Ben & Katherine Update

Hello Family,

Many of you know that we have been struggling lately in Hawaii.  Not the least of which is financial.  Basically my jobs have either all finished or just been cancelled.  Suffice to say we are having a hard time.  With this as a background... I would like to share this experience with everybody.

Katherine and I went to the temple on Friday night.  It was a small session and I just happened to be the first person into the celestial room.  I had the room all to myself.  I had taken about 5 steps into the room and I had a sudden thought about David and Gpa Bodell.  I hadn't been thinking of them all day so it kind of caught me by surprise.  It was really just a passing thought.  I didn't see or hear them or anything like that.  I sat on a couch and my mind quickly went to my problems.  I prayed to Heavenly Father that I was in the Temple and we are promised it is the best place to seek for answers and help, and so now I was really asking.  I poured out my soul, with financial problems and Aubrey's health being at the top of my list.  I'm the best dad and husband I know how to be, but it just seems like it's not enough.  And I pleaded that I need help.

As soon as I prayed for help, my mind recalled the impression I had just had about David and Gpa.  I got excited thinking that maybe I would have an experience with them as some of our family members have had.  But alas it seemed there was no contact to be had.  I was disappointed and I started thinking about my troubles again.  After a minute my thoughts went back to David and Gpa.  And so I thought... well if they REALLY were in this room... what were they doing and why were they here.  I pictured the two of them talking about some project they might be working on together.  The two of them were always working on something.  I tried to focus on their faces and voices as I remembered them.  Then I thought... well if they were in the room... what would be their purpose?  I suddenly thought that I could really use a priesthood blessing.  So I imagined in my mind that David was giving me a blessing.  Again I focused on his face and his voice and I began thinking of a blessing for myself.  I know that sounds strange, but just keep with me.   At some point in this process of thinking through a blessing, it began to go on its own.   I was no longer forcing my imagination.  David continued to tell me that everybody on the other side of the veil is proud of me and they are very much aware of my problems.  He also said that there is a plan for me.  Then I saw Grandma Bodell in my mind.  She wasn't the crazy grandma we all remember.  She gave me a big hug and said she loved me and that she was also very proud of me.  I said that I hadn't done anything noteworthy to be proud of.  She replied that "you love your wife, and you love my grand-babies and that is all that matters to me."  I then saw Grandpa Kenney's face and the whole group gave me a very clear message:  They said "you have been in Hawaii a very long time and that it has all been for a purpose.  Your little family has been through a lot and you have worked hard together.  Your family has become unbreakable.  You have served the people of Hawaii for nine years, and now it is time to go home.  There is family back home that is suffering and they need your help.  It is time to return to the people you love so much and serve them now."

And so there it is.... We have decided to come home!!!  We don't have many details yet, and I have no job waiting for me.  But this experience confirmed for us that the time is right to move.  There have been many things leading up to this decision, I don't think I can list them all.  But this experience was exactly what I needed to know in my heart that now is the time.  We look forward to moving home and seeing all of you again more often.

Ben & Katherine

A Christ Centered Easter, Day 8 - Easter Sunday

Day 8 - Easter Sunday

Focus: Jesus’ Resurrection and Appearances

Songs:

He Is Risen!

1. 1. He is risen! He is risen!
   Tell it out with joyful voice.
   He has burst his three days' prison;
   Let the whole wide earth rejoice.
   Death is conquered; man is free.
   Christ has won the victory.
2. 2. Come with high and holy hymning;
   Chant our Lord's triumphant lay.
   Not one darksome cloud is dimming
   Yonder glorious morning ray,
   Breaking o'er the purple east,
   Symbol of our Easter feast.
3. 3. He is risen! He is risen!
   He hath opened heaven's gate.
   We are free from sin's dark prison,
   Risen to a holier state.
   And a brighter Easter beam
   On our longing eyes shall stream.
4. Text: Cecil Frances Alexander, 1818-1895
   Music: Joachim Neander, 1650-1680

Easter Hosanna

1. 1. The prophecies of long ago were now at last fulfilled,
   When Jesus, risen from the dead, to man Himself revealed.
   As he came down from heav'n above, white-robed and glorified,
   The people of the promised land received their Lord and cried:
2. "Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God!
   Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God!"
3. 2. When Jesus Christ appeared to Nephites in the promised land,
   The righteous people saw his wounds and came to understand
   That he, once dead, was risen up as Savior, Lord, and King.
   As they rejoiced, now we rejoice, and joyfully we sing:
4. Words and music: Vanja Y. Watkins, b. 1938. (c) 1982 IRI

Pictures:

The Annunciation

Jesus Appears to Mary

Behold My Hands and Feet

Scriptures:  

Matthew 28:1-15

Mark 16:1-11

Luke 24:1-12

John 20:1-18

Luke 24:13-35 (road to Emmaus)

Luke 24: 36-49 (Appearance to eleven in Jerusalem)

Videos: 

Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb

Jesus is Risen*

Jesus is Resurrected

Sunday Will Come (Elder Wirthlin- If this video doesnt load for some reason, PLEASE click through - so worth it!)

