Friday, February 27, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Here's some good scriptures I read this week...
Jacob 3:2
"O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love; for ye may, if your minds are firm, forever."
2 Nephi 7:9-11
"For the Lord God will help me. And all they who shall condemn me, behold, all they shall wax old as a garment, and the moth shall eat them up.
Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness and hath no light?
Behold all ye that kindle fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks, walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks which ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand--ye shall lie down in sorrow."
Do you see what they all have in common? They are telling me that the Lord is there for me. His love is available to me. I should not try to rely on my own self for everything, but accept His spirit as my guide.
"O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love; for ye may, if your minds are firm, forever."
2 Nephi 7:9-11
"For the Lord God will help me. And all they who shall condemn me, behold, all they shall wax old as a garment, and the moth shall eat them up.
Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness and hath no light?
Behold all ye that kindle fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks, walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks which ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand--ye shall lie down in sorrow."
Do you see what they all have in common? They are telling me that the Lord is there for me. His love is available to me. I should not try to rely on my own self for everything, but accept His spirit as my guide.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Here are some good quotes from my lesson...
I taught about The Spirit of Revelation yesterday. The story of Oliver Cowdery is so beneficial for all of us. He wanted to translate the Book of Mormon, but he wasn't successful. After his failed attempt to translate, the Lord told him not to ask for that which he ought not, and to be happy with being a scribe for the time being. He was going to translate other records (if I understand that right in section 8 vs 11)I wonder what he would have translated if he hadn't feared.
This story has a message for all of us. We need to be happy in the field where our Father has called us to serve. We need to go forward with the work and not stop or falter. And if we ask for a spiritual gift, we need to do the hard work to cultivate it.
Here are some good quotes about Revelation from my lesson.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve taught: “Visions do happen. Voices are heard from beyond the veil. I know this. But these experiences are exceptional. … Most of the revelation that comes to leaders and members of the Church comes by the still, small voice or by a feeling rather than by a vision or a voice that speaks specific words we can hear. I testify to the reality of that kind of revelation, which I have come to know as a familiar, even daily, experience to guide me in the work of the Lord”
President Boyd K. Packer explained: “This burning in the bosom is not purely a physical sensation. It is more like a warm light shining within your being”
Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve taught:
“When we seek inspiration to help make decisions, the Lord gives gentle promptings. These require us to think, to exercise faith, to work, to struggle at times, and to act. Seldom does the whole answer to a decisively important matter or complex problem come all at once. More often, it comes a piece at a time, without the end in sight”
“The Lord will speak to us through the Spirit in his own time and in his own way. Many people do not understand this principle. They believe that when they are ready and when it suits their convenience, they can call upon the Lord and he will immediately respond, even in the precise way they have prescribed. Revelation does not come that way. …
“The principle stated in [D&C 88:68] applies to every communication from our Heavenly Father: ‘It shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will.’ We cannot force spiritual things”
Elder Boyd K. Packer counseled:
“Sometimes you may struggle with a problem and not get an answer. What could be wrong? It may be that you are not doing anything wrong. It may be that you have not done the right things long enough. Remember, you cannot force spiritual things. Sometimes we are confused simply because we won’t take no for an answer. …
“Put difficult questions in the back of your minds and go about your lives. Ponder and pray quietly and persistently about them.
“The answer may not come as a lightning bolt. It may come as a little inspiration here and a little there, ‘line upon line, precept upon precept’ (D&C 98:12).
“Some answers will come from reading the scriptures, some from hearing speakers. And, occasionally, when it is important, some will come by very direct and powerful inspiration. The promptings will be clear and unmistakable"
President Joseph F. Smith’s account of how he received his testimony:
“When I as a boy first started out in the ministry, I would frequently go out and ask the Lord to show me some marvelous thing, in order that I might receive a testimony. But the Lord withheld marvels from me, and showed me the truth, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little, until he made me to know the truth from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet, and until doubt and fear had been absolutely purged from me. He did not have to send an angel from the heavens to do this, nor did he have to speak with the trump of an archangel. By the whisperings of the still small voice of the Spirit of the living God, he gave to me the testimony I possess. And by this principle and power he will give to all the children of men a knowledge of the truth”
I really got a lot out of this lesson. I don't really give a lot of thought to receiving revelation, but now I will try to recognize it better, and be more in tune.
