January 20 -26, 2014

We have been trying to really focus on the Law of the Gospel this week and so did some research.  Here is some information we found on the church web site.  It gives us a new perspective of things and hopefully takes us to a higher level.  Hope you find it interesting enough to read and ponder.


LIGHT-MINDEDNESS

In latter days, the Lord has emphasized again how, in the words of the Book of Mormon, our “outward performances” (Alma 25:15), are defiling or edifying. What we say and how we act will create an atmosphere welcoming or hostile to the Holy Ghost. In the 88th section of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord counseled us to avoid “light speeches” and an “excess of laughter.” He associated such expressions with defects of the heart—“lustful desires,” “pride,” and “light-mindedness”—that finally proceed to “wicked doings” (D&C 88:69, 121). I take “light speeches” to refer to irreverent and demeaning language and “light-mindedness” to what the Lord has called trifling with sacred things (seeD&C 6:12).

See also Evil Speaking

To treat lightly sacred things (D&C 84:54).

• The Saints are not to have idle thoughts, nor an excess of laughter:D&C 88:69;
• Cease from all your pride and light-mindedness:D&C 88:121

• EVIL SPEAKING

  See also Contention; Gossip; Lying; Rumor
  Saying things that are wrong, hurtful, and wicked. Often in scripture such speaking is directed at a person with the specific intent to cause pain.
  • Keep thy tongue from evil :Ps. 34:13; ( 1 Pet. 3:10; )
  • An ungodly man diggeth up evil: Prov. 16:27;
  • Blessed are ye, when men shall say all manner of evil against you falsely: Matt. 5:11; ( 3 Ne. 12:11; )
  • Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts: Matt. 15:19; ( Mark 7:21; )
  • Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler: Acts 23:5;
  • Let all evil speaking be put away from you: Eph. 4:31;
  • Speak not evil one of another:James 4:11;
  • See that there is no backbiting, nor evil speaking:D&C 20:54;

  • D&C 63:61–64. “Let All Men Beware How They Take My Name in Their Lips”

    To take the name of the Lord in vain is often thought of only as profanity. Elder James E. Talmage offered a broader definition:
    “1. We may take the name of God in vain by profane speech.
    “2. We take it in vain when we swear falsely, not being true to our oaths and promises.
    “3. We take it in vain in a blasphemous sense when we presume to speak in that name without authority.
    “4. And we take his name in vain whenever we willfully do aught that is in defiance of his commandments, since we have taken his name upon ourselves.” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1931, pp. 53.)

  • UNGODLY

    See also Filth, Filthiness; Sin; Unrighteous, Unrighteousness; Wicked, Wickedness
    Someone or something that is not in accordance with the will or commandments of God; wicked and unholy.
    • The way of the ungodly shall perish: Ps. 1:6;
    • If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly appear?:1 Pet. 4:18;
    • Deny yourselves of all ungodliness:Moro. 10:32;
    • Vengeance comes speedily upon the ungodly:D&C 97:22;
    • Among the ungodly, the Savior’s voice was not raised:D&C 138:20;
    • Total chastity before marriage and total fidelity after are still the standard from which there can be no deviation without sin, misery, and unhappiness.⁴

    • Introduction

      President Spencer W. Kimball told the following fable to illustrate how pure thoughts and righteous living affect us:
      “Lord George had led an evil life. He had been a drunkard, a gambler, and a cheat in business, and his face reflected the life he had led. It was a very evil face.
      “One day he fell in love with a simple country girl to whom he proposed marriage. Jenny Mere told him that she could never marry a man whose face was so repulsive and so evil-looking; and also that when she did marry, she wanted a man with a saint-like face, which was the mirror of true love.
      “Following a custom of the day, Lord George went down to Mr. Aeneas. … Aeneas made waxen masks for people, and his skill was so art-perfect that the person’s identity was completely hidden. … Aeneas went to his storeroom, selected a mask, heated it over a lamp, fixed it to Lord George’s face; and when Lord George looked in the glass, he had the face of a saint who loved dearly. So altered was his appearance that Jenny Mere was soon wooed and won.
      “He bought a little cottage in the country, almost hidden in an arbor of roses, with a tiny garden spot. From then on his entire life changed. He became interested in nature; he found ‘sermons in stones, books in brooks, and good in everything.’ Formerly he was blasé and life had no interest for him; now, he was engrossed in kindliness, and the world around him.
      “He was not content with starting life anew, but tried to make amends for the past. Through a confidential solicitor he restored his ill-gotten gains to those whom he had cheated. Each day brought new refinements to his character, more beautiful thoughts to his soul.
      “By accident, his former companions discovered his identity. They visited him in his garden, and urged him to return to his old evil life. When he refused, he was attacked, and the mask was torn from his face.
      “He hung his head. Here was the end of all; here was the end of his new-found life and his love dream. As he stood with bowed head, with the mask at his feet on the grass, his wife rushed across the garden and threw herself on her knees in front of him. When she looked up at him, what do you suppose she found? Line for line, feature for feature, the face was the same as that of the mask. Lines of beauty—regular features.”
      President Kimball concluded the story, saying, “There is no doubt that the life one leads, and the thoughts one thinks are registered plainly in his face” (as quoted in Conference Report, Apr. 1975, 119–20; or Ensign, May 1975, 80–81).
    • Our thoughts influence our actions. Pure thoughts and desires lead to righteous living. Evil thoughts cause us to lose the Spirit of the Lord and can lead us to do evil.
      To keep our minds clean, we should always strive to think about the things of God. We should ponder the truths of the gospel and pray constantly. As we do these things, we are promised great blessings. The Lord has promised: “Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God. … The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion” (D&C 121:45–46).
      We can keep our thoughts pure by avoiding evil. When a bad thought enters our minds, we should immediately think about something inspiring such as a hymn, poem, or scripture. We can also pray for the Lord’s help to resist unclean thoughts.

