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Sunday, December 12, 2010
gift of Holy Ghost
We are given the gift of constant companionship when we are confirmed. But this constant companionship comes from our constant commitment to follow Christ, which we renew every Sunday. So, we can be confirmed and loose the constant companion if we are not continuing to make that commitment constantly. And I believe that a person who has not received the gospel yet, who is truly trying to commit to Christ can still have the constant companion.
Instead of things being black or white, right or wrong, it's more whether something is going to help you on the path or potentially remove you from the path. It's so easy for us to label things as good and bad and to tell ourselves "Oh, no we can't do that. That's bad. But do we really understand "what" is bad? It's not the action that is bad, it the moving away from Christ that is bad. Who cares about what the sin is. Not that I'm trying to minimze sin, but whether it's adultry, stealing, swearing, drinking, pride, not prayying, etc. the ONLY problem with these is they pull us away from our progression to Christ. Now when you have a sin against another person like abuse, adultry, stealing, etc. These are more difficult because we have not only pulled us away from the path, but most of the time, we have also pulled another person away from their path. So if we want to make restitution, it's not just restoring what we broke or stole, it's apologizing for our part in taking that person away from their path to their Heavenly Father.
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How we're the same.
How many times have you heard someone say I know this talk was meant for me. Isn't it amazing that one talk can influence so many. It makes me think that we must not be as different as we think if we think the same message is meant for us.
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Sunday, October 31, 2010
Sunday, Oct 31, 2010
we talked about gratitude in Sunday School and how president Monson talked about gratitude and counseled us to be grateful. Sin stems from selfishness. Humility stems from gratitude. So, if you want to be as far away from the quadrant of sin and be in the quadrant of humility, gratitude will help you stay in the humility quadrant.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Elder Boyd K. Packer
"Shortly after I was called as a General Authority, I went to Elder Harold B. Lee for counsel. He listened very carefully to my problem and suggested that I see President David O. McKay. President McKay counseled me as to the direction I should go. I was very willing to be obedient but saw no way possible for me to do as he counseled me to do.
"I returned to Elder Lee and told him that I saw no way to move in the direction I was counseled to go. He said, 'The trouble with you is you want to see the end from the beginning.' I replied that I would like to see at least a step or two ahead. Then came the lesson of a lifetime: 'You must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness; then the light will appear and show the way before you'" ("The Edge of the Light," BYU Today, Mar. 1991, 22-23 BYU Commencement 1994
"Shortly after I was called as a General Authority, I went to Elder Harold B. Lee for counsel. He listened very carefully to my problem and suggested that I see President David O. McKay. President McKay counseled me as to the direction I should go. I was very willing to be obedient but saw no way possible for me to do as he counseled me to do.
"I returned to Elder Lee and told him that I saw no way to move in the direction I was counseled to go. He said, 'The trouble with you is you want to see the end from the beginning.' I replied that I would like to see at least a step or two ahead. Then came the lesson of a lifetime: 'You must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness; then the light will appear and show the way before you'" ("The Edge of the Light," BYU Today, Mar. 1991, 22-23 BYU Commencement 1994
Respond Quickly to Propmtings
Receiving, Recognizing, and Responding to the Promptings of the Holy Ghost- David A. Bednar, Ricks College Devotional Aug 31, 1999
Sherrie Mills Johnson- Joy
Rejoice Evermore
Moses 7- Enoch sees everything, even the flood and is distressed at everything he sees, and says "I will refuse to be comforted" & the Lord says "lift up your head and be glad, and look" and shows Enoch what's next and shows Jesus being born, and his soul rejoices. He says Zion is with me. We know that Jesus. Jesus Christ was sent to save us.
Waters of Marah- The waters are bitter and complain. Heavenly Father tells him to through a tree into the waters. And the waters become sweet. The "tree" is symolized at the cross. So this story symbolized that we can turn the bitter into sweet, by using the Atonement. By clinging and understanding the atonement of Jesus Christ, we can mitigate those feelings.
The Savior will help us endure the necessary pain, and get rid of the necessary pain.
"The only source of Joy is Jesus Christ."
Adversary will try to get us out of our peaceful feeling and make us feel guilty for not worrying.
Old Testament Numbers- (This is quoted 4 times in BOM)-
When Israel was in the wilderness, they'd pitch the tent in the circle. All the other
- "Cheerful heart and countenantce d&C 59:15
- Let your hearts rejoice 2 Ne 9:52
- Lif up your head and rejoice Mosiah 7:19
Moses 7- Enoch sees everything, even the flood and is distressed at everything he sees, and says "I will refuse to be comforted" & the Lord says "lift up your head and be glad, and look" and shows Enoch what's next and shows Jesus being born, and his soul rejoices. He says Zion is with me. We know that Jesus. Jesus Christ was sent to save us.
Waters of Marah- The waters are bitter and complain. Heavenly Father tells him to through a tree into the waters. And the waters become sweet. The "tree" is symolized at the cross. So this story symbolized that we can turn the bitter into sweet, by using the Atonement. By clinging and understanding the atonement of Jesus Christ, we can mitigate those feelings.
The Savior will help us endure the necessary pain, and get rid of the necessary pain.
"The only source of Joy is Jesus Christ."
Adversary will try to get us out of our peaceful feeling and make us feel guilty for not worrying.
Old Testament Numbers- (This is quoted 4 times in BOM)-
When Israel was in the wilderness, they'd pitch the tent in the circle. All the other
Kevin Hinckley- Why We Pray, Learning to Speak with "A New Tongue"
Beliefs ----> Emotions ----> Actions
Truth Lies
= Rational Irrational
Conscious Basic Truths Phobias
Thoughts Logic Superstitions
Bad Habits
+
Unconscious Internal Belief Pattern Vault
Thoughts Habits
Question-
Constrained? Sometimes the answer is that we're just being constrained and having a hard time doing something.
The Fairness Doctrine-
Good things happen to good people, Bad things happen to bad people
Brace yourself...
Elder Marion D. Hanks “Forgiveness: The Ultimate Form of Love,” Ensign, Jan 1974
“… the withholding of love is the negation of the spirit of Christ, the proof that we never knew him, that for us he lived in vain. It means that he suggested nothing in all our thoughts, that he inspired nothing in all our lives, that we were not once near enough to him to be seized with the spell of his compassion for the world.”
Hugh Nibly- if you could sum up everything that you've learned, what would it be. "Repent & Forgive"
Joseph Smith -Ever keep in exercise the principle of mercy, and be ready to forgive our brother on the first intimations of repentance, and asking forgiveness; and should we even forgive our brother, or even our enemy, before he repent or ask forgiveness, our heavenly Father would be equally as merciful unto us.
One of the demands of justice is mercy.
Can you, by sheer will power cause your brain to let go of deeply held grudges? No. That's what the Atonement is for.
Another Prayer Blocker
Elder Bednar (Receiving, Recognizing, and Responding to the Promptings of the Holy Ghost, Ricks College Devotional Aug 1999)- The law of the harvest is real; we cannot gather crops in the fall which we did not properly plant and cultivate during the spring and summer. And we cannot realistically expect to recognize "big" promptings if we consistently fail to heed the "small" ones...Misguided attempts to get spiritually supercharged through unusually long prayers, lengthy and unwise fasting, and intensive, short-term temple attendance certainly are no substitute for gradual, consistent, and conscientious attention to the promptings of the Holy Ghost.
Elder Boyd K. Packer
"Shortly after I was called as a General Authority, I went to Elder Harold B. Lee for counsel. He listened very carefully to my problem and suggested that I see President David O. McKay. President McKay counseled me as to the direction I should go. I was very willing to be obedient but saw no way possible for me to do as he counseled me to do.
"I returned to Elder Lee and told him that I saw no way to move in the direction I was counseled to go. He said, 'The trouble with you is you want to see the end from the beginning.' I replied that I would like to see at least a step or two ahead. Then came the lesson of a lifetime: 'You must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness; then the light will appear and show the way before you'" ("The Edge of the Light," BYU Today, Mar. 1991, 22-23
Truth Lies
= Rational Irrational
Conscious Basic Truths Phobias
Thoughts Logic Superstitions
Bad Habits
+
Unconscious Internal Belief Pattern Vault
Thoughts Habits
Question-
Constrained? Sometimes the answer is that we're just being constrained and having a hard time doing something.
The Fairness Doctrine-
Good things happen to good people, Bad things happen to bad people
Brace yourself...
Elder Marion D. Hanks “Forgiveness: The Ultimate Form of Love,” Ensign, Jan 1974
“… the withholding of love is the negation of the spirit of Christ, the proof that we never knew him, that for us he lived in vain. It means that he suggested nothing in all our thoughts, that he inspired nothing in all our lives, that we were not once near enough to him to be seized with the spell of his compassion for the world.”
Hugh Nibly- if you could sum up everything that you've learned, what would it be. "Repent & Forgive"
Joseph Smith -Ever keep in exercise the principle of mercy, and be ready to forgive our brother on the first intimations of repentance, and asking forgiveness; and should we even forgive our brother, or even our enemy, before he repent or ask forgiveness, our heavenly Father would be equally as merciful unto us.
One of the demands of justice is mercy.
Can you, by sheer will power cause your brain to let go of deeply held grudges? No. That's what the Atonement is for.
Another Prayer Blocker
Elder Bednar (Receiving, Recognizing, and Responding to the Promptings of the Holy Ghost, Ricks College Devotional Aug 1999)- The law of the harvest is real; we cannot gather crops in the fall which we did not properly plant and cultivate during the spring and summer. And we cannot realistically expect to recognize "big" promptings if we consistently fail to heed the "small" ones...Misguided attempts to get spiritually supercharged through unusually long prayers, lengthy and unwise fasting, and intensive, short-term temple attendance certainly are no substitute for gradual, consistent, and conscientious attention to the promptings of the Holy Ghost.
Elder Boyd K. Packer
"Shortly after I was called as a General Authority, I went to Elder Harold B. Lee for counsel. He listened very carefully to my problem and suggested that I see President David O. McKay. President McKay counseled me as to the direction I should go. I was very willing to be obedient but saw no way possible for me to do as he counseled me to do.
"I returned to Elder Lee and told him that I saw no way to move in the direction I was counseled to go. He said, 'The trouble with you is you want to see the end from the beginning.' I replied that I would like to see at least a step or two ahead. Then came the lesson of a lifetime: 'You must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness; then the light will appear and show the way before you'" ("The Edge of the Light," BYU Today, Mar. 1991, 22-23
Rebecca Douglas & Brian Andre- Break Out of the Comfort Zone
Take up thy bed and walk
What are some words that describe your bed?
Warm, snuggly, where we sleep, place to escape, comfort zone.
Symbollically what might that mean-
Get out of your comfort zone.
What are some words that describe your bed?
Warm, snuggly, where we sleep, place to escape, comfort zone.
Symbollically what might that mean-
Get out of your comfort zone.
