Traces of
Time . . .
Last week: Scroll to end click
Time . . .
Last week: Scroll to end click
"Older Posts" at bottom right.
"Older Posts" at bottom right.
It is in very tiny font: Older Posts} Week of SEPTEMBER 21-27, 2025Stay on the Covenant Pathto reach theTree of Life"Time moves slowly, but passes quickly...
On this blog I share with family and friends my thoughts, doings, what interests me, and--at times--tributes to my eternal sweetheart, Walt, who graduated to heaven on 8-21-2020.
On this blog I share with family and friends my thoughts, doings, what interests me, and--at times--tributes to my eternal sweetheart, Walt, who graduated to heaven on 8-21-2020.
Dedicated to our Posterity of 78: Seven children--Janie, Gary, Steve, David, Julie, Brian, Jen, their spouses, our 39 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and posterity to come.
Dedicated to our Posterity of 78: Seven children--Janie, Gary, Steve, David, Julie, Brian, Jen, their spouses, our 39 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and posterity to come.
MONDAY,
SEPTEMBER 21, 2026
MONDAY,
SEPTEMBER 21, 2026
Family is Everything... At
*** *** ***Sunrise: 7:14 a.m.
Sunset: 7:26 p.m.
9 week checkwith podiatrist... 
*** *** ***
TUESDAY,
SEPTEMBER 22, 2026
Family is Everything...
The fall equinox in 2026 occurs on Tuesday, September 22, at 6:05 p.m. MDT (8:05 p.m. EDT / 00:05 UTC on September 23) according to the Farmers' Almanac.xxx xxx xxxWhen Is the First Day of Fall 2026?
The fall equinox and the first day of autumn arrive on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 8:04 P.M. EDT in the Northern Hemisphere. The equinox occurs at the same moment worldwide. Curious what time 8:04 P.M. EDT is where you live? Try our Time Zone Converter.
Autumnal Equinox Dates
Year
Autumnal Equinox (Northern Hemisphere)
Autumnal Equinox (Southern Hemisphere)
2026
Tuesday, September 22 at 8:04 P.M.
Friday, March 20
2027
Thursday, September 23 at 2:00 A.M.
Saturday, March 20
2028
Friday, September 22 at 7:44 A.M.
Sunday, March 19
2029
Saturday, September 22 at 1:37 P.M.
Tuesday, March 20
Note: Dates listed above are based on Eastern Time (UTC-5). Due to time zones, the date of the equinox may differ by +/- one calendar day in your location.
Institute - 1 Nephi
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
When Is the First Day of Fall 2026?
The fall equinox and the first day of autumn arrive on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 8:04 P.M. EDT in the Northern Hemisphere. The equinox occurs at the same moment worldwide. Curious what time 8:04 P.M. EDT is where you live? Try our Time Zone Converter.
Autumnal Equinox Dates | ||
Year | Autumnal Equinox (Northern Hemisphere) | Autumnal Equinox (Southern Hemisphere) |
2026 | Tuesday, September 22 at 8:04 P.M. | Friday, March 20 |
2027 | Thursday, September 23 at 2:00 A.M. | Saturday, March 20 |
2028 | Friday, September 22 at 7:44 A.M. | Sunday, March 19 |
2029 | Saturday, September 22 at 1:37 P.M. | Tuesday, March 20 |
Note: Dates listed above are based on Eastern Time (UTC-5). Due to time zones, the date of the equinox may differ by +/- one calendar day in your location.
Our Tuesday night movie wasthe second half of"Nuremburg " from 2025
*** *** ***
WEDNESDAY,SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 Family is
Everything...
Lunch Bunch...
Lunch Bunch was
at ...
came...
...
THURSDAY,
SEPTEMBER 24, 2026
Family is
Everything…
Happy
FRIDAY,
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
Family is
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
Family is
Everything…
HE LIVES:
THE HOPE IN DOCTRINE AND
COVENANTS 76
What if heaven is more
expansive than we imagined?
In 1832, Joseph Smith and
Sidney Rigdon were pondering the scriptures when the Lord opened a remarkable
vision to them. They saw the resurrected Savior and declared, “He lives!”
(Doctrine and Covenants 76:22).
That testimony is the heart
of the entire section.
They saw Lucifer’s fall and
the terrible consequence of knowingly turning against God. They also saw that
Jesus Christ died and rose again so that God’s children could be resurrected
and judged with perfect justice.
Then they saw three degrees
of glory, compared to the sun, moon, and stars:
Celestial glory—to dwell with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, made
perfect through the Savior’s Atonement.
Terrestrial glory—a glorious kingdom whose inhabitants
receive the presence of the Son, though not the fulness of the Father.
Telestial glory—a kingdom for those who rejected the gospel and must
face judgment, yet whose eventual glory “surpasses all understanding” (verse
89).
The vision ends with a
reminder that Joseph and Sidney could not write everything they saw. Some
truths must be understood through the Holy Spirit.
Doctrine and Covenants 76
invites us to see both the seriousness of our choices and the reach of Christ’s
mercy. God knows each heart. His judgment is just. And through Jesus Christ,
the promise of resurrection reaches every one of us.
When the vision feels too
vast to take in, begin with the testimony at its center:
“He lives!”
#DoctrineAndCovenants76 #HeLives
#JesusChrist #PlanOfSalvation #FaithInChrist
SATURDAY,
HE LIVES:
THE HOPE IN DOCTRINE AND
COVENANTS 76
What if heaven is more
expansive than we imagined?
In 1832, Joseph Smith and
Sidney Rigdon were pondering the scriptures when the Lord opened a remarkable
vision to them. They saw the resurrected Savior and declared, “He lives!”
(Doctrine and Covenants 76:22).
That testimony is the heart
of the entire section.
They saw Lucifer’s fall and
the terrible consequence of knowingly turning against God. They also saw that
Jesus Christ died and rose again so that God’s children could be resurrected
and judged with perfect justice.
Then they saw three degrees
of glory, compared to the sun, moon, and stars:
Terrestrial glory—a glorious kingdom whose inhabitants
receive the presence of the Son, though not the fulness of the Father.
The vision ends with a
reminder that Joseph and Sidney could not write everything they saw. Some
truths must be understood through the Holy Spirit.
Doctrine and Covenants 76
invites us to see both the seriousness of our choices and the reach of Christ’s
mercy. God knows each heart. His judgment is just. And through Jesus Christ,
the promise of resurrection reaches every one of us.
When the vision feels too
vast to take in, begin with the testimony at its center:
“He lives!”
#DoctrineAndCovenants76 #HeLives
#JesusChrist #PlanOfSalvation #FaithInChrist
SEPTEMBER 26, 2026
Family is
Everything…and
so are friends...
Rendezvousing with
SUNDAY,
SEPTEMBER 27, 2026
Family is
Everything...
I haven't posted
this long of an
article before,
but I am
fascinated with
these numbers...
666 and other biblical numbers and their meanings ... ,Story
by Ajla Brooks ... Feb 05 • 4 min
read • Updated 7mo ago
Key
takeaways
666 –
The Infamous Number: Known as “the number of the beast”, 666 likely referenced
Emperor Nero via gematria, serving as a first-century political critique rather
than a literal evil symbol.
- 7 – Symbol of
Completeness: Representing divine perfection, 7 appears in creation,
miracles, and forgiveness, combining heavenly 3 and earthly 4 to signify
spiritual wholeness.
- 40 – Time of
Transformation: Used for periods of trial and growth, like the flood,
Israel’s wandering, and Jesus’ fast, symbolizing long-lasting change and
spiritual maturation.
Biblical numbers are a
little like the relatives at a family wedding—everyone has heard stories about
them, nobody fully understands them, and at least one of them has a slightly
bad reputation.
From mysterious 666 to
the wholesome perfection of 7, these digits have been carrying spiritual
luggage for thousands of years. Ancient writers used numbers the way we use
emojis today: to hint, exaggerate, and add dramatic sparkle.
Unfortunately, modern
readers often treat them like secret passcodes to the apocalypse instead of
symbolic storytelling tools. The Bible was written in cultures that loved
numerology, and those cultures sprinkled meaning into every figure the way
bakers sprinkle powdered sugar—generously and sometimes messily.