    Monday the Temple Missionaries went to lunch at OutBack for the last time with the Hoskins.  They headed home on Wednesday.  Kenny, their son-in-law flew in from Alaska Tuesday night to go home with them.  It was a great help and relief for Jacque.  We miss them.  

    • 
      
    • 
       Elder Lewis met this young man, Benjamin, in the lobby.  He is a member of the Church and lives in our building.  First time we have seen him.
      
      
       This is the third week and the week the Every Day Branch comes to the temple for baptisms after their block meetings.  Elders Walker and Clark and their wives come with as many of the sisters who want to come to either do a session or baptisms.  They always need brothers to help so Paul has always stayed to help and then stays to help with the 4 pm veil.  They don't need me and so I either go home or go over to the Kowloon Bldg. and visit the Distribution Center or Mission Office.
      
      
      
      

      

      This mother and daughter were doing baptisms and Paul got to assist. 

       We were meeting our friend Alice, from China, in the Kowloon Bldg. and ran into Sister Lee and her companion.  Sister Lee served in the temple with us before starting her mission in HK.  We had also had several mission districts in the temple this week.  They send about 10 on each session.  Fun to have them.
      
      

      

      Alice and her friend Chris from NY State.  He is here visiting her in China.  They have been conversing by Skype for over a year.  She retires in July and may get a fiancee visa.  Alice is very faithful and we have enjoyed knowing her.  She is teaching institute in her Branch.

       We invited them to dinner Thursday night and then walked down the promenade and to the shuttle bus.  We came by the l86l square and saw the beautiful decorations for Chinese New Year.
      

      

      This venue changes 4-5 times per year.  

       Our apartment building have finally put out the orange trees and the Cherry Blossom tree.  I was beginning to wonder if they would.  It stands for prosperity and wealth.  They are everywhere now.
      
      
      
      
       Friday we had a big day at the temple.  A group of 80 English teachers who are teaching in China came for a conference.  They also came to the temple.  President Wong and the temple presidency had everything laid out and it went perfectly.  Wonderful sessions with much reverence and love.
      
      
    • Saturday morning about seven of us, Area and Temple Missionaries, walked down the promenade and waited in line to get tickets for the New Year Parade on Friday night.  We were # 25 in line.  The first person had gotten there at midnight.  We arrived around 4:10.  We had to move on to the temple so the Aardemas came and replaced us.  We were able to get good tickets.  We saw it last year and really enjoyed it.  
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      Sister & Elder Aardema, Sister Crockett, Elder  Gregory, Paul, Elder Sullivan, Elder Crockett

       Saturday was another big day at the temple.  We had 110 Priesthood and their wives from China here for Priesthood training.  It was also well organized and went very well.  They had invited many of the daily coordinators to come in and assist since the patrons were all Mandarin speakers.  It was another wonderful day.
      
      
       After leaving the temple we caught the MTR and a light rain and headed out to visit with Tim and Candy Fife.  Candy had a nice dinner prepared for us.  It was so good.  We ended up bringing all the green onion pancakes home with us.  Had a great time with Spencer (7) . He is quite the talker and likes to play.   We had such a fun time with Sophia, Spencer and Daniel.  Tommy was off to a class.
      
