The Lord is with us, side by side at all times.
When kneeling down to pray, we should be hand in hand with Him, holding His hands.
Doctrine and Covenants 9:7-9
"Behold, you have not understood, you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me.
But behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right,a nd if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.
But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me."
Heavenly Father wants us to ask Him for help, He can always help but we must ask first.
Study it out and then ask Him if it be true.
Choosing who to marry is the most important thing we will decide in this life and in eternity. We must do more than lead with our hear. Tips for finding a mate:
Do not rush courtship. Whirlwind courtships can lead to destruction. You spend more quality time with people when you know them. Use courtship to get to know each other, do activities where you can talk and get to know that person. You cannot get to know someone by hanging out!
Spend time with his family. Do his values harmonize with yours? How does he treat his family? Do service together, babysit together to see how he acts. Do not listen to what they say, watch what they do and see how they act.
Keep the physical things within bounds. It makes us rationalize. It effects males more then the females. It makes women wonder if that is all the boy wants is the physical things and not anything else.
Pet Peeves of Boys with Girls:
Immodesty: Please be modest. You say a lot about where you stand when you are immodest.
Vanity: Be in the world, not of the world.
Dating: When you date the jerks after complaining about them.
Force Field of Friends: Do not always travel around in packs.
Things Boys Like About Girls:
Attend all meetings
Personality
Clean in: speech, music, dance, etc.
Modesty
Do not go into a project! They need to change before you marry or even date them.
Things you Have a Right to Know:
Debt
Children
Pornography addiction
How to raise a family
Remember to see yourself the way that Heavenly Father see's you. There are a lot of worthy priesthood holders out there, do not settle for anything less than what you deserve!
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"I the Lord am bound when you do what I say."
"Whatsoever ye ask in faith, ye shall receive."
Faith is exercised by doing what the Lord says. As we do what He says, He is bound to bless us. We receive blessings based upon obedience to His laws.
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."
What do we want? Do we want to feel more adequate? Do we want to find an eternal mate?
Fasting is a principle that we do not perfect easily because we forget, we shorten time, etc. Fasting is not about skipping meals; it is about becoming humble and paying a fast offering.
Modesty:
It is what you think about when you get dressed.
It is a protection against temptation.
It can be difficult to find, but it is possible.
Chastity:
It is apart of every one of our relationships. Hardly any television show does not have some form of immorality occurring.
Chaste couples can build eternal relationships, it helps them build a more stable relationship.
How glorious is she that walks in a chaste life.
Sexual transgression is second to murdering or denying the Holy Ghost. It is one of the most grievous sins. The Lord is concerned with how we come into this world and how we leave it. Before we can repent for sexual transgression, we must feel a crushing sense of remorse.
Married couples are living symbols of what Heavenly Father wants us to do, procreation. This is a gift He gives us, but only in the right place and the right time!
Sexual transgression will bring great sorrow. That we can repent is sure but we must make that change, physically, spiritually, and mentally. Do not sell yourself short or think that you can get past these on your own. The Bishop is there to help you get past it and to feel as if it had never happen.
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The principles in the Young Women's theme are always true throughout your life.
Set your standards high, expect, and deserve more.
Relationships are great! Go into a relationship with your eyes wide open and once you are married keep them half closed ;)
If we do not repent or take care of our sins, we must go through certain motions and then sin no more.
There is nothing good that can come from sleep-overs. Do not ever lay down with a young man.
Act upon the pricks upon your consciousness. It is to worth having guilt weigh you down. You never know what tomorrow brings; what will happen to you.
We are daughter's of God.
If you ever have self-doubt, look back to the Young Women's theme.
There is a reason women were chosen to bear children.
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Guard your virtue like you would guard you life!
Moroni 9:9-
"And nothwithstanding this great abomination of the Lamanites,it doth not exceed that of our people in Moriantum. For behold, many of the daughters of the Lamanites have they taken prisoners; and after depriving them of that which was most dear and precious above all things, which is chastity and virtue--"
Do not every have regrets over stupid/dumb things!
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
16 October 2011
Sacrament Meeting
Slow down and focus on the adverse situation.
Simplicity in it's finest!
Our relationship with God is the most important thing and it is the most vital thing. Learn of Him, pray to Him, and have meaningful time alone with him.
