tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457175775973623952024-03-12T17:56:17.381-07:00Mesa East Stake InstituteBook of Mormon--Fall 2010jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01313127576303289593noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645717577597362395.post-23877675699693787792011-04-28T10:29:00.000-07:002011-04-28T10:29:00.565-07:00Moroni 7-10<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Quotes of the Week:</span></div>Try reading the Book of Mormon because you want to, not because you have to. Discover for yourself that it is true.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--Richard G. Scott,<i> Ensign</i>, 11/03</div><br />
To gain unshakable faith in Jesus Christ is to flood your life with brilliant light.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--Richard G. Scott, <i>Ensign</i>, 11/91, 86 </div><div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Further Reading:</span></div>M. Russell Ballard, “Finding Joy through Loving Service,” April 2011<br />
Steven E. Snow, “Hope,” April 2011<br />
Joseph B. Wirthlin, “The Virtue of Kindness,” <i>Ensign,</i> 5/05<br />
Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Ministry of Angels,” <i>Ensign,</i> 11/08<br />
Susan Easton Black, “Names for Christ in the Book of Mormon,” <i>Ensign</i>, 7/78, 60-61 <br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">Handouts:</span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Moroni 7:12-19—Light of Christ</span></div>Joseph Fielding Smith, <i>Doctrines of Salvation,</i> 1:49-50<br />
The Holy Ghost should not be confused with the Spirit [light of Christ] which fills the immensity of space and which is everywhere present. This other Spirit is impersonal and has no size, nor dimension; it proceeds forth from the presence of the Father and the Son and is in all things.<br />
<br />
<i>Statement of the First Presidency regarding God’s Love for All Mankind</i>, 2/15/1978<br />
The great religious leaders of the world such as Mohammed, Confucius, and the Reformers, as well as philosophers including Socrates, Plato, and others, received a portion of God’s light. Moral truths were given to them by God to enlighten whole nations and to bring a higher level of understanding to individuals. . ..<br />
We believe that God has given and will give to all peoples sufficient knowledge to help them on their way to eternal salvation.<br />
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Boyd K. Packer, “To Learn with Joy,” <i> The Book of Mormon: Jacob through Words of Mormon,</i> 3-4<br />
This knowledge of right and wrong, is called the light of Christ, moral sense, or conscience, it moderates our actions unless, that is, we subdue it or destroy it. . . . It affirms. . . the reality of good and evil, justice, mercy, honor, courage, faith, love, and virtue, as well as their necessary opposites, hatred, greed, brutality, and jealousy.<br />
<br />
Robert D. Hales, <i>Ensign,</i> 5/02, 70<br />
Each of us brings a light to the earth—the Light of Christ. . . .<br />
By using the Light of Christ to discern and choose what is right, we can be led to an even greater light: the gift of the Holy Ghost.<br />
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<div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Moroni 7:17—Inspiration</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Boyd K. Packer,<i> Ensign, </i>1/83, 55-56</div><div style="color: #45818e;">The spiritual part of us and the emotional part of us are so closely linked that it is possible to mistake an emotional impulse for something spiritual. We occasionally find people who receive what they assume to be spiritual promptings from God, when those promptings are either centered in the emotions or are from the adversary.</div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Moroni 7:29-31—Angels</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Bruce C. Hafen, <i>Ensign</i>, 4/92, 16</div><div style="color: #45818e;">When do angels come? If we seek to be worthy, they are near us when we need them most.</div><br />
Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Ministry of Angels,”<i> Ensign, </i>11/08<br />
Usually such beings are not seen. Sometimes they are. But seen or unseen they are always near. Sometimes their assignments are very grand and have significance for the whole world. Sometimes the messages are more private. Occasionally the angelic purpose is to warn. But most often it is to comfort, to provide some form of merciful attention, guidance in difficult times. . . . <br />
not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with—here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods. Some of them gave birth to us, and in my case, one of them consented to marry me. Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind. . . . <br />
I testify that angels are still sent to help us, even as they were sent to help Adam and Eve, to help the prophets, and indeed to help the Savior of the world Himself.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Moroni 7:40-44--Hope</span></div>Steven E. Snow, “Hope,” April 2011<br />
Hope is an emotion which brings richness to our everyday lives. . . . Hope brings a certain calming influence to our lives as we confidently look forward to future events. . . .<br />
Our hope in the Atonement empowers us with eternal perspective. Such perspective allows us to look beyond the here and now on into the promise of the eternities. We don’t have to be trapped in the narrow confines of society’s fickle expectations. We are free to look forward to celestial glory, sealed to our family and loved ones.<br />
<br />
Elder Russell M. Nelson, “A More Excellent Hope,” <i>Ensign,</i> Feb. 1997, 61<br />
Faith is rooted in Jesus Christ. Hope centers in the Atonement. Charity is manifest in the ‘pure love of Christ.’ These three attributes are intertwined like strands in a cable and may not always be precisely distinguished. Together they become our tether to the celestial kingdom.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Moroni 7:43-44--Meek</span></div>Neal A. Maxwell, “Meekly Drenched in Destiny,”<i> BYU Devotional Speeches 1983,</i> 2<br />
[Meekness] is the presentation of self in a posture of <i>kindness</i> and <i>gentleness.</i> It reflects certitude, strength, serenity; it reflects a healthy self-esteem and a genuine self-control.<br />
<br />
Howard W. Hunter, <i>Ensign</i>, 5/93, 64-65<br />
And what of the meek? In a world too preoccupied with winning through intimidation and seeking to be number one, no large crowd of folk is standing in line to buy books that call for mere meekness. But the meek shall inherit the earth, a pretty impressive corporate takeover—and done <i>without</i> intimidation! . . .. Every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that gentleness is better than brutality, that kindness is greater than coercion, that the soft voice turneth away wrath.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Moroni 7:45-47--Charity</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;">M. Russell Ballard, Finding Joy through Loving Service, April 2011</div><div style="color: #45818e;">When this pure love of Christ—or charity—envelops us, we think, feel, and act more like Heavenly Father and Jesus would think, feel, and act. Our motivation and heartfelt desire are like unto that of the Savior.</div><div style="color: #45818e;">. . . Brothers and sisters, may I reemphasize that the most important attribute of Heavenly Father and of His Beloved Son that we should desire and seek to possess within our lives is the gift of charity, “the pure love of Christ” (Moroni 7:47). From this gift springs our capacity to love and to serve others as the Savior did.</div><br />
<div style="color: #45818e;">M. Russell Ballard, <i>Ensign</i>, 11/92, 33</div><div style="color: #45818e;">Working together, these three eternal principles will help give us the broad eternal perspective we need to face life’s toughest challenges, including the prophesied ordeals of the last days. Real faith fosters hope for the future; it allows us to look beyond ourselves and demonstrate the pure love of Christ through daily acts of obedience and Christian service.</div><br />
Marvin J. Ashton, <i>Ensign,</i> 5/92, 19<br />
Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again. . . . <br />
Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other.<br />
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Dallin H. Oaks,<i> Ensign</i>, 11/00, 34<br />
Charity . . . is not an <i>act</i> but a <i>condition</i> or state of being. Charity is attained through a succession of acts that result in a conversion. Charity is something one becomes.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Moroni 9:18-20--Past Feeling</span></div>Neal A. Maxwell, <i>A Time to Choose,</i> [1972], 59<br />
When we become too encrusted with error, our spiritual antennae wilt and we slip beyond mortal reach.<br />
<br />
Boyd K. Packer, <i>Ensign</i>, 11/91, 22<br />
This trend to more noise, more excitement, more contention, less restraint, less dignity, less formality is not coincidental nor innocent nor harmless. . . . <br />
Irreverence suits the purposes of the adversary by obstructing the delicate channels of revelation in both mind and spirit.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Moroni 10:3-5--The Promise</span></span></div>Henry B. Eyring, “Always,” <i>Ensign</i>, 10/99, 9-10<br />
My message is a plea, a warning, and a promise: I plead with you to do with determination the simple things that will move you forward spiritually.<br />
Start with remembering Him. You will remember what you know and what you love. The Savior gave us the scriptures, paid for by prophets at a price we cannot measure, so that we could know Him. Lose yourself in them. Decide now to read more, and more effectively than you have ever done before.<br />
<br />
Boyd K. Packer, <i>Ensign,</i> 5/05, 6-8<br />
My experience has been that a testimony does not burst upon us suddenly. Rather, it grows. . . <br />
Do not be disappointed if you have read and reread and yet have not received a powerful witness. You may be somewhat like the disciples spoken of in the Book of Mormon who were filled with the power of God in great glory “and they knew it not” (3 Nephi 9:20).<br />
Do the best you can.<br />
<br />
Boyd K. Packer, <i>Ensign,</i> 5/86, 61<br />
No missionary, no member can fulfill that promise—neither Apostle nor President can fulfill that promise. It is a promise of direct revelation to you on the conditions described in the book. After you have read the Book of Mormon, you become qualified to inquire of the Lord, in the way that He prescribes in the book as to whether the book is true. You will be eligible, on the conditions He has established, to receive that personal revelation. <br />
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Gordon B. Hinckley, <i>Be Thou and Example</i>, p. 103-05<br />
If there are miracles among us, certainly one of them is this book. . . . They may discount our theology. But they cannot in honesty dismiss the Book of Mormon. It is here. They can feel it. They can read it. They can weigh its substance and its content. They can witness its influence. . .. <br />
If the Book of Mormon is true, then God lives. . .. <br />
If the Book of Mormon is true, then Jesus is the Son of God, the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh. . . . <br />
If the Book of Mormon is true, then Jesus is verily our Redeemer, the Savior of the world. . .. <br />
If the Book of Mormon is true, then this land is choice above all other lands; but if it is to remain such, the inhabitants of the land must worship the God of the land, the Lord Jesus Christ. . . .<br />
If the Book of Mormon is true, Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. . .. <br />
If this book is true, . .. . [we have a living prophet]. . . .<br />
If the Book of Mormon is true, the Church is true.<br />
<br />
L. Aldin Porter, <i>Ensign,</i> 5/01, 31-32 (emphasis added)<br />
<b>Do not treat lightly this astonishing promise. . . . </b><br />
It will not be easy reading. There will be roadblocks along the way. Persist. . . . . <br />
After this sacred witness comes, you will see His hand in a thousand things.<br />
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<div style="color: #45818e;">Chauncey C. Riddle, <i>The Book of Mormon: It Begins with a Family,</i> 140</div><div style="color: #45818e;">The Spirit teaches us the truth of the gospel. But it is another thing to learn to live by the Holy Spirit. The difference is like hearing a violin concert expertly performed and acknowledging its merit, then personally mastering the violin to be able to play as expertly ourselves.</div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Moroni 10:8-18--Spiritual Gifts</span></div>Marvin J. Ashton, E<i>nsign</i>, 11/87, 20<br />
Additional gifts of the Spirit are not always evident or noteworthy but the are very important. Among these may be your gifts—gifts not so evident but nevertheless valuable.<br />
Let us review some of these less-conspicuous gifts: the gift of asking; the gift of listening; the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice; the gift of being able to weep; the gift of avoiding contention; the gift of being agreeable; the gift of avoiding vain repetition; the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; the gift of being a disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of being able to ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony; and the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost.<br />
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Gene R. Cook, “Trust in the Lord,” <i>Hope, </i>1988, 90-91<br />
One of the great processes you go through in life is to discover yourself, to find those gifts and capacities God has given you. He has given you great talents, the smallest part of which you have just begun to utilize. Trust the Lord to assist you in unlocking the door to those gifts. Some of us have created imaginary limits in our minds. There is literally a genius locked up inside each of us. Don’t ever let anyone convince you otherwise.<br />
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Virginia H. Pearce, <i>Ensign,</i> 11/92, 91-92<br />
As we concentrate on pleasing the Lord rather than others and continue to work hard, doing the things we don’t know how to do yet, we will experience personal growth. . . . Are you remembering that you have had hands laid on your head—that you have been given a gift? Use that gift to conquer your fears!<br />
<div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Moroni 10:31—Beautiful Garments</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Gordon B. Hinckley, <i>Ensign, </i>10/83</div><div style="color: #45818e;">This is a season for strength. I conclude with these stirring words of Moroni, written as he sealed his record to come forth in the dispensation of the fulness of times:</div><div style="color: #45818e;"> (Moro. 10:31–32.)</div><div style="color: #45818e;">Put on thy beautiful garments, O daughters of Zion. Live up to the great and magnificent inheritance which the Lord God, your Father in Heaven, has provided for you. Rise above the dust of the world. Know that you are daughters of God, children with a divine birthright. Walk in the sun with your heads high, knowing that you are loved and honored, that you are a part of his kingdom, and that there is for you a great work to be done which cannot be left to others.</div><div style="color: #45818e;">God be thanked for the wonderful women of this Church. May he plant in your hearts a sense of pride in your capacities and a conviction of truth which shall be as a rudder to keep you safe through every storm.</div><br />
<div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">A Final Testimony . . . </span></span></div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christianson and Bassett, <i>Life Lessons from the Book of Mormon</i>, 249-534</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What began as an attempt to digest the book ended with my being digested by the power behind the book. . . . . The Book of Mormon will feed a person only if that person comes to its pages hungry.. . . In my own youth, this book seemed to be lifeless and void of flavor until I prepared myself to <i>sup</i> at its table. From that moment forward, its pages have fed me in ways I could never have imagined.</div></div>jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01313127576303289593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645717577597362395.post-87803865127865644172011-04-20T08:00:00.000-07:002011-04-21T00:42:49.400-07:00Ether 12-Moroni 6<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Quotes of the Week:</span></div>I thank God for my handicaps; for through them, I have found myself, my work, and my God.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--Helen Keller,<i> Light in my Darkness</i>, 134</div><br />
Ordinances and covenants become our credentials for admission into His presence. To worthily receive them is the quest of a lifetime; to keep them thereafter is the challenge of mortality.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"> --Boyd K. Packer, <i>Ensign,</i> 5/87, 24</div><div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Further Reading:</span></div>D. Todd Christofferson, “To Always Remember Him,” <i>Ensign,</i> 4/11, 49<br />
L. Tom Perry, “The Sabbath and the Sacrament,” April 2011<br />
Dallin H. Oaks, “Desire,” General Conference, April 2011<br />
W. Cole Durham, “Moroni,”<i> Ensign</i>, 6/78<br />
Jeffrey R. Holland, “Of Souls, Symbols, and Sacraments,” address given at BYU 1/12/88<br />
D. Todd Christofferson, “As Many as I Love, I Rebuke and I Chasten,” April 2011<br />
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<br />
<div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Handouts:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Ether 12:6 Trial of Your Faith</span></div>“Faith and Infertility,” <i>Ensign,</i> 4/11, 27<br />
When someone has an ailment or an illness and they are healed as a result of a blessing, their faith is being strengthened. But for those who aren’t healed but continue faithful, their faith is being perfected. The first is a faith-promoting experience. The second is faith-perfecting.<br />
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Henry B. Eyring, <i>To Draw Closer to God,</i> 83-84, 86-87<br />
It is an absolute certainty that you will go through trials of your faith. For some it will be a physical or perhaps a financial problem. For others it may not be anything that an outsider would see as a trial. But the real trial of your faith is not necessarily that moment when disaster obviously strikes you; in fact, you may go through a lifetime with little or almost none of that. The real trial of your faith is anything that would divert you from doing what God would have you do. . . . <br />
One of the reasons why you will be tried is that opposition is always part of being a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You should expect that great difficulties will come to you in the pursuit of doing what the Lord would have you do. But you should also feel that these trials are a blessing, because “faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith” (Ether 12:6). . . .<br />
When you’re enduring what seems to be a trail or a test, when things don’t seem to be going well, you can know that you have a loving Father who is allowing you to have experiences that can bless you. <br />
When you’re experiencing a severe trial, ask yourself this question: “Am I trying to do what the Lord would have me do?” If you’re not, then adjust your course. . . . <br />
I bear you my testimony that the Lord will always prepare a way for you to escape from the trials you will be given if you understand two things. One is that you need to be on the Lord’s errand. The second thing you need to understand is that the escape will almost never be OUT of the trial; it will usually be THROUGH it. If you pray to have the experience removed altogether, you may not find the way prepared for you. Instead, you need to pray to find the way of deliverance through it. . . . <br />
Now, if your afflictions truly humble you, then you see that you’re in a position to have the Holy Ghost whisper to you—not the way to have your difficulties taken from you, but the way to go through them on your errand for the Lord. If you will be humble and ask God what to do, I promise you that he will always prepare a way for your deliverance.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Ether 12:27--Weakness</span></div>Dallin H. Oaks, “Desire,” General Conference, April 2011<br />
When we have a vision of what we can become, our desire and power to act will increase enormously.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #45818e;">Hartman Rector Jr., <i>CR, </i>4/70, 139-40</div><div style="color: #45818e;">Where do you suppose we get these weaknesses? . . . </div><div style="color: #45818e;">The Lord tells us the answer to this question very plainly in the Book of Mormon (Ether 12:27). . . . We get them from the Lord; the Lord gives us weaknesses so we will be humble. This makes us teachable. Now don’t misunderstand me—the Lord is not responsible for the sin; he is only responsible for the weakness. It seems that all men have weaknesses in one form or another, character traits that make one more subject to a particular temptation than another. . . . Giving us weakness, however, is one of the Lord’s ways of getting our attention. He says this is the means he uses to make us humble, but he also says that if we will come unto him and have faith in him, he will make us strong wherein we are weak. I know this is the truth.</div><br />
Howard W. Hunter, <i>CR</i>, 10/90, 20<br />
Obviously, the personal burdens of life vary from person to person, but every one of us has them. Furthermore, each trial in life is tailored to the individual’s capacities and needs as known by a loving Father in Heaven.<br />
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Boyd K. Packer, <i>Ensign</i>, 11/80, 21<br />
Some are tested by poor health, some by a body that is deformed or homely. Others are tested by handsome and healthy bodies; some by the passion of youth; others by the erosions of old age. Some suffer disappointment in marriage, family problems; others live in poverty and obscurity. Some (perhaps this is the hardest test) find ease and luxury. All are part of the test. <i>And there is more equality in this testing than sometimes we suspect.</i><br />
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<div style="color: #45818e;">Sterling W. Sill, <i>CR,</i> 10/63, 80</div><div style="color: #45818e;">The most widespread disease in the world is the inferiority complex. And when we think inferiority, that is what we get. . . . . One of our most unfortunate weaknesses is that we sometimes think we are under sentence to remain forever as we presently are. Yet one of the most exciting ideas in life is the possibility of changing ourselves for the better.</div><br />
Neal A. Maxwell,<i> One More Strain of Praise</i>, 28<br />
This process [of weaknesses being turned to strengths] is painful. It is unavoidable. It is repetitive. It is relentless!<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #45818e;">Glenn L. Pace, <i>Ensign,</i> 1/05, 32</div><div style="color: #45818e;">What is the difference between [humility and lack of confidence]?</div><div style="color: #45818e;">To be <i>humble</i> is to recognize our utter dependence upon the Lord. . . . We are conscious of our weaknesses, but we know the Lord can use those very weaknesses to bless our lives . . . </div><div style="color: #45818e;">To <i>lack confidence</i> is to have feelings of low self-worth. We are preoccupied with our weaknesses, and we lack faith in the Lord’s ability to use those weaknesses for our good.</div><br />
<div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Ether 12:27-28 Faith</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;"></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Neal A. Maxwell,<i> Ensign, </i>11/98, 63</div><div style="color: #45818e;">It is not an easy thing, however, to be shown one’s weaknesses, as these are regularly demonstrated by life’s circumstances. Nevertheless, this is part of coming unto Christ, and it is a vital, if painful, part of God’s plan of happiness.</div><br />
<div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Ether 13:2-11 New Jerusalem</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Joseph Fielding Smith, <i>Answers to Gospel Questions,</i> 2:103-4</div><div style="color: #45818e;">In the day of regeneration, when all things are made new, there will be three great cities that will be holy. One will be the Jerusalem of old which shall be rebuilt according to the prophecy of Ezekiel. One will be the city of Zion, or of Enoch, which was taken from the earth when Enoch was translated and which will be restored; and the city of Zion, or New Jerusalem, which is to be built by the seed of Joseph on this the American continent.</div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Moroni</span></div>W. Cole Durham, “Moroni,” <i>Ensign</i>, 6/78<br />
Infused into these lines is all the depth of Moroni’s earthly experience and all the vibrancy of his soul; they reflect the testimony of one who truly saw Christ, and suggest the promise and the glory awaiting all those who accept his challenge.<br />
<br />
Gordon B. Hinckley, <i>Heroes from the Book of Mormon, </i>195-96<br />
Of all the characters who walk the pages of the Book of Mormon, none stands a greater hero, save Jesus only, than does Moroni, son of Mormon. . . .<br />
Who can sense the depth of his pain, the poignant loneliness that constantly overshadowed him as he moved about, a fugitive relentlessly hunted by his enemies? For how long he actually was alone we do not know, but the record would indicate that it was for a considerable period. His conversation was prayer to the Lord. His companion was the Holy Spirit. There were occasions when the Three Nephites ministered to him. But with all this, there is an element of terrible tragedy in the life of this man who became a lonely wanderer.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Moroni 2-5 Ordinances</span></div>Boyd K. Packer, <i>Ensign, </i>11/85, 82<br />
Good conduct without the ordinances of the gospel will neither redeem nor exalt mankind; covenants and the ordinances are essential.<br />
<br />
Dallin H. Oaks,<i> Ensign,</i> 5/01, 84<br />
No combination of science, success, property, pride, prominence or power can provide [the eternal blessings secured by covenants and ordinances].<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Moroni 4-5 The Sacrament</span></div><i>Discourses of Gordon B. Hinckley</i>, 1:396<br />
Do you know that when the priest who is at the sacrament table pronounces that prayer which was given by revelation, he places all of the congregation under covenant with the Lord? That is so very, very important. Think of the meaning of the sacrament every time you partake of the sacrament, and be true—true to the faith.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #45818e;">Tad R. Callister, <i>The Infinite Atonement, </i>p. 287-88</div><div style="color: #45818e;">Brigham Young declared, “The Lord has planted within us a divinity; and that divine immortal spirit requires to be fed. . . . That divinity within us needs food from the Fountain from which it emanated.”</div><div style="color: #45818e;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #45818e;">Dallin H. Oaks, <i>Ensign,</i> 5/85, 80</div><div style="color: #45818e;">. . . A follower of Christ is obligated to serve him. . . . By witnessing our willingness to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ, we signify our willingness to do the work of his kingdom.</div><br />
<br />
<div style="color: #45818e;"><i>Discourses of Brigham Young,</i> p. 172</div><div style="color: #45818e;">It is one of the greatest blessings we could enjoy, to come before the Lord, and before the angels, and before each other, to witness that we remember that the Lord Jesus Christ died for us.</div><div style="color: #45818e;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #45818e;">L. Tom Perry, “The Sabbath and the Sacrament,” April 2011 General Conference</div><div style="color: #45818e;">Partaking of the sacrament is the center of our Sabbath day observance.</div><div style="color: #45818e;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #45818e;">Jeffrey R. Holland, Christ and the New Covenant, p. 283</div><div style="color: #45818e;">One of the invitations inherent in the sacramental ordinance is that it be a truly spiritual experience, a holy communion, a renewal for the soul.</div><div style="color: #45818e;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #45818e;">James E. Talmage, as cited by Jeffrey R. Holland, “Of Souls, Symbols, and Sacraments,” 1/12/88, p. 12</div><div style="color: #45818e;">“It is peculiar to the theology of the Latter-day Saints that we regard the body as an essential part of the soul. Read your dictionaries, the lexicons, and encyclopedias, and you will find that nowhere, outside of the Church of Jesus Christ, is the solemn and eternal truth taught that the soul of man is the body and the spirit combined.”</div><div style="color: #45818e;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #45818e;">Bruce R. McConkie, The Mortal Messiah, 4:60 </div><div style="color: #45818e;">We eat in remembrance—in remembrance of that Paschal hour, in remembrance of Gethsemane, of Calvary, of an open tomb.</div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Moroni 6:4 Converts</span></div><br />
Gordon B. Hinckley, Regional Representatives’ Seminar, 4/3/87<br />
The greatest tragedy in the Church . . . is the loss of those who join the Church and then fall away. With very few exceptions it need not happen<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #45818e;"><i>Discourses of Gordon B. Hinckley,</i> 1:116</div><div style="color: #45818e;">With ever-increasing number of converts, we must make an increasingly substantial effort to assist them as they find their way. Every one of them needs three things: a friend, a responsibility, and nurturing with “the good word of God.” It is our duty and opportunity to provide these things.</div><div style="color: #45818e;">. . . I ask each of you to please help in this undertaking. Your friendly ways are needed. Your sense of responsibility is needed. The Savior of all mankind left the ninety and nine to find the one lost. That one who was lost need not have become lost. But if he is out there somewhere in the shadows, and if it means leaving the ninety and nine, we must do so to find him. . . In my view nothing is of greater importance.</div><br />
Neal A. Maxwell, <i>Ensign</i>, 5/82, 37<br />
Church members did not become inactive while crossing the plains, when the sense of belonging and being needed was so profound.<br />
<br />
Ben B. Banks, <i>Ensign,</i> 11/99, 10<br />
Most active members believe that less-active members behave differently because they don’t believe the Church’s doctrine. A study by the Church’s Research Information Division does not support this assumption. It shows that almost all less-active members interviewed believe that God exists, that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph Smith was a prophet, and that the Church is true.<br />
<br />
As part of another study, a group of active members who previously had been less active were asked why they did not attend church. The most common reasons given were:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Feelings of unworthiness.</li>
<li>Personal or family problems.</li>
<li>Parents or spouse were less active.</li>
<li>Teenage rebelliousness or laziness.</li>
<li>Conflicts with work schedules.</li>
<li>Church too far away, lacked transportation.</li>
</ul><br />
They were then asked what had influenced them to return to activity in the Church. The most common answers were:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Faced with crisis in life.</li>
<li>Overcame personal problems.</li>
<li>The example of a spouse or girlfriend/boyfriend.</li>
<li>Influence of family members.</li>
<li>Wanted the gospel influence for family.</li>
<li>Fellowshipping from ward members, moved to a new ward where people cared about them.</li>
</ul><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Moroni 6:5 Meeting Together</span></div>Joseph B. Wirthlin,<i> Ensign,</i> 5/05, 28<br />
The Church is not a place where perfect people gather to say perfect things, or have perfect thoughts, or have perfect feelings. The Church is a place where imperfect people gather to provide encouragement, support, and service to each other as we press on in our journey to return to our Heavenly Father.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Moroni 6:7-8 Church Courts</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Ronald E. Poelman, <i>Ensign, </i>11/93, 85</div><div style="color: #45818e;">Church discipline . . . is not for the purpose of punishment only, but is intended to heal and renew.</div><div style="color: #45818e;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #45818e;">James E. Faust, <i>Ensign, </i>11/93, 36</div><div style="color: #45818e;">Church discipline is not limited to sexual sins but includes other acts such as murder, abortions, burglary, theft, fraud, and other dishonesty, deliberate disobedience to the rules and regulations of the Church, advocating or practicing polygamy, apostasy, or any other unchristianlike conduct, including defiance or ridicule of the Lord’s anointed, contrary to the law of the Lord and the order of the Church. . . . </div><div style="color: #45818e;">Among the activities considered apostate to the Church include when members “(1) repeatedly act in clear, open, and deliberate public opposition to the Church or its leaders; (2) persist in teaching as Church doctrine information that is not Church doctrine after being corrected by their bishops or higher authority; or (3) continue to follow the teachings of apostate cults (such as those that advocate plural marriage) after being corrected by their bishops or higher authority” (General Handbook of Instructions, 1989, p. 10-3).</div><div style="color: #45818e;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #45818e;"><i>Book of Mormon Student Manual Religion 121 and 122</i>, 1989, 144</div><div style="color: #45818e;">Church courts and the policies that govern these courts serve three general purposes: to protect the sacred name of the Church, to clear the name of the innocent who are falsely accused and to provide an opportunity for the guilty to repent.</div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Moroni 6:9 Church Meetings</span></div>Ulisses Soares, <i>Ensign</i>, 11/05, 98<br />
The gospel of Jesus Christ is about people, not programs. Sometimes, in the haste of fulfilling our Church responsibilities, we spend too much time concentrating on programs, instead of focusing on people, and end up taking their real needs for granted. When things like that happen, we lose the perspective of our callings, neglect people, and prevent them from reaching their divine potential to gain eternal life.</div>jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01313127576303289593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645717577597362395.post-63170279450076935662011-04-14T05:15:00.000-07:002011-04-14T05:17:09.822-07:00Ether 1-11<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Quotes of the Week:</span></div>I don’t know how to get anything done except getting on my knees and pleading for help and then getting on my feet and going to work.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--Gordon B. Hinckley, as quoted by Russell M. Nelson, <i>Ensign,</i> 11/97, 16</div><br />
Even the good can become careless without the Lord’s being there to chasten.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--Neal A. Maxwell, <i>Ensign,</i> 11/87, 31</div><br />
<div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Further Reading:</span></div>Henry B. Eyring, "The Brother of Jared: An Expert at Learning," <i>Ensign,</i> 7/78<br />
Jeffrey R. Holland, <i>Christ and the New Covenant</i>, chapter 2<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Handouts:</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;"><i>Book of Mormon Student Manual</i>, p. 361<br />
The book of Ether covers over 1700 years of history from 2200 BC down to the time of Coriantumr. We don’t know exactly when Coriantumr lived, but it was somewhere between 500 and 250 BC.<br />
<br />
<i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i>, p. 487<br />
Moroni says that he had not written the hundredth part of the record, and as it is we have 15 chapters or about 31 ½ printed pages.</div><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Ether 1:34-35--Brother of Jared</span></span><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;">Book of Mormon Student Manual</i><span style="color: #45818e;">, p. 362</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">“While residing in Kirtland Elder Reynolds Cahoon had a son born to him. One day when President Joseph Smith was passing his door he called the Prophet in and asked him to bless and name the baby. Joseph did so and gave the boy the name of Mahonri Moriancumer. When he had finished the blessing he laid the child on the bed, and turning to Elder Cahoon he said, the name I have given your son is the name of the brother of Jared; the Lord has just shown [or revealed] it to me. </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> Ether 1:43--Prayer</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Book of Mormon Student Manual</i>, p. 363</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Joseph Smith taught, Come to God, weary him until he blesses you.</span><br />
<br />
Marvin J. Ashton, “Personal Prayer,”<i> Prayer</i>, p. 77<br />
If a contrite spirit and a broken heart are united with faith unwavering, our prayers, no matter how simple the words, will be significant.<br />
<br />
Neal A. Maxwell, “What Should We Pray For?” <i>Prayer</i>, p. 45<br />
There is a lack of realization on our part that we can actually be guided in terms of what we should pray for. We tend to <i>pour out</i> petitions without letting inspiration<i> pour in.</i> God can truly prompt us in our prayers to ask for that which is right to not ask amiss. God can educate our desires. . . . We too often pray in generalities rather than specifics. A vague prayer is hardly a prayer at all.<br />
<br />
Spencer W. Kimbaal, “Prayer,” <i>New Era</i>, 3/78, 17<br />
Do you get answers to your prayers? If not, perhaps you did not pay the price. Do you offer a few trite words and worn-out phrases, or do you talk intimately to the Lord? Do you pray occasionally when you should be praying regularly, often, constantly? Do you offer pennies to pay heavy debts when you should give dollars to erase that obligation? When you pray, do you just speak, or do you also listen? . . . Should we ever fail to get an answer to our prayers, we must look into our lives for a reason.<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Ether 2:7-9, 12,15—Conditional Land of Promise</span></span></div>J. Reuben Clark, <i>Stand Fast by Our Constitution</i>, 176<br />
From that day until now, the price of the promised blessing has always been, and will ever be, the serving of Jesus Christ, the God of this land. There is no other way to get the blessing nor to escape the judgment. This fact must never be forgotten.<br />
<br />
Joseph Fielding Smith, <i>Doctrines of Salvation,</i> 3:321-22<br />
These passages of scripture from the Book of Mormon are true: Ether 2:7-12 this nation is not exempt, and the people, if they continue to pursue the course of evil and ungodliness that they are now treading, shall eventually be punished. If they continue to disregard the warning voice of the Lord, deny their Redeemer. . . . <i>The judgments of the Lord will come upon this land,</i> <i>and this nation will not be saved</i>; we will not be spared from war, from famine, from pestilence and finally from destruction, as a nation.<br />
<br />
<i>Discourses of President Gordon B. Hinckley</i>, 2:523-24<br />
I hope that there is not a day that passes that you and I, every one of us, does not get on our knees and pray for this land of which we are a part and those who preside here, that they may be guided and blessed to do that which the Lord would have done.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Ether 2:14—Rebuked</span></span></div>Jeffrey R. Holland, <i>Christ and the New Covenant, </i>p. 15<br />
It is difficult to imagine what a three-hour rebuke from the Lord might be like, but the brother of Jared endured it. With immediate repentance and prayer, this prophet again sought guidance for the journey they had been assigned and those who were to pursue it. God accepted his repentance and lovingly gave further direction for their crucial mission.<br />
<br />
Henry B. Eyring, “The Brother of Jared: An Expert at Learning,” <i>Ensign</i>, 7/78, 62<br />
The numbers in that sad account are keys to the brother of Jared’s problem and to the Master’s solution: four years and three hours. The brother of Jared, and his caravan of people and animals, had been stopped four years in a journey they knew was to take them over many waters to a promised land. And the Master took not a minute, not five minutes, but three hours of His time to rebuke inattention. What do those four years and three hours show us about barriers and gateways to learning? . . . <br />
How could Moriancumer—a man able to accept his brother’s counsel, a man blessed by the Master’s personal attention for his mighty prayer, a man strong enough to lead people and flocks of every kind across trackless wastes and seas and finally reach the edge of the great ocean—how could he pitch his tent and, four years later, be chastened for forgetting the Lord? . . . <br />
If we will open ourselves to learning, as the brother of Jared did, we can someday share the record of his spiritual blessings. The story seems to suggest that the main barrier to such blessings is our inability to feel the danger we are in if we do not receive spiritual counsel—if we forget to call on the Lord. The story also aptly illustrates the main gateway to these blessings, which is faith. Clearly shown in the time and care which the Master lavished on rebuking and teaching Moriancumer is the lesson that mighty prayer is heard and answered. . . .<br />
Since few of us will have spectacular manifestations as the brother of Jared did, we might well add to that frequent picture of Moriancumer that pops into our minds (the blinding light from the stones on a mountaintop) the quiet scene of four years by a lovely seaside and the image of a three-hour interview. The tents by the sea could remind us that our dependence and gratitude must be unending, not just when we are in the “trackless wastes” or buried in some raging spiritual ocean. And a three-hour interview, longer than we may ever give our child or brother or husband or wife, could remind us of the availability, the patience, and the love of our Teacher. And with that sense of need and with that faith in God’s availability, we will have learned a crucial lesson from the brother of Jared, a master learner.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Ether 2:19-3:6--The Stones</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Harold B. Lee, </span><i style="color: #45818e;">Stand Ye in Holy Places, </i><span style="color: #45818e;">243-44</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">This is the principle in action. If you want the blessing, don’t just kneel down and pray about it. Prepare yourselves in every conceivable way you can in order to make yourselves worthy to receive the blessing you seek.</span><br />
<br />
Jeffrey R. Holland, <i>Christ and the New Covenant,</i> 16-17<br />
Things. The Brother of Jared hardly knew what to call them. Rocks undoubtedly did not sound very inspiring. Here, standing next to the Lord’s magnificent handiwork, the impeccably designed and marvelously unique seagoing barges, the Brother of Jared offered for his contribution rocks. As he eyed the sleek ships the Lord had provided, it was a moment of genuine humility.<br />
For all of his self-abasement, the faith of the Brother of Jared was immediately apparent—in fact, we might better say transparent in light of the purpose for which the stones would be used. Obviously, Jehovah found something striking in the childlike innocence and fervor of this man’s faith. “Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this.” In a sense there may be no more powerful expression of faith spoken in scripture. It is almost as if the brother of Jared was encouraging God, emboldening him, reassuring him. However uncertain the prophet was about his own ability, he had no uncertainty about God’s power. This was nothing but a single, assertive declaration with no hint of vacillation. It was encouragement to him who needs no encouragement but who surely must have been touched by it. <br />
What happened next ranks among the greatest moments in recorded history, surely among the greatest moments in recorded faith. It established the brother of Jared among the greatest of God’s prophets forever.<br />
<br />
Jeffrey R. Holland, <i>Christ and the New Covenant</i>, 18-19<br />
Preparatory faith is formed by experiences in the past—by the known, which provides a basis for belief. But redemptive faith must often be exercised toward experiences in the future—the unknown, which provides an opportunity for the miraculous. Exacting faith, mountain-moving faith, faith like that of the brother of Jared, precedes the miracle and the knowledge. He had to believe before God spoke. He had to act before the ability to complete the action was apparent. He had to commit to the complete experience in advance of even the first segment of its realization. Faith is to agree unconditionally—and in advance—to whatever conditions God may require in both the near and distant future.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Ether 4:15—Rend the veil of unbelief</span></span></div> Jeffrey R. Holland, <i>Christ and the New Covenant</i>, 29<br />
The Book of Mormon is predicated on the willingness of men and women to “rend that veil of unbelief” in order to behold the revelations—and the Revelation—of God. The brother of Jared may not have had great belief in himself, but his belief in God was unprecedented. In that there is hope for us all. His faith was without doubt or limit.<br />
From the moment of that utterance, the brother of Jared and the reader of the Book of Mormon would never again be the same. Once and for all it was declared that ordinary people with ordinary challenges could rend the veil of unbelief and enter the realms of eternity. And Christ, who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem his people, would stand in all his glory at the edge of that veil, ready to receive the believers and show them “how great things the Father had laid up” for them at the end of faith’s journey.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Ether 3:14--Light/Life</span></span></div>Robert J. Matthews, <i>The Book of Mormon: From Zion to Destruction</i>, 25<br />
In all editions of the Book of Mormon from 1830, the Lord said in Ether 3:14, “In me shall all mankind have <i>light</i> and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name” . . . . However, since 1981 the word <i>light </i> has been replaced with the word <i>life</i>. . . . .<br />
The change of wording from <i>light</i> to <i>life</i> was brought about in the following manner. During the preparation of the 1981 edition, it was brought tot the attention of the Brethren that even though all printed editions of the Book of Mormon to this time had read <i>light</i>, the printer’s manuscript, from which the type was set for the first edition of the Book of Mormon, clearly said <i>life</i>. The Scriptures Publications Committee, consisting of three members of the Twelve, unanimously agreed that <i>life</i> was a stronger word than <i>light</i>, and since the manuscript read<i> life</i>, the correction should be made. An examination of the context also justified this correction, for they who believe will become the sons and daughters of Christ. They are thus spiritually begotten by him and are given eternal life, which includes having eternal light, but is far, far greater.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #45818e; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Ether 3:15—“Never Have I Showed Myself unto Man”</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Kent Jackson,</span><i style="color: #45818e;"> Studies in Scripture,</i><span style="color: #45818e;"> 252-54</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">It seems from the scriptures that with one exception, in all the recorded manifestations of Jehovah prior to his birth in the flesh, he appeared in his role as God the Father, speaking the words of the Father. The exception is this appearance to the brother of Jared in Ether 3. . . </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">It appears that the uniqueness of this situation, brought about because of Mahonri Moriancumer’s unparalleled faith, was the fact that Jehovah appeared to him in his role as Jesus—whereas to others he had shown himself as the Father. . . . Nowhere else in the scriptures do we have an example of Jehovah appearing in his role as Jesus until his coming in the flesh.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Jeffrey R. Holland</span><i style="color: #45818e;">, Christ and the New Covenant</i><span style="color: #45818e;">, p. 21-23</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">A final explanation . . . is that Christ was saying to the brother of Jared, “Never have I showed myself unto man</span><i style="color: #45818e;"> in this manner</i><span style="color: #45818e;">, </span><i style="color: #45818e;">without my volition,</i><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span><i style="color: #45818e;">driven solely by the faith of the beholder</i><span style="color: #45818e;">.” As a rule, prophets are </span><i style="color: #45818e;">invited</i><span style="color: #45818e;"> into the presence of the Lord, are bidden to enter his presence by him and only with his sanction. The brother of Jared, on the other hand, seems to have thrust himself through the veil, not as an unwelcome guest but perhaps technically as an uninvited one. . . . Obviously the Lord himself was linking unprecedented faith with this unprecedented vision. If the vision itself was not unique, then it had to be the faith and how the vision was obtained that was so unparalleled. The only way that faith could be so remarkable was its ability to take the prophet, uninvited, where others had been able to go only with God’s bidding.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Ether 3:14-15—Jesus as Creator</span></span></div><i>Selected Writings of Gerald N. Lund</i>, p. 161<br />
