22 Nov 2024, Friday

 22 Nov 2024, Friday

Prioritized Daily Task

1:45 PM - Physical Therapy appointment

I was up at 6:30 AM, had prayer, and let Debbie sleep.  Later we had prayer together.  I received an LOI, Letter of Intent, from Jimmy Morris that A&M Investment and Janie Morris Dunman will sell their interest in the 3 nursing homes, Flouyd, Gateway, and Friendship, in Georga.  I sent a copy of Michael, Matthew, Melodie, Autumn, and Brett.  I helped Debbie get things together to take up to the cabin this weekend for our Thanksgiving family get-together next week.  I called David back with customer service at Cardio Miracle, a nitric oxide supplement.  He called to see how Debbie and I are doing taking Cardio Miracle.  It is difficult to know much since we have only take it since Nov. 16th, a week.  But my Apple watch that monitors my sleep showed I got the best night's sleep score I have ever recorded, 859.  SleepWatch Scores range from 1–999, with 1–249 considered poor, 250–499 fair, 500–749 good, and 750–999 excellent.  I have been pretty constant scoring in the good range.  You do get old and the body starts wearing out.  Aging is like climbing a mountain, when you get to the top and start down you pick up speed.  I am just trying to keep the breaks on this aging process.  There are also some spiritual laws I try and follow to the renewing and sanctifying of my body.  D&C 84:33 For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.  President Russell M. Nelson is 100 years old and many of those who work with him are up in years.  Many of them are still carrying a full workload of 40 hours or more of work a week.  I took the Outback Subaru and drove to two pharmacies to see if I could purchase a couple of over-the-counter drugs using my Humana Visit Debie card with over $700 available but it was not accepted at Walgreens or Macy's.  I went to physical therapy.  I tried to use it for my $20 co-pay and it was not accepted.  I called Humana and spoke with several people.  The last person said I can only use the card for vision and dental or hearing.  I went to the Legacy Center Gym and did some exercising, jogging half a mile and walking another half a mile.  When I got home Debbie was back from grocery shopping for next week and we rode to Porter's basketball game and later to watch Abby play basketball.  Several of the girls are seniors and two have been signed by women's pro basketball teams.  When Debbie and I got home we ate dinner, watched some TV, and read before going to bed at 11 PM.

Pharmacy, hair cut, exercise, and PT 

Note: Some of the notes I kept from reading President Russell M. Nelson's book, Heart of the Matter

 P.43  In all of eternity, none will ever know you or care about you as much as Heavenly Father does. P.51 The way you think about who you are affects every decision you will ever make.  P.47

Any abuse or prejudice toward another because of nationality, race, sexual orientation, gender educational degrees, culture, or any other significant identifiers is offensive to our Maker! P. 49  The relentless efforts of cancel culture to render another person unworthy of respect, just because they have a different point of view, are unfair, distressing and paralyze rich dialogue that could advance a society. P.58

If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy that we can say about another person, then say we should say it whether to his face or behind her back- - -that should be our standard of communication. P.61.   The Savior admonished His disciples to build, lift, encourage, persuade, and inspire---no matter how difficult the situation. P.60

The Creator forgives, nature never does.                                                      “The family is ordained of God.  Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan.  Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.” P. 79,80

How to acquire the gift of Charity – Pray to the Father with all the energy of your heart, which He hath bestowed upon all who are the true followers of His Son Jesus Christ. P.63

Salvation is an individual matter, but exaltation is a family matter. P.68.  The only thing that satisfies the yearning of the human spirit is the perpetuation (the act of prolonging or causing to exist indefinitely)  of family love. P.69. 