Scott Marsh- Prosperous Planning Partners
- Financial Intelligence
- Behavioral Intelligence
- Community Intelligence
"The whole is greater than the sum of the parts." Apply effective problem solving. Value differences. Build on divergent strengths.
Independent thinking alone is not suited to interdependent reality.
That they may be one-
D&C 82:19 aEvery man seeking the interest of his bneighbor, and doing all things with an ceye single to the glory of God.
D&C 70:14 Nevertheless, in your temporal things you shall be aequal, and this not grudgingly, otherwise the abundance of the manifestations of the Spirit shall be bwithheld.
D&C 78:5 That you may be aequal in the bonds of heavenly things, yea, and earthly things also, for the obtaining of heavenly things.
6 For if ye are not equal in earthly things ye cannot be aequal in obtaining heavenly things;
Be one of the 5 that thrive. Mission Presidents say that there are only 5 out of 200 that you could put in any area with any companion and they will thrive.
Do you thrive in groups and work well with anyone?
Partners- Communities that benefit from success and profit
Family
Spouse
Children
Parents
Siblings
Planning
Mentor
Advisor
Success Models
Friends we Choose
Neighbors
Business
Partners-Workmates
Clients
Competitors - Netshare (Novell meets with competitors and share ideas)
Referral Sources
Vendors
Other Businesses
Chariities
1. Together
Meaningful shared goals-- The essence of eternal energy
Who is right-- How much am I willing to change Both need to know the other loves them enough to make the change.
2. Marriage
Seek an eternal companion
-From a similar economic, social and educational background. Pres. Spencer W. Kimball
-who shares reasonably similar financial expectations
-who is already saving
- Chemistry, communication, commitment to Christ, cash savings account
Is marriage critical to financial success.
-89% of all divorces can be traced to quarrels and accusations over money. Marvin J. Ashtons
-Money causes more problems in marriage than all other problems combined. Gordon B. Hinckley
Millionaire Mind- Most important contributing factor was I married the right person.
Girls list 5 things they love about their father.
3. Expectation Mirror What I expect of my Children- 80% of children will manage their financial resources in a staistically similar way to the way their parents managed their resources.
4. Resourcefulness vs. Resources
Giving kids money, especially adult persons. Hurts them more than helps them.
5. Openly discuss financial goals, expectations and lessons with children
6. The 'Million Dollar Choice' Family
The '7-11 Cure'
- Stopped buying candy at 7-11 and bought at Costco & saved $30/mo.
7. The Visual Goal
powerpay.org acclerated debt reduction
8. The 'Unexpected' Humanitarian Cause
GET a family service project you regularly do together.
9. The Large Future Need Seed
If you'll walk behind the mower-
The scholarship mom
The 'yard sale' sale
10. The 'Economic Outpatient Care' Decision
Truths
Sam hurts more.
My greatest focus needs to be on what I can do to help teach and bless my children, not what they are missing. There is much work to do to teach them, I don't have time to focus on what Sam's not doing.
My greatest focus needs to be on what I can do to help teach and bless my children, not what they are missing. There is much work to do to teach them, I don't have time to focus on what Sam's not doing.
Randal Wright- Discover your Mission
Discover what's friend or foe.
Boeing 757 destroyed twin towers, and that was supposed to be used for good.
Depends on how it's used. Satan takes good devices and turns it the other way.
Computers, phones, video games.
When your at war, one strategy is to shut off communication with the leader. Kids spend close to 7 hours per day using the media. This is cutting off the communication between us & Heavenly Father.
D&C 60:13- "Thou shalt not idle away that time, neither shalt thou bury the talent that it may not be known."
Christ's most bitter rebuke was to those who didn't use their talents. That's where weeping & gnashing of teeth is found.
We all need personal revelation on what to do in tough situations. We need to have immediate communication with Heavenly Father to help make decisions in parenting. We can't do that if media is blaring in our ears.
Boeing 757 destroyed twin towers, and that was supposed to be used for good.
Depends on how it's used. Satan takes good devices and turns it the other way.
Computers, phones, video games.
When your at war, one strategy is to shut off communication with the leader. Kids spend close to 7 hours per day using the media. This is cutting off the communication between us & Heavenly Father.
D&C 60:13- "Thou shalt not idle away that time, neither shalt thou bury the talent that it may not be known."
Christ's most bitter rebuke was to those who didn't use their talents. That's where weeping & gnashing of teeth is found.
We all need personal revelation on what to do in tough situations. We need to have immediate communication with Heavenly Father to help make decisions in parenting. We can't do that if media is blaring in our ears.
Ministering of Angels
In the presence of the divine
By President Joseph F. Smith
(Thousands felt the Divine inspiration that accompanied the delivery of this remarkable
sermon, uttered in the opening session of the annual conference, Thursday, April 6, 1916,
the eighty-sixth anniversary of the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
day Saints.)
I shall need the assistance of the Good Spirit, and of the good feeling and faith and
sympathy of my brethren and sisters this morning in an endeavor to speak to you for a
short time. I do not feel nor design to occupy very much of the time. I can not express my
gratitude, with the language in my possession, which I feel this morning in being
permitted, under the mercies of the Father of us all, to be present with you and behold the
sight that I see in the assembled multitudes gathered here in the opening session of this
conference, on the eighty-sixth anniversary of the organization of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Those Who Have Gone Before Rejoice With Us
I feel sure that the Prophet Joseph Smith and his associates, who, under the guidance and
inspiration of the Almighty, and by his power, began this latter-day work, would rejoice
and do rejoice, if they are permitted to look down upon the scene that I behold in this
tabernacle. And I believe they do have the privilege of looking down upon us, just as the
all-seeing eye of God beholds every part of his handiwork. For I believe that those who
have been chosen in this dispensation and in former dispensations, to lay the foundation
of God's work in the midst of the children of men, for their salvation and exaltation, will
not be deprived in the spirit world from looking down upon the results of their own labors,
efforts and mission assigned them by the wisdom and purpose of God to help to redeem
and to reclaim the children of the Father from their sins.
The Eyes of the Prophets Guard the Kingdom of God
So, I feel quite confident that the eyes of Joseph the Prophet, and of the martyrs of this
dispensation, and of Brigham and John and Wilford, and those faithful men who were
associated with them in their ministry upon the earth, are carefully guarding the interests
of the Kingdom of God in which they labored and for which they strove during their
mortal lives. I believe they are as deeply interested in our welfare today, if not with
greater capacity, with far more interest, behind the veil, than they were in the flesh. I
believe they know more; I believe their minds have expanded beyond their
comprehension in mortal life, and their interests are enlarged in the work of the Lord to
which they gave their lives and their best service. Although some may feel and think that
it is a little extreme to take this view, yet I believe that it is true; and I have a feeling in
my heart that I stand in the presence not only of the Father and of the Son, but in the
presence of those whom God commissioned, raised up, and inspired, to lay the
foundations of the work in which we are engaged. Accompanying that sense or feeling, I
am impressed with the thought that I would not this moment say or do one thing that
would be taken as unwise or imprudent, or that would give offense to any of my former
associates and co-laborers in the work of the Lord. I would not like to say one thing, nor
express a thought, that would grieve the heart of Joseph, or of Brigham, or of John, or of
Wilford, or Lorenzo, or any of their faithful associates in the ministry.
We Are in the Presence of Heavenly Beings
Sometimes the Lord expands our vision from this point of view and this side of the veil,
so that we feel and seem to realize that we can look beyond the thin veil which separates
us from that other sphere. If we can see, by the enlightening influence of the Spirit of
God and through the words that have been spoken by the holy prophets of God, beyond
the veil that separates us from the spirit world, surely those who have passed beyond, can
see more clearly through the veil back here to us than it is possible for us to see to them
from our sphere of action. I believe we move and have our being in the presence of
heavenly messengers and of heavenly beings. We are not separate from them. We begin
to realize, more and more fully, as we become acquainted with the principles of the
gospel, as they have been revealed anew in this dispensation, that we are closely related
to our kindred, to our ancestors, to our friends and associates and co-laborers who have
preceded us into the spirit world. We can not forget them; we do not cease to love them;
we always hold them in our hearts, in memory, and thus we are associated and united to
them by ties that we can not break, that we can not dissolve or free ourselves from. If this
is the case with us in our finite condition, surrounded by our mortal weaknesses, short-
sightedness, lack of inspiration and wisdom, from time to time, how much more certain it
is and reasonable and consistent to believe that those who have been faithful, who have
gone beyond and are still engaged in the work for the salvation of the souls of men, the
opening of the prison doors to them that are bound, and proclaiming liberty to the
captives, can see us better than we can see them; that they know us better than we know
them. They have advanced; we are advancing; we are growing as they have grown; we
are reaching the goal that they have attained unto; and therefore, I claim that we live in
their presence, they see us, they are solicitous for our welfare, they love us now more
than ever. For now they see the dangers that beset us; they can comprehend, better than
ever before, the weaknesses that are liable to mislead us into dark and forbidden paths.
They see the temptations and the evils that beset us in life and the proneness of mortal
beings to yield to temptation and to wrong doing; hence their solicitude for us, and their
love for us, and their desire for our well being, must be greater than that which we feel
for ourselves.
A Glorious Vision
I thank God for the feeling that I possess and enjoy, and for the realization that I have,
that I stand not only in the presence of Almighty God, my Maker and Father, but in the
presence of his Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Savior of the world; and I stand in the
presence of Peter and James (and perhaps the eyes of John are also upon us and we know
it not); and that I stand also in the presence of Joseph and Hyrum and Brigham and John,
and Wilford, and Lorenzo, and those who have been valiant in the testimony of Jesus
Christ and faithful to their mission in the world, who have gone before. When I go, I want
to have the privilege of meeting them with the consciousness that I have followed their
example, that I have carried out the mission in which they were engaged as they would
have it carried out; that I have been as faithful in the discharge of duty, committed to me
and required at my hand, as they were faithful in their time; and that when I meet them, I
shall meet them as I met them here, in love, in harmony, in unison and in perfect
confidence that I have done my duty as they have done theirs. I hope you will forgive me
for my emotion. You would have peculiar emotions, would you not? if you felt that you
stood in the presence of your Father, in the very presence of Almighty God, in the very
presence of the Son of God and of holy angels? You would feel rather emotional, rather
sensitive. I feel it to the very depths of my soul this moment. So I hope you will forgive
me, if I exhibit some of my real feelings, I am only a child, I am only learning, and I hope
I shall not be ever learning and never come to a knowledge of the truth. I sincerely hope
that as I learn, little by little, line upon line and precept upon precept, here a little and
there a little, day by day, and month by month, and year by year, that there will come a
time when I shall have learned, indeed, the truth and shall know it as God knows it and be
saved and exalted in his presence.
