General Conference - amid the pandemic

CELEBRATING THE LIVING CHRIST 

AND THE RESTORATION
200 Years of Light

In Pres. Nelson's closing remarks at the end of General Conference last October he talked about the how in the springtime of 2020 it would be exactly 200 years since Joseph Smith's First Vision.  This was the event that marked the onset of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness as foretold in the Holy Bible.  He said, "Thus the year 2020 will be designated as a bicentennial year.  General conference next April will be different from any previous conference. In the next six months, I hope that every member and every family will prepare for a unique conference that will commemorate the very foundations of the restored gospel."

  

He gave some suggestions of things to do to prepare:  Read afresh Joseph Smith's account of the First Vision.  Ponder about how our lives would be different is we didn't have the knowledge gained from the Book of Mormon, how the events of that followed the First Vision made a difference for me and my loved ones,  do the Come Follow Me study of the Book of Mormon and watch the new videos.  Select our own questions, design our own plan and immerse yourself in the glorious light of the Restoration.  "As you do, general conference next April will be not only memorable; it will be unforgettable."

So, I have tried to do things to prepare.  We loved studying the First Vision not only in the Pearl of Great Price, but with other sources - one of my favorites was the new series of podcasts about it.  They drew upon all of the different accounts written by Joseph Smith and they were very enlightening and thought provoking.  We do the Come Follow Me lessons each week together and then I do further study on my own during the week.  I have loved that time I have been giving myself to do that.  I have also really enjoyed the extra resources of the Don't Miss This podcasts about the Come Follow Me lessons and also the ones they did specifically for the Restoration.  The Book of Mormon Central Podcasts have also been another wonderful resource.  I also did some study about women and the priesthood that was very enjoyable and tried harder to enjoy and learn from the temple.  Our temple has closed for renovation and we have been going to the Cedar City Temple on our own and with our YSA Ward.  (Now all of the temples are closed because of Covid-19.) I'm still working on reading the 2nd volume of Saints.   I wish I could say I'm a great scripture scholar, but it just isn't so.  I try to learn on my own, but I also really enjoy these extra resources that people who are so great at really "seeing and hearing" what's in the scriptures share.  It really enhances my study so much and helps me see and hear things I would normally miss.  

Well, now after conference I have to say that, yes, it was different, unique, memorable and will be unforgettable.  I had no idea that throwing the Covid-19 virus into the mix would add to that.  It added to the mix by making it so that no one except the speakers and the cameramen would even be able to attend the conference.  They had to move it to a small auditorium on Temple Square.  The first presidency were there, sitting the mandated six feet apart.  Speakers came into the room when it was their turn.  The music was beautiful, pre-recorded songs by the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.  And no one hugged or shook hands with each other or got very close to each other.  They were speaking to an empty room, but all over the world people were listening at home with their families.  

Other unique things were the youth speakers: a 17 year-old girl and  a 15 year-old boy spoke in the Saturday evening session which was for all adults and youth 12 and up.  Also in that session President Nelson introduced a new symbol to identify our faith.  

The new symbol emphasizes the name of Jesus Christ and His central role in all the Church does.  The name of the Church is contained in a rectangular shape that represents a cornerstone.  The center of the symbol is a representation of Thorvaldsen's marble statue, the Christus.  Jesus stands under an arch as a reminder of His emergence from the tomb three days after His death. President Nelson said  the symbol portrays the resurrected, living Lord reaching out to embrace all who will come unto Him.

The Sunday Morning session of conference was a solemn assembly and President Nelson presented a proclamation in honor of Joseph Smith's First Vision: The Bicentennial Proclamation to the World:  The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ - he did it via a video he recorded earlier in the Sacred Grove.   Afterwards he led the worldwide congregation in the Hosanna Shout to commemorate the Restoration.

Another thing that happened was that Pres. Nelson called for a global day of fasting and prayer, that the present pandemic may be controlled, caregivers protected, the economy strengthened, and life normalized.  The fast is to take place on Good Friday, April 10.  

More temples were announced and the amazing thing is that one was announced for the People's Republic of China! They still won't let us proselyte there.




