Marriage is a sacred institution and a sealed marriage is required for exaltation. It is this ordinance that allows a family to exist under God’s plan. The family is the basic unit not only in religion but also in society. With the family being the fundamental unit, it demands a high level of responsibility from the Mother and Father in raising their children according to the plan of our Heavenly Father. Prophets and Apostles have given us modern revelation (which is the same as scripture), specifically The Family: A Proclamation to the World. In this Proclamation, we learn of the divine roll of man and woman as fathers and mothers and those who embrace these rolls will be blessed with families structured according to the plan of salvation. We learn how critical to religion and society the mother actually is and how important the fathers roll of presiding and providing for his family. Although the Fathers roll is very important in the home as the patriarch and as a provider which enables the rest of the family members to magnify their own rolls, the mother plays a crucial roll as she is the one who traditionally spends more time in the home which gives her more personal time raising the children while the Father works and provides. For this reason, a woman can leave no greater mark on society and her religion than the children she raises.
With the importance of marriage and family having been outlined in accordance with our Heavenly Father’s plan, it requires true disciples of Jesus Christ live as he did if the marriage and family is to be successful. The gospel of Jesus Christ is constant. It does not move nor sway according to the conveniences and traditions of society. This requires a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ to be constant as well, to know firmly where he stands and to be an example, for a disciple is not only a follower of Christ but a leader for his cause as well. One who professes themselves as disciples of Jesus Christ is one who only follows him and is not persuaded by men and the trends or conveniences of society. He is built upon a rock. One who does not clearly know where he stands is one who clearly has not yet obtained a testimony. We all have a sacred responsibility to seek out a testimony so that we can follow the Savior and testify of his work. We must come to a knowledge that Christ is our Savior, His true Church is on the earth, and modern day prophets and apostles have been called to be His mouthpiece. We must follow Christ and the leaders of His Church in testimony and faith.
Our country was founded upon principles. The founding fathers recorded that they felt the constitution and its principles were inspired from God. Most of the states used the nation’s constitutions as its model. In the constitution, the country had a solid foundation established. Once we as a society allow our government to make changes or amendments to the constitution it carries lasting effects and the decision should not be taken lightly. Our country and our government rely on its basic unit, the family to not only provide tax dollars but also to provide citizens who will obey laws, be leaders in their community, serving the country in the military, strengthen the economy through strong work ethics, etc. All of this and more is reliant upon the family. We are now seeing a popular change in society. Something that has existed for thousands of years and was designed as a sacred religious institution has now been placed under vote by government. Marriage originated with religion and it was not until much later that governments for tax purposes recognized it. Judges are ruling on it and when they do, it requires religions to make changes to what they had originated. Government needs to stay small and when government gets involved in too many things it is considered as big government. When government meddles with marriage, it is acting as big government.
Proposition 8 in California this year is on whether or not a change should be made to California’s constitution on marriage to not only be between a man and a woman. If you vote yes, no change will be made. If you vote no, a change will be made that will not only affect the homosexual population but everyone involved in and outside of the State.
Currently, all homosexual partnerships receive the same tax benefits and rights as a married man and woman. A change would only give them the opportunity to be married like their parents but would not affect their financial situation or grant them anymore civil rights. For homosexuals this is a fight over the title of marriage but for the straight population, the majority, it is much more. The repercussions are outstanding. To inflict their lifestyle on an entire nation when their rights are not affected in the outcome is unbelievable and selfish.
Schools in California currently teach family life and will be required to teach students as young as kindergartners about straight and gay marriage and their lifestyles. This is too young of an age to be taught in schools and should be reserved for the teaching of parents in the home. A father in Boston, Massachusetts was arrested for trying to get his son excused from the class when gay marriage was being taught and that he be notified when that would occur. The public school denied both requests and had him arrested.
Adoption agencies including those owned and sponsored by religious groups would be required to allow a homosexual couple to adopt or would be forced to shut down. This would impose upon children many questions in regards to their own sexual orientation. As much as men try to be women and women try to be men they cannot provide all the benefits that a child needs from being raised by a female mother and a male father.
Church buildings will no longer be used for civil weddings and wedding receptions unless they offer the opportunity to gay couples as well. Religious marriages will no longer be recognized. Civil marriages will also be required before being married in the temple. This currently happens in other countries where governments do not recognize religious weddings.
