Favorite Quotes from Elder Richard G. Scott (2010 -2014)

from the talk, "Make the Exercise of Faith Your First Priority" General Conference - October 2014

 "Despite all the negative challenges we have in life, we must take time to actively exercise our faith. Such exercise invites the positive, faith-filled power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ into our lives."

"Choose to converse with your Father in Heaven often. Make time every day to share your thoughts and feelings with Him. Tell Him everything that concerns you. He is interested in the most important as well as the most mundane facets of your life. Share with Him your full range of feelings and experiences."

"If you want your children to recognize, understand, and act on the promptings of the Spirit, you must study the scriptures with them."

"As you dedicate time every day, personally and with your family, to the study of God's word, peace will prevail in your life."

"The temple is one of the best places to come to understand the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Seek Him there."

from the talk, "I Have Given You an Example" General Conference - April 2014

"He could do more with my life than I could on my own,"

"the scriptures are a vital source of receiving and recognizing answers."

"As you consistently focus your life on the most basic principles, you will gain an understanding of what you are to do, and you will produce more fruit for the Lord and more happiness for yourself."

"Always seek to strengthen families."

"Keep your sharing of the gospel simple."

"We best serve our Father in Heaven by righteously influencing others and serving them. The greatest example who ever walked the earth is our Savior, Jesus Christ. His mortal ministry was filled with teaching, serving, and loving others."

from the talk, "Personal Strength through the Atonement of Jesus Christ" General Conference - October 2013

"We are all in desperate need of the redemptive power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ."

"Repentance is not punishment. It is the hope-filled path to a more glorious future."

"fill your life with service to others. As you lose your life in the service of Father in Heaven's children, Satan's temptations lose power in your life."

from the talk, "For Peace at Home" General Conference - April 2013

"Many voices from the world in which we live tell us we should live at a frantic pace. There is always more to do and more to accomplish. Yet deep inside each of us is a need to have a place of refuge where peace and serenity prevail, a place where we can rest, regroup, and reenergize to prepare for future pressures."

"Regardless of your circumstances, you can center your life on the Lord Jesus Christ, for He is the source of true peace in this life."

"Be certain that every decision you make, whether temporal or spiritual, is conditioned on what the Savior would have you do. When He is the center of your home, there is peace and serenity. There is a spirit of assurance that pervades the home, and it is felt by all who dwell there."

"simple, consistent, good habits lead to a life full of bountiful blessings."

"Satan is no match for the Savior."

"Technology, when understood and used for righteous purposes, need not be a threat but rather an enhancement to spiritual communication."

"If you young people would review a verse of scripture as often as some of you send text messages, you could soon have hundreds of passages of scripture memorized. Those passages would prove to be a powerful source of inspiration and guidance by the Holy Ghost in times of need."

"Doing all we can to invite the gentle, guiding influence of the Holy Ghost into our lives is critical in our attempts to center our homes on the Savior. Acting obediently on those promptings strengthens us even more."

"As you center your home on the Savior, it will naturally become a refuge not only to your own family but also to friends who live in more difficult circumstances."

"One of the greatest blessings we can offer to the world is the power of a Christ-centered home where the gospel is taught, covenants are kept, and love abounds."

"Recognize the good in others, not their stains."

from the talk, "The Joy of Redeeming the Dead" General Conference - October 2012

"Temple and family history work is one work divided into two parts."

"Any work you do in the temple is time well spent, but receiving ordinances vicariously for one of your own ancestors will make the time in the temple more sacred, and even greater blessings will be received."

"Do you young people want a sure way to eliminate the influence of the adversary in your life? Immerse yourself in searching for your ancestors, prepare their names for sacred vicarious ordinances available in the temple, and then go to the temple to stand as proxy for them to receive the ordinances of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost."

"Set aside those things in your life that don't really matter. Decide to do something that will have eternal consequences."

from the talk, "How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration for your Personal Life" General Conference April 2012

"Why does the Lord want us to pray to Him and to ask? Because that is how revelation is received."