Our relationship with our family is the next most important relationship. Do things together. Remember that 'love' is spelled 'T-I-M-E.'
Our relationship with our fellow man is another important relationship. We will build these one at a time.
The last important relationship is the one that we have with ourselves. Get to know yourself better; learn to see yourself as Heavenly Father sees you.
Matthew 4:1-11
"Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered.
And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan; for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve,
Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him."
Three times Christ was tempted by Satan, and three times He used the scriptures to say no.
The scriptures are our tools; they are like a handbook for us to use.
Scriptures are like night vision goggles, they give us light when times are dark.
Great power can come from memorizing scriptures; it can help us to change.
We are free; we are the ones who ultimately make the choice to choose good or bad.
Ponder the scriptures, don't just read them.
Blessings that come from scripture study:
-You agitated soul may become calmed
-You are able to accelerate physical healing
How do you personally use your scriptures? Do you mark them? Do you use all the standard works?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To learn from the Spirit, we must listen
Doctrine and Covenants 6:15, 22-23-
"Behold, thou knowest that thou has inquired of me and I did enlighten thy mind; and now I tell thee these things that thou mayest know that thou hast been enlightened by the Spirit of truth;
Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things.
Did I not speak peace unto your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?
The Spirit will teach, testify, and inspire us to do good, if we but ask.
Satan wants us to doubt and question; he does not want to know the truth.
Moroni 7:12-17
"Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.
But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired by God.
Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil.
For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.
For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.
But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him."
The voice of the Spirit is still and small; it is felt more than it is heard!
Have patience.
You get better and better as you practice. Remember to go to the scriptures for your answers.
Doctrine and Covenants 9:7-9-
"Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me.
But behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.
But if it be not right, you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me."
If a decision is good, we will be at peace with our decision; if we feel bad about it or a dark cloud descends upon us, it is of the Devil.
Be patient, answers do not come quickly!
Slow down and focus on the adverse situation.
Simplicity in it's finest!
Our relationship with God is the most important thing and it is the most vital thing. Learn of Him, pray to Him, and have meaningful time alone with him.
Our relationship with our family is the next most important relationship. Do things together. Remember that 'love' is spelled 'T-I-M-E.'
Our relationship with our fellow man is another important relationship. We will build these one at a time.
The last important relationship is the one that we have with ourselves. Get to know yourself better; learn to see yourself as Heavenly Father sees you.
Matthew 4:1-11
"Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered.
And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan; for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve,
Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him."
Three times Christ was tempted by Satan, and three times He used the scriptures to say no.
The scriptures are our tools; they are like a handbook for us to use.
Scriptures are like night vision goggles, they give us light when times are dark.
Great power can come from memorizing scriptures; it can help us to change.
We are free; we are the ones who ultimately make the choice to choose good or bad.
Ponder the scriptures, don't just read them.
Blessings that come from scripture study:
-You agitated soul may become calmed
-You are able to accelerate physical healing
How do you personally use your scriptures? Do you mark them? Do you use all the standard works?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To learn from the Spirit, we must listen
Doctrine and Covenants 6:15, 22-23-
"Behold, thou knowest that thou has inquired of me and I did enlighten thy mind; and now I tell thee these things that thou mayest know that thou hast been enlightened by the Spirit of truth;
Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things.
Did I not speak peace unto your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?
The Spirit will teach, testify, and inspire us to do good, if we but ask.
Satan wants us to doubt and question; he does not want to know the truth.
Moroni 7:12-17
"Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.
But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired by God.
Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil.
For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.
For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.
But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him."
The voice of the Spirit is still and small; it is felt more than it is heard!
Have patience.
You get better and better as you practice. Remember to go to the scriptures for your answers.
Doctrine and Covenants 9:7-9-
"Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me.
But behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.
But if it be not right, you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me."
If a decision is good, we will be at peace with our decision; if we feel bad about it or a dark cloud descends upon us, it is of the Devil.
Be patient, answers do not come quickly!
