The Book of Mormon

Last Sunday I was approached by the First Counselor in my Branch Presidency asking my if I would give a talk the following Sunday. He said that it was "Bring Your Friend to Church" (we are always allowed to bring friends to church, however this is a specific Sunday that is greared more towards people that are not of our faith) and that my talk should fall within those lines. So I went and took a look at some Ensigns and decided that I wanted to talk about the Book of Mormon. What could be a better topic than to cover some of the things people disagreed with of the Book of Mormon, and to explain why it is so important to us.

The Book of Mormon has often been referred to as the keystone of our religion; but for those of other faiths it is often a source of contention. Many people think that this was a book that was entirely made up by Joseph Smith, an uneducated man; they will say “A Bible, a Bible, we have a Bible.” But what they fail to understand is that The Book of Mormon is not another Bible, but rather it is another testament of Jesus Christ. When writing my talk, I decided to work from several different articles and have broken it up into two topics that branch out.

First

A Witness with the Bible

In 2 Corinthians 13:1 it states that “in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” The Book of Mormon and the Bible are both testaments of Christ and the principles that were taught by Him. Elder Russell M. Nelson said that “scriptural witnesses authenticate each other. This concept was explained long ago when a prophet wrote that the Book of Mormon was ‘written for the intent that ye may believe [the Bible]; and if ye believe [the Bible] ye will believe [the Book of Mormon] also’ [Mormon 7:9]. Each book refers to the other. Each book stands as evidence that God lives and speaks to His children by revelation to His prophets.”

Here are some of the fundamental doctrines that are taught in the Bible and have an additional witness in the Book of Mormon.

We have a Loving Father in Heaven

Acts 17:28 “For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.”

Psalms 82:6 says “I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.”

Now turn to The Book of Mormon and it will say:

1 Nephi 11:17 “I know that [God] loveth his children.

In 1 Nephi 17:36 “Behold, the Lord hath created the earth that it should be inhabited; and he hath created his children that they should possess it.”

Resurrection

Job 19:26: “That though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.”

Ezekiel 37:12 “Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.”

In the Book of Mormon we read:

2 Nephi 9:4 “I know that ye know that our flesh must waste away and die; nevertheless, in our bodies we shall see God.”

Alma 40:23 “The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame.”

Blessings and Obedience

Deuteronomy 6:24-25 “And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive...And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments.”

These same teachings are mirrored in the Book of Mormon;

Mosiah 2:22 “He has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.”

Tithing

Malachi 3:10 “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house.”

Turning back to the Book of Mormon we will see

Alma 13:15 “It was this same Melchizedek to whom Abraham paid tithes; yea, even our father Abraham paid tithes of one-tenth part of all he possessed.”

Baptism and Holy Ghost

John 3:5 “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

Both principles are taught in the Book of Mormon as well,

3 Nephi 27:20 “Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.”

Atoned for Our Sins

Matthew 26:28 “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

It was prophesied in the Book of Mormon that, “Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit.” (2 Nephi 2:7)

Bore our Sorrows

Isaiah 53:4 “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows.”

This is again reconfirmed in the Book of Mormon in Alma 7:11-12 where it says “And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind;…that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.”

Prophets

Amos 3:7 “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”

Biblical people had a prophet as did the people that were on what is now the American continent.

1 Nephi 22:2 “By the Spirit are all things made known unto the prophets.”

The Twelve

Luke 6:13 “He called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles.”

After Christ’s resurrection, He came to the America’s to establish His church so that the gospel might be spread across the world. In 3 Nephi 12:1 Christ stated: “Blessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen from among you to minister unto you.”

Second

The Keystone of our Religion

According to President Ezra Taft Benson, The Book of Mormon is “the most significant gifts given to the world in modern times. . . [It] is more important than any of the inventions that have come out of the industrial and technological revolutions. [It] is a gift of greater value to mankind than even the many wonderful advances we have seen in modern medicine. It is of greater worth to mankind than the development of flight or space travel.”

 In the Doctrine and Covenants, Christ bears witness to seven truths of The Book of Mormon:

First Christ bares his testimony of the Book of Mormon and tells us that it is a divine gift in Doctrine and Covenants 17:6 “And he has translated the book, even that part which I have commanded him, and as your Lord and your God liveth it is true.”

Second, Christ tells us that the Book of Mormon does in fact contain truth and His words. Doctrine and Covenants 19:26 states “And again, I command thee that thou shalt not covet thine own property, but impart it freely to the printing of the Book of Mormon, which contains the truth and the word of God—“

Third, we are told that the Book of Mormon was translated by the power of God. Doctrine and Covenants 20:8 says “And gave him power from on high, by the means which were before prepared, to translate the Book of Mormon;”

Fourth, we are told that the Book of Mormon does contain the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In Doctrine and Covenants 20:9 is states “Which contains a record of a fallen people, and the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and to the Jews also;”

Fifth, the Lord reveals that the Book of Mormon was given by inspiration and confirmed by the ministering of angels in Doctrine and Covenants 20:10.

Sixth, we learn that the Book of Mormon gives evidence that holy scriptures are true in Doctrine and Covenants 20:11 by saying “Proving to the world that the holy scriptures are true, and that God does inspire men and call them to his holy work in this age and generation, as well as in generations of old;”

Finally, we are told that those who receive the Book of Mormon in faith shall receive eternal life in Doctrine and Covenants 20:14.

The prophet Joseph Smith was the first person to say that the Book of Mormon is the keystone of the Mormon religion. He testified that “the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion.” The Book of Mormon is the keystone of our witness of Christ; our doctrine, and of our testimony.

President Ezra Taft Benson stated:

“The Book of Mormon is the keystone in our witness of Jesus Christ, who is Himself the cornerstone of everything we do. It bears witness of His reality with power and clarity . . . the Book of Mormon came from writer to reader in just one inspired step of translation. Therefore, the testimony of the Master is clear, undiluted, and full of power. But it does even more . . . The Book of Mormon teaches in plain and unmistakable terms about the truth of [His miraculous birth, His perfect life, and the reality of His glorious Resurrection. It also provides the most complete explanation of the doctrine of the Atonement. Truly, this divinely inspired book is a keystone in bearing witness to the world that Jesus is the Christ.”

I would like to bear my testimony that I know this Church is true; I know that President Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God and that he leads and guides righteously. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God; I know that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon only through the power of God. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

16 September 2012

Sacrament Meeting

Tithing

God's purpose in giving us commandments is not to punish us but rather to bless us. We need to be able to obey the commandments that our Heavenly Father has given us so that we might be able to God's and Goddess's of our own worlds. If we cannot obey the commandments given to us here, we will feel inadequate in the Celestial kingdom and thus we will be placed in a lower Kingdom.

The blessings that come from paying our tithing can be temporal and they can be spiritual; it depends upon what we NEED. By paying tithing we will be prepared to pay the higher law in eternity.

Tithing will help us to achieve the blessings we are in need of. When my parents were first married money was really tight; Daddy was a car salesman (pay was based on commission) and unfortunately not many people were buying cars at the time. There were bills to pay, money needed to buy food, and tithing to pay. Food was bought and all of the bills were paid except for one; my parents were faced with a choice of either paying the bill off or paying their tithing. My parents decided to pay their tithing and within the next couple of days they received a random check in the mail for the exact amount of their bill that was in need of being paid. My parents had an immense amount of faith that Heavenly Father was going to provide for them and because of that, they were rewarded. Tithing is a great blessing to us; it can give us the confidence that we need to know that the Lord will bless us.

Those that pay their tithing help us to love our Heavenly Father more. Blessings come from obeying commandments that are hard!  If you want to be happy you must pray, pay your tithing, study, and attend all your meetings. When you pay an honest tithe, it is an exercise of faith.

By being obedient, we are freeing ourselves to receive the blessings our Heavenly Father wants to shower upon us.

Faith

What is faith? The Fourth Article of Faith states that we must first have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. In the Bible Dictionary is says "Faith is to hope for things which are not seen, but which are true, and must be centered in Jesus Christ in order to produce salvation. To have faith is to have confidence in something or someone."

It does not take money to pay tithing but rather faith. Just because we pay our tithing does not mean that we will ever go hungry--we pay our tithing because of faith. When a farmer plants his seeds, he must have faith that they will grow into crops to harvest; when a God gives us children he is trusting that we will take care of them and raise them righteously. It is easy to say you will have faith, however when we are placed into situations that are meant to test our faith how will we react? We must remember that these tests of faith are to increase our faith and see what we are capable of.

We must remember that we chose to come here; we understood the big picture. While we are here, Satan is fightingso hard to destroy our faith so that we will not be able to return to live with our Heavenly Father; he wants us to be miserable like unto himself.

By small and simple things the Lord brings great things to pass. It takes faith for us to even follow the commandments; the world tells us that we shouldn't keep the Word of Wisdom or that it's okay to have pre-marital sex. We keep the commandments that the Lord gives us because He told us to--we have faith that we will be blessed in the end with eternal life for doing so. The more times you exercise your faith the easier it becomes. The Lord has given us many talents--these talents can make exercising our faith so much easier. We must be careful not to forget to see the Lord's hand in our lives; we must remember that man is nothing compared to God.

Doctrine and Covenants 121: 44-46 state:
   "That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.
     Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine fo the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.
    The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion and thy scepter an unchaging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever."

My Temple

This past week temples have really been on my mind. It's been six months since I have been able to attend the temple (right now my closest temple is 300 miles away) and I sorely miss it. I know that a temple is a temple, they all have the same purpose, but there are some that I seem drawn to more than others.

When I was in highschool my favorite temple was the San Diego temple; in Young Women's we made tiled pictures of our favorite temples and every time I was sad, depressed, or needing a lift up I would look at that picture and know that every thing would be okay. It was the temple that I wanted to be sealed for time and all eternity to my future husband. When I moved to Utah, I packed my picture in my carry on to ensure that nothing happened to my picture. I always have it in room so that I can be reminded the importance of a temple marriage.




San Diego Temple

 When I was visiting in Arizona I had the privilege of being able to do Baptisms for the Dead at the Mesa, Arizona temple. Let me preface this, before going there I had only been in four other temples. They were all beautiful, however I had never claimed them as MY temple. That place was still held by the San Diego temple, even though I had never actually seen it in person. However that all changed the second I stepped into the baptistry at the Mesa temple. Never before have I felt such a sense of peace and homecoming as I did when I stepped in that room; it was truly humbling! I immediately knew that THIS was my temple and always would be.

Mesa, Arizona temple

When I was a little girl, my parents were sealed in the Portland, Oregon temple. At the time, that was the closest temple. I was 3 years old when they were married in a civil ceremony; to this day, I remember nothing of the ceremony at all and I was their flower girl (my mother is a convert to the church). However, when they were sealed in the temple when I was 5 I remember everything, looking into the mirrors of eternity, and really being a family. It still brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.

Portland, Oregon temple

Growing up I remembered that feeling of happiness and new that I would only be married in temple, at the right time, in the right place, by the right authority, and to the many of MY choosing! In the past six months I have had 6 friends that have been married in the temple; unfortunately because I am not endowed I was not able to be there for the actual ceremony (for 5 of these marriages I wasn't even in the state). They are all so happy, I'm not saying that their lives are going to be easy just because they were sealed in the temple, however they know that they will be sealed to their families for time and all eternity. I cannot wait for when it is my turn to experience that, and I will be lucky enough to have my family and friends with me.

The Blessings of Hearing from our Beloved Prophet and Apostles

181st Annual General Conference

April 2nd, 2011

Saturday Morning Session

Thomas S. Monson:

         

Three new temples are to be built; one in Colorado, one in Idaho and one in Winnepeg, Canada.

Welfare programs; Aide in Japan after the earthquake, scooters for those who don't have cars and need to go places that are too far to walk too. Overall, there has been 40,000 hours of service that has been done for those in Japan.

Misionary work is the lifeblood of the kingdom. Good job to those of you that are out there serving your mission boys!!!!

L. Tom Perry:

Treasure reading the New Testament, relish in it!

"Be thou an example of the believers..."

Remember to keep the Sabbath Day holy. There are suppose to be 6 days of work, and the seventh is a day of rest. God even told the people of Israel this as well.

"...if ye remember me, ye shall have my spirit to be with you..."

Keep yourself unspotted.

Go to the house of prayer.

Rest from our labors.

When your Sunday dress begins to deteriorate, our words and actions will quickly follow as well.

On the Sabbath, you are to give up your sins, you are to confess them.

Be willing to always remember Him, keep His commandments and He will always be with you, no matter what!

Satan wins when you cease to follow the Lord.

Parents are to instill in their children to be examples of the believers; to arise and shine forth, that their lights will be a standard to the nations.

Keep the Sabbath day holy!

Jean A. Stevens:

There is so much that you can learn from little children. Christ was the first to tell us that we must be lke children.

What can we learn from children? They are the first to love, the first to forgive, they are the most perceptive to the Holy Ghost, and they are teachable.

The simple testimony of little children can make a vast change on any of us.

Little children's optimism is contagious, it spreads like wildfire.

Become like a child; submissive, meek, patient and full of love.

The Savior spoke with the little childen, He prayed for them, and told their parents to "behold" them.

God gave us families to help us become who we are. Childen can help you change-for the better.

Walter F. Gonzalez:

Righteousness has come from heaven' truthfulness has come from the earth to testify of Christ.

We follow Christ because of love; in this, we are exemplifying Christ.

Under any circumstances we must follow Christ. If we do, He will be there for us always!

"Lovest thou me? Then follow me." ~Christ

We must follow and keep the commandments, just like Christ.

Even in heaven, we made covenants. Making covenants shows our love for Christ when kept. Keeping the covenants, reading scriptures and attending the temple shows our love.

We are happier when we follow the Lord.

Kent F. Richards:

Pain is a gauge of our healing process. Pain helps us become more patient. The healing of spiritual matters is much like physically healing after surgery. Someone else inflicts the pain upon us, but we

must do the actual healing.

The Atonement was given to us to help us heal, whether it is because other's have sinned against us, or we have sinned ourselves.

Christ healed all, no one was or is turned away. All souls can be healed through Christ.

Behold ye are little children, you cannot bear all things. We must patiently wait to be healed.

Quentin L. Cook:

"Our LDS women are incredible." Women in any faith are proven to be more faithful.

"We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us and we love Him..."

Much of what we do is from women's selfless acts.

Sister's play a key role, whether it's in the family or in the church. We may not be economically paid, but we as women are richly blessed. LDS women are unique in that we are satisfied with the church leadership, we do not ask for more.

In the church, when women are given more demanding callings, the husband will be given a less demanding role/calling so that he may be there for the family.

No woman should ever apologize for being a mother; for putting their lives on hold so that they may raise their children.

No blessing with ever be withheld from single women.

Be thankful for all women in your life: mothers, sisters, grandmothers, aunts, friends, leaders, etc.

Henry B. Eyring:

God loves His children. He hears the prayers of everyone, but especially those who are hungry, poor, needy, etc. He feels their pain and the compassion from those that want to help.

God has invited and commanded us to lift up those in need.

"Have I Done Any Good (Hymn)?"

"When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God."

Everyone feels happier when they can be there for/help themselves, their family and others.

You cannot give a crust without receiving a loaf.

The Lord reunites us with those that we are working with as we are serving.

Draw your family to work with you.

Follow the scriptural demand to look for someone to serve/help.

Service Project

1. Prepare yourself
2. Choose people within the kingdom or in the community who need help the most!
3. Ask for help from auxilaries, be united, for the unity will last long after the project has ended.

This session of General Conference was very moving. I had the privilege of getting to be in the third row of seating for this session. Even though my friends and I were late, we ended up getting better seating then we were supposed to in the first place. It was truly a miracle, and incredible! I am so thankful to have been able to attend this session as well as the Sunday afternoon session. I will post my notes from that session tomorrow. Thank you to those who have taken the time to read my notes. I am afraid I didn't do the talks justice, but alas I am only human.

The Blessings of Hearing from our Beloved Prophet and Apostles Continued

181st Annual General Conference

April 3rd, 2011

Sunday Afternoon Session

Richard G. Scott:

Two vital things to help Heavenly Father's plan: marriage and family.

Boys, show some ingenuity!!!!

Express your love, whether they "know it" or not. The reassurance does wonders for any person!

Be willing to give in; this will help to prevent many fights.

As a mother, you have been given the divine right to be mothers, nurture your children.

Have faith in the covenants, keep them so that the Lord can bless you.

D. Todd Christofferson:

It's not enough to go through the motions, you must/need to be willing to change.

Christ asks us to give Him our lives, we must dedicate ourselves to Him.

We must be willling to let Him correct us; let the Lord re-direct our paths to the right course if we have deviated.

As parents, you must teach your children by the commandments.

We must be tried of everything so that we may be able to hehold His glory. Put your trust in the Lord and you will be lifted up in the last days.

Thank you Mr. Gardner for cutting me back so that I may grow!!!! (Currant bush story)

Correction can come through others such as prophets, apostles, stake presidents and patriachs, and bishops. Correction may come from your spouse (Richard G. Scott story about looking at people in the eyes when talking to them). Parents can and must chasten/correct their children.

If we refuse correction, people-God or others-will cease to offer correction.

We must be willing to self-correct. Don't be overly critical, but know what you need to work on.

Carl B. Pratt:

We are taught by the example set by our parents.

The Lord remembers His promises, especially to those who pay a full tithe.

Let us not be accuse of cheating the Lord, pay your tithing first, before anything else, and not last. If you do so, everything that needs to be paid for, will be paid for!

Tithing isn't a matter of money, but rather it is about faith. The Lord will not always be monetary, but what we need most.

The Lord teaches us to live within our means on 90% of our income instead of 100%.

Tithing is a good prevention of divorce. Regular tithe payers are charitable and possessors of the pure love of Christ.

Lynn G. Robbins:

To be or not to be..."that is a great question!"

We must pray for faith, but we must have faith to pray.

To do's can be checked off or done, however to be's cannot be done, they must be you!

How can parents instill "to be's" in their children? Instead of congratulating your child on good grades, congratulate them on having the diligence to receive such grades. Children can learn through discipline, which come from the same root as disciple.

Our children are God's children.

Discuss Christlike attributes from your personal or family scripture study.

Be the example for your children that you want them to be.

Benjamin de Hoyos:

The name of the church was not chosen by man, but rather it was given to us from the Lord.

Even Christ had to suffer pain and trials as they come with little complaint.

C. Scott Grow:

The Savior's Atonement is available to all. He wants us to return to live with Him again.

Without the Atonement, the Plan of Happiness would not work.

The Lord not only heals the transgressor, but also the innocent who were sinned against.

Repent so you don't have to suffer for something that Christ has already suffered for. Forsake your sins!

Jeffrey R. Holland:

No one is assigned a talk; all speakers fas, pray, work, and re-work their talks, being guided by the Holy Spirit until each talk is considered "perfect." Each speaker is like a mortal messenger for angelic speakers.

Spread forth the gospel to members and non-members, children and adults, friends and family.

The gospel is to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable.

-Harold B. Lee

Be ye therefore perfect as thy Father who art in heaven.

*Bedlamites=little child (Jeffrey R. Holland)

Thomas S. Monson:

May we long remember the messages we have heard.