Let’s
take a stroll through some of the most famous numbers and what they were
actually trying to say.
1. 666
– The Celebrity Villain of Numbers
© Angelynum© Angelynum
Poor 666. No number in
history has suffered worse public relations. It’s the biblical equivalent of
the kid in school everyone blames when the vending machine eats their coins. In
the Book of Revelation, 666 is called “the number of the beast,” which sounds
terrifying until you realize ancient writers loved riddles more than modern
escape-room designers.
Scholars believe the
number was probably a coded reference to a real historical figure, most likely
Emperor Nero, whose name can be squeezed into 666 using Hebrew letter math
called gematria. Instead of a spooky barcode on future foreheads, it was likely
a first-century diss track aimed at a tyrant.
Over time, imagination
inflated it into the mascot of horror movies, heavy-metal albums, and
suspicious microwave clocks. The real lesson? Sometimes a number is less a
demon and more a sarcastic political cartoon carved into scripture.
2. 7 –
God’s Favorite Lucky Charm
© Angelynum© Angelynum
If numbers had a
popularity contest, 7 would wear the crown, sash, and a smug smile. The Bible
treats 7 like the VIP guest at every spiritual party. Creation took seven days,
Jericho fell after seven trumpet blasts, and Peter was told to forgive not seven
times but seventy-seven times—basically “keep forgiving until you’re tired of
counting.”
In ancient culture, 7
symbolized completeness, like saying, “This is the whole package, batteries
included.” It combined the divine number 3 with the earthly number 4, making it
a cosmic smoothie of heaven and dirt.
Even today people feel
oddly warm toward 7—slot machines, wedding dates, and phone passwords prove it.
The Bible didn’t invent our love for 7, but it definitely put the number on the
spiritual map with glitter and confetti.
3. 12
– The Administrative Assistant of Heaven
© Angelynum© Angelynum
Twelve is the Bible’s
organization manager, clipboard in hand, making sure salvation runs on
schedule. There were twelve tribes of Israel, twelve apostles, and in
Revelation the heavenly city has twelve gates, twelve foundations, and probably
twelve parking spaces for angel camels.
The number represented
God’s people arranged in neat rows, like divine IKEA furniture. Ancient
societies used base-twelve systems because you can divide 12 by almost anything
without crying, so it became a symbol of order and community.
When Jesus chose twelve
disciples, he wasn’t just collecting fishing buddies; he was rebooting Israel
with a symbolic starter pack. Even today we live by dozens and dials set to
twelve hours. The Bible’s message was clear: when God builds something, He prefers
structure, teamwork, and a tidy spreadsheet.
4. 40
– The Official Number of “Hang in There”
© Angelynum© Angelynum
Whenever
the Bible says 40, you should imagine a cosmic loading bar. It’s the number of
waiting rooms, wilderness diets, and character development arcs. The flood
rained for forty days, Israel wandered forty years, and Jesus fasted forty days
while probably dreaming about bread commercials.
In
ancient storytelling, 40 didn’t always mean an exact calendar count; it meant
“a really long time that changes you and maybe gives you emotional maturity.”
Think of it as God’s boot camp length—long enough to complain, cry, and finally
grow up.
Modern
life still echoes this: forty-hour workweeks, forty weeks of pregnancy, forty
minutes stuck on hold with customer service. The Bible uses 40 to whisper,
“Transformation is slow, slightly uncomfortable, and involves snacks you can’t
eat yet.”
5. 3 –
The Divine Triangle of Drama
©
Angelynum© Angelynum
Three is the Bible’s
rhythm section, tapping out a holy beat: beginning, middle, end. Jonah spent
three days in the fish, Jesus rose on the third day, and Peter denied Him three
times before the rooster turned into an alarm clock with feathers.
The number suggested
stability—like a three-legged stool that won’t wobble even if Uncle Bartholomew
sits on it. Christianity later saw 3 as a wink toward the Trinity, giving it
superstar theological status. Ancient storytellers loved triples because audiences
remembered them: three visitors to Abraham, three gifts from the Magi, three
chances before someone learns their lesson.