30 October 2011
Fast and Testimony Meeting-
I know that my Heavenly Father loves not only me, but every person that has been and still is on this Earth. He knows our trials, our troubles, our sorrows, our pains. I know that Heavenly Father wants to help us and that He does have the ability to do so, if we only ask Him too. Heavenly Father will not take away our agency, He gave it to us and wants to see us use it. I know that Christ came to this Earth to provide a blood sacrifice to fulfill the law of justice and mercy. I know that this is the true Church; that Joseph Smith Jr. was a true prophet of God. I know that Thomas S. Monson has been called of God to lead this church today, as well as his predecessors. I know that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon through the power of God. I know that through temple ordinances, we can achieve eternal happiness, that we can know with a surety that we as families will be together forever! Is say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
I know that my Heavenly Father loves not only me, but every person that has been and still is on this Earth. He knows our trials, our troubles, our sorrows, our pains. I know that Heavenly Father wants to help us and that He does have the ability to do so, if we only ask Him too. Heavenly Father will not take away our agency, He gave it to us and wants to see us use it. I know that Christ came to this Earth to provide a blood sacrifice to fulfill the law of justice and mercy. I know that this is the true Church; that Joseph Smith Jr. was a true prophet of God. I know that Thomas S. Monson has been called of God to lead this church today, as well as his predecessors. I know that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon through the power of God. I know that through temple ordinances, we can achieve eternal happiness, that we can know with a surety that we as families will be together forever! Is say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
30 October 2011 Fireside with Sister Hinkley
It will be over for me one day; the end will come. We have but a little bit of time here on this Earth, one life. Our life will be full of surprises.
We have plans for our lives, some of these will happen, however not all of them.
That is just how it is. Life does not turn out as you expect.
What do we do then? Are we afraid to move forward? Remember that there are no guarantees in life!!! But there is something Sister Hinkley can promise us. . .If we can establish and nourish an ongoing relationship with our Savior, we will be happier, we will feel His love for us.
Our greatest safety is in our membership in the church. Cling to the church for dear life.
Coming to church on Sunday for three hours can be life changing; it will make a difference in your life. It will not be as easy as you think, but it will be worth it! It will help you start and build a relationship with God. You can become a product of this church by participating in programs of the church. Implement things they teach when at these meetings. No family can expose you to everything there is to do out there. The programs of the church may be able to broaden your scope. Sign up, suit up and do it! You cannot lose doing this.
Getting into the harness and coming to church ever week gives you the ability to hear other's ideas and broaden your mind. Every week, year after year, you will learn and in the end you will be surprised at how much you have learned.
We learn at our own pace, there are no midterms in life (just in class ;). When you are ready or almost ready to learn something, you WILL learn it.
When you have a boring sacrament meeting, you have to figure out what is the subject of the talk/what is he or she trying to teach me and then give yourself a lesson on the topic. President Eyring was sitting in a sacrament meeting when he was a child, and said that it was decidedly boring. He looked over at his father and noticed a smile upon his face. After all the meetings were over, President Eyring asked his father what he had thought of Sacrament meeting. His response was that he had enjoyed it immensely. Trying to figure out if his father was 'attending' the same meeting as him, President Eyring had thought the meeting was boring, to which his father responded that if he finds a speaker boring, he will figure out what the actual topic is of the talk and then teach himself in a way that is not quite as boring. President Eyring has never had another boring meeting again.
It is also about how you listen to the talk, do you have the spirit with you, are you trying to learn something from the talk or lesson? You cannot put all of the blame upon the teacher or speaker. You must have a different spirit, ask questions which will spur discussion, and if you do not understand something, ASK! Pray for your teachers and speakers during the week, ask that they will say something to answer questions that you might have.
Having church for three hours a week makes it a place of revelation. Over and over you will see your prayers being answered. Watch for the miracles. Make sure you let Heavenly Father know what it is that you want answered and that you want Him in you life.
Doctrine and Covenants 123:17-
"Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."
Not only do we receive revelation, but we are able to answer people's prayers.
We will always have a way to serve.
We will always have a way to be in people's lives. Some of us are bubbly, ready and willing to serve. But some are more shy about it. Service does not need to be a fanfare even; humble, quiet acts are just as good, if not better acts of service.
Quit looking down upon yourself, degrading yourself in the mirror, open your heart to those that are around you, sit next to new people in church, thank them, love them. The more you reach out to other's, the more you will feel the Lord's love. When Sister Hinkley's children were younger, her eleven year old daughter asked her mother if she might sit next to another lady in the ward. Sister Hinkley told her that she could after the sacrament had been past. After the sacrament had been passed, the little girl went and sat next to the lady. After all the meetings had concluded, Sister Hinkley's daughter told her that as soon as she had sat down next to the lady, the lady turned to her with tears in her eyes and said "Thank you for sitting here, I was praying that someone would."