When I am faced with a very difficult matter, this is how I try to understand what to do. I fast. I pray to find and understand scriptures that will be helpful. That process is cyclical. I start reading a passage of scripture; I ponder what the verse means and pray for inspiration. I then ponder and pray to know if I have captured all the Lord wants me to do. Often more impressions come with increased understanding of doctrine. I have found that pattern to be a good way to learn from the scriptures."

"Spiritual communication can be enhanced by good health practices. Exercise, reasonable amounts of sleep, and good eating habits increase out capacity to receive and understand revelation."

"It is important that our daily activities do not distract us from listening to the Spirit."

"Inspiration carefully recorded shows God that His communications are sacred to us."

"For spirituality to grow stronger and more available, it must be planted in a righteous environment."

"Our Heavenly Father did not put us on earth to fail but to succeed gloriously."

"The more closely you follow divine guidance, the greater will be your happiness here and for eternity - moreover, the more abundant your progress and capacity to serve."

"Communication with our Father in Heaven is not a trivial matter. It is a sacred privilege."

From the talk, "The Power of Scripture" General Conference October 2011

"Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high. They can become the key to open the channel to communion with our Father in Heaven and His beloved son, Jesus Christ."

"Their (the scriptures) use provides a foundation of truth that can be awakened by the Holy Ghost. Learning, pondering, searching, and memorizing scriptures is like filling a filing cabinet with friends, values, and truths that can be called upon anytime, anywhere in the world."

"Pondering a passage of scripture can be a key to unlock revelation and the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Ghost."

"Scriptures can calm an agitated soul, giving peace, hope, and a restoration of confidence in one's ability to overcome the challenges of life. They have potent power to heal emotional challenges when there is faith in the Savior. They can accelerate physical healing."

"Scriptures can communicate different meanings at different times in our life, according to our needs. A scripture that we may have read many times can take on nuances of meaning that are refreshing and insightful when we face a new challenge in life."

"Those who consistently read the Book of Mormon are blessed with an added measure of the spirit of the Lord, a greater resolve to obey His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the divinity of the Son of God."

from the talk, "The Eternal Blessings of Marriage" General Conference April 2011

"The temple sealing has greater meaning as life unfolds. It will help you draw ever closer together and find greater joy and fulfillment in mortality."

"Express gratitude for what your spouse does for you. Express that love and gratitude often. That will make life far richer and more pleasant and purposeful."

"Pure love in an incomparable, potent power for good. Righteous love is the foundation of a successful marriage."

"Marriage provides an ideal setting for overcoming any tendency to be selfish or self-centered."

from the talk, "The Transforming Power of Faith and Character" General Conference October 2010

"The exercise of faith is vital to Father in Heaven's plan of happiness. . . Faith in the Savior is a principle of action and power."

"Faith and character are intimately related. Faith in the power of obedience to the commandments of God will forge strength of character available to you in times of urgent need. Such character is not developed in moments of great challenge of temptation. That is when it is intended to be used. Your exercise of faith in true principles builds character; fortified character expands your capacity to exercise more faith. As a result, your capacity and confidence to conquer the trials of life is enhanced. The more character is fortified, the more enabled you are to benefit from exercising the power of faith. You will discover how faith and character interact to strengthen one another. Character is woven patiently from threads of applied principle, doctrine, and obedience."

"We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day."

"Righteous character is a precious manifestation of what you are becoming. Righteous character is more valuable than any material object you own, any knowledge you have gained through study, or any goals you have attained no matter how well lauded by mankind. In the next life your righteous character will be elevated to assess how well you used the privilege of mortality." 

"Be thankful that sometimes God lets you struggle for a long time before that answer comes. That causes your faith to increase and your character to grow."

"You become what you do and what you think about."

"A testimony is not emotion. It is the very essence of character woven from threads born of countless correct decisions."

