiritual moments and I have plead with the Lord many times even kneeling on the bathroom floor for her life if it was his will. We are all in agreement that Heavenly Father’s will would be done.
Averi is doing very well now. She does not need any medications. She has some developmental struggles to overcome; but we feel confident that she will continue to do well. She has a small amount of vision so that she can see obstacles in front of her. If she is in a area that she is familiar with she can walk around without assistance. She is in a regular school and has an aide to help her. She is being taught how to function as a blind child.
In this circumstance faith preceded the miracle. She is still here due to the many priesthood blessings and prayers offered in her behalf.
The one really awesome moment was when she started to play the piano by ear. She is incredible and knows many pieces; but she only plays them if she wants too and she adds her own rendition.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
It's A Castle Not A Mansion Aunt LeAnn!
MILLAN GLEDHILL SON OF GABRIEL GLEDHILL, GRANDSON OF MILLAN MAC GLEDHILL AND GREAT GRANDSON OF MILLAN F. GLEDHILL
While I was in Las Vegas with my brother Mac's family, I had the delightful opportunity to visit with my Nephew Gabe and Laurie's son Millan who is nine years old. We were visiting together in the Hospital waiting room one afternoon. I had been doing some journaling on my computer and Millan and I started to discuss the fact that the Gledhill Family had a Castle in England in the early 1600's.This Castle was owned by John Gledhill. He did not have an male heir so it was taken away from the family. In doing a history on my Dad; I had found a picture of the Castle and it was in his completed history. I didn't have a copy of the history on my computer; but I tried to find it by doing a Google search. I wasn't however able to find the picture to show him. I had a very fun time visiting with him. He is a remarkable child and very intelligent and is curious about a multitude things. I told him to go home and find the history of his great grandparents and he could locate the picture of the Gledhill Castle.
The next day his Dad was in the waiting room with me and he got a call from Millan and he only wanted to talk with me.
We had a delightful conversation on the phone. First of all he informed me that the Gledhill Castle was not a Castle it was a Mansion. Duh, no wonder I couldn't find it on a Google search. He then discussed the fact that we really didn't lose the Gledhill Mansion. He said he went in on a Google search on the Mansion and also looked up information on John Gledhill who was the last Gledhill to own the mansion. He informed me that John Gledhill had a daughter Elizabeth who was married to Williams Horton and he had became the owner of the mansion; so therefore the Gledhill family still had the mansion. He then boldly stated: "Hey, Aunt LeAnn I think we should go over to England and let them know that the Gledhill family still owns the Gledhill Mansion!"
I have noted in Fast and Testimony meetings that many children are baring their testimonies and not giving a memorized version. These children are giving personal examples of why they believe in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter -day saints. Perhaps they are the generation to welcome the Savior when he comes again.
My dearest Millan, I am so glad that you are named after your Grandfather and your Great Grandfather. Your Grandfather Mac Millan Gledhill is one of my hero's; a very dearly loved brother and I will miss him always. He is one of the best of men. I know that he loved all of his dear grandchildren and great grandchildren with all of his heart. I know that he will be near in spirit when you have a need or at the special events in your life that are important to you. Always make him proud to be his grandson. Your Great Grandfather Millan F. Gledhill; my father treasured his moments with all of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a very good man; a man of faith and testimony. A father who is missed every day by me. May all of my father's and my brother's posterity live a life that they can be proud of. I know that both of them will be near all of their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and will have a continued influence in their lives. I have a strong and true testimony that we will be together forever in eternal families.
I love all of you that are Mac and Amparo's posterity; you are all so choice and it was a privileged to be with you through this difficult time. My prayers will be for you to have peace and comfort and also desire that you will always be there when needed for your Mother and Grandmother, Amparo. She is a wonderful and gracious woman and I love her dearly and desire that you all will take really good care of her.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)