LDS GENERAL CONFERENCE

It's that semi-annual time of year when we head up to Salt Lake City, UT, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worldwide General Conference.

 I had 3 tickets and invited my long-lost gal pals Aja and Michelle.

It was a great morning full of inspirational music, words, and great view of historic temple square across the street.

Find out more about General Conference here.

PAYSON TEMPLE

Today was the last day of the Payson, Utah, temple open house.

 I went with a group to go through one more time.

I'm a little bit obsessed over this beautiful place, but can you blame me?!

Want to learn more about it? Click here.

PAYSON TEMPLE

Day-Z and I drove to Payson, Utah, to take a stroll around the temple grounds.

 There will be an open house where the public can go inside for a tour next month.

 I am beyond excited. This temple is the most beautiful spot.

I love to see this. I'll go inside one day.

I Love To See the AMERICAN TEMPLES Book

Oops, I wrote a blog post showing emotion yesterday. I don't do that very often. My mind has been so busy the last few months. I even tried to leave the country to take a little break. I don't know if it helped much. You know what does help...where I can always turn for peace? The answer for me is the temple. 

Mormon President Thomas S. Monson said, "I think there is no place in the world where I feel closer to the Lord than in one of His holy temples."
I totally agree with him. I know we have been promised great blessings when we are within those sacred walls and visit them often. This is why I'm excited about the newly released American Temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints book.

Want to know more about these temples across the United States or just see stunning photographs of them? This book is your answer and would make a wonderful addition to your library

 or as a Christmas present (you still have a few days left to shop). If you buy 3 or more, (think friend, family, or ward member gifts) you get special pricing. You can opt to ship it or pick it for free yourself at a few different locations.

Scott Jarvie, local photographer responsible for this book, has a signed copy waiting for you. He has been a photographer since 2005 and is shows he knows his way behind a camera lens. Read more about him, this book, and his other works (like a magnificant temple calendar) available HERE. 

I have had the privilege to see several temples across the states and am super excited about the new goal I set to attend the Payson, Utah, temple open house and dedication in 2015.

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"One thing have I desired of the Lord…that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple."

—Psalms 27:4

AM I PRAYING WRONG?

After having a brother die, a BFF break up with me, "family" members say mean things, and my dog stop listening and run away things can only go up and get better, right?! Well, actually that's not true. You could also have your car stolen, your freezer break and ruin some food, your dog have an allergic reaction to her shots from the vet, your mother have a heart attack after a surgery, and a call from the fraud department saying someone tried to steal money from an online account of yours (...all in less than 2 months time).  Yes, things can and just might get worse, but it's OK!

After all this, I went to church--that's a good place to go for peace for me. At the service, there were several people bearing testimony of the power of prayer. One person shared stories of bad weather and them praying for no rain for a party they were hosting that was outside. Another person shared a story of them wanting a shift off from work on a Sunday so they could attend church and BAM they were there at church. This got me thinking...I had been praying, begging, pleading for many things recently, some maybe on a scale a little bit deeper than weather (we all have our trials), and I just seemed to have more bad things piling up. I thought 'Am I praying wrong?!'

I know that our disappointments, sorrows, and dark hours are to help us grow. They can lead us to much joy if we put our faith and trust in God. Garth Brooks sings that some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers. It is a mistake to assume that every prayer we offer will be answered immediately. Some prayers require big effort on our part. This might be a way that God is showing me He loves me...it is just in a way that I don't really understand right now. 

Then we sang the hymn Come Unto Jesus and my heart was calmed a little.

To anyone feeling discouraged, worried, or lonely, I want to tell you to hold on with faith and hope. I too have felt those ways recently, but it WILL get better. Life WILL hand you lemons, but YOU have the power to take positive action, sweeten the situation, and make lemonade (+). Don't feel discouraged if it doesn't happen right away. As long as you are trying your hardest, you aren't doing it wrong.

I will end with my favorite scripture: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).

MEET THE MORMONS

I'm a Mormon kid. We've met. You can Meet the Mormons in theaters starting 10/10/14.

If you want to learn more about Mormon peeps (no I don't have a husband with 6 wives), check it out. I love learning about different cultures, religions, and people. I don't think I could say I believed one was true unless I studied it and learned about others. Give it a try. 

You can go to this site to request a showing in your area.

**Meet the Mormons is not a boring documentary. This film is more of a small glimpse into the lives of 6 people that might be a little like you, me, or someone you know.
WARNING: It will make you laugh and might make you cry.

FAMILIES ARE FOREVER & OAKLAND

Last night, my mother and I could only find 1 hotel with a room for us to sleep in. Apparently, there was a big baseball game and kite festival in Berkeley that weekend.

 We left our fancy 1-star hotel

 to had lunch at Nation's Giant Hamburgers...and giant they were!

We still had a couple hours before the party for Aunt Helen today so we drove to Oakland to another one of my favorite places.

The Oakland temple

The flowers and palm trees on the grounds are gorgeous.

While it is sad that Aunt Helen passed, she did live 99 great years. She was a kind woman who had a love for travel, knowledge, service, and cats.

 During the celebration, my mother and I were able to visit with family members to look at photos and share stories.

I'm a Mormon kid. In my religion, we believe families are forever and even though some leave the earth, we will see each other again one day.

The SARATOV APPROACH

The incredible true story of two LDS missionaries who were abducted, ransomed, and delivered in Saratov, Russia nearly 15 years ago. See it in Utah theaters starting OCT 9th!

Or you can go to the Jordan Commons Megaplex theater in Sandy on October 5th for a special screening with a Q&A with the actual missionaries from the film (and all you can eat popcorn and soda).

Three of my girl friends and I were able to attend a special screening of this film. It was intense.

I just want to know why I didn't hear about this story when it happened in 1998. It seems like a big story. Maybe I was a a busy teenager who didn't listen to the news.

Like them on Facebook to see a list of theaters where it will be playing:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Saratov-Approach/444451052244382

PILSEN CHAPEL

I found this photo and note on my Facebook wall recently. It's from the Branch President. Who'd have ever thought mentioning my name could get you somewhere in the Czech Republic.

Dear Deanna thank You very much for your help with our new chapel in Pilsen. I believe that without You we could not move there.

TEMPLE SQUARED

I was in SLC so I decided to take a walk around Temple Square with my mom. 

I love to see this: