YSA: Stake ski night tonight @ Beaver Mountain 5-9 PM- We had a fun time gathering at Beaver Mountian Ski lodge for hot coco, chili dogs, and donuts. 
Ryder Rasmussen and President Symes
Lindsey Wahlburg
Brittany Wahlburg - we also had Aaron Cook, and Kara from Laketown attend. They enjoyed their time 🏂 slopes
This week we are studying sections 3-5 of the Doctrine covenants. Yesterday- Monday the beginning of a new week I wanted to take the time to start my Come follow me lesson material early so I will have the time to learn and ponder on what I’m learning - what is the Holy Spirit teaching me- I read all three section to receive the basic understanding. Now I’m digging deeper to understand. I enjoyed listening to two hour podcasts by Jared Halverson while I ironed Craig’s white dress shirts for Sunday worship. I learned so much greater understanding from his podcast that it hard for me to put into words. One thought that really stood out to me is that God requires our faith first before a perfect knowledge can be revealed. Martin Harris struggled with believing that the translation of the first 116 pages of the Book of Mormon were from God. He wanted proof - he wanted to see the plates and then he would believe. Yet he had this amazing experience as the scribe for Jospeh in writing down the first 116 pages of the translation- I ask myself how could he not have felt the Holy Spirit in this process? He still questioned all along the process- he added a stone to the scared urin one looking like what Jospeh had been working with to test if Jospeh was just quoting memorized words- Joseph found when he started the translation process he was not able to read the words as previously done and did not know why - when Martin had to revel that he had tricked him in replacing a stone he had found down by the river which was not actually a seer stone and this was why he could not Translate- upon replacing the correct very scared stone - Joseph was able to begin the translation process again and begin where he left off never to read the previous entry- just continue on- to me this is a miracle! When I write something I have to proof and rewrite sometime several time before complete. I find I make mistakes along the way in my thought process and spelling errors- none of this took place with Jospeh translations- it was complete as he was able to read and have Martin write the words. They completed a manuscript of 116 pages which Joseph could not have memorized and repeated word for word for hours each day they worked. Martin begged to see the plates yet he could see them on a table covered and then witness Joseph translation process and still questioned ? Was he not moved by the word of god being written by his own hand? I know when I read the scriptures many times I feel this burning in my chest and know this the word of God. Martin wanted to appease his wife for some kind of proof- taking the 116 pages and sharing with them was not enough proof- they were not moved by reading the word of God- they were stollen, and never to be found by the evil design of men in this time period to the intent to change words on the manuscript and say Jospeh was a fraud when he attempted to retranslate the 116 pages again. God knew beforehand what would happen and had a back up plan- Jospeh was told not to retranslate but to move forward with another record during the same time period which had even greater revelation than the book of Lehi- which God told Joseph - it was the book of Nephi an account written by Nephi in his own word. God had provided two accounts from the sacred records and all was not lost from the an evil plan to try to discredit the sacred records. Martin was still not content in wanting more proof and took some of the ancient writings to be previewed by ancient scholars in Boston- which they did conclude where indeed ancient Egyptian writings- but would not certify without him bringing the ancient record him Charles Anthon to translate. He was a man of educational learning. Not understanding they could not be translated without the power of God. Martin should have understood this after being a scribe for Jospeh. Martin had to learn the principle of faith first and then God will reveal greater evidence. We can have all the evidence presented and if there is not faith in believing beforehand the evidence does not increase our faith- this was the lesson Martin had to learn as he received a revelation directed to him in section 5 -23 And now, again, I speak unto you, my servant Joseph, concerning the man that desires the witness—24 Behold, I say unto him, he exalts himself and does not humble himself sufficiently before me; but if he will bow down before me, and humble himself in mighty prayer and faith, in the sincerity of his heart, then will I grant unto him a view of the things which he desires to. -28 And now, except he humble himself and acknowledge unto me the things that he has done which are wrong, and covenant with me that he will keep my commandments, and exercise faith in me, behold, I say unto him, he shall have no such views, for I will grant unto him no views of the things of which I have spoken- 15 And the testimony of three witnesses will I send forth of my word. 16 And behold, whosoever believeth on my words, them will I visit with the manifestation of my Spirit; and they shall be born of me, even of water and of the Spirit—
21 And now I command you, my servant Joseph, to repent and walk more uprightly before me, and to yield to the persuasions of men no more;
25 And then he shall say unto the people of this generation: Behold, I have seen the things which the Lord hath shown unto Joseph Smith, Jun., and I know of a surety that they are true, for I have seen them, for they have been shown unto me by the power of God and not of Man- this is a lesson Jospeh had to learn to not be pressured by the influence of man and that the sacred record would be stored to us in the latter days by the power of god and not by man!!