Someone calculated that if we took the distance from the earth to the sun, which is 93 million miles, and reduced that in scale down to where it was the thickness of a single sheet of paper, the distance from our earth to the nearest star would be a stack of paper 71 feet high! On that same scale, the diameter of the Milky Way, our own galaxy, would be a stack of paper 310 miles high. And if we carried that same scale on to the edge of the known universe, we would have a stack of paper 31 million miles high—a stack of paper that would stretch from the earth nearly one third of the way to the sun.<br />
When we consider the incredible vastness of the numbers of creations, all of which were completed under the direction of the Father by the Only Begotten, we begin to sense the position, the majesty, and the power that were his before his coming to earth.<br />
<br />
K Douglas Bassett, <i>The Barber’s Song,</i> 37-38<br />
[The] body is a wonderful, personal gift from their Heavenly Father—custom made by the Master. Within its less-than-perfect features and functions will be the divine lessons that will connect each child to our Father in Heaven. Can’t all of us bear witness that life’s greatest personal lessons have come not only through the body but also because of the very body we are wearing? Is this not perfect proof of the divine tutoring of our God through his great gift of a body, designed individually for each of us? <br />
The body, then, becomes a type of classroom in which the Lord tutors us individually, giving us celestial lessons through the classroom we will wear from the moment we are born until the day we die. This individual tutoring is one of the reasons that the Lord can promise each of us that we will not be tested more than we can withstand.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #45818e; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Ether 4:4; 5;1--Sealed portion of Book of Mormon</span></span></div><i style="color: #45818e;">Unlocking the Book of Mormon,</i><span style="color: #45818e;"> p. 494-95</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">It is not absolutely clear what portion of the plates of Mormon was sealed. Joseph Smith simply said, “ The volume was something near six inches in thickness, a part of which was sealed.” . . . </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">[When will the sealed record be revealed?] it is not clear . . . However, some of the prior conditions that must exist are enumerated. For example, the Lord said that before the record is revealed the people must exercise faith in him “even as the brother of Jared did.”(Ether 4:7) Also, . . . the people must “become sanctified” in him.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="color: #45818e; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Ether 5—Three Witnesses</span></span></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Dallin H. Oaks, <i>Ensign,</i> 5/99, 37<br />
[The testimony of the three witnesses of the Book of Mormon] stands uncontradicted by any other witnesses. Reject it one may, but how does one explain three men of good character uniting and persisting in this published testimony to the end of their lives in the face of great ridicule and other personal disadvantage? Like the Book of Mormon itself, there is no better explanation than is given in the testimony itself, the solemn statement of good and honest men who told what they saw.</div><div style="color: #45818e; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Ether 6:3—Light</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Ardeth G. Kapp, </span><i style="color: #45818e;">The Joy of the Journey</i><span style="color: #45818e;">, 69</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">You have the light within. You can shine in darkness. You can light up the world. You can help dispel the darkness. You can make a difference.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Ether 7:23-27--Prophetic Warning</span></span></div>Henry B. Eyring, <i>Ensign</i>, 11/98, 32<br />
Because the Lord is kind, He calls servants to warn people of danger. That call to warn is made harder and more important by the fact that the warnings of most worth are about dangers that people don’t yet think are real.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Ether 8:25-26--Satan</span></span></div><i>Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith</i>, 214<br />
The devil has no power over us only as we permit him; the moment we revolt at anything which comes from God, the devil takes power.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Ether 9:19--Animals</span></span></div><i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i>, p. 503<br />
These animals were unknown either to the Nephites or to us (probably both), according to Hugh Nibley, so their names could not be translated. Nibley also said that elephants became extinct in Asia sometime between 1500 and 500 BC, as they did likewise in the Americas.<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Ether 9:28-31--Natural Disasters</span></span></div>Joseph F. Smith, <i>Gospel Doctrine,</i> 55<br />
We believe that these severe, natural calamities are visited upon men by the Lord for the good of his children, to quicken their devotion to others, and to bring out their better natures, that they may love and serve him.</div>jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01313127576303289593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645717577597362395.post-15310698181804131352011-04-07T06:30:00.000-07:002011-04-07T12:03:41.947-07:00General Conference Recap, April 2011<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Quote of the Week:</span></div>The counsel you have heard is . . . the will of the Lord, the word of the Lord, the voice of the Lord, the power of God unto salvation. Jeffrey R. Holland<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">Other Quotes: </span><br />
Kindness is the essence of greatness. It is a passport that opens doors and fashions friends. Joseph B. Wirthlin<br />
<br />
Desires dictate our priorities. Priorities shape our choices. Choices determine our actions. Dallin H. Oaks<br />
<br />
We must and we can resist temptation of any kind. Boyd K. Packer<br />
<br />
If you hold Family Home Evening, in spite of the bedlam in a houseful of bedlamites, give yourself high marks. Jeffrey R. Holland<br />
<br />
Look, I'm the gardener here. I know what I want you to do. Hugh B. Brown<br />
<br />
Apparently, the Gospel is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. Harold B. Lee.<br />
<br />
Anyone who thinks Jesus taught “no-fault theology” didn’t read the fine print in the contract. Jeffrey R. Holland<br />
<br />
</div>jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01313127576303289593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645717577597362395.post-69274562482558224252011-03-30T20:24:00.001-07:002011-03-30T20:42:27.541-07:00Mormon 1-9<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Quotes of the Week:</span></div>“Earth's crammed with heaven,<br />
And every common bush afire with God;<br />
But only he who sees, takes off his shoes--<br />
The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.”<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--Elizabeth Barrett Browning</div><br />
"In this crucible of wickedness the true greatness of Mormon shines like a star."<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--Hugh Nibley, as cited in <i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon,</i> p. 476</div><div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Further Reading:</span></div>Joe. J. Christensen, “Rearing Children in a Polluted Environment,” <i>Ensign,</i> 11/93<br />
Gordon B. Hinckley, “Forgiveness,” <i>Ensign, </i>11/05<br />
Jeffrey R. Holland, "Mormon: The Man and the Book, Part 2", <i>Ensign, </i>Apr. 1978, 57<br />
W. Cole Durham Jr., "Moroni",<i> Ensign,</i> June 1978, 56<br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">Handouts:</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mormon</span></span></div><i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon,</i> p. 469<br />
If you think it an inspiration that a 16-year-old boy could win the leadership of a great national army, what would you think of a man between the ages of 65 and 74 who was still the best man among his entire people for this top position of leadership, and in those days the general marched at the head and not in the rear of his troops. It is one thing to shoot a guided missile at an enemy a thousand miles away, but it is quite another thing to meet the enemy face to face, and with a sword or a battle axe, take on all comers, old and young, on any basis they might choose to elect; and still be in there fighting at age 74. No weakling or coward survives a test like that. [Mormon’s] leadership and great skill in battle must have been an inspiration to those fortunate companions in arms who were privileged to fight at his side.<br />
<br />
Jeffrey R. Holland, "Mormon: The Man and the Book, Part 2", Ensign, Apr. 1978, 57<br />
If Mormon had merely obeyed that original instruction from Ammaron it would have been challenge enough for any historian, for the story Mormon had to write was the long, terrible tale of the destruction of his people. But Mormon went beyond Ammaron’s admonition and prepared another record, abridging the entire history of his people. . . . <br />
Through Isaiah the Lord said, “I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder.” (Isa. 29:14.) Today we can read the book that helps fulfill that prophecy; and in its pages, we can meet the great prophet Mormon, whom the Lord chose to write that marvelous work.<br />
<br />
<i>Book of Mormon Reference Companion</i>, p. 548<br />
It would be impossible to overstate Mormon’s achievements spiritually, physically, and intellectually. He established a relationship with God in hie teenage years, and it sustained him throughout a life stamped by upheaval and grief. What Mormon achieved militarily—leading a hopelessly corrupt people to a number of major victories—would have won him lasting fame in any society. But to the modern reader, his military leadership is secondary to his spiritual and intellectual accomplishments. Mormon understood perfectly how a record had to be prepared; he knew that he and his predecessors wrote for future peoples. He knew the record was to contain the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. When he spoke editorially, throughout his abridgement of the large plates of Nephi, as well as when he wrote as historian and prophet of his era, Mormon addressed latter-day peoples directly. Mormon was more than an editor, more than an abridger. Clearly, he effectively assimilated the writings of his predecessors. He knew the scriptures and seemed to carry them in his mind; he was full of them and fed by them, and as such was fortified against the evils of his day, and strengthened in his work. The entire Book of Mormon was shaped by Mormon’s sense of purpose. His was a divine commission. Mormon knew that the record he was preparing was to come forth in a day of apostasy and confusion. He also knew that the record was intended to be a solution to these problems by restoring “the plain and precious things” that would be removed from the Bible, truths needed to dispel the spiriutal darkness engulfing the latter-day world.<br />
<br />
Spencer W. Kimball, as cited in Unlocking the Book of Mormon, p. 479<br />
How [Mormon’s] heart must have pained and his whole being ached. . . . Then as he saw both armies at Cumorah, in their last bloody struggles, too late to reform, too hardened to repent, too stubborn to change, observing with terror their destroyers marching to the final battlefield where their bodies, too numerous to ever be buried, would rot in the sun: . . . <br />
There was little else that the wounded general could do now but to weep and to write and to prophesy and warn.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mormon 4:5</span></span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">--Wicked Punish the Wicked</span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Unlocking the Book of Mormon, p. 475</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">How are the wicked punished? The Lord withdraws and leaves the people to themselves. At that point, the wicked punish—and eventually destroy—each other.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mormon 7—Moroni</span></span></div>W. Cole Durham Jr., "Moroni", <i>Ensign, </i>June 1978, 56<br />
Moroni was a prophet well prepared for the responsibility of bridging two worlds: from the beginning it seems that he was sensitized to the spiritual anguish and disintegration of modern society. He was born into a righteous home, but was surrounded by a world which, like much of contemporary society, was pervaded by violence and degradation. All the external influences of society were at war with his parents’ desire to raise a righteous son. His father, Mormon, described the tide of evil that was sweeping the land as a “complete revolution”—both social and spiritual—against the values which just two centuries earlier had created a civilization rivaling the City of Enoch in the perfection of its peace. (Morm. 2:8; cf. 4 Ne. 1:16.)<br />
<br />
In a profound sense, then, Moroni was born into two worlds: one of decadence, in which the people were “without principle, and past feeling” (Moro. 9:20), and another of faith, in which parental righteousness ensured continued exposure to the gifts of the Spirit. Like the children of Noah, Lot, Lehi, and, in fact, of every active Church member, Moroni grew up at the frontier of decision between these two worlds.<br />
<br />
The scriptures provide only a limited account of Moroni’s family relationships and focus solely on father and son, but the glimpses suggest a tie rich with natural affection, strengthened by mutual concern for the ministry. The very structure of Moroni’s writings reflects a profound respect for his father. His initial writings (Morm. 8 and Morm. 9) were intended to do no more than complete his father’s record. Later, when Moroni added his own book, approximately two-thirds of its space was devoted to a presentation of his father’s teachings and letters. . . . <br />
With the loss of his father and his people, Moroni inherited a burden of loneliness virtually unparalleled in human history. By the time of his first entry on the plates, Moroni had already wandered alone for some sixteen years; and another twenty years were still to pass before he finally sealed up the records. (See Morm. 6:5, Morm. 8:6; and Moro. 10:1.) Perhaps only Ether before him had shared the experience of being left alone to record in scripture the total destruction of a people. (See Ether 15:33–34.)<br />
<br />
Moroni’s opening words are suffused with an infinite sorrow. . . . <br />
The years alone brought with them not only a profound understanding of the problem of loneliness, but also a deepened perception of the meaning, significance, and destiny of family bonds. Part of the little we know of his travels derives from an account of an incident that occurred on April 25, 1877, the day the Manti Temple site was dedicated. Early that morning, President Brigham Young is reported to have gone to the site and said, “Here is the spot where the Prophet Moroni stood and dedicated this piece of land for a temple site, and that is the reason why the location is made here, and we can’t move it from this spot.” As is apparent when one considers Moroni’s work in the current dispensation, his years of isolation from the family of men must have deepened his appreciation for the eternal family and his awareness of the significance of temple work.<br />
<br />
Jeffrey R. Holland, <i>Christ and the New Covenant,</i> p. 323, 24<br />
Moroni’s experience was painful, for he observed in life, in history, and in vision the pollution and destruction of three glorious civilizations—his own Nephite world, the Jaredite nation, and our latter-day dispensation. In this state of lonely witnessing, Moroni was shown the last days of another civilization—our own. And Moroni saw they would be very much like his own.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> Mormon 8:1-6 Moroni</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">L. Tom Perry, </span><i style="color: #45818e;">Ensign,</i><span style="color: #45818e;"> 11/92, 15-16</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Let us take Brigham Young’s advice and imagine we are standing in the place where Moroni, the last of the great Nephite prophets, stood. The assignment his father gave to him to complete the record, which was entrusted to his care, was very difficult. He must have been in a state of shock as he described the total destruction of his people.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mormon 8:26-41 They Saw our Day</span></span></div>Hugh Nibley, <i>Since Cumorah</i>, 375<br />
What was romance of the far away and long ago to our parents and grandparents has in our own generation become a grim reality. Suddenly the Book of Mormon has become as modern as today’s newspaper.<br />
<br />
Jeffrey R. Holland, CES Fireside for Young Adults, BYU, 9/12/04, 5<br />
Those earlier brethren are over there [on the other side of the veil] still cheering us on! In a very real way, <i>their</i> chance to consider themselves fully successful depends on <i>our</i> faithfulness and <i>our</i> victory. I love the idea of going into the battle of the last days representing Alma and Abinadi and what they pled for.<br />
<br />
Gordon B. Hinckley<i>, Ensign, </i>11/05<br />
Those of us who read and believe the scriptures are aware of the warnings of prophets concerning catastrophes that have come to pass and are yet to come to pass. . . . . If anyone has any doubt concerning the terrible things that can and will afflict mankind, let him read the 24th chapter of Matthew. . . . . How portentous are the words of revelation found in the 88th section of the Doctrine and Covenants concerning the calamities that should befall after the testimonies of the elders. . . . (D&C 88:89-91) How interesting are descriptions of the tsunami and the recent hurricanes in terms of the language of this revelation, which says, “The voice of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds” . . . . What we have experienced in the past was all foretold, and the end is not yet. Just as there have been calamities in the past, we expect more in the future. What do we do? Someone has said it was not raining when Noah built the ark. But he built it, and the rains came. The Lord has said, “if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear.” D&C 38:30) . . . .<br />
We can so live that we can call upon the Lord for His protection and guidance. This is a first priority. We cannot expect His help if we are unwilling to keep His commandments. We in this Church have evidence enough of the penalties of disobedience in the examples of both the Jaredite and the Nephite nations. Each went from glory to utter destruction because of wickedness.<br />
<br />
Ezra Taft Benson, <i>CR, </i>10/86, 5<br />
The Nephites never had the book, neither did the Lamanites of ancient times. It was meant for us. Mormon wrote near the end of the Nephite civilization. Under the inspiration of God, who sees all things from the beginning, he abridged centuries of records, choosing the stories, speeches, and events that would be most helpful to us. Each of the major writers of the Book of Mormon testified that he wrote for future generations [2 Ne 25:21; Jacob 1:3; Enos 1;15-16 Jarom 1:2 Mormon 7:1; Mormon 8:34-35, 9:30] . . . . If they saw our day and chose those things which would be of greatest worth to us, is not that how we should study the Book of Mormon? We should constantly ask ourselves, “Why did the Lord inspire Mormon (or Moroni or Alma) to include that in his record? What lesson can I learn from that to help me live in this day and age?<br />
And there are example after example of how that question will be answered.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mormon 9:3-6 Consciousness of Your Guilt</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Spencer W. Kimball, <i>Ensign</i>, 10/82, 4</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Remember this, forgiveness can never come without repentance. And repentance can never come until one has bared his soul and admitted his actions without excuses or rationalizations. He must admit to himself that he has sinned, without the slightest minimization of the offense or rationalizing of its seriousness, or without soft-pedaling its gravity. He must admit that his sin is as big as it really is and not call a pound an ounce. Those persons who choose to meet the issue ant transform their lives may find repentance the harder road at first, but they will find it the infinitely more desirable path as they taste of its fruits.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mormon 9:10-26 Miracles</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: inherit;">Daniel Ludlow, <i>Encyclopedia of Mormonism</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: inherit;">A miracle has been defined as a beneficial event brought about through divine power that mortals do not understand and of themselves cannot duplicate.</span><br />
<br />
Spencer W. Kimball, <i>The Miracle of Forgiveness</i>, p. 360-61<br />
When we think of miracles, most of us think of healings under the power of the priesthood. But there is another, even greater miracle—the miracle of forgiveness. Indeed the day of miracles has not passed except for those who will not heed the call of the Lord and of his servants. There is a glorious miracle awaiting every soul who is prepared to change. When souls are reborn, when lives are changed—then comes the great miracle to beautify and warm and lift. When spiritual death has threatened and now instead there is resuscitation, when life pushes out death—when this happens it is the miracle of miracles. And such great miracles will never cease so long as there is one person who applies the redeeming power of the Savior and his own good works to bring about his rebirth.<br />
<br />
There are two kinds of miracles, as there are two parts to life in every area. There is the body and the spirit. Thus there are two kinds of healings. Of the two, spiritual sight is by far the more important. Only those whose physical eyes do not see can know of the deprivation this entails, and it is a serious one. But even this cannot be compared to the blindness of those who have eyes and will not see the glories of that spiritual life which has no end.<br />
<br />
Spencer W. Kimball, <i>Faith Precedes the Miracle,</i> p. 4<br />
In faith, we plant the seed, and soon we see the miracle of the blossoming. Men have often misunderstood and have reversed the process. They would have the harvest before the planting, the reward before the service, the miracle before the faith. Even the most demanding labor unions would hardly ask the wages before the labor. But many of us would have the vigor without the observance of the health laws, prosperity through the opened windows of heaven without the payment of our tithes. We would have the close communion with our Father without fasting and praying; we would have rain in due season and peace in the land without observing the Sabbath and keeping the other commandments of the Lord. We would pluck the rose before planting the roots; we would harvest the grain before sowing and cultivating.<br />
<br />
Spencer W. Kimball, <i>Faith Precedes the Miracle,</i> p. 11-12<br />
Remember that Abraham, Moses, Elijah, and others could not see clearly the end from the beginning. They also walked by faith and without sight. Remember again that no gates were open; Laban was not drunk; and no earthly hope was justified at the moment Nephi exercised his faith and set out finally to get the plates. . . . <br />
And remember that there were no heavenly beings in Palmyra, on the Susquehanna, or on Cumorah when the soul-hungry Joseph slipped quietly into the grove, knelt in prayer on the river bank, and climbed the slopes of the sacred hill.<br />
<br />
But know this, that just as undaunted faith has stopped the mouths of lions, made ineffective fiery flames, opened dry corridors through rivers and seas, protected against deluge and drouth, and brought heavenly manifestations at the instance of prophets, so in each of our lives faith can heal the sick, bring comfort to those who mourn, strengthen resolve against temptation, relive from the bondage of harmful habits, lend the strength to repent and change our lives, and lead to a sure knowledge of the divinity of Jesus Christ. Indomitable faith can help us live the commandments with a willing heart and thereby bring blessings unnumbered, with peace, perfection, and exaltation in the kingdom of God.<br />
<br />
</div>jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01313127576303289593noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645717577597362395.post-18491791934165972022011-03-24T15:15:00.000-07:002011-03-24T15:16:51.258-07:003 Nephi 27-4 Nephi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Note:</b> Please forgive the lateness of this post. There was something wrong with the formatting and I had to redo the entire post. There are still some spacing issues that I can't figure out. Sorry. I apologize.</span></div><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Quotes of the Week: </span></div>"Most men yearn for peace, cry for peace, pray for peace and work for peace, but there will not be lasting peace until all mankind follow the path pointed out and walked by the living Christ."<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--Marvin J. Ashton,<i> CR, </i>10/85, 89</div><br />
<br />
"We need to learn, practice, study, know, and understand how angels live with each other. When this community comes to the point to be perfectly honest and upright, you will never find a poor person; none will lack, all will have sufficient."<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--Brigham Young, <i>Discourses of Brigham Young</i>, 232</div><br />
<br />
<div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Further Reading:</span></div><br />
D. Todd Christofferson, "Justification and Sanctification", <i>Ensign, </i>June 2001, 18<br />
<br />
Andrew C. Skinner, "From Zion to Destruction: The Lessons of 4 Nephi", <i>Ensign,</i> Sept. 2000, 56<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Handouts:</span></div><br />
<div style="color: #45818e; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 27:3-The Church of Jesus Christ</span></span></div><div style="color: #45818e;"></div><div style="color: #45818e;"></div><div style="color: #45818e;">LeGrand Richards, <i>A Marvelous Work and a Wonder</i>, p. 135-36</div><div style="color: #45818e;"></div><div style="color: #45818e;">The matter of the name of his Church should bear was of great importance</div><br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">3 Nephi 27:20--Sanctification</span></div><br />
<i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i>, p. 459B<br />
<br />
The sanctification spoken of in this verse is a complete cleansing, which can only be possible because of the Savior’s Atonement. Because He offered Himself to pay the price for our sins, we are able to become clean through repentance. But there is another aspect of sanctification: we are cleansed of the effects of sin by the Holy Ghost, who has the power to purge sin from our souls.<br />
<br />
<br />
D. Todd Christofferson, "Justification and Sanctification", <i>Ensign, </i>June 2001, 18<br />
<br />
If justification removes the punishment for past sin, then sanctification removes the stain or effects of sin.<br />
<br />
. . . The gift of grace or mercy is received as a believer repents, enters into the specified covenants, and receives the Holy Ghost. This action of acceptance on our part opens the door for the process of justification (remission, or pardoning, of sins) and sanctification (cleansing from sin) to work in us—something we may refer to as being born again.<br />
<br />
. . . Perfection is not, as some suppose, a prerequisite for justification and sanctification. It is just the opposite: justification (being pardoned) and sanctification (being purified) are the prerequisites for perfection. We only become perfect “in Christ” (see Moro. 10:32), not independently of Him.<br />
<br />
Harold B. Lee, <i>Church News</i>, 5/5/73, 3<br />
<br />
The most important of all the commandments of God is that one that you’re having the most difficulty keeping. . . . Today is the day for you to work . . . until you’ve been able to conquer that weakness. Then you start on the next one that’s most difficult for you to keep. That’s the way to sanctify yourselves by keeping the commandments of God.<br />
<br />
<br />
Bruce Van Orden,<i> Doctrines of the Book of Mormon, The 1991 Sperry Symposium,</i> 221<br />
<br />
One does not reach the state of sanctification in one day or as a result of one experience. Indeed the process of sanctification takes place over scores of years and through hundreds of spiritual experiences.<br />
<br />
<br />
Bruce R. McConkie, <i>A New Witness for the Articles of Faith</i>, 265-66<br />
<br />
It is the work and mission and ministry of the Holy Spirit of God to sanctify the souls of men. This is his assigned labor in the Eternal Godhead. How he does it we do not know except that it is a work that can only be performed by a spirit being, and hence the need for one of his personality, status, and standing in the Supreme Presidency of the universe.<br />
<br />
<br />
Lorenzo Snow, <i>Journal of Discourses,</i> 5:323<br />
<br />
Take it individually or take it collectively, we have suffered and we shall have to suffer again; and why? Because the Lord requires it at our hands for our sanctification.<br />
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<div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">3 Nephi 27:23-25--Journals</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;"></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Spencer W. Kimball, "President Kimball Speaks Out on Journals," <i> Ensign, </i>12/80</div><div style="color: #45818e;"></div><div style="color: #45818e;">You should continue on in this important work of recording the things you do, the things you say, the things you think, to be in accordance with the instructions of the Lord. Your story should be writeen now while it is fresh and while the true details are available.</div><div style="color: #45818e;"></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Your private journal should record the way you face up to challenges that beset you. Do not suppose life changes so much that your experiences will not be interesting to your posterity. Experiences of work, relations with people, and an awareness of the rightness and wrongness of actions will always be relevant. Your journal, like most others, will tell of problems as old as the world and how you dealt with them.</div><div style="color: #45818e;"></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Your journal should contain your true self rather than a picture of you when you are "made up" for a public performance.</div><div style="color: #45818e;"></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Your journal is your autobiography, so it should be kept carefully. You are unique, and there may be incidents in your experience that are more noble and praiseworthy in their way than those recorded in any other life.</div><div style="color: #45818e;"></div><div style="color: #45818e;">What could you do better for your children and your children's children than to record the story of your life, your triumphs over adversity, your recovery after a fall, your progress when all seemed black, your rejoicing when you had finally achieved? Some of what you write may be humdrum dates and plaes, but there will also be rich passages that will be quoted by your posterity.</div><div style="color: #45818e;"></div><div style="color: #45818e;">We hope you will begin as of this date. If you have not already commenced this important duty in your lives, get a good notebook, a good book that will last through time and into eternity for the angles to look upon. Begin today and write in it your goings and your comings, your deeper thoughts, your achievements, and your failures, your associations and your triumphs, your impressions and your testimonies. We hope you will do this, our brothers and sisters, for this is what the Lord has commanded, and those who keep a personal journal are more likely to keep the Lord in remembrance in their daily lives.</div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">3 Nephi 27:27; 28:10—Even as I Am</span></div><br />
Spencer W. Kimball, <i>CR,</i> 10/77, 71<br />
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Hard to do? Of course. The Lord never promised an easy road, nor a simple gospel, nor low standards, nor a low norm. The price is high, but the goods attained are worth all they cost. The Lord himself turned the other cheek; he suffered himself to be buffeted and beaten without remonstrance; he suffered every indignity and yet spoke no word of condemnation. And his question to all of us is: Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be?” And his answer to us is: “Even as I am.”<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">3 Nephi 28--Translated Beings</span></div><br />
Joseph Smith, as quoted in <i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon,</i> p. 461<br />
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Translated bodies cannot enter into rest until they have undergone a change equivalent to death. Translated bodies are designed for future missions.<br />
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Harold B. Lee, as cited in <i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i>, p. 463<br />
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I have always wondered what the purpose was that there should be in the earth translated beings. . . . I remember a few years ago, one of the brethren in a general conference made a statement like this that caused quite a flurry among the brethren. He said, “That gospel plan he gave, and when he gave it, he said it would never be taken away until the end of the world. It is my faith that the Gospel plan has always been here on the earth, and that it will continue to be so until the end comes.”<br />
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After that sermon was delivered, I walked over to the Church Office Building with President Joseph Fielding Smith and we were discussing this discourse. He said this: “I believe that God has never for one moment of time since the creation, abandoned the earth to Satan without having someone holding the priesthood to check him.” To me that was the answer as to why translated beings have been here on the earth always among men and will be until the coming of the Savior.<br />
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<div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">4 Nephi 1:2 Conversion</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;"></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Marion G. Romney, <i>CR, </i>10/63, 23-24</div><div style="color: #45818e;"></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Membership in the Church and conversion are not necessarily synonymous. Being converted . . . and having a testimony are not necessarily the same thing either. A testimony comes when the Holy Ghost gives the earnest seeker a witness of the truth. . . . . Conversion, on the other hand, is the fruit of, or the reward for, repentance and obedience.</div><br />
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<div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">4 Nephi 1:2--Dealing Justly</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;"></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Sheldon F. Child,<i> Ensign, </i>5/97, 29</div><div style="color: #45818e;"></div><div style="color: #45818e;">When we say we will do something, we do it.</div><div style="color: #45818e;"></div><div style="color: #45818e;">When we make a commitment, we honor it.</div><div style="color: #45818e;"></div><div style="color: #45818e;">When we are given a calling, we fulfill it.</div><div style="color: #45818e;"></div><div style="color: #45818e;">When we have a financial obligation, we pay it.</div><div style="color: #45818e;"></div><div style="color: #45818e;">When we enter into an agreement, we keep it.</div><div style="color: #45818e;"></div><br />
<div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">4 Nephi 1:3--Law of Consecration</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;"></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Robert D. Hales,<i> Ensign,</i> 11/02, 27</div><div style="color: #45818e;"></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Until the day we are commanded to live this higher law [consecration], we are commanded to live the law of the tithe, which is to freely give one-tenth of our income annually.</div><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">4 Nephi 1:4--Peace in the Land</span></div><br />
Dallin H. Oaks, <i>CR, </i>5/90, 91,93<br />
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The peace the gospel brings is not just the absence of war. It is the opposite of war.<br />
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Andrew C. Skinner, "From Zion to Destruction: The Lessons of 4 Nephi", <i>Ensign</i>, Sept. 2000, 56<br />
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Though the concept of Zion is multifaceted, the Lord has decreed that at least three ingredients must exist among the people of Zion: purity, unity, and equality.<br />
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<div style="color: #45818e;">4 Nephi 1:5--Miracles</div><div style="color: #45818e;"></div><div style="color: #45818e;"><i>The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball</i>, 499</div><div style="color: #45818e;"></div><div style="color: #45818e;">We do have miracles today—beyond imagination! If all the miracles of our own lifetime were recorded, it would take many library shelves to hold the books which would contain them. . . .</div><div style="color: #45818e;"></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Where are they recorded? In the records of the Church, in journals, in news and magazine articles and in the minds and memories of many people.</div><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">4 Nephi 1:2, 13, 15, 18—No Contention</span></div><br />
Gordon B. Hinckley, <i>CR</i>, 10/02, 109-10<br />
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My brothers and sisters, we must work at our responsibility as parents as if everything in life counted on it, because in fact everything in life does count on it. If we fail in our homes, we fail in our lives. . . . The consequences of your leadership in your home will be eternal and everlasting.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">4 Nephi 1:17,20,38-39--Lamanites</span></div><br />
Dean L. Larsen, You and the Destiny of the Indian, 21-22<br />
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It is significant that the name “Lamanite” here appears to become a generic term. That is, it refers to a general classification of people—those who revolted from the Church. These people may or may not have been the direct descendants of Laman and Lemuel.<br />
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Spencer W. Kimball, “The Lamanites: Their Burden—Our Burden,” <i>BYU Speeches of the Year</i>, 261<br />
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The Lamanites [today] are a mixture of many lines. Undoubtedly, there is in their veins the blood of Nephi, Joseph, and Jacob, as well as that of Laman, Lemuel, and Sam, and also that of the Mulekites of Judah. . . . The name “Indian” was given to the early possessors of the Americas by Columbus. As they intermarried with the invading European conquerors and nations were formed, they became Mexicans, Peruvians, Bolivians, Guatemalans, and other. But the correct name for ALL the descendants of Lehi and Ishmael is “Lamanite.” This is an honorable name. It was the Lord who so designated them, and every descendant of Lehi should proudly say, “I am a Lamanite and I am proud of my heritage.”<br />
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</div></div>jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01313127576303289593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645717577597362395.post-26397941942274074272011-03-10T08:49:00.000-08:002011-03-10T08:49:01.202-08:003 Nephi 20-26<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">Quotes of the Week:</span><br />
"The search for peace is one of the ultimate quests of the human soul."<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--Jeffrey R. Holland, Ensign, 11/96</div><br />
"Because sexual intimacy is so sacred, the Lord requires self-control and purity before marriage, as well as full fidelity after marriage. . . . .Tears inevitably follow transgression. Men, take care not to make women weep, for God counts their tears."<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, 11/90, 47</div><br />
<div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Further Reading:</span></div>Russell M. Nelson, "Children of the Covenant", <i>Ensign</i>, May 1995, 32 <br />
Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Peaceable Things of the Kingdom,” <i>Ensign, </i>11/96, 82-84<br />
Henry B. Eyring, “The Book of Mormon Will Change Your Life,” <i>Ensign</i>, 2/04, 11-12 <br />
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<div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Handouts:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 20:11-13--The Gathering of Israel</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Douglas L. Callister, “Book of Mormon Principles: The Gathering of the Lord’s Faithful,” <i>Ensign,</i> 10/04, 59</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Our present gathering is primarily spiritual, not geographic. . . . . Our need to be physically near large numbers of Saints is less than it was a century ago because Church magazines and satellite transmissions bridge distance and time, creating a sense of oneness throughout the entire Church. All have access to the same keys, ordinances, doctrine, and spiritual gifts.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 20:15-20--The Gentiles</span></span></div>Ezra Taft Benson, <i>God—Family—Country</i>, 345<br />
If the gentiles on this land reject the word of God and conspire to overthrow liberty and the Constitution, then their doom is fixed, and they “shall be cut off from among my people who are of the covenant.”<br />
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Spencer W. Kimball, <i>Ensign,</i> 12/75<br />
There is one point I would like to make clear as I repeat what the Lord said: “I will gather you on one condition.” The title to the land of America is a conditional title, and only those who live the laws of God and serve him faithfully can inherit it. He wanted the Jaredites to come over. They found America. They lived for a long while here and ripened in iniquity before they encountered the people of Mulek. The land then was given to Lehi and to his sons and their families, but when a fulness of iniquity arose among these children of the land, they were swept off. Therefore, I want us to keep in our minds the fact that this land is ours only so long as we live the commandments of God. Whether it is Greeks or Italians or Norwegians or whoever is going to enjoy this land, they are going to serve God or they shall be swept off.<br />
That is what makes me so frightened today when I read the magazines and the newspapers and see that the gentiles who are living upon this land today are failing, to some extent at least, to live the commandments. There is much evil, much wrong, much wrongdoing in this land of ours. Many people break the laws of God, and the day will come when he just cannot tolerate it. He says he won’t. When they become ripe in their iniquity, the day will come when they will be swept off.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 20:25-27—Children of the Covenant</span></span></div>Russell M. Nelson, <i>Ensign,</i> 5/95, 33<br />
We are also children of the covenant. We have received, as did they of old, the holy priesthood and the everlasting gospel. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are our ancestors. We are of Israel. We have the right to receive the gospel, blessings of the priesthood, and eternal life. Nations of the earth will be blessed by our efforts and by the labors of our posterity. The literal seed of Abraham and those who are gathered into his family by adoption receive these promised blessings—predicated upon acceptance of the Lord and obedience to his commandments.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 20:29-33—Jews Gathered</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Bruce R. McConkie, <i>Millennial Messiah</i>, 229</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">As all the world knows, many Jews are now gathering to Palestine, where they have their own nation and way of worship, all without reference to a belief in Christ or an acceptance of the laws and ordinances of his everlasting gospel. Is this the latter-day gathering of the Jews of which the scriptures speak? No! It is not; let there be no misunderstanding in any discerning mind on this point. This gathering of the Jews to their homeland, and their organization into a nation and a kingdom, is not the gathering promised by the prophets. It does not fulfill ancient promises. Those who have thus assembled have not gathered into the true Church and fold of their ancient Messiah. . . . .</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">This gathering of the unconverted to Palestine—shall we not call it a political gathering . . . or shall we not call it a preliminary gathering brought to pass in the wisdom of him who once was their God?—this gathering, of those whose eyes are yet dimmed by scales of darkness and who have not yet become the delightsome people it is their destiny to be, is nonetheless part of the divine plan.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;">Joseph McConkie, <i>Studies in Scripture</i>, 8:184</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">This latter-day gathering, Christ testified, would be first spiritual and then temporal. Israel, he said, must return first to their covenants and then to their covenant lands.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 21:1-9--Latter-day Gathering of Israel</span></span></div>Gordon B. Hinckley,<i> Ensign</i>, 5/04, 83-84<br />
Do we really comprehend, do we understand the tremendous significance of that which we have? . . . <br />
We of this generation are the end harvest of all that has gone before. It is not enough to simply be known as a member of this Church. A solemn obligation rests upon us. Let us face it and work at it.<br />
We must live as true followers of the Christ, with charity toward all, returning good for evil, teaching by example the ways of the Lord, and accomplishing the vast service He has outlined for us.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 21:22-24—Who Shall Build the New Jerusalem?</span></span></div><i>Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball</i>, 605-06<br />
How I wish you could go with me through the Indian reservations and particularly Navajo lands and see the poverty, want wretchedness, and realize again that these are sons and daughters of God; that their miserable state is the result, not only of their centuries of wars and sins and godlessness, but is also attributable to us, their con querors, who placed them on reservations with such limited resources and facilities, to starve and die of malnutrition and unsanitary conditions, while we become fat in the prosperity from the assets we took from them. Think of these things, my people, and then weep for the Indian, and with your tears, pray; then work for him. Only through us, the “nursing fathers and mothers,’ may they eventually enjoy a fulfillment of the many promises made to them. . . . They shall prosper in the land and will, with our help, build up a holy city, even the New Jerusalem, unto their God. Only in our doing all in our power to restore these people to their heritage, can we even approach a justification for having taken their promised land.<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball</i>, 441-42</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Never shall we go to Jackson County until we have converted and brought into this Church great numbers of Lamanites.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 22:17—No Weapon . . . Shall Prosper</span></span></div>Boyd K. Packer, remarks at President Benson’s funeral, <i>Ensign</i>, 7/94, 32<br />
He [Ezra Taft Benson] always kept this verse from the Book of Mormon in his wallet: [3 Ne. 22:17]. And always this statement was kept on his desk or in his study: “Be right, and then be easy to live with, if possible, in that order.<br />
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Joseph Smith,<i> History of the Church,</i> 4:540<br />
No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independently, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.<br />
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John Taylor, <i>Journal of Discourses, </i>21:8<br />
When the people shall have torn to shreds the Constitution of the United States, the Elders of Israel will be found holding it up to the nations of the earth and proclaiming liberty and equal rights to all men, and extending the hand of fellowship to the oppressed of all nations.<br />
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Jeffrey R. Holland, CES Fireside for Young Adults, 9/12/04<br />
We must <i>never</i>, in <i>any</i> age or circumstance, let fear and the father of fear (Satan himself) divert us from our faith and faithful living. . . . It will be okay. Just be faithful. God is in charge. He knows your name and He knows your need. . . .<br />
So, in a world of tribulation—and there will always be plenty of it—let’s remember our faith. Let’s recall the <i>other</i> promises and prophecies that have been given, all the reassuring ones, and let’s live life more fully, with more boldness and courage than at any other time our history. . . . <br />
God is watching over His world, His Church, His leaders, and He is certainly watching over you. Let’s just make sure we are the “pure in heart” and that we <i>are</i> <i></i>faithful. How blessed you will be. How fortunate your children and grandchildren will be . . . . <br />
Is there a happy future for you and your posterity in these latter days? Absolutely! . .. will there be difficult times when those ominous latter-day warnings and prophecies are fulfilled? Of course there will. . . . <br />
God not only lives, He loves us. He loves <i>you</i>. Everything He does is for our good and our protection. . . . He will shelter us from the storm. . . . <br />
I leave an apostolic blessing on each one of you individually within the sound of my voice that you will live with confidence, optimism, faith, and devotion. . . . I bless you to feel the joy of the Saints in the latter days—never crippling anxiety or destructive despair.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> 3 Nephi 23:1-3—Scripture Study</span></span></div>Gordon B. Hinckley, <i>Ensign</i>, 5/95, 99<br />
I am grateful for emphasis on reading the scriptures. I hope that for you this will become something far more enjoyable than a duty; that, rather, it will become a love affair with the word of God. I promise you that as you read, your minds will be enlightened and your spirits will be lifted. At first it may seem tedious, but that will change into a wondrous experience with thoughts and words of things divine.<br />
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Henry B. Eyring, <i>Ensign</i>, 11/97, 84<br />
The Holy Ghost will guide what we say if we study and ponder the scriptures every day. . . . <br />
We treasure the word of God not only by reading the words of the scriptures but by studying them. We may be nourished more by pondering a few words, allowing the Holy Ghost to make them treasures to us, than to pass quickly and superficially over whole chapters of scripture.<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;">Bruce R. McConkie, as cited in </span><i style="color: #45818e;">Unlocking the Book of Mormon,</i><span style="color: #45818e;"> p. 453</span> <br />
<div style="color: #45818e;"> "Much of what Isaiah has to say is yet to be fulfilled. . . He is in fact the prophet of the restoration, the mighty seer of Jacob’s seed who foresaw our day."</div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 23:9—Missing Prophecy</span></span></div>Hartman Rector, <i>CR,</i> 4/81, 99<br />
I personally believe that the writing of personal and family histories will do more to turn the hearts of the children to the fathers and the fathers to children than almost anything we can do. I am sure you will never turn your own children’s hearts more to you than you will by keeping a journal and writing your personal history. They will ultimately love to find out about your success and your failures and your peculiarities. It will tell them a lot about themselves, too. They will get a great desire to raise a family of their own when they see what a great blessing they were to you. . . . <br />
I am convinced that these records we are commanded to write are absolutely vital, not only to the salvation of our ancestors but also to ours, for are we not to be judged out fo the books which John saw were to be opened, as recorded in Revelation 20:12?<br />
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Dennis B. Neuenschwander, <i>Ensign,</i> 5/99, 84<br />
That which I do not in some way record will be lost at my death, and that which I do not pass on to my posterity, they will never have. . . . <br />
A life that is not documented is a life that within a generation or two will largely be lost to memory.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 24:3—Sons of Levi</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Joseph Fielding Smith, <i>Doctrines of Salvation</i>, 3:93-94</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">It should be remembered that the great temple, which is yet to be built in the City Zion, will not be one edifice, but twelve. Some of these temples will be for the lesser priesthood. When these temples are built, it is very likely that provision will be made for some ceremonies and ordinances which may be performed by the Aaronic Priesthood and a place provided where the sons of Levi may offer their offering in righteousness. This will have to be the case because all things are to be restored. . . The sacrifice of animals will be done to complete the restoration when the temple spoken of is built; at the beginning of the millennium, or in the restoration, blood sacrifices will be performed long enough to complete the fulness of the restoration in this dispensation. Afterwards sacrifice will be of some other character. [see D&C 13; 84:31]</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 24:8-12--Tithing </span></span></div>Jeffrey R. Holland, <i>Ensign</i>, 11/01, 33-35<br />
Five reasons why all of us, rich or poor, longtime member or newest convert, should faithfully pay our tithes and offerings.<br />
First, do so for the sake of your children and grandchildren, . . . Teach your children that many of the blessings of the Church are available to them because you and they give tithes and offerings to the Church.<br />
Second, pay your tithing to rightfully claim the blessings promised those who do so. . . . <br />
Third, pay your tithing as a declaration that possession of material goods and the accumulation of worldly wealth are not the uppermost goals of your existence. . . . .<br />
Fourth, pay your tithes and offerings out of honesty and integrity because they are God’s rightful due. . . . .<br />
This leads to a fifth reason to pay our tithes and offerings. We should pay them as a personal expression of love to a generous and merciful Father in Heaven. Through His grace God has dealt bread to the hungry and clothing to the poor. At various times in our lives that will include all of us, either temporally or spiritually.<br />
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Joseph F. Smith, <i>CR, </i>4/1900, 47<br />
There is a great deal of importance connected with this principle, for by it, it shall be known whether we are faithful or unfaithful. In this respect it is as essential as faith in God, as repentance of sin, as baptism for the remission of sin, or as the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.<br />
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Gordon B. Hinckley, <i>Ensign, </i>5/82, 40<br />
I can interpret the word land as people, that those who walk in obedience shall be a delightsome people. What a marvelous condition to be a delightsome people whom others would describe as blessed!<br />
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Harold B. Lee, <i>Ensign, </i>11/71, 16<br />
The opening of the windows of heaven, of course, means revelations from God to him who is willing thus to sacrifice.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 25:5-6--Spirit of Elijah</span></span></div>Harold B. Lee, 1973 Annual Priesthood Genealogical Research Seminar<br />
If we neglect our families here in having home night and we fail in our responsibility here, how could we feel we are doing our full duty in turning the hearts of our children to their fathers? . . . So, the hearts of you fathers and mothers must be turned to your children right now, if you have the true spirit of Elijah, and not think it applies merely to those who are beyond the veil. . . . If you are neglecting your family home evening, you are neglecting the beginning of the mission of Elijah just as certainly as if you were neglecting your genealogical work.<br />
<br />
<i>Discourses of Gordon B. Hinckley, 1995-99,</i> 1:576-77, 579<br />
To you I say with all the energy of which I am capable, do not become a weak link in your chain of generations.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 26:9-10—Greater Portion of the Word</span></span></div>Henry B. Eyring,<i> Ensign,</i> 2/04, 11-12<br />
[The] challenge is not to prove that the “Book of Mormon is true by to prove to God that [we] are true. When [you] do this, [you] will know the book is true. And when [you] prove that [you] will do what the book says, God will tell [you] more. . . .<br />
The Book of Mormon is about people proving their belief to God little by little. And then He confirms their belief and gives them more. . . . <br />
I bear testimony that however much you have learned from the Book of Mormon before, you should read it again and prove it. Prove it by proving yourself. Do the things you feel impressed to do, and you will find things in it that you have never seen before.<br />
<br />
</div>jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01313127576303289593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645717577597362395.post-81459210128890021762011-03-03T04:53:00.000-08:002011-03-03T05:27:15.297-08:003 Nephi 15-19<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Quotes of the Week:</span></div>"The gospel is structured to help us progress to ever higher levels of spirituality in ever more perfect compliance with the patterns of heaven."<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><i>--Unlocking the Book of Mormon,</i> p. 437</div>"Could it be with you as it was with the Nephite children? . . . <br />
With the power of the Spirit, you too can speak great and marvelous things in your own family. . . .<br />
You may never see angels descending out of heaven, but I can promise you as you bear testimony and pray in your families, unseen angels will minister to you."<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--Carol B. Thomas, <i>Ensign,</i> 5/01, 90</div><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;"> Further Reading:</span><br />
Jeffrey R. Holland, "“This Do in Remembrance of Me”", <i>Ensign,</i> Nov. 1995, 67<br />
L. Lionel Kendrick, “Search the Scriptures,” <i>Ensign</i>, 5/93, 14-15<br />
Henry B. Eyring, "Rise to Your Call," <i>Ensign,</i> 11/02<br />
Dallin H. Oaks, "Two Lines of Communication," <i>Ensign,</i> 11/10<br />
David A. Bednar, Receive the Holy Ghost, <i>Ensign</i>, 11/10<br />
Thomas S. Monson, “Till We Meet Again,” <i>Ensign </i>11/10<br />
Spencer W. Kimball, "“Pray Always”", <i>Ensign,</i> Oct. 1981, 3<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">Handouts:</span><br />
<div style="color: #45818e; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 15:1-10—the New Law</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Jeffrey R. Holland, </span><i style="color: #45818e;">Christ and the New Covenant, </i><span style="color: #45818e;">156-57</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Clearly the Nephite congregation understood this more readily than did the Jewish world, partly because the Nephite prophets had been so careful to teach the transitional nature of the law [see Mosiah 13:27 and 2 Nephi 25:27] . . . .</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">That kind of teaching—a caution against hardening one’s heart against Christ in ignorant defense of the law of Moses—could have served (and saved) so many living in the Old World then and living throughout the world now.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">The Law and the Prophets--</span><i style="color: #45818e;">Book of Mormon Student Manual,</i><span style="color: #45818e;"> 1989, 120</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">At the time of Jesus the Jewish scriptures (our Old Testament) were divided into three major sections. The LAW, or the Torah, included the five books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). The PROPHETS included the writings of the various prophets (such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel). The third section, the WRITINGS, included the historical books (such as Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings) and the poetic books (such as Psalms and Proverbs).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Unlocking the Book of Mormon, p. 437</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">The gospel is structured to help us progress to ever higher levels of spirituality in ever more perfect compliance with the patterns of heaven.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">3 Nephi 17:1-3—Pondering</span></div>Marion G. Romney, <i>Ensign,</i> 7/73, 90<br />
As I have read the scriptures, I have been challenged by the word ponder, so frequently used in the Book of Mormon. The dictionary says that ponder means “to weigh mentally, think deeply about, deliberate, meditate.” . . .<br />
Pondering is, in my feeling, a form of prayer. It has, at least, been an approach to the Spirit of the Lord on many occasions.<br />
<br />
Henry B. Eyring,<i> Ensign</i>, 11/02, 81<br />
Often the answers will come as you study the scriptures. . . . Pondering the scriptures will lead you to ask the right questions in prayer. And just as surely as the heavens were opened to Joseph Smith after he pondered the scriptures in faith, God will answer your prayers and He will lead you by the hand.<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Teachings of the Presidents of the Church—David O. McKay,</i> 31-32<br />
We pay too little attention to the value of meditation. . . . . In our worship there are two elements: one is spiritual communion arising from our own meditations; the other, instruction from others, particularly from those who have authority to guide and instruct us. Of the two, the more profitable introspectively is the meditation. Meditation is the language of the soul. . . . Meditation is a form of prayer. . . . <br />
Meditation is one of the most secret, most sacred doors through which we pass into the presence of the Lord.<br />
<br />
L. Lionel Kendrick, “Search the Scriptures,”<i> Ensign,</i> 5/93, 14-15<br />
To ponder is to meditate, to think, to feast, and to treasure. It is more than a mental method it is a spiritual striving to obtain and to understand truth. <br />
<br />
<br />
Bruce R. McConkie, as cited in <i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i>, p. 440<br />
Faith is thus born of scriptural study. Those who study, ponder, and pray about the scriptures, seeking to understand their deep and hidden meanings, receive from time to time great outpourings of light and knowledge from the Holy Spirit. . . .<br />
However talented men may be in administrative matters; however eloquent they may be in expressing their views; however learned they may be in worldly things—they will be denied the sweet whisperings of the Spirit that might have been theirs unless they pay the price of studying, pondering, and praying about the scriptures.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #76a5af; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">3 Nephi 17:11-24—Blessing the Children</span></div><div style="color: #76a5af;">Michaelene P. Grassli, <i>Ensign,</i> 11/92, 92-94</div><div style="color: #76a5af;">It’s significant to me that . . . the Savior gave the most sacred teachings only to the children, then loosed their tongues so they could teach the multitude.</div><div style="color: #76a5af;">Is it any wonder that following the Savior’s visit to the Nephites, they lived in peace and righteousness for two hundred years? Because of miraculous instructions, blessings, and attention they and their children received, righteousness was perpetuated by their children’s children for many generations.</div><div style="color: #76a5af;">Let us not underestimate the capacity and potential power of today’s children to perpetuate righteousness. No group of people in the Church is as receptive to the truth.</div><div style="color: #76a5af;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #76a5af;">Janet Peterson and Eduardo Ayala, “Friend to Friend,” <i>The Friend,</i> 3/96 6-7</div><div style="color: #76a5af;">One of the greatest expressions of love for children that I have seen occurred when I was serving as a stake president in Chile. President Spencer W. Kimball visited Chile for an area conference. Members of the Church from four countries met together in a stadium that held about fifteen thousand people. We asked President Kimball what he would like to do after the conference. His eyes full of tears, he said, “I would like to see the children.” One of the priesthood leaders announced over the microphone that President Kimball would like to shake the hands or bless each of the children in the stadium. The people were astounded—there was a great silence. President Kimball greeted about two thousand children one by one, crying as he shook their hands or kissed them or put his hands on their heads and blessed them. The children were very reverent and looked at him and cried too. He said he’d never felt this kind of spirit in his life. It was a tremendous moment in the lives of all the Church members there.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Ne</span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">phi 18:1-14—The Sacrament</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"></span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"></span></span></div>Jeffrey R. Holland, "“This Do in Remembrance of Me”", <i>Ensign,</i> Nov. 1995, 67<br />
If remembering is the principal task before us, what might come to our memory when those plain and precious emblems are offered to us?<br />
We could remember the Savior’s premortal life and all that we know him to have done as the great Jehovah, creator of heaven and earth and all things that in them are. We could remember that even in the Grand Council of Heaven he loved us and was wonderfully strong, that we triumphed even there by the power of Christ and our faith in the blood of the Lamb (see Rev. 12:10–11).<br />
<br />
We could remember the simple grandeur of his mortal birth to just a young woman . . . <br />
<br />
We could remember his magnificent but virtually unknown foster father . . . <br />
<br />
We could remember Christ’s miracles and his teachings, his healings and his help . . .<br />
We could remember that even with such a solemn mission given to him, the Savior found delight in living; he enjoyed people and told his disciples to be of good cheer. . . .<br />
<br />
We could remember that Christ called his disciples friends, and that friends are those who stand by us in times of loneliness or potential despair. We could remember a friend we need to contact or, better yet, a friend we need to make . . .<br />
<br />
John E. MacKay, <i>Ensign</i>, 3/95, 66<br />
According to our latter-day prophets and leaders, when you partake of the sacrament you renew whatever covenants you have made with the Lord. For example, if you have been baptized only, that is the covenant you renew. If you have received the Melchizedek Priesthood, you also renew that part of the oath and covenant related to your having received that priesthood. If you have received your endowment, you also renew the covenants associated with it. Further, if you have been sealed, you also renew that covenant. In other words, when you partake of the sacrament, you renew all the covenants you have made with the Lord.<br />
<br />
John H. Groberg,<i> Ensign,</i> 5/89, 38-39<br />
The sacrament is an intensely personal experience, and we are the ones who knowingly are worthy or otherwise. . . .<br />
As we worthily partake of the sacrament, we will sense those things we need to improve in and receive the help and determination to do so. No matter what our problems, the sacrament always gives hope.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">3 Nephi 18:16,24—“I Have Set an Example for You"</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Neal A. Maxwell, <i>A Wonderful Flood of Light</i>, 110.</div><div style="color: #45818e;">Unless we emulate Him as completely as we can, we will have deprived ourselves of the great model. Moreover, out emulation is to be of both style and substance. God’s love underwrites his listening, for instance. Can we conceive of a God who is a nonlistener? Or who is lacking in power? Or who is unwilling to assert Himself on an issue of principle? As we become more like Him it will take place in both attributes and actions.</div><br />
<div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">3 Nephi 18:18—Pray Always</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Henry B. Eyring, <i>Ensign,</i> 10/99, 12</div><div style="color: #45818e;">The Lord hears the prayers of your heart. </div><div style="color: #45818e;">The feelings of your heart, of love for our Heavenly Father and for His Beloved Son, can be so constant that your prayers will ascend always.</div><br />
<br />
Jeffrey R. Holland, “For a Wise Purpose,”<i> Ensign,</i> 1/96<br />
I can hardly imagine what it might be like to have heard the Savior pray in that setting, but I cannot even comprehend what is meant when they say that “no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive” what they saw the Savior pray. It’s one thing to hear such a prayer. It’s surely something altogether more to see one. What did they see? Well, it can’t be written. But suffice it to say that this is the great, consummate, concluding example the Savior sets for those people that day, the culminating jewel, the crowning, post-sacramental counsel given to the Twelve and all others who would take up the cross and follow him—they must pray always.<br />
<br />
Jeffrey R. Holland, <i>Christ and the New Covenant,</i> p. 270<br />
Jesus concluded his supplication on behalf of the children and arose from his prayer. However, because of their overwhelming joy, the multitude did not—or could not—rise. Jesus bade them arise, saying that because that because of THEIR faith, HIS JOY was full. What a remarkable gift to the Savior of the world to be so faithful and so devoted, so humble and respectful, that he, the Man of Sorrows who weeps so often for the sins of the world, could weep because his joy was full.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #45818e;">Thomas S. Monson, “Till We Meet Again,” <i>Ensign,</i> 11/10</div><div style="color: #45818e;">May heaven’s blessings be with you. May your homes be filled with love and courtesy and with the Spirit of the Lord. May you constantly nourish your testimonies of the gospel, that they will be a protection to you against the buffetings of Satan.</div><div style="color: #45818e;">Conference is now over. As we return to our homes, may we do so safely. May the spirit we have felt here be and abide with us as we go about those things which occupy us each day. May we show increased kindness toward one another; may we ever be found doing the work of the Lord.</div><div style="color: #45818e;">I love you; I pray for you. I bid you farewell till we meet again in six months’ time. In the name of our Lord and Savior, even Jesus Christ, amen.</div><br />
<i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon,</i> p. 443<br />
Prayer is intimate communication with God, the channel for inspiration, the most direct means for expressing gratitude, the posture and essence of humility, the witness of a broken heart, the voice of a contrite spirit, the start and the finish of the quest for forgiveness. All of these things and many more characterize the nobility and the sacredness of prayer to our Heavenly Father. . . . Prayer is the soul of gospel living.<br />
<br />
David E. Sorenson, <i>Ensign,</i> 5/93, 30-31<br />
The greatest blessing and benefit [of prayer] is not the spiritual blessings that may come as answers to our prayers by in the changes to our soul that come as we learn to be dependent on our Heavenly Father for strength. . . . The very act of praying will improve us.<br />
<br />
<br />
Gordon B. Hinckley, <i>CR, </i>4/63, 127<br />
I feel satisfied that there is no adequate substitute for the morning and evening practice of kneeling together—father, mother, and children. This, more than soft carpets, more than lovely draperies, more than cleverly balanced color schemes, is the thing that will make for better and more beautiful homes.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #45818e;">Marion G. Romney, Ensign, 1/80, 5</div><div style="color: #45818e;">If you want to obtain and keep the guidance of the Spirit, you can do so by following this simple four-point program. One, pray. Pray diligently. . . . Second, study and learn the gospel. Third, live righteously; repent of your sins. . . . . Fourth, give service in the Church.</div><br />
Bruce R. McConkie, <i>Mormon Doctrine,</i> 586<br />
Perfect prayers are those which are inspired, in which the Spirit reveals the words which should be used.<br />
<br />
H. Burke Peterson, “Adversity and Prayer,” <i>Prayer</i>, p. 108<br />
Sincere prayer is the heart of a happy and productive life. Prayer strengthens faith. Prayer is the preparation for miracles. Prayer opens the door to eternal happiness. The Father of us all is personal, ever waiting to hear from us, as any loving father would his children.<br />
<br />
Robert D. Hales, <i>Ensign,</i> 5/92, 64<br />
Prayer is an essential part of conveying appreciation to our Heavenly Father. He awaits our expressions of gratefulness each morning and night in sincere, simple prayer from our hearts for our many blessings, gifts, and talents. Through expression of prayerful gratitude and thanksgiving, we show our dependence upon a higher source of wisdom and knowledge—God the Father and his Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.<br />
<br />
Boyd K. Packer, <i>Ensign,</i> 11/94, 59<br />
Learn to pray. Pray often. Pray in your mind, in your heart. Pray on your knees. . . .<br />
Prayer is YOUR personal key to heaven. The lock is on your side of the veil. [Rev. 3:20].<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">3 Nephi 19:9—Pray for Holy Ghost</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Heber J. Grant, <i>Gospel Standards,</i> 26</div><div style="color: #45818e;">I have little or no fear for the boy or the girl, the young man or the young woman, who honestly and conscientiously supplicate God twice a day for the guidance of His Spirit. I am sure that when temptation comes they will have the strength to overcome it by the inspiration that shall be given to them. Supplicating the Lord for the guidance of His Spirit places around us a safeguard, and if we earnestly and honestly seek the guidance of the Spirit of the Lord, I can assure you that we will receive it.</div><br />
<br />
David A. Bednar, "Receive the Holy Ghost," <i>Ensign, </i>11/10<br />
The simplicity of this ordinance may cause us to overlook its significance. These four words—“Receive the Holy Ghost”—are not a passive pronouncement; rather, they constitute a priesthood injunction—an authoritative admonition to act and not simply to be acted upon (see 2 Nephi 2:26). The Holy Ghost does not become operative in our lives merely because hands are placed upon our heads and those four important words are spoken. As we receive this ordinance, each of us accepts a sacred and ongoing responsibility to desire, to seek, to work, and to so live that we indeed “receive the Holy Ghost” and its attendant spiritual gifts. “For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift” (D&C 88:33).<br />
What should we do to make this authorized admonition to seek for the companionship of the third member of the Godhead an ongoing reality? Let me suggest that we need to (1) sincerely desire to receive the Holy Ghost, (2) appropriately invite the Holy Ghost into our lives, and (3) faithfully obey God’s commandments.<br />
<br />
</div>jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01313127576303289593noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645717577597362395.post-19857695661798566012011-02-24T08:25:00.000-08:002011-02-24T08:25:00.268-08:003 Nephi 8-14<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Quotes of the Week:</span></div>"The burning bushes, the smoking mountains, . . . the Cumorahs, and the Kirtlands were realities; but they were the exceptions. . . . Always expecting the spectacular, many will miss entirely the constant flow of revealed communication."<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--Spencer W. Kimball, Munich Germany Area Conference, 1973, 77</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<br />
"The commandment to avoid contention applies to those who are right as well as those who are wrong."</div><div style="text-align: right;">--Dallin H. Oaks, The Lord’s Way, 142</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Further Reading:</span></div>Dallin H. Oaks, "Judge Not and Judging,” <i>Ensign</i>, 8/99, 7-10<br />
James E. Faust, “The Lifeline of Prayer,” <i>Ensign,</i> 5/02, 59 <br />
Gordon B. Hinckley, "What God Hath Joined Together," General Conference, April 7, 1991<br />
Gordon B. Hinckley, "If Ye Are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear,” <i>Ensign,</i> 11/05, 61-62<br />
James E. Faust, "Enriching Your Marriage", <i>Liahona</i>, Apr. 2007, 2–6<br />
Dallin H. Oaks, “Divorce,” <i>Ensign, </i>5/07<br />
Claudio R.M. Costa, “Obedience to the Prophets,” <i>Ensign,</i> 11/10, 11<br />
Janet Scharman, “Chosen Witness for His Name,” Women’s Conference 2001, 14<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">Handouts:</span><br />
<div style="color: #45818e; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">3 Nephi 8:5-23--Nephite Destruction</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;"><i>The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball,</i> 440-41<br />
Just as surely as Jesus was born in Bethlehem, just so surely will he come again, a resurrected, glorified being, and with him will come hosts, and there will be many spectacular changes. It will not be the end of the world in the sense of annihilation, but the end of its present relationships, and there will be many, many changes. Beginning with the bridegroom’s coming will come the celestializing of this earth and tremendous changes which we can hardly think of or believe.<br />
<br />
Daniel Peterson,<i> Ensign</i>, 1/00, 22<br />
The account of the great destruction given in 3 Nephi 8 finds remarkable parallels with what modern seismology and vulcanology show about cataclysmic geological events and with historical reports of such catastrophes. Yet Joseph Smith never saw a volcano and never experienced a significant earthquake, nor is it likely he had read any substantial literature on the subject.<br />
<br />
Gordon B. Hinckley, <i>Ensign, </i>11/05, 61-62<br />
We can so live that we can call upon the Lord for His protection and guidance. This is a first priority. We cannot expect His help if we are unwilling to keep His commandments. We in this Church have evidence enough of the penalties of disobedience in the examples of both the Jaredite and the Nephite nations. Each went from glory to utter destruction because of wickedness.</div><div style="color: #45818e;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #45818e; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 8:25—Stoning the Prophets</span></span></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Claudio R.M. Costa,<i> Ensign,</i> 11/10, 11<br />
We are privileged to have the words of our living prophets, seers, and revelators during this wonderful general conference. They will speak the will of the Lord for us, His people. They will transmit the word of God and His counsel to us. Pay attention and follow their instruction and suggestions, and I testify to you that your life will be completely blessed.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 9:2—the Devil Laugheth</span></span></div>Robert D. Hales, <i>Ensign</i>, 5/06, 6<br />
Although the devil laughs, his power is limited. Some may remember the old adage: “The devil made me do it.” Today I want to convey, in absolutely certain terms, that the adversary cannot make us do anything. He does lie at our door, as the scriptures say, and he follows us each day. Every time we go out, every decision we make, we are either choosing to move in his direction or in the direction of our Savior. But the adversary must depart if we tell him to depart. He cannot influence us unless we allow him to do so, and he knows that! The only time he can affect our minds and bodies—our very spirits—is when we allow him to do so.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 9:19-20--Sacrifice</span></span></div>Neal A. Maxwell, <i>Ensign,</i> 5/95<br />
Real, personal sacrifice was never placing an animal on the altar. Instead, it is a willingness to put the animal in us upon the altar and letting it be consumed.<br />
<br />
Hartman Rector, <i>Ensign,</i> 5/79<br />
Surely, in the work of the Lord, it is what we do after we think we have done enough that really counts with Him, for that is when the blessings flow. If you would have a blessing from the Lord, put something upon the altar. Make a sacrifice. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">J. Reuben Clark, as cited in </span><i style="color: #45818e;">Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i><span style="color: #45818e;">, p. 425</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">It is difficult for us today to realize the tremendous revolution involved in altering the ritualism of the Law of Moses into the humble and lowly concept of worship, not with the sacrificial blood of animals, but with this broken heart and contrite spirit of the worshiper. . . . [Animal sacrifice] was always a vicarious sacrifice, apparently with little actual sacrifice except for the value of the animal sacrificed, by the individuals themselves, to cancel the debit, so to speak, against their lives and living in the eyes of the Almighty One. The sinner seemingly, in general, took on no obligation and considered himself under no obligation to abandon his sins, but took on only the obligation to offer sacrifice therefore.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">But under the new covenant that came in with Christ, the sinner must offer the sacrifice out of his own life, not by offering the blood of some other creature; he must give up his sins, he must repent, he himself must make the sacrifice, and that sacrifice was calculated to reach out into the life of the sinner in the future so that he would become a better and changed man. . . . </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">This change represents a transition in emphasis from the physical to the spiritual and a change from a vicarious sacrifice to a personal one. The principle involved is that one can only come unto Christ by removing barriers between the individual and the Savior.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 9:19-20--Baptism of Fire</span></span></div><div style="color: #45818e;"><i>Mormon Doctrine</i>, p. 73 </div><span style="color: #45818e;">Baptism of fire—actual enjoyment of the gift which is offered by the laying on of hands at the time of baptism</span>.<br />
<br />
Ezra Taft Benson, “A Mighty Change of Heart,” <i>Ensign, </i>10/89, 5<br />
Day by day [Latter-day Saints] move closer to the Lord, little realizing they are building a godlike life. They live quiet lives of goodness, service, and commitment. They are like the Lamanites, who the Lord said “were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.”<br />
<br />
Boyd K. Packer, "The Power of the Priesthood", <i>Ensign,</i> May 2000, 6–10<br />
Too many of us are like those whom the Lord said “[came] with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, … [and] at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.” <br />
Imagine that: “And they knew it not.” It is not unusual for one to have received the gift and not really know it.<br />
I fear this supernal gift is being obscured by programs and activities and schedules and so many meetings. There are so many places to go, so many things to do in this noisy world. We can be too busy to pay attention to the promptings of the Spirit.<br />
The voice of the Spirit is a still, small voice—a voice that is felt rather than heard. It is a spiritual voice that comes into the mind as a thought put into your heart.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #45818e; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 10:6-7--Repentance</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Eldred G. Smith,</span><i style="color: #45818e;"> CR, </i><span style="color: #45818e;">1954, 88</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Let us not be so self-righteous that we think that we have no need for repentance, for the Savior himself preached repentance to the more righteous who were spared from the great destruction at the time of the crucifixion.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 11:1—Gathering at the Temple</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Ezra Taft Benson, <i>Ensign</i>, 5/87, 85</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">I promise you that, with increased attendance in the temples of our God, you shall receive increased personal revelation to bless your life as you bless those who have died.</span><br />
<br />
Howard W. Hunter, <i>Ensign,</i> 11/94, 8<br />
Look to the temple of the Lord as the great symbol of your membership. It is the deepest desire of my heart to have every member of the Church worthy to enter the temple. . . . The things that we must do and not do to be worthy of a temple recommend are the very things that ensure we will be happy as individuals and as families. Let us be a temple-attending people. Attend the temple as frequently as personal circumstances allow. Keep a picture of the temple in your home that your children may see it. Teach them about the purposes of the house of the Lord. Have them plan from their earliest years to go there and to remain worthy of that blessing.<br />
<br />
Howard W. Hunter,<i> Ensign,</i> 2/95, 5<br />
Let us truly be a temple-attending and a temple-loving people. . . . We should go not only for our kindred dead but also for the personal blessing of temple worship, for the sanctity and safety that are within those hallowed and consecrated walls. . . . Let us make the temple, with temple worship and temple covenants and temple marriage, our ultimate earthly goal and the supreme mortal experience.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 11:3-5--The Voice of the Father</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Henry B. Eyring,<i> Ensign,</i> 5/91, 67</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Now, I testify it is a small voice. It whispers, not shouts. And so you must be very quiet inside. That is why you may wisely fast when you want to listen. And that is why you will listen best when you feel, “Father, thy will, not mine, be done.” You will have a feeling of “I want what you want.” Then, the still small voice will seem as if it pierces you. It may make your bones to quake. More often it will make your heart burn within which will lift and reassure.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 11:10-11--Christ Introduces Himself</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Jeffrey R. Holland, <i>Christ and the New Covenant</i>, 251</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Of all the messages that could come from the scroll of eternity, what was the declaration he brought? The Nephite faithful listened as he spoke: “I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.” 56 words. The essence of his earthly mission. Obedience and loyalty to the will of the Father, however bitter the cup or painful the price. That is a lesson he would teach these Nephites again and again during the three days he would be with them. By obedience and sacrifice, by humility and purity, by unflagging determination to glorify the Father, Christ had become the light and the life of the world.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Neal A. Maxwell, <i>CR</i>, 1989, 77</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">At the end, meek and lowly Jesus partook of the most bitter cup without becoming the least bitter. . . . By their very nature, tests are unfair.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">3 Nephi 11:14-17--An Individual Savior</span></div>Jeffrey R. Holland, "Teaching, Preaching, Healing", <i>Ensign, </i>Jan. 2003, 13<br />
However dim our days may seem, they have been a lot darker for the Savior of the world. As a reminder of those days, Jesus has chosen, even in a resurrected, otherwise perfected body, to retain for the benefit of His disciples the wounds in His hands and in His feet and in His side—signs, if you will, that painful things happen even to the pure and the perfect; signs, if you will, that pain in this world is not evidence that God doesn’t love you; signs, if you will, that problems pass and happiness can be ours. Remind others that it is the wounded Christ who is the Captain of our souls, He who yet bears the scars of our forgiveness, the lesions of His love and humility, the torn flesh of obedience and sacrifice.<br />
These wounds are the principal way we are to recognize Him when He comes. He may invite us forward, as He has invited others, to see and to feel those marks. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Discourses of President Gordon B. Hinckley, </i>1:515</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">We are concerned with the individual. . . . We don’t deal in mass of people; we deal with individuals. All of us are just alike. We get sick. We have pain. We worry about our affairs. We worry about our children. WE worry about all of these things which are individual problems. . . . It is imperative that you bless one another with acts of kindness and outreach, to assist all who are in distress, to assist all who are in need and reach out to those in trouble and sorrow and sickness and pain who need our help.</span><br />
<br />
C.S. Lewis, <i>Mere Christianity,</i> 131<br />
[God] has infinite attention to spare for each one of us. He does not have to deal with us in the mass. You are as much alone with Him as if you were the only being He had ever created. When Christ died, He died for you individually just as much as if you had been the only man [or woman] in the world.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 12--Celestial Law</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i>, 430</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">The Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, delivered the higher law to the people at the temple. This is the law of celestial living. This is the law which, when kept, leads to eternal life.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Robert J. Matthews, <i>Symposium on the Book of Mormon</i>, 52</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">The sermon to the Nephites was given to a mixture of people. There was a multitude of believers, and among them there were also twelve special disciples who had been called to be the Lord’s personal representatives. The biblical Sermon on the Mount, on the other hand, was given to a small number of believers, primarily the twelve Apostles whom Jesus had chosen in the Holy Land.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">The Jewish Sermon on the Mount was a missionary-oriented discourse preparatory to sending forth the Twelve to preach. The Nephites’ sermon was directed to the multitudes, with only portions of it being specifically pointed to the twelve Nephite disciples.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 12:1-2</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon,</i> p. 431</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">[These two introductory verses are not included in the King James or the Catholic Bibles.] Thus, most Christians have a misconception as to the meaning of the Sermon on the Mount. They assume that this sermon was meant either for the whole world or for only the chosen disciples. However, the Book of Mormon and the Inspired Version of the Bible indicate that the major parts of this sermon were intended for all those who were willing to accept Christ and keep his commandments.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 12:5--Blessed are the Meek</span></span></div><i>The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball</i>, 232-33<br />
If the Lord was meek and lowly and humble, then to become humble one must do what he did in boldly denouncing evil, bravely advancing righteous works, courageously meeting every problem, becoming the master of himself and the situations about him and being near oblivious to personal credit.<br />
Humility is not pretentious, presumptuous, nor proud. It is not weak, vacillating, nor servile. . . <br />
Humble and meek properly suggest virtues, not weaknesses. They suggest a consistent mildness of temper and an absence of wrath and passion.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 12:13—Salt of the Earth</span></span></div><i style="color: #45818e;">Book of Mormon Student Manual</i><span style="color: #45818e;">, p. 305</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">In the Mosaic sacrificial ritual, salt was a reminder that we should remember and preserve our covenants with God.</span><br />
<br />
Bruce R. McConkie, <i>Mormon Doctrine</i>, p 668<br />
Among the ancient Hebrews salt was an indispensable element having both temporal and spiritual uses. It was used as a preservative, in seasoning food, and in all animal sacrifices. So essential was it to the sacrificial ordinance that it was the symbol of the covenant made between God and his people in connection with that sacred performance. . . .<br />
They had power, in other words, to be the seasoning, savoring, preserving influence in the world, the influence which would bring peace and blessings to all others.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 9:20-22; 3 Ne 12:19—A Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Richard G. Scott, "Jesus Christ, Our Redeemer",</span><i style="color: #45818e;"> Ensign,</i><span style="color: #45818e;"> May 1997, 53</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">I witness that “redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; … unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.” This absolute requisite of “a broken heart and a contrite spirit” prescribes the need to be submissive, compliant, humble (that is, teachable), and willingly obedient.</span><br />
<br />
D. Todd Christofferson, "When Thou Art Converted", <i>Ensign,</i> May 2004, 11–13<br />
After His Atonement and Resurrection, the Savior said He would no longer accept burnt offerings of animals. The gift or sacrifice He will accept now is “a broken heart and a contrite spirit.” As you seek the blessing of conversion, you can offer the Lord the gift of your broken, or repentant, heart and your contrite, or obedient, spirit. In reality, it is the gift of yourself—what you are and what you are becoming.<br />
Is there something in you or in your life that is impure or unworthy? When you get rid of it, that is a gift to the Savior. Is there a good habit or quality that is lacking in your life? When you adopt it and make it part of your character, you are giving a gift to the Lord. Sometimes this is hard to do, but would your gifts of repentance and obedience be worthy gifts if they cost you nothing? Don’t be afraid of the effort required. And remember, you don’t have to do it alone. Jesus Christ will help you make of yourself a worthy gift. His grace will make you clean, even holy. Eventually, you will become like Him, “perfect in Christ.” <br />
<br />
Henry B. Eyring,<i> To Draw Closer to God,</i> 109-110<br />
What are some things you could do to have a soft heart? First of all, don’t think of repentance as something you do after you’ve made a very serious mistake. Think of repentance as what you do every day. Find a moment each day to review in your mind those things that might have disappointed your Heavenly Father and your Savior, and then go and humbly plead for forgiveness. I would suggest that you do that especially on Sundays when you take the sacrament. . . . <br />
Another way to obtain a soft heart is to make sure you don’t focus too much on yourself or your personal problems and struggles. Instead of thinking of yourself primarily as someone who is seeking purification, think of yourself as someone who is trying to find out who around you needs your help. Pray that way and then reach out.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 12:30—Take up Your Cross</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Neal A. Maxwell, <i>Ensign, </i>5/87, 71</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">The daily taking up of the cross means daily denying ourselves the appetites of the flesh.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 12:31-32—Divorce See Deuteronomy 24:1-4</span></span></div>James E Talmage, <i>Jesus the Christ,</i> p. 474<br />
Jesus announced no specific or binding rule as to legal divorces; the putting away of a wife, as contemplated under the Mosaic custom, involved no judicial investigation or action by an established court.<br />
<br />
James E. Faust,<i> Ensign</i>, 5/93, 36<br />
Those marriages performed in our temples, meant to be eternal relationships, then, become the most sacred covenants we can make. The sealing power given by God through Elijah is thus invoked, and God becomes a party to the promises.<br />