      
      

      

      Tim, Spencer, Daniel, Candy and Sophia

      

      Elder Lewis with Bishop Fan and his clerk

      
      

      

      The Crocketts, new Area Missionaries who will be serving in Pen 3

      
      

      

      Ellen

      
      

      

      Liberato Jequinto and his wife

      
      

      

      Mama Baby and Fe skyping

      
      

      

      Marilez Magallanes

      
      

      

      Primary Workers:  Delsa, Nida, Sue, Lisa, Mar Jean

      
      

      

      Sue & Mar Jean

      
      

      

      Sunny Wen & Paul

      
      

      

      My Visiting Teachers:  Taeia Kong and Yessie Perdomo and Michelle

    • In Gospel Doctrine class Sunday we learned a great motto from Sister Dodson and we want to adopt it.  

    1. Live to Learn
    2. Live to Love
    3. Live to Serve

    •  

January 13 - 19, 2014

Monday the Senior Temple couples, under the direction of the Victors, went to Sai Kung for the day.  We took the MTR to Diamond Hill then caught bus 92 to the fishing village.  A beautiful place.  We walked along the promenade, thru the village and took a junket boat out to a small island, walked across the foot bridge to another island, climbed to the top to see the beautiful scenery and then back to the boat.  Our captain was a 78 year old Chinese woman.

We had lunch at Anthony's Ranch where we all had pulled pork or brisket with fries, coleslaw, drink and soup or salad. Very yummy.  Really fun day together.

Waiting for the MTR

Steps going into Diamond Hill Mall

A little vegetable/fruit market where we tried beet juicer and mango.

The boat we took out to the island

Scott and his daughter Abgail who took us around the village.  They are friends of the Victors from Oregon years ago.

Tuesday we were invited to speak in the Victoria 2 Every Day Branch.  It was very small (maybe 8 sisters) but very strong spirit.  We so admire Elder & Sister Walker and Clark.  They do a wonderful job with these sisters.  They have church every day, Tuesday thru Saturday and work about 16 hrs. a day.

Paul preparing his talk

Sisters from the Branch.  They were surprised when Elder Lewis bore his testimony in Tagalo.

Sunny Wed and Ken, Security at the WanChai Bldg.

We had some wonderful groups at the temple this week.  One family which Paul had contact with were from China.  The father is in a wheelchair and Paul was able to help him several times.  Their daughter served a mission in Australia before they were members.  The father was so angry at her he would not talk to her for a year and then his heart softened and they joined.  During this temple trip the family was sealed.  Paul got to participate in the sealing and be the proxy for his father.  They were all really overcome by the spirit.  We have seen them every day in the temple.  Also we meet a lovely girl from Thailand, Pinky Saociwit.  She has been here for two weeks.  She has been a member for 20 years.  Her son is a member but inactive at the present time but very supportive.  He gave her this temple trip for Christmas and makes it possible for her to attend church every week even though she has to leave her home on Saturday in order to get to Church on Sunday.  A bus does not leave her city in time to make it to church.  Such dedication.  

Brother & Sister Choi, temple assist recorder and Bishop

Saturday after the temple day we had a wonderful dinner and testimony meeting with The Temple Presidency, recorder and three couples who are going home.  It was a wonderful evening, great food made by the sisters and wonderful testimonies of how the Lord provided a way for each one of us to serve here in HK.   

Patrick and Kathy Wong, Temple President & Matron from Brisbane, Australia

President Wong shared with us again how he was serving as Stake President in HK the second time when President Hinckley came to look for a site for the temple.  They were in a Priesthood meeting and President Wong mentioned that where the Stake Center and Mission Home were was not a good area.  lots of motels.  Pres. Hinckley said "that is great, we will have lots of people coming and they will have a place to stay".  Another Brother said, not that kind of hotel, these are love hotels."  As President Hinckley left he turned and shook his head and said "I come for advice and you confuse me."  After the temple was begun one by one each motel shut down.  Not only is the temple holy but area around it.

President & Sister Yuen, 1st Counselor

TheYuens have been members for 40 years.  Pres. Yuen said he learned early to never turn down a calling.  They had to have special permission to serve in the presidency because they are not yet retired.  He is temple security and she is custodian of the temple and patron housing.  Finer people you could not know anywhere.  So humble and loving.

President & Sister Hui, 2nd Counselor

 President and Sister Hui also had receive special permission.  To be in a temple presidency you need to be 55.  He was not turning 55 until December.  They saw the Lord's hand in their lives preparing them for this call at least two years ago.  At the time they did not know it.  Their daughter graduated and took a job in HK.  He came to find her an apartment.  They had always lived on HK Island before immigrating to Canada but he found an apartment in the New Territories.  They had a large home in Toronto and his mother lived with them.  He had decided to go back to work since they have a son serving in Irvine, CA and would be traveling into China a lot.  They were able to sell their home and get his mother settled and then the call came to serve in the HK Temple.