Make the decision that you will always go to church. And as the surprises of life come, you will profit and grow.
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The sisters of the stake are the backbone of our stake.
Before attending this fireside, each and everyone of us had a three hour block of church, and yet we chose to come to the fireside willingly. If you don't go for your three hour block, then we are not allowing the Spirit to fill us up.
Be apart of the STP (same ten people). Be the dependable ones that will be there to help set up, take down, plan lessons/activities, etc.
When you come to church prepared, feel or hear the promptings of the Spirit, ACT UPON THEM! You might be the difference in someone else's life that day.
The young men want to be better because of the young women of the church. Remember always that Heavenly Father knows what you need and what you want.
Doctrine and Covenants 4
"Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.
Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.
Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;
For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he thrusteth in his sickle, with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his sould;
And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.
Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.
Ask, and ye shall receive; knock and it shall be opened unto you. Amen.
The Stake Relief Society is worried about the women of our stake. They want us to become charged again and continue on in doing good.
We have plans for our lives, some of these will happen, however not all of them.
That is just how it is. Life does not turn out as you expect.
What do we do then? Are we afraid to move forward? Remember that there are no guarantees in life!!! But there is something Sister Hinkley can promise us. . .If we can establish and nourish an ongoing relationship with our Savior, we will be happier, we will feel His love for us.
Our greatest safety is in our membership in the church. Cling to the church for dear life.
Coming to church on Sunday for three hours can be life changing; it will make a difference in your life. It will not be as easy as you think, but it will be worth it! It will help you start and build a relationship with God. You can become a product of this church by participating in programs of the church. Implement things they teach when at these meetings. No family can expose you to everything there is to do out there. The programs of the church may be able to broaden your scope. Sign up, suit up and do it! You cannot lose doing this.
Getting into the harness and coming to church ever week gives you the ability to hear other's ideas and broaden your mind. Every week, year after year, you will learn and in the end you will be surprised at how much you have learned.
We learn at our own pace, there are no midterms in life (just in class ;). When you are ready or almost ready to learn something, you WILL learn it.
When you have a boring sacrament meeting, you have to figure out what is the subject of the talk/what is he or she trying to teach me and then give yourself a lesson on the topic. President Eyring was sitting in a sacrament meeting when he was a child, and said that it was decidedly boring. He looked over at his father and noticed a smile upon his face. After all the meetings were over, President Eyring asked his father what he had thought of Sacrament meeting. His response was that he had enjoyed it immensely. Trying to figure out if his father was 'attending' the same meeting as him, President Eyring had thought the meeting was boring, to which his father responded that if he finds a speaker boring, he will figure out what the actual topic is of the talk and then teach himself in a way that is not quite as boring. President Eyring has never had another boring meeting again.
It is also about how you listen to the talk, do you have the spirit with you, are you trying to learn something from the talk or lesson? You cannot put all of the blame upon the teacher or speaker. You must have a different spirit, ask questions which will spur discussion, and if you do not understand something, ASK! Pray for your teachers and speakers during the week, ask that they will say something to answer questions that you might have.
Having church for three hours a week makes it a place of revelation. Over and over you will see your prayers being answered. Watch for the miracles. Make sure you let Heavenly Father know what it is that you want answered and that you want Him in you life.
Doctrine and Covenants 123:17-
"Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."
Not only do we receive revelation, but we are able to answer people's prayers.
We will always have a way to serve.
We will always have a way to be in people's lives. Some of us are bubbly, ready and willing to serve. But some are more shy about it. Service does not need to be a fanfare even; humble, quiet acts are just as good, if not better acts of service.
Quit looking down upon yourself, degrading yourself in the mirror, open your heart to those that are around you, sit next to new people in church, thank them, love them. The more you reach out to other's, the more you will feel the Lord's love. When Sister Hinkley's children were younger, her eleven year old daughter asked her mother if she might sit next to another lady in the ward. Sister Hinkley told her that she could after the sacrament had been past. After the sacrament had been passed, the little girl went and sat next to the lady. After all the meetings had concluded, Sister Hinkley's daughter told her that as soon as she had sat down next to the lady, the lady turned to her with tears in her eyes and said "Thank you for sitting here, I was praying that someone would."