The eight “Ates”

Anticipate, Appreciate, Celebrate, Cooperate, Elevate, Motivate; Radiate, and Supplicate (ask or beg for something earnestly or humbly)    P. 73,74

Parenting is arguably the toughest --- and most important --- Job on earth. P. 74

“Nothing is more noble, more venerable than fidelity.” Cicero P.76

The Holy Ghost can and will be your personal tutor as you live worthy of this blessing.  P. 89

Husbands, the most important priesthood responsibility is to care for your wife. P.90 

The culminating act of all Creation was the creation of woman!  Eve was the grand summation of all the marvelous work that had gone before. President Gordon B. Hinckley P.91

 For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies. D&C 84:33. I (Russell M. Nelson) am presently experiencing the sustaining strength and renewal by the Lord in my own life as I age, I am grateful to experience how very real the power in the oath and covenant of the priesthood is.  President Russell M. Nelson at age ninety-nine.  P.103             I, James Leonard McAlpin, also know this is true in my case.  I came back today from LifeLine Screening and my health scores in all areas was good, even for a young man.  I asked the young nurse at LifeLine Screening how my test results looked?  She told me she wished her blood lab report was that good (talking about my blood lab work).  (Thursday, 8th Feb. 2024)

“Gratitude is not only the greatest but is also the parent of all the other virtues.” Cicero, a Roman statesman and philosopher 

Nephi wrote, “I did look unto my God, and I did praise Him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions. P.109

No matter our situation, showing gratitude for our privileges and blessings, as well as for our afflictions and trials, is a fast-acting, long lasting emotional and spiritual prescription.  P. 110

Regardless of the circumstances in our lives, we can find heavenly gift and blessings for which we can be grateful. P.113. Every day thank God, our Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, for your many blessings ---- including the blessing of your trials and ask for His help through those trials. P.115

In 1985 President Spencer W. Kimball passed away and Ezra Taft Benson became the Prophet and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He gave assignments to member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.  He told Russell M. Nelson, “You are to be responsible for all of the affairs of the Church in Europe and Africa, with a special assignment to open up the nations of Eastern Europe that are now under the yoke of Communism for the preaching of the gospel.”  At that time the Union of Soviet Scaliest Republic occupied nearly one-sixth of the Earth's land surface, including the eastern half of Europe and roughly the northern third of Asia. The U.S.S.R. extended more than 6,800 miles (10,900 kilometers) from east to west, covering 11 of the world's 24 time zones.  The European countries which were "behind the Iron Curtain" included: Poland, Eastern Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Lithuania, Yugoslavia, Latvia, Romania, Estonia, Bulgaria, Albania and the USSR were under the yoke of Communism for the preaching of the gospel. At that moment Elder Nelson wrote the thought of climbing Mt. Everest looked to be about as realistic.  P.119 There were far more countries in Europe that had not recognized the Church than had.  In 1 Corinthians 1:27  The Apostle Paul wrote, “God hath chosen the weak thins for the world to confound the things which are mighty.”  Elder Nelson said he felt like a living object lesson of that truth.

The nations were largely atheistic, he was never wanted and rarely welcome.  Many governmental leaders, initially, wouldn’t even give an appointment to a religious man who professed faith in God.  In fact, at the time, believers were being imprisoned and even executed in some countries.

Many of the Eastern European countries kept meticulous records about visits from foreigners.  In some countries, he was on record as an American heart surgeon who, as a volunteer, had lectured and taught there.

Elder Russell M. Nelson was paired with Elder Hans B. Ringger of the Seventy, a Swiss engineer and architect, our partnership disarmed some leaders.  They were a much different team than were leader from other faith groups.  And their requests were different.  Many other religions were asking for money.  They were asking for permission to strengthen their citizens through the truths and blessings of the Restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  In Country after country, one appointment at a time they labored diligently to introduce the Church to dignitaries in Russia, Ukraine Romania, Bulgaria, Belarus, Czechoslovakia , Hungary, Yugoslavia, Estonia, Poland, Armenia, and the German Democratic Republic.

     They worked, prayed, and did all they knew how to do.  When all was said and done they turned to the Lord to make up the difference.

  In President Nelson’s book, The Heart of the Matter, he gave personal examples of this from page 121 through page 123.  In five years the Lord had opened one door after another and on December 14th, 1990, he and Elder Oaks reported to President Benson that the Church had been established in every country in Eastern Europe. 