What, then, might be “just cause” for breaking the covenants of marriage? . . . Only the parties to the marriage can determine this. They must bear the responsibility for the train of consequences which inevitably follow if these covenants are not honored. In my opinion, “just cause” should be nothing less serious than a prolonged and apparently irredeemable relationship which is destructive of a person’s dignity as a human being.<br />
At the same time, I have strong feelings about what is not provocation for breaking the sacred covenants of marriage. Surely it is not simply “mental distress,” nor “personality differences,” nor having “grown apart,” nor having “fallen out of love.” This is especially so where there are children.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 12:48—“Be Perfect”</span></span></div>James E. Faust, <i>Ensign</i>, 5/99, 19<br />
Perfection is an eternal goal. While we cannot be perfect in mortality, striving for it is a commandment which ultimately, through the Atonement, we can keep.<br />
<br />
C.S. Lewis, <i>Mere Christianity,</i> 172<br />
The command <i>Be ye perfect</i> is not idealistic gas. Nor is it a command to do the impossible. [Christ] is going to make us creatures that can obey that command. He said (in the Bible) that we were “Gods” and He is going to make good His words. If we let Him—for we can prevent Him, if we choose—He will make the feeblest and filthiest of us into a god or goddess, a dazzling, radiant, immortal creature, pulsating all through with such energy and joy and wisdom and love as we cannot now imagine, a bright stainless mirror which reflects back to God perfectly (though, of course, on a smaller scale) His own boundless power and delight and goodness. The process will be long and in parts very painful; but that is what we are in for. Nothing less. He meant what He said.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #45818e; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 13:1 –8, 16-18—Do Not Your Righteous Acts Openly</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Thomas S. Monson,</span><i style="color: #45818e;"> Ensign,</i><span style="color: #45818e;"> 5/83, 55-57</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Loving service anonymously given may be unknown to man—but the gift and the giver are known to God.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 13:9-13—The Lord’s Prayer</span></span></div>James E. Talmage, <i>Jesus the Christ</i>, 238<br />
Prayer is made up of heart throbs and the earnest yearnings of the soul, of supplication based on the realization of need, of contrition and pure desire. . . . God without our prayers would be God; but we without prayer cannot be admitted to the Kingdom of God. <br />
<br />
<i>Teachings of the Presidents of the Church—David O. McKay</i>, 74<br />
Praying for His will to be done and then not trying to live it, gives you a negative answer at once. You would not grant something to a child who showed that attitude towards a request he is making of you. . . . It is the height of disloyalty to pray for God’s will to be done, and then fail to conform our lives to that will.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 13:13-14--Forgiveness</span></span></div>Spencer W. Kimball, <i>The Miracle of Forgiveness,</i> 269<br />
He who will not forgive others breaks down the bridge over which he himself must travel.<br />
<br />
Henry B. Eyring, <i>Ensign</i>, 11/99, 34<br />
We are to forgive to be forgiven. To wait for them to repent before we forgive and repent is to allow them to choose for us a delay which could cost us happiness here and hereafter.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 13:19-24--Treasures on Earth</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Dallin H. Oaks, <i>Ensign,</i> 11/93, 75</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">In light of the ultimate purpose of the great plan of happiness, I believe that the ultimate treasures on earth and in heaven are our children and our posterity.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 13:34--Sufficient is the Day </span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Brigham Young, as cited in<i> Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i>, 435</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">The men and women who desire to obtain seats in the Celestial Kingdom will find that they must battle with the enemy of all righteousness every day.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 14:1-5—Judging</span></span></div>Neal A. Maxwell, <i>Ensign,</i> 5/04, 45<br />
The wise father of Elder Henry B. Eyring observed once how the Lord had a perfect Church until He let all of us inside!<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;">Joseph Smith, as quoted in </span><i style="color: #45818e;">Latter-day Prophets Speak,</i><span style="color: #45818e;"> 59</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Our acts are recorded, and at a future day they will be laid before us, and if we should fail to judge right and injure our fellow beings, they may there, perhaps, condemn us.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /></span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">3 Nephi 14:3-5—Mote/Beam</span></div>Thomas B. Marsh, Journal of Discourses, 5:206-07 spelling original<br />
I have frequently wanted to know how my apostacy began, and I have come to the conclusion that I must have lost the Spirit of the Lord out of my heart.<br />
The next question is, “How and when did you lose the Spirit?” I become jealous of the Prophet [Joseph Smith], . . . and spent all my time in looking for the evil; and then when the Devil began to lead me, . . . I could feel it within me; I felt angry and wrathful;. . . . I was blinded, and I thought I saw a beam in brother Joseph’s eye, but it was nothing but a mote, and my own eye was filled with the beam; . . . <br />
Well, this is about the amount of my hypocrisy—I meddled with that which was not my business. But let me tell you, my brethren and friends, if you do not want to suffer in body and mind, as I have done,--if there are any of you that have the seeds of apostacy in you, do not let them make their appearance, but nip that spirit in the bud; for it is misery and affliction in this world, and destruction in the world to come.</div>jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01313127576303289593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645717577597362395.post-63384699203873257422011-02-17T08:27:00.000-08:002011-02-17T08:27:00.707-08:00Helaman 13-3 Nephi 7<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Quotes of the Week:</span></div>The young people of the Church . . . hold the future in their hands. The Church has always been one generation away from extinction.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--Henry B. Eyring, “We Must Raise Our Sights,” CES conference, 8/14/01</div><br />
Material abundance without character is the surest way to destruction.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--Thomas Jefferson, as quoted by Ezra Taft Benson, A Nation Asleep, 45 </div><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">Further Reading:</span><br />
Neal A. Maxwell, "These Are Your Days",<i> Ensign</i>, Oct. 2004, 26–31<br />
Dallin H. Oaks, "Preparation for the Second Coming",<i> Ensign,</i> May 2004, 7–10<br />
James E. Faust, "“The Great Imitator”", <i>Ensign,</i> Nov. 1987, 33 <br />
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Way of the Disciple", <i>Ensign,</i> May 2009, 75–78<br />
D. Todd Christofferson, "Reflections on a Consecrated Life", <i>Ensign</i>, Nov. 2010, 16–19<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Handouts:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Helaman 13:25-26; 16:2--Follow the Prophet</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Harold B. Lee, <i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon,</i> p. 399</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">The only safety we have as members of the Church is to follow the living prophet as though his words came straight from the mouth of the Lord. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Spencer W. Kimball, <i>CR</i>, 1949, 121</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Many are prone to garnish the sepulchers of yesterday’s prophets and mentally stone the living ones.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Ezra Taft Benson, <i>BYU Speeches of the Year, 1980</i>, 28</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">How we respond to the words of a living prophet when he tells us what we need to know, but would rather not hear, is a test of our faithfulness.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Helaman 13:37—Surrounded by Demons</span></span></div><i>Teachings of the Presidents of the Church—David O. McKay</i>, 84-86<br />
You cannot tamper with the Evil One. Resist temptation, resist the Devil and he will flee from you.<br />
Your weakest point will be the point at which the Devil tries to tempt you. . . .Resist him and you will gain in strength. He will tempt you in another point. Resist him and he becomes weaker and you become stronger, . . . <br />
You are in the midst of temptation, but you, as Christ on the Mount of Temptation, can rise above it.<br />
<br />
Baudelaire<br />
"My dear brothers, never forget, when you hear the progress of enlightenment vaunted, that the devil's best trick is to persuade you that he doesn't exist!"<br />
<br />
George Q. Cannon, <i>Gospel Truths</i>, 1:82<br />
I have come to the conclusion that if our eyes were open to see the spirit world around us, we should feel differently [about evil influences] than we do; we would not be so unguarded and careless and so indifferent whether we had the spirit and power of God with us or not; but we would be continually watchful and prayerful to our Heavenly Father for His Holy Spirit and His holy angels to be around about us to strengthen us to overcome every evil influence.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Joseph Smith, <i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i>, p 400</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">The punishment of the devil was that he should not have a habitation like men. The devil’s retaliation is, he comes into this world, binds up men’s bodies, and occupies them himself.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith</i>, 298</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Any person that he can find that will yield to him, he will bind him, and take possession of the body and reign there, glorying in it mightily, not caring that he had got merely a stolen body; and by and by some one having authority will come along and cast him out and restore the tabernacle to its rightful owner. Th devil steals a tabernacle because he has not one of his own: but if he steals one, he is always liable to be turned out of doors.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Helaman 13:38 Iniquity is Contrary to the Nature of Happiness</span></span></div>Richard G. Scott, <i>Ensign,</i> 5/04, 102<br />
Some are tempted to violate the most basic commandments of God because of seductive actions portrayed as acceptable. They are made to seem attractive, even desirable. There seems to be no serious consequence, but rather apparent lasting joy and happiness. But recognize that those performances are controlled by scripts and actors. The outcome of decisions made is likewise manipulated to be whatever the producer wants.<br />
Life is not that way. Yes, moral agency allows you to choose what you will, but you cannot control the outcome of those choices. Unlike the false creations of man, our Father in Heaven determines the consequences of your choices. Obedience will yield happiness, while violation of His commandments will not.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #45818e; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Helaman 14:12--Pattern for His Second Coming</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Ezra Taft Benson, </span><i style="color: #45818e;">Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i><span style="color: #45818e;">, 401</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">. . . in the Book of Mormon we find a pattern for preparing for the Second Coming. A major portion of the book centers on the few decades just prior to Christ’s coming to America. By careful study of that time period, we can determine why some were destroyed in the terrible judgments that preceded His coming and what brought others to stand at the temple in the land of Bountiful and thrust their hands into the wounds of His hands and feet.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="color: #45818e; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Helaman 14:30-31 Ye Are Free to Choose</span></span></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Richard G. Scott, <i>Ensign,</i> 5/93, 32-34</div><div style="color: #45818e;">Parents, don’t make the mistake of purposefully intervening to soften or eliminate the natural consequences of your child’s deliberate decisions to violate the commandments. Such acts reinforce false principles, open the door for more serious sin, and lessen the likelihood of repentance.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi</span></span></div>Ezra Taft Benson, <i>A Witness and a Warning,</i> 43-45<br />
What a blessing it would be if every family would frequently read together 3 Nephi, discuss its sacred contents, and then determine how they can liken it unto themselves and apply its teachings in their lives! Third Nephi is a book that should be read again and again. Its testimony of the resurrected Christ in America is given in purity and beauty. . . . I testify that 3 Nephi is a true account of the resurrected Christ’s visit to ancient America and contains His teachings in their pristine truth. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 1:8—Seeking for Signs</span></span></div><i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i>, p. 406<br />
. . . signs flow from faith and are a product of faith—the chief purpose of signs is not to produce faith, but to reward it. We are in trouble if we rely on signs to build our faith. <br />
<br />
<i>Book of Mormon Manual, p. 289-90</i><br />
Why Do Wicked Sometimes See Signs?<br />
To vindicate the prophets—Nephi and Seezoram in his blood<br />
Leave the wicked without excuse—They are left completely responsible for their own actions<br />
Show correctness of prophets’ words<br />
Condemn the wicked<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 3-4—Preparation</span></span></div><i>The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson,</i> 263-64<br />
When the economies of nations fail, when famine and other disasters prevent people from buying food stores, the Saints must be prepared to handle these emergencies.<br />
<br />
Gordon B. Hinckley, <i>Ensign,</i> 11/01, 73<br />
As we have been continuously counseled for more than 60 years, let us have some food set aside that would sustain us for a time in case of need. But let us not panic nor go to extremes.<br />
<br />
Dallin H. Oaks, "Preparation for the Second Coming", <i>Ensign,</i> May 2004, 7–10<br />
While we are powerless to alter the fact of the Second Coming and unable to know its exact time, we can accelerate our own preparation and try to influence the preparation of those around us.<br />
The arithmetic of [the parable of the ten virgins] is chilling. The ten virgins obviously represent members of Christ’s Church, for all were invited to the wedding feast and all knew what was required to be admitted when the bridegroom came. But only half were ready when he came.<br />
We need to make both temporal and spiritual preparation for the events prophesied at the time of the Second Coming. And the preparation most likely to be neglected is the one less visible and more difficult—the spiritual. A 72-hour kit of temporal supplies may prove valuable for earthly challenges, but, as the foolish virgins learned to their sorrow, a 24-hour kit of spiritual preparation is of greater and more enduring value.<br />
What is the state of our personal preparation for eternal life? The people of God have always been people of covenant. What is the measure of our compliance with covenants, including the sacred promises we made in the waters of baptism, in receiving the holy priesthood, and in the temples of God? Are we promisers who do not fulfill and believers who do not perform?<br />
Are we following the Lord’s command, “Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly”? (D&C 87:8). What are those “holy places”? Surely they include the temple and its covenants faithfully kept. Surely they include a home where children are treasured and parents are respected. Surely the holy places include our posts of duty assigned by priesthood authority, including missions and callings faithfully fulfilled in branches, wards, and stakes.<br />
<br />
Ezra Taft Benson, "Prepare Yourself for the Great Day of the Lord", <i>New Era</i>, May 1982, 44<br />
Heed the Lord’s counsel to the Saints of this dispensation: “Prepare yourselves for the great day of the Lord” (D&C 133:10).<br />
This preparation must consist of more than just casual membership in the Church. You must learn to be guided by personal revelation and the counsel of the living prophet so you will not be deceived.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">M. Russell Ballard, <i>Ensign,</i> 5/87, 14</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Think about your life and set your priorities. Find some quiet time regularly to think deeply about where you are going and what you will need to do to get there. Jesus, our exemplar, often “withdrew himself into the wilderness and prayed” (Luke 5:16). We need to do the same thing occasionally to rejuvenate ourselves spiritually as the Savior did.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Spencer W. Kimball,<i> Ensign,</i> 5/79, 83</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Let us “be of good cheer” for the Lord will, and he has promised, lead us along and show us the way. He will help us as we decide from day to day on the allocation of our time and talent. We will move faster if we hurry less. We will even come to know more as we serve more, for as we learn to bear more we are ready to hear more.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Hartman Rector, <i>Ensign,</i> 5/79, 31</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">In my estimation, the Master’s great success formula , , , is—First, believe you can do it . . . Second, look to the Lord for your blessings . . . Third, make the sacrifice . . . Fourth, expect a miracle, . . .And Fifth, receive the miracle with great humility. . . I bear witness that this formula is effective in the Lord’s work, and I am persuaded it works everywhere else too.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"> J. Reuben Clark, <i>Conference Report,</i> April 1937, p. 26</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">What may we as a people and as individuals do for ourselves to prepare to meet this oncoming disaster, which God in his wisdom may not turn aside from us?” President Clark then set forth these inspired basic principles of the Church welfare program:</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">First, and above and beyond everything else, let us live righteously. …</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Let us avoid debt as we would avoid a plague; where we are now in debt, let us get out of debt; if not today, then tomorrow.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Let us straitly and strictly live within our incomes, and save a little.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Let every head of every household see to it that he has on hand enough food and clothing, and, where possible, fuel also, for at least a year ahead. You of small means put your money in foodstuffs and wearing apparel, not in stocks and bonds; you of large means will think you know how to care for yourselves, but I may venture to suggest that you do not speculate. Let every head of every household aim to own his own home, free from mortgage. Let every man who has a garden spot, garden it; every man who owns a farm, farm it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">M. Russell Ballard, <i>Ensign, </i>11/89, 34</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"> Preparing ourselves and our families for the challenges of the coming years will require us to replace fear with faith. We must be able to overcome the fear of enemies who oppose and threaten us. The Lord has said, “Fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.” (D&C 6:34)</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 5:13—A Disciple of Jesus Christ</span></span></div>L. Tom Perry, <i>Ensign, </i>11/00, 61<br />
The word disciple comes for the Latin [meaning] a learner. A disciple of Christ is one who is learning to be like Christ—learning to think, to feel, and to act as he does. To be a true disciple to fulfill that learning task, is the most demanding regimen known to man. No other disciple compares . . . in either requirements or rewards. It involves the total transformation of a person from the state of the natural man to that of saint, one who loves the Lord and serves with all of his hear, might, mind, and strength.<br />
<br />
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Way of the Disciple",<i> Ensign,</i> May 2009, 75–78<br />
Discipleship is a journey. We need the refining lessons of the journey to craft our character and purify our hearts. By patiently walking in the path of discipleship, we demonstrate to ourselves the measure of our faith and our willingness to accept God’s will rather than ours.<br />
It is not enough merely to speak of Jesus Christ or proclaim that we are His disciples. It is not enough to surround ourselves with symbols of our religion. Discipleship is not a spectator sport. We cannot expect to experience the blessings of faith by standing inactive on the sidelines any more than we can experience the benefits of health by sitting on a sofa watching sporting events on television and giving advice to the athletes. And yet for some, “spectator discipleship” is a preferred if not a primary way of worshipping.<br />
Ours is not a secondhand religion. We cannot receive the blessings of the gospel merely by observing the good that others do. We need to get off the sidelines and practice what we preach.<br />
<br />
D. Todd Christofferson, "Reflections on a Consecrated Life", <i>Ensign,</i> Nov. 2010, 16–19<br />
A consecrated life is a beautiful thing. Its strength and serenity are “as a very fruitful tree which is planted in a goodly land, by a pure stream, that yieldeth much precious fruit” (D&C 97:9). Of particular significance is the influence of a consecrated man or woman upon others, especially those closest and dearest. The consecration of many who have gone before us and others who live among us has helped lay the foundation for our happiness. In like manner future generations will take courage from your consecrated life, acknowledging their debt to you for the possession of all that truly matters.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 6:10-16 Dividing into Classes</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Ezra Taft Benson, <i>CR,</i> 4/86, 6</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">The two groups who seem to have the greatest difficulty with pride are the learned and the rich.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 6:15-18 Temptations of Satan</span></span></div>M. Russell Ballard, <i>Ensign,</i> 5/93, 6-7<br />
Satan will seek to tempt us at times and in ways that exploit our greatest weaknesses or destroy our strengths. But his promises of pleasure are short-lived deceptions. His evil design is to tempt us into sinning, knowing that when we sin we separate ourselves from our Heavenly Father and the Savior, Jesus Christ. We begin to move away from Heavenly Father’s promised blessings toward the misery and anguish in which Satan and his followers languish. By sinning we put ourselves in Satan’s power.<br />
. . . I understand the struggles you face every day in keeping the commandments of the Lord. The battle for your souls is increasingly fierce. The adversary is strong and cunning. However, you have within your physical body the powerful spirit of a son or daughter of God. . . . If you will pay more attention to your spiritual self, which is eternal, than to your mortal self, which is temporary, you can always resist the temptations of Satan and conquer his efforts to take you into his power<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"></span></span><br />
<br />
<i>Teachings of the Presidents of the Church--David O. McKay, </i>82<br />
Every temptation that comes to you and me comes in one of three forms:<br />
1. a temptation of the appetite or passion<br />
2. a yielding to pride, fashion, or vanity<br />
3. a desire for worldly riches or power and dominion over lands or earthly possessions of men.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Neal A. Maxwell, <i>We Will Prove Them Herewith</i>, p. 45</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Surely it should give us more pause than it does to think of how casually we sometimes give to [Satan] who could not control his own ego in the premortal world such awful control over our egos here. We often let the adversary do indirectly now what we refused to let him do directly then.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 6:18 Willfully Rebel against God</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">M. Russell Ballard, <i>Ensign,</i> 11/97</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">There is a big difference between an honest mistake made in a moment of spiritual weakness and a willful decision to disobey persistently the commandments of God. Those who deliberately choose to violate God’s commandments or ignore the standards of the Church, even when promising themselves and others that someday they will be strong enough to repent, are stepping onto a dangerously slippery slope upon which many have lost their spiritual footing.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 Nephi 6:30 Government Destroyed</span></span></div>Ezra Taft Benson, <i>The Constitution, A Heavenly Banner</i>, 9/17/87, 32-33<br />
But whatever may be our fate, be assured that this [Constitution] will stand. We . . . face difficult days in this beloved land. . . . . It may cost us blood before we are through. It is my conviction, however, that when the Lord comes, the Stars and Stripes willb e floating on the breeze over this people.<br />
<br />
Brigham Young, <i>Journal of Discourses,</i> 7:15<br />
Will the Constitution be destroyed? No: it will be held inviolate by this people; and, as Joseph Smith said, “The time will come when the destiny of the nation will hang upon a single thread. At that critical juncture, this people will step forth and save it from the threatened destruction.” It will be so.<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"></span><span style="color: #45818e;">3 Nephi 7:15-26</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Book of Mormon Student Manual, p. 293</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">One bright spot in the otherwise sad account of the Nephites’ turn from their righteousness is the steadfast faithfulness of Nephi and his people. Their example provides a pattern to help us maintain our righteousness during times of wickedness.</span><br />
<br />
</div>jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01313127576303289593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645717577597362395.post-53007283913610398722011-02-10T09:00:00.000-08:002011-02-10T09:00:05.105-08:00Helaman 5-12<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Quotes of the Week:</span></div><div style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"></span> <span style="color: black;">If you love the truth, you can remember it.</span></div><div style="color: black; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black;"> </span> <span style="color: black;">--Brigham Young, as cited in <i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon,</i> p. 377</span></div><div style="color: black;"><br />
President Lorenzo Snow declared that it is “the grand privilege of every Latter-day Saint . . . to have the manifestations of the spirit every day of our lives.” (CR 4/1899, 52)</div><div style="color: black; text-align: right;">--Dallin H. Oaks, <i>With Full Purpose of Heart</i>, 50 </div><div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Further Reading:</span></div>Ezra Taft Benson, “Beware of Pride,”<i> Ensign,</i> 5/89, 4<br />
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Pride and the Priesthood,” <i>Ensign</i>, 11/10, 55<br />
Robert D. Hales, "We Can’t Do It Alone", <i>Ensign,</i> Nov. 1975, 90<br />
Thomas S. Monson, "What Have I Done for Someone Today?" <i>Ensign, </i>11/9, 84-87 <br />
Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Pondering Strengthens the Spiritual Life", <i>Ensign, </i>May 1982, 23<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">Handouts</span>:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Helaman 5:5-7--Remember Your Names</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Carlos E. Asay,<i> Family Pecan Trees: Planting a Legacy of Faith at Home</i>, 66-67</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Though all of Adam’s children may not have received names of significance, many have, and it has made a difference. It made a difference in the lives of Helaman’s sons, Nephi and Lehi. . . </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">The record attests that Nephi and Lehi did pattern their lives after their forebears or namesakes and did bring honor to the names given them.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">George Albert Smith, “Your Good Name, <i>Improvement Era</i>, 139</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">“I would like to know what you have done with my name.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Helaman 5:5-14—Remember</span></span></div>Spencer W. Kimball, “Circles of Exaltation,” [address to Church Educational System religious educators, 6/28/68], 5.<br />
When you look in the dictionary for the most important word, do you know what it is? It could be remember. Because all of you have made covenants—you know what to do and you know how to do it—our greatest need is to remember. That is why everyone goes to sacrament meeting every Sabbath day—to take the sacrament and listen to the priests pray that they “may always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them.” . . . <i>Remember</i> is the word. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Helaman 5:9--Repentance and the Atonement</span></span></div>Richard G. Scott, <i>Ensign</i>, 5/95, 75<br />
Which of us is not in need of the miracle of repentance? Whether your life is lightly blemished or heavily disfigured from mistakes, the principles of recovery are the same. The length and severity of the treatments are conditioned to fit the circumstances. Our goal surely must be forgiveness. The only possible path to that goal is repentance. . . .<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Helaman 5:12—Rock of Our Redeemer</span></span></div>Gordon B. Hinckley, as cited in<i> Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i>, p. 378<br />
Like the polar star in the heavens, regardless of what the future holds, there stands the Redeemer of the world, the Son of God, certain and sure as the anchor of our immortal lives. He is the rock of our salvation, our strength, our comfort, the very focus of our faith. In sunshine and in shadow we look to Him, and He is there to assure and smile upon us. He is the central focus of our worship.<br />
<br />
Joseph B. Wirthlin<i>, Ensign</i>, 5/93, 69<br />
The place to cure most of the ills of society is in the homes of the people. Building our homes as fortresses of righteousness for protection from the world takes constant labor and diligence. Membership in the Church is no guarantee of a strong, happy family. Often parents feel overwhelmed. . . . The righteous molding of an immortal soul is the highest work we can do, and the home is the place to do it. To accomplish this eternal work, we should make our homes gospel centered. When peace and harmony abound, the Holy Spirit will ever be present. The storms of the evil one can be stopped at the very entrance of our homes. Let us be sure the spiritual foundation of each home is the rock of our Redeemer, as Helaman taught his sons.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #45818e;">C.S. Lewis, <i>Mere Christianity</i>, p. 176</div><div style="color: #45818e;">Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Helaman 5:12—Storms of Satan</span></span></div>Spencer W. Kimball, <i>CR,</i> 11/78, 6<br />
. . . A warning is sounded for us. It behooves us to be alert and to listen and flee from the evil for our eternal lives. Without help we cannot stand against it. We must flee to high ground or cling fast to that which can keep us from being swept away. That to which we must cling for safety is the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is our protection from whatever force the evil one can muster.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Helaman 6:17—Setting Hearts upon Riches</span></span></div>Henry B. Eyring,<i> Ensign,</i> 11/01, 16<br />
God is forgotten out of vanity. A little prosperity and peace, or even a turn slightly for the better, can bring us feelings of self-sufficiency. We can feel quickly that we are in control of our lives, that the change for the better is our own doing, not that of a God who communicates to us through the still, small voice of the Spirit. Pride creates a noise within us which makes the quiet voice of the Spirit hard to hear. And soon, in our vanity, we no longer even listen for it. We can come quickly to think we don’t need it.<br />
<br />
<i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i>, p. 379<br />
Lucifer’s voice of wickedness is both loud and harsh and lacks the mildness and softness of a heavenly voice. Elder Boyd K. Packer taught that “the Spirit does not get our attention by shouting or shaking us with a heavy hand. Rather it whispers. It caresses so gently that if we are preoccupied we will not feel it at all.”<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Helaman 10:1-3—Pondering</span></span></div>M. Russell Ballard, <i>Ensign, </i>11/95, 6<br />
All of us would benefit from time to ponder and meditate. In the quiet moments of personal introspection, the Spirit can teach us much.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Pondering Strengthens the Spiritual Life",<i> Ensign</i>, May 1982, 23</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Pondering, which means to weigh mentally, to deliberate, to meditate, can achieve the opening of the spiritual eyes of one’s understanding. Also, the Spirit of the Lord may rest upon the ponderer as described by President Smith.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">We are constantly reminded through the scriptures that we should give the things of God much more than usual superficial consideration. We must ponder them and reach into the very essence of what we are and what we may become.</span><br />
<br />
Richard G. Scott,<i> Ensign</i>, 4/01, p. 9 <br />
Find a retreat of peace and quiet where periodically you can ponder and let the Lord establish the direction of your life.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Helaman 10:1-4--You’re Not Alone</span></span></div><i>Journal of Discourses, </i>22:233 6/26/1881, as quoted in <i>The Discourses of Wilford Wooodruff,</i> 263<br />
The Lord has been watching over us from the hour of our birth.<br />
<br />
Harold B. Lee,<i> Ensign, </i>1/74, 129<br />
If it were not for the assurance that I have that the Lord is near to us, guiding, directing, the burden would be almost beyond my strength, but because I know that he is there, and that he can be appealed to, and if we have ears to hear attuned to him, we will never be left alone.<br />
<i><br />
Teachings of the Presidents of the Church—David O. McKay</i>, 96-97<br />
Many years ago Joseph Smith, a mere boy between fourteen and fifteen years of age, declared that, in answer to prayer, he received a revelation from God. . . . The result of this declaration was his immediate ostracism from the religious world. In a very short time he found himself standing alone. . . . <br />
It would appear, then, that though he seemed alone, he was alone only as was Moses on Sinai; as Jesus on the Mount of Olives. As with the Master, so with the prophet, his instructions came not through man-made channels but direct from God, the source of all intelligence. He says: “I am a rough stone. The sound of the hammer and chisel were never heard on me until the Lord took me in hand. I desire the learning and wisdom of heaven alone.” (HC 5:423)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Helaman 10:7—The Sealing Power</span></span></div>Joseph Fielding Smith, <i>Answers to Gospel Questions</i>, 4:95<br />
The Lord conferred authority on some of his chosen servants and gave them exceptional powers. . . . In this manner, Elijah obtained the keys of power in the priesthood to raise the dead, heal the sick, close the heavens that it did not rain only by his word, and for more than three years there was no rain, and moreover had the power to call down fire from heaven to destroy the enemies of the Church. . . . <br />
The Lord gave similar authority to Nephi, son of Helaman, who likewise had authority to close the heavens and perform other mighty works, simply by his faith and the commandment from the Lord. This wonderful power has been bestowed on but a few of the servants of the Lord.<br />
<br />
James E. Faust, “Father, Come Home,”<i> Ensign,</i> 5/93<br />
Perhaps we regard the power bestowed by Elijah as something associated only with formal ordinances performed in sacred places. But these ordinances become dynamic and productive of good only as they reveal themselves in our daily lives. This sealing power thus reveals itself in family relationships, in attributes and virtues developed in a nurturing environment, and in loving service. These are the cords that bind families together, and the priesthood advances their development.<br />
<br />
Boyd K Packer, “The Holy Temple,” <i>Ensign,</i> 2/95<br />
We must understand what the sealing power is. We must envision, at least to a degree, why the keys of authority to employ the sealing power are crucial—crucial not just to the ordinance work of the temples but to all ordinance work in all the Church throughout the world. . . . nothing is regarded with more sacred contemplation by those who know the significance of this authority. Nothing is more closely held. There are relatively few men who have been delegated this sealing power upon the earth at any given time—in each temple are brethren who have been given the sealing power. No one can get it except from the prophet, seer, and revelatory and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. . . . In the Church we hold sufficient authority to perform all of the ordinances necessary to redeem and to exalt the whole human family. And, because we have the keys to the sealing power, what we bind in proper order here will be bound in heaven. Those keys—the keys to seal and bind on earth, and have it bound in heaven—represent the consummate gift from our God. With that authority we can baptize and bless, we can endow and seal, and the Lord will honor our commitments.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Helaman 11:1-16--Prophets Pray for Their People</span></span></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Gordon B. Hinckley, "“Till We Meet Again”", <i>Ensign</i>, Nov. 2001, 89–90</div><div style="color: #45818e;">And now as we close this conference, even though we shall have a benediction, I should like to offer a brief prayer in these circumstances:</div><div style="color: #45818e;">O God, our Eternal Father, Thou great Judge of the Nations, Thou who art the governor of the universe, Thou who art our Father and our God, whose children we are, we look to Thee in faith in this dark and solemn time. Please, dear Father, bless us with faith. Bless us with love. Bless us with charity in our hearts. Bless us with a spirit of perseverance to root out the terrible evils that are in this world. Give protection and guidance to those who are engaged actively in carrying forth the things of battle. Bless them; preserve their lives; save them from harm and evil. Hear the prayers of their loved ones for their safety. We pray for the great democracies of the earth which Thou hast overseen in creating their governments, where peace and liberty and democratic processes obtain.</div><div style="color: #45818e;">O Father, look with mercy upon this, our own nation, and its friends in this time of need. Spare us and help us to walk with faith ever in Thee and ever in Thy Beloved Son, on whose mercy we count and to whom we look as our Savior and our Lord. Bless the cause of peace and bring it quickly to us again, we humbly plead with Thee, asking that Thou wilt forgive our arrogance, pass by our sins, be kind and gracious to us, and cause our hearts to turn with love toward Thee. We humbly pray in the name of Him who loves us all, even the Lord Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and our Savior, amen.</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Helaman 12:1-3--Prosperity</span></span></div>Henry B. Eyring, <i>Ensign,</i> 11/01, 15<br />
Dependence upon God can fade quickly when prayers are answered. And when the trouble lessens, so do the prayers. The Book of Mormon repeats that sad story over and over again.<br />
<br />
Ezra Taft Benson, as cited by Larry E. Dahl, <i>Studies in Scripture,</i> 5:369<br />
Ours then seems to be the toughest test of all for the evils are more subtle, more clever. It all seems less menacing and it is harder to detect. While every test of righteousness represents a struggle, this particular test seems like no test at all, no struggle, and so could be the most deceiving of all tests. Do you know what peace and prosperity can do to a people—it can put them to sleep.<br />
<br />
Joseph B. Wirthlin, <i>Ensign,</i> 11/05<br />
There is something about prosperity that brings out the worst in some people.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Helaman 12:5-6--Pride</span></span></div>Ezra Taft Benson, “Beware of Pride,”<i> Ensign</i>, 5/89, 4<br />
Pride results in secret combinations which are built up to get power, gain, and glory of the world. This fruit of the sin of pride, namely secret combinations, brought down both the Jaredite and the Nephite civilizations and has been and will yet be the cause of the fall of many nations.<br />
<br />
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Pride and the Priesthood,” <i>Ensign</i>, 11/10, 55<br />
Every mortal has at least a casual if not intimate relationship with the sin of pride. No one has avoided it; few overcome it. . . . Let us follow the example of our Savior and reach out to serve rather than seeking the praise and honor of men. It is my prayer that we will recognize and root out unrighteous pride in our hearts and that we will replace it with “righteousness, godliness, faith, love patience, [and] meekness.” (1 Tim. 6:11)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Helaman 12:7-17—The Dust of the Earth</span></span></div>Joseph Fielding Smith, <i>CR,</i> 4/1929 54-55<br />
Everything in the universe obeys the law given unto it, so far as I know, except man. Everywhere you look you find law and order, the elements obeying the law given to them, true to their calling. But man rebels, and in this thing man is less than the dust of the earth because he rejects the counsels of the Lord.<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01313127576303289593noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645717577597362395.post-41343680478336023532011-02-03T10:21:00.000-08:002011-02-03T10:21:03.568-08:00Alma 52-Helaman 4<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">Quotes of the Week:</span><br />
"From the Book of Mormon we learn how disciples of Christ live in times of war."<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--Ezra Taft Benson, CR, 10/86, 7</div><br />
"All that I am, or hope to be I owe to my angel mother."<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"> --Abraham Lincoln</div><br />
<div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Further Reading:</span></div>Gordon B. Hinckley, "The Times in Which We Live," <i>Ensign</i>, 11/01<br />
M. Russell Ballard, "The Greatest Generation of Missionaries," <i>Ensign</i>, 11/02, 46<br />
Julie B. Beck, "What Latter-day Saint Women Do Best: Stand Strong and Immovable," <i>Ensign</i>, 11/07, 76<br />
David A. Bednar, "And Nothing Shall Offend Them," <i>Ensign</i>, 11/06, 95-97<br />
D. Todd Christofferson, "Justification and Sanctification",<i> Ensign</i>, June 2001, 18<br />
Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Sunday Will Come," <i>Ensign,</i> 11/06, 29-30<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">Handouts:</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">53:4-7--Our Spiritual Fortifications</span></span></div>David E. Sorensen, <i>Ensign,</i> 5/01, 41-42<br />
Remember, such "fortifications" are not a sign of weakness. On the contrary, they show strength. . . . Remember Moroni's "strongholds" were the key to his success. Creating your own "strongholds" will be the key to yours.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">Alma 53:9</span></div>Hugh Nibley, <i>Since Cumorah,</i> 339-40<br />
No matter how wicked and ferocious and depraved the Lamanites might be (and they were that!), . . . they were not the Nephite problem. They were merely kept there to remind the Nephites of their real problem, which was to walk uprightly before the Lord.<br />
<br />
Gordon B. Hinckley, "The Times in Which We Live," <i>Ensign</i>, 11/01<br />
Now, brothers and sisters, we must do our duty, whatever that duty might be. Peace may be denied for a season. Some of our liberties may be curtailed. We may be inconvenienced. We may even be called on to suffer in one way or another. But God our Eternal Father will watch over this nation and all of the civilized world who look to Him. He has declared, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Ps. 33:12). Our safety lies in repentance. Our strength comes of obedience to the commandments of God.<br />
Let us be prayerful. Let us pray for righteousness. Let us pray for the forces of good. Let us reach out to help men and women of goodwill, whatever their religious persuasion and wherever they live. Let us stand firm against evil, both at home and abroad. Let us live worthy of the blessings of heaven, reforming our lives where necessary and looking to Him, the Father of us all. He has said, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10).<br />
Are these perilous times? They are. But there is no need to fear. We can have peace in our hearts and peace in our homes. We can be an influence for good in this world, every one of us.<br />
May the God of heaven, the Almighty, bless us, help us, as we walk our various ways in the uncertain days that lie ahead. May we look to Him with unfailing faith. May we worthily place our reliance on His Beloved Son who is our great Redeemer, whether it be in life or in death, is my prayer in His holy name, even the name of Jesus Christ, amen.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Alma 53:10-18--Importance of Covenants</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">M. Russell Ballard, <i>Ensign, </i>5/99, 86</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">There is no spiritual power in living by convenience. The power comes as we keep our covenants.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Boyd K. Packer, <i>Ensign,</i> 11/90, 84</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Keep your covenants and you will be safe. Break them and you will not.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Alma 53-56 The Stripling Warriors</span></span></div>S. Michael Wilcox, <i>Daughters of God</i><br />
What the stripling warriors said about their mothers is impressive. They said not "our mothers taught us" but "our mothers knew it." Their mothers gave their sons something more important than teachings--they gave them testimony. One of the greatest gifts a mother gives her children is the gift of her own faith and testimony. Children need the gift of knowing that their mothers know the truthfulness of the gospel.<br />
The portrait of these Lamanite mothers illustrates the influence and power of a mother's testimony. Mothers who share their testimony freely and often with their children, both through their words and actions, will see their own striplings feel after God and receive "glorious discoveries and eternal certainty."<br />
. . . we are grateful for the way [these Lamanite wives] have enriched our lives. . . . Above all, we seek to stir up the faith of our children to feel after God through the power of our own testimonies. May our own children echo the words of the stripling warriors, "We do not doubt our mothers knew it."<br />
<br />
Julie B. Beck, <i>Ensign,</i> 11/07, 76<br />
The responsibility mothers have today has never required more vigilance. More than at any tie in the history of the world, we need mothers who know. . . . When mothers know who they are and who God is and have made covenants with Him, they will have great power and influence for good on their children.<br />
<br />
Ezra Taft Benson, <i>Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice</i>, 32-36<br />
Suggestions for mothers as they guide their precious children:<br />
1. Take time to always be at the crossroads in the lives of your children, whether they be six or sixteen.<br />
2. Take time to be a real friend to your children.<br />
3. Take time to read to your children. <br />
4. Take time to pray with your children.<br />
5. Take time to have a meaningful weekly home evening. Make this one of your great family traditions.<br />
6. Take time to be together at mealtimes as often as possible.<br />
7. Take time daily to read the scriptures together as a family.<br />
