Category: Uncategorized

Jesus Christ and Family History

I attended Rootstech 2023 earlier this month. I watched the introduction video for ward and stake leaders today while I was exercising.

My parents at Idaho Falls Temple

I was struck by the fact that it wasn’t until 18 minutes into the presentation by Elders Gong and Bednar, President Porter, Sister Yee, and Elders Hamilton and Duncan, that any of them used the words family history or geneaology!! The entire focus was on Jesus Christ and how, knowing Him and seeking to emulate Him by keeping commandments and ordinances of the Gospel, connects us to Him and to our families.

I had a few Aha! moments as I listened and pedaled and sweated.  1. The focus of everything needs to be Jesus Christ. 2. I need to believe more in miracles and the saving and healing grace of Jesus Christ in my own life and the lives of my husband and children. I keep asking the Lord what I should be doing to help them come unto  Christ but I realize I need to give the control to the Lord and just ask that He make me an instrument in His hands. I can’t bring my family to Christ only He can. 3. I need to spend more time in the temple and also researching family names.

Here is the link for the session. It is about 40 minutes long.  Utah https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/broadcasts/miscellaneous-events/2023/02-01/601martinez?lang=eng

Birthdays and Photos

How do you manage your photos? We produce so many photos that it becomes overwhelming to keep them organized. I recently asked my youngest daughter to put together some photos for her father’s birthday. She and one other daughter put together 174 photos which they shared with myself and two other daughters. I added 100 photos and that was only back to 2019.

I had to recently upgrade my storage on Amazon so I had enough storage space for videos and photos. I have made some cursory attempts at organizing them, putting together albums, deleting poor quality photos and duplicates. There are still thousands of unorganized photos on Amazon, Google and our hard drives.

I just attended Rootstech 2023 and was amazed at all the companies promoting software that helps organize and store photos. One was Collectionaire and another was Photomyne and then there was Mylio and Storied. I am sure there were more exhibitors there that had variations on photo storage and organization.

I think the key to photo storage and organization is for me to develop a habit of working on my photos for a few minutes each day. For example, I have the app Journey on my phone which allows me to journal and attach photos in a daily entry. I will start doing an entry daily in Journey actually two entries..one entry for the day and one entry for a day I missed in the past.

My daughters are helping me try to get photos organized on Google and Amazon and I think I also have a Dropbox account. It actually all seems a bit overwhelming but I want to be an organized person so I need to put in the effort to develop habits that an organized person would have.

I just started reading the book Atomic Habits by James Clear. He states: “the most effective way to change your habits is to focus not on what you want to achieve, but on who you wish to become.” I want to become an organized person which means I need to have daily habits that support that identity.

Gil and his girls in 2017

RootsTech 2023 “Uniting” Kickoff Video • RootsTech • FamilySearch

https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/session/rootstech-2023-uniting-kickoff-video

Rootstech 2023 was a very inspiring experience for me. I have not been focused on Family History for past year. I keep getting distracted with all that goes on in life. This video and wonderful sessions and speakers have helped re-ignite my desire to do Family History on a daily basis.

Yesterday I took my mother-in-law, Brenda Parkin, to the Riverton Family History library.  I only recently learned it is open on Sunday afternoons from 2 to 6. We sat in the Family Story room for an hour and talked about her childhood  stories.  This was recorded as we talked. Brenda doesn’t like being on camera but she loves to talk about her life and so it was a good experience. She is willing to go back and keep talking.

Day #3 RootsTech in the Expo Hall

Research is showing that doing Family History and  making connections is good for one’s mental health. Here is a link to a class from 2021 RootsTech that goes into the science.

https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/session/the-science-of-family-connection

I know it has been good for my mental health the last few days and in the past, when I have been focused it has helped me in ways I don’t know exactly how to quantify.

Elder Renlund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints listed these blessings in an April 2018 talk: Increased understanding of the Savior and His atoning sacrifice; Increased influence of the Holy Ghost to feel strength and direction for our own lives; faith, so that conversion to the Savior becomes deep and abiding Increased ability and motivation to learn and repent because of an understanding of who we are, where we come from, and a clearer vision of where we are going; Increased refining, sanctifying, and moderating influences in our hearts; Increased joy through an increased ability to feel the love of the Lord; Increased family blessings, no matter our current, past, or future family situation or how imperfect our family tree may be; Increased love and appreciation for ancestors and living relatives, so we no longer feel alone; Increased power to discern that which needs healing and thus, with the Lord’s help, serve others; Increased protection from temptations and the intensifying influence of the adversary; Increased assistance to mend troubled, broken, or anxious hearts and make the wounded whole.

I am excited to start this journey again and grateful for the Lord’s patience with all my stops and starts.

Weekly Family History Activities

https://thefhguide.com/cfm-schedule-2022.html

The Family History Guide has this amazing resource. Each week there are family history activities that correlate to Come Follow Me study!! I can’t believe I haven’t used this resource.