One of the reasons I included Elder Nelson’s experiences in my notes is because the Capital of Czechoslovakia was Serbia where Debbie and I spent almost 2 years, 2017-2019.  We did not speak the language and felt overwhelmed with our responsibilities in the Novi Sad Branch and humanitarian services in Serbia.  For years people had joined the Church to receive welfare assistance; they had learned from missionaries and members was available.  Trying to wean them off Church welfare and become self-reliant when they did not speak English and we did not speak Srpski did not seem possible.  As humanitarian missionaries we were not able to see anyone with authority who could make decisions.  We were limited to talking with receptionists and desk clerks.  The Lord changed all that by sending a couple, the Jelicics, to help us.  Heads of Non-Government Organizations and leader in the government, Mayors, Cabinet Members and Member of Parliament welcomed and met with up, providing meals, and housing accommodations as we traveled throughout the country.   The Lord made it possible for us to be effective in doing His work.

Our Heavenly Father wants us to realize that “with God nothing shall be impossible” Luke 1:37

Those who make covenants with Him and keep them are entitled, through their worthiness, to receive revelations, strength, and access to godly power to assist with righteous endeavors.  P.124  This is not easy; it takes faith to move forward when things seem impossible and you are surrounded in darkness.  Faith unlocks the power of God in our lives.  P.125  

There is a great story in the life of George Forman, World Heavy Weight Boxing Champion twice.

.  He was defeated by Cassius Clay, “Muhammad Ali”.  He quit boxing and became a preacher.  His wife left him and took the children.  Later he married again and had more children.  His manager. a friend but incompetent as a financial manager, lost all his money.  He did not know he was broke until the power was turned off to the gym that he had organized for needy children.  After 10 years away from boxing, he was now overweight and out of shape.  No one but he and his wife believed he could make a comeback.  in 1994 at age 45 he won the unified WBA, IBF, and lineal heavyweight championship titles by knocking out 26-year-old Michael Moorer.  No one had ever done this before or has done since.  Faith does unlock the powers of God in our lives.

Know this, the Lord never slumbers, nor does He sleep.  He will never fail nor will his Church ever fail. P.127

The years of treating patients and the study of medicine has convinced me that God is real, only a Divine Being could have created something so magnificent as the human body.  P.129

The attitude we have about what God has given us is a choice we make.  We can say, wo is me.  Life is not fair and be sad, filled with anger, and mean spirited.  Or we can be grateful, and happy, and make the most out of what God has given us as has Elsie Wright.  (PICTURE)       IMG-1926.jpg Feb.13, 2024.   Elsie Wright. a student, at Ridgeline High School, UT. was born without a left hand but plays on Ridgeline's varsity basketball team ranked as on of the best teams in the nation.

The Wonder of the Human Body Ps.129-138  Scientists do not know how two cells unite to form an embryo or how primitive cells differentiate to become a beating heart or a thinking brain.  We just know they do according to a pattern established by Heavenly Father.  Each organ of your body is a wonderous gift from God.

The Human heart – a pump so remarkable that its powers and durability is almost beyond comprehension.    

The heart is a tremendous organ that pumps enough fluid every day to fill the equivalent of a 2,000 gallon railroad tankcar.  It has four tiny valves that open and close 100,000 times a day, over 36 million times a year.   Unless altered by disease, heart valves are so rugged they can stand this wear and tear for decades.  As of 2024 no man-made material developed can be flexed so frequently and for so long without breaking or wearing out.  

At the crest of the heart is an electrical transmitting center that sends signals down special circuits that cause all the muscles fibers to contract together with a synchronized response that would be the envy of any conductor of a symphony orchestra.

This heart pump that our Creator made for us occupies a space about the size of our fist and does not need to be plugged into an electrical outlet.  The power to your hearts is provided, not by battery or cord, not by compressed air or nuclear energy, but by a process known only to God.

The human brain with its countless combinations of recording, memory, storage, and retrieval systems serves as the headquarters for one’s personality, character, and knowledge.  The brain’s capacity appears to be unlimited.  The more it is stimulated and challenged, the more its capacity for memorizing and retaining information increases.

Consider the other 3 organs, Kidneys, liver, and lungs, considered vital for survival.  There are seventy-eight main organs within the human body. These organs work in coordination to give rise to several organ systems.

Consider the body’s remarkable capacity to reproduce.  Twenty-three chromosomes from both the father and the mother unite to make one new cell.  These chromosomes contain thousands of genes.  A marvelous process of genetic coding is established by which all the basic human characteristics of the unborn child are determined, and thus a new DNA complex is formed.  

