WHY??

I remember a few times in my youth when I would lie outside on the cool grass under a star filled night and just wonder why. I would pinch myself and think; I am a live and I have a brain to think with and a body that can feel. The smell of the cottonwood trees would linger in the air; I could smell. I could view the star filled sky and see the constellations; I could see.
 I would look into the sky and wonder where does God live? Is there a Mother in heaven? How do we stay on this plant as it rotates around the sun? Why is there night and day? Why do we have a sun during the day and a moon and stars at night? Why do we have days, hours and minutes that we live by? 
Why can I see? Why can I hear? Why can I smell? Why can I speak? Why can I feel? Why can I move? Why are our bodies alike; but yet different shapes? Why are men shapes different than woman's? Why is there so many differences between men and woman? Why is each individual person unique?
 Why do we all experience trials and tribulations?  Why are there disasters, war, and famines upon the earth? Why are there accidents, terminal illnesses and death? Why do some die young and why do some live to be very old? 
Why are some people wealthy? Why are many people very poor?
Why are there so many religious beliefs. How can people not believe in a God?
Why? Why? Why?

Where did we come from?

We Lived With God, Our Eternal Father

I believe that we lived with God and our Elder Brother Jesus Christ in the Pre-existence. We are all children of a Loving Heavenly Father. 

Why are we Here?

Earth Live Is Part Of Our Heavenly Fathers Plan for His Spirit Children

I believe that we are spirit children of Heavenly Father. He sent us here to earth to gain a body in his image. There is a plan of happiness for each of us. If we follow that plan we can return to live with him someday. We must experience trials and learn to follow him through faith in his plan for us. 

Jesus Christ Is Our Way

I believe that Heavenly Father sent us here to experience life. We will all sin and make mistakes. In the Pre-mortal life Jesus Christ was chosen by our Father In Heaven to provide the way for us to return to him again. This will only happen if we accept the Atonement of Jesus Christ, follow him, and keep his commandments. Through his sacrafice in the Garden of Gethesemane and on the Cross we can be saved from spiritual death which is a separation from our Heavenly Father and  physical death through Christ's Resurrection.

We Can Find Happiness

I believe that our happiness comes from following Jesus Christ and keeping His Commandments. Besides gaining a body, experiencing life tests; we must learn of and follow our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Where Are We Going?

We Can Live With Heavenly Father Again

I believe that one of the greatest reasons for our earth life is to find, learn and believe in Jesus Christ. Only through Jesus Christ can we return and live with our Heavenly Father in His Kingdom.

As I gave birth to each of our 6 children and held those precious newborns in my arms; I would marvel at how perfect they were. I would look at their wee little bodies and count each finger and toe. I would stare into their eyes and wonder what will they be like. I knew that they had just come from the presence of loving Heavenly Parents. I knew that there was a plan for their lives. I would look forward to witnessing the unfolding of their unique passage through life. I knew beyond doubt that there was a bigger picture. I felt the sweet reminder that I was to care tenderly for these precious spirits. I would be held accountable for teaching them to know and understand where they came from, where they were going and a sure knowledge of why they are here.


151. I am grateful for my God, the ceator of this world
152. I love looking at the vast amount of space filled with stars that form the constellations.
153. I feel deep gratitude to know that I am a daughter of God.
154. Within my heart I feel I have a Mother in Heaven and I am grateful for that.
155. I am grateful I can observe the different and beautiful stages that the moon goes through each month.
 I56. Though imperfect and not the perfect shape I would desire; I am grateful for my body.
157. I have deep gratitude that I can see the beauties of this world.
158. I am forever grateful that I can see with my eyes my  wonderful family, siblings and friends. I have a sweet granddaugter that is blind and I look forward to the day when she will meet our Savior and will see again all those that love her so much.
159. I can't imagine a world without light; I am grate for the light of the day and the dark of the night.
160. I am grateful for the sun and love to bask it it's warmth.
161. I love the gently falling rain and the smell of the earth after a rain storm.
162. I love to see a rainbow and it makes me happy but at the same time sad that the Savior will not come this year.
163. I love to smell the signs of spring; the sweet fragance of a rose, lilac bush, or cottonwood tree.
164. I am grateful that I can hear the sounds of a birds, the wind, the gentle rain and just all of sounds of my environment.
165. What is more beautiful than to hear the voice of your husband, the sound of grandchildren playing and the sweet converstions of your children.
166. I love to hear the prophet's voice and hope to always follow him.
167. I love to hear the sweet voice of the spirit when I am needing guidance.
168. I love and have deep gratitude for the people of this earth. I recognize that we are all children of God. I pray that we will always be kind to one another even though we may have different beliefs.
169. I have deep gratitude for the part the Savior plays in my life. I am so thankful for his Atonement and resurrection. This knowledge gives me hope in my everyday life experiences.
170. I know that happiness comes through following my Savior.
171. I am grateful to serve my Savior by serving others.
172. I am so thankful for the sure and true knowledge that I have that there is life after death.
173. I can't imagine never seeing my loved ones again; so I am thankful that I know that I will. This knowledge can give comfort in death.
174. I want to live with my Savior and Heavenly Father again. I am grateful to know that I can.
175. I love that I have many of the comforts of life; but at the same time a desire to help those that do not.