I wanted to tell you all of a spiritual experience I had recently. I went to the temple in December and sat in the Celestial room for a long while after my session. I was praying for guidance on how to proceed in my life. I wanted to be better, but I didn't know where to start. I'm just so tired and overworked all the time, and my mind is so cloudy.
I was expecting to feel the Spirit and have some kind of inspiration there in the temple, but it didn't come. I left frustrated, and wondering what I was doing wrong in my life that I would not be able to feel the answer come to me.
Well, now it is a few weeks later, and I have been making such progress in my life during that time! I know I could never have done all that I've done to change my life on my own. I know it has been the inspiration of the Lord that is the reason I was able to do it all, along with some hard work and perseverance on my part. We really must move forward if we want to take advantage of the things the Lord has to give us. Sometimes the answer to our prayers comes a little at a time over a period the Lord determines.
This story has a message for all of us. We need to be happy in the field where our Father has called us to serve. We need to go forward with the work and not stop or falter. And if we ask for a spiritual gift, we need to do the hard work to cultivate it.
Here are some good quotes about Revelation from my lesson.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve taught: “Visions do happen. Voices are heard from beyond the veil. I know this. But these experiences are exceptional. … Most of the revelation that comes to leaders and members of the Church comes by the still, small voice or by a feeling rather than by a vision or a voice that speaks specific words we can hear. I testify to the reality of that kind of revelation, which I have come to know as a familiar, even daily, experience to guide me in the work of the Lord”
President Boyd K. Packer explained: “This burning in the bosom is not purely a physical sensation. It is more like a warm light shining within your being”
Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve taught:
“When we seek inspiration to help make decisions, the Lord gives gentle promptings. These require us to think, to exercise faith, to work, to struggle at times, and to act. Seldom does the whole answer to a decisively important matter or complex problem come all at once. More often, it comes a piece at a time, without the end in sight”
“The Lord will speak to us through the Spirit in his own time and in his own way. Many people do not understand this principle. They believe that when they are ready and when it suits their convenience, they can call upon the Lord and he will immediately respond, even in the precise way they have prescribed. Revelation does not come that way. …
“The principle stated in [D&C 88:68] applies to every communication from our Heavenly Father: ‘It shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will.’ We cannot force spiritual things”
Elder Boyd K. Packer counseled:
“Sometimes you may struggle with a problem and not get an answer. What could be wrong? It may be that you are not doing anything wrong. It may be that you have not done the right things long enough. Remember, you cannot force spiritual things. Sometimes we are confused simply because we won’t take no for an answer. …
“Put difficult questions in the back of your minds and go about your lives. Ponder and pray quietly and persistently about them.
“The answer may not come as a lightning bolt. It may come as a little inspiration here and a little there, ‘line upon line, precept upon precept’ (D&C 98:12).
“Some answers will come from reading the scriptures, some from hearing speakers. And, occasionally, when it is important, some will come by very direct and powerful inspiration. The promptings will be clear and unmistakable"
President Joseph F. Smith’s account of how he received his testimony:
“When I as a boy first started out in the ministry, I would frequently go out and ask the Lord to show me some marvelous thing, in order that I might receive a testimony. But the Lord withheld marvels from me, and showed me the truth, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little, until he made me to know the truth from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet, and until doubt and fear had been absolutely purged from me. He did not have to send an angel from the heavens to do this, nor did he have to speak with the trump of an archangel. By the whisperings of the still small voice of the Spirit of the living God, he gave to me the testimony I possess. And by this principle and power he will give to all the children of men a knowledge of the truth”
I really got a lot out of this lesson. I don't really give a lot of thought to receiving revelation, but now I will try to recognize it better, and be more in tune.
