Today, [January 10th, 2010] we, the Plainview Texas Branch of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints , got the chance to feel and partake of such a powerful, and enriching feeling that came by the Power of The Holy Ghost and dove deep into my heart and soul.
Sterling Sharp, a man of great upbringing, one with focus and commitment received his Mission Call not to long ago, and we had his farewell today. He is called to the "Salt Lake City - Utah" Mission.
We had the great and wonderful pleasure as well, to listen to a special musical number, played both by his Mother, Sister Sharp (Our Relief Society President) and him.
As For The Order Of the events in Sacrament.... it was a divine and inspired layout. First, traditional with any Sacrament meeting, there is the welcome and announcements. (There were other announcements of great significance, but those will be mentioned in the blog to follow this one.) We sang our opening Hymn, then our first talk by Sister Sharp, following Brother Sharp, then Sterling Sharp. What well prepared, spiritually inspired comments, which filled us all to the brink and brought many to tears.
We pray for his enjoyment of the mission, and in his success in bringing many unto Christ.
On behalf of the Branch Sterling, May the Lord God bless you, sustain you, empower you and place you where you are needed, and when you are needed there. Your blessings are coming without measure.... we love you.
******************************************************
Plainview Texas Branch; Lubbock Stake Announcements;
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Saturday, January 9, 2010
A Brand New Year 2010
On behalf of the Plainview Texas Branch, of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, From The Elders Quorum Presidency, Happy New Years! (A little late, we know)
If you have not taken the chance to go through and "Digest" the greatest amount of wonderful Spiritual Food available on the Church websites, That being http://www.lds.org/ , (*AND*) http://www.mormon.org/ .... Please do so! The information available at http://www.lds.org/ is frequently updated, but not utilized nearly as much as it should be! Below I will outline some suggestions that the Presidency (Of The Elders Quorum In The Plainview Texas Branch) have to better help the individual, the family and entire brethren of the Church- world wide to apply the Gospel to their lives.
Consider this Quote from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, of The Quorum Of The Twelve;
"Jesus said, “Without me ye can do nothing.” I testify that that is God’s truth. Christ is everything to us and we are to “abide” in Him permanently, unyieldingly, steadfastly, forever. For the fruit of the gospel to blossom and bless our lives, we must be firmly attached to Him..."
With that plain explanation in mind, I now show how I feel that the above mentioned sites can better
"help the individual, the family and entire brethren of the Church- world wide to apply the Gospel to their lives."
Suggestion Number 1: The First Presidency Message
As any member of the church knows, we have a monthly magazine called the "Ensign / Liahona" in which one of the members of The First Presidency Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, print an inspirational talk. A message specially delivered through divine revelation needed for the time, (Or month) it is printed in. This is a message in which I have seen in my life, seems to always apply to something going on in my life, or in the life of family or friends both in and out of the church. It never fails to enlighten me;
Is it any wonder why this message is the grounds for our Home Teaching Lessons? Knowing that, is it any wonder why we are to take it and apply it in life and callings as Latter-Day "Scripture" ? Even more phenomenal and amazing to me, is how the first message, for the first Ensign of this new year is a back to basics message.
Although the message for this month, given By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, is labeled Hold on a Little Longer , the message is really all about our ability to hang on with greater diligence if we have followed the council given us by the General Authorities. Before listing the suggestions, allow me to pull out the abundant information that I had available to use this past Sunday (January 3rd, 2010) but had time insufficient to pleasantly discuss it all.
Our strength against the wiles, the anger of others, the pains of persecution, the vast and many fingers of scorn by them whom willingly take housing in Babylon, will reside in our conviction and conversion. The courage to turn off that which is not edifying, to stop reading that that does not enlighten and encourage and to steadfastly remain resolute in our interior knowledge and understanding will be the measure of our ability to live the gospel. I have seen this to be the case in my own life. To best understand this, I'd like to use the words of Nephi:
"And men are instructed sufficiently that they aknow good from evil. And the blaw is given unto men. And by the law no flesh is cjustified; or, by the law men are dcut off. Yea, by the temporal law they were cut off; and also, by the spiritual law they perish from that which is good, and become miserable forever." (2nd Nephi 2: 5)
"Behold, he offereth himself a asacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto bnone else can the cends of the law be answered.
Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, asave it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who blayeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the cresurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise." ( 2nd Nephi 2: 7-8)
Then there is a landmark one-two (boxing metaphor) that follows, saying......
"And because of the intercession for aall, all men come unto God; wherefore, they stand in the presence of him, to be bjudged of him according to the truth and choliness which is in him. Wherefore, the ends of the law which the Holy One hath given, unto the inflicting of the dpunishment which is affixed, which punishment that is affixed is in opposition to that of the happiness which is affixed, to answer the ends of the eatonement— For it must needs be, that there is an aopposition in all things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility. Wherefore, it must needs have been created for a thing of naught; wherefore there would have been no apurpose in the end of its creation. Wherefore, this thing must needs destroy the wisdom of God and his eternal purposes, and also the power, and the mercy, and the bjustice of God. And if ye shall say there is ano law, ye shall also say there is no sin. If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. And if these things are not bthere is no God. And if there is no God we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore, all things must have vanished away" (2nd Nephi 2: 10-13)
I take that all, into this (very short paraphrase) "You've Been Told The Way, You've Been Shown The Way, The Scriptures Have Instructed The Way, You Can (And Must) Walk The Way".