8. Take time to do things together as a family.<br />
9. Take time to teach your children.<br />
10. Take time to truly love your children. A mother's unqualified love approaches Christlike love.<br />
<br />
Matthew Cowley, <i>Cowley Speaks</i>, 109<br />
You sisters . . . belong to the great sorority of saviorhood. You may not hold the priesthood. Men are different, men have to have something given to them to make them saviors of men, but not mothers, not women. You are born with an inherent right, and inherent authority, to be the saviors of human souls. You are the co-creators with God of his children.<br />
<br />
M. Russell Ballard, "The Greatest Generation of Missionaries," <i>Ensign,</i> 11/02, 46<br />
These inexperienced young men were so spiritually and physically prepared, and so powerful, that they frightened their foes into surrendering! . . . <br />
. . . today we are fighting a battle that in many ways is more perilous, more fraught with danger than the battle between the Nephites and the Lamanites. Our enemy is cunning and resourceful. We fight against Lucifer, the father of all lies, the enemy of all that is good and right and holy. . . . <br />
You may assume that the bishop and the seminary, Sunday School, and Young Men teachers and leaders are in a better position to motivate and inspire your sons than you are. That simply is not the case. While ecclesiastical leaders are important to your son’s priesthood and missionary preparation, the Church exists as a resource to you. It is not a substitute for your inspired teaching, guidance, and correction.<br />
Consequently, if we are “raising the bar” for your sons to serve as missionaries, that means we are also “raising the bar” for you. If we expect more of them, that means we expect more of you and your wife as well. Remember, Helaman’s 2,000 stripling warriors were faithful because “they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him” (Alma 53:21)—and that instruction came in their homes. . . .<br />
While we are profoundly grateful for the many members of the Church who are doing great things in the battle for truth and right, I must honestly tell you it still is not enough. We need much more help. And so, as the people of Ammon looked to their sons for reinforcement in the war against the Lamanites, we look to you, my young brethren of the Aaronic Priesthood. We need you. Like Helaman’s 2,000 stripling warriors, you also are the spirit sons of God, and you too can be <i>endowed with power</i> to <i>build up</i> and <i>defend</i> His kingdom. We need you to <i>make sacred covenants</i>, just as they did. We need you to be <i>meticulously obedient and faithful</i>, just as they were. (emphasis added)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Alma 56:16--Depressed in Body and Spirit</span></span></div>Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Sunday Will Come," <i>Ensign,</i> 11/06, 29-30<br />
I think of how dark that Friday was when Christ was lifted up on the cross. . . . It was a Friday filled with devastating, consuming sorrow that gnawed at the souls of those who loved and honored the Son of God.<br />
I think that of all the days since the beginning of this world’s history, that Friday was the darkest.<br />
But the doom of that day did not endure.<br />
The despair did not linger because on Sunday, the resurrected Lord burst the bonds of death. He ascended from the grave and appeared gloriously triumphant as the Savior of all mankind. . . . <br />
Each of us will have our own Fridays—those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our Fridays.<br />
But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death—Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come.<br />
No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, Sunday will come. In this life or the next, Sunday will come.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Alma 59:9</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Ezra Taft Benson, <i>The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson,</i> p. 285</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">It is better to prepare and prevent than to repair and repent.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Alma 60:19-36--Pahoran and Taking Offense</span></span></div>David A. Bednar, "And Nothing Shall Offend Them," <i>Ensign,</i> 11/06, 95-97<br />
. . . it ultimately is impossible for another person to offend you or to offend me. Indeed, believing that another person offended us is fundamentally false. To be offended is a choice we make; it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us by someone or something else. . . . <br />
You and I cannot control the intentions or behavior of other people. However, we do determine how we will act. Please remember that you and I are agents endowed with moral agency, and we can choose not to be offended.<br />
<br />
Neal A. Maxwell, as cited in <i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon,</i> p. 363<br />
Anxious Moroni did not have all the facts, as is evident in his biting complaint to Pahoran. Pahoran's meek reply is a lesson to us all, as it certainly must have been to Moroni. . . . Where individuals have said too much with too little data, meekness plays a very crucial, correcting role in what follows.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Alma 63:4-10--Hagoth and His People</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Millet and McConkie, <i>Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon</i>, 3:329</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">To a group of Saints in the South Seas, President Kimball observed, "President Joseph F. Smith, the president of the Church, reported, 'You brothers and sisters from New Zealand, I want you to know that you are from the people of Hagoth.' For New Zealand Saints, that was that. A prophet of the Lord had spoken."</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Helaman 1:1-21--Contention</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">James E. Faust, <i>Ensign</i>, 5/96, 41</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">When there is contention, the Spirit of the Lord will depart, regardless of who is at fault.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Helaman 1-2--Gadianton Robbers</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Gordon B. Hinckley, <i>Ensign, </i>11/01, 72</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Terrorist organizations . . . must be ferreted out and brought down. . . .</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">We are a people of peace. We are followers of the Christ, who was and is the Prince of Peace. But there are times when we must stand up for right and decency, for freedom and civilizations, just as Moroni rallied his people in his day to the defense of their wives, their children, and the cause of liberty.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Helaman 3:24-25--Prosperity</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Ezra Taft Benson,<i> A Nation Asleep</i>, 14</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">We must never forget that nations may--and usually do--sow the seeds of their own destruction while enjoying unprecedented prosperity.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Helaman 3:35--Sanctification</span></span></div><i>Book of Mormon Student Manual,</i> p. 265<br />
Sanctification has been defined as "the process of becoming free from sin, pure, clean, and holy through the atonement of Jesus Christ."<br />
<br />
D. Todd Christofferson, "Justification and Sanctification", <i>Ensign,</i> June 2001, 18<br />
Personal persistence in the path of obedience is something different than achieving perfection in mortality. Perfection is not, as some suppose, a prerequisite for justification and sanctification. It is just the opposite: justification (being pardoned) and sanctification (being purified) are the prerequisites for perfection. We only become perfect “in Christ” (see Moro. 10:32), not independently of Him. Thus, what is required of us in order to obtain mercy in the day of judgment is simple diligence.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Helaman 3:35--Firm in the Faith</span></span></div>Russell M. Nelson, E<i>nsign,</i> 11/03, 44<br />
Only as an individual can you develop a firm faith in God and a passion for personal prayer. Only as an individual can you keep the commandments of God. Only as an individual can you repent. Only as an individual can you qualify for the ordinances of the salvation and exaltation.<br />
<br />
</div>jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01313127576303289593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645717577597362395.post-67892495165868699462011-01-27T06:35:00.000-08:002011-01-27T06:35:53.918-08:00Alma 40-51<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Quotes of the Week:</span></div><br />
One thing we should remember is that the Lord does not punish us for our sins. He simply withholds his blessings and we punish ourselves.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--Theodore M. Burton, "The Meaning of Repentance," BYU Devotional, 3/26/85</div><br />
<br />
Alma bluntly told his wayward son that "repentance could not come unto men except there were a punishment." The punishment may, for the most part, consist of the torment we inflict upon ourselves. It may be the loss of privilege or progress. . . . We are punished by our sins, if not for them.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--Boyd K. Packer, <i>Ensign</i>, 11/95, 19 </div><div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Further Reading:</span></div>Elaine S. Dalton, "A Return to Virtue", <i>Ensign</i>, Nov. 2008, 78–80<br />
Robert D. Hales, "Christian Courage: The Price of Discipleship", <i>Ensign</i>, Nov. 2008, 72–75<br />
Jeffrey R. Holland, "Because of Your Faith", <i>Ensign</i>, Nov. 2010, 6–8<br />
Howard W. Hunter, "No Less Serviceable," <i>Ensign</i>, 4/92, 64<br />
Boyd K. Packer, "“I Will Remember Your Sins No More”", <i>Ensign</i>, May 2006, 25–28 <br />
Eugene England, "Moroni and His Captains: Men of Peace in a Time of War", <i>Ensign</i>, Sept. 1977, 29<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">Handouts:</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Alma 40:8--Measures of Time</span></span></div>Gerald Lund, as quoted in <i>First Nephi, the Doctrinal Foundation</i>, p. 158-59<br />
Abraham was told that one revolution (or day) on Kolob equals a thousand of our years (Abraham 3:4). If one were to carry the ratio down to smaller units of time we see some interesting implications.<br />
<br />
Kolob Time Earth Time<br />
1 day 1,000 years<br />
1 hour 41.67 years<br />
1 minute 253 days<br />
1 second 4.22 days<br />
.25 second 1.1 days<br />
.01 second 1 hour<br />
<br />
Think of the implications of that. While a person on Kolob takes a two-hour nap, a person on Earth is born, lives to the age of eighty and dies before the other awakens. One blink on the part of a Kolobian and he misses one whole day of ours.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Alma 40:11-15--The Soul between Death and Resurrection</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Discourses of Brigham Young</i>, p. 376</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">When you lay down this tabernacle, where are you going? Into the spiritual world. Are you going into Abraham's bosom? No, not nigh there but into the spirit world. Where is the spirit world? It is right here. Do the good and evil spirits go together? Yes, they do. Do the both inhabit one kingdom? Yes, they do. Do they go to the sun? No. Do they go beyond the boundaries of the organized earth? No, they do not. They are brought forth upon this earth.</span><br />
<br />
Brigham Young, as cited in <i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i>, p. 309<br />
Many wonder where people go after death. In other words, where is the world of spirits? It is here right now . . . It is incorporated within this celestial system. Can you see it with your natural eyes? No. Can you see spirits in this room? No. Suppose the Lord should touch your eyes that you might see, could you then see the spirits? Yes, as plainly as you now see bodies, as did the servant of Elijah. If the Lord would permit it, and it was his will that it should be done, you could see the spirits that have departed from this world, as plainly as you now see bodies with your natural eyes.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #45818e; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Alma 42:, 16--The Great Plan of Happiness</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;"> Neal A. Maxwell, </span><i style="color: #45818e;">CR</i><span style="color: #45818e;">, 4/84, 29-30</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">The plan cannot bring true happiness to anyone whose life is grossly inconsistent with its standards. . . . It has no place of honor for one too concerned with losing his place in the secular synagogue.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Alma 42:11-31--Laws of Justice and Mercy</span></span></div><i>Book of Mormon Student Manual</i>, p. 230<br />
The two aspects of justice:<br />
1. Obedience to law results in blessings that bring joy.<br />
2. Disobedience to law results in punishments that bring sorrow.<br />
<br />
The two ways to satisfy justice:<br />
1. Never violate the law.<br />
2. If you do violate the law, pay the penalty.<br />
Problem: No flesh is justified by the law; everyone has sinned. Thus, a penalty must be paid.<br />
<br />
Two effects of sin:<br />
1. By temporal law we are cut off--justice is violated.<br />
2. By spiritual law we perish.<br />
<br />
Christ initiated the law of mercy.<br />
1. He kept the law perfectly and was without sin. He was justified by the law.<br />
2. In the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross, He suffered and paid the price for the penalty as though He was guilty of every sin ever committed.<br />
3. He is our advocate with the Father.<br />
<br />
J. Reuben Clark, <i>CR</i>, 9/30/55, p. 24<br />
I believe that our Heavenly Father wants to save every one of his children. I do not think he intends to shut any of us off because of some slight transgression, some slight failure to observe some rule or regulation. . . . I believe that in his justice and mercy, he will give us the maximum reward for our acts, give us all that he can give, and in the reverse, I believe that he will impose upon us the minimum penalty which it is possible for him to impose.<br />
<br />
C.S. Lewis, "The Humanitarian Theory of Punishment," as quoted in Neal A. Maxwell, <i>One More Strain of Praise,</i> p. 8<br />
Mercy, detached from Justice, grows unmerciful. That is the important paradox. As there are plants which flourish only in mountain soil, so it appears that Mercy will flower only when it grows in the crannies of the rock of Justice.<br />
<br />
Boyd K. Packer, <i>Ensign</i>, 5/00, 255<br />
Each of us lives on a kind of spiritual credit. One day the account will be closed, a settlement demanded. However casually we may view it now, when that day comes and the foreclosure is imminent, we will look around in restless agony for someone, anyone to help us.<br />
And, by eternal law, mercy cannot be extended save there be one who is both willing and able to assume our debt and pay the price and arrange the terms for our redemption.<br />
Unless there is a mediator, unless we have a friend, the full weight of justice untempered, unsympathetic, must, positively fall on us. The full recompense for every transgression, however minor or however deep, will be exacted from us to the uttermost farthing.<br />
But know this: Truth, glorious truth, proclaims there is such a Mediator.<br />
"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (I Tim. 2:5)<br />
Through Him, mercy can be fully extended to each of us without offending the eternal law of justice.<br />
This truth is the very root of Church doctrine.<br />
The extension of mercy will not be automatic. It will be through covenant with Him. It will be on His terms, His generous terms, which include, as an absolute essential, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins.<br />
All mankind can be protected by the law of justice, and at once each of us individually may be extended the redeeming and healing blessing of mercy.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #45818e;">Victor Hugo, <i>Les Miserables</i></div><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">And whatever he did, he always fell back onto this paradox at the core of his thought. To remain in paradise and become a demon! To re-enter hell and become an angel! (p. 235)</span><br style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">It's a pity the law doesn't allow me to be merciful.</span><br style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">"The bishop approached him and said, in a low voice, 'Do not forget, ever, that you have promised me to use this silver to become an honest man.' Jean Valjean, who had no recollection of any such promise, stood dumbfounded. The bishop had stressed these words as he spoke them. He continued solemnly, 'Jean Valjean, my brother, you no longer belong to evil, but to good. It is your soul I am buying for you. I withdraw it from dark thoughts and from the spirit of perdition, and I give it to God!" (105-6)</span><br style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">"The book the reader has now before his eyes - from one end to the other; in its whole and in its details, whatever the omissions, the exceptions, or the faults - is the march from evil to good, from injustice to justice, from the false to the true, from night to day, from appetite to conscience, from rottenness to life, from brutality to duty, from Hell to Heaven, from nothingness to God. Starting point: matter; goal: the soul. Hydra at the beginning, angel at the end." (1242)</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Alma 42:29--Guilt and Repentance</span></span></div>Philip Allred, <i>The Book of Mormon: The Foundation of Our Faith</i>, 26<br />
Guilt should lead to repentance. Unfortunately, guilt can be like a two-edged sword--functional or dysfunctional. Satan can pervert this divine tool by tempting the sinner to become discouraged rather than motivated. . . . Guilt, as a divinely designed consequence of sin, is meant to impel individuals to come unto Christ and repent.<br />
<br />
Jeffrey R. Holland, <i>The Book of Mormon: It Begins with a Family</i>, p. 96-97<br />
To me, none of the many approaches to teaching repentance falls more short than the well-intentioned suggestion that "although a nail may be removed from a wooden post, there will forever be a hole in that post."<br />
We know that repentance (the removal of that nail, if you will) can be a very long and painful and difficult task. . . . But where repentance is possible, and its requirements are faithfully pursued and completed, there is no "hole left in the post" for the bold reason that it is no longer the same post. It is a new post. We can start again, utterly clean, with a new will and a new way of life.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Captain Moroni--Our Superhero</span></span></div><i>Book of Mormon Student Manual</i>, p. 249<br />
Captain Moroni blended his good judgment with his obedience to God's counsel.<br />
<br />
<i>Glimpses into the Life and Heart of Marjorie Pay Hinckley</i>, 188<br />
This man was a brilliant military commander, and he rose to be supreme commander of all the Nephite forces at the age of twenty-five. For the next fourteen years hew as off to the wars continuously except for two very short periods of peace during which he worked feverishly at reinforcing the Nephite defenses. When peace finally came, he was thirty-nine years old, and the story goes that at the age of forty-three he died. Sometime before this he had given the chief command of the armies of the Nephites to his son Moronihah. Now, if he had a son, he had a wife. I've often wondered where she was and how she fared during those fourteen years of almost continuous warfare, and how she felt to have him die so soon after coming home. I am sure there are many, many stories of patience and sacrifice that have never been told.<br />
<br />
Joe J. Christensen, <i>Heroes from the Book of Mormon</i>, p. 133<br />
It is of interest to note that approximately one out of every ten pages of the Book of Mormon deals with the loife and times of Captain Moroni, . . . Given the number of people and events described in the Nephite writings, have you ever wondered why so much of what we have in the Book of Mormon is dedicated to this individual and the experiences that surrounded his life?<br />
Apparently, the prophet Mormon had many of the Nephite records available to him from which he made his abridgement. With divine guidance he selected and included those portions of the records that would be most valuable to us in our day. What are the messages from Captain Moroni and his time that have applicability to us at the present time?<br />
First, in Captain Moroni we are provided with an authentic hero. . . .<br />
Our young people today need heroes who go beyond the popular musicians, comedians, great athletes, the rich, and the famous. They . . . need to know of people like Captain Moroni, whose influence will live long after the applause of those who are currently popular has faded away.<br />
<br />
H. Dean Garrett, as quoted in <i>Studies in Scripture</i>, 70<br />
In Alma 1-42, Mormon emphasized priestcraft, materialism, social-economic inequality, and other social problems. This period is followed in Alma 43-63 by a period of war and civil disruptions. This dissension led to a corruption of civil government (Helaman) and to the eventual collapse of the government. At this point, the Savior visited the people.<br />
A similar pattern of social problems, priestcrafts, materialism, wars, government corruption, and disrupted life is prophesied for the last days leading to the Savior's Second Coming (see D&C 45:16-48; D&C 87; Mormon 8:26-41). As indicated, Mormon and his successor, Moroni, saw our day (see Mormon 8:27-31 and took from the history and prophecies of the Nephites those events that would best help the readers of their record in the day in which it would come forth.<br />
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<div style="color: #45818e; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Alma 46:9--The Power of One</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Harold G. Hillam, Ensign, 5/05, 32, quoting a talk given by a young mother at a stake conference</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">"My great-grandfather left church one Sunday with his family, and they never returned--no indication why.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">"In my research, I have found that my great-grandfather has over 1,000 descendants.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">"Of those 1,000 descendants, I am the only one active in the Church today."</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">As she said these words, I found myself thinking, Is it only 1,000, or could it be more?</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">The answer is apparent. The spiritual influence that family might have had on their neighbors and friends did not happen. None of his sons nor any of his daughters served as missionaries, and those they would have touched with their testimonies were not baptized, and those were not baptized did not go on missions. Yes, there are probably many thousands who are non in the Church today, and not in this very meeting, because of that great-grandfather's decision.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">As I heard her talk, I found myself thinking, What a tragedy!</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Alma 46:10--On Liberty and Agency</span></span></div>Ezra Taft Benson, as cited in <i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i>, p. 322<br />
The war in heaven over free agency is now being waged here on earth. . . .<br />
Moroni raised a title of liberty and wrote upon it these words: "in memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children." Why didn't he write upon it "Just live your religion; there's no need to concern yourselves about your freedom, your peace, your wives, or your children"? The reason he didn't do this was because all these things were a part of his religion, as they are of our religion today. . . .<br />
Our stand for freedom is a most basic part of our religion; this stand helped get us to this earth, and our reaction to freedom in this life will have eternal consequences. Man has many duties, but he has no excuse that can compensate for his loss of liberty.<br />
<br />
Abraham Lincoln, as cited in <i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i>, p. 323<br />
I believe in God, the Almighty Ruler of nations, our great and good merciful Maker, our Father in heaven, who notes the fall of a sparrow and numbers the hairs on our heads. I recognize the sublime truth announced in the Holy Scriptures and proved by all history that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord. I believe that the will of God prevails. Without him, all human reliance is vain. With that assistance I cannot fall. I have a solemn vow registered in heaven to finish the work I am in, in full view of my responsibility to God, with malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives me to see the right.<br />
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<div style="color: #45818e; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Alma 46:23-27--Lost Prophecy of Joseph's Coat</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Joseph Fielding Smith, The Way to Perfection, p. 121</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">We are told that there was a prophecy in the destruction of the coat of many colors worn by Joseph. Part of it was preserved, and Jacob, before his death, prophesied that as a remnant of the coat was preserved so should a remnant of Joseph's posterity be preserved.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">That remnant now found among the Lamanites shall eventually partake of the blessings of the Gospel. They shall unite with the remnant which is being gathered from among the nations and they shall be blessed of the Lord forever.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Alma 47:11-18--Lehonti and Contention</span></span></div>Robert D. Hales, "Christian Courage: The Price of Discipleship",<i> Ensign, </i>Nov. 2008, 72–75<br />
In the Book of Mormon, we read about Lehonti and his men camped upon a mount. The traitorous Amalickiah urged Lehonti to “come down” and meet him in the valley. But when Lehonti left the high ground, he was poisoned “by degrees” until he died, and his army fell into Amalickiah’s hands (see Alma 47). By arguments and accusations, some people bait us to leave the high ground. The high ground is where the light is. It’s where we see the first light of morning and the last light in the evening. It is the safe ground. It is true and where knowledge is. Sometimes others want us to come down off the high ground and join them in a theological scrum in the mud. These few contentious individuals are set on picking religious fights, online or in person. We are always better staying on the higher ground of mutual respect and love.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Lehonti and "by Degrees"</span></span></div>Elaine S. Dalton, "A Return to Virtue",<i> Ensign,</i> Nov. 2008, 78–80<br />
. . . having embraced Amalickiah’s false promises, Lehonti was “poison[ed] by degrees” until he died. Not just poisoned, but “by degrees.” Could it be that this may be happening today? Could it be that first we tolerate, then accept, and eventually embrace the vice that surrounds us? Could it be that we have been deceived by false role models and persuasive media messages that cause us to forget our divine identity? Are we too being poisoned by degrees? What could be more deceptive than to entice the youth of this noble generation to do nothing or to be busy ever-texting but never coming to a knowledge of the truths contained in a book that was written for you and your day by prophets of God—the Book of Mormon? What could be more deceptive than to entice women, young and old, you and me, to be so involved in ourselves, our looks, our clothes, our body shape and size that we lose sight of our divine identity and our ability to change the world through our virtuous influence? What could be more deceptive than to entice men—young and old, holding the holy priesthood of God—to view seductive pornography and thus focus on flesh instead of faith, to be consumers of vice rather than guardians of virtue?<br />
<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Alma 47:36--Dissention and Contention</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Gordon B. Hinckley, <i>Ensign</i>, 11/01, 72</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">There are times when we must stand up for right and decency, for freedom and civilization, just as Moroni rallied his people in his day to the defense of their wives, their children, and the cause of liberty.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;">Ezra Taft Benson, Annual Boy Scouts Banquet, Commerce, Texas, 5/13/68</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">I do not believe the greatest threat to our future is from bombs or guided missiles. I do not think our civilization will die that way. I think it will die when we no longer care--when the spiritual forces that make us wish to be right and noble die in the hearts of men.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Alma 48:18--Heroes</span></span></div><i><span style="color: #45818e;">Book of Mormon Student Manual</span></i><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Find encouragement in the lives of Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah. They were tragically wicked. Yet their full repentance and service qualified them to be considered as noble as righteous Captain Moroni.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Alma 48:14-16--Justified to go to War</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">David O. McKay, <i>CR</i>, 4/42, 72</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">There are, however, two conditions which may justify a truly Christian man to enter--mind you, I say enter, not begin--a war: (1) An attempt to dominate and to deprive another of his free agency, and (2) Loyalty to his country. Possibly there is a third, viz., Defense of a weak nation that is being unjustly crushed by a strong, ruthless one.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Alma 48:19--No Less Serviceable</span></span></div>Howard W. Hunter, <i>Ensign,</i> 4/92, 64<br />
Not all of us are going to be like Moroni, catching the acclaim of our colleagues all day every day. Most of us will be quiet, relatively unknown folks who come and go and do our work without fanfare. To those of you who may find that lonely or frightening or just unspectacular, I say, you are "no less serviceable" than the most spectacular of your associates. You, too, are part of God's army.<br />
Consider, for example, the profound service a mother or father gives in the quiet anonymity of a worthy Latter-day Saint home. Think of the Gospel Doctrine teachers and Primary choristers and Scoutmasters and Relief Society visiting teachers who serve and bless millions but whose names will never be publicly applauded or featured in the nation's media.<br />
Tens of thousands of unseen people make possible our opportunities and happiness every day. As the scriptures state, the are "no less serviceable" than those whose lives are on the front pages of newspapers.<br />
The limelight of history and contemporary attention so often focuses on the one rather than on the many.<br />
<br />
Jeffrey R. Holland, "Because of Your Faith", <i>Ensign</i>, Nov. 2010, 6–8<br />
. . . to the near-perfect elderly sister who almost apologetically whispered recently, “I have never been a leader of anything in the Church. I guess I’ve only been a helper,” I say, “Dear sister, God bless you and all the ‘helpers’ in the kingdom.” Some of us who are leaders hope someday to have the standing before God that you have already attained.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Alma 51:15--Internal Strife</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i>, p. 337</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Where there is internal division, the body politic cannot stand with enduring strength. Victory over the forces of evil requires unity of the faith and diligence in keeping the commandments of God.</span></div>jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01313127576303289593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645717577597362395.post-26451528478137339182011-01-20T05:09:00.000-08:002011-01-20T05:09:33.004-08:00Alma 30-39<div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Quotes of the Week:</span></div>"All of beauty in the earth bears the fingerprint of the Master Creator."<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--Gordon B. Hinckley, <i>Ensign</i>, 5/78</div><br />
"Real disciples absorb the fiery darts of the adversary by holding aloft the quenching shield of faith with one hand, while holding to the iron rod with the other. There should be no mistaking, it will take both hands."<span style="color: #45818e;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--Neal A. Maxwell, <i>CR</i>, 4/87</div><div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Further Reading:</span></div><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="color: black;">Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Of Things That Matter Most," <i>Ensign,</i> 11/10</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="color: black;">Larry Lawrence, "Courageous Parenting,"<i> Ensign</i>, 11/10</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-large;">Handouts: </span> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">Alma 30:12-28--Teachings of Korihor</span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Joseph B. Wirthlin,<i> Ensign</i>, 11/97</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Societies structured by situational ethics--the belief that all truths are relative--create a moral environment defined by undistinguished shades of gray.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Joseph B. Wirthlin,<i> Ensign</i>, 3/93</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Isn't it interesting that these groups consider it "freedom of expression" to profane the Lord's name and use obscenities, but oppose prayer in public places.</span><br />
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<div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 31:5--Power from the Word</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Spencer W. Kimball, "What I Hope You Will Teach My Grandchildren and All Others of the Youth of Zion," <i>CES address</i>, 1966, p. 4</div><div style="color: #45818e;">I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away. If I immerse myself in the scriptures, the distance narrows and the spirituality returns. I find myself loving more intensely those whom I must love with all my heart and mind and strength, and loving them more. I find it easier to abide their counsel.</div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 32:6--Humility in Trial</span></div>Millet and McConkie, <i>Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon</i>, 3:224<br />
It has been wisely observed that a blessing is anything that brings us nearer to God. Thus our afflictions often become our greatest blessings. It is in our extremities that most often we meet God, not in our comfort. Thus any time conditions come to pass--even what at the time might be construed as tragic or unfortunate conditions--that lead us toward the truth or contribute to our eventual well-being, we have indeed been blessed.<br />
<br />
Carlos E. Asay, <i>Family Pecan Trees: Planting a Legacy of Faith at Home</i>, 193-94<br />
Most of us seem to have the "Nephite cycle" as part of our character. There is a point when we are teachable; our humility enables us to grow and to ride the crest of spirituality. Then there are other times when we begin to feel self-sufficient and puffed up with pride. . . . How much better it would be if we kept in remembrance our God and our religion and broke the cycle by consistent worship and righteous living. How much better it would be if we were humbled by the word of the Lord and strong enough in spirit to remember our God in whatsoever circumstances we find ourselves.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 32--Faith</span></div>Joseph Smith, <i>Lectures on Faith</i>, 1:24<br />
Faith, then, is the first great governing principle which has power, dominion, and authority over all things; by it they exist, by it they are upheld, by it they are changed, or by it they remain, agreeable to the will of God. Without it there is no power, and without power there could be no creation nor existence.<br />
<br />
Gordon B. Hinckley, <i>Ensign,</i> 11/87, 54<br />
Of all our needs, I think the greatest is an increase in faith.<br />
<br />
Joseph B. Wirthlin, <i>Ensign</i>, 11/02, 83<br />
Faith exists when absolute confidence in that which we cannot see combines with action that is in absolute conformity to the will of our Heavenly Father. Without all three--first, absolute confidence; second, action; and third, absolute conformity--without these three, all we have is a counterfeit, a weak and watered-down faith.<br />
<br />
<i>New Witness</i>, 191-92<br />
Faith is not the power of positive thinking. One does not have faith simply because he is positive or optimistic. Faith is based on the truth.<br />
<br />
Richard G. Scott, <i>Ensign</i>, 5/03<br />
Even if you exercise your strongest faith, God will not always reward you immediately according to your desires. Rather, God will respond with what in His eternal plan is best for you. . . . Indeed, were you to know His entire plan, you would never ask for that which is contrary to it even though your feelings tempt you to do so. Sincere faith gives us understanding and strength to accept the will of our Heavenly Father when it differs from our own.<br />
<br />
Boyd K. Packer, "What Is Faith?" in <i>Faith,</i> 42-43<br />
Faith, to be faith, must center around something that is not known. Faith, to be faith, must go beyond that for which there is confirming evidence. Faith, to be faith, must go into the unknown. Faith, to be faith, must walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness.<br />
<br />
James E. Talmage, <i>Articles of Faith</i><br />
Faith in Christ comprises belief in Him, combined with trust in Him. One cannot have faith without belief; yet he may believe and still lack faith. Faith is vivified, vitalized, living belief. . . . Knowledge is to wisdom what belief is to faith, one an abstract principle, the other a living application. Not possession merely, but the proper use of knowledge constitutes wisdom.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 32:28--Planting the Seed</span></div>Joseph B Wirthlin, <i>Ensign,</i> 5/82<br />
To soundly plant good seeds in your heart requires prolonged, intense, unremitting pondering. It is a deep, ongoing, regenerating process which refines the soul.<br />
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<div style="color: black; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">Alma 34:18-27--Prayer</span></div><div style="color: black;">Joseph Fielding Smith, <i>CR</i>, 10/1919</div><div style="color: black;">No man can retain the Spirit of the Lord, unless he prays. No man can have the inspiration of the holy Spirit, unless in his heart is found this spirit of prayer.</div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 34:28-29--Service</span></div>Joseph Smith, <i>History of the Church</i>, 5:401<br />
I love that man better who swears a stream as long as my arm yet deals justice to his neighbors and mercifully deals his substance to the poor, than the long, smooth-faced hypocrite.<br />
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</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 34:32-33--Repentance after Death?</span></div>Richard G. Scott, <i>Ensign</i>, 5/97<br />
You can progress much more rapidly here on earth with your mortal body in this environment of good and evil than you will as a spirit in the spirit world.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 34:33--Procrastinating Repentance</span></div>J. Richard Clarke, <i>Ensign</i>, 5/93<br />
I believe, to use an insurance phrase, we must pay the deductible. We must experience sorrow enough, suffering enough, guilt enough so we are conscious and appreciative of the heavier burden borne by the Savior. My soul pains when His Atonement is treated lightly, when the blessing of repentance is reduced to simply "taking care of it with the bishop," when there is brief confession without humility or godly sorrow. . . . Such indulgence in premeditated sin shows pitiful misunderstanding of repentance.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 34:34-35--Attitudes after We Die</span></div><i>Teachings of the Presidents of the Church--Brigham Young,</i> 279<br />
The wicked spirits that leave here and go into the spirit world, are they wicked there? Yes.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 34:40-41</span></div>John H. Groberg, <i>Ensign,</i> 11/93, 26<br />
Sometimes we pray for the strength to endure yet resist the very things that would give us that strength. Too often we seek the easy way, forgetting that strength comes from overcoming things that require us to put forth more effort than we normally would be inclined to do<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">Alma 36:3--Supported in Their Trials</span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Neal A. Maxwell,<i> Ensign,</i> 5/04, 44</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">If various trials are allotted to you, partake of life's bitter cups, but without becoming bitter.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">Alma 36:16-17--Racked, Tormented, Harrowed</span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Boyd K. Packer,<i> Ensign, </i>5/01, 22-23</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">The prophet chose very graphic words.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Racked means "tortured." Anciently a rack was a framework on which the victim was laid with each ankle and wrist tied to a spindle which could then be turned to cause unbearable pain.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">A harrow is a frame with spikes through it. When pulled across the ground, it rips and tears the soil. The scriptures frequently speak of souls and minds being "harrowed up" with guilt.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Torment means "to twist,' a means of torture so painful that even the innocent would confess.</span><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 36:17; --Teachings of a Tender Parent</span></div>Jeffrey R. Holland,<i> The Book of Mormon, It Begins with a Family</i>, 97-98<br />
The teachings and testimonies of parents and other good people have an inevitable, inexorable effect. Those lessons are not lost on even the most wayward soul. Somewhere, somehow, they get recorded in the soul and may be called upon in a great moment of need.<br />
It was in such a moment that the young Alma "remembered also to have heard my father prophesy" (Alma 36:17). That prophecy may have been uttered in a day when Alma was taunting his father, or jeering at those who believed, or willfully denying the reality of revelation. It may have come at a time when his father assumed Alma did not care or hear or understand. Or it may have come so early in life that his father might have thought he had forgotten. . . . Now it was being called forth for the very protection it had intended to give. . . . There will always be a great power--even latent, delayed, residual power--in the words of God we utter.<br />
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Henry B. Eyring, <i>Because He First Loved Us,</i> 35-36<br />
Some of you have invested months and years trying to offer people you love the gospel of Jesus Christ--to people who have not yet accepted it. Take heart. Alma the Younger, when he came to the point of extremity, remembered the words of his father and it saved his eternal life. God may yet bless you with that greatest of all returns for the investment of your time, that the words of truth you spoke will be remembered in that moment of spiritual yearning by the person you loved enough to offer the most precious thing you ever received.<br />
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Christianson and Bassett, <i>Life Lessons from the Book of Mormon</i>, 79-80<br />
(Alma 36:19) Notice the role of the father in the process of spiritual growth. The Savior removed Alma's pain and stain of sin, but the words of the elder Alma lead his son to the fruits of Gethsemane. The quality of spiritual example and instruction by parents illuminated the strait and narrow path for many of those who have become our heroes in the Book of Mormon.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 37:32-37; 38:10-15; 39:9-14--To His Sons . . . </span></div>Larry R. Lawrence, <i>Ensign,</i> 11/10, 98-100<br />
In these last days, what the world really needs is courageous parenting from mothers and fathers who are not afraid to speak up and take a stand. . . . It is vital that parents have the courage to speak up and intervene before Satan succeeds.. . .<br />
Our Church leaders have counseled us to establish righteous patterns in our homes. Consider five fundamental practices that have the power to fortify our youth: family prayer, family scripture study, family home evening, family dinner together, and regular one-on-one interviews with each child.<br />
It takes courage to gather children from whatever they’re doing and kneel together as a family. It takes courage to turn off the television and the computer and to guide your family through the pages of the scriptures every day. It takes courage to turn down other invitations on Monday night so that you can reserve that evening for your family. It takes courage and willpower to avoid overscheduling so that your family can be home for dinner.<br />
One of the most effective ways we can influence our sons and daughters is to counsel with them in private interviews. By listening closely, we can discover the desires of their hearts, help them set righteous goals, and also share with them the spiritual impressions that we have received about them. Counseling requires courage.<br />
Try to imagine what the rising generation could become if these five righteous patterns were practiced consistently in every home. Our young people could be like Helaman’s army: invincible (see Alma 57:25–26).<br />
Parenting teenagers in the latter days is a very humbling assignment. Satan and his followers are striving to bring this generation down; the Lord is counting on valiant parents to bring them up. Parents, "be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid" (Joshua 1:9).<br />
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<div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 37:6-7--Small and Simple Things</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Gordon B. Hinckley,<i> Stand a Little Taller,</i> 13</div><div style="color: #45818e;">The course of our lives is seldom determined by great, life-altering decisions. Our direction is often set by the small, day-to-day choices that chart the track on which we run. This is the substance of our lives--making choices.</div><div style="color: #45818e;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 37:35; 38:2--Youthful Obedience</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Gordon B. Hinckley, <i>Ensign, </i>5/95, 53</div><div style="color: #45818e;">The decision we make, individually and personally, become the fabric of our lives. That fabric will be beautiful or ugly according to the threads of which it is woven. I wish to say particularly to the young men who are here that you cannot indulge in any unbecoming behavior without injury to the beauty of the fabric of your lies. Immoral acts of any kind will introduce an ugly thread. Dishonesty of any kind will create a blemish. Foul and profane language will rob the pattern of its beauty.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">Alma 38:12--Bridle Our Passions</span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Truman G. Madsen, <i>Four Essays on Love,</i> 36</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">What is a bridle for? To kill, to diminish, or even to limit the spirit and power of the steed? Never. Once you have trained your pony you can direct him with the merest nudge. Eventually you can give him his head and ride free, bareback like the wind. We are given our bodies and our emotions not to destroy but to ride. The bridle warns you that to get excited without listening to the voice of the Spirit (the rider) will bring a complaint, "Hey, wait for me!" When the body is susceptible to the Spirit, it can always catch up to the Spirit. But I defy anyone to get the Spirit in harmony with the runaway body.</span><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 39:4-5--Immorality</span></div>Ezra Taft Benson, <i>BYU Speeches of the Year,</i> 1987-88, 51<br />
Do not be misled by Satan's lies. There is no lasting happiness in immorality. There is no joy to be found in breaking the law of chastisty. Just the opposite is true.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 39:5-6--Denying the Holy Ghost</span></div><i>Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball</i>, 23<br />
The eyes can be deceived, as can the other physical senses, but the testimony of the Holy Ghost is certain. The sin against the Holy Ghost requires such knowledge that it is manifestly impossible for the rank and file to commit such a sin. Comparatively few Church members will . . . .deny the Holy Ghost.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 39:9--Cross Yourself</span></div>Joseph B. Wirthlin, <i>CR, </i>1982, 33<br />
