Suzzy Q And Crew: Week of April 5

Highlights:

Spiritual

I am writing this moments after the morning session of General Conference has concluded. General Conference has commemorated the 200th anniversary of the Restoration of the Gospel and Joseph Smith's First Vision. Every word spoken was uplifting and inspiring. President Russell M. Nelson shared a new church proclamation, only the fifth such proclamation in the history of the church.

THE RESTORATION OF THE FULNESS OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST A BICENTENNIAL PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We solemnly proclaim that God loves His children in every nation of the world. God the Father has given us the divine birth, the incomparable life, and the infinite atoning sacrifice of His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. By the power of the Father, Jesus rose again and gained the victory over death. He is our Savior, our Exemplar, and our Redeemer.

Two hundred years ago, on a beautiful spring morning in 1820, young Joseph Smith, seeking to know which church to join, went into the woods to pray near his home in upstate New York, USA. He had questions regarding the salvation of his soul and trusted that God would direct him.

In humility, we declare that in answer to his prayer, God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph and inaugurated the “restitution of all things” (Acts 3:21) as foretold in the Bible. In this vision, he learned that following the death of the original Apostles, Christ’s New Testament Church was lost from the earth. Joseph would be instrumental in its return.

We affirm that under the direction of the Father and the Son, heavenly messengers came to instruct Joseph and re-establish the Church of Jesus Christ. The resurrected John the Baptist restored the authority to baptize by immersion for the remission of sins. Three of the original twelve Apostles—Peter, James, and John—restored the apostleship and keys of priesthood authority. Others came as well, including Elijah, who restored the authority to join families together forever in eternal relationships that transcend death.

We further witness that Joseph Smith was given the gift and power of God to translate an ancient record: the Book of Mormon—Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Pages of this sacred text include an account of the personal ministry of Jesus Christ among people in the Western Hemisphere soon after His Resurrection. It teaches of life’s purpose and explains the doctrine of Christ, which is central to that purpose. As a companion scripture to the Bible, the Book of Mormon testifies that all human beings are sons and daughters of a loving Father in Heaven, that He has a divine plan for our lives, and that His Son, Jesus Christ, speaks today as well as in days of old.

We declare that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, organized on April 6, 1830, is Christ’s New Testament Church restored. This Church is anchored in the perfect life of its chief cornerstone, Jesus Christ, and in His infinite Atonement and literal Resurrection. Jesus Christ has once again called Apostles and has given them priesthood authority. He invites all of us to come unto Him and His Church, to receive the Holy Ghost, the ordinances of salvation, and to gain enduring joy.

Two hundred years have now elapsed since this Restoration was initiated by God the Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Millions throughout the world have embraced a knowledge of these prophesied events. We gladly declare that the promised Restoration goes forward through continuing revelation. The earth will never again be the same, as God will “gather together in one all things in Christ” (Ephesians 1:10).

With reverence and gratitude, we as His Apostles invite all to know—as we do—that the heavens are open. We affirm that God is making known His will for His beloved sons and daughters. We testify that those who prayerfully study the message of the Restoration and act in faith will be blessed to gain their own witness of its divinity and of its purpose to prepare the world for the promised Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

This proclamation was read by President Russell M. Nelson as part of his message at the 190th Annual General Conference, April 5, 2020, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

After reading this in the Sacred Grove, we as a church participated in the Hosanna Shout and joined with the choir in singing "The Spirit of God". Temple Square and the Conference Center were empty, and yet we as members of the church all over the world were united. As I listened outside, there were few cars driving by. This pandemic keeps people at home. And yet, even in the difficulty of illness and separation, Heavenly Father is in charge. With this General Conference, there is nothing for most people on the face of the earth to keep them from turning on their computer, to listen to the messages and feel the Spirit. The missionary first discussion has been given these last two days. I have seen missionary after missionary return from far away to be home. I even had the thought that, perhaps, these missionaries will be needed HERE to teach and spread the Gospel to whomever may have had the chance to choose to, or to accidentally turn to see Conference. Dad and I used the hankies we had waved at the Phoenix Temple dedication during the Hosanna Shout. We felt the presence of the Holy Ghost very strongly as we stood in our family room and shouted and sang. What a blessed day it has been.

We also enjoyed Dad's Conference Guacamole at lunch and were blessed with many special experiences at the last session of Conference. Temples were announced in Dubai, UAR! and a small temple in Shanghai China (very small, for ex-pats and local members while the Taiwan Temple is being upgraded). The closing song was "We Thank Thee Oh God For a Prophet" and it included a montage of the Tabernacle Choir as well as choirs from South Korea, Germany, Africa, New Zealand, and it was very beautiful and moving.

We both participated in the Worldwide Fast to end/ease the Corona Virus and it's effects on Friday.

I have read my Book of Mormon daily and have spent my week reading and watching video presentations about Easter and the final week of the life of Jesus Christ here on the earth. I have also watched a General Conference talk daily. I completed reading the April Ensign Magazine and started reading each Conference talk.