"You are making better progress than you realize. Your struggles are defining your character, discipline and confidence in the promises of your Father in Heaven and the Savior as you consistently obey Their commandments."

from the talk, "He Lives! All Glory to His Name!" General Conference April 2010

"The Atonement is that essential ingredient of our Father in Heaven's plan of happiness without which that plan could not have been activated."

"There is an imperative need for each of us to strengthen our understanding of the significance of the Atonement of Jesus Christ so that it will become an unshakable foundation upon which to build our lives."

"I energetically encourage you to establish a personal study plan to better understand and appreciate the incomparable, eternal, infinite consequences of Jesus Christ's perfect fulfillment of His divinely appointed calling as our Savior and Redeemer."

"As you ponder - not just read but ponder and meditate - on scriptural passages, the power of the HOly Ghost will distill truths in your mind and heart as a secure foundation in this uncertain time in which we live."

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their clamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

But he answered and said, aVerily I say unto you, I know you not.

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Matthew 25:1-13

Favorite Quotes from Patricia Holland

Quotes from a talk entitled, "Portraits of Eve: God's Promises of Personal Identity"

 "The temple provides protection and it provides patterns and promises that can settle and strengthen and stabilize us, however anxious our times."

". . . accepting that we are worth the time and effort it takes to achieve the full measure of our creation, and believing that it is not selfish, wrong or evil. It is in fact, essential to our spiritual development. . . Unless we take care of ourselves, it is virtually impossible to properly take care of others"

"Our father in heaven needs us as we are, as we are growing to become. He has intentionally made us different from one another so that even with our imperfections we can fulfil his purposes. My greatest
misery comes when I feel I have to fit what others expect of me. I am most happy when I am comfortable being me and trying to do what my father in heaven and I expect me to be. . . I have learned through several fatiguing failures that you can't have joy in being bubbly if you are not a bubbly person. . . I have given up seeing myself as a flawed person. . . Giving this up has freed me to embrace and rejoice in my own manner and personality in the measure of my own creation. . . My personality was created to fit precisely the mission and talents he gave me. . . Each of us will have peace only as we are filling the measure of our own creation."

"God never gave us any task beyond our ability to accomplish it. We just have to be willing to do it our own way. We will always have enough resources for being who we are and what we can become. . . We must each prepare right now to intensify our own inner journey."

"I have learned to say no to some things in order to be able to say yes to others. The most important yes we can say to our children is, "YES, I have time for you." And for me that means both quantity and quality time."

"Where we choose to spend our time reveals to our children exactly how valuable they are."

Quotes from a talk entitled, "A woman's Perspective on the Priesthood"

"Our greatest task is to live worthily enough to know step by step what the Lord's will is regarding us."

"This world is not our ultimate home; and while we do have to live here, we are not ever really of this world. And we do not seek its praise."

 "The crucial point we need to come to as Latter-day Saint men and women is not to allow ourselves to feel forced into righteous choices, but to come to them of our own free and anxious will. 

"If we listen too often to the voices of the world, we will become confused and tainted. We must anchor ourselves in the spirit, and that requires daily vigilance."

January Coloring Page

 

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C.F.M Nugget of the Week - D&C 3, 4, 5

 I know this post is late, but I still wanted to get it uploaded. I have been thinking a lot about what stood out to me in this week's reading, and I was amazed at how they all intertwined with each other. 

I was first intrigued by the word temperance. I had always assumed it had to do with temper and controlling any anger we felt. I guess, to some extent, it does, but the true meaning is a lot more profound. When you type in temperance definition into google, this is what you will read : abstinence from alcoholic drink. I thought that was weird because it had nothing to do with temper. Back in 1829, and for Joseph Smith Sr, that would have made complete sense. For me; however, I suspected there was probably more to it. Temperance means self-restraint or self-control. It reminds me of a verse in Alma 38:12, ". . . see that you bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love. . ." There is a great talk by Kent D. Watson entitled "Being Temperate in All Things." He says, " a temperate soul—one who is humble and full of love—is also a person of increased spiritual strength. With increased spiritual strength, we are able to develop self-mastery and to live with moderation. We learn to control, or temper, our anger, vanity, and pride. With increased spiritual strength, we can protect ourselves from the dangerous excesses and destructive addictions of today’s world" I also loved that he said, "Security for our families comes from learning self-control, avoiding the excesses of this world, and being temperate in all things. Peace of mind comes from strengthened faith in Jesus Christ. Happiness comes from being diligent in keeping covenants made at baptism and in the holy temples of the Lord." With a better understanding about the word temperance, I can see why it is a Christlike Quality. 