To Know God and Jesus Christ Is Life Eternal
Now, my mission, my duty, from the days of my childhood, has been to proclaim the
gospel of Jesus Christ as the power of God unto salvation unto all who will receive and
obey it. It is my duty to proclaim to my brethren, to the household of faith, as well as to
the world, when opportunity presents, that I believe in the living God, the Father of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who begot his Son, his Only Begotten in the flesh, and that
Son grew from his birth unto his manhood, and developed into the very image and
likeness of his Father, insomuch that he declared on one occasion that "he that hath seen
me, hath seen the Father."
I do not believe in the doctrines held by some that God is only a spirit, and that he is of
such a nature that he fills the immensity of space, and is everywhere present in person or
without person-for I can not conceive it possible that God could be a person if he filled
the immensity of space and was everywhere present at the same time. It is a physical, a
theological inconsistency and unreasonable to imagine that even God the Eternal Father
would be in two places, as an individual, at the same moment. It is impossible. But his
power extends throughout the immensity of space. His power extends to all his creations,
and his knowledge comprehends them all. He governs them all, and he knows all. It is a
scriptural truth, that this is life eternal to know the only true and living God and Jesus
Christ whom he hast sent. I believe that the Latter-day Saints, through the teachings of
the scriptures and through the revelations that have come to them by the voice of the
Prophet Joseph Smith, are able to learn the true and living God and know him and also
his Son whom he has sent into the world, whom to know is life eternal. Not simply the
knowledge of it; but, having that knowledge, we are inclined and determined to observe
his precepts, obey his laws, be submissive to his requirements, in every particular, and
accept every ordinance of the house of God and of the gospel of Jesus Christ that has
been devised by the will of the Father for the qualification of his children in the earth to
return unto his presence. And he that knoweth God and Jesus Christ, whom to know is
life eternal, will verify that knowledge by ample, continuous, and faithful obedience to
every requirement that God makes of his children, and therein consists the salvation and
the gift of eternal life. The devil knows the Father much better than we. Lucifer, the son
of the morning, knows Jesus Christ, the Son of God, much better than we, but in him it is
not and will not redound to eternal life; for, knowing, he yet rebels; knowing, he yet is
disobedient; he will not receive the truth; he will not abide in the truth; hence, he is
Perdition, and there is no salvation for him. The same doctrine applies to me and to you
and to all the sons and daughters of God who have judgment and knowledge, are able to
reason between cause and effect, determine the right from the wrong, the good from the
evil, and who are capable of seeing the light and distinguishing it from the darkness.
The Gospel Our Schoolmaster
Then this is the gospel of Jesus Christ, to know the only true and living God and his Son
whom he has sent into the world, which knowledge comes through obedience to all his
commandments, faith, repentance of sin, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins,
the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands by divine authority, and not by the
will of man. This, then, is the gospel of Jesus Christ which is the power of God unto
salvation: obedience to the truth, submission to the order that God has established in his
house, for the house of God is a house of order and not a house of confusion. God has set
in his Church apostles and prophets and evangelists, and pastors and teachers, whose duty
it is to administer to the people, to teach, instruct, expound, exhort, admonish and lead in
the path of righteousness. The people who are associated in this organization must
hearken to the voice of him who has divine authority to guide and direct and counsel in
the midst of Israel. All these are necessary in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and many other
things, too many for me to mention here, are necessary, including the ordinances of the
house of God, revealed in greater plainness in this dispensation than perhaps in any
former dispensation since the world was formed. All these ordinances are essential in
their place and in their time, and none of us are big enough, or good enough, or possess
sufficient independence in ourselves to ignore these things that God has revealed and
required of us. No man is so big, so great, or knows so much, that he is independent of
God. We are here on his earth, we breathe his air, we behold his sunlight. We eat his food,
and we wear his clothing. He has provided all the elements by which we are clothed and
fed, and live and move and have our being, in the world.
The Priesthood Restored
We are not independent of God, not for one moment. Not only do we believe in the
Father and in the Son, and in their words, counsel and divine authority, which they
brought and gave to men in the flesh, hut we believe, also, in the divinity of the mission
of Joseph the Prophet. We accept him as the one authorized, empowered, clothed with
wisdom and knowledge in our day and time, to lay the foundations of the Church of Jesus
Christ, and to restore the fullness of the gospel of salvation to the world; to revive and
renew in the hearts of the children of men the doctrines of Christ, the ordinances of his
gospel which he taught, which he administered, and which he authorized his disciples to
administer to all that would repent and believe in the name of the Father and of the Son.
We believe that God has restored the divine priesthood, which holds the keys of
ministration of the ordinances of life, to the children of men. Without that divine
priesthood no man could receive or would receive a remission of sins by being buried in
the water. It has to be by divine authority, and without that divine authority our works
would not be acceptable to the Lord, for he will not accept at the hands of the children of
men that which he has not authorized them to do, which he has not qualified them to do,
and called and appointed them to do; but when God calls men, and ordains, and appoints,
and gives them authority to administer in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Ghost, what they do can not fail to be sanctioned and approved by the Author and
giver of the authority. When we receive the priesthood of God, and we do according to
his word, then is he bound, but otherwise there is no promise.
The Twelve Are Eye and Ear Witnesses of Christ
Now I can't tell you all that I would like to. Time will not permit, and there are others to
speak. All these, your brethren, who are called to the apostleship, and to minister in the
midst of the house of Israel, are endowed, or ought to be endowed, richly with the spirit
of their calling. For instance, these twelve disciples of Christ are supposed to be eye and
ear witnesses of the divine mission of Jesus Christ. It is not permissible for them to say, I
believe, simply; I have accepted it, simply because I believe it. Read the revelation. The
Lord informs us they must know, they must get the knowledge for themselves, it must be
with them as if they had seen with their eyes and heard with their ears, and they know the
truth. That is their mission, to testify of Jesus Christ and him crucified and risen from the
dead and clothed now with almighty power at the right hand of God, the Savior of the
world. That is their mission, and their duty; and that is the doctrine and the truth, that is
their duty to preach to the world, and see that it is preached to the world. Where they can
not go themselves, they are to have the help of others called to their assistance. The
seventies first, also the elders and the high priests. Those who hold the Melchizedek
priesthood, not otherwise appointed, are under their direction to preach the gospel to the
world and to declare the truth-that Jesus is the Christ, and that Joseph is a prophet of God
and was authorized and qualified to lay the foundation of the Kingdom of God and when
I say Kingdom of God I mean what I say. Christ is the King-not man. No man is king of
the Kingdom of God; God is the King of it, and we acknowledge him and him only as
Sovereign of his Kingdom.
Qualifications Requisite for Latter-day Saints
Now we all need patience, forbearance, forgiveness, humility, charity, love unfeigned,
devotion to the truth, abhorrence of sin, wickedness, and rebellion and disobedience to
the requirements of the gospel. These are the qualifications requisite to Latter-day Saints,
and to becoming Latter-day Saints, members in good standing in the Church of Jesus
Christ, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. No member in good standing in the
Church will be drunken, riotous, profane, or will take advantage of his brother or his
neighbor, or will violate the principles of virtue, honor, and righteousness. Members of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in good standing will never be chargeable
with such offenses as these, because they will avoid these evils and they will live above
them. Then we have a mission in the world, each man, each woman, each child, who has
grown to understanding or to the years of accountability-all ought to be examples to the
world, ought not only to be qualified to preach the truth, to bear testimony of the truth,
but they ought to live so that the very life they live, the very words they speak, their every
action in life, will be sermons to the unwary and to the ignorant, teaching them goodness,
purity, uprightness, faith in God and love for the human family.
God bless you and all the household of faith, and help us to be true and faithful to the end,
realizing that the battle is not to the strong, nor the race to the swift, but to him that
endures to the end. Amen.
By President Joseph F. Smith
(Thousands felt the Divine inspiration that accompanied the delivery of this remarkable
sermon, uttered in the opening session of the annual conference, Thursday, April 6, 1916,
the eighty-sixth anniversary of the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
day Saints.)
I shall need the assistance of the Good Spirit, and of the good feeling and faith and
sympathy of my brethren and sisters this morning in an endeavor to speak to you for a
short time. I do not feel nor design to occupy very much of the time. I can not express my
gratitude, with the language in my possession, which I feel this morning in being
permitted, under the mercies of the Father of us all, to be present with you and behold the
sight that I see in the assembled multitudes gathered here in the opening session of this
conference, on the eighty-sixth anniversary of the organization of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Those Who Have Gone Before Rejoice With Us
I feel sure that the Prophet Joseph Smith and his associates, who, under the guidance and
inspiration of the Almighty, and by his power, began this latter-day work, would rejoice
and do rejoice, if they are permitted to look down upon the scene that I behold in this
tabernacle. And I believe they do have the privilege of looking down upon us, just as the
all-seeing eye of God beholds every part of his handiwork. For I believe that those who
have been chosen in this dispensation and in former dispensations, to lay the foundation
of God's work in the midst of the children of men, for their salvation and exaltation, will
not be deprived in the spirit world from looking down upon the results of their own labors,
efforts and mission assigned them by the wisdom and purpose of God to help to redeem
and to reclaim the children of the Father from their sins.
The Eyes of the Prophets Guard the Kingdom of God
So, I feel quite confident that the eyes of Joseph the Prophet, and of the martyrs of this
dispensation, and of Brigham and John and Wilford, and those faithful men who were
associated with them in their ministry upon the earth, are carefully guarding the interests
of the Kingdom of God in which they labored and for which they strove during their
mortal lives. I believe they are as deeply interested in our welfare today, if not with
greater capacity, with far more interest, behind the veil, than they were in the flesh. I
believe they know more; I believe their minds have expanded beyond their
comprehension in mortal life, and their interests are enlarged in the work of the Lord to
which they gave their lives and their best service. Although some may feel and think that
it is a little extreme to take this view, yet I believe that it is true; and I have a feeling in
my heart that I stand in the presence not only of the Father and of the Son, but in the
presence of those whom God commissioned, raised up, and inspired, to lay the
foundations of the work in which we are engaged. Accompanying that sense or feeling, I
am impressed with the thought that I would not this moment say or do one thing that
would be taken as unwise or imprudent, or that would give offense to any of my former
associates and co-laborers in the work of the Lord. I would not like to say one thing, nor
express a thought, that would grieve the heart of Joseph, or of Brigham, or of John, or of
Wilford, or Lorenzo, or any of their faithful associates in the ministry.
We Are in the Presence of Heavenly Beings
Sometimes the Lord expands our vision from this point of view and this side of the veil,
so that we feel and seem to realize that we can look beyond the thin veil which separates
us from that other sphere. If we can see, by the enlightening influence of the Spirit of
God and through the words that have been spoken by the holy prophets of God, beyond
the veil that separates us from the spirit world, surely those who have passed beyond, can
see more clearly through the veil back here to us than it is possible for us to see to them
from our sphere of action. I believe we move and have our being in the presence of
heavenly messengers and of heavenly beings. We are not separate from them. We begin
to realize, more and more fully, as we become acquainted with the principles of the
gospel, as they have been revealed anew in this dispensation, that we are closely related
to our kindred, to our ancestors, to our friends and associates and co-laborers who have
preceded us into the spirit world. We can not forget them; we do not cease to love them;
we always hold them in our hearts, in memory, and thus we are associated and united to
them by ties that we can not break, that we can not dissolve or free ourselves from. If this
is the case with us in our finite condition, surrounded by our mortal weaknesses, short-
sightedness, lack of inspiration and wisdom, from time to time, how much more certain it
is and reasonable and consistent to believe that those who have been faithful, who have
gone beyond and are still engaged in the work for the salvation of the souls of men, the
opening of the prison doors to them that are bound, and proclaiming liberty to the
captives, can see us better than we can see them; that they know us better than we know
them. They have advanced; we are advancing; we are growing as they have grown; we
are reaching the goal that they have attained unto; and therefore, I claim that we live in
their presence, they see us, they are solicitous for our welfare, they love us now more
than ever. For now they see the dangers that beset us; they can comprehend, better than
ever before, the weaknesses that are liable to mislead us into dark and forbidden paths.
They see the temptations and the evils that beset us in life and the proneness of mortal
beings to yield to temptation and to wrong doing; hence their solicitude for us, and their
love for us, and their desire for our well being, must be greater than that which we feel
for ourselves.
A Glorious Vision
I thank God for the feeling that I possess and enjoy, and for the realization that I have,
that I stand not only in the presence of Almighty God, my Maker and Father, but in the
presence of his Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Savior of the world; and I stand in the
presence of Peter and James (and perhaps the eyes of John are also upon us and we know
it not); and that I stand also in the presence of Joseph and Hyrum and Brigham and John,
and Wilford, and Lorenzo, and those who have been valiant in the testimony of Jesus
Christ and faithful to their mission in the world, who have gone before. When I go, I want
to have the privilege of meeting them with the consciousness that I have followed their
example, that I have carried out the mission in which they were engaged as they would
have it carried out; that I have been as faithful in the discharge of duty, committed to me
and required at my hand, as they were faithful in their time; and that when I meet them, I
shall meet them as I met them here, in love, in harmony, in unison and in perfect
confidence that I have done my duty as they have done theirs. I hope you will forgive me
for my emotion. You would have peculiar emotions, would you not? if you felt that you
stood in the presence of your Father, in the very presence of Almighty God, in the very
presence of the Son of God and of holy angels? You would feel rather emotional, rather
sensitive. I feel it to the very depths of my soul this moment. So I hope you will forgive
me, if I exhibit some of my real feelings, I am only a child, I am only learning, and I hope
I shall not be ever learning and never come to a knowledge of the truth. I sincerely hope
that as I learn, little by little, line upon line and precept upon precept, here a little and
there a little, day by day, and month by month, and year by year, that there will come a
time when I shall have learned, indeed, the truth and shall know it as God knows it and be
saved and exalted in his presence.
To Know God and Jesus Christ Is Life Eternal
Now, my mission, my duty, from the days of my childhood, has been to proclaim the
gospel of Jesus Christ as the power of God unto salvation unto all who will receive and
obey it. It is my duty to proclaim to my brethren, to the household of faith, as well as to
the world, when opportunity presents, that I believe in the living God, the Father of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who begot his Son, his Only Begotten in the flesh, and that
Son grew from his birth unto his manhood, and developed into the very image and
likeness of his Father, insomuch that he declared on one occasion that "he that hath seen
me, hath seen the Father."
I do not believe in the doctrines held by some that God is only a spirit, and that he is of
such a nature that he fills the immensity of space, and is everywhere present in person or
without person-for I can not conceive it possible that God could be a person if he filled
the immensity of space and was everywhere present at the same time. It is a physical, a
theological inconsistency and unreasonable to imagine that even God the Eternal Father
would be in two places, as an individual, at the same moment. It is impossible. But his
power extends throughout the immensity of space. His power extends to all his creations,
and his knowledge comprehends them all. He governs them all, and he knows all. It is a
scriptural truth, that this is life eternal to know the only true and living God and Jesus
Christ whom he hast sent. I believe that the Latter-day Saints, through the teachings of
the scriptures and through the revelations that have come to them by the voice of the
Prophet Joseph Smith, are able to learn the true and living God and know him and also
his Son whom he has sent into the world, whom to know is life eternal. Not simply the
knowledge of it; but, having that knowledge, we are inclined and determined to observe
his precepts, obey his laws, be submissive to his requirements, in every particular, and
accept every ordinance of the house of God and of the gospel of Jesus Christ that has
been devised by the will of the Father for the qualification of his children in the earth to
return unto his presence. And he that knoweth God and Jesus Christ, whom to know is
life eternal, will verify that knowledge by ample, continuous, and faithful obedience to
every requirement that God makes of his children, and therein consists the salvation and
the gift of eternal life. The devil knows the Father much better than we. Lucifer, the son
of the morning, knows Jesus Christ, the Son of God, much better than we, but in him it is
not and will not redound to eternal life; for, knowing, he yet rebels; knowing, he yet is
disobedient; he will not receive the truth; he will not abide in the truth; hence, he is
Perdition, and there is no salvation for him. The same doctrine applies to me and to you
and to all the sons and daughters of God who have judgment and knowledge, are able to
reason between cause and effect, determine the right from the wrong, the good from the
evil, and who are capable of seeing the light and distinguishing it from the darkness.
The Gospel Our Schoolmaster
Then this is the gospel of Jesus Christ, to know the only true and living God and his Son
whom he has sent into the world, which knowledge comes through obedience to all his
commandments, faith, repentance of sin, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins,
the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands by divine authority, and not by the
will of man. This, then, is the gospel of Jesus Christ which is the power of God unto
salvation: obedience to the truth, submission to the order that God has established in his
house, for the house of God is a house of order and not a house of confusion. God has set
in his Church apostles and prophets and evangelists, and pastors and teachers, whose duty
it is to administer to the people, to teach, instruct, expound, exhort, admonish and lead in
the path of righteousness. The people who are associated in this organization must
hearken to the voice of him who has divine authority to guide and direct and counsel in
the midst of Israel. All these are necessary in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and many other
things, too many for me to mention here, are necessary, including the ordinances of the
house of God, revealed in greater plainness in this dispensation than perhaps in any
former dispensation since the world was formed. All these ordinances are essential in
their place and in their time, and none of us are big enough, or good enough, or possess
sufficient independence in ourselves to ignore these things that God has revealed and
required of us. No man is so big, so great, or knows so much, that he is independent of
God. We are here on his earth, we breathe his air, we behold his sunlight. We eat his food,
and we wear his clothing. He has provided all the elements by which we are clothed and
fed, and live and move and have our being, in the world.
The Priesthood Restored
We are not independent of God, not for one moment. Not only do we believe in the
Father and in the Son, and in their words, counsel and divine authority, which they
brought and gave to men in the flesh, hut we believe, also, in the divinity of the mission
of Joseph the Prophet. We accept him as the one authorized, empowered, clothed with
wisdom and knowledge in our day and time, to lay the foundations of the Church of Jesus
Christ, and to restore the fullness of the gospel of salvation to the world; to revive and
renew in the hearts of the children of men the doctrines of Christ, the ordinances of his
gospel which he taught, which he administered, and which he authorized his disciples to
administer to all that would repent and believe in the name of the Father and of the Son.
We believe that God has restored the divine priesthood, which holds the keys of
ministration of the ordinances of life, to the children of men. Without that divine
priesthood no man could receive or would receive a remission of sins by being buried in
the water. It has to be by divine authority, and without that divine authority our works
would not be acceptable to the Lord, for he will not accept at the hands of the children of
men that which he has not authorized them to do, which he has not qualified them to do,
and called and appointed them to do; but when God calls men, and ordains, and appoints,
and gives them authority to administer in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Ghost, what they do can not fail to be sanctioned and approved by the Author and
giver of the authority. When we receive the priesthood of God, and we do according to
his word, then is he bound, but otherwise there is no promise.
The Twelve Are Eye and Ear Witnesses of Christ
Now I can't tell you all that I would like to. Time will not permit, and there are others to
speak. All these, your brethren, who are called to the apostleship, and to minister in the
midst of the house of Israel, are endowed, or ought to be endowed, richly with the spirit
of their calling. For instance, these twelve disciples of Christ are supposed to be eye and
ear witnesses of the divine mission of Jesus Christ. It is not permissible for them to say, I
believe, simply; I have accepted it, simply because I believe it. Read the revelation. The
Lord informs us they must know, they must get the knowledge for themselves, it must be
with them as if they had seen with their eyes and heard with their ears, and they know the
truth. That is their mission, to testify of Jesus Christ and him crucified and risen from the
dead and clothed now with almighty power at the right hand of God, the Savior of the
world. That is their mission, and their duty; and that is the doctrine and the truth, that is
their duty to preach to the world, and see that it is preached to the world. Where they can
not go themselves, they are to have the help of others called to their assistance. The
seventies first, also the elders and the high priests. Those who hold the Melchizedek
priesthood, not otherwise appointed, are under their direction to preach the gospel to the
world and to declare the truth-that Jesus is the Christ, and that Joseph is a prophet of God
and was authorized and qualified to lay the foundation of the Kingdom of God and when
I say Kingdom of God I mean what I say. Christ is the King-not man. No man is king of
the Kingdom of God; God is the King of it, and we acknowledge him and him only as
Sovereign of his Kingdom.
Qualifications Requisite for Latter-day Saints
Now we all need patience, forbearance, forgiveness, humility, charity, love unfeigned,
devotion to the truth, abhorrence of sin, wickedness, and rebellion and disobedience to
the requirements of the gospel. These are the qualifications requisite to Latter-day Saints,
and to becoming Latter-day Saints, members in good standing in the Church of Jesus
Christ, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. No member in good standing in the
Church will be drunken, riotous, profane, or will take advantage of his brother or his
neighbor, or will violate the principles of virtue, honor, and righteousness. Members of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in good standing will never be chargeable
with such offenses as these, because they will avoid these evils and they will live above
them. Then we have a mission in the world, each man, each woman, each child, who has
grown to understanding or to the years of accountability-all ought to be examples to the
world, ought not only to be qualified to preach the truth, to bear testimony of the truth,
but they ought to live so that the very life they live, the very words they speak, their every
action in life, will be sermons to the unwary and to the ignorant, teaching them goodness,
purity, uprightness, faith in God and love for the human family.
God bless you and all the household of faith, and help us to be true and faithful to the end,
realizing that the battle is not to the strong, nor the race to the swift, but to him that
endures to the end. Amen.
Robert Millet- Prayers
Prayers that God delights in hearing-
One of President Monson's favorite scriptures
One of President Monson's favorite scriptures
D&C 5 For thus saith the Lord—I, the Lord, am amerciful and gracious unto those who bfear me, and delight to honor those who cserve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end.
8 Yea, even the wonders of aeternity shall they know, and things to come will I show them, even the things of many generations.
9 And their awisdom shall be great, and their bunderstanding reach to heaven; and before them the wisdom of the wise shall cperish, and the understanding of the dprudent shall come to naught.
