Prison Happenings

We were able to hold all our meetings this past Sunday March 10.  Brother Campbell joined me at Salinas Valley and Brother Doug Humble went with President Romero to the North yard at Soledad(CTF). I was not attendance the week prior but there was no meeting at Salinas Valley anyway.
     We had been discussing salvation for the dead at previous meetings and segued to The three degrees of Glory as outlined in D&C 76(The Vision).  Four brothers joined us(Geary German,Frank Christian,Joe Sullivan and Michael McClish).  Joe proffered an interesting muse as we began by stating his thought that he did not or could not know of his final destination and would not know until he 'got there'.  We assured him that he could know and that there was no mystery as to where his final destination could be.  We read of the sons of perdition and then those who will inherit Celestial glory.  My, what a contrast!!!!  It was a wonderful  time to teach this true doctrine to those who had  never considered the possibilities as outlined by the Savior himself.  We will discuss the middle kingdoms next week.
     Another testimony that the spirit does guide us occurred as we rejoined President Romero and brother Doug for sacrament and lunch.  President mentioned they had discussed the principle of prayer as related in D&C 9 at the North yard meeting.  At our Salinas Valley meeting prior,  I had the brethren read the Lord's Prayer from 3rd Nephi in the Book of Mormon.  I had just read the passage several days earlier and had felt impressed to share the truths gleaned from that reading with my prison brothers.  As a Presidency, we had not previously chosen any particular doctrine to study other than to agree that we needed to teach from the course of study this year, that being the Doctrine and Covenants.  Coincidence?  Not for a minute.
     We continued on to Central yard Chapel to meet with 6 more of our brethren and terminated at South yard with 4 more brothers, two of which, John(oatmeal testimony)Bangston and Charles Hodzinger, will be paroling within 3 months.  President Romero led the discussions at both yards again focusing on prayer and how to recognize the answer to prayer(s) as was the case with Oliver Cowdery who 'took no thought save it was to ask'.
    All in all, it was a great day.