It is not possible to have a free ride on the road to joy, and there is no real joy that does not involve self-denial and self-discipline.<br />
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Ezra Taft Benson, "A Mighty Change of Heart," <i>Ensign, </i>10/89, 4<br />
Godly sorrow is a gift of the Spirit. It is a deep realization that our actions have offended our Father and our God. It is the sharp and keen awareness that our behavior caused the Savior, He who knew no sin, even the greatest of all, to endure agony and suffering. Our sins caused Him to bleed at every pore. This very real mental and spiritual anguish is what the scriptures refer to as having a "broken heart and a contrite spirit."<br />
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Richard G. Scott, <i>Ensign</i>, 11/02, 87<br />
The painful consequences of sin were purposely put in His plan of happiness by a compassionate Father in Heaven so that you need not follow that tragic path in life.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 39:11--Example</span></div>Henry B. Eyring, Ensign 11/02<br />
Just the way you smile or the way you offer to help someone can build their faith. And should you forget who you are, just the way you speak and the way you behave can destroy faith.jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01313127576303289593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645717577597362395.post-40186001101856209662011-01-13T11:44:00.000-08:002011-01-13T11:44:29.438-08:00Alma 17-29<div style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Quotes of the Week:</span></div><br />
Prepare well for a mission all your life, not just six months or a year before you go. . . <br />
We want young men entering the mission field who can enter "on the run," who have the faith born of personal righteousness and clean living so that they can have a great and productive mission.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--Ezra Taft Benson, <i>Ensign</i>, 5/86 </div><br />
Suffering can make Saints of people as they learn patience, long-suffering and self-mastery. The sufferings of our Savior were part of his education.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"></div><div style="text-align: right;">--Spencer W. Kimball, <i>BYU Speeches of the Year</i>, 1955</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Further Reading:</span></div>Neal A. Maxwell, "Content with the Things Allotted unto Us," <i>Ensign</i>, 5/00, 72 <br />
M. Russell Ballard, <i>Ensign</i>, 4/02, 66-73<br />
Thomas S. Monson, <i>Ensign</i>, 1/11, 4<br />
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<div style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Handouts:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 17:2--Searched the Scriptures Diligently</span></div><i>Preach My Gospel,</i> p. x<br />
Richard G. Scott taught, "Knowledge carefully recorded is knowledge available in time of need. Spiritually sensitive information should be kept in a sacred place that communicates to the Lord how you treasure it. This practice enhances the likelihood of your receiving further light" (Ensign, 11/93, 86). <br />
Your study journal may be a bound journal, a notebook, or a binder. Record and organize your thoughts and impressions in a way that fits how you learn. Develop your own system to easily access key information in the future. Use it often to review, access, and apply what you have learned. Use your study journal to take notes and record impressions.<br />
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Howard W. Hunter, <i>Ensign</i>, 11/79, p. 64-65<br />
To understand requires more than casual reading or perusal--there must be concentrated study. . . . not only should we study each day, but there should be a regular time set aside when we can concentrate without interference. . . . The important thing is to allow nothing else to ever interfere with our study. . . . There are some who read to a schedule of a number of pages or a set number of chapters each day or week. . . . It is better to have a set amount of time to give scriptural study each day than to have a set amount of chapters to read. Sometimes we find that the study of a single verse will occupy the whole time.<br />
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Ezra Taft Benson, <i>Ensign,</i> 5/86<br />
When individual members and families immerse themselves in the scriptures regularly and consistently, . . . other areas of activity will automatically come. Testimonies will increase. Commitment will be strengthened. Families will be fortified. Personal revelation will flow.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">Alma 17:2-3--Successful Mission Preparation</span></div><span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i>, p. 251</span><span style="color: #45818e;">(summarizing 17:2-3)</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">1. Be "in the Lord" by following our Savior and keeping His commandments.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">2. Wax strong in the knowledge of the truth.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">3. Be of a sound understanding.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">4. Search the scriptures diligently to know the word of God.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">5. Pray and fast.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Regarding this preparation, Gordon B. Hinckley said, "Our young people have an obligation to prepare themselves for missionary service. . . . Live for the opportunity when you may go out as a servant of the Lord and an ambassador of eternal truth to the people of the world."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;">Spencer W. Kimball, <i>Regional Representative Seminar</i>, 4/3/75</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">"Oh, our beloved Father in Heaven, bring about the time when we may be able to bring in large numbers as Ammon and his brethren did--thousands of conversions, not dozens, not tens or fives or ones, thousands of conversions. The Lord promised it; He fulfills His promises.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">"Please, Father, open the doors of the nations."</span><br />
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Gordon B. Hinckley, <i>Ensign</i>, 11/02<br />
We must raise the bar on the worthiness and qualifications of those who go into the world as ambassadors of the Lord Jesus Christ. <br />
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Thomas S. Monson, <i>Ensign</i>, 1/11, quoting General Conference 10/10<br />
Every worthy, able young man should prepare to serve a mission. Such service is a priesthood duty—an obligation the Lord expects of us who have been given so very much. Young men, I admonish you to prepare for service as a missionary. Keep yourselves clean and pure and worthy to represent the Lord. Maintain your health and strength. Study the scriptures. Where such is available, participate in seminary and institute. Familiarize yourself with the missionary handbook<i> Preach My Gospel.</i><br />
Sisters, while you do not have the same priesthood responsibility as do the young men to serve as full-time missionaries, you also make a valuable contribution as missionaries, and we welcome your service.<br />
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To the mature brothers and sisters of the Church, I remind you that the Lord needs many, many more of you to serve as full-time missionaries. If you are not yet at the season of life to serve a couples mission, I urge you to prepare now for the day when, as your circumstances allow, you and your spouse might do so. There are few times in your lives when you will enjoy the sweet spirit and satisfaction that come from giving full-time service together in the work of the Master.<br />
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Now, some of you may be shy by nature or consider yourselves inadequate to respond affirmatively to the call to serve. Remember that this is the Lord’s work, and when we are on the Lord’s errand, we are entitled to the Lord’s help. The Lord will shape the back to bear the burden placed upon it.<br />
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Richard G. Scott,<i> Ensign,</i> 5/06<br />
All that I now hold dear in life began to mature in the mission field. Had I not been encouraged to be a missionary, I would not have the eternal companion or precious family I dearly love. I am confident that I would not have had the exceptional professional opportunities that stretched my every capacity. I am certain that I would not have received the sacred callings with opportunities to serve for which I will be eternally grateful. My life has been richly blessed beyond measure because I served a mission.<br />
Now can you understand why I am so anxious to motivate every one of you young men to be a worthy missionary?<br />
I urge you not to pray to know whether you should go; rather, ask the Lord to guide you in whatever may be necessary to become a worthy, empowered full-time missionary. You will never regret serving a mission, but you most probably will regret not serving if that is your choice.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 18:3-9--Service Softens Hearts</span></div>Henry B. Eyring, <i>Ensign</i>, 2/04<br />
King Lamoni had been brought up with a belief that there was a God but that whatever the king did was right. He had been specifically taught false doctrine that might have made him impervious to feelings of guilt.<br />
. . . Never underestimate the spiritual value of doing temporal things well for those whom you serve.<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;">Vaughn J. Featherstone, <i>New Era</i>, 1975</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">"Would that our Father, our Heavenly King, could say this about his children--that we remembered all of his commandments to execute them. What would our Heavenly King have us do as his children? We should be faithful in filling every assignment. We ought to be virtuous and pure and trustworthy. We ought to stand steadfast in our callings, filling them in the same dedicated and loyal fashion in which Ammon filled his assignments as a servant of the king."</span><br />
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<div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 18:24-28--Building on Common Beliefs</span></div>Gordon B. Hinckley, <i>Ensign</i>, 11/02, 81<br />
We say in a spirit of love, bring with you all that you have of good and truth which you have received from whatever source, and come and let us see if we may add to it. This invitation I extend to men and women everywhere.<br />
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<i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon,</i> p. 255<br />
While president of the Central States Mission, Elder Alvin R. Dyer conducted a mission-wide research poll among all of the converts of the mission, asking them to declare when they first knew that the gospel was true. Several thousand participated in the project. Elder Dyer learned that 82% of the converts knew the gospel was true the first time they heard the missionaries bear witness of it. Thus, in most cases, the transforming witness came not after a period of experience with the Church, but immediately upon hearing the message for the first time as the missionaries spoke with the power of the Spirit. Elder Dyer testified that this phenomenon was a substantiation of the Savior's statement: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27).<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Alma 19:16-36--Abish, </span><b style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">A</b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span><b style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">B</b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">eliever </span><b style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I</b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">n the </span><b style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">S</b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">avior's </span><b style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">H</b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">ands</span></span></div>M. Russell Ballard, <i>Ensign</i>, 4/02, 66-73<br />
When God asked who would come to earth to prepare a way for all mankind to be saved and strengthened and blessed, it was Jesus Christ who said, simply, “Here am I, send me” (Abr. 3:27).<br />
Just as the Savior stepped forward to fulfill His divine responsibilities, we have the challenge and responsibility to do likewise. If you are wondering if you make a difference to the Lord, imagine the impact when you make commitments such as the following:“Father, if You need a woman to rear children in righteousness, here am I, send me.”<br />
“If You need a woman who will shun vulgarity and dress modestly and speak with dignity and show the world how joyous it is to keep the commandments, here am I, send me.”<br />
“If You need a woman who can resist the alluring temptations of the world by keeping her eyes fixed on eternity, here am I, send me.”<br />
“If You need a woman of faithful steadiness, here am I, send me.”<br />
Between now and the day the Lord comes again, He needs women in every family, in every ward, in every community, in every nation who will step forward in righteousness and say by their words and their actions, “Here am I, send me.”<br />
My question is, “Will you be one of those women? And will you men who hold the priesthood answer the same call?” Now, I know most of you want to. But how will you do it? How, in a world filled with deceptive messages about women and the family—and the significance of both to the Lord—will you perpetually respond to the Lord, “Here am I, send me”?<br />
For those who really want to live up to who you are, for those who at all costs want to repent if necessary and who want to see through Satan’s deceptions, I have two suggestions: First, listen to and follow those whom we sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators. Second, learn to hear the voice of the Spirit, or the voice of the Lord as communicated by the power of the Holy Ghost.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">Alma 22:18--Give Away All Sins</span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Neal A. Maxwell,<i> Ensign,</i> 11/02</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">We cannot know the meaning of all things right now. But we can know, right now, that God knows us and loves us individually!</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">But, brothers and sisters, what keeps us from knowing and loving Him more? Our reluctance to give away all our sins, thinking instead that a down payment will do.</span><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 23:17-18--Anti-Nephi-Lehies</span></div><i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i>, p. 268<br />
The Lamanites converted by the four sons of Mosiah and their missionary companions took upon themselves the name of "Anti-Nephi-Lehies." The "Nephi-Lehi" part of the title probably had reference to the lands of Nephi and Lehi (or the people living in those lands) rather than to the descendants of Nephi or Lehi.<br />
However, Dr. Hugh Nibley has found "a Semitic and common Indo-European root corresponding to anti that means 'in the face of' or 'facing,' as of one facing a mirror, and by extension either 'one who opposes' or 'one who imitates.'" Thus the term "Anti-Nephi-Lehies" might refer to those who imitate the teachings of the descendants of Nephi and Lehi.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 24:17-19--Burying Our Weapons Deep</span></div>Spencer W. Kimball, <i>The Miracle of Forgiveness</i>, 171-72 (emphasis added)<br />
In abandoning sin one cannot merely <i>wish</i> for better conditions. He must <i>make</i> them. He may need to come to hate the spotted garments and loathe the sin. He must be certain not only that he has abandoned the sin but that he has changed the situations surrounding the sin. He should avoid the places and conditions and circumstances where the sin occurred, for these could most readily breed it again. He must abandon the people with whom the sin was committed. He may not hate the persons involved but he must avoid them and everything associated with the sin. . . . He must eliminate <i>anything </i>which would stir the old memories.<br />
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<div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 26:5,11--Instrument in the Lord's Hands</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Thomas S. Monson, <i>To the Rescue</i>, p. 4</div><div style="color: #45818e;">I firmly believe that the sweetest experience in mortality is to know that our Heavenly Father has worked through us to accomplish an objective in the life of another person."</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">Alma 26:30--Humility</span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Ezra Taft Benson, as cited in <i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i>, p. 275</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">The Lord has said that no one can assist with this work unless he is humble and full of love. . . . But humility does not mean weakness. It does not mean timidity; it does not mean fear. A man can be humble and also fearless. A man can be humble and also courageous. Humility is the recognition of our dependence upon a higher power, a constant need for the Lord's support in His work.</span><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 29:3--Be Content</span></div>Neal A. Maxwell, "Content with the Things Allotted unto Us", <i>Ensign</i>, May 2000, 72<br />
A significant spiritual journey is thus reflected in but nine soliloquy-like verses.<br />
The same contentment awaits us if our own desires can be worked through and aligned.<br />
Being content means acceptance without self-pity. Meekly borne, however, deprivations such as these can end up being like excavations that make room for greatly enlarged souls.<br />
Some undergo searing developments that cut suddenly into mortality’s status quo. Some have trials to pass through, while still others have allotments they are to live with.<br />
Thus, developing greater contentment within certain of our existing constraints and opportunities is one of our challenges. Otherwise we may feel underused, underwhelmed, and underappreciated—while, ironically, within our givens are unused opportunities for service all about us. Neither should we pine away, therefore, for certain things outside God’s givens, such as for the powerful voice of an angel, because there is so much to do within what has been allotted to us (see Alma 29:3–4). Furthermore, varied as our allotted circumstances may be, we can still keep the commandments of God!<br />
We need not be situated in prime time with prime visibility in order to work out our own salvation!<br />
Ponder how Jesus was and is the Lord of the universe (see D&C 45:1; D&C 76:24; Moses 1:33; Moses 2:1). Yet His ministry, as we all know, was accomplished in a very tiny geographical space. His ministerial travels were very limited. Yet therein the Savior accomplished the Atonement for all of mankind! There were certainly much more prominent hills than Golgotha and much more resplendent gardens than Gethsemane. No matter; these were sufficient to host the central act of all human history!<br />
The Lord knows our circumstances and the intents of our hearts, and surely the talents and gifts He has given us. He is able to gauge perfectly how we have performed within what is allotted to us, . . . Thus, yearning for expanded opportunities while failing to use those at hand is bad form spiritually.<br />
What we could and have done within our allotted acreage, therefore, is known perfectly by the Master of the vineyard.<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;">Neal A. Maxwell, <i>BYU Devotional,</i> 10/10/78</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">"The truth about foreordination also helps us to taste the deep wisdom of alma, when he said we ought to be content with things that God hath allotted to each of us. If, indeed, the things allotted each of us have been divinely customized according to our ability and capacity, then for us to seek to wrench ourselves free of our schooling circumstances could be to tear ourselves away from carefully matched opportunities. To rant and to rail could be to go against divine wisdom, wisdom in which we may have once concurred before we came here. God knew beforehand each of our coefficients for coping and contributing and has so ordered our lives."</span>jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01313127576303289593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645717577597362395.post-80661183174623442712011-01-06T10:07:00.000-08:002011-01-06T10:07:35.912-08:00Alma 6-16<div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Quote of the Week:</span></div>"Pray for me to learn quickly what I need to learn."<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--Neal A. Maxwell </div>"The Savior knows what it's like to die from cancer."<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--Neal A. Maxwell</div><div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Further Reading:</span></div>JST Genesis 14:25-40<br />
Jairo Mazzagardi, "Avoiding the Trap of Sin," <i>Ensign,</i> 11/10<br />
Silvia Allred, "Steadfast and Immovable," <i>Ensign</i>, 11/10<br />
Dennis A. Wright, "“None Were Greater”: A Restoration View of Melchizedek", <i>Ensign</i>, Feb. 1998, 30<br />
<a href="http://www.jrcls.org/publications/perspectives/backman%20later%20lds.attorneys.jan9.04.pdf">LDS Attorneys: Approaching the Modern Era</a><br />
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<div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Handouts: </span></div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 7:12--Succor His People</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Jeffrey R. Holland, CES fireside for young adults, 3/2/97</div><div style="color: #45818e;"> [Succor] is used often in the scriptures to describe Christ's care for and attention to us. It means literally "to run to." What a magnificent way to describe the Savior's urgent effort in our behalf. Even as he calls us to come to him and follow him, he is unfailingly running to help us.</div><div style="color: #45818e;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 7:22-24--Responsibilities of the Melchizedek Priesthood</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Boyd K. Packer, <i>Ensign,</i> 11/81</div><div style="color: #45818e;">The priesthood is very, very precious to the Lord. He is very careful about how it is conferred, and by whom. It is never done in secret.</div><div style="color: #45818e;">I have told you how the authority is given to you. The power you receive will depend on what you do with this sacred, unseen gift.</div><div style="color: #45818e;">You authority comes through your ordination; your power comes through obedience and worthiness.</div><div style="color: #45818e;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 8:10--Mighty Prayer</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Improving Our Prayers," <i>BYU Speeches [2003]</i>, p. 160</div><div style="color: #45818e;">May I ask you today to consider the effectiveness of your prayers? How close do you feel to your Heavenly Father? Do you feel that your prayers are answered? Do you feel that the time you spend in prayer enriches and uplifts your soul? Is there room for improvement?</div><div style="color: #45818e;">There are many reasons our prayers lack power. Sometimes they become routine. Our prayers become hollow when we say similar words in similar ways over and over so often that he words become more of a recitation than a communication. This is what the Savior described as "vain repetitions" (Matt 6:7). Such prayers, He said, will not be heard. . . .</div><div style="color: #45818e;">Do your prayers at times sound and feel the same? Have you ever said a prayer mechanically, the words pouring forth as though cut from a machine? Do you sometimes bore yourself as you pray?</div><div style="color: #45818e;">Prayers that do not demand much of your thought will hardly merit much attention from our Heavenly Father. When you find yourself getting into a routine with your prayers, step back and think. Meditate for a while on the things for which you really are grateful.</div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 8:10-15--To Missionaries</span></div>James E. Faust, <i>Ensign,</i> 5/96<br />
[To missionaries] . . . you must know that Lucifer will oppose you, and be prepared for his opposition. Do not be surprised. He wants you to fail. Discouragement is one of the devil's tools. Have courage and go forward. Recognize that the gospel has been preached with some pain and sorrow from the very beginning of time. Do not expect that your experience will be other wise.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 9:14-23--Great Blessings Bring Great Responsibilities</span></div>Sheri L. Dew,<i> Ensign,</i> 11/99<br />
"Unto whom much is given much is required" (D&C 82:3), and at times the demands of discipleship are heavy. But shouldn't we expect the journey towards eternal glory to stretch us? We sometimes rationalize our preoccupation with this world and our casual attempts to grow spiritually by trying to console each other with the notion that living the gospel really shouldn't require all that much of us. The Lord's standard of behavior will always be more demanding<br />
than the world's, but then the Lord's rewards are infinitely more glorious--including true joy, peace, and salvation.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 10--Amulek</span></div>Henry B. Eyring, <i>Heroes from the Book of Mormon,</i> p. 109-11<br />
The life of Amulek teaches us not only that obedience brings the inspiration of God, but that with that inspiration will come the power to accept the testing and the trials it will take to sanctify us. Amulek could not have foreseen the testing and the sacrifice ahead of him. . . . He says in his first sermon that the angel's promised blessing on his house and family had already been delivered. He seemed to think the blessings were delivered and assured (Alma 10:11).<br />
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We don't know what Amulek thought those blessings had bee, but we do know what became of his house and his family. He lost them all. We know that after he taught with such power as the companion of Alma in his own city, Ammonihah, his father and kindred repudiated him . . . .(Alma 15:16.)<br />
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Amulek may have lost even his wife and his children . . . .<br />
<br />
If they had rejected the gospel of Jesus Christ they would have been killed in the prophesied destruction of Ammonihah. An invading army took the life of every soul in a single day. If Amulek's wife and children made and kept covenants of the gospel, they would have been among the martyrs Alma and Amulek were forced to see die in the flames (Alma 14:10-13)<br />
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Amulek was delivered by God from the powers of the adversary as a blessing for his obedience, but God would not compel his loved ones to obey.<br />
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</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 11:43--A Bright Recollection of All Our Guilt</span></div>Russell M. Nelson, <i>Conference Report</i>, 10/85<br />
Although your spirit had a veil of forgetfulness placed over it at the time of your birth into mortality, it retained its power to remember all that happens--precisely recording each event of life. Indeed, scriptures warn "that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment" (Matt 12:36). Prophets refer to our "bright recollection" (Alma 11:43) and "perfect remembrance" (Alma 5:18) at that day of decision.<br />
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George Q. Cannon, <i>Gospel Truth</i>, p. 60-61<br />
There will be no scenes or incidents in our lives that will be forgotten by us in the world to com. . . . The human mind . . . when quickened by the power of God, will make men and women recall not only that which pertains to this life, but our memories will stretch back to the life we had before we came here, with the associations we had with our Father and God and with those bright spirits that stand around His throne and with the righteous and holy ones.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 12:12-14--Judged According to our Words, Works and Thoughts</span></div>Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, 11/00<br />
Judgment is not merely a review of actions taken in mortality, but is instead an assessment of who and what we have become as a result of our actions.<br />
"From such teachings we conclude that the Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts--what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts--what we have become."<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 12:14--Our Thoughts</span></div>Joseph F. Smith, as cited in <i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i>, p. 238<br />
In reality a man cannot forget anything. He may have a lapse of memory; he may not be able to recall at the moment a thing that he knows or words that he has spoken; he may not have the power at his will to call up these events and words; but let God Almighty touch the mainspring of the memory and awaken recollection and you will find then that you have not even forgotten a single idle word that you have spoken!<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 13:3-5--Agency in the Premortal World</span></div>Joseph Fielding Smith, <i>The Way to Perfection</i>, p. 50-51<br />
During the ages in which we dwelt in the pre-mortal state, we not only developed our various characteristics and showed our worthiness and ability, or the lack of it, but we were also where such progress could be observed. It is reasonable to believe that there was a Church organization there. The heavenly beings were living in a perfectly arranged society. Every person knew his place. Priesthood, without any question, had been conferred and the leaders were chosen to officiate. Ordinances pertaining to that pre-existence were required and the love of God prevailed.<br />
Under such conditions it was natural for our Father to discern and choose those who were most worthy and evaluate the talents of each individual. He knew not only what each of us could do, but what each of us would do when put to the test and when responsibility was given us. Then, when the time came for our habitation on mortal earth, all things were prepared and the servants of the Lord chosen and ordained to their respective missions.<br />
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David O. McKay, <i>Home Memories of President David O. McKay</i>, p. 228-30<br />
Now if none of these spirits were permitted to enter mortality until they all were good and great and had become leaders, then the diversity of conditions among the children of men as we see them today would certainly seem to indicate discrimination and injustice. . . .<br />
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. . . Our place in this world [is] then determined by our own advancement or condition in the pre-mortal state, just as our place in our future existence will be determined by what we do here in mortality.<br />
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When, therefore, the Creator said to Abraham, and to others of his attainment, 'You I will make my rulers,' there could exist no feeling of envy or jealousy among the million other spirits, for those who were 'good and great' were but receiving their just reward.<br />
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Bruce R. McConkie, <i>Doctrines of Salvation,</i> 1:58-59<br />
The spirits of men had their free agency. . . . The spirits of men were not equal. They may have had an equal start, and we know they were all innocent in the beginning; but the right of free agency which was given to them enabled some to outstrip others, and thus, through the eons of immortal existence, to become more intelligent, more faithful, for they were free to act for themselves, to think for themselves, to receive the truth or rebel against it.<br />
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</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 13:10-13--Foreordained</span></div>Harold B. Lee<i>, Decisions for Successful Living</i>, 169<br />
. . . I fear there are many among us who because of their faithfulness in the spirit world were "called" to do a great work here, but like reckless spendthrifts they are exercising their free agency in riotous living and are losing their birthright and the blessings that were theirs had they proved faithful to their calling. Hence as the Lord has said, "there are many called but few are chosen."<br />
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<div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 13:11-12--Sanctification</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Brigham Young, cited in Ludlow,<i> A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon</i>, 2:248-49</div><div style="color: #45818e;">I will put my own definition to the term sanctification, and say it consists in overcoming every sin and bringing all into subjection to the law of Christ. God has placed in us a pure spirit; when this [the spirit] reigns predominant, without let or hindrance, and triumphs over the flesh and rules and governs and controls . . . , this I call the blessing of sanctification. Will sin be perfectly destroyed? No, it will not, for it is not so designed in the economy of heaven.</div><div style="color: #45818e;">Do not suppose that we shall ever in the flesh be free from temptations to sin. Some suppose that they can in the flesh be sanctified body and spirit and become so pure that they will never again feel the effects of the power of the adversary of truth. Were it possible for a person to attain to this degree of perfection in the flesh, he could not die, neither remain in a world where sin predominates. Sin has entered into the world, and death by sin. I think we shall more or less feel the effects of sin so long as we live, and finally have to pass the ordeals of death.</div><div style="color: #45818e;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 13:17--Melchizedek</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Dennis A. Wright, "“None Were Greater”: A Restoration View of Melchizedek", <i>Ensign</i>, Feb. 1998, 30</div><div style="color: #45818e;">It is almost impossible to imagine a greater tribute that the Lord could bestow upon another than to lovingly direct that the very order of the Son of God’s own priesthood be known by the name of one of his cherished servants. What a model, what an example the Lord has said is in Melchizedek! He stands as a type or example to all who accept the priesthood or who seek the peace and blessings it offers. All who honor the priesthood of God can join this ancient follower of Christ in declaring—as Melchizedek’s name indicates—“My king is righteousness.”</div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 13:28--Temptation Above that Which We can Bear</span></div>Spencer W. Kimball, <i>The Miracle of Forgiveness</i>, p. 117<br />
Sin is intensely habit-forming and sometimes moves men to the tragic point of no return. . . . As the transgressor moves deeper and deeper in his sin, and the error is entrenched more deeply and the will to change is weakened, it becomes increasingly near-hopeless, and he skids down and down until either he does not want to climb back or he has lost the power to do so.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 14:8-11--Suffering of the Righteous</span></div>Spencer W. Kimball, <i>Improvement Era</i>, 3/66<br />
Now, we find many people critical when a righteous person is killed, a young father or mother is taken from a family, or when violent deaths occur. Some become bitter when oft-repeated prayers seem unanswered. Some lose faith and turn sour when solemn administrations by holy men seem to be ignored and no restoration seems to come from repeated prayer circles. But if all the sick were healed, if all the righteous were protected and the wicked destroyed, the whole program of the Father would be annulled and the basic principle of the gospel, free agency, would be ended.<br />
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If pain and sorrow and total punishment immediately followed the doing of evil, no soul would repeat a misdeed. If joy and peace and rewards were instantaneously given the doer of good, there could be no evil--all would do good and not because of the rightness of doing good. There would be no test of strength, no development of character, no growth of powers, no free agency, no Satanic controls.<br />
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Should all prayers be immediately answered according to our selfish desires and our limited understanding, then there would be little or no suffering, sorrow, disappointment, or even death; and if these were not, there would also be an absence of joy, success, resurrection, eternal life, and godhood.<br />
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Richard G. Scott, <i>Ensign</i> 11/ 95<br />
Trials, disappointments, sadness, and heartache come to us from two basically different sources. Those who transgress the laws of God will always have those challenges. The other reason for adversity is to accomplish the Lord's own purposes in our life that we may receive the refinement that comes from testing. . . . If you are suffering the disheartening effects of transgression, please recognize that the only path to permanent relief from sadness is sincere repentance with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. . . .<br />
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When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more (see Prov 3:11-12). . . . when you face adversity, you can be led to ask many questions. Some serve a useful purpose; others do not. To ask, Why does this have to happen to me? Why do I have to suffer this now? What have I done to cause this? will lead you into blind alleys. . . . Rather ask What am I to do? What am I to learn from this experience? What am I to change? Whom am I to help? How can I remember my many blessings in times of trial? Willing sacrifice of deeply held personal desires in favor of the will of God is very hard to do. Yet, when you pray with real conviction, "Please let me know Thy will" and "May Thy will be done," you are in the strongest position to receive the maximum help from your loving Father.<br />
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Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert Millet, as cited in Unlocking the Book of Mormon, p. 244<br />
God is not the author of evil, yet within limits and bounds he allows it to exist. This is done so that the righteous might merit the fulness of his glory and that the wicked, the workers of evil, might in like fashion merit the fulness of his wrath. . . .<br />
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There is a great principle demonstrated in trials. Recall that when Nephi was bound by his brothers he prayed for strength to burst the bands. Likewise did Alma pray for strength; also, like Nephi, Alma and Amulek were freed according to their faith.<br />
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This is a great lesson in life: pray for strength to overcome, not necessarily for the challenges and problems to go away. Remember: in the strength of the lord we can do all things.<br />
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<div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alma 16:17--The Rest of the Lord</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;"><i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i>, p. 249</div><div style="color: #45818e;">The "rest" of the Lord has several different meanings: 1) Physical rest is a blessing, and sleep is more peaceful for the righteous who have peace of mind. 2) The Sabbath is a day of rest, a time set aside to glorify God. 3) Spiritual rest--also known as peace--comes from the Lord (as an example, consider Joseph Smith's calm as he went to his martyrdom). 4) Ultimate rest, overcoming physical and spiritual death, is gained by entering the presence of the Lord, but true saints can enter it in this life as well. To enter the rest of the Lord in this life, wrote Elder Bruce R. McConkie, we must know and love God, have faith in His purpose and plan, know we are right, not spend our effort searching for something else, and not be disturbed by people who are trying to deceive us.</div>jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01313127576303289593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645717577597362395.post-70096690240473468802010-12-02T12:14:00.000-08:002010-12-02T12:14:27.325-08:00Mosiah 26-Alma 5; Alma 36:3-24<div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Quotes of the Week:</span></div>"Each child in each generation chooses faith or disbelief. Faith is not an inheritance; it is a choice."<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--Henry B. Eyring, "Inquire of the Lord," www.ldsces.org</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Moral standards cannot be changed by battle and cannot be changed by ballot."</div><div style="text-align: right;">--Boyd K. Packer, <i>Ensign</i>, 11/10</div><br />
"Believe in order to understand, not understand [in order to] believe."<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--St. Anselm</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Further Reading:</span></div>James E. Faust, "Dear Are the Sheep That Have Wandered", <i>Ensign</i>, May 2003, 61–62, 67–68<br />
Howard W. Hunter, “Parents’ Concern for Children,” <i>Ensign, </i>Nov. 1983, 65.<br />
John K. Carmack, “When Our Children Go Astray,” <i>Ensign</i>, Feb. 1997, 7–13; <i>Liahona</i>, Mar. 1999, 28–37<br />
D. Todd Christofferson, "Born Again", <i>Ensign,</i> May 2008, 76–79<br />
Ezra Taft Benson, “Beware of Pride,” <i>Ensign,</i> May 1989, 4<br />
Jeffrey R. Holland, "To Young Women," <i>Ensign</i>, 11/05<br />
<i>Teaching, No Greater Call, </i>Chapter 1<br />
Thomas S. Monson, "Charity Never Faileth," <i>Ensign,</i> 11/10<br />
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<div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Handouts:</span></div><div style="color: #45818e; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mosiah 26:1-3--Rising Generation</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">A. Theodore Tuttle, </span><i style="color: #45818e;">CR</i><span style="color: #45818e;">, 4/84</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">The things we have done in past years are not now sufficient to protect our children in these critical times. It has long been taught in this Church that the day will come when no one will be able to stand without an individual testimony of the divinity of this work. That day is here. . . .</span><br />
<i style="color: #45818e;">No longer can we expect the Church to assume the major role in teaching our children--parents have this prime responsibility.</i><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;">Believe in order to understand, not understand [in order to] believe.--St. Anselm</span><br />
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<div style="color: #45818e; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mosiah 26:20--The Second Comforter</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Joseph Smith, as quoted in </span><i style="color: #45818e;">Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i><span style="color: #45818e;">, p. 197</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">What is this other Comforter? It is no more nor less than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself; and this is the sum and substance of the whole matter; that when any man obtains this last Comforter, he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him, or appear unto him from time to time . . . </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mosiah 26:29, 35; 27:31, 35--Confession and Repentance</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Bruce C. Hafen,</span><i style="color: #45818e;"> Ensign</i><span style="color: #45818e;">, 5/04</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Some young people assume they can romp in sinful mud until taking a shower of repentance just before being interviewed for a mission or the temple. In the very act of transgression, some plan to repent. They mock the gift of mercy that true repentance allows.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;">Dallin H. Oaks, address given at Temple Square Assembly Hall, 2/7/92</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">In contrast to the punishment that is the intended result of the judgment of a criminal court, the primary purpose of church discipline is to facilitate repentance--to qualify a transgressor for the mercy of God and the salvation made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. . . . Church discipline is not an instrument of punishment, but a catalyst for change. . . . The major concern of the laws of God is to perfect the lives of his children.</span><br />
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James E. Faust, "Dear Are the Sheep That Have Wandered", <i>Ensign,</i> May 2003, 61–62, 67–68<br />
Children come into this world with their own distinct spirits and personality traits. Some children “would challenge any set of parents under any set of circumstances. … Perhaps there are others who would bless the lives of, and be a joy to, almost any father or mother.” (quoting HW Hunter)<br />
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Orson F. Whitney, as cited by James E. Faust, "Dear Are the Sheep That Have Wandered", <i>Ensign</i>, May 2003, 61–62, 67–68<br />
The Prophet Joseph Smith declared—and he never taught more comforting doctrine—that the eternal sealings of faithful parents and the divine promises made to them for valiant service in the Cause of Truth, would save not only themselves, but likewise their posterity. Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them, and sooner or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine Providence reaching out after them and drawing them back to the fold. Either in this life or the life to come, they will return. They will have to pay their debt to justice; they will suffer for their sins; and may tread a thorny path; but if it leads them at last, like the penitent Prodigal, to a loving and forgiving father’s heart and home, the painful experience will not have been in vain. Pray for your careless and disobedient children; hold on to them with your faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see the salvation of God.<br />
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<div style="color: #45818e; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mosiah 27:11--Visit of an Angel</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Wilford Woodruff, as cited by Daniel H. Ludlow, </span><i style="color: #45818e;">A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon, p. 191</i><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">The Lord never did nor never will send an angel to anybody merely to gratify the desire of the individual to see an angel. If the Lord sends an angel to anyone, He sends him to perform a work that cannot be performed only by the administration of an angel.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mosiah 27:14-16--Prayer of the Righteous</span></span></div>Jeffrey R. Holland, <i>The Book of Mormon: It Begins with a Family</i>, p. 94-95<br />
We learn that there is majestic, undeniable power in the love and prayer of a parent. The angel who appeared to Alma and the sons of Mosiah did not come in response to any righteousness on their part, though their souls were still precious in the sight of God. He came in response to the prayers of a faithful parent.<br />
Parental prayer is an unfathomable source of power. Parents can never give up hoping or caring or believing. Surely they can never give up praying. At times prayer may be the only course of action remaining--but it is the most powerful of them all. <br />
We learn that there is great power in the united faith of the priesthood. It is not only the elder Alma who prays when his son is laid helpless and insensible before him, but also the priests and, we might assume, other faithful friends and neighbors. . . . <br />
Here is a majestic example of Christlike love. No one in this group seems delighted that devastating recompense has finally come. No one here seems pleased to imagine the torment of this young spirit. Yet this is the young man who has despised their faith, harmed their lives, attempted to destroy the very church of God which they hold dearer than life itself. . . . What we all need we cannot in good conscience or integrity deny another. So they prayed for him who had despitefully used them.<br />
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<div style="color: #45818e; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mosiah 27:25--Being Born Again</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Dallin H. Oaks, </span><i style="color: #45818e;">Ensign</i><span style="color: #45818e;">, 5/98</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">As we understand [the concept of being born again], our answer to whether we have been born again is clearly "yes." . . . In order to realize the intended blessings of this born-again status, we must still keep our covenants and endure to the end. In the meantime, through the grace of God, we have been born again as new creatures with new spiritual parentage and the prospects of a glorious inheritance.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;">Jeffrey R. Holland, </span><i style="color: #45818e;">However Hard and Long the Road</i><span style="color: #45818e;">, p. 83</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Repentance is a very painful process. . . . No one should think that the gift of forgiveness is fully realized without significant effort on the part of the forgiven. No one should be foolish enough to sin willingly or wantonly, thinking forgiveness is easily available.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mosiah 29:25-27, 32--The Voice of the People</span></span></div>Thomas Jefferson, <i>The Declaration of Independence</i><br />