The Future

Facing the Future with Faith

Russell M. Nelson

"We live to die, and we die to live again." When I first heard this saying, it didn't seem to make any sense, but as I thought about it some more, it makes complete sense. God gave us the chance to come down here to earth, experience life, trials, etc. and then die so that we could return to live with Him for forever.

"All that the future holds in store for each sacred child of God will be shaped by his or her parents, family, friends, and teachers. Thus, our faith now becomes part of our posterity's faith later." You must have faith, but you also must show it. Whether you realize it or not, you are an example to everyone, to your family, your friends, acquaintances and even perfect strangers. They are always watching you, waiting to see what it is that you will do. Live your life with faith. 

"We live in a time of turmoil." Satan is trying his hardest to bring us down. On those that have more faith, he works even harder to break them, causing them to have more trials. But no matter what, know that the Lord does not give us more than we can handle. Trials that seem daunting will soon pass, but you must trust in the Lord, you have to let him help you. He suffered on the cross for us, He know every sin that I have committed, every pain, every sorrow, He has felt it all. Don't let Satan win!

"You parents bear the primary responsibility to strengthen their faith. Let them feel your faith, even when sore trials come upon you...Teach that faith with deep conviction." As I said before, you are always being watched, you are an example, but the question is, are you a good example or a poor example? I never had realized just how much my little brother and sister were watching me, learning and doing what I was doing. Looking back now, I wish I had set a better example for them. They still are watching me and copying my actions, now I just hope that I am setting a better example for them. It seems funny because siblings always seem to pick up on the negative actions that I have set before them, not the good, but then again people only ever seem to remember the bad and have a harder time remembering the good.

"Teach that our sojourn in mortality is a period of probation, a time of trial and testing to see if we will do whatever the Lord commands us to do. . .picking and choosing will not work." You have a choice, it is black and white, there is no grey, you can either keep or break the commandments. It's as simple as that.

"Obedience allows God's blessings to flow without constraint." If you cannot follow the little things such as praying, reading your scriptures, keeping the commandments, then how is the Lord supposed to trust you with bigger things such as being God's and Goddess's of our own worlds? Plain and simple he can't, if we want the Lord to trust us, we must obey His commandments without question!

"God's holy angels are ever on call to help us. . .'I will go before your face. I will be on you right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.'" No matter what, Christ will be there for me. He wants me to be happy; He wants me to let go of all my anger, frustration, the hate, the anguish. He has suffered all these pains and doesn't want me to hurt anymore. Trails are given to us to make us stronger, it's not to make us feel like we are not good enough!

"Unfailing faith is fortified through prayer." All the time that I was going through my trial, I couldn't help but think that I wasn't good enough, that the Lord didn't love me, that I was nothing. I quickly let my faith dwindle. Sure I still went to church, but the little things seemed to fade away, they didn't seem to matter at all. It was not until I went to school this last year, until I started surrounding myself with people that had been doing the little things. I could see the light shining in their eyes, and I wanted that for myself. For the first time in years, I realized how unhappy I was, how much I disliked the person I had become. And I knew that I needed to make some changes, the first being that I needed to start with the little things again. I needed to read my scriptures, say my prayers before I could even begin to work on forgiving those that have hurt me so much in the past. I know for a fact that the little things do in fact help. I never once faded in my church attendance, but my faith was not as strong as it could be. Now, I do my reading consistently, I can always tell when I have forgotten to do my scriptures/spiritual study, or forgotten to say a prayer.

"Know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good." What am I to learn from my trials? I have always known that my Heavenly Father loves me, but now I know the Lord has been there to comfort me when every tear has been shed, every bad thought about myself, He's been there through it all!



"Why do we need such resilient faith? Because difficult days are ahead." Every day we are battered by what other people think and believe. Satan works his hardest against those that the Lord's hardest workers, His most faithful followers. Whenever you are having a hard time, a bad day, etc, ask yourself, does you day suck or does your attitude suck?

"Strength comes when you remember that you have a divine nature, an inheritance of infinite worth." I know now that I am good enough; I am so very loved by my Heavenly Father. He knows my sorrows, He knows my pains, my fears, my afflictions. I know that I am a beloved daughter of God. His greatest wish is for me to return to live with Him again. He wants me to be happy, He wants me to feel my self-worth. I thank Him every day for sending my friends to me that have helped me through all the dark times, the sad times and the good times. I am so lucky.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Elder and Sister Wood's Address to the Fairbanks YSAs

"Expect the unexpected. . ."

Right now, Africa is the place to be. The gospel is spreading like wildfire over there. Newly converted people are immediately sharing the gospel with all their friends and family members. New units/wards are being made every week, boundaries are being reconfigured daily. In the one year that President and Sister Wood were in Johannesburg, Africa, there were 28 baptism sessions that occurred with multiple people being baptized each time. Investigator classes always had at least 15 people if not more in them. In the building that the Wood's were supposed to meet, there were 180 members in a room that is normally used for 60 middle school aged children.

Fun Facts:
Outside of Johannesburg, there are little villages that are called townships. One of the townships, Etwatwa is where the Wood's frequented and many of their stories are from there. Etwatwa means machine gun. The unemployment rate in Africa is 80%. There is no trash pick-up, all of the trash is lined up along the road, left anywhere, and once in a while people will go and light all the trash on fire and burn all of the trash. The temple was a five minute walk from the mission area home, so the Wood's were able to attend the temple every week regularly and they had the privilege of being Ordinance workers every week for six months as well.
In Africa, your immediate family is important, but your extended family is as well. Children, even if they are adults, must obey their parents and families rules until they are married. There was a girl that had been investigating the church and had made the decision to become baptized. The night before she was to be baptized, her father told her that while she lives within the walls of his home, she was not allowed to be baptized into any other faith than one her family attends because he did not want conflicting viewpoints in his home. When she is married, she will have the freedom to make the decision to be baptized if she still wishes too, but not before than. She was not baptized that day, however she has faithfully attended every meeting still and is currently dating a member.
Men have to pay a 'bride-price' or a dowry which ranges from $2000 to $20,000 before they can marry the woman of their choice. New converts understand that they do need to get married, start a family, etc. however they have to wait longer so that they can pay this 'bride-price' to marry the woman that they want to spend eternity with.
Hope comes through Christ. In Moroni 7:40--41, it says:
"And again, my beloved brethren, I would speak unto you concerning hope. How is it that ye can attain unto faith, save ye shall have hope?
And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise."
Ether 12:4 says:
"Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might what surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God."