Even fairy tales copied
the formula with three wishes and three bears. Biblically, 3 means something is
established, confirmed, and ready for the credits to roll.
6. 10
– God’s Top-Ten List
©
Angelynum© Angelynum
Long before late-night
comedians invented countdowns, the Bible rolled out the original top-ten chart:
the Ten Commandments. Ten symbolized completeness in a practical, down-to-earth
way—the number of fingers you use to count bills or point angrily at your
sibling.
Plagues of Egypt came in
tens, reminding Pharaoh that God grades on a very strict rubric. Ancient
peoples saw 10 as a full set, like getting the entire collection instead of
just the action figure without accessories. It marked responsibility and law:
ten toes to walk the right path, ten fingers to avoid stealing cookies.
Even today we measure
decades and percentages by tens. The biblical message was simple—live by these
ten guidelines and society functions; ignore them and you get a reality show
called Exodus.
AD
\
\
\\
Saratoga Springs 3rd Ward
Presiding:
Bishop Justin Thompson
Conducting:
Organist
Chorister
Cynthia Vaillancourt
Opening Hymn
Invocation:
Sacrament Hymn
#
Administration of the
Sacrament
Speakers:
Closing Hymn
#
Benediction:
New Schedule...2nd week...
10:05 - 10:30
Gospel Doctrine
25 minutes...
10:35 - 11:00
Relief Society / Priesthood
25 minutes...
*** *** ***If you have not seen
our mini-life-sketch,
it is at the end of
my testimony below...Redemption is equal because Christ is infinite...
-- Alma 34:14.
Glory is different because agency is real...
-- Doctrine and Covenants 93:31.
--The Bronze Serpent
SEPTEMBER 26, 2026
Family is
666 and other biblical numbers and their meanings ... ,Story by Ajla Brooks ... Feb 05 • 4 min read • Updated 7mo ago
Key
takeaways
666 –
The Infamous Number: Known as “the number of the beast”, 666 likely referenced
Emperor Nero via gematria, serving as a first-century political critique rather
than a literal evil symbol.
- 7 – Symbol of
Completeness: Representing divine perfection, 7 appears in creation,
miracles, and forgiveness, combining heavenly 3 and earthly 4 to signify
spiritual wholeness.
- 40 – Time of
Transformation: Used for periods of trial and growth, like the flood,
Israel’s wandering, and Jesus’ fast, symbolizing long-lasting change and
spiritual maturation.
Biblical numbers are a little like the relatives at a family wedding—everyone has heard stories about them, nobody fully understands them, and at least one of them has a slightly bad reputation.
From mysterious 666 to the wholesome perfection of 7, these digits have been carrying spiritual luggage for thousands of years. Ancient writers used numbers the way we use emojis today: to hint, exaggerate, and add dramatic sparkle.
Unfortunately, modern
readers often treat them like secret passcodes to the apocalypse instead of
symbolic storytelling tools. The Bible was written in cultures that loved
numerology, and those cultures sprinkled meaning into every figure the way
bakers sprinkle powdered sugar—generously and sometimes messily.
Let’s
take a stroll through some of the most famous numbers and what they were
actually trying to say.
1. 666
– The Celebrity Villain of Numbers
© Angelynum© Angelynum
Poor 666. No number in
history has suffered worse public relations. It’s the biblical equivalent of
the kid in school everyone blames when the vending machine eats their coins. In
the Book of Revelation, 666 is called “the number of the beast,” which sounds
terrifying until you realize ancient writers loved riddles more than modern
escape-room designers.
Scholars believe the
number was probably a coded reference to a real historical figure, most likely
Emperor Nero, whose name can be squeezed into 666 using Hebrew letter math
called gematria. Instead of a spooky barcode on future foreheads, it was likely
a first-century diss track aimed at a tyrant.
Over time, imagination
inflated it into the mascot of horror movies, heavy-metal albums, and
suspicious microwave clocks. The real lesson? Sometimes a number is less a
demon and more a sarcastic political cartoon carved into scripture.