Church leaders who have the authority to marry couples, no matter the religion, will be required to perform gay marriages when requested or they and their church can be sued. Church’s that did not perform these acts would lose their tax-exempt status. Tax-exempt status is huge for a church and some would not survive without it.
All doctrine and scripture that taught about traditional families such as the proclamation on the family and anything else that taught against homosexual marriage would be declared as hate speech and could not be used.
The list goes on.
Four of these five examples show that if gay marriage is legalized, government will be controlling our religions and how we worship and teach. Our founding father left their homelands in search of freedom of religion and is the primary reason why this great country was founded. We do not want a government telling us how we can and cannot practice our religions. Society can recognize the minority without making changes to the majority. This is why marriage was never granted to homosexuals in the past. Instead, they were given certain rights and privileges to help provide equality. Prop 8 is not and never was over whether being homosexual is right or wrong. It is over the clarification of marriage and its long lasting effects.
There is nothing more valuable and beautiful than a man and woman married as husband and wife raising a family, loving and respecting each other and the sacred ordinance they performed. This decision not only affects our children but our entire posterity and us today.
We must do everything we can to stand up and fight for truth and those things that are right. We must deliver when called upon to serve and help each other know and understand the true gospel of Jesus Christ. We are in a spiritual war. This war is no different then the war we fought in heaven. We must take a stand and so be it if we must offend the wicked in doing so. I for one will not rest in this war!
Although some may claim it but there is no way to separate your religion, your morals and your ethics from your political stances and the way that you vote. If you are separating them your are not applying all the principles of the gospel in your life as you have been taught to do so. Our leaders, even our Prophet and the First Presidency of the true church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, have spoken and asked us as disciples of Jesus Christ to take a stand on this issue and help with its cause so that more people will vote YES on prop 8 in California. Vote yes on Proposition 8!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
PERSEVERANCE
Christ came to overcome the world and he overcame. Now it is our turn. We have to overcome.
To be able to overcome life on earth, our Father in Heaven has blessed us with a Savior and the example of his life. He has given us the Church. We have prophets, apostles, other leaders, scriptures and the Spirit. In the Church, we have been blessed with ordinances that place us under a covenant with our Heavenly Father. Obeying those covenants lead us back to our Heavenly Father. These things along with many others provide us with spiritual and inner strength. This strength is necessary to be able to persevere.
It is when we think we cannot go any further is when we know we are at the point of reaching success. Times will be hard and it will make it hard to obey the commandments and covenants that we have been given. We must persevere in the truth of the Lord. It’s not what you finish; it’s how you finish it. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7.) You have to love truth or you are never going to obey it.
We cannot keep living the same way every day. We need to be constantly looking for different ways that we can improve our life each day. It is time we step up to the plate and begin the process of exaltation to become like our Father. We need to get to the point where we look for, invite responsibility, and then go beyond that responsibility. An obedient person who is full of the spirit will desire more opportunities to obey the Lord because that person knows that the more he obeys the closer he will be to the Lord.
“Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a clove of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.” (2 Nephi 31:20.)
Let us be one persevering in Christ, unifying our will and our hearts with the Lords.
“Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.” (Helaman 3:35.)
To be able to overcome life on earth, our Father in Heaven has blessed us with a Savior and the example of his life. He has given us the Church. We have prophets, apostles, other leaders, scriptures and the Spirit. In the Church, we have been blessed with ordinances that place us under a covenant with our Heavenly Father. Obeying those covenants lead us back to our Heavenly Father. These things along with many others provide us with spiritual and inner strength. This strength is necessary to be able to persevere.
It is when we think we cannot go any further is when we know we are at the point of reaching success. Times will be hard and it will make it hard to obey the commandments and covenants that we have been given. We must persevere in the truth of the Lord. It’s not what you finish; it’s how you finish it. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7.) You have to love truth or you are never going to obey it.
We cannot keep living the same way every day. We need to be constantly looking for different ways that we can improve our life each day. It is time we step up to the plate and begin the process of exaltation to become like our Father. We need to get to the point where we look for, invite responsibility, and then go beyond that responsibility. An obedient person who is full of the spirit will desire more opportunities to obey the Lord because that person knows that the more he obeys the closer he will be to the Lord.
“Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a clove of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.” (2 Nephi 31:20.)
Let us be one persevering in Christ, unifying our will and our hearts with the Lords.
“Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.” (Helaman 3:35.)
Monday, May 26, 2008
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST
Approximately 2,000 years ago when Jesus Christ was living on the earth, he organized his church. In doing so, he taught the eternal doctrines of his gospel. He performed ordinances and miracles. He fulfilled his mission by performing the atonement, which included resurrecting the third day from the tomb. He also called and ordained apostles to help teach and lead his church under his direction. The apostles were also called to be special witnesses of Jesus Christ. He made one the apostles the president or prophet of the church. He gave the men of his church the priesthood, which allowed men to act in God’s name. People who joined Christ’s church through baptism were known as Saints. If we were to name the church that Christ organized, it would be called The Church of Jesus Christ of the Saints because Christ organized it and it was done for his followers, the members of his church.
The scriptures teach of a great apostasy, which would come to the earth and take the Lord’s church and his priesthood from it. We know that this occurred not too long after Christ ascended to the Father and with the death of the last apostle the gospel and the keys to exercise the priesthood were no longer on the earth. Everything that Christ had established had left the earth. Gone were the days of prophets and apostles and with them revelation. Because of the organization and leadership of the church no longer being on the earth, the teachings of Jesus Christ were lost. What remained of some of them were corrupted and mingled in with the ideas of men. However, the scriptures also tell us that the Lord did promise to end the apostasy in the latter-days by restoring his church upon the earth for one last time.
On April 6, 1830, the Lord Jesus Christ restored his church upon the earth. Once again, he established his organization by calling and ordaining leaders, prophets and apostles. Revelation and the priesthood along with the necessary keys have been restored. Christ restored his doctrines through his prophet, the same teachings of ancient times. The same ordinances were restored and miracles have been performed in his name. The Lord once again calls the members of his church in these latter-days Saints as he did in ancient times. For the reasons of truth being restored and Christ organizing his church once again, the Church is called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. With the apostasy ending by the truth of Jesus Christ restored on the earth, the Lord has promised that his gospel will never be taken from the earth again.
The scriptures teach of a great apostasy, which would come to the earth and take the Lord’s church and his priesthood from it. We know that this occurred not too long after Christ ascended to the Father and with the death of the last apostle the gospel and the keys to exercise the priesthood were no longer on the earth. Everything that Christ had established had left the earth. Gone were the days of prophets and apostles and with them revelation. Because of the organization and leadership of the church no longer being on the earth, the teachings of Jesus Christ were lost. What remained of some of them were corrupted and mingled in with the ideas of men. However, the scriptures also tell us that the Lord did promise to end the apostasy in the latter-days by restoring his church upon the earth for one last time.
On April 6, 1830, the Lord Jesus Christ restored his church upon the earth. Once again, he established his organization by calling and ordaining leaders, prophets and apostles. Revelation and the priesthood along with the necessary keys have been restored. Christ restored his doctrines through his prophet, the same teachings of ancient times. The same ordinances were restored and miracles have been performed in his name. The Lord once again calls the members of his church in these latter-days Saints as he did in ancient times. For the reasons of truth being restored and Christ organizing his church once again, the Church is called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. With the apostasy ending by the truth of Jesus Christ restored on the earth, the Lord has promised that his gospel will never be taken from the earth again.
Monday, April 21, 2008
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
The official name of the Church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Please note that it is with a capital "T" in "The" and not spelled lowercase. The name Mormon and LDS are only nicknames for the Church and are not official names or appropriate substitutes for the official name.
Monday, February 18, 2008
OBEDIENCE = FAITH = KNOWLEDGE
SERVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD
The level of our obedience is based upon the level of our faith and the level of our faith is based upon our level of knowledge. It is critical for us to obtain a pure and true knowledge of Jesus Christ and His gospel. How much knowledge we need to have sufficient faith to be able to obey and follow the Lord as a true disciple is up to each of us to decide.
Life can be busy but we need to find ways to take time out of the day to focus on increasing our knowledge. If we try to make do with the knowledge we currently have by not taking the time to increase it or by even not reminding ourselves of the knowledge that we currently have, will we have sufficient faith to face the increasing challenges that life brings?