When you are not keeping the commandments, you will not have access to the Spirit. The Spirit cannt dwell in unclean temples.

Sunday thoughts, jots, and tittles. . .

Sacrament Meeting:
A little over a month ago was the first time I had been to the temple in almost five years. Every time a temple trip would come up, I would always have a reason not to go, volleyball, prom, school project, didn't have a ride, etc. Looking back now, I realize that they were nothing but a bunch of excuses. I wish that I had taken advantage of those temple trips before. When I walked into the Provo temple, the first feeling that assaulted me was a sense peace quickly followed by this feeling of Heavenly Father welcoming me back. It felt amazing, I knew then that my Heavenly Father loves me very much, and He is so happy that I now know that, that I know what my Individual Worth is.

We need to learn to be in the world, but not of it. The New York temple is located in the middle of the city, surrounded by sky scrappers and other buildings, with people protesting outside and cabs honking. But as soon as you step onto temple grounds, it's as if those things don't even matter, as if you can't hear anything but the sound of the spirit.

Joseph Smith did many things, but what he was best at was listening. If he hadn't listened to the spirit when reading James 1:5, he never would have restored the church to the Earth, we wouldn't have the blessings of the temple or the priesthood. Listening can be the easiest thing to do, but it can also be the hardest thing to do. People always want to share their news and talk, but people need to listen to be of help. After listening however, you must take action.

Sunday School:
Christ compares the Pharisees to being like a cup that is clean on the outside but dirty on the inside.
Matthew 21: 17-22; The fig tree gives the illusion of bearing fruit.
John 12:1-8; Judas was giving the illusion that he cared and was worried about the poor.
Matthew 21:1-11; Christ doesn't put on any pretenses. For Him, it was what it was; he was humble and meek. Christ rode a colt, the son of a donkey, the most humble of ways, to come into Jerusalem. This was a representation of who Christ is and was.
Matthew 21: 23-27; Fear of man, not God.
Matthew 21:28-32; The first son, there was no deception, there was no expectations whereas the second son said he would go and do and then did not. When we make covenants, and then balk on them when it comes down to it, God does not take that lightly. Intentions are great, but the must be followed through.

"There is so much good in the worst of us, there is so much bad in the best of us that it behooves us not to talk about the rest of us."


Young Women's:
In this life, through our journey, Heavenly Father doesn't want us to wing it, he wants us to plan it out and be prepared.

Accepting Jesus Christ isn't something that comes right off the bat, it is something that takes a lifetime to achieve.
The Lord cannot allow the slightest degree of tolerance when it comes to sin. We cannot be allowed into the Celestial Kingdom if we are sinners.
Heavenly Father has devised a plan in which he can maximize the number of children that can return to live with Him again.
Your body is like a recording device, it changes with each decision that we make. When we are resurrected, our body will reflect every decision that we have made here on Earth, what is it that my body will reflect?
To live in the Celestial Kingdom, you must be baptized, confirmed a member of the church and then married/sealed in the temple. Whether these are done in person, or done by proxy, it must be done. Everyone has the right to choose if they want to accept the gospel or not.

t|e|s|t|i|m|o|n|y

Given that today was Fast and Testimony in Sacrament meeting instead of the usual post of notes and impressions I'm just going to bear my testimony.

I know that my Heavenly Father loves me so very much. For so long I have struggled with this concept, after everything I have done, after everything I have been through, I always used to think who could love me of all people. But now that has changed, I know that He knows all my pains, my sorrows, my afflictions. He knows every little thing about me, good or bad.
I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God and that he translated the Book of Mormon. I know that President Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet of God and that he leads and guides us today.
The law of tithing is a true principle, the Lord only asks us to pay 10% of our income, it isn't much, but it seems like it is when you are actually having to pay it. But if you do, you will be eternally blessed, He will reward you more than you will be able to comprehend.
I know that Christ paid the price for my sins, as well as everyone elses. It would be such a waste for us to not take advantage of it. I am so very grateful for the gift that he has given me.
I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church on this earth, and I am so grateful to be apart of it.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

26 June 2011 Church and Fireside

Everyone has different lives therefore they must endure different trials that are unique to them. Satan would have us think that we cannot endure all things, he wants us to feel like failures, be discouraged, etc. However, you must press onward and wait for Satan's depressing spirit to leave you. Remember your past triumphs over the adversary and you will get past your trial. You must have faith that the Lord can get you through anything. If we cannot humble ourselves and ask the Lord for help, He cannot and will not help us!

Adversary=adverse; something is fighting strongly for you to do something. The Lord will comfort your and help you get past your fears. The gospel will give us patience to endure our trials. Don't be discouraged and exercise your faith. Our trials are only temporary. To know true joy and happiness, we must know what misery and unhappiness are. There must be opposition in all things.

Fireside:
Mentors are exemplary people, they are involved in peoples lives.

Do not settle for mediocrity, strive for excellence. Every person is worthy of having the best, of doing the best, we need to only work for it!

By being with people, they begin to follow your example and you being to follow them. When I lived in Wasilla, AK, my family and I were inactive in the church. Any of the friends that I had were not members of the church; some of them were good friends, however many of them were not good examples for me. By the time I was in sixth grade, I had a mouth like a sailor. My family never knew this, but when I was at school, every sentence had some form of cuss word in it. Looking back on it, I feel like an idiot, I had thought that saying those kind of things sounded cool and made me more popular. I moved to North Pole, in between sixth and seventh grade and thank goodness I did. My family started to become more active in the church and I was able to quickly make friends with a lot of the LDS kids that were my age or a little older. I can honestly say that if it was not for my friends, specifically Panika, I know I would not be where I am in the church today. Even though I experienced trials that I never thought I would while living in North Pole, I am so grateful for it and the friends that I made. I know that it made me into the person that I am today.

Being around great people does not make you less, but it in fact makes you more.

You cannot heal or help others if you cannot heal or help yourself.

Mentors do not have to say things that rub off on you. 

You have to remember that you are in charge of your life. You have to be willing to make the choice. 

People can tell you how to live your life, however you are the one who is making the ultimate decision.

If you had ten years to live, what would you want to fix/change? Who would you go to for help?

Remember, your attitude is everything, you can turn any bad situation or trial into something good by being happy and positive.

24 July 2011

Acts 1: 4-5, 8-10
    "And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
      For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
      But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be winesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
      And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up: and a cloud received him out of their sight.
      And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood y them in white apparel."

Doctrine and Covenants 42: 13
     "And they shall observe the covenants and church articles to do them, and these shall be their teachings, as they shall be directed by the Spirit."