Next, lets visit another statement:
"Nurturing our testimonies and growing in spirit require increased effort as we move up the spiritual ladder. This is hard work, and we are not always willing to pay the price of promised blessings. As we consider the atonement of Jesus Christ, which caused him, “even God, the greatest of all, to … suffer both body and spirit” (D&C 19:18), we can ask ourselves the sobering question, Can we expect to repent of sin, overcome faults, abandon cherished but false beliefs, and grow spiritually as we desire to do without effort commensurate with the growth and blessings we seek?"
"Personal righteousness is a prerequisite to personal revelation and continual spiritual growth. In our zeal to lay a figurative pipeline to heaven, do we sometimes forget the small daily things essential to our spiritual advancement, like prayer, scripture study, acts of service and charity? Can we not be content if our pathway to progress consists of small, almost imperceptible changes associated with regular repentance?" ( "I Have A Question" [Ensign; July 1993, 54-55] )
Getting warmer in understanding? There are many things (Listed above) which are things that need be done as a pre-requisite to having all the strength needed to "Hold On A Little Longer" - [January 2010 First Presidency Message] .
"We know that our physical bodies require certain nutrients to sustain life and to maintain physical and mental health. If we are deprived of those nutrients, our physical and mental vitality are impaired and we have a condition called malnutrition. Malnutrition produces such symptoms as reduced mental functions, digestive disorders, loss of physical strength, and impairment of vision. Good nutrition is especially important for children, whose growing bodies are easily impaired if they lack the nutrients necessary for normal growth. Our spirits also require nourishment. Just as there is food for the body, there is food for the spirit. The consequences of spiritual malnutrition are just as hurtful to our spiritual lives as physical malnutrition is to our physical bodies. Symptoms of spiritual malnutrition include reduced ability to digest spiritual food, reduced spiritual strength, and impairment of spiritual vision. We know the principal sources of spiritual food: prayer, studying the scriptures, attending inspirational meetings, singing the hymns of Zion, serving in our callings, fasting, partaking of the sacrament, and making other covenants, such as in the temple. We also know that some experiences can interfere with the assimilation of spiritual food, just as certain poisons can interfere with obtaining needed physical nourishment from physical food. For example, anything that drives away the Spirit of the Lord, such as pornography, profanity, or anger, will prevent us from obtaining the spiritual nourishment we need from experiences that would normally be effective as spiritual food. Some physical substances, like those forbidden by the Word of Wisdom, are harmful to both body and spirit." ( "Nourishing The Spirit" From An Address Given At Ricks College by Dallin H. Oaks on 13th February 1996 )
What a great bit of information to review, as spoken by Elder Oaks. Sadly, alot of what weakens us, we allow to do so;
One of the most impressive doctrines found in the Book of Mormon is that Satan’s power over a person increases as that person becomes more wicked, until eventually the person is “taken captive by the devil” and bound with the “chains of hell.” (Alma 12:11.) Satan’s method is to influence the thoughts of men, tempting them and enticing them, always working “in the hearts of the children of men.” (2 Ne. 28:20.) Nephi chillingly describes the method: “He whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance.” (2 Ne. 28:22.)
But Satan’s power is not unrestrained. Joseph Smith taught that Satan has no power over us unless we give it to him. (See Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1938, p. 181.) And Nephi explained that the righteousness of a people deprives Satan of his power, “for he hath no power over the hearts of the people, for they dwell in righteousness.” (1 Ne. 22:26.)
Between the extremes of Satan’s power to captivate and his utter powerlessness stretches the spectrum of his ability to entice or tempt. As a being of spirit, he works in the realm of spirit, counterbalanced by the Spirit of God. In this way, free agency is preserved, giving us a choice between good and evil. As Lehi taught, “Man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other.” (2 Ne. 2:16.) If Satan entices us to do evil, so the Holy Spirit “entices” us to virtue. (See Mosiah 3:19.) Free agency demands that neither the Holy Spirit nor the evil spirit have power to control the person against his will.
Each of these forces, being spiritual, works directly on the mind of man—or the heart, as the scriptures call it—until the individual willfully chooses to obey one and ignore the other. Then the balance of power shifts and the person begins to move upward to eternal life or downward to destruction and misery. A person who has elected baptism and received the gift of the Holy Ghost has shifted the balance greatly in favor of God’s influence, whereas a person whose wickedness has caused his conscience to be “seared with a hot iron,” as Paul says (1 Tim. 4:2), may have put himself wholly within the realm of Satan’s influence. The spirit of the Lord may cease to strive with such a person. (See 1 Ne. 7:14.)