How quickly would we act if the Lord himself counseled us to do something? You might be saying to yourself, right away. However, would you really be so quick to act and do you think you would be quick to forget?
We learn in the Book of Mormon that the Nephites lasted 300 years acting and not forgetting the counsel of the Lord. We are counseled from the mouthpiece of the Lord, and look how quick we are to act. Sometimes we look like snails. Look how quick we are to forget and look how quick we are to justify.
Is it not the same when the Prophet speaks compared to when the Lord speaks? I ask you this; do you have a testimony that our Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God and every latter-day Prophet that came before him? How quickly were we as returned missionaries to maintain the appearance of a missionary, or have just one pair of earrings, or other piercings, and how quick were we to apply President Hinckley’s “B’s” in our lives? For those of you that do obey now, whether it was immediate or not, I commend you and admire your obedience to the Prophet.
I ask you again, do you have a testimony that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God? Do you honestly believe you would act more quickly and not forget if it was the Lord himself? It will not be as easy as you think to follow the Lord himself if we are not following the Prophet. They are the same. I exhort you all to know for yourselves that what our prophet says are the words and the will of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
We seem to be able to tolerate procrastination of duties in school and in other daily tasks. I fear to think that we would procrastinate our obedience to the Lord. Who are we to not anxiously act and obey our Master? We came to this earth committing to our Heavenly Father that we would obey His laws. Elder Mark E. Petersen of the Twelve said, “We cannot just be in the Church in a casual or disinterested way. Indifference has no place in the heart or mind of a Latter-day Saint. If we are going to be Latter-day Saints we must do something about it!”
It all falls upon our testimony. Our testimony and our spirit together are either weak or strong. Their condition is portrayed through our actions and an expedient will to not only serve, but to turn over out will to our Heavenly Father by sacrificing our own desires and our time. Let us all love and pray for our brethren who display weak testimonies through their actions in and out of the gospel or the lack of actions there of. For it is the responsibility to edify each other. “And now, behold, I give unto you a commandment, that when ye are assembled together ye shall instruct and edify each other, that ye may know how to act and direct my church, how to act upon the points of my law and commandments, which I have given.” (Doctrine and Covenants 43:8.) When a dear brother or sister is seen not fulfilling their assignments in the church we should not think less of them or cast them out. We need to help edify each other.
The Saints don’t obey because of one of three reasons.
1. They were not taught appropriately.
2. They do not understand what was taught.
3. They choose not to obey.
One of the reasons we come to church and study the scriptures and the gospel is to gain knowledge, understand the things of God, have the spirit with us, and we eventually want to do the Lords will. We gain these things by our own application and by edifying each other.
The Elders of the Church have been given home teaching assignments and the sisters are given visiting teaching assignments. Each of us will also be serving in other callings in the church. How important is it that we not only fulfill our duties in the callings that we accept but to magnify them as well? “For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.” (Doctrine and Covenants 84:33.)
If we are not magnifying our callings then we are not obeying our Lord and Savior. Each of us know if we are magnifying our callings or not. Be honest with yourself and your heart will tell you by the means of the Spirit. If you can rest and sleep peacefully at night when reflecting upon your calling, then you are probably doing a great job.
I wish we could all apply the gospel more fully in our lives so that we can obtain more of the blessings of our Father in Heaven. Those blessings would allow us to understand his will and our duties, which would allow us to have his Spirit with us. When we have the Spirit, we are anxious to serve and follow our God even if it requires a change in our will and a loss of our time, which only appears as a loss to those without knowledge, understanding, and the Spirit.
When we study the doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we obtain knowledge, a deeper understanding, and a change in our hearts that allows the spirit in our life. If you need help, if you are struggling, or simply want to become greater and closer to Heavenly Father, study doctrine. You will become more powerful as you do.
We must magnify our callings if we want the kingdom of God here on this earth. If you are not sure as to what all of your calling entails go to who called you and ask them for assistance. Do those responsibilities, no matter if they are great or small. It makes no difference. The lord will be proud of you and will bless your life.
Remember that we are taught that we must first do our part, all that the Lord has asked of us, before he can then help us. One of the things that he has commanded us to do is to magnify our callings.
Can we have our calling and election made sure if we are not magnifying our callings? No! If we are not desiring to have our calling and election made sure someday, I invite you to make it a priority in your life.