Another thing I learned in this week's reading was that my Heavenly Father truly does know me. Taylor and Tyler from Book of Mormon Central pointed out that when Christ was on the earth, he called fisherman to become fishers of men. Now, in Doctrine and Covenants 4, he is calling a farmer to essentially become a farmer of men. Isn't it amazing that the Lord invites and reveals to us in ways we will understand. The way the Lord speaks to me is completely different from the way he speaks to my husband. Every time, I "Hear Him," I am reminded of his love for me and knowledge of me. 

Lastly, I want to mention D&C 5:33-34, "And there are many that lie in wait to destroy thee from off the face of the earth; and for this cause, that thy days may be prolonged, I have given unto thee these commandments." Isn't amazing that as we practice temperance we will be protected. I love what we are told in verse 34, "Stop and stand still." I love that! Just wait and listen for the Lord to direct us. He truly will provide the way. I think this is where the importance of personal revelation comes into play. Sometimes, we are going to be asked to stop and stand still and other times we are going to be asked to take a leap of faith. Either way, if we do it with the Lord, we will be blessed!

C.F.M Nugget of the week - D&C 2 + JSH 1:27-65

 This week, the verse that really stood out to me was Joseph Smith History 1:29, ". . . after I had retired to my bed for the night, I betook myself to prayer and supplication to Almighty God for forgiveness of all my sins and follies, and also for a manifestation to me, that I might know of my state and standing before him; for I had full confidence in obtaining a divine manifestation, as I previously had one."

I love that! Joseph knew that he could receive a divine manifestation from the Lord because he had done it before. Joseph knew the Lord answers prayers and he forgives sin. He knew that God knew him, and had to power to bring peace to young Joseph's soul. 

It reminds me of a scripture in 1st Nephi 11:1, ". . . after I had desired to know the things that my father had seen and believing that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, as I sat pondering in mine heart, I was caught away in the spirit of the Lord. . . "

There is that faith again! This week, I learned that it is critical, for my spiritual growth, to have frequent experiences with the Holy Ghost. I also know that my children need to be feeling the spirit in their lives. As we do, our testimonies will increase and our faith will grow. Instead of feelings of worry and pleading that God will hear and answer our prayers. We will feel confident knowing that he does answer prayers, in his time, and in his way. Why? Because He has done it before and He will do it again. Why do we pay our tithing, even if it is incredibly difficult? Because we know blessings will flow. How? Because they always do when we act in faith. 

I am grateful for this reminder as I studied come follow me this week.

artwork by Erin

C.F.M Nugget of the week - JSH 1:1-26

Our first winter, living in Utah, was extremely difficult. Aaron and I had spent our first five years of marriage living on military bases, and enjoying the routine living in the military brings. Now, Aaron was (is) self employed, and we were not prepared for how up and down life would be financially. It seemed like we were either feasting or in a total famine. During our first winter in Utah, we were in a “famine.” The worst part was we really couldn’t see an end. 

One day, while we were driving in the car, Aaron got a text message (I was driving) about a team member who was doing really well; in fact, she had just got another sale. In that moment, the weight of carrying months worth of worry, stress, and loneliness came crashing down on me. With hopelessness, I bowed my head and silently said, “Heavenly Father, I don’t  think I can take this much longer.” This was an honest, genuine, heartfelt plea from a daughter to her Heavenly Father. I truly felt like I was at a breaking point with this trial. Immediately came the reply, “Hold on a little longer you are almost done.”  