A 24th of July Celebration In Commemortion Of Our Pioneer Heritage

The 24th of July celebration is always a wonderful opportunity to remember our pioneer ancestors and reflect upon their lives. They sacrificed much for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In their darkest hours they remain true to their faith. 

The history of my Great Grandparents Eskild and Sena Peterson.

Front Row Left Sena and Eskild -

 Back Row Right My Grandfather Ernest Peterson.

 Note their Black Hawk Indian War Medals

Hans Peter Christensen with his wife and three children lived at Fouting, Denmark. He was on the Police Force for many years. It was here his son Eskild Christian was born, January 18, 1840.

Missionaries from the Mormon Church were in Denmark teaching the gospel. When the Christensen’s were told of the gospel and the wonderful Zion in the mountains of Utah in America; Mrs. Christensen was converted, and was ready to go to America. In 1861, she took her two children and started for America. (Her oldest child Christian Karl died when he was 7 months old.) The father remained in Denmark uninterested in their new found religion. He came to America later but we don’t know for sure when. We do know that it was sometime after 1882. He was buried in the old Richfield Cemetery up by the old Richfield High School.
When they came to America Mrs. Christensen bought an Ox team and wagon with which to travel across the plains. In the winter of 1861, they reached Salt Lake City and settled in Mill Creek for awhile and then went on to Mt. Pleasant, Utah. In the long trip across the country, they endured many hardships common to pioneers. Fuel was scarce and they were compelled to gather up anything that would burn to cook their food.
When they reached Mt. Pleasant, Mrs. Christensen gave her Ox team to Eskild and this he used to haul logs for their cabins. He built a home for his mother and one for himself. We do not have a record of when he changed his name to Peterson, which was a Danish custom. The name Peterson was because he was the son of Peter Christensen.
In the same year the Hans Peter Christensen family left Foutin, Denmark, the family of Niels Christian Christensen left Aalborg, Denmark. They were on the same ship called the Monarch of the Sea. They came to America with six children, among them was their daughter Andesine Margarethe (Sena) Christensen. Her family settled in Spring City, Sanpete County, Utah. Eskild and Sena met on the ship while coming to America. They were married in Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete County, Utah on May 16, 1863.
In the fall of 1863-64, a party of ten men under the leadership of Albert Lewis, came from Sanpete and arrived in what is now Richfield. The season was very cold and traveling conditions were slow. Upon arrival they were bone tired but not discouraged. After cooking their meager supper and tending to their weary oxen and horses, they made their crude beds for the night. The only sounds were the wail of coyotes and the occasional rustle of the underbrush. Weak men might have been appalled by the desolation and sheer loneliness of the country, but not the sturdy pioneers. These men were Albert Lewis, Robert Wilson Glenn, Christian Olsen, C.O. Hansen and his brother Hands Olsen Hansen, Nelson Higgins, August Nelson, George Ogilvie, Jorgen Smith and Eskild c. Peterson. There is a monument in the Richfield City Park with all these names on it.
They made for a dwelling place for all the men what would later be called “The Hole in the Ground.” They carefully covered this hole with brush, willows and other materials and made a chimney of rocks. This was built to resemble an Indian Wick up. This strange abode was located about where McKinley’s Garage was standing on Main Street in Richfield. Here these sturdy men spent the remainder of the winter, planning and preparing for the time they could bring their families to the land of promise.
In 1864 President Orson Hyde called by letter a meeting of about 30 families from Mt. Pleasant to go to Richfield and join with those already there. The first dwelling places were dugouts, with willow and dirt roofs. They then built houses of adobe because clay dirt was available as a building material; logs and lumber weren’t. Because of Indian troubles settlers were prevented from long trips into the mountains. Consequently, there were few log or lumber houses in early Richfield. They tried several times to get their families moved here but the Indians kept forcing them back to Sanpete.
In 1866, Eskild served in Captain George Tucker’s Calvary Company. He went to Thistle Valley, a distance of 18 miles from his home in Mt. Pleasant. He served under Colonel John L. Ivie. When they arrived they relieved a company under the command of a Lt. Dewey. This company had been attacked by Indians on the morning of June 24th. They fought them all day and the Indians killed one man and wounded another. They then wounded or killed all the horses. He served under Captain Tucker all summer.
During the summer of 1867, he served under Colonel John L. Ivie; they were under the command of Captain Orange Seely’s Cavalry Company. He was with this company June 1, when the Fountain Green Cow herd was taken by the Indians. They helped recover the Stock, but the Indians got away with 40 head of horses. He was also in the skirmish at Spring City, August 13, 1867 when the Indians made a raid on their cow herd, killing several men. He was a minute man for three years during the Black Hawk Indian War.
I am so grateful for my pioneer heritage. I can't imagine the hardships that they endured while coming to America by ship and then coming to the Salt Lake Valley by Wagon.
As I sit in my lovely home with air conditioning for the hot summer months and heat for the cold winter months; would I have been as faithful as these hardy pioneers were? They came because of their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. They suffered much for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There are hundreds of pioneer stories that reflex their strong testimonies of the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints.