In his effort to entice, Satan has great power. As Elder Joseph Fielding Smith taught, “We should be on guard always to resist Satan’s advances. … He has power to place thoughts in our minds and to whisper to us in unspoken impressions to entice us to satisfy our appetites or desires and in various other ways he plays upon our weaknesses and desires.” (Answers to Gospel Questions, comp. Joseph Fielding Smith, Jr., 5 vols., Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1957–66, 3:81.) The temptations we all are subject to often take the form of whisperings and promptings to our minds and hearts. ( See Also “Questions and Answers,” Tambuli, Apr 1985, 29–31 )
Why is it important to know the mysteries of God? President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) explained:
“Of all treasures of knowledge, the most vital is the knowledge of God: his existence, powers, love, and promises. …
“If we spend our mortal days in accumulating secular knowledge to the exclusion of the spiritual then we are in a dead-end street, for this is the time for man to prepare to meet God; this is the time for faith to be built. …
“Secular knowledge, important as it may be, can never save a soul nor open the celestial kingdom” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, edited by Edward L. Kimball [1982], 390).
The knowledge of God and His plan of salvation is the kind of knowledge that saves, and this kind of knowledge can be obtained only in the Lord’s way.
God reveals Himself and His eternal truths—the spiritual food that the scriptures call the bread of life and the living water—to those who seek, who serve, who keep His commandments, and who wait and listen in humility for His teaching. Study and reason are appropriate to begin this process, but “the things of God cannot be learned solely by study and reason. Despite their essential and beneficial uses, the methods of study and reason are insufficient as ways of approaching God and understanding the doctrines of his gospel. We cannot come to know the things of God while rejecting or failing to use the indispensable method God has prescribed to learn these things. The things of God must be learned in his own way, through faith in God and revelation from the Holy Ghost” (Dallin H. Oaks, The Lord’s Way [1991], 56).
Only in this way can we obtain the spiritual illumination, nutrition, and power necessary to teach and transmit faith and testimony.
Gospel learning is usually initiated by study and reason, but so far as I can observe, intellectual methods, standing alone, are not effective in transmitting abiding faith and deep spirituality from one person to another or from one generation to another.
Missionary work will help in this cause, consider this:
"In this great battle for the souls of men, the rules of engagement in missionary work are more clearly defined for each of us. Members are to accompany full-time missionary companionships as they teach the lessons and play a vital role in the conversion process of others. Missionaries are “to preach my gospel by the Spirit” 17 with words from their own hearts, words of truth treasured up by much study and prayer. Our missionaries’ roles in the continuing conversion process of others do not end at baptism. They are to continue to teach new members and others who need spiritual nourishment."
( "Strengthen Thy Brethren" : Robert J. Whetten [Liahona, May 2005, 91-93] )
So, to finish Suggestion 1 and to close this particular post [blog entry] I wish to extend my testimony, and heartfully bear with conviction that following the Prophets, the council of our General Authorities as well as sticking to the basics we can and will rise above the relentless assault of Satan. I know this to be true, and leave that with you brethren, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
If you have not taken the chance to go through and "Digest" the greatest amount of wonderful Spiritual Food available on the Church websites, That being http://www.lds.org/ , (*AND*) http://www.mormon.org/ .... Please do so! The information available at http://www.lds.org/ is frequently updated, but not utilized nearly as much as it should be! Below I will outline some suggestions that the Presidency (Of The Elders Quorum In The Plainview Texas Branch) have to better help the individual, the family and entire brethren of the Church- world wide to apply the Gospel to their lives.
Consider this Quote from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, of The Quorum Of The Twelve;
"Jesus said, “Without me ye can do nothing.” I testify that that is God’s truth. Christ is everything to us and we are to “abide” in Him permanently, unyieldingly, steadfastly, forever. For the fruit of the gospel to blossom and bless our lives, we must be firmly attached to Him..."
With that plain explanation in mind, I now show how I feel that the above mentioned sites can better
"help the individual, the family and entire brethren of the Church- world wide to apply the Gospel to their lives."
Suggestion Number 1: The First Presidency Message
As any member of the church knows, we have a monthly magazine called the "Ensign / Liahona" in which one of the members of The First Presidency Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, print an inspirational talk. A message specially delivered through divine revelation needed for the time, (Or month) it is printed in. This is a message in which I have seen in my life, seems to always apply to something going on in my life, or in the life of family or friends both in and out of the church. It never fails to enlighten me;
Is it any wonder why this message is the grounds for our Home Teaching Lessons? Knowing that, is it any wonder why we are to take it and apply it in life and callings as Latter-Day "Scripture" ? Even more phenomenal and amazing to me, is how the first message, for the first Ensign of this new year is a back to basics message.
Although the message for this month, given By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, is labeled Hold on a Little Longer , the message is really all about our ability to hang on with greater diligence if we have followed the council given us by the General Authorities. Before listing the suggestions, allow me to pull out the abundant information that I had available to use this past Sunday (January 3rd, 2010) but had time insufficient to pleasantly discuss it all.
"In a world that is ripening in iniquity (see D&C 18:6),
members of the Church face the challenge of sustaining a pattern of
obedience to gospel principles that will result in their being
increasingly different from the general behavioral trends of the world.