We are supposed to:
     *Be a witness/teach the gospel
     *Not teach without the Holy Ghost
              (you must have the Holy Ghost to do so though)

John 14:26
     "But the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

Acts 1:22-26
     "Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
      And they appointed two, Joseph call Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
      And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou has chosen,
      That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
      And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles."
          

Acts 2: 1-11
     "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
      And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
      And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
      And they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
      And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
      Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
      And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
      And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
      Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Montus, and Asia,
      Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers in Rome, Jews and proselytes,
       Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God."
                                          (Holy Ghost)

Acts 4:6-12, 19-20
     "And Annas the high pries, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
      And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power or by what name, have ye done this?
      Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
      If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
      Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
      This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
      Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
      But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 
      For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
                                                 (Reaction to their call)

Acts 5: 29
     "Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men."

Acts 2:37-47
     "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their hear, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
      Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
      For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
      And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
      Then they that gladly received this word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
      And they continued stedfastly in the apostles; doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
      And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
      And all that believed were together, and had all things in common;
      And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
      And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
      Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."
Having the Holy Ghost, they were able to baptize 3,000 people. Through the Holy Ghost, the apostles were perfected.

Acts 3:2-7
     "And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;
      Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
      And Peter, fastening his eye upon him with John, said, Look on us.
      And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
      Then Peter said, Silver and hold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
      And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
Miracle performed by Peter and Paul, one of many.
Acts 5:34-42
     "Then stood there up on in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
      And said unto them, Ye men of ISrael, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
      For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
      After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all , even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
      And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
      But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
      And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
      And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
      And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ."

Relief Society:
"Finding Joy through Loving Service"

Alma 37:6-7
     "Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.
      And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls."

"By small and simple things, great things come to pass."

Matthew 22: 36-39
"Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart...soul...mind...love thy neighbor as thyself."

Love thyself:
     Accept yourself
     Love God
     Serve

31 July 2011

Sacrament Meeting:

"In as much as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land. But if ye shall not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence."

"Faith is to hope for things which are not seen, but which are true, and must be centered in Jesus Christ in order to produce salvation. To have faith is to have confidence in something or someone. The Lord has revealed himself and his perfect character, possessing in their fulness all the attributes of love, knowledge, justice, mercy, unchangeableness, power and every other needful thing, so as to enable the mind of man to place confidence in him without reservation. Faith is kindled by hearing the testimony of those who have faith. Miracles do not produce faith by strong faith is developed by obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ; in other words, faith comes by rightwousness, although miracles often confirm one's faith."

"Faith is a principle of action and of power, and by it one can command the elements and/or heal the sick, or influence any number of circumstances when occasion warrants. Even more important, by faith one obtains a remission of sins and eventually can stand in the presence of God."

"All true faith must be based upon correct knowledge or it cannot produce the desired results. Faith in Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel and is more than belief, since true faith always moves its possessors to some kind of physical and mental action; it carries an assurance of the fulfillment of the tings hoped for. A lack of faith leads one to despair, which comes because of iniquity. "

"Although faith is a gift, it must be cultured and sought after until it grows from a tiny seed to a great tree. The effects of true faith in Jesus Christ include (1) an actual knowledge that the course of life one is pursuing is acceptable to the Lord; (2) a reception of the blessings of the Lord that are available to man in this life; and (3) an assurance of personal salvation in the world to come. These things involve individual and personal testimony, guidance, revelation, and spiritual knowledge. Where there is true faith there are miracles, visions, dreams, healings, and all the gifts of God that he gives to his saints. "

--Bible Dictionary

If we do not give our children faith, we have given little.
Faith is like a spiritual photosynthesis.
Joseph Smith showed perfect faith by asking Heavenly Father about which church was true and then following what He said.
Where there is faith there is hope.

11 September 2011

Sacrament Meeting:
As you do Family History work, it can be very rewarding; you learn more about what your heritage is, as well as more about where you come from.
The lord is there to help us find our ancestors, He wants us all to be able to return to live with Him again.
Patience isn't enduring, it is enduring well.
The most important thing about marriage is to marry at the right place, to the right person, by the right authority.
Confusion is from Satan, Heavenly Father's plan is simple and organized.
Being impatient is also being selfish...
     Pray for service opportunities to put your focus elsewhere.
You don't have control over everything, but Heavenly Father does.
It's okay to be wary, we will eventually understand why things take longer for you than for others.
Constantly work on yourself, if your scripture study doesn't seem to be helping, then you need to change it. If your prayers aren't being answered then you need to change the way you are praying.
There are good choices to be made, there are better choices to be made, and there are the best choices to make.
Do the best thing for yourself!
Alma 34:32-
      "For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors."

Sunday School:
Ordinances aren't a checklist, it's about changing ourselves.
Private victory triumphs over public victory.
1 Corinthians 11:20-25-
    "When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.
      For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper; and one is hungry, and another is drunken.
     What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praises you not.
     For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
     And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
     After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me."
What is special about the sacrament?
It is like a token of Christ
If you take it seriously, you will not deviate easily from your path.
It is all about remembering Christ!
We have to renew our covenants to gain the presence of the spirit.
It is just like being re-baptized every week!
It is personal; it is between you and the Lord. He will heal us!
You are literally taking upon you something of Christ.
When the Spirit is with you, you are more yourself, you can be more confident.
Repentance is key in this as well, you have to cleanse yourself!
Change of heart comes through repetition and consistency. Take that step of faith!
The Sacrament is how we put the Atonement into place or action!

Sister Kristen M. Oaks and Elder Dallin H. Oaks Fireside

Sister Kristen M. Oaks:
We will be the providers of values to the world.
Truth: The Lord loves us, He delights in blessing us. Be the best you can be, relish this time and invest yourself in the scriptures!
Truth: We are not saved in isolation. Remember who you are and what you represent. We must act on truth; help others.
Truth: Our responsibility is to be the best disciple of Christ we can be.
Truth: Learn the voice of the Holy Ghost. Develop and nurture your testimony. Do not waste this wonderful time. Get your degree, however do not sacrifice eternal happiness for a job. Rely upon the Spirit to determine what choices you need to make.
Truth: All singles should remain active in the church. Remember it is in the Lord's time, not our time. Have patience!!!