The blessing that has affected me the most on a day-to-day basis, since I learned it, is that WE ARE BOUND, LITERALLY, WITH GOD. We are partners. When we become his covenant child he takes a special interest in our progress and joy. I like to joke that when I made my covenant with him, he took one look and thought, “Wow this one is going to require a lot of work!” haha.
But, work with me he has. He uses his infinite powers to lead me, support me, help me find joy, teach me how to have good relationships, overcome any obstacle, etc! What we can’t do, GOD CAN! And we have access to that power as his covenant child. As the scriptures attest, he can make us new creatures.
Now I know that when I face a bad mood, problem or trial, I don’ have to be unhappy. I think, “God is my partner. He can help me overcome everything!” We need to remember he isn’t just our father, but he is THE MOST LOVING FATHER EVER, he quickly forgives us our mistakes and just wants to keep blessing us with joy! Remembering he is literally our partner, reminds us to go to him with our woes, and get back to a state of joy.
Elder Todd Christianson summarizes this neatly with, “The covenants God offers to his children do more than guide us. They bind us to Him, and, bound to Him, we can overcome all things.”
Wish I’d learn this sooner, hopefully someone else can learn it now in their youth, to have a greater life than they could have on their own.
Today Is our Yeal Towner’s 12th birthday. Chad and Yeal flew in last night. Yeal hung out with us last night while Chad had a work meeting. They got up early this morning to head out for a ski day on the slopes. Chad said Yeal is a great skier- 
I have spent the past three days at our Draper town home taking my lovely Christmas decor down. I didn’t want to take my upstairs tree down yet- so I decided to create a Valentine tree for the first time this year. I already had a box of valentine decor things and I didn’t have to buy anything new for it. It turned out so pretty. Love it 💞fun to be create for another holiday coming up will have to plan a Valentine party now with family and friends.
putting all my Christmas decor away has been a big chore but so needed at our Draper home. My storage room is a mess and not very functional. I needed to figure out how to organize and better use of the space I have to work with. I love the holidays and seasonal decor to which out as the different holidays come and go. I just really enjoy being creative. Craig saw on Instagram how to build some storage shelves with plastic boxes stacked up to five in each section. He thought he build. We went to Costco and found shelving racket all ready made and the boxes on sale all ready to go. It is prefect for what I need. We bought two to start with giving me 10 storage boxes. Craig put them together for me and I have been working to pack away all my Christmas decor and other holidays in that plastic bins. I need one more rack so Craig just left to get me another one. We have spent the morning moving things around in the storage room. We had part is his work desk top and to side drawers left so we put together for me to have a work bench area. It is all cleaning up so nicely and make my storage decor room much for functional for me. I have only one more hour to work and then have to quit to go play Pickelball with Mike and Jodie at 2pm. We have enjoyed playing Pickelball the last two day at Dimple Dell gym indoors with the very cold weather. I’m enjoy playing- it gives me a good workout. So nice to get my storage room more organized - it is a working project for me.
YSA: Come hang out with us tonight at 7 in the visitor building to play games and have dinner. Sister Smoot and Sister Rasmussen serve us a yummy pancake, egg and sausage meal. We all had such a great time play Bunco. We had a great turnout with three new sisters that attended our activity night for the first time- Kendra Dunford, Mia and Brine- we also had Brittany, Lindsey Wahlburg, Kaya Wright and Karen Barlow. We had 7 sisters attend tonight- wow exciting- we have had a low attendance with our sisters-so nice to have more attend. We had Jackson Pratt and Kyle Cazier and Brandon Snow, Dustin Dehart along with brother and sister Droesbeke, president and sister symes, brother and sister Rasmussen and sister Chris Smoot- and the three sister missionaries- total attending 21this week 11 YSA and 7 adult leaders-
Today has been a special day as President Trump the 47th president was inaugurated today we have spent most of the day watching the events on TV. That has been an exciting day and a lot more positive things to look forward to with the new presidential leadership. He pardons 1500 January 6th Victims who were placed in prison unjustly -this has been historic day in many ways. Look forward to events as they unfold under his leadership. 
