Mission Complete

The Family: A Proclamation to the World - Celebrate the Family - Our Family Photo Essay

The Family: A Proclamation to the World was given in 1995 to the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and to the World as a guide to help all of us understand the importance of the family and how to have a happy family in this life and the next. 

As I put together this photo essay; it has given me time to reflect on the eternal nature of families and to see how truly blessed I am. This past year has been a hard one on me, with Donny working away a good amount of time, my health, cancer scare and surgery and with just the craziness of everyday life of a large family and all its demands. I am very grateful for my knowledge of the gospel and the blessings it bring into my life. 

To read the Proclamation in its entirety, click on the link below.

The Family: A Proclamation to the World

"Family is central to the Creator’s plan for 

the eternal destiny of His children."

"All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny." 

"'Children are an heritage of the Lord'(Psalm 127:3)."

"Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, 

to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, 

and to teach them to love and serve one another"

"Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan."

"Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ." 

"Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities."

"By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families 

in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide

 the necessities of life and protection for their families."

"Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children."

"The family is ordained of God."

How Do I Say Thank you

I don't even know where to start. With my long recovery and Donny gone working out of town. I was in need, and my family and ward offered so much service. Extended need for meals, sisters who came and scrubbed my house and for the brotheren who mowed my lawns.


I don't even know how to say Thank you and is Thank you enough. I can only ask the Lord to bless you. 

Charity

Are We Not All Mothers?

from Sheri L. Dew


"Every time we build the faith or reinforce the nobility of a young woman or man, every time we love or lead anyone even one small step along the path, we are true to our endowment and calling as mothers and in the process we build the kingdom of God. No woman who understands the gospel would ever think that any other work is more important or would ever say, “I am just a mother,” for mothers heal the souls of men."

Ode to Canada - from Lisa

This is from most creative, talented sister Lisa...

Ode to Canada

O Halifax, Canada,
take care of our missionaries.
Keep their hearts warm
when your chill makes them wary.

They’ll come from afar
to help in the work
of teaching your people
the gospel’s word.

Your islands and ferries
and bridges, for the novices,
will lend for weekend adventures-
some distraction from the office.

We hope the sea air
will guard them from chill,
or frostbite, or windburn,
or any other frigid ill.

(Oh, and we’re thankful
that near them, in close proximity,
are plenty of stores
for healthy snacks unlimited.)

These servants will go
with faith, as in times of old.
To further God’s plan--
did I mention there’d be cold?

Though missed by their loved ones,
we know we are blessed
to send out our parents
and wish them the best.

The Lord will provide
for doesn’t He know?
Yes, the way is prepared
Now, sow missionaries, sow.

We'll miss you!

Love You Mom & Dad
Christi

My Mom & Dad - The Missionaires

Bro and Sis Tanner have served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for the last three years. They have served in the Temple Department in the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City. They have had some amazing experiences. They have worked on pilot projects and they have audited all the small temples for errors.

They have had weekly devotionals, luncheons with the Seventy and meetings with all the Temple Presidents from all over the world with The First Presidency. The commute has not been easy on them, with a few close calls, but the Lord has always protected them. I am so proud of them; they're true examples of love and service. I know their lives have been blessed for serving in turn my life has been blessed also. I Love You so much. “Well done, thou good and faithful servants” Matt. 25: 21

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Lois & Michael Tanner

(This is the picture the Elder L. Tom Perry took)

Elder & Sister Tanner
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Temple Square Tulips - in the Spring

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The walk each morning from the parking garage to the Church Office Building
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At their desks in the Temple Department, just had to leave the part on top in Michael's picture so you could see their fridge and microwave. All the comforts of home.

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Temple department front desk

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Elder and Sister Layton and Dad & Mom in their office. Their companion couple.

Michael and Elder L. Tom Perry (in street clothes)

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Cute story: My parents were standing near the Church Office Building and were posing separately to take some pictures of each other, when they heard a man say, "Here, you stand together and let me take a picture of you both". They turned and saw a friendly, white-haired gentleman in his unusually casual attire, and didn't take but a second to realize it was Elder L. Tom Perry.

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A different office in the Temple Department

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Dad & Mom with Elder Larry Lawrence

(Our past Stake President from the Fresno North Stake

He is an Area Seventy now)