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. <br />
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Neal A. Maxwell, <i>Ensign,</i> 5/99<br />
Speaking behaviorally, when what was once the lesser voice of the people becomes more dominant, then the judgments of God and the consequences of foolish selfishness follow. <br />
Cultural decline is accelerated when single-interest segments of society become indifferent to general values once widely shared. This drift is facilitated by the indifferent or the indulgent as society is led carefully down to hell. Some may not join in this drift, but instead they step aside, whereas once they might have constrained, as is their representative right. . . . <br />
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Gordon B. Hinckley, <i>Standing for Something,</i> xviii<br />
During recent years, polls and circumstances have suggested that an unprecedented majority of Americans believe that the private lives of public officials need not be considered as a factor in their eligibility for public office, and that private morality has no connection with public behavior and credibility. I am more deeply concerned about the growing moral deficit than I am about the monetary deficit.<br />
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Boyd K. Packer, "Children of God," BYU Women's Conference, 5/5/06<br />
The virtue of tolerance has been distorted and elevated to a position of such prominence as to be thought equal to and even valued more than morality. It is one thing to be tolerant, even forgiving of individual conduct. It is quite another to collectively legislate and legalize to protect immoral conduct that can weaken, even destroy the family.<br />
There is a dangerous trap when tolerance is exaggerated to protect the rights of those whose conduct endangers the family and injures the rights of the more part of the people. We are getting dangerously close to the condition described by the prophet Mosiah [in Mosiah 29:26-27].<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Alma 1:3-4--Priestcraft</span></span></div>Dallin H. Oaks, as quoted in <i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i>, p. 208<br />
Priestcraft is the sin committed by the combination of a good act--such as preaching or teaching the gospel--and a bad motive. The act may be good and visible, but the sin is in the motive. On earth, the wrong motive may be know only to the actor, but in heaven it is always known to God.<br />
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<div style="color: #134f5c;">Monte S. Nyman, <i>Book of Mormon Symposium</i>, 8/62 p. 76</div><div style="color: #134f5c;">The anti-Christs such as Sherem and Korihor openly rebel against Christ, while the user of priestcraft claims a belief in Christ but perverts His teachings.</div><br />
Dallin H. Oaks,<i> Ensign</i>, 11/99<br />
A gospel teacher will never obscure [students'] view of the Master by standing in the way or by shadowing the lesson with self-promotion or self-interest. This means that a gospel teacher must never indulge in priestcrafts, which are 'that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world' (2 Ne 26:29). A gospel teacher does not preach 'to become popular' (Alma 1:3) or 'for the sake of riches and honor' (Alma 1:16). He or she follows the marvelous Book of Mormon example in which 'the preacher was no better than the learner' (Alma 1:26). Both will always look to the Master.<br />
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David A. Bednar, "Seek Learning by Faith," 2/3/06, www.ldsces.org<br />
Anything you or I do as an instructor that knowingly and intentionally draws attention to self--in the messages we present, in the methods e use, or in our personal demeanor--is a form of priestcraft that inhibits the teaching effectiveness of the Holy Ghost. <br />
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Jeffrey R. Holland, Ensign, 5/98<br />
To teach effectively and to feel you are succeeding is demanding work indeed. But it is worth it. We can receive 'no greater call.' . . . Perhaps that is why President David O. McKay once said, 'No greater responsibility can rest upon any man [or woman], than to be a teacher of God's children.'<br />
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<i>Teaching, No Greater Call,</i> p. 3<br />
The responsibility to teach the gospel is not limited to those who have formal callings as teachers. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you have the responsibility to teach the gospel.<br />
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<div style="color: #45818e; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Alma 3:26-27--Otherworldly Influences in Our Lives</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Jeffrey R. Holland, </span><i style="color: #45818e;">However Long and Hard the Road,</i><span style="color: #45818e;"> p. 13-14</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">In the gospel of Jesus Christ we have help from both sides of the veil. When disappointment and discouragement strike--and they will--we need to remember that if our eyes could be opened, we would see horses and chariots of fire as far as the eye can see, riding at great speed to come to our protection. [2 Kings 6:14-17] They will always be there, these armies of heaven, in defense of Abraham's seed. We have been given this promise from heaven.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Alma 4:19--Pride</span></span></div>Ezra Taft Benson, as quoted in <i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i>, p. 217<br />
One of Satan's greatest tools is pride: to cause a man or a woman to center so much attention on self that he or she becomes insensitive to his Creator or fellow beings. . . . Repentance means change, and it takes a humble person to change. But we can do it.<br />
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Ezra Taft Benson, "Beware of Pride," <i>Ensign,</i> 5/89, 4 (italics added)<br />
God will have a humble people. Either we can choose to be humble or we can be compelled to be humble. Alma said, “Blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble.” (Alma 32:16.)<br />
<i>Let us choose to be humble.</i><br />
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Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Pride and the Priesthood"<i>, Ensign,</i> Nov. 2010, 55–58<br />
At its core, pride is a sin of comparison, for though it usually begins with “Look how wonderful I am and what great things I have done,” it always seems to end with “Therefore, I am better than you.” <br />
. . . In a sense, pride is the original sin, for before the foundations of this earth, pride felled Lucifer, a son of the morning “who was in authority in the presence of God.” If pride can corrupt one as capable and promising as this, should we not examine our own souls as well?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Alma 5:7, 12-14--Mighty Change of Heart</span></span></div>Ezra Taft Benson, <i>Ensign,</i> 10/89<br />
For every Paul, for every Enos, and for every King Lamoni, there are hundreds and thousands of people who find the process of repentance much more subtle, much more imperceptible. Day by day they move closer to the Lord, little realizing they are building a godlike life. <br />
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D. Todd Christofferson, "Born Again", <i>Ensign,</i> May 2008, 76–79<br />
You may ask, Why doesn’t this mighty change happen more quickly with me? You should remember that the remarkable examples of King Benjamin’s people, Alma, and some others in scripture are just that—remarkable and not typical. For most of us, the changes are more gradual and occur over time. Being born again, unlike our physical birth, is more a process than an event. And engaging in that process is the central purpose of mortality. <br />
At the same time, let us not justify ourselves in a casual effort. Let us not be content to retain some disposition to do evil. Let us worthily partake of the sacrament each week and continue to draw upon the Holy Spirit to root out the last vestiges of impurity within us. I testify that as you continue in the path of spiritual rebirth, the atoning grace of Jesus Christ will take away your sins and the stain of those sins in you, temptations will lose their appeal, and through Christ you will become holy, as He and our Father are holy.<br />
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Marion G. Romney, <i>Ensign,</i> 11/75<br />
Conversion--experiencing a mighty change of heart--is a transformation process involving and affecting every aspect of one's life.<br />
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<div style="color: #45818e; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Alma 5:27--Humility</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Willam W. Parmley,</span><i style="color: #45818e;"> Ensign</i><span style="color: #45818e;">, 11/03</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">It is of interest, however, that during the first 30 years of His life in Nazareth, Jesus apparently drew little attention to Himself even though He was living a sinless life. That should encourage us to do better in our own quiet and humble way without drawing attention to ourselves.</span>jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01313127576303289593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645717577597362395.post-35209940625618093292010-11-18T10:12:00.000-08:002010-11-18T10:12:21.817-08:00Mosiah 7-25<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">Quotes of the Week:</span><br />
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"We may not be asked to die for our beliefs, but we have certainly been asked to live for our beliefs. Let us realize that standing, living, and testifying for the truth is our duty."<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--<i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i>, p. 180</div><br />
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"Faith and character are intimately related. Faith in the power of obedience to the commandments of God will forge strength of character available to you in times of urgent need."<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">Richard G. Scott, <i>Ensign</i>, 11/10</div><br />
<div style="text-align: right;"></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Further Reading:</span></span><br />
Lance B. Wickman, "But If Not," <i>Ensign</i>, 11/02<br />
"Comfort in the Hour of Death," <i>Teachings of the Presidents of the Church--Heber J. Grant</i>, p. 43<br />
Orson Scott Card, "Three Kings and a Captain, Nephite Leaders in the Land of Nephi," <i> Ensign</i>, 1/77<br />
Robert J. Matthews, “Abinadi: Prophet and Martyr,” Ensign, Apr 1992, 25<br />
Arthur R. Bassett, “Alma the Elder,”<i> Ensign</i>, Feb 1977, 5<br />
Richard G. Scott, "The Transforming Power of Faith and Character," <i>Ensign,</i><i></i> 11/10 p. 43</div></div><div style="color: #38761d; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Handouts:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="background-color: #f3f3f3; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mosiah 8:13-18--Seer</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;"> Theodore M. Burton, <i>CR</i>, Sep/Oct 1961, p. 121-22</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">The seer can bear personal testimony, not based on books not based on scholarship, not based on tradition, but based on the evidence of things that God Himself can reveal to him in an actual experience with Deity.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mosiah 13:3--Missions Fulfilled</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;"><i>History of Joseph Smith by His Mother, Lucy Mack Smith</i>, p. 309-10</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">[A blessing given from Joseph Smith Sr. to his son Joseph, as recorded by the Prophet's mother.] "you shall even live to finish your work." At this Joseph cried out, weeping, "Oh! my father, shall I?" "Yes," said his father, "you shall live to lay out the plan of all the work which God as given you to do. This is my dying blessing upon your head in the name of Jesus. . . ."</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mosiah 14--Isaiah</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Joseph Fielding Smith, <i>Doctrines of Salvation</i>, 1:23</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Now Bible commentators will tell you that this [Isaiah 53] has nothing to do with the life of Jesus Christ. To them this story is one concerning suffering Israel. I want to tell you that it is a story, a synopsis of the life of our Redeemer, revealed to Isaiah 700 years before the Lord was born.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mosiah 14:3--A Man of Sorrows</span></span></div>Jeffrey R. Holland, <i>Ensign</i>, 11/99<br />
I know some of you do truly feel at sea, in the most frightening sense of that term. . . . I testify of God's love and the Savior's power to calm the storm . . . . Only one who has fought against those ominous waves is justified in telling us in such times to "be of good cheer" (John 16:33). Such counsel is not a jaunty pep talk about the power of positive thinking . . . No, Christ knows better than all others that the trials of life can be very deep, and we are not shallow people if we struggle with them. Surely His ears heard every cry of distress, every sound of want and despair. To a degree far more than we will ever understand, He was "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mosiah 14:5--Wounded for Our Transgressions</span></span></div>Ezra Taft Benson, <i>The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson</i>, p. 14<br />
It was in Gethsemane that Jesus took on Himself the sins of the world, in Gethsemane that His pain was equivalent to the cumulative burden of all men, in Gethsemane that He descended below all things so that all could repent and come to Him. The mortal mind fails to fathom, the tongue cannot express, the pen of man cannot describe the breadth, the depth, the height of the suffering of our Lord--nor His infinite love for us.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mosiah 14:10--It Pleased Him</span></span></div>Robert Millet, in <i>Symposium on the Book of Mormon,</i> p. 100<br />
This is a verse which requires careful consideration. God our Eternal Father loved his Only Begotten and, like any parent, surely anguished with the pain of his child. And yet, as infinitely painful as it must have been for Elohim, the hours of agony were necessary--they were a part of that plan of the Father of which Jehovah had been the chief advocate and proponent in premortality. Indeed it was needful that the "lamb slain from the foundation of the world" be slain, in order that life and immortality might be brought to light. And thus "it pleased the Lord [the Father] to bruise him," in the sense that Jesus carried out to the fullest the will of the Father, in spite of the pain associated with the implementation of the terms and conditions of that will.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mosiah 15:7--Swallowed Up in the Will of the Father</span></span></div>Lance B. Wickman, <i>Ensign,</i> 11/02<br />
Do not ever doubt the goodness of God, even if you do not know “why.” The overarching question asked by the bereaved and the burdened is simply this: Why? Why did our daughter die, when we prayed so hard that she would live and when she received priesthood blessings? Why are we struggling with this misfortune, when others relate miraculous healing experiences for their loved ones? These are natural questions, understandable questions. But they are also questions that usually go begging in mortality. The Lord has said simply, “My ways [are] higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:9). As the Son’s will was “swallowed up in the will of the Father” (Mosiah 15:7), so must ours be.<br />
Still, we mortals quite naturally want to know the why. Yet, in pressing too earnestly for the answer, we may forget that mortality was designed, in a manner of speaking, as the season of unanswered questions. Mortality has a different, more narrowly defined purpose: It is a proving ground, a probationary state, a time to walk by faith, a time to prepare to meet God. It is in nurturing humility and submissiveness that we may comprehend a fulness of the intended mortal experience and put ourselves in a frame of mind and heart to receive the promptings of the Spirit. Reduced to their essence, humility and submissiveness are an expression of complete willingness to let the “why” questions go unanswered for now, or perhaps even to ask, “Why not?” It is in enduring well to the end that we achieve this life’s purposes. I believe that mortality’s supreme test is to face the “why” and then let it go, trusting humbly in the Lord’s promise that “all things must come to pass in their time” (D&C 64:32).</div><div style="text-align: left;">References used by Elder Wickman: Abr. 3:24–25; 2 Ne. 31:15–16, 20; Alma 12:24; Alma 42:4–13; Alma 32:6–21; Mosiah 3:19; 2 Ne. 31:15–16; Alma 32:15; D&C 121:8</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mosiah 15:5--Flesh Becoming Subject to the Spirit</span></span></div>Brigham Young, <i>Journal of Discourses</i>, 9:287-88<br />
We have to fight continually, . . . to make the spirit master of the tabernacle, or the flesh subject to the law of the spirit. If this warfare is not diligently prosecuted, then the law of sin prevails. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mosiah 17:2--Abinadi</span></span></div>Joseph B. Wirthlin, as quoted in <i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i>, p. 179<br />
Abinadi may have felt that he failed as a missionary because he had only one convert, so far as the record shows. However, that one convert, Alma, and his descendants were spiritual leaders among the Nephites and Lamanites for about three hundred years. His son Alma became the first chief judge of the Nephite people and the high priest over the Church. Alma's other descendants who became prominent religious leaders include his grandson Helaman; his great-grandson Nephi; and his great-great-great-great-grandson Nephi, who was the chief disciple of the resurrected Jesus Christ. All of this resulted from Abinadi's lone convert.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mosiah 18:8--Baptismal Covenants</span></span></div>Jeffrey R. Holland, <i>Christ and the New Covenant</i>, p. 106<br />
This declaration by Alma at the Waters of Mormon still stands as the most complete scriptural statement on record as to what the newly baptized commit to do and be.<br />
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Robert D. Hales, <i>Ensign</i>, 11/00<br />
When we understand our baptismal covenant and the gift of the Holy Ghost, it will change our lives and will establish our total allegiance to the kingdom of God. . . . It is very important for us to understand the marvelous gift of the remission of sins, but there is much more. Do you understand and do your children understand that when they are baptized they are changed forever? . . . How many [of us] really understand that when we were baptized we took upon us not only the name of Jesus Christ but also the law of obedience?<br />
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<i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i>, p. 181<br />
Sometimes we use the terms "commitment" or "promise" as though they were synonymous with the word "covenant." For many people of the world that may be true. The are meaningful and motivating words of behavior. But a covenant is much more. Covenants come from God by revelation, and the authority to bind man and God in a covenant relationship can only be bestowed by those authorized to represent Him in the performing of covenant ordinances. No one outside the Lord's Church is involved in covenants, though others may make various kinds of commitments or promises. But a covenant with the Lord is of far greater significance. We all need to give serious thought to the Lord's expectations of us and His promises to us as we fulfill our responsibilities.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mosiah 18:12-18--Alma's Authority</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Joseph Fielding Smith, <i>Answers to Gospel Questions</i>, 3:203</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">We may conclude that Alma held the priesthood before he, with others, became disturbed with King Noah. Whether this is so or not makes no difference because in the Book of Mosiah it is stated definitely that had authority.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">If he had authority to baptize that is evidence that he had been baptized. Therefore, when Alma baptized himself with Helam that was not a case of Alma baptizing himself, but merely as a token to the Lord of his humility and full repentance."</span></div><div style="color: #45818e; text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mosiah 23:21--Trials of Patience and Faith</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Neal A. Maxwell, <i>Ensign</i>, 10/80</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Patience is a willingness, in a sense, to watch the unfolding purposes of God with a sense of wonder and awe--rather than pacing up and down within the cell of our circumstance. Too much anxious opening of the oven door and the cake falls instead of rising.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mosiah 24:3-4--Language Differences</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon,</i> p. 193</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Languages were so different that they had difficulty communicating with each other. During the period of history between 145 and 123 B.C., the king of the Lamanites had Amulon and the priests taught the Lamanites the Nephite language. Thus the two groups evidently start speaking the same language again. This fact takes on added significance later in the Book of Mormon when we read about the missionary efforts between these two groups.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mosiah 24:14-15--Burdens Eased</span></span></div>Neal A. Maxwell, <i>Ensign</i>, 5/92, quoting from <i>The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith,</i> Dean C. Jessee, 387<br />
Concerning his personal suffering, Joseph was promised, "Thy heart shall be enlarged." An enlarged Joseph wrote from Liberty Jail, "It seems to me that my heart will always be more tender after this than ever it was before. . . . I think I never could have felt as I now do if I had not suffered."<br />
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Thomas S. Monson, <i>Ensign</i>, 5/92<br />
When we are on the Lord's errand, we are entitled to the Lord's help. Remember that the Lord will shape the back to bear the burden placed upon it.<br />
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<i>Teachings of the Presidents of the Church--Heber J. Grant</i>, p. 47-48<br />
I was thoroughly convinced in my own mind and in my own heart, when my first wife left me by death, that it was the will of the Lord that she should be called away. I bowed in humility at her death. The Lord saw fit upon that occasion to give to one of my little children a testimony that the death of her mother was the will of the Lord.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
About one hour before my wife died, I called my children into her room and told them that their mother was dying and for them to bid her good-bye. One of the little girls, about twelve years of age, said to me: “Papa, I do not want my mamma to die. I have been with you in the hospital in San Francisco for six months; time and time again when mamma was in distress you [have] administered to her and she has been relieved of her pain and quietly gone to sleep. I want you to lay hands upon my mamma and heal her.”</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
I told my little girl that we all had to die sometime, and that I felt assured in my heart that her mother’s time had arrived. She and the rest of the children left the room.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
I then knelt down by the bed of my wife (who by this time had lost consciousness) and I told the Lord I acknowledged His hand in life, in death, in joy, in sorrow, in prosperity, or adversity. I thanked Him for the knowledge I had that my wife belonged to me for all eternity, that the gospel of Jesus Christ had been restored, that I knew that by the power and authority of the Priesthood here on the earth that I could and would have my wife forever if I were only faithful as she had been. But I told the Lord that I lacked the strength to have my wife die and to have it affect the faith of my little children in the ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ; and I supplicated the Lord with all the strength that I possessed, that He would give to that little girl of mine a knowledge that it was His mind and His will that her mamma should die.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
Within an hour my wife passed away, and I called the children back into the room. My little boy about five and a half or six years of age was weeping bitterly, and the little girl twelve years of age took him in her arms and said: “Do not weep, do not cry, Heber; since we went out of this room the voice of the Lord from heaven has said to me, ‘In the death of your mamma the will of the Lord shall be done.’ ”</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
Tell me, my friends, that I do not know that God hears and answers prayers! Tell me that I do not know that in the hour of adversity the Latter-day Saints are comforted and blessed and consoled as no other people are!<br />
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Richard G. Scott, <i>Ensign,</i> 5/96<br />
Sadness, disappointment, severe challenges are events in life, not life itself. <br />
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<div style="color: #45818e;">Marianne Willaimson, <i>Return to Love, </i>1992</div><div style="color: #45818e;">Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are <b>powerful</b> beyond measure. It is our <b>light,</b> not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you<b> not</b> to be? <b>You are a child of God.</b> Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; <b>it's in everyone.</b> And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.</div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01313127576303289593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645717577597362395.post-33812098868278243892010-11-04T11:27:00.000-07:002010-11-04T14:06:37.656-07:00Mosiah 1-6<div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Quotes of the Week:</span></div>"Surely what a man does when he is taken off his guard is the best evidence of what sort of man he is. Surely what pops out before the man has time to put on a disguise is the truth."<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--C.S. Lewis, <i>Mere Christianity</i>, p. 164-65</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Sins are personal, belonging to sinners and no one else."</div><div style="text-align: right;">--<i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i>, p. 154</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Further Reading</span></div><div style="color: #990000;">I apologize for this incomplete list. I inadvertently erased some of my information this week, and, unfortunately, the "Further Reading" list was the main casualty. Again, apologies.</div><br />
J. Devn Cornish, "Learning How the Atonement Can Change You", <i>Ensign</i>, Apr. 2002, 20<br />
Jeffrey R. Holland, "None Were with Him", <i>Ensign</i>, May 2009, 86–88<br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">Handouts</span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">King Benjamin</span></div>Sydney S. Reynolds, “Book of Mormon Principles: King Benjamin on the Atonement,” <i>Ensign,</i> Apr 2004, 13–17<br />
In my opinion, if King Benjamin had uttered only the words in Mosiah 3:19, the verse would still rank among the great gems in all our scriptures.” The message King Benjamin gave to the families who listened to him in those long-ago days is clear and current for us today.<br />
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How wonderful that Mormon, the faithful abridger and compiler of the Book of Mormon, gave us King Benjamin’s “last lecture,” one of the most powerful in scripture, in King Benjamin’s own words. It is beautiful, succinct, simple, yet amazingly complex. Here is another wonderful Book of Mormon witness that the ancient prophets, even before the time of Christ, knew of His coming and His mission. Time and again they assured the people that even though Christ had not yet come to the earth and they must still keep the law of Moses, His promises were sure and His Atonement was effective for them. These glad tidings of great joy were had among the people of Nephi long before He came to visit them after His Resurrection.<br />
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Reading King Benjamin’s sermon may cause us to reflect once again on our indebtedness to the Lord for giving us such scripture. The Book of Mormon came to us from the hands of ancient prophets through the hand of a modern prophet who translated it by the gift and power of God. What a blessing it is to have the Book of Mormon as another testament of Jesus Christ and of His great atoning sacrifice.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Mosiah 2:3-4--Preparation</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;"><i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i>, p. 146</div><div style="color: #45818e;">It would be a worthwhile practice for us to kneel in prayer as part of our preparation and prior to our going to our meetings. We could thank the Lord that He has prepared a meeting, that we have been invited to attend, and then pray for those who are responsible for the content of the meeting. Think of the impressions and impact on children who hear such prayers from parents who provide these patterns in their homes.</div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Mosiah 2:17--Service</span></div><i>Teachings of the Presidents of the Church--Spencer W. Kimball</i><br />
On one occasion [Gordon B. Hinckley] tried to slow [Spencer W. Kimball] down a little, and he said, 'Gordon, my life is like my shoes--to be worn out in service.' He so lived. He so died.<br />
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<i>Teachings of the Presidents of the Church--HJG</i><br />
The true key to happiness in life is to labor for the happiness of others. I pity the selfish man who has never experienced the joy which comes to those who receive the thanks and gratitude of the people whom they may have aided in the struggle of life. . . . Service is the true key to happiness.<br />
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<div style="color: #45818e;">Nell K. Newell, Welfare Services, <i>Church News</i>, 1/8/05</div><div style="color: #45818e;">The bandage for a sufferer of leprosy arrived at LDS Humanitarian Center in an ordinary plastic bag. It looked like the many hundreds of others: made by hand from white, cotton thread, three inches wide by four feet long.</div><div style="color: #45818e;">Like other similar bandages, this one was sturdy, designed so it would not stick to sores like flat bandages can, and could be sterilized for reuse. These bandages, while relatively easy to make, can take more than 40 hours to complete.</div><div style="color: #45818e;">But there was something special about his bandage. At the top, the stitches were tight and orderly. About halfway down, the stitches became increasingly uneven and loose. After another few inches, the stitches once again became even.</div><div style="color: #45818e;">Attached to the bandage was a small note written by hand that said: "Just a note about this bandage. I know it's not the most perfect bandage you've ever seen, but it was made by my younger sister (age 46) who died of breast cancer in February. She worked on this right up till the end. . . . She was determined to finish it, but died before it was finished. I finished it for her. Even though it looks a little funny, no bandage was ever done with more love, effort or perseverance." The letter was not signed. There was no indication of who this woman was or where she was from.</div><div style="color: #45818e;">All that can be surmised is that during her time of greatest affliction, this woman performed a simple act of kindness, something that would bring relief to a stranger. One stitch at a time--hour after hour--in her final and most troubling hours, her thoughts and hands were devoted to easing the pain of another.</div><div style="color: #45818e;">In the great events of world history, the making of a bandage for a leprosy patient may not merit a mention. But perhaps beyond the veil, angels rejoice in a simple act of charity that serves as a symbol of all that is best within us.</div><br />
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Gordon B. Hinckley, <i>Standing for Something</i>, p. 56<br />
The best cure for weariness is the challenge of helping someone who is even more tired. One of the great ironies of life is this: He or she who serves almost always benefits more than he or she who is served.<br />
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Robert J. Whetten, <i>Ensign,</i> 5/05<br />
Every unselfish act of kindness and service increases your spirituality.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mosiah 2:17-21, 34--Service and Gratitude</span></span></div>Joseph B. Wirthlin, E<i>nsign</i> , 5/04<br />
How can we ever repay the debt we owe to the Savior? He paid a debt He did not owe to free us from a debt we can never pay.<br />
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Jeffrey R. Holland, " Because of Your Faith," October 2010<br />
I have struggled to find an adequate way to tell you how loved of God you are and how grateful we on this stand are for you. I am trying to be voice for the very angels of heaven in thanking you for every good thing you have ever done, for every kind word you have ever said, for every sacrifice you have ever made in extending to someone—to anyone—the beauty and blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. <br />
And to the near-perfect elderly sister who almost apologetically whispered recently, “I have never been a leader of anything in the Church. I guess I’ve only been a helper,” I say, “Dear sister, God bless you and all the ‘helpers’ in the kingdom.” Some of us who are leaders hope someday to have the standing before God that you have already attained.<br />
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Thomas S. Monson, "The Divine Gift of Gratitude," October 2010<br />
My brothers and sisters, do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love. <br />
My beloved friend President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives.”<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mosiah 3:7-8,11, 17--The Atonement</span></span></div>Jeffrey R. Holland, "None Were with Him", <i>Ensign</i>, May 2009, 86–88<br />
Brothers and sisters, one of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path . . . Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said: “I will not leave you comfortless: [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you].”<br />
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Jeffrey R. Holland, <i>Christ and the New Covenant</i>, p. 91-92<br />
He who most deserved peace and was the Prince of Peace had peace taken from him. He who deserved no rebuke, let alone physical abuse, went under the lash that his taking of such stripes might spare us such pain if only we would repent. The total cost of such combined spiritual and physical suffering is incalculable. Yet the iniquities, including the sorrows and sadness, of every mortal being who ever has lived or will live in this world were laid across one lonely set of shoulders. In the most magnificent display of strength ever known in the world of human endeavor, they were carried until full payment had been made.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mosiah 3:16, 18-19, 21--Becoming as a Little Child</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbf759-yR5-cTeq5IfkRea-fuvhnkTE7OtHLhM5-tZkzRLmP6V-BMTYBrgjqNtyoBEhaMDR8UTZiDlP1YhUy9vj3D0w5feE77dPLEVUahdeRAQHviOIc1Z9dwGuDFqeu6U39uQKc1B_-Y/s1600/IMG_0071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbf759-yR5-cTeq5IfkRea-fuvhnkTE7OtHLhM5-tZkzRLmP6V-BMTYBrgjqNtyoBEhaMDR8UTZiDlP1YhUy9vj3D0w5feE77dPLEVUahdeRAQHviOIc1Z9dwGuDFqeu6U39uQKc1B_-Y/s640/IMG_0071.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Henry B. Eyring, <i>Ensign</i>, 5/06<br />
King Benjamin describes that change with a beautiful comparison, used by prophets for millennia and by the Lord Himself. It is this: that we can, and we must, become as a child—a little child.<br />
For some that will not be easy to understand or to accept. Most of us want to be strong. We may well see being like a child as being weak. Most parents have wanted their children at times to be less childish. Even the Apostle Paul used these words as he was about to urge us to incorporate charity, the pure love of Christ, into our lives: “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” <br />
But King Benjamin, who understood as well as any mortal what it meant to be a man of strength and courage, makes it clear that to be like a child is not to be childish. It is to be like the Savior, who prayed to His Father for strength to be able to do His will and then did it. Our natures must be changed to become as a child to gain the strength we must have to be safe in the times of moral peril.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeM_89eEOlgQv1ADeORK4QTF7GNd3d77u2wjotaHAXm9QXX_AAC75vV_TYzDe5CIGyFq-j6wONS2oMjYvqCWSw9q1MaqtlRlaT43cMLBrr4VeCC0wGa6d0ySMjDCb6oFdRMGB5RGyJHco/s1600/IMG_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeM_89eEOlgQv1ADeORK4QTF7GNd3d77u2wjotaHAXm9QXX_AAC75vV_TYzDe5CIGyFq-j6wONS2oMjYvqCWSw9q1MaqtlRlaT43cMLBrr4VeCC0wGa6d0ySMjDCb6oFdRMGB5RGyJHco/s640/IMG_0052.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
David B. Haight, <i>Ensign</i>, 11/83<br />
Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years. People grow old by deserting their ideals, their faith. There is always the love of wonder, a childlike appetite for what is next, the joy of your life. You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear or despair. In the center of our heart is a recording chamber, and so long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, cheer, courage, and faith, so long are we young.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mosiah 3:19--The Natural Man</span></span></div><div style="color: #45818e;"><i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i>, p. 153A</div><div style="color: #45818e;">Robert Millet:</div><div style="color: #45818e;">1. The natural man cannot or does not perceive spiritual realities</div><div style="color: #45818e;">2. The natural man allows into his life those things that are harsh, vulgar, and crude.</div><div style="color: #45818e;">3. Instead of seeking to do the Lord's will, the natural man pits his own will against that of the Lord--wishing, ultimately, that the Lord would agree with him.</div><div style="color: #45818e;">4. The natural man seeks to have more, do more, and be more than those around him; this competitive nature eventually saps the joy out of accomplishment and causes the natural man to focus on elevating himself at the cost of diminishing those around him.</div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Mosiah 3:19--Inflict</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Neal A. Maxwell, <i>One More Strain of Praise</i>, p. 13</div><div style="color: #45818e;">Use of the word inflict suggests customized challenges and tutoring that require an added and special submissiveness.</div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Mosiah 4:2-3--Repentance</span></div><i>Gospel Principles</i>, p.107<br />
We come to earth for the purpose of growing and progressing. This is a life-long process. <br />
The privilege of repenting . . . sometimes requires great courage, much strength, many tears, unceasing prayers, and untiring efforts to live the commandments of the Lord.<br />
As we repent, the Atonement of Jesus Christ becomes fully effective in our lives, and the Lord forgives our sins. We become free from the bondage of our sins, and we find joy.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Mosiah 4:11-16, 26--Retaining a Remission of Sin</span></div>Neal A. Maxwell, "King Benjamin's Sermon: A Manual for Discipleship"<br />
Much emphasis was given by King Benjamin to retaining a remission of our sins. We do not ponder that concept very much in the church. We ought to think of it a lot more. Retention clearly depends on the regularity of our repentance. In the church we worry, and should, over the retention of new members, but the retention of our remissions is cause for even deeper concern.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mosiah 4:17-22--Care for the Poor</span></span></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Joseph Smith, as quoted by Hugh Nibley, <i>Collected Works of Hugh Nibley</i>, 9:226</div><div style="color: #45818e;">It is better to feed ten impostors than to run the risk of turning away one honest petition.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Mosiah 4:27--In Wisdom and Order</span></span></div>Joseph B. Wirthlin,<i> Ensign</i>, 11/01<br />
My ability to run is not so swift now. While I am looking forward to that future time when, with a resurrected body, I can once again sprint over a field and feel the wind blowing through my hair, I do not dwell on the fact that I cannot do it now. That would be unwise. Instead, I take steps that I can take. . . .<br />
Let me cite a hypothetical example of a dear sister in any ward, the one who has perfect children who never cause a disturbance in church. She is the one working on her 20th generation in her family history, keeps an immaculate home, has memorized the book of Mark, and makes wool sweaters for the orphaned children in Romania. No disrespect, of course, intended for any of these worthy goals. Now, when you get tempted to throw your hands in the air and give up because of this dear sister, please remember you're not competing with her any more than I'm competing with the members of the Quorum of the Twelve in winning a 50-yard dash.<br />
The only thing you need to worry about is striving to be the best you can be. And how do you do that? You keep your eye on the goals that matter most in life, and you move towards them step by step.jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01313127576303289593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645717577597362395.post-74838927897921083462010-10-28T11:36:00.000-07:002010-10-28T17:15:13.343-07:00Jacob 6-Words of Mormon<div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Quotes of the Week:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;">"When our priorities are out of order, we lose power. It takes personal revelation every day to help us prioritize and reprioritize and keep at bay the influences of the world that would draw us from what we are to do."</span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;">--Julie B. Beck, BYU Women's Conference, 4/29/10</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;">"I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. " </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;">--Abraham Lincoln </span></span><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Further Reading:</span></div><div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Robert D. Hales, "Prayer," <i>Ensign,</i> 10/04</span></span></div><div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">D. Todd Christofferson, <i>New Era,</i> 10/10</span></span></div><div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Jairo Mazzagardi, General Conference 10/10</span></span></div><div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">M. Russell Ballard, "O Be Wise," <i>Ensign</i>, 11/06</span></span></div><div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Julie B. Beck, BYU Women's Conference address, 4/29/10 (<a href="http://lds.org/library/display/0,4945,9118-1-5187-1,00.html">click here to be directed to this talk</a>)</span></span></div><div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Handouts:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Jacob 6:12--O Be Wise, What Can I Say More?</span></div>M. Russell Ballard, <i>Ensign</i>, 11/06<br />
We need to thoughtfully allocate our resources of time, income, and energy. I would like to let you in on a little secret. Some of you have already learned it. If you haven’t, it’s time you knew. No matter what your family needs are or your responsibilities in the Church, there is no such thing as “done.” There will always be more we can do. There is always another family matter that needs attention, another lesson to prepare, another interview to conduct, another meeting to attend. We just need to be wise in protecting our health and in following the counsel that President Hinckley has given often to just do the best that we can.<br />
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The key, it seems to me, is to know and understand your own capabilities and limitations and then to pace yourself, allocating and prioritizing your time, your attention, and your resources to wisely help others, including your family, in their quest for eternal life.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Wisdom, defined in Webster's New World Thesaurus:</span></div>implies the ability to judge and deal with persons, situations, etc. rightly, based on a broad range of knowledge, experience, and understanding.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #339999; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">Jacob 7:2-4--Avoiding Anti-Christs</span></div><span style="color: #339999;">Ezra Taft Benson, <i>CR</i>, 10/63 p. 16-17</span><br />
<span style="color: #339999;">How to avoid being deceived:</span><br />
<span style="color: #339999;">1. What do the standard works have to say about it? . . .</span><br />
<span style="color: #339999;">2. The second guide is: what do the latter-day Presidents of the Church have to say on the subject--particularly the living President? . . .</span><br />
<span style="color: #339999;">3. The third and final test is the Holy Ghost--the test of the Spirit. . . This test can only be fully effective if one's channels of communication with God are clean and virtuous and uncluttered with sin.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #339999; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">Jacob 7--Avoiding the Trap of Sin</span></div><span style="color: #339999;">Jairo Mazzagardi, General Conference, 10/10</span><br />
<span style="color: #339999;">I remembered that a little farther down the path, we would find another post that had already been taken over little by little, almost unnoticed, by the vegetation that grew around it. I imagine that a post would not perceive that, despite its strength, it could be encompassed and destroyed by fragile plants. The post would have thought, “No problem. I am strong and big, and this small plant will do me no harm.”</span><br />
<span style="color: #339999;">So as a nearby tree grows bigger, the post does not notice at first; then the post starts enjoying the shade the tree provides. But the tree continues to grow, and it encircles the post with two branches that at first seem fragile but that in time intertwine and surround the post.</span><br />
<span style="color: #339999;">Still the post does not realize what is happening.</span><br />
<span style="color: #339999;">Soon, in our walk, we found the proverbial post. It had been plucked out from the ground. My little granddaughter looked impressed and asked me, “Grandpa, is this the tree of sin?"</span><br />
<span style="color: #339999;">I then explained to her that it was only a symbol, or an example, of how sin gets us.</span><br />
<span style="color: #339999;">I don’t know what the effect of our conversation will be on her, but it made me think of the many faces of sin and of how it sneaks into our lives if we allow it to. We must be alert because small choices can bring great consequences, just as going to bed early and waking up early have great consequences. Doctrine and Covenants 88:124 teaches us, “Arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated.” Those who go to bed early wake up rested, with the body and mind invigorated and blessed by the Lord because of obedience.</span><br />
<span style="color: #339999;">What may appear to be of little importance, such as going to bed late, not praying for a day, skipping fasting, or breaking the Sabbath—such little slips—will make us lose sensitivity little by little, allowing us to do worse things.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #339999; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">Jacob 7:13-20--Signs</span></div><span style="color: #339999;">Bruce R. McConkie, <i>Mormon Doctrine</i>, 713-14</span><br />
<span style="color: #339999;">Signs are sacred grants of divine favor reserved for the faithful and concerning which the recipients are commanded not to boast.</span><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Jacob 7:19--Second Death</span></div>Orson Pratt, <i>Journal of Discourses</i>, 1:288<br />