2. 7 –
God’s Favorite Lucky Charm
© Angelynum© Angelynum
If numbers had a
popularity contest, 7 would wear the crown, sash, and a smug smile. The Bible
treats 7 like the VIP guest at every spiritual party. Creation took seven days,
Jericho fell after seven trumpet blasts, and Peter was told to forgive not seven
times but seventy-seven times—basically “keep forgiving until you’re tired of
counting.”
In ancient culture, 7
symbolized completeness, like saying, “This is the whole package, batteries
included.” It combined the divine number 3 with the earthly number 4, making it
a cosmic smoothie of heaven and dirt.
Even today people feel
oddly warm toward 7—slot machines, wedding dates, and phone passwords prove it.
The Bible didn’t invent our love for 7, but it definitely put the number on the
spiritual map with glitter and confetti.
3. 12
– The Administrative Assistant of Heaven
© Angelynum© Angelynum
Twelve is the Bible’s
organization manager, clipboard in hand, making sure salvation runs on
schedule. There were twelve tribes of Israel, twelve apostles, and in
Revelation the heavenly city has twelve gates, twelve foundations, and probably
twelve parking spaces for angel camels.
The number represented
God’s people arranged in neat rows, like divine IKEA furniture. Ancient
societies used base-twelve systems because you can divide 12 by almost anything
without crying, so it became a symbol of order and community.
When Jesus chose twelve
disciples, he wasn’t just collecting fishing buddies; he was rebooting Israel
with a symbolic starter pack. Even today we live by dozens and dials set to
twelve hours. The Bible’s message was clear: when God builds something, He prefers
structure, teamwork, and a tidy spreadsheet.
4. 40
– The Official Number of “Hang in There”
© Angelynum© Angelynum
Whenever
the Bible says 40, you should imagine a cosmic loading bar. It’s the number of
waiting rooms, wilderness diets, and character development arcs. The flood
rained for forty days, Israel wandered forty years, and Jesus fasted forty days
while probably dreaming about bread commercials.
In
ancient storytelling, 40 didn’t always mean an exact calendar count; it meant
“a really long time that changes you and maybe gives you emotional maturity.”
Think of it as God’s boot camp length—long enough to complain, cry, and finally
grow up.
Modern
life still echoes this: forty-hour workweeks, forty weeks of pregnancy, forty
minutes stuck on hold with customer service. The Bible uses 40 to whisper,
“Transformation is slow, slightly uncomfortable, and involves snacks you can’t
eat yet.”
5. 3 –
The Divine Triangle of Drama
©
Angelynum© Angelynum
Three is the Bible’s
rhythm section, tapping out a holy beat: beginning, middle, end. Jonah spent
three days in the fish, Jesus rose on the third day, and Peter denied Him three
times before the rooster turned into an alarm clock with feathers.
The number suggested
stability—like a three-legged stool that won’t wobble even if Uncle Bartholomew
sits on it. Christianity later saw 3 as a wink toward the Trinity, giving it
superstar theological status. Ancient storytellers loved triples because audiences
remembered them: three visitors to Abraham, three gifts from the Magi, three
chances before someone learns their lesson.
Even fairy tales copied
the formula with three wishes and three bears. Biblically, 3 means something is
established, confirmed, and ready for the credits to roll.
6. 10
– God’s Top-Ten List
©
Angelynum© Angelynum
Long before late-night
comedians invented countdowns, the Bible rolled out the original top-ten chart:
the Ten Commandments. Ten symbolized completeness in a practical, down-to-earth
way—the number of fingers you use to count bills or point angrily at your
sibling.
Plagues of Egypt came in
tens, reminding Pharaoh that God grades on a very strict rubric. Ancient
peoples saw 10 as a full set, like getting the entire collection instead of
just the action figure without accessories. It marked responsibility and law:
ten toes to walk the right path, ten fingers to avoid stealing cookies.
Even today we measure
decades and percentages by tens. The biblical message was simple—live by these
ten guidelines and society functions; ignore them and you get a reality show
called Exodus.
AD
Redemption is equal because Christ is infinite...
-- Alma 34:14.
Glory is different because agency is real...
-- Doctrine and Covenants 93:31.