Shannon sent us a funny text message tonight-Guess what Ashtyn Named her fish ?? America Trump 2025 lol 😂😂😂all on her own too !! lol She said it looked like our American flag 🇺🇸 the red white and blue Trump 2025 is his the middle name lol 😂 - funny girl- for 8 yrs old. 
And this is Teddy Bear the hamster lol -This is what Ashtyn wanted and bought with her Christmas money from Grandma and Grandpa ❤️ Lol 😂 thank mom and Dad .💖💖
Ashtyn loves animals- she has lots of rabbits, a cat, dog and now her new hamster and fish.
Sister missionaries spoke in our Sacrament meeting today. Sister Diaz is from Mexico and sister Flores is from the Philippines- they each shared an inspirational message. Sister Flores was funny as she mentioned how hard it has been to serve in such a cold climate- she needed to prepare by spending time in their freezer before she came- which gave us all a good laugh! She recited the first vision story of Joseph Smith as recored in his history. You could hear a pin drop as we all listened to her. It was a powerful testimony just listening to her quote his experience by memory. I know the first vision is true. It has been a powerful testimony builder for me in my conversion process as I heard the missionaries teaching me for the first time- also recited this experience of the first vision. My heart leaped with joy when I learned that God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith- as repeated JS history- 1:But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being—just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. 17 It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!
We have a full chapel this week with 200 plus YSA visitors- it is Martin Luther King holiday on Monday. This is why we have so many visiting during the very cold winter only 20 degrees today and forcast below zero for the next several days - Many families come to their Bear Lake 2nd home for a winter visit. We have the three sister missionaries speak today. They shared their testimonies with such a sweet spirit. Brother Droesbeke also spoke- he talked about the importance of keeping our covenants- we had a 30 ysa stay for our Come follow me hour. We had a great discussion about Joseph’s Smith first vision. Afterwards we gathered for our linger longer treat after our meetings. Sister Linda Rasmussen made yummy chocolate parfait. It is always nice to have time to visit with one another after our meetings. We had to hurry home and change our clothes to gather for Tami Lynhart’s 60th surprise birthday party. Fun to visit with our Bear lake friends that we have not seen for awhile. I turned 60 yrs old the year we moved to the lake 8 years ago. The years go by all too fast. I have to say I’m not aging as quickly as some of our friends. I have been blessed with good facial skin- I give credit to my Mary Kay moisture face cream. It has helped to slow the wrinkles down. I can’t believe I’m now 68 years old. My time clock is ticking and I’m running on a 4th of tank so to speak. I woke up at 6:30 am this morning, I was tired and had to come home and take a nap- this has still been a long winter day- we watched a movie and it was only 7:30 pm- we played a few games of Farkle, watched the news, exciting to have Trump sworn in as the new 47th President- tomorrow they have lots of celebrations events. Good bye to the Biden Presidency- there has been so much damage done the past four years- many people are feeling more hopeful with the new presidency for 2025- looking forward to a much more positive direction.
We have played Pickelball the past three mornings at the Dimple Dell gym- they play every morning. We have enjoyed playing some more challenging players. We both played a lot harder this morning I’m beat- Craig is starting to feel a little better. He slept better last night- three days on a new antibiotic seems to be halping so far- he still has a-lot of congestion in his chest and a cough. Playing hard helps to clear his lungs. I wanted to do more while I have been hanging out at our Draper home but I have not had the energy. I love my Christmas decoration so just leaving them up longer, haven’t had the energy to even tackle taking it down. Wednesday we had the funeral, yesterday played pickelball till noon and then came home to rest. I ran a few errands and sorted my storage closet a few hours. Trying to organize before I put my Christmas decoration away. I would like to clear it out and have Micheal come frame it and try to finish my storage room- so I can have a nicer room to store my decoration- I would like to work toward getting it down this year. I’m not going to get much done this trip. I need to make the beds from when Stacy family was her and just tidy things up this trip. Crazy it is already the middle of January. Need to get my hubby feeling better. Tasha sent me a cute pictures of Cora with their kitty Cosmo. He is getting so big. Cora loves her kitty.
