Elder Hales Returns With Honor

On Sunday October 1, 2017 between the morning and afternoon sessions of LDS General Conference we received word that Elder Robert D. Hales – one of our beloved apostles hospitalized earlier in the week – had died.

Elder Hales was a faithful follower of Christ all 85 years of his life. He served as an ordained apostle and special witness of Jesus Christ for the past 23 years. At the time of his passing he was the fifth most senior apostle in the church.

This brief 3 minute video tribute is very inspiring, and well worth watching about his life and ministry:

Elder Hales advocated for taking time to become holy, encouraging us to pray deeper and immerse ourselves in reading the scriptures. I love this good advice:

“When we want to speak to God, we pray. And when we want Him to speak to us, we search the scriptures; for His words are spoken through His prophets. He will then teach us as we listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

“If you have not heard His voice speaking to you lately, return with new eyes and new ears to the scriptures.” —Elder Robert D. Hales

What a dear, sweet man of faith.

Elder Hales was never able to deliver the final message that he penned for last weekend’s Conference. However, a brief portion was read at the conclusion of conference on Sunday, by Elder Andersen.

Despite the tumult, the chaos, the hatred, fear and grief happening all around our world – God is real and He Loves us. He has a plan for each of us. He hears our prayers, and He knows our needs. Elder Hales life is an example to us that no matter what, we can have faith. We can have faith to speak to God our Father, and to have faith to listen to his answers by reading the words of His prophets and apostles in both ancient and modern scripture.

Let us choose faith, and then be prepared to Stand!

Funeral Service for Elder Hales

Tomorrow, Friday, October 6, 2017 at 11:00 am MDT in the Tabernacle on Temple Square. All are invited to attend either in person or watch via TV, cable or internet.

Attend in Person: The Temple Square gates and the Tabernacle doors will open at 9:30 a.m. Those wishing to attend should be in their seats by 10:30 a.m. (come early!) Overflow seating will be available in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square. The Church campus buildings will be closed at 10:00 a.m. and will reopen following the funeral at 1:00 p.m.

Watch the funeral Live at:  MormonNewsroom.org, LDS.org (English, Spanish, and Portuguese), KSL TV 5.2, the KSL TV app, BYUtv, BYUtv Global, KBYUtv Eleven, BYUtv International, Mormon Channel, Canal Mormón (Spanish) and on the Church satellite system. In addition, audio broadcasts will air on KSL radio, BYU Classical 89 and BYU Radio.

The music for the funeral will be provided by The Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

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MARATHON COUNT DOWN = 1 DAY*

OK. This is it! The St. George Marathon countdown clock has officially reached 1 Day.

ONE DAY 

(technically, *1 Day and 18 hours at this writing – so somewhere between 1- 2 days – start time at 6:30 am MDT Saturday Oct 7th – but still, the counter reads 1 Day!!)

Here is a screen shot of this moment in time. By the time this post publishes, this moment will have long passed. You can check out the current clock here.

Friends & Family Make Everything Better

• My brother Matthew is running the marathon with me (driving separately, with his family). He keeps a fast pace, so it is  more accurate to say that “he will be blazing the marathon trail for me”.
• Two other MoTab Choir sisters are also running the race with me. Maria, and Stephanie (the one who put Maria and me up to this whole crazy thing!). Mr. Mo is coming along as our official “chauffeur and cheerleader”. 🙂 The 4 of us will make the road trip together.

Yes, we have chosen to delay our drive to St. George in order to sing for Elder Hales funeral.

If you don’t hear from me for a few days, watch for photo updates on my Instagram!

♥ – MoSop