Make the decision that you will always go to church. And as the surprises of life come, you will profit and grow.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sisters of the stake are the backbone of our stake.
Before attending this fireside, each and everyone of us had a three hour block of church, and yet we chose to come to the fireside willingly. If you don't go for your three hour block, then we are not allowing the Spirit to fill us up.
Be apart of the STP (same ten people). Be the dependable ones that will be there to help set up, take down, plan lessons/activities, etc.
When you come to church prepared, feel or hear the promptings of the Spirit, ACT UPON THEM! You might be the difference in someone else's life that day.
The young men want to be better because of the young women of the church. Remember always that Heavenly Father knows what you need and what you want.
Doctrine and Covenants 4
"Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.
Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.
Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;
For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he thrusteth in his sickle, with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his sould;
And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.
Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.
Ask, and ye shall receive; knock and it shall be opened unto you. Amen.
The Stake Relief Society is worried about the women of our stake. They want us to become charged again and continue on in doing good.
Moving on From the Past and Looking to the Future
Almost done posting all the notes I have taken for the past couple of months. But I couldn't wait to post this one. . .I feel like it needs to be posted now.
As I was listening to General Conference here a few weeks ago, Quentin L. Cook's talk was the one that stood out to me the most. They say that you will find most if not all the answers to your questions are answered in Conference. I never did actually ask a question/want to know any answers. . .but my subconsciousness was either hard at work or Heavenly Father was getting tired of waiting for me to see. After listening to his talk I was able to find key insights that would help me move on with my life, but it wasn't until I was in my Doctrine and Covenants class that it all finally clicked.
We have been taught that trials and tribulations have been given to us so that we might grow and learn, but I could never help but wonder why we were given certain trials. When Joseph Smith was in Liberty Jail, he never asked why he was being imprisoned/what he was supposed to learn from this; but instead he asked how long would he have to endure this trial. When going through trials, never ask why, just go and do, and eventually the why will present itself. If you ask why, you are going to forever be baffled and never truly understand the purpose of your trial.
In Elder Cook's talk, he says:
As I was listening to General Conference here a few weeks ago, Quentin L. Cook's talk was the one that stood out to me the most. They say that you will find most if not all the answers to your questions are answered in Conference. I never did actually ask a question/want to know any answers. . .but my subconsciousness was either hard at work or Heavenly Father was getting tired of waiting for me to see. After listening to his talk I was able to find key insights that would help me move on with my life, but it wasn't until I was in my Doctrine and Covenants class that it all finally clicked.
We have been taught that trials and tribulations have been given to us so that we might grow and learn, but I could never help but wonder why we were given certain trials. When Joseph Smith was in Liberty Jail, he never asked why he was being imprisoned/what he was supposed to learn from this; but instead he asked how long would he have to endure this trial. When going through trials, never ask why, just go and do, and eventually the why will present itself. If you ask why, you are going to forever be baffled and never truly understand the purpose of your trial.
In Elder Cook's talk, he says:
"Among the most frequently asked questions of Church leaders are, Why does a just God allow bad things to happen, especially to good people? Why are those who are righteous and in the Lord’s service not immune from such tragedies?
While we do not know all the answers, we do know important principles that allow us to face tragedies with faith and confidence that there is a bright future planned for each of us. Some of the most important principles are:
First, we have a Father in Heaven, who knows and loves us personally and understands our suffering perfectly.
Second, His Son, Jesus Christ, is our Savior and Redeemer, whose Atonement not only provides for salvation and exaltation but also will compensate for all the unfairness of life.
Third, the Father’s plan of happiness for His children includes not only a pre-mortal and mortal life but also an eternal life as well, including a great and glorious reunion with those we have lost. All wrongs will be righted, and we will see with perfect clarity and faultless perspective and understanding."
Some of the challenges or trials that we experience are ones that are caused by others use of agency. It can be something small or something large and life changing. In Alma 60:13, it says:
"For the Lord suffereth the righteous to be slain that his justice and judgement may come upon the wicked; therefore ye need not suppose that the righteous are lost because they are slain; but behold, they do enter into the rest of the Lord their God." Remember the revelation given to Joseph Smith while in Liberty Jail (Doctrine and Covenants 121:24-25);
"Behold, mine eyes see and know all their works, and I have in reserve a swift judgment in the season thereof, for them all;
For there is a time appointed for every man, according to his works shall be."