--The Bronze Serpent
** *I am so thankful for The Plan of Salvation and the Atonement of Jesus Christ that makes this
Great Plan operational.
At the end of this September 27th, 2026I pray you have had a restful, peaceful, and spiritual Sabbath Day...
I share these truths as my testimony to you...
Heavenly Father lives and knows us each by name. He loves us and wants us to return to Him and Heavenly Mother when we leave this mortal existence. He loves us just as we are at this very moment.
*** *** ****** *** ***Heavenly Mother...
♪♫♪♪♫ "...Truth is reason;
truth eternal tells me I've a
Mother there..." ♪♫♪♪♫
--Eliza R. Snow"O, My Father"
President Dallin H.Oaks said...
"For as we have a Father in heaven, so also we have a Mother there, a glorified, exalted, ennobled Mother. That is a startling doctrine, I recognize, to some folk, and yet we ought to be governed by reason in giving consideration to this doctrine which is a revelation from God" (Sermons and Mission Services of Melvin Joseph Ballard, 205).
"For reasons the Lord has not revealed, we do not know much about a Heavenly Mother. But we have been told that the purpose of life on earth is to give us the opportunity to grow toward being like our Heavenly Father. And we know that we are children of Heavenly Parents. So we know that we have a Heavenly Mother or Mothers. But for reasons the Lord has not revealed, we do not know much about our Heavenly Mother. But we know we must have one because both men and women are working for exaltation . . ." - President Oaks
*** *** ***
Jesus Christ came to earth as The Only Begotten of the Father and fulfilled the Atonement. He is the Redeemer of all.
“An omnicompetent God leaves all mortals free to choose, but how grateful we should be that God chose long, long ago to rescue and to resurrect all His children through the Atonement of His Son. Nevertheless, some reject and many are indifferent to these and other divine beckonings, mostly because they are too caught up in the cares of the world. They are strangers to the Savior, who is far from the thoughts and intents of their hearts.”Neal A Maxwell
How Choice a Seer!
Revelation 19:16: -- "And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS".
*** *** ****** *** ***I am thankful for the guidance of the Holy Ghost as the third member of the Godhead. Walt said to me once: "I look forward to thanking the Holy Ghost in person when I get to Heaven. I don't think we give Him enough credit for all He does."
*** *** *** *** ***
Joseph Smith was foreordained to be the Prophet of the Restoration. He is the Restorer of all things.*** *** ***President Dallin H. Oaks is the Living Prophet today for all the world. 
*** *** ***
*** *** ***
The Bible is "the Word of God as far as it is translated correctly" and is a Testament of the Divinity of Jesus Christ.*** *** ***The Book of Mormon is the Word of God and is Another Testament of Jesus Christ. It is the most correct book of any book on earth.*** *** ***The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the True Church on the earth today. Because of the restored Priesthood Temple Ordinances families can be sealed for eternity.
PriesthoodAaronic andMelchizedek
*** *** *** *** ***
*** *** ***Of these truths I testify in the Name of Jesus Christ, amen.Eileen PetersenSeptember 27, 2026 "Time moves slowly, but passes quickly...
I pray you have had a restful, peaceful, and spiritual Sabbath Day...
I share these truths as my testimony to you...
♪♫♪♪♫ "...Truth is reason;
truth eternal tells me I've a
Mother there..." ♪♫♪♪♫
President Dallin H.Oaks said...
"For as we have a Father in heaven, so also we have a Mother there, a glorified, exalted, ennobled Mother. That is a startling doctrine, I recognize, to some folk, and yet we ought to be governed by reason in giving consideration to this doctrine which is a revelation from God" (Sermons and Mission Services of Melvin Joseph Ballard, 205).
"For reasons the Lord has not revealed, we do not know much about a Heavenly Mother. But we have been told that the purpose of life on earth is to give us the opportunity to grow toward being like our Heavenly Father. And we know that we are children of Heavenly Parents. So we know that we have a Heavenly Mother or Mothers. But for reasons the Lord has not revealed, we do not know much about our Heavenly Mother. But we know we must have one because both men and women are working for exaltation . . ." - President Oaks
*** *** ***
Neal A Maxwell
How Choice a Seer!