I wanted to tell you all of a spiritual experience I had recently. I went to the temple in December and sat in the Celestial room for a long while after my session. I was praying for guidance on how to proceed in my life. I wanted to be better, but I didn't know where to start. I'm just so tired and overworked all the time, and my mind is so cloudy.
I was expecting to feel the Spirit and have some kind of inspiration there in the temple, but it didn't come. I left frustrated, and wondering what I was doing wrong in my life that I would not be able to feel the answer come to me.
Well, now it is a few weeks later, and I have been making such progress in my life during that time! I know I could never have done all that I've done to change my life on my own. I know it has been the inspiration of the Lord that is the reason I was able to do it all, along with some hard work and perseverance on my part. We really must move forward if we want to take advantage of the things the Lord has to give us. Sometimes the answer to our prayers comes a little at a time over a period the Lord determines.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Kudos to Ang
I have to give Ang some kudos because I noticed that Sally made a determination to be 100 percent honest from now on. I know it is because Angela has been working on her the past few months (and years), so good for you Ang. And I also wanted to add that I believe the correct way to handle Sally is the way that Joseph Smith taught. Listen to this (from Joseph Smith History in the Pearl of Great Price)
"During the space of time which intervened between the time I had the vision and the year eighteen hundred and twenty-three—having been forbidden to join any of the religious sects of the day, and being of very tender years, and persecuted by those who ought to have been my friends and to have treated me kindly, and if they supposed me to be deluded to have endeavored in a proper and affectionate manner to have reclaimed me—I was left to all kinds of temptations; and, mingling with all kinds of society, I frequently fell into many foolish errors, and displayed the weakness of youth, and the foibles of human nature; which, I am sorry to say, led me into divers temptations, offensive in the sight of God."
We are to treat her kindly and try in an affectionate manner to reclaim her. This is no time to abandon her emotionally and withdraw our love, even if that is the first reaction that we naturally want to display. We must fight against the devil and his angels who have Sally in their clutches, and it is by kindness, and love unfeigned that we can accomplish this. I encourage all readers of this blog to call her often, email her, or anything else you can think of, and especially to pray for her. She needs our support in this critical time.
"During the space of time which intervened between the time I had the vision and the year eighteen hundred and twenty-three—having been forbidden to join any of the religious sects of the day, and being of very tender years, and persecuted by those who ought to have been my friends and to have treated me kindly, and if they supposed me to be deluded to have endeavored in a proper and affectionate manner to have reclaimed me—I was left to all kinds of temptations; and, mingling with all kinds of society, I frequently fell into many foolish errors, and displayed the weakness of youth, and the foibles of human nature; which, I am sorry to say, led me into divers temptations, offensive in the sight of God."
We are to treat her kindly and try in an affectionate manner to reclaim her. This is no time to abandon her emotionally and withdraw our love, even if that is the first reaction that we naturally want to display. We must fight against the devil and his angels who have Sally in their clutches, and it is by kindness, and love unfeigned that we can accomplish this. I encourage all readers of this blog to call her often, email her, or anything else you can think of, and especially to pray for her. She needs our support in this critical time.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
I learned something new
I'm reading a great book that said you need to let God into all parts of yourself. You need to pray and talk to Him about all your values, passions, emotions,hurts,loves,motives,sins,talents and preferences/opinions. It makes sense because it allows Him to help us more. He has many things available to us such as strength & power, knowledge & wisdom, opportunities & resources, guidance & direction, healing & comfort, forgiveness & acceptance, skill & ability, love & community, hope & courage, values & principles.
I really want to work on this, so this morning I prayed and talked a lot about the problem with my husband's weight. I told the Lord what the problem was, how I felt about it, my whole point of view. I then asked for forgiveness for the unkind thoughts and feelings I'd been having, and asked for His help in dealing with it in a better way, and knowledge of what I should be doing to help the situation. I felt so much better just getting all that out of my system. I know we all should be praying this way, because it sure goes a long way in being a peacemaker.