Discussions

• See Reflections on the Savior's Last Week for section on The Empty Tomb and the Risen Lord.
• Discuss the range of emotions that must have been felt by Mary Magdalene or Mary the mother of Jesus on this day (from shock and despair to hope and joy).
• Discuss how the apostles reacted to Mary Madalene’s report that Christ had risen and the report of the two men on the road to Emmaus. Discuss the Lord’s response to this. (Mark 16:10-14)
• Discuss how we can correctly discern the truth ourselves. (Moroni 7:16)
• Thomas was not with the other ten apostles at the resurrected Lord’s appearance in Jerusalem and would not believe what they had seen. DIscuss how Christ’s words to Thomas eight days later can help us in our efforts to live by faith. (John 20:24-29)
• Other resources as needed for children (all from The Friend)
• He Lives!
• Jesus Finishes His Mission on Earth
• coloring page - Christ visits Mary

A Christ Centered Easter, Day 7 - Saturday

Day 7 - Saturday

Focus: The Jewish Sabbath, The Great Plan of Happiness

Songs: 

I Know That My Redeemer Lives

1. 1. I know that my Redeemer lives.
   What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
   He lives, he lives, who once was dead.
   He lives, my ever-living Head.
   He lives to bless me with his love.
   He lives to plead for me above.
   He lives my hungry soul to feed.
   He lives to bless in time of need.
2. 2. He lives to grant me rich supply.
   He lives to guide me with his eye.
   He lives to comfort me when faint.
   He lives to hear my soul's complaint.
   He lives to silence all my fears.
   He lives to wipe away my tears.
   He lives to calm my troubled heart.
   He lives all blessings to impart.
3. 3. He lives, my kind, wise heav'nly Friend.
   He lives and loves me to the end.
   He lives, and while he lives, I'll sing.
   He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
   He lives and grants me daily breath.
   He lives, and I shall conquer death.
   He lives my mansion to prepare.
   He lives to bring me safely there.
4. 4. He lives! All glory to his name!
   He lives, my Savior, still the same.
   Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
   "I know that my Redeemer lives!"
   He lives! All glory to his name!
   He lives, my Savior, still the same.
   Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
   "I know that my Redeemer lives!"
5. Unison
   Harmony
6. Text: Samuel Medley, 1738-1799. Included in the first LDS hymnbook, 1835.
   Music: Lewis D. Edwards, 1858-1921

I Feel My Saviors Love

1. 1. I feel my Savior's love
   In all the world around me.
   His Spirit warms my soul
   Through ev'rything I see.
2. 2. I feel my Savior's love;
   Its gentleness enfolds me,
   And when I kneel to pray,
   My heart is filled with peace.
3. 3. I feel my Savior's love
   And know that he will bless me.
   I offer him my heart;
   My shepherd he will be.
4. 4. I'll share my Savior's love
   By serving others freely.
   In serving I am blessed.
   In giving I receive.
5. Chorus
   He knows I will follow him,
   Give all my life to him.
   I feel my Savior's love,
   The love he freely gives me.
6. Words: Ralph Rodgers Jr., 1936-1996; K. Newell Dayley, b. 1939; and Laurie Huffman, b. 1948
   Music: K. Newell Dayley, b. 1939
   (c) 1978, 1979 by K. Newell Dayley. Used by permission.

Pictures: 

Sepulchre Garden Tomb

Christus

Jesus Christ

Scriptures:

Matthew 27:62-66

62 ¶Now the next day, that followed the day of the ^apreparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,

 63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that ^adeceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.

 64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last^aerror shall be worse than the first.

 65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make itas sure as ye can.

 66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

Luke 23:56

56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and^arested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

John 16:20

20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your^asorrow shall be turned into ^bjoy.

1 Peter 3:18-19

18 For Christ also hath once ^asuffered for sins, the just for the^bunjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to ^cdeath in the flesh, but quickened by the ^dSpirit:

 19 By which also he went and ^apreached unto the ^bspirits in^cprison;

D&C 138:29-37

29 And as I wondered, my eyes were opened, and my understanding ^aquickened, and I perceived that the Lord went not in person among the ^bwicked and the disobedient who had rejected the truth, to teach them;

 30 But behold, from among the righteous, he ^aorganized his forces and appointed ^bmessengers, ^cclothed with power and authority, and ^dcommissioned them to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to them that were in ^edarkness, even to ^fall the spirits of men; and thus was the gospel preached to the dead.

 31 And the chosen messengers went forth to declare the^aacceptable day of the Lord and proclaim ^bliberty to the captives who were bound, even unto all who would ^crepent of their sins and receive the gospel.

 32 Thus was the gospel preached to those who had ^adied in their sins, without a ^bknowledge of the truth, or in ^ctransgression, having ^drejected the prophets.

 33 These were taught ^afaith in God, repentance from sin,^bvicarious baptism for the ^cremission of sins, the ^dgift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands,

 34 And all other principles of the gospel that were necessary for them to know in order to qualify themselves that they might be^ajudged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

 35 And so it was made known among the dead, both small and great, the unrighteous as well as the faithful, that redemption had been wrought through the ^asacrifice of the Son of God upon the^bcross.

 36 Thus was it made known that our Redeemer spent his time during his sojourn in the world of ^aspirits, instructing and preparing the faithful spirits of the ^bprophets who had testified of him in the flesh;

 37 That they might carry the message of redemption unto all the dead, unto whom he could not go personally, because of their^arebellion and transgression, that they through the ministration of his servants might also hear his words.

Videos: 

The Source of Our Joy (Elder Cook)

Christ's Atonement is Central to the Plan of Happiness (Elder Holland)

We Can Live with God Again (Mormon Messages)

Discussions

• Why dont we use the symbol of the cross in our worship? (The Symbol of Christ)
• What does modern revelation tell us Christ was doing between the crucifixion and resurrection? (1 Peter 3:18-19, D&C 138:29-37)
• Discuss the irony that Christ’s death brought grief to his disciples on earth but joy to those in the spirit world. What might this teach us about trusting in the Lord with patience?
• How can our testimony of the death and resurrection of Christ bring us peace regarding the death of a loved one?
• Other resources as needed for children (all from The Friend)
• Joy Cometh in the Morning