10 For by my aSpirit will I benlighten them, and by my cpower will I make known unto them the dsecrets of my ewill—yea, even those things which feye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man.
D&C 42:61 If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive arevelation upon revelation, bknowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the cmysteries and dpeaceable things—that which bringeth ejoy, that which bringeth life eternal.
Memorize more
Pray for a testimony that was secure that no adversity would affect us.
What would happen if we prayed for the gifts of the Spirit, fruits of the Spirt. Praying more for faith, discernment, healing, writing, working of miracles, gift of ministry of angels, gift of eternal life?
What if I prayed more for the fruits of the Spirit, to be gentle, to be kind, to be Spiritually sensitive, for charity.
If we stay at it long enough, prayer will change us.
D&C 46:30 He that aasketh in the bSpirit asketh according to the cwill of God; wherefore it is done even as he asketh.
D&C 50:30 But know this, it shall be given you what you shall aask; and as ye are appointed to the bhead, the spirits shall be subject unto you.
The words weren't significant, because it was given to them what they pray for. It was their desire.
Oscar McKonkie- When I die, I shall not cease to pray for you, I shall not cease to minister in your behalf.
Joseph F. Smith April 1916 Conference "In the Presence of the Divine"
We Are in the Presence of Heavenly Beings
Sometimes the Lord expands our vision from this point of view and this side of the veil,
so that we feel and seem to realize that we can look beyond the thin veil which separates
us from that other sphere. If we can see, by the enlightening influence of the Spirit of
God and through the words that have been spoken by the holy prophets of God, beyond
the veil that separates us from the spirit world, surely those who have passed beyond, can
see more clearly through the veil back here to us than it is possible for us to see to them
from our sphere of action. I believe we move and have our being in the presence of
heavenly messengers and of heavenly beings. We are not separate from them. We begin
to realize, more and more fully, as we become acquainted with the principles of the
gospel, as they have been revealed anew in this dispensation, that we are closely related
to our kindred, to our ancestors, to our friends and associates and co-laborers who have
preceded us into the spirit world. We can not forget them; we do not cease to love them;
we always hold them in our hearts, in memory, and thus we are associated and united to
them by ties that we can not break, that we can not dissolve or free ourselves from. If this
is the case with us in our finite condition, surrounded by our mortal weaknesses, short-
sightedness, lack of inspiration and wisdom, from time to time, how much more certain it
is and reasonable and consistent to believe that those who have been faithful, who have
gone beyond and are still engaged in the work for the salvation of the souls of men, the
opening of the prison doors to them that are bound, and proclaiming liberty to the
captives, can see us better than we can see them; that they know us better than we know
them. They have advanced; we are advancing; we are growing as they have grown; we
are reaching the goal that they have attained unto; and therefore, I claim that we live in
their presence, they see us, they are solicitous for our welfare, they love us now more
than ever. For now they see the dangers that beset us; they can comprehend, better than
ever before, the weaknesses that are liable to mislead us into dark and forbidden paths.
They see the temptations and the evils that beset us in life and the proneness of mortal
beings to yield to temptation and to wrong doing; hence their solicitude for us, and their
love for us, and their desire for our well being, must be greater than that which we feel
for ourselves.
The words weren't significant, because it was given to them what they pray for. It was their desire.
Oscar McKonkie- When I die, I shall not cease to pray for you, I shall not cease to minister in your behalf.
Joseph F. Smith April 1916 Conference "In the Presence of the Divine"
We Are in the Presence of Heavenly Beings
Sometimes the Lord expands our vision from this point of view and this side of the veil,
so that we feel and seem to realize that we can look beyond the thin veil which separates
us from that other sphere. If we can see, by the enlightening influence of the Spirit of
God and through the words that have been spoken by the holy prophets of God, beyond
the veil that separates us from the spirit world, surely those who have passed beyond, can
see more clearly through the veil back here to us than it is possible for us to see to them
from our sphere of action. I believe we move and have our being in the presence of
heavenly messengers and of heavenly beings. We are not separate from them. We begin
to realize, more and more fully, as we become acquainted with the principles of the
gospel, as they have been revealed anew in this dispensation, that we are closely related
to our kindred, to our ancestors, to our friends and associates and co-laborers who have
preceded us into the spirit world. We can not forget them; we do not cease to love them;
we always hold them in our hearts, in memory, and thus we are associated and united to
them by ties that we can not break, that we can not dissolve or free ourselves from. If this
is the case with us in our finite condition, surrounded by our mortal weaknesses, short-
sightedness, lack of inspiration and wisdom, from time to time, how much more certain it
is and reasonable and consistent to believe that those who have been faithful, who have
gone beyond and are still engaged in the work for the salvation of the souls of men, the
opening of the prison doors to them that are bound, and proclaiming liberty to the
captives, can see us better than we can see them; that they know us better than we know
them. They have advanced; we are advancing; we are growing as they have grown; we
are reaching the goal that they have attained unto; and therefore, I claim that we live in
their presence, they see us, they are solicitous for our welfare, they love us now more
than ever. For now they see the dangers that beset us; they can comprehend, better than
ever before, the weaknesses that are liable to mislead us into dark and forbidden paths.
They see the temptations and the evils that beset us in life and the proneness of mortal
beings to yield to temptation and to wrong doing; hence their solicitude for us, and their
love for us, and their desire for our well being, must be greater than that which we feel
for ourselves.
Sherrie Mills Johnson-
Put Stop signs all over her house to help remind herself.
Move from Negative to the Neutral state- Similar to driving a stick shift. When you go from 5th gear to reverse, you have to go into neutral.
When you're in the neutral position, the spirit can guide you. These tools help you go into neutral.
Anchoring (used and love the most)
Focusing in on the present moment, right now. Most of us live in the past or the future. Very seldom do we anchor ourselves in the present moment. But the Lord isn't in the past or the present, he's in the future. Don't let any thoughts come into your head about the past or the future. Focus on what's happening this second. Feel what's happening this second, what you feel, see, colors, shapes, taste, etc. with your senses. Do this silently.
What emotion did you feel? Some felt- Peace, security, gratitude, comfort, joy, intellectually stimulated, more aware, relaxed, love, hope
Revise
Re-writing-
Most of the negative feelings are generated because of the story we're telling ourselves. Re-writing is stopping and asking ourselves if this story is true.
Stop & rewrite your story.
People that push your buttons, you can re-write how you're going to act next time.
Keep telling yourself the new story and it eventually changes your negative emotions.
When you know that something WILL bother you, in a non-threatening quiet moment rewrite what you will do next time you encounter the situation.
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded the? Be strong and of a good courage (means feeling and passions of the heart): be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest. You maintain good feelings by remembering the Lord is with thee.
Affirmative Self Talk
1.) Always set goals and give yourself instructions in the affirmative. Don't say- "Don't eat that donut." Your mind creates an image of eating the donut and doesn't comprehend the don't. Frame everything in a positive tone.
Ask yourself: Is it true?
Music
Just by playing good music around you, it helps you be more positive.
Next time you're late, try to sing the thoughts in your head.
Humor
Go do something else, take a walk,
Gospel Principles
Gratitude
Service
Forgiveness
Repentance
Sacrament
Prayer
The Truth Test
Move from Negative to the Neutral state- Similar to driving a stick shift. When you go from 5th gear to reverse, you have to go into neutral.
When you're in the neutral position, the spirit can guide you. These tools help you go into neutral.
Anchoring (used and love the most)
Focusing in on the present moment, right now. Most of us live in the past or the future. Very seldom do we anchor ourselves in the present moment. But the Lord isn't in the past or the present, he's in the future. Don't let any thoughts come into your head about the past or the future. Focus on what's happening this second. Feel what's happening this second, what you feel, see, colors, shapes, taste, etc. with your senses. Do this silently.
What emotion did you feel? Some felt- Peace, security, gratitude, comfort, joy, intellectually stimulated, more aware, relaxed, love, hope
Revise
Re-writing-
Most of the negative feelings are generated because of the story we're telling ourselves. Re-writing is stopping and asking ourselves if this story is true.
Stop & rewrite your story.
People that push your buttons, you can re-write how you're going to act next time.
Keep telling yourself the new story and it eventually changes your negative emotions.
When you know that something WILL bother you, in a non-threatening quiet moment rewrite what you will do next time you encounter the situation.
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded the? Be strong and of a good courage (means feeling and passions of the heart): be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest. You maintain good feelings by remembering the Lord is with thee.
Affirmative Self Talk
1.) Always set goals and give yourself instructions in the affirmative. Don't say- "Don't eat that donut." Your mind creates an image of eating the donut and doesn't comprehend the don't. Frame everything in a positive tone.
- I can do it!
- I made a mistake. I'll learn from this.
- I eat healthy.
- I get to bed on time.
Ask yourself: Is it true?
Music
Just by playing good music around you, it helps you be more positive.
Next time you're late, try to sing the thoughts in your head.
Humor
- Exaggerate your worries until they make you laugh.
- Use laughter to break tension with others.
Go do something else, take a walk,
Gospel Principles
Gratitude
Service
Forgiveness
Repentance
Sacrament
Prayer
The Truth Test
- My Story:
- I feel __________________ because ____________________________________________________________________ (write out every detail in great details)
- What is my expectation? ___________________________ (My father shouldn't have done this?
- Is this expectation the truth and nothing but the truth in a telestial world? What is the truth
- Is this necessary or unnecessary pain?
- How would I feel if I stopped expecting this?
- What is the Spirit telling me to do right now?
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Kevin Hinckley- Perfectionism
Beliefs ----> Emotions ----> Actions
= Rational Irrational
Conscious Basic Truths Phobias
Thoughts Logic Superstitions
Bad Habits
+
Unconscious Internal Belief Pattern Vault
Thoughts Habits
Emotions can turn on a dime, with what you're thinking.
Beliefs ----> Emotions ----> Actions
Irrational Thoughts(Lies) What I feel What I do Consequences
I'm broken Worthless Isolate More Depressed
Reality (Truth)__________ What I feel What I do _______ Consequences
Elder Neal A. Maxwell
How can we truly understand who we are unless we know who we were and what we have the power to become? How can there be a real identity without real history? How can one understand his timy, individual plot without knowing even a little about our Father's galactic plan?
Self Questions
Do we have a testimony of the Plan of Hapinees? Do we trust it?
Do we trust it will bring us more hapiness than any other plan of happiness we might try?
If all this is true, why, then, do we 'rebel', or disboey, or attempt to find happiness doing it our chosen way?
Mystery for Today #2
At which points, in his arrogance and pride, did Lucifer think he could destroy the Plan?
Satan's Daily deceptions
I want to do the 'right things' .....after all you can do? (Satan's distortion)
I mourn when I do the 'wrong things' .....after all you can do? (Satan's distortion)
Some believe-
Earth's tribulations are a punishment. I don't know what I'm supposed to know. So now I'm 'learning my lesson' Tribulations will stiop when I learn to be good.