136. I am grateful for my pioneer ancestors.
137. I am grateful for my great grandparents and their decision to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
138. I am grateful for the many pioneer stories that strengthen my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
139. I am grateful for the air conditioning that we have in our home when the temperatures are high in the Salt Lake Valley.
140. I am grateful for the heat that we have in our home during the cold winter months.
141. I am thankful for the heat and air conditioning in our cars as the temperatures change.
142. I am thankful for the opportunity to work on family histories.
143. I am thankful  for my 97 year old Aunt and my 90 year old Aunt that help me in my family history work.
145. I am thankful to be a member of the Daughters Of The Utah Pioneers.
146. I am thankful for all of the daughters in our camp that enrich my life with their pioneer histories.
147. I am thankful for my pioneer ancestors that walked in faith to this great Salt Lake Valley.
148. I am thankful for the Prophet Joseph Smith and for the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
149. I am thankful to the Prophet Joseph Smith for translating the ancient writings of the Book of Mormon.
150. I am so thankful for the Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

ksl.com - 12-year-old boy struck by lightning recalls events

Here is an update on the young boy David Rayborn who was struck by lightening and killed and his best friend Sean Smith who survived. The family will continue to need prayers during this difficult time.

ksl.com - 12-year-old boy struck by lightning recalls events

Prayer Requests -

South Salt Lake Boy Scout killed by lightning identified- Deseret News Article

SOUTH SALT LAKE — A family spokesman has identified the 12-year-old Boy Scout who was killed Wednesday after being struck by lightning at Scofield Reservoir.

David Rayborn, 12, died after being struck around 10:30 a.m. in the middle of a fast-moving hailstorm, according to his bishop with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Matthew Parson. Fellow Scout Sean Smith, 12, was also struck and injured.

•Lightning kills 12-year-old Scout at Scofield Reservoir, another scout drowns in Bear Lake – July 14, 2011
Members of the Scout troop from the Granite Park LDS Stake in South Salt Lake were heading to seek cover at their campsite when the hailstorm moved in.
Leaders and other Scouts saw the lightning hit David and emergency responders and a medical helicopter were called to the scene. CPR was performed on the boy, but he was pronounced dead around 12:35 p.m.
Scout leaders reported to park officials that they didn't know Sean had been struck by lightning as well until about 45 minutes later. Sean suffered some burns and was treated at an area hospital.
In a statement released Thursday, David's parents John and Connie Rayborn called Sean a hero for doing what he could to help their son. They also announced that an account had been opened with Utah First Credit Union in the name of Connie Rayborn.
"No words can describe the pain and sorrow that we are feeling due to the tragic loss of our beloved son," they said. "We would like to thank those that tried to render first aid. David was a wonderful, caring boy who will be sorely missed."
In the statement, the Rayborn's said that Sean Smith's parents do not wish to release a statement at this time but that Sean is doing well and resting at home.
Scofield Scout Camp is situated near the north end of Scofield Reservoir and typically has about 350 Scouts in attendance this week, plus 75 adult leaders and camp staff, officials from the Utah National Parks Council said. Scouts sleep in tents and participate in aquatics programs — most of which are out in the open.
Officials said Scout leaders are required to take a hazardous weather training course every two years. The storm that killed David prompted camp staff to activate an emergency evacuation plan, which had to be initiated again later in the morning when a second storm hit.
According to the National Weather Service, there were two lightning-related injuries in Utah in 2010. The last lightning-related death occurred in 2007.

