"Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God."
--Joseph Smith Jr.
" And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.
Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will."
--D&C 88: 67-68
Brigham Young described how he sacrificed to respond to the Prophet’s call to gather:
“When we arrived in Kirtland [in September 1833], if any man that ever did gather with the Saints was any poorer than I was—it was because he had nothing. … I had two children to take care of—that was all. I was a widower. ‘Brother Brigham, had you any shoes?’ No; not a shoe to my foot, except a pair of borrowed boots. I had no winter clothing, except a homemade coat that I had had three or four years. ‘Any pantaloons?’ No. ‘What did you do? Did you go without?’ No; I borrowed a pair to wear till I could get another pair. I had travelled and preached and given away every dollar of my property. I was worth a little property when I started to preach. … I had traveled and preached until I had nothing left to gather with; but Joseph said: ‘come up;’ and I went up the best I could.”
Monday, March 23, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
A time for spiritual experiences...
I have been praying for missionary opportunities, and they are coming to me... I thought I would share one of them with you. Last week or so I found out about the "mormon messages" from the LDS website. I saw one called "memories from my childhood" by Pres. Hinckley, and watched it. I wanted to share it with someone, so I went to my list of email addresses and saw that the only one on there who was not already a member of our church was Lori Redfern. I email her once in a while because we were pretty close when I worked at Sonic. So I sent her a message with a link to that mormon message. I was hoping it would not offend her. I never heard back from her.
I prayed last night that I would have a missionary experience today if there was anyone I could reach out to. This morning I was taking my shower when a thought came into my mind about Uncle Dennis. I remembered his face. I thought of how kind and loving his countenance was. I had a thought that I should email Lori and tell her I remembered her Dad kindly this morning, but I didn't do it.
I was out doing yard work, when out of the blue, the thought came again that I should email Lori. I didn't do it.
Then I was in the kitchen fixing lunch for the kids when again (out of the blue sky) my thoughts returned to Uncle Dennis and that email. I decided that I wasn't going to delay anymore because this was definately the spirit, or Uncle Dennis, prompting me. So I wrote Lori:
Hey Lori,
I just wanted to say Hello. This morning I was doing my chores around the house, and I started to remember your Dad and how nice he had been to me when I was little. I always remember him having such a kind look in his eyes. He had a very kind and loving countenance. I remembered how he would pick me up and give me a hug and then tickle and tease me in true Fuller fashion. He, Uncle Jerry and Uncle Darrel were always so nice like that. You are blessed to have had such a loving father.
Love you
Julie
I prayed last night that I would have a missionary experience today if there was anyone I could reach out to. This morning I was taking my shower when a thought came into my mind about Uncle Dennis. I remembered his face. I thought of how kind and loving his countenance was. I had a thought that I should email Lori and tell her I remembered her Dad kindly this morning, but I didn't do it.
I was out doing yard work, when out of the blue, the thought came again that I should email Lori. I didn't do it.
Then I was in the kitchen fixing lunch for the kids when again (out of the blue sky) my thoughts returned to Uncle Dennis and that email. I decided that I wasn't going to delay anymore because this was definately the spirit, or Uncle Dennis, prompting me. So I wrote Lori:
Hey Lori,
I just wanted to say Hello. This morning I was doing my chores around the house, and I started to remember your Dad and how nice he had been to me when I was little. I always remember him having such a kind look in his eyes. He had a very kind and loving countenance. I remembered how he would pick me up and give me a hug and then tickle and tease me in true Fuller fashion. He, Uncle Jerry and Uncle Darrel were always so nice like that. You are blessed to have had such a loving father.
Love you
Julie
Monday, March 2, 2009
A good quote from my lesson...
President Wilford Woodruff told of a meeting in which the Prophet Joseph Smith prophesied of the Church’s growth. The meeting was in “a small house, perhaps 14 feet square. But it held the whole of the Priesthood of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who were then in the town of Kirtland, and who had gathered together to go off in Zion’s camp.” After several of the men had borne their testimonies of the work, the Prophet said:
“Brethren I have been very much edified and instructed in your testimonies here tonight, but I want to say to you before the Lord, that you know no more concerning the destinies of this Church and kingdom than a babe upon its mother’s lap. You don’t comprehend it. … It is only a little handful of Priesthood you see here tonight, but this Church will fill North and South America—it will fill the world” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1898, 57).
That's a good quote! That prophesy has been fulfilled in large measure, don't you guys think so? And if it's going to fill the world, we still have a while yet to go, don't we...
“Brethren I have been very much edified and instructed in your testimonies here tonight, but I want to say to you before the Lord, that you know no more concerning the destinies of this Church and kingdom than a babe upon its mother’s lap. You don’t comprehend it. … It is only a little handful of Priesthood you see here tonight, but this Church will fill North and South America—it will fill the world” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1898, 57).
That's a good quote! That prophesy has been fulfilled in large measure, don't you guys think so? And if it's going to fill the world, we still have a while yet to go, don't we...
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)