"The Work Of Salvation" ~

 

Today has been a sweet Sabbath Day. It has been an inspiring afternoon. We watched a special World Wide training conference: "The Work of Salvation". My husband and I have been involved with missionary endeavors throughout our lives. Our parents served missions and my husband's parents more than one mission. My husband and I have served more than one mission and are presently Inner City Missionaries for our church. Presently, this is a part time mission but we hope in the near future to apply for a full time mission. In our church we have many different kinds of missions such as humanitarian, service, LDS Visitor centers, Seminary and Institute, temple and proselyting missions.  Within our own family we have had a total of 4 of our 6 children serve 2 year missions and all of our son-in-laws have served, also. Here are the areas that we have all served in: Northern California, Des Moines, Iowa, Washington DC North, Costa Rica, Venezuela, New Zealand, Arizona, Chili, Las Vegas, Nevada and Spokane, Washington.
Friends have asked us why we serve missions and there are a multitude of answers but my own personal reason is to help individuals come unto Christ and believe in Him, and follow Him.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the path to true happiness. I know this to me true in my own life.

Many people asked the questions, "Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where are we going?" The Plan of Salvation gives us the answers to those questions.
From the book: "Preach My Gospel the following statement will clarify what we believe.
"We believe that God is the Father of our spirits. We are literally His children, and He loves us. We lived as spirit children of our Father in Heaven before we were born on this earth. We were not however, like our Heavenly Father, nor could we ever become like Him and enjoy all of the blessings that He enjoys without the experience of living in mortality with a physical body.
God has a purpose for us. He has provided a perfect plan to accomplish His  purpose. We understand and accepted this plan before we came to earth.
Jesus Christ is central to God's plan. through His Atonement, Jesus Christ fulfilled His Father's purpose and made it possible for each of us to enjoy immortality and eternal life. Satan, or the devil is an enemy to that plan.
Agency, or the ability to choose, is one of God's greatest gifts to His children. Our eternal progression depends on how we use this gift. We must choose whether to follow Jesus Christ or follow Satan." There are so many beautiful teachings within the church. We believe that Family is central to this plan.
Missionary work is going forward at a rapid pace. The Lord is hastening His work.
As of December 2011, statistical report; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints there were 347 Missions throughout the world, and 58,990 fulltime missionaries both young men and young women ages 19 to 21 +.  
Our Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson at our General Conference of October 2012 announced that they were lowering the missionary age to 18 years for young men and 19 years for young women. Since that announcement there has been a huge increase in the number of missionaries.  As of a special broadcast today there are 405 missions throughout the world. We now have 70,000 missionaries ages 18 years to 20 plus years. By the end of this year they are projecting 85,000 missionaries in the field.



Here is a link for this conference: http://bcove.me/appf66hg.

Zion - The Heart of Utah's Colorful Canyons~

This past week we celebrated our 46th Wedding Anniversary in the land of Zion; which for us was Zion and Bryce National Parks. We stayed at a Bed and Breakfast In Springdale, Utah and enjoyed that new experience. We are not world travelers by any means. Most of our vacations through the years have been in Utah. We visited Zion park years ago; but never really explored it. We decided this time to see the canyons up close by walking some of the trials and driving the bumpy back roads.

Backyard of the Bed and Breakfast~

Scenery from the Balcony

Hot Tub

 

Day One - In Kolob Canyon~

Kolob Mountain Ranges~

Kolob Reservoir

LeAnn

Roger

 Hidden from everyday view we came across a seldom seen waterfall and pool~

A view from Kolob lookout~

A Tree to lean on~  I was a little nervous because

the tree was on an edge of the Clift.

LeAnn

Roger

A Cactus Flower ~

Click on the collages for a bigger view of the picture~  

 

Day Two -  6-12-13

We took a hike to the Emerald Pools. A two and half hour hike in the heat of the day ended at the Emerald Pools with the welcomed spray that fell from the canyon walls as several streamlets emptied into the box canyon. I was so happy when we reached the lodge and we cooled down and had a wonderful lunch.

 

Day Three - 6-13-13

For our Anniversary we spent most of the day visiting small towns near the mouth of the canyon. We returned in the evening to Springdale and enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the Switchback Restaurant. We had a great day!