We have to head back to the lake for our church calling. It is going to be really cold this next week so we will be back down to get out of the cold. Get what I can done before we head back up. Wanted to visit the Thomas family today but they are snow skiing- so will have to catch them next trip. Craig and I are beat from our time playing Pickelball today. I have spent the afternoon making the two beds downstairs from Stacy’s stay and tidying things up. Feel nice to have it tidy. We plan to head back to the lake tomorrow. A cold front coming in tonight. We should have some snow here at our Draper home. Resting for the evening.
We woke up to a cold snowy morning, backed up and out the door to head back to the lake to fullfill our church callings. Craig is slowly feeling better- Frustrated I download this new app to be able to upload photos in my blog from my phone as I’m on the go- I like keeping my blog on my phone and not having to sit at my computer- my last app I had the past few years quit on me and would not upload my photos. I now have to go through and read the entire year of 2024 and upload the photos I would like for each entry- this will be my project for the rest of the month of January- It is nice to reread my enteries and reflect upon this past year to evalute my life course. I worked two days Sunday and Monday working on catching up on our YSA branch history entries and was able to get all caught up- a sigh of relief, it was alot of work for me. So now the work of my 2024 blog entries. I just had a thought why my new blog app is not uploading my photo? The photos need to be connect to icloud in order to up load from my photo library and I also noticed that it will not upload a photo sent to me by someone else in our text format, I need to take a screen shoot of the photo to download in my photos. I just tired uploading this photo and it uploaded. I thought this was a funny quote wanted to send to my friend Romona living in Florida- the roads are really bad we are going to have to drive slow and carefully heading back to the lake today. we are stopping by Costco for gas and exchange some of Craig's Christmas gifts I bought for Craig - they didn’t fit right- 
Today we attended Nora Gygi’s funeral service. She was a very kind lady to our family. In the winter of February 16th 1986 we were at our Symes family cabin at Bear lake when Shannon had her tragic accident. We had to rush her to the hospital. Nora Gygi stepped in to care for our three girls at the time -Sharlena,Trisha, and Stacy a baby. They stayed at their home for several days while we were at the hospital with Shannon. Our girls built a special bond and would have sleep overs at the lake with Jenna and Jennifer their younger daughters. They were not much older than Sharlena who was 7 years old at the time. Nora was so helpful at that difficult time in our family. We always greeted her at the lake in the summers months as our families gathered for the summer season. We all love Bear Lake. Their lake home is right next door to us on the south side of our home. Nora is a 1st cousin to Craig’s mother Lavon. Lavon and Nora were great friends over the years. Nora always asked about Lavon and how she was doing and when Lavon came to the lake her and Nora would visit and spend time together. Nora’s parent were Uncle Kenneth and Aunt Bobbie Biesinger. Uncle Kenneth was a brother to Lavon’s mother-Oralie Biesinger Roberts- Flint and his family on the Northside of our lake home are also cousins - his grandfather Uncle Arval is a brother to uncle Kenneth and sister Oralie. We are going on 5 generation at the lake of cousins in the Biesinger family Tree- we are seeing the end of the older generation of 1st cousins. Nora is one of the last to live- She has a brother Robin and one 1st cousins left Donna May. It was very nice to honor her legacy. She lived a life of kindness and service. Her family was her devoted efforts- they built a family tree of 5 children - 28 grandchildren and total family including 78 with great-grandchildren. We didn’t know if we were going to attend. Craig was so sick yesterday. He did start a new round of antibiotic. This morning he woke up early 7am and said he was feeling a little better and well enough to drive down. We both had to shower, hurry to dress and out the door arriving in time. So glad we made the effort and able to attend. Nice to greet family members that we have grown to love over the years and the Bear lake legacy we all share as we gather in the summer months with our families. 
This is a list of all her family members. We will be there in 20 years with are 5 children.
Norma Jane Biesinger Gygi, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed away Friday, January 10, 2025 in her home in Holladay, Utah, at the age of 82. She was received into the loving arms of her Heavenly Father. She lived a long life of service, kindness and love and was surrounded by devoted family members at her passing.