Elder Dallin H. Oaks-
Truth: We believe in absolute truth. We believe in all truth, no matter what it is actually about. Truth will stand, truth will endure. Truth is a knowledge of things as they were, are, and shall be.
Tolerance: We are faced with a more diverse world, we must learn to be tolerant of these differences.
Truth: All people are brother's and sister's under God, they are taught to do good to one another. We should be in the world, not of the world. Be alert to honor the good in all people. Our duty to truth is to seek relief from something that is wrong.
We have a duty to teach right and wrong as well as tolerance.
When you take principles of Christ in the public sector for government action/laws, seek the Lord's guidance. Walk shoulder to should with other believers.

18 September 2011

Sacrament Meeting-
We must mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.
Service is essential because it brings us closer together; it makes us one. We are a city upon a hill.
"Missionary work is home teaching non-members and home teaching is missionary work to members.
Home teaching is there to bless other people's lives, not because we have to report it.
1. Be a home teacher, do not just do your home teaching. Check in more than once a month. Be their friend.
2. Plan your meeting. Even if it is only for 15 minutes. Take the time to prepare your lesson.
3. Allow yourself to be taught. Let the Spirit bless you with home teaching.
Home teaching can help us become a ward family, through it, we can come closer together.
Faith is like the Energizer bunny, it pushes you through even the most difficult times.
Faith is "all is well, knowing the Lord will never forsake you."
Find a way to seek deliverance from trials.
When you lose faith, you lose your momentums.
Yes you can, you can do anything and everything through God. Someone is always there whether seen or unseen.
The point of service is to have charity, to help make others lives easier and happier.
Charity is the pure love of Christ. You see past others flaws, see their potential, and in doing so, you see past your own flaws and see your potential as well.
When you focus on the Lord's errand, everything will fall into place.
John 13:17-
     "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them."
You show your love for others by serving them. Forget yourself and lose yourself in service to others.
Heavenly Father knows when we need to be served, when we need help, etc. However we must allow people to serve us as well.
The Lord needs us to follow the promptings, especially when it comes to service.

Sunday School:
2 Corinthians 1:3-6
    "Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
      I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
      That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
      Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:"
We can gain divine guidance in everything whether they are mundane or monumental.
Our trials are for our betterment.
Christ knows when to succor us because He has been through each of our trials as well.
Praying for other people will help us to become more like Christ. He prayed for us when He was on the cross.
Pray for those who need help, as well as your enemies. If you are praying for those you have problems with, it will soften your heart.
2 Corinthians 2:5-11
    "That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
      Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
     But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
     Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory:
     Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
     But as it is written, Eye, hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
     But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
     For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God."
You have to learn to forgive. Forgiveness gives you freedom. Do not beat yourself up for poor decisions that you have made, use the atonement and move past your issue so that you can become happy again.

181st. General Conference

Saturday Afternoon Session:

David A. Bednar
The greatest thing we can do is the work for the dead.
We become Saviors on Mount Zion by building temples and performing the ordinances therein. 
We cannot be made perfect without our dead and they cannot be made perfect without us performing their work.
Family history is for the young people too, not just for the "old people."
   Youth can offer help to those older people who have difficulties navigating the church websites for family history.

Neil A. Anderson
Families are central to Heavenly Father's plan, He has ordained it.
Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. It is not to be squeezed in if you have the time, God gives you the time.
Never postpone having children, even for education or a job. Have faith and the Lord will see you through.
As you scrimp and save, trying to get through life and having children, you will become closer with your spouse.
When making the decision of when to have children and how many is between your spouse, the Lord, and yourself.
Ian S. Arden
We must become masters of our time.
Time cannot be bought, but it can be used. On the judgment day, we will give an account of the use of our time.
"In family relationships, 'love' is spelled 'T-I-M-E."
Do not become time compulsive finger technology users; do not push aside the important things.
Be as quick to kneel as you are to text.
If we seek good books, the Lord will give us knowledge freely. Identify time wasters in our life, and "grind" them up.
     Review your time to make sure you are pursuing those things that are in line with God's plan.

Carl B. Cook
"It is better to look up." ~Thomas S. Monson
Have a "can do and will do" attitude.
Release your burden to the Lord, look skyward, and the Lord will help.
We must look up and step up!

LeGrand R. Curtis Jr.
Redeem is to buy back
Christ's redemption does not come through corruptible things such as gold or silver, but rather through His blood.
We cannot make it into God's presence without Christ's help.

D. Todd Christofferson
We live in an age similar to Nehor and Korihor. People deny Christ or think we live in an age where God does not demand anything of us.
Repentance only exists because of Christ's atonement.
Five Aspects of Repentance
1. The invitation to repent is a message of love. You are being more selfish by not calling yourself or others to repent.
2. Repentance means striving to change. Divine healing is easier for those who are truly trying to change.
3. Repentance is not only a promise of obedience, but also a renouncing of sin. The choice to repent is burning bridges in all directions!
4. Repentance requires seriousness of purpose and perseverance. We must endure to the end.
5. Whatever the cost of repentance, it will be swallowed up by the feeling of joy and happiness.

L. Tom Perry
There will always be people who will work against our church.
We can share who we are
We must be bold in our declaration of Christ
    Use the Old Testament, New Testament, and the Book of Mormon
We can find contentment through Christ
We must be righteous examples to all. Be an example of the believers.
We must speak up for our religion. Do not shy away from questions, answer them if you can. Remember the words of John on fear and love. Do not become defensive or argumentative.
    Internet is a Pearl of Great Price. Help to spread the gospel
    Perfect love casteth out fear.

Sunday Morning Session

Henry B. Eyring
You will feel God's love when you serve other people.
The power of the Book of Mormon on your witness, courage, and power is true; it has an outstanding effect.
Have charity, unshakeable courage, and stand as a witness.

Robert D. Hales
Our purpose on Earth is to grow and strengthen.
No matter what our trials are, we must know that it is for our benefit.
Wait means to hope.
As we wait upon the Lord, we shall be immovable.
Some promises will or can be fulfilled in years to come, they do not come all at once but little by little.
His angels are all around to help lift us up.

Tad R. Callister
There is no middle ground with the Book of Mormon, it either is written by God, or the Devil.
     Which will you choose? 
An honest, unbiased reading of the Book of Mormon will show you it is God.
Only one religion uses the Bible and Book of Mormon to testify of Christ.

Elaine S. Dalton
The most important thing a father can do for his daughter is love her mother. It will be showing her how she should be treated by her future spouse.
Stay close to your daughter.
Fathers are the guardians of our home.
Young women's values are God like attributes.
Your testimony has a profound effect on your daughter.
Be loyal to the royal within.

M. Russell Ballard
Only through the Saviors name can we be saved.
Saints refer to those who seek.
No polygamists or reformed LDS church has anything to do with our church.
We are to use the full name of our church, do not use nicknames for the church.
Let our testimony's of Him be heard and our love for Him shown.