We must magnify ourselves in all things, in all that we do. Not just in our callings or in the church if we want to be able to magnify ourselves in the gospel. We need to magnify our membership in the church. If we are magnifying our membership in the church, we will magnify our Christ like attributes and we will focus on acquiring the attributes that we do not have. We will love and help edify all of our fellow men. These are some of the plain and precious truths of the procrastination of your magnification. Let us put forth a little effort each day and take each day one at a time so that one day the Lord can look upon us more pleasingly.
For those that do magnify their callings I admire you. However, your not done, do not become complacent and press on.
How do we magnify? Elder Sterling W. Sill said, “To serve him with all our hearts means that our love and devotion should be genuine and complete. To serve him with all our might is to employ to the utmost our determination, commitment, and will power. It does not mean to walk the irregular pathway of vacillation and procrastination. To serve him with all our mind requires a strong positive, mental attitude. It means continual study, thoughtfulness, meditation, and firm positive decisions on each of the questions involved. To serve him with all our strength requires vigorous, persistent, continual physical activity… By this process of consolidation and joint action one may concentrate all of the elements of personal effectiveness into one united, fiery, and powerful effort.”
The level of our obedience is based upon the level of our faith and the level of our faith is based upon our level of knowledge. It is critical for us to obtain a pure and true knowledge of Jesus Christ and His gospel. How much knowledge we need to have sufficient faith to be able to obey and follow the Lord as a true disciple is up to each of us to decide.
Life can be busy but we need to find ways to take time out of the day to focus on increasing our knowledge. If we try to make do with the knowledge we currently have by not taking the time to increase it or by even not reminding ourselves of the knowledge that we currently have, will we have sufficient faith to face the increasing challenges that life brings?
How quickly would we act if the Lord himself counseled us to do something? You might be saying to yourself, right away. However, would you really be so quick to act and do you think you would be quick to forget?
We learn in the Book of Mormon that the Nephites lasted 300 years acting and not forgetting the counsel of the Lord. We are counseled from the mouthpiece of the Lord, and look how quick we are to act. Sometimes we look like snails. Look how quick we are to forget and look how quick we are to justify.
Is it not the same when the Prophet speaks compared to when the Lord speaks? I ask you this; do you have a testimony that our Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God and every latter-day Prophet that came before him? How quickly were we as returned missionaries to maintain the appearance of a missionary, or have just one pair of earrings, or other piercings, and how quick were we to apply President Hinckley’s “B’s” in our lives? For those of you that do obey now, whether it was immediate or not, I commend you and admire your obedience to the Prophet.
I ask you again, do you have a testimony that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God? Do you honestly believe you would act more quickly and not forget if it was the Lord himself? It will not be as easy as you think to follow the Lord himself if we are not following the Prophet. They are the same. I exhort you all to know for yourselves that what our prophet says are the words and the will of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
We seem to be able to tolerate procrastination of duties in school and in other daily tasks. I fear to think that we would procrastinate our obedience to the Lord. Who are we to not anxiously act and obey our Master? We came to this earth committing to our Heavenly Father that we would obey His laws. Elder Mark E. Petersen of the Twelve said, “We cannot just be in the Church in a casual or disinterested way. Indifference has no place in the heart or mind of a Latter-day Saint. If we are going to be Latter-day Saints we must do something about it!”
It all falls upon our testimony. Our testimony and our spirit together are either weak or strong. Their condition is portrayed through our actions and an expedient will to not only serve, but to turn over out will to our Heavenly Father by sacrificing our own desires and our time. Let us all love and pray for our brethren who display weak testimonies through their actions in and out of the gospel or the lack of actions there of. For it is the responsibility to edify each other. “And now, behold, I give unto you a commandment, that when ye are assembled together ye shall instruct and edify each other, that ye may know how to act and direct my church, how to act upon the points of my law and commandments, which I have given.” (Doctrine and Covenants 43:8.) When a dear brother or sister is seen not fulfilling their assignments in the church we should not think less of them or cast them out. We need to help edify each other.
The Saints don’t obey because of one of three reasons.
1. They were not taught appropriately.
2. They do not understand what was taught.
3. They choose not to obey.
One of the reasons we come to church and study the scriptures and the gospel is to gain knowledge, understand the things of God, have the spirit with us, and we eventually want to do the Lords will. We gain these things by our own application and by edifying each other.