Max and Serena Watt at Idaho Falls Temple

This picture of parents conveys the sealing power of covenants made in the temple. My parents even in their 80s still attend the temple on a weekly basis. Their example is a precious gift in my life.

Grandma Parkin sharing stories about Christmas ornaments from the past

I picked some pictures from my library that for me show the power of family and traditions. The power of stories is so great. Isaiah 50 through 57 tells the story of the coming Messiah and what He will do for me and all people.

Nicole making a Thanksgiving Cherry Pie

It has taken effort to develop the family tradition for making pies for Thanksgiving on the day before Thanksgiving. But, like so many traditions it has drawn my family closer to one another. I use my Grandma Baldwin’s Never Fail Pie crust recipe. My mother-in-law comes over and we use her family pumpkin pie recipe.

I am going to put together a book of recipes that I treasure from my parents and grandparents as well as Gil’s family recipes. Maybe that will be my Christmas gift this year.

Our Earthly Stewardship

Our Earthly Stewardship https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/10/31causse?lang=eng

Bishop Causse the Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gave this memorable message in the Saturday evening session.

I am so excited to read and study his talk in depth. I have been a member of the group LDS Earth Stewardship for a couple of years. So many of the concepts spoken of by Bishop Causse are founding principles of LDS Earth Stewardship.

Check out the website for the group and consider joining. There is no fee for membership and your contribution of time and energy can be greatly magnified through participation in our service and learning activities.

WOW!

“The answer to the simplest questions, and to the most complex problems, is always the same. The answer is Jesus Christ. Every solution is found in Him.

Elder Ryan Olsen, October 2022 General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
statue of a man with long hair and beard
Photo by Mario Wallner on Pexels.com

This year I made the effort to listen to each conference session sitting down and focused on listening. Well, almost each session.. I missed a lot of the evening session on Saturday and I was working on Sunday dinner on Sunday afternoon session but, this year more than any other year I really tried to concentrate.  The Sunday morning session was the best session for me as I was in the Conference Center with my sister, Krista, and a newly baptized member of my ward, Rebecca.

The Sunday morning session was truly a revelatory session for me and I am so grateful for that experience. I had been trying to write down Gospel principles and concepts, characteristics of the Savior, and other themes as I listened to each talk. I tried to mark each time I heard a specific characteristic like meekness, humility or a concept like forgiveness, repentance, enduring to the end used in a talk. As I was concentrating and listening intently on Sunday morning, the impression came to me to make a list of the words/phrases I was tracking and in coming days and weeks as I study each Conference talk I will use that list to note the words and phrases for that talk. I am not sure that is a very good explanation but, I will start working on it and I am sure the Holy Ghost will help me refine it and gain greater understanding and revelation for my life.

“My plea to you this morning is to find rest from the intensity, uncertainty and anguish of this world by overcoming the world through your covenants with God. … Cherish and honor your covenants above all other commitments. As you let God prevail in your life, I promise you greater peace, confidence, joy and, yes, rest.”

President Russell M. Nelson, October 2022 General Conference, Sunday Morning Session

My Heavenly Father truly answers my prayers. He has heard my pleas for help in meeting the demands of my daily life. He has heard my cries for stronger shoulders and greater strength and compassion to help and uphold my family, loved ones and my ‘neighbors.’  I want to help and I am able to do many things to help others but the needs are so great and so varied and complex that it feels overwhelming on many days. President Nelson’s talk was a direct answer to my prayers for strength and guidance and increased love. Many of the talks also addressed other questions and problems I have been struggling with and not only gave advice and counsel but, offered comfort and encouragement.

I am so grateful to know that there is a living prophet of the earth today, President Russell M. Nelson. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer and He truly is the answer to every problem.

Sunday Morning Session Conference Center

My Garden Harvest

My garden haul

I hadn’t spent much time in my garden last week. I hadn’t even watered it consistently because there were about 4 days last week it was supposed to rain. It did rain a few drops here and there and Satuday morning there was a 5 minute heavy rain. It was enough to fill both of my rain barrels! What a bleasing!

I harvested over 15 cucumbers slicing and pickling, pineapple cherry tomatoes, green beans, large Brandi tomatoes, a jalapeno, a few strawberries, swiss chard, kale, radishes, and raspberries.

It is hard to describe how satisfying and how humbling working in my garden makes me feel. I cut a lot of leaves off my strawberry plants because I have noticed they are not producing berries. I am hoping that I will start seeing more berries as the plants’ energy goes to producing berries not pretty green leaves.

It is a metaphor for life..am I putting too much energy into activities that don’t bear eternal fruit? How can I use the energy and resources the Lord blesses me with to produce the fruit He wants me to produce?