I have indexed 6707 records and reviewes 35462 reckords so far this year.

Family

The Wilkins Family

We spoke to Allison and family on Sunday via Marco Polo. They are doing well and looking forward to a week of "Spring Break". Sam's schoolwork is taking lots of time for Allison to assist and this has left a lack of time for Josh. It will all work out though and they are doing fine. Mike has been doing well at work and given greater responsibilities that we hope will lead to official conversion to a permanent employee. He is staying safe and healthy. They have been working hard to clean up weeds and blow leaves while the weather is nice. They have even taken the opportunity to do some sprinkler trampoline jumping. They enjoyed General Conference and yummy cinnamon rolls. They made friendship bracelets as they listened. This week, since there is nothing fun to do, they created wonderful and safe things to do.

Allison shared on Facebook:

It's SPRING BREAK here, and I needed a change from our last 3 weeks of hanging at home. But I also crave a little structure. So, I decided to do a theme day each day this week. Today was 🌈 rainbow day. We visited the 7 Magic Mountains, experimented with Skittles, made melted crayon rocks, ate rainbow pancakes and made rainbow cookies.

I'm not going to complain about being at home because we are safe and healthy... but it isn't easy. It made little things like today seem extra fun.

🦓 Safari Day 🐅 We explored the Wetlands, raced wiggling snakes, took virtual tours of the animals at the San Diego Zoo, watched the live-action Lion King, and ate anaconda subs and zebra cakes.

☠ PIRATE DAY ☠ We had a safe social distance treasure hunt (frozen custard was the booty found at the X), made balloon-propelled pirate ships, played pin-the-eye patch on the pirate (thanks to Grace's drawing skills), watched Peter Pan and ate Pirate's Booty.

On Friday, Sam finally lost that first tooth! He, in fact, did lose it, and Adam tried very hard to locate it on/near the trampoline.

The Ethan Rice Family

This family is doing well and had a fun Easter activity last week.

We Facetimed on Tuesday. Their planned trip had to become a staycation thanks to Covid19 but they were enjoying their time together.

They made treats in the Easy Bake Oven and both kids helped Cameo on Friday as she baked her traditional Easter Carrot Cake.

They had hoped to get away for a fishing trip on Friday, but Ethan was stricken with a horrible ear infection that left his face swollen and him in tremendous pain. He finally went to Urgent Care and was given medication, a wick and drops to help him heal.

The Doran Rice Family

Doran and Amber had a good week. Work is busy for both of them, but they are staying healthy and Amber's schedule and system for the kids is working well. Some of their puppies were adopted out. Kooper misses his little friends but all is well. We enjoyed sharing Easter at Grandma's on Saturday.

Morgan

Morgan is doing well and enjoys his work and it staying healthy.

Kayty

She had a good work week and even got a couple of hours of overtime in.

I was woken by banging early Friday morning...12:13 am. Kayty's lights and tv were still on, like usual, so I wouldn't have normally gone in...but this time I did. Full seizures. It took me over an hour to get her back. I couldn't go back to sleep so I just stayed up and started my morning.

The Nathan Rice Family

Nathan and Jessica and the girls are doing well. He has permission to work from his job site and is the only one there. Jessica has been struggling with seasonal allergies and the girls started the week with fevers but are doing better. Emma spent her first night in her sister's room and did well. Everything is going well for this family.

They had their own Easter Egg hunt on Saturday.

Dad's Garden

We harvested lots of carrots this week. Our tomatoes are looking great. We also should have a great crop of key limes in a few months.

Other highlights

Sunday after General Conference, we thoroughly enjoyed watching "The Other Side of Heaven Part II" on BYU tv. I also turned on the radio and enjoyed Christmas music before bed. Such a nice treat on the weekends till this quarantine ends, but it makes me want to put up decorations!

We actually got some paper towels on Tuesday evening as we shopped at Sam's Club. The supply was plentiful and not a lot of people were shopping so it was really nice. I have put dates on toilet paper rolls and paper towel rolls and now know our monthly needs, which helps in getting a better supply. Dad also has some to help out a co-worker who couldn't find paper products.

Tuesday night, Dad and I sat outside on the pool deck and were able to see the Space Station travel across the night sky.

Friday night, Dad found out that one of his friends had to close down his small business. So very sad! The small business just cannot absorb the losses of lack of tourism, etc. due to the Corona Virus.

I also sat and enjoyed a recording on tv of Handel's Messiah by the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. Since there are no live performances now, this was a recording of a previous performance. I enjoyed 2/3 of it, ending with The Hallelujah Chorus.

Grandma had her annual Easter Dinner and Easter Egg hunt on Saturday. It was much smaller in attendance but we had such a wonderful time. Since most of the time, we only experience the abnormal, to have a day of normal was breathtakingly wonderful.