Elder Robert D. Hales said, “The purpose of our life on earth is to grow, develop, and be strengthened through our own experiences. How do we do this? The scriptures give us an answer in one phrase: we ‘wait on the Lord.’” (October 2011)

When young Joseph went to pray in the sacred grove he said, “I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which utterly overcame me. . . . Thick darkness gathered around me. . . . at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction. . .  - just at that moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light. . . “ (J.S.H v.15-16)  We ‘wait on the Lord.’”

Now, Joseph Smith jr, knew these two things (as well as many others:) 1. What Satan’s power (influence) feels like and 2. What the light of the Savior feels like.

While thinking about this I was reminded about the story in Moses 1, “And he saw God face to face, and he talked with him, and the glory of God was upon Moses. . . And God spake unto Moses, saying: Behold, I am the Lord God Almighty, and Endless is my name. . .  and, behold, thou art my son.” Moses now knew what it felt like to be in the presence of the Savior. He was a son of God. The scriptures go on to say, “Satan came tempting him, saying: Moses, son of man, worship me. And it came to pass that Moses looked upon Satan and said: Who art thou? For behold, I am a son of God, in the similitude of his Only Begotten; and where is thy glory, that I should worship thee? (Moses 1: 2-4, 12-13)

Both Moses and Joseph knew the good and the bad, the light and the darkness.  So, going back to Joseph Smith History, when the preacher would try to plant seeds of doubt in Joseph’s mind by saying it was of the devil. Joseph would be confident in saying, “I had seen a vision: I knew it, and I knew God knew it, and I could not deny it” (JSH 1:25.) Joseph knew it was a vision from God because he also knew what Satan’s darkness felt like. He knew what it meant (and would have many more opportunities) to ‘wait on the Lord.’ 

We may not have experiences as powerful as Moses and Joseph Smith Jr did, but we can know for ourselves how the light of Christ feels. While it may feel like the darkness is overpowering us, we can know that the light of Christ can and will defeat it. 

Elder Hales said, “Tests and trials are given to all of us. These mortal challenges allow us and our Heavenly Father to see whether we will exercise our agency to follow His son. He already knows, and we have the opportunity to learn, that no matter how difficult our circumstances, “all these things shall [be for our] experience, and . . . .[our] good.”

I loved this week's reading and I hope you did too!

Now I am signing off from my screens until Monday

Have a great Sabbath day!!

Goals!

2020 was such a bizarre year, so I completely understand if you want to ease into 2021 and not set any new year resolutions.                                                                      

 You do you! 

I, however, was so excited to get 2021 going!

 This is how I set up my goals. 

I like to divide my goals into categories. The first category is long term goals. These are goals that are going to take 3+ years to complete. You could also substitute the word goal for dreams. These are my dreams that I pray, one day, come true. I have learnt that dreams are not to be put on a shelf, we can be actively working towards them. I also love to include these goals on my paper to keep a long term perspective. They remind me what I am working towards. It may take some sacrifice today in order to achieve my goals (dreams) later.

The next category is bigger goals. These are goals I want to accomplish, ideally, within the year, but may take two. There are big enough to reach but not too big that I am left feeling overwhelmed.

An important category is my smaller goals. These are usually weekly goals, but can also be monthly or even quarterly goals. They play on repeat and are never "finished."

My last category is daily goals. These goals are what set up a successful day, week, month, and life. They are goals that are needed in my everyday life, so I can enjoy all areas of my life. These goals are well balanced and too much time in one area leads to a neglect of the others.

Here is my paper all filled out!

and a blank page for you!

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2021 Word of the Year

 My word for 2020 was joy. Yep, I picked joy. I wanted to experience more of it in my life, and you know what, I did. 2020 was difficult for everyone. I don't know of anyone who wasn't in someway effected by this past year; however, it also gave me an opportunity to better see where the joy in my life comes from. Stripping away what I call "fluff," I was able to see that as long as I had my faith and my family then nothing else really mattered. Of course, I love our home, my minivan, and all the luxuries living in 2021 provides, but at my core lies those two things. My faith and my family. That is where true joy lies.