Norma was born on September 7, 1942 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Thomas Kenneth Biesinger and Edna Naomi Steward Biesinger. Norma had four brothers: Kenneth (Sonny), Tom, Joseph and Robin. Norma married her beloved sweetheart, Gerald Alma Gygi on May 11, 1961 in the Salt Lake Temple. They lived their entire life in Holladay, Utah. They celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary this past year.
Norma graduated from Olympus High School in Holladay Utah. She worked for Beneficial Life Insurance, Granite School District and with her husband in their family business. Norma's number one priority in life was her five children and she loved being home with them.
Norma loved to host all kinds of parties for family, friends, neighbors, and ward members. Everyone left her home well fed, well loved and well respected.
Norma was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She remained faithful and true to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Norma loved serving others and held many positions as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in several ward and stake Relief Societies, Young Women’s, and Primary Presidencies. Norma loved serving and hosting the empty-nesters program in her wards for many years.
Norma and her beloved husband and companion, Gerald, served together on several wonderful missionary experiences, including a full-time mission to St. George historical sites and Visitor Center, The Thi-Laotian Ward, the Branch Presidency of the University of Utah and Huntsman’s Hospitals, and in the Branch Presidency of the Holladay Healthcare Branch. They served many years in the Salt Lake City Temple as ordinance workers. Norma and Gerald loved serving others in need and in their church callings.
Norma loved her eternal companion, Gerald, her wonderful family, the Lord, and many friends. Norma loved her family and they were her greatest joy and achievement in life. She loved having family parties and enjoyed fun times with her family at Bear Lake, St. George and on family vacations. She continuously served others throughout her life.
Norma is survived by her beloved husband, Gerald and her five children: Deborah (Scott) Hafer, Michael (Alicia) Gygi, Bryan (Emily) Gygi, Janae (Jason) Skinner, Jennifer (Bryan) Christenson, 38 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.
We are eternally grateful to our father who loved, served and did his very best in caring for his eternal companion and loving wife.
We would like to thank our wonderful aids for the loving care they provided for our sweet mother.
Funeral services will be held: A viewing will be held Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 7:00 to 8:30 at the Holladay Cottonwood Mortuary, 4670 South Highland Drive and Wednesday, January 15, 2025 from 10:00 to 11:30 at Holladay 8th ward, 5450 South Holladay Blvd. Funeral services will be at 12:00 noon at the Holladay 8th Ward, 5450 South Holladay Blvd.
Trying out this blog app to see how I like it. Hope to be able to upload my pictures - it works now linking to my current account - yeah it is working !! Just cost me a monthly fee to record by worth it. 
Craig took this picture of me after all our family left at the lake over the holidays - I was beat! Me and the cat
January 14th-, 2025 YSA activity today: Montpelier Temple Visitor Center at 5:30. Meet us there or carpool from the Garden City Visitor Branch building at 4:45- We had an awesome activity visiting the new Montpelier temple site learning about its progress and the blessing of the temple in our lives. We had a great turn out and thank you for attending.
They made it!😆🥰 They arrived yesterday. 7:00 am Monday morning Kenya time. 11 hrs ahead 🤪Craig replied - That’s cool. Looks like Jude has a girlfriend there😊This is going to be a lifetime experience for them both giving service in Kenya, Africa
Sister Tara McMullin 2nd speaker- from the St Charles Ward spoke -her
message- What does the temple mean to me? She shared how the
stories and the lessons learned in the scriptures have become real to her in
life. They have brought greater knowledge in understanding the endowment.
The temple is a house of help and receiving answers, be not afraid - take
our problems to the alter of the lord and make him a partner with our
challenges in life - The temple is a house of Healing - she shared the
story of Ezekiel 47:1 - living waters flowing from the temple, symbolic to healing
and will heal us and heal our families. The Temple is a house of learning
for each of us and we should ponder the things we learn in the temple- go
often, ask questions to help understand what takes place in the temple-
prepare your minds for the Holy Spirit to teach us- we need to be eager,
pay attention - as we do attend over our lifetime we will learn the importance
and grow spiritually- the temple and scriptures work hand in hand in our
journey of learning-
Brother Rasmussen Conducting the meeting- in his closing
remarks shared how reading the scriptures in the temple is like going
from 1G internet to 5G- we will have greater understanding through the
power of the Holy Ghost. He has personally experienced as he serves in
the Logan Temple weekly.
