Words of Living Prophets

The prophet of the Restoration: Joseph Smith, Jr.

Our prophet today: Thomas S. Monson

I am looking forward to General Conference this coming weekend more than in any time in the past. I have a firm testimony that the true and complete Church of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith, including the priesthood of God. Living prophets are on the earth once more who speak to Him and receive guidance for us today. Now, I need to listen to what Heavenly Father is telling me through His ordained servants. I am trying to prepare myself to understand those things. We are so excited to take Todd with us again. He is such a great young man and it will be fun to discuss impressions and feelings he experiences while with us. It is such a treat for Greg and me to get to take grandkids with us to General Conference. Next spring it will be Kate's turn and then Morgan's in the fall.

I am grateful that temple ordinances, an innate part of Christ's true church always, were also restored. I am realizing more than ever that temple worship is at the core of the gospel and that I have responsibilities as a member today to perform saving ordinances...particularly for my own ancestors who have passed on that we may be eternally welded together as families. I am at a time in my life that this should take a high priority! Another message I am hearing and cannot ignore is our responsibility and privilege to share this restored gospel with others. I am trying to develop faith that Heavenly Father will put interested people in my way when He can trust that I won't overlook them. I need to start praying in faith for those opportunities. I don't know why it should be so hard because the gospel and its teachings are the sole reason my life is so joyful!

I want to rid my life of anything that is not Christlike and spend my time serving Him in any way I can. There are so many things to do with my time that are worthwhile, fun, even exciting that are in some way serving my Savior. He has blessed me beyond words and I owe Him so much more than I have been giving. I am doing a little better...and I WILL do even better...I promise...and I will report my progress now and from time to time.

Some progress made thus far:

Greg and I had the opportunity to attend the temple last Saturday morning and with the help of Cindy and DJ did proxy baptisms for 11 of Greg's ancestors. Greg and I then did the sealings which bound them to their parents. I have gone to the temple all my life but New Family Search has made it possible for even technology infants like us to prepare names for the temple. I now understand what our prophets have tried to tell us for years. We felt these ancestors presence and knew that at least some had accepted those ordinances done in their behalf. I am also working on my line and am finding great joy in this work! It is rather addicting!

I caught the "food canning, drying, preservation of any kind" bug!!! I have been working this year on living more providently and we were blessed with an unbelievable garden this year in spite of several big hailstorms in June. I have dried tomatoes, zuccini, golden rod squash, peaches, bananas, and apples thus far. I have bottled peaches, and spaghetti sauce, and am doing applesauce today. I used to do all of this while on the ranch but took a 22-year hiatus and I shouldn't have! I am enjoying it so much! We have given garden produce galore to neighbors and friends and I commented to Greg that it is like the loaves and the fishes...it multiplies upon sharing it! We have onions in abundance and several banana squash to both give away and put away for the winter. The only thing we didn't plant this year that we wished we had was red potatoes. But we are making room and plans for that next year. We have been composting this year as well and that has been so fun! We are excited to dig all our wonderful decomposed lawn clippings, etc. into our garden areas this fall. Some dirty pine trees are being removed from our berm today so that we can beautify that area in the front between us and our neighbors and we are digging our flower beds wider in the back yard to make more room for produce next year. This is all fun and exciting! ...certainly not what the world tells us that fun is...but the "joy" kind of fun! I LOVE life!

I have thoroughly enjoyed spending more time with our kids, their spouses, our grandchildren and our parents this year. There is NO greater joy than that! Families can be together forever, but we have to do our part! Our family motto is : "Ordinances received, covenants made; it's the Kingdom of Heaven or nothing!" Eternity will only be heavenly if ALL of us are there together! We love them all so much! Our prayers every day are that we will all remember who we are and do those things that will allow us to be a "forever family".