I have been passing judgment upon a person who has changed my life for forever, in what at the time I thought was a bad way. I had/have a very low self-esteem, my views on myself are very low, the expectations I have for myself are those of a person that feels beaten down and worthless. After reading these verses, I realized that I needed to stop passing judgement, that is God's place. I need to let go of the pain so that I can ultimately move on with my live; I need to forgive.
As stated above, trials are given to us so that we might grow and learn more about ourselves. As I have been going through my trial I always asked "Why me? Why did I have to go through something so horrible, something that has changed my life for forever?" I have been praying to Heavenly Father about this exact thing, and while sitting in Doctrine and Covenants, the following quotes were read:
"I believe with all my hear that because God loves us there are some particularized challenges that he will deliver to each of us. He will customize the curriculum for each of us in order to teach us the things we most need to know.
He will set before us in life what we need, not always what we like, And this will require us to accept with all our hears--particularly [this] generation--the truth that there is divine design in each of our lives and that you have rendezvous to keep, individually and collectively.
Let me begin by reminding you that we blithely say in the Church that life is a school, a testing ground...One of the implications is that the tests that we will face are real. They are not things that we can do with one hand tied behind out backs. They are real enough that if we meet them we shall know that we have felt them, because we will feel them deeply and keenly and pervasively...
What, therefore, may seem now to be mere unconnected pieces of tile will someday, when we look back, take form and pattern, and we will realize that God was making a mosaic (Neal A. Maxwell, "But For a Small Moment," BYU Fireside, 1 Sept. 1974, 1)."
"Some are tested by poor health, some by a body that is deformed or homely. Others are tested by handsome and healthy bodies; some by the passions of youth; others by the erosion of age. Some suffer disappointment in marriage, family problems; others live in poverty and obscurity. Some (perhaps this is the hardest test) find ease and luxury. All are part of the test, and there is more equality in this testing than we sometimes suspect (Elder Boyd K. Packer, "The Choice," Ensign, November 1980, 21)."
The only person that knows how our life will end up is God. We can use our agency and deviate from what Heavenly Father wants for us, follow the temptations offered by Satan. Looking back now, I may not still understand why I had to endure my trial, but looking at myself now, I understand what I have learned. I know that I am a beautiful daughter of God, I know that He loves me very much. Watching me go through this trial I am sure was very difficult for Him. I know I endured nothing compared to what Christ suffered, but I feel that Heavenly Father knew when I was at my breaking point and because Christ had already paid the price, He could actually help me. I come from an inactive family, but because of this trial, I clung to the church and all it stood for, for dear life. I can honestly say that the church and each of the callings that I was given were sometimes the only thing that kept me going, that kept me sane.
Once everything clicked together, it honestly felt as if the weight that has been on my shoulders for seven years has finally been lifted. I can and will be able to move on with my life. I am happier today because I have the knowledge and power to move on. I would never ever wish to go through this trial again, nor would I wish it upon anyone else, but I am so grateful for it. Without it, I would not have the knowledge of my Divine Nature, I would not have as strong of a testimony of the gospel; in truth, I would not be the person that I am today.
Stake Conference: Adult Session
Saturday, 05 November 2011
Stake Conference
Adult Session
Temple Ordinances:
Our greatest strength comes from our temples.
Doctrine and Covenants 109:22
"And we ask thee, Holy Father that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over them;"
Men grow mightier and women grow stronger through the temple. It will shape and refine us spiritually, for if we are worthy to attend the temple then we are worthy to gain exaltation.
For the longest time in my life, the temple was the only place that I could feel peace and seek sanctity. However I was unable to attend most of the times because our temple was six hours away. Living here in Provo, I have been blessed to have a temple only a couple of miles from where I live. Just stepping on temple grounds provides me with a place in which I can go and sit to rest and think about life and bounce ideas off of my loving Father in Heaven.
Doctrine and Covenants 109:12-13
"That thy glory may rest down upon thy people, and upon this thy house which we now dedicate t thee, that it may be sanctified and consecrated to be holy, and that thy holy presence may be continually in this house;
And that all people who shall enter upon the threshold of the Lord;s house may feel thy power, and feel constrained to acknowledge that thou hast sanctified it, and that it is thy house, a place of thy holiness."