Approximately twenty-two days after these two germ cells unite, a little heart begins to beat.  At twenty-six days, the circulation of blood begins.    Cells multiply and divide, some being differentiated to become eyes, that see or ears that hear, while still other are destined to become fingers, toes, and legs.  The ability of the body to reproduce begins with conception.  

The body has the ability to protect itself from disease.  Another most remarkable power it has is the ability to heal itself. Ps.129-138   

The only explanation for the creation of something as magnificent as the human body is that it was created by God.  The Body is an unspeakable gift that allows us to work, play, love, travel, help others, and test our endurance.  Our bodies are the equivalent of a temple and should be revered.  P. 135

Caring for our bodies will pay unending dividends. P. 136

There is another excellent story how Elder Nelson and his wife Dantzel followed the council of President Spencer W. Kimball and the Holy Spirit and learned to speak the Mandarin language.

Ps. 139  Heeding the words of prophets is one of our greatest sources of security in today’s complex world. P.140

 Words to live by: I work as hard as I can and do everything within my power.  And I try to keep the commandments.  Then I let the Lord make up the difference. President Ezra Taft Benson. P. 142 

“Could you gaze into heaven five minutes you would know more than you would by reading all that ever was written on the subject.” Teaching of Presidents of the Church:  Joseph Smith (207), p. 419

We all struggle to find words to thank Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ for the blessing he is pouring out on our families and ask him to, heal the injustices and injuries of this life and we choose to study His words right now we will become truly converted to God and our ability to be more like Him will increase.  P.158

With Oliver Cowdery as principal script, Joseph Smith began translating on Tuesday, April 7, 1829, and finished some seventy to 80 days later.  Of course, not all of Joseph’s and Oliver’s time was spent working on the translation.  During this period, Joseph also received the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods, received and recorded twelve revelations that are now sections of the Doctrine and Covenants, moved from one state to another, applied for a copyright, and began making arrangements for the publication of the Book of Mormon.  Conservatively estimated, some sixty-five or fewer working days would have been left for the work of translation.  The 1830 edition contained 588 pages.  Thus, Joseph translated at the rate of about nine pages per day.  Many of us consider it a major feat if we read nine pages of the Book of Mormon a day. 

Emma Smith, who acted as an earlier scribe for Joseph, gave this account: “When my husband was translating the Book of Mormon, I wrote part of it, as he dictated each sentence, word for word, and when he came to a proper names he could not pronounce, or long words, he spelled them out and while I was writing them, if I made a mistake in spelling, he would stop me and correct my spelling, although it was impossible for him to see how I was writing them down at the time.  Even the Sarah he could not pronounce at first, but he spelled it, and I would pronounce it for him.

When he stopped for any purpose at any time he would, when he commenced again, begin where he left off without any hesitation.  

On another occasion, Emma recalled: “Joseph Smith…. could neither write nor dictate a coherent and well worded letter; let alone dictating  book like the Book of Mormon….  Ps. 156-157

When people say they know the Book of Mormon is true.  That is nice but it is not enough.  We need to feel, deep in the innermost part of our hearts that the Book of Mormon is unequivocally the word of God.  It has the power to change our hearts and help us overcome the natural man.  The Book of Mormon will help to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the LORD JESUS CHRIST.  P.163

Pray opens the door to revelations. P. 167. Through personal revelation you can receive your own witness that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, that Joseph Smith is a prophet, and that this is the Lord’s Restored Church, and JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF IS THE HEAD. Regardless of what others may say or do, no one can ever take away witness that is borne to your heart and mind by the HOLY GHOST about what is true. P.169. Feast on the words of Christ for they will tell you all things you should do. 2 Ne 32;3. P.170

President Wilford Woodruff taught in 1896. President Brigham Young, who followed President Joseph Smith, led us to the Salt Lake Valley.  He organized these temples and carried out the purposes of his calling and office…. He did not receive all the revelation that belong to this work; neither did President Taylor, nor has Wilford Woodruff.  There will be no end to this work until it is perfected. Ps.179-180