The 3-fold function of the Atonement.
1) Redeeming-his blood atones for our sins
2) Empowering- the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease (the Lord didn't intend for you to be powerless, but empowered by his power)
3) Transforming- the Spirit has wrought a mighty change in us... that we have no more disposition to do evil.
= Rational Irrational
Conscious Basic Truths Phobias
Thoughts Logic Superstitions
Bad Habits
+
Unconscious Internal Belief Pattern Vault
Thoughts Habits
Emotions can turn on a dime, with what you're thinking.
Beliefs ----> Emotions ----> Actions
Irrational Thoughts(Lies) What I feel What I do Consequences
I'm broken Worthless Isolate More Depressed
Reality (Truth)__________ What I feel What I do _______ Consequences
Elder Neal A. Maxwell
How can we truly understand who we are unless we know who we were and what we have the power to become? How can there be a real identity without real history? How can one understand his timy, individual plot without knowing even a little about our Father's galactic plan?
Self Questions
Do we have a testimony of the Plan of Hapinees? Do we trust it?
Do we trust it will bring us more hapiness than any other plan of happiness we might try?
If all this is true, why, then, do we 'rebel', or disboey, or attempt to find happiness doing it our chosen way?
Mystery for Today #2
At which points, in his arrogance and pride, did Lucifer think he could destroy the Plan?
Satan's Daily deceptions
I want to do the 'right things' .....after all you can do? (Satan's distortion)
I mourn when I do the 'wrong things' .....after all you can do? (Satan's distortion)
Some believe-
Earth's tribulations are a punishment. I don't know what I'm supposed to know. So now I'm 'learning my lesson' Tribulations will stiop when I learn to be good.
The 3-fold function of the Atonement.
1) Redeeming-his blood atones for our sins
2) Empowering- the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease (the Lord didn't intend for you to be powerless, but empowered by his power)
3) Transforming- the Spirit has wrought a mighty change in us... that we have no more disposition to do evil.
Kevin Hinkley- Why We Pray
What is the point of praying if God already has a plan in mind for us?
What I want, may not be what God wants, and I have no way of knowing, so what's the point?
Joseph Smith- Faith (3 element need to be inplace, before someone can have it)
1) the idea that he actually exists
2) A correct idea of his character, perfections, and attributes.
3) An actual knowledge that
CS Lewis-
Every idea of Him we form, He must in mercy shatter...
however, on a more personal level until we understand His true nature, we will be left to worship a god of our own making. That false understanding will then dictate our prayer life with Him.
How we see God are influenced by
my childhood,
my family,
my own father,
my priesthood leaders,
my testimony,
my gospel knowledge,
my relationship experiences: love, rejection, etc.
my own prayer experiences
my adversity
We will be remade and changed. When we choose to remain unchanged, it is because we're trying to make Him into our image.
Our Deepest Conviction
He promises -> he delivers
His true nature?
Our joy is his work & glory. (when we're in the middle of adversity we're not quite sure)
His promises are always fulfilled
our sins are remembered no more
he gives up on us, never.
What He intends for us we'll never comprehend in this life.
His plan for us leaves us happier than our plan for us.
His atonement heals what we cannot.
The Lamanites knew nothing concerning the Lord, nor the strenght of the Lord, therefore they depended upon their own strength.
They were a wild and a ferocious, and a blood thirsty people, believing in the traditions of their fathers
Sample prayer difficulties-
If I doubt whther or not God will answer me-- look for times in my life when my own trust was betrayed.
If I see God as quick to punish, can I see which authority figures treated me ridgedly?
If I rarely turn to Him for guidance did life teach me to trust no one and do everything myself? Yes
If I'm fearful to follow promptings I receive-- Have I learned to 2nd guess all my decisions?
If I'm impatient having to wait for answers-- Amy I overly controlling in other aspects of my life as well? Yes
Questions
What do you believe?
How do you picture Heavenly Father?
Does He answer prayers?
Does He answer your prayers?
Does He answer your prayers differently than he does other people?
Does He listen to you?
How do you know?
The Good News
The Savior invites us to "Learn of Me"
Study, Obedience and Sacrifice teach us His true nature, regardless of our narrow view of Him
CS Lewis- Prayed without words and thought it was the best form of prayer. Just envisioned the people he wanted to pray about.
What I want, may not be what God wants, and I have no way of knowing, so what's the point?
Joseph Smith- Faith (3 element need to be inplace, before someone can have it)
1) the idea that he actually exists
2) A correct idea of his character, perfections, and attributes.
3) An actual knowledge that
CS Lewis-
Every idea of Him we form, He must in mercy shatter...
however, on a more personal level until we understand His true nature, we will be left to worship a god of our own making. That false understanding will then dictate our prayer life with Him.
How we see God are influenced by
my childhood,
my family,
my own father,
my priesthood leaders,
my testimony,
my gospel knowledge,
my relationship experiences: love, rejection, etc.
my own prayer experiences
my adversity
We will be remade and changed. When we choose to remain unchanged, it is because we're trying to make Him into our image.
Our Deepest Conviction
He promises -> he delivers
His true nature?
Our joy is his work & glory. (when we're in the middle of adversity we're not quite sure)
His promises are always fulfilled
our sins are remembered no more
he gives up on us, never.
What He intends for us we'll never comprehend in this life.
His plan for us leaves us happier than our plan for us.
His atonement heals what we cannot.
The Lamanites knew nothing concerning the Lord, nor the strenght of the Lord, therefore they depended upon their own strength.
They were a wild and a ferocious, and a blood thirsty people, believing in the traditions of their fathers
Sample prayer difficulties-
If I doubt whther or not God will answer me-- look for times in my life when my own trust was betrayed.
If I see God as quick to punish, can I see which authority figures treated me ridgedly?
If I rarely turn to Him for guidance did life teach me to trust no one and do everything myself? Yes
If I'm fearful to follow promptings I receive-- Have I learned to 2nd guess all my decisions?
If I'm impatient having to wait for answers-- Amy I overly controlling in other aspects of my life as well? Yes
Questions
What do you believe?
How do you picture Heavenly Father?
Does He answer prayers?
Does He answer your prayers?
Does He answer your prayers differently than he does other people?
Does He listen to you?
How do you know?
The Good News
The Savior invites us to "Learn of Me"
Study, Obedience and Sacrifice teach us His true nature, regardless of our narrow view of Him
CS Lewis- Prayed without words and thought it was the best form of prayer. Just envisioned the people he wanted to pray about.
Put Yourself in Holy Places
"For that reason and many others, you would do well to put yourself in places and in tasks that invite the promptings of the Holy Ghost." Eyring “Gifts of the Spirit for Hard Times,” Ensign, Jun 2007, 18–24
Many times we are told to avoid certain places, because we will lose the Spirit, but I have never heard a proactive choice, to not just avoid, but to take the next step and actually place yourself in certain places that do invited the Spirit. Where would those places be- Temple, Church, Places where you are serving.
Many times we are told to avoid certain places, because we will lose the Spirit, but I have never heard a proactive choice, to not just avoid, but to take the next step and actually place yourself in certain places that do invited the Spirit. Where would those places be- Temple, Church, Places where you are serving.
Ronald Gubler -Finding Charity, an enabling gift of power from God
Holy Ghost can bring the Atonement right to the doorsteps of our hearts, but we have to let it in.
The Gifts of the Spirit for Hard Times- Eyring Sep 2006
1) If you feel the Spirit of the Holy Ghost, then the Atonement is working. "The Gifts of the Spirit for Hard Times"- Eyring Sep 2006
The Gifts of the Spirit for Hard Times- Eyring Sep 2006
1) If you feel the Spirit of the Holy Ghost, then the Atonement is working. "The Gifts of the Spirit for Hard Times"- Eyring Sep 2006
Randall Wright- Less Stress
Prayer
Joseph Smith "Exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me."
Blessings
Kimball- "Not even Luicfer, the Star of the Morning, the arch-enemy of mankind, can withstand the power of the priesthood."
Had a blessing and his feeling were commanded to go away, and that happened.
Music
Sometime one little song can change the entire way we feel.
Humor
"A wholesome sense of humor will be a safety valve that will enable you to apply the lighter touch to heavy problems and to learn some lessons in problem solving that "sweat and tears" often fail to dissolve" CR april 1968
Service
"Generally speaking, the most miserable people I know are those who are obsessed with themselves; the happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others...By and large, I have come to see that if we complain about life, it is because we are thinking only of ourselves." Gordon B. Hinckley.
BYU 12 stake Fireside March 6, 1977
“When you find yourselves a little gloomy, look around you and find somebody that is in a worse plight than yourself; go to him and find out what the trouble is, then try to remove it with the wisdom which the Lord bestows upon you; and the first thing you know, your gloom is gone, you feel light, the Spirit of the Lord is upon you, and everything seems illuminated.”
( Conference Report, Apr. 1899, 2–3.)
I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives. (Monson, Ensign Nov 2009)
Repentance
In the Book of Mormon we read that “despair cometh because of iniquity.” (Moro. 10:22.) “When I do good I feel good,” said Abraham Lincoln, “and when I do bad I feel bad.” Sin pulls a man down into despondency and despair. While a man may take some temporary pleasure in sin, the end result is unhappiness. “Wickedness never was happiness.” (Alma 41:10.) Sin creates disharmony with God and is depressing to the spirit. Therefore, a man would do well to examine himself to see that he is in harmony with all of God’s laws. Every law kept brings a particular blessing. Every law broken brings a particular blight. Those who are heavy laden with despair should come unto the Lord, for his yoke is easy and his burden is light. (See Matt. 11:28–30.)
Sin can add stress, that we're not aware of. And when we repent, we can feel that burden lift.
Optimism
Winston Churchill-
A pesimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity. An optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty..
Ballard- " We each shape our own life, and the shape of it is determined largely by our attitude."
Exercise
Victor Cline- "It's almost impossible to feel discouraged while keeping physically active." Happiness: Not a Single Barrier"
Brigham Young "My mind becomes tired, and perhaps some of yours do. If so, go and exercise your bodies."
Keep the Commandments
Joseph Smith "Exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me."
Blessings
Kimball- "Not even Luicfer, the Star of the Morning, the arch-enemy of mankind, can withstand the power of the priesthood."
Had a blessing and his feeling were commanded to go away, and that happened.
Music
Sometime one little song can change the entire way we feel.
Humor
"A wholesome sense of humor will be a safety valve that will enable you to apply the lighter touch to heavy problems and to learn some lessons in problem solving that "sweat and tears" often fail to dissolve" CR april 1968
Service
"Generally speaking, the most miserable people I know are those who are obsessed with themselves; the happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others...By and large, I have come to see that if we complain about life, it is because we are thinking only of ourselves." Gordon B. Hinckley.
BYU 12 stake Fireside March 6, 1977
“When you find yourselves a little gloomy, look around you and find somebody that is in a worse plight than yourself; go to him and find out what the trouble is, then try to remove it with the wisdom which the Lord bestows upon you; and the first thing you know, your gloom is gone, you feel light, the Spirit of the Lord is upon you, and everything seems illuminated.”
