Sunday, 20 November 2011
Ward Conference
Sacrament Meeting
Bishop Zalanka~
Keeping the commandments of the Lord will keep you happy.
Happiness is an emotion, attitude, and a state of being, but it is also is a state in which we can receive blessings. Wanting to and perseverance is what leads to ultimate happiness. You will be so blessed. We can find happiness through our trials.
I know this isn't a church song, but I feel that it does give a good message that goes along with Bishop Zalanka's talk. . . . .
We must live in the manner of happiness.
Characteristics of happiness are:
-Virtue -Morally clean
-Faithful -Holy
-Keeping the commandments
You must have a desire to do what is right. You will not learn until you are ready to!
Sister Belliston:
Our church is only 200 years old, and we are losing 30, 40, and 50% of our youth from ages 18 to 30. Many of them still believe in the doctrine, and church, yet why are they not coming?
Excuses given:
No Transportation
Busy (work, school, etc.)
Lazy
How do they overcome this? Many follow the example that is set by friends, family, and spouses. Others got over personal problems and made the time for church, and some moved to where the ward was good at fellow-shipping.
Inactive people need friends, callings, and to feast upon the words of Christ, especially the Book of Mormon.
We must willingly leave the 99 sheep and actively seek after the one lost sheep. We as the strong must give strength to the weak; be there for them always.
President Barnes:
We can say "I'll start tomorrow. . . " but remember that tomorrow never comes. We have wonderful intentions but we must remember to actually follow through on them. Having a diet is just like repenting. We must have focus, desire, and a ready attitude. If you are active, have a balance and keep the Word of Wisdom. If you do this, you will be healthy both spiritually as well as physically.
Until you are ready to stop feeling sick and tired, you will stay in the same mind set; you will make the same mistakes and not progress.
Make a fitness for duty test with your life. Ask yourself the questions from a temple recommend interview. Remember to have balance, be faithful. You are the only one that is stopping yourself from being worthy to hold a temple recommend. We can have it all, we just have to make the effort.
President Wilkinson:
Without knowing so, every LDS marriage is 'arranged." Heavenly Father nudges us in certain directions so that we can have the things the Lord has prepared or arranged for us.
If we seek after the Spirit, we will receive but we must hearken or act upon it. If we do not act, we will stop receiving. The trial of our faith is how we act upon the promptings of the Spirit, not upon the trial itself. All the blessings of heaven are given to us when we act upon the promptings of the Spirit.
Think of all we have, we can thank our Heavenly Father for all that we have in our prayers. BUT we show our gratitude by paying a full tithing.
We must pay a fast offering to fulfill the Law of Consecration. You do not fulfill fasting if you do not pay a fast offering. Be generous and sacrifice for others. Remember the poor and bless them.
Point yourself to the temple, get on to familysearch to do family history and you will receive the spirit of Elijah. Read Doctrine and Covenants 84 to see what blessings you can receive from the temple.
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