One more thing that was so cool was the closing song.  It was We Thank Thee, Oh God, For a Prophet.  It started with the choir and then on film they were joined by 6 other choirs from around the world, singing along in their own languages (Ghana, Mexico, South Korea, Brazil, Germany and New Zealand).  It was so beautiful!  It was the perfect joining of the world in a world that is so unable to join together right now.  

"This year, we commemorate the 200th anniversary of one of the most significant events in the history of the world--namely, the appearance of God the Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to Joseph Smith.  During that singular vision, God the Father pointed to Jesus Christ and said:  "This is My Beloved Son.  Hear Him!"  That admonition given to Joseph is for each of us.  We are to seek, in every way we can, to hear Jesus Christ, who speaks to us through the power and ministering of the Holy Ghost."

 ---President Russell M. Nelson

  

"The most important lasting effects of this historic conference will be as our hearts change and we commence a lifelong quest to hear Him." 

----President Russell M. Nelson

I loved this conference and I am so thankful for the way that preparing helped me to love it more.  I have felt my testimony of the restoration and of Jesus Christ and of Joseph Smith as a prophet grow.  I am so thankful to live at this time with the blessings of the restoration here and more coming as the restoration continues.  I am so thankful to know that Jesus Christ lived and that he died and rose again making the resurrection a reality for all of us as well as making the possibility of eternal life with our family available.  Every time I think of Weed and Bean I am grateful to know what the Savior did.  And not only for them, but for me and everyone else.  I'm full of gratitude to Joseph Smith (and Emma) for all he went through to help bring about the restoration and the Book of Mormon.  I love its clarity and truths that it brings to me.  I am so thankful to know that we have a prophet today that can help lead us back to Heavenly Father.  And I hope that I will be able to stand strong, be valiant and learn to better hear Him.  

Covid-19 - Just so I NEVER forget!

Gas price a mile from home was $2.29.
All schools cancelled.
Self-distancing measure on the rise.
Tape on the floors at grocery stores and others to help distance shoppers (6 ft) from each other.
Limited number of people inside stores, therefore, lineups outside the store doors.
Non-essential stores and businesses mandated closed.
Parks, trails, entire cities locked up.
Entire sports seasons cancelled.
Concerts, tours, festivals, entertainment events - cancelled.
Weddings, family celebrations, holiday gatherings - cancelled.
No masses, churches are closed.
No gatherings of 50 or more, then 20 or more, now 10 or more.
Don't socialize with anyone outside of your home.
Children's outdoor play parks are closed.
Working from home.
Terrified of friends and family job stability.
We are to distance from each other.
Shortage of masks, gowns, gloves for our front-line workers.
Shortage of ventilators for the critically ill.
Panic buying sets in and most stores have no toilet paper, no disinfecting supplies, no paper towels, no laundry soap, no hand sanitizer.
Shelves are bare.
Manufacturers, distilleries and other businesses switch their lines to help make visors, masks, hand sanitizer and PPE.
Government closes the border to all non- essential travel.
Fines are established for breaking the rules in some parts of the country.
Stadiums and recreation facilities open up for the overflow of Covid-19 patients.
Press conferences daily from the President.  Daily updates on new cases, recoveries, and deaths.
Government incentives to stay home.
Barely anyone on the roads.
People wearing masks and gloves outside.
Essential service workers are terrified to go to work.
Essential service workers are terrified to go to work.
Medical field workers are afraid to go home to their families.
5.7 Earthquake hit Utah (Magna) March 18th 2020.
6.5 Earthquaie hit Idaho (near Boise) March 31st 2020.

This is the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic, declared March 11, 2020.

Why, you ask, do I write this status?

One day it will show up in my memories, and it will be yearly reminder that life is precious and not to take the things we dearly love for granted.

We have so much!
Be thankful. Be grateful.

Be kind to each other - love one another - support everyone.

We are all one! 🧡

From a friend's post on Facebook.  A good reflection on what is happening.

I am seeing personally an in my family members that there are some positive effects of this whole thing happening.  People are having to just slow down and spend time with their family...me included.  We are doing the basic things, but there is just a lot of the running around stuff that we really can't be doing now.  Before this all started, I was just about ready to go crazy at work with all of the push, push stresses that were going on.  I was actually happy that they canceled school to have that stop.  I've enjoyed just going to work at school at whatever time I want and having time to go for a bike ride and eat lunch before I go in.  And I've enjoyed listening to podcasts and books while I'm there working alone.