There will soon be temples in operation all around the world that run night and day.
We must go to the temple and claim the blessings that are rightfully ours. Be worthy to attend the temple so that you can gain the ultimate goal of exaltation.
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If you listen with the Spirit, you will receive revelation about your ancestors.
Malachi 4:6
"And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse."
Doctrine and Covenants 138:47
"The Prophet Elijah was to plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to their fathers,"
What do temple ordinances mean to you?
I have not received ordinances in the temple yet, but I feel so lucky to be able to to baptisms for the dead. Every time I go in to do baptisms and confirmations, I can feel a sense of happiness wash over me, as if they have truly accepted the gospel. It is the best feeling in the world.
We must be a Savior to others by building a temple on Mount Zion.
Our greatest responsibility is to provide redemption for our dead. They are on the other side waiting for us to do their work because they cannot do it themselves.
We ourselves cannot do everything, but we can do something!
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If we go to the temple, we will not only be blessed, but we will be empowered. My mom and dad had been wanting to have children ever since they had gotten married, but after three years of trying the still had not gotten pregnant. Both were discouraged, but one evening when Mom and Dad were attending the temple in Anchorage, Alaska, they arrived a few minutes early and were able to ponder before the session started. My mother began praying, asking Heavenly Father why they had been unable to have children, while sitting there, listening and pondering, she heard a voice, crystal clear telling her to have faith. After trying for so long, she wasn't sure if she could continue to have faith, and voiced that. Again she received the impression to have faith, for where there is faith there is hope. After the temple session, my mom went and talked with my dad about it and discussed what that possibly meant. The next morning my mother found out that she was pregnant and nine months later my little brother was born. I remember being so excited, but I cannot imagine what my parents felt, after so long they finally were able to have a baby. 18 months later, my little sister was born and I know my parents have felt so blessed to have both of them.
Doctrine and Covenants 121:45
"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 of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven."
When we go to the temple, we are providing ourselves with the confidence to stand in the presence of the Lord.
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At the temple, we can feel loved, beautiful (or hansome), and of worth. It is the only place in which I can forget all of the things that have happened, whether it is going on right now or it has happened in the past. I can feel Heavenly Father's love raining down upon me.
You need the Spirit and the ordinance. Ordinances are the most important thing we can receive in this life.
There was a lady who was sleeping one night, when she had a night vision (night visions move us to do something, whereas dreams are something that we forget). In her dream she saw an Indian chief, clothed in typical chieftan garb. He asked her to find out who he was and perform the temple ordinances for him so that he could teach his fellow tribesman and they could be baptized as well. She went to the Harold B. Lee's family history section and began to look through different books. After getting discouraged and not finding any information, she felt impressed to grab a book from a stack that was sitting on the table. While flipping through it, she stopped on a page, for there was the Chief from her dream; she gathered all the necessary information so that the temple ordinances could be started for him as well as his fellow tribal members. After all this had been accomplished, the same lady was sleeping again one evening and she had another night vision with the same Chief in it, but this time he was dressed in white; he thanked her for her help.
The temple is a holy place, our lives will change after going.
All of the symbols and images that are in the temple have meaning and can be personalized for the location of the temple. In the Anchorage, Alaska temple, the chandeliers were in the shape of Forget-Me-Nots.
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The wearing of garments properly is a reminder of how we should behave as endowed people. We should dress now as if we wore garments. This will make the transition easier and it will also make us more modest in the process.
If our garments are not white and pure, we cannot be saved.
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We must be in the right place, doing the right thing, by the right authority, and at the right time for us.
We will be protected from the intensifying presence of the adversary by going to the temple.
Be worthy to be in the temple, desire to go to the temple and you will truly be blessed!
Stake Conference Day Two
Sunday, 06 November 2011
Stake Conference
10 AM Session
"I Love to See the Temple"
This is one of my favorite primary songs as a child, and it still is. The theme for Stake Conference was temples if you haven't picked up on that. This link is to a YouTube video of a beautiful piano arrangement by Paul Cardall. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
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The temple is a place of comfort; a place we can go to forget our worldly sorrows or troubles. An endowment is a gift from our Heavenly Father to us, it is one of the best gifts we can receive.