We have all been greatly blessed by the messages shared in
our sacrament meeting today. It has been
a good motivating force to do more, by attending the temple more often and seek
for the guidance of our Heavenly Father in understanding what is taught in the
temple. Looking forward as a branch to see the
contribution we can make in our Stake Challenge to Gather Israel in the next
three months.
We are few in numbers for the winter season. We had five local YSA members attending our meetings today. Kyle Cazier our Elder's quorum president conducted our Come Follow Me Lesson. Brother Aaron Cook a return missionary from Paraquay Asuncion Mission opened our discussion, Modoc Earley, Jackson Pratt, and Sister Erika Hoge in attendance along with adult leaders, President and Sister Symes, Brother and Sister Smoot, and Brother and Sister Rasmussen, our High Councilman leader Kit Anderson and sister McMullin. We had two visitors stay for our lesson time. Total attendance for our Come follow Me lesson were 15. We discussed a conference talk from the Oct 2024 conference -Focus on Jesus Christ and his Gospel by Elder I Raymond Egbo of the Seventy- he is from Nigeria and gave a very power message. I read the talk several time in preparation for our lesson time. I learned so much in our discussion and loved hearing others share their thoughts and insights from the message of this conference talk. We all were uplifted and inspired to strive to make Jesus Christ the focus of our lives- I gleaned even more from our discussion and so grateful for the time to gather as saints. Afterward we gathered for our linger longer treat. Sister Linda Rassmussen made yummy sweet rolls and hot coco. It is nice treat for a cold winter day. Sister Smoot has been recovering from hip surgery and is doing great to be in attendance today. We all enjoyed the fellowship in gathering this Sabbath day. In the January Liahona 2025 President Nelson talks about three ways we gather- "May we be ever grateful for the privilege and trust the Lord has bestowed upon us as we gather to the Savior, gather with the saints, and gather in his service." Whe we come together and unite as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we enter in fellowhip and companionship with one another. We sustain, teach, and edify each other. We strive in the Savior's work to be one. John 17:21- and D&C 38:27 and to love one another John 13:34. President Dallin H Oaks, first counselor in the first presidency, has taught,"Church attendance gives us the strength and enhancement of faith that comes from associating with other believers and worshipping together with those who are also striving to stay on the coveant path and be better disciples of Christ." At Church we find spiritual rest and renewal. We find ordinaces and the priesthood authority to administer them. We find welcoming arms, consoling hearts and encouraging voices. We find opportunities to live the two great commandments- Mark 12:30-31, The Lord has warned us that the enemy is combined- D&C 38:12- To protect our families and thwart Satan's growing influences, our worshipping together as Saints becomes even more essential. "Unity" The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, 'is strength" I love the renewal and strengh I feel each week as we gather as saints and fellowhip with one another.
It's a new year serving in the Young Single Adult branch. We appreciate all those who make our branch a success. We gathered at the Garden City Community event -burning the town Christmas tree- bringing in the New Year. We look forward to another year of growth in serving one another and in strengthening our spiritual foundation.
Challenge from Our Paris Idaho Stake the next three months
Gathering Israel
January 11th, 2025 We had a very nice Sacrament
meeting today. The theme of the speakers
was the importance of Temple attendance in our lives and how the temple blesses
our lives.
Five of the deaths were attributed to the Palisades Fire, and 11 resulted from the Eaton Fire, the Los Angeles County coroner's office said in a statement Saturday evening.
The previous number of confirmed fatalities before Saturday was 11, but officials said they expected that figure to rise as teams with cadaver dogs conduct systematic grid searches in leveled neighborhoods. Authorities have established a center where people can report the missing.
Joseph Everett, assistant chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department's west bureau, said it has been difficult to see such destruction in an area where he, his father and grandfather all have worked as firefighters.
"It resonates with me heavily," he said at a community meeting Saturday night. "Please be patient as we are up there … we're still aggressively fighting fire out there."
There were fears that winds could move the fires toward the J. Paul Getty Museum and the University of California, Los Angeles, while new evacuation warnings left more homeowners on edge.
