I'm most grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ #Give Thanks Indeed

 

Scriptures give us identity, perspective and equilibrium

 I know the scriptures are true!  I am so grateful for their truths about the Godhead, our relationship with them, the atonement of Jesus Christ,  prophetic teachings, messages of love and comfort about repentance and mercy, the plan of salvation and how we can return to our Heavenly Father and how we can help others along their paths. 

#Give Thanks

My parents had a huge impact on my life.  They were beautiful inside and out.  Our family took great vacations in a truck and camper visiting often at Glen Canyon Dam when it was being constructed, the California beach, redwoods, San Francisco, San Diego, St. Louis, Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, Seattle, Tacoma and Vancouver Washington and places all over Utah.

They were an excellent example of service, devotion to the Lord and love of each other and their children.  They served 3 missions together, all Spanish speaking.  My father loved the latino people and they loved him back.

We learned to love music and play the piano (some better than others, Carol I'm looking at you). Mom encouraged all musical endeavors.  In my early years I remember my father singing Spanish songs on his guitar he brought home from Mexico where he served his first mission. 

My father encouraged me in entrepreneurial activities.  I once sold frozen snicker bars on a stick at the 4th of July parade in Cedar City. I bought them at 5cents and sold them for 10 cents. He also hired me to file the papers he received at work for 10 cents an hour.  At the time he was making $4.00/hour.

They supported 3 of us serving missions at one time.  

Mom made Christmas Eve dinner a memorable event. 

They opened their home to countless travelers and relatives and even foster children.

They built their last home when they were in their 60's.  Hard workers always.

I'm so incredibly thankful that I was privileged to come to these parents.  I learned many more lessons from them and as I grow older even more come to mind. Thanks Mom and Dad, I love you.

 #give thanks
 

A Fine Collection of Humans

 This is a blog piece I wrote in 2006 before grandchildren were a thing.  Seems like my mind's eye       prophecy was bountifully fulfilled. "Let Me Tell You About My Grandchildren..."

As I have contemplated my birthday dinner at Buca de Beppo's this past week, I have wondered why there is such a great feeling of joy whenever I am with my family. Some people don't like their children I guess. I hear about that occasionally. I can't think of anyone else I would rather spend time with. The Gillespie children I am so fond of are witty, intelligent, kind, thoughtful, interesting, spiritually based, nice looking, well-groomed, and talented in a diverse manner. Not only that, they have brought into the family those same kinds of people when they marry. Imagine the wonderful grandchildren these people will produce. It's no wonder there is joy in my heart. I think the spirit of love that exists when we are together is the reason for my joy and rejoicing. I hope we can expand our circle without diluting the love. That will mean that we resist criticism and fault-finding, encourage service and remember always that these relationships are eternal. We aren't perfect yet and mistakes will be made, probably mostly by me, but as we learn to love unconditionally and forgive we will develop the eternal attributes that we seek

We haven't had a family picture done for a couple of years so the cutest ones are missing from this photo. They are Tyler and Jacob Gillespie, John Valdez, Julia, James and John Oliphant 

and Rebecca Gaines.

I love all of these people so much.  I'm so very grateful to know them. 

The Lord has richly blessed me and I acknowledge his hand and truly thank Him for the blessing of family. 

#Give Thanks

Grateful for Earth's Naturally Beautiful Places

 Have you ever visited Zion National Park?  Did it leave a magical impression on your mind?  I think it is one of the most beautiful places on earth.  I'm so grateful for the lovely places Jesus Christ caused to be created on our planet. It took a while for this canyon to form from the steady but almost imperceptible wind and water erosion of the sandstone rock. But He knew the end from the beginning and located this incredible place to hike and explore nature in our backyard. People are now coming from all over the world to experience this Southern Utah gem.  #Give Thanks

Grateful for beautiful temples

The temple

     has been so important

 in my life the past 15 years or so. 

 This is where my testimony of Our Savior Jesus Christ

 has it's roots. This is a place of peace and safety, quiet and calm.

This is where you go to find yourself.

This is where you realize that God really does know your name.

This is where you feel connected to your historical family as you do their important temple work.

I'm looking forward to attending again soon.  

#Give Thanks

 

Grateful for a Prophet of God

 President Russell M. Nelson is a great blessing to the world at this time.  I'm so grateful for his leadership, love and direction.  Here is an explanation about how the video he shared yesterday came to be.   #Give Thanks

              An Unexpected Awakening

Have you ever had the experience of waking up in the middle of the night with a distinct thought or impression? Since beginning my ministry as the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I’ve had my share of unexpected awakenings. Many of these have proven to be special and sacred moments from God. I want to share one such experience related to the special video message that was released today, November 20, 2020.

A few weeks ago, I woke in the middle of the night with the thought that I should offer a prayer of gratitude to God for all of His children around the globe. Thoughts flooded my mind of all of the things for which we should be grateful and how expressing that gratitude could become a healing spirit in our lives. As the inspiration came, specific details, including when and how I should share this message, came to my mind and heart. The video message shared today was not one that came by chance; it is one that came from heaven.

One of the Greatest Gifts of God

Since my service as President of the Church in 2018, one of the things the Spirit has repeatedly impressed upon my mind is how willing the Lord is to reveal His mind and will. The marvelous privilege of receiving revelation is one of the greatest gifts of God to His children—available to every one of us.

No matter who you are, you can pray to your Heavenly Father for guidance and direction in your life. If you learn to hear the Lord through His promptings, you may receive divine guidance in matters large and small.

I am grateful for the awakenings I have received in my life that have helped me to know that the heavens really are open today. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is the greatest example of both heeding the will of His Father and giving thanks in all things.

In Every Thing Give Thanks

As I said in my video message, I have concluded that counting our blessings is far better than recounting our problems. No matter our situation, showing gratitude for our privileges is a unique, fast-acting, and long-lasting spiritual prescription. Simply stated, “In every thing give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Please consider accepting my invitation to flood social media for the next seven days with your own personal gratitude journal using #GiveThanks. And please join with me and others in thanking God through daily prayer. Prayers can bring forth miracles. May we all turn to God and more fully trust in Him.