We are saddened by the loss of this young scout and the injury of his best friend. Both David Rayborn and Sean Smith's families are in our assigned Inner City Mission Ward. I am requesting prayers for these families. Losing a child is one of the hardest of all losses to a family. I also am deeply saddened for Sean; he has lost his best friend.

I am so grateful for the knowledge that I have that "Families Can Be Together Forever." I pray for these families to feel the comfort of the Spirit during this difficult time.

The Simple Woman's Daybook - July 2011

For Today July 7th, 2011

Outside my window...it is sleep time for me and it is dark outside signaling that I need to go to bed.

I am thinking...thinking that I need to do a couple of more quick things before I retire.
I am thankful for...a lovely, fun evening with my children and grandchildren. Tonight we celebrated my grandson Jackson's 16th Birthday. He is an awesome young man and we had the event at our home. All of his family came and we have our daughter Jenni, son in law Michael and their 3 adorable children staying with us.  Lots of laughing, talking, singing, clapping, good food, and just good old birthday family fun.
From the learning rooms...learning a lot more about proverty and have such strong feelings of love for so many that have so little; and we have so much. I pray for Zion to come. I pray that I might become a Zion person. Most of all I pray that through our mission resources we can truly lift individuals out of the proverty that they are in.
From the kitchen...my husband baked two cakes for this evening. I know I am so blessed to have such a good man like him. He has been waiting on my hand and foot since my ankle surgery. I really need to get back to doing the cooking; he is getting to good at it.
I am wearing...brown capri's, brown and white blouse and no shoes. I should be in my night gown.
I am creating...a christ centered home; at least I am trying.
I am going...to go to bed and then get up early so we can travel with our daughter's family up to Idaho Falls to attend a baptism for my sweet little granddaughter Averi.
I am reading...a really good book called "Happy Like Jesus - Lessons From Jesus Christ On How To Live" by D. Kelly Ogden. Here is an awesome quote from the book. President Heber C. Kimball stated: "I am perfectly satisfied that my Father and my God is a cheerful, pleasant, lively, and good-natured Being. Why? Because I am cheerful, pleasant, lively, and good-natured when I have HIs Spirit. That thought alone makes me smile.
I am hoping...to be able to  love and help those in need while on our mission in the Inner City. My heart goes out to the families we have visited. I have great hopes that we can find the resources to lift them out of their proverty.
I am looking forward to our weekend with other children and their families.
I am hearing...the TV on, washer going and dryer going too. There are always last minute washing to be done before packing for a  trip. Gosh, it is only overnite; what's with that??
Around the house...I have quickly picked up after our Birthday Party this evening. I hate going to bed without the dishes done and some kind of order back into the our home. Luckily, I have a great husband and also my daughter who have helped get all this done quickly. We had sixteen family members here and many of them under 12 years old so there was a lot to pick up.  
One of my favorite things...to just be with my family.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Drive to Idaho Falls tomorrow so we can attend my sweet Averi's baptism - Saturday; back home in the late afternoon - Sabbath Day activities - Enjoying all of the family events this week-end.
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...



Us with our Birthday Day boy, Jackson



Sammy Just Hanging Out!



"In God We Trust" - Happy 4th Of July To Our Great Nation

Reprint By LeAnn

 Each year we have the opportunity on the 4th of July to reflect on the freedoms we enjoy due to courageous men and woman who have fought and died for our liberty and our pursuit of happiness. We are so blessed to live in this country and we should never take it for granted.

In The Book of Mormon the people of that day were blessed to come to the Americas.The Lord covenanted with them that if they would be a righteous nation they  would have this promised land forever. Eventually, this blessed people became so wicked that they were destroyed an only a remnant of those people remained.

2 Nephi 2:5-7;

5." But, said he, notwithstanding our afflictions, we have obtained a land of promise, a land which is choice above all other lands; a land which the Lord God hath covenant with me should be a land for the inheritance of my seed. Yea, the Lord hath covenanted this land unto me, and to my children forever, and also all those who should be led out of other countries by the hand of the Lord.