The Elders of the Church have been given home teaching assignments and the sisters are given visiting teaching assignments. Each of us will also be serving in other callings in the church. How important is it that we not only fulfill our duties in the callings that we accept but to magnify them as well? “For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.” (Doctrine and Covenants 84:33.)
If we are not magnifying our callings then we are not obeying our Lord and Savior. Each of us know if we are magnifying our callings or not. Be honest with yourself and your heart will tell you by the means of the Spirit. If you can rest and sleep peacefully at night when reflecting upon your calling, then you are probably doing a great job.
I wish we could all apply the gospel more fully in our lives so that we can obtain more of the blessings of our Father in Heaven. Those blessings would allow us to understand his will and our duties, which would allow us to have his Spirit with us. When we have the Spirit, we are anxious to serve and follow our God even if it requires a change in our will and a loss of our time, which only appears as a loss to those without knowledge, understanding, and the Spirit.
When we study the doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we obtain knowledge, a deeper understanding, and a change in our hearts that allows the spirit in our life. If you need help, if you are struggling, or simply want to become greater and closer to Heavenly Father, study doctrine. You will become more powerful as you do.
We must magnify our callings if we want the kingdom of God here on this earth. If you are not sure as to what all of your calling entails go to who called you and ask them for assistance. Do those responsibilities, no matter if they are great or small. It makes no difference. The lord will be proud of you and will bless your life.
Remember that we are taught that we must first do our part, all that the Lord has asked of us, before he can then help us. One of the things that he has commanded us to do is to magnify our callings.
Can we have our calling and election made sure if we are not magnifying our callings? No! If we are not desiring to have our calling and election made sure someday, I invite you to make it a priority in your life.
We must magnify ourselves in all things, in all that we do. Not just in our callings or in the church if we want to be able to magnify ourselves in the gospel. We need to magnify our membership in the church. If we are magnifying our membership in the church, we will magnify our Christ like attributes and we will focus on acquiring the attributes that we do not have. We will love and help edify all of our fellow men. These are some of the plain and precious truths of the procrastination of your magnification. Let us put forth a little effort each day and take each day one at a time so that one day the Lord can look upon us more pleasingly.
For those that do magnify their callings I admire you. However, your not done, do not become complacent and press on.
How do we magnify? Elder Sterling W. Sill said, “To serve him with all our hearts means that our love and devotion should be genuine and complete. To serve him with all our might is to employ to the utmost our determination, commitment, and will power. It does not mean to walk the irregular pathway of vacillation and procrastination. To serve him with all our mind requires a strong positive, mental attitude. It means continual study, thoughtfulness, meditation, and firm positive decisions on each of the questions involved. To serve him with all our strength requires vigorous, persistent, continual physical activity… By this process of consolidation and joint action one may concentrate all of the elements of personal effectiveness into one united, fiery, and powerful effort.”
Monday, February 11, 2008
MOTHERS
Thank you to all of the women who are mothers. I admire and adore mothers who make the necessary daily sacrifices of being mothers and who love motherhood. Without mothers who would raise and teach the leaders of tomorrow? We need great leaders of the world, in our country, in our communities, in church, and more importantly leaders in our families. While men embrace their role as providers and presiders in the home it takes his support to give women the opportunity to embrace their role as mothers and teach their children the important truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ and how to grow up right and responsible in society. The Proclamation to the World on the family, declared by God’s Prophet and the Quorum of the 12 Apostles, is the greatest scripture given on the family.
I am grateful to my mother and to my grandmothers and all the many family members and friends who are mothers. I too am grateful for young women who are aspiring mothers that look forward to the day when they have children of their own. I am also especially grateful for the example that has been given for my future children’s mother, whoever she is. I hope that you all understand how valuable you all are in society. Without you our families, our communities, and our nation would struggle and eventually fall. The children that you raise to become men and women in this world represent where they came from and who you are. It is because of the teachings and examples of great mothers that we have great examples in society and it is because of these same mothers that I have great friends and great examples. In addition, from your examples come new mothers, mothers who look forward to living up to those who have gone before them in raising the children of god.