By Saturday evening, Cal Fire reported the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth and Hurst fires had consumed about 62 square miles, an area larger than San Francisco. The Palisades and Eaton fires accounted for 59 square miles.
In a briefing posted online Saturday evening, Michael Traum, of the California Office of Emergency Services, said 150,000 people in Los Angeles County were under evacuation orders, with more than 700 people taking refuge in nine shelters.
Crews from California and nine other states are part of the ongoing response that includes 1,354 fire engines, 84 aircraft and more than 14,000 personnel, including newly arrived firefighters from Mexico, he said.
With Cal Fire reporting containment of the Palisades Fire at 11% and the Eaton Fire at 15% on Saturday night, the fight is set to continue.
"Weather conditions are still critical, and another round of strong winds is expected starting Monday," Traum said.
A fierce battle occurred Saturday in Mandeville Canyon, home to Arnold Schwarzenegger and other celebrities not far from the Pacific coast, where swooping helicopters dumped water as the blaze charged downhill. Firefighters on the ground used hoses in an attempt to beat back leaping flames as thick smoke blanketed the chaparral-covered hillside.
The National Weather Service warned that strong Santa Ana winds could soon return. Those winds have been largely blamed for turning the wildfires into infernos that leveled entire neighborhoods around the city where there has been no significant rainfall in more than eight months.
The fire also threatened to jump over Interstate 405 and into densely populated areas in the Hollywood Hills and San Fernando Valley.
The fires that began Tuesday just north of downtown LA have burned more than 12,000 structures.
Firefighters for the first time made progress Friday afternoon on the Eaton Fire north of Pasadena, which has burned more than 7,000 structures, a term that includes homes, apartment buildings, businesses, outbuildings and vehicles. Most evacuation orders for the area were lifted, officials said.
No cause has been determined for the largest fires, and early estimates indicate the wildfires could be the nation's costliest ever. A preliminary estimate by AccuWeather put the damage and economic losses so far between $135 billion and $150 billion.
In an interview that aired Sunday on NBC, Gov. Gavin Newsom said the fires could end up being the worst natural disaster in U.S. history.
"I think it will be in terms of just the costs associated with it, in terms of the scale and scope," he said.
Volunteers overflowed donation centers, and some had to be turned away at locations including the Santa Anita Park horse racing track, where people who lost their homes sifted through stacks of donated shirts, blankets and other household goods.
Altadena resident Jose Luis Godinez said three homes occupied by more than a dozen of his family members were destroyed.
"Everything is gone," he said, speaking in Spanish. "All my family lived in those three houses, and now we have nothing."
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna warned residents against venturing back to destroyed homes to sift through rubble for keepsakes.
"We have people driving up and around trying to get in just to look. Stay away," Luna said, urging people to abide by curfews.
Officials on Saturday warned the ash can contain lead, arsenic, asbestos and other harmful materials.
"If you're kicking that stuff up, you're breathing it in," said Chris Thomas, a spokesman for the unified incident command at the Palisades Fire who warned the material was "toxic."
Residents will be allowed to return with protective gear after damage teams evaluate their properties, Thomas said.
The level of devastation is jarring even in a state that regularly confronts massive wildfires. Traum said those impacted by the fires can apply online for immediate government assistance.
Newsom issued an executive order Sunday aimed at fast-tracking the rebuilding of destroyed property by suspending some environmental regulations and ensuring that property tax assessments are not increased.
"California leads the nation in environmental stewardship. I'm not going to give that up. But one thing I won't give into is delay," he said. "Delay is denial for people: lives, traditions, places torn apart, torn asunder."
"We've got to let people know that we have their back," he said. "Don't walk away because we want you to come back, rebuild, and rebuild with higher quality building standards, more modern standards. We want to make sure that the associated costs with that are not disproportionate, especially in a middle-class community like this."
LA Mayor Karen Bass faces a critical test of her leadership during the city's greatest crisis in decades, but allegations of leadership failures, political blame and investigations have begun.
Newsom on Friday ordered state officials to determine why a 117 million-gallon reservoir was out of service and some hydrants had run dry.
Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said city leadership failed her department by not providing enough money for firefighting. She also criticized the lack of water.
"When a firefighter comes up to a hydrant, we expect there's going to be water," Crowley said. “The fires are not contained and it has been days burning in heavy population areas-“