( Conference Report, Apr. 1899, 2–3.)
I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives. (Monson, Ensign Nov 2009)
Repentance
In the Book of Mormon we read that “despair cometh because of iniquity.” (Moro. 10:22.) “When I do good I feel good,” said Abraham Lincoln, “and when I do bad I feel bad.” Sin pulls a man down into despondency and despair. While a man may take some temporary pleasure in sin, the end result is unhappiness. “Wickedness never was happiness.” (Alma 41:10.) Sin creates disharmony with God and is depressing to the spirit. Therefore, a man would do well to examine himself to see that he is in harmony with all of God’s laws. Every law kept brings a particular blessing. Every law broken brings a particular blight. Those who are heavy laden with despair should come unto the Lord, for his yoke is easy and his burden is light. (See Matt. 11:28–30.)
Sin can add stress, that we're not aware of. And when we repent, we can feel that burden lift.
Optimism
Winston Churchill-
A pesimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity. An optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty..
Ballard- " We each shape our own life, and the shape of it is determined largely by our attitude."
Exercise
Victor Cline- "It's almost impossible to feel discouraged while keeping physically active." Happiness: Not a Single Barrier"
Brigham Young "My mind becomes tired, and perhaps some of yours do. If so, go and exercise your bodies."
Keep the Commandments
Temple- House of Refuge
Be in the house frequently, constantly & consistently & the promises of the temple will be extended to your children.
He thought that was an individual inspiration, but then he began to hear this concept everywhere.
Pres. Benson comes to temple every Friday with his wife. On the inauguration of Rex Lee, the staff thought that he woudn't be there, so they weren't there to great him at the back door. But he came, and said, "Where else would I be? This is my temple day?
Packer- No work gives us more power
Widstoe- men grow mighty under the service
Featherstone- will have unseen angels to watch over their loved ones.
Ezelkiel 47- Read figuratively, not literally
Temple gives life and heals.
River that gets deeper and deeper, the more you wade in it, until you're finally swimming in it. The river is the love of God.
3- The temple is a cover from rain- When life beats down on you like a hot August sun, it's pressures, trials temptations. Come home for awhile. Come sit in my shade, come swim in my water and be renewed.
Be in the house frequently, constantly & consistently & the promises of the temple will be extended to your children.
He thought that was an individual inspiration, but then he began to hear this concept everywhere.
Pres. Benson comes to temple every Friday with his wife. On the inauguration of Rex Lee, the staff thought that he woudn't be there, so they weren't there to great him at the back door. But he came, and said, "Where else would I be? This is my temple day?
Packer- No work gives us more power
Widstoe- men grow mighty under the service
Featherstone- will have unseen angels to watch over their loved ones.
Ezelkiel 47- Read figuratively, not literally
Temple gives life and heals.
River that gets deeper and deeper, the more you wade in it, until you're finally swimming in it. The river is the love of God.
3- The temple is a cover from rain- When life beats down on you like a hot August sun, it's pressures, trials temptations. Come home for awhile. Come sit in my shade, come swim in my water and be renewed.
Robert Millet-
Different experiences require different prayers. Not every prayer is an Enos experience. The fact that they are in scripture shows they are the exception, not the norm.
"I know we're going to be back late tonight, so I just wanted to say my prayers, so I'm not too tired."
Prayer of Faith
Isaiah 38:1 In those days was aHezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.
"I know we're going to be back late tonight, so I just wanted to say my prayers, so I'm not too tired."
Prayer of Faith
Isaiah 38:1 In those days was aHezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.
3 And said, Remember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
5 Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will aadd unto thy days fifteen years.
Why did Hezekiah weep? It wasn't that he was afraid of death. Maybe there were other things he wanted to do.
David O. McKay- Spirituality is the consciousness of victory over self, the consciousness of being above the passions, whether in anger or jealousy, or envy, or hatred. (Last talk at general conference.)
Hezekiah had a confidence that he had pursued the proper path. Has a feeling of victory over the flesh.
God changes his mind. He changed his mind with Hezekiah.
Luke 6:12 And it came to pass in those days, that he awent out into a mountain to bpray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
13 ¶ And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he achose btwelve, whom also he named capostles;
Jesus spent all night praying to prepare to call his apostles who he would spend the next 3 years traveling and serving with.
If we think he prayed a lot in the New Testament, go to 3rd Nephi. He's always praying in 3rd Ne.
When the man brings his son with the evil Spirit to Jesus, because the apostles can't cast out the spirit, Jesus says this only comes out by fasting and prayer.
Fasting is one way we seek for remission of sins and seek for spiritual power.
Luke 22:
44 And being in an aagony he prayed more earnestly: band his sweat was as it were great drops of cblood falling down to the ground.
45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
Even Jesus had times, where his prayers weren't the same. In Gethsemane, He prayed more earnestly.
Spencer W. Kimball, when he was called as an aspostle, in 1843, he said he wrestled for 85 days in prayer for a blessing (from his first Oct. conference)
3 Ne 17: 14 And it came to pass that when they had knelt upon the ground, Jesus groaned within himself, and said: Father, I am atroubled because of the wickedness of the people of the house of Israel.
16 And after this manner do they bear record: The aeye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father;
17 And no atongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
John Hilton-
Richard G. Scott- Ensign Nov 2003- With all my capacity I encourage you to discover who you really are. I invite you to look beyond the daily routine of life. I urge you to discern through the Spirit your divinely given capacities. I exhort you to prayerfully make worthy choices that will lead you to realize your full potential. (then he gives ideas)
Top 3 responses to "What would you want your little sister to know about guys?"
1. Stay away
2. Know what their intentions are 3 types of boys- Player, Hunter, (Stripling) Warrior
3. Know that you have a huge influence on young men. (Boys will go to great lengths to get girls approval)
Top 3 responses to "What would you want your little sister to know about guys?"
1. Stay away
2. Know what their intentions are 3 types of boys- Player, Hunter, (Stripling) Warrior
3. Know that you have a huge influence on young men. (Boys will go to great lengths to get girls approval)
John Bytheway-
The best kind of boys say that immodesty makes them feel uncomfortable.
For Strength of youth- 1 pair of modest earrings.
It's my body, so it's my choice, right?
1 Cor 6:19-20 19 What? know ye not that your abody is the btemple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your cown?
Does the person make it easier to live the gospel.
There are 2 types of pain, the pain of discipline and the pain of regret. The pain of discipline ways ounces, the pain of regret weights tons.
Elder Holland- The Best Wedding Gift Ever- Your very best self, clean and pure and worthly of such purity in return. That means you can start working on that gift tonight.
Alma 38:12 Use aboldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bbridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness.
For Strength of youth- 1 pair of modest earrings.
It's my body, so it's my choice, right?
1 Cor 6:19-20 19 What? know ye not that your abody is the btemple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your cown?
20 For ye are abought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Steady Dating-
FSOY- Avoid going on frequent dates with the same person.
Pres, Hinkley- Boys & girls do not need them in high school. When you are young, do not get involved in steady dating. When you reach an age where you think of marriage, then that's the time to become so involved.
Elder Scott- What are the limits with getting sexually involved? Any sexual intimacy outside of the bonds of marriage. Any intentional contact with the sacred, private parts of another's body, with or without clothing.
It's difficult to define "the line", so Jesus brought the line into our minds, our thoughts and intents.
Pres. Spenser W. Kimbal Teachings of Spencer Kimball p. 282- talks about embracing may not be immoral, but if it arrouses immoral thoughts, then that's another story.
Elder Robert D. Hales: A friend is someone who makes it easier to live the gospel of Jesus Christ
Pres. Kimball- said teach the people that repentance hurts
Does the person make it easier to live the gospel.
There are 2 types of pain, the pain of discipline and the pain of regret. The pain of discipline ways ounces, the pain of regret weights tons.
Elder Holland- The Best Wedding Gift Ever- Your very best self, clean and pure and worthly of such purity in return. That means you can start working on that gift tonight.
Alma 38:12 Use aboldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bbridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness.
Goddard- Optimism Fundimental in Marriage
The amount of things we have don't increase our happiness, but being grateful for the things we have does.
Irritation is an invitation-
When we're upset with our spouses, we're not seeing things the way they see them.
John Gottman- Relationship Cure
We make "bids for connection"
Re-write history with forgiveness as the theme. Find the glory in your marital story. Don't let discouragements make you think that you never loved your spouse.
Our human brains are liars. Tendency we have to forget. Our brains remember what we rehearse. So, we get decide our marital story about what we chose to remember.
Atonement Chapters in Book of Mormo- Lehi before he dies,
Alma 42- Alma teaches Corianton
When we get the true doctrine of the Atonement in our hearts, it tends to settle all other problems.
Irritation is an invitation-
When we're upset with our spouses, we're not seeing things the way they see them.
John Gottman- Relationship Cure
We make "bids for connection"
Re-write history with forgiveness as the theme. Find the glory in your marital story. Don't let discouragements make you think that you never loved your spouse.
Our human brains are liars. Tendency we have to forget. Our brains remember what we rehearse. So, we get decide our marital story about what we chose to remember.
Atonement Chapters in Book of Mormo- Lehi before he dies,
Alma 42- Alma teaches Corianton
When we get the true doctrine of the Atonement in our hearts, it tends to settle all other problems.
Sacrament
The Savior is here with us in this room. He can come to us to have the last supper with us. Behind each Deacon is an angel, waiting to minister to you. For those who are clean can be ministered to, by angels.
Michael Wilcox- Parenting
Godhood is eternal parenting.
Spiritual Magnets & Moral Gravity
2 Kings 5:11 But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, (bad thing to do after getting a command from a prophet) He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. - He had his own answer and though of what the answer should be.
We bathe in the Lord's river Jordan instead of the river Obana. So, this is true in parenting, we do it the Lord's way, not our way.
Alma- Chp. 36-42- He tailors things to each child, one on one with each one.
Got inspiration for each child, when they were born about their character.
Spiritual Magnets
D&C 93 (Gives great hope about Children, one of the deepest doctrinal sections in the D&C.) Raise your children in light & truth.
D&C 88:40 For aintelligence cleaveth unto intelligence; bwisdom receiveth wisdom; ctruth embraceth truth; dvirtue loveth virtue; elight cleaveth unto light; fmercy hath gcompassion on mercy and claimeth her own; hjustice continueth its course and claimeth its own; judgment goeth before the face of him who sitteth upon the throne and governeth and executeth all things.
As a parent- surround them by light & truth, because they have a magnet that attracts and receives the light & truth. Control the enviroment as much as you can control it, so the children can attract light.
Joshua 4: 21 And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?
24 That all the people of the earth might aknow the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty: that ye might bfear the Lord your God for eve
We have stones that God gives us or that we can put there, that we can use to explain and teach our children about God.