This will require all of the spiritual reinforcement that can be drawn
upon. Prayer, scripture study, participation in worship services, and
the giving of service will become increasingly essential. The influence
of the temple will be important as a part of this spiritual
undergirding." ("The Importance of the Temple for Living Members" By Elder Dean L. Larsen Of the Presidency of the Seventy; Ensign » 1993 » April)
Our strength against the wiles, the anger of others, the pains of persecution, the vast and many fingers of scorn by them whom willingly take housing in Babylon, will reside in our conviction and conversion. The courage to turn off that which is not edifying, to stop reading that that does not enlighten and encourage and to steadfastly remain resolute in our interior knowledge and understanding will be the measure of our ability to live the gospel. I have seen this to be the case in my own life. To best understand this, I'd like to use the words of Nephi:
"And men are instructed sufficiently that they aknow good from evil. And the blaw is given unto men. And by the law no flesh is cjustified; or, by the law men are dcut off. Yea, by the temporal law they were cut off; and also, by the spiritual law they perish from that which is good, and become miserable forever." (2nd Nephi 2: 5)
"Behold, he offereth himself a asacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto bnone else can the cends of the law be answered.
Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, asave it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who blayeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the cresurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise." ( 2nd Nephi 2: 7-8)
Then there is a landmark one-two (boxing metaphor) that follows, saying......
"And because of the intercession for aall, all men come unto God; wherefore, they stand in the presence of him, to be bjudged of him according to the truth and choliness which is in him. Wherefore, the ends of the law which the Holy One hath given, unto the inflicting of the dpunishment which is affixed, which punishment that is affixed is in opposition to that of the happiness which is affixed, to answer the ends of the eatonement— For it must needs be, that there is an aopposition in all things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility. Wherefore, it must needs have been created for a thing of naught; wherefore there would have been no apurpose in the end of its creation. Wherefore, this thing must needs destroy the wisdom of God and his eternal purposes, and also the power, and the mercy, and the bjustice of God. And if ye shall say there is ano law, ye shall also say there is no sin. If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. And if these things are not bthere is no God. And if there is no God we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore, all things must have vanished away" (2nd Nephi 2: 10-13)
I take that all, into this (very short paraphrase) "You've Been Told The Way, You've Been Shown The Way, The Scriptures Have Instructed The Way, You Can (And Must) Walk The Way".
Next, lets visit another statement:
"Nurturing our testimonies and growing in spirit require increased effort as we move up the spiritual ladder. This is hard work, and we are not always willing to pay the price of promised blessings. As we consider the atonement of Jesus Christ, which caused him, “even God, the greatest of all, to … suffer both body and spirit” (D&C 19:18), we can ask ourselves the sobering question, Can we expect to repent of sin, overcome faults, abandon cherished but false beliefs, and grow spiritually as we desire to do without effort commensurate with the growth and blessings we seek?"
"Personal righteousness is a prerequisite to personal revelation and continual spiritual growth. In our zeal to lay a figurative pipeline to heaven, do we sometimes forget the small daily things essential to our spiritual advancement, like prayer, scripture study, acts of service and charity? Can we not be content if our pathway to progress consists of small, almost imperceptible changes associated with regular repentance?" ( "I Have A Question" [Ensign; July 1993, 54-55] )
Getting warmer in understanding? There are many things (Listed above) which are things that need be done as a pre-requisite to having all the strength needed to "Hold On A Little Longer" - [January 2010 First Presidency Message] .
"We know that our physical bodies require certain nutrients to sustain life and to maintain physical and mental health. If we are deprived of those nutrients, our physical and mental vitality are impaired and we have a condition called malnutrition. Malnutrition produces such symptoms as reduced mental functions, digestive disorders, loss of physical strength, and impairment of vision. Good nutrition is especially important for children, whose growing bodies are easily impaired if they lack the nutrients necessary for normal growth. Our spirits also require nourishment. Just as there is food for the body, there is food for the spirit. The consequences of spiritual malnutrition are just as hurtful to our spiritual lives as physical malnutrition is to our physical bodies. Symptoms of spiritual malnutrition include reduced ability to digest spiritual food, reduced spiritual strength, and impairment of spiritual vision. We know the principal sources of spiritual food: prayer, studying the scriptures, attending inspirational meetings, singing the hymns of Zion, serving in our callings, fasting, partaking of the sacrament, and making other covenants, such as in the temple. We also know that some experiences can interfere with the assimilation of spiritual food, just as certain poisons can interfere with obtaining needed physical nourishment from physical food. For example, anything that drives away the Spirit of the Lord, such as pornography, profanity, or anger, will prevent us from obtaining the spiritual nourishment we need from experiences that would normally be effective as spiritual food. Some physical substances, like those forbidden by the Word of Wisdom, are harmful to both body and spirit." ( "Nourishing The Spirit" From An Address Given At Ricks College by Dallin H. Oaks on 13th February 1996 )
What a great bit of information to review, as spoken by Elder Oaks. Sadly, alot of what weakens us, we allow to do so;
One of the most impressive doctrines found in the Book of Mormon is that Satan’s power over a person increases as that person becomes more wicked, until eventually the person is “taken captive by the devil” and bound with the “chains of hell.” (Alma 12:11.) Satan’s method is to influence the thoughts of men, tempting them and enticing them, always working “in the hearts of the children of men.” (2 Ne. 28:20.) Nephi chillingly describes the method: “He whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance.” (2 Ne. 28:22.)