Towards the end of 2020, my oldest was given an assignment to turn a pumpkin into a character from a book. She was going to present her pumpkin and her book report to her class on Halloween. The class theme for Halloween was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. She could be any character from that book. My very creative 9 year old decided she wanted to be the golden ticket. Working together we came up with this :

I have always loved being creative, but somewhere along the way, I lost my love for it. Maybe it is because creating things like scrapbook pages (does anyone do those anymore,) making wreaths for your door, or costumes for your kids all required two things I didn't have - time and money. 

Working on this project with my daughter filled me with immense joy. I loved working with my hands to create something that brought excitement and happiness to my 9 year old. She didn't care that it was a little (or a lot) rough around the edges and seeing her joy sparked within me a desire to create more.

Hence why my word for the year is

My scripture for the year is

My quote for the year is

I am not just talking about creating physical things (although I do want to do more of that as well.) I am also talking about creating a feeling of faith and fun within my home. Creating menu plans, blog posts, cute hairstyles for my girls, a fitness plan, traditions, memories and so much more. Each of us, everyday, has the opportunity to create. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf also said, "Everyone can create. You don’t need money, position, or influence in order to create something of substance or beauty. Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment."

I love what Neil A Maxwell said in a New Era article in August 1982, "And all others who feel creative stirrings within themselves should begin the journey of a lifetime in partnership with God, who significantly has accepted as one of His designations the title of “Creator.”

This year, I am excited to stretch my creativity and rely on the holy ghost to expand my capacity to create.

here is a picture of my daughter with her pumpkin

C.F.M Nugget of the Week - D&C Section 1

each week, I would like to share one little nugget from the come follow me reading. 

This past week I had two verses that really stood out to me. I  found myself coming back to them again and again. I talked about them with my husband and in prayer with my Heavenly Father. I spent some time pondering the message they were trying to share and what I could personally learn from them. 

The verses are 15-16 

My Book of Mormon study heavily focused on the covenant path and how I can remain firmly on it. Here in verse fifteen it talks about people straying from the Lord's ordinances and covenants. When I looked up the definition for the word strayed it said, "move away aimlessly from a group or from the right course or place." To me, that doesn't sound like something that was done intentionally (or at least not at first.) And the word aimlessly would imply that we stray without a having a defining "purpose or direction." One day, while I was thinking about this verse, I envisioned myself walking on a path. This path wasn't straight but it was well marked. Then I pulled out my phone. Looking down at my phone, I didn't realize that I was straying from the path. When I finally did look up, I realized that I couldn't see the path anymore. What went wrong? How could I have so quickly and easily moved away from the path without even realizing? 

I think verse sixteen has an interesting insight and warning it says, "They seek NOT the Lord." One reason we stray from the covenant path is because we stop seeking God. If we aren't seeking God then what are we seeking instead? It could be money, popularity, the next level on a video game, binge watching tv shows, or anything else that causes us to stray from our covenants. Now, I am not saying that you can't seek for these things, but like the verse in Jacob tells us, "Before ye seek for riches, seek ye first the kingdom of God." 

I recently read a book called 24/6 by Tiffany Shlain. In this book, Tiffany explains that once a week her family does a 24 hour period of zero technology! They power down their phones, computers, laptops, iPad's, TV's etc. and instead spend the day, distraction free, together. I loved this idea and decided that for 2021 I am going to do the same thing. Every Saturday night, I am going to power down my computer and my phone (I don't think I have every turned it off) until Monday morning. I want Sunday to feel different from every other day of the week. I want to spend it seeking the Lord and learning how to better hear Him. (of course I will still have to participate in our ward's half hour zoom class every Sunday afternoon - but I will do that on my husband's computer.) I am excited to try this for the first time TONIGHT!!

My hope is that I develop a habit of tuning out the world and pursue my goals and dreams WITH the Lord.

I would love to know what you discovered as you read Doctrine and Covenants section one this past week. 

Deuteronomy 6:6-9

 

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