Moral Gravity-
Have child the is at a higher level and has a friend at a lower level. Does the child bring the friend up to his level? The law of moral gravity says that it's easier to go down, so that's most likely to happen.
If we have a belief higher than our behavior, then that gap creates guilt. So, either my behavior has to change and match my belief, or my belief has to change to equal my behavior. But, it's easier to change the belief.
Spiritual Erosion- One generations exception, becomes the next generation's rule.
Spiritual Magnets & Moral Gravity
2 Kings 5:11 But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, (bad thing to do after getting a command from a prophet) He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. - He had his own answer and though of what the answer should be.
We bathe in the Lord's river Jordan instead of the river Obana. So, this is true in parenting, we do it the Lord's way, not our way.
Alma- Chp. 36-42- He tailors things to each child, one on one with each one.
Got inspiration for each child, when they were born about their character.
Spiritual Magnets
D&C 93 (Gives great hope about Children, one of the deepest doctrinal sections in the D&C.) Raise your children in light & truth.
D&C 88:40 For aintelligence cleaveth unto intelligence; bwisdom receiveth wisdom; ctruth embraceth truth; dvirtue loveth virtue; elight cleaveth unto light; fmercy hath gcompassion on mercy and claimeth her own; hjustice continueth its course and claimeth its own; judgment goeth before the face of him who sitteth upon the throne and governeth and executeth all things.
As a parent- surround them by light & truth, because they have a magnet that attracts and receives the light & truth. Control the enviroment as much as you can control it, so the children can attract light.
Joshua 4: 21 And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?
23 For the Lord your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red sea, which he adried up from before us, until we were gone over:
We have stones that God gives us or that we can put there, that we can use to explain and teach our children about God.
Moral Gravity-
Have child the is at a higher level and has a friend at a lower level. Does the child bring the friend up to his level? The law of moral gravity says that it's easier to go down, so that's most likely to happen.
If we have a belief higher than our behavior, then that gap creates guilt. So, either my behavior has to change and match my belief, or my belief has to change to equal my behavior. But, it's easier to change the belief.
Spiritual Erosion- One generations exception, becomes the next generation's rule.
Michael Wilcox- Finding Joy in Adversity
Because God can make all negatives positives, life is fair.
CSLewis- you can not understand eternity in your present state. No future bliss can make up for this present misery. Heaven works backwards and at the end, when you go to Heaven, the blessed will say, we have never lived anywhere, but Heaven.
When adversity comes, how do we deal with it? What does the Savior teach us?
1. Turn outward- Savior teaches us in the last hours of his life, to turn outward.
Jesus still calls Judas- friend
At the last supper he called everyone friends.
Watch with me- He places 8 apostles somewhere near the gate of the garden (probably olive orchard). He takes Peter, James & John with him. He wants friends nearby to watch with him.
One of the greatest thing you can do if you're not on the receiving, is to watch with them. One of the greatest thing you can do if you're in adversity, is to look for those who will watch with you.
In the midst of his prayer, he gets up and goes to the disciples and asks them to watch with them. He needed friends, he needed human contact. He asks twice for them to help. But he still looks outward and says he understands the flesh is week. He looks outward again and says sleep on and take your rest.
IAs Wilcox was stressing Jesus say "Watch with me" I wandered if he meant "pray with me" Because Jesus was praying, not watching.
After Joseph's prayer of agony & before he receives his answer he receives 3 letters, from Emma, Don Carlos & friend Bishop Partridge all breathing a consoling spirit. When the heart is contrite, then
These 3 letters that came to Joseph, softened his heart and put his mind and his soul into a state where he could here. Before Jesus couldn't help him, because he was in too much agony.
Sometimes people who watch with you, calm the heart.
Since Christ can say "It is finished" about his adversity, we too will have our adversities finish as well.
CSLewis- you can not understand eternity in your present state. No future bliss can make up for this present misery. Heaven works backwards and at the end, when you go to Heaven, the blessed will say, we have never lived anywhere, but Heaven.
When adversity comes, how do we deal with it? What does the Savior teach us?
1. Turn outward- Savior teaches us in the last hours of his life, to turn outward.
Jesus still calls Judas- friend
At the last supper he called everyone friends.
Watch with me- He places 8 apostles somewhere near the gate of the garden (probably olive orchard). He takes Peter, James & John with him. He wants friends nearby to watch with him.
One of the greatest thing you can do if you're not on the receiving, is to watch with them. One of the greatest thing you can do if you're in adversity, is to look for those who will watch with you.
In the midst of his prayer, he gets up and goes to the disciples and asks them to watch with them. He needed friends, he needed human contact. He asks twice for them to help. But he still looks outward and says he understands the flesh is week. He looks outward again and says sleep on and take your rest.
IAs Wilcox was stressing Jesus say "Watch with me" I wandered if he meant "pray with me" Because Jesus was praying, not watching.
After Joseph's prayer of agony & before he receives his answer he receives 3 letters, from Emma, Don Carlos & friend Bishop Partridge all breathing a consoling spirit. When the heart is contrite, then
These 3 letters that came to Joseph, softened his heart and put his mind and his soul into a state where he could here. Before Jesus couldn't help him, because he was in too much agony.
Sometimes people who watch with you, calm the heart.
Since Christ can say "It is finished" about his adversity, we too will have our adversities finish as well.
Temple Worship
I go to the temple to find my Father in Heaven. How do I seek for him and how do I find him?
Temple Worship: The Source of Strength and Power in Times of Need Richard G. Scott
The Holy Temple by Boyd K. Packer
Temple Worship: The Source of Strength and Power in Times of Need Richard G. Scott
The Holy Temple by Boyd K. Packer
Michael Wilcox- Temple
House of Glory,
House of Order,
House of Fasting,
House of Faith,
House of Refuge,
House of Thanksgiving,
Forgiveness (Solomon's dedicatory prayer)
House of Learning-
Going to temple to "be endowed" is more correct than taking out endowments.
What are we being endowed with? Knowledge, Light, Intellingence, Wisdom
He was confused, frighted when he took out his endowments. He left feeling, "This cannot be my church" Now, the temple is one of the great foundations of his faith.
Symbols are an important part of the temple.
The endowment is more figurative style than literal style. Temple can mean many different things to many different times, at different levels.
George McDonald- CS Lewis Mentor who CS Lewis quoted in every book. George preached about a loving and caring God, so much so that the church wouldn't let him preach anymore.
Prepare us for the temple.
1. We do outward things that suggest spiritual truths- sacrament,
baptism- immersion in water- Why do we immerse? we can wash in a variety of ways. Font is a womb, the child is born of water Font is the burial. We bury our sins and are resurrected. Baptism is bath (cleaning), birth & burial
2. The scriptures- Almost everything we say and do in the temple has a scripture that goes with it. I'm to see myself as a child of Israel. Everything in Exodus applies to us.
Manna-scriptures
Jordan River
Crossing Red Sea- Baptism
Pillar of Fire- Holy Ghost
Scriptures on the altar- is a hint. Holding up the scriptures- another hint Everything seen and done can be found in the scriptures
Everyone dresses in white- 1)purity & cleanliess 2) we're all equal, dressed in white 3)every color is reflected in white, my life must be a life of whiteness revealing all the light of God's truth 4) mirrors reflect all eternity- symbol of us being an eternal being, symbol of the chain, the welding link talked about in D&C.
4) Some symbols are much more difficult to comprehend- may require deep understanding of scriptures and ancient things.
Formula for Temple Worship (also works for studying scripture
3 Ne 17: 2 I aperceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot bunderstand all my words which I am commanded of the Father to speak unto you at this time.
Everything in the temple can teach you.
What does that big chandelier teach you? It's light? What's light in the scriptures, truth. You can look in the mirrors and see the chandelier through eternity telling you to take the Spirit with you. They don't say this in the temple, because the chedelier teaches us.
What does the altar represent. We give each ourselves to the spouse & our spouse gives themselves to us. Then we take each other's hand and we give your marriage to God.
Naman's 7 dips. Which dip was the one that healed him? Was the 7th the one that healed him? Possibly it's the accumulation of all 7 that worked together towards the healing.
Acuumulation of repeated visits to the temple that in time that will help us learn and change us.
House of Order,
House of Fasting,
House of Faith,
House of Refuge,
House of Thanksgiving,
Forgiveness (Solomon's dedicatory prayer)
House of Learning-
Going to temple to "be endowed" is more correct than taking out endowments.
What are we being endowed with? Knowledge, Light, Intellingence, Wisdom
He was confused, frighted when he took out his endowments. He left feeling, "This cannot be my church" Now, the temple is one of the great foundations of his faith.
Symbols are an important part of the temple.
The endowment is more figurative style than literal style. Temple can mean many different things to many different times, at different levels.
George McDonald- CS Lewis Mentor who CS Lewis quoted in every book. George preached about a loving and caring God, so much so that the church wouldn't let him preach anymore.
Prepare us for the temple.
1. We do outward things that suggest spiritual truths- sacrament,
baptism- immersion in water- Why do we immerse? we can wash in a variety of ways. Font is a womb, the child is born of water Font is the burial. We bury our sins and are resurrected. Baptism is bath (cleaning), birth & burial
2. The scriptures- Almost everything we say and do in the temple has a scripture that goes with it. I'm to see myself as a child of Israel. Everything in Exodus applies to us.
Manna-scriptures
Jordan River
Crossing Red Sea- Baptism
Pillar of Fire- Holy Ghost
Scriptures on the altar- is a hint. Holding up the scriptures- another hint Everything seen and done can be found in the scriptures
Everyone dresses in white- 1)purity & cleanliess 2) we're all equal, dressed in white 3)every color is reflected in white, my life must be a life of whiteness revealing all the light of God's truth 4) mirrors reflect all eternity- symbol of us being an eternal being, symbol of the chain, the welding link talked about in D&C.
4) Some symbols are much more difficult to comprehend- may require deep understanding of scriptures and ancient things.
Formula for Temple Worship (also works for studying scripture
3 Ne 17: 2 I aperceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot bunderstand all my words which I am commanded of the Father to speak unto you at this time.
3 Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and aponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and bprepare your minds for the cmorrow, and I come unto you again.
Since you don't understand
- Go home-
- Ponder upon the things which I said (we have to go often enough to remember what was said)
- Ask Heavenly Father to help you understand
- Prepare- Be alert, attentive & reverent- helps prepare us.
- Return
Everything in the temple can teach you.
What does that big chandelier teach you? It's light? What's light in the scriptures, truth. You can look in the mirrors and see the chandelier through eternity telling you to take the Spirit with you. They don't say this in the temple, because the chedelier teaches us.
What does the altar represent. We give each ourselves to the spouse & our spouse gives themselves to us. Then we take each other's hand and we give your marriage to God.
Naman's 7 dips. Which dip was the one that healed him? Was the 7th the one that healed him? Possibly it's the accumulation of all 7 that worked together towards the healing.
Acuumulation of repeated visits to the temple that in time that will help us learn and change us.
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