But Satan’s power is not unrestrained. Joseph Smith taught that Satan has no power over us unless we give it to him. (See Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1938, p. 181.) And Nephi explained that the righteousness of a people deprives Satan of his power, “for he hath no power over the hearts of the people, for they dwell in righteousness.” (1 Ne. 22:26.)
Between the extremes of Satan’s power to captivate and his utter powerlessness stretches the spectrum of his ability to entice or tempt. As a being of spirit, he works in the realm of spirit, counterbalanced by the Spirit of God. In this way, free agency is preserved, giving us a choice between good and evil. As Lehi taught, “Man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other.” (2 Ne. 2:16.) If Satan entices us to do evil, so the Holy Spirit “entices” us to virtue. (See Mosiah 3:19.) Free agency demands that neither the Holy Spirit nor the evil spirit have power to control the person against his will.
Each of these forces, being spiritual, works directly on the mind of man—or the heart, as the scriptures call it—until the individual willfully chooses to obey one and ignore the other. Then the balance of power shifts and the person begins to move upward to eternal life or downward to destruction and misery. A person who has elected baptism and received the gift of the Holy Ghost has shifted the balance greatly in favor of God’s influence, whereas a person whose wickedness has caused his conscience to be “seared with a hot iron,” as Paul says (1 Tim. 4:2), may have put himself wholly within the realm of Satan’s influence. The spirit of the Lord may cease to strive with such a person. (See 1 Ne. 7:14.)
In his effort to entice, Satan has great power. As Elder Joseph Fielding Smith taught, “We should be on guard always to resist Satan’s advances. … He has power to place thoughts in our minds and to whisper to us in unspoken impressions to entice us to satisfy our appetites or desires and in various other ways he plays upon our weaknesses and desires.” (Answers to Gospel Questions, comp. Joseph Fielding Smith, Jr., 5 vols., Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1957–66, 3:81.) The temptations we all are subject to often take the form of whisperings and promptings to our minds and hearts. ( See Also “Questions and Answers,” Tambuli, Apr 1985, 29–31 )
Why is it important to know the mysteries of God? President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) explained:
“Of all treasures of knowledge, the most vital is the knowledge of God: his existence, powers, love, and promises. …
“If we spend our mortal days in accumulating secular knowledge to the exclusion of the spiritual then we are in a dead-end street, for this is the time for man to prepare to meet God; this is the time for faith to be built. …
“Secular knowledge, important as it may be, can never save a soul nor open the celestial kingdom” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, edited by Edward L. Kimball [1982], 390).
The knowledge of God and His plan of salvation is the kind of knowledge that saves, and this kind of knowledge can be obtained only in the Lord’s way.
God reveals Himself and His eternal truths—the spiritual food that the scriptures call the bread of life and the living water—to those who seek, who serve, who keep His commandments, and who wait and listen in humility for His teaching. Study and reason are appropriate to begin this process, but “the things of God cannot be learned solely by study and reason. Despite their essential and beneficial uses, the methods of study and reason are insufficient as ways of approaching God and understanding the doctrines of his gospel. We cannot come to know the things of God while rejecting or failing to use the indispensable method God has prescribed to learn these things. The things of God must be learned in his own way, through faith in God and revelation from the Holy Ghost” (Dallin H. Oaks, The Lord’s Way [1991], 56).
Only in this way can we obtain the spiritual illumination, nutrition, and power necessary to teach and transmit faith and testimony.
Gospel learning is usually initiated by study and reason, but so far as I can observe, intellectual methods, standing alone, are not effective in transmitting abiding faith and deep spirituality from one person to another or from one generation to another.
Missionary work will help in this cause, consider this:
"In this great battle for the souls of men, the rules of engagement in missionary work are more clearly defined for each of us. Members are to accompany full-time missionary companionships as they teach the lessons and play a vital role in the conversion process of others. Missionaries are “to preach my gospel by the Spirit” 17 with words from their own hearts, words of truth treasured up by much study and prayer. Our missionaries’ roles in the continuing conversion process of others do not end at baptism. They are to continue to teach new members and others who need spiritual nourishment."
( "Strengthen Thy Brethren" : Robert J. Whetten [Liahona, May 2005, 91-93] )
So, to finish Suggestion 1 and to close this particular post [blog entry] I wish to extend my testimony, and heartfully bear with conviction that following the Prophets, the council of our General Authorities as well as sticking to the basics we can and will rise above the relentless assault of Satan. I know this to be true, and leave that with you brethren, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
"Our Heavenly Father" - Lesson On January 10th, 2010
Our Heavenly Father
“Chapter 1: Our Father in Heaven,”
Gospel Principles, (2009),4–7
There Is a God
-
• What are some things that testify to you that there is a God?