I really want to work on this, so this morning I prayed and talked a lot about the problem with my husband's weight. I told the Lord what the problem was, how I felt about it, my whole point of view. I then asked for forgiveness for the unkind thoughts and feelings I'd been having, and asked for His help in dealing with it in a better way, and knowledge of what I should be doing to help the situation. I felt so much better just getting all that out of my system. I know we all should be praying this way, because it sure goes a long way in being a peacemaker.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
I just had to post this great quote:
President George Q. Cannon testified that every
man has power enough to resist Satan. “The Lord our
God has sent us here to get experience in these things
so that we may know the good from the evil and be
able to close our hearts against the evil. . . . It is true
that some have greater power of resistance than
others, but everyone has the power to close his heart
against doubt, against darkness, against unbelief,
against depression, against anger, against hatred,
against jealousy, against malice, against envy. God
has given this power unto all of us, and we can gain
still greater power by calling upon Him for that
which we lack. If it were not so, how could we be
condemned for giving way to wrong influences?
“There could be no condemnation for our doing
what we could not help; but we can help yielding to
wrong influences and being quarrelsome and selfish.
We can help giving way to the spirit of theft, and we
can resist the spirit of lust. God has given us power
to resist these things, that our hearts may be kept
free from them and also from doubt; and when Satan
comes and assails us, it is our privilege to say, ‘Get
thee behind me, Satan, for I have no lot nor portion
in you, and you have no part in me. I am in the
service of God, and I am going to serve Him, and
you can do what you please. It is no use you
presenting yourself with your blandishments to me.
You come and try to insinuate into my heart evil
thoughts about the servants of God or about the
work of God, and I will not listen to you; I will close
my heart against you. . . .’
“Whenever darkness fills our minds, we may
know that we are not possessed of the Spirit of God,
and we must get rid of it. When we are filled with the
Spirit of God, we are filled with joy, with peace and
with happiness no matter what our circumstances
may be; for it is a spirit of cheerfulness and of
happiness.” (Gospel Truth, 1:19–20.)
man has power enough to resist Satan. “The Lord our
God has sent us here to get experience in these things
so that we may know the good from the evil and be
able to close our hearts against the evil. . . . It is true
that some have greater power of resistance than
others, but everyone has the power to close his heart
against doubt, against darkness, against unbelief,
against depression, against anger, against hatred,
against jealousy, against malice, against envy. God
has given this power unto all of us, and we can gain
still greater power by calling upon Him for that
which we lack. If it were not so, how could we be
condemned for giving way to wrong influences?
“There could be no condemnation for our doing
what we could not help; but we can help yielding to
wrong influences and being quarrelsome and selfish.
We can help giving way to the spirit of theft, and we
can resist the spirit of lust. God has given us power
to resist these things, that our hearts may be kept
free from them and also from doubt; and when Satan
comes and assails us, it is our privilege to say, ‘Get
thee behind me, Satan, for I have no lot nor portion
in you, and you have no part in me. I am in the
service of God, and I am going to serve Him, and
you can do what you please. It is no use you
presenting yourself with your blandishments to me.
You come and try to insinuate into my heart evil
thoughts about the servants of God or about the
work of God, and I will not listen to you; I will close
my heart against you. . . .’
“Whenever darkness fills our minds, we may
know that we are not possessed of the Spirit of God,
and we must get rid of it. When we are filled with the
Spirit of God, we are filled with joy, with peace and
with happiness no matter what our circumstances
may be; for it is a spirit of cheerfulness and of
happiness.” (Gospel Truth, 1:19–20.)
Some deep thoughts and questions - from Angela
Ok, I went to the Draper Temple open house and I have some deep thoughts and wonderings as a result. I saw the beautiful temple and I was trying to see it differently from the million $ plus houses that surrounded it. As the bus was pulling in I saw a "luxury house" for sale on the north side of the temple. I overheard the bus driver reading the sign - "8800 square feet luxury house for sale, that's HUGE" - he said to the boy that was a tour guide - I was sitting in the front seat. I said - "Yeah and only 2 people will live there probably". He agreed. That's all I said, but it impacted me so much. I saw all the finery of the temple and I struggled to see it differently from the scene of high end real estate... EXCLUSIVE real estate. The root word of exclusive is exclude. It implies that there are huge numbers of people left out and you are exclusive and above them.