Thomas S. Monson
Things that were once tolerated or frowned upon are now accepted, tolerated, and even smiled upon.
We know what is right and what is wrong; we have a conscience.
The 10 commandments are just that, commandments. They are not creative guidelines!!!!
God is unchanging; He is an anchor for us to cling to; His constancy provides a sense of safety and normality.
It is essential that we reject anything and everything that does not conform with our standards.
When President Monson was a young boy, during the depression. He had saved up all of the extra money that he had and exchanged the change for a five dollar bill. He placed that bill in the pocket of his jeans. Back then, when clothing needed to be washed, it was taken away in bundles to a laundress. Forgetting about the five dollar bill, President Monson sent his jeans to be washed. After realizing that the five dollar bill was in the pants, he prayed to Heavenly Father for the safe return of the bill. When the laundry came, he searched through the pants; he found the wet five dollar bill. He was so full of gratitude to Heavenly Father. Since then, there have been countless other prayers answered as well.
We must trust in the Lords inspiration
When you draw nearer to Him, He will draw nearer to thee.
Trust in the Lord, He will strengthen thee and uphold thee.

Sunday Afternoon Session

Russell M. Nelson
Covenant is a sacred promise with God.
Any blessings come from obedience to the laws upon which they are predicated.
If we seek the Lord and are obedient, we will receive innumerable blessings.
The Book of Mormon is a tangible fact of the gathering of Israel.
    It is another testament of Jesus Christ.
We know who we are and what is expected of us!
The greatest compliment we can receive is being called a covenant keeper!

Dallin H. Oaks
Christ taught that He is the only Begotten Son
Christ taught that He is made in the image of God the father.
Christ is the Creator of all things.
Christ is the great Jehovah and the King of Israel.
Whatever is bound on Earth shall be bound in Heaven; whatever is loosed on Earth will be loosed in Heaven as well.
The Atonement gives us the chance to overcome the spiritual death caused by sin.

Matthew O. Richardson
The Holy Ghost teaches to individuals, it is unique to each individual and adjusts how it speaks to them.
The Holy Ghost teaches by prompting or leading us.
Real teaching is teaching with and by the spirit.
You use your agency, the Holy Ghost will not force you to learn, you must chose to do so. You will not learn about anything until you yourself are ready to!
We desperately need real teaching in Sunday School, Relief Society, Elder's Quorum, High Priest, Young Men's and Young Women's, and Primary.

Kazuhiku Yamashita
Your attitude has an astounding effect upon those you teach.
     Your attitude and actions can bring in the Spirit, or it can take it away.
Future missionaries must:
    1. Desire to preach the gospel.
    2. Develop their testimony.
    3. Love others
Ask your Bishop for help in preparing for a mission.

Randall K. Bennett
"Decisions determine destiny." You cannot make a decision without it having an eternal consequence.
When you make a choice, you are also choosing the consequence.
You cannot dabble in righteousness and in worldly choices.
Your destiny is not determined by chance, but by choice!

J. Devn Cornish
You must ask for help. Heavenly Father wants to help you, but you must ask!
Prayer is there to ask for blessings, we are already going to receive.
We must let go of our hurts; give them up unto the Lord so that you can become happy again.
Doing things the Lord's way is better than when we do things our ways. The Lord knows what will happen even before we do, trust in Him.
Prayers are like medicine, it works only when used as directed.
Prayers take time to be answered; it is in the Lord's time, not ours.
Prayer provides spiritual strength.

Quentin L. Cook
Heavenly Father knows you and loves you.
Tragedies can shake even the strongest person if they let it tear away their testimony and beliefs.
Great blessings come to those who are faithful.
Many will have hardships and sore trials, but we can outlast them with prayers and priesthood blessings.
Some challenges come because of another's agency. We must forgive them of their trespasses and remember that God is a just and merciful God. Evil doers will be punished by God.

Thomas S. Monson
Heavenly Father is mindful of each and every one of us.
We must remember that we are all in this together; we play a key role in His plan.

09 October 2011

Sacrament Meeting
We are not invisible to the Lord.
We must wait upon Him.
Isaiah 40:31-
    "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
Wait is to hope, anticipate, and to trust.
2 Nephi 31:20-
    "Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life."
As we wait upon the Lord and keep the commandments, we will be blessed; our trials will be lifted in the last days.
We are not alone in our trials, Heavenly Father is always watching over us; we never stand alone.
Remember that it is not my will, but thy will be done.

Sealing keys are necessary to the Second Coming.
We must be Saviors on Mount Zion to those who have passed on.
We cannot be made perfect without our ancestors.
There is more to life than Facebook, Twitter, Angry Birds, etc. Use the internet to do Family History work.

It is better to look up. Look to God when you are going through trials.
Be like Nephi, go and do as you are commanded or asked without complaint. Be strong in your convictions.
1 Nephi 20:10
    "For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction."
God gives us trials to help us grow. If we bear them well, we will be exalted.
We are here to prepare to meet the Lord.
Trails are not to hurt us or to make us turn from the Lord, they are for us to trust in Him.
The hardest times are when we grow the most.

Sunday School:
Mosiah 5:1-4
    "And now it came to pass that when king Benjamin had thus spoken to his people, he sent among them, desiring to know of his people if they believed the words which he had spoken unto them.
     And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.
      And we, ourselves, also, through the infinite goodness of God, and the manifestations of his Spirit, have great views of that which is to come; and were it expedient, we could prophesy of all things.
     And it is the faith which we have had on the things which our king has spoken unto us that has brought us to this great knowledge, whereby we do rejoice with such exceedingly great joy.
     And we are willing to enter into a covenant with our God to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he shall command us, all the remainder of our days, that we may not bring upon ourselves a never-ending torment, as has been spoken by the angel, that we may not drink out of the cup of the wrath of God."
What did they learn?
    They had a change of heart due to the Spirit.
The Atonement is a spiritual and a physical change. When you repent, you will be physically changed as well. The Atonement does not fix you, it changes you!
Proverbs 3:3-5
    "Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart;
     So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
     Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."
2 Nephi 27:23
    "For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith."
Moroni 7:3
    "Wherefore, I would speak unto you that are of the church, that are the peaceable followers of Christ, and that have obtained a sufficient hope by which ye can enter into the rest of the Lord, from this time henceforth until ye shall rest with him in heaven."
Doctrine and Covenants 82:10
    "I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise."

Faith is a verb, we must act upon it.