Brother & Sister Lee

Brother Lee has been the temple recorder since the temple opened.  Sister Lee and her children went to the States for 7 years but Brother Lee would not come because he would not leave the temple.  She is an ordinance worker one day a week and finds many answers to her prayers in the temple.  She has just been called as RS president for the 4th time.  

Sister & Elder Hoskins (Jackie & Jerald)

 Jackie thought this mission was Jerry's mission.  He served here 50 years ago as a young missionary but she thinks she is the one who has grown the most.

Elder & Sister Victor (Sue & Mike)

 Elder & Sister Victor serve the Lord with zest and love wherever they go.  They are great ambassadors and missionaries to everyone they come in contact with.  They speak to everyone on the MTR, buses or stores.  What an example of love for the Savior.  We love Mike's sense of humor, he is fun to be around.

Mar Jean & Paul

 This is the best time of life--serving the Lord and being together.  We complement each other in our abilities and support and love each other.  We are truly blessed.  The examples we have seen of humility and love for the Savior have changed our lives forever.

Three sets of senior missionaries going home in January & February

Presidency and Missionaries

Shannon playing prelude

Michelle's employer family and Sister Missionaries

Pen 3 having some after Church dinner

WHAT A GREAT WEEK

January 6 - 12, 2014

Monday we decided to head back to Stanley for a few things.  We knew the Hoskins would be leaving soon and so invited Jackie to go with us.  We had a really fun day.  She was able to find a really cute reversible jacket and some scarves and ties for her grandchildren and we picked up a couple more ties and nail files.  We had lunch outside at NYF and McDonalds and enjoyed walking thru the stalls.  

Tuesday, our OAD, we went to Wanchai and visited with Dora and several of the Senior Missionaries and also saw Tim Fife.  We set up a time to get together with his family before we leave.  He is headed off to Bangkok for a few days.  I think he does a lot of traveling.  Candy does a great job with the kids and home while he is gone.  She is such an energetic Mom and wife.

At the temple this week they have started to put in the New Year's flowers.  We learned that the orange trees are seen everywhere because they represent prosperity.  

 We had a lot of local patrons at the temple this week.  Also the Taylor family from Shenzhan came for their son to receive his endowment before leaving for a mission to Brisbane, Australia Mandarin speaking.  They also have a daughter serving in Sweden.  It is so amazing.  We also had a young couple from Mongolia and India who were us all week and into this coming week.

Sunday at Church Paul left early for a Presidency meeting and Branch Council meeting.  I came an hour later.  We were expecting President Collins to be back and he was except that he came back sick and so did not make it to Church.  We have missed him.

It was 2nd Sunday so we had a dinner afterwards.  Always a great time to visit and enjoy each other.  we seem to have a lot of new members coming into the Branch.

Yessie and Paul 

Janet getting the food on the table.

Sisters gathering around Sister Watkins and Dodson

Sisters Watkins, Dodson, Lewis and Brother Sunny Wen

Paul had asked Brother Holmes to teach the Gospel Doctrine class and during the Presidency meeting he called and said his Boss called and he would not make it.  Paul had prepared next weeks lesson so gave it and Brother Holmes will try again next week.  My Primary class went very well.  We reviewed the Plan of Salvation and then Jesus's role in creating the world and how Satan wanted to take away our agency.

While reading last weeks lesson I came across this statement from the Institute manual and loved it.  This should be the motto of our FAMILY.

Moses 7:16–20—Building and Establishing Zion

President Spencer W. Kimball spoke of establishing Zion in our day:

“May I suggest three fundamental things we must do if we are to ‘bring again Zion.’ …

“First, we must eliminate the individual tendency to selfishness that snares the soul, shrinks the heart, and darkens the mind. …

“Second, we must cooperate completely and work in harmony one with the other. There must be unanimity in our decisions and unity in our actions.…

“‘If the Spirit of the Lord is to magnify our labors, then this spirit of oneness and cooperation must be the prevailing spirit in all that we do’ …(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 1983.) …

“Third, we must lay on the altar and sacrifice whatever is required by the Lord. We begin by offering a ‘broken heart and a contrite spirit.’ We follow this by giving our best effort in our assigned fields of labor and callings.We learn our duty and execute it fully. Finally we consecrate our time,talents and means as called upon by our file leaders and as prompted by the whisperings of the Spirit” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1978, 122–24; or Ensign, May 1978, 81).