Ok, so here is the wondering... Christ wasn't about luxury when he lived. That is an understatement. But I'm supposed to believe that now He is, right? Which is fine if that is true. But if it is true, then why am I excluded. Should I want to have an immaculate and expensive house like David and Amber do, for example. (I use that as an example only because they have the nicest house of anyone I am personally acquainted with) Should I be striving for a house like that? Should I consider my home unworthy of the Spirit because it doesn't look more like the Temple? Am I left out of the Celestial Kingdom because in this life I didn't learn how to live in a fine house and keep it clean and immaculate like the Temple? I'm sure the Cel. King. is immaculate like the Temple and I won't have learned how to live like that and so I won't be worthy or able to be there, right?
Which leads us to the next wondering. ALL the Gen. Authorites have luxury cars I am sure and luxury houses. You should see the parking garage of the Church Office Building for example. I go occasionally because Kevin works there and we cut through to go to the cafeteria in the C. office Bldg. I always get sick inside when I see the new, luxury cars and all of them over the top luxury. Can people be humble and filthy rich????? Why do I have this continual conflict when it comes to riches??? What does it all mean? What really matters? Did Christ command people in the scriptures somewhere to seek and obtain riches as church members in the last days in order to be righteous and worthy of Him and the high callings in the church?? Is it His will for His people to be rich and live in 8800 sq. feet houses furnished with all the finery? If it is, then I am left out and I don 't understand the gospel. Can you be RICH and RIGHTEOUS???
Why are all the Ge. Auth. so wealthy. Kevin tries to say that Elder Packer isn't wealthy for instance because he was in the church ed. system. I don't know what to make of it all. Dad..help me figure it all out!!! Shouldn't we be trying to be like Christ? What, while the rest of the church waxes great in riches and they are right too? Who is right here??? Dad, do you somehow think to "earn" a reward for your poverty/humility? HELP!
Ok, so here is the wondering... Christ wasn't about luxury when he lived. That is an understatement. But I'm supposed to believe that now He is, right? Which is fine if that is true. But if it is true, then why am I excluded. Should I want to have an immaculate and expensive house like David and Amber do, for example. (I use that as an example only because they have the nicest house of anyone I am personally acquainted with) Should I be striving for a house like that? Should I consider my home unworthy of the Spirit because it doesn't look more like the Temple? Am I left out of the Celestial Kingdom because in this life I didn't learn how to live in a fine house and keep it clean and immaculate like the Temple? I'm sure the Cel. King. is immaculate like the Temple and I won't have learned how to live like that and so I won't be worthy or able to be there, right?
Which leads us to the next wondering. ALL the Gen. Authorites have luxury cars I am sure and luxury houses. You should see the parking garage of the Church Office Building for example. I go occasionally because Kevin works there and we cut through to go to the cafeteria in the C. office Bldg. I always get sick inside when I see the new, luxury cars and all of them over the top luxury. Can people be humble and filthy rich????? Why do I have this continual conflict when it comes to riches??? What does it all mean? What really matters? Did Christ command people in the scriptures somewhere to seek and obtain riches as church members in the last days in order to be righteous and worthy of Him and the high callings in the church?? Is it His will for His people to be rich and live in 8800 sq. feet houses furnished with all the finery? If it is, then I am left out and I don 't understand the gospel. Can you be RICH and RIGHTEOUS???
Why are all the Ge. Auth. so wealthy. Kevin tries to say that Elder Packer isn't wealthy for instance because he was in the church ed. system. I don't know what to make of it all. Dad..help me figure it all out!!! Shouldn't we be trying to be like Christ? What, while the rest of the church waxes great in riches and they are right too? Who is right here??? Dad, do you somehow think to "earn" a reward for your poverty/humility? HELP!
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