 I miss going to all of the YSA activities, but even that was very time consuming and instead of that, I have enjoyed our efforts to call and talk individually to each member of our ward to check in and see how they are doing.  Many have been very appreciative of our reaching out to them...even some who never come.  (Only had one who was as rude as ever.)

I'm enjoying not feeling so rushed in so many ways and of just hanging out with Paul and Bean in a more relaxed setting.

I know it will have to go back to the normal rush sooner or later, but for now, in some ways, I'm enjoying just being more in the moment with the people that mean most to me.  I have enjoyed the little family text thing that Brynn set up for us to keep in touch better.  I'm grateful that people are posting things on Facebook and Instagram so I still can see what's happening with them.  And I'm trying harder to look for ways to reach out to the people I minister to.

I hope I will learn some positive things that I will take away from all of this.

Outdoor social distancing adventures of late

We've been taking hikes to places where not many people are - none at all here this day - and have greatly enjoyed getting out during this time of  "social distancing" because of the Coronivirus.  Feel just a little guilty about enjoying my time off work and it being hard times for many.  This day we took the hike on part of the Red Hill where Supe and Ari go for walks.  We love that all of the recent rains have filled up the pond at the top of the hike.  And this time we even saw a baby desert tortoise!  

Red Mountain Trail - this hike was perfect!  The weather was just right, it had been raining long enough to make lots of beautiful pools, but was sunny this day and the sand was all packed with water instead of being terrible to hike in.  We think we did 12-15 miles and it felt good!  We love this place.  I think this was the best time I've ever done this trail.  We saw a few people, but were able to keep our "social distance" as prescribed at this time.  Pictures can't even begin to do this beautiful place justice!

Last Saturday morning we took a beautiful bike ride up the West Canyon Trail in Snow Canyon!  It felt good!  Then in the afternoon we took Zade and Trigg to escape from being so much in the house and went to Supe's Pond again.  They had never been and loved seeing it and also the little side hike over to Courgar Rock.  Afterwards we stopped in at the drive through at BK for some ice cream cones and then took a ride around the St. George Temple to see how the renovation work is coming along.  It was such a fun time!  We had originally planned to go on a different shorter hike close to their house, but it was covered with people, so this turned out much better - we didn't run into anyone else.

Paul - looking good for Whistler Rabbit book bio

My sister Janet's husband wrote a really cute story - Whistler Rabbit - many years ago.  We have heard it over the years and always thought it would be a great little children's book.  We finally convinced him to go forward with it when Paul said he would do watercolor illustrations for it.  They have collaborated on it and now it is just about to go to publication!  So EXCITING!  Paul worked hard and the illustrations came out really well.  He had to turn in a short biography and picture for the book, so Bean took him up on the Red Hill and took some really nice shots of him.  Here they are!  He's lucky he takes good pictures and also lucky that Bean takes good pictures!  And I decided to scan in the pics he did for the illustrations and put them here too.  I'm not going to put the story in.  This is pretty exciting and fun for Paul to be involved in this project!  We can't wait to see how the book will turn out in print!  

Coronavirus, social distancing, Tavin transfers home from his mission...

Right now life is crazy!  This terrible disease - the Coronivirus - has really changed life.  We just got out of school for Spring Break week...and then we aren't going back until who knows when.  Kids will do on-line school.  The VP told me to come in when we are supposed to start back as they are going to try to find some kind of work for people to do who aren't on contracts like me.  We'll see how that goes.  Thank goodness we just signed up for me to get my SS benefits and for Paul to get spousal benefits.  If I lose my school income I will almost make it up through what we get from this.  We had hoped it would be extra income to use toward early pay off of the car, but if not, then I'm just glad we will have this instead.  Update:  Went to a meeting at the school this morning and it looks like I'm pretty much out of work til at least May 1st (the new date the schools have been shut down to for now).  They tried to think of something we could do, but when a co-worker and I actually talked to the kindergarten team, they looked pretty blank about the whole thing and are just trying to deal with the whole craziness of trying to provide some kind of on-line Kindergarten instruction.  We are so hands on that it's a pretty daunting task, I'm sure.  Speaking of hands on, Bean's technical college course basically got put on hold too.  The powers that be realized that with that kind of class (and other technical college classes) you just can't translate them into something on-line.  Now he and I both need to find something worthwhile to do with our time.  Thankfully, Paul still has some work and got a little more today.  Too bad I'm useless when he's the one who hurts with arthritis.  So now I need to get motivated about projects around the house that I can do.  Maybe I will learn to index finally.