 

 

Day Four - 6-14-13

We visited Bryce Canyon. I would have to say that the scenery here was the most incredible. The red rock formations were inspiring.The views were spectacular. We could see for miles across the canyon and into the valleys  below.

                                                            Day Five - 6-15-13
                               We pulled up stakes and headed south to St. George, Utah.
                                         On the way we visited a quaint frontier fort.

                We spent the rest of the weekend in St. George visiting some family members~

 

Happy 46th Wedding Anniversary To The Most Incredible Man I Know~

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Here is a small slide show of our wedding day~
 View PhotatoBug Slideshow

Today is our 46th wedding Anniversary and we are enjoying the day together on a little trip that my husband planned for us. He is always so thoughtful and I love him beyond measure. He is one incredible and amazing man. I feel so happy to have him for an eternity. Our love today is fuller and more joyful than it was 46 years ago.

Our Wedding Day was the beginning of our home. We have loved being together for 46 wonderful and fulfilling years and anticipate an eternity together. We love all of our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. They have brought great joy into our lives through the years. We love each and everyone of them and desire that we be an eternal family with "No Empty Chairs".
".. We are grateful to our Heavenly Father and Savior for all the blessings of this life. We love serving in the temple and we feel the spirit and  peace that is found within those sacred edifices.
We were dressed in white on our Wedding day and now we are dressed in white while serving in the temple. I am always so happy and my heart still skips a beat when I see my husband during our shift. We have a strong and true testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Our Wedding Day~

LeAnn, Roger and our youngest Great Grandson, Sagan

From these sweet beginnings we have a large posterity of which we are so proud. We love that our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren love the Lord and are living good lives.

Our Posterity~

Happy Anniversary Roger; you bring into my life great joy. I will love you forever~

" A Song Of Redeeming Love" ~

 I am intrigued with thoughts of Zion. I want to have a better understanding of how I can become a “Zion” person. There are countless articles and books on the subject of Zion. Holy writ is saturated with songs and messages about Zion. For today I will focus on singing the songs of Zion. We are told that when our Savior, Jesus Christ, returns again we will sing songs of redeeming love.

 Isaiah 52:7-9  reads:  “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!

Break forth in joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem”. I look forward to that day. I want to lift my voice high in praises to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

 We find in Jeremiah 31:12;  “Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the Lord, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd; and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow anymore at all.”

 I do look forward to that day. How I love good music!  It seems to sooth my soul. It is there to give me rest on days that are difficult. There are many hymns I can now play on the piano and have also memorized the words. I can't overstate how much music can influence the spirit within us. Since returning to practice the piano each day and by learning these hymns, I have been blessed to experience the songs of Zion. They are full of peace, joy, faith and hope.

 In the preface of the LDS Church Hymn book, the First Presidency stated the following under the heading of Music in Our Personal Lives: ".....Hymns can lift our spirit, give us courage, and move us to righteous action. They can fill our souls with heavenly thoughts and bring us a spirit of peace.

 Hymns may also help us withstand the temptations of the adversary. We encourage you to memorize your favorite hymns and study the scriptures that relate to them. Then, if unworthy thoughts enter your mind, sing a hymn to yourself, crowding out the evil with the good.

......Let us use the hymns to invite the Sprit of the Lord into our congregations, our homes, and our personal lives. Let us memorize and ponder them, recite and sing them, and partake of their spiritual nourishment. Know that the song of the righteous is a prayer unto our Father in Heaven," and it shall be answered with a blessing upon your heads." It is true – this is how they touch me.

 The Doctrine and Covenants, section 66, verse 11 explains the divine purpose for singing redeeming love. “Keep these saying, for they are true and faithful; and thou shalt magnify thine office, and push many people to Zion with songs of everlasting joy upon their heads. Continue in these things even unto the end, and you shall have a crown of eternal life at the right hand of my Father, who is full of grace and truth. Verily, thus saith the Lord your God, your Redeemer, even Jesus Christ. Amen.”

 When the Savior comes there will be choirs on earth and from Heaven. I want to witness these moments and be part of this great event and sing the songs of redeeming love.

 Now - sit back, relax and listen to two songs of Zion by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir