The Gospel Blesses Families

An excerpt from "Preach My Gospel" pg. 32

The restored gospel blesses and helps husbands and wives, parents and children as they strive to develop stronger relationships and spiritual strength in their families. These blessings are available now and in eternity. The gospel of Jesus Christ provides help with current concerns and challenges.

Because families are ordained of God, they are the most important social unit in time and in eternity.  God has established families to bring happiness to His children, allow them to learn correct principles in a loving atmosphere, and prepare them for eternal life.  The home is the best place to teach, learn, and apply principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  A home established on gospel principles will be a place of refuge and safety.  It will be a place where the  Spirit of the Lord can abide, blessing family members with peace, joy and happiness. Through prophets in every age, including our own, God has revealed His plan of happiness for individuals and families.

Challenge: Everybody to buy a Preach My Gospel booklet and study the teachings therein, but also study the Attributes of Christ pg. 115- Chapter 6, so that we might all be more like him and create peace and kindness in the world.

More Symbolism

These symbols are taken from the Book- The Lost Language of Symbolism by Alonzo Gaskill.

Body Parts Symbols Continued-

Hair symbolizes life.

Hand symbolizes actions.

The head symbolizes the entirety of a person, the life of a person, the source of governance or rulership.

The heart symbolizes the seat of knowledge, the recipient of revelation, inspiration and omniscience; the location of the true inner self.

Horns symbolize power and strength.

Knees symbolize one person before another in fear or submission.





Loins (reproductive organs) symbolize offspring and reproduction and secondly preparedness.

The neck represents attitude or subjection. The neck is an outward sign of the inward state of the heart.

The nose symbolizes anger or temperament and indignation.  The symbol came from flared nostrils, meaning anger.

Shoulders symbolize labor, burdens and responsibilities.

The throat symbolizes priesthood power.

Wings symbolize power to move, act or protect.






The next part is about Clothing Symbols. Priestly clothing represents the garb of God and the angels. Temple clothing represents a change in role, from mortal to immortal, from ordinary human to priest or priestess, king or queen. Putting on sacred clothing symbolizes personal consecration and preparation for spiritual duties.

The apron anciently symbolized priesthood and work, but it also represents fertility and reproduction. The fig leaf is another symbol for fertility and reproduction.

Armor symbolizes protection against evil.

Bows symbolize a sacred symbol, also a marriage covenant between man and wife.

The cap symbolizes authority, victory, wisdom and power. The caps or bonnets worn by the priests that worked in the Mosaic tabernacle were made of white linen and according to one Jewish scholar, were flat on top.

Symbolism in scriptures, temples, etc....

I have been reading the book by Alonzo Gaskill, a BYU professor titled, "The Lost Language of Symbolism". As I am a very literal person and have a hard time with symbolism, this has been a very helpful book for me. I wanted to share some of the things I have learned thus far. I will put the symbols and what they stand for. So far I have only read a portion of body parts symbols.

The arm stands for- power & strength. The outstretched arm of God symbolizes his power being exercised. Our outstretched arm symbolizes supplication and reaching up to heaven with a desire to call down blessings.








Blood- symbolizes life, humanity and mortality. Also the cycle of mortality, sins and redemption from sins by Christ.

Bosom- symbolizes favored status, a place of security and protection.

Bowels- symbolizes compassion, sympathy, love and pity. This is a place of emotion. The bowels and loins together symbolize reproduction, fertility or one's offspring.

Ears- symbolize receptivity and obedience. We should live our lives so that all we hear and hearken to are in accordance with the Holy Spirit.

Eyes- symbolize the receipt of light, knowledge, insight and revelation. The light of the body is the eyes. Therefore, if your eyes are single to the glory of God, then your whole body should be light.  Multiple eyes represent the all-knowing God.

Feet symbolize how we live, the path we follow, our personal direction, mission or goals. The washing of feet, symbolizes meekness  and servitude to God.

The forehead symbolizes thoughts, loves & desires, and memorial. What a person dwells on and therefore what he loves or desires. If in the end we are to be exalted, it will be based on how well we control our thoughts and on what we dwell on and truly desire.




This has been a great learning experience for me. Stayed tuned and I will share more symbolism in the days to follow. I have set a goal for personal scripture study for 1 hour every day. I hope I can keep this up.

Info about King Henry VIII and English Wills

In my scripture study today, I was reading about Martin Luther and his starting of the Reformation. During this time period, King Henry VIII gave his support against Luther and to the Catholic Pope. The Pope then gave King Henry VIII, the title of Defender of the Faith. This is ironic, because shortly after, King Henry VIII became disasstisfied with the Catholic church because they wouldn't grant him a divorce from Queen Catherine so he could marry someone else. He broke from the Catholic Church and made himself the head of the church of England, so he could have a divorce. However, he still retained the title of Defender of the Faith. This phrase appears following the names of other English Royalty in English wills, when it is describing the regnal years. For example:

 King James VI, By the grace of God, King of Scotland, England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc.

 

Wedding of Jeff Snow and Melissa Alvarez- July 16, 2010

Rachel and Kyle Olsen Family

Julie and Aaron Mangino Family

Rasty and Becky Snow Family

Bob and Liz grandkids

Emily and Mike Speed Family

Alvarez Family

Bridesmaids and Groomsmen

Parents of the groom

Bob and Liz Snow family

Tony and MaryEllen Snow kids

Bride and Groom and neices

Ruth Williams, Marie Taylor and Holly Barney- helping with refreshments.

LDS Manti Temple

Bob and Liz Snow family- except Sam

All guests

Siblings of the Bride and Groom

Grandparents of the Bride and Groom

Jeff and Melissa

The new Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Snow

Flunking Primary and Being Sent Back to Nursery

Well last Sunday, I thought I was graduating from Nursery and going to play the piano in Primary. (Via permission of the Primary Pres. and the fact that the pianist was called into Relief Society). However, after today when the nursery had a few problems without me, the Primary Pres. informed me that I am back in Nursery. Oh well. I do love it, but was looking forward to a change after three years.

I would have missed talking to Ruth and the other ladies though, and the children are alot of fun. They are so close to our Heavenly Father. Afterall, it's almost January and we will lose 9 of our 17 kids. This year we grew from 5 kids in January to 17 kids in Oct. and most of them were new move ins.

Halloween Activities

Since Bob and I, (well mostly me) are boycotting sugar this year, we decided to have a date for Halloween night. We are going to a movie and dinner. Therefore, we miss the trick or treaters and buying candy or having any left at home as a temptation. We'll let you know how it goes.