6. Wherefore, I, Lehi prophesy according to the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that there shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord.

7. Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring.

 And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever."

This is our promise land today. However, as in the time of the Nephites our nation is dwindling in unbelief."

 In the Book of Mormon; Helaman 11: 24, 26-27

24. ''A certain number of the dissenters from the people of Nephi who had some years before gone over unto the Lamanites, and taken upon themselves the name of the Lamanites and also a certain number who were real descendants of the Lamanites, being stirred up to anger by them, or by those dissenters, therefore they commenced a war with their brethren.

26. And thus in time, yea, even in the space of not many years, they became an exceedingly great band of robbers; and they did search out all the secret plans of Gadianton; and thus they became robbers of Gadianton.

27. Now behold, these robbers did make great havoc, yea, even great destruction among the people of Nephi, and also among the people of the Lamanites." 

"The Gadianton robbers of today with their secret combinations are the gangs, mafia, and perhaps even those that are in our present day financial, government, and political arenas. Our nation is no longer a God fearing nation. Many do not profess to believe in a God thus Evil abounds and Satan reigns.

In their day in Alma 43:45;
45. Nevertheless, the Nephites were inspired by a better cause, for they were not fighting for monarchy nor power but they were fighting for their homes and their liberties, their wives and their children, and their all, yea, for their  rites of worship and their church.

In Moroni's day as stated in Alma 46: 12-13; 16-17; 19-20  
12."And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it- In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children - and he fastened it upon the end of pole.

13. And he fastened it onto his head plate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor  about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the Title of Liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should be band of Christians remain to possess the land.

16. And therefore, at this time, Moroni prayed that the cause of the Christians, and the freedom of the land might be favored.

17. And it came to pass that when he had poured out his soul to God, he named all the land which was south of the land Desolation, yea, and in fine, all the land, both on the north and on the south - a chosen land, and the land of liberty.

19. And when Moroni had said these words, he went forth among the people, waving the rent part of his garment in the air, that all might see the writing which he had written up on the rent part, and crying with a loud voice saying: 20. Behold, whosoever will maintain this title upon the land, let them come forth in the strength of the Lord, and enter into a covenant that they will maintain their rights, and their religion, that the Lord God may bless them."

We have a Title of Liberty in our American flag of today. May it fly always over a free land. Here is the last verse from our National Anthem; "The Star Spangled Banner".

"Oh, thus be it ever when free men shall stand,

Between their loved homes and the war's desolation;

Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land

Praise the Power that has made and preserved us as a nation.

Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,

And this be our motto: "In God is our trust";

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.''

We should all pray for this great country to be the land of the free and the home of the brave.

The following flag is modern rendition of Moroni's Title of Liberty!
"In God We Trust."

 96. I am so grateful for this great country; The United States of America.

 97. I am grateful for all the freedoms that we enjoy.

 98. I am grateful for all that have served in our Armed Forces.

 99. I am thankful for all those who have fought for these freedoms we enjoy.

100. I am thankful for all those who have given their lives for our country.

101. I am thankful for our American flag and all it represents. Every child should be taught of how to care and preserve this great flag.

102. I am thankful for the founding fathers who created the Declaration of Independence.

103. I am grateful for all of the work that our founding fathers did in creating our "The constitution of the United States of America.

104. I am grateful for our National Anthem; The Star "Spangled Banner."

104. I am grateful for Francis Scott Key who wrote this great Anthem during a very difficult time in the Revolutionary War. 

105. I am thankful for the 4th of July and the great celebration that we have every year to celebrate the birth of this great nation. 

106. I am thankful for every symbol that we have throughout our nation that gives thanks to God for preserving this great country.

107. I am thankful that we have a God in whom we can trust. 

108. I am so thankful that we have the "Pledge of Allegiance  To The Flag" and that we can place our hand over our heart in deep respect for this symbol.

109. I am grateful for the love that I know our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ has for this great country. 

110. I am so thankful for the Book of Mormon which is a history of the people who processed this great land first as their promised land.

                   Living Well Wednesdays

BLESSINGS!

Today as I was reading some of the blog posts that I enjoy. I came upon one blog entitled; "Me, Myself and Mercy." She shared two awesome videos from You tube. The first video is a beautiful song entitled Blessings. The second video is by the artist who wrote and sang this song. Her story is one of great faith. I hope you will enjoy these two videos.

BLESSINGS BY LAURA STORY

"What If Trials of This Life Are Mercies in Disguise"