Students at BYU:Idaho have stated that the Rexburg temple is like a beacon; whenever they are stressed with classes, tests, and finals, students will see the temple and feel a great sense of peace come over them.
The temple really is the house of the Lord, we should always be reverent and spiritually prepared before we attend the temple.
Remember that no sacrifice is too great to go to the temple. I wish I had had that mind set when I was in high school. Every year, our temple trips would be scheduled for the first week of school, a volleyball tournament, and prom. Even if my family was not attending, people would always offer me a ride to attend, but I never actually took them up on it. I used the excuses of volleyball for two of them and prom. Looking back now, I wish I had taken advantage of going on the temple trip, the sacrifice would have been worth it. I would have been able to feel the sense of peace and happiness that comes from attending the temple. Having felt those feelings while going to the temple here in Provo and in Salt Lake, I do not know how I did it. I am so grateful for the blessing of having a temple so close by now.
We will be blessed not only in this life, but in the next as well if we make the temple a priority.
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Doctrine and Covenants 31:3
"Lift up your heart and rejoice, for the hour of your mission is come; and your tongue shall be loosed, and you shall declare glad tidings of great joy unto this generation."
Where would be we be without missionary work? I know for my family, my mother would not be a member of the church, and therefore neither would I.
We must have a strong testimony, but do not hide it under a bushel. Share your testimony with all!
Do the little things so that when the time comes, you can be a tool in Heavenly Father's hands to do bigger things.
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As we are, someone once was; what someone is we will/can become. If we do nothing, our future children will know nothing of us. We must preserve our heritage so that it can be shared with the rising generation.
Unplug and turn off the world. We can be grateful for all that we have been given, but do not let those things become so important that you forget who gave them to you. Have an attitude of gratitude.
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The temple is worth the wait. It may seem like it is an eternity before you get to enjoy the blessings of exaltation, however once achieved, you will realize it was well worth the wait. We have many blessings that we can receive if and when we do the temple work for our ancestors.
If we become involved in Family History, we will be safe guarded from evil.
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Your own sealing ordinance will be the most important ordinance you will ever perform or participate in! Blessings from this will be the best you can receive, but this is based upon your faithfulness.
Strive for the sealing, it is well worth the wait. Do not settle for anything less. Whether you are a man or woman, everyone deserves to have a temple marriage.
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Right now there are a lot of unknowns and uncertainties in our lives. Our spiritual strength is still developing and coming out. We still don't know our true strength capacity, the only one who knows that is Heavenly Father.
We are very close to the end. We are completely different now than we were when we were infants.
It is such a blessing to perform baptisms for the dead.
Just because we cannot see the spirits, does not mean that they are not there.
The gospel will continue to grow, it will become more beautiful and it will never slow down.
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Our families and countless generations before us are depending upon us to do their work.
We cannot comprehend Heavenly Father's love for us when He said, "Go, do, and return with honor." And Christ's smiled while saying, "Worry not, I will soon be there to help."
Within a two-hour time frame, we can drive to eleven different temples. Within eight minutes, we can walk to the Provo Temple (from the HFAC).
Remember Christ, He is there to help and guide you!
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The dedication of the Kirtland temple had a profound effect upon the early Saints. They were in dire economical straits; they had no money for clothing or food. Many were anxious trying to know how the temple would be received by the Lord. Mighty rushing winds, people began to prophesy and speak in tongues, Angels were seen, as well as John the Baptist.
To be sure, we are at war with the adversary. We must put on the armor of God. It is a symbol of having the protection of the Atonement.
You make a covenant to wear garments day in and day out. Endowed members wear garments as a reminder of the covenants they have made with Heavenly Father.
Garments are also meant to be practical. If we dress as if we are wearing garments, we will be less tempted. Not only will we be protected, but our wardrobe will not have to undergo such a dramatic change when we get married.
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Have a temple demeanor at all times; look and act as if you belong in the temple.
Have a current temple recommend, because when Christ comes again, it will be to the temple first.
Be mindful of those in which you are doing temple work for.
The temple is an equalizer; it does not matter what you do, what you drive, or how much money you make, in the Lord's time, we are all equal!
Double your effort to go to the temple.
To combat worldliness, we must prepare perfectly to enter the temple.
Set time aside to dedicate yourself to the temple.
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