Week nine - the summer starts in earnest
Dear ones (plus everyone else reading our blog)
We are seeing a definite increase in the number of patrons coming, principally youth. Friday, the Charlotte Central Stake came for youth baptisms - over 100 youth and 600 plus baptisms. Uncle David and I were talking about going for youth baptisms when we were teenagers; he had one opportunity and the ward scheduled another activity over the top. Now we have youth coming weekly (in Payson, at least, and the Wasatch Front Temples). The Church is accommodating the youth and they are coming. Amazing faithfulness.
Monday was FHE with Brother Morey for the fourth time. This time he spoke about ancient temple ceremonies including the Joseph Smith papyri translations. Every item is essentially correct as set out in the Pearl of Great Price facsimiles. Nibley addressed them in a book and I intend to get it (only available through Amazon for $50 new.) For an uneducated person like Joseph Smith to get dozens of things right when experts had only begun translating Egyptian 2 years earlier and he had NO access to those resources points to only one conclusion; he had divine help. He was a prophet.
This applies to the temple ceremonies also. There are early Christian documents as well as ceremonial clothing, Egyptian Book of the Dead, even Chinese and other ancient documents, which are remarkably in accord with what we know about the temple. Another example of coincidence! Or not. How many coincidences add up to proof? For the unbeliever, there is no number high enough because they do NOT want to come to the truth. For the faithful, it is a moot question because we believe without proof. The proofs simply strengthen our faith. Signs follow, not precede, faith.
Work went well in the Temple, with more miracles. Thursday our group went to Menden and coincidentally the caretaker for the Tomlinson Inn was there.
It was a stage stop and is in the middle of nowhere even today. This was where (coincidentally), Samuel Smith met Phineas Young and sold him a Book of Mormon.
Brother Young started out unbelieving, but in two weeks read it twice, before passing it to his father John Young, his sister, and two of his brothers, one of whom was named Brigham. The family was made up of hard working craftsmen who had moved to find a place to be successful. The surrounding country still has Brigham Young chairs and houses he constructed as a master carpenter. Obviously the Lord knew where to find him and the rest of the family as well as Heber C Kimball, great-grandfather of Spencer W Kimball. Never doubt, as the caretaker told us, that you are where you are for the purposes of the Lord. He brings about his mighty works through the weak and lowly. Even you and I.
Neither Brigham nor Heber had much education, but within years they were preaching mighty sermons in Great Britain and confounding the wise and learned. Our Heavenly Father knew who he wanted and what they could do. (Our you can just chalk up another coincidence.)
I include a picture of the Tomlinson Inn puncheon floor which I found fascinating.
Notice the dowels holding it together. Also, in the John Young home, this is a picture of an original beam in the door with a peg holding it together.
The Young's built the house almost 200 years ago and it still lasts.
It is actually in two pieces with a two story addition added to both halves.
I participated in several miracles Friday and Saturday, I hope the patrons thanked the Lord for them. Our Sunday lesson on the Priesthood was touching with two sisters there. We'll continue next week. Mom did an amazing job of cooking in our little kitchen for the Linger Longer. After the lunch we took a plate to Sister Bellusci and blessed the sacrament for her again. It was a Spirit filled day, and here we are now.
Love Elder Grandad
We are seeing a definite increase in the number of patrons coming, principally youth. Friday, the Charlotte Central Stake came for youth baptisms - over 100 youth and 600 plus baptisms. Uncle David and I were talking about going for youth baptisms when we were teenagers; he had one opportunity and the ward scheduled another activity over the top. Now we have youth coming weekly (in Payson, at least, and the Wasatch Front Temples). The Church is accommodating the youth and they are coming. Amazing faithfulness.
Monday was FHE with Brother Morey for the fourth time. This time he spoke about ancient temple ceremonies including the Joseph Smith papyri translations. Every item is essentially correct as set out in the Pearl of Great Price facsimiles. Nibley addressed them in a book and I intend to get it (only available through Amazon for $50 new.) For an uneducated person like Joseph Smith to get dozens of things right when experts had only begun translating Egyptian 2 years earlier and he had NO access to those resources points to only one conclusion; he had divine help. He was a prophet.
This applies to the temple ceremonies also. There are early Christian documents as well as ceremonial clothing, Egyptian Book of the Dead, even Chinese and other ancient documents, which are remarkably in accord with what we know about the temple. Another example of coincidence! Or not. How many coincidences add up to proof? For the unbeliever, there is no number high enough because they do NOT want to come to the truth. For the faithful, it is a moot question because we believe without proof. The proofs simply strengthen our faith. Signs follow, not precede, faith.
Work went well in the Temple, with more miracles. Thursday our group went to Menden and coincidentally the caretaker for the Tomlinson Inn was there.
Neither Brigham nor Heber had much education, but within years they were preaching mighty sermons in Great Britain and confounding the wise and learned. Our Heavenly Father knew who he wanted and what they could do. (Our you can just chalk up another coincidence.)
I include a picture of the Tomlinson Inn puncheon floor which I found fascinating.
I participated in several miracles Friday and Saturday, I hope the patrons thanked the Lord for them. Our Sunday lesson on the Priesthood was touching with two sisters there. We'll continue next week. Mom did an amazing job of cooking in our little kitchen for the Linger Longer. After the lunch we took a plate to Sister Bellusci and blessed the sacrament for her again. It was a Spirit filled day, and here we are now.
Love Elder Grandad
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