Second death, what is that? After you have been redeemed from the grave, and come into the presence of God, you will have to stand there to be judged; and if you have done evil, you will be banished everlastingly from His presence--body and spirit united together; this is what is called the second death. Why is it called the second death? Because the first is the dissolution of body and spirit, and the second is . . . a banishment--a becoming dead to the things of righteousness.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #339999; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">Enos 1:1-5--Repentance</span></div><span style="color: #339999;">John H. Groberg, <i>Heroes from the Book of Mormon</i>, p. 54</span><br />
<span style="color: #339999;">After [Enos] had paid the necessary price in effort and sincerity, he received his heart's desire, as recorded in verse 5: "And there came a voice unto me saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed."</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #339999; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">Enos 1:4--Fervent Prayer</span></div><span style="color: #339999;">Harold B. Lee, <i>Improvement Era</i>, 10/66, 898</span><br />
<span style="color: #339999;">"Imagine anybody praying all night and all day." I replied, "My dear sister, I hope you never have to come to a time where you have a problem so great that you have to so humble yourself. I have; I have prayed all day and all night and all the next day and all the next night, not always on my knees but praying constantly for a blessing that I needed most."</span><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Omni</span></div>From K. Douglas Bassett, <i>Doctrinal Insights to the Book of Mormon</i><br />
The small plates of Nephi were to contain the religious history of the Nephite people. . . . The fact that the writings of five men occupy such a small segment as the book of Omni would indicate this was a period of great apostasy--thus there were no new prophecies or religious teachings to be added to the record.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Omni 1:12-19</span></div>Most Latter-day Saints refer to the people of Zarahemla as the "Mulekites," although the word Mulekite does not appear a single time in the Book of Mormon. . . . Inasmuch as only descendants of Judah could serve as the rulers of the kingdom of Judah, Mulek and his descendants were of the tribe of Judah, Mulek and his descendants were of the tribe Judah. . . . The people of Zarahemla left Jerusalem within about twelve years of each other, and evidently spoke the same language then, yet about four hundred years later their descendants could not even understand each other.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Omni 1:20-22</span></div>The Book of Mormon does not specifically state when Coriantumr lived with the people of Zarahemla, but it would have to be sometime after 589 BC and before about 200 BC (when Mosiah and his group first came into the land of Zarahemla). The twentieth verse of Omni tells of a large stone that was brought to Mosiah and which contained an account of Coriantumr. However, this does not necessarily indicate that Coriantumr was still alive in the days of Mosiah; his stay of "nine moons" among the people of Zarahemla could have occurred decades or even centuries before the time of Mosiah.jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01313127576303289593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645717577597362395.post-39705444716318967552010-10-21T11:18:00.000-07:002010-10-21T11:18:21.840-07:00Jacob 1-5<div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Quote of the week:</span></div>"Pride is the great stumbling block of Zion. I repeat: Pride is the great stumbling block of Zion."<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">Ezra Taft Benson, April 1989</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"In a sense, pride is the original sin, for before the foundations of this earth, pride felled Lucifer, a son of the morning “who was in authority in the presence of God.” If pride can corrupt one as capable and promising as this, should we not examine our own souls as well?"</div><div style="text-align: right;">Dieter F. Uchtdorf, October 2010 </div><div style="color: #38761d; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Further reading:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Romans 11:17-24</div><div style="text-align: left;">Dean L. Larsen, <i>Conference Report</i>, 10/87</div><div style="text-align: left;">Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Pride and the Priesthood," General Conference 10/10</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ezra Taft Benson, "Pride," <i>Ensign</i> 5/89</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="color: #38761d; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">Handouts:</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Jacob 1:15--Pride Cycle Begins</span></div><div style="color: black;">M. Russell Ballard, “Learning the Lessons of the Past,” <i>Ensign</i>, May 2009, 31–34</div><div style="color: black;">Time and again we see the cycle of righteousness followed by wickedness. Similarly, the Book of Mormon records that ancient civilizations of this continent followed exactly the same pattern: righteousness followed by prosperity, followed by material comforts, followed by greed, followed by pride, followed by wickedness and a collapse of morality until the people brought calamities upon themselves sufficient to stir them up to humility, repentance, and change.</div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Jacob 1:19,22--Magnifying Callings</span></div>Thomas S. Monson,<i> Ensign</i>, 5/06<br />
The Prophet Joseph Smith was once asked, "Brother Joseph, you frequently urge that we magnify our callings. What does this mean?" He is said to have replied, "To magnify a calling is to hold it up in dignity and importance, that the light of heaven may shine through one's performance to the gaze of other men. An elder magnifies his calling when he learns what his duties as an elder are and then performs them.<br />
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<div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Jacob 2:17--It Grieveth Me</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Jeffrey R. Holland, “Place No More for the Enemy of My Soul,” <i>Ensign</i>, May 2010, 44–46</div><div style="color: #45818e;">With that stark introduction to my message today—one it is challenging for me to give—I feel much like Jacob of old, who said, “It grieveth me that I must use so much boldness of speech … before … many … whose feelings are exceedingly tender and chaste and delicate.” But bold we need to be. Perhaps it was the father in me or maybe the grandfather, but the tears in those young women’s eyes brought tears to mine and Sister Holland’s, and the questions they asked left me asking, “Why is there so much moral decay around us, and why are so many individuals and families, including some in the Church, falling victim to it, being tragically scarred by it?”</div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Jacob 4:14--Looking Beyond the Mark</span></div>Dean L. Larsen, <i>Ensign</i>, 11/87<br />
They were apparently afflicted with a pseudosophistication and a snobbishness that gave them a false sense of superiority over those who came among them with the Lord's words of plainness. . . . The must have reveled in speculative and theoretical matters that obscured for them the fundamental spiritual truths. . . . There are other ways in which many of us often look beyond the mark. Sometimes we focus too much of our attention and energy upon our temporal wants, not only to entertain ourselves and gratify our physical appetites, but also to gain recognition, position, and power. We can become so consumed by the pursuit of these things that we sacrifice the sweetness and enduring peace of mind that are found in spiritual well-being, in well-nurtured family relationships, and in the love and respect of friends and associates.<br />
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Dallin H. Oaks, "Be Wise," BYU-I Devotional, 11/7/06<br />
Some persons write General Authorities asking when we will be returning to Missouri or how we should plan to build up the New Jerusalem. Others want to know details about the Celestial Kingdom, such as the position of a person who lives a good life but never ever marries.<br />
I don't know the answers to any of these questions. What I do know is that persons worrying about such things are probably neglecting to seek a firmer understanding and a better practice of the basic principles of the gospel that have been given to them with words of plainness by the scriptures and by the servants of the Lord.<br />
If we neglect the words of plainness and look beyond the mark, we are starting down a path that often leads to a loss of commitment and sometimes to a loss of faith. There is enough difficulty in following the words of plainness, without reaching out for things we have not been given and probably cannot understand.<br />
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<div style="color: #45818e; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Jacob 4:15-18--The Four Cornerstones of the Restored Gospel</span></span></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Gordon B. Hinckley,<i> Ensign</i>, 2/04</div><div style="color: #45818e;">. . . the chief cornerstone, whom we recognize and honor as the Lord Jesus Christ. The second is the vision given the Prophet Joseph Smith when the Father and the Son appeared to him. The third is the Book of Mormon, which speaks as a voice from the dust with the words of ancient prophets declaring the divinity and reality of the Savior of mankind. The fourth is the priesthood with all of its powers and authority, whereby men act in the name of God in administering the affairs of His kingdom.</div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Jacob 4:18--Anxiety</span></div>Boyd K. Packer, <i>CR</i>, 4/78<br />
It was meant to be that life would be a challenge. To suffer some anxiety, some depression, some disappointment, even some failure is normal. Teach our members that if they have a good, miserable day once in a while, or several in a row, to stand steady and face them. Things will straighten out.<br />
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K. Douglas Bassett, <i>The Barber's Song</i>, p. 126<br />
Here was a prophet, in the temple, preaching the doctrines of the kingdom, and he was concerned about losing the Spirit over something as simple as anxiety. Even the worthy prophet Jacob could not be sensitive to the promptings of the Spirit when anxiety was a part of his life.<br />
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<div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Jacob 5</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Joseph Fielding Smith </div><div style="color: #45818e;">. . . take a few minutes at some convenient time and sit down and just read carefully every word in the fifth chapter of the Book of Jacob. . . . No greater parable was ever recorded. . . . That was written by the inspiration of the Almighty. . . . When you read that chapter through if you cannot say in your soul, "this is absolutely a revelation from God," then there is something wrong with you.</div><br />
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Truman G. Madsen, "The Olive Press: A Symbol of Christ," in <i>The Allegory of the Olive Tree</i>, p. 2<br />
One Jewish legend identifies the tree of life as the olive tree, and with good reason. The olive tree is an evergreen, not a deciduous tree. Its leaves do not seasonally fade nor fall. Through scorching heat and winter cold they are continually rejuvenated. Without cultivation the olive is a wild, unruly, easily corrupted tree. Only after long, patient cultivating, usually eight to ten years, does it begin to yield fruit. Long after that, new shoots often come forth from apparently dead roots. [The appearance of gnarled trunks gives] the impression of travail--of ancient life and renewing life.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Jacob 5:41,47,49--God as Parent</span></span></div>Jeffrey R. Holland,<i> Heroes from the Book of Mormon</i>, p. 37<br />
There is much more here than simply the unraveling of convoluted Israelite history. Of greater significance in this allegory is the benevolent view of God that it provides. He is portrayed here as one who repeatedly, painstakingly, endlessly tries to save the work of His hands and in moments of greatest disappointment holds His head in His hands and weeps, "What could I have done more for my vineyard?" This allegory is a declaration of divine love, of God's unceasing effort as a father laboring on behalf of His children.<br />
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This long parable does outline Israel's history, but soon enough the attentive reader senses a much more personal story coming from the printed page--the grief and the godly pain of a father anguishing over the needless destruction of His family. <br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Jacob 5--Roots (covenants, promises, word of God)</span></div><br />
Spencer W. Kimball, <i>Ensign</i>, 11/78<br />
It seems that some [Latter-day Saints] among us have this same problem; they want bountiful harvest--both spiritual and temporal--without developing the root system that will yield them. There are far too few who are willing to pay the price, in discipline and work, to cultivate hardy roots."jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01313127576303289593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645717577597362395.post-48773413378502373562010-10-07T11:09:00.000-07:002010-10-07T11:18:55.606-07:00General Conference Fall 2010<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">NO CLASS NEXT WEEK. CLASS WILL RESUME OCTOBER 21</span></b></div><br />
<div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Quote of the week:</span></div>"Let [this conference] be the guide to [your] walk and talk during the next six months. These are the important matters the Lord sees fit to reveal to this people in this day."<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--Harold B. Lee, April 1946</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<div style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>To help Ana Smith and her family, you can either contact Bishop Mel Galbraith at 962-1742</i></span></div><div style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>or the account is at Wells Fargo</i></span></div><div style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Miguel Alcantar #9475701646</i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01313127576303289593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645717577597362395.post-38714764137571333592010-09-30T10:00:00.000-07:002010-09-30T13:06:27.805-07:002 Nephi 25-26; 28-33<div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Quotes of the Week:</span></div>Indeed, the safest road to Hell is the gradual one--the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--C.S. Lewis, <i>The Screwtape Letters</i>, p. 54</div><br />
We live in a day of slick, quiet and clever sins.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--Ezra Taft Benson, <i>A Nation Asleep</i>. p. 44</div><br />
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<div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Further Reading Suggestions:</span></div>Numbers 21:4-9<br />
Bible Dictionary--"Grace"<br />
Gordon B. Hinckley, <i>Ensign</i>, 4/02<br />
Jeffrey R. Holland,<i> Ensign</i>, 11/94<br />
Henry B. Eyring, "In the Strength of the Lord," <i>Ensign</i>, 5/04<br />
Neal A. Maxwell, "Endure it Well.," <i>Ensign</i>, 5/90<br />
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<div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Handouts:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2 Ne 25:23--Grace</span></div>LeGrand Richards, <i>A Marvelous Work and a Wonder</i>, pp. 274-75<br />
It is evident that none of our works or anything we can do can affect the Grace of God, which is a free gift. But this does not alter the fact . . . that the 'righteous judgment of God . . . will render to every man according to his deed.' (Romans 2:5-6)<br />
Take the farmer as an illustration. No matter how much land he owns, he cannot expect to reap unless he sows. but when the farmer has prepared his land and sowed his seed, and cultivated and irrigated the land and harvested the crop, is he entitled to all the credit? He did all the work and is entitled to reap as he has sowed, and the result of his effort will be his reward. But no matter how hard the farmer may have worked, he could not have harvested the crop through his own effort since there are other factors to be considered:<br />
1. Who provided him the fertile soil?<br />
2. Who put the germ of life into the seeds he planted"<br />
3. Who caused the sun to warm the soil and cause the seed to germinate and grow?<br />
4. Who caused the rain to fall or the snows to fill the watershed to give drink to his growing crops?<br />
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None of these things could the farmer have done or supplied for himself. The represent the free gift of grace, and yet the farmer will reap as he has sowed.<br />
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C.S. Lewis, <i>Mere Christianity</i><br />
"Regarding the debate about faith and works: It’s like asking which blade in a pair of scissors is most important."<br />
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<div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2 Ne 25:13--Healing in His Wings</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Richard G. Scott, <i>Ensign</i>, 5/94</div><div style="color: #45818e;">[The Savior] has risen from the dead 'with healing in his wings.' Oh, how we all need the healing the Redeemer can provide. Mine is a message of hope for you who yearn for relief from heavy burdens that have come through no conscious act of your own while you have lived a worthy life. It is based on principles embodied in the teachings of the Savior. Your challenge may be a serious physical disability, a struggle with lingering illness, or a daily wrestle with a life-threatening disease. It may have roots in the death of a loved one, the anguish caused by another bound by sin, or abuse in any of its evil forms. Whatever the cause, I testify that lasting relief is available on conditions established by the Lord.</div><div style="color: #45818e;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2 Ne 28:7--Eat, Drink and be Merry</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Dallin H. Oaks, "Sin and Suffering," <i>BYU 1989-90 Devotional and Fireside Speeches, 1990</i>, 151</div><div style="color: #45818e;">The idea that one is better off after one has sinned and repented is a devilish lie of the adversary. Does anyone here think that it is better to learn firsthand that a certain blow will break a bone or a certain mixture of chemicals will explode and sear off our skin? Are we better off after we have sustained and then healed such injuries? I believe we all can see that it is better to heed the warnings of wise persons who know the effects on our bodies.</div><div style="color: #45818e;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #45818e; text-align: center;">2<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> Ne 31:13-14--Baptism of Fire</span></span></div><div style="color: #45818e;">Lynn A. Mickelsen, <i>Ensign</i>, 11/03</div><div style="color: #45818e;">Through the Atonement, the Savior, giving Himself as the ransom for our sins, authorizes the Holy Ghost to cleanse us in a baptism of fire. As the Holy Ghost dwells in us, His purifying presence burns out the filthiness of sin. As soon as the commitment is made, the cleansing process begins.</div><div style="color: #45818e;"><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2 Nephi 29:11-12--Keeping a Journal</span></div>Spencer W. Kimball, “President Kimball Speaks Out on Personal Journals,”<i> New Era</i>, Dec 1980, 26<br />
I promise you that if you will keep your journals and records, they will indeed be a source of great inspiration to your families, to your children, your grandchildren, and others, on through the generations. Each of us is important to those who are near and dear to us—and as our posterity read of our life’s experiences, they, too, will come to know and love us. And in that glorious day when our families are together in the eternities, we will already be acquainted. . . . <br />
Your journal is your autobiography, so it should be kept carefully. You are unique, and there may be incidents in your experience that are more noble and praiseworthy in their way than those recorded in any other life.<br />
What could you do better for your children and your children’s children than to record the story of your life, your triumphs over adversity, your recovery after a fall, your progress when all seemed black, your rejoicing when you had finally achieved? Some of what you write may be humdrum dates and places, but there will also be rich passages that will be quoted by your posterity.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2 Ne 31:20--Endure to the End</span></div>Henry B. Eyring, “In the Strength of the Lord,” <i>Ensign</i>, May 2004, 16<br />
So many things beat upon us in a lifetime that simply enduring may seem almost beyond us. That’s what the words in the scripture “Ye must … endure to the end” seemed to mean to me when I first read them. It sounded grim, like sitting still and holding on to the arms of the chair while someone pulled out my tooth. . . .<br />
It can seem that way to a youth faced with resisting the rising flood of filth and temptation. It can seem that way to a young man struggling to get the training he needs for a job to support a wife and family. It can seem that way to a person who can’t find a job or who has lost job after job as businesses close their doors. It can seem that way to a person faced with the erosion of health and physical strength which may come early or late in life for them or for those they love.<br />
But the test a loving God has set before us is not to see if we can endure difficulty. It is to see if we can endure it well. We pass the test by showing that we remembered Him and the commandments He gave us. And to endure well is to keep those commandments whatever the opposition, whatever the temptation, and whatever the tumult around us.<br />
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Thomas S. Monson, <i>Ensign</i>, 5/10<br />
My counsel to all of us is to look to the lighthouse of the Lord. There is no fog so dense, no night so dark, no gale so strong, no mariner so lost but what its beacon light can rescue. It beckons through the storms of life. The lighthouse of the Lord sends forth signals readily recognized and never failing.<br />
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Neal A. Maxwell, “‘Endure It Well’,” <i>Ensign</i>, May 1990, 33<br />
When you and I are unduly impatient, we are suggesting that we like our timetable better than God’s.<br />
. . . We gain knowledge through particular experiences, but only incrementally, “in that thing.” (Alma 32:34.) Hence the ongoingness of it all, and perhaps we can be forgiven for wondering, “Is there no other way?” Personal, spiritual symmetry emerges only from the shaping of prolonged obedience. Twigs are bent, not snapped, into shape.<br />
Without patient and meek endurance we will learn less, see less, feel less, and hear less. We who are egocentric and impatient shut down so much of our receiving capacity.<br />
In any case, brothers and sisters, how could there be refining fires without enduring some heat? Or greater patience without enduring some instructive waiting? Or more empathy without bearing one another’s burdens—not only that others’ burdens may be lightened, but that we may be enlightened through greater empathy? How can there be later magnification without enduring some present deprivation?<br />
The enlarging of the soul requires not only some remodeling, but some excavating. Hypocrisy, guile, and other imbedded traits do not go gladly or easily, but if we “endure it well” (D&C 121:8), we will not grow testy while being tested.<br />
Moreover, we find that sorrow can actually enlarge the mind and heart in order to “give place,” expanded space for later joy.<br />
Thus, enduring is one of the cardinal attributes; it simply cannot be developed without the laboratory time in this second estate. Even the best lectures about the theory of enduring are not enough. All the other cardinal virtues—love, patience, humility, mercy, purity, submissiveness, justice—they all require endurance for their full development.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2 Ne 33:4,14--Book of Mormon Promises</span></div>Ezra Taft Benson, <i>Ensign</i>, 5/86<br />
May I admonish you to participate in a program of daily reading and pondering of the scriptures. . . . The Book of Mormon will change your life. It will fortify you against the evils of our day. It will bring a spirituality into your life that no other book will.<br />
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Gordon B. Hinckley,<i> Ensign</i>, 8/05<br />
[R]egardless of how many times you previously may have read the Book of Mormon, there will come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Blessings of General Conference</span></span></div>Neil L. Andersen, “Teaching Our Children to Love the Prophets,” <i>Ensign</i>, Apr 1996, 44<br />
President Harold B. Lee said: “As the Latter-day Saints go home from this conference, it would be well if they consider seriously the importance of taking with them the report of this conference and let it be the guide to their walk and talk during the next six months. These are the important matters the Lord sees fit to reveal to this people in this day” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1946, p. 68).<br />
What do we do to bring [the Brethren's] messages to our children? Do our children see in us the desire to follow the Brethren’s counsel? Do we, together as a family, find ways to act upon their counsel and receive the blessings they promise?<br />
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Thomas S. Monson, <i>Ensign</i>, 5/10<br />
As we leave this conference, I invoke the blessings of heaven upon each of you. As you return to your homes around the world, I pray our Heavenly Father will bless you and your families. May the messages and spirit of this conference find expression in all that you do--in your homes, in your work, in your meetings, and in all your comings and goings.jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01313127576303289593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645717577597362395.post-24230243470844207882010-09-23T11:03:00.000-07:002010-09-23T11:03:16.591-07:002 Nephi 1-6; 9-10<div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Quotes of the Week:</span></div>Existence came from God; death came by Adam; and immortality and eternal life come through Christ.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--Bruce R. McConkie, “Christ and the Creation,” <i>Ensign</i>, 6/82, 9 </div><br />
The depth of our belief in the Resurrection and the Atonement of the Savior will, I believe, determine the measure of courage and purpose with which we meet life's challenges.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--James E. Faust, <i>Ensign</i>, 11/96</div><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">Further Reading:</span><br />
JST Genesis 50:24-38<br />
Alma 42<br />
Doctrine and Covenants 76<br />
Jeffrey R. Holland, <i>Christ and the New Covenant</i>, "Atonement"<br />
Jeffrey R. Holland, "Enemy of My Soul," <i>Ensign</i> 5/10<br />
"The Living Christ," April 2000<br />
Richard G. Scott, "First Things First," <i>Ensign</i> 5/10<br />
Russell M. Nelson, "The Atonement," <i>Ensign</i> 11/96<br />
Bruce R. McConkie, "Christ and the Creation," <i>Ensign</i> 6/82<br />
Bible Dictionary, "Devil"<br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">Handouts:</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">2 Ne 1:9-12--Preserving the Promised Land</span></div>Mark E. Peterson, <i>Conference Report</i>, 4/68<br />
We Americans must learn that [our nation] can continue to exist only as it aligns itself with the powers of heaven. If we turn our back upon the Almighty, even by ignoring him, we jeopardize our national future. If we deliberately oppose his purposes, we place ourselves in danger of destruction. . . . And it is possible that our greatness can be buried in profound obscurity if we refuse to turn to God . . . .<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">2 Ne 2:5--Law of Justice </span></div>Gerald N. Lund, <i>Selected Writings of Gerald N. Lund</i>, 195<br />
To be "just" means to be right or be in order with God. Therefore to be justified (the process of justification) is defined as the "declaration of right, thus judicial acquittal, the opposite of condemnation."<br />
Why was it, then, that Lehi said that no flesh is justified by the law? Because no one keeps the law perfectly! If the law of justice were the only thing operating, no one could be justified (declared to be right or just) by virtue of the law alone, because as Paul said, "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">2 Ne 2:6-10--How Did It All Work?</span></span></div>Jeffrey R. Holland, <i>Christ and the New Covenant</i>, p. 229<br />
It is a matter of surpassing wonder that the voluntary and merciful sacrifice of a single being could satisfy the infinite and eternal demands of justice, atone for every human transgression and misdeed ever committed in the history of the world, and provide for the sweeping of all mankind into the encompassing arms of God's compassionate embrace--but that is what happened.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">2 Ne 2:10--The Law</span></span></div>Jeffrey R. Holland, <i>Christ and the New Covenant</i>, p. 225<br />
Once guilty, none of us could personally do anything to overcome that fate. We do not have in us the seeds of immortality allowing us to conquer death physically, and we have not been perfect in our behavior, thus forfeiting the purity that would let us return to the presence of God spiritually. Furthermore, God cannot simply turn a blind eye to the breaking of divine law, because in so doing he would dishonor justice and would "cease to be God." The absence of law or the lack of any penalty for breaking it would leave the world in amoral chaos.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="color: #45818e;">2 Ne 2:11-27--Opposition</span></span></div><div style="color: #45818e;"><i>Unlocking the Book of Mormon</i>, p. 58</div><div style="color: #45818e;">Notice the major points in Lehi's argument as to why there must be opposition before a man can be truly free and before he can experience real joy: 1 every law has both a punishment and a blessing attached to it. 2. disobedience to law requires a punishment which results in misery. 3. Obedience to law provides a blessing which results in happiness 4. Without law there can be neither punishment nor blessing, neither misery nor happiness--only innocence. 5. Thus happiness or joy can exist only where the possibility of the opposite (unhappiness or misery) also exists. 6. In order to exercise free agency a person must have the possibility and the freedom of choice; in a world without law--and thus without choice--there could be no freedom of choice and thus no true exercise of free agency.</div><div style="color: #45818e;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #76a5af; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2 Nephi 2:14-16--Another Creation Perspective</span></div><div style="color: #76a5af;">Timothy, Archbishop of Alexandria, "Discourse of Abbaton," cited by Russell M. Nelson,<i> A Book of Mormon Treasury--Gospel Insights from General Authorities and Religious Educators</i>, p. 27-28, 31</div><div style="color: #76a5af;">I found a rare book in London one day while searching through the library of the British Museum. It was published as a 20th century English translation of an ancient Egyptian text. it was written by Timothy, Archbishop of Alexandria, who died in AD 385. This record refers to the creation of Adam. The premortal Jesus is speaking of His Father:</div><div style="color: #76a5af;">"He . . . made Adam according to Our image and likeness, and He left him lying for forty days and forty nights without putting breath into him. And He heaved sighs over him daily, saying, 'If I put breath into this [man], he must suffer many pains.' And I said unto My Father, </div><div style="color: #76a5af;">" 'Put breath into him; I will be an advocate for him.' And My Father said unto Me, 'If I put breath into him, My Beloved Son, Thou wilt be obliged to go down into the world, and to suffer many pains for him before Thou shalt have redeemed him, and made him to come back to his primal state.' And I said unto My Father, 'Put breath into him; I will be his advocate, and I will go down into the world, and will fulfill Thy Command.' "</div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">2:17-25--Sin and the Law </span></span> </div>Orson F. Whitney, <i>Cowley and Whitney on Doctrine</i>, p. 435-36<br />
What is Sin? Sin is the transgression of divine law. A man sins when he violates his conscience, going contrary to light and knowledge--not the light and knowledge that comes from his neighbor, but that which has come to himself. He sins when he does the opposite of what he know to be right. Up to that point he only blunders. One may suffer painful consequences for only blundering, but he cannot commit sin unless he knows better than to do the thing in which the sin consists.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2 Ne 2:25--The Fall of Adam and Eve</span></div>Jeffrey R. Holland, <i>Christ and the New Covenant</i>, p. 205<br />
<b>The privilege of mortality granted to the rest of us is the principal gift given by the fall of Adam and Eve.</b><br />
Thus, and only with this knowledge, can a student of the gospel of Jesus Christ grasp the full import of the magnificent line already cited: "Adam fell that men might be." That doctrine, fully understood and thoroughly taught only in the restored gospel, is as important as any taught in the entire Book of Mormon. Without it the world would be ignorant of the true nature of the fall of Adam and Eve, ignorant of their life-giving decision, and ignorant of the unspeakable love they demonstrated for all of God's sons and daughters.<br />
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<div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2 Ne 2:27--Agency</span></div><div style="color: #45818e;"> Bruce R. McConkie, <i>Mormon Doctrine</i>, p. 26</div><div style="color: #45818e;">Agency requires four conditions:</div><div style="color: #45818e;">1. Laws ordained by an omnipotent power must exist, laws we can either obey or disobey.</div><div style="color: #45818e;">2. There must be opposites--good and evil, right and wrong.</div><div style="color: #45818e;">3. We must have knowledge of good and evil; we must know the difference between the opposites.</div><div style="color: #45818e;">4. We must possess an unfettered power of choice.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">2 Ne 4:17-18,28--Enemies of Our Souls</span></span></div> Dallin H. Oaks, "Free Agency and Freedom," in <i>The Book of Mormon: Second Nephi, the Doctrinal Structure,</i> p. 13-14<br />
Regardless of a person's susceptibility or tendency, his will is unfettered. His free agency is unqualified. It is his freedom that is impaired. . . . We are all responsible for the exercise of our free agency. <br />
Most of us are born with thorns in the flesh, some more visible, some more serious than others. We all seem to have susceptibilities to one disorder or another, but whatever our susceptibilities, we have the will and the power to control our thoughts and our actions. This must be so. God has said that he holds us accountable for what we do and what we think, so our thoughts and actions must be controllable by our agency. Once we have reached the age or condition of accountability, the claim 'I was born that way' does not excuse actions or thoughts that fail to conform to the commandments of God. We need to learn how to live so that a weakness that is mortal will not prevent us from achieving the goal that is eternal.<br />
God has promised that he will consecrate our afflictions for our gain. The efforts we expend in overcoming any inherited weakness build a spiritual strength that will serve us throughout eternity.<br />
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<div style="color: #76a5af; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Meaning of <i>Atonement</i></span></div><div style="color: #76a5af;">Russell M. Nelson, “The Atonement,” <i>Ensign</i>, Nov 1996, 33</div><div style="color: #76a5af;">In the English language, the components are at-one-ment, suggesting that a person is at one with another. Other languages employ words that connote either expiation or reconciliation. Expiation means “to atone for.” Reconciliation comes from Latin roots re, meaning “again”; con, meaning “with”; and sella, meaning “seat.” Reconciliation, therefore, literally means “to sit again with.” . . . In Hebrew, the basic word for atonement is kaphar, a verb that means “to cover” or “to forgive.” Closely related is the Aramaic and Arabic word kafat, meaning “a close embrace”—no doubt related to the Egyptian ritual embrace. </div><br />
<div style="color: #76a5af; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2 Ne 9:5--Subjection to Christ</span></div><div style="color: #76a5af;">Jeffrey R. Holland, <i>Christ and the New Covenant</i>, p. 231</div><div style="color: #76a5af;">What that subjection means, what these people choosing redemption "owe" to Christ, their new master, is a life of discipleship, beginning with faith, repentance, and baptism and leading on to all the ordinances and covenants of the gospel and a life of living kindness. Clearly all of humankind is still in debt even after the full effect of the Atonement has transpired. But fortunately he to whom we are indebted is <b>Christ the Merciful</b> rather than<b> Lucifer the Miserable</b>. We still have obligations, but they are of a much higher and happier sort. We are in debt, but we are not in bondage.</div><div style="color: #76a5af;"><br />
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<div style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2 Ne 9:8--Price Required for Sin</span></div>Gerald Lund,<i> Doctrines of the Book of Mormon,</i> Sperry Symposium, 1992, p. 86<br />
To help us begin to grasp with our finite, mortal minds the enormous price required, consider a few rough indicators of how much sin there is in our world. If you look at the United States alone, there are now more than fifty murders committed every day (that's nearly 19,000 per year). There are more than 21,000 thefts reported every day, and more than 5,500 reported cases of child abuse and neglect. . . . Think of how many times on a singe day adultery or some other violation of the law of chastity is committed somewhere in the world. How many cases of incest, child abuse, pornography, burglary, robbery? How many times in any one day is the name of God taken in vain? How many times are sacred things profaned? Then multiply these over the span of human history. And that takes into consideration only our world. We know that the Atonement extended to other worlds as well.<br />
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</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2 Ne 9:14-15, 20--Ultimate Judgment</span></div>Neal A. Maxwell, <i>For the Power Is in Them</i>, p 37 9:41<br />
There is another dimension of reassurance, too: not only will the ultimate judgment not be delegated in order to serve the purposes of divine justice, but also divine mercy can best be applied by him who knows these things what only he can know--the quiet moments of courage in the lives of his flock, the un-noticed acts of Christian service, the unspoken thoughts which can be 'credited' in no other way, except through perfect judgment.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">2 Ne 9:21-24--Atonement</span></span></div>Jeffrey R. Holland, <i>Ensign</i>, May 1999<br />
I cannot comprehend the burden it must have been for God in His heaven to witness the deep suffering and Crucifixion of His Beloved Son in such a manner. His every impulse and instinct MUST have been to stop it, to send angels to intervene--but He did not intervene. He endured what He saw because it was the only way that a saving, vicarious payment could be made for the sins of all His other children from Adam and Eve to the end of the world.<br />
I am eternally grateful for a perfect Father and His perfect Son, neither of whom shrank from the bitter cup nor forsook the rest of us who are imperfect, who fall short and stumble, who too often miss the mark.<br />
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Jeffrey R. Holland, <i>Ensign</i>, May 1999<br />
In that most burdensome moment of all human history, with blood appearing at every pore and an anguished cry upon His lips, Christ sought Him whom he had always sought--His Father. 'Abba," He cried, 'Papa,' or from the lips of a younger child, 'Daddy.' This is such a personal moment it almost seems a sacrilege to cite it. A Son in unrelieved pain, a Father His only true source of strength, both of them staying the course, making through the night--together.<br />
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Richard G. Scott, <i>Ensign</i>, May 2010<br />
Your personal witness of [the] reality [of the Resurrection and the Atonement] . . . must be more than principles you memorize. They must be woven into the very fiber of your being. . . . I realize that no mortal mind can adequately conceive, nor can human tongue appropriately express, the full significance of all that Jesus Christ has done for our Heavenly Father's children through His Atonement. Yet it is vital that we each learn what we can about it. <br />
There is an imperative need for each of us to strengthen our understanding of the significance of the Atonement of Jesus Christ so that it will become an unshakable foundation upon which to build our lives.<br />
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Jeffrey R. Holland, “None Were with Him,” <i>Ensign</i>, May 2009, 86–88<br />
That the supreme sacrifice of His Son might be as complete as it was voluntary and solitary, the Father briefly withdrew from Jesus the comfort of His Spirit, the support of His personal presence. It was required, indeed it was central to the significance of the Atonement, that this perfect Son who had never spoken ill nor done wrong nor touched an unclean thing had to know how the rest of humankind—us, all of us—would feel when we did commit such sins. For His Atonement to be infinite and eternal, He had to feel what it was like to die not only physically but spiritually, to sense what it was like to have the divine Spirit withdraw, leaving one feeling totally, abjectly, hopelessly alone.<br />
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But Jesus held on. He pressed on. The goodness in Him allowed faith to triumph even in a state of complete anguish. The trust He lived by told Him in spite of His feelings--divine compassion is never absent, that God is always faithful, that He never flees nor fails us. When the uttermost farthing had then been paid, when Christ’s determination to be faithful was as obvious as it was utterly invincible, finally and mercifully, it was “finished.” Against all odds and with none to help or uphold Him, Jesus of Nazareth, the living Son of the living God, restored physical life where death had held sway and brought joyful, spiritual redemption out of sin, hellish darkness, and despair. With faith in the God He knew was there, He could say in triumph, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.”jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01313127576303289593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645717577597362395.post-56866578635762428552010-09-16T09:15:00.000-07:002010-09-16T21:33:00.116-07:00Isaiah in the Book of Mormon<div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Quote of the Week:</span></div>"If Jesus said, "Great are the words of Isaiah,' then they're great. It's our job to find out why."<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">--John Bytheway, <i>Isaiah for Airheads</i>, p. 183<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">"He who reads it most, loves it best."</div><div style="text-align: right;">--Joseph Smith</div></div><div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Further Reading:</span></div>Bible Dictionary: "Isaiah," "Immanuel," "Babylon," "Assyria."<br />
John Bytheway, <i>Isaiah for Airheads</i><br />
Isaiah 12-24, especially the footnotes<br />
Bruce R. McConkie, "Ten Keys to Understanding Isaiah," <i>Ensign</i>, 10/73<br />
K. Douglas Bassett, <i>Commentaries on Isaiah in the Book of Mormon</i><br />
Jeffrey R. Holland, <i>Christ and the New Covenant</i><br />
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<div style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Handouts:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #990000;">These tools will be added to the Tools of Study section on the tool bar above.</span></i></span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Why Is Isaiah in the Book of Mormon?</span></div>1. The Book of Mormon is correct.<br />
2. The Book of Mormon contains commentary from Book of Mormon prophets to help us understand.<br />
3. It's an easy way to share Isaiah with investigators, especially non-Christians.<br />
4. Isaiah testifies of Christ--391 of 425 Isaiah verses in the Book of Mormon mention Him. (Monte S. Nyman, <i>Great Are the Words of Isaiah</i>, p. 7)<br />
5. 3 Nephi 23:1--Christ tells us that the words of Isaiah are great. If He says it, it's our job to find out why. (John Bytheway, <i>Isaiah for Airheads</i>)<br />
6. 3 Nephi 23:3--All things he spake have been and shall be.<br />
7. It's in the Book of Mormon so we'll read it more often.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">What to Remember When Reading Isaiah</span></div>Pray for understanding.<br />
What is the overall message of the chapter? Read chapter synopsis.<br />
SLOW DOWN--it's muddy in here.<br />
What's the principle/message he's trying to teach?<br />
Does this apply to Isaiah's time?<br />
<ul><li>To Christ's time?</li>
<li>To our time?</li>
<li>To a mixture of all three?</li>
</ul>Is he addressing covenant Israel? Promises or punishments?<br />
Read aloud and with others--share insights and understanding.<br />
Appreciate the beautiful language and effective imagery he uses--even if you don't fully understand them.<br />
Cross-reference Book of Mormon chapters with those in the Old Testament. Pay special attention to information in the footnotes.<br />
Consult the Bible Dictionary to explain terms--Isaiah, Babylon, Assyria, Immanuel.<br />
Reference the map section to keep locations straight.<br />
Remember these dates:<br />
<ul><li>721 BC--Assyrians take kingdom of Israel, not Judah</li>
<li>701 BC--Assyrians take kingdom of Judah, not Jerusalem</li>
<li>587 BC--Babylonians have overtaken the Assyrians, and they take all the Jews out of Palestine</li>
<li>537 BC--King Cyrus allows the Jews to return</li>
</ul>It's not supposed to be easy--first the milk, then the meat.<br />
Remember it may take a lifetime to understand even a tenth of his teachings. And that's okay.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">1 Nephi 21:16--Graven Thee Upon the Palms of My Hands</span></div>Jeffrey R. Holland, “‘This Do in Remembrance of Me’,”<i> Ensign</i>, Nov 1995, 67<br />
In a resurrected, otherwise perfected body, our Lord . . . has chosen to retain for the benefit of his disciples the wounds in his hands and his feet and his side—signs, if you will, that painful things happen even to the pure and perfect. Signs, if you will, that pain in this world is not evidence that God doesn’t love you. It is the wounded Christ who is the captain of our soul—he who yet bears the scars of sacrifice, the lesions of love and humility and forgiveness.<br />
Those wounds are what he invites young and old, then and now, to step forward and see and feel (see 3 Ne. 11:15; 3 Ne. 18:25).<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Dual Nature of the Prophecies of Isaiah</span></div>Dallin H. Oaks, “Scripture Reading and Revelation,”<i> Ensign</i>, Jan 1995, 7<br />
The book of Isaiah contains numerous prophecies that seem to have multiple fulfillments. One seems to involve the people of Isaiah’s day or the circumstances of the next generation. Another meaning, often symbolic, seems to refer to events in the meridian of time, when Jerusalem was destroyed and her people scattered after the crucifixion of the Son of God. Still another meaning or fulfillment of the same prophecy seems to relate to the events attending the Second Coming of the Savior. The fact that many of these prophecies can have multiple meanings underscores the importance of our seeking revelation from the Holy Ghost to help us interpret them. As Nephi says, the words of Isaiah “are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy” (2 Ne. 25:4).<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2 Nephi 23--Ancient and Modern Babylon, a Dual Prophecy</span></div>David R. Stone, “Zion in the Midst of Babylon,” <i>Ensign</i>, May 2006, 90–93<br />
Seduced by our culture, we often hardly recognize our idolatry, as our strings are pulled by that which is popular in the Babylonian world. . . .<br />
We do not need to adopt the standards, the mores, and the morals of Babylon. We can create Zion in the midst of Babylon. We can have our own standards for music and literature and dance and film and language. We can have our own standards for dress and deportment, for politeness and respect. We can live in accordance with the Lord’s moral laws. We can limit how much of Babylon we allow into our homes by the media of communication.<br />
We can live as a Zion people, if we wish to. Will it be hard? Of course it will, for the waves of Babylonian culture crash incessantly against our shores. Will it take courage? Of course it will.jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01313127576303289593noreply@blogger.com0