In The Strength of the Lord

But in this thing they were disappointed, for the Nephites did not fear them; but they did fear their God and did supplicate him for protection; therefore, when the armies of Giddianhi did rush upon them they were prepared to meet them; yea, in the strength of the Lord they did receive them. 3 Nephi 4:10 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/4?id=p10&lang=eng#p10

This phrase really struck me this morning. The story is that of a people who were threatened by a rogue group of bandits basically. The people out aside their differences under the direction of an inspired leader and gathered together in one location for safety and to pool resources against this group of bandits.

When the bandits came to battle the Nephites were prepared to meet them because they had followed their prophets and leaders, they had repented and turned to the Lord. They asked for His help and His strength along with their efforts produced victory and freedom from the bandits.

Am I following the prophet of my day, President Russell M. Nelson? I would say yes I am but I can do better. I can do better in my study of Christ’s life and attributes. I can do Family History every day. I can do better at my calling. I can seek personal revelation and follow those promptings more consistently. I can repent and seek the Lord’s will in my life everyday.

Flowers seen along the Desolation Lake Trail

Oxeye Daisy

Thursday, july 14, I participated in a https://cottonwoodcanyons.org/Cottonwood Canyon Foundation Inavsive Weed activity at Soltitude Ski Resort. A small group of volunteers were educated by CCF staff regarding the issue of invasive plants and weeds that are threatening Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons.

Oxeye Daisy

The National Park Service says this about this seemingly innocent looking daisy: Ox-eye daisy is an aggressive invasive species. Once established, it can spread rapidly by means of roots and seeds into undisturbed meadows, woodlands, and riparian areas. It forms dense stands that tend to displace native vegetation, especially wildflowers.

I learned from Taylor Litwin, the Invasive Weed Specialist at CCF, that this plant actually changes the chemical composition of the soil which is how it displaces native plants.

For over an hour, the small group of volunteers pulled oxeye daisy from around a path at Solitude. We collected three bags of oxeye daisy making a small dent in that area.

My small contribution to removing oxeye daisy
The path after 8 volunteers had pulled oxeye daisy for over an hour.

After working for over an hour to pull inavsisve weeds, Taylor took us to Big Cottonwood Creek running through the property and on a bank of the creek we planted 96 native wildflowers.

Pulling the oxeye daisy was a frustrating experience for two reasons: 1. It was clear that this is a huge problem and would benefit from much more assistance and volunteering. 2. It was easy to pull the plant but it sneakily breaks off at the roots and the roots are very difficult if not impossible to completely remove. So, though it appears we made progress in a small area only time will tell if our efforts are truly efficacious.

Some life metaphors were taken from the experience. 1. Appearances can be deceptive..the oxeye daisy appears like any other daisy but it has a sinister effect on the environment around it. 2. Prevention and education are much easier in the long run than trying to fix the problem after it has already occurred. 3. CCF is a small volunteer organization but it is making a difference one person at a time. 4. Just as the roots of the oxeye daisy can change the chemical composition of the soil, seemingly innocuous habits and choices in life can change our inner parts..heart, mind and soul in ways that prevent growth and stunt our potential and may affect others around us. 5. Removing and replacing oxeye daisy is somewhat like repentance..we can do some of the work but the miraculous grace of the Atonement is the only thing that can truly repair the often unseen but debilitating damage caused by poor choices and bad habits.

I am Part of the Lord’s Grand Plan

As a covenant keeper, you are part of the house of Israel. You have been gathered, and you are a gatherer. The centuries-long epic story that began with a covenant between God and Abraham is building to its climax, and you are a key player. Now is the time when “Jesus will say to all Israel, ‘Come home.’” This is the message of the gatherers: Come home to the covenant. Come home to Zion. Come home to Jesus Christ, the Holy One of Israel, and He will bring you home to God, your Father. Thoughts to Keep in Mind: “Jesus Will Say to All Israel, ‘Come Home’” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/come-follow-me-for-individuals-and-families-old-testament-2022/29-thoughts?id=p17-p18&lang=eng#p17

My early morning study as the sun is rising is about the descent of the Kingdoms of Israel into sin, their eventual destruction and scattering and now the “gathering” of the Lord’s people.

“When we speak of the gathering, we are simply saying this fundamental truth: every one of our Heavenly Father’s children, on both sides of the veil, deserves to hear the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. …
“Anytime you do anything that helps anyone—on either side of the veil—take a step toward making covenants with God and receiving their essential baptismal and temple ordinances, you are helping to gather Israel. It is as simple as that.” President Russell M. Nelson

I try to remember this everyday because if I can remember and act in accordance, I am blessed, my family is blessed and the Lord blesses the lives of the people with whom I interact. I know the Lord blesses me greatly and I am humbled by His patience with me and His great love for me.

My wonderful friend Gerrie
Idaho Falls Temple with my parents, Max and Serena Watt
Hiking at Desolation Lake with Nicole and Gil