Alma, a Book of Mormon prophet, wrote, “All things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator” (Alma 30:44). We can look up at the sky at night and have an idea of what Alma meant. There are millions of stars and planets, all in perfect order. They did not get there by chance. We can see the work of God in the heavens and on the earth. The many beautiful plants, the many kinds of animals, the mountains, the rivers, the clouds that bring us rain and snow—all these testify to us that there is a God.
The prophets have taught us that God is the Almighty Ruler of the universe. God dwells in heaven (see D&C 20:17). Through His Son, Jesus Christ, He created the heavens and the earth and all things that are in them (see 3 Nephi 9:15; Moses 2:1). He made the moon, the stars, and the sun. He organized this world and gave it form, motion, and life. He filled the air and the water with living things. He covered the hills and plains with all kinds of animal life. He gave us day and night, summer and winter, seedtime and harvest. He made man in His own image to be a ruler over His other creations (see Genesis 1:26–27).
God is the Supreme and Absolute Being in whom we believe and whom we worship. He is “the Great Parent of the universe,” and He “looks upon the whole of the human family with a fatherly care and paternal regard” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 39).
The Nature of God
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• What are some of God’s attributes?
God is perfect. He is a God of righteousness, with attributes such as love, mercy, charity, truth, power, faith, knowledge, and judgment. He has all power. He knows all things. He is full of goodness.
All good things come from God. Everything that He does is to help His children become like Him. He has said, “Behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).
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• Why is it important for us to understand the nature of God?
Coming to Know God
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• How can we come to know God?
The first and greatest commandment is “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart” (Matthew 22:37).
The more we know God, the more we love Him and keep His commandments (see 1 John 2:3–5). By keeping His commandments we can become like Him.
We can know God if we will:
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1. Believe that He exists and that He loves us (see Mosiah 4:9).
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2. Study the scriptures (see 2 Timothy 3:14–17).
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3. Pray to Him (see James 1:5).
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4. Obey all His commandments as best we can (see John 14:21–23).
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• Ponder what you can do to draw nearer to God.
Additional Scriptures
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• Acts 7:55–56 (Son at the right hand of the Father)
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• D&C 88:41–44 (attributes of God)
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• Psalm 24:1 (the earth is the Lord’s)
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• Moses 1:30–39 (Creation)
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• Alma 7:20 (God cannot do wrong)
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• Joseph Smith—History 1:17 (Father and Son are separate beings)
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• Alma 5:40 (good comes from God)
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• John 14:6–9 (Son and Father are alike)
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• Mormon 9:15–20 (God of miracles)
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• Amos 3:7 (God of revelation)
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• John 3:16 (God of love)
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Plainview Texas Branch; Lubbock Stake Announcements;
Sunday, January 3, 2010
The Book Of Helaman
As shown in The Book Of Mormon: Chapter Heading Preamble
An account of the Nephites. Their wars and contentions, and their dissensions. And also the prophecies of many holy prophets, before the coming of Christ, according to the records of Helaman, who was the son of Helaman, and also according to the records of his sons, even down to the coming of Christ. And also many of the Lamanites are converted. An account of their conversion. An account of the righteousness of the Lamanites, and the wickedness and abominations of the Nephites, according to the record of Helaman and his sons, even down to the coming of Christ, which is called the book of Helaman.
It is here, in The Book Of Helaman that we see a heavy establishment of those "Secret Combinations", even those of which the infamous Kishkumen was known for.
Starting in Chapter One, Lets do a year by year breakdown, marking years of righteousness and happiness against those of wickedness or iniquity. The book starts (As stated in verse one, marked by "*" ) in the year 52 B.C. Also referred to in verse one as The "Fortieth year of the reign of the Judges".
Its worth noting here, that things were so horrible, so bad and out of line with the commandments that, at the end of verse one it says; "...there began to be a serious difficulty among the people of the Nephites."
In 91 B.C. (see the end of the book of Mosiah) King Mosiah convinced the people that they did not want a king, nor should they suffer there to be one because not all kings could be accounted for righteous kings.... whether their Fathers raised them or not. A great example of this, is King Noah. King Noah's pride caused his haughtiness and wicked ways to cause heavy burdens on his people. Succession of the Judges were somewhat alright, and with a little chaos here and there. But, for the most part, good. 40 years of the reign of the judges passed (That being the entire book of Alma) and some things start to happen in the ranks of government.
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Plainview Texas Branch; Lubbock Stake Announcements;
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Doctrine & Covenants Section 133
Hello Brethren, this post is the flood of insight and understanding in regards to D & C Section 133. I say "Flood" because it seemed as I read, nearly verse after verse... ( 1 - 74 ) a little "ding" popped into my head and a reference (Whether complete, or small and simple) of scriptures came to mind. I hope that as I follow the instructions of the Quorum of The Twelve (Richard Scott and others; Which said to take notes and write them while fresh in your mind) that you all may be edified and without any misunderstanding. I would even encourage you to pray, even now.
I felt urged all day long to open up to the Doctrine & Covenants, but didn't know why. Heck, I think I need a quick chastisement in not listening to the promptings of the Spirit. But in reading (As this Blog Post Says) D & C 133, I can see some bright insight concerning this new work.... the West Texas "Marvelous Work & Wonder" as petitioned to the Saints here in the Plainview TX Branch by President Shumway and his counselors on December 20th, 2009.
Early on, about Nineteen Months after the Church was organized, (Dated November 3rd, 1831 in Section Heading of 133) there were many whom sought after the instruction of the Lord. Many Elders, both whom had regular callings, and even Elders in the Mission Field, sought after the divine guidance of the Savior as to how best accomplish that of which they had been called to do. Joseph Smith The Prophet then petitioned the Lord, and this Section (133) was the result. Here is what I'd like you to read, and then I'll follow what I felt to be a good understanding.
To respond to those whom asked, The Lord exclaimed:
1 Hearken, O ye people of my church, saith the Lord your God, and hear the word of the Lord concerning you—
5
Go ye out from Babylon. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord.
14
Go ye out from among the nations, even from Babylon, from the midst of wickedness, which is spiritual Babylon.
The Lords command for them (And us as we liken ourselves to the scriptures) could be summed up in saying "Live in the world, but be not of it." My understanding of verse 15 is, that as we flee from the spiritual babylon..... don't leave unprepared. Don't leave yourself vulnerable to the adversary. Prepare! How do we prepare? Consider The words of one of the Latter-Day Prophets.
The late President Spencer W. Kimball defined those drops of oil for us a few years ago when he said:
“There are oils that keep the gospel burning brightly. One type of oil is the oil of family prayer. It illuminates us and makes us bright and cheery but is difficult to obtain at midnight. One drop or two will not keep the lamp burning long. …
“Another type of oil is the oil of fasting. The last midnight is late to start disciplining our lives in preparation for the great day of the Lord. …
“Another oil that is not available at midnight is the indispensable oil of home service. This rare oil of service is accumulated through visits to the sick, through lending a helping hand. …
“There is another oil that all will need—rich or poor, sick or well. Its light is brilliant and increases with use. The more that is used, the more that is left. It is easy to purchase in the day but not available at night. This is the tithing oil.
“There is one … oil that is so precious that without adding it to the other oils no wick will burn. Without it, the light from all the others will dim and go out. This is the oil of chastity.”
One should not flee out into the world without these precious drops of oil. Thats the Savior's caution when (again in verse 15) "... let not your flight be in haste..." We need to prepare well. The caution to not look back, may be similar as the reasons the Lord cautioned Lot, and Lot's wife to not look back. Elder Jeffrey Holland of the Quorum of the twelve, in a BYU speech given... titled his talk:
Remember Lot's Wife
It is Luke 17:32, where the Savior cautions, "Remember Lot's wife."
What did He mean by such an enigmatic little phrase? To find out I suppose we need to do as He suggested.
Let's recall who Lot's wife was.
The original story, of course, comes to us out of the days of Sodom and Gomorrah when the Lord, having had as much as He could stand of the worst that men and women could do, told Lot and
his family to flee because those cities were about to be destroyed. "Escape for thy life," the Lord said, "look not behind thee . . . ; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed" (Genesis 19:17).
With less than immediate obedience and more than a little negotiation, Lot and his family ultimately
did leave town but just in the nick of time. At daybreak the morning following their escape it says, "The Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; and
he overthrew those cities" (Genesis 19:24‐25).
Surely with the Lord's counsel "look not behind thee" ringing clearly in her ears, Lot's wife, the record
says, "looked back," and she was turned to a pillar of salt.
So, if history is this important ‐‐ and it surely is ‐‐ what did Lot's wife do that was so wrong? As something of a student of history, I have thought about that and offer this as a partial answer. Apparently what was wrong with Lot's wife is that she wasn't just looking back, but that in her heart she wanted to go back. It would appear that even before they were past the city limits, she was already missing what Sodom and
Gomorrah had offered her. As Elder Maxwell once said, such people know they should have their primary residence in Zion but they still hope to keep a summer cottage in Babylon. It is possible that Lot's wife looked back with resentment toward the Lord for what He was asking her to leave behind. We know that Laman and Lemuel did when Lehi and his family were commanded to leave Jerusalem. So it isn't just that she looked
back; she looked back longingly. In short, her attachment to the past outweighed her confidence in the future. That,apparently, was at least part of her sin.
Prayer and counsel are needed badly over any and ALL things. I know that to be true brethren, and such is my testimony to you, In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
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I felt urged all day long to open up to the Doctrine & Covenants, but didn't know why. Heck, I think I need a quick chastisement in not listening to the promptings of the Spirit. But in reading (As this Blog Post Says) D & C 133, I can see some bright insight concerning this new work.... the West Texas "Marvelous Work & Wonder" as petitioned to the Saints here in the Plainview TX Branch by President Shumway and his counselors on December 20th, 2009.
Early on, about Nineteen Months after the Church was organized, (Dated November 3rd, 1831 in Section Heading of 133) there were many whom sought after the instruction of the Lord. Many Elders, both whom had regular callings, and even Elders in the Mission Field, sought after the divine guidance of the Savior as to how best accomplish that of which they had been called to do. Joseph Smith The Prophet then petitioned the Lord, and this Section (133) was the result. Here is what I'd like you to read, and then I'll follow what I felt to be a good understanding.
To respond to those whom asked, The Lord exclaimed:
1 Hearken, O ye people of my church, saith the Lord your God, and hear the word of the Lord concerning you—
2
The Lord who shall suddenly come to his temple; the Lord who shall come down upon the world with a curse to judgment; yea, upon all the nations that forget God, and upon all the ungodly among you.
So, the Lord calls attention, then reminds them of their imperfections and even accentuates he will arrive and curse those whom forget Him, and those whom are ungodly. (I take that perhaps as those whom hide sin from the faces of man... or their respective leaders.)
He then continues:
6
Call your solemn assemblies, and speak often one to another. And let every man call upon the name of the Lord.
He encourages the Saints to leave Babylon (Defined in the scriptures as "The World"). When he speaks of being clean vessels, I think he refers to the proper use of and administration in Priesthood Ordinances. (As found in Section 84 of the Doctrine & Covenants) Then verse 6 may easily speak for itself, but consider this as you consider not only the council given us by Elder Webb of The Seventy, but the ideal and mission placed before us by President Shumway! Our Ward Councils need constant and continual edification... to meet frequently. As he said in verse 6 also, "... and speak often one to another." Frequent meetings are needed. AND not only together, but we should also pray fervently; as said in verse 6 also "... Let EVERY man call upon the name of the Lord."
To continue his counsel to those Elders, the Lord reminds them again;
The Lords command for them (And us as we liken ourselves to the scriptures) could be summed up in saying "Live in the world, but be not of it." My understanding of verse 15 is, that as we flee from the spiritual babylon..... don't leave unprepared. Don't leave yourself vulnerable to the adversary. Prepare! How do we prepare? Consider The words of one of the Latter-Day Prophets.
The late President Spencer W. Kimball defined those drops of oil for us a few years ago when he said:
“There are oils that keep the gospel burning brightly. One type of oil is the oil of family prayer. It illuminates us and makes us bright and cheery but is difficult to obtain at midnight. One drop or two will not keep the lamp burning long. …
“Another type of oil is the oil of fasting. The last midnight is late to start disciplining our lives in preparation for the great day of the Lord. …
“Another oil that is not available at midnight is the indispensable oil of home service. This rare oil of service is accumulated through visits to the sick, through lending a helping hand. …
“There is another oil that all will need—rich or poor, sick or well. Its light is brilliant and increases with use. The more that is used, the more that is left. It is easy to purchase in the day but not available at night. This is the tithing oil.
“There is one … oil that is so precious that without adding it to the other oils no wick will burn. Without it, the light from all the others will dim and go out. This is the oil of chastity.”
One should not flee out into the world without these precious drops of oil. Thats the Savior's caution when (again in verse 15) "... let not your flight be in haste..." We need to prepare well. The caution to not look back, may be similar as the reasons the Lord cautioned Lot, and Lot's wife to not look back. Elder Jeffrey Holland of the Quorum of the twelve, in a BYU speech given... titled his talk:
Remember Lot's Wife
It is Luke 17:32, where the Savior cautions, "Remember Lot's wife."
What did He mean by such an enigmatic little phrase? To find out I suppose we need to do as He suggested.
Let's recall who Lot's wife was.
The original story, of course, comes to us out of the days of Sodom and Gomorrah when the Lord, having had as much as He could stand of the worst that men and women could do, told Lot and
his family to flee because those cities were about to be destroyed. "Escape for thy life," the Lord said, "look not behind thee . . . ; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed" (Genesis 19:17).
With less than immediate obedience and more than a little negotiation, Lot and his family ultimately
did leave town but just in the nick of time. At daybreak the morning following their escape it says, "The Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; and
he overthrew those cities" (Genesis 19:24‐25).
Surely with the Lord's counsel "look not behind thee" ringing clearly in her ears, Lot's wife, the record
says, "looked back," and she was turned to a pillar of salt.
So, if history is this important ‐‐ and it surely is ‐‐ what did Lot's wife do that was so wrong? As something of a student of history, I have thought about that and offer this as a partial answer. Apparently what was wrong with Lot's wife is that she wasn't just looking back, but that in her heart she wanted to go back. It would appear that even before they were past the city limits, she was already missing what Sodom and
Gomorrah had offered her. As Elder Maxwell once said, such people know they should have their primary residence in Zion but they still hope to keep a summer cottage in Babylon. It is possible that Lot's wife looked back with resentment toward the Lord for what He was asking her to leave behind. We know that Laman and Lemuel did when Lehi and his family were commanded to leave Jerusalem. So it isn't just that she looked
back; she looked back longingly. In short, her attachment to the past outweighed her confidence in the future. That,apparently, was at least part of her sin.
Prayer and counsel are needed badly over any and ALL things. I know that to be true brethren, and such is my testimony to you, In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
******************************************************
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