Church is on an at home basis with our own sacrament meeting last Sunday and Paul blessing and passing the sacrament until further notice.  General Conference is going to be way different:  "Each session will be broadcast from a small auditorium on Temple Square.  The First Presidency will preside and conduct those sessions, and only those who have been invited to speak or pray will attend.  The music for the conference has been pre-recorded."  Today (March 22 - our 2nd week) we added watching Music and the Spoken Word to our Sunday routine.  Paul and I study our Come Follow Me Lesson for the week and then watch or listen to a podcast to go with it.  We take an outdoor walk in a secluded place on the Red Hill after lunch, take a nap and have Grandma, Bean and sometimes Supe and Beacher over for dinner.  We will keep trying to find the best way that works for us.

The stores are being bought out of all TP and canned goods and you have to line up to get into Costco now so as not to have too many people together in one place.(We are feeling glad that we have a bidet because we sure can't buy any toilet paper anywhere!) Businesses are just temporarily closing down.  and social distancing is the order of the day.

Tavin is coming home from his mission to the Philippines because the government wants all foreigners out of the country.  This was to be done within 72 hours.  He will have to come home and be quarantined for 14 days and then hopefully will be reassigned to do some kind of missionary work.  So...life is good, but it is crazy! (Sunday, March 22 - he arrives at the St. George Airport tonight at 11:42.  Only his parents can come to pick him up and then he's into his quarantine time. Update:  He arrived home and continues to serve/study from there and then be transferred back out to a stateside mission until and if the Philippines gets back to "normal" in time for him to go back and finish there.  The Church is calling these mission times, "the adventure of a lifetime".  And Tavin is keeping positive and enjoying it. (Getting him out of the Philippines was quite the adventure in itself - from getting the ferryman to let them on the ferry to get back to the MTC and then waiting there until the Church finally had to charter 5 planes to get all of the foreign missionaries out of the country.  He said there were miracles and tender mercies that made it all possible.

I have been working out on the treadmill as usual and Paul and I take walks.  Since I'm out of school I can go for bike rides when it's not raining.  We have gone outside on hikes where we know we won't be seeing a lot of other people to have the chance just to get out and enjoy some clean air and exercise.

The first Saturday after school ended for Spring Break Paul and I took a hike out behind Bloomington.  It's one that Supe showed us and we love the amazing views out there.  It had just rained recently and the trail and the air were clean washed, cool and beautiful!

On Monday Paul, Bean, me and Ferf and boys drove down to Falling Man Petroglyphs, over to the Sheep Wall and then to Hobgoblin's Playground (now knows and Little Finlandia) to hike around and see the amazing scenery.  It's a long, rough drive - especially to the Hobgoblin's), but we took our big truck and parked Ferf's car when it got to rough.  Gaige, Koen and Indy (the dog) were happy to ride in the back and get shakin' to pieces and the rest of us piled into the cab.  Such beautiful, amazing scenery.  We took our picnic lunches and then since it was getting pretty late by the time we got out, we stopped at Wendy's in Mesquite for dinner.  It was a long, but really fun day!  And we actually didn't hardly see anyone else except when we stopped for dinner.  It had been a really long time since we had been there.  I wouldn't do that drive again soon, but it was worth it and fun to share with people who hadn't been there before.

Koen is standing in under the namesake petroglyph - the Falling Man.  

Sciencepalooza - Grand Edventure with Trigg and Eliza

We had such a fun edventure with these two on Saturday, March 7th!  This was a really well done event with so many learning opportunities for the kids.  Afterwards we went to Wendy's for lunch.