Mothers are, if not the most valuable, one of the most valuable people on the earth. Everything they do and teach effects society through their teachings to their children. Instead of receiving the benefits of one woman in society, we receive it as many times as she has children. Mothers’ effects are everlasting and help keep love in a world where it is easy to hate.
Motherhood is a great power. It is something that is to be held in high respect and is a gift from Heavenly Father that all women have been blessed with. Motherhood allows women to take part in the power of creation, nurturing and rearing of God's children. It is a power that men do not have; they have been given the priesthood. With an honorable priesthood bearer and one who honors their motherhood, the home is strong and the family is as our Heavenly Father designed it, the most important contributor to society, and its core. It isn’t what's done in the work place that affects the world the most, but it is what is done in the home that can change the world the most.
I honor and admire all mothers, especially those who magnify the gift of motherhood. I hope all men and women can understand their sacred role in society and the power that they posses in the home. We are nothing without our mothers and their great sacrifices that they make daily for us, their children.
I am grateful to my mother and to my grandmothers and all the many family members and friends who are mothers. I too am grateful for young women who are aspiring mothers that look forward to the day when they have children of their own. I am also especially grateful for the example that has been given for my future children’s mother, whoever she is. I hope that you all understand how valuable you all are in society. Without you our families, our communities, and our nation would struggle and eventually fall. The children that you raise to become men and women in this world represent where they came from and who you are. It is because of the teachings and examples of great mothers that we have great examples in society and it is because of these same mothers that I have great friends and great examples. In addition, from your examples come new mothers, mothers who look forward to living up to those who have gone before them in raising the children of god.
Mothers are, if not the most valuable, one of the most valuable people on the earth. Everything they do and teach effects society through their teachings to their children. Instead of receiving the benefits of one woman in society, we receive it as many times as she has children. Mothers’ effects are everlasting and help keep love in a world where it is easy to hate.
Motherhood is a great power. It is something that is to be held in high respect and is a gift from Heavenly Father that all women have been blessed with. Motherhood allows women to take part in the power of creation, nurturing and rearing of God's children. It is a power that men do not have; they have been given the priesthood. With an honorable priesthood bearer and one who honors their motherhood, the home is strong and the family is as our Heavenly Father designed it, the most important contributor to society, and its core. It isn’t what's done in the work place that affects the world the most, but it is what is done in the home that can change the world the most.
I honor and admire all mothers, especially those who magnify the gift of motherhood. I hope all men and women can understand their sacred role in society and the power that they posses in the home. We are nothing without our mothers and their great sacrifices that they make daily for us, their children.
Friday, February 8, 2008
PROPHETS & APOSTLES
When Jesus Christ lived on the earth, he organized his church with prophets and apostles. The bible tells us that their names were Peter, James, John, and Paul to mention a few along with several others. That church that Christ established left the earth along with its priesthood, as prophesied, due to wickedness on the earth. That same church along with that same priesthood has since returned to the earth as prophesied by those same ancient prophets. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever and because of that, he has organized the same church in these days with prophets and apostles. (Ephesians 4:11-14).
We recently witnessed the passing of our dear prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley, due to old age. He was 97 years old. On February 3, 2008, a new prophet was called of God, set apart, and ordained as the 16th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His name is Thomas S. Monson and he is a Prophet of God. He along with his two counselors and the Quorum of the 12 Apostles are special witnesses to the head of the church, Jesus Christ, and lead the same church today that Christ organized when he was living on the earth. (Ephesians 2:19-20).
There are Prophets and Apostles on the earth today! The Church of Jesus Christ is on the earth. I am grateful that the Lord has called these great men to help us know and understand the Lords will and the plan that Heavenly Father has for each of us.
We recently witnessed the passing of our dear prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley, due to old age. He was 97 years old. On February 3, 2008, a new prophet was called of God, set apart, and ordained as the 16th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His name is Thomas S. Monson and he is a Prophet of God. He along with his two counselors and the Quorum of the 12 Apostles are special witnesses to the head of the church, Jesus Christ, and lead the same church today that Christ organized when he was living on the earth. (Ephesians 2:19-20).
There are Prophets and Apostles on the earth today! The Church of Jesus Christ is on the earth. I am grateful that the Lord has called these great men to help us know and understand the Lords